I haven’t read many post-apocalyptic books, but after reading Partials by Dan Wells I think that I’m much more inclined to. After the government’s most deadly genetic creation, the partials, rebel, a virus called RM is released to the world killing 99.9% of the world’s population. All the remaining survivors are immune to RM and have gathered in one community on Long Island off the coast of New York, which is inhabited by partials. The partials have been leaving them alone, but they still have one major problem: none of their newborn babies are immune to RM and they all die within three days of their birth.

Kira Walker, a 16 year old medic-in-training, becomes determined to be the one who cures RM and will do anything to achieve that goal. She will even go across the Long Island Sound and capture a partial. Kira is determined that the partials hold the key to curing RM because they have human DNA, and yet they are immune to RM as well. Kira must work around a controlling and secretive government and a dangerous rebel group called the Voice who are upset with one law in particular. This law would be the Hope Act, named so because the government and the people believe that this law is their only hope for humanity’s survival. The Hope Act states that every girl must become pregnant as much as possible in order for more babies to be born. There is an age limit attached to the law, but it keeps getting lowered. When Kira learns that her best friend, Madison, has become pregnant Kira becomes even more determined to save Madison’s baby, Arwen Sato, from being killed by RM.

Partials is a wonderful story of survival, determination, and one girl’s determination to change the world and do something unforgettable. Partials is the first book in a series and I can’t wait for the next installment, Fragments, to be released.

Perhaps you’ve heard of Rockin’ Mamas. This group of volunteers spend time in the neonatal intensive care taking care of newborns. The time spent there consists of rocking and nurturing the babies . These babies  are in need of staying at the hospital for a variety of reasons; their mothers have already been released to go home. The babies need human contact and care throughout the day. In addition to the nurses and the mother’s visiting time, Rockin’ Mamas step in.

In Washington State, there is a group of volunteers known as the Seal Sitters. The Seal Sitters keep vigil over baby seals. While the mother leaves their young to search for food, the sitters form a quiet and protective circle around the pup. The Seal Sitters protect  the pup while they sleep and rest when their mothers are on a hunt.

Brenda Peterson, founder of the Seal Sitters, recently wrote a book titled Leopard and Silkie. It is a wonderful, informative book about the life process of baby seals. You will meet Leopard from the day of his birth and follow him as he learns to do things on his own. Leopard meets Silkie, who is an older seal, but one who is helpful and a great teacher so that Leopard can learn to  fend for himself. During this story, with the help of a young Seal Sitter leader named Max, you will also get a glimpse into the Seal Sitters’ world.

For any children or adults that love animals and enjoy a great story heartwarming story, Leopard and Silkie is the perfect read. -Quinn

When I first saw this book, the cover alone told me how amazing it was going to be. Just look at that adorable fox in bed with the child, the beautiful owl perched in the tree, and the smiling moon that manages to capture the man in the moon image without being creepy. And that’s all from just the cover. Sweet Dreams by Rose A. Lewis and illustrated by Jen Corace is one of those books that makes me love what I do. It sells itself because it is really just a perfect book. Rose has written an imaginative bedtime journey and Jen’s illustrations–well you already know how I feel about those.

I knew that as a book lover, I wanted a signed copy of this book. This picture book is one that even if I never have kids, I will always cherish. A perfect baby gift and art collector gift, I knew that signed copies would just be icing on the cake. So, I did an unlady-like thing: I begged:) and my amazing rep Teresa, along with the amazing people at Abrams, gladly abliged.

So, long story short, we have first editions of this beautiful book signed by the illustrator, Jen Corace. We have a very limited number, so don’t wait. They won’t last long!

As I have been helping parents round up the required summer reading for their kids, I kept thinking about all the other great books that those same kids would love to read over the summer break. So, I rounded up all my favs that are new in paperback so that when you’re tired of hearing about how bored your kids are this summer, you can come grab one of these!

Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGee – We all love Kate. Mercy Watson is on several summer reading lists, and this book is just as good. This is the beginning of a series, and the next book is even better! It comes out in September!
Sixty-Eight Rooms by Marianne Malone – Set in the Art Institute of Chicago, this book is a great way to imagine your summer away. It’s very similar to E. L. Konigsburg’s From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.
Emerald Atlas by John Stephens – John was here for his debut book, and not only was he as sweet as could be, his book is amazing! It’ s brand new in paper, with the second book, The Fire Chronicles, hot on it’s tail this fall!

Beyonders #1 by Brandon Mull – From the author of the Fablehaven series, this series just gets better and better with each book. Part Alice in Wonderland, part Narnia, this story is perfect for boys and girls alike.
Divergent by Veronica Roth – If you haven’t heard me gush about this book yet, then I know for a fact you haven’t been in the store recently! An amazing debut and dystopian novel, Divergent has captured my heart! Good for anyone who just finished The Hunger Games!
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick – this is the beginning of the Hush Hush series, which take what you know about angels mythology and twist it. And with the release of a special $4.99 edition, this is a perfect time to try this series out!

Last time we were reading Judy Moody, but we have moved through every Judy Moody book and every possible spin-off of Judy Moody.

So, in search of a new series we found Just Grace. A cute series about a girl named Grace in a class where there are four girls named Grace – so of course each gets a nickname. For example Gracie or Grace F., but when the teacher gets to the last Grace she asks if she can be called just Grace and the teacher says “great idea, we’ll call you Just Grace” So our heroine is stuck with a nickname she despises. Each book is interspersed with the comics that Grace draws of her adventures. And, very important for bedtime reading, the chapters are short!

But much more important news – almost nightly she is reading to me! We’ve been reading the little books that her teacher sends from school for us to practice and she is making huge progress. So today we picked out a stack of level 1 books for a little variety. Can’t wait to dig into these.

And her brother? Still stuck on the truck shelf. And that’s ok.