In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren, where bloggers come together to share what is showing up in our mailboxes, in our library totes, and in our shopping bags. Since The Story Siren is a YA blogger, I am going to feature YA and MG books on this meme. There is another Meme that I will start doing every so often on Mondays called Mailbox Monday, cool? Excellent!

Rocket Writes A Story by Tad Hills

(Schwartz and Wade; July 24, 2012; picture book; Ages 4+)

This irresistible sequel to the New York Times bestselling How Rocket Learned to Read,
Rocket loves books and he wants to make his own, but he can't think of a story. Encouraged by the little yellow bird to look closely at the world around him for inspiration, Rocket sets out on a journey. Along the way he discovers small details that he has never noticed before, a timid baby owl who becomes his friend, and an idea for a story. This book is sure to appeal to kids, parents, teachers, and librarians.

CHESTER THE BRAVE by Audrey Penn; Illustrated by Barbara L. Gibson

(Tanglewood Press; August 14, 2012; Hardcover; 32 pgs; Ages 3-8)

Little Chester Raccoon, the beloved character who has helped so many children with issues in their lives, learns the meaning of bravery and a method for overcoming his fears in this new Audrey Penn title. After sharing the story of a little bird who is afraid to have flying lessons in front of his friends, Mrs. Raccoon tells Chester that being brave doesn’t mean being unafraid; being brave means not letting that fear stop him. Mrs. Raccoon teaches Chester an important strategy: Think-Tell-Do. When he thinks he is afraid, he tells himself he can do it, and then he just does it. Of course, getting a Kissing Hand helps a little too. This simple strategy can be helpful to children in many different situations.

CALENDAR MYSTERIES #8: AUGUST ACROBAT by Ron Roy

(Random House Children's; June 2012; Paperback; 80 pgs; Ages 6+)

In the eigth book of the Calendar Mysteries - an early chapter book mystery series featuring the younger siblings of the A to Z Mysteries detectives - something special is coming to Green Lawn - a traveling circus! But when the performers arrive, they need help. Their show is a mess, and Bradley, Brian, Nate, and Lucy are happy to chip in. They fix up the equipment and find dazzling new acts, but what the show needs most is an acrobat. No one in town is brave enough to go up on the high trapeze, except for one mysterious masked person. If the kids could find out who it is, this might be the best circus ever - but it seems as if this acrobat doesn't want to be found! Parents, teachers, and librarians agree that these highly collectible chapter books are perfect for emerging readers and any kid who loves mysteries!

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BALLPARK MYSTERIES #5: THE ALL-STAR JOKER by David A. Kelly; illustrated by Mark Meyers
(Random House Children's; June 2012; Paperback; 112 pgs; Ages 6+)

 

Next up to the plate—book #5 in our early chapter book mystery series, where each book is set in a different American ballpark!
The stars are out in Kansas City . . . the baseball stars, that is! Mike and Kate are at the All-Star game, and even get to go on the field during the Home Run Derby to catch pop-ups! That's where they meet Andy, whose dad, Josh Robinson, is an All-Star catcher. But before the Home Derby ends, Josh finds himself in hot water. Someone is playing practical jokes on the other players, and the coach is sure it's him. Andy swears his dad is innocent. Who would want to frame Josh? And why?

The All-Star Joker includes a fun fact page about Kansas City's stadium.
Cross Ron Roy's A to Z mystery series with Matt Christopher's sports books and you get the Ballpark Mysteries: fun, puzzling whodunnits aimed at the younger brothers and sisters of John Feinstein's fans.

CHEESIE MACK IS COOL IN A DUEL by Steve Cotler; Illus by Adam McCauley
(Random House; June 2012; Hardcover; 240 pgs; Ages 8+)

 

 Cheesie and Georgie are back, and this time they're off to the greatest summer camp in Maine. As the oldest of the Little Guy campers, they'll get to make the campfires and choose the sports teams. It's sure to be their best summer yet!

Then disaster strikes. Cheesie and Georgie are put in a cabin with the Big Guy campers, including Cheesie's archenemy, Kevin Welch. Now the youngest—and smallest—of the Big Guys, Cheesie has no choice but to use his brains to fight Kevin's brawn—he challenges the bully to a Cool Duel. The adventure that follows includes a toilet on a wall, a headless skateboarder, a garter snake mustache, and the scariest ghost story ever told. Will Cheesie survive to start middle school?

With plenty of lists, drawings, and made-up words, Cheesie—with a little help from Steve Cotler—tells the story of the best worst summer ever.


DIARY OF A PARENT TRAINER by Jenny Smith
(Delacorte Press; June 2012; Hardcover; 310 pgs; Ages 10+)

 

Meet Katie Sutton. She may just look like your average thirteen-year-old girl but in reality, she's the world's leading expert in Grown Up behavior. And you're in luck because in your hands you hold a one-of-a-kind guide to training your parent and becoming highly skilled at: understanding their insane behavior, predicting their next moves, and operating them to your best advantage. So please keep this book out of the way of your grown up, we don't want them going into "grumpy mode" too soon.











A PASSION FOR VICTORY: THE STORY OF THE OLYMPICS IN ANCIENT AND EARLY MODERN TIMES by Benson Bobrick
(Knopf; June 2012; Hardcover; 120 pgs; Ages 10+)

 

From the barefoot races of 8th century BC to the underwater obstacle courses in the early 20th century to the high-tension Berlin Games preceding World War II, the Olympics have always been exciting dramas of athletic prowess and human interest. In A Passion for Victory, award-winning author Benson Bobrick tells the details of the captivating story of the Olympic Games, starting with their inception in Ancient Greece. This wonderfully readable narrative is rich with anecdotes and profiles of athletes and weaves in important historical events to create a complete picture of each installment of the Games. This thorough account of an international fixation is gripping, poignant, and occasionally hilarious