From last week's Indie bestseller lists, available at IndieBound.org, here are the recommended titles, which are also Indie Next Great Reads:
Hardcover
Darling Rose Gold: A Novel by Stephanie Wrobel (Berkley, $26, 9780593100066). "Rose Gold's mother is being released from prison and has asked her daughter for temporary shelter. Despite having been the target of her mother's abuse, Rose Gold decides to give it a try. Has she really forgiven her mother for past crimes? This is a roller coaster of a story! Loved it!" --Marcia Vanderford, Vanderford's Books & Office Products, Sandpoint, Idaho
Beheld: A Novel by TaraShea Nesbit (Bloomsbury, $26, 9781635573220). "Beheld is a story of the Pilgrims and Puritans, the beginning of the Plymouth colony, and the first murder that occurred there. It's a fascinating look at family, love, the importance of friendship, corruption, and human behavior. I have not read many books that take place during this time period but this one, which is primarily told from the voices of two women, is just fantastic!" --Kathy Morrison, Newtown Bookshop, Newtown, Pa.
Paperback
The Honey Bus: A Memoir of Loss, Courage and a Girl Saved by Bees by Meredith May (Park Row, $16.99, 9780778309758). "I loved this perfect memoir so much that I read it twice and already know that it will be one of my favorites of the year. Meredith May learns to withstand pain, loss, and grief through the lessons her beloved grandfather teaches her. After her mother moves the family away from her father and shuts down emotionally, Grandpa shows May and her brother love, patience, and understanding using honeybees as an example of how to survive and thrive in a confusing world. I cannot wait to put this moving, emotionally compelling memoir into many hands this spring!" --Diane Grumhaus, Lake Forest Book Store, Lake Forest, Ill.
For Ages 4 to 8
Vote for Our Future! by Margaret McNamara, illus. by Micah Player (Schwartz & Wade, $17.99, 9781984892805). "Your vote counts--just ask the students at Stanton Elementary School, who are making their voices heard and working hard to get out the vote. Vote for Our Future! explains the voting process in vivid illustrations and language that children--and adults!--can easily understand. An important and timely book that would work well in an elementary classroom and with parents who want to discuss this topic with their children." --Judy Hayes, Kids Ink Children's Bookstore, Indianapolis, Ind.
For Ages 9 to 12
Bloom (The Overthrow, Book 1) by Kenneth Oppel (Knopf, $16.99, 9781524773007). "A destructive plant begins to invade the entire planet. Blooms follow and throw off deadly toxic pollen. Enormous sinkholes emerge, endangering lives and swallowing buildings. Strangely, three teenagers appear to be immune to the effects of the deadly plant. Why? What do they have in common? Can they figure out how to destroy the plant? Just as their efforts are gaining ground and success is assumed, the book ends and leaves the reader breathlessly waiting for the sequel. A book not to be missed!" --Jean Fennacy, Petunia's Place, Fresno, Calif.
For Teen Readers
Foul Is Fair by Hannah Capin (Wednesday Books, $18.99, 9781250239549). "Featuring a razor-sharp take on Lady Macbeth, this book is gripping. In the rise of antihero narratives in pop culture, this deserves to be up there with some of our favorites. It's cathartic to see karma come around in the form of our protagonist, Jade. For Shakespeare fans, all of the nods to the original play are clever. Hannah Capin gets the balance just right between the source material and her own unique vision. As a tale of revenge, Foul Is Fair soars. No matter what happens in the book, we are always rooting for the girls." --Sofia Silva Wright, Phoenix Books, Burlington, Vt.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
Hardcover
Darling Rose Gold: A Novel by Stephanie Wrobel (Berkley, $26, 9780593100066). "Rose Gold's mother is being released from prison and has asked her daughter for temporary shelter. Despite having been the target of her mother's abuse, Rose Gold decides to give it a try. Has she really forgiven her mother for past crimes? This is a roller coaster of a story! Loved it!" --Marcia Vanderford, Vanderford's Books & Office Products, Sandpoint, Idaho
Beheld: A Novel by TaraShea Nesbit (Bloomsbury, $26, 9781635573220). "Beheld is a story of the Pilgrims and Puritans, the beginning of the Plymouth colony, and the first murder that occurred there. It's a fascinating look at family, love, the importance of friendship, corruption, and human behavior. I have not read many books that take place during this time period but this one, which is primarily told from the voices of two women, is just fantastic!" --Kathy Morrison, Newtown Bookshop, Newtown, Pa.
Paperback
The Honey Bus: A Memoir of Loss, Courage and a Girl Saved by Bees by Meredith May (Park Row, $16.99, 9780778309758). "I loved this perfect memoir so much that I read it twice and already know that it will be one of my favorites of the year. Meredith May learns to withstand pain, loss, and grief through the lessons her beloved grandfather teaches her. After her mother moves the family away from her father and shuts down emotionally, Grandpa shows May and her brother love, patience, and understanding using honeybees as an example of how to survive and thrive in a confusing world. I cannot wait to put this moving, emotionally compelling memoir into many hands this spring!" --Diane Grumhaus, Lake Forest Book Store, Lake Forest, Ill.
For Ages 4 to 8
Vote for Our Future! by Margaret McNamara, illus. by Micah Player (Schwartz & Wade, $17.99, 9781984892805). "Your vote counts--just ask the students at Stanton Elementary School, who are making their voices heard and working hard to get out the vote. Vote for Our Future! explains the voting process in vivid illustrations and language that children--and adults!--can easily understand. An important and timely book that would work well in an elementary classroom and with parents who want to discuss this topic with their children." --Judy Hayes, Kids Ink Children's Bookstore, Indianapolis, Ind.
For Ages 9 to 12
Bloom (The Overthrow, Book 1) by Kenneth Oppel (Knopf, $16.99, 9781524773007). "A destructive plant begins to invade the entire planet. Blooms follow and throw off deadly toxic pollen. Enormous sinkholes emerge, endangering lives and swallowing buildings. Strangely, three teenagers appear to be immune to the effects of the deadly plant. Why? What do they have in common? Can they figure out how to destroy the plant? Just as their efforts are gaining ground and success is assumed, the book ends and leaves the reader breathlessly waiting for the sequel. A book not to be missed!" --Jean Fennacy, Petunia's Place, Fresno, Calif.
For Teen Readers
Foul Is Fair by Hannah Capin (Wednesday Books, $18.99, 9781250239549). "Featuring a razor-sharp take on Lady Macbeth, this book is gripping. In the rise of antihero narratives in pop culture, this deserves to be up there with some of our favorites. It's cathartic to see karma come around in the form of our protagonist, Jade. For Shakespeare fans, all of the nods to the original play are clever. Hannah Capin gets the balance just right between the source material and her own unique vision. As a tale of revenge, Foul Is Fair soars. No matter what happens in the book, we are always rooting for the girls." --Sofia Silva Wright, Phoenix Books, Burlington, Vt.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]