Archives de catégorie : Middle Grade

SUPER TROOP de Bruce Hale

From the Edgar-nominated author Bruce Hale comes a hilarious story about a kid who likes to break the rules . . . until the rules try to break him.

SUPER TROOP
by Bruce Hale
Scholastic Press, April 2022
(via Writers House)

Cooper just wants to spend the summer before 7th grade drawing and having adventures with his best friend, Nacho. Anything to keep his mind off the fact that his dad’s new girlfriend and his mom’s announcement that she’s going to start dating. But when one of his adventures with Nacho goes too far, Cooper’s parents freak out. Either he joins the Boy Rangers, a dorky club that’s all about discipline and rules, or that dream cartooning camp at the end of his summer? Will get erased. At first it’s not so bad―the troop is a disorganized mess. But then a new scoutmaster starts. Mr. Pierce is a gruff ex-Marine who’s never worked with kids before, especially not a ragtag team of misfits like Troop 19. As he tries turning them into a lean, mean, badge-earning machine, Cooper longs for freedom. He doesn’t want to break the rules, but the rules are going to break him!

Bruce Hale is the Edgar-nominated author and/or illustrator of more than 40 seriously funny books for children, including Big Bad Detective Agency and the Chet Gecko, School for S.P.I.E.S., and Clark the Shark series. He lives in Southern California, where he is also an actor, Latin jazz musician, and award-winning storyteller.

ZIA ERASES THE WORLD de Bree Barton

For fans of Crenshaw and When You Trap a Tiger comes the extraordinary tale of a headstrong girl and the magical dictionary she hopes will explain the complicated feelings she can’t find the right words for—or erase them altogether.

ZIA ERASES THE WORLD
by Bree Barton
Viking, April 2022
(via Writers House)

Zia remembers the exact night the Shadoom arrived. One moment she was laughing with her best friends, and the next a dark room of shadows had crept into her chest. Zia has always loved words, but she can’t find a real one for the fear growing inside her. How can you defeat something if you don’t know its name? After Zia’s mom announces that her grouchy Greek yiayia is moving into their tiny apartment, the Shadoom seems here to stay. Until Zia discovers an old family heirloom: The C. Scuro Dictionary, 13th Edition. This is no ordinary dictionary. Hidden within its magical pages is a mysterious blue eraser shaped like an evil eye. When Zia starts to erase words that remind her of the Shadoom, they disappear one by one from the world around her. She finally has the confidence to befriend Alice, the new girl in sixth grade, and to perform at the Story Jamboree. But things quickly dissolve into chaos, as the words she erases turn out to be more vital than Zia knew.
In this raw, funny, and at times heartbreaking middle grade debut, Bree Barton reveals how—with the right kind of help—our darkest moments can nudge us toward the light.

« Luminous, empowering, and full of heart-healing truths, this is a novel that belongs on every shelf. » —Katherine Applegate, Newbery Award winning author

Bree Barton lives in mythical Ithaca with her partner and two waggish dogs. She wrote her first book as « a humble child of ten »—her exact words in the query letter she sent to editors. Those editors told her to keep writing, and luckily, she did. Bree was eleven when her journey with the Shadoom began, and stories offered a special kind of balm. A handful of years later, she is the author of several young adult novels published in seven countries and four languages. Bree teaches dance and writing and loves connecting with readers of all ages. ZIA ERASES THE WORLD is her middle-grade debut.

PAWS #1: GABBY GETS IT TOGETHER de Nathan Fairbairn & Michele Assarasakorn

Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier, Kayla Miller, and Victoria Jamieson, this funny and heartwarming graphic novel series is the Baby-Sitters Club for pets!

PAWS #1: GABBY GETS IT TOGETHER
by Nathan Fairbairn
illustrated by Michele Assarasakorn
Razorbill/Penguin YR, March 2022

Meet best friends Gabby Jordan, Priya Gupta, and Mindy Kim. They’re different in just about every way—personalities, hobbies, family, and more—but they have a few important things in common: they’re all in the same class, they absolutely love animals, and for reasons that are as varied as the trio themselves none of them can actually have any pets. Unable to resist the adorable temptation any longer, the girls decide to come up with a way to finally get their hands on some furry friends. And, as luck would have it, it seems like their neighborhood is in need of some afterschool dog-walkers. So, just like that, PAWS is born! But it turns out that running a business is harder than it looks, especially with three co-owners who are such different people. The girls soon argue about everything, from how to prioritize their commitments to the best way to keep their doggy clients happy. And when their fighting ultimately leads to a doggo crisis, will it tear their business and friendship apart or will they be able to get it together to save the day?

Nathan Fairbairn is a New York Times bestselling and Eisner-nominated creator, who has worked as a colorist for such iconic characters as Spider-Man, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Scott Pilgrim. He’s also co-creator, writer, and colorist of the graphic novel Lake of Fire. He started writing PAWS, his middle grade debut, as a way to share his passion for comics and storytelling with his daughter. Nathan lives with his family in Vancouver.
Michele Assarasakorn (also known as MSASSYK) is a colorist who worked on comic series such as Eisner-nominated Isola, Gotham Academy, and The Magnificent Ms. Marvel. Originally from Bangkok, Thailand, Michele now calls Vancouver home but also likes to travel the world working remotely as an artist. PAWS marks her debut as an illustrator.

SWAN LAKE: QUEST FOR THE KINGDOMS de Rey Terciero, illustré par Megan Kearney

Frozen meets The Wizard of Oz in this swashbuckling graphic novel reimagining of a beloved classic, perfect for fans of Amulet and The Okay Witch, from the acclaimed author of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy.

SWAN LAKE: QUEST FOR THE KINGDOMS
by Rey Terciero
illustrated by Megan Kearney
HarperAlley, March 2022
(via Writers House)

Odette and Dillie are supposed to be enemies. Their kingdoms have been feuding since before they were born. But when the two princesses meet each other at the lake that separates their castles, it’s clear they were destined to be best friends. Odette—who lives with a curse that magically transforms her into a swan when the sun rises— is happy to find someone who treats her like everyone else. And Dillie has finally met someone who understands her dream of having an adventure instead of sitting on a throne. When they discover that Odette’s curse is the reason for the tension between their families, they decide to follow an ancient legend that could lead them to someone who can set every thing right. As they travel through enchanted lands, meet new allies, and fight terrible foes, Odette and Dillie are put to the ultimate test. But when the time comes, will they choose their deepest wishes or the fragile fate of their world?

The book will be published in partnership with American film and television production company Temple Hill Entertainment which is attached to the project to produce a TV/Film adaptation.

Nonstop adventure and colorfully illustrated panels keep the pages of this Swan Lake reimagining turning, while quieter moments underscore the budding friendships among the three heirs. . . A fun, ballet-inspired hero’s journey, full of heart, trials, and good humor.” – Kirkus, starred review

Rey Terciero, also known as Rex Ogle, has written and edited hundreds of books and comics for children and young adults. He is a queer writer who has always been drawn to strong female protagonists, including Elizabeth Bennet, Princess Leia, Jean Grey, and Hermione Granger. Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy was his debut graphic novel.
Megan Kearney is a Canadian cartoonist, illustrator, and educator.

FALLING SHORT d’Ernesto Cisneros

In his sophomore novel, Pura Belpré Award-winning author Ernesto Cisneros brings laughs, real-world issues, and tons of heart in equal measure to the story of two close friends who must rely on each other to become the versions of themselves they want to be.

FALLING SHORT
by Ernesto Cisneros
HarperCollins, March 2022

Best friends Isaac and Marco already know sixth grade is going to change their lives. But it won’t change things at home—not without each other’s help.
This year, athletically gifted Isaac plans on finally keeping up with his schoolwork. Better grades will surely stop Isaac’s parents from arguing all the time. Meanwhile, academically gifted Marco plans on finally winning his father’s approval by earning a spot on the school’s basketball team.
But will their friendship and support for each other be enough to keep the two boys from falling short?

Ernesto Cisneros was born and raised in Santa Ana, California, where he still teaches. His first novel, Efrén Divided, won the Pura Belpré Children’s Author Award. He holds an English degree from the University of California, Irvine; a teaching credential from California State University, Long Beach; as well as a Masters in Fine Arts in Creative Writing from National University. As an author, he believes in providing today’s youth with an honest depiction of characters with whom they can identify. The real world is filled with amazing people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. His work strives to reflect that.