HOORAY and happiest of publications days to Rachael Allen on the publication of her newest YA novel, THE SUMMER OF IMPOSSIBILITIES, a book that author Jaye Robin Brown (Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit, The Meaning of Birds) calls "a soul-satisfying read that will make you smile long after you’ve turned the final page.”
Four girls. One summer. And a pact to do the impossible.
Skyler, Ellie, Scarlett, and Amelia Grace are forced to spend the summer at the lake house where their moms became best friends.
One can’t wait.
One would rather gnaw off her own arm than hang out with a bunch of strangers just so their moms can drink too much wine and sing Journey at two o'clock in the morning.
Two are sisters.
Three are currently feuding with their mothers.
One is hiding how bad her joint pain has gotten.
All of them are hiding something.
One falls in love with a boy she thought she despised.
One almost sets her crush on fire with a flaming marshmallow.
One has a crush that could change everything.
None of them are the same at the end of the summer.
Praise for The Summer of Impossibilities
“To Allen’s credit, the story covers potentially toxic elements with grace, humor, and maturity, never getting bogged down or growing maudlin. Instead, it stays firmly rooted in the gentle affection among the characters and their sturdy humanity, which never falters.” —School Library Journal, starred review
“Allen's well-rounded, realistic teen characters grow throughout, and she interlaces the story with complicated relationships that reveal each character's idea of friendship...An engaging coming-of-age story.” —Kirkus Reviews
"Allen (A Taxonomy of Love) tips her hat to the summer sisterhood tradition she’s working in while updating its inclusivity: Ellie is Muslim, Skyler has arthritis, and Amelia Grace wants a church that accepts her. The characters’ alternating first-person voices are distinctive, the writing is sharp, and messages about honesty and being oneself add ballast to this satisfying multigenerational story of four girls finding the people they need.” —Publishers Weekly
To purchase copies of THE SUMMER OF IMPOSSIBILITIES, please click here.
We are thrilled to announce the sale of Nicole Collier's debut middle grade novel, JUST RIGHT JILLIAN, to Versify.
Congratulations, Nicole!
Consider this: Our future mayors, governors, representatives—even a future President—have already been born! (Maybe she’s napping in your lap or splashing in the tub right now!). Happily, the perfect book for our future leaders is now available to share with everybaby: BABY LOVES DEMOCRACY! It’s an inclusive, nonpartisan look at elections and how everyone can participate - because YOUR voice matters!
From the author of the wildly popular Baby Loves Science and Baby Loves the Five Senses series comes a spinoff perfect for little citizens: Baby Loves Political Science!Choosing a good leader is important, so everyone in America gets a say – even if they're too young to vote (sorry, Baby!). Sending postcards, making signs, and attending rallies is hard work, but with Baby's help, this campaign season is sure to be a success. This warm, inclusive primer demystifies the election process and emphasizes the importance of participation at all levels of government. Ruth Spiro's toddler-friendly, scrupulously accurate text and Greg Paprocki's bright, cheerful illustrations are sure to please and amaze the littlest activists among us.We also have this delightful trailer for the book (trailer by @sarah_spiro):[embed]https://youtu.be/MLTaqwU4Qew[/embed]To purchase copies of BABY LOVES DEMOCRACY!, please click here. HOORAY and CONGRATULATIONS to Ruth Spiro!
HOORAY and happiest of publications days to Marcie Colleen and Alison Oliver on the publication of their newest picture book, THE BEAR’S GARDEN!, which Kirkus Reviews calls “a well-illustrated, beautifully written tale of encouragement,” in a starred review.
Inspired by the true story of a community garden in Brooklyn, New York, The Bear’s Garden is a testament to how imagination and dedication can transform communities and create beauty for everyone in unexpected places.A little girl sees an empty lot in a city and imagines what it can be.She seesa place to grow,a place to play,and a place to love.With the help of her stuffed bear, the girl brings her community together to create a beautiful garden.PRAISE for THE BEAR’S GARDEN:
“A well-illustrated, beautifully written tale of encouragement for budding gardeners.” — STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews“Seamlessly marrying truth and imagination, this charming story reminds readers of the importance of one person’s care and the power of community.” — BookRoo“A simple, powerful ode to community betterment.” — Booklist Reviews“… a sweet reminder of how powerful communities can be when they come together to create something beautiful.”— Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books“[An] affectionate ode to a community garden.” — Publishers Weekly“A great addition to the growing urban gardens genre, and a good general purchase.” — School Library JournalTo purchase copies of THE BEAR’S GARDEN, please click here.
HOORAY and happiest of publications days to Sue Soltis on the publication of her newest picture books, THE STARS JUST UP THE STREET, with gorgeous illustrations by Christine Davenier!
A grandpa’s memories of brilliant night skies inspire a little girl to take action in a tale for budding community organizers and star lovers alike.Mabel loves stars. She counts five from her window and thirty-seven from her backyard. But her grandfather tells her that, as a child, he could see thousands. Could it be true? Mabel climbs a hill looking for more stars — only to discover that the glow from the nearby town makes them hard to see. What would it take for her neighbors to turn off their lights, just for one night, so that everyone could see the starlit sky? Sue Soltis’s tale of a young activist and Christine Davenier’s luminous illustrations will leave readers curious about the dark-sky movement — and the wonder that is waiting for them just up the street.PRAISE for STARS:"A lovely picture book." — The Wall Street Journal"One voice, one idea, really can make a difference. The idea that anyone, even a young child, with a passion for change can impact an entire community is extremely powerful...A story that inspires all ages to speak up and take action to positively affect the world around them." — School Library Journal"This appealing story shows how one or two people can make a difference by working toward change. The narrative and dialogue flow quite naturally, and Davenier’s artwork...is captivating. An inviting picture book to share with children." — Booklist Reviews"Graceful, readable text underscores the protagonists' loving relationship. The art is a sweet complement...It takes a village to control light pollution…gently inspirational." — Kirkus Reviews"Davenier, whose talents seem tailor-made for this material, matches the text’s plainspoken momentum. Animated ink washes capture both Mabel’s earnest determination and the wonder of what means so much to her: a dark night sky of deep blue and lavender, gloriously dotted with stars." — Publishers WeeklyTo purchase copies of STARS, please click here.
We're delighted to announce the sale of Alison Oliver's next PB illustration project, THE IN-BETWEEN BOOK, to Jennifer Adams at Sounds True!
Congratulations to all!
HOORAY and happy book birthday to J.M.M. Nuanez's BIRDIE AND ME -- which is now out there in the world, finding it's readers. I can't wait to see how readers react to, and I'm so proud to have been a part of it's publication.
*“Belongs alongside Holly Goldberg Sloan’s Counting by 7s, Cindy Baldwin’s Where the Watermelons Grow, and Ali Benjamin’s The Thing about Jellyfish. Highly recommended.”— School Library Journal, starred review*"This strong, emotional, and engaging read is a must-have for any library. The issues are dealt with realistically and challenge the reader to examine their personal feelings, the various modes for dealing with grief, gender fluidity, and how to appropriately support students in their search for who they truly are. A great coming-of-age story for 5th-8th graders." — School Library Connection, Highly Recommended, starred reviewAn emotional and uplifting debut about a girl named Jack and her gender creative little brother, Birdie, searching for the place where they can be their true and best selves.After their mama dies, Jack and Birdie find themselves without a place to call home. And when Mama’s two brothers each try to provide one–first sweet Uncle Carl, then gruff Uncle Patrick–the results are funny, tender, and tragic.They’re also somehow . . . spectacular.With voices and characters that soar off the page, J. M. M. Nuanez’s debut novel depicts an unlikely family caught in a situation none of them would have chosen, and the beautiful ways in which they finally come to understand one another. More praise for BIRDIE AND ME:“A luminous debut.”–Ashley Herring Blake, author of Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World, Stonewall Honor book"Here is a book you will want to hug before you put it down. You will want to share it with all your friends. You will especially want to give it to anyone who has ever felt like an island. Then you will open the cover and read it again. I promise.” — Kathi Appelt, Newbery Honor Award winner and National Book Award finalist“Nuanez’s outstanding debut shines with exceptionally well-drawn characters, all hobbled by one unspeakable loss, and all taking seemingly disparate measures to mend their tattered hearts. BIRDIE AND ME is an absorbing, hope-giving story about family love and acceptance.” — Leslie Connor, author of National Book Award Finalist, The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle"A beautiful, sensitive story about a sister and brother finding their way through tragedy and grief. Readers will love this eminently satisfying tale; its courageous characters will stay with them long after they turn the last page." — Patricia Reilly Giff, Newbery Honor author of Lily’s Crossing and Pictures of Hollis Woods"...an endearing story of family in the wake of tragedy, anchored by the wonderfully loving and supportive relationship between Jack and Birdie.”— Booklist"Fans of Jerry Spinelli will flock to Jack and the peculiar residents of her new town and may learn something about acceptance while they’re there." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books"Sure-handed storytelling and choice details revealed through Jack’s observation notebook mark a strong middle grade debut.” — Publishers WeeklyTo purchase copies of BIRDIE AND ME, please click here.
Congratulations & HOORAY! to P. O'Connell Pearson on her new deal for CRACKING AN AMERICAN CONSPIRACY: NIXON, WATERGATE, AND DEMOCRACY'S DEFENDERS. This is her third book, after FLY GIRLS: The Daring American Women Pilots Who Helped Win WWII and FIGHTING FOR THE FOREST: How FDR's Civilian Conservation Corps Helped Save America.
CRACKING AN AMERICAN CONSPIRACY will be out this fall, and it's a fabulous read! Make sure you get a copy!
Big congratulations to Ruth Spiro, on her new books deals to extend the BABY LOVES SCIENCE series! We’re now up to NINETEEN books, with five new titles coming in 2020 and five more in 2021! Of those new titles, we’ll see books about the senses, one for Hanukkah and one for Christmas (still with the everyday science tie-in), and a spin-off group: BABY LOVES POLITICAL SCIENCE that will debut this spring with BABY LOVES DEMOCRACY!
Alyssa Mito Pusey and Monica Perez at Charlesbridge are editing, and the books will feature the wonderful artwork of Irene Chan and Greg Paprocki.
MAJOR CONGRATS TO EVERYONE!
Big congratulations to Paul Acampora, on his *sixth* book deal, for DANNY CONSTANTINO’S FIRST DATE, and for a second un-named MG novel! Nancy Mercado at Dial Books for Young Readers will publish the books and DANNY will be out this year.
If you know Paul’s writing, you know that this book will be as wise as it is laugh-out-loud funny, and an utter pleasure to read. And if you don’t know Paul’s writing, you should! A bit more about the book:When Danny Constantino asks his old-friend-turned-Hollywood-movie-star, Natalie Flores Griffin, to his local school dance and homecoming parade, she surprises him . . . by saying yes!Unfortunately, now everyone in Cuper Cove has something to say about Danny's love life--especially since Natalie is the hometown hero. Throw in herds of TV reporters and Natalie Flores Griffin groupies, his mom using Natalie's arrival for free publicity in the mayoral election, and a pep rally gone horribly, horribly awry, and Danny's left absolutely clueless in this new world of crushes and becoming (kind of) famous.Stay tuned for more info and the cover....