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A Tale Magnolious
by Suzanne Nelson
After orphan Nitty steals a bag of glowing green seeds and rescues a circus elephant named Magnolious, both girl and elephant flee to Fortune’s Bluff, a tiny town troubled by dreadful dust storms and a mean mayor.
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| ¡¡Manu!! by Kelly FernándezWelcome to: La Academia de Santa Dominga, a magical girls' school where orphan Manu (not Manuela) is the most powerful witchling in class -- and the most unruly.
What happens: After her best friend Josefina gets mad and wishes Manu's magic away, Manu has to decide just how much danger she'll risk to get it back.
Why you might like it: Manu's friendships are realistically messy; and fun, cartoony artwork brings the Caribbean-inspired world of this graphic novel to life. |
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| A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicollWhat it's about: When 11-year-old Addie discovers that, centuries ago, her Scottish village burned unusual-seeming women as witches, she starts a petition to make them a memorial. As an autistic kid, Addie knows what it's like to be bullied and misunderstood, and she wants to make sure that these long-ago "witches" are remembered and respected.
Who it's for: readers who like deep dives into a character's mind, as well as anyone looking for books by and about people on the spectrum. |
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| Stuntboy, in the Meantime by Jason Reynolds; illustrated by Raúl the ThirdIntroducing: Portico Reeves, aka Stuntboy, “the greatest superhero you’ve never heard of.”
What it's about: Portico lives at Skylight Gardens, an apartment complex that's home to his BFF Zola, his nemesis Herbert Singletary the Worst, and lots of neighbors for Stuntboy to protect. But none of them worry him as much as his own parents, who fight all the time.
Book buzz: This funny and authentic series starter is the first team-up for super-popular author Jason Reynolds and artist Raúl the Third. |
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| One Smart Sheep by Gary D. Schmidt & Elizabeth Stickney; illustrated by Jane ManningWhat it's about: Out of the 27 sheep on Abigail's farm, Wilson is special. He's the smartest and the friendliest. When a mishap with a delivery truck results in Wilson getting lost in the big city, both Wilson and Abigail will need all their smarts to find each other again.
Why you might like it: Humor, sweetness, and charming watercolor artwork make this easy-to-read chapter book a winner. |
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The Darkdeep
by Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs
What it's about: There are rumors that a Beast lives in Still Cove, Washington, but when middle school friends Nico, Tyler, Emma, and Opal wind up in the cove by accident, what they discover is more amazing than any rumor -- and it could be far deadlier.
Series alert: If you can't get enough of The Darkdeep's eerie, imaginative thrills, you're in luck -- there are two sequels, The Beast and The Torchbearers.
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13th Street: Battle of the Bad-Breath Bats
by David Bowles; illustrated by Shane Clester
What it's about: While exploring Gulf City's Little Mexico, cousins Malia, Dante, and Ivan accidentally wind up on 13th Street, which isn't a typical street but 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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| Voyage of the Frostheart by Jamie LittlerWhat it’s about: After being banished from his home for revealing his dangerous song-weaving powers, young Ash joins up with the misfit crew of the Frostheart for a journey of discovery across the snowy, monster-riddled tundra.
Read it for: a fascinating cast of characters, such as grouchy yeti Nobu, peg-legged walrus Captain Nuk, and archeomek scholar Shaard.
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A Small Zombie Problem
by K.G. Campbell
Starring: lonely August DuPont, who's never been allowed outside his family’s ramshackle mansion until he goes to visit an aunt he didn’t know he had.
What happens: August gets a crash course in eerie family history, as well as a new companion: Claudette, the undead relative who follows him home.
Series alert: This goofy and ghoulish illustrated book is the 1st in the Zombie Problems series.
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 8-11!
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