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February 2017

Although February is the shortest month of the year, it brings some of my all-time favorite holidays: Valentine's Day, when stuffing my face with chocolate is not only excused, but encouraged; and Library Lover’s Month, when we can celebrate some of the best places for bookworms to learn about new releases.

Editorial Content for The Playbook: 52 Rules to Aim, Shoot, and Score in This Game Called Life

Contributors

Reviewer (text)

Audrey Slater

Newbery Award-winner Kwame Alexander, known for such hits as THE CROSSOVER and BOOKED, has once again achieved the perfect balance of poetry and prose in THE PLAYBOOK. In this short, yet powerful book, Alexander takes a close look at helpful rules for basketball, as well as short snippets of biographical and autobiographical stories, and takes their meanings off the court to inspire young readers to act with passion, dedication and faith. Read More

Teaser

You gotta know the rules to play the game. Ball is life. Take it to the hoop. Soar. What can we imagine for our lives? What if we were the star players, moving and grooving through the game of life? What if we had our own rules of the game to help us get what we want, what we aspire to, what will enrich our lives? Illustrated with photographs by Thai Neave, The Playbook is intended to provide inspiration on the court of life. 

Promo

You gotta know the rules to play the game. Ball is life. Take it to the hoop. Soar. What can we imagine for our lives? What if we were the star players, moving and grooving through the game of life? What if we had our own rules of the game to help us get what we want, what we aspire to, what will enrich our lives? Illustrated with photographs by Thai Neave, The Playbook is intended to provide inspiration on the court of life. 

About the Book

You gotta know the rules to play the game. Ball is life. Take it to the hoop. Soar. What can we imagine for our lives? What if we were the star players, moving and grooving through the game of life? What if we had our own rules of the game to help us get what we want, what we aspire to, what will enrich our lives? 
 
Illustrated with photographs by Thai Neave, The Playbook is intended to provide inspiration on the court of life. Each rule contains wisdom from inspiring athletes and role models such as Nelson Mandela, Serena Williams, LeBron James, Carli Lloyd, Steph Curry and Michelle Obama. Kwame Alexander also provides his own poetic and uplifting words, as he shares stories of overcoming obstacles and winning games in this motivational and inspirational book just right for graduates of any age and anyone needing a little encouragement.

Editorial Content for Scar Island

Contributors

Reviewer (text)

Melissa Hurt

SCAR ISLAND may be short in length, but it’s packed with multidimensional characters experiencing powerful and complex emotions. This is an unforgettable novel about the intricacies of guilt and growing up.

Jonathan Grisby is sent to Slabhenge Reformatory School for Troubled Boys after committing a tragic crime. Slabhenge is a crumbling fortress surrounded by the chaotic ocean, only accessible by boat. And Jonathan is glad he’s sent here. Because he deserves to be punished for what he did. Read More

Teaser

Jonathan Grisby is the newest arrival at the Slabhenge Reformatory School for Troubled Boys --- an ancient, crumbling fortress of gray stone rising up from the ocean. It is dark, damp and dismal. And it is just the place Jonathan figures he deserves. Because Jonathan has done something terrible. And he's willing to accept whatever punishment he has coming. 

Promo

Jonathan Grisby is the newest arrival at the Slabhenge Reformatory School for Troubled Boys --- an ancient, crumbling fortress of gray stone rising up from the ocean. It is dark, damp and dismal. And it is just the place Jonathan figures he deserves. Because Jonathan has done something terrible. And he's willing to accept whatever punishment he has coming. 

About the Book

Jonathan Grisby is the newest arrival at the Slabhenge Reformatory School for Troubled Boys --- an ancient, crumbling fortress of gray stone rising up from the ocean. It is dark, damp and dismal. And it is just the place Jonathan figures he deserves.
 
Because Jonathan has done something terrible. And he's willing to accept whatever punishment he has coming.
 
Just as he's getting used to his new situation, however, a freak accident leaves the troubled boys of Slabhenge without any adult supervision. Suddenly the kids are free, with an entire island to themselves. But freedom brings unexpected danger. And if Jonathan can't come to terms with the sins of his past and lead his new friends to safety...then every boy on the island is doomed.

Editorial Content for Remarkable Plants: Weird Trivia & Unbelievable Facts to Test Your Knowledge About Fungi, Flowers, Algae & More!

Contributors

Reviewer (text)

Eden Temple

Jeff Probst's REMARKABLE PLANTS is a treasure trove of plant facts. Beginning with the first plants on earth, Probst explores the way plants and animals have supported one another through a symbiotic relationship since the birth of our planet. This book teaches children about the complex relationship between plants and animals and the world we know today. With a vibrant layout and factual asides, this book will inspire and intrigue the most reluctant learners. Read More

Teaser

Packed with full-color photos, fascinating facts and trivia, and great callouts from Jeff, this series is perfect for every kid looking to know the coolest, weirdest facts and trivia around! Challenge yourself to discover the world’s most remarkable plants!

Promo

Packed with full-color photos, fascinating facts and trivia, and great callouts from Jeff, this series is perfect for every kid looking to know the coolest, weirdest facts and trivia around! Challenge yourself to discover the world’s most remarkable plants!

About the Book

New from Emmy-Award winning host of Survivor and New York Times bestselling author of Stranded, Jeff Probst comes a dynamic and graphic line of trivia books! Packed with full-color photos, fascinating facts and trivia, and great callouts from Jeff, this series is perfect for every kid looking to know the coolest, weirdest facts and trivia around! Challenge yourself to discover the world’s most remarkable plants! From the biggest trees to the deadliest fungus and everything in between, find out all the fascinating facts about the plants that surround us with the Emmy Award winning host of Survivor and New York Times bestselling author, Jeff Probst! Features quizzes, trivia, facts, and incredible stories that will shock and amaze!

Editorial Content for Harry Miller's Run

Contributors

Reviewer (text)

Norah Piehl

A heartwarming short story by David Almond, HARRY MILLER’S RUN gets deluxe treatment as a standalone book with new illustrations, perfect for reading aloud. Read More

Teaser

Liam just wants to go out running with his mates --- the Junior Great North Run is not far away and there’s training to be done. But Mam needs him today, to help old Harry clear out his house. And Harry knows a thing or two about running. When he was a lad, he says, he ran from Newcastle to South Shields. "But Harry," says Mam, "it’s thirteen miles!" Harry grins. "Different days," he says. Here is the story of that day:  the day when Harry and his pals ran and ran and ran through the blazing sunlight all the way to the sea.

Promo

Liam just wants to go out running with his mates --- the Junior Great North Run is not far away and there’s training to be done. But Mam needs him today, to help old Harry clear out his house. And Harry knows a thing or two about running. When he was a lad, he says, he ran from Newcastle to South Shields. "But Harry," says Mam, "it’s thirteen miles!" Harry grins. "Different days," he says. Here is the story of that day:  the day when Harry and his pals ran and ran and ran through the blazing sunlight all the way to the sea.

About the Book

From the masterful David Almond comes a joyful, wistful story of boyhood, running and tales of days gone by, in a beautiful gift edition illustrated in full color.
 
Liam just wants to go out running with his mates --- the Junior Great North Run is not far away and there’s training to be done. But Mam needs him today, to help old Harry clear out his house. And Harry knows a thing or two about running. When he was a lad, he says, he ran from Newcastle to South Shields. "But Harry," says Mam, "it’s thirteen miles!" Harry grins. "Different days," he says. Here is the story of that day: of sweltering heat, clattering boots, briny sea air and the heavenly taste of ice cream; the day when Harry and his pals ran and ran and ran through the blazing sunlight all the way to the sea.

Editorial Content for The Warden's Daughter

Contributors

Reviewer (text)

Alyssa Cami

In his latest novel, THE WARDEN’S DAUGHTER, master storyteller and Newberry Award-winner Jerry Spinelli tells the story of Cammie O’Reilly, an almost 13-year-old who lives in a prison.

Cammie “Cannonball” O’Reilly has a reputation around town of being a little wild. Most people let it slide since not only is she warden’s daughter, living in an apartment at the Hancock County Prison, but she also lost her mother as a baby in a tragic milk truck accident that almost took Cammie’s life as well. That would be enough to make anyone angry. Read More

Teaser

Cammie O'Reilly is the warden's daughter, living in an apartment above the entrance to the Hancock County Prison. But she's also living in a prison of grief and anger about the mother who died saving her from harm when she was just a baby. And prison has made her mad. This girl's nickname is Cannonball. In the summer of 1959, as twelve turns to thirteen, everything is in flux. Cammie's best friend is discovering lipstick and American Bandstand. A child killer is caught and brought to her prison. 

Promo

Cammie O'Reilly is the warden's daughter, living in an apartment above the entrance to the Hancock County Prison. But she's also living in a prison of grief and anger about the mother who died saving her from harm when she was just a baby. And prison has made her mad. This girl's nickname is Cannonball. In the summer of 1959, as twelve turns to thirteen, everything is in flux. Cammie's best friend is discovering lipstick and American Bandstand. A child killer is caught and brought to her prison. 

About the Book

From Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli (MANIAC MAGEE, STARGIRL) comes the knockout story of a girl who must come to terms with her mother's death from inside the walls of a prison.

Cammie O'Reilly is the warden's daughter, living in an apartment above the entrance to the Hancock County Prison. But she's also living in a prison of grief and anger about the mother who died saving her from harm when she was just a baby. And prison has made her mad. This girl's nickname is Cannonball. 

In the summer of 1959, as twelve turns to thirteen, everything is in flux. Cammie's best friend is discovering lipstick and American Bandstand. A child killer is caught and brought to her prison. And the only mother figures in her life include a flamboyant shoplifter named Boo Boo and a sullen reformed arsonist of a housekeeper. All will play a role in Cammie's coming-of-age. But one in particular will make a staggering sacrifice to ensure that Cammie breaks free from her past. 

Master storyteller Jerry Spinelli spins a tale of loss and redemption like no other. THE WARDEN'S DAUGHTER shows that kindness and compassion can often be found where we least expect it.

February 23, 2017

This Bookreporter.com Special Newsletter spotlights a book that releases this winter. Read more about it, and enter our Winter Reading Contest by Friday, February 24th at 11:59am ET for a chance to win one of five copies of IF I COULD TELL YOU by Elizabeth Wilhide, which releases on February 28th. Please note that each contest is only open for 24 hours, so you will need to act quickly!

Glory Over Everything by Kathleen Grissom

The author of the New York Times bestseller and beloved book club favorite THE KITCHEN HOUSE continues the story of Jamie Pyke, son of both a slave and master of Tall Oakes, whose deadly secret compels him to take a treacherous journey through the Underground Railroad. This new, stand-alone novel opens in 1830, and Jamie, who fled from the Virginian plantation he once called home, is passing in Philadelphia society as a wealthy white silversmith. After many years of striving, Jamie has achieved acclaim and security, only to discover that his aristocratic lover Caroline is pregnant.

Jennifer Hudson

Don’t be afraid of the answers. Be afraid of not asking the questions.

Attribution

Jennifer Hudson

Chevy Stevens, author of Never Let You Go

Eleven years ago, Lindsey Nash escaped into the night with her young daughter and left an abusive relationship. Her ex-husband, Andrew, was sent to jail, and Lindsey started over with a new life. Now, Lindsey is older and wiser, with her own business and a teenage daughter who needs her more than ever. When Andrew is finally released from prison, Lindsey believes she has cut all ties and left the past behind her. But she gets the sense that someone is watching her, tracking her every move. Her new boyfriend is threatened. Her home is invaded, and her daughter is shadowed. Lindsey is convinced it’s her ex-husband, even though he claims he’s a different person. But has he really changed? Is the one who wants her dead closer to home than she thought?