Summer means more time for reading! To create excitement for summer reading, I created a list of newly released books (organized by grade level and genre) and promoted these amazing titles with my K-5 students.
PICTURE BOOKS
Anzu the Great Kaiju by Benson Shum All great Kaiju are born with a super power to strike fear in the heart of the city. But Anzu is different. Instead of mayhem, he likes May flowers. Instead of striking fear, he prefers to be sincere. Can Anzu find a way to make his family proud and stay true to his kind self? | |
Perfectly Pegasus by Jessie Sima Nimbus has always lived among the clouds. She’s a pegasus, after all, and the sky is where she belongs. She is one of a kind. When she wants a friend, all she has to do is look up - and talk to the stars. Only they don’t really talk back. The clouds don’t, either. Sometimes, being the only pegasus can be a little lonely. So she decides to find a fallen star to make a wish on - and wishes for friends who are just like her. Along the way she meets a Unicorn named Kelp, and a host of other creatures who might just open her eyes to something other than what’s up in the sky. | |
The Bad Seed Goes to the Library by Jory John The Bad Seed is in a good mood . . . for once. That’s because there’s a really cool book at the library available for checkout. The Bad Seed reads, and reads, until the book can’t be read anymore. But suddenly, he gets bad news: The book must be returned to the library so another seed can enjoy it. Will the bad seed return to his baaaaaad ways and keep the book? | |
The Good Egg and the Talent Show by Jory John The talent show is today and the Good Egg is so excited. There’s just one problem. He doesn’t have an act! When the talent show starts, he accepts that he’ll be just a regular ol’ audience member. But when his friends need help on stage, the Good Egg steps up to help and discovers that being yourself and kindness deserve a standing ovation. | |
I’m Not Scared, You’re Scared by Seth Meyers When you're a bear who is easily scared, it's hard to have friends. Fortunately, Bear has one: Rabbit, who is very brave. One day, Rabbit urges Bear to face his fears and embark on an adventure together. However, things don't entirely go as planned, and the two friends learn the true meaning of bravery. | |
No Nibbling! by Beth Ferry One warm spring day, Derwood the goat planted a garden and patiently tended it as it grew. On that very same day, he noticed a dandelion puff - it was too early in the season, but Derwood was taking no chances. Growing a garden is risky business, after all. But as Derwood inspected the dandelion, he realized it wasn't a weed. It was a bunny! With Tabitha, a precocious bunny who is very interested in all the tasty vegetables, hopping on the scene, what ensues is a pun-filled tale that will leave you saying, "No nibbling!" | |
Elephant Island by Leo Timmers Caught in a storm, Arnold the elephant washes up on a tiny island. Along comes Mouse in a little dingy and Arnold steps aboard - uh-oh! They use the wreckage to make the island bigger. And here’s Dog - can this boat take Arnold's weight? Uh-oh! None of the animals can save the shipwrecked elephant but each broken vessel provides new materials for another intricate construction. Wheels and pulleys create a Ferris wheel, an elevator, a waffle maker. All the animals work as a team to build increasingly intricate constructions that turn the desert island into a fun park city. Soon there is a whole community and enough space for everyone! | |
Mina by Matthew Forsythe Mina and her father live in a hollowed-out tree stump on the edge of a pond on the edge of a forest. Nothing ever bothers Mina, until one day, her father brings home a suspicious surprise from the woods. Should Mina trust her father - or listen to her own instincts? | |
I Will Not Lose in Super Shoes by Jonathan Fenske The speedy Book-It Bunny is challenging you to a reading race. And with her brand-new super shoes, she's convinced she will win. Can you pick up the pace and avoid her tricks along the way? | |
Elephant & Piggie Like Reading: It’s a Sign! by Jarrett Pumphrey & Mo Willems One, Two, Kat, and Four are starting a club, and every member is good at something! Except naming clubs. If only there were some kind of sign about what their club should be called! | |
Pretty Perfect Kitty-Corn by Shannon Hale & LeUyen Unicorn is perfect. Everybody thinks so. He yearns to look the way everyone thinks he should. But when a fumble makes Unicorn feel like a big, ugly goof, he can’t help but wonder: If he’s not absolutely perfect and majestic all the time, will Kitty even want to be his best friend anymore? | |
Is this Your Class Pet? by Troy Cummings Arfy is a reading buddy, visiting schools and helping kids who are learning to read. One day, upon arriving home, Arfy notices a stowaway in his vest pocket--a turtle! Arfy must write letters to each of the teachers (and even the principal!) to find the classroom whose terrarium is missing this little terrapin. Can Arfy get this little lady back to her rightful class? * Publishes on June 28, 2022 | |
Ballet Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins The geese want to do ballet! But first they will need a lot of gear. They will need Bruce's help to get it. Do Bruce and the geese have what it takes to get ready for ballet? * Publishes on June 28, 2022 | |
Hey Bruce! by Ryan T. Higgins Rupert, Thistle, and Nibbs, the fun-loving mice in Bruce's begrudgingly expansive family, guide readers on a quest for a fun reading experience, with Bruce the ever-reluctant star. As readers turn the page, flip the book, and follow the mice's increasingly silly instructions, Bruce is sent flying and tumbling - all as he looks right up the reader's nose! How will you interact with Bruce? * Publishes on June 28, 2022 | |
Llama Rocks the Cradle of Chaos by Jonathan Stutzman & Heather Fox Greedy Llama travels back in time to eat his marvelous birthday donut a second time, but a Baby Llama follows him to the present, and soon his house is a chaos of cave llamas, barbarian bunnies, and Viking pigs. * Publishes on July 12, 2022 |
CHAPTER BOOKS & GRAPHIC NOVELS
Bug Scouts: Out in the Wild by Mike Lowery Meet Doug, Abby, and Josh: the BUG SCOUTS! Doug and Abby love everything about being Bug Scouts: their super-duper top-secret headquarters, earning bug badges, wearing scout gear, and, of course, snacks. Josh, meanwhile, is a grump and doesn’t like anything (except the snacks). The Bug Scouts begin to work on earning the "foraging" bug badge, which they can only get if they successfully find an edible plant. Together, they head into the woods in search for adventure and something to eat. But will they be able to avoid the poisonous plants and manage to not get eaten by a clever frog?! | |
Doggo & Pupper #1 by Katherine Applegate Doggo is used to things being a certain way in his family. He likes routine. Cat says he’s become boring. That is, until Pupper shows up! Pupper is playful and messy, and turns the house upside down. Soon, the humans realize that Pupper needs some training, and off he goes to puppy school. When Pupper comes back, he’s well-behaved. He’s not playful. He’s not messy. But Doggo soon realizes that Pupper also isn’t happy. So Doggo steps in to help, and rediscovers what it means to have fun. Doggo & Pupper #2: Save the World by Katherine Applegate Doggo likes routine: napping, eating, and more napping. Life is good. Life is good for Pupper, too, even though he worries a lot, about things like giant squirrels. If he were braver, he might even be a hero. Maybe even a hero who can fly! But heroes aren’t afraid of giant squirrels . . . When Doggo and Pupper meet a baby bird who also has worries, they are determined to help. Doggo and Pupper may not know how to fly, but they are very good helpers. Maybe they are even heroes! | |
#1 Cornbread & Poppy by Matthew Cordell Cornbread LOVES planning. Poppy does not. Cornbread ADORES preparing. Poppy does not. Cornbread IS ready for winter. Poppy . . . is not. But Cornbread and Poppy are the best of friends, so when Poppy is left without any food for the long winter, Cornbread volunteers to help her out. Their search leads them up, up, up Holler Mountain, where these mice might find a new friend . . . and an old one. #2 Cornbread & Poppy at the Carnival by Matthew Cordell Poppy LOVES scary movies. Cornbread does not. Poppy ADORES runny cheese. Cornbread does not. Poppy can't WAIT to try a roller coaster. Cornbread . . . can. But Cornbread and Poppy are the best of friends, so when the Carnival rolls into town, Cornbread agrees to check it out. Their day promises to include fun games, yummy snacks, and big, big rides. What new things will these mice try? | |
Make Way for Fenway #1: Fenway and the Bone Thieves by Victoria J. Coe There’s nothing better than a brand-new bone! And nothing worse than sneaky squirrels trying to steal it! But Fenway is smarter than those squirrels, and he finds the perfect place to hide his bone.
The only problem is the hiding place might be too hard for Fenway to find too!
Make Way for Fenway #2: Fenway and the Frisbee Trick by Victoria J. Coe Fenway is ready to learn a new trick!
When Fenway sees a dog leap into the air and catch a Frisbee, he wants to do it too. But catching a Frisbee is harder than it looks.
Good thing Fenway is willing to keep trying, and he impresses everyone with a special trick of his own! | |
The Flower Garden by Renee Kurilla After planting a seed packet in the backyard, things don’t go as expected for best friends Anna and Tess. They fall asleep in the sun and wake up to blooms as tall as buildings! Did the seeds really grow that fast? All is explained when Anna and Tess meet May, a little garden gnome whose magic is responsible for the transformation. The girls are May’s size now, and they follow her through the flower garden and into May’s underground gnome home - discovering new things about their world and themselves along the way. | |
Press Start#11: Super Cheat Codes & Secret Modes by Thomas Flintham When Sunny finds a list of cheat codes for his game, Animal Land gets turned topsy-turvy! With new weird and wonderful powers and effects, Super Rabbit Boy finds his latest adventure filled with easy modes, hard modes, and secret levels. It's more fun than ever . . . until the game starts to glitch! Can Super Rabbit Boy make his way through the madness and still save the day? | |
Owl Diaries #16: Get Well, Eva by Rebecca Elliott Oh no! Eva has hurt her wing in a game of wingball. She visits the hospital and needs to wear a sling for a week. But the problem is, now she can't write in her diary! Luckily her friends and family are ready to step in and lend a helping wing. | |
Diary of a Pug #6: Pug Sleepsover by Kyla May Bub the pug and his human, Bella, are planning a pirate-themed sleepover with their friends Jack and Luna. It's going to be epic! But on the night of the party, Jack has a surprise that puts Bella's plans in peril. Can Bub save the sleepover, or will this epic party become an epic fail? | |
The Sparkle Dragons by Emma Carlson Berne Meet the Sparkle Dragons: the spunkiest crew in all of Princess Puff's queendom! Trixie is fierce with brains and beauty. Rue is tough as nails with a heart of shimmering gold. And, last but not least, Glinda, who often has her head in the clouds, but her out-of-the-box problem-solving can be her strongest asset. With their unique powers combined, they are an unstoppable force! Bad guys can be quite clever in this queendom, but the Sparkle Dragons don’t miss a trick. When the Rain River is polluted with polka dots, Robert the Troll takes the heat for it. But he says he is innocent! Not to worry - the Sparkle Dragons are hot on the tails of the true culprits. | |
Arcade World#1: Dino Trouble & Arcade World #2: Zombie Invaders by Nate Bitt Life in Normal used to be, well, pretty normal. Kids went to school. Kids did their homework and chores after school. Then kids met up at the local arcade, called Arcade World. Arcade World was the weirdest, coolest place. It had a collection of video games that no one had ever heard of, like Dino Trouble or Hot Dog Time. And no one held more high scores than Travis Better and Journey West. But one day, the video games in Arcade World came alive. Join Travis and Journey as they race dinosaurs to school, survive bottomless pit falls, and battle aliens to level up and solve mysteries like what’s going on, who really owns Arcade World, and whether this video game takeover is a glitch or part of a larger, evil plan. *Also check out book #2 & #3 | |
Baby-Sitters Little Sister #5: Karen’s School Picture by Ann Martin & Katy Farina Karen has to get glasses! She doesn't want them, especially because school pictures are going to be taken soon. But she picks out some pretty pink ones and thinks she looks very grown-up. Then Yicky Ricky at school starts calling her names, like Owl Girl and Googly Eyes. If Karen wears her glasses for the school picture, Ricky will make fun of her. If she doesn't wear them, she'll feel like she's afraid to be herself. Glasses or no glasses, that Ricky is going to get it! | |
Cat Kid Comic Club #3: On Purpose by Dav Pilkey The hilarity is nonstop as the baby frogs navigate sibling relationships, follow their path, and create art -- with purpose! The comic club is going in all different directions! Naomi, Melvin, and siblings are each trying to find their purpose. Naomi has an idea to get rich quick that causes a lot of commotion and emotion. And when faced with rejections, the friends try and try again to stay true to their vision. To top it off, a surprise visitor comes to class to stir things up. Will a desire for money and power cloud Naomi's purpose? Is it quitting time? Will the club ever be the same? |
Grades 2nd & 3rd
PICTURE BOOKS
Big as a Giant Snail by Jess Keating It's a big wide world, full of critters that are larger than life! Sure, there are the usual suspects: blue whales, polar bears, elephant seals . . . but others will take you by surprise. The giant snail, for instance, or the ginormous Atlas moth. Like Pink Is for Blobfish and Cute as an Axolotl, Big as a Giant Snail will cover a wide variety of species, while subtly delving into misconceptions and stereotypes associated with size. Best of all? These tall tales are totally true! | |
Perfectly Pegasus by Jessie Sima Nimbus has always lived among the clouds. She’s a pegasus, after all, and the sky is where she belongs. She is one of a kind. When she wants a friend, all she has to do is look up - and talk to the stars. Only they don’t really talk back. The clouds don’t, either. Sometimes, being the only pegasus can be a little lonely. So she decides to find a fallen star to make a wish on - and wishes for friends who are just like her. Along the way she meets a Unicorn named Kelp, and a host of other creatures who might just open her eyes to something other than what’s up in the sky. | |
Anzu the Great Kaiju by Benson Shum All great Kaiju are born with a super power to strike fear in the heart of the city. But Anzu is different. Instead of mayhem, he likes May flowers. Instead of striking fear, he prefers to be sincere. Can Anzu find a way to make his family proud and stay true to his kind self? | |
Endlessly Ever After by Laurel Snyder & Dan Santat Grab your basket and your coat. Put on some walking shoes. Turn the page and begin: Which story will you choose? This book transforms classic fairy tales into an ever-changing, fascinating, laugh-out-loud choose-your-path picture book, in which you may find a sleeping maiden, waste away in a sticky licorice cage, discover the gold at the end of a wild goose chase, or maybe (just maybe) save yourself and the day! | |
Is this Your Class Pet? by Troy Cummings Arfy is a reading buddy, visiting schools and helping kids who are learning to read. One day, upon arriving home, Arfy notices a stowaway in his vest pocket--a turtle! Arfy must write letters to each of the teachers (and even the principal!) to find the classroom whose terrarium is missing this little terrapin. Can Arfy get this little lady back to her rightful class? * Publishes on June 28, 2022 | |
Hey Bruce! by Ryan T. Higgins Rupert, Thistle, and Nibbs, the fun-loving mice in Bruce's begrudgingly expansive family, guide readers on a quest for a fun reading experience, with Bruce the ever-reluctant star. As readers turn the page, flip the book, and follow the mice's increasingly silly instructions, Bruce is sent flying and tumbling - all as he looks right up the reader's nose! How will you interact with Bruce? * Publishes on June 28, 2022 | |
Llama Rocks the Cradle of Chaos by Jonathan Stutzman & Heather Fox Greedy Llama travels back in time to eat his marvelous birthday donut a second time, but a Baby Llama follows him to the present, and soon his house is a chaos of cave llamas, barbarian bunnies, and Viking pigs. * Publishes on July 12, 2022 |
NEW CHAPTER BOOKS & GRAPHIC NOVELS
Aquanauts by Dan Santat Ever since her father was lost at sea, Sophia has been moping around Aqualand, the marine theme park her dad and uncle created. But Sophia's world is turned upside down when an "aquanaut" breaks into the park's research lab. To her amazement, Sophia discovers that the aquanaut is not what it seems - inside lives a band of four goofy sea creatures! And when they all realize that Aqualand has evolved into something much darker than Sophia's dad had envisioned, Sophia is determined to help the aquanaut crew free the park's captive marine life before it's too late. | |
Paws #1: Gabby Gets it Together by Nathan Fairbairn & Michele Assarasakorn Meet best friends Gabby Jordan, Priya Gupta, and Mindy Kim. They’re different in just about every way - personalities, hobbies, family, and more - but they have a few important things in common: they’re all in the same class, they absolutely love animals, and for reasons that are as varied as the trio themselves none of them can actually have any pets.
Unable to resist the adorable temptation any longer, the girls decide to come up with a way to finally get their hands on some furry friends. And, as luck would have it, it seems like their neighborhood is in need of some after school dog-walkers. So, just like that, PAWS is born!
But it turns out that running a business is harder than it looks, especially with three co-owners who are such different people. The girls soon argue about everything, from how to prioritize their commitments to the best way to keep their doggy clients happy. And when their fighting ultimately leads to a doggo crisis, will it tear their business and friendship apart or will they be able to get it together to save the day? | |
The Sparkle Dragons by Emma Carlson Berne Meet the Sparkle Dragons: the spunkiest crew in all of Princess Puff's queendom! Trixie is fierce with brains and beauty. Rue is tough as nails with a heart of shimmering gold. And, last but not least, Glinda, who often has her head in the clouds, but her out-of-the-box problem-solving can be her strongest asset. With their unique powers combined, they are an unstoppable force! Bad guys can be quite clever in this queendom, but the Sparkle Dragons don’t miss a trick. When the Rain River is polluted with polka dots, Robert the Troll takes the heat for it. But he says he is innocent! Not to worry - the Sparkle Dragons are hot on the tails of the true culprits. | |
The First in Cat Ate Pizza by Mac Barnett & Shawn Harris Something terrible is happening in the skies! Rats are eating the MOON! There’s only ONE hero for the job, a bold and fearsome beast bioengineered in a secret lab to be the moon’s savior and Earth’s last hope! And that hero is . . . a cat. A cat who will be blasted into space! Accompanied by the imperious Moon Queen and LOZ 4000, a toenail clipping robot, the First Cat in Space journeys across a fantastic lunar landscape in a quest to save the world. Will these unlikely heroes save the moon in time? Can a toenail-clipping robot find its purpose in the vast universe? And will the First Cat in Space ever eat some pizza? | |
Arcade World#1: Dino Trouble & Arcade World #2: Zombie Invaders by Nate Bitt Life in Normal used to be, well, pretty normal. Kids went to school. Kids did their homework and chores after school. And then kids met up at the local arcade, called Arcade World. Arcade World was the weirdest, coolest place. It had a collection of video games that no one had ever heard of, like Dino Trouble or Hot Dog Time. And no one held more high scores than Travis Better and Journey West. But one day, the video games in Arcade World came alive. Join Travis and Journey as they race dinosaurs to school, survive bottomless pit falls, and battle aliens to level up and solve mysteries like what’s going on, who really owns Arcade World, and whether this video game takeover is a glitch or part of a larger, evil plan. *Also check out book #2 & #3 | |
Surviving the Wild: Star the Elephant by Remy Lai Star the Elephant and his herd are searching for a new home. But when Star is separated from his family, he must journey alone into the great unknown. He'll come face to face with giant spiders, the vast ocean beyond his island, and strange humans. Can Star find his way back to his family? | |
Batpig #1: When Pigs Fly by Rob Harrell Gary Yorkshire was your perfectly average, fuzzy pink pig who loved tasty sandwiches, video games, mud baths, and hanging out with his friends Carl the fish and Brooklyn the bat. Until one day . . . a radioactive bat bite gives him powers he never would have dreamed of! Inspired by his old Crimson Swine comics, Gary decides that he'll use his powers for good and becomes (drumroll) Batpig! Now he just needs a good zinger of a Batpig slogan, a spandex costume that flatters his rear end . . . and maybe a little advice about how in the world to defeat supervillains? * Book#2 Publishes on June 28, 2022 | |
Miss Quines by Kat Fajardo Sue just wants to spend the summer reading and making comics at sleepaway camp with her friends, but instead she gets stuck going to Honduras to visit relatives with her parents and two sisters. They live way out in the country, which means no texting, no cable, and no Internet! The trip takes a turn for the worse when Sue's mother announces that they'll be having a surprise quinceañera for Sue, which is the last thing she wants. She can't imagine wearing a big, floofy, colorful dress! What is Sue going to do? And how will she survive all this "quality" time with her rambunctious family? | |
Once Upon a Tim by Stuart Gibbs Tim is just a peasant, but he dreams big. He wants more out of life than to grow up to be a woodsman like his father. Unfortunately, the only route to success in the kingdom of Wyld is to be born a prince. Then news spreads that Princess Grace of the neighboring kingdom has been abducted by the evil Stinx and Prince Ruprecht needs a legion of knights to join him on his quest to rescue her. Tim finally has the lucky break he’s been waiting for! Tim and his best friend Belinda seize the opportunity to join Prince Ruprecht and Court Magician Nerlim as they head off to rescue Princess Grace. Along for the adventure are Ferkle the Village Idiot and Rover, Tim's Fr-dog (a large frog who used to a dog). The prince isn't brave, the magician can only do card tricks, and the monster isn't so very monstrous. What could go wrong? |
NEW IN A FAVORITE SERIES
Cat Kid Comic Club #3: On Purpose by Dav Pilkey The hilarity is nonstop as the baby frogs navigate sibling relationships, follow their path, and create art -- with purpose! The comic club is going in all different directions! Naomi, Melvin, and siblings are each trying to find their purpose. Naomi has an idea to get rich quick that causes a lot of commotion and emotion. And when faced with rejections, the friends try and try again to stay true to their vision. To top it off, a surprise visitor comes to class to stir things up. Will a desire for money and power cloud Naomi's purpose? Is it quitting time? Will the club ever be the same? | |
Investigators #5: Braver and Bolder by John Patrick Green The InvestiGators are having a hard time keeping a low profile with their new headquarters being a giant robot towering over the city! How can they be SECRET agents if everyone recognizes them? But with their ears to the ground, Mango and Brash hear mysterious rumblings about BOULDER BUDDIES . . . are they just the latest fad or part of a mob-run scheme? And could a rocky relationship from the InvestiGators’ past be trembling beneath the surface? Find out in their most stone-cold dangerous mission yet! | |
Baby-Sitters Little Sister #5: Karen’s School Picture by Ann Martin & Katy Farina Karen has to get glasses! She doesn't want them, especially because school pictures are going to be taken soon. But she picks out some pretty pink ones and thinks she looks very grown-up. Then Yicky Ricky at school starts calling her names, like Owl Girl and Googly Eyes. If Karen wears her glasses for the school picture, Ricky will make fun of her. If she doesn't wear them, she'll feel like she's afraid to be herself. Glasses or no glasses, that Ricky is going to get it! | |
Baby-Sitters Club #11: Good-bye Stacy Good-bye by Ann Martin & Gabriela Epstein Stacey McGill is moving back to New York! That means no more Stoneybrook Middle School, no more Charlotte Johanssen, and worst of all . . . no more Baby-sitters Club. Stacey's friends are crushed when they hear that Stacey's moving, especially Claudia. Stacey is her best friend. What kind of going-away present is good enough for someone so special? And how will the BSC go on without Stacey? | |
Press Start#11: Super Cheat Codes & Secret Modes by Thomas Flintham When Sunny finds a list of cheat codes for his game, Animal Land gets turned topsy-turvy! With new weird and wonderful powers and effects, Super Rabbit Boy finds his latest adventure filled with easy modes, hard modes, and secret levels. It's more fun than ever . . . until the game starts to glitch! Can Super Rabbit Boy make his way through the madness and still save the day? | |
Geezer the Robot #4: Party Pal by Jarrett Lerner Geeger the Robot is going to his best friend Tillie’s birthday party. But Geeger’s never been to a party before and doesn’t quite know what presents are. Would Tillie like a stick? Or a pile of dirt? Geeger wants to help Tillie celebrate, but maybe he shouldn’t have come! How does a robot say, “Happy Birthday?” | |
Diary of a Pug #6: Pug Sleepsover by Kyla May Bub the pug and his human, Bella, are planning a pirate-themed sleepover with their friends Jack and Luna. It's going to be epic! But on the night of the party, Jack has a surprise that puts Bella's plans in peril. Can Bub save the sleepover, or will this epic party become an epic fail? | |
Bad Kitty Gets a Phone by Nick Bruel Kitty has everything any cat could want - a warm bed, plenty of fresh litter, a machine that dispenses food whenever she wants! But Kitty isn't satisfied. She has her eye on something that will make her the happiest, most grateful cat in town. Something all the other cats have but that her owners refuse to get her! Something she desperately needs! Kitty wants . . . a cell phone. And she can have one if she does all her chores with zero complaints. But can she handle the responsibility? | |
Owl Diaries #16: Get Well, Eva by Rebecca Elliott Oh no! Eva has hurt her wing in a game of wingball. She visits the hospital and needs to wear a sling for a week. But the problem is, now she can't write in her diary! Luckily her friends and family are ready to step in and lend a helping wing. | |
Bad Guys#15: Open Wide and Say Arrrgh! by Aaron Blabey WEIRD?! Nothing weird EVER happens in The Bad Guys. Like, you would NEVER see a chain-saw monster confronting a velociraptor who has eaten an elderly piranha, or the disturbing antics of a deranged dentist running amok with an oversized drill. NOPE. None of that nonsense here. So relax and be entirely unsurprised by the Bad Guys’ next adventure! | |
Katie the Catsitter #2: Best Friends for Never by Colleen AF Venable Katie loves skating with the Wheelas and the fact that she’s officially a superhero sidekick. But now that school’s starting, everything’s changing. The Mousetress is getting blamed for things Katie knows she didn’t do. Sidekick training is NOT as exciting as she’d hoped. Katie’s best friend Beth is back in town and Beth’s new boyfriend is always hanging around (ugh!). Not to mention that all of Katie’s friends are mad at her. Fixing this will be harder than any skateboarding trick. But with the help of 217 slightly out of the ordinary cats, Katie’s going to try!
Can she clear the Mousestress’s name, uncover the real supervillain, and become the sidekick (and the friend) she’s always dreamed of being? | |
Big Nate #26: Beware of Low-Flying Corn Muffins by Lincoln Peirce Sixth-grade dynamo Nate Wright has all kinds of big plans and tricks up his sleeve, including writing a new hit children's book, trying to convince his dad to get him a new dog for Christmas, and helping his friend Chad score a new nickname at P.S. 38. Along the way, he encounters resistance from all the usual suspects, including Mrs. Godfrey, classmate Gina, and anyone skeptical of his plans to become an award-winning author. And as usual, things never quite turn out exactly like he planned. | |
Max and the Midknights #3: The Tower of Time by Lincoln Peirce Everyone's favorite knight-in-training is back . . . to back! Max's twin is public enemy number one, and it's up to the Midknights to find her before time runs out! But dangers loom, including bloodthirsty trolls, murderous pirates, and even a ruthless king--or two.
Can Max and her band of loyal friends unlock the mystery of her past? | |
Chunky #2: Chunky Goes to Camp by Yehudi Mercado Hudi finally embraced his love of art and comedy, but his class clown antics keep getting him in trouble. After Hudi’s artwork lands him in detention again, his parents decide a change is needed when summer arrives, and they sentence him to four weeks at summer camp. Hudi is hesitant about Camp Green, but at least he still has Chunky. Then Hudi meets Pepe, a fellow camper who’s a comedian like Hudi, and who—get this—can also see Chunky! What?! The rest of Hudi’s bunkmates are also a motley crew of misfits. Has Hudi finally found his people? This new friendship with Pepe leads Hudi and Chunky into all kinds of hijinks, including a prank war with a few rival campers. Hudi soon realizes that Pepe is driven by more than just making people laugh and he’s not telling Hudi the truth. As the pranks escalate further than Hudi wants, he’s at risk of getting labeled a troublemaker again. Can Chunky help Hudi save this new friendship? Or will it flame out? * Publishes on June 6, 2022 | |
Emmie & Friends #6: Remarkably Ruby by Terri Libenson Ruby and Mia are total opposites. Ruby is a little awkward, not a “joiner,” and loves to write poetry. While Mia is type A, popular(ish), and wants to be class prez. They used to be friends. But now they have nothing in common anymore. . . . Or do they? | |
143 Story Treehouse: Camping Trip Chaos by Andy Griffiths Andy and Terry live in a 143-story treehouse. (It used to be a 130-story treehouse, but they built another 13 stories.) It has a baked bean geyser that erupts on the hour every hour, a wrecking ball, a fish milkshake shack, a word-o-matic (it knows every word in the whole world!), a toffee apple orchard guarded by a kind-hearted scarecrow, and a camping ground. Andy's been a bit stressed out lately, so Terry decides the perfect way to relax would be to head up to their new camping ground level for a much-needed vacation. But it turns out to be not quite as relaxing as planned. Terry forgets to pack the tent and the food, their attempt at fishing ends in disaster, the spooky campfire stories are a little too spooky and then, to make matters worse, all of Andy’s fellow campers start mysteriously disappearing. Can Andy brave the dark, dark woods and rescue them in time to finish writing their next book? | |
Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly #7: Cinder’s Flame by Jordan Quinn Cinder has always carried a small spark of envy when it comes to Ruskin. He is, after all, known as the legendary scarlet dragon. And it’s hard to be friends with a legend, as the Witch-Dragon, Villinelle, knows all too well. When Villinelle unleashes the dreaded Soul Blazer spell on Cinder, her small spark of envy grows into an uncontrollable flame. Can Ruskin help his friend, or will Cinder’s fire burn too bright? |
Grades 4th & 5th
SCIENCE FICTION
The School for Whatnots by Margaret Peterson Haddix “No matter what anyone tells you, I’m real.” That’s what the note says that Max finds under his keyboard. He knows that his best friend, Josie, wrote it. He’d know her handwriting anywhere. But why she wrote it—and what it means—remains a mystery. Max is from a wealthy family. His parents want him to protect him as he grows up. They don’t want him to act spoiled or be picked on as a child. So they send them to a school full of whatnots, android robots pretending to be human. While attending one of these schools, Max becomes best friends with Josie. Years later, he finds out Josie has a secret-she is the only whatnot at the school who is human. Her father made a huge sacrifice in the hopes of providing her with a better life. When Josie is transferred out of the program, the two companions are abruptly separated. Both children are determined to find each other, and in the process they uncover dark secrets about the whatnot system and its powerful creators. | |
Area 51 Interns #1: Alien Summer by James Murray & Carsen Smith It's the first day of summer vacation, and Viv Harlow just wants to relax with her friends at the beach before they all go to different high schools next year. She is definitely not interested in visiting her mom's office, even if she works at the famous Area 51. But when an alarm sounds beneath the secret base and a whole race of aliens escape, she's about to get much more than she bargained for. Viv, Charlotte, Ray, and Elijah will have to work together, gear up with gadgets, and even protect a baby alien to save the day and defend Area 51. |
FANTASY
The Forgotten Five: Map of Flames by Lisa McMann Fifteen years ago, eight criminals with supernatural abilities fled Estero City to make a new life in an isolated hideout. Over time, seven of them disappeared without a trace - possibly to restart their life of crime and find a treasure that may or may not exist. Or maybe they were captured, or even killed. The remaining elder was left to care for the children, but now he’s died. Left behind to fend for themselves are the criminals’ five children, each with superpowers of their own: Birdie can communicate with animals. Brix has athletic abilities and can heal quickly. Tenner can swim like a fish and can see in the dark and hear from a distance. Seven’s skin camouflages to match whatever is around him. Cabot hasn’t shown signs of any unusual power - yet. Then one day Birdie finds a map among her father’s things that leads to a secret stash. There is also a note: Go to Estero, find your mother and give her the map. The five have lived their entire lives in isolation. What would it mean to follow the map to a strange world full of things they’ve only heard about, like cell phones, cars, and electricity? A world where being supernatural is a crime, thanks to their parents and their criminal activities. |
ADVENTURE
The Mast Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat Sai’s father is a criminal. She is determined to have so much more than a life of helping her father con people and pickpockets. Especially since she lives in a kingdom where the status of one’s ancestors dictates their social position, and she is at the bottom. So she poses as an apprentice to a mapmaker. If anyone learns the truth about her father, she’ll be ruined. Sai seizes the chance to join an expedition to chart the southern seas. On board, Sai learns that the ship might be heading for the fabled Sunderlands - a land of dragons, dangers, and riches beyond imagining. Discovering these lands would give Sai an opportunity for riches and a higher social status. But revealing these unknown lands might have dire consequences. And most of all, Sia isn’t the only one aboard the ship with secrets. | |
Across the Desert by Dusti Bowling Twelve-year-old Jolene spends every day she can at the library watching her favorite livestream: The Desert Aviator, where twelve-year-old “Addie Earhart” shares her adventures flying an ultralight plane over the desert. While watching this daring girl fly through the sky, Jolene can dream of what it would be like to fly with her, far away from her own troubled home life where her mother struggles with a pain following a car accident. And vice versa, Addie (who is grieving the loss of her father) finds solace in her online conversations with Jolene, her biggest - and only - fan. Then, one day, it all goes wrong: Addie's engine abruptly stops, and Jolene watches in helpless horror as the ultralight plummets to the ground and the video goes dark. Jolene knows that Addie won’t survive long in the extreme summer desert heat. With no one to turn to for help and armed with only a hand-drawn map and a stolen cell phone, it's up to Jolene to find a way to save Addie. |
HISTORICAL FICTION
Once Upon a Tim by Stuart Gibbs Tim is just a peasant, but he dreams big. He wants more out of life than to grow up to be a woodsman like his father. Unfortunately, the only route to success in the kingdom of Wyld is to be born a prince. Still, Tim is determined. He is brave and clever and always tries to do the right thing. Then news spreads that Princess Grace of the neighboring kingdom has been abducted by the evil Stinx and Prince Ruprecht needs a legion of knights to join him on his quest to rescue her. Tim finally has the lucky break he’s been waiting for, the opportunity to change his station in life. Tim and his best friend Belinda seize the opportunity to join Prince Ruprecht and Court Magician Nerlim as they head off to rescue Princess Grace. Along for the adventure are Ferkle the Village Idiot (only pretending because it's the family business) and Rover, Tim's Fr-dog (an enormous frog who was once a dog). The prince isn't brave, the magician can only do card tricks, and the monster isn't so very monstrous. What could go wrong? | |
Lines of Courage by Jennifer A. Nielsen World War I stretches its cruel fingers across Europe, where five young people, each from different backgrounds and nations, face the terror of battle, the deprivations of hunger, and all the awful challenges of war. - Felix, from Austria-Hungary, longs for the bravery to resist Jewish deportations before his own family can be taken. - Kara, from Britain, dreams of someday earning her Red Cross pin and working as a nurse -- or even a doctor. - Juliette, of France, hopes her family can remain knitted together, despite her father's imprisonment, as the war's longest battle stretches on and on. - Elsa, from Germany, hopes her homing pigeon might one day bring her a friend from out of the chaos. - And Dimitri, of Russia, wants only to survive the front, where he's been sent with no weapon. None of them will find exactly what they want. But the winds of fate may cross their paths to give each of them just what they need. They will discover that friendship and courage can light the way through the most frightening of nights. |
MYSTERY
Hide and Geek by T.P. Jagger The GEEKs: Gina, Edgar, Elena, and Kevin have been best friends for as long as they can remember. So when their arch-nemesis points out that their initials make them literally GEEKs, they decide to go with it.
The problem: The GEEKs’ hometown of Elmwood was once the headquarters of the famous toymaker Maxine Van Houten. Her popular puzzle sphere, the Bamboozler, put the town on the map. But Maxine passed away long ago. Now the toy factory is shutting down, and Elena’s mom and Kevin’s dad are losing their jobs. They might have to move—and that would mean splitting up the GEEKs!
The quest: Maxine left one final puzzle, a treasure hunt that could save the town and keep the friends together. But only those who know and love Elmwood best will be able to solve it. GEEKs to the rescue! |
REALISTIC FICTION
Operation Do-Over by Gordon Korman Mason and Ty were once the very best of friends, like two nerdy sides of the same coin . . . until seventh grade, when Ava Petrakis came along. Now Mason can trace everything bad in his life to that terrible fight they had over the new girl. The one thing he’d give anything for is a do-over. But that can’t happen in real life—can it? As a science kid, Mason knows do-overs are impossible, so he can’t believe it when he wakes up from a freak accident and finds himself magically transported back to seventh grade. His parents aren’t yet divorced and his beloved sheepdog is still alive. Best of all, he and Ty haven’t had their falling-out yet. It makes no logical sense, but Mason is determined to use this second chance to not only save his friendship (and his dog!) but do other things differently - like trying out for the football team and giving new friends a chance. There’s just one person he’ll be avoiding at all costs: Ava. But despite his best efforts, will he be able to stop the chain of events that made his previous life implode? | |
New From Here by Kelly Yang Chinese American fifth grader Knox Wei-Evans's world is turned upside down when his parents decide that Mom will take Knox, older brother Bowen, and younger sister Lea from their home in Hong Kong to the United States to get away from the novel coronavirus that just shut down the city of Wuhan. The kids have to pack quickly and leave their dog and their dad - Knox's best friend - behind. In Northern California, they quarantine for 14 days and attempt online school before starting public school, where, for the first time ever, Knox has a teacher who understands his ADHD and encourages him, and he has a friend named Christopher. But the virus "knows no borders" and soon arrives in the States. As California enters a state of emergency, Knox, Bowen, and Lea bond in a creative desperate effort to raise money to bring their dad to join them. Knox's struggles will resonate with all children who lived through the scary and uncertain first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. | |
Those Kids From Fawn Creek by Erin Entrada Kelly There are twelve kids in the seventh grade at Fawn Creek Middle School. They’ve been together all their lives. And in this small factory town where everyone knows everything about everyone, that’s not necessarily a great thing. There are thirteen desks in the seventh-grade classroom. That’s because Renni Dean’s father got a promotion, and the family moved to Grand Saintlodge, the nearest big town. Renni’s desk is empty, but Renni still knows their secrets; is still pulling their strings. When Orchid Mason arrives and slips gracefully into Renni’s chair, the other seventh graders don’t know what to think. Orchid - who was born in New York City but just moved to Fawn Creek from Paris - seems to float. Her dress skims the floor. She’s wearing a flower behind her ear. Fawn Creek Middle might be small, but it has its tightly knit groups just like any place else. As secrets unravel and the community dance gets closer, the students start to see that maybe a shake-up is just what they need. |
GRAPHIC NOVELS
Aquanauts by Dan Santat Ever since her father was lost at sea, Sophia has been moping around Aqualand, the marine theme park her dad and uncle created. But Sophia's world is turned upside down when an "aquanaut" breaks into the park's research lab. To her amazement, Sophia discovers that the aquanaut is not what it seems - inside lives a band of four goofy sea creatures! And when they all realize that Aqualand has evolved into something much darker than Sophia's dad had envisioned, Sophia is determined to help the aquanaut crew free the park's captive marine life before it's too late. | |
Paws #1: Gabby Gets it Together by Nathan Fairbairn & Michele Assarasakorn Meet best friends Gabby Jordan, Priya Gupta, and Mindy Kim. They’re different in just about every way - personalities, hobbies, family, and more - but they have a few important things in common: they’re all in the same class, they absolutely love animals, and for reasons that are as varied as the trio themselves none of them can actually have any pets.
Unable to resist the adorable temptation any longer, the girls decide to come up with a way to finally get their hands on some furry friends. And, as luck would have it, it seems like their neighborhood is in need of some after school dog-walkers. So, just like that, PAWS is born!
But it turns out that running a business is harder than it looks, especially with three co-owners who are such different people. The girls soon argue about everything, from how to prioritize their commitments to the best way to keep their doggy clients happy. And when their fighting ultimately leads to a doggo crisis, will it tear their business and friendship apart or will they be able to get it together to save the day? | |
Batpig #1: When Pigs Fly by Rob Harrell Gary Yorkshire was your perfectly average, fuzzy pink pig who loved tasty sandwiches, video games, mud baths, and hanging out with his friends Carl the fish and Brooklyn the bat. Until one day . . . a radioactive bat bite gives him powers he never would have dreamed of! Inspired by his old Crimson Swine comics, Gary decides that he'll use his powers for good and becomes (drumroll) Batpig! Now he just needs a good zinger of a Batpig slogan, a spandex costume that flatters his rear end . . . and maybe a little advice about how in the world to defeat supervillains? * Book#2 Publishes on June 28, 2022 | |
Miss Quines by Kat Fajardo Sue just wants to spend the summer reading and making comics at sleepaway camp with her friends, but instead she gets stuck going to Honduras to visit relatives with her parents and two sisters. They live way out in the country, which means no texting, no cable, and no Internet! The trip takes a turn for the worse when Sue's mother announces that they'll be having a surprise quinceañera for Sue, which is the last thing she wants. She can't imagine wearing a big, floofy, colorful dress! What is Sue going to do? And how will she survive all this "quality" time with her rambunctious family? | |
The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza by Mac Barnett & Shawn Harris Something terrible is happening in the skies! Rats are eating the MOON! There’s only ONE hero for the job, a bold and fearsome beast bioengineered in a secret lab to be the moon’s savior and Earth’s last hope! And that hero is . . . a cat. A cat who will be blasted into space! Accompanied by the imperious Moon Queen and LOZ 4000, a toenail clipping robot, the First Cat in Space journeys across a fantastic lunar landscape in a quest to save the world. Will these unlikely heroes save the moon in time? Can a toenail-clipping robot find its purpose in the vast universe? And will the First Cat in Space ever eat some pizza? |
NEW IN A FAVORITE SERIES
Cat Kid Comic Club #3: On Purpose by Dav Pilkey The hilarity is nonstop as the baby frogs navigate sibling relationships, follow their path, and create art -- with purpose! The comic club is going in all different directions! Naomi, Melvin, and siblings are each trying to find their purpose. Naomi has an idea to get rich quick that causes a lot of commotion and emotion. And when faced with rejections, the friends try and try again to stay true to their vision. To top it off, a surprise visitor comes to class to stir things up. Will a desire for money and power cloud Naomi's purpose? Is it quitting time? Will the club ever be the same? | |
Investigators #5: Braver and Bolder by John Patrick Green The InvestiGators are having a hard time keeping a low profile with their new headquarters being a giant robot towering over the city! How can they be SECRET agents if everyone recognizes them? But with their ears to the ground, Mango and Brash hear mysterious rumblings about BOULDER BUDDIES . . . are they just the latest fad or part of a mob-run scheme? And could a rocky relationship from the InvestiGators’ past be trembling beneath the surface? Find out in their most stone-cold dangerous mission yet! | |
Baby-Sitters Little Sister #5: Karen’s School Picture by Ann Martin & Katy Farina Karen has to get glasses! She doesn't want them, especially because school pictures are going to be taken soon. But she picks out some pretty pink ones and thinks she looks very grown-up. Then Yicky Ricky at school starts calling her names, like Owl Girl and Googly Eyes. If Karen wears her glasses for the school picture, Ricky will make fun of her. If she doesn't wear them, she'll feel like she's afraid to be herself. Glasses or no glasses, that Ricky is going to get it! | |
Baby-Sitters Club #11: Good-bye Stacy Good-bye by Ann Martin & Gabriela Epstein Stacey McGill is moving back to New York! That means no more Stoneybrook Middle School, no more Charlotte Johanssen, and worst of all . . . no more Baby-sitters Club. Stacey's friends are crushed when they hear that Stacey's moving, especially Claudia. Stacey is her best friend. What kind of going-away present is good enough for someone so special? And how will the BSC go on without Stacey? | |
I Survived Graphic Novel#5: I Survived the Attack of the Grizzlies by Lauren Tarshis No grizzly has ever killed a human in Glacier National Park before . . . until tonight. Eleven-year-old Melody Vega and her family come to Glacier every year. Mel loves it here ― the beautiful landscapes and wildlife make it easy to forget her real-world troubles. But this year is different. With Mom gone, every moment in the park is a reminder of the past. Then Mel comes face-to-face with a mighty grizzly. She knows basic bear safety: Don't turn your back. Don't make any sudden movements. And most importantly: Don't run. That last one is the hardest for Mel; she's been running from her problems all her life. If she wants to survive tonight, she'll have to find the courage to face her fear. | |
Wings of Fire #15: The Flames of Hope by Tui T. Sutherland Luna has always wanted to change the world -- to fix it, to free it -- even if she’s never actually known how. Now that all of dragon - and humankind are in mortal danger, Luna is flying back home to Pantala with a team of dragons on a rescue mission, determined to be brave and useful. But saving a continent isn’t as easy as a prophecy makes it sound, and “facing a great evil” definitely requires more than the fiery silk that Luna is uniquely able to create. As she fights her way to the abyss that hides the dark roots poisoning Pantala, Luna must uncover a long-buried secret and unite her friends, her enemies, and her own powers. If she doesn’t, she won’t get to change the world. She’ll have to say goodbye to it -- forever. | |
Mr. Lemoncello’s Very First Game by Chris Grabenstein Go back to the START and meet thirteen-year-old, PUZZLE-obsessed Luigi Lemoncello! Luigi has a knack for games and puzzles. But sometimes it feels like the cards are stacked against him. UNTIL a carnival arrives in town and Luigi gets the CHANCE OF A LIFETIME - the opportunity to work for the world famous Professor Marvelmous - a dazzling, banana-hat-wearing barker who puts the SHOW in SHOWMAN! When the carnival closes, Professor Marvelmous leaves behind a mysterious puzzle box along with a clue. A clue that will lead Luigi and his friends on a fantastical treasure hunt to a prize beyond anything they could imagine -- if they can find it! Can Luigi crack the codes and unlock the box's secrets? Will there be puzzles? Of course! Balloons? You bet! Will it be fun? Hello! It’s a Lemon-cello! | |
Big Nate #26: Beware of Low-Flying Corn Muffins by Lincoln Peirce Sixth-grade dynamo Nate Wright has all kinds of big plans and tricks up his sleeve, including writing a new hit children's book, trying to convince his dad to get him a new dog for Christmas, and helping his friend Chad score a new nickname at P.S. 38. Along the way, he encounters resistance from all the usual suspects, including Mrs. Godfrey, classmate Gina, and anyone skeptical of his plans to become an award-winning author. And as usual, things never quite turn out exactly like he planned. | |
Max and the Midknights #3: The Tower of Time by Lincoln Peirce Everyone's favorite knight-in-training is back . . . to back! Max's twin is public enemy number one, and it's up to the Midknights to find her before time runs out! But dangers loom, including bloodthirsty trolls, murderous pirates, and even a ruthless king--or two.
Can Max and her band of loyal friends unlock the mystery of her past? | |
Katie the Catsitter #2: Best Friends for Never by Colleen AF Venable Katie loves skating with the Wheelas and the fact that she’s officially a superhero sidekick. But now that school’s starting, everything’s changing. The Mousetress is getting blamed for things Katie knows she didn’t do. Sidekick training is NOT as exciting as she’d hoped. Katie’s best friend Beth is back in town and Beth’s new boyfriend is always hanging around (ugh!). Not to mention that all of Katie’s friends are mad at her. Fixing this will be harder than any skateboarding trick. But with the help of 217 slightly out of the ordinary cats, Katie’s going to try!
Can she clear the Mousestress’s name, uncover the real supervillain, and become the sidekick (and the friend) she’s always dreamed of being? | |
Chunky #2: Chunky Goes to Camp by Yehudi Mercado Hudi finally embraced his love of art and comedy, but his class clown antics keep getting him in trouble. After Hudi’s artwork lands him in detention again, his parents decide a change is needed when summer arrives, and they sentence him to four weeks at summer camp. Hudi is hesitant about Camp Green, but at least he still has Chunky. Then Hudi meets Pepe, a fellow camper who’s a comedian like Hudi, and who—get this—can also see Chunky! What?! The rest of Hudi’s bunkmates are also a motley crew of misfits. Has Hudi finally found his people? This new friendship with Pepe leads Hudi and Chunky into all kinds of hijinks, including a prank war with a few rival campers. Hudi soon realizes that Pepe is driven by more than just making people laugh and he’s not telling Hudi the truth. As the pranks escalate further than Hudi wants, he’s at risk of getting labeled a troublemaker again. Can Chunky help Hudi save this new friendship? Or will it flame out? * Publishes on June 6, 2022 | |
Emmie & Friends #6: Remarkably Ruby by Terri Libenson Ruby and Mia are total opposites. Ruby is a little awkward, not a “joiner,” and loves to write poetry. While Mia is type A, popular(ish), and wants to be class prez. They used to be friends. But now they have nothing in common anymore. . . . Or do they? | |
143 Story Treehouse: Camping Trip Chaos by Andy Griffiths Andy and Terry live in a 143-story treehouse. (It used to be a 130-story treehouse, but they built another 13 stories.) It has a baked bean geyser that erupts on the hour every hour, a wrecking ball, a fish milkshake shack, a word-o-matic (it knows every word in the whole world!), a toffee apple orchard guarded by a kind-hearted scarecrow, and a camping ground. Andy's been a bit stressed out lately, so Terry decides the perfect way to relax would be to head up to their new camping ground level for a much-needed vacation. But it turns out to be not quite as relaxing as planned. Terry forgets to pack the tent and the food, their attempt at fishing ends in disaster, the spooky campfire stories are a little too spooky and then, to make matters worse, all of Andy’s fellow campers start mysteriously disappearing. Can Andy brave the dark, dark woods and rescue them in time to finish writing their next book? |
