Post-It Note Reviews: Quick peeks at a handful of new titles

It’s happening! It’s really happening! I am actually making my way through some of the books I set aside in the last months of the school year! Here are quick reviews of a handful of those titles. All descriptions from the publishers. All scrawled handwriting transcribed at the end of the book info!

Schnozzer & Tatertoes: Take a Hike! by Rick Stromoski (ISBN-13: 9781454948315 Publisher: Union Square Kids Publication date: 06/27/2023 Series: Schnozzer & Tatertoes, Ages 7-10)

A buddy adventure through the forest, starring two best-pal pooches! 

Two best friend dogs, Schnozzer (the smart one) and Tatertoes (the cheerful one), set off into the forest on a journey to visit Tatertoes’s mom. Along their adventure, they encounter bees, bears, quicksand, characters from fairy tales, something called “nose spiders,” and lots of yo-yo action.
Their adventures are told as a series of vignettes, propelled by easygoing but giggle-inducing humor. That plus Rick Stromoski’s lush, illustrative style and charming character designs make for page-turning, chuckle-filled reading.

(POST-IT SAYS: A silly delight. I can just see young readers laughing at the goofy little adventures of these two dogs. The large panels full of bright art offer just enough text to feel like a “long” book without overwhelming.)

Frankie and Friends: Breaking News by Christine Platt, Alea Marley (Illustrator) (ISBN-13: 9781536222098 Publisher: Candlewick Press Publication date: 10/10/2023 Series: Frankie and Friends #1, Ages 6-8)

In a charming new chapter-book series by a social-change advocate, young Frankie emulates her journalist mama by reporting on household news with the help of her sister and an unlikely news crew.

Frankie’s mama is leaving to cover a breaking news story. Frankie, Papa, and Frankie’s teenage sister, Raven, are all proud of Mama, even though they miss her when she’s away. But Frankie has a great idea: she can make her own news show! After all, Mama has told her that news is happening around her all the time. With a little assistance from her friends—including her doll Farrah, Robert the toy robot, and her tabby cat, Nina Simone—Frankie prepares for her first “broadcast.” And when she hears someone crying in the house, she knows that’s the developing story she must cover. With humor, empathy, and imagination, Frankie gets the scoop—and learns that even mature older sisters can miss Mama sometimes. With sweet illustrations throughout, this engaging new series embraces communication and compassion and is a refreshing portrayal of Black women in journalism. Young reporters will learn the terms of the trade, which are clearly presented in the text and reinforced in a glossary at the end of the book.

(POST-IT SAYS: I love how much diversity we are finally seeing in books for early readers. Frankie gives readers a surprisingly thorough deep dive into journalism and understanding news. Love how proud she is of her mom and her important job!)

Lost in Taiwan by Mark Crilley (ISBN-13: 9781368040884 Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Publication date: 05/23/2023, Ages 12-18)

In this exciting graphic novel about stepping out of your comfort zone, a traveler finds himself lost in Taiwan with no way of finding his brother—but he soon learns that this forced disconnect is helping him explore and experience the big wide world around him.

THIS WASN’T PAUL’S IDEA.

The last thing he’s interested in is exploring new countries or experiencing anything that might be described as “cultural enrichment.” But like it or not, he’s stuck with his brother, Theo, for two weeks in Taiwan, a place that—while fascinating to Theo—holds no interest to Paul at all.

While on a short trip to a local electronics store, Paul becomes hopelessly lost in Taiwan’s twisting, narrow streets, and he has no choice but to explore this new environment in his quest to find his way back to Theo’s apartment.

In an unfamiliar place with no friends—and no GPS!—there’s no telling what adventures he could happen upon. And who knows? Maybe it turns out he has friends in Taiwan, after all.

(POST-IT SAYS: I absolutely loved the art in this great story about international adventure, new friendships, and the growth and joy that can come from being outside of your comfort zone.)

The Girl Who Lost a Leopard by Nizrana Farook (ISBN-13: 9781682635810 Publisher: Holiday House Publication date: 05/09/2023, Ages 8-12)

From the author of The Girl Who Stole an Elephant comes another thrilling escapade set in fictional Sri Lanka.

Selvi is a free spirit who loves climbing in the beautiful mountains behind her home. There, she befriended Lokka, a leopard with a beautiful coat and huge golden eyes. Together, they roam the wilderness as they please.

But when hunters come with bows and arrows, Selvi knows she must stop them before they hurt Lokka. But what can she do against such powerful enemies, especially when the friends and family she turns to for help are not all they seem to be? To rescue her leopard friend, first Selvi must outwit the poachers and expose the mastermind behind it all.

With breezy chapters and lush, atmospheric settings, this action-adventure is a superb pick for young readers who enjoy stories with peril, friendship, and close encounters with the natural wild.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

(POST-IT SAYS: Lots of action in this fast-paced story about poaching, friendship, and one girl’s connection with a wild leopard. Really compelling nature adventure with some real heart-pounding moments. A solid read.)

Constellations by Kate Glasheen (ISBN-13: 9780823450718 Publisher: Holiday House Publication date: 05/23/2023, Ages 14+)

A debut graphic novel about a queer teen living in the margins who is determined to find their way ahead.

Are you supposed to be a boy or a girl?

It’s a question that follows Claire everywhere. Inescapable on the street, in school, and even at home. A black hole forever trying to pull them in. But as long as they have ride-or-die best friend Greg at their side and a drink in their hand, everything will be okay. Right?

Except, Claire can never have just one drink. And when harassment at school reaches a fever pitch, Claire begins a spiral that ends in court-ordered rehab. Feeling completely lost, Claire is soon surrounded by a group of new friends and, with the help of a patient counselor, finds a space to unpack all the bad they’ve experienced. But as Claire’s release gets closer so does the question: Can Claire stay sober and true in a world seemingly never made for them?

Set in 1980s Troy, New York, Constellations is a portrait of a queer teen living in the margins but determined to find their way ahead. Done in watercolor and ink, debut author-artist Kate Glasheen has created a world where strong lines meet soft color, and raw emotions meet deep thought in this story of hope, humor, and survival.

(POST-IT SAYS: A relatively grim look at the darkest parts of adolescence. Set in the 1980s, Claire struggles with addiction and gender identity. Their journey through recovery and support helps point them toward a future of healing and acceptance. )

The Real Riley Mayes by Rachel Elliott (ISBN-13: 9780062995742 Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Publication date: 05/03/2022, Ages 8-12)

A Stonewall Book Award Honor * A Sid Fleishman Humor Award Honor

Funny and full of heart, this debut graphic novel is a story about friendship, identity, and embracing all the parts of yourself that make you special.  

Fifth grade is just not Riley’s vibe. Everyone else is squaded up—except Riley. Her best friend moved away. All she wants to do is draw, and her grades show it.

One thing that makes her happy is her favorite comedian, Joy Powers. Riley loves to watch her old shows and has memorized her best jokes. So when the class is assigned to write letters to people they admire, of course Riley’s picking Joy Powers!

Things start to look up when a classmate, Cate, offers to help Riley with the letter, and a new kid, Aaron, actually seems to get her weird sense of humor. But when mean girl Whitney spreads a rumor about her, things begin to click into place for Riley. Her curiosity about Aaron’s two dads and her celebrity crush on Joy Powers suddenly make more sense.

Readers will respond to Riley’s journey of self-discovery and will recognize themselves in this character who is less than perfect but trying her best. And creative kids will recognize themselves in her love of art and drawing.

While often funny and light, Riley’s exploration of what it feels to be an outsider and how hard it can be to make a friend break your heart in the best way. And with all of Riley’s hijinks and missteps, this story is laugh-out-loud funny from start to finish.

(POST-IT SAYS: Yes, please! Great graphic novel for ages 8-10 about understanding and embracing a queer identity. Riley faces some mean kids but has solid support in her corner (eventually). A total delight.)

Half Moon Summer by Elaine Vickers (ISBN-13: 9781682635391 Publisher: Holiday House Publication date: 06/06/2023, Ages 8-12)

Two seventh graders discover it takes more than grit and a good pair of shoes to run 13.1 miles. You’ve got to have a partner who refuses to let you quit.

Drew was never much of a runner. Until his dad’s unexpected diagnosis. Mia has nothing better to do. Until she realizes entering Half Moon Bay’s half-marathon could solve her family’s housing problems.

And just like that they decide to spend their entire summer training to run 13.1 miles. Drew and Mia have very different reasons for running, but these two twelve year olds have one crucial thing in common (besides sharing a birthday): Hope. For the future. For their families. And for each other.

(POST-IT SAYS: A quiet, moving story, told in prose and verse, of family, grief and loss, resilience, and friendship. I loved Drew and Mia’s very genuine connection and how they learned to lean on each other as they faced sadness and challenges.)

Nervosa by Hayley Gold (ISBN-13: 9781951491246 Publisher: Street Noise Books Publication date: 04/04/2023)

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder. It is not a phase, a fad, or a choice. It is a debilitating illness, manifested in a distorted relationship with food, but which actually has more to do with issues of control. It is often a puzzle for doctors, therapists, parents, and friends. And so those who suffer from it are belittled, or tragically misunderstood, not only by society but by the healthcare system meant to treat it.Nervosa is a no-holds-barred, richly textured portrait of one young woman’s experience. In her vividly imagined retelling, Hayley Gold lays bare a callous medical system seemingly disinterested in the very patients it is supposed to treat. And traces how her own life was irrevocably damaged by both the system and her own disorder. With brutal honesty and witty sarcastic humor, Gold offers a remarkably candid exploration of the search for hope in the darkness.  

(POST-IT SAYS: An absolutely brutal read about anorexia, treatment, agency, and telling the whole truth of her struggle unfiltered and unflinching. Her awful father made me want to hop in the book and scream at him. HUGE content warning for this intense medical memoir.)

Speculation by Nisi Shawl (ISBN-13: 9781620149591 Publisher: Lee & Low Books/Tu Books Publication date: 02/14/2023, Ages 8-12)

A wonderful middle-grade fantasy debut about Black families, family history, family curses … and a really marvelous pair of spectacles.

After Winna’s little sister breaks her glasses, her grandfather gives her an old-timey pair of spectacles that belonged to her great-aunt Estelle. The specs are silver and perfectly circular, with tiny stars on the bridge and earpieces that curl all the way around her ears.

Best of all, they’re magic.

Because when Winna makes a wish beginning with the words “What if”–that is, when she speculates–the spectacles grant it. Winna wishes she could see ghosts … and soon she meets not only the real Estelle, but Estelle’s mother, Winona. Nearly a century before, Winona escaped from slavery and ran north with her baby, Key. But Key was stolen from her under mysterious circumstances, and now Estelle and Winona have a mission for Winna: Find Key.

He’s still alive. He doesn’t know the whole truth. And unless Winna can solve the mystery and bring him home, a powerful curse called the Burden will smother out their family’s lives–and Winna’s mom could be its next victim.

This beautifully written historical fantasy by an award-winning science fiction author offers new twists and turns in every chapter and will leave you looking at your own family’s roots with new eyes.

(POST-IT SAYS: Super enjoyable read about magic happening to an ordinary kid, family curses, and a mystery. With ghosts! Set in 1962, this look at one girl’s quest to help her family breathe easy is fast-paced with a great hook. Recommend widely!)

The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri, Daniel Miyares (Illustrator) (ISBN-13: 9781646143030 Publisher: Levine Querido Publication date: 03/07/2023, Ages 8-12)

The Silk Road comes to life in this picaresque epic adventure with twists and turns and a wonderful surprise ending from Printz Medalist Daniel Nayeri

This is the tale of an exciting journey along the Silk Road with a young Monk and his newfound guardian, Samir, a larger than life character and the so-called “Seller of Dreams”. The man is a scammer; his biggest skill being the ability to talk his way into getting what he wants. While that talking did save Monkey’s life, it has left a lot of people furious with Samir— furious enough to hire assassins. Monkey decides to try and save Samir from the attempts on his life—as a way to pay off his debt! If he can save Samir six times, he’ll be a free man…but will they all survive that long?

Fans of Salman Rushdie’s Haroun and The Sea of Stories and The Little Prince will fall in love with the bond between Monkey and Samir—in this swashbuckling all-ages page-turner from national bestseller Daniel Nayeri and featuring full-color illustrations from Daniel Miyares.

(POST-IT SAYS: The very first sentence will hook readers and Monkey’s narration of this trek through the Silk Road, a journey full of subterfuge, death threats, and memorable characters, will keep them eagerly turning pages.)

Northranger by Rey Terciero, Bre Indigo (Illustrator) (ISBN-13: 9780063007390 Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Publication date: 06/06/2023, Ages 13-17)

In this swoony and spooky teen summer romance graphic novel set on a Texas ranch, sixteen-year-old Cade Muñoz finds himself falling for the ranch owner’s mysterious and handsome son, only to discover that he may be harboring a dangerous secret.

Cade has always loved to escape into the world of a good horror movie. After all, horror movies are scary—but to Cade, a closeted queer Latino teen growing up in rural Texas—real life can be way scarier.

When Cade is sent to spend the summer working as a ranch hand to help earn extra money for his family, he is horrified. Cade hates everything about the ranch, from the early mornings to the mountains of horse poop he has to clean up. The only silver lining is the company of the two teens who live there—in particular, the ruggedly handsome and enigmatic Henry.

But as unexpected sparks begin to fly between Cade and Henry, things get…complicated. Henry is reluctant to share the details of his mother’s death, and Cade begins to wonder what else he might be hiding. Inspired by the gothic romance of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey and perfect for fans of Heartstopper and Bloom comes a modern love story so romantic it’s scary.

(POST-IT SAYS: Reimagines Northanger Abbey but knowledge of Austen’s text isn’t necessary to appreciate this look at falling in love and coming out in rural Texas. Dark, moody, emotional, and intense, this is full of miscommunication and mystery.)

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