Today I saw a publisher post on Instagram highlighting Sy Montgomery’s new book What the Chicken Knows: A New Appreciation of the World’s Most Familiar Bird due out in November. Without thinking, I opened my Goodreads app and added it to my TBR. It got me thinking about those authors that automatically get added to my TBR without a second thought. They are, in no particular order:
Book birthdays are as special as human birthdays, especially for book lovers who adore the authors that have put the book out into the world. Therefore, happy book birthday to The Bletchley Riddle, coauthored by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin whose individual works are as impactful as their first collaboration and must be celebrated.
The Bletchley Riddle is a middle grade historical fiction set in 1940 at Bletchley Park, home to the infamous codebreakers during World War II. In addition to incorporating ciphers into the text and providing an entrancing overall mystery amidst war, the book’s best feature are the vivid brother and sister duo. Who doesn’t love an alternating point of view? Intricately layered with historical facts because both are powerhouse researchers, Sheinkin wrote Jakob’s character and Sepetys wrote Lizzie’s character. How did it all blend together? Some of their secrets were revealed at an event at Northshire Bookstore in Saratoga Springs, NY last night as the last event for the Saratoga Book Festival; plus the hometown indie bookstore for Sheinkin. To have both authors, since Sepetys lives in Tennessee, was a real treat. Then to have the book in hand (if it was preordered, a spy pen was a bonus gift) and signed after an enchanting evening of their conversation and answering audience questions, made for a memorable book launch.
I’ve only teased a few elements of the book because it’s better to clear your calendar and spend a weekend with a cup of tea and Jakob and Lizzie. And if you want to put a goulash casserole in the oven for later, even better. I did this a few days after I read the advanced reader copy.
Collaborations are hard work, as they attest to, but readers will read the book and find it an effortless meshing of two talented authors who find history that we all need to remember more than we do; finding palatable ways to learn, question, and feel. I wonder… is another collaboration on the horizon?
Romance is in the air. I’m feeling extra lovey today on my wedding anniversary and having finished Jason Reynolds’ new book that will be out in October called Twenty Four Seconds from Now last night, I thought I’d post some favorite romances.
First, let’s spend a few minutes bowing down to the genius of Jason Reynolds. This story of Neon and Aria has a timeline that sparkles in addition to the community including family and friends that support their two year romance. It’s heartwarming and natural and is exactly the kind of story that teens deserve.
The others that I’ve adored that range from tragic and sad to all-encompassing and sweet.
It’s fitting to end this week of posts with books that feature a friendship. We all need friends in this world and these are some of my favorites.
Hilo series by Judd Winick: When an alien kids come down to earth, friends rally around Hilo and welcome him into their circle.
Laid Back Camp manga series by Afro: Camping buddies.
Heavy Vinyl comic series by Carly Usdin illustrated by Nina Vakueva: Girl power friendship set among the backdrop of a 90s record store but they have a secret about what else they do.
A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan: Differences become shared experiences.
Cornbread & Poppy series by Matthew Cordell: Opposites attract.
Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow: Friends are there when you need them the most, especially for comic relief.
My wish is that you enjoyed the collection of lists over the past month to find and use in your own classrooms, libraries, personal collections, and TBR piles. Happy summer!
I will always stop to read middle grade and YA nonfiction (in addition to nonfiction for any other audience). Here are some oldies that are my favorite:
How They Croaked: The Awful Ends to the Awfully Famous by Georgia Bragg illustrated by Kevin O’Malley
Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World by Sy Montgomery
The Great American Dust Bowl written and illustrated by Don Brown
“The President Has Been Shot!”: The Assassination of John F. Kennedy by James L. Swanson
To the Moon: The True Story of the American Heroes on the Apollo 8 Spaceship by Jeffrey Kluger
Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein by Linda Bailey illustrated by Julia Sarda
Yes, we do judge books by their covers. And as a high school librarian, my readers advisory absolutely includes the books cover art. Here are six favorites with nothing but the covers to speak for themselves.
There’s nothing more satisfying than a book with more than one perspective. I have a Goodreads shelf specifically for books with multiple points of view in them hence why I’m bringing you six of the most sensational.
Legend by Marie Lu: Polar opposites who end up fighting for the same side.
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys: Moving toward disaster in this historical thriller, shifting between four stories increases the tension and emotion.
Allies by Alan Gratz: Is there anyone who can do it better than Gratz?
Verona Comics by Jennifer Dugan: A romance from both angles.
How You Grow Wings by Rimma Onoseta: Sisters in Nigeria whose outcomes could not have been more discordant.
The Lost Year by Katherine Marsh: Three stories, three timelines that mesh perfectly and why it’s an award winner not to be missed.
There can be multiple list or a super long list of books featuring conversations about beauty standards whether it deals with eating disorders, disability, fashion/style, or body positivity, however here are six that stick out to me.
Hungry Ghost by Victoria Ying: Mom’s focus on body and a tragedy lead Valerie down the path of an eating disorder.
Lu by Jason Reynolds: Born with albinism, Lu is the co-captain of his track team and helping other makes things right as the stellar main character in the four part series of Reynolds’.
Boys Run the Riot by Keito Gaku: The transgender character finds refuge in fashion.
The Skin I’m In by Sharon Flake: This classic in which a student and her teacher bond over conversations of self esteem related to colorism.
A Face for Picasso by Ariel Henley: Henley details the quest to “normalize” her face having been born with Crouzon Syndrome and always comparing herself to her twin.
North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley: Born with a port wine stain, the quest to cover it rather than accept it is Terra’s journey of self acceptance in this YA title.
