Baby/Toddler:
Little Excavator by Anna Dewdney
(Viking Books for Young Readers, June 2017)
All the little excavator wants to do is help the big construction equipment with their jobs, but he can’t keep up. Finally, at the end of the day, he finds a job that fits just right. Give this adorable picture book to construction fans of all ages.
Noisy Night by Mac Barnett (Roaring Brook Press, March 2017)
In this wonderful read-aloud, Barnett tells the story of a very noisy apartment building. Toddlers will love making all the sounds.
Emerging Readers:
The Book Of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken (Dial Books, April 2017)
This book starts with a mistake: the artist draws one eye bigger than the other and tries to fix it, but ends up making more mistakes. Eventually, she incorporates all her mistakes into the finished work. Perfect for artists of any age or ability.
The Great Henry Hopendower by Justin Roberts
(Putnam Books for Young Readers, June 2017)
Henry Hopendower loves magic; it was one of his favorite things to do with his grandpa. He uses the memories of his time with his grandpa as encouragement while he practices his tricks. This is a sweet book that reminds us that the people we love never really leave us.
Tweens:
The Mighty Odds by Amy Ignatow (Amulet Books, September 2016)
A freak school-bus accident leaves middle schoolers Martina, Nick, Farshad, and Cookie with strange, seemingly useless superpowers. The four form an unlikely alliance. Great character development and shrewd observation of middle-school life make this a very fun read for grades 5 and up.
Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder (Walden Pond Press, June 2017)Â
Every year a boat docks at a beautiful, remote island with a young child in it. Every year, the oldest child on the island gets on the boat, never to return. It is up to the newest elder to care for the new child. This year Jinny is the elder, but she is reluctant to leave. A tale of growing up and change.
Teen:
Flame In The Mist by Renee Ahdieh
(Putnam Books for Young Readers, May 2017)
Mariko has always known that her destiny is to be married off for political advantage, unlike her twin brother Kenshin, a samurai warrior, who has been free to chose his own path. She agrees to marry Raiden, second in line to the throne. On her way to her wedding, her convoy is attacked by the Black Clan, and Mariko is the sole survivor. Mariko disguises herself as a boy and infiltrates the Black Clan. When the emperor and Kenshin begin to search for her, Mariko must decide what she wants, which side to take, and who she truly is.
Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner
(Random House Books for Young Readers, March 2017
Carver, a rising high school senior, loses his three closest friends (they are the Sauce Crew) in a texting-while-driving accident. He feels responsible. Through therapy and “goodbye days” with each family, Carver works through his grief.
