Book Mail: Curses, the Apocalypse, Other Dimensions, Intergalactic Mysteries, and More!

Welcome to this month’s installment of HOW ON EARTH CAN I POSSIBLY READ ALL THESE BOOKS?! Too many books to read is a good problem to have, but I truly do want to read them all, which is an actual problem because there are not enough hours in a day. Once someone fixes that problem, I’ll be golden.

A big thanks, as always, to all the publishers who make sure I see so many good books. All descriptions of titles from the publishers.

For your viewing enjoyment, here are energetic rescue chiweenies Spot and Charlie giving their daily greeting to the UPS guy.

Gita Desai Is Not Here to Shut Up by Sonia Patel (ISBN-13: 9780593463185 Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group Publication date: 09/10/2024, Ages 14-18)

From Morris Award finalist Sonia Patel comes a sharply written YA about a girl grappling with a dark, painful secret from her past, perfect for fans of All My Rage and The Way I Used to Be.

It’s eighteen-year-old Gita Desai’s first year at Stanford, and the fact that she’s here and not already married off by her traditional Gujarati parents is a miracle. She’s determined to death-grip her good-girl, model student rep all the way to med school, which means no social life or standing out in any way. Should be easy: If there’s one thing she’s learned from her family, it’s how to chup-re—to “shut up,” fade into the background. But when childhood memories of her aunt’s desertion and her then-uncle’s best friend resurface, Gita ends up ditching the books night after night in favor of partying and hooking up with strangers. Still, nothing can stop the little voice growing louder and louder inside her that says something is wrong. . . . And the only way she can burst forward is to stop shutting up about the past.

Theodora Hendrix and the Curious Case of the Cursed Beetle by Jordan Kopy, Chris Jevons (Illustrator) (ISBN-13: 9781665906869 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers Publication date: 09/10/2024 Series: The Theodora Hendrix Books #2, Ages 8-12)

Theodora and Dexter must dispose of a cursed beetle and thwart a lurking detective in this second book in the sweet and spooky illustrated middle grade series that’s The Addams Family meets Nancy Drew.

After her many adventures, ten-year-old Theodora Hendrix feels confident she can handle anything… Until the unpleasant Inspector Shelley and her pet rat, Ratsputin, come to make trouble and spy on the Monster League of Monsters. Theodora recruits her friend Dexter to help her keep the detective off the scent of her monster family.

But when Theodora uncovers a cursed beetle, their mission seems impossible. Can they destroy it without attracting the inspector’s attention?

Aisle Nine by Ian X. Cho (ISBN-13: 9780063206809 Publisher: HarperCollins Publication date: 09/24/2024, Ages 13-17)

It’s Black Friday—and the apocalypse is on sale!

Ever since the world filled with portals to hell and bloodthirsty demons started popping out on the reg, Jasper’s life has gotten worse and worse. A teenage nobody with no friends or family, he is plagued by the life he can’t remember and the person he’s sure he’s supposed to be.

Jasper spends his days working as a checkout clerk at the Here for You discount mart, where a hell portal in aisle nine means danger every shift. But at least here he can be near the girl he’s crushing on—Kyle Kuan, a junior member of the monster-fighting Vanguard—who seems to hate Jasper for reasons he can’t remember or understand.

But when Jasper and Kyle learn they both share a frightening vision of the impending apocalypse, they’re forced to team up and uncover the uncomfortable truth about the hell portals and the demons that haunt the world. Because the true monsters are not always what they seem, the past is not always what we wish, and like it or not, on Black Friday, all hell will break loose, starting in aisle nine.

Rising star Ian X. Cho delivers an unforgettably freaky and hilarious YA debut with Aisle Nine, perfect for fans of Grasshopper Jungle or The Last of Us.

What Jewish Looks Like by Liz Kleinrock, Iris Gottlieb (Illustrator), Caroline Kusin Pritchard (ISBN-13: 9780063285712 Publisher: HarperCollins Publication date: 09/24/2024, Ages 8-12)

Compiled by educator and author Liz Kleinrock and author Caroline Kusin Pritchard, this powerful intersectional anthology celebrates thirty-six Jewish heroes—from Tracee Ellis Ross and Victor “Young” Perez to Doña Gracia Nasi. A first-ever collection that disrupts the narrative of how a Jewish person is perceived, What Jewish Looks Like includes accessible primers on important Jewish history, a map, quotes, and much more!

Too many Jews have been told: “You don’t look Jewish!” It begs the question, “What does Jewish look like?” Well, there are over fifteen million Jews in the world, which means there are more than fifteen million ways to look and be Jewish. It can look like setting out menorahs on tribal land, adding kimchi to the seder plate, organizing for change, and living out loud.

Shining a light on Paralympians and chefs, anthropologists and activists, dancers and dreamers, the individuals in these pages represent a range of identities. But they are threaded together by one unmistakable truth: Their lives, work, and commitment to Jewish values have changed our world for the better. These bold profiles and inspiring everyday stories come together to create a tapestry that beautifully reflects the multifaceted essence of the Jewish people.

Amazing Grapes by Jules Feiffer (ISBN-13: 9780062963833 Publisher: HarperCollins Publication date: 09/24/2024, Ages 8-12)

Pulitzer Prize–winning cartoonist Jules Feiffer brings the fantastical to life with his signature style in this zany, whimsical adventure about a family on a quest to find their mother and save another dimension.

Curly and Perlie, brother and sister, find themselves transported to the Lost Dimension. Soon they are joined by big sister Shirley and their very special Mommy. Marvelous adventures await the whole family in that weird dimension. Come along and see for yourself!

A Constellation of Minor Bears by Jen Ferguson (ISBN-13: 9780063334229 Publisher: HarperCollins Publication date: 09/24/2024, Ages 13-18)

Award-winning author Jen Ferguson has written a powerful story about teens grappling with balancing resentment with enduring friendship—and how to move forward with a life that’s not what they’d imagined.          

Before that awful Saturday, Molly used to be inseparable from her brother, Hank, and his best friend, Tray. The indoor climbing accident that left Hank with a traumatic brain injury filled Molly with anger.

While she knows the accident wasn’t Tray’s fault, she will never forgive him for being there and failing to stop the damage. But she can’t forgive herself for not being there either.

Determined to go on the trio’s postgraduation hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, even without Hank, Molly packs her bag. But when her parents put Tray in charge of looking out for her, she is stuck backpacking with the person who incites her easy anger.

Despite all her planning, the trail she’ll walk has a few more twists and turns ahead. . . .

Discover the evocative storytelling and emotion from the author of The Summer of Bitter and Sweet, which was the winner of the Governor General’s Award, a Stonewall Award honor book, and a Morris Award finalist, as well as Those Pink Mountain Nights, a Kirkus Best Book of the Year!

Remember Me Tomorrow: A Novel by Farah Heron (ISBN-13: 9781662520518 Publisher: Amazon Publishing Publication date: 10/01/2024)

A missing student. A singular investigation. A new romance. Every bit of it is a mystery in a delightful novel of cosmic twists by the author of How to Win a Breakup.

East House is the oldest and least desirable dorm on campus, but it has a draw for lonely university freshman Aleeza Kassam: Jay Hoque, the hot and broody student who vanished from East House five months ago without a trace. It’s irresistible to an aspiring investigative journalist like Aleeza.

But when she starts receiving texts from Jay, the mystery takes an unexpected turn. To put it mildly. His messages are coming not only from Aleeza’s own dorm room but from the past—only weeks before he disappeared. Sharing space, if not time, Aleeza and Jay are living the impossible, and they start working together to prevent his inevitable disappearance. Causing a temporal paradox that could blow up the universe is a risk they’re going to have to take.

Aleeza digs through Jay’s suspicious friends, enemies, and exes, determined to find out what happened to him. Or what will happen to him. But it’s becoming more than a mystery. Aleeza is catching feelings for her charming new roommate. Wherever, and whenever, he may be.

Stinky’s Stories #1: The Boy Who Cried Underpants! by Chris Grabenstein and J.J. Grabenstein, Alex Patrick (Illustrator) (ISBN-13: 9780063311206 Publisher: HarperCollins Publication date: 10/01/2024 Series: Stinky’s Stories #1, Ages 6-10)

Underwear has never been so much fun to wear!

It’s story time at Hickleberry Elementary with Stinky the stuffed skunk! You’ve probably heard of the boy who cried wolf, but do you know what happened after no one believed him? Well, according to Stinky, the boy moves away to the Big City, where he gets a job crying wolf for The William D. Wolfe Company, Makers Of All Sorts Of Fine And Fancy Stuff.

But when the boy gets bored again, he decides to use his talents to cry UNDERPANTS instead. When the queen hears his cries, she takes great offense—how dare he???—and suddenly, the Big City is sent into total chaos! Will the boy be able to save the day before it all gets too smelly?

This first stinky story is the first-ever chapter book series from beloved New York Times bestselling authors Chris and J. J. Grabenstein. Filled with page after page of hilarious illustrations by acclaimed artist Alex Patrick. Stinky’s Stories is the perfect series for young, reluctant, and emergent readers—or any kid who just loves to laugh.

Stinky’s Stories #2: Jack and the Beanstink by Chris Grabenstein and J.J. Grabenstein, Alex Patrick (Illustrator) (ISBN-13: 9780063311220 Publisher: HarperCollins Publication date: 10/01/2024 Series: Stinky’s Stories #2, Ages 6-10)

Fee, fi, fo, FUN!

It’s story time again at Hickleberry Elementary with Stinky the stuffed skunk—and this time the class is reading the classic Jack and the Beanstalk! Everyone knows the story ends with the giant falling from the sky, but only Stinky knows what happened next! Jack went on to sell all those golden eggs and become a billionaire, while Hubert the giant wound up stranded on the ground, far from home.

With no one to help him and nowhere to turn, Hubert has no choice but to put his giant skills to work where they’re valued the most—on the basketball court! He joins the Droolville Dribblers, but will Hubert sink the buzzer beater and find his way home? 

This second stinky story is the first-ever chapter book series from beloved New York Times bestselling authors Chris and J. J. Grabenstein, filled with page after page of hilarious illustrations by acclaimed artist Alex Patrick. Stinky’s Stories is the perfect series for young, reluctant, and emergent readers—or any kid who just loves to laugh.

Light Enough to Float by Lauren Seal (ISBN-13: 9780593700143 Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group Publication date: 10/08/2024, Ages 13-18)

Deeply moving and authentic, this debut novel in verse follows teenage Evie through her eating disorder treatment and recovery―a perfect choice for readers of Wintergirls and Louder Than Hunger.

Evie has just barely acknowledged that she has an eating disorder when she’s admitted to an inpatient treatment facility. Now her days are filled with calorie loading, therapy sessions, and longing—for home, for control, and for the time before her troubles began. As the winter of her treatment goes on, she gradually begins to face her fears and to love herself again, with the help of caregivers and of peers who are fighting their own disordered-eating battles. This insightful, beautiful novel will touch every reader and offer hope and understanding to those who need it most.

Elvis Is Missing #1 by Bruce Hale, Luke Séguin-Magee (Illustrator) (ISBN-13: 9780593660171 Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group Publication date: 10/15/2024 Series: The Outer Space Mystery Pizza Club #1, Ages 6-8)

Blast off into space and come along for an intergalactic mystery—with plenty of pizza—in this first book of the illustrated chapter book series, Outer Space Mystery Pizza Club!

It’s another ordinary Friday night in the suburbs for the Garcia-Jackson family: Mateo and Valentina’s favorite show is on TV. Mateo’s best friend, Booker, is over. And their babysitter, Jennica, is definitely keeping an eye on them and not playing with her phone.

But when Elvis, the family’s dog, bolts out of the house, barking uncontrollably at someone—or something—in the backyard, the kids go investigate…only to watch Elvis disappear through a mysterious portal!

The three kids, with their babysitter in tow, have no choice but to follow him—adventuring through deep space, where they’ll encounter aliens, dodge asteroids, and defy gravity—as they attempt to find their furry best friend (and make it back home before bedtime!).

Illustrator Luke Séguin-Magee brings this hilarious story to life with out-of-this-world black-and-white spot art.

Grunthar’s Revenge #2 by Bruce Hale, Luke Séguin-Magee (Illustrator) (ISBN-13: 9780593660195 Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group Publication date: 10/15/2024 Series: The Outer Space Mystery Pizza Club #2, Ages 6-8)

Perfect for fans of The Alien Next Door, this second illustrated chapter book in the Outer Space Mystery Pizza Club series is an out-of-this-world adventure!

With their trip to Kroon behind them, Mateo, Tina, Booker, and Jennica are back on Earth, Elvis the dog is no longer missing, and all is safe and sound…right?

Wrong! Hot on their tails are Grunthar and his motley alien crew. NoWay and Clorox have made their way to Earth, too, ready to help the kids against whatever Grunthar is planning. Tina is determined to be the hero this time, but will she be able to figure out what the alien inventor is up to before it’s too late?

Author Bruce Hale and illustrator Luke Séguin-Magee have crafted another rollicking tale featuring extraordinary black-and-white illustrations throughout.

Honeysuckle and Bone by Trisha Tobias (ISBN-13: 9781638931027 Publisher: Zando Publication date: 01/14/2025, Ages 14-18)

 “Eerie, propulsive, and sumptuous, Honeysuckle and Bone is a trip to Jamaica you won’t soon forget.” —Ayesha Curry

On the run from her own dark secrets, a teen girl becomes the nanny for a prestigious family on their Jamaican estate, where she quickly discovers even paradise may be haunted.

Carina Marshall is looking to reinvent herself, and what better place to do it than Jamaica, her mother’s alluring homeland where she conveniently has access to an au pair gig for the wealthy and powerful Hall family. After months of being the target of vicious rumors and hate online, Carina might have found everything she wants at the luxurious Blackbead House: a world of mango trees, tropical breezes, and glamorous parties—and a place to disappear.

Once there, Carina finds herself settling right into her busy, but comfortable, new life. Yes, the family runs a tight ship, and yes, there is some tension between the Halls, but Carina is content flying under the radar and hanging out with her new friends—not least, the handsome and charming Aaron. But when inexplicable things start happening to her in the house, only getting worse each night, Carina realizes that someone, or something, is out to get her. Is it the Halls? The house itself? Or is her own past catching up with her? With Aaron’s help, she must figure out what is haunting her, and fast, before she’s forced out of Blackbead House for good.

Honeysuckle and Bone is a deliciously atmospheric and utterly spooky young adult novel following an imperfect yet courageous teen as she seeks to remake herself in the homeland she always idealized, discovering that new beginnings don’t always come easy.

All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson (ISBN-13: 9781547605897 Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Publication date: 02/04/2025, Ages 10-14)

# 1 New York Times bestselling and Newbery Honor author Renée Watson explores friendship, loss, and life with grief in this poignant new novel in verse and vignettes.

Sage’s thirteenth birthday was supposed to be about movies and treats, staying up late with her best friend and watching the sunrise together. Instead, it was the day her best friend died. WIthout the person she had to hold her secrets and dream with, Sage is lost. In a counseling group with other girls who have lost someone close to them, she learns that not all losses are the same, and healing isn’t predictable. There is sadness, loneliness, anxiety, guilt, pain, love. And even as Sage grieves, new, good things enter her life — and she just may find a way to know that she can feel it all.

In accessible, engaging verse and prose, this is an important story of a girl’s journey to heal, grow, and forgive herself. To read it is to see how many shades there are in grief, and to know that someone understands.

Cousins in the Time of Magic by Emma Otheguy, Poly Bernatene (Illustrator) (ISBN-13: 9781665915182 Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers Publication date: 02/25/2025, Ages 8-12)

Three cousins get transported back to 1862 to play an important role in the Battle of Puebla, the reason we celebrate Cinco de Mayo today, in this enchanting middle grade fantasy adventure.

History is alive with magic. That’s what zany Tía Xia is always telling cousins Jorge, Camila, and Siggy. Daredevil Jorge couldn’t be more different than his cousins: Camila is a dreamer who adores animals and Siggy is an aspiring influencer who has an exclusive party to attend. And their aunt has many secrets, including a mysterious diamond-encrusted sword that Jorge definitely wasn’t supposed to see.

But when the three stumble upon a time portal in their aunt’s yard, they are transported back to 1862, a past filled with wonders—and dangers. To return to the present, they must race to deliver the sword to General Ignacio Zaragoza in time for the historic Battle of Puebla in Mexico: the foundation of the holiday Cinco de Mayo.

As their journey to Mexico takes them through the Civil War–era United States, the cousins see just how much US history has been shaped by Latin communities. They must find the power within themselves to make sure things happen as they’re supposed to, without altering the past.

All the Noise at Once by DeAndra Davis (ISBN-13: 9781665952651 Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers Publication date: 04/15/2025, Ages 14-18)

In this compelling, moving story about brotherhood, identity, and social justice, a Black, autistic teen tries to figure out what happened the night his older brother was unjustly arrested.

All Aiden has ever wanted to do was play football just like his star quarterback brother, Brandon. An overstimulation meltdown gets in the way of Aiden making the team during summer tryouts, but when the school year starts and a spot unexpectedly needs to be filled, he finally gets a chance to play the game he loves.

However, not every player is happy about the new addition to the team, wary of how Aiden’s autism will present itself on game day. Tensions rise. A fight breaks out. Cops are called.

Brandon interferes on behalf of his brother, but is arrested by the very same cops who, just hours earlier, were chanting his name from the bleachers. When he’s wrongly charged for felony assault on an officer, everything Brandon has worked for starts to slip away, and the brothers’ relationship is tested. As Brandon’s trial inches closer, Aiden is desperate to figure out what really happened that night. Can he clear his brother’s name in time?

Love at Second Sight by F.T. Lukens (ISBN-13: 9781665950947 Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books Publication date: 04/29/2025, Ages 14-18)

When a teen has an unexpected vision about a future murder, he must juggle newfound interest from the supernatural community with trying to prevent the murder from happening in this new romantic fantasy from New York Times bestselling author F.T. Lukens.

Fifteen-year-old Cam Reynolds wants to spend his sophomore year flying under the radar. That shouldn’t be too hard, considering he’s a human going to school with kids who have paranormal powers, like his best friend and witch, Al, and his longtime werewolf crush, Mateo.

Then Cam has a psychic glimpse of the future in front of most of the student body, seeing a gruesomely murdered teen girl from the point of view of the killer. When Cam comes to, he knows two things: someone he goes to school with is a future murderer, and his life is about to change. No longer a mere human but a clairvoyant, one of the rarest of supernatural beings, Cam finds himself at the center of attention for the first time.

As the most powerful supernatural factions in the city court Cam and his gift, he’ll have to work with his friends, both old and new, to figure out who he can trust and who might be a werewolf in sheep’s clothing. Because the clock is ticking, and Cam and his friends must identify the girl in the vision, find her potential killer, and prevent the murder from happening. Or the next murder Cam sees might be his own.

Filed under: new books