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13th Street: Battle of the Bad-Breath Bats by David Bowles; illustrated by Shane Clester What it's about: While exploring Gulf City's Little Mexico, cousins Malia, Dante, and Ivan accidentally wind up on 13th Street, which isn't a typical street but 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. | |
Tyrannosaurus wrecks
by
Stuart Gibbs
What it's about: When a rare dinosaur skull is stolen from a top-secret excavation site on his friend’s ranch, Teddy Fitzroy begins an investigation that is complicated by the Barksdale twins’ anaconda and Summer’s inquiries into the black-market reptile trade.
If you like: fun and exciting mysteries with many laugh out moments you'll definitely want to check this out!. Written by the author of the New York Times bestselling Spy School series.
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The Time of Green Magic by Hilary McKay What it's about: Moving into a vine-covered old house proves life-changing for Abi and her new stepsiblings: things from Abi's books start appearing in real life, 13-year-old Max tumbles into his first crush, and six-year-old Louis adopts a feline friend who becomes more menacing as it grows bigger and bigger.
Read it for: a stirring family story with an eerie blend of magic and reality. | | Something to Say by Lisa Moore Ramée What it's about: Jenae is okay with starting middle school without any friends -- she'd rather stay quiet and invisible. That begins to change, however, when she bonds with loud new kid Aubrey, and when a debate over her school's name (it's named after a racist celebrity) spurs her into speaking up.
If you like: the honesty, low-key humor, and authentic characters in this book, you'll want to pick up author Lisa Moore Ramée's previous book, A Good Kind of Trouble. | |
Wondrous Rex
by
Patricia MacLachlan
What it's about: Responding to a disorganized young writer’s ad for an assistant, a faithful magical dog named Rex helps 7-year-old Grace work through writer’s block while teaching her the “magical” power of tidying up. By the Newbery Medal-winning author of Sarah, Plain and Tall.
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Wink
by
Rob Harrell
What it’s about: Thanks to a rare form of eye cancer, Ross is stuck with a permanent wink, an eye-shading cowboy hat, a lot of anger, and no hope of blending in during 7th grade.
About the author: A cancer survivor himself, author Rob Harrell brings both honesty and humor to this comics-illustrated book.
For fans of: Cece Bell’s El Deafo -- like Cece, Ross imagines a superhero alter-ego to help him through the frustrating ups and downs of friendship.
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The space between lost and found
by
Sandy Stark-McGinnis
What it's about: Cassie's always looked up to her mom, a vibrant woman bursting with grand ideas. Together they planned to check off every dream on their think-big bucket list, no matter how far the adventures took them. The future seemed unlimited.
But then came the diagnosis, and Mom started to lose her memories. Even the ones Cassie thought she'd never forget. Even Cassie's name.
Cassie tries her hardest to keep Mom happy . . . to focus on math lessons and come up with art ideas that used to burst off her pen. But as Mom's memories dimmed, so did Cassie's inspiration. She's even pushed away Bailey, the one friend who could help make things okay.
So, Cassie decides to take action. It's time for one last adventure... even if it means taking a big risk to get there.
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The Someday Suitcase by Corey Ann Haydu What it's about: Lifelong best friends Danny and Clover are so close that quiet, scientific Clover thinks they're symbiotic -- they can't live without each other. So, when Danny develops major health problems, Clover wonders: Can her friendship help him get better? And if not, how will she get by without him?
For fans of: Ali Benjamin's The Thing About Jellyfish, another sincere story about the connections between science, friendship, and loss. | | More to the Story by Hena Khan What it is: an update of Louisa May Alcott's classic Little Women, starring Jameela, Maryam, Bisma, and Aleeza, four sisters from a close-knit Pakistani American family.
What happens: With a job on the school newspaper and an exciting new friendship with British newcomer Ali, Jameela's 7th-grade year is looking up... until her dad goes overseas for work and Bisma becomes seriously ill.
Who it's for: readers who like feisty heroines, cozy vibes, and modern, realistic family stories. | |
Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 8-11!
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