AWESOME OCTOBER!

PICTURE BOOKS

Gold by David Shannon - a modern take on the King Midas story

Monster Boogie by Laurie Berkner - Who can resist dancing monsters?

Mi Ciudad Sings by Cynthia Harmony - The every day sounds of a neighborhood in Mexico City are shattered by an earthquake. I had no idea this was about an earthquake when I started reading this which made it a very different "community coming together" story.

Patchwork by Matt de la Peña; illustrated by Corinna Luyken - think before you slip a child - or anyone - into a convenient category. "You are more than a single note -- played again and again. You are a symphony." And Luyken's illustrations are lovely!

Sometimes Cake by Edwina Wyatt - An encouragement to celebrate both small and big things. And don't forget to celebrate YOU! 

Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall - a spectacular book about the history of an old farmhouse. 

All Are Neighbors by Alexandra Penfold - Another book celebrating community and reminds us to love and respect our neighbors.

 

NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOKS 

Mae Makes a Way: The True Story of Mae Reeves, Hat and History Maker by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich; illustrated by Andrea Pippins - Filled with hope and inspiration, you will want to plan a trip to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture after reading about Mae Reeves.

 

Pizza: A Slice of History by Greg Pizzoli - filled with fascinating information about one of America's favorite foods. Of course there's a recipe!  

Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky by Brew-Hammond, Nana Ekua - Five stars for this fascinating look at the history of the color blue. You will never look at blue the same way after reading this amazing book.

BEGINNING CHAPTER BOOK

Charlie & Mouse are Magic, Book #6 by Laurel Snyder -  #6 in the further adventures of two siblings - Charlie and Mouse. These books are a delightful slice of everyday family life with two small children.

 

Narwhalicorn and Jelly, Book #7 by Ben Clanton - Another graphic novel adventure with Narwhal and Jelly! In this book, Narwhal learns to be a better listener and friend. And Jelly learns that he needs his sleep and that it's OK to say not to an adventure with a friend. Clanton just announced Book #8 - A Super Scary Narwhalloween! due out on July 4, 2023.

 

MIDDLE GRADE aka TWEEN 

 

Maizy Chen's Last Chance by Lisa Yee - You will learn both good and bad things about Chinese immigration to America over the past 100+ years. And you may also cry. But it's a great book about family, friendship, and overcoming prejudice. 

 

Odder by Katherine Applegate -  Again, expect to learn a lot about sea otters and their place in the marine world habitat. This is a book in verse so it is a very quick read! Also, expect to fall in love with otters and have a burning desire to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium!

 

Gravebooks by A. J. White - This is a sequel to Nightbooks. It's spooky. There are witches and other monsters. But it's also a book about family, friendship, and believing in yourself.  I'm not much of a spooky book reader but I enjoyed these books!

 

Lily and the Night Creatures by Nick Lake; illustrated by Emily Gravett -  So I picked this one up for three reasons - I love Emily Gravett's illustrations; I have read other books by Lake that I have enjoyed; and the reviews said the book was quite a bit like Coraline by Neil Gaiman. And it is since old magic evil creatures have taken over as replacements for Lily's real mum and dad. Who are at the hospital having Lily's new baby sister. And Lily - who is quite ill with a chronic disease - must figure out how to oust the unreal parents from her home before her real parents come back. She does have help - from some old magic good creatures that are animals. But it is really about believing in yourself and accepting things you can't control. 

 

The Pear Affair by Judith Eagle - A bit of a madcap historical mystery with just a touch of darkness, I read The Secret Starling and enjoyed it so thought I would read the newest installment. They are stand-alones but are both about kids in mysteriously terrible circumstances who manage to figure out what is going on and get themselves to their own happily ever after. There's a new one out - The Accidental Stowaway. If you enjoy the Myrtle Hardcastle or Aggie Morton books, you might like these!

 

YOUNG ADULT 

 

The Toll, #3 in The Arc of a Scythe by Neal Shusterman - I must confess that I pre-ordered this ages ago and then did not read it right away. But Shusterman has a book of short stories - Gleanings - set in the Scythe world and I knew I needed to read this before I read those. And I, of course, loved it. These are quite dystopian. And unnerving in many ways.

 

The Hawthorne Legacy and The Final Gambit, Inheritance Games #2 & #3 by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - A Cinderella-esque mystery. And if you thought the Final Gambit meant that we were done with the Hawthornes, fear not! Barnes has a new three book series that will allow us to continue reading about the enigmatic Hawthorne Brothers!

 

ADULT 

 

Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen - a ghost story, a love story, and a mystery all rolled up together. I really enjoyed this one and still think about the characters and wonder what they are up to! 

 

Death at the Manor, Lily Adler #3 - a bit of a Gothic mystery finds Lily visiting her aunts in the English countryside. And being pursued by a suitor and also, possibly, a ghost!

 

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn -  What happens to hired assassins - who are part of a secret government agency founded on concepts of justice - when it is time for them to retire? Well, let's just say it is probably best not to mess with The Sphinxes.