Tag: April New Releases

Happy April! Wherever you are checking in from, I hope you are doing well and enjoying some great books. Here are some of the books releasing this week:

Books for Kids

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A Is for Another Rabbit – A rabbit-obsessed narrator annoys an owl by not following the rules of a traditional alphabet book.
A Book for Escargot – A sequel to Escargot. This time Escargot is headed to the library in search of a book about a snail hero.
Cat Ladies – Princess is a cat who knows how to take care of her ladies and keep them out of trouble. But when a stranger arrives, it upsets Princess’ carefully maintained system. I can not WAIT to read this in person!
Do Not EVER Be a Babysitter!  – Uncle Pig endures an Amelia Bedelia sort of adventure when he babysits his nieces and nephews. 
The Elephants’ Guide to Hide-and-Seek – When an elephant struggles in hide-and-seek, he uses a handy resource from the Elephant Hobby and Sport League to help. This looks ADORABLE!
Explosion at the Poem Factory – A former piano teacher takes a job at a poem factory, but one day the machines go berserk.
Follow that Car – Mouse follows Gorilla through a series of interesting settings on a chase.
Star Wars: I Am a Padawan – The latest Little Golden Book is written by Ashley Eckstein, the voice of Ahsoka Tano from Star Wars The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels, all about her character, Ahsoka as she trains to become a Jedi.
Marie Curie and the Powers of Persistence – First book in the new My Super Science Heroes series. In the book Marie Curie faces an evil nemesis that wants to thwart her growth into a super scientist in the future. It’s a clever idea. I’d like to check this one out in person.
Scoob!: A Dog’s Best Friend – An early reader based on the new Scoob movie.
Bumble and Bee: Let’s Play Make BEE-lieve – Book 2 in the Bumble and Bee series from Scholastic ACORN. Bumble and Bee are ready for a day of adventure on the pond, but their friend Froggy isn’t interested.
Junior Monster Scouts: It’s Raining Bats and Frogs! – Book 3 in the Junior Monster Scouts series. The Baron’s evil plan goes wrong and the rain just won’t stop.

Books for Older Kids and Teens

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Ansley’s Big Bake Off – Book 1 in the new Daniels’ Sisters series from Faithgirlz written by the younger sisters of Alena Pitts (and daughters of the late Wynter Pitts). It looks like this is a spin-off of Alena’s series Lena in the Spotlight. The Daniels’ sisters are trying to find a new normal after the loss of their mother and move to a new city. Ansley dreams of gymnastics success, but she also discovers how much baking means to her. How does she decide which passion to pursue?
Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes – Book 3 in the Pandava series based on Hindu mythology from Rick Riordan’s imprint.
Camping with Unicorns (comics collection) – Book 11 in the Phoebe and Her Unicorn series. This book highlights Phoebe and Marigold’s summer adventures.
Catwad: Me Three (Graphic Novel) – Book 3 in the Catwad series.
Compass of the Stars – Book 2 in the Thea Stilton and the Treasure Seekers series. The Thea Sisters are on the hunt for seven secret treasures.
The Deceivers – Book 2 in the Greystone Secrets series by Margaret Peterson Haddix. The Greystone kids and their friend Natalie are trying to rescue their parents and friends from the evil world they discovered in book 1. I have these on my reading list.
Disney Frozen (Graphic Novel retelling) – A graphic novel retelling of the first Frozen movie.
Eye of Zeus – Book one in a new Legends of Olympus series (not connected to Rick Riordan that I can tell). When a statue of Athena comes to life, it tells Phoebe, a girl who has been bounced around in foster care, that she is the daughter of Zeus. I’m looking forward to reading this one!
The Last Kids on Earth: June’s Wild Flight – June gets a solo story in this spin off of the Last Kids on Earth series. This book is set between books 5 and the upcoming 6th book.
Lila and Hadley – Hadley’s life is upside down. Her mom is in jail. Hadley has to move to another state to live with her older sister. And they haven’t spoken in years. In the middle of it all, Hadley meets Lila, an abandoned dog with no interest in anyone or anything – except Hadley. I’m eager to read this one!
The List of Things that Will Not Change – There are plenty of things changing in Bea’s life – like her dad getting married to his boyfriend and her getting a new sister. But she keeps a list of things that will not change – like her parents’ love for her – to help her through the ups and downs.
Nat Enough (Graphic Novel) – First in a new series. Nat has never felt like she is “enough.” And when middle school starts, and she’s not even cool enough for her best friend, she’s not sure where she fits. I can’t wait to read this one!
Poison at the Pump – Book 25 in the Imagination Station series. This time the kids travel back to the cholera epidemic of 1854.
Rewritten (Older Middle Grade) – Book 2 in the Unwritten series. The characters from Gracie’s original fairy tale have had to start over, and some of them aren’t very happy with her about that. But when Gracie finds out she’s still in danger, she ends up in a horror story as she tries to set things right. I am so intrigued by this one!
Scoob Junior Novelization – A junior novel based on the movie.
Thieves of Weirdwood – First in a new illustrated fantasy series about two thieves who stumble across the headquarters of a magical organization.
Timmy Failure: Zero to Hero – A prequel to the series which is also now a movie on Disney+. This is Timmy’s origin story.
Untwisted – The sequel to Twinchantment. While the kingdom adjusts to the return of magic, not everyone is happy about the new unified approach, especially at the school where the princesses attend. I’m looking forward to the next step in this series!
Whatever After: Abby in Oz – A special edition from the Whatever After series where Abby and her friends head to Oz.
Wizard for Hire: Magic Required (Older Middle Grade) – The third and final book in the Wizard for Hire series. Ozzy’s been injected with a mind-control serum, and Rin the “wizard” has gone missing.
What Were the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World?
Who Is Temple Grandin?

 

Books for Teens/Young Adults

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Alex Rider: Nightshade – Book 12 in the Alex Rider series. Now that Scorpia has been destroyed, Alex is hoping to get back to a normal life. But a new criminal organization, Nightshade, is on the rise. Sounds awesome!
Black Widow: Secrets of a Super Spy – Discover the whole story of Black Widow Natasha Romanoff.
The Burning – A teen running from rumors and harassment in a new town with a new name gets drawn into the story of seventeenth century woman accused of witchcraft.
Empire of Dreams – An orphan joins the Royal Guard when her adoption by the empress is thwarted by her enemy. If she can survive the first year – something no woman has ever done – she may have the experience she needs to save the empire. This sounds fascinating!
Goodbye from Nowhere – A teen discovers his mother has been having an affair and his father has known and kept the secret. As Kyle withdraws from his usual activities and friends, his parents urge him to keep the secret until after a large family gathering over the summer. But Kyle sees what the secret is doing to people, and he’s not sure he should keep it after all.
Gotham High (Graphic Novel) – A re-imagined Bruce Wayne gets kicked out of his exclusive prep school for defending another student from bullies and finds himself at the local high school. There he starts hanging out with Selina Kyle and Jack Napier. But the school is rocked by the kidnapping of fellow student Harvey Dent.
Jack Kerouac Is Dead to Me – When her older boyfriend prepares to graduate and hit the open road, 15 year old JL has to decide if she wants to join him, knowing if she does, it will permanently fracture the relationship with her best friend.
Meet Me at Midnight – After a six-year prank war, Asher suggests he and Sidney join forces to prank the woman who kicked their families out of their lake houses because of the pranks.
The Perfect Escape – A teen in need of money is tempted to commit grade fraud when a co-worker approaches him with a more legal plan. The two of them could join up and compete in a survivalist weekend and split the huge cash prize if they win.
Rules for Being a Girl – From the author of Sex and the City. When no one believes her reports of a teacher coming on to her, Marin is not about to back down. She will use every means available to her to take back her power and make things right.
So This Is Love – The latest Twisted Tale is based on the story of Cinderella. What would have happened if Cinderella never tried on the glass slipper?
Sword in the Stars – The sequel to Once & Future (Rating: ♥♥♥♥). Ari and her crew must travel back in time to get the Holy Grail. (LGBTQ+) I’m curious to see what happens next for this quirky cast of characters in this quirky retelling of the King Arthur legends.
We Didn’t Ask for This – In the middle of the annual lock-in, a group of eco-protesters chain themselves to the doors, refusing to let anyone out until their demands are heard.
What I Like About You – Can you have a love triangle with only two people? You can when the person you are online has already engaged in a relationship with the guy you are meeting in real life – and you are NOTHING like your secret online persona. I can’t wait to read this one!
Speak Love: Your Words Can Change the World – A devotional for teens from Annie F. Downs.

 

Books for Adults

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The Body in the Garden (Hardcover) – A young woman who overhears a blackmail attempt that turns into murder starts to investigate when the police are bribed to drop the case.
Chosen Ones (Hardcover) – Years ago, five ordinary teens were prophesied to take out a force of evil. And they did. This is the story of what happened after, when one of the five dies and the others discover the Dark One’s plans were bigger than they ever imagined. This sounds amazing!
Dead on the Vine (Hardcover) – First in a new Finn Family Farm Mystery series. A woman who inherits a produce farm has every intention of selling it. But when she finds a dead body there, the sale is on hold, and she has to work the farm while the police investigate the crime.
Deep Fried Revenge (Trade Paperback) – Book 4 in the Farm-to-Fork Mystery series. Angie and her crew are competing in the Best Restaurant competition at the Idaho State Fair when one of the competitors is killed.
Dogcather in the Rye (e-book) –  First in the new Bought-the-Farm Mystery series. A woman launching a farm-themed inn runs into trouble when her dog finds a dead body on her property. This looks like a cute series! This book is available for Kindle Unlimited subscribers at the time of this writing.
The Stolen Letter (Hardcover) – Book 5 in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series. Delaney’s beloved bookstore, the Cracked Spine, is in danger of being closed down and she meets a woman who thinks she might be the reincarnated Mary Queen of Scots.
To Have and to Hoax (Trade Paperback) – One year into their marriage, Lady Violet and Lord James Audley had a fight to end all fights. They have barely spoken to each other in the four years since. But when Lady Violet gets word that James has been hurt in an accident, she rushes to his side only to find him completely fine, and utterly confused as to why she has come all this way. This launches the couple into a game of one-upsmanship as each tries to get the other’s attention. I already have this on hold from the library.
Up Next Murder (e-book – April 9) – The sequel to the delightful Microphones and Murder. In the course of solving their first case, a body was found. Now, for their second podcast season, the step-sisters dig into the case of the young woman found during that investigation. I bought this the MINUTE I saw it announced!
You Deserve Each Other (Trade Paperback) – When a pair of fiancés start to grow tired of their match, they know whoever actually calls off the wedding has to foot the bill for the canceled event. So they launch a series of pranks to get the other one to be the one to cancel. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
All the Glorious Names (Hardcover) – A 40-day devotional about the names of God.
Get Out of Your Head Study in Philippians (Paperback) – The study guide for the Philippians Bible study based on the Jennie Allen book Get Out of Your Head.
Shut Hell Up: When the Enemy Brings Up Your Past, Remind Him of Your Future (Trade Paperback) – Overcome the negative thinking that keeps you feeling inadequate and out of whatever God has called you to do.
When Did We Start Forgetting God?: The Root of the Evangelical Crisis and Hope for the Future (Trade Paperback) – From the former editor-in-chief of Christianity Today.
Your Story Matters: Finding, Writing and Living the Truth of Your Life (Trade Paperback) – A book about writing as a spiritual practice. I have this one on my list for this week.

It’s the last week for an April release day Tuesday. Let’s see what some of the books are that are out this week!

Books for Kids

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How to Care for Your T-Rex – How to babysit a dinosaur. This sounds hilarious!
Most Marshmallows – Most marshmallows do all the things marshmallows do. Some marshmallows were born to stand out!
You’re Missing It! – While a kid enjoys the neighborhood park, he admonishes his dad that he’s missing everything because he is on his phone. Timely!
Handimals: Animals in Art and Nature – This may be the coolest book I have seen in awhile! Filled with animal facts, it’s the pictures of animals painted on human hands that left me with my mouth hanging open. Stunning!
Little People Big Dreams Mahatma Gandhi – Picture book biography
Do You Like My Bike? – It’s no secret around here that I adore the Branches line of transitional chapter books from Scholastic. Now they have a new series for slightly younger readers called ACORN which is also fabulous. I haven’t read this story yet, about a hedgehog and his friend, but I have read a few of the others and loved them.
A Friend For Dragon – Scholastic is reissuing this story from Dav Pilkey (Dogman, Captain Underpants) as part of their Acorn line.
Hello Crabby! – This was my FAVORITE of the new Acorn books I read this spring. It’s SO funny!
Sparkly New Friends – This darling story of a Yeti and a Unicorn is the last of the Acorn books out this week. It’s so cute!
Brute-Cake – Scholastic Branches kicks off a spin off of the Notebook of Doom series, the Binder of Doom. As before, this includes weird monsters and the kids who have sworn to protect their town.
Eye of the Earthquake Dragon – Book 13 in the Dragon Masters series from Branches. None of the other series in this line have gone on this long! (Owl Diaries is closest with 10 books so far, and two more due out this year.) There are two more books out later this year, too. This is a fun dragon series for kids ready to dive into chapter books!
Bentley – Speaking of long-running series, this is book 53 in the Puppy Place series!
Dragons of Krad – Book 4 in the Dragonling series. This is another reissue, but with new cover art. I haven’t checked the latest books, but my thoughts on the first one were that the story was terrific but the interior art could use an update as well as the covers.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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Aru Shah and the Song of Death – Book 2 in the Pandava series, part of Rick Riordan’s publishing imprint for mythology stories. I have’t read book one yet, but this series has been a huge hit with readers!
Bigger, Badder, Nerdier – Geeked Out, book 2. A team of geeks have decided to fight back against the cliques and bullies at school in a familiar sounding plot with a dystopian twist. I have GOT to read book one. This sounds like a fantastic and fun series!
A Dog’s Porpoise – A porpoise thrown off course and lost from his pod teams up with a puppy who was rescued after being knocked off a boat and a local girl in this story full of heart. I can’t wait to read this one.
A Kind of Paradise – After a BIG mistake at the end of the school year, a girl has to spend her summer volunteering at the library as punishment. I already have this on hold at the library.
The Library of Ever – An act of protective kindness opens a new world to a girl who ducked into the library to escape the boredom perpetrated on her by a negligent nanny. I’ll be reviewing this one tomorrow.
Spill the Beans – Book 13 in the Whatever After series tackles the story of Jack and the Beanstalk. This is a fun fractured fairy tale series.
Spy School British Invasion – Book 7 in the Spy School series. The Spy School kids are going rogue and joining up with MI6 to try to take down SPYDER.
Share Your Smile: Raina’s Guide to Telling Your Own Story – How to make your own graphic novel from the author of Smile. Includes a sneak peek at her new book, Guts, out this fall.
Where Is Broadway?

 

Books for Adults

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Avengers: Infinity Prose Novel (Hardcover) – This is NOT related to the Avengers Infinity War movie but instead based on a graphic novel line. While the Avengers are away, trying to protect the galaxy, Thanos decides to attack Earth. The Inhumans, Doctor Strange, Black Panther and the X-Men must protect the planet. I adored the prose novel of Planet Hulk, so I’d like to try this story out, too.
Bitter Brew (Hardcover) – Book 24 in the delightful Savannah Reid Mystery series.  This time, Savannah’s medical examiner friend is the one asking for a favor when a choice she made to help a dying friend could be helping someone hide a murder. This sounds fantastic!
Getting Hot with the Scot (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 1 in the new  Sometimes in Love series. Scottish Highlander meets a pop-culture reporter. The second book in the series (Smitten by the Brit, May 28) is the one that is primarily on my radar from this series.
Knit One, Die Two (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Knit and Nibbles series, which I have on my TBR list – look at those adorable cats on the cover!! A newcomer to the community – and to the knitting club – is killed when she threatens to dish dirt on others in the community theater. I need to carve out some cozy mystery time this summer to get started on this series.
Murder in the Reading Room (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 5 in the Book Retreat Mystery series. Retreat manager Jane leaves Storyton on the hunt for her missing boyfriend. One dead body later, she finds him, but she also finds a ton of trouble which could lead to another victim. This sounds so good. I need to get caught up on this series, too!
A Prince on Paper (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Reluctant Royals series. I adored book one – A Princess in Theory – and I have book two on my TBR shelves (A Duke by Default). In this new book, my favorite trope – fake relationship – is at work when a woman returns home and stumbles into a fake engagement with the bad boy step-prince. There are also two novellas that are part of this series.
Prologue to Murder (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series. Trying to launch a new life in a new town proves difficult when Addie is accused of murder. I’m looking forward to digging into this series, too.
Sweet on You (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Bradford Sisters series after Falling for You. Old friends team up to look into a mysterious death while also trying to deny the feelings between them.
Wed, Read & Dead (Trade Paperback) – Book 4 in the Bookshop Mystery series. Bookstore owner and mystery writer Sam has a new mystery on her hands when the wedding planner working on her mom’s wedding is killed. I have this series on my shelves too.
Jesus, King of Strangers: What the Bible Really Says about Immigration (Trade Paperback, May 1) – Looks at how Christians, people who have been described as “aliens and strangers” should respond to the questions of immigration.
So the Next Generation Will Know: Preparing Young Christians in a Challenging World (Trade Paperback, May 1) – Research-based training for those who work with young people and are dismayed to see so many leaving the church.

If you celebrate Easter or Passover, I hope you had a good celebration with family and friends! Here are some of the books releasing this week:

Books for Kids

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How I Learned to Fall Out of Trees – When a friend is getting ready to move away, she promises to teach her buddy how to climb a tree before she goes. This looks darling. I can’t wait to read the whole story!
I Will Be Fierce – A book about courage and kindness.
Flubby Is Not a Good Pet AND Flubby Will Not Play with That – A new series about a disinterested cat and his owner. Those covers are adorable.
Motor Mouse – First in a new series. Includes three stories starring Motor Mouse.
The Great Bake Off – Book 14 in the darling early chapter book series starring Sophie Mouse. In this book, Sophie and her mom have a lot of fun baking, but they make too much and have to find a way to share what they have before it spoils.
Love the Fur You’re In – Life advice from the characters of Sesame Street. A celebration of 50 years of the show.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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Kazu Jones and the Denver Dognappers – First in a new series. Kazu is on the hunt for a ring of dognappers when their crimes hit close to home.
Marvel Spider-Man Spideyography – Peter Parker’s secret notebook.
Toy Story Toyography – The story of Andy’s toys through the years.
Unicorn Bowling – Book 9 in the fun and fabulous Phoebe and her Unicorn series.
If I’m Being Honest – A new twist on Taming of the Shrew. Cameron is the shrew in question, and when she shows her true colors to her crush, she decides she has to change her ways if she wants to redeem herself in his eyes. As a big Shrew fan, I am eager to read this one.
The Tiger At Midnight – A legendary rebel and a soldier think they are calling the shots in a volatile world, but someone else is pulling the strings. Inspired by Hindu mythology and ancient Indian history.
Secret Soldiers: How the U. S. Twenty-Third Special Troops Fooled the Nazis – The story of actors and set designers and sound engineers who fooled the Nazis. I am fascinated by this whole idea!

Books for Adults

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Decades: Marvel in the 70s (Paperback Graphic Novel) – This is the decade of monsters for Marvel.
Fumbled (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Playbook series. (I really enjoyed book one, Intercepted.) A single mother has carved out a life she loves, but when she crosses paths with the NFL wide receiver she dated in high school the secrets they never shared with each other put a potential rekindling of their relationship at risk. I’ll be reviewing this one soon!
New Orleans Rush (Trade Paperback) – An artist follows her boyfriend to New Orleans only to discover his cheating. Now she’s the assistant to a magician, struggling to keep her relationship with him strictly professional.  This looks fun!
Sifting Through Clues (e-book) – Book 8 in the Cookbook Nook series. A book group’s progressive dinner ends in murder.
Star Trek TNG: Terra Incognita (Trade Paperback Graphic Novel) – After a season in the Mirror Universe, the crew of the Enterprise returns without realizing that one of their own has been replaced by his mirror counterpart.
Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool (Hardcover) – From the author of Expecting Better comes this exploration of the data regarding the choices new parents will be making about their children.
Nanaville (Hardcover) – A celebration of grandparenting from Anna Quindlen. I can’t wait to read this one – and I am years away from being a grandparent.
Road to Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame (Hardcover) – A collection of all that has led to this moment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Stressed Years of Their Lives: Helping Your Kid Survive and Thrive During Their College Years (Hardcover) – A focus on the emotional skills adolescents need to successfully launch to college.

As Easter approaches, here are some books you might want to tuck into an Easter basket for yourself or for someone you love!

Books for Kids

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Marvel Alphablock: The Marvel Cinematic Universe from A to Z (Board Book) – Die cut pages make this a beautiful alphabet book!
Bruno the Standing Cat – Bruno is unlike any cat  you have met. He stands on two legs, chews gum and skateboards. I can’t wait to read this one!
Dog vs. Ultra Dog! – Tuffy is afraid he will lose his boy, Tim, to  the hero Ultra Dog when Tim goes to Ultra Land. Yep, this is on my list, too!
Let Me Sleep, Sheep! – When Amos tries to count sheep to help him sleep, he gets a pair that are quite demanding.
Mr. Posey’s New Glasses – An elderly man and his young neighbor try on new glasses and get quite a surprise. I can’t wait to see this one in person!
Watch Out for Wolf! – A new take on the story of the Three Pigs. I am always on the look out for stories like this.
Popcorn Country: The Story of America’s Favorite Snack – A look at the history and science of popcorn. How fun!
Ada Twist and the Perilous Pants – Book 2 in the early chapter book series The Questioneers. This time Ada and her friends are trying to help Rosie’s Uncle Ned whose helium pants have carried him away. Ada is my favorite Questioneer so far (we’ll meet a new Questioneer later this year). I’m excited that she is going to have another story.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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Camp Average – The boys in Cabin 10 are content to play the games and never win, but a new camp director focused on winning could ruin all their fun. I am really excited about this one! First in a new series.
The Chupacabras of the Rio Grande – Book 4 in the Unicorn Rescue Society series about a secret group of adventurers who protect the creatures of myth and legend.
The Hamilton-Burr Duel – Book 4 in the Flashback Four series from Dan Gutman about a group of time traveling kids who get photographic and video evidence of historical events.
Lizzie Flying Solo – A girl who lives in transitional housing with her mom finds herself opening up after spending time at a local stables and working with a frightened pony. I think horse fans will want to check this one out.
Project Me 2.0  – The latest from Aladdin MAX. A kid hoping to impress his oldest friend/secret crush accidentally activates a magical internet genie who requires him to complete Seven Steps to a Whole New You. I love this line of books for kids!
Summer of a Thousand Pies – A homeless girl is sent to live with aunt she barely knows and helps in her aunt’s pie shop. When she discovers the pie shop is in danger of closing, she is desperate to save the one safe place she has in her life. This is at the top of my list for this week.
I Am Hermes!: Mischief Making Messenger of the Gods – An illustrated exploration of Hermes from Greek mythology.
What Is the Story of Hello Kitty? AND What Is the Story of Scooby-Doo? – The latest from Who HQ is a line of books exploring the stories of famous characters – where they started and how they got famous. Future books include Wonder Woman, Frankenstein and Doctor Who. I am so excited about this new series!
Wild Weather: Storms, Meteorology, and Climate (Science Comics) – An exploration of weather in graphic novel form.
The Exalted – Book 2 following The Diminished. Two teens, one destined for the throne, fight against those who would usurp the throne. I’ve been wanting to read the first book in this series since it released.
The Hummingbird Dagger – A new mystery from Cindy Anstey! A young woman with no memory joins forces with those who have been caring for her since a near-fatal accident to find out the truth about her identity.
Serious Moonlight – A new romantic mystery from Jenn Bennett! Two teens with a fascination for mysteries stumble across a real-life mystery at the hotel where they work.

Books for Adults

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Avengers Endgame Prelude (Paperback Graphic Novel)  – I’m not sure if this will be a collection of comics about what happened in Infinity War or a collection of things that tell more about what happens right after. This is one we’ll know more about once it actually releases.
Before She Was Found (Hardcover) -When 3 girls at a sleepover decide to sneak out, they have no idea what danger awaits. By the end of the night one of the girls will be found barely clinging to life while the others are no where to be found. I’ve read several 5-star reviews for this thriller. Fans of the genre should be sure to check this one out.
The Better Sister (Hardcover) – A twisted story of a pair of estranged sisters and the murder that draws them together. This one sounds wild!
Redemption – Book 5 in the Amos Decker series. Decker questions his first arrest of a murderer as a rookie 12 years later.
Roar (Hardcover) – A collection of stories of women in a magical world where perception can become reality.
Star Wars Master & Apprentice (Hardcover) – A Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan story that takes place before The Phantom Menace. The story centers on the relationship between the two men, mentor and apprentice, and their different philosophies about the Jedi. This is going to be amazing!
Under the Table (Hardcover) – My Fair Lady with a modern twist. A young woman rebooting her life encounters an awkward and reclusive millionaire who could be quite the catch if she gives him a bit of a make-over. This is on my list for this week, too.

New books releasing this week!

Books for Kids

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The Great Indoors – When a human family heads to the woods for vacation, the animals move in for a vacation of their own.
My First Pop-Up Dinosaurs – Fun 3-D dinosaurs!
When a Tiger Comes to Dinner – An interactive read-aloud.
Guitar Genius: How Les Paul Engineered the Solid-Body Electric Guitar and Rocked the World – Fascinating picture book biography of Les Paul.
Peter & Ernesto: The Lost Sloths – After losing their best tree in a hurricane, Peter and Ernesto are leading their friends on a quest to find a new home.
Searching for Stinkodon – I love this early reader series starring Stink and Judy Moody! This time Stink is hunting for a sabertooth tooth in the backyard.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid – Greg Heffley’s friend Rowley Jefferson gets his own book this spring where he chronicles the life and times of his “best friend,” Greg.
The Door at the End of the World – The assistant Gatekeeper of the access point to alternate worlds goes on a quest to save her boss and set right the problems caused by sinister forces determined to destroy the fabric of time and space.
Eight Times Up – A group of kids learn about life and their places in the universe through their study of aikido.
The Multiplying Mysteries of Mount Ten – A girl looking forward to art camp finds herself at math camp instead. To prove she can find her place there, she takes on the hardest logic puzzle and solves it in a day. But not everyone is happy with her skill or achievement. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week.
Twinchantment – A set of twin princesses in a land where anything magical – including twins – has been outlawed  have managed to convince everyone that they are one person. But when their mother is magically attacked, the girls will have to shed their secrets and fight for their family and their kingdom. This sounds amazing!
It’s Trevor Noah: Born a Crime – Noah’s autobiography has been adapted for young readers (ages 10 and up). It’s the story of Noah’s childhood in South Africa as a mixed-race child in a culture where his mere existence was illegal. I’ve heard rave reviews for the original book; I’m excited kids will now have their own version to enjoy.
Descendant of the Crane – Princess Hesina is forced into a role she never wanted when her father is murdered and she becomes Queen. She turns to two unlikely sources to help her find the person who killed her father.
In the Neighborhood of True – Moving to Atlanta in 1958 means Ruth can be Jewish or she can be popular, but she can’t be both. So she chooses to align with the Christian students even though she still goes to synagogue every week. But a hate crime will force her to decide who she wants to be in her new home and where she stands in her community.
This Book Is Not Yet Rated – A quirky group stand together to protect their beloved Green Street Cinema from developers who want to tear it down to build luxury condos.

 

Books for Adults

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An Amish Reunion (Trade Paperback) – A collection of four short stories about love and reconnecting with relationships from the past. All four stories sound great.
Deadly Vows (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Britton Bay Mystery series. This time Molly is drawn into sleuthing when a wedding caterer is killed and the bride-to-be goes missing. I really enjoyed the first book in the series. I’m eager to read this one.
The Eighth Sister (Hardcover) – A former CIA operative desperate for money agrees to go undercover for his old boss to find the person killing off a US spy cell known as the seven sisters. This sounds interesting!
Fame Adjacent (Trade Paperback) – When a former child star finds out she’s been left out of the 25th anniversary celebration of her old show, she decides to crash the party. I’ve already requested this one from the library!
Foul Play on Words (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Mystery Writer’s Mystery series. Author Charlee Russo is headed to a writer’s conference, but her friend and the chair of the conference is having a personal crisis. Her daughter has been kidnapped, and she needs Charlee to help her find her daughter and save the conference. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Star Trek TNG: Available Light (Trade Paperback) – Following the events of Star Trek 31: Control, now that Section 31 has been exposed, everyone with a connection to the rogue group is being rounded up. And Captain Picard is implicated for past choices. But he and the crew of the Enterprise have their hands full with a mysterious craft in a remote and unexplored region of space. Sign me up for this! I’ll have to dig out my old Section 31 books for a refresher.
With a Kiss I Die (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Theater Cop Mystery series. This time Sully and her friends are trying to help out with a production of Romeo and Juliet in Boston when Sully’s history as a copy comes in handy when there is a murder.
A Witch to Remember (Hardcover) – The ninth (and maybe final ) book in the Wishcrafters Mystery series. It’s time for Darcy and Nick’s wedding, but Darcy will have to make time for sleuthing when a dead body is discovered and a psychic goes missing. I’ve enjoyed this paranormal cozy series since the beginning, and I’m eager to read this installment.
They All Fall Down (Hardcover) – Seven strangers on a remote island harbor many secrets in this thriller that sounds like a take on And Then There Were None.
The Pursuit of Grouchiness: Oscar the Grouch’s Guide to Life (Hardcover) – How to be more curmudgeonly!
The Science of Marvel: From Infinity Stones to Iron Man’s Armor, the Real Science of the MCU Revealed! (Trade Paperback) – The technology behind some of Marvel’s comic book wonders.
Wolfpack: How to Come Together, Unleash Our Power, and Change the Game – From Olympic gold-medalist Abby  Wambach comes this inspirational book based on a commencement speech she gave in 2018. I’m looking forward to reading this one!

No fooling – these are some of the books releasing tomorrow! There are a ton of picture books, plus plenty of other titles to add to your TBR piles.

Books for Kids

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Dandy – A dad’s quest for a pristine lawn runs into a problem when his daughter falls in love with the lone dandelion in their yard. I can’t wait to read this one!
Gargantua (Jr!): Defender of Earth – Gargantua Jr wants to be just like his mom.
Georgia’s Terrific, Colorific Experiment – A scientist in a family of artists needs help to come up with an original experiment.
Giant Tess – A giant wishes she could be like everyone else.
The Hug – A hedgehog and a tortoise are both on the hunt for a hug, but they don’t understand why no one will hug them.
I Am So Clever – The big bad wolf only finds a nightgown at Grandma’s house, so he puts it on and goes in search of lunch. I can’t wait to read this twist on Little Red Riding Hood.
Lenny the Lobster Can’t Stay for Dinner – When Lenny is invited to a fancy dinner, he arrives with the proper hostess gifts. But when he is greeted by a pot of boiling water, he has to decide (with the help of the reader) if he should stay or go.
The Little Green Girl – A topiary girl longs to see the world while her gardener can’t imagine any change in his routine.
The Little Guys – A cautionary tale about a group of little guys who believe there’s strength in numbers.
My Tree and Me – A girl celebrates life with her tree.
Noah NOasaurus – When Noah wakes up he’s feeling like it is going to be a very “NO” sort of day.
The Panda Problem – A narrator tries to explain to a carefree panda that as the main character in a story, he needs a problem. This is at the top of my wish list for this week!
A Piglet Named Mercy – An origin story for the star of the Mercy Watson series. Mercy Watson as a piglet? Yes, please!
Through the Elephant’s Door – A boy and his elephant head to the museum where a guard assumes they will be nothing but trouble.
Undercover Ostrich – I’m not sure what this one is about, but that cover begs you to pick up the book and find out.
Underwear! – A bare bear plays with his underwear instead of wearing it. This is sure to be a huge hit with kids!!
We Are (Not) Friends – When two friends are joined by a third, everyone has a moment of feeling left out.
Sisters – Picture book biography of Venus and Serena Williams.
Mr. Monkey Takes a Hike – Mr Monkey’s video game controller is taken by a little bird who leads him on a chase that turns into a hike.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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The Becket List – A city girl adjusts to life on a farm
Caterpillar Summer – In a family still reeling from grief, a brother and sister spend their summer vacation with grandparents they’ve never met, and the girl who has been trying to hold her family together gets a chance to be a kid again.  This is on my list for this week, too.
Katt vs Dogg – The classic rivalry plays out in this new series from James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein when a katt and a dogg both get lost in the woods and need each other to find their ways home.
The Last Last-Day-of-Summer – Two sleuthing kids get more than they bargained for on their last day of summer break when a mysterious man uses a device to stop time.
The Legends of Greemulax – In a strange land where the girls and women were destroyed by dragons and the boys grow up and turn into monsters, a boy catches a girl in a dragon trap and the two of them start looking for answers. I am curious about this one!
My Life as a Meme – Book 8 in this series.
The Pirate Angel, the Talking Tree and Captain Rabbit – Novelization of part of the Avengers Infinity War movie.
The Strangers – Book 1 in the new Greystone Secrets series by Margaret Peterson Haddix. The three Greystone kids are shocked when they hear about a group of three kidnapped kids who sound alarmingly familiar.
Super Sons: The Polar Shield Project – New graphic novel series starring the sons of Superman and Batman. I’ll be reviewing this one tomorrow.
Trace – A grieving boy adjusting to a new life in New York encounters a mysterious figure in the New York Public Library. I have already requested this one from the library.
Wizard For Hire: Apprentice Needed – Book 2 in the Wizard for Hire series about a boy whose parents were kidnapped and he was left in a remote cabin to fend for himself. Now, Ozzy is on the run once again, this time from the people who took his parents. Ozzy is the first subject of an experiment in mind-control, and the bad guys want him to help them find the secrets of the experiment. But the “wizard” Rin is back as well, hoping Ozzy will be his apprentice in a wizard contest that might not even be real. As I said in my review of book one, this is a weird series, but I loved it. I can’t wait to see what happens next for Ozzy.
Who Was H. J. Heinz? AND Who Was Norman Rockwell?
Lovestruck – The daughter of Eros is a cupid in training who wants no part of the family business. So she is going to defy oracles and fates and expectations to set her own course for her life. Sign me up for this one!
Mera: Tidebreaker – Graphic novel for teens about the underwater princess Mera and her quest to destroy Arthur Curry. I will be reviewing this one later this week.
Mirror, Mirror – Book 6 in the Twisted Tale series covers the story of Snow White and is written by Jen Calonita.
The Princess and the Fangirl – The long-awaited sequel to the fantastic Geekerella is here! In this Prince and the Pauper-like tale, a Starfield fan and the actress who is absolutely over the series must team up to find out who is causing trouble for the franchise. I have had this one on my holds list for the library for months!
Since We Last Spoke – When two teens in love lose their older siblings in an accident, the bitter fall out between their families threatens everything. I have this on my wish list.
We Rule the Night – Two young women. A world at war. And magic that can help them win – if they can learn to work together and don’t kill one another first.
We Were Beautiful – A teen who survived the crash that killed her sister has few memories of what really happened – just rumors, accusations and guilt. So she is sent to spend the summer with a grandmother she barely knows where she can begin to find healing. This is on my wish list for this week too.
White Rose – A fictionalized account of the young adults who formed the White Rose and criticized the Nazi regime, leading to dire consequences. I’ve read some historical accounts of the White Rose. This novel should be fascinating.
You’d Be Mine – The daughter of country music royalty, Annie is grieving her parents’ deaths. But she is an up-and-coming star in her own right, and Clay’s record label says he needs to get her on his tour or he’s going to be dropped. The fans would love to see the two become a couple, but Annie has seen what a high-profile couple goes through in the public eye, and she is not interested in heading down that road. This has been getting a lot of positive buzz on social media. I’ve had this one on hold at the library, too.

Books for Adults

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Death Waits in the Dark (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 4 in the Writer’s Apprentice Mystery series. I am a book behind on this one, but I’ve loved the first two books! In this one, a local busybody is killed when she threatens to expose a family secret. I need to get caught up on this one!
Gimme Some Sugar (Trade Paperback) – Book 6 in the Southern Eclectic series of stand alone romances. In this one, a widow is taking charge of her life including starting a new bake shop. And she knows just the guy to help with some of the carpentry work she will need to have done – the one who might have saved her from a difficult marriage if he had just shared his feelings in high school.
Lights!Camera!Puzzles! (Hardcover) – Book 20 in this series about a puzzle maker and her aunt Cora who is the face of the brand. In this book, Cora  signs on as a producer for an unflattering movie about her life because she needs the money. While Cora doesn’t have anything positive to say about the movie, she wasn’t expecting that dead body.
The Loch Ness Papers (Hardcover) – Book 4 in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series. A bookseller befriends a Loch Ness Monster fanatic who is later accused of murder.
The Memory House (Hardcover) – Once again Rachel Hauck delivers a story that spans two timelines but is woven together. This time it is the 50-year-old story of a young widow with a secret that ties to a contemporary story of a former cop who lost her memories when her father died on 9/11.
Mother’s Day Mayhem (e-book Novella) – Part of the Tourist Trap mystery series. This story is focused on a mother who returns from jail and the impact she makes on the town and the son she left behind.
Geek Girls Don’t Cry: Real Life Lessons from Fictional Female Characters (Hardcover) – I’m so excited that my local library ordered this one! I love reading pop-culture explorations like this one which includes interviews of creators about the characters they have developed.
Why We Read : Quotations for Book Lovers(Hardcover) – A collection of illustrated quotations.

It’s the final release week of April 2018. This year is flying by already! Here are some of the books releasing this week that are on my reading list:

Books for Kids

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Back to the Future – The classic movie is now a picture book. Great for kids or for adult fans.
Dude! – A platypus and beaver want to go surfing, but there is a shark in the water. I adore anything and everything Dan Santat (illustrator) works on, so this is a must read for me.
Misunderstood Shark – A shark disrupts an underwater newscast, but he wasn’t trying to cause trouble! Or was he? This is another one I have on my reading list for this week – sounds hilarious!
Crafty Cat and the Great Butterfly Battle – Book 3 in the Crafty Cat graphic novel series for young readers focuses on the school play where everyone wants the starring role. This series looks adorable. If I was still teaching, this would have been a must-have for the library.
Edward – Book 49 in the Puppy Place series
Peachy and Keen: Spirit Week Showdown – Book 2 in the Peachy and Keen series. This time, the friends are at odds over which kind of vlog will get the most views for spirit week – a prank channel or posts about the daily spirit events. This series for kids ready to try chapter books looks great.
Remy Sneakers and the Lost Treasure – Book 2 in this transitional chapter book series sends Remy and his crew on the hunt for the person who stole the Raccoon Family memory book.  The cover illustrations for this series really grab my attention; I’d love to see the books in person.
Robot Rescue – Book 4 in the CatStronauts graphic novel series  looks at what happens when the CatStronaut’s bot is left on one of Jupiter’s moons. This is another series that would have found a happy home in my former school library.
UFO Spotted – Book 4 in the Hilde Cracks the Case series from Branches/Scholastic. I have only read the third book in the series, but I loved it. This time Hilde is investigating a UFO sighting.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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Code Word Courage – Dogs of World War II book 4. This book includes information on the Navajo code talkers and their role in WWII.
The Lifters – The new kid in a run-down town and his new friend discover the reason the town is developing sinkholes – a mysterious wind that is creating undergound tunnels. An interesting premise!
LouLou and Pea and the Bicentennial Bonanza – Book two in the series focuses on a bicentennial celebration and the secrets of the founding of the town. This sounds like a great middle grade story. Includes Spanish glossary in the back matter.
The Reckless Rescue – Book 2 in the Explorers series which is about a couple of kids who stumble onto a secret international explorer’s society. I have book one on my TBR shelves.
Star Wars Forces of Destiny – Graphic novel celebrating the women of Star Wars.
Two Peas in a Pod – Book 11 in this fractured fairy tale series, Whatever After. This time, Abby is mistaken for the princess a kingdom has been looking for. But she needs to find them a real princess so she and Jonah can get back home.
Waste of Space – Book 3 in the Moon Base Alpha mystery series that takes place on the moon. I am stunned that my library doesn’t have any of these in their ebook system already, but I will be rectifying that soon!
Ash Princess – As a child, Theo’s mother was killed and her kingdom was overthrown. Now as a teenager, Theo is tired of being a captive, hoping only to survive. She’s ready to fight back any way she can. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week.
Dead Weight: Murder at Camp Bloom – A murder mystery at weight loss camp. Graphic Novel. Sign me up for this one; I love mysteries!
The Fandom  – In a freak accident at Comic Con, a girl and her friends are transported into their favorite fandom. In the first few minutes, they accidentally kill off the heroine and are left to rescue their favorite story. I can’t wait to read this!
A Prom to Remember – The story of seven kids and a prom to remember. This strikes me as an older, more mature version of Best. Night. Ever. This one is definitely on my reading list.
Stay Sweet – When the founder of a WWII ice cream stand that has employed only girls since 1944 passes away, the staff aren’t sure what the future holds for their beloved Meade Creamery. This is on my list, too.
Trouble Never Sleeps – Book 3 after Trouble is a Friend of Mine and Trouble Makes a Comeback. This is the final book in the series, and this time Digby and Zoe are digging into the mysterious disappearance of Digby’s sister. This is a must read.

Books for Adults

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Bleeding Tarts – Book 2 in the Pie Town mystery series about a pie eating contest and an old ghost town. A yummy-sounding series
Expiration Date – Book 1 in a new series about a competitive chef. This sounds fun.
Hide and Sneak – Book 23 in the Savannah Reid mystery series. I discovered this series in an airport many years ago, and I haven’t missed a book since. This is on my list for this week as well.
Murder in the Locked Library – First in a new Book Retreat mystery series about a book retreat and rare book conference.
Murder Most Fermented – Book 2 in the Rose Avenue Wine Club mystery series about a NYC transplant  setting up a vineyard in California who stumbles across a murder.
Read Herring Hunt – Book 2 in the Mystery Bookshop mystery series about a shop owner/writer trying to clear her favorite tenant from a murder rap. I have the first book for this series on my reading list.
Always Enough, Never Too Much – A new devotional from the authors of Wild and Free, a book that encourages readers to know and enjoy who they are in Christ.

Some fun books are releasing this week. Let’s take a look:

Books for Kids

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Right Now – A picture book about living in the moment and loving who you are. I’m looking forward to seeing this one in person to get the whole story.
Baeoh and the Bully – Book 2 in the Team Taekwondo series, this book looks at bullying. I met the illustrator for this series at a con recently, and I really enjoy his work. As a TKD family, I love the idea of this series.
Star Wars Han and Chewie (Choose Your Destiny) – What a terrific idea! Star Wars stories and choose-your-own-adventure format!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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Council of Mirrors AND The Inside Story – Books 8 (Inside Story) and 9 (Council of Mirrors) in the revised 10th Anniversary release of this great fairy tale series. I adore the new covers! I recently treated myself to book one so I can see how the series has been updated for the anniversary celebration. Looking forward to reading it soon.
Ghost Boys – When a police officer shoots and kills a 12-year-old, the boy’s ghost observes the fall out from the tragedy. This has been a big topic, both in the news and in recent fiction, although I have generally seen it more in YA books than middle grade. I have already requested this one from the library.
Sharks: Nature’s Perfect Hunters – The next installment of Science Comics focuses on a hugely popular topic for kids – sharks.
Wedgie and Gizmo Vs. the Toof – Book 2 in the fabulous Wedgie and Gizmo series. I adored book one, and book 2 is just as funny. I’ll be posting a full review of both at the end of May, but for now I will say that I highly recommend both books for kids looking for a funny story.
Every Shiny Thing – Two girls used to caring for their families find friendship with one another, but a Robin Hood-type plan by one looking to help families with autistic kids could expose the other girl in ways she can’t imagine. This sounds fantastic. It’s described as “middle grade” in some places and “teen” in others, so this might span from upper elementary/middle school to high school.
Suitors and Sabotage – Historical fiction from the author of Duels & Deceptions (which I loved!). Imogene has found a suitor her father approves of, but it’s actually his younger brother who really catches her heart. But when several “accidents” indicate that someone is out to hurt him, their unexpected affection could cause more trouble than just in the London social scene. I loved Duels & Deceptions so much, this is absolutely on my list for this week!
Your Robot Dog Will Die – In a future where dogs stopped wagging their tails and were thus euthanized and replaced by mechanical dogs, a girl finds a real puppy that wags its tail. She has lost so much recently, that she is not about to let the puppy be taken from her. It’s an odd dystopian set up – dogs almost extinct because they stopped wagging their tails – but it is so curious that I’m going to have to read the whole book to find out how it all comes together.

Books for Adults

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The Fallen – The latest in Baldacci’s Memory Man/Amos Decker series (book 4) focuses on a set of bizarre murders. If you enjoy suspenseful stories, you should be reading Baldacci.
Star Wars Last Shot: A Han and Lando Novel – In the past, Lando and Han both tried to secure a mysterious device from Fyzen Gor, without much luck. Now that Han and Leia are married, he hasn’t given Gor a thought in ages, but when Lando shows up on Han’s doorstep, running from Gor’s assassins, he’s drawn back into the hunt for this tech that could turn the galaxy upside down. I’m curious about this one. I love the Star Wars characters, of course, and I love the idea of a new, original story. This is on my list of books to look for at the library.
Practicing the King’s Economy: Honoring Jesus in How We Work, Earn, Spend, Save and Give – A book on “economic discipleship.” I love the whole idea of this!
Winning the Worry Battle – A study on worry and the life of faith based on the book of Joshua in the Bible. Sounds like a great study!

Happy Easter Monday! Hope you had a wonderful celebration with family and friends this weekend. Maybe you or someone you love even found a book or two in the Easter basket.

Here are some of the new books coming this week that I am excited about:

Books for Kids

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Ada Twist’s Big Project Book for Stellar Scientists – For fans of Ada Twist, Scientist comes this book of STEM projects just for kids. This could be a great classroom resource, too.
Alien Alert – Book 3 in the Breaking News series. This time, the bears are abducted by aliens. I haven’t read any of these, but they sound fantastic. I have this one on my list of books to check out in person.
But the Bear Came Back – A boy pushes away a persistent bear, but when the bear stops coming back, the boy misses him. I’ve seen only a few pages of this one, but it looks absolutely adorable. I can’t wait to read the whole thing.
A Dog with Nice Ears – The latest book starring Charlie and Lola.
Don’t Blink – A bedtime book in disguise. Every time the reader blinks, he or she has to turn the page. If you never get to the end, you never have to go to bed. So don’t blink. Adorable!
An Extraordinary Teacher – The Bible story of Priscilla from the Book of Acts. Part of the Called and Courageous Girls series, this looks fantastic!
The Magician’s Secret – A boy is fascinated by his grandfather’s treasures and the stories that go with them. Looks fun!
Shark Nate-o – A shark-loving boy learns to swim. Adorable! Looks like this includes some shark facts, too.
Unicorn and Horse – Horse can’t stand the unicorn he shares a pen with. But when Unicorn is in trouble, will Horse help? This is at the top of my picture book list for this week because I want to see what happens!
What’s Cooking Moo Moo? – A cow and a duck open a five star restaurant. I haven’t read the other book in this series, but I am curious to check them both out.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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The Doughnut Fix – A boy trying to adjust to a new town decides to open a doughnut stand and make the town’s secret doughnut recipe once again. I am fascinated by this whole story idea. I’ll be looking for this one!
Following Baxter – Two kids and a magical dog search for a missing neighbor. This sounds terrific! My kind of fantasy story.
Johnny Quick – Book 2 in the Flash TV show series for kids. I enjoyed the first book which fits into the TV version of The Flash, but takes place in a different timeline so the books can work independently from the show. This continues the story started in book one, Hocus Pocus.
Maggie and Abby’s Neverending Pillow Fort – Two girls trying to negotiate changes in their friendship after a summer apart build a pillow fort that magically connects to a network of forts around the world. The quirky premise of this story really grabs my attention. I’m curious to see how the story comes together.
My Life as a Youtuber – Book 7 in the My Life series. I included this book in the mix this week because YouTube is HUGE with kids and teens right now. This feels like a timely story of a kid negotiating the world of YouTube in the midst of his regular life ups and downs.
The Pompeii Disaster – Book 3 in Dan Gutman’s Flashback Four series about a set of kids traveling through time to document major world events. I haven’tried this adventure series, but my students and I enjoyed one of Gutman’s previous action packed series – The Genius Files.
Rebound – A new novel in verse from Kwame Alexander, Rebound takes readers into the story of Chuck Bell, father to Josh and Jordan Bell from Alexander’s epically popular book, The Crossover.
Seeker of the Crown – Book 2 in the Prisoner of Ice and Snow series about twin sisters, wrongful imprisonment and missing royals. Book one is at the top of my personal list for this week.
Until Tomorrow Mr. Marsworth – Historical fiction about the Vietnam war and a girl who desperately hopes her brother won’t enlist and a reclusive neighbor who wants to help her. The cover for this one has grabbed my attention since I first saw it.
Living Your Faith: A Journey Through James – A Bible study on the book of James for tween girls (ages 8-12)
Who is Aretha Franklin?
Who Is the Dalai Lama?
Folded Notes from High School – Set in 1991, a senior Queen Bee is dazzled by a freshman’s Danny Zuko audition which turns into obsession. I am curious to see what the tone of this one is. If it is funny, I think this could be a book I will really enjoy.
Loser’s Bracket – A difficult family situation leaves a teenager in foster care on the hunt for her missing nephew who also needs a safe place to land. This sounds like a book I will enjoy. This is on my list for this week, too.
The Oracle Queen (e-novella) – A Three Dark Crowns novella about the last Oracle Queen in Fennbirn – before they started killing any potential queens born with the oracle gift. Is the story passed down about Queen Elsabet what truly happened, or is there more to her story than anyone knows? This is available as a stand alone story for e-readers. I really enjoyed the first novella, and will definitely be reading the second one! I’ve already requested it from the library.
Queens of Fennbirn – This physical book collects both the new novella, The Oracle Queen, as well as the first one, The Young Queens, about the three queens of Three Dark Crowns when they were children.
Starry Eyes – A pair of exes with unresolved issues (and parents who are modern day Capulets and Montagues) are stranded alone together in the woods. This first caught my attention because the cover reminded me of Alex, Approximately. Sure enough, the books are by the same author. That will get me to give this one a try!
Zombie Abbey – A zombified version of Downton Abbey. I don’t read (or watch) zombie things as a rule, but I adore mashups like this, and I have enjoyed some of the author’s other books, so I include this one for those of you who might love a good zombie story. Enjoy!

Books for Adults

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Avengers Infinity War Prelude – A graphic novel that sets up the new Avengers movie that releases at the end of the month. If you have seen all of the previous Marvel movies, you probably don’t NEED to read this, but if you love the characters and the stories you may WANT it to whet your appetite.
Cinco de Murder – Book 3 in the Taste of Texas mystery series starring a waitress who is also a part-time reporter. In this book, a chili cook off turns deadly.
Fiction Can Be Murder (April 8) – First in a new Mystery Writer’s Mystery series where an author discovers a murder that fits the details of her new, unpublished novel. I have already pre-ordered this one! I am SO excited! This seems to primarily be an e-book but it looks like you can order a physical copy if you want to track one down.
Good Liar – Three women with a connection to a building that exploded a year ago in Chicago harbor secrets about what happened that day. This sounds fascinating!
Lost Books and Old Bones – Book 3 in the Scottish Bookshop mystery series about a bookseller/amateur sleuth and some antique medical books that lead to murder.
My Lady’s Choosing – A choose-your-own-adventure romance! The whole premise of this – you are a Regency-era young woman faced with a handful of possible suitors – with the choose-your-path format sounds hilarious. I already have this on hold at my library.
No One Ever Asked – Three women are connected to an affluent school that opens its doors to the public school children of a district that loses its accreditation. They each have to face the issues that arise in the transition, both personally and with regard to the school. I am curious to dig into this book and see how it all plays out.
Tart of Darkness – First in the new Chef-to-Go series by Denise Swanson about  a chef who opens a catering business and boarding house after inheriting a large house. I am eager to try out this new series.
Wedding Cake Crumble – Book 10 in the fabulous Jenn McKinlay’s Cupcake Bakery mystery series. I’ve only read book one in this series, but I enjoyed it.
Living a Life You Love: Embracing the Adventure of Being Led by the Holy Spirit – The latest from speaker  and teacher Joyce Meyer focuses on enjoying the life that you have.