A+ Gifts for Teachers 🎁

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Hi, y'all!

How's it going? We're wrapping up our gift guide content in the coming week and dropped some of my favorite lists this week!

My top gift guide so far is this list of gifts for teachers. I LOVE that it's written by the educators on our team, and there are so many unique, customizable options.

I also wanted to give you a heads-up that this newsletter will take a short break from December 6 to January 2, 2025. Blog content will also slow down during that time so my team and I can take some time to read and recharge for another year of excellent recommendations!

In the meantime, we'll be sharing loads of great lists in the next few weeks, including a list of First Chapter Friday books for 5th graders, our 6-8 gift guide, and my best books of the year! Stay tuned.

Galley of the Week

This week's galley is...

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After reading and LOVING her YA debut, I was thrilled to receive an eARC of Jill Tew's forthcoming middle grade book, Kaya Morgan's Crowning Achievement. Here's the synopsis:

A vibrant and heart-warming novel about the unforgettable joys of the Renaissance Faire, overcoming grief through cherished memories, and remaining true to yourself—even in cosplay.

For as long as she could remember, Kaya Morgan has spent her summers with her dad at the greatest place on Earth: The Renaissance Faire. Full of performers cosplaying as thieving pirates, enchanting fairies, and courageous heroes, the Ren Faire has always been a place where anyone could be anything they wanted to be. And for as long as she could remember, Kaya and her dad have dreamed of her someday being named the first Black Queen of the Faire.

Unfortunately for the last two summers, Kaya has been known as something else: the girl with the dead dad. But she’s not going to let anyone stop her from taking her place as the Queen’s apprentice (the first step on her journey towards Queen). But when the role is given to the pretty and blonde Jessie, the only spot left for Kaya is the Court Jester (who doesn’t even come with a crown).

It's bad enough that it’s another summer at the Ren Faire without her dad, and that her family thinks her love of medieval times is weird. But with everyone around Kaya determined to put her in a role she doesn’t want to be in, Kaya must decide whether to hold onto her old dreams no matter what, or realize that it’s okay for new dreams to become reality.

New on YouTube

In my newest YouTube video, I'm sharing five exceptional historical fiction titles for grades 4-8!

WATCH THE VIDEO ▶️

Newsletter Book Giveaway

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This week, Candlewick Press is giving away Ferris by Kate DiCamillo. To enter, reply to this email indicating interest. The giveaway is US/Canada only and closes next Thursday, November 21, 2024, at midnight EST.

Last week's winner: Susan S. I'll be in touch shortly!

This Week on the Blog

Here's what you may have missed this week on the blog:

Gifts for parents who love to read
My review of The Other Side of Tomorrow, one of my favorite graphic novels this year!
Illustrated middle grade books (that aren't graphic novels)
UPDATED: My favorite middle grade historical fiction books (sorted by major historical time periods)
REPLAY: Gratitude picture books I love
An interview with author PJ Davis about his fantasy book Nemesis and the Vault of Lost Time
Bookish gift guide for teens ages 12+ (featuring fantasy, realistic fiction, and picks for teens who hate to read)

This Week on Patreon

This week, Patreon members received the above book list printables and my October reading recap, which non-members can purchase for $5.

🤩 If you're an upper elementary/middle school teacher or librarian lost with too many books to vet and too little time, our Patreon community is for you. On Patreon, I share a steady stream of recommendations, from monthly new release dispatches to my monthly reading recaps and teaching resources like discussion guides. Patreon members also get 10% off all author visits and free access to shop items!

CHECK OUT PATREON 🥳