2022 Reading

 January (21)

1. The Taking of Jake Livingstone by Ryan Douglass (1/1)

2. Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna by Alda P. Dobbs (1/2)*

3. Vanishing: The World's Most Vulnerable Animals by Joel Sartore (1/5)

4. Clash by Kayla Miller (1/6)

5. New on Earth: baby animals in the wild by Suzi Eszterhas (1/7)*

6. Punching Bag by Rex Ogle (1/7)

7. Africa, Amazing Africa: Country by Country by Atinuke (1/9)

8. Gilded by Marissa Meyer (1/9)*

9. ¡Mambo Mucho Mambo! The Dance That Crossed Color Lines by Dean Robbins (1/14)*

10. Ear Worm by Jo Knowles (1/14)

11. Only My Dog Knows I Pick My Nose by Lauren Tarshis (1/15)

12. Sonny Rollins Plays the Bridge by Gary Golio (1/15)*

13. You'll Be the Death of Me by Karen M. McManus (1/16)

14. Race Cars: a Children's Book about White Privilege by Jenny Devenny, LCSW (1/21)

15. Your Legacy: a Bold Reclaiming of Our Enslaved History by Shele Williams (1/21)

16. Always by Morris Gleitzman (1/22)*

17. Other Boys by Damian Alexander (1/25)

18. Absolutely Nat by Maria Scrivan (1/25)

19. Muddle School by David Whamond (1/25)

20. Lore by Alexandra Bracken (1/28)

21. Thao by Thao Lam (1/31)*

February (18)

22. The Okay Witch and the Hungry Shadow by Emma Steinkellner (2/1)

23. African Icons: Ten People Who Shaped History by Tracey Baptiste (2/3)*

24. The Toll by Neal Shusterman (2/4)*

25. Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen (2/4)*

26. Gone to the Woods: surviving a lost childhood by Gary Paulsen (2/7)

27. Words to My Life's Song by Ashley Bryan (2/9)*

28. Run: Book One by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin (2/10)*

29. Stuntboy, In the Meantime by Jason Reynolds (2/10)*

30. Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo (2/15)*

31. Defiant by Wade Hudson (2/17)*

32. Pony by R. J. Palacio (2/20)*

33. Dear Student by Elly Swartz (2/21)

34. Crying Laughing by Lance Rubin (2/23)

35. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman (2/23)*

36. Kingston and the Echoes of Magic by Rucker Moses and Theo Gangi (2/24)*

37. Sanctuary: Kip Tiernan and Rosie's Place, the Nation's First Shelter for Women by Christine McDonnell (2/25)

38. Because Claudette by Tracey Baptiste (2/25)

39. Spy School: the Graphic Novel by Stuart Gibbs (2/28)

March (27)

40. Wave by Diana Farid (3/3)*

41. Breaking Through the Clouds: the Sometimes Turbulent Life of Meteorologist Joanne Simpson by Sandra Nickel (3/3)*

42. I'm a Neutrino: Tiny Particles in a Big Universe by Eve M. Vavagiakis (3/4)

43. This is (Not) Enough by Anna Kang (3/4)

44. Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley (3/5)

45. Far Away by Lisa Graff (3/6)

46. Ain't Burned All The Bright by Jason Reynolds (3/7)*

47. Marshmallow Clouds: Two Poets at Play among Figures of Speech by Ted Kooser and Connie Wanek (3/13)*

48. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab (3/13)*

49. Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts by Erika Lewis (3/17)*

50. Borders by Thomas King (3/17)

51. Graceling Graphic Novel adapted by Gareth Hinds (3/20)*

52. Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé (3/22)

53. Kyle's Little Sister by BonHyung Jeong (3/23)

54. I Color Myself Different by Colin Kaepernick (3/26)

55. My Moms Love Me by Anna Membrino (3/26)

56. To Change a Planet by Christina Soontornvat (3/26)*

57. Goodnight, Butterfly by Ross Burach (3/26)

58. Bug Scouts Out in the Wild: a Graphic Novel by Mike Lowery (3/26)

59. Racing Ace: Drive It! Fix It! by Larry Dane Brimner (3/26)

60. Because of You, John Lewis: the True Story of a Remarkable Friendship by Andrea Davis Pinkney (3/27)*

61. Huda F are You? by Huda Fahmy (3/28)*

62. A True Wonder: the Comic Book Hero Who Changed Everything by Kirsten W. Larson (3/28)

63. Meant to Be by Jo Knowles (3/29)*

64. Just Pretend by Tori Sharp (3/31)

65. Unforgotten: the Wild Life of Dian Fossey and Her Reslentless Quest to Save Mountain Gorillas by Anita Silvey (3/31)*

66. Kids Fight Climate Change: Act Now to Be a #2minutesuperhero by Martin Dorey (3/31)

April (19)

67. Heartstopper: Vol. 3 by Alice Oseman (4/3)*

68. Good-Bye Stacey, Good-Bye by Gabriela Epstein (4/4)

69. Me (Moth) by Amber McBride (4/5)*

70. Share Your Smile: Raina's Guide to Telling Your Own Story by Raina Telgemeier (4/6)

71. Sunny G's Series of Rash Decisions by Navdeep Singh Dhillon (4/7)

72. Cat Kid Comic Club: Perspectives by Dav Pilkey (4/7)

73. Cat Kid Comic Club by Dad Pilkey (4/9)

74. The Highest Tribute: Thurgood Marshall's Life, Leadership, and Legacy by Kekla Magoon (4/11)

75. Inside In: X-Rays of Nature's Hidden World by Jan Paul Schutten with photographs by Arie Van Riet (4/12)

76. Scary Story for Young Foxes by Christian McKay Heidicker (4/13)*

77. Cardboard Box Engineering: Cool and Inventive Projects for Tinkerers, Makers and Future Scientists by Jonathan Adolph (4/14)

78. Realm of the Blue Mist by Amy Kim Kibuishi (4/15)

79. And We Rise: The Civil Rights Movement in Poems by Erica Martin (4/16)

80. Perfectly Parvin by Olivia Abtahi (4/18)

81. The Snowy Owl Scientist by Mark Wilson (4/19)* (SLJ)

82. Roxy by Neal Shusterman and Jarod Shusterman (4/19)

83. A Perfect Mistake by Melanie Conklin (4/20)*(SLJ)

84. Be Your Shitty Self: An Honest Approach to a More Peaceful Life by Mark Van Buren (4/25)

85. Does My Body Offend You? by Mayra Cuevas (4/26)

May (18)

86. The Stardust That Made Us by Colin Stuart (5/1)*

87. The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higher (5/3)

88. Hope Wins: a Collection of Inspiring Stories for Young Readers edited by Rose Brock (5/4)

89. I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys (5/7)*

90. Endlessly Ever After by Laurel Snyder (5/7)

91. Besties Work It Out by Kayla Miller and Jeffrey Canino (5/8)

92. Every Line of You by Naomi Gibson (5/11)

93. Casey at the Bat by Ernest L. Thayer and illustrated by Leroy Neiman (5/12)*

94. Casey at the Bat by Ernest L. Thayer and illustrated by Joe Morse (5/12)*

95. You and Me and Him by Kris Dennison (5/12)

96. Oceanarium by Loveday White (5/13)*

97. French Braid by Anne Tyler (5/15)

98. Picturing a Nation by Martin W. Sandler (5/19)

99. Riley's Ghost by John David Anderson (5/22)

100. Cold by Mariko Tamaki (5/25)

101. Desert Diary: Japanese American Kids Behind Bars by Michael O. Tunnell (5/26)

102. The Hope of Elephants by Amanda Rawson Hill (5/30)*

103. Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater (5/31)*

June (11)

104. The Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin by Kip Wilson (6/4)

105. Mister Impossible by Maggie Stiefvater (6/11)

106. Cinder and Glass by Melissa de la Cruz (6/19)

107. Blood Metal Bone by Lindsay Cummings (6/19)

Summer Reading

108. The Mysterious Disappearance of Aiden S. (as told to his brother) by David Levithan (6/22)(1)

109. How Not to Become a Little Old Lady by Mary McHugh (6/23)(2)

110. Hope is an Arrow: the Story of Lebanese American Poet Kahlil Gibran (6/23)(3)

111. Alice Austen Lived Here by Alex Gino (6/23)(4)

112. Family of Liars by E. Lockhart (6/26)(5)

113. The Do-Over by Jennifer Torres (6/28)(SLJ)(6)

114. Cuba in My Pocket by Adrianna Cuevas (6/30)*(7)

July (19)

115. Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler by Ibi Zoboi (7/2)(8)

116. Henry Hamlet's Heart by Rhiannon Wilde (7/5)*(9)

117. The Second Chance of Benjamin Waterfalls by James Bird (7/6)(10)

118. Pink is Not a Color by Lindsay Ward (7/6)(11)

119. Remarkably Ruby by Terri Lebanon (7/7)(12)

120. The Aquanaut by Dan Santat (7/8)*(13)

121. Growing Pangs by Kathryn Ormsbee (7/9)(14)

122. All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir (7/11)*(15)

123. The Boy Who Failed Dodgeball by Jordan Sonnenblick (7/12)(16)

124. Smaller Sister by Maggie Edkins Willis (7/13)(17)

125. The Fort by Gordon Korman (7/14)(18)

126. Needle & Thread by David Pinckney (7/14)(19)

127. Himawari House by Harmony Becker (7/17)(20)

128. Unsettled: the Problem of Loving Israel by Marc Aronson (7/18)(21)

129. The Captive Kingdom by Jennifer Nielsen (7/20)(22)

130. The Woman Who Split the Atom by Marissa Moss(7/23)

131. Okoye to the People: a Black Panther Novel by Ibi Zoboi (7/24)

132. Miss Quinces by Kat Fajardo (7/28)

133. Slip by Marika McCoola (7/31)

August (20)

134. The Stonewall Riots: Coming Out in the Streets by Gayle E. Pittman (8/1)

135. The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O'Neill (8/2)

136. Rivals by Katherine McGee (8/3)

137. Playing with Myself by Randy Rainbow (8/7)*

138. Building by Henry Cole (8/9)*

139. The Year We Learned to Fly by Jacqueline Woodson (8/10)*

140. The Blur by Minh Le (8/10)*

141. Honeybee Rescue: a Backyard Drama by Loree Griffin Burns (8/12)*

142. The Other Side of the River by Alda P. Dobbs (8/13)*

143. Cut to the Chase (The Bad Guys #13) by Aaron Blabey (8/13)

144. Flip the Script by Lyla Lee (8/14)

145. Fenris and Mott by Greg Van Eekhout (8/15)*

146. A is for Bee: an Alphabet Book in Translation by Ellen Heck (8/15)*

147. Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales (8/16)

148. Serengeti: Plains of Grass by Leslie Bulion (8/17)

149. Mushroom Rain by Laura K. Zimmerman (8/17)

150. Shine on Luz Véliz by Rebecca Balcarcel (8/19)*

151. The Loophole by Naz Kutub (8/20)*

152. Everything I Thought I Knew by Shannon Takaoka (8/22)

153. The Wolves and Moose of Isle Royale: Restoring and Island Ecosystem by Nancy Castaldo (8/23)*

September (13)

154. Beasts of Ruin by Ayana Gray (9/1)

155. A River's Gifts: the Mighty Elwa Reborn by Patricia Newman (9/7)*

156. Queer Ducks by Eliot Schaefer (9/13)*

157. Once Upon a Quinceañera by Monica Gomez-Hira (9/13)

158. This is Not a Drill by K.A. Holt (9/14)

159. We Were the Fire by Shelia P. Moses (9/18)*(SLJ)

160. Watch Us Rise by Renée Watson and Ellen Hagan (9/18)

161. Raising Don: the True Story of a Spunky Baby Tapir (9/18)

162. Gabi, a Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero (9/21)

163. The Barren Grounds by David A. Robertson (9/26)

164. Breaking History: a White House Memoir by Jared Kushner (9/27)

165. Just Like Jesse Owens by Ambassador Andrew Young (9/29)*

166. The Sleepover by Michael Regina (9/30)

October (13)

167. Out of My Heart by Sharon M. Draper (10/2)

168. Attack of the Black Rectangles by Amy Sarig King (10/3)

169. Heartstopper Vol. 4 by Alice Oseman (10/4)*

170. A Fire in My Hands by Gary Soto (10/5)

171. 7 Good Reasons Not to Grow Up by Jimmy Gownley (10/7)

172. The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat (10/8)*

173. The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat (10/10)*

174. One More River to Cross: an African American Photograph Album by Walter Dean Myers (10/10)*

175. Dinged by Tommy Greenwald (10/13)*

176. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson (10/17)

177. Talk Santa to Me by Linda Urban (10/24)*

178. Art of Protest by De Nicol (10/27)

179. Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson (10/28)

November

180. Freestyle by Gale Galligan (11/1)

181. The First Thing about You by Chaz Hayden (11/4)*

182. Eight Nights of Flirting by Hannah Reynolds (11/5)

183. A Rover's Story by Jasmine Warga (11/7)**

184. Jessi's Secret Language (Baby-Sitters Club GN #12) by Chan Chau (11/7)

185. Falling Short by Ernesto Cisneros (11/10)

186. The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster by Mo Willems (11/12)

187. Frizzy by Clarabel A. Ortega (11/12)

188. Ride On by Faith Erin Hicks (11/13)

189. Two Dogs by Ian Falconer (11/13)

190. A Very Mercy Christmas by Kate DiCamillo (11/13)*

191. The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Mac Barnett (11/13)*

192. New Kids and Underdogs by Margaret Finnegan (11/13)

193. The Heartstopper Yearbook by Alice Oseman (11/14)

194. A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger (11/20)

195. Bottle Tops: The Art of El Anatsui by Alison Goldberg (11/21)

196. Footprints Across the Planet by Jennifer Swanson (11/22)

197. Enly and the Buskin' Blues by Jennie Liu (11/23)(SLJ)

198. Infinity: Figuring Out Forever by Sarah C. Campbell (11/28)

199. Radio Silence by Alice Oseman (11/29)   

200. Numb to This: Memoir of a Mass Shooting by Kindra Neely (11/30)

December (9)

201. Enemies by Svetlana Chmakova (12/1)

202. Victory, Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith, Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile (12/2)*

203. Abuela, Don't Forget Me by Rex Ogle (12/4)*

204. Debating Darcy by Sayantani Dasgupta (12/17)

205. My Aunt is a Monster by Reimena Yee (12/18)

206. Play Like a Girl: a Graphic Memoir by Misty Wilson (12/21)

207. Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky: the Graphic Novel by Kwame Mbalia. Adapted by Robert Venditti (12/21)

208. Nothing is Little by Carmella VanVleet (12/25)*

209. The Epic Story of Every Living Thing by Deb Caletti (12/27)*

 

2022 Audiobooks

 January (4)

1. The Taking of Jake Livingstone by Ryan Douglass (1/1)

2. Gilded by Marissa Meyer (1/9)*

3. You'll Be the Death of Me by Karen M. McManus (1/16)

4. Lore by Alexandra Bracken (1/28)

February (6)

5. The Toll by Neal Shusterman (2/4)*

6. Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen (2/4)*

7. Gone to the Woods: surviving a lost childhood by Gary Paulsen (2/7)

8. Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo (2/15)*

9. Pony by R. J. Palacio (2/20)*

10. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman (2/23)*

March (4)

11. Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley (3/5)

12. Far Away by Lisa Graff (3/6)

13. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E.Schwab (3/13)*

14. Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé (3/22)

April (5)

15. Sunny G's Series of Rash Decisions by Navdeep Singh Dhillon (4/7)

16. Scary Story for Young Foxes by Christian McKay Heidicker (4/13)*

17. Perfectly Parvin by Olivia Abtahi (4/18)

18. Roxy by Neal Shusterman and Jarod Shusterman (4/19)

19. Does My Body Offend You? by Mayra Cuevas (4/26)

May (7)

20. The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higher (5/3)

21.  I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys (5/7)*

22. Every Line of You by Naomi Gibson (5/11)

23. French Braid by Anne Tyler (5/15)

24. Riley's Ghost by John David Anderson (5/22)

25. Cold by Mariko Tamaki (5/25)

26. Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater (5/31)*

June (7)

27. The Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin by Kip Wilson (6/4)

28. Mister Impossible by Maggie Stiefvater (6/11)

29. Cinder and Glass by Melissa de la Cruz (6/19)

30. The Disappearance of Aiden S. (as told to his brother) by David Levithan (6/22)

31. Alice Austen Lived Here by Alex Gino (6/23)

32. Family of Liars by E. Lockhart (6/26)

33. Cuba in My Pocket by Adrianna Cuevas (6/30)

July (6)

34. Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler by Ibi Zoboi (7/2)

35. The Second Chance of Benjamin Waterfalls by James Bird (7/6)

36. All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir (7/11)*

37. The Fort by Gordon Korman (7/14)

38. The Captive Kingdom by Jennifer Nielsen (7/20)

39. Okoye to the People: a Black Panther Novel by Ibi Zoboi (7/24)

August (5)

40. Rivals by Katherine McGee (8/3)

41. Playing with Myself by Randy Rainbow (8/7)*

42. Flip the Script by Lyla Lee (8/13)

43. Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales (8/16)

44. The Loophole by Naz Kutub (8/20)*

September (4)

45. Beasts of Ruin by Ayana Gray (9/1)

46. Once Upon a Quinceañera by Monica Gomez-Hira (9/13)

47. Gabi, a Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero (9/21)

48. The Barren Grounds by David A. Robertson (9/26)

October

49. Out of My Heart by Sharon M. Draper (10/2)

50. Attack of the Black Rectangles by Amy Sarig King (10/3)

51. The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat (10/9)*

52. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson (10/17)

53. Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson (10/28)

November (4)

54. Eight Nights of Flirting by Hannah Reynolds (11/5)

55. Falling Short by Ernesto Cisneros (11/10)

56. A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger (11/20)

57. Radio Silence by Alice Oseman (11/29)   

December

58. Debating Darcy by Sayantani Dasgupta (12/18)

59. The Epic Story of Every Living Thing by Deb Caletti (12/27)*

#tbt: Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Almost True Stories of Growing up Scieszka by Jon Scieszka

Image: Penguin Random House

Tall Tales and Almost True Stories of Growing up Scieszka by Jon Scieszka. 112 p. Viking Books for Young Readers/ Penguin Young Readers, 2008. 9780670011384. (Own)

Happy Thursday TMS! We're in for some weather tomorrow! Yikes! Yesterday was the winter solstice and now we will have just a few more minutes of light each day as we march toward the summer solstice.

#tbt features Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Almost True Stories of Growning up Scieszka by Jon Scieszka. This short book is part memoir and part scrapbook and answers the perennial question authors get from kids during school visits, "Where do you get your ideas from?" Mr. Scieszka (rhymes with fresca) grew up in a family of six boys. As the second son, he often had babysitting responsibilities but there was also plenty of time to laze around reading comic books and spending summers exploring his grandparents woods. The Scieszka boys also got into a fair amount of mischief and these stories are laugh-out-loud funny.

Mr. Scieszka is the author of many hilarious books including, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Stories, and the Time Warp Trio series. Knucklehead was published in 2008.

Waiting on Wednesday: Chaos Theory by Nic Stone

Image: Penguin Random House

Happy Wednesday! Nic Stone has another YA book coming! Waiting on Wednesday features Chaos Theory. This is being released on February 23, 2023 and here's the publisher synopsis: The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin delivers a gripping romance about two teens: a certified genius living with a diagnosed mental illness and a politician's son who is running from his own addiction and grief. Don't miss this gut punch of a novel about mental illness, loss, and discovering you are worthy of love.

Scars exist to remind us of what we’ve survived.

DETACHED
Since Shelbi enrolled at Windward Academy as a senior and won’t be there very long, she hasn’t bothered making friends. What her classmates don’t know about her can’t be used to hurt her—you know, like it did at her last school.

WASTED
Andy Criddle is not okay. At all.
He’s had far too much to drink.
Again. Which is bad.
And things are about to get worse.

When Shelbi sees Andy at his lowest, she can relate. So she doesn’t resist reaching out. And there’s no doubt their connection has them both seeing stars . . . but the closer they get, the more the past threatens to pull their universes apart.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Nic Stone delivers a tour de force about living with grief, prioritizing mental health, and finding love amid the chaos.

Middle Grade Monday: My Aunt is a Monster by Reimena Yee.

Image: Penguin Random House

Happy last-Monday-before-break! Middle Grade Monday features My Aunt is a Monster by Reimena Yee. Eleven-year-old Safia is blind, but that is not an obstacle to much. She's well cared for by loving parents who own a bookstore and read her wonderful tales. When they die tragically in a fire, Safia is sent to an orphanage. Then, a distant relative is found. An aunt named Whimsy lives in an allegedly haunted house that no one goes near with Nanny. Safia isn't lonely though. Aunt Whimsy was an adventurer who had to go into hiding when she was "disfigured" in an accident. Safia can't see that her aunt really is a monster. Her tales of adventuring and her ghostly friend in the garden are enough to keep Safia happy, though she longs for a real adventure.

This was a fun, fast-paced graphic novel for readers who like quirky adventure.

Fact Friday: Art of Protest: Creating, Discovering, and Activating Art for Your Revolution by De Nichols

Image: Candlewick Press

Art of Protest: Creating, Discovering, and Activating Art for Your Revolution by De Nichols. Illustrated by Diana Dagadita, Molly Mendoza, Olivia Twist, Saddo, and Diego Becas. 80 p. Big Picture Press/ Candlewick Press, November, 2021. 9781536223255. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

Fact Friday features Art of Protest: Creating, Discovering, and Activating Art for Your Revolution by De Nichols. The author calls herself an "artivist," meaning she uses her art to protest injustice. This short volume is part-memoir, part history of protest art and part how-to and sure to inspire budding "artivists." She collaborated with other artists on this colorful and compelling book. Protest art can take many forms from posters to performance art, from song to dance. Short biographies of notable artists are sprinkled throughout. Informational literature at its finest. 

#tbt: The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer

Image: LBYR

The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer. 448 p. The Land of Stories #1. Little Brown Young Readers/ Little, Brown & Company. July, 2012. 9780316201575. (Own)

Happy Thursday! #tbt celebrates the upcoming tenth anniversary of The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell. This was the Glee alum's debut and it was an immediate NYT Bestseller and quickly became a TMS favorite. 

Twins Connor and Alex are still grieving the death of their father as they are about to turn twelve. Their grandmother gifts them the book of fairy tales he used to read to them. Soon, they find themselves falling into that world. Familiar folk and fairy tale characters are living their ever-afters, some happily, some not. 

The series continues with five additional books, plus a three-book (so far) prequel, A Tale of Magic series. 

Waiting on Wednesday: Spy Camp the Graphic Novel by Stuart Gibbs

Image: Simon & Schuster

Spy Camp the Graphic Novel by Stuart Gibbs. 328 p. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers/ Simon & Schuster, April 4, 2023. 9781534499379.

Waiting on Wednesday features Spy Camp the Graphic Novel by Stuart Gibbs. Mr. Gibbs is a TMS favorite. The Spy School series rarely spends much time on the shelf and there are usually waiting lists. Here's the publisher's synopsis for the next graphic novel adaptation:

The second book in the New York Times bestselling Spy School series continues in graphic novel form as aspiring spy Ben Ripley must spend his summer in top-secret training—and is thrown back into danger.

Ben Ripley is a middle schooler whose school is not exactly average—he’s spent the last year training to be a top-level spy and dodging all sorts of associated danger. So now that summer’s finally here, Ben would like to have some fun and relax. But that’s not going to happen during required spy survival training at a rustic wilderness camp, where SPYDER, an enemy spy organization, has infiltrated the spies’ ranks. Can Ben root out the enemy before it takes him out—for good?

Teen Tuesday: Abuela, Don't Forget Me by Rex Ogle

Image: Norton Young Readers

Abuela, Don't Forget Me by Rex Ogle. 204 p. Norton Young Readers/ W.W. Norton & Company, September, 2022. 978132409954. (Review of finished, purchased copy.)

Teen Tuesday features Abuela, Don't Forget Me by Rex Ogle.  Mr. Ogle recounted his traumatic childhood in two memoirs, Free Lunch and Punching Bag. He had an absent father, a mentally unstable mother who was frequently unemployed and verbally and physically abused him and a stepfather who did the same. The one bright spot in young Rex's life was his Abuela, who loved him unconditionally and provided a safe space for him when she could. This third memoir, written in verse was born when Mr. Ogle realized his grandmother had forgotten him while having a conversation with him. This moving tribute is powerful and painful, but important. Thank goodness Rex had his Abuela. She helped her grandson survive and ultimately thrive. Both are remarkable people.

Middle Grade Monday: Enemies by Svetlana Chmakova

Image: Yen Press

Enemies by Svetlana Chmakova. 224 p. Berrybrook Middle School #5. JY/ Yen Press, September, 2022. 9781975312725 (Review of finished purchased copy.)

Happy Monday! The snow sure was pretty this morning with the waning full moon shining on it. Just enough to say that winter is here and not enough to have to shovel. Middle Grade Monday featuers Enemies by Svetlana Chmakova. This is book # 5 of the Berrybrook Middle School series that began with Awkward. The series is quite popular at my school.

Felicity is a talented artist and loves being in Art Club. She has a bff and a group of friends that she games with. She does have a habit of not finishing what she started and this sometimes lands her in hot water with her parents. Her "perfect" little sister, Letty, lords it over her constantly and the two often fight about it. Felicity convinces Tess to join the Entrepreneur Club because there's a big prize at the end. This leads to some conflict because Felicity keeps shooting down Tess' ideas and doesn't come up with her own. Plus, Tess' attention is focused on the boys in the club, which includes her gaming friend and a former friend, now enemy.

Ms. Chmakova has an eye for middle school drama and a great ear for dialogue. Her characters are diverse (the club advisor is non-binary and the book store owner is in a wheelchair as two examples), and complex. The art tends toward muted and anime-style. This book will have wide appeal. It's a must-read for fans of the series, but non-fans can drop in anywhere in the series and get hooked themselves. Happy reading!

What's New?

"Stacking the Shelves" was a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. It seems the blog is gone though, so I will just continue to post a "What's New? post whenever I receive new books. 

For Review: I found this on my doorstep as I was shutting up the house for bed a couple of days ago. It's amazing that the delivery person managed it without the hounds knowing. Once I opened it, I was so excited that I had a hard time falling asleep!

Image: Abrams Books

Unraveller by Frances Hardinge. 432 p. Amulet Books/ Abrams Books, January 10, 2023. 9781419759314.

Publisher synopsis: A dark YA fantasy about learning to use your power and finding peace, from award-winning author Frances Hardinge. 

In a world where anyone can create a life-destroying curse, only one person has the power to unravel them.

Kellen does not fully understand his talent, but helps those transformed maliciously—including Nettle. Recovered from entrapment in bird form, she is now his constant companion and closest ally.

But Kellen has also been cursed, and unless he and Nettle can remove his curse, Kellen is in danger of unravelling everything—and everyone—around him . . .

Purchased: Nothing!

What's new on your pile?

#tbt: Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

Image: Penguin Random House

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage. 314 p. Dial Books for Young Readers/ Penguin Young Readers, 2012. 9780803736702. (Own.)

Happy Thursday! Oops! Friday. I started this post yesterday, but forgot to publish it. Such a busy day! 

#tbt features Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage. Eleven-year-old Mo LeBeau is a rising sixth grader with a best friend named Dale and insatiable curiosity about her "Upstream Mother." You see, Mo was rescued from a flood when she was a newborn and no one came looking for her. Both she and the Colonel were taken in by Miss Lana, who runs the town's cafe. Mo and Dale formed a detective agency and soon get a real murder to investigate.

The humor and interesting cast of characters are what keep the pages turning in this series starter. Mo narrates and her dry observations are often laugh out loud funny. Readers will fall in love with Mo and Dale and all the inhabitants of Tupelo Landing. The book was published in 2012 and was named a Newbery Honor. 

Waiting on Wednesday: Not an Easy Win by Chrystal D. Giles

Image: Penguin Random House

Not An Easy Win by Chrystal D. Giles. 256 p. Random House Children's Books, February 28, 2023. 9780593175217.

Happy Wednesday. It's another rainy day here in northern NJ, only the temperature rose to a balmy 56 degrees. I absentmindedly put on my down coat and warm hat and had quite the surprise when I opened the deck door to walk the pups at 5:15 this morning. Such weird weather!

Waiting on Wednesday features Not An Easy Win by Chrystal D. Giles. I reviewed Ms. Giles' 2021 debut, Take Back the Block for School Library Journal, so when I learned from the author's social media, her sophomore effort was releasing, I added it to my list of preorders for our library. Not an Easy Win will publish on February 28, 2023. Here's what the publisher has to say about it: Can Lawrence figure out how to get on the board, even though the odds are stacked against him?

Introducing a powerful novel about family, forgiveness, and figuring out who you are when you don’t make the rules—just right for middle-grade fans of Nic Stone and Jason Reynolds.

Lawrence is ready for a win. . . .

Nothing’s gone right for Lawrence since he had to move from Charlotte to Larenville, North Carolina, to live with his granny. When Lawrence ends up in one too many fights at his new school, he gets expelled. The fight wasn’t his fault, but since his pop’s been gone, it feels like no one listens to what Lawrence has to say.

Instead of going to school, Lawrence starts spending his days at the rec center, helping out a neighbor who runs a chess program. Some of the kids in the program will be picked to compete in the Charlotte Classic chess tournament. Could this be Lawrence's chance to go home?

Lawrence doesn’t know anything about chess, but something about the center—and the kids there—feels right. Lawrence thought the game was over . . . but does he have more moves left than he thought?

Happy reading!

Teen Tuesday and Audiobook Review: Radio Silence by Alice Oseman

Image: HarperCollins Publishers

Radio Silence by Alice Oseman. Unabridged e-audiobook, ~11 hours. Read by Aysha Kala. Harper Teen/ HarperCollins Publishers, March, 2017. 9780062474612. (Review of e-audiobook borrowed from public library.

Happy Tuesday! I am a huge fan of the Heartstopper graphic novel series by Alice Oseman, as are many seventh and eighth graders, probably propelled by the popular Netflix series. Did you know that Ms. Oseman also writes novels? In fact, Charlie was a minor character in her debut novel, Solitaire, which was published in 2014, when she was only twenty years old! But Teen Tuesday isn't featuring Solitaire. I couldn't find it on audio, though I do intend to read it some day. 

Teen Tuesday features Radio Silence. This book was published in 2016 and is her second novel following the publication of two novellas. Radio Silence is narrated by Frances Janvier, who introduces her self with this: “I was study machine Frances Janvier. I was going to Cambridge . . . Uni, job, money, happiness. That’s what you do. That’s the formula." She's top girl at her school and despises the top boy. She also has a loose group of "friends" she really doesn't relate to or feel close to. What she does love with all her heart is a podcast called "Universe City." It's dark and brooding and Frances frequently publishes her fan art to Tumblr under the pseudonym, Toulouse. She's shocked and delighted to received a message through the app from the creator, who loves her art and wants permission to use it even though he can't pay her.

Turns out that the creator is none other than her across the street neighbor, Aled and twin to her former best friend, Carys. Aled is brilliant and headed to university and Carys struggeld in school and ran away two years earlier. Frances feels it is her fault. Frances and Aled strike up a fast friendship and work on the podcast together through the summer. After a social media influencer gives the podcast a shoutout, Universe City goes viral and the fandom are rabid to discover the identities of Aled and Frances.

This nuanced, layered novel explores themes of friendship, identity, familial relationships, societal expectations and being true to yourself. Frances' wry narration reveals her to be bright, honest, self-deprecating, driven and doubtful. I was immediately smitten. She also has a brilliant mother. I went into this vaguely thinking it would be a romance along the lines of Heartstopper. It's not, but it's utterly engaging. Mature teen readers questioning the status quo and looking for a challenging read  will enjoy Radio Silence.

Middle Grade Monday and Audiobook Review: Falling Short by Ernesto Cisneros

 

Image: HarperCollins Publishers

Falling Short by Ernesto Cisneros. Unabridged book on Playaway, ~5 hours. Read by Timothy Andrés Pabon and Gary Tiedemann. Findaway World/ Quill Tree Books/ HarperCollins Publishers, March, 2022. 9781669609469. (Review of audiobook borrowed from public library.)

Happy Monday! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Middle Grade Monday features Falling Short by Ernesto Cisneros. Marco and Isaac are best friends who are entering middle school. Marco is short and does well in school. Isaac is tall, excels at basketball, but struggles in school. The two also have some issues at home. Isaac's mom left his dad due to his alcoholism and Marco's father is rarely visits. Isaac hopes that if he gets good grades, his parents' marriage will heal and Marco hopes that if he makes the basketball team, his father will visit more. Isaac coaches Marco in b-ball and Marco tutors Isaac. That'll work, right?

Falling Short is Mr. Cisneros' sophomore novel. It is very different than his award-winning debut, Efrain Divided. The friendship between the two boys stands front and center, where they unconditionally support each other despite being pulled in different directions socially. I loved this. Family issues were realistically portrayed and the adults were mostly trying to do the right thing. This dynamic, the dual POV and short chapters make this a quick and satisfying read. The two narrators portrayed the warmth of the boys' friendship and seamlessly shifted between English and Spanish.

Falling Short is a first-purchase! 

What's New?

"Stacking the Shelves" was a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. It seems the blog is gone though, so I will just continue to post a "What's New? post whenever I receive new books. 

For Review: I received YA riches from Candlewick Press!

Image: Candlewick Press

Calling the Moon: 16 Period Stories from BIPOC Authors. 368 p. Candlewick Press, March, 2023. 9781536216349.

Publisher synopsis: For Angela, it came on the basketball court—while playing on the boys’ team. For Penny, it came on a lakeside field trip, inspiring some cringeworthy moments of humor. And to Layla’s disappointment, it came at the start of her first fasting Ramadan, mandating that she take a “holiday.” Whether their period's coming spurs silence or celebration, whether they are well prepared for it or totally in the dark, the young people in these sixteen stories find that getting a period brings not only changes to their bodies, but also joy, sorrow, and self-discovery. Featuring BIPOC contributors who are some of today’s most talented authors in middle-grade fiction, Calling the Moon offers coming-of-age stories and poetry as varied as the phases of the moon, from funny to heartbreaking to powerful, all of them reassuring readers that they are not alone in their period journey.

With contributions by:
Hilda Eunice Burgos * Veeda Bybee * Susan Muaddi Darraj * Saadia Faruqi * Nikki Grimes * Leah Henderson * Mason J. * Erin Entrada Kelly * Guadalupe Garcia McCall * Elise McMullen-Ciotti * Yamile Saied Méndez * Emma Otheguy * Aida Salazar * Christina Soontornvat * Padma Venkatraman * Ibi Zoboi
An essential, highly relatable collection of short fiction and poems around the topic of menstruation, written exclusively by authors who are Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color

Image: Candlewick Press

Share Better and Stress Less: a Guide to Think Ecologically about Social Media. by Ryan Milner and Whitney Phillips. 176 p. Candlewick Press, March, 2023. 9781536228748.

Publisher synopsis: We know that pollution damages our physical environments—but what about the digital landscape? Touching on everything from goat memes gone wrong to     conflict in group chats to the sometimes unexpected side effects of online activism, this lively guide to media literacy draws on ecological, social justice, and storytelling frameworks to help readers understand how information pollution spreads and why. It also helps them make sense of the often stressful and strange online world. Featuring a hyperconnected cast of teens and their social-media shenanigans, reader-friendly text tackles the thorny topic of internet ethics while empowering—and inspiring—young readers to weave a safe, secure, and inclusive digital world. Readers are invited to delve further into the subject with the help of comprehensive source notes and a bibliography in the back matter.

Two media experts offer a witty, warm, and relatable take on how information pollution affects our online networks—and our well-being—and how to maximize a positive impact.

Image: Candlewick Press

Never Trust a Gemini by Freja Nicole Wolf. 320 p. Candlewick Press, May, 2023. 9781536230543.

Publisher synopsis: It’s Libra Season, and Cat Phillips is ready to run headfirst into love. The only problem is that her crush is on her best friend, Alison Bridgewater, who is more interested in chatting with boys. Maybe Cat should take this as a sign to get over Alison, even if that means dating the musically challenged Jamie Owusu. After all, a new boyfriend is the best cleanse, at least according to Cat’s friends. Unfortunately, having a boyfriend is a lot harder than Cat expected. And then Morgan Delaney swoops in with her green glasses, enigmatic smile, and talent for teasing Cat in ways that make her feel überlicious. But Morgan is a Gemini, and there’s no way that’s in Cat’s horoscope. 

Will Cat finally get the girl of her dreams? Or is there a chance there’s more to life than Alison Bridgewater? The stars align for the cast of this energetic romp full of comedic misunderstandings and sparkling language.


Cat Phillips has her head in the stars, but her romantic fantasies may ruin her shot at real-life love in this sweet and funny lesbian story.

Image: Candlewick Press

The Family Fortuna by Lindsay Eager. 400 p. Candlewick Press, March, 2023. 9780763692353.

Publisher synopsis: Beaked. Feathered. Monstrous. Avita was born to be a star. Her tent sells out nightly, and every performance incites bloodcurdling screams. She’s the most lucrative circus act from Texas to Tacoma, the crown jewel of the Family Fortuna, and Avita feeds on the shrieks, the gasps, the fear. But when a handsome young artist arrives to create posters of the performers, she’s appalled by his rendering of Bird Girl. Is that all he sees? A hideous monster—all sharp beak and razor teeth, obsidian eyes and ruffled feathers? Determined to be more, Avita devises a plan to snatch freedom out from under the greased mustache of her charismatic father, the domineering proprietor and ringmaster. But will their fragile circus family survive the showdown she has in mind? By turns delightful and disturbing, bawdy and breathtaking, horrific and heartfelt, this electric and exquisitely crafted story about a family like no other challenges our every notion of what it means to be different—subject to an earful of screams—and to step out of the shadows and shine anyway.

Lindsay Eagar’s dazzling YA debut welcomes us backstage at the Family Fortuna circus, where wonders lie in wait to steal your breath away. You won’t believe your eyes!

Image: Candlewick Press

Harvest House by Cynthia Leitich Smith. 320 p. Candlewick Press, April, 2023. 9781536218602.

Publisher synopsis: Deftly leading readers to the literary crossroads of contemporary realism and haunting mystery, Cynthia Leitich Smith revisits the world of her American Indian Youth Literature Award winner Hearts Unbroken. Halloween is near, and Hughie Wolfe is volunteering at a new rural attraction: Harvest House. He’s excited to take part in the fun, spooky show—until he learns that an actor playing the vengeful spirit of an “Indian maiden,” a ghost inspired by local legend, will headline. Folklore aside, unusual things have been happening at night at the crossroads near Harvest House. A creepy man is stalking teenage girls and young women, particularly Indigenous women; dogs are fretful and on edge; and wild animals are behaving strangely. While Hughie weighs how and when to speak up about the bigoted legend, he and his friends begin to investigate the crossroads and whether it might be haunted after all. As Moon rises on All Hallow’s Eve, will they be able to protect themselves and their community? Gripping and evocative, Harvest House showcases a versatile storyteller at her spooky, unsettling best.

NSK Neustadt Laureate and New York Times best-selling author Cynthia Leitich Smith delivers a thrilling cross-genre follow-up to the acclaimed Hearts Unbroken.

Image: Candlewick Press

Work What You Got: a Memoir by Zion Clark and James S. Hirsch. 240 p. Candlewick Press, April, 2023. 9781536224214.

Publisher synopsis: When a baby named Zion was born in 1997 to an imprisoned, drug-addicted mother, his future seemed bleak. Born without legs due to a rare condition called caudal regression syndrome, Zion was abandoned and shunted to a foster-care system ill-equipped to care for him. In this stirring memoir, readers will follow as he is bounced from home to home, subjected to abuse, neglect, and inconceivable hardship. Somehow, Zion finds supportive angels along the way: his first two foster families, who offer a haven; the wrestling coach who senses his “warrior spirit” and nurtures it; the woman of fierce faith who adopts a seventeen-year-old and cheers his every match. From play-by-play narration of how Zion adapts wrestling moves to defeat able-bodied opponents, wielding phenomenal arm and hand strength, to accounts of his extraordinary work ethic, unflagging optimism, and motivational speaking, this is an inspirational story of courage that will appeal to any athlete who respects determination, any young person facing adversity, and any reader who wants to believe in the human spirit.

Elite wheelchair racer and wrestler Zion Clark joins with New York Times best-selling author James S. Hirsch for a stunning memoir—recounting childhood adversity, awe-inspiring perseverance, and self-invention.

Image: Candlewick Press

Different for Boys by Patrick Ness. Illustrated by Tea Bendix. 104 p. Candlewick Press, March, 2023. 9781536228892.

Publisher synopsis: Anthony “Ant” Stevenson isn’t sure when he stopped being a virgin. Or even if he has. The rules aren’t always very clear when it comes to boys who like boys. In fact, relationships of all kinds feel complicated, even with Ant’s oldest friends. There’s Charlie, who’s both virulently homophobic and in a secret physical relationship with Ant. Then there’s drama kid Jack, who may be gay and has become the target of Charlie’s rage. And, of course, there’s big, beautiful Freddie, who wants Ant to ditch soccer, Charlie’s sport, and try out for the rugby team instead. Ant’s story of loneliness and intimacy, of unexpected support and heart-ripping betrayal, is told forthrightly with tongue-in-cheek black-bar redactions over the language that teenagers would actually use if, you know, they weren’t in a story. Award-winning author Patrick Ness explores teen sexuality, friendship, and romance with a deft hand in this structurally daring, illustrated short novel.

Friendship, masculinity, sex—Anthony Stevenson has a lot of questions. Is it different for boys who like boys? A poignant and frank story filled with meta-humor by renowned author Patrick Ness.

Image: Candlewick Press

First Year Orientation by Lauren Gilbaldi and Eric Smith. Candlewick Press, April, 2023. 9781536224498.

Publisher synopsis: Jilly cannot believe her parents keep showing up at all of her orientation events. (Except, yes, she can totally believe that.) Isaac wants to be known as someone other than the kid who does magic and has an emotional support bunny. Lilly is stuck working at the college bookstore during orientation (but maybe new friends are closer than they appear). Hira, meanwhile, just wants to retire from ghost hunting once and for all, but a spirit in the library’s romance section has other ideas. For their sophomore effort, the contributing editors behind the critically acclaimed Battle of the Bands admit us to opening day at a fictional college, with a collection that makes an ideal high school graduation gift or “summer-before” read. This colorful array of stories spans genres and moods—from humorous to heartfelt to ghostly—tackling with sensitivity, humor, and warmth what it feels like to take those first shaky steps into adulthood.

With stories by:
Adi Alsaid * Anna Birch * Bryan Bliss * Gloria Chao * Jennifer Chen * Olivia A. Cole * Dana L. Davis * Kristina Forest * Lauren Gibaldi * Kathleen Glasgow * Sam Maggs * Farah Naz Rishi * Lance Rubin * Aminah Mae Safi * Eric Smith * Phil Stamper

Sixteen acclaimed authors—including a National Book Award nominee, a New York Times best-selling novelist, and a beloved actress—join forces for a cross-genre YA anthology of linked short stories about the first days of college.

Purchased: Nothing! I've been totally using the library!

What's new on your pile?