Gabby Garcia’s Ultimate Playbook by Iva-Marie Palmer

[SAM]

“But this, dear unauthorized reader (or should I say intruder?) is a playbook. My ultimate playbook, in case you wanted clarification. It’s where I keep all my thoughts and ideas and strategies about how to win at life. Yeah but how is that different from a diary, you ask? Look, diaries are usually about what happened. Playbooks are about how you make things happen.”  

What I love about this book is Gabby’s confidence. She’s good at baseball, she knows it, and she’s proud of that. Even when things don’t work out her way, even when she’s a little over confident, even when she struggles, this story never punishes Gabby for being loud and proud.

The transition to a new school and finding her place on a new team are not as easy as Gabby assumed they’d be. But the skilled, confident Gabby we see in the book opening scene is the same Gabby we see at the end of the book. And along the way, she learns that no one succeeds alone, and no one is an all star all the time.

This book is super fun with appealing Diary of a Wimpy Kid style illustrations. A great chapter book for fans of realistic graphic novels like Roller Girl. Find it Here

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Gwendy’s Button Box, by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar

[Sara]

Click here to place a hold on this book at Wiggin
Click here to check out the digital audiobook

There are three ways up to Castle View from the town of Castle Rock: Route 117, Pleasant Road, and the Suicide Stairs. Quite the opening line.

This outlook at Castle View is the place where Gwendy’s life will change, a presumptive side effect of a meeting between a child and a haunting stranger.

This novella relates well to the reader in this tumultuous world we live in, as the character struggles with the control she has over the delicate balance of good and evil. The master storyteller does it again, with this page turner that will creep you out as well as make you examine your own evil side (you know it’s there. . . )

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

[Tricia] This is a lovely and completely absorbing re-imagining of a Russian fairytale. It is magical, lyrical, and you can almost feel the cold and beauty of the Russian winter. I loved the portrayal of Vasalisa. I just found out this is the first of what will be a trilogy. Looking forward to more.

 

Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant by Roz Chast

[Tricia] This graphic memoir by New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast is wonderful! It tells the story of the author caring for her parents at the end of their lives. It doesn’t sound funny, but it really is. It is also sad and moving and cathartic. The graphic format is perfect for expressing the ups and downs and frustrations of this fraught period of life. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book.

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

[Tricia]

This was a fascinating book. Set in post-Russian Revolution Moscow, the book follows the life of Count Alexander Rostov who has been sentenced to spend the rest of his life under house arrest at the elegant Metropol Hotel. In many ways it is a very intimate book, focused on his life and how he adjusts to his new circumstances, but it also gives a very vivid sense of the impact that so much upheaval has on all facets of this society. He writes beautifully, and it is a really lovely book.

Space Battle Lunchtime : lights, camera, snacktion! by Natalie Riess

[Sam] Have you ever watched Iron Chef and thought, this is great but I really wish the contestants were aliens? If you are currently shouting at your screen “YES, YES, I THINK THAT ALL THE TIME!!!” this graphic novel is so for you. Don’t read any further, just take my word for it and put it on hold,  Find it Here.

Now for the rest of you, who maybe don’t spend as much energy wishing extraterrestrials would invade your favorite reality show, don’t worry this book is also for you. In fact you may have a lot in come with the main character of this book. Peony was honestly very happy being an awesome baker in an adorable earth based coffee shop. But after unwittingly accepting an offer from a strange customer she finds herself the newest contestant on Space Battle Lunchtime, a super popular alien cooking competition broadcast all over the universe.

This graphic novel is just fun. The art is bright, the story is simple, but entertaining. A fun read for kids or adults! Check it out now and you’ll be all caught up when vol. 2 arrives this summer.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows

I loved this audiobook! The cast of narrators were amazing and, although I started out doubtful that the correspondences would be able to carry my interest through an entire novel, the unique format totally kept me wanting more. Hard to get out of the car at the end of my commute with the thought that I might be missing out on something going on in 1946 Guernsey!

Find in Wiggin’s catalog:
Audiobook
Print Edition
Large Print Edition

Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova

[Sam] Peppi Torres’ plan to survive her first day of middle school is to be boring and invisible. But that plan shatters when she trips over Jaime Thompson in the hallway and everyone starts calling her his “nerder girlfriend”. And how does Peppi react? She pushes Jamie and runs away. What a nightmare! So of course Peppi’s after-school art club finds itself at war with Jaime’s science club. Will Peppi ever overcome her embarrassment and apologize to Jamie? Will the feud between Art club and Science club destroy the school? Find it Here

This awesome graphic novel creates a vivid picture of the ups and downs of life in middle school. It’s funny and relatable. I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy Raina Telgemeier‘s graphic novels. And if you enjoy this book checkout Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson. 

 

The Pruning Answer Book: Solutions to Every Problem You’ll Ever Face; Answers to Every Question You’ll Ever Ask by Lewis Hill, Penny O’Sullivan

[Sara]

Very helpful! I started knowing little about pruning, and I have a new large garden to care for at my new home. I feel much more confident about the process thanks to this handbook– it explains pruning in the context of plant structure and growth in a way that beginners can wrap their head around while also going into the details that can back up more experienced gardeners, landscapers, and arborists.

I got this out from the library over the winter (available here) and am going to buy a copy to hang onto for easy reference this spring. A bonus– the author is one of our library trustees here at Wiggin! She is so helpful and always willing to answer questions from our community.

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Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan

[Sam] This is a wonderful middle grade book that radiates hope and love even in the midst of trying circumstances.The main character Amina starts out as a shy girl who lives very much within her comfort zone. She loves music but refuses to sing in public. She enjoys Sunday school at her mosque but is embarrassed to recite Arabic in class. However, the arrival of a new family member, changes within her friend group, and a tragedy in her community might just bring out a whole new side to Amina. I loved how thoughtfully Amina’s family and community were described. I felt I learned new things about Pakistani-American culture, but also found a lot I could relate to within these characters. I highly recommend it.  Find it Here