Sponsored by Pixel+Ink.
Black Sand Beach is a new can’t-put-down middle-grade graphic novel series about a haunted summer vacation by Richard Fairgray, a bestselling and award-winning comic book author and illustrator. In Are You Afraid of the Light?, twelve-year-old Dash and his best friend Lily are spending the summer at Black Sand Beach, where Dash’s family has a house. But something is off about this place. The beach house is a shack and Dash’s weird relatives are there. But more alarming is the zombie ram that crashes through the front yard. And the ghosts that call out to Dash from the lighthouse . . .
Hello readers,
Children’s literature is a political thing. It always has been and so, I can begin this week’s newsletter in no better way than by directing you towards my lovely colleague Karina Yan Glaser’s Twitter thread on 100 Must-Read Children’s Books by African-American creators. This list of resources on how to educate “yourself and those around you” may also prove of use to some of you. Finally, I’d like to take a moment to pay tribute to those of you who are and always have been doing the work. You have my respect, my admiration, and my thanks.
Here’s my pick of this week’s new releases!
Catalyst by Sarah Beth Durst
What else do you call a tiny kitten but Pipsqueak? The only problem is that Pipsqueak didn’t stay small forever – she grew, and grew, until now she’s bigger than a horse and oh yeah, she can talk as well…
It’s up to Zoe and her best friend Harrison to keep Pipsqueak safe. Can they turn her back to her normal size? Or will that just put them all in greater danger?
A dynamic and rather sweet fantasy perfect for middle grade readers, this teaches us to accept everybody for who they are – whatever shape or size they may be. There’s some nice lessons about growing up in this, and did I mention that bit about the giant talking kitten?
Curse of the Night Witch: Emblem Island by Alex Aster
When you’re born on Emblem Island, you know your fate. Your lifeline shows the course of your life, and your emblem tells you how to spend it. But when Tor Luna’s leadership emblem changes to a death curse – and there’s only a week to go – he must visit the Night Witch and ask for help.
Pulling from Latin American mythology, and inspired by the stories that Aster’s Colombian grandmother told her at bedtime, this rich and pacy opener sets up an intriguing series.
Ladybird Tales of Super Heroes by Sufiya Ahmed, Yvonne Battle-Felton, Sarwat Chadda and Maisie Chan, illustrations by Aviel Basil, Fotini Tikkou, Jia Liu, Louise Warwick, Poonam Mistry, and Victoria
(Backlist bump!)
What’s better than one story about mythic and legendary super heroes? Six stories about mythic and legendary super heroes, that’s what. This well put together collection features stories about Hanuma, Demon Fighter; Shahrazad the Storyteller; Inanna in the Underworld; Anansi the Spider-Man; Loki and the Magical Hammer, and the Legend of Hua Mulan. They’re all gorgeously told and perfect for bedtime with your little heroes.
Bold Women In Black History by Vashti Harrison
(Backlist bump!) I have admired Harrison’s work for a long time and this is fabulous. It tells the stories of some amazing women, ranging from singer Shirley Bassey through to nurse Mary Seacole. The artwork is adorable – beautiful, smart and savvy – while the stories are deeply accessible and full of inspiring achievements. It’s a very beautiful thing.
Alright, that’s everything from me this week! I’ll be back in seven days with more new books, I promise. Between then and now, you can stay in touch with me via social media (I would love to hear about what you’re reading), on my website, or over on the biweekly literary fiction podcast Novel Gazing.
Happy reading!
Louise.