Friday, January 1, 2021

What's New? Stacking the Shelves

Happy New Year! 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:

Kingston and the Magician's Lost and Found by  Rucker Moses and Theo Gangi. 280 p. G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers/ Penguin Random House, February 16, 2021. 9780525526866.

Publisher synopsis: Magic has all but disappeared in Brooklyn, but one tenacious young magician is determined to bring it back in this exciting middle grade mystery.
Kingston has just moved from the suburbs back to Echo City, Brooklyn–the last place his father was seen alive. Kingston’s father was King Preston, one of the world’s greatest magicians. Until one trick went wrong and he disappeared. Now that Kingston is back in Echo City, he’s determined to find his father.

Somehow, though, when his father disappeared, he took all of Echo City’s magic with him. Now Echo City–a ghost of its past–is living up to its name. With no magic left, the magicians have packed up and left town and those who’ve stayed behind don’t look too kindly on any who reminds them of what they once had.

When Kingston finds a magic box his father left behind as a clue, Kingston knows there’s more to his father’s disappearance than meets the eye. He’ll have to keep it a secret–that is, until he can restore magic to Echo City. With his cousin Veronica and childhood friend Too Tall Eddie, Kingston works to solve the clues, but one wrong move and his father might not be the only one who goes missing.

Purchased: My school's PTO had a virtual Scholastic Book Fair in mid-December. The chair of the fair suggested that I create a "wallet" for TMS library that parents could choose to donate to, so that I could buy some books for the library! Some parents, a colleague and I donated and I was able to purchase these fantastic books. 

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: the deep end by Jeff Kinney. Diary of a Wimpy Kid series #15. 218 p. Amulet Books/ Abrams, October, 2020. 9781419748684.

Publisher synopsis: Greg Heffley and his family hit the road for a cross-country camping trip, ​ready for the adventure of a lifetime. 


But things take an unexpected turn, and they find themselves stranded at an RV park that’s not exactly a summertime paradise. When the skies open up and the water starts to rise, the Heffleys wonder if they can save their vacation—or if they’re already in too deep.



The Baby-Sitters Club: Logan likes Mary Anne! by Ann M. Martin. Illustrated by Gale Galligan. The Babysitters Club Graphix #8. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc., September, 2020. 9781338304541.

Publisher synopsis:It's the first day of a new school year, and while Mary Anne doesn't know what to expect from the eighth grade, she's looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. One thing she definitely doesn't expect is to meet Logan Bruno, who just moved to Stoneybrook!

Logan has a dreamy southern accent, he's awfully cute... and he might be interested in joining the BSC. But the baby-sitters aren't sure if Logan would make a good club member, so they send him on a job with Mary Anne as a test. Logan and Mary Anne hit it off, but Mary Anne isn't sure of where their friendship could go. Life in the Baby-sitters Club has never been this complicated — or this fun!



Wings of Fire: the graphic novel: The Dark Secret by Tui Sutherland. Illustrated by Mike Holmes. Wings of Fire Graphic Novel series #4. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc., December, 2020. 9781338344219.

Publisher synopsis: In the shadows, trouble is brewing. . .

The mysterious NightWings keep everything hidden, from their home and their queen to their allegiance in the war. Now they've kidnapped their own dragonet of destiny, and Starflight is finally meeting the rest of his tribe — whether he wants to or not.

The NightWings have also kidnapped several innocent RainWings, now trapped in the dark, barren, miserable place that is the NightWing kingdom. Starflight wants to help the RainWings, but he's busy saving his own scales and trying to find a way back to his friends. The fate of two kingdoms rests in his talons, and with no one to save him, Starflight will have to find a way to be brave . . . before it's too late.



The Witches: the graphic novel by Roald Dahl. Adapted and illustrated by Pénélope Bagieu. 298 p. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc. September, 2020. 9781338677430.

Publisher synopsis: Most people don’t know that witches wear ordinary clothes and have ordinary jobs. They live in ordinary towns all across the world—and there’s nothing they despise more than children. When an eight-year-old boy and his grandmother come face-to-face with the Grand High Witch herself, they may be the only people who can stop the witches’ latest plot to stamp out every last child in the country.


This full-color graphic-novel edition of Roald Dahl’s The Witches is the first-ever Dahl story to appear in this format. Graphic-novel readers and Roald Dahl fans alike will relish this dynamic new take on a uniquely funny tale.


Joey: a baby koala and his mother by Nic Bishop. unpgd. Scholastic Press/ Scholastic Inc.,  September, 2020. 9780545206402.

Publisher synopsis: High above the ground, in the shade of a eucalyptus tree, Joey the baby koala wakes up hungry! Crawling over his sleeping mom, Joey goes exploring...only to find that his mother's arms is where he's supposed to be after all.


Featuring simple text and stunning photographs of a rare interaction between a koala and her little one, award-winning author-photographer Nic Bishop brings nature to life for the youngest children. Perfect for laptime reading, this visual treat in the style of Bishop's acclaimed Red-Eyed Tree Frog includes fun facts about koalas and their habitat.

The Ickabog by J.K. Rowling. 304 p. Scholastic Inc., November, 2020. 9781338732870.

Publisher synopsis: Once upon a time there was a tiny kingdom called Cornucopia, as rich in happiness as it was in gold, and famous for its food. From the delicate cream cheeses of Kurdsburg to the Hopes–of–Heaven pastries of Chouxville, each was so delicious that people wept with joy as they ate them.

But even in this happy kingdom, a monster lurks. Legend tells of a fearsome creature living far to the north in the Marshlands… the Ickabog. Some say it breathes fire, spits poison, and roars through the mist as it carries off wayward sheep and children alike. Some say it's just a myth…

And when that myth takes on a life of its own, casting a shadow over the kingdom, two children — best friends Bert and Daisy — embark on a great adventure to untangle the truth and find out where the real monster lies, bringing hope and happiness to Cornucopia once more.

Featuring full color illustrations by children from across the United States and Canada, this original fairy tale from one of the world’s most celebrated storytellers will captivate readers of all ages.


Shadowshaper Legacy by Daniel José Older. The Shadowshaper Cypher #3. 432 p. January, 2020. 9780545953009.

Publisher synopsis: A war is brewing among the different Houses, some of Sierra's shadowshapers are still in jail, and the House of Shadow and Light has been getting threatening messages from whisper wraiths, and even though one spy was exposed Sierra is not quite sure who she can trust but the deal with Death made by one of her ancestors has given her power, and she will need to control it and confront her family's past if she has any hope of saving the future.

New York Times bestselling author Daniel José Older spins a masterful conclusion to his evocative and captivating series.


Poisoned by Jennifer Donnelly. 320 p. Scholastic Inc. October, 2020. 9781338268492.

Publisher synopsis: Once upon a time, a girl named Sophie rode into the forest with the queen's huntsman. Her lips were the color of ripe cherries, her skin as soft as new-fallen snow, her hair as dark as midnight. When they stopped to rest, the huntsman took out his knife… and took Sophie's heart.
It shouldn't have come as a surprise. Sophie had heard the rumors, the whispers. They said she was too kind and foolish to rule — a waste of a princess. A disaster of a future queen. And Sophie believed them. She believed everything she'd heard about herself, the poisonous words people use to keep girls like Sophie from becoming too powerful, too strong…

With the help of seven mysterious strangers, Sophie manages to survive. But when she realizes that the jealous queen might not be to blame, Sophie must find the courage to face an even more terrifying enemy, proving that even the darkest magic can't extinguish the fire burning inside every girl, and that kindness is the ultimate form of strength.


The Last Kids on Earth and the Skeleton Road by Man Brallier. Illustrated by Douglas Holgate. Last Kids on Earth series #6. 320 p. Viking Books/ Penguin Random House, September, 2020. 9781984835345.

Publisher synopsis: Jack Sullivan, Quint Baker, June Del Toro, and Dirk Savage are about to have their biggest adventure yet. That's right—it's ROAD TRIP TIME!

Now wielding the Midnight Blade, Jack Sullivan and the gang are furiously searching for the villainous Thrull and his skeleton army. The clock is ticking: the enemy has begun constructing the Tower—a portal with the power to bring Rezzoch the Ancient, Destructor of Worlds, to our dimension. Equipped with a crucial clue discovered by June on her Wild Flight, the group does the once-unthinkable: they leave Wakefield behind and embark on an EPIC ROAD TRIP! That means music blasting, kitschy roadside attractions, snacks snacks snacks, dangerous detours, and a slew of zombies and monsters at every turn. But this is no ordinary post-apocalyptic joyride. Because soon, they are pursued by a new threat: the return of a monster they thought long dead, who has taken on a terrifying new form. Jack, June, Quint, and Dirk will be lucky to make it far enough to find the answers they seek. But when the future of the world depends on it, these heroes don't pump the brakes—they go full throttle.


The Captive Kingdom by Jennifer A. Nielsen. The Ascendance Trilogy #4. 384 p. Scholastic Inc., October, 2020. 9781338551082.

Publisher synopsis: In a peaceful Carthya, Jaron leads as the Ascendant King with Imogen beside him — but the peace he fought so long for is not destined to last.

On a routine sea voyage, Jaron's ship is brutally attacked, and he is taken hostage. The mysterious captors and their leader, Jane Strick, accuse Jaron of unthinkable acts. They are also in possession of some shocking items — including the crown and sword that belonged to Jaron's older brother, Darius. The items unearth a past Jaron thought he had put behind him.

Though it seems impossible, Jaron must consider: Could Darius be alive? And what does Strick want from Jaron? Against his will, Jaron will be pulled back into a fight for the throne — and a battle to save his kingdom.


Connect the Dots by Keith Calabrese. 240 p. Scholastic Inc., May, 2020. 9781338354034.

Publisher synopsis: Is there anything more random than middle school? Sixth graders Oliver and Frankie don't think so. Their first few weeks have been full of weirdness — lunchtime thievery, free beef jerky, and Matilda, the mysterious new girl who knows everything about them, but has a lot to learn about making friends.


But what if none of it is random at all? What if a reclusive genius is keeping an eye on them and making sure the tiny pieces of his puzzle fall into place, one by one, until strange, seemingly unconnected incidents snowball totally out of control? Imagine the odds! First a cardamom shortage takes down the school bully. Then a giant dog leads to some extracurricular spying. Soon Oliver is being followed and Matilda is hacking the FBI. And by the time they discover a gang of angry clowns and the world's largest game of Mousetrap, an insanely brilliant plan has been set in motion that will change their lives forever.


Nat Enough by Maria Scrivan. Nat Enough series #1. 240 p. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc., April, 2020. 9781338538199

Publisher synopsis: 
Natalie has never felt that she's enough — athletic enough, stylish enough, or talented enough. And on the first day of middle school, Natalie discovers that things are worse than she thought — now she's not even cool enough for her best friend, Lily! As Natalie tries to get her best friend back, she learns more about her true self and natural talents. If Natalie can focus on who she is rather than who she isn't, then she just might realize she's more than enough, just the way she is.


Heartstopper: volume 1 by Alice Oseman. Heartstopper series #1. 288 p. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc., May, 2020. 9781338617436.

Publisher synopsis: Shy and softhearted Charlie Spring sits next to rugby player Nick Nelson in class one morning. A warm and intimate friendship follows, and that soon develops into something more for Charlie, who doesn't think he has a chance.

But Nick is struggling with feelings of his own, and as the two grow closer and take on the ups and downs of high school, they come to understand the surprising and delightful ways in which love works.

I actually reviewed this as an arc and wanted to purchase a finished copy for my collection.

If you leave a comment, leave the link to your stack. I will pop by and to check out your stack! 

1 comment:

  1. Happy New Year! I love the collection of books you were able to get for your library, these look great. I wish my daughter's school would have done the virtual fair, but maybe in the spring. Here is my post for the week, happy reading!

    https://allthebookblognamesaretaken.blogspot.com/2021/01/stacking-shelves-127.html

    ReplyDelete