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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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| 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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| 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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Amira & Hamza : The War to Save the Worlds
by Samira Ahmed
What it's about: When her little brother Hamza opens the forbidden Box of the Moon, 12-year-old Amira must journey to a mystical land to prevent the moon, the barrier between realms, from unleashing a nightmare on Earth.
Who should read it: This thrilling and magical adventure intertwining Islamic legend and history, is perfect for fans of Aru Shah and the Land of Stories.
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What Lives in the Woods
by Lindsay Currie
What it's about: Ginny is unhappy when her family moves from Chicago to upstate Michigan for the summer; her father has a job restoring a 1930s mansion, but there are rumors about Woodmoor and the forest next to it: rumors about strange mutant creatures; Ginny, an aspiring mystery writer, is soon half convinced that the rumors are true, because something or someone is haunting the house--and she plans to investigate, with the help of Will, the older boy who lives nearby.
Who should read it: This chilling ghost story is perfect for fans of Small Spaces and the Goosebumps series by R.L Stine.
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Einstein : The Fantastic Journey of a Mouse Through Space and Time
by Torben Kuhlmann
"When an inventive mouse misses the biggest cheese festival the world has ever seen, he's determined to turn back the clock. But what is time, and can it be influenced? With the help of a mouse clockmaker, a lot of inventiveness, and the notes of a certain famous Swiss physicist he succeeds in traveling back in time. But when he misses his goal by eighty years, the only one who can help is an employee of the Swiss Patent Office, who turned our concept of space and time upside down"
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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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The Amazing Life of Azaleah Lane
by Nikki Shannon Smith
The story: Azaleah loved her class field trip to the National Zoo in Washington D.C, and is looking forward to earning extra credit by building a diorama of a tiger in his natural habitat for extra credit--but before she can even begin her task she has to solve the mystery of her younger sister's favorite missing stuffed animal because her parents and older sister are too busy and Tiana is ready to throw a tantrum.
The author: Nikki Shannon Smith is a local author who lives in Davis and has presented at the Mary L. Stephens Davis Branch Library!
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Bo's Magical New Friend
by Rebecca Elliott
Meet Rainbow Tinseltail and the unicorns of Sparklegrove Forest, in this magical series from the creator of the bestselling Owl Diaries series! With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina.
About the Unicorns: Every unicorn has a magical power. Bo is a Wish Unicorn with the power to grant wishes. Bo has lots of friends, but one thing Bo wants more than anything is a best friend. When a new unicorn named Sunny Huckleberry pops into the forest, will Bo's big wish finally come true? And what will Sunny's Unicorn Power be?
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 8-11!
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