Stella Batts #1 and 2 by Courtney Sheinmel + Contest!

Stella Batts Needs a New Name by Courtney Sheinmel
Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow by Courtney Sheinmel
"Meet Stella Batts. She is eight-years old and she loves to write. She loves to write lists; like her favorite things and kids in her class. And she's writing her autobiography. Stella's favorite color is yellow and she LOVES fudge. As a matter of fact, there is a special fudge counter at her family's candy store because fudge is one of her favorite things to eat!

But Stella has just one problem---her name. A boy from her class keeps calling her 'Smella' after she trips on their class nature walk. ('I don't even want to say what I landed in, it was too gross, so I'm just going to leave out that part.'). So Stella decides there's really only one thing to do: she has to change her name. After all, how hard can it be to pick a new name? But it's not as easy as it sounds."- summary of Book 1 from Amazon

"One of the best things about having parents who own a candy store is getting to be an official taste-tester. When her dad brings home Magical Glow-in-the-Dark Chewing Gum, Stella can t wait to try it out especially since her younger sister is already blowing bubbles and making magic-gum wishes that come true. Except the gum seems to bring Stella bad luck. First she can t even blow a bubble, then she falls asleep chewing a piece of gum that ends up wadded in her hair, resulting in a drastic haircut. And now her best friend, Willa, announces she s moving clear across the country! It s hard to believe in any kind of magic when stuff like this happens. But Stella knows that when the going gets tough, the tough get going and that s exactly what she plans to do."- summary of Book 2 from Amazon

Oh, these books were adorable! I love Sheinmel's books so much and was so excited to get the first two books in her new middle-grade series at BEA. These were quick, fun reads. I love Stella Batts as a character and can't wait to read more of her adventures. Sheinmel's created such a wonderful voice for the series that just keeps the pages turning.

There's also some fantastic illustrations by Jennifer Bell and I love how she did some of the drawings. This is my first time, I think, reading a novel with illustrations and I loved it. It makes the reading experience a bit more fun.

Anyway, these are some great books and Sheinmel does a good job getting the problems and experiences of a third grader down really well. Book 3 is out this month and I've got a copy that I can't wait to read.

FTC: Received hardcovers from publisher at BEA (Book 2 is signed!). Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.


The publisher Sleeping Bear Press has offered up 3 sets of the first three Stella Batts books for a giveaway! All you have to do is leave a comment by Friday, July 13 at 9pm EST and you're entered. US residents only! Best of luck to all.