Category Archives: Kids

Billions to Burn by Taylor Banks

National Treasure gets a Harlem Renaissance twist in this epic adventure through New York City, filled with history, humor, and heart

Twelve-year-old Zeus Jones is just about the only person in the world who believes in his grandfather’s stories about the Harlem Renaissance. To be fair, they are a bit far-fetched. After all, what are the chances that there was a renowned magazine called Burn! whose headquarters literally burned down, destroying almost every single copy? And who would believe that a secret page was actually hidden amongst the ashes, said to be the key to unlocking a lost fortune? No one, that’s who.

But when Zeus accidentally stumbles upon the secret page on the same day that his grandfather disappears without a trace, he finally has proof that his grandfather’s stories are more than just stories—they’re real. And now he knows that the secret page is more than just a secret page—it’s a treasure map, leading to a prize beyond all imagining.

Follow the map, find the treasure, save his grandfather. Seems simple enough. But as Zeus and his friends work to solve the riddles of the map, long-buried secrets about the Harlem Renaissance, Black history, and Zeus’s own family are unraveled. And what’s more, they aren’t the only ones intent on seizing this prize. . .

Filled with interactive clues and puzzles, young readers will love solving this mile-a-minute mystery right alongside Zeus!

Posted on December 4th, 2025

The Gobbling Goblins by Maika Llaneza & Ara Villena

Gobble up this new picture book inspired by Filipino mythology featuring trinket-stealing goblins whose knack for thievery just might save the day.

Mind your manners; hang on to your toys (and pineapples?)

When Caden and Cailyn forget to say thank you to Lola Mi for their gifts, the famous gobbling goblins come to take the children’s treasures. Gobble gobble gobble. It’s all in a day’s work.

But then a band of mischievous elves swipes some curious VIPs (Very Important Pineapples) from the house . . . pineapples that look suspiciously like Caden and Cailyn. Not saying thank you is one thing, but turning children into fruit? Talk about impolite! Now the goblins are on a rescue mission to get those pineapple-kids back from the elves. Can their latest gobble save the day?

Posted on October 2nd, 2024

The Sugar Plum Bakers by Pat Tanumihardja & Bonnie Lui

What’s a holiday without holiday treats? In this magical new picture book, kids follow the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Gingerbread Man, and their team of bakerinas as they create delicious goodies from around the world—and discover that the real magic is teamwork.

With a pinch of hope and a dash of zing, we can do anything! The bakerinas are hard at work creating holiday goodies for kids around the world when a blizzard whips up trouble. Will the bakerinas deliver their treats in time?

With enchanting illustrations and charming text, The Sugar Plum Bakers introduces young readers to tasty treats from around the world—and even includes a recipe in the back so kids can make some magic of their own.

Posted on November 8th, 2023

Grave Mistakes by Kitty Curan

A Dade Family Novel

Publication Date: August 15th, 2023

Middle school is hard—add a deadly embarrassing family and a huge secret, and it’s nearly impossible. An Addams-esque family faces a perilous plot in this energetic, spooky middle grade mystery.

Molly Dade has big problems. She’s got an important violin audition coming up, she’s been paired with her nemesis for a group project, and she’s struggling to hide a life-or-death secret from…well, from everyone. It wasn’t long ago that the Dades were just a regular Maine family living in their reportedly haunted house in the local cemetery. But then Molly’s mom and twin brother Marty were killed in a freak accident. And Molly, her older brother Timothy, and her father became the town’s newest bereaved family.

Except Mom and Marty are still very much present. No one knows why, but Mom is now a ghost and Marty is a poltergeist. Oh, and there’s also Molly’s younger sister Dyandra, who is a zombie.

Keeping all this supernatural stuff a secret from everyone is hard work, especially when the dead (undead?) members of the family still want to participate in things like the Parent Teacher Association meetings or come to the (very public, very potentially embarrassing) school concert.

When Dad’s new cemetery assistant seems to know the Dade family secret, Molly and Marty worry about the future of their family. And when Marty begins to regain his memories of the explosion that killed him and Mom, the twins realize that the situation might be even more grave than they thought. Someone might be after the Dade family—but who? And why?

Posted on May 25th, 2023