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Kidsreads.com Newsletter - December 2018
We're making our lists and checking them twice...and oh, do we have lists here for you! With our holiday gift guide, our holiday picture book bookshelf, and our December series updates and reviews, this last newsletter of 2018 is chock full of recommendations, reviews and news.
Up first, as 2018 is wrapping up, you're probably seeing lots of "Best Of" lists popping up everywhere, and we're jumping on board. In addition to asking our Kidsreads reviewers about their favorite books of 2018, we've compiled a handy-dandy list of all the other great "Best Of" lists for middle grade and picture books, which you can find later in this newsletter. But first, here are the books that our reviewers recommend. As for my selection, my absolute favorite middle grade book of the year was SWEEP: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier. This book totally knocked my socks off and kept me completely immersed --- I started the book on my bus ride home one day and continued reading all through the night. It's heartfelt, hopeful and full of the magic that made me love reading in the first place. My other favorites of 2018 are:
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DASH OF TROUBLE (Love Sugar Magic, #1) by Anna Meriano --- A middle grade Latinx series about baking, familia and magic? Yes, please!
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FAKE BLOOD by Whitney Gardner --- Crushes, best friends and...fake blood? What could possibly go wrong?! I think this book is perfect for all ages, and the illustrations are adorable.
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THE ASSASSINATION OF BRANGWAIN SPURGE by M.T. Anderson --- This was a surprise end-of-the-year read for me, and it was AH-MAZING! It might sound weird --- and it totally is --- but trust me when I say that you don't want to miss this look at the worlds of goblins and elves, and the book's incredible illustrations.
Now that you have your book-buying suggestions, let's move on to some bookish accessories to give and get. Get ready to add to your personal list, as well as your gift-giving list!
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Litographs is a fun company that makes t-shirts, tote bags, blankets and more, all based on popular books. What makes Litographs really special is that they actually use the text from each book to make the art. They have tons of classic and contemporary books, but for the Kidsreader in your life, I recommend the WONDER collection --- you can see the t-shirt above. (And if anyone wants to buy me the BLUEBERRIES FOR SAL tote bag, I have been very good this year!)
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Kids these days are always on the go, and books are not always easy to carry around, so I recommend BookBeau, a brand of book sleeves that will keep your paperbacks safe and cozy on your bookish travels.
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For the young movie lover in your life, book-to-film prop replicas are always a hit, including Harry Potter wands, timeturners, a Neverending Story journal or iPad cover (or Auryn), alethiometers, and more.
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If you're on a budget this year, nothing makes a better gift than something homemade, and old books make great craft supplies. It’s a fun way to give an old favorite a second life --- and add some bookish holiday cheer. These pine cones are fun and rustic, or if you want to make a wreath, check this one out. This garland is also super cute.
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If there's one thing I know about reading late into the night, it's that good lighting is key, and I am obsessed with this portable book light --- it's actually on MY Christmas list this year!
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Last, but certainly not least: book subscription boxes! While I personally love OwlCrate Jr., other popular boxes include Kids BookCase Club, Bookroo, KidArtLit and Reading Bug Box. Each of these subscriptions gets you (or a friend) a new box of books and goodies each month to keep your reading and literary accessorizing on track.
For another way to enjoy books over the holiday break, 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.
Our Holiday Picture Books bookshelf is back for its third year, and we've curated a fantastically festive selection of fiction, nonfiction and classic titles for your holiday reading. Whether you're a fan of unique twists on holiday classics, like MRS. CLAUS TAKES THE REINS, or looking for brand new stories that keep you laughing, such as IF YOU EVER WANT TO BRING A PIRATE TO MEET SANTA, DON'T!, we guarantee that our 2018 holiday picks will be perfect for curling up by the fire with your family.
Read on in this newsletter for some new reviews and this month's series update, where we've added titles to 22 series, including Dog Man, Mac B., Spy Kid, Science Comics, and The Terrible Two. We hope that all of these will help you plan your gift-buying and TBR list for the break.
We're wishing you a holiday season of making memories. Here's to a Happy New Year, too. We'll be back with more books in January!
Happy reading,
--- Rebecca Munro (rebecca@bookreporter.com)
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.
We've collected all the "Best Of" lists in one place!
Middle Grade Books
Picture Books
Kidsreads' Holiday Picture Books Bookshelf
Believe it or not, the holidays are right around the corner! What better way to celebrate than with some holiday picture books to get you in the festive mood?
Nothing's better than unwrapping a brand new book that you've been waiting for, especially during the holiday season! Whether you're a fan of unique twists on holiday classics, like MRS. CLAUS TAKES THE REINS, or looking for brand new stories that keep you laughing, such as IF YOU EVER WANT TO BRING A PIRATE TO MEET SANTA, DON'T, we guarantee that our 2018 holiday picks will be perfect for curling up by the fire with your family. Enjoy the fun holiday adventures of a an adorable little elephant in MERRY CHRISTMAS, LITTLE ELLIOT, explore holiday cultural traditions in MEET THE LATKES and MY FAMILY CELEBRATES KWANZA, and go on a daring adventure in ONE SNOWY DAY.
THE A-Z OF WONDER WOMEN by Yvonne Lin (Biography)
Highlighting notable and inspiring women from across the globe and throughout time, THE A-Z OF WONDER WOMEN features biographies of trailblazers and groundbreakers, including Ada Lovelace, Oprah Winfrey, Ruth Ginsberg and Wajeha al-Huwaider. This empowering alphabet-style book celebrates a wide range of skills and masteries in the arts, politics and activism, STEM and more, providing accessible facts about these heroic women --- and inspiring young readers to make the change they want to see in the world. Reviewed by Christine Irvin.
IT'S UP TO YOU, ABE LINCOLN by Leila Hirschfeld and Tom Hirschfeld (It's Up to You, Book 1) (Biography)
Abraham Lincoln was one of the greatest presidents of all time. But what did it take to rise from frontier poverty? To lead his country through the Civil War? To alter the course of history forever? Father-daughter team Tom and Leila Hirschfeld's tongue-in-cheek biography explores 10 crucial decisions in one amazing life. With over 100 pieces of archival and original art, fun facts, sidebars, historical trivia and more, this book follows Abe's footsteps through the close calls that defined his leadership and shaped America as we know it today. Reviewed by Christine Irvin.
LIFEBOAT 12 by Susan Hood (Historical Fiction)
With Nazis bombing London every night, it’s time for 13-year-old Ken to escape. He suspects his stepmother is glad to see him go, but his dad says he’s one of the lucky ones --- one of ninety boys and girls to ship out aboard the SS City of Benares to safety in Canada. Life aboard the luxury ship is grand --- nine-course meals, new friends, and a life far from the bombs, rations, and his stepmum’s glare. And after five days at sea, the ship’s officers announce that they’re out of danger. They’re wrong. Late that night, an explosion hurls Ken from his bunk. They’ve been hit. Torpedoed! The Benares is sinking fast.
SKYWARD: The Story of Female Pilots in WWII by Sally Deng (Historical Fiction)
Follow the adventures of these young female pioneers as they battle not only enemies in the skies but sexism and inequality in their own teams, and encounter legends like Jackie "Speed Queen" Cochran. Risking their lives countless times in feats of incredible bravery, the Women Airforce Service Pilots --- WASPs --- of the Second World War are honored in this beautiful story based on actual events, illustrated in Sally Deng's raw, dynamic style. Reviewed by Liz Sauchelli.
NOWHERE BOY by Katherine Marsh (Fiction)
Fourteen-year-old Ahmed is stuck in a city that wants nothing to do with him. Newly arrived in Brussels, Belgium, Ahmed fled a life of uncertainty and suffering in Syria, only to lose his father on the perilous journey to the shores of Europe. Now Ahmed’s struggling to get by on his own, but he’s starting to lose hope. Then he meets Max, a 13-year-old American boy. Max is struggling at his new school, but with one startling discovery, Max and Ahmed’s lives collide and they become friends. Together, Max and Ahmed' will learn from each other what it means to be brave and how hope can change your destiny. Reviewed by Rebecca Hawkins.
RESISTANCE by Jennifer A. Nielsen (Historical Fiction)
Chaya Lindner is a Jewish teenager living in Nazi-occupied Poland. After her little sister is taken away, her younger brother disappears and her parents all but give up hope, Chaya is determined to make a difference. She becomes a courier and travels between the Jewish ghettos of Poland, smuggling goods. After a mission goes terribly wrong, Chaya's network shatters. She is alone and unsure of where to go, until a member of her cell finds her and delivers a message that chills Chaya to her core, and sends her on a journey toward an even larger uprising in the works --- in the Warsaw Ghetto. Reviewed by Aimee Rogers.
CITY OF GHOSTS by Victoria Schwab (Fantasy)
Ever since Cass drowned, she can pull back the Veil that separates the living from the dead and enter the world of spirits. So things are already strange, but they're about to get much stranger. When Cass's parents start hosting a TV show about the world's most haunted places, the family heads off to Scotland. Here, graveyards, castles and secret passageways teem with restless phantoms. When Cass meets a girl who shares her "gift," she realizes how much she still has to learn about the Veil --- and herself. And the city of ghosts is more dangerous than she ever imagined. Reviewed by Maya Gittelman.
MEMPHIS, MARTIN, AND THE MOUNTAINTOP: The Sanitation Strike of 1968 Written by Alice Faye Duncan with illustrations by R. Gregory Christie (History)
In February 1968, two African American sanitation workers were killed by unsafe equipment in Memphis, Tennessee. Outraged at the city's refusal to recognize a labor union that would fight for higher pay and safer working conditions, sanitation workers went on strike. The strike lasted two months, with help from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Inspired by the memories of a teacher who participated in the strike as a child, author Alice Faye Duncan reveals the story of the Memphis sanitation strike from the perspective of a young girl with a riveting combination of poetry and prose. Reviewed by Aimee Rogers.
MY YEAR IN THE MIDDLE by Lila Quintero Weaver (Historical Fiction)
Sixth-grader Lu Olivera just wants to keep her head down and get along with everyone in her class. Trouble is, Lu’s old friends have been changing lately — acting boy crazy and making snide remarks about Lu’s talent for running track. Lu’s secret hope for a new friend is fellow runner Belinda Gresham, but in 1970 Alabama, blacks and whites don’t mix. As segregationist ex-governor George Wallace ramps up his campaign against the current governor, growing tensions in the classroom mean that Lu can’t stay neutral about the racial divide at school. Will she find the gumption to stand up for what’s right? Reviewed by Aimee Rogers.
New Series Books for December
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 Bad Guys, Book 8
THE BAD GUYS IN SUPERBAD by Aaron Blabey
Bad Kitty, Book 12
BAD KITTY: Kitten Trouble by Nick Bruel
Bounders, Book 4
THE HEROES RETURN by Monica Tesler
Children of Exile, Book 3
CHILDREN OF JUBILEE by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Class Pets, Book 4
FUZZY FIGHTS BACK by Bruce Hale
The Crims, Book 2
THE CRIMS #2: Down With The Crims! by Kate Davies
Dog Man, Book 6
DOG MAN: Brawl of the Wild by Dav Pilkey
Geronimo Stilton, Book 71
GERONIMO ON ICE! by Geronimo Stilton
Heidi Heckelbeck, Book 25
HEIDI HECKELBECK LIGHTS! CAMERA! AWESOME! written by Wanda Coven and illustrated by Priscilla Burris
Hoops, Book 3
OUT OF BOUNDS by Elena Delle Donne
Lyttle Lies, Book 2
THE STINKY TRUTH by Joe Berger
Mac B., Kid Spy, Book 2
THE IMPOSSIBLE CRIME written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Mike Lowery
Paddington, Book 10
PADDINGTON HERE AND NOW written by Michael Bond and illustrated by R. W. Alley
Science Comics, Book 14
SCIENCE COMICS: Polar Bears: Survival on the Ice written by Jason Viola and illustrated by Zack Giallongo
Sisters of Glass, Book 2
DAUGHTERS OF STEEL by Naomi Cyprus
Sprinkle Sundays, Book 5
SPRINKLES BEFORE SWEETHEARTS by Coco Simon
Survival Tails, Book 2
SURVIVAL TAILS: Endurance in Antarctica by Katrina Charman
The Terrible Two, Book 4 --- Final Book in the Series!
THE TERRIBLE TWO'S LAST LAUGH written by Mac Barnett and Jory John and illustrated by Kevin Cornell
Wings of Fire, Book 12
THE HIVE QUEEN by Tui T. Sutherland
Winterhouse, Book 2
THE SECRETS OF WINTERHOUSE written by Ben Guterson and illustrated by Chloe Bristol
You're Invited to a Creepover, Books 5 and 6
THERE'S SOMETHING OUT THERE by P.J. Night
BEST FRIENDS FOREVER by P.J. Night
Zach King, Book 3
ZACH KING: Mirror Magic by Zach King
New Books for Readers Ages 8-12
Fiction
BLIZZARD BESTIES: A Wish Novel by Yamile Saied Méndez (Fiction)
Vanesa Campos can't wait for winter vacation. Skiing on the slopes, sipping hot cocoa...her week at Pinecloud Lodge promises to be cozy and perfect. Never mind that glamorous Beck writes off Vanesa right away. But when the flakes start falling, everything changes. Vanesa's little brother, Hunter, might be stranded out in the blizzard! Vanesa will have to team up with all the kids --- plus one giant dog --- to rescue him. Can she save her brother and discover which real friends will weather the storm with her?
I ONLY HAVE PIES FOR YOU: A Wish Novel by Suzanne Nelson (Fiction)
Dacey comes from a long line of pie bakers. Her family's shop, Pies N' Prattle, is legendary in her small Texas town. Her pies always end up as messy or burnt disasters. And business has been slow lately. Dacey wishes she could help. Then a popular TV show wants to feature the shop! But that means Dacey will have to spend time with Chayton Freedel, her arch-rival and the son of the show's host. When clues arise about a long-hidden family recipe, life at the shop may never be the same. With a sprinkling of luck and some Southern charm, will Dacey be able to find the recipe, work alongside Chayton...and save her family's legacy?
Nonfiction
THE EVERYTHING KIDS' SCRATCH CODING BOOK: Learn to Code and Create Your Own Cool Games! by Jason Rukman (Technology)
Understanding computer science is becoming a necessity in the modern age. The ability to code and understand computers has become one of the most valuable skills any child can have on the road to a successful life. More and more schools are recognizing this importance and have started to implement computer science and coding as core elements in their curriculums. THE EVERYTHING KIDS' SCRATCH CODING BOOK helps children get a head start on this new essential skill, with Scratch coding --- a language designed by MIT specifically to help a younger audience learn to code.
I SPY THE ILLUMINATI EYE: What's the Big Secret? by Sheila Keenan (Nonfiction)
This irreverent, illustrated guide takes a look with an all-seeing, skeptical eye at the history and mystery of the cultural phenomenon that's got middle-school kids flashing finger triangles and scrutinizing dollar bills for signs of the Illuminati. It's the first pop culture companion to the shadowy group behind everything from the French Revolution to Jay-Z's fabulous rise. How did an eighteenth-century philosophical society infiltrate governments, banks, the media, the military, Hollywood and hip-hop?...Or did they?
STRUTTIN' WITH SOME BARBECUE: Lil Hardin Armstrong Becomes the First Lady of Jazz written by Patricia Hruby Powell with illustrations by Rachel Himes (Biography)
This is the true story of Lil Hardin Armstrong: pianist, composer and bandleader in the early days of jazz. Ahead of her time, Lil made a career for herself --- and for Louis Armstrong, her modest, unassuming husband. Louis might never have become the groundbreaking jazz player he was, if it hadn't been for Lil. Scat-inspired verse celebrates how Lil overcame race and gender barriers to become the first lady of the Chicago jazz scene.
NEW Series
IT'S UP TO YOU, ABE LINCOLN by Leila Hirschfeld and Tom Hirschfeld (It's Up to You, Book 1) (Biography)
Abraham Lincoln was one of the greatest presidents of all time. But what did it take to rise from frontier poverty? To lead his country through the Civil War? To alter the course of history forever? Father-daughter team Tom and Leila Hirschfeld's tongue-in-cheek biography explores 10 crucial decisions in one amazing life. With over 100 pieces of archival and original art, fun facts, sidebars, historical trivia and more, this book follows Abe's footsteps through the close calls that defined his leadership and shaped America as we know it today.
THE POLAR BEAR EXPLORERS' CLUB by Alex Bell (The Polar Bear Explorers' Club, Book 1) (Adventure)
Stella Starflake Pearl knows she was born to be an adventurer. It’s too bad girls are forbidden from becoming explorers. Leaving behind her pet polar bear, Gruff, and beloved unicorn, Magic, Stella and Felix set off on an expedition to the snowy Icelands. There, Stella plans to prove herself as a junior explorer, worthy of membership in the Polar Bear Explorers’ Club. So when Stella and three other junior explorers are separated from the rest of their expedition, she has the perfect opportunity. Can they explore the frozen wilderness and live to tell the tale?
TURBO RACERS: Trailblazer by Austin Aslan (TURBO Racers, Book 1) (Science Fiction)
Mace Blazer gets the chance to pilot a state-of-the-art vehicle that transforms at the touch of a button from race car to jet plane to single-person sub, in the biggest race in the world. Mace believes he's got what it takes to join their ranks. So when a reclusive retired racer chooses Mace to try out, Mace knows that this is his moment to show what he can do. But the path to his big shot means facing down the best and the brightest from around the world. Mace quickly realizes that everything he's ever hoped for comes at a price. He'll have to decide between what is right and what is easy.
New Books for Readers Ages 10-14
Fiction
NEVER EVERS by Lucy Ivison and Tom Ellen (Contemporary Fiction)
Mouse is pretty sure her life is totally over. Now that she's been kicked out of ballet school, she has to go on her new school's ski trip basically knowing no one. Meanwhile, Jack's life is just about to begin. He's on the way to the slopes with his school too, and all he can think about is how to successfully get his first kiss. But with new friends by her side, Mouse has more fun skiing and building igloos than she expected. Jack catches Mouse's eye in the at the ski resort. Then, mega pop star Roland arrives on the scene and sets his sights on Mouse, too! A week in the snow is about to get complicated...
NORTH TO BENJAMIN by Alan Cumyn (Adventure)
Eleven-year-old Edgar and his mom are leaving Toronto behind for the wilds of northwestern Canada, where the house they're housesitting comes with Benjamin, an old Newfoundland. Soon after, Edgar's mom meets Ceese. The moment they meet, Edgar knows there will be trouble. Edgar talks to Benjamin about his concerns...and Benjamin wordlessly answers. Edgar loses his ability to speak to anyone but Benjamin. Desperate to stop his mother from ruining other people’s lives and upturning their own once again, Edgar embarks on a dangerous journey across the frozen Yukon River with only Benjamin by his side.
Nonfiction
BURIED LIVES: The Enslaved People of George Washington's Mount Vernon by Carla Killough McClafferty (Biography)
When he was 11 years old, George Washington inherited 10 human beings. His own life has been well chronicled, but the lives of the people he owned --- the people who supported his plantation and were buried in unmarked graves there --- have not. Using fascinating primary source material and photographs of historical artifacts, Carla McClafferty sheds light on the lives of several people George Washington owned; the property laws that complicated his decision to free them; and the Cemetery Survey, an archeological dig that is shaping our understanding of Mount Vernon's Slave Cemetery.
A HOPE MORE POWERFUL THAN THE SEA: One Teen Refugee's Incredible Story of Love, Loss, and Survival (Young Readers' Edition) by Melissa Fleming (Biography)
A HOPE MORE POWERFUL THAN THE SEA tells the story of Doaa Al-Zamel, a Syrian girl whose life was upended in 2011 by her country’s brutal civil war. She and her family escape to Egypt, but life soon quickly becomes dangerous for Syrians in that country. Doaa and her fiancé decide to flee to Europe to seek safety and an education, but four days after setting sail on a smuggler’s dilapidated fishing vessel along with 500 other refugees, their boat is struck and begins to sink...
Graphic Novels for Ages 8-12
DOG MAN: Brawl of the Wild by Dav Pilkey (Superhero)
Is Dog Man bad to the bone? The heroic hound is sent to the pound for a crime he didn't commit! While his pals work to prove his innocence, Dog Man struggles to find his place among dogs and people. Being a part of both worlds, will he ever fully fit in with one?
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!
Contests on Our Other Book Report Network Websites for Our Adult Readers
Bookreporter.com:
Holiday Cheer 2018: At Bookreporter.com, we kick off the holiday season in style with our Holiday Cheer Contests and Feature. As our gift to you, on select days in November and December, we are spotlighting a book and giving five lucky readers the chance to win it. You have to visit the site each day to see the featured prize book and enter the 24-hour contest. As always, we are sending our special Holiday Cheer newsletter on the days when there are contests. Click here to sign up for these email alerts.
End-of-the-Year Contest 2018: We are thrilled to announce a very special contest featuring Carol Fitzgerald’s Bookreporter.com Bets On picks from 2018. One Grand Prize winner will be awarded all 45 books, while nine other winners will receive a selection of five of these titles. The deadline for entries is Monday, January 7th at noon ET.
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 December 3rd to January 2nd at noon ET, two lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win the audio versions of Diane Setterfield's ONCE UPON A RIVER, read by Juliet Stevenson, and Lisa Jewell's WATCHING YOU, read by Gabrielle Glaister.
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 November 30th to December 14th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of A CHRISTMAS REVELATION by Anne Perry and YOU DON'T OWN ME by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke.
ReadingGroupGuides.com:
Win 12 Copies of THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF SAM HELL by Robert Dugoni 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 EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF SAM HELLby Robert Dugoni, a coming-of-age story about a boy who was born with red pupils and endured bullying by his classmates. Years later, Sam looks back on his life and embarks on a journey that will bring into clear view what changed him, defined him and made him so afraid --- until he finally sees what truly matters. To enter, please fill out the form below by Wednesday, January 9th at noon ET.
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