NCW Libraries

"During Will Betke-Brunswick's sophomore year of college, their beloved mother Elizabeth is diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. They only have ten more months together, which Will documents in ... two-color illustrations. But as we follow Will and their mom through chemo and hospital visits, their time together is buoyed by laughter, jigsaw puzzles, modern art, and vegan BLTs. In a ... twist, Will portrays their family as penguins, and their...

"When Carlos was nineteen years old, his mother decided to leave her life in El Salvador for a new start in the United States. Reluctant to follow, but unwilling to let his mother go without him, Carlos joined her on the journey north. During their trip through Mexico and into the US, they experienced the risks and fears countless people from Central American countries have faced while migrating to different lands. Ten years later, Carlos shared these...

"Shigeru's midnight visit leads Seiichi back up the hill where his mother dropped him as a child...and as events begin to fold in on themselves like the layers of his psyche, Seiichi starts to see the past through Mommy's eyes...With one symbolic act, Seiichi can finally free himself of his mother's malign influence--but is this a nightmare, or is it all too real?!"--Provided by publisher.

"When a young journalist prompts a reclusive musical superstar to finally break his silence, he pours out an astonishing saga of rivalry and regret, starring child prodigies and bitter old men, beautiful dancers and demonic managers, Nazi commandants, compassionate nuns, and lifesaving animals. Ballad for Sophie is a sweeping tale that spans the twentieth century, packed with all the drama of a rock & roll biopic and more twists than a night at the...

"His mother finally in custody, Seiichi is questioned by police and recovers a memory of being thrown off a cliff just like Shigeru. He begins to free himself from his mother’s spell, and even rekindles his relationship with Fukiishi…But even as Seiichi’s heart fills with new hope, a strange visitor comes to him in the night--?!"--Page [4] of cover.

"Seiichi's aunt and uncle have arrived to confront Seiko, and the truth has come out at last. The lies--and his family--are falling apart, and Seiichi is left to pick up the pieces...But as he shakes off his mother's influence and faces police questioning, a shocking revelation about his past emerges!!"--Cover.

"Beset by mental images of his mother, Seiichi flees from Fukiishi's embrace and returns home. Safety and reconciliation aren't the only things that await him there, however. The Osabes have become one big happy family again...but at what cost? Shuzo Oshimi's masterfully nuanced tale of familial horror continues to tighten its grip on the minds of its characters and readers alike."--Page 4 of cover.

"Despite belonging to a family of four, the Aoyama residence is typically home to three due to father Akiyoshi's job. While he's away at work, mom Tomoko and her two beloved sons Hiroki and Yuri go about their everyday lives--going to school, making dinner, doing homework, etc. But now that Hiroki's in his first year of high school, his thoughts are turning ever so slightly to sex and romance and his mom can't help but notice his slips of the tongue...

"Shigeru has finally awakened from the coma he's been in since Seiko pushed him off the cliff--but he remembers nothing of the incident, nor does he even recognize his assailant. Rather than setting Seiko's mind at ease, however, this only serves to disturb her further. Meanwhile, Seiichi is determined to keep his promise to his mother--with devastating consequences for everyone around him."--Amazon

"Ordinary middle school student Seiichi Osabe receives love and care from his mother Seiko. Until one summer an incident changes the family dynamic forever. This is a story of a mother's love that has gone too far ... Unable to process the horrifying events of the past few months, Seiichi's anger, fear and frustration boil over. But even as he is haunted by the memory of his mother's hands around his throat, he finds his voice again thanks to his...