The first HUNGER GAMES novel was published by Scholastic Press in 2008. When the first film came out in 2012, Mattel added this gem to their Barbie Collector - Black Label line. Here’s the back of the box. The spine: The lettering on the front of the box is better seen when the light hits … Continue reading Katniss Barbie (2012)
I absolutely love this one! From the back cover: “Paige Stevenson is a survivor, caring for her sister since she was seven years old, blaming herself for her mother’s addictions. But all of her survival skills will be tested when she’s sent to live in Indonesia with a father she’s never met in a country … Continue reading THE WRONG SIDE OF THE SETTING SUN by Tracy Daley
2024 is right around the corner and believe it or not, THE TRANSFORMERS are about to hit the 40-year mark. With this in mind, let's take a look at an outstanding volume that celebrates the art of one of Hasbro's greatest creations. TRANSFORMERS: A VISUAL HISTORY was written by Jim Sorenson and published by VIZ … Continue reading TRANSFORMERS: A VISUAL HISTORY by Jim Sorenson (2019)
Hard-hitting and powerful, ENDURING FREEDOM begins with the events of 9/11 as experienced by two young men living on opposite sides of the world. Baheer is a teen living under harsh conditions in Afghanistan. Joe is a senior in high school and a member of the U.S. National Guard. The opening chapters are in Baheer's … Continue reading ENDURING FREEDOM by Jawad Arash and Trent Reedy (2021)
MISS CLASSIFIED by Susan Phelan was published in 2022 by Chicken Scratch Books. Seventh-grader Bly snares herself into a web of cheating and lies as she attempts to give her parents the impression that she is measuring up to their expectations. A super lovable character, I was rooting for her to find a way out … Continue reading MISS CLASSIFIED by Susan Phelan
I have a lot of fun memories of checking books out from the library with my family as a kid, and Dr. Suess was a constant draw. My favorites were THE KING'S STILTS, BARTHOLOMEW AND THE OOBLECK, THE 500 HATS OF BARTHOLOMEW CUBBINS, HORTON HEARS A WHO, HORTON HATCHES THE EGG, HOW THE GRINCH STOLE … Continue reading My Dr. Suess Collection (so far)
Jolly Fish Press has a historical fiction series for ages 8 to 12 called I AM AMERICA, written by various authors about characters who lived at different times throughout U.S. history. I picked up IF THE FIRE COMES by Tracy Daley. Here's the back-cover synopsis: Tracy Daley's writing is topnotch. I instantly loved Joseph and … Continue reading I AM AMERICA: IF THE FIRE COMES by Tracy Daley
On the hunt for an outstanding new middle-grade author? The next time you walk into a bookstore, ask for Celesta Rimington. THE ELEPHANT'S GIRL (2020) and TIPS FOR MAGICIANS (2021) were published by Crown Books for Young Readers and I cannot recommend them enough. Here's the jacket copy for THE ELEPHANT'S GIRL: And here's the … Continue reading THE ELEPHANT’S GIRL and TIPS FOR MAGICIANS by Celesta Rimington
The PEANUTS comic strip by Charles Schulz ran from October 2, 1950 to February 13, 2000. In 2004, Fantagraphics Books began an excellent publishing effort to print the entire series in chronological order. It took thirteen years with the final volume released in 2016. They printed two hardcover volumes a year which were available for … Continue reading The Complete Peanuts by Charles Schulz
Hello picture book fans, here's a new one to be aware of. THE FOG CATCHER'S DAUGHTER by Marianne McShane. Illustrated by Alan Marks and published by Candlewick Press a month or two ago. Marianne McShane lives in Ireland and enjoys creating fairy tales set in her homeland. The outstanding art sweeps you into the story … Continue reading THE FOG CATCHER’S DAUGHTER by Marianne McShane
