ADULT FICTION
“The Christmas Key” by Lori Wilde — “…An absolute crowd-pleaser… The magnetism between Naomi and Mark is breathtaking and real, the magic of Christmas enhances their romance. Readers will cheer for the wounded warrior who may have found a place to call home.” –(Publishers Weekly (starred review))
“Chuckerman Makes a Movie” by Francie Arenson Dickman — “Thoughtfully narrated and with a split-screen storyline, Chuckerman Makes A Movie is a unique coming of age tale told through the lens of a film-writing class. Quick-paced, witty, and well-executed, Francie Arenson Dickman’s debut novel weaves together a series of flawed and honest relationships, both past and present, with the kind of mastery one would expect from a seasoned best-selling author.”
— Randi Olin and Lauren Apfel, executive editors of Motherwell Magazine
“The Dream Daughter” by Diane Chamberlain — “Chamberlain stretches her sense of familial relationships and toe-curling suspense in new directions, weaving in elements of trust, history, and time as she explores the things we do for love. With a little tension and a lot of heart, The Dream Daughter will delight Chamberlain’s fans and hook new readers.” ―Booklist
“The Girl They Left Behind” by Roxanne Veletzos — “[The Girl They Left Behind], which Veletzos based on her mother’s life, is worth reading for its Romanian setting, and questions regarding Natalia’s real parents and whether she will ever be reunited with them add an element of suspense.” — Booklist
“In His Father’s Footsteps” by Danielle Steel — “Moving from the ashes of postwar Europe to the Lower East Side of New York, to wealth, success, and unlimited luxury, In His Father’s Footsteps is a stirring tale of three generations of strong, courageous, and loving people who pay their dues to achieve their goals.” – inside front cover
“Jeeves and King of Clubs” by Ben Schott — “Impressive… Schott comes up with Wodehouse caliber metaphors and otherwise expertly channels the master’s voice… an essential volume for Wodehouse fans, rounded out with endnotes full of fun historical and literary facts.”―Publishers Weekly
“Juno’s Swans” by Tamsen Wolff — “A riveting account of first love…Wolff’s crushing novel is ultimately a very personal story, vividly rendered in a montage of memories.” — Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
“The Kinship of Secrets” by Eugenia Kim — “This unforgettable novel is about war, immigration, family bonds, resentment, anger, and love. It is book full of inspirational characters, from the loving uncle to the girls’ mother, Najin, the best secret keeper of them all. It is a story about strong women, their hardships, sacrifices and ability to love even though it may mean keeping secrets.”—The Missourian
“Laurentian Divide” by Sarah Stonich — “Thanks to Stonich’s keen depictions, this is a small town peopled with actual people: diverse individuals united by a common experience of place. Laurentian Dividetransports attention to a ‘scrap of near-nowhere’ because ‘life isn’t something that happens to you—how you choose to react to what happens is life.” — Foreword Review
“Maddaddam” by Margaret Atwood — ““This unsentimental narrative exposes the heart of human creativity as well as our self-destructive darkness. . . . MaddAddam is fueled with edgy humor, sardonic twists, hilarious coincidences.” —The Boston Globe
“The Next Person You Meet in Heaven” by Mitch Albom — “…Life has not been without its struggles for Annie, who was left with both a disability and an overly protective mother after the accident at Ruby Pier Amusement Park. However, things appear to be on the upswing as she reunites with and marries Paolo, her childhood sweetheart. Of course, there are no simplistic, happily-ever-after endings in the Albom universe, and Annie and Paolo prove there are no exceptions to that rule. After a horrific accident on her wedding day, Annie is whisked up to heaven, where she not only meets up with Eddie but also four others whose lives she touched and impacted in meaningful ways. As Annie learns her lessons about the meaning and value of both life and death, Albom wraps up this heartfelt fable with a totally unexpected twist.” — Margaret Flanagan. AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, c2018.
“Night of Miracles” by Elizabeth Berg — “The thing about an Elizabeth Berg novel is, it’ll always make you feel hopeful. True to form, Night of Miracles is wise and funny, not shying away from life’s troubles but spotlighting the shining small miracles and pleasures of ordinary days. And, of course, there are delicious cakes.” — Jenna Blum, New York Times bestselling author of Those Who Save Us
“No Traveller Returns” by Louis L’Amour and Beau L’Amour — “Although L’Amour’s name will be forever linked with the American West, fans should welcome the opportunity to read some of his early work. . . . The insight into each character is typical of everything L’Amour ever wrote.” —Booklist
“Odessa, Odessa: A Novel” by Barbara Artson — “The vivid events and rich details of the intricate story are compelling and important―immigrants like the Kolopskys helped make America into the land readers recognize today (Israel, too). Readers should understand more of their world at the end of this engrossing novel than they did when they began it . . .A complex but rewarding epic of family ties, fading memories, and immigrants who―through hard work and
luck―better the lives of their progeny.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Sketchkasy” by Mattilda Berstein Sycamore — “If there’s any justice in this world,Sketchtasy will become the definitive novel of life in Boston … It slyly trades 1990s nostalgia for a queer narrative that is mesmerizing and heartbreaking all at once.” —The Millions
“The Travelling Cat Chronicles” by Hiro Arikawa — “This touching novel of a brave cat and his gentle, wise human will resonate with lovers of animal tales, quiet stories of friendship, and travelogues alike.” —Publishers Weekly
“One in a Million” by Lindsey Kelk — “Her fiction is dry, warm, stuffed with fully-realized female characters, and very, very funny…[One In A Million] is classic Kelk, by which I mean a balm on my troubled soul, because two years in Trump’s America will make you yearn for that.” — Marie Claire
“Oryx and Crake” by Margaret Atwood — “Her shuddering post-apocalyptic vision of the world . . . summons up echoes of George Orwell, Anthony Burgess and Aldous Huxley. . . . Oryx and Crake [is] in the forefront of visionary fiction.” — The Seattle Times
“The Overstory” by Richard Power — “The Overstory, a novel about trees and people who understand them, is the eco-epic of the year and perhaps the decade. Unlike the Lorax, who spoke for the trees, Richard Powers prefers to let them do their own talking.” – Leanne Shapton, judge for the Man Booker Prize
“Sea of Greed” by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown — “The villain is diabolical, our heroes seem to have no way to win, and the action is relentless. In other words, the story is classic Cussler. The thought of the world running out of oil is terrifying, and that along with the wonderful cast of characters makes this one of the better entries in the NUMA Files series.”– Associated Press
“Sketchtasy” by Matilda Bernstein Sycamore — “”If there’s any justice in this world,Sketchtasy will become the definitive novel of life in Boston … It slyly trades 1990s nostalgia for a queer narrative that is mesmerizing and heartbreaking all at once.” —The Millions
“The Travelling Cat Chronicles” by Hiro Arikawa — “This touching novel of a brave cat and his gentle, wise human will resonate with lovers of animal tales, quiet stories of friendship, and travelogues alike.”—Publishers Weekly
“You Were Always Mine” by Nicole Baart — “Mothers everywhere will recognize and celebrate the fierce, imperfect strength of Jessica Chamberlain as she tries to parent her sons—one birthed and one adopted—in the wake of her estranged husband’s death. A startlingly authentic mix of suspense, grief, and family drama, You Were Always Mine reconstructs the pieces of a shattered life to reveal the darkness that destroyed it. You will never look at adoption the same way again.” — Mindy Mejia, author of Everything You Want Me To Be and Leave No Trace
“We Can Save Us All” by Adam Nemett — “Nemett’s recipe for disaster is sound―a dash of Pynchon, a hint of Neal Stephenson, and a nihilistic undertone that belies a semihopeful denouement… a confident, visceral debut that’s worth the ride.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Winter in Paradise” by Elin Hilderbrand — Irene Steele’s husband, Russ, travels too much for work, but she is happy in their newly restored Iowa City Victorian house. Then, on New Year’s Day, she gets a call that Russ has been killed in a helicopter crash in the U.S. Virgin Islands–and she has no idea what he was doing there. Their sons, Cash and Baker, each have reasons to escape their lives for awhile, so they join her to mourn and look for answers. What they find when they get to the island is a multimillion-dollar mansion and news of a young woman, Rosie Small, who also died in the crash. Ayers Wilson was Rosie’s best friend, so she commits to staying put for Rosie’s daughter, Maia, and Maia’s widowered stepgrandfather, boat captain Huck. ..” — Susan Maguire. AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, c2018.
“The Year of the Flood” by Margaret Atwood — “Atwood spins the most arresting alternate mythologies to our hell-bent world. . . . The Year of the Flood is a slap-happy romp through the end times. Stuffed with cornball hymns, genetic mutations worth of Thomas Pynchon and a pharmaceutical company run amok, it reads like dystopia verging on satire. She may be imagining a world in flames, but she’s doing it with a dark cackle.” — The Los Angeles Times
“You Were Always Mine” by Nicole Baart — “Mothers everywhere will recognize and celebrate the fierce, imperfect strength of Jessica Chamberlain as she tries to parent her sons—one birthed and one adopted—in the wake of her estranged husband’s death. A startlingly authentic mix of suspense, grief, and family drama, You Were Always Mine reconstructs the pieces of a shattered life to reveal the darkness that destroyed it. You will never look at adoption the same way again.” — Mindy Mejia, author of Everything You Want Me To Be and Leave No Trace
BIOGRAPHY
“Becoming” by Michele Obama — “The former first lady looks back on an unlikely rise to the top while navigating issues of race and gender in this warmhearted memoir. Obama’s narrative is the story of an African-American striver, born to a working-class family in a Chicago ghetto, who got Princeton and Harvard degrees and prominent jobs in law and public relations, attended at every step by the nagging question, “Am I good enough?” (“Yes I am,” she answers). It’s also about her struggle to keep husband Barack’s high-powered political career from subsuming her identity and the placid family life she preferred to the electoral frenzy–she disavows any desire for public office herself–while she weathered misgivings over work-life balance and marital strains that required couples’ counseling. Becoming the first lady ratchets up the pressure as Obama endures the Secret Service security bubble, has every public utterance and outfit attacked by opponents, gets pilloried as a closet radical, and soldiers on with healthy-food initiatives. Obama surveys most of this with calm good humor–“infuriating” Republican obstructionism and Donald Trump’s “misogyny” draw her ire–while painting an admiring, sometimes romantic portrait of Barack and evoking pathos over her parents’ sacrifices for their children. There are no dramatic revelations and not much overt politics here, but fans of the Obamas will find an interesting, inspiring saga of quiet social revolutions.” — PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, c2018.
“C.S. Lewis A Life: Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet” by Alister McGrath — “McGrath does this so limpidly, so intelligently, and so sympathetically that this biography is the one Lewis’ admirers–especially those who, like him, believe that books are to be read and enjoyed–should prefer to all others.” —Booklist
ADULT MYSTERY
“Beyond Budapest” by J D Mallinson — “Leonard Parks is an agent of the U.K. Inland Revenue who goes missing while conducting a series of interviews with wealthy British expatriates living in Europe. Are these individuals merely concerned with evading taxes, or do they more sinister backgrounds and motives? Inspector George Mason, ably assisted by Detective Sergeant Alison Aubrey, is assigned by Scotland Yard to help discover what happened to the tax official. Their investigations take them to several European cities, where they eventually become involved with members of a secret society who are determined to frustrate their efforts. Will the two detectives succeed in outwitting the opposition, to determine the curious fate of Leonard Parks? Will they find him alive, or dead?” — back cover
“A Christmas Revelation” by Anne Perry — “Perry’s Victorian-era holiday mysteries [are] an annual treat.” — The Wall Street Journal
“Cold Earth” by Ann Cleeves — “Plenty of suspects on a remote Scottish island mixed with the high quality of Cleeves’s prose make this a solidly plotted whodunit for procedural and traditional mystery readers.” — Library Journal
“Holy Ghost” by John Sandford — “… Virgil Flowers …, Wardell Holland, the maverick mayor of Wheatfield (pop. 650), and his 17-year-old sidekick, John Jacob Skinner, decide the town needs an economic boost, so they contrive for the Virgin Mary to appear at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with one of Skinner’s many sexual conquests, Jennie Fischer, in the Mary role. The Marian Apparition succeeds in bringing flocks of tourists to Wheatfield. Then sniper-like shootings that wound two citizens threaten the bonanza. Flowers’s subsequent investigation turns up suspects ranging from a few would-be Nazis to a farmer/gun range owner and Jennie’s porn-loving boyfriend. When the shootings turn deadly, Flowers gets help, which he badly needs as he comes to realize that he must outwit a clever killer who proves one of his maxims: “If it’s criminal, it’s either stupid or crazy.” Sandford’s trademark sly humor shines throughout.” — Agent: Esther Newberg, ICM. PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, c2018.
“Kingdom of the Blind” by Louise Penny — “Insightful, well-plotted… Penny offers intriguing commentary on the willful blindness that can keep people from acknowledging the secrets and lies in their own lives. Penny wraps up some continuing story lines and sends recurring characters in surprising directions.” — Publishers Weekly
“Leverage in Death” by J.D. Robb — “Robb again remixes and remasters all the addictively readable ingredients her readers have come to crave, including a tough-as-nails protagonist who takes guff from no one, a plethora of engaging secondary characters who each play their roles to perfection, a generous dash of hot-as-sin sex, and a fine-tuned, tautly paced plot that relentlessly ticks along to the book’s satisfying conclusion.” — Booklist
“Long Road to Mercy” by David Baldacci — “If you’re wondering why David Baldacci is considered the best, look no further than LONG ROAD TO MERCY. In FBI Agent Atlee Pine, he has envisioned a new kind of heroine, forged in the fire of trauma and driven by a rare kind of strength. It should come as no shock that a thriller writer for the ages has created a character for the ages!” — Gregg Hurwitz, New York Times bestselling author
“Look Alive Twenty-Five” by Janet Evanovich –” When three consecutive managers from a famous deli go missing, leaving no clues behind but a single shoe each, latest manager Stephanie Plum navigates Lula’s theories about alien abductions to avoid becoming the next victim.” — Atlas Publishing
“Of Blood and Bone” by Nora Roberts — “[Of Blood and Bone] can be read on its own and will appeal to fans of fast-paced dystopian tales with a strong heroine.” — Publishers Weekly
“Past Tense: A Jack Reacher Novel” by Lee Child — “… the peripatetic Reacher reaches a fork in a road in rural New Hampshire; he chooses the path heading to Laconia, “his late father’s place of birth.” At the same time, just 30 miles away, a young Canadian couple on their way south have car trouble and stop at a small motel, finding they’re apparently its only guests. Reacher uncovers few traces of his father’s existence, other than a 75-year-old assault case in which Stan Reacher is named. But he does stir up a world of trouble when he steps in to help a woman under attack and gives her assailant–the son of a well-connected underworld figure–a humiliating beating. While Reacher is dealing with a revenge posse, the Canadian couple discover just how strange their motel is. Child neatly interweaves multiple narratives, ratchets up the suspense (the reveal of the motel plot is delicious), and delivers a powerful, satisfying denouement. Fans will enjoy learning more of this enduring character’s roots, and Child’s spare prose continues to set a very high bar.” — Agent: Darley Anderson, PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, c2018.
“The Reckoning” by John Grisham — ““In this saga of love and war, John Grisham has given us a sprawling and engrossing story about a southern family, a global conflict, and the kinds of secrets that can shape all of us. From the courtrooms and jails of rural Mississippi to the war-torn Pacific, Grisham spins a tale that is at once entertaining and illuminating.”
— Jon Meacham, New York Times bestselling author of The Soul of America
ADULT NON-FICTION
“Brief Answers to the Big Questions” by Stephen Hawking — ““It’s a book every thinking person worried about humanity’s future should read. . . . Hawking’s parting gift to humanity.” — NPR
“Leadership in Turbulent Times” by Doris Kearns Goodwin — “Published at a turbulent time, her book is a rich source of information and inspiration. . . . Most important, Goodwin reminds us that a democracy leadership is a two-way street, a mirror in which people, for better and worse, see their collective reflection.” — Minneapolis Star Tribune
“The Library Book” by Susan Orlean — “… starts with the tale of the 1986 fire that damaged or destroyed 700,000 books in the Los Angeles Central Library. But The Library Book pans out quickly to the fractious, eccentric history of the institution and then, almost inevitably, a reflection on the past, present, and future of libraries in America. Orlean follows the narrative in all directions, juxtaposing the hunt for the library arsonist—possibly a frustrated actor—with a philosophical treatise on why and how libraries became the closest thing many of us experience to a town hall.” — Hillary Kelly, New York Magazine
“LikeWar: The Weaponization of Social Media” by P.W. Singer and Emerson T. Brooking — “Through a series of vivid vignettes, LikeWar shows how the internet has become a new battlefield in the 21st century, in ways that blur the line between war and peace and make each of us a potential target of postmodern conflict.” — Francis Fukuyama, author of The End of History, Director of the Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law at Stanford University
“On Desperate Ground: The Marines at the Reservoir, the Korean War’s Greatest Battle” by Hampton Sides — “Superb…a masterpiece of thorough research, deft pacing and arresting detail…Sides shows how brave Marines — officers and grunts — innovated, organized and blasted their way out of the trap their fabulously famous boss had helped set. This war story — the fight to break out of a frozen hell near the Chosin Reservoir — has been told many times before. But Sides tells it exceedingly well, with fresh research, gritty scenes and cinematic sweep.” —Washington Post
“Presidents of War” by Michael Beschloss — “Beschloss offers a sweeping history of American presidents seeking and waging war. . . . He provides insight into the motivations of American leaders; presidents’ battles with other branches of government; their degree of respect for civil liberties; and the role of personality, emotion, and the general political climate as American commanders-in-chief executed the power of the country’s military forces. . . . Ample detail and enticing storytelling.” — Publishers Weekly
“Real-Life Rules! A Young Person’s Guide to Self-Discovery, Big Ideas, and Healthy Habits” by Marian Bruehl — “… This book offers insights, practical advice, and concrete activities that will serve children well as they begin to find their way independently in the world, while at the same time helping parents to provide them with scaffolding to be safe, happy, and successful. …, Real-Life Rules brings the whole family to the table, offering opportunities to explore, discuss, and experience both the concrete and abstract concepts that are critical for living a meaningful, thoughtful life.” — ONIX annotations
“Vietnam: An Epic History, 1945-1975” by Max Hastings — “Vietnam by Max Hastings is masterful account of the war…Hastings’ narrative, along with Ken Burns’ masterful series on PBS, offers a well-balanced account of a war that ended more than four decades ago. The author weaves anecdotal and first-person accounts from both sides into the overall history to produce a compelling account that veterans of the war, those who felt its impact at home and readers born decades after the fighting ended will find hard to put down.” (Associated Press)
ADULT AUDIO BOOK
“The Mystery of Three Quarters: The New Hercule Poirot Mystery” by Sophie Hannah — “Another ingeniously deceptive puzzle…. The gratifying reveal is a neat variation on one of Christie’s own solutions and demonstrates Hannah’s facility at combining her own plotting gifts with another author’s creation.” — Publishers Weekly
“Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg” by Irin Carmon & Shana Knizhnik – “In this well-researched celebration of her life and career, authors Carmon and Knizhnik compile interviews, anecdotes, and even Ginsburg’s annotated dissents to present an intimate and sometimes amusingly irreverent profile of this acclaimed jurist, champion of battles to ensure gender equality and civil rights. In her narration, Arndt spins out the account of RBG’s personal and professional lives, capturing her character as a fiercely intelligent and generous woman on and off the Court. Anecdotes offer humor, and even in the sometimes lengthy dissents, Arndt’s reading provides glimpses into Ginsburg’s personality and intellect. So personable is the portrayal of Ginsburg–…–that even those who disagree with her positions may be persuaded to a new respect.” — Saricks, Joyce. AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, c2016.
“The Soul of America: The Battle for our Better Angels” by Jon Meacham — “This engrossing, edifying, many-voiced chronicle, subtly propelled by concern over the troubled Trump administration, calls on readers to defend democracy, decency, and the common good. Best-selling Meacham’s topic couldn’t be more urgent.” — Booklist (starred review)
“A Study in Treason” by Leonard Goldberg — “Fans of Sherlock Holmes are in for a treat with A Study in Treason: A Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mystery by Leonard Goldberg. The mystery tests the mind and forensic skills of the private eye’s heir in the new novel…” — National Examiner
LARGE PRINT
“Red War: a Mitch Rapp Novel” by Vince Flynn — When Russian president Maxim Krupin discovers that he has inoperable brain cancer, he’s determined to cling to power. His first task is to kill or imprison any of his countrymen who can threaten him. Soon, though, his illness becomes serious enough to require a more dramatic diversion—war with the West. Upon learning of Krupin’s condition, CIA director Irene Kennedy understands that the US is facing an opponent who has nothing to lose. The only way to avoid a confrontation that could leave millions dead is to send Mitch Rapp to Russia under impossibly dangerous orders. With the Kremlin’s entire security apparatus hunting him, he must find and kill a man many have deemed the most powerful in the world. Success means averting a war that could consume all of Europe. But if his mission is discovered, Rapp will plunge Russia and America into a conflict that neither will survive. ” — Center Point large print edition series
“Every Breath” by Nichols Sparks — “..At thirty-six, she’s been dating her boyfriend, an orthopedic surgeon, for six years. With no wedding plans in sight, and her father recently diagnosed with ALS, she decides to use a week at her family’s cottage in Sunset Beach, North Carolina, to ready the house for sale and mull over some difficult decisions about her future. Tru Walls has never visited North Carolina but is summoned to Sunset Beach by a letter from a man claiming to be his father. A safari guide, born and raised in Zimbabwe, Tru hopes to unravel some of the mysteries surrounding his mother’s early life and recapture memories lost with her death. When the two strangers cross paths, their connection is as electric as it is unfathomable . . . but in the immersive days that follow, their feelings for each other will give way to choices that pit family duty against personal happiness in devastating ways.” — Publisher’s Annotation
MUSIC
“Disney Junior: Dance Party: The Album”
“Renee Fleming: Broadway”
BLUE/DVD
“Avengers: Infinity War”
“A Charlie Brown Christmas”
“Death of a Nation”
“Hotel Transylvania 3”
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
“Incredibles 2”
“Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”
“Mountain: A Breathtaking Voyage Into the Extreme”
“Solo: Star Wars”
“This is Us: The Complete Second Season”
“Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”
BOARD BOOK
“A Bubble” by Genevieve Castree
“Chomp Goes the Alligator” by Matthew Van Fleet
“Where’s Spot” by Eric Hill
KIT – Book + CD
“The Carnival of the Animals” by Jack Prelutsky
“A Frog Thing” by Eric Drachman
“Over the Rainbow” by Eric Puybaret and Judy Collins
“Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf With a Fully-Orchestrated and Narrated CD” by Janet Schulman
PICTURE BOOK
“Angus All Aglow” by Heather Smith
“Anne Arrives” by Kallie George
“Carnival of the Animals” by Jack Pretulsky
“Construction Site on Christmas Night” by Sherri Duskey Rinker
“Dad’s Camera” by Ross Watkins
“A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo” by Marlon Bundo
“Eduardo Guadardo, Elite Sheep” by Anthony Pearson
“The Eleventh Hour” by Jacques Goldstyn
“Eliza: The Story of Elizabeth Schulyer Hamilton” by Margaret McNamara
“The Epic Adventures of Huggie & Stick” by Drew Daywalt
“Found” by Jeff Newman
“Franklin and Luna Go to the Moon” by Jen Campbell
“Frog Thing” by Eric Drachman
“How to Feed Your Parents” by Ryan Miller
“I Hate My Cats (A Love Story)” by Davide Dali
“Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Presents a Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo” by Jill Twiss
“Little Brothers & Little Sisters” by Monica Arnaldo
“Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop: The Sanitation Strike of 1968” by Alice Faye Duncan
“Outside my Window” by Linda Ashman
“Over the Rainbow” by Judy Collins
“Phone Call With a Fish” by Sivia Vecchini
“Stop That Yawn” by Caron Levis
“Up the Mountain Path” by Marianne Dubuc
“We Are Grateful: Otsalheliga” by Traci Sorell
“The Wall in the Middle of the Book” by Jon Agee
“We Don’t Eat Our Classmates” by Ryan T. Higgins
“A Web” by Isabelle SImler
JUVENILE AUDIO
JUVENILE BIOGRAPHY
“The True Tale of a Giantess: The Story of Anna Swan” by Anne Renaud — “Anna Swan was born in Nova Scotia at a whopping 13 pounds, and her remarkable size only grew more astonishing. She towered above other children, and by age 12, over her parents as well, finally leveling off at just under eight feet tall….Renaud frequently compares Anna’s height with her surroundings–Queen Anne’s lace, hay bales, a rain barrel–which may not be ready references for city kids but bring Anna’s world to life. Eventually, she joined P. T. Barnum’s Gallery of Wonders in New York City, where she performed with others who didn’t quite fit into the conventional world, including tiny Minnie Warren, Lavinia Warren’s sister. Anna narrates her own story in this swift biography, accessibly relaying the many ups and downs of her life, with additional information appended.” — Julia Smith. AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, c2018.
JUVENILE FICTION
“13 Gifts A Wish Novel” by Wendy Mass — “Mass keeps the plot jumping like a fireworks display; there’s one surprise spark after another, all coming together at the end for a breathtaking finale.” –School Library Journal, starred review
“24 Hours in Nowhere” by Dusti Bowling — “Nowhere, Arizona, is notorious for being the least livable town in the U.S., and it certainly feels that way for 13-year-old Gus. Bullied by a local braggart and stuck living with his grandmother, Gus dreams of escape, namely by leaving for college some day. But in the time between now and then, to repay the girl who saved his butt, he goes searching for the gold that’s supposedly buried deep in Dead Frenchman Mine. The ragtag band of misfits that join him calls to mind the gang from The Goonies, and their underground escapades vacillate among genuinely creepy, hilarious, and thrilling. From describing the sizzling heat to the sticky bat guano in the cave, Bowling tickles all of the senses with her evocative Southwest setting. . . .” — Booklist
“Benefits of Being an Octopus” by Ann Braden — “This engrossing debut novel…takes the reader on her journey from the dire side of the class divide to a life of cautious hope as she learns the world is big enough for choices, actions, and results.” — Booklist
“Charlie Hernandez & The League of Shadows” by Ryan Calejo — “Filled with action with fast-paced chapters, Calejo’s novel is sure to draw in readers and introduce them to the magic, beauty, and history of Hispanic myths and legends (many of which are elaborated on further in a glossary for those unfamiliar with the stories). This is a perfect pick for kids who love Rick Riordan’s many series, particularly for those eager for mythologies beyond Greek and Roman stories.” –(Booklist *STARRED REVIEW*)
“Days of the Dead” by Kersten Hamilton — “Ancient Irish myths and legends mix and mingle with the modern world in this fast-paced fantasy. . . . Hamilton has created characters who are quirky and complex. Their stories are tightly woven together and riveting, and readers will look forward to the next installment in the series.” — School Library Journal, starred review
“The Den of Forever Forest” by Kathryn Lasky — “Lasky’s brilliant imagery of the fantasy ice world and her believably strong, determined bears won’t disappoint readers. The final paragraph brings sighs and silence as the bears contemplate the completion of their quest in the series’ next book.” — Booklist
“Dragonwatch” by Brandon Mull — “The Dragons are now hot to break out of their own long confinement, and a hidden talisman is all that can restore the mysteriously weakened magic barriers that have kept them in check… Fans of the series will welcome a new story arc stocked with familiar characters, settings and adventures.” — Kirkus
“Everlasting Nora” by Marie Miranda Cruz — “Nora’s story is a tribute to Filipino children, and readers of all backgrounds will find themselves immersed in the culture, learning bits of Tagalog and longing to savor the delicacies described throughout such as biko, champorado, and banana-que. Cruz’s touching debut breathes life, beauty and everlasting hope into a place where danger lurks and the dead rest.” ―Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“The Extraordinary Colors of Auden Dare” by Zillah Bethell — “Auden Dare was born with achromatopsia―he cannot see any color. If that wasn’t hard enough, he lives in a world in which water is a scarce resource. His father is away fighting in the Water Wars when he and his mother move to his late uncle Jonah’s cottage … Be prepared for some tears … as Auden learns the hard way what sacrifice for the greater good truly means.”– Booklist magazine
“The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone” by Jaclyn Moriarty — “At age 10, Bronte Mettlestone receives a telegram stating that her parents have been killed by pirates. She doesn’t remember them, however, having been raised by her loving Aunt Isabelle and the butler. In her parents’ will (bound by “faery cross-stitch”) is the stipulation that she travel alone and deliver gifts to her 10 aunts. If she fails, her hometown will be in trouble. Despite the danger of running into dark mages, she begins her quest, which reads like a string of dreams. While visiting Aunt Sue, Bronte is awarded the Elvish Medal for Bravery for rescuing a baby from the river. She then saves wrongly accused Aunt Emma (who’s been imprisoned for stealing a water sprite’s pepper grinder), rides dragons with Aunt Sophy, and the list goes on. … the back-to-back adventures make for a speedy plot that will keep readers turning the pages.” — PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, c2018.
“The Guggenheim Mystery” by Robin Stevens — “Kate and Ted are visiting their cousin Salim, now in New York thanks to his mother’s new job as a curator at the Guggenheim Museum….they are called upon to become detectives, here because a painting has been stolen and Salim’s mother arrested. The book’s narrator is 12-year-old Ted, described last time out as having a brain that “runs on a different operating system” (seemingly autism spectrum disorder); yet it’s his ability to see patterns, indiscernible to most, that allows him, with Kate and Salim’s help, to identify the real perpetrator. …” — Ilene Cooper. AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, c2018.
“In Your Shoes” by Donna Gephart — “A thoughtfully and sensitively written work of character-driven fiction that dramatically addresses two important subjects that deserve more widespread attention.”--Booklist, starred
“Inkling” by Kenneth Oppel — “This masterful novel is funny, sad, and profound all at once. Kenneth Oppel has created many unusual protagonists during his stellar career, but his inventiveness reaches a whole new level with Inkling, an inkblot that is fully and vividly alive.” —Quill and Quire, Starred
“The Last Present” by Wendy Mass — “A fresh twist on the familiar themes of middle-grade family and school dynamics.” — Booklist, starred review
“Lu” by Jason Reynolds — “It is an eventful summer for Lu, the co-captain of the Defenders track team, whose swagger is matched only by his speed. Not only does Lu discover that he is going to be a big brother but he is also preparing for the track championship and competing in a new event–the hurdles. As he soon learns, running hurdles is not just about getting over them, but also about how you perceive them. Lu comes to realize that everyone has hurdles–some are physical (Lu has albinism), some are emotional, some are created by others, and some are self-created. As preparations for the big meet continue, Lu learns a secret about his father that has the potential to upend their close relationship, and he also must face a nemesis from his past. Will Lu clear all his hurdles?…” — Monique Harris. THE HORN BOOK, c2018.
“Merci Suarez Changes Gears” by Meg Medina — “Medina writes about the joys of multigenerational home life (a staple of the Latinx community) with a touching, humorous authenticity. Merci’s relationship with Lolo is heartbreakingly beautiful and will particularly strike readers who can relate to the close, chaotic, and complicated bonds of live-in grandparents. Medina delivers another stellar and deeply moving story.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“My LIfe as a Diamond” by Jenny Manzer — “The plot and characters strike an ideal balance that will have wide appeal, introducing readers to themes of gender identity that avoids didacticism and sensationalism. My Life as a Diamond will appeal to readers interested in baseball, team-sports, and realistic fiction. Highly Recommended.” (CM Magazine 2018-10-01)
“No Fixed Address” by Susin Nielsen — “At almost 13, Felix is used to a little spontaneity in his life. He’s watched his mom, Astrid (he calls her Astrid–her idea), hop from job to job and guy to guy, and since Felix’s grandma died, they’ve moved a lot. When they get evicted and have to live in a van for a while, Felix believes Astrid when she says it’s temporary. Even if Astrid has trouble finding a job, Felix has a backup plan: his favorite game show is hosting a junior edition, and he’s actually freakishly good at trivia. He’s going to audition and win enough money so that he and Astrid will never have problems again. But living in a van–and keeping it a secret from his friends at school–is starting to take its toll on Felix. …. Though Felix’s wry observations keep things from getting too dark, this is also a straightforward look at the circumstances that can lead to homelessness. Clear-eyed and heartfelt.” — Maggie Reagan. AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, c2018.
“Out of Left Field” by Ellen Klages — ““Heartwarming, fresh, and full of surprises. Readers of all ages will cheer for funny, feisty Katy Gordon as she chases her big-league dreams. Ellen Klages hits this one out of the park!”—Jennifer L. Holm, three-time Newbery Honor recipient
“Skylark and Wallcreeper” by Anne O’Brien Carelli –“… an engaging novel that alternates between WWII in rural France and 2012 in New York City. Lily is a brave, independent-minded tween tending to her elderly grandmother in a nursing home when the two become displaced amid intense flooding during Hurricane Sandy. Her grandmother Colette’s memory is spotty, and when a beloved Montblanc pen goes missing, Lily sets out to recover it in what becomes an illuminating journey into her grandmother’s past. As a child, Colette–aka Wallcreeper–disguised herself as a boy and aided the French Resistance. The two time lines make for a fast-paced read, with danger and suspense in both narrative arcs. The intense friendship forged by war and Lily’s own deep bond with her grandmother provide tender moments of connection. …” — Jennifer Barnes. AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, c2018.
“Wrath of the Dragon King (Dragonwatch)” by Brandon Mull — “Dragonwatch will intrigue young readers with a fondness for Tolkien’s Middle-earth. With dragons on the loose and key characters missing, there’s plenty of scope for sequels.” — Foreward Reviews
JUVENILE NON FICTION
“Check Please! #Hockey” — Ngozi Ukazu — “This is a warm story with an irresistible protagonist, a clever supporting cast, and lively and plentiful game and practice scenes… A fun and deeply satisfying read for teens.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Countdown: 2979 Days to the Moon” by Suzanne Slade — “Captivating free-verse narrative…vivid mixed-media illustrations that stun with photographic realism and varied perspectives…this well-researched title offers a stirring introduction to one of humankind’s most impressive undertakings.” — Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“Dreamers” by Yuyi Morales — “The magical art marries the succinct and powerful narrative in a resplendent celebration of literacy, language, and the transformative power of the picture book form . . . This excellent memoir encapsulates the fears, hopes, and dreams that come along with immigrating to a new place . . . A timely and much-needed selection.” — School Library Journal, Starred Review
“Fox Trot en masse” by Bill Amend — “FoxTrot En Masse , contains all the cartoons from Black Bart Says Draw and Eight Yards, Down and Out .” — ONIX Annotations
“National Parks of the USA” by Kate Siber — “…Familiar parks such as the Everglades, Grand Canyon, and Yosemite are here, but lesser known ones get equal treatment. Each region of the United States, from sea to shining sea, boasts a national park worthy of exploring. Fascinating snippets of information are interspersed–lobsters are ill tempered; wolverines can take down animals as big as elk. …” Sharon Verbeten, Brown County Library, SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, c2018.
“Something Rotten: A Fresh Look at Roadkill” by Heather L. Montgomery — “. . . [A]n extremely interesting treatise about roadkill and how it affects all our lives. . . . Montgomery inspires curiosity, asks excellent questions, and makes science and investigating roadkill fascinating to learn.” ―Starred review, School Library Connection
“The Thrifty Guide to Ancient Greece: A Handbook for Time Travelers” by Jonathan W. Stokes — “….takes readers on a time-traveling journey to ancient Greece, as narrated by the snarky “Time Corp CEO and Corporate Overlord” Finn Greenquill. Readers are welcomed to Athens and Sparta and informed about historical events and figures, including the Battles of Thermopylae and Salamis, Alexander the Great, and Greece’s golden age. Along the way, Stokes introduces Greek gods and provides historical fashion tips and other “Helpful Hints” on topics (“The only people who get to go to school are rich boys”). Bonet contributes light, good-humored visuals. Underlying the book’s tongue-in-cheek tone are insights into Greek history and mythology. ” —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, c2018.
YOUNG ADULT
” The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives” by Dashka Slater — “Using details gleaned from interviews, social media, surveillance video, public records, and other sources, Slater skillfully conveys the complexities of both young people’s lives and the courage and compassion of their families, friends, and advocates, while exploring the challenges and moral ambiguities of the criminal justice system. This painful story illuminates, cautions, and inspires.” ―Publishers Weekly starred review
“All the Stars Denied” by Guadalupe Garcia McCall — “Estrella is a feisty 15-year-old living with her parents on a ranch in southern Texas. It’s 1931, and the Great Depression is in full swing. Her town is severely divided ethnically, and families of Mexican descent, though American citizens, are being rounded up and repatriated across the border. Following a protest that Estrella organizes, her home is burned, and she, her toddler brother, and mother are separated from her father while being transported to Mexico. They are thrown onto a train, forced into an open-air livestock corral for days with hundreds of others in harsh winter weather, and then taken to Mexico City, where survival is a constant challenge. However, there is always hope. Readers interested in history and current events will recognize striking similarities between events in this companion to Shame the Stars (2016) and the separation of refugee children from their parents today. Through Estrella’s eloquent letters to her late grandmother and insightful poetry written in her journal, the sorrow and hardship of the ordeal is brought to light in a unique voice.” — Jeanne Fredriksen. AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, c2018.
“The Hobbit or There and Back Again” by J. R.R. Tolkien — “In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit.” So begins one of the most beloved and delightful tales in the English language. Set in the imaginary world of Middle-earth, at once a classic myth and a modern fairy tale, The Hobbit is one of literature’s most enduring and well-loved novels.” — Amazon
