MG Series Pick: The Chaos Monster

 

The Chaos Monster (The Secrets of the Sky series, book 1)

by Sayantani Dasgupta

Illustrated by Sandara Tang

Scholastic Press

2023

240 pages

ISBN: 9781339006086

Available July 19, 2023

Twins Kiya and Kinjal are ordinary ten-year olds who live in New Jersey with their parents and their dog Thums-Up. That is until searching for answers in their dark and creepy basement, they open an old book their father stores in a locked trunk. Once the book is opened, the adventure begins. 

A loud noise in their yard causes them to race upstairs and throw open the door. Thums-Up runs outside and is grabbed up by a giant cloud-like blob. The kids are afraid of the menacing blob, but when it disappears with their dog, the twins must save their pet. 

Next thing they know two giant flying horses are pawing the lawn and waiting for the kids to come along with them. On their wonderful (yet terrifying) ride through the stars, the horses reveal that the kids are going with them  not only to find their dog but to meet the Princess and help their kingdom. The pair are uneasy and gobsmacked to think that they, mere ten-year old humans, have anything to do with this magical kingdom and trying to save it. The horses say the Princess will tell them when they meet her. 

It seems their parents may be much, much more than they seem and their dog, Thums-Up may not be just an ordinary family pet. Kinjal begins to believe in the magic because he's seen Thums-Up do undog-like behaviors before and he knows what he saw. He tries to get his sister to believe their dog has wings, but science-based Kiya finds it hard to believe. 

Once they meet Princess Pakkhiraj, she tells them her kingdom is dying. The bees are dying causing plants and trees to die. The kids must figure out why the kingdom is dying and fix it or unfathomable harm will come not only to the kingdom but also to New Jersey. 

The quest is on! With the help of Raat and Snowy (the horses) and Thums-Up who is reunited with them, they set off with magical feathers and heads full of doubt. 

A solid beginning to a promising series, The Chaos Monster will enthrall and entertain middle grade readers who love adventure and fantasy. Cover art and illustrations by Sandara Tang and Elizabeth Parisi by will have this book flying off the shelves of bookstores everywhere and libraries will need to stock several copies because readers will demand this title. 

Highly, highly recommended grade 4 and up. Strong emphasis on the welfare of our ecosystem and a lovely, lovely theme is revealed near the end. 

Middle Grade Series Pick: Spy School: Project X

Spy School: Project X

by Stuart Gibbs

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

2022

352 pages

ISBN: 9781534479494

Once again, Stuart Gibbs delivers with this fun middle grade spy series romp. Ben Ripley is in trouble and there's a price on his head. He's going to need to stay alive and keep his head  in order to outwit his nemesis Murray Hill. 

It's hard not to love Ben Ripley. He's funny and clever. Erica Hale is his crush interest in this installment, but she seems so un-Erica-like. Usually she's the strong, no-nonesense person in charge. In Project X, Erica seems to question herself and she seems much weaker. 

If you're a fan of the Spy School series, you'll enjoy this read. I suggest reading the books in order beginning with Spy School. 

Recommended for fans of the series. 

 

Picture Book Pick: Rain

 

Rain

by Cynthia Rylant

Illustrated by Lisa Congdon

Beach Lane Books

an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

2023

48 pages

ISBN: 9781442465091

Rain is a celebration! Vibrant, colorful artwork of squirrels, birds, dogs, cats, ducks and children illustrate how each celebrate rain. The animals know before it rains; squirrels go home to their nests, but the dogs have known it was going to rain since yesterday because dogs can sense it.

The ducks love the rain and revel in the pond. Because of rain, everything is refreshed, renewed and grows strong. "All because of rain," everything is better. 

Rain is a lovely, breathtaking picture book sure to win awards for illustrator Lisa Congdon. 

Highly recommended pre-school to 1st grade. 

PB Pick: When Things Aren't Going Right, Go Left

 

When Things Aren't Going Right, Go Left

by Marc Colagiovanni

Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

Orchard Books

an imprint of Scholastic, Inc. 

2023

32 pages

ISBN: 9781338831184

A young boy is having a bad day...a really, really bad day where nothing is going right, so he makes the decision to go left. And he left his worries behind. He notices without the weight of his worries, he could accomplish much more. 

When his fears got too loud, he leaves them behind, and you know what, he felt better! He left behind his worries, his fears, his doubts, and he felt better, lighter. He teaches the reader it's okay to have worries and fears and doubts, as long as they don't get too big or loud and take over your life. He says he's going to keep an eye on them and handle them, so, "when things aren't going, right, go left." 

Choose to do the scary thing like diving off the diving board. The more you do the scary thing, the easier it becomes. Choose to set aside your worries even for a little while. Choose to silence your doubts and they'll get quieter. 

When Things Aren't Going Right, Go Left is a lovely picture book intended for children, but everyone could use its advice. This would make a great gift idea for anyone leaving for college, anyone leaving the nest, anyone beginning a new and maybe scary journey. 

I love, love. love this book! Illustrations by Peter H. Reynolds capture the sentiment of the boy's every decision and mood. Well done! 

Highly, highly recommended pre-school to grade 4 and yes, adults. 

Non-Fiction Pick: How Do Meerkats Order Pizza?

 

How Do Meerkats Order Pizza? Wild Facts About Animals and the Scientists Who Study Them

by Brooke Barker 

Illustrations by the author

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division 

2023

200 pages

ISBN: 9781665901604

This book sells itself. From its  bright cover to the winsome title, cartoon bubble conversations between animals and scientists and welcoming graphic/print format, readers will have no trouble finishing this book. And the true beauty of it: readers will learn a mountain of facts about interesting animals from bonobos to the humpback whale. 

Each scientist featured has their work explained in a fun, inventive way: part comic book, part non-fiction, part animal encyclopedia of facts, How Do Meerkats Order Pizza is an entertaining romp for all readers. Reluctant readers will have no trouble reading this entire book in one sitting. 

Each animal's habitat, diet, appearance and behaviors are presented to inquisitive readers. This book makes the perfect gift for that child who loves animals and likes to read non-fiction. Complete with a glossary, How Do Meerkats Order Pizza? will likely be heavily awarded for 2023. A superb achievement! 

Highly, highly recommended grades 3-up. 

YA pick: The Corpse Queen

 The Corpse Queen

by Heather M. Herrman

G.P. Putnam's Sons 

an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

2021

321 pages 

ISBN: 9781984816702

Macabre and dark, full of twists and turns, creepy and disturbing, The Corpse Queen delivers. 

Set in Philadelphia in 1855, seventeen-year old Molly is surprised to learn she has an aunt who's summoned for her to come to her home. Molly suspects the orphanage she's lived in has sold her to be a maid for the rich, but Aunt Ava is real and incredibly wealthy. 

Although unmarried Ava has amassed a huge fortune by dealing in the nefarious trade of human corpses. She orders which graves to be robbed and sells the bodies to medical schools for disection, but that's not the only place the bodies are ending up. 

When living young girls begin to disappear, Molly is worried and determined to unveil the killer. As she hunts for the killer, she discovers more secrets about her aunt's trade. 

Molly begins to study medicine, but in a profession "meant" only for men, she's belittled and taken as a joke. Searching for the murderer uncovers dark doings and evil Molly never thought possible, but she's not one to back down from a challenge, even if it could cost her life. 

Highly recommended for fans of horror, suspense and twisty tales. Grades 8 and up. Gore and violence. 

MMa

Beginning Reader Pick: Nat the Cat Takes a Nap

 Nat the Cat Takes a Nap

Ready-To-Read, Level One 

by Jarrett Lerner

Illustrations by the author 

Simon Spotlight

an imprint of Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing Division

2023

32 pages

ISBN: 9781665918916

Jarrett Lerner strikes again, and it's a home run! Nat the Cat wants to take a nap, but the pesky narrator keeps interrupting him. Nat sincerely wants peace and quiet, but the narrator won't leave him alone. Soon Nat the Cat is joined by his "brother" Pat the Rat. Nat the Cat vehemently denies that the rat is his brother. 

Soon Pat the Rat wants to nap also. The narrator interrupts and announces that Pat the Rat is taking a nap. Nat the Cat can't believe it. Kids will giggle at the antics of the meddling narrator and empathize with poor Nat the Cat who really just wants a decent nap.

Highly, highly recommended for beginning readers. 

Super Gross: What's in Your Body?

 

Super Gross: What's in Your Body?

Ready-To-Read, Level Two

by Ximena Hastings

Illustrated by Alison Hawkins

Simon Spotlight

An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

2022

32 pages

ISBN: 9781665927901

Colorful and welcoming, young readers will love reading about super gross stuff in their bodies: stuff like: bacteria, mucus, pus and germs and yes, pee, poop and passing gas! 

Sure to become a favorite read What's in Your Body has funny illustrations, cartoon thought bubbles, gross, but interesting facts shared by a narrator scientist Dr. Ick and his sidekick Sam the dog. 

Readers will learn super gross facts about their own bodies; for example, did you know that your small intestines are twenty-five feet long? or that skin is an organ? Kids should be grossed out to realize they have tiny bugs in their eyelashes. Mites do the icky job of cleaning dead skin and mucus from around our eyes. 

Complete with a glossary of terms and a fun science project to do at home, this is an entertaining book for the beginning biologist, but every reader will learn important things about the body. 

Highly recommended grades K-4. Reluctant readers will have an easy time reading and more importantly, enjoying this book.