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234 pp.
| Abrams/Amulet
| August, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4197-2601-9$16.99
(2)
4-6
Middle schooler Joseph, who has ADD, forms an uneasy friendship with brash new girl Heather when they join the track team, and they come to count on each other as they race for their personal best. The natural-sounding narrative has a good amount of humor, especially surrounding Joseph's quirky family. Readers will root for the friends--especially when Joseph learns how and when to throw a hip check.
Reviewer: Ed Spicer
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
July, 2017
(2)
4-6
Alan conceals many things about himself from many people, especially the fact that he is gay. His bullying older brother Nathan threatens to out Alan unless he competes with Nathan in a rigged set of tasks. The Labors of Hercules for the middle-school set (complete with underwear jokes), this debut novel is also a compelling examination of homophobic families and generational patterns of abuse.
Reviewer: Ed Spicer
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2017
40 pp.
| Scholastic/Levine
| June, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-545-85973-8$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Dave Pressler.
How should Bigfoot shop for shoes? That's just one of his big back-to-school worries, not all of which are because of his size ("What if I can't stand still for class pictures? AGAIN!"). A major part of this humorous book's appeal is Pressler's larger-than-life illustrations. A relatable story to reassure young readers that school isn't that scary (and neither is Bigfoot).
(2)
4-6
Ten-year-old Lester (who has autism) is home-schooled until his astronaut father dies and his mother takes a full-time job. Lester finds a friend in public school classmate Abby--that is, until a new student steals Abby away. In this story of friendship, bullying, and community, Lester's literal perceptions are often different from what the adults (and readers) understand, providing insight into his character.
Reviewer: Ed Spicer
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
July, 2017
(2)
YA
When high-school valedictorian Lance takes a road trip in his 1993 Buick, the car breaks down and he finds himself stuck in a seedy motel room in middle-of-nowhere Washington State. He meets Dakota--an intriguing young woman artist with a very different perspective--and begins to reevaluate his life. The sense of place is palpable and the dialogue often sparkles in Geiger's debut novel.
Reviewer: Ed Spicer
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2017
(4)
1-3
Illustrated by
Serge Bloch.
In this comic-hybrid fictional memoir, Toby regularly aggravates his parents and other adults with his literal responses to questions and comments. While the frenetic narrative, with meandering introductions to the people in Toby's life, is mostly a vehicle for clever wordplay and smart-alecky jokes, second and third graders will eat this up. Bloch's childlike cartoons further the book's appeal.
104 pp.
| Gecko
| April, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-927271-88-9$16.99
(3)
1-3
Translated by Cathy Hirano.
Illustrated by
Jun Takabatake.
In this Japanese import, bored Giraffe sees an ad from a pelican advertising his mail-delivery service; he eagerly writes a letter for delivery to the first animal past the horizon. So begins the letters, speculations, and bloopers of Giraffe and Penguin's friendship. Takabatake's simple line drawings add humor and depth to a wonderfully fresh take on how we make friends and correct mistaken impressions.
32 pp.
| North-South
| February, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7358-4273-1$17.95
(4)
K-3
Tree dragon Sloppy learns that sprite Dewdrop's hugs are earned by doing nice things, not by moping or bribery. When they eventually embrace, readers may wonder why assertive, no-nonsense Dewdrop hadn't just told Sloppy "why she didn't want a hug in the first place" (Sloppy's a licker). Still, Julian's playful illustrations will have kids laughing, and the final spread is a sloppy crowd-pleaser.
106 pp.
| Gecko
| August, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-776570-10-2$16.99
(2)
4-6
Translated by Sarah Death.
Illustrated by
Lisen Adbåge.
Zany characters and a world with just a tinge of normality define the madcap meanderings of Mazarin, his father Soda Pop, and his grandfather Dartanyong. Fans of the wackier reaches of Jack Gantos and Polly Horvath will love this book's (first published in Sweden in 1970) random ramblings that make up in emotional sense what they lack in conventional storytelling.
Reviewer: Ed Spicer
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2017
32 pp.
| Boyds
| March, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-59078-984-1$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Jennifer K. Mann.
Percy's dog-park romp with his friends is interrupted by a face-off with a squirrel. Young readers will recognize and enjoy these familiar dog antics, though they may be puzzled by the title, which matches the text's tone but has little connection to the story line. Mann's illustrations, heavy on white space, are the perfect complement to the spare but effective text.
213 pp.
| HarperCollins/Harper
| May, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-06-246122-3$16.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-06-246130-8
(2)
4-6
Sensing that he is growing apart from his best friend, eleven-year-old Ren attempts to adapt by joining the cross-country team. Then Ren meets new neighbor Sutton and becomes curious about her and the Birmingham Roller pigeons she is training. Readers will delight in Sutton's fierce honesty as well as Ren's geeky self-discoveries (guess what? He really hates running) and natural growth.
Reviewer: Ed Spicer
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
July, 2017
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Julie McLaughlin.
Charlie's widower father returns from Afghanistan with a brain injury and is sent to a specialist in Virginia, while Charlie and siblings travel with mysterious new family friend Ludmila from California. Traveling is hard for Charlie, who seems to have OCD and autism, but at least he can watch for birds on his and Dad's "Someday" list. Pla captures a three-dimensional family through Charlie's unique voice.
212 pp.
| Holt
| June, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-62779-809-9$13.99
(4)
1-3
Nine-year-old King Edwin is a good king who tosses chocolate to his subjects on Fridays. When he fails to do so one Friday, the peasants revolt and evil Emperor Nurbison takes over the kingdom. Filled with jokes (some much better than others), itchy butts, and clueless adults, this book will appeal to many young readers. Halftone illustrations add a splash of whimsy.
(2)
4-6
Stanly spots a finger bone in his family's garden, and the bone grows a skeleton. His younger sister Miren's illness worsens, and Stanly is convinced the skeleton, "Princy," is to blame. Ventrella's three-dimensional characters, with their complicated emotions, are what make this story work so well. The exploration of family tragedy and death is likely to evoke discussion.
Reviewer: Ed Spicer
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2017
64 pp.
| Gecko
| March, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-776570-98-0$19.99
(4)
PS
Translated by Linda Burgess.
Fans of Richard Scarry, to whom the book is dedicated, may enjoy this collection of scenes ("At Work," "The Farm") and topics ("Vegetables," "Clothes"), all featuring a cast of cartoony dogs. With help, youngsters may even get an idea of what some dogs (a.k.a. humans) do all day, though some sections (e.g., "Insects") seem especially random. Fortunately, the silly art is independently delightful.
195 pp.
| Dutton
| May, 2005
|
TradeISBN 0-525-47407-2$16.99
(3)
YA
With Sharon M. Draper. In Draper's adaptation of the adult book, The Pact, three childhood friends tell the inspiring story of how they avoided drugs, gangs, and violence in their Newark, New Jersey, neighborhoods By supporting each other, they grow up to become medical doctors. Never didactic or preachy, the book is frank, personal, and frequently riveting.
48 pp.
| ABDO
| March, 2005
|
LibraryISBN 1-59197-934-X$25.65
(4)
4-6
American Moments series.
Each book in this series offers a brief, general introduction to a chapter in U.S. history. The writing is clear but lacks style. The books offer overviews of their subjects, giving report writers basic information but little insight. Drawings, maps, photographs, and sidebars enhance the text. There are eighteen other spring 2005 books in this series. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these American Moments titles: The Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, The Kent State Tragedy, The Pilgrims, The Industrial Revolution, The Jamestown Colony, and The Lincoln-Douglas Debates.
48 pp.
| ABDO
| March, 2005
|
LibraryISBN 1-59197-931-5$25.65
(4)
4-6
American Moments series.
Each book in this series offers a brief, general introduction to a chapter in U.S. history. The writing is clear but lacks style. The books offer overviews of their subjects, giving report writers basic information but little insight. Drawings, maps, photographs, and sidebars enhance the text. There are eighteen other spring 2005 books in this series. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these American Moments titles: The Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, The Kent State Tragedy, The Pilgrims, The Industrial Revolution, The Jamestown Colony, and The Lincoln-Douglas Debates.
48 pp.
| ABDO
| March, 2005
|
LibraryISBN 1-59197-937-4$25.65
(4)
4-6
American Moments series.
Each book in this series offers a brief, general introduction to a chapter in U.S. history. The writing is clear but lacks style. The books offer overviews of their subjects, giving report writers basic information but little insight. Drawings, maps, photographs, and sidebars enhance the text. There are eighteen other spring 2005 books in this series. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these American Moments titles: The Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, The Kent State Tragedy, The Pilgrims, The Industrial Revolution, The Jamestown Colony, and The Lincoln-Douglas Debates.
306 pp.
| Harcourt
| March, 2005
|
TradeISBN 0-15-205355-7$17.00
(3)
YA
Alternating chapters portray the wrestling seasons of New Jersey high school seniors Ivan Korske and Bobby Zane, both of whom are competing for the state title. The gritty and realistic story includes vivid wrestling scenes and rich characterizations.