July 2016

Would you believe there is an emerging genre of food mysteries? Is this the result of the Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen? I can only speculate, but one thing I am sure of is that you will spend a wonderful afternoon devouring this fun mystery – part of a series, of course – by Carl.

I think just about any middle-aged guy – of which I am a member – can relate to this funny play on overly-obsessed American football fans.

The title sold me, and the wickedly funny story did not disappoint.

Recently transplanted teen Paige Turner is trying to find her place in this fun coming-of-age tale.

I always wanted to work on a fishing boat…until I started watching Deadliest Catch! No, thank you. Really enjoyed reading this book by the always awesome Hobbs about a 16-year-old boy working a boat to save money for college, only to find out that his captain has a secret. Never a dull moment.

Deuker is one of those authors I turn to when I have a boy who tells me he doesn’t like to read. This book is about a lot more than baseball, and it makes for great discussions in class.

Witty memoir about Dumas’s emigration to the United States from Iran at age seven in the 1970s.

This book felt like a Vietnamese version of Cynthia Rylant’s When I Was Young in the Mountains, as it is beautifully written and even more brilliantly illustrated by April Chu.

The true story of Lizzie Murphy, the first woman to play in a major league exhibition game. A great way to get girls interested in baseball (you should also check out the wonderful Mighty Jackie by Marissa Moss).

Yes, I probably should not include a text that you can only purchase secondhand, but I encourage you to check out this beautiful book during this month when we celebrate the beautiful country we live in, the United States. Features poems and artworks from all 50 states.