New Books!

We need to talk. We need to talk about all the AMAZING books coming our way. Are you like me and still trying to catch up on 2017 reads? Well, we're never going to catch up, so let's just accept that. And wouldn't it be awful to run out of things to read? I actually had to whittle down this list (chose top two!) because I have so many titles that I must.read.now.

Picture Books

Everybunny Count!

Counting! A story in rhyme! Bunnies! This will be super popular.

Hey Ho, To Mars We'll Go: A Space-Age Version of "The Farmer in the Dell"

CANNOT wait to add this to my outer space story time.


Chapter Books and Graphic Novels:

One of my favorite graphic novel series is back with Hilo 4: Waking the Monsters. We'll learn more about Hilo's backstory in this one, so hopefull this will answer some lingering questions!

Bobbie Pyron gave us a sneak preview of A Pup Called Trouble when she visited us last year; fans will be thrilled to know that the book will be available very soon! This story of a coyote pup's adventures in New York City will undoubtedly be endearing and a must read for fans of animal stories.


Children's Nonfiction

If you've read Misty Copeland's memoir (or her memoir adapted for younger readers), you know that Raven Wilkinson, the first African American woman to dance with a major American company, is an inspiration and a mentor (Copeland provides the foreword). Trailblazer has received fantastic reviews.

A book about the accidental invention of the Band-Aid? Yes, please! The best inventions often have stories of setbacks, determination, and an "against all odds" flavor. The Boo Boos That Changed the World: A True Story About an Accidental Invention (Really) seems to have all that, plus more. From the little I've read, this sounds like an outstanding read aloud for K-5 students.



YA: 

The Belles

In the world of Orleans, everyone is born gray. If you are luckly, a Belle will help you become gorgeous and talented. When Camellia achieves her dreams--being an attendant to the Queen of Orleans--she discovers the dark truths of her society. This is getting amazing reviews, and adds much needed diversity to fantasy/science fiction.

It's been a few years since we've had a new book from Maureen Johnson, so I'm eagerly anticipating Truly Devious . Teen amateur detective stories are usually a sure-fire hit, and with Johnson's wit and expertise, this will definitely rise above the crowd. This first in a trilogy has received strong reviews.


Adult Fiction

The impetus for Andrew Carnegie's wideranging philanthropy remains a mystery; could it have been inspired by the lives of staff who worked for him? Carnegie's Maid imagines this possibility through the story of a (fictional) Irish-American maid who becomes quite close to the Pittsburgh businessman. I love historical fiction set in the United States, so this is at the top of my list.

Historical fiction fans know that a new Melanie Benjamin novel is something to celebrate.  The Girls in the Picture takes place in (really really) old Hollywood in the early days of silent movies, particularly focused on the friendship between screenwriter Frances Marion and actor Mary Pickford. I'll confess that I don't have much knowledge (or tolerance) for most silent movies, but I know Mary Pickford is considered a pioneer in film history, and was an early champion of Charlie Chaplin. This looks like a glamorous and inviting read; if you need a historical fiction break from wars, kings, and queens, this should be on your list.



Adult Nonfiction

Jefferson's Daughters: Three Sisters, White and Black, In a Young America investigates the lives of Thomas Jefferson's three daughters: Martha, Maria, and Harriet. Researching Harriet's life was difficult; as the daughter of Sally Hemings, there is limited information about her life (Kerrison's efforts are part of this story). We have a number of holds on this one, so this is already receiving pre-publication interest.

Bringing Columbia Home: The Final Mission of a Lost Space Shuttle and Her Crew is deeply personal for co-author Michael D. Leinbach, as he was the launch director when the shuttle disintegrated in its return flight home. Leinbach, along with other NASA employees, FEMA, FBI, US Forest Service, many other government employees, and hundreds of volunteers participated in the heartbreaking (and dangerous) effort to recover the astronauts' remains and shuttle parts. The quest to determine the cause of the explosion and to complete the vital International Space Station was enormous, challenging, and emotional; as the 15th anniversary of the disaster looms, this will be a timely read.

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Jennifer Schultz, Youth Services Librarian, Fauquier County Public Library