| The Unicorn Rescue Society: The Creature of the Pines by Adam Gidwitz, Jesse Casey, and Chris Lenox Smith; illustrated by Hatem AlyWhat it's about: After a mischievous Jersey Devil follows Elliott and Uchenna home from a field trip, the two new friends team up with their eccentric teacher, Professor Fauna, to keep the not-so-mythical creature safe.
Series alert: This zany illustrated chapter book kicks off the Unicorn Rescue Society series.
For fans of: the Imaginary Veterinary series by Suzanne Selfors or the Pip Bartlett books by Jackson Pearce and Maggie Stiefvater. |
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| You Go First by Erin Entrada KellyWhat it's about: Charlotte and Ben live far apart, yet over the course of one week, their online Scrabble rivalry turns into a friendship that helps each of them deal with painful situations at home and at school.
Why you might like it: You get the inside scoop on the thoughts and feelings of both smart, awkward characters as they fumble their way towards friendship.
About the author: Erin Entrada Kelly won the 2018 Newbery Medal for her book Hello, Universe. |
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| Following Baxter by Barbara KerleyStarring: eleven-year-old Jordie and her new neighbors, Professor Reese (a physicist) and Baxter (a shaggy, possibly magical dog).
What happens: After Professor Reese disappears in a teleportation experiment, Jordie and her brother TJ join forces with Baxter to search for the missing scientist.
Try this next: Jennifer Holm's The Fourteenth Goldfish, another amusing, offbeat read about the unexpected results of a cutting-edge science experiment. |
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| Big Foot and Little Foot by Ellen Potter; illustrated by Felicita SalaWhat it's about: One day during hide-and-go-sneak class, young sasquatch Hugo accidentally reveals his existence to a human boy named Boone, and a curious, cross-cultural friendship begins.
Series alert: If you like the good-natured humor and cartoon art in this easy-to-read chapter book, you're in luck -- it's the 1st in a series about Hugo and Boone's adventures.
You might also like: Kevin Sherry's Yeti Files series, which also explores the hidden world of cryptids. |
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| When the Beat was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop by Laban Carrick Hill; illustrated by Theodore Taylor IIIWhat it is: a biography of Kool Herc, the DJ who jump-started hip-hop in the 1970s and inspired generations of DJs, rappers, and break-dancers.
What's inside: From his childhood in Jamaica to the explosion of his dance parties in the Bronx, Herc's story unfolds through rhythm-infused writing and art with touches of street-art style.
Look for: superfans can turn to the end of the book to read more about the history of hip-hop. |
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| Fly Away by Patricia MacLachlanStarring: Lucy, who's good with words but can't sing like the rest of her family, and her brother Teddy, who can't speak in words yet secretly sings to Lucy every night.
What happens: When Teddy goes missing during a flood, Lucy realizes that her song might be the only way to find him.
Who it's for: If you're just getting into longer chapter books, this simple, heartfelt story might be right for you. |
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| A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda UrbanWhat it's about: Zoe wants a baby grand piano, so she can fulfill her dreams of becoming a child prodigy. But after her dad panics at the music store, Zoe gets an electric organ, along with a songbook of oldies and a teacher who encourages her to compete in the Perform-O-Rama organ contest.
Who it's for: anyone looking for a quirky, feel-good story about chasing your dreams, however imperfectly. |
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| Clayton Byrd Goes Underground by Rita Williams-GarciaWhat it's about: Heartbroken over the death of this grandfather, Cool Papa, harmonica player Clayton runs away to join Cool Papa's blues band...only to discover a different kind of music in the underground world of the New York subway.
Why you might like it: No matter what kind of music you like, you can relate to authentic characters and emotions in this moving story by the author of One Crazy Summer. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 8-11!
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