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Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus
by Dusti Bowling
What it’s about: After navigating middle school, ninth-grader Aven, born without arms, struggles with the challenges of high school, which test her confidence, strength, and sense of self
Series alert: This is the second book in the Aven Green series. Start the series with Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus
You might also like: For another book about kids with disabilities and the importance of friendship try The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree
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The Lost Ninja
by Jay Leibold
Starring: You, a ninja, trained in Japan in a magical dojo are traveling to San Fransico where they need your help.
What happens: It's up to you in this interactive adventure that takes the reader to Japan and back as he or she becomes involved with the yakuza, the Japanese mafia.
Why you might like it: The Choose Your Own Advnture books allow readers to guide the way through the story making key choses as they read. A different adventure awaits with each re-read.
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| The Starspun Web by Sinead O'HartWhat it’s about: In 1941, 12-year-old Tess de Sousa is uprooted from her happy home at Miss Ackerbee’s orphanage when she’s adopted by the sketchy, scheming Mr. Cleat, who wants to take advantage of Tess’ newfound ability to travel between parallel worlds.
What’s inside: a tarantula named Violet; an uncanny device called a Star-Spinner; a twisty, cross-dimensional adventure; and a brave, curious heroine who’s determined to find her way home. |
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The Princess in Black and the Bathtime Battle
by Shannon Hale
Staring: Princess Magnolia, who saves the day as her alter ego, the Princess in Black
What happens: When the goat pasture is plagued with a foul stench, the Princess in Black and her friends must take on a stinky beast
Series alert: This is the newest installment of the Princess in Black series, a "humorous and action-packed chapter-book series for young readers who like their princesses not only prim and perfect, but also dressed in black."
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The Haunting of Henry Davis
by Kathryn Siebel
What it’s about: Curious about a small, pale newcomer to her class, Barbara Anne discovers that the boy, Henry Davis, is being haunted by a mysterious ghost.
What’s inside: a ghost named Edgar; new friendships; a spooky advneutre to figure out why Edgar is haunting Henry.
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| Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan AuxierWhat it's about: As a chimney sweep in Victorian London, orphan Nan Sparrow is used to loneliness and grimy, dangerous work. Then one day she's rescued from an accident by a strange creature -- a golem -- who becomes her loyal companion.
Why you might like it: Blending fantasy, history, and Jewish folktales, Sweep has something for lots of different readers.
Try this next: Katherine Rundell's Rooftoppers, another historical tale offering a kid's rooftop view of a famous city. |
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| The Parker Inheritance by Varian JohnsonWhat it's about: After finding intriguing clues in her grandmother's attic, bookish 12-year-old Candice and her new friend Brandon search for buried treasure in a small Southern town haunted by the ugly history of racism.
Why you might like it: Switching between Candice's present-day story and her grandmother's in 1957, this suspenseful puzzle mystery encourages you, just like the characters, to piece the clues together. |
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| The House That Lou Built by Mae RespicioThe project: Although 12-year-old Lou loves her large Filipino family, she craves a space of her own, and has big plans to build a tiny house on the patch of land she inherited from her dad.
The problem: After Lou’s ownership of the land is challenged, she has to act fast and get creative to make her dream house a reality.
Why you might like it: You’ll be rooting for bold, capable Lou and her colorful collection of family and friends. |
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| Camp Panda: Helping Cubs Return to the Wild by Catherine ThimmeshWhat it is: A fascinating, fact-filled book about how humans are helping to increase the threatened giant panda population by preparing panda cubs for life in the wild.
Art alert: Camp Panda is packed with photos of cute, fuzzy baby pandas, as well as memorable pictures of human scientists wearing panda costumes!
You might also like: Nancy F. Castaldo’s Back from the Brink, another hopeful book that explores efforts to save endangered species. |
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| The Collectors by Jacqueline WestBe careful what you wish for: After Van, a hearing impaired kid with talent for noticing things, spots a strange girl and a silver squirrel diving for pennies in a fountain, he follows them back to the underground realm of the Collectors, who collect wishes and try to prevent their scariest consequences.
Series alert: This imaginative and fast-moving fantasy is followed by a sequel, A Storm of Wishes. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 8-11!
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Mercer County Library System
2751 Brunswick Pike Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648 609-882-9246
www.mcl.org
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