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| The Crooked Sixpence by Jennifer BellFantasy. In the secret underground city of Ludinor, even the most boring things can be more than they seem: belts make people fly, bicycle bells talk, and toilet brushes are weapons. After being suddenly whisked away to Ludinor's marketplace for these "uncommon" objects, 11-year-old Ivy and her brother Seb are targeted not only by the police, but also by a sinister group known as Dirge that believes the siblings' family history holds the key to a powerful uncommon treasure. If you enjoyed the vivid magical world, creepy villains, and charming wordplay in the Harry Potter series, you won't want to miss this 1st book in the Uncommoners trilogy. |
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Agnes and Clarabelle
by Adele Griffin
Humorous Fiction. Best friends Agnes Pig and Clarabelle Chicken share their favorite activities for each season, from collecting hazelnuts in winter, to celebrating Clarabelle's birthday in spring, to spending a day at the beach in summer, to buying new sneakers in autumn.
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The Time Museum
by Matthew Loux
Graphic Novel. The internship program at the Time Museum is a little unusual. For one thing, kids as young as twelve get to apply for these prestigious summer jobs. And as for the applicant pool . . . well, these kids come from all over history. When Delia finds herself working at the Time Museum, the last thing she expects is to be sent on time-traveling adventures with an unlikely gang of kids from across the eons. From a cave-boy to a girl from the distant future, Delia's team represents nearly all of human history! They're going to need all their skills for the challenge they've got in store . . . defending the Time Museum itself!
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| Molly and Pim and the Millions of Stars by Martine MurrayFiction. Ten-year-old Molly's mama was embarrassing even before she turned into a tree. She used to dreamily collect herbs and make weird food for school lunches, but ever since she was transformed by one of her own potions, Molly's mama can only make tree-branch beds and grow unusual fruit. Molly wants her mama back more than anything, but with such a strange problem, she needs help from a strange person -- someone like her offbeat classmate, Pim. Tinged with magic but rooted in everyday life, this story of family and friendship will charm readers who like realistic fiction with a fairy-tale feel. |
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| Stef Soto, Taco Queen by Jennifer TorresFiction. Though she wishes they would give her a little more freedom, middle school artist Estefenia Soto knows that her parents love her. There's only one "family member" Stef just can't stand: Tia Perla, her dad's beloved, battered old taco truck. Instead of letting Stef take the bus to school, her dad drops her off in Tia Perla, earning Stef the embarrassing nickname of "Taco Queen." She does her best to handle the school drama, but when the family business is threatened, Stef might have to step up in Tia Perla's defense. Breezy and sprinkled with Spanish, Stef Soto, Taco Queen serves up a fresh, warm-hearted slice of life. |
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| Mr. and Mrs. Bunny -- Detectives Extraordinaire! by Polly Horvath; illustrated by Sophie BlackallHumorous Mystery. Discovering that her parents have been kidnapped by disreputable foxes, sensible fifth-grader Madeline joins forces with Mr. and Mrs. Bunny (a pair of fedora-wearing, amateur detective rabbits) in order to find and rescue them. That's about all we can say about this wacky, witty story without ruining it -- but if you like fantastical tales with a slightly old-fashioned feel and both humans and talking animals as characters, hippity-hop right to the library and check out Mr. and Mrs. Bunny -- Detectives Extraordinaire! and its sequel, Lord and Lady Bunny -- Almost Royalty! |
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| Bo at Ballard Creek by Kirkpatrick Hill; illustrated by LeUyen PhamHistorical Fiction. Fans of historical fiction will love this cozy, engaging story set in 1920s Alaska. Abandoned by her mother years ago, five-year-old tomboy Bo lives happily with her adopted papas in Ballard Creek, a close, caring community made up of gold miners and Alaska Natives. Though Bo's life is full of hard work (endless chores, sluicing dirt for gold), it's also got plenty of thrills (being chased by a bear, seeing a plane for the first time). Readers will be fascinated by the diverse characters, authentic details, and expressive illustrations in this endearingly simple tale. If you like Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books, you should definitely check out Bo at Ballard Creek. |
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| The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison LevyFiction. It's back-to-school time, and along with their two dads and various pets, the multiracial Fletcher brothers -- sixth-grade athlete Sam, almost-twin fourth-graders Jax and Eli, and bouncy kindergartener Frog -- are excited to start the year. Their stodgy next-door neighbor, however, is NOT happy about their annual traditions, such as the epic Halloween party or the backyard ice rink. Can the Fletchers win him over with their brand of cheerful mayhem? Find out in this lively family story, which is followed by a sequel, The Family Fletcher Takes Rock Island. For similar stories featuring sisters instead of brothers, don't miss Jeanne Birdsall's Penderwicks series. |
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| The Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara PennypackerFiction. Twelve-year-old Stella has a happy life on Cape Cod with her great-aunt Louise, although she isn't too fond of Angel, the foster kid Louise has taken in. But then something terrible happens, and Stella and Angel are forced to become a team -- or else they'll both be uprooted and sent away. Intense, deeply emotional, and yet at times surprisingly funny, this story of friendship and survival is one that fans of Kathi Appelt's more fantastical but still mostly realistic book Keeper are bound to enjoy. |
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The Tapper Twins Go to War (with Each Other)
by Geoff Rodkey
Fiction. Was it the stolen toaster pastry, or was it being publicly accused of stinkiness? Though 12-year-old Claudia Tapper and her twin brother Reese disagree about who started the conflict, they each vow revenge on the other. Through doodles, texts, photos, and screenshots, Claudia records the resulting prank war, which quickly escalates from a rotten fish in a backpack to an embarrassing haircut to all-out digital destruction in MetaWorld (think Minecraft). What will it take for the scheming siblings to call a truce? Find out in this uproarious "oral history."
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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