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| The Sea-Ringed World: Sacred Stories of the Americas by María García Esperón; illustrated by Amanda Mijangos; translated by David BowlesWhat it is: a poetic, dramatic, and fascinating book of traditional tales from Native cultures and nations across North and South America.
What's inside: a Maya story about playing ball in the underworld; a Hopi tale starring Spider Grandmother; an Alutiiq warning for careless hunters; a Nahua two-spirit story; plus many more.
Why you might like it: Eye-catching illustrations and extra-short stories make this book just right for stop-and-start readers, as well as those obsessed with myths and legends. |
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| Houdini and Me by Dan GutmanStarring: 21st-century New York City kid Harry Mancini, an expert on 20th-century illusionist and escape artist Harry Houdini.
What happens: When Harry begins getting magical texts from Houdini's ghost, he's amazed and thrilled… until Houdini suggests an alarming feat: swapping bodies and time periods with Harry.
Author alert: If you love author Dan Gutman's series (such as My Weird School and The Genius Files), don't miss this witty, fast-paced fantasy. |
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| Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee NutterWhat it's about: Feeling overlooked in her family and lonely at her new school, Maggie longs for a puppy to keep her company. When a trip to the animal shelter causes a major allergic reaction, however, Maggie realizes that finding the perfect animal friend will be more complicated than she expected.
Why you might like it: If you deal with allergies of your own or you've ever felt confused about your family and friends, you might relate to Maggie's experiences in this colorful, slice-of-life graphic novel. |
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Amber & Clay
by Laura Amy Schlitz
A novel in verse relates the story of Rhaskos and Melisto, one a common slave and the other a spoiled aristocrat, who are bound together by fate and form an unlikely friendship that crosses the boundary of life and death
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Cathedral of bones
by A. J. Steiger
Longing to be one of his world’s magic-wielding Animists who summon imps and wraiths to deliver justice and right wrongs, young Simon protects a distant hamlet from an abominable monster before uncovering unbelievable secrets about his past. 35,000 first printing. Simultaneous eBook.
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| Granted by John David AndersonWelcome to: the Haven, where fairy Ophelia Delphinium Fidgets has just gotten her first assignment to fulfill a human's wish.
What happens: Traveling in the human world is tough for tiny Ophelia, but she finds friendship with homeless dog Sam. As she gets closer to her goal, however, she can't stop wondering: who decides which wishes are important, and why?
Try this next: For further feel-good fantasies focused on wishes, try Faith Harkey's Genuine Sweet or Lauren Myracle's Wishing Day. |
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One Jar of Magic
by Corey Ann Haydu
Welcome to: Belling Bright, where 12-year-old Rose can finally join her family in the town's annual magic-capturing day, when they collect the magic they use all year.
What happens: Although Rose expects to be a natural, just like her famously skilled dad, she captures only one tiny jar of magic -- along with her dad's scorn.
Why you might like it: You'll feel for Rose as she reconsiders the importance of magic and realizes some tough truths about her family.
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| Inkling by Kenneth OppelWhat it's about: Grieving the loss of his mom and stuck with a school project he can't finish, Ethan Rylance is struggling. Luckily, help arrives in the form of Inkling, a living inkblot who can read, write, draw, and (most importantly) listen.
Why you might like it: With true-to-life characters, off-kilter humor (Inkling talks like whatever he's read recently), and interesting ideas about creativity and friendship, Inkling is a quirky and memorable read. |
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The boy who grew dragons
by Andy Shepherd
Discovering a strange old tree at the bottom of his grandfather’s garden, young Tomas is astonished when a baby dragon hatches from one of the tree’s fruits, challenging him to manage the responsibilities of caring for all the tiny, fire-breathing pets that hatch from the dragon fruit tree. 50,000 first printing. Simultaneous eBook.
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| Orphan Island by Laurel SnyderThe rules: Each year, a boat delivers a new youngest child to the magical island of orphans. Then the boat takes away the Elder, so that there are always nine kids remaining.
The rulebreaker: When it's Jinny's turn to be the Elder, she refuses to leave, upsetting the island's peaceful balance.
Why you might like it: This unusual, mysterious fantasy will make you ask questions about the way things are done on the island, as well as in the real world. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 8-11!
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