ISBN: 9781339005546
Publisher's Synopsis:
Mindy isn't like the other classic milk tea flavors, with their sensible straws and varying shades of brown. Instead, Mindy shines with her green, white and red colors. Worried about not being milk tea enough, Mindy decides to dive into their history so she can be less different. As she and her friends embark on this journey, they make a surprising discovery about the truth behind milk tea that could change the town forever...
MrsK's Review: Fantasy
How sweet is your tea? Little Boba tea is totally, and wonderfully sweet. Mindy arrived in Milk Tea; a town steeped in tradition. Yet, Mindy was not easily soothed. Although she was the first that was beginning to "look" different, Mindy decides to begin a research project. Searching through the Milk Tea town library, Mindy discovers how the Milk Teas came from various continents. Each tea ingredient had unique qualities. Unfortunately, most adult teas had forgotten. Will the presentation that Mindy and her friends created help the adults to understand the truth about the special qualities of each tea?
This is an adorable picture story that will bring inspiration and fun discussions to every family or classroom story time. End the story with a Milk Tea tasting,
MrsK
Meet the Author:
 Joanna Ho Bradshaw is the author of Eyes that Kiss in the Corners (HarperCollins, Jan 2021), Playing at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo Ma (HarperCollins, Fall 2021), and One Day (Winter 2023). She is a writer and educator with a passion for anti-bias, anti-racism and equity work. She holds a BA in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s from the Principal Leadership Institute at Berkeley. She has been an English teacher, a dean, the designer of an alternative-to-prison program, and a professional development mastermind. She is currently the vice principal of a high school in the Bay Area, where she survives on homemade chocolate chip cookies, outdoor adventures, and dance parties with her kids. Keep your eyes open for more books to come! Meet the Illustrator:
Amber Ren: Spending the first half of her life in China and the second half in America, Amber is heavily influenced by her bicultural background. She enjoys animation and illustration from both the East and the West, and her diverse interest and cultural background are evident in her work. Amber graduated from CalArts in 2015.Amber is currently working in the animation industry and illustrating picture books during her free time. Her debut picture book BECAUSE written by Mo Willems is a New York Times Best Seller. Since then, she has illustrated five more picture books and three book covers. Her work was featured in The Eric Carle Museum's first online exhibition, ART in Place: Social Distancing in the Studio.
ISBN: 9781338822045
Publisher's Synopsis:
You Make the World is a fantastical journey between a father and son and the self-discovery of the love and power within. Throughout their adventure together, the father describes his son's contagious energy and range of strong emotions as having the same intensity and beauty as the natural world. Muon Thí Van's acclaimed lyrical style shines in this poetic affirmation of one's own power. Award-winning illustrator duo, Phung Nguyen Quang and Huynh Kim Lien's stunning art captures the magic of imagination. Together, this book is a work of art in every sense of the way and truly sings from the pages.
"The sun makes the world hum.
The clouds make the world blue.
The wind makes the world wild.
The rain makes the world new..."
MrsK's Review: Fantasy/Family
During a father and son camping trip, the wonder of nature helps the boy to see how the world shines with a special uniqueness. Growing into the "sight" of goodness all around is a precious treasure. Beautifully crafted, the nature trip brings a heartwarming discovery, one in which many children have yet to understand.
Do they know that when "they yell... the world around them trembles?" Or when they cry "the world around them remembers?" Imagine the depth of discussions that your family and/or class can have from this boy's discoveries. Every child makes the world whole; do they know that truth?
Let's share this truth, once the story is completed have them create a picture of them and which of the characteristics they want to "plant" into their world...
MrsK
"But you know what else makes the world?
You."
Meet the Author:
Muon Thị Văn loves to read books of all shapes and sizes. She first began reading yellow-spined hardbacks about a certain girl detective before graduating to longer novels and then picture books (it’s true, she doesn’t remember reading picture books as a young child). So, few books reflected her formative experiences, though, that she desired to bring new and different stories into the world.
ISBN: 9781339023373
Publisher's Synopsis:
Garden Glen was afraid of the dark. Each night when the sun went down, all the lights in town turned on. The houses shone like the noon sun. Every house except for Millie Fleur La Fae's, of course.Millie Fleur knows there are enchanting things that can only be glimpsed in the dark. But ever since she moved to Garden Glen, her nighttime friends are nowhere to be found.
Determined to welcome the dark back to town, Millie Fleur bakes delicious moon pies and plants a sweet-smelling moon garden. But before the nighttime creatures will return, Millie Fleur must convince the townspeople to be brave and turn out the lights.
"Garden Glen was afraid of the dark."
MrsK's Review: Reality Fantasy
Every house was "as bright as the midday sun." Except for Millies, her house was mysterious because her house had a secret. When her moon garden showed signs of a struggle, her mother took out the light from the streetlight. As the town grumbles, Millie makes a few visits complete with moon pies in hand. That's when the creatures of the night begin showing up at her house.
Do you know the creatures of the night? The spiders, crickets, or katydids? Do you know which plants scent the night with goodness, plants like moonflowers, sugarplums, and twilight tulips?
Step into Millie's night garden, you might discover a small area at your place that needs a nightly destination,
MrsK
"Behind my gates lies a world you've been missing."
Meet the Author:
ISBN: 9781955550529
Publisher's Synopsis:
Ironically, one of the lies culture tells your children is that the love of self should be their single most important priority. But, what about teaching them the hard lesson about Christ's higher, self-sacrificial love? In Kirk's new book, on the topic of loving your enemy, Stewart the Giraffe dreams of beating Asher at the Hive Haven Fair. But, when an unexpected accident ruins Stewart's chances, it's how Asher reacts that changes everything!"Doohickeys, doodads, and doozits galore...
all spin, sputter, and soar."
MrsK's Review: Reality Fantasy
Young Stewart the giraffe was in awe at the Hive Haven Invention Fair. Until his family ran into Asher's fox family. Their families have fought for so long, no one remembers what started the rivalry. With an intensity to beat each other, the science fair became chaotic when Grandpa Foxes scooter goes out of control.
Stewart's invention is ruined... until Asher makes a few adjustments. As the judges come into view the two families are not pleased... could this be a moment of kindness make the difference for both families?
This story is a unique invention of scientific wonders woven with human kindness. As with every Brave book, there are discoveries to be made within the story, Brave challenges beyond the story. As well as brave discussion points to bridge the gaps of friends vs. enemy's epidemic within today's society.
What invention could your reader create?
MrsK
Meet the Author:
Kirk Cameron is a Christian, producer, actor, television and film icon, loving husband, and father. In addition, Kirk has had a big impact on our society through films like Fireproof, The Homeschool Awakening, and Lifemark. Kirk has also been one of the main BRAVE authors on the Freedom Island Tour doing story hour readings at local libraries. The Fox, the Fair, and the Invention Scare is Kirk's third book with BRAVE!
ISBN: 9780545498586
Publisher's Synopsis:
Billy Broccoli is new to the neighborhood and wants cool friends and a spot on the baseball team more than anything. But the one thing he never wanted is his own personal ghost. So imagine his surprise when he ends up sharing a room with Hoover Porterhouse, a funny ghost with a whole lot of attitude.When an obnoxious school bully sets out to demolish Billy, the Hoove comes up with a plan for revenge. It’s all in the Hooves’ Rule Number Forty-Two: Stay cool. And like it or not, Billy and the Hoove have to stick together if Billy ever wants to get in style, get even, and conquer the school.
MrsK's Review: Gr. 3-4 Humor
Meet Billy who is in 6th grade. He tries to be friendly, yet most of the kids at school aren't ready to accept the new kid in town. Billy's mother, stepfather, and stepsister, Breeze, moved when his mother become the principal at Moorepark middle school. This year's SOC, Speak Out Challenge, will be demonstrating something special that they can do. The only idea Billy can do is recite the alphabet backwards in 15 seconds or less. How cool is that!
Hoove has many rules for living life. For example, #16 is to always keep yourself sharp... you never know who might be looking." Not exactly a bad rule, yet Hooves' not really someone who can be seen given he is a fourteen-year-old ghost whose been dead for ninety-nine years. Hoove has a very important assignment. He must do his best with Billy, or he will never have the chance to visit every famous baseball field in the nation. Hoove has a better idea, one that will make Billy more popular than anything any other kid in 6th grade could do. Billy could read a few students' mind! Of course, Hoove would be the hidden success secret. Caution, Hoove doesn't play "second fiddle" to anyone. Will he get it right and stick to it with Billy?
With silly play on words, crazy stunts, and an "unreal" friendship this novel brings giggles, shaking of the head eye rolls, and many "no... don't" warnings to Hoove. Enjoy this zany journey,
MrsK
Meet the Authors:
ISBN: 9781250380470
Publisher's Synopsis:
When a mysterious little free library (guarded by a large orange cat) appears overnight in the small town of Martinville, eleven-year-old Evan plucks two weathered books from its shelves, never suspecting that his life is about to change.Evan and his best friend Rafe quickly discover a link between one of the old books and a long-ago event that none of the grown-ups want to talk about. The two boys start asking questions whose answers will transform not only their own futures, but the town itself.
"Justice must be done in the end."
MrsK's Review: Gr. 4-5 Mystery/Fantasy
Mortimer is a fascinating cat, he is loyal, compassionate, and missing his sister Petunia. He isn't happy when his cart of old books was being taken outside, "it was all he had left of his first home." It had been twenty years since the fire. Why were they destroying his library cart? Once the cart was moved outside and his beloved books were placed on it, Mortimer chose to leave the comfortable house to become the guardian of the mysterious little free library, as well as the areas mice. As cats usually are, he is cunning and will use his knowledge about the Martinville library fire to find a solution for revealing the truth.
Evan never expected to find what looked like a box on a pole outside of the Martinville's History House. Upon a closer inspection, what looked like an old library cart with glass doors surprisingly had old library books inside. With that orange cat, his mom called Goldie lying underneath it. Why would someone put old books outside? Who did this? Well, why not take a book like the sign stated. So, Evan took two books. Little did Evan know he would be caught up in a mystery that would involve those two books.
Ms. Scoggins once was the Librarian; she remains Mortimer's favorite house mate because her hugs are gentle. Ms. Scoggins takes care of Al and Mr. Brock and of course Mortimer. She dislikes mice, dirty spaces, and things that she has little control over. Nothing has been easy since the fire, especially for Mr. Brock. She knows their time is running out.
Al was the assistant librarian before the library burnt down. She and Ms. Scoggins, as well as Mr. Brock, the old patron from the library were living in the Martinville History House. Ever since the fire on 11/5/1999, they had taken up residency at the History House. It was a perfect place to reside, especially since tour hours were few and far between, which meant that Al doesn't disappear very easily, so she waits hidden in different areas. The three of them took up very little space and everything is always back in space before the tour hours, so their existence has become routine and only Al does their errands.
With the help of Rafe, Evan's best friend, they begin putting pieces of the Martinville fire together. He had to discover who started it, especially since the trail of clues are leading to his father! Now that he read the old book from the mystery box, How to write a Mystery Novel by Edward McClelland, and the only person who checked the book out was H. G. Higgins. Evan strongly believes it was the well-known mystery writer who started the fire at the library.
Will Evan and Rafe discover the truth about the fatal fire of unknown origins? With well-crafted characters, baffling twists and turns, this "romping" mystery will keep you readjusting who set the fire, are you ready to put the pieces together?
MrsK
"Being a Great Reader means feeling something about books...
Books don't get used up... they get powered by the readers...
didn't they?"
Meet the Author:
Rebecca Stead is the New York Times bestselling author of When You Reach Me, Liar & Spy, First Light, Goodbye Stranger, Bob, and, most recently, The List of Things That Will Not Change. Her books have been awarded the Newbery Medal, the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award for Fiction and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. Rebecca lives in New York City, where she is always on the lookout for her next story idea
ISBN: 9781665910699
Publisher's Synopsis:
Coop Cooperson lives in the Land of Eem, a fantastical realm where many different species live together and there is always more magic to be discovered by those up to the task. The Dungeoneer Academy trains future explorers with classes like Dungeons and Mazes, Creatures and Critters, and Swords and Sorcery.Coop believes in the academy’s mission and the Dungeoneer’s Code, but being the only human student can make it difficult to fit in—sometimes he wonders if he really belongs. Lucky for Coop, his best friend Oggie the bugbear has his back, as do the two other members of their exploring team, Daz the boggart and Mindy the imp. They have to rely on each other more than ever as the test for their Junior Dungeoneer Badges looms closer.
If Coop and his friends fail to run the final gauntlet in the fungal jungle, they will have to leave the academy. As future dungeoneers, they know to expect the unexpected, but nothing could prepare them for the adventure in store.
"This book you are reading... is... my personal adventure journal.
... Oggie draws all the pictures.
So, if you're up for a wild ride..."
MrsK's Review: Gr. 4-6+ Fantasy/Adventure
Meet Coop, he is currently in training at the Dungeoneer Academy. He is the only human ever to be admitted to the academy. Talk about feeling like the odd one out! Not every recruit is accepting of Coop's uniqueness.
Coop's team includes Oggie the large bugbear, who is the best artist. Mindy is an imp who is always prepared with a pack full of all things, she is a genius. Then there is Daz, she is a boggart and the most skilled. The newest recruit will be a Mushrum known as Tymbo or more accurately known as "the Tymbos." The team will be pushed beyond endurance, threatened by unfortunate choices, and possibly lost forever.
The academy's staff includes their coach Quag who is their "hardy" gauntlet instructor. Mr. Fang is an inkpot spider that serves as their librarian, as well as the one that pops out in the most unnerving sections of their maze assessments. Blorf is their cook... a bit like a boar... with less than dead meals. Professor Clementine is their passionate historian who believes the past will help them "plan for the future." There is always so much to learn, to cherish. Headmaster Munchowzen the ancient explorer the academy's preservationist.
Then of course there would be those that want to have glory but are not necessarily learning kindness. Zeek who is a goblin, nasty attitude who schemes chaos. Axel is a very large Dratch which enjoys mocking others and disrespects those in authority.
Which team... which individual... will succeed? Does the Cungeoneer's Code hold the secrets long held by generations as guidelines to be followed for the greatest adventures, or can you "pass" the Final Gauntlet without tenets? Maybe the warning to combine your talents is linked to four strategies of success!
Within the books journey, you will meet different species, uncover lost treasures, and obviously there be monsters, ruins, mazes, and unknowns that could cause your time to come to an end.
Enjoy a rollicking turn of these pages,
MrsK
"... you also need to be prepared to run for your life!"
Meet the Authors:
We’ve been friends since the 2nd grade, and love making stuff together. It all began in grade school, drawing superhero comics with crayons and construction paper. In high school, we spent hours making wacky homemade movies, and then as college roommates, we came up with the idea that would become Rickety Stitch and the Gelatinous Goo, our first published graphic novel series in 2017.
We love fantasy and strive to craft tales that celebrate the adventures of unlikely heroes. We grew up playing tabletop roleplaying games, creating countless characters and collaborative worlds with our pals. It’s a pastime that’s paved the way for our creative careers, and we still play with the same friends to this day.
ISBN: 9780593374207
Publisher's Synopsis:
Lights. Camera. Lies.
18-year-old Bel has lived her whole life in the shadow of her mom’s mysterious disappearance. Sixteen years ago, Rachel Price vanished, and young Bel was the only witness, but she has no memory of it. Rachel is gone, long presumed dead, and Bel wishes everyone would just move on.But the case is dragged up from the past when the Price family agree to a true crime documentary. Bel can’t wait for filming to end, for life to go back to normal. And then the impossible happens. Rachel Price reappears, and life will never be normal again.
Rachel has an unbelievable story about what happened to her. Unbelievable, because Bel isn’t sure it’s real. If Rachel is lying, then where has she been all this time? And – could she be dangerous? With the cameras still rolling, Bel must uncover the truth about her mother, and find out why Rachel Price really came back from the dead . . .
From world-renowned author Holly Jackson comes a mind-blowing masterpiece about one girl’s search for the truth, and the terror in finding out who your family really is.
"What do you think happened to your mother?"
MrsK's Review: Gr. 7-HS Mystery/Crime
Meet Bel, currently she is literally in view of the camera. A documentary about the mysterious disappearance of her mother is being replayed from the view of the only witness. The problem is, Annabel was found in her car seat. Just how much can Bel even know? She was only two when her mother disappeared.
Mr. Tripp is the man who found the car, and of course, Bel. Amazingly, he is also her homeroom teacher.
Charlie is Bel's dad. For sixteen years, he has been a dutiful father, he's been Bel's rock. They enjoy bacon sandwiches, ... What he does know, if Rachel ever came back, he would let her know just how much he loves her... "before any questions, those can come later."
Carter is Bel's cousin; she is destined to be a ballerina. Her father Jeff is Charlie's brother. Carter's family only lives a few houses from Bel. Even though she is younger than Bel, Bel is her confidant. Will she be ready for the truth that this documentary is about to reveal?
Finally, the car scene on Route 2, would be reenacted. The filming was weird. They hired a lady to play the part of Rachel, and Bel would be interviewed in the back seat... which is her worst part of her toddler experience, back seats caused to much anxiety. Ash was already to begin filming some behind the scenes shots. Since the beginning mess up on the first day of shooting, Ash has been the one avenue for Bel. Most of this filming Bel can keep her emotions out of the Q & A discussions. She didn't have memories with her mom; she was too young. Of course, there are pieces that are uncomfortable, yet Charlie will always be there to help her through the rough parts.
That is until... the moment that Rachel reappears! Will truth take them to a new closer? How do you accept a mother into your life when she was presumed dead? How does the family come together for a final filming for the documentary? Where has Rachel been for 16 years?
So many twists and turns... with a special warning... once you Rachel returns there is no stopping of page turning... expect a late night to the end!
Enjoy,
MrsK
"The truth didn't make sense. But it was the only thing that did.
Rachel Price was back, and Bel had lost her mind."
Meet the Author:
Holly Jackson was born in 1992. She grew up in Buckinghamshire and started writing stories from a young age, completing her first (poor) attempt at a book aged fifteen.
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