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Place your holds right from this newsletter: Click on any book cover image or title and the catalogue page for that title will open in a new tab.
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| Curveball by Pablo Cartaya; illustrated by Miguel Díaz RivasElena's the best player on her baseball team, but she doesn't love it like she used to. Can a summer spent live-action roleplaying with her younger brother help her rediscover the excitement in playing, not just winning? Manga-style art heightens the imaginative action in this graphic novel. (Ages 8-12.) |
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| Paige Not Found by Jen WildeTwelve-year-old Paige is shocked to discover that her parents are secretly allowing a company to monitor her brain and collect data about autistic kids like her. Even worse, that private data could soon be for sale -- unless Paige and the other monitored kids can prevent it. This own voices thriller will appeal to both science fiction fans and readers looking for books about kids on the spectrum. (Ages 8-12.) |
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The Night War
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
In 1942 Nazi-occupied France, German Jewish 12-year-old Miriam is separated from her family and hiding at a convent school. There, she finds not only a friendly ghost, but also the chance to help other refugees. Is she brave enough to take it? (Ages 9-13.)
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Storm Dragons: Lightningborn
by Julie Kagawa
The floating kingdom of Gallecia is in danger, and the quest to rescue it from calamity brings together three unlikely companions: orphan Remy, dragon foundling Storm, and mage-in-training Gem (btw, she's also a princess). This exciting fantasy opens a new series that's perfect for fans of Alex London's Battle Dragons books. (Ages 8-12.)
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Ultraviolet
by Aida Salazar
"Whoever heard of having your whole vision change because you met some girl?" Everything looks different to 8th-grader Elio since he fell for Camelia, and in this honest story in verse, he tries to figure out how to "man up" like his dad expects and deal with his feelings. For fans of: Kwame Alexander and Jason Reynolds. (Ages 10-14.)
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Timid
by Jonathan Todd
Based on the author's own life in the 1980s, this funny and sensitive graphic novel follows shy cartoonist Cecil as he struggles to both fit in and be himself at a new middle school where he's one of the few Black kids. For fans of: Jerry Craft's New Kid series. (Ages 8-12.)
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Bea Wolf
by Zach Weinersmith; illustrated by Boulet
Written in the over-dramatic style of an old-fashioned poem, this hilarious graphic novel tells the story of kids who are defended from mean neighbor Mr. Grindle by a champion "forged in sparkles and fury:" super-strong 5-year-old Bea Wolf. (Ages 8-12.)
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The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry
by Anna Rose Johnson
Set in 1912, this warmhearted historical adventure follows Lucy, a dreamy, orphaned 11-year-old with French and Ojibwe heritage, as she's sent to stay with a large Ojibwe family in a lighthouse on Lake Superior. For fans of: L.M. Montgomery's classic Anne of Green Gables. (Ages 8-12.)
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Sona and the Golden Beasts
by Rajani LaRocca
In this absorbing fantasy, Sona Kalpani rescues a golden-eared wolf pup and discovers secrets about her forbidden magic abilities, leading her on a quest to save a loved one and free her homeland. Read-alike: Christina Soontornvat's The Last Mapmaker. (Ages 8-12.)
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Blue Stars: The Vice Principal Problem
by Kekla Magoon and Cynthia Leitich Smith; illustrated by Molly Murakami
Even though they're part of the same Black and Muscogee family, cousins Maya and Riley don't get along...until they find a common enemy in the vice principal ruining their middle school. This funny slice-of-life graphic novel kicks off a new series. (Ages 8-12.)
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The Lumbering Giants of Windy Pines
by Mo Netz
Shortly after they move to Windy Pines, Georgia, 11-year-old Jerry’s mom disappears. Determined to find her, Jerry -- along with new friend Chapel and Yiddish-speaking imaginary dragon Paul -- ventures into the eerie woods, discovering her mom’s secrets (and the advantages to demon-slaying in a wheelchair). (Ages 8-12.)
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Summer at Squee
by Andrea Wang
Phoenny Fang and her squad of friends are finally senior campers at their beloved Chinese heritage summer camp (aka "Squee"). But why aren't this year's new campers as excited as they are? This authentic graphic novel about friendship and bicultural belonging will grab fans of Vera Brosgol's Be Prepared and Jen Wang's Stargazing. (Ages 10-13.)
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Speak Up!
by Rebecca Burgess
In real life, autistic 12-year-old Mia is a misunderstood middle schooler. But online, where she shares the music videos she makes with her best friend Charlie, she's the viral sensation known as Elle-Q. Readers looking for fun yet moving stories about self-expression will enjoy this graphic novel. (Ages 10-13.)
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Winston Chu vs. the Whimsies
by Stacey Lee
While honoring the anniversary of his beloved dad's death, 12-year-old Winston is caught in a strange incident at a mysterious shop called Mr. Pang’s Whimsies -- and the events that follow are even stranger still. This offbeat two-book series inspired by Chinese mythology concludes in Winston Chu vs. the Wingmeisters. Read-alikes: Katie Zhao's Dragon Warrior series. (Ages 8-12.)
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Ferris
by Kate DiCamillo
Meet Ferris, a 10-year-old word nerd who’s just trying to keep up with the antics of her loving, eccentric family, from her little sister’s attempts to become an outlaw to her grandmother's obsession with a ghost. This tender, offbeat tale is sure to satisfy fans of award-winning author Kate DiCamillo. (Ages 8-12.)
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The First State of Being
by Erin Entrada Kelly
It’s 1999, and a possible Y2K disaster is looming when 12-year-old Michael meets Ridge, a newcomer whose strange behavior has an even stranger explanation: he’s a time-traveler from 2199. Thought-provoking science blends with relatable characters in this latest book from beloved author Erin Entrada Kelly. (Ages 9-13.)
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Drawing Deena
by Hena Khan
From her family’s money trouble to school stress, it seems like everything makes Pakistani American Deena feel so worried she gets sick. Could Deena’s art help her communicate when her words can't? This hopeful story will grab readers who like a deep dive into a character’s mind. (Ages 8-12.)
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Medusa
by Katherine Marsh
In this fresh, smart twist on mythological fantasy, 7th-grader Ava learns the hard way that she’s descended from the so-called monster Medusa. From there, her journey of self-discovery takes her from “monster rehab” boarding school all the way to Olympus. (Ages 8-12.)
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Bunny and Clyde
by Megan McDonald; illustrated by Scott Nash
From the author of the Judy Moody series comes a short, sassy chapter book about a well-behaved bunny-and-chipmunk duo who decide to turn bad. But when it comes to doing wrong, Bunny and Clyde can’t get it right! Read-alike: Kara LaReau’s Infamous Ratsos series. (Ages 6-9.)
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Ride On
by Faith Erin Hicks
Realizing that she can’t afford to keep riding competitively at the fancy horse stables, middle schooler Victoria switches to Edgewood, where she finds unexpected friendship and a new attitude. Realistic, expressive artwork brings added depth to this graphic novel. (Ages 10-13.)
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| Swim Team by Johnnie ChristmasAfter math-loving Bree moves from New York to Florida, she's plagued by new-kid stress until her neighbor Ms. Etta helps her dive into Black swim culture. Bold, colorful illustrations highlight Bree's worries and excitement as she begins to compete with the swim team. Read-alikes: Jerry Craft's New Kid or Victoria Jamieson's Roller Girl. (Ages 9-13.) |
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| Plain Jane and the Mermaid by Vera BrosgolWith marriage as her only path to keeping her home, orphaned Jane is determined to rescue her maybe-fiancé after he's kidnapped by a fearsome mermaid -- even if it means a dangerous, magical journey under the sea. Fans of Vera Brosgol (creator of Be Prepared) won't want to miss this aquatic graphic novel adventure. (Ages 10-13.) |
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| Starfish by Lisa FippsAfter a lifetime of being treated badly by everyone from classmates to her own mother, 11-year-old Ellie decides to ditch their unspoken "Fat Girl Rules." After all, it's not being fat that makes her unhappy, it's being bullied. Read-alikes: Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango and Dear Sweet Pea by Julie Murphy. (Ages 9-13.) |
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This newsletter is brought to you by Siiri and OlgaContact us for more great books for ages 8-13! infoservices@bradford.library.on.ca |
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