What's New? Stacking the Shelves

StS is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Hop on over there to ogle what other bloggers got.

I was unable to attend the Little Brown spring preview in mid-October because I had a treatment. The ever-so-thoughtful Victoria Stapleton put a package in the mail for me and a happy dance was had when it arrived this week. Thank you! I'm so looking forward to reading these.

The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith. 337 p. Poppy/ Little, Brown and Company, April, 2014. 9780316254779.

From the cover: Lucy and Owen meet somewhere between the tenth and twelfth floors, on an elevator rendered useless by a citywide blackout. After they're rescued, they spend one night together, wandering the darkened streets and marveling at the rare appearance of stars above Manhattan.

But once the power is restored, so is reality. Lucy soon moves to Edinburgh with her parents, while Owen heads out west with his father. Their relationship plays out across the globe as they stay in touch through postcards, e-mails and a reunion in the city where they first met.

In this carefully charted map of a long-distance relationship, Jennifer E. Smith shows that the center of the world isn't necessarily a place. Sometimes, it can be a person.


Courage for Beginners by Karen Harrington. 289 p. Little, Brown and Company, August, 2014. 9780316210485.

From the cover: Twelve-year-old Mysti Murphy wishes she were a character in a book. If her life were fictional, she'd magically know how to deal with the fact that her best friend, Anibal Gomez, has abandoned her in favor of being a "hipster," She'd be able to take care of everyone when her dad has to spend time in the hospital. And she'd certainly be able to change her family's secret: that her mother is agoraphobic and never leaves the house.

Seventh grade is not turning out the way Mysti had planned. With the help of a hot-air ballon, her new friend Rama Khan, and bright orange coat, can she find the courage to change?


Just Call My Name by Holly Goldberg Sloan. 328 p. Little, Brown and Company, August, 2014. 9780316122818.

From the cover: Emily Bell has it all. She's in love with a boy named Sam Border, and his little brother has become part of her family. This summer is destined to be the best time of their lives-until a charismatic new girl in town sets her sights on Sam. Now Emily finds herself questioning the loyalty of the person she trusts most.

But the biggest threat to her happiness is someone she never saw coming. Sam's criminally insane father, whom everyone thought they'd finally left behind, is planning a jailbreak. And he knows exactly where to find Emily and his sons when he escapes.

The happily-ever-after of Holly Goldberg Sloan's acclaimed debut, I'll Be There, is turned on its head in this riveting, emotional drama about friends, enemies, and how those roles can shift in a matter of moments.


Blind Spot for Boys by Justina Chen. 326 p. Little, Brown and Company, August, 2014. 9780316102537.

From the cover: Sixteen-year-old Shana Wilde is officially on a Boy Moratorium. After a devastating breakup, she decides it's time to end the plague of Mr. Wrong, Wrong, and More Wrong.

Enter Quatrro, the undeniably cute lacrosse player who slams into Shana one morning in Seattle. Sparks don't just fly; they ignite. And so does Shana's interest  Right as she's about to rethink her ban on boys, she receives crushing news: Her dad is going blind.

Quattro is quickly forgotten, and Shana and her parents vow to make the most of the time her father has left to see. So they travel to Machu Picchu, and as they begin their trek, they run into none other than Quattro himself.

Even as the trip unites them, Quattro pulls away mysteriously. Shana has always had a blind spot for boys. Can she trust the one who's right in from of her?

Love and loss  humor and heartbreak collide in this new novel from acclaimed author Justina Chen.

Picture Books
It's Okay to Make Mistakes by Todd Parr. Little, Brown and Company, July, 2014. 9780316230537.

Beekle: the unimaginary friend by Dan Santat. 40 p. Little, Brown and Company, April, 2014. 9780316199988.

Dog vs. Cat by Chris Gall. 32 p. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, May, 2014. 9780316238014.

This is a Moose by Richard T. Morris. Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, May, 2014. 9780316213608.

No Nap! Yes Nap! by Margie Palatini. Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino. Little, Brown and Company, August, 2014. 9780316248211.