A positive place for young readers to discuss books and stories, our Middle-Grade Book Club is going strong and having fun. If you've got a reader who is looking for something social and positive this Spring, our Middle-Grade Book Club might be just the right thing! 

This month, our group is reading The Elephant's Girl: 

An elephant never forgets, but Lexington Willow can’t remember what happened before a tornado swept her away when she was a toddler. All she knows is that it landed her near an enclosure in a Nebraska zoo; and there an elephant named Nyah protected her from the storm. With no trace of her birth family, Lex grew up at the zoo with Nyah and her elephant family; her foster father, Roger; her best friend, Fisher; and the wind whispering in her ear.

Now that she’s twelve, Lex is finally old enough to help with the elephants. But during their first training session, Nyah sends her a telepathic image of the woods outside the zoo. Despite the wind’s protests, Lex decides to investigate Nyah’s message and gets wrapped up in an adventure involving ghosts, lost treasure, and a puzzle that might be the key to finding her family. As she hunts for answers, Lex must summon the courage to leave the secure borders of her zoo to discover who she really is—and why the tornado brought her here all those years ago.


We've been having great discussions this year and this one will be just as good! 

For the protection of our young audience, we do not share the URL for our Middle-Grade book club on the website. If you are a parent with a young reader who you'd like to have join the group this month, please email Kyra at events@silverunicornbooks.com for a link. 

If you love the Silver Unicorn, then you know how we feel about poetry! We're delighted to welcome THREE poets, two from Massachusetts, to read their newest work. 


Thank goodness for modern technology! Virtual events during these pandemic times means that we can welcome authors from all over the country (and the world!) to read and discuss their work with us! Massachusetts poets Jonathan Weinert and Andrea Cohen are teaming up with their Colorado poet friend Wayne Miller to offer up a night of poetry and discussion. If you've enjoyed our poetry readings in the past, you'll certainly enjoy this one as well! We know this will be perfect for awakening our senses as the world wakes up in the early Spring! 

Jonathan Weinert is the author of three books of poems: A Slow Green Sleep (2021), winner of the Saturnalia Books Editors Prize; In the Mode of Disappearance (2008), winner of the Nightboat Poetry Prize; and Thirteen Small Apostrophes (2012), a chapbook. He is co-editor, with Kevin Prufer, of Until Everything Is Continuous Again: American Poets on the Recent Work of W. S. Merwin (2012). A graduate of Brandeis University and the Spalding MFA in Writing Program, Jonathan has received grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Ucross Foundation. He lives and works in Stow, Massachusetts.

Wayne Miller is the author of five poetry collections, most recently We the Jury (Milkweed, 2021) and Post- (2016), which won the Rilke Prize and the Colorado Book Award in Poetry. He has co-translated two books by the Albanian writer Moikom Zeqo—most recently Zodiac (Zephyr, 2015), which was shortlisted for the PEN Center USA Award in Translation—and he has co-edited three books, including Literary Publishing in the Twenty-First Century (Milkweed, 2016) and New European Poets (Graywolf, 2008). Wayne teaches at the University of Colorado Denver and edits Copper Nickel.
 

Andrea Cohen’s poems and stories have appeared in The New Yorker, Poetry, The Threepenny Review, The Atlantic Monthly, The New Republic, Glimmer Train, The Hudson Review, etc. 

A new book of poems, Everything, will be published by Four Way Books in 2021. Other collections include Nightshade (Four Way, 2019). Unfathoming (Four Way, 2017),  Furs Not Mine (Four Way, 2015), Kentucky Derby (Salmon Poetry, 2011), Long Division (Salmon Poetry, 2009), and The Cartographer's Vacation (Owl Creek Press, 1999). Cohen has received a PEN Discovery Award, Glimmer Train's Short Fiction Award, and several fellowships at The MacDowell Colony. She directs the Blacksmith House Poetry Series in Cambridge, MA.


This is a Zoom Webinar event for the safety of our guests as well as our audience. Our virtual events are always free, but you must register in advance to receive the Zoom link. Register today by following this link and be sure to mark your calendar so you don't forget! 

Jane Yolen just released her 400th book! 400th! We bet you've got 2 on your shelf right this second! This is a Saturday Morning Story Time you do NOT want to miss! 


Legendary Massachusetts author Jane Yolen and Extraordinary Rhode Island illustrator Jen Corace have teamed up to produce a beautiful new picture book, Bear Outside! We can't believe our good fortune that we get to host them for a Saturday Morning Story Time reading and discussion! If you're a fan (and if you're children are fans!), please be sure to register using the link below. 

Here is more about Bear Outside:

Lots of people have inner strength, but one girl wears hers as a bear outside.

Some folks have a lion inside,
Or a tiger.
Not me.
I wear my bear on the outside.


In this imaginative picture book, a girl explores the many ways she expresses herself by imagining that she wears a bear as her personal protective shell. They go everywhere and do everything together. The Bear is like a suit of armor and a partner all in one, protecting her from bullies and giving her strength to be bold when she needs it. In turn, she listens to and takes care of the Bear.


This book has received glowing reviews from Publishers Weekly, Booklist, School Library Journal, and Kirkus Reviews. All agree: the quiet grace of Jane's wording and Jen's gorgeously painted gouache, ink, and graphite illustrations strike a perfect balance that make this book the perfect read aloud for your home library. 


This is a Story Time to add to your calendar right this second. This event is a Zoom webinar for the safety of our guests and our young audience. If you would like to join us, pre-register here to receive your link. 

 

Almost 20 years have passed, but we have not forgotten. 


Months away from the 20-year anniversary of the terror attacks of Pennsylvania, New York City, and the Pentagon on September 11th, 2001, we're proud to launch Amanda Davis' new, inspiring picture book 30,000 Stitches: The Inspiring Story of the National 9/11 Flag. To make this virtual launch even more special, Amanda will be joined by Carolyn and Denny Deters, staff members of the National 9/11 Flag Tour, and Jeff Parness, founder and chairman of the New York Says Thank You Foundation. This isn't just another book launch: this is a special evening to reflect on the resilience and hope that came from real people after our national tragedy. 

More about 30,000 Stitches: 
Discover the inspiring story of the American flag that flew over Ground Zero, traveled across all fifty states as it was repaired, and returned to New York as a restored symbol of unity.
In the days following September 11th, a 30-foot American flag hung torn and tattered at 90 West Street, across from Ground Zero. A few weeks later, the flag was taken down by a construction crew and tucked away in storage, where it stayed for nearly seven years.

The flag was brought out of storage in 2008 when the New York Says Thank You Foundation headed to Greensburg, Kansas, a town nearly destroyed by a tornado. NYSTY brought the flag with them, sparking a grassroots restoration effort that traveled over 120,000 miles across all fifty states, bringing together thousands of people, and helping America heal and rebuild . . . hand by hand, thread by thread, one stitch at a time.

This book is the story of that journey, a journey that ended at the opening of the National September 11 Museum, where the flag remains today. Along the way, the flag was restored using pieces of retired flags from every state—including a piece of the flag that Abraham Lincoln was laid on after he was shot at Ford's Theater and threads from the original Star-Spangled Banner flag, which flew at Fort McHenry in the War of 1812 and inspired Francis Scott Key to write the national anthem. The pieces and threads were stitched in by military veterans, first responders, educators, students, community-service heroes, and family members of 9/11 victims, among others. At each stop, communities came together to remember, to heal, and to unite.


We're so proud to help launch this book. This is an event that you do not want to miss. Be sure to mark your calendar today so you don't forget. For the safety of our guests and audience, this book launch is a Zoom Webinar. You must pre-register to receive the link. You can do so by clicking here. 
 
 

Don't let the crowns fool you! This fractured fairy tale is princess power with a twist: STEM, problem solving, and doing what girls do--getting things done! 


We love a good picture book and we LOVE fairy tales! Launching Tracy Marchini's brand new picture book, Princesses can Fix It! is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate a this book, talk about simple machines, and vibe on some girl power for an evening! 

Here is more about Princesses Can Fix It! 

Three princesses take on their castle’s alligator problem in this funny fairy tale with a STEAM twist.
 

The castle is crawling with wayward alligators, and the clueless king doesn’t know how to fix it. Lila, Margaret, and Harriet have lots of ideas, but their father won’t listen! According to him, the Princesses should be focusing on proper pursuits like drawing, jewelry, and music. When the three girls start falling asleep during the day, the King sends the Prince to investigate …

What he discovers is that the three princesses are gathering at night to use their knowledge of the six simple machines to invent an ingenious alligator removal contraption in their secret workshop.


 

It's The Twelve Dancing Princesses for the modern girl! We can't wait to hear Tracy read the book, talk about it, and ask her questions! We hope you'll join us! Don't forget to preorder your book! All preordered books will be SIGNED by Tracy! You can preorder RIGHT NOW! 

For the safety of our guest and attendees, this virtual book launch is a Zoom Webinar. You must pre-register to receive the Zoom link. Please follow this link to register and then mark your calendar today! 

 

In crazy times like these, friendship makes all the difference. That's why when our friend Debbi Michiko Florence reached out and said she wanted to share an event with her dear friend Jo Knowles to celebrate the paperback releases of their two books, we just had to say yes! Keep it Together, Keiko Carter and Where the Heart Is are out in paperback this Spring and we're excited! 

Got a middle-grade reader looking for great books to add to the summer reading pile? Look no further! 

More about Keep it Together, Keiko Carter (Out May 4th! Come pick it up before the event!): 

Seventh grade is supposed to be a game changer. And Keiko thinks she's got it covered, especially with Audrey and Jenna by her side to shop for a new look, pick out a prime lunch spot, and even hit up that cute new bubble tea place after school. Her trio is ready to tackle life as they always have... together.But when Audrey decides they need boyfriends before Fall Ball, it looks like things may be changing in all the wrong ways. Jenna is sick of caving in to Audrey's demands, and soon Keiko's besties are barely talking, leaving her caught in the middle. While she's been dreaming about triple dates, first kisses, and a boy she really shouldn't have a crush on, the friendship she's always thought was rock-solid is beginning to crumble.Keiko feels pulled in two directions. Should she try to help her friends -- even if it means losing one of them -- or follow her heart? When it comes to flirting, friendships, and fallouts, how is Keiko supposed to keep it all together?



More about Where the Heart Is (out April 13th! Come pick it up before the event!): 

It’s the first day of summer and Rachel’s thirteenth birthday. She can’t wait to head to the lake with her best friend, Micah. But as summer unfolds, every day seems to get more complicated. Her “fun” new job taking care of the neighbors’ farm animals quickly becomes a challenge, whether she’s being pecked by chickens or having to dodge a charging pig at feeding time. At home, her parents are more worried about money than usual, and their arguments over bills intensify. Fortunately, Rachel can count on Micah to help her cope with all the stress. But Micah seems to want their relationship to go beyond friendship, and though Rachel almost wishes for that, too, she can’t force herself to feel “that way” about him. In fact, she isn’t sure she can feel that way about any boy — or what that means.


We love hosting authors, especially when they are with their friends celebrating together. If you've seen any of our in-conversation events, you know this is going to be a great hour! Mark your calendar today and don't forget to get the books before the event at the store! For the safety of our guests and audience, this is a Zoom webinar event. Please register in advance by clicking this link, and then be sure to mark your calendar so you don't forget! 
 

Picture books are on a roll! Have you really flipped through one lately? They're gorgeous and full of great stories and even a little bit of math if you know where to look! We're delighted to welcome back Rajani LaRocca and Sara Levine, and welcome Carrie Finison for the first time as they celebrate their beautiful, math-joy picture books! 


A little bit of math, a whole lot of heart, and even more beauty, these three picture books are going to be the next favorite read-alouds in your home library! We can't wait to introduce you to Bracelets for Bina's Brothers, The Animals Would Not Sleep!, and Dozens of Donuts! 


More about Bracelets for Bina's Brothers (Available April 20th! Get it before the event!):

For the Hindu holiday of Raksha Bandhan, Bina is determined to make beaded bracelets for her brothers all by herself. She finds out which colors her brothers like and dislike and sets to work. Working with her every-other-one beading pattern causes Bina to discover something new about patterns—and her brothers.


More about The Animals Would Not Sleep! (Available now! Come get it at the store or order it!):

It’s bedtime for Marco and his stuffed animals, but the animals have other ideas. When Marco tries to put them away, they fly, swim, and slither right out of their bins! Can Marco sort the animals so everyone is happy? A playful exploration of sorting and classifying that combines math with empathy. The perfect bedtime book, featuring Latinx characters and a note about scientific classification.



More about Dozens of Donuts (Available now! Come get it at the store or order it!):

LouAnn (a bear) is making a doughnut feast in preparation for her long winter’s nap. But just before she takes the first bite, DING DONG! Her friend Woodrow (a woodchuck) drops by. LouAnn is happy to share her doughnuts, but as soon as she and Woodrow sit down to eat, DING DING! Clyde (a raccoon) is at the door. One by one, LouAnn’s friends come over—Topsy (an opossum) and then Moufette (a skunk) and then Chip and Chomp (chipmunks)—until it’s one big party. Louann welcomes her surprise guests and makes batch after batch of doughnuts, always dividing them equally among her friends. But she makes one BIG miscalculation. Soon LouAnn’s kitchen is bare, winter is near, and she’s had nothing to eat at all!



This is going to be so much fun. We're always happy when we host picture book authors! You want to mark your calendars now for sure! For the safety of our guests and attendees, this is a Zoom Webinar. You must preregister to receive the link. You can do so by clicking here.  

What we love about stories is they can be way out there or they can be devastatingly intimate. This event is for those who love the hauntingly personal. Jennifer De Leon shares her new book of essays, White Space, exploring identity, memory, and writing. Alex Marzano-Lesnevich writes their story of encounter with themself and the deeply human stories that become intertwined with true crime. 

These two authors, part of the famous Chunky Monkeys writing group, will be talking about their books, their craft as writers, and taking your questions! There is PLENTY of opportunity to pick up these books and read them before the event! It will make the discussion that much better!



More about White Space: Essays on Culture, Race, & Writing (available now! Come get it in store or order it!):

Sometime in her twenties, Jennifer De Leon asked herself, “What would you do if you just gave yourself permission?” While her parents had fled Guatemala over three decades earlier when the country was in the grips of genocide and civil war, she hadn’t been back since she was a child. She gave herself permission to return—to relearn the Spanish that she had forgotten, unpack her family’s history, and begin to make her own way.

Alternately honest, funny, and visceral, this powerful collection follows De Leon as she comes of age as a Guatemalan-American woman and learns to navigate the space between two worlds. Never rich or white enough for her posh college, she finds herself equally adrift in her first weeks in her parents’ home country. During the years to follow, she would return to Guatemala again and again, meet ex-guerrillera and genocide survivors, get married in the old cobblestoned capital of Antigua, and teach her newborn son about his roots.

More about The Fact of A Body (available now! Come get it in store or order it!): 

A young law student, an unspeakable crime, and a past that refuses to stay buried.
 

Before Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich begins a summer job at a law firm in Louisiana, working on the retrial defense of death-row convicted murderer and child molester Ricky Langley, she thinks her position is clear. The child of two lawyers, she is staunchly anti-death penalty. But the moment Ricky’s face flashes on the screen as she reviews old tapes, the moment she hears him speak of his crimes, she is overcome with the feeling of wanting him to die. Shocked by her reaction, she digs deeper and deeper into the case, realizing that despite their vastly different circumstances, something in his story is unsettlingly, uncannily familiar.

Crime, even the darkest and must unsayable acts, can happen to any one of us. As Alexandria pours over the facts of the murder, she finds herself thrust into the complicated narrative of Ricky’s childhood. And by examining the details of Ricky’s case, she is forced to face her own story, to unearth long-buried family secrets, to reckon with how her own past colors her view of Ricky's crime.

But Alexandria is not alone in interpreting the crime through her own life. The judge, the jury foreman, even the victim’s mother and the defense attorney—all see what happened through their own lens of experience. The trial that took place was about Ricky’s past, but also the pasts of everyone touched by the murder. In Alexandria’s hands, THE FACT OF A BODY becomes a book not only about how the story of one crime was constructed—but about how we understand our past, the nature of forgiveness, and if a single narrative can ever really contain something as definitive as the truth.


We're such fans of The Chunky Monkeys, so this is a special event for us! You want to mark your calendar right now so you don't forget to tune in for this conversation! This is a Zoom Webinar event for the safety of our guests and our audience. You must preregister to receive the link. Please click here to do so and then mark your calendar today!