Hot Off the Press Book Talks!

A Wolf Called Fire is another book by Rosanne Parry (see my review below for A Wolf Called Wander).  I had expected this book to be somehow related to A Wolf Called Wander but it is definitely a stand-alone separate story of a completely different wolf.  That said, the themes are similar revolving around family, survival, and personal journeys.  I really enjoy that Roseanne includes a pretty extensive nonfiction section at the end of each book that describes the real-life wolves she writes about.  If you're a fan of animal stories, this one is sure to hit all the right notes for you: adventure, suspense, and intrigue abound as Fire grows into himself and learns what it truly means to be the leader of the pack.

The 2025 Newberry winner, The First State of Being, is also noteworthy for being a National Book Award finalist - to very prestigious awards!  At first I wasn't very excited to read this book, but once I got a few pages in, I was hooked!  This is the story of an accidental time traveler who is obsessed with the culture of the 1990's.  He befriends two kids living in an apartment complex who help him achieve his goal of seeing a mall and experiencing daily life in his favorite time period.  Erin Entrada Kelly weaves in period details like the anxiety over Y2K and the Rikki Lake Show that bring back memories for an older reader like myself!  Aside from all of that, the underlying story is a universal one: friendship, identity, and poverty drive the plot and are sure to resonate with most readers.  It's also no coincidence that this book reminds me a lot of several other Newberry winners that featured time traveling like When You Reach Me and A Wrinkle in Time.  So if you enjoy a little sci-fi blended with some realistic fiction, this book is sure to deliver!

If I Ever Get Out of Here by Eric Gansworth reminds me in many ways of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexi.  Both novels are narrated by a Native American boy struggling to fit in a white high school.  Both discuss the challenges of living on a reservation.  Both portray the conflicting emotions associated with having pride in your heritage while seeing the dysfunction of every day life characterized by abject poverty, alcoholism, and discrimination.  Discrimination and shame are at the heart of both novels.  In this gritty novel, Lewis Black struggles in his top honors classes where he is alienated by his white peers - until George comes along and changes everything.  Through a shared love of music, these boys forge an unlikely friendship that defies stereotypes and social norms.  Other important themes addressed in this book include bullying, dating, and self-discovery.  This is a powerful novel laced with humor that is well worth the read!

The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass is a super fun read that will probably surprise you at the end as much as it surprised me!  There is definitely something mysterious going on in town, and 11-year-old Evan and his friend Rafe are determined to find out what!  It all starts one fine morning when a mysterious free library box guarded by a fluffy orange cat shows up outside of the Historical Society building.  What happened to the "real" library all those years ago, and why won't Evan's dad talk about it?  Grab this book and see if you can figure it out before the exciting conclusion reveals the big mystery!

When you team up Katherine Applegate (The One and Only Ivan) with Gennifer Choldenko (Al Capone Does My Shirts), you know you're going to get a winner - and DogTown is exactly that!  By far the best of the books I read over the break, this book has it all: loveable characters, an exciting plot, and best of all, a most happy ending!  When I first met Metal Head, the futuristic robot dog, all I could think of was The Wild Robot, and with good reason.  Metal Head shows us that hearts aren't only in humans and that you should never make rash judgments or trust in all stereotypes.  Like the Wild Robot, Metal Head ultimately saves the day with his calm reasoning and undeserved kindness towards others despite the way they treat him.  This is definitely a book you shouldn't miss!

The Nightmare House by Sarah Allen has such a good start that I was super excited to see where the story would go!  Don't be tricked by the cartoon cover - this book is dark and creepy - at least to start.  This is the kind of book that makes me wish I were a book editor because with a little retooling, I think this book could have been something remarkable.  But..... I'm not a book editor, and to be honest, the fantastic start in my opinion quickly unraveled to a sort of boring, repetitive read over all.  As with most novels for the middle-aged reader, ultimately this is a story of self-discovery and found friendship.  I just wish Sarah somehow developed the grandmother's character more - she was definitely on to something there.  Oh well.  Still worth a read if you like spooky stories.

The Windeby Puzzle by Lois Lowry (best known for her novel The Giver which is one of the top-10 best books EVER written in my humble opinion!) is part history and part fantasy and 100% fascinating!  I have always had a "thing" for "bog people" as the bog-mummified bodies found throughout Europe are called.  Bogs are able to preserve bodies for hundreds of years in near pristine condition including skin, hair, clothes, and tools.  In this captivating work of fiction, Lois imagines the possible stories that might explain how the "Windeby Girl" ended up dead in that ancient bog in northern Germany.  This book reminded me a little of Book 2 in The Giver series, Gathering Blue, with Lois' compelling descriptions of what life might have been like in that pagan Germanic village nearly 2,000 years ago.  This is truly a wonderful read!

Sparrow by Sarah Moon is a surprising novel that addresses mental health issues.  When Sparrow first learns to "fly" after her one and only friend Chocolate leaves, Sparrow finds herself increasingly unable to function in the "real world" as she grapples with crippling shyness and a mother who loves her, but who is not always there for her.  The unexpected death of her beloved school librarian pushes Sparrow to new levels of grief and denial, but with the help of a quirky mixed-race therapist, Sparrow discovers healthy outlets for her pain and anxiety (As a side note, this part of the story kind of reminds me of Star Fish!!).  And who doesn't love a novel where the school librarian is the best teacher at the school?

Star Fish by Lisa Fipps is a moving novel written in verse that takes us inside the mind of Ellie, better known as Splash, who is tormented because of her body size (As a side note, this book reminded me a lot of A Work in Progress!).  Growing up in Texas in a family of thin people, Ellie is subjected to cruelty even at the hands of her own mother when it comes to body shaming and forced dieting.  Only her psychologist father seems to accept Ellie for who she is.  To compound matters, Ellie's only true friend moves on the eve of the start of Middle School.  But with the help of a fabulous school librarian (Yay for school librarians who are often the champions for students who feel different or left out!), an unexpected new friend who moves in next door, and a patient and creative therapist, Ellie learns how to stand up to the bullies in her life at home, in school, and in the world.

A Work in Progress by Jarrett Lerner is an important new novel about a boy who struggles with his body size.  Will is hyper-aware that he is larger than his classmates and he struggles with feelings of shame and despair.  Will tries dieting and exercise, but nothing seems to make a lasting difference.  Will develops an unhealthy love/hate relationship with food that manifests itself in frenzied binging followed by starvation.  Will's determination to be thin finally pushes him to the ultimate brink of desperation and he practically stops eating all together.  Thankfully Will finds a friend amidst his despair who helps him realize that we are all works in progress and that we each have special talents and traits.  Students who like graphic novels and the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series will enjoy "Will's" drawings that make up much of the book.

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds is one of the most powerful books I've read in a very long time!  Told through the voice of a 15-year-old narrator, Will, it recounts the events surrounding his older brother's death.  The bulk of the novel takes place in an eternity that is in actuality 60 short seconds.  Reynolds uses narrative verse to tell this important story that literally explores the fine line between life and death.

The Elephant's Girl by Celesta Rimington has a little of everything within its 324 pages!  If you like ghosts - it's got that!  If you like mystery - it's got that, too!  If you like stories of friendship - covered!  Or stories of coming-of-age - check!  Lexington Willow has spent her life talking to the wind and wondering what happened to her family the night a tornado left her sheltering under an elephant's legs in a zoo.  During the span of one summer, many mysteries unravel, revealing more than she could have ever guessed.

Pax, Journey Home by Sara Pennypacker is the much-anticipated sequel to Pax.  In this suspenseful novel, we follow the lives of Peter and Pax once again, as their paths intersect in unexpected ways.  Peter is unmoored in the wake of his father's death and Pax finds himself unable to care for his poisoned kit.  Told once again in alternating chapters, Pennypacker excels at pulling on our heartstrings as both Peter and Pax navigate love and loss in a post-war world still filled with dangers.  This is a gentle story about forgiveness and rebirth, about family and home.  Come borrow a copy from our library ~ I promise you won't be disappointed!

A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry feels a lot like Scary Stories for Young Foxes, Pax, and The Wild Robot all rolled into one gripping adventure based on the travels of a real wolf named OR-7, who was tracked by biologists from his home in the mountains of OR to his final destination in northern CA, over 1,000 miles away!  Parry shines as she imagines Wander's danger-filled trek across a variety of terrains, especially when she explores his conflicting feelings and emotions as he leaves behind all he has known and loved.  The gorgeous illustrations that are sprinkled throughout the book add interest and depth to the story.  A must read for anyone who loves animal stories ~ and happy endings :-)

Parked by Danielle Svetcov is a surprising novel that grapples with homelessness and hopefulness.  Two pre-teens without much else in common aside from the fact that they are both about to embark on middle school in the Fall find themselves drawn together during the course of a summer that will change them both forever.  Jean Ann is a vision of grit and resilience who finds herself suddenly homeless living in an old, beat up van along the San Francisco Bay in view of the Golden Gate Bridge.  Cal, who lives in one of the gleaming mansions across the street, is drawn to her strength and courage.  Both learn important lessons that summer that will forever shape the people they will become.  Told with humor and innocence, this story is sure to change you, too - so grab a copy from our shelves and find out what happens when two worlds do in fact collide! 

The Wild Robot Escapes is the exciting sequel to The Wild Robot discussed below!  Peter Brown keeps us on the edge of our seats as we follow the adventures of Roz in the months following her capture.  This book gently raises questions about what makes a human a human, and how powerful family ties can be regardless of whether you are family by blood or by choice.  Roz learned to adapt to nature in The Wild Robot, but can she succeed to adapting to civilization in The Wild Robot Escapes?  And which environment poses the great threat to her existence?

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown was one of the best books I read this Spring!  What a delightful surprise and fun read!  This is the all-too-relevant story of a freight ship caught in a violent storm at sea resulting from climate change, and how its cargo of shiny new robots is sent tumbling overboard.  Mixing reality with imagination, this book brings together a variety of timely themes ranging from prejudice to blended families.  When just one robot survives intact on an island inhabited only by animals, she must learn to survive by observing the world around her.  It turns out animals and robots have more in common than you'd think!

Normal by Magdalena & Nathaniel Newman is a book in the style of R.J.Palacio's, Wonder, except that this book is autobiographical.  This book recounts the story of Nathaniel Newman, who was born with a rare syndrome called Treacher Collins which causes significant facial differences.  Nathaniel's story is told through the alternating perspectives of Magdalena, the mom, and Nathaniel, her son.  It opens with a scene from the present after Nathaniel has survived over 60 surgeries and has finally gained a sense of independence, and then travels back to his problematic birth 13 years earlier.  If you are interested in learning through first person accounts, this is the perfect book for you!  You will share in Nathaniel's triumphs and set-backs, as you read this inspirational story that is told with both wit and compassion.

Here is a book that caught me completely off guard.  I am a big fan of Kate Messner, author of the "Over & Under" nonfiction picture book series, but this was her first novel that I read.  Chirp started off disappointingly dull, and seemed to be nothing more than a trite tale of a girl who wants to solve the mystery of who's sabotaging her grandmother's Burlington, VT cricket farm.  But oh no!  By the middle of the book, it became evident that this story was actually much more than that!  This is a story for all young girls who will no doubt grow up and find themselves a victim of our stubbornly male dominated world.  Although many strides have been made, especially with the #me too movement, chauvinistic currents still flow pervasively through our culture in both big and small ways.  This book explores how boys and men both wittingly and unwittingly suppress and bully their female counterparts - in childhood and in adulthood - in school, sports, clubs, business, and work.  This ended up being a story of female resiliency, as well as a slightly predictable mystery.  And no - this is not a book for girls - I think the message embedded may be even more important for young boys to read.  Be sure to add this to your summer reading list!

One of my favorite YA reads of the Spring was Wink by Rob Harrell.  This is the based-on-real-life story of a 12 year old boy named Ross, who loves to "fly under the radar" in Middle School.  All is going well for Ross the summer before 7th grade, until one random day his eyelid swells up unexpectedly.  Fast forward a week, and Ross has been diagnosed with an extremely rare eye cancer!  The first opinion is to remove the cancerous eye and radiate the area, which will surely cause blindness in his one remaining eye - not good!  A second opinion results in Ross keeping the cancerous eye, but losing vision in it - AND keeping the second eye including vision - much better!  At least Ross has best friend Abby to help him navigate 7th grade, until her family announces they're moving after Christmas.  Can things get worse?  Yes, they can.  But will things get better?  Yes, they do!  Read this funny, touching story to find out more :-)

96 Miles by J. L. Espin is an absolutely AWESOME book - definitely one of the best reads I've had in a very long time in fact.  It is extremely well written and contains nothing controversial, although it is just gross enough (drinking toilet water) to grab your attention right from the start!  This book has a fast pace and creates a ton of suspense & urgency that keeps you reading.  It's the story of 2 brothers trying to make their way across a dessert hi-way on foot during a mysterious power outage.  Along the way they make a couple of new friends - but they also must dodge many unexpected dangers - all while racing the clock.  Read this book to find out if they make it in time, and what will happen if they don't!

Here is the latest book I've read this Spring: The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead.  This is a charming coming of age novel featuring Bea, who recounts the events that unfolded during the year she was a 10 year old 5th grader grappling with the lasting impact of her parents' divorce, and her changing family.  Bea's dad is gay, and plans to marry his boyfriend, Jesse.  Jesse comes with a 10 year old daughter, Sonia.  Will Sonia become the new "sister" Bea has always wanted, or will Sonia not want a new sister?  And is it a good idea for Bea to invite Jesse's brother to the wedding?  To find out read this realistic book that explores the way life changes and how we need to adapt while still relying on those certain things in life that will never change no matter what.

Next on my short list of best Spring reads is the amazing book, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.  Boy, reading this incredible book could not have come at a more appropriate time in history.  As I read the pages detailing how Starr came to grips with the police killing of her friend, Khalil, a parallel story was unfolding in the news each day during the Derek Chauvin trial.  I cannot emphasize enough how important and compelling this story is, especially in the wake of Black Lives Matter.  I honestly think Starr's parents, Lisa & Maverick, are my new all-time favorite fictional parents, for their toughness and tenderness.  This book really captured the moment for me and is one I will not soon forget.  Definitely my favorite book on this list!

Very rarely are sequels ever as good as the original, but Katherine Applegate has created a sequel as amazing as the original - if not more so!  The One and Only Bob picks up where Applegate's The One and Only Ivan left off.  Bob is the tiny, but tough, mutt adopted by the family of an animal sanctuary worker where Ivan, the wise and kind gorilla, now resides after being rescued from the failing mall where he was kept in a small cage for over 20 years.  In this heart warming story, Bob discovers his true potential and fulfills his destiny set into motion the night he and his litter mates were savagely tossed from a moving vehicle one dark night years before.  This story will appeal to animal lovers and folks who are curious to see what happened to all the lovable characters from The One and Only Ivan.  

One of my favorite recent YA reads was Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk, who also wrote another of my favorite books, Wolf Hollow.  Like Wolf Hollow, this book is a well executed piece of historical fiction - this time set in Maine in the early 1930's during the Great Depression.  Also like Wolf Hollow, the main character is a young girl (in this case 12 year old Ellie) who shows wisdom, strength, and courage well beyond her years.  Wolk is a master storyteller who draws you in from the first sentence and never lets you go.  This powerful novel explores family relationships, difficult decisions, and the power of survival.  Can Ellie fix all the people around her who are so broken - her father in a coma, her surprising neighbor who was attacked by a fisher cat, her new friend who lives in the shadow of his shattered mother, and her own mother and siblings who are doing the best that they can in a difficult situation?  Can Ellie fix herself?  Does she even need fixing?  Tell me what you think after you read this incredible book!

Scary Stories for Young Foxes by  Christian McKay Heidicker is an absolutely charming collection of interrelated "scary stories" told to a litter of 6 fox pups on a dark night.  These stories are really more cautionary tales than truly scary, and weave together to tell a larger story of love, grit, and perseverance.  It's easy to get sucked into the eerie feeling of hearing ghost stories by moonlight, as the pups wander home one by one seeking the comfort of their mother until just one brave pup remains to hear how the saga ends (or does it?).

Bob by Wendy Mass & Rebecca Stead reminds me a lot of a Neil Gaiman book or a Tim Burton movie: just slightly off-beat, but with an incredibly positive message.  When almost 12 year old Livy (Olivia) travels with her mom from Massachusetts to see her grandmother in Australia, she is inundated with an inexplicable lapse of memories from her previous visit when she was just 5.  That's when she rediscovers "Bob", a short, skinny green guy living in the closet of her mom's girlhood bedroom!  Is Bob a zombie? An imaginary friend? A monster?  Parts of this book were literally laugh out loud funny, but all of this book was entertaining from page one until the dramatic conclusion!  Read it to find out for yourself who/what Bob is and where he ultimately belongs.

So Katherine Applegate makes my list twice - but what can I say?  She's SO fun to read!  Wishtree is a beautifully written novel that explores the idea of belonging.  In a compact story that manages to skillfully span generations, Wishtree explores what it means to be an immigrant in 21st century America, while also exploring what it means to become a part of the fabric of an evolving community.  Told from the point of view of a 200 year old oak tree who's friends include a variety of animals as well as the humans who live nearby, this story has a powerful and important message on many levels.

Here in the Real World by Sara Pennypacker (author of another of my favorite books: Pax.  What is it about fox stories that I just can't resist?!) is a story that asks us, "What does it take to be a hero?".  This story is told through the lens of almost 12 year old Ware, who is not like most other boys his age.  Ware likes to observe from the outside, and is happiest when left to think his thoughts by himself.  But when the world crashes in on him after his grandmother is hospitalized, Ware must find a way to be both on the outside and the inside.   Tucked into the background of this story are issues of alcoholism, poverty, and abandonment - but what shines through are all the best parts of life: love, acceptance, and the journey to self-discovery.