New Release Spotlight: August 14, 2018

Welcome back to Shanghai! I am so glad to be back and to enjoy this last week off before teachers (including me) start back to school on Monday. I'm spending my week snuggling with my 9-month old pup Cisco, who has been in a puppy training program for the past six weeks while we were in the USA. We missed him so much! I will never, ever leave him for six weeks again. It was way too long, and I'm sure Cisco thought we weren't coming back for him. My poor baby.

It's a big list this week, with almost no sequels but loads of YAs, middle grades, and picture books. From Langston Hughes to Bonnie and Clyde to a Swedish shipwreck, there is something for everyone this week. Standouts include The Looking Glass, So Done, Finding Langston, and The Rough Patch. Hope this week is going great for you all, especially those of you who have already started back to school!


YOUNG ADULT (GRADES 7+):

The Looking Glass (Janet McNally) "Girls in Trouble." That's what Sylvie Blake's older sister Julia renamed their favorite fairy tale book, way back when they were just girls themselves. Now Julia has disappeared--and no one knows for sure if she wants to be away, or if she's the one in trouble. Then a copy of their old storybook arrives with a mysterious list inside, and Sylvie begins to see signs of her sister, and their favorite fairy tales, everywhere she goes. Recommended for Grades 7-10. Booklist and Kirkus starred. Magical realism.

Bonnie and Clyde (Karen Blumenthal) I love this author! Immortalized in movies, songs, and pop culture references, Bonnie and Clyde are remembered mostly for their storied romance and tragic deaths. But what was life really like for Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker in the early 1930s? This book traces the footsteps of Bonnie and Clyde, unearthing new information and debunking many persistent myths. Recommended for Grades 7-12. Booklist starred. Narrative nonfiction.

See All the Stars (Kit Frick) Then: They were four--Bex, Jenni, Ellory, Ret. Electric, headstrong young women; Ellory's whole solar system. Now: Ellory is alone, her once inseparable group of friends torn apart by secrets, deception, and a shocking incident that changed their lives forever. Then: Lazy summer days. A party. A beautiful boy. Ellory met Matthias and fell into the beginning of a spectacular, bright love. Now: Ellory returns to Pine Brook to navigate senior year after a two-month suspension and summer away--no boyfriend, no friends. No going back. Recommended for Grades 9+. Thriller, mystery.

Our Stories, Our Voices (various authors) Written in response to the 2016 election, this collection of twenty-one essays from YA authors touches on a range of topics related to growing up female in today’s America, and the intersection with race, religion, and ethnicity. Authors include Jaye Robin Brown, Brandy Colbert, Somaiya Daud, Ilene Wong (I.W.) Gregorio, Ellen Hopkins, and more. Recommended for Grades 8-12. SLJ starred. Essays, anthology, feminism.

Google It: A History of Google (Anna Crowley Redding) Larry Page and Sergey Brin started out as two Stanford college students with a wild idea: They were going to organize the world's information. From that one deceptively simple goal, they created one of the most influential and innovative companies in the world. The word “google” has even entered our vocabulary as a verb. This book explores the history of Google, from its humble beginnings as a thesis project made out of “borrowed” hardware and discount toys through its revolution of the world's relationship with technology to a brief glimpse of where they might take us next. Recommended for Grades 6-10. Booklist starred. Narrative nonfiction, technology.

The Raging Ones (Krista Richie, Becca Richie) Set in the year 3525. In a freezing world, where everyone knows the day they will die, three teens break all odds. With the threat of people learning they've dodged their deathdays, they must flee their planet to survive. But to do so, all three will have to hide their shared bond as they vie for a highly sought after spot in the newest mission to space. Against thousands of people far smarter, who'll live longer, and never fear death the way that they do. Recommended for Grades 8-12. Kirkus starred. Science fiction, survival.

Surviving Adam Meade (Shannon Klare) Seventeen-year-old Claire Collins has a plan: get into college and leave North Carolina behind. What she doesn't have is an idea for how to get rid of the local football star and womanizer extraordinaire Adam Meade, who she can't even avoid (despite many efforts), because Claire's dad is the high school football coach.Seventeen-year-old Adam Meade never fails. He always gets what he wants... until he meets Claire, the new girl who leaves him unnerved, pissed off, and confused. But there's something about her that he just can't resist. Recommended for Grades 8+. Romance.

How to Breathe Underwater (Vicky Skinner) Kate's father has been pressuring her to be perfect for her whole life, pushing her to be the best swimmer she can be. But when Kate finds her dad cheating on her mom, Kate's perfect world comes crashing down, and Kate is forced to leave home and the swim team she's been a part of her whole life. Now in a new home and new school, faced with the prospect of starting over, Kate isn't so sure that swimming is what she wants anymore. But when she decides to quit, her whole world seems to fall apart. But when Kate gets to know Michael, the cute boy that lives across the hall, she starts to think that starting over might not be so bad. Recommended for Grades 9-12. Romance, swimming.

My Life Uploaded (Rae Earl) Hello! Millie Porter here. I'm posting this from a garden shed, because three so-called adults are in the house arguing over whether you can train penguins. You see, I moved in with my dad, granddad, and aunty to escape my mum's neat freak boyfriend. (He follows me around with a vacuum cleaner, like that's a normal thing to do. It's not.) The point is, this reality thing is HARD, so my BFF Lauren and I are taking it online to tell you how to handle it. We are going to make a difference with this vlog. That is, if I can just get Dave the cat's tail OUT OF MY FACE. Recommended for Grades 7+. Realistic fiction, humor.

A Touch of Gold (Annie Sullivan) King Midas once had the ability to turn all he touched into gold. But after his gift--or curse--almost killed his daughter, Midas relinquished The Touch forever. Ten years later, Princess Kora still bears the consequences of her father's wish: her skin shines golden, rumors follow her everywhere she goes, and she harbors secret powers that are getting harder to hide. Kora spends her days locked in the palace, concealed behind gloves and veils, trying to ignore the stares and gossip of courtiers. It isn't until a charming young duke arrives that Kora realizes there may be someone out there who doesn't fear her or her curse. Recommended for Grades 7-11. Fantasy, retelling.

THIS WEEK'S SEQUELS (YA):



MIDDLE GRADES (GRADES 4-7):

Finding Langston (Lesa Cline-Ransome) Debut author! When 11-year-old Langston's mother dies in 1946, he and his father leave rural Alabama for Chicago's brown belt as a part of what came to be known as the Great Migration. It's lonely in the small apartment with just the two of them, and at school Langston is bullied. But his new home has one fantastic thing. Unlike the whites-only library in Alabama, the local public library welcomes everyone. There, hiding out after school, Langston discovers another Langston, a poet whom he learns inspired his mother enough to name her only son after him. Recommended for Grades 2-7. Multiple starred reviews. Historical fiction.

The Big Game (Tim Green) Danny Owens is dedicating his seventh-grade season to his Super Bowl champion father, who recently passed away. Danny promises everyone that, just like his dad, he’ll dominate the big game at the end of the season and earn a spot on the high school varsity team. Then his English teacher catches him cheating on a test. Even though Danny can retake it, he knows there’s no point. He can’t read. And if Danny can’t pass this class, he won’t be eligible to play in the championship game that could unlock his future.Recommended for Grades 5-8. Realistic fiction, sports.

Mystery in the Mansion (Lauren Magaziner) Case Closed, book 1. I love that this is a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure format! Carlos Serrano has never solved a mystery in his life. But when Carlos's mom gets sick with a nasty flu on the morning of an investigation that could save her failing detective agency, Carlos takes on the case. With the help of his best friend, Eliza, and her wild little brother, Frank, Carlos must uncover a mystery involving an eccentric local millionaire, anonymous death threats, and a buried treasure. Recommended for Grades 4-8. Mystery, detectives.

Worth a Thousand Words (Brigit Young) Debut author! Ever since Tillie Green's car accident left her with a severe limp, she's kept herself hidden behind her camera. Through the lens, she watches her family and classmates, spotting the small details and secret glances that tell a much bigger story than what people usually see. Tillie is good at finding things, but she isn't prepared for Jake's request: to find his father. In a matter of days, Tillie goes from silent observer to one half of a detective duo, searching the college-town community for clues to explain Jake's dad's disappearance. Recommended for Grades 3-6. Mystery, disabilities.

So Done (Paula Chase) This one is being compared to Ghost by Jason Reynolds. Jamila Phillips and Tai Johnson have been inseparable since they were toddlers, having grown up across the street from each other in Pirates Cove, a low-income housing project. As summer comes to an end, Tai can't wait for Mila to return from spending a month with her aunt in the suburbs. But both girls are grappling with secrets, and when Mila returns she's more focused on her upcoming dance auditions than hanging out with Tai. Recommended for Grades 5-8. Kirkus and Publishers Weekly starred. Realistic fiction, friendship.

Rules of the Ruff (Heidi Lang) Twelve-year-old Jessie is in for a long summer at her aunt and uncle's house. Her cousin Ann has a snotty new best friend, which leaves Jessie all alone. But Jessie is industrious, and--not content with being ignored all summer--she convinces Wes, a grouchy neighborhood dog walker, to take her on as his apprentice. Sure, dog walking turns out to be harder than she expected, but she has Wes's dog-walking code, the Rules of the Ruff, to guide her. But when a charismatic rival dog walker moves to town, she quickly snatches up most of Wes's business--and Jessie decides she isn't going to take this defeat with her tail between her legs. Recommended for Grades 4-7. Realistic fiction.

The Land of Neverendings (Kate Saunders) Emily's world is shattered after her sister dies and she finds she misses her sister's teddy bear, Bluey, almost as much as her sister. Then Emily dreams of talking toys who have a message from Bluey, but soon discovers that magic from the toy world is spilling out into the real world with disastrous consequences. Emily must decide whether finding Bluey is worth risking the lives of those she loves. Recommended for Grades 4-7. Kirkus starred. Fantasy, adventure, grief.

Where the Woods End (Charlotte Salter) Kestrel, a young huntress, lives in a seemingly endless forest crawling with dangerous beasts. But the most dangerous beasts of all are the Grabbers-beings that are born when you are and stalk you throughout your life, waiting for the perfect moment to snatch and eat you. No one has ever defeated their Grabber once attacked, and those that die from accidents or other creatures are considered 'lucky.' Kestrel has been tasked by her mother, a powerful and controlling spell-caster, to hunt down the Grabbers in an effort to protect their village in the forest. Recommended for Grades 4-10. Fantasy, thriller.

PICTURE BOOKS (ALL AGES):

The Rough Patch (Brian Lies) Farmer Evan and his dog do everything together--especially, in the garden. But when his dog passes away Evan lets his garden fill with weeds until a pumpkin vine brings new hope. Booklist and Publishers Weekly starred. Grief, empathy, loss.

The Sinking of the Vasa: A Shipwreck of Titanic Proportions (Russell Freedman, William Low) In full sail with flags flying, the mighty warship capsized and began to sink. This is the saga of the great Swedish warship, the Vasa. Built to be the crown jewel of the Swedish Navy, the Vasa capsized not a mile into her maiden voyage in 1628--a tragedy resulting in many deaths and great loss. But who was to blame? SLJ starred. Nonfiction, shipwrecks.

Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have a Horse (Marcy Campbell, Corinna Luyken) Adrian Simcox tells anyone who will listen that he has a horse--the best and most beautiful horse anywhere. But Chloe does NOT believe him. Adrian Simcox lives in a tiny house. Where would he keep a horse? He has holes in his shoes. How would he pay for a horse? The more Adrian talks about his horse, the angrier Chloe gets. But when she calls him out at school and even complains about him to her mom, Chloe doesn't get the vindication she craves. She gets something far more important. Poverty, empathy.

Rice From Heaven: The Secret Mission to Feed North Koreans (Tina Cho, Keum Jin Song) Yoori lives in South Korea and doesn't know what North Korea is like, but her father (Appa) does. Appa grew up in North Korea, where he did not have enough food to eat. Starving, he fled to South Korea in search of a better life. Yoori doesn't know how she can help as she's only a little "grain of rice" herself, but Appa tells her that they can secretly help the starving people by sending special balloons that carry rice over the border. Hunger, North Korea, poverty.

This list also appears on my New Releases--Weekly Board on Pinterest: