Penny is excited to welcome her new sibling, so throughout her mom’s pregnancy she writes letters to it (not it, YOU!). She introduces herself (Penelope, but she prefers “Penny”) and their moms (Sammy and Becky). She brags about their home city, Oakland, California (the weather, the Bay, and the Golden State Warriors) and shares the … Continue reading LOVE, PENELOPE, by Joanne Rocklin, Illustrated by Lucy Knisley, Amulet Books/Abrams Books, Hachette Book Group
Middle grade
DIARY OF AN 8-BIT WARRIOR, by Cube Kid, Illustrated by Saboten, Andrews McMeel Publishing
Minecraft meets Diary of a Wimpy Kid in book 5 of the very popular 8-Bit Warrior series of the journal of a young Minecraft villager who dares to dream of becoming a Minecraft warrior! In the fifth in this series of five unofficial Minecraft adventure books, it’s time for our 12-year-old hero to taking … Continue reading DIARY OF AN 8-BIT WARRIOR, by Cube Kid, Illustrated by Saboten, Andrews McMeel Publishing
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SKELETON CREEK, by Patrick Carman, Book One, Scholastic
A breakthrough new series from bestselling author Patrick Carman, featuring text and technology in an innovative new way. Strange things are happening in Skeleton Creek . . . and Ryan and Sarah are trying to get to the heart of it. But after an eerie accident leaves Ryan housebound and forbidden to see Sarah, their … Continue reading SKELETON CREEK, by Patrick Carman, Book One, Scholastic
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PHILIPPA FISHER’S FAIRY GODSISTER, by Liz Kessler, Orion, UK
Philippa Fisher tries and fails to summon a fairy, but is taken aback when Daisy, the new girl at school, announces that she is her fairy godmother - or godsister, since they are the same age. Daisy is not best pleased with Philippa, but she has a mission to fulfil and is obliged to stick … Continue reading PHILIPPA FISHER’S FAIRY GODSISTER, by Liz Kessler, Orion, UK
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SHADOW WEAVER, by Marcy Kate Connolly, Book One, Duology, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Fans of Serafina and the Black Cloak and The Night Gardener will devour Shadow Weaver, the first in a dark middle-grade fantasy duology that's filled with shadows, danger, magic, and has the feel of a new classic. Emmeline's gift of controlling shadows has isolated her from the rest of the world, but she's grown to … Continue reading SHADOW WEAVER, by Marcy Kate Connolly, Book One, Duology, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
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FISH GIRL, by Wiesner & Napoli, Clarion Books
Who is Fish Girl? What is Fish Girl? She lives in a tank in a boardwalk aquarium. She is the main attraction, though visitors never get more than a glimpse of her. She has a tail. She can't walk. She can't speak. But she can make friends with Livia, an ordinary girl, and yearn for … Continue reading FISH GIRL, by Wiesner & Napoli, Clarion Books
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THE GIRL WITH THE GHOST MACHINE, by Lauren DeStefano, Bloomsbury
When Emmaline Beaumont's father started building the ghost machine, she didn't expect it to bring her mother back from the dead. But by locking himself in the basement to toil away at his hopes, Monsieur Beaumont has become obsessed with the contraption and neglected the living, and Emmaline is tired of feeling forgotten. Nothing good … Continue reading THE GIRL WITH THE GHOST MACHINE, by Lauren DeStefano, Bloomsbury
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40 Books Everyone Should Read, by J.L. Slipak, Part Five
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SCARLET and IVY, THE WHISPERS IN THE WALLS, by Sophie Cleverly, SourceBooks/Jabberwockykids
When the walls begin to speak, it is unwise to ignore what they have to say... At the bidding of their cold-hearted stepmother, twin sisters Scarlet and Ivy are sentenced to board for a year at Rookwood School. The headmaster is cruel, the hallways are drafty, and there seems to be a thief afoot. … Continue reading SCARLET and IVY, THE WHISPERS IN THE WALLS, by Sophie Cleverly, SourceBooks/Jabberwockykids
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