Happy February! As thoughts turn to love, let’s look at some of the books releasing this week that you might love!
Books for Kids
Be Kind – A sweet-looking book exploring ways to be kind. I adored one of the author’s previous books, Sophie’s Squash. I can’t wait to check this one out!
The Big Bed – A girl offers her dad his own bed – a camping cot – so she can take over his spot in the big bed. Adorable!
Bloom – Picture book biography of fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli. Picture book biographies are fantastic ways to introduce kids to nonfiction and also to historic figures they might not already know.
I Walk with Vanessa – Another book on kindness, a timely topic. Looking forward to reading this one, too.
Idea Jar – A teacher has students fill a jar with story ideas. When the ideas escape the jar, hijinks ensue! This looks fantastic! This is a great week for exploring new picture books.
Nobody’s Duck – An alligator finds a mysterious duck left on his lawn. What a hoot!
Rabbit & Possum – A best friends story where one friend is adventurous and the other is cautious. I love stories like this that value different personality qualities.
The Tiptoeing Tiger – Clumsy Little Tiger looks for someone to scare. This looks cute.
Wordy Birdy – Can a group of friends save their pal who talks far more than she listens? The cover illustration for this caught my attention. I can’t wait to read this one.
Better Together – Book 3 in the precious Heartwood Hotel early chapter book series. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in the series. I highly recommend this series for lower and middle elementary classrooms (1st-4th grade).
Cardinal’s Caper – Now that football season is wrapping up, thoughts turn to baseball. This is book 14 in the Ballpark Mysteries early chapter book series.
Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults
Action Presidents: George Washington AND Abraham Lincoln – The first two books in the new Action Presidents series described as Wimpy Kid meets Who Was
Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire – First book in a new fantasy adventure series about a boy in a mountain scouting group facing dark and ancient forces
Bringing Me Back – A boy who is shunned at school and whose mom is in jail discovers a bear with her head stuck in a pail but who flees from anyone trying to help her. He is determined to help the bear even though the rest of the town has written her off. This is on my library list!
Checked – A boy gives up his favorite pastime – hockey – to pay for his dog’s chemo. The full description of this book almost had me in tears. This is on my library list, too.
Dark Side of the Moon – Book 2 in the Space Runners series about a boy who wins a trip to the moon but discovers a lot more than he bargained for. This sounds like something our family would enjoy, in the same vein as Randoms.
Date with Disaster – The latest graphic novel starring the kids at DC Super Hero High focuses on some dating disasters. I’ll be reviewing this one next week (hint – I enjoyed it!)
Dragon Bones – Book 2 in the Unwanteds Quest series, a second series after the original Unwanteds series. I read the very first Unwanted books and the rest are on my TBR list. If you or your kids enjoy fantasy, check out these series.
Geeked Out: A Lame New World – A spoofy dystopian middle grade story. Sign me up!
Marabel and the Book of Fate – A princess ignores her kingdom’s low expectations of her to go in search of her kidnapped twin brother. I will be reviewing this tomorrow (hint – I enjoyed this one, too!).
Payback on Poplar Lane – Competing middle-schoolers try to start businesses in their neighborhood. This sounds like The Lemonade War for older kids. This is on my library list, too! (This actually released last week)
Who Was Booker T Washington?
Who Was Henry VIII?
All We Can Do Is Wait – After a bridge collapse, a group of teens meet in the hospital waiting room as they wait for word about their loved ones. This sounds like an emotional book for teens/young adults.
Banished – Book 3 in the storymakers series. I have had this fairy tale series on my TBR since the first book released. I need to get caught up soon!
The Belles – The Belles control beauty and Camellia longs to be the best of the Belles, but that role comes with a cost. The book world has been buzzing about this book for months. I am scheduled to review it next week.
Down and Across – A teen who is struggling with big life decisions sneaks off to Washington DC for answers and finds adventure. This is at the top of my list for this week.
The Queen’s Rising – A renaissance story of a young woman whose financial savior has secret motives. The full description of this one left me thinking about The False Prince, but for an older audience. This is on my list, too.
Live Fearless: A Call to Power, Passion and Purpose – This nonfiction book for teens challenges teens to set aside fear and focus on their God-given gifts.
Books for Adults
Aliens Abroad – Book 16 in my all-time favorite science fiction/romance series for adults. I pre-ordered this book a year ago, and I have the next book pre-ordered as well. I don’t play around when it comes to this series. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week. (Hint – I’m loving it)
The Fast and the Furriest – Book 5 in the Second Chance Cat mystery series. These are in my TBR pile.
How to Stop Time – A man who has been alive for centuries is forbidden to fall in love. But that might be just what he needs to save him. I’ve enjoyed some of the author’s work for kids. I’m looking forward to trying this one out.
Masterpiece – The latest from Christian fiction darling Francine Rivers. An artist and his new assistant struggle with their secrets. I’m looking forward to reading this one.
Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I’ve Loved – This memoir looks at the “prosperity gospel” thought pattern in light of the author’s stage IV cancer diagnosis. I expect this will be a tough read, but I am committed to reading more nonfiction this year, and this is on my list.
Girl Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant To Be – I am generally a fan of any Christian self-help book that looks at identity. This is on my list.
An Imperfect Woman: Letting Go of the Need to Have It All Together – Just read that title! Sign me up for this one, too.
Jesus Calling – Peace – If you are looking for a devotional, I don’t think you can go wrong with anything from Sarah Young.
Make a List: How a Simple Practice Can Change Our Lives and Open Our Hearts – I am crazy about lists, so I have to read this one!
A Prairie Girl’s Faith: The Spiritual Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder – I am not personally a Wilder fan, but I know this will hit the spot with her fans!
Silver Hair: Say Goodbye to the Dye And Let Your Natural Light Shine – A Handbook – Since I stopped fighting my grey hair, I’ve become more interested in reading about celebrating that “sparkle.” I pre-ordered this months ago. Looking forward to its arrival this week.