Bella and I are excited to share our latest reads in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR is a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading. Kellee Moye of Unleashing Readers and Jen Vincent of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give it a #kidlit focus and encourage everyone who participates to visit at least 3 of the other #kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.
Ever since she can remember, 12 year old July Chen has always been able to see ghosts. Her father says ghosts don’t exist so July keeps her sightings to herself. When she sees William Xiao, she realizes he can see her too. But William is not a ghost, rather a wandering soul and asks July to visit his mom in the hospital. July though has another task. She has to keep William from getting eaten during Hungry Ghost Month. After a little eavesdropping among the ghosts, July discovers that in order for William to live, a Nobody (an extra person) has to die. And after more research, July learns that she is Nobody, for she was supposed to die along with her mother during childbirth. Can July and William find a way for both of them to stay alive?
Ghost Book has it all! Characters who want to root for, a thrilling and unique plot inspired by Chinese mythology, and of course, ghosts! Lai draws in readers with her energetic and expressive artwork which evokes the perfect balance of fright and fun. What touched me most is the relationship between July and William; true friendship is always worth the risk. Thanks to Brian Geffen of Henry Holt BYR/Macmillan for sharing an eARC. Ghost Book publishes next week on August 15, 2023.
Having just moved from Koreatown in Los Angeles to the Michigan suburbs, 4th grader Ben Lee is a little anxious about starting a new school in January. His favorite food is his mom’s homemade kimbap, but when he opens his lunchbox, his classmates question why he is eating something made with seaweed that smells weird. Upset by their comments, Ben throws his food away along with his Tobot V (a Korean robot) lunch box. Ben runs into the bathroom to hide and wishes he was like everyone else. Immediately, he sees a bright yellow glow from the stall. The next day, his Korean lunch, mandoo, has surprisingly been replaced with a ham and cheese sandwich. In the days that follow, Ben can’t find Korea on a world map, watch Korean TV channels or have a conversation with his grandmother in Korean. What is going on?
At only 104 pages with expressive color illustrations to support the text, The Magic Lunch Box is a wonderful new series for readers transitioning to chapter books. Observant readers will pick up on clues to why strange things are happening to Ben. What I love most is Ben meets Emilio, a fifth grader, on the bus who helps him figure out how to return to normal as well as how to feel proud about your heritage. With themes of identity, friendship, and acceptance, kids will be able to relate to Ben as well as enjoy the fantastical element. Thanks to Capstone for sharing a copy in a giveaway. Ben Lee and the Magic Lunchbox published on August 1, 2023.
I Cannot Draw a Bicycle by Charise Mericle Harper
In this follow up to I Cannot Draw a Horse, the gumdrop shape returns. The narrator/illustrator now confidently states the shape can easily be made into a cat, a skateboard and a horse. When the cat claims the skateboard, the horse announces “I want a bicycle” but to no surprise, bicycles are difficult to draw. Why? Because one cannot draw what it has never ever seen. The cat has an idea. What if they all work together? After various shapes are drawn, the cat and horse admit they do not know what a bike looks like either but are not discouraged. The horse has some schema (bikes have wheels). Perhaps they can put shapes together and figure it out.
I Cannot Draw a Bicycle is an interactive story that will engage kids upon the first page spread. Harper’s simple and appealing drawings and her humorous plot keep kids entertained. As the cat and horse try different combinations, kids will notice an upside down bicycle that the duo misses. What I love most about the story is the cat and horse have fun in their attempt and actually create cool alternatives resulting in a car at the end. But a new problem arises which hints at a possible third book. Thanks to Jenny Lu of Union Square Kids for sharing a copy. I Cannot Draw a Bicycle recently published on August 1, 2023.
Bella’s Dog Pick of the Week
Wanting to spread the dog love, Beagles and Books has a weekly feature of highlighting a literary selection with a canine character.
Maurice by Jessixa Bagley
When a brown dog named Maurice plays his accordion on the streets of Paris to a canine crowd, he shares a piece of his heart. After a long day’s work, he continues to spread happiness with his smile and words as well as food for his beloved bird friends who join him in song in his apartment. But one day, no audience gathers and as a result, his tip jar is empty. Without money, he has no choice but to let the birds go. Without the birds, Maurice loses his inspiration for music, smiles and compliments. When spring arrives again, the sight of three birds in the park prompt Maurice to play and when he does both his feathered friends and the public return to fill not only his tip cup but also his heart.
Author/illustrator Bagley’s Maurice is a quiet story yet compelling story about the power of connection and purpose. Maurice’s positive disposition is directly related to being part of a community which is true for us all. Maurice would be a great beginning of the school year read aloud to remind kids that we are all better together. The soft watercolor artwork is full of details and emotions supporting character development, plot, and themes. Maurice published on May 9, 2023.
Bella and I thank you for visiting Beagles and Books!
Jim Butcher
#IMWAYR is dedicated to dear Etta, my original book beagle. Blessed that Etta is part of my story.
Beagles & Books 
I’ll have to find Maurice and read it to Pongo. As ever, I am impressed with how patient Bella is with her photo shoots. Ben Lee looks interesting, but I’ve found that my students (who are 6-8th grade) are loathe to pick up books about children younger than sixth grade. There are exceptions, but there’s such a difference between elementary and middle school. Hope you and Bella find come good books to read this week!
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Ghost Book sounds genuinely amazing, Laura—I saw it recently but didn’t have a sense of the plot, and now I just might pre-order it so I can read it next week! I actually just reviewed a different Charise Mericle Harper book this week, so seeing I Cannot Draw a Bicycle is quite fun—and I added Maurice to my TBR list as well. Thanks so much for your thoughtful and Bella-infused reviews—I always love seeing them!
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I didn’t know there was a follow-up to I Cannot Draw a Horse. I’ll have to check it out. I’m eager to share Ghost Book and Ben Lee with kids in the fall. Have a great week!
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So many good books that I haven’t read yet. Thanks for reviewing them.
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