Tag: March New Releases

BOOK NEWS: March 6, 2018

BOOK NEWS: March 6, 2018

Posted on by Jaymie

It’s the first week of March which means LOTS of new books to explore. Here are some of the ones I’m excited about for the week:

Books for Kids

Anybody’s Game: The Story of the First Girl to Play Little League Baseball – A picture book biography of a girl who pretended to be a boy to get around a rule that wouldn’t allow her to try out for Little League as herself. If I was still teaching, this is a book I definitely would have put into the library.
The Backup Bunny – We had a backup critter for my son’s favorite toy, so this title really grabbed my attention. I’m looking forward to reading this one.
A Busy Creature’s Day Eating – An alphabet book from Mo Willems about a critter who will eat just about anything
I Am Enough – A book with the important message of loving who you are
Part-Time Mermaid – Girl by day, mermaid by night.  I had Part-Time Princess when I was teaching, and it was a fun and popular story.
The Petes Go Marching – The Ants Go Marching song, with a Pete the Cat twist
Selfie Sebastien – A handsome fox goes on a quest for the perfect selfie. This is just the sort of picture book I love. Can’t wait to read this one.
Up in the Leaves: The True Story of the Central Park Treehouses – I have not heard about the treehouses in Central Park so I am eager to get my hands on this book to get the full scoop!
Nora and the Growing Tree AND Violet and the Buzzing Bees – Two books starring the characters from the Owlegories videos.
The Super Awful Superheroes of Classroom 13 – Book 4 in this wacky early chapter book about a group of school kids who get superpowers when they are zapped with purple lightning
The Super Life as Ben Braver – Book one in a new early chapter book series about an average kid who hears a call for help and tries to save the day. I’m curious to see this one in person. The art work sounds great.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

2 Fuzzy 2 Furious – Book 2 in the Squirrel Girl series by the fabulous Shannon Hale. I have not read the first book, yet, but I have bumped it into my TBR stack for this month.
The Night Diary – In 1947, when India is divided into India and Pakistan, a half-Muslim, half-Hindu girl tries to figure out where she fits in. Told in letters. This has been getting a lot of positive press lately. Great for fans of historical fiction.
The Science of Unbreakable Things – A girl hopes to use the scientific method and prize money from a contest to help her mother who is suffering from depression.
Stick Dog Crashes a Party – Book 8 in this fun series that might appeal to fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Timmy Failure. I have enjoyed the previous books I have tried from this series.
Switched – Book 4 in the Fairy Tale Reform School series. You can read my review of book three here. I’ll be reviewing this one tomorrow, so come back and check that out.
Wizard for Hire – When his parents are kidnapped, Ozzy calls a wizard for hire to help. This sounds (and looks) fantastic! This is at the top of my list for the week.
Wizardmatch – A girl must compete with her family members to see who will gain her grandfather’s title (Prime Wizard), castle and powers. This looks terrific, too. I’m adding this one to my list as well.
What Is the World Cup?
What Was the Titanic?
The Case for Jamie – Book 3 in the Charlotte Holmes series. In this book, Jamie and Charlotte are on the outs after the events of book 2, but someone is pushing them back into eachother’s orbits. But for what purpose? Here is my review for book one.
In Search of Us – A girl who grows up thinking her father is dead starts to wonder if that is true and sets off to get the real story once and for all. This sounds like one I would enjoy.
More Than We Can Tell – A second book in the world of Letters to the Lost, this one focuses on Declan’s best friend Rev and a girl named Emma. I’m going to review this one on Thursday this week. I loved it!
Olivia Twist – A re-imagining of Oliver Twist. A girl, living on the streets, hides her identity, but when she is rescued, she struggles to reconcile her new, debutante life with her old life in the slums.
The Poet X – A frustrated teen pours her emotions into her poetry. This has been getting a lot of buzz lately, too. I’d love to read this one.
Teen Titans Vol 2: Rise of Aqualad – Sequel to Damian Knows Best focusing on the Teen Titans of DC Comics. I have had this in my Amazon cart for weeks. When I have the money, I plan to pick this one up! I can’t wait to read it.
What She Does Next Will Astound You – One of three books set in the world of the Doctor Who spin-off, Class. Students are obsessed with attempting the dares posted on a strange new website. But when kids start disappearing, one girl decides she is going to figure out what really is going on, no matter what. We haven’t tried Class yet, but this storyline sounds like something I would enjoy.

Books for Adults

Dipped to Death – Book 3 in the Olive Grove Mystery series. I enjoyed the first book in this series, and I’d like to get caught up with the next two books starring a sleuth on her family’s olive plantation
The Escape Artist – A woman who is supposed to be dead is on the run and an Army conspiracy involving Harry Houdini is involved. This sounds convoluted – and awesome! Looking forward to this one.
Good Guys – The people working for the Foundation have magic at their disposal, but that’s okay because The Foundation are the good guys. Right? I have already requested this from the library. It looks like a mystery from the cover, but the fantasy angle really appeals to me. Looking forward to trying this one.
Marinating in Murder – Book 3 in the Dinner Club mystery series. The dinner club is helping one of their own who is suspected of murder in this book. This sounds like I series I would enjoy. I need to track down book one and get it on my list!
Who Moved My Goat Cheese? – First in the new Farm-to-Fork mystery series by Lynn Cahoon. I love checking out a new mystery series, so this is on my list for this week as well.
Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others – A new book by Barbara Brown Taylor explores things she learned through her journey of faith and her teaching of college students.
Raising Passionate Jesus Followers: The Power of Intentional Parenting – A resource for parents in any stage of rearing children/teens/young adults
Survive Like a Spy: Real CIA Operatives Reveal How They Stay Safe in a Dangerous World and How You Can Too – I think that title speaks for itself. Sounds like a fascinating book.

BOOK NEWS: March 21, 2017

Posted on by Jaymie

Plenty of great books releasing this week! Here are some of the ones I am looking at:

Books for Kids

All Birds Have Anxiety – Look at that face!! I have to read this book just because of that face! Using birds, the author explains living with anxiety to kids. I can’t wait to read this one. Not just because of the cover, but I am curious how the author does with making mental health and anxiety accessible to kids. Mental health issues are big in children’s literature lately, which I think is a great trend!
I Am (Not) Scared – Third book in this series after You Are (Not) Small and That’s (Not) Mine, this time the two friends go to an amusement park and think about what might be scarier than the roller coaster.
John Ronald’s Dragons: The Story of J. R. R. Tolkein – A picture book biography of Lord of the Rings author, J. R. R. Tolkien
We Are the Dinosaurs – A picture book version of Laurie Berkner’s song by the same name. I’m not familiar with this song, but the illustrations I have seen from the book are darling! I would definitely keep this in mind for any dinosaur fans you know!
Almost an Outlaw – Teddy Mars book 3  (final book in the series) about a boy who has to break a few rules to take care of some of his neighbors.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Big and Little Questions (According to Wren Jo Byrd) – A shy girl tries to keep secret the fact that her parents separated over the summer. This kind of story is a staple of middle grade fiction and I imagine I will love it!
Miss Ellicott’s School for the Magically Minded – In this new fantasy, a city’s sorceresses go missing, leaving the kids at Miss Ellicott’s school to save their kingdom. This sounds like a book I will love!
The Princess and the Pearl – Book 6 in the delightful Wide-Awake Princess series. I have loved the books in this series – perfect for a lover of fractured fairy tales, like me! In this book, Annie has to get a cure from a sea witch to save her family.
The Hidden Memory of Objects – A girl who can see memories from her brother’s belongings searches for answers about his death. This sounds like a fascinating YA mystery!

Books for Adults

The Collapsing Empire – The latest book from science fiction great, John Scalzi. This story of a universe where humans have ventured into space and left Earth behind as an interstellar empire forms sounds awesome!
Girl in Disguise – A female private detective fights to make her way in Chicago in 1856. Inspired by a true story.
If I’m Found – Suspenseful sequel to If I Run about a woman running from arrest for a crime she didn’t commit.
The Lucky Few – A family’s journey, following God through adoption of special needs children. This sounds inspiring!

 

Which book releasing this week is going on your TBR list?!

BOOK NEWS: March 14, 2017

Posted on by Jaymie

March is shaping up to be a great month for new books! Here are some of the books releasing this week:

Books for Kids

 

Charlotte the Scientist Is Squished – Poor Charlotte! She has so many brothers and sisters, there’s no where for her to do her science experiments! Maybe she can use science to help her solve her problem.
The Lemonade Problem – Peg + Cat’s 5th problem solving adventure. These are terrific picture books for home or school!
Out of School and Into Nature – A picture book biography of naturalist Anna Comstock
Out of Wonder – Just in time for Poetry month in April is this book of poems celebrating poets!
Triangle – Two words: Mac Barnett. If you’ve never tried one of his books, you are missing out on a ton of fun. I am very eager to read this one about Triangle who is planning to play a trick on his friend, Square.
First Big Book of Weather – As a teacher, I loved these books for students because there is so much to look at in each one. If you have a budding meteorologist at your house or in your classroom, check this one out.
President Donald Trump – If you are looking for a picture book about our new president, there are several coming out this spring. This is just one example of the books available.
April Fools’, Mr. Todd – Looks like this is book 8 in the Judy Moody and Friends series. I HIGHLY recommend this series for new readers growing in their “endurance” skills of reading longer books. The format is the same size as an early reader, but the story is longer. The adventures are fun, the color pictures are eye-catching, and this introduces readers to the characters they would meet in the Judy Moody and/or Stink Moody chapter books as they mature as readers. In this story, Judy is planning an April Fools prank for her teacher, Mr. Todd.
The Capital Catch – Book 13 in the Ballpark Mystery series. Great for mystery and/or baseball fans!
Dark Shadows – Chicken Squad, book 4. The chickens from Cronin’s JJ Tully series have their own series now, perfect for new chapter book readers. I haven’t been able to keep up on this series, but the first one was a hoot! I’d love to check out the rest of the books to see if they are as funny as the first one.
Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallows/Merhorses and Bubbles/Monsters and Mold – Zoe and her cat, Sassafras, help magical creatures in their back yard using science and mystery-solving skills. These look darling!! I can’t wait to read these. They look perfect for early elementary students moving into chapter books.
A Boy Called Bat – A boy on the autism spectrum, nicknamed Bat, wants to keep a baby skunk as a pet. This book has been getting a lot of positive buzz.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Amina’s Voice – A Pakistani-American Muslim girl struggles to find her place and her voice in middle school, especially after her mosque is vandalized.
Dragonwatch – Part of the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull. The dragons are prepped for war over their freedom. The members of Dragonwatch are gone now, so who will stand against the dragons?
Hello, Universe – Four kids take turns telling the story of the day their lives entwined and one of them ends up in the bottom of a well. I love stories like this where the various characters tell their part of the story (like Because of Mr. Terupt or The Candymakers)
In the Spot Light – Book 2 in the Pages Between Us series about two girls who keep in touch during middle school by passing a notebook back and forth (Did any of you do that? I did that with friends in high school!). One of my students introduced me to this series – she loved the first book! I would love to read this second one; there is a Battle of the Books at the center of the story.
Love, Ish – A girl’s dream of life on Mars is derailed. I have been hearing about this book for months. I can’t wait to read it.
The Metropolitans – Four teens at the Metropolitan Museum of Art when the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor agree to help track down a lost book of King Arthur legends to prevent another attack on America.
World War II – The nonfiction companion to the Magic Tree House book World at War, 1944. Great for fans of the Magic Tree House book who want to know more about World War II
Bravo: Poems About Amazing Hispanics – Expand your understanding of history with these poems about the contributions of Hispanics to the story of our world.
The End of Oz – Book 4 in the Dorothy Must Die series. If you want to read a twist on the Wizard of Oz story, you might enjoy this darker version of Dorothy and the crew from Oz. I would definitely start with book one and read these in order!
A Psalm for Lost Girls – To the world, Tess was an honest-to-goodness saint. To her sister, though, Tess was just a girl, and she wants her sister to be remembered for all the things she was on her own, outside of the miracles and the fervor. But the truth might not be that simple
The Shadows We Know by Heart – A grieving girl discovers a family of Sasquatches living behind her home – and the teenage boy who lives with them.

Books for Adults

Elementary, She Read – First book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mystery series
For Whom the Bread Rolls – Book 2 in the Pancake House mystery series for Amazon Kindle
In this Grave Hour – Book 13 in the Maisie Dobbs mystery series set in the 1930s
Purr M for Murder – Book 1 in the Cat Rescue Mystery series
Without Warning – Book 3 in the Christian mystery series starring J. B. Collins, journalist. If you like political mysteries, this series looks terrific.
My Brown Baby – A collection of posts from the website MyBrownBaby.com about African American parents as well as parents raising African American children. It looks like this ended up releasing last week, but I didn’t want to miss out on highlighting it!
My Jewish Year – A “wandering and wondering” Jew takes an intentional journey through the Jewish calendar. This sounds fascinating!

BOOK NEWS: March 7, 2107

Posted on by Jaymie

A new month and LOADS of new books! Here are some of the books releasing this week:

Books for Kids

Noisy Night – New picture book by the brilliant Mac Barnett about a noisy night in an apartment building
Over and Under the Pond – Beautiful addition to the picture book series by Kate Messner
Pete the Cat and the Treasure Map – Beloved Pete the Cat in a treasure hunt adventure
When Jackie Saved Grand Central – The little-known story of how Jackie Kennedy saved Grand Central Station
Dragonsitter to the Rescue – Book 6 in the Dragonsitters chapter book series. I read the first book in this series and it is very fun!
Great Troll Rescue – Book 2 in the Little Legends fairy-tale series
It’s Raining, It’s Pouring – Book 10 in the darling Sophie Mouse series for early readers

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Armstrong & Charlie – Two boys dread 6th grade for different reasons but find themselves in the journey together
Baseball Genius – A kid with a talent for knowing what pitch is about to be thrown helps a baseball player in a slump. From Derek Jeter and Tim Green.
Cavern of Secrets  – Wing and Claw book 2, a fantasy adventure about a young apothecary
Effie Starr Zook Has One More Question – A city girl spending the summer in the country with her extended family, stumbles on some family secrets. This one sounds like my kind of book!
Forever, or a Long, Long Time – A brother and sister have been in so many foster homes, they start to wonder where their story started and if they can trust their new adoptive home will truly be permanent. This sounds amazing!
Izzy Kline Has Butterflies – A sweet-sounding story about a fourth grade girl trying to find her way at school and at home
Masterminds: Payback – Third and final book in the Masterminds series by the awesome Gordon Korman
Middle School: Escape to Australia – Book 9 in James Patterson’s Middle School series
Ever After High Once Upon a Twist: When the Clock Strikes Cupid and Cerise and the Beast – A new series of Ever After High Stories where students find themselves in stories that are not their own.
Polar Distress – Book 3 in the Dr. Critchlore’s School for Minions series
Secrets and Sequences – Book 3 in the Secret Coders series about computer programming
Spring Break Mistake – A young photographer has to use her skills to find a lost classmate in New York City.
Star Wars: Join the Resistance – Book 1 in a new Star Wars series for kids starring Mattis who is hoping to be the next Poe Dameron.
Star Wars: Wild Space: The Cold (March 9) – Book 5 in this Star Wars series that takes place between Episode III and Episode IV with a new cast of characters
Team Awkward – Book 2 in the It Girl series about the adventures of a painfully shy girl named Anna
Tricked – Book 3 in the Fairy Tale Reform School series. I have thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in this series. This is on the top of my reading list for this week! Book one is Flunked
Strong is the New Pretty – Photo book affirming for girls that what’s inside matters most
Alone – Book 3 in the Generations Trilogy. I read the first book and it was very good, but a little creepy for my tastes. If you like “creepy,” well written science fiction, check this series out! Book one is Alive.
Goodbye Days – A text while driving kills Carver’s friends. Their families want to spend a “goodbye day” with him, but he isn’t sure if that will bring him peace at last or just push him closer to the edge.

Books for Adults

                                      

Cold Pressed Murder – Book 2 in the Olive Grove mystery series after One Foot in the Grove
Gone with the Twins – Book 5 in the League of the Literary Ladies mystery series
Pekoe Most Poison – Book 18 in the Tea Shop Mystery Series
Roux the Day – Book 2 of the Dinner Club mystery series after Toasting Up Trouble
Silence of the Flans – Book two  in the awesome Emergency Dessert Squad mystery series. I loved the first book, Eclair and Present Danger, and I can’t wait to read this one!
And Still She Laughs – Finding joy in suffering through study of Biblical stories as well as the author’s own story.
Between Heaven and the Real World – Steven Curtis Chapman shares an autobiographical look at his life, music and ministry, including the tragic loss of their daughter, Maria. If you were touched by his wife’s book, Choosing to See, you might enjoy this look into the life and faith of the Chapman family.
How the Hell Did this Happen? – If you are still disecting the 2016 Presidential Election, and you have thick skin when it comes to your preferred candidate, you might appreciate this.
Long Days of Small Things: Motherhood as a Spiritual Discipline –  Finding God in the routines of motherhood