| The Swag Is in the Socks by Kelly J. BaptistOn his birthday, seventh-grade loner Xavier Moon receives a wild pair of socks from his larger-than-life great uncle, along with a challenge to "get your sad self together." Trying to be as bold as his new socks, Xavier sets out to join the Scepter League, an exclusive club for boys with leadership abilities.
You might also like: Janae Marks' From the Desk of Zoe Washington, another funny, honest read about a kid facing challenges and finding confidence. |
|
|
|
Signs of Survival : a Memoir of the Holocaust
by Renée G. Hartman
Told in a vivid “oral history” format, this riveting memoir recounts the story of Renee and Herta, two sisters who, communicating in sign language and relying on each other for strength, fought to survive the darkest of times together.
|
|
| Ace Takes Flight by Cory McCarthyIt's 2048, and 11-year-old Ace is finally living his dreams as a cadet at the Biological Enhancement Systems Technology (B.E.S.T.) Program, where students train to receive "augmentations" to their minds and bodies. Ace longs for wings -- but does he have what it takes to earn them? Read it for fast-paced action, characters you'll want to hang out with, and a fascinating future setting.
Series alert: Ace Takes Flight kicks off the exciting B.E.S.T. World trilogy. |
|
|
|
Dog Star
by Megan Shepherd
Based on the true story of the 1950s Space Race. When Nina and Laika, a Soviet stray dog being trained to be a “starflyer,” meet in Nina’s father’s lab, they form a close bond and together they must unravel a tangled web of secrets to rocket to the stars.
|
|
|
|
Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Perfection
by Matthew Swanson
One morning, after Ben Yokoyama's mom burns the pancakes, his dad ruins Ben's jersey while doing the laundry, and his best friend is late, he is overwhelmed with frustration. So, when his fortune cookie says "practice makes perfect," Ben decides that everyone in his life, including himself, just needs more practice to get to perfection. At school, Ben makes friends with Darby, the new kid who has a secret, extraordinary alter ego, Darbino. Darbino gives Ben lessons in being perfect, which proves more difficult than Ben imagined.
Series alert: This is the third book in the Cookie Chronicles series.
|
|
|
|
Honest June
by Tina Wells
June is a people-pleaser who tells harmless little lies to make everyone happy. However, June must be honest about how she feels when things spiral out of control after a secret fairy godmother “blesses” her with the ability to ONLY tell the truth.
|
|
Beginning Chapter Book Series Roundup |
|
| The Fabled Stables: Willa the Wisp by Jonathan Auxier; illustrated by Olga DemidovaWelcome to the Fabled Stables, where human kid Auggie takes care of magical and "just plain weird" creatures. An empty stall for a shapeshifting wisp appears in the Stables, letting Auggie know that that there's a young wisp nearby in danger -- and in need of a daring rescue.
Who it's for: This funny fantasy series-starter is packed with charming art, making it a great pick for fans of Adam Gidwidtz's Unicorn Rescue Society series. |
|
| 13th Street: Battle of the Bad-Breath Bats by David Bowles; illustrated by Shane ClesterWhile exploring Gulf City's Little Mexico, cousins Malia, Dante, and Ivan accidentally wind up on 13th Street, a creepy otherworld filled with giant, wicked Snatch Bats. Can the cousins make it out safely? With spine-tingling scares, short chapters, cartoon art, and progress bars to show you how far you've read, this video game-style chapter book (the 1st in a series) will keep you turning pages. |
|
| Aven Green, Sleuthing Machine by Dusti Bowling: illustrated by Gina PerryWhen food disappears from school, outgoing eight-year-old Aven Green is on the case. She's got the all the confidence and smarts of a great detective -- in fact, since she was born without arms, she's pretty sure her arm cells went to her brain instead.
Try this next: for another bold kid who does her own thing, try Dawn Quigley's Jo Jo Makoons series; for more chapter book mysteries, try Dori Hillestad Butler's King & Kayla series. |
|
| Our Friend Hedgehog: The Story of Us by Lauren CastilloHedgehog is happy on her tiny island with Mutty, her stuffed dog. But after a storm sweeps Mutty away, Hedgehog sets out to find him, and meets several helpful new friends along the way. The cute animals and cozy vibes in this series-starter will have you looking forward to the next book.
You might also like: Jacqueline Davies' Sydney & Taylor series, which also stars a hedgehog and friends. |
|
| Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business by Lyla Lee; illustrated by Dung HoIntroducing seven-and-a-half-year-old Mindy Kim, who just moved to a new state with her dad after her mom died. Mindy wants to fit in at her new school and raise money for a puppy, so when new friend Sally wants to start a seaweed snack business, Mindy agrees, even though it's against the rules.
Series alert: There are already lots of books in the upbeat Mindy Kim series, and more coming in 2022. |
|
Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 8-11!
|
|
|