It’s that time of year again! We at Read to Them are so excited to share that four new titles have been added to our catalog and are available to order. While winter is in full swing, we hope that you enjoy diving into these titles in your next – or first-ever! – One School, One Book reading program. Check them out:
Stink and the Incredible Super-Galactic Jawbreaker by Megan McDonald
Judy Moody’s little brother, Stink, gets his own illustrated series! After buying a jawbreaker that doesn’t live up to its name, Stink writes a letter to the manufacturer. In response, he receives 21,280 jawbreakers and a new-found obsession with writing consumer complaint letters. A “great big super-galactic idea” helps get rid of all that stuff, and brings back his best friend. McDonald sprinkles over three dozen idioms throughout the text, giving this book playful depth. If you’re looking for a thoughtful book that is “more fun than a barrel of monkeys,” consider Stink. Everyone will be “grinning from ear to ear!”
Willodeen by Katherine Applegate
It takes a special person to love the most unlovable of beasts, and 11-year-old Willodeen is just that person. She sees the value of screechers (a cross between a warthog, a beaver, and a skunk) even when the rest of her town thinks they are worthless. But, as her father taught her, “Nature, Willodeen, knows more than we do, and she probably always will.” Can Willodeen get her neighbors to understand how the dreaded screechers are interconnected with the town’s beloved hummingbears before it is too late? Willodeen is a story of a young naturalist with themes of family, friendship, and integrity.
Solimar is the reluctant soon-to-be princess in the mountains of central Mexico. While her father and brother are away, a rival king threatens the habitat of the beloved monarch butterflies. Solimar teams up with Berto, a talented and resourceful boy from the forest, to make the treacherous river journey to the port to warn the king and save the kingdom. With the help of her pet quetzal bird, an enchanted doll, and a magical rebozo, this team shows that integrity, tenacity, and courage can indeed rule the day. Perfect for those who like their empowering stories with just a touch of magic.
Ellie Cowan’s cerebral palsy does nothing to dampen her lively personality and deep passion for baking. Her world is upended when, because of her grandfather’s advancing dementia, she and her mom move into her grandparent’s trailer in small town Eufaula, Oklahoma. There, Ellie finds support from: Mema, her wise and fierce grandmother; Coralee, an aspiring singer with a unique sense of style; and Bert, who loves facts but has trouble with people. Ellie navigates a new home, a new school, and her changing grandfather. Through it all, she bakes cookies, coffee cake, and ultimately a prize-winning pie. And, she learns to roll with it.
Which of these new titles are you most excited about exploring with your school? Let us know in the comments – and happy reading!
