Baby:
We Found A Hat by John Klassen
(Candlewick Books, October 2016)
Two turtles find a hat. It’s a very nice hat and it looks good on both of them. Of course, they both want it. When night time comes, what will happen? Jon Klassen once again delivers a clever and lovely picture book with wonderful understated humor.
Don’t Call Me Coochie Pooh by Sean Taylor
(Candlewick Books, August 2016)
A tiny little dog has an owner who insists on treating him like a cute little dog. He does not like the cute dog treats she feeds him and dislikes riding in her handbag. All he wants to do is to play in the park with friends. It turns out that all of them are just as frustrated with their owners as he is. Great fun for all ages!
The Magic Word by Mac Barnett
(Balzer and Bray, October 2016)
When Paxton C. Heymeyer asked for a cookie and his babysitter asked him to say the magic word, Paxton didn’t say “please.” Instead, he said “Alakazoomba,” which surprisingly worked. Each time he says “Alakazoomba,” he gets his wish, from cookies and milk to an elephant who likes to play Go Fish. A wonderful pairing of author and illustrator that will have all of your children finding their own magic words!
Emerging:
Bossier Baby by Marla Frazee
(Beach Lane Books, November 2016)
When a baby sister arrives, she immediately usurps Boss Baby, calling herself the CEO and taking over the family’s life. Boss Baby is none to happy with the situation and can’t understand why no one pays attention to him any more. This clever picture book is a worthy sequel to the beloved BOSS BABY, complete with word play and a very sweet conclusion.
This Is A Serious Book by Jodie Parachini
(Greenwillow Books, October 2016)
The invisible narrator introduces this book by reminding the reader that it’s a very serious book and “nothing silly is allowed.” No ducky pajamas, no unicycles, and it must be entirely black and white. Of course the characters in the book clown around and act silly, causing great entertainment for the reader and frustration for our narrator. A very silly book that reminds the reader how much fun books can be.
Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
(Scholastic Books, September 2016)
Dav Pilkey is back with a hilarious new series. Dog Man the policeman is created when Greg the Dog’s head is sewn onto Officer Knight’s body. He brilliantly fights crime, especially against evil Petey, the cat. There’s a flip-o-rama, plenty of talking hot dogs and a whole lot of fun.
Tween:
League of Unexceptional Children Get Smart-ish by Gitty Daneshavi
(Little, Brown Books For Young Readers, October 2016)
Nina Mitford, an operative from Great Britain’s Bureau of Adolescent Espionage, has gone rogue and is threatening to unleash an IQ-diminishing virus upon society. Prime Minister David Falcon is forced to ask for outside help, and President Arons has sent two operatives from the covert spy network League of Unexceptional Children. Our average, normal, and utterly forgettable operatives Jonathan and Shelley––or is it Bob and Sheila?––are on the case and on the loose in London, England, in this fun and funny sequel.
Making Friends With Billy Wong by Augusta Scattergood
(Scholastic Books, October 2016)
Eleven-year-old Azalea is dropped off in Paris Junction, Arkansas, to help out her Grandma Clark who has broken her leg. The trouble is Azalea doesn’t even know Grandma Clark, and Grandma Clark is bossy and cantankerous. Everyone in Paris Junction knows everyone’s business but not everyone in Paris Junction is friendly. And shy Azalea is expected to befriend Billy Wong––who is a boy and Chinese! This quiet story of family, friendship, and prejudice set in the 1950s South is told through Azalea’s narrative and Billy’s free verse.
Addison Cooke and the Treasure of the Incas by Jonathan Stokes
(Philomel Books, October 2016)
Addison loves archaeology and dreams of the day he can do fieldwork instead of going to school. He and his little sister live with their aunt and uncle, who work for the New York Museum of Archaeology. One night at the museum, Uncle Nigel shows them an amazing find: one of three keys said to show the way to a cursed and lost Incan treasure. The visit is cut short by a team of bad guys who kidnap their uncle and aunt, hoping to force them to find the treasure. Not to be left behind, Addison, Molly, and two friends, Eddie and Raj, travel to South America to rescue Aunt Delia and Uncle Nigel – and find the treasure themselves! Time is running out – the bad guys are on to them, and school starts again on Monday!
Teen:
Wrecked by Maria Padian
(Algonquin Books For Young Readers, October 2016)
Wrecked takes a look at the challenging issue of campus sexual assault. When Jenny accuses Jordan of rape after a party at Conundrum House, we get to see their points of view as well as those of their roommates, families, campus administrators and fellow students. Author Maria Padian asks us to think about what ‘truth’ means to different listeners and how rumor and gossip play a role in determining what happened. This novel illustrates that there are no easy answers to this challenging issue.
The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye
(Balzer and Bray, June 2016)
Vika, the daughter of a baron, and Nikolai, a foundling and the best friend of the heir to the throne, have been training their entire lives to be the Tsar’s Enchanter and to keep Russia safe. Now they are swept up in a contest of hearts and magic that neither can lose. The Crown’s Game is a duel to the death – for there can be only one Enchanter! Clear your calendar, because you won’t want anything to interrupt you!
Women in the Walls by Amy Lukavics
(Harlequin Teen 2016)
Lucy Acosta lives with her father, Aunt Penelope and cousin Margaret on an isolated historical estate that has been in her family for generations. Lucy’s father is illogically preoccupied with the affairs of the estate, and when Aunt Penelope, the only mother Lucy has ever known, mysteriously disappears, Margaret is sure her mother is speaking to her. Lucy has long sensed that something isn’t right in this house, and she’s about to come face-to-face with long hidden family secrets—if she doesn’t lose her mind first. Read this deliciously creepy page-turner in full daylight!
