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| Spindlefish and Stars by Christiane M. AndrewsWhat it's about: After her thieving father disappears, loner Clo follows his last instructions and journeys to an eerie gray island. There, she meets a strange old weaver woman who orders Clo to spin the island's silver fish into thread.
Why you might like it: Dreamy hints of Greek mythology begin to surface as Clo learns more about the island, her family, and her own destiny, making Spindlefish and Stars a good choice for readers who like thoughtful, richly detailed fantasy. |
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Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue ParkWhat it’s about: In 1880, 14-year-old Chinese American Hanna and her father arrive in in Dakota Territory, hoping to make a new start. When they’re met with hostile racism, however, it takes all of Hanna’s determination to follow her dreams of going to school and becoming a dressmaker.
Is it for you? If you loved all the satisfying details of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books but you want a more inclusive look at frontier life, you won’t want to miss Prairie Lotus.
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| Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte; illustrated by Ann XuWhat it's about: Although Cici likes her new hometown of Seattle, Washington, she still misses Taiwan and her A-má. Hoping to claim enough prize money to buy A-má a plane ticket, Cici (an expert with Taiwanese food) enters a cooking contest and begins a crash course on how to be an American chef.
Why you might like it: Colorful, manga-style art will keep you turning the pages of this graphic novel as Cici makes new friends, learns new recipes, and tries to balance her two cultures. |
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| How We Got to the Moon: The People, Technology, and Daring Feats of Science... by John RoccoWhat it is: a dramatic chronicle of the 1969 moon landing, packed with stunning illustrations and bite-sized chunks of information.
Why you might like it: Told in present tense and accompanied by vivid, full-color art, How We Got to the Moon makes you feel like you're right there with the astronauts, scientists, and other experts from historic moon missions.
About the author: You might recognize author/illustrator John Rocco's art style from the covers of the Percy Jackson books. |
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| Ana on the Edge by A.J. SassWhat it's about: Thrilled to have leveled up in figure skating, 12-year-old Ana-Marie Jin is ready for new challenges. She's getting uncomfortable, however, with "girly" stuff like skirts or princess-themed skating programs. Can she compete in a sport that's divided between boys and girls if she's not sure where she fits in?
Who it's for: figure skating fans, readers in search of books by and about nonbinary people, and anyone who likes hopeful stories about being yourself. |
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Classics-Inspired Stories
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| More to the Story by Hena KhanWhat it is: an update of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, starring Jameela, Maryam, Bisma, and Aleeza, four sisters from a close-knit Pakistani American family.
What happens: With a job on the school newspaper and an exciting friendship with British newcomer Ali, Jameela's 7th-grade year is looking up... until her dad goes overseas for work and Bisma becomes seriously ill.
Who it's for: readers who like feisty heroines, cozy vibes, and modern, realistic family stories. |
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Forever Neverland by Susan AdrianA contemporary sequel to J. M. Barrie's classic follows the Neverland adventures of a cautious descendant of Wendy Darling and her brother, a boy on the autism spectrum who loves the fun and freedom of Peter Pan's world, until the lagoon mermaids start to go missing. By the author of Nutcracked.
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The Beautiful Stories of Life : Six Greek Myths, Retold by Cynthia RylantBeautiful illustrations enhance these tales of love, loss, and pride presented in this wonderful collection of Greek myths, featuring Pandora, Orpheus, Persephone, Psyche, and others, for middle readers.
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 10-13!
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