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What We're Reading in the Kids' Library June 2026 |
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Rica Baptista: The Box of Possibilities
by Janet Costa Bates
Fans of Dory Fantasmagory will love Rica Baptista’s imaginative adventures. In the third book of this fun series for new chapter book readers, Rica and her best friend Laini cannot wait until Uncle Moose gets back, because that means they can finally open the mysterious box and find out what’s inside! While it could be a rainbow polka-dotted unicorn, or a million wishes, the friends are pretty sure that it must be some kind of superpower lava from Cabo Verde, where Uncle Moose is visiting. Readers will chuckle at Rica’s escapades and delight in the story's sweet resolution.
Best for Grades K-2.
Suggested by Erin.
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Fairies Welcome: A Surprise for Willow
by Bea Jackson
If you like fantasy series where humans make friends with magical creatures, this one is for you. Meet Willow and her fairy friends, who surprise Willow by following her to school! Will they be discovered by other humans? Read and find out!
Best for Grades 1-2.
Suggested by Nuala.
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The Gallaudet Eleven: The Story of Nasa's Deaf Bioastronauts
by Kerry O'Malley Cerra
Check this book out to learn about the problem of motion sickness in space travel. Eleven deaf men were recruited by NASA to help solve this problem, since some deaf people don't get motion sickness. If you like science and you like to learn about the behind the scenes of big events, this is the book for you.
Best for Grades 1-3. Suggested by Nuala.
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Cabin Head and Tree Head
by Scott Campbell
If you’re a fan of silly stories, best friends, and creative worlds, Cabin Head and Tree Head is for you! Ideal for readers getting started with graphic novels, this book’s pages are filled with simple wording and creative illustrations. Reading through this adventure will make you giggle more times than you can count!
Best for Grades 1-4.
Suggested by Kamilla.
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My Bicentennial Summer: True Adventures from the Most Epic Family Road Trip of All Time
by G. Neri
Back in 1976, when the author was 8 years old, his family had an ambitious idea: pile mom, dad, three brothers, and a pop-up tent trailer into the station wagon and spend 7 weeks driving across the country to celebrate America's bicentennial, or 200th birthday. Along their 8,000-mile journey, they visited national parks and weird roadside attractions, ate local delicacies like fried frog legs, and even joined millions of people for two 4th of July parades—in both Washington, D.C., and the original capital of Philadelphia. Read this if you like fun facts, American history, and family vacation stories. Perhaps you will even be inspired to plan your own celebration for the nation’s 250th birthday this year!
Best for Grades 1-4.
Suggested by Erin.
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Cut!: How Lotte Reiniger and a Pair of Scissors Revolutionized Animation
by C. E. Winters
This story explores the history of Lotte Reiniger, an often-overshadowed woman who transformed the creative industry! What I loved about this story is the stunning visuals that take you right into Reiniger’s world, as if you can see her creations come to life on the page! I also loved reading about her invention, the multiplane camera, that helped make it easier to animate backgrounds, characters, and objects. This is a perfect read for history and movie buffs alike!
Best for Grades 4-7.
Suggested by Kamilla.
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Freestyle
by Gale Galligan
Cory and his dance crew really want to make this year’s competition count before they end up at different high schools. While Tessa believes in relentlessly drilling them on her choreography, Cory argues that they perform better when they improvise. Parental pressure, an annoying lab partner (or maybe a new friend?), and getting grounded just add to the drama! If you like realistic graphic novels like Baby-sitters Club, Click, and The Tryout, you’ll love this fast-paced friendship story featuring break dancing and yo-yo tricks.
Best for Grades 4-7.
Suggested by Erin.
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Eureka
by Victoria Chang
With the main message being, “Love illuminates the dark,” Eureka is a story about family, courage, and the history of the 1885 expulsion of Chinese Americans from Eureka, California. What I enjoyed most about this book is that it is a novel-in-verse. This format really helped me digest the story in a delicate way, especially since it’s written from the perspective of 12-year-old Mei Mei. If you like historical fiction and want to try reading a unique format, this one is for you!
Best for Grades 5-8.
Suggested by Kamilla.
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My Name Is Samim
by Fidan Meikle
Samim loses almost everything- his family and his home- in the war in Afghanistan. Then he begins a journey of survival with his uncle and best friend. If you like stories that highlight hope, the kindness of strangers, and grit, you will love this story.
Best for Grades 6-8.
Suggested by Nuala.
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Elmhurst Public Library 125 S Prospect Ave. Elmhurst, Illinois 60126 (630) 279-8696
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