Rami and his mom are still being considered as suspects in the case of a missing painting from the Penelope L. Brook Museum. They were two of only a handful of people at the museum the day the painting went missing because his mom works there. While forced to spend his days at the museum during his spring break, Rami comes across a girl who floats. Wait. A girl who is floating in the museum that no one else can see? Does she have links to the missing painting? Does she know who took it? While Rami and his friend, Veda, try to solve the case, they try things new things and get into some trouble. This light mystery will have readers anxiously turning pages to see what our two young friends get into to get themselves out of trouble.
Hailey misses her Grandpa Wong, who always encouraged her to do the things that scared her, just in case it was the start of a new adventure. When she and her friend Zeke make a wish on a Chinese lion statue, they unintentionally find they’ve brought a dragon to life. Zhu, the water dragon just wants gummy worms and to go back to her home, and it’s up to Hailey and Zeke to figure out the way to take her back. Full of zany antics with animal control and a dragon disguised as a coyote, Dragon on the Loose is a charming early chapter book about bravery and friendship.
Starting a new school is stressful enough, but with a last minute grade, 8th -9th almost sends thirteen-year-old nonbinary homeschooler Shai over the edge. But they’re smart, there is nothing they can’t think their way out of. Except maybe the anxious picking of their arms. So Shai turns to research and discovers that studies show that routine can reduce anxiety. With their routine in place, Shai sets off for their Freshman year hoping their anxiety is under control. However, sticking to a routine is harder than they thought. Shai’s picking becomes a daily struggle along with 9th grade coursework, making new friends, maintaining old friendships and the curveballs life just loves to throw into the mix too. This novel by A. J. Sass, is a tender look into the life of a nonbinary teen as they try to navigate a new normal, learn about their queer identity, face anti-Semitic violence and all with unmanaged anxiety.
Milo and his best friend Mel live close to each other. So close that when Milo reads a scary story and is feeling afraid of the monster that could be lurking under his bed, Milo asks Mel for help. Mel then signs to Milo using ASL and shows him ways to help ease his fear and even feel braver. This story shows readers that it is okay to be scared sometimes and how to work through those fears to find bravery. Readers that do not know sign language can walk away having learned a few signs that help Milo. The contrast of light and dark in this story is great for showing readers that being brave can feel light. The Illustrations also are great for learning the signs in the story.
Music is sacred and magical to the native Devan people and has been outlawed for as long as Sona can remember. Yet she, a Malech, hears it everywhere. After a surprise visit from a Malechian Hunter, Sona and her haggard pony make a secret trip to town to see a family friend. There she meets Raag and together they bravely go on an epic quest for a magical life-saving medicine to save the life of a mutual loved-one. Braving deadly gold storms and fierce Hunters, Sona and Raag must find the five magical beasts of Devia and reunite their sacred gems in Bhoomi’s Crown at the top of Mount Meru. LaRocca builds a fantastical, South-Asian inspired world with historical details of both the native Devan people and the colonizing Malechian people with twists and turns, friendship, and exploration of the good and bad in people. Pair the print book with the audiobook for an immersive experience.
Young Kao Kalia Yang and her Hmong family are seeking refuge in the United States from the War in Thailand. Kao compares her native Hmong language to something sweet and like a song, however English words were different sometimes the words would get stuck like sticky candy. Kao notices that in the English-speaking world, some people are not as kind towards her family and Kao makes the decision to not speak at school. At school it feels as though there is a rock in her throat preventing the words from coming out. Kao is hopeful for her language journey and making friends though in the difficult times she is going through. Kao Kalia Yang describes her experiences growing up as a Hmong refugee in the United States and her story is paired with illustrations by Jiemei Lin that bring the natural tones of the outdoors to the important story of this girl and her family.
Have you ever really noticed the faces in clouds or wondered how cool it could be if our mouths spoke every language? Maybe you have wondered where do faces come from. Or maybe you have had the privilege to really look at a face and see that “a face is to love.” Faces are all around us, but each one is unique and wonderful in their own way. Julie Morstad takes readers on a beautiful journey exploring and showing appreciation of the differences between faces. Faces are everywhere, but when we really stop and look at all the faces, we can see that maybe we have not noticed before. The illustrations in this book will have you entranced in its beauty, and you will be left mesmerized by unique and loved faces.
Dot is a ladybug that loves to find dots and spots. But when her friend Spots the Dog tells her his doughnut is missing a “dot”, our friend Dot goes on a search for Spot’s missing doughnut dot. Dot’s adventures take young readers on a journey near sunflower round centers, blueberry bushes and finally to her friend Jots. Will Dot the Ladybug be able to solve Spot’s doughnut mystery? This sweet early reader is perfect for young readers starting on their book journey. The repetition of words and sounds allows readers to practice seeing and reading the words. The illustrations in this story are bright and colorful, but also simple enough to help young readers follow along and understand the story. Readers will enjoy this cute mystery of Dot and her friends Spots and Jots!
José Andrés Puerta grew up in Spain where his parents were both nurses, so he was raised with a philosophy of public service that has stayed with him his whole life. As a child helping his father make paella for family and friends, he developed a love of cooking that led to owning his own restaurants in the USA, and then to start a non-profit organization to help people after disasters all over the world. Chef Andrés has travelled with his World Central Kitchen team to many places in crisis to bring good food to people in need, from Haiti after a terrible earthquake, to New York City to feed first responders during the Covid pandemic. His is an inspiring story for any child looking for a way to make the world a better place.
When Millie and her mother move to a new community named Garden Glen, the first thing they notice is the sameness of everything – the houses, the yards, the streets are all exactly the same. Except for the house they have moved into. It is larger and darker and more run-down than anything else in town. But they had a plan. While her mom worked on the inside of the house, Millie set to work planting the seeds she had brought from her old garden. She didn’t anticipate that people would protest the planting of such plants as Fanged Fairy Moss and Grumpy Gilliflower!
What does Millie do to make the town understand the fascinating nature of these unusual plants? This whimsical book on the surface is about some crazy and unheard-of plants and the girl who loved them. But there’s also a good message here about accepting people and ideas that are different from your own.
Ty loved to swim and was on his schools swim team with his best friend Max. But, when Ty breaks his arm and is not allowed to swim or practice, he begins to worry about starting to swim again. Not being as active has changed his body and since then, Ty is very self-conscious about how he looks. So much so that he distances himself from his best friend and this ends up hurting their friendship. Time passes and the friends are at a camp together and even are bunking together, but will Ty and Max be able to be friends again? In Sink or Swim you will see some familiar characters from Lee Durfey-Lavoie’s other graphic novel, Just Roll with It. This middle grade graphic novel is great for readers that enjoyed Just Roll with It, or even readers that might be struggling with different worries.
When Lia and her family move from Romania to Canada, Lia is heartbroken to leave her mother country, friends and family behind. She struggles in Canade to learn French, make friends and to get involved in different things. However, the girls in her grade are all mostly welcoming and in a matter of no time she has a vibrant group of friends, is doing sort of well in French class, has joined the school magazine and even developed a crush! All while managing horrible period cramps in the process. As time in her new home elapses, Lia struggles with maintaining her relationships in Romania and the new ones she’s found in Canada. Full of animated and expressive panels, this graphic novel is great for readers who love friendship and coming of age stories.
