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Samantha Spinner and the super-secret plans
by Russell Ginns
Feeling left out when her siblings receive lucrative bequeathments from their eccentric missing uncle, Samantha, who only receives a rusty red umbrella, begins to suspect that the umbrella is a clue before she finds herself on the trail of the mysterious adversaries behind her uncle's disappearance. Simultaneous eBook.
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| The Unicorn Rescue Society: The Creature of the Pines by Adam Gidwitz, Jesse Casey, and Chris Lenox Smith; illustrated by Hatem AlyWhat it's about: After a mischievous Jersey Devil follows Elliott and Uchenna home from a field trip, the two new friends team up with their eccentric teacher, Professor Fauna, to keep the not-so-mythical creature safe.
Series alert: This zany illustrated chapter book kicks off the Unicorn Rescue Society series.
For fans of: the Imaginary Veterinary series by Suzanne Selfors or the Pip Bartlett books by Jackson Pearce and Maggie Stiefvater. |
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| You Go First by Erin Entrada KellyWhat it's about: Charlotte and Ben live far apart, yet over the course of one week, their online Scrabble rivalry turns into a friendship that helps each of them deal with painful situations at home and at school.
Why you might like it: You get the inside scoop on the thoughts and feelings of both smart, awkward characters as they fumble their way towards friendship.
About the author: Erin Entrada Kelly won the 2018 Newbery Medal for her book Hello, Universe. |
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| Following Baxter by Barbara KerleyStarring: eleven-year-old Jordie and her new neighbors, Professor Reese (a physicist) and Baxter (a shaggy, possibly magical dog).
What happens: After Professor Reese disappears in a teleportation experiment, Jordie and her brother TJ join forces with Baxter to search for the missing scientist.
Try this next: Jennifer Holm's The Fourteenth Goldfish, another amusing, offbeat read about the unexpected results of a cutting-edge science experiment. |
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Just like Jackie
by Lindsey Stoddard
Teased by a school bully because she does not resemble the dark-skinned grandfather who is raising her, young Robbie wonders about her other family members and worries when her grandfather's memory begins to fail. A first novel. 30,000 first printing. Simultaneous eBook.
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| When the Beat was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop by Laban Carrick Hill; illustrated by Theodore Taylor IIIWhat it is: a biography of Kool Herc, the DJ who jump-started hip-hop in the 1970s and inspired generations of DJs, rappers, and break-dancers.
What's inside: From his childhood in Jamaica to the explosion of his dance parties in the Bronx, Herc's story unfolds through rhythm-infused writing and art with touches of street-art style.
Look for: superfans can turn to the end of the book to read more about the history of hip-hop. |
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Jazz day : the making of a famous photograph
by Roxane Orgill
An uplifting collection of poems captures the world of mid-20th-century Harlem while recounting the efforts of Esquire magazine graphic designer Art Kane, who despite limited resources attempted to photograph a group of famous jazz artists in front of a brownstone. By the author of Skit-Scat Raggedy Cat.
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| A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda UrbanWhat it's about: Zoe wants a baby grand piano, so she can fulfill her dreams of becoming a child prodigy. But after her dad panics at the music store, Zoe gets an electric organ, along with a songbook of oldies and a teacher who encourages her to compete in the Perform-O-Rama organ contest.
Who it's for: anyone looking for a quirky, feel-good story about chasing your dreams, however imperfectly. |
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| Clayton Byrd Goes Underground by Rita Williams-GarciaWhat it's about: Heartbroken over the death of this grandfather, Cool Papa, harmonica player Clayton runs away to join Cool Papa's blues band...only to discover a different kind of music in the underground world of the New York subway.
Why you might like it: No matter what kind of music you like, you can relate to authentic characters and emotions in this moving story by the author of One Crazy Summer. |
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| The Sweetest Sound by Sherri WinstonStarring: ten-year-old Cadence, who's been hiding her amazing singing voice through years of extreme shyness. This year, however, she's determined to share her musical gift with her church...or at least that was the plan, before a leaked secret recording changed things.
Why you might like it: With her cozy hometown, uncertain friendships, and complicated family, Cadence is a down-to-earth character you'll root for even as she struggles to find her voice. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 8-11!
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San Mateo Public Library 55 West 3rd Avenue San Mateo, California 94402 (650) 522-7802www.smplibrary.org |
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