New Release Spotlight – July 23, 2024

I skipped last week’s Spotlight (July 16th) because it was super-skimpy. I have added a couple of the titles from last week’s Spotlight here instead. Middle grade titles look best to me this week!

My top picks:

• The Ghostkeeper by Johanna Taylor (YA)
• Gamerville by Johnnie Christmas (MG)
• When Beavers Flew: An Incredible True Story of Rescue and Relocation by Kristen Tracy (informational 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 July 2024. By the end of July, each presentation will have around 20 titles on it. So great to play on a loop in the library!

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 #4188 – #4201 on The Ginormous Booklist.

 

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

On August 6th, she woke up to find herself stuck in a time loop. And for nearly a month of August 6ths since, Phoebe has relived the same day: pancakes with Mom in the morning, Scrabble with Dad in the afternoon, and constant research into how to reach tomorrow and make it to her appointment with a doctor who may actually take her IBS seriously.

Everything is exactly, agonizingly the same.

That is, until the most mundane car crash ever sends Phoebe’s childhood crush Jess crashing into the time loop.

Now also stuck, Jess convinces Phoebe to break out of her routine and take advantage of their consequence-free days to have fun. From splurging on concert tickets, to enacting (mostly) harmless revenge, to all-night road trips, Jess pulls Phoebe further and further out of her comfort zone–and deeper in love with them.

But the more Phoebe falls for Jess, the more she worries about what’s on the other side of the time loop. What if Jess is only giving her the time of day because they’re trapped with no other options? What if Phoebe’s new doctor dismisses her chronic pain?

And perhaps worst of all: What if she never gets the chance to find out?

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

“I wish to become one of those round vacuum cleaner robots.” That’s what Machi prays for at the altar of Japanese goddess Benzaiten.

Ever since her two best friends decided they want nothing to do with her, Machi hasn’t been able to speak. After months of online school and a carousel of therapists, she can no longer see the point of being human. She doesn’t expect Benzaiten to hear her prayer, much less offer a different prayer on Machi’s behalf—that Machi  discover the beauty of humanity, ultimately restoring her to her previous self.

Benzaiten is enamored with the human world and, as she’s the goddess of love, humanity is enamored right back. Being second-best once again isn’t helping Machi move past her trauma, and with each adventure they share, Machi is reminded of everything she’s lost.

It isn’t until Machi starts interacting with the souls of the dead—which tends to happen around Benzaiten—that she starts to rediscover her place among the living.

This looks really cute and is my top YA pick for this week! The only thing I worry about is the cover – I thought this was going to be a middle grade graphic novel, but it’s YA. I think high school students will still pick it up, but the cover makes it look quite young.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

Dorian Leith can see ghosts. Not only that, he listens to their problems and tries to help them move on to the afterlife. It’s a gift that’s made him an outcast to everyone in town. That is except for his dearly departed grandmother, who he’s partnered with to turn this paranormal ability into an honest living, and the local bookshop owner, who seems to be the only non-deceased person willing to give him a chance.

But it’s all worth it to Dorian, who feels like he’s been given a bigger purpose. A chance to save those who cannot save themselves.

Then one day, the key to Death’s Door is stolen, trapping all the ghosts in the land of the living. Since he’s only one who can see them, the spirits rely on Dorian to retrieve the key before it is too late. If they can’t move on, they’ll soon be consumed by a ghostly rot that has begun to plague them.

As it continues to fester and spread, and the ghosts become desperate for relief, Dorian must do whatever it takes to find a way to bring peace to the restless dead—even if that peace comes at the cost of his own…

This is a new middle grade graphic novel from the Caldecott Honor winning author of Swim Team. I loved Swim Team (read my review here), and I expect to read this one as well. If you are looking for books about a screen-free experience, this one will be a great pick!

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

Max Lightning is howling at the moon—he’s finally qualified for Gamerville, a championship where players compete to be top dog in the multiplayer video game Lone Wolf of Calamity Bay.

But his dreams of domination are doomed when his parents send him to Camp Reset.

Gone are the long nights of downing energy drinks and getting copious amounts of screen time. They’ve been replaced with fresh air and group activities under the hot sun—a shock to the system for a lone wolf like Max.

Can Max escape Camp Reset and level up at Gamerville, or has he finally played his last match?

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

Thunder the dog likes to take naps by the sunny window, sniff around for hidden treats, play fetch, and get cuddles from her favorite human, Sage.

Though Thunder wants to be good for Sage, she’s having a ruff time stopping herself from doing things she knows are wrong – like barking, digging, and chasing suspicious furballs around the yard.

She’s shocked when her inner Wolf appears one day and reveals the truth behind these irresistible impulses. It’s all because dogs are really wolves! (That is, they’re descended from them.) The big question is: Will Thunder choose to be a loyal pet to Sage, or embrace the wild animal within?

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

It’s 1972 and Viva’s Indian family has been expelled from Uganda and sent to a resettlement camp in England, but not all of them made the trip. Her father is supposed to meet them in London, but he never shows up. As they wait for him, Viva, her mother, and her sister get settled in camp and try to make the best of their life there.

Just when she is beginning to feel at home with new friends, Viva and her family move out of the camp and to a part of London where they are not welcome. While grappling with the hate for brown-skinned people in their new community, Viva is determined to find her missing father so they can finish their move to Canada.

When it turns out he has been sponsored to move to the United States, they have to save enough money to join him.

I love that this is only 124 pages and illustrated! We need more short books for middle graders.

Note that the title for this book is currently incorrect in Titlewave. It reads “The Johnny Sea, and Me” in Titlewave, so if you cannot find the book to order, try that title instead.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

Pedro has always dreamed of going to the sea. So when his mom takes him on a special trip to a small island in the Caribbean, he’s so happy that he grows an extra inch! But the troubles at home—bullying from classmates and an absent father—find a way to follow Pedro, even on vacation.

Overwhelmed, the boy takes to the beach and runs away, hoping to leave his worries far behind.

That’s when he meets Johnny, an islander descended from pirates. At first, Pedro is frightened by Johnny’s imposing appearance and brusque manners. But Johnny, along with his chatty parrot Victoria, takes young Pedro under his wing and shares his island and his stories with him, thereby changing Pedro’s life.

Because sometimes, like Pedro, you have to lose yourself to find yourself.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

Sophie Valentine would rather be at home, doing school virtually. Instead, she’s waiting in a crowded middle school building for her best friend, Eve, who’s finally back after an extended absence, which only Sophie knows the truth about.

But when Eve returns, things aren’t the same. First, Eve stops walking to school with her in the morning. Then, she’s ditching Sophie to hang out with the Crash Crew, a group of popular kids notorious for their social media dares. Eve seems to fit right in, but Sophie is devastated: Did she just lose her best friend?

When rumors surface that Eve is hiding a painful secret she didn’t share with Sophie, Sophie is spurred on an investigation to discover what—or who—caused the incident behind Eve’s sudden change…and why all clues lead back to the Crash Crew.

Using lessons from her forensics class and the help of a new friend, Sophie will have to uncover the truth before more harm is done.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

Twelve-year-old Amir is one of the heirs to the Rafiq Bricks Company, a wealthy brick kiln business in Pakistan—except he wants none of it. Seeing straight through the jeweled smiles and transactional conversations, Amir would rather spend time in the courtyard garden, where he can almost feel his missing mother’s presence again.

Amir is devastated when his baba announces plans to remarry by the end of the summer, dropping all searches to find Amir’s mother. It’s all a business move, just like everything else in his life. His mother was the only one who allowed him to feel normal, but the last anyone’s seen of her was a year ago.

But Amir isn’t ready to give up yet—determined to find his mother before his life changes forever, Amir teams up with a high-spirited, wide-eyed, shape-shifting jinn princess named Shamsa. His exact opposite. The two make a deal—Shamsa will help Amir navigate the twisty and mysterious realm of jinn, and in exchange Amir must use his wits to help Shamsa win a tournament of heirs and put her on the throne.

Amir and Shamsa must contend with silver-tongued tricksters and magical rivals, and a truth far more devastating than Amir ever expected.…

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

Rockhurst is your average suburban town. It has everything you’d expect: happy families, fun shops…and magical creatures!

In the hopes of learning more about the local cryptids, three friends, Jenny, Emiko, and Brian, start the Society of Creatures Real and Magical―S.C.R.A.M.! Their first order of business? To meet a troll!

As they venture into the unknown, our heroes learn valuable lessons about friendship, perseverance, and the importance of keeping a fish head in an old boot.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

Life hasn’t always been easy for street cat, Butterscotch. But when she finds herself in a brand new home, full of warmth and love, she gathers the strength to be brave.

One day, she sees a fellow cat facing a crocodile on the nature channel on TV, so she jumps through the screen to help. After all, she is…

A rescue cat!

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

In 1948, the town of McCall, Idaho was growing rapidly. World War II was over, and the little town tucked away in the mountains began to boom.

There was only one problem. As the town expanded, they found beavers everywhere. A beaver here, a beaver there, and it didn’t take long to realize that humans and beavers weren’t great cohabitators. But one clever and resourceful Fish and Game Warden named Elmo Heter had an idea.

Heter knew that the beavers were integral to the wetlands, so keeping the well-being of the beavers in mind he set out to find a way to relocate them.

After a few failed attempts, he finally landed on a wild idea… parachutes. Using a surplus of parachutes left over from WWII and creating a special box with air holes designed to pop open when it hit the ground, Heter devised a way to parachute the beavers into Idaho’s backcountry, an area that beavers hadn’t inhabited in decades.

Yes, this is written by N’SYNC boy ban member Lance Bass. I usually pretty skeptical of celebrity picture books, TBH. The reviews look good though, and the story sounds perfect for Halloween storytime thrills. My only question is why this is being released in July instead of September. I don’t typically see Halloween books released right now.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

Come one.

Come all.

Come follow thirteen trick-or-treaters down Scary Street. Dare to stop at the vampire’s lair? Tempted to take a bite of the witch’s delight? How about a peek inside a ghostly haunt? Who will make it to the end. . . and what last trick (or treat) awaits?

Celebrate the thrills and chills of the season with this unforgettable trip down Scary Street!

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

Kailash Satyarthi has fought injustice his whole life.

As a young boy, he raised money so poor children could attend school.

When he was a teen, he combatted caste discrimination by sharing a meal with “untouchables.”

And as an adult, he fought against child labor and for increased education, ultimately rescuing hundreds of thousands of children worldwide. In 2014, he was recognized for his efforts, winning a Nobel Peace Prize alongside Malala Yousafzai.

This inspiring picture book shows that anyone can strive for change in their community that make a big difference around the world.

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?