THE DERBY DAREDEVILS: Kenzie Kickstarts a Team
By Kit Rosewater (Illustrations by Sophie Escabasse)

On Sale Date: March 2020

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
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This new chapter book/early middle-grade series set in Austin, Texas, features the sport of Roller Derby and a diverse cast of characters. The reader follows Kenzie on her mission to put together a roller-derby team as mighty as the one her Mom plays on. With the help of her best friend, Shelly, Kenzie unites a group of eccentric individuals and teaches them the basics of the sport just in time for try-outs. She also admits to herself that she may have feelings for one of the girls she enlists.

This straightforward story carries important themes including friendship, self-acceptance, and balancing individuality with teamwork and team spirit. The short chapters and simple language are well-pitched for the intended audience and the character's voices read as authentic and age-appropriate.

Lace your skates and enjoy!

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WONDER WORLD KIDS BOOK TWO: THE CASE OF THE LOST LLAMAS 
By Dori Marx (Illustrated by Priscila Orozco Gallo)

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This super cute chapter book series introduces kids to new destinations around the globe. In this installment, the reader is transported to Machu Picchu in Peru to help the Cook Family solve the mystery of the disappearance of llamas from the area.

With simple language and frequent illustrations, this book is ideal for reader's age six to ten-years-old, especially animal lovers. The eight-year-old Cook twins, Fynn and Celia, are memorable and unique characters, and their ten-year-old sister, Lily, is equally delightful. 

Back matter and a glossary are provided for readers who wish to delve into more detail about story elements such as challenging words, animals unique to the area, and local foods. 

Get your suitcase ready, the travel bug is about to hit!

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Polly Diamond and the Super Stunning Spectacular School Fair
by Alice Kuipers (Illustrated by Diana Toledano)

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This fun chapter book series continues to delight readers with this installment (book 2). 

In this story, Polly and her magic book (a book which makes anything written in it a reality) get into trouble and out again at the school book fair. Polly’s spunky personality jumps of the page and the magic book premise is fun for readers. With simple language, page turning action, and great illustrations, this is a perfect read for the chapter book crowd. 

Pair with popcorn and cotton candy for the ultimate experience! (read the book to find out why)

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Beatrice Zinker Upside Down Thinker: Incognito By Shelley Johannes

Publication date: 9/18/18

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This is the second book in the Beatrice Zinker series and it is an absolute delight. Readers will love journeying with Beatrice undercover as she tries to solve school life issues and mysteries. Throughout the book, Beatrice’s energy jumps off the page and each chapter ending brims with suspense— a combination which ensures the book is impossible to put down!
 
The secondary characters are just as unique and fascinating as Beatrice: from Sam, a shy fellow student who reads about Morse code, through to the class teacher, Mrs. Tamarack, whom Beatrice creates a “most strict” award for.
 
Johannes illustrations are as fun as her text, especially all the depictions of Beatrice’s upside-down poses. Chapter book readers in grade 2-5 will have a blast reading this.  

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Sarai and the Meaning of Awesome
by Sarai Gonzalez and Monica Brown

On sale date 9/11/18

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This super-cute chapter book for grades 2-5 takes us on an adventure with Sarai as she tries to raise money to buy back the house her grandparents have lived in for over twenty years.

The story is fast-paced with easy to read sentences. Sarai is a unique and energetic character brimming with positivity and her sisters and family are equally loud and likable. The inclusion of some Spanish words and details of Sarai's heritage are executed well. Plus, the story was inspired by true events from Sarai's life.

This is sure to be a successful chapter book series. Get ready to feel inspired and awesome!
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How to be a Supervillain: Born to be Good by Michael Fry
 
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
 
This follow-on tale to How To Be A Supervillain is just as quirky, hilarious, and absurd. From the tickling super skill of the narrator, Victor, to the diverse secondary characters, including The Smear, Moldy Dave, and Anvil Head!
 
Even abstracting from the humor of the superhero’s names and traits, the plot will ensure readers continue to turn pages— who wouldn’t want to know the outcome of a battle between a whole bunch of Supervillains and the alien Commodore who trapped them to use as galaxy entertainment. Oh, and if that’s not enough, the narrator wants to give up his supervillain life to become a civilian librarian and no one’s pleased about that either.
 
A great middle grade read, either as a stand-alone title or follow on from book one. The large number of illustrations provide another layer of entertainment and will be a great help for reluctant and struggling readers.

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Hilde Cracks the Case: Hero Dog! By Hilde Lysiak with Matthew Lysiak
​(Illustrations by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff)
 
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
 
One of the most critical features of a successful early chapter book series is the voice of the main character. And in this series, the voice is spot on. The author, Hilde, is a ten-year-old writing about events loosely based on her own real-life experiences as a junior sleuth.
 
In Hero Dog, Hilde is intent on solving a baffling case. Various baked goods, among other things, have gone missing on none other than the day of the local Bake-Off Bonanza. Is the culprit a dog with a sweet-tooth? A disgruntled neighbor? A jealous Bake-Off contestant?
 
Armed with her trusty notepad and pen, Hilde cycles around the town of Sellinsgrove interviewing those who have had items stolen and questioning the police and suspicious people. She records her thoughts in a notebook, the pages of which are scattered throughout the text. The reader follows along with Hilde and her sister Izzy (who takes photographs) every step of the way from their first clue to solving the mystery.
 
This is a fast-paced, page turning story that will leave young readers feeling empowered to take charge, follow their dreams, and trump age barriers through perseverance and hard work.
 
Go Hilde!

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Jasmine Toguchi: Drummer Girl By Debbi Michiko Florence (pictures by Elizabet Vukovic)
 
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This is the third book in the Jasmine Toguchi chapter book series, which features a third-generation Japanese American girl, and it’s a wowee zowee winner!
 
Jasmine is a third grader at Drake Elementary and it is nearly time for the school talent show. Jasmine’s close friends all have talents to demonstrate in the show, so does the overly perfect Maggie Milsap. But Jasmine’s talents— making collages, tree climbing, and pounding mocha —aren’t exactly stage material.
 
Luckily, Jasmine’s mother introduces her to taiko aka Japanese drumming. Learning taiko with her mother’s taiko-playing friend makes Jasmine feel strong and happy. She instantly falls in love with her newly acquired skill and is convinced she is gifted with natural drumming ability. But the talent show is looming and Jasmine will have to realize the importance of hard work and practice if she is to stand a chance at outshining Maggie Milsap and performing well in the big event.
 
This chapter book is ideal for readers aged 6-9. It uses simple language and short sentences and is a page-turning read. It also includes an author’s note on the history of taiko and instructions on how to make a hachi-maki headband, a popular accessory for taiko players.
 
Best enjoyed with a big plate of mouth-watering sushi! Oh, and keep an eye out for the next title to come in the series, Jasmine Toguchi, Flamingo Keeper, which will no doubt be just as appealing.

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Kitty's Magic: Misty The Scared Kitty By Ella Moonheart (with illustrations by Lindsay Dale)

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
 
Misty The Scared Kitty, the first book in the new Kitty’s Magic chapter book series By Ella Moonheart (published by Bloomsbury) is sure to win hearts.
 
Kitty, a young American girl with Japanese heritage, adores cats. There’s only one problem— she’s allergic. When her best friend becomes the proud new owner of a sweet silver tabby named Misty, Kitty is equally thrilled and distressed.
 
Kitty’s Japanese grandmother comes to the rescue, presenting Kitty with a necklace belonging to her great grandmother. A necklace, which she claims, will stop Kitty suffering from allergy symptoms.
 
But not only does the necklace allow Kitty to play comfortably with her friend’s new cat, it allows her to transform into a cat herself whenever she chooses! The only catch, Kitty cannot reveal the secret of the necklace to anyone or the magic will no longer work.
 
The timing of this new discovery is perfect. Misty is in hideout from two mean Persian cats who prowl her backyard. Together, Misty and feline-form Kitty sneak out at night to seek help from the local cats’ Cat Council and devise a plan to scare off the Persian bullies once and for all.
 
This series is perfect for the younger chapter book set. The magical element is exciting yet easy to understand, the story is simple, and the illustrations are super cute. With its relatively slow pace and lack of high-stakes action, this is an ideal bedtime read. Likely to appeal to fans of series such as The Fun Day Fairies by Daisy Meadows.
 
Cozy up in your pajamas and enjoy!

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The Gingerbread Man and the Leprechaun Loose At School by Laura Murray & Mike Lowery
 
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
 
If you are looking for a St Patrick’s Day read, look no further than The Gingerbread Man And The Leprechaun Loose At School. A fun, comic book style story about a mischievous leprechaun wreaking havoc at a school and a gingerbread man intent on catching him.
 
The leprechaun messes up the music room, the boy’s bathroom, and even the library! Luckily, the gingerbread man has a papery plan to catch the cheeky green-hatted creature once and for all.
 
Told in rhyme, this is a fast-paced, witty read perfect for elementary school students. It is one of a series of books about the gingerbread man by the same author/illustrator team.