What's New? Stacking the Shelves ALAAC18

Oh! The riches! I returned home from ALAAC18 Tuesday evening with a checked suitcase that was three pounds over the 50 lb. limit for checked bags. I removed three books and avoided a hundred dollar fee. My carry on wasn't weighed but was stuffed with books, so these three got stuffed in my backpack, which already had three airport reads, my computer and a gift for my husband. I also received this message from the friendly TSA:

It was nearly 50 pounds of books and dirty laundry folks. Nothing to see here!

Here's a photo of most of the books I received from many very generous publishers. There are a couple of doubles which I am shipping to my friend e.E. Charlton-Trujillo, who runs the non-profit, Never Counted Out, which gets books into the hands of at-risk kids. The website doesn't appear to be functional, but you can connect with them on Facebook.

I am so excited to read every one of these book. I've already read Winger and Killer of Enemies but had to pick them up as they both have been stolen permanently borrowed without being checked out. Both authors chuckled over that.

I checked in at my school on Wednesday to tie up some end-of-year paperwork since I missed the last to days of school to attend ALA. I discovered a package from Candlewick! Squee!

Lost Soul, Be at Peace by Maggie Thrash. 190 p. Candlewick Press, October 9, 2018. 9780763694197.

Publisher synopsis: A year and a half after the summer that changed her life, Maggie Thrash wishes she could change it all back. She’s trapped in a dark depression and flunking eleventh grade, befuddling her patrician mother while going unnoticed by her father, a workaholic federal judge. The only thing Maggie cares about is her cat, Tommi . . . who then disappears somewhere in the walls of her cavernous house. So her search begins — but Maggie’s not even really sure what she’s lost, and she has no idea what she’ll find. Lost Soul, Be at Peace is the continuation of Maggie’s story from her critically acclaimed memoir Honor Girl, one that brings her devastating honesty and humor to the before and after of depression.

Born Scared by Kevin Brooks. 244 p. Candlewick Press, September 11, 2018. 9780763695651.

Publisher synopsis: Elliot has lived his first thirteen years confined to his home, incapacitated by fear. Now he’s out of pills, snow is falling, and his only safe person is missing. A terrifying thriller from Carnegie Medalist Kevin Brooks.

From the moment of his birth, Elliot’s life has been governed by fear of almost everything, even of his own fear — a beast that holds him prisoner in his room. The beast is kept at bay, though not eliminated, with a daily regimen of pills. But on Christmas Eve, a mix-up at the pharmacy threatens to unleash the beast full force, and his mother must venture out in a raging snowstorm to a store that should be only minutes away. Hours later, when she still hasn’t returned, Elliot sees no choice but to push through his terror, leave the house, and hunt for her. What happens if the last of his medication wears off and the beast starts scratching at the doors of his mind? Everyone has a breaking point — will Elliot come to his? With plot twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats, multi-award-winning author Kevin Brooks offers a high-suspense exploration of fear and what it means to truly be afraid.

I have been a fan of Kevin Brooks since I read Martyn Pig. Can't wait to read this.

Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith. 298 p. Candlewick Press, October 9, 2018. 9780763681142.

Publisher synopsis: When Louise Wolfe’s first real boyfriend mocks and disrespects Native people in front of her, she breaks things off and dumps him over e-mail. It’s her senior year, anyway, and she’d rather spend her time with her family and friends and working on the school newspaper. The editors pair her up with Joey Kairouz, the ambitious new photojournalist, and in no time the paper’s staff find themselves with a major story to cover: the school musical director’s inclusive approach to casting The Wizard of Oz has been provoking backlash in their mostly white, middle-class Kansas town. From the newly formed Parents Against Revisionist Theater to anonymous threats, long-held prejudices are being laid bare and hostilities are spreading against teachers, parents, and students — especially the cast members at the center of the controversy, including Lou’s little brother, who’s playing the Tin Man. As tensions mount at school, so does a romance between Lou and Joey — but as she’s learned, “dating while Native” can be difficult. In trying to protect her own heart, will Lou break Joey’s?

When I realized that I missed the opportunity to meet the author at a signing of this, I was bummed. I am so happy that my Candlewick arc-fairy sent this! Thank you!

That's what's new with me. What's new with you? Post a link with your comments and I will visit!