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 this week.

A happy dance was had in the main office when I returned from winter break to find this in my mailbox:

Character, Driven by David Lubar. 311p. Tor Teen/ A Tom Doherty Associates Book, March, 2016. 9780765316332.

From the back cover: With only one year left of high school, seventeen-year-old Cliff Sparks is desperate to "com of age"-a.k.a., lose his virginity. But he's never had much luck with girls. So when he falls for Jillian, a new classmate, at first sight, all he can do is worship her from afar. At the same time, Cliff has to figure out what to do with the rest of his life, since he's pretty sure his unemployed father plans to kick him out of the house the minute he turns eighteen. Time is running out. Cliff is at the edge on the verge, dangling-and holding on for dear life.

I enjoy David Lubar's work. I think Dunk was the first of his books I read. He writes novels and short story collections for middle grade and young adult audiences. He even has a Branches series for elementary readers. Humor and word-play are important elements in most of his work. 

I took a quick peek and had to force myself to close the book and put it in my tote since, 1. I was at work and had, you know, actual work to do and 2. I have three books that have to be read and reviewed before I sink my teeth into this one.

Pieces and Players by Blue Balliett. 306 p. Scholastic Press/ Scholastic Inc. March 31, 2015. 9780545299909.

Publisher synopsis: 
THE PIECES
Thirteen extremely valuable pieces of art have been stolen from one of the most secretive museums in the world. A Vermeer has vanished. A Manet is missing. And nobody has any idea where they and the other eleven artworks might be . . . or who might have stolen them.

THE PLAYERS
Calder, Petra, and Tommy are no strangers to heists and puzzles. Now they've been matched with two new sleuths -- Zoomy, a very small boy with very thick glasses, and Early, a girl who treasures words . . . and has a word or two to say about the missing treasure.

The kids have been drawn in by the very mysterious Mrs. Sharpe, who may be playing her own kind of game with the clues. And it's not just Mrs. Sharpe who's acting suspiciously -- there's a ghost who mingles with the guards in the museum, a cat who acts like a spy, and bystanders in black jackets who keep popping up.

With pieces and players, you have all the ingredients for a fantastic mystery from the amazing Blue Balliett.

Geronimo Stilton: the hunt for the curious cheese by Geronimo Stilton. 224 p. Scholastic Inc., March 31, 2015. 9780545791519. 

Publisher synopsis: It's a curious case for Geronimo in this special edition adventure!

Rancid ricotta! Something strange was happening in New Mouse City. Rodents were suddenly getting sick with stomachaches, hiccups, and weird green warts -- and it seemed to be related to cheese! We mice eat a lot of cheese, so this was serious. My detective friend, Hercule Poirat, asked me to help him investigate. Could we solve this mystery and save our city?

BONUS! After the story, read an extra Mini Mystery adventure and jokes galore!

Such a Little Mouse by Alice Schertle. Illustrated by Stephanie Yue. 32 p. Orchard Books/ Scholastic Inc., March 31, 9780545649292.

Publisher synopsis: Explore the world of such a little mouse--from the bestselling author of LITTLE BLUE TRUCK!

"And way down deep in the hole lives a mouse.

Such a little mouse,
with his smart gray coat,
with his ears pink as petals,
with three twitchety whiskers on each side of his nose."

With Alice Schertle's sweet descriptive language and touching illustrations from Stephanie Yue, a little mouse interacts with the world around him. Every season of the year, "such a little mouse" pops out of his hole and goes out to explore the wider world.

That's what's new with me. What's new with you? Leave a link in the comments.