Archives for 2024

Some great choices for Middle-Grade Readers and above!

Haunted Mansion meets the ultimate escape room in this tense and twisty middle grade horror following four kids who must beat a series of games to make it out of a haunted house. The creepiest place in Barret Eloise’s small town is the abandoned Raithfield Manor, a decrepit house surrounded by rumors of ghosts and kids going missing. So she certainly never planned on stepping foot inside. But when her history teacher gives her a group project to research a local landmark, the manor is the location her group chooses. Determined to ace the project and fix her awkward first impression on her assigned partners—which include her former friend Helena, smart and confident Wayne, and school basketball star Ridge—Barret Eloise isn’t about to let some tall tales scare her off. When the kids first enter the house, it seems to be nothing more than an empty building. But when the sun goes down, the doors and windows lock, sealing them inside. Even worse, the room they’re in transforms into an all-too-real game of The Floor is Lava. It doesn’t take long for the group to realize the mansion is a maze of childhood games. Win the game and you keep moving forward, lose and you disappear. And complicating it all is a worrying revelation—they are not alone in the house. If Barret Eloise wants to make it home, she and her dysfunctional group are going to have to learn to work together quickly.

Author Bio

Juliana Brandt is an author and kindergarten teacher with a passion for storytelling that guides her in both of her jobs. She lives in her home state of Minnesota, and her writing is heavily influenced by travels around the country and a decade living in the south. When not working, she is usually exploring the great outdoors. Her middle grade novels include The Wolf of Cape Fen, A Wilder Magic, Monsters in the Mist, and Exit Nowhere.

A FUN, FEEL-GOOD READ WITH TONS OF HEART! You’ll fall in love with this fast-paced, fun, read with a memorable main character who feels like a new best friend for readers. Caleb faces his share of adversity (including having his
mom brainwashed by one of the town’s baddies!) but the humor is always there, keeping this story that just right blend of high stakes and fun escapism.
MORE THAN JUST MONSTERS: Caleb is quietly coping with the recent loss of his father and struggling with panic attacks from his grief. Virnig handles this aspect of the story with sensitivity and compassion, in a totally accessible
and age-appropriate way, creating a multi-dimensional main character who readers will love spending time with.
A FISH OUT OF WATER STORY: Caleb’s not just facing the challenge of living in a monster infested town—he’s also dealing with being a major misfit at school.

CHRISTINE VIRNIG (she/her/hers) is a fan of books, candy, spooky stories, poop jokes, and coffee…in no particular order. As a former physician, Christine now spends her days writing books, reading books, and working at a library where she is surrounded by books. While A Bite Above the Rest is Virnig’s fiction debut, her nonfiction book for kids, Dung for Dinner, was a Golden Kite Award finalist! Christine lives in southern Wisconsin with her husband, two daughters, a ridiculous number of dust bunnies, and one incredibly lazy cat. You can visit her on the web at ChristineVirnig.com.

 In 1929 Heroldsberg, Germany, twelve-year-old Rolf witnesses the chilling rise of Hitler’s regime. As his community is increasingly influenced by the Nazi Party, and his own family is torn apart by political divides, Rolf grapples with fear and uncertainty. His struggle to intervene before disaster strikes provides a gripping narrative that is both educational and deeply moving.

This book offers a gripping exploration of how the Nazis rose to power before the outbreak of World War II, offering a fresh perspective on a well-trodden subject.  Rise of the Spider will be available in both paperback and hardcover, making it accessible for all types of readers, from casual readers to library enthusiasts.

FIRST IN A SERIES: This is the beginning of a six-book series that will continue to unravel the story of the lead-up to World War II. With a new book scheduled every six months or so, readers will have a steady stream of action-packed historical fiction to look forward to.

MICHAEL P. SPRADLIN (he/him/his) is the New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award–nominated author of the Spy Goddess series, The Youngest Templar series, and the Web of the Spider series, as well as several works of historical fiction, including the Western Heritage Award–winning Off Like the Wind: The Story of the Pony Express. He currently resides in Lapeer, Michigan, with his wife, daughter, and his schnoodle, Sequoia. Learn more at MichaelSpradlin.com.

Self Disclosure: I received free copies of the above books to feature. Information and images were also provided.

With One Bake, Two Ways: Fifty bakes with an all-plant option every time [ISBN: 978-1-62371-679-0; $35; Interlink Books; July 2024], Great British Bake Off finalist Ruby Bhogal shares a flexible approach to baking tasty, sweet treats with 50 like-for-like recipes – one traditional and one plant-based.

We all remember watching in heartbreak as Ruby’s showstopper cake collapsed on the show’s first-ever Vegan Week. Instead of slinking off and hiding from the world, she was determined to master vegan recipes.

Raised in a British-Indian household, Ruby’s mostly vegetarian diet sparked a sugar rush to create recipes adaptable to a flexitarian approach. In this book, you get double the options, as each of the 50 recipes is presented twice: first in its traditional form and then with a plant-based alternative. From cakes and breads to pies and cookies, the mouthwatering recipes include:

• Chocolate Fudge Cake with Milk Chocolate Fudge Frosting
• Malt Choco-Nut Babka with Streusel Top
• Sweet Samosas with Medjool Date and Orange
• PB and J Millefeuille Cake with Peanut Butter Crème Pâtissière and White Chocolate Whipped Cream
• Chai Custard Creams
• Piña Colada Meringue Roulade with Roasted Pineapple and much more!

My two favorites are the Chocolate Fudge Cake with Milk Chocolate Frosting and the Chai Custard Creams! There are some other great recipes that are just perfect for the upcoming holidays!

One Bake, Two Ways has an inclusive approach that makes Ruby’s recipes achievable for all—there’s no sacrifice here—every last bite is delicious! With adaptability galore and flavors that offer twice the delight, dive into Ruby’s world of baking and savor the best of both worlds.

About the Author

After spending what seemed like an eternity studying for a MA in Architecture, Ruby Bhogal spent ten months living with her parents, applying for every job under the sun and watching far too much daytime TV. During a dark period of unemployment, baking provided Ruby with a productive outlet to regain some order in her life. While her love of baking began as a meditative hobby, it soon provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete as a finalist on the Great British Bake Off in 2018. Since then she has acquired a huge and loyal following online and makes regular appearances in print, at live events, and on TV, where her confidence and chatty personality shines through. Follow her on Instagram (@rubybhogal).

Self Disclosure: I received a free copy of the book to feature. Images were also provided.

The 2024 Jewel City Concert Series will consist of 5 outdoor concerts and take place at the Artsakh Paseo (127 N. Artsakh Ave. Glendale, CA 91206) through October 26, 2024. Enjoy free Saturday evening concerts at 5:00 PM, showcasing music groups from Southern California. Performances run approximately 60 minutes without an intermission. Seating is not provided; visitors are welcome to bring a chair. The concerts are sponsored by the Glendale Arts and Culture Commission through funding from the Urban Art Program, with support from Glendale Library, Arts & Culture.

Visit GlendaleArtsAndCulture.org/JewelCityConcertSeries for more information. 

October 19, 2024 – 5:00 PM – J Güero is a Latin electronica project founded by LA-based Chilean producer Juan Covarrubias. With 3 EPs and 4 singles released since its foundation in 2019, the project has collaborated with artists such as Spanish Rock legend Enrique Bunbury and theremin virtuoso Carolina Eyck, among others. The project’s first EP “Wired Sessions Vol. 2” was featured in Rolling Stones Magazine and opened the door for various festivals like Ruido Fest and SXSW.  

October 26, 2024 – 5:00 PM – Ominous Duck is a post-grunge rock band formed from the collective passion of four Los Angeles teenagers. Drawing inspiration from their favorite bands, they craft music that echoes their generation’s defiance and yearning for connection—and offers back a message of solidarity and hope.  

Credit: GLENDALE LIBRARY, ARTS & CULTURE

From Halloween to bullying prevention, our October picks cover a wide variety of seasonal topics. Here are some great books to cozy up to with your kiddos.

Sophie and the Swans

By Holly Peppe

Sophie is a little girl who lives beside a lake and makes friends with a pair of swans who visit her every day. One day, when a bully starts to torment the swans, Sophie rushes to defend them not by attacking the bully, but by showing him kindness when he gets into trouble on the lake. A heartwarming children’s book that tackles important themes of kindness, empathy, and bullying prevention. Ages 3-8.

Kloe’s New Start

By K.M. Selvidge

Kloe can’t wait to get started at her new school… but when her brother Wreny starts acting out, will she end up stuck in his shadow? Or will she be able to make her own way and make others see her for who she truly is? A heartwarming tale that teaches kids about making friends, feeling included and learning to be your own person. Ages 8-12.

The Legend of the Serpent Witch

By F.P. LaRue

Just in time for Halloween comes a new Scary Shivers Mystery adventure where young readers can solve mysteries alongside Ollie, Mellie and Scotty. In the third edition, they stumble upon clothing in the woods that belongs to a group of boys who went missing. Through their quest to find the missing kids, they encounter an evil witch who casts scary spells and wicked curses on the whole town! Ages 9-12

The Fly Who Flew to Space

By Lauren Sanchez

Flynn is a fly with big dreams of becoming an astronaut. One day, he stumbles onto a rocket ship that takes off! Follow Flynn on an exciting journey to space to learn more about our planet.

A celebration of overcoming challenges, the joy of learning and dreaming beyond the stars. Kids will especially love that the book glows in the dark and includes a free poster. Ages 3-8.

Ava the Monster Slayer: Sleepover Superheroes

By Lisa Maggiore

At their school’s sleepover event, Ava and her friends must rescue their beloved stuffies after they’ve been taken by a group of older girls. But that means they must enter the school hallways, rumored to be haunted with ghosts and mythical creatures! This imaginative graphic-novel style picture book keeps youngsters on the edge of their seats while showing them how to face their fears. Ages 6-10.

Self Disclosure: research was compiled from Expound Publicity. 

LEGO bricks tell the life story of singer/songwriter and record producer Pharrell Williams — from his childhood in Virginia to his success in the music and fashion industry. Piece By Piece is a unique cinematic experience that invites audiences on a vibrant journey through the life of cultural icon Pharrell Williams. Told through the lens of LEGO® animation, turn up the volume on your imagination and witness the evolution of one of music’s most innovative minds.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Zoe C. comments, “This film is such an innovative approach to the music-documentary genre as it tells Pharrell Williams’ life story in the form of LEGO bricks. I absolutely love the music, colors, visuals, storytelling, and so much more.” See her full review below.

Piece by Piece 

By Zoë C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

Piece by Piece is the perfect addition to the LEGO movie franchise. I was so excited for this film since the LEGO movies hold a special place in my heart. I not only grew up playing with LEGOs, and The LEGO Ninjago Movie was my first ever press interview! I love that all the LEGO movies have been so diverse and different. This film is such an innovative approach to the music-documentary genre as it tells Pharrell Williams’ life story in the form of LEGO bricks. I absolutely love the music, colors, visuals, storytelling, and so much more.

The film follows the traditional documentary formula — it starts off examining Pharrell’s beginnings. He discovered music at a very young age and instantly felt a strong connection with music beyond just listening to it. He started a band with his friend Chad Hugo who was just as passionate about music; they called themselves the Neptunes. When a record label moved in across the street from them, Pharrell insisted on being heard, and eventually he was. From there his career skyrocketed. He eventually lost himself and his touch as he became obsessed with creating music for people rather than making music for himself. When he reconnected with his sense of self, his career once again went above and beyond. It was Pharrell’s idea to utilize LEGOs to tell his story, which I think is such a great choice. The beauty of using LEGOs is that it’s free to interpret in any way, and the animators were free to create any world imaginable. The LEGO animation is perfect. I love the sets and other visual creations. Pharrell William is a very important person in the music industry, and I think the choice of LEGOs emphasizes how unique and special his story is. So many other artists have also been a part of his journey — Gwen Stefani, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Justin Timberlake, Daft Punk, Snoop Dog, and many other artists. The cast is incredible and they all voice themselves. Of course, one of the most important aspects of this film is the score. This film takes us back in time with some of Pharrell’s greatest hits. Director Morgan Neville captivates the essence of Pharrell’s story while making it interesting, fresh, and new for the audience through a completely mesmerizing cinematic experience.

The film’s message is that you can reach any goal you strive for with hard work and perseverance.

I give Piece by Piece 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults.  You can watch Piece by Piece in theaters October 11, 2024.