| Dactyl Hill Squad by Daniel José OlderIn a world... where dinosaurs never went extinct, domesticated dinos are commonplace for Magdalys Roca, an orphan living in Civil War-era New York City.
What happens: After her fellow orphans are kidnapped by a shady magistrate, Magdalys and her friends plan a pterodactyl-mounted rescue mission.
Why you might like it: high-flying action, an inclusive cast of characters, and did we mention the DINOSAURS? |
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The house in Poplar Wood
by Katie Ormsbee
The Vickery twins, Lee and Felix, live in a house in Poplar Wood, where, because of the "Agreement," their mother serves Memory, and their father assists Death, and only Lee is allowed to leave the house, except for Halloween; but when a local girl is murdered, Gretchen Whipple, daughter of the mayor, offers the boys a deal--help her solve the crime and she will help them break the Agreement, and regain their freedom
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Begone the Raggedy Witches
by Celine Kiernan
On the night that Aunty dies, the raggedy witches come for Mup's family. Pale, cold, and relentless, the witches will do anything for the tyrannical queen who has outlawed most magic and enforces her laws with terror and cruelty -- and who happens to be Mup's grandmother. When witches carry off her dad, Mup and her mam leave the mundane world to rescue him.
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| The Jumbies by Tracey BaptisteWhat it's about: Growing up in Trinidad, Corinne has heard the stories about the evil, shape-shifting jumbies that dwell in the forest, but that doesn't stop her from going into the forest on All Hallows Eve -- or from worrying that something followed her out.
Who it's for: Readers who prefer fantasy with hints of horror will welcome the creepiness in this unusual, absorbing twist on a Caribbean folk tale.
Don't miss: the sequel, Rise of the Jumbies. |
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| Oddity by Sarah CannonWelcome to: Oddity, New Mexico, where aliens, zombie rabbits, scary puppets, and carnivorous dumpsters are all totally normal. What isn't normal is the disappearance of Ada Roundtree's twin sister, Pearl.
Why you might like it: You can follow along with determined Ada and her diverse friends as they search for Pearl in this delightfully weird mashup of horror and humor.
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| The Peculiar Night of the Blue Heart by Lauren DeStefanoFeaturing: good girl Marybeth and "wild boy" Lionel, foster kids and best friends who must unravel a sinister mystery after Marybeth is possessed by an otherworldly blue creature.
Read it for: spine-tingling scares, deep characters, a powerful friendship, and tough topics handled in a sensitive way.
You might also like: A Curious Tale of the In-Between, another spooky tale by author Lauren DeStefano. |
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| Mothman's Curse by Christine Hayes; illustrated by James K. HindleWhat it's about: At an estate sale, Josie Fletcher and her brothers discover a gold moth pin that unleashes the winged, red-eyed Mothman, a local legend who appears just before deadly disasters. Can the three siblings stop the vengeful spirit before it claims more lives?
Is it for you? If you're looking for a good scare, don't miss the combination of well-drawn characters and chilling suspense in this "ectoplasmic extravaganza" (Kirkus Reviews). |
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| Spirit Hunters by Ellen OhWhat it's about: Twelve-year-old Harper can't push away the uneasy feeling she gets from her family's new house. Their neighbor, Dayo, says that the place is haunted -- a claim that gets easier to believe as Harper's little brother begins acting out in alarming ways.
Who it's for: Filled with shivery tension and disturbing ghost encounters, Spirit Hunters will captivate anyone looking for a real fright. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 8-11!
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