A Wow MG - Black Star by Kwame Alexander

Black Star by Kwame Alexander

From the publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (September 24, 2024)

The riveting second book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Door of No Return trilogy stars Kofi’s granddaughter, Charley, who’s set on becoming the first female pitcher to play professional ball but who soon has to contend with the tensions about to boil over in her segregated town.

You can’t protect her from knowing. The truth is all we have.

12-year-old Charley Cuffey is many things: a granddaughter, a best friend, and probably the best pitcher in all of Lee’s Mill. Set on becoming the first female pitcher to play professional ball, Charley doesn't need reminders from her best friend Cool Willie Green to know that she has lofty dreams for a Black girl in the American South.

Even so, Nana Kofi's thrilling stories about courageous ancestors and epic journeys make it impossible not to dream big. She knows he has so many more to tell, but according to her parents, she isn't old enough to know about certain things like what happened to Booker Preston that one night in Great Bridge and why she can never play on the brand-new real deal baseball field on the other side of town.

When Charley challenges a neighborhood bully to a game at the church picnic, she knows she can win, even with her ragtag team. But when the picnic spills over onto their ball field, she makes a fateful decision.

A child cannot protect herself if she does not know her history, and Charley's choice brings consequences she never could have imagined.

In this thrilling second book of the Door of No Return trilogy, set during the turbulent segregation era, and the beginning of The Great Migration, Kwame Alexander weaves a spellbinding story of struggle, determination, and the unflappable faith of an American family.

Wow. This is a wow book. It feels like a love letter to his family, ancestors and baseball.

One of my favorite poems is A House Full of. You feel like you’re there in the middle of the family gathering. 💗

It’s also gripping and sad and devastating and hopeful. Like I said, wow.

I was going to post this last month but wanted to read the first book, The Door of No Return. And it took me too long because it's a tough book to read. In the end pages, Kwame says how difficult it was for him to write it. It's a very important book. A history that can't be forgotten or ignored. One of my favorite poems in the first book is Ama. His writing is incredible. 

Just in time for school! Two wonderful picture books.

Apparently, I missed last month. I thought I had written blurbs for these two books, but alas, I did not. So here they are - two absolutely unique and fantastic books. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did. One book is out and the other is out in October. 

When Black Girls Dream Big by Tanisia Moore Illust. By Robert Paul Jr.

From the Publisher: Scholastic, October 2024

You have within you infinite promise. How big will YOU dream? This striking companion to I Am My Ancestors' Wildest Dreams celebrates Black female achievement and is perfect for fans of I Am Enough, Little Leaders, and She Persisted.

I AM dope!

My crown shines bright

in all its glory.

When I dream big,

I can do anything!

In this inspiring tribute to Black girl pride and excellence, a young child discovers her place in a radiant heritage. As she meets twelve extraordinary Black women-historic and contemporary heroines who have blazed a trail for her own future success-she internalizes their strength and sets out to change the world in her own way.

Just like them, she can reach her dreams. And just like her, you have within you big promise. YOU are Black Girl Magic. How will you shine YOUR light?

Another beautiful and colorful book from Tanisia Moore and Robert Paul Jr. Bringing heroines, past and present, to demonstrate that the main character can do anything and be anything. From Harriett Tubman to Angela Bassett, from Jacqueline Woodson to Serena Williams. Trailblazing women. This is just as inspiring as I Am My Ancestors' Wildest Dreams.

Not only does it highlight these remarkable 12 women, but also it shows the kids helping in their community and giving back.

There is back matter with paragraphs on all the ancestors listed in the book, a note from the author and a note from the artist.

Millie Fleur's Poison Garden by Christy Mandin

From the publisher: Scholastic, July 2, 2024

Garden Glen is a very bland place. Every house and every garden looks exactly like the other. That is... until Millie Fleur La Fae comes to town.

Up on a scruffy hill, beside a ramschackle house, Millie Fleur plants her marvelously strange garden, filled with Sneezing Stickyweed, Fanged Fairymoss, and Grumpy Gilliflower. Millie Fleur finds it enchanting, but the townspeople of Garden Glen call it poison!

But Millie Fleur is proud of her beloved little garden. So if some townspeople want to be sticks in the mud, she'll take matters into her own hands and find the kindred spirits who appreciate everything the garden has to offer.

Millie Fleur's Poison Garden is a reminder to embrace everything that makes us wonderfully weird. Perfect for readers of The Creepy Carrots and fans of the Addams Family movies.

Unique and different books are so fun. This is one of them. Embracing different isn’t always easy – but if you’re open to it, then you open up a new world to enjoy. I love the plant names and the illustrations, the play on words, the way Millie’s idea of a garden grows when shared.

The frog, Wart T. Wigglebottom reminds me of the Warner Bros. cartoon, Michigan J. Frog. He is a supporter and companion to Millie.

There are some cool plant facts at the back, as well as, where The Poison Garden really exists!

Both of these books are excellent reading material. 

Two Unputdownable Books by Holiday House

The Worst Perfect Moment by Shivaun Plozza

From the publisher: Holiday House, May 14, 2024

Tegan Masters is dead.

She’s sixteen and she’s dead and she’s standing in the parking lot of the Marybelle Motor Lodge, the single most depressing motel in all of New Jersey and the place where Tegan spent what she remembers as the worst weekend of her life.

In the front office, she meets Zelda, an annoyingly cute teen angel with a snarky sense of humor and an epic set of wings. According to Zelda, Tegan is in heaven, where every person inhabits an exact replica of their happiest memory. For Tegan, Zelda insists, that place is the Marybelle—creepy minigolf course, sad breakfast buffet, filthy swimming pool, and all.

Tegan has a few complaints about this.

When Tegan takes these concerns up with Management, she and Zelda are sent on a whirlwind tour through Tegan’s memories, in search of clues to help her understand what mattered most to her in life. If Zelda fails to convince Tegan (and Management) that the Marybelle was the site of Tegan's perfect moment, both girls face dire eternal consequences. But if she succeeds…they just might get their happily-ever-afterlife.

A tender and edgy take on coming of age in the afterlife.

I really liked this book. I don’t find many that I keep reading, stay up late, take the book with me wherever I go so I can read it during downtimes. The premise is unique and intriguing. The two main characters are quirky teens with attitude, pain, joy, awkwardness, longing, denial, and love. Plus, they are funny and gross, sad and angry. They felt real. The family felt real and their reactions dealing with a difficult situation and real strife. We all have our coping mechanisms.

There are plenty of cringe-worthy moments and we all have those somewhere in our pasts. Or most of us do. 😊 I almost went to the end to see how it all turns out, but I didn’t. That shows great restraint when I’m gripped to a book. 

The Supernatural Files of CJ Delaney by Carol Williams

From the publisher: Holiday House, May 7, 2024

Unmasking evil witches, rescuing kidnapped pets, saving the town from evil--exactly what kid reporter CJ Delaney had in mind for summer vacation.

When a boring old skatepark opening becomes the scene of a something truly strange, CJ Delaney can’t believe her luck. This is just the kind of big story she’s dreamed of breaking for the town's local paper.

With best friend Parker in tow, CJ is determined to get to the bottom of everything and save the town from evil. Isn’t this what summer vacation is for? But when all answers point to someone close, CJ stands not only to lose her byline but the scariest thing of all—the people and pet she loves.

With a strong, snappy voice and a warm sense of humor, The Supernatural Files of CJ Delaney is a fast-paced middle grade mystery (with just the right amount of hair-raising thrills) that begs to be read cover-to-cover in one sitting. This debut from Carol Williams shines with love for its characters, college-town setting, and belief in the power of the written word.

This book is full of fun and appealing, quirky characters! There’s lots of action and great twists that will keep you reading. I enjoyed the supernatural element, along with the family and friendships, boss and coworkers. It’s fast paced with a terrific mystery.

YA Book Blurb - STUCK WITH YOU by ‘Nathan Burgoine

Very accessible, enjoyable and quick read.

STUCK WITH YOU by ‘Nathan Burgoine

From the publisher: James Lorimer & Company Ltd. (April 2023)

Stuck With You is a story of Queer joy and a playful teen romance, following two frenemies as they fall for each other while stuck in adjacent seats on a day-long train trip.

Ben is on a train back to Ottawa after a visit with his dad in Toronto when he runs into the last person he wanted to see: Caleb, the handsome, confident boy who recently and accidentally broke Ben’s phone. Preoccupied by worrying about whether he should take a gap year, Ben has little time for Caleb’s jibes.

But when the two start talking, not only does Ben find himself won over by Caleb’s roguish charm, but he also learns his seatmate is bisexual.

Stuck With You discusses important issues facing teens as they contemplate their futures within the context of a light-hearted romance plot with witty dialogue and charming interplay, almost all taking place within the space of a single long train trip.

If you are a fan of HEARTSTOPPER, then you should definitely check out this book. I was seeing STUCK WITH YOU in so many ads and the library had it, so I wanted to read it myself. It’s quick and fun. I think many will find it relatable and accessible. It’s always satisfying when you read a, don’t judge a book by its cover, story. I like seeing perspectives change and minds open up to others. And who can resist first kisses? Seriously! Innocence and crushes make the heart go, awwwwww. There’s also a good storyline of speaking up for yourself; something that can be very hard to do.

If you like this book, then you may be interested in this whole hi/lo line by Lorimer:

https://lorimer.ca/childrens/real-love/

Book Blurb - GHOST BOOK by Remy Lai

This is a fascinating story to read. 

From the publisher: Henry Holt (August 2023)

Twelve years ago, the boy and the girl lived. But one was supposed to die.

July Chen sees ghosts. But her dad insists ghosts aren’t real. So she pretends they don’t exist. Which is incredibly difficult now as it's Hungry Ghost month, when the Gates of the Underworld open and dangerous ghosts run amok in the living world. When July saves a boy ghost from being devoured by a Hungry Ghost, he becomes her first ever friend. Except William is not a ghost. He’s a wandering soul wavering between life and death. As the new friends embark on an adventure to return William to his body, they unearth a ghastly truth―for William to live, July must die.

Inspired by Chinese mythology, this dark yet resoundingly hopeful tale about friendship, sacrifice, and the unseen world of ghosts is a dazzling heir to beloved Studio Ghibli classics.

This graphic novel is so imaginative, clever and interesting. It has a full circle story with gross, hungry ghosts and a ghost pet named Floof! I like how it portrays life and near death. You discover how the main character July, is able to keep away from death and connected to her father, and the deal that has to be made, in the end. Friendship, truth and a little magic is exactly what we all need. 

Two incredible MG - Misfits and Simon Sort of Says

Both books are so well done. Loved them both.

Misfits: The Royal Conundrum by Lisa Yee with illustrations by Dan Santat

From the publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (January 2, 2024)

Olive Cobin Zang has . . . issues. And they mostly aren’t her fault. (No, really!) Though she often slips under the radar, problems have a knack for finding her. So, imagine her doubts when she’s suddenly dropped off at the strangest boarding school ever: a former castle turned prison that's now a “reforming arts school”!

But nothing could’ve prepared Olive for RASCH (not “rash”). There, she’s lumped with a team of other kids who never quite fit in, and discovers that the academy isn’t what it seems—and neither is she. In fact, RASCH is a cover for an elite group of misfits who fight crime . . . and Olive has arrived just in time.

Turns out that RASCH is in danger of closing, unless Olive’s class can stop the heist of the century. And as Olive falls in love with this wacky school, she realizes it’s up to her new team to save the only home that’s ever welcomed them.

This story is the best kind of ride. Creative characters, settings and plot bring plenty of adventure and mystery. There is a lot of fun in the extensive and odd training for the RASCH misfits. This book is pretty perfect from beginning to end (what else would you get from Lisa Yee and Dan Santat?) with plenty of fun and wacky events to keep you reading. There’s a lot of heart – especially when you find your home.

Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow

From the publisher: Disney Hyperion (January 31, 2023)

Simon O’Keeffe’s biggest claim to fame should be the time his dad accidentally gave a squirrel a holy sacrament. Or maybe the alpaca disaster that went viral on YouTube. But the story the whole world wants to tell about Simon is the one he’d do anything to forget: the one starring Simon as a famous survivor of gun violence at school.

Two years after the infamous event, twelve-year-old Simon and his family move to the National Quiet Zone—the only place in America where the internet is banned. Instead of talking about Simon, the astronomers who flock to the area are busy listening for signs of life in space. And when Simon makes a friend who’s determined to give the scientists what they’re looking for, he’ll finally have the chance to spin a new story for the world to tell.

Simon Sort of Says, the Newbery Honor-winning novel by Erin Bow, is a breathtaking testament to the lasting echoes of trauma, the redemptive power of humor, and the courage it takes to move forward without forgetting the past.

This story is impressive, tough, laugh out loud funny and extremely necessary. I’m so glad someone recommended it. I felt everything the character felt, and it all felt real. To get the perspective of a child in a school shooting was brave and painful. For those of us who have never experienced that kind of situation, the level of anxiety and PTSD was palpable. It gave understanding to something we see on TV but don’t know the inside story. There is a warning at the beginning for anyone that might be triggered.

There were also so many times I was laughing out loud and stopped to read it to my husband. This book is one I will keep, and the story will stay with me for a long time. 

Two MG books with strong female MC

Hi! Apparently, I took January off! LOL. But if you look at the extra book titles at the bottom of the last post, I had a lot of reading to do and ALL of them were great! 

So, these two blurbs are pretty short but worth writing about. And MC is main character, in case that wasn't clear. I would have spelled out protagonist but that's long in a title. Both have awesome covers, too. Anyway...on to the books!

The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane by Julia Nobel

From the publisher: Sourcebooks Young Readers (March 5, 2019) (was reprinted with illustrations 2020)

With a dad who disappeared years ago and a mother who's a bit too busy to parent, Emmy is shipped off to Wellsworth, a prestigious boarding school in England, where she's sure she won't fit in.

But then she finds a box of mysterious medallions in the attic of her home with a note reading: These belonged to your father.

When she arrives at school, she finds the strange symbols from the medallions etched into walls and books, which leads Emmy and her new friends, Jack and Lola, to Wellsworth's secret society: The Order of Black Hollow Lane.

Emmy can't help but think that the society had something to do with her dad's disappearance, and that there may be more than just dark secrets in the halls of Wellsworth…

 

I really had fun with this one. Even though it’s a familiar plot, with a Harry Potter feel, I enjoyed the characters and setting and the friendships. AND there’s a second book, which I’m looking forward to reading! If you like boarding schools, England, secret societies, then you’ll like this one. See if you can figure out who are good guys and who are bad guys. Plus, she’s a Canadian writer – and it’s an older book – hopefully you can find it easily.

The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone by Jaclyn Moriarty

From the publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books (October 9, 2018)

Bronte Mettlestone is ten years old when her parents are killed by pirates. This does not bother her particularly: her parents ran away to have adventures when she was a baby. She has been raised by her Aunt Isabelle, with assistance from the Butler, and has spent a pleasant childhood of afternoon teas and riding lessons. Now, however, her parents have left detailed instructions for Bronte in their will. (Instructions that, annoyingly, have been reinforced with faery cross-stitch, which means that if she doesn't complete them, terrible things could happen!).

She travels the kingdoms, perfectly alone, delivering gifts to ten other aunts: a farmer aunt who owns an orange orchard, a veterinarian aunt who specializes in dragon care, a pair of aunts who captain a cruise ship, and a former rock star aunt who is now the reigning monarch of a small kingdom. But as she travels from aunt to aunt, Bronte suspects there might be more to this journey than the simple delivery of treasure.

This one was hard to put in a blurb because it’s layered and complex but not hard to understand from a reading standpoint, but from a writing one.

The language and writing are unique and interesting. There are so many characters and storylines and so much happens that my writer brain wants to implode. That may not sound like a good thing, but it is, since it would be awesome to write like this.

To have all the threads interwoven and fit together, coupled with the language, makes for a magical read. (Also, not a new book, but new to me, so it should be easy to find and there are FIVE books in this Kingdoms and Empires series).