Kidsreads Newsletter
January 2019
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Congratulations to the ALA Youth Media Award Winners! No Images? Click here  Kidsreads.com Newsletter - January 2019 Quick Links to Features on Kidsreads.com 
Special Note:
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 Mark your calendars for the B&N Kids' Book Hangout on Saturday, February 9th. |
 We're excited about NEW KID, releasing on February 5th. |
Congratulations to the ALA Youth Media Award Winners!
On Monday, January 28th, the ALA Youth Media Award winners were announced, and a few of our favorite books took home some big awards. Meg Medina’s MERCI SUÁREZ CHANGES GEARS won the coveted Newbery Medal, and author/illustrator Sophie Blackall’s HELLO LIGHTHOUSE was awarded the Caldecott Medal. Other novels, including THE SEASON OF STYX MALONE and RESCUE & JESSICA, were also honored. Click here to see the full list of winners.
It is freezing here in NYC (and in most of the U.S., from what I hear!), and I have definitely been indulging in some great cozy reading sessions when I'm not putting on or removing what feels like thousands of layers of sweaters and jackets. In weather like this, there are very few things that will make me leave the coziness of my desk or bed, but on Tuesday I made the trek uptown with one of our Kidsreads reviewers, Maya Gittelman, to attend "The Making of a Myth," an event featuring bestselling author Rick Riordan and the authors he has published through his imprint, Rick Riordan Presents: Roshani Chokshi (ARU SHAH AND THE END OF TIME), J. C. Cervantes (THE STORM RUNNER) and Yoon Ha Lee (DRAGON PEARL). They were joined later by special guest Carlos Hernandez, whose novel SAL AND GABI BREAK THE UNIVERSE will be releasing on March 5th.
During the first half of the evening, Rick interviewed his authors about their works, what it means to be a hero and, even more interesting, what makes the perfect villain. Reflecting on her protagonist, Aru, Roshani Chokshi said, "I look for someone who has empathy, who is compassionate." Cervantes spoke for many readers when she said, "I've always been a sucker for the underdog." Lee added, "I want my protagonist to be severely flawed, so they can grow and become a better person over the course of the book." Later, when talking about villains, Lee made all of us laugh when he said, "The villain and I actually have the same goal: we are out to make the protagonist's life miserable!"
The second half of the event was a bit more of an adventure! We were informed at the start of the event that the evening was being recorded to be shared later, which meant that we were surrounded by camera crews, and a producer told us we were acting as a "stage audience" --- that's right, I'm officially adding "acting" to my resume! As the four authors played a game show that involved eating coffee grounds (one of the author's favorite pick-me-ups!), pinning the tail on the gumiho and a ton of mythology trivia from the books, we were asked to laugh, chatter and gasp on command. I think Maya describes the thrill of it best when she says, "The whirlwind of the live filming meant that some scenes had to be redone and some videos restarted, but no one really minded. The audience was happy to be a part of the adventure, and the kids loved watching their favorite authors engage with their stories in such unique, interactive ways!"
As fun as it is to watch your favorite authors pin the tail on the gumiho (and trust me, it is fun), the best part of the night was that it was absolutely PACKED --- with kids! Throughout the night, Rick made sure the spotlight was on his authors, and it was easy to see that kids of all backgrounds were totally enthralled by the different cultures and mythologies represented in their books. Maya and I were beaming at one another all night, and it was definitely a wonder to witness! You can see some photos above.
If you want to attend bookish events like this, be sure to mark your calendars for the third B&N Kids' Book Hangout, which will take place in select Barnes & Nobles across the country on Saturday, February 9th. At all events, kids will be able to preview and explore the plots and characters of five new books through hands-on activities and giveaways. Activities include mazes, writing and drawing activities. There will also be a trivia portion to learn more about one of their featured characters, the infamous globetrotting criminal mastermind, Carmen Sandiego!
Speaking of Carmen, have you had a chance to check out "Carmen Sandiego" on Netflix yet? If you can't get enough of this master criminal, make sure to read our review of WHO IN THE WORLD IS CARMEN SANDIEGO? by Rebecca Tinker, which is the first book in a new series based on the show.
While we're looking ahead to February, I wanted to get an amazing new book on your radar: NEW KID by Jerry Craft, a graphic novel about starting over at a new school where diversity is low and the struggle to fit in is real. In this book, seventh grader Jordan, who loves drawing cartoons about his life, gets sent to a prestigious private school. The only problem is that he is one of the few kids of color in his grade. As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale academy, Jordan finds himself torn between two worlds --- and not really fitting into either one. Using his own cartooning as an outlet, Jordan tries to find out where he belongs, and what it means to choose one world over the other.
I first heard Jerry speak about NEW KID during a preview back in 2018. Although the themes of the book are serious --- including diversity, microaggressions and the woes of being a middle schooler --- Jerry made us all laugh out loud with his jokes and insights. For those of you who enjoy audiobooks, you will be excited to learn that even though NEW KID is a graphic novel, it will also be released as a full-cast audiobook. You can hear a snippet from the audiobook here, along with some photos of the cast during their recordings.
Although we're already one month into the new year, I am sure there are some of you who have not yet kicked off your resolution to read more. If you want a little extra encouragement, we have something really fun to share with you: Shelf Stuff, a cool new spot online for kids and their families to explore books, videos, games and contests. Presented by the team behind the YA site EpicReads, Shelf Stuff is brought to you by HarperCollins, and they have all the behind-the-scenes goodies you need to take your reading off the page. Read on in this newsletter for more info about Shelf Stuff, and be sure to check them out on YouTube and Instagram.
Read on in this newsletter for some new reviews and this month's series update, where we've added titles to 21 series, including The Magic Tree House, HiLo and The Adventurer's Guide.
Happy reading,
--- Rebecca Munro (rebecca@bookreporter.com)
Congratulations to the ALA Youth Media Award Winners!
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Monday, January 28th was one of the biggest days of the year for children's literature: the announcement of the ALA Youth Media Awards. Each year the American Library Association honors the books, videos and other outstanding works that have released that year for kids and teens and are recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent. We've compiled all of the children's awards announcements on our blog, so click here to see which of your favorites made the cut!
We're happy to congratulate Meg Media, whose book MERCI SUÁREZ CHANGES GEARS, won the Newbery Medal, and Sophie Blackall, whose book, HELLO LIGHTHOUSE, won the Caldecott Medal!
Introducing SHELF STUFF!
Calling all fans and fanatics of Harry Potter, Raina Telgemeier, Big Nate, Rick Riordan, Warriors and more!
Shelf Stuff is a new spot where kids 7-12 will find the goods on these books and many more. Sweepstakes, riddles, fan art, videos, SLIME?! Shelf Stuff has it all and makes books FUN. Presented from the team behind Epic Reads --- HarperCollins Children’s Books --- Shelf Stuff is a must-watch, must-visit destination.
Want to see a knight battling a dinosaur? They’ve got it.
Want to play a game of cats vs. robots? They’ve got it.
Want to know how well Soman Chainani, author of the bestselling School for Good and Evil series, really knows his books? They’ve got it.
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New Reviews
A STORY ABOUT CANCER WITH A HAPPY ENDING written by India Desjardins and illustrated by Marianne Ferrer (Graphic Novel)
A teenage girl heads towards the hospital waiting room where the doctors are going to tell her how much time she's got to live. As she walks, she thinks about her journey up to this point...the terrible decor in the hospital, wearing a headscarf, the horrible treatments, but also being with her friends, family and her new boyfriend Victor. This is a story about cancer with a happy ending. It's about life, love and especially, hope. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
WHO IN THE WORLD IS CARMEN SANDIEGO? by Rebecca Tinker (Carmen Sandiego, Book 1) (Mystery)
A skilled thief on a mysterious mission, Carmen Sandiego is endlessly pursued by ACME and Interpol. But the woman in the red fedora is always one step ahead! In this novelization, based on the Netflix animated series, Carmen shares her own backstory for the first time ever. Now, it's time to find out....Who in the world is Carmen Sandiego? Reviewed by Angela Warsinske.
THE WHISPERS by Greg Howard (Fantasy)
Eleven-year-old Riley believes in the whispers, magical fairies that will grant you wishes if you leave them tributes. Riley wishes bullies at school would stop picking on him and he wishes Dylan, his crush, liked him. But most of all, Riley wishes for his mom to come back home. She disappeared a few months ago, and, frustrated with the lack of progress in the investigation, Riley decides to take matters into his own hands. So he goes on a camping trip with his friend Gary to find the whispers and ask them to bring his mom back home. But Riley doesn't realize the trip will shake the foundation of everything that he believes in forever. Reviewed by Maya Gittelman.
SURVIVORS CLUB: The True Story of a Very Young Prisoner of Auschwitz written by Michael Bornstein and Debbie Bornstein Holinstat (Nonfiction)
In 1945, in a now-famous piece of World War II archival footage, four-year-old Michael Bornstein was filmed by Soviet soldiers as he was carried out of Auschwitz in his grandmother’s arms. SURVIVORS CLUB tells the unforgettable story of how a father’s courageous wit, a mother’s fierce love and one perfectly timed illness saved his life, and how others in his family from Zarki, Poland, dodged death at the hands of the Nazis time and again with incredible deftness. Reviewed by Rohan S., Teen Board Member.
DRAGON PEARL by Yoon Ha Lee (Space Opera)
Min comes from a long line of fox spirits, but to keep the family safe, Min's mother insists that none of them use any fox-magic. Min feels hemmed in by the rules and would like nothing more than to escape her impoverished planet. She's counting the days until she can follow her brother, Jun, into the Space Forces and see more of the Thousand Worlds. When Jun is suspected of leaving his post to search for the Dragon Pearl, Min knows that something is wrong. Jun would never desert his post, even for a powerful mystical object. She decides to run away to find him and clear his name. Min will be forced to use more fox-magic than ever before, and to rely on all of her cleverness and bravery. The outcome may not be what she had hoped, but it has the potential to exceed her wildest dreams. Reviewed by Maya Gittelman.
CHINA: A History by Cheryl Bardoe (History)
Based on the Cyrus Tang Hall of China exhibit at The Field Museum, CHINA: A History traces the 7,000-year story of this diverse land. Full-color maps, photos and illustrations of the people, landscape, artifacts and rare objects bring the history of this nation to life! Learn about prehistoric China, follow the reign of emperors and dynasties and come to understand how China became the world power that it is today. The book also explores the role of children and women in everyday life as well as how religion, politics and economics shaped the deep traditions and dynamic changes of modern China. Reviewed by Christine Irvin.
THE FRIENDSHIP WAR by Andrew Clements (Fiction)
Grace and Ellie have been best friends since second grade. Ellie's always right in the center of everything, and Grace is usually happy to be Ellie's sidekick. But this time it's Grace who suddenly has everyone's attention when she accidentally starts a new fad at school. It's a fad that has the entire school collecting and trading and even fighting over...buttons?! But Ellie's not used to being one-upped by anybody. With the help of Hank, the biggest button collector in the sixth grade, she will have to figure out a way to end the fad once and for all. But once a fad starts, can it be stopped? Reviewed by Kathleen Purcell.
THE UNSUNG HERO OF BIRDSONG, USA by Brenda Woods (Historical Fiction)
On Gabriel's twelfth birthday, he gets a new bike --- and accidentally rides it right into the path of a car. Fortunately, a Black man named Meriwether saves him. As a thank you, Gabriel gets him a job at his dad's auto shop. Gabriel's dad anticipates trouble with the other mechanic, who makes no secret of his racist opinions. Gabriel soon learns that Meriwether drove a tank in the Army's all-Black 761st Tank Battalion in WWII, but has to keep it a secret because talking about it could be dangerous When Meriwether's family receives a frightening threat, there's no guarantee that the police will help --- and Gabriel doesn't know what will happen if Meriwether feels forced to take the law into his own hands. Reviewed by Taylor Tracy.
HIGH: Everything You Want to Know About Drugs, Alcohol, and Addiction by David Sheff and Nic Sheff (Nonfiction)
From David Sheff, author of BEAUTIFUL BOY (2008), and Nic Sheff, author of TWEAK: Growing Up on Methamphetamines (2008), comes the ultimate resource for learning about the realities of drugs and alcohol for middle grade readers. This book tells it as it is, with testimonials from peers who have been there and families who have lived through the addiction of a loved one, along with the cold, hard facts about what drugs and alcohol do to our bodies. From how to navigate peer pressure to outlets for stress to the potential consequences for experimenting, Nic and David Sheff lay out the facts so that middle grade readers can educate themselves. Reviewed by Kathleen Purcell.
WHAT IS POETRY?: The Essential Guide to Reading and Writing Poems: The Essential Guide to Reading and Writing Poems written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Jill Calder (Nonfiction)
For thousands of years, people have been writing poetry. But what is poetry? Award-winning wordsmith Michael Rosen has spent decades thinking about that question, and in this helpful guide he shares his insights with humor, knowledge and appreciation --- appreciation for poetry and appreciation for twenty-first-century children embarking on their own poetic journeys. Young readers are invited to join him on a welcoming exploration of the British poetic canon, replete with personal insights into what the renowned poet thinks about as he writes and advice on writing their own poetry. When he’s finished, readers will be able to say with confidence: this is poetry. Reviewed by Christine Irvin.
1919 THE YEAR THAT CHANGED AMERICA by Martin W. Sandler (History)
1919 was a world-shaking year. America was recovering from World War I and black soldiers returned to the violent racism and the Red Summer. The suffrage movement gained women the right to vote. Laborers took to the streets to protest working conditions; nationalistic fervor led to a communism scare; and temperance gained such traction that prohibition went into effect. Each of these movements reached a tipping point that year. 100 years later, these same social issues are more relevant than ever. Reviewed by Sally Tibbetts.
THIS PROMISE OF CHANGE: One Girl’s Story in the Fight for School Equality by Jo Ann Allen Boyce and Debbie Levy (Biography)
In 1956, one year before federal troops escorted the Little Rock 9 into Central High School, 14-year-old Jo Ann Allen was one of 12 African-American students who broke the color barrier and integrated Clinton High School in Tennessee. At first things went smoothly for the Clinton 12, but then outside agitators interfered, pitting the townspeople against one another. Jo Ann --- clear-eyed, practical, tolerant and popular among both black and white students --- found herself called on as the spokesperson of the group. But what about just being a regular teen? Reviewed by Cat Barra.
MALALA YOUSAFZAI (She Dared) by Jenni L. Walsh (Biography)
Malala Yousafzai always knew she wanted to become a doctor someday. But a new extremist group in her home country of Pakistan wanted to stop girls from going to school. Malala knew what was important, and so she spoke out. Even after she was attacked on a bus for her views, she persisted. Learn about Malala's incredible recovery and her journey to becoming a world-famous advocate of girls' rights and education --- and the youngest-ever Nobel Prize winner. Meet Malala. Get inspired. Reviewed by Christine Irvin.
SCIENCE COMICS: Polar Bears: Survival on the Ice written by Jason Viola with illustrations by Zack Giallongo (Science)
Do you have what it takes to live in one of the harshest places in the world? What if you had just a couple years to gain the knowledge you'll need to survive on your own? Join two curious polar bear cubs as they play, hunt and navigate life in the Arctic. With each season, they learn polar bear biology and behavior, as well as strategies and skills that will help them thrive in a landscape that is rapidly changing beyond their control. Living with super insulated bodies in a world that's melting? For polar bears, keeping cool is the name of the game! Reviewed by Aimee Rogers.
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New Series Books for January
At Kidsreads.com, we know that a lot of you are all about series. Once you find characters, topics or a fictional world you love, you don't want to leave! That's why we add new books to our series features every month. Read below to see this month's updates, and click here to visit our Series page!
The Adventurer's Guide, Book 3 --- Final Book in the Trilogy
THE ADVENTURER'S GUIDE TO TREASURE (and How to Steal It) by Wade Albert White
Crimebiters, Book 4
FANGS FOR EVERYTHING written by Tommy Greenwald and illustrated by Adam Stower
Epic Fails, Book 3
NOT-SO-GREAT PRESIDENTS: Commanders in Chief written by Ben Thompson and Erik Slader with illustrations by Tim Foley
Funny Kid, Book 3
FUNNY KID #3: Prank Wars by Matt Stanton
HiLo, Book 5
HILO BOOK 5: Then Everything Went Wrong by Judd Winick
I Survived, Book 18
I SURVIVED THE BATTLE OF D-DAY, 1944 by Lauren Tarshis
Lost, Book 4
LOST IN THE ANTARCTIC: The Doomed Voyage of the Endurance by Tod Olson
Magic Tree House, Book 31
WARRIORS IN WINTER written by Mary Pope Osborne and illustrated by AG Ford
Magic Tree House Fact Tracker, Book 40
WARRIORS: A nonfiction companion to Magic Tree House #31: Warriors in Winter written by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce with illustrations by Isidre Mones
My So-Called Superpowers, Book 2
MY SO-CALLED SUPERPOWERS: Mixed Emotions written by Heather Nuhfer with illustrations by Simini Blocker
Nancy Drew Diaries, Book 17
FAMOUS MISTAKES by Carolyn Keene
Olympians, Book 11
OLYMPIANS: Hephaistos: God of Fire by George O'Connor
Peasprout Chen, Book 2
PEASPROUT CHEN: Battle of Champions by Henry Lien
Shadow Weaver, Book 2 --- Final Book in the Duology
COMET RISING by MarcyKate Connolly
She Dared, Books 1 and 2
BETHANY HAMILTON by Jenni L. Walsh
MALALA YOUSAFZAI by Jenni L. Walsh
The Story Pirates Present, Book 2
THE STORY PIRATES PRESENT: Digging Up Danger written by the Story Pirates and Jacqueline West with illustrations by Hatem Aly
Supergirl, Book 3
SUPERGIRL: Master of Illusion by Jo Whittemore
TBH, Book 3
TBH #3: TBH, Too Much Drama by Lisa Greenwald
Two Dogs in a Trench Coat, Book 2
TWO DOGS IN A TRENCH COAT START A CLUB BY ACCIDENT written by Julie Falatko with illustrations by Colin Jack
The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters, Book 3 --- Final Book in the Series
FLIGHT OF THE BLUEBIRD written by Kara LaReau and illustrated by Jen Hill
Wishmakers, Book 2
THE WISHBREAKER by Tyler Whitesides
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New Books for Readers Ages 8-12
Fiction
A CIRCLE OF ELEPHANTS by Eric Dinerstein (Companion to WHAT ELEPHANTS KNOW) (Historical Fiction)
Thirteen-year-old Nandu lives in the newly established Royal Elephant Breeding Center on the edge of the jungle. Nandu --- along with his adoptive father Subba-sahib and the rest of the elephant drivers --- is tested by man and nature as earthquakes, drought, wild herds and rumors of poachers threaten the Center. When Nandu's world is thrown into turmoil, so, too, is the world of Hira Prasad, the Center's powerful bull elephant. An unbreakable bond of brotherhood drives Nandu and Hira Prasad together as they struggle to maintain the delicate natural order of life in the Borderlands.
THE END OF THE WORLD AND BEYOND by Avi (Sequel to The Unexpected Life of Oliver Cromwell Pitts) (Historical Fiction)
Convicted of thievery and transported from England to America, Oliver Cromwell Pitts is sent across the Atlantic, where his indentured servitude is purchased by the foul, miserly Fitzhugh. On Fitzhugh’s isolated tobacco farm, Oliver’s only companion is an enslaved boy named Bara. Oliver hopes he can find his sister, Charity, brought to the colonies on a different ship. Bara dreams of reaching a community of free black people in the cypress swamp who may help him gain his liberty. But first the boys must flee Fitzhugh’s plantation and outrun their brutal pursuer and the dangers that lurk in the swamp.
FREYA & ZOOSE by Emily Butler (Adventure)
Freya has always craved adventure. Traipsing all over the world is simply not what dignified penguins do. But when she hears about Captain Salomon August Andrée's hot-air balloon expedition to the North Pole, Freya packs her copy of Hints to Lady Travellers and hops on board. Only moments after leaving land, Freya discovers a fellow stowaway! Meet Zoose, the scrappy, uncouth mouse whose endless wisecracks and bad manners make him a less-than-ideal travel companion. When the hot-air balloon is forced to land in the Arctic, these polar opposites must learn how to get along.
GENESIS BEGINS AGAIN by Alicia D. Williams (Contemporary Fiction)
There are 96 things Genesis hates about herself. Like #61: Because when your dad is a gambling addict, eviction is a regular occurrence. What’s not so regular is that this time they all don’t have a place to crash, so Genesis and her mom have to stay with her grandma. Genesis actually likes her new school; her choir teacher says she has real talent and she even encourages Genesis to join the talent show. But how can Genesis believe anything her teacher says when her dad tells her the exact opposite? How can she stand up in front of all those people with her dark, dark skin knowing even her own family thinks lesser of her because of it? And when Genesis reaches #100 on the list of things she hates about herself, will she continue on, or can she find the strength to begin again?
HOW TO PROPERLY DISPOSE OF PLANET EARTH by Paul Noth (Sequel to HOW TO SELL YOUR FAMILY TO THE ALIENS) (Science Fiction)
It's safe to say Happy Conklin Jr. is the only 10-year-old who accidentally sold his entire family to aliens. The good news is that Hap managed to save his family, but now the Conklins face an even bigger problem: Hap wants a girl to be his lab partner but lacks the courage to even talk to her. Through the mysterious powers of Squeep! the lizard, he finds a way to overcome this fear but also, unfortunately, opens a black hole in his middle school that will swallow the solar system unless he's able to stop it.
LIZZY LEGEND by Matthew Ross Smith (Fantasy & Magic)
Lizzy loves basketball. After fighting to join the boy’s team at her school, Lizzy is finally given the opportunity to show off her hard-earned skills. When she answers what she believes is another bill collecting phone call, Lizzy receives a magical wish: the ability to sink every shot. With the help of her BFF Toby and some viral video action, Lizzy goes all the way to the Philadelphia Bells’ starting lineup, making history and taking names. Then, just as she’s about to go face to face with her hero, the best player on the planet, things begin to fall apart. But Lizzy isn’t a quitter and she’ll play her hardest for the love of the game.
MEENA MEETS HER MATCH written by Karla Manternach and illustrated by Rayner Alencar (Contemporary Fiction)
Meena’s life is full of color. She wears vibrant clothes, eats every shade of the rainbow and plucks eye-catching trash from the neighborhood recycling bins. But when Meena’s best friend, Sofía, stops playing with her at recess and she experiences an unexpected and scary incident at breakfast, nothing can fight off the gray. That’s when Meena comes up with a plan to create the BEST and most COLORFUL Valentine’s Day Box in the class. With the help of her cousin, Eli, and her stuffed zebra, Raymond, Meena discovers that the best way to break through the blah is to let her true colors shine.
ONE-THIRD NERD written by Gennifer Choldenko and illustrated by Églantine Ceulemans (Fiction)
Liam lives in the Bay area with his mom and two younger sisters. Dakota has a big personality but struggles to make friends; Izzy, a child with Down syndrome, makes friends easily and notices things that others don't. And then there's Cupcake, their German shepherd, who guards their apartment. But Cupcake has a problem --- she's peeing in the house. The kids need to make enough money to take her to the vet before their landlord upstairs finds out. And Mom and Dad have said if Cupcake doesn't stop, they will find her a new home. But the kids will never let Cupcake go. Can they save her?
THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF COYOTE SUNRISE by Dan Gemeinhart (Fiction)
Five years ago Coyote and her dad, Rodeo, lost her mom and two sisters in a car crash and began a new life on the road in an old school bus, criss-crossing the nation. When Coyote learns that a park in her old neighborhood is being demolished --- the very same park where she, her mom and her sisters buried a memory box --- she devises a plan to get her dad to drive 3,600 miles back to Washington in four days...without him realizing it. Over the course of thousands of miles, Coyote will learn that going home can sometimes be the hardest journey of all...but that with friends by her side, she just might be able to turn her “once upon a time” into a “happily ever after.”
SECONDHAND WISHES by Anna Staniszewski (Fantasy & Magic)
Lexi believes that if she does enough good things, then the bad things, like her brother needing surgery, won't happen. On an extra bad day, Lexi finds a bag of four wishing stones in an antique shop, and wishes that her BFF Cassa and the new girl would stop talking to each other. That night, Cassa calls Lexi, crying over the end of her friendship with Marina. But when she wishes on the Health stone, her little brother starts squeaking like a hamster. This isn't the first time those wishing stones have been wished on --- and secondhand wishes come with unexpected consequences!
THE STORM KEEPER'S ISLAND by Catherine Doyle (Fantasy)
Fionn comes from a long line of brave seafarers, but he can't help but fear the sea. For years, Fionn's mother has told him stories of Arranmore Island, a strange place that seems to haunt her. Fionn has always wondered about this mysterious island, and from the day he arrives it feels like the island is watching him. Once in a generation, Arranmore Island chooses a new Storm Keeper to wield its power and keep its magic safe from enemies. But as Fionn and the other descendants of Arranmore's powerful families fight to become the island's next champion, a sinister magic is waking up, intent on rekindling a long-ago war and changing Fionn's life and the island's future forever.
THE UNTEACHABLES by Gordon Korman (Fiction)
The Unteachables are a notorious class of misfits, delinquents and academic train wrecks. The Unteachables have been removed from the student body and isolated in room 117. Their teacher is Mr. Zachary Kermit, the most burned-out teacher in all of Greenwich. He was once a rising star, but his career was shattered by a cheating scandal that still haunts him. After years of phoning it in, he is finally one year away from early retirement. But the superintendent has his own plans to torpedo that idea --- and it involves assigning Mr. Kermit to the Unteachables. Over the course of a school year, though, room 117 will experience mayhem, destruction --- and maybe even a shot at redemption.
Nonfiction
DARK SKY RISING: Reconstruction and the Dawn of Jim Crow by Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Tonya Bolden (History)
In a stirring account of emancipation, the struggle for citizenship and national reunion, and the advent of racial segregation, the renowned Harvard scholar Professor Gates delivers DARK SKY RISING, a book that is illuminating and timely. Real-life accounts drive the narrative, spanning the half century between the Civil War and Birth of a Nation. Here, you will come face-to-face with the people and events of Reconstruction's noble democratic experiment, its tragic undermining, and the drawing of a new "color line" in the long Jim Crow era that followed.
THE GREATEST TREASURE HUNT IN HISTORY: The Story of the Monuments Men by Robert M. Edsel (History)
As the most destructive war in history ravaged Europe, many of the world's most cherished cultural objects were in harm's way. THE GREATEST TREASURE HUNT IN HISTORY recounts the astonishing true story of 11 men and one woman who risked their lives to preserve churches, libraries, monuments and works of art that defined the heritage of Western civilization. As the war raged, these American and British volunteers --- known as the Monuments Men --- found themselves in a desperate race against time to locate and save the many priceless treasures and works of art stolen by Adolf Hitler and the Nazis.
NEVER CAUGHT, THE STORY OF ONA JUDGE: George and Martha Washington's Courageous Slave Who Dared to Run Away; Young Readers Edition by Erica Armstrong Dunbar and Kathleen Van Cleve (Biography)
In this incredible narrative, Erica Armstrong Dunbar reveals a fascinating and heartbreaking behind-the-scenes look at the Washingtons’ when they were the First Family --- and an in-depth look at their slave, Ona Judge, who dared to escape from one of the nation’s Founding Fathers. Born into a life of slavery, Ona Judge eventually grew up to be George and Martha Washington’s “favored” dower slave. When she was told that she was going to be given as a wedding gift to Martha Washington’s granddaughter, Ona made the bold and brave decision to flee to the north, where she would be a fugitive.
ROTTEN!: Vultures, Beetles, Slime, and Nature’s Other Decomposers written by Anita Sanchez and illustrated by Gilbert Ford (Nonfiction)
What’s that terrible smell? It’s the revolting scent of rot. But being rotten isn’t necessarily bad. If nothing ever rotted, nothing new could live. Decomposition may seem like the last stop on the food chain, but it’s just the beginning. When dead plants and animals decay, they give life to a host of other creatures, and each one helps ecosystems thrive. Decomposition happens everywhere --- even in your stomach and between your teeth! From vultures and sharks to bacteria, maggots, mushrooms and more, discover the dirty rotten truth about one of nature’s most fascinating processes.
NEW Series
BETHANY HAMILTON by Jenni L. Walsh (She Dared, Book 1) (Biography)
Growing up in Hawaii, Bethany Hamilton loved to surf. But one day, she was in her favorite place, out on the waves, when a tiger shark suddenly attacked. Thirteen-year-old Bethany lost her left arm. As she fought to recover, Bethany wondered: Would she ever surf again? Follow Bethany as she got back on her board and fearlessly chased her surfing dreams. With the strength of her family and faith behind her, Bethany knew she could become not only a professional athlete, but a champion and a role model. Meet Bethany. Get inspired.
JACK MONTGOMERY: World War II: Gallantry at Anzio by Michael P. Spradlin (Medal of Honor, Book 1) (Biography)
Jack C. Montgomery was a Cherokee from Oklahoma, and a first lieutenant with the 45th Infantry Division Thunderbirds. On February 22, 1944, near Padiglione, Italy, Montgomery's rifle platoon was under fire by three echelons of enemy forces when he single-handedly attacked all three positions, neutralizing the German machine-gunners and taking numerous prisoners in the process. Montgomery's actions demoralized the enemy and saved the lives of many American soldiers.
MAX AND THE MIDKNIGHTS by Lincoln Peirce (Max and the Midknights, Book 1) (Historical Fantasy)
Max wants to be a knight! Too bad that dream is about as likely as finding a friendly dragon. But when Max's uncle Budrick is kidnapped by the cruel King Gastley, Max has to act...and fast! Joined by a band of brave adventurers --- the Midknights --- Max sets out on a thrilling quest: to save Uncle Budrick and restore the realm of Byjovia to its former high spirits!
ULTRABALL #1: Lunar Blitz by Jeff Chen (Ultraball, Book 1) (Science Fiction)
Strike Sazaki loves defying gravity on the moon in his Ultrabot suit. He’s the best quarterback in the league, but while Strike’s led the Taiko Miners to the Ultrabowl three years in a row, each one has ended in defeat. This year, Strike thinks he’s finally found the missing piece to his championship quest: a mysterious girl who could be his new star rocketback. But when rumors surface of a traitor on the Miners, Strike isn’t sure who he can trust. The stake of the colony’s future is on his shoulders.
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New Books for Readers Ages 10-14
Nonfiction
ADVENTUROUS WOMEN: Eight True Stories About Women Who Made a Difference by Penny Colman (Biography)
Mary Gibson Henry risked her life following her passion for new botanical species. During the Civil War, Katharine Wormeley worked aboard hospital ships and helped to save the lives of many sick and wounded soldiers. Mary McLeod Bethune opened a school for African American girls in 1904, at a time when schools were segregated. Award-winning author Penny Colman offers a compelling collection of true stories about eight women who were bold enough to confront obstacles and take risks in the pursuit of their goals. This is a book that celebrates the intelligence, fortitude and courage of women.
GEORGE WASHINGTON'S SECRET SIX (Young Readers Adaptation) by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger (History)
The American Revolution is well under way in 1776, but things are looking bleak for General George Washington and his Continental Army. How on earth is this ragtag group going to defeat its enemy, the well-trained and well-funded military of the largest empire in history? Washington must outsmart the British, so he creates a sophisticated intelligence network: the secret Culper Spy Ring. Drawing on extensive research, Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger tell the fascinating stories of these long unrecognized spies. This vivid and accessible young readers adaptation of the bestseller features an exclusive new introduction, extensive back matter and eye-catching art throughout.
LOCKED IN ICE: Nansen's Daring Quest for the North Pole by Peter Lourie (Biography)
An explorer who many adventurers argue ranks alongside polar celebrity Ernest Shackleton, Fridtjof Nansen contributed tremendous amounts of new information to our knowledge about the Polar Arctic. At a time when the North Pole was still undiscovered territory, he attempted the journey in a way that most experts thought was mad: Nansen purposefully locked his ship in ice for two years in order to float northward along the currents. Richly illustrated with historic photographs, this riveting account of Nansen's Arctic expedition celebrates the legacy of an extraordinary adventurer who pushed the boundaries of human exploration to further science into the twentieth century.
STANDING UP AGAINST HATE: How Black Women in the Army Helped Change the Course of WWII by Mary Cronk Farrell (History)
STANDING UP AGAINST HATE tells the stories of the African American women who enlisted in the newly formed Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) in World War II. They quickly discovered that they faced as many obstacles in the armed forces as they did in everyday life. They interrupted careers and left family, friends and loved ones to venture into unknown and sometimes dangerous territory. They survived racial prejudice and discrimination with dignity, succeeded in jobs women had never worked before and made crucial contributions to the military war effort.
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New Graphic Novels
Graphic Novels for Ages 8-12
ENDGAMES by Ru Xu (NewsPrints, Book 2) (Action & Adventure)
Blue arrives in the capital city of Altalus, where she is determined to find her friend Crow, the boy who was created to be a flying war machine, and Jack, the engineer who built him. But soon she is inadvertently kidnapped by Snow and Red, twins from the enemy side of their 10-year war. They set off on a dangerous adventure that brings them to the front lines of the war, and eventually realize that they must work together to help end it. But with larger, more powerful forces at work, the fight for peace --- and survival --- will be more difficult than they ever imagined.
HILO BOOK 5: Then Everything Went Wrong by Judd Winick (HiLo, Book 5) (Science Fiction)
MORE ACTION! MORE FUN! MORE LAUGHS! MORE ROBOTS! What REALLY happened in Hilo's world before he came to Earth? D.J. and our favorite space boy, Hilo, take a DANGEROUS trip to Hilo's home planet to find out! But everything Hilo thinks he knows about his past is about to be turned inside out and UPSIDE DOWN! Hilo was supposed to save everyone...but what happens if it's Hilo that needs saving?! Is ANYONE who we think they are? Can Hilo and his friends figure out how all the pieces fit...before it's too late?!
Graphic Novels for Ages 10-14
CLICK by Kayla Miller (Fiction)
Olive “clicks” with everyone in the fifth grade --- until one day she doesn’t. When a school variety show leaves Olive stranded without an act to join, she begins to panic, wondering why all her friends have already formed their own groups...without her. With the performance drawing closer by the minute, will Olive be able to find her own place in the show before the curtain comes up?
OLYMPIANS: Hephaistos: God of Fire by George O'Connor (Olympians, Book 11) (Mythology)
Thrown from Mount Olympus as a newborn and caught by Thetis and Eurynome, who raised him on the island of Lemnos, Hephaistos had an aptitude for creating beautiful objects from a very young age. Despite his rejection from Olympus, he swallowed his anger and spent his days perfecting his craft. His exquisitely forged gifts and weapons earned him back his seat in the heavens, but he was not treated as an equal --- his brothers and sisters looked down at him for his lame leg, and even his own wife, Aphrodite, was disloyal.
A STORY ABOUT CANCER WITH A HAPPY ENDING written by India Desjardins and illustrated by Marianne Ferrer (Fiction)
A teenage girl heads towards the hospital waiting room where the doctors are going to tell her how much time she's got to live. As she walks, she thinks about her journey up to this point...the terrible decor in the hospital, wearing a headscarf, the horrible treatments, but also being with her friends, family and her new boyfriend Victor. This is a story about cancer with a happy ending. It's about life, love and especially, hope.
Contests on Our Other Book Report Network Websites for Our Adult Readers
Bookreporter.com:
Bookreporter.com's 14th Annual Valentine's Day Contest: Valentine's Day is only a few heartbeats away. We can't think of a better way to celebrate this special day than to cuddle up with your loved one...and a good book, of course! We're giving readers the chance to win one of our five Bookreporter.com Valentine's Day prize packages, which includes one copy of each of our featured titles. Enter between now and Monday, February 11th at noon ET for your opportunity to be a lucky (and beloved!) winner.
Bookreporter.com's Fifth Annual Winter Reading Contests and Feature: At Bookreporter.com, we are kicking off 2019 with our fifth annual Winter Reading Contests and Feature. On select days between now and Friday, February 15th at noon ET, we are hosting a series of 24-hour contests spotlighting a book releasing this winter (or a book publishing in the spring that we would like to get on your radar now) and giving five lucky readers a chance to win it. We also are sending a special newsletter to announce the day's title, which you can sign up for here.
Sounding Off on Audio: Tell us about the audiobooks you’ve finished listening to with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars for both the performance and the content. During the contest period from January 2nd to February 1st at noon ET, two lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win the audio versions of Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen's AN ANONYMOUS GIRL, read by Barrie Kreinik and Julia Whelan, and Alex Michaelides' THE SILENT PATIENT, read by Jack Hawkins and Louise Brealey.
Word of Mouth: Tell us about the books you’ve finished reading with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars. During the contest period from January 18th to February 1st at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of JUDGMENT by Joseph Finder and OUT OF THE DARK: An Orphan X Novel by Gregg Hurwitz.
ReadingGroupGuides.com:
Win 12 Copies of THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT by Chris Bohjalian for Your Group: Each month, we ask book groups to share the titles they are reading that month and rate them. From all entries, three winners will be selected, and each will win 12 copies of that month’s prize book for their group. Note: To be eligible to win, let us know the title of the book that YOUR book group is CURRENTLY reading, NOT the title we are giving away. Our latest prize book is THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT by Chris Bohjalian, which is now available in paperback. In this spellbinding psychological thriller, a flight attendant wakes up in the wrong hotel, in the wrong bed, with a dead man --- and no idea what happened. The deadline for your entries is Wednesday, February 6th at noon ET.
Win 12 Copies of MAID by Stephanie Land for Your Group: We are celebrating the January 22nd release of MAID: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive with a special contest that will give five groups the chance to win 12 copies of Stephanie Land's eye-opening memoir, plus the opportunity to chat with the author. Ten additional readers will be awarded a copy of the book, which exposes the reality of pursuing the American dream from below the poverty line. The deadline for your entries is Wednesday, February 6th at noon ET.
Share Your Favorite Books of 2018 --- and Enter to Win SIX Great 2019 Book Group Titles: This is the time of year when everyone is posting “Best Books of the Year” lists. We would like you and your book group to help us compile ours! Please share both your favorite book that you read with your group in 2018 and your favorite book that you read outside your group by Wednesday, February 6th at noon ET. You then will be eligible to win SIX great book group titles releasing in 2019: THE AGE OF LIGHT by Whitney Scharer, THE GIRLS AT 17 SWANN STREET by Yara Zgheib, THE HUNTRESS by Kate Quinn, THE ISLAND OF SEA WOMEN by Lisa See, LOST ROSES by Martha Hall Kelly, and THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE ROOM by Marie Benedict.
