Upcoming Reads

Six friends. Five suspects. One murder.

Savana Caruso and Jesse Melo have known each other since they were kids, so when Jesse texts Savana in the middle of the night and asks her to meet him at Cray’s Warehouse, she doesn’t hesitate. But before Savana can find Jesse, she bears witness to a horrifying murder, standing helpless on the ground as a mysterious figure is pushed out of the fourth floor of the warehouse. 

Six teens were there that night, and five of them are now potential suspects. With the police circling, Savana knows what will happen if the wrong person is charged, particularly once she starts getting threatening anonymous text messages.

As she attempts to uncover the truth, Savana learns that everyone is keeping secrets—and someone is willing to do whatever it takes to keep those secrets from coming to light.

Eleven-year-old cousins Brandon and Josh return home safely at the end of their Almost True Adventure, only to discover that their cousin Adam has been captured by the very same aliens from the Intergalactic Council on Obedience to Parents they just escaped from!

Long ago, there was a tree who loved a boy. She gave him all she had, until she had no more to give. But what happens to the tree after the boy is gone? So begins the inspiring and heartwarming tale of a young girl who meets the tree and loves her without expectation. Love is a powerful healing force in this tender and magical adventure that reminds us the end is also a new beginning. Beautifully written and illustrated, The Giving Back Tree teaches a simple lesson: we can grow back.

Reading Now: The Unruly Curse by Sunayna Prasad

History, like magic, has a habit of repeating itself

It’s been six months since thirteen-year-old Alyssa McCarthy left magic behind for good. Or so she thought…

Then the enchanted objects that protected her disappear. Now a skeleton named Errol has cursed her with magical powers that keep getting her in trouble. Suddenly strange things are happening with disastrous effects, and if Alyssa can’t remove the magic, she will lose everything she holds dear.

In order to get rid of her unwanted wizardry, Alyssa will have to boost her bravery and confidence and determine who Errol really is. But every time Alyssa uses an enchantment, Errol is one step closer to getting his flesh back and becoming alive, and he will do anything to achieve his goals…even if it means destroying Alyssa’s happiness.

Originally published in 2016 as “Wizardry Goes Wild” and “The Uncontrollable Curse” in April 2019, “The Unruly Curse” is book two in the exciting and suspenseful paranormal Magical Missions series.

Find out more on Goodreads!

My TBR Pile

 

Two cousins embark on an exciting mystery to solve the riddle of their grandfather’s will. The boys from diverse backgrounds must work together to overcome natural and cultural obstacles. Can they save the ranch in time?

History, like magic, has a habit of repeating itself

It’s been six months since thirteen-year-old Alyssa McCarthy left magic behind for good. Or so she thought…

Then the enchanted objects that protected her disappear. Now a skeleton named Errol has cursed her with magical powers that keep getting her in trouble. Suddenly strange things are happening with disastrous effects, and if Alyssa can’t remove the magic, she will lose everything she holds dear.

In order to get rid of her unwanted wizardry, Alyssa will have to boost her bravery and confidence and determine who Errol really is. But every time Alyssa uses an enchantment, Errol is one step closer to getting his flesh back and becoming alive, and he will do anything to achieve his goals…even if it means destroying Alyssa’s happiness.

Originally published in 2016 as “Wizardry Goes Wild” and “The Unruly Curse” in 2019, “A Curse of Mayhem” is book two in the exciting and suspenseful “Magical Missions” series.

 

This exciting entry in Lee & Low’s “Story of” line of chapter-book biographies introduces readers to Robert Smalls, an enslaved steamboat wheelman who commandeered a Confederate boat during the Civil War and escaped with his family, crew, and their families to freedom.

Growing up enslaved in South Carolina, Robert Smalls always dreamed of the moment freedom would be within his grasp. Now that moment was here.

Robert stood proudly at the Planter’s wheel. Only seven miles of water lay between the ship and the chance of freedom in Union territory. With precision and amazing courage, he navigated past the Confederate forts in the harbor and steered the ship toward the safety of the Union fleet. Just one miscalculation would be deadly, but for Robert, his family, and his crewmates, the risk was worth taking.

The Story of Civil War Hero Robert Smalls is the compelling account of the daring escape of Robert Smalls, an enslaved steamboat wheelman who became one of the Civil War’s greatest heroes. His steadfast courage in the face of adversity is an inspiring model for all who attempt to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.

This Chapter Book edition includes black-and-white illustrations as well as sidebars on related subjects, a timeline, a glossary, and recommended reading.

What is in your TBR pile right now?

 

Currently Reading: The God Squad: Mission Him-Possible II, The Giant Slayers by Darlene Laney

The God Squad invites you to come along with them in this exciting and sometimes mysterious mission. Angel is assigned as leader in this episode. Their mission: rescue a fellow classmate being targeted by bullies and help make Carver Preparatory a safe place for all students. However, before the God Squad can help Taylor, the mission quickly unravels and takes a dramatic turn when after meeting with the God Squad, Taylor ends up in the hospital due to a suspicious accident. Angel finds herself overtaken with doubting her abilities to lead the mission and battling the giants in her dreams. She ends up at odds with the other members of the God Squad and questions if she should continue in the group. Just when all seems lost, Angel has an encounter with a mysterious stranger and is introduced to the “just in case clause.” But, is it enough to get the mission back on track and defeat the giants overtaking Carver Preparatory?
Join the God Squad as they take on this new and exciting mission in Mission Him-Possible II, the Giant Slayers!

Paperback: 140 pages
Publisher: Halo Publishing International (January 25, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 161244721X
ISBN-13: 978-1612447216

Purchase from the author’s website or at Amazon