|
|
| Witches of Brooklyn by Sophie EscabasseWhat it's about: After losing her mother, 11-year-old Effie isn't happy about being sent to Brooklyn to live with her oddball Aunt Selimene and her partner Carlota. Still, Effie can't squash her curiosity when she discovers than her aunts are witches -- and she might be one, too.
Art alert: Exaggerated character features are just some of the quirky details you'll find in the illustrations of this graphic novel fantasy (don't miss the floor plan of the aunts' sprawling old house). |
|
| The Land of the Cranes by Aida SalazarWhat it is: A story in verse about one family's survival after they're separated by Immigration Customs Enforcement.
What happens: Nine-year-old Betita's hopes for refuge in the U.S. are destroyed when her papi is deported to Mexico, and she and her mami are forced into a grim detention camp.
Is it for you? Though Betita's story may be too painful for some readers, others will welcome its heartwrenching poetry and un-sugarcoated point-of-view, which was inspired by the author's own childhood.
|
|
| Real Friends by Shannon Hale; illustrated by LeUyen PhamWhat it's about: Before she was a famous author, Shannon Hale was an awkward, imaginative girl looking for one good friend.
What happens: At home, Shannon's scary older sister Wendy bullies her, while at school, Shannon's maybe-best-friend Adrienne begins hanging out with mean popular girls.
Why fans of New Kid might like it: Similar to New Kid, Real Friends (and its sequel, Best Friends) offers crisp, colorful artwork and an honest yet hopeful look at belonging and being yourself. |
|
|
Be Prepared
by Vera Brosgol
Starring: nine-year-old misfit Vera, who's hoping that she'll finally fit in among the other Russian kids at a Russian American summer camp.
What happens: From mean girls to a terrifying outhouse, camp is nothing like Vera expected -- can she make even one friend before it's finally time to go home?
About the author: This funny, relatable graphic novel is based on the real-life summer camp woes of author Vera Brosgol.
|
|
| Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg MedinaStarring: Merci Suárez, who's having a rough year: her friendships are all confusing now that she's in 6th grade, her family responsibilities don't leave time for soccer, and her grandpa, Lolo, is acting strange.
Read it for: Merci's annoying yet awesome family and her confident, funny outlook.
Why fans of New Kid might like it: Both Merci and New Kid's Jordan are made to feel out of place by the privileged kids at their private schools. |
|
| A Good Kind of Trouble by Lisa Moore RaméeWhat it’s about: Smart, rule-following, Shayla doesn’t like to make waves -- just the thought of trouble makes her itchy. But when her formerly rock-solid friendships crumble and a police shooting prompts her to attend a Black Lives Matter protest, Shay begins to wonder: are some kinds of trouble worth starting? Why fans of New Kid might like it: Blending humor and seriousness, both books look at how racism impacts an African American 7th-grader's experience of making friends and fitting in.
|
|
|
The Lions of Little Rock
by Kristin Levine
What it's about: In 1958 Little Rock, Arkansas, painfully shy twelve-year-old Marlee sees her city and family divided over school integration, but her friendship with Liz, a new student, helps her find her voice and fight against racism.
|
|
| Stargazing by Jen WangWhat it’s about: Although they’re from the same Chinese American community, well-behaved Christine doesn’t have much in common with hot-tempered, artsy Moon. Yet when the girls become neighbors, they soon find themselves sharing secrets and K-pop videos -- until jealousy and upsetting news threaten their newfound friendship.
Art alert: warm colors and expressive illustrations add energy to this graphic novel.
Why fans of New Kid might like it: Both books star authentic characters navigating different cultures and social pressures. |
|
Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 8-11!
|
|
|
Central Mississippi Regional Library System
100 Tamberline Street
Brandon, Mississippi 39042
601-825-0100
http://www.cmrls.lib.ms.us
|
|
|
|