Born Scared by Kevin Brooks

Born Scared is a gripping and heartbreaking look at childhood mental illness. Elliott was born scared. Born premature and a twin, he loses his sister within moments of their birth and begins his life in terror of everything around him. People, cars, animals, and even colors terrify Elliott. But his mother has created a safe environment for him in his home where he lives of most of his life in his bedroom, rarely venturing out. But a mix-up at the pharmacy leaves Elliott with the wrong prescription and fixing that mistake will lead Elliott and his mother on a series of devastating events.

Born Scared was absolutely heartbreaking but also very inspiring. I spent much of the book thinking of Elliott's mother-there isn't much written about her because the focus is on Elliott-and how she must cope with Elliott's fears. Elliott is literally scared of everything. Everything but the three people closest to him. But even through Elliott's fears, he is still able to gather the courage to leave the safety of his home to find out what has happened to his mother and aunt.

Excellent, excellent story.

You can get your copy, and help support the site, here:

Thank you to Netgalley and Candlewick Press for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Med Medina

Growing up is full of complicated changes and Merci Suárez is learning how complicated life can get. Dealing with changing friendships, harder classes, and a changing family life is proving to be overwhelming. Merci is starting sixth grade at Seaward Pines Academy, a private school that she attends on a scholarship. Merci isn't showing up to school in a fancy SUV, she's showing up in her father's work van he uses for his painting business. Instead of expensive vacations at the beach, Merci spends her weekends working alongside her dad or babysitting her cousins. Also, no fancy houses for the Suárez family-they live in a group of three pink houses where are all family members come and go, regardless of who lives where. All of this is starting to make Merci frustrated about the things she doesn't have but when her grandfather's dementia becomes worse, Merci learns that her tight-knit family has everything they really need.

A wonderful story that shows the pressures children feel in school to be successful and how that pressure is amplified when you're constantly trying to prove that you belong. The author did an excellent job of depicting real childhood friendships and how popularity affects everyone. The Suárez family felt so real-the way they worked together, ate together, shared childcare, and how events in the story really impacted them. It was all written with such heart and feeling. Meg Medina created a thoroughly enjoyable read that I can't wait to add to the shelf.

Thank you to Netgalley and Candlewick Press for the opportunity to read and review this delightful book. 

You can get your copy, and help support the site, here: 

Lemons by Melissa Savage

Library copy of the incredibly touching, Lemons by Melissa Savage

Full disclosure:  I didn't mean to get this book.  I was hurriedly putting new graphic novels on hold for The Kid when this title popped up.  Someone had mislabeled it as a graphic novel and when I tried to hand it over to The Kid, he just handed it right back.  I thought the premise was too cute to not give it a quick read, and three hours and a box of tissues later, I finally put it down.  

It's incredible.

I also bought a copy for my Library. 

Things are not going as Lem would like.  But as her mama as always said, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."  But now with her mama gone, how will Lemonade Liberty Witt ever be able to make lemons into lemonade again?  Instead of staying in San Francisco with her school and friends, she is sent to live with her grandfather, a man she has never met, in a tiny town in the woods.  Once there, Lem meets Tobin, the towns official Bigfoot investigator and CEO of Bigfoot Detectives Inc.  What begins as a temporary assignment as Tobin's assistant turns into an incredible adventure.  The two detectives spend their summer days investigating calls of Bigfoot sightings, ignoring the neighborhood bullies, and trying to keep the peace between Lem and her grandfather.  

When a particular Bigfoot sighting leads to actual evidence of a mysterious entity roaming the woods, the children discover something much bigger than they ever could have imagined. 

This story does such an amazing job of showing how childhood grief and loss can affect a child.  Lem has lost everything:  her mother, her home, her school and friends.  Now she's expected to just move in with a person she has never met and someone she knows her mother hasn't spoken to in years.  On top of her own grief, Lem's grandfather is also trying to deal with losing a daughter and now trying to raise a granddaughter he has never met.  Slowly, the two begin to find common ground.  Lem begins to notice her favorite snacks in the pantry and in turn, tries to be more patient with her grandfather.  Tobin is also dealing with his own trauma.  His father was captured during the Vietnam War and kept prisoner for several years.  But when he was finally recused and on his way back home, he suddenly went missing.  No one had seen or heard from him after his plane landed in the states.  The stress that Tobin was dealing with on a daily basis of not knowing where his father was or why he wouldn't come home must have been immense.  Whether the children really knew or not, it was their loss that bonded them together.  

These children are allowed a lot of freedom in the story and I think many children will find that very appealing.  They're only eleven but are left to roam around town and investigate Bigfoot sightings all their own.  Our two detectives even spend an entire night by themselves in the backyard of a neighbors house watching for a Bigfoot sighting.  There's also a lot of hot dog eating going on.  

This is a beautifully written story of love, loss, and finding family where you least expect it. 

You can get your copy, and help support the site, here: 

Estranged by Ethan M. Aldridge

Library copy hanging out on my new library stools! 

What would it be like to know you don't belong?  I mean, truly don't belong.  To know that you are a human amongst fay, or fay amongst humans?  To know that your family is not the one decided by birth, but rather by the whims of others?

Edmund knows that he doesn't belong with his parents and sister Alexis.  It's more than preteen angst-he isn't human.  He's able to start fires with his mind and change his appearance to look human.  But Edmund can't return home, a changeling is in his place.  The "Human Childe" is living with the royalty at Court to be shown off like a prized pet instead of a son.  

During a royal gathering, the King's sister Hawthorne returns to seek vengeance on her brother and his wife.  After watching his fay parents get turned into rats, he escapes with his page Wick, a golem, from the World Below to find the one person who can save them all-his changeling brother.  

The brothers set off to the World Below-a place that can be found below the subway tunnels. Once below, the boys realize that there is one more person who can help.  Edmund's sister Alexis followed the boys and won't let hem continue without her help.  Through a series of adventures, some which find them allies while others enemies, the boys work together to save the kingdom.  

The artwork is incredible-the World Below is very atmospheric and dark.  It took an embarrassingly long time to realize that the pages where outlined in white when the story was taking place up above and outlined in black when they were in the fay kingdom down below.  I know, I know.  The fay characters had a really unusual look to them.  The royalty were all long fingers, tall bodies, and sharp looking spiny growths on their arms and faces. There was a variety of other characters too-different animal inspired creatures with odd horns and floppy ears.  

Alexis was a really great character.  She was always understanding and supportive of both boys-she really did see both of them as being her brother.  I think that unwavering support will resonate with a lot of the kids that read this.  The human parents seemed completely oblivious.  They didn't catch on that a different kid was living with them.  There's a quick scene where a dragon-like creature is chasing the kids through a subway tunnel and little girl sees them but not her mother-she's too busy on her phone.  Parents are always oblivious.  

There's a ton of adventure going on in this book.  Hiding from scary guards, looking for secret maps, and trying to outrun dragons.  Between the magic, fighting, and dragons the story never slows down.  My son absolutely loved it and he's very picky about his books.  

Highly recommend this one-it was a really fun ride.  

You can get your copy, and help support the site, here: 

City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

You would think having a ghost follow you wherever you go would be scary-especially if you’re only 12 years old.  Luckily for Cass, her ghost is just a nice guy named Jacob who isn’t just her best friend, but is the one who saved her life when she fell into a freezing river and died.  Well, died for a few moments. It’s that brush with death that allows Cass to see the ghosts around her and cross over into the Veil-the world of ghosts who are stuck in-between.

Cass’s parents are the co-authors of a book series The Inspecters, a collection of ghost stories that are both history and myth, with her father’s history research and her mother’s talented storytelling.  Having parents who make a living on ghost stories would seem perfect for Cass and her newfound abilities, but Cass keeps her secret from everyone around her.  Everyone except Jacob. When her parents are offered a television deal based on their books, the family heads to Edinburgh for filming. Edinburgh is the most haunted place on earth and where Cass discovers that she hasn’t begun to scratch the surface of her abilities or of the Veil.

Once in Edinburgh, Cass’s parents meet with the production crew and quickly begin their filming.  While Cass is not a part of the show, she does tag along to see the sights and watch production. It’s during filming that Cass discovers a new ghost, one that wears a bright red cloak and sings a terrifyingly alluring song.  Before Cass can get in over her head, she meets another occupant of their apartment building, a young girl about her age named Lara who has the same gift as Cass, but uses it in a much different way. Lara is able to help ghosts move on and even calls herself a ghost hunter.  When she learns that Cass and Jacob are friends, she’s horrified. Why isn’t Cass doing her job? Why is Jacob hanging around?

But it’s only with Jacob’s help that Cass will be able to survive ghosts that are stronger than anything she’s encountered.  

This is a middle grade novel so it’s target audience is about 8-12 years old.  I am very far away from 8 years old and absolutely loved it. It’s an amazing ghost story with the right balance of creepy and history.  Edinburgh was the perfect setting with it’s castles and haunted secret tunnels. I really like how the author pointed out several of the language differences as Cass and her family moved in to their temporary flat.  Lifts, chips, and the most funny, pants. Kids will love the quick discussion about trousers and pants. I did.

Cass is also a photographer and her camera plays an important part in the story.  Cass isn’t the type of annoying-young-girl-who-giggles type of character. She’s real, honest, and focused.  She cares about the ghosts and feels like it’s her responsibility to learn their story. There also isn’t any romantic feelings between Jacob and Cass.  They’re friends. End of story.

Her parents were also really well written.  They’re shown trying to balance their careers and time with Cass in a completely relatable way-Scotland provides more than a job, but also an adventure for Cass.  

I couldn’t find anywhere if this will continue on in a series.  There’s a satisfying ending to this story, but I hope we can find out more about Jacob and the Veil.  The parents were going to film in multiple locations so maybe there will be more books? I have my fingers crossed.  

Definitely check this one out, even if you’re a grown up.  

City of GHosts by Victoria Schwab is available now from wherever you buy books.  You can get your copy, and help support the site, here:

Gabi's If/Then Garden by Caroline Karanja

Gabi’s If/Then Garden by Caroline Karanja is available from Capstone on September 1, 2018.

If you combine great characters and illustrations with child-friendly computer language, then you’ll have a great beginning coder book! Caroline Karanja has created an accessible and fun way for children to learn the basics of coding.  

Gabi and Adi spend an afternoon in the garden learning about if/then statements.  “If it doesn’t rain, then they water the plants.”  

The girls use those statements to change “Simon Says” to Computer and Programmer.  “If the Programmer does a jumping jack, then the Computer does a cartwheel.”

Using child-friendly language and experiences, the girls discover that coding concepts are all around them.  

Beautifully done book!

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Saturday is Swimming Day by Hyewon Yum

I'm a sucker for beautiful illustrations and I fell in love with Saturday is Swimming Day for that very reason.  But this book is more than some pretty drawings.  It's also a very sweet story about some things in life can be very scary, but with the right people and encouragement, we can do anything we set our minds to.  

A little girl has swimming lessons on Saturday but her stomach hurts so she really shouldn't go.  Her mom checks her over and doesn't find anything wrong so she gets her swimming suit packed and off to lessons they go.  Luckily, our little girl has a very understanding teacher and lets her sit by the pool while she waits for her stomach to feel better.  But it never feels better so she never gets in the pool.  

When the next Saturday comes around, our little girl has another stomach ache.  This time, her teacher offers to hold her so she can practice some swimming like the other kids.  With help and guidance, our little girl gains the confidence she needs to not be scared of the pool.  

With beautiful illustrations and simple text, this story will be very helpful to little ones who need some extra help feeling confident.  

Saturday is Swimming Day is available now from Candlewick Press.  You can get your copy, and help support the site, here: 

We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins

I first fell in love with Higgins' writing with Mother Bruce, a story about a grumpy old bear who becomes a parent to three wild geese.  Well, he became their mother after they hatched while he was trying to cook their eggs, but you know, details.  The series is hilarious and I highly recommend them.  

We Don't Eat Our Classmates is a hilarious take on first day of school jitters.  Penelope Rex is very nervous about starting school.  Worried about friends and backpacks and lunches.  When she discovers that her entire class is made up of human children she panics and eats them.  Luckily her teacher is there to make her spit them back out.  Penelope spends the rest of her day trying to being a good friend but the children are now scared of her.  Much to Penelope's disappointment, making friends is hard and doesn't come easily.  It isn't until a run-in with the class pet that Penelope learns that it's really not nice to be eaten.  

Very funny and sweet, We Don't Eat Our Classmates is here just in time for the start of a new school year.  

You can get your copy, and help support the site here: 

Call of Doodie by Donald Lemke

Call of Doodie:  A Potty Training Book by Donald Lemke is available from Capstone August 1, 2018.

Who is ready to be a Poo-Tenent?  The silliest drill sergeant ever leads a diverse cast of underwear clad soldiers through the necessary missions to achieve potty training success!  Humorous, lighthearted, and full of great illustrations, this book gives children all the basics to complete a potty mission.

A super cute book that would make great gift for your favorite little Poo-Tenent.  

You can get your copy, and help support the site, here:

Thank you to Netgalley and Capstone for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer

I love these covers!

Recently, I had the horrible job of spending the last of my book budget at the Library.  I mean horrible.  I had to just a couple hundred dollars left and I needed to spend every last penny on books.  

Please tell me you can read the sarcasm here.

I was able to stretch those dollars into 45 new books for the children's department!  There really is nothing more fun than opening a huge box of books and seeing 45 titles all at once.  I was trying to beef up some different sections that I hadn't ordered anything specifically for and really focused on my middle grade mysteries.  Not going to lie, I spotted the covers for these books and knew they had to be on the shelves.  This series is not new-in fact it was first published in 2006 but we didn't have it and it sounded amazing.

The first book, The Case of the Missing Marquess, tells the tale of Enola Holmes.  Notice Enola spelled backwards is Alone and that is how she spends most of her time.  Significantly younger than her two  more famous brothers Sherlock and Mycroft, Enola spends her days doing as she pleases at her country estate that she shares with her mother and a small group of household staff.  On her 14th birthday, Enola's mother fails to return home in time for her birthday dinner.  After searching for her mother on her own with no luck, Enola has no choice but to alert her brothers.  It's on their arrival that Enola truly realizes for the first time how unusual her carefree upbringing has been.  Without any clues to where her mother has disappeared to or when she may return, the brothers know they must take over care of Enola.  This leads to the horrible realization that corsets are now Enola's future and she will have no part of it.  What her brothers don't know, is that Enola's mother gave her an important cipher book for her birthday that leads Enola to a nice chunk of cash her mother had been squirreling away.  

Using her wits and new found financial freedom, Enola takes off on an exciting adventure to find her mother, save herself from boarding school, and maybe even save missing child along the way.

The Case of the Missing Marquess was a fast paced, humorous and delightful look into growing up and standing up for what you believe in.  I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.  

According to the publisher, this is for ages 9 and up.  There is some discussion about women's undergarments-but think of the time period, that was some crazy confusing stuff they wore.  

If you'd like a copy, you can get one here and help support the site:

The Disappearing Spoon by Sam Kean

Fun Fact-if you ever want to read a big, complicated book only to realize it's going to be big and complicated, pick up the Young Reader's Edition instead.  That's right, grown up stuff simplified for kids.  

The Disappearing Spoon by Sam Kean is full of fun and fascinating geek facts about how the periodic table was created and all the drama that went with it.  That's right-fascinating geek facts!

Did you know that there was an amazing scientist named Maria Goeppert?  She was born in 1906 in Germany and was a sixth generation scientist.  She had one problem though, she was a woman which meant that she was repeatedly turned away from universities before finally finding one that would let her earn her PhD.  After World War II, the University of Chicago finally took her seriously enough to give her an office and make her a professor, but not seriously enough to pay her.  She was a professor and didn't get paid!  When she earned the highest honor from the Swedish Academy in 1963, the local newspaper had the headline, "S.D. Mother Wins Nobel Prize."  Now, being a mother is awesome and amazing, but I don't remember ever seeing a headline, "Local Father Wins Big Important Thing."  Just saying.

Ugh.  Maria also went on to discover and develop the nuclear shell model which I don't understand but it's critical for future scientific discoveries about atoms and the structure of the nucleus. 

There are plenty of fun facts found in this book.  Did you know in 1955 there were scientific experiments going on in the middle of night so they wouldn't have to deal with traffic while traveling from one lab to another?  Or how there is a link between the discovery of the double helix model of DNA and how Vitamin C became, falsely, a cure for the common cold. 

Sam Kean does a great job presenting interesting information in a very approachable way.  The book is broken down in to five sections that cover the how the periodic table was designed to how we use the elements and the table today.  There is a periodic table included in the back and like all good nonfiction science books, there is a glossary that I did use once or twice.

Highly enjoyed this book and I'm so glad to have it available to my young readers at the Library.  Or, adults who like their books shorter and easier to read.  You know, like me.

You can get your copy, and help support the site, here:

The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Rivalry, Adventure, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements (Young Readers Edition)

By Sam Kean

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Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani

This book looks even better on the shelf at the Library!

This an absolutely beautiful graphic novel! 

Priyanka Das lives with her mother in the United States.  I don't think it's ever explicitly stated where-but she flies into LAX and there are palm trees so I think California is a safe bet.  Priyanka, or Pri as she prefers, is dealing with all the usual teenage stuff-school, friends, driving lessons, and family changes. Growing up the only child and with her single mother, Pri found a surrogate father in her Uncle Jatin.  When his wife becomes pregnant for the first time, Pri finds herself spending less time with her uncle and more time questioning her mother about her previous life in India.  When her mother only offers vague answers, if she answers at all, Pri becomes hurt and frustrated.  

One night, Pri offers a selfish prayer to the goddess Shakti.  When her Uncle's baby ends up in the hospital, Pri feels responsible and cuts herself off from the family.  Opening a suitcase found in her closest, Pri comes across items from her mother's previous life in India.  When she tries on a beautiful silk shawl she is magically transported to India.  With two guides, an elephant and a bird, they travel the country taking in all the beautiful sights.  

Seeing the shawl and her new prize money from a comic book contest as a sign, Pri asks her mother to travel to India with her to see the country for real. When her mother refuses, explaining the country isn't safe and beautiful the way Pri believes, Pri feels even more isolated.  After an impulsive call to her sister, a sister she hasn't spoken to in fifteen years, Pri's mother makes arrangements for Pri to visit her Aunt and Uncle in India.  

But real-life India isn't what Pri hoped it would be.  Traffic, poverty, and a stern Uncle make her time in India tense.  Seeking to escape to her magical India, Pri tries on the shawl only to find that it doesn't work now that she is really there.   Distraught, she shows her Aunt the shawl only to have it transport her Aunt instead.  The two women go on to find the mysterious maker of the shawl and learn of it's origins.  Along the way, Pri learns about her birth father and why her mother refuses to speak of him, and how the shawl impacted her life long before she ever laid eyes on it.  

This book is beautifully written and drawn.  I really enjoyed how the art is kept black and white until the shawl transports the character, then the illustrations turn vivid and bold.  The relationship between Pri and her mother and how they both keep secrets to protect each other is very interesting.  

I really loved this book and I can't wait to get in to the hands of all the kids that come in to the Library!

You can get a copy, and help support the site, here:

Pashmina

By Nidhi Chanani

Buy on Amazon

Amal Unboud by Aisha Saeed

I love the cover of this book!

This is one of the best covers I have seen for a middle grades novel!  It's bright and bold just like the writing. After seeing this on the new release calendar, I just couldn't get the cover out of my head.  So I naturally ordered it for the youth department.

And not going to lie, I was disappointed that a cataloging record wasn't immediately available but that also meant I could sneak it home and read it before the kids.

This book is wonderful.  I finished it in one sitting because I had to know if Amal was going to be o.k. in the end.  Our story is told by Amal, the daughter of middle class parents in Pakistan. She's passionate about her studies and wants to become a teacher after attending university.  After her mother gives birth to a daughter and closes herself off from the family while battling postpartum depression, Amal is left in charge of the household and her studies are put on hold.  Amal does her best to take care of her sisters while trying to keep up with all her household chores. After a particularly long day, Amal leaves for the market for a few minutes of peace by herself.  Upon leaving, she is struck by car and is confronted by one of the passengers. At first he seems helpful, offering to take her home. But his tone quickly changes and Amal feels that something is off with him.  When he tries to take the pomegranate that fell from her bag, the last in the market, Amal takes it back and asks how he can hit her with a car and then try to take her things?

What Amal doesn't know, is the man is Jawad Sahib, a powerful business man who the entire neighborhood is indebted to.  Including Amal's family. When Jawad confronts her father about Amal's behavior, her father is forced to give Amal to Jawad act as a servant as punishment for her disrespectful behavior.  Amal's dreams of school, teaching, and being with her family are now gone.

Once Amal enters Jawad's household, she has even more obstacles to overcome.  Amal wasn't raised to be a servant and to be treated like an object is very new to her.  When she is informed that she will be personal maid to Jawad's mother Nasreen, Amal believes her time there will be easier.  Unfortunately, another maid repeatedly sets her up for failure. Not only that, Amal has no way to contact her family or friends and is cut off from her books.  Eventually, Amal is given the opportunity to not only change her life, but the lives of those around her.

This book was amazing.  The story was fast paced with well developed characters.  I spent the whole book hoping there would be a happy ending for Amal, but the story really keeps you guessing about how it will end.   Amal's character is not only strong and brave but she really shows how important perseverance can be.

Amal Unbound

By Aisha Saeed

Buy on Amazon

This is a taco! by Andrew Cangelose

This is a taco! is available May 1. 2018.  

Poor Taco, he only agreed to be in this book because he thought there would be tacos!  Instead, he has to deal with an author who wants him to fill his cheeks with food (but not tacos), show how he can rotate his ankles backwards, and climb really high trees.  When the author goes on to tell us how hawks hunt squirrels, Taco has had enough.  He's going to use his own words to write the story his way and his way includes tacos. Lots of tacos.  

The story is silly and fun and the illustrations are wonderful.  Especially where Taco crosses out the author's words and includes his own.  This would make for a run read-aloud or story time book.  Really enjoyed this one.  

You can get your copy here:

This Is a Taco!

By Andrew Cangelose

Buy on Amazon

Baby Monkey, Private Eye by Brian Selznick and David Serlin

Look at that shiny cover!

This book is one of the cutest books that I have ever ordered for my Library.  Baby Monkey is one smart monkey!  He finds clues!  He has snacks! But pants, oh pants are hard! The pencil drawings are so soft and beautiful.  I love the shades of black and white with the pop of red on the final page of each chapter.  

I used this book during a storytime and the kids really enjoyed it.  At first, they thought I was crazy to read them such a long book.  It clocks in at over 190 pages but there are very few words on even fewer pages.  The repetitive lines had the kids reading along with me after the second chapter.  

Not going to lie, I enjoyed it just as much as they did. 

Baby Monkey, Private Eye is available now from Scholastic Press. 

You can get your copy here:

Baby Monkey, Private Eye

By Brian Selznick, David Serlin

Buy on Amazon

Heartwood Hotel: A True Home by Kallie George

This book is so sweet!  

Mona the mouse has lost her home, again.  Alone and with only a suitcase she makes her way through the dark forest trying to find a safe place to wait out the storm.  Mona comes across a large tree with a heart carved in the bark.  When she puts her hands on the heart to inspect it more closely, because it looks like the heart on her suitcase, a door swings open allowing Mona to enter the tree.  Mona hasn't just found a refuge from the storm, she has found the Heartwood Hotel, a place where all animals are welcome to rent a room for the night. 

Unfortunately for Mona, it's the annual Acorn Festival and all the rooms are taken.  Luckily the owner, Mr. Heartwood the badger, agrees to let Mona stay the night with one of the maids in exchange for her help cleaning up after the festival.  When Mona goes to leave the next day, Mr. Heartwood asks her to stay on through their busy season, much to the dismay of the current maid Tilly.  Joy quickly turns to disappointment as Mona is bossed around and teased by Tilly.  

When danger comes to the Heartwood Hotel, it's up to Mona to be brave and save all of her new found friends. 

This is such a cute story of friendship and found families.  Mona is so much smaller than everyone else at the hotel but her desire to fit in and prove herself makes her the bravest of them all.  At 162 pages, at least for my edition, it would be great for young readers Grade 3 and up or an advanced Grade 2 reader.  While there is a threat of bears and wolves, no animals are harmed in the story so you can reassure your sensitive readers.  This is also the first book in the series so if your reader enjoys Mona's adventures, there are two more books available.  

You can get your copy here:

Heartwood Hotel, Book 1 A True Home

By Kallie George

Buy on Amazon

Rebound by Kwame Alexander

Library copy of Rebound, available now from Kwame Alexander.

From the Publisher:

Before he's Chuck "Da Man" Bell, proud father of Jordan and Josh Bell, Charlie is a kid who dreams of basketball glory.  In his mind, he can steal, jump, dunk, and make the crowd go wild just like a pro baller.   But when tragedy strikes, Charlie can't help but make all the wrong moves.  Will a series of missteps keep him benched, or can he learn how to rebound?

The first book by Kwame Alexander that I read was Solo.  I loved the characters in Solo.  They pulled you in to their lives and made you want to care about them.  That book was beautiful and heartbreaking and I couldn't put it down.  Rebound  is the follow-up to his book The Crossover, also on our YA shelf-and still on my TBR list and I guess I better go get that read so I can get this one started! 

You can get your copy here:

Rebound (The Crossover Series)

By Kwame Alexander

Buy on Amazon

The Matchstick Castle from Keir Graff

The Matchstick Castle available now from Keir Graff.

From the Publisher:

Brian can think of a few places he'd rather spend his summer than with his aunt and uncle in Boring, Illinois.  Jail, for example.  Or an earplug factory.  Anything would be better than doing summer school on a computer while his scientist dad is stationed at the South Pole.  Boring lives up to its name until Brian and his cousin Nora have a fight, get lost, and discover a huge wooden house in the forest.  With balconies, turrets, and windows seeming stuck on at random, it looks ready to fall over in the next stiff breeze.  To the mad-cap eccentric family that lives inside, it's not just a home-it's a castle.  Suddenly, summer gets a lot more exciting.  With their new friends, Brian and Nora tangle with giant wasps, sharp-tusked wild boars, and a crazed bureaucrat intent on bringing the dangerously dilapidated old house down with a wrecking ball.  

This sounds so fun!  This book was selected as an Illinois Reads 2018 selection and I just got it in for my Youth Department.  It was actually published last year and I'm glad I was able to add it my growing middle grades section.  The cover is absolutely delightful and wouldn't it be amazing to wander through the woods and come across a castle that looks like that? And how does that boat end up on top?  So many questions! 

You can get your copy here:

The Matchstick Castle

By Keir Graff

Buy on Amazon