| Thirteen Witches: The Memory Thief by Jodi Lynn AndersonStarring: twelve-year-old Rosie, who's just gained the ability to see magic, and her absent-minded, unloving mother.
What happens: Realizing that her mother's memory has been cursed by one of 13 evil witches, Rosie (along with her best friend Germ and some ghostly assistance) decides to fight for her mom -- and herself.
Who it's for: With swift pacing, imaginative magic, and a captivating storytelling style, The Memory Thief is a good bet for fans of Kelly Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon. |
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| Amina's Song by Hena KhanWhat it's about: At the start of 7th grade, talented songwriter Amina is wondering where she belongs. While visiting Pakistan, she sometimes felt "not Pakistani enough," but now that she's back in Wisconsin, her friends don't understand her love for Pakistan. How is she supposed to be herself when she's always stuck in-between?
Series alert: This hopeful and heartfelt story is a sequel to Amina's Voice, but you can enjoy it on its own.
You might also like: Sherri Winston's The Sweetest Sound. |
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Winterborne Home for mayhem and mystery by Ally CarterWhat it is: this sequel to Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor finds April unraveling family secrets, creepy legends and mysterious identities. Five orphans. Two sword-wielding vigilantes. One mansion. No rules. What happens: when a masked figure breaks in, looking for something or someone; it's clear that Gabriel has met his match, and now no one is safe. April and her friends will have to solve a decades-old mystery in order to hang on to the most important thing in the world: each other.
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| Spin With Me by Ami PolonskyFeaturing: Essie, a cisgender girl who's annoyed when her dad's temporary job forces her to attend a new school for one semester, and Ollie, a nonbinary classmate who's searching for confidence beyond their role as an LGBTQIA advocate.
What happens: knowing they have only a limited time together, Ollie and Essie navigate their crushes on each other and deal with their differing views on labels and identity.
How it's told: by both Ollie and Essie, with the point of view shifting halfway through the book. |
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| Amber and Clay by Laura Amy SchlitzWhat it is: a poetic historical fantasy set in ancient Greece, starring two central characters -- enslaved artist Rhaskos and wealthy, rebellious Melisto -- whose fates don't intersect until one of them dies.
How it's told: through several diverse voices (both human and godly), as well as through richly detailed illustrations of archaeological artifacts.
Who it's for: mythology-obsessed readers, as well as those who love an up-close glimpse of life in a different time. |
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| Scar Island by Dan GemeinhartThe setting: Slabhenge Reformatory for Troubled Boys, an eerie, ramshackle island prison.
What happens: Twelve-year-old Jonathan has only just arrived at Slabhenge when a lightning strike kills all of the cruel adults, leaving the juvenile offenders to a wild, unsupervised lifestyle...until a storm threatens the island and a ruthless new leader rises.
Read it for: a suspenseful, high-stakes survival story.
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The canyon's edge by Dusti BowlingThe setting: accompanying her father on a slot-canyon expedition in the Arizona desert , Nora is separated from her father and their supplies by a flash flood and must navigate the deadly natural hazards of the desert to survive. What happens: lost and alone in the desert, facing dehydration, venomous scorpions, deadly snakes, and, worst of all, the Beast who has terrorized her dreams for the past year, she must conquer her fears, defeat the Beast, and find the courage to live her new life.
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The trail by Meika HashimotoWhat happens: following his best friend's accidental death, Toby determines to hike over four hundred miles of the Appalachian Trail to finish the final item on a list of goals. He embarks on a solitary quest before encountering two boys in desperate need of help. Why you'll like it: a remarkable story of physical survival, courage and true friendship, and a boy who's determined to forge his own path -- and to survive.
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| The Skeleton Tree by Iain LawrenceWhat it's about: After a sailing trip ends in shipwreck, 12-year-old Chris finds himself stranded on a remote Alaskan coast with Frank, an older boy he barely knows and doesn't trust.
Why you might like it: Chris and Frank are both layered characters, and the strained bond between them provides just as much tension and drama as their struggle for survival amid the frigid weather and hungry animals of the Alaskan wilderness. |
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Treasure hunters by James PattersonFeaturing: 12-year-old twins Bickford and Rebecca Kidd sail from the Caribbean to New York City with their siblings to finish the dangerous quest started by their famous treasure-hunting parents. Read it for: dangerous pirates and the hot pursuit of an evil treasure hunting rival, all while following cryptic clues to unravel the mystery of what really happened to their parents-and find out if they're still alive. Series alert: this is the first novel in the series Treasure Hunters.
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Wildfire : a novel by W. R. PhilbrickWhat happens: the nightmare of a raging wildfire as 12-year-old Sam is trapped by explosive flames and deadly smoke that threaten to take his life and the life of an older girl he encounters. Can they survive? Read it for: a powerful bond is forged that can only grow out of true hardship -- as two true friends beat all odds and outwit one of the deadliest fires ever. Information about wildfires and useful safety tips are included.
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| The Explorer by Katherine RundellThe disaster: Following a tragic plane crash, Fred, Con, Lila, and Max are stranded in Brazil's Amazon rainforest.
The survivors: Combining their skills and following an ancient map, the kids journey downriver and gain firsthand experience of nature's challenges (dodging piranhas, eating grubs) and wonders (pink dolphins, baby sloths). Try this next: Ben Mikaelson's Jungle of Bones, another survival adventure with a vivid jungle setting. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 10-13!
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