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Kidsreads.com Newsletter - May 2018
Heading into Summer with Great Middle Grade Reads!
ICYMI: Beginning with our April newsletter, we are now taking your interest in age ranges to a new level and including sections dedicated to listings of new books releasing in the 8-12 and 10-14 age groups, as well as those in graphic novel format, along with our popular reviews and series updates sections. If there is anything else you would like to see from Kidsreads, please feel free to write me a note here.
After a long winter, it is hard to believe that summer is finally here. Summer break is the perfect time to binge-read an entire series, so I thought I'd kick off this newsletter by mentioning some great series that are wrapping up this month.
First and foremost, Jeanne Birdsall's instantly classic, bestselling series, The Penderwicks, is coming to a close with THE PENDERWICKS AT LAST, the fifth and final installment. This series, which began in 2005, tells the story of the Penderwicks, a family that believes in truth and honor, yet can’t seem to stay out of trouble. If you like fun, breezy books with really relatable characters and a whole lot of quirk, the Penderwick family is the perfect addition to your summertime reading.
Another series that is wrapping up this month is Ruby Redfort, which tells the story of a genius code-cracker and daring detective who works for a secret crime-busting organization. BLINK AND YOU DIE is the sixth book of this exciting series, which is full of screwball comedy, tons and tons of action, and plenty of puzzles. These books are definite page-turners and perfect for budding detectives.
Two other series concluding this month are actresses Tia and Tamera Mowry's Twintuition books (ending with DOUBLE CROSS) and Kevin Sylvester's MiNRS trilogy (ending with MiNRS Book 3). Whether you are looking for a sweet but suspenseful story about twins with secret powers or a gritty, action-packed adventure set in space, these great series make for a perfect summer binge.
If you're looking to take your reading off the page, you're in luck, as the film adaptation of WONDERSTRUCK is now available on DVD. ICYMI, this book tells the story of two children, Ben and Rose, living 50 years apart. In the present timeline, Ben longs for the father he has never known. Fifty years earlier, Rose dreams of a mysterious actress whose life she chronicles in a scrapbook. When Ben discovers a clue in his mother's room and Rose reads a headline in the newspaper, both children set out alone on desperate quests to find what they are missing.
In streaming news, The Who Was? Show, a 13-episode TV series based on the bestselling Who Was? biographies, is officially ready for viewing on Netflix. The live-action show tells the story of two historical figures per episode, using sketch comedy, improv, impersonations, animated shorts and music videos to give kids a fun but educational look at history. Because the format is quick-paced and funny, this is a great show for families to watch together.
If any of you are dreaming about trips to New York City this summer to see "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," this piece from the New York Times will help you decide whether or not your child is ready to see the play. It's a great read for those of you who are just introducing your young readers to Harry and the gang, as well as those of you who are already raising lifelong fans.
Read on for our reviews and this month's series update, where we've added titles to 35 series, including 5 Worlds, Tales from Alcatraz and Welcome to Wonderland.
Note: For those of you who receive our newsletter on your school email address, be sure to subscribe with your personal email as well so that you do not miss any of our reviews or features over the summer. Click here to subscribe before school's out.
Happy reading,
--- Rebecca Munro (rebecca@bookreporter.com)
THE BURNING MAZE: The Trials of Apollo, Book Three by Rick Riordan (Fantasy)
The formerly glorious god Apollo, cast down to earth in punishment by Zeus, is now an awkward mortal teenager named Lester. In order to regain his place on Mount Olympus, Lester must restore five Oracles that have gone dark. With the help of some demigod friends, Lester managed to survive his first two trials, where Meg received the Dark Prophecy. The words she uttered revealed that an evil triumvirate of Roman emperors plans to attack Camp Jupiter. While Leo flies ahead on Festus to warn the Roman camp, Lester and Meg must go through the Labyrinth to find the third emperor. Reviewed by Katherine Szabo.
BOB by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead (Fantasy)
It’s been five years since Livy and her family have visited her grandmother in Australia. Now that she’s back, Livy has the feeling she’s forgotten something really important about Gran’s house. It turns out she’s right. Bob, a short, greenish creature dressed in a chicken suit, didn’t forget Livy, or her promise. He can’t remember what he is, where he came from, or if he even has a family. But five years ago Livy promised she would help him find his way back home. Clue by clue, Livy and Bob will unravel the mystery of where Bob comes from, and discover the kind of magic that lasts forever. Reviewed by Angela Warsinske.
EVANGELINE OF THE BAYOU written by Jan Eldredge and illustrated by Joseph Kuefler (Fantasy/Horror)
Haunt huntress apprentice Evangeline Clement spends her days and nights studying the ways of folk magic, honing her monster-hunting skills while pursuing local bayou banshees and Johnny revenants. With her animal familiar sure to make itself known any day now, the only thing left to do is prove to the council she has heart. Then she will be declared a true haunt huntress, worthy of following in the footsteps of her female ancestors. But when Evangeline and her grandmother are called to New Orleans to resolve an unusual case, she uncovers a secret that will shake her to the soles of her boots. Reviewed by Dana Cuadrado.
I AM GANDHI: A Graphic Biography of a Hero written by Brad Meltzer with illustrations by David Mack, John Cassaday, Nate Powell and Bryan Hitch (Graphic Novel/Biography)
As a young man in India, Gandhi saw firsthand how people were treated unfairly. Refusing to accept injustice, he came up with a brilliant way to fight back through quiet, peaceful protest. He used his methods in South Africa and India, where he led a nonviolent revolution that freed his country from British rule. Through his calm, steady heroism, Gandhi changed the lives of millions and inspired civil rights movements all over the world, proving that the smallest of us can be the most powerful. Reviewed by Michael Lee Harris.
ASK EMMA (Ask Emma Book 1) by Sheryl Berk and Carrie Berk (Fiction)
Starting an advice blog for her classmates at Austen Middle may be one of Emma's most brilliant ones yet! Who better to give advice on friendship, style, school and even crushes than someone who's going through it too? But when Ask Emma goes live, Emma is bombarded with peers asking her to help them postpone quizzes, get out of detention and cut gym class short. What's worse, someone is posting hurtful comments, telling her to mind her own business. Despite her good intentions, Emma's blog seems to only be getting her deeper into trouble. Reviewed by Dana Cuadrado.
AMAL UNBOUND by Aisha Saeed (Contemporary Fiction)
Life is ordinary in Amal's Pakistani village, but she had no complaints, and besides, she's busy pursuing her dream of becoming a teacher. But one day, the unimaginable happens --- Amal must work as a corrupt family's servant. Life at the Khan estate is full of heartbreak and struggle for Amal. Most troubling, though, is Amal's growing awareness of the Khans' nefarious dealings. When it becomes clear just how far they will go to protect themselves, Amal realizes she will have to find a way to work with others to exact change in a cruel status quo, and if Amal is ever to achieve her dreams. Reviewed by Maya Gittelman.
MORE DEADLY THAN WAR: The Hidden History of the Spanish Flu and the First World War by Kenneth C. Davis (History)
With 2018 marking the 100th anniversary of the worst disease outbreak in modern history, the story of the Spanish flu is more relevant today than ever. This narrative, told through the stories and voices of the people caught in the deadly maelstrom, explores how this vast, global epidemic was intertwined with the horrors of World War I --- and how it could happen again. Complete with photographs, documents, modern research and firsthand reports by medical professionals and survivors, this book provides insight into a catastrophe that transformed America in the early 20th century. Reviewed by Christine M. Irvin.
THE STONE GIRL'S STORY by Sarah Beth Durst (Fantasy)
Mayka and her stone family were brought to life by the stories etched into their bodies. Now time is eroding these vital marks, and Mayka must find a stonemason to recarve them. But the search is more complex than she had imagined, and Mayka uncovers a scheme endangering all stone creatures. Only someone who casts stories into stone can help --- but whom can Mayka trust? Where is the stonemason who will save them? Reviewed by Dana Cuadrado.
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!
5 Worlds, Book 2
5 WORLDS BOOK 2: The Cobalt Prince written by Mark Siegel and Alexis Siegel, and illustrated by Xanthe Bouma
Ages of Oz, Book 2
A DARK DESCENT by Lisa Fiedler and illustrated by Sebastian Giacobino
The Book Scavenger, Book 3
THE ALCATRAZ ESCAPE by Jennifer Chambliss Berman
Bug Girl, Book 2
BUG GIRL: Fury on the Dance Floor written by Benjamin Harper and Sarah Hines Stephens and illustrated by Anoosha Syed
The Castle in the Mist, Book 2
CARNIVAL MAGIC by Amy Ephron
Cucumber Quest, Book 3
CUCUMBER QUEST: The Melody Kingdom by Gigi D.G.
Gabby Garcia's Ultimate Playbook, Book 2
GABBY GARCIA'S ULTIMATE PLAYBOOK #2: MVP Summer by Iva-Marie Palmer
How to be a Supervillain, Book 2
HOW TO BE A SUPERVILLAIN: Born to Be Good by Michael Fry
Hyacinth, Book 2
HYACINTH AND THE STONE THIEF by Jacob Sager Weinstein
Jack and the Geniuses, Book 3
LOST IN THE JUNGLE: Jack and the Geniuses Book #3 written by by Bill Nye and Gregory Mone and illustrated by Nicholas Iluzada
The Kane Chronicles Companion
FROM THE KANE CHRONICLES BROOKLYN HOUSE MAGICIAN'S MANUAL (An Official Rick Riordan Companion Book): Your Guide to Egyptian Gods & Creatures, Glyphs & Spells, and More by Rick Riordan
Lumberjanes, Book 2
LUMBERJANES: The Moon Is Up (Lumberjanes #2) written by Mariko Tamaki and illustrated by Brooklyn Allen
Marge in Charge, Book 2
MARGE IN CHARGE AND THE STOLEN TREASURE written by Isla Fisher and illustrated by Eglantine Ceulemans
MiNRS, Book 3 --- Final Book in the Trilogy!
MiNRS 3 by Kevin Sylvester
New Jungle Book Adventures, Book 2
RETURN TO THE JUNGLE: New Jungle Book Adventures by Bear Grylls
Nicola Berry, Books 1, 2 and 3
NICOLA BERRY AND THE PETRIFYING PROBLEM WITH PRINCESS PETRONELLA #1 by Liane Moriarty
NICOLA BERRY AND THE SHOCKING TROUBLE ON THE PLANET OF SHOBBLE #2 by Liane Moriarty
NICOLA BERRY AND THE WICKED WAR ON THE PLANET OF WHIMSY #3 by Liane Moriarty
Oakwing, Book 2
A FAIRY'S COURAGE by E. J. Clarke
Pack of Dorks, Book 3
SUPER DORKS by Beth Vrabel
The Penderwicks, Book 5 --- Final Book in the Series!
THE PENDERWICKS AT LAST by Jeanne Birdsall
Rip and Red, Book 4
MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS: A Rip & Red Book written by Phil Bildner and illustrated by Tim Probert
Ruby Redfort, Book 6 --- Final Book in the Series!
RUBY REDFORT BLINK AND YOU DIE by Lauren Child
Ruby Starr, Book 2
THE FANTASTIC LIBRARY RESCUE AND OTHER MAJOR PLOT TWISTS by Deborah Lytton
Scarlet and Ivy, Book 3
THE DANCE IN THE DARK by Sophie Cleverly
Sprinkle Sundays, Books 1 and 2
SUNDAY SUNDAES by Coco Simon
CRACKS IN THE CONE by Coco Simon
Supergirl, Book 2
SUPERGIRL: Curse of the Ancients: (Supergirl Book 2) by Jo Whittemore
The Supernormal Sleuthing Service, Book 2
THE SUPERNORMAL SLEUTHING SERVICE #2: The Sphinx's Secret by Gwenda Bond, Chistopher Rowe
Tales from Alcatraz, Book 4
AL CAPONE THROWS ME A CURVE by Gennifer Choldenko
The Trials of Apollo, Book 3
THE TRIALS OF APOLLO BOOK THREE The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan
Twintuition, Book 4 --- Final Book in the Series!
TWINTUITION: Double Cross by Tia Mowry, Tamera Mowry
Welcome to Wonderland, Book 3
WELCOME TO WONDERLAND #3: Sandapalooza Shake-Up by Chris Grabenstein
William Wenton, Book 2
WILLIAM WENTON AND THE SECRET PORTAL written by Bobbie Peers and translated by Tara F. Chace
The Wish List, Book 3
HALFWAY TO HAPPILY EVER AFTER (The Wish List #3) by Sarah Aronson
Worldquake, Book 2
THE CHOSEN ONES by Scarlett Thomas
Yes No Maybe So, Books 1 and 2
TARA TAKES THE STAGE by Tamsin Lane
YAEL AND THE PARTY OF THE YEAR by Tamsin Lane
Zach King, Book 2
ZACH KING: The Magical Mix-Up by Zach King
New Books for Readers Ages 8-12
Fiction
ANNIE'S LIFE IN LISTS by Kristin Mahoney (Fiction)
Annie's a shy fifth grader with an incredible memory and a love of making lists. It helps her keep track of things when they can seem a little out of control, like her family, her friends, and her life in a new place. Annie has an incredible memory (really, it's almost photographic) that can get her in trouble, a desire to overcome her shyness, a brother who is mad at her because he thinks she is the reason they had to move to Clover Gap, a best friend who she is (almost) certain will always be her best friend, new classmates, some of whom are nicer than others and a rocky start finding her place in her new home.
BECCA FAIR AND FOUL by Deirdre Baker (Fiction)
When 11-year-old Becca returns to her grandmother’s rustic cottage for another summer, she finds herself seeing her beloved island in new ways. Becca finds a dead bear on the beach and helps to give it a burial at sea. Aunt Meg is grieving over a miscarriage, and Aunt Clare’s medical work in Africa has brought on a sadness that even the love of family and the island’s beauty can’t cure. Meanwhile, cousin Alicia claims to be too old to participate in the kids’ summer project --- a performance of "The Tempest," a play that seems to find unsettling echoes in the natural surroundings Becca thought she knew so well.
BELLE'S JOURNEY: An Osprey Takes Flight written by Rob Bierregaard with illustrations by Kate Garchinsky (Nature)
Take flight with Belle, an osprey born on Martha's Vineyard as she learns to fly and migrates for the first time to Brazil and back--a journey of more than 8,000 miles. Dr. B. and Dick observe ospreys and their offspring, tagging one special fledgling with a transmitter to better study migration habits. Follow Belle as she attempts her first flight, conquers her first fishing endeavour and heads south for her first migration all while her tracking device transmits information about her jounrey. Based on information garnered through years of research by the author, BELLE'S JOURNEY will soar into reader's hearts.
THE BOY FROM TOMORROW by Camille DeAngelis (Supernatural Fiction)
Josie and Alec both live at 444 Sparrow Street. They sleep in the same room, but they’ve never laid eyes on each other. They are 12 years old and a hundred years apart. The children meet through a hand-painted talking board --- Josie in 1915, Alec in 2015 --- and form a friendship across the century that separates them. But a chain of events leave Josie and her little sister Cass trapped in the house and afraid for their safety, and Alec must find out what’s going to happen to them. Can he help them change their future when it’s already past?
THE BOY, THE BIRD, AND THE COFFIN MAKER written by Matilda Woods and illustrated by Anuska Allepuz (Fantasy)
Alberto lives alone in the town of Allora. He is a coffin maker and widower, spending his quiet days creating the final resting places of Allora's people. Then one afternoon a magical bird flutters into his garden, and Alberto, lonely inside, welcomes it into his home. a kindhearted boy named Tito follows the bird into Alberto's kitchen and a door in the old man's heart cracks open. Tito is lonely too--but he's also scared and searching for a place to hide. Fleeing from danger, he just wants to feel safe for once in his life. Can the boy and the old man learn the power of friendship and escape the shadows of their pasts?
CAPTAIN SUPERLATIVE by J.S. Puller (Fiction)
Red mask, blue wig, silver swimsuit, rubber gloves, torn tights, high top sneakers and...a cape? Who would run through the halls of Deerwood Park Middle School dressed like this? And why? Janey-quick to stay in the shadows-can't resist the urge to uncover the truth behind the mask. The answer pulls invisible Janey into the spotlight and leads her to an unexpected friendship with a superhero like no other.
CONFUSION IS NOTHING NEW by Paul Acampora (Fiction)
Ellie Magari just learned that her mother is dead. Perhaps that would be sad if Ellie had ever met the woman. Exactly who was Ellie's mom? Does it even matter that she's gone? Perhaps a dead mom can still help Ellie figure out what it means to be a girl in the world today. Either way, Ellie wouldn't mind a role model beyond her master chef Dad. CONFUSION IS NOTHING NEW is about friendship, family mysteries, and the perfect pizza. It's also about fathers and daughters and girls who understand that it's good to make things, but breaking things is okay too. In fact, sometimes breaking things is required.
THE CURE FOR COLD FEET by Beth Ain (Fiction)
Junior high school girls, meet your new BFF! Izzy Kline faces all the drama of middle school with total honesty and deep heart. There is a LOT going on in middle school. New experiences and shifting dynamics are around every turn. And it's not just her friends --- Izzy's family is shifting as well. It's anxiety-inducing but also thrilling as Izzy learns to stake her claim.For fans of FISH IN A TREE and verse novels like BROWN GIRL DREAMING, Beth Ain's books perfectly capture the drama of adolescence with a ton of light humor and deep heart.
FLOAT by Laura Martin (Action & Adventure)
Emerson can float...he just can’t do it very well. His uncontrollable floating is his RISK factor, and the last place Emerson wants to be is at a government-mandated summer camp for RISK kids like him, so he’s shocked when he actually starts having fun at camp --- and he even makes some new friends. But it’s not all canoeing and capture the flag at Camp Outlier. The summer of fun takes a serious turn when Emerson and his friends discover that one of their own is hiding a deadly secret that puts all of their lives in danger. It’s up to the Red Maple boys to save themselves --- and everyone like them.
FROM YOU TO ME by K.A. Holt (Fiction)
After losing her big sister, Clara, a few years ago, Amelia can't handle any more change. But when she starts eighth grade, she receives a letter that Clara had written to herself. In it, there's a list of things she'd wanted to do before the end of middle school and never finished. But as she makes her way through, Amelia finds that there's no going back, only forward. And she realizes she'll have to put her own spin on Clara's list to grow and change in the ways she needs to.
FRONT DESK by Kelly Yang (Contemporary Fiction)
Mia Tang lives in a motel. Every day, while her immigrant parents clean the rooms,10 -year-old Mia manages the front desk and tends to its guests. But her parents hide immigrants, and if the motel owner finds out they've been letting them stay in the empty rooms for free, the Tangs will be doomed. Mia also wants to be a writer. But how can she when her mom thinks she should stick to math because English is not her first language? Will she be able to hold on to her job, help the immigrants and guests and go for her dreams?
A GOOD DAY FOR CLIMBING TREES written by Jaco Jacobs and translated by Kobus Geldenhuys (Fiction)
Marnus is tired of feeling invisible, living in the shadow of his two brothers. His older brother is good at breaking swimming records and girls’ hearts. His younger brother is already a crafty entrepreneur who has tricked him into doing the dishes all summer. But when a girl called Leila turns up on their doorstep one morning with a petition, it’s the start of an unexpected adventure. And finally, Marnus gets the chance to be noticed...
GRUMP: The (Fairly) True Tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves: The True Story of the Seventh Dwarf by Liesl Shurtliff (Fairy Tale Retelling)
Since he was a dwarfling, Borlen "Grump," has dreamed of visiting The Surface, so when opportunity knocks, he leaves his cavern home behind. At first, life aboveground is a dream come true. Queen Elfrieda Veronika Ingrid Lenore (E.V.I.L.) is the best friend Grump always wanted. But as time goes on, Grump starts to suspect that Queen E.V.I.L. may not be that nice. When the queen commands him to carry out a horrible task against her stepdaughter Snow White, Grump is in over his head. He'll have to dig deep to find a way out of this pickle, and that's enough to make any dwarf Grumpy indeed.
THE INVENTORS AT NO. 8 by A.M. Morgen (Adventure)
Meet George, the third Lord of Devonshire and the unluckiest boy in London. Why is George so unlucky? First, he's an orphan. Second, unless he sells everything, he's about to lose his house. George knows that there is no one less lucky --- or more alone --- than he is. That is until Ada Byron, the future Countess of Lovelace, bursts into his life. She promises to help George recover a stolen heirloom, and is determined to find her own father as well --- in a flying machine she built herself. Ada and George take off on a cross-continent journey through the skies that will change their lives forever.
THE KEY TO EVERY THING by Pat Schmatz (Fiction)
Tash didn’t want to go to camp, didn’t want to spend the summer with a bunch of strangers, didn’t want to be separated from the only two people she has ever been able to count on: her uncle Kevin, and Cap’n Jackie, who lives next door. When Tash returns home, Cap’n Jackie is gone. And Tash needs her --- the stories of dolphin-dragons, the warm cookies that made everything all right, the key Cap’n Jackie always insisted had magic in it. The Captain always said all Tash had to do was hold it tight and the magic would come. Was it true? Could the key bring Cap’n Jackie back?
THE MEMORY OF FORGOTTEN THINGS by Kat Zhang (Science Fiction)
One of the happiest memories 12-year-old Sophia has is of her tenth birthday. This memory, and a few others like it, are all Sophia has of her mother, so she keeps them close and secret, because she shouldn’t have them at all. The truth is, Sophia’s mother died when she was six. Sophia has never told anyone about her unusual memories, but everything changes when she becomes convinced that an upcoming eclipse will let her enter a world where her mother never died. With the help of two misfit boys, she must figure out a way to bring her mother back to her --- before the opportunity is lost forever.
THE MISCALCULATIONS OF LIGHTNING GIRL by Stacy McAnulty (Fiction)
Lucy was struck by lightning and the zap gave her genius-level math skills, so she has been homeschooled. Now, at 12 years old, she's ready for college. She just has to pass 1 more test: middle school! Lucy's not sure what a girl who does calculus homework for fun can possibly learn in 7th grade. She has everything she needs at home, where nobody can make fun of her rigid routines or her superpowered brain. The equation of Lucy's life has already been solved. Unless there's been a miscalculation?
NADYA SKYLUNG AND THE CLOUDSHIP RESCUE written by Jeff Seymour and illustrated by Brett Helquist (Fantasy)
It takes a very special crew to keep the cloudship Orion running, and no one knows that better than Nadya Skylung, who tends the cloud garden that keeps the ship afloat. When the unthinkable happens and pirates attack, Nadya and the other children escape, but the rest of the crew is captured. Only Nadya and her four friends can take back the Orion and rescue the crew. But this attack was no accident. What exactly are the pirates looking for? Could it be Nadya they've been after all along?
OUT OF LEFT FIELD by Ellen Klages (Historical Fiction)
Every boy in the neighborhood knows Katy is their best pitcher. But when she tries out for Little League, it's a whole different story. Girls are not eligible, period. Inspired by what she's learning about civil rights in school, she sets out to prove that she's not the only girl who plays baseball. With the help of friendly librarians and some tenacious research skills, Katy discovers the forgotten history of female ball players. Why does no one know about them? Where are they now? And how can one 10-year-old change people’s minds about what girls can do?
PEEVES by Mike Van Waes (Fiction)
Steven (Slim) Pickings is on the edge of a breakdown --- but then, it always feels like Slim is teetering on the edge of something. The difference this time is that something’s caused Slim’s worries to come alive! He’s set loose a bunch of annoying, pesky, outrageously contagious creatures --- and they’re infecting everyone they meet and massing to take over the town! Now Slim and the rest of the town are trailed by the things that annoy them most. To stop them, Slim will have to do more than just team up with his family and friend --- he’ll have to face his fears, literally.
POSTCARDS FROM VENICE by Dee Romito (Fiction)
Skyler is about to go on the biggest adventure of her life. Her mother has been relocated to Venice, Italy, with the possibility of a long-term move. While there, Skyler takes on an informal internship and will be blogging about the city. One of her fellow interns, Logan, is cool, cute and Australian. But the other intern, Zara, seems determined to sabotage Skyler's chances. But when Skyler's writing mistakes start to pileup, she isn't sure if she's up to the task. With the help of some Italian magic and her oldest friend, can Skyler learn to love her new city and stay connected to what matters most?
ROSETOWN by Cynthia Rylant (Fiction)
For nine-year-old Flora, Rosetown, Indiana, is full of surprises, many of the best of which happen at the Wing and a Chair Used Book Shop, where she loves to read vintage children’s books after school. But lately, those surprises haven’t been so good: her parents decided to take a breather from marriage, and Flora has to move back and forth between their two houses. Plus, she’s just begun fourth grade, and it is so much different than third. Luckily Flora has two wonderful friends --- one old and one new.
SECRET SISTERS OF THE SALTY SEA by Lynne Rae Perkins (Fiction)
Alix and her sister, Jools, have never seen the ocean. When their parents pack them up for a week at the shore, Alix is nervous about leaving home, but excited, too. At the beach, the girls make friends, go exploring, and have adventures both big and small. They pick periwinkles, spot crabs and discover that the beach is full of endless possibilities. As the week comes to an end, Alix is surprised to find she doesn’t want to leave!
SPINDRIFT AND THE ORCHID by Emma Trevayne (Fantasy)
When a man walks into her grandfather’s curiosity shop and asks about a black orchid, Spindrift turns him away. She’s never seen such a thing. Until one night it appears. Spindrift, an orphan, has one keepsake from her parents…a clear glass orb. Except it’s not quite clear anymore. She watches as a black orchid forms inside the crystal. Then the flower blooms into a towering woman in a dress of midnight silk and air, a woman with the power to grant wishes. Soon, Spindrift --- and her orchid --- are being hunted. Left running for her life, Spindrift must ask herself who her parents really were, and whether a wish is really just a curse in disguise.
THE SPIRIT OF CATTAIL COUNTY by Victoria Piontek (Horror)
Sparrow doesn't have many friends. Some kids believe her house is haunted. Others think there's something "unusual" about her. But Sparrow's has a best friend who's always with her. Yet Sparrow is the only one who can see him...because the Boy is a ghost. So when her mama passes away, Sparrow doesn't give up hope. After all, if the Boy can linger after death, then surely Mama can return as well. But the Boy has a secret of his own, one that Sparrow will need to uncover before the ghost will lead her to Mama. To solve the mystery, Sparrow joins forces with some unlikely allies.
TINY INFINITIES by J.H. Diehl (Contemporary Fiction)
When Alice's dad moves out, she does the only thing that feels right: she retreats to her family's tent in the backyard, determined to live there until her dad comes home. In an attempt to keep at least one part of her summer from changing, Alice focuses on her quest to swim freestyle fast enough to get on her team's record board. But soon Alice meets an odd new friend, Harriet, whose obsession with the school's science fair is equal only to her conviction that Alice's best stroke is backstroke, not freestyle. Most unexpected of all is a babysitting charge, Piper, who is mute --- until Alice hears her speak.
WHATSHISFACE by Gordon Korman (Horror)
When 12-year-old Cooper Vega moves for the third time in five years, he receives a state-of-the-art smartphone to help him stay in touch with old friends. He's had phones before, but this one is buggy and unpredictable. When a boy named Roderick Northrop communicates with him through the phone, Cooper realizes that his phone isn't buggy at all; the thing is haunted!
Nonfiction
CALLING ALL MINDS: How To Think and Create Like an Inventor by Temple Grandin (Nonfiction)
In CALLING ALL MINDS, Temple Grandin delves into the science behind inventions, the steps various people took to create and improve upon ideas as they evolved and the ways in which young inventors can continue to think about and understand what it means to tinker, to fiddle and to innovate. In CALLING ALL MINDS, Grandin creates a blueprint for different ways to look at the world. And more than a call to action, she gives a call to imagination, and shows readers that there is truly no single way to approach any given problem --- but that an open and inquisitive mind is always key.
CHAMPIONS OF MEN'S SOCCER by Ann Killion (Sports)
From Pele to Messi to Tim Howard, here is the ultimate guide to Men's Soccer for young sports fans from an award-winning sports journalist. From fields all across the United States to the streets of South America to pitches in Europe and Asia, the global passion and love for soccer knows no borders. It is simply the most popular sport in the world. Giants of the game like Cristiano Ronaldo, Tim Howard, and Lionel Messi have become international celebrities and role models to young fans across the globe. Featuring Top Ten Lists and stunning photos of history-making moments, this comprehensive men's pro soccer collection catalogs the greatest international players.
CHAMPIONS OF WOMEN'S SOCCER by Ann Killion (Sports)
From the World Cup to the Olympics, from Mia Hamm to Carli Lloyd to Alex Morgan, here is the ultimate guide to Women's Soccer for young sports fans from an award-winning sports journalist. Featuring Top Ten Lists and stunning photos of history-making moments, this comprehensive collection catalogs the rise of women's soccer in America, the greatest American players such as Mia Hamm, and Alex Morgan, the greatest international stars, the future class of superstars and the most thrilling matches.This is the perfect book for young sports fans eager to kick off their soccer schooling.
THE GIRL GUIDE: 50 Ways to Learn to Love Your Changing Body written by Marawa Ibrahim and illustrated by Sinem Erkas (Health/Nutrition)
Growing up is fun...but it’s tough, too. There are a lot of unknowns and it can be weird and messy for girls. Worry not! This book covers EVERYTHING girls need to know, and it's all been reviewed and fact-checked by medical consultant Dr. Radha Modgil. Great for those who loved THE CARE AND KEEPING OF YOU or WHAT'S HAPPENING TO MY BODY?
THOMAS PAINE AND THE DANGEROUS WORD written by Sarah Jane Marsh with illustrations by Edwin Fotheringham (Biography)
As an English corset-maker's son, Thomas Paine was expected to spend his life sewing women's underwear. But as a teenager, Thomas dared to change his destiny, enduring years of struggle until a meeting with Benjamin Franklin brought Thomas to America in 1774 --- and into the American Revolution. Within fourteen months, Thomas would unleash the persuasive power of the written word in "Common Sense" --- a brash wake-up call that rallied the American people to declare independence against the mightiest empire in the world.
NEW Series
BAD MERMAIDS MAKE WAVES written by Sibéal Pounder and illustrated by Jason Cockcroft (Bad Mermaids, Book 1) (Fantasy)
Mermaids Beattie, Mimi and Zelda's summer on land with temporary legs is going swimmingly --- until they receive a strange message ordering them to return home at once. The beloved queen of the Hidden Lagoon has been fishnapped, and some seriously bad mermaids have taken over instead! Now, the girls are the only ones who can stop them. If they're going to save the day, they'll need a clam car, some piranha-print nail polish and possibly a talking seahorse named Steve. Can they do it?
ENDLING #1: The Last by Katherine Applegate (Endling, Book 1) (Fantasy)
Believed to possess remarkable abilities, Byx's mythical doglike species has been hunted to near extinction in the war-torn kingdom of Nedarra. After her pack is hunted down and killed, Byx fears she may be the last of her species. So Byx sets out to find safe haven, and to see if the legends of other hidden dairnes are true. Along the way, she meets new allies who each have their own motivations for joining her quest. And although they begin as strangers, they become their own kind of family --- one that will ultimately uncover a secret that may threaten every creature in their world.
FREYA AND THE MAGIC JEWEL by Joan Holub, Suzanne Williams (Thunder Girls, Book 1) (Fantasy)
When eleven-year-old Freya hears that prophecy from her magical jewel, she isn’t sure what to make of it. Mere seconds after that prediction, she receives a mysterious invitation to Asgaard Academy from the powerful Odin, who commands her to “bring her magic” to Asgard. With encouragement from her twin, Frey, Freya reluctantly heads out on their new adventure.
RIDERS OF THE REALM #1: Across the Dark Water by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez (Riders of the Realm, Book 1) (Fantasy)
Rahkki is a stable groom for the Riders in the Sandwen army, taking care of his brother’s winged stallion. But when a herd of wild steeds flies over their village, Rahkki and his clanmates are stunned. Meanwhile, a small herd of pegasi have journeyed across a treacherous ocean to settle in a new, and free, land. Led by Echofrost and Hazelwind, the Storm Herd steeds are unaware of the Sandwens. But when the unthinkable happens, Echofrost and the rest of Storm Herd will have to come to trust the Sandwens, or both may not survive.
THE ROSE LEGACY by Jessica Day George (Fantasy)
When orphaned Anthea Cross-Thornley receives a letter from a long-lost uncle, she wonders if she will finally find a true home. But she is shocked to learn that her uncle secretly breeds horses --- animals that have been forbidden in her kingdom for centuries. More alarming is Anthea's strange ability to sense the horses' thoughts and feelings, an ancient gift called The Way. Confused and terrified, Anthea is desperate to leave, but when her family and kingdom are put at risk, can she embrace The Way and the exciting future it might bring her?
TIME TRACERS: The Stolen Summers by Annabeth Bondor-Stone and Connor White (Time Tracers, Book 1) (Action & Adventure)
Twelve-year-old Taj Carter is on a high-stakes mission to track down the time thieves who stole his entire summer vacation --- before they steal all the fun on earth! It’s an all-new action-packed series by the authors of the critically acclaimed Shivers! series, Annabeth Bondor-Stone and Connor White.
TWO DOGS IN A TRENCH COAT GO TO SCHOOL, Book 1 written by Julie Falatko and illustrated by Colin Jack (Two Dogs in a Trench Coat, Book 1) (Fiction)
Sassy and Waldo are good dogs. They spend the day keeping their house safe. Has a squirrel ever gotten inside? No! But every day their boy, Stewart, comes home from this terrible place called school smelling like anxiety and looseleaf paper. Sassy and Waldo decide to save Stewart. But they don't let dogs into school. So Sassy and Waldo decide to get creative. They put on an old trench coat, and now everyone at Bea Arthur Elementary thinks they are a new student named Salty from Liver, Ohio.
New Books for Readers Ages 10-14
Fiction
BOY BITES BUG by Rebecca Petruck (Fiction)
When Will's friend Darryl called new kid Eloy Herrera a racial slur, Will ate a bug as a diversion. Now Will is Bug Boy, and everyone is cracking up inventing insect meals for him, like maggot-aroni and fleas. Turns out eating bugs for food is a real thing, called entomophagy. Deciding that means he can use a class project to feed everyone grasshoppers, Will bargains for Eloy’s help in exchange for helping him with wrestling, but their growing friendship only ticks off Darryl more. When things with Darryl and Eloy heat up, Will wrestles with questions of loyalty, honor --- and that maybe not all friendships are worth fighting for.
THE FLOURISHING OF FLORALIE LAUREL by Fiadhnait Moser (Magical Realism)
Floralie Laurel works as a flower seller in an English village. Floralie and her brother are drowning in debt until their Grandmama arrives to save them. Unfortunately, her idea of "saving" means sending Floralie to an orphanage to be a proper lady. But Floralie discovers a hidden box of dried flowers and a letter from her mysteriously missing mother that promises that the flowers will lead Floralie to Mama if Floralie decodes them with a floriography written by Claude Monet's gardener. Floralie sets off for Monet's house in France to find Mama. But Mama's fate may not be quite as Floralie expected, and the gardener may be hiding secrets deeper than Monet's water lily ponds...
THE LENGTH OF A STRING by Elissa Brent Weissman (Historical Fiction)
Imani knows exactly what she wants as her big bat mitzvah gift: to find her birth parents. She loves her family in Baltimore, but she has always wondered where she came from, especially since she's black and almost everyone she knows is white. Then her mom's grandmother --- Anna --- passes away, and Imani discovers an old journal among her books. It's Anna's diary from 1941, the year she was 12 and fled Nazi-occupied Luxembourg, sent by her parents to seek refuge in Brooklyn. The diary records her journey to America, and as Imani reads the diary, she begins to see her family in a whole new way.
RUNNING ON THE ROOF OF THE WORLD by Jess Butterworth (Adventure)
Tash lives in Tibet, where as a Buddhist she must hide to avoid the wrath of the occupying Chinese soldiers. Life remains peaceful as long as Tash and her community hide their religion and don’t mention the Dalai Lama. But when a man publicly sets himself on fire to protest the occupation, soldiers break into Tash’s house and seize her parents. Tash escapes and soon she and her best friend, along with two borrowed yaks, flee across the mountains, where they face a treacherous landscape and the constant threat of capture on a long, dangerous trip to the Indian border.
A WHALE IN PARIS written by Daniel Presley and Claire Polders and illustrated by Erin McGuire (Historical Fiction)
Ever since the Germans became the unwelcome “guests” of Paris in the early days of World War II, Papa and Chantal have gone out in the evenings to fish in the Seine. Tonight Chantal spies something special: a whale! Chantal soon opens her heart to the loveable creature and names him Franklin. Yet Franklin is in danger: The Parisians are starving and would love to eat him, and the Nazis want to capture him as a gift to Hitler. But can one small girl manage to return a whale to the ocean and reunite him with his parents? And will she ever see her own family again?
THE WHIRLPOOL: Stories written by Laurel Croza and illustrated by Kelsey Garrity-Riley (Short Stories)
In these seven stories by Laurel Croza (author of the award-winning picture books I KNOW HERE and FROM THERE TO HERE), five teenagers, a doll and a squirrel break out of the expectations placed upon them. Featuring beautiful black-and-white illustrations by Kelsey Garrity-Riley.
Nonfiction
THIS MOMENT IS YOUR LIFE (and So Is This One): A Fun and Easy Guide to Mindfulness, Meditation, and Yoga written by Mariam Gates with illustrations by Libby VanderPloeg (Health/Fitness)
This engaging guide, packed with simple exercises and endearing full-color artwork, provides a handy starting point for bringing mindfulness into your daily life. Chapters on meditation, yoga, and mindful breathing explain the benefits of these practices, and you are free to pick and choose what to try. There are quick exercises throughout, and a more extensive tool kit at the end of each chapter. The final chapter offers satisfying five-day challenges that map out ways to pull all of the book's mindfulness techniques together in your day-to-day life.
YOU ARE MIGHTY: A Guide to Changing the World written by Caroline Paul and illustrated by Lauren Tamaki (Lifestyle)
Being a good citizen means standing up for what's right --- and here's just the way to start. This is a book for those with a fierce sense of justice, a good sense of humor and a big heart. This guide features change-maker tips, tons of DIY activities, and stories about the kids who have paved the way before, from famous activists like Malala Yousafzai and Claudette Colvin to the everyday young people whose habit changes triggered huge ripple effects. So make a sign, write a letter, volunteer, sit-in, or march! There are lots of tactics to choose from, and you're never too young to change the world.
Graphic Novels for Ages 6-10
CHASMA KNIGHTS by Boya Sun and Kate Reed Petty (Fantasy)
Beryl lives in a world full of toys. But these aren't your ordinary toys --- they're mechanical marvels that almost seem alive! And at the slightest touch, these toys "catalyze," that is, they merge with their owner and give them special abilities. But not Beryl. She's a Neon Knight, and Neon Knights can't catalyze. Beryl does have a special ability that no one knows about --- she's an inventor who can turn a broken toy into an amazing, new creation. When a powerful Oxygen Knight named Coro discovers Beryl's secret workshop, she wants in on the fun. But can a Neon Knight and an Oxygen Knight ever get along?
Graphic Novels for Ages 8-12
CUCUMBER QUEST: The Melody Kingdom by Gigi D. G. (Fantasy)
Now with Princess Nautilus as part of their entourage, Cucumber and Almond travel to Trebleopolis to warn Princess Piano that Noisemaster, second of the Nightmare Knight's minions, might be after her! Unfortunately, they arrive just in time for Queen Cymbal's birthday and the Queen refuses to stop the festivities...that is until Noisemaster succeeds in capturing Princess Piano and threatens to destroy the city.
5 WORLDS BOOK 2: The Cobalt Prince written by Mark Siegel and Alexis Siegel and illustrated by Xanthe Bouma (Fantasy)
Oona Lee surprised everyone when she lit the first beacon to save the Five Worlds from extinction. Can she light the other four beacons in time? Next stop, Toki! On the blue planet, Oona must face the sister who left her, and bring to light the Cobalt Prince's dark secrets. Meanwhile, An Tzu is fading away as his mysterious illness gets worse. Will it stop him from joining the fight? Or will his unique magic be just what the team needs? And Jax Amboy is a hero on the starball field, but in a moment of real danger, will he risk everything to save his friends?
POSITIVELY IZZY by Terri Libenson (Contemporary Fiction)
Izzy is the dreamer. There’s nothing Izzy loves more than acting in skits and making up funny stories. The downside? She can never quite focus enough to get her schoolwork done. Bri is the brain. But she wants people to see there’s more to her than just a report card full of As. At the same time, she wishes her mom would accept her the way she is and stop bugging her to “break out of her shell” and join drama club. The girls’ lives converge in unexpected ways on the day of a school talent show, which turns out to be even more dramatic than either Bri or Izzy could have imagined.
Graphic Novels for Ages 10+
ALL SUMMER LONG by Hope Larson (Contemporary Fiction)
Thirteen-year-old Bina has a long summer ahead of her. She and her best friend, Austin, usually do everything together, but he's off to soccer camp for a month, and he's been acting kind of weird lately anyway. So it's up to Bina to see how much fun she can have on her own. At first it's a lot of guitar playing, boredom and bad TV, but things look up when she finds an unlikely companion in Austin's older sister, who enjoys music just as much as Bina. But then Austin comes home from camp, and he's acting even weirder than when he left. How Bina and Austin rise above their growing pains and reestablish their friendship and respect for their differences makes for a touching and funny coming-of-age story.
I AM GANDHI: A Graphic Biography of a Hero written by Brad Meltzer and illustrated by David Mack and John Cassaday (Biography)
As a young man in India, Gandhi saw firsthand how people were treated unfairly. Refusing to accept injustice, he came up with a brilliant way to fight back through quiet, peaceful protest. He used his methods in South Africa and India, where he led a nonviolent revolution that freed his country from British rule. Through his calm, steady heroism, Gandhi changed the lives of millions and inspired civil rights movements all over the world, proving that the smallest of us can be the most powerful.
Contests on Our Other Book Report Network Websites for Our Adult Readers
Bookreporter.com:
Bookreporter.com's Summer Reading Contests and Feature: Summer will be here before you know it! At Bookreporter.com, this means it's time for us to share some great summer book picks with our Summer Reading Contests and Feature. We will be hosting a series of 24-hour contests for these titles on select days through August 24th. You will need to check the site to see the featured prize book and enter to win. We also will be sending a special newsletter to announce each title, which you can sign up for here.
Bookreporter.com's 13th Annual Father's Day Contest: Father’s Day is a time to celebrate the men in our lives who have raised and loved us. Why not show him your appreciation by inspiring him with a great book? In our 13th annual "Best Books for Dad" contest, we have a selection of books that are perfect gift-giving suggestions for Dad, keeping him busy through the rest of the year. Five readers will be awarded a copy of each of our featured titles. The deadline for entries is Monday, June 18th at noon ET.
Word of Mouth: Tell us about the books you’ve finished reading with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars. During the contest period from May 25th to June 8th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of HOW HARD CAN IT BE? by Allison Pearson and US AGAINST YOU by Fredrik Backman.
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 May 1st to June 4th at noon ET, two lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win the audio versions of Ruth Ware's THE DEATH OF MRS. WESTAWAY, read by Imogen Church, and Stephen King's THE OUTSIDER, read by Will Patton.
ReadingGroupGuides.com:
Win 12 Copies of COCOA BEACH by Beatriz Williams 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. This month's prize book is the paperback edition of COCOA BEACH by Beatriz Williams, an enchanting blend of love, suspense, betrayal and redemption set among the rumrunners and scoundrels of Prohibition-era Cocoa Beach. The deadline for entries is Wednesday, June 6th at noon ET.
20SomethingReads.com:
Beach Bag of Books 2018: It's time to think about summer reading. We're talking about the kinds of books that you're glad you now have time to kick back with and enjoy. The way we see it, it wouldn't be summer without sun, surf and great reading. You supply the beach chair, and we'll provide the fantastic book ideas in our Seventh Annual Beach Bag of Books Feature and Contest. The deadline for entries is Monday, July 9th at noon ET.
Teenreads.com:
Beach Bag of Books 2018: It's time to think about summer reading --- and we're not talking about the list of books you'll be receiving for required summer reading from school. We're talking about the kinds of books that you're glad you now have time to kick back with and enjoy. The way we see it, it wouldn't be summer without sun, surf and great reading. You supply the beach chair, and we'll provide the fantastic fiction in our Twelfth Annual Teenreads.com Beach Bag of Books Feature and Contest. The deadline for entries is Monday, July 9th at noon ET.
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