| Valentina Salazar Is Not a Monster Hunter by Zoraida CórdovaWhat it's about: Things were better for Valentina in the Before Times. Before her family abandoned their monster-rescuing travels. Before her dad died. So when she hears about a rare monster egg in need of protection, Valentina doesn't hesitate to hit the road with her siblings.
Featuring: winged cats, fire-breathing chipmunks, and grouchy unicorns, as well as a brave heroine, a tight-knit family, and a fun blend of humor and adventure. (Ages 8-12.) |
|
| High Score by Destiny HowellOne last job: Since transferring to a new school, 12-year-old DJ has steered clear of scams and schemes he used to mastermind. But now that his former partner-in-crime being pressured to pay an impossible 100,000 arcade tickets to the school bully, DJ's got to plan one final heist.
Why you might like it: Fast-paced and twisty, this crime caper will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Try this next: Varian Johnson's The Great Green Heist. (Ages 8-12.) |
|
|
|
Awesome vehicles / : Awesome Vehicles
by Simon Hugo
The best X-wing pilot in the Resistance takes kids on a tour of the Star Wars galaxy where they will explore 25 out-of-this-world vehicles and their amazing features. Simultaneous. Illustrations.
|
|
| Let the Monster Out by Chad LucasStarring: newcomer Bones Malone and homeschooler Kyle Specks, baseball teammates who are both treated like misfits by the other kids in their tiny Nova Scotia town.
What happens: Bones and Kyle bond when they realize they've been having the same creepy dreams, and together they investigate the suspicious tech company that might be turning the local adults into zombies.
You might also like: Paolo Bacigalupi's Zombie Baseball Beatdown, another smart, offbeat mystery with paranormal atmosphere. (Ages 10-13.) |
|
|
|
Ham Helsing : monster hunter
by Rich Moyer
Invited to Camp Fish Head Lake, Ham and his buddies soon discover this camp is not so monster-free when campers start disappearing and old enemies return. Simultaneous eBook.
|
|
|
|
Zlatan Rules
by Simon Mugford
Known as one of the most prolific strikers, Zlatan is famed for his strength, precision and stamina.
|
|
| Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun by Tola OkogwuWhat it's about: After her hair takes on a life of its own to rescue her best friend, British Nigerian Onyeka heads to the Academy of the Sun in Lagos, where she can hone her psycho-kinetic abilities alongside other super-powered Solari kids.
Why you might like it: This gripping series starter introduces a high-tech society and high-stakes plot that'll leave you wanting more.
For fans of: Nnedi Okorafor's Akata Witch books or the Last Gate of the Emperor series by Kwame Mbalia and Prince Joel Makonnen. (Ages 9-13.) |
|
| Your Pal Fred by Michael RexStarring: Fred, blue-haired, a human-shaped toy robot "programmed to spread kindness, friendship, and good vibes."
What happens: When Fred is accidentally re-activated, he discovers that the world has become a bleak wasteland ruled by rival warlords Papa Mayhem and Lord Bonkers. Can one gentle bot turn the tide of meanness with the power of high fives and stickers? You'll have to read this chapter book -- the 1st in a series -- to find out. (Ages 7-10.) |
|
|
|
Katie the Catsitter 2 : Best Friends for Neverby Colleen AF VenableBack-to-school time for Katie the Catsitter finds the Mousetress getting blamed for things she didn’t do, among other problems, challenging Katie and 217 out-of-the-ordinary cats to uncover the real supervillain to clear the Mousestress’s name. Simultaneous and eBook. Illustrations.
|
|
| The Secret Battle of Evan Pao by Wendy Wan-Long ShangWhat it's about: Sixth-grader Evan Pao is hoping a for a new start in a new town, but instead he's faced with racist bullying as one of the only Asian American kids in a small Virginia town.
How it's told: You'll get to read several different points of view on Evan's demand to be involved in the school's annual Civil War celebration, including both Evan and Brady, the classmate who gives Evan the hardest time. (Ages 8-12.) |
|
| Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch by Julie AbeIntroducing: 12-year-old witch Eva, who hopes to use her unique repair magic to shield a seaside town from a terrifying storm. If she succeeds, she'll finally earn the rank of Novice Witch. If she fails, she'll lose her magic forever.
Series alert: For more of clever, resourceful Eva and her whimsical world, try the sequel, Eva Evergreen and the Cursed Witch.
For fans of: Eiko Kadono's Kiki's Delivery Service (or the movie based on it). (Ages 8-12.) |
|
|
|
Book of flight : 10 record-breaking animals with wings
by Gabrielle Balkan
A follow-up to the best-selling Book of Bones shares profiles of 10 superlative bird species, from the super-fast needletail and the gliding colugo to the acrobatic flying fox bat and the backward-flying hummingbird. Illustrations.
|
|
|
|
The Bad Guys in The baddest day ever by Aaron BlabeyThe Bad Guys join forces with a team of female superheroes to battle the tentacled extraterrestrial invader called Crown Prince Marmalade whose forces have just conquered the Earth
|
|
| The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James by Ashley Herring BlakeWhat's new? Following her heart transplant, 12-year-old Sunny starts her New Life Plan: do cool stuff, find a new best friend, kiss a boy, and maybe even let her long-absent mom back into her life.
What happens: Sunny finds a new best friend in blue-haired girl Quinn -- and realizes that Quinn's the one she'd like to kiss.
You might also like: Lisa Jenn Bigelow's Drum Roll Please, another sweet story about family and middle school romance. (Ages 9-13.) |
|
|
|
Prince of Ponies
by Stacy Gregg
War destroyed their worlds, now two young girls and their remarkable horses are fighting once more - this time to win. When twelve-year-old Mira stumbles across a white stallion in a forest in Berlin, she doesn't realise that this horse will take her on an incredible journey. Together, they're going to ascend the starry heights of Grand Prix show jumping, and sweep back in time to Poland in 1939 where another young girl is risking everything to save the horse that she loves... Prince of Ponies is a story of courage and the will to win against all odds.
|
|
|
|
Mighty Jack and Zita the spacegirl
by Ben Hatke
Teaming up with new friend Zita the Spacegirl, Jack and Lilly embark on a dangerous confrontation with an army of giants and screeds preparing to attack Earth and end all human life. Simultaneous.
|
|
| Vera Vance, Comics Star by Claudia Mills; illustrated by Grace ZongWhat it's about: Vera is thrilled when her strict mom lets her go to comic-book camp at her after-school program. And Vera's proud of Little Spoon, the comic she creates. But is her newfound talent impressive enough that her mom will let her go on a field trip to a comic-con?
Who it's for: comic book fans, as well as anyone who likes short, realistic stories.
Series alert: This is the 2nd chapter book in the After-School Superstars series, each starring a different kid. (Ages 7-9.)
|
|
| Before the Ever After by Jacqueline WoodsonWhat it is: a story in verse about ZJ, whose dad is a famous football player with a life that seems like a fairy tale. But ZJ knows what's behind the perfect image: too many head injuries have damaged his dad's brain, and their whole family is changing because of it.
Why you might like it: This emotional story hits hard, taking an honest look at one boy trying to make it through confusion and sadness with help from his loved ones. (Ages 10-13.) |
|
Contact your librarian for more great books!
|
|
|