Books published by publisher Dotterel Press

Samantha Baxter has a full, sane life—creative job, lovely family, and all the trappings of middle-age happiness. But when she gets a diagnosis that terrifies her, a lifetime of polite pleasing and putting others first ignites in her a surprising, pure rage. Maybe Sam will survive the surgery, and maybe not, but either way, she’ll spend the next three weeks burning her life down: sleeping with a student her daughter’s age, speaking every truth she’s ever swallowed, and refusing to apologize for her wildest, most essential self.“Sexy and sad, dark and funny, ruthless and kind, this is Rachel DeWoskin’s ferociously feminist masterpiece. Every page of it glitters with rage and with love...It radiates with truth.” —CHERYL STRAYED, NYT-bestselling author of Wild, Tiny Beautiful Things, Brave Enough, and Torch“A wicked, delicious ride towards an ambivalent redemption—angry, hilarious, all too true.” —ALLY SHEEDY, actress and author“Banshee is the kind of book every woman I know wishes she'd written. Fierce, necessary, honest, a burn-it-all-down scorched earth policy to the toxic masculinity of this Age of Terror.” —Emily Rapp-Black, author of Poster Child and The Still Point of the Turning World“Raucous, white-hot, and page-turning brilliance...A singular and vital reading experience.” —Gina Frangello, author of A Life in Men

*EXCERPT FEATURED IN TEEN VOGUE*A rich resource with potential to support courageous exploration among high school and college students. —KIRKUS REVIEWSFollowing up Slut, her explosive 2015 play and guidebook for combating sexism and sexual violence, Katie Cappiello turns her perceptive eyes and ears to the lived experiences of young men as they try on sexuality and masculinity.Compassionate and piercingly insightful, this play and guidebook razes rape culture, interrogates traditional notions of masculinity, and breeds accountability―without sacrificing boys.The guidebook contains the play, an activist guide, and raw dispatches from teenagers and young men.

A gritty read for a woke generation. —KIRKUS[McLaughin’s] best book yet. —BOING BOINGAt Jonesville High, casual misogyny runs rampant, slut-shaming is a given, and school athletes are glorified above all else. Best friends Suze, Nikki, Ani, and Lydia swear they’ll always have each other’s backs against predatory guys—so when Suze suddenly starts dating wrestling star and toxic douchebag Tarkin Shaw, it’s a big betrayal.Turns out, it’s not a relationship—it’s blackmail. At first, Suze feels like she has no choice but to go along with it, but when Tarkin starts demanding more, she enlists the help of intelligent misfits DeShawn and Marcus to beat Tarkin at his own game. As Marcus points out, what could possibly go wrong?The answer: everything. And by the time the teens realize they’re fighting against forces much bigger than the Tarkin Shaws of the world, losing isn’t an option.

The first children’s book from multi-genre artist Brontez Purnell, a 2018 winner of the Whiting Award, sweetly portrays a common but rarely narrated childhood experience―having a single parent and taking care of a younger sibling. With illustrations by Brooklyn artist Elise R. Peterson, The Nightlife of Jacuzzi Gaskett recounts 11-year-old Jacuzzi’s evening activities while he cares for his baby brother and waits for mama’s arrival home. He ponders his dad, school, and his future―and when his brother wakes up, Jacuzzi knows just how to get him back to sleep.

Samantha Baxter has a full, sane life―creative job, lovely family, and all the trappings of middle-age happiness. But when she gets a diagnosis that terrifies her, a lifetime of polite pleasing and putting others first ignites in her a surprising, pure rage. Maybe Sam will survive the surgery, and maybe not, but either way, she’ll spend the next three weeks burning her life down: sleeping with a student her daughter’s age, speaking every truth she’s ever swallowed, and refusing to apologize for her wildest, most essential self.“Sexy and sad, dark and funny, ruthless and kind, this is Rachel DeWoskin’s ferociously feminist masterpiece. Every page of it glitters with rage and with love...It radiates with truth.” ―CHERYL STRAYED, NYT-bestselling author of Wild, Tiny Beautiful Things, Brave Enough, and Torch“A wicked, delicious ride towards an ambivalent redemption―angry, hilarious, all too true.” ―ALLY SHEEDY, actress and author“Banshee is the kind of book every woman I know wishes she'd written. Fierce, necessary, honest, a burn-it-all-down scorched earth policy to the toxic masculinity of this Age of Terror.” ―Emily Rapp-Black, author of Poster Child and The Still Point of the Turning World“Raucous, white-hot, and page-turning brilliance...A singular and vital reading experience.” ―Gina Frangello, author of A Life in Men

The first episode in Michelle Tea’s emotionally wise Astro Pals series features Libra and a lesson about how friends can help you when you’re stuck.Trick or treat! Scorpio’s planning a Halloween party, and the Astro Pals can’t wait. Everyone has their costume ready, except for poor Libra, who just can’t decide! It can’t hurt to tell a little lie and say she can’t come to the party after all, right? But what happens when Aquarius and Gemini find out?

A rich resource with potential to support courageous exploration among high school and college students. —KIRKUS REVIEWS*EXCERPT FEATURED IN TEEN VOGUE*Following up Slut, her explosive 2015 play and guidebook for combating sexism and sexual violence, Katie Cappiello turns her perceptive eyes and ears to the lived experiences of young men as they try on sexuality and masculinity.Compassionate and piercingly insightful, this play and guidebook razes rape culture, interrogates traditional notions of masculinity, and breeds accountability—without sacrificing boys.The guidebook contains the play, an activist guide, and raw dispatches from teenagers and young men.

A gritty read for a woke generation. —KIRKUS[McLaughin’s] best book yet. —BOING BOINGAt Jonesville High, casual misogyny runs rampant, slut-shaming is a given, and school athletes are glorified above all else. Best friends Suze, Nikki, Ani, and Lydia swear they’ll always have each other’s backs against predatory guys—so when Suze suddenly starts dating wrestling star and toxic douchebag Tarkin Shaw, it’s a big betrayal.Turns out, it’s not a relationship―it’s blackmail. At first, Suze feels like she has no choice but to go along with it, but when Tarkin starts demanding more, she enlists the help of intelligent misfits DeShawn and Marcus to beat Tarkin at his own game. As Marcus points out, what could possibly go wrong?The answer: everything. And by the time the teens realize they’re fighting against forces much bigger than the Tarkin Shaws of the world, losing isn’t an option.

Dealing with jealousy and competitiveness plays out in a funny and perceptive Astro Pals take on being a Scorpio.Scorpio’s been holding a grudge ever since Aquarius called them “too intense.” Now, not only are they competing in the same Annual Autumn Schmoogleberry Pie Baking Contest, it looks like they’re competing for the same best friend, too! Will Scorpio defeat this best friend-stealer, or will they learn a lesson about not letting jealousy win the day?

A gritty read for a woke generation. —KIRKUSAt Jonesville High, casual misogyny runs rampant, slut-shaming is a given, and school athletes are glorified above all else. Best friends Suze, Nikki, Ani, and Lydia swear they’ll always have each other’s backs against predatory guys—so when Suze suddenly starts dating wrestling star and toxic douchebag Tarkin Shaw, it’s a big betrayal.Turns out, it’s not a relationship―it’s blackmail. At first, Suze feels like she has no choice but to go along with it, but when Tarkin starts demanding more, she enlists the help of intelligent misfits DeShawn and Marcus to beat Tarkin at his own game. As Marcus points out, what could possibly go wrong?The answer: everything. And by the time the teens realize they’re fighting against forces much bigger than the Tarkin Shaws of the world, losing isn’t an option.

An honest explanation about how power and privilege factor into the lives of white children, at the expense of other groups, and how they can help seek justice. --THE NEW YORK TIMES **A WHITE RAVEN 2019 SELECTION** NAMED ONE OF SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL'S BEST BOOKS OF 2018 Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness is a picture book about racism and racial justice, inviting white children and parents to become curious about racism, accept that it's real, and cultivate justice. This book does a phenomenal job of explaining how power and privilege affect us from birth, and how we can educate ourselves...Not My Idea is an incredibly important book, one that we should all be using as a catalyst for our anti-racist education. --THE TINY ACTIVIST Quite frankly, the first book I've seen that provides an honest explanation for kids about the state of race in America today. --ELIZABETH BIRD, librarian "It's that exact mix of true-to-life humor and unflinching honesty that makes Higginbotham's book work so well..."--PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (*Starred Review) A much-needed title that provides a strong foundation for critical discussions of white people and racism, particularly for young audiences. Recommended for all collections. --SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (*Starred Review) A necessary children's book about whiteness, white supremacy, and resistance... Important, accessible, needed. --KIRKUS REVIEWS A timely story that addresses racism, civic responsibility, and the concept of whiteness. --FOREWORD REVIEWS For white folks who aren't sure how to talk to their kids about race, this book is the perfect beginning. --O MAGAZINE