Books

WHERE THE BLACK FLOWERS BLOOM

Clarion Books • Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

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A gripping, richly imagined fantasy set in an alternate ancient African world in which a Black girl finds her power and saves her people from evil, by the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award-winning author of Black Panther: The Young Prince.

In the land of Alkebulan, twelve-year-old Asha is an orphan, raised by Madame S, the proprietor of a traveling carnival. When Madame S is attacked by ghoulish creatures, she manages to tell Asha before she dies, “Seek the Underground Kingdom, where the black flowers bloom.”

Asha doesn’t understand the mysterious words, but they launch her onto a page-turning quest to protect her people and stop an ancient evil. Along the way, she uncovers shocking secrets about the family she never knew and begins to find her place in the world as she discovers her own untapped powers.

BLACK PANTHER: UPRISING

Disney • Marvel Press

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Can T’Challa and his friends stop Tafari before the leaders of Wakanda are trapped forever?

When T’Challa gets special permission to have his friends from America, Sheila and Zeke, come to Wakanda, he can’t wait to show them his home for a change. But their tour is brought to a halt when one of T’Challa’s peers, Tafari, summons dark forces in order to return Wakanda to the “old ways” before Vibranium was discovered. Tafari manages to banish the King and Queen along with all the tribal elders to an alternate dimension in exchange for the Originator’s release, leaving Wakanda vulnerable and unprotected.


BLACK PANTHER: SPELLBOUND

Disney • Marvel Press

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I’m T’Challa. The Prince of Wakanda. Son of T’Chaka. And one day, I will wear the mantle.

Thirteen-year-old T’Challa can’t wait to go back to America to visit his friends Sheila and Zeke, who are staying with Sheila’s grandmother in Beaumont, a small Alabama town, over their summer break. He’s thrilled to be on vacation away from his duties as the Prince of Wakanda for a few weeks, and he’s taking full advantage of his access to the amazing food and the South’s rich history.

But as T’Challa continues to explore the town, he finds that a man who goes by the ordinary name of Bob happens to be everywhere he is–and T’Challa begins to think it’s no coincidence.

When residents of the town begin flocking to Bob’s strange message, and a prominent citizen disappears, the Young Prince has no choice but to intervene.

T’Challa and his friends start to do their own sleuthing, and before long, the three teens find themselves caught in a plot involving a rare ancient book and a man who’s not as he seems.

Swept up in a fight against an unexpected and evil villain, T’Challa, Sheila, and Zeke must band together to save the people of Beaumont . . . before it’s too late.


GLOOM TOWN

Clarion Books • Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

A Junior Library Guild Selection

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A delightfully creepy novel from a Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award winner imbued with magic and seafaring mythology. Lemony Snicket and Jessica Townsend meet Greenglass House, with a hint of Edward Gorey thrown in. 

When twelve-year-old Rory applies for a job at a spooky old mansion in his gloomy seaside town, he finds the owner, Lord Foxglove, odd and unpleasant. But he and his mom need the money, so he takes the job anyway. Rory soon finds out that his new boss is not just strange, he’s not even human—and he’s trying to steal the townspeople’s shadows. Together, Rory and his friend Isabella set out to uncover exactly what Foxglove and his otherworldly accomplices are planning and devise a strategy to defeat them. But can two kids defeat a group of ancient evil beings who are determined to take over the world?

Praise For Gloom Town

“A yarn as full of magic and intrigue as any fairy tale or pirate song.”  Kirkus
…the intriguing characters, eerie moments, and lurking peril prove a winning combination.” —Publishers Weekly

The Owls Have Come

THE OWLS HAVE COME TO TAKE US AWAY

Clarion Books • Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

A Junior Library Guild Selection

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In this delightfully creepy novel from Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award winner Ronald L. Smith, twelve-year-old Simon thinks he was abducted by aliens. But is it real, or just his over-active imagination? Perfect for fans of Mary Downing Hahn and Louis Sachar.

Twelve-year-old Simon is obsessed with aliens. The ones who take people and do experiments. When he’s too worried about them to sleep, he listens to the owls hoot outside. Owls that have the same eyes as aliens—dark and foreboding.

Then something strange happens on a camping trip, and Simon begins to suspect he’s been abducted. But is it real, or just the overactive imagination of a kid who loves fantasy and role-playing games and is the target of bullies and his father’s scorn?

Even readers who don’t believe in UFOs will relate to the universal kid feeling of not being taken seriously by adults that deepens this deliciously scary tale from an award-winning author.

Praise For The Owls Have Come to Take Us Away

“I hugged this book last night because I love Simon so much.” —Erin Entrada Kelly, Newbery Award-winning author of Hello, Universe

“Smith (Hoodoo, 2015) continues to be one of the most distinct and impressive voices in middle-grade speculative fiction right now.”–Booklist

“An eerie and layered tale with a main character to which young readers will relate.”–School Library Journal

“CSK/Steptoe Award–winning author Smith (Hoodoo, rev. 9/15) crafts a tightly plotted novel full of suspense and compassion with a climax that will chill readers straight to the bone.”–The Horn Book Magazine

“A middle-grade X-Files primer.”–Kirkus

“The touching efficacy of this novel is in its showing rather than telling of a boy with the weight of multiple worlds—whether through the media or family or his own mind—placed squarely on his small shoulders.”–The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books 


THE HERO NEXT DOOR

Crown Books for Young Readers • We Need Diverse Books

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From We Need Diverse Books, the organization behind Flying Lessons & Other Stories, comes another middle-grade short story collection–this one focused on exploring acts of bravery–featuring some of the best own-voices children’s authors, including R. J. Palacio (Wonder), Rita Williams-Garcia (One Crazy Summer), Linda Sue Park (A Long Walk to Water), and many more.

Not all heroes wear capes. Some heroes teach martial arts. Others talk to ghosts. A few are inventors or soccer players. They’re also sisters, neighbors, and friends. Because heroes come in many shapes and sizes. But they all have one thing in common: they make the world a better place. 

Published in partnership with We Need Diverse Books, this vibrant anthology features thirteen acclaimed authors whose powerful and diverse voices show how small acts of kindness can save the day. So pay attention, because a hero could be right beside you. Or maybe the hero is you.

AUTHORS INCLUDE: William Alexander, Joseph Bruchac, Lamar Giles, Mike Jung, Hena Khan, Juana Medina, Ellen Oh, R. J. Palacio, Linda Sue Park and Anna Dobbin, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Ronald L. Smith, Rita Williams-Garcia, and short-story contest winner Suma Subramaniam. 

PRAISE FOR The Hero Next Door

“A stellar collection that, in celebrating heroes, helps readers find the universal in the specific.” Kirkus Reviews starred review 


BlackPanther_cvr

BLACK PANTHER: THE YOUNG PRINCE

Disney • Marvel Press

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Black Panther. Ruler of Wakanda. Avenger.

This is his destiny. But right now, he’s simply T’Challa-the young prince.

Life is comfortable for twelve-year-old T’Challa in his home of Wakanda, an isolated, technologically advanced African nation. When he’s not learning how to rule a kingdom from his father-the reigning Black Panther-or testing out the latest tech, he’s off breaking rules with his best friend, M’Baku. But as conflict brews near Wakanda, T’Challa’s father makes a startling announcement: he’s sending T’Challa and M’Baku to school in America.

This is no prestigious private academy-they’ve been enrolled at South Side Middle School in the heart of Chicago. Despite being given a high-tech suit and a Vibranium ring to use only in case of an emergency, T’Challa realizes he might not be as equipped to handle life in America as he thought. Especially when it comes to navigating new friendships while hiding his true identity as the prince of a powerful nation, and avoiding Gemini Jones, a menacing classmate who is rumored to be involved in dark magic.

When strange things begin happening around school, T’Challa sets out to uncover the source. But what he discovers in the process is far more sinister than he could ever have imagined. In order to protect his friends and stop an ancient evil, T’Challa must take on the mantle of a hero, setting him on the path to becoming the Black Panther.

PRAISE FOR Black Panther: The Young Prince

“A new king of adventure is crowned.”―Eoin Colfer, best-selling author of the Artemis Fowl series

An entertaining thrill that leaves readers wanting more.”―Kirkus Reviews
“Energetic, fast-paced, and adventurous, this volume will keep readers riveted…A must-purchase for all collections.”―School Library Journal
“Smith has created a riveting tale about the young Black Panther, just in time for his new Marvel movie… A page turner with mystery, intrigue, secret societies, and typical middle school social life.”―School Library Connection


mesmerist

THE MESMERIST

Clarion Books • Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Spiritualism—communicating with the dead—is all the rage in England, and thirteen-year-old Jessamine Grace and her mother make a living bringing messages from beyond to their wealthy clients. It’s all a sham, of course, until the day Jess discovers that she really does have otherworldly powers.

Soon, she is plunged into the dark world of London’s supernatural underbelly. The city is under attack by ghouls and monsters, and Jess is invited to join a secret society of kids with talents like her own. Together, they must conquer a powerful malevolent force that lurks much closer to home than she ever imagined. She’ll just have to transform from the well-mannered middle class girl she’s always been into a brave fighter first.

Tinged with faerie magic and set amid the bustle and grime of Victorian London, this chilling tale from the award-winning author of Hoodoo will enthrall fans of middle grade horror and supernatural fiction.

PRAISE FOR THE MESMERIST

“This tale, though not for the faint at heart, is certain to please young horror fans.”—Publishers Weekly

“Smith continues to display a deft mastery of worldbuilding and creepy, atmospheric plotting. A gripping tale enhanced by a convincingly detailed setting and drawing on classic fantasy memes.”—Kirkus

“Smith has a knack for creating memorable bad guys, and the demonic necromancer and his minion ghouls may be creepy enough to spur readers forward.”—Bulletin

“For kids who relish some blood and gore, this should fill the slot.”—Booklist


Hoodoo_hres

HOODOO

Clarion Books • Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Winner of the 2016 Coretta Scott King New Author Award

Cooperative Children’s Book Center Best of Year List

Junior Library Guild Selection

2016 ILA Intermediate Fiction Award from the International Literacy Association

Twelve-year-old Hoodoo Hatcher was born into a family with a rich tradition of practicing folk magic: hoodoo, as most people call it. But even though his name is Hoodoo, he can’t seem to cast a simple spell. When a mysterious man called the Stranger comes to town, Hoodoo starts dreaming of the dead rising from their graves.

Even worse, he soon learns the Stranger is looking for a boy. Not just any boy. A boy named Hoodoo. The entire town is at risk from the Stranger’s black magic, and only Hoodoo can defeat him. He’ll just need to learn how to conjure first. Set amid the swamps, red soil, and sweltering heat of small town Alabama in the 1930s, Hoodoo is infused with a big dose of creepiness leavened with gentle humor.

Praise for Hoodoo

“The authenticity of Hoodoo’s voice and this distinctive mashup of genres make Smith one to watch. Seekers of the scary and “something different” need look no further.”
—Kirkus

“The chilling supernatural Southern Gothic plot action is enhanced by atmospheric description of rural life in Depression-era Alabama…Readers will particularly enjoy Hoodoo’s authentic and engaging narrative voice.”
—School Library Journal

“Hoodoo’s first-person narrative, which flows beautifully, has an appealing and natural cadence…Through his protagonist, Smith demonstrates an eye for detail and a knack for evocative imagery as well as for telling a riveting story with a dollop of southern gothic appeal.”
—Booklist

“Filled with folk and religious symbols, this creepy Southern Gothic ghost story is steeped in time and place. Hoodoo’s earnest first-person narrative reveals a believable innocent who can ’cause deeds great and powerful.’”
—Horn Book Magazine

“What a splendid novel. Reader, be prepared to have your foundations shaken: this is a world that is deeper, more wondrous, more spiritually charged than you may have ever imagined.”
—Gary D. Schmidt, National Book Award finalist and author of the Newbery and Printz Honor book Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy

“I loved this book. Told by a narrator you won’t soon forget, it is filled with myth and legend, danger and bravery. Hoodoo is pure folk magic, if you didn’t know.”
Keith Donohue, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Child and The Boy Who Drew Monsters

“Oh, wow! Hoodoo may just be the perfect book for a rainy day. Find a dog that will sit with you … and read on ’til your heart’s content. What a fun discovery!”
—Nikki Giovanni, poet

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