Tag: June New Releases

Happy Monday! Here are some of the books releasing this week.

Books for Kids

Codzilla – When a big codfish is teased for his size, he thinks maybe he should just live up to the taunts from the littler fish who call him Codzilla.
Sumo Joe – A boy playing Sumo with his buddies is torn between his favorite sport and his beloved little sister when she asks to join their fun.
Go For the Moon: A Rocket, a Boy, and the First Moon Landing – An exploration of Apollo 11.
Horse & Buggy Paint It Out – Horse is so eager to get started on his mural, he ignores the advice of his friend Buggy and makes a big mess.
Imagine You Were There…. Winning the Vote for Women (June 13) – Celebrates the 100th anniversary of women getting the right to vote.
Goldilocks, Go Home – This illustrated early chapter book is a mash up of classic fairy tales starring Goldilocks and Bobby (Baby) Bear.
Nixie Ness Cooking Star – Book 1 in the Afterschool Superstars series. When her mom gets a job, Nixie has to go to aftercare at school instead of hanging out at home with her best friend. But the afterschool program gives her a chance to attend a cooking camp.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Briar and Rose and Jack – Sleeping Beauty meets Jack and the Beanstalk in this fairy tale mash up starring two girls who may be cursed and their friend Jack,  who are all willing to do what no adult has been – fight the giant terrorizing their kingdom.
The Prisoner of Azkaban Ravenclaw Edition (June 13) – I was so excited about this one, but in the last week the purchase option at Amazon has disappeared. The publisher’s website says you can only get this in the UK. If you still want a house edition, you can find them  in hardcover and paperback at Book Depository (dot) com. Now that I think about it, I think that is how I got my Ravenclaw edition of the first book, too.
Midsummer’s Mayhem – A contemporary retelling of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. An Indian American girl who feels forgotten in her super talented family enters a baking contest. But her mysterious new friend and the wondrous and strange ingredients he helps her find for her baking may be causing more trouble than she realizes.
This Was Our Pact (GN) – At the Autumnal Equinox Festival, the town sets lanterns adrift in the river. Tradition says that the lanterns eventually float up to the Milky Way and become stars. One group of kids decides to follow the lanterns’ journey down the river to see where they actually go.
The Time Museum Vol 2 (GN) – The Time Museum chooses kids from all over history for internships.  A group of time travelers go to Versailles in 1778 under the direction of a squad led by President Richard Nixon to save an alliance between the US and France.
Treasure Hunters: All-American Adventure – The treasure hunters are stuck in Washington DC when they discover a fake Bill of Rights. Book 6 in the series.
The Ables (GN) – A teen with telekinesis is excited to find out he’s going to superhero high school, but he doesn’t expect to be placed in the special education class for “disabled empowered kids” who call themselves “the Ables.” Book 2 will be out in September.
The Exact Opposite of Okay – A teen is caught in a compromising position with the son of a politician and finds her reputation trashed. She expects things will blow over so she can get back to her regularly scheduled high school life, but there is no end to the scandal in sight.
Rise – Sequel to Rule, about a kingdom with a dying king and a murdered heir as well as three illegitimate daughters who have a chance at the throne. I have both books on my library wish list.
Screen Queens – Three young women competing in a highly competitive tech competition learn that all-female teams never win, and they have several factors working against them. I have requested this one from the library.
Urban Legendz (GN) – A police officer’s son joins a group of vigilantes looking into some monstrous events going on in town.
The Hormone Diaries: The Bloody Truth About Our Periods (June 13) – From the woman who hosts a YouTube series by the same name. An honest look at periods, hormones and contraception.

Books for Adults

The Black Cat Steps on a Crack (ebk) – Book 4 in the Bad Luck Cat Mystery series. A headstrong librarian meets a dark end and a friend is accused of murder, so mystery writer Sabrina Tate and her cat Hitchcock start to investigate. This series sounds delightful! I need to check this one out.
Chai Another Day (Trade Paperback) – Book 4 in the Spice Shop Mystery series. The owner of a Pike Place Market spice shop stumbles across another murder.
A Crafter Hooks a Killer (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Handcrafted Mystery series. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week!
The Disappearance of Alistair Ainsworth (Hardcover) – Book 3 in the Daughter of Sherlock Holmes series. This time, Joanna and the Watsons are drawn into a case involving a cryptographer held captive by the Germans during the war. You can read my review of book one here.
Fix Her Up (Trade Paperback) – A woman who chose being a clown and planning children’s birthday parties over her family’s home renovation business can’t get anyone to take her seriously in the romance department. So she convinces her brother’s friend, a former baseball player, to be her fake boyfriend. They can use their fake relationship to help both of them out of personal problems – what could go wrong? I ADORE fake relationship stories in romance books, so this is definitely on my list for this week.
The Friend Zone (Trade Paperback) – Kristen is facing a serious medical procedure that will make her unable to have children. And she hasn’t told anyone else. When she meets an amazing guy who wants to have a big family one day, she determines to steer clear of him so neither of them will get hurt. But their mutual attraction is hard to resist. I have been on a romantic-comedy streak lately and this sounds like just the right story to continue that streak!
Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck & Fortune (Trade Paperback) – Food, heritage and finding family.  Natalie Tan returns home after her estranged mother’s death and discovers she has inherited her grandmother’s restaurant. The neighborhood “seer” tells Natalie she must cook three recipes from her grandmother’s cookbook to help the neighboring businesses that are struggling. Then her own restaurant will see success. This sounds fascinating – a little magic, some bitterness and old wounds, and plenty of cooking. Sign me up!
Over the Line (Trade Paperback) – When a dying man shows up gasping her brother’s name, Gabby turns to her homicide detective ex to help her find her brother.
Star Wars: Alphabet Squadron (Hardcover) – First in a new trilogy set after Return of the Jedi. A squad of pilots commanded by General Hera Syndulla herself are tasked with tracking down a rogue group of TIE fighters wreaking havoc in revenge for the fall of the Empire.
Sweet Tea and Secrets (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Book Tea Shop Mystery series. In the midst of planning a Fourth of July Tea for her great-aunt’s vintage tea room, Callie gets caught up in the rumors about the disappearance of a famous TV actress who was last seen in Heart’s Harbor. You can read my review of book one here.
This Is Home (Trade Paperback) – A military wife with a missing husband moves into the first floor apartment of a building owned by a policeman’s sister. The policeman knew the woman’s husband in the military.  I am still reading this one, but I will be reviewing it later this month.
Waiting for Tom Hanks (Trade Paperback) – A screen writer who dreams of being the next Nora Ephron thinks finding her own Tom Hanks will solve all her troubles. This is at the top of my list for this week.
The Enemy of the People: A Dangerous Time to Tell the Truth in America (Hardcover) – CNN’s Jim Acosta details his rocky relationship with President Trump and the President’s war against the media.
For Such a Time as This: Hope and Forgiveness After the Charleston Massacre (Trade Paperback) – A hospital chaplain who lost her mother and two cousins in the shooting at Emanuel AME Church in 2015 talks about hope and forgiveness in the face of tragedy.

Happy June, happy summer, and happy Monday! Here are some of the books out this week that might look great on your summer TBR pile.

Books for Kids

I Love My Dragon (Board Book) – A board book based on the fantastic picture book When a Dragon Moves In.
Adventures with Dragons – A pop-up book based on the How to Train Your Dragon movies
Cece Loves Science and Adventure – A second picture book starring Cece, this time focused on STEM while camping. Sounds perfect for summer!
Hangry – A young monster shows what happens when little folks get hungry and angry, a view parents will find all-too familiar.
A Normal Pig – A new pig at school points out all the ways Pip is different, leaving Pip questioning all the things that made her Pip. Identity is one of my favorite themes in literature, so I am eager to read this one.
Spider-Man Swings Through Europe – A Spider-Man Far From Home picture book
Unicorn Day – While the unicorns celebrate their most special day of the year, they discover an impostor in their midst.
Beyoncé: Shine Your Light – Picture book biography
Wilma Rudolph – Picture book biography, part of the Little People Big Dreams series
Snoopy, First Beagle on the Moon – Snoopy wants to be the first beagle on the moon. Includes facts about the moon in the back matter.
20,000 Robots Under the Sea – Book 3 in the Bots early chapter book series. I love the look of this fully illustrated series. Ten years ago, these would have been must reads in our house. Three more books are planned for this year.
Micah’s Super Vlog: Micah’s Got Talent? AND The Big Fail – The first two books in a new chapter book/young middle grade series based on a JellyTelly show. (Jelly Telly is a Christian streaming service started by Phil Vischer, one of the creators of Veggie Tales.) Highly illustrated.
Sing With Me, Lucy McGee – Book 2 in the Lucy McGee series about Lucy McGee and her friends. This book focuses on the antics of a mean girl and the school talent show. Includes song lyrics and ukulele chords.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

All the Greys on Greene Street – In 1981, an artist’s father disappears in the middle of the night and all the adults – and even her best friends – are acting strange. I have already requested this one from the library.
The Boney Hand – Book 2 in the terrific Charlie and Frog series. Charlie and Frog continue their detective work, this time when a school artifact goes missing.
Escape from the Isle of the Lost – Book 4 in the Descendants series based on the Disney television movies about the offspring of Disney villains.
Out of Place – After her best friend moves away, Cove becomes the target of a vicious bully.
Peter and Ned’s Ultimate Travel Journal – A middle grade novel based on the upcoming movie Spider-Man Far From Home. This looks fantastic – readers can read along as Peter and Ned both write in this travel log about their school trip with some commentary from MJ.
Spaced Out – Book 8 in the DC Super Hero High graphic novel series from Shea Fontana. You can see some reviews – as well as other books about Super Hero High here. This one focuses on the latest Green Lantern and some of her new super friend as they battle General Zod. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series, and I am eager to read the latest adventure! A new set of graphic novels with these characters will kick off this fall.
The Story Web – A girl discovers a mysterious web, and its safety seems to impact her community.
Who Was Che Guevara? AND Who Was P. T. Barnum? AND Who Was Stephen Hawking?
The Beholder – After a public and humiliating rejection, a young woman’s step-mother tells her she must sail off to find a suitor. And if she can’t, she shouldn’t bother coming home. That cover is absolutely gorgeous! I am curious to check this one out.
The Chosen – First in a new trilogy about a young man transported to another realm full of all the people and creatures who have disappeared from his world where he must battle for his survival.
The Confusion of Laurel Graham – A teen and her grandmother connect over nature photography and their discovery of a mysterious bird call. But now that her grandmother is in a coma after an accident, the teen must reconsider all the things she thought she knew about her life and what she is willing to fight for.
Girls of July – Four young woman spending the summer in the mountains learn a lot about themselves and about each other.
If It Makes You Happy – A heavyset girl is happy to be living her best life at her Granny’s diner in Misty Haven until she is named Summer Queen. All of the activities that go along with that pull her away from the diner and send her into anxiety-provoking situations. Can she redeem this last summer before she leaves for college? Sounds like this will be all about identity (including sexuality) which is a theme I love in fiction, as I have mentioned.
I Wanna Be Where You Are – When her mom says she can’t audition for her dream dance conservatory, a teen plans a secret road trip, but she didn’t count on her neighbor blackmailing her into taking him along. I would absolutely read this one!
Kissing Ezra Holtz (And Other Things I Did for Science) – When a girl is matched with her nemesis for an AP Psychology project, they embark on an experiment to prove that with the right steps, any two people could fall in love. This is at the top of my list for this week!
Ordinary Girls – A contemporary take on Sense and Sensibility about two sisters whose family hits a rough financial patch. They had me at “Sense and Sensibility.”
Shadow & Flame – Sequel to Onyx & Fury. A young woman with secret animal-controlling magic triumphed over her enemies in the first book, but the dangers are not completely routed. I have book one on my library list.
Sorry for Your Loss – A young man grieving the loss of his brother and struggling in every aspect of his life discovers a new outlet in photography. This sounds fascinating!
Virtually Yours – A college freshman who hasn’t dated since her high school sweetheart broke things off decides to try a matchmaking app. It matches her with that high school sweetheart – and her new best friend. Should she trust her heart or the app? This is on my list for this week, too.
War of the Bastards – Third and final book in the Royal Bastards series. The rebels continue to protect the true queen as her kingdom suffers under an evil leader. I loved the first book, so I hope to get to the other two books in this series this summer!
When the Ground Is Hard – When her best friend dumps her at their boarding school, Adele is forced to room with the least popular girl in school. But when they share a copy of Jane Eyre, they learn a lot about and from each other – and even have the chance to solve the mystery of a missing student. This is on my list, too.
Where I End & You Begin – A young man longs to invite his crush to prom, but her best friend, his tormentor, stands in his way. After a solar eclipse, Ezra and his tormentor have switched bodies. As they switch back and forth, they agree to help one another make headway with their individual crushes. This sounds amazing!

Books for Adults

The Book Supremacy (Hardcover) – Book 13 in the Bibliophile Mystery series. While on their honeymoon, Brooklyn finds a first edition of The Spy Who Loved Me, a fun James Bond choice for her new husband the spy. But when a spy friend is killed and someone else is murdered in the spy store that is displaying the rare book, Brooklyn and her husband will have to dig into his past to find a killer. This sounds amazing! I am so behind on this series, but I might have to make an exception to my read-a-series-in-order rule and try this one out!
Cherry Scones and Broken Bones (Trade Paperback – June 8) – Book 2 in the Very Cherry Mystery series. Whitney is trying to help her family inn recover after a recent murder, so when a famous painter decides to spend her summer at the inn, it seems like a great way to draw people out to the property, try her cherry treats and enjoy the art scene. But the painter is a pain in the backside. When she’s found dead, Whitney is a murder suspect. If their inn is ever going to recover, she will have to hunt down another killer. I’ll be reviewing this one next week.
Death in Kew Gardens (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Below Stairs historic mystery series. A Victorian era cook receives a rare gift of tea after an act of kindness. Two days later, the man who gave her the gift is accused of murdering Lady Cynthia’s neighbor, and Kat steps in to investigate once again. I enjoyed the first book in this series.
Magic for Liars (Hardcover) – When a murder occurs at the magic school where Ivy’s twin sister teaches, magic-less Ivy is drawn in to investigate. This is the other book at the top of my list for this week!
More Than Words Can Say (Trade Paperback) – When a young Amish woman needs a man’s name on the deed to her bakery, Zacharias finds himself giving up the bachelor life he prefers for a marriage of convenience. This is on my list, too.
The Number of Love (Trade Paperback) – Historical novel set during WWI where a woman who works as a codebreaker for England teams up with a wounded soldier pursued by the enemy.
A Patchwork of Clues (Trade Paperback) – Book 1 in the Queen Bees Quilt Shop series. The site of a Saturday quilting bee becomes a crime scene when a local professor antiques shop owner is killed.
Searching for Sylvie Lee (Hardcover) – When her oldest sister disappears after a visit with their dying grandmother, the baby of the family goes looking for the sister who was always her fiercest protector. This sounds fascinating!
Kinda Like Grace: A Homeless Man, a Broken Woman, and the Decision that Made Them Family (Hardcover) – A chance meeting between the author and a homeless man who returns to the spot where he had last seen his mother three years ago leads to a change for the man, the author and her family who welcomed him into their home. An engaging-sounding memoir.
Naturally Tan (Hardcover) – Memoir from one of the Queer Eye guys, Tan France. Fans of the show should know that most of the guys have a book out now or will have one out later this year.

The last Tuesday in June means lots of great books for your summer vacation! Here are some of the ones releasing this week.

Books for Kids

A Dog Named Doug – An adorable rhyming book about a dog who loves to dig!
Geraldine – A giraffe, reluctant to move and start at a new school in a new town where she is the only giraffe, finds a friend. I can’t wait to read this one!
Honeydukes Scratch and Sniff – If I had a working sense of smell, I would be more interested in this one, but I can see it appealing to a lot of Harry Potter fans!
I Am: Names of God for Little Ones (board book) – Adorable-looking board book for the youngest book lovers.
Jack B Ninja – “Jack Be Nimble” with a ninja twist. I adore books like this. They make great gifts for kids who love martial arts – or for their younger siblings.
Peg + Cat: The Eid al-Adha Adventure – Eid al-Adha is a holiday that includes practices to share with those who have less. Peg and Cat get to use their math skills to help with the fractions. I love this series!
Sir Tim Wants a Dragon (July 1) – A boy and his mom head to the pet store because he wants a pet. What pet would be perfect for a young knight? A dragon!
What If You Had an Animal Tail? – Book 6 in this fantastic series for kids! Some of my teacher friends have done amazing projects with their classes based on this series. There’s a new book coming in December, too.
Curious George in Super George! – George and his friend are off to solve a caper. This looks adorable; I love George! (hardcover early reader)
Hurricane Katrina Rescue – Book 8 in the Ranger in Time series – a series I call Magic Tree House with a dog. Perfect for kids ready for chapter books.
Mr. Wolf’s Class – A new teacher and a new fourth grade class are full of stories in this first book in a new series.
Waking the Rainbow Dragon – Book 10 in the Dragon Masters series from Scholastic Branches, my favorite line of early chapter books for kids.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

American Girl – Pearl Harbor – Book 4 in the Real Stories from My Time series from American Girl.
Harry Potter (Anniversary Covers) – I usually don’t spotlight books that are being re-released, but these are the 20th Anniversary books with all new covers. Frankly, the covers from Kazu Kibuishi are my favorites, and then the originals by Mary GrandPré. But Brian Selznick fans will want to scoop these up!
The Jamie Drake Equation – A kid whose dad is living on the International Space Station picks up a strange signal on his phone. Could it be aliens? Jamie is ready to prove he is a hero, too. I’m eager to check this one out!
The Language of Spells – A girl and a dragon form an unusual partnership as they go looking for the dragons that vanished from Vienna around WWII. I LOVE a good dragon book, so I am eager to give this one a try.
Strays Like Us – A girl in foster care longs to rescue the dog next door from his mean owner. But she knows not to get too attached to anything – the dog, her foster mom, or a friend from school. This sounds like a book I will love!
Wings of Fire – The Lost Continent – Book 11 in this outstanding series about dragons kicks off a new five-book arc. I have had this pre-ordered for months! I just have to wait a little longer and it will be here. I will drop everything to read this one.
The Evolution of Claire – For teen fans of Jurassic World comes a prequel that fills in the backstory of Claire Dearing.
The Fragile Ordinary – Set in Scotland this is a story of a girl who never feels truly herself, the bad boy from America who takes the school by storm, and what happens when these two opposite personalities have to work together.
Learning to Breathe – A sixteen-year-old girl struggles to hide a pregnancy from the aunt who is just itching to throw her out into the streets. This is the sort of hook that leaves me needing to know more. This is on my list.
My Plain Jane –  A new take on the classic Jane Eyre. I know I read Jane Eyre as a teen, but I don’t remember it at all. This twisty version sounds terrific and might just get me to re-read the original.
Now You See Her – A tennis player finds herself in the body of her rival after a near-abduction and an accident. I was completely taken in by the full premise of this. It’s a must read for me.
Wild Blue Wonder – In June it was all camping and wild blueberries and love. But by winter, after the accident, the magic of summer has all but disappeared. Yep, I’ll be reading this one, too! Can’t let a mysterious “accident” get thrown out there and not read the book for the details.
Your Destination Is on the Left – An artist who has lived in an RV on the road with her family all her life takes a risk on an internship that might help propel her into the future. But when problems arise for her family, she’ll have to decide which life she wants to hold onto. Yes, that’s going on the list, too.

Books for Adults

Buried in Books – Book 12 in the Bibliophile mystery series. The bride-to-be is surprised when two feuding friends show up at her bridal shower. But they seem to have put the past behind them. When one is later killed, the soon-to-be bride needs to find answers so her special day can go off without a hitch. I have not kept up with this series, but this particular story sounds like one I would enjoy.  (Hardcover*)
Claws of Death – Book 2 in the Cat Lady mystery series after Escape Claws. A retired actress who adopts some kittens from Lara’s shelter is the prime suspect in a murder. I enjoyed the first book in the series, and I’m eager to see how this second one stacks up. (It looks like this series is primarily for e-readers, but there is a Trade Paperback* option.)
Death by Espresso – Book 6 in the Bookstore Cafe mystery series. This is another wedding-themed story. This time, the bride-to-be’s snobby mother has brought in her own wedding planner who winds up dead. This is not a series I have tried, but now I am curious to give it a go. (Mass Market Paperback*)
Kappy King and the Pickle Kaper – Book 2 in the Kappy King Amish mystery series. This time, a buggy accident starts to look like murder. I have book one on my wish list already – and a third book is coming out in December. I need to get reading on this one. (Trade Paperback*)
A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder – First in a new series about the widowed Countess of Harleigh who is trying to keep the details of her husband’s indiscretions to herself but she is a suspect in his death. I requested this one from the library early in June, and it will be hitting my e-reader tomorrow! I can’t wait! (Hardcover*)
Portrait of a Sister – Another Amish story, a standalone this time. Twin sisters living vastly different lives as one left the Amish community and the other stayed behind. Katie is determined to do the “right” thing – forget her artistic gifts which are a sin and marry the man who has been chosen for her. But her sister’s invitation to spend some time in New York opens up new ideas in Katie’s heart and mind. I’m only a few chapters into this one, but I am hooked already! (Trade Paperback*)
Staged 4 Murder – Book 3 in the Sophie Kimball mystery series. Private investigator Sophie gets drawn into a real life Agatha Christie mystery when an actor in a production of “The Mousetrap“ is killed. (Mass Market Paperback*)
Till Death Do Us Tart – Book 8 in the Bakeshop Mystery series. I’ll be reviewing this one later this summer. (Mass Market Paperback*)
To Catch a Latte – A new e-book mystery from one of my favorite authors, Jenn McKinlay. A cafe owner is suspected of money laundering and her sexy FBI agent tenant is looking into the case. I’ve already pre-ordered this one. (E-book only)
Fake News, Propaganda, and Plain Old Lies: How to Find Trustworthy Information in the Digital Age (June 29) – This is a must read for me. (Hardcover*)
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism – I have this one on my list, too. (Trade Paperback*)

*I’ve noticed that publishers have shifted some of their new mystery series to Trade paperback (full size paperback with a sale price around $15 or $16) or hardcover (with a sale price around $25) instead of Mass Market paperback which runs around $8. When I think of it, I’ll try to note the format so readers can plan their book budgets – and trips to the library – accordingly.

Summer marches on, but at least there are plenty of books to keep us busy! Here are some of the new books releasing this week:

Books for Kids

Cece Loves Science – Science-minded Cece and her best friend run experiments to see if Cece’s dog will eat his vegetables. I love picture books that highlight science and math in everyday stories. This would be great for classroom use.
We Don’t Eat Our Classmates – The author of the fabulous Mother Bruce series brings us a new story about a little T-Rex trying to make friends at school. This is a must read for me!
Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 – A picture book biography of Katherine Johnson, one of the women mathematicians highlighted in the movie (and books) Hidden Figures. This would be a must-have if I was still teaching!
Look at Me: How to Attract Attention in the Animal World – I don’t think you can go wrong with an animal book when it comes to material for kids. Add the fact that this is written by science writers Steve Jenkins and Robin Page, and this becomes a must-buy, too.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Everything I Know About You – On a school trip to DC, a group of seventh grade friends are partnered with some of their sworn enemies. But one of the girls suspects her roommate may have an eating disorder. Is she willing to risk humiliation to seek help for a girl she doesn’t even like? This is high on my list for this week. Sounds like the sort of middle grade story I enjoy.
The Jigsaw Jungle – A girl starts compiling a scrapbook to solve the mystery of her missing father. I already have this one in my Amazon cart. [If only I had a budget that would allow me to buy all the books I want to read….]
Kid Normal – A normal kid stumbles into a school for superheroes. I really got a kick out of this one. I’ll be reviewing this later this summer.
The Selkie of San Francisco – Book 2 in the Sam London Adventures series after Guardians of the Gryphon’s Claw about a kid who discovers mythical creatures living in our national parks. I enjoyed the first book, and this second one sounds great, too!
Takedown – A boy and a girl who love wrestling deal with the fall out of folks who don’t think a girl should wrestle and what happens when partners become opponents. This has been getting great buzz for months. I’m looking forward to checking this one out.
Dinosaurs, Dodos and Woolly Mammoths (My Weird School Fast Facts) – The latest nonfiction book from My Weird School author Dan Gutman.
What Is Climate Change? AND What Is the Constitution? – The latest books from the folks who first brought us the Who Was series of biographies feel very timely for this season in our culture!
Almost Impossible – A girl spending her first summer in America meets a boy who is determined to make it unforgettable. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week.
Not the Girls You’re Looking For – A story of a teen girl who, among other things, makes a scene at a party (she totally did not mean to make that cute guy almost drown) and also at Ramadan. She’s sure she and her friends can make the best of whatever mistakes she might make, but sometimes small-looking things become big things. Looking forward to checking this one out, too.

Books for Adults

Murder Made to Order – Book 2 in the All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery series about a New York transplant in Florida who may lose her diner due to a zoning issue. Then the town council president – the one taking a hard line on the zoning issue  – is found dead. I have book one of this series on my Kindle wish list. (It feels like maybe this series is primarily for e-readers, but a trade paperback* version is also available.)
Perfect Couple – Just before the wedding event of the season in Nantucket, a body is found in the harbor, and everyone in the wedding is a suspect. I’ve not read any of the author’s work before, but this particular mystery sounds fantastic! (Hardcover*)
#NeverAgain: A New Generation Draws the Line – Two survivors (siblings) of the Parkland, Florida school shooting (February 14, 2018) speak out in an effort to bring the epidemic of school shootings to a close. I definitely will be reading this one!
Uncensored: My Life and Uncomfortable Conversations at the Intersection of Black and White America – This young man shares his personal story which has led him to be a crusader for free speech. I don’t know much about the author, Zachary Wood, but I am curious to check out his story.
*I’ve noticed that publishers have shifted some of their new mystery series to Trade paperback (full size paperback with a sale price around $15 or $16) or hardcover (with a sale price around $25) instead of Mass Market paperback which runs around $8. When I think of it, I’ll try to note the format so readers can plan their book budgets – and trips to the library – accordingly.

Welcome to another week of new books! It’s stunning to think of the sheer volume of books releasing each month, on top of the ones already out in the world. Sometimes it can get overwhelming, but I just can’t squelch the excitement of new stories being discovered week after week. Here are some of the books releasing this week:

Books for Kids

Don’t Eat That – A bear is trying to find just the right snack to quiet his rumbling tummy. This looks adorable.
Fruit Bowl – Tomato wants to join the rest of the fruits in the fruit bowl. This is the picture book I am most excited about this week – and there are a lot of fantastic picture books on the list!
Play – Little Bobo is supposed to be getting ready for bed, but he would rather play with the other animals. We read Hug to my son when he was little along with the Teddy and Freddy books, and they became family favorites. I’m looking forward to seeing this latest book in person.
Pretty Kitty – A counting book about a man who finds a kitty on his doorstep. Then there are two kitties. So excited about this one.
Stegothesaurus – From the author of Mustache Baby and Mustache Baby Meets His Match comes a new book about a dinosaur who loves words. Yes, please!
Nothing Stopped Sophie: The Story of Unshakable Mathematician Sophie Germain – A picture book biography of an 18th century mathematician who overcame many obstacles to do the work that she loved. Sounds fantastic! I adore picture book biographies, especially of people I’ve not heard of before.
Silverlake Art Show – Book 13 in the Adventures of Sophie Mouse series for kids ready for chapter books. I loved this series so much, I put the books into the school library, and my students loved them too. This time Sophie decides to host an art show. If I was still teaching, this would already be in my Amazon cart for school books.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

The Legend of Greg: An Epic Series of Failures – A boy who loves being ordinary discovers he is anything but when he finds out he is a Dwarf. He is whisked away to the underground land of Dwarves (under Chicago) and discovers a history of his kind filled with failures. But all of that may be about to change. This looks like just the sort of fantasy book I adore. I’ll be looking for this one!
The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair – A girl and her family move to Iowa hoping the familiar surroundings will aid her mother in getting her memories back. This was lovely and heartbreaking. I’ll be reviewing this one later this summer.
The Wizard’s Dog Fetches the Grail – Book 2 in the Wizard’s Dog series which has been compared to the delightful Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom. In this book, Nosewise the dog, his pack, his Wizard, Merlin, and others are on the hunt for the Holy Grail. I have book one in this series on my library list because this looks fantastic!
Science Comics – Rockets: Defying Gravity – The latest science-based graphic novel in this series focuses on Rockets
All That I Can Fix – A young man from the family that everyone in town talks about shares his story of family, friends and the exotic zoo animals that have been set loose in his town. I’m curious to see how this one plays out.

Books for Adults

The Body in the Ballroom – Book 2 in the Alice Roosevelt Mysteries. Alice Roosevelt was the wild child offspring of Teddy Roosevelt. I have loved reading about her in historical references, but I haven’t yet tried this mystery series starring Alice. Book one is on my list. (Hardcover*)
Death and a Pot of Chowder – A woman discovers a sister she never knew before and the two team up to look into a murder. I love this idea of these two strangers getting to know one another while trying to find justice for someone’s murder. This is on my library list. (Hardcover*)
The Love Letter – From the author of the fantastic The Writing Desk comes another story told from two perspectives in different time periods. In this book, one perspective is from an actress in a contemporary movie based on an old love letter. The other perspective is from the Revolutionary War. I’ll be reviewing this one in a couple weeks. (Trade paperback*)
The Spook in the Stacks – Book 4 in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series. This book is about a Halloween homicide and a set of rare historical documents. I haven’t tried this series yet, but I have book one on my TBR shelves. (Hardcover*)
A Study in Treason – Book 2 in the Daughter of Sherlock Holmes series. I enjoyed book one, so book 2 is definitely on my wish list! The focus this time is on a missing treaty between England and France. (Hardcover*)
Switch and Bait – A woman running an online dating service for the most eligible bachelorettes in Washington DC swears off love for herself. In fact, she is so confident in her singleness, she’ll match a client with one of her own exes. This sounds like a fun romantic comedy. Sometimes I like to set the mysteries aside for a fun love story.
Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again – I have been following Rachel Held Evans on social media for awhile, and I really like her style. I might not agree with her on everything, but she is someone I am willing to listen to and consider her perspective. I am especially looking forward to her new book on the Bible. This is already in my Amazon cart!

*I’ve noticed that publishers have shifted some of their new mystery series to Trade paperback (full size paperback with a sale price around $15 or $16) or hardcover (with a sale price around $25) instead of Mass Market paperback which runs around $8. When I think of it, I’ll try to note the format so readers can plan their book budgets – and trips to the library – accordingly.

Happy June! I don’t know about where you live, but where I am, I think we skipped Spring altogether. It’s toasty and humid, so I think it is best to stay inside where it is air conditioned and enjoy a good book. Here are some of the titles coming out this week:

Books for Kids

Don’t Tell – Another book that breaks the fourth wall by the author of Don’t Blink.
Neck & Neck – A giraffe who is used to being the star of the zoo faces off against a giraffe balloon. This looks hysterical.
Niblet & Ralph – Two cats become friends across a courtyard, but when each decides to go visit the other, their owners mistake them for one another. This looks adorable! Can’t wait to read this one.
Harriet Tubman – The latest in the Little People Big Dreams series. Also out this week is Georgia O’Keeffe and Jane Austen
Peanut Butter’s First Day of School – I love the creative illustrations for this whole series, which is branching into Early Readers after picture books and board books.
Buggin’Out! (Marvel Superhero Adventures) – An early chapter book starring Marvel’s Spider-Man, Ant-man and Wasp. If I was still teaching, this is a series I would have in the library. Great for kids who love superheroes and who are ready to dive into chapter books.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Annie B, Made for TV – A girl with a best friend who seems to always win everything has a chance to shine in a local web show.
Breakout – The latest from the fantastic Kate Messner is told in letters, emails, and transcripts from three girls whose summer plans change when two inmates escape from the local prison. I’ll be posting a review of this one tomorrow.
Cardboard Kingdom – Graphic Novel about a group of kids who transform their neighborhood with cardboard during their summer vacation. Can’t wait to read this one!
Guardians of Taiga – Wild Rescuers – Illustrated Middle Grade book about a girl raised by wolves whose mission is to help those in the forest. This sounds like an interesting blend of fantasy and environmental conservation.
Lions and Liars – A group of boys at disciplinary camp are just starting to break down barriers and build friendships when a Category 5 hurricane moves their way. The illustrations by Dan Santat got me to put this book on my list. The story makes this a must read for me. I’ve requested this one from my local library.
The Seismic Seven – Seven kids working at Yellowstone race to save the world from a supervolcano. Sounds like a perfect action adventure story for summer reading!
Who Is Pele?
Who Was Leif Erikson?
City of Bastards – Sequel to the fantastic Royal Bastards. While Tilla and her friends are relatively safe in their new home, danger lurks around every corner and things aren’t as they appear. Tilla is attacked and a classmate is killed. Tilla is determined to find out what is really going on. I loved the first book, so this one is at the top of my reading list for the week!
Dear Rachel Maddow – A teen struggles after the death of her brother, but a class assignment to write to a famous person starts to change things. I’ll be reviewing this later this week.
Eden Conquered – The conclusion of the story started in Dividing Eden about twins fighting one another for control of their kingdom. This is the other book at the top of my reading list for this week. I’ve already requested this one from the library, too.
Invisible Ghosts – Girl-meets-boy and boy-meets-girl’s-ghost-brother. This sounds terrific. I have this on my summer reading list, too.
Jacked Up – Ghosts must be a theme this week as this book is about a boy whose parents send him to “Jesus camp” after the death of his sister, but the dead poet Jack Kerouac is following him around. After the poet convinces Nick to place his deepest secret in a locked box at the camp, the box is stolen and campers’ secrets aren’t so secret anymore. This is just quirky enough for me that I will definitely be putting this on my library list to check it out.
Little Do We Know – Former best friends can’t seem to get over their past until an accident brings secrets to light. I have this on my list, too.
Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe – When the school quarterback comes back from a near-death experience and says he saw God, he says God gave him a list of things to do to make their high school less awful – and that Cliff – “Neanderthal” – is supposed to help. Yep, another quirky one that is totally going on my list.
Opposite of Here – A missing person on a cruise ship? Yep, I’m going to need this mystery, too.
Save the Date – A girl hopes her older sister’s wedding will be the chance to put everything in her family back the way it was before they were selling the house and all of her older siblings moved away. But this wedding weekend is shaping up to  to be anything but perfect. Sounds like an excellent summer beach read. This is on my list, too.
What You Left Me – Two teens meet at graduation and immediately hit it off, wondering why they didn’t meet sooner. But a car accident puts one of them in a coma and the other is left trying to put the pieces together. This sounds great, too.

Books for Adults

As the Christmas Cookie Crumbles (June 8) – Book 5 in the Food Lovers’ Village series. In the heat of summer, a Christmas book sounds refreshing. I’ll be reviewing this one soon. (Trade paperback*)
Cherry Pies & Deadly Lies – First in a new Very Cherry mystery series. I’ll be reviewing this one on Wednesday this week. Come back and read all about it! (Trade paperback*)
The President Is Missing (June 4) – I am number 34 on the holds list for this book from the library. This team up between Patterson and the former President is a thriller that supposedly could only be written by someone with insider information. I’m curious to see if this one lives up to the hype. (Hardcover*)
The Solace of Water – A woman who lost her son befriends a reclusive Amish woman who in turn befriends the grieving mother’s daughter. But secrets and hurts abound in these two families and in a community divided by race and by faith. I’m really curious to check this one out. (Trade paperback*)
Star Trek Discovery: Fear Itself – An original story based on the characters in the CBS All Access Star Trek series. This is a series I’d like to try out before I read the books, but I have heard mixed reviews on it. (Trade paperback*)
The Word Is Murder – The author of this mystery puts a fictional version of himself into a story of a woman who plans her own funeral and is found murdered several hours later. This sounds dark and twisty. (Hardcover*)
Isaiah – A Bible commentary on the book of Isaiah. I just finished a study of Isaiah, and I loved it. I am eager to read this commentary and see what new insights it might provide.

*I’ve noticed that publishers have shifted some of their new mystery series to Trade paperback (full size paperback with a sale price around $15 or $16) or hardcover (with a sale price around $25) instead of Mass Market paperback which runs around $8. When I think of it, I’ll try to note the format so readers can plan their book budgets – and trips to the library – accordingly.