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Doug's life couldn't get much worse.  His abusive father has uprooted the family to a small town to take a job at the local paper mill, one of his brothers can't stay out of trouble while the other is fighting in Vietnam and the few possessions he has either get stolen or vindictively destroyed.  But slowly he starts to open himself up; first to a job at the grocery store, then to a passion for drawing, finally to the people around him.  Maybe small-town life won't be so bad after all.  But as Doug says, "When things start to go pretty good, something usually happens to turn everything bad."

Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt is a companion novel to The Wednesday Wars.

I have so much love for this book that I simply can't give it a measured response.  This reading experience defies description, as so much of it is simply in the way things are said.  Despite his circumstances, Doug is a beautifully observant and empathic narrator.  His words radiate the pain and longing that makes up his life.  Everything he tells you, he tells you for a reason, and if he doesn't tell you something...well, there's an even better reason for that.  This is a finely nuanced, timeless book.  Definitely a must-read.

Okay for Now is published by Clarion Books and retails for $16.99 (hardcover).  I bought my copy with my very own money.  You can get yours at Left Bank Books today!

Join us at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, at Left Bank Books--Downtown for the May meeting of the Writers Read reading group, which will be discussing Okay for Now.  As always, reading group selections are 20% at both Left Bank Books locations and online.

Magritte needs a hat, but the hat he finds is very unusual indeed.  Instead of sitting on his head, it floats above it.  Soon his hat is helping him see things in all sorts of new and innovative ways.  But a special hat needs special attention...

Magritte's Marvelous Hat by D.B. Johnson is my current children's fine art favorite.

Explaining modern art concepts such as surrealism to young children can be a difficult task.  With this book, rather than attempt to delve into the historical and autobiographical realities of Magritte's life and work, Johnson fictionalizes his entire account, inserting the painter's iconic works into the world he inhabits.  This extends the concept from simply a series of funny pictures to a way of looking at the world.  The transparent pages found throughout the story reinforce this by making minor changes to the panels on either side of them, making for a creative and fun journey into the mind of an artist.

Magritte's Marvelous Hat is published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children and retails for $16.99 (hardcover).  I got my advance readers copy from the publisher (although this review was not solicited or otherwise compensated.  You can get yours at Left Bank today!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Book Journey with a children's version at Teach Mentor Texts.

This week I finished Disney at Dawn, the second book in the Kingdom Keepers series by Ridley Pearson, just in time to not read the other three books before his author event.  In light of that, I moved on to Venom, the first book in the Secrets of the Eternal Rose series by Fiona Paul, a new Central West End author I'll be meeting with at the end of the month.

In picture book land, I read some random titles:
Bedtime for Monsters by Ed Vere
Zomo the Rabbit: A Trickster Tale from West Africa by Gerald McDermott
Mommy Hugs by Karen Katz
Is Your Mamma a Llama? by Deborah Guarino, illustrated by Steven Kellogg
Mommy, Mama, and Me by Leslea Newman, illustrated by Carol Thompson

And some order prep for MPS:
Lenore Finds a Friend: A True Story from Bedlam Farm by Jon Katz
Seahorses by Jennifer Keats Curtis, illustrated by Chad Wallace
If You Spent a Day with Henry David Thoreau at Walden Pond by Robert Burleigh, illustrated by Wendell Minor
Snowboy 1, 2, 3 by Joe Wahman, illustrated by Wendy Wahman
Who Has This Tail? by Laura Hulbert, illustrated by Erik Brooks
Bear Has a Story to Tell by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead
Monsieur Marceau: Actor without Words by Leda Schubert, illustrated by Gerard Dubois
From the Good Mountain: How Gutenberg Changed the World by James Rumford
Island: A Story of the Galapagos by Jason Chin
A Is for Musk Ox by Erin Cabatingan, illustrated by Matthew Myers
Little Tug by Stephen Savage
The Ant and the Grasshopper by Rebecca Emberley and Ed Emberley
Castle: How It Works by David Macaulay
I Need My Own Country! by Rick Walton, illustrated by Wes Hargis
Oh, Nuts! by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Dan Krall
You Are a Star! by Michael Parker, illustrated by Judith Rossell
Penguin and Pinecone: A Friendship Story by Salina Yoon
Ava and the Real Lucille by Cari Best, illustrated by Madeline Valentine
The Quiet Place by Sarah Stewart, illustrated by David Small
The Bear in the Book by Kate Banks, illustrated by Georg Hallensleben
Sweet Baby Feet by Margaret O'Hair, illustrated by Tracy Dockray
Moby Dick: Chasing the Great White Whale by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Andrew Glass
As the Crow Flies by Sheila Keenan, illustrated by Kevin Duggan
Tumford's Rude Noises by Nancy Tillman
Miss Lina's Ballerinas and the Wicked Wish by Grace Maccarone, illustrated by Christine Davenier
Kate and Nate Are Running Late! by Kate Egan, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino
The Forgiveness Garden by Lauren Thompson, illustrated by Christy Hale

Next week, I will be finishing Venom, then moving on to Elemental by Antony John, because he'll be at that meeting too.

What are you reading?

News from the store:
--New City School's book fair is Wednesday, May 16.  The fair itself is a private event, but if you follow this link and click on New City's logo, not only can you select a book to donate to the school's library, but 20% of your online purchase will be donated to the school.

News from the publishing world:
--Maurice Sendak, author of Where the Wild Things Are and many other children's favorites, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 83.

--Francis Lawrence, director of Water for Elephants and I Am Legend, has been announced to helm Catching Fire, the second movie of the Hunger Games series, based on the book of the same name by Suzanne Collins.

--Children's Book Week was kicked off with a gala awards ceremony sponsored by the Children's Book Council Foundation and Every Child a Reader.  Winners were:
Author of the Year
Jeff Kinney for Cabin Fever
Illustrator of the Year
Brian Selznick for Wonderstruck
Kindergarten to Second Grade Book of the Year
Three Hens and a Peacock by Lester L. Laminack, illustrated by Henry Cole
Third Grade to Fourth Grade Book of the Year
Bad Kitty Meets the Baby by Nick Bruel
Fifth Grade to Sixth Grade Book of the Year
Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt
Teen Book of the Year
Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

--Jarrett J. Krosoczka, author of the Lunch Lady series, among others--has launched The Book Report with JJK, a new Sirious XM Radio show featuring interviews with children's book authors and news from the children's book world.

--Theme park attraction The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will open a second location in Osaka, Japan, which is scheduled to open in late 2014.

via Shelf Awareness.

Five kids have been chosen to be holographic guides at the Magic Kingdom.  It's just a simple modeling gig...until they start going to sleep and waking up in the park as their holograms.  Disney's greatest villains are gaining power, and only someone half-human/half-character can stop them.

Disney After Dark by Ridley Pearson is the first book in the Kingdom Keepers series.

A must-read for hardcore Disney fans, Pearson has done his research and provides a unique look at the behind-the-scenes workings of the parks.  Kids will enjoy seeing familiar characters acting outside of their established stories, and most will find someone among the six protagonists to identify with.  The action is well-paced and clear and provides plenty of heart-pounding moments and creatively nightmarish situations (although nothing grusome).  Between the magical operations and mysterious puzzles, fantasy and adventure fans should find plenty to like here.

Disney After Dark is published by Hyperion and retails for $8.99 (paperback).  I bought my copy with my very own money.  You can get yours at Left Bank today!

Join us at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 9, at St. Louis County Library--Daniel Boone Branch for a reading and signing of Shell Game, the fifth book in the Kingdom Keepers series, with Ridley Pearson for Children's Book Week!  If you can't join us, call the store at 314-367-6731 x. 1 to reserve your signed copy of any of the books in the series.

Your mommy could do everything for you, but instead she helps you learn to do it yourself.  Because she loves you.

Because Your Mommy Loves You by Andrew Clements, illustrated by R.W. Alley, is my Mother's Day pick.

This book presents one overall scenario (a camping trip) with lots of components (shopping for supplies, putting up the tent, etc.) that offers lots of new challenges for kids.  At each step, when Mommy is asked for help, instead of taking over, she acts as instructor and guides the young boy to self-sufficiency.  This is perfect for kids who are getting more and more responsibilities of their own, but wonder why Mom can't just do it for them.  The reasoning is presented in a gentle, and, yes, loving way and emphasizes that the mother-child relationship will remain strong even if you don't depend on Mom for everything anymore.

Because Your Mommy Loves You is published by Clarion Books and retails for $16.99 (hardcover).  I read an advance readers copy provided by the publisher (although this review was not solicited).  You can get yours at Left Bank today!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Book Journey with a children's version at Teach Mentor Texts.

This week, I finished Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt in preparation for the Writers Read reading group's May meeting.  Then I moved on to Insurgent, the second book in the Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth because I needed to know what happened, like, six months ago.  Then I started Disney at Dawn, the second book in the Kingdom Keepers series by Ridley Pearson in preparation for his author event.

Next week, I plan on finishing Disney at Dawn then launching into Disney in Shadow, the third book in the series.

What are you reading?

News from the store:
--Join us at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 8, at St. Louis County Library--Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh, for a reading and signing of Summer of the Gypsy Moths (previously reviewed) with Sara Pennypacker for Children's Book Week.  Ten percent of sales that night will benefit Foster & Adoptive Care Solution, who will have representatives on-hand.

--Join us at 7:00 p.m on Wednesday, May 9, at St. Louis County Library--Daniel Boone Branch, 300 Clarkson Road, for a reading and discussion of Shell Game, the fifth book in the Kingdom Keepers series, with Ridley Pearson for Children's Book Week.

--Conway Elementary School's book fair is May 8-9!  The fair itself is a private event, but you can shop online by following this link and clicking on their logo.  Shop as usual from there, and 20% of your purchase will benefit Conway!


News from the publishing world:
--Steve Kloves, Harry Potter screenwriter, has been tapped to adapt, direct and produce The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling as live-action film for Warner Brothers.

--Disney has signed a deal to produce Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book, which the studio is reportedly making a priority.

--Winners of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators' 2012 Crystal Kite Member Choice Awards were announced in 15 regional categories:
Africa
Finding Aunt Joan by Jenny Hatton, illustrated by Joan Rankin
Australia/New Zealand
The Last Viking by Norman Jorgensen
California/Hawaii
Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku by Lee Wardlaw, illustrated by Eugene Yelchin
Southeast
Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter
Mid-South
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Mid-East/India/Asia
Orchards by Holly Thompson
Midwest
Bluefish by Pat Schmatz
Southwest
Black and White: The Confrontation Between Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth and Eugene "Bull" Connor by Larry Brimner
New England
Pearl by Jo Knowles
New York
Thelonious Mouse by Orel Protopopescu
Atlantic
The Absolute Value of Mike by Kathryn Erskine
Texas/Oklahoma
Mine! by Shutta Crum, illustrated by Patrice Barton
Americas
Witchlanders by Lena Coakley
U.K./Europe
Dark Parties by Sara Grant
West
The Friendship Doll by Kirby Larson

--The winners of the Christian Book Awards were announced by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, including the winner in the Childrens category, The Story for Children: A Storybook Bible by Max Lucado, Randy Frazee and Karen Davis Hill.

via Shelf Awareness.

Stella's mother has always been restless, but this time she went too far.  Now Stella's living with her great-aunt Louise, who has taken in a foster child, Angel, to keep her company.  The only problem is that Stella and Angel don't exactly get along.  At least that's the only problem until a sudden tragedy means the girls must rely on all their wits--and each other--to survive.

Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypacker is our next River City Readers book.

This is a deep and moving exploration of the emotions and connections between families, especially if those families are deeply troubled.  Stella and Angel have spent so much time without stable supportive environments that both are affected in opposite ways; Stella desperately grasping at any connection she can find and Angel pushing everyone away until they can no longer hurt her.  As they navigate their own relationship and responsibilities, they learn a lot about what family really means.  But don't think this is a sappy feel-good tale.  There's a lot of heartbreak and suffering in the process.  These girls are put through a lot, and the reader is right there with them, pulled into their rich emotional landscapes.

Summer of the Gypsy Moths is published by Balzer & Bray/Harperteen and retails for $15.99 (hardcover).  I got my advance readers copy complimentary from the publisher (although this review was not solicited or otherwise compensated).  You can get yours at Left Bank Books today!

Join us at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 8th, at St. Louis County Library--Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh, for a reading and signing of Summer of the Gypsy Moths with Sara Pennypacker for Children's Book Week!  Left Bank Books will donate 10% of event book sales to Foster & Adoptive Care Solution, who will have staff on-hand.  If you can't join us, call the store at 314-367-6731 x. 1 to reserve a signed copy.

What if your life was in danger...and the only thing that could save you was math?  Would you know what to do?

The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math by Sean Connolly is the latest of his books making math and science fun.

This book is broken up into 24 challenges, each one presenting a dangerous scenario and giving the necessary information to save yourself with math skills.  This is followed by room to work out your problem, then a step-by-step discussion of the answer.  Next comes an experiment you can do at home demonstrating the same principles.  Occasionally fun facts and other extras are thrown in.  Each problem is categorized by topic and difficulty level.  While you may not make a math lover out of the number averse by handing them this book, at the very least it will illustrate practical applications for those who claim they'll never use math in real life.  The scenarios are far more whimsical and entertaining than the traditional word problem and should hold more interest as a result.  The graphic layout helps a lot in this regard as well.  Every page packs a visual punch.  Teachers and tutors would do well to keep this book on hand, and parents should take note if their children need extra practice or love working with numbers.

The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math is published by Workman Publishing and retails for $12.95 (hardcover).  I bought my copy with my very own money.  You can get yours at Left Bank today!

Join us at Left Bank Books--Central West End on Tuesday, May 1, at 4:30 p.m. for After School Experiments with Sean Connolly!  Mr. Connolly will be demonstrating principles from all of his books.  If you can't join us for the event, call the store at 314-367-6731 x. 1 to reserve your signed copy.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Book Journey with a children's version at Teach Mentor Texts.

This week I finished Disney After Dark, the first book in the Kingdom Keepers series, by Ridley Pearson in preparation for his author event.  Then I started Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt in preparation for the May meeting of Writers Read reading group.

In picture book land, I read the following books as part of order prep for Penguin:
The Hueys in The New Sweater by Oliver Jeffers
Flight of the Last Dragon by Robert Burleigh, illustrated by Mary GrandPre
Christmastime by Alison Jay
The Amazing Hamweenie by Patty Bowman
Baby Penguins Everywhere! by Melissa Guion
Llama Llama Time to Share by Anna Dewdney
Make a Wish Bear by Greg Foley
Too Tall Houses by Gianna Marino
Brave Squish Rabbit by Katherine Battersby
Ready or Not, Here Comes Scout! by Jill Abramson and Jane O'Connor, illustrated by Deborah Melmon
Max and Ruby's Treasure Hunt by Rosemary Wells
But I've Used All of My Pocket Change by Lauren Child
Dangerously Ever After by Dashka Slater, illustrated by Valeria Docampo
Apple Farmer Annie by Monica Wellington
Marvin Makes Music by Marvin Hamlisch, illustrated by Jim Madsen
Pancho Claus by Jose-Luis Orozco, illustrated by Ashley Wolff
Colorful Dreamer: The Story of Artist Henri Matisse by Marjorie Blain Parker, illustrated by Holly Berry
Rabbit's Snow Dance as told by James and Joseph Bruchac, illustrated by Jeff Newman
The Yuckiest, Stinkiest, Best Valentine Ever by Brenda Ferber, illustrated by Tedd Arnold
The Three Ninja Pigs by Corey Rosen Schwartz, illustrated by Dan Santat
Bully by Patricia Polacco
Mossy by Jan Brett
Have Fun, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell, illustrated by David Catrow
Tea Cakes for Tosh by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by E.B. Lewis
The Birds of Bethlehem by Tomie dePaola
There Was a Tree by Rachel Isadora
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E.B. Lewis
The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit by Emma Thompson, inspired by the original tales of Beatrix Potter, illustrated by Eleanor Taylor
Cork and Fuzz: No Fooling by Dori Chacanos, illustrated by Lisa McCue
Becoming a Ballerina: A Nutcracker Story by Lisa Friedman and Mary Dowdle
Electric Ben: The Amazing Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin by Robert Byrd

Next week I will finish Okay for Now and continue the Kingdom Keepers series with Disney at Dawn.

What are you reading?

News from the store:
--Check out our ReadMOB video from World Book Night, including student groups from two local schools.

--Join us at Missouri Athletic Club on Saturday, April 28, at 9:00 a.m. for the Assistance League Authors Brunch with Richard Paul Evans and Carol Ferring Shepley.  Mr. Evans is the author of several children's and young adult books that will be available for purchase and signing.

--Join us at Left Bank Books--Central West End on Tuesday, May 1, at 4:30 p.m. for After School Experiments with Sean Connolly.  Mr. Connolly will perform science and mathematical experiments from his books, including his latest, The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math.

News from the publishing world:
--Winners were announced of the PubWest Book Design Awards.  They include:
Children's/YA Illustrated
Gold Award:  Press Here by Herve Tullet
Silver Award:  Dream Big Little Pig by Kristi Yamaguchi, illustrated by Tim Bowers
Bronze Award (tie):  Curious Critters by David FitzSimmons and Right Where You Are Now by Lisa Montierth, illustrated by Ashley Burke
Children's/YA Non-Illustrated
Gold Award:  Sally's Bones by MacKenzie Candenhead, illustrated by T.S. Spookytooth
Silver Award:  Huber Hill and the Dead Man's Treasure by B.K. Bostick
Bronze Award:  Spartacus and the Circus of Shadows by Molly E. Johnson

--Tickets are now on sale for the Children's Art Auction and Reception at BookExpo America, sponsored by the ABC Children's Group of the American Booksellers Association.

--Bookmasters is now distributing Pearson Mexico's Spanish-language educational titles for middle and high school students.

--Lois Duncan's novel Down a Dark Hall has been optioned as a feature film by Fickle Fish Films, the production company run by Stephenie Meyer and Megan Hibbetts.

--Winners were announced for the Los Angeles Times Book Prizes.  They include a Young Adult Literature prize for The Big Crunch by Pete Hautman.

--Macmillan announced that by July, all e-books published by Tor Teen, among other imprints, will be DRM (digital rights management)-free, allowing them to be read across multiple devices without reformatting.

--Harry Potter e-books are now available in French, Italian, German and Spanish through Pottermore.

--Finalists were announced for the Southern Independent Book Awards.  They include:
Children
Always Neverland by Zoe Barton
Animalogy: Animal Analogies by Marianne Berkes, illustrated by Cathy Morrison
Bigger Than a Bread Box by Laurel Snyder
Jo MacDonald Saw a Pond by Mary Quattlebaum, illustrated by Laura J. Bryant
Young Adult
The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan
Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact by A.J. Hartley
The Magnolia League by Katie Crouch
Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley

--New images were released from The Twilight Saga:  Breaking Dawn--Part 2, the film based on Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer.

--Walter Dean Myers received the N.Y.C. Literary Honor for children's literature.

via Shelf Awareness.

Life isn't easy for Junior, growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation.  He's poor, he's surrounded by alcohol abuse, and he's been ostracized by the tribe since transferring to the white school in the next town.  But he's determined to use his cartooning, his basketball skills and his relationships with his friends and family to succeed despite the odds.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie with art by Ellen Forney was a World Book Night selection for 2012.

This engaging semi-autobiographical tale will give kids of all ethnic backgrounds plenty to relate to while showing them what it's like to grow up Native American.  Alexie pulls no punches, giving us a world full of violence, tragedy, profanity and disappointment.  But he also gives us a good deal of hope.  No matter what Junior is faced with (and he's faced with a lot), it never takes him long to regain his sense of humor and focus on improving his own situation.  Much of that humor is found in the illustrations, which use a variety of styles as Junior experiments with his craft.  Not only does this book fill a (still too large) gap in literature featuring Native American experiences, but it will give every reader something to connect with.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and retails for $11.99 (paperback).  I bought mine with my very own money.  You can get yours at Left Bank today!

Join us Wednesday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m. at Left Bank Books--Central West End for the April meeting of Teen Reads, a reading group for ages 12 to 18, when we will discuss The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.

Helping the environment may seem like a big job, but there are plenty of little things you can do to make a difference, whether in your backyard, or camping in the deep woods.

Crinkleroot's Guide to Giving Back to Nature by Jim Arnosky is my Earth Day pick.  It's also my April book for Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge 2012.

Many children are fascinated by nature and the animals who live in it.  Here Crinkleroot gives us a great introduction on how to enjoy the outdoors without harming it.  The tips range from simple (cleaning your water shoes between wading trips) to those that need help from an adult (starting a backyard compost pile).  In between tips in-book activities, like counting the number of species on a page.  Fans of David the Gnome should relate well to Crinkleroot and his partnership with all forest life.  Kids will easily find ways to apply his lessons to their next hike or simply out in the garden.

Crinkleroot's Guide to Giving Back to Nature is published by Putnam Juvenile and retails for $17.99 (hardcover).  I read an advance readers copy provided by the publisher (although this review was not solicited or compensated).  You can get yours at Left Bank today!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Book Journey with a children's version at Teach Mentor Texts.

This week, I finished The Fault in Our Stars by John Green for Forever Young Adult's book club.  Then I moved on to The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math by Sean Connolly in preparation for his author visit.  Then came Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypacker in preparation for her author event.  Finally, I started Disney After Dark, the first book in Ridley Pearson's Kingdom Keepers series in preparation for his author visit.

In picture books, I read Little Bird by Germano Zullo and re-read Grandpa Green by Lane Smith (previously reviewed).

Next week, I'll continue reading Disney After Dark, then move on to the next book in the series, Disney at Dawn.

What are you reading?

Also, it's World Book Night!  I've got The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (previously reviewed).  Pam, the other half of Left Bank's children's department, has Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo (previously reviewed).  What are you giving away?

News from the store:

--Wednesday, April 18, the River City Readers in Ms. Dixon and Ms. Evans's classrooms were treated to a visit from author Barbara Wright, after which they received a copy of her new book, Crow (previously reviewed), which Ms. Wright signed for them.  We also have signed copies of Crow available at both stores and online, while supplies last.

--World Book Night is Monday, April 23.  Join us for a ReadMOB at 12:30 p.m. on the steps of the Gateway Arch.  This year, the books given away will include Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo (previously reviewed), The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (previously reviewed), The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (previously reviewed).

--Join us on Wednesday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m. at Left Bank Books--Central West End for the April meeting of Teen Reads, a book group for ages 12 to 18, where we will discuss The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie.  May's Teen Read, Little Brother by Cory Doctorow, will be 20% off at both Left Bank Books locations and online starting after the meeting and continuing through the month of May.

News from the publishing world:

--Pottermore, the Harry Potter-themed web portal, opened to the general public on Saturday after a lengthy beta-testing period.

--The Moth Diaries, a film based on the young adult novel of the same name by Rachel Klein, opened to limited release on April 20.

--Winners were announced for the 2012 Minnesota Book Awards, including:
Children's Literature
BookSpeak! Poems about Books by Laura Purdie Salas
Young People's Literature
With or Without You by Brian Farrey

--An e-reading platform for kids, Ruckus Reader, was launched by Ruckus Media.

--Winners were announced for the 2012 Canadian Library Association's awards.  They include:
CLA Book of the Year for Children
The Whole Truth by Kit Pearson
Honorable Mentions
Dragon Seer's Gift by Janet McNaughton
That Boy Red by Rachna Gilmore
Young Adult Book Award
All Good Children by Catherine Austen
Honor Books
Karma by Cathy Ostlere (previously reviewed)
This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein by Kenneth Oppel
Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award
My Name Is Elizabeth! by Annika Dunklee, illustrated by Matthew Forsythe
Honorable Mentions
Small Saul by Ashley Spires
Migrant by Maxine Trottier, illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault (previously reviewed)

via Shelf Awareness.

Wilmington, North Carolina, is a great place to grow up, or it seems that way to Moses.  Since the abolition of slavery, the black population has gained respect and now his father is an alderman who writes for a local newspaper, while his friend Lewis's family lives in the rich part of town.  But there are some in town who don't like the changes, and will stop at nothing short of violence to return to the way things were.

Crow by Barbara Wright our latest River City Readers book.

This historical novel covers a time not focused on much in fiction:  The generation after slavery.  In telling the story leading up to the Wilmington riots, rather than seeing the former slaves instantly put in a position of oppression, we see blacks start to gain a foothold in society before the extreme backlash of the white supremacists.  Aside from providing an education on a little-seen piece of history, there is a compelling domestic story here.  Moses has a happy family, but plenty of strife is brought to their door.  The characters are all well-developed and dynamic and Moses makes a likable and relatable narrator.  My bet is on seeing this book again come Newbery time.

Crow is published by Random House Books for Young Readers and retails for $16.99 (hardcover).  I bought my copy with my very own money.  You can get yours at Left Bank Books today!

Join us Wednesday, April 18, at 7:00 p.m. at Left Bank Books Central West End for a reading and discussion of Crow with Barbara Wright!  If you are not able to attend, you can still call the store at 314-367-6731 x. 1 to reserve your signed copy!

When sweets start to go missing at Precious Ramotswe's school, blame falls on one of her classmates.  But Precious isn't so sure.  And what's an aspiring detective to do but investigate?

The Great Cake Mystery: Precious Ramotswe's Very First Case by Alexander McCall Smith and illustrated by Iain McIntosh is the first No. 1 Ladies' Detective book for beginning readers.

This is an innocent little mystery that will definitely appeal to the Cam Jansen and Encyclopedia Brown fans out there.  Precious is a tough heroine, full of ingenuity.  Her desire to get all the facts before passing judgement and ability to prove her theories to others rather than just asking them to believe her provide nice lessons.  The African setting is educational as well, offering a glimpse of a culture not covered very often in early chapter books.  It also provides an opportunity for the gorgeous woodcut-style illustrations, rendering in striking black and red.  Fans of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency would do well to introduce their children to the series early.

The Great Cake Mystery: Precious Ramotswe's Very First Case is published by Anchor and retails for $6.99 (paperback).  I got my complimentary advance readers copy from the publisher (although this review was not solicited or otherwise compensated).  You can get yours at Left Bank Books today!

Join us Monday, April 16, at Chaminade College Preparatory School at 7:00 p.m. for Maryville Talks Books presents Alexander McCall Smith.  He will be speaking about his new novel, The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection, but many other titles, including The Great Cake Mystery, will be available.  Get your tickets at Brown Paper Tickets.  If you cannot attend, but would like to reserve a signed copy of one of his books, call Left Bank Books at 314-367-6731.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Book Journey with a children's version at Teach Mentor Texts.

This week I finished Crow by Barbara Wright in preparation for her author event.  Then I moved on to The Chaos by Nalo Hopkinson, my April book for the 2012 Debut Author Challenge.  I'm currently reading The Fault in Our Stars by John Green for Forever Young Adult's book club.

Next week, I'll be finishing The Fault in Our Stars, then launching into The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math by Sean Connelly in preparation for his author visit.

What are you reading?

News from the store:
--On Wednesday, April 18, join us for the April meeting of the Current Affairs reading group at 12:00 p.m. at Left Bank Books--Downtown at which we will discuss Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (previously reviewed).

--Also on Wednesday, April 18, join us at Left Bank Books--Central West End at 7:00 p.m. for a reading and signing of Crow by Barbara Wright.  If you are unable to attend, you can call the store at 314-367-6731 x.1 to reserve your personalized signed copy.

--We now have signed copies of two of Antony John's books:  Five Flavors of Dumb (previously reviewed) and Thou Shalt Not Road Trip (previously reviewed) available at both Left Bank Books locations.

News from the publishing world:
--Harry Potter e-book sales topped $1.6 million in their first three days of sales.

--Winners of the 2012 Indie Choice Book Awards were announced, including:
Young Adult
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
E.B. White Read-Aloud Award
Picture Book
I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen (previously reviewed)
Middle Reader (tie)
The Apothecary by Maile Meloy, illustrated by Ian Schoenherr (previously reviewed)
Wildwood by Colin Meloy, illustrated by Carson Ellis

via Shelf Awareness.