Kids New Title Radar, Week of 4/1
Next week brings the inspired collaboration of Lemony Snicket and Jon Klassen on a picture book about childhood’s greatest demon; the dark. Many series continue, of course, including the 53rd outing of Geronimo Stilton, which keeps on giving first-time fluent readers the opportunity to zip through another adventure. In Young Adult, the second in His Fair Assassin series will not disappoint the legions of Grave Mercy fans.
All the titles highlighted here and many more coming next week, are listed on our downloadable spreadsheet Kids New Title Radar, Week of April 1.
Picture Books
The Dark, Lemony Snicket, illus. by Jon Klassen, (Hachette/Little, Brown BYR)
Snicket takes the ordinary childhood fear and elevates it as he gives voice to “the dark.” Caldecott winner (This Is Not My Hat) Klassen represents light and dark so that we “see” the anxiety yet understand that there is really nothing to be afraid of … Really.
Can You See What I See?: Out of This World: Picture Puzzles to Search and Solve, Walter Wick, (Scholastic/ Cartwheel Books)
The ninth title in a series from the creator of the I SPY books, who is a wizard, packing each photograph with interesting objects and clues for the younger set.
Easy Readers
Mia Sets the Stage, Robin Farley, illus. by Olga Ivanov, (HarperCollins)
I am thrilled to get my hands on more of the adventures of this dancing cat and her cohort. These emergent readers with limited language are some of the best new easy-to-read books.
Middle Grade
Genie Wishes, Elisabeth Dahl, (Abrams/Amulet)
Genie, the official blogger for her 5th grade class, is dealing with her own set of issues; a BFF who seems ready to defect. This debut will resonate with middle grade readers.
Write This Book: A Do-It-Yourself Mystery, Pseudonymous Bosch, (Hachette/Little, Brown BYR)
The readers who cut their teeth on Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events took to Pseudonymous Bosch with ease, delight and fervor. This entry into the series that began with The Name of This Book Is Secret is more of a “consumable” as readers are encouraged to participate in the creation of the story. Yet, if you are thinking about satisfying a rabid reader, this is a must-have (just catalog it as reference for programming or as part of your Writing Box program. You do have a Writing Box program? If not, download this Writing Box How-to).
Hollywood, Dead Ahead, Kate Klise, illus. by M. Sarah Klise, (Harcourt)
I have read everything by the sisters Klise since a special education reading teacher turned me on to Regarding the Fountain. Kirkus calls this one, Number 5 in the 43 Old Cemetery Road, series that began with Dying To Meet You, “Another winner for this inventive series.” Agreed.
Goosebumps Most Wanted #3: How I Met My Monster, R.L. Stine, (Scholastic Paperbacks)
A little creepier than the originals (these have real nightmare-inducing covers), but still embedded with humor. Must-have horror for the early chapter book readers.
Spy Mice series, Heather Vogel Frederick, (S&S, pbk reprint)
Okay, I admit I missed this exciting middle grade series on its first go-round. Simon and Schuster caught my attention with sharp paperback repackaging. The first three — The Black Paw, For Your Paws Only and Goldwhiskers –are about the unlikely relationship of misfit Oz Levinson and spy mouse in-training Glory Goldenleaf as they embark on James-Bond-like adventures. Heather Vogel Frederick knows how to tell a story. Most librarians are familiar with her delightful Mother-Daughter Book Club series.
Young Adult
Dark Triumph, Robin LaFevers, (Houghton Mifflin)
This sequel to last year’s Grave Mercy holds up to the first. A fantasy world of court intrigue and killer nuns. What’s not to like?