Scholastic Book Fair: September

Now that school is back in session, it’s time to resume our Scholastic Book Fair here on TLT.  Here are five new titles from Scholastic.

Seeing Red by Kathryn Erskine

Red Porter’s daddy has died.  While Red and his mom try to figure out how to deal with their grief, they are also wrestling with truths happening in their community and the injustice they see around them.  Set in Virginia in the 70s, Seeing Red tackles issues of racism and segregation through the eyes of a hurting young man.  This is a powerful statement about speaking up in the face of injustice, even in the most difficult of times. Erskine is the National Book Award Winner of Mockinbird and Seeing Red does not disappoint.  It has a starred review in Booklist which declares “This is an important book that deserves the widest possible readership.”

The Hypnotists by Gordon Korman

This one we read as our family read aloud and we all liked it.  We includes 2 parents, a tween, and a 4-year-old. It begins with an awesome, perilous bus ride through New York.  Jackson Opus doesn’t know it yet, but he doesn’t just have a strong power of persuasion, he has the power to hypnotize others.  He is soon invited to participate into a special program, who may or may not have good intentions.  It’s hard to tell when know one will tell him what, exactly, is going on.  You can always count on Korman for fun and he does not fail to deliver here.  First book in a new series, definitely recommended.  A great read for young Percy Jackson fans.

Whatever After: Dream On by Sarah Mlyowski

Okay, let me start by saying I thought that this series was 3 books and done, so I was surprised to find this title at the Tween’s bookfair this past weekend.  When she saw it she immediately said we had to buy it.  We read it that same day.  This time Abby and Jonah are having a friend sleepover, a sleepwalking friend named Robin who accidentally walks through the magic mirror.  This series continues to be a fun, playful and empowering twist on fairy tales.

The 14 Fibs of Gregory K by Greg Pincus

Gregory K is a writer living in a family of mathematicians.  He wants to go to author’s camp, but first he has to pass math class.  What’s someone in his position supposed to do? Tell a lie or two, of course.  Gregory figures the probability of being caught is zero, proving how bad he actually is at math.  This book was fun, and we loved how they used mathease (that’s what we call math speak, right?) to bring humor to this story about a boy who often feels like he doesn’t really fit in with his family.  In some ways this is kind of a Math Curse for older readers, trying to make math fun and in reach while still being an enjoyable read.

The Pet War by Allan Woodrow

We have a dog in my house. The Tween is in love with dogs.  She asks me pretty much every day if we can get another one.  The answer is no.  Otto and Lexi can not agree: Otto wants a dog, Lexi wants a cat.  I’m on the mom’s side, she wants to know who is going to pay for everything.  Soon the challenge is on: whoever can raise the money first gets to choose the family pet.  I didn’t read this title, but the Tween wants you to know that it is “funny” and “cute”.  She totally recommends it.

Filed under: Collection Development, Middle Grade Fiction, Reader's Advisory, Scholastic