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| The Swag Is in the Socks by Kelly J. BaptistThe gift: On his birthday, seventh-grade loner Xavier Moon receives a wild pair of socks from his larger-than-life great uncle, along with a challenge to "get your sad self together."
The response: Trying to be as bold as his new socks, Xavier sets out to join the Scepter League, an exclusive club for boys with leadership abilities.
You might also like: Janae Marks' From the Desk of Zoe Washington, another funny, honest read about a kid facing challenges and finding confidence. |
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| Black Ballerinas: My Journey to Our Legacy by Misty Copeland; illustrated by Salena BarnesWhat it is: mini-biographies of Black ballerinas past and present, describing their game-changing skills, the way they challenged the racism of American dance, and the inspiration they offer to young dancers today.
Art alert: The biographies include watercolor art of each strong, graceful ballerina, making the book as interesting to look at as it is to read.
About the author: Author and ballerina Misty Copeland made history as the first African American female principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre. |
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| Ace Takes Flight by Cory McCarthyWhat it's about: It's 2048, and 11-year-old Ace is finally living his dreams as a cadet at the Biological Enhancement Systems Technology (B.E.S.T.) Program, where students train to receive "augmentations" to their minds and bodies. Ace longs for wings -- but does he have what it takes to earn them?
Read it for: fast-paced action, characters you'll want to hang out with, and a fascinating future setting.
Series alert: Ace Takes Flight kicks off the exciting B.E.S.T. World trilogy. |
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Keeping it real
by Paula Chase
Fourteen-year-old Marigold's family owns Flexx Unlimited, a hip-hop lifestyle company, and she attends the elite school Flowered Arms Academy, but she has never felt entirely comfortable in the mostly White school, and she prefers to hang out with Justice, relatively new to the school, but a star basketball player; so enrolling in Style High with him, a trainee program funded by Mari's family, seems like a good way to spend the summer--until she meets Kara, who obviously hates Mari and seems determined to turn Justice against her
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| Stuck by Jennifer SwenderStarring: Austin, who's moved schools enough times to become an expert on blending in and hiding his difficulties with reading.
What happens: Austin finds a real friend in energetic classmate Bertie, who wants him to join the Safety Squad with her -- which requires a written test.
Why you might like it: Austin is a determined, observant character who's easy to relate to, whether or not you live with a learning disability. |
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Best friends-ish
by Carter Higgins
So far second grade is not living up to Audrey Locke's hopes, because she is not really the best at anything, the other girls leave her out, and even her Diego, her best friend from first grade, is hanging out with the other boys; but things may be getting worse, because starting Monday she will not even be the only Audrey in second grade--to Audrey L (as she must now be known) this is looking like a disaster, but just maybe she has more in common with Audrey W than just a name
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| 13th Street: Battle of the Bad-Breath Bats by David Bowles; illustrated by Shane ClesterWhat it's about: While exploring Gulf City's Little Mexico, cousins Malia, Dante, and Ivan accidentally wind up on 13th Street, a creepy otherworld filled with giant, wicked Snatch Bats. Can the cousins make it out safely?
Why you might like it: With spine-tingling scares, short chapters, cartoon art, and progress bars to show you how far you've read, this video game-style chapter book (the 1st in a series) will keep you turning pages. |
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| Aven Green, Sleuthing Machine by Dusti Bowling: illustrated by Gina PerryWhat it's about: When food disappears from school, outgoing eight-year-old Aven Green is on the case. She's got the all the confidence and smarts of a great detective -- in fact, since she was born without arms, she's pretty sure her arm cells went to her brain instead.
Try this next: for another bold kid who does her own thing, try Dawn Quigley's Jo Jo Makoons series; for more chapter book mysteries, try Dori Hillestad Butler's King & Kayla series. |
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| Our Friend Hedgehog: The Story of Us by Lauren CastilloWhat it's about: Hedgehog is happy on her tiny island with Mutty, her stuffed dog. But after a storm sweeps Mutty away, Hedgehog sets out to find him, and meets several helpful new friends along the way.
Why you might like it: The cute animals and cozy vibes in this series-starter will have you looking forward to the next book.
You might also like: Jacqueline Davies' Sydney & Taylor series, which also stars a hedgehog and friends.
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| Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business by Lyla Lee; illustrated by Dung HoIntroducing: seven-and-a-half-year-old Mindy Kim, who just moved to a new state with her dad after her mom died.
What it's about: Mindy wants to fit in at her new school and raise money for a puppy, so when new friend Sally wants to start a seaweed snack business, Mindy agrees, even though it's against the rules.
Series alert: There are already lots of books in the upbeat Mindy Kim series, and more coming in 2022. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 8-11!
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Central Arkansas Library System 100 Rock St. Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 501-918-3000www.cals.org/ |
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