When I grow up, I want to be like the little old lady who was not afraid of anything. Linda William's rhythmic, runaway bestseller is a favorite at 57th Street Books' storytime anytime of year, offsetting fears with fun repeated sounds and an equally unexpected ending that quite literally, and imaginatively, ties it all together. We look forward to sharing this and other scary stories at our fourth annual Spooky Storytime on Saturday, October 26. RSVP (if you dare...) at the link and beware of more frighteningly fun fall books and events for young readers below! —Colin, et al. at 57th Street Books
P.S. Starting this month, you can support a neighborhood school when you shop! William C. Reavis Math and Science is a K-8 school located at 50th and Drexel, serving 264 neighborhood children. 57th Street Books is teaming up with volunteers to help re-build the school library, which closed three years ago due to funding cuts. This book drive will ensure that children are met with current titles and brand new books when the library re-opens in April. Buy a book today and support your neighborhood schools! Speak with a bookseller to get started or email kidsbooks@semcoop.com. The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything(HarperCollins) Linda Williams, illus. by Megan Lloyd
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.
"You might be thinking 'Zeus' refers to the famous Greek god," writes Charlie (age 9), "but in Zeus, The Mighty: The Quest for the Golden Fleas, an hilarious riff on the Classics, Zeus is actually a pet store hamster." Will Zeus find the titular golden fleas and save Bugcropolis? "Find out in this funny, action-packed novel by Crispin Boyer."
Speaking of quests, Tom (age 9) invites us to go where one man "was the first" to go in Trailblazers: Neil Armstrong from the new biography series that celebrates the lives of pioneers, past and present, from all over the world.
And in the world of young adult fiction, Liza (age 15) zeroes in on Shamin Sarif's The Athena Protocol about an elite organization of female spies who enact vigilante justice around the world. "There was a twist at the end that I didn't see coming, and the characters were very diverse," writes Liza. "I would recommend this book to people who like action, mystery, and drama." 8 and up and interested in becoming a member of the Young Readers Advisory Board? Write to kidsbooks@semcoop.com for more details.
Available November 5. Reserve your copies today! Sofia Valdez, Future Prez (Abrams Books for Young Readers) Andrea Beatty
The newest picture book from the creators of Iggy Peck, Architect; Rosie Revere, Engineer; and Ada Twist, Scientist stars Sofia Valdez, a community leader who stands up for what she believes in! Available in Spanish and English.
Every morning, Abuelo walks Sofia to school... until one day, when Abuelo hurts his ankle at a local landfill and he can no longer do so. Sofia misses her Abuelo and wonders what she can do about the dangerous Mount Trashmore. Then she gets an idea--the town can turn the slimy mess into a park! She brainstorms and plans and finally works up the courage to go to City Hall--only to be told by a clerk that she can't build a park because she's just a kid! Sofia is down but not out, and she sets out to prove what one kid can do.
In Wrecking Ball, Book 14 of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series--from #1 international bestselling author Jeff Kinney--an unexpected inheritance gives Greg Heffley's family a chance to make big changes to their house. But they soon find that home improvement isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Once the walls come down, all sorts of problems start to crop up. Rotten wood, toxic mold, unwelcome critters, and something even more sinister all make Greg and his family wonder if the renovations are worth the trouble. When the dust finally settles, will the Heffleys be able to stay... or will they need to get out of town?
In this book with flaps, readers will discover some of the motivational words and moments that made the Obama presidency a remarkable period in history. With vibrant illustrations by Violet Lemay and simple text, The Obamas: A Lift-the-Flap Book is the perfect way to introduce young readers to the inspiring lives of Barack and Michelle Obama.
From footballs to eyeballs, beach balls to meatballs, if you can roll it, this book has it! With his signature whimsy and wordplay, author Joshua David Stein compares and contrasts different kinds of balls in a book that's part-reference, part-comedy act.
One hundred years ago, a little boy watched his family and community come together to build a grand red barn. The boy left and returned a young man, to help on the farm and to care for the barn again. Newbery Medal-winning author Patricia MacLachlan and award-winning artist Kenard Pak spin a tender and timeless story about the simple moments that make up a lifetime.
With lyrical language that captures the majesty of the natural world, this picture book tells the story of three girls' friendship—and their tribulations and triumphs in the great outdoors. Featuring a glossary and a sketchbook by one of the characters, and abundant labels throughout this book is a must-have for budding scientists, best friends, and all adventurers.
It's Sunday, and Camille puts on her raincoat and goes outside to play. She notices a group of red ants zigzagging along a trail and asks "Where are you going?" The ants reply, "We're going to a show." Camille embarks on an adventure to discover what the show is about and the astounding beauty to be found by closely observing her surroundings.
African American girls and their beautiful hair are celebrated in this bright, joyful read-together picture book that will have girls everywhere repeating the book's chorus: "I love being me!"
It's naptime, but this young bookworm isn't going to sleep. It's time to read. The Reader is the story of a girl, her family library, and those happy stolen moments during the siesta when she can read quietly while everyone else is resting.
All her life, Edie has known that her mom was adopted by a white couple. So, no matter how curious she might be about her Native American heritage, Edie is sure her family doesn't have any answers. Until the day when she and her friends discover a box hidden in the attic—a box full of letters signed "Love, Edith," and photos of a woman who looks just like her.
Set in the world of the Newbery Honor-winning Ella Enchanted, this tale by beloved author Gail Carson Levine stars a clever heroine who is determined to defy expectations—and outwit a fairy's curse. Evie is happiest when she is diagnosing symptoms and prescribing medications, so when Wormy unexpectedly proposes to her, she kindly turns him down; she has far too much to do to be marrying anyone. But a certain meddling fairy named Lucinda has been listening in, and she doesn't approve of Evie's rejection. Suddenly, Evie has only sixty-two days to accept another proposal—or else be stuck as an ogre forever.
Fans of Cassie Beasley's New York Times best-selling novel Circus Mirandus have long been clamoring for one thing: to go back to the circus! Micah Tuttle now lives at the Circus Mirandus full-time as an apprentice to the incredible Lightbender. Everything seems peaceful until The Bird Woman begins to threaten the future of Micah's new home. Soon, it's up to Micah and the Lightbender to defeat her and help keep the magical circus alive.
A new series set in the Land of Stories universe from the #1 New York Times bestselling author, Chris Colfer, perfect for new and old fans! When Brystal Evergreen stumbles across a secret section of the library, she learns the impossible: she is a fairy capable of magic. Adventure comes with a price, however, and when Madame Weatherberry is called away to attend to an important problem, she doesn't return. Do Brystal and her classmates have what it takes to stop a sinister plot that risks the fate of the world, and magic, forever?
Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents Kwame Mbalia's epic fantasy, a middle grade American Gods set in a richly-imagined world populated with African American folk heroes and West African gods. Seventh grader Tristan Strong accidentally rips open a chasm into the MidPass, a volatile place with a burning sea, haunted bone ships, and iron monsters that are hunting the inhabitants of this world. In order to get back home, Tristan will need to entice the god Anansi, the Weaver, to seal the hole in the sky, but bartering with the trickster Anansi always comes at a price.
In an engrossing historical novel, the Newbery Medal-winning author of Bridge to Terabithia follows a young Cuban teenager as she volunteers for Fidel Castro's national literacy campaign and travels into the impoverished countryside to teach others how to read. Shining light on a little-known moment in history, Katherine Paterson traces a young teen's coming-of-age journey from a sheltered life to a singular mission: teaching fellow Cubans of all ages to read and write.
The Herons are home in Skandia, but the usually peaceful country is in danger. The Temujai—ruthless warriors from the Eastern Steppes—have never given up on their ambition to claim Skandia for their own...and now they're on the move. Hal and his crew will have to brave the treacherous icy river and rapids to stop them, no matter the cost. Climb aboard with the Herons in Return of the Temujai the exciting eighth installment of the Brotherband Chronicles!
Meet Rico: high school senior and afternoon-shift cashier at the Gas 'n' Go. When Rico sells a jackpot-winning lotto ticket, she thinks maybe her luck will finally change, but only if she and her classmate Zan can find the ticket holder. Nic Stone, the New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin and Odd One Out, creates two unforgettable characters in one hard-hitting story about class, money, and how you make your own luck in the world.
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Salt to the Sea and Between Shades of Gray comes a gripping, extraordinary portrait of life under a Spanish dictatorship. Weaving together vintage media reports, oral history commentary, photos, and more, master storyteller Ruta Sepetys once again shines light into one of history's darkest corners in this epic, heart-wrenching novel about identity, unforgettable love, repercussions of war, and the hidden violence of silence—inspired by the true postwar struggles of Spain.
"This powerful story, told with the music of poetry and the blade of truth, will help your heart grow." —Laurie Halse Anderson, author of Speak and Shout
In her own voice, acclaimed author and poet Nikki Grimes explores the truth of a harrowing childhood in a compelling and moving memoir in verse. In this accessible and inspiring memoir that will resonate with young readers and adults alike, Nikki shows how the power of those words helped her conquer the hazards — ordinary and extraordinary — of her life.
From beloved team Kyo Maclear and Julie Morstad (creators of Julia, Child andBloom: A Story of Fashion Designer Elsa Schiaparelli) comes an elegant picture book biography that portrays the most moving moments in the life of Gyo Fujikawa, a groundbreaking Japanese American hero in the fight for racial diversity in picture books.
Equal parts picture book biography, inspiring story, and a look at racial diversity in America, It Began with a Page is a gem for any book lover, librarian, or child who dares to dream big.
Patience, Miyuki
(Princeton Architectural Press)
Rozanne Marie Galliez, illus. Seng Soun Ratanavanh
Anyone with a small child knows that patience is not a virtue easily won. In this magically illustrated story the young girl Miyuki, who we first met in the critically acclaimed Time for Bed, Miyuki, anxiously awaits the opening of one sleepy flower. When, on the first day of spring, the flower still hasn't bloomed, Miyuki begins a frantic search for water to wake it up. Her grandfather gently encourages her to sit and watch with him, as she learns the important lesson that good things come to those who wait.
Graphic The Hidden Kingdom (Graphix)
Tui T Sutherland, illus. Mike Holmes
The #1 New York Times bestselling Wings of Fire series soars to new heights in the third graphic novel adaptation! Glory knows that the dragon world is wrong about her being "a lazy RainWing." Maybe she wasn't meant to be one of the dragonets of destiny, but Glory is sharp and her venom is deadly...even if that's still a secret. So when the dragonets seek shelter in the rain forest, Glory is devastated to find that the treetops are full of RainWings that nap all day and know nothing of the rest of Pyrrhia. Worst of all, they don't realize -- or care -- that RainWings are going missing from their beautiful forest. But Glory and the dragonets are determined to find the missing dragons, even if it drags the peaceful RainWing kingdom where they never wanted to be -- into the middle of the war.
The fourth book of the Berrybrook Middle School series, Diary is a very special journal including not only sticker sheets and "one sketch a day" pages but also brand new stories from the author set in the Berrybrook universe! Find out all about Peppi's and Jaime's project, write your own daily entries right next to Jensen's journal pages, and take a glimpse at the new life of a familiar face who's moved to a new town!
In 2011 one of the biggest political events in the world, the Arab Spring, swept across North Africa. But what came next? As the world moves on, four young Tunisians must cope with the reality of an uncertain future in this original graphic novel. Winner of the Raymond Leblanc Foundation's Belgian Prize, and translated into English for the first time, Helene Aldeguer delivers an authentic look at the disillusioned state of young people in Tunisia after the events of the Arab Spring illustrated in stark, beautiful black-and-white.
The fourth book in the beloved Harry Potter series, now illustrated in glorious full color by award-winning artist Jim Kay. Harry Potter wants to get away from the pernicious Dursleys and go to the International Quidditch Cup with Hermione, Ron, and the Weasleys. He wants to dream about Cho Chang, his crush (and maybe do more than dream). He wants to find out about the mysterious event involving two other rival schools of magic, and a competition that hasn't happened for a hundred years. He wants to be a normal, fourteen-year-old wizard. Unfortunately for Harry Potter, he's not normal - even by wizarding standards. And in this case, different can be deadly. With dazzling illustrations from Jim Kay, this new fully illustrated edition of the complete and unabridged text of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is sure to delight fans and first-time readers alike.
Curious reader-- open your mystical map and get ready to travel through time with these 21 extraordinary stories of daring and deceit, reward and punishment. Meet gods, goddesses, serpents, talking fish and clever spiders. Cavort with sea nymphs, mystical women, terrifying beasts and volcano people as you discover different tales of how the world began. Retold by Alli Brydon and beautifully illustrated by Julia Iredale, these fascinating myths and legends will transport you to every corner of the globe and link you to the people who preserved these tales through oral tradition. The souls of ancestors, the lives of heroes, and the fates of mortals are waiting to be discovered.
Events for Young Readers at 57th Street BooksMorgan Parker, author of the critically acclaimed and bestselling volume of poetry, There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyoncé, is back with her "must-read" entry into YA this month, along with the first illustrator from Latin American to receive the Hans Christian Andersen Award and many more artists and authors turning and lighting up this fall's events.
Storytime with Zoe Mulford, author of The President Sang Amazing Grace Sunday, October 6 10:30am at 57th Street BooksSinger-songwriterZoe Mulford presents a lyrical account of the day President Obama sang with a grieving nation following the 2015 shooting in a historic Black church in Charleston, South Carolina. Adapted from the short film of the song performed by Joan Baez.The reading and conversation will be followed by a short live performance.
Hena Khan discusses More to the Story,in conversation with Jasmine WargaSunday, October 6, 3pm at 57th Street BooksFrom Hena Khan, the critically acclaimed author of Amina’s Voice,comes More to the Story, a new novel inspired by Louisa May Alcott’s beloved classic, Little Women, featuring four sisters from a modern American Muslim family. When Jameela Mirza is picked to be feature editor of her middle school newspaper, she’s assigned to write about the new boy in school and wonders how she’ll make his story gripping enough to enter into a national media contest. As it seems her hunger for fame might cost her a blossoming friendship, Jameela questions whether she’s cut out to be a journalist at all.
Gloria Chao discusses Our Wayward Fate,with Stephanie Kate StrohmTuesday, October 15, 6pm at 57th Street BooksA teen outcast is simultaneously swept up in a whirlwind romance and tumbled down a rabbit hole of dark family secrets when another Taiwanese family moves to her small, predominantly white midwestern town in Our Wayward Fate, a remarkable new novel from Gloria Chao the critically acclaimed author of American Panda, which The Wall Street Journal called “weepingly funny.”
Rosaria Munda discusses Fireborne, in conversation with Franny Billingsley Saturday, October 19 3pm at 57th Street BooksFriends Annie and Lee were just children when a brutal revolution changed their world, giving everyone—even the lowborn—a chance to test into the governing class of dragonriders. Now they are both rising stars in the new regime, despite backgrounds that couldn't be more different. Then everything changes when survivors from the old regime surface, bent on reclaiming the city. From debut author Rosaria Munda comes Fireborne, a gripping adventure that calls into question which matters most: the family you were born into, or the one you've chosen.
Roger Mello presents Charcoal BoysSunday, October 20 3pm at 57th Street Books Beautifully illustrated by Hans Christian Andersen Award-winner Roger Mello with sophisticated, highly textural paper cutouts, Charcoal Boys is a poetic and sensitive portrait of a child living under difficult circumstances. Charcoal Boys offers a unique perspective on the life of a young boy working in Brazil’s charcoal mines: that of a wasp who follows the child throughout his day. Mello allows the little boy’s strength and resilience to shine through in this moving condemnation of child labor. Learn more and RSVP here.
Morgan Parker discusses Who Put This Song On? with Tara BettsMonday, October 21 6pm at the Sem Co-op Loosely based on her own teenage life, this incredible debut by award-winning poet Morgan Parker will make readers stand up and cheer for a girl living life on her own terms. Seventeen-year-old Morgan can't even count the number of times she's been the only non-white person at the sleepover, been teased for her "weird" outfits, and been told she's not "really" black. Also, she's spent most of her summer crying in bed. Lately, it feels like the whole world is listening to the same terrible track on repeat—how to feel, who to vote for, what to believe. In Who Put This Song On? Morgan wonders, when can she turn this song off and begin living for herself?
Liesl Shurtliff on Time Castaways: The Obsidian CompassSaturday, October 26 3pm at 57th Street BooksLiesl Shurtliff, the New York Times-bestselling author of Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin presents the second book in her Time Castaways series! Mateo, Ruby, and Corey Hudson have lost their friend Jia to the villainous Captain Vincent’s clutches, and now they’re determined to bring her back to safety. With their own time-traveling vehicle, the Hudsons think they’re prepared to sneak onto the Vermillion. Unbeknownst to them, Captain Vincent already knows they’re coming. In fact, he’s counting on it...Save the date and find out more!
Sydney Smith presents Small in the CitySunday, October 27 3pm at 57th Street Books It can be a little scary to be small in a big city, but this child has some good advice for a very special friend in need. It can be a little scary to be small in a big city, but it helps to know you're not alone. In the first book that he has both written and illustrated, award-winning artist Sydney Smith spins a quiet, contemplative tale about seeing a big world through little eyes.Read on and RSVP here.
Middle Grade Mayhem!Saturday, November 9 6pm at 57th Street BooksJoin SCBWI-Illinois' Hyde Park/South Side Chicago Network for an evening of all things middle-grade! We'll feature a panel discussion about writing for middle-grade readers with six Chicago authors who have new middle-grade novels: Kate Hannigan, Carolyn Crimi, Keir Graff, Liesl Shurtliff, Shirin Shamsi, and Lisa Jenn Bigelow. Come for discussion about how to approach series, whether plotting or "pantsing" works, getting words onto a page, promoting books, connecting with agents, and connecting with editors and kids and classrooms, along with so much more!Save the date!
Illustration by Victoria Chess from Ghosts! by Alvin SchwartzHungry for more? Follow 57th Street Books on social media for weekly staff favorites, YRAB recommendations, and new releases for young readers!
