Zola's Elephant

Zola's Elephant
by Randall de Seve
illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski

Zola has an elephant!  At least, that's what her new next-door neighbor thinks.   Why else would there be such a large box?   An unnamed narrator longingly imagines what it must be like over at Zola's, envisioning all the fun that Zola must be having with her elephant.  Why would Zola need a new friend if she already has an elephant to play with? 

What a sweet, engaging story!  The narrator's perspective of Zola and her elephant are shown in bright,  vivid images, while alternating illustrations, in grayer tones, show the reality of what is happening over at Zola's house.   Readers will enjoy the detailed illustrations and heartwarming story. 

Author's website: http://www.randalldeseve.com/

The Time Museum

The Time Museum
by Matthew Loux

Delia is competing for an internship at a unique museum: the Time Museum.   Her fellow competitors are kids from all over time, including ancient Rome and the distant future.  To prove themselves worthy of the internship, they participate in time-traveling missions where they realize that, in order to succeed, they must learn to trust each other and work together as a team. 

This fun graphic novel is the first in a new, exciting series!   Humorous, yet full of action and unexpected twists, this book will be a great choice for graphic novel fans as well as readers who enjoy science fiction.  I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series, which is scheduled to be released in June!

Author's website: http://www.mattloux.com/

The Trail

The Trail
by Meika Hashimoto

There were 10 things on the list that Toby and Lucas were going to do during the summer before middle school.    There is now one last item to complete on that list, and Toby must do it alone.   The final task: hike to Mount Katahdin from their home, a 440 mile trek.   Will Toby be able to complete the daunting journey?

This is an emotional story full of a lot of action and adventure!   Fans of Lost on a Mountain in Maine will want to read this tale of a boy determined to fulfill a pact made with his best friend.

Train I Ride

Train I Ride
by Paul Mosier

It's a long train ride from California to Chicago for Rydr.  Because her grandmother can no longer care for her, she is forced to go live with a relative she's never met.   During the lengthy journey, Rydr learns more about some of her fellow passengers while, over time, heartbreaking details of her chaotic life emerge. 

This was a beautiful, emotional story that I could not put down until I finished!   Rydr is an amazing character that has faced many challenges and, despite putting on a tough, savvy exterior, struggles with the heartbreaks of her life. I highly recommend this outstanding book!

Shark Lady

Shark Lady
by Jess Keating
illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens

From a young age, Eugenie Clark was fascinated by sharks.   While others thought they were scary, ugly, creatures, Eugenie saw them as beautiful and wanted to learn as much as she could about them.  When Eugenie wanted to study zoology, she was discouraged by many because she was a woman.  However, she was determined to follow her dreams and became a renowned scientist, making discoveries about the beautiful sharks that had always fascinated her!

What an beautiful book!  The story of scientist Eugenie Clark will inspire many.  I enjoyed learning more about her and how she grew from a shark-loving little girl to a distinguished scientist.

Author's website: https://jesskeating.com/

Book Trailer:

We Don't Eat Our Classmates!

We Don't Eat Our Classmates!
by Ryan T. Higgins

Penelope Rex is so excited about her first day of school!  Unfortunately, she has a bit of a problem: she keeps eating her classmates!  Although she spits them out, her behavior prevents her from making any friends at school.   Penelope doesn't understand why her classmates don't trust her, but an encounter with the class pet goldfish may help put things into perspective!

What a funny book!  Maine author and illustrator Ryan T. Higgins has created a hilarious story about a dinosaur that learns an important lesson on how (and how not) to make friends! 

Fergus and Zeke

Fergus and Zeke
by Kate Messner
illustrated by Heather Ross

Classroom pet Fergus wants to go along on the class trip to the museum!  Not wanting to be left behind, he sneaks along by hiding in a student's backpack.  While at the museum, Fergus discovers many exciting things, including another mouse named Zeke!  His new friend helps him navigate the large, busy museum, but then Fergus realizes that he may miss the school bus ride home if he doesn't find his class!  Will he find his class before they leave the museum?

Fergus and Zeke is the first book in a fun new series!  Its short chapters and fun, engaging illustrations make this a great choice for newly independent readers looking for a chapter book.  I'm looking forward to the next adventure of Fergus and Zeke!

Author's website: http://www.katemessner.com/

The Great Hibernation

The Great Hibernation
by Tara Dairman

It's an annual tradition: all residents of St. Polonius who are twelve and older participate in the eating of the sacred liver.  Unfortunately, twelve-year-old Jean is unable to eat hers and hopes that no one will find out.  Shortly after the annual celebration everyone who ate the liver suddenly, and mysteriously, fall into a deep sleep, leaving the children of St. Polonius to care for themselves.  What caused this deep sleep?  Was it related to the liver?   Jean and her friends must find answers before their town falls apart!

This was a very fun story!  I found that it had a lot of humorous parts, especially as the young children of St. Polonius eagerly took over their parents' jobs while the adults were in a deep sleep.  This is a great choice for readers looking for a humorous mystery!

Author's website: https://taradairman.com/

Star Scouts

Star Scouts
by Mike Lawrence

Avani does not want to be a Flower Scout.   All they do is talk about makeup and boys, while Avani would rather be doing something more adventurous.   She unexpectedly gets her wish when Mabel, a Star Scout from outer space, accidentally teleports Avani to her troop meeting.  The Star Scouts are everything that Avani wishes the Flower Scouts were.  Unfortunately, a trip to the Star Scout camp may cause her membership in the troop to be a short one!

Star Scouts is the first book in an exciting new graphic novel series.   With engaging illustrations and a humorous, action-filled storyline, this will a great choice for many readers!

Spirit Hunters

Spirit Hunters
by Ellen Oh

Harper Raine is not happy about moving, especially when she suspects that the creepy old house they moved into is haunted.   Shortly after moving in, her younger brother starts acting strange, throwing violent tantrums and talking to an imaginary friend.   Harper begins to learn more about the history of the home, and the more she learns the more she is convinced that there are evil spirits present. 

What an exciting, suspenseful book! This creepy ghost story is a great choice for readers who enjoying scary tales.

Author's website: http://www.ellenoh.com/index2.html

Book Trailer: