Wimpy Kid. Maze Runner. Fantastic Beasts. Christmas. Supergirl. Teen Titans. What a week in books! Here are some of the books releasing this week.
Books for Kids
The Santa Thief – A boy takes his Christmas into his own hands by stealing Santa’s identity. I can’t wait to read this one!
Duck, Duck Dinosaur: Snowy Surprise – A cute early reader just in time for winter.
Teen Titans Go!: Ninja Party! – The Teen Titans have their own line of early readers. In this one, Beast Boy tries to learn to be a stealthy ninja.
Ella and Owen: Dragon Spies! – Book 6 in this early chapter book series. This time the dragon twins are mistaken for spies.
Ordinary People Sticker Activity Book – A sticker activity book starring the characters of the Ordinary People Change the World biography picture book series.
Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults
Cici’s Journal: The Adventures of a Writer-in-Training – Graphic novel about a girl learning to be a writer who stumbles onto someone’s secret. This sounds fantastic! I love books about writing and this one seems to have a mystery element to it. Perfection!
Digging for Trouble – Book 2 in the Devlin Quick mystery series. This time Devlin finds a mystery on an archaeological dig in Montana.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway – Book 12 in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Illustrated) – JK Rowling’s little book, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, has been turned into a movie series. Now it gets an illustrated version. This book is NOT illustrated by the same person doing the Harry Potter books. I’m curious to see this one in person.
Mr. Gedrick and Me – When a family loses their father/husband, Mr. Gedrick appears. And like Mary Poppins, he is just what the family needs. I have been excited about this one since the author, Patrick Carmen, first mentioned it! This is at the top of my wish list for this week!
Raid of No Return – Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales takes on a World War II story in this graphic novel series that introduces kids to historic figures and events. I had this series in the library when I was teaching, and my students read them until they disintegrated. Such a great series!
The Real McCoys – “The world’s greatest fourth grade detective.” That’s all I had to read before I put this one on my list! Moxie’s crime-busting partner and best friend has moved away, so she has to investigate the disappearance of the school mascot on her own.
The Relic War – Book 1 in the new Daniel Coldstar series about a boy with amnesia who works to find relics and finds one that could change his life – and save the universe. A new science-fiction series for older kids and teens.
Supergirl: Age of Atlantis – The folks at DC released a middle grade novel about The Flash last month, and now they have one about Supergirl. In this original story, Kara Danvers tries to find where a mysterious sea creature has come from and why ordinary citizens are displaying superpowers. I have the Flash book on my TBR; I have high hopes that the books will be as fun as the TV shows.
The Death Cure (Graphic Novel Prelude) – An original Maze Runner story set immediately before the events of The Death Cure. My older students LOVED the Maze Runner series. I’d love to show them this new addition to the series.
Follow Me – Book 2 in The Amateurs series by the author of Pretty Little Liars. A kidnapping victim looks exactly like a girl who died 5 years ago. This suspenseful series for teens sounds terrific.
Kat and Meg Conquer the World – Two girls are thrown together in a year-long science project. In each other, they might just find what they need to deal with the struggles they face on their own – and build a friendship they both need. This sounds awesome!
Now Is Everything – A family’s dark secrets are at risk of exposure when Hadley tries to commit suicide and everyone wants to know why. This sounds mysterious and intense. This would be one I would have to stay up reading until I finished.
Renegades – The author of the Lunar Chronicles launches a new series this week – a superhero story! I am so excited to read this one!
Twelve (e-novella) – A new novella in the world of The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. I pre-ordered this the minute I saw it was available. My teen and I are excited to read this. We both are huge fans of the original series. I reviewed the final book in that series here.
Books for Adults
A Fatal Collection – Book one in this new series about a young woman who inherits a music box store in Keepsake Cove. I’ll be reviewing this one on Wednesday this week.
A Late Frost – Book 11 in the Orchard mystery series about an apple orchard. I’ve not tried any of these yet, but it looks like a series I would enjoy.
Assault and Buttery – Book 3 in the Popcorn Shop mystery series. I have the first two books on my TBR shelf, but I haven’t gotten to them yet. But I love the whole idea of a popcorn shop series.
Canal Days Calamity – Book 2 in the Dog Days mystery series. I reviewed this one here. I loved it and I’ve added book one to my TBR!
A Deadly Eclair – First in the French Bistro mystery series. I have enjoyed the author’s other work, and I’m looking forward to reading this mystery about a bistro owner suspected of murder.
Eaves of Destruction – Book 5 in the Fixer Upper series which is the basis of some great Hallmark movies. (Although the books are always better, the movies are quite fun). In this book, a building inspector is found dead at one of Shannon’s job sites.
Every Breath You Take – Book 5 in Mary Higgins Clark’s Under Suspicion series about a TV show that looks into cold cases. I haven’t read any of these, but the description of this one pushed me to put the whole series on my wish list.
In This Moment – The latest in the Baxter Family series. I have only read one book in the series, but several of my friends love every book in the line. This book focuses on an Indianapolis high school principal who starts a Bible study at his school and ends up in a lawsuit. I’m intrigued by the story and might give this one a try.
Much Ado About Murder – Book 3 in the Shakespeare in the Catskills mystery series about a resort and theater company that runs into trouble while staging Much Ado About Nothing. I’ll be reviewing this one next Wednesday.
Sorcerer’s Appendix – Fourth in the Brother’s Grimm mystery series staring Gretel (yes, that Gretel) as a private investigator. These sound fun. The description reminds me of the Nursery Crimes series by Jasper Fforde, which I loved.
Twice Upon a Christmas (kindle) – When a woman can’t decide what path to take in her life, she ends up living every day in December twice, one following each path. Shanna Swendson is an author I really like, When I saw that she had a holiday ebook, I pre-ordered it right away. I’m eager to read this holiday story.
Obama: An Intimate Portrait – Several years ago our family went on a tour of the White House. I was enthralled by the pictures that line every hallway. I would love to see this book in person and see if it reflects what I experienced on that tour.
Search for Spock – A geeky version of Where’s Waldo. This is TOTALLY on my Christmas list!!
What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism – A collection of essays by Dan Rather that considers our national identity. I have appreciated some of Dan Rather’s writing over the last year. I’m curious to check this one out.