County of San Luis Obispo Public Libraries: Books for Kids and Tweens: March 2026

Recent Releases

The Mighty Macy
by Kwame Alexander; illustrated by Kitt Thomas

After her school library is shut down, third-grader Macy is tapped to speak up for it at a big public meeting. But with a violin recital looming, plus homework and family pressure, Macy worries that she won't find her voice in time. Told in short, easy-to-read poems, this inspiring chapter book will keep you turning pages.

The Lions' Run
by Sara Pennypacker

The acclaimed, New York Times bestselling author of Pax delivers an historical novel about an orphan during WWII who discovers unexpected courage within himself when he becomes involved with the Resistance.

Available on Libby

One Night at Camp Bigfoot (Goosebumps House of Shivers #6): Volume 6
by R. L. Stine

Siblings Harper and Dylan are reluctantly spending their summer at Camp Bigfoot. Run by an eccentric guy everyone calls Uncle Squatch, Camp Bigfoot is a classic summer camp with wooden cabins, forest trails--and the occasional Bigfoot sighting. Uncle Squatch loves wearing a Bigfoot costume and trying to scare unsuspecting campers. But when a Bigfoot is spotted under a full moon, panic fills the camp. Is this Uncle Squatch's usual prank, or a real Bigfoot?

When Tomorrow Burns
by Tae Keller

As wildfires threaten her hometown of Seattle, seventh-grader Nomi reunites with her former besties Vi and Arthur to track down a mysterious book of prophecies, hoping it can prevent disaster. Told in multiple voices (including a forest's), this latest book from Newbery Medalist Tae Keller is as unusual as it is moving.

A Scar Like a River
by Lisa Graff

Fallon Little has a secret--and it's not how she got the enormous scar that divides her face in two. Thirteen-year-old Fallon has only ever told one person what really happened on the day she got her scar. Why would she? The truth is dark, and Fallon has much brighter things to focus on, like being cast as the lead in the school play, and hanging out with her two best friends. But when Fallon's uncle Geebie dies, his funeral ignites a wildfire of events that Fallon can't manage to tamp down.

Gone Viral
by Gary Soto

At Visalia Middle School, nothing exciting ever happens. For Jason and Sean, eating candy at recess and dreaming of a future filled with fame and fortune is usually the highlight of their day. But when Sean stumbles across a video of a composer's deliberately silent performance piece, the boys come up with an idea for a musical act that performs non-songs. And when a video of their first concert goes viral, the duo suddenly finds their dreams of stardom coming true--despite their lack of any musical talent.

Award Winners

A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez
by María Dolores Águila

Based on the true story of Roberto Alvarez and the Lemon Grove Incident, this vivid and uplifting middle grade debut novel in verse about one young child's courage to stand up for what is right, and the determination of the Mexican community is perfect for fans of ESPERANZA RISING and INSIDE OUT AND BACK AGAIN.

All the Blues in the Sky
by Renée Watson

On Sage's 13th birthday, her best friend Angel was killed in an accident. Now, a heartbroken Sage attends a counseling group as she faces life without the person who understood her best. Blending poetry and prose, All the Blues in the Sky is a bittersweet and hopeful story of grief and recovery.

Available on Libby

Will's Race for Home (Coretta Scott King Author Award Winner)
by Jewell Parker Rhodes

It's 1889, barely twenty-five years after the Emancipation Proclamation, and a young Black family is tired of working on land they don't get to own. So when Will and his father hear about an upcoming land rush, they set out on a journey from Texas to Oklahoma, racing thousands of others to the place where land is free--if they can get to it fast enough. But the journey isn't easy--the terrain is rough, the bandits are brutal, and every interaction carries a heavy undercurrent of danger.

Available on Libby

Octopus moon
by Bobbie Pyron

Recently diagnosed with depression, fifth-grader Pearl struggles with self-care and self-love amidst a sea of changes. In this tender novel-in-verse, critically acclaimed author Bobbie Pyron draws from her own experiences to tell the story of a brave girl learning to take care of and love herself.

Halfway to Somewhere: (A Graphic Novel)
by Jose Pimienta

Ave must adjust to a new country, a new school, and a new family dynamic when their mom and younger brother move to Kansas while their father and older sister stay in Mexico during the parents' divorce.

The undead fox of Deadwood Forest
by Aubrey Hartman

Clare is the undead fox of Deadwood Forest. Long ago, he was struck by a car and was given the choice to either cross into the Afterlife or become an Usher of wandering souls. Clare chose the latter: a solitary life of guiding souls to their final resting place...until a badger soul named Gingersnipes appears. She is unable to leave Deadwood, so Clare and Gingersnipes set out on a journey to find Hesterfowl—the visionary grouse who recently foretold of turmoil in Deadwood. But upon their arrival, Hesterfowl divulges a shocking revelation that leaves Clare devastated, outraged, and determined to do anything to change his fate.

Available on Libby

Contact your librarian for more great books!