Red Chair Press - Books to READ!

 The One Great Gnome by Jeff Dinardo (Pub. date September 1, 2020) 

 

This story introduces readers to the magical, hidden, and mysterious world of gnomes, elves and trolls. Eleven-year-old Sarah moves with her family from New York City to rural Connecticut. She's eager to explore her new home and meet new friends, but she never expected to befriend a dusty old garden gnome. Readers join Sarah as she is drawn into a secret world under our feet. Sarah uses her instincts to calm old rivalries and help the underworld elves, gnomes and more live peacefully together.

 

You can read an excerpt of the book here:https://issuu.com/ellycarlson/docs/one_great_gnome_issuu_version. 

"Plot-driven chapters that emphasize characters over world-building will draw a variety of readers into this adventure, and straightforward, humorous third-person narration keeps the twisting, turning story moving." —Kirkus

"With tributes to imaginative children’s classics embedded in it, The One Great Gnome is an endlessly fun middle grade adventure." —Foreword Reviews

What a great story that I loved sharing with my son. He loved the pictures and following along with the main character - Sarah. This is a really good fantasy story for kids ages 9 and up, but a great read aloud for all ages. 

Second Dad Summer by Benjamin Klas (Pub. date August 4, 2020)

Jeremiah just wants a normal summer with his dad, but it’s clear that isn’t happening. His dad just moved to an apartment near downtown Minneapolis to live with his new boyfriend, Michael. Michael wears shorts too short, serves weird organic foods, and is constantly nagging Jeremiah to watch out for potholes and to stay hydrated. Worst of all Michael rides The Uni-cycle, a bicycle decorated to look like a unicorn! This is going to be a long summer!

 

You can read an excerpt of the book here: https://issuu.com/ellycarlson/docs/seconddad_preview. 

Second Dad Summer has been receiving a lot of great buzz, including a starred review in Booklist. Kirkus called the book "touching and unforgettable." And Foreword Reviews had this to say: 

"The book’s characters are vibrant, and the novel is welcoming and inclusive. Insightful and sensitive, Second Dad Summer is a story all about the meaning of family and the value of acceptance."

Laura Gardner says: "Second Dad Summer is a wonderful addition to my library’s collection of LGBTQIA books. Jeremiah is spending the summer with his dad, but he isn’t a fan of his dad’s live-in boyfriend. Michael rides a unicorn-themed bicycle that is super embarrassing (and so super gay) and Jeremiah wishes he could spend time with his dad alone. His friendship with new neighbor Sage (who has two moms) helps him rethink his opinion of Michael. Lots of exploration of homosexuality, bisexuality, and masculinity. I loved this book!"

Silent Journey by Carl Watson (Pub. date August 1, 2020)

Scott Schroeder dreams of a day when he and his father can have a home of their own. Following an accident that took his mother’s life eight years before, doctors discovered Scott was suddenly deaf.

Blessed with being an accomplished gymnast, and even though he signs and reads lips, Scott’s biggest challenge is convincing others he is just as capable of doing things as those in the hearing world. Picking up on conversations he observes along the way, Scott figures out a big family secret concerning his father and uncle and decides to play a part in their reconciliation.

You can preview the book here: https://issuu.com/ellycarlson/docs/silentjourney_issuu_version. 

A young boy, rendered deaf by a fiery accident, learns to deal with many transitions in his life with the help of his uncle and a faithful dog-friend. This is what I would call a “gentle read”, perfect for younger middle-grade readers who are transitioning into chapter books.

 

 

Into the Wind by William Louzeaux (Pub. date March 1, 2021)

It’s shaping up to be a rotten summer for Rusty, a young sailing fan who lives on an island off the New England coast. He’s just flunked fifth-grade math and has to go to summer school. His older sister is bossier than ever. Worst of all, his mom is far away on the mainland —undergoing treatment for her sudden, confusing, and exhausting “sadness”—while his dad struggles to keep the household together. Rusty’s only refuge is in caring for and teaching himself to sail a small, beloved sailboat.

While working on his boat at the village dock one evening, Rusty meets Hazel, a feisty local artist from an old sailing family. Hazel asks—no, demands—that Rusty take her sailing. He refuses. She argues. And an unlikely friendship begins.

Reader Cat says: "Heart warming tale! I love stories like this. Hazel is very insightful of a child in need. Walter is lucky to find an adult interested in caring for him during some difficult family event-his mom is in a mental hospital and his dad is a bit distracted. His sister, Lizzy, was just annoying! Maybe it was just her age... Poor Walter, floundering at school, bullied by older, and seemingly, wealthier boys, no present mom or dad, and hateful sister...Hazel is just what he needs. I loved the chapters involving their sailing!I hope I'm having as much fun as Hazel someday! (She reminds me of Maude from the film Harold and Maude! Feisty and full of life to the very end.)
Wonderful story, even the inevitable end is fitting and good. Good strong story for all ages."