Sponsored by Nevertell by Katharine Orton.
All that twelve-year-old Lina knows of the world is the Stalinist labor camp where she was born, a place of hunger, cruelty, and deprivation. After a daring escape into the frigid Siberian wilds with her best friend, Bogdan, Lina vows to reach Moscow and find her long-lost grandmother, whom she hopes will help her return to the camp to rescue her mother. Lina and Bogdan catch the eye of a vengeful witch, a refugee of oppressive new laws about magic, who commands an army of shadow wolves. Pursued by the witch and in fear of recapture, Lina will need courage to survive the journey and bring hope to a dark place.
Hi Kid Lit Friends!
Since the pandemic, there has been a surge in bike sales. In New York City, with decreased traffic and less public transportation ridership, more people are biking to get from place to place. This makes me so happy (I love doing family bike rides!), so here are some great books about bikes!
For an adorable picture book, look at Bikes for Sale by Carter Higgins, illustrated by Zachariah Ohora. Maurice rides his bike to his shop every day. Lotta rides her bike to collect sticks every day. Both go about their separate routines, unaware of the friendship that awaits them just a few blocks away. But what happens when a branch and a lemon peel get in the way?
Bike On, Bear! by Cynthea Liu, illustrated by Kristyna Litten is so adorable. Just look at that cover! In this picture book, Bear can do almost anything. His one-paw pawstand is perfection. He can solve the trickiest of equations. He can even out-build a brigade of beavers. But the one thing Bear can’t do? Ride a bike. Bear tries everything to help him learn: library books, training wheels and super-cheers from his fellow animal friends. But all of those fail to get poor Bear on two wheels.
Rabbit and the Motorbike by Kate Hoefler, illustrated by Sarah Jacoby, is one of my favorite picture books published last year. The illustrations are so dreamy and beautiful. It’s the story about Rabbit, a homebody who lives in a quiet field of wheat he dreams of leaving every night. His world is enlarged by his friend Dog and Dog’s tales of motorbike adventures. But one day, Dog is gone, and with him, go the stories Rabbit loves so much. Dare Rabbit pick up the motorbike and live his own story?
Cycle City by Allison Farrell is a lovely picture book that reminds me of Richard Scarry’s wonderful books. When little Etta the Elephant goes to her Aunt Ellen’s house, she takes a journey through bicycle-filled Cycle City, a town filled with bikes of all kinds! At the end of the day, a special surprise awaits Etta—the most amazing bicycle parade imaginable. This book also has a fun seek-and-find component.
The New Kid by Karen English, illustrated by Laura Freeman, is a sweet chapter book that is a part of the Carver Chronicles series (get them all!). Third-grader Gavin and his friends aren’t sure what to make of the new boy in their class, Khufu. He sure doesn’t look or act like the other kids . . . and they suspect that he stole Gavin’s bike! Karen English has a wonderful way of writing about childhood and the concerns of young people.
What are you reading these days? Let me know! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at KarinaBookRiot@gmail.com.
Until next time!
Karina
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