Happy February! Here are some books releasing this week to kick off a new month of reading.
Books for Kids
Future Geniuses: Space for Smart Kids (Board Book) – First in the Future Geniuses series of board books. Looks like this is a LARGE board book – 28 pages and around 8 inches square. I’m eager to see this one in person.
Agent Lion – A lion detective looks for a missing cat.
Fritzy Finds a Hat – From Olympic figure skater Scott Hamilton and country music star Brad Paisley comes this story of a boy whose mom has cancer.
It’s Okay to be a Unicorn! – A unicorn pretends to be a horse until he learns it’s okay to be himself.
No More Naps! – From the author of the Mr. Lemoncello series. A dad takes his toddler on a walk to help her take a nap. Everyone they meet says they will gladly take Annalise’s nap if she doesn’t want it. Soon they are all asleep. When Annalise decides she’s ready for a nap, all the naps have been taken.
Pig the Tourist – Pig the Pug causes trouble on his vacation.
When Numbers Met Letters – When letters meet numbers for the first time, they run into some issues when 1 and A both say they should be first.
Alice Across America: The Story of the First Women’s Cross-Country Road Trip – The story of Alice Ramsey, the first woman to drive across the country in 1909.
Bones in the White House: Thomas Jefferson’s Mammoth – The story of our third president’s quest to find a full mastodon skeleton in America.
Emily Writes: Emily Dickinson and Her Poetic Beginnings – Highlights Emily Dickinson’s early years and experiments with poetry and writing.
Leave It to Abigail!: The Revolutionary Life of Abigail Adams – A picture book biography of Abigail Adams that highlights the ways Abigail didn’t fit the mold of women in her era.
The Only Woman in the Photo: Frances Perkins & Her New Deal for America – Picture book biography of Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve in a Presidential Cabinet position and the mastermind behind FDR’s New Deal program.
Happy Pi Day to You! – The Cat in the Hat celebrates Pi Day (March 14).
Jack Goes West – When Jack and The Lady visit a dude ranch, the bank next door gets robbed, and Jack is accused of the crime. This looks funny and sarcastic, which is not surprising considering it was written by Mac Barnett.
Susan B. Anthony: Her Fight for Equal Rights – A leveled reader biography of Susan B. Anthony.
The Colorado Curveball – Book 16 in the Ballpark Mysteries series. Someone threatens to mess with the scoreboard at a game in Colorado.
Kodiak – Book 56 in the Puppy Place series. Some kids off for a girls’ weekend in the woods rescue a Malamute stray.
The Pepper Party Double Dare Disguise – Book 4 in the Pepper Party early chapter book series. Each book focuses on a different member of the Pepper Family. Megs is grounded, but she can’t miss ComicCon, so she dresses in costume and sneaks away to the convention where she helps save the day.
Ranger in Time: Escape from the Twin Towers – Book 11 in the Ranger in Time series that feels like Magic Tree House, but with a dog. I haven’t read one of these in awhile, but when the series first came out, I read every book. The series, written by Kate Messner, is so great. Ranger tries to help a girl who was with her mom at the World Trade Center on 9/11 and then gets separated from her during the evacuation.
Speedah Cheetah – Binder of Doom, book 3, from Scholastic Branches. The kids of the Super Secret Monster Patrol are on the case when a monster tries to join the big race at the Stermont Derby.
Who Needs a Checkup? – Hello, Hedgehog, book 3, from Scholastic Acorn. Hedgehog helps Harry get ready for a trip to the doctor.
Books for Older Kids/Teens
Arlo Finch in the Kingdom of Shadows – Book 3 in the Arlo Finch series. Arlo and the Rangers of Pine Mountain Company have finished their summer at camp and are getting ready for a new school year when Arlo is forced to choose between saving his family and friends and saving the Long Woods. This sounds like a terrific fantasy series for kids!
Aggie Morton, Mystery Queen: The Body Under the Piano (Older Middle Grade) – First in the new Aggie Morton Mystery Queen series. Aggie discovers a dead body and is determined to find the killer. I’ll be reviewing this one tomorrow.
Chirp (Older Middle Grade) – Kate Messner has a second book out today, this one for older middle grade readers (10-14). Mia moves to Vermont, healing from a broken arm and hiding a secret. She and her new friends get pulled into helping her grandmother who believes someone is trying to sabotage her cricket farm. But Mia isn’t sure if there is a real threat, or if her grandmother’s thinking has changed after a stroke. I don’t think you can ever go wrong with a book from Kate Messner. This one is on my list for this week.
Disney Frozen Adventures: Snowy Stories (Graphic Novel) – A collection of Frozen stories in comics form.
Dragon Fire (Unwanted Quests) – Book 5 in the Unwanted Quests series. Twins Fifer and Thisbe’s relationship continues to fracture as their kingdom turns against their family. This series sounds so amazing! I need to get caught up on both the original Unwanteds series and then this second series.
A Galaxy of Sea Stars – Izzy’s world has turned upside down after her dad’s return from deployment. And it’s shaken once again when he invites the family of his interpreter from Afghanistan to live in their upstairs apartment. She doesn’t know what to make of the girl Sitara. Sitara’s presence could disrupt Izzy’s friend group, the Sea Stars, but she also challenges Izzy to use her voice to stand up for herself. This sounds fantastic!
Here in the Real World – A kid who wants to live in his own fantasy world, and a girl who is all too aware of reality find a summer home in an abandoned church lot in their community. But when their refuge is threatened, the boy is determined to do everything he can to save their space.
Hilo: All the Pieces Fit (Graphic Novel) – Book 6 in the Hilo series where Hilo has been chased by Razorwark through the Universe. Their epic showdown happens here and now. I have had this on hold from the library for months! I can’t wait to see where this fantastic series goes next.
I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic (Graphic Novel) – Graphic novel adaptation of the I Survived book about the sinking of the Titanic.
The Jigsaw Puzzle King – A boy starting at a new school is weary of trying to fit in while also being protective of his twin brother with Down syndrome. His brother never notices how people respond to him, but Warren notices every smirk and every comment.
Nikki Tesla and the Fellowship of the Bling – Book 2 in the terrific Elements of Genius series. When one of their friends is kidnapped, the kids at the Genius Academy plan to steal a lethal high-tech ring the kidnapper wants. I enjoyed the first book, and I’ve already requested the second from the library.
Onward: The Junior Novelization – The Junior Novel for the new Pixar movie, Onward.
Parked (Older Middle Grade) – Jeanne lives in an orange van, but she hopes to have a more permanent address by the time school starts. Cal lives in a big house across the street from Jeanne’s van, and he’s determined to “rescue” her. While Jeanne is not on board with that plan, the two do form a friendship that will impact both of them. I’ve already requested this one, too.
Red Menace (Older Middle Grade) – A teen has FBI agents staking out his house (in 1953) because they are convinced his parents, college professors, are communist sympathizers. He knows the Rosenbergs are scheduled for execution because of their suspected activities. A friend of mine who teaches history pointed out that most historical fiction seems to focus on WWII. I’m eager to read this new book that looks at America several years later in a part of our history we don’t talk about as much.
Sugar, Spice and Sprinkles – Book 9 of the Sprinkle Sundays series. Sierra writes an original song to help her find her voice.
Things Seen from Above – A girl struggling with lunch time drama signs up to monitor the Buddy Bench for younger kids at her school where she discovers something about one of the kids that no one else seems to notice. This sounds fantastic! I love the idea that her story is told in text while his is told in art. Clever!
Time Warp – Book 7 in the Geronimo Stilton Journey through Time series. This book includes a trip to Stonehenge and Atlantis.
The Wish and the Peacock – A girl wishes to save her family farm and believes she can help make that happen by nursing an injured peacock back to health. This sounds great, too!
Who Is Jackie Chan? AND Who Was Richard Nixon? – The latest biography from the folks at Who HQ.
Books for Teens/Young Adults
All the Stars and Teeth – A princess trained in magic has to demonstrate her mastery in order to take the throne. But when her demonstration goes awry, she teams up with a pirate to get a second chance, as long as she helps him find his stolen magic.
Belle Révolte – A young noblewoman would rather be a doctor than live the life she was born into. So she swaps lives with a young woman with fewer opportunities so they can both live the lives they want – one can be a doctor and the other can be trained in magic. But both are drawn together to help a rebellion succeed in sharing the truth of an unjust war. (LGBTQ+)
Ember Queen – The third and final book in the Ash Princess series. Theo is ready to fight for her people and her throne, but the stakes have never been higher. I can not WAIT to read this, but I need to get caught up with book 2 first. So many books, so little time!
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder – A high school senior starts digging into a five-year-old murder/suicide and discovers that things might not have played out like everyone thinks. This is on my list, too.
Malice – A voice from the future tells a teen that that a kid in their school will someday create a virus that will destroy 2/3 of the world. But is that voice even trustworthy? Wow!
The Queen’s Assassin – An assassin magically bound to the queen and a girl expected to serve on the court team up as assassin and apprentice when a surprise attack is launched.
Shadow of the Batgirl (Graphic Novel) – A teen assassin breaks away from her training and hides out in a library where she hears about the hero Batgirl. This was SO AMAZING! It’ll be another week until I can post my review, but I’ll tell you right now that I loved this one.
Straight on Till Morning – A twisted take on the story of Wendy Darling and Peter Pan.
What Kind of Girl – The girls at North Bay Academy are divided over one of their own accusing her boyfriend of abuse.
Yes No Maybe So – Two teens with strikingly different backgrounds and personalities are paired up to canvas for a political candidate. I’ve had this on hold at the library for months, too!
Books for Adults
The Authenticity Project (Hardcover) – A green notebook brings 6 strangers together as they share the truths of their lives.
A Conjuring of Assassins (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Chimera series. A ragtag group uses forbidden magic at the behest of their ruler in order to protect their kingdom. I can’t wait to dig into this series.
Daughter of Rome (Trade Paperback) – A fictionalized story of biblical figures Priscilla and Aquila. This looks fabulous!
A Dozen Second Chances (e-book) – A woman who lost her “perfect life” when she lost her boyfriend and gave up her career to raise her orphaned niece has a new opportunity to start over with some “be kind to yourself” vouchers from her niece when she moves out. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week.
The Fifth Avenue Story Society (Trade Paperback) – The latest from Rachel Hauck. Five strangers from different walks of life each receive an invitation to join the Fifth Avenue Story Society. While they are skeptical of the never-heard-of-before literary society, they keep coming back, week after week discovering the stories that draw them together. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
The Murderous Macaron (e-book) – Book 1 in the Julie Cavallo Investigates series starring a pastry chef in Provence, France. When the man died in her patisserie, the police ruled it a heart attack, but Julie is convinced he was poisoned. I love the description of Julie’s sleuthing partners – this is on my list for this week for sure.
The Solid Grounds Coffee Company (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Saturday Night Supper Club series. When a business woman loses her career when she refuses to cover up a client’s unethical dealings, she gets a second chance by helping a former professional rock climber launch a new business as he takes over a Columbian coffee farm.
Star Trek Year Five: Odyssey’s End (Graphic Novel) – Collects comics 1-6 into one graphic novel.
Two Steps Forward (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Deacon’s Family series. A woman desperate for help on her farm takes a chance on her neighbor’s son despite the friction between the families. But is he really there to help her or to help his mother steal her farm?
Upright Women Wanted (Hardcover) – To escape an arranged marriage, a woman stows away in a librarian’s book wagon. Her fiance was previously engaged to her best friend – a woman she loved – who is now about to be executed for possessing resistance propaganda. This sounds like a re-imagined western sci-fi story for those who love a good mash up. (LGBTQ+)
The Worst Best Man (Trade Paperback) – A jilted bride (and wedding planner) has to team up with the brother of her ex in order to help both of them out professionally, but the sparks between them can lead to nothing good in her opinion.
100 Bible Verses That Made America: Defining Moments That Shaped Our Enduring Foundation of Faith (Hardcover) – In the last few years I have become more interested in – and frankly more skeptical of – the intersection between faith and politics/government. I’ll be giving this book a try and will post a review later this month.
Chasing Vines: Finding Your Way to an Immensely Fruitful Life (Hardcover) – The latest from Beth Moore digs into Jesus’ words recorded in John 15. I’m looking forward to reading this one. There’s also a DVD and a group resource to go with the book.
Dangerous Prayers: Because Following Jesus Was Never Meant to Be Safe (Hardcover) – An inspirational and instructional guide to prayer.
Goodbye, Yesterday!: Activating the Twelve Laws of Boundary-Defying Faith (Hardcover) – Dig into the book of Genesis and discover principles for being set from from your past.
Rage Baking: The Transformative Power of Flour, Fury and Women’s Voices (Hardcover) – Includes 50 recipes as well as essays and quotes from women encouraging readers to resist and persist.
The Toni Morrison Book Club (Trade Paperback) – A group memoir. Four friends, Black and white, gay and straight, immigrant and American-born, use Toni Morrison books to spark conversations about race, gender and identity. I’ve requested this one from the library.