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The Lost Library
What would you do if you found a secret in the pages of a book? Fifth grader Evan McClelland gets more than he expects when he borrows books from a...
Posted by Sarah Jane N. on March 12, 2025
Curlfriends: New In Town by Sharee Miller
Charlie Harper is ready to make a great first impression on her first day at her new middle school. She has meticulously researched and crafted a new persona that is...
Posted by Sarah A. on December 9, 2024
Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero
Isaiah Dunn is 10 years old, and it has not been an easy year for him. His father passed away unexpectedly, and his mother is struggling at the bottom of...
Posted by Heidi E. on October 17, 2024
The Tryout
Christina and Megan have been best friends for years, but middle school brings new challenges. They live in a small Texas town where being popular seems important, and fitting in...
Posted by Sarah Jane N. on October 10, 2024
The Lumbering Giants of Windy Pines
11-year old Jerry and her mother have moved around a lot in the year since her father died. When Mama says they will be staying for good at the Slumbering...
Posted by Kristi M. on October 10, 2024
Falling Short by Ernesto Cisneros
Sixth graders Isaac and Marco are next door neighbors and best friends, but they couldn’t be more different. Sports come naturally to Isaac, but he struggles to focus on school....
Posted by Kristi M. on May 16, 2024
The Grace of Wild Things by Heather Fawcett
Join Grace, a 12-year-old witch, on her journey from the orphanage to a new life full of magic and adventure. Escaping the dreary orphanage, Grace meets Miss Puddlestone, a witch...
Posted by Sarah Jane N. on May 2, 2024
The Witch’s Wings And Other Terrifying Tales
Alicia wants to become the newest member of the Midnight Society, a group of kids who share scary tales around the campfire. Most are not welcoming her with open arms. ...
Posted by Heidi E. on February 15, 2024
Long Distance
Vega has begrudgingly moved to a new city and she needs to make friends. Her parents are sure that summer camp is the solution. Vega disagrees. This camp also seems...
Posted by Heidi E. on September 1, 2023
Tegan and Sara: Junior High
Junior High is a middle-grade graphic novel about twin sisters navigating the world of middle school after a move to a new town. Written by real life twins and musicians,...
Posted by Sarah A. on August 24, 2023
LGBTQ+ Voices and Experiences: A Reading List for Grade School
Celebrate Pride Month with books highlighting LGBTQ+ characters, experiences, histories, and voices. We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue on topics of gender and sexuality from...
Posted by Sarah Jane N. on June 2, 2023
What Lives in the Woods
Twelve year old Ginny and her older brother Leo are not pleased to be spending a whole month of summer vacation with their parents deep in the Saugatuck woods at...
Posted by Adrian L. on June 1, 2023
Killer Underwear Invasion! How to Spot Fake News, Disinformation & Conspiracy Theories
The title draws in the reader’s eyes; how can “killer underwear” be part of a nonfiction title? The book aims to help the young reader develop critical thinking skills needed...
Posted by Heidi E. on May 25, 2023
Barb The Last Berzerker
An endless war has been waged between humans and monsters, and only the bravest among them—The Berzerkers—can defeat the monsters and save the world of Bailiwick once and for all!...
Posted by Sarah A. on May 11, 2023
The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza
This book is just the perfect mix of fun, ridiculous, and adorable. There is a cat who has been bioengineered to to be a hero, a toe-nail clipping robot looking...
Posted by Heidi E. on January 26, 2023
Poverty & Hunger: A Reading List for Grade School
Living in poverty means that people are often going without basic needs such as food, clothing, and adequate shelter. We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue...
Posted by Book Rex on January 6, 2023
The Witch Boy
Aster was born to be a shape shifter, but he wants to be a witch. He knows he can do it and do it well, but his family does not...
Posted by Heidi E. on December 22, 2022
Indigenous Voices & Experiences: A Reading List for Grade School
We hope these selections serve to educate, celebrate, and encourage dialogue on the diverse nations, cultures, and experiences of Native peoples throughout North America. Celebrate Native American Heritage Month—and continue...
Posted by Book Rex on November 4, 2022
All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team
Twelve Thai boys and their soccer coach bike out to a cave to explore. What they couldn’t have planned on was the rain that would flood the cave in the...
Posted by Heidi E. on June 16, 2022
New From Here
Drawn from the author’s own experiences, this is a moving story that explores the stress that a pandemic can put on an Asian-American family.
Posted by Book Rex on April 20, 2022
Social Justice in Poetry and Verse: A Reading List for Children and Families
We hope these selections of poetry and books in verse serve to educate and encourage a dialogue on topics of social justice.
Posted by Book Rex on April 2, 2022
Black Voices & Experiences: A Reading List for Children and Families
Celebrate Black History Month with books by Black authors and writing focusing on Black voices, characters, history, and culture. We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue...
Posted by Book Rex on February 4, 2022
Born Behind Bars
Kabir was born in an Indian prison. His mother, an inmate, is innocent, but she is also a member of the lowest Indian caste, poor, and without recourse to her...
Posted by Heidi E. on January 6, 2022
It’s Trevor Noah: Born A Crime: Stories From A South African Childhood
Trevor Noah is known in the USA as the host of The Daily Show since 2015, but this book tells the story of his youth. Trevor Noah grew up in...
Posted by Heidi E. on December 2, 2021
YTS Staff Picks 2021 – Our Favorite Books of the year
Check out some of our Youth & Teen Services staff favorites, all published in 2021. These books represent a wide variety of formats and intended audiences. We hope you will...
Posted by Kristi M. on November 22, 2021
Fake Blood
Its tough feeling ordinary, especially when your friends are all out having epic summer adventures. From bungee jumps to volcano hikes, AJ can’t help but feel that his summer spent...
Posted by Book Rex on October 29, 2021
Spirit Hunters
Harper knows her family has moved because of her, and she knows she spent time in a hospital, but she still can’t put all the pieces together. Her mother won’t...
Posted by Kristi M. on October 7, 2021
Serafina and the Black Cloak
Serafina has always been different and shut away. Living with her Pa in the basement at the Biltmore Estate she has never been allowed to interact with other people. One...
Posted by Book Rex on September 30, 2021
Vampirates: Demons of the ocean
After their father’s death, twins Grace and Connor set sail on the open sea in hopes of finding a better life. When caught in the eye of a storm they...
Posted by Book Rex on July 29, 2021
King and The Dragonflies
After dealing with the sudden passing of his older brother Khalid, Kingston James finds himself fixated on the last conversation he and his brother shared: Why King shouldn’t be hanging...
Posted by Book Rex on July 15, 2021
A Century of Reading: The 1980s
It was rad to be a kid in the 80s! Take a trip down memory lane with some books, movies, and music from the 1980s. Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly...
Posted by Adult Services on July 12, 2021
Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales: Donner Dinner Party
Nathan Hales’ Hazardous Tales: Donner Dinner Party breaks down this squeamish story from history in a way that’s both historically accurate and child friendly. This graphic novel tells the story...
Posted by Book Rex on April 29, 2021
Environmental Justice: A Reading List for Children and Families
We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue on topics of environmental justice, including access to a clean and healthy environment for all people, the disproportionate impact...
Posted by Book Rex on April 22, 2021
Asian and Pacific Islander Voices: A Reading List for Grade School
We hope these selections serve to spotlight #ownvoices stories by authors of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage, introduce readers to diverse writers and perspectives, and educate and encourage a dialogue...
Posted by Book Rex on April 2, 2021
Small Spaces
Small Spaces is a deliciously creepy tale of a school field trip gone wrong. Ollie is the only student that is nervous about the bus breaking down, and the teacher...
Posted by Kristi M. on April 1, 2021
Women’s History Month: A Reading List for Grade School
In honor of Women's History Month, we've selected titles focusing on the lives of women and girls throughout the past and into the present day. We hope these selections serve...
Posted by Book Rex on March 8, 2021
Disability & Neurodiversity: A Reading List for Grade School
We hope these selections serve to educate, entertain, amplify disabled voices, and encourage a dialogue on topics of disability and neurodiversity.
Posted by Book Rex on December 21, 2020
One Community, Many Voices: A Grade School Reading List
This list is a great way to start your Westmont Reads experience. WPL librarians have selected titles for all ages by authors from a wide range of communities, backgrounds, experiences,...
Posted by Book Rex on December 13, 2020
Native Nations: A Reading List for Grade School
We hope these selections serve to educate, celebrate, and encourage dialogue on the diverse nations, cultures, and experiences of Native peoples throughout North America. Celebrate Native American Heritage Month—and continue...
Posted by Book Rex on November 9, 2020
Snapdragon
Snapdragon enters the house of the town witch to save her dog Good Boy. Only the witch didn’t hurt Snap’s dog, she helped him after he got hit by car....
Posted by Book Rex on October 22, 2020
The Dragonet Prophecy
If you have ever wanted to be a dragon, this series is for you! Different dragon clans of Pyrrhia have been at war for centuries with no end in sight....
Posted by Book Rex on October 15, 2020
Go With the Flow
Sophomores Abby, Brit, Christine, and Sasha are all fed up with the fact that their high school never has enough, or even any, pads or tampons in the girls bathroom....
Posted by Book Rex on July 13, 2020
When Mischief Came to Town
Fans of Pippi Longstocking and Anne of Green Gables will adore the story of 10-year-old Inge Marie Jensen; a spunky, recently orphaned girl who arrives at a dreary Danish island...
Posted by Adrian L. on May 28, 2020
Amal Unbound
Amal Unbound tells the story of a twelve year old girl growing up in a small village in Pakistan. As the oldest in her family, it falls to Amal to...
Posted by Book Rex on May 7, 2020
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl
This glimpse into the mind and heart of a girl who doesn't fit the "norm" will make readers laugh, cry, and cheer for Lucy, while learning to celebrate what is...
Posted by Kristi M. on April 30, 2020
I Am Princess X
Libby died when she was fourteen. Her mom fell asleep at the wheel and drove into a river, where they both drowned. …Didn’t they?
Posted by Book Rex on October 17, 2019
The Bigfoot Files
Twelve-year-old Miranda Cho is a straight-A student, president of the student council, and extremely practical. Her mother Kat is an eccentric cryptozoologist who drives a Critter Mobile and runs a...
Posted by Adrian L. on March 5, 2019
5 Worlds: The Sand Warrior
The five worlds are dying. Mon Domani and its five moons (Toki, Salassandra, Moon Yatta, and Grimbo (E)) are overheating, causing a massive drought that is affecting the lives of...
Posted by Book Rex on January 10, 2019
The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls
Victoria Wright's best friend Lawrence has disappeared and no one is talking about it. Victoria must decide to keep up with her perfect routine or start investigating. With more children...
Posted by Book Rex on November 7, 2018
The Serpent’s Secret
It’s not until her twelfth birthday that Kiranmala discovers she’s a demon-slaying princess, and not just a normal girl from New Jersey.
Posted by Book Rex on August 13, 2018
The Thickety: A Path Begins
Kara Westfall is known as the witch girl. As she uncovers the underlying truth of her island home, her mother, and her own powers, Kara realizes not everything is as...
Posted by Book Rex on July 26, 2018
The Night Diary
Through a series of letters written to her deceased mother, shy, quiet, twelve year-old Nisha tells the story of her family’s journey from the newly-formed Pakistan to India in the...
Posted by Book Rex on July 11, 2018
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow
Morrigan Crow is cursed. After a life of being accused of causing other people’s misfortunes, Morrigan escapes her fate when a quirky man named Jupiter North selects her to be...
Posted by Book Rex on June 26, 2018
Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World
When a tornado strikes town, Ivy’s house is destroyed beyond repair. Feeling invisible and ignored in the aftermath of the storm, Ivy internalizes her trauma. To make matters worse, Ivy’s...
Posted by Book Rex on June 12, 2018
Listen, Slowly
Twelve year-old Mai is not looking forward to summer vacation. Why? Her parents are forcing her to spend it accompanying her grandmother, Ba, to Vietnam, to visit family Mai has...
Posted by Book Rex on May 6, 2018
York: The Shadow Cipher
New York has always been a city shrouded in mystery but there is no mystery greater than the York Cipher, a puzzle consisting of a series of clues left by...
Posted by Book Rex on March 8, 2018
Some Kind of Happiness
Finley’s parents are on the edge of a divorce and she is sent to live with grandparents she has never met. When the woods behind her grandparent’s house resemble her...
Posted by Book Rex on February 23, 2018
One Trick Pony
It’s Earth, and it’s the future: aliens are hunting humans to harvest electricity, and destroying civilization in the process. At the accidental center of the conflict is Strata, a girl...
Posted by Book Rex on January 25, 2018
Tumble & Blue
A family curse, some attempted heroism, and a mythical golden alligator named Munch: How will Blue Montgomery and Tumble Wilson survive summer vacation?
Posted by Book Rex on November 24, 2017
Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy
Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy is a plot-driven story about friendship in the face of racism, inspired by the true history of Malaga Island. The often dramatic and intense tale has...
Posted by Book Rex on October 5, 2017
The World from Up Here
Wren is an anxious twelve-year-old with many fears, especially of Witch Weatherly, the legendary old woman who lives by herself up on Creeper Mountain. When Wren’s mother is admitted to...
Posted by Adrian L. on September 12, 2017
The Mesmerist
13 year old Jessamine can see people’s thoughts and speak to the dead. To learn about her newfound powers she is shipped off the live with a family friend, in...
Posted by Book Rex on August 11, 2017
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
19 years after the Battle of Hogwarts, Harry, now the Head of Magical Law Enforcement, is struggling to balance his heavy workload and family life, and his scar has mysteriously...
Posted by Book Rex on October 7, 2016