P is for THE PENCIL, precious in their iglu home, by Avingaq, Vsetula, and Chua (Picturebook) #A2Z

Apr18
Inside their iglu, a young Inuk girl wearing a traditional Indigenous Canadian parka holds a short pencil as her younger sister and brother look on eagerly, on book cover of The Pencil, by Susan Avingaq and Maren Vsetula; illustrated by Charlene Chua

The children and Ataata stay home in the iglu while their mother is away helping a neighbor.

How should they pass the time?

When the sun is out, the two big girls can trace their letters in the frost on the iglu’s ice window.

They play games with baby Peter, and their father tells them stories, and still Anaana isn’t back.

Is Ataatu really letting them use their mother’s one precious pencil and the last piece of paper to draw on?

What will Anaana say when she sees how short the pencil is now?

The author fondly remembered living in an Inuit iglu as a child in Nunavut, Canada, where they learned to use all things wisely, because the trading post was so very far away. Find learning resources in English and Inuktitut here https://inhabitmedia.com/2021/04/22/the-pencil-educators-resource/.

What special object have you saved because it’s the last one?
**kmm

Book info: The Pencil / Susan Avingaq and Maren Vsetula; illustrated by Charlene Chua. Inhabit Media, 2018. [illustrator site https://charlenechua.com/picture-books] [publisher site https://inhabitbooks.com/products/the-pencil?_pos=1&_sid=b3e677320&_ss=r] Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher, via Publisher Spotlight.

O is for OUTSIDE, where she may never go! But why? by Jennifer L. Holm (MG fiction book review) #A2Z

Apr17
Back view of a red-haired tween girl and 4 children in a dark place, looking toward a hole in the wall. The girl approaches the revealed trees, blue sky & flying birds shown below the book title - Outside, by Jennifer L. Holm.

Danger!
Stay hidden, stay alive.
But never see the sky…

After Ollie died when he went out on the Refuge’s roof, twelve-year-old Razzi is the oldest kid and tries to set a good example for the others.

The Great Poisoning a decade ago sent her family and a few others to this remote abandoned estate, escaping from a world filled with brain-poisoned humans and death and danger. Now they get their supplies when Rusty goes out raiding or the scary Dealer comes to trade with Papa.

But she dreams of going Outside and experiencing what the Refuge’s school-age kids only see in books and old videos.

Oh, dear! Razzi’s heart is failing! They replace it with a greyhound’s heart – thank you, Wind the dog and robo-surgery and anti-rejection drugs.

Weird. She used to hate ham; now she loves it. She dreams of running Outside…on dog’s paws.

Why does Bing’s new pet bunny think Razzi is an enemy? Why does Razzi want to chase it?

Razzi feels Wind’s memories in her dreams more and more, seeing a blue-eyed greyhound named Poppy who is in trouble!

When Rusty promises to look for Poppy on his next raid, Razzi hides in his old truck to help and gets Outside, with room to finally run like Wind!

Can she and Wind avoid the Poisoned?
Can they find Poppy?
Can they get home to the Refuge alive?

Compelling post-apocalyptic story with a real twist!

What animal’s thoughts would you like to hear?
**kmm

Book info: Outside / Jennifer L. Holm. Scholastic Press, 2025. [author site https://www.jenniferholm.com/new-page-99] [publisher site https://clubs.scholastic.com/outside/9798225024673-rco-us.html] Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

N is NEFARIOUS NIGHTS OF WILLOWWEEP MANOR! by Shaenon K. Garrity & Christopher Baldwin (YA Graphic Novel book review) #A2Z

Apr16
Magnifying glass in hand, a determined young Black woman in gothic dress approaches the body lying in foreground. She's followed by a startled young man juggling a stack of books, a frantically flying chicken, and a big dog with its tongue flapping. Behind them a grim mansion rises into the dark sky, emblazoned with book title - The Nefarious Nights of Willowweep Manor, by Shaenon K. Garrity & Christopher Baldwin.

Thunder! Lightning!
Romance!
Murder?

As protector of a tiny gasket universe, Haley expects her school break away at Willowweep Manor to be broodingly romantic with Montague, as always.

But the Black teen arrives as refugees from another gasket universe in peril pop through a portal – not characters from a gothic romance at all!

New rooms suddenly appear in the Manor, the new dog is goofy, Miss Meadowsweet keeps talking about odd things that happened in her village, and the Colonel is stabbed – they’re from the murder mystery genre!!

No police in the Manor so the Willowweepers must learn the rules of murder mysteries and investigate, not quite trusting any of the newcomers.

Someone goes missing, while others barely escape “accidents” with their lives!

Who is the killer – the capable young lady? The village spinster? The eccentric young man? The butler? Surely not the dog?

Can our plucky heroine reinvent herself in time to save Willowweep Manor once again?

You can enjoy Nefarious Nights without having read The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor (I recommend! https://booksyalove.com/?p=12249), but knowing the origin story makes this madcap adventure even more fun.

Find both Willowweep Manor volumes at your local library https://search.worldcat.org/libraries or independent bookstore https://www.indiebound.org/indie-store-finder.

What book genre would you like to live in?
**kmm

Book info: The Nefarious Nights of Willowweep Manor / Shaenon K. Garrity; illustrated by Christopher Baldwin. Margaret McElderry Books, 2025. [author site https://www.shaenon.com/] [artist site www.BaldwinPage.com ][publisher site https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Nefarious-Nights-of-Willowweep-Manor/Shaenon-K-Garrity/Willowweep-Manor/9781665930161] Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

M is MAKER GIRL AND PROFESSOR SMARTS must save the city’s ice cream! by Jasmine Florentine (kids graphic novel) #A2Z

Apr15
A tween girl wearing goggles, superhero cape & satchel with logo raises a gadget skyward, next to a tween boy in ballcap and shades consulting a book, with science & math motifs in background, on book cover of Maker Girl and Professor Smarts, book 1, by Jasmine Florentine.

Summertime,
ice cream time!
Ewww… now it’s slime?!

Chuy and Yaya have been besties since preschool – he wants to know everything, and she can build anything.

Too bad the 12 year olds didn’t get superpowers when the recent comet struck Earth, like some people did…

When new supervillain Mr. Anti-Freeze starts turning everyone’s ice cream into slime, it’s time for them to act anyway!

Super-cape for Yaya, super-cool shades for Chuy – now Maker Girl and Professor Smarts!

Can their brainy/inventive powers outwit Mr. Anti-Freeze’s icky superpower?
Can they stop him from unleashing his slime bomb on the city?
Why does he hate ice cream so much?

This first graphic novel in new series includes instructions on making a grappling hook and yummy sorbet, a preview of book 2 (mayhem with younger siblings), and a resource list so you can make and learn stuff, too.

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
**kmm

Book info: Maker Girl and Professor Smarts (Book 1) / Jasmine Florentine. MIT Kids Press, 2025. [author/illustrator site https://www.jasmineflorentine.com/books] [publisher site https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/786774/maker-girl-and-professor-smarts-by-jasmine-florentine-illustrated-by-jasmine-florentine/] Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

L is LOVE AT SECOND SIGHT & supernatural danger! by F.T. Lukens (YA fiction) #A2Z

Apr14
In front of school lockers, a pale teen boy with growing-out dyed blond hair whispers to a taller dark-haired teen boy with claw-like fingernails, on book cover of Love at Second Sight, by F. T. Lukens

A vision in moonlight,
a muddy field,
a murder about to happen!

Human teen among paranormal classmates, Cam is glad that he and best friend Al (witch) will be back together at the new high school, nervous about seeing his crush Mateo (werewolf), still sad that big brother Aiden purposely vanished a few months ago.

Caught in a sprite vs. werewolf melee, the sophomore crashes headfirst into lockers and is pulled from the pile-up by a girl whose touch throws him into a vision – of a wounded girl being attacked with a knife!

Not telling his anti-paranormal parents about his glimpse of the future, Cam asks Al to quietly find out more and agrees with them to carefully test his clairvoyant abilities.

There’s no escaping his new truth: he can indeed see the future, and he goes to school with a murderer!

A viral video of Cam’s next vision being proven true catches his parents’ attention; he hears them whispering about what went wrong with his big brother…

Now all the paranormal factions in town are eager to ally with Cam, the first seer in a century – so many feuds between them…

Ooh, invited to a cookout at Mateo’s! < swoon >

Will he have to always wear gloves to prevent unwanted visions?
How does Cam decide which faction to join?
Can he and his new friends stop that girl’s murder?

Fantasy-mystery-paranormal-romance releases in paperback today! (April 14, 2026)

By the author of magical, adventurous, affirming tales In Deeper Waters (my recommendation https://booksyalove.com/?p=12378), So This is Ever After (https://booksyalove.com/?p=12989), Spell Bound (https://booksyalove.com/?p=13689), and Otherworldly (https://booksyalove.com/?p=14421).

Which paranormal neighbor would you like to have?
**kmm

Book info: Love at Second Sight / F. T. Lukens. Margaret McElderry Books, hardcover 2025, paperback 2026. [author site https://www.ft-lukens.com/] [publisher site https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Love-at-Second-Sight/F-T-Lukens/9781665950947] Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

K is for Korobá: THE CASE OF THE MISSING KOLO in her fishing village, by Àlàbá Ònájìn (kids graphic novel) #A2Z

Apr13
Three kids and a puppy race down the wooden dock-walkways of a Nigerian fishing village, following a trail of wet footprints, on the book cover of Korobá: the Case of the Missing Kolo, kids' graphic novel by Àlàbá Ònájìn.

A visitor,
a theft,
a mystery to solve!

Korobá enjoys exploring the waterways and walkways of her Nigerian fishing village with best friends Saldat and Joba – and her dog Popi, of course!

During school holidays, the ten-year-old helps her mother at the fish market (but can’t stand eating fish). Someday her little brother and baby sister will, too.

The harvest festival is soon, and the kids of Makoko will break open their wooden Kolo banks and use their saved coins to buy clothes for the Festival…and treats! Joba will unveil his newest invention then, so don’t even try to sneak a peek now.

Saldat has been too busy noting how much money she’s put in her Kolo to decorate it with paint and beads like her friends do. Her snobbish cousin visiting from city thinks everything here is terrible – such a bad attitude!

Oh, no! Saldat’s Kolo has been stolen! The three friends must think like detectives from their favorite books to find it – fast!

Was it the carpenter working at Saldat’s house?
Could it be snooty cousin Risi?
Can they find the Kolo before Breaking Day?

Run the wooden walkways of Makoko village with Korobá and her friends as they try to solve the mystery, first in a new graphic novel series!

What’s your favorite festival tradition?
**kmm

Book info: Korobá: the Case of the Missing Kolo / Àlàbá Ònájìn. Holiday House, 2026. [author/illustrator site https://www.alabaonajin.com/about] [publisher site https://holidayhouse.com/book/the-case-of-the-missing-kolo/] Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

J is for Ken Jennings’ JUNIOR GENIUS GUIDES: GREEK MYTHOLOGY, by Ken Jennings, Mike Lowery (MG non-fiction) #A2Z

Apr11
Cartoonish versions of Greek god Poseidon with trident, a bull, one-eye Cyclops, and snake-haired Medusa in center of book cover, under title Ken Jennings' Junior Genius Guides (with author in an airplane) and subtitle Greek Mythology below.

Trojan horse,
strong as Hercules,
Greek mythology is everywhere you look!

This clever and information-packed guide begins with ancient Greek culture, then details the complicated family tree of Greek gods and goddesses (major and minor and demi), introduces superheroes and monsters, and notes famous feuds and inventions.

Includes lots of funny illustrations, diagrams, Greek God Trading Cards, and informative sidebars.

Use the Official Junior Genius Guide Cipher to decode Pop Quiz answers, and take activity breaks for recess, art class, lunch, and music class before the Junior Genius final exam.

Even the most ardent fan of the Greek gods will find something new and interesting here!

This series by Jeopardy champion and host Ken Jennings continues with Outer Space, Dinosaurs, The Human Body, and more https://www.simonandschuster.com/series/Ken-Jennings-Junior-Genius-Guides.

May you ever live up to the Junior Genius secret Latin motto: Semper quaerens – always curious!

Which Greek mythological figure would you like to meet?
**kmm

Book info: Ken Jennings’ Junior Genius Guides: Greek Mythology / Ken Jennings; illustrated by Mike Lowery. Simon Spotlight, 2025. [author site https://www.ken-jennings.com/about] [illustrator site https://www.mikelowery.com/] [publisher site https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Greek-Mythology/Ken-Jennings/Ken-Jennings-Junior-Genius-Guides/9781665973625] Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

I is I AM THE WIND: Irish Poems for Children Everywhere, edited by Jacob & Webb (Poetry) #A2Z

Apr10
Six painted panels - a swimming whale, three birds against a cloudy sky, a fox walking in starry night, bright flowers in sunshine, a raven flying away from wave, and flames flaring upward - surround title "I Am the Wind: Irish Poems for Children Everywhere"

“This poem can …
Open magical doorways
Pick a lock to your heart
Steal away on stormy seas
Make a dragon weep
Launch rockets to the moon
Offer somewhere to hide
Light a candle in the dark
Befriend a rainy day
Catch a slippery character
Awaken the explorer within
Be everything you wish for

Let the journey begin.”
(“This Poem Can …” by E.R. Murray, pg. 1)

April is Poetry Month, and this wonderful, wide-ranging collection of poems from Ireland is the perfect way to celebrate.

Mostly contemporary with a few traditional rhymes (“Molly Malone”) and famous poets (W.B. Yeats, Padraic Colum), these poems examine what’s important to kids: family, the world outside their door, friendship and aloneness, pets and wild creatures, worries and hopes.

“Hold my hand – I hear
A girl from my class saying to me
I am a little scared – she knows
Hearing voices saying words I don’t know
She holds my hand tightly
Smile is the only language I know.”
(“Friends” by Monika Nowakowska, pg. 26)

Gathered into thematic sections, poems on similar subjects are often featured on facing pages, and poems in Irish appear with English version, too.

Look for the free I Am the Wind poetry kit at the publisher’s site www.littleisland.ie for more information about these poems and writing activity prompts for poetry practice.

What is your favorite poem about?
**kmm

Book info: I Am the Wind: Irish Poems for Children Everywhere / edited by Lucinda Jacob & Sarah Webb; illustrated by Ashwin Chacko. Published by Little Island Books, 2024 US. [Lucinda’s site https://www.lucindajacob.com/] [Sarah’s site https://www.sarahwebb.info/about/q-a/] [Ashwin’s site https://whackochacko.com/work/] [publisher site https://www.littleisland.ie/products/i-am-the-wind-irish-poems-for-children-everywhere?variant=48294748324167] Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher via Publisher Spotlight.

H is THE HOUSE OF FOUND OBJECTS mystery and Matisse in Paris! by Jo Beckett King (MG fiction) #A2Z

Apr9
In front of a Parisian antique shop, a chic French teen girl with black short hair and a red-haired American girl wearing flowered pants and sneakers look at a map on the book cover of middle-grade mystery The House of Found Objects, by Jo Beckett-King.

The beauties of Paris!
A long, long family feud!
Oh, no! Thief on the loose!

Dad and his brother never stopped arguing, so this is the first time that 12-year-old Bea has ever visited her aunt and grandmother in France – a few weeks for the New Jersey tween in the City of Light away from her parents.

The family antique store has been downsized greatly now, packed with merchandise and memories; Mamie is especially proud of a sketch by famous artist Matisse – that suddenly goes missing!

When envelope addressed to “la jeune fille” arrives on her doorstep, Bea enlists the reluctant help of her chic 13-year-old cousin Celine to puzzle it out and get to the location of the next clue.

Five clues to solve in four days to get the Matisse sketch back and save Mamie’s store from being sold!

The girls race to puzzle out scrambled words, codes, and tricky riddles, Bea using her math logic skills and Celine with her cultural savvy, as they crisscross Paris to reach the next clue.

Who made all the clues for this treasure hunt?
Why would they steal from an old lady?
How can Bea ever tell her proud parents that she didn’t make the Mathlete Team at home?

Riddles and puzzles galore in this first book of the Bea Bellerose Mystery series. Look for The Lost Jewels of Room 713 in July 2026!

What’s your favorite kind of secret code?
**kmm

Book info: The House of Found Objects (Bea Bellerose Mystery #1) / Jo Beckett-King. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025. [author site https://www.jobeckettking.com/] [publisher site https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-House-of-Found-Objects/Jo-Beckett-King/A-Bea-Bellerose-Mystery/9781665967174] Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

G is GALAXY MAPPER: the Luminous Discoveries of Astrophysicist Helene Curtois, by Allie Summers & Sian James (Picture Book) #A2Z

Apr8
Near mountains and forest, a girl looks up into the night sky, seeing stars and galaxies and mathematical diagrams overlaid upon the aurora borealis, on book cover of Galaxy Mapper: the Luminous Discoveries of Astrophysicist Helene Curtois, by Allie Summers.

“Helene observed.
Helene questioned.
Helene had ideas.”

Growing up in the French Alps, Helene Curtois loved to look at the night sky through her binoculars – and wondered what was beyond the moon.

At university, she studied astrophysics, the science of how natural objects in space (like the moon) begin, grow, and interact. When she was ignored because she was a woman, Helene remembered the brilliant women scientists who’d made discoveries before her and decided to go even further.

She fell in love with galaxies seen through the university’s professional telescope and decided to map these swirling islands of stars and dust in the night sky, to become a cosmographer.

Traveling to the best telescopes around the world, Helene and her scientific team observed and mapped thousands of galaxies and discovered they were all moving toward one place, a supercluster of galaxies!

What is beyond the moon? Now we -and Helene- know.

Includes a timeline of Helene’s life (ongoing!), glossary of galactic terms, notes on other fiercely intelligent women in astronomy, selected bibliography, and “where is a good location to build a professional telescope.”

Want a quick intro to a subject that’s completely new to you? Grab a non-fiction picturebook!
**kmm

Book info: Galaxy Mapper: the Luminous Discoveries of Astrophysicist Helene Curtois / Allie Summers; illustrated by Sian James. MIT Kids Press, 2025. [illustrator site https://www.sianjames.com/ ] [publisher site https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/787573/galaxy-mapper-the-luminous-discoveries-of-astrophysicist-helene-courtois-by-allie-summers-illustrated-by-sian-james/] Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.