Author: Tirzah Price

Kidlit Deals for June 2, 2021

Post author By Tirzah Price
Post date June 2, 2021

Sponsored by Emporia State University’s School of Library & Information Management.

The Masters of Library Science program at Emporia State University is an ALA accredited program that offers you the flexibility of online classes while also giving you a community of peers to build your professional network. Through a combination of online and face to face instruction, students are able to form deep connections to the course work, professors, other students, and practicing professionals in libraries. ESU offers a quick and affordable way to earn your MLS, with most students completing their degree in two years – even while working a full-time job! To learn more, visit our website at www.emporia.edu/slim.

Happy June, kidlit pals! I hope that this month brings plenty of sun, fun, and the start of a summer break! June is also the start of Pride month, and we’ve got some great LGBTQ+ books for all ages in addition to a bunch of great new book deals! Grab them while they’re hot, because they never last long!

Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham is a fantastic graphic novel for just $3!

For the budding horror fan, The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste is a great series start for just $2!

For anyone who struggles with being the new kid, It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel by Firoozeh Dumas is a great pick for $2!

Celebrate Pride! Drum Roll, Please by Lisa Jenn Bigelow is a great middle grade novel about a girl discovering her passion for drumming and a new crush, and it’s just $2.

A High Five for Glenn Burke by Phil Bildner is about a kid whose baseball hero came out as gay, and how he starts to figure out his own identity. It’s just $3.

Looking for something nonfiction? A Queer History of the United States for Young People by Michael Bronski is just $2.

And for the younger readers among us, Be Amazing: A History of Pride by Desmond Napoles and Dylan Glynn is a great picture book history of Pride for just $3!

Dogs in space! Need I say more? Voyage of the Dogs by by Greg van Eekhout is just $2!

The Last Last-Day-of-Summer by Lamra Giles is a speculative mystery (and first in a series) for any kid who wishes summer would last forever! Grab it for just $2.

The Lost Twin by Sophie Cleverly is a perfect pick for fantasy and mystery readers who want to read about a girl destined to take her twin’s place when she vanishes–but she’s determined to find the truth first! It can be yours for $2.

Happy reading!
Tirzah

Today In Books

Akwaeke Emezi Named TIME Next Generation Leader: Today in Books

Post author By Tirzah Price
Post date May 30, 2021

Your Weekend YA Book Deals!

Post author By Tirzah Price
Post date May 28, 2021

Sponsored by Counting Down with You by Tashie Bhuiyan

When Karina Ahmed’s parents go abroad to Bangladesh for four weeks, she expects some peace and quiet. Instead, she gets roped into a fake-dating scheme with her school’s resident bad boy, Ace Clyde. Tutoring him was already crossing a line, but pretending to date him? Out of the question. But Ace does everything right—he brings her coffee in the mornings, impresses her friends without trying, and even promises to buy her a dozen books a week. Though Karina agrees, she can’t help but start counting down the days until her parents come back and things return to normal.

Hey YA friends!

It’s a long weekend here in the U.S., which means that it’s time to grab a huge stack of books and read! If you need some new books, then here are some great YA book deals to keep you busy! Here we go!

Anna K by Jenny Lee is just $3! Perfect for fans of retellings!

In the mood for a thriller? All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban is only $2!

The Beast Player by Nahoko Uehashi is an award winner and a great in-translation YA, for $3.

Almost American Girl by Robin Ha is one of my favorite graphic memoirs, and it’s just $2.

The Fever King by Victoria Lee is the first in a duology for $1!

Want to try out a bunch of new authors? The anthology A Thousand Beginnings and Endings edited by Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman is just $2!

Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett is $2!

Start a new epic fantasy–The Tiger at Midnight by Swati Teerdhala is $2.

Every Reason We Shouldn’t by Sara Fujimura is a great banter-y rom-com for just $3.

The Last 8 by Laura Pohl is a sci-fi romp for only $2.

For another fun rom-com, pick up A Match Made in Mehendi by Nandini Bajpai for $3!

This Is Not the Jess Show by Anna Carey is a new book set in 1998, and it’s $3.

Are you a fan of Fence by C.S. Pacat? Pick up Fence: Striking Distance by Sarah Rees Brennan for just $3.

Happy reading!
Tirzah

Thanks to Counting Down with You by Tashie Bhuiyan for making this newsletter possible!

What's Up in YA

THE RED QUEEN is Getting a TV Series!: Your YA Book News and New YA Books

Post author By Tirzah Price
Post date May 26, 2021

Sponsored by the Young Adult debuts of the Class of 2k21: 18 MG and YA authors debuting in 2021.

Instant NYT Bestseller WINGS OF EBONY: “A Black girl’s journey to reclaim her magic from forces determined to destroy her.” Nicola Yoon

WE ARE THE FIRE: Children are stolen and forced to serve in the army as magical fire-wielding soldiers.

LIKE HOME: “A touching coming-of-age story…for audiences looking for titles like The Hate U Give and Dear Martin.” SLJ starred review

I THINK I LOVE YOU: Two girls start as rivals but after a twist of events, end up falling for one another.

SING ME FORGOTTEN: “A deliciously magical feminist twist on The Phantom of the Opera.” Kester Grant

Hey friends!

I hope your last week of May is treating you well, and you’re ready to dive headlong into summer. I know I am! I can’t wait for afternoons spent reading in a hammock and trips to the beach. We’ve got a great batch of news, new releases, and new paperbacks to stuff in your summer tote–let’s dive in!

News

Peacock is snagging all of the new YA adaptations! Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard is the latest property to be optioned, with Elizabeth Banks attached to direct and co-star!

The adaptation of Walter Dean Myers’ book Monster is finally available to stream on Netflix!

Get your first look at the new book by Dhonielle Clayton and Sonia Charaipotra!

Love, Victor season 2 trailer dropped! Look for the new season on Hulu on June 11!

New Books

Aetherbound by E.K. Johnstone

Burn It All Down by Nicholas DiDomozio

Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar (a Book Riot contributor!)

The Hollow Inside by Brooke Lauren Davis

The Immortal Game by Talia Rothschild and A. C. Harvey

The Ivies by Alexa Donne

Kiss and Repeat by Heather Truett

Misfit in Love by S.K. Ali

Not My Problem by Ciara Smyth

Pumpkin by Julie Murphy

Sister of the Bollywood Bride by Nandini Bajpai

A Sitting in St. James by Rita Williams-Garcia

Sixteen Scandals by Sophie Jordan

Spells Trouble by P.C. and Kristin Cast

Tremendous Thing by Susin Nielsen

Words Composed of Sea and Sky by Erica George

New in Paperback

The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

Camp by L.C. Rosen

Court of Miracles by Kester Grant

Every time a Rainbow Dies by Rita Williams Garcie (reissue)

Faith: Taking Flight by Julie Murphy

Girls Save the World in This One by Ash Parsons

Hunted by the Sky by Tanaz Bhathena

Jumped by Rita Williams-Garcia (reissue)

My Summer of Love and Misfortune by Lindsey Wong

No Laughter Here by Rita Williams-Garcia (reissue)

On Book Riot

Grab some diverse new contemporary YA romances!

These 5 YA books have been turned into comics!

I talked about working class teens in YA on Hey YA: Extra Credit.

We’ve got a giveaway for a chance to win an iPad Mini! Enter here.

Happy reading!
Tirzah

Thank you to the Young Adult debuts of the Class of 2k21 for making this newsletter possible!

The Kids Are All Right

Kidlit Deals for May 26, 2021

Post author By Tirzah Price
Post date May 26, 2021

Sponsored by The One and Only Sparkella by Channing Tatum with Macmillan Children's

A charming ode to self-esteem and the love between a father and daughter from leading actor, producer, and director Channing Tatum with illustrations by Kim Barnes.
Ella is excited for her first day at a new school. She can’t wait to meet the other kids and share her sparkly personality. But when it doesn’t go quite as planned, she learns the importance of just being herself—with a little help from her dad!

Hey there, kidlit pals! I hope that you’re ending May on a strong note! I planted a little container garden and have been thrilled to see my seedlings growing in leaps and bounds. I have another selection of book deals for you this week, with a lot of extra great picture book goodies! Grab them while you can, because these deals never last long!

Along the Tapajós by Fernando Vilela and Daniel Hahn is just $1!

A great middle grade novel by Corey Ann Haydu is on sale–Eventown is just $2!

The classic In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Rao Lord is only $2.

The Sky Painter: Louis Fuertes, Bird Artist by Margarita Engle and Aliona Bereghici is $1. And speaking of Engle, her Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music with Rafael Lopez is just $2!

The Reader by Amy Hest and Lauren Castillo is $1!

The Island of Lost Horses by Stacy Gregg is also $1.

Blast Off to the Moon! by Lauren Gunderson is the perfect read for the budding scientist, and it’s just $1!

Happy reading!
Tirzah

What's Up in YA

Cover Trend Spotting: Montage Covers

Post author By Tirzah Price
Post date May 24, 2021

Sponsored by the audiobook edition of Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean, read by Ali Ahn.

The Princess Diaries meets Crazy Rich Asians in Tokyo Ever After. Izumi Tanaka has never really felt like she fit in – it isn’t easy being Japanese American in her small, mostly white, northern California town. One day, Izumi discovers a clue to her previously unknown father’s identity…and he’s none other than the Crown Prince of Japan. Which means outspoken, irreverent Izzy is literally a princess. In a whirlwind, Izumi travels to Japan to meet the father she never knew and discover the country she always dreamed of. But being a princess isn’t all ball gowns and tiaras.

Hey YA fans!

I always enjoy spotting cover trends in YA books, and once thing I’ve noticed lately is what I’m calling “montage covers” because they feature illustrations of the character(s) going about their business, doing various things that relate to the plot. I feel like this might be a new trend that has sprung from the popularity of graphic novels and comics, because it reminds me a lot of panels! Whatever the reason, I enjoy it and there are a few from previous years that might have gotten the trend going, but a ton more coming out this year. Let’s take a look!

Note: Whenever possible, I try and give credit to cover artists and designers, but that info isn’t always readily available. I would love to normalize making that info available on author sites, cover reveals, etc.

Yes, No, Maybe So by Aisha Saeed and Becky Albertalli

I love how this book cover follows the progression of the characters’ relationship and it speaks to what the book is about!

Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds

Cover design by Erin Fitzsimmons, cover art by Stephanie Singleton

This YA novel is about a teen caught in a time loop and his relationship with another girl that seems doomed, so I love that they start off together and get farther apart–it makes me want to know how this story will unfold! Such a great image!

Today, Tonight, Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Cover design by Laura Eckes and cover art by Laura Breiling

I really enjoy the simplicity of this cover design–the electric blue, the simple line illustrations, and the story they all tell!

When You Were Everything by Ashley Woodfolk

Cover design by Angela Carlino and art by Bex Glendining.

This is like a heartbreak in three images–so powerful!

Four Days of You and Me by Miranda Kenneally

Cover design and illustration by Jenna Stempel-Lobell.

This book follows two teens on the same day over four years, so this is such a clever depiction of that concept!

Long Way Down: The Graphic Novel by Jason Reynolds and Danica Novgorodoff

Art by Danica Novgorodoff

This graphic novel adaptation of Jason Reynolds’ novel by the same name is about all of the people a boy encounters in an elevator on his way down, so this is a natural and powerful image.

Love is a Revolution by Renée Watson

Design by Jeanette Levy and art-directed by Donna Mark, with illustrations by Alex Cabal.

I love so much about this cover—the bright colors and the gorgeous depiction of Nala—that honestly? I almost missed the montage elements! But I think they add just the right amount of depth!

Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter

Design by Heather Palisi, art by Liz Casal

I adore this depiction of the protagonists in famous rom-com movie poses! So clever!

Meet Cute Diary by Emery Lee

Design by Erin Fitzsimmons, illustrated by Mariana Ramírez.

This cover’s design makes my heart do all kinds of flutters–it’s so cute and wholesome!

Don’t Hate the Player by Alexis Nedd

Cover art by Liz Casal, designer info not found.

I love that this cover teases you and leaves you wondering what’s going on between these two characters! And the small details, such as the heart formed by the video game controller cords, are really sweet!

Where It All Lands by Jennie Wexler

Design and illustration by Jonathan Bush.

Hellooooooooo love triangles! I love the progression of this one!

Radha and Jai’s Recipe for Romance by Nisha Sharma

Cover design and illustration info not found.

I love this mash up of baking and dancing imagery, and the bright colors immediately make me lean in closer!

What are some of your favorite cover trends? Hit me up on Twitter or Instagram!

Happy reading!
Tirzah

Today In Books

John Steinbeck Wrote a Werewolf Mystery Novel: Today in Books

Post author By Tirzah Price
Post date May 23, 2021

Your YA Book News and New YA Books

Post author By Tirzah Price
Post date May 19, 2021

Sponsored by The Ones We’re Meant to Find by Joan He

Cee awoke on an abandoned island three years ago. With no idea of how she was marooned, she only has a rickety house, an old android, and a single memory: she has a sister, and Cee needs to find her.
STEM prodigy Kasey wants escape from the science and home she once trusted. The Metropolis—Earth’s last unpolluted place—is populated by people willing to do anything for refuge. Now, she’ll have to decide if she’s ready to use science to help humanity, even though it failed the people who mattered most.

Hey YA friends! I hope the week is treating your kindly and that you’ve got stacks and stacks of books! I am excited about some releases this week, which I gushed about on All the Books with Liberty, including Perfectly Parvin and The Marvelous Mirza Girls! But first, here’s some news!

News

There’s going to be a second Enola Holmes movie and Millie Bobby Brown and Henry Cavill will be in it!

Check out the Panic trailer!

Reese Witherspoon’s new book club pick is Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean!

This might only be applicable to the younger ones among us, but Pizza Hut is bringing back its Book It program for the summer, for grades Pre-K to 6th!

There’s going to be a Vampire Academy TV series! Based on Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead, the series will have ten episodes and run on Peacock! There was also a movie adaptation starring Zoey Deutch a few years back, which is campy and hilarious, and I loved. Sign me up for more!

New Books

Don’t Breathe a Word by Jordyn Taylor

Enduring Freedom by Trent Reedy and Jawad Arash

Homewrecker by Deanna Cameron

In the Ravenous Dark by A.M. Strickland

It Goes Like This by Miel Moreland

Last Chance Books by Kelsey Rodkey

Made in Korea by Sarah Suk

The Marvelous Mirza Girls by Sheba Karim

May the Best Man Win by ZR Ellor

Mister Impossible by Maggie Stiefvater

Off the Record by Camryn Garrett

On the Hook by Francisco X. Stork

Perfectly Parvin by Olivia Abtahi

Shipped by Meredith Tate

Some Girls Do by Jennifer Dugan

New in Paperback

Atomic Women by Roseanne Montillo

Beyond the Black Door by A.M. Strickland

Break the Fall by Jennifer Iacopelli

Date Me, Bryson Keller by Kevin van Whye

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

Forest of Lost Souls by Lori M. Lee

Hunting November by Adriana Mather

I Kissed Alice by Anna Birch

My Calamity Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows

My Eyes Are Up Here by Laura Zimmerman

The Other F Word by Angie Manfredi

The Sullivan Sisters by Kathryn Omsbree

We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez (one of my favorite reads of 2020!)

On Book Riot

Explore some YA audiobooks narrated by Frankie Corzo!

Discover 10 great books about young gamers!

These YA historical novels explore war.

Get innovative with these YA books about teen entrepreneurs!

Add some YA nonfiction comics to your TBR!

That’s all for me this week! Thanks for hanging out!
Tirzah

Thanks to The Ones We’re Meant to Find by Joan He for making today’s newsletter possible!

The Kids Are All Right

Kidlit Deals for May 17, 2021

Post author By Tirzah Price
Post date May 19, 2021

5 Must-Read YA Books About Mental Health

Post author By Tirzah Price
Post date May 17, 2021

Sponsored by Counting Down with You by Tashie Bhuiyan

Hi YA readers!

I hope you had a good, restful weekend and are ready to dive into the week. As you may be aware, May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to elevate the conversations surrounding mental health issues and to break the stigma that still surrounds mental illness. I’ve included some resources at the bottom of this newsletter, but I thought it might be great to talk about some great YA books that address mental health.

The Edge of Everything by Nora Shalaway Carpenter

Sage is a volleyball player on track to becoming a college athlete when a devastating health diagnosis leaves her sidelined–for good. Len is a loner photographer who is reeling from a traumatic event. When the two girls connect, a tentative friendship blossoms between them. But when Len’s trauma gets serious and Sage doesn’t seem to take her health seriously, the girls have to look out for one another and discover the power of friendship.

Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley

Solomon has agoraphobia and hasn’t left his house in three years. Lisa wants to get into a great college, so she thinks if she can befriend Solomon, cure his agoraphobia, and then write about it in her admissions essay, she’ll be a shoo-in. She drags along her boyfriend Clark to help earn Solomon’s trust, but when all three develop a genuine friendship, exposing the truth about how they all met becomes more important than ever.

The Place Between Breaths by An Na

Grace’s mom has schizophrenia and she struggled for years before disappearing altogether, afraid she’d hurt her family. Now, Grace and her father are devoted to the lab that is researching a cure. Grace interns with the genome sequencing team, and one day she thinks that she might have found a vital discovery…but is the discovery really significant, or a sign that she’s inherited her mother’s illness?

The Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf

Malaysian teen Melati Ahmad considers herself fairly normal, except for the djinn that lives inside her, convincing her that her mother will die unless she satisfies him with elaborate rituals. But then a night out to the movies turns deadly when a race riot breaks out in Kuala Lumpur and suddenly it takes all of Mel’s strength and the help of a few surprising strangers if she’s to survive the night and reunite with her mother.

Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram

Darius is an Iranian American teen living with depression, and he struggles to fit in and make friends at home, where he’s considered too Iranian. When an illness in his family means he and his parents and sister must travel to Iran unexpectedly, Darius meets his Iranian family for the first time and finds a true friend in his grandparents’ neighbor…but in Iran, his depression isn’t understood, and he is considered “too American.” Darius must find a way to reconcile his multiple identities, and make peace with who he is.