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The Comeback
by E. L. Shen
Twelve-year-old Maxine Chen is just trying to nail that perfect landing: on the ice, in middle school, and at home, where her parents worry that competitive skating is too much pressure for a budding tween. Maxine isn't concerned, however--she's determined to glide to victory.
But then a bully at school starts teasing Maxine for her Chinese heritage, leaving her stunned and speechless. And at the rink, she finds herself up against a stellar new skater named Hollie, whose grace and skill threaten to edge Maxine out of the competition. With everything she knows on uneven ice, will Maxine crash under the pressure? Or can she power her way to a comeback?
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| Amina's Song by Hena KhanWhat it's about: At the start of 7th grade, talented songwriter Amina is wondering where she belongs. While visiting Pakistan, she sometimes felt "not Pakistani enough," but now that she's back in Wisconsin, her friends don't understand her love for Pakistan. How is she supposed to be herself when she's always stuck in-between?
Series alert: This hopeful and heartfelt story is a sequel to Amina's Voice, but you can enjoy it on its own.
You might also like: Sherri Winston's The Sweetest Sound. |
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Unleashed
by Amy McCulloch
What it's about: Armed with their companioneering and coding skills and accompanied by their loyal bakus, Lacey Chu and her friends attempt a rescue mission deep in the heart of a sinister transnational tech corporation.
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| Spin With Me by Ami PolonskyFeaturing: Essie, a cisgender girl who's annoyed when her dad's temporary job forces her to attend a new school for one semester, and Ollie, a nonbinary classmate who's searching for confidence beyond their role as an LGBTQIA advocate.
What happens: Knowing they have only a limited time together, Ollie and Essie navigate their crushes on each other and deal with their differing views on labels and identity.
How it's told: by both Ollie and Essie, with the point of view shifting halfway through the book. |
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The House That Wasn't There
by Elana K. Arnold
Alder has always lived in his cozy little house in Southern California. And for as long as he can remember, the old, reliable, comforting walnut tree has stood between his house and the one next door. That is, until a new family—with a particularly annoying girl his age—moves into the neighboring house and, without warning, cuts it down.
Oak doesn’t understand why her family had to move to Southern California. She has to attend a new school, find new friends, and live in a new house that isn’t even ready—her mother had to cut down a tree on their property line in order to make room for a second floor. And now a strange boy next door won’t stop staring at her, like she did something wrong moving here in the first place.
As Oak and Alder start school together, they can’t imagine ever becoming friends. But the two of them soon discover a series of connections between them—mysterious, possibly even magical puzzles they can’t put together. At least not without each other’s help.
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| Scar Island by Dan GemeinhartThe setting: Slabhenge Reformatory for Troubled Boys, an eerie, ramshackle island prison.
What happens: Twelve-year-old Jonathan has only just arrived at Slabhenge when a lightning strike kills all of the cruel adults, leaving the juvenile offenders to a wild, unsupervised lifestyle...until a storm threatens the island and a ruthless new leader rises.
Read it for: a suspenseful, high-stakes survival story.
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| The Explorers: The Door in the Alley by Adrienne KressIntroducing: Sebastian, a cautious science geek who takes a wrong turn and winds up trespassing in the mysterious Explorers Society.
What happens: A puzzle box from the Society leads Sebastian to an orphan named Evie, a pig wearing a teeny hat, and a group of explorers known as the Filipendulous Five
Series alert: If you like the quirky humor and clever, Lemony Snicket-style narration in this series opener, don't miss the next book, The Reckless Rescue. |
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| The Skeleton Tree by Iain LawrenceWhat it's about: After a sailing trip ends in shipwreck, 12-year-old Chris finds himself stranded on a remote Alaskan coast with Frank, an older boy he barely knows and doesn't trust.
Why you might like it: Chris and Frank are both layered characters, and the strained bond between them provides just as much tension and drama as their struggle for survival amid the frigid weather and hungry animals of the Alaskan wilderness. |
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| The Whiz Mob and the Grenadine Kid by Colin Meloy; illustrated by Carson EllisWhat it's about: While living in 1961 France, lonely American Charlie is thrilled to be accepted into a crew of pickpockets -- and shocked to discover that the stakes of his new hobby are higher than he could have imagined.
Why you might like it: Growing suspense, colorful slang, and funny asides from the narrator will keep you hooked throughout this highly unusual heist adventure. |
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| The Explorer by Katherine RundellThe disaster: Following a tragic plane crash, Fred, Con, Lila, and Max are stranded in Brazil's Amazon rainforest.
The survivors: Combining their skills and following an ancient map, the kids journey downriver and gain firsthand experience of nature's challenges (dodging piranhas, eating grubs) and wonders (pink dolphins, baby sloths). Try this next: Ben Mikaelson's Jungle of Bones, another survival adventure with a vivid jungle setting. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 10-13!
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