E252: The Power of What If: CHLOE VEGA & THE MISSING UNSEEN by Leslie Adame

Happy Monday! It’s going to be a busy week on the KidLit Love podcast and newsletter! Here’s what’s coming your way: \* Today, I’m sharing a podcast episode with Leslie Adame about her newest book: CHLOE VEGA & THE MISSING UNSEEN. It’s middle grade fantasy at its best. \* Tomorrow, I’m sharing a special bonus episode with Kate DiCamillo to celebrate the second season of her podcast with Kelly Yang: StoryKind! \* Finally, on Thursday, I’m sharing a bonus episode with Amy Sarig King about her newest novel: IT CAME FROM THE CREEK. It’s so good. Get you Inbox ready for all the kidlit love coming your way! Keep scrolling to press play on that episode and to see other new books that have made their way into my reading life! Stephanie **Book Birthdays and Other Book Reviews🎈🎁📖🎂📚🎉** Here are the newly released books that have made their way to me along with other books that I have read and reviewed: 🎉ANIMALS OF THE CHINESE ZODIAC by Teresa Robeson & Illustrated by Ping Zhu (Amazon / Bookshop) Oh, this book is a treasure! I’ve read it multiple times and shared it with everyone. We’ve discovered our zodiac animals along with our lucky numbers, colors and flowers, too. Plus, it’s GORGEOUS to look at again and again. 🎉MILLIE FLEUR’S WORST DAY EVER (Amazon / Bookshop) Are you a morgenmuffel, someone who is slow to wake up and quite grumpy in doing so? In this gorgeous book, Millie learns that it’s ok to have a hard day and we don’t have to carry it all on our shoulders. Friends can help. It’s lovely! 🎉THE SMUSHKINS IN THE SNOW by Claudia Rueda (Amazon / Bookshop) I chatted with Claudia about her picture book MEET THE SMUSKINS on the podcast a while back and now, she’s released her newest board book in the series. Join the Smushkins as they romp and play in the snow, perfect for heading into the Winter season. I’m still hoping for Smushkin stuffed animals. =) 🎉CHRONICLES OF A LIZARD NOBODY: THE PELICAN AND HIS BLIMP by Patrick Ness & Illustrated by Tim Miller (Amazon / Bookshop) This is the third illustrated chapter book in the hilarious CHRONICLES OF A LIZARD NOBODY series. Our trio of hall monitor lizards, along with their hawk pal, Miel, are dealing with some unexpected arrivals in town. Alicia’s estranged dad suddenly wants to be in her life again, and the tough girl lizard has retreated into her ever-present hoodie. It’s up to Zeke and Daniel to figure out how to help their friend while also keeping an eye on the massive blimp that has appeared in the sky over school bully Pelicarnassus’s house. What is their nemesis up to now? 🎉JUST THE GOOD PARTS by Robbie Couch (Amazon / Bookshop) This is a stunningly romantic, speculative novel about a teen looking for his missing dad, who keeps getting pulled into others’ memories and crossing paths with a handsome stranger who also doesn’t belong there. **E252: The Power of What If: CHLOE VEGA & THE MISSING UNSEEN by Leslie Adame** On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Leslie Adame about her newest release: CHLOE VEGA & THE MISSING UNSEEN. This book is the second in the middle grade CHLOE VEGA series that expands Choloe’s magical world and examines timely themes of identity and justice. Readers are sure to get lost in the fantasy, but feel the very real themes of the book in our present world. Come listen as we talk about the original career Leslie thought she’d have, the possibilities of the fantasy genre to explore real-world themes and topics and the two-word question that not only sparked the content of the book, but that Leslie hopes will spark readers, too. Here is the book featured in this episode. You’ll find links to my Amazon and Bookshop affiliate stores below. Thanks for your bookish support! CHLOE VEGA & THE MISSING UNSEEN by Leslie Adame (Amazon / Bookshop) Here’s where you can find Leslie online: Website: https://www.leslieadame.com/ Substack Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslieadame I’d love to know what you think of this episode. Share your comments below! **KidLit love is multiplied when it’s shared! 🩷** Here are some free ways to support this newsletter and spread my love of children’s literature far and wide: 🩷 Like and comment on this post so we can connect!🔄 Restack and add your favorite nugget from the podcast.📷 Take a screenshot of your favorite part and text it to a kidlit friend.💌 Forward this email to a fellow kidlit colleague so they can join the book love too!⌨️ Refer a friend and earn prizes….including courses and coaching sessions with me! Thanks for reading the KidLit Love newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work! Get full access to KidLit Love Newsletter at kidlitlove.substack.com/subscribe