| Reading the Bones: Homo Naledi and the Mysteries of Human Evolution by Marc Aronson and John S. MeadIn a difficult-to-reach cave in South Africa, a group of researchers known as "the Underground Astronauts" unearth the fossils of what seems to be a new human ancestor: Homo naledi. And you're right there with them in this fascinating book that makes complicated topics feel easy to understand. For another blend of real-world science and adventure, try The Skull in the Rock, also co-written by Marc Aronson. (Ages 10-13.) |
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| Wolf's Belly by John August; illustrated by Simón EstradaLonging to prove herself to her family full of adventurers, red-caped Lu sets out to slay a fearsome wolf...only to wind up in its belly. There, she finds a village of other survivors, and searches for a way to set them all free. Packed with dramatic artwork and characters from familiar fairy tales, this graphic novel will grab fans of thoughtful, funny fantasy. (Ages 9-13.) |
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Dasia (Forever) by Nic StoneAfter nineteen days of induction chemotherapy, Dasia Monae Riley knows no one else should be in her hospital room . . . But there she is: Jameson Jimmy Jeffs. Another cancer patient who's seemingly everything Dasia is not: rich, well cared for, and a smidge childish (in Dasia's opinion). However, Dasia soon discovers that their commonalities go beyond a random, incurable disease . . . like older brothers who are gone, baby brothers who need them, and struggles with friends at school. As Dasia and Jimmy chat, Dasia's memories unfold in the unsent letters (read: poems) Dasia wrote to her incarcerated older brother. And over the course of one life-changing night, two girls who are at their lowest fight to keep each other uplifted. When you hit rock bottom, what does it take to survive and allow yourself to hope again? In a spin-off to the Dear Martin series, New York Times bestselling author Nic Stone delivers a heart-wrenching story of resilience, connection, and the fight to stay alive when battling illness and bearing the weight of difficult circumstances.
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| Offside by Christina Diaz Gonzalez; illustrated by Mari CostaAfter their middle school finally makes the soccer team tryouts co-ed, sabotage from the guys means that Nicky and Fabiola are the only two girls who make the cut. With such a bad start, not to mention some language differences, can the new team figure out how to work together? This graphic novel combines on-the-field action with authentic emotions. Read-alikes: Tryouts by Sarah Sax; The Breakaways by Cathy G. Johnson. (Ages 9-13.) |
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| Ghost in the Night by Tiffany D. JacksonAfter her grandmother's death, grieving, ghost-obsessed 12-year-old Harmony joins her blues musician dad on tour. At a stop in Savannah, Georgia, Harmony encounters what might be a real haunting, leading her to investigate a local unsolved murder -- and maybe find a missing person. For fans of: smart paranormal mysteries inspired by Black history, like those by India Hill Brown. (Ages 10-13.)
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The Aftermyth by Tracy Wolff Penelope Weaver has spent her whole life preparing to attend Anaximander's Academy, where students learn how to bring to life the stories of Greek mythology as well as discover the Greek god whose principles they most embody. Penelope knows she's an Athena--all smart, practical, and rule-following girls who take part in stories that matter are Athenas. But when Penelope and her twin brother Paris arrive at Anaximander's, it appears fate has other plans. Penelope isn't placed with Athena but with students who are anything but practical and who prefer parties to rules. And that's just the beginning. She's given the world's worst muse, her assigned tasks feel impossible, and the magic of Anaximander's is overwhelming. Not to mention, there are two very different boys making her new life even more confusing. But as things go from bad to dangerously worse, one thing becomes clear: in a world where everything is fated to happen a certain way, some stories need to be rewritten. As the world around her shifts and cracks, Penelope is asked to forget everything she thought she knew to help create a better story...even if that changes every plan and breaks every rule.
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| Shook by Julian Randall; illustrated by Nathan WalkerAmbitious, basketball-obsessed 12-year-old Malik "Shake" Page accidentally lives up to his nickname when a broken ankle leaves him shaken and sidelined. Shake's crisis of confidence -- and its impact on his friends and family -- is described through powerful poems, lists, groupchats, and illustrations that will keep you turning the pages. For fans of: Kwame Alexander's The Crossover. (Ages 9-13.) |
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| Crumble by Meredith McClaren; illustrated by Andrea BellAt first, Emily is successful at practicing her family's special skill: magically baking good feelings into desserts for their bakery. But then tragedy strikes, and Emily's sadness begins seeping into her baked goods. Cute, colorful artwork balances the serious elements in this touching graphic novel. (Ages 7-11.) |
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| The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey HartmanNot quite alive and not quite dead, Clare the fox is content with his cozy home in Deadwood Forest, where he ushers souls into the Afterlife. That changes, however, when a badger soul named Gingersnipes makes Clare question everything he once understood. This charming and bittersweet story is sure to tug on your heartstrings. (Ages 8-12.) |
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| The Strongest Heart by Saadia FaruqiHis dad's untreated mental illness has always made life unstable for sarcastic, folktale-loving Mo. But when they move from New York to Texas to stay with Mo's aunt and cousin, Mo begins to wonder if life could be different. Fans of realistic fiction should check out this painfully honest yet hopeful story, inspired by the author's own family. (Ages 10-13.) |
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| Oasis by GuojingWhile their mom works to earn them a brighter future in Oasis City, siblings JieJie and DiDi must survive in a barren desert, braving the sandstorms alone -- until they discover an abandoned robot and activate its "Mother Mode." Moody, softly swirling artwork brings this absorbing graphic novel to life. Read-alike: The Second Life of Snap by Erin Entrada Kelly. (Ages 8-12.) |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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