Maw Books

Maw Books – book reviews, book recommendations, book lists, author interviews and more!

Looking at everybody else’s books that they picked up and the books that I picked up while at Book Expo America, it appears as if we didn’t even attend the same show.  While I’m really happy with my discoveries, I’m also in some serious book envy (and yes – I know how ironic that sounds).

I shipped home my boxes of books and am not expecting them to arrive until next week, but off the top of my head, these are just a  few of the books which I can’t wait to read.  Expect a couple more posts just like this one, particularly for adult books.   I’ve got a lot of great books to share with you!!

The book which I HAD to have was Clementine, Friend of the Week by Sara Pennypacker and illustrated by Marla Frazee. I had planned to read this one on the plane ride home but sadly packed it away by accident.  I was ecstatic that both Pennypacker and Frazee were signing together and thrilled that I met them both.  I ADORED the first three Clementine books and would have gone home and cried had I not gotten a copy of the newest book.

Clementine has been picked for Friend of the Week, which means she gets to be line leader, collect the milk money, and feed the fish. Even better, she’ll get a Friend of the Week booklet in which all the other third grade kids will write why they like her. Clementine’s best friend, Margaret, has all sorts of crazy ideas for how Clementine can prove to the class she is a friend. Clementine has to get a great booklet, so she does what Margaret says. What begins as one of the best weeks ever may turn out to be the worst. Who knew that being a friend could be so hard? (Releases July 27, 2010 from Disney/Hyperion for the middle grade set – trust me I have no MG readers in my house – get it for yourself!)

Not only did I pick up one book illustrated by Marla Frazee, but two!  Frazee is one on my most favorite illustrators.  There isn’t anything she’s illustrated that I haven’t LOVED.  She has a new picture book releases in August titled The Boss Baby. I simply can not wait to dig this out of the box when it arrives.  I love me some Marla Frazee!

From the moment the baby arrived, it was obvious that he was the boss. The boss baby is used to getting his way–drinks made to order 24/7, his private jet plane, and meetings around the clock. But when his demands aren’t getting proper responses, he has to go to new lengths to achieve the attention he deserve. (Picture book releases August 31, 2010 from Beach Lane Books.)

Boom by Mark Haddon.  After the widely popular The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time this is just a given.

From the moment that Jim and his best friend, Charlie, bug the staff room and overhear two of their teachers speaking to each other in a secret language, they know there’s an adventure on its way.But what does “spudvetch” actually mean, and why do Mr. Kidd’s eyes flicker with fluorescent blue light when Charlie says it to him? Perhaps Kidd and Pearce are bank robbers talking in code. Perhaps they’re spies. Perhaps they are aliens. Whatever it is, Jimbo and Charlie are determined to find out.  There really is an adventure on its way. A nuclear-powered, one-hundred-ton adventure with reclining seats and a buffet car. And as it gathers speed and begins to spin out of control, it can only end one way . . . with a BOOM! (Releases just next week on May 11, 2010 from David Fickling Books.  Middle Grade Fiction).

The Cardturner by Louis Sachar.   Who didn’t love Holes?   Curious and excited to see a new book from Louis Sachar.

From Louis Sachar, New York Times bestselling author and winner of the Newbery Medal for HOLES, comes the young adult novel THE CARDTURNER, an exploration of the human condition. (Young Adult releases next week on May 11, 2010 from Delacorte Press)

Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins.  I feel a bit shamed to admit that I have never read a book by Mitali Perkins although I love reading her blog and following her Twitter stream.  Having met her at BEA, I can attest that she’s simply amazing.  I know that I teared up while listening to her speak of books as windows and mirrors during the breakfast.

Chiko isn’t a fighter by nature. He’s a book-loving Burmese boy whose father, a doctor, is in prison for resisting the government. Tu Reh, on the other hand, wants to fight for freedom after watching Burmese soldiers destroy his Karenni family’s home and bamboo fields. Timidity becomes courage and anger becomes compassion as each boy is changed by unlikely friendships formed under extreme circumstances.

This coming-of-age novel takes place against the political and military backdrop of modern-day Burma. Narrated by two teenagers on opposing sides of the conflict between the Burmese government and the Karenni, one of the many ethnic minorities in Burma, Bamboo People explores the nature of violence, power, and prejudice. (Releases July 1, 2010 for the middle grade set by Charlesbridge Publishing.  It appears that Amazon might be shipping it already?)

Three Quarters Dead by Richard Peck. I have only read Richard Peck’s historical fiction books so I’m REALLY curious to read his newest book which is a paranormal YA. I mean seriously?!!

Kerry is chosen by the coolest clique in school and so she thinks life has finally begun. But then it seems all over when her three friends are killed in a shocking car accident. Or are they? Only weeks after the accident, Kerry receives a text from one of the girls: We’re all 3 here at my aunt’s in the city. Take the 3:50 train. B there.

Exhilarating, terrifying suspense is crossed with a thought-provoking examination of peer pressure in Richard Peck’s return to his contemporary teen- and ghost-story roots. This is a master author’s gift to the Gossip Girl/Twilight generation: his own smart, stylish, and fun take on the paranormal. (Releases October 28, 2010 by Dial Books)

Watch for these books!  I just realized that with the exception of Mitali Perkins, these are all authors whom I’ve previously read and reviewed here on the blog.  Probably why I’m so excited to read more of the work.

Stayed tuned for more books to get excited about from Book Expo America.

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