Summer Reading for Early Childhood and Lower School Students 2022

Wilson is a curious sheep, and after he foolishly climbs into the back of a piano movers' truck, he ends up alone in the big city, far from the farm. But Wilson is also one smart sheep, and soon enough he's finding his way home to his worried owner by recognizing the sounds that he heard while he was trapped in the truck--a jackhammer, a calliope, a hotdog man. And could that be the excited barking of his friend Tippy, the border collie? Available on SORA.

Welcome to the town of Barksdale, where the canine residents strive for perfection. Every shopkeeper claims to be the best groomer or sell the best biscuits. And at Barksdale Academy, the pressure is on every year for one pup to be named Best in Show.
Nova, Duke, Harley, and Peanut have never won Best in Show... which is okay with them! But they have to work together to pass their Agility Exam, because either the whole pack passes or the whole pack fails.
Nova has convinced her pals to train, but on her practice course, Duke is afraid to climb the high ramp, Harley keeps chasing squirrels, and Peanut can't make it through the hoops. Nova's not doing much better -- she's so excited she keeps knocking the whole course over!
Will the pups make the grade, or are they doomed to be Underdogs forever? This is the first book in a new series.

Gizmo is a city dog, so when he moves to the village of Puddle with his journalist human, he doesn't know WHAT to expect. Certainly not FLOWERS. Or BEES. And he couldn't have even imagined MUD. Luckily he's got Jilly, the wolfhound next door, to show him around.
But Jilly has a problem. Her puppies are going to be adopted by new owners who live far away -- she'll never see them again! Gizmo has got a nose for a story, and a great idea to help Jilly. What if the dogs of Puddle started a newspaper to get the word out and keep these pups closer to home? Stop the presses!

Rolo is a dog who knows what he wants--and after living with an owner who doesn't take good care of him, he sets out on his own. But for a young dog living on the streets, each day brings a new struggle for survival. Then one day, he meets a girl named Freya. She takes care of him, and slowly, he begins to trust her. But can he and Freya convince Freya's strict mom to accept a scruffy dog into their home and hearts?
Told from the dog's perspective, the stories in Dog's Eye View are full of adventure, excitement, and waggy-tailed warmth, highlighting the unique bond between dogs and their human best friends.

For nine-year-old Abby McAdams, everything seems to be changing.
Her cousin and best friend, Zoe, has moved across the country, her mom is going back to work, and Abby is stuck in the only after-school activity still available--running--which she absolutely loathes. Her perspective on the world is changing, too, after an encounter in her community sheds light on the issue of homelessness in her town. On top of everything, sudden changes in Abby's body mean she has to deal with things like deodorant, bras, and uncomfortable conversations. And without her best friend by her side, she's not sure she can handle it all.
She's not a grown-up yet, but she definitely doesn't feel like a little kid anymore. She's Abby, in between. Available on SORA.

After her parents move the family to a new town, all Evie wants is to help out in their new café. But nobody wants a kid--no matter how wonderful of a waitress they are--underfoot. And she does have an unfortunate habit of dropping, and spilling, and crashing!
But, she also has a knack for super-fantastic dessert ideas that could win the best café contest--if only her dad and stepmom would listen!
When her frustrated wish to help accidentally summons a group of fairytale princesses right out of a storybook, Evie finds herself busy fending off their well-meaning attempts to "rescue" her.
Agents of HEART? More like agents of chaos!
...she's keeping the puppy though.

Meet Ember, a rescue Chihuahua who has just been adopted by the Chin family. Ember is no ordinary dog: he thinks he is an evil overlord, destined to rule the world. He enlists the help of the other pets in the house, like Smelly Steve the hamster and Neo the canary, to take over the neighborhood. Their first mission is defeating Masher, the mean squirrel who lives next door. But to his shock, Ember finds himself growing attached to his "minions", the Chin family--especially Lucy. Does Ember still have what it takes to control of the neighborhood... and the world?

With laugh-out-loud humor, engaging artwork on every page, and nonstop action that will have readers rushing to turn the pages, Pets Rule is the just-right series for any emerging reader!

Traces the story of a boy who moves across the country to rural northern California, where his efforts to adjust are challenged by a fast-moving firestorm that places family homes and lives at risk.
The I Survived series includes 20 stand alone books and three compilation volumes. All are wonderful reads for ages 8-12. Most of the series is available on SORA.

Book 9 in this popular series. The Princess in Black and her friends are enjoying a day of sun and sea on Princess Sneezewort's royal boat when a real, live mermaid princess emerges from the waves! Eeeeeee! Princess Posy needs their help protecting her very cute sea goats from being eaten by a very greedy kraken. But the princesses and the Goat Avenger quickly realize that fighting underwater can be tough for land dwellers, and only the mermaid Princess Posy can save the day. Can the masked heroes help her learn that being a princess means more than just being nice--it means speaking up? The series is available on SORA.

The newest book in the series: Judy Moody is Monday-morning mopey. Another week in her same-old seat at her same-old desk in her same-old school. Even worse, there aren't any days off from school for ages. But when she steps into Class 3T, Judy's Monday frown turns upside down. Pop! Pop! Pop-pop-pop! Mr. Todd is making Monday special by celebrating Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day (no lie)! This gives Judy an idea that just-might-maybe turn her week around: why not make every day of the week a holiday? But after she and her friends come up with a week's worth of wacky celebrations, from feeding ninja squirrels to honoring National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor's Porch Day, will the weekend be one big letdown? The series is available on SORA.

A new addition to the bestselling Questioneers chapter book series following Ada Twist, the star of the Netflix TV show!
Blue River Creek has a problem: There's a pet thief on the loose! Or at least, Sofia and Iggy are convinced that there is, once their pets go missing. But as a scientist, Ada knows it's important not to jump to conclusions and to follow the facts. How will they find out what really happened to the town's pets? By using the Scientific Method of course! Through making a hypothesis, collecting data, and experimentation, the Questioneers must find the missing animals before even more pets disappear!

The third book in the series. Sydney and Taylor have been best friends since before they can remember. But how does one make new friends? Taylor wants to try, so Sydney does what any best friend would do: accompany him on his biggest adventure yet! When sincere compliments and gifts of friendship don't lead anywhere, Sydney and Taylor may need to look where they least expect . . .
This hilarious chapter-book buddy story, illustrated with expressive full-color art, highlights the importance of friendships old and new .

Rosie, Phoebe, and Stella all share an incredible secret-- when they travel to a place called the Magic Forest, they can transform into powerful creatures called Night Dragons. Once there, the friends must save the Magic Forest from an evil that threatens to banish nighttime--forever.

Rosie is determined to help! Her first task is to save the forest's magical daydreams from being destroyed by pesky Fire Sparks. Without the Night Dragons, the Magic Forest's hopes for survival will go up in smoke! This is the 7th book in the series.