Staff Suggestions — Kids 10+ Years
Extraordinary! Look Both Ways invites the reader to see both their perspective and anothers’. The collection of interconnected short stories, with shared characters and setting, is brilliantly woven while allowing each short story to stand thoughtfully on its own. Jason Reynolds is one of the finest children’s authors right now, writing both middle grade and young adult. Don’t miss this one!
— Jamie
It's here! It's finally here! I have loved the world Rick Riordan created since I was 12 years old. Apollo and Meg must travel to Camp Jupiter to save Jason in the newest installment of the Trials of Apollo series. Reading about the famed God Apollo walking around as a gawky teenager makes me uncontrollably laugh. We have signed copies while supplies last!
— Lindsay A.
In this immersive story, Palacio transported me back in time to France, during the occupation, where I met Julian’s grandmere—Sara—and witnessed bravery, kindness and compassion. Because it’s a graphic novel (which Palacio illustrated!), it played like a movie and I was right beside Sara while she hid from the Germans. Be sure to read the information at the end that expands on World War II.
— Susan
With chapters like “Chapter Tuesday” and an Alice In Wonderland feel, readers are quickly immersed in a very different type of story. But rather than political, it is an examination of the parent-child relationship with a main character you will love. Brilliant, thoughtful, and fun.
— Jamie
Lynda Mullaly Hunt always writes such poignant realistic fiction. She shows that there can be challenges in life, but they are always balanced with the light of hope and, in this case, the realization that life is good just the way it is.
This story absolutely left me humming with positive thoughts because of Delsie and who she is. Let me show you with a quote from the book: “Some people aren’t dealt easy hands, and it isn’t fair. But if you play a difficult hand with courage and compassion, you end up stronger. The thing you really have to ask yourself is…are you going to live your life as a victim? Or a survivor?”
— Susan
I’m such a big fan of Erin Dionne. She always tackles subjects that challenge many a middle school kid and shows how any of them can make change in their lives or can handle those difficulties and even thrive…just like Sarah Anne, who’s figuring out who she is, cool or not, and owning it instead of hiding it. Thank you, Erin Dionne, for reminding all of us to be true to ourselves! Perfect for 7th and 8th graders.
— Susan
If you loved Invisible Emmie and Positively Izzy, Just Jaime is going to be your next go-to. Navigating growing friendships is a dangerous and confusing feat. This is for those who may have grown apart but can learn to come together again.
— Lindsay A.
Wonderful, summery, Cape Cod realistic fiction. Plenty of sadness and loss, but family and friends are there to help Lucy through it. Great writing and cool shark science will make this a popular book this summer, especially for fans of The Thing About Jellyfish.
— Jamie
Through a broken future we follow cursed mute Ye, a boy with a shadow in his soul on a quest for redemption. Ye is a beautifully crafted metaphor for ... well that would be telling. So I’ll take a page from our protagonist and say it’s a Ye from me.
— Matt
The Breakaways - a team of middle school, misfit soccer players who don’t really like soccer at all! This quirky graphic novel displays a diverse crew of girls who, although they don’t find much fun in the game, do find friendship, understanding, and acceptance in each other. These unique characters bring an honest, oddly charming story to life about the tough world of middle school, and finding where you belong in the world.
— Tonya
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