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Kidsreads.com Newsletter - November 2018
Kicking Back with Books on Screen
Now that Thanksgiving is officially one week behind us, I hope that you've finally recovered from your food comas (and are finally done with eating leftovers for lunch). It's been a big month for Kidsreads as we kicked off our 20th Anniversary Celebration with our biggest contest ever. We could not have made it 20 years without the endless support of our readers, so we thought the best way to celebrate would be to give back to YOU! Read on in this newsletter to learn more about our contest and find out how you can enter to win one of 20 prize packages. Note: The contest ends on December 6th, which is next Thursday, so get your entry in now.
With the holiday season comes some great books on screen, starting this month with The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, The Grinch and, for slightly older kids, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, all of which are now in theaters. If you want to get a head start on your December books on screen viewing, here's a handy-dandy list of upcoming movies you and your family are sure to love (and some books to go with them!):
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Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse, in theaters December 14th (rated PG): In this latest Spidey installment, Spider-Man mentors a teenager from Brooklyn, N.Y., to become the next web-slinging superhero. Check this out with your readers who love superhero stories, especially MILES MORALES by Jason Reynolds
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Mary Poppins Returns, in theaters December 19th (rated PG): Practically perfect in every way, everyone's favorite nanny returns to Depression-era London to visit Jane and her brother Michael, now a father of three, to help them rediscover the joy they knew as children. In addition to revisiting the beloved classic novel, be sure to check out the novelization of the film, MARY POPPINS RETURNS.
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Aquaman, in theaters December 21st (rated PG-13): Another superhero movie! In this one, Aquaman finds himself caught between a surface world that ravages the sea and the underwater Atlanteans who are ready to revolt. While Aquaman is rated PG-13, there are plenty of ways to get younger readers involved, starting with AQUAMAN: Undertow by Steve Behling, the never-before-seen prequel story of a young Arthur Curry...before he was King of Atlantis. Once you're set with your mythology, check out AQUAMAN: Arthur's Guide to Atlantis by Alexandra West, a jam-packed guide featuring everything you need to know about the “mythical” city of Atlantis! Finally, if you're ready to swim right into the movie, pick up AQUAMAN: The Junior Novel by Jim McCann. In addition to a novelization of the film, this book includes never-before-seen scenes and an eight-page full-color insert of eye-catching art.
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Bumblebee, in theaters December 21st (rated PG-13): This one is for all the kids who dressed up as Transformers for Halloween and are itching to see more of fan-favorite Bumblebee, who is no ordinary yellow Volkswagen. Watch this along with TRANSFORMERS BUMBLEBEE: The Junior Novel to help beat the Decepticons once and for all!
ICYMI, I wanted to let our educator readers know about a new initiative being launched by Candlewick Press in honor of their picture book, RESCUE AND JESSICA: A Life-Changing Friendship, which tells the story of a Boston Marathon survivor and her service dog. On Tuesday, December 11th at 10:00am ET, Candlewick will present an exclusive live national school webcast with co-authors Patrick Downes and Jessica Kensky with illustrator Scott Magoon and ASPCA Dog of the Year, Rescue, the service dog. This could make for a great classroom experience or a school-wide assembly, and we encourage all teachers to sign up to participate --- you only need an internet connection and a web browser!
Read on in this newsletter for lots of reviews and this month's series update, where we've added titles to 12 series, including The Adventurer's Guild, The Devlin Quick Mysteries, Nevermoor and The Unicorn Rescue Society.
Happy reading,
--- Rebecca Munro (rebecca@bookreporter.com)
Kidsreads.com's 20th Anniversary Contest
We're celebrating Kidsreads.com's 20th Anniversary with our biggest contest EVER, which includes some of our favorite series from the last two decades. There will be 20 winners who will each receive the first three books of one of the series featured below.
Enter now through Thursday, December 6th at noon ET for your chance to win!
The featured titles include:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Big Nate by Lincoln Peirce
Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George
Judy Moody by Megan McDonald
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
Middle School by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts
The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
Warriors: The Prophecies Begin by Erin Hunter
Science Comics by various authors and illustrators
Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne
Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein
The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
Magisterium by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
Upside Down Magic by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle and Emily Jenkins
Wings of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland
Dork Diaries by Rachel Renée Russell
Track by Jason Reynolds
Our thanks to all of the publishers who helped us prepare this epic giveaway: Abrams, Andrews McNeel, Bloomsbury, Candlewick, Disney, Hachette/jimmy patterson, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Random House, Scholastic and Simon & Schuster.
Special Feature: CRUSH by Svetlana Chmakova
Following the overwhelming success of AWKWARD and BRAVE, Svetlana Chmakova's award-winning Berrybrook Middle School series continues with its next installment --- CRUSH!
Jorge seems to have it all together. He's big enough that nobody really messes with him, but he's also a genuinely sweet guy with a solid, reliable group of friends. The only time he ever really feels off his game is when he crosses paths with a certain girl... But when the group dynamic among the boys starts to shift, will Jorge be able to balance what his friends expect of him versus what he actually wants?
ZENOBIA written by Morten Dürr and illustrated by Lars Horneman (Contemporary Fiction/Graphic Novel)
Zenobia was once a great warrior queen of Syria whose reign reached from Egypt to Turkey. When things feel overwhelming for Amina, her mother reminds her to think of Zenobia and be strong. Amina is a Syrian girl caught up in a war that reaches her village. To escape the war she boards a small boat crammed with other refugees. The boat is rickety and the turbulent seas send Amina overboard. In the dark water Amina remembers playing hide and seek with her mother and the journey she had to undertake with her uncle to escape. And she thinks of the brave warrior Zenobia. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
LIMITLESS: 24 Remarkable American Women of Vision, Grit, and Guts written and illustrated by Leah Tinari (Women's History)
Fine artist Leah Tinari’s stunning, spellbinding portraits honor the groundbreaking achievements and indelible impact of 24 extraordinary American women. Tinari’s list is comprised of trailblazers, whose vision, grit and guts paved the way not only for the generations to come, but for Tinari’s own artistic journey. Their contributions to the arts, education, science, politics, civil rights, fashion, design, technology and sports are enduring and noteworthy. Courage, perseverance, brilliance and passion were the guiding, groundbreaking principles for these diverse women who span the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries. Reviewed by Christine M. Irvin.
THE PROPHET CALLS by Melanie Sumrow (Contemporary Fiction)
Gentry Forrester feels lucky to live among God's chosen people in the Prophet's compound, but when music is outlawed, Gentry and her older brother, Tanner, sneak out of the community. When they return, all bets are off as the Prophet exercises his control. Soon, everything Gentry has known is turned upside down. She begins to question the Prophet's teachings and his revelations, especially when his latest orders put Gentry's family in danger. Can Gentry find a way to protect herself and her family from the Prophet and escape the only life she's ever known? Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
LITTLE DREAMERS: Visionary Women Around the World by Vashti Harrison (Women's History)
Featuring the true stories of 40 women creators, ranging from writers to inventors, artists to scientists, LITTLE DREAMERS: VISIONARY WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD inspires as it educates. Readers will meet trailblazing women like Mary Blair, an American modernist painter who had a major influence on how color was used in early animated films, actor/inventor Hedy Lamar, environmental activist Wangari Maathai, architect Zaha Hadid, filmmaker Maya Deren, and physicist Chien-Shiung Wu. All of the women had a lasting effect on the fields they worked in. The charming, information-filled full-color spreads show the Dreamers as both accessible and aspirational so reader knows they, too, can grow up to do something amazing. Reviewed by Christine M. Irvin.
SHE DID IT!: 21 Women Who Changed the Way We Think written and illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully (Women's History)
Prepare to discover new heroes among these twenty-one women who challenged the status quo, championed others, and made their voices heard. From Jane Addams to Alice Waters, from groundbreaking artists and social justice advocates to scientific pioneers and business innovators, a strong thread of trailblazing women runs through American history. Written in compelling, accessible prose and vividly illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Emily Arnold McCully, this collection of inspiring and expertly researched profiles charts the bold paths these women forged in the twentieth century. Reviewed by Christine M. Irvin.
OGRE ENCHANTED by Gail Carson Levine (Fantasy)
Evie is happiest when she is healing people, diagnosing symptoms and prescribing medications, with the help of her devoted friend Wormy. So when Wormy proposes to her, she kindly turns him down; she has far too much to do to be marrying anyone. But a certain meddling fairy named Lucinda has been listening in, and she doesn’t approve of Evie’s rejection. Suddenly, Evie finds herself transformed from a girl into a hideous, hungry ogre! Stuck in this new and confusing form, Evie now has only sixty-two days to accept another proposal --- or else be stuck as an ogre forever. Reviewed by Rebecca Hawkins.
IN YOUR SHOES by Donna Gephart (Contemporary Fiction)
Miles is an anxious boy who loves his family's bowling center even if though he could be killed by a bolt of lightning or a wild animal that escaped from the Philadelphia Zoo on the way there. Amy is the new girl at school who wishes she didn't have to live above her uncle's funeral home and tries to write her way to her own happily-ever-after. Then Miles and Amy meet in the most unexpected way...and that's when it all begins.... Reviewed by Liz Sauchelli.
ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES: Young Readers Edition by Charles Darwin and Rebecca Stefoff (Science)
Charles Darwin’s famous theory of natural selection shook the world of science to its core, challenging centuries of orthodox beliefs about life itself. Darwin’s boundary-shattering treatise was captured in ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES, originally published in 1859, a groundbreaking and detailed study on ecological interrelatedness, the complexity of animal and plant life and the realities of evolution. This Young Reader’s Edition makes Darwin’s cornerstone of modern science accessible to readers of all ages. Reviewed by Christine M. Irvin.
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: New School Nightmare by Carolyn Nowak (Supernatural/Graphic Novel)
Buffy Summers is just like any other student...except for the part where she's also a secret vampire slayer. In every generation, one girl is granted great strength to stand against the forces of darkness. Of course, power doesn't matter when it comes to eating lunch alone, getting picked on by the popular kids or having too much homework. Luckily, Buffy finds her way with a can-do attitude, a weird Watcher and new besties --- who might just have powers of their own. But will any of it be enough to turn the tide when an army of villainous vampires invade town? Can Buffy save herself, let alone the world? Reviewed by Brianna Robinson.
THE GIRL IN THE LOCKED ROOM: A Ghost Story by Mary Downing Hahn (Horror)
A family moves into an old, abandoned house. Jules's parents love the house, but Jules is frightened and feels a sense of foreboding. When she sees a pale face in an upstairs window, though, she can't stop wondering about the eerie presence on the top floor --- in a room with a locked door. Could it be someone who lived in the house a century earlier? Her fear replaced by fascination, Jules is determined to make contact with the mysterious figure and help unlock the door. Past and present intersect as she and her ghostly friend discover the fate of the family who lived in the house all those many years ago. Reviewed by Rebecca Hawkins.
New Series Books for November
At Kidsreads.com, we know that a lot of you are all about series. Once you find characters, topics or a fictional world you love, you don't want to leave! That's why we add new books to our series features every month. Read below to see this month's updates, and click here to visit our Series page!
The Adventurers Guild, Book 2
THE ADVENTURERS GUILD #2 Twilight of the Elves by Zack Loran Clark and Nick Eliopulos
The Devlin Quick Mysteries, Book 3
SECRETS FROM THE DEEP by Linda Fairstein
Ellie, Engineer, Book 2
ELLIE, ENGINEER: The Next Level by Jackson Pearce
Keeper of the Lost Cities, Book 7
FLASH BACK by Shannon Messenger
The Keepers, Book 4
THE KEEPERS #4: The Starlit Loom by Ted Sanders
Master Diplexito and Mr. Scant, Book 3
LESSONS FROM UNDERGROUND by Bryan Methods
Nevermoor, Book 2
WUNDERSMITH: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
The Real McCoys, Book 2
THE REAL MCCOYS: Two's a Crowd written by Matthew Swanson with illustrations by Robbi Behr
Space Runners, Book 3
SPACE RUNNERS #3: The Cosmic Alliance by Jeramey Kraatz
Spirit Riding Free
SPIRIT RIDING FREE: Lucky's Guide to Horses & Friendship by Stacia Deutsch
The Unicorn Rescue Society, Book 3
SASQUATCH AND THE MUCKLESHOOT written by Adam Gidwitz and Joseph Bruchac with illustrations by Hatem Aly
Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer, Book 2
ARE YOU READY TO HATCH AN UNUSUAL CHICKEN? written by Kelly Jones with illustrations by Katie Kath
New Books for Readers Ages 8-12
Fiction
ANGEL AND BAVAR by Amy Wilson (Fantasy)
After the death of her parents, Angel has a lot to get used to: a new home, a new family, a new school. The last thing she’s interested in is making new friends. Until she meets Bavar, a strange boy who slips through the shadows, a boy who might understand her nightmares. But Bavar doesn’t want to let anyone in. Everyone --- and everything --- in his enchanted house is already urging him to step up and protect the world from a magical rift and the fearsome monsters traveling through it, a responsibility he wishes he could ignore. Then Bavar discovers that the monsters are the same ones that killed Angel’s parents. Determined to stop the creatures for good, he reluctantly accepts Angel’s help. Together, Angel and Bavar must find the courage to stand up for each other and themselves to repair the rift between worlds … before it’s too late.
COURAGEOUS by Yona Zeldis McDonough (Historical Fiction)
Aiden is the son of a fisherman on the south coast of England, and he's feared the ocean since his oldest brother's ship was sunk by a German U-boat. But that doesn't matter when he and his best friend Sally hear chatter on their radio. Allied troops, including Aiden's surviving brother, are trapped in France, surrounded by German forces. The British military have come up with a daring plan to save as many troops as possible, bringing them across the Channel to safety --- but they'll need every boat they can get their hands on. Aiden's parents forbid him from going, but he and Sally know they can help, and set off to join Operation Dynamo on their own.
GAMER ARMY by Trent Reedy (Science Fiction)
After Rogan levels up yet again on his favorite video game, the famous creator of the game invites him to join the five best players in the country for a tournament. The gamers are flown to the tech mogul's headquarters, where they stay in luxury dorms and test out cutting edge virtual-reality gaming equipment, doing digital battle as fighting robots. But as the contest continues, the remaining contestants face the growing suspicion that the game may not be what it seems. Rogan and his gamer rivals must come together, summoning the collective power of their Gamer Army to discover the truth and make things right.
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON HEART by Stephanie Burgis (Adventure)
Silke has always been good at spinning the truth and storytelling. So good that, just years after arriving in the kingdom as a penniless orphan, she has found her way to working for the most splendid chocolate makers in the city as a master promoter. Although Silke loves her work at the Chocolate Heart, what she wants more than anything is somewhere to call home. But when your best friend is a dragon-turned-hot-tempered-girl, trouble is always right around the corner. Then, something amazing happens: the Crown Princess personally asks Silke to spy on the Elfenwald royal family. In return, Silke will have the home she's always wanted in the secure palace. But Silke's mission isn't as simple as she hoped. Soon, she discovers that her city is in danger --- and that maybe it's more her home than she ever realized.
HENRY & EVA AND THE CASTLE ON THE CLIFF by Andrea Portes (Mystery)
Prominent Environmentalist and Oceanographer Die in Boating Accident. This is the headline that changes Henry and Eva’s lives. Their parents, environmentalist William Billings and his oceanographer wife Margo, disappear mysteriously at sea. But for Henry and Eva, things are about to go from bad to worse. Their jerk-face uncle (nicknamed Claude the Clod) and his awful girlfriend (Terri the Terrible) have moved into their big house on the cliff to “take care of them,” but Eva has her doubts about their intentions. And when some spooky visitors appear with a message, they realize that their parents’ deaths might not have been as cut and dry as everyone thinks. It’s up to Henry and Eva to discover the truth --- but can they do it before the Clod catches them?
INKLING by Kenneth Oppel with illustrations by Sydney Smith (Humor)
The Rylance family is stuck. Dad's got writer's block. Ethan promised to illustrate a group project at school --- even though he can't draw. Sarah's still pining for a puppy. And they all miss Mom. Enter Inkling. Inkling begins life in Mr. Rylance's sketchbook. But one night the ink of his drawings runs together --- and then leaps off the page! Ethan finds him first. Inkling has absorbed a couple chapters of his math book --- not good --- and the story he's supposed to be illustrating for school--also not good. But Inkling's also started drawing the pictures to go with the story --- which is amazing! It's just the help Ethan was looking for! Inkling helps the rest of the family too. It's exactly what they all want! It's not until Inkling goes missing that this family has to face the larger questions of what they --- and Inkling --- truly need.
LIZZY AND THE GOOD LUCK GIRL by Susan Lubner (Contemporary Fiction)
Living in the small town of East Thumb, Maine, upstairs from her family's diner, 12-year-old Lizzy Sherman searches for signs to guide her and perhaps guarantee her a bump-free path through life. When Lizzy and her best friend go searching for a stray cat and find a runaway girl instead, they want to help. And when Lizzy notices a tiny four-leaf clover tattooed on the girl's hand, she knows it's a sign. Lizzy hides the girl inside her bedroom closet, convinced the girl will be able to protect Lizzy's family from tragedy. But signs can be tricky, and what the girl has to offer may be more valuable that luck.
LOVE LIKE SKY by Leslie C. Youngblood (Contemporary Fiction)
G-baby and her younger sister, Peaches, are still getting used to their "blended-up" family. They live with Mama and Frank out in the suburbs, and they haven't seen their real daddy much since he married Millicent. G-baby misses her best friend back in Atlanta, and is crushed that her glamorous new stepsister, Tangie, wants nothing to do with her. G-baby is so preoccupied with earning Tangie's approval that she isn't there for her own little sister when she needs her most. Peaches gets sick --- really sick. Suddenly, Mama and Daddy are arguing like they did before the divorce, and even the doctors at the hospital don't know how to help Peaches get better. It's up to G-baby to put things right. She knows Peaches can be strong again if she can only see that their family's love for her really is like sky.
MARSHFIELD MEMORIES: More Stories About Growing Up by Ralph Fletcher (Memoir)
As the oldest of nine kids, Ralph was often cast as another parent to his siblings; teetering between these two conflicting roles, Ralph longed to be home alone on a sick day, but hated the emptiness of feeling left behind. He loved to play sports with his neighborhood friends but resented the skillful victories of his younger brother. Thrust into the expectations of impending adolescence, Ralph was curious about girls, but embarrassed to take part in the school square dance. This satisfying memoir offers a snapshot of those pivotal moments between grade school and high school.
THE PRINCE PROBLEM by Vivian Vande Velde (Fantasy)
When a hasty witch mistakes prince Telmund for a bully in need of paranormal punishment, he's cursed to transform into a new animal every time he falls asleep. With his shape constantly changing, Telmund discovers that living in a fairy tale has its drawbacks. Amelia is a practical princess with a wide range of skills, none of which are helpful for escaping the ball her parents have thrown to select her future husband. As their stories become intertwined, the dreamer prince and no-nonsense princess must work together to rescue each other.
SPEECHLESS by Adam P. Schmitt (Contemporary Fiction)
13-year-old Jimmy has just learned from his mother that he has to say a few words at his cousin's funeral. Why him? What could he possibly say? He can’t recall one birthday party, family gathering, or school event with Patrick that didn’t result in injury or destruction. As Jimmy attempts to navigate the odd social norms of the wake, he draws on humor, heartfelt concern and a good deal of angst while racking his brain and his memory for a decent and meaningful memory to share. But it’s not until faced with a microphone that the realization finally hits him: it’s not the words that are spoken that matter the most, but those that are truly heard.
Nonfiction
ELEPHANTS by Seymour Simon (Nature)
From their ancient relatives, woolly mammoths and mastodons, to their amazingly versatile trunks and strong ivory tusks, elephants are some of the most fascinating animals on Earth. They are remarkably intelligent, demonstrate self-awareness and feel familiar emotions like compassion and grief. With clear, simple text and stunning full-color photographs, readers will learn all about the largest land animals in the world! Perfect for young scientists’ school reports, this book includes an author's note, a glossary and an index and supports the Common Core State Standards.
NEW Series
BALLET SHOES by Noel Streatfeild (The Shoe Books, Book 1) (Classics)
Pauline, Petrova and Posy love their quiet life together. The girls are orphans who have been raised as sisters and when their new family needs money, the girls want to help. They decide to join the Children's Academy of Dancing and Stage Training to earn their keep. Each girl works hard following her dream. Pauline is destined for the movies. Posy is a born dancer. And Petrova? She finds she'd rather be a pilot than perform a pirouette.
THE CAMELOT CODE by Mari Mancusi (The Once and Future Geek, Book 1) (Fantasy)
When young Arthur of Camelot time-travels to the 21st century and Googles himself, he discovers the not-so-happily ever after in store for him. What's a once-and-future king to do? Easy: stay in the future and join the football team instead. Now, with the help of the great wizard Merlin, modern-day gamer-geeks Sophie and Stu find themselves in a race against time to get that sword pulled from the stone and Arthur back to the past where he belongs. Complicating the plan? Lady Morgana-Arthur's sister and greatest enemy-has traveled to the future as well. Can Sophie and Stu use their gaming abilities to defeat the evil Morgana and set the timeline right?
MORE THAN A PRINCESS by E.D. Baker (More Than a Princess, Book 1)
One day, as Aislin is venturing through the woods, she is alarmed to hear a band of humans coming through. How did they get past the guarded magical passageway that leads to her hidden kingdom? Mistaken for a human herself, Aislin is captured, and soon realizes she's in even bigger trouble --- she's being used as a pawn to help the king of this nearby kingdom, Morrain, find a secret passageway to the warring land of Scarmander, so he can capture his enemies by surprise. Aislin must find a way to break free, while also minding the beautiful human princess and ladies-in-waiting she now shares a castle with, who are all too ready to point out her differences. With a few loyal friends by her side, Aislin is ready to stand up for herself and her kingdom once and for all.
SECRETS AND SCONES by Laurel Remington (The Secret Recipe Book, Book 1)
Scarlett is sick of being the star of her mom's famous blog. Her solution? Become completely boring and deprive her mom of embarrassing material. But when Scarlett finds a gorgeous kitchen in the house next door, left empty by an elderly neighbor during a hospital stay, it's too tempting to resist. Before she really knows what she's doing, Scarlett is whipping up a batch of scones...and making an unexpected friend. But can they keep their baking a secret? And can Scarlett find the secret ingredients --- to cake, family, and friendship?
New Books for Readers Ages 10-14
Fiction
BETTER YOU THAN ME by Jessica Brody (Contemporary Fiction)
Ruby Rivera is a 12-year-old superstar with millions of followers. Skylar Welshman is a seventh grader who wants to be cool and she's Ruby's biggest fan. When Skylar and Ruby meet on the set of Ruby's hit show and wish they could switch places...it happens! Now Ruby is living Skylar's life. And being Ruby is even better than Skylar imagined. When Ruby finds herself dealing with mean girls and Skylar discovers that being a celebrity isn't all red-carpet glamour, the girls start to wonder if being yourself isn't so bad after all.
IT WASN'T ME by Dana Alison Levy (Contemporary Fiction)
When Theo's photography project is mysteriously vandalized at school there are five suspected students who all say "it wasn't me." Theo just wants to forget about the humiliating incident but his favorite teacher is determined to get to the bottom of it and has the six of them come into school over vacation to talk. The six students --- the Nerd, the Princess, the Jock, the Screw Up, the Weirdo and the Nobody --- think of it as detention. That is until they realize they might get along after all, despite their differences. But what is everyone hiding and will school ever be the same?
NO SLAM DUNK by Mike Lupica (Contemporary Fiction)
Wes' father always told him that there was only one ball in basketball. That you had to know when to take it yourself and when to give it up, that finding the right balance was key. So at every practice and game, Wes tries his best to be a good basketball player and, above all, a good teammate. As the season kicks off, Wes finds that not everyone on his team has the same idea. All-star player and the Hawks' point guard, Danilo "Dinero" Rey seems determined to hold the spotlight and the ball, even if it means costing his team the game. If Wes is to lead the Hawks to the playoffs, he'll need to find new ways to dish out an assist --- even if it means his most important one comes off the court.
Nonfiction
AFTER GANDHI: One Hundred Years of Nonviolent Resistance by Anne Sibley O'Brien and Perry Edmond O'Brien (History)
In 1908 Mohandas Gandhi spoke to a crowd of 3,000. Together they protested against an unjust law without guns or rioting. Peacefully they made a difference. Gandhi’s words and deeds influenced countless others to work toward the goals of freedom and justice through peaceful methods. Mother and son team, Anne Sibley O’Brien and Perry Edmond O’Brien, highlight some of the people and events that Gandhi’s actions inspired. From Rosa Parks to the students at Tiananmen Square to Wangari Maathai, these people have made the world sit up and take notice. The provocative graphics and beautiful portraits accompanying these stories stir the emotions and inspire a sense of civic responsibility.
THE CAPTURE OF BLACK BART: Gentleman Bandit of the Old West By Norman H. Finkelstein (History)
Black Bart was not the Old West’s only stagecoach robber, but he was the most famous. To many people, he was a folk hero: a robber who didn’t threaten or harm passengers. He was a bandit with a sense of humor who wrote poetry. In robbing at least 28 Wells Fargo stagecoaches across Northern California between 1875 and 1883, he never fired a shot or injured anyone. His gun, it turned out, was never loaded. Newspaper stories about the poet robber’s exploits and about Jim Hume, the unyielding chief detective of Wells Fargo, became popular reading throughout the West. Black Bart seemed to enjoy the chase. For eight years, each new robbery --- and each new story --- made Hume even more determined to track him down.
THE SILK ROADS: An Illustrated New History of the World written by Peter Frankopan with illustrations by Neil Packer (History)
Set your sails east with this stunningly original new history of the world. Peter Frankopan explores the connections made by people, trade, disease, war, religion, adventure, science and technology in this extraordinary book about how the east married the west with a remarkable voyage at its heart --- the journey along the Silk Roads.
Graphic Novels for Ages 8-12
TIGER VS. NIGHTMARE written and illustrated by Emily Tetri (Supernatural)
Tiger is a very lucky kid: she has a monster living under her bed. Every night, Tiger and Monster play games until it’s time for lights out. Of course, Monster would never try to scare Tiger --- that’s not what best friends do. But Monster needs to scare someone…it’s a monster, after all. So while Tiger sleeps, Monster scares all of her nightmares away. Thanks to her friend, Tiger has nothing but good dreams. But waiting in the darkness is a nightmare so big and mean that Monster can’t fight it alone. Only teamwork and a lot of bravery can chase this nightmare away.
Graphic Novels for Ages 10+
ZENOBIA written by Morten Dürr and illustrated by Lars Horneman (Contemporary Fiction)
Zenobia was once a great warrior queen of Syria whose reign reached from Egypt to Turkey. When things feel overwhelming for Amina, her mother reminds her to think of Zenobia and be strong. Amina is a Syrian girl caught up in a war that reaches her village. To escape the war she boards a small boat crammed with other refugees. The boat is rickety and the turbulent seas send Amina overboard. In the dark water Amina remembers playing hide and seek with her mother and the journey she had to undertake with her uncle to escape. And she thinks of the brave warrior Zenobia.
Contests on Our Other Book Report Network Websites for Our Adult Readers
Bookreporter.com:
Holiday Cheer 2018: At Bookreporter.com, we kick off the holiday season in style with our Holiday Cheer Contests and Feature. As our gift to you, on select days in November and December, we are spotlighting a book and giving five lucky readers the chance to win it. You have to visit the site each day to see the featured prize book and enter the 24-hour contest. As always, we are sending our special Holiday Cheer newsletter on the days when there are contests. Click here to sign up for these email alerts.
Sounding Off on Audio: Tell us about the audiobooks you’ve finished listening to with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars for both the performance and the content. During the contest period from November 1st to December 3rd at noon ET, two lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win the audio versions of Louise Penny's KINGDOM OF THE BLIND: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel, read by Robert Bathurst, and Barbara Taylor Bradford's MASTER OF HIS FATE, read by Joan Walker.
ReadingGroupGuides.com:
Win 12 Copies of A SPARK OF LIGHT by Jodi Picoult For Your Group: We are celebrating the recent release of A SPARK OF LIGHT by Jodi Picoult --- a powerful and provocative novel about ordinary lives that intersect during a heart-stopping crisis --- with a special contest that will give three groups the chance to win 12 copies of the book. The deadline for your entries is Wednesday, December 5th at noon ET.
Win 12 Copies of THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF SAM HELL by Robert Dugoni for Your Group: Each month, we ask book groups to share the titles they are reading that month and rate them. From all entries, three winners will be selected, and each will win 12 copies of that month’s prize book for their group. Note: To be eligible to win, let us know the title of the book that YOUR book group is CURRENTLY reading, NOT the title we are giving away. Our latest prize book is THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF SAM HELLby Robert Dugoni, a coming-of-age story about a boy who was born with red pupils and endured bullying by his classmates. Years later, Sam looks back on his life and embarks on a journey that will bring into clear view what changed him, defined him and made him so afraid --- until he finally sees what truly matters. To enter, please fill out the form below by Wednesday, January 9th at noon ET.
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