#KidLitFaves: Recent Children's and YA Books that Bloggers Love: March 2

As I travel about the kidlitosphere, encountering reviews by other bloggers (people I trust, and generally have been following for some time), I take note of those reviews in which it is clear that the reviewer really, really likes the book. I share links to those reviews on Twitter (with hashtag #KidLitFaves) and Facebook and round them up here. Hopefully over time this will become a useful resource. I welcome your feedback! 

Picture Books and Board Books:

Amy Johnson at Sunlit Pages would "happily" read Cason Ellis' Home "again and again and again". She says:

"I've been trying to come up with why I like this book so much in spite of its not following the formula I traditionally like, and I think it comes down to this: it took something so basic and familiar but made me think about it in a new way."  

Jennifer Wharton from Jean Little Library is "completely in love with" a new series of board books, Carol Thompson's Whatever the Weather series from Child's Play. She says: 

"These are the perfect addition to your board book section; they would work well as read-alouds for a small lapsit storytime or one-on-one reading. The diverse cast is just one more bonus for these delightful books that toddlers are sure to love. Highly recommended."

Middle Grade:

Katie Fitzgerald from Story Time Secrets declares that Moonpenny Island by Tricia Springstubb "is already (her) pick for the 2016 Newbery Award." She adds:

"this one is a true masterpiece ... There are so many small, salient moments that are just perfectly described. Each word is chosen with such care, and the details are delivered with such precision that you almost miss how brilliant they are." 

At Wands and Worlds, Sheila Ruth reviews Smek for President by Adam Rex (sequel to The True Meaning of Smekday, of course). She says:

"Science fiction for kids is rare enough; truly funny middle-grade science fiction is even rarer... this is a perfect middle-grade book, and fans of The True Meaning of Smekday will love it. Anyone who hasn't readThe True Meaning of Smekday would be well served to read it first." 

At Sprout's Bookshelf, Mary Kinser raves about The Crossover by Kwame Alexander (winner of this year's Newbery Medal), saying: 

"tonight's pick is one that will appeal to both boys who love to read and those who don't, and to pretty much anyone who enjoys a well-told, fast-paced story."

Young Adult:

Jennifer Donovan from 5 Minutes for Books likes Girl Online by Zoe Sugg, a book with an "awkwardly lovable" main character. She says:

"I loved so much about this book. It was funny and sweet and magical with just the right amount of teen angst and drama, but it’s not completely lightweight chick lit for teens. Like so much wonderful YA lit does, it also touches on issues that are so real to many teenagers today such as cyber-bullying, anxiety and panic attacks." 

Kelly Jensen from Stacked calls No Parking at the End Times by Bryan Bliss "a knock out". She says: 

"This is a tightly-written, engaging read and would make for an excellent next read for those who love Sara Zarr, especially Once Was Lost. Pass this along, too, to those readers who loved Blake Nelson'sThe Prince of Venice Beach -- the depictions of homelessness are worth looking at together -- and/or Melissa Walker's Small Town Sinners." 

Tasha Saecker from Waking Brain Cells finds Prairie Fire by E. K. Johnston "superb". She says:

"A riveting read with a powerful ending that I am working hard not to spoil in the least. This novel is beautifully written, bravely done and purely epic. Appropriate for ages 14-17."

At Bookshelves of Doom, Leila Roy links to her Kirkus Review of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli, saying: "OH MY GOD I LOVED IT SO MUCH". Her conclusion in the full review of this young adult romance is:

"T’S A HUG IN A BOOK. DO NOT MISS IT."

Closing Thoughts:

I'm a bit heavy on young adult titles this week, for some reason, but there are lots of titles that look personally interesting to me (especially The Crossover, which I really must read soon). I hope that those of you stopping by here will find titles that pique your interest. 

Two other notes about these review excerpts:

1. If I have quoted from one of your reviews, and you prefer that I not do so in the future, just let me know. No worries.
2. The book covers that I have included beside each blurb include my personal Amazon affiliate ID. If you don't want your reviews to be included in future because of this, just let me know. 

Please let me know what you think of this new feature!

© 2015 by Jennifer Robinson of Jen Robinson's Book Page. All rights reserved. You can also follow me @JensBookPage or at my Growing Bookworms page on Facebook. This site is an Amazon affiliate, and purchases made through affiliate links (including linked book covers) may result in my receiving a small commission (at no additional cost to you).