National Poetry Month is finally here! For the first time in several years, I am not doing an April blog project. I’ll be a little busy with my book launch.

Let’s kick off the start of National Poetry Month 2016 with poet Amy Ludwig VanDerwater. Amy is hosting Poetry Friday today at The Poem Farm.

However, I am going to enjoy what the other Poetry Friday bloggers have to offer for our 20th anniversary NPM celebration. Jama Rattigan has a full listing of kidlitosphere projects and poems for National Poetry Month 2016 at Jama’s Alphabet Soup.

THE LAST FIFTH GRADE OF EMERSON ELEMENTARY is not the only debut middle grade novel launching on April 12. Three of my friends also have books releasing that day: Brooks Benjamin (MY SEVENTH-GRADE LIFE IN TIGHTS), Melanie Conklin (COUNTING THYME), and Shari Schwarz (TREASURE AT LURE LAKE.)

I’ve already blogged about MY SEVENTH-GRADE LIFE IN TIGHTS and COUNTING THYME. Today, it’s Shari Schwarz’s turn in the spotlight.

TREASURE AT LURE LAKE is about siblings Bryce and Jack. The boys tell the story of a grand, and sometimes harrowing, adventure in the woods in alternating chapters.  Jack, the elder brother, is more interested in girls and his cell phone than in hiking to his family’s out-of-the-way cabin. Bryce, a natural rule-follower, is willing to take a few chances if it means impressing his newly hard-to-impress older brother. Throw in some tension between their parents — both of whom decide last minute not to make the trip — and an outdoorsy Grandpa, and you have the makings of an epic family story.

I’m recommending this book for MG readers. It’s a great choice for summer vacation. There are funny moments (someone gets nuzzled by a curious elk), a mysterious map, and some danger. What makes this book solidly middle grade is that adults, especially Grandpa, are a reassuring and loving presence that balances the scary moments.

TREASURE AT LURE LAKE launches on April 12. Here is the blurb from Goodreads:

An epic adventure—that’s all Bryce wants this summer. So when he stumbles upon a treasure map connected to an old family secret, Bryce is determined to follow the clues to unearth both, even it means hiking in the wilderness in the middle of nowhere. Bryce must work with his bickering brother, Jack, or they may never see the light of day again!

Who will like it?

• Kids who like adventure stories.
• Children who are trying to navigate changing sibling relationships.
• Boys and girls who love the outdoors.

What will readers learn about?

• How a family secret can affect children.
• Outdoor survival tips!
• Siblings may get annoyed with us, but they will always love us.

The poem I’m pairing with TREASURE AT LURE LAKE is one of Mary Ann Hoberman’s family poems. I think this one captures Jack and how he sees his relationship with Bryce.

BY MARY ANN HOBERMAN

Since we share a launch day, Brooks, Mel, Shari, and I have been doing some interviews together. Here is a fun one at the website Kidliterati. We’re running a giveaway of *all four books!* which you’ll find at the end of the Kidliterati post.