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The Fowl twins
by Eoin Colfer
Left in the care of house security a week after their 11th birthday, twins Myles and Beckett Fowl enjoy adventure and mayhem while helping a troll escape nefarious forces that want his magic.
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| Allies by Alan GratzThe date: June 6, 1944, also known as D-Day, when one of the most important battles of World War II was fought.
The characters: young Americans Dee and Sid, both fighting on the front lines; French-Algerian Resistance spy Samira; Canadian paratrooper James; African American medic Henry; and many others who help to turn the tide of the war.
For fans of: serious, dramatic war stories like Projekt 1065 and Grenade, also by popular author Alan Gratz. |
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| Gross as a Snot Otter: Discovering the World's Most Disgusting Animals by Jess Keating; illustrated by David DeGrandWhat it is: a round-up of 17 amazingly icky animals, complete with photos, cartoons, and facts.
Did you know: that marabou storks poop on their legs to cool down? Or that herring communicate by passing gas? Or that Siberian chipmunks rub their fur with snakeskins to ward off predators? It’s all true!
Series alert: This is the 3rd book in the World of Weird Animals series -- for something less yucky, try Pink Is for Blobfish or Cute as an Axolotl. |
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| Voyage of the Frostheart by Jamie LittlerWhat it’s about: After being banished from his home for revealing his dangerous song-weaving powers, young Ash joins up with the misfit crew of the Frostheart for a journey of discovery across the snowy, monster-riddled tundra.
Read it for: a fascinating cast of characters, such as grouchy yeti Nobu, peg-legged walrus Captain Nuk, and archeomek scholar Shaard.
Art alert: Detailed graphic novel-style artwork gives you a glimpse of Ash’s frozen fantasy world. |
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There's a Dragon in My Dinner!
by Tom Nicoll
When Eric finds a tiny dragon nestled among the bean sprouts in his Friday night Chinese takeout, he thinks it’s a free toy. But Pan the Mini-Dragon is very real indeed—and he’s about to make Eric’s life anything but boring!
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| Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallows by Asia Citro; illustrated by Marion LindsayIntroducing: smart, curious Zoey and her cat Sassafras, who’ve just discovered that Zoey can see magical animals, just like her scientist mom can.
What happens: While her mom is away, Zoey has to use her own science know-how to help a sick baby dragon.
Why you might like it: Short chapters, cute artwork, and a can-do attitude make this series starter a winning choice. |
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| Meet Yasmin! by Saadia Faruqi; illustrated by Hatem AlyWhat it’s about: Pakistani American second-grader Yasmin uses her imagination in all kinds of ways: she maps her neighborhood, joins in painting and building projects at school, and finds inspiration in her mom’s colorful kameez.
Read it for: energetic art, zippy chapters, and a chance for those who don’t speak Urdu to learn some new words.
Try this next: Jules Jacqueline’s My Family Adventure, another chapter book about an adventurous, easy-to-like girl and her family. |
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| Megabat by Anna Humphrey; illustrated by Kass ReichWhat it's about: After moving into his new attic bedroom, Daniel Misumi discovers an unexpected roommate: Megabat, a talking fruit bat who just wants to go home to Borneo.
Why you might like it: It's hard not to smile at Megabat's unusual way of speaking (smooshfruit, anyone?) and love of Star Wars (he's even got a bendy-straw lightsaber).
Series alert: This illustrated story of cross-species friendship is the 1st in a series. |
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| Sam Wu Is Not Afraid of Ghosts by Katie and Kevin Tsang; illustrated by Nathan ReedWhat it’s about: After an embarrassing pants-wetting incident earns him the nickname Scaredy-Cat Sam, Sam Wu decides to prove his bravery by adopting a pet snake (no, he doesn’t need to hold it) and hunting the ghost that haunts his closet.
Series alert: This is the 1st book in a funny, eye-catching series, followed by Sam Wu Is Not Afraid of Sharks and Sam Wu Is Not Afraid of the Dark.
You might also like: Lenore Look’s Alvin Ho series. |
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| Mia Mayhem Is a Superhero! by Kara West; illustrated by Leeza HernandezStarring: eight-year-old Mia Macarooney, a "total disaster machine" who’s thrilled to learn that she’s not clumsy, she’s a superhero!
What happens: Mia’s parents are super too, and they help her through an awkward start at PITS (Program for In Training Superheroes).
For fans of: the easy-to-read style and page-turning action in Shannon and Dean Hale’s Princess in Black series. |
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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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