Kids
Keeper of the lost cities
Shannon Messenger
eBOOK
Kids
At age twelve, Sophie learns that the remarkable abilities that have always caused her to stand out identify her as an elf, and after being brought to Eternalia to hone her skills, discovers that she has secrets buried in her memory for which some would kill.
I want to give a big shout out to the tween patron that recommended this series to me! I think this is a series that will appeal to audiences of all ages, particularly to fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. Shannon Messenger excels at character development, dialog, and intriguing plotlines. In “Keeper of the Lost Cities,” we follow Sophie’s passage into a new world, where we try to unravel the mysterious elements behind her powers and abilities. While I love the fantasy elements of this story, I also really appreciate Shannon Messenger’s focus on relationships, integrity, and bravery. I think many kids (and adults) reading this will find things to relate to and will quickly get sucked in to the fantastic storytelling. I’ve got the next book on hold and can’t wait! -Becky
Gregor the Overlander
Suzanne Collins
eBOOK
Kids
When eleven-year-old Gregor and his two-year-old sister are pulled into a strange underground world, they trigger an epic battle involving men, bats, rats, cockroaches, and spiders while on a quest foretold by ancient prophecy.
Looking for a middle-grade fantasy adventure series? “Gregor the Overlander” follows Gregor and his adorable two-year-old sister as they fall through a grate and enter the world of the Underland. Gregor finds that the uneasy cohabitation of humans with large spiders, cockroaches and rats in the Underland has placed this world on the brink of war. Interwoven throughout this fast-paced narrative, Suzanne Collins allows the reader to explore issues of tolerance and loyalty. Well written and exciting—a great start to the Underland Chronicles series! -Becky
The goose girl
Shannon Hale
eAUDIO
Kids
On her way to marry a prince she's never met, Princess Anidori is betrayed by her guards and her lady-in-waiting and must become a goose girl to survive until she can reveal her true identity and reclaim the crown that is rightfully hers.
Readers will love cheering for Ani as she learns to take charge of her destiny in this nuanced and clever retelling of a classic fairytale. Though the first installment in the Books of Bayern Trilogy, Goose Girl is a fabulous standalone. I’m loving listening to the full cast audio recording for my reread! -Casey
The forgotten girl
India Hill Brown
eBOOK
Kids
When eleven-year-old Iris sneaks out at night to make snow angels, she was not expecting to raise the ghost of Avery Moore, a girl her own age; but bringing to light the segregated and abandoned black cemetery seems like the perfect way to help Avery get the recognition she craves, and it will also be a good idea for the school project about the history of her small North Carolina town, where racial tensions are never far from the surface--only it seems that if Avery gets everything she wants Iris will join her as a ghost, best friends forever.
Can they figure out what the ghost wants, and what her story is, before it’s too late? This is a classic ghost story that also teaches readers about systemic racism in the past and present. -Anne W
The inquisitor's tale, or, the three magical children and their holy dog
Adam Gidwitz
eBOOK
Kids
"A peasant girl and her holy greyhound, an oblate on a mission from his monastery, and a young Jewish boy travel across medieval France to escape persecution and save holy texts from being burned"--
Recommended for upper elementary and above, for some content and word complexity. -Paul
Where the mountain meets the moon
Grace Lin
eBOOK
Kids
Minli, an adventurous girl from a poor village, buys a magical goldfish, and then joins a dragon who cannot fly on a quest to find the Old Man of the Moon in hopes of bringing life to Fruitless Mountain and freshness to Jade River.
Believing the fantastic tales her father weaves every night, Minli sets out on a quest to change their family’s fortune. If you have yet to read Grace Lin’s Newbery Honor winning modern classic, now might be the perfect time to escape to Fruitless Mountain. -Casey
The strangers
Margaret Peterson Haddix
eBOOK
Kids
Told from separate viewpoints, Chess, Emma, and Finn Greystone, ages twelve, ten, and eight, investigate why their mother went missing and uncover their ties to an alternate world.
This is the beginning of a new page-turning adventure that examines assumptions about identity, family, and home, from the master of middle grade suspense. -Angie
Owl's Outstanding Donuts
Robin Yardi
eBOOK
Kids
Warned by an owl, ten-year-old Mattie discovers that someone is secretly polluting the land near her aunt's Big Sur donut shop and sets out to stop them.
This is a fun, unique book that takes place in two of my favorite places: a campground and a donut shop. There’s an anthropomorphic owl who communicates with Mattie, the main character, giving her clues about the environmental crime leading to a mystery Mattie and her friends Sasha and Beanie are trying to solve. Each chapter opens with a mouth-watering description of an inventive, gourmet donut, which is a fun bonus! -Anne W
The screaming staircase
Jonathan Stroud
eBOOK
Kids
Follows three young operatives of a Psychic Detection Agency as they battle an epidemic of ghosts in London.
Recommended for tweens and older this is an action and adventure tale with humor and grisley demises sprinkled throughout. -Paul
A cancer survivor himself, author Rob Harrell brings both honesty and humor to this comics-illustrated book. If you liked Cece Bell’s El Deafo -- like Cece, Ross imagines a superhero alter-ego to help him through the frustrating ups and downs of friendship. -Angie