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| The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander; illustrated by Kadir NelsonWhat it is: a celebration of the African American artists, athletes, leaders, and survivors -- some famous and some unknown -- who’ve changed America, written by the author of The Crossover.
What’s inside: soul-stirring poetry that begs to be read out loud, plus bold artwork that demands a second look.
Don’t miss: the final pages, which contain fast facts about the people and events shown in the book. |
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The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly
by Rebecca K. S. Ansari
What it's about: Baffled when his 8-year-old brother suddenly disappears and nobody, including their parents, remember him, Charlie teams up with a loyal best friend before making profound magical discoveries that imperil their existence.
Try this next: Smoke and Mirrors by Kristin Halbrook, in which Sasha's parents are turned to birds by a mysterious force. Both of these thoughtful fantasies follow kids who puts themselves in danger to save missing loved ones and repair strained family relationships.
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The Friendship War
by Andrew Clements
What it's about: When Grace takes boxes of old buttons from a building her grandfather bought, she starts a fad at school that draws her closer to one friend, but further from another.
Author alert: Andrew Clements is the author of more than 80 books, including The Losers Club, Frindle, and Lunch Money.
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| Summer of a Thousand Pies by Margaret DillowayWhat it’s about: Twelve-year-old Cady is surprised to find that her next foster home will be with Shell, the aunt she never knew she had. Baking at Aunt Shell’s pie shop and meeting her small-town neighbors makes Cady feel like she’s home for the first time...which also makes her worry that it’s too good to last.
Why you might like it: Cady’s fight for a place to belong is honest and moving, and her recipes might inspire you to bake some pies of your own. |
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| The Last Last-Day-of-Summer by Lamar Giles; illustrated by Dapo AdeolaStarring: skillful sleuths Otto and Sheed, the Legendary Alston Boys of Logan County, Virginia.
What happens: extraordinary events are nothing new in Logan County, but even adventurers like the Alston Boys have their hands full when their town is frozen in time and troubled by inter-dimensional invaders.
Try this next: Sarah Cannon’s Oddity, another zany fantasy set in an unusual town and starring a brave African American kid. |
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| Caterpillar Summer by Gillian McDunnWelcome to: Gingerbread Island, North Carolina, where protective 11-year-old Cat and her brother Chicken are visiting the grandparents they’ve only just met.
What happens: Since their dad died, Cat has taken care of Chicken while their mom works. But with their grandparents around to help, Cat's responsibilities shift, making her reconsider how she fits into her family.
Try this next: Teresa E. Harris’ The Perfect Place, which also follows siblings who spend a life-changing summer with an older relative. |
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Struttin' with Some Barbecue: Lil Hardin Armstrong Becomes the First Lady of Jazz
by Patricia Hruby Powell
What it's about: This biography, written in verse, presents the life and accomplishments of Lil Hardin Armstrong, a ground breaking jazz artist, pianist, composer, bandleader, and the wife of Louis Armstrong.
Try these next: If you want more stories about great women of jazz, try Nina: Jazz Legend and Civil-Rights Activist Nina Simone by Alice Briere-Haquet or Swing Sisters: The Story of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm by Karen Deans.
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Nikki on the Line
by Barbara Carroll Roberts
What it's about: Nikki, thirteen, dreams of being a great basketball player but struggles on her new, elite team while also juggling school stress, her non-traditional family, and revelations about her biological father.
What the reviewers say: "Judy Blume meets Mike Lupica in a this pitch-perfect, action-packed, and funny novel."
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Mia Mayhem Is a Superhero!
by Kara West
What it's about: Eight-year-old Mia Macarooney is delighted to learn she is from a family of superheroes, but her acceptance into the Program for In Training Superheroes requires she take a placement exam.
For fans of: The Princess in Black stories. Both feature spunky heroines and are fun reads for new chapter-book readers.
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Out-of-This World Nonfiction |
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| Welcome to Mars: Making a Home on the Red Planet by Buzz Aldrin with Marianne J. DysonWhat it is: an invitation to join the crew of a mission to Mars.
What’s inside: fascinating facts about space, science, and the Red Planet, including details about what it would take for humans to build a city on Mars.
About the authors: Marianne J. Dyson is a former NASA flight controller, and former astronaut Buzz Aldrin was the second person to walk on the moon. |
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| Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 by Brian FlocaWhat it is: a dramatic, up-close look at the historic Apollo 11 mission to the moon, tracing each step from liftoff to moon landing to returning home.
Why you might like it: large, super-detailed illustrations let you discover not only the facts of the mission, but also the thrilling sense of adventure.
Try this next: If you’re curious about the other Apollo missions, check out Jeffrey Kluger’s To the Moon! Or Suzanne Slade’s Daring Dozen. |
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| The Space Adventurer's Guide: Your Passport to the Coolest Things to See and Do... by Peter McMahon; illustrated by Josh Holinaty Welcome to: space, the vacation destination of the future! Though it sounds like science fiction, space tourism might be possible in your lifetime.
Suggested activities include: visiting Jupiter’s moons, staying on the International Space Station, swimming in an anti-gravity pool, and windsurfing on Saturn’s moon Titan.
Why you might like it: the magazine-style blend of photos, cartoons, and science facts is perfect for browsing. |
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| Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream by Tanya Lee StoneWhat it’s about: In 1961, 13 brave female pilots became the first American women to train as astronauts, even though they were barred from the official NASA program.
What’s inside: tons of photos featuring the real people, places, and things described in the book.
Who it’s for: older kids interested in the “almosts” of history, as well as the famous firsts. |
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| To Burp or Not to Burp: A Guide to Your Body in Space by Dr. Dave Williams and Loredana; illustrated by Theo KrynauwWhat it’s about: In space, everything from burping to picking your nose to using the toilet can be a challenge. Why? Find out in this funny and fact-filled book about what happens to the human body in microgravity.
For fans of: creative problem-solving and gross science.
Author alert: As a doctor and a former astronaut, Dave Williams knows his stuff -- some of the photos in the book are from his own trips to space! |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 8-12! |
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Morton Grove Public Library 6140 Lincoln Ave Morton Grove, Illinois 60053 (847) 965-4220www.mgpl.org/ |
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