They say March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb --- I don't know about you, but here at Kidsreads.com we've had lamb days, lion days and we're not sure if spring is ever really coming. But if winter's getting you down, this month's update should bring some much needed fun and excitement.

We have a fantastic interview with Kate DiCamillo, author of BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE and THE TIGER RISING. Her newest book is THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE and it's a wonderful read with a message that will stay with you. I read it and passed it to my younger son, who is 11, and he loved it as much as me. He, in turn, passed it along to my older son, who is crazy about the ocean liner, the Queen Mary, which is where Edward has some of his adventures. (Little historical fact: The Queen Mary is docked in Long Beach, California, where you can take tours of her.) In her interview Kate talks about where she gets her ideas, what her early influences were, and what books have inspired her.

We are SO psyched to be launching our new Coming Soon feature where you can find information about all the books that your friends will be talking about in the months ahead. We have titles from April through August listed, so be sure to take a look.

Along with our regular review section, we are featuring reviews of three very exciting new books --- SIR THURSDAY: The Keys to the Kingdom, Book Four by Garth Nix, SPIRIT WALKER: Chronicles of Ancient Darkness #2 by Michelle Paver and FLYTE: Septimus Heap, Book Two by Angie Sage. We also have updates on three series features --- Andrew Lost, Geronimo Stilton and Nancy Drew (All New) Girl Detective.

Be sure to check out our Books into Movies feature for all the details on the sweet and summery new movie Aquamarine --- it's bound to put you in a splashy, beachy mood. And don't forget about our Cool New Books feature, which is chock-full of all the details for the books you can't wait to get your hands on NOW!

The temperatures may rise and fall and the skies may go from sunny to snowy at the drop of a hat, but at Kidsreads.com you can rely on cool reads, hot new stuff, and all the info on your favorite books and authors under the sun.

Carol Fitzgerald for Kidsreads.com

Kate DiCamillo --- creator of such soon-to-be classic characters as Winn-Dixie, Despereaux Tilling and Mercy Watson --- brings a new and unforgettable character to life in her latest tale, THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE. In this interview she talks about the Christmas gift that inspired this story, the children's books that influenced her writing, and ways to motivate young people to read.

THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE by Kate DiCamillo
There once lived a china rabbit named Edward Tulane, who was owned by a caring and adoring girl named Abilene. But then, one day, he was lost. Kate DiCamillo takes readers on an extraordinary journey --- from the depths of the ocean to the net of a fisherman, from the bedside of an ailing child to the bustling streets of Memphis --- as Edward learns the meaning of love. Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts.

-Click here to read an excerpt from THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE.

SIR THURSDAY: The Keys to the Kingdom, Book Four by Garth Nix
Following their adventures in the Border Sea, Arthur and Leaf are eager to return home. But only Leaf gets through the Front Door; someone has assumed Arthur's identity. Arthur is then drafted by Sir Thursday and forced to join the Glorious Army of the Architect. While Leaf tries to banish Arthur's double on earth, Arthur must survive his basic training and figure out how he can free Part Four of the Will. Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle.

How much do you really know about Garth Nix's fourth installment of the Keys to the Kingdom series? Test your knowledge (and memory) with 13 multiple choice questions about the book, written by reviewer Sarah Sawtelle. And keep your eyes open for those key people, places and things in our SIR THURSDAY word scramble.

SPIRIT WALKER: Chronicles of Ancient Darkness #2 by Michelle Paver
WOLF BROTHER introduced readers to Torak, a boy who can talk to wolves and whose mission it is to vanquish the Soul-Eaters. As the Moon of No Dark intensifies in this second installment, the clans fall prey to a horrifying sickness --- and only Torak can find the cure. Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts.

FLYTE: Septimus Heap, Book Two by Angie Sage
In this splendid second volume of the Septimus Heap series, Princess Jenna is kidnapped and Darke Magyk continues to stalk the land. Septimus Heap, now Apprentice to ExtraOrdinary Wizard Marcia Overstrand, is learning the Magykal arts --- but does he have the skills to ward off the evil powers? Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.

Curious about what books will be released in the months ahead? Then be sure to check out our brand new Coming Soon section on Kidsreads.com. We have titles from April through August listed. Please note that we have not included every book coming out, but rather some that caught our eye --- and that we thought should catch yours as well.

March's roundup of Cool New Books includes SIR THURSDAY, Garth Nix's fourth installment in the action-packed Keys to the Kingdom series; FLYTE, book two in Angie Sage's continuing story of Septimus Heap; and GROOVES, a "groovy" mystery/fantasy adventure from Kevin Brockmeier. We're also featuring two outstanding picture books --- watch the Empire State Building take shape in SKY BOYS, and get into the swing of things with PLAY BALL, based on the childhood of New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada --- as well as the debut of three series titles: The Cronus Chronicles, Grey Griffins, and the first book in a new trilogy about a young shepherd who finds a family in the monsters of Greek mythology.

In the last year, Su Doku has swept the nation. Entire sections of bookstores are now dedicated to this Japanese phenomenon. Open any major newspaper in the country and you're likely to find one of these logic-based number puzzles alongside the requisite crossword. Thanks to Newmarket Press these brainbuilders are no longer solely adult's play, as the makers of THE BIG BOOK OF SU DOKU offer younger readers KIDOKU and JUNIOR SU DOKU EASTER.

This is the time of year when winter seems to have been going on for a long time, but summer still seems miles away. Luckily March's Books into Movies feature offers you and your friends the chance to dive into the warm and sunny waters of Aquamarine --- a sweet and entertaining adaptation of Alice Hoffman's tale of love, friendship and magic.

ANDREW LOST: IN THE GARBAGE, Book 13 by J. C. Greenburg
Andrew's newest invention, the Goa Constrictor, was made to swallow garbage and then shrink it. Instead, it swallows Andrew, Judy and Thudd and shrinks them to the size of beetles. And to make matters a hundred times worse (and more smelly), they get thrown into a garbage truck and become residents of the city dump!

GERONIMO STILTON, Book 24: FIELD TRIP TO NIAGARA FALLS by Geronimo Stilton
In one of his most action-packed adventures yet, Geronimo takes nephew Benjamin and his class to Niagara Falls. It's a beautiful place, but with all the problems Geronimo encounters, it's impossible for him to enjoy anything about the trip. And then the situation gets a little bit worse! Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.

DANGEROUS PLAYS: Nancy Drew (All New) Girl Detective #16 by Carolyn Keene
Nancy is all set to travel to London with her dad and Bess when Ned's Shakespeare professor asks them to take a look at his townhouse while they're there; he can't seem to locate his housekeeper and fears something is wrong. Little do they know that this simple favor will unlock a Pandora's box of serious trouble.

GROOVES: A Kind of Mystery by Kevin Brockmeier
Dwayne Ruggles discovers a secret message asking for help in the ridges of his blue jeans, followed by another message in a potato chip --- and then things really get weird, in this "groovy" mystery/fantasy adventure involving a wealthy entrepreneur who causes Dwayne to raise an eyebrow or two. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.

CORYDON & THE ISLAND OF MONSTERS by Tobias Druitt
In Book One of this projected trilogy, the "heroes" are money-grubbing, inept losers and the "monsters" are the true heroes of the tale, full of heart and soul (even if looking at them might turn you to stone). Fans of Greek mythology should check out this creative, compassionate tale that sets many of those old myths on their heads. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.

THE WALL AND THE WING by Laura Ruby
In one vast and sparkling city, almost everyone can fly. But one girl discovers she can do something better: She can become invisible. Gradually Gurl learns to control this amazing power and teams up with Bug to figure out who and what she is; their quest will take them on a wild ride through this magical city. Reviewed by Renee Kirchner.

THE REVENGE OF THE SHADOW KING: Grey Griffins, Book 1 by Derek Benze & J. S. Lewis
Eleven-year-old Max Sumner and his three best friends, who form the secret club The Grey Griffins, live to play their favorite game called Round Table. But shock, danger and unbelievable horrors await them as they learn that this isn't just a game --- it's real! Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman.

THE SHADOW THIEVES: The Cronus Chronicles, Book 1 by Anne Ursu  
Thirteen-year-old Charlotte Mielswetzski wouldn't call herself a liar; she prefers the term "storyteller." By adding just a bit of imagination and a good straight face, she can weave herself out of any trouble she finds herself in --- at least until now. Strange and unbelievable circumstances begin to alter Charlotte's world, and nothing could have prepared her for what she must face. Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman.

EVANGELINE MUDD AND THE GREAT MINK ESCAPADE by David Elliott
Evangeline Mudd is an outgoing 10-year-old who loves adventure. Having just rescued her parents from a jungle, she now embarks on a mission to save hundreds of minks that her father's second cousin twice removed is about to turn into ballet costumes! Reviewed by Robert Oksner.

CLAIR-DE-LUNE by Cassandra Golds
A little girl's imagination can easily become entwined with the real world in which she lives. In her new book, author Cassandra Golds has written a lush fantasy about love in its many forms, from devotion to obsession, and how the life of one young dancer is affected by it all. Reviewed by Joy Held.

April is National Poetry Month. With this in mind, we ask the following questions:

Do you enjoy reading poetry?
Yes
No
I don't read poetry but would like to start.
I don't read poetry and have no interest in doing so.

Do you enjoy writing poems?
Yes
No
I have never written a poem, but I think I would enjoy doing this.
I have never written a poem, and I don't think I would enjoy doing this.

If you could write a poem on any topic, what would it be and why?