New Crayons: What's New On Our Shelves

Remember when you were a kid and getting new crayons was a big deal? Getting new books holds the same kind of magic for some of us big kids. Every week on Sunday, I post what's new in our box. I think crayons is a pretty cool metaphor for multicultural lit. Every week we receive a book is a good week.

This week we have donations and one Woodson gem I picked up on trade:

First up, Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. I first heard of the author at The Brown Book Shelf. The publisher sent this to me for review. I love the cover and I have a neighbor who I think would be a great reviewer. I'll let you know what D thinks.
"Nelson's well-researched biography reads much like a tall tale or frontier legend...Christie's bold full-page paintings echo the heroic spirit...Here, children can saddle up with a genuine Western hero in a narrative that hits the bull's-eye." Kirkus Reviews

Ash by Malinda Lo. This was donated by Jodie. I finally reviewed the title at Black-Eyed Susan's.
I am not sure if Lo anticipated a reader like me who would see a love triangle, one that is complex and unsatisfying. Despite Sidhean’s feelings (won’t debate the magic) for her, there is the inequality of power; the inequality in part speaks to what love is not while the slow, mutual desire building between Ash and Kaisa represents what love can be. See full review.



Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson. Enough said. Okay, Evelyn and I are on a mission to read Woodson's entire collection. I've read about half. When I saw this at Paperback Swap, it was a no-brainer, but since I already read this, this lovely hard cover edition will be listed in the Prize Bucket.
This is the perfect book for parents to read along with their children and discuss. The age, gender, race, religion or non-religion of the reader doesn't matter, despite that of the characters. What matters, above all else, is the idea of hope and how it fits into our lives, how we let it fit into our lives. See full review at books4yourkids.

What did you get in the mail, at the bookstore or the library?

Happy reading.