(Photo by Rawley; use with permission only, please.)

Once upon a time, the only Young Adult novels that spoke to me, that moved me, were 1) anything by Judy Blume 2) anything by Norma Klein and 3) S.E. Hinton’s classic, “The Outsiders.” It was, and is, a brilliant work. I met Hinton at Powell’s Books in Beaverton a few years ago, and I am not embarrassed to say, yeah, I fan-girled out, just like all the other fankids in line for her autograph.

Times have changed, and there are so many amazing YA books — and graphic novels!! so many graphic novels — on the shelves now. Here is a sampling of recent releases… but just the scary ones.

I’m over summer and ready for autumn, and Halloween. (More titles, not so scary, to follow in next review.) Additionally? I can only read scary, creepy, jump-scare books in the middle of the day. Also? I am not going to be held responsible if you read any of these and they terrify you or your kids so much that you/they have nightmares.

OK, ready?

First up: Kelly Creagh’s “Strange Unearthly Things” (Viking, 2023, ages 12 and up, 355 pages, $19.99). I love the pink/gray/black cover, I completely love it. I know, don’t judge a book and all that, but sometimes the cover and the writing and the topic just all go pow! into a perfect storm. Plus, “Hell is coming for him… but so is she,” is a tagline that gives me the shivers.

And that is this novel.

Our heroine, Jane Reye (the book is a paranormal shout-out to Charlotte Bronte’s classic, “Jane Eyre”) is on a flight. Her own highway to hell. The flight attendant, and the passenger seated next to her, are concerned. The flight attendant approaches:

“Her lilac perfume makes me gasp.

Because Helen.

‘Can I help you with this?’ She hands me one of the sketches among the mix that doesn’t depict a spirit.

‘I’m good,’ is all I can say as I collect from her the surrealist drawing of a girl peeling her skin off like a T-shirt to reveal a skeletal rib cage stuffed to bursting with flowers.”

That’s all you’re getting from me. You like scary-goth novels? Check it out. I would say this one is for bigger kids, but books? They’re personal. I spent most of my childhood having the librarians tell me “no” and my mom saying, “Give them here,” and checking out the “grown-up” books for me. I am no worse for the wear. I liked to read, I still like to read, and I have so many questions. I did then, and I do now. So please trust your kids’ judgment. xoxoxox

“Finch House,” by the talented and amazing Ciera Burch, is a gift of a novel. (Margaret K. McElderry Books, on sale Sept. 5, 2023, ages 8 and up, grades 3-7, 197 pages, $17.99.) Michaela “Micah,” who is eleven, loves living with her Poppop and mom in their comfortable family home. But her mom wants them to start over an hour away. To avoid packing, she leaves the house, and ends up where she’s been warned to never go — the haunted-looking and run down Finch House. She meets a new friend, Theo.

Is he trustworthy? Is the house what it seems to be? And where is Poppop? Great read, gripping story, believable dialogue and characters.

“Ashton Hall” is the new book from Lauren Belfer (“City of Light”). (Ballantine Books, 2022, 410 pages, teens and older, $17.00.) It’s so… vintage. (I mean that as a compliment.) And just creepy and lovely, in that Elizabethan/Goth way. Hannah Larson, our heroine, and her little boy, Nicky, head to Cambridge, England, to care for an ailing relative. Skeletal remains are discovered and then… you’ll have to wait to find out. Fantastic descriptions, and I love the house, which is a character all its own, dating back to the early 1600s.

Next we have two scary titles from author Dan Poblocki, illustrated by Marie Bergeron, ideal from middle grades and up:  “Tales to Keep You Up at Night” (Penguin Workshop, 2022, 262 pages, $8.99) and “More Tales to Keep You Up at Night”  (Penguin Workshop, 2023, 279 pages, $17.99). I love that Poblocki has been dubbed “the middle grade Crypt Keeper.” Perfecto. (I want more art included, though — Bergeron is talented.) If this one is a hit for you, readers, he has a whole slew of other titles, including “Ghost Hunter’s Daughter” and “The Book of Bad Things.”

Speaking of bad things, haha!… our final book this evening is Rob Renzetti’s “The Horrible Bag of Terrible Things” (Penguin Workshop, 2023, 215 pages, $17.99). Zenith Maelstrom (great name) is 11-going-on-12. His first thought when he finds the so-called “horrible bag” on his front porch is, Does he want his sister to know? No. She gives him too much grief. And our story begins.

OK, I have the shivers now, and it just got dark outside. It’s that time of year when it gets darker and darker, earlier and earlier. Maybe I’m not ready for fall? Too late.

Have fun reading, y’all. Talk soon.

WM

(Photo by Rawley/Use with permission only)

I have a big ol’ stack of Young Adult novels to review, but for now, finishing up on the gorgeous selection of picture books I’ve received. All are sure to make the kids (and their parents) smile.

“Bitsy Bat, School Star” has BIG STAR plans. Big, big, batty plans. The inimitable Kaz Windness wrote and illustrated this fun and poignant book, which is perfect for those of us who are not your typical peeps. (Paula Wiseman Books/Simon & Schuster, 2023, ages 4 and up, $18.99.)

“This Train is Bound for Glory,” by Alice Faye Duncan, with art by Paul Kellam, is pretty glorious, in the truest sense of the word (WaterBrook, 2023, all ages, $14.99). “‘All aboard!’ calls the merry conductor. His voice is like the wind — loud, warm and strong,” and off we go on a big adventure on the Glory Train.

This story is based on the African American spiritual first recorded in 1922.

“My Mama Says There Aren’t Any Zombies, Ghosts, Vampires, Creatures, Demons, Monsters, Fiends, Goblins, Or Things” (1973). This Judith Viorst classic, with drawings by Kay Chorao, is a lot of fun (even if you’re a little bit scared of zombies or any of the other creatures mentioned in the title).

“My Dad Is a Tree,” is a hilarious new picture book written and illustrated by Jon Agee (Rocky Pond Books/Penguin Random House, 2023, all ages, $18.99). Madeleine’s dad is cleaning up leaves while Madeleine pretends to be a tree. Why? “Because a tree gets to stay outside all day long!” Will her dad play, too? The yard mess can wait. Cool illustrations that will give readers fun ideas on creating their own art. Maybe with leaves?

Have a superfun, happy, good August, and keep reading. All for now, bon appetit!

WM

(Photo by Rawley/Use with permission only, please)

“These Olive Trees: A Palestinian Family’s Story,” (Viking; release scheduled for end of August, 2023; ages 3 and up, $18.99). Aya Ghanameh, a Palestinian writer, illustrator and designer, is from Amman, Jordan. She did a tremendous job with this work, her first picture book, which is based on her family’s history, loss, and perseverance.

It’s 1967 in Palestine, where Oraib lives in a refugee camp with her parents, younger brother and younger sister. Every year, Oraib helps her mother make the olive oil, picking the fruit, stomping on it, then curing and brining it for the final product. They don’t just make oil, though — they use the trimmings to light fires, make tools and ornaments, and they make soap, too.

Then one day, Mama says they have to leave.

The colors of this exquisite book are muted and rich, all at once. Shades of brown, green, yellow and soft gray tell a heartbreaking, yet hopeful, story.

Check out the author’s website: AyaGhanameh.com. She posts on Instagram at @AyaIllustrates.

“The Together Tree” is a cool new picture book by Aisha Saeed, author, and LeUyen Pham, Caldecott Honor winning illustrator. (Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster, 2023, ages 3 and up, $18.99.)

“Rumi joined Ms. Garza’s class on the first warm day of spring. Icicles melted from trees. Water dripped from the eaves. Droplets trailed down the windows.”

You know the picture books I love? The ones with art so beautiful you could frame it; the children’s faces, so vivid and alive; and every book on the shelf, in the illustrations of the classroom or the library, a different color, all lined up. Awww, that’s this book. So pretty.

Great art, and a great story about how we can work together instead of tearing each other apart.

Author Jonah Winter and artist Jeanette Winter bring us “The Snow Man: A True Story,” a picture book-biography about billy barr (he spells it without capital letters) who has studied the weather, flowers and life, in general, from his cabin in the Rocky Mountains. (Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster, 2023, all ages, $18.99.)

barr’s story is incredible, and the details make this book pretty special. He grew up in Trenton, New Jersey, but for 51 years now he’s lived in the wilderness, near a ghost town called Gothic. The closest town, Crested Butte, is eight miles away. He intended to stay one summer, but started measuring the snowfall, watching the wildlife and the wildflowers, and has been able to use his work to show the impact of global warming. Fine illustrations (look for barr’s friends, the skunk and the pine marten) and a great story. (Yes, barr still lives and works in his favorite place on earth.)

(Photo by Rawley/use with permission only, please.)

What’s on the dining room table today? Hmm… Good books!

“Girls on Wheels,” written by Srividhya Venkat, illustrated by Kate Wadsworth (Kokila/Penguin Young Readers, 2023, $18.99). Three fictional skater girls, Anila, Sana and Damini, take part in the modern day female skateboarding revolution in India. Yes! Empowering, cool picture book for ages 4 and older.

“You Can(‘t) Be A Pterodactyl!” by James Breakwell, with illustrations by Sophie Corrigan (Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin Random House, 2023, $18.99). Super sweet book about a little guy who is living his best life — and best dreams — in spite of what anyone has to say about it.

“Sometimes I Am Furious,” written by Timothy Knapman, with art by Joe Berger (Penguin Workshop, 2023, ages 3 and up, $18.99). “Small girl… BIG feelings!” I can relate.

“If You Get Lost,” by Nikki Loftin, with illustrations by Deborah Marcero (Anne Schwartz Books, 2023, $18.99). A sweet girl loses her stuffed bunny. Will he find his way back to her? His forest friends will help. Lovely book.

“The World’s Best Class Plant,” by Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick, with pictures by Lynnor Bontigao (G.P. Putnam’s Sons/Penguin Random House, 2023, $18.99). Scanlon and Vernick collaborated on a very funny book, “Bob, Not Bob!” and Bontigao wrote (and illustrated) “Sari-Sari Summers,” an ode to the Philippines, and grandmothers.

In this new creation, we are introduced to Arlo, his teacher, Mr. Boring (not his real name) and the students of Room 109. They do not have a class cockatiel, or chinchilla. They have a… plant. And it just kinda sits there. They name him Jerry, because he looks like a Jerry. And then… things change. Sweet book, great info about plants, with detailed, superb illustrations. This is a cool story about what happens when the unexpected happens.

“Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson,” was written by the daughter of the famous and talented baseball player. (Scholastic, 2009, all ages.) Sharon Robinson’s story about her brothers, herself, her dad and the neighbor children is full of smiles. Kadir Nelson’s art, brilliant as always, was made with oil, watercolor and pencil. Two thumbs up.

Ahhh, I like when people write what they know. Before she illustrated the popular “Fancy Nancy” books, Robin Preiss Glasser was a dancer, a ballerina, a beautiful and gifted ballerina, in fact, with the Pennsylvania Ballet. She is also an alumna with the American Ballet Theatre’s scholarship program. Her sister, Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman, is also a big deal. She wrote “You Can’t Take a Balloon into the Metropolitan Museum,” a very awesome kids’ book, and its sequels. She created them with her sister! And I bet they didn’t even have one fight while they worked together on them.

Their newest book, presented by American Ballet Theatre, is a delightful picture book called “Gloria’s Promise: A Ballet Dancer’s First Step” (Random House Studio, 2023, $18.99).

All for now, friends! Talk soon. Keep reading and enjoy your August.

WM

(Photo by Rawley/use with permission only, please)

Today’s reviews: graphic novels for young readers.

Francine Pascal’s “Sweet Valley Twins,” an oldie but goodie series for ages 4th grade and up, is being reissued in comic book form. “Teacher’s Pet,” adapted by Nicole Andelfinger, with illustrations by Claudia Aguirre, is first on the shelf (RH Graphic/Random House Kids, 2023, 200 pages, $13.99). California sisters Jessica and Elizabeth are back, and in rare form. Who will be cast as the lead in the upcoming ballet recital? And will Jess ever get to go to the beach with her friends and just relax? The graphic novel format suits the series — the drawings are reminiscent of the Archie comics. The book includes an excerpt of the upcoming Sweet Valley release, “Choosing Sides.”

Underwater party! Here is “Shark Princess: Shark Party!” written by Nidhi Chanani, with color by Elizabeth Kramer (Viking, 2023, ages 5 and up, 79 pages, $12.99). This fun read for summer has a hardbound cover (perma-bound, as it’s known in the publishing industry — no dust jacket, and sturdy). Kitana and Mack are off on new adventures. Mack is ready for the shark party — playing games, dancing, meeting new sharks and having fun. But Kitana has other plans. So many puns, bright colors, and lots of shark info are wrapped up in this book.

“Enlightened,” written and illustrated by the gifted Sachi Ediriweera, is an outstanding new biography about Buddha. (Atheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon & Schuster, 2023, tentative release date end of September, $13.99 paperback, $22.99 hardcover.) The graphic novel, aimed at young adults (grade 7 and up), truly is a groundbreaking work. The art is done in a two-color palette, and is beautiful. The storyline (lightly fictionalized, but based on historical facts) follows the young Prince Siddhartha from the palace at Kapilavastu, in the plains of central Nepal, to his later years, when he becomes the sage who founds Buddhism. Good resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about Buddhism.

All for now!

WM

(Jamison Park, downtown Portland, Ore. Photo by Rawley; use with permission only, please)

Not writing a review today — I’d like to spend the day reading, instead. How’s that for an idea? I just received four outstanding young adult novels, and yes, I did start reading all four of them at once. I do this all the time and it’s my worst/best habit. I’ll give you the titles and a bit of info for now, in case you’d like to check them out for yourself, a kid or a friend.

Happy Sunday! Happy reading.

WM

I received two novels that are written in free verse. I love this style and how it invites the reader in. Here is the first one:

“The Order of Things,” by Kaija Langley (Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin Random House, 2023, 269 pages, $17.99). Heartbreaker of a story, with a rhythm all its own. This is the tale of April Janelle Jackson and her best friend and neighbor Zee (Zander, son of Papa Zee), April’s mom and the others in their life. Zee plays violin; April is a drummer; and this, this new school year, they’re starting at different schools. They are A-Z.

“The Moment

the elevator doors open on our floor,

the blissful scent of baked

bread and cloves fills the hallway.

Mama bakes all kinds of things,

rolls and loaves, cookies and

croissants, muffins and buns,

making my mouth water each time.

I high-five Zee goodbye for now, slip

into my apartment like a whisper.”

“Aniana Del Mar Jumps In,” by Jasminne Mendez, is the second free verse book, and is great, too. (Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House, 2023, 374 pages, $18.99.) Aniana lives with her Papi and Mami in the Dominican Republic. Thoughtful, poetic book about living with a chronic, scary disease, and fighting to not give up the things you love.

“Give Me a Sign,” by Anna Sortino (G.P. Putnam/Penguin Random House, 2023, 303 pages, $18.99). Tender, lovely book about first love at a youth summer camp and Deaf Pride. Great read for summer or any other time of the year.

“The Year My Life Went Down the Toilet,” by Jake Maia Arlow is another new book about a potentially tricky topic — Crohn’s Disease. (Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House, 2023, 284 pages, $17.99.) The only thing worse than dealing with middle school is dealing with middle school when you have a situation you do not want to discuss.

Talk soon, everyone, hope you’re finding some good pages to read. (It’s Disability Pride month, by the way, and those last three titles are in honor of it.)

WM

(Photo credit to Rawley; use with permission only)

Good afternoon, friends. I’m trying to write a book review a day, wish me luck.

“I Have Seven Dogs” is a new, funny, furry, cute picture book from storyteller Molly Horan and artist Dana Wulfekotte. (Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin Random House, 2023, $18.99.) This book and its creators cannot go wrong with me, even before I open it up, because 1) Not just dogs, seven (count ’em 7) puppies and 2) They put two big collies on the front cover. My neighbor has one, and when he looks at me, he slooooooowly rotates his head like an alien, and it fractures me every time. Collies are nutty and hard-working, I love them so. I love dogs, cats, and chickens, people! Not skunks. But they’re good little diggers so that’s something, I guess. The skunks eat the bugs and grubs and all.

The star of our book, lil Zoe, wants a dog, but her family doesn’t have room for one. (I’m pretty sure she’s a NYC kid. Or maybe Brooklyn?) So she finds a creative solution and awwww… The two collies from the cover appear during Zoe’s piano lesson — they like to dance to the music. Surprised? Ha. Awesome book, with a fun story and lively illustrations. And now, a brief story a la Wacky Mommy. (Did I ever tell you about the reporter I worked with who constantly mixed up words? “Ooooooh, I love little antidotes!” Heeheehaaaaa. It was cute, yet a little annoying.)

Anywho.

When I was a kid, my mom had this boyfriend who was nice enough, but oddly, my ma wasn’t as impressed with him as he was with himself.

I think he was a dentist. Or something. Everyone I knew worked at gas stations or the store, or built things, so I was confused by this “career choice,” as was my sister. He drove a weird car (our late father drove a ’66 Chevy Nova, fire engine red, with a red interior, and hello, a V8, because in the ’60s and ’70s they built some bitchin’ cars).

But this poor guy… weird car. Little. A strange little squished-in car. Not from a wreck, it was just… squished. Small. Like a tiny little pretend car. Sure, we were only kids, but we knew cars.

“What’s wrong with his car? Mom, it’s like a little… a little… sardine can or something!?!? It’s all squished in,” my sister and I wailed. In unison no doubt, because we backed each other up and pretty much terrorized everyone else, starting with our family and neighbors.

Mom, hissing, warning us to not insult the poor guy: “It’s a Mercedes.”

Like that made a difference. So we kept repeating, Little sardine can, little sardine can… until she gave up on us.

Look, I feel bad, telling you this story, about this poor guy and his poor little smushed car, but there’s a happy ending, I promise. Well. Not for the dentist, so much.

My mom was a young widow, beautiful, sweet and funny, with these two, I’ll just go ahead and say it, darling little well-behaved girls, so guys were always pestering her, giving her flowers and trying to steal her heart.

“If you really want to win my heart, bring me a puppy, not flowers,” she told Mercedes Guy.

Why she said this, I have no idea. We always had pets, they were always nuts, and the last thing she needed was another puppy, or kid at her house. (Our house was the neighborhood house for restless and misbehaving children and their parents, who usually showed up with a bottle of wine and in need of food. The parents brought the wine, I mean, and everyone wanted to eat.)

The Dentist/Mercedes Guy brought Mom a purebred Shetland Sheepdog. He was the best. He had papers (“Not just newspapers, either!” the grown-ups joked.) His purchase price was three times what our house payment was. Seriously. Our friends and extended family were known for our ill-behaved mutts (my dog bit the neighbor, my best friend’s dog “retrieved” eels from the river, and then swallowed a fish hook, on and on). So a fancy dog was new to us.

Being a fantastic herding dog (he would have done well in Texas, or Australia), he tried to herd the kids, the other dogs, or cats, the neighbors. I mean, he was long-suffering because we never did what he wanted.

I loved my Sheltie. They look like little collies is my point. (You knew I’d get there eventually, no?) Every time we took him for a walk, three or four little kids along the way would scream, Mommy, look, it’s a little Lassie! and yeah, that was hilarious.

Oh, dogs. I love them so, crazy or well-behaved. Oh, right. Mama kept the puppy and ditched the Dentist/Mercedes Guy. The End.

OK, what else am I reviewing this week? Cuz this post is getting too long.

“Chickadee Animal Adventures: Discover the World’s Amazing Animals,” by Stephanie Ledu, translated by Mark Stout (Owl Kids, out of print, unfortunately — I found my copy in a Little Free Library and you can find used copies online). So good, and it’s broken down into categories: In the Country, In the Ocean, in the Desert, etc. Super fun, and cool photos. If you’re lucky enough to nab a copy, the little kids will want you to look at it with them over and over. Perfecto.

Now. Last, but never ever ever least… Really psyched to read “The Bigfoot Queen,” by my BFF Jennifer Weiner. (Only in my head, right, is she my bestie. We’ve never actually met, but I’ve loved her work — artistic and political — since way back when.) This is the third (and final) middle school-level book in Weiner’s Littlest Bigfoot series. (How did I miss the others? I do not know.) It’s due to hit the shelves Oct. 24th, but since she adores me, like I said, I received an early copy.

This one can stand alone (recaps from the earlier books are included) but it’s always great to read the entire series. Have fun, bon appetit, and catch you tomorrow!

WM

(Photo credit to Rawley; use with permission only.)

For today’s review, let’s check out water and the rest of the elements.

“Mother of Sharks” is a big, cool story by marine biologist Melissa Cristina Marquez, with awesome on-land, undersea, and shark illustrations by Devin Elle Kurtz. Marquez wrote this science book in a fantasy style, and it works. She sets it at la Playa del Condado, in Puerto Rico, where she grew up learning to love sharks and the water. Glossary/references/back story/translations are always appreciated, thank you! The illustrations, so flawless, are like something out of a dream. For more about the author and artist’s work, check out info on Marquez and take a look at Kurtz’s website.

Awww, summer = movie tie-ins, and here is another good one. Disney/Pixar’s newest release, “Elemental,”  set in a city “where Fire, Water, Earth and Air Elements reside,” in spite of the fact that they don’t have a lot in common. Or… do they? Look for the junior novelization and the Little Golden Book, they’re sweet.

Talk soon! Bon appetit!

WM

(“Colorado Flowers,” photo by Steven Pings Rawley, use with permission only)

Ha Dinh, who came to America as a child, following the American war in Vietnam, took all of her memories, pain, fears, opportunities, growth and passion to bring us, “Where Wildflowers Grow,” a beautiful new picture book. (Waterbrook, 2023, $14.99.)

Bao Luu illustrated the book — the art is lovingly and colorfully drawn. Two little girls, Ha and Chau, have made a new home and life in their refugee camp in the Philippines. They’re reluctant to leave each other, but Ba and Ma, Ha’s parents, are taking our hero and her siblings to America. This book is a treasure, and includes Ha’s personal story and photos in the back, along with instructions on playing O An Quan, a game Ha and Chau enjoy.

(Photo by Nancy Ellen Rawley; use with permission only) Hello, dear Summer Readers. You’re different than rest-of-the-year readers because it’s summer time and that means, Summer Reading Clubs, Book of the Month Club (my sister gave me a subscription for my birthday! Thanks, schwes!), Reading is Fundamental, beach trips, camping trips, out in the hammock reading time… all of it. So here are a few new titles for you. I’ve never played or really understood Dungeons & Dragons, but there is a new movie out, and that means books and toys to go with it, yay! “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” is a junior novelization that is available in hardback or paperback, with color inserts. The hardback includes the color inserts, plus a cool little poster. All kinds of cool stuff to go along with the movie and the books — action figures, a Monopoly game… have fun. My new favorite book (I’m about halfway through reading it) is Jenna Yoon’s “Lia Park and the Heavenly Heirlooms.”  (This is the second book in the adventure/magic/fantasy series.) Our 12-year-old heroine is now attending the International Magic Academy full-time with her best friend Joon, and her magic abilities aren’t exactly going the way she’d like. This is a great, well-written and interesting book. The grown-ups and the kids will all enjoy this one. Enjoy your summer. Put some Otter Pops in the freezer and fill up the kiddie pool. All for now, bon appetit, WM