Summer Reading Picks. . . *Plus a Winner Announcement!*

Picture Books

Sea Rex
by Molly Idle
(Viking Books)

What could that be
down in the sea?

Is it a fish?

A snail?

A mermaid’s tail?

No, it’s bigger than that . . .

a LOT bigger . . .

it’s Sea Rex!

Meet The Dullards
by Sara Pennypacker
illustrated by David Salmieri
(Balzar + Bray)

Meet the Dullards. Their home is boring. Their food is plain. Their lives are monotonous. And Mr. and Mrs. Dullard like it that way.

But their children—Blanda, Borely, and Little Dud—have other ideas. . . .

Never has dullness been so hilarious than in this deadpan, subversive tale.

Edmund Unravels
by Andrew Kolb
(Nancy Paulsen Books)

Edmund is a ball of yarn and a ball of energy! From the time he could roll, he’s been bouncing down his front steps to explore, and his parents have always been right there to reel him in and roll him back up. But now that he’s bigger, Edmund is ready to discover the wonders of the world. Everything is new and exciting—but sometimes, even a little ball of yarn gets lonely, and there’s nothing better than the comfort of being around those he cares about.

The Amazing Hamweenie Escapes!
by Patty Bowman
(Philomel Books)

He's free! The Amazing Hamweenie, legend in his own mind, hero to millions of adoring fans who have yet to meet him, has finally escaped the evil clutches of the little girl who showers him with love and stuffs him full of delectable treats. Where will our tortured star go? To the circus, of course! The spotlight of center ring beckons him -- the elephants, monkeys, and tigers in desperate need of a leader. Hamweenie will gift them with his presence!

Nonfiction Picture Books/ Chapter Books

The Blue Whale
by Jenni Desmond
(Enchanted Lion Books)

A nonfiction picture book, The Blue Whale draws children into the life and world of this enormous whale by situating facts within a familiar context. Illustrations show the actual size of a whale's eye, as well as the whale's body size in relation to trucks, cars, milk bottles, and hippos.

Growing Up Pedro
by Matt Tavares
(Candlewick Press)

Before Pedro Martínez pitched the Red Sox to a World Series championship, before he was named to the All-Star team eight times, before he won the Cy Young three times, he was a kid from a place called Manoguayabo in the Dominican Republic. Pedro loved baseball more than anything, and his older brother Ramon was the best pitcher he’d ever seen. He’d dream of the day he and his brother could play together in the major leagues—and here, Matt Tavares tells the story of how that dream came true. In a fitting homage to a modern day baseball star, the acclaimed author-illustrator examines both Pedro Martínez’s improbable rise to the top of his game and the power that comes from the deep bond between brothers.

Why'd They Wear That?: Fashion as the Mirror of History

by Sarah Albee

(National Geographic Children's Books)

Move over Project Runway. Get ready to chuckle your way through centuries of fashion dos and don'ts! In this humorous and approachable narrative, kids will learn about outrageous, politically-perilous, funky, disgusting, regrettable, and life-threatening creations people have worn throughout the course of human history, all the way up to the present day. From spats and togas to hoop skirts and hair shirts, why people wore what they did is an illuminating way to look at the social, economic, political, and moral climates throughout history.

Tricky Vic: The Impossibly True Story of the Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower
by Greg Pizzoli
(Viking Books)

In the early 1900s, Robert Miller, a.k.a. “Count Victor Lustig,” moved to Paris hoping to be an artist. A con artist, that is. He used his ingenious scams on unsuspecting marks all over the world, from the Czech Republic, to Atlantic ocean liners, and across America. Tricky Vic pulled off his most daring con in 1925, when he managed to "sell" the Eiffel Tower to one of the city’s most successful scrap metal dealers! Six weeks later, he tried to sell the Eiffel Tower all over again. Vic was never caught. For that particular scam, anyway.

Early Chapter Books 
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Princess In Black
by Shannon & Dean Hale
illustrated by LeUyen Pham
(Candlewick Press) 

Princess Magnolia is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess Wigtower when . . . Brring! Brring! The monster alarm! A big blue monster is threatening the goats! Stopping monsters is no job for dainty Princess Magnolia. But luckily Princess Magnolia has a secret —she’s also the Princess in Black, and stopping monsters is the perfect job for her! Can the princess sneak away, transform into her alter ego, and defeat the monster before the nosy duchess discovers her secret? From award-winning writing team of Shannon and Dean Hale and illustrator LeUyen Pham, here is the first in a humorous and action-packed chapter book series for young readers who like their princesses not only prim and perfect, but also dressed in black.

Scribbles and Ink, Out of the Box (Jump-Into-Chapters)  
by Ethan Long 
(Blue Apple Books)

Scribbles the cat and Ink the mouse are buddies and fellow artists. In this adventure, the arrival of a box of cheese brings a yummy snack for Ink and an artistic opportunity for Scribbles--he loves the box! What can he make from it? Everything!

Captain Awesome Goes to Superhero Camp
by Stan Kirby
illustrated by George O'Connor
(Little Simon)

When Eugene goes to sleepaway camp, it’s superheroes—and supervillains—galore in the fourteenth adventure of Captain Awesome and the Sunnyview Superhero Squad!

Eugene’s bags are packed and his Super Dude sleeping bag is rolled up and ready. It’s time to go to sleepaway camp! But this isn’t just any summer camp: it’s Superhero Summer Camp! Captain Awesome and the Sunnyview Superhero Squad can’t wait to venture into the woods and get some real superhero training at Camp Ka-Pow. That is, until they meet the Cloudy Heights Super Crew. Could these campers be supervillains in disguise?

Lulu and the Dog from the Sea
by Hilary McKay
(Albert Whitman & Company)

When Lulu goes on vacation, she finds there's a dog living on the beach. Everyone in the town thinks the dog is trouble. But Lulu is sure he just needs a friend. And that he's been waiting for someone just like her.








Middle Grade Novels
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The Great Good Summer
by Liz Garton Scanlon
(Beach Lane Books)

Ivy and Paul hatch a secret plan to find Ivy’s missing mom and say good-bye to the space shuttle in this evocative, heartfelt novel reminiscent of Each Little Bird that Sings and Because of Winn-Dixie.

Ivy Green’s mama has gone off with a charismatic preacher called Hallelujah Dave to The Great Good Bible Church of Panhandle Florida. At least that’s where Ivy and her dad think Mama is. But since the church has no website or phone number and Mama left no forwarding address, Ivy’s not entirely sure. She does know she’s missing Mama. And she’s starting to get just a little worried about her, too.

Circus Mirandus
by Cassie Beasley
(Dial Books)

Do you believe in magic?

Micah Tuttle does.

Even though his awful Great-Aunt Gertrudis doesn’t approve, Micah believes in the stories his dying Grandpa Ephraim tells him of the magical Circus Mirandus: the invisible tiger guarding the gates, the beautiful flying birdwoman, and the magician more powerful than any other—the Man Who Bends Light. Finally, Grandpa Ephraim offers proof. The Circus is real. And the Lightbender owes Ephraim a miracle. With his friend Jenny Mendoza in tow, Micah sets out to find the Circus and the man he believes will save his grandfather.

The only problem is, the Lightbender doesn't want to keep his promise. And now it's up to Micah to get the miracle he came for.

Echo

by Pam Muñoz Ryan

(Scholastic)

Music, magic, and a real-life miracle meld in this genre-defying masterpiece from storytelling maestro Pam Muñoz Ryan.

Lost and alone in a forbidden forest, Otto meets three mysterious sisters and suddenly finds himself entwined in a puzzling quest involving a prophecy, a promise, and a harmonica.

Decades later, Friedrich in Germany, Mike in Pennsylvania, and Ivy in California each, in turn, become interwoven when the very same harmonica lands in their lives. All the children face daunting challenges: rescuing a father, protecting a brother, holding a family together. And ultimately, pulled by the invisible thread of destiny, their suspenseful solo stories converge in an orchestral crescendo. 

Tiger Boy

by Mitali Perkins

illustrated by Jamie Hogan

(Charlesbridge) 

When a tiger cub goes missing from the reserve, Neel is determined to find her before the greedy Gupta gets his hands on her to kill her and sell her body parts on the black market. Neel's parents, however, are counting on him to study hard and win a prestigious scholarship to study in Kolkata. Neel doesn't want to leave his family or his island home and he struggles with his familial duty and his desire to maintain the beauty and wildness of his island home in West Bengal's Sunderbans.

Graphic Novels

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Roller Girl

by Victoria Jamieson

(Dial Books)

For most of her twelve years, Astrid has done everything with her best friend Nicole. But after Astrid falls in love with roller derby and signs up for derby camp, Nicole decides to go to dance camp instead. And so begins the most difficult summer of Astrid's life as she struggles to keep up with the older girls at camp, hang on to the friend she feels slipping away, and cautiously embark on a new friendship. As the end of summer nears and her first roller derby bout (and junior high!) draws closer, Astrid realizes that maybe she is strong enough to handle the bout, a lost friendship, and middle school… in short, strong enough to be a roller girl.

Lost in NYC: A Subway Adventure

by Nadja Spiegelman

illustrated by Sergio García Sánchez
(Toon Graphics)

The sights . . . the sounds . . . the SMELLS! New York's crowded subway system is known for many things, but being easy on a lost kid isn't one of them. When Pablo gets separated from his new schoolmates during his first field trip in New York City, he doesn't know how he'll be able to find them again. Luckily, he has a little knowledge, a new friend, and the surprisingly approachable city itself to guide his way. This story features maps, archival photos, and fascinating facts to help readers explore the subway without ever having to get caught like Pablo in the mob of Times Square. It brings all the bustle and beauty of NYC to young readers around the world.

El Deafo
by Cece Bell
(Abrams)

Going to school and making new friends can be tough. But going to school and making new friends while wearing a bulky hearing aid strapped to your chest? That requires superpowers! In this funny, poignant graphic novel memoir, author/illustrator Cece Bell chronicles her hearing loss at a young age and her subsequent experiences with the Phonic Ear, a very powerful—and very awkward—hearing aid.

The Phonic Ear gives Cece the ability to hear—sometimes things she shouldn’t—but also isolates her from her classmates. She really just wants to fit in and find a true friend, someone who appreciates her as she is. After some trouble, she is finally able to harness the power of the Phonic Ear and become “El Deafo, Listener for All.” And more importantly, declare a place for herself in the world and find the friend she’s longed for.

Hansel and Gretel 

by Neil Gaiman & Lorenzo Mattotti 

(Toon Graphics)

Best-selling author Neil Gaiman and fine artist Lorenzo Mattotti join forces to create Hansel & Gretel, a stunning book that's at once as familiar as a dream and as evocative as a nightmare. Mattotti's sweeping ink illustrations capture the terror and longing found in the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Gaiman crafts an original text filled with his signature wit and pathos that is sure to become a favorite of readers everywhere, young and old.


And speaking of perfect summer reads. . . it's time to draw the winners of Jackie Clark Mancuso's HUDSON IN PROVENCE and PARIS-CHIEN.

The winner of HUDSON IN PROVENCE is. . . CATHERINE! 

Our second winner of PARIS-CHIEN is BETSY DEVANY!

Congrats, Catherine and Betsy! Please email littlecrookedcottage@gmail.com with your shipping address.