Elementary School Books
New and Coming Soon: September 2025
 
Chapter Books
Everyday Bean
by Stephanie Graegin

"A collection of vignettes showcasing the adventures of Bean (a baby hedgehog) and her grandmother"
Secrets of the purple pearl
by Kate McKinnon

"Three orphaned siblings discover more about mad science and themselves under the tutelage of their beloved professor, Millicent Quibb"
The Pumpkin Princess and the buried castle
by Steven Banbury

"A girl adopted into the undead realm must face a greater evil than before in order to save her home, while also handling new surprising skills she is developing"
Mystery at the manor
by Alasdair Beckett-King

"Bonnie Montgomery...has as been tasked with delivering a priceless diamond to Adderstone Manor, the home of retired master thief Fergus Croke. The plot thickens faster than a good roux when Croke is found dead hours later, and every one of his four protâegâes is suspected of the dirty deed...With the help of Grampa Banks and an undercover best friend, it's not long before Bonbon uncovers hidden identities, motives a-many, and a rather surprising hedge maze full of monkeys. But can they catch the killer before it's too late?"
Incredibly Penelope
by Lauren Myracle

"Penelope has been all over the globe, from the tippity top to the bottomitty bottom, traveling alongside her godmother, the super celebrity Queenie Bee. And she's done things most kids never dream of, like feeding giraffes, exploring real glaciers, and hopping from one five-star hotel to the next. But there's one thing she has never done, and she desperately wants to give it a try: go to school! So Penelope persuades her mother and godmother to let her attend Idlewild Academy for Girls. There, Penelope's charm, openness, and generosity quickly win over many of her new classmates. Although some, including sullen Dilly, think she's a snob. But when Penelope's mother and godmother go missing, her wealth goes along with them, and people start treating her differently--even cruelly. Is Penelope still special? Is she still the same person? And whatever will she do now?"
The floating mystery at Emerald Pond
by Henry Winkler

While participating in the Spring Games, Willow and her friends encounter plastic debris throughout the pond that endangers the animals during the events
The city of lost cats
by Tanya Lloyd Kyi

A stubborn young girl named Fiona stumbles upon an abandoned house full of stray cats that is threatened by a demolition team, a leadership crisis and two potentially malicious parakeets, so Fiona looks to create something better in its place. Simultaneous eBook.
The Great Birthday Surprise!
by Tanya Wright

Book Annotation
The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon
by Grace Lin

Stone spirit Ji is stuck in the People's world, but with the help of
his new friends Lulu and Worm, he hopes to find a way back home through the Old City Gate before it disappears forever.
Return to sender
by Vera Brosgol

Ten-year-old Oliver discovers that the wish-granting mailbox in his new apartment may make his dreams come true, but they come with a cost
J vs. K
by Kwame Alexander

"Two ten-year-olds must decide whether they should join forces to create an unbeatable duo that is sure to win their school's annual creative storytelling contest"
Graphic Novels
Creature clinic
by Gavin Aung Than

"Welcome to Creature Clinic, the world's finest--and only--hospital for mythical beings. Here, everyone from trolls and unicorns to tooth fairies and giants can expect the very best treatment. Well, with one exception. Humans are absolutely, 100 percent not welcome. Doctor-in-training Kara Orc has worked hard and followed the rules her entire life to get where she is now. But when a human in need shows up at the hospital, her obedience is put to the test. Sure, most humans are dangerous, destructive beasts, but Kara took an oath to help all creatures. Even humans deserve care and compassion. How long can she keep such a big secret from her boss--who also happens to be her mother?"
Aphmau : searching for home
by Michela Cacciatore

"Aphmau is the new girl in town, and after a rough first day at school--thanks, Stacy--she's not sure anyone will come to her birthday party. Thankfully, the super cute and mysterious Aaron comes through and brings the party with him. But after Stacy sprinkles the cake with magic, Aphmau's birthday wishes don't only come true, they come to life! Soon Aphmau and her friends find that the world has become just like Aphmau's video games! Will they be able to turn everything back to normal? Or will Stacy's evil plan reign supreme?"
Dream on
by Shannon Hale

"Something is missing from Cassie's life. Her parents don't have much money, she has to share her bedroom (and bed!) with her sisters, and her family never seem to have time for her. To make matters worse, her best friend Vali is always busy with a new friend. When Cassie gets a letter from a magazine sweepstakes with the words "YOU'RE THE WINNER" stamped on the front, she thinks it's the answer to all her problems. She could buy new furniture to replace their shabby old sofa. Or maybe a car so her family doesn't have to take two trips to go places. Or maybe she can make Vali her best friend forever by taking her on a fabulous vacation. The possibilities are endless, like an all-you-can-eat buffet! But will prizes really solve Cassie's problems? And whatwill she lose if she doesn't win anything at all?
Cinderella / : Cinderella
by Deborah Underwood

"Every fairy tale needs a fairy. Because sometimes stories go off the rails, and this fairy knows just what to do to fix them. Actually, he doesn't... He makes it up as he goes along. And sometimes he needs help. A lot of help. Which is where Mouse comes in. Together, she and Fairy will make sure this tale has a happily ever after--just maybe not the one you expect"
Daybreaker / : Ilustra
by Tori Tadiar

Mika does not fit in at the prestigious Ateneum Academy in Manila, but when a moth speaks to her in her grandmother's voice Mika begins manifesting powers and casting spells that get her into trouble, and she soon learns to trust new friends and try to make sense of what her budding powers mean for her and for the world
Nonfiction
The atlas of languages : words around the world
by Rachel Lancashire

"A beautifully illustrated overview of the history of languages around the world and their connections and branches, filled with maps, sidebars, and unusual facts that will satisfy curious kids Why does Japanese not have a word for green, and why does Russian have two words for blue? What was the first human language in space? Which languages have more than two genders? And is there anywhere in the world where they still speak Ancient Egyptian? This book answers all these questions and more, taking the reader on a journey through languages from all over the world in all their complexity, beauty, and quirkiness, featuring: Fun facts and language trivia Beautifully illustrated maps to pore over Intricate language family trees Eye-catching infographics"
The dark! : wild life in the mysterious world of caves
by Lindsey Leigh

Introducing young readers to some of the weirdest and creepiest creatures that thrive in the darkest corners of our planet, including aquatic cave leeches, tailless whip scorpions, cave beetles and bats, this fact-filled book reveals the unique ways they have adapted to their environments. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.
Get dressed! : a historical guessing game for fashion lovers
by Katy Canales

Over the years, humans have dressed in all kinds of clothing, from the perfectly practical to the potentially perilous
Light : the extraordinary energy that illuminates our world
by Jess Wade

"From the complexities of the night sky to the inner workings of rainbows, explore and celebrate the mind-bending science of light. Combining text by Dr. Jess Wade-a highly skilled physicist and trailblazing campaigner for diversity in Steam fields-and beautiful, dynamic pictures by Ana Sanfelippo, this compelling blend of curriculum essentials and cutting-edge physics inspires budding scientists and engineers to step beyond their textbooks into a world of fascinating real-world science"
Minecraft Atlas of the World : Create the Real World in Minecraft With 60+ Inspiring Builds
by Inc. Dorling Kindersley

Book Annotation
Talking rocks and minerals : fact-packed guide to geology
by Paige Towler

"Let's talk rocks. No, let's let rocks talk! Pebble the Rock Reporter is ready to interview a whole host of rocks and minerals to get the scoop on the fundamentals of geology. Rocks and minerals have lots to tell us, and they are ready for their close-up! Explaining how different rocks and gemstones form from minerals"
The treasure hunt : true stories of treasures lost, stolen, and found
by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe

"Follow a trail of intriguing clues and take an epic journey around the world and discover heart-stopping true stories of treasure lost, stolen, and found"
What would you rather be? A tiger or a tiger shark / : A Tiger or a Tiger Shark?, Reader, Level 1
by Jerry Pallotta

"Would you rather prowl with a tiger or swim with a tiger shark? Let's find out! Readers will compare and contrast basic facts about these kid-favorite animals before making the ultimate decision -- which animal would they rather be? Simple language appeals to developing readers, while photo-realistic art will keep animal lovers engaged. This fun new series brings new life to the classic childhood game, Would You Rather! Enjoy this exciting Level 1 Scholastic Reader from the bestselling author of Who Would Win?"-- Provided by publisher
Biographies
Mystery driver : the story of Alice Johnson and the first soap box derby
by Elizabeth Tracy

Alice is determined to build the fastest car in the boys-only soap box derby and works with Daddy to build a car with an airplane's nose cone, in an empowering true tale of ingenuity, engineering and joy of creating one's dreams
Wanda hears the stars : a blind astronomer listens to the universe
by Amy Hansen

"Growing up in Puerto Rico, Wanda Dâiaz Merced wanted to study the stars. But when she lost her sight, she had to find a new way to work. Through the use of sonification, which turns data into sound, she was able to make a path for herself and other scientists with disabilities"
An abundance of light : a story of Matisse in Morocco
by Lauren Stringer

"The true story of painter Henri Matisse and his search for light and inspiration in Morocco"
Outside in and the inside out : a story about Arnold Lobel
by Emmy Kastner

"A thoughtful and whimsical picture book about Arnold Lobel, award-winning creator of Frog and Toad. Arnold Lobel was many things: a quiet observer, an avid reader, and the kind of man who kept a gorilla suit in his closet, just in case. Above all else, Arnold was an artist and a storyteller. And he infused pieces of himself in the characters he created. This made sharing his books with the world scary sometimes-but his stories would go on to inspire and delight readers and live on in their hearts for generations. A rare window into the life and work of Arnold Lobel, creator of the Frog and Toad series, Outside In and the Inside Out captures the iconic creator of some of the most beloved children's books of all time"-- Provided by publisher
Harriet Tubman, Force of Nature : A Biography in Poems
by Caroline Brewer

Book Annotation
River Forest Public Library
735 Lathrop Ave, River Forest, Illinois 60305
(708) 366-5205

https://www.riverforestlibrary.org/