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Kids' Reads - January 2022
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| The Swag Is in the Socks by Kelly J. BaptistThe gift: On his birthday, seventh-grade loner Xavier Moon receives a wild pair of socks from his larger-than-life great uncle, along with a challenge to "get your sad self together."
The response: Trying to be as bold as his new socks, Xavier sets out to join the Scepter League, an exclusive club for boys with leadership abilities.
You might also like: Janae Marks' From the Desk of Zoe Washington, another funny, honest read about a kid facing challenges and finding confidence. |
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Bad Kitty for president by Nick BruelSummary: Kitty, the star of Bad Kitty Gets a Bath, decides to run for president of the Neighborhood Cat Coalition, but when election time rolls around, Kitty realizes that she never registered to vote--then a surprise, last minute absentee ballot determines the entire outcome of the election.
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| Ace Takes Flight by Cory McCarthyWhat it's about: It's 2048, and 11-year-old Ace is finally living his dreams as a cadet at the Biological Enhancement Systems Technology (B.E.S.T.) Program, where students train to receive "augmentations" to their minds and bodies. Ace longs for wings -- but does he have what it takes to earn them?
Read it for: fast-paced action, characters you'll want to hang out with, and a fascinating future setting.
Series alert: Ace Takes Flight kicks off the exciting B.E.S.T. World trilogy. |
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Double clique by Anna StaniszewskiSummary: LB messed up. Even though her best friend, Kat, says she's forgiven her for that whole using-science-to-make-herself-popular thing, things are still pretty weird between them. Then the bully from their old school, Courtenay, shows up--pretending to be nice! Worst of all, Kat seems to like Courtenay? Just when she thought things were getting back to normal, LB's friendships are more confusing than ever.
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Tea for two by Melody MewsSummary: When Itty starts visiting her new friends each and every day, she realizes that her best friend, Luna Unicorn, feels left out and prepares a royal tea party just for two.
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| Stuck by Jennifer SwenderStarring: Austin, who's moved schools enough times to become an expert on blending in and hiding his difficulties with reading.
What happens: Austin finds a real friend in energetic classmate Bertie, who wants him to join the Safety Squad with her -- which requires a written test.
Why you might like it: Austin is a determined, observant character who's easy to relate to, whether or not you live with a learning disability. |
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Harvey and the Extraordinary by Eliza MartinSummary: Debut author Eliza Martin’s quirky characters are brought vividly to life by Anna Bron’s endearing art in this charming novel about savoring the extraordinary in even the most difficult moments.Eliza Martin lives in Toronto, ON. Illustrator Anna Bron lives in Vancouver, BC.
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Back to nature by Rachele AlpineSummary: Ruby's life turns upside-down when her parents give her some big news: she's going to be a big sister! She is a little worried about the new arrival, so her dad takes her and the rest of the Invincible Girls camping for the weekend, where she plans to become one with nature, bond with her friends and Dad, and get away from technology for the weekend. However, she finds that things are not as easy as they seem. She forgets a key item to bring, her friends don't seem as excited as she is...and she kind of forgot about the bears who like to visit the camp sites!
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| The Fabled Stables: Willa the Wisp by Jonathan Auxier; illustrated by Olga DemidovaWelcome to: the Fabled Stables, where human kid Auggie takes care of magical and "just plain weird" creatures.
What happens: An empty stall for a shapeshifting wisp appears in the Stables, letting Auggie know that that there's a young wisp nearby in danger -- and in need of a daring rescue.
Who it's for: This funny fantasy series-starter is packed with charming art, making it a great pick for fans of Adam Gidwidtz's Unicorn Rescue Society series. Digital format: |
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| 13th Street: Battle of the Bad-Breath Bats by David Bowles; illustrated by Shane ClesterWhat it's about: While exploring Gulf City's Little Mexico, cousins Malia, Dante, and Ivan accidentally wind up on 13th Street, a creepy otherworld filled with giant, wicked Snatch Bats. Can the cousins make it out safely?
Why you might like it: With spine-tingling scares, short chapters, cartoon art, and progress bars to show you how far you've read, this video game-style chapter book (the 1st in a series) will keep you turning pages. |
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| Aven Green, Sleuthing Machine by Dusti Bowling: illustrated by Gina PerryWhat it's about: When food disappears from school, outgoing eight-year-old Aven Green is on the case. She's got the all the confidence and smarts of a great detective -- in fact, since she was born without arms, she's pretty sure her arm cells went to her brain instead.
Try this next: for another bold kid who does her own thing, try Dawn Quigley's Jo Jo Makoons series; for more chapter book mysteries, try Dori Hillestad Butler's King & Kayla series. |
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| Our Friend Hedgehog: The Story of Us by Lauren CastilloWhat it's about: Hedgehog is happy on her tiny island with Mutty, her stuffed dog. But after a storm sweeps Mutty away, Hedgehog sets out to find him, and meets several helpful new friends along the way.
Why you might like it: The cute animals and cozy vibes in this series-starter will have you looking forward to the next book.
You might also like: Jacqueline Davies' Sydney & Taylor series, which also stars a hedgehog and friends.
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| Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business by Lyla Lee; illustrated by Dung Ho Introducing: seven-and-a-half-year-old Mindy Kim, who just moved to a new state with her dad after her mom died.
What it's about: Mindy wants to fit in at her new school and raise money for a puppy, so when new friend Sally wants to start a seaweed snack business, Mindy agrees, even though it's against the rules.
Series alert: There are already lots of books in the upbeat Mindy Kim series, and more coming in 2022. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 8-11!
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