Click here to see all of the current Quick Picks nominees along with more information about the list and past years’ selections.
Girls Who Run the World: 31 CEOs Who Mean Business by Diana Kapp, Illustrated by Bijou Karman
Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 15, 2019
ISBN: 978-1984893055
Contemporary business women across many sectors are featured in short chapters in this fun, illustrated informational book that explains how these trailblazers brought their businesses to life, including obstacles and failures they had to overcome along the way.
The illustrations are eye-catching, breezy and modern, adding a distinct cool to the subject matter. The book includes short chapters on each CEO, perfect for those with shorter attention spans. Teens are likely to have heard of at least some of the companies created by the women profiled; Stitch Fix, Popsugar, and Spanx are some of the more recognizable names. As a result the “girls’” stories are more likely to resonate with a teen audience, and will be relatable in showing that even these successful business women weren’t always “killing it” in every endeavor, but that resilience and perseverance are key to overcoming failure and looking towards the future. Overall, the book is an attractive package, and is compact and not terribly heavy considering its page length.
For those interested in contemporary non-fiction showcasing living movers and shakers, like Rad Girls Can by Kate Schatz & Miriam Klein Stahl or Rejected Princesses by Jason Porath, which features historical figures cast under a new light.
–Jessica
Levy
All the Bad Apples by Moira Fowley-Doyle
Kathy Dawson Books / Penguin Random House
Publication Date: August 27, 2019
ISBN: 978-0525552741
The day Deena turns seventeen, she comes out to her father and sisters, learns of a curse on the “bad apples” in her family, and discovers a mysterious note left by her older sister Mandy. After reading Mandy’s note and learning of her unexpected death, Deena suspects something is amiss, and journeys across Ireland to heal herself and her family.
This is a super-fast paced read, filled with adventure, mystery, magic, and drama. Timely and important themes such as LGBTQ rights, sexual assault, abortion, and feminism are tackled with both sensitivity and strength. Beautifully written and raw with emotions, the adventure and mystery of the unraveling family saga will engage readers.
Fans of The Raven Cycle series by Maggie Stiefvater and Bone Gap by Laura Ruby will appreciate the haunting narrative and magical realism in this title. Those who found the Netflix true crime docuseries The Keepers, the series Derry Girls, or the movie The Magdalene Sisters appealing, will want to pick this one up.
–Aimee Haslam
