BookKids: What We’re Lovin’

Here’s what the Kids team is reading and loving lately. Every month we’ll feature a few titles, from picture books to chapter, graphic novels, YA fiction & more! Check out more Kids bookseller recommendations on our Instagram (@bookpeople)!

BookPeople Art Director Tomoko is THRILLED about the release of Circle by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen

She says: “I’m so excited about the release of Circle! I’ve been following this story forever, and I love that it’s so weird and oddly creepy. And of course Jon Klassen’s artwork is on point, as always.” If you loved Triangle and Square, you can’t miss the grand finale to the shape trilogy! Order your copy of Circle online and get an adorable enamel pin as a gift! (no proof of purchase necessary)

Kids Events & Marketing Coordinator Eugenia LOVES Pay Attention, Carter Jones by Gary D. Schmidt

Eugenia says: “This book stole my heart, completely and unexpectedly. A family in chaos opens the door one morning to find Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick waiting outside, ready to change their lives forever. Think of a modern day Mary Poppins meets P.G. Wodehouse’s Jeeves, in which a British butler helps an American family during a difficult time through (mostly unwanted) advice, chores, and the world’s most elegant sport– cricket. Filled with hilarious dialogue (“What does provincial mean?” “American.”) and insight, Pay Attention, Carter Jones is sure to charm your knee pads off!”

Bookseller Griffin keeps raving about The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge by M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin

Griffin says: “One of the new graphic-epistolary-narrative hybrids like …Hugo Cabret

or Abadazad, The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge weaves missives, personal narrative and unique wordless illustration sequences to tell of the resolution of the Goblin and Elf kingdoms, revealing the great corruption of those in power with humor and a uniquely imaginative take on traditional elements. I loved Brangwain and Werfel and cheered at their eventual victory! Great stuff!”

We had the pleasure of hosting author M.T. Anderson and illustrator Eugene Yelchin in-store, and also as part of our Art of the Book partnership with the Blanton Museum of Art. Our Kids’ buyer Meghan Goel wrote about this exciting collaboration– read about it here! Plus, we still have signed copies!

Kids Bookseller & Event Host Savannah can’t get over On the Come Up by Angie Thomas! We had the honor of hosting the author for the release– here she is, taking a video of the enthusiastic crowd!

Savannah says: “There is no fear of Angie Thomas being a one hit wonder — she is a literary Queen who I believe will be one of the greatest voices for this generation. On the Come Up has the same grit and emotion that pours out of The Hate U Give but shows yet another facet of life in the Garden Heights neighborhood. Thomas had me laughing out loud, commiserating with Bri, and crying like a baby. She pulled me into my “feels” for the entire come up and what a come up it was! Strong, impassioned, and electrifying, On the Come Up hooks the readers from page one and doesn’t let up until the last word. A must read for all ages.”

Bookseller Rachel R. gobbled up Leigh Bardugo’s King of Scars

Rachel says: “‘little red bird, every day you choose the work of living.’ Let’s be honest, by now, no one is surprised that Leigh Bardugo writes an incredible novel, but KING OF SCARS was the book I needed to read right now. Conflicts among Ravka, Fjerda, and Shu Han are coming to a head with the discovery of parem, and it’s never been more dangerous for Grisha. Refugees are pouring into Ravka–assuming they aren’t killed by the Fjerdans or enslaved by the Shu–and at the center of it all, King Nikolai Lantsov can’t even keep his mind under control, still traumatized by the Darkling’s torture. Nina Zenik, undercover in the most dangerous place for a Grisha to be, is on a mission to help those persecuted by the state escape to safety, but her grief threatens to overwhelm even the simplest of orders. KING OF SCARS is many things: folklore-inspired, full of generous world-building and thoughtful plotting, but above all, it is a story about how to keep fighting when you have nothing left.”

What have YOU been loving lately?!