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By Kim Spencer. 2022
By Sarah Everett. 2023
“One of the best books I have read this year (maybe ever).” —Colby Sharp, Nerdy Book ClubNPR Books We Love…
2023 | Publishers Weekly Best of 2023 | Winner of the Governor General's Literary Awards for Young People's LiteratureA heart-wrenching middle grade debut about Kemi, an aspiring scientist who loves statistics and facts, as she navigates grief and loss at a moment when life as she knows it changes forever.Eleven-year-old Kemi Carter loves scientific facts, specifically probability. It's how she understands the world and her place in it. Kemi knows her odds of being born were 1 in 5.5 trillion and that the odds of her having the best family ever were even lower. Yet somehow, Kemi lucked out.But everything Kemi thought she knew changes when she sees an asteroid hover in the sky, casting a purple haze over her world. Amplus-68 has an 84.7% chance of colliding with earth in four days, and with that collision, Kemi’s life as she knows it will end.But over the course of the four days, even facts don’t feel true to Kemi anymore. The new town she moved to that was supposed to be “better for her family” isn’t very welcoming. And Amplus-68 is taking over her life, but others are still going to school and eating at their favorite diner like nothing has changed. Is Kemi the only one who feels like the world is ending?With the days numbered, Kemi decides to put together a time capsule that will capture her family’s truth: how creative her mother is, how inquisitive her little sister can be, and how much Kemi's whole world revolves around her father. But no time capsule can change the truth behind all of it, that Kemi must face the most inevitable and hardest part of life: saying goodbye."My heart hurt as I raced through the last chapters of this unique book that shines a light on family, friends, grief, and love." —Lisa Yee, author of Maizy Chen's Last ChanceBy Larry Watson. 2013
The celebrated author of Montana 1948 (over 400,000 copies sold) returns to the American West in this riveting tale of…
familial love and its unexpected consequences.Dalton, North Dakota. It's September 1951: years since George and Margaret Blackledge lost their son James when he was thrown from a horse; months since his widow Lorna took off with their only grandson and married Donnie Weboy. Margaret is steadfast, resolved to find and retrieve her grandson Jimmy - the one person in this world keeping James's memory alive - while George, a retired sheriff, is none too eager to stir up trouble. Unable to sway his wife from her mission, George takes to the road with Margaret by his side, traveling through the Dakota badlands to Gladstone, Montana. When Margaret tries to convince Lorna to return home to North Dakota and bring little Jimmy with her, the Blackledges find themselves entangled with the entire Weboy clan, who are determined not to give up the boy without a fight. From the author who brought us Montana 1948, Let Him Go is pitch-perfect, gutsy, and unwavering. Larry Watson is at his storytelling finest in this unforgettable return to the American West.By Reid Psaltis, Dan Berne. 2014
Family means everything to widowed Alaskan fisherman Ray Bancroft, raising his granddaughter with help from a multitude of gods and…
goddesses-not to mention rituals ad-libbed at sea by his half-Tlingit best friend. But statues and otter bone ceremonies aren't enough when Ray's estranged daughter returns from prison, her search for a safe harbor threatening everything he holds sacred.By Marianne Richmond. 2011
Mom and dad told me I am going to be a big sister. "No thanks," I said. "We already have…
me. "Such may be the funny and truthful sentiment of a "big-sister-to-be" upon hearing the announcement of a new sibling. A baby brings changes for the entire family – some unexpected, some confusing, some exciting – and all a wonderful adventure! An endearing story, Big Sister recounts the humorous journey – and happy ending – of one spirited little girl's experience with her expanding family.By Margo Catts. 2017
For fans of authors like Barbara Kingsolver and Leif Enger, a stunning new voice in contemporary literary fiction."Tragedy and blessing.…
Leave them alone long enough, and it gets real hard to tell them apart." Elena Alvarez is living a cursed life. From the deadly fire she accidentally set as a child, to her mother's abandonment, and now to an unwanted pregnancy, she knows better than most that small actions can have terrible consequences. Driven to the high mountains surrounding Leadville, Colorado by her latest bad decision, she's intent on putting off the future. Perhaps there she can just hide in her grandmother's isolated cabin and wait for something–anything–to make her next choice for her. But instead of escape, she finds reminders of her own troubles reflected from every side–the recent widower and his two children adrift in a changed world, Elena's own mysterious family history, and the interwoven lives within the town itself. Bit by bit, Elena begins to reconsider her role in the tragedies she's held on to and the wounds she's refused to let heal. But then, in a single afternoon, when threads of cause and effect tangle, Elena's fragile new peace is torn apart. It's only at the prospect of fresh loss and blame that she will discover the truth of the terrible burdens we take upon ourselves, the way tragedy and redemption are inevitably bound together–and how curses can sometimes lead to blessings, however disguised.By Tom Jellett, Ezekiel Kwaymullina. 2017
This dad is not like other dads. He is not good at:Mowing the lawn,Getting his children to school on time,Baking…
cakes,Fixing a leaky faucet, orRemembering bed timeBut, he is good at:Making mazes,Getting his children to school eventually,Eating cakes,Making bubble baths, andTelling bedtime stories.And this is what makes him so special.With bright illustrations from award-winning illustrator Tom Jellett and minimal text by award-nominated Ezekiel Kwaymullina, My Amazing Dad celebrates the unconventional father who may not always get it right but certainly knows how to turn every day into something special.Sky Pony Press, with our Good Books, Racehorse and Arcade imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of books for young readers-picture books for small children, chapter books, books for middle grade readers, and novels for young adults. Our list includes bestsellers for children who love to play Minecraft; stories told with LEGO bricks; books that teach lessons about tolerance, patience, and the environment, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.By Miguel Tanco. 2019
The joy of being a mom is palpable in this touching tribute to parenthood. Whimsical illustrations capture the poignant moments…
that make motherhood so special: pinning up a daughter's hair, getting messy during playtime, reading quietly side by side, and, above all, cherishing precious moments together. Bright pops of Pantone coral infuse each spread, and a cloth spine adds an irresistible specialness. At once a treasured Mother's Day gift and a year-round "I love you," this book will delight parents and children in a celebration of a supremely meaningful relationship. This lovely testament to the inimitable mother/daughter bond goes straight to the heart.By Brett Paesel. 2019
In this brilliant, laugh-out-loud satire, image-conscious parents on a Beverly Hills junior soccer team struggle to keep up appearances as…
their private lives careen out of control. "You'll wince, laugh out loud, relate to, and relish this unsparing satirical send up."---Wednesday Martin, New York Times bestselling author Coach Randy is working mightily to keep it together, and not simply with his vaguely unhappy wife, distant child, and a new boss who's eliminating half the sales force. This season's soccer parents are a demanding bunch. Diane's wine-fueled group e-mails are almost unintelligible; team mom Jacqui's enthusiasm for the league verges on manic; a divorced couple can barely conceal their murderous rage at each other; and another mom is laser-focused on schooling everyone on what constitutes a healthy snack option. All the secrets and lies bubbling below the surface of their membrane-thin civility threaten to combust when Alejandro, a young, foreign assistant coach refuses to play by the Beverly Hills code, which is to mind your own business and don't look too deeply into anyone's soul. Especially your own. Brett Paesel brings hilarity and huge heart to a world that looks enviable and shiny on the outside but is, in truth, filled with aching for connection on the inside. In the vein of Perotta and Semple, everyday life in Paesel's deft rendering is anything but.'Absolutely loved this book' 5* NetGalley ReviewerIs there anything you wouldn't do for your children? Obviously be a parent governor…
and chair the PTA. But what about slander and manipulation? Dabble in a bit of hit and run? And, if necessary, how about murder? You think your school run is tough? After her unoriginal husband leaves her for his secretary, Beverley finds herself facing a life she hadn't planned for. Now a single mum forced to send her children to the failing local primary school, her children's carefully crafted futures now lie in the hands of incompetent teachers and bullying playground mums. Desperate to save her children from this situation Beverley sets out to make Harper Hill the best school it can be, but even the best laid plans go awry. Thankfully Beverley isn't afraid to take matters into her own hands - but how far is she really willing to go to fight for her children's future? If you want something done right, do it yourself.THE RULES1) Try to sleep when the baby sleeps. (SO NEVER. EVER. UNTIL YOU ARE AN EMPTY WINE-SOAKED HUSK AND…
FALL DOWN DEAD IN THE BABY AISLE AT TESCO)2) Try to eat when the baby sleeps. (SEE POINT ABOVE)3) Try to get basic household chores done when the baby sleeps. (ABOVE!!)4) Batch cook food and freeze in individual portions for easy re-heating. (OR DELIVEROO . . . WITH WINE. AND CRYING)5) Try hiring a cleaner to take the pressure off. (OR JUST USE BABY WIPES)6) Take time to shower or bathe in the evenings when you can leave the baby with your partner. (OR JUST USE BABY WIPES)7) Make tea or coffee in the Thermos so it stays hot. (WHAT IS THIS 'HOT' OFWHICH YOU SPEAK?!)8) Don't be afraid to ask for help, or ask people to leave. (COMMUNICATION VIA WHATSAPP ONLY)9) Remember to look after and take time for yourself. (AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA)After a tough pregnancy, Emily is determined to tackle motherhood like a pro. But she quickly learns that Insta-Perfect-Parenting (and sleep) is hard to come by, no matter how much money you spend in Mothercare. Irritatingly, her friend Molly seems to be breezing it. But with a business venture as well as a baby, is she taking on too much?Liz looks as though she might have it all worked out. But when a tragedy derails her new relationship, she has some serious decisions to make. Celebrating female friendship, the highs and lows of motherhood, and the lifesaving power of a jumperoo, THE MUMMY LESSONS follows a year of highs and lows for Emily, Molly and Liz as they learn the hardest lesson of all: life doesn't always follow the rules . . .***********What readers are saying about Helen Wallen's BABY BOOM!'Funny, sweet, real and relatable. Couldn't put it down.''Hilarious, witty and so easy to get lost in! This book shows the real life before and after your baby has been born!''Loved it! Great read for mums and dads who want to keep it real!''If you've had kids, you'll laugh out loud!''Fantastic!!! I couldn't put this book down'By Kathryn Wallace. 2020
***** Utterly hysterical - NetGalley Reader***** Brilliant... Funny, touching and modern... just amazing - NetGalley ReaderThank god for back to…
school at the end of the summer!The kids are back at school after a long summer. Gemma and Becky can finally breathe a huge sigh of relief and reach for the gin bottle.Except it seems that Becky is accidentally a little bit pregnant...But that's not the first shock for the parents in the playground. Over the summer, part of their beloved Redcoats Primary has burned down. The school needs to raise thousands of pounds to stay open - and Gemma and Becky have been forced on to the fundraising committee (just to add to the millions of messages from their online parent groups).In year that will see new babies for Becky, new schools and a whole new business for Gemma, can they keep their heads above water and find that they're #winningatlife?Readers love Kathryn Wallace:***** I have been a mum at the school gates and the observations in this book are spot on. I shall be recommending it to all the school mums I know - NetGalley Reader**** A perfect read to snort with laughter over whilst lying in a bath with a glass of bubbles (if you can get the kids to stay out of the bathroom for long enough)! - NetGalley Reader**** Kathryn Wallace has Absolutely Smashed It with this novel. I loved it and couldn't put it down... had me properly laughing out loud several times - NetGalley Reader**** This will make you giggle about life as a parent where we are all spinning plates of different sizes and at different speeds. I would recommend wholeheartedly to fellow friends who are also spinning their own plates! - NetGalley Reader***** A hilariously, honest, open, recognisable and highly relatable story - NetGalley Reader***** A light hearted but honest look at mummies, yummy mummies and can't quite manage everything mummies - NetGalley ReaderBy Tiffany McDaniel. 2020
'Breahtaking'Vogue'So engrossing! Betty is a page-turning Appalachian coming-of-age story steeped in Cherokee history, told in undulating prose that settles right…
into you'Naoise Dolan, Sunday Times bestselling author of Exciting Times 'I felt consumed by this book. I loved it, you will love it' Daisy Johnson, Booker Prize shortlisted author of Everthing Under'I loved Betty: I fell for its strong characters and was moved by the story it portrayed' Fiona Mozley, Booker Prize shortlisted author of Elmet 'A girl comes of age against the knife.' So begins the story of Betty Carpenter. Born in a bathtub in 1954 to a Cherokee father and white mother, Betty is the sixth of eight siblings. The world they inhabit is one of poverty and violence - both from outside the family and also, devastatingly, from within. When her family's darkest secrets are brought to light, Betty has no choice but to reckon with the brutal history hiding in the hills, as well as the heart-wrenching cruelties and incredible characters she encounters in her rural town of Breathed, Ohio.Despite the hardship she faces, Betty is resilient. Her curiosity about the natural world, her fierce love for her sisters and her father's brilliant stories are kindling for the fire of her own imagination, and in the face of all she bears witness to, Betty discovers an escape: she begins to write.A heartbreaking yet magical story, Betty is a punch-in-the-gut of a novel - full of the crushing cruelty of human nature and the redemptive power of words. 'Not a story you will soon forget' Karen Joy Fowler, Booker Prize shortlisted author of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves 'Shot through with moonshine, Bible verses, and folklore, Betty is about the cruelty we inflict on one another, the beauty we still manage to find, and the stories we tell in order to survive' Eowyn Ivey, author of The Snow ChildBy David M. Barnett. 2018
'The characters jump right off the page and into your heart.' Reader reviewFrom the bestselling author of CALLING MAJOR TOM…
comes a heartwarming comedy about unlikely friendships and community. Fans of The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes by Ruth Hogan, The Man I Think I Know by Mike Gayle, The Map of Us by Jules Preston, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, and Checking Out by Nick Spalding will love this. Nineteen-year-old Jennifer is regretting her hasty move into Sunset Promenade, an unusual retirement home taking in students to save money. Despite their differences in age, Jennifer and the older residents thrive and embark on a series of new adventures. But when Sunset Promenade is threatened with closure, cracks begin to show, and this quirky group of friends must work together to save their home. The Growing Pains of Jennifer Ebert, aged 19 going on 91 is a funny, warm and uplifting novel about the importance of friendship, the value of community, and how it's never too late to have the time of your life... 'I loved every word of this book and would advise people take an afternoon off, find a comfy spot and lose yourself for a few hours in the world of Sunset Promenade.' Reader review Readers are loving The Growing Pains of Jennifer Ebert 'Brilliant page turner' 'this is a lovely book' 'a really good read' 'a wonderful story' ******************* Previously published as The Lonely Hearts Cinema ClubBy Alison Walsh. 2018
As children, Emmett and Daisy were inseparable. Until Daisy announced that she'd seen her mum kissing Emmett's dad. They haven't…
seen each other since, but Emmett often thinks about her -- where she is, what she's doing, and if she ever thinks about him.Now almost thirty, Emmett has just begun a fresh chapter in London so he can spend weekends with his seven-year-old daughter, whose existence he only recently discovered. Things are off to a bumpy start -- he's not quite sure he's the father Misty expected -- but they're finding their way.And then, one day, in a dusty local bookshop, he sees her -- Daisy -- and the spark that never died brightens. But it's not long before the situation becomes very complex indeed and Emmett is torn between telling the truth and risking a blossoming new relationship -- or two...The Weekend Dad is a heartwarming story of friendship, parenthood, love and what it is to be good enough.By Justine Delaney Wilson. 2018
Every act has a consequence. Every marriage has a breaking point.Beth Rogers and her family have settled well into their…
new life in New Zealand, far from the stifling containment of the life they knew at home in Ireland.Everything is idyllic.The children are happy and settled. Beth's marriage to Steve, and their love for each other, seems solid. Until a bombshell lands, in the form of a letter Steve receives from a woman from his past. In the envelope is a photograph of a three-year-old girl -- Beth and Steve's papered-over past has caught up with them, in the shape of this child ...Beth forgave Steve once before -- can she do it again? Does Steve want her to?Listen for the Weather is the story of a marriage. It's a story about consequences. And how we make our own weather.By Daniela Sacerdoti. 2017
From the bestselling author of The Italian Villa and Watch Over Me, a breathtaking love story set on the beautiful…
island of Seal. Perfect for anyone who loves Fiona Valpy and Lily Graham.'Atmospheric, romantic and compelling. Daniela writes with huge warmth and sincerity' Rosanna LeyCan a tiny Scottish island bring a heart back to life.. and offer a second chance at love?When Anna's partner walks away from their relationship, she is shattered. But it is her little girl Ava who takes it hardest of all, falling silent for three days. When she does finally speak, Ava talks about a new place - a small island of beauty, salt and sea in the Western Scottish Isles. In search of a new start, Anna and Ava embark on a journey to the remote and gorgeous Island of Seal. Falling in love with the locals and the landscape, could Seal offer the second chance they both need? Readers have been raving about Keep Me Safe:'A brilliant read. Love Daniela's books. *****' A reader'My book of the year. Highly recommended' A reader'I've already read Daniela's Glen Avich books and loved them but this one surpassed them' A reader'I could almost hear the sea and the wind. A great book' Lesley Pearse'I couldn't put it down' Daily Mail'Astoundingly good' The Sun'I fell in love with this book' Prima magazine'Heartwarming and mysterious' Katie Fforde'A mysterious journey to Seal, a place I already want to revisit' Dani Atkins'Exciting and emotional. I'm thrilled to find this is the first in a new series' Linda's Book BagBy Sophie Jackson. 2016
A Measure of Love is the fifth title in the A Pound of Flesh series from fan-fiction superstar Sophie Jackson.From…
the fanfic phenomenon whose debut A Pound of Flesh had over 4.5 million reads. Fans of Samantha Young, Jodi Ellen Malpas, Jamie McGuire, Katy Evans and Prison Break will find Sophie Jackson's powerful love stories utterly addictive and unforgettable. Can true love heal the deepest scars?Riley Moore: Ex-con Riley Moore never forgot the pain of losing his first love. But he doesn't hesitate to return to Michigan when his family needs him - even though it's inevitable he'll see the girl who broke his heart.Lexie Pierce: Lexie has a secret she's hidden from Riley for five years. As much as she wants to reconnect with him, she doesn't know if he will ever be able to forgive her when he finds out. Yet when they meet again, memories of their love burn as brightly as ever, despite the pain they both suffered. Can they finally overcome the sorrow of the past and share their life together?Loyalty. Redemption. All-consuming love against the odds. Prepare to fall for the powerful storytelling of Sophie Jackson. Check out the whole A Pound of Flesh series: A Pound of Flesh, Love and Always, An Ounce of Hope, Fate and Forever and A Measure of Love.By Alison Walsh. 2015
'A powerful story ... Walsh shows an innate understanding of people's lives, and the emotional truths that underpin them' Kathleen…
MacMahonIt hadn't been Rosie's idea - a 'quaint' wedding at her childhood home in the Irish countryside. Nevertheless she finds herself back in Monasterard after a decade away, with her American fiancé on her arm and a smile fixed to her face.As expected, the welcome from her siblings isn't exactly warm. Mary-Pat, the one who practically raised Rosie, is avoiding her. June is preoccupied with maintaining the illusion of her perfect family. And Pius, who still counts the years since their mother left, is hiding from the world. Each of them is struggling with the weight of things unsaid.In the end, it's their father who, on the day of Rosie's wedding, exposes what has remained hidden for so long. And as the O'Connor siblings piece together the secrets at the heart of their family, they begin to forgive the woman who abandoned them all those years ago.By Kelli Maine. 2014
Return to the irresistibly seductive setting of Turtle Tear Island in this sexy new novel in Kelli Maine's bestselling Give…
& Take series.POSSESSION: For Merrick and Rachael, Turtle Tear Island has become their own private paradise. But their happiness is shattered when Merrick's daughter, Nadia, suddenly becomes increasingly demanding of his time and devotion, forcing him to make an agonizing choice between the woman whose love saved his tortured soul, or the daughter he never knew existed...REVELATION: Rachael can't stand the thought of losing Merrick after everything she's sacrificed to be with him. She had thought that the passion that burned so brightly between them had forged an unbreakable connection, but now the love they've fought so desperately to protect may not be enough to save their relationship...Taken to paradise. Given to passion. Don't miss the rest of the spellbinding Give & Take series with Taken, No Takebacks, Taken By Storm and Take Me Back.