Songkran Break is just around the corner for our school, so it is time to snatch up some reading for that beach/forest/urban escape or staycation. I am arranging things a little differently today. I have the books organized by the type of vacation reader. Each reader type is highlighted in this color, and includes 3 books, one targeted for an adult audience, one targeted for a teen or middle grade audience, and one targeted at lower grade or preschool readers. As always, click on the title to see my full review and any content notes/trigger warnings for each book.
The Arm Chair Sleuth
Shady Hollow (Shady Hollow, #1) by Juneau Black
Shady Hollow's quaint and peaceful community receives quite the shake when long-time grumpy resident Otto the toad is found floating in the pond with a knife in his back. Vera Vixen, star reporter, is on the case. As is Orville, the polar bear deputy (who feels in way over his head and wonders when his boss will show up from his long-term fishing trip). Otto always had grumpy comments for everyone in town, but nothing bad enough they wanted to murder him, right? So who could have killed them? Can they trust anyone if there's been a murderer hiding in their midst all this time?
The characters in this may be animals, but they act like a normal community of different people in this cozy mystery.
Target Readers:
Cozy Mystery Fans, Animal Fiction Fans, Small Town Setting Fans, Quick Read Fans, Adult Readers (though totally approachable to YA)
City Spies (City Spies, #1) by James Ponti
Instead of heading off to a group home or juvie after her trial for hacking, like she expected, Sara Martinez finds herself instead whisked off to Scotland and recruited to become a spy for MI-6. A man named Mother showed up, posed as her attorney, and worked everything out before Sara even knew what was happening. Now Sara finds herself dubbed Brooklyn (the city she came from), and joining fellow child spies Paris, Rio, Kat, and Sydney on a mission to stop a terrorist attack at a youth summit in Paris.
Featuring a splendid global cast of characters, the City Spies series takes readers all over the world solving mysteries and keeping the world safe covertly.
Target Readers:
Spy Story Fans, Mystery Fans, Contemporary Fiction Fans, Multicultural Cast of Characters Fans, Global Adventure Fans, Middle Grade Readers
The Case of the Missing Cheetah (Secret Spy Society, #1) by Veronica Mang
Rita, Peggy, and Dot need a new case. When they see a lady acting oddly out on the street they decide to follow her. They notice her using Morse code and then realize she is their teacher, Ms. Kahn. Ms. Kahn introduces the girls to her Secret Spy Society of other women spies. They need some fresh faces to go find out if the man they suspect has really kidnapped Josephine's cheetah Chiquita. Can Rita, Peggy, and Dot use their skills to help these lady spies?
All of the lady spies in this book are based on historical women spies!
Target Readers:
Spy Story Fans, Mystery Fans, Informative Fiction Fans, Friendship Story Fans, Lower Grade/Middle Grade Readers
Give Me an Autobiography/Memoir/Biography
Dutch Girl: Audrey Hepburn and World War II by Robert Matzen
A biography of actress Audrey Hepburn that focuses primarily on her childhood and teen years in Europe as WWII was brewing and then hit while she was living in an idyllic town in the Netherlands with her mother and her mother's extended family. The highs and lows of the rest of Audrey's life are touched upon, but the main focus is the WWII years and how they impacted Audrey for the rest of her life.
The author now has a 2nd follow up biography of Audrey that focuses on her years working with UNICEF.
Target Readers:
Celebrity Biography Fans, WWII Biography Fans, History Buffs, Nonfiction Fans, Adult Readers (though approachable to YA)
The Secrets of Tutankhamun: Egypt’s Boy King and His Incredible Tomb by Patricia Cleveland-Peck, ill. by Isabela Greenberg
A biography of Tutankhamun and history of his times, as well as a brief biography of Howard Carter and history of how he and others found and cataloged the tomb of King Tut.
This was the best biography of Tutankhamun I've ever read. It did a great job of clarifying what is known and what historians guess about him and his times (and what those guesses are based on).
Target Readers:
Biography Fans, Ancient Egypt Studiers, Archaeology Fans, History Buffs, Nonfiction Fans, Curious Readers, Teachers Looking for Model Texts for Nonfiction Writing, Middle Grade/YA Readers
Tu Youyou’s Discovery: Finding a Cure for Malaria by Songju Ma Daemicke, ill. by Lin
A picture book biography of Tu Youyou, the woman who helped find a cure for malaria and the first Chinese woman to receive a Nobel Prize.
Target Readers:
Picture Book Biography Fans, Women in STEM Biography Fans, Science Fans, Nonfiction Fans, Medical Breakthrough Studiers, Curious Readers, Lower Grade Readers
Give Me an Ol’ Classic
Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens
It’s hard to summarize a Dickens well as he builds about 20 different plot lines and brings them all together in the last 1/5 of the book. This one revolves around an unexpected inheritance, how wealth can change someone, a mystery, a love story, and the poor in Victorian England. It takes perseverance to get through, but if you can stick with it, you’re rewarded by seeing how Dickens masterfully brings everything together.
Target Reader:
Classic Readers, Historical Fiction Fans, Mystery Fans, Love Story Fans, Adult Readers (though approachable to high reading YA readers)
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Marvel Oz, #1) by L. Frank Baum, adapted by Eric Shanower, ill. by Scottie Young
Shanower and Young have done a fantastic graphic novel version of the classic children's story about Dorothy's first adventures in Oz with the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion. In case you're not familiar with these: Dorothy and gang are all off to see the Wizard of Oz and get his help for their various problems (real and imagined). Oz tells them he'll help them after the Wicked Witch of the West is no longer an issue (thinking that will never happen). And then, Dorothy and gang do the impossible. Oz makes up things to give the Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Lion after they expose him for being a humbug. He makes a hot air balloon to sail over the great desert with Dorothy, but the balloon takes off before Dorothy gets in. So Dorothy and gang go on another adventure to go find the Good Witch of the South and see if she can help Dorothy get home.
This version is extremely true to the original, often copying sections of text word for word, and making sure to keep the original elements instead of Hollywood elements.
Target Readers:
Classics Fans, Fantasy Fans, Quest Adventure Fans, Graphic Novel Fans, Middle Grade Readers
Anatole (Anatole, #1) by Eve Titus, ill. by Paul Galdone
Anatole is a conscientious Parisian who is horrified when he hears how disgusted humans are by the way mice get their food. Anatole wants to do something nice in return for his food gathering, and he has just the idea. He takes little signs with him to a cheese factory, labels the samples with "Very Good", "Not So Good", etc. and writes little hints of how to make each cheese better. The cheese factory isn't doing so well, so the owner decides it couldn't hurt to try the suggestions of his mystery advisor. It turns out Anatole's suggestions are perfect, and cheese sales soar. The owner asks Anatole to show his face, but the humble mouse simply thanks him and remains anonymous, continuing to help the cheese factory in return for the food they leave out for him each night.
Target Readers:
Animal Story Fans, Historical Fiction Fans, Award Winner Readers, Foodies, Paris Setting Fans, Picture Book Readers
I Want a Feel Good Story
As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of the Princess Bride by Cary Elwes with Joe Layden, foreward by Rob Reiner
A look behind the scenes of the making of The Princess Bride from the perspective of Cary Elwes, aka Westley.
Never fear, this will just make you love the movie more.
Target Readers:
Behind the Scenes Fans, Princess Bride Fans, Celebrity Memoir Fans, Nonfiction Fans, Adult Readers (though approachable for YA)
Shine! by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein
Piper comes from very musical and accomplished parents, but she can't carry a tune in a bucket. She wishes she had some kind of talent, but she feels very ordinary. This becomes an even bigger issue when her father gets a job at the exclusive Chumley Prep and she is transferred there too. Her mother was a shining star at Chumley for her music skills, and Piper feels like she has big shoes to fill but nothing to fill them with. Not only that, but the week she arrives the school announces a new Excelsior Award with undisclosed qualifications. The students are just informed that there are secret judges and the winner will be announced mid-March. Suddenly students at Chumley are going crazy to win all the awards and acclamations they can get. Piper too gets swept up in the craze, but when the competition starts to come between her and some of her new friends, Piper starts to realize that awards aren't worth some sacrifices.
A superb emphasis on kindness and what matters in the long run!
Target Readers:
Feel Good Story Fans, Kindness Story Fans, Prep School Story Fans, Contemporary Fiction Fans, Middle Grade Readers
Amos McGee Misses the Bus (Amos McGee, #2) by Philip C. Stead, ill. by Erin E. Stead
Amos McGee is so excited about taking his friends from the zoo on a special trip he doesn't sleep well, and he misses his bus, and he's not sure he can finish his jobs in time, and on top of it all he lost his favorite hat in the hurry. Will the day get any worse? Or could it get better?
A sweet little story about friends taking care of each other.
Target Readers:
Feel Good Story Fans, Animal Lovers, Friendship Story Fans, Picture Book Readers
I Want Grand Adventure! (...from the Comfort of My Cozy Chair)
The Lost City of Z: a Deadly Tale of Obsession in the Amazon by David Grann
Most authorities on civilization agreed that the Amazon couldn't support a large civilization in ancient times, but one man disagreed. Percy Fawcett was a repeat Amazon adventurer, former British military man, who guarded secrets he believed would lead him to a huge ancient city he called Z. He set off for Z with his son and a friend of his son in 1925 and never returned. Over 100 people have gone into the Amazon jungles in search of Fawcett and many of them have also disappeared. David Grann got wind of this story, and decided he would try and find out if Fawcett's Z existed, if the new open records of the Explorer's Society would give him extra insight into where Fawcett was headed (since it was a closely guarded secret), and if the truth was out there. Part biography of the adventurer Fawcett, part history of the exploration/mapping of the world and the Amazon in particular, and part travel/research adventure of Grann's search for the truth.
Target Readers:
Crazy But True Story Fans, Adventure Fans, Survival Story Fans, Amazon Setting Fans, Nonfiction Fans, Curious Readers, Adult Readers
Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl (Society of Explorers and Adventurers, #1) by Julie Kagawa
Shinji Takahashi lives with his aunt after his parents died in a tragic fire. She travels the world looking for special hand-crafted items to sell at her store. They are currently traveling in his Aunt's boat on the Zambezi River to get to their next stop. On their arrival, Shinji is bored but his Aunt sends him on a quest to find one unique item in the market that speaks to him. Off he goes with little hope of seeing something new when he stumbles into a stall he doesn't remember seeing on their last visit. In there he finds a coatl statue that jumps out to him. Soon after he's purchased it, some men in suits show up demanding he sell it to them or else. Shinji doesn't like these bullies so he tries to evade them, but when he's cornered, in a flash the coatl changes from a statue to a tattoo on his wrist, and the bad guys kidnap him. He wakes up in a long way from Africa in a skyscraper belonging to the Hightower corporation. Who are these people, and why do they want this coatl thing so bad? How can he get away from them and get rid of it? And what was a statue from ancient Mexico doing in Africa in the first place?
Target Readers:
Adventure Fans, Fantasy Fans, Mythological Fiction Fans, Globe Trotting Plot Fans, Multicultural Cast Fans, Archaeology Fans, Middle Grade Readers
Super Slug of Doom (Super Happy Magic Forest, #2) by Matty Long
When Zorgoth the Super Slug of Doom escapes his trap the Super Happy Magic Forest is in danger. They send out five intrepid heroes to stop Zorgoth before he can drink the Potion of Power and gain control. Can they stop Zorgoth before it is too late?
Filled with nods to classic fantasy quest stories, hide-n-seek elements, and humor.
Target Readers:
Fantasy Fans, Adventure Fans, Quest Story Fans, Humor Fans, Hidden Picture Fans, Picture Book Readers
I Want Historical Drama
Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin
As the Nazi influence in Paris grows, Lucie feels called to resign her beloved position in the ballet and take over Green Leaf Books for the Jewish couple who allowed her to stay with them so she could continue her ballet education after her parents returned to the States. Lucie is doing her best but struggling with the business aspects of running the English book store, and she needs some serious business skills as the Nazis measures cut her inventory down and drive her customers away from Paris.
Paul Aubrey is still reeling from losing his wife last year in a horrible accident. He would have taken his little daughter Josie and left Paris for the US right away if the US government hadn't approached him and asked him to keep the Aubrey motor factory open so he has a position to spy on the Germans for his country. But no one can know he is a spy, so the expat community mostly shuns him thinking he is a conspirator with the Nazis.
When Paul and Lucie meet they feel an easy friendship. Paul helps her with business advice, and she helps him see the brilliance in his daughters “silly” make believe stories, but it doesn't seem like their friendship can grow much beyond that. But neither can let the other person know about their real selves and secret involvement with the resistance.
If there could be such a thing as a cozy WWII story, this would be it.
Target Readers:
WWII Story Fans, Historical Fiction Fans, Paris Setting Fans, Love Story Fans, Christian Fiction Fans, Adult Readers (though totally approachable to YA)
The Red Palace by June Hur
Hyeon is very excited that her hard work at her studies has allowed her to get a position as a palace nurse. But one night, a physician calls her and Nurse Jieun to the bedside of the Crowned Prince. Only, the person laying in the Prince's bed is most definitely not him, and in the morning the streets are full of the news that there has been a massacre at the Hyeminseo, the nurses' training school. Hyeon's curiosity and worries for her mentor and friends leads her to sneak into the crime scene and get a peek at the bodies. A police servant helps her sneak out of the crime scene before grumpy Commander Song can catch her there. But she runs into the police servant later and discovers he's actually Jieun's cousin, the youngest man to become an inspector with the police force. Commander Song has decided to get revenge on Hyeon's mentor (who was the nurse when his wife and child died) rather than look for the real murderer. So it falls on Inspector Seo's shoulders to search out the real culprit, and he's noticed Hyeon's keen observation skills and recruited her to help. There are rumors the Crowned Prince committed the crimes, while Hyeon and Inspector Seo also have a few other suspicious characters to follow because one of the victims wasn't a nurse, she was a court lady in disguise.
Hur makes 1700s Korea come to life and even weaves in some real history.
Target Readers:
Mystery Fans, Historical Fiction Fans, Korea Setting Fans, Medical Mystery Fans, Young Adult/Adult Readers
Voyage of the Sparrowhawk by Natasha Farrant
Ben and his brother Sam were adopted by a kindly sailor named Nathan who stumbled across their plight. They had a happy home for a while aboard the Sparrowhawk, but then WWI came and Sam enlisted and got hurt. Nathan went to tend to Sam in hospital, and in a late airstrike, Nathan died and Sam was lost, presumed dead. Ben has been trying to get by on his own and keeps holding out hope that Sam is still out there. Lottie had a charmed childhood with two parents who adored her, but then there was an accident and since she was handed over to her uncle's care her life has been miserable. After getting herself kicked out of her latest dreadful boarding school, Lottie crashes into Ben's life when she uses the Sparrowhawk to avoid the police after rescuing the town rough's poor little abused dog. Ben and Lottie become fast friends, and in a time of desperation decide to set out for France. Ben is going to look for Sam, while Lottie needs to see if her beloved Grandmother is still alive. But it is a long trip for a boat that hasn't sailed for years, neither of them is very experienced boaters, and the local police constable is on their trail.
This is a heartwarming story of strong friends, daring rescues, faithful dogs, and the tenacity to never give up on those you love.
Target Readers:
Historical Fiction Fans, England/France Setting Fans, Orphan Story Fans, Dog Lovers, Friendship Story Fans, Post WWI Era Setting Fans, Sea Story Fans, Middle Grade Readers
I Want to Be Inspired Spiritually
Lead Like Jesus Revisited: Lessons from the Greatest Leadership Role Model of All Time by Ken Blanchard, Phil Hodges, & Phyllis Hendry
Business and psychology experts look at the principles of leadership as modeled by Jesus in Scriptures, how they've seen these principles applied by leaders in real life, common pit falls, and how to be a better leader with practical steps and examples, focusing on first being a better person yourself and making sure you are in a solid personal place before relating and leading others.
Target Readers:
Leadership Advice Fans, Christian Life Encouragement Fans, Nonfiction Fans, Adult Readers (though good for YA leaders too)
A Kid’s Guide to the Names of Jesus (A Kid's Guide to) by Tony Evans
Dr. Tony Evans introduces kids to 12 of the names given to Jesus in the Bible, why they are significant, and how they impact how we relate to Him. Interactive questions are provided throughout for readers to answer.
Engagingly written for the target audience, but doesn’t skimp on spiritual depth.
Target Readers:
Christian Readers, Bible Studiers, Middle Grade Readers
Jesus and the Lion’s Den (Tales That Tell the Truth) by Alison Mitchell, ill. by Catalina Echeverri
A picture book retelling of the Bible story of Daniel and the Lions' Den with a look at the parallels in the stories of Daniel and Jesus.
Target Readers:
Bible Story Book Fans, Bible Studiers, Christian Readers, Lower Grade Readers
Make Me Laugh
Strange Planet (Strange Planet, #1) by Nathan W. Pyle
A collection of comics about everyday life from the viewpoint of aliens using creative vocabulary.
It's kind of amazing how just using creative vocabulary to describe everyday experiences can give you some poignant realizations and a new perspective. As well as some good laughs.
Target Readers:
Comic Fans, Humor Fans, Relatable Humor Fans, Quick Read Fans, Semantics Studiers, Adult Readers (though approachable to all ages)
Are We Lost Yet? (Wallace the Brave, #4) by Will Henry
A collection of comics featuring the wildly imaginative and eventful adventures of Wallace, his unforgettable family, his best friend Spud, and other friends and community members.
If you like Calvin & Hobbes you should give Wallace the Brave comics a try.
Target Readers:
Humor Fans, Comic Fans, Crazy Things Kids Get Up to Story Fans, Middle Grade Readers (but really all ages)
On Account of the Gum by Adam Rex
When a little girl gets gum in her hair, everyone has ideas of how to help get it out. But everyone's ideas seem to end very, very badly.
Absolutely hilarious, highly imaginative, and excellently rhymed.
Target Readers:
Humor Fans, Imaginative Story Fans, Rhyming Story Fans, Picture Book Readers
Satisfy the Inner Nerd & Add to My Random Fact Collection
In the Waves: My Quest to Solve the Mystery of a Civil War Submarine by Rachel Lance
Rachel Lance is a medical doctor with the US Navy who was researching affects of underwater explosions at Duke for her PhD when her advisor brought up the mystery of the HL Hunley. The HL Hunley was a Confederate submarine that sank during the US Civil War. The final location was uncovered in the late 20th century. It had obviously sustained external damage, but when the sub was opened, all of the crew members were found seemingly serenely positioned at their posts. Rachel Lance sought to discover what could possibly have killed the sailors and left them at their posts as opposed to strewn about by an explosion or clamoring to open a hatch.
Target Readers:
Science Nerds, History Nerds, True Crime/Historical Mystery Fans, Submarine History Buffs, Civil War History Buffs, Memoir Fans, Curious Readers, Adult Readers (though approachable to YA)
Ambushed! The Assassination Plot against President Garfield by Gail Jarrow
A biography of US President Garfield that then focuses on the man who shot him, and looks at how the medical care he received after the shooting and the lack of understanding of germ theory of the attending physicians led to Garfield’s death.
I learned so much from this book in a variety of areas.
Target Readers:
Biography Fans, History Nerds, Medical Science Nerds, Post-Civil War Era US History Buffs, Medical Science History Studiers, True Crime Fans, Young Adult Readers (though approachable to Middle Grade)
Nano: the Spectacular Science of the Very (Very) Small by Jess Wade, ill. by Melissa Castrillón
An introduction to atoms, elements, and what scientists can do when they work on the atomic level and what they are thinking about doing. The back of the book includes more information on the tools a nanotechnologist uses and what kinds of backgrounds various nanotechnologists need.
This was a well done intro to atoms and elements, and then a fascinating foray into current breakthroughs in nanotechnology and what kinds of things they are exploring next.
Target Readers:
Science Nerds, Curious Readers, STEM Book Fans, Nonfiction Fans, Lower Grade Readers (though still good for Middle Grade too)
Sports, Sports, Sports
Let the World See You: How to Be Real in a World Full of Fakes by Sam Acho
NFL football player Sam Acho shares about his tendencies to be fake over the years of his life, and how God has shown him that being his real self, the person God made him to be is where the most blessing and freedom and peace is. Acho shares examples from his own life, and how God has helped him take off masks he was tempted to wear.
I’m honestly not an American football fan, but I really enjoyed this. Great biblical reminders are included with Acho's fascinating stories of how God has been with him through highs and lows and everywhere in between and helped him take off masks he was tempted to wear.
Target Readers:
Memoir Fans, Christian Life Encouragement Fans, Football Fans, Nigerian American Author Fans, Nonfiction Fans, Adult Readers (though totally approachable to YA & Middle Grade readers)
Run With Me: the Story of a U.S. Olympic Champion by Sanya Richards-Ross
An autobiography of Olympic 400 meter champion Sanya Richards-Ross. Sanya shares her life story from her early childhood to the present focusing on sports highlights but also sharing other important life moments, and incorporating lessons on how things she's learned in sports can have parallels in life as well, especially living as a Christian.
Target Readers:
Autobiography Fans, Christian Life Encouragement Fans, Track & Field Fans, Olympian Biography Fans, Jamaican American Author Fans, Middle Grade/Young Adult Readers
Swish!: the Slam-Dunking, Alley-Ooping, High-Flying Harlem Globetrotters by Suzanne Slade, ill. by Don Tate
A picture book history of how the Harlem Globetrotters got started, developed their iconic skilled but goofy manner of play, helped bring down the color barrier in the NBA, and have served as goodwill ambassadors for the United States for many years.
Target Readers:
Basketball Fans, Harlem Globetrotter Fans, Basketball History Studiers, Nonfiction Fans, Curious Readers, Lower Grade Readers
That Book I Keep Seeing on Social Media
Before the Coffee Gets Cold (Before the Coffee Gets Cold, #1) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, translated by Geoffrey Trousselot
There's a tiny coffee shop that would hardly stand out except it's been around for over a hundred years and there's an urban legend that you can time travel if you sit in one particular seat. But there are rules. The present will not change, you cannot leave the seat, you can only sit in the seat when the ghostly woman leaves it to go to the bathroom once a day, and you only have until the cup of coffee that transports you gets cold (or you end up sharing the fate of the ghostly woman). The book follows 4 time travelers who want to go to through time for a variety of reasons. The first woman regrets letting her potential fiancé leave for America a few days ago without telling him she didn't want him to go. The next woman's husband is losing his memory to Alzheimers and she wants to find out what he wrote to her in an envelope he carries around. The third woman purposefully avoided her sister who came to the cafe three days before, and then regrets it when her sister dies in a car crash. And the last woman who runs the cafe with her husband decides to try traveling to the future to see her child when she realizes a health condition may not allow her child to ever know her. Each of them knows the present will not change, the amount of time is so short, so the question is, what is the point of traveling?
A bittersweet but feel good kind of story, and given that most of the time travelers are regular customers at the café, you get to know them all quite well.
Target Readers:
Time Travel Fans, Bittersweet Story Fans, Magical Realism Story Fans, Japanese Setting Fans, Japanese Literature Fans, Books in Translation Fans, Adult Readers (though approachable to YA)
The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill
Once upon a time Stone-in-the-Glen was a wonderful place to live. But then the dragon came and the library burned down, and then the school, and then a sink hole claimed the park, and with each loss the town grew a bit more sullen and sad, and the people became more selfish and less trusting. The orphanage didn't use to have to worry about their next meal, but now Matron and Myron are barely able to provide for the 15 growing children from teen Anthea to baby Orpheus. There's an Ogress who lives on the outskirts of town, and given that she's mostly active at night, nobody thinks of her much. That is until she becomes a handy misdirection for the evil festering in the middle of Stone-in-the-Glen. Only the Ogress, some animals, and the 15 orphans know the true danger residing in Stone-in-the-Glen. But can they expose and drive out the evil before the town of Stone-in-the-Glen tears itself apart with hate?
An artfully written story about the power of kindness and what it means to be a neighbor in the midst of a bleak and selfish landscape.
Target Readers:
Fantasy Fans, Orphan Story Fans, Friendship Story Fans, Kindness Story Fans, Middle Grade Readers
Emmett and Jez (Adventures in Fosterland) Hannah Shaw, ill. by Beverly Johnson
Emmett's first memory is falling out of a truck and being stuck on the side of a big scary road. After a while he is rescued by a giant lady who takes him to a place called Fosterland. There he meets Jez who teaches him all about being a rescue kitten even though deep down Emmett doubts he's really a kitten. But Jez tells him only kittens get adopted and go to Foreverland. Can Emmett get adopted if he can't do the things Jez does, if he has different dreams from Jez, and maybe isn't really a kitten?
Based on two real fosters taken care of by Kitten Lady (aka Hannah Shaw).
Target Readers:
Animal Lovers, Animal Rescue Story Fans, Self-Acceptance Story Fans, Friendship Story Fans, Kitten Lady Fans, Lower Grade Readers
Transport Me to a Different World
Prime Directive by Davis Bunn
There have been 16 unexplained deaths in a very short period of time on the scientific outpost on the planet Loria, and those in residence there only brought it up because they are asking command for replacements. Commander Rickets is very concerned, but because of galactic politics at the time, others want to ignore the event. So Rickets is sending in the only person who also seems concerned about a whole slew of deaths on a distant outpost, Lieutenant Amanda Bostick. Bostick is given a promotion (so that she outranks anyone on the science base on Loria), and sent with two soldiers, Hamoud and Nasim, with combat experience (and motives to prove themselves in this mission). But they only have 10 days. Others in the Galatic Space Arm are obviously trying to sabotage their mission, Bostick has no previous mission experience, there are rumors of pirates in the area around Loria, there are decidedly weird things going on on Loria, and the locals and scientists on Loria actively resist any investigation. This investigation could very well get them all killed.
Target Readers:
Scifi Fans, Mystery Fans, Thriller Fans, Adventures in Space Fans, Stand Alone Fiction Fans, Adult Readers (though approachable to YA)
The Girl & the Galdurian (Lightfall, #1) by Tim Probert
Bea is the adopted granddaughter of the Pig Wizard. So far her life has mostly involved helping her grandfather find ingredients for his potions that help those in the area. But one day she has an accident while out collecting ingredients, she's rescued by a creature claiming to be a Galdurian (who Bea thought were long-extinct) who is looking for her grandfather to help translate some scrolls which may tell him where the rest of his kind went, and when they return they find that the Pig Wizard went to check some seal he'd forgotten to check in ages. Bea is very worried because her grandfather's memory isn't what it used to be and he shouldn't be out on his own. Bea and the Galdurian (and Bea's cat) set out to find her grandfather and uncover way more adventure than they anticipated.
A fascinating world that continues to be built in book 2 with a little post-apocalyptic flavor and absolutely stunning artwork.
Target Readers:
Graphic Novel Fans, Fantasy Fans, Dystopia Fans, Adventure Fans, Art Lovers Middle Grade Readers
The Space Train by Maudie Powell-Tuck, ill. by Karl James Munford
Jakob and his Granny live in outer space with a chicken, a lazy robot, and a secret stowaway. When Jakob stumbles across an old, broken down object, his Gran informs him it is a space train. She tells him all the wonderful places space trains went in her day, and they decide to fix it up. But fixing it up is hard work and when they face setbacks it is tempting to quit. Will they ever get the space train working, and will it be worth it?
Target Readers:
Grandmother/Grandson Story Fans, Space Adventure Fans, Vibrant Illustration Fans, Art Lovers, Humor Fans, Perseverance Story Fans, Picture Book Readers
