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| Weird Little Robots by Carolyn Crimi; illustrated by Corinna LuykenStarring: birdhouse-builder Lark and robot-maker Penny Rose, who become best friends and promise to protect their shared secret: Penny Rose’s robots are alive.
What happens: Penny Rose gets a long-awaited invitation to the Secret Science Society, but if she wants to join, she’ll have to reveal her robots and ruin her friendship with Lark.
Who it’s for: makers, tinkerers, and scientists, as well as readers looking for smart, spunky characters. |
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| Pavi Sharma's Guide to Going Home by Bridget FarrWhat it’s about: Longtime foster kid Pavi Sharma is an expert on foster care survival, and for a fee of Hot Cheetos, she teaches other kids what she knows. When she finds out that five-year-old Meridee is about to be placed with a terrible foster family, Pavi knows she has to act fast -- and that means recruiting a team of helpers.
Read it for: a realistic, fast-paced story filled with memorable characters. |
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| Kondo & Kezumi Visit Giant Island by David Goodner; illustrated by Andrea TsurumiIntroducing: big yellow Kondo and little orange Kezumi, two island creatures who find a map in a bottle, build a bathtub boat, and set sail on a journey of exploration.
What’s inside: friendly monsters, cute fluffle-bunnies, an island of cheese, and a talking volcano named Albert.
Is it for you? If you want an easy-to-read chapter book or you love animation-style artwork, this cheerful adventure might be just right! |
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| Malamander by Thomas TaylorWelcome to: the resort town of Eerie-on-Sea, where determined Violet Parma enlists orphaned Herbie Lemon in the search for her long-missing parents, causing both kids to tangle with local monster-hunters on the trail of the legendary Malamander.
Read it for: clever clues, close calls, and a colorful cast of characters, not to mention a misty, mysterious setting.
Series alert: If you’re hooked by this seaside escapade, you’re in luck -- it’s the 1st in a series. |
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| Stargazing by Jen WangWhat it’s about: Although they’re from the same Chinese American community, well-behaved Christine doesn’t have much in common with hot-tempered, artsy Moon. Yet when the girls become neighbors, they soon find themselves sharing secrets and K-pop videos -- until jealousy and upsetting news threaten their newfound friendship.
Art alert: warm colors and expressive illustrations add energy to this honest, heartfelt graphic novel.
For fans of: Shannon Hale and Raina Telgemeier. |
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| The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street by Lindsay CurrieWhat it’s about: After witnessing a series of weird and unsettling things, seventh-grader Tessa becomes convinced that her family’s new home is haunted, leading her and her friends to dig into the house’s hair-raising history.
What’s inside: cold patches, unseen footsteps, a color-changing painting, and a crying ventriloquist dummy.
Reviewers say: this spooky mystery is a "perfect flashlight read" (Booklist). |
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| The Girl in the Locked Room by Mary Downing HahnWhat it's about: Jules has lived in lots of old mansions (her dad restores them), but Oak Hill gives her an uneasy feeling -- and that's before she sees an eerie shadow through the window of a locked upstairs room.
Read it for: a nameless ghost, a centuries-old murder, and a page-turning mystery.
For fans of: paranormal stories that are eerie but not leave-the-lights-on scary. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 8-11!
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