Search Results for: fractured fairy tales

SATURDAY SMORGASBORD: Fractured Fairy Tales

Posted on by Jaymie

I have mentioned many times that I love fractured fairy tales. These are the stories that take the well known tales like Cinderella or the Three Pigs and gives them a fresh look or a new twist. I have talked about some of these before when I wrote about the picture books I miss reading to students. Here are some of my favorites for all ages:

The Three Ninja Pigs – This book is perfect. It’s funny, the rhyme scheme is fantastic (not an easy feat), and it takes the basic story and gives it a fun martial arts shake up. My students always loved that it was the girl pig who saved the day in the end.

 

 

The Cat, the Dog, Little Red, the Exploding Eggs, the Wolf and Grandma – A cat is enjoying the story of Red Riding Hood, but the dog has a lot of questions about the story. This would be a fantastic story to turn into a readers theater. It is funny! There’s lots of drama as the cat gets frustrated that the dog just doesn’t get this great story. My students loved this one every time I read it!

 

 

Don’t Read this Book! – One of the things I did as a librarian was a unit on fractured fairy tales where my students and I compared and contrasted different versions of a familiar story. This book was a favorite because it doesn’t come right out and tell the story of the Princess and the Pea. Instead it is about a royal storyteller who has lost the story for the king. The pompous king tells the reader to go away while they retrace their steps to find the story. This is unusual and a lot of fun to read out loud!

 

Ninja-rella – This is one book in a line of graphic novel fractured fairy tales. I picked these up for my students towards the end of my time as a librarian, and the kids almost wore these out. Graphic novels were tremendously popular with my students anyway, but they especially loved the twist on familiar fairy tales. The series is called Far Out Fairy Tales. They published a Goldilocks story and a Sleeping Beauty one back in December 2016. They are releasing some new ones later this year called Far Out Fables. They look very fun!

 

Hamster Princess: Harriet the Invincible – I adore this middle grade series about a hamster princess who wants to fight dragons and save the day. I reviewed the most recent book in the series, Ratpunzel, here. The next book, Giant Trouble, comes out next week.

 

 

Rump, the True Story of Rumpelstiltskin – This is a terrific take on the story of Rumpelstiltskin. This time Rump is a kid who is trying to overcome an unfortunate name and therefore an unfortunate destiny. This is a fun quest story. The author has also written the true stories of Red Riding Hood and Jack of beanstalk fame.

 

 

The Wide-Awake Princess – I love this series about the sister of Sleeping Beauty. Princess Annie is completely immune to magic. This makes her the perfect person to rescue her kingdom from the sleeping spell or save a prince who has been turned into a bear. The sixth and final book in the series came out this spring. Lots of fractured fairy tales to enjoy in this series!

 

 

The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom – This series is hoot! Have you ever noticed that most of the princes in fairy tales are just called “Prince Charming?” Well, in this series you find out that they all are different guys with different names. It’s the singing, story-telling bards who have focused on the princesses and ignored the princes. But this time, the princes are going to be the ones to make a name for themselves when they save the day. There are so many fun twists and surprises in this three book series. I highly recommend them!

 

The Sisters Grimm: Fairy Tale Detectives – This series is celebrating its 10th anniversary with new covers and touched up stories. I read these faithfully when they were first released. If you like a certain TV show about fairy tale characters in the real world, you should check this out. Some of the ideas in the show were in these books first. I’m hoping my library invests in the re-issues so I can read them all again and not miss out on any revisions!

 

 

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles) – This series for teens takes the stories of Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Snow White and sets them in a dystopian future. The main characters are trying to save the Earth from an evil queen from the Moon, Levana. The third book in the series, Cress (the Rapunzel character), is my favorite, but the whole series is solid if you like your fairy tales mashed up with some romance and science fiction (which I totally do!).

 

Geekerella – This book just came out this spring and I reviewed it here. This is an awesome ComicCon/Fandom mashup with the story of Cinderella. I loved it!

 

 

 

The Big Over Easy – I wish there were more than two books in this series! I have several Jasper Fforde books (Tuesday Next series and Chronicles of Kazam) that I haven’t read, but the books in the Nursery Crime series I have read more than once. In fact, I think I might just read them again right after I finish this post. These are great mysteries for adults. The first book looks into the murder of Humpty Dumpty.

 

 

 

So, those are some of my favorite fractured fairy tales. There are BUNCHES more out there. What are your favorites?

 

 

REVIEW: How to Fracture a Fairy Tale by Jane Yolen

REVIEW: How to Fracture a Fairy Tale by Jane Yolen

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy from Netgalley and Tachyon Publications in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

A collection of 28 fractured fairy tales as well as notes and poems from the author. Some of the material also ties back to the author’s other works. Reading this gave me the same feelings I felt when reading Tales of Beedle the Bard by JK Rowling. You might not know the origins of all the stories, but there is a tone and cadence to them that feels familiar anyway.

Review

It’s difficult to summarize a collection of short stories, at least for me. I find that I enjoy some of the stories and others don’t click. It’s rare for me to love everything in a collection like this. My favorite fairy tales in this collection are:

Snow in Summer – A twist on Snow White with a satisfying ending I really enjoyed.

One Ox, Two, Ox, Three Ox and the Dragon King – A story of three brothers on a quest to save their mother.

Slipping Sideways Through Eternity – A time travel story that shifts from modern times to the Holocaust.

Sleeping Ugly – A Sleeping Beauty-esque story starring a beautiful princess with an ugly personality.

I love fractured fairy tales in general and have enjoyed many books in that style. This was an interesting collection of them, although many weren’t my style. This could be a great resource for writers, writing students and writing classrooms as well as for poetry work. I wish the collection had been arranged so the notes and poems were with their fairy tale counterpart rather than having the fairy tales at the front of the book and all the notes at the back. I also found that I enjoyed this more when I read only a couple fairy tales at a time and then let the stories sit in my mind for awhile rather than trying to read through the whole book as you would a novel.

Rating: ♥♥♥

THROW BACK: Goldlilocks and Just One Bear by Leigh Hodgkinson

THROW BACK: Goldlilocks and Just One Bear by Leigh Hodgkinson

Posted on by Jaymie

This review was originally posted on my Bring on the Books blog on November 16, 2012. And I was right – this was a fantastic read aloud for the library. I developed a lesson series for the end of the school year based on fractured fairy tales and this was one of the books I used in that curriculum.

Summary and Review

A bear gets lost and wanders into the big city. Looking for a quiet place to rest and regroup, he wanders into a penthouse where he looks for some “just right” porridge, a “just right” chair and a “just right” spot to nap. When the family comes home, the bear and the mom recognize one another from a long ago adventure when the roles were reversed.

Such a cute twist on the classic Goldilocks story. I can’t wait to read this one to my students. It is a treat! I’m thinking about pairing it with Children Make Terrible Pets or Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs for reading time in the library.

5 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: Thornwood by Leah Cypess

REVIEW: Thornwood by Leah Cypess

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Delacorte Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

If you went by the standard fairy tales, you might think Sleeping Beauty was an only child. After all, she’s the focus of the story and all you hear about. But Rosalin – Sleeping Beauty – has a younger sister, Briony.

On Rosalin’s 16th birthday, she’s supposed to prick her finger on a spinning wheel and sleep for 100 years along with the rest of the castle. And Briony remembers the start of that day. But when she wakes up in the tower with a spinning wheel and a fairy, she has no memory of the birthday or what happened to Rosalin or the kingdom.

While the prince is there when Briony wakes up, and he wakes Rosalin with a kiss, the Thornwood surrounding the castle is as robust as ever, even trying to grab Briony and pull her in. But when she starts to work on a plan to get out of the castle, Briony discovers that nothing is what she expected – not the curse or the castle or the prince.

Review

This was so fun! I’ve read other “fractured” or re-imagined fairy tales (I love them!), and this one felt fresh and had some nice twists to it.

I liked Briony and her friend Edwin. I found the repeated dismissals of Briony by her family and others in the castle to be frustrating. It fits with the kids fiction emphasis on protagonists who save themselves, which I love. But this felt cruel, and I didn’t like it for Briony.

The reaction of the other folks in the castle to their plight was a clever piece of this story. I don’t want to give anything away, but it was probably my favorite feature. It’s a great example of what makes this story feel fresh and different.

Fans of The Wide Awake Princess series, The Hamster Princess series, The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom, and other fractured fairy tales should not miss this one! This is the first book in a new series.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

BOOK NEWS: September 1, 2020

BOOK NEWS: September 1, 2020

Posted on by Jaymie

Tomorrow is the first release day in September 2020. Let’s see what books we have to look forward to this week! There are TONS of choices.

Books for Kids – Picture Books

Catkwondo – Kitten wants to break a board, but she has to be patient in her training.
Every Night Is Pizza Night – Pipo thinks pizza is the best food, but her tastes are expanded when she cooks with her friends.
I Am Every Good Thing – A Black boy celebrates all the great things he is.
Madeline Finn and the Therapy Dog – The third book in this excellent series sees Madeline and Star volunteering at an assisted living facility as Star trains to be a therapy dog. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Miles Morales: Spider-Man – A Little Golden Book about Miles Morales.
Rocket Says Clean Up! – When Rocket visits her grandparents, she is shocked at the volume of trash at the beach. And when she finds a turtle trapped in a net, she decides something must be done.
Pete the Cat: Crayons Rock! – When Pete shows his latest artwork to his friends, they don’t react like he expected.
Peyton Picks the Perfect Pie – A Thanksgiving celebration can be tricky for particular eaters like Peyton. I so get Peyton!
Short & Sweet – Book 4 in the Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast series. When Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast become worried that they are going stale, Professor Biscotti tries to help but ends up turning them into toddlers.
Sweet Child O’Mine – A picture book based on the lyrics of the Guns N’ Roses classic.
Wonder Woman: Christmas Comes to Paradise Island – Wonder Woman celebrates Christmas.

Books for Kids – Early Readers and Early Chapter Books

       

Ty’s Travels: All Aboard! AND Zip, Zoom! – The first two books in a new Early Reader series.
BunBun & BonBon: Fancy Friends (Graphic Novel) – First in a new series. A lonely bunny becomes friends with a fancy piece of candy. This I have to see for myself!
The Critter Club: Amy the Puppy Whisperer – Book 21 in the Critter Club series. A girl with a talent for training puppies does such a good job she soon as more customers than she has time or energy for.
Dog Man: Grime and Punishment (Graphic Novel) – Book 9 in this uber-popular graphic novel series.
Fairylight Friends: A Magic Spark – First in a new series from Scholastic ACORN. Three fairy friends discover their special powers.
Fox Tails: The Great Bunk Bed Battle – First in a new series from Scholastic ACORN. Fox siblings try to get ready for bed.
I Survived the California Wildfires 2018 – Book 20 in the I Survived series focuses on the California Wildfires of 2018.
Mac B, Kid Spy: The Sound of Danger – Book 5 in the Mac B, Kid Spy series. This time Mac is searching for a stolen violin.
Owly: Just a Little Blue (Graphic Novel) – Owly and Wormy try to help a family of bluebirds living in a damaged tree.
Pawtriot Dogs: Save the Sanctuary AND Everything’s Bigger in Texas – The first two books in this new series about a team of dogs who take on various missions. These two books look at a case to save an animal shelter and a case of kidnapped puppies.
Squidding Around: Fish Feud! (Graphic Novel) – The first book in this new series. Squizzard and Toothy are best friends, but Squizzard’s bossiness when they play games pushes Toothy too far. This looks adorable!

Books for Older Kids/Teens

Alpaca My Bags – Part of the WISH line of middle grade novels. When an anxious girl moves from homeschooling to a public school, she finds comfort working with alpacas. But when a prank goes wrong and puts the alpacas in danger, she will step up to save the place that has been a sanctuary for her. This looks great!
Arcade and the Dazzling Truth Detector – The fourth and final book in the Coin Slot Chronicles series from Christian publisher Zonderkidz and former NFL running back Rashad Jennings. Arcade and Zoe travel through time to the top and bottom of the world.
Battle for the Crystal Castle – Book 13 in the Kingdom of Fantasy series.
Before and Ever After (Older Middle Grade) – The latest from National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson looks at ZJ, the son of a former pro football player, and what happens to his family when his dad starts experiencing personality and memory issues because of head injuries during his career.
The Candy Mafia – The story of a private detective in a world where sweets are forbidden who stumbles onto a shady underworld of sweet smugglers. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
DC Super Hero Girls Midterms (Graphic Novel) – The latest Super Hero Girls graphic novel focuses on Bumblebee, Lois Lane, and Harley Quinn when midterms will determine who is the best in their Metropolis High class. You can read my review of other books in the DC at Metropolis High here as well as reviews of the Super Hero High series here.
Forget Me Nat (Graphic Novel) – Sequel to the delightful Nat Enough. Nat’s crush tells her he just wants to be friends, and the rejection throws Nat into self-doubt. I am looking forward to this one.
The Gerbil Ate My Homework – Book 23 in this comics collection starring Big Nate.
Jayla Jumps In – Jayla tries Double Dutch as a way to stand out in her family.
The Long-Lost Secret Diary of the Worst Olympic Athlete – Book 5 in the Long-Lost Secret Diary series. A boy living in Greece gets to help an Olympic athlete, but when his athlete falls sick, Alexander has to find out why. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Max Einstein: Save the Future (Older Middle Grade) – Max is still on the run from The Corporation when she and her friends receive their next challenge – eliminate childhood hunger.
Millionaires for the Month – The latest from author Stacy McAnulty. When two boys find a wallet and one “borrows” $20 because the owner is a famous billionaire who can afford it, she challenges them to spend over $5 million to learn the value of money. There’s a Brewster’s Millions feel to this, and I am 100% here for it. I am so excited to read this! I will be reviewing this one soon.
Name Tags and Other Sixth-Grade Disasters – When Lizbeth switches to a new school mid-year and gets stuck with the “weirdos,” she finds herself becoming friends with them as they prepare to participate in the required school talent show. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Pumpkin Spice Up Your Life – Another WISH book releases this week. Nadine and Daniel have been best friends for most of their lives, but just as Nadine realizes her feelings for Daniel are a little more than just friendship, he falls for the new girl at school.
Real Pigeons Nest Hard – Book 3 in this silly and fun graphic novel series. This time, the pigeons put their detective skills to work looking for a missing family while dodging a vulture. I got a kick out of the first book in this series.
Tune It Out (Older Middle Grade) – From the author of Roll With It. A girl with a sensory processing disorder adjusts to a lot of change when child services places her with her aunt and uncle. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Virtual Unicorn Experience (Graphic Novel) – Book 12 in the Phoebe and Her Unicorn series, a hilarious comics collection starring Phoebe and her best friend Marigold Heavenly Nostrils. I adore this series. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Who HQ Now: Who Is Greta Thunberg? AND Who Was Kobe Bryant? – A new line from the folks at Who HQ which will focus on “trending topics.” The first two books in the line focus on environmentalist Greta Thunberg and the late Kobe Bryant.

 

Books for Teens/Young Adults

As the Shadow Rises – Book 2 in the Age of Darkness series. Forces of light and darkness collide as prophecies comes to pass and the end of the world approaches. I have both books on my library list.
Cemetery Boys (LGBTQ+) – A trans boy determined to prove himself to his family conjures a ghost with unfinished business. At first, he can’t get the ghost to leave; after awhile, he’s not sure he wants him to leave after all.
Fable – Book 1 in a proposed duology.  Grieving her mother and abandoned by her father, Fable enlists the help of a trader who isn’t who he seems to help her get back to her father and the life she lost when he left her four years ago.
Flyy Girls: Lux AND Micah – The first two books in this new series about four Harlem highschoolers. The Flyy girls are a trio of girls who seem to have it all together – just the sorts of girls Lux  should hang out with to help her stay out of trouble. Then Micah’s world is upended when her perfect older brother dies.
Greythorne – Book 2 in the Bloodleaf Trilogy. A princess on the run because of her magical abilities flees to her friend’s family mansion. But it holds secrets that might mean she isn’t as safe there as she hoped. This series sounds great! I have both books in this series on my library list.
The Inheritance Games – First in a new series by the fabulous Jennifer Lynn Barnes! When Avery inherits a mansion and fortune from a man she never met, there are plenty of puzzles to solve as she moves into his old home – with the four grandsons he disinherited when he left all his money to her. I have had this pre-ordered for weeks. This is my top pick for the week.
The Insomniacs – A competitive diver with insomnia after a fall spends her waking nights with her neighbor/crush, trying to put her memory of that day back together.
Love & Other Detours – Book 3 in the Love & series. Lina is desperate to leave Italy and time with the father she never knew until she receives a journal her mother kept when she was alive. Through the journal, Lina sees Italy in a new way – and discovers a secret that will change everything.
Majesty – Book 2 in the American Royals alternate history series about an America ruled by royalty instead of democracy. As Princess Beatrice prepares to become the country’s first Queen, her siblings and their friends wrestle with their own secrets and choices.
Punching the Air – A novel in verse about a teen convicted of a crime he didn’t commit who finds refuge in words.
Queen of Volts – The third and final book of the Shadow Game series. Enne and Levi are forced into a dangerous final game where they will have to decide if they are partners or rivals.
Recommended for You – The employee who sells the most books at Once Upon will receive a holiday bonus. And Shoshanna needs that money. But new hire, Jake, who doesn’t even read, is starting to outsell her. So Shoshanna is just going to have to take him down. I will be reviewing this one soon – I can’t wait to read it!
Sanctuary – A near-future dystopian story where everyone is chipped and tracked, which makes it extra hard to survive as an undocumented immigrant. When Vali’s mother’s status is discovered, Vali has to get herself and her brother to the sanctuary state of California before it’s too late.
Save Steve – Billed as “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels meets The Fault in Our Stars.” Steve is a jerk – a cancer patient, boyfriend of the most perfect girl, Kaia, and a jerk. But when Kaia asks Cam to help her pull off a fundraiser for Steve’s experimental treatment, he agrees, hoping it will show Kaia that he is really the guy for her, not Steve. But Steve sees through Cam’s plan and is determined to make Cam’s life miserable. This is already on my library list.
The Somebody People – Sequel to The Nobody People. Fahima’s old friend has been manipulating those who gained superpowers after the Pulse and building an army to fight anyone who would oppose him. This leaves Fahima to rely on unproven allies to help her fight for everyone’s freedom.
Teen Titans: Beast Boy (Graphic Novel) – A sequel of sorts to Teen Titans: Raven, although she doesn’t make an appearance in this book. This is Gar Logan’s origin story. I’ll be reviewing this one soon!
Unbirthday – Book 10 in the Twisted Tale series of fractured fairy tales. The characters Alice met in Wonderland are appearing in photographs she takes around town. I’m not a Wonderland fan, but the premise of this one sounds fascinating.
We Are Not Free – The story of a group of 14 Japanese-American teens who are sent to internment camps during World War II.
Better Than Life – Teen Girls’ Bible Study Book: How to Study the Bible and Like It – A nine-session study of Psalm 63. (Videos included in leader’s guide.)
The Extraordinary Life of Malala Yousafzai AND Michelle Obama – Leveled readers for English Language Learners.

Books for Adults

Avengers Extinction Key (Trade Paperback) – A prequel to the Marvel’s Avengers game. An ancient group of heroes once assembled to fight the Zodiac, a group of foes who used a Key to channel their powers. When the Key was lost, the Zodiac went into hiding. Now they are returning, and the Avengers are answering the call to fight once again. But if they are to have any hope of winning, they will need to find the Key.
A Case of Cat and Mouse (Hardcover) – Book 12 in the Magical Cats series. Kathleen is using her skills as a librarian to advise a reality baking show that is filming in town. When one of the judges is killed, Kathleen and her very special cats, Hercules and Owen, are on the case.
The Christmas Swap (Trade Paperback) – Since Emma has no chance of getting her dream White Christmas in Arizona, she signs up for a house swap in Colorado. When Tyler catches a glimpse of her, he decides not to leave after all. Tyler hopes to keep his identity as a famous musician and songwriter a secret, but Emma’s friend finds out and decides she wants him for herself. I could see this as a Hallmark movie, easily!
Gored of the Rings (e-book) – Book 1 in the Matchmaker Marriage Mysteries series, a spin off from the Matchmaker Mysteries by Elise Sax. Gladie is married now, and after three years of wedded bliss, there have been no dead bodies or murders to solve. Frankly, Gladie is a little bored. Her Grandma Zelda has decided to expand their matchmaking business into wedding planning and put Gladie in charge. When a member of the wedding party is killed during the festivities Gladie planned, she’s on the case. I have picked up a prequel for the original series – Road to Matchmaker – to try it out.
Off With Their Heads (e-book) – Book 1 in the Wonderland Library Mystery series. (This is available to read for free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers at the time of this writing.) Wonderland, Alabama embraces their ties to the classic stories with an annual Tumbledown Festival. But when a guest is killed at the festival, and her mentor bizarrely confesses, librarian Emerson Bloom starts investigating.
One for the Books (Hardcover) – Book 11 in the Library Lovers Mystery series by Jenn McKinlay. As Lindsey and her friends scout out a location for her upcoming wedding, they stumble across a body – the justice of the peace who was supposed to perform her wedding. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
A Rogue of Ones Own (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the League of Extraordinary Women series. Lucie and her suffragettes have enough money to take over a publishing house to advance their agenda, but the last obstacle, Lord Ballentine, sets an outrageous condition – a night in her bed.
Seven Ways to Kill a King (e-book) – A princess is out to kill the seven murderous kings who destroyed her life. I’ve pre-ordered this one.
Star Wars: Thrawn: Chaos Rising (Harcover) – Book 1 in the Ascendancy Trilogy which will explore Thrawn’s origins and the home of the Chiss Ascendancy.  I haven’t read any of the Thrawn books so far (my husband has enjoyed them), but this one sounds amazing!
The Way Out (Trade Paperback) – Book 1 in the Forbidden Minds series. Natural pregnancy has been deemed an unnecessary risk when artificial means have been developed. But a reporter investigating the new technology and subsequent laws discovers that some natural-born children have developed supernatural powers. She teams up with a former Marine whose son has some of those powers, and both women become targets for those who want them silenced. This sounds fascinating.
When No One Is Watching (Trade Paperback) – A thriller from the author of the Reluctant Royals series. As Sydney’s neighborhood starts changing, she notices her long-time neighbors disappearing. Sydney turns her frustration into something fruitful by digging into the history of the neighborhood with one of the new residents. But what they discover is truly disturbing.
Yours to Keep (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Man of the Year series by the author of the Central Park Pact series. A sidelined shortstop heads home to recover and to attend his high school reunion. But things don’t go the way he expects them to.  This sounds fun. (This is available to read for free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers at the time of this writing.)
28-Day Prayer Journey: A Daily Guide to Conversations with God (Trade Paperback) – The latest from Christian writer Chrystal Evans Hurst. Includes three daily prompts, space for writing, as well as prayer and praise prompts.
Do It Afraid: Embracing Courage in the Face of Fear (Hardcover) – The latest from Joyce Meyer. Recognize, confront and conquer fear.
Is God Speaking To Me?: How to Discern His Voice and Direction (Booklet) – A 64 page booklet from author Lysa TerKeurst about learning to recognize God’s voice.
Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio (Hardcover Graphic Novel – September 4) – A 50th Anniversary look at the Kent State shooting when National Guardsmen shot and killed four unarmed students, and wounded several others, protesting the Vietnam War.
The Primal Gourmet Cookbook: Whole 30 Endorsed: It’s Not a Diet If It’s Delicious (Hardcover) – 100+ gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free recipes.
Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation As an Exercise in Hope (Trade Paperback) – The author, a New Testament scholar, posits that reading Scripture from the perspective of Black church tradition helps address the issues of our times. He also explores how the Bible speaks to topics often ignored by white interpreters such as ethnicity, policing, slavery, and political protest. This is also at the top of my list for this week.
Seeking the Lord: A 30 Day Start to Your Journey  (Trade Paperback) – A 30 day devotional exploring the lives of 22 people from the Bible who sought and found God. (This is available to read for free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers at the time of this writing.)    
Star Trek: Quibbles with Tribbles (Puzzle book) – A puzzle book for Trek fans.
Who Will Be a Witness?: Igniting Activism for God’s Justice, Love and Deliverance (Trade Paperback) – A call to action for the Church to respond to the need for justice in our times. This is on my September list, too.

BOOK NEWS: May 5, 2020

BOOK NEWS: May 5, 2020

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy May! Yes, there have been a lot of release dates postponed because of the pandemic, but you can’t tell it by this great slate of books we have to look forward to. Here are some of the new books releasing this week:

Books for Kids

Pterapunzel (Board Book) – Book 3 in the Once Before Time board book series of fractured fairy tales starring dinosaurs. You can read my review of Sleeping Bronty here. A dinosaur with a beautiful singing voice is captured by a witch and imprisoned in a tall tower. This looks adorable!
I Really Want the Cake – A girl and her pup struggle against temptation when there’s cake!
Llama Unleashes the Alpacalypse – Sequel to Llama Destroys the World (♥♥♥). Llama clones his friend Alpaca to help him clean up his baking mess leading to the “alpacalypse.”
The One and Only Dylan St. Claire – A boy who loves the spotlight is cast as a squirrel in the school play about outer space – instead of the starring role he was hoping for.
Welcome to the Party – A new picture book by Gabrielle Union inspired by the anticipation of the birth of her daughter.
Clever Hans – The true story of a clever horse that changed the course of science! I am so excited to read this!
Cutiecorns: Heart of Gold – The first of two books launching this series this week. It’s time for the Cutiecorns to learn to use their magic when Sparkle’s locket is stolen.
Frog and Dog: Frog Meets Dog AND Goat in a Boat (ACORN) – There are three short, rhyming friendship stories in each of these books launching the Frog and Dog series from Scholastic Acorn.
Hotdog! AND Hotdog!: Party Time – These two books launch the Hotdog! series. Hotdog and his friends help a baby bird find its mother in book one, and in book two the friends are planning a surprise party.
Itty Bitty Princess Kitty: The Puppy Prince – Book 3 in the Itty Bitty Princess Kitty series about a princess kitty and her unicorn best friend. These look DARLING!! This time, a royal family of dogs comes to visit, and Itty has trouble connecting with the prince.
Jewel Kingdom: The Ruby Princess Runs Away – The first of FOUR books launching the Jewel Kingdom series release this week! Four girls about to become princesses must face personal challenges in their kingdom(s). These look so fun! The covers for all four are gorgeous! The other titles are: The Sapphire Princess Meets a Monster, The Emerald Princess Plays a Trick, and The Diamond Princess Saves the Day.
Layla and the Bots: Happy Paws (BRANCHES) – Book 1 in the new Layla and the Bots series from Scholastic Branches that combines a rock band with cool inventions. In this book, Layla tries to help a failing amusement park by turning it into a park for dogs. This also looks adorable!
Jesus, Who Are You? – An inductive Bible study for kids on the names of Jesus from Kay Arthur and other authors. This sounds really cool!

Books for Older Kids/Teens

Becoming Brianna – Book 4 in the Emmie & Friends line of graphic novels after Invisible Emmie, Positively Izzy, and Just Jaime (♥♥♥♥). This book focuses on Bri’s preparations for her Bat Mitzvah, especially considering she does not enjoy being in the spotlight. I’ve already requested this one from the library.
Camp Jupiter Classified (Trials of Apollo) – The journal of Claudia, a probatio at Camp Jupiter might lead readers to discover who is really responsible for all the problems that have cropped up recently at the camp. Fans of Rick Riordan’s series should check this one out.
Cursed (Older Middle Grade) – The sixth and final book in the Fairy Tale Reform School series which started with Flunked (♥♥♥♥). Gilly is pitted against her own sister as she battles Rumpelstiltskin and his Stiltskin Squad when they try to curse Enchantasia out of existence.
Donut Dreams: Family Recipe – Book 3 in the Donut Dreams series focuses on an adopted girl wrestling with a family tree assignment for school.
Jacky Ha-Ha (Graphic Novel) – A graphic novel adaptation of the Chris Grabenstein/James Patterson novel.
Katie Cupcakes and Wedding Bells – Book 33 in the Cupcake Diaries series. Katie is excited about her mom’s upcoming wedding until she finds out it means they are going to have to move.
Keep It Together, Keiko Carter – At the start of middle school, Keiko finds herself caught between her feuding best friends as the pressure builds to have boyfriends before Fall Ball.
Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy from 15 Muslim Voices – A collection of short stories about the celebration of Eid, the festival at the end of Ramadan.
The One and Only Bob – The long-awaited sequel of The One and Only Ivan. Ivan, Ruby, and Bob set off on an adventure as they search for Bob’s sister as a hurricane approaches.
One Last Shot – In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with a book by John David Anderson. I’ve already pre-ordered this one, I am so confident it will be amazing. A non-sporty kid discovers he loves mini-golf, but his dad’s sports obsession threatens to ruin the game for him.
Real Pigeons Eat Danger – Book 2 in the Real Pigeons series starring crime fighting feathered friends. I have book 1 on hold at the library. This series looks hysterical!
Sal & Gabi Fix the Universe – Book 2 in the Sal and Gabi series from Rick Riordan’s imprint for mythological stories. This time, there is a rogue Gabi duplicate on the loose that threatens the world as we know it.
Shuri – My favorite character from the Black Panther movie now gets her own book (in addition to the comics and graphic novels where you can already find her). From the author of Dear Martin (♥♥♥♥). In a story that seems to be launching a series, Shuri leaves Wakanda to find out what is causing the Heart-Shaped Herb to die. This is at the top of my list for this week.
Sprinkle Sundays: A Sprinkle of Friendship – Book 10 in the Sprinkle Sundays series. Allie and Sierra are trying to do the jobs of three people at the ice cream shop when Tamiko goes on vacation during the busy summer season.
Swimming with Dolphins – A girl’s worries about her family’s move and how she’ll adjust to new spaces with her wheelchair are compounded when her dream of swimming with a dolphin doesn’t go like she thought it would.
Throwback: The Chaos Loop – Book 2 in the Throwback series from the author of the Seven Wonders books and the Max Tilt series. In the first book, Corey discovered he has the power to go back in time and change history, but now he’s becoming addicted to the rush of fixing past problems. And a trip back to WWII Germany could ask more of him than he is able to give.
Turtle Boy (Older Middle Grade) – Will, a struggling middle schooler who prefers a quiet life by himself, gets to know RJ, a boy in the hospital with an incurable disease, as part of his Bar Mitzvah preparations. But when RJ’s health starts to decline, Will decides he needs to tackle the items on RJ’s bucket list for him. This will be powerful.
We Dream of Space – Three siblings in 7th grade (a pair of twins and an older sibling taking a second run at it) dig into a class assignment in anticipation of the Challenger launch (1986). This sounds lovely. I am fascinated by the full description of the three kids, the ways they are each struggling, and I’m eager to see how the class assignment impacts each of them.
Show Me History: Benjamin Franklin, Inventor of the Nation! (Graphic Novel) – A graphic novel biography of Benjamin Franklin.
What Is Lego? AND Where Is the Congo?

Books for Teens/Young Adults

Aurora Burning – Sequel to the terrific Aurora Rising.  Squad 312 is still on the run as Aurora tries to get a handle on her powers. And a message from the past – the black box on the Hadfield – could be just what they need to figure out how to save the galaxy. I already have this on hold at the library.
The Betrothed – Kiera Cass, author of the fantastic Selection series, is back with a new story about a would-be queen. Hollis has grown up at the palace, so of course she is thrilled to hear the King has his eye on her. But a commoner with a mysterious gift shows Hollis that her heart may actually want something besides the future she was raised to pursue.
Clap When You Land – A novel in verse about two girls – one in the Dominican Republic and the other in New York – who learn about one another when their father is killed in a plane crash.
The Declaration, the Sword and the Spy – Book 6 in the Epic Order of the Seven series. The Epic Order of the Seven animals try to help the Founding Fathers through the treacherous twists of the American Revolution.
Forged in Fire and Stars – Ara was always told her destiny was to become the Loresmith, the blacksmith who armed the kingdom for war. But after the kingdom was overthrown years back, she thought that destiny was gone. Until the lost prince and princess come looking for Ara to help them retake their kingdom and defeat their foes.
Four Days of You and Me – Every year their class takes an all-day class trip. And every year the trip draws Lulu and Alex together again. Looks like this will explore the class trip from all four years of high school with these two teens.
Fractured Tide – A new novel from Blink YA publishing. A scuba diving teen is marooned on an island after her boat is attacked by a mysterious creature and some of her tourist passengers are killed. Reuniting with some survivors on the island is not the relief she first thinks it is. Described as a mix of suspense and horror.
Hunting November – Sequel to the stunning Killing November. November has survived her training at the espionage boarding school where her father sent her, but now she has to use those skills – and the ones he gave her growing up – to find her father before someone kills him. I adored the first book and will be reading this one as soon as I get my hands on it.
The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly – A teen waitressing at a medieval-themed restaurant longs for the chance to be a knight instead of a wench. The pay is better – and her family needs it – and the job is more fun. But when she fills in for her brother as a knight, wins, and then is revealed to be a girl, she decides there’s no way she is going back to waiting tables without a fight. I have this on hold at the library, too.
War and Speech – When her dad goes to prison, Sydney loses a lot. But she gains a new school that is ruled by the blistering speech team of all things. But Sydney’s new group of misfit friends realizes she could actually get onto the speech team and help them take it down from the inside. But what will Sydney choose to do when she realizes she actually has a chance to win the national competition and get some of her life back instead of toppling the power structure? I’ll be reviewing this one soon!

Books for Adults

The Farm Stand (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Amish Marketplace series. An Amish woman running her own produce stand at the market starts to fall for the Mennonite chef working next door. But she’s already in a relationship.
Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish (Trade Paperback) – From the author of The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck and Wooing Cadie McCaffrey. The top two chefs on the Culinary Channel have to work together as he is trying to repair his reputation, and she has all the sweet and respectable qualities he needs to find if he wants to keep his career.
Hello Summer (Hardcover) – A journalist stuck back at home working on the gossip column in the family newspaper stumbles into the story of a lifetime.
The Imperfects (Hardcover) – The three Miller siblings launch an investigation into their family history when their grandmother dies and they discover a  famous, long-missing diamond among her belongings.
Mousse and Murder (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 1 in the Alaskan Diner Mystery series. A chef returns to her Alaskan home to take over the family diner, but soon finds herself wrapped up in a murder investigation when her head cook is killed.
A Murderous Misconception (e-book May 8) – Book 7 in the Victoria Square Mystery series. When Kate hears her boyfriend Andy’s assistant manager is pregnant with his child, she is floored. When the woman is later killed (and determined to NOT be pregnant), Kate and Andy both become murder suspects.
My Brother’s Keeper (e-book May 8) – Book 4 in the Reverend Margot Quade Cozy Mystery series. When Margot tries to get away for a restorative vacation, the Lord has other plans. She finds plenty of people at the B&B in need of pastoral care and counsel. When one of those people ends up dead, she feels compelled to investigate. I love the idea of a Christian Cozy mystery! Book 1, Into the Lion’s Den, is free for Kindle Unlimited subscribers at the time of this writing.
Network Effect (Hardcover) – Book 5 in the Murderbot Diaries series, the first full-length, standalone novel in the series. I am fascinated by this Artificial Intelligence story. I have book 1 on my list at the library.
The Resolutions (Hardcover) – The Brennan siblings are close to achieving everything they ever dreamed. But when roadblocks threaten to undo everything, they return home to each other for the holidays, and then head to West Africa to try to save everything they have worked for.
Storing up Trouble (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the American Heiresses series. An independent young woman encounters a scientist on the train to Chicago when someone tries to steal the man’s research. When they bump into each other again, it becomes clear that the thieves have not given up their plans to steal the research, and both the scientist and the young woman may get caught in the middle. This series looks delightful! I can’t wait to read these.
The Tourist Attraction (Trade Paperback) – Book 1 in the Moose Springs, Alaska series. A grumpy local with no patience for tourists may have to change his tune when he gets to know the  young woman who frequents his diner and blushes every time he catches her eye. I have had this on hold at the library for ages!
Upsy Daisy (e-book) – Book 1 in the Higher Learning series. Two young people at college believe this time in their lives is crucial to achieving the future they dream of, but they could quickly become a distraction for one another.
Grace for the Moment Family Devotional (Hardcover) – 100 devotions for families from Max Lucado.
The Lincoln Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill America’s Sixteenth President – and Why It Failed (Hardcover) – The latest from Brad Meltzer looks into a little-known failed assassination attempt against President Lincoln.
The Myth of the American Dream: Reflections on Affluence, Autonomy, Safety, and Power (Hardcover) – A collection of essays around these four American values and how they line up to Jesus’ commands for his followers.

BOOK NEWS: November 6, 2018

BOOK NEWS: November 6, 2018

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy November! Historically I have noticed that November is not a big month for publishing, but this year I have found a LOT of great books releasing this month. Here are some of the books out this week.

Books for Kids

Dr. Thirteenth – Limited edition hardcover celebration of the new Doctor. (The regular paperback version will release in January 2019)
No Boring Stories – A group of misfit animals are tired of boring stories so they write some stories of their own. This looks fantastic!
Pies from Nowhere: How Georgia Gilmore Sustained the Montgomery Bus Boycott – A lesser known story from the Civil Rights movement. I can’t wait to read this one!
To Wakanda and Beyond – The latest in the Marvel Super Hero Adventures series. I’ve read one of these, and it was a lot of fun!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Aquaman: Arthur’s Guide to Atlantis – Part of a collection of books set around the new Aquaman movie releasing in December
Aquaman: The Junior Novel – The junior novel for the movie.
Aquaman: Undertow – A prequel story of a young Arthur Curry set in the DC Cinematic Universe
Are You Ready to Hatch an Unusual Chicken? – Book 2 in this series about some very special chickens with superpowers. I really enjoyed the first book in this series. I’ll be reviewing this one here tomorrow.
Ellie, Engineer: The Next Level – Book 2 in the Ellie Engineer series. This time, Ellie and her friends use their engineering skills to help an elderly neighbor.
Flashback – Book 7 in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series. I heard the author speak when this series was just getting started, and I still haven’t gotten around to digging into it. It sounds like just the sort of story I love. The series is about a telepathic girl who meets someone like her and finds out she really belongs somewhere else.
The Girl with the Dragon Heart – Book 2 in the Tales from the Chocolate Heart series about a young dragon who is tricked into drinking enchanted hot chocolate that turns her into a human. This series is on my TBR list, too.
Lizzy and the Good Luck Girl – A girl who is always on the looking for signs to tell her how to live her life finds a runaway with a four-leaf clover tattoo on her hand and decides to hide the girl in her closet. I’m curious to try this one!
More Than a Princess – An original fairy tale about a special princess who is mistaken for a human and captured to be used as a pawn by a king. I love this author’s other books, and I will definitely be giving this one a try!
No Slam Dunk – A novel about teamwork on and off the court from Mike Lupica. I have enjoyed several of the author’s previous books. This looks great.
The Secret Files of Barry Allen – Everything you need to know about The Flash TV show on the CW.
Shelby’s Story – Part of W. Bruce Cameron’s line of puppy and dog stories for kids. This one focuses on Shelby, a dog who acts in movies. Sure to be a hit with dog-loving kids!
Speechless – A boy has to speak at his cousin’s funeral and wonders what he could possibly say. This sounds fascinating.
Two’s a Crowd – Sequel to The Real McCoys, which is still on my TBR list from last year. This series focuses on sibling detectives looking into a series of mysterious letters and finding out two McCoys are better than one.
The Lego Neighborhood Book 2 – Another instruction book for building a neighborhood out of Lego bricks.
Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World – From the author of the spectacular Little Leaders comes this book highlighting 40 women creators including Hedy Lemar and Wangari Maathai. I loved the first book, so I’m excited to see the new one!
She Did It!: 21 Women Who Changed the Way We Think – Another collection of women’s biographies for kids, this one focusing on women who changed the world around them.
Archenemies – Sequel to Renegades (which I was supposed to read this summer, but haven’t gotten to yet) about a teen working as both a superhero (Insomnia) and super villain (Nightmare) in a world where the lines between good and evil are blurring. I hope to get to book one before the end of the year.
The Color of Lies – A teen who sees emotions as colors meets a guy she can’t read at all. At first it’s a relief, but then she discovers he is looking into the death of her parents, and it might not be the accident she always thought it was. This sounds like my kind of story! Definitely on my list for this week.
How to Fracture a Fairy Tale – A collection of fractured fairy tales and legends. Yes, please!
Last Seen – Book 3 in the Amateurs series about a group of teens coerced by a killer to dig into the mysterious disappearance of a nine-year-old boy. This series is one that has been on my list to try for awhile.
Little White Lies – A new book by a favorite author, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, about an auto mechanic turned debutante. Barnes is a must-read author for me, so I will be checking this one out soon.
Mammoth – A high school paleontology geek gets an internship that will change her life, but not in the ways she was expecting. This sounds amazing. It’s on my list for this week.
Marvel Rising – Book 1 in a graphic novel series staring Ms Marvel and Squirrel Girl. I’m excited to check this one out!
Skyward – A girl who longs to be a pilot has to overcome her father’s choice to desert his team which is keeping her from her dream. I’m curious to try this one – our family has enjoyed several of the author’s other books.
Toxic – A girl who has grown up in secret on a bioship discovers her mother and her crew have disappeared. I love a good science fiction story, so I am eager to try this one.
The XY – In a world of women only, a girl discovers an XY, sick and suffering and at her mercy. Should she eliminate him or save him? I am curious about the world building for this one. I’ll be checking this out, too.

Books for Adults

 

Breach (Paperback) – Book one in a new Cold War Magic series where a breach of the magical Berlin Wall could kick off World War III. This sounds fantastic!
Cold Brew Killing (e-book) – Book 3 in the All-Day Breakfast Cafe series about a dead body in the freezer at the local ice cream shop. This is a fun series!
Cubicles that Make You Envy the Dead (Paperback) – The latest comic collection staring Dilbert
Fatal Festival Days (November 8) (Paperback) – Book 3 in the Dog Days Mystery series about a murder at the local winter festival. This is another great mystery series. I need to get caught up with this one.
Nine Perfect Strangers (Hardcover) – Nine strangers at a health resort looking for solutions may find more than they planned. I’m curious about this one. I’m not even sure if it is a mystery or a romance or what.
Star Trek Discovery: Succession (Paperback Graphic Novel) – A mirror universe Star Trek story. The first cover is the official one, but for awhile they were using this second one and I loved it SO MUCH, I just had to include it here.
A Vintage Death (November 8) (Paperback) – Book 2 in the Keepsake Cove mystery series about a music box store owner and a murdered B&B owner. I had some reservations when I read the first book in the series, but I’d like to try this one and see if those hold up or if they were just part of the first book.
You Don’t Own Me (Hardcover) – Book 6 in this Mary Higgins Clark/Alafair Burke series about a producer of a television series that investigates cold cases. I have this whole series on my TBR list!
Consider It Joy (Hardcover) – For those who have wanted to try bullet journaling, but aren’t sure where to start. I’d love to see this in person to see how it is laid out.
Homebody: A Guide to Creating Spaces You Never Want to Leave (Hardcover) – From television personality Joanna Gaines.  Walks you through how to set up your home to reflect your personality
Living Well, Spending Less/Unstuffed Study Guide: Eight Weeks to Redefining the Good Life and Living It (Paperback) – A study guide to accompany the books and a video study
The Passion Generation: The Seemingly Reckless, Definitely Disruptive, But Far From Hopeless Millennials (Paperback) – The millennial generation from the perspective of one of their own regarding the Church. I love books like this that look at the unique characteristics of different generations.

BOOK NEWS: September 25, 2018

BOOK NEWS: September 25, 2018

Posted on by Jaymie

September is coming to a close. One more Tuesday release day for this month – and it is chock full of reading goodness! Take a look at some of the books releasing this week.

Books for Kids

 

This Little Scientist (Board Book) – Board book highlighting scientists like Isaac Newton and Jane Goodall. This looks delightful.
An Inconvenient Alphabet: Ben Franklin & Noah Webster’s Spelling Revolution – A history of language and spelling in America. I’ve seen a few sample pages of this, but I’d love to read the whole story. It’s fascinating!
Benji, the Bad Day and Me – A boy and his autistic younger brother are both having a bad day. This looks sweet. I can’t wait to read the whole thing!
Giraffe Problems – Along the lines of its predecessor, Penguin Problems, comes this book about a giraffe who is self-conscious about his long neck.
King Alice – A girl writes a story when her family is snowed in for the day. Adorable!
Quiet Wyatt – A shy and quiet boy is paired with a loud know-it-all for the school field trip. This looks terrific.
The Sun Is Kind of a Big Deal – A fun and factual book about the sun. Looks like a great resource for space-loving kids and for classroom use.
Take Your Octopus to School Day – From the author of Is Your Buffalo Ready For Kindergarten? (which I loved) comes this story of a kid who wants to “win” Show and Tell. I can’t wait to read this one!
What Do You Do with a Voice Like That?: The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan – This picture book biography would be fantastic for middle school history classrooms (and upper elementary ones) as well as school libraries.
Eleanor Roosevelt’s in my Garage – Book 2 in the History Pals series for readers ready for chapter books. This series looks SO fun, and I love anything about the Roosevelts.
The Princess in Black in the Science Fair Scare – The Princess in Black gets a little help battling a monster at the science fair. I love this series!
Shine of the Silver Dragon – Book 11 in the BRANCHES Dragon Masters series
Tornado Hits! – Book 5 in the BRANCHES series Hilde Cracks the Case. I thought the third book was great. I’m happy to see the series continue!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

 

I Survived the Attack of the Grizzlies, 1967 – Book 17 in this terrific series.
It’s the End When I Say It’s the End – The 7th and final book in the Timmy Failure series that looks like the Wimpy Kid books, but this series focuses on Timmy and his polar bear partner in crime-solving.
Little Red Rodent Hood – Book 6 in the fun Hamster Princess series of fractured fairy tales.
A Perilous Journey of Danger and Mayhem: A Dastardly Plot – A new alternate history series (about an Inventor’s Guild in 1883) by Christopher Healy, author of the terrific Hero’s Guide series. I’m excited about this one!
The Second Story – Magic Misfits book 2 by Neil Patrick Harris. I enjoyed book one and I’m looking forward to reading the second one.
Trapped! – Book 3 in the fantastic mystery series by James Ponti. This time, Florian and Margaret are trying to clear their FBI handler of a crime. Part of this one takes place at the Library of Congress. I am SO excited to read this! This is at the top of my list for this week.
Two Cats and a Baby – Book 4 in the Stick Cat series, by the same author as the Stick Dog books. Cute series that looks like Wimpy Kid in style. In this book, the cats are trying to watch the baby when the sitter gets stuck in the bathroom.
The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden – Book 2 in the Vanderbeekers series which has received RAVE reviews. In this book, the kids decide to build a garden to help their neighbor. I have book one on my wishlist for the library.
You Don’t Know Everything Jilly P! – Jilly P learns that life is different for her Black friends and her Deaf friends. I’m curious to read this one because it sounds like Jilly stumbles through her interactions like I’m always afraid I will. I think I can learn some things from Jilly – and kids can learn from her, too.
500 Words or Less – To salvage her reputation at school, a high school senior starts writing college admissions essays for her peers. I’m eager to read this one.
A Blade So Black – An urban fantasy version of Alice in Wonderland. In general, I don’t like Alice in Wonderland. And I’ve not had a ton of luck with retellings of the story either. But that cover has been taunting me all summer long. I think I will try this one from the library and see if it can redeem the Alice story for me.
Olympian Heritage (ebook – Sept. 29) – Sequel to the terrific Olympian Challenger. In this book Hope is on a quest for the gods to find the Fountain of Youth. I felt like the first book was a teen version of Percy Jackson with some elements of The Hunger Games thrown in. I am looking forward to reading this one!
Unstoppable Moses – A prank gone horribly wrong leaves Moses with one chance to have his record expunged by volunteering as a camp counselor. I am curious to read this and find out just what Moses did and if he is able to redeem himself.
The War Outside – In 1944 a German teen and a Japanese teen find themselves in a family internment camp in Texas, wondering what the future holds for them and who they can trust. Sounds like a fascinating premise for fans of historical fiction!
The Lego Architecture Idea Book: 1001 Ideas for Brickwork, Siding, Windows, Columns, Roofing, and Much, Much More – The latest Lego building book for Master Builders.

Books for Adults

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing (Hardcover) – The fiction debut of Hank Green (brother of John Green) focuses on huge Transformer-like statues in samurai armor that appear overnight around the world. This has been getting a lot of buzz since it was first announced.
The Amish Christmas Letters (Trade Paperback) – A collection of three Amish Christmas stories. This is the time of year when I get in the mood for Christmas fiction. There are several new books out this week that are on my Christmas reading wish list.
Assault and Beadery (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 4 in the Cora Crafts mystery series about a craft retreat business and the woman who runs it. This time, Cora  is trying to prove her friend innocent of the murder of the local theater director.
A Catered Cat Wedding (Hardcover) – Book 14 in this mystery series with recipes. This time the crime is focused around a wedding for a pair of cats. This premise is unusual enough to get me to jump into a series in the middle just to find out what happens.
Christmas by Accident (small Hardcover) – A car accident throws together an insurance adjuster who doesn’t like Christmas and a bookseller who loves it in this book that sounds like the premise for a Hallmark Christmas movie.
Christmas Cake Murder (Hardcover) – Book 23 in the Hannah Swensen mystery series.
The Christmas Sisters (Trade Paperback) – Three adopted daughters head home for Christmas, each carrying her own burdens and secrets. I’m looking forward to this one.
Death of a Neighborhood Scrooge (Hardcover) – Book 16 in the Jaine Austen mystery series about a freelance writer. I might have read book one when it first came out, but it’s been so long I’m just not sure. This sounds like a series I would enjoy.
Final Roasting Place (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Cook Off Mystery series. This time a TV personality is killed just after Sherry wins their cooking contest. I haven’t read the first one, but this one sounds terrific! This is on my list!
Forever Fudge! (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 6 in the Candy-Coated mystery series. This time there’s a murder while a film crew is in town filming a new TV mystery pilot.
Just in Time (Trade Paperback) – Book 4 in the Dodie O’Dell mystery series. You can read my review of book one here. In this book,  the theater is putting on their first musical – Bye Bye Birdie – when their accompanist is murdered.
One in a Million (Trade Paperback) – Annie accepts a challenge to make a stranger Instagram-famous in just thirty days, but her subject is a social media-hating historian. Annie has her hands full. A contemporary take on My Fair Lady. I love stories like this!
The Peppermint Mocha Murder (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 5 in the Chocolate Whisperer mystery series. I am several books behind on this series, but I love the premise. This is on my TBR list.
Premeditated Peppermint (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Amish Candy Shop mystery series by Amanda Flower. I have loved both of the previous books and pre-ordered this one back in March. Looking forward to reading it. Can’t go wrong with a peppermint-themed mystery!
Sadie (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Amish Fairytale Retellings series by Sarah Price. I’ll be reviewing this one next week, but I’ll say right now that it is just as fantastic as the first two!
Vengeful (Hardcover) – Sequel to Villains by V.E. Schwab. I am waiting for book one from the library right now. This superhero fantasy series sounds right up my alley!
The Walking Bread (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Bread Shop mystery series about a Mexican bakery. I’m looking forward to reading this one, but I know it will make me hungry!
Jesus Calling for Christmas (small Hardcover) – 50 holiday season devotions from Jesus Calling  by Sarah Young.
This Is the Day: Reclaim Your Dream. Ignite Your Passion. Live Your Purpose. (Hardcover) –  The latest from Tim Tebow focuses on inspiration and encouragement for those feeling “stuck” in their lives.

BOOK NEWS: January 23, 2018

BOOK NEWS: January 23, 2018

Posted on by Jaymie

It’s Monday again and that means it is time to look at some of the books that are releasing this week!

Books for Kids

Alabama Spitfire: The Story of Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird – Picture book biography of Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird.
Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went from the Football Field to the Art Gallery – Picture book biography of Ernie Barnes, athlete and artist.
Free as a Bird: The Story of Malala – Picture book biography of Malala Yousafzai focusing on Malala’s relationship with her father.
The Great Dictionary Caper – From the author of Wild About Books comes this tale of words escaping the dictionary and Noah Webster putting things right again.
Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Race for Space – Picture book biography of the three women highlighted in the movie Hidden Figures as well as a fourth woman, Christine Darden.
Ordinary Extraordinary Jane Austen: The Story of Six Novels, Three Notebooks, a Writing Box, and One Clever Girl – Picture book biography of Jane Austen
Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World – Picture book collection of biographies of women such as Mary Anning, Ruby Bridges and Maya Lin. Of all the picture book biographies out this week, this one would be at the top of my list because it covers so many young women, several of whom I have not heard of before. Looking forward to this one.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

A Problematic Paradox – Described as Guardians of the Galaxy meets The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, this is the story of a brilliant girl whose adventures in space kick off when her father is kidnapped by aliens. This one had me at “Hitchhiker’s Guide.”
The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle – The story of a boy with social and learning issues who is also grieving the loss of his best friend. Since the friend died on the Buttle property, Mason has been questioned about that day a lot. When Mason’s new friend goes missing, Mason is desperate to find out what has happened to his friends. The middle grade community online has been buzzing about this book for months. I’m looking forward to reading this one.
Where Is Machu Picchu?
Where Is Our Solar System?
Whiskerella – Book 5 in the fun Hamster Princess series. This book takes a twisted view of the Cinderella story. I love this whole series of fractured fairy tales. This is on my list for certain.

Books for Adults

Scone Cold Killer – Book 1 in the All-Day Breakfast Cafe mystery series. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week.
View from Rainshadow Bay – The latest from Christian author, Colleen Coble, this story is the first in a new Lavender Tides series about a woman who loses her husband and then her business partner. She fears she is also in danger.
Dream of You: Let Go of Broken Identities and Live the Life You Were Made For – I have loved Jo Saxton’s work since I first saw her speak as part of an IF: Gathering experience. I’ve said before that identity is one of my favorite themes in books, both fiction and nonfiction. I have an early copy of this book  in my TBR pile already.
Still Evangelical?: Insiders Reconsider Political, Social and Theological Meaning – In the past couple years the word “evangelical” has taken on new meaning and connotations. And many of them are negative. I am curious to read what these authors have to say about the matter.

REVIEW: The Legend of Shadow High by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale

REVIEW: The Legend of Shadow High by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Something is going on at Monster High. First, Frankie Stein and Draculaura’s presentation for school is a disaster! Then there’s a strange plopping sound like leaking pipes. And finally there’s a reference to a mysterious place called Shadow High. But no one seems to know what that is.

When Frankie and Draculaura attempt to find Shadow High on the Mapalogue, they set off an earthquake and discover a land they’ve never heard of – Ever After.

Things are strange at Ever After High. There are earthquakes, strange old women in the school, whispers of something call “Shadow High,” and Maddie has gone missing. Maybe the Evil Queen is up to something! But surely not. She’s in mirror prison. Isn’t she?

When Draculaura and Frankie meet Apple White and Raven Queen, there’s lot of screaming (monsters!) and disbelief (fairy tales!). But the only way they can figure out the mysteries of Shadow High will be to work together.

Review

Once upon a time, I read the first two books in the Ever After High series. I loved them! They were fun and fit in with my love of fractured fairy tales. I moved away from the series after the Wonderland story line grew (Wonderland is just not my style) and when the author changed. Now, Shannon Hale is back, this time drawing characters from Monster High into the Ever After High world.

The fun, quirky things from Every After High – the creative language (“hexcellent” and “pin-the-horn-on-the-unicorn”) and narrator commentary, etc. – are back. So the structure of this book felt familiar. As an adult, I find that sometimes these cute little plays on words can get old, but my students adored them.

I loved seeing the Ever After High characters again. Raven has always been my favorite. The new Monster High characters were a neutral piece for me. I didn’t dislike them or like them. They added a “diversity” layer to the story as both pairs of girls had to get past their prejudices. But Monster High is not a franchise I am familiar with, so I have no previous contact with these characters and their stories.

The overall story of the book was interesting. Not what I was expecting. There was a lot  about the structure and process of reading and books – about the separation of readers and story, the “fourth wall,” and the role of narrators, etc.. It was a clever idea, but it didn’t click for me.

There’s an excellent twist to the structure towards the end of the book. That redeemed the reading experience for me. I literally sat up taller in my chair, and hunched over the book to see how the structure change would play out. It was a fun twist that fit with what was happening in the story – it wasn’t just tossed in randomly.

I think this book will click for fans of the original Ever After High books and fans of Monster High as well as kids who love both.

Thanks to Little, Brown books for an ARC of this story for review purposes.

Rating: ♥♥♥