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| Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor by Ally CarterWelcome to: Winterborne House, a huge cliffside mansion turned group home where 12-year-old April and four fellow foster kids discover secret passages, surprising dangers, and unexpected bonds.
Read it for: The likable characters, fast-paced adventure, and the satisfaction of reading a twisty mystery.
Try this next: Jessica Lawson’s Nooks & Crannies, for another puzzling mystery featuring a group of kids in an eerie old manor. |
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| Bug Boys by Laura KnetzgerStarring: Rhino-B and Stag-B, two beetle buddies from Bug Village who love to go exploring together, whether they’re following a treasure map, escaping giants, or stopping a war between termites and honeybees.
Art alert: The world of Bug Boys is bursting with candy colors and creative touches, similar to animated shows like Adventure Time and Steven Universe.
Try this next: Ben Clanton’s Narwhal and Jelly books, another graphic novel series filled with bite-sized stories and feel-good friendship. |
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| Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian; illustrated by Nasaya MafaridikIntroducing: British Pakistani ten-year-old Omar, who’s got lots of new things going on: a new home, a new school, a new best friend, a new bully, and his first time fasting for Ramadan.
What happens: Although Omar’s imagination can be either awesome (what if he rode a dragon to school?) or scary (what if his teacher is an alien?), his caring family always helps him through.
Series alert: This is the first in the Planet Omar series of doodle-illustrated chapter books. |
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| The Magnificent Monsters of Cedar Street by Lauren OliverWhat it’s about: In 1800s Boston, Cordelia Clay and her father work in secret to heal injured monsters and protect the extraordinary creatures from prejudiced humans.
What happens: After her father disappears along with most of the monsters, Cordelia sets out to find them, accompanied by a baby dragon, a smelly filch, a zombie puppy, and a boy named Gregory.
Don’t miss: The included monster guide, which describes the fascinating, fantastical animals and the world they live in. |
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| The Best Worst Thing by Kathleen LaneWhat it’s about: Are all the doors in the house locked? Is anyone hiding under the beds? Did she recite the right words to protect herself and her family? These questions plague 11-year-old Maggie after a shooting at the local convenience store.
Why you might like it: Even as Maggie's anxious thoughts become harder for her to control, you can relate to her concerns about staying safe in an unpredictable world. |
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| Some Kind of Happiness by Claire LegrandWhat it’s about: While visiting the grandparents she’s only just met, Finley Hart writes stories about the imaginary world of Everwood. It’s easier to retreat into a magical forest than it is to deal with her parents fighting, or with the “blue days” when she can’t hold back her panic and sadness.
Who it’s for: Readers who like quiet, realistic family stories flavored with fantasy and intrigue. |
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| The Notations of Cooper Cameron by Jane O'ReillyStarring: Cooper, who can’t stop thinking that his family won't be safe unless he counts things, or washes his hands, or takes careful notes of his observations.
What happens: Dealing with his thoughts and the loss of his grandfather becomes even tougher when Cooper's dad angrily refuses to understand what he’s going through.
Read it for: An honest, moving look at a kid with obsessive-compulsive disorder. |
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| Stanley Will Probably Be Fine by Sally J. PlaWhat it's about: Stanley Fortinbras may be a master of comics trivia, but plenty of other things in his life are hard to handle: his suddenly distant best friend, the sensory processing disorder that makes middle school feel like too much, and his worries about the upcoming Trivia Quest treasure hunt.
Who it's for: Comic-book fans and anyone looking for a likable character who's facing his fears and figuring out his friendships. |
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Contact your Librarian for more great books! |
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New Hanover County Library
201 Chestnut Street Wilmington, North Carolina 28401 910-798-6301 www.nhclibrary.org |
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