{"title":"Alicia D. Williams","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlicia D. Williams\u003c\/strong\u003e crafts heartfelt stories that explore themes of identity, resilience, and belonging through the eyes of young protagonists. Her children's books blend vivid storytelling with emotional depth, inviting readers to connect with characters navigating complex personal and social challenges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith a lyrical style and engaging narratives, Williams creates books that are both thought-provoking and accessible for younger audiences. Readers can expect tales that celebrate courage, family, and the power of hope in the face of adversity.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"genesis-begins-again-by-alicia-d-williams-9781481465816","title":"Genesis Begins Again","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“Reminiscent of Toni Morrison’s \u003ci\u003eThe Bluest Eye\u003c\/i\u003e.” —\u003ci\u003eThe New York Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“One of the best books I have ever read…will live in the hearts of readers for the rest of their lives.” —Colby Sharp, founder of Nerdy Book Club\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“An emotional, painful, yet still hopeful adolescent journey…one that needed telling.” —\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e (starred review)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“I really loved this.” —Sharon M. Draper, author of the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestseller \u003ci\u003eOut of My Mind\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis deeply sensitive and “compelling” (\u003ci\u003eBCCB\u003c\/i\u003e) debut novel tells the story of a thirteen-year-old who must overcome internalised racism and a verbally abusive family to finally learn to love herself.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThere are ninety-six reasons why thirteen-year-old Genesis dislikes herself. She knows the exact number because she keeps a list:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBecause her family is always being put out of their house.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBecause her dad has a gambling problem. And maybe a drinking problem too.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBecause Genesis knows this is all her fault.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBecause she wasn’t born looking like Mama.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBecause she is too black.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGenesis is determined to fix her family, and she’s willing to try anything to do so…even if it means harming herself in the process. But when Genesis starts to find a thing or two she actually \u003ci\u003elikes\u003c\/i\u003e about herself, she discovers that changing her own attitude is the first step in helping change others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46508040061164,"sku":"9781481465816","price":19.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/12538313482715.jpg?v=1748730997"},{"product_id":"mid-air-by-alicia-d-williams-9781481465830","title":"Mid-Air","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eLonglisted for the National Book Award\u003c\/b\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003eA tender-souled boy reeling from the death of his best friend struggles to fit into a world that wants him to grow up tough and unfeeling in this stunning illustrated middle-grade novel in verse “full of vulnerability and hope” (\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review) from the Newbery Honor–winning author of \u003ci\u003eGenesis Begins Again\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s the last few months of eighth grade, and Isaiah feels lost. He thought his summer was going to be him and his boys Drew and Darius, hanging out, doing wheelies, watching martial arts movies, and breaking tons of Guinness World Records before high school. But now, more and more, Drew seems to be fading from their friendship, and though he won’t admit it, Isaiah knows exactly why. Because Darius is…gone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA hit and run killed Darius in the midst of a record-breaking long wheelie when Isaiah should have been keeping watch, ready to warn: “CAR!” Now, Drew can barely look at Isaiah. But Isaiah, already quaking with ache and guilt, can’t lose two friends. So, he comes up with a plan to keep Drew and him together­­­—they can spend the summer breaking records, for Darius.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut Drew’s not the same Drew since Darius was killed, and Isaiah being Isaiah isn’t enough for Drew anymore. Not his taste in clothes, his love for rock music, or his aversion to jumping off rooftops. And one day something unspeakable happens to Isaiah that makes him think Drew’s right. If only he could be less sensitive, more tough, less weird, more cool, less \u003ci\u003ehim\u003c\/i\u003e, things would be easier. But how much can Isaiah keep inside until he shatters wide open?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eMid-Air\u003c\/i\u003e is a moving exploration of grief, friendship, and self-discovery that will resonate deeply with readers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46550001778924,"sku":"9781481465830","price":32.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/12538453482715.jpg?v=1749945482"},{"product_id":"nani-and-the-lion-by-alicia-d-williams-9781665914222","title":"Nani and the Lion","description":"\u003cb\u003eFrom Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe Award winner Alicia D. Williams comes a rhythmic picture book about an irrepressible little drummer determined to outwit the grumpy, noise-hating Lion.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNani loves to drum. \u003ci\u003eBa-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum. \u003c\/i\u003eHer music captures the sounds of life, rustles the forest leaves, rouses all the critters, and never fails to get the villagers up and dancing, dancing, dancing. But one day, they’re too scared to dance. Lion, king of the land, has outlawed noisemaking of any kind. The villagers beg her to stay quiet. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eNani’s heart pounds with fear, but her love for drumming beats more loudly. To keep playing her music and bringing joy to her village, Nani must stand up to the biggest bully around armed with only courage, quick thinking, and her drum.","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47288658985196,"sku":"9781665914222","price":34.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/422bb567bde1bebf5324637f006cd9bd.jpg?v=1770606013"},{"product_id":"mid-air-by-alicia-d-williams-9781481465847","title":"Mid-Air","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLonglisted for the National Book Award\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA tender-souled boy reeling from the death of his best friend struggles to fit into a world that wants him to grow up tough and unfeeling in this stunning illustrated middle grade novel in verse “full of vulnerability and hope” (\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review) from the Newbery Honor–winning author of \u003ci\u003eGenesis Begins Again\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s the last few months of eighth grade, and Isaiah feels lost. He thought his summer was going to be him and his boys Drew and Darius, hanging out, doing wheelies, watching martial arts movies, and breaking tons of Guinness World Records before high school. But now, more and more, Drew seems to be fading from their friendship, and though he won’t admit it, Isaiah knows exactly why. Because Darius is…gone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA hit and run killed Darius in the midst of a record-breaking long wheelie when Isaiah should have been keeping watch, ready to warn: “CAR!” Now, Drew can barely look at Isaiah. But Isaiah, already quaking with ache and guilt, can’t lose two friends. So, he comes up with a plan to keep Drew and him together — they can spend the summer breaking records, for Darius.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut Drew’s not the same Drew since Darius was killed, and Isaiah being Isaiah isn’t enough for Drew anymore. Not his taste in clothes, his love for rock music, or his aversion to jumping off rooftops. And one day something unspeakable happens to Isaiah that makes him think Drew’s right. If only he could be less sensitive, more tough, less weird, more cool, less \u003ci\u003ehim\u003c\/i\u003e, things would be easier. But how much can Isaiah keep inside until he shatters wide open?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47463628013804,"sku":"9781481465847","price":35.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781481465847-mid-air.jpg?v=1775035266"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/alicia-d-williams.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}