Dwight Foster Public Library: Kids' Books (for Ages 8-12): July 2026

The Shark Prince
by Malia Maunakea

In a small Hawaiian village, Nohea is the latest son in a long line of male ancestors with a horrible secret: He’s half-human, half-shark. After his father—also cursed as a shark—kills someone while surfing and subsequently disappears, Nohea is left isolated with only his mom and tūtū as company. He knows he’ll suffer the same fate one day, so he can’t go to school or make any friends. Worse yet, when he eventually succumbs to his shark-like cravings, he’ll be put to death, and his family will have to move to the continent. But when Nohea sees a flyer for a new surf competition, he realizes the prize money might be enough to help his family afford to stay in Hawaii when Nohea is gone. The catch? The competition is for school teams only. So taking the biggest risk yet, Nohea joins the local public seventh-grade class where he makes friends, contends with a school bully, and gets so angry, he discovers a new row of supersharp teeth in his mouth! But this is only the beginning of Nohea’s problems. Because soon, Nohea realizes that one by one, his surfing friends are disappearing. Is Nohea killing his classmates without knowing it? Or is something even more dangerous afoot?

Serpent on the Mountain
by J. Kasper Kramer

Delilah knows a rattlesnake when she hears one. After all, she was born and raised in Blackberry Holler, so when she hears that telltale rattle, she doesn’t panic. She knows her pet racoon, Freddy, will come catch the snake for his breakfast. But Freddy doesn’t come, and disaster almost strikes—until Delilah is rescued by a traveling preacher. Turns out, Brother Jones is setting up a revival church on their rural Appalachian mountain. At first this seems like a godsend to Delilah. Her older sister, Eve, used to be her best friend, but now Eve is acting all grown up. Church might bring them back together. Their wild little sister, Jezzie, sure could use some religion too. But when the churchgoers start to speak strange words and handle venomous snakes, Delilah isn’t so certain—especially after Brother Jones condemns her hill magic as witchcraft. Worse yet, an old, frightening folktale seems to be coming true. Now worried for herself and her sisters, Delilah must figure out what she believes—and fast.

100 Cupboards: The Graphic Novel
by N. D. Wilson

What dangers lurk locked behind the cupboard doors? Henry isn’t brave, but when he hears an odd thumping and scratching on the other side of his bedroom wall, he simply can’t ignore it. He scrapes off the wallpaper and peels back the plaster and discovers 100 mysterious mini doors—cupboards, really—of all different shapes and sizes. Through one he sees a glowing room and a man strolling back and forth. Through another he sees only darkness and feels the cold sense that something isn’t right. When his cousin Henrietta boldly travels into the worlds beyond the cupboards, it’s up to Henry to follow her to help her get back home. But now that he’s opened the doors, can he keep the evil inside from coming through?

Finnik the Furious: An Original Graphic Novel Volume 1
by Josh Ulrich

What’s tougher than slaying monsters? Keeping your baby sister alive to tell the tale. Ten-year-old Finnik dreams of becoming a legendary monster hunter like his parents. But when he’s told to stay behind and watch his baby sister, Finnik finds a clever loophole: why not do both? With baby sister Tina strapped to his back, Finnik sets off on a prehistoric quest full of hungry beasts, epic battles, and unexpected dangers. The plan goes well . . . until a monster snatches Tina away! Finnik must discover the truth about what it really means to be legendary, and that heroes protect the people they love, no matter what.

Get Connected!: The Story of Communication from Hieroglyphics to Body Language
by Kay Barnham

Covering the many communication methods and forms, past and present - from cuneiform and semaphore to body language and social media - this bright and bold book is chock-full of information. Each mural-like spread focuses on one unique aspect of communication, exploring the topic at an adolescent-friendly pace, with true-or-false tests, lists and sidebars. The book also examines the reasons why humans communicate, how to do it better, and why it’s beneficial to our mental health and wellbeing. It’s comprehensive and accessible, and the perfect introduction to connecting through communication.

How to Survive in the Age of Knights: A Handy Guide to Defending Your Castle, Dodging the Black Death, and Mastering the Mayhem of the Middle Ages!
by Jaime Joyce

Do you have what it takes to dodge flying arrows shot from longbows? Or 1,000-pound stones flung at you from trebuchets? OK, maybe you’re great at dodgeball, so no sweat. But how about smaller and unseen dangers, like the deadly bubonic plague? FYI, you better not get sick—left in the care of a medieval doctor, you might end up worse off after their suggested “cure”! This guide gives you all the know-how you need to survive one of the so-called darkest periods in human history. From ruthless rulers who issue grueling punishments for breaking their (sometimes silly) laws, to totally gross living conditions (alas, indoor plumbing is still hundreds of years away!), to what to do if you find yourself in a jousting tournament (uh-oh), this book gives you all the tips and tricks you need to make it out alive! For real? YES—everything you read is backed up by leading historians and experts. So what are you waiting for? Dive in and see if you have what it takes to survive in the age of knights! National Geographic kids.