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| Checked by Cynthia KadohataWhat it's about: Just before he's supposed to try out for a professional youth hockey team, 11-year-old Conor learns that his dog, Sinbad, needs an expensive cancer treatment. Since money is tight in Conor's family, saving Sinbad means that Conor might have to give up the sport he loves.
Who it's for: athletes, hockey fans, and readers who like bittersweet slice-of-life stories. |
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The wild robot escapes
by Peter Brown
What it's about: A sequel to The Wild Robot finds a shipwrecked Robot Roz struggling to survive the challenges of the civilized world and find her way home to Brightbill and the island.
Author note: By the award-winning author of Creepy Carrots!
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Time jumpers
by Brandon Mull
What it's about: In a final installment in the series (Five Kingdoms) that began with Sky Raiders finds Cole and his friends testing their limits in their efforts to restore magic to the world of the Outskirts.
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| Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World by Ashley Herring BlakeWhat it's about: Twelve-year-old Ivy is reeling after her family's home is destroyed by a tornado, her treasured private sketchbook goes missing, and she starts crushing on a girl in her class. Then someone begins anonymously returning her drawings -- along with notes encouraging her to come out.
You might also like: Barbara Dee's Star-Crossed, another authentic, relatable story about a girl finding the courage to be herself. |
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Books You Might Have Missed |
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| Forever, or a Long, Long Time by Caela CarterWhat it's about: With no memory of their birth parents and a long history of foster homes behind them, Flora and her little brother, Julian, find it hard to believe that they've finally been adopted by a caring family.
Why you might like it: It's both heart-wrenching and moving to follow Flora and Julian as they try to adjust and, with help from new mom Emily, confront the pain of their past. |
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| The Pants Project by Cat ClarkeStarring: eleven-year-old Liv, who knows he's transgender but hasn't told anyone yet -- a situation that's more difficult at his new school, where they see him as a girl and require him to wear a uniform with a skirt.
Why you might like it: You'll be rooting for the likable, determined Liv as he and his moms challenge the school dress code.
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| Bone Jack by Sara CroweWhat it's about: Ash should be proud to be leading this year's Stag Chase, an ancient ritual that persists in his modern English town. But with eerie incidents on the rise -- including his ex-best friend hiding in the woods and raving about old magic -- Ash's pride is replaced by fear that something sinister is stirring.
Who it's for: Blending fantasy, horror, and mythology, Bone Jack will captivate readers craving haunting, deeply creepy stories. |
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Booked
by Kwame Alexander
What it's about: Though his dictionary-writer dad is obsessed with vocabulary-building, 12-year-old Nick would rather be outside, practicing for the soccer tournament with his friend Coby. Maybe if Nick were better with words, he wouldn't have such a tough time talking to April, the girl he likes. Then again, Nick has more worries than just perfecting his game (on and off the field): he's getting pushed around at school by a couple of "mean eighth grade tyrants," and his parents have announced that they're splitting up.
Why you may like it: Attention-grabbing free verse will keep you turning the pages of this "satisfying, winning read" (Kirkus Reviews) by Newbery medalist Kwame Alexander.
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13 Gifts
by Wendy Mass
What it's about: Shortly before her 13th birthday, usually timid Tara gets caught trying to steal a goat -- the school's mascot -- from the principal's office. As punishment, Tara's parents send her to spend the summer with her aunt and uncle in tiny Willow Falls rather than taking her to Madagascar with them. But instead of the boredom she expects, Tara finds mystery and a bit of magic in the charmed little town and its unusual inhabitants.
Why you may like it: While she may be shy, Tara has a lot of personality, and her wry narration is a highlight of this companion novel to 11 Birthdays and Finally. For more birthday tales full of colorful characters, but touched by a good bit more magic, check out Ingrid Law's Savvy and Scumble.
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Contact your librarian for more great books for readers ages 10-13!
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Central Mississippi Regional Library System
100 Tamberline Street
Brandon, Mississippi 39042
601-825-0100
http://www.cmrls.lib.ms.us
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