|
|
Books for Kids and Tweens April 2026 |
|
|
|
Jump into a Spring ADVENTURE! |
|
| Don't Eat the Birthday Boy! by Donna Barba Higuera; illustrated by Juliana PerdomoAt home in the Abyss of Horror, little monster El Cucuy misses his human friend, Ramón. That's why he jumps at the chance to reunite, even though the reunion involves defending Ramón's birthday party from a group of rogue boogeymonsters. This 2nd chapter book in The Unlikely Aventuras of Ramón and El Cucuy is just as funny and spooky as the first. (Ages 7-10.) |
|
| Wilderness Hacks by Joslin BrorsenHatchet meets Survivor in this high-action, humor-filled middle grade adventure about two kids stranded in the wilderness, whose annoyance with each other rivals the roaring rapids and ferocious predators they must face. 12-year-old Sadie Hahn didn't plan to eat grubs on camera to win a contest. And she definitely didn't plan to win first prize--a guest appearance on a Youtube show hosted by America's favorite 13-year-old survivalist Radley Shaw. But she'll do anything to cheer up her little brother Silas, who's too young to qualify. Rad has millions of followers and exactly zero real-life friends, so the contest is a great chance for him to hang out with kids his own age. But it's hate-at-first-sight when Silas throws a wrench in his plan and Sadie decides Rad is just a clueless poser who doesn't know the first thing about survival. Disaster strikes when their scripted rafting trip turns into a real fight for survival. Lost in the mountains, Rad and Sadie must find shelter, build a fire, forage for food and try not to become food for a hungry predator. But can they stop bickering long enough to hack it in the wilderness? And will that be enough to keep them alive? |
|
| Queso, Just in Time by Ernesto CisnerosAfter wishing for more time with his father, who died two years ago, Quetzalcóatl Castillo Anguiano -- aka Queso -- is transported back to 1985, where his father is just Pancho, a fellow 12-year-old. Deep emotions pair with time-travel culture clashes in this funny, moving story. (Ages 8-12.)
|
|
Anomalies 53: Into the Shadows
by Angela Cervantes
Next door to the notorious Area 51 sits Area 53, the underground lab where the government secretly holds "the anomalies." These are the Earth-born mythical and magical creatures--fairies, wyverns, manticores, and more--that have been captured and brought in for careful study. It's also where eleven-year-old Ollie Robles and his best (and only) friend, Garen Jackson, the kids of Area 53's lead researchers, have grown up. They've lived safely within these cement-and-steel halls their whole lives . . . that is, until the day that Ollie and Garen accidentally free six anomalies: two sprites, a wyvern, a baby manticore, a llamacorn, and a golem named Henry. Now it's up to Ollie and Garen to chase down the anomalies and bring them back home.
It's a daring, high-stakes adventure into a world full of magical creatures, dark corners, and surprising revelations as told in the way only Pura Belpré Honor-winning author and master storyteller Angela Cervantes can.
|
|
|
| Red River Rose by Carole LindstromInspired by the real-life North-West Resistance of 1885, this richly detailed historical book focuses on spirited 12-year-old Rose, a Métis girl whose everyday concerns about friends and family transform into courage when the Canadian government threatens her Saskatchewan community. Read-alikes: Louise Erdrich's Birchbark House series; Linda Sue Park's Prairie Lotus. (Ages 8-12.)
|
|
| Hafsa's Way by Aisha SaeedAspiring doctor Hafsa is thrilled to travel from rural Pakistan to Lahore, where she's supposed to stay with her sister and attend an elite science camp. Once she arrives, nothing goes according to plan, but determined Hafsa won't let that stop her from making the most of the experience. For fans of: the author's inspiring companion books, Amal Unbound and Omar Rising. (Ages 9-13.)
|
|
|
|
Harper Sharp: Kid Detective
by Jarrett Williams
Artist. 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.)
|
|
The Adventures of Tubby Nugget: Escape from Nuggetville #1: A Graphic Novel
by Jenine Pastores
Embark on an unforgettable journey with social media sensation Tubby Nugget in this delightful graphic novel! Welcome to Nuggetville, a quaint town on Planet Nüg that the adorable and ever-optimistic Tubby Nugget calls home. Life there is sweet, filled with playful friends, delicious snacks, and endless creativity. But when the time comes for Tubby to take part in the customary Dunking ceremony to become a golden nugget--and say goodbye to the life he's always known as a little nug--he realizes that he yearns for something different. Can his heart feel at home somewhere new? Join Tubby on a daring journey as he bravely defies tradition to stay true to himself. Whether you're a longtime fan of Tubby Nugget or new to his adventures, this graphic novel promises to be a nugget of joy in your reading collection. Grab your favorite snack and get ready to embark on an extraordinary adventure with Tubby Nugget!
|
|
|
Get the FACTS with New Nonfiction! |
|
| A World Without Summer: A Volcano Erupts, a Creature Awakens, and the Sun Goes Out by Nicholas Day; illustrated by Yas ImamuraThis fast-paced, illustrated book takes a deep dive into a world-changing event: the "climate shock" that followed the 1815 eruption of Indonesia's Mount Tambora. You can follow along as catastrophic weather prompts fear, famine, rebellion, and the creation of an iconic horror story. For fans of: Steve Sheinkin. (Ages 10-14.)
|
|
| How to Say Goodbye in Cuban by Daniel MiyaresIn the style of a graphic novel, author Daniel Miyares tells the true story of his father's childhood. Things are tough for young Carlos when his family moves from rural Cuba to a city -- and even tougher when Fidel Castro's revolution forces them to flee Cuba altogether. Dramatic artwork supports the powerful emotions in this memoir. (Ages 8-13.)
|
|
Frog: A Story of Life on Earth
by Isabel Thomas
From the acclaimed creative pair behind the award-winning nonfiction picture books Moth and Fox, Frog is a visually spectacular story of how life on Earth came to be.
|
|
|
| My Presentation Today Is About the Anaconda by Bibi Dumon Tak; illustrated by Annemarie van Haeringen; translated by Nancy Forest-FlierClassroom reports get a twist in this collection of presentations about animals, by animals. For instance, a cleaner fish talks about sharks, a barn owl talks about Tasmanian devils, and a howler monkey talks about...unicorns? Complete with hilarious interruptions from the audience, this fact-filled read will encourage you to think beyond the human point of view. (Ages 8-12.)
|
|
| Smash, Crash, Topple, Roll! The Inventive Rube Goldberg by Catherine Thimmesh; illustrated by Shanda McCloskeyCombining biography and science, this illustrated book looks at the life of cartoonist Rube Goldberg, who asked "Why do something the simple way... if, instead, there is a catapult option?" Goldberg's mischievous drawings turned simple machines into wildly complicated contraptions, and if you read the final how-to chapter of this book, you'll learn to do the same thing. (Ages 8-12.)
|
|
Looking for a list of great books curated for you (or your child)? Click this link to fill out a "Need a Good Read?" form and we'll send you a list of books based on your reading level and interests! |
|
. Summer reading begins May 1st! Watch our website for information on how to get started. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gail Borden Public Library District
|
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/
|
If a title in this list is not available in the format you prefer, please request it online.
|
|
|
|