Two years shy of receiving a Caldecott Honor for storytime favorite Yo? Yes! in 1994, and long before winning two Caldecott Medals in 2006 (The Hello, Goodbye Window) and 2012 (A Ball for Daisy), author and illustrator Chris Raschka penned his beat-along debut, Charlie Parker Played Be Bop, an exuberant homage in the style of the legendary jazz saxophonist. It seems as though we're always saying hello to a new, virtuosic work of art by Raschka, whether in collaboration or flying solo, and our ears, again, are buzzing for his "replaying" of Mozart's classic opera, The Magic Flute, in this issue of A Young Person's Guide to 57th Street Books (below), before he gets his hands on Mother Goose next month. Of course, that's just one reason to keep scrolling and stay tuned for August's new books and events, which are anything but one-note. Charlie Parker Played Be Bop(Scholastic)
Chris Raschka
57th Street Books' Young Readers Advisory Board is comprised of bright, bold, and adventurous young readers on Chicago's South Side, proudly presenting recommendations and reviews of new books each month in Middle Grade and YA literature.
Thismonth, Ayan (age 9) recommends Scary Stories for Young Foxes (Henry Holt & Company) by Christian McKay Heidicker, illus. by Junyi Wu; a collection of six connected stories that follows a group of fox kits as they fight to survive in an unforgiving wilderness, fitting for fans of the recently adaptedScary Stories to Tell in the Dark, and the perfect outdoor summer read!
Want to tell stories of your own? Nancy (age 9) invites you to Brave the Page(Viking Books for Young Readers), the official National Novel Writing Month handbook. "What I took from the book," says Nancy, is how to add more details to my stories when I write."
Meanwhile, Marcella (age 13) appreciates the story within a story structure, "with echoes of fairy tales and Greek and Egyptian mythologies," (Booklist) of Spark (Scholastic Press); the sequel to Alice Broadway's international bestseller Ink. 8 and up and interested in becoming a member of the Young Readers Advisory Board? Email kidsbooks@semcoop.com for more details.
Best Friends (First Second) Shannon Hale, illus. Leuyen Pham
Sixth grade is supposed to be perfect. Shannon's got a sure spot in the in-crowd called The Group, and her best friend is their leader, Jen, the most popular girl in school. But the rules are always changing, and Shannon has to scramble to keep up. She never knows which TV shows are cool, what songs to listen to, and who she's allowed to talk to. Who makes these rules, anyway? And does Shannon have to follow them? Preorder Best Friends, the vividly honest follow-up to the runaway bestselling graphic memoir Real Friends
Baby Feminists Too (Viking Books for Young Readers) Libby Babbott-Klein, illus. Jessica Walker
Rosa Parks, Mia Hamm, Nelson Mandela, and Amelia Earhart were all once adorable babies--and you can meet them (and more) in this follow-up to runaway hit Baby Feminists! Lift the die-cut flaps to discover how cute these change-makers can be, inspiring the next generation of artists, athletes, and activists to join the fight for equality and inclusion.
(HarperFestival) Laura Gehl, illus. by Daniel Wiseman
Baby Botanist studies plants. In her lab coat, she looks at plants both large and small. She finds plants growing in many places. Baby Scientist is an adorable board book series that brings fun, accessible science concepts to baby's world using simple language, recognizable settings, and vibrant art. Read them all with your baby scientist!
Read Aloud (3-7 years)Señorita Mariposa (Nancy Paulsen Books)
Ben Gundersheimer, illus. by Marcos Almada Rivero
A captivating and child-friendly look at the extraordinary journey that monarch butterflies take each year from Canada to Mexico; with a text in both English and Spanish. Rhyming text and lively illustrations showcase the epic trip taken by the monarch butterflies.
Just in time for the 120th anniversary of the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing" — this stirring book celebrates the Black National Anthem and how it inspired five generations of a family. Kelly Starling Lyons, author of the picture books Hope's Gift and Ellen's Broom, tells a story about the generations of families who gained hope and strength from the song's inspiring words.
From Caldecott Medalist and New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Chris Raschka comes a gorgeously illustrated retelling of Mozart's classic opera, The Magic Flute. The Magic Flute is the favorite choice of many opera lovers. But ask any of them to tell you the rambunctious, mystical, and downright oddball story of the opera and no two tellers will agree.
From beloved author-illustrator Henry Cole comes the stunning follow-up to Spot, the Cat. In this beautiful wordless picture book, Spot the cat finds a dog named Dot who's off on her own adventure through the city! Readers will love following Spot and Dot on their adventure and cheering for the sweet reunion at the end.
A one-of-a-kind, uplifting picture book about a Jewish boy and a Palestinian boy who bond on the soccer field. Daniel and Ismail is a remarkable multilingual picture book that confronts the very adult conflicts that kids around the world face.
"Hope is keeping a light on, however dark things seem."
Emotional, funny, and uplifting, this beautiful picture book is a pure delight from start to finish. A wonderful story that shows children not to give up hope when times are uncertain. From the author of the critically-acclaimed CILIP Greenaway-nominated, A Dot in the Snow, Corrinne Averiss.
An uplifting story, told through the alternating voices of two middle-schoolers, in which a community rallies to reject racism. Count Me In celebrates resilience, the power of community, and even the benefits of social media during a time when hate crimes against the Indian Diaspora are on the rise. From the author of the picture books The Home Builders and This Is Our Baby, Born Today, a Bank Street Best Book.
Angelina is a pretty little mouse who wants nothing more than to be a ballerina. In an encore performance, Angelina Ballerina returns in this refreshed picture book from acclaimed author Katharine Holabird and celebrated artist Helen Craig!
"This book is a treasure–a touching story of friendship, loss, and finding beauty in the everyday, with characters who stay with you long after you've turned the final page. I absolutely loved it." —R. J. Palacio, New York Times bestselling author of Wonder
Laurel Snyder, author of Orphan Island, returns with another unforgettable story of the moments in which we find out who we are, and the life-altering friendships that show us what we can be.
When Lalani Sarita's mother falls ill with an incurable disease, Lalani embarks on a dangerous journey across the sea in the hope of safeguarding her own future. Inspired by Filipino folklore, this engrossing fantasy is for readers who loved Grace Lin's Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and Disney's Moana.
When three very different girls find a mysterious invitation to a lavish mansion, the promise of adventure and mischief is too intriguing to pass up. Ofelia Castillo (a budding journalist), Aster Douglas (a bookish foodie), and Cat Garcia (a rule-abiding birdwatcher) meet the kid behind the invite, Lane DiSanti, and it isn't love at first sight. But they soon bond over a shared mission to get the Floras, their local Scouts, to ditch an outdated tradition.
Perfect for fans of Charlotte's Web and The One and Only Ivan, Saving Winslow is an uplifting modern classic in the making about a young boy who befriends an ailing newborn donkey and nurses him back to health, from New York Times bestseller and Newbery Medal winner Sharon Creech.
Decades ago, Albert Einstein devised an equation that could benefit all life on earth--or destroy it. Fearing what would happen if the equation fell into the wrong hands, he hid it. But now, a diabolical group known as the Furies are closing in on its location. In a breakneck adventure that spans the globe, Charlie must crack a complex code created by Einstein himself, struggle to survive in a world where no one can be trusted, and fight to keep the last equation safe once and for all.
Drew Callander & Alana Harrison, illus. by Ryan Andrews
Coming soon in paperback!
From Liesl Shurtliff, the NewYork Times bestselling author of Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin, comes a thrilling new middle grade trilogy about three city kids who get on the wrong subway train and wind up on a wild, magical mystery-adventure throughout time. Imaginative, daring, and packed with fun, Time Castaways is perfect for fans of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library and Percy Jackson.
“An affectionate ode to books and book lovers.” —Publishers Weekly
An enchanting story about the magic of books and the power of imagination from debut author Anna James. Perfect for fans of Inkheart, The Land of Stories, and Story Thieves. Soon to be a major television series!
"Lai is a master of storytelling, and this tale will have you wanting to hug close every character even while you cheer for them to fly." —Elizabeth Acevedo, New York Times bestselling and National Book Award winning author of The Poet X
Perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo, Ibi Zoboi, and Erika L. Sanchez, this gorgeously written and deeply moving own voices novel is the YA debut from the award-winning author of Inside Out & Back Again.
"Completely unique. Frank is a wonderfully self-aware protagonist with a compelling voice.... [A] beautifully written exploration of family, identity, and self-discovery."—Booklist, starred review
Two friends. One fake dating scheme. What could possibly go wrong? In this moving novel, debut author David Yoon takes on the question of who am I? with a result that is humorous, heartfelt, and ultimately unforgettable.
"Deeply spiritual and bursting with light, The Stars and the Blackness Between Them is a gorgeous love letter to the African diaspora." —Brandy Colbert, Stonewall Award-winning author of Little & Lion
Told in two distinct and irresistible voices, Junauda Petrus's bold and lyrical debut is the story of two black girls from very different backgrounds finding love and happiness in a world that seems determined to deny them both.
A gutsy, queer coming-of-age story perfect for fans of Nina LaCour, Rainbow Rowell, and Elizabeth Acevedo. Juliet Milagros Palante is a self-proclaimed closeted Puerto Rican baby dyke from the Bronx. In a summer bursting with queer brown dance parties, a sexy fling with a motorcycling librarian, and intense explorations of race and identity, Juliet learns what it means to come out--to the world, to her family, to herself.
"The YA debut we're most excited for this year." —Entertainment Weekly
Ready Player One meets The Hate U Give in this dynamite debut novel that follows a fierce teen game developer as she battles a real-life troll intent on ruining the Black Panther-inspired video game she created and the safe community it represents for Black gamers.
"Suggested Reading is a beautiful reminder that there is nothing simple about loving a book. I suggest you read it." —David Arnold, New York Times bestselling author of Mosquitoland
In this hilarious and thought-provoking contemporary teen standalone that's perfect for fans of Moxie, a bookworm finds a way to fight back when her school bans dozens of classic and meaningful books.
When a school presentation goes very wrong, Alaine Beauparlant finds herself suspended, shipped off to Haiti and writing the report of a lifetime...
You might ask the obvious question: What do I, a seventeen-year-old Haitian American from Miami with way too little life experience, have to say about anything? Actually, a lot.
Much has been written about Martin Luther King, Jr. and the 1963 March on Washington. But there's little on his legendary speech and how he came to write it. Find out more in this gripping book with illustrations by Caldecott Medalist Jerry Pinkney.
Frank Lloyd Wright, a young boy from the prairie, becomes America's first world-famous architect in this inspirational nonfiction picture book introducing organic architecture -- a style he created based on the relationship between buildings and the natural world -- which transformed the American home.
This beautiful, bold book celebrates the achievements of LGBT people through history and from around the world. It features dynamic full-color portraits of a diverse selection of 53 inspirational role models accompanied by short biographies that focus on their incredible successes, from Freddie Mercury's contribution to music to Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa.
On Saturday, August 10, prepare to be amazed as renowned author and illustrator Antoine Guilloppé turns storytime up a notch with his series of magnificent cut paper books. See details below and keep scrolling for more mouth-watering, eye-opening events for young readers.
Storytime with Antoine GuilloppéSaturday, August 10 10:30am at 57th Street BooksJoin us for a special bilingual storytime in French and English languages with Antoine Guilloppé, author of fantastic cut paper books, Pleine Lune, Pleine Neige, and Plein Soleil. RSVP here.
Rajani LaRocca presents Midsummer's MayhemSunday, August 11 3pm at 57th Street BooksCan Mimi undo the mayhem caused by her baking in this contemporary-fantasy retelling of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’sDream? An aspiring baker, eleven-year-old Mimi Mackson is drawn into the woods behind her house by a mysterious song, where she meets Vik, a boy who brings her to parts of the forest she’s never seen. But as her dad acts stranger every day, and her siblings’ romantic entanglements cause trouble in their town, Mimi begins to wonder whether the ingredients she and Vik found are somehow the cause of it all. Join us as Rajani LaRocca discusses Midsummer's Mayhem,her delightful first novel. RSVP here. P.S. Follow your nose (and the link) for a delectable recipe from Midsummer's Mayhem: SummerThyme Chocolate-Chunk Cookies with Citrus Zest
A Conversation with Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, Debbie Reese, Jean Mendoza & Bernardine Dohrn Saturday, August 24 3pm at 57th Street BooksAn Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People goes beyond the story of America as a country “discovered” by a few brave men in the “New World.” Indigenous human rights advocate Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz reveals the roles that settler colonialism and policies of American Indian genocide played in forming our national identity. Now, renowned curriculum experts Debbie Reese and Jean Mendoza have fully adapted her academic text for middle-grade and young adult readers, including discussion topics, archival images, original maps, recommendations for further reading, and other materials to encourage students, teachers, and general readers to think critically about their own place in history. Join us in welcoming them for a discussion of their important work. RSVP here.
Hand any four-year-old a fist full of crayons, and it is a very, very few who don't get busy with them, drawing, coloring, scribbling. I have not stopped scribbling. Chris Raschka
Read more at https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/chris_raschka_744449
Hand any four-year-old a fist full of crayons, and it is a very, very few who don't get busy with them, drawing, coloring, scribbling. I have not stopped scribbling. Chris Raschka
Read more at https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/chris_raschka_744449
Hand any four-year-old a fist full of crayons, and it is a very, very few who don't get busy with them, drawing, coloring, scribbling. I have not stopped scribbling. Chris Raschka
Read more at https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/chris_raschka_744449
Hand any four-year-old a fist full of crayons, and it is a very, very few who don't get busy with them, drawing, coloring, scribbling. I have not stopped scribb
Read more at https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/chris_raschka_744449
Illustration by Chris Raschka from A Song About Myself: A Poem by John Keats"Hand any four-year-old a fist full of crayons, and it is a very, very few who don't get busy with them, drawing, coloring, scribbling. I have not stopped scribbling." —Chris Raschka
