Racing in the Rain My Life as a Dog by Garth Stein

This is the junior version of the adult version.  I was curious how the author was going to handle some scenes from the original. This is perfectly fine for older elementary up to high school.  Brilliantly written.  Enjoy.  You'll need some tissues.  Also there is the loss of a mother/wife who becomes seriously ill. 

The Sisters of the Winter Wood by Rena Rossner

A blend of fairy tales and legends that may not be as commercial but still potent.  Set in a world of Jewish customs and culture.  Bits of history is woven into this enchanting story.  It's the coming of age story of young girls becoming women.  It's fine for any high school library and for adults as well. 

Funjungle Lion Down by Stuart Gibbs

Looking for fun books with a bit of mystery and animals in them?  Add this series to your middle school collection.  Also fine for older elementary students.  Lots of humor and information placed in a smart plot.  Enjoy.  Stuart Gibbs knows how to write a good story.

The Benefits of Being An Octopus by Ann Braden

Put this in your library and make sure you read it.  It's about domestic abuse.  Maybe not physically but certainly mentally and emotionally.  Children are witnessing their mother being belittled and set up to feel small.  Add this book to your reading list.

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls 2 by Favilli & Cavallo

I hope there will be a book 3 because this is an important series.  I like that we get to meet women who have done or experience incredible things and or have made the world a better place.  It's a nice sampling of short biographies that I would use to start a research project, or History Day project and launch it to other resources to dive deeper.  Enjoy and add this to your library.  Also makes a good gift.

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Favilli & Cavallo

A book like this is a welcome addition to any library.  I like that it's a good launch point for students who are looking for someone to research.  This would also make a good gift for daughters to inspire them or sons as well.  Enjoy this read.

The Reader Trilogy The Storyteller by Traci Chee

The series is over.  There is a lot of violence in this story.

Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson

It's a mystery, best friends and then one disappears. Stories are told, lies are told and there's a cover up.  Claudia is a determined girl.  There is some bullying going on and some family dysfunction.  It's a good read.  Listen to Tiffany D. Jackson explain how this story came to be.  Also listen to some go go music from Washington D.C. 

Flora and the Peacocks by Molly Idle

This is a wordless picture book that is exquisitely done.  The lines and colors are great to share with older teens who are learning about art.  The story line is charming.  It's an enjoyable picture book.

The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge by M. T. Anderson & Eugene Yelchin

This is a brilliant satire, reminds me of Gulliver's Travels and also Peter Sellers, How I learned to Love the Bomb.  I would say not for teens unless maybe AP students.  But you never know.  Also, if you like Doug Addams, this would be a book you may consider reading.  I read and listened to the audio book.  YOU Must have the book because the illustrations are an integral part of the story.  The illustrations are incredible. Alice in Wonderland meets Wizard of Oz meets the Hieronymus Bosch.  Big time on the Bosch.  (Thank you college art teacher)  I got to meet Eugene Yelchin, at the California School Library Association Conference last week.  I have a signed copy.  Now I need to meet M. T. Anderson.  What a collaboration these two talented authors came up with.

The Assassin Game by Kristy McKay

I like this thriller.  It reminds me of a teen version of "And Then There Was None" by Agatha Christy in an updated modern setting.  I have this already in my library and I am glad that it's in.  Happy Readings!  It's a page turner if you like a good mystery.

The Folk of the Air The Wicked King by Holly Black

It's a dangerous world that Holly Black has created.  The Faeries are cruel, power grabbing, step on weaklings and who cares world.  Jude is our main character who has learned to fight, steal, lie and endure.  I can't wait to see what book 3 has to offer.  Would I order for the library?  I think so.  Maybe one copy.  It's not a mainstream book but I think it will appeal to a niche group of students.

The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani

Refugees come in all time frames from now to history.  Learn about what was happening in India in 1947.  And feel for a family lost in a divided world. 

Truly Devious The Vanishing Stair by Maureen Johnson

I am adding this one to my library list.  It continues from the first story.  It's a good read, interesting characters and a good mystery.  Enjoy. 

Monster Villain by Michael Grant

There is a lot of violence and torture in this book.  I have my concerns to add this to the library, just because of the violence.  Over all the story is good but lots of torture.  and crazy stuff. 

Ella Enchanted Ogre Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

If you loved reading Ella enchanted, you'll love this one as well.  Evie must learn a lot if she is to become human again.  Especially who to love and trust.  Enjoy.

How Dare the Sun Rise by Sandra Uwiringiymana

True story of the author's young life.  She went through so much and endured loss of loved ones.  This is an important read to help us understand what it is like to be a refugee.  I'm adding it to my library.

Summer Seaside Kitchen Christmas on the Island by Jenny Colgan

I'm ready to move to this island.  You will fall in love the characters in this book.  Brothers must reunite and come to terms, a pregnancy is a surprise and brings all sorts of emotions.  A father of two sons has no idea what happened to his wife back in their war torn country. 

Sometimes family is made of the community that you live in.  Enjoy.

Fox the Tiger by Corey R. Tabor

To adorable.  I look forward to reading more of the story of Fox and his friends.  This is a perfect book for elementary and for older students to read to younger ones.  A welcome addition to any elementary library.

Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson

Jacqueline Woodson does it again.  How does she take lives and create them into a worth while reading moments.  All I can say is this is a worthwhile book to add to your library. 

Andy Carpenter Mystery Who Let The Dog Out by David Rosenfelt

I am hooked on this series.  Put a dog on it and make it a mystery, then I would like to read the book.  The audio book is a treat.  If you like murder mysteries, then enjoy this book.

Book Retreat Mysteries Murder in the Secret Garden by Ellery Adams

I enjoy a good murder mystery and I'm adding this series to my reading lists.  Enjoy.

The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman

Beautifully written and a smart read.  Enjoy this magical story.  Read about the lives of this town.  Enjoy.

Rise of the Empress Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix by Julie C. Dao

This is a very smart retelling of Snow White tale.  Step Mother is really a dangerous evil villain.  Good casting of characters and story plot.  Enjoy.

The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magdon

Fine for middle school.  It's okay.

The Loneliest Girl in the Universe by Lauren James

I loved this book for the thriller that it is.  It did start a bit slow but it does make up for it and becomes a page turner.  It's a good read.

Star Wars Verily A New Hope by Ian Doescher

I love Star Wars.  The audio book really brings this retelling ala Shakespear style.  If you are a fan of the story, you will enjoy this new retelling.  Enjoy.

Dogtripping by David Rosenfelt

You had me at Dog.  Especially rescue dog.  This is the true story of author David Rosenfelt and his special connection to dogs in need a rescue.  It's a good read if you enjoy dogs.  And road trips.  Enjoy.

Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle

This is a fun wordless picture book.  The relationship between the two grows before your eyes.  I added it to high school because of the art work.  It looks simple but it is much layered.  The lines echo each other as the artist creates a relationship between the two characters.  Enjoy.

The Ugly Vegetables by Grace Lin

It's a nice book celebrating diversity and community gardens.  A great intro to Chinese vegetables.  Enjoy this picture book.

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

A really great book.  A retelling of Rumplestiltskin .... a vague version.  A slight version.  It's a great tale of how three women face adversity and overcome it.  A blend of mortal world and a fantasy world.  It's a good story.  I think this would be great for advanced readers.  If you like Lord of the Rings, enjoy.

Follow the Moon Home by Cousteau, Hopkins & So

A great book about making a difference in the world and helping animals.  It's a lovely book with a good story.  I'm getting this for my high school library.  It's all about service and helping.  Enjoy.

Flavia De Luce The Golden Tresses of the Dead by Alan Bradley

Flavia is not your normal girl, a pre-teen who has a lab, studies chemistry, poison and is an orphan aside from her older sisters.  This British girl has a morbid curiosity and dead bodies tend to be discovered by her and her dear father's friend.  She's an unusual girl and a good read.  Great characters.  Enjoy.

She Persisted by Clinton & Boiger

It's a good book to have for students to read.  There are brief descriptions to describe who these women are and what they have done or faced.  It's okay. 

The Water Princess by Verde & Reynolds

With beautiful images to tell the story, and words crafted to understand Gigi's world in Africa, we understand what people have to do to get drinkable water.  Video of the story

Lost and Found Cat The True story of Kunkush’s Incredible Journey by Kuntz, Shrodes & Cornelison

I am buying this for my school library.  How many people know what it is like to flee their home and risk their lives to find a safer place to live?  And the kindness of people who will help others globally?  I think in one who is working in the Oval Office should have this book to read. 

Beauty and the Beak by Deborah Lee Rose

I'm getting this for my high school library. It's the true story of an eagle that barely survives a gun shot, removing the top part of it's beak.  It's a good book. 

Best in Snow by April Pulley Sayre

The words are few and simple but put together in a lovely fashion.  The photographs illustrate the words and crisp and clear, as well as enjoyable. 

Andy Carpenter Dog Tags by David Rosenfelt

I think this is my new favorite Andy Carpenter book.  It's a good murder mystery.  I highly recommend the audio book.  Enjoy.

A County Cork Mystery Many a Twist by Sheila Connolly

There are many murder mysteries series out there.  I'm adding Cork County Mystery on my list to follow.  Enjoy.  Travel through reading in your favorite spot and visit a tiny village and the people who live there.

The Secret, Book & Scone Society by Ellery Adams

I just started a new murder mystery series.  I like that the women who each bore pain work together and share and blossom as they take on a murder and a questionable sheriff.

The Good Neighbor the Life and Work of Fred Rogers by Maxwell King

I didn't grow up watching Mr. Rogers.  I wished I had.  He was a kind person who connected to people and was concerned about the young feelings, minds and character of little ones.  He was the real deal.  This is a good read.  Enjoy.

A Cat Latimer Mystery Slay In Character by Lynn Cahoon

I enjoy this series of murder mysteries.  It's entertaining and clever and the characters in the book are fun to read as you find out who was the murderer and the motive.  Enjoy.

Funjungle Big Game by Stuart Gibbs

Stuart Gibbs is a great author for older elementary and middle school students.  This is a good read that will entertain and even teach students about animals.  It's a good read.  Enjoy.

Dorothea’s Eyes by Rosenstock & DuBois

I have meet Barb Rosenstock and CSLA conferences and she is a lovely and professional author to spend time with.  This book is crafted beautifully. The words are minimal but meaningful.  Perfect for young students to read and yet the content of the book makes this just as good for older readers and teens.  I also love the images of Lang's art work and photography as well.  Her photos create stories just with one image.  Enjoy and add this to your library, I know I will.