Winter Kids Indie Next List
The Sun Is Also a Star
Nicola Yoon (Delacorte Press)
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“Natasha and her family are 12 hours from being deported to Jamaica after living undocumented in New York City most of her life and she's desperate to stop it. Daniel, living in the shadow of his older brother, is about to have the most important interview of his life. Neither expect to meet someone new on this very important day. They definitely don't expect to fall in love. Told in alternating perspectives, you'll be hooked by the complexity of the story and will stay hooked, needing to know what happens to Natasha and Daniel. An extraordinary story of love at the most inconvenient, yet perfect, time.”
— Amanda Snow (E), Hooray for Books!, Alexandria, VA
By Marissa Meyer
Feiwel & Friends
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“Perfectly whimsical and wonderful,
Heartless captures the unique spirit of Lewis Carroll's Alice in
Wonderland. In this highly anticipated standalone fantasy,
Marissa Meyer crafts an exciting origin story for the infamous
Queen of Hearts. Although Catherine dreams of being an ordinary
girl and an extraordinary baker, all roads seem to lead to the
King. Defying her parents' expectations, the King's affections,
and the madness of destiny itself, this daring heroine follows
her heart into the arms of a mysterious stranger and finds
herself at the forefront of a battle to save her kingdom from
destruction. With a romance to make you swoon and adventure to
keep you reading long into the night, Heartless is a fantasy that
you won't want to miss.”
— Nancy Merritt (W), Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh, NC
By Holly Goldberg Sloan
Dial Books
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“Don't miss Holly Goldberg Sloan's SHORT! It is a joyous read.
Julia, unusually short for her age, is pressed by her mother to audition for a summer production of The Wizard of Oz. Her heartwarming adventure begins when she is cast as a Munchkin (really!). Theater fans will love the behind-the-curtain look at a stage production: the costumes, music, and a bit of backstage drama! Sloan offers wonderfully unique and memorable characters to support Julia throughout rehearsals and the play's entire run. By saying”
— Chris Rose (E), The Spirit Of '76 Bookstore, Marblehead, MA
By Jeff Giles
Bloomsbury Children's Books
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“The Edge of Everything is everything I
look for in a great YA book. A fully-fledged alternate world
perfectly meshed with our own world, romance, tragedy, and enough
humor to keep it all balanced. Zoe's family has been through a
year of tragedy, which is only compounded when Zoe and her
younger brother are caught out in a blizzard and have a run in
with the person who murdered their neighbors. . They are saved
by a man called X - a bounty hunter from the Lowlands - a
form of hell. X and Zoe's family become irretrievably
intertwined and their adventures and tragedies make for a
fantastic read and will leave you hoping that this is just the
first book in a series about these great characters!”
— Carrie Deming (W), The Dog Eared Book, Palmyra, NY
By Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Teagan White (Illus.)
Random House Books for Young Readers
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“As someone with beloved little family members far away, this book really strikes a chord! I love the everyday experiences that can remind us of each other when we're apart. This will make a great gift!”
— Tegan Tigani (E), Queen Anne Book Company, Seattle, WA
By Adam Silvera
Soho Teen
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“When Theo is viciously ripped from Griffin's life in a freak accident the vacuous wave of emptiness it leaves behind sends Griffin into a downward emotional spiral. Griffin always believed that even though they broke up when Theo left for college, that they would end up together. How can you exist when your entire world washes away from underneath you? Silvera's book is an unapologetically honest, and heart-wrenchingly beautiful story about first love and loss, and the cathartic process of diving head-first into your grief to come out on the other side a better person. A strong, honest, LGBTQ narrator goes through the issues of how gay teens grieve in a way that no other book has ever been able to accomplish. An absolutely stunning novel.”
— Angelo Santini (E), McLean & Eakin Booksellers, Petoskey, MI
By Ali Standish
HarperCollins
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“When tragedy strikes among Ethan's loved ones, his family is left trying to help him pick up the pieces. His parents decide that they need to start over and move in with a grandfather he's never had much of a relationship with.
Ethan must negotiate a new world, new friendships and new family members, all while trying to put the past behind him and learn to forgive not only his family, but himself.
Half To Kill a Mockingbird and half Bridge to Terabithia and all heart, The Ethan I was Before will leave a different reader than you were before.”
— Katherine Megna-Weber (E), Books Inc., San Francisco, CA
By Emily Jenkins, Chris Appelhans (Illus.)
Schwartz & Wade
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“A Greyhound, A Groundhog is a deliriously delightful whirl of a book. With a nod to Ruth Kraus' playful use of language (Jenkins even dedicates the book to her), the text artfully, rhythmically spins round, tying the reader's tongue as it bounces along without ever becoming tiresome or repetitive, despite the limited palette word-wise. Appelhan's gorgeously spare watercolor illustrations complement the prose perfectly--his greyhound and and groundhog are joyously expressive, full of movement, and unbound by gravity. As the rhyme becomes more and more frenzied, the illustrations gradually reveal more colors, going from the grey dog" and "brown hog" to a riot of purples”
— Hannah DeCamp (E), Avid Bookshop, Athens, GA
By S.J. Kincaid
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
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“Interstellar meets The Hunger Games meets The Terminator in The Diabolic, a fast-paced thrill ride of a novel with twists unlike any other. Nemesis is a Diabolic, a humanoid creature engineered to have one purpose in life: defend Sidonia, the kind-hearted daughter of a powerful but heretical Senator. When the power-crazed Emporer calls Sidonia to court to punish her father, Nemesis goes in her place to protect her and finds herself in the most worrisome of predicaments - not only is her life (and Sidonia's) in danger, but she's beginning to show the most terrifying of human conditions: emotions, which she has never been programmed for. While capturing the reader with suspicion and suspense on every page, Kincaid also does a fascinating job of addressing conflicting themes in this space-centric society: conditioning vs. human nature; faith vs. curiosity; love vs. power. Utterly un-put-downable and exciting beyond reason, this is sure to hit the YA book world like a black hole and suck every reader around it into its depths.”
— Kelly Morton (E), Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Cincinnati, OH
By Stephanie Tromly
Kathy Dawson Books
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“Digby and Zoe are back and in more trouble than ever in the sequel to”
— Sami Thomason (E), Square Books, Oxford, MS
Winter Kids Indie Next List
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“This gorgeous collection is exactly what it sounds like. Renowned children's book illustrators do their own take on a favorite Beatrix Potter story, and then tell why they chose it. Stunning.”
— Hana Boxberger (E), Village Books, Bellingham, WA
By Sandy Ashe, Mark Fearing (Illus.)
Dial Books
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“Apparently, everyone loves story time. Children and chickens! But what happens when you keep adding more chickens and more children to the story times? Chaos, and lots of clucking. Will the librarian figure out how to bring calm back to the library? I can just picture the kids helping read this book, being chickens and kids clucking.”
— Debbie Buck (E), Vintage Books, Vancouver, WA
By Corey R. Tabor
Balzer + Bray
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“As soon as a picture book includes illustrations of adorable, fuzzy, forest animals, I am almost always sold. This book is no exception there! With super cute and colorful illustrations and a story about forest animals having a jumping competition, you really can't go wrong with this fun read!”
— Meg Hughey, Bookbug, Kalamazoo, MI
By Kat Yeh, Chuck Groenink (Illus.)
Disney-Hyperion
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“Lonely Hedgehog desires nothing more in
the world than to have a friend. When she hears rumors of the
Friend Ship, she sets out on a boat of her own to find it. She
meets other solitary animals along the way who ask to join her on
this most important of journeys, but their search proves
fruitless until Hedgehog looks around her full ship and realizes
exactly where the Friend Ship is. This simple, beautifully
illustrated tale shows that if you open your heard, what you seek
might just be right in front of your own eyes.”
— Melissa Posten (W), The Novel Neighbor, Webster Groves, MO
By Mick and Chloe Inkpen
Aladdin
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“I felt like I was in the mind of a naughty puppy. It was entertaining and I loved the ending.”
— Jennifer Schreiber, Reader's Guide, Salem, OR
By Steve Antony
Scholastic Press
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“Mr. Panda is back with a second story that's even better than the first. I'll wait, Mr. Panda is so much more than a book about patience. It's is a fun twist on the Little Red Hen story. Panda's patience is rewarded with a delicious treat, and the readers will savor the adorable illustrations”
— Erin Barker (E), Hooray for Books!, Alexandria, VA
By Claire Keane
Dial Books
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“A perfect book for new siblings! Just love--no jealousy.”
— Sarah Carr (E), McIntyre's Fine Books, Pittsboro, NC
By Cynthia Rylant, Christian Robinson (Illus.)
Schwartz & Wade
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“LITTLE PENGUINS is the literary equivalent of a cup of steaming hot cocoa and a warm blanket cocoon on an early winter evening. Cynthia Rylant's sparse text dusts the reader with the same sensorial pleasure as Robinson's cut paper snowflakes. Readers equally savor the methodical indoor preparations of our penguin protagonists and their brief excursion in the deep, chilly snow. Christian Robinson's illustrations continue to delight, amaze, and innovate, and his use of muted greys and off-whites highlight the eye-catching pure blackness of the little penguins, the story's narrators. The words and pictures here provide a warmth that will last readers until spring.”
— Niki Marion (E), Odyssey Bookshop, South Hadley, MA
By Drew Sheneman
Viking Books for Young Readers
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“The timeless story of overcoming your fears to enrich your life is told charmingly and simply in this nearly-wordless book. Humor punctuates the tale of a nervous bird who has plenty of reasons not to leave the nest. His mother knows, though, that flight is worth it in the end.”
— Sarah Holt (E), Left Bank Books, Saint Louis, MO
By Christie Matheson
Greenwillow Books
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“Oh, how I love Christie Matheson's books! I can add this lovely new title to Tap the Magic Tree and Touch the Brightest Star, which have created special reading moments with my 2-yeard old niece. Interactive sans electronics. Perfect picture books!”
— Kathleen Carey (E), Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany, NY
By Emma Chichester Clark
Nancy Paulsen Books
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“Plum is MY favorite thing! This sweet story about a new cat moving into the neighborhood and getting all the attention to Plum's dismay is sweet, and Emma Chichester Clark's illustrations are wonderful. This is a great one for kids with new baby sibs, to remind them that there is plenty of love to go around.”
— Woody Chichester (E), Buffalo Street Books, Ithaca, NY
By Shannon Hale, Dean Hale, LeUyen Pham (Illus.)
Candlewick
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“Princess Magnolia is so tired. While trying to defeat the most recent monster, the mysterious Goat Avenger shows up to help her out. This new hero explains to the Princess in Black what a vacation actually is! What a great idea! Magnolia goes home, packs up and heads to the beach. But there are monsters everywhere. Princess in Black will have to change her plans to save her friend Princess Sneeze-Wort. All the charm and humor we have come to expect from this series is in full bloom in the newest addition to one of our favorite series.”
— Margaret Neville (E), The King's English, Salt Lake City, UT
By Sebastian Meschenmoser
NorthSouth
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“Meschenmoser continues with his hilarious takes on human nature. No one will be able to resist his pencil drawings that so perfectly convey Pug Man's less than ideal morning. And who wouldn't want to send that eager fairy packing in exchange for companionship--once coffee, breakfast and the paper were provided?”
— Mary Alice Garber (E), Politics & Prose Books and Coffee Shop, Washington, DC
By Matthew Cordell
Feiwel & Friends
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“In this beautiful wordless picture book a child sets out for a walk and discovers a wolf pup separated from its pack. The journey that follows is difficult and shows the power of kindness and bravery. Reminiscent of Steig's Brave Irene, Cordell's book is an perfect choice for the dark days of winter.”
— Marika McCoola (E), Porter Square Books, Cambridge, MA
By Adam Rex, Scott Campbell (Illus.)
Roaring Brook Press
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“A love-struck ox. A famous, vain gazzelle. You wouldn't think love letters from one to the other would make for a hilarious and sweet picture book, but they do. Very, very well together.”
— Melissa Fox (E), Watermark Books, Wichita, KS
Winter Kids Indie Next List
By Steve Jenkins
HMH Books for Young Readers
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“While some of Jenkins' books read younger, this one is definitely for the curious older reader who wants to dig deeper. With bold colors and bright page spreads, Jenkins uses infographics to successfully show the relationships and differences among the worlds' animals, humans included. Whether the numbers are animal speeds, biomasses, tongue lengths, migration distances, extinction timelines, or even the decibel level of animal calls, Animals By the Numbers covers it all. By pairing his unique style with symbols and charts, numbers and their meanings come to life in a fascinating look at the animal kingdom.”
— Jennifer Oleinik (E), University Book Store, Seattle, WA
By Zana Fraillon
Disney-Hyperion
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“Subhi is a refugee born in a camp in Australia. He lives for stories of his dad, who is not with him in the camp, where he has known only fences, mushy meals, guards, and hardship. One day a girl named Jimmie makes an appearance inside the fence. She has lost her mother and wants someone to read her mother's diary to her. The two form a friendship, with Jimmie bringing food and love to Subhi as he creates a picture of her mother for her. The treatment of the refugees is a big part of this novel - a universal story definitely pertinent to our times.”
— Paula Primavera (W), Covered Treasures Bookstore, Monument, CO
By H. M. Bouwman
G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
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“A Crack in the Sea is a truly unique read. It is easy to become attached to Kinchen and Pip from the beginning, but this story also stands out for having wonderfully complex layers throughout the narrative. There is a solid adventure, complete with sea monsters and kidnappings. There are gorgeous folk tales woven into the text throughout the story. There are even incredible historical elements that will catch readers by surprise as they work their way through this satisfying and multifaceted read. A Crack in the Sea is not to be skipped.”
— Molly Olivo (E), Barstons Child's Play, Washington, DC
By Ellen Oh (Ed.)
Crown Books for Young Readers
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“I thoroughly enjoyed the stories, and I love how there is a common theme between all of the pieces. The common theme that I felt to be most important? Success cannot be achieved without overcoming hardship. Another thing that I appreciate about this collection is the absolute diversity shown in all of the stories. With stories featuring protagonists of different backgrounds, cultures, and situations, each one exhibits a different walk of life. This is a special grouping of short stories that I feel could positively impact lots and lots of middle grade readers. We need more books like this one.”
— Abby Fennelly (E), Buttonwood Books & Toys, Cohasset, MA
By Susan Maupin Schmid
Random House Books for Young Readers
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“An 11-year-old orphan named Darling works in the castle as an
Under-scrubber (scrubbing pots and pans by lantern light in the
sub-basement), daydreaming and spinning adventure stories to
Gillian (the Under-dryer), and trying to stay in the good graces
of the Head Scrubber (called the Supreme Scrubstress behind her
back). Little does Darling know, nor would she believe, that the
castle she calls home is a magical castle built by dragons, in
which she is about to have the most remarkable adventure,
courtesy of a closet full of magical dresses.
This being the first book in a series, the author takes her time
laying the groundwork for the adventure, while we get to know
Darling and some of the many other servants who keep the castle
running. Schmid's prose is lighthearted and highly visual (and
occasionally poetic:”
— Rebecca Mattis, Phoenix Books, Essex, VT
By Rachel Hawkins
G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
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“Southerner and amateur ghost hunter Nolie Stanhope isn't thrilled to be spending her summer vacation with her father in the Scottish village Journey's End. This changes when she becomes friends with Bel McKissick, and discovers a mysterious fog bank called the Boundary. When Albert Etheridge, who disappeared in 1914, reappears in the fog with no memory of how he got there, and other people start disappearing, it's up to Nolie and Bel to save the village. Journey's End is a fun, fast paced book about mystery, history, and friendship.”
— Sami Thomason (E), Square Books, Oxford, MS
By Martine Murray
Knopf Books for Young Readers
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“When one of her mother's potions goes wrong, Molly must puzzle out a remedy. Her mom is trapped as a tree and the only person Molly trusts to help her is a mysterious boy named Pim. Molly must embrace all the parts of her life that make her different, all the parts she carefully tries to hide from everyone. I just love the heart of this whimsical, magical adventure: the idea that that which makes you different also makes you special.”
— Clarissa Murphy (E), Brookline Booksmith, Brookline, MA
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“When newsboy Blue - who is really a girl - stumbles into an apprenticeship with a zany inventor and meets a boy named Crow, she doesn't expect to be dragged into a conspiracy involving her newspaper, her country's military and dangerous weaponry. But Blue doesn't mind adventure, and she's ready to protect her new friend at any cost. Ru Xu's inventive steampunk world is the perfect backdrop for a story about choosing: choosing identity, choosing friends, and choosing to fight and protect your choices. Heartfelt and beautifully illustrated, NEWSPRINT will be read and reread by kids who aren't quite ready for and those who are already fans of”
— Nicole Brinkley (E), Oblong Books And Music,LLC., Millerton, NY
By Jacqueline Davies
Katherine Tegen Books
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“The first day of sixth grade starts with a
bang--a literal explosion--for Maggie, and the excitement builds
from there as the last class to attend Odawahaka Middle School
takes on a prankster, an authoritarian principal, a teacher who
doesn't care, and a giant mouse who's running for class
president. In the midst of the chaos, Maggie finds a new friend,
learns about honest business practices, and deepens her
relationships with her grumpy grandfather and distant mother. She
and that new friend, Lena, also keep their school, the entire
town, and readers of this fun book in a constant state of
anticipation, wondering what their next prank will be. I look
forward to the next book in this clever middle grade series!”
— Carla Ketner (W), Chapters Books & Gifts, Seward, NE
By Holly Webb
Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
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“What a joy to return to the scene of a beloved children's classic. In the dark days leading up to WWII, the orphans of the Craven Home are evacuated to Misselthwaite Manor. It is there that sad and lonely Emmie Hatton finds some happiness. The kindly gardener and loving owners of the manor offer Emmie refuge for her body and soul. The garden may no longer be secret, but it still possesses the magic. RETURN TO THE SECRET GARDEN with Holly Webb and enjoy the wonder of childhood and the magic of friendship in this sequel that is sure to warm the hearts of young readers everywhere. This is an absolute literary delight.”
— Pamela Klinger-Horn (E), Excelsior Bay Books, Excelsior, MN
By Ron McGee, Chris Samnee (Illus.)
HarperCollins
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“Wow - what a page turner! 8th grader Ryan Quinn has no idea his parents are part of a super secret”
— Maureen Palacios (E), Once Upon a Time, Montrose, CA
By Ami Polonsky
Disney-Hyperion
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“Clara and her parents are mired in grief for her older sister, adopted from China, whom they lost to cancer. At the mall one day, Clara aimlessly reaches into a handbag on display - only to find a note pleading for help from Yuming, a child imprisoned in a factory in China where the bag was made. Clara knows immediately that she was meant to rescue Yuming and the other children in the factory. The story, told back and forth from each child's perspective, is riveting and deeply moving. What a wonderful opportunity for American kids to get an eye-opening look at the bitter reality of some of the world's children. The absence of a contrived happy ending (but a thoroughly satisfying conclusion nonetheless) sealed the deal for me.”
— Banna Rubinow (E), The River's End Bookstore, Oswego, NY
By Jennifer Bell
Crown Books for Young Readers
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“Exciting and new! Ivy Sparrow, just an ordinary girl living in Bletchy Scrubb with her too-cool-for-everything teenaged brother Seb, is flabbergasted when she comes home from visiting her grandmother at the hospital to discover her home has been ransacked and there are odd looking policemen standing outside wielding... toilet brushes? A conch shell? And paper clips? The police give chase, and while trying to get away, the siblings find themselves transported (via being swallowed by a suitcase!) to a very strange underground market city: Lundinor, where bells can talk and gloves keep your promises for you. When Ivy is separated from Seb, she has to use her wits and the strange, uncommon objects of Lundinor to navigate the mysteries of this new world. Who does she trust? What does her grandmother have to do with it? And will she ever find Seb? Filled with a twisty plot, well considered secrets, and an interestingly crafted new world, THE UNCOMMONERS is the promising beginning of a new series.”
— Alison Nolen (E), Linden Tree, Los Altos, CA
By Kara LaReau, Jen Hill (Illus.)
Amulet Books
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“Kale and Jaundice Bland like living their boring life, darning socks and eating the same thing everyday. But their lives are turned upside down when they're kidnapped by a band of female pirates. Will the Bland sisters survive their thrilling new life? Well, maybe with the help of their trusty dictionary, selections of which appear at the top of each chapter.”
— Marika McCoola (E), Porter Square Books, Cambridge, MA
By Jerry Spinelli
Knopf Books for Young Readers
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“Spinelli has done it, another book as powerful as Maniac Magee. This was a romp to read with an unusual setting, a girl being raised by her father, a prison warden, and a changing string of female trustees. Cammie O' Reilly had a quite free life. She even liked it when one of the people in town called her a curmudgeon. However, when her best friend began to mature, she decided she really needed a mother and set out to create one in the trustee, Eloda.
Eloda is a wise woman and knows what Cammie needs. Just when the reader begins to predict the ending, Spinelli spins the story. All is not what it seemed!”
— Shirley Mullin (M), Kids Ink, Indianapolis, IN
Winter Kids Indie Next List
By Tiffany D. Jackson
Katherine Tegen Books
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“Nine year old Mary B. Addison is guilty of murdering a 3 month old child, a child left under her mother's care; allegedly. When Mary is faced with a life changing event, at the age of 16, she feels that she must tell the truth of the terrible and fateful night. Desperate to do right for herself, after all these years, Mary begins to talk about relationships that hurt her and the reason she didn't speak up for herself at the time. As secrets are revealed, you begin to see the real Mary...but who is she?
Highly addictive book that held me captive until the very end, I couldn't put it down. Will be highly recommending to those looking for the next Gone Girl, Girl on the Train type of book.”
— Teresa Steele (E), Old Firehouse Books, Fort Collins, CO
By Veronica Roth
Katherine Tegen Books
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“Cyra Noavek both experiences constant
pain, and causes pain to everyone she touches; her brother uses
her as a weapon against her will. Akos Kereseth is the only
person capable of interrupting Cyra's pain, and is captured by
her brother. Cyra and Akos begin the story at odds, but quickly
grow close as they both learn more about their respective
cultures, and have to challenge their preconceived notions about
each other. Carve the Mark is at once beautiful, suspenseful, and
deeply layered. Roth has put together a stunning sophomore series
that is full of magic, oracles, fights to the death, corrupt
leaders, and a brand new solar system.”
— Read Davidson (W), Harvard Book Store, Cambridge, MA
By Natalie C. Anderson
G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
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“This isn't your typical story about Kenya. Tina--or Tiny as she's known to her fellow Goondas--is a hardened thief who plans a digital heist to publicly shame, then rob, the man she believes killed her mother. Tina's plot takes an unexpected turn when she's forced to question whether she actually knows who's responsible for her mother's murder. As Tina unravels the mysteries surrounding her mother's death, hackers, gangsters, and young love make this a fun, fast-paced thriller. And Tina is the perfect spunky and tough heroine for YA readers.”
— Cheryl Watkins (E), Bookworks of Whitefish, Whitefish, MT
By Chelsea Sedoti
Sourcebooks Fire
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“Hawthorn is an engaging young woman with a vivid imagination, even if she is a bit rude and narcissistic. She is finding her place and trying to answer a lot of life's tough questions, and her investigation into the puzzling disappearance of Lizzie may hasten that process. With an interesting and diverse supporting cast, this novel is full of topics that are relevant to teens: bullying, self-esteem, family dynamics, and suicide. Highly recommended.”
— Holly Frakes, Schuler Books & Music, Okemos, MI
By Len Vlahos
Bloomsbury Children's Books
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“Jared and Deidre have two loving but very different daughters Jackie and Megan. When Jared, a state congressman gets a diagnosis of terminal brain cancer, he is panicked that the family will not be cared for financially. He puts his”
— Valerie Koehler (M), Blue Willow Bookshop, Houston, TX
By Robin Roe
Disney-Hyperion
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“Adam and Julian were foster brothers, but they haven't seen each other in years. Adam is a senior just trying to finish high school, while Julian is the quiet freshman who likes to keep his secrets to himself, write stories, and stay out of trouble. Serving as an aide to the school counselor, Adam is reunited with Julian when the counselor asks him to track down the reticent student. When the truth of Julian's living situation is revealed, both of their lives are put on the line. This raw, heartbreaking story is one that beautifully speaks to the true meaning of friendship, brotherhood, and family.”
— Shannon Alden (E), Literati Bookstore, Ann Arbor, MI
By Patricia Hruby Powell, Shadra Strickland (Illus.)
Chronicle
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“Patricia Hruby Powell has written an incredibly moving account of the landmark civil rights case of Mildred and Richard Loving versus the state of Virginia. All that this interracial couple wanted to do was marry the person they loved - but to do so in the 1950s was illegal not only in Virginia but also 19 other states. Powell's documentary novel, combining primary source material with free verse, adeptly captures the voices and perspectives of all the major players, both in court and out. As a lawyer-turned-bookseller, I am deeply impressed by Powell's ability to clarify a complex issue while simultaneously telling a richly layered story.”
— Ellen Klein (E), Hooray for Books!, Alexandria, VA
By Justine Larbalestier
Soho Teen
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“Che's life revolves around the whims of
his kid-sister Rosa. Even though she seems like a beautiful and
charming 10 year old on the outside, Che knows she has a complete
disregard for rules, she's devoid of any empathy, and her actions
are fearless of consequences. She scares Che and he can't
convince his parents to see what he sees in his”
— Jessica Perez (W), University Book Store, Mill Creek, WA
By Audrey Coulthurst, Jordan Saia (Illus.)
Balzer + Bray
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“This book has it all--political intrigue, mysterious assassinations, characters bursting with personality, and queer teens in love. An excellent read, with great pacing, fascinating worldbuilding, and social tensions that have nothing to do with queer love and everything to do with secret magics and duty to one's kingdom over that of one's heart. Wonderful for readers of Malinda Lo and Kristin Cashore--it's been a while since I found a YA novel so compelling and joyful to read.”
— Gretchen Treu (E), A Room of One's Own Feminist Bookstore, Madison, WI
By Neal Shusterman
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
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“In the future, people no longer age or die. All diseases have been eradicated, there is no war, no jail, no government. Everyone is immortal, everyone is the age they want to be. Unfortunately, there is always a catch.
This series shows the darker side of utopia. Since people no longer die naturally, a society of reapers called scythes keep the population under control. Every year, they are given a quota to fill, a certain amount of people that they must 'glean' in order to keep the world from overflowing with people.
Citra Terranova and Rowen Damisch are two young apprentices who are fighting against one another to be scythes, a position neither of them really wants. And in order to win, they must not only learn all the ways to kill a person, but also navigate the politics of an increasingly corrupt organization that's against them every step of the way.”
— Kris Stephens (E), Watermark Books, Wichita, KS
By E.K. Johnston
Disney-Hyperion
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“A beautiful book about finding home when one's home is lost, the power of creation, and of love, servitude, and the intersection of the two. A true masterpiece in which real magic is found in simple choices and the bonds you create.”
— Rachel Bellavia, Read Between the Lynes, Inc., Woodstock, IL
By Jessica Abel
Super Genius
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“This is everything I want in a graphic novel -- a protagonist not willing to give up on her dreams in a sci-fi world. Highly relatable and with enough action to keep the reader interested, but not overwhelmed, I finished volume one, and wished that volume two was available!”
— Clarissa Hadge (E), Trident Booksellers & Cafe, Boston, MA