Hi Kid Lit Friends!
The weather has been pretty wild here, fluctuating between beautiful late spring days, huge thunderstorms, and high humidity and heat waves! I hope you are all doing well, staying safe, and having lots of time to read!
Custom Book Embosser
This personalized book embosser would be such a great teacher or graduation gift!
New Releases
Maizy Chen’s Last Chance by Lisa Yee
I loved this middle grade book by Lisa Yee. When Maizy and her mom leave their home in Los Angeles to head to Last Chance, Minnesota to spend time with Maizy’s ailing grandfather, Maizy works in the family restaurant and learns more than she could imagine about her family history.
Miosotis Flores Never Forgets by Hilda Eunice Burgos
In this sweet middle grade story, Miosotis is much more excited about fostering dogs than doing schoolwork. But her papi wants her to excel at school, so he strikes a deal: if Miosotis improves her grades in two classes, she can adopt a dog of her own in the summer.
Ten Blocks to the Big Wok by Ying-Hwa Hu
This counting picture book features a young girl and her uncle as they travel ten blocks through Chinatown and encounter various scenes along the way: one giant panda ride, two lion statues, three swimming turtles, four bonsai trees, five tai chi practitioners… Chinatown in New York City is one of my favorite places, and I loved seeing a picture book set in a Chinatown!
For a more comprehensive list, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
As a parent of two middle schoolers, I am so grateful for books that explore middle school troubles. Here are some wonderful books to check out!
Grow Up, Tahlia Wilkins! by Karina Evans
This book is about twelve-year-old Tahlia Wilkins and her very first period and how it affects all of her summer plans. I’m so thankful for more and more books discussing this important topic.
Checked by Cynthia Kadohata
This is such a fantastic book, one written with honesty and heart. When Connor has to put aside hockey lessons so they can afford chemo treatments for his dog Sinbad, he wonders if hockey is the only thing that makes him special. Booklist, in a starred review, said it’s “a vivid, memorable portrayal of a boy within his family, his sport, and his gradually broadening world.”
Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai by Debbi Michiko Florence
Jenna Sakai is not having a great school year. She gets dumped by her boyfriend Elliott, her parents get a messy divorce, and her main competition for a big journalism scholarship is none other than her ex. Jenna thinks that distancing herself from relationships is the best option, but someone comes along who makes her want to change her mind. Jenna has to decide whether letting people in is a risk worth taking.
Free Lunch by Rex Ogle
This nonfiction account of the author’s efforts to navigate his first semester of sixth grade―who to sit with, not being able to join the football team, Halloween in a handmade costume―is a story of hardship threaded with hope and moments of grace. I think many kids will relate to parts of Rex’s book.
What are you reading these days? Let me know! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at KarinaBookRiot@gmail.com.
Until next time,
Karina
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