Kids
Chapter Book Reads
Summer 2021 Update
Dog Squad
by Chris Grabenstein
Fred is a pretty average dog. He's scrappy. He's loveable. But he's not brave like his heroes on Dog Squad. Fred looks an awful lot like Duke from Dog Squad though. In fact, when Duke needs a stand-in, Fred's the perfect choice. But the Dog Squad action doesn't always stop on screen! When there's danger in real life, can Fred find the courage to step up and save the day?!
The Mouse Watch (Volume 1)
by J. J. Gilbert
Around the globe, exceptional mice live in the shadows. Under the direction of famed mouse inventor Gadget Hackwrench, they work together as a team to solve BIG problems using SMALL gadgets. Their mission: save the world. Bernadette is a small — but brave — mouse with a score to settle. Jarvis is a sensitive rat with a big appetite and unmatched puzzle-solving skills. Both are eager to prove their worth as the youngest, newest recruits to the Mouse Watch.
The Unicorn Rescue Society #6: The Secret of the Himalayas
by Adam Gidwitz and Hena Khan; illustrated by Hatem Aly
When Uchenna and Elliot’s classmate publishes an article in the school newspaper about the Schmoke Brothers, Professor Fauna notices something alarming in a photo. Mounted on the wall of the Schmoke’s living room is a single spiral horn that he’s certain could have come from only one animal—a unicorn! To save these magical creatures—and to finally see a unicorn themselves—the Unicorn Rescue Society heads to the rugged mountains of Pakistan.
Get Me Out of Here!
by Andy McNab and Phil Earle; illustrated by Robin Boyden
It's all fun and games until you lose cell service. When an epic class trip to "Wild Out," an Outward Bound-like adventure weekend involving rock climbing, kayaking, and zip lining, is announced, Danny Mack and his best friends are thrilled. But when one of the teachers gets sick and Danny's mean older brother volunteers to chaperone, the weekend seems doomed to be a disaster.
The Beast and the Bethany
by Jack Meggitt-Phillips; illustrated by Isabelle Follath
Beauty comes at a price. And no one knows that better than Ebenezer Tweezer, who has stayed beautiful for 511 years. How, you may wonder? Ebenezer simply has to feed the beast in the attic of his mansion to receive potions that keep him young and beautiful. But the beast grows ever greedier with each meal, and one day he announces that he’d like to eat a nice, juicy child next. Ebenezer has never done anything quite this terrible to hold onto his wonderful life. Still, he finds the absolutely snottiest, naughtiest, and most frankly unpleasant child he can and prepares to feed her to the beast.
The One Thing You'd Save
by Linda Sue Park; illustrated by Robert Sae-Heng
If your house were on fire, what one thing would you save? Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park explores different answers to this provocative question in linked poems that capture the diverse voices of a middle school class.
Yorick and Bones #1: Friends by Any Other Name
by Jeremy Tankard and Hermione Tankard
Hear ye, hear ye! Father-daughter duo Jeremy and Hermione Tankard are pleased to introduce the first book in a rib-tickling, heartfelt full-color graphic novel series perfect for fans of Bird & Squirrel! Yorick is a skeleton who was just dug up after a few hundred years of sleep. He speaks like it too. 'Forsooth, my joy, I barely can contain!' Bones is the hungry dog who did the digging. Though he cannot speak, he can chomp. What will become of these two unlikely companions?
Ways to Grow Love
by Renee Watson
Ryan Hart loves her family and friends. She's looking forward to summer vacation, spending time with loved ones, and her first trip to sleepaway camp! But when an unexpected camper shows up, Ryan finds it's hard to share your best friend and harder to be a friend to someone who isn't a good friend to you. She's also waiting for her new sister to be born -- and hoping the baby doesn't ruin everything. This summer and the start of fifth grade just might give Ryan the chance to show how she grows and glows!
Walls Within Walls
by Maureen Sherry
After their father, a video-game inventor, strikes it rich, the Smithfork kids find they hate their new life. They move from their cozy Brooklyn neighborhood to a swanky apartment on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue. One day, Brid, CJ, and Patrick discover an astonishing secret about their apartment: The original owner, the deceased multimillionaire Mr. Post, long ago turned the apartment itself into a giant puzzle containing a mysterious book and hidden panels—a puzzle that, with some luck, courage, and brainpower, will lead to discovering the Post family fortune.
Anna Analyst
by Patti Edgar
On the last day of elementary school, eleven-year-old Anna finds a leather-bound book about handwriting analysis. Anna could use help deciphering people. Her best friend has started wearing mascara and plans to spend the summer with a more fashionable classmate. And her parents threaten to give away her tortoises just because she's a little forgetful about taking care of the sick one. Why does everyone expect Anna to change before middle school starts? She's going to stay exactly the same.