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Knights of the Lunch Table: The Dodgeball Chronicles
by Frank Cammuso
It's only his first day at Camelot Middle School, and Artie King is already in trouble. Not only is he on the principal's bad side, he's also been challenged to face the school's ruling gang of bullies (known as the Horde) in a high-stakes dodgeball match. Unable to back down, Artie and his new friends Percy, Wayne, Gwen, and Mr. Merlyn find help in an unexpected place: a strange locker that only Artie can open.
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100% Pure Fake
by Lyn Thomas; illustrated by Boris Zaytsev with photographs by Cheryl Powers
Nonfiction. This collection of revolting recipes is a prankster's delight! Presenting instructions for creating 25 realistic bits of practical-joke fakery -- such as shrunken heads, fake poo and snot, detachable blisters, and "broken glass" -- the authors reveal how the right combination of ordinary items from your kitchen cabinets, the grocery store, and craft supply stores can make things that'll gross out your family, friends, and innocent passersby.
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A Boy and a Jaguar
by Alan Rabinowitz; illustrated by Catia Chien
Biography. Talking to people is difficult for young Alan Rabinowitz. Every time he tries, he stutters and shakes and just can't get the words out. Talking to animals, however, just feels right. As Alan grows up, his bond with animals (especially jaguars) and his ability to understand them only grows stronger -- but will he be able to speak out in front of powerful people to defend the animals he loves? Honest and uplifting, this illustrated biography of a famous zoologist will encourage readers of all ages to go after their goals, no matter how difficult they may be.
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A Boy Called Bat
by Elana K. Arnold; illustrated by Charles Santoso
Fiction. Bixby Alexander Tam (better known as Bat) has only one month to prove that he can take care of Thor, an orphaned baby skunk. Bat has autism, which sometimes makes it frustrating for him to get along with people -- but not with animals. So how can he make his mom see that he and Thor are meant to be together? Readers who enjoy this funny and heartfelt read about an animal-obsessed 3rd-grader might also like Claudia Mills’ Cody Harmon, King of Pets, while those looking for a slice-of-life story featuring an older character on the spectrum should try Phil Bildner’s A Whole New Ballgame.
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A Handful of Stars
by Cynthia Lord
While searching the Maine blueberry barrens for Lucky, her beloved blind dog, 12-year-old Lily finds an unexpected friend in Salma, who's picking blueberries with her migrant family. After Salma cleverly collars the runaway pooch, the girls bond quickly, and soon Salma is lending her creativity to a fundraiser for Lucky's eye surgery, and Lily is supporting Salma as she defies local prejudice and enters the Blueberry Queen pageant.
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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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