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What We're Reading in the Kids' Library July 2025 |
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The Pinchers and the Diamond Heist
by Anders Sparring
Theo Pincher doesn't fit in with the rest of his heist-loving family. He can't lie, and (secretly) he wants to be a policeman when he grows up. Despite all of this, when his parents go off to "just look" at a huge diamond on display at the palace, Theo and his criminally-inclined sister get sucked into the misadventure. The quirky illustrations and silly antics are sure to be a hit with elementary-age readers. Thankfully, this is the start of a series with more to come!
Best for Grades 2-4.
Suggested by Kelsey.
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Dragons in a Bag
by Zetta Elliott
Little does Jax know that when he's left with a babysitter his mom calls "Ma", his life is about to become a LOT more magical. Ma is not exactly thrilled to watch over Jax and the three baby dragons she has to deliver from Brooklyn to the realm of magic. Time travel, fantasy, and some realism make this an enjoyable title for the whole family. If you like this book, the story continues across four additional titles.
Best for Grades 2-5.
Suggested by Heather.
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At Home in a Faraway Place
by Lynne Rae Perkins
When Lissie and her grandmother go with her father to Guatemala to visit his school friend, Raúl, she is nervous about being in a foreign place where she can't speak the language. Eager to learn, Lissie picks up new vocabulary along with new friends and experiences. Illustrations with helpful translations make this an approachable book, perfect for someone looking to explore some place or something new.
Best for Grades 3-5.
Suggested by Kelsey.
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Frenemies in the Family
by Kathleen Krull
Siblings: sometimes you love them, sometimes you can’t stand them. In this unique, witty nonfiction book, you will learn about 15 sibling relationships. From famous historical figures to well-known siblings in pop culture, Krull provides important contextual facts while making the stories funny and engaging. Siblings everywhere will relate to this humorous look at famous brothers and sisters whose important bonds have shaped their accomplishments (mostly) for the better.
Best for Grades 3-6.
Suggested by Brianne.
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The Bookwanderers
by Anna James
If you're a fan of books and libraries, you'll love Tilly's adventures in bookwandering, a.k.a., the ability of readers so connected to books that they can enter fictional worlds and interact with the characters. When she uncovers this ability, Tilly begins to learn more about her mother's disappearance. Leaning on family and friends (and a few favorite book characters), Tilly is determined to uncover the truth behind this 11-year-old mystery.
Best for Grades 3-6.
Suggested by Heather.
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Show Me a Sign
by Ann Clare LeZotte
This riveting, historical novel is centered around 11-year-old Mary Lambert who lives with her family in Martha’s Vineyard in 1805. Due to the large deaf population in Martha’s Vineyard, the residents have their own sign language that all community members (deaf and hearing) use. Mary believes that all deaf people are treated fairly, as she has always felt safe and protected on her island, until one day when a scientist visits her village and things take a drastic turn. Mary begins to question her beliefs on morality and justice and how others view individuals in the deaf community.
Best for Grades 4-7.
Suggested by Brianne.
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The Unlikely Hero: The Story of Wolf 8
by Rick McIntyre
For animal and nature lovers, this nonfiction story follows the reintroduction of Wolf 8 and his pack to Yellowstone National Park. Though bullied by his siblings as a pup, Wolf 8 eventually becomes a pack leader through both heroic acts and heart-warming moments.
Best for Grades 4-7.
Suggested by Heather.
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Hope in the Valley
by Mitali Perkins
Pandita Paul is an Indian American girl coming of age in California in the 1980s. In addition to theatre camp and her work with the local historical society, Pandita is dealing with grief at the loss of her mother and wariness at the prospect of her father starting to date again. Heavier themes are balanced by more uplifting ones such as friendships, activism, and embracing change.
Best for Grades 5-8.
Suggested by Kelsey.
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Slugfest
by Gordon Korman
Arnie "Yash" Yashenko is Robinette Middle School’s superstar athlete, and he is distraught to find out that to graduate middle school, he needs to take Physical Education Equivalency—PEE, also known as “Slugfest”—in summer school. Yash is even more distressed when he shows up to PEE and finds some of the most uncoordinated and non-athletic kids at his middle school in his class. But Yash is determined to turn his athletically disinclined classmates into champions and have them compete in the annual city-wide football competition, as a covert way for him to try out for the HS football team. This laugh-out-loud, realistic novel will warm your heart and have you rooting for the underdogs as they transform from wary individuals tossed together by fate into true teammates who can achieve more together than apart.
Best for Grades 6-8.
Suggested by Brianne.
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Elmhurst Public Library 125 S Prospect Ave. Elmhurst, Illinois 60126 (630) 279-8696
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