Tag: March New Releases

Here are some of the books releasing this week:

Books for Kids

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A Ben of All Trades: The Most Inventive Boyhood of Benjamin Franklin – A picture book biography of Ben Franklin
Write! Write! Write! – Poetry collection
Swim, Mo, Swim! – Book 5 in this early reader series starring Mo, who is at summer camp in this book.
Hattie in the Spotlight – Book 16 in the Adventures of Sophie Mouse series. Hattie auditions for a play. This series is DARLING!
Lily to the Rescue AND Lily to the Rescue: Two Little Piggies – The first two books in this new early chapter book series from the author of the Dog’s Purpose series. Lily the rescue dog helps her person, Maggie Rose, and her mom rescue other animals.
Vera Vance, Comics Star – Book 2 in the After-School Superstars series. Vera loves all things comics, so she signs up for comics camp at school. But Vera’s mom doesn’t think comics are academically rigorous enough. I would like to read this one and see how it all works out.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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DC Super Hero Girls: Powerless – The second graphic novel based on the Cartoon Network DC series. The power is out at Metropolis High which impacts the various heroes in different ways.
Ronan Boyle and the Swamp of Certain Death – Book 2 in the Ronan Boyle series about a teen who helps the Irish police deal with magical creatures.
Stand Up, Yumi Chung! – A girl who longs to be a comedian stumbles into a comedy camp, and lets everyone believe she is someone else.
Wondrous Rex – Grace’s Aunt Lily is a writer who is struggling. When Lily advertises for a writer’s assistant, Rex  the dog arrives for the position.
What Are the Paralympic Games? AND What Was the Bombing of Hiroshima?
All the Pretty Things – When Ivy’s friend Morgan finds the body of one of their amusement park coworkers and is taken into the psych ward at the hospital, Ivy starts looking into what happened to the dead teen.
All Your Twisted Secrets – Six teens invited to a scholarship dinner find themselves trapped in a room where they are told they have to kill off one of the group for the rest to survive. WOW!
Frozen Beauty – The Malloy sisters are the subject of town gossip as one of the sisters is killed and no one knows exactly what happened that night.
Girls with Razor Hearts – Book 2 in the Girls With Sharp Sticks series. The girls have escaped Innovations Academy and the twisted experimentation they endured there. But now they only have each other as they seek a way to take down the corporation responsible for what they went through. This series sounds amazing.
Super Adjacent – Two “regular” teens connected to the superheroes of Warrior Nation have enough going on in their own lives to keep them plenty busy, but when the heroes all go missing, these two are left to save the day. I have this on my list for this week!
Dragon Hoops (Graphic Novel Memoir) – A non-sporty teacher teaching at a school having a stellar basketball year gains a new perspective as he gets to know the guys on the team.

Books for Adults

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Bound to Execute (e-book) – Book 3 in the St. Marin’s Cozy Mystery series. The bookshop-owning star of the series stumbles across the body of a much-despised bank manager.
Cross Her Heart (Trade Paperback) – First in the new Bree Taggert series. A homicide detective who survived her parents’ murder-suicide find herself investigating a similar crime when her sister is killed and her brother-in-law goes missing.
Crush the King (Trade Paperback) – Book three in the fantastic Crown of Shards series (Book one is Kill the Queen – my favorite book of 2018). Queen Everleigh has survived many assassination attempts, but she’s done playing defense. As all of the area kings and queens gather for an event, she’s determined to eliminate the King of Morta for all he has done to her and to her family. I will be reviewing this one later this week. It’s fantastic!!
The Earl Not Taken (Trade Paperback) – First in the new Wallflowers of West Lane series. Four young women make a pact to protect one another from disreputable matches, so Poppy teams up with her nemesis, the Earl of Marsden, to investigate a duke intent on marrying her friend who has never met him before.
In Bed with the Earl (Trade Paperback) – Book one in the new Lost Lords of London series. Reporter Verity Lovelace discovers a lost heir in the sewers of London and exposes him to the world. When he becomes the focus of attention for all manner of matchmakers, it seems only fair that the woman who caused all this trouble pretend to be his wife until he can get a handle on this new life.
Jerusalem Assassin (Hardcover) – Book 3 in the Marcus Ryker series. Former Secret Service Agent Marcus Ryker is called upon to investigate violent deaths surrounding the President’s peace efforts in the Middle East. In the course of his investigation, Marcus discovers a plot to assassinate the American President.
Father, Friend and Judge: Three Dimensions of Prayer that Receive Answers from Heaven (Hardcover) – Discover Biblical strategies for prayer based on the identities of God as Father, Friend, and Judge
How to Be Fine: What We Learned from Living by the Rules of 50 Self-Help Books (Hardcover) – The two authors share what they discovered when they followed various pieces of self-help advice including getting off your device, downsizing, and meditation.

Here are some of the books releasing this week!

Books for Kids

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Goodnight, Veggies – A bedtime story starring vegetables
All the Way to the Top: How One Girl’s Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything – A picture book biography of Jennifer Keelan regarding the fight for accommodations for those with disabilities.
The Voice that Won the Vote: How One Woman’s Words Made History – The fight for women’s suffrage hinged on a vote in Tennessee. And the deciding vote was cast because of a mother’s letter urging her son to vote for suffrage.
Beatrice Zinker: Upside Down Thinker – Sabotage – Book 3 in the Beatrice Zinker series. Someone mimics Beatrice and her friends’ Upside Award, but they can’t figure out who did it.
Creature Campers: Surprise Under the Stars – Creature Campers, Book 2. The Creature Campers are working to pass their map and compass skills test.
Houndsley and Catina at the Library – Houndsley and Catina find out the library will close if the town can’t find someone to replace the retiring librarian.
Time Dogs: Barry and the Great Mountain Rescue – Book 3 in the Time Dogs series. A group of older dogs is transported back in time and become puppies again.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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The Blackbird Girls – Historical fiction set around the Chernobyl disaster
City Spies – First in a new series from the fantastic James Ponti. Five kids from around the world join forces as spies in a secret MI6 agency. This is at the top of my wish list for this week.
The Copycat – A girl in a new home and new school discovers a family magic that allows her to transform into a copy of any living creature.
Thunder Girls: Skade and the Enchanted Snow – Book 4 in the Thunder Girls series. The goddess of skiing is chosen by Odin to be an alternate on the team, rather than a starter, when some giants challenge the Asgardians to a skiing contest.
Worse Than Weird – Mac participates in a food truck scavenger hunt to win the money she needs to go to coding camp.
What Is the Story of Batman? AND What Is the Story of Looney Tunes? – Readers can learn the stories of popular characters like Batman and the Looney Tunes.
Hidden Knights (e-book) – The third and final book in the Knights of the Realm series. After the events of Shadow Knights (♥♥♥♥½), Reid may be the only one who has any chance of saving the people of Marsden. I have loved this series from the start! This will be at the top of my reading list for the week.
Most Likely – Four teens negotiate their senior year, not realizing that some day one of them will be president.
A Phoenix First Must Burn: Sixteen Stories of Black Girl Magic, Resistance, and Hope – A collection of science fiction and fantasy stories starring Black girls.
The Small Crimes of Tiffany Templeton – A tough teen, back from reform school, tries to negotiate the whispers around town, the changes she is trying to make in her life, and the secret she’s never shared.
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You – An adaptation of Stamped From the Beginning for teens.

Books for Adults

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Death on the Page (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Castle Bookshop Mystery series. Bayside Books has hosted true-crime writer Savannah Page for two signings, but now that she’s been found dead in a secret passage in the castle, Shelby is sleuthing again to find a killer.
Girl Can’t Help It (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Krista Larson series. When the band Hot Rod and the Pistons reunite for their induction into the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, two of the band members wind up dead. While both deaths are deemed suicide, Police Chief Krista Larson is keeping a close eye on the rest of the band, as well as their replacement players, because she thinks the deaths might be murders. This book, as well as book one, Girl Most Likely, are both available to read for free for Kindle Unlimited subscribers at the time of this writing.
In Five Years (Hardcover) – A woman who answers the “Where do you see yourself in five years?” question in the most important job interview of her life has a vision of a very different life in 2025. While she tries to put the vision behind her as she doesn’t really believe in such things, she encounters the man she saw herself with in the vision.
Mimi Lee Gets a Clue (Trade Paperback) – First in the new Sassy Cat Mystery series. Mimi Lee’s pet grooming shop, Hollywoof, leads her to an encounter with a talking cat. Using the cat’s inside scoop, Mimi confronts an unethical breeder who is later killed. Mimi’s public argument with him makes her the prime suspect. This sounds so fun!
Mint Chip and Murder (e-book) – Book 4 in the Cambria Clyne Mystery series. When Cambria is up for a new job as a building manager, it is essential for her to stay out of trouble. A dead body in the attic of her current building is all kinds of trouble. To keep the discovery from ruining her new opportunity, Cambria is going to have to track down what happened so the trouble will go away.
Murderous Relation (Hardcover) – Book 5 in the Veronica Speedwell Mystery series. Veronica and Stoker go undercover at a high class brothel to protect the royal family from Prince Albert’s indiscretions, except their task is compounded by a murder.
Star Trek TOS: The Higher Frontier (Trade Paperback) – Captain Kirk teams up with a powerful telepath and a mysterious race to help the crew battle seemingly unstoppable killers.
The Starr Sting Scale (Trade Paperback) – First in the new Candace Starr series. A former hitwoman, recently released from prison, is contacted about a new target who happens to be a teenage boy. That’s a line Candace won’t cross, but the boy ends up dead anyway. So Starr teams up with a police detective to find out what really happened to the kid.
Undercover Bromance (Trade Paperback) – Book two after The Bromance Book Club (♥♥♥♥♥). When Liv is fired and blackballed after confronting her boss for harassment of another employee, Braden and the rest of the Bromance Book Club try to help her take her life back.I’ll be reviewing this later this week.
Yours in Scandal (Trade Paperback) – Book 1 in the new Man of the Year series from Lauren Layne. An up and coming politician asks the wild-child daughter of his rival to plan the party of the season.
The Firsts: The Inside Story of the Women Reshaping Congress (Hardcover) – A closer look at the women who joined the House of Representatives in 2018.
Untamed (Hardcover) – The latest from Glennon Doyle (Love Warrior) is a message of liberation for women.
The XX Brain: The Groundbreaking Science Empowering Women  to Maximize Cognitive Health and Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease (Hardcover) – The first book to address women’s brain health and Alzheimer’s prevention.

How is it March already?! The year is speeding by, but in some ways I don’t mind. I am ready to leave winter behind and enjoy some spring sunshine and temperatures. Here are some books to help you pass the time as winter shifts to spring.

Picture Books for Kids

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Be You! – The latest from Peter H. Reynolds, the author of The Dot and So Few of Me. Great message to be your own work of art because there’s only one you.
I Found a Kitty! – The latest from Troy Cummings, the author of More Bears. A sequel to Can I Be Your Dog? (♥♥♥♥♥) Arfy the dog writes persuasive letters to townspeople trying to find a home for a homeless kitten. Great for animal lovers and for classroom teachers working on letter writing and persuasive writing.
The Legend of King Arthuratops – A re-imagined Camelot story starring dinosaurs. This looks darling!
Monster’s Trucks – Monster loves his trucks, but he doesn’t like it if anyone else touches them – and that is just what the reader is going to do!
Violet Shrink – When an introverted girl finds out her family reunion is coming up, she talks to her dad about her anxious feelings at large family parties. I am looking forward to reading this one!
When My Brother Gets Home – A little sister imagines the adventures that await when her older brother gets home from school.
Bringing Back the Wolves: How a Predator Restored an Ecosystem – A government sponsored hunt in the late 1800s decimated the wolf population at Yellowstone National Park, negatively impacting the entire ecosystem. In the 1990s, the government reintroduced wolves to the area which in time restored the ecosystem. I am fascinated by this story and can’t wait to read this book. Terrific nonfiction addition for homes and schools.
This Book Is Literally Just Pictures of Snoozy Animals That Will Make You Sleep Better – Beautiful photographs of sleepy, yawning, and snoozing animals.

Early Chapter Books for Kids

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Arise and Shine – Amelia Bedelia and Friends, book 3. Amelia and her friends are studying the Middle Ages at school and learning about chivalrous behavior. This sounds cute.
Bo and the Dragon-Pup – Book 2 in the Unicorn Diaries series from Scholastic BRANCHES. Bo the Unicorn and the rest of the unicorns at school discover the dragon caves. I enjoyed the first book so much (Bo’s Magical New Friend – ♥♥♥♥). I’m looking forward to reading this one, too.
The Dead Sea Squirrels: Tree-Mendous Trouble AND Whirly Squirrelies – Books 5 and 6 in this silly series from Veggie Tales co-creator Mike Nawrocki. These two stories focus on kindness and self-control.
Disney Before the Story: Anna Finds a Friend AND Elsa’s Icy Rescue – Childhood stories of Anna and Elsa.
Fierce Competition! – A sports competition with the school villains gets out of hand.
The Future of the Time Dragon – Book 15 in the Dragon Masters series from Scholastic BRANCHES. The kids must find the time dragon to save a friend.
I Can Build It! – The darling Princess Truly, with her magic hair, is back for her third adventure from Scholastic ACORN. Princess Truly uses her inventing skills to help with a problem at the animal shelter.
Space Shuttle Scam – Book 12 in the A to Z Mystery Super Editions. The kids try to find a sneaky thief at a Space Museum in Florida.

Books for Older Kids/Teens

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Aster and the Accidental Magic – A bored girl in a new place wishes for the power to communicate with her new dog and ends up only able to speak in dog language.
Awesome Dog 5000 vs Mayor Bossypants – The robot dog Awesome Dog 5000 teams up with three kids when the Mayor decides he wants to get rid of Awesome Dog for good.
Batman Overdrive (Graphic Novel) – Bruce Wayne is itching to turn 16, fix up his dad’s old car, and track down some thieves stealing cars in Gotham. I loved this one. I’ll be reviewing it here tomorrow.
Black Brother Black Brother – A Black student at a mostly white prep school struggles to fit in and face injustice unlike his lighter-skinned brother. This sounds like a fascinating story.
The Chaos Curse – Book 3 in the Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond series about a girl struggling with the forces of evil.
Coo – Ten years ago, a flock of pigeons took in an abandoned baby and raised her. Now, when her most favorite pigeon is injured by a hawk, Coo must venture down into the world of people to find help. I’ve already requested this one from the library!
The Dragon Egg Princess – A boy who comes from a long line of rangers who protected a magical forest full of supernatural creatures wants no part of the woods that claimed his father. But there are forces trying to take over the woods and an evil stirring within them – and he might be the only one able to save the world.
Dragonslayer – The second Wings of Fire Legends story (after Darkstalker – ♥♥♥♥♥). Three human kids negotiate the dangers of Pyrrhia. This is at the top of my list for this week!
Fly Back Agnes (Older Middle Grade) – A struggling girl invents a new identity for herself when she visits her dad for the summer, but her lies start to pile up and cause problems with people she wants to befriend.
The Future King – Book 3 in the Revenge of Magic series. Six magic students from the UK return from being lost in time with stories of a dire future and a coming war. I have this series on my wish list.
The Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane – A girl longing for the father she’s never known finds out he will be judging a singing contest in Nashville, and she’s determined to perform for him and finally meet him face to face. I’ll be reviewing this one later this month.
The Lost Lands – Rise of the Dragons, book 2. This is a multi-author series like The 39 Clues series. Dragons used to roam the Earth, but they were banished.  But now, the kids are friends with a dragon that can open the portal between the worlds – and there are some who would use that power to invade Earth again. I have the first book in the series from the library right now. I love dragon stories!
Mananaland – The latest book from Pam Muños Ryan (Echo, Esperanza Rising). A boy longing to know more about the mother who disappeared when he was a baby sets out on an adventure to find answers for his questions.
Marvel Action: Captain Marvel: Cosmic CAT-tastrophe – First in a new series. Manhattan is overrun by Flerkens, and Captain Marvel is on the case. I’m eager to see this one in person.
The Oracle Code (Graphic Novel – Older Middle Grade) – Barbara Gordon is living in the Arkham Center for Independence after being shot and losing the use of her legs. But her investigative instincts are still sharp as she looks into stories of missing patients. I’ll be reviewing this one later this month.
Show Me a Sign – An Own Voices story of a Deaf community on Martha’s Vineyard in the early 19th century and a girl caught in a cruel experiment as a scientist tries to discover why so many residents of the area are Deaf.
Things You Can’t Say – A boy still grieving the loss of his dad faces other losses – a best friend who pulls away; someone taking over his sacred, safe space; and his usual routines at home when a stranger moves in. I’ll be reviewing this one later this month, too.
Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor (Older Middle Grade) – The fabulous Ally Carter publishes her first middle grade novel this month, and I can’t wait to read it! A group of orphans look for clues to several mysteries in the old mansion which has become their unusual home.

Books for Teens/Young Adults

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Every Reason We Shouldn’t – The daughter of Olympians tries to settle into a new life now that her own Olympic dreams have ended, but the arrival of a new Olympic hopeful at her parents’ ice rink adds an unexpected wrinkle to her new normal.
The June Boys – The Gemini Thief has been kidnapping boys for years – three boys, held for 13 months and then released, every time. Except one teen believes an extra boy has been taken this year. And she’s starting to wonder if the kidnapper is closer to home than she ever imagined. This sounds amazing.
The Kingdom of Back – The latest from Marie Lu (Legend, Warcross, Young Elites) focuses on Mozart’s older sister, equally brilliant and talented, but limited by her gender and her family’s expectations until a mysterious stranger offers her everything she dreams of.
Moment of Truth – A girl who is sure she has her life figured out finds everything upended by a masked man dressed like action hero Heath Hall. This sounds so fun!
Only Mostly Devastated (LGBTQ+) – A m/m take on Grease. A summer fling ends abruptly for Ollie, and he thinks he’ll never see Will again. But when his family moves across the country, there is Will, at Ollie’s new school. But the Will here is NOTHING like the Will Ollie spent the summer with.
Salty, Bitter, Sweet – A new Own Voices romance from Blink. Isa is living in France with her father and step-mother after losing her abuela and watching her parents’ marriage implode. The only bright spot is the chance to compete for an apprenticeship with Chef Grattard, but the arrival of an attractive young man might unravel what stability she has left.
The Warrior’s Curse – The Traitor’s Game, Book 3, from the fabulous Jennifer A. Nielsen (The False Prince – ♥♥♥♥♥+, A Night Divided – ♥♥♥♥). Simon and Kestra are still trying to defeat the evil Lord Endrick, but their paths have diverged and it’s not clear if they will ever be able to work their way back to one another again. This series is on my TBR list.
Wicked as You Wish – A Hundred Names for Magic, book 1. The prince of a magical land, now frozen in ice, is stuck in Arizona where no magic works at all. But the appearance of a magical creature means there might be a chance for him to return to his home and defeat the Snow Queen. This sounds amazing!
Find Your Voice – From the author of The Hate U Give comes this guided journal for teens about writing your story and your truth.

Books for Adults

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The Crow’s Call (Trade Paperback) – First in the new Amish Greenhouse Mystery series from Wanda Brunstetter. Three women are forced to provide for their families when father, son and son-in-law are all killed in an accident. But someone is trying to put the family greenhouse out of business.
Eight Perfect Murders (Hardcover) – Book 1 in the Malcolm Kershaw series. Bookseller and mystery lover Malcolm Kershaw once put together a list of eight perfect literary murder mysteries. But that was years ago. Now, though, the FBI is knocking at his door about a series of unsolved murders that look suspiciously like his old list.
From Alaska With Love (Mass Market Paperback) – After exchanging letters during his tour of duty in Iraq, a soldier and the woman whose letters sustained him meet in Alaska. He’s not sure why she is there – she turned down his initial request to meet in person, but he’s convinced her to stay for 6 weeks and get to know one another. But she’s afraid if he finds out the truth about her, he won’t want her there any more. I’ll be reviewing this one later this month.
The Happy Camper (Trade Paperback) – A woman fleeing her disappointing life decides to head home to help her grandfather on his small farm, but her mother has beaten her there and taken over her old room, leaving Dillon in her grandfather’s old camp trailer. While she works with a neighbor to renovate the trailer and  start putting her life together again, her old life shows up – with roses and a ring.
Lavender Blue Murder (Hardcover) – Book 21 in the Tea Shop Mystery series. A bird hunt turns deadly and Theodosia is asked to stick around and help the widow figure out who killed her husband and tried to burn down their home.
My Fair Latte (Trade Paperback) – Book 1 in the Café Cinema Mystery series. An unemployed barista inherits an old theater, a bunch of family secrets and a nemesis. This looks fun!
A Novel Way to Die (March 5 – Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Cozy Mystery Bookshop series. Sawyer is hosting her first author event when the author’s husband is found dead in her best friend’s shop. Sawyer knows her friend is being framed, so she teams up with her book club members to track a killer. This is currently available for free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers as is book 1, Plotting for Murder.
One Little Lie (Trade Paperback) – Book 1 in the new Pelican Harbor series from Colleen Coble. Jane Hardy is the new interim sheriff in Pelican Harbor, but before she can even settle into her new assignment, her father is arrested for theft and suspected of murder, possibly tied to the cult they fled 15 years ago.
The Panda of Death (Trade Paperback) – Book 6 in the Gunn Zoo series. Teddy’s new husband discovers he fathered a son he never knew about. But when the young man comes to town to meet his family, he’s arrested for murder.
Star Trek: Kirk Fu Manual: A Guide to Star Fleet’s Most Feared Martial Art (Hardcover) – An illustrated book celebrating the fighting style of Captain James T. Kirk.
Star of Persia (Trade Paperback) – A new novel looks at the story of Queen Esther from the Bible.
The Two Lives of Lydia Bird (Hardcover) – A couple’s love is shattered when he is killed in a car accident and she has to try to find a way to go on living, But then an unexpected event gives her a chance to get their life together back and soon she is living both scenarios – one life where Freddie died and another where he lived.
Better Stretching: 9 Minutes a Day to Greater Flexibility, Less Pain and Enhanced Performance the JoeTherapy Way (Hardcover) – Tips and techniques to improve mobility, strength, and flexibility.
Don’t Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life (Trade Paperback) – The latest from Anne Bogel focuses on overthinking and negative thoughts. This seems like it will address similar things to Jennie Allen’s new book Get Out of Your Head. The books might pair up well together.
Galatians: A Biblical Study (Hardcover) – A new Bible study from Joyce Meyer. Includes study material and reflection questions.

It’s our final release week of March. Here are some of the books out this week!

Books for Kids

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Baby Lit Storybooks: Little Women AND The Wizard of Oz (Board books) – Classic literature for babies.
Little Poet – William Shakespeare: I Love You AND Emily Dickinson: In Emily’s Garden (Board books) – Snippets of classic poems set to lovely illustrations.
The Book Hog – A book loving pig who can’t read is invited to story time. This is at the top of my list for this week.
Dragons Eat Noodles on Tuesdays – Two monsters argue about a dragon story they are making up while a real dragon lingers close behind, listening. Yep, this is on my list, too.
Felipe and Claudette – Felipe, a grumpy cat, and Claudette, a wild dog, have been waiting a long time to be adopted from the pet shop. (Felipe is certain it is Claudette’s fault.) But when one is adopted and the other is left behind it impacts both of them more than they expected. I’m eager to read this one, too.
Raise Your Hand – The daughter of CNN’s Jake Tapper  noticed in her classroom that girls were less likely to participate in class than the boys. So she put together this book to encourage girls to be more confident in school. Sounds terrific!
Sweety – A quirky naked mole rat comes to appreciate how special she is. I can’t wait to read the whole story on this one!
Monkey and Cake: What Is Inside THIS Box? AND This Is MY Fort – This unusual pair star in a set of friendship stories that address issues that will feel familiar to kids everywhere. From the author of The Day the Crayons Quit.
Peg+Cat: Math in the Bath – A leveled reader starring Peg and Cat.
BAT and the End of Everything – The third book in this sweet series about a boy on the autism spectrum and his friend Thor, a young skunk. When the end of the school year approaches, Bixby/”Bat” feels anxious about all the changes coming. This would be a great read-aloud for lower elementary classrooms (1st/2nd through 4th grade).
Into the Game – First in a new series based on Minecraft where five players are transported into the game.
Mermaids to the Rescue: Nixie Makes Waves AND Lana Swims North – The first books in a new series about a rescue crew of mermaids.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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Apocalypse Taco – A new graphic novel from the author of the Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series. Three teens on a food run for the high school theater group cross into an alien parallel dimension.
The Astonishing Maybe – A sheltered boy with a relatively safe life sees things from a different perspective when his family moves and he meets the neighbor girl who takes him on great adventures, but who also is in need of help. This sounds great.
Because of the Rabbit – A girl starting public school for the first time is eager to make the right best friend. But while she and her partner on a project bond over a bunny she found, she’s afraid this impulsive boy could keep her from the friend she thinks she needs.
Bernice Buttman, Model Citizen – A tough, sassy girl who’s something of a bully decides to change her ways when she is stuck living with her aunt (who’s a real live nun) in a new town. Bernice sounds like an intriguing character!
Catwad – A collection of comics starring Catwad, a grumpy cat, and his optimistic friend, Blurmp.
Cilla Lee-Jenkins: The Epic Story – Book 3 in the series. I love the whole idea of this series starring a young author in training. This time, Cilla is writing an “epic” story.
Dragonfell – A new tale about a misfit boy, a brilliant scientist, and dragons. Sign me up!
Fallen Empires – Book 5 in the graphic novel series Cleopatra in Space. This volume includes a hunt for a spy, a mysterious death, and a big reveal about Cleo and the villainous dictator. I am all caught up on this fantastic series and I am ready to see what happens next!
Focused – A girl notices how often she gets distracted and how she has trouble staying focused. In fact, everyone is starting to notice, which leads to a diagnosis of ADHD. I’m curious to read this one. ADHD seems like such a common diagnosis these days, I’d like to see what the author does with this story.
Friendroid – Two boys bond over an online role play game and in each other find the friend they were both looking for. Neither of them knows, though, that one of them is an android. Sounds fascinating!
Jake the Fake Goes for Laughs – Book 2 in this series about a class clown who lets his success as a budding comedian go to his head.
Maybe a Mermaid – The author’s debut novel about a girl looking to make her first “true blue” friend in a new town where there are rumors of a mermaid. This sounds fun!
Over the Moon – In a town where boys get to toil in the mines and girls get to work as servants and everyone’s families count on those jobs to stay afloat, one girl gets the chance to change things by training flying horses. But in the process she stumbles across a mystery in her town that powerful people want to keep hidden. This is on my list for this week.
Revenge of the Sis – Star Wars Jedi Academy, book 7. This kicks off a new story arc starring Christina Starspeeder who has graduated from the Academy and now goes into advanced training. I have loved this series since the beginning, and I’m excited to see where it goes with this new story line.
Ruff vs Fluff – Queenie the cat and Arthur the dog love their lives at the Blackberry Hill Inn with their people, twins Harmony and Bro. But they can’t stand eachother. But when the twins’ cousin is framed for murder, the animals will team up to clear his name. This sounds adorable!
The Size of the Truth – When Sam was little, he spent 3 days trapped in the bottom of a well. Now as a bright eleven-year-old in eighth grade, Sam wants to leave his PTSD and his parents’ plans for his life behind and start working toward his own dream of being a chef. I am fascinated by the whole host of threads coming together in this story!
Star Wars: Forces of Destiny: May the Force Be With Us Cinestory Comic – The ladies of Star Wars star in three stories in this graphic novel.
Star Wars: Solo Graphic Novel Adaptation – Alessandro Ferrari is back with another graphic novel adaptation of a Star Wars movie. I love – and own – all of the previous books. The art work is spectacular. If you loved the Solo story, be sure to check this out.
Through the Untamed Sky – Book 2 in the Riders of the Realm series about pegasi and a people who have endeavored to tame the wild animals into war horses. I enjoyed the author’s previous Guardian Herd series, but I haven’t tried these yet.
The Tragical Tale of Birdie Bloom – In this new fractured fairy tale, a “Tragical” – a doomed orphan – and a Witch meet in what should be a disaster. But with the right opportunities they could become friends and write a new story for themselves. Yes, this is definitely on my list for this week.
The True History of Lyndie B. Hawkins – Lyndie’s grandmother is determined to shape Lyndie into a proper Southern girl and that starts with learning to keep family secrets secret, like the struggles Lyndie’s dad has had since returning from Vietnam. I’m curious to read this one.
In Another Life – A new YA thriller about an adopted girl who moves to a new town for her senior year and meets a boy who says she reminds him of the daughter of his foster parents who was kidnapped. This was a must read for me! I’ll be reviewing this one later this week.
Killing November – A girl in an elite hidden school for training assassins and spies must figure out where she fits before she is either accused of murder, or the next victim. Teen thrillers have been really popular in the last few years. I’ll be reviewing this one later this spring, but I can already tell you it was amazing!
The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe – From the author of the Matched trilogy comes a new story about the teen captain of a mining ship who is out for revenge against the raiders who took everything from her.
Sky Without Stars – First in a new series re-imagining the the story of Les Misérables set in space. Sounds amazing!
Unleaving – The survivor of an off-campus assault leaves town to heal and to avoid those who side with the athletes she accused. But when another victim contacts her, and Maggie pushes through her own struggles to respond, the other girl goes silent. This will be an emotional one, but an important and timely subject for teens to consider. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Dear Ally: How Do You Write a Book? – Practical tips and helpful advice for aspiring writers from the author of The Gallagher Girls series, The Embassy Row series, and Not If I Save You First. I’ve already pre-ordered my copy.

Books for Adults

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Canyons, Caravans and Cadavers (ebook, March 25) – Book 6 in the Camper and Criminals series. Mae is invited to teach at the local high school which puts her in a perfect spot to do some sleuthing when a fellow teacher is murdered.
Decades: Marvel in the 60s – Spider-Man Meets the Marvel Universe (Paperback Graphic Novel) – This tour through Marvel history focuses on Spider-Man in his early interactions with other Marvel heroes such as the Fantastic Four, the Avengers and Doctor Strange.
Half Finished (Trade Paperback) – A group of crafters gathers with the purpose of encouraging one another to finish the projects they start. That theme carries over into life outside of their craft projects. This one is on my library list.
The Hidden Corpse (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Food Blogger Mystery series.  When Hope’s neighbor dies in a fire, she feels a little guilty because her neighbor probably needed more help at home and shouldn’t have been living alone. But when another body is found in the house, things take a darker turn.
Leave No Scone Unturned (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Chef-to-Go Mystery series. As Dani hopes the return of the college students will boost her business, a string of incidents on campus, including a murder, shake up the whole town.
The Library of Lost and Found (Hardcover) – When a librarian receives a gift of a book of fairy tales from her dead grandmother, it sets her on a course to uncover family secrets and maybe even get to the truth of what happened to her grandmother. I already have this one on hold from the library.
Murder in Tranquility Park (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Ferrera Family Mystery series. Grandmother and granddaughter are sleuthing again when the Ferrera ladies find a hidden tree house – and a dead body. This sounds like a fun series. I have book one on my TBR shelves.
Murder Lo Mein (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Noodle Shop Mystery series. A local food critic dies with his face in a bowl of noodles so everyone in the local noodle competition is a suspect. I have this series on my shelves, too.
Reading to Make a Difference (Professional – Paperback) – The latest instructional book for teachers from Lester Laminack (Professor Emeritus of Education, speaker, writer) on using books in the classroom as windows, mirrors and doors.

Here are some of the fabulous books releasing this week!

Books for Kids

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Little Naturalists: The Adventures of John Muir AND John James Audubon Painted Birds (Board Book) – Board books celebrating naturalists.
Baby’s First Bank Heist – Baby Frank is planning a bank heist to get money for a fluffy pet. This looks hilarious!
Buck Denver’s Hammer of Strength: A Lesson in Loving Others – New from Phil Vischer (Veggie Tales). Buck wants everyone to know how strong he is but his friends encourage him to show his strength through kindness.
Bach to the Rescue – A colorful and “zany” story about the Goldberg Variations.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mr. Rogers – 75 songs by Fred Rogers collected in an illustrated book.
Didi Dodo Future Spy: Recipe for Disaster – Book 1 in this new early chapter book series from Tom Angleberger (The Origami Yoda series) focused on food-related mysteries.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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Payback Time! – Big Nate, book 20. A new collection of Big Nate comic strips.
Star Wars: Choose Your Destiny An Obi-Wan & Anakin Adventure – The third Choose Your Destiny novel from the folks at Star Wars/Disney/Lucasfilm
Tangled in Time: The Portal – An orphan girl sent to live with a grandmother she’s never met before discovers a portal to the past in her grandmother’s green house.
The Wizenard Series: Training Camp – First in a new series by Kobe Bryant about the worst basketball team in the league and their magical new coach who could change everything for the players both on and off the court.
Girls With Sharp Sticks – First in a new series for teens about an all-girls school that promises to make the girls obedient and free of independent ideas or troublesome opinions. But the girls are learning to fight back. Sounds fascinating!
Internment – In a dystopian near-future USA, Muslim-Americans are kept in internment camps. The main character learns to find allies and seeks to fight for freedom. A timely story in a world where the news can leave me feeling  like I am living in a dystopian novel.
Sherwood – With Robin of Locksley dead and the Sheriff’s right-hand goon ready to step into his fortune and his betrothal, Maid Marian takes up the cape and mantel of Robin Hood.
To Best the Boys – In a world where girls are trained to become wives and boys are sent to university, two girls will pose as boys to enter a dangerous competition for the chance at a university scholarship in order to find a cure for a disease that is destroying their home. This sounds like a Hunger Games/Maze Runner mash up, and I am eager to try it out.

Books for Adults

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Can’t Escape Love (ebk – novella)- From the author of A Princess in Theory comes this novella addition to the Reluctant Royals series about a nerdy business woman and a livestreamer. I pre-ordered this one weeks ago. I really enjoyed A Princess in Theory and I have one of the other series novels on my TBR shelves.
Magnificent Nine (Hardcover) – The second original Firefly novel focuses on Jayne and an old flame who may be raising his daughter in the middle of a fight over water rights on a desert world. Fans of the series will gobble this one up!
Murder Once Removed (Hardcover) – First in the Ancestry Detective series about a genealogist who solves part of a 19th century murder which stirs up a contemporary political firestorm. Many years ago I read a different genealogist mystery series by Rhett MacPherson that I adored. I am so excited to dig into this new series! I’ll be reviewing this one in a few weeks.
One Potato, Two Potato, Dead (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Farm-to-Fork mystery series about the death of a culinary professor. I have this series on my wish list.
Unpacking Fake News: An Educator’s Guide to Navigating the Media with Students (Professional – Paperback, March 22) – “Fake News” has become a phrase frequently thrown around to describe any story a person doesn’t care for. But in reality, fake news reported as real and factual has caused an untold number of problems in America in recent years. Teachers are at the front line in the effort to help the next generation become careful consumers of news and information and to check sources and facts before accepting a headline or report at face value. Covers information for K-12 educators.

There’s another crop of great books out this week. Let’s take a look at some of them!

Books for Kids

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Charlotte the Scientists Finds a Cure – Charlotte’s second book focuses on a mysterious forest malady and Charlotte’s efforts to help her friends. I loved the first book, and I’m eager to read this one.
A Little Chicken – A fearful little chicken takes a big risk to rescue her future sibling. This looks adorable.
Noah Builds an Ark – While a boy’s family prepares for a big storm, Noah tries to help the animals in their garden who will be impacted.
The Puddle – Peg and Cat use their math skills to figure out how deep the puddles are when they go puddle jumping. I love this series!
Saying Goodbye to Barkley – A girl grieves the lost of her best-pal/pet dog and tries to adjust to a new dog who just isn’t the same as Barkley.
Wolfie’s Secret – Wolfie isn’t quite the “big bad wolf” everyone thinks he is. He’d rather eat cakes he makes rather than eat little pigs. This looks fun.
A Computer Called Katherine: How Katharine Johnson Helped Put America on the Moon – A picture book biography of Katharine Johnson.
A Green Place to Be: The Creation of Central Park – The story of Central Park in New York City.
Just Like Rube Goldberg: The Incredible True Story of The Man Behind the Machines – A delightful-looking picture book biography of Rube Goldberg.
Marty Frye Private Eye: Case of the Busted Video Games – Book 3 in this early chapter book series where Marty Frye the poet detective solves three short mysteries. I’m eager to read one of these – sounds like a fun series!
Secret Agents Jack and Max Stalwart: The Fate of the Irish Treasure AND The Race for Gold Rush Treasure – Books 3 and 4 in the Jack and Max Stalwart series about brothers who are secret agents and travel around the world.
Discover How to Pray AND Discover How to Read the Bible – Two impressive books for kids. One talks about prayer and includes Bible stories and places for kids to write their own prayers. The other talks about the structure and content of the Bible and contains stories from 30 personalities found in its pages. These look like terrific resources! Both are 96 pages long, so these are meaty resources for kids and families.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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A Good Kind of Trouble – A junior high student who just wants to get through 7th grade with her relationships intact gets involved in the Black Lives Matter movement and  sees what happens in her community when people start taking sides. This one has gotten a LOT of positive buzz!
Lucy, Speak Out! – A new Peanuts collection, focused on classic Lucy-centric strips.
Mostly the Honest Truth – When her dad goes back into rehab, Jane heads to a new foster home. I adore positive foster care stories. This is on my list for this week!
What is the Stanley Cup? AND What Was Stonewall?
Amy’s Diary: Space Alien… Almost? – A girl trying to find her place in the universe notices love springing up all around her, starting with her widowed mother. Graphic Novel
Meet Me in Outer Space – A college student with auditory processing disorder has managed her learning issues just fine so far, but her fourth semester of French, with an uncooperative professor, threatens to derail her. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week.
Shout – A poetry memoir from Laurie Halse Anderson, author of the ground-breaking book about sexual assault, Speak.

Books for Adults

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Me for You (Hardcover) – A widower starts working as the piano player in a Nordstrom and meets a potential love interest. When the police decide to take a second look at his role in his wife’s death all the positive things happening in his life are at risk. This sounds fascinating.
Something Read, Something Dead (March 13, Hardcover) – Book 5 in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series. A bride-to-be’s extended family descends en masse and threatens to derail the quiet, simple wedding she had planned. When one of the relatives dies, Lucy will dust off her sleuthing skills to keep her friend from being falsely arrested for murder. Sounds great! I have the first book in this series on my TBR shelves.
Trouble on the Books (March 13, Hardcover) – First in the Castle Bookshop series about a former book editor turned bookshop owner drawn into solving a murder. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week.
2-Ingredient Miracle Dough Cookbook: Easy Lower-Carb Recipes for Flatbreads, Bagels, Desserts and More (Paperback) – I am fascinated by the idea of a two-ingredient cookbook. I’m on the look for this one this week.
Girl, Stop Apologizing: A Shame-Free Plan for Embracing and Achieving Your Goals (Hardcover) – The latest from best-selling author Rachel Hollis (Girl, Wash Your Face) which encourages women to own who they are and go after what they want.
Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others (Hardcover) – The latest from Barbara Brown Taylor (An Altar in the World, Leaving Church) focuses on the evolution of her faith in God through her work with students and people of other faiths.
Spiritual Rhythms for the Enneagram: A Handbook for Harmony and Transformation (Trade Paperback) – For those who have started their journey with the Enneagram and are asking “What’s next?” I have this on my list for this week, too.

Happy March!! There are SOOOO many great books coming out this week, I had to divide up some of the categories. Take a look:

Books for Kids

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Arrr Mustache Baby – The Mustache Baby picture books are some of my all time favorites. I can’t wait to see what this new one is like!
Because – A new picture book from Mo Willems.
Cake – Cake has been invited to his very first birthday party, but it doesn’t go quite the way he expected. This looks hysterical! I can’t wait to read this one.
Cavekid Birthday – A cavekid twist on the Gift of the Magi. This looks adorable.
Circle – The final book in the Shape Trilogy by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen.
Just Read! – A celebration of reading.
Not Your Nest! – As Bird builds a nest, an interloper is always swooping in to take it over – until Bird says no more! I’m eager to see this one in person.
Pirate Chicken: All Hens on Deck – A chicken takes over a pirate ship. This looks delightfully weird.
Some Days – Explores a range of emotions experienced by two children. Sounds lovely.
Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug – When his best friend needs a hug, Tiny tries to figure out how to give his friend what he needs, even with his tiny arms. Adorable!
What Makes a Hero – A picture book focused on the female heroes of Marvel.
Maria Montessori (Little People, Big Dreams) – Picture book biography of Maria Montessori, the early childhood education expert.
Martin & Anne: The Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank – Dr. King and Anne Frank were born in the same year, but in very different parts of the world. Both faced prejudice with love and hope. This book looks at the parallels in their lives.
Case of the Disappearing Doll (Leveled Reader)- Disney Junior’s Fancy Nancy and her best friend Bree are detectives, looking for Nancy’s missing doll.
Chicken in Charge (Leveled Reader) – When the farmer is away, Zoey the chicken thinks she knows what it takes to take care of the lambs on the farm.
Unhappy Birthday, Grumpy Cat (Leveled Reader) – Grumpy is ready for her unhappy birthday.
The Big Book of Disney’s Top 10s: Fun Facts and Cool Trivia – Disney trivia for kids
Ben Braver and the Incredible Exploding Kid – Book 2 in the Ben Braver early chapter book series. Ben still doesn’t fit in at his secret school for kids with special powers, and as his friends get more powerful, he’s afraid his secret will be discovered. I have book one from the library so I can check this series out.
Terror in the Tunnel – Imagination Station book 23. The kids are on the train with Abraham Lincoln on the way to his first inauguration, but there are assassins on the way as well, hoping to end his presidency before it begins. This series reminds me of Magic Tree House, but with a faith-based foundation.

Books for Older Kids/Teens

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A Crystal of Time – The School for Good and Evil, book 5. A false king takes the throne, leaving the real king’s betrothed to play a dangerous game to rescue her friends.
Far Away – CJ’s aunt has always used her psychic gifts to let CJ talk to her mom who died shortly after CJ was born. But when that connection is threatened, CJ and a friend head off on a quest to find something that will give her more of a permanent connection to her mom.
The Griffins of Castle Cary – Three kids off to England to visit their aunt find more than they expected on their vacation – ghosts!
The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane – First in a new series. A girl whose dad disappeared and whose mom seems too busy to parent finds herself at a boarding school in England. Some treasures from home hint at the fact that her father might have been connected to the school’s secret society.
Nikki on the Line – All Nikki wants is to be a basketball star, but her new team is so good, she wonders where she even fits anymore. Changes with her friends and stress from home pile on as well. Can Nikki overcome all of these challenges, or will she have to settle for less on the court than she dreams?
The North Star – Gemini Mysteries book 1. Four teens are on the case of a missing necklace. I love mysteries, so this one is on my list for this week.
The Revenge of Magic – First in a new series. When books of magic are found around the world next to piles of dragon bones, only kids are able to use the magic. I have a review copy of this one on my pile right now.
Sal & Gabi Break the Universe – First in a new series about Hispanic/Latino mythology from Rick Riordan’s publishing imprint.
Secret Mission Guam – Soldier Dogs, book 3. This one is set in 1944 during WWII on the island of Guam which is under Japanese control.
The Secret of Zoone – Zoone is the Grand Central Station of the universe, full of portals to everywhere imaginable. When the door back to Earth explodes, Ozzie is in for an adventure as he tries to get home again. This sounds right up my alley.
Seventh Grade vs. the Galaxy – When a school in orbit of Jupiter is attacked, a student discovers his science teacher father created a warp drive and this is a perfect time to try it out. While the school is rescued from the original attack, the jump lands the kids in the clutches of the first race of aliens humans have ever encountered. I’m hoping this new sci-fi series is just as fun as the Randoms series by David Liss. This is on my library list.
Wished – Book 5 in the Fairy Tale Reform School series. The villains are on the run and everyone is bracing for their next attack, but Maxine asks a genie to make everyone happy. Now all of Fairy Tale Reform School is more focused on putting on a musical than saving their family and friends.
Boss the Bestseller List Like JK Rowling AND Run the Show Like CEO Oprah Winfrey (Work It, Girl) – Chapter book biographies of women with gorgeous paper-pieced illustrations. The visuals in these books are stunning.

Books for Teens/Young Adults

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Chrysalis – The third and final book in the Project Nemesis series. The kids in Fire Lake’s sophomore class have survived the first two phases of the program, but as they move forward, still trying to secure their ultimate survival, old grudges are hard to give up. And it’s likely they will need to set those grudges aside – if they can – and work together if they hope to stay alive. I have the first book on my library list.
The Everlasting Rose – Sequel to The Belles. Camille is determined to fight her nemesis Sophia and protect her people, but in a world of masks and secrets, who can she really trust and how far is she willing to go?
The Fairest Kind of Love – Windy City Magic, book 3. Amber uses her family magic as a matchmaker, but while she can see everyone else’s match, she can’t see her own. On a quest to find her own match, and figure out why her powers are on the fritz, Amber will find herself in the middle of a magical war that might force her to team up with the last person she wants to seek out for help. I bought the first book in this series because the whole things sounds perfect for me!
Field Notes on Love – The latest teen romance from Jennifer E. Smith. Two strangers experiencing major disappointments team up on a cross country train trip to escape their everyday lives. I love the author’s previous books, so this is definitely on my list for this week.
If You’re Out There – At first it seems as though her best friend just dumped her when she moved across the country. But a hidden clue in her social media might actually be a sign that she’s in desperate trouble. I’ve already requested this one from the library.
The Last 8 – When aliens invade Earth and destroy everything, Clover thinks she’s the only survivor. But a message sends her to Area 51 where she discovers other survivors, but she’s not certain she can trust them. Yep, I’ll need to read this one soon.
The Manic Pixie Dream Boy Improvement Project – A character living in Trope Town is sent to therapy after going off script. This sounds so weird, it could be perfect. This is on my list for this week, too.
Opposite of Always – A Groundhog Day-esque story of a guy who meets the perfect girl. When the girl dies, the guy is sent back in time to the moment when they met. I absolutely have to read this one!
A Question of Holmes – The fourth and final book in the Charlotte Holmes series. This time, Charlotte and Jamie stumble across a cold case of a missing girl at Oxford in the theater department. I haven’t kept up with the series, but this story sounds fascinating!
The Quiet You Carry – A girl kicked out of her house on the eve of her senior year tries to put the pieces of her life back together while maintaining her secrets. But she can’t shake her worries about her stepsister, alone in the house with her father. I feel like this is going to go to a dark place, but I am intrigued to see how all the pieces of the story come together.
Star Wars: Queen’s Shadow – Padmé has stepped down from her role as queen, but now she has been asked to serve as senator. This will require her to navigate the treacherous halls of the galactic senate and to discover a new identity for herself beyond that of queen. I can’t wait to read this one!
Within These Lines – The latest from Blink YA. The fact that an Italian-American girl has fallen in love with the son of Japanese immigrants is a big deal in 1941 California. Inter-racial marriage is illegal, but the two are committed to one another. But when the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, their love faces even greater obstacles.
The Year I Didn’t Eat – Max keeps a journal where he writes his true feelings to “Ana” as in anorexia, his eating disorder. But when Max stores his journal in a geo-cache box, someone else finds it and starts writing back to Max. I am fascinated by the whole idea of this one.
You Owe Me a Murder – Kim was only venting when she told a stranger about her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend and how having to endure their relationship on a class trip makes her wish he was dead. She was sure the stranger was only joking when she said they should swap murders. But when Kim’s ex dies unexpectedly, the stranger wants Kim to live up to her end of their deal. Strangers on a Train meets contemporary YA literature!
Yes She Can: 10 Stories of Hope & Change from Young Female Staffers of the Obama White House – Previously untold stories of some of the young women who worked in the Obama White House.

Books for Adults

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Almost Home (Trade Paperback) – The group of people at an Alabama boarding house during World War II have the chance to solve a mystery about the house’s past as they are all processing their own issues from the past.
Chocolate à la Murder (March 8 – Trade Paperback) – Book 4 in the Perfectly Proper Paranormal Mystery series. I’ll be reviewing this one in April.
Death by Dog Show (Trade Paperback) – Book one in the Creature Comforts Mystery series. I’d love to try this one out!
How the Light Gets In (Trade Paperback) – A woman and her daughters and mother-in-law travel to Wisconsin to bury her husband after he and her father-in-law were killed doing relief work. The family joins the Mennonite community there and start to rebuild their lives. But what will happen to their fresh start if it turns out her husband isn’t dead after all?
Mahimata (Trade Paperback) – Asiana, Book 2. Knife-wielding female assassins. Murder, love, vengeance, secrets and war. Yep, I have book one in this series on my list!
The Quintland Sisters (Trade Paperback) – Based on the true story of the Dionne Quintuplets, a set of five girls born in Canada and eventually removed from their home and turned into a tourist attraction by the government. The real story sounds fascinating. I’m curious to see what the fictionalized version, told from the perspective of a nurse who cared for the girls, is like.
The Women’s War (Hardcover) – A feminist tale of patriarchy and the women who come to wield magic that will change the balance of power. This is on my list, too.
Bible Commentary (Joyce Meyer), Ephesians AND James (Hardcover) – I’m curious to check out these new Bible commentaries from Bible teacher Joyce Meyer.
Hungry Girl Simply 6: All-Natural Recipes with 6 Ingredients or Less (Paperback) – Hungry Girl Lisa Lillien provides clean-eating recipes with 6 ingredients or fewer. That’s my kind of cooking!
Outer Order, Inner Calm: Declutter and Organize to Make More Room for Happiness (Hardcover) – The latest from Gretchen Rubin (The Happiness Project) focuses on simplyfying and decluttering.
The Universal Christ: How a Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope For and Believe (Hardcover) – The latest from Richard Rohr looks at expanding the concept of “Christ” beyond the physical person of Jesus. I’ll be reviewing this one this week.

           

It’s the final release week of March 2018, so we have lots of great books to consider. Here are some of my favorites for the week:

Books for Kids

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Max and Marla Are Having a Picnic – Two friends’ grand plans for a picnic are threatened by thieving squirrels and an argument. This looks adorable.
Truck Full of Ducks – I first heard about this one from a Scholastic spring preview, and this has been on my list ever since. One of the ducks has eaten the delivery instructions for the truck full of ducks. I can not wait to read this one!
Peanut Butter and Jelly – Narwhal and Jelly are back in their third book where Narwhal discovers the joys of peanut butter.
Absolutely Alfie and the Worst Best Sleepover – Book 3 in this early chapter book series about second grader, Alfie, who is hoping to get an invitation to the most popular sleepover of the year.
Bat and the Waiting Game – Book 2 starring Bat and his pet skunk Thor. I recently read the first book in this series, and it was a delight! I’m looking forward to reading book two.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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American Girl: Boston Tea Party – Part of the Real Stories from My Time series. Great for history fans!
The Everafter War (10th Anniversary) – Book 7 in the fabulous Sisters Grimm series joins the 10th anniversary set of the books. I would love to read this series again with the updated material in the anniversary books!
Good Dog – [Note to book fanatics like me: Find an elementary teacher who does Scholastic orders and get in her “class.” This is a terrific way to get a great deal on books and also to get some early releases – AND you help a teacher put books in his/her classroom!! There are several books on the list today that I was able to order in January and February and read early – like this one] Brodie the dog has died, but he feels like there is unfinished business with his boy, so he takes a chance with his soul to come back to our world. I’m not 100% on board with the theology of this one, but I loved Brodie’s devotion to his boy and what he is willing to do to protect his kid.
The Parker Inheritance – From the author of the fabulous Great Greene Heist comes this story of a forgotten letter, an old injustice and a fortune. This is at the TOP of my list for the week. This is another book I was able to get early from Scholastic, but at the time of this writing, I haven’t gotten to read it yet. But soon!
Prisoner of War – Book 1 in the GI Dogs series about  dogs serving in war zones. This particular book focuses on World War II. This would have been incredibly popular with my students when I was teaching!
Sherlock Holmes and the Disappearing Diamond – Book one in the Baker Street Academy series about a young John Watson who joins forces with Sherlock Holmes to solve a mystery. I’m excited about reading this one. I love mysteries for kids.
Sundae My Prince Will Come – Part of the WISH line of books, this one is about a girl with a passion for dance, torn between her boyfriend and the boy who might help her achieve her dream.
This Book is a Classic – Book 2 in the Cilla Lee-Jenkins series. I have book one on my TBR, so I am eager to check it out and see what it is like before I try this one. I love the idea that this is a series that shares my passion for books and for writing.
Science Comics Robots and Drones: Past, Present and Future – The newest science graphic novel. This is an excellent nonfiction series for kids.
The Continent – A teen leaves the peace of the Spire to experience the Continent, a land at war, so she can update her maps. But an accident turns her vacation into a quest for survival. I am curious to try this one.
Emergency Contact – Two teens meet and their awkward encounter turns into a digital relationship that could change everything for both of them. I’m looking forward to trying this one, too.
Frat Girl – For a scholarship opportunity, a girl pledges a fraternity on probation for sexist behavior to find out the truth about them. I’ll be reviewing this one next week!
Not If I Save You First – I have been waiting for MONTHS to post my review of this book as I got it through a Scholastic order in January. I will be posting my review this Thursday, and I hope you will come back to check it out. This book was outstanding!
The Way the Light Bends – Novel in verse about sisters through adoption and one’s quest for identity. I’m looking forward to trying this one out, too.

Books for Adults

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The Bengal Identity – Book 2 in the Cat Groomer Mystery series about a boarded cat that might be a stolen show cat and it’s supposed owner who turns up dead. I’d like to give this series a try.
Death by Dumpling – First in a new Noodle Shop mystery series. I have a weakness for new mystery series. I have piles of first-in-series mysteries already on my TBR shelves, but I might have to add this one, too. The setting of a family’s Asian restaurant helps set this one apart from similar set ups.
Murder She Knit – First in the Knit and Nibble Mystery series about a craft magazine editor and a murder at her knitting club. The cover illustration really grabs my attention on this one. It’s on my list, too.
Natural Thorn Killer – First in the new Rose City mystery series about a woman trying to find herself at her family’s flower shop when murder finds her instead. Yep, this goes on the list, too.
The Queens of Innis Lear – Three sisters battle for the crown. This sounds a little like an adult version of Three Dark Crowns, which I loved. So this is definitely on my wish list for this week.
Til Death Do Us Party – Book 4 in the Liv and Di in Dixie Mystery series about an event planner in Vegas for a wedding when the Elvis-impersonator doing the wedding is found dead. This series is new to me, but this particular story sounds fun.
The Uninvited Corpse – First in the new Food Blogger Mystery series about a spring garden tour that turns deadly. Yeah, I’ll probably be checking this one out, too.
Embraced: 100 Devotions to Know God Is Holding You Close – A new devotional from author Lysa TerKeurst. I have enjoyed TerKeurst’s other work, so I am eager to take a look at this. I don’t do well with keeping up when it comes to devotionals, but for my readers who enjoy a daily devotional thought, check this one out.
Failing Up: How to Take Risks, Aim Higher and Never Stop Learning – From the actor who pioneered the role of Aaron Burr in Hamilton on Broadway comes a book that could be great for graduates this spring or for anyone else who needs some inspiration to take life to the next level.
The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids – In our busy lives, the simple act of reading aloud with our kids can be the perfect way to make memories and life-long connections. Includes book recommendations for your read-aloud time. Don’t think this is just for families with young kids. There is great value in continuing to read aloud together even when your kids are reading for themselves.
Star Trek: The Next Generation Cats – I’ve seen only  a few screen shots of the pages of this but, but this is a must have for me! Star Trek and cats, together!

Here are some of the books releasing this week! Nothing on my radar this week for adults.

Books for Kids

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Can Somebody Please Scratch My Back? – A little elephant is having a hard time finding someone to help him scratch an itchy spot on his back. The pictures I have seen look adorable. I am looking forward to seeing this in person.
The Secrets of Ninja School – A girl heads to ninja school to discover her secret skill. I can’t wait to read this one and find out what she discovers.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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Princess Before Dawn – Book 7 in the Wide-Awake Princess series. I have loved this series from book one. Terrific for fairy tale – and fractured fairy tale – fans!
Stuck in the Stone Age – Book one in the new Story Pirates Present series about a janitor and a scientist who team up when a lab accident sends them back in time. This looks fun! And it’s also a book about creative writing, which is a terrific bonus.
The Train of Lost Things – New from the author of the Princess Juniper series comes this story of a boy searching for a lost jacket that connects him to his dying father. This sounds like a beautiful, and tearful story.
Unicorn of Many Hats – Book 7 in the fabulous Phoebe and her Unicorn series. I will be reviewing this one here tomorrow, so come back and check out my review.
Worlds Apart – The 5th and final book in the Story Thieves series. Now that the series is wrapping up, I guess I can get all the books at once and binge read them until I am done. I can’t wait to dig into this series!
Dog Days of Summer – Volume 2 in the X-Files Origins graphic novel series for teens. These are the stories of young Mulder and Scully, before they were FBI agents, but when they were already searching for the truth.
Tyler Johnson Was Here – Marvin follows his twin brother, Tyler to a party. A shooting and police raid later, Tyler is missing. And then he is dead. And Marvin is left to sort out the pieces. This sounds like a perfect complement to The Hate U Give and Long Way Down and Dear Martin.

If you are in the market for a new book or two, here are some of the new releases on my radar this week!

Books for Kids

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Can I Be Your Dog? – A dog living in a box in an alley sends a persuasive letter to every home on Butternut Street asking if he can be their dog. I met the author/illustrator at a conference a couple years ago, and I really enjoy his work. This sounds delightful. I will have to read this one!
Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover – A nonfiction picture book about the Mars Rover, Curiosity. The illustrations for this look amazing. I can’t wait to see this one in person.
If the S in Moose Comes Loose – When two letters of MOOSE disappear, so does Moose. His best friend Cow tries to save the day. This sounds like just the right kind of quirky for me! This is another one I can’t want to check out in person.
Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles – Picture book biography of Joan Procter. I’m not a fan of reptiles myself, but this sounds like an awesome picture book biography – something I would have added to the school library when I was teaching.
Sheep 101 – When a boy tries to count sheep to go to sleep, Sheep 101 gets stuck in the fence. How will the boy get to sleep now? I can’t wait to read this one and find out what happens to Sheep 101!
The Two Mutch Sisters – A story of sisters and an opportunity to appreciate differences. The title of this caught my eye, and I’d love to read it to get the whole scoop.
Not-So-Lucky Lefty – I love this line of early readers starring Judy Moody and her friends. The chapters are short, the print is large and the pictures are in full color. In this particular story, Stick and Mr. Moody are celebrating Left Handers Day and Judy is feeling left out. Sounds adorable.
Pet + Cat The Camp Problem – An early reader starring Peg and Cat. I love this series with an emphasis on math. This particular book focuses on counting by fives and tens and on patterns.
Stink: Hamlet and Cheese – This is book 11 in the Stink Moody series of early chapter books. I’ll be reviewing this one tomorrow, so you’ll have to come back and see what the book is all about.
I’m Not Your Sweet Babboo! – A Peanuts comics collection
Monsters Beware! – The third and final book in the Chronicles of Claudette graphic novel series. I met the author/illustrator for this series several years ago at a conference and really liked him. I loved the first two books, so this is at the top of my wish list for the week.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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Frank Einstein and the Space-Time Zipper – Book 6 in this fun science-fiction series by Jon Scieszka. This will be the final book in the series. My son loved these when he was younger. Great for the science-minded kids in your life.
Lights, Music, Code – Book 3 in the Girls Who Code series. This time the coding girls get to code the lights and music for the big dance, but one of them is distracted by an old friend.
Like Vanessa – Set in 1983, the main character wants to be just like the first black Miss America, Vanessa Williams. I think this book is going to be fantastic. I’m looking forward to trying this one out.
Olga: We’re Out of Here – Book 2 in this series that is set up like Wimpy Kid or Dork Diaries starring an animal lover and kid scientist, Olga. I love that the format will feel familiar to kids who like other illustrated novels like this, while the content has a science spin.
Time Bomb – The one book for teens on my radar this week comes from the author of The Testing, Dividing Eden, and Need. This one is about seven kids trapped in a school after a bomb goes off. I have already requested this one from my local library.

Books for Adults

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Death al Fresco – Book 3 in the Sally Solari mystery series about a woman helping run her family’s Italian restaurant.
Lethal in Old Lace – Book 5 in the Consignment Shop series.
Playing with Bonbon Fire – Book 2 in the Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery series. I have book 1 in this chocoholic series on my wish list. Yum!
The Creativity Project – A collection of story starters and prompts from many authors and illustrators as well as the stories they wrote in response to the prompts. This would be a perfect book for elementary and middle school teachers to use with their students. I am eager to see this book in person. I have been hearing about it for ages, but I don’t have a great grasp on the layout or if the intended audience is kids or teachers or who. But some of my favorite people in children’s literature are a part of this, so it is on my wish list.
The Way of Abundance: A 60-Day Journey into a Deeply Meaningful Life – Many of my friends are HUGE Ann Voskamp fans and I know they scoop up anything and everything she produces. This particular book is a collection of online essays and pieces of Voskamp’s book The Broken Way to use as a devotional.
Wild Bread: Sourdough Reinvented – Glorious bread. This book looks beautiful. Chock full of recipes and pictures of beautiful breads, this is also on my wish list for this week.