Blue Skies, a sweet take on a young girl dealing with hope and loss

If Blue Skies were a home it would be a bungalow that was built in the 1930s. It has 12’ ceilings, a covered front porch with a screen door that leads you into its shotgun style abode. There are four fireplaces with decorative tile, a mantle that surrounds each of them and heart of pine wood throughout. Blue Skies is a down home kind of novel that knows its audience and takes its time in drawing out the story.

middle grade bittersweet that’s earnest in its simplicity

Stella Diaz Never Gives Up, relatable, can-do fun for ages 9-13

Stella Diaz Never Gives Up is the second book in the series by Angela Dominguez. Stella Diaz Has Something to Say and if it’s anything like this one then it’s the type of book series that gravitates to upper elementary through middle school kids like rain to a just-washed car. In reality, this is a book that will attract more girls than boy readers, but those lads that give the book a chance will find it a fun read.

Message reading, without the guilt that’s great for ages 9 and up

Go Get ‘Em Tiger!, as bright and happy as the day is long

Sometimes a child being loud is pleasing and other times that same sound is ear splitting pain akin to physically walking barefoot on LEGO bricks. Go Get ‘Em Tiger! is the sort of children’s book that you knew existed in children’s minds. When you actually see the day-glow colors that are combined with every other hue under the rainbow it’s a bit jarring. It’s visual coffee, and when you add in the go-get-em, can-do attitude that radiates through its pages; it could become something more than a children’s book.

Go Get ‘Em Tiger! is the bright, happy equivalent of literary caffeine for children’s illustrated books, but also great for anyone who needs an atta-boy or att-girl.
Wakey, wakey, bright colors for young (or older) readers

All age comic books for May 20

Happy New Comic Book Day for the first time in two months. If you’ve been wondering what’s up with all of the comic books, much less the all age comic books it’s a long story. Essentially the world of comic books has one major distribution channel and if that goes sideways then nothing can be released. Nerdrotic does a fabulous job of explaining the business side of comic books on the Youtube channel.

So, there are some new all age comic books out this week, but it’s just a handful of them. Namely, we’re excited about reading Star Wars Adventures Clone Wars, Jim Henson Storyteller Ghosts and Looney Tunes. However, there are also some comics out there for the humor or Disney people.

Where is your closest comic book store? Visit Comic Book Store Locator and type in your zip code. It’ll pull up any store that’s close to you and they sure could use your support right now.

New comics this week-yes. Your store could use the support also.

Thieves of Weirdwood is middle grade fiction at its best

Somewhere between a Rorschach test and a literary M.C. Escher lays Thieves of Weirdwood. The back cover of the book says to beware your imagination. That’s a very apt thing to keep a hold of, or alternately, let go and completely surrender to this incredibly engaging and creative book. Thieves of Weirdwood works on so many level that it plays out like a movie inside your head as you’re reading it. While I was reading the book I simultaneously wanted to read the book quickly so I could find out what happens; but I also wanted to take my time so that the book would last longer.  

Middle grade readers: this is your next favorite book series

Haunted Japan, accessible, bite-sized yokai and dread

Ah, ghost watch, I get it now. Sadly, that’s one of the first things I thought about when I started reading Haunted Japan:  Exploring the World of Japanese Yokai, Ghosts and the Paranormal. I love Japan and I love reading about ghosts. Personally, I lived in Japan for two years and it’s one of the friendliest, cleanest places you’ll ever visit. It’s also very weird. Even the foreword of the books lets readers know that this is a strange place. Haunted Japan was originally released 25 years ago, but author Catrien Ross has updated some of the stories and included more modern tales. 

Haunted Japan by Catrien Ross works as a re-telling of ancient ghosts, modern hauntings the paranormal and travelogue.
Haunted Japan is a serious and educational look at nippon yokai

Indestructibles by Workman Publishing takes board books to the next level

To parents who read to newborns and toddlers board books can be their go-to solace. However, all board books are not created equal. They might have spines that are thinner than others or content that just doesn’t appeal to the audience. Granted, the later is a preference thing, however, given that you’re reading to infants or babies who are between birth and two they probably won’t be too picky. To that end, Workman Publishing has a series of books on their Indestructibles line that truly live up to their name.  

Indestructibles is a book imprint from Workman Publishing whose books are durable, rip-proof, colorful and perfect for newborns through two.
weak baby books these are not

The Derby Daredevils, delivers for some girls aged 9-13

The Derby Daredevils is an ongoing series of books by Kit Rosewater with illustrations by Sophie Escabasse. There is a lot to like about the first book in the series that focus on Kenzie and Shelly. They’re two best friends who love to skate, have dreams, secret handshakes and all of the things that close friends have. Girls in upper elementary through middle school will find something to relate to and enjoy about this comfort read. The subtitle to the first entry is Kenzie Kickstarts a Team and given that Kenzie is one of our two main characters she’s out to start something bit.

Built for middle school girls in a roller derby and growing up mindset

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