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Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows
by Ryan Calejo
What it's about: Steeped in Hispanic folklore since childhood, middle schooler Charlie Hernández learns the stories are true when, shortly after his parents disappearance, he grows horns and feathers and finds himself at the heart of a battle to save the world.
For fans of: Rick Riordan's series, particularly for those fans looking to explore different mythologies with their adventure stories.
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Art in Action: Make a Statement, Change Your World
by Matthew Chavez
What it is: In this DIY guide, Chavez shows young readers how to create their very own art projects with a purpose. Young artists will be inspired to share their own perspectives and make a difference in their own worlds--from their homes to schools to neighborhoods and the whole broader world.
About the author: Matthew "Levee" Chavez is the creator of Subway Therapy, an ongoing immersive project at the Union Square subway station in Manhattan.
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Wicked Nix
by Lena Coakley
What it's about: Nix, “the foulest of the fairies,” lives in the forest near a village, subsisting on fairy gifts from townspeople or anything he can scrounge up (“it’s not stealing if you’re a fairy”), all while waiting for the return of the fairy queen who abandoned him last summer. When an old man moves into the cottage by the woods, Wicked Nix tries every trick in the book to make him leave.
What the reviewers say: "Wicked Nix is a rare and enchanting book. Equal parts mischievous and poignant--this story is destined to linger in the hearts of all readers lucky enough to discover its magic." --Jonathan Auxier, author of The Night Gardener.
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You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P!
by Alex Gino
What it's about: When her new baby sister is born deaf, Jilly makes an online connection with a fellow fantasy fan, who happens to be black and Deaf, and begins to learn about the many obstacles that exist in the world for people who are different from her.
Why it's important: Gino's second novel (following George) opens up a discussion about racism and Deaf culture.
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Squirm
by Carl Hiaasen
What it's about: Billy Dickens discovers that his mysterious father lives in Montana, so this summer Billy will fly across the country, hike a mountain, float a river, dodge a grizzly bear, shoot down a spy drone, and save his own father.
Author alert: If you like eco adventures, check out author Carl Hiaasen's other books, Chomp, Scat, Flush, and Hoot.
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The Scarlett Rose: I Knew I'd Meet You
by Patricia Lyfoung
What it's about: After the death of her father, Maud goes to live with her wealthy grandfather in Paris, but when she falls in love with a dashing figure, the Fox, she defies her grandfather's attempt to introduce her to society by becoming a marauder for the Fox.
Who it's for: graphic novel fans who like their strong female characters to be winning their own sword fights.
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| The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla MagoonStarring: ten-year-old Caleb, who's tired of spending every summer stuck in his boring Indiana town.
What happens: Styx Malone -- 16 years old and impossibly cool -- moves to the neighborhood and introduces Caleb and his brother Bobby Gene to a risky scheme that could earn them the freedom Caleb dreams about.
Who it's for: readers looking for a funny, realistic story about a summer full of excitement and trouble. |
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| Aquicorn Cove by Katie O'NeillWhat it's about: While visiting the seaside town where she used to live -- and where her mom died -- a girl named Lana rescues a tiny orange aquicorn (imagine a cross between a seahorse and a unicorn) and discovers that her family's past could affect the future of these magical creatures.
Art alert: From cool coastal blues to candy-bright pastels, the imaginative art in this graphic novel brims with eye-catching color. |
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| Inkling by Kenneth Oppel; illustrated by Sydney SmithWhat it's about: Grieving the loss of his mom and stuck with a school project he can't finish, Ethan Rylance is struggling. Luckily, help arrives in the form of Inkling, a living inkblot who can read, write, draw, and (most importantly) listen.
Why you might like it: With true-to-life characters, off-kilter humor (Inkling talks like whatever he's read recently), and interesting ideas about creativity and friendship, Inkling is a quirky and memorable read.
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| Knights Vs. Dinosaurs by Matt PhelanWhat it's about: Sent back in time by Merlin, the Knights of the Round Table must fight their way through a daunting line-up of dinosaurs.
Read it for: epic battles (complete with T. rex punches and triceratops jousting), surprising twists, and spectacular silliness.
For fans of: other not-so-historical illustrated fantasy books, such as Cressida Cowell's How to Train Your Dragon series. |
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| Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere by Elise GravelWhat it is: the "observation notebook" of Olga, a kid scientist who likes animals more than people.
What happens: When Olga finds a strange creature -- it's potato-shaped, stinky, and has rainbow poop -- she decides to study it, leading to gross, goofy discoveries and a few new friends.
Series alert: For further cartoon-illustrated adventures with Olga, pick up the sequel, We're Out of Here! |
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Zombie Makers: True Stories of Nature's Undead
by Rebecca L. Johnson
What it's about: Are zombies real? As far as we know, dead people do not come back to life and start walking around, looking for trouble. But there are things that can take over the bodies and brains of innocent creatures, turning them into senseless slaves. Meet nature's zombie makers--including a fly-enslaving fungus, a suicide worm, and a cockroach-taming wasp--and their victims.
Who it's for: readers with iron stomachs who like their nonfiction to be as gross as possible.
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| The Unlikely Adventures of Mabel Jones by Will MabbittStarring: Mabel, a pajama-clad girl who does something so disgusting (no spoilers, but it involves boogers) that it opens a portal to a future world where Mabel is kidnapped by the animal pirate crew of the Feroshus Maggot.
Read it for: swashbuckling action, gross-out jokes, and plenty of puns.
Series alert: The outrageous magical mayhem continues in Mabel Jones and the Forbidden City and Mabel Jones and the Doomsday Book. |
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| Demon Dentist by David WalliamsWhat it's about: There's a new dentist in town…or is she actually a witch? Twelve-year-old Alfie can't think of any other reason why kids who expect coins from the tooth fairy are finding slugs, scabs, eyeballs, and still-flapping bat wings under their pillows instead.
Who it's for: readers who enjoy the over-the-top characters and creepy edge of Roald Dahl's books, and who like an extra splash of toilet humor. |
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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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