Summer Reading 2022

Ms. Chapman & Ms. Harte’s Summer Reading List 2022

Ms. Chapman & Ms. Harte’s Summer Reading List 2022

Morgan Chapman, teacher-librarian at Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School, and Shannon Harte, teacher-librarian at Rundle College have collaborated again to bring you the best and brightest new picture books, early chapter books, middle grade novels and graphic novels to keep your child reading this summer. Through the pages of these diverse stories, they will meet new friends and explore new places, concepts and perspectives.

For even more picks, can also read their Best and Brightest Summer Reads 2021 Ms. Chapman is on Instagram @kidlitbookaday Ms. Harte is on Instagram @hartelovesbooks

Top 5 Tips for Parents of “Reluctant” Readers One of the most important things to remember as the parent of a “reluctant” reader is the “why” behind wanting them to be a reader. We want kids to fall in love with story - it’s a vital way that we connect to other humans, the world and to ourselves. Reading builds empathy, provides an escape into new worlds, gives us information, and inspires and transforms us. When we view becoming a reader as maximizing opportunities for stories to get into our hearts rather than reading a certain kind of book of a particular length, we open up much more possibility to meet our child where they are, and lead them on the journey of discovering who they are as a reader.

So how can we maximize the opportunities for stories to get into our child’s heart? You might be surprised at our recommendations, but we hope you will be brave enough to try some of them and watch the magic unfold.

1. Read allllll kinds of Graphic Novels - Many children are labeled reluctant readers despite being voracious graphic novel enthusiasts.

Parents often worry that their child is reading “comics”, not realizing that a graphic novel is a full story, told in a visual format, not a collection of short comic strips like the Archie comics of their youth. It makes sense why children love graphic novels so much, they invite the reader in with a rich visual format, can be read in a short amount of time, and engage many parts of the brain. It can be worrisome for parents when their

child wants to read graphic novels exclusively, but we can use this passion as a stepping stone to discovering who they are as a reader. We recommend going to the public library and checking out a big stack from the buffet of graphic novels available. Remember that this is a format, not a genre - when your child reads widely within this format, they will discover the genre, or type of story, that they enjoy. Try a historical fiction graphic novel, a non-fiction graphic novel, a graphic novel that is adapted from a famous book, a mystery graphic novel, and more. Graphic novels are similar to traditional novels, they both can contain layers of complex story and character development.

In graphic novels, not all of the information is provided in the written text. The reader is required to create understanding by combining meaning from reading the text as well as reading the pictures. This inference skill takes time and practice, and many readers will reread graphic novels and gain new insights with subsequent reading. Exploring a wide variety of graphic novels can help children confidently step into novels when they are ready. It’s really important to celebrate their reading, no matter what they choose. Try reading a graphic novel aloud with them, trying different voices for each character. You and your child get to practice reading illustrations for context, reading the characters’ facial expressions to decide what kind of voice they will speak with, and we know you will undoubtedly find that there is a lot of joy and depth to be found in graphic novels.

2. Watch the movie first, then read the book - You might think it’s peculiar to hear a librarian recommend that you watch a movie before reading the book. We love reading a story together and then watching the movie, but for students who really struggle with long novels, this strategy can be a great way for your child to enter the

world of a book, get to know the characters, and be left wanting to know more. We recommend picking a movie that is the first in a series of books, so your child can move along to the books to continue the story. Our top picks include Timmy Failure (movie, Prime), The Mysterious Benedict Society (series, AppleTV), El Deafo (series, AppleTV).

Find a list of books and their movie or series adaptations here: https://sites.google.com/sts.ab.ca/librarywithmschapman/books-into-m ovies 3. Read aloud, no matter what their age - Many parents stop reading to their children once they are able to read themselves. Reading aloud to your children can be a wonderful way to connect and inspire them to read more themselves. We recommend reading the first book in a series aloud, or listening to an audiobook on a summer roadtrip or your school commute. Entering into the world that the author has created by listening to a fluent reader (hopefully you do great voices for each character too!) is a great way to pique your child’s interest so they can confidently move on to the next books in the series. Ask your child if there are any books they have been wanting to read, or try one of our tried and true family read alouds - The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, Wishtree by Katherine Applegate, Wonder by RJ Palacio, The Wild Robot by Peter Brown, The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett, Flora & Ulysses by Kate Dicamillo, Fortunately The Milk by Neil Gaiman, Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate Dicamillo, or A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold.

4. Listen to audiobook samples on Sora - Looking for a new book can be overwhelming, even for the most experienced reader. In the library we often encourage children to read the back of the book and read the first few pages. You can explore books this way on Sora/Libby/Overdrive sampling the first 5 minutes of an

audiobook without checking the book out. This can be a wonderful way to see how the author hooks you, and test out the narrator. A great narrator and a fast-paced story can be just the thing to spark interest in a reluctant reader, and an audiobook can keep your child company as they settle down at bedtime, on a long road-trip, or on the bus on the way to school. We love audiobooks for all children, but especially kids who struggle to read at grade level, it’s a wonderful way for them to experience the story without the added stress of decoding all the words. We also love pairing an audiobook with the physical book, so they can follow along.

5. Reading for Information - What does your child like to do? What do they wonder about? Make sure to honour their interests as they read and remind them that reading cookbooks, magazines, woodworking books, art books, minecraft strategy books…..it all counts as reading. The most important thing to remember when growing a reader is to make sure they are interested and invested in what they are reading. Children love giant books of facts or world records for a reason. They are fun to explore and the information is fun to share. You can read along with them, encouraging them to use their non-fiction reading skills to read beneath each photo for extra information, or use the index or table of contents to find specific information. The skills involved in reading non-fiction books are different from reading novels, and just as important. We read a lot of non-fiction sources as teens and adults and building those skills are critical, and that skill-building happens with ease when they are reading for pleasure.

Alternatives to Oh, the Places You’ll Go for the Graduate in Your Life Step outside the Dr. Seuss classic and offer one of these picture books filled with wisdom and guidance for their journey.

After the Fall by Dan Santat - My name is Humpty Dumpty.

I'm famous for falling off a wall.

(You may have heard about it.)

But that's only half the story...

Because I decided to get back up.

And when I did, something amazing happened.

This story is about my life...

AFTER THE FALL. Inspiring and unforgettable, this epilogue to the beloved classic nursery rhyme will encourage even the most afraid to overcome their fears, learn to get back up--and reach new heights.

How to Solve a Problem by Ashima Shiraishi- From one of the world's youngest and most skilled climbers, comes a true story of strength and perseverence--in rock-climbing and in life.

To a rock climber, a boulder is called a "problem," and you solve it by climbing to the top. There are twists and turns, falls and scrapes, and obstacles that seem insurmountable until you learn to see the possibilities within them. And then there is the moment of triumph, when there's nothing above you but sky and nothing below but a goal achieved.

Ashima Shiraishi draws on her experience as a world-class climber in this story that challenges readers to tackle the problems in their own lives and rise to greater heights than they would have ever thought possible.

What If… by Samantha Berger, illustrated by Mike Curato Creativity, the power of imagination, and the importance of self-expression are celebrated in this inspiring picture book written and illustrated by real-life best friends. This girl is determined to express herself! If she can't draw her dreams, she'll sculpt or build, carve or collage. If she can't do that, she'll turn her world into a canvas. And if everything around her is taken away, she'll sing, dance, and dream...

Stunning mixed media illustrations, lyrical text, and a breathtaking gatefold conjure powerful magic in this heartfelt affirmation of art, imagination, and the resilience of the human spirit.

What Do You Do With a Chance? By Kobi Yamada The award–winning creators of The New York Times best sellers What Do You Do With an Idea? and What Do You Do With a Problem? return with a captivating story about a child who isn't sure what to make of a chance encounter and then discovers that when you have courage, take chances, and say yes to new experiences, amazing things can happen.

In this story, a child is visited by his first chance and unsure what to do with it, he lets it go. Later on, when a new chance arrives he reaches for it, but this time he misses and falls. Embarrassed and afraid, he begins ignoring each new chance that comes by, even though he still wants to take them. Then one day he realizes that he doesn't need to be brave all the time, just at the right time, to find out what amazing things can happen when he takes a chance…

The Path by Bob Staake - Perfect for a new generation of path-forgers, this buoyant picture book from an award-winning author and New Yorker cover artist is a hip new take on the graduation book.

On this playfully illustrated journey with Bob Staake, children and adults alike will discover an encouraging truth: our path through life is not only challenging and beautiful—it is all our own to discover and invent.

"You will walk. You will walk along a well-worn path that many people have taken—and long before you." So begins this inspirational journey over gentle, grassy hills, through fields of wildflowers, over raging rivers, up steep mountains, and even through a dark, chilly cave. When it splits in two, you will have to decide what to do next—and you'll create a path that's unique to you. ​

​The Blur by Minh Lê and Dan Santat - Meet a child with superhero-like abilities . . . and the parents who are racing to keep up with her in this sweetly funny picture book about the blur of childhood, from the award-winning creators of Drawn Together. A perfect gift to celebrate all of our special milestones--from graduations to birthdays and beyond!

From the very beginning, there was something different about this child... An ultrasonic voice. Fantastically elastic limbs. Super-magnetic powers. But it wasn’t until the child took her first steps that she became: THE BLUR! Nothing can stand in her way as she takes the world by storm: always on the move and darting into danger! All too soon, she is zipping through the days, and zooming over the years… Framed as an origin story, here is a fun superhero romp for kids, filled with bold and bright illustrations, that will pull at the heartstrings of every parent.

The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy - From British illustrator, artist, and author Charlie Mackesy comes a journey for all ages that explores life’s universal lessons, featuring 100 color and black-and-white drawings.

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” asked the mole.

“Kind,” said the boy.

Charlie Mackesy offers inspiration and hope in uncertain times in this beautiful book, following the tale of a curious boy, a greedy mole, a wary fox and a wise horse who find themselves together in sometimes difficult terrain, sharing their greatest fears and biggest discoveries about vulnerability, kindness, hope, friendship and love. The shared adventures and important conversations between the four friends are full of life lessons that have connected with readers of all ages.

Picture Books Journey of the Midnight Sun by Shazia Afzal, illustrated

by Aliya Ghare This is the true story of the journey of the Midnight Sun Mosque.

In 2010 a Winnipeg-based charity raised funds to build and ship a mosque to Inuvik, one of the most northern towns in Canada’s Arctic. A small but growing Muslim community there had been using a cramped trailer for their services, but there just wasn't enough space. The mosque travelled over 4,000 kilometers on a journey fraught with poor weather, incomplete bridges, narrow roads, low traffic wires and a deadline to get on the last barge heading up the Mackenzie River before the first winter freeze. But it made it just in time and is now one of the most northern mosques in the world.

When We are Kind by Monique Gray Smith, illustrated by Nicole Neidhardt A beautifully illustrated reminder of the power of kindness - to others, and also to ourselves.

This beautiful picture book reminds us that the collective dream of fostering a multicultural and tolerant Canada exists and that people of all backgrounds will come together to build bridges and overcome obstacles for the greater good of their neighbors. When We Are Kind celebrates simple acts of everyday kindness and encourages children to explore how they feel when they initiate and receive acts of kindness in their lives. Celebrated author Monique Gray Smith has written many books on the topics of resilience and reconciliation and communicates an important message through carefully chosen words for readers of all ages. Beautifully illustrated by artist Nicole Neidhardt, this book encourages children to be kind to others and to themselves.

My Forest is Green by Darren Lebeuf, illustrated by Ashley Barron A lyrical read-aloud, perfect to pair with a nature walk and art exploration.

With art supplies in tow, a young boy explores the urban forest near his home, then interprets what he sees with his art. The boy is

a keen observer who uses poetic, rhythmic language to describe the diversity he finds through all four seasons. His forest is both “fluffy” and “prickly,” “dense” and “sparse,” “crispy” and “soft.” It's also “scattered and soggy, and spotted and foggy.” His forest is made up of many colors --- but he decides that “mostly it's green.” Each aspect of the forest inspires the boy to create a different kind of art: charcoal rubbing, rock art, photography, sponge painting, snow sculpture, cut-paper collage. To this artist, there's always something new to discover, and to capture!

Grandad’s Camper by Harry Woodgate An ode to love, to memories, to the connection between grandparents and their grandchildren, and the joy in seeing things through a child’s eyes.

Discover a wonderful grandfather-granddaughter relationship, as a little girl hatches the perfect plan to get her Grandad adventuring again.

Gramps and Grandad were adventurers. They would surf, climb mountains, and tour the country in their amazing camper.

Gramps just made everything extra special. But after Gramps died, granddad hasn't felt like traveling anymore. So, their amazing granddaughter comes up with a clever plan to fix up the old camper and get Grandad excited to explore again. This beautiful picture book honors love and reminds us not only to remember those we have lost, but to celebrate them.

The Little Library by Margaret McNamara and G. Brian Karas A relatable story for anyone who has felt like they aren’t a reader, and an ode to the power of following a child’s interests to help them become one. This book will inspire library exploration - school libraries, public libraries and little free libraries in the community.

Everyone in Mr. Tiffin's class couldn't be more excited that the new school library has finally opened. Everyone except Jake. Jake is a slow and careful reader. Sometimes he reads the same page more than once to figure everything out. And he often feels left behind on class Library Day. All that changes when Librarian Beck notices Jake running his fingers across the grooves of a brand-new bookshelf and offers him an old, worn book: Woodworking for Young Hands. Jake checks the book out, studies the pictures and instructions, and renews the book again and again. When the school year comes to an end, Jake has the perfect gift idea for the librarian who changed his life--and he makes it with his own two hands.

Carson Crosses Canada by Linda Bailey A funny and sweet cross-country roadtrip adventure with a sassy septuagenarian and her quirky canine.

Feisty Annie Magruder and her dog, Carson, live in British Columbia, Canada, and they're setting out to visit her sister, Elsie, in Newfoundland. In their little rattlebang car, packed with Carson's favorite toy, Squeaky Chicken, and plenty of baloney sandwiches, Annie and Carson hit the road! They travel province by province, taking in each unique landscape and experiencing something special to that particular part of this vast, grand country. For example, they marvel at the beauty of the big, open sky -- and grasshoppers! -- in Saskatchewan and discover the gorgeous red earth and delicious lobster rolls in PEI, before finally being greeted by Elsie -and a surprise for Carson!

Not So Small by Pat Zietlow Miller An uplifting picture book with an empowering message: No matter your size, you can do big things.

This joyful book celebrates the many ways people can join together to become something bigger—an unstoppable force.

Each and every one of us can use our voices to make a difference!

This stirring book will inspire readers of all ages.

A small voice can travel for miles. Showing kindness. Hope.

And love.

Early Chapter Books (Quick to Read Novels) Mindy Kim by Lyla Lee Mindy Kim just wants three things: 1. A puppy!

2. To fit in at her new school 3. For her dad to be happy again But, getting all three of the things on her list is a lot trickier than she thought it would be. On her first day of school, Mindy’s school snack of dried seaweed isn’t exactly popular at the lunch table. Luckily, her new friend, Sally, makes the snacks seem totally delicious to Mindy’s new classmates, so they decide to start the Yummy Seaweed Business to try and raise money for that puppy!

When another student decides to try and sabotage their business, Mindy loses more than she bargained for—and wonders if she’ll ever fit in. Will Mindy be able to overcome her uncertainty and find the courage to be herself? Enjoy this series that has earned the kudos of all the Grade 3 classes this year!

Just Harriet by Elana K. Arnold From the award-winning author of A Boy Called Bat comes a new young middle grade series in the tradition of Ramona and Clementine, starring an unforgettable girl named Harriet.

There are a few things you should know about Harriet Wermer: ● She just finished third grade. ● She has a perfect cat named Matzo Ball. ● She doesn’t always tell the truth. ● She is very happy to be spending summer vacation away from home and her mom and dad and all the wonderful things she had been planning all year.

Okay, maybe that last one isn’t entirely the truth.

Of course, there’s nothing Harriet doesn't like about Marble Island, the small island off the coast of California where her nanu runs a cozy little bed and breakfast. And nobody doesn’t love Moneypenny, Nanu’s old basset hound. But Harriet doesn’t like the fact that Dad made this decision without even asking her.

When Harriet arrives on Marble Island, however, she discovers that it's full of surprises, and even a mystery. One that seems to involve her Dad, back when he was a young boy living on Marble Island. One that Harriet is absolutely going to solve. And that's the truth.

The Weird Sisters by Mark David Smith, illustrated by Kari Rust The first book in a mystery series featuring three sleuthing sisters.

One spring evening, three strange visitors arrive in the town of Covenly. Sisters Hildegurp, Yuckmina, and Glubbifer are hoping to start fresh with a new business: a pet store! Their first customer is nine-year-old Jessica Nibley, who has lost her pet goat and hopes the sisters can help track it down. But when the sisters discover a mangled note with missing pieces that suggests they aren’t welcome in town, they suddenly have two mysteries to solve.

Jessica and the sisters jump on a broomstick and fly off to investigate. As they collect clues and get closer to solving the cases, Covenly residents start to look beyond the sisters’ unusual appearances and welcome them to the community as they are.

Planet Omar by Zanib Mian Perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Tom Gates, readers will quickly befriend Omar, an imaginative, slightly mischievous kid who is trying to navigate a new school, bullies, and finding some real, true friends.

Welcome, readers, to the imaginative brain of Omar! You might not know me yet, but once you open the pages of this book you'll laugh so hard that snot will come out of your nose (plus you might meet a dragon and a zombie - what more could you want?).

My parents decided it would be a good idea to move house AND move me to a new school at the same time. As if I didn't have a hard enough time staying out of trouble at home, now I've also got to try and make new friends.

What's worse, the class bully seems to think I'm the perfect target and has made it his mission to send me back to Pakistan. But I've never even been to Pakistan! And my cousin told me the pizza there is YUCK. The only good thing is that Eid's just around the corner which means a feast of all my favourite food (YAY) and presents (DOUBLE YAY). I'm really hoping I can stay in Mum and Dad's good books long enough to get loads…

Aven Green, Sleuthing Machine by Dusti Bowling Born without arms, Aven has a theory - all her “arm” cells went to her super-powered brain. Join her as she solves mysteries like “The Mystery of the Cranky Mom” with a great dose of laughs.

Third-grader Aven Green has been solving mysteries for a whole month—cracking such cases as The Mystery of the Cranky Mom. But can this perceptive detective solve two cases at the same time? First her teacher’s lunch bag disappears. Then Aven’s great-grandma’s dog goes missing. Fortunately, since Aven was born without arms, all the “arm” cells went to her super-powered brain instead. (That’s her theory.) This hilarious chapter book showcases a new side to Dusti Bowling’s unforgettable protagonist.

The Animal Rescue Agency by Eliot Schrefer (Book #2) Your favorite fox and chicken duo go on a tropical adventure to save the world's biggest pangolin pop star.

After a frigid arctic rescue, Esquire and Mr. Pepper get the perfect opportunity to warm up--an invitation to Beatle the Pangolin's private island concert. Sun and sand await! But when Esquire and Mr. Pepper arrive, the island is in chaos. Field agent Alphonse delivers the bad news: due to an incident during dress rehearsal, Beatle is trapped underground, and foul play is likely. The worst news: There's no way to reach Beatle and there are multiple suspects: ewel, Beatle's sister and backup dancer Arabella, the monkey stage manager Butch, a vengeful wildcat. Finding the culprit and saving Beatle before it's too late--this might be the Animal Rescue Agency's most challenging case yet! Esquire and Mr. Pepper’s first adventure Case File: Little Claws is also a fun-filled mystery!

The Last Bear by Hannah Gold An instant classic with a bear-sized heart, a touching story of kindness, adventure, and forging your own path—perfect for fans of Pax and A Wolf Called Wander.

There are no polar bears left on Bear Island. At least, that’s what April’s father tells her when his scientific research takes them to a faraway Arctic outpost.

But one night, April catches a glimpse of something distinctly bear shaped loping across the horizon. A polar bear who shouldn’t be there—who is hungry, lonely and a long way from home. An excellent choice for readers in grades 3 to 7, this fierce celebration of friendship includes full-page black-and-white illustrations throughout, as well as information about the real Bear Island and the plight of the polar bears.

Graphic Novels Spy School The Graphic Novel by Stuart Gibbs Ben Ripley may only be in middle school, but he’s already pegged his dream job: CIA or bust. Unfortunately for him, his personality doesn’t exactly scream “secret agent.”

In fact, Ben is so awkward, he can barely get to school and back without a mishap. Because of his innate nerdiness, Ben is not surprised when he is recruited for a magnet school with a focus on science—but he’s entirely shocked to discover that the school is actually a front for a junior CIA academy. Could the CIA really want him?

Actually, no. There’s been a case of mistaken identity—but that doesn’t stop Ben from trying to morph into a supercool undercover agent, the kind that always gets the girl. And through a series of hilarious misadventures, Ben realizes he might actually be a halfway decent spy…if he can survive all the attempts being made on his life! With action-packed, eye-catching art, join Ben Ripley as he survives his first year at the Academy of Espionage.

King of the Birds by Elise Gravel An early graphic chapter book series about the friendship between Arlo, an arrogant crow, and a sarcastic little bird named Pips.

Like most crows, Arlo has a big brain. But Arlo has something else: a little pal who’s not afraid to tell him when he’s being insufferable!

In the first of three episodes, a battle of the brains and bird-to-bird banter soon turns into an unexpected friendship. Arlo and Pips' adventures include a visit the big city and the beach on their hunt for shiny things and French fries. Crow facts are included throughout the book.

Animal Rescue Friends by Meika Hashimoto, Gina Loveless and Genevieve Kote Welcome to Animal Rescue Friends, where any stray can find a friendly face—furry or otherwise.

This first collection of middle-grade comics includes five tales of found family: A lonely girl living in the suburbs finds happiness with a stray pit bull; a protective mama ferret and her six kits learn to trust a shelter volunteer; a shy boy stands up for himself with the help of a strong-willed bunny; a cantankerous cat helps to mend a troubled relationship; and the shelter's unofficial mascot eventually finds a home. Perfect for animal-loving kids, this adorable comics series will inspire and uplift.

Miss Quinces by Kat Fajardo Sue just wants to spend the summer reading and making comics at sleepaway camp with her friends, but instead she gets stuck going to Honduras to visit relatives with her parents and two sisters. They live way out in the country, which means no texting, no cable, and no Internet!

The trip takes a turn for the worse when Sue's mother announces that they'll be having a surprise quinceañera for Sue, which is the last thing she wants. She can't imagine wearing a big, floofy, colorful dress! What is Sue going to do? And how will she survive all this "quality" time with her rambunctious family?

Shark Summer by Ira Marcks Set on Martha’s Vineyard in the summer of 1974, during the filming of “Jaws” (here called “SHARK!”), this debut graphic novel is about moviemaking, friendship and history’s deep dark secrets.

It’s also about four adolescents who are trying to figure out who they are. Like the amateur documentary three of them are attempting to make alongside the blockbuster being shot in their midst, they start out thinking their story is one thing and it turns out to be quite another. Marcks, who teaches cartooning online, has accomplished an unusual feat with this cinematic homage: He has produced a meta-graphic novel that manages to deconstruct a genre, pay tribute to it and keep the reader happily inside it all at the same time. More popcorn please! (review from New York Times)

City of Dragons: The Awakening Storm by Jaimal Yogis and Vivian Truong Grace and her friends must protect a newly hatched dragon from mysterious evildoers.

When Grace moves to Hong Kong with her mom and new stepdad, her biggest concern is making friends at her fancy new boarding school. But when a mysterious old woman gifts her a dragon egg during a field trip, Grace discovers that the wonderful stories of dragons she heard when she was a young girl might actually be real--especially when the egg hatches overnight.

The dragon has immense powers that Grace has yet to understand. And that puts them both in danger from mysterious forces intent on abusing the dragon's power. And now it's up to Grace and her school friends to uncover the sinister plot threatening the entire city!

Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzalez and Gabriela Epstein For fans of Twins and Allergic, a must-have graphic novel about five very different students who are forced together by their school to complete community service… and may just have more in common than they thought.

Can five overlooked kids make one big difference?

There’s George: the brain Sara: the loner Dayara: the tough kid Nico: the rich kid Miguel: the athlete And they’re stuck together when they’re forced to complete their school’s community service hours. Although they’re sure they have nothing in common with one another, some people see them as all the same . . . just five Spanish-speaking kids.

Then they meet someone who truly needs their help, and they must decide whether they are each willing to expose their own secrets to help . . . or if remaining invisible is the only way to survive middle school.

With text in English and Spanish, Invisible features a groundbreaking format paired with an engaging, accessible, and relatable storyline. This Breakfast Club–inspired story by Christina Diaz Gonzalez, is a must-have graphic novel about unexpected friendships and being seen for who you really are.

Middle Grade Novels (Grades 5-8) Stuntboy (In the Meantime) by Jason Reynolds, illustrations by Raul the Third Portico Reeves’s superpower is making sure all the other superheroes—like his parents and two best friends—stay super.

And safe. Super safe. And he does this all in secret. No one in his civilian life knows he’s actually…Stuntboy!

But his regular Portico identity is pretty cool, too. He lives in the biggest house on the block, maybe in the whole city, which basically makes it a castle. His mom calls where they live an apartment building. But a building with fifty doors just in the hallways is definitely a castle. And behind those fifty doors live a bunch of different people who Stuntboy saves all the time. In fact, he’s the only reason the cat, New Name Every Day, has nine lives.

All this is swell except for Portico’s other secret, his not-so-super secret. His parents are fighting all the time. They’re trying to hide it by repeatedly telling Portico to go check on a neighbor “in the meantime.” But Portico knows “meantime” means his parents are heading into the Mean Time which means they’re about to get into it, and well, Portico’s superhero responsibility is to save them, too—as soon as he figures out how.

Only, all these secrets give Portico the worry wiggles, the frets, which his mom calls anxiety.

Plus, like all superheroes, Portico has an arch-nemesis who is determined to prove that there is nothing super about Portico at all.

The Fabulous Zed Watson by Basil Sylvester & Kevin Sylvester The literary scavenger hunt of a lifetime, starring an endlessly endearing non-binary tween Zed Watson loves a few things: their name (which they chose themself!), their big rambunctious family, and—oh yeah—monsters.

When Zed discovered the mystery surrounding an unpublished novel called The Monster’s Castle, they were completely hooked.

Now Zed is a member of a small but dedicated legion devoted to finding the long-buried text. When a breakthrough discovery leads Zed to the route that they are sure will take them to the treasure, they know it’s time for a road trip. And with the help of their shy, flora-loving neighbour, Gabe, and his sister, Sam, a geologist who is driving back to college in Arizona, Zed and company are soon off on a wild adventure following cryptic clues. But it’s not all fun and games. Gabe doesn’t like Zed’s snacks, Sam is a bossy driver with total

command of the ancient Impreza’s stereo, and Zed is often misgendered. It’s a good thing they also encounter kind strangers, potato-themed dance-offs and lots and lots of ice cream along the way. If Zed and Gabe can combine their strengths, survive Sam’s wrath and best the greedy historian who’s also hot on the book’s trail, they just might find the greatest treasure of all.

Thirst by Varsha Bajaj The riveting story of a heroic girl who fights for her belief that water should be for everyone.

Minni lives in the poorest part of Mumbai, where access to water is limited to a few hours a day and the communal taps have long lines.

Lately, though, even that access is threatened by severe water shortages and thieves who are stealing this precious commodity—an act that Minni accidentally witnesses one night.

Meanwhile, in the high-rise building where she just started to work, she discovers that water streams out of every faucet and there’s even a rooftop swimming pool. What Minni also discovers there is one of the water mafia bosses. Now she must decide whether to expose him and risk her job and maybe her life. How did something as simple as access to water get so complicated?

Step by Deborah Ellis In this powerful collection of short stories, children around the world turn eleven and take a step into their futures. Each one is changed in ways both big and small.

Annoyed at having to walk his sister’s dog on his birthday, Connor heads into an undeveloped subdivision, where he comes across chilling evidence of a stranger’s unhappiness. A girl sneaks away from her class camping trip to a local conservation area and experiences, for the first time, the terror and joy of fending for herself for the first time. Dom’s brother gives him a special crystal to boost his confidence, and the gift conjures up a child laborer from the impoverished area of Madagascar where the stones were mined. Mysterious voices at the local county fair prompt Aislynn to think twice after her older sister dumps her for her high-school buddies. While volunteering at his local soup kitchen, Len discovers that there are bigger shames than having the class bully seeing you in a hairnet. And on an historic bridge in Budapest, Lazlo’s dream of the perfect father-son birthday outing becomes a nightmare when his father introduces him to his Neo-Nazi friends. A companion to the critically acclaimed Sit.

The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera There lived a girl named Petra Peña, who wanted nothing more than to be a storyteller, like her abuelita.

But Petra's world is ending. Earth has been destroyed by a comet, and only a few hundred scientists and their children – among them Petra and her family – have been chosen to journey to a new planet. They are the ones who must carry on the human race.

Hundreds of years later, Petra wakes to this new planet – and the discovery that she is the only person who remembers Earth. A sinister Collective has taken over the ship during its journey, bent on erasing the sins of humanity's past. They have systematically purged the memories of all aboard – or purged them altogether.

Petra alone now carries the stories of our past, and with them, any hope for our future. Can she make them live again?

Alice Fleck’s Recipes for Disaster by Rachelle Delaney Alice Fleck's father is a culinary historian, and for as long as she can remember, she's been helping him recreate meals from the past -- a hobby she prefers to keep secret from kids her age. But when her father's new girlfriend enters them into a cooking competition at a Victorian festival, Alice finds herself and her hobby thrust into the spotlight.

And that's just the first of many surprises awaiting her. On arriving at the festival, Alice learns that she and her father are actually contestants on Culinary Combat, a new reality TV show hosted by Tom Truffleman, the most famous and fierce judge on TV! And to make matters worse, she begins to suspect that someone is at work behind the scenes, sabotaging the competition. It's up to Alice, with the help of a few new friends, to find the saboteur before the entire competition is ruined, all the while tackling some of the hardest cooking challenges of her life . . . for the whole world to see.

Deadman’s Castle by Iain Lawrence For most of his life, Igor and his family have been on the run. Danger lurks around every corner--or so he's always been told. . . .

When Igor was five, his father witnessed a terrible crime--and ever since, his whole family has been hunted by a foreboding figure bent on

revenge, known only as the Lizard Man. They've lived in so many places, with so many identities, that Igor can't even remember his real name.

But now he's twelve years old, and he longs for a normal life. He wants to go to school. Make friends. Stop worrying about how long it will be before his father hears someone prowling around their new house and uproots everything yet again. He's even starting to wonder--what if the Lizard Man only exists in his father's frightened mind?

Slowly, Igor starts bending the rules he's lived by all his life--making friends for the first time, testing the boundaries of where he's allowed to go in town. But soon, he begins noticing strange things around them--is it in his imagination? Or could the Lizard Man be real after all?

Iain Lawrence is a winner of Canada's Governor General's Children's Literature Prize and the California Young Reader Medal. In Deadman's Castle, he brings readers a mystery filled with intrigue and moments of heart-stopping danger.

Peter Lee’s Notes from The Field by Angela Ahn Eleven year-old Peter Lee has one goal in life: to become a paleontologist. Okay, maybe two: to get his genius kid-sister, L.B., to leave him alone. But his summer falls apart when his real-life dinosaur expedition turns out to be a bust, and he watches his dreams go up in a cloud of asthma-inducing dust.

Even worse, his grandmother, Hammy, is sick, and no one will talk to Peter or L.B. about it. Perhaps his days as a scientist aren't quite behind him yet. Armed with notebooks and pens, Peter puts his observation and experimental skills to the test to see what he can do for Hammy. If only he can get his sister to be quiet for once -- he needs time to sketch out a plan.

Dear Friends by Lisa Greenwald From the beloved author of the TBH and Friendship List series, comes a novel about one girl's quest to discover the ins and outs of friendship--how and why of some friendships end--and to prove that despite some friendship fails, she's totally best friend material!

Eleni is the kind of person who's always had a BFF--an automatic, guaranteed by-her-side person--at home, at school, and at camp.

And since before she was even born, her very best friend has been Sylvie Bank.

But when Sylvie's end-of-summer birthday party becomes the end of their friendship, Eleni can't picture starting middle school without her BFF by her side. She can't picture anything without her BFF--especially the looming school overnight. Who will she even room with?

So before the big overnight, Eleni sets out on a mission: to figure out where her friendships went wrong, what's wrong with her, and what makes a good friend. But if she's totally honest, there's only one real goal: to win back Sylvie Bank!

Northwind by Gary Paulsen This stunning New York Times Bestseller from the survival story master, set along a rugged coastline centuries ago, does for the ocean what Hatchet does for the woods, as it relates the story of a young person’s battle to stay alive against the odds, where the high seas meet a coastal wilderness.

When a deadly plague reaches the small fish camp where he lives, an orphan named Leif is forced to take to the water in a cedar canoe. He flees northward, following a wild, fjord-riven shore, navigating from one danger to the next, unsure of his destination.

Yet the deeper into his journey he paddles, the closer he comes to his truest self as he connects to “the heartbeat of the ocean . . . the pulse of the sea.” With hints of Nordic mythology and an irresistible narrative pull, Northwind is Gary Paulsen at his captivating, adventuresome best.

Flipping Forward, Twisting Backward by Alma Fullerton A high-energy novel in verse starring a fifth grader who is almost as devoted to competitive gymnastics as she is to hiding her poor reading skills. What happens when Claire’s secret starts unraveling?

Claire is by far the best gymnast on her team, and she’s well on her way to qualifying for the state championships. The gym is where Claire shines. But at school, she’s known as a troublemaker. She seems to spend more time in the office than in class—which is fine with her since it enables her to hide the fact that she can’t read.

She has never been able to make sense of the wobbling jumble of letters on a page. No one except her BFF knows.

But when a sympathetic principal wonders if Claire is acting out because she’s dyslexic, her mother balks. She’s afraid Claire will be labeled “stupid” and refuses testing. Claire has always assumed she’s dumb; she never imagined her reading problem could have a solution. Is she strong enough to take on both her reading challenges and her mother’s denial? Is it worth jeopardizing her spot in qualifiers?

Falling Short by Ernesto Cisneros A hilarious and heartfelt novel about two best friends who must rely on each other in unexpected ways.

Isaac and Marco already know sixth grade is going to change their lives. But it won’t change things at home—not without each other’s help.

This year, star basketball player Isaac plans on finally keeping up with his schoolwork. Better grades will surely stop Isaac’s parents from arguing all the time. Meanwhile, straight-A Marco vows on finally winning his father’s approval by earning a spot on the school’s basketball team.

But will their friendship and support for each other be enough to keep the two boys from falling short?

Just Right Jillian by Nicole D. Collier - Realistic Fiction This relatable and emotional novel reminds readers that everyone might be fighting their own private battles and that losing or failing at something doesn't mean you're not a winner.

This poignant #OwnVoices debut introduces readers to Jillian, an intelligent but shy fifth-grader whose doubts about her identity and self-image cloud her path to the brilliant achievements ahead of her.

Experiencing bullying and self-doubt, Jillian questions who she is and how others perceive her. When the annual Mind Bender competition arrives, she assumes her class nemesis, Rashida, will win, and when she's encouraged to try out and show off her knowledge, Jillian's insecurities rear their heads and cause her to retreat into the background again. Collier captures the perspective of a Black middle-grade wallflower afraid to step into the spotlight, debating whether to combat conformity and reclaim her hobbies of weaving and singing. With the support of a perceptive teacher, encouraging parents, helpful new friends, and unexpected allies, Jillian channels the legacy of her grandmother to stand loud and proud in the classroom. (Booklist starred review)

The Midnight Children by Dan Geminhart - Mystery From the acclaimed author of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise, comes an extraordinary story about a family of runaways who take up residence in a small town, and the outcast boy who finds his voice and his people—perfect for fans of Katherine Applegate and Kate DiCamillo.

In the dead of night, a truck arrives in Slaughterville, a small town curiously named after its windowless slaughterhouse. Seven mysterious kids with suitcases step out of the vehicle and into an abandoned home on a dead-end street, looking over their shoulders to make sure they aren’t noticed.

But Ravani Foster covertly witnesses their arrival from his bedroom window. Timid and lonely, Ravani is eager to learn everything he can about his new neighbors: What secrets are they hiding? And most mysterious of all…where are the adults?

Yet amid this shadowy group of children, Ravani finds an unexpected friend in the warm and gutsy Virginia. But with this friendship comes secrets revealed—and danger. When Ravani learns of a threat to his new friends, he must fight to keep them safe, or lose the only person who has ever understood him. Full of wonder, friendship, and mystery, The Midnight Children explores the meaning of “home,” what makes a family, and what it takes to find the courage to believe in yourself

The Grave Thief by Dee Hahn A twelve-year-old grave thief gets caught up in a royal heist in this compelling middle-grade fantasy in the vein of Kelley Armstrong's A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying.

Twelve-year-old Spade is a grave thief. With his father and brother, he digs up the recently deceased to steal jewels, the main form of trade in Wyndhail.

Digging graves works for Spade -- alone in the graveyard at night, no one notices his limp or calls him names. He's headed for a lifetime of theft when his father comes up with the audacious plan to rob a grave in the Wyndhail castle cemetery. Spade and his brother get caught in a royal trap, and Spade must find the master of the Woegan: a deadly creature that is stalking the castle by night.

Along the way, he meets Ember, the queen's niece, and together they race to solve the mystery of the legendary Deepstones and their connection to the Woegan, the queen, a missing king and the mysterious pebble Spade finds in the Wyndhail cemetery. This is a fantastic story of friendship, bravery, grief and acceptance.