Author: LH Johnson

Hello readers!

Before we get going on this week’s new releases, I want to let you know about a lovely new book. The Book Of Hopes is a collection of stories, poems, essays and artwork from over one hundred different contributors. It’s been edited by Katherine Rundell who writes about the background to the project here, and you can download the book itself for free. It’s a beautiful, hopeful, wonderful collection and it’s helped me out this week. I hope it will do the same for you and yours.

And now to this week’s new releases!

Any Day With You by Mae Respicio

Kaia lives in California where the magic of the movies is all about her. This summer, she’s off to creative arts camp where she and her friends are working on a short film for a competition. The film is inspired by the Filipino folktales that her beloved great-grandfather, tells her – but he’s now decided that it’s time to return to his homeland in the Philippines. It’s down to Kaia and her friends to win the contest so that he might stay.

A warm and tender celebration of family and creativity, this is perfect for fans of Kelly Yang, and Erin Entrada Kelly. Also that cover is a delight!

Julieta and the Diamond Enigma by Luisana Duarte Armendáriz

Julieta is off to Paris to help her dad collect artwork for a new exhibition at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. The only problem is that there’s a thief stealing a priceless cursed diamond from the Louvre and Juliet and her dad have walked in the middle of the act! Now her father’s become a suspect, it’s down to Julieta to solve the crime…!

I am a sucker for heist mysteries that feature sparky and spunky protagonists and glamorous locations. This is a lot of fun.

Once Upon An Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices, edited by S. K. Ali and Aisha Saeed

Celebrate one of the most joyful holidays of the year with this rich and wonderful gathering of stories, poems and illustrations. It features a vibrant and multi-dimensional cast of characters from all sorts of backgrounds (including blended families and recently converted families), and every page bursts with emotion. A lovely, lovely compilation!

 

Shuri: A Black Panther Novel by Nic Stone

More Shuri? Yes please!

For centuries, the Black Panther has gained his powers from the juices of the Heart-Shaped Herb. But the plants are dying, and supplies are running out. It’s down to Shuri to figure out what’s killing the Herb and how she can save it.

Perfect for upper-middle-grade readers, this is the first in a brand new series all about our favorite Wakandan.

Literally: Amazing English Words and Where They Come From by Patrick Skipworth, illustrated by Nicholas Stevenson

Perfect for budding etymologists, this looks at the story behind 12 words in the English language – words that connect English to indigenous languages and cultures all across the globe. It’s an intriguing idea and one that works well when paired with Stevenson’s magical artwork. I liked it a lot.

Alright! I’m going to go and read some more picture books now (there is something very soothing about delightful endpapers) but I’ll be back next week with some more new releases.

Between then and now, you can stay in touch with me via social media (hit me up with your most beautiful picture book recommendations), on my website, or over on the biweekly literary fiction podcast Novel Gazing.

Happy reading!

Louise.

Hello readers,

How’s life? I have finally reached the bottom of my TBR pile and am oscillating between happiness and panic. Of course I’m pleased that it’s finally been worked through (and hasn’t fallen in me in my sleep) but I need more books! I’ll be reading the labels on canned food next…

To the books!

Ways To Make Sunshine by Renée Watson

Ryan Hart has a lot on her mind but the one thing she’s good at is making the best of things. She finds the sunshine in everything she does, even when she’s got a lot on her mind–things are financially tight for their family, her brother’s annoying, and life kind of keeps doing the unexpected about her. But Ryan keeps moving on with sunshine, no matter what.

A sparky and bright opener to a new series, this is all about loving your family and friends no matter what. Ryan is a fiercely wonderful lead character and every page of this sings with joy.

Saltwater Secrets by Cindy Callaghan

Half-sisters Stella and Josie live for their annual vacation with their dad. They have a secret place under the boardwalk there where they hide their ‘sister scrapbook’ – each page full of the memories of their summer at the beach.

But this summer is different–their secrets have been discovered, and their beloved boardwalk and the natural world about it is under threat. It’s down to Josie and Stella to save the day…

Perfect for middle-grade readers who want to make a difference this summer, this is an exciting beach read with a thread of mystery and a hint of danger.

Wherever I go by Mary Waggley Copp, illustrated by Munir D. Mohammed

(This actually came out last week, but I’m sneaking a mention for it here.)

Abia has been at the Shimelba Refugee Camp for seven years, four months and sixteen days. Just long enough for her to be a queen. Once her father weaves her a crown from the acacia tree, Abia becomes her reign. Sometimes she’s a noisy queen, sometimes she’s a quiet queen, and sometimes she’s a nervous queen dreaming of forever homes in faraway places…

A wise and respectful celebration of childhood in the most complicated of circumstances, this pairs elegant text with big, wide and honest artwork.

A Different Pond by Bao Phi, illustrated by Thi Bui

(Backlist bump!) A pre-dawn fishing trip sees a father tell his son about the connections between their pond and one from their homeland of Vietnam. Rendered in quietly elegant text and paired with absolutely stunning artwork, A Different Pond is a wonderful, wonderful thing.

 

The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez

(Backlist bump!) Malú (or María Luisa, if you really want to annoy her) isn’t have a great first day at her new school. She’s upset the Queen Bee, broken the school dress code, and disappointed her mum. But her dad reminds her that the first rule of punk is to be yourself – and so she will. And she’s not going to do this alone…

I miss Rookie quite a bit, and this makes me feel that a little less. It’s a riotous celebration of being yourself, finding your tribe, and standing up for the things you believe in.

Okay! I’m going to leave it there for now but I’ll be back in seven days with more picks. In the meanwhile you can catch up with me on social media (come and tell me what to read next! save me!) on my website, or over on the biweekly literary fiction podcast Novel Gazing.

Have a lovely week!

Louise.

Hello readers!

Let’s start off this week with news of a fun project. Universal Standard, an inclusive fashion brand, have launched a picture book called What Would Fashion Look Like If It Included All Of Us? It’s fiercely diverse and inclusive, with lovely body-positive artwork (seriously, I almost cried over a few spreads) and an empowering message of inclusion. You can download it here, and 100% of the proceeds go to #SAVEWITHSTORIES. More of this sort of thing please!

Here’s my pick of this week’s new releases.

The Water Bears by Kim Baker

Last year, Newt Gomez survived a bear attack and now he’s found a bear statue that maybe grants wishes. As the wishes come true around him, he becomes increasingly ready to make his own wish – to move to the mainland where his extended family lives, become part of a community where he’s not the only Latinx kid, and to also be free of his bad dreams about the attack. But then, as things so often do, everything changes…

A magical story of recovery and growth in the most unusual of landscapes, this is a coming of age story with a lot of heart.

On These Magic Shores by Yamile Saied Méndez

Minerva Soledad Miranda has responsibilities. She looks after her two sisters while her mom works two jobs – and then, one night, her mom doesn’t come home. It’s up to Minerva to figure out what happened and how to keep her family together and safe. But there’s something magical looking out for them…

Written by an #ownvoices author, this touches on some big issues and does so with a lot of delicacy and magic. Bonus points for that gorgeous cover!

Rick by Alex Gino

Everybody around Rick seems to have figured out who he is, but Rick’s not so sure. But now he’s in middle school and discovering the Rainbow Spectrum club, he might just finally be able to figure himself out and be understood…

A sensitive exploration of how to be yourself in a world that sometimes doesn’t make that easy, and how to deal with unhelpful relationships, Rick is a lovely and important read.

The Pathfinders Society : The Mystery of the Moon Tower by Francesco Sedita and Prescott Seraydarian

I am a sucker for ‘kids who team up to solve a mystery’ stories (blame a lot of Nancy Drew!) and this is amazing. Five kids are thrown together at summer camp, and together they set off to dig into their town’s history – a history that includes a fabled lost treasure…

An adventure packed comic that’s perfect for middle-grade readers, this features code-cracking, mystery-solving and time-travel. What’s not to love?

The Fort by Laura Perdew, illustrated by Adelina Lirius

Two strangers play in the same fort in the woods.. which is either a castle or a ship, depending on who’s in charge! But problems ensue: the prince can’t throw a party when all his invitations turn into treasure maps, and the pirate can’t storm the high seas when her sword turns into a scepter. Can a pirate and a prince learn to share – and what happens when they do?

A celebration of imagination rendered in illustrations that burst with life, this gorgeous picture book sees two adversaries learn the benefits of sharing and teamwork. Two imaginations are a lot more fun than one!

Okay! I’m going to leave it there for now but I’ll be back in seven days with more picks. In the meanwhile you can catch up with me on social media, on my website, or over on the biweekly literary fiction podcast Novel Gazing.

Have a lovely week!

Louise.

Hello readers!

I wanted to start off this week by telling you about a free book about the Coronavirus. It’s been produced by the British publisher Nosy Crow and is illustrated by Axel Scheffler – familiar to anybody who’s got a tiny fan of the Gruffalo! Coronavirus: A Book For Children is a great, sensitive and really well-pitched guide to the virus and it’s free. I really recommend it if you need some support for your young readers at this time.

Don’t forget that we’re collating all the COVID-19 news from the literary world. I also enjoyed this round-up of free coloring pages and also the fact that Dolly Parton is sharing bedtime stories (honestly, Dolly Parton is my literary hero).

To the books!

The Cat Man of Aleppo by Irene Latham and Karim Shamsi-Basha, illustrated by Yukio Shimizu

This is the true tail (sorry) of Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel, who set up a cat sanctuary in the middle of the Syrian Civil War. It’s often very difficult to understand events as big and terrifying as war, until you find the stories of the people caught within. And this does that with a lot of care, sensitively balancing the moments of hope against the raw, ragged edge of conflict. A powerful introduction to a complex topic.

Plenty of Hugs by Fran Manushkin, illustrated by Kate Alizadeh

Hugs. Love. Illustrations full of life and heart. Honestly, what more do you need?

(If you do need more: this is the story of two mommies and a day in the life of their family. Told in round, delicious rhyme, we follow them through a day together before it’s time for bath, book and bed. It’s cosy, lovely and a genuine delight).

Daring Darleen: Queen of the Screen by Anne Nesbet

Twelve-year-old Darleen Darling is a star of the silent movie era. And when a publicity stunt goes horribly wrong, it’s up to Darleen to defeat villains both on and off the screen.

You don’t often see books about young film actresses set in 1914, let alone ones that involve kidnappings and Perilous Situations alongside some solid historical research. It’s a treat and perfect for budding film stars.

When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed, color by Imman Geddy

Omar and his younger brother Hassan live in Dadaab, a refugee camp in Kenya. Life is hard and the medical care that nonverbal Hassan needs is non-existent. One day Omar gets the chance to change their future – the only problem is that it means leaving Hassan behind, every day.

Told to Jamieson by Omar Mohamed, the Omar at the centre of this true story, When Stars Are Scattered follows the two brothers through fifteen years in the camp. It is a remarkable graphic novel for middle grade readers, and one that celebrates the power of education and family.

Baloney and Friends by Greg Pizzoli

Meet Baloney the pig and his best friend Peanut, the horse. There’s also Bizz the bumblee and Krabbit – the rather grumpy looking chap on the far right hand side of the cover.

An adorable graphic novel for young readers, this sees Baloney go swimming. perform some rather questionable magic and deal with a case of the blues. Charming, fun and really lovely, there’s also tips on how to draw all of the characters. This is perfect for the newly independent reader and also those wanting to step into comics.

Okay. That’s it for this week. I hope you find something of joy here – let me know! I’ll be back next week with more picks, but in the meanwhile you can catch up with me on social media (come and chat with me about endpapers), on my website, or over on the biweekly literary fiction podcast Novel Gazing.

Louise.

Hello readers!

How are you doing? I have been working on my TBR pile this week, and it is becoming slightly more manageable. Another couple of weeks and I might actually get to the bottom of it. Fingers crossed!

If you’re looking for COVID-19 news from the literary world, we’ve got you covered. My favourite pick for this week is the news that JK Rowling and her publishers have released a host of free Harry Potter resources. Check out Wizarding World Introduces Harry Potter At Home for more on that.

And now, let’s talk books.

Mary Underwater by Shannon Doleski

Be the hero you’re waiting for.

Inspired by her heroine Joan of Arc (honestly, I love this so much), Mary Murphy decides to go on her own quest and built and then pilot a submarine across the Chesapeake Bay. How’s that for a hook?

A rich story of female empowerment, heroism, and submersibles this is a really strong debut from a new middle-grade author.

How To Solve A Problem : The Rise (And Falls) of a Rock-Climbing Champion by Ashima Shiraishi, illustrated by Yao Xiao

Ashima Shiraishi is one of the world’s youngest and most skilled climbers. For rock climbers, a boulder is known as a “problem” and you figure it out by climbing to the top.

This is a story on how to deal with the problems in your own life – and how to get back up when they knock you down. Told in wise, clean text and paired with bold and vivid artwork this is an absolute treat.

Bedtime Bonnet by Nancy Redd, illustrated by Nneka Myers

“In my family, when the sun goes down, our hair goes up!”

A heartwarming celebration of Black hair traditions, this is a lovely thing. It features a close and multi-generational family, all with their own personal hair routine at night, and pairs this with soft, loving artwork. Perfect for bedtime!

Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera

Gwendolyn Brooks (1917-2000) was the first Black writer ever to win the Pulitzer Prize. She wrote about “real life” – bringing everything she lived into her work – and this is a wise, elegant biography of her.

Cabrera’s art is evocative and reverential, embracing the wildness of imagination and Gwendolyn’s power to capture the world around her. A big, important and relevant book.

Into The Tall Grass by Loriel Ryan

Yolanda Rodríguez-O’Connell is the only member of her family to not have magic. And one day when her grandmother, Wela, falls into an unexpected and unexplained sleep, Yolanda must act. If she loses her grandmother, she’s got nothing and nobody left.

Yolanda’s quest sees her discover long-buried secrets, the healing power of the magic all about her, and how a curse might be considered as a gift…

An eloquent magical realism middle grade, this is perfect for anybody who needs a little hope in their world.

Okay! That’s all from me for now. I’ll be back with more new releases next week (what is a week? what is time right now?), but until then you can say hello to me on social media @chaletfan (Come and chat with me about endpapers!) and elsewhere on Book Riot co-hosting the biweekly litfic podcast Novel Gazing.

Louise.

Hello readers,

It’s the last day of March! I know, I can’t quite believe it either. This month has seemed endless. I hope you and your loved ones are doing well in this brave new world we live in, and that these lovely new releases from the world of children’s books bring you joy.

A brief reminder, if you’d like to stay in touch with COVID-19 updates from the bookish world, you can do so through that. I’m very fond of this article of 7 of the best educational comics for homeschooling – if you haven’t yet discovered Hilda, then now’s the time…

So to books!

Two Bicycles In Beijing by Teresa Robson, illustrated by Junyi Wu

Lunzi and Huangche came out of the bicycle factory together, side by side. They watch Beijing from their shop window, until the day when a girl comes in and buys Huangche and rolls him away. With the help of a delivery boy, Lunzi sets out to find her friend…

This is a lyrical, lovely thing, which introduces readers to the sights and sounds of Beijing with the added bonus of some simple Mandarin. It’s very charming and that artwork is lovely.

How to Make Friends with the Sea by Tanya Guerrero

Pablo lives with his mum and the two of them have never stayed in one country for long. Their latest move is to the Philippines where his mum works at a wildlife refuge – and she’s too busy to realise that Pablo might need saving too. His anxieties are overwhelming him, and the last thing he needs is his mum taking in an orphaned girl…

Touching on topics such as selective mutism, friendship, family, and the management of complex anxieties, and doing so with a lot of sensitivity, this is a strong and unusual debut.

What Stars Are Made Of by Sarah Allen

Libby is twelve, and pretty great at science. She was also born with Turner Syndrome and that means she finds some things hard. When she discovers that her big sister Nonny is pregnant, she can’t help but worry. Libby knows all too well that babies aren’t always born healthy – and that Nonny and her husband been struggling with money. So Libby makes a deal with the world. She’ll enter a science competition and if she wins, she’ll give the money to Nonny and her family. And the baby will be perfect.

A sparky scientist, winning first-person narrative, #ownvoices representation, and a celebration of family and love? Sign. Me. Up.

Hound Won’t Go by Lisa Rogers, illustrated by Meg Ishihara

(This cover speaks to me on quite the deep emotional level, let me tell you that). Hound has decided that he’s had enough of his walk. The only problem is that he’s decided this right in the middle of a busy intersection… uh oh! Hound won’t go!

Perfect for anybody who’s ever encountered a dog at their most stubborn, this pairs tight, clean rhymes with vibrant illustrations. It’s a perfect read aloud.

My Mindful Walk with Grandma by Sheri Mabry, illustrated by Wazza Pink

As a young girl walks through the woods with her grandma, she’s more focused on the destination than the journey. But the journey is full of surprises and excitement – and Grandma will help her discover them.

We’re all wrestling with a world that is changing every single second, and so this soft and rich story about appreciating the moment may have some particular resonance right now. It’s a beautiful, beautiful thing.

Okay! That’s all from me for now. I’ll be back with more new releases next week, but until then you can say hello to me on social media @chaletfan (Let’s talk Moomins…) and elsewhere on Book Riot co-hosting the biweekly litfic podcast Novel Gazing.

Take care,

Louise.

Hello readers!

How are you doing? It’s not an easy time at the moment, so I know that’s quite a complicated question to answer. I don’t think I can coherently answer it myself. What I do know is that tiny joys are helping me cope. The new pot plant on my desk. The pile of books waiting to be read. The light through my window right now as I write this. Here’s to the tiny joys in your life – may they be many right now.

Just to let you know as well that we’re rounding up bookish COVID-19 news all in one place, and there’s some really useful resources in there if you’re home educating at the moment. I’m particularly fond of #savewithstories – an initiative launched by Jennifer Garner and Amy Adams where celebs share children’s books online – all in partnership with Save the Children and No Kid Hungry.

Alright, let’s get down to the books! Here’s your hand-picked selection of new titles for this week in the world of children’s books (and two backlist bumps…).

The Only Black Girls In Town by Brandy Colbert

Alberta is thrilled to discover that the new owners of the bed and breakfast across the street are Black, and that they have a daughter of her age. Alberta’s convinced that Edie and her will be best friends, but small town life is a lot to come to terms with when you’ve moved from Brooklyn. And then there’s the day when they discover a box of old journals in Edie’s attic, and decide to figure out the mystery behind them…

Really well-handled and elegantly done, The Only Black Girls In Town explores how to grow up and claim your own identity in a world that doesn’t easily allow that to happen.

The Derby Daredevils : Kenzie Kickstarts A Team by Kit Rosewater

Fifth graders Kenzie and Shelly (aka Kenzilla and Bomb Shell) have dreamed of being stars of the roller-derby scene for as long as they can remember. And now their city has launched a junior league, they’re going to try out! The only problem is that they need to find three other girls and there’s only a week to do it…

From an #ownvoices author, The Derby Daredevils features LGTBQ+ representation alongside an adorable, fierce and furiously empowering team of sporting supremos. There’s a whole lot of heart here – I very much loved it.

My Life As A Potato by Arianne Costner

Ben Hardy believes that he’s cursed by potatoes. The only problem is that he’s now moved to Idaho, and his new school’s mascot is Steve the Spud. Well, that’s not the only problem….after accidentally causing the mascot to sprain their ankle, Ben must take on Spud duty for the final games of the year. But he can’t be popular if he’s Spud – can he?

Richly illustrated, and very funny, this is a great one for fans of vividly visual middle grade fiction.

A Little Love Song by Michelle Magorian

(Backlist bump!) It’s 1943, and two sisters are facing a summer of self-discovery and unexpected independence in their seaside hide-away from the war. Rose – the younger sister – discovers a heartbreaking romance from the first world war alongside her own independence, and Diana comes to terms with standing on her own two feet.

Featuring the best fictional bookshop ever (quite the claim I know, but trust me) alongside a romance that will make your heart whole, this is a glorious read. Do bear in mind that it features certain topics that make it not suitable for young readers, but if you’ve got somebody confidently moving on up into YA, then it’s ideal.

The Boy At The Back Of The Class by Onjali Q. Raúf

(Backlist bump!) There was an empty chair at the back of the class, but now there’s a new boy sat in it. His name is Ahmet, he’s nine years old, and he never smiles or talks. And this is the story of how the class made friends with him…

A heart-warming, genuine and sensitive exploration of life as a refugee, The Boy At The Back of The Class celebrates the power of friendship. It’s a gorgeous, beautiful read and one that I’d recommend in a heartbeat.

Okay, I think that’s it for this week! I’ll be back next week with another email, but until then you can say hello to me on social media @chaletfan and elsewhere on Book Riot co-hosting the biweekly litfic podcast Novel Gazing.

Happy tiny joys! Happy reading!

Louise.

Hello readers!

It’s time for your weekly pick of new children’s book releases. I think the theme for this week is taking back control of your life. It’s easy to forget in these complicated days that young people are exposed to as much media as adults and need support in understanding that. It’s also easy to forget that all of that needs managing alongside the difficulty that is life and all it already entails.

So here we are with some books that explore all of that. They talk about power, agency, activism, and finding control of your own destiny. Let’s celebrate that – and hit me up on social media with anything that you think deserves a backlist bump for next week. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Stand up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica Kim

Look at that super cute cover! This is all about aspiring stand-up comedian Yumi Chung. She’s got a lot of material for her Netflix special–she just needs the confidence and a special comedy camp might just give her that. The only problem is that they all think she’s a girl called Kay Nakamura, and Yumi doesn’t tell them the truth…

A coming of age story wrapped up in a deliciously entertaining package, this is full of up to date pop culture references and a whole lot of fun.

Silverworld by Diana Abu-Jaber

Sami’s Lebanese grandmother, Sitti, is ill. Her family think she should be in a nursing home, but Sami doesn’t think that’s she’s unwell at all. Trying to help, she casts a spell from her grandmother’s charm book and falls into Silverworld – an enchanted world that might just hold the secret to Sitti’s illness.

A story full of Lebanese culture, drawing on rich seams of fantasy and real-world issues such as family illness, Silverworld is a potent story of a girl fighting to save her family and so much more.

A Whale of a Mistake by Ioana Hobai

Mistakes can feel overwhelming, right? It’s difficult enough to deal with them as adults, let alone as children. A Whale of a Mistake teaches us that there are as many mistakes as stars in the night sky and maybe they can be dealt with after all. It’s a big concept to deal with and one handled with a lot of sensitivity – plus some beautiful artwork!

We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Michaela Goade

Inspired by the Indigenous-led protests across North America, this picture book is a bold cry towards environmental activism. The illustrations are lyrical, often moving, and Lindstrom’s text packs a powerful punch. It also includes a water pledge of care for young readers to co-sign.

Alright, I think we’ll leave it there for this week. Feel free to say hello to me on social media @chaletfan (I am rereading a lot of Cynthia Voigt at the moment so I’m very happy to chat about that!). You can also find me elsewhere on Book Riot co-hosting the biweekly litfic podcast Novel Gazing.

Happy reading!

Louise.

Hello readers!

I’m writing this newsletter on World Book Day in the United Kingdom, and the streets are full of tiny children dressed up as their favorite book characters. I love it. There’s nothing quite so adorable as seeing a small Gruffalo wander past your window or a Fantastic Mr Fox waiting for the school bus. Even Paddington Bear is wondering about who he’s going to dress up as.

It’s a very appropriate day to be bringing you the pick of the new releases in the children’s book world!

The Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman

One day Valentina Kaplan and Oksana Savchenko, neighbours and lifelong enemies, wake up to a bright red sky. The reactor at the nuclear power plant where both their fathers work has exploded. Its name? Chernobyl. Valentina and Oksana are forced into a life together in Leningrad, facing truths and keeping secrets – whatever the cost.

A potent middle-grade read, this explores the power of friendship formed in the most troublesome of times whilst also exploring an unusual point in history.

Woke : A Young Poet’s Call To Justice by Mahogany L. Browne, with Elizabeth Acevedo and Olivia Gatwood, illustrated by Theodore L Taylor

A collection of poetry from women writers to inspire children to stay woke and become activists? Sign me up. Sign me up even more when it’s got authors like this behind it (there’s also a foreword from Jason Reynolds), and sign me up again when it’s got art as generous and as vibrant as this. It’s a lovely, big, collection of motivating work  – perfect for sharing and staying woke.

Like The Moon Loves The Sky by Hena Khan, illustrated by Saffa Khan

Sometimes a cover says it all, and this is a delight. The inside – a celebration of parental love, inspired by verses from the Quran – is similarly wonderful. Look out in particular for Saffa Khan’s gorgeously rich use of colour – this is beautiful, beautiful stuff throughout and full of a quiet power.

Orion Lost by Alastair Chisholm

I recently finished a review copy of this and knew I had to share it with you. Orion Lost is a middle grade ‘kids on a spaceship and everything’s gone wrong plus the AI might actually be evil’ story and it’s great. It’s a really well-told adventure influenced by things like Firefly and Star Trek, and ideal for anybody who can do the Kessel run in less than twelve parsecs.

 

High Rise Mystery by Sharna Jackson

Forgive the fact that this has been out for a while now, but I wanted to give it a quick backlist bump. So here we go! It’s the hottest Summer on record in London and there’s been a murder – it’s time for sisters Anika ‘Nik’ and Norva to solve it. Ideal for fans of Robin Stevens and Katherine Woodfine, and anybody who enjoys twists and turns, High Rise Mystery is really worth getting onto your radar.

That’s it for this week! In the meantime, you can say hello to me on social media @chaletfan (tell me about what you’re reading!) and also elsewhere on Book Riot co-hosting the biweekly litfic podcast Novel Gazing.

(And have you seen that we’re giving away a $50 Barnes and Noble Gift Card to one lucky reader…?)

Happy reading!

Louise.

Hello readers,

It’s that time of the week where I get to tell you all about some delicious new releases in the world of children’s literature. And what a fun week it is! We’re celebrating the stories of women in STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, defeating gender discriminating pirates (*insert down with the pirate patriarchy cry here*), and empowering tiny readers everywhere. Good times.

Changing the Equation : 50+ US Black Women In STEM by Tonya Bolden

Remarkable mathematicians have been in the news recently, so this is a timely read indeed. Telling the real life story of over fifty women who ‘changed the equation’ as doctors, mathematicians, aviators, computer-scientists and more, this is a great non-fiction read for your tiny world-changers.

 

Show Me A Sign by Ann Claire LeZotte

Mary Lambert has always felt safe and protected in her home, but times are changing. Her brother has died, land-disputes are mounting, and a scientist has come to work out why so many people on the island – including Mary – are deaf. Things escalate to the point that Mary becomes a “live specimen” in his experiments…

Inspired by the true history of a thriving deaf community on Martha’s Vineyard in the early nineteenth century, this is a powerful and moving story from an #ownvoices author.

My Best Friend by Julie Fogliano, illustrations by Jillian Tamaki

This is so adorable! We’ve all had those moments when you meet somebody and realise that you’re going to be friends for life. Tamaki’s delightful artwork underscores Fogliano’s lovely text and together, this story of fast, perfect and intoxicating friendship is guaranteed to steal hearts.

 

How To Be A Pirate by Isaac Fitzgerald, illustrated by Brigitte Barrager

CeCe dreams of being a pirate but the neighborhood boys tell her that she can’t. So she turns to her grandpa – a man with some very pirate-like tattoos. As he shares the story of his ink, they enter a whole world of adventure… Perfect for empowering your tiny pirates, this is a story of never giving up on your dreams. Barrager’s art is lovely and really plays gorgeously with the tattoo motif throughout.

I Believe I Can by Grace Byers, illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo

“My presence matters in this world. I know I can do anything, if only I believe I can”

This wise and positive book is a lovely thing, pairing quiet and rich artwork with a series of positive affirmations for children from every background. It’s never too early to be empowered and this celebration of limitless potential does that very nicely.

 

I think that’s an excellent note to end things on, so I’ll see you next week! In the meantime, you can say hello to me social media @chaletfan (please do!) and also elsewhere on Book Riot co-hosting the biweekly litfic podcast Novel Gazing. Our latest episode includes an interview with the director of EMMA, and we chat about that time the CIA rewrote the ending of Animal Farm…

Happy reading!

Louise.