BOOK NEWS: May 30, 2017

Hard to believe that May is almost over already! The last Tuesday of the month is full of great new books. Here are some of the May new releases that are on my radar:

Books for Kids


Dog on a Frog? – Sequel to Frog on a Log? which is a hoot of a rhyming story. Looking forward to this one.
Firefighter Duckies – A trio of firefighter ducks rescue all manner of creatures because they are brave and strong. I have seen a few pages of this one and it looks FUN. Definitely on my list!
Welcome – Picture book for babies and new parents by the amazing Mo Willems.
Fairy Floss – Picture book story of cotton candy
She Persisted – Picture book by former First Daughter, Chelsea Clinton, about thirteen American women who changed the world.
Baxter Is Missing – Book 6 in the delightful Owl Diaries series from Scholastic/Branches. I love this line of books for kids ready to branch out into chapter books (as well as older kids – and adults like me – who just love the darling owls and the cute, fast read).

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


Bow Wow – Book 3 in the Bowser and Birdie mystery series. I read the first book, Woof, and really enjoyed it.
Bring Me the Head of Ivy Pocket – Book 3 in the Ivy Pocket series about a young maid who has a string of ridiculously bad luck as she finds herself in the middle of a conspiracy. I have book one in my TBR pile.
Code Name Flood – Edge of Extinction book 2, an adventure series about dinosaurs. I have book one in my TBR pile.
Crown of Three: A Kingdom Rises – Book 3 in the Crown of Three series about triplets at the center of a prophecy. I need to read the first book in this series!
Dragon’s Green – First book in the new Worldquake series about magic and books.
Keys to the City – A girl tries to find her true passion in New York City.
Orphan Island – Orphan Island, where once a year a boat arrives with a new young child and the eldest sails away, never to be heard from again. I have been hearing rave reviews about this book for months! Anyone who had an early copy has loved it. I can’t wait to give it a try.
Pixie Piper and the Matter of the Batter – Book 2 in the Pixie Piper series about a descendant of Mother Goose. I have book one in my TBR pile.
Restart – A boy loses his memory and tries to piece together the person he was before and decide who he might want to be going forward. I love Gordon Korman’s work, and I’m looking forward to reading this one.
Wonder Woman Junior Novel – Junior novel for the new movie releasing this coming weekend.
Worst Fairy Godmother Ever – Book 1 in the Wish List series about a fairy godmother in training.
Eliza and her Monsters – The anonymous creator of a popular webcomic  loses her anonymity, and everything she has built starts to fall apart.
One of Us Is Lying – Five students walk into detention. Only four walk back out. This sounds like a  great mystery and a perfect summer read!
Romancing the Throne – Average girl falls in love with a prince. I love stories like this – and Hallmark movies! The setting (prep school) and the sister rivals make this sound like a fun variation on a familiar theme.
Royal Bastards – The illegitimate children of the aristocracy stumble upon something they were never supposed to see. I am SO excited about reading this one! I have an early copy and hope to review it here soon.
When It’s Real – A bad-boy pop star needs to change his image, so he hires a fake girlfriend.

Books for Adults


About a Dog – First book in a new romance series by Jenn McKinlay, one of my favorite mystery authors. I am eager to check out this new series!
Bearly Departed – First book in a new teddy bear mystery series about a factory and shop  that makes and sells teddy bears.
Death by Vanilla Latte – Book 4 in the Bookstore Cafe Mystery series set in a bookstore cafe called Death by Coffee.
A Hiss Before Dying – Book 26 in the Mrs. Murphy mystery series about a post-mistress and her pets.
Marriage Is Pure Murder – Book 6 in the Blossom Valley mystery series set at an organic farm and spa.
One Fete in the Grave – Book 3 in the Liv and Di in Dixie Mystery series about a party planner.
Yews with Caution – Book 19 in the Flower Shop Mystery series.
Star Trek The Next Generation: Hearts and Minds – Activities 350 years apart may bring new details to light about the Federation’s past.
Al Franken, Giant of the Senate – After watching some of the Senate confirmation hearings, I am curious about this memoir from Franken about why he ran for office.
Israel Matters: Why Christians Must Think Differently About the People and the Land – I’m curious to read the author’s take on Christianity and Israel.
Knights in Training: Ten Principles for Raising Honorable, Courageous and Compassionate Boys – I’m always interested in parenting books!

BOOK NEWS: May 23, 2017

Once a month there is a week where fewer new books make my list. This is that week for May (next week is HUGE). Enjoy looking at these books releasing this week:

May I Have a Word? – A battle of the magnet letters!
Wallace and Grace: Take the Cake/The Cupcake Caper – New early chapter book mystery series. Looks adorable!
Beach Party Surf Monkey – Book 2 in the Welcome to Wonderland series
Rise of the Isle of the Lost – The third Descendants novel based on the Disney movie.
William Wenton and the Impossible Puzzle – A kid with a gift for code-breaking and puzzles is pulled into a mysterious new school
Science Comics: Flying Machines – Graphic Novel about airplanes and other flying machines
Crazy House – New dystopian book for teens by James Patterson.
Watching the Detectives – Book 5 in the Country Club Mystery series

BOOK NEWS: May 16, 2017

Hope you all were able to celebrate someone yesterday – your mother or aunt or grandmother, being a mother, or maybe another woman who has been instrumental in your life and growth.  These parent-related holidays can be fraught with emotions; I hope you were able to plan some self-care if that is the case for you.

My favorite method of self-care is reading. Here are some of the new books coming out this week!

Books for Kids


7 Ate 9 – Looking forward to this picture book based on the “Why was 6 afraid of 7?” joke heard in elementary schools everywhere.
Grace Hopper Queen of Computer Code – Picture book biography of one of the pioneers of computer science
Margaret and the Moon – Picture book biography of the woman whose code helped put Americans on the moon.
Amelia Bedelia Makes a Splash – Book 11 in the young Amelia Bedelia chapter book series

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora – A boy and his new friend try to save the family restaurant and their whole community against a sneaky land developer.
The Great Treehouse War – It’s kids vs. parents when Winnie and her friends take a stand in her treehouse.
P.S. Send More Cookies – Book 3 in the Secret Cookie Club series about a group of friends from summer camp.
World’s Greatest Detective – Two kids try to win a contest for finding the World’s Greatest Detective.
Guts and Glory: The American Revolution – The Guts and Glory series looks at the American Revolution
Where Are the Galapagos Islands?
Where Is the Eiffel Tower?
Antisocial – Senior year at a prep school is upended when an epic hack lays everyone’s secrets out in the open. I love stories like this that look at the downsides of our technology.
Flame in the Mist – A Mulan-like story about a girl on her way to an arranged marriage who falls in with a gang of bandits. Sounds great!
The Names They Gave Us – A girl’s summer plans change when her mom’s cancer reappears, her boyfriend pauses their relationship, and her usual Bible camp job switches to a camp for troubled kids.
Know Who You Are. Live Like It Matters. – A study of identity in Christ for homeschoolers and other young people. Enough lessons for a 36-week school year.

Books for Adults


Hospitality and Homicide – Book 8 in the Tourist Trap Mystery series
Reference to Murder – Book 2 in the Book Barn Mystery series.

 

I think my top picks for this week are The Great Treehouse War and The Names They Gave Us. What are you hoping to read soon?

BOOK NEWS: May 9, 2017

Happy Monday! Hope  you had some reading time this weekend. Here are some of the books releasing this week:

Books for Kids


   

Bad Guy – New picture book about sibling rivalry
Pete the Cat – Cool Cat Boogie – New picture book starring Pete the Cat
There Might Be Lobsters – Picture book about a worried pup’s trip to the beach. This looks darling!
Curious George Builds a Treehouse – Early Reader about Curious George
Amy on Park Patrol – Book 17 in the early chapter book Critter Club series
Howl at the Moon – Book 3 in the Scholastic Branches  Hagis and Tank Unleashed series
Lola – Latest book in the long-running Puppy Place series
Pumpkin the Hamster – Book 6 in the Doctor KittyCat early chapter book series.
Super Rabbit Boy Powers Up – Book 2 in this Scholastic Branches series with a video game feel.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


Bodyguard: Recruit/Hostage/Hijack/Ransom – The first four books in a new action/adventure series release all at once, just in time for summer. A teen kickboxing champ is trained as a bodyguard, and his first protectee is the First Daughter. Two more books in the series will release in the fall. I love the whole idea for this, especially releasing several books at once so kids can really dig in!
Call Me Sunflower – A girl trying to help her parents reconcile stumbles onto a secret.
Clayton Byrd Goes Underground – A boy runs away after the loss of his grandfather, in search of his grandfather’s old blues band.
Edgeland – Edgeland is an island on the edge of The Drain – a giant whirlpool where people from all over the world travel to send off their dead. Two kids try to loot one of the boats before it goes into the Drain, but instead they go over the edge.
Funny Girl: Funniest. Stories. Ever – Collection of essays from today’s funniest women writers.
Gabby Garcia’s Ultimate Playbook – Gabby, the star pitcher, is sent to a new school which puts her winning streak – in everything – in jeopardy. This has been compared to Dork Diaries and Middle School.
Giant Trouble – Book 4 in the awesome Hamster Princess series. You can read my review of book 3 here. I loved it!
The Lines We Cross – The son of anti-immigration demonstrators has his ideas challenged when an immigrant from Afghanistan comes to his prep school.
Girling Up: How to be Strong, Smart and Spectacular – Nonfiction book for girls and young women by TV star and neuroscientist, Mayim Bialik about growing up to the best you can be.

Books for Adults


Bad to the Bone (5/8) – Book 3 in the “Barkery” and Biscuits Mystery series. These look really fun!
Edited Out – Book 2 in the Mysterious Detective series
The Final Vow (5/8) – Book 3 in the Living History Museum mystery series
The Run-Out Groove – Book 2 in the Vinyl Detective mystery series about a record collector who gets pulled into actual detective cases.
Start with Amen: How I Learned to Surrender by Keeping the End in Mind – I think the subtitle makes the topic perfectly clear. Starting with Amen means starting with “so be it” and surrender. I totally need this book in my life right now.

BOOK NEWS: May 2, 2017

The first Tuesday of a new month is always chock full of new books! And this month is no exception. There’s something for everyone this week. Plenty of new additions to favorite series as well as all sorts of new stories to enjoy. Time travel. Star Wars. Mysteries. Superheroes. So many great options this week. Let’s take a look:

Books for Kids


The Case of the Stinky Stench – Picture book mystery with Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast.
Dragons Love Tacos 2 – What’s not to love about dragons and tacos?! The first book was great, and I am eager to see how the story continues.
Elephant and Piggie Biggie – This is NOT a new Elephant and Piggie book (so sad), but instead this combines 5 of their books into one volume. This would make an excellent gift for a mom of preschoolers (Mother’s Day is next week!) or for any Piggie and Gerald fan who doesn’t already have these books in their collection. Two of my favorites – Can I Play Too? and Let’s Go for a Drive – are included in this collection.
Go Sleep in Your Own Bed – This looks like a classic bedtime book in the making. A series of farm animals find other animals sleeping in their places. I love Candace Fleming’s books, and I imagine this one will be no exception.
The Good for Nothing Button – Book 3 in the Elephant and Piggie Like Reading series. While these are not new Piggie and Gerald books (still sad…), they are in that sort of style.
NaptastropheJarrett J. Krosoczka is one of my favorite people in the children’s lit world. If he writes it, I will read it. He’s the author of the Lunch Lady graphic novels and the awesome Platypus Police Squad middle grade series. Naptastrophe is definitely on my list!.
Pete with No Pants – This book is getting rave reviews! I have to check this one out – it looks hilarious.
Peterrific – Pinkalicious’ little brother, Peter, gets his own story.
The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do – Terrific story about perseverance from one of my favorite illustrators, Ashley Spires. I’ll be reviewing this book here tomorrow.
Pete the Cat and the Tip Top Tree House – New Early Reader starring Pete the Cat
Wonder Woman: Meet the Heroes – Early Reader tie in for the Wonder Woman movie
The Genie’s Curse – Little Legends, book 3. Fun, fractured fairy tale early chapter book series
Goldie Blox and the Three Dares/Rules the School – Early chapter books based on the Goldie Blox building toys
Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt – Book 2 in the Narwhal and Jelly graphic novel series
100 Galactic Devotions – Devotional for kids (releases today)
Lego DC The Awesome Guide – Colorful guide to the Lego DC universe with exclusive Wonder Woman mini-figure.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


   

Camp Half-Blood Confidential – Percy Jackson and friends add their commentary to Apollo’s guidebook for Camp Half-Blood. Fun for fans of the original Percy Jackson series!
Dark Prophecy – Book 2 in the Rick Riordan Trials of Apollo series about the god, Apollo, who has been turned into a normal teenager and sent to earth to figure out what has happened to the Oracles and set things right. Includes the characters Leo and Calypso from the Heroes of Olympus series.
Fairy Tale Detectives (10th Anniversary Edition) – I don’t usually post about re-releases in Book News, but this series is worth a special mention. I loved the series when it first came out. The author has been able to retool a few things for the re-release. Plus those new covers! I like to let folks know if something is truly new or just a re-packaging. This is a great re-package with some updates. If you have never tried this series, give it a go! I plan to enjoy each and every book in the series as they re-release.
How to Be a Supervillain – Victor is not living up to the family legacy of villainy. As a last-ditch effort to live up to his family expectations, Victor gets a supervillain mentor. I love a good superhero/villain story! This looks terrific.
Invisible Emmie – A middle school story in graphic novel form. Looks perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier (see post about Real Friends) or Jennifer Holm (Babymouse, Sunny Side Up).
Lemons – This is a lovely story. Lem has lost her mother and her home. She moves in with a grandfather she doesn’t know in a community where people think Bigfoot is real. I’ll be reviewing this one next week – you should check it out!
Marty Pants: Do Not Open – On the surface this looks like a book in the style of Wimpy Kid or Timmy Failure or Big Nate. The story, though, of a secret take-over-the-world plot sounds like my favorite mystery stories. I will definitely be checking this one out!
Posted – This is one of the books I am most looking forward to reading this summer. It should be showing up at my house tomorrow and I can hardly wait. The author’s last book, Ms. Bixby’s Last Day, was amazing. I think this one will be as well!
Real Friends – Graphic novel/memoir from fantastic author, Shannon Hale (Princess in Black, Princess Academy, Ever After High, Squirrel Girl, etc.). I’m really looking forward to this. It looks perfect for fans of similar books by Raina Telgemeier.
The Secret Diary of Apple White (Ever After High) – Second book in the latest series centered on the characters from Ever After High.
Supernormal Sleuthing Service: Lost Legacy – Book 1 in a new series about a stolen artifact and a hotel full of monsters.
Star Wars: Guardians of the Whills (Star Wars Rogue One) – A story for middle grade readers centered on popular Rogue One characters Baze and Chirrut. Since Rogue One just released on DVD, this is perfect timing. Consider this for your Star Wars fan for summer reading!
Time Stoppers: Quest for the Golden Arrow – Book 2 in the Time Stoppers series about time travel and fantasy creatures. This sounds like a series I would love.
Always and Forever, Lara Jean – The third and final book in the Lara Jean trilogy. I read the first book, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, but I didn’t get to book 2. I’m curious to see how things wrap up for Lara Jean.
And We’re Off – A young artist is offered a trip to Europe to paint. Her mother isn’t very excited about the trip, but at the last minute she decides to go along. This sounds like a perfect summer read!
Avenged – Book 2 in the Ruined series. I have book 1 in my TBR pile but haven’t gotten to it yet. Maybe this summer!
Cold Summer – A time traveler with PTSD wonders if it is his destiny to die in World War II.
Court of Wings and Ruin – Book 3 in the Court of Thorns and Roses series. I haven’t tried this yet, but the covers are absolutely gorgeous and make me want to run out and buy them.
Four Weeks, Five People – Five teens struggling with various mental and personality disorders share four weeks in wilderness therapy. I have been enjoying the surge of teen (and middle grade) books that look at mental illness. I’m eager to check this one out.
Lois Lane Triple Threat – Book 3 in this fun Lois Lane series. I just read book one and thought it was fantastic. I’ll be reviewing it here on the blog later this week. Book 2 and 3 are definitely on my TBR list!
Star Wars: Rebel Rising – An original story that fills in the gaps from Star Wars Rogue One about Jyn Erso’s childhood.
Textrovert – A girl accidentally swaps phones with an arrogant football player on his way to football camp. They will have to field each other’s messages until he gets back. This sounds awesome.
Windfall – This book from a favorite author tells the story of a girl who buys a winning lottery ticket for her best friend/secret crush. Looking forward to reading this one!

Books for Adults


Alien Education – Book 15 in the Katherine “Kitty” Katt/Aliens series. These are among my most favorite books ever. I am especially eager to read this one because several plot threads were wrapped up at the end of the last book, so I think we might be heading into some fun, new territory in this book. And the kids in the series are getting older and far more involved in things, which I love. I think they could play a major role in this story. I will be staking out our mailbox all day Tuesday waiting for my pre-order to arrive.
Dead and Berried – Book 3 in the Cranberry Cove mystery series about all things cranberry.
Death in Dark Blue – Book 2 in the Writer’s Apprentice Mystery series. I LOVED book one, A Dark and Stormy Murder! This one is a top pick for me.
Ghostal Living – Book 3 in the Hamptons Home and Garden Mystery series about an interior designer
Killer Characters – Book 8 in the Books by the Bay Mystery series
Love and Death in Burgundy – First in a new series that takes place in France. Sounds lovely!
Murderous Mayhem at Honeychurch Hill – Book 4 in the Honeychurch Hill Mystery series about an antique dealer and her widowed mother. The story for this particular book – a missing manuscript – sounds really interesting to me.
Nightshade for Warning – Book 2 of the Enchanted Garden Mystery series about a perfume shop and garden.
A Purely Private Matter – Book 2 in the Rosalind Thorne Mystery series. I adored book one – A Useful Woman. Can’t wait to read this sequel!
Threads of Suspicion – Book 2 in the Evie Blackwell Cold Case series about a police investigator.
Your Killin’ Heart – First in the Nashville Mystery series about a travel agent in the world of country music stars.
Release My Grip – Interactive book for parents getting ready to launch their high school students to wherever life takes them next. A great gift idea for the parents of graduates or soon-to-be-graduates! Includes reflection questions, scripture, and journaling space.
Rewrite Your Life – The redemptive process of writing fiction. I have read the author’s fiction books before, and I can’t wait to get my hands on this one! I enjoyed her TED talk about how writing fiction helped her heal after the death of her husband.
Topography of Tears – Microscopic look at tears shed in different circumstances by men, women, adults and children. This sounds fascinating! I hope my local bookstore or library orders this one because I am fascinated by this whole idea.
Truth – Devotional from Christian author, Randy Alcorn. I love his work – both fiction and nonfiction. This one is on my list for sure. (releases today)