There have been so many exciting and interesting new chapter books coming out this year that my head is spinning! I can be somewhat of a slow reader. Maybe it's the writer portion of my brain that takes too long to ponder the author's word choices or character development or just rereads a well-written line a few times in a row, but I take a while to finish a novel. This doesn't bother me necessarily. When a book is good, I like to linger with the characters for as long as I can. However, it does mean that the pile of books that I simply HAD to have in my life is growing taller and taller, and I stare at this pile every day so excited to start all of these amazing new books at the same time. On my to-be-read list:
- Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley
The striking red and white striped cover of this one is enough to make me love it already. This is the first novel for Beasley, and she seems to be having a good amount of success with it. The story follows Micah, a boy being raised by his grandfather. Micah's grandfather has told him stories about a fantastical, magical circus, Circus Mirandus. When his grandfather gets sick, Micah learns that the only one who can help him recover is the Lightbender, the world's best magician from the Circus Mirandus. I am drawn to fantasy and magic, and this seems to possess a certain level of surrealism that I like combined with family relationships that are warm and loving. Can't wait to read it!
- Adventures With Waffles by Maria Parr
This is an English translation from the novel's original Norwegian, and it seems to have that Scandinavian quality of carefree childhood adventure. Trille and Lena are best friends who do everything together, except Lena has a secret. I think this will be a good read-aloud book with my nine year old because it seems to deal with friendships with peers and sorting through the social issues kids can have while learning to be and make friends.
- Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty
Serafina is a girl who secretly lives with her father in the basement of the grand Biltmore Estates in North Carolina. When terrible things start happening at the mansion, Serafina holds the answer to who is behind it all. With this one, I'm hoping for spooky but playful enough not to truly frighten young readers with a dash of the Southern charm that Asheville, North Carolina brings.
- Kingdom Keepers by Ridley Pearson
I have wanted to read this series for a while. We love. love. love Disney in our house, so a novel set in the Disney World parks has our number all over it. In this, a group of friends must battle villians to save the future of the Magic Kingdom. I can't wait!
That's what I'm reading next. What about you? Any awesome/amazing/must-have read that I need to know about right this second?