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Books for Kids and Tweens March 2026 |
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Unsettling Salad!
by Aaron Reynolds
Thadeus Badger and his best friend, Oliver Possum, love eating hamburgers, but in an attempt to be healthy, they make a deal to eat a whole salad, only to find themselves in a showdown with something far more sinister than vegetables. The second installment in Jasper Rabbit's Creepy Tales, preceded by Troubling Tonsils. A chapter book by the creator of Creepy Carrots, Creepy Crayon and Creepy Pair of Underwear.
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| Some of Us Are Brave by Saadia FaruqiYasir is a talented soccer player trying to help his single mom. Mona is an artist trying to handle too much responsibility. Cody is a bully trying to survive his dad's abuse. When Hurricane Harvey hits, these three Houston middle schoolers have to band together to make it through. Read-alike: Zane and the Hurricane by Rodman Philbrick. (Ages 8-12.)
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| A Kid Like Me by Norm FeutiWorried about starting middle school alongside a bunch of snobby rich kids, friends and trailer park neighbors Ethan and Ricky plan to build a group of other kids just like them. But new friendships don't happen according to plan in this honest, hopeful graphic novel. (Ages 8-12.)
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Sashimi
by Dan Santat
From the mega-talented Dan Santat comes a hilarious and beautifully illustrated tale of friendship, adventure and mystery. Sashimi is FRESH! He's FUNNY! He's (too) FRIENDLY! He's... a fishboy named SASHIMI! In the town of Barnacle Bay, a creature lurks. He's come from the ocean, in search of others like him. To fit in with humans, Sashimi sneaks into an elementary school and pretends to be a student. But he's clearly a fish out of water. When Sashimi finds out the whole town is on the hunt for the Beast of Barnacle Bay--a creature who sounds a lot like Sashimi--hijinks ensue. Fortunately, with the help of a new friend and the class goldfish, Sashimi figures out a way to stay afloat. Perfect for fans of Bad Guys, Sharkdog, and The InvestiGators series.
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| Harper Sharp: Kid Detective by Jarrett WilliamsArtist. Detective. Fifth-grader. Harper Sharp already has a lot going on, but when vandalism threatens the inventor's fair at school, he's determined to crack the case. With exaggerated, energetic artwork, this graphic novel mystery is the 1st in a new series. Read-alike: Casey Lyall's Howard Wallace, P.I. series. (Ages 8-12.)
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The Last Resort 2: The Claiming
by Jasmine Warga
For the first time, Teddy is actually excited for the school year to start. His new neighbors, Lila and Caleb, are transferring to his school, which means he'll finally have real friends! But Teddy has a secret he's desperate to protect -- one that explains why none of his classmates have spoken to him in years...
And that's not all. Despite having sent the fire maiden back through the portal, strange things keep happening at the Castle Hill Inn. Teddy's nightmares are back in a big way, and after getting stuck in the portal herself, Lila seems to be... flickering?! Almost as if something, or someone, is trying to summon her from our world into the next.
Teddy will do anything to protect his friends, but he's terrified of repeating the worst mistake of his life. The second book in The Last Resort series.
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| The New Girl by Cassandra CalinAfter moving with her family from Romania to Montreal, Canada, 13-year-old artist Lia has to find new friends, learn to speak French, and deal with painful periods. With manga-style art and authentically awkward characters, this graphic novel will grab fans of Svetlana Chmakova. (Ages 10-13.)
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| Next Stop by Debbie FongDriven by guilt and grief after her brother's death, Pia Xing sets out on a bus trip towards a lake that is said to make impossible things real. Each roadside stop reveals more of Pia's story in this graphic novel that pairs realistic emotions and offbeat humor with hints of magic. Read-alike: Coyote Lost and Found by Dan Gemeinhart. (Ages 9-13.)
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Halfway to Somewhere: (A Graphic Novel)
by Jose Pimienta
Ave must adjust to a new country, a new school, and a new family dynamic when their mom and younger brother move to Kansas while their father and older sister stay in Mexico during the parents' divorce.
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| The Mighty Bite by Nathan HaleWhen friends Bite and Amber -- a not-actually-extinct trilobite and a walking whale -- meet a paleo-journalist who introduces them to internet videos, their quest for fame turns into a video battle among prehistoric creatures. Bursting with weird and wild humor, this graphic novel series opener is followed by Walrus Brawl at the Mall and Hog-Rocket Ruckus. (Ages 7-10.)
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| Blue Stars: The Vice Principal Problem by Kekla Magoon and Cynthia Leitich Smith; illustrated by Molly MurakamiEven though they're part of the same Black and Muscogee family, cousins Maya and Riley don't get along...until they find a common enemy in the vice principal ruining their middle school. This funny slice-of-life graphic novel kicks off a new series. (Ages 8-12.) |
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How to Draw a Secret: A Graphic Novel
by Cindy Chang
Twelve-year-old Cindy relishes drawing flawless images, but she is stumped by an art contest prompt: "What family means to me." No one at school can know that Cindy's dad moved back to Taiwan four years ago, so Cindy sketches out the perfect plan to draw the perfect picture while keeping her parents' separation secret. Then an unexpected trip to Taipei reveals devastating new secrets. Suddenly everything from Cindy's art to her family is falling apart. With her dream of perfection in tatters, Cindy must figure out how to draw from her heart and share her secrets. An autobiographical story of a young Taiwanese American artist struggling to find her voice to save what matters most.
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| The Ribbon Skirt by Cameron MukwaWith a powwow coming up, two-spirit Anishinaabe 10-year-old Anang begins a real-life quest to make their own ribbon skirt, connecting with spirits (including some snarky turtles) along the way. Created by a two-spirit author/illustrator, this colorful graphic novel is perfect for readers who prefer authentic, character-focused stories. (Ages 8-13.) |
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Good Boy: A Graphic Novel
by Andy Hirsch
Charlie's life is a series of obstacles, not least of which is an uncontrollable urge to barf when his anxiety overwhelms him. Ralph is an unpredictable rescue dog with more energy than manners. The two make an unlikely pair but are the best of friends. When Ralph causes a scene by following his boy to school, it's suggested the two join a dog agility training group. Ralph is a natural zipping in, around, and over obstacles at lightning speed--training is a fun way for the pair to bond, but when Charlie even considers joining the other handlers at the big contest, his stomach begins to turn. Can the duo take a leap and cross the finish line?--
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Looking for a GOOD READ? We'll customize a book list just for you, based on your age and interests. Click the link below to request a curated "TBR" list. |
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Gail Borden Public Library District
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Main Library - 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin, IL 60120 - 847-742-2411
Rakow Branch - 2751 W. Bowes Rd., Elgin, IL 60124 - 847-531-7271
South Elgin Branch - 127 S. McLean Blvd., South Elgin, IL 60177 - 847-931-2090
http://www.gailborden.info/
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If a title in this list is not available in the format you prefer, please request it online.
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