Author: Karina Glaser

Kids’ Books About Books!

Post author By Karina Glaser
Post date August 11, 2017

Hello, friends!

It’s no surprise that authors and illustrators love creating books about characters who love books, so I thought I’d give a shout out to some of these stories that have come across my desk this year.

Sponsored by Elizabeth Singer Hunt, author of THE SECRET AGENT JACK AND MAX STALWART series.

For fans of the award-winning SECRET AGENT JACK STALWART comes a new chapter book series! Jack teams up with his older brother, Max, to solve international mysteries, using their special training as secret agents.

In THE BATTLE FOR THE EMERALD BUDDHA, Jack is temporarily retired from the Global Protection Force and on family vacation. However, Jack and Max are motivated to act when a band of thieves takes the Emerald Buddha from the Grand Palace in Bangkok. On their own, up against one of the smartest and wealthiest villains they’ve ever faced, can the brothers find Thailand’s treasure in time?

Schomburg: The Man Who Built A Library by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Eric Velasquez comes out September 12th (Candlewick), and it spoke to me in so many ways. First of all, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is just a few blocks away from my apartment in Harlem, and I’ve always wondered about the person the library was named after. Arturo Schomburg immigrated to New York from Puerto Rico in 1891 and taught Spanish lessons while learning English in night school. He could not pursue medicine or law because he had no educational records, and he eventually moved on to be a messenger and a law clerk. He pursued his love of books by collecting all books he could find about African history and the history of African-Americans, and in 1926 the Carnegie Corporation purchased his extensive collection and donated it to the New York Public Library. A fascinating portrait of an incredible man.

The Treasure Box by Margaret Wild, illustrated by Freya Blackwood, is a picture book that begins with an unnamed enemy bombing the library. Only one book remains, one that Peter and his father carry with them as they are ordered out of their homes and flee the city on foot. The story continues as we follow Peter and the book over the course of decades, and there is a lovely message about the resilience of books and ideas even in the face of war and destruction.

Hooray for Books! by Brian Won (HMH Books for Young Readers, 9/12/17) is a delightful picture book about Turtle who is on the search for his favorite book. Turtle questions all his friends about it’s whereabouts, and they each encourage him to try a different book and broaden his reading horizons. This story is sure to please young readers who share a love for books. I want to frame and hang up these adorable illustrations on my walls!

The Library Book by Tom Chapin and Michael Mark, illustrated by Church Groenink (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 10/3/17), is a picture book about a little girl extolling the love she has for her library. With repeating text, I am sure kids will be calling out phrases during read-alouds! I love the illustrations, which capture all the best parts of a library: cozy plush chairs, the date stamp, and, of course, wooden bookshelves packed with books!

The Unbreakable Code by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman is the sequel to the NYT bestselling book The Book Scavengers. This middle grade story begins when Emily and James suspect something fishy going on in San Francisco. A coded note is dropped by Mr. Quisling at a book event, and clues lead to a trail of encrypted messages in Mark Twain-penned books through the Book Scavenger game. Even more mysterious, each hidden book triggers an arsen fire. Can Emily and James figure out who is starting all the fires, and why before it causes too much damage?

The Tiny Hero of Ferny Creek Library by Linda Bailey, illustrated by Victoria Jamieson, is about a shiny green bug named Eddie who lives in a fourth grade classroom with his fifty-three brothers and sisters. When his favorite aunt goes missing during a trip to the library, Eddie knows he has to look for her. When he gets there, he not only finds his aunt but also a concerning development in the library. Can Eddie help save the library? This cute book with delightful illustrations would be perfect for younger middle grade readers.

New Releases
All of these books release this Tuesday!

Bear Make Den by Jane Godwin and Michael Wagner (Candlewick)
“Bear is sitting on the floor of his empty new den when he suddenly notices it’s not quite done. It needs . . . chairs! And a table! But stretched out on his table after a carpentry job well done, Bear realizes his den is still not quite right. . . . Cozy furniture, nice lamps, delicious food, an enticing game — is there anything Bear’s den still needs as he stands alone and surveys his handiwork? Vibrantly colored illustrations make kids feel right at home in this fun-to-read ode to friendship.” (Description from Goodreads)

Philomena’s New Glasses by Brenna Maloney (Penguin Random House)
I loved this sweet book starring three guinea pig sisters! I mean come on, look at this cover! The photos are adorable, and the story is so sweet and honest and funny. The first page begins like this: “Philomena was the oldest, by three seconds. Audrey was the largest, by half a pound. And then there was Nora Jane.” When Philomena needs glasses, Audrey and Nora Jane get glasses too… whether they need them or not. And so it continues, until all three sisters acquire so many things they don’t need just because the others have it. Oh my goodness, I couldn’t love this book enough!

Dino-mite and Sharktastic (Downtown Bookworks)
These books are fun gifts for the naturalists in your life. Each book comes with a real dinosaur fossil and a shark tooth, which my kids thought was super cool. The books are packed with information and bright photos, sure to interest any kid interested in the extreme facts!

Karma Khullar’s Mustache by Kristi Wientge (Simon & Schuster)
This is a book I wish I had when I was in middle school. Karma Khullar is starting middle school, and she’s just not sure about anything anymore because seventeen hairs have sprouted on her upper lip. As if that wasn’t enough, her best friend has found another (blonder) best friend and the boys in her class are relentless in their teasing about her “mustache”. A wonderful coming of age story about growing up and finding your identity. (And how much do I love that cover!)

The Wild Ones: Great Escape by C. Alexander London (Penguin Random House)
“The wild animals of Ankle Snap Alley have been disappearing, and Kit knows exactly why: The People are animal-napping them and taking them to the zoo! Not only that, but they are at the very same zoo where Kit’s mother is being held captive. So Kit decides to round up the Moonlight Brigade and lead the charge to set the Wild Ones free. But this rescue mission might be his most difficult one yet. The Flealess and some of the zoo animals have teamed up against Kit–and the Rat King brings warnings of coming danger! Will Kit be able to set his friends and family free?” -Description from Goodreads

That’s it for this week! Right now I’m reading The Wonderlings by Mira Bartók (Candlewick, 9/26/17), Ghosts of Greenglass House by Kate Milford (HMH Books for Young Readers, 10/3/17), and The New Kid: The Carver Chronicles by Karen English (HMH Books for Young Readers, 12/5/17). What children’s books are you reading and enjoying this week? Find me on social media and let me know! I’m on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or send me an email at karina@bookriot.com. Have a great week!

Until next time,
Karina

Izzy, my TBR list inspector.

*If this e-mail was forwarded to you, follow this link to subscribe to “The Kids Are All Right” newsletter and other fabulous Book Riot newsletters for your own customized e-mail delivery. Thank you!*

The Kids Are All Right

A Peek into an Author/Illustrator’s Studio

Post author By Karina Glaser
Post date August 4, 2017

Hey Kid Lit fans!

I just returned from a two week trip to the wonderful state of Maine! My family and I had such a fantastic time eating great food, hiking in Acadia, and visiting local indie bookstores. We also got to meet so many wonderful authors and illustrators, one of them being the fabulous, award-winning author/illustrator Melissa Sweet! I’m so pleased to show you some photos of her new (gorgeous) studio (and her pets!).

Sponsored by Elizabeth Singer Hunt, author of THE SECRET AGENT JACK AND MAX STALWART series, published by Weinstein Books. A member of Hachette Book Group.

Melissa Sweet is truly a master artist. She is so creative in the ways she composes each page, her signature lettering complementing her artwork and collage elements perfectly.

One of my favorite books of hers is Some Writer! The Story of E.B. White. This book could not be more perfect. The recipient of six starred reviews, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Nonfiction Honor, and a Publisher’s Weekly Best Children’s Book (among other honors), Melissa’s illustrations and her use of archival material brings E.B. White’s life to light in a brilliant way. The book is substantive in content yet accessible to all readers, with a treasure trove of original letters and photos. The book itself is like a work of art that readers will want to treasure not only for it’s information but for it’s beauty. Hear Melissa talk about the book with Travis Jonker on The Yarn Podcast. (Side note: E.B. White’s farm is up for sale!)

Another favorite of mine is Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade. Winner of the Bank Street College of Education Flora Stieglitz Straus award, this book is for all curious beings who want to know how the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons began. I loved learning about the initial idea and the mishaps and adjustments along the way, and I especially enjoyed reading about puppeteer Tony Sarg’s imagination and indomitable spirit.

Melissa’s most recently illustrated book, with poems by Carol Murray, is called Cricket in the Thicket. It is a charming book all about bugs! Not only are the poems whimsical and fun, but each page has some interesting fact about bugs that kept me and my daughters saying, “I didn’t know that!” Melissa’s collage work is right on point (for example, the inchworm illustration has adorable drawings of inchworms bordered by tape measure washi tape), and each page is a delight.

One last photo: here she is signing my copy of Some Writer! See a complete list of all her wonderful books on her website.

New Releases!

Here are some of my favorites from this month…

Picture Books

Boo Who? by Ben Clanton (Candlewick Press)
Okay, I loved this book. The new kid (a ghost) wants to fit in, but he can’t join in a lot of their games when he’s a ghost. Boo and his new friends are incredibly endearing and sweet as they navigate new situations and friendships.

This Beautiful Day by Richard Jackson, illustrated by Suzy Lee (Atheneum/Caitlyn Dloughy Books)
This lovely book begins on a grey, rainy day. But wait – why stay inside when you can enjoy it? As three kids embrace the weather, they discover that there is more to a rainy, gray day than meets the eye.

Me and You and the Red Canoe by Jean E. Pendziwol and Phil (August 8, Groundwood Books)
I can’t even describe how beautiful the illustrations in this book are. Each page is a gorgeous painting depicting a siblings’ camping trip, making you feel like you are right there inside the page.

Pattan’s Pumpkin: An Indian Flood Story by Chitra Sounder, illustrated by Frane Lessac (Candlewick Press)
This retelling of a traditional Indian flood story is a visual treat. Multi-cultural folk stories need to be more prevalent in the books we read to our kids, and I’m glad to have this one for my kids to enjoy.

Middle Grade Books

Zinnia and the Bees by Danielle Davis (Capstone Young Readers)
Isn’t this cover stunning? And did you see that the author commissioned a crocheted version of the cover as well? This is the story of Zinnia and her summer living with bees making a home in her hair at the same time she’s dealing with the disappearance of her brother. A touching, honest book about growing up and finding your way in the world.

Night of the Living Cuddle Bunnies by Jonathan Rosen (Sky Pony Press)
Okay, so maybe reading this book made me look at my own rabbit in a whole new way. This book is about twelve-year-old Devin Dexter, where strange things start happening all around him. Then the hot new Christmas toy, the Cuddle Bunny, comes to life, and those bunnies are not friendly…

Who are Venus and Serena Williams? by James Buckley Jr. and Andrew Thomson (August 8, Penguin Random House)
This series is so enlightening, and I particularly enjoyed this book about two of the most successful tennis players in the world. Coached at an early age by their parents, these sisters went on to win number one rankings in singles and doubles. Wow!

The Countdown Conspiracy by Kate Slivensky
Kids going on a Mars Mission? Check. Threatening Notes? Check. Attack on the training base? Check. This book hits all the science/mystery/suspense buttons, and I am here for it.

That’s it for this week! I hope you enjoyed a peek into Melissa Sweet’s studio and found some books to add to your TBR list. Right now I’m reading The Way to Bea by Kat Yeh (9/19, Little, Brown), and Secret Coders: Robots and Repeats by Gene Luen Yang and Mike Holmes (10/3, First Second). What children’s books are you reading and enjoying this week? Find me on social media and let me know! I’m on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or send me an email at karina@bookriot.com. Have a great week!

Until next time,
Karina

The Kids Are All Right

Children’s Book Subscription Boxes

Post author By Karina Glaser
Post date July 13, 2017

Hello Kid Lit friends!

Today I’m excited to talk to you about one of my favorite things… children’s book subscription boxes. They are so fun and make awesome gifts or book mail for the bookworms in your life! If you’re unfamiliar with these magical things, basically they are curated boxes that arrive at your doorstep filled with hand-picked books and other related items. Here are some of the great children’s book subscription boxes I’ve come across.

Sponsored by Annotated, a Book Riot Podcast presented by Hachette Book Group

Why Aren’t Bookstores Extinct? In 1995, there were more than 7000 independent bookstores in the U.S. By 2008, there were just over 1400. Everyone was proclaiming the death of bookstores, and independent bookstores. But then something strange happened. Over the last nine years, the number of indie bookstores has risen 64%. This episode of Annotated looks at how independent bookstores first survived, then figured out how to thrive, in the age of Amazon.

The Reading Bug is an amazing independent children’s bookstore in San Carlos, California, and their Reading Bug Box is a subscription box containing the best in children’s literature and other educational extras. You can purchase boxes for different ages and stages of development, including newborns, toddlers, early readers, and readers (middle grade). The prices start at $27.99 per box per month plus $3 shipping for the United States, with discounts for prepaying for six and twelve months. Below are some examples of what bookish goodies might be inside!

OwlCrate JR.
This subscription box is geared toward 8-12 year olds, and each themed box comes with a book plus a bundle of unique items. Boxes are $27.99 plus shipping, with discounts if you prepay for three or six months. Here are some photos from their previous boxes – aren’t they beautiful?

BOOX is Powell Bookstore’s subscription picture book club. Each box features one new hardcover picture book and an additional hardcover staff favorite, along with other exciting goodies. It costs $35.95 and the price includes shipping and handling inside the United States.

Oz First Editions Club, Lemuria Bookstore
Each month, a signed first edition of a picture book and a middle grade book are selected by the children’s book buyer at Lemuria Bookstore in Jackson, Mississippi. The cost is the price of the book, and the book can be picked up at the store or shipped. The July 2017 picture book pick was Life by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Brendan Wenzel, and the middle grade pick was Almost Paradise by Corabel Shofner (two super awesome choices!).

Book Culture is an independent bookstore in New York City with three locations in Manhattan. Their children’s book subscription service is called Book Culture Selects: Picture Books, and the selections are handpicked by their dedicated children’s booksellers. Prices start at $70 for a quarterly subscription (4 books per year). (P.S. They also have subscription boxes for adults, including Poetry, Life Stories, Literature in Translation, and New and Noteworthy Fiction!)

Booklandia is a monthly subscription box with bilingual and Spanish children’s books. Prices start at $25 for board books and $27 for picture and chapter books.

In the News!
Have you heard that a new Maurice Sendak book has been discovered? Read all about it in Publisher’s Weekly. Presto and Zesto in Limboland will be published in the fall of 2018 by Michael di Capua Books/HarperCollins.

Speaking of discovered manuscripts, how excited are you for The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine written by Mark Twain, reimagined by Philip Stead, and illustrated by the amazing Erin Stead? This will be released on September 25 by Doubleday Books for Young Readers, and I cannot wait. It will be 152 pages long, and when Philip Stead spoke at SLJ’s Day of Dialog back in May he said the length allowed him and Erin to explore different ways of telling the story. Erin had space to experiment with portraiture, and Philip puts himself into the book to argue with Mark Twain about how to tell the story. This book is profiled in so many places, including The New York Times and Bleeding Cool.

New Releases!
There are some great releases on Tuesday, so keep a look out for these!

Princess Truly in I Am Truly by Kelly Greenawalt, illustrated by Amariah Raunchier (July 25, Orchard Books)
This picture book looks so sweet! Here is the Goodreads description: “Princess Truly is strong and confident, beautiful and brave, bright and brilliant. She can do anything she sets her mind to…

I can fly to the moon
And dance on the stars.
I can tame wild lions…
And race fast cars.

Brimming with warmth and color, Princess Truly’s rhythmic rhyming adventures are a celebration of individuality, girl power, and diversity. Her heartfelt story is a reminder to young girls everywhere that they can achieve anything if they put their minds to it…and dream big!”

Almost Paradise by Corabel Shofner (July 25, Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
When I first read this middle grade book, what struck me first was the pitch perfect voice of Ruby Clyde Henderson. She has a wonderful way with words and phrases, and I kept looking forward to hearing what would come out of her mouth next. I loved this book, and (as a bonus) isn’t this cover amazing? Here is the description from Goodreads: “Twelve-year-old Ruby Clyde Henderson’s life turns upside down the day her mother’s boyfriend holds up a convenience store, and her mother is wrongly imprisoned for assisting with the crime. Ruby and her pet pig, Bunny, find their way to her estranged Aunt Eleanor’s home. Aunt Eleanor is a nun who lives on a peach orchard called Paradise, and had turned away from their family long ago. With a little patience, she and Ruby begin to get along―but Eleanor has secrets of her own, secrets that might mean more hard times for Ruby. Ruby believes that she’s the only one who can find a way to help heal her loved ones, save her mother, and bring her family back together again. But being in a family means that everyone has to work together to support each other, and being home doesn’t always mean going back to where you came from.”

Refugee by Alan Gratz (July 25, Scholastic Press)
This book has been getting so much buzz! Here’s the description: “JOSEF is a Jewish boy living in 1930s Nazi Germany. With the threat of concentration camps looming, he and his family board a ship bound for the other side of the world . . . ISABEL is a Cuban girl in 1994. With riots and unrest plaguing her country, she and her family set out on a raft, hoping to find safety in America . . . MAHMOUD is a Syrian boy in 2015. With his homeland torn apart by violence and destruction, he and his family begin a long trek toward Europe . . . All three kids go on harrowing journeys in search of refuge. All will face unimaginable dangers — from drownings to bombings to betrayals. But there is always the hope of tomorrow. And although Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud are separated by continents and decades, shocking connections will tie their stories together in the end.”

That’s it for this week! Right now I’m reading My Brigadista Year by Katherine Paterson (10/10, Candlewick Press) and Karma Khullar’s Mustache (8/15, Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers). What children’s books are you reading and enjoying this summer? Find me on social media and let me know. I’m on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or send me an email at karina@bookriot.com.

xoxo,
Karina

Izzy’s book stack! What are you reading?

*If this e-mail was forwarded to you, you can follow this link to subscribe to “The Kids Are All Right” newsletter and other fabulous Book Riot newsletters for your own customized e-mail delivery. Thank you!*

The Kids Are All Right

Middle Grade Books About the Immigrant & Refugee Experience

Post author By Karina Glaser
Post date July 13, 2017

Hey Kid Lit fans!

Due to a glitch in our newsletter mailing, the newsletter that went out on July 16th was actually supposed to be the newsletter for July 30th! That’s what I get for writing newsletters early so I can go on vacation without having to do work.

Anyway, if you were confused why the subject of that newsletter was middle grade books about the immigrant and refugee experience, it was because that newsletter was supposed have the subject, “Children’s Book Authors Give TED Talks.” The original information for the immigrant and refugee experience books are here, as well as the books that released on July 17th and 18th. I have included the books that release on August 1st as well, just so we can all be up to date.

There has been so much talk this past year about immigration and refugees, and not surprisingly there are many children’s books that shine a light on the immigrant experience. I wrote a post on Book Riot last year with picture book and middle grade recommendations, but there have been some new middle grade books that have come into my radar that I wanted to share today.

Sponsored by Elizabeth Singer Hunt, author of THE SECRET AGENT JACK AND MAX STALWART series, published by Weinstein Books. A member of Hachette Book Group.

Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar is based on the author’s own experience as Cuban-Jewish immigrant growing up in New York City. In the story, Ruthie Mizrahi and her family moves from Castro-ruled Cuba and starts a new life only to find that life in America is not quite what they expected. When her father comes home with his dream car and they go for a drive, a horrific crash ends with Ruthie in a full body cast and restricted to her bed for a long recovery. Along the way, Ruthie turns to art and the kindness of neighbors and watching the seasons change outside her window. This was a beautiful read, and I appreciated a story from a Cuban immigrant’s perspective.

Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan is one of the first titles to be released by Salaam Reads, an imprint of Simon and Schuster. Salaam Reads was founded in 2016 and aims to introduce readers of all faiths and backgrounds to a wide variety of Muslim children and families and offer Muslim kids an opportunity to see themselves reflected positively in published works. In this book, Pakistani-American Muslim girl Amina struggles with the changes she finds in middle school. Her best friend Soojin suddenly starts hanging out with the “cool” girls and starts talking about changing her name to something more “American”. Meanwhile, Amina’s uncle comes for a visit, which throws the family into a flurry of preparation and a new self-consciousness about their life in America. I loved this story (and isn’t that cover fantastic?).

In Refugee, Alan Gratz (July 25, Scholastic Press) tells the story of three kids from different generations. Here is the description from Goodreads: “JOSEF is a Jewish boy living in 1930s Nazi Germany. With the threat of concentration camps looming, he and his family board a ship bound for the other side of the world . . . ISABEL is a Cuban girl in 1994. With riots and unrest plaguing her country, she and her family set out on a raft, hoping to find safety in America . . . MAHMOUD is a Syrian boy in 2015. With his homeland torn apart by violence and destruction, he and his family begin a long trek toward Europe . . . All three kids go on harrowing journeys in search of refuge. All will face unimaginable dangers — from drownings to bombings to betrayals. But there is always the hope of tomorrow. And although Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud are separated by continents and decades, their stories will tie together in the end.”

Blackbird Fly by Erin Entrada Kelly is a book that I related to as a daughter of immigrants myself. Here’s the description: “Apple has always felt a little different from her classmates. She and her mother moved to Louisiana from the Philippines when she was little, and her mother still cooks Filipino foods, makes mistakes with her English, and chastises Apple for becoming “too American.” It becomes unbearable in middle school, when the boys—the stupid, stupid boys—in Apple’s class put her name on the Dog Log, the list of the most unpopular girls in school. When Apple’s friends turn on her and everything about her life starts to seem weird and embarrassing, Apple turns to music. If she can just save enough to buy a guitar and learn to play, maybe she can change herself. It might be the music that saves her . . . or it might be her two new friends, who show how special she really is.”

One Good Thing About America, by former ELL teacher Ruth Freeman, is filled with letters written by Anais, a Congolese immigrant, to her grandmother Oma. When Anais struggles with adapting to American culture, Oma encourages her to write “one good thing about America” every day. Along the way, Anais records stories from her life living in the shelter with her mother and brother as well as the ELL classroom she goes to everyday.

New Releases for July 17 & 18!
There are a couple of new picture book releases I’m excited about this week. The first is Marti’s Song for Freedom/Martí’s y sus versos por la libertad by Emma Otheguy, Adriana Dominguez, and Beatriz Vidal (July 17, Lee and Low Books). Here is the description: “A bilingual biography of José Martí, who dedicated his life to the promotion of liberty, the abolishment of slavery, political independence for Cuba, and intellectual freedom. Written in verse with excerpts from Martí’s seminal work, Versos sencillos.”

The Scariest Book Ever by Bob Shea (July 18, Disney-Hyperion) is one of those books that are somewhat interactive, which always seems to be a hit among kids. Here is the description: “Reader beware! This is the scariest book ever! Or so claims its melodramatic ghost narrator. You can go ahead and turn the page, but don’t expect him to come with you. Anything might pop out of that black hole in the middle of the forest. What do you mean it’s just a bunny? Well, it’s probably a bunny with big fangs. Watch out, it’s–picking pumpkins with its friends, you say? Actually, despite the ghost’s scare-mongering, none of the animal characters in the illustrations seem scary at all. . . . What’s up with that? Many delights, such as surprises after the page turn, an alarmist narrator, and punch lines to anticipate make this book a scream for both kids and parents.”

For middle grade readers, there are a few great titles coming out this week. The Next Best Junior Chef: Lights, Camera, Cook! by Cherise Meride Harper, illustrated by Aurélie Blard-Quintard. This is such a fun read, and the layout is very inviting to reluctant readers and readers who also love graphic novels. “It’s “lights, camera, cook!” for four tween contestants—energetic Tate, charming Rae, worldly Caroline, and hyper-competitive Oliver—who are all about to enter a televised cooking competition. What will the kids cook up? How will they all get along on- and off-camera? Which junior chef will have the grit—and maybe the grits—to make it through each challenge? And which junior chef will have to hang their apron up for good?”

What Goes Up by Katie Kennedy (July 18, Bloomsbury) is a fun, action-packed book that will appeal to fans of the Moon Base Alpha series by Stuart Gibbs. “Rosa and Eddie are among hundreds of teens applying to NASA’s mysterious Interworlds Agency. They’re not exactly sure what the top-secret program entails, but they know they want in. Rosa has her brilliant parents’ legacies to live up to, and Eddie has nowhere else to go–he’s certainly not going to stick around and wait for his violent father to get out of jail. Even if they are selected, they have no idea what lies in store. But first they have to make it through round after round of crazy-competitive testing.”

And finally, When Friendship Followed Me Home by Paul Griffin (July 18, Puffin Books) comes out in paperback this week! I loved this book, and I cannot wait to read Paul’s new book, Saving Marty (September 19, Dial Books). Here’s the description for When Friendship Followed Me Home: “Ben Coffin has never been one for making friends. As a former foster kid, he knows people can up and leave without so much as a goodbye. Ben prefers to spend his time with the characters in his favorite sci-fi books…until he rescues an abandoned mutt from the alley next-door to the Coney Island Library. Scruffy little Flip leads Ben to befriend a fellow book-lover named Halley—yes, like the comet—a girl unlike anyone he has ever met. Ben begins thinking of her as “Rainbow Girl” because of her crazy-colored clothes and her laugh, pure magic, the kind that makes you smile away the stormiest day. Rainbow Girl convinces Ben to write a novel with her. But as their story unfolds Ben’s life begins to unravel, and Ben must discover for himself the truth about friendship and the meaning of home.”

New Releases for August 1!
Please note that all descriptions come from Goodreads.

Picture Books

This Beautiful Day by Richard Jackson, illustrated by Suzy Lee (Atheneum/Caitlyn Dloughy Books)
“Why spend a rainy day inside? As three children embrace a grey day, they seems to beckon the bright as they jump, splash, and dance outside, chasing the rain away. The day’s palette shifts from greys to a hint of blue, then more blue. Then green! Then yellow! Until the day is a technicolor extravaganza that would make Mary Poppins proud. A joyous homage to the power of a positive attitude.”

Boo Who? by Ben Clanton (Candlewick Press)
Okay, I just need to say that I loved this book! It’s absolutely adorable. Here is the description: “Boo is new. And even if the other kids are welcoming, it can be scary being new, especially for a shy ghost who can t play any of their games. (“You tagged me? Oh, sorry. I couldn t feel it.”) Can Boo find a way to fit in and make friends with the rest of the group? From the creator of Rex Wrecks It! comes a funny story about feeling invisible and finding a way to be seen and appreciated for who you are.”

Applesauce Day by Lisa Amstutz (Albert Whitman & Company)
“Maria and her family visit an apple orchard and pick apples. Then it’s time to turn the apples into applesauce! Every year they use the special pot that has been in the family for generations to make applesauce. First they wash the apples. Then Grandma cuts them into quarters. Follow each step in the process as everyone helps to make delicious applesauce!”

Pattan’s Pumpkin: An Indian Flood Story by Chitra Sounder, illustrated by Frane Lessac (Candlewick Press)
“When Pattan finds a yellow-flower vine wilting in his valley, he replants and cares for it, watching as a pumpkin appears and grows taller than the goats, taller than the elephants, as tall as the very mountains. When a terrible storm rages across the valley, Pattan wonders if perhaps his pumpkin can save the seeds and grains and saplings, the goats and birds and bison, and protect them all as the storm clouds burst and the waters rise. Frane Lessac’s brilliantly hued artwork is a feast for the eyes, while Chitra Soundar’s thoughtful retelling is a fascinating example of the kinds of stories told the world over — and the differences that make each version unique.”

Middle Grade Books

Zinnia and the Bees by Danielle Davis (Capstone Young Readers)
“While Zinnia’s classmates are celebrating the last day of seventh grade, she’s in the vice principal’s office, serving detention. Her offense? Harmlessly yarn-bombing a statue of the school mascot. When Zinnia rushes home to commiserate with her older brother and best friend, Adam, she’s devastated to discover that he’s gone ― with no explanation. Zinnia’s day surely can’t get any worse . . . until a colony of honeybees inhabits her hive-like hair!”

Room of Shadows by Ronald Kidd (Albert Whitman & Company)
“Ever since his dad left, David Cray has had anger issues. So after he beats up school bully Jake Bragg, his mom grounds him in their creepy new house. Bored, David discovers a secret room with an old-fashioned desk, a chest, and a carving of a raven. Suddenly he’s having strange dreams about the room and the house, and violence seems to follow him wherever he goes. Who is the Raven who is taking responsibility for these violent pranks? And why do the pranks resemble Poe’s stories?”

Night of the Living Cuddle Bunnies by Jonathan Rosen (Sky Pony Press)
“Twelve-year-old Devin Dexter has a problem. Well, actually, many of them. His cousin, Tommy, sees conspiracies around every corner. And Tommy thinks Devin’s new neighbor, Herb, is a warlock—but nobody believes him. Even Devin’s skeptical. But soon strange things start happening. Things like the hot new Christmas toy, the Cuddle Bunny, coming to life. That would be great because, after all, who doesn’t love a cute bunny? But these aren’t the kind of bunnies you can snuggle with. These bunnies are dangerous. Devin and Tommy set out to prove Herb is a warlock and to stop the mob of bunnies, but will they have enough time before the whole town of Gravesend is overrun by the cutest little monsters ever?”

The Loser’s Club by Andrew Clements (Random House Books for Young Readers)
“Sixth grader Alec can’t put a good book down. So when Principal Vance lays down the law–pay attention in class, or else–Alec takes action. He can’t lose all his reading time, so he starts a club. A club he intends to be the only member of. After all, reading isn’t a team sport, and no one would want to join something called the Losers Club, right? But as more and more kids find their way to Alec’s club–including his ex-friend turned bully and the girl Alec is maybe starting to like–Alec notices something. Real life might be messier than his favorite books, but it’s just as interesting.”

The Danger Gang by Stephen Bramucci (Bloomsbury)
“Ronald Zupan is a daring master adventurer! But he actually hasn’t experienced any grand adventures . . . YET! When his world-traveling parents are kidnapped on his twelfth birthday, Ronald seizes the chance to prove himself with a dazzling, danger-defying rescue operation. Teaming up with his trusty butler Jeeves, his quick-witted fencing nemesis Julianne Sato, and his pet cobra Carter, Ronald sets course for the jungle of Borneo where his parents were last sighted. If they can crash-land a plane and outrun a hungry snow leopard, surely they can find the secret lair of Zeetan Z, the world’s most ruthless pirate! But as their adventure becomes more and more dangerous, can Ronald and his companions muster enough courage to see this adventure through?”

Right now I’m reading The Way to Bea by Kat Yeh (9/19, Little, Brown), and Secret Coders: Robots and Repeats by Gene Luen Yang and Mike Holmes (10/3, First Second). What children’s books are you reading and enjoying this week? Find me on social media and let me know! I’m on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or send me an email at karina@bookriot.com. Have a great week!

Until next time,
Karina

The Kids Are All Right

American Library Association Annual Conference Recap!

Post author By Karina Glaser
Post date July 3, 2017

Hi Kid Lit fans!

I think I have officially recovered from my travels to Chicago for the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference. It was an amazing experience! What a glorious opportunity to geek out about all the amazing children’s book titles, meet other authors, and connect with awesome librarians.

Sponsored by When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner, Illustrated by David Catrow

From early on, children are looking to discover their place in the world and longing to understand how their personalities, traits, and talents fit in. The assurance that they are deeply loved and a unique creation in our big universe is certain to help them spread their wings and fly.

Through playful, charming rhyme and vivid, fantastical illustrations, When God Made You inspires young readers to learn about their own special gifts and how they fit into God’s divine plan as they grow, explore, and begin to create for themselves.

‘Cause when God made YOU, somehow God knew

That the world needed someone exactly like you!

I started off with plane delays at LaGuardia Airport (no surprise!), and good thing I was prepared with two books because they definitely helped pass the time. Andrew Clements’s The Losers Club (August 1, Random House Books for Young Readers) honors all the bookworms out there (I was definitely one of kids who read books during recess and while waiting for my mom to pick me up after school). It’s about a kid who is forced to join an after-school club, so he starts a reading club so he can do what he wants to do most: read! The other book I had with me was The War I Finally Won (October 3, Dial Books) by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, the sequel to the Newbery Honor winning book The War That Saved My Life, continues the story of Ada during World War II. It’s a beautiful second installment to a story so many of us have come to love.

I did finally make it to the windy city and got to the exhibition hall early on Saturday. Because I had an exhibitor/author pass, I could enter before the doors opened to attendees at 9am. I wandered around and made sure I knew where all the publishers were located, then I hovered around the Disney-Hyperion booth because Jason Reynolds was signing Miles Morales: Spider-Man (August 1, Marvel Press) and Ronald L. Smith was signing Black Panther: The Young Prince (January 2, 2018, Marvel Press) both YA adaptions, right at 9am. Not wanting to be the first in line, I took a moment right before nine to submit an entry to win some books at the New York Review of Books booth. I turned away for about thirty-five seconds, and when I turned back the Disney-Hyperion booth was mobbed! The signing line had gotten so long I had to back up two aisles to find the end of it, then waited in line for about half an hour to get to Jason and Ronald. It was worth it!

I also connected with Jennifer Chambliss Bertman, New York Times bestselling author of The Book Scavenger series. She was at ALA promoting her second book in the series, The Unbreakable Code. In the first book, twelve-year-old Emily moves to San Francisco, home of her literary idol Garrison Griswold, creator of The Book Scavengers fame. What happens next is a literary scavenger hunt as Emily and her new friend James dodge book thieves and try to uncover Griswold’s new game. In Book Two, more encrypted notes hidden in Mark Twain-penned books plus arson fires cause Emily and James to be on high alert. These books are fast-paced and fun, perfect for fans of Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein!

Over in the Albert Whitman booth, the staff were celebrating seventy-five years of The Boxcar Children series, created by Gertrude Chandler Warner. I remember reading this series when I was young, and now my seven-year-old daughter is obsessed with them. We bought all the backlist titles from a library sale, and she has read almost all of them multiple times. I received a galley of the new mini-series, Journey on a Runaway Train, which is sure to hook readers new to the Boxcar Children. Albert Whitman had commissioned the folks at the Little Free Library organization to make a Boxcar Children-themed little library, and it turned out amazing! Pictured with the adorable boxcar library is Albert Whitman publicist Tracie Schneider (who is the nicest, by the way!).

One of the illustrators I was so excited to meet was Elise Gravel, author and illustrator of If Found Please Return to Elise Gravel, published by Drawn and Quarterly and released last month. The signing line moved slowly because she drew personalized creatures for each person. I told her I had two daughters and that we all really appreciated her philosophy that art should be fun and have no pressure linked to it. She said that with her kids, she’s even stopped saying things like, “I like that drawing” or “That drawing is really good.” She said that type of feedback inhibits creativity because kids are trying to “get it right”. I tried her tips with my kids, and the results have been great! This was a page I did together with them last week, and my older daughter commented that she felt a lot better just drawing without worrying whether it was good. Yay for Elise Gravel!

And lastly, I have to give a shout out to my author hero Linda Sue Park, author of the Newbery award winning book A Single Shard. I had the privilege of sitting next to her at the Coretta Scott King breakfast (my nine-year-old daughter wrote her a long letter that started with, “You are my favorite author” and ended with, “I hope one day I will be an author like you”), and Linda Sue was so warm and supportive and had a story for everything! She had hand knit a hat for Ashley Bryan which she gave to him at the breakfast. (Ashley Bryan is the author of Freedom Over Me, which has won the Newbery Honor, the Coretta Scott King Illustrator and Author Honor, and the Boston Globe Horn Book Picture Book Award.) The hat she had knitted had owls on it because, “Ashley is my wisest friend.”

The Horn Book published the 2017 Caldecott, Newbery, and Coretta Scott King acceptance speeches in their July/August issue, and you can follow these links to read them.

Read Javaka Steptoe’s 2017 Caldecott Medal acceptance speech here and his Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award
acceptance speech here for his
book Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Read Kelly Barnhill’s 2017 Newbery Acceptance Speech here for her book The Girl Who Drank the Moon.

Okay, let’s move onto some of the new books that I’ve loved!

Picture Book New Releases!

Black Belt Bunny by Jacky Davis, illustrated by Jay Fleck (July 11, Dial Books)

Jacky Davis of the Ladybug Girl series does it again with this super cute and funny picture book that is sure to get lots of fans. Here’s the description: “Black Belt Bunny is fast and strong and has seriously awesome moves—from front-kicks to back-flips to air-chops. Then he’s faced with something new, something every bunny must learn, something he might not be as good at: He has to make . . . a salad. Black Belt Bunny tries to escape. He even disguises himself with a fake mustache. But when he finally hops to it, he discovers that his seriously awesome moves come in pretty handy, and that—in a funny twist that puts the narrator in the hot seat—he isn’t the only one who has to try new things.”

Lost and Found, What’s That Sound? by Jonathan Ying, illustrated by Victoria Ying

Victoria Ying’s illustrations are charming in this new book written by her brother Jonathan. Young readers are sure to enjoy guessing what item each character is looking for by their sounds. “‘Welcome to the Lost and Found, where we find items by their sound!’
It’s a busy day at Rabbit’s Lost and Found. Poor Squirrel has lost his drum, Elephant has lost her piano, and Bat has lost his entire band! Will Rabbit find their lost instruments before show-time?”

I Want to Be In A Scary Story by Sean Taylor, illustrated by Jean Jullien (July 11, Candlewick)

This story is a great addition to picture books where the reader feels like part of the story (it reminds me a bit of Chester by Mélanie Watt). The purple monster is adorable, and the situations he finds himself in are very relatable. This is the synopsis: “Our author would like to write a funny story, but his main character — Monster — has a different idea. He wants to be the star of a chilling, petrifying, utterly terrifying SCARY story. But scary stories . . . well, they can be very scary — especially for their characters! Particularly when they involve dark forests and creepy witches and spooky houses . . . Oh yikes and crikes, this is definitely not the scary story Monster had in mind! Maybe he wants to be in a funny story after all!”

Middle Grade New Releases!

Cody and the Rules of Life by Tricia Springstubb, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler

This is a wonderful chapter book! The themes of friendship, sharing, and injustice are sure to strike a chord with children, and the illustrations help younger independent readers visualize the story. Here’s the book description: “In Cody’s life, many things are hard to predict. Like why her older brother, Wyatt, is obsessed with his new bicycle called the Cobra, or why her best friend Pearl suddenly wants to trade favorite toys. Pearl says she will trust Cody with Arctic Fox because Cody is a trusty person. But Cody doesn’t want to give up her beloved Gremlin, and she regrets it as soon as she hands him over. When the Cobra goes missing, Cody has to decide for herself who is trusty and who is not. If only she had Gremlin to talk to! Surely Pearl wouldn’t mind if she secretly traded back . . . it’s not stealing if it belonged to you in the first place, right?”

It All Comes Down to This by Karen English (July 11, Clarion Books)

I loved this book. The language was beautiful and so very honest, and I recommend this for older middle grade readers. On a side note, I read somewhere that the cover artist did the cover entirely on an iPad! “It’s 1965, Los Angeles. All twelve-year-old Sophie wants to do is write her book, star in the community play, and hang out with her friend Jennifer. But she’s the new black kid in a nearly all-white neighborhood; her beloved sister, Lily, is going away to college soon; and her parents’ marriage is rocky. There’s also her family’s new, disapproving housekeeper to deal with. When riots erupt in nearby Watts and a friend is unfairly arrested, Sophie learns that life—and her own place in it—is even more complicated than she’d once thought.”

A Dash of Dragon by Heidi Lang and Kati Bartkowski (July 11, Aladdin)
This was a fun debut by author team Heidi Lang and Kati Bartkowski, perfect for middle grade readers who like magic, cooking, and adventure. “For years Lailu has trained to be the best chef in the city. Her specialty? Monster cuisine. When her mentor agrees to open a new restaurant with Lailu as the head chef, she’s never been more excited. But her celebration is cut short when she discovers that her mentor borrowed money from Mr. Boss, a vicious loan shark. If they can’t pay him back, Lailu will not only lose her restaurant—she’ll have to cook for Mr. Boss for the rest of her life. As Lailu scrambles to raise the money in time, she becomes trapped in a deadly conflict between the king’s cold-blooded assassin, the terrifying elf mafia, and Mr. Boss’ ruthless crew. Worst of all, her only hope in outsmarting Mr. Boss lies with the one person she hates—Greg, the most obnoxious boy in school and her rival in the restaurant business.”

Pennybaker School is Headed for Disaster by Jennifer Brown, illustrated by Marta Kissi (July 11, Bloomsbury)

This was a fun, quirky read that is sure to tickle the funny bones of middle grade readers! “Thomas Fallgrout always thought of himself as a regular kid until the day he accidentally creates a little big of magic using his grandpa’s old potions. Suddenly, he’s pulled from public school and enrolled in Pennybaker Academy for the Uniquely Gifted, where kids are busy perfecting their chainsaw juggling, unicycling feats, and didgeridoo playing. Pennybaker is full of spirit thanks to its most beloved teacher: the late, great Helen Heirmauser. The school has even erected a statue of her head on a pedestal. Then, life is uprooted when the statue goes missing — and everyone thinks Thomas is behind its disappearance. Now his head is on the line. As his new friends turn on him, Thomas finds himself pairing up with the only person who will associate with him: his oddball next door neighbor Chip Mason. Together they work to hunt down the missing statue . . . only to discover that maybe what they’ve both needed to find all along was true friendship.”

Backlist Bump!

In honor of meeting Linda Sue Park, I thought I’d give a shout out to a few of her (many) books.

Bee-Bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Ho Baek Lee

This is one of my favorite picture books! The rhythmical language and the fun illustrations make an unforgettable story. This was one my kids asked me to read to them over and over when they were younger. “Bee-bim bop (“mix-mix rice”) is a traditional Korean dish. In bouncy rhyming text, a hungry child tells of helping her mother make bee-bim bop: shopping, preparing ingredients, setting the table, and sitting down to enjoy a favorite meal. The enthusiasm of the narrartor is conveyed in the whimsical illustrations, which bring details from the artist’s childhood in Korea to his depiction of a modern Korean-American family. The book includes Linda Sue’s own bee-bim bop recipe!”

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

I read this book a few years ago, but recently we listened to this on audio during a family road trip. We found ourselves wanting the car ride to be longer so we could find out what happened next! “In this Newbery Medal-winning book set in 12th century Korea, Tree-ear, a 13-year-old orphan, lives under a bridge in Ch’ulp’o, a potters’ village famed for delicate celadon ware. He has become fascinated with the potter’s craft; he wants nothing more than to watch master potter Min at work, and he dreams of making a pot of his own someday. When Min takes Tree-ear on as his helper, Tree-ear is elated — until he finds obstacles in his path: the backbreaking labor of digging and hauling clay, Min’s irascible temper, and his own ignorance. But Tree-ear is determined to prove himself — even if it means taking a long, solitary journey on foot to present Min’s work in the hope of a royal commission . . . even if it means arriving at the royal court with nothing to show but a single celadon shard.”

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park

There’s a reason this has been a New York Times bestseller for so long. It’s a perfect, compassionate, powerful book. “The New York Times bestseller A Long Walk to Water begins as two stories, told in alternating sections, about two eleven-year-olds in Sudan, a girl in 2008 and a boy in 1985. The girl, Nya, is fetching water from a pond that is two hours’ walk from her home: she makes two trips to the pond every day. The boy, Salva, becomes one of the “lost boys” of Sudan, refugees who cover the African continent on foot as they search for their families and for a safe place to stay. Enduring every hardship from loneliness to attack by armed rebels to contact with killer lions and crocodiles, Salva is a survivor, and his story goes on to intersect with Nya’s in an astonishing and moving way.”

These are just a few of Linda Sue Park’s books, but she’s written dozens more and I suggest you read them all!

Before I leave you, I wanted to let you know about Book Riot’s new podcast, called Annotated. It’s a documentary podcast series about books, reading, and language. As you know, I love my podcasts, and Annotated reminds me a lot of Planet Money (which I LOVE). The current series is about the sudden rise in popularity in George Orwell’s 1984. The next five episodes in the Annotated series will come out every other week, and you can subscribe to Annotated in Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or in your podcast player of choice. Check it out, and let us know what you think!

What children’s books are you reading and enjoying this week? Find me on social media and let me know! I’m on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or send me an email at karina@bookriot.com. Have a great week!

xo,
Karina

Izzy stole my ALA badge as soon as I got home from Chicago. She demands that I bring her with me to the next book conference!

The Kids Are All Right

American Independence Day Picture Books

Post author By Karina Glaser
Post date July 2, 2017

Hey Kid Lit friends,

I will have a recap of the American Library Association’s Annual Conference next week, but with American Independence Day coming up I thought I would drop some independence-themed picture book recommendations.

Annotated presented by Hachette Book Group is Book Riot’s new audio documentary series about books, reading, and language.

The first episode, “Is it 1984 yet?” traces the recent rise of the not-new 1984 to the number one spot on Amazon’s best-selling books list. Jeff and Rebecca explore the backstory of 1984, from how it became stock high school reading to its CIA-supported appearance on the silver screen, to how, seemingly, a January 22nd news interview thrust it back into our collective consciousness as the example of a political nightmare.

Annotated can be downloaded for free from Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or your podcatcher of choice.

Blue Sky, White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus, illustrated by the amazing Kadir Nelson, is a stunning picture book celebrating images of our nation, from the American flag to Ellis Island to civil rights protesters. Mr. Nelson’s artwork brings such life and humanity to America’s history, and for me it’s a must-have-on-my-bookshelf type of book.

Independence Cake: A Revolutionary Confection Inspired by Amelia Simmons, Whose True History is Unfortunately Unknown by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Giselle Potter, is a sweet picture book about Amelia Simmons, the author of America’s first cookbook and the first one to incorporate native ingredients into her recipes. The pictures are reminiscent of 18th century portraits, which adds to it’s charm. This is a delightful read. (Plus: there’s a recipe!)

We Are America: A Tribute from the Heart by Walter Dean Myers, illustrated by Christopher Myers, is filled with beautiful prose and thought-provoking illustrations. Filled with quotes from famous Americans, this book recognizes diverse voices and their contributions to history and freedom. Although a picture book, it contains information that might be better understood if used as a read-aloud to third graders and up.

Long May She Wave: The True Story of Caroline Pickersgill and Her Star-Spangled Creation by Kristen Fulton, illustrated by Holly Berry, is the true story of the flag that inspired America’s national anthem. Caroline Pickersgill came from a family of the best flag makers, and she worked on the flag that flew over Fort McHenry. When the British attack Baltimore in 1814, Caroline waits to see if their flag still waves. I loved the illustrations for this one, done in Holly Berry’s signature bold illustrations.

New Picture Book Releases!

Ladybug Girl’s Day with Grandpa by David Soman and Jacky Davis
“When Lulu and Grandpa visit the museum, Lulu wants to see it all! Grandpa suggests exploring bit by bit, but Lulu can do it all—she’s Ladybug Girl! But there is so much to see. Even Ladybug Girl may never see it all. Then Grandpa shows her something extra special: the butterfly room! Inside, Lulu slows down. She looks and listens. And she realizes that Ladybug Girl can be like a flower if she holds very still and thinks flower thoughts. When a shining blue butterfly lands on her finger, she understands that even if she can’t learn everything in one day, she can learn so much from each moment, if she only takes the time to look around.”

Imagine That! by Yasmeen Ismail (July 3, Bloomsbury)
“Lila might seem quiet, but that’s because she’s off on a pretend adventure . . . Only Lila can see that she’s wrestling an octopus, racing along in a winged chariot, and flying with birds over a noisy jungle. But playing by yourself can get lonely. So Lila’s grandpa decides to join her–because using your imagination is even more fun when you play together.”

New Middle Grade Releases!
There are so many great middle grades releasing this week! Here are some of my favorites:

Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls by Beth McMullen (July 4, Aladdin)
“After a botched escape plan from her boarding school, Abigail is stunned to discover the school is actually a cover for an elite spy ring called The Center, along with being training grounds for future spies. Even more shocking? Abigail’s mother is a top agent for The Center and she has gone MIA, with valuable information that many people would like to have—at any cost. Along with a former nemesis and charming boy from her grade, Abigail goes through a crash course in Spy Training 101, often with hilarious—and sometimes painful—results. But Abigail realizes she might be a better spy-in-training than she thought—and the answers to her mother’s whereabouts are a lot closer than she thinks…”

Katana at Super Hero High by Lisa Yee (July 4, Penguin Random House)
“Sword-wielding Katana isn’t like most high school students—but with classmates like Wonder Woman, Batgirl, and Supergirl, Super Hero High isn’t like most high schools! In addition to training to be a super hero, Katana also follows the noble warrior traditions of the Samurai. Now a mysterious presence has given her the responsibility of guarding a hundred ancient Samurai swords—but why her, and for what purpose? With the help of Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Ms. Martian, and some of her other super friends, she intends to find out. But she just made captain of the fencing team, she has a huge school project due, and a villain with ties to her family’s past seems to be amassing an army.”

Overboard! (Survivor Diaries) by Terry Lynn Johnson (July 4, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers)
“Eleven-year-old Travis and his family are on a whale watch off the coast of Washington when disaster strikes. The boat capsizes, throwing everyone into the ice-cold chaotic waves. Separated from their families and struggling to stay afloat, Travis and twelve-year-old Marina must use all of their grit and knowledge to survive.”

The Unicorn in the Barn by Jacqueline Ogburn, illustrated by Rebecca Green (July 4, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers)
“For years people have claimed to see a mysterious white deer in the woods around Chinaberry Creek. It always gets away. One evening, Eric Harper thinks he spots it. But a deer doesn’t have a coat that shimmers like a pearl. And a deer certainly isn’t born with an ivory horn curling from its forehead. When Eric discovers the unicorn is hurt and being taken care of by the vet next door and her daughter, Allegra, his life is transformed.”

Walking with Miss Millie by Tamara Bundy (July 4, Penguin Random House)
“Alice is angry at having to move to Rainbow, Georgia—a too small, too hot, dried-up place she’s sure will never feel like home. Then she gets put in charge of walking her elderly neighbor’s dog. But Clarence won’t budge without Miss Millie, so Alice and Miss Millie walk him together. Strolling with Clarence and Miss Millie quickly becomes the highlight of Alice’s day and opens her eyes to all sorts of new things to marvel over. During their walks, they meet a mix of people, and Alice sees that although there are some bullies and phonies, there are plenty of kind folks, too. Miss Millie shares her family’s story with Alice, showing her the painful impact segregation has had on their town. And with Miss Millie, Alice is finally able to express her own heartache over why her family had to move there in the first place.”

Backlist Bump!

All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Marla Frazee
I used to read this picture book all of the time with my daughters, and I thought about it again when I listened to Hillary Clinton’s closing speech at the American Library Association’s Annual Conference this past Tuesday. Hillary Clinton has a new picture book coming out on September 26, It Takes a Village, which is illustrated by Marla Frazee and has that same All the World feel. Listen to Hillary Clinton’s closing speech here. It’s powerful.

“When I got that library card, I felt like I had been handed a passport to the world.”
– Hillary Clinton

“If we’re serious about raising curious, emphatic, brave citizens, that starts with raising readers.”
-Hilary Clinton

Tumtum and Nutmeg: Adventures Beyond Nutmouse Hall by Emily Bearn
I really love this set of three stories about two mice who secretly work behind the scenes by looking after Arthur and Lucy, the human children who live in the cottage. This is a great book for kids venturing into longer chapter books as the print is larger and there are pictures sprinkled throughout. It’s also split into separate stories, which makes it manageable for younger readers.

And, with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone celebrating twenty years last week, how could I not drop a mention here? Have you seen the twentieth aniversary editions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by Bloomsbury UK that celebrate the four Hogwarts Houses? Take a look at all of them here. Book Riot contributors wrote Harry Potter themed posts to commemorate the day, including Alison Doherty who wrote a sweet tribute called As a Teacher I Don’t Play Favorites, Except When Kids Love Harry Potter, Ashley Holstrom who collected Lessons Harry Potter Taught Us, and Kelly Jensen’s If Hermione Granger Had Had Girl Friends…

xo,
Karina

Izzy is very protective about her Harry Potter.

If this e-mail was forwarded to you, you can follow this link to subscribe to “The Kids Are All Right” newsletter and other fabulous Book Riot newsletters for your own customized e-mail delivery. Thanks!

The Kids Are All Right

Summer Reading Programs for Kids!

Post author By Karina Glaser
Post date June 20, 2017

Hi Kid Lit friends!

My kids are officially out of school for the summer, which means my productivity as a writer has declined by 90%. But I’m excited for the change in seasons and the different rhythms, so this week I thought I’d drop some links for Summer Reading Programs for kids. It’s pretty neat that organizations and companies take on this initiative and promote summer reading as one of their priorities.

Tips for Engaging Reluctant Readers

Post author By Karina Glaser
Post date June 13, 2017

Hi Kid Lit Fans!

It finally feels like summer in New York City and kids had their last day of school last week, so I thought for today’s post I would write about engaging reluctant readers. Reluctant reader recommendations are probably the question I get asked most (also my favorite question! I love a challenge!), so here are some of the things I’ve done in my literacy work in school settings and with my own family. See if any of these tips work for you!

Children’s Books Buzz at BookExpo and SLJ’s Day of Dialog

Post author By Karina Glaser
Post date June 7, 2017

Hey Kid Lit Fans!

Whew! I am still recovering from the excitement of Book Expo and School and Library Journal’s Day of Dialog, both of which were great fun. So many books to look forward to!

Sponsored by The Book Scavenger series by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

Calling all book lovers, puzzle solvers, and treasure hunters! Don’t miss The Unbreakable Code, the sequel to the bestselling novel Book Scavenger. Perfect for readers of all ages, Shelf Awareness says, “Fans of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library will appreciate the abundant literary allusions.” Join the hunt—start reading now!

At Book Expo, I noticed that Wishtree by Katherine Applegate (author of Newbery award winning book The One and Only Ivan) was one of the most anticipated books for the fall (September 26, 2017, Feiwel & Friends). The publisher set up an area where people could write their wishes on leaf-shaped sticky notes and put it inside the knothole of a cardboard tree. For every wish submitted, the publisher will donate a copy of the book, which was such a sweet idea. I got in line early at Book Expo (I may have scheduled my entire day around getting this book!), had my copy signed, and read the entire book that night. Katherine Applegate’s story is so gorgeous and timely, and fans of her work will not be disappointed.

Another popular book was A Time to Act: John F. Kennedy’s Big Speech by Shana Corey and illustrated by R. Gregory Christie (published on April 4, 2017, NorthSouth Books). This book is the story of JFK and the impact of his landmark speech and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. R. Gregory Christie is the illustrator of the stunning Freedom in Congo Square, a Newbery Honor book in 2017, and his illustrations in A Time to Act are just as evocative and gorgeous.

Over in the Scholastic Booth, there was a lot of excitement for the next installment of The Baby-Sitter’s Club graphic novel, Dawn and the Impossible Three (September 26, 2017). This fifth book in the series continues Ann M. Martin’s incredible legacy and is illustrated by Gale Galligan. The previous four in the series were done by Raina Telgemeier, but it appears that the series is in great hands with graphic artist Gale Galligan.

Jason Reynolds was one of the stars of the week. Check out this ENORMOUS banner! The second book in his track series, Patina, will be released on August 19, 2017 by Atheneum. I cannot wait!

School and Library Journal’s Day of Dialog, which was held on May 31st, was a terrific librarian-only gathering. Keynote speakers included Gene Luen Yang, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and author of American Born Chinese and the Secret Coders series; Megan Whalen, author of Thick as Thieves from the Queen’s Thief series; and Kwame Alexander, Newbery award winning author of The Crossover and author of the upcoming book Solo.

Gene Luen Yang was charming and awesome. He spoke about his Reading Without Walls challenge, which encourages readers to explore books of diverse voices, genres, and formats.

I don’t have space to talk about all the amazing Day of Dialog panels, but I did want to share that I was on a middle grade panel with the legendary Katherine Paterson, and she signed my copy of Jacob Have I Loved! She was so gracious and kind, which confirmed my belief that children’s book writers are the best people on the planet.

New Releases!

I’ve read so many awesome books this week!

Green Pants by Kenneth Kraegel, a picture book published in March by Candlewick Press, is the cutest story of a boy named Jameson who only wants to wear his green pants. No other color will do. When he is invited to be in his cousin’s wedding, he learns that he has to wear a tuxedo – and it is not green. What will Jameson do? Can he make the switch?

Have you followed Candlewicks’ Instagram account? How cute is this photo where the Candlewick team wore green pants to celebrate this book release?

Chelsea Clinton’s newest picture book, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger, is called She Persisted: Thirteen American Women Who Changed the World. It features legendary women in history like Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, Clara Lemlich, Nellie Bly, Virginia Apgar, Maria Tallchief, Claudette Colvin, Ruby Bridges, Margaret Chase Smith, Sally Ride, Florence Griffith Joyner, Oprah Winfrey, and Sonia Sotomayor. A terrific and informative book about the women who broke barriers and changed history.

A fantastic new non-fiction book that I read this week is called A Dog in the Cave: The Wolves That Made Us Human by Kay Fryenborg, published in March by HMH. Did you know that the first human domestication of dogs was 26,000 years ago? And did you know that dogs and grey wolves are almost identical in their genetic make-up, so much that they can interbreed? I learned so much from this book, and was blown away by the evidence that humans and dogs evolved together over history to their mutual benefit.

The graphic novel If Found… Please Return to Elyse Gravel is available now, published by Drawn and Quarterly. I absolutely loved this book, which is basically a copy of Elyse Gravel’s sketchbook filled with funny creatures, drawing tips, and words of encouragement for the budding artist. The message reminded me of the wonderful picture book The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken.

I just finished reading The Best Man by Richard Peck out loud to my nine-year-old daughter. It was the third time I read this book, released by Dial Books last September. It just won an honor for the E.B. White Read Aloud Awards. It was the perfect bedtime read aloud for us; we laughed and cried while reading it, and every time I finished a chapter my daughter would hold her breath, hoping I would read another chapter. Now that is an indicator for a wonderful book!

Backlist Bump!

My husband and I have been reading Ramona and Her Father by Beverly Cleary as a bedtime read aloud to our seven-year-old daughter. That book explores such genuine emotions, especially the feelings of financial insecurity. It’s such an enduring classic and every chapter touches my heart. It’s still so relevant forty years after it was first published.

Other books I read out loud recently to both of my daughters was
The Search for Delicious and Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt. Oh, the beautiful language in those books! These were perfect bedtime readings because the lyrical language was soothing and almost meditative. This was nice for my older daughter in particular, who needs time to let her brain settle down after a long day. Both of my kids loved these stories, which speaks their timelessness and wisdom. Have you read these books lately?

I was browsing the picture book section of my local library, and I came across A Hole is to Dig by Ruth Krauss, with pictures by Maurice Sendak. Oh, how I loved reading this book to my kids when they were younger! It is a small, compact book, so it was a perfect size to put in my bag when we were on the subway. We must have read this book hundreds of times, and I never tire of the words or the illustrations.

And for those of you who want more book recommendations…

Check out my list of 100 must-read middle grade books for the summer!

Also, climate change. We have a children’s reading list for that.

That’s it for this week! I’d love to hear from you about the children’s books you’re reading and enjoying. Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at karina@bookriot.com. Until next week!

xo,
Karina

Izzy exploring all the bookish goodies I brought home from BookExpo and SLJ’s Day of Dialog

The Kids Are All Right

Welcome to The Kids Are All Right Newsletter!

Post author By Karina Glaser
Post date May 30, 2017

Hey Kid Lit Fans!

Welcome to the inaugural issue of The Kids Are All Right, Book Riot’s newsletter for all things kid’s books. I’m Karina Yan Glaser, Book Riot contributing editor and children’s book author and illustrator, and I am thrilled to be writing this weekly newsletter!

Today’s newsletter is sponsored by the Book Scavenger series by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman.

Each week we’ll be exploring some aspect of children’s books, plus exciting new titles that are coming out as well as backlist recommendations.

This week, I’d like to talk about children’s literature podcasts! I love listening to podcasts in the morning when I’m getting ready for the day (yay for my bluetooth waterproof shower speaker!) or when I’m cleaning or making dinner.

First up, the Books Between Podcast. This is hosted by Corrina Allen, a fifth grade teacher. She is deeply passionate about children’s books, and she explores interesting topics, like How the Newbery Awards Work and Common Classroom Library Mistakes (And How to Fix Them). She also gives some great middle grade book recommendations at the end of the podcast (which I always put on hold at my local library immediately!).

The Yarn is an excellent School and Library Journal podcast hosted by Colby Sharp, an elementary school teacher, and Travis Jonker, an elementary school librarian. Their podcasts are very author focused, with each show featuring a different author of a newly released book. One of my favorite episodes features Grace Lin and her editor (and best friend) Alvina Ling at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. It was such a touching, behind the scenes story about the dedication of her National Book Award finalist book When the Sea Turned to Silver (and yes, I cried when I listened to it). Another great episode features Jason Reynolds, author of As Brave as You and National Book Award finalist Ghost.

Middle grade author Jack Cheng has an excellent podcast called See You on the Bookshelf. He is the author of See You in the Cosmos, one of my favorite middle grade books that have come out this year. His weekly podcast focuses on the publishing process, from how a book gets acquired by an editor to how it ends up on the shelves on bookstores. There are great interviews with his editors, publicists, audiobook producer, and many more people involved in the publishing journey.

Another podcast I enjoy is the All The Wonders Podcast, hosted by Matthew Winner. Matthew is an elementary library media specialist in Ekridge, Maryland, and this podcast focuses mainly on interviews with esteemed writers such as Nikki Grimes (author of Garvey’s Choice), Raina Telgemeier (author of Ghosts and Smile), Marla Frazee (author of The Boss Baby and The Farmer and the Clown), and Grace Lin (author of Ling and Ting and Where the Mountain Meets the Moon trilogy). There are hundreds of interviews on the podcast, so it’s very likely your favorite children’s book author is interviewed there!

My final pick is the Publisher’s Weekly PW KidsCast, another interview-based podcast hosted by John Sellers, the children’s reviews editor at Publisher’s Weekly. Amazing authors have been interviewed on this podcast, including Ann M. Martin (author of The Baby-Sitter’s Club series and Missy Piggle-Wiggle and the Whatever Cure), Jewell Parker Rhodes (author of Towers Falling), and Linda Urban (author of Weekends with Max and His Dad).

Are there kid lit podcasts that you love? Send a note to karina@bookriot.com and let me know about it!

New Releases!

I just finished Laurel Snyder’s middle grade book Orphan Island, which is a story about nine kids each a year apart who live on an island on their own. Every year, a green boat comes to bring a new child and take away the oldest child. The story begins with the main character Jinny, watching the boat drop off Ess and pick up her best friend Deen. Jinny, now the Elder of the island, must teach Ess how to live and survive. The story is beautifully and hauntingly told, and I read it in one day. This title came out on May 30th.

Puffin Books never fails to delight me with their whimsical reprints, and this collection of classic middle grade titles are no exception. They partnered with Pantone to repackage The Secret Garden, Treasure Island, The Wizard of Oz, Anne of Green Gables, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and Heidi, each with a distinctive Pantone color spectrum. These books will be released on June 6th.

Another new middle grade release I’m super excited about is One Shadow on the Wall (June 6, 2017, Atheneum Books for Young Readers) by Leah Henderson. Set in contemporary Senegal, it is about recently orphaned eleven-year-old Mor who finds himself struggling to honor a promise made to his father: to take care of his sisters and keep his family together. The Senegal sun burns from this book, and I was entranced from the first page.

Jabari Jumps is a delightful new picture book released on May 9th. The illustrations are gorgeous, and the story is so relatable especially as kids get ready for the pool and face that inevitable first jump off of the diving board. Jabari toes that line between wanting to jump and finding every excuse not too, including thinking about what special jump he wants to do and having to do his stretches. I adored this book!

Backlist Bump!

I’m enjoying two backlist titles right now. I am a huge fan of Wicked the Musical, which I recently saw with my nine-year-old daughter, and The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainini reminds me of that with it’s creative way of retelling fairy tales and flipping the hero/villain trope. I’ve been seeing lots of kids reading and enjoying this series lately, and I thought I’d better catch up! The fourth installment in this series releases on September 19, 2017.

And – Katherine Paterson. That lady can write! I read Bridge to Terabithia when I was young, but I had never read Jacob Have I Loved (first published in 1980s). Katherine Paterson weaves a beautiful story, and I cannot wait to get my hands on her new book (!!!) coming out on October 10, 2017, called My Brigadista Year. Check out the cover reveal and synopsis on Publisher’s Weekly here.

Well, that’s it for this week! Next week I will share exciting stories from the floor of Book Expo. Until then, happy reading!

– Karina Yan Glaser
@KarinaIsReadingAndWriting
@KarinaYanGlaser

This is my rabbit, Izzy. She guards my TBR pile.