Reviews and ramblings about children's and young adult literature by an absentminded middle school librarian. I keep my blog to remember what I've read and to celebrate the wonderful world of children's and young adult literature.
Saturday, March 24, 2018
What's New? Stacking the Shelves
Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Hop on over there to ogle what other bloggers got this week.
For review:
The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland. Wings of Fire: the graphic novel series. Art by Mike Holmes. 218 p. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc., January, 2018. 9780545942157.
Publisher synopsis: Not every dragonet wants a destiny ...
Clay has grown up under the mountain, chosen along with four other dragonets to fulfill a mysterious prophecy and end the war between the dragon tribes of Pyrrhia. He's not so sure about the prophecy part, but Clay can't imagine not living with the other dragonets; they're his best friends.
So when one of the dragonets is threatened, all five spring into action. Together, they will choose freedom over fate, leave the mountain, and fulfill their destiny -- on their own terms.
The New York Times bestselling Wings of Fire series takes flight in this first graphic novel edition, adapted by the author with art by Mike Holmes.
I have not gotten around to reading this series, which is very popular with my students. They are going to fight over who gets to read this first.
Purchased:
Shadow Magic by Joshua Khan. Shadow Magic #1. 321 p. Disney/ Hyperion, April, 2016. 9781484732724.
Publisher synopsis: Thorn, an outlaw's son, wasn't supposed to be a slave. He never should have run away from home, leaving his mother and siblings to fend for themselves. Now he's been sold to Tyburn, an executioner, and they're headed to Castle Gloom in Gehenna, the land of undead, where Thorn will probably be fed to a vampire.
Lilith Shadow wasn't supposed to be ruler of Gehenna. But on the terrible day her father, mother, and brother were killed, young Lily became the last surviving member of House Shadow, a long line of dark sorcerers. Her country is surrounded by enemies and the only way she can save it is by embracing her heritage and practicing the magic of the undead. But how can she when, as a girl, magic is forbidden to her?
Dream Magic by Joshua Khan. 336 p. A Shadow Magic Novel (Book #2) Disney/ Hyperion, April, 2017. 9781484737620.
Publisher synopsis: In Book 2 of a three book series, things are dire for the inhabitants of Castle Gloom and the surrounding villages. The undead are leaving their graves in droves, a troll army is on the march from the north, and people are mysteriously disappearing from their homes. The people of Gehenna are blaming their misfortunes on Lilith Shadow, their young queen. They believe she has cursed them by using magic, a practice forbidden to women. With her trusty executioner among the missing and her blackguard soldiers busy battling trolls, it is up to Lily and her friend Thorn to root out the real cause of all the trouble. Their search will uncover ugly truths and eventually lead to a nightmarish confrontation with nothing less than the rulership of the realm at stake.
I learned of this series from a FB post by the author about the third book and wondered how this got by me.
Gym Candy by Carl Deuker. 313 p. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2007. 9780547076317.
Publisher synopsis: “Look, Mick,” he said, “you’re going to find out from somebody in the gym, so you might as well find out from me. Those supplements you’re taking? They might get you a little bigger, but just a little. If you’re after serious results, there’s other stuff that produces better results much faster, stuff that a lot of guys in the gym use.” “What other stuff?” “You know what I’m talking about—gym candy.”
Runningback Mick Johnson has dreams: dreams of cutting back, finding the hole, breaking into the open, and running free with nothing but green grass ahead. He has dreams of winning and of being the best. But football is a cruel sport. It requires power, grace, speed, quickness, and knowledge of the game. It takes luck, too. One crazy bounce can turn a likely victory into sudden defeat. What elite athlete wouldn’t look for an edge? A way to make him bigger, stronger, faster?
This novel explores the dark corners of the heart of a young football player as he struggles for success under the always glaring—and often unforgiving—stadium lights.
I bought this for a student who's a ravenous reader, especially of sports fiction. I turned him onto Carl Deuker and he's read everything of his in the library. Somehow, my copy of Gym Candy walked. Love this kind of problem.
The Pink Hat by Andrew Joyner. unpgd. Schwartz & Wade Books/ Random House Childrens Books, December, 2017. 9781524772260.
Publisher synopsis: Celebrate the 2017 and 2018 Women's Marches with this charming and empowering picture book about a pink hat and the budding feminist who finds it.
"This simple and cheerful tale suggests, with not an ounce of preachiness, values of care and comfort and the support women have for each other across generations." —The Washington Post
Here is a clever story that follows the journey of a pink hat that is swiped out of a knitting basket by a pesky kitten, blown into a tree by a strong wind, and used as a cozy blanket for a new baby, then finally makes its way onto the head of a young girl marching for women's equality.
Inspired by the 5 million people (many of them children) in 82 countries who participated in the 2017 Women's March, Andrew Joyner has given us a book that celebrates girls and women and equal rights for all!
With themes of empathy, equality, and solidarity, The Pink Hat is a timeless and timely story that will empower readers and promote strength in the diverse and active feminist community.
Can't remember how I learned of this one. How could I resist?
That's what's new with me. What's new with you? Leave your link and I will definitely visit and comment.
Aww, the Pink Hat book is cute. I hope you enjoy all these!
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Great set of books you got here! The Pink Hat looks really cute! Hope you enjoy all your books!
ReplyDeleteHere’s my Stacking the Shelves!
Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog
Looks like an amazing book haul this week. I hope you enjoy all the new books this week. Happy Reading!
ReplyDeleteMary my #SundayRoundup
I haven't heard about any of these books but they sound good. I hope you enjoy all of your new books :)
ReplyDeleteMy STS: http://flippingthruthepages.com/2018/03/stacking-the-shelves-20/