Summer Reading for NCCS Middle School Students 2025

In the summer of 1975, 10-year-old Paul Gilligan doesn't have a whole lot to worry about other than keeping his comic books untarnished, getting tennis balls off roofs and keeping up with the increasingly bold stunts of his best friend, David. And then Jaws comes to town. Suddenly everyone is obsessing over this movie about a shark ripping people to pieces. And if you haven't seen it, not only are you missing out, you're also kind of a wimp. Needless to say, Jaws leaves young Paul a cowering mess, and underlines the growing gap between him and David as well as the distance between where he stands and the world's expectations of a boy's "manliness." And when Jaws himself becomes a kind of macho Jiminy Cricket for Paul, what is a scared and overwhelmed boy to do? Grades 5-8

Follows Lonnie as he deals with his parents' divorce and has tough conversations with his father, who drives him to and from school. Grades 3-6

Yunho and Myunghee flee North Korea, facing dangers such as poisonous snakes, corrupt soldiers and the fear of being found as they dream of a better future, in a story told in verse. Grades 5-8

Ten-year-old Anang wants to make a ribbon skirt, a piece of clothing typically worn by women in the Anishinaabe tradition, for an upcoming powwow. Anang is two-spirit and nonbinary and doesn't know what others will think of them wearing a ribbon skirt, but they're determined to follow their heart's desire. Anang sets off to gather the materials needed to make the skirt and turns to those around them -- their family, their human and turtle friends, the crows, and even the lake itself -- for help. And maybe they'll even find a new confidence within themself along the way. Grades 3-7 (Lexile: 530)

When shy, anxious Milo rings the doorbell of the forbidden Shock City castle on a dare, he gets more than he bargained for when peppy young monster Sunny answers the door and labels herself Milo's new BFF. But when Milo returns to tell Sunny he--and the rest of the town's residents--are moving out of the crumbling Shock City, his monster pal refuses to accept it. She soon convinces Milo to join her on a romp around the city to reverse the damages done, and persuade him and everyone else, to stay. But when Sunny learns that her grandfather, the great Darkness Von Shock, was not the revered benefactor she believed him to be, and is actually the cause of everything bad happening in Shock City, Milo confronts his biggest fears to help Sunny save the town and reverse her family's reputation. Grades 4-7

Ruth Chan loves her hometown in Toronto, hanging out with her best friends for life, and snacking on ketchup flavored potato chips, which are the best. What Ruth doesn't love is having to move to Hong Kong after her dad gets a new job there. Her mom is excited to reunite with her family, but it's not the same for Ruth. In Hong Kong, her classes are harder, her Cantonese isn't good enough, and her parents are never around. Ruth feels lonely and completely uprooted. But as Ruth's dad tells stories about her family, about how they relied on their strength, courage, and each other to survive the most difficult times, Ruth realizes that she too can be strong. Gradually, she puts down roots, knowing that home will always be where her heart is. Grades 3-7

Inspired by a true story, this graphic novel features new Muslim student Aliya, who joins an all-girls, hijab-wearing basketball team, where she learns about teamwork and herself. Grades 4-8

Welcome to Camp Launchpad!
Summer is in full swing, which means a new class of kids has arrived to attend the best space camp in Florida...or at least, it used to be. With growing competition from the trendy rival camp next door, Camp Launchpad needs all the help it can get to keep its doors open. Campers Val, Mark, and Pete are here for very different reasons: following in the footsteps of an astronaut mom, living up to expectations as a vice president's son, or getting a once-in-a-lifetime scholarship. But they all have one huge thing in common: Their future in the stars launches from here...if there's still a camp to launch from. When the hotshot owner of the rival space camp makes a ten-million-dollar bet that could turn Camp Launchpad around, this unlikely trio must band together to pull off a miracle. If they don't, this could be Camp Launchpad's last summer ever! Grades 3-7

A new adapted graphic novel takes readers on their own visual adventure as a detective exploring London's underground to uncover the secrets of the famous prehistoric monument, Stonehenge. Grdes 4-8

Working retail is tough enough with regular human customers, but what about when they're owls, wolves, koalas...and a woolly mammoth? Welcome to the Hokkyoku Department Store, where new employee Akino's customers are talking animals-including extinct species! Just like any shopper, each has their own complicated request that Akino must strive to satisfy. From a wealthy laughing owl searching for the perfect present to delight his wife to a thespian sea mink attempting to find a gift for a long-awaited reunion with her father, Akino must learn to meet their needs, while also dealing with her challenging coworkers and elusive floor manager. Grades 3-8

Kira starts seventh grade at Neo-Earth Junior High school hoping to become a Magical Girl, so to speed up the process she wishes on a shooting star, but instead meets Caticorn, a cat-unicorn space princess with a secret past. Grades 4-7 (Lexile: 390)

A full-color comic about humans living with adorably monstrous cats. Is it a banshee, a yeti, a gorgon, or...a cat? Monster Cats are a purrfect new breed of familiar furry friends crossed with freaky fun! If you think life with regular cats can get complicated, wait till you see what it's like for people who live with these charming supernatural pets. Grades 2-8

During a weeklong wilderness adventure in the Enchanted Forest, seventh-grader Nell and her friends encounter a series of mishaps that challenge their teamwork and friendship. Grades 3-7 (Lexile: 580)

Janey's family is sailing to the Caribbean in their boat, but it means Janey has to leave all her friends behind for a life at sea, and she discovers that when you're constantly on the move it can be difficult to connect to people. Grades 3-7 (Lexile: 330)

When shy, anxious Milo rings the doorbell of the forbidden Shock City castle on a dare, he gets more than he bargained for when peppy young monster Sunny answers the door and labels herself Milo's new BFF. But when Milo returns to tell Sunny he--and the rest of the town's residents--are moving out of the crumbling Shock City, his monster pal refuses to accept it. She soon convinces Milo to join her on a romp around the city to reverse the damages done, and persuade him and everyone else, to stay. But when Sunny learns that her grandfather, the great Darkness Von Shock, was not the revered benefactor she believed him to be, and is actually the cause of everything bad happening in Shock City, Milo confronts his biggest fears to help Sunny save the town and reverse her family's reputation. Grades 4-7

Marnie Plummer is a bookish, lonely girl with a chip on her shoulder. There's nothing she cares about more than her favorite book series, The Griffon Riders of Crystalfall. When it miraculously turns out that the world of the books is actually real, and they need a Chosen One to come from the real world and save them from danger, Marnie is shocked and--of course--overjoyed. There's just one problem: The Chosen One they seek is not actually her--it's Tiffany Rodriguez, the pretty, popular girl who (in Marnie's eyes) already has everything she could ever want. Why should Tiffany get to have this, too? Grades 5-8

The story of a young unicorn who, after enraging the evil goddess Venus, is banished from the heavens and forgets all he once was. Saved from oblivion by the kindhearted West Wind, Unico continues to help others before having to escape Venus again and begin a new adventure. In this first manga, Unico awakes in a mysterious land and is befriended by a resourceful watch cat, Chloe, who feels protective of the young unicorn. When they find themselves near a small village in the forest, they take refuge with a kindly but helpless old woman. To take care of her, Chloe begs Unico to turn her into a human girl, but that act of kindness has unforeseen consequences: Unico's love has awakened Venus and her minion Byron, who want to destroy them both. Grades 3-6 (Lexile: 260)

Avery McLean is just your normal ten-year-old tomboy, helping her, helping her dad run a tiny, run-down gas station in the middle of the desert. With no friends and no fun to be had, Avery has been teaching herself to do card tricks to entertain passing motorists, figuring that her lonely life could use a little magic. Little does she know how much magic is about to drop right in her lap! By releasing the power hidden within a dusty old lamp, Avery and her new companion Gribblet are thrust into a stunning supernatural world, to discover her own power, save her family, and find answers to questions that will change her life forever. Grades 4-7

Blake Laser. Daughter. Sister. Genius.

Blake and her family are headed for a vacation out in deep space for some rest, relaxation, and a whole lot of family bonding time. It's uncharted territory, and Blake is excited for the new adventure. But the trip is cut short when the Interplanetary Space Control Center flags them down to warn them of danger. Someone--or something--is draining energy from the sun, threatening to plummet Earth to unlivable temperatures in just under forty-eight hours. Blake and her family are the only ones close enough to investigate. They must put their trip on hold to figure out what's going on and, more importantly, stop it. If they don't, the fate of the entire planet hangs in the balance. Luckily, Blake Laser has a few clever gadgets and a few more bright ideas up her sleeve that just might save the day...and the world. Grades 3-7

A new adapted graphic novel takes readers on their own visual adventure as a detective exploring London's underground to uncover the secrets of the famous prehistoric monument, Stonehenge. Grdes 4-8

Tells the true story of how a young Indigenous girl survived nine days after getting lost during a snowstorm in northern Canada. Grades 4-7 (Lexile: 700)

Nora is a prize-winning horseback rider in a suburban area, with a tight-knit circle of best friends. But when her mom gets a prestigious new job in a poor, rural area, she has to adjust to a lot of change: to being the only Black kid in a new class and to a new barn called Creaky Acres, where her beloved horse, Hay Fever, will make his new home.
It's there she meets sweet and geeky Laura, goofy and fun-loving Wilson, and fearless Dolores (aka Dizzy). With her ragtag team of equestrians, Nora learns it's okay to stand out and steps into her power as a leader, realizing that being a rider isn't just about winning--or maybe that winning just might look different than what she'd thought. Grades 4-7

A full-color comic about humans living with adorably monstrous cats. Is it a banshee, a yeti, a gorgon, or...a cat? Monster Cats are a purrfect new breed of familiar furry friends crossed with freaky fun! If you think life with regular cats can get complicated, wait till you see what it's like for people who live with these charming supernatural pets. Grades 2-8

Finch Eaglehawk may seem like an average oddball with a taste for the dramatic and glam-rock musical numbers, but he has a secret. Finch is a PetWizard, with the ability to control the animal kingdom--well, the "et cetera" category of the animal kingdom. Though he loves his naked mole rats, bearded dragons, and boa constrictors, Finch yearns for more. With the help of his best friend, Aberdeen, a mysterious new kid named Erica, and an ancient PetMaster manual, Finch tries to learn how to own his powers and use them to help those in need, protect the vulnerable, and, most important, impress his crush, Ken Chu, the star of the upcoming school musical. Grades 4-7 (Lexile: 470)

Marnie Plummer is a bookish, lonely girl with a chip on her shoulder. There's nothing she cares about more than her favorite book series, The Griffon Riders of Crystalfall. When it miraculously turns out that the world of the books is actually real, and they need a Chosen One to come from the real world and save them from danger, Marnie is shocked and--of course--overjoyed. There's just one problem: The Chosen One they seek is not actually her--it's Tiffany Rodriguez, the pretty, popular girl who (in Marnie's eyes) already has everything she could ever want. Why should Tiffany get to have this, too? Grades 5-8

The story of a young unicorn who, after enraging the evil goddess Venus, is banished from the heavens and forgets all he once was. Saved from oblivion by the kindhearted West Wind, Unico continues to help others before having to escape Venus again and begin a new adventure. In this first manga, Unico awakes in a mysterious land and is befriended by a resourceful watch cat, Chloe, who feels protective of the young unicorn. When they find themselves near a small village in the forest, they take refuge with a kindly but helpless old woman. To take care of her, Chloe begs Unico to turn her into a human girl, but that act of kindness has unforeseen consequences: Unico's love has awakened Venus and her minion Byron, who want to destroy them both. Grades 3-6 (Lexile: 260)

Tells the true story of how a young Indigenous girl survived nine days after getting lost during a snowstorm in northern Canada. Grades 4-7 (Lexile: 700)

Chronicles Lewis and Tolkien's near-idyllic childhoods, then moves on to both men's horrific tour of the trenches of World War I to their first meeting at Oxford in 1929, and then the foreshadowing, action, and aftermath of World War II. He reveals the shared story of their friendship, in all its ups and downs, that gave them confidence to venture beyond academic concerns (fantasy wasn't considered suitable for adult reading, but the domain of children), shaped major story/theme ideas, and shifted their ideas about the potential of mythology and faith.

The Mythmakers also shows the camaraderie and the importance of the social/literary circle of friends called the Inklings, and how the friendship of these two great men fell apart and came together again. Hendrix concludes describing how the writings of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien had re-enchanted the 20th century, after two World Wars. In writing aimed at scholars, adults, and young people, these two tweedy academics altered the course of storytelling and embraced the concept that fantasy writing for an adult audience was an accepted form of literature. Grades 5-9

Pan Cooke is ten years old when anxious thoughts begin to take over his brain like pieces of an impossible puzzle. What if he blurts out a swear word while in church? What if he accidentally writes something mean in his classmate's get-well card? What if his friend's racy photo of a supermodel ends up in his own homework and is discovered by his teacher? More and more, he becomes hijacked by fears that can only be calmed through exhausting, time-consuming rituals.
Pan has no way of knowing that this anxiety puzzle and the stressful attempts to solve it are evidence of a condition called Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. This is his story of living with and eventually learning about OCD. Told with endearing honesty and humor, Puzzled shows the reader the importance of empathy for oneself and those going through something they don't yet understand. Grades 5-8 (Lexile: 510)

Ruth Chan loves her hometown in Toronto, hanging out with her best friends for life, and snacking on ketchup flavored potato chips, which are the best. What Ruth doesn't love is having to move to Hong Kong after her dad gets a new job there. Her mom is excited to reunite with her family, but it's not the same for Ruth. In Hong Kong, her classes are harder, her Cantonese isn't good enough, and her parents are never around. Ruth feels lonely and completely uprooted. But as Ruth's dad tells stories about her family, about how they relied on their strength, courage, and each other to survive the most difficult times, Ruth realizes that she too can be strong. Gradually, she puts down roots, knowing that home will always be where her heart is. Grades 3-7

From Popsicles and swim fins to robots and glitter shooting prosthetics, full of fun and inspiring stories about real kid inventors and some of their most amazing inventions. Grades 4-8

Anzu has just moved to a new town during Obon, a time for families to remember and celebrate their ancestors. Ever since her obaachan died, though, Obon has lost its magic. She doesn't feel much like celebrating anymore. While avoiding holiday festivities, Anzu spots a stray dog down the street. A dog that seems to be staring right at her. But when she chases after it, she slips and falls down a ridge, losing consciousness. When she awakes, she's in the Shinto underworld known as Yomi, a place she's only heard about in Obaachan's stories. The stray dog, she finds out, is actually the Gatekeeper of Yomi, and he warns her to return to the human realm before it's too late. Only, getting home is not as simple as she'd thought. Faced with the nefarious Queen Izanami of Yomi and a world full of creatures she'd once thought weren't real, the race against the clock is on. She must break a curse, free the spirits of other lost children, and reach the gate home before sunrise ... or be stuck in Yomi forever. Grades 4-7 (Lexile:420)

Blake Laser. Daughter. Sister. Genius.

Blake and her family are headed for a vacation out in deep space for some rest, relaxation, and a whole lot of family bonding time. It's uncharted territory, and Blake is excited for the new adventure. But the trip is cut short when the Interplanetary Space Control Center flags them down to warn them of danger. Someone--or something--is draining energy from the sun, threatening to plummet Earth to unlivable temperatures in just under forty-eight hours. Blake and her family are the only ones close enough to investigate. They must put their trip on hold to figure out what's going on and, more importantly, stop it. If they don't, the fate of the entire planet hangs in the balance. Luckily, Blake Laser has a few clever gadgets and a few more bright ideas up her sleeve that just might save the day...and the world. Grades 3-7

Working retail is tough enough with regular human customers, but what about when they're owls, wolves, koalas...and a woolly mammoth? Welcome to the Hokkyoku Department Store, where new employee Akino's customers are talking animals-including extinct species! Just like any shopper, each has their own complicated request that Akino must strive to satisfy. From a wealthy laughing owl searching for the perfect present to delight his wife to a thespian sea mink attempting to find a gift for a long-awaited reunion with her father, Akino must learn to meet their needs, while also dealing with her challenging coworkers and elusive floor manager. Grades 3-8

Eleven-year-old Darcy just moved to a new country. She's feeling lost and misses her friends back home. That's when she stumbles upon a shop full of mysterious glowing jars labeled with things like "Picking up the last sweater on the rack and it's on sale" and "Having the perfect weather on your wedding day." Much to Darcy's surprise-this store sells happy feelings. After Darcy accidentally breaks one of the irreplaceable jars, she must make it up to the shopkeepers, Frida and Flora, by doing chores around the store, and is soon tasked with collecting happy feelings. But she learns that the magical business is anything but magical. With fewer customers than ever, Frida and Flora might have to close their doors. Can Darcy think of an idea to save the Happy Shop? What if they sold more than just happy feelings? Grades 3-6

During a weeklong wilderness adventure in the Enchanted Forest, seventh-grader Nell and her friends encounter a series of mishaps that challenge their teamwork and friendship. Grades 3-7 (Lexile: 580)

Two children and one robot take center stage in this timely exploration of how far AI technology can go.Grades 3-7

Jane is incredibly plain. Everyone says so: her parents, the villagers, and her horrible cousin who kicks her out of her own house. Determined to get some semblance of independence, Jane prepares to propose to the princely Peter, who might just say yes to get away from his father. It's a good plan! Or it would've been, if he wasn't kidnapped by a mermaid. With her last shot at happiness lost in the deep blue sea, Jane must venture to the world underwater to rescue her maybe-fiancâe. But the depths of the ocean hold beautiful mysteries and dangerous creatures. What good can a plain Jane do? Grades 5-8

When shy, anxious Milo rings the doorbell of the forbidden Shock City castle on a dare, he gets more than he bargained for when peppy young monster Sunny answers the door and labels herself Milo's new BFF. But when Milo returns to tell Sunny he--and the rest of the town's residents--are moving out of the crumbling Shock City, his monster pal refuses to accept it. She soon convinces Milo to join her on a romp around the city to reverse the damages done, and persuade him and everyone else, to stay. But when Sunny learns that her grandfather, the great Darkness Von Shock, was not the revered benefactor she believed him to be, and is actually the cause of everything bad happening in Shock City, Milo confronts his biggest fears to help Sunny save the town and reverse her family's reputation. Grades 4-7

The story of a young unicorn who, after enraging the evil goddess Venus, is banished from the heavens and forgets all he once was. Saved from oblivion by the kindhearted West Wind, Unico continues to help others before having to escape Venus again and begin a new adventure. In this first manga, Unico awakes in a mysterious land and is befriended by a resourceful watch cat, Chloe, who feels protective of the young unicorn. When they find themselves near a small village in the forest, they take refuge with a kindly but helpless old woman. To take care of her, Chloe begs Unico to turn her into a human girl, but that act of kindness has unforeseen consequences: Unico's love has awakened Venus and her minion Byron, who want to destroy them both. Grades 3-6 (Lexile: 260)

Welcome to Camp Launchpad!
Summer is in full swing, which means a new class of kids has arrived to attend the best space camp in Florida...or at least, it used to be. With growing competition from the trendy rival camp next door, Camp Launchpad needs all the help it can get to keep its doors open. Campers Val, Mark, and Pete are here for very different reasons: following in the footsteps of an astronaut mom, living up to expectations as a vice president's son, or getting a once-in-a-lifetime scholarship. But they all have one huge thing in common: Their future in the stars launches from here...if there's still a camp to launch from. When the hotshot owner of the rival space camp makes a ten-million-dollar bet that could turn Camp Launchpad around, this unlikely trio must band together to pull off a miracle. If they don't, this could be Camp Launchpad's last summer ever! Grades 3-7

After a spill at the science fair turns Stan and Gene invisible, one boy uses his powers for good while the other makes trouble. Grades 3-7 Lexile: 230

After the art programs are cut at his school, Dale Donovan recruits talented artists to create an after-school art club. Grades 4-7

When cousins Riley Halfmoon and Maya Dawn move to Urbanopolis to live with their activist grandma, they get off to a rocky start. Outgoing Riley misses her Muscogee cousins but is sure that she and Maya will be instant BFFs. Meanwhile, introvert Maya misses her parents, on active duty in Japan, and just wants some space to herself. At school, Maya joins Robotics Club and Riley bonds with fellow gymnasts. Just when they start to feel at home, their school culture is threatened by an influential foe in disguise. Grades 3-6

In the summer of 1975, 10-year-old Paul Gilligan doesn't have a whole lot to worry about other than keeping his comic books untarnished, getting tennis balls off roofs and keeping up with the increasingly bold stunts of his best friend, David. And then Jaws comes to town. Suddenly everyone is obsessing over this movie about a shark ripping people to pieces. And if you haven't seen it, not only are you missing out, you're also kind of a wimp. Needless to say, Jaws leaves young Paul a cowering mess, and underlines the growing gap between him and David as well as the distance between where he stands and the world's expectations of a boy's "manliness." And when Jaws himself becomes a kind of macho Jiminy Cricket for Paul, what is a scared and overwhelmed boy to do? Grades 5-8

Follows Lonnie as he deals with his parents' divorce and has tough conversations with his father, who drives him to and from school. Grades 3-6

Makayla is bursting with ideas but doesn't know how to make them into a story. Howard loves to draw, but he struggles to come up with ideas and his dad thinks comics are a waste of time. Lynda constantly draws in her sketchbook but keeps focusing on what she feels are mistakes, and Art simply loves being creative and is excited to try something new. They come together to form The Cartoonists Club, where kids can learn about making comics and use their creativity and imagination for their own storytelling adventures! Grades 3-7

Cassi loves spending time with her grandfather. His games, songs, and stories have always brought her endless joy. This visit with him, though, is different: Grandpa seems to be losing track of things, including everything from the stories they're sharing to who Cassi herself is. So when he goes missing after wandering off from his own backyard, Cassi knows she has to figure out where he's gone. What she discovers is a world filled with memories, none of them her own. As she leaps from one memory to the next, she knows she's getting closer and closer to finding her grandfather--but only if she can make sure he doesn't slip away forever. Grades 4-7 (320 Lexile).

All big sister Abby wants is to spend more time with her friends, far away from the sticky fingers and snooping eyes of her annoying brothers and sisters. But when a case of the chickenpox leaves the Lai kids covered in scratchy red spots and stuck at home together for two weeks of nonstop mayhem, Abby thinks this might be the end . . . of her sanity. Yet she feels responsible for the situation since her best friend was Patient Zero and brought chickenpox into their home.
Will the itch to escape her siblings overwhelm Abby or will she realize being a big sister isn't all bad? Full of heart and hijinks, Chickenpox showcases what gets us through good times and bad: family.

Twelve-year-old Ming Lee hopes middle school will be the fresh start he needs. But stepping into school with the same bowl haircut his mom insists on giving him, and wearing the extra-discounted thrift shop clothes she buys him doesn't quite make for the first day of his dreams. Things only get worse when he's placed in an ESL class despite English being his first (and only) language. The journey ahead is full of awkward, painful, and downright embarrassing moments. Ming's dad always tells him, "Get good grades! Don't cause trouble!" But with two new friends by his side, and a few tricks up his sleeve, Ming is determined to make some changes. Grades 3-6

Ave must adjust to a new country, a new school, and a new family dynamic when their mom and younger brother move to Kansas while their father and older sister stay in Mexico during the parents' divorce. Grades 5-8 (Lexile: 330)

Middle-school student Hikaru Ogino is known as the songbird of her family's bathhouse in Tokyo. Her beautiful singing echoes from room to room as she cleans up after school, but she dreams of holding a microphone, not a mop! When her best friend, Ran -- a former girl group idol -- invites her to try out for a pop star survival camp together, it's the chance of a lifetime to put her talents to the test. Can Hikaru outshine the competition and make her stage debut, or will she fall flat? Grades 3-7

Kira starts seventh grade at Neo-Earth Junior High school hoping to become a Magical Girl, so to speed up the process she wishes on a shooting star, but instead meets Caticorn, a cat-unicorn space princess with a secret past. Grades 4-7 (Lexile: 390)

Still grieving her brother's death, Pia, a soft-spoken middle-schooler, embarks on a bus tour that changes her life. Grades 4-7 (Lexile: 400)

Yunho and Myunghee flee North Korea, facing dangers such as poisonous snakes, corrupt soldiers and the fear of being found as they dream of a better future, in a story told in verse. Grades 5-8

Ten-year-old Anang wants to make a ribbon skirt, a piece of clothing typically worn by women in the Anishinaabe tradition, for an upcoming powwow. Anang is two-spirit and nonbinary and doesn't know what others will think of them wearing a ribbon skirt, but they're determined to follow their heart's desire. Anang sets off to gather the materials needed to make the skirt and turns to those around them -- their family, their human and turtle friends, the crows, and even the lake itself -- for help. And maybe they'll even find a new confidence within themself along the way. Grades 3-7 (Lexile: 530)

Janey's family is sailing to the Caribbean in their boat, but it means Janey has to leave all her friends behind for a life at sea, and she discovers that when you're constantly on the move it can be difficult to connect to people. Grades 3-7 (Lexile: 330)

New girl Valeria Winters finds new friends in the Table Titans tabletop gaming club, but when the club is threatened, Val must join the wrestling team and make peace with her bully to save her new group of friend. Grades 4-8

Marnie Plummer is a bookish, lonely girl with a chip on her shoulder. There's nothing she cares about more than her favorite book series, The Griffon Riders of Crystalfall. When it miraculously turns out that the world of the books is actually real, and they need a Chosen One to come from the real world and save them from danger, Marnie is shocked and--of course--overjoyed. There's just one problem: The Chosen One they seek is not actually her--it's Tiffany Rodriguez, the pretty, popular girl who (in Marnie's eyes) already has everything she could ever want. Why should Tiffany get to have this, too? Grades 5-8

Ruth Chan loves her hometown in Toronto, hanging out with her best friends for life, and snacking on ketchup flavored potato chips, which are the best. What Ruth doesn't love is having to move to Hong Kong after her dad gets a new job there. Her mom is excited to reunite with her family, but it's not the same for Ruth. In Hong Kong, her classes are harder, her Cantonese isn't good enough, and her parents are never around. Ruth feels lonely and completely uprooted. But as Ruth's dad tells stories about her family, about how they relied on their strength, courage, and each other to survive the most difficult times, Ruth realizes that she too can be strong. Gradually, she puts down roots, knowing that home will always be where her heart is. Grades 3-7

Verity "Very" Nelson can do it all. She's student body president, debate club whiz, and first chair clarinetist. You could say she's pretty much the best at everything...Well, almost everything. Everything except math. And it's not like she doesn't try. Math just doesn't make sense in her brain. But it better start soon, or else she can kiss her presidency--and her campaign promises--goodbye. Grades 4-8

In the summer of 1975, 10-year-old Paul Gilligan doesn't have a whole lot to worry about other than keeping his comic books untarnished, getting tennis balls off roofs and keeping up with the increasingly bold stunts of his best friend, David. And then Jaws comes to town. Suddenly everyone is obsessing over this movie about a shark ripping people to pieces. And if you haven't seen it, not only are you missing out, you're also kind of a wimp. Needless to say, Jaws leaves young Paul a cowering mess, and underlines the growing gap between him and David as well as the distance between where he stands and the world's expectations of a boy's "manliness." And when Jaws himself becomes a kind of macho Jiminy Cricket for Paul, what is a scared and overwhelmed boy to do? Grades 5-8

"All big sister Abby wants is to spend more time with her friends, far away from the sticky fingers and snooping eyes of her annoying brothers and sisters. But when a case of the chickenpox leaves the Lai kids covered in scratchy red spots and stuck at home together for two weeks of nonstop mayhem, Abby thinks this might be the end--of her sanity. Grades 5-8

Nora is a prize-winning horseback rider in a suburban area, with a tight-knit circle of best friends. But when her mom gets a prestigious new job in a poor, rural area, she has to adjust to a lot of change: to being the only Black kid in a new class and to a new barn called Creaky Acres, where her beloved horse, Hay Fever, will make his new home.
It's there she meets sweet and geeky Laura, goofy and fun-loving Wilson, and fearless Dolores (aka Dizzy). With her ragtag team of equestrians, Nora learns it's okay to stand out and steps into her power as a leader, realizing that being a rider isn't just about winning--or maybe that winning just might look different than what she'd thought. Grades 4-7

Kira starts seventh grade at Neo-Earth Junior High school hoping to become a Magical Girl, so to speed up the process she wishes on a shooting star, but instead meets Caticorn, a cat-unicorn space princess with a secret past. Grades 4-7 (Lexile: 390)

A full-color comic about humans living with adorably monstrous cats. Is it a banshee, a yeti, a gorgon, or...a cat? Monster Cats are a purrfect new breed of familiar furry friends crossed with freaky fun! If you think life with regular cats can get complicated, wait till you see what it's like for people who live with these charming supernatural pets. Grades 2-8

During a weeklong wilderness adventure in the Enchanted Forest, seventh-grader Nell and her friends encounter a series of mishaps that challenge their teamwork and friendship. Grades 3-7 (Lexile: 580)

Finch Eaglehawk may seem like an average oddball with a taste for the dramatic and glam-rock musical numbers, but he has a secret. Finch is a PetWizard, with the ability to control the animal kingdom--well, the "et cetera" category of the animal kingdom. Though he loves his naked mole rats, bearded dragons, and boa constrictors, Finch yearns for more. With the help of his best friend, Aberdeen, a mysterious new kid named Erica, and an ancient PetMaster manual, Finch tries to learn how to own his powers and use them to help those in need, protect the vulnerable, and, most important, impress his crush, Ken Chu, the star of the upcoming school musical. Grades 4-7 (Lexile: 470)

Rockhurst is your average suburban town. It has everything you'd expect: happy families, fun shops...and magical creatures! In the hopes of learning more about the local cryptids, three friends, Jenny, Emiko, and Brian, start the Society of Creatures Real and Magical--S.C.R.A.M.! Their first order of business? To meet a troll! As they venture into the unknown, our heroes learn valuable lessons about friendship, perseverance, and the importance of keeping a fish head in an old boot. Grades 3-6

Bay Ann is sure her tap dance will shine at the school talent show, but when her crush, Alyee Maq, catches her before she falls (which was his fault, anyway) and gets all the "fame," she's determined to beat him at his own attention-seeking game. Grades 4-8 (Lexile: 400)

New girl Valeria Winters finds new friends in the Table Titans tabletop gaming club, but when the club is threatened, Val must join the wrestling team and make peace with her bully to save her new group of friend. Grades 4-8

Ruth Chan loves her hometown in Toronto, hanging out with her best friends for life, and snacking on ketchup flavored potato chips, which are the best. What Ruth doesn't love is having to move to Hong Kong after her dad gets a new job there. Her mom is excited to reunite with her family, but it's not the same for Ruth. In Hong Kong, her classes are harder, her Cantonese isn't good enough, and her parents are never around. Ruth feels lonely and completely uprooted. But as Ruth's dad tells stories about her family, about how they relied on their strength, courage, and each other to survive the most difficult times, Ruth realizes that she too can be strong. Gradually, she puts down roots, knowing that home will always be where her heart is. Grades 3-7

On the morning of August 4, 1892, fourteen-year-old Charlie sees a horrifying act unfold at his next-door neighbor Lizzie Borden's house-something he can't keep to himself. Yet no one believes what Charlie saw . . . not even when Andrew and Abby Borden are found dead later that morning. Charlie is determined to use all that he witnessed to help find the murderer...even if it means having to face the prime suspect, his enigmatic neighbor Lizzie Borden, accused of killing her own father and stepmother. What began as one innocent moment of being in the wrong place at the wrong time becomes a suspenseful game of cat and mouse as Lizzie faces the trial of the century, and Charlie must ask himself: Can you ever really know someone's true character? Inspired by the real fourteen-year-old neighbor of Lizzie Borden, Charlie's story offers a fictional kid POV rooted in historical facts about the Borden family, the house, and the infamous trial. Case fact sidebars offer additional nonfiction elements to the story. Grades 4-7.

Rockhurst is your average suburban town. It has everything you'd expect: happy families, fun shops...and magical creatures! In the hopes of learning more about the local cryptids, three friends, Jenny, Emiko, and Brian, start the Society of Creatures Real and Magical--S.C.R.A.M.! Their first order of business? To meet a troll! As they venture into the unknown, our heroes learn valuable lessons about friendship, perseverance, and the importance of keeping a fish head in an old boot. Grades 3-6

Manga symbols – “manpu” in Japanese - are iconic or symbolic expressions used uniquely in manga, such as sweat drops, popping veins, and smoke puffs. The guide to this manga iconography, collects and explains these symbols, with a short manga featuring the frolicking animals of the famous Japanese scroll Choju-jinbutsu-giga to explain each one!. Includes an informative afterward that teaches the flow of manga reading, a great addition for beginning manga readers! Grades 5-10