| No Place on Earth by Andrea Beatriz ArangoAfter his parents separate, anxious Puerto Rican 11-year-old Gustavo moves with his mom to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. There, his anxiety dreams get even worse -- until he meets new classmate Kordell inside their shared dreamscape. This hopeful and emotionally powerful read blends fantasy with realistic mental health challenges. (Ages 10-13.)
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| Rex Rocket: Cosmic Wiener Dog by John GallagherThis graphic novel series starter introduces stretchy blue weiner dog Rex Rocket, captain of the hot-dog-shaped starship SS Sagan. In short, slapstick-filled chapters, Rex and his crew of misfits pursue missions throughout the galaxy. For fans of: Dav Pilkey's Dog Man series or Mac Barnett's First Cat in Space books. (Ages 7-10.)
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| Secrets at Sparhawk Point by Anna Rose JohnsonWelcome to 1943 Sparhawk Point, Michigan, where four friends -- Swedish American sisters Ingrid and Beatrice and Ojibwe brothers Alex and Jack -- invent a fake cryptid to draw tourists to the struggling small town. Try this next: The Blossoming Summer, another thoughtful and moving historical fiction book by Ojibwe author Anna Rose Johnson. (Ages 8-12.) |
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| A Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation by Pablo CartayaA road trip turns into a bonding opportunity for 13-year-old Gonzalo (a quiet artist grieving for his father) and his grumpy abuelo Alberto (author of a popular fantasy series for kids). Told mostly by Gonzalo -- with interruptions from a quirky narrator -- this moving adventure will leave you thinking about how stories shape our lives. (Ages 8-12.)
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| The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon by Grace LinTrapped in the human realm and facing a high-stakes quest to retrieve the Sacred Sphere, Stone Lion spirit Jin will need all of his courage -- plus some new allies -- to set things right. Inspired by Chinese folklore and filled with colorful illustrations, this spellbinding read will grab fans of fantasy and mythology. Read-alike: Aimee Lim's The Spindle of Fate. (Ages 8-12.)
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| The Incorruptibles by Lauren MagazinerIn a future where sorcerers oppress humans, 13-year-old orphan Fiora gets a chance to join the resistance fighters known as the Incorruptibles -- but first she'll have to uncover the traitor in their midst. With a diverse cast and lots of action, this series opener will keep readers intrigued. Next in the series: Lightmare. (Ages 10-13.) |
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| Opal Watson: Private Eye by Brittany J. ThurmanMeet detective Opal Watson: she's in seventh grade, she has a degenerative eye disease, she sometimes uses a cane, and she's determined to find out the truth behind the strange noises plaguing the historic Chicago apartment building where she lives. Based on a popular podcast, this smart puzzle mystery is the 1st in a series. Next in the series: A Case Most Fowl. (Ages 8-12.) |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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