Good Reads Youth

The Phantom Tower

By Keir Graff
J Graff, Keir

 

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"When the missing button for their new apartment building's thirteenth floor suddenly appears, identical twins Mal and Colm are pulled into an eerie adventure in an parallel dimension"-- Provided by publisher.

Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe

By Jo Watson Hackl
J Hackl, Jo

 

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"When Cricket's Aunt Belinda accidentally forgets her in the grocery store, Cricket decides to run away once and for all. But Cricket has to stay close by because even though her mama hasn't been in touch since she disappeared, she'll surely come back. And Cricket has to be there when she does. Because she needs answers"-- Provided by publisher

A Prickly Problem

By Jacqueline Kelly
J Kelly, Jacqueline

 

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In this story in the Calpurnia Tate, Girl Vet chapter book series, Callie must help the family dog out of a prickly situation. When the Tate family dog, Ajax, has a run-in with a porcupine, things get prickly--and dangerous--quickly. It'll take Callie's quick thinking and doctoring, along with a little help from Dr. Pritzker, to make things right. Will Ajax learn to leave other critters alone? - GODWIN BOOKS

My Father's Words

By Patricia MacLachlan
J MacLachlan, Patricia

 

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Declan O'Brien always had a gentle word to share, odd phrases he liked to repeat, and songs to sing while he played basketball. His favorite song was "Dona Nobis Pacem," "Grant Us Peace." His family loved him deeply and always knew they were loved in return.

But a terrible accident one day changes their lives forever, and Fiona and Finn O'Brien are left without a father. Their mother is at a loss. What words are there to guide them through such overwhelming grief?

At the suggestion of their friend Luke, Fiona and Finn volunteer at an animal rescue shelter where they meet two sweet dogs who are in need of comfort, too. Perhaps with time, patience, and their father's gentle words in their hearts, hope will spark once more.

 

 

Weather or Not

By Sarah Mlynowski
J Mlynowski, Sarah

 

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When Willa's upside-down magic brings rain, the storminess threatens her grades and her friendships.

9 From the Nine Worlds

By Rick Riordan
J Middle School Riordan, Rick

 

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 "Beloved characters from the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series star in these hilarious and inventive new short stories, each set in a different one of the Nine Worlds from Norse mythology"-- Provided by publisher. Includes glossary, pronunciation guide, and list of runes.

Escape from Shudder Mansion

By R. L. Stine
J Stine, R. L.

 

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Riley Shiner is obsessed with a video game based on a real haunted house in his neighborhood. He has played the game so often he knows it by heart, but there's a level he just can't seem to beat. Riley and his twin sister Scarlet know the haunted house is full of monsters and evil spirits, but decide to spend the night there anyway.

Trapped in Room 217

By Thomas Troupe
J Troupe, Thomas

 

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Something is haunting Jayla Walters's Colorado hotel room--Room 217 of the Stanley Hotel.

Twain's Treasure

By Wolfe, William
J Wolfe, William

 

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Alex is a reluctant psychic who can see ghosts. He may have to reveal his ability to his best friend when he meets the spirit of Mark Twain. -- provided by publisher.

 

Princess and the Absolutely NOT a Princess

By Emma Wunsch
J Wunsch, Emma

 

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Princess Miranda is horrified when her parents insist she attend public school, especially because Maude, who sits next to her in 3B, is everything the princess finds most offensive.

Tale of a Scaredy Dog

By Deborah Zemke
J Zemke, Deborah

 

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"Bea Garcia loves art, especially when she gets to draw pictures of her dog, Sophie. When Sophie runs away after an encounter with the neighbor's cat, Bea has to find a way to bring her home again"-- Provided by publisher.

The Fun Dad

By Lauren Forte
JE Alvin

 

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When Dave comes down with a bad cold, Alvin takes over "dad duty," and quickly learns that parenting is a lot harder than he imagined.

 

What Will Olivia Make?

By Ian Falconer
J Easy Falconer, Ian

 

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Invites young readers to join Olivia in the kitchen.

Yasmin the Fashionista

By Saadia Faruqi
JE PBK
Faruqi, Saadia

 

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While her parents are out to dinner, a bored Yasmin decides to try on some of her mother's clothes, including her new shalwar kameez, which gets ripped--but with the help of Nana, Nani, and a glue-gun, the garment gets fixed, and Yasmin puts on an impromptu fashion show when her parents get home. 

The Garden

By Gwendolyn Hooks
JE Hooks, Gwendolyn

 

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"When Lily invites her friends to volunteer at the community garden, they learn how to dig, plant seeds, and patiently wait for their plants to grow. Includes instructions for growing snap peas at home." -- (Source of summary not specified) 

Mr. Monkey Bakes a Cake

By Jeff Mack
JE Mack, Jeff

 

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Mr. Monkey bakes a cake and enters it in a contest, but nothing goes as planned. 

I Spy Lightning in the Sky

By Jean Marzollo
JE PBK Marzollo, Jean

 

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Presents picture puzzles with hidden items, in addition to word riddles at the end of the book that use the familiar words from the first section. 

Quiet

By Tomie DePaola
JP DePaola, Tomie

 

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While observing the busy world around them, two children and their grandfather take a moment to appreciate being quiet and still.

A Dog Name Haku: A Holiday Story from Nepal

By Margarita Engle
JP Engle, Margarita

 

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During a Hindu festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, brothers Alu and Bhalu search for a dog they can honor with food and gratitude. Includes glossary of Nepali words and suggested activities. 

What if Everybody Said That?

By Ellen Javernick
JP Javernick, Ellen

 

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What if everybody chose to be kind?

If you tell someone that they can't play with you, there's no harm done, right? But what if everybody said that? What if everybody forgot to be kind...and made fun of other kids' artwork at school, or told a fib, or refused to share with a person in need? The world wouldn't be a very nice place to live. But what if everybody thought before they spoke, so the world would be a kinder place? 

All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah

By Emily Jenkins
JP Jenkins, Emily

 

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In 1912 New York, Gertie feels left out while Mama and her four older sisters cook Hanukkah dinner, but Papa comes home and asks her help with an important task. 

No Frogs in School

By A. LaFaye
JP LaFaye, A.

 

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Bartholomew Botts loves pets and doesn't want to go to school without one. Unfortunately, when Bartholomew brings his new frog to class, his teacher, Mr. Patanoose, declares: "No frogs in school!" So what happens when Bartholomew's beloved hoppy, hairy, and scaly creatures meet up with Mr. Patanoose's rules? Lots of fun!

Quiet Please, Owen McPhee!

By Trudy Ludwig
JP Ludwig, Trudy

 

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"A nonstop talker learns about the power of listening when he comes down with a case of laryngitis"-- Provided by publisher.

Wild Orca: The Oldest, Wisest Whale in the World

By Brenda Peterson
JP Peterson, Brenda

 

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Mia, her family, and friends gather in the San Juan Islands for Orca Sing, hoping that 105-year-old Granny, the oldest orca, will return with the pods she watches over. Includes facts about Granny and orcas.