Splash into Summer with These Titles from Random House Children’s Books!

By Mary Van Akin of Random House Children’s Books
Published: June 29, 2012

Two long-awaited conclusions to bestselling series!

RAPTURE

By Lauren Kate

The long-awaited, astonishing conclusion to the FALLEN series is here! To stop Lucifer from erasing the past Luce and Daniel must find the place where the angels fell to earth. Dark forces are after them, and Daniel doesn’t know if he can do this–live only to lose Luce again and again. Yet together they will face an epic battle that will end with lifeless bodies and angel dust. Great sacrifices are made. Hearts are destroyed. And suddenly Luce knows what must happen. For she was meant to be with someone other than Daniel. The curse they’ve borne has always and only been about her–and the love she cast aside. The choice she makes now will be the only one that truly matters. In the fight for Luce, who will win?

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THE ENCHANTRESS

By Michael Scott

The sixth and final book in the New York Times bestselling Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel Series. This internationally known series introduces readers to legendary historical and mythological figures—weaving history, myth, folklore, and magic together seamlessly. The twins of prophecy have been split. Nicholas Flamel is near death. John Dee has the swords of power. And Danu Talis has yet to fall. The future of the human race lies in the balance–how will the legend end?

Delacortes Press | 978-0-385-73535-3 | May 22, 2012 | $18.99 | Ages 12 and up | 528 pages

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WONDER

By R.J. Palacio

An emotional and beautiful novel about being the new kid. August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school–until now. He’s about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you’ve ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie’s just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he’s just like them, despite appearances? R.J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is accessible to readers of all levels.

Picture Books

Caldecott Medal Winner

A BALL FOR DAISY

By Chris Raschka

A Caldecott Medal winner’s utterly simple, wordless ode to a dog. Here’s a story about love and loss as only Chris Raschka can tell it. Any child who has ever had a beloved toy break will relate to Daisy’s anguish when her favorite ball is destroyed by a bigger dog. In the tradition of his nearly wordless picture book Yo! Yes?, Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka explores in pictures the joy and sadness that having a special toy can bring. Raschka’s signature swirling, impressionistic illustrations and his affectionate story will particularly appeal to young dog lovers and teachers and parents who have children dealing with the loss of something special.

Schwartz & Wade Books | 978-0-375-85861-1 | $16.99 | Ages 3-7 | 32 pages

TRACTION MAN AND THE BEACH ODYSSEY

By Mini Grey

3 starred reviews!

“A wonderfully satirical, action-packed romp…ingeniously communicates the complete absorption of imaginative play.”

– Kirkus Reviews, starred

“Grey fills the spreads with color and action, providing plenty of high jinks and hilarious happenings.”

– School Library Journal, starred

“Here’s another standout from a popular franchise.”

– Booklist, starred

Traction Man is back, and he’s headed to the beach (in his Squid-Proof Scuba Suit, Lightweight Shorts, and Aquatic Air Tanks)! In this new and exciting Traction Man escapade, the can-do action toy and his faithful pet Scrubbing Brush are headed to the Wide Ocean. Adventure is on the horizon for our daring duo, along with new challenges–and new friends–to meet. Mini Grey, winner of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Picture Book Award for Traction Man Is Here!, scores another victory for imaginative play. Sure to delight existing Traction Man fans and captivate new ones.

Alfred A. Knopf | 978-0-375-86952-5 | May 22, 2012 | $16.99 | Ages 5-8

ROCKET WRITES A STORY

By Tad Hills

“A perfect choice to inspire new readers and writers.”

—Kirkus Reviews, starred

Rocket is back in this irresistible sequel to the New York Times Bestseller, How Rocket Learned to Read. Rocket loves books and he wants to make his own, but he can’t think of a story. Encouraged by the little yellow bird to look closely at the world around him for inspiration, Rocket sets out on a journey. Along the way he discovers small details that he has never noticed before, a timid baby owl who becomes his friend, and an idea for a story.

Middle Grade

CHOMP

By Carl Hiaasen

“Humorous adventure tales just don’t get any more wacked…or fun to read than this.”

—Kirkus Reviews, starred

New York Times bestselling author Carl Hiaasen takes a bite out of reality TV in his hysterical new novel. Hiaasen’s latest narrative follows animal wrangler Mickey Cray, and his son, Wahoo, on an airboat-riding adventure through Florida’s Everglades. Prompted by the family’s looming mortgage payment, Mickey hesitantly signs a contract with the popular reality television show Expedition Survival!, agreeing to provide his wild alligators, snakes, and turtles for the reality show’s highly staged and scripted scenes. But what starts out as a slightly annoying gig turns into a fight for survival and a lesson in the importance of honesty, the value of family, and the necessity of doing the right thing.

SECRETS FROM THE SLEEPING BAG: A Blogtastic! Novel

By Rose Cooper

The third BLOGTASTIC! novel by Rose Cooper, Secrets from the Sleeping Bag–it’s camptastic! Sofia is spending the summer at Camp Krakatow! S’mores, crafts, bug juice, water sports, boys(!) . . . Sofia doesn’t want to forget one second of sleepaway camp! Heavily illustrated with super-cute black-and-white illustrations, girls will love passing this book around summer campfires.

SUMMER AT FORSAKEN LAKE

By Michael D. Beil; illustrated by Maggie Kneen

A new stand-alone novel from the author of the critically acclaimed Red Blazer Girls series. With their father en route to Africa for Doctors Without Borders, city-kids Nicholas and younger twin sisters Haley and Hetty are off to spend the summer with their Great-Uncle Nick at his house on Forsaken Lake. Despite some initial doubts, Nicholas is right at home in the country: he learns to sail, learns about his father as a boy, and makes fast friends with a local-girl, the tomboy Charlie. The summer takes a turn toward the mysterious, though, when Nicholas discovers an old movie that his father made as a boy: it tells the story of the local legend, The Seaweed Strangler, but was never finished. Before long Nicholas wants answers both about the legend, and about the movie. Together, he and Charlie work to uncover the truth and discover some long-buried family secrets along the way.

Young Adult

ON THE DAY I DIED: Stories from the Grave

By Candace Fleming

“Positively tailor-made for reading—or reading aloud—by flashlight.”

—Kirkus Reviews, starred

The phenomenally versatile, award-winning author Candace Fleming gives teen and older tween readers ten ghost stories sure to send chills up their spines. Set in White Cemetery, an actual graveyard outside Chicago, each story takes place during a different time period from the 1860s to the present, and ends with the narrator’s death. Some teens die heroically, others ironically, but all due to supernatural causes. Readers will meet walking corpses and witness demonic posession, all against the backdrop of Chicago’s rich history–the Great Depression, the World’s Fair, Al Capone and his fellow gangsters.

JERSEY ANGEL

By Beth Ann Bauman

“One can almost smell salt and sunscreen in the air in this soulful and insightful coming-of-age story.”

—Publishers Weekly, starred

An irresistible story about the real people behind the stereotypes of the Jersey Shore. About friendship and how it matters. About what it means to desire, to love, and to betray. It’s the summer before senior year and the alluring Angel is ready to have fun. She’s not like her best friend, Inggy, who has a steady boyfriend, good grades, and college plans. Angel isn’t sure what she wants to do yet, but she has confidence and experience beyond her years. Still, her summer doesn’t start out as planned. Her good friend Joey doesn’t want to fool around anymore. He wants to be her boyfriend, while Angel doesn’t want to be tied down. As Joey pulls away, and Inggy tours colleges, Angel finds herself spending more time with Inggy’s boyfriend, Cork. With its cast of vivid and memorable characters, this tale from the Jersey shore is sure to make some waves.

Wendy Lamb Books | 978-0-385-74020-3 | May 8, 2012 | $15.99 | Ages 14 and up | 208 pages

THE UNBEARABLE BOOK CLUB FOR UNSINKABLE GIRLS

By Julie Schumacher

“The characters, especially the four girls, sparkle, and even amid drama the narration remains lighthearted enough to appeal beyond bookish readers.”

—Kirkus Reviews, starred

Perfect for both book lovers and book clubbers who are snapping up works about reading, such as Pies & Prejudice and The Jane Austen Book Club, as well as those made weary by self-satisfied bibliophiles and who want some snark, plot, and drama. Adrienne’s mother forces her to join a summer mother-daughter book club. Adrienne joins three other very reluctant teens, to both hilarious and tragic result. This is neither saccharine or overly sincere, but is funny, dark, literary, and sophisticated. Written in essay form, it includes literary terms, glossary, and a thesis statement, all in a way that is subtle and comic.

Delacorte Press | 978-0-385-73773-9 | May 8, 2012 | $16.99 | Ages 12 and up | 240 pages

FLIRTING IN ITALIAN

By Lauren Henderson

Lauren Henderson, bestselling author of Kiss Me Kill Me, follows four girls’ unforgettable summer in the magnificent Italian countryside. Four girls. One magical–and possibly dangerous–Italian summer. Family mysteries, ancient castles, long hot nights of dancing under the stars . . . and, of course, plenty of gorgeous Italian boys!

DIVA

By Jillian Larkin

Lovers. Rivals. Backstabbers. Something wedded this way comes. . . . Joy and tragedy collide in Diva, the riveting conclusion to the Flappers series, set in the dazzling Roaring Twenties.

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Now in Paperback!

THE EMERALD ATLAS

By John Stephens

The New York Times bestselling fantasy – now available in paperback!

Kate, Michael, and Emma have been in one orphanage after another for the last 10 years, passed along like lost baggage. Yet these unwanted children are more remarkable than they could possibly imagine. Ripped from their parents as babies, they are being protected from a horrible evil of devastating power, an evil they know nothing about. Until now. Before long, Kate, Michael, and Emma are on a journey to dangerous and secret corners of the world . . . a journey of allies and enemies, of magic and mayhem. And–if an ancient prophesy is correct–what they do can change history, and it is up to them to set things right.The Emerald Atlas brims with humor and action as it charts Kate, Michael, and Emma’s extraordinary adventures through an unforgettable, enchanted world.

THE PENDERWICKS AT POINT MOUETTE

By Jeanne Birdsall

The third installment in the beloved series that began with the National Book Award winner The Penderwicks.

When summer comes around, it’s off to the beach for Rosalind . . . and off to Maine with Aunt Claire for the rest of the Penderwick girls, as well as their old friend, Jeffrey. That leaves Skye as OAP (oldest available Penderwick)–a terrifying notion for all, but for Skye especially. Things look good as they settle into their cozy cottage, with a rocky shore, enthusiastic seagulls, a just-right corner store, and a charming next-door neighbor. But can Skye hold it together long enough to figure out Rosalind’s directions about not letting Batty explode? Will Jane’s Love Survey come to a tragic conclusion after she meets the alluring Dominic? Is Batty–contrary to all accepted wisdom–the only Penderwick capable of carrying a tune? And will Jeffrey be able to keep peace between the girls . . . these girls who are his second, and most heartfelt, family? It’s a rollicking ride as the Penderwicks continue their unforgettable adventures in a story filled with laughs and joyful tears!

Yearling | 978-0-375-85135-3 | May 8, 2012 | $7.99 | Ages 8-12 | 304 pages

MAGIC IN MANHATTAN: Bras & Broomsticks and Frogs & French Kisses

By Sarah Mlynowski

What if all your wishes could come true? In Bras & Broomsticks, 14-year-old Rachel learns the outrageously unfair fact that yes, magic exists, but she’s not the one who’s a witch: Miri, her younger sister, is! The magic continues in Frogs & French Kisses when the teeny-tiny love spell Rachel talks Miri into casting goes horribly wrong. Now the fate of their family, the world, and senior prom is in Rachel’s hands.

Ember | 978-0-385-74232-0 | May 8, 2012 | $10.99 | Ages 12 and up | 608 pages

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