Author: Susan Uhlig

cover of picture book, "Because of You, I'm a Sister"
Posted in PB, So Many Good Books

Because of You, I’m a Sister

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

Because of You, I’m a Sister (Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2026) by Jen Fier Jasinski and illustrated by Lisa Chow is a delight. The story is full of humor and heart and is told from the point of view of the big sister. I wish I’d had it when my girls were little as it definitely captures the relationship between close siblings.

Read about Jen here and see all her books here. She also offers critiques. And she is a thoughtful critiquer–I met her at the 2026 Big Sur Children’s Workshop–as well as a nice lady.

See Lisa’s illustrations here, her books here, and read about her here.

cover of The Unfinished Business - features a row of attached buildings with lights in windows at night, with a girl looking out the top window and ghosts floating above
Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

The Unfinished Business

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

The Unfinished Business (Fitzroy Books, 2026) by Stephanie Campisi is a beautifully written book about letting go.

Dari can see the ghosts who stick around. It creates awkward moments when her mother only hears Dari’s half of the conversation, but Dari is used to her odd life. A worried school counselor signs her up for orchestra, which might help Dari make friends. When Dari’s neighbor Maude dies, Maude’s ghost asks her for help in “finishing” unfinished business. While dealing with ghosts, Dari realizes she might have some unfinished business of her own.

This book was really fun–the ghosts are not at all creepy–and is the first book in a series, so hopefully we’ll get to meet Dari and her friends again. Note: the language is sophisticated and it may be difficult for younger middle grade readers. You can purchase the book in paperback or special edition hardcover here.

Read about the Author here and you can also see a list of all her published books on the same page. Many book covers are on the home page.

cover of picture book titled "Between Us and Abuela"
Posted in PB, So Many Good Books

Between Us and Abuela

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border (Farrar Straus Giroux, 2019) by Mitali Perkins and illustrated by Sara Palacios is a good story to introduce what’s it like to have family on opposite sides of the line between two countries. And it’s still a timely story.

Maria and her little brother Juan have not seen their grandmother for five years. Maria and her mother knit a scarf for Abuela and Juan makes a picture. But when they are at the fence of the border and get to see their grandmother nothing can be passed through. Juan is brokenhearted. Maria turns his picture into a kite and they fly it across the border.

Mitali has lived in six countries and knows what it is like to leave people behind. Read about her here and check out her books here. Plus, she’s one really nice lady–I got to meet her in February.

See Sara’s illustrations here. Read about her here and see her many books here.

photo of an orchard with sprinklers running on it, and mountains in background
Posted in So Many Good Books, YA Novels

YA Books Set in Places I’ve Lived

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

This was a harder list for me to create as I don’t read as much YA as I do middle grade. And I’ve probably missed some. But I hope you find it interesting.

OREGON

A Death-Struck Year by Makiia Lucier

Eyes of the Forest and Girl, Stolen are just a couple of April Henry’s many books.

Flash Burnout by L.K. Madigan

The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

KANSAS

Crossing the Tracks by Barb Stuber

WASHINGTON

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

The Game of Love and Death by Martha Brockenbrough

Lovely, Dark, and Deep by Justina Chen

Tell Me a Secret and Don’t Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala

The Year We Were Famous by Carole Estby Dagg

States I’m missing are Colorado and New Jersey. When I lived in those places, my kids were very young which influenced my reading. But I recently found this interesting list: “YA Books Set in Each US State” with a form to add any books you’ve written set in a specific state.