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| The Plot to Kill a Queen by Deborah HopkinsonWelcome to London, 1582, where 13-year-old wannabe playwright Emilia Bassano is enlisted by Queen Elizabeth I’s spymaster to uncover a murder scheme at the court of Mary Queen of Scots. Mystery fans and theater kids both will be captivated by this detail-rich adventure. (Ages 9-13.) |
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| Like a Charm by Elle McNicollTwelve-year-old Ramya Knox loves berets, has dyspraxia, lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, and can see "Hidden Folk" such as vampires, trolls, and kelpies. In this thoughtful modern fantasy, Ramya sets out to complete her late grandfather’s book about the Hidden Folk. (Ages 7-12.) |
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The Puppets of Spelhorst
by Kate DiCamillo; illustrated by Julie Morstad
Five puppets are destined to be "in a story" together: a sharp-toothed wolf, a violet-eyed girl, a stuck-up king, an ambitious boy, and a wise owl. Along the way, each has an adventure of their own, ranging from thrilling to bittersweet. This moody chapter book fantasy is the 1st in a series by beloved author Kate DiCamillo. (Ages 7-10.)
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Project F
by Jeanne DuPrau
In a future where climate change caused humans to abandon technology, 13-year-old Keith stumbles onto a secret experiment that could change everything -- but only at a terrible cost. Placing modern issues in a futuristic setting, this gripping story will make you think. (Ages 8-12.)
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Green
by Alex Gino
A school theater production of The Wizard of Oz prompts questions for nonbinary middle schooler Green as they discover the show’s LGBTQIA history and crush on a fellow crew member. This authentic, feel-good slice of life features characters from author Alex Gino’s earlier books Melissa and Rick. (Ages 9-13.)
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Treasure Island: Runaway Gold
by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Wondering if old Captain Maddie’s mysterious map truly leads to treasure, New Yorker Zane and his friends skateboard into an underground world of riddles, pirates, and Manhattan’s Black history. You don’t need to have read the classic Treasure Island to enjoy this action-packed reboot. (Ages 10-13.)
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Remember Us
by Jacqueline Woodson
Twelve-year-old Sage loves her 1970s Bushwick neighborhood and her friends at the basketball court. After some sad and scary incidents, though, she’s left doubting if she really belongs. Poetic writing and short chapters will pull you in to this moving read by popular author Jacqueline Woodson. (Ages 10-13.)
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Jawbreaker
by Christina Wyman
Twelve-year-old Max is already bullied at school and at home about the headgear she wears to correct her severe overbite. How is she supposed to find the courage to enter a journalism contest that requires appearing on video? For fans of painfully honest realistic fiction like Raina Telegemeier’s Smile and Shannon Hale’s Real Friends. (Ages 8-12.)
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Dogtown
by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko; illustrated by Wallace West
After three-legged stray pup Chance unexpectedly bonds with robot dog Metal Head, they team up with their friend Mouse to break out of the shelter in search of forever families. Super-short chapters and adorable artwork make this heartfelt tale hard to resist. (Ages 8-12.)
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The Spirit Glass
by Roshani Chokshi
Corazon Lopez's 12th birthday is supposed to be when she becomes a babaylan, a Filipina spirit guide and guardian. Instead, her precious soul key is stolen, sending Corazon on a thrilling, funny, and moving quest through the spirit realms. (Ages 9-12.)
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Which Way to Anywhere
by Cressida Cowell
Twins K2 and Izzabird O'Hero are supposed to hide their family's Magic from their new stepsiblings, Theo and Mabel. But after their baby sister is kidnapped, all four kids find themselves joining forces on a magical rescue mission across alternate dimensions. (Ages 8-12.)
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Wrecker
by Carl Hiaasen
Valdez Jones just loves being on the water. He never meant to see that smuggler's boat, much less get involved himself. This complicated thriller has a vivid Key West setting, a gripping plot, and a hero you'll root for. (Ages 10-14.)
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The Lost Library
by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass
What it's about: The little free library appears overnight, guarded by a fluffy orange cat. Curious, almost-sixth-grader Evan borrows two books and discovers intriguing clues about the fire that destroyed his town's library years ago -- and about his own family history.
Why you might like it: Told by Evan, Mortimer the cat, and ghost librarian Al, this puzzle mystery unfolds at a satisfying pace, offering enough hints that you might be able to solve it before the characters do. (Ages 8-12.)
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We Still Belong
by Christine Day
Meet: writer, gamer, and 7th-grader Wesley Wilder, whose family is from the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe near Seattle, Washington.
What happens: During a single day, disappointments pile up as Wesley's plan to ask out a fellow gamer goes wrong and a teacher disrespects her poem about Indigenous Peoples' Day. Maybe the powwow that night can help her feel like herself again...
Why you might like it: If you, like Wesley, worry about being "enough," you might relate to this realistic yet hopeful story. (Ages 8-12.)
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Camp Sylvania
by Julie Murphy
Bait and switch: Just as she's about to leave for performing arts camp, Maggie discovers that her parents are actually sending her to a weight-loss camp run by "wellness" celebrity Sylvia Sylvania.
What happens: While Maggie's happy to make friends with her bunkmates, the camp's red-foods-only diet and required blood donations are not just weird, they're suspicious...especially after campers start going missing.
Read it for: supernatural thrills, sly humor, and heroine who likes herself just the way she is. (Ages 8-13.)
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| Mabuhay! by Zachary SterlingFilipino American siblings JJ and Althea are used to hearing their mom’s magic-infused folktales while they help with the family food truck, but they’re still shocked when those tales prove true. Bold, energetic artwork makes this exciting graphic novel fantasy stand out. (Ages 8-12.) |
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Picture Day
by Sarah Sax
Say cheese! Weary of her boring, Mom-approved braid, 7th-grader Viv impulsively livestreams herself chopping off her own hair on school picture day.
Like and subscribe? Viv's attempts to build internet fame through further bold stunts backfire, leaving her wondering who she really is -- and who her real friends are.
For fans of: Kayla Miller's Click books, Svetlana Chmakova’s Berrybrook Middle School series, and other realistic graphic novels about the excitement and embarrassment of middle school. (Ages 8-12.)
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Two Tribes
by Emily Bowen Cohen
Middle schooler Mia lives with her Jewish mom and doesn't know much about her dad's Muscogee heritage...until she sneaks away to Oklahoma to visit him. The art in this moving, authentic graphic novel offers an extra peek into Mia's journey of self-discovery. (Ages 10-13.)
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Cat on the Run in Cat of Death!
by Aaron Blabey
When fluffy feline influencer Princess Beautiful is framed for causing a nuclear threat, her billions of followers are watching. The furry diva flees, and this high-energy graphic novel (from the creator of the Bad Guys series) follows the drama and disaster that follows. Cat of Death kicks off the Cat on the Run series. (Ages 7-11.)
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Saving Sunshine
by Saadia Faruqi and Shazleen Khan
A family beach vacation with no phones?! That's what twins Zara and Zeeshan are facing due to their nonstop fighting. You can follow their efforts to reconnect while helping a sick turtle in this realistic and hopeful graphic novel. (Ages 8-13.)
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Things in the Basement
by Ben Hatke
A trip to the basement turns epic when Milo discovers a sprawling underworld beneath his house. This graphic novel series opener is packed with fantastical (and often creepy) details that will grab intrepid readers. For fans of: Legend of Zelda games. (Ages 7-10.)
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Catwad: It's Me
by Jim Benton
Meet: discouraging grump Catwad and upbeat airhead Blurmp, a hilariously mismatched pair of feline friends.
What happens: In super-short chapters packed with bright colors, gross-out jokes, and zany, cartoon-style antics, cheerful Blurmp tries to make gloomy Catwad smile.
Series alert: If you can't get enough of Catwad, check out the 2nd book in the series, It's Me, Two. (Ages 7-12.)
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When Stars Are Scattered
by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed
What it is: Omar Mohamed's real-life experiences as an orphaned Somali kid in a Kenyan refugee camp, co-written and illustrated by Victoria Jamieson, creator of Roller Girl.
What happens: Surrounded by harsh conditions and caring neighbors, Omar studies hard, looks after his brother Hassan, and hangs on to the hope of resettlement.
Why you might like it: Honest writing and vivid art makes you feel like you're right there with Omar throughout this heartwrenching yet heartwarming story. (Ages 9-13.)
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Stepping Stones
by Lucy Knisley
What it’s about: As if it wasn’t bad enough that Jen and her mom moved from the city to Peapod Farm (where Jen is stuck with a whole mess of new chores), Jen also has to put up with her mom’s insensitive boyfriend and his too-perfect daughter Andy. Don’t miss: the scribbly pages from Jen’s notebook, where she pours out her feelings as they change.
Series alert: Find out what's next for Jen and Andy in the sequel, Apple Crush. (Ages 8-12.)
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This newsletter is brought to you by SiiriContact us for more great books for ages 8-13! infoservices@bradford.library.on.ca |
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