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Hello, readers! Do you have a question about books for children? Interested in a personalized suggestion? Please feel welcome to email me at amassey@dconc.gov, or visit your librarian at any Durham County Library location. See you at the library! Allie Massey, Children's Librarian Southwest Regional Library
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New and Recently Released!
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| The Rat with the Human Face by Tom AnglebergerAdventure. Twelve-year-olds Lyle, Marilla, and Dave are the only three members of the Qwikpik Adventure Society, dedicated to finding excitement wherever they can. For their latest escapade, they plan to investigate rumors of a rat with a human face living in a biological research station outside of town. Traveling to the station without getting caught, however, may be a challenge, especially with tension brewing among the Society members. Presented as Lyle's official report (packed with drawings, photos, and "top secret" notes), this 2nd volume in the Qwikpik Papers trilogy boasts the offbeat humor and authentic characters that fans of Tom Angleberger (author of the Origami Yoda series) know and love. |
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| Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer by Kelly Jones; illustrated by Katie KathFantasy. Moving to her family's newly inherited farm is tough for 12-year-old Sophie. She misses her life in Los Angeles, where she wasn't one of the only brown-skinned people around. Feeling lonely, Sophie writes letters to her Abuelita and Great-Uncle Jim (both deceased), as well as to Agnes, the peculiar owner of Redwood Farm Supply. Agnes teaches Sophie about poultry care -- a necessary skill, since chickens with paranormal abilities (invisibility, levitation, telekinesis) keep turning up on the farm. Quizzes, clippings, and expressive black-and-white drawings illustrate this funny, moving, and unique tale. |
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| Pip Bartlett's Guide to Magical Creatures by Jackson Pearce and Maggie StiefvaterFantasy. Though she's awkward around humans, Pip Bartlett can talk to magical creatures. It can be a handy ability, especially when she's visiting her aunt Emma, who's a magical animal vet. But it also means that Pip gets stuck with tough jobs -- like saving the town from an infestation of Fuzzles (cute little critters with a habit of bursting into flames). Peppered with excerpts from Pip's well-used field guide to magical creatures and illustrated with drawings of adorable mythological monsters, this upbeat series opener is perfect for readers who prefer fantasy mixed with comedy. For the misadventures of another extraordinary vet, check out Suzanne Selfors' Imaginary Veterinary series. |
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| Bayou Magic by Jewell Parker RhodesFantasy. Despite being warned that her eccentric grandmother might be a witch, 10-year-old Maddy is excited to finally visit Grandmére's cottage on the bayou in Bon Temps, Louisiana. Maddy soon makes friends in Bon Temps, and as she learns herb lore and family history from Grandmére, she realizes that some of the local magic is alive in her: she can call fireflies from the air, see mermaids in the water, and sense when an oil spill threatens the bayou. If you like the brave heroine, vivid Southern setting, and everyday enchantment of Bayou Magic, you might also enjoy Jewell Parker Rhodes' earlier book, Ninth Ward. |
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| Return to Augie Hobble by Lane SmithFiction. In this first chapter book by award-winning illustrator Lane Smith, middle schooler Augie flunks Creative Arts, which means that in addition to working at his dad's shabby amusement park and building a treehouse with his friend Britt, he'll spend his summer making up schoolwork. Those summer plans, however, go careening off the rails after a tragic death introduces werewolves, UFOs, government agents, and ghostly messages into Augie's life, which he documents through Polaroid photos and drawings in his brainstorming journal. Readers who like realistic emotions balanced by off-the-wall humor and unexpected twists won't want to miss this "roller-coaster ride" (Kirkus Review) of a story. |
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| Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo; illustrated by K.G. CampbellFantasy. Lonely, anxious comic book fan Flora is always prepared for disaster -- which comes in handy when she sees a squirrel get sucked into a high-powered vacuum. After reviving the squirrel and naming him Ulysses, Flora discovers that the near-death experience has given him superpowers, as well as a gift for writing poetry. Ulysses' astonishing transformation (and beautiful poetry) triggers a transformation in Flora, too, helping her to see her divorced parents in a new light. Interspersed with comic book-style illustrations, this award-winning and disarmingly quirky tale of a super-squirrel and a cynic with a "capacious heart" will delight Kate DiCamillo's many fans. |
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| Squish: Super Amoeba by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew HolmGraphic Novel. Young Squish the amoeba (that's "uh-mee-buh") loves comic books and Twinkies and, alongside his single-celled pals Pod and Peggy, he does his best to survive the school day without being eaten by bullies who literally want to swallow him whole. This 1st book in the Squish series by the creators of Babymouse is a fun, quick read about the daily adventures of Squish and his friends, from detention with Principal Planaria to getting a new pet slime mold. For more school stories starring an unlikely hero, check out Jarrett Krosoczka's Lunch Lady series. |
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| Geeks, Girls, and Secret Identities by Mike JungFantasy. Vincent Wu isn't your average geek -- he's practically a super-geek, since the focus of his obsession is Captain Stupendous, Copperplate City's own superhero. Because he's the Captain's biggest fan, Vincent can't help but notice that he's been acting strange lately. However, it's not until Captain Stupendous rescues Vincent from the villainous Professor Mayhem that Vincent learns the surprising truth -- and how it involves Polly Winnicott-Lee, the girl Vincent likes. Older readers who love comic book-style adventure and witty in-jokes will appreciate how Geeks, Girls, and Secret Identities turns stereotypes upside-down to create "a genuinely new sort of superhero story" (Kirkus Reviews). |
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| Jack Blank and the Imagine Nation by Matt MykluschFantasy Adventure. Jack Blank -- so called because he has no memories of his parents or his real name -- lives in a bleak orphanage in New Jersey and finds solace in reading comic books. But when a robot zombie straight from the pages of one of Jack's comics shows up at St. Barnaby's Home for the Hopeless, Abandoned, Forgotten, and Lost, Jack (somewhat accidentally) destroys the creature and is whisked away to the Imagine Nation, an island full of beings with superpowers. There, Jack finds not only his destiny, but also clues to his mysterious past. Fast-paced and packed with battles, this 1st Jack Blank adventure (The Secret War and The Accidental Hero are next) will also thrill fans of complex world-building |
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| Captain Nobody by Dean PitchfordFiction. Newt Newton is a ten-year-old nobody. It's his brother, Chris, who's a local football hero. After an injury on the field puts Chris in a coma just before Halloween, Newt is inspired to put together a costumed alter-ego who's as heroic as Newt wants to be: Captain Nobody! Putting on a mask gives Newt new confidence, so he keeps wearing the outfit, and soon discovers that he can do extraordinary things, even without superpowers. But what can he do for Chris, the person he most wants to help? Similar to Marion Jensen's Almost Super, Captain Nobody is a funny, feel-good tale about measuring up to your heroes. |
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Looking for more great books? |
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For personalized reading recommendations from Durham County librarians, you may want to try My Next 5! Simply complete an online form to tell us a little about what genres, books, and authors you like (or dislike). A DCL librarian will review your submission and reply within three days with a list of the next five books you should read. |
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NextReads is a service of Durham County Library and NoveList, a comprehensive database of fiction and nonfiction titles for all ages, including recommendations, articles, and lists for your fiction and nonfiction needs. Durham County Library cardholders can access NoveList from any computer.
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