Almost summertime and a new round-up of spring titles just for you
I’m ready to say goodbye to winter/spring/rando everything and move into summer. How about you? Here is an amazing and intriguing collection of new releases for you. Enjoy!
- Just started “Growing Home” this morning and it is a delight of a book. (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025, written by Beth Ferry, art by The Fan Brothers, ages 6 and up, 261 pages, $17.99.) Introducing the Tuppers, with Ivy the houseplant, Arthur the recuperating spider, Ollie (a violet), goldfish Toasty and the big oak tree in the front yard. I predict that the kids will like this magical novel, that reads like a grown-up book, very much.
- Almost finished reading “Schooled,” a new middle-grade title from Jamie Sumner (“Roll with It”). (Yes, my former students and I did love the other “Schooled,” Gordon Korman’s middle-grade novel, when it came out. Highly recommend.) Sumner’s book is a healing, not sweetness and light, incredibly compassionate story of a boy, Lenny, and four other kids who are all going through it for different reasons. They’ve landed (with their professor parents) at the university where their folks are teaching, and form a new cohort, in a new setting. Scheduled for release end of August; add it to your list. OK, I’d better type faster — my cat is trying to find a way to walk on the table, but no luck. So many wonderful spring titles! I’m into these stacks and stacks of books but he is not. (Atheneum Books, ages 10 and up, 224 pages, $17.99.)
- “Shorter Christian Prayer” is the newest prayer book I’ve added to my collection, and I love it very much. Morning and evening prayers, and the layout is approachable. Really enjoying this one.
- Latest title in the “Meet the Wild Things” series from Hayley and John Rocco will be on the shelves end of June. “Hello, I’m a Toucan” is as bright and colorful as the featured birds. Facts and links included, and a perfect pick for the nature lovers in your life. (Penguin Young Readers, all ages, $16.99.) Look for the Roccos’ other titles, too, including “Hello, I’m a Quokka” and “Hello, I’m an Axolotl.”
- “Ray: How Light Works” is a new, non-fiction title, part of the “Science Pals” book series, from science writer Emily Kate Moon. I love the design of this book, with some pages you can turn sideways and into posters, lots of facts and figures, and an engaging, easy to understand style. (Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House, 2025, all ages, $18.99.)
My picks of the week are: “Schooled” and “Schooled.” Double schooled. All of the titles in today’s post were sent to me for review purposes. Disclaimer here. Bon appetit! And see you next time
WM