How to Train Your Dad by Gary Paulsen

 How to Train Your Dad 
by Gary Paulsen
Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) 
Pub October 5, 2021

Paulsen's book is spot-on for teens who live in the normal USA, where big cities and subways are not part of the experience, making do with what they have, dealing with parents who have their own strong vision of what life should look like, and needing more room to grow into adulthood.

This is a young-adult version of the dry and often slapstick humor for which author Patrick McManus is well-known: life in all its glory and goof-ups.

The flavor of the narrative isn't for every YA or middle grade reader, but it will be just right for many. Thanks to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) for a chance to read an advance copy. Coming October 5, 2021.

The Man Who Died Twice

The Man Who Died Twice
Book 2 in the Thursday Murder Club series
by Richard Osman
PENGUIN GROUP Viking
Pub Date: 28 Sep 2021

Best book I've read so far in 2021!

The first in the series was a surprise pleasure: unexpectedly compelling. And this second release, due out 28 Sep 2021 from PENGUIN GROUP Viking, surpasses the first in intricate plotting, characters I appreciate and empathize with, and my wanting more, more more of this group at Cooper’s Chase, the posh retirement village.

It can't be easy for an author to continue to develop characters without changing the original qualities that made readers love them initially. But Osman manages that deftly. And the new faces he brings into the Thursday Murder Club circle make the story richer and more evocative.

Thanks to Penguin and #NetGalley for the chance to read ahead of the release date. I am excited to report that you'll want to get your hands on this second book about the TMC as soon as you can!

Time Villains

 

Time Villains 
by Victor Piñeiro
SOURCEBOOKS Kids
Pub Date 06 Jul 2021 

This is a fresh approach to adventure for middle graders!

This summer I have an opportunity to be a MG librarian for summer school, and I was looking for an engaging adventurous read-aloud for my 6th graders. This new release answered with its tales of surprise, family and friends, adventure, and challenges. It offers a unique plot set-up, one that quickly engaged those students who are already moderately (or more) engaged in school. I also appreciated the fresh vocabulary it offered, along with the unobtrusive clarifying phrases for that vocabulary.

A good read, and thanks to Sourcebooks Young Readers and #NetGalley for the chance to preview this strong entry in the MG catalog. Releasing July 6, 2021. Add it to your To Purchase list!

Tender Is the Bite (Chet and Bernie Mystery #11)

 

Tender Is the Bite (Chet and Bernie Mystery #11)
by Spencer Quinn
Forge Books (Pub Date 06 Jul 2021)

This eleventh release in the Chet and Bernie series is excellent: the plotting is smooth and polished, and the read is a compelling one. (These books are always the kryptonite to my to-read pile: Everything comes to a halt so I can dive into their latest story. This one runs true to that pattern.)

The usual (and better than usual) humor is evenly embedded, the characters and the crimes are those readers care about without being uncomfortably gritty, and Bernie's relationships continue intriguing -- but satisfying as well. Tender is the Bite ends with Bernie (and Chet) comfortably situated and just ready for the next great adventure that author Quinn will share (soon, one hopes). The over-all feel of this release is comfortable: enough good moments, satisfying relationships, bad-guys taken care of, and the reader leaves feeling good for/about Bernie and Chet.

Chet the very-good dog's side narrative provides focus for humor as well as for keen insight into the greater human drama of the story. (Was there more of that monologue than usual? No, couldn't have been. This is Spencer Quinn, one of the best human story tellers around after all. So forget that thought.)

This books stands alone as a fun read, but it will be much richer for those who have read the earlier books in the series. Forge Books releases this title July 6 - you can have it in your hands in two days! Such a great read. Thanks to Forge and NetGalley for the chance to read an advance release copy.