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Books for Kids and Tweens July 2026 |
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Slow Burn
by Katy Grant
Thirteen-year-old Baylor hasn't spent much time with his father, who works across the country as a fire lookout. But when Rob reaches out to invite him for the summer, Baylor jumps at the chance, thinking it will be a great adventure and a way to get to know his father for the first time. Despite the natural beauty of the mountains that surround them, their tight quarters and solitary existence lead to simmering tensions. As wildfire season heats up, Baylor and his father must keep their eyes out for danger--and try to kindle some sort of relationship after a lifetime apart.
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The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia: An Illustrated Novel (Sparrow Xia #1)
by Leia Ham
With atmospheric illustrations full of warmth, adventure, and friendship on every page, The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia is an unforgettable magical school story.To Sparrow Xia, power feels like fire; red-hot sparks dancing along her fingertips, or the blazing flames her brother wields. In a world where kids have magic and adults don't, being a super-rare fire mage should give her the edge she needs to make the most of her magical years. But Sparrow feels like a fraud--for all its rarity, her fire-magic is so weak she can barely conjure more than a match flame. Starting school at Zenith Academy for Magical Development is her one chance to finally strengthen her magic--to turn her pitiful match flame into something powerful. Something special. While Sparrow battles to master her talents, a strange illness begins to seep into the school, draining students of their magic. When Sparrow and her new friends are drawn into the search for a cure, they'll soon find that when magic means everything, some people will go to terrifying lengths to try to keep it . . .With exciting, atmospheric illustrations on every page, The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia is the beginning of an unforgettable adventure overflowing with friendship, mystery, and the truth that magic is everywhere.
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Unfathomable: 20 Wild (But True) Stories about the Ocean
by Mary Boone
Wrestle an octopus, swim through a sunken city, and discover 20 incredible-but-true stories from our unbelievable--and unpredictable--oceans. From acclaimed nonfiction writer Mary Boone comes an illustrated look at the fascinating stories that take place under (and above) the sea. Did you know you can survive being swallowed by a whale? Or that octopus wrestling used to not just be a pastime but also an actual sport? Or, that once a town in Oregon didn't know what to do with a whale carcass that washed up on their beaches, so they...BLEW IT UP? As strange as it sounds, those stories are 100% true. And the sea holds more secrets. Grab your snorkel and dive into 20 incredible-but-true tales of survival at sea, sunken treasures hiding under the ocean's surface, jellyfish that live forever, and so much more. From accomplished nonfiction author Mary Boone comes an illustrated look at the unfathomable tales our oceans have to tell. Each chapter contains one story, with interview quotes and hands-on research that uncovers the science and history behind the event. You'll get facts AND more A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
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Bat and the Case of the Yips
by Elana K. Arnold
The fifth installment in the Schneider Award Honor-winning young middle grade series starring an unforgettable young boy on the autism spectrum, from National Book Award finalist Elana K. Arnold. Now in paperback For Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed Bat), nothing is more important than Thor, his pet skunk. Especially not baseball, even though it's the favorite sport of his dad and his best friend, Israel. And when baseball season arrives and Israel wants Bat to join a team with him, Bat's dad makes him a deal: If Bat plays baseball this year, Dad will let him bring Thor to his apartment when Bat stays with him. It's an offer that Bat can't refuse.Before long, Bat discovers that being a part of a team requires more than he'd bargained for. But he can't quit the team without giving up time with Thor or letting Israel down....can he?
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Stealing the Score
by Sylvia Liu
The World Cup is coming to town Soccer superfans Ethan, Sasha, and Mateo are thrilled that the biggest sporting event in the world is coming to their backyard. When a contest offering a once-in-a-lifetime chance to attend the World Cup is announced, they are all ready to do whatever it takes to win. To do so, they must complete a scavenger hunt throughout Miami to find a replica pair of the lucky cleats worn by their favorite player, El Bot n (or The Boot).Best friends Ethan, a competitive soccer player, and Sasha, an online footy gamer, are wary of privileged soccer influencer Mateo at first. But they can't seem to stop crossing paths with him, and reluctantly join forces. What starts as a strictly strategic alliance to solve the scavenger hunt clues takes a turn when El Bot n's real cleats go missing. The fate of the whole tournament could be in jeopardy--unless the new friends can uncover the truth
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| Stream by Aida SalazarWhile spending the summer doing forced digital detox in internet-free rural Mexico, California teens Celi and Elio meet and forge a completely IRL relationship. Although this story in verse follows characters from The Moon Within and Ultraviolet, you don't need to have read those books to appreciate Celi and Elio's thoughtful, moving story of offline connection. (Ages 10-14.) |
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| Midsummer Sisters by Niki SmithWith their parents' marriage in trouble, stepsisters and best friends Quinn and Kenzie are visiting Gramma on North Carolina's Outer Banks. There, they become attached to a wild foal, while also wondering what will happen if their parents get divorced. Delicate yet expressive artwork highlights the big emotions in this graphic novel. (Ages 9-12.)
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Spy for George Washington
by Jay Leibold
Spying is dangerous business in this interactive book where YOU decide what happens next. Packed with 31 possible endings Released in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, this 80s classic returns to shelves. Choose Your Own Adventure books-the 4th bestselling children's series of all time-are back and as much fun as you remember. Kids and adults agree, these are the books that get 8- to 12-year-olds reading. YOU are a spy for the Colonists in the Revolutionary War. You've been entrusted with a special task: obtain the British plans and bring them back to General George Washington But enemy patrols are everywhere. How can you get back through the British lines without suspicion? If you decide to set out in the dead of night, turn to page 12. If you decide to wait until dawn, turn to page 6. Whatever you decide, be careful--spying is a dangerous business. You might end up swinging by your neck on the Redcoats' gallows or roasted alive by enemy Mohawks . . . or you could even end up saving George Washington's life With added educational back matter about the Colonial time period, all just in time for the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, this Choose Your Own Adventure retro classic is perfect for schools, libraries, nostalgia fans, and budding history buffs.
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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