|
|
|
Dragon Hoops : From Small Steps to Great Leaps
by Gene Luen Yang
What it's about: Gene doesn’t get sports. As a kid, his friends called him “Stick” and every basketball game he played ended in pain. He lost interest in basketball long ago, but at the high school where he now teaches, all anyone can talk about is the Dragons, the mens' varsity team. It seems this will be a year to remember- for the Dragons and Gene.
Why you'll like it: It's a graphic novel and based on the author's real life experiences.
|
|
|
City Spies
by James Ponti
Starring: Hacker Sara Martinez. She recently broke into the New York City foster care system to expose her foster parents as cheats and lawbreakers.
What happens next: Instead of being hailed as a hero, Sara finds herself facing years in a juvenile detention facility and banned from using computers for the same stretch of time. Enter Mother, a British spy who not only gets Sara released from jail but also offers her a chance to make a home for herself within a secret MI6 agency.
|
|
|
A High Five for Glenn Burke
by Phil Bildner
Who: Sixth grader Silas Wade.
What: Silas does a school presentation on former Major Leaguer Glenn Burke, the inventor of the high five. Burke was a gay baseball player in the 1970s―and for Silas, the presentation is his own first baby step toward revealing a truth about himself he's tired of hiding.
Why: A High Five for Glenn Burke is Phil Bildner’s most personal novel yet―a powerful story about the challenge of being true to yourself, especially when not everyone feels you belong on the field.
|
|
|
Stepping Stones
by Lucy Knisley
Here's the deal: It’s bad enough that Jen is forced to move to a farm in the country with her mom’s new boyfriend, Walter, but when he brings his daughter Andy into the mix, Jen’s feelings of isolation deepen. Walter is bossy and condescending, and Andy is “Miss Perfect.” As the makeshift family establishes their farm and a booth at the weekend market, Jen struggles with math and clashes with Andy.
Why you'll like it: This is Author Lucy Knisley's first graphic novel for kids and is based on her own childhood.
|
|
|
My Life as a Coder
by Janet Tashjian
Starring: Reluctant reader Derek Fallon.
What happens: Derek receives an exciting new gift--a laptop! But there's a catch: it has no Wi-Fi so he can't use it for gaming. If he wants to play computer games, he'll have to learn how to code them himself.
Cool fact: This is the 9th book in the "My Life as a..." series and the author's son Jake draws all the cartoons!
|
|
|
I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916
by Georgia Ball
Who and What: Chet Roscow is finally feeling at home in his uncle's little New Jersey town. He has three new friends, and they love cooling off in the creek on hot summer days. But then comes shocking news: A massive shark has been attacking swimmers in the ocean along the Jersey Shore, not far from where Chet is staying. Fear is in the air. So when Chet spots a gray fin in the creek, he's sure it's his imagination running wild. It's impossible he's about to come face-to-face with a killer shark right?!
Why you would like it: This is a graphic-novel adaptation of the best-selling historical fiction series "I Survived..."
|
|
|
Wink
by Rob Harrell
Here's the deal: Ross Maloy just wants to be a normal seventh grader. He doesn't want to lose his hair, or wear a weird hat, or deal with the disappearing friends who don't know what to say to "the cancer kid." But with his recent diagnosis of a rare eye cancer, blending in is off the table.
Why it's a must read: This book is based on Rob Harrell's real life experience, and is packed with comic panels and spot art.
|
|
Twists on Traditional Tales |
|
| 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. |
|
| Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame MbaliaWhat it's about: A visit to his grandparents turns into an epic adventure after seventh-grader Tristan accidentally punches a rift into another world filled with figures from African myths and African American legends.
Who you'll meet: powerful John Henry; tricksters Anansi and Brer Rabbit; and the exasperating, hilarious Gum Baby.
Series alert: Eager for more of Tristan's encounters with vivid fantasy worlds and iconic characters? The sequel, Tristan Strong Destroys the World, is out this month. |
|
| The Real Boy by Anne UrsuWhat it's about: As helper to Caleb, the last magician in Asteri, orphan Oscar spends his time with herbs and cats, away from the stress and unpredictability of other people. But when Caleb disappears and the children of Asteri get mysteriously sick, Oscar has to step up -- and step way out of his comfort zone.
Who it's for: Inspired by the story of Pinocchio, this magic-infused tale of finding friendship and overcoming fear is a good bet for fairy tale fans. |
|
Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 10-13!
|
|
|
|
|
|