I’m delighted to wish this marvelous, funny book and it's author, Paul Acampora, the very happiest of book birthdays!

Ellie Magari just learned that her mother is dead. Perhaps that would be sad if Ellie had ever met the woman. Exactly who was Ellie's mom? Does it even matter that she's gone? Perhaps a dead mom can still help Ellie figure out what it means to be a girl in the world today. Either way, Ellie wouldn't mind a role model beyond her master chef Dad.Fueled by the bighearted sounds of '80s rock and roll, plus large doses of Cyndi Lauper's girl-power joy, Confusion Is Nothing New is about friendship, family mysteries, and the perfect pizza. It's also about fathers and daughters and girls who understand that it's good to make things, but breaking things is okay too. In fact, sometimes breaking things is required.Read on for our excellent reviews!"Ellie’s quest to determine who her mother really was, helped along by those who knew her, reads like a light mystery and drives the story forward. Yet it’s the dry wit of Acampora’s characters—including Ellie’s principal, the wise and wisecracking Sister Stephanie—and the love of ’80s music permeating every scene that give this story its rhythm and soul." — Publishers Weekly"Two things make the novel enjoyable...: the many idiosyncratic characters who bring the story to life and the irrepressible humor, which is unexpected, often droll, and sometimes laugh-aloud funny. A satisfying novel of loss, change, and renewal."—Booklist"Filled with references to 80s pop music, Acampora's fast-paced and entertaining novel will satisfy lovers of family stories that have a touch of mystery." —School Library JournalPlease find CONFUSION IS NOTHING NEW at your library or local bookstore. Congrats and happiest of Pub Days to Paul — stop by his site, here and here, to say hello!

Today I'm delighted to celebrate, Upstart Crow Literary client, Stephanie Ledyard's marvelous picture book debut, Pie is for Sharing. Editor extraordinaire, Neal Porter & I did a joint picture book intensive at The Writing Barn where we met Stephanie and fell in love with her work. Since Pie *is* for sharing, we happily both signed on to work with Stephanie on this lovely and lyrical manuscript. Illustrator, Jason Chin's radiant illustrations bring the sense of community and inclusivity to life in a way that feels as satisfying as a slice of homemade pie. But you don't have to take my word for it, this book has garnered FOUR starred reviews!★"This idyllic, joyously inclusive picture book takes an ordinary concept—sharing— and makes it extraordinary." —Horn Book★"A quiet story about sharing becomes a festive Fourth of July picnic for a big, extended multicultural family in this subtle and joyful picture book." —Bulletin Center for Children's Books★"Ledyard movingly gets to the heart of sharing and community in her succinct text, which encompasses not only concrete things to share but also broader notions, such as sharing a tree with a bird, or time with friends...The best part, though, is the positive, inclusive representation of a loving community sharing a celebration, fun, and, of course, pie." —Booklist★A delectable, festive celebration of pluralistic community...An aspirational vision in which inclusivity is as American as (apple) pie."—KirkusBravo Stephanie and Jason! Pick up your copy of Pie is for Sharing wherever you love to buy books!

I am so delighted to wish Upstart Crow Literary client, Cate Berry, a very happy pub day for her debut picture book, Penguin & Tiny Shrimp Don't Do Bedtime! This book is a pure joy to read and hear. In fact, when I first heard Cate read an earlier version aloud at a picture book intensive weekend at the Writing Barn, I *HAD* to sign her as my client.I mean...come on...watch this...

If you're local to Texas you can catch Cate at a bunch of upcoming events. If you're not Texas local (or can't wait to score your own copy of the book that Publishers Weekly called a "a buoyantly subversive anti bedtime tale" and Kirkus said is "a definite do for bedtime" pick up a copy wherever you love to shop for books! Congratulations, Cate!

Instant Pot fans, today is the day! THE INSTANT POT NO-PRESSURE COOKBOOK, Laurel Randolph's follow up to her runaway bestseller, The Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker Cookbook , is on sale today from St. Martin's Press.

This book takes readers beyond the boring basics, providing delicious and unique recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, such as:Spiced Banana Steel-Cut OatsShakshuka with Harissa and Feta CheeseVietnamese Brisket TacosBiryani with Currants and CashewsWhatever your pleasure, this book has you covered. Pick up your copy here and here, or at your favorite cookbook retailer. Congratulations, Laurel!

I’m delighted to wish a superb book and it's author, Angie Smibert, the very happiest of book birthdays!

BONE'S GIFT is a supernatural historical mystery about twelve-year-old Bone, who possesses a Gift that allows her to see the stories in everyday objects. When she receives a note that says her mother's Gift killed her, Bone seeks to unravel the mysteries of her mother's death, the schisms in her family, and the Gifts themselves.In a southern Virginia coal-mining town in 1942, Bone Phillips has just reached the age when most members of her family discover their Gift. Bone has a Gift that disturbs her; she can sense stories when she touches an object that was important to someone. She sees both sad and happy--the death of a deer in an arrowhead, the pain of a beating in a baseball cap, and the sense of joy in a fiddle. There are also stories woven into her dead mama's butter-yellow sweater--stories Bone yearns for and fears. When Bone receives a note that says her mama's Gift is what killed her, Bone tries to uncover the truth. Could Bone's Gift do the same? This beautifully resonant coming-of-age tale is about learning to trust the power of your own story.Read on for our excellent reviews!★ “This mystical mystery makes good use of its World War II backdrop, with sure-fire markers of the times ranging from Pearl Harbor to Negro League Baseball. It also effectively evokes the Appalachian culture with written dialect and a cultural emphasis on storytelling that’ll snag even history-resistant readers...No worries about what’s to come for Bone and her family, though; Bone’s Gift is just the opening installment of the Ghosts of Ordinary Objects trilogy.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books“[Bone’s Gift] is a middle-grade book, but it has much wider appeal than that. I loved this book. When it comes out on March 20th, I highly recommend grabbing it. The setting is beautiful, the characters rich, and the plot just windy enough to keep you interested (but not confused).” — Blogger & Librarian, Rebecca Ciota"An intriguing blend of history and magic." — Kirkus Reviews"This well-researched novel has a strong sense of place...The narrative includes stories from both Appalachian and Cherokee traditions, and offers complex perspectives on child labor, duty, and the effects illness and war had on rural communities."— BooklistPlease find BONE'S GIFT at your library or local bookstore. Congrats and happiest of Pub Days to Angie — stop by her site, here and here, to say hello!

Today is the day, folks! The day that the eighth book in the marvelous, colorful, silly and happy series, SUPER HAPPY PARTY BEARS, is available -- aka your lucky day!

A group of sloths arrives at the Grumpy River for a synchronized swimming competition, and the Super Happy Party Bears are thrilled. They throw a party to celebrate their team, but the sloths just...sleep.The residents of the Grumpy Woods can't help but notice the giant pile of snoozing sloths, and Mayor Quill plots to get rid of them by shutting down the competition...until he unexpectedly gets the opportunity to show off his swimming moves.Illustrated in full color!Praise for Super Happy Party Bears: Knock Knock on Wood : "The pure delight of the story will easily draw youngsters in and probably turn a few grumpy frowns upside down." The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (BCCB)Read all the Super Happy Party Bears adventures:Super Happy Party Bears: Gnawing AroundSuper Happy Party Bears: Knock Knock on Wood Super Happy Party Bears: Staying a Hive Super Happy Party Bears: Going Nuts Super Happy Party Bears: Bat to the BoneSuper Happy Party Bears: The JitterbugSuper Happy Party Bears: Tiny PrancerCongratulations to Marcie Colleen for these wonderful books! Stop and say hi to her at her site or on twitter!

Happy book release day to Beth Hautala and her wonderful middle grade novel, THE OSTRICH AND OTHER LOST THINGS.

Eleven-year-old Olivia Grant has a knack for finding lost things. She can find lost rings, pets, and even her elderly neighbor's misplaced glasses. There's only one thing Olivia has never been able to find--her brother Jacob's toy ostrich. It wasn't until the day Jacob lost his ostrich that Olivia noticed how different he was: Jacob is autistic, and though she's his little sister, Olivia often feels like the older of the pair, his caretaker. In fact, apart from being Jacob's sister, Olivia's not really sure who she is.So when summer break begins, and the local community theater announces auditions for an all children's production of her favorite show, Peter Pan, Olivia jumps at the chance to claim something for herself. But what begins as a promising opportunity and a wonderful escape quickly becomes pure chaos.In time, and with the help of some unlikely alliances, Olivia must learn what it means to be separate from her brother and still love him, how to love herself in spite of her own flaws, and that not all lost things are meant to be found.Congratulations to Beth!Reviews:★"This is hands down the best book with an autistic character that I have ever read."--School Library Connection (starred review)"Hautala offers an emotionally adept story about love and understanding."—School Library Journal“The stresses of being a sibling of someone with autism are very real, and Hautala describes the constriction and frustration Olivia feels, artfully and authentically.”— Booklist

I’m over the moon to wish Adam Smyer's KNUCKLEHEAD a happy book birthday!In Knucklehead we meet Marcus Hayes, a black law student who struggles, sometimes unsuccessfully, with the impulse to confront everyday bad behavior with swift and antisocial action. The cause of this impulse is unknown to him.When Marcus unexpectedly becomes involved with the brilliant and kind Amalia Stewart, her love and acceptance pacify his demons. But when his demons return, he is no longer inclined to contain them.You can pick up your copy from the Akashic Books website or from Amazon.Congratulations, Adam!★“This book is bold in how it treats the reader as an insider to the reality of American blackness. It can be, in turns, lyrically poignant, cynical, hilarious, and infuriating.” —Foreword Reviews, STARRED review“In this comic debut novel, lawyer Marcus Hayes careens through the racially divisive 1990s while trying to manage his compulsive anger, chaotic love life, and economic misfortunes . . . Smyer gives Marcus a sardonic and hilarious voice reminiscent of a Paul Beatty protagonist and endows him with a troubled psychology that plumbs the nuances of black male identity.” --Kirkus“Marcus is an intelligent, acerbic, and often hilarious narrator, bringing a fresh, biting perspective to the social and racial tensions of the time that, as debut novelist Smyer makes clear, are not particularly different from today.” —Library Journal“While the provocative subject material will take readers to a sometimes-uncomfortable place, this brilliant debut is also deeply, darkly funny . . . This is one of those books that simply has to be discussed, as it managed to tackle difficult topics with unexpected humor and pathos. While Marcus is a troubled character, his journey and the choices he makes will provide rich meat for discussion about race in America and how justifiable anger can turn toxic.” —IndiePicks Magazine

I’m delighted to wish two marvelous books the very happiest of book birthdays!

A TAXONOMY OF LOVE is Rachael Allen's third YA novel. It begins with the moment Spencer meets Hope, the summer before seventh grade. It’s . . . something at first sight. He knows she’s special, possibly even magical. The pair become fast friends, climbing trees and planning world travels. After years of being outshone by his older brother and teased because of his Tourette syndrome, Spencer finally feels like he belongs. But as Hope and Spencer get older and life gets messier, the clear label of “friend” gets messier, too.Through sibling feuds and family tragedies, new relationships and broken hearts, the two grow together and apart, and Spencer, an aspiring scientist, tries to map it all out using his trusty system of taxonomy. He wants to identify and classify their relationship, but in the end, he finds that life doesn’t always fit into easy-to-manage boxes, and it’s this messy complexity that makes life so rich and beautiful.Read on for our excellent reviews!★ “Readers will be on the edge of their seats wondering what the future holds...this book is groundbreaking in its demonstration of the complexity of human emotion.” -- School Library Connection, Starred Review“Through sparkling prose (and Spencer’s clever doodles), Allen depicts how debasing unrequited love can feel, and just how consuming that connection can be when shared at long last.” -- Booklist“A multilayered and charming novel that blends humor, romance, tragedy, and other universal coming-of-age themes.” -- School Library Journal“Fans of John Corey Whaley’s Highly Illogical Behavior will appreciate the two characters’ attempts to reach each other despite everything that happens over the course of six years.” -- VOYA

Lisa Lewis Tyre's HOPE IN THE HOLLER is her second middle-grade novel: the poignant -- and funny -- story of a girl trying to be brave and find her place in the world after she's sent to live with scheming relatives.Right before Wavie's mother died, she gave Wavie a list of instructions to help her find her way in life, including this one: Be brave, Wavie B! You got as much right to a good life as anybody, so find it! But little did Wavie's mom know that events would conspire to bring Wavie back to Conley Hollow, the Appalachian hometown her mother tried to leave behind. Now Wavie's back in the Holler -- and in the clutches of her Aunt Samantha Rose. Life with the devilish Samantha Rose and her revolting cousin Hoyt is no picnic, but there's real pleasure in sleeping in her own mother's old bed, and making friends with the funny, easygoing kids her aunt calls the "neighborhood-no-accounts." With their help, Wavie just might be able to prevent her aunt from becoming her legal guardian, and find her courage and place in the world.We're getting great attention for HOPE already:Top Pick, Winter 2017-2018 Kids’ Indie Next ListAmazon’s Best Books of the Month for January★ “A moving and richly engaging tale of despair and redemption.” -- Kirkus, Starred Review“Those who read this will find hope in the most desperate times, even if it means struggling through the deepest troubles.” -- Denver PostPlease find these books at your library or local bookstore – they are both utterly delightful! Not to mention these gorgeous covers, no?Congrats and happiest of Pub Days to Rachael and Lisa -- stop by their sites to say hello. You'll find Rachael here and Lisa here.

Happy book birthday to Christina Mandelski's THE FIRST KISS HYPOTHESIS!She thinks love is a chemical reaction. He thinks her theory is unstable.Nora Reid believes scientific laws control everything, even love. With her grandparents’ epic first kiss story cemented in her brain, Nora develops a hypothesis she’s determined to prove: for each person in the world, there is exactly one other person, and at first kiss, they’ll experience an immediate and intense reaction.But after four years of zero-reaction kisses, she comes up with a new theory: maybe that pesky crush on her stunningly hot best friend Eli Costas is skewing her results.She needs to get rid of him, and fast.Eli Costas is an injury-prone lacrosse star with a problem—the one chance he had at winning over the girl next door resulted in the most epically sucktastic first kiss ever. And now she’s...trying to get rid of him? Hell no. It’s time to disprove her theory and show her exactly what she’s missing.Game. On.Congratulations to Chris! Be sure to stop by her sites to say hello! You can find her here and here and here.