| Serena Says by Tanita S. DavisSmart, sensitive, awkward Serena is totally fine with being the sidekick to her bubbly, outgoing best friend, JC. But when JC finds a new best friend during her recovery from a kidney transplant, Serena turns to vlogging to help her sort out her feelings. If you've ever been confused by changing friendships or uncertain about how to act, you'll relate to Serena and root for her as she figures things out. |
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The Mouse Watch
by J. J. Gilbert
A brave mouse with a score to settle and a sensitive rat with unmatched puzzle-solving talents embark on a first day with inventor Gadget Hackwrench’s elite Mouse Watch. Before their first day is through, they find themselves at the center of an evil Rogue Animal Thieves Society plot to take over the world. Soon they are catapulted from new recruits into full-on action heroes, as they learn how to work together to save the Mouse Watch—and the world as they know it.
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| Last Mirror on the Left by Lamar Giles; illustrated by Dapo AdeolaThe Legendary Alston Boys have a new case! Missus Nedraw, a Warden of the Multiverse Justice System, tasks them with finding a fugitive. Yet as the detective cousins investigate, they start to wonder if they’re really serving justice after all. Featuring a useful yo-yo, a spider gang called ArachnoBRObia, and the boys' frenemies, the Epic Ellison Girls.
Series alert: To understand the offbeat humor and sci-fi adventures in this fast-paced sequel, you'll want to start with The Last Last-Day-of-Summer. |
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| The Smartest Kid in the Universe by Chris GrabensteinAfter seventh-grade slacker Jake accidentally downs a bowl of experimental "Ingestible Knowledge" pills (they looked like jellybeans!), he suddenly becomes a full-on brainiac, devoting his newfound smarts to saving his middle school from a greedy principal.
Author alert: If you love the popular Mr. Lemoncello series, you don't want to miss this new book from author Chris Grabenstein. |
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| Mellybean and the Giant Monster by Mike WhiteIntroducing: scruffy, hyperactive Mellybean the dog, falls into an alternate world where she befriends a mopey monster and takes on a competitive king who's known for being a very sore loser. Super-cute, Pokémon-style cartoon art makes this graphic novel fantasy adorable as well as exciting.
Series alert: This is just the 1st of many adventures for Mellybean. |
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| Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters by Andrea Beaty; illustrated by David RobertsYoung engineer Rosie is ready to invent when a friend of her great-great-aunt needs a device to help her paint with two broken wrists. Rosie's first attempts are flops, however, so she turns to her friends, Ada Twist the scientist and Iggy Peck the architect.
Who it's for: fans of the picture books about Rosie and the Questioneers, as well as eager engineers and anyone who needs a reminder to stop, think, and try again. |
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| The Infamous Ratsos by Kara LaRea; illustrated by Matt MyersStarring rat brothers Louie and Ralphie Ratso, who aim to be just as tough as their dad, Big Lou, even though every mean prank they play accidentally turns into a good deed.
Series alert: If you like the black-and-white art, goofy humor (the Ratsos have an "unwelcome mat"), and lovable characters in this easy-to-read book, be sure to pick up the rest of the Ratso Brothers series. |
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| Juana & Lucas: Big Problemas by Juana MedinaJuana Rosas loves her life in Bogotá: she has a wonderful familia, an awesome school (though English is hard), and a perfect perro, Lucas. But big changes are coming: Juana's mami is getting remarried and moving them to a new casa. This series includes bright cartoon art and an easy-to-understand blend of Spanish and English.
Series alert: You can jump into this sequel with cero problemas, or you can start from the beginning with Juana & Lucas. |
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| Sadiq and the Desert Star by Siman Nuurali; illustrated by Anjan SarkarThird-grader Sadiq shares a love of the stars with his Baba, and with his school's space club. The club really wants a telescope, but since buying one is too expensive, Sadiq and his friends decide to build one themselves.
Further reading: Just like Sadiq's upbeat story is about his family, hobbies, and Somali background, Saadia Faruqi's Yasmin series is about one kid's life and Pakistani heritage. |
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| A Friend for Dragon by Dav PilkeyShort, silly adventures starring Dragon, a tenderhearted blue character who makes friends with an apple, goes on an unusual trip to the grocery store, and sweeps his dirt floor until it turns into a basement.
Who it's for: beginning chapter book readers who are wading into graphic novels, as well as kids who love Dav Pilkey's Dog Man and Captain Underpants series, but want something they can read on their own. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 8-11!
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