The
Rick Riordan Presents line of novels contain a string of hits for school-age fantasy readers, and newest title by Stacey Lee is on the way to library shelves.
Winston Chu vs. the Whimsies by Stacey Lee
While skateboarding home with a pie in hand, Winston inadvertently stops a robbery at Mr. Pang’s Whimsies, an oddities shop in Chinatown. As a reward, Mr. Pang invites Winston to choose any item in the store. But the strange old man warns Winston to browse carefully, for the first thing Winston touches will be the thing he gets. Before Winston can decide, a magpie flies under a shelf, and he impulsively grabs an old broom to sweep it out. Mr. Pang hands him the broom, along with a dustpan. “Two for one. Congratulations.” Deflated, Winston returns home, determined to put the broom incident behind him. Or at least in the closet. But when some of his most beloved possessions go missing, all Winston can think about are the broom and dustpan. Did they somehow take his stuff? And what—or who—will they dispose of next?
What’s New This Month
New entries in the
Heidi Heckelbeck and
Housecat Trouble series are on the way. Also coming soon are brand new picture books by Matthew Cordell, Ibtihaj Muhammad, and Cori Doerrfeld, a graphic novel version of Steve Sheinkin’s award-winning nonfiction book
Bomb, and new books from authors like Zetta Elliott, Torrey Maldonado, Gordon Korman, Ronald L. Smith, and more.
What We’re Reading
Here are some quotes from library staff about their latest recommended picks:
Santiago’s Road Home by Alexandra Diaz: “What is it really like to follow a coyote through the border desert? What are those border detention facilities really like? Can a chosen family be as meaningful as blood? This book was SO interesting, and so relevant.”
The Range Eternal by Louise Erdrich, ill. by Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher: “This is the poignant story about a young girl's memory of the warmth and connectivity that her grandmother's woodburning stove engendered. It is also a tale of loss and rekindling what is important through memory. It made me cry and feel good at the same time.”
The Big Wet Balloon by Liniers: “This is a sweet story about a big sister showing a little sister how a rainy day doesn't have to be dreary. The sibling dynamics are very sweet.”
Rise of the Earth Dragon by Tracey West: “This beginner chapter book has depth while still being digestible for young children. Recommended for kids who like dragons or fantasy!”
For more lists of recommended reads from the book world and beyond: