Books of the week

A powerful new middle grade series about a Korean-American girl navigating family dynamics, teamwork, and friendship.

Meet Jiyoung “Gigi” Shin: the plucky protagonist of a new middle grade book series who starts a business with her best friends to support her artistic dreamsgiving a fresh take on The Baby-Sitters Club. Gigi tackles the everyday experience of millions of kids with tenacity and heart. Full of friendship, first crushes and one big idea, readers will cheer for Gigi and this brand-new launch from author Lyla Lee.

Stories that are centered around the Asian-American experience are continuing to get recognition and popularity. It’s clear that these stories are both wanted and needed, for readers of all ages. This powerful middle-grade book series about a Korean-American girl learning how to navigate family dynamics, teamwork, and friendship speaks directly to Korean-American kids who have never seen themselves on the page before. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lyla Lee is the bestselling author of young adult novels like I’ll Be the One and Flip the Script. She also writes the Mindy Kim series for younger readers and the Gigi Shin books for the middle school crowd. Her books have been translated into multiple languages around the world. Born in South Korea, she’s since then lived in various cities throughout the United States. Inspired by her English teacher, she started writing her own stories in fourth grade and finished her first novel at the age of fourteen. After working various jobs in Hollywood and studying Psychology and Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California, she now lives in Dallas, Texas. Visit Lyla at LylaLeeBooks.com or on social media under @LiteraryLyla.

 UNSTUCK 

Critically acclaimed author Barbara Dee, who is best known for her voice in the “tough stuff” middle grade arena is back with her fourteenth novel that explores writer’s blockanxiety, and middle school. UNSTUCK , which has drawn comparisons to DEAR MR. HENSHAW by Beverly Cleary, follows the hardships of 7th grader Lyla, who is struggling with anxiety and writer’s block. When she enters her town’s writing contest, Lyla begins to experience panic and can’t seem to get her words down on paper. Not only is she panicking about meeting the deadline, but she is anxious about impressing her teacher and friends with her writing.

UNSTUCK focuses on the relationships between Lyla and her old friends, new friends, and most importantly, her relationship with her older sister. This relationship ultimately helps Lyla realize that she is not alone in feeling academic stress, and the highs and lows of the creative process, as her sister is struggling with the pressures of apply to colleges.

Fellow authors have been buzzing about UNSTUCK, calling Lyla’s journey “relatable and inspiring,” and that the novel is “entertaining” “heartfelt,” and “honest.” I’m including blurbs from authors in the attached praise sheet.

Author Bio
Barbara Dee is the author of fourteen middle grade novels including Unstuck, Haven Jacobs Saves the Planet, Violets Are BlueMy Life in the Fish TankMaybe He Just Likes You, Everything I Know About YouHalfway Normal, and Star-Crossed. Her books have earned several starred reviews and have been named to many best-of lists, including The Washington Post’s Best Children’s Books, the ALA Notable Children’s Books, the ALA Rise: A Feminist Book Project List, the NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, and the ALA Rainbow List Top Ten. Barbara lives with her family, including a naughty cat named Luna and a sweet rescue hound named Ripley, in Westchester County, New York.
 YOU ARE LOVED 

In YOU ARE LOVED (Onsale 5/7/24; Ages 4-8)   by Sujean Rim, a young child learns all the ways they are loved by nature and, most of all, by the person reading to them in this gentle and lyrical picture book reminiscent of Alison McGee’s Someday.

A little tyke wanders through a welcoming world of sun, grass, and flowers, dancing to bird chirps, spying new friends in the clouds, and waving to waves. After hello-ing stars and giving a hello-there to the moon, the explorer finally returns to someone who loves them as deeply as all the world.

This book will have kids running through the grass, tipping their faces to the sunlight, searching the clouds, and staring at the stars—soaking in the big, big world with a newfound appreciation. Sweet but never saccharine, Sujean’s lyrical, soothingly repetitive refrain is the comforting reminder that all children need: you are loved.

The perfect gift for a new baby, baby shower, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, You’re-Feeling-Blue-Today Day, and every day!

About the Author:

Sujean Rim is the author and illustrator of Take a BreathTake a ChanceBirdie’s Big-Girl ShoesBirdie’s Big-Girl DressBirdie’s Big-Girl HairZoogie Boogie Fever!Chee-Kee: A Panda in Bear land, and more. She has illustrated for clients including Tiffany & Co., Target, and the website DailyCandy. Sujean lives in New York with her favorite artist and husband Bob, and their son, Charlie. Find her online at SujeanRim.com.

 by Lucy Ruth Cummins

From the bestselling creator of Stumpkin and Vampenguin comes a whimsical picture book about the unexpected friendship that blooms between a boy and a dog of intergalactic origins.

A visitor from outer space comes to Stephen’s yard one night. It may look like a Dalmatian, but it certainly doesn’t act like one. At first, Stephen and the visitor get off on the wrong paw. They quibble over kibble, debate sleeping arrangements, and must abandon earth dogs’ approach to bathroom breaks altogether to keep the peace. Is a shared love of bacon a strong enough foundation for this ordinary earth boy and extraordinary out-of-this-world canine to learn to live in harmony?

Filled with punny and out-of-this-world humor, this is a text that begs to be read aloud, and will have everyone bursting with laughter. At its core, Dalmartian is about finding your place, choosing your friends and your family, and being with the people you love! This is the perfect book for dog lovers and pet owners, especially those who will immediately identify with everything that Dalmartian cannot wrap his head around – eating from the floor? Dog runs? Picking up dog poo?!?

This is an entertaining book and so fun to read!

About the Author:

Lucy Ruth Cummins is an author, illustrator, and art director of children’s books. She was happily paired with Jean Reidy for both Truman, which was named a New York Times Best Children’s Book of 2019, and Sylvie. She is also the author-illustrator of StumpkinVampenguinDalmartian: A Mars Rover’s StoryOur Pool, and A Hungry Lionor A Dwindling Assortment of Animals.

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

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