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Books for Kids and Tweens June 2024 |
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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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| 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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| And Then, Boom! by Lisa FippsJust like the superheroes he idolizes, Joe has to deal with lots of sudden, scary changes, like his mom leaving or having to live in a car with his beloved Grandmum. But in this honest, page-turning story-in-poetry, Joe faces the scariest change yet. Read-alikes: No Place Like Home by James Bird and How to Stay Invisible by Maggie C. Rudd. (Ages 9-13.) |
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| The Secret Library by Kekla MagoonWhile grieving for her much-loved Grandpa, adventure-loving 11-year-old Dally discovers a magical library that can transport her to the lives of her ancestors. From the excitement of sailing with pirates to the bittersweetness of family history, this time-travel story is filled with thought-provoking twists. (Ages 8-12.) |
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| Lunar Boy by Jes and Cin WibowoWhen he was little, Indu was discovered living alone on the Moon. Now, he and his adoptive mom have left their familiar spaceship to live in a blended family on neo-Indonesian New Earth, and lonely Indu wonders if the Moon is where he actually belongs. This tender graphic novel about finding yourself will grab fans of Molly Knox Ostertag's The Witch Boy. (Ages 8-13.) |
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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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| Obie is Man Enough by Schuyler BailarThirteen-year-old Obie Chang may have been ditched by his friends and his swim team for being transgender, but he won't give up his Junior Olympic dream. Obie faces bullying in this story written by trans athlete Schuyler Bailar, but he also finds fresh support and self-confidence. (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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| 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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| Samira Surfs by Rukhsanna GuidrozBlack-and-white artwork boosts this realistic story in verse about Samira, an 11-year-old Rohingya Muslim refugee living in Bangladesh, as she makes the bold decision to enter a surf contest with a big cash prize. (Ages 9-13.) |
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| Aniana del Mar Jumps In by Jasminne MendezWritten in a variety of poem styles, this authentically complicated family story focuses on 12-year-old Dominican American Aniana, who is happiest in the water. So what's she supposed to do after she's diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and her fearful Mami forbids her from swimming? Read-alike: Jamie Sumner's Deep Water. (Ages 9-13.) |
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| Barely Floating by Lilliam RiveraA synchronized swimming team like the L.A. Mermaids might not be the typical sport for a fat, outspoken, speed-swimmer like Nat Santiago, but she's always loved a challenge. Realistic fiction readers will appreciate this story's complicated, relatable heroine. (Ages 9-13.) |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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