|
|
|
Beyond the Bright Sea
by Lauren Wolk
What it’s about: After being rescued as a baby from the water near Cuttyhunk Island, Massachusetts, Crow grows up with her adoptive father Osh and their friend Miss Maggie. When a fire appears on a nearby abandoned island, Crow's curiosity about her birth family is ignited, and she sets out in search of answers.
Why you might like it: Set in the 1920s, this poetic and bittersweet tale of hidden treasure (and other long-buried secrets) might leave you longing for seafaring adventure.
|
|
|
From the Desk of Zoe Washington
by Janae Marks
Starring: twelve-year-old Zoe, whose summer plan (practicing for the Food Network’s Kids Bake Challenge) is derailed after she receives a letter from the father she’s never met, and she decides to prove that he’s innocent of the crime that sent him to prison.
Who it’s for: readers who like realistic stories that are both fun and deep.
Try this next: C.C. Payne’s The Thing About Leftovers, another believable, moving book about a foodie kid dealing with complicated family stuff.
|
|
|
Cinders & Sparrows
by Stefan Bachmann
What it's about: After discovering that she's inherited not only an enchanted castle, but also a powerful magic legacy, orphaned servant girl Zita Brydgeborn moves to Blackbird Castle to train in witchcraft with thorny Mrs. Cantanker.
Read it for: an eerie setting and a suspenseful story packed with secrets, spirits, and spells.
For fans of: spooky fantasies like Victoria Schwab's City of Ghosts.
|
|
| The Smartest Kid in the Universe by Chris GrabensteinWhat it's about: After seventh-grade slacker Jake accidentally downs a bowl of experimental "Ingestible Knowledge" pills (they looked like jellybeans!), he suddenly becomes a full-on brainiac, devoting his newfound smarts to saving his middle school from a greedy principal.
Read it for: a funny celebration of geekiness starring a realistically diverse crew of kids.
Author alert: If you love the popular Mr. Lemoncello series, you don't want to miss this new book from author Chris Grabenstein. |
|
|
Ghost Squad
by Claribel A. Ortega
Welcome to: St. Augustine, Florida, where Lucely Luna lives with her dad and the friendly ghosts of her large, caring family.
What happens: Hoping to revive the fading ghost of Lucely’s abuela, Lucely and her best friend Syd cast a spell and accidentally unleash a group of sinister, vengeful spirits.
Further reading: Similar to Ghost Squad, Anna Meriano’s Love Sugar Magic series is a funny supernatural fantasy starring a Latina heroine with a close-knit family and a taste for magic.
|
|
| Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters by Andrea Beaty; illustrated by David RobertsWhat it's about: Young engineer Rosie is ready to invent when a friend of her great-great-aunt needs a device to help her paint with two broken wrists. Rosie's first attempts are flops, however, so she turns to her friends, Ada Twist the scientist and Iggy Peck the architect.
Who it's for: fans of the picture books about Rosie and the Questioneers (remember those?), as well as eager engineers and anyone who needs a reminder to stop, think, and try again. |
|
|
Hamster Princess: Harriet the Invincible
by Ursula Vernon
Introducing: Princess Harriet Hamsterbone, who’s no Sleeping Beauty -- for one thing, she's a hamster. For another, she refuses to hide just because she's been cursed to fall into an enchanted sleep on her 12th birthday.
What happens: Harriet rides forth to have adventures before her fateful birthday, and when the curse finally strikes...well, you'll have to read it to find out!
Series alert: This witty, cartoon-illustrated chapter book is the 1st in the Hamster Princess series.
|
|
| Juana & Lucas: Big Problemas by Juana MedinaWhat it's about: Juana Rosas loves her life in Bogotá: she has a wonderful familia, an awesome school (though English is hard), and a perfect perro, Lucas. But big changes are coming: Juana's mami is getting remarried and moving them to a new casa.
Read it for: bright cartoon art and an easy-to-understand blend of Spanish and English.
Series alert: You can jump into this sequel with cero problemas, or you can start from the beginning with Juana & Lucas. |
|
|
Bo the brave
by Rebecca Elliott
Training alongside his fellow Sparklegrover Forest unicorns to battle a scary monster and earn his Bravery Patch, a nervous Bo discovers that there are different ways to be brave, including standing up for others. By the best-selling author of Zoo Girl. Simultaneous and eBook. Illustrations.
|
|
| A Friend for Dragon by Dav PilkeyWhat it is: short, silly adventures starring Dragon, a tenderhearted blue character who makes friends with an apple, goes on an unusual trip to the grocery store, and sweeps his dirt floor until it turns into a basement.
Who it's for: beginning chapter book readers who are wading into graphic novels, as well as kids who love Dav Pilkey's Dog Man and Captain Underpants series, but want something they can read on their own. |
|
Contact your librarian for more great books for children! |
|
|
|
|
|