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| One-Third Nerd by Gennifer Choldenko; illustrated by Églantine Ceulemans What it's about: Either the dog or the family has to go! So says the landlord of the apartment where Liam and his family live with Cupcake, their German Shepherd who keeps peeing on the carpet. Can Liam and his younger sisters -- scientist Dakota and hug expert Izzy -- find a way to keep both their dog and their home?
Try this next: Karina Yan Glaser's Vanderbeekers series, for further slice-of-life stories about a quirky, pet-loving family. |
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Disaster On The Titanic
by Kate Messner
What it's about: Ranger is transported to Belfast in 1912, where he helps young Patrick Murphy survive the doomed maiden voyage of the Titanic.
Series Alert: Disaster On The Titanic is book #9 in the Ranger in Time Series. Catch the beginning with Rescue On The Oregon Trail and be sure to keep a look out for book #10 due to hit the shelves later this year.
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| Meena Meets Her Match by Karla ManternachStarring: third-grader Meena, who loves bright colors and making recycled art.
What happens: Lately, Meena's been feeling sick, and her best friend Sofia has stopped playing with her at recess. What's going on? Meena's not sure, but she refuses to let her colorful life turn gray.
For fans of: Sara Pennypacker's Clementine books, Beverly Cleary's Ramona series, and other stories starring upbeat, easy-to-like characters. |
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Born To Rock
by James Patterson
What it's about: Entering her band in a music competition in the hope of winning a jamming session with her favorite rock star, Georgia reluctantly asks her annoying big brother, Rafe, for help only to be stymied by the embarrassment of his crazy ideas.
Series Alert: This is book #11 in the Middle School Series, pick up Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life to start at the beginning.
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| Max & the Midknights by Lincoln PeirceWhat happens: Max, an apprentice troubadour who longs to be a knight, sets out on a quest to save the land of Byjovia from the wicked King Gastley.
Why you might like it: Max's quest leads to new friends, as well as battles, dragons, flying rats, and a surprising prophecy.
Author alert: If you've read any of the Big Nate books, you'll recognize the cartoon art and laugh-out-loud humor of popular author/illustrator Lincoln Peirce. |
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| The Buddy Files: The Case of the School Ghost by Dori Hillestad Butler; illustrated by Jeremy Tugeau What it's about: When therapy dog (and sometimes sleuth) Buddy joins his owner Conner for the fourth-grade sleepover in the school library, spooky things keep happening. Could the stories about a ghost in the school be true?
Read it for: suspense, secret codes, and characters you'll root for.
Series alert: You can jump right into this short 6th book in the Buddy Files series, or start at the beginning with The Case of the Lost Boy. |
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| The Chicken Squad: The First Misadventure by Doreen Cronin; illustrated by Kevin CornellIntroducing: Sugar, Dirt, Poppy, and Sweetie, four crime-fighting chicks who agree to help one very scared squirrel figure out what's chasing him...even if it lands them all in big trouble.
Who it's for: fans of author Doreen Cronin's J.J. Tully Mysteries, or anyone looking for a funny chapter book series -- this is the 1st of six books starring the Chicken Squad.
Try this next: Aaron Blabey's Bad Guys series. |
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| My Dog is Better Than Your Dog by Tommy GreenwaldWhat it's about: Fifth-grader Jimmy is obsessed with crime TV and vampire books. His new dog, Abby, has long fangs and a nose for shady characters. When a rash of robberies breaks out in their neighborhood, Jimmy and Abby seize the chance to prove their worth as a crime-fighting duo.
Series alert: For more of Jimmy and Abby's quirky, fast-paced cases, pick up It's A Doggy Dog World, the next book in the Crimebiters! series. |
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Lantern Sam and The Blue Streak Bandits
by Michael D Beil
What it's about: Helping to solve mysteries from his home aboard the Lake Erie Shoreliner train, wise-cracking cat Lantern Sam helps 10-year-old traveler Henry, who is trying to rescue his friend Ellie from kidnappers.
Want more?: check out Michael Beil's Red Blazer Girls series available on BRIDGES.
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The Case of The Missing Tiger's Eye
by Walker Styles
What it's about: A doggy detective with a nose for sniffing out clues joins new friends in the Pup Investigators Pack to stop feline fiends from committing nefarious capers in Pawston's criminal underbelly.
Series Alert: If you like the first book, there are eight more in the Rider Woofson series for you to enjoy, available now at the Independence Public Library.
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 8-11!
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