Supergifted by Gordon Korman

New Kid

Jordan Banks is anxious about being the new kid at Riverdale Academy, especially since he wanted to attend an art school instead.  He’s even more nervous when he realizes that, unlike his school in Washington Heights, this new one at the other end of Manhattan has very few students of color.  Riverdale may have a beautiful campus, rigorous academics, and a wide offering of extracurriculars, but it is distinctly lacking in diversity. He sees white administrators mistake a veteran African-American teacher for the football coach, hears white classmates use black slang in an attempt to seem cool, and notices that the teachers often mistake the few minority students for each other, evidence of the racism that is invisible to many of his teachers and classmates.  Told in graphic novel format, this story is about much more than being a new kid at school. Exploring the many ways in which racism manifests itself in even the most “enlightened” environments, this Newbery and Coretta Scott King award winner, is a must-read for readers committed to transforming their worlds into ones where diversity is lauded and intentional.  

Shoe Dog: Young Reader’s Edition

This young reader’s edition of the autobiography of Phil Knight, the founder of the multi-billion dollar company Nike, reveals the journey of this successful entrepreneur, a high school and college track star, from his days as a young importer of Japanese running shoes to the establishment of the sports company he is known for today.  Highlighting the challenges of acquiring the financing and key employees necessary to keep Blue Ribbon Sports, Knight’s original business, afloat, this is a nonfiction choice that every sports fan and budding business person will want to read.

Squeak!: 101 Fun Facts About Hamsters, Mice, Guinea Pigs and More

Mice and rats may be the most famous rodents, but in this non-fiction choice, young readers will discover that there are lots more squeaking critters in our world.  Have you heard of cavies, capybaras, and pikas? Do you know that rats are super smart? Scurry into this fact-filled Level 3 reader to learn about these amazing, interesting, and possibly adorable, squeaky creatures!

Dog Man Fetch-22

Petey the Cat is out of jail, and has a brand-new lease on life.  While he has taken a new look at what matters most in life, Li’l Petey is struggling to find the good in the world.  Can Petey and Dog Man stop fighting like cats and dogs long enough to put their paws together and work as a team? They need each other now more than ever – Li’l Petey and the world are counting on them!  This favorite series will keep kids reading with this new graphic novel adventure.

Finding Langston

It’s 1946 and after Langston’s mother dies, his father feels that Alabama has nothing left for him and moves himself and his son to Chicago where he believes they can avoid the severe discrimination of the South.  A sensitive boy who was very close to his mother and has spent very little time with his father, Langston especially misses his grandmother and her cooking. He is teased and bullied at school but finds solace at the public library he stumbles upon by chance.  Unlike those in Alabama, the library in Chicago welcomes African-Americans. A friendly librarian helps him find great books, including books of poetry by Langston Hughes whom she assumes he was named for. As the school bullying intensifies and tragedy hits his family, Langston finds that this poetry and the kindness of a neighbor may be key to helping him find his place in this new home.  This Coretta Scott King Honor title is historical fiction at its best.

Trailblazers: Jane Goodall: A Life with Chimps

In July of 1960, Jane Goodall went into the wilderness in Tanzania to study chimpanzees.  For years she camped out with the chimps, observing their behavior and making amazing discoveries about these incredible creatures.  Jane had always been fascinated by animals and knew that she wanted to make learning more about them her life’s work. This title, one in a series perfect for readers who have loved the Who Was? biographies and are ready for a more challenging read, highlights the life of one of science’s premier trailblazers.