| Shine! by J.J .and Chris GrabensteinWhat it’s about: Some people are exceptional, while other people blend in, and aspiring astronomer Piper is the blending type -- which actually makes it tough to fit in among her high-achieving new classmates at Chumley Prep.
What happens: Piper finds new friends and discovers that there's more than one way to shine.
Read it for: a feel-good story filled with humor, quirky characters, and science facts. |
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| Dear Sweet Pea by Julie MurphyStarring: seventh-grader Sweet Pea, who spends her time shuttling between her divorced parents’ identical houses, intercepting letters sent to the local advice columnist, and hanging out with her giant cat.
What happens: Although Sweet Pea has good intentions when she starts responding to the stolen letters, the results make things complicated for both her family and her changing friendships.
Who it’s for: older readers who enjoy drama sweetened with humor and heart. |
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| Mac B., Kid Spy: Mac Undercover by Mac Barnett; illustrated by Mike LoweryWhat it is: the story of how regular kid (and future author) Mac Barnett became a secret agent in the 1980s. It's all true, too! Or so he says…
What happens: The Queen of England asks Mac to find her stolen Coronation Spoon, leading him to a corgi sidekick, an international search, and some extremely silly spycraft.
Don't miss: a drawing of the Queen wearing unicorn jammies, one of the many laugh-till-you-snort cartoons in this series-starting chapter book. |
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| The League of Unexceptional Children by Gitty DaneshvariWhat it’s about: The U.S. vice president has been kidnapped, national security is at risk, and the country's best hope is two extremely ordinary middle schoolers.
Starring: Shelley and Jonathan, the newest recruits to the League of Unexceptional Children, a spy agency made up of kids so average that no one notices them.
Why you might like it: Shelley and Jonathan's offbeat, fast-paced adventure will leave you laughing -- and reaching for Get Smart-ish, the next book in the series. |
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| Mrs. Smith's Spy School for Girls by Beth McMullenWhat it’s about: After transferring to the elite Smith School, rule-breaker Abigail is shocked to learn that the school doubles as a spy training program, and that her first spy mission will be to locate her mom, and undercover agent who’s gone missing.
Read it for: off-kilter humor, cool spy gear, and plenty of action.
You might also like: Stuart Gibbs’ Spy School, another funny page-turner that kicks off a series about spies in training. |
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| The Doublecross (and Other Skills I Learned As a Superspy) by Jackson PearceWhat it’s about: Hale Jordan might be “as graceful as a potato,” but when his parents, superspies for the Sub Rosa Society, disappear during a mission, he’s ready to rescue them from the evil League. Only it turns out that the League might not be as evil as Hale thought... What’s inside: easy-to-like characters and clever plot twists, as well as spy gadgets made from pipe cleaners and lasers. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 8-11!
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