New Release Spotlight – June 11, 2024

This week’s Spotlight is on the smaller side, especially for middle grades and picture books. I have once again brought in a few titles from previous weeks that I’ve had my eye on but did not previously include in a Spotlight. Sometimes, the reviews just do not come in before publication day.

Popular authors this week include: Kristen Cashore, Kim Johnson, Varsha Bajaj, Alechia Dow, Gennifer Choldenko, Melissa Cristina Márquez, and Nadia Hashimi.

My top picks this week:

• The Color of a Lie by Kim Johnson (YA)
• The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko (MG)
• Sea of Constellations by Melissa Cristina Márquez (picture book)

PRESENTATION LINKS:

All three presentations are in Canva and editable! Just click below, then go to File-Make a Copy in your Canva account. If you do not have a Canva account, you can get a free educator account here (must be verified).

I will add titles to the Canva presentations throughout June 2024. By the end of the month, each presentation will have around 20 titles on it.

YA Presentation Link – Grades 7+

Middle Grades Presentation Link – Grades 3-8

Picture Book Presentation Link – PreS-Grade 5+

This week’s Spotlight titles are #4123 – #4134 on The Ginormous Booklist.

 

MY THOUGHTS

Pair this one with The Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley or Those Pink Mountain Nights by Jen Ferguson.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

When local girl Loren includes Mara in a traditional Blackfeet Giveaway to honor Loren’s missing sister, Mara thinks she’ll finally make some friends on the Blackfeet reservation.

Instead, a girl from the Giveaway, Samantha White Tail, is found murdered.

Because the four members of the Giveaway group were the last to see Samantha alive, each becomes a person of interest in the investigation.

And all of them—Mara, Loren, Brody, and Eli—have a complicated history with Samantha.

Despite deep mistrust, the four must now take matters into their own hands and clear their names. Even though one of them may be the murderer.

MY THOUGHTS

I’ve included this one mainly because it’s by Graceling author Kristen Cashore. I am not personally likely to read this title (I have zero desire to relive 2020), but I think this will resonate well with 2020 graduates, especially as we head into another election season with what’s looking to be the same two candidates as in 2020.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

Wilhelmina Hart is part of the infamous class of 2020. Her high school years began with a shocking presidential election and ended with a pandemic.

In the midst of this global turmoil, she also lost one of her beloved aunts, a loss she still feels keenly.

Having deferred college, Wilhelmina now lives in a limbo she can see no way out of, like so many of her peers. Wilhelmina’s personal darkness would be unbearable (especially with another monumental election looming) but for the inexplicable and seemingly magical clues that have begun to intrude on her life—flashes of bizarre, ecstatic whimsy that seem to add up to a message she can’t quite grasp.

But something tells her she should follow their lead. Maybe a trail of elephants, birds, angels, and stale doughnuts will lead Wilhelmina to a door?

MY THOUGHTS

This historical fiction novel gives one teen boy’s perspective on racism and segregation in 1955. The catch? He’s a white-passing African American living in an all-white neighborhood. His race is a closely-guarded secret, even as he wants to fight back against racial oppression in his town.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

Calvin knows how to pass for white. He’s done it plenty of times before. For his friends in Chicago, when they wanted food but weren’t allowed in a restaurant. For work, when he and his dad would travel for the Green Book.

This is different.

After a tragedy in Chicago forces the family to flee, they resettle in an idyllic all-white suburban town in search of a better life.

Calvin’s father wants everyone to embrace their new white lifestyles, but it’s easier said than done. Hiding your true self is exhausting — which leads Calvin across town where he can make friends who know all of him…and spend more time with his new crush, Lily. But when Calvin starts unraveling dark secrets about the white town and its inhabitants, passing starts to feel even more suffocating–and dangerous–than he could have imagined.

Expertly weaving together real historical events with important reflections on being Black in America, acclaimed author Kim Johnson powerfully connects readers to the experience of being forced to live a life-threatening lie or embrace an equally deadly truth.

MY THOUGHTS

This is an LGBT+ murder mystery involving a secret romance and high school witch coven.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

Nesbit Nuñez discovers the partially devoured body of Bastion Attia: star quarterback, secret witch, and Nesbit’s even-more-secret boyfriend.

No one knew why brilliant, gentle Bastion lived his life by a seemingly arcane set of rules, including a strange manner of speech and an inability to say his own name.

Now the remaining members of North Coven—Nesbit, Dove, Drea, and Brandy—vow to get answers. Nothing can prepare them for what they uncover: Bastion had been locked in a terrifying battle of wits and wills with something living deep beneath an ancient mausoleum in the local cemetery.

North Coven must confront the red-gloved monster that took piece after piece of Bastion, that he fought until his last breath. Not knowing that Bastion left behind the key to its destruction…

MY THOUGHTS

This is a graphic novel about a young girl’s search for community and identity when she moves in with her estranged father for the summer. A great pick for students who love watching home renovation TV shows! It has two starred reviews.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

Almudena has always wondered about the dad she never met.

Now, with her white mother headed on a once-in-a-lifetime trip without her, she’s left alone with her Guatemalan father for an entire summer. Xavier seems happy to see her, but he expects her to live in (and help fix up) his old, broken-down brownstone.

And all along, she must navigate the language barrier of his rapid-fire Spanish—which she doesn’t speak.

As Almudena tries to adjust to this new reality, she gets to know the residents of Xavier’s Latin American neighborhood.

Each member of the community has their own joys and heartbreaks as well as their own strong opinions on how this young Latina should talk, dress, and behave. Some can’t understand why she doesn’t know where she comes from. Others think she’s “not brown enough” to fit in.

But time is running out for Almudena and Xavier to get to know each other, and the key to their connection may ultimately lie in bringing all these different elements together.

Fixing a broken building is one thing, but turning these stubborn individuals into a found family might take more than this one summer.

MY THOUGHTS

This is one of those books I’m on the fence about including in the Spotlight. I have two professional reviews, but the Kirkus review is lukewarm. On the other hand, Publishers Weekly starred it. It’s also a Junior Library Guild pick (PG High Plus) for September 2024. I’ve had good experiences with JLG picks, so I tend to trust their choices.

On top of all that, I have coincidentally just started reading Sparks Like Stars, an adult title by this author.

This is also the author of middle grade novels The Sky at Our Feet and One Half from the East, both of which I have recommended for middle school libraries in previous Spotlights.

Spilled Ink came out last week, and I was hoping for more professional reviews this week. I’ve gone ahead and included it because the story is a needed one, and I believe this will be easy to booktalk.

There are very few Goodreads reviews right now, so it’s not much to go on. I have added Spilled Ink to my own TBR and hope to give it a more thorough review in the weeks to come.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

When Yalda hears that her twin brother, Yusuf, will be performing with his band at a local venue, she lets her friends convince her to sneak out to see his show.

But the night has something else in store: After the opening band makes some ugly jokes about “terrorists,” Yusuf uses his time in the spotlight for an impulsive stunt responding to the hate speech.

Suddenly, simmering tensions begin boiling over in their Virginia town, where many Afghan refugees have sought safety. When a video of Yusuf’s performance goes viral online, it seems like everyone in town turns against their family’s restaurant, leaving their livelihood in jeopardy. And then Yusuf is seriously injured in a mysterious fall.

Despite her grieving and frightened family, friends she is not sure she can trust, and a town that no longer feels like a safe home, Yalda must try to find her own voice—and do what she can to change her world for the better.

MY THOUGHTS

This one reminds me of Lisa Fipps’ recent middle grade book, And Then, Boom! Both stories are about parental neglect of 6th grade boys. In this case, the boy is also playing parent to his 3-year old sister.

This title currently has three starred reviews. Author Gennifer Choldenko has published several middle grade titles, including Al Capone Does My Shirts and its sequels.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

When eleven-year-old Hank’s mom doesn’t come home, he takes care of his toddler sister, Boo, like he always does. But it’s been a week now. They are out of food and mom has never stayed away this long… Hank knows he needs help, so he and Boo seek out the stranger listed as their emergency contact.

But asking for help has consequences. It means social workers, and a new school, and having to answer questions about his mom that he’s been trying to keep secret. And if they can’t find his mom soon, Hank and Boo may end up in different foster homes–he could lose everything.

MY THOUGHTS

This cute mystery will be so easy to booktalk with students who love baking! Two best friends join forces to solve the attempted murder of a judge at a baking competition.

It reminds me of a detective mystery I read a long time ago…(digging deep here–I had to do some fancy Googling to remember the title)…Chile Death by Susan Whittig Albert. And also of Taste Test by Kelly Fiore, another title I read a long time ago.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

Laila gave Lucy a cupcake on the second day of kindergarten, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. But the summer before eighth grade, they find out that since they live on opposite sides of town, they’ll go to different high schools. Yuck!

Then Laila’s invited to compete at the Golden Cookie competition, which awards its winner admission and a full ride to the prestigious Sunderland boarding school, and it’s the perfect opportunity.

Sunderland doesn’t just have an elite culinary program; it’s also home to an elite journalism track, if only newscaster-hopeful Lucy could build up a strong enough portfolio to impress the scholarship committee.

But when one of the celebrity judges collapses after sampling Laila’s showpiece, rumors of foul play swirl, with Laila rising to the top of the suspect list. Even worse, a major storm has effectively cut off all access to the outside world.

Can the girls find the real culprit and clear Laila’s name before it’s too late?

MY THOUGHTS

This is an action-packed mystery about a young female tae kwon do fighter auditioning for a role in an upcoming martial arts movie.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

Twelve-year-old Modesty “Mo” Seto dreams of being a taekwondo champion. Even though her mom disapproves, Mo can always count on her dad, who is her number one fan and biggest supporter.

Lately, Mo has been on a losing streak, and it doesn’t help that she keeps losing to her archnemesis, Dax, who’s much bigger than her. If only she were faster, stronger, not so petite. Mo can’t even lean on her dad like usual with how distracted he’s been lately.

When Mo learns about the chance to audition to star alongside her idol and legendary martial artist and movie star Cody Kwok, she knows this her chance to prove to her dad, to the world, and to herself that she can compete with anyone, no matter her size.

Unfortunately, Dax is auditioning, too. As Mo and her nemesis progress to callbacks, someone attempts to sabotage the movie set and Mo’s dad disappears—and both events seem linked to a mysterious book, the Book of Joy.

The book contains information on Xiaoxi Fu, a secret dance-like martial art developed by Mo’s ancestral grandmother.

Armed with these secret moves and an unexpected ally, Mo embarks on a high-octane adventure to rescue her father, save the movie, and discover an unexpected joy in being small.

MY THOUGHTS

This early chapter book will be great at Halloween. It’s a vampire story, but it’s not scary. It’s more about starting school in a new country and trying to fit in with classmates.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

A new early chapter book series starring a lovable vampire who’s just trying to fit in.

Frankie D and his family have just moved from Transylvania, looking for a fresh start. Where Frankie is from, the school day began at midnight and ended at dawn.

Now in America, Frankie and his family must adjust their sleep schedule, train to be out in the sun, and strictly adhere to a vegan, zero-blood diet. Not only that, Frankie has to navigate school as the “new kid” and keep his vampire identity secret from other humans. A tall order for a deathly pale, fanged fourth-grader with a three-legged wolf as a pet!

MY THOUGHTS

This picture book is a story of perseverance and South Asian family traditions. If you are looking for a storytime idea for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May), pair this book with YouTube videos for kids about how to draw mehndi designs.

I strongly recommend that students draw their mehndi designs on paper. They can outline their own hands and cut them out after they complete the designs. I would not personally allow students to draw on themselves or each other due to potential allergies and possible problems with parents. You may also need additional supplies for hand drawing that you won’t need for paper drawing.

Drawing on skin could work in some environments, such as public library storytimes where parents are present. It could also work for an after-school club or a small makerspace group with written parent permission.

If you choose to allow students to draw on their skin or each others’ skin, I have a few tips and warnings:

1. Talk to your school nurse (or consult a nurse) first about potential skin allergies or issues you – or I in this post – might not have thought of.
2. Be sure any markers you use are non-toxic for use on skin (look for temporary tattoo markers or mehndi markers).
3. Consider getting written parent permission. You just never know who is going to have an allergic reaction or whose parents will get upset when their child comes home with drawings on their hands.
4. Some students may not want to have drawings on their skin. Be ready to offer paper and materials for hand-tracing so they can still participate.

This blog post from Thomas Elementary Art describes how an art teacher did mehndi drawings with 2nd graders.

This blog post from Issaquah Schools Foundation includes instructions and a printable pattern examples reference sheet that students can use for ideas. The reference sheet printable is linked under “Materials and Supplies” in the post.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

Nikita is part of a long line of henna artists.

Her grandmother even brought a treasured notebook of designs with her to the US when she moved here from India.

But the first time Nikita tries to make henna art, the mehndi paste looks like an ugly blob, and she feels like giving up.

Still, she continues watching her mother and grandmother make gardens bloom on hands and is intrigued by the beauty of it all. Will she find the courage to try again?

MY THOUGHTS

Author Melissa Cristina Márquez is a marine biologist and the author of Mother of Sharks, another picture book about ocean life and conservation.

How gorgeous is that front cover? I had a look at the illustrations on the Amazon sample. This is now on my TBR as a potential Caldecott 2025 contender.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

Maren the whale shark loves her life as the biggest, brightest fish in the sea. She spends her days exploring the water around her and finding fresh new snacks as she travels.

But one day, the ocean goes dark and Maren’s adventures come to a halt.

With only the glow from the scales on her back and her best friend, Remy the remora, by her side, Maren sets out on her greatest quest yet—to cross the ocean and ask the Aztec goddess Huixtocihuatl about the darkness and to figure out how to bring back the light.

Along the way she meets new friends and exemplifies the power of sharing!

PREVIOUS NEW RELEASE SPOTLIGHTS

    

ABOUT THE SPOTLIGHT

The New Release Spotlight began in May 2016 as a way to help librarians keep up with the many new children’s and YA books that are released each week.

Each week, school librarian Leigh Collazo compiles the New Release Spotlight using a combination of Follett’s Titlewave, Amazon, Goodreads, and Barnes and Noble. Recommended grade levels represent the range of grade levels recommended by professional book reviewers. See the full selection criteria here.

Inevitably, there are far more books that meet my criteria than can make it on the Spotlight. When I have to make the tough decisions on what to include, I just use my “librarian judgment.” Would I buy this book for my own library? Would my students want to read this book? Is the cover appealing? Does it fill a need?