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Books by Katherine Applegate
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Code Name: Serendipity by Amber SmithISBN: 9780593204917
Publication Date: 2022-01-04
Eleven-year-old Sadie Mitchell-Rosen is having trouble fitting in at school and at home, so when she meets a dog named Dewey things seem to get better for her. Grade 4-7
Books by Roshani Chokshi
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Force of Fire by Sayantani DasGuptaISBN: 9781338636642
Publication Date: 2021-06-01
Pinki hails from a long line of rakkosh resisters, demons who have spent years building interspecies relationships, working together to achieve their goal of overthrowing the snakey oppressors and taking back their rights. But she has more important things to worry about, like maintaining her status as fiercest rakkosh in her class and looking after her little cousins. There is also the teeny tiny detail of not yet being able to control her fire breathing and accidentally burning up school property. Then Sesha, the charming son of the Serpentine Governor, calls on Pinki for help in defeating the resistance, promising to give her what she most desires in return--the ability to control her fire. First she'll have to protect the Moon Maiden, pretend to be a human (ick), and survive a family reunion. But it's all worth it for the control of her powers--right? Grade 5-8 (Lexile: 790)
Books by Donna Barba Higuera
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Falling Short by Ernesto CisnerosISBN: 9780062881724
Publication Date: 2022-03-15
Isaac and Marco already know sixth grade is going to change their lives. But it won't change things at home--not without each other's help. This year, star basketball player Isaac plans on finally keeping up with his schoolwork. Better grades will surely stop Isaac's parents from arguing all the time. Meanwhile, straight-A Marco vows on finally winning his father's approval by earning a spot on the school's basketball team. But will their friendship and support for each other be enough to keep the two boys from falling short? Grade 4-7
Books by Erin Entrada Kelly
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The Magical Imperfect by Chris BaronISBN: 9781250767820
Publication Date: 2021-06-15
Etan has stopped speaking since his mother left. His father and grandfather don’t know how to help him. His friends have given up on him.
When Etan is asked to deliver a grocery order to the outskirts of town, he realizes he’s at the home of Malia Agbayani, also known as the Creature. Malia stopped going to school when her acute eczema spread to her face, and the bullying became too much.
As the two become friends, other kids tease Etan for knowing the Creature. But he believes he might have a cure for Malia’s condition, if only he can convince his family and hers to believe it too. Even if it works, will these two outcasts find where they fit in? Grade 4-7 (Lexile: 710)
Books by Meg Medina
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The Insiders by Mark OshiroISBN: 9780063008106
Publication Date: 2021-09-21
Twelve-year-old Hâector Muänoz, fleeing from bullies, discovers a magical closet that not only provides him sanctuary, but also unites him with two other kids facing similar problems at their own schools, helping them find friendship and strength in each other. Grade 4-7
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Falling Short by Ernesto CisnerosISBN: 9780062881724
Publication Date: 2022-03-15
Isaac and Marco already know sixth grade is going to change their lives. But it won't change things at home--not without each other's help. This year, star basketball player Isaac plans on finally keeping up with his schoolwork. Better grades will surely stop Isaac's parents from arguing all the time. Meanwhile, straight-A Marco vows on finally winning his father's approval by earning a spot on the school's basketball team. But will their friendship and support for each other be enough to keep the two boys from falling short? Grade 4-7
Books by Rebecca Stead
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The Insiders by Mark OshiroISBN: 9780063008106
Publication Date: 2021-09-21
Twelve-year-old Hâector Muänoz, fleeing from bullies, discovers a magical closet that not only provides him sanctuary, but also unites him with two other kids facing similar problems at their own schools, helping them find friendship and strength in each other. Grade 4-7
Amina's Voice by Hena Khan
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Finding Junie Kim by Ellen OhISBN: 9780062987983
Publication Date: 2021-05-04
Junie Kim just wants to fit in. So she keeps her head down and tries not to draw attention to herself. But when racist graffiti appears at her middle school, Junie must decide between staying silent or speaking out. Then Junie's history teacher assigns a project and Junie decides to interview her grandparents, learning about their unbelievable experiences as kids during the Korean War. Junie comes to admire her grandma's fierce determination to overcome impossible odds, and her grandpa's unwavering compassion during wartime. And as racism becomes more pervasive at school, Junie taps into the strength of her ancestors and finds the courage to do what is right. Grade 5-8
The Canyon's Edge by Dusti Bowlings
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Paradise on Fire by Jewell Parker RhodesISBN: 9780316493833
Publication Date: 2021-09-14
Addy is haunted by the tragic fire that killed her parents, leaving her to be raised by her grandmother. Now, years later, Addy’s grandmother has enrolled her in a summer wilderness program. There, Addy joins five other Black city kids—each with their own troubles—to spend a summer out west.
Deep in the forest, the kids learn new (and to them) strange skills: camping, hiking, rock climbing, and how to start and safely put out campfires. Most important, they learn to depend upon each other for companionship and survival.
But then comes a devastating forest fire…Addy is face-to-face with her destiny and haunting past. Developing her courage and resiliency against the raging fire, it’s up to Addy to lead her friends to safety. Not all are saved. But remembering her origins and grandmother’s teachings, she’s able to use street smarts, wilderness skills, and her spiritual intuition to survive.Grade 5-8
Counting by 7's by Holly Goldberg Sloan
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Matasha by Pamela ErensISBN: 9781632461254
Publication Date: 2021-06-29
t's 1970's Chicago. Eleven-year-old Matasha Wax is in the sixth grade and just starting to feel the pressures of growing up. Her best friend Jean has been blowing her off, while her parents are in a standoff over her mother's desire to adopt a refugee from Vietnam. And while the bullies in school have started to grow breasts and inches, Matasha remains a puny four-foot-four--which means she will need growth hormone shots, and she is terrified of needles. Apart from her daily reading of the advice columns in the newspaper, keeping up with the Patty Hearst and Watergate scandals, and tracking her parents' deteriorating marriage, Matasha is fixated by the story of Martin Kimmel, a nine-year-old boy who disappeared a few months ago, and whose body has yet to be found. But none of these ongoing problems could have prepared Matasha for her mother's sudden disappearance. When the letters start coming from Switzerland, she knows something is very, very wrong--but no one will tell her what's going on, so Matasha has to figure it all out for herself. Grade 5-8
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A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicollISBN: 9780593374252
Publication Date: 2021-10-19
Ever since Ms. Murphy told us about the witch trials that happened centuries ago right here in Juniper, I can’t stop thinking about them. Those people weren’t magic. They were like me. Different like me.
I’m autistic. I see things that others do not. I hear sounds that they can ignore. And sometimes I feel things all at once. I think about the witches, with no one to speak for them. Not everyone in our small town understands. But if I keep trying, maybe someone will. I won’t let the witches be forgotten. Because there is more to their story. Just like there is more to mine. Grade 4-7 (Lexile: 580)
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Code Name: Serendipity by Amber SmithISBN: 9780593204917
Publication Date: 2022-01-04
Eleven-year-old Sadie Mitchell-Rosen is having trouble fitting in at school and at home, so when she meets a dog named Dewey things seem to get better for her. Grade 4-7
Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
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Zia Erases the World by Bree BartonISBN: 9780593350997
Publication Date: 2022-04-26
Zia remembers the exact night the Shadoom arrived. One moment she was laughing with her best friends, and the next a dark room of shadows had crept into her chest. Zia has always loved words, but she can't find a real one for the fear growing inside her. How can you defeat something if you don't know its name? Grade 4-7
Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee
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Stowaway by John David AndersonISBN: 9780062985941
Publication Date: 2021-08-03
o save his father, a Coalition scientist protecting a precious resource, after their ship is attacked, Leo stows away on a strange ship of mercenary space pirates and must decide who to trust- human or alien-to stay alive. Grade 4-7
The Edge Chronicles by Paul Stewart
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The Ship of Stolen Words by Fran WildeISBN: 9781419749506
Publication Date: 2021-06-01
When goblins steal Sam's "sorry," leaving him unable to apologize, he enters their realm to seek the depository of stolen words, aided by adventurous young goblin, Tolver. Grade 4-7
The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya
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It Doesn't Take a Genius by Olugbemisola Rhuday-PerkovichISBN: 9781644420027
Publication Date: 2021-04-13
mmett and his older brother Luke have always been Batman and Robin, though they're quick to bicker about who's who. Spending the summer at a historic Black summer camp seems like a wonderful adventure for the two to share, but since Luke is there as a junior counselor, he seems to spend all of his time being everyone else's big brother, and ignoring Emmett. As Luke seems to be moving on to new adventures, Emmett struggles in unexpected ways, especially in swim class and the It Takes A Village entrepreneurship class. Without his brother to turn to for support, Emmett works to build a new crew of superfriends, who'll help him plan something spectacular for the end-of-camp awards night and celebration. Along the way, Emmett learns that no matter what, there can be many ways to define family. Grade 4-7
Fableland series by Brandon Mull
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The Ship of Stolen Words by Fran WildeISBN: 9781419749506
Publication Date: 2021-06-01
When goblins steal Sam's "sorry," leaving him unable to apologize, he enters their realm to seek the depository of stolen words, aided by adventurous young goblin, Tolver. Grade 4-7
Feliz Yz by Lisa Bunker
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Obie Is Man Enough by Schuyler BailarISBN: 9780593379462
Publication Date: 2021-09-07
A coming-of-age story about transgender tween Obie, who didn't think being himself would cause such a splash. Obie knew his transition would have ripple effects. He has to leave his swim coach, his pool, and his best friends. But it’s time for Obie to find where he truly belongs.
As Obie dives into a new team, though, things are strange. Obie always felt at home in the water, but now he can’t get his old coach out of his head. Even worse are the bullies that wait in the locker room and on the pool deck. Luckily, Obie has family behind him. And maybe some new friends too, including Charlie, his first crush. Obie is ready to prove he can be one of the fastest boys in the water—to his coach, his critics, and his biggest competition: himself. Grade 5-8 (Lexile: 570)
Front Desk by Kelly Yang
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The Samosa Rebellion by Shanthi SekaranISBN: 9780063051539
Publication Date: 2021-09-21
Before his grandmother moved from India to the island of Mariposa, Muki Krishnan's life was good. But now? He has to share his bedroom with Paati, his grandmother, who snores like a bulldozer and wakes him up at dawn to do yoga.
Paati's arrival coincides with even bigger changes in Mariposa. The president divides citizens into Butterflies--families who have lived in Mariposa for three generations--and Moths, who, like Muki's family, are more recent immigrants. The changes are small at first. But then Muki and his friends find a camp being built to imprison Moths before sending them away. Soon after, his Paati is captured and taken there. While devising Paati's escape, Muki discovers that a secret rebellion is underway, and as he digs deeper, he realizes that rescuing Paati will be the fight of his life. Grade 4-7
Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer Holm
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Second Sleep by Diane StanleyISBN: 9780062658036
Publication Date: 2021-11-02
When Max and his sister Rose go to visit their grandmother's lakeside vacation home, they soon discover that their nightly sleeps bring them to a timelocked place with kids from all different eras, united by their love of the lake--and Max begins to wonder if they can help him to find his missing mother. Grade 4-7
George by Alex Gino
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Obie Is Man Enough by Schuyler BailarISBN: 9780593379462
Publication Date: 2021-09-07
A coming-of-age story about transgender tween Obie, who didn't think being himself would cause such a splash. Obie knew his transition would have ripple effects. He has to leave his swim coach, his pool, and his best friends. But it’s time for Obie to find where he truly belongs.
As Obie dives into a new team, though, things are strange. Obie always felt at home in the water, but now he can’t get his old coach out of his head. Even worse are the bullies that wait in the locker room and on the pool deck. Luckily, Obie has family behind him. And maybe some new friends too, including Charlie, his first crush. Obie is ready to prove he can be one of the fastest boys in the water—to his coach, his critics, and his biggest competition: himself. Grade 5-8 (Lexile: 570)
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
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Hunters of the Lost City by Kali WallaceISBN: 9781683692898
Publication Date: 2022-04-26
Twelve-year-old Octavia, who grew up believing her town was the only one left after a magical war, meets a girl from outside her town and tries to uncover the truth about her world. Grade 5-8
Holes by Louis Sachar
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Tangled up in Luck by Merrill WyattISBN: 9781534495791
Publication Date: 2021-11-02
Seventh-graders Sloane and Amelia are devastated to be paired for a research project about long-lost jewels, but soon they are finding clues hidden for nearly a century--and realize they are being used. Grade 4-6
The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
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Those Kids from Fawn Creek by Erin Entrada KellyISBN: 9780062970350
Publication Date: 2022-03-08
The twelve kids in the seventh grade at Fawn Creek K-12 have been together all their lives so when graceful Orchid Mason arrives, with exotic clothes and glorious hair, the other seventh graders don't know what to think. Grade 4-7
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling
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It All Begins with Jelly Beans by Nova WeetmanISBN: 1534494316
Publication Date: 2021-06-08
Two girls form an unlikely friendship during their shared time in the school nurse’s office. Grade 4-7 (Lexile: 720)
Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai
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Finding Junie Kim by Ellen OhISBN: 9780062987983
Publication Date: 2021-05-04
Junie Kim just wants to fit in. So she keeps her head down and tries not to draw attention to herself. But when racist graffiti appears at her middle school, Junie must decide between staying silent or speaking out. Then Junie's history teacher assigns a project and Junie decides to interview her grandparents, learning about their unbelievable experiences as kids during the Korean War. Junie comes to admire her grandma's fierce determination to overcome impossible odds, and her grandpa's unwavering compassion during wartime. And as racism becomes more pervasive at school, Junie taps into the strength of her ancestors and finds the courage to do what is right. Grade 5-8
The Last Last-Day-of-Summer by Lamar Giles
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Field Guide to the Supernatural Universe by Alyson NoëlISBN: 9781534498235
Publication Date: 2022-03-22
When 12-year-old Max is sent to live with his eccentric grandfather for the summer, he finds himself on an unlikely quest to uncover an enchanted book that contains the key to defeating an unearthly nemesis. Grade 3-7
The Lion, the witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
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Da Vinci's Cat by Catherine Gilbert MurdockISBN: 9780063015258
Publication Date: 2021-05-25
Using a mysterious wardrobe that allows them to travel through time, two eleven-year-olds, Federico a boy from the Italian Renaissance and Bee a girl from present-day New Jersey, work together to prevent the bickering between two great artists from changing the future. Grade 3-6
Mastermind series by Gordon Korman
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Concealed by Christina Diaz GonzalezISBN: 9781338647204
Publication Date: 2021-10-19
Katrina doesn't know any of the details about her past, but she does know that she and her parents are part of the Witness Protection Program. Whenever her parents say they have to move on and start over, she takes on a new identity. A new name, a new hair color, a new story. Until their location leaks and her parents disappear. Forced to embark on a dangerous rescue mission, Katrina and her new friend Parker set out to save her parents--and find out the truth about her secret past and the people that want her family dead. But every new discovery reveals that Katrina's entire life has been built around secrets covered up with lies and that her parents were actually the ones keeping the biggest secret of all. Grade 3-7 (Lexile: 610)
The Mighty Mack series by Ben Hatke
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Doom's Day Camp by Joshua HaukeISBN: 9780593205419
Publication Date: 2022-04-05
In a post-apocalyptic world where everyone has unusual abilities, Doom Thorax--whose only power is reading--gets left in charge and is responsible for the survival of all the other kids at camp. Grade 3-6
Moon Base Alpha by Stuart Gibbs
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Stowaway by John David AndersonISBN: 9780062985941
Publication Date: 2021-08-03
o save his father, a Coalition scientist protecting a precious resource, after their ship is attacked, Leo stows away on a strange ship of mercenary space pirates and must decide who to trust- human or alien-to stay alive. Grade 4-7
Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend
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The Ship of Stolen Words by Fran WildeISBN: 9781419749506
Publication Date: 2021-06-01
When goblins steal Sam's "sorry," leaving him unable to apologize, he enters their realm to seek the depository of stolen words, aided by adventurous young goblin, Tolver. Grade 4-7
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
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When the World Was Ours by Liz KesslerISBN: 9781534499652
Publication Date: 2021-05-18
Three friends. One memory.
Vienna. 1936.
Three young friends--Leo, Elsa, and Max--spend a perfect day together, unaware that around them Europe is descending into a growing darkness and that they will soon be cruelly ripped apart from one another. With their lives taking them across Europe--to Germany, England, Prague, and Poland--will they ever find their way back to one another? Will they want to?
Inspired by a true story, When the World Was Ours is an extraordinary novel that is as powerful as it is heartbreaking and that shows how the bonds of love, family, and friendship allow glimmers of hope to flourish, even in the most hopeless of times. Grade 6-8 (Lexile: 630)
The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson
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Let the Monster Out by Chad LucasISBN: 9781419751264
Publication Date: 2022-05-17
Bones Malone feels like he can’t do anything right in his new small town: He almost punched the son of the woman who babysits him and his brothers, he’s one of the only Black kids in Langille, and now his baseball team (the one place where he really feels like he shines) just lost their first game. To make matters worse, things in town are getting weird. His mom isn’t acting like herself at all—she’s totally spaced out, almost like a zombie. And then he and his brothers have the same dream—one where they’re running from some of their deepest fears, like a bear and an eerie cracked mirror that Bones would rather soon forget.
Kyle Specks feels like he can never say the right thing at the right time. He thinks he might be neurodivergent, but he hasn’t gotten an official diagnosis yet. His parents worry that the world might be too hard for him and try to protect him, but Kyle knows they can’t do that forever. Even though he’s scared, he can’t just stand by and do nothing while things in this town get stranger and stranger, especially not after he and Bones find a mysterious scientist’s journal that might hold answers about what’s going on.
But when faced with seemingly impossible situations, a shady corporation, and their own worst nightmares, will Kyle and Bones be brave enough to admit they're scared? Or will the fear totally consume and control them? Grade 5-7
Pax by Sarah Pennypacker
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Wayward Creatures by Dayna LorentzISBN: 9780358468288
Publication Date: 2022-01-18
In this heartfelt animal friendship story, a troubled young boy befriends a wayward coyote after a forest fire changes both of their lives. Grade 4-6
A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd
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Unseen Magic by Emily Lloyd-JonesISBN: 9780063057982
Publication Date: 2022-02-22
An enchanting exploration of self-discovery and finding the place you truly belong.
The trick to all magic is: you can only see it if you know where to look.
The magic-infused town of Aldermere is the first place eleven-year-old Fin has ever felt safe—and she’ll do whatever it takes to save her home when she accidentally unleashes a shadow self who wreaks havoc everywhere she goes. Grade 5-7
The Time Cat by Lloyd Alexander
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Da Vinci's Cat by Catherine Gilbert MurdockISBN: 9780063015258
Publication Date: 2021-05-25
Using a mysterious wardrobe that allows them to travel through time, two eleven-year-olds, Federico a boy from the Italian Renaissance and Bee a girl from present-day New Jersey, work together to prevent the bickering between two great artists from changing the future. Grade 3-6
Pay Attention, Carter Jones by Gary D. Schmidt
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Ten Thousand Tries by Amy MakechnieISBN: 9781534482296
Publication Date: 2021-07-13
Twelve-year-old Golden Maroni starts eighth grade determined to be master of his universe, but learns he cannot control everything on the soccer field, in his friendships, and especially in facing his father's incurable disease. Gr. 4-8 (Lexile: 590)
Rick Riordan Presents series...
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Force of Fire by Sayantani DasGuptaISBN: 9781338636642
Publication Date: 2021-06-01
Pinki hails from a long line of rakkosh resisters, demons who have spent years building interspecies relationships, working together to achieve their goal of overthrowing the snakey oppressors and taking back their rights. But she has more important things to worry about, like maintaining her status as fiercest rakkosh in her class and looking after her little cousins. There is also the teeny tiny detail of not yet being able to control her fire breathing and accidentally burning up school property. Then Sesha, the charming son of the Serpentine Governor, calls on Pinki for help in defeating the resistance, promising to give her what she most desires in return--the ability to control her fire. First she'll have to protect the Moon Maiden, pretend to be a human (ick), and survive a family reunion. But it's all worth it for the control of her powers--right? Grade 5-8 (Lexile: 790)
Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks
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It All Begins with Jelly Beans by Nova WeetmanISBN: 1534494316
Publication Date: 2021-06-08
Two girls form an unlikely friendship during their shared time in the school nurse’s office. Grade 4-7 (Lexile: 720)
Scritch Scratch by Lindsay Currie
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Long Lost by Jacqueline WestISBN: 9780062691750
Publication Date: 2021-05-18
Eleven-year-old Fiona has just read a book that doesn’t exist.
When Fiona’s family moves to a new town to be closer to her older sister’s figure skating club—and far from Fiona’s close-knit group of friends—nobody seems to notice Fiona’s unhappiness. Alone and out of place, Fiona ventures to the town’s library, a rambling mansion donated by a long-dead heiress. And there she finds a gripping mystery novel about a small town, family secrets, and a tragic disappearance.
Soon Fiona begins to notice strange similarities that blur the lines between the novel and her new town. With a little help from a few odd Lost Lake locals, Fiona uncovers the book’s strange history. Lost Lake is a town of restless spirits, and Fiona will learn that both help and danger come from unexpected places—maybe even from the sister she thinks doesn’t care about her anymore. Grade 4-7
Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
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Ten Thousand Tries by Amy MakechnieISBN: 9781534482296
Publication Date: 2021-07-13
Twelve-year-old Golden Maroni starts eighth grade determined to be master of his universe, but learns he cannot control everything on the soccer field, in his friendships, and especially in facing his father's incurable disease. Gr. 4-8 (Lexile: 590)
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Code Name: Serendipity by Amber SmithISBN: 9780593204917
Publication Date: 2022-01-04
Eleven-year-old Sadie Mitchell-Rosen is having trouble fitting in at school and at home, so when she meets a dog named Dewey things seem to get better for her. Grade 4-7
Small Spaces by Katharine Arden
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Long Lost by Jacqueline WestISBN: 9780062691750
Publication Date: 2021-05-18
Eleven-year-old Fiona has just read a book that doesn’t exist.
When Fiona’s family moves to a new town to be closer to her older sister’s figure skating club—and far from Fiona’s close-knit group of friends—nobody seems to notice Fiona’s unhappiness. Alone and out of place, Fiona ventures to the town’s library, a rambling mansion donated by a long-dead heiress. And there she finds a gripping mystery novel about a small town, family secrets, and a tragic disappearance.
Soon Fiona begins to notice strange similarities that blur the lines between the novel and her new town. With a little help from a few odd Lost Lake locals, Fiona uncovers the book’s strange history. Lost Lake is a town of restless spirits, and Fiona will learn that both help and danger come from unexpected places—maybe even from the sister she thinks doesn’t care about her anymore. Grade 4-7
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What Lives in the Woods by Lindsay CurrieISBN: 9781728209753
Publication Date: 2021-09-14
Ginny is unhappy when her family moves from Chicago to upstate Michigan for the summer; her father has a job restoring a 1930s mansion, but there are rumors about Woodmoor and the forest next to it: rumors about strange mutant creatures; Ginny, an aspiring mystery writer, is soon half convinced that the rumors are true, because something or someone is haunting the house--and she plans to investigate, with the help of Will, the older boy who lives nearby. Grade 4-7 (Lexile: 590
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Field Guide to the Supernatural Universe by Alyson NoëlISBN: 9781534498235
Publication Date: 2022-03-22
When 12-year-old Max is sent to live with his eccentric grandfather for the summer, he finds himself on an unlikely quest to uncover an enchanted book that contains the key to defeating an unearthly nemesis. Grade 3-7
Sophie Someone by Hayley Long
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Matasha by Pamela ErensISBN: 9781632461254
Publication Date: 2021-06-29
t's 1970's Chicago. Eleven-year-old Matasha Wax is in the sixth grade and just starting to feel the pressures of growing up. Her best friend Jean has been blowing her off, while her parents are in a standoff over her mother's desire to adopt a refugee from Vietnam. And while the bullies in school have started to grow breasts and inches, Matasha remains a puny four-foot-four--which means she will need growth hormone shots, and she is terrified of needles. Apart from her daily reading of the advice columns in the newspaper, keeping up with the Patty Hearst and Watergate scandals, and tracking her parents' deteriorating marriage, Matasha is fixated by the story of Martin Kimmel, a nine-year-old boy who disappeared a few months ago, and whose body has yet to be found. But none of these ongoing problems could have prepared Matasha for her mother's sudden disappearance. When the letters start coming from Switzerland, she knows something is very, very wrong--but no one will tell her what's going on, so Matasha has to figure it all out for herself. Grade 5-8
Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly
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A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicollISBN: 9780593374252
Publication Date: 2021-10-19
Ever since Ms. Murphy told us about the witch trials that happened centuries ago right here in Juniper, I can’t stop thinking about them. Those people weren’t magic. They were like me. Different like me.
I’m autistic. I see things that others do not. I hear sounds that they can ignore. And sometimes I feel things all at once. I think about the witches, with no one to speak for them. Not everyone in our small town understands. But if I keep trying, maybe someone will. I won’t let the witches be forgotten. Because there is more to their story. Just like there is more to mine. Grade 4-7 (Lexile: 580)
Sprit Hunters by Ellen Oh
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Long Lost by Jacqueline WestISBN: 9780062691750
Publication Date: 2021-05-18
Eleven-year-old Fiona has just read a book that doesn’t exist.
When Fiona’s family moves to a new town to be closer to her older sister’s figure skating club—and far from Fiona’s close-knit group of friends—nobody seems to notice Fiona’s unhappiness. Alone and out of place, Fiona ventures to the town’s library, a rambling mansion donated by a long-dead heiress. And there she finds a gripping mystery novel about a small town, family secrets, and a tragic disappearance.
Soon Fiona begins to notice strange similarities that blur the lines between the novel and her new town. With a little help from a few odd Lost Lake locals, Fiona uncovers the book’s strange history. Lost Lake is a town of restless spirits, and Fiona will learn that both help and danger come from unexpected places—maybe even from the sister she thinks doesn’t care about her anymore. Grade 4-7
A Tangle of Knots by Lisa Graff
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Unseen Magic by Emily Lloyd-JonesISBN: 9780063057982
Publication Date: 2022-02-22
An enchanting exploration of self-discovery and finding the place you truly belong.
The trick to all magic is: you can only see it if you know where to look.
The magic-infused town of Aldermere is the first place eleven-year-old Fin has ever felt safe—and she’ll do whatever it takes to save her home when she accidentally unleashes a shadow self who wreaks havoc everywhere she goes. Grade 5-7
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia
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Maya and the Return of the Godlings by Rena BarronISBN: 9780358106326
Publication Date: 2021-09-21
Maya and the godlings must return to the sinister world of The Dark to retrieve the one thing keeping the veil between the worlds from crumbling: her father's soul. Grade 4-7
When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller
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Zia Erases the World by Bree BartonISBN: 9780593350997
Publication Date: 2022-04-26
Zia remembers the exact night the Shadoom arrived. One moment she was laughing with her best friends, and the next a dark room of shadows had crept into her chest. Zia has always loved words, but she can't find a real one for the fear growing inside her. How can you defeat something if you don't know its name? Grade 4-7
Willa of the Wood by Robert Beatty
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Maya and the Return of the Godlings by Rena BarronISBN: 9780358106326
Publication Date: 2021-09-21
Maya and the godlings must return to the sinister world of The Dark to retrieve the one thing keeping the veil between the worlds from crumbling: her father's soul. Grade 4-7
A Wish in the Dark by Christian Soontornvat
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Unseen Magic by Emily Lloyd-JonesISBN: 9780063057982
Publication Date: 2022-02-22
An enchanting exploration of self-discovery and finding the place you truly belong.
The trick to all magic is: you can only see it if you know where to look.
The magic-infused town of Aldermere is the first place eleven-year-old Fin has ever felt safe—and she’ll do whatever it takes to save her home when she accidentally unleashes a shadow self who wreaks havoc everywhere she goes. Grade 5-7
A Wolf Called Wander by Rozanne Parry
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Wayward Creatures by Dayna LorentzISBN: 9780358468288
Publication Date: 2022-01-18
In this heartfelt animal friendship story, a troubled young boy befriends a wayward coyote after a forest fire changes both of their lives. Grade 4-6
Wonder by R,. J. Palacio
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The Magical Imperfect by Chris BaronISBN: 9781250767820
Publication Date: 2021-06-15
Etan has stopped speaking since his mother left. His father and grandfather don’t know how to help him. His friends have given up on him.
When Etan is asked to deliver a grocery order to the outskirts of town, he realizes he’s at the home of Malia Agbayani, also known as the Creature. Malia stopped going to school when her acute eczema spread to her face, and the bullying became too much.
As the two become friends, other kids tease Etan for knowing the Creature. But he believes he might have a cure for Malia’s condition, if only he can convince his family and hers to believe it too. Even if it works, will these two outcasts find where they fit in? Grade 4-7 (Lexile: 710)