I Survived the Attack of the Grizzlies 1967

Eleven year old Melody Vega and her family come to Glacier National Park every year. With her mom gone, however, the park is no longer a place where Melody can forget her troubles. When she comes face-to-face with a mighty grizzly bear, her very life is at stake. Set in one of the most tragic seasons in the history of America’s national parks, this story will forever change ideas about how grizzlies and humans can exist together in the
wild.

I Survived the Battle of D-Day 1944

In commemoration of the 75 th anniversary of D-Day, this story shines a spotlight on the story of the Normandy landing. The largest seaborne invasion of history and a key element in the Allied victory in World War II, D-Day is an event every student will want to explore. Historical fiction at its best, this is the latest book in a favorite series.

Great Escapes: Survival in the Wilderness

December 13, 1920.  It was a typical Monday morning when three U.S. Navy officers boarded a hot air balloon for an easy, routine training flight.  But as evening came, heavy rain and wind knocked the men off course, eventually forcing a crash landing deep in the snowy Canadian wilderness.  As the men faced freezing temperatures, starvation, and fatigue, their survival seemed unlikely.  Could they endure this harrowing experience and live to tell it?  From reluctant reader to adventure story addict, this exciting nonfiction story will keep every reader on the edge of their seats!

Ellie’s Story

Ellie is a special dog with a very important purpose. From
puppyhood, she has been trained to be a search and rescue dog. Able to track
down a lost child in a forest or find an injured victim in a collapsed building, Ellie
has a new challenge to face. Her handlers, widowed Jakob and lonely Maya, need
her help to turn their lives around and truly be saved by the dog they love so
much. An inspiring tale of hope, this title by Bruce Cameron is perfect for dog
lovers of all ages.

Soldier Dog: Air Raid Search and Rescue

Inspired by the brave military dogs that
helped our troops during WWII, this book is the first in a thrilling new adventure
series. When Matt’s older brother enlists in the Army he leaves his German
shepherd Chief, a retired fire dog and best pet ever, to Matt. Matt isn’t happy
however when Chief begins to pay more attention to his foster sister, Rachel.
When Nazi planes begin to bomb their city, Matt and Rachel get caught outside
during the air raid. Can Chief rescue them before it’s too late?

The Bull Shark: Dragged From Under #1

Barn Whimbril, a sixth-grader living in Florida, is obsessed with sharks and baseball.  As he is preparing to attend the first day of spring training in nearby Fort Myers, he gets an alert on his phone about a shark attack in a canal near his home.  He turns his attention to uncovering why the sharks have become aggressive as the community struggles to make a decision about how to deal with these “marine monsters”.  Can he use his extensive knowledge of sharks – he even breeds cat sharks for sale – to find a solution that can save the sharks and the other creatures living in the canal habitat?  This action-packed story has a touch of STEM and will keep readers enthralled to the very end. 

Soldier Dog: Attack on Pearl Harbor

Joe can’t believe his luck when Skipper,
the street dog all the Navy guys love, follows him home. But with a new baby sister in the house, he knows that his family can’t afford to keep the dog. Joe and
his friends hatch the perfect plan – present Skipper to Joe’s dad, who works on
the USS West Virginia, as a mascot dog for the ship. But when Joe’s plan is
interrupted by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, it may be up to Skipper to
make sure they all make it out alive.

The Great White Shark: Dragged From Under #2

When a fatal Great White shark attack rocks Cape Cod, a popular tourist destination, the beaches are closed and the locals grow increasingly angry as their businesses suffer from the loss of customers.  When a group of local teens are determined to continue surfing in spite of the danger, newly arrived Barn Whimbill is intent on investigating the attack to provide some answers about what happened and how likely another attack is.  Can he help the community get back to normal or will he become the latest victim of the ocean’s most feared predator?  A second title in this series guaranteed to appeal to fans of shark attack adventures.

Daisy and the Deadly Flu: A 1918 Influenza Survival Story

It is the fall of 1918 and fourteen-year-old Daisy’s family is struggling.  Her sister’s fiancé has recently been deployed to fight in World War I and her father, a German American, has been forced to shut down his newspaper after criticizing the U.S. entry into the war.  Living in a small rural town in Minnesota, they do believe they are safe from the deadly flu that is killing many in the big cities.  This hope is shattered, however, when Daisy learns that a friend’s family has fallen sick, the first of many neighbors to get the flu.  Daisy wants to help her sick friends but this may end up threatening her own family’s health.  When her sister falls ill and Daisy herself contracts the flu, the impact of this deadly disease becomes very real.  With nonfiction support material, this title in the Girls Survive series is perfect for fans of the popular I Survived books.  

Wonderland

Fourth grader Mavis Jeeter is fearless and bold but she has never lived in one place long enough to have a real best friend.  When her flighty mother decides they’ll move to Landry, Alabama where she will be the housekeeper for the well-to-do Tully family, Mavis hopes this will be where she finds that friend.  The Tully family has a daughter just Mavis’s age, but Rose is shy and afraid of breaking any of her mother’s strict rules. She is a worrier who feels like she doesn’t fit in with the other girls in her neighborhood.  Her closest friend is Mr. Duffy, the gatekeeper for the neighborhood, but since his dog Queenie died, he has been sad and forgetful. Mavis convinces Rose that if they can find a new dog for Mr. Duffy, he’ll be his old self soon.  Their mission, however, may involve some rule-breaking and test the budding friendship of these very different girls. A sweet story of human and canine friendship from a favorite author, Barbara O’Connor!

Superstar by Mandy Davis

Lester loves two things – science and being homeschooled by his mom.  The two have been especially close since the mission-related death of his astronaut father five years ago.  When Mom announces that she has taken a full-time job and Lester will begin attending public school, he finds that his behavior challenges, the manifestations of autism, make life at school challenging to say the least.  The noise in the cafeteria, last minute schedule changes, and the destruction of a Superman figurine from his father that he relies on for comfort seem overwhelming. Two kind-hearted classmates and the annual science fair, an opportunity to delve into his love of space (a topic he is forbidden to discuss at home) may be the keys to his adjustment, however.  Perfect for fans of Fish in a Tree and Wonder.

Take the Stage: JoJo and Bowbow

When the neighborhood decides to throw a
block party, JoJo is excited about performing her new song as a highlight of the
summer bash. With the support of her friends and dog Bowbow, JoJo knows the
show is bound to be a hit. Then she meets Grace, a new kid on the block, and is
determined to include Grace in the party planning. Kyra, the head of the party
planning committee, however, has other plans and it becomes clear that she’ll do
whatever it takes to keep Grace from helping. Can JoJo show Kyra that kindness
should prevail and when everyone works together everything comes out better?
A story based on the new phenom which affirms inclusion and friendship.

Caterpillar Summer

Fifth-grader Cat and her first-grade brother Chicken have always had a special bond, especially since their father’s death.   She knows her mom is counting on her to help deal with Chicken’s meltdowns, his tendency to run away, his aversion to tags in his clothes and other challenging behaviors.  Her mom, a children’s book author, is working very hard to keep the family afloat while Cat seems to be the glue holding it together. When a stay with friends while their mother is away teaching a three- week writing class is cancelled at the last minute, the children find themselves staying with their mother’s parents, grandparents they have never known, in a cottage at the beach.  As she begins to trust her gentle and kind grandmother to care for Chicken, Cat learns how to be a kid again. As she begins to learn more about her mother’s childhood and slowly warm her grandfather’s heart, she learns the true meaning of family. An outstanding debut novel that can’t wait for paperback to be read!  

Candy Kisses: JoJo and Bowbow

JoJo is planning a Valentine theme sleepover for her dog Bowbow and her friends. She is also excited about the new dance workshop she’ll attend, especially the big performance at the end. When the news breaks that one dancer will get to shine in a solo, the snarky “Queen Bees”- Bree, Bahi, and Belle – begin to stir up trouble. Can JoJo and Bowbow come up with a plan to quash their not-so-nice actions and see that each dancer gets an
amazing Valentine’s Day surprise? Affirming kindness and cooperation, this
second book in a new series is bound to be a hit.

Survival Tails The Titanic

When loyal dog Mutt discovers that his owner and best
friend Alice is set to board the RMS Titanic without him, he sneaks aboard with
help from a rat named King Leon. It isn’t long, however, before the captain’s cat
Clara discovers the stowaway. Mutt agrees to help Clara look after a trio of
abandoned kittens on the ship in exchange for her help in finding Alice among the
hundreds of people onboard. When the unthinkable happens and the ship hits an
iceberg, Mutt and his new friends must race against time to survive. A perfect
choice for fans of the I Survived series.

Abraham Lincoln: Pro Wrestler

 It seems that no one in Abby’s class likes history, especially her stepbrother Doc.  Who wants to study boring old people who lived long ago? Suddenly, because of their complaints, Abraham Lincoln appears, having travelled through a cardboard box portal, to announce that he is quitting history to pursue his dream of becoming a pro wrestler.  Can Abby and Doc, realizing that Lincoln must return to take his place as our 16th president, convince this famous man to take his true place in history?  With illustrations, short chapters, and outlandish antics, this first in the Time Twisters series will inform and entertain even the most reluctant of readers.

Survival Tails Endurance in Antarctica

Sled dog Samson is very excited about being part of Ernest Shackelton’s historic voyage to Antarctica. His fellow sled dog, Bummer, feels very differently and is not fond of days on the dangerous, icy wasteland. When their ship, the Endurance, becomes trapped in sea ice, the challenge for the dogs and sailors becomes survival. Can Samson, Bummer and
the other dogs band together and find a way to rescue the dogs and humans on
Endurance? This book’s nonfiction notes combine with an adventure-filled plot
sure to keep readers engaged.

Ice Cream and Sweet Dreams

When Sierra hears about a local singing contest, all of her friends insist that she enter.  Everyone is convinced that Sierra is super talented and destined for stardom.  But when this young vocalist gets to the contest, she realizes she is just one small fish in a large pond of incredibly good singers.  Are her sweet dreams about to melt away?  A perfect choice for readers looking for a light-hearted story of following your dreams.

Life According to Og the Frog

Narrated by Og himself, this companion to the favorite Humphrey series is the story of the second pet in Classroom 26.  Glad to get away from a bully bullfrog in the classroom next door, Og the Frog does miss the swamp but is settling into his new home.  He is especially curious about Humphrey the hamster and wishes he could understand the furry creature’s squeaks and chittering. Yet, just when he seems to be feeling at home, Og realizes that he may be sent back to the swamp!  Delightful new series for Humphrey fans and animal lovers of all ages.

Mr. Lemoncello’s Great Library Race

When game maker Mr. Lemoncello
announces his new Fabulous Fact-Finding Frenzy game, Kyle, Akimi, and the other
contestants face their greatest challenge yet. If Kyle can make it through the first
round, he and the other lucky finalists will race by bicycle, bookmobile, and even
Mr. Lemoncello’s private jet to find fascinating facts about famous Americans.
The first to bring back their facts back to the library will win spectacular prizes.
When a few surprising facts surface about Mr. Lemoncello however, the kids
begin to wonder if the gamemaster may be a fraud who stole all the ideas for his
amazing games. Can Kyle and the others find the truth before the game is over
for all?

One Good Thing About America

Told in the form of letters to her grandmother, this story of Anais, a nine- year-old immigrant from the Congo, tells of the adjustments she, her mother, and younger brother face in their new life in Maine.  Anais misses her father, older brother, and the grandmother who has asked her granddaughter to write to her and include “one good thing about America” in each letter. As she has new experiences like trick-or-treating and Christmas, Anais makes new friends yet she is always worried about the safety of her father and brother.  With a text that reflects the grammatical errors and misspellings of someone learning English, this is an insightful look at the life of a child new to the United States.

Saving Fable

Indira Story, a young girl living in the fictional town of Origin, has been working hard to make her dream come true.  She yearns to be chosen at the upcoming auditions to go to the city of Fable and attend Protagonist Preparatory, a school where famous characters like Alice of Wonderland and Romeo Montague train aspirants to become successful characters in actual stories.  When she is chosen to go to the school but will be trained to be a side character, not the main protagonist she had hoped, Indira clings to the hope that she will be picked by an author to play a secondary, but important, role in a story.  When her efforts are sabotaged, she realizes that an evil force may be to blame, a force that threatens to destroy Fable.  With her friends Maxi and Phoenix by her side, Indira must discover whether a side character can be the real hero after all.  The perfect blend of fantasy and adventure.

Molly’s Story

CJ desperately wants to have the puppy Molly for her own.  However, her rather self-absorbed mother does not like dogs and would never agree to let her daughter keep the dog.  Keeping Molly in the basement with instructions to keep quiet when her mother is home, CJ relishes her time alone with the dog and even skips school to be with her.  When Molly escapes from the basement and is picked up by Animal Control while exploring the neighborhood, CJ’s mom takes the puppy to the animal shelter without telling her daughter.  CJ, learning of her mother’s action, is determined to get Molly back no matter what she has to do to do so. A story for animal lovers that does examine some poor choices by both CJ and her mother, this latest in the Puppy Tales series is one not to be missed.

The Rhino in Right Field

For the twelve years of his life, baseball fanatic Nick has done what his hard-working Greek immigrant parents want him to do.  Now, though, he is ready to pursue his own dreams. When the new owner of the local semi-pro baseball team pumps new energy into it and announces a contest to select a local kid to be a batboy for the day, Nick is determined to win.  The contest is on a Saturday, however, the day Nick has to help in his father’s store. Moreover, the presence of a 2000 pound rhino in a pen at the zoo beside the field where Nick and his friends practice has left him with a fear of fly balls.  The school bully has also vowed that he’ll win the contest, even if he has to play dirty to do it. This fast-paced, funny story of curveballs on the field and off is a lighthearted choice for young sports fans.  

Things Seen From Above

April Boxler is observant and helpful, but she doesn’t consider herself to be very social.  When she has a falling-out with her only friend on the first day of sixth grade at Marshallville Elementary School, April decides to be a bench buddy volunteer, primarily to avoid having to deal with her classmates.  On her second day as a fourth grade recess volunteer, April spots Joey Byrd, a boy who alternates between lying motionless on the ground and wandering in circles, always by himself.  When April and her bench buddy co-volunteer, a fifth grader named Veena, become concerned about Joey and his behavior, they reach out to April’s mother and the school counselor, neither of whom take their worries seriously.  Not willing to give up, the girls, with the help of the school custodian, begin to see that Joey’s seemingly random playground doodling, when “seen from above”, may reveal hidden secrets about this lonely boy.  A wonderful story about looking at life and people from a different perspective to see truths hidden at first sight. 

Saving Winslow

 Ten-year-old Louie doesn’t have a good track record for taking care of animals.  Worms, goldfish, a hamster, a snake and a lizard are just a few of the ones that have died or escaped on his watch.  When his father brings home a weak, orphaned newborn mini-donkey from his uncle’s farm, Louie is determined to do everything in his power to save the pitiful creature he names Winslow.  Providing constant care for Winslow helps Louie feel closer to his older brother Gus who is away serving with the army. Louie’s new friend, a girl named Nora, is constantly pessimistic about the donkey’s chances of survival, however, hesitant to form an attachment to Winslow for fear of losing yet another important part of her life.  This heartwarming story with short chapters and minimal text will become a new favorite for those who love Charlotte’s Web or Because of Winn-Dixie.

Chester and Gus

Chester is a chocolate lab and Gus is a ten year old boy with
non-verbal autism whose family hopes he will be more interactive at school with
Chester around. Although he failed the official dog service test due to his fear of
loud noises, the dog is incredibly perceptive and seems to know what Gus needs
and is always attentive to his boy. Recognizing Gus’s struggles to be understood
by his parents, teacher, and classmates, Chester becomes able to interpret the boy’s misunderstood behaviors. Told from the dog’s perspective, this book is an
inspiring story of the amazing bond of animal and human.

Front Desk

Set in the early 1990’s, ten-year-old Mia Tang’s Chinese immigrant parents have been hired to manage a California motel, and envision bright times ahead.  Despite their tireless and exhausting efforts, however, the mean-spirited owner of the place exploits their hard work. Mia, who has taken charge of the front desk, becomes a key part of her family’s compassionate determination to help those in worse straits than themselves.  Determined to become a writer despite her mother’s assertion that Mia will never really be proficient in English, Mia produces creatively forged letters to help the victims of injustice the family is sheltering at the motel at the risk of losing their jobs. Based on the experiences of the author, this story is one of the power of hope and determination in the face of overwhelming obstacles.  

Touchdown Kid

Written by former pro football defensive end, Tim Green, this is
a story about a boy who has always been passionate about football but has not
had the opportunities to showcase his talent. Living with his single mother and
attending public school, Cory is presented with an unbelievable opportunity when
the coach of an elite private school with a top-rated football team recognizes the
boy’s potential and offers him a scholarship to attend the school and play on their
team. His new teammates, however, are less than welcoming and determined to
keep this new kid from showing his talent on the field. Labelled as a scholarship
kid from the wrong side of town, can Cory prove that wealth and privilege don’t
matter on the football field as long as he has the strength and skills to compete?

Boy Bites Bug

Seventh-grader Will Nolan didn’t plan to eat a stinkbug, but when his friend Darryl calls a new Hispanic student, Eloy, a derogatory name, Will impulsively does so to distract the bully.  Labelling him “Bug Boy”, Will’s classmates begin teasing him with creative meals like “French flies” and “Maggot-aroni”. As tensions with Daryl increase, Will questions his friendship with the boy and gets to know Eloy whose father is the chef at Will’s favorite local restaurant.   Inspired by his new fame, Bug Boy decides to do a class project on entomophagy, the eating of bugs as real food. With Eloy’s help, he even decides to prepare a variety of edible insect items to sell as a wrestling tournament fundraiser. When Will betrays the Hispanic boy’s trust, however, he must decide what type of person he wants to be and what choices he must make when it comes to selecting friends.  A tale of middle school hijinks that will appeal to fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid (and teach a few lessons along the way!)

Scout: Storm Dog

Scout, a National Guard dog, was born to be a hero.  When Scout and his twelve-year-old owner, Matt, land in Puerto Rico after a devastating hurricane, they want to help.  The two decide to foster an injured dog named Rosita who seems to be desperately searching for something. When the dog runs off and disappears into the rain forest, it is up to Scout, Matt, and their new friend Luisa to find the missing dog and return her to safety.  A great choice for fans of Max and Cracker.

A Wolf Called Wander

Inspired by the true story of a wolf named OR-7 and his incredible journey to find a safe place to call home, this animal adventure is perfect for fans of Pax and The One and Only Ivan.  Swift, a young wolf cub, lives with his pack in the mountains, learning to hunt, wrestling with his brothers and sisters, and watching over a new litter of cubs.  When a rival pack attacks, Swift and his family scatter and he finds himself alone and scared.  As he tries to find a new home, his journey is a remarkable one that covers a thousand miles across the Pacific Northwest.  Swift encounters forest fires, hunters, the danger of highways, and hunger as he stands up to the challenge to not only survive, but to thrive.  A must-read tale for animal and nature adventure fans. 

A Whale in Paris

Twelve-year-old Chantal Dupray and her father are living in Paris during its occupation by the Germans during WWII.  Going to the Seine each evening to catch fish for supper, she is amazed one night to see a small whale that has gotten lost and is now stranded in the river.  As the people of Paris find it increasingly difficult to find food, the whale, which Chantal has named Franklin in honor of the American president the French hope will send troops to rescue them, is in danger of being caught and eaten.  The German soldiers believe Franklin is a sign of good luck for their war efforts and put up a net across the mouth of the river to keep him from escaping until they can catch him as a gift for Adolf Hitler. When Chantal’s dad and aunt are arrested for being part of the Resistance movement and taken to a prison away from Paris, she is determined to find a way to get to them and to get Franklin to safety.  An imaginative tale blending history, hope, and heroism.

Ellie, Engineer

Ellie loves her fluffy, purple skirt, taking ballet with her best friend Kit, and designing and building amazing backyard projects.  When she overhears Kit’s mom say she plans to surprise her daughter with the dog she has always wanted for her upcoming birthday, Ellie is determined to make the most amazing dog house ever for her friend.  To get such a big project done is just a few days, Ellie enlists the help of a fellow engineer, Toby, and three artistic neighborhood girls. Forced to acknowledge that the girls don’t want to work alongside a boy, Ellie has to adjust the construction schedule, while also feeling guilty about not telling the truth to Kit about why she can’t spend time with her.   Can Ellie get everyone to work as a team to create the best-ever birthday gift for Kit? Illustrated with Ellie’s sketches and plans, this entertaining story is perfect for STEM-focused young readers.

Pay Attention, Carter Jones

Carter Jones is astonished early one morning when he finds a real English butler, bowler hat and all, on the doorstep—one who stays to help the Jones family, which is a little bit broken.  This “gentleman’s gentleman” worked for Carter’s grandfather who has died and left the man’s services to this family in dire need of some help.  Carter’s father has been deployed overseas, his mother is struggling to parent her four children with little support, money problems abound, and the family is still reeling from the death of six-year-old little brother Currier three years ago.  Much to Carter’s dismay, Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick is determined to see that the family follows all the rule of proper English behavior as he tries to bring a sense of order and efficiency to their daily lives.  The butler, however, soon recognizes the grief that is overwhelming Carter and introduces him, and his schoolmates, to the sport of cricket, believing it may be just the thing that can give them a sense of purpose and pride.  Can this unexpected and unconventional man be just what Carter needs to make sense of it all?  A compassionate and insightful look at facing life head on and finding answers in the most unexpected ways.

Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth

When eleven-year-old Reenie Kelly and her brothers and sent to live with their grandmother while their dad is working long hours to pay off the medical bills of her deceased mother, she takes on a summer paper route with her older brother Dare.  Introducing herself to all the customers on her route, Reenie is stumped by just one – the reclusive Mr. Marsworth who never answers his doorbell. Determined to get to know the elderly gentleman, she begins leaving letters for him and delights in his sporadic replies.  Pouring out her fears that her oldest brother Billy will have to go and fight in Vietnam since the family cannot afford to send him to college, Reenie asks Mr. Marsworth for advice and help in keeping him home, a stance that is very unpopular in their small midwestern town.  Told in the parade of letters between Reenie and Mr. Marsworth and those she writes to a young Vietnam soldier pen pal, this book explores the dilemmas of pacifism and patriotism for older elementary readers.

Where the Watermelons Grow

When 12-year old Della Kelly finds her mother digging black seeds from a watermelon in the middle of the night, becoming obsessed with killing every possible germ in their house, and talking to people who aren’t there, this young North Carolina girl worries that the sickness that put her mother in the hospital for months several years ago has returned.  With her father struggling to save the family farm in the face of scorching hot summer temperatures and a lingering drought, Della tries to take care of her rambunctious toddler sister so her mother can rest. Afraid to let her grandparents, church family, and even her best friend know how bad things have gotten, Della would do anything to cure her mother.   A story that reveals the unpredictability and emotions of mental illness and its effect on all those it touches, this book is one that shows the healing impact of supportive family, friends, community, and professional help. With the prevalence of mental health conditions in all corners of today’s society, this is a book that pulls back the shades on this issue for the mature reader.  

Where the Watermelons Grow is a beautiful and sometimes heartrending exploration of what it's like when someone you love is chronically ill.

Things You Can’t Say

The children’s room at the library is 12 year-old Drew’s happy place.  He puts on puppet shows and helps the younger kids choose books, all without the teasing of his peers.  When a new kid, another 12 year-old named Audrey, signs on as a library volunteer she seems to take over the room.  If that’s not enough to ruin his summer, his best friend, Felipe, seems to be distant and Phil, an old friend of Drew’s mother suddenly arrives for an unexpected visit.  It has been three years since Drew’s dad took his own life, and Drew is worried that he may be destined for the same.  He wonders how Phil seems to know so much about the family and even questions whether this visitor may be his biological father.  As he and Audrey begin to find a way to be friends, Drew accepts her help as they search for the information he needs to understand facts about his family that have been hidden until now.  A sensitive look at the impact of suicide on children that the mature reader can appreciate and learn from.   

Supergifted by Gordon Korman

 In this sequel to Ungifted, Donovan Curtis has returned to Hardcastle Middle School where he is joined by the genius yet geeky former schoolmate, Noah Youkilis, who wants to see what it’s like at a public school.  Going out of his way to pick activities he isn’t good at like woodshop and cheerleading so he can improve at something, Noah decides that being “normal” is harder than being a genius. When standing up for his nerdy friend against the school super jock “Hashtag” ignites an intense feud between the two, Donovan is forbidden by his father from being anywhere near the boy.  But when Donovan keeps a runaway truck from crashing into a house next to Hashtag’s, he realizes he can’t take credit for the heroic feat or risk his father’s wrath. When the local pressure for the hero to reveal himself ramps up, Noah declares that he was the “superkid” who stopped the truck. When Noah’s fame goes statewide, however, Donovan begins to question how smart it was to hide the truth!  A funny and heartwarming story by favorite author Gordon Korman.

Wink

Seventh grader Ross Maloy wants nothing more than to be a normal middle schooler, hanging out with his best friends, avoiding the school bully, and crushing on the popular girl.  Unfortunately, the rare eye cancer that he’s been diagnosed with has turned him into “the kid with cancer” at home and school.  His eye is closed in a permanent wink, the treatments are causing him to lose his hair, and he has to apply a goopy ointment to his eye on a regular basis.  When his radiation treatment technician, Frank, turns him onto music, offering to teach Ross how to play the guitar, this may be a way for the seventh-grader to deal with the anger and frustration that threatens to overwhelm him.  In an unexpected twist, he also finds that a love of music may be a common thread that will help Ross understand the school bully.  Based on the author’s real life experience, this is an unforgettable and uplifting story of finding the best of life in even the most challenging of circumstances. 

My Life as a Ninja

 Derek and his friends decide to join a local martial arts school to learn how to be ninjas.  When someone starts vandalizing their school with graffiti of a mischievous troll-like creature, these ninjas-in-training are convinced they ‘ll be able to crack the case.  But it turns out that being a real ninja is a lot more work than they thought. Add the challenge of putting on the class Revolutionary War play, and Derek may have more than he can handle!  A perfect choice for Wimpy Kid devotees and anyone who thinks reading can’t be fun.

Take Back the Block

Wes Henderson is a sixth-grader who loves wearing the latest styles, hanging with his friends, and playing video games.  He certainly did not plan to be spending his eleventh birthday protesting a new development in his neighborhood with his community activist mother.  Hiding when he sees a news van arrive, he dislikes protesting and gets nervous in front of the camera, both of which could ruin his cool reputation.  Wes lives in Kensington Oaks in the home where his mother grew up and one that his grandfather saved for ten years to purchase.  His best friends include Mya, a girl whose family recently moved from Kensington Oaks to a more upscale area, and Kari, another friend who had to leave the neighborhood when a developer bought the building he lived in.  But when a real estate company sets its sights on purchasing all of the homes in his community to make way for new development, Wes realizes that the adults in the neighborhood are fiercely divided on whether to sell or stay.  Even the kids have different opinions about whether this is an opportunity to better their living situation or the destruction of a community they love.  Has the time come for Wes to take a stand and get involved if he is to save the home he loves?  This look at the gentrification occurring in many communities today is insightful and an important must-read for middle grade readers. 

A Pup Called Trouble

Trouble is a curious and energetic coyote pup whose parents fear that his inquisitiveness will get him into trouble.  Sure enough, one night he strays from the den to explore the contents of a local produce truck and finds himself transported to a farmer’s market in New York City.  A wily crow named Mischief guides the young coyote to Central Park where he makes friends with a shy opossum named Rosebud and a wise owl named Professor. When Trouble falls for a prissy but good-natured poodle whose owner brings her to the park, however, he begins to lose some of his wildness and is less cautious about the dangers of the city.  When he gets close to a little girl visiting Central Park, he is spotted and Animal Control vows to catch him. Will Trouble risk the perils of a long journey home or, with the help of his friends, evade capture and make Central Park his home? Based on the real-life instances of coyotes inhabiting Central Park, this is a perfect choice for animal lovers of all ages.

The Lion of Mars

Bell is the youngest member of the underground community that the United States has established on Mars.  Along with four teenagers and six adults, this eleven year-old helps to keep the community going, sharing responsibilities such as growing and harvesting algae and learning about Earth from digital media and the memories of the adults in the settlement.  A curious boy who loves cats, Bell knows that the rules of the community must be followed, the most significant of which is that there can be no contact with any of the other underground settlements established by France, China and Russia.  The settlement’s excitement over the arrival of a shipment of supplies from Earth is soon followed by fear when the adults in the group begin falling deathly ill.  Bell and the teens don’t know why the no contact rule is in place, but realize they may have to venture out of their isolation in hopes of getting the help they need.  Will breaking the rules save the settlement or be the decision that dooms it to perish?  This blend of science fiction and humanistic fiction from a Newbery author is a must read for readers of all ages! 

Willa of the Wood

Young Willa is a night spirit, a member of the dwindling Faeran clan that once numbered in the thousands and served as stewards of the forests of the Great Smoky Mountains.  The current padaran, however, insists that the clan abandon the old ways of foraging and caring for the mountain plants, forcing the young night spirits to slip into the homes of the “day folk”, the local human homesteaders, to steal items that he deems valuable.  When Willa is badly wounded one evening while scavenging in a day folk home, the man living there tries to help her, completely contradicting the padaran’s claim that all humans are murderous monsters. Struggling to return to her home in Dead Hollow, Willa is shocked to discover that her own clan is hiding secrets and must decide if she will defy their leader and threaten the magic that has been the foundation of her clan.  A magical new series from the author of the Serafina tales that will delight fantasy lovers ….and even those who don’t think they are!

Child of the Dream, A Memoir of 1963

In this coming-of-age memoir, Sharon Robinson, the daughter of baseball legend Jackie Robinson, focuses on the year 1963 when she was 13 years old.  She has a privileged life in a wealthy neighborhood in Stamford, Connecticut, living in a huge house, riding her own horse, and attending a school where she is one of only two black students in her class.  Her father has a legacy of being involved in the civil rights movement, but when Sharon sees the church bombings, children’s marches, and imprisonment of the protestors in the South, the struggle for equal rights becomes one she can’t watch from the sidelines.  George Wallace’s chants of “segregation now, segregation tomorrow, and segregation forever” disturb and inspire her to become involved in the movement.  Her family sponsors fundraisers for the non-violent protests and she accompanies them to hear Martin Luther King speak at the March on Washington.  This insider’s account of one of the most important years in the civil rights movement is both educational and insightful for young readers of all backgrounds.

Breakout!

Nora Tucker and her best friend, Lizzie, have grown up in Wolf Creek, a small town in upstate New York where the economy revolves almost completely around the maximum security prison where Nora’s father is the superintendent.  The two girls and new friend Elidee, a black girl who has recently moved to Wolf Creek so she and her mother can be closer to her brother who is an inmate at the prison, anticipate a summer filled with ice cream and swimming. When two prisoners escape from the largely minority jail, however, tensions in the town begin to rise.  Nora is confused about Elidee’s reluctance to openly support the corrections staff, police, and volunteers involved in the manhunt, unaware of the isolation the young girl feels as one of only a few blacks in Wolf Creek.  As Nora and Lizzie write brief reports about the event and Elidee responds with poetry inspired by Jacqueline Woodson and Lin-Manuel Miranda that the three will submit for a school time capsule project, the girls begin to question just how welcoming their town really is.  An amazing coming of age story about recognizing what has been in plain sight all along.

Grump: The (Fairly) True Story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves

In this imaginative retelling of a classic fairy tale, we meet Borlen, a young dwarf whose unnatural fear of the deep makes his life mining jewels far underground misery.  Nicknamed “Grump”, he finds a way to escape the tunnels to The Surface where life seems to be a dream come true. He is befriended by Queen Elfrieda Veronika Ingrid Lenore (E.V.I.L.) who treats him as a trusted advisor and feeds him all the rubies he can eat in exchange for magic and information.  After turning her looking glass into a magic mirror, however, Grump begins to realize that the queen may not be as nice as she seems. When he is ordered to help the evil ruler kill her beautiful stepdaughter, Snow White, Grump may be in over his head. Bound by magic to both help the queen and protect the beautiful Snow White, can he find a way to dig out of this jewel of a predicament?  A delightful story that ta

The Bridge Home

Set in India, life on the streets looks harsh for sisters 11 year-old Viji and her developmentally challenged sister, 12 year-old Rukku.  Running away from an abusive father, the sisters find shelter on a crumbling bridge and scavenge for food.  When they meet two homeless brothers, Mathu and Arul, the four band together in an attempt to survive.  The boys teach the girls how to scale mountains of trash on the outskirts of town to find scraps of metal and glass to sell and the four watch out for each other in an uncaring world full of danger.  Despite their determination to survive, hunger is ever present and the rainy season brings illness.  Will Viji risk seeking help from strangers or rely only on her “put-together family”?  Told in the form of a letter from Viji to Rukku, this is an amazing story of four children determined to overcome any obstacles to making a life for themselves. 

Endling: The Last

Byx has always seen herself as the least of her pack, a species of dog-like creatures called the dairne.  When all of the other dairne in her homeland of Nedarra are murdered by humans under the rule of the evil Murdano, however, Byx truly becomes an Endling, the sole survivor of a species.  She then begins a desperate quest to find Dairneholm, a mythical settlement rumored to still be inhabited by the dairne.  Along the way she is joined by an unlikely band of adventurers, including Khala, a girl with a mysterious past disguised as a boy, and Tobble, a fiercely loyal wobbyk with large ears and a short round body.  Their mission becomes even more dangerous when they discover the true reason for the eradication of the dairne. Can the courageous travelers find the one person who may be able to save them all? A dazzling first tale in a fantasy series perfect for fans of Wings of Fire from the author of The One and Only Ivan.

Minecraft Woodsword Chronicles: Into the Game!

In this first book of the first official chapter book series based on Minecraft, five young real world players of the game find themselves trapped inside the game they love.  But now, it’s not a game and they will have to use everything they know to explore, build, and survive! An illustrated story just perfect for Minecraft lovers ready for chapter books.

Minecraft Woodsword Chronicles: Night of the Bats!

In this second in a series full of action packed adventure, our five players are once again inside the Minecraft game they love.  When zombies attack them in the game, and bats invade their real-life school, Ash, Morgan, and their friends realize it’s going to take all their talents to get to the bottom of these monstrous migrations!

Lifeboat 12

An escape from war-torn Great Britain becomes a struggle for survival in this richly detailed historical fiction account of a little-known event in World War II.  Hoping to save many of its children from the encroaching terror of the Germans, the Children’s Overseas Reception Board (CORB) sets out to transport 20,000 children from England to countries across the ocean where they will be safe.  Chosen as one of the lucky ones from 200,000 applicants, thirteen year-old Kenneth Sparks is one of the children who will travel on the luxury liner, the City of Benares, to Canada where he will live with an aunt. Distracted by the delicious and abundant food, new toys, and soft beds of the boat, the young travelers seem unaware of the ever-present threat of torpedo-equipped German submarines combing the Atlantic.  Three days into the voyage, the ship is torpedoed, sending the crew and passengers into lifeboats and the sea. Kenneth, five other boys from the program and forty adults make it aboard Lifeboat 12, one of the only ones still afloat after an evening of gale force winds. With very little food and water, they have only a razor thin chance of survival. Told in verse and based on extensive research, this is a captivating re-telling of an often-overlooked event in history.

Max Einstein: The Genius Experiment

Max is no ordinary orphan!  She is living over the Central Park stables with some other down-on-their luck folks and is obsessed with Albert Einstein.  But everything changes when Max is recruited by a mysterious organization, the Change Makers Institute, that is looking for talented young geniuses who can lead world-improving projects.  Taking advantage of this opportunity to make friends her own age, Max and a diverse team of young talent head to the Congo on a mission to bring solar power to a village hoping to attract industries to provide opportunities that the current mining business does not.  The powerful Dr. Zimm and his sinister organization, the Corporation, however, are intent on stopping them. With a feisty heroine, adventure-filled plot, nasty villain, and the notion that being smart cool, this book and its diverse group of characters will appeal to STEM fans in particular.

Elephant Secret

Eighth grader Samantha Gray has grown up living on a North American elephant sanctuary with her father and the herd of eleven rescued elephants that have become her family.  With an uncanny ability to understand and communicate with the elephants, Sam hopes that the recent financial support of a new silent partner will ensure that the sanctuary can continue to accept and care for the elephants.  When Daisy Mae, one of the females, dies while giving birth, Sam is determined to take care of her baby, a calf she names “Woolly” due to the unusual hair on his hide. When the sanctuary agrees to take in an elephant with a history of aggression, the man who has provided the much needed funds threatens to take over the sanctuary, remove the new elephant, and no longer allow Sam and her father to live or work there.  Sam realizes that there may be more to his financial support than she thought, and faces losing the elephant family she has always known. A story that older readers will find interesting and informative is perfect for animal lovers and would-be scientists.

The Unteachables

Mr. Zachary Kermit is the most burned-out teacher at Greenwich Middle School.  His once stellar career was shattered by a cheating incident orchestrated by a former student – an incident that embarrassed a principal who is now the district superintendent.  Intent on getting revenge on Mr. Kermit, the superintendent assigns him to teach the Self-Contained Special Eighth Grade class, infamously knows as “the Unteachables”. Notoriously labelled misfits and delinquents, this group of problem students is one that the superintendent is sure will convince Mr. Kermit to quit before he is eligible for early retirement.  Initially content to drink coffee and do crosswords in lieu of teaching the students, Mr. Kermit’s attitude is unexpectedly changed when he and his students find themselves mutually frustrated by the education system. Favorite author Gordon Korman gives us a light-hearted look at what happens when the worst class of kids in the school is paired with a less than enthusiastic teacher.

The Storm Keeper’s Island

From the moment 11 year-old Fionn and his 13 year-old sister, Tara, arrive on the island of Arranmore to spend the summer with their grandfather, he senses something unusual.  After learning that their grandfather is the island’s storm keeper, entrusted to control the magic of the place through the candles that he fashions, the siblings are drawn into a centuries old battle between good and evil that is very close to erupting again.  Tara, in particular, is focused on a quest to find the Sea Cave, a secret place of power on the island that is reputed to grant one wish per generation, a wish Fionn would use to find their father, lost at sea off Arranmore years ago. When Grandfather announces that the time has come for him to step down as storm keeper and for the island to choose a new one to wield its power and keep its magic safe from enemies, Fionn and other descendants of Arranmore’s powerful families vie to assume this role.  But with the awakening of the long-buried evil that threatens the very existence of the island, Fionn, Tara, and their rivals must overcome their jealousy and work together to save the island and themselves. A first title in a magical new fantasy series .

Dog Days in the City

Anytime 12 year-old Josie Shilling’s large family gets too chaotic, volunteering at the local animal clinic is the one place she can escape.  She loves working with the animals. When a box of seven rambunctious puppies is left on the clinic steps with a note asking Josie to find homes for them, however, this may be asking too much.  Taking care of Hamlet, a pig her brother brought home last fall, was harder than she had imagined and now she is responsible for seven adorable pups! Complicated by her own dog’s diagnosis of a brain tumor and friendship problems with her gymnastics buddy, Lucy, Josie may have taken on more than she can manage.  Fans of Josie’s first book, The Unlikely Story of a Pig in the City, and animal lovers of all ages will find this book a great choice.

Finding Perfect

Molly Nathans has always been a neat freak, but when her mother must move to Toronto for a year-long work assignment and her brother faces a health challenge, the mounting stress intensifies the 12 year-old’s efforts to bring order to her life.  Her constant hand washing, obsessively aligning the glass figurines in her room, and repetitive counting don’t seem to be helping her overcome her anxieties, however. Convinced that she can get her mother to come home if she wins an upcoming poetry contest, Molly adds yet another challenge to her life.  Will her caring but preoccupied father notice what is happening with his daughter? Will her friends recognize her cries for help? With a conclusion that affirms Molly’s decision to acknowledge her OCD and reach out for help, this title for older readers is one that reflects an authentic look at one girl’s efforts to deal with the stresses of her young life. 

The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle

Mason Buttle is the biggest, sweatiest kid in his grade, and everyone knows he can barely read or write.  These learning challenges are further compounded by his grief. Fifteen months ago, Mason’s friend, Benny, fell off a ladder in the Buttle family orchard and died.  Police officer, Lieutenant Baird, has been badgering Mason with questions ever since, certain that the boy knows more about the incident that he has divulged. Both Mason and his new friend, the very small Calvin Chumsky are teased and tormented by other boys in their neighborhood so they create a hidden underground haven for themselves.  Even though he has the support of a loving grandmother and uncle as well as a social worker he feels safe with, Mason’s world is upended again when Calvin goes missing. Mason finds himself in trouble again, desperate to find out what has happened to Calvin. An award-winning title of friendship and compassion perfect for readers who love an underdog hero.  

The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA

Gabriel Haberlin, a just-turned 12 year-old white boy living in the small South Carolina town of Birdsong in 1946, is riding his brand new bicycle when he is almost hit by a car.  In fact, if Mr. Meriwether Hunter, an African-American WWII veteran, hadn’t been there to push Gabe out of the way, the accident could have been tragic. Gabe convinces his father to give Meriwether, a talented mechanic looking for work, a job at the family auto shop.  As he works alongside the black veteran, the 12 year-old becomes vividly aware of the antagonism and bigotry of another mechanic who is white and rumored to have close friends in the Ku Klux Klan. Even though he served in the Army’s all-black 761st Tank Battalion during World War II, Meriwether doesn’t want to talk about his service, preferring to work quietly and avoid notice.  As their friendship deepens, and Mr. Hunter and his daughter, Abigail, begin to trust Gabe, the boy begins to see the impact of discrimination on their lives.  Illuminating the disparity between how white and black WWII veterans were treated, this look at racism is historical fiction at its best.

Meriwether Hunter's story really shows how the war may have ended for the world, but another fight, the fight for justice and equality, continued for African American veterans.

Polar Bear Explorers’ Club

Stella Starflake Pearl has always wanted to be an explorer like her adoptive father, Felix, a member of the Polar Bear Explorers’ Club.  Unfortunately, girls are forbidden to be club members or go on the group’s expeditions. When Stella is unexpectedly granted permission to join Felix and the other explorers on a daring journey to the coldest part of the Icelands, she is thrilled.  Shortly after the trip begins, however, she and three other novice explorers are separated from the adults. They must work together to find their way to the Icelands and then back to the returning ship for the trip home. Encountering strange creatures like the “frosties”, small fairies that can cause killer frostbite, and other spine-chilling dangers along the way, Stella and the other young adventurers must survive the frozen wilderness if they are to live to tell their tale.  This first in a series filled with adventure, magic and just enough peril to excite readers who love to explore new worlds without ever leaving home.

The Story Collector

Viviani Fedeler and her family live in the New York Public Library.  As the daughter of the library’s superintendent, she, her brothers, and best friend Eva have the stacks as their playground.  Convinced by weird noises and visions that the library is haunted by a careless construction worker who died there years ago, she sets out to prove the ghost is real.  When an expensive stamp collection goes missing from a library display, Vivi and the others are sure they can solve this mystery as well. Her tales of library intrigue, however, attract the attention of a new schoolmate who challenges Vivi to prove she’s telling the truth.  A prank orchestrated by the library kids to stop Merit’s teasing quickly gets out of hand though, revealing there may be more to uncover about their home than they ever imagined! This first in a series inspired by the real life of Viviani Joffre Fedeler who was born and raised in the New York Public Library is perfect for every book lover who has ever dreamed of getting locked in the library overnight!

Operation Frog Effect

Told through the voices of eight students in Ms. Graham’s fifth-grade class, this book tells the story of how these very different kids deal with issues like bullying, immigration, women’s rights, and homelessness.  Encouraged by their teacher to immerse themselves in the topics they study, these friends, ex-friends, and never will be friends, use notes, letters, journal entries, and graphic novel style comics to reveal their responses to being challenged to “think outside the box.”  When several of the students take their project too far, however, it is obvious that they did not foresee the consequences of their actions. Everyone makes mistakes, but what happens when your mistake hurts someone else? Can they set things right, learning, as one of the students says, “Once our rocks are thrown, pebbles or not, we cannot stop the ripples.  They have a life of their own.” Perfect for fans of Because of Mr. Terupt, this is a wonderful choice for a classroom read-aloud and study. 

The Season of Styx Malone:

Ten year-old Caleb Franklin, living with his family in a small Indiana town, is tired of just feeling ordinary.  The prospect of a more exciting summer appears to improve, however, when Caleb and his 11 year-old brother, Bobby Gene, meet a new neighbor, the older and very cool Styx Malone.  When the younger boys get to keep a sack of fireworks they offered to give up their baby sister for, Styx convinces them that they can use the fireworks to make a series of trades that will eventually get them the shiny moped at the local hardware store.  But as the trades get bigger, the boys find themselves in over their heads, resorting to sneaking out and evading the truth when their parents question their activities. They may not be the only ones keeping secrets though. It seems that Styx has kept some things from his new friends, things that reveal more about Styx than he wanted others to know.  This Coretta Scott King Honor title is a rambunctious yet heart-warming look at friendship and acceptance.

Song for a Whale:

Twelve year-old Iris has a passion for electronics and repairing antique radios.  She’s a strong student but gets frustrated with the challenges of being the only deaf kid in her classes.  To make things even more difficult, Iris’s parents don’t seem to understand her need to be involved in the local hearing-impaired community and she is dealing with the sudden loss of the grandfather she was very close to.  One day, Iris’s science class watches a video about a whale with an extremely unique voice, communicating at a much higher frequency than most every other whale. Feeling a kinship with Blue 55 and his inability to communicate with other whales, Iris becomes determined to use her electronics savvy to compose a song in his frequency and play it for him.  This mission however, will require her to travel from her home in Houston to Appleton, Alaska to do so in person. Can she find a way to let this whale know that he’s not alone? This heart-warming look at loneliness and the power of communication will appeal to fans of titles like Fish In a Tree and Out of My Mind.  

The Friendship War

Grace and Ellie have been best friends since second grade.  Ellie’s always right in the center of everything and Grace is happy to be her sidekick.  When Grace, who loves to collect almost anything, brings some of the buttons discovered in an old mill building her grandfather has purchased to school, however, it’s suddenly Grace who’s getting all of the attention.  The button craze gets the kids in her class, then her grade, and then the entire school over the top excited and collecting and trading them is now an obsession. Can Grace get her own compulsion and this new fad under control before it gets her in real trouble and destroys her friendship with Ellie?  A story about fads and the friendships that outlast them by the late author Andrew Clements that kids will enjoy.

Charlie Hernandez and the League of Shadows

Charlie Hernandez has always been proud of his Latin American heritage.  Loving the art and culture of his people, he possesses an expansive knowledge of the monsters and ghouls that are part of the Latino myths his abuela shared with him during his childhood.  When their South Florida house burns down and his parents disappear, Charlie begins living with Mrs. Wilson, an older woman who collects creepy looking dolls. As if the mystery of the fire isn’t enough, Charlie begins to grow horns and feathers, believing that the creatures of the legends he thought were only folklore may be real.  When the very cool and cute Violet Rey discovers Charlie’s new features, she becomes convinced that the two of them can unravel the mystery of a map they find in an old locket that belonged to his mother. Finding themselves in the midst of a battle between La Liga, a secret society of mythical creatures sworn to protect the Land of the Living and La Mano Peluda, a group of evil spirits determined to rule mankind, Charlie and Violet must face the demons of his heritage.  Does Charlie have the knowledge and courage it will take to find out why these changes are happening and, perhaps, find his parents in the process? With words in Spanish throughout the text, this first in a new series is perfect for fans of Rick Riordan and an intriguing look at Latino mythology. 

The Magnificent Mya Tibbs: Mya in the Middle

Things have changed in the Tibbs house, and Mya isn’t happy about it.  She’s stuck in the middle between an exceptionally cute baby sister and an incredibly smart older brother, siblings who seem to be getting all of her parents’ attention.  When Mya, as part of a class project, decides to start her own school newspaper, she is sure this will get Mom and Dad to notice that she is fabulous as well. When the first edition of the paper is a big hit, Mya is sure her problem is solved.  When her parents don’t find the time to look at it, however, Mya proceeds to expand the paper’s reach into the community, a decision that may destroy key friendships and land her in big trouble at school and home. Can this budding fourth grade entrepreneur take responsibility for her actions and get things back on track?  A perfect choice for readers who love a spunky heroine figuring out how to fit in when life gets complicated.

Spies in Disguise: The Junior Novel

Super spy Lance Sterling and nerdy scientist Walter Beckett are almost exact opposites.  Lance is smooth, suave and ultimately cool while Walter is definitely none of those. But what Walter lacks in social skills, he makes up for in smarts and ingenuity, making the gadgets Lance uses on his epic missions.  When events go awry, however, and Lance is transformed into a pigeon, this unlikely duo suddenly have to rely on each other in a whole new way. A retelling of the hilarious movie, this junior novel features text and pictures that will entertain spy fans who enjoy some humor with their 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.

Sled Dog School

Eleven year old Matt is struggling in school but determined to
give his all to a class assignment to set up a real business, operate it and share its
success with his teacher and class. Matt is devoted to his team of sled dogs and decides to launch a school that will teach folks how to train a team of dogs. He
discovers, however, that the kids who sign up for the classes have a lot to learn
and a little to teach Matt about blazing new trails and building friendships along
the way. Great choice for readers who love dogs and outdoor adventure.

The Terrible Twos Go Wild

School’s out and Miles and Niles are running wild in
the woods outside town. Their exploring of caves, climbing trees and, of course,
pulling pranks may be over when bully Josh Barkin and his boot camp cadets
discover Miles and Niles and vow to destroy them. Can the boys outwit Josh and
his hooligans and live to prank another day? A book full of humor that will please
even the most reluctant of readers.

The Wild Robot

When a sophisticated robot named Roz washes ashore on a remote, wild island, this sole survivor from a cargo of 500 doesn’t know how she got there or what her purpose is but does know she needs to survive.  Though without emotion, Roz can use the senses of sight, hearing, and smell to figure out how to stay dry and intact in this wild environment, not a small feat in a place with fierce weather and animals that are less than welcoming.  When an accident leaves her as the sole protector of a young gosling she names Brightbill, Roz learns that the friendship and assistance of the island’ inhabitants are key to her adaptation to the island and the survival of the young goose.  An award-winning and heartwarming tale of what happens when nature and technology collide, this story is one destined to become a classic and a favorite of readers of all ages.

The Wild Robot Escapes

In this sequel to The Wild Robot, Roz has been brought back from the island, refurbished, and sent to Hilltop Farm to help on this family dairy farm.  Typical of Roz, she befriends all of the animals on the farm and the farmer’s children with her sweet and outgoing personality.  However, she desperately misses her life on the island, especially her goose son, Brightbill.  Even with the help of several sympathizers who aid in her escape, Roz is captured by the robot police and returned to a factory where she is to be reprogrammed to rid her of her personality which is seen as a malfunction.  Can Roz manage to avoid the reprogramming and find a way to return to her island home or is she destined to serve humans for the rest of her days?  The short chapters and enticing narrative of this story deal with the themes of friendship, the benefits and risks of technology, and the search for one’s identity.  A sequel that young readers love as much as the first!

Finding Orion

Rion Kwirk comes from a rather odd family.  His mother named him and his sisters after her favorite constellations and his father is a scientist who invents new jellybean flavors for a living.  But no one is more unusual than Rion’s grandfather, Papa Kwirk.  He’s the kind of guy who shows up on his motorcycle on holidays bringing items like crossbows, slingshots, poker chips and stuffed squirrels as gifts.  He’s mysterious, cool, and totally unpredictable unlike his son, Rion’s dad, who is somewhat nerdy and rather boring.  When the news of Papa Kwirk’s death is delivered by a clown with a singing telegram, the family heads off to Illinois for the funeral Aunt Gertie has arranged.  Shocked to discover that the casket doesn’t contain Papa Kwirk’s body but a clue that the family must decipher in order to find the grandfather’s ashes.  Over the next 24 hours, the family eats 36 scoops of ice cream, climbs a 40- foot tree, and fights off thieves at a local museum to solve the mystery and to better understand Papa Kwirk’s odd behaviors, a source of long-standing tension between father and son.  Can this hunt for the remains of his grandfather finally help Rion understand why Papa and Rion’s dad never seemed to get along and the family secrets behind their relationship?  This story for tween readers has bits of humor woven into a theme of the complications and challenges faced by even the best of families.   Great jumping off point for family and classroom discussions of empathy and acceptance.

The Boy at the Back of the Class

When a new 9 year-old boy named Ahmet joins Alexa’s class at a London school, she and the other students have questions.  Why does Ahmet never smile, talk to anyone, or go to lunch or recess with the other kids?  While waiting for pick-up after school one day, however, Alexa and her friends overhear two adults talking about the boy.  He is a refugee from Syria and does not yet speak English.  The children reach out to Ahmet with small gifts and smiles, speaking to him through the translator the school hires to help him.  They discover that he and his family were forced to flee the bombings in Syria but were separated in their escape.  His sister drowned in the sea and he does not know how to find his parents and bring them to London.  Standing up to a school bully and discovering her own family’s refugee experience, Alexa is determined to help her new friend.  When she and Ahmet’s other new friends learn that their country’s borders are about to be closed to refugees, they embark on a bold and dangerous plan to reunite him with his family.  Perfect for fans of Katherine Applegate’s Wishtree, this is a story of compassion and diversity that shouldn’t be overlooked. 

Sal and Gabi Break the Universe

When Sal Vidon, a 13 year-old Type 1 diabetic, amateur magician, and new student at Miami’s Culeco Academy of the Arts, meets Gabi Real, the clever and sassy student body president, for the first time, it isn’t under the best of circumstances.  Sal is in the principal’s office for the third time in the first week of school and Gabi is there to support her friend, Yasmany, in whose locker Sal supposedly left a raw chicken! When Gabi discovers that Sal’s magic is powerful enough to poke holes in parallel universes and manipulate time and space, she is determined to join forces with him to right the wrongs of the universe.  Can Sal, who sometimes goes into another dimension to connect with his deceased mother, find a way to use his powers to help Gabi’s very sick little brother or will this amazing duo put the entire universe at risk?  This 2020 Pure Belpre Author Award winner is peppered with Spanish dialogue and slang, as well as generous helpings of Cuban cuisine.  This upbeat fiction featuring Spanish language and characters will entice fans of A Wrinkle in Time and Rick Riordan’s fantasy tales.