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Kids' Books September 2019
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| Mighty Jack and Zita The Spacegirl by Ben HatkeWhat it’s about: When Earth is menaced by tentacled aliens AND angry giants, intergalactic heroine Zita joins forces with modern fairy tale hero Jack to defend the planet.
Who it’s for: Fans of Zita’s and Jack’s solo series (both by author Ben Hatke) can jump right in to this crossover adventure, while newcomers may want to start at the beginning with Zita the Spacegirl and Mighty Jack. |
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| Lalani of the Distant Sea by Erin Entrada KellyStarring: 12-year-old Lalani Sarita, the last hope of Sanlagita Island.
What happens: After Sanlagita is plagued with disaster and illness, Lalani sets out across the sea on a quest from which no man has ever returned: to bring back good fortune from the legendary Mount Isa.
Did you know? Newbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kelly based this enchanting, hopeful fantasy on folktales from her Filipino heritage. |
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| The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. RaúfWhat it’s about: When quiet, serious refugee Ahmet joins Mrs. Khan’s class, he’s befriended by a group of classmates with an unusual plan to reunite him with his Syrian family.
Who it’s for: This touching story of belonging will appeal to readers who aren’t refugees but who want to understand the experiences of their friends and classmates who are.
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Malamander
by Thomas Taylor
Assisting a fearless girl in an investigation into the mysterious loss of her parents years earlier, Herbert Lemon learns that some of his fellow townspeople are hunting a sea monster that is believed to convey a surprising gift.
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The Girl who Sailed the Stars
by Matilda Woods
The youngest of seven sisters steals aboard her sea captain father's ship as he sets sail for his annual winter whale hunt, a voyage that challenges her to prove her worthiness in spite of not being the son her father wants.
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Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish
by Pablo Cartaya
After a fight at school leaves Marcus facing suspension, Marcus's mother takes him and his younger brother, who has Down syndrome, to Puerto Rico to visit relatives they do not remember or have never met. While they are there, Marcus begins searching for his father who left their family ten years ago and is somewhere on the island.
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Allie, First at Last
by Angela Cervantes
Born into a family of over-achievers, Allie has never finished first in anything, but she is determined to win the Trailblazer contest with an entry about her great grandfather, her town's first Congressional Medal of Honor winner.
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| Stella Díaz Has Something to Say by Angela DominguezWhat it’s about: Stella Diaz loves drawing, betta fish, and her family. She doesn’t love being in a different 3rd-grade class than her best friend, especially not after she’s assigned to give a speech in front of the whole class.
Who it’s for: new chapter book readers who like realistic stories about school, family, and friends.
You might also like: Juana Medina’s Juana & Lucas, which also has cartoon art and a Spanish-speaking heroine who's frustrated by English. |
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Merci Suárez Changes Gears
by Meg Medina
Starring: Merci Suárez, who's having a rough year: her friendships are all confusing now that she's in 6th grade, her family duties don't leave her enough time for the soccer team, and her grandpa, Lolo, is acting weird.
Why you might like it: Whether or not you relate to Merci's big family -- who can be as annoying as they are awesome -- it's hard to resist her honest, funny outlook.
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| Love Sugar Magic: A Dash of Trouble by Anna MerianoWhat it's about: Annoyed that she’s not allowed to help at her family's small-town Texas bakery, Leo Logroño steals a magical recipe book and cooks up a big mess.
Don't miss: the recipes at the end (magic not required).
Series alert: If you're charmed by the magical mayhem and cozy family bonds in this fantasy, you're in luck -- it's the 1st in a series, followed by A Sprinkle of Spirits. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 8-11!
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Chester Library 250 W Main St. Chester, New Jersey 07930 (908) 879-7612
chesterlib.org
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