Charlene Thomas

Nov 5, 2024 | kirkusreviews.com | Charlene Thomas

A reflective, time-bending look at power and young love. When 17-year-old Kady Dixon wins time-traveling candies at her tiny town’s Halloween festival, her whole world is upended. Kady wanders away from her friends at Streetlight’s carnival and winds up at an old-school gaming booth, where the Timekeeper (“TK for short”) promises her his biggest prize if she wins. When she does so, he gives her magic candies that will allow her to relive episodes from her past—as long as she follows the rules.

Aug 15, 2024 | publishersweekly.com | Giovanna Zoboli |Richard Ayoade |Kate Brower |Charlene Thomas

Giovanna Zoboli, trans. from the Italian by Denise Muir, illus. by Mariachiara Di Giorgio. Candlewick Studio, $18.99 (48p) ISBN 978-1-5362-3339-1Fantastically detailed watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil illustrations give extra sparkle to this theatrically narrated fable about change caused by the relentless demands of growth and success.

Aug 15, 2024 | publishersweekly.com | Pete Hautman |Richard Ayoade |Kate Brower |Charlene Thomas

A wily border collie shakes up a boy’s quiet life in this finely tuned, heartfelt novel by Hautman (The Rat Queen). Eighth grader Evan and his distracted parents lead a monotonous existence following a daily routine that includes a strictly regimented dinner menu and not much fun.

Aug 15, 2024 | publishersweekly.com | Richard Ayoade |Kate Brower |Charlene Thomas

Rosemary Wells. Hippo Park, $18.99 (80p) ISBN 978-1-66264-071-1Hidden in every kitchen, Wells (On the Night Before Kindergarten) promises in this charming three-tale collection, is a wall-concealed telephone that can summon a team of “small and clever” toque-wearing human chefs, portrayed with various skin tones, to rescue cooks in need of help.

Aug 15, 2024 | publishersweekly.com | Richard Ayoade |Kate Brower |Charlene Thomas

Chuck Groenink. Tundra, $18.99 (56p) ISBN 978-1-77488-106-4As outlined in an author’s note, Groenink (Mum, Me, and the Mulberry Tree) creates a story about a connective moment in human prehistory: contact between Homo neanderthalensis and Homo sapiens. In opening pages, a small band of animal-skin-wearing Neanderthals, portrayed with light brown skin, arrive at a cave above a river valley. While most rest, a boy yearns to explore, this desire conveyed expressively through large, questioning eyes.