I’m delighted to wish two marvelous books the very happiest of book birthdays!

A TAXONOMY OF LOVE is Rachael Allen's third YA novel. It begins with the moment Spencer meets Hope, the summer before seventh grade. It’s . . . something at first sight. He knows she’s special, possibly even magical. The pair become fast friends, climbing trees and planning world travels. After years of being outshone by his older brother and teased because of his Tourette syndrome, Spencer finally feels like he belongs. But as Hope and Spencer get older and life gets messier, the clear label of “friend” gets messier, too.Through sibling feuds and family tragedies, new relationships and broken hearts, the two grow together and apart, and Spencer, an aspiring scientist, tries to map it all out using his trusty system of taxonomy. He wants to identify and classify their relationship, but in the end, he finds that life doesn’t always fit into easy-to-manage boxes, and it’s this messy complexity that makes life so rich and beautiful.Read on for our excellent reviews!★ “Readers will be on the edge of their seats wondering what the future holds...this book is groundbreaking in its demonstration of the complexity of human emotion.” -- School Library Connection, Starred Review“Through sparkling prose (and Spencer’s clever doodles), Allen depicts how debasing unrequited love can feel, and just how consuming that connection can be when shared at long last.” -- Booklist“A multilayered and charming novel that blends humor, romance, tragedy, and other universal coming-of-age themes.” -- School Library Journal“Fans of John Corey Whaley’s Highly Illogical Behavior will appreciate the two characters’ attempts to reach each other despite everything that happens over the course of six years.” -- VOYA

Lisa Lewis Tyre's HOPE IN THE HOLLER is her second middle-grade novel: the poignant -- and funny -- story of a girl trying to be brave and find her place in the world after she's sent to live with scheming relatives.Right before Wavie's mother died, she gave Wavie a list of instructions to help her find her way in life, including this one: Be brave, Wavie B! You got as much right to a good life as anybody, so find it! But little did Wavie's mom know that events would conspire to bring Wavie back to Conley Hollow, the Appalachian hometown her mother tried to leave behind. Now Wavie's back in the Holler -- and in the clutches of her Aunt Samantha Rose. Life with the devilish Samantha Rose and her revolting cousin Hoyt is no picnic, but there's real pleasure in sleeping in her own mother's old bed, and making friends with the funny, easygoing kids her aunt calls the "neighborhood-no-accounts." With their help, Wavie just might be able to prevent her aunt from becoming her legal guardian, and find her courage and place in the world.We're getting great attention for HOPE already:Top Pick, Winter 2017-2018 Kids’ Indie Next ListAmazon’s Best Books of the Month for January★ “A moving and richly engaging tale of despair and redemption.” -- Kirkus, Starred Review“Those who read this will find hope in the most desperate times, even if it means struggling through the deepest troubles.” -- Denver PostPlease find these books at your library or local bookstore – they are both utterly delightful! Not to mention these gorgeous covers, no?Congrats and happiest of Pub Days to Rachael and Lisa -- stop by their sites to say hello. You'll find Rachael here and Lisa here.