Staff reviews: Fiction for childrenLike this list

86 items

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• Halfway to Somewhere

  Pimienta, Jose

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  Ave doesn't want to be in Kansas and really doesn't want to be separated from the rest of their family in Mexicali but is stuck in a town where they don't know anyone or the language. Ave struggles figuring out how to adapt while not…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Impossible Creatures

  Rundell, Katherine

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  Young readers who may have already enjoyed The Chronicles of Narnia and Rick Riordan's books should be handed a copy of this book which will likely light their imagination aflame. Christopher, a normal boy, saves a griffin and is plunged…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• All the Answers

  Kupperman, Michael, 1966-

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  It was just another school day for Ava when she could not find a pencil to take to school. She rummaged through a drawer and found what seemed to be a regular blue pencil. It was the day for her math quiz and she was not sure if she had…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Listen, Slowly

  Lai, Thanhha

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  Imagine being a 12-year-old traveling on the other side of the world from Laguna, California to Vietnam. Not knowing a lot about the culture, the food, customs and so many more. Mia is now called Mai in her Vietnamese village. She was sent…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Roll With It

  Sumner, Jamie

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  Have you ever felt like you are not brave enough to do what you want? This story is for you. Ellie is 12 years old and has CP (Cerebral Palsy) and loves to bake. She’s been going to school with a personal aide which she isn’t happy because…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Detective Beans & the Case of the Missing Hat

  Chen, Li, 1986-

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  Kids who loved Geronimo Stilton should absolutely try this hilarious graphic novel, the first in hopefully an equally long series, where Detective Beans is on the hunt for his missing hat. Readers who enjoy silliness and some detective…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Not Quite a Ghost

  Ursu, Anne

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  When Violet's family moves into a bigger house where she will finally get her own room, it should be a good thing. But there is something strange about Violet's attic bedroom. Something creepy. Something that Violet really doesn't want to…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Bog Myrtle

  Sharp, Sid

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  For kids who are yearning to read the Grimms' Fairy Tales but perhaps are not quite old enough, they will likely enjoy this darkly funny, modern folktale about being kind. - Antonio B., Plymouth Library

• The Great Turkey Walk

  Bischoff, Léonie

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  In 1860 Simon Green knows two things: first he's a bad student with no prospects in his hometown and second, if he gets a huge flock of turkeys out west he could strike it rich. As Simon begins his journey he has no idea the dangerous…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Pale Queen

  Aldridge, Ethan M.

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  Middle schoolers who enjoyed reading darker, more complicated fairy tales growing up will likely love this graphic novel. Agatha has dreams of going beyond her small hometown but is stuck working as a governess and living with her parents.…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Rune. 1, The Tale of a Thousand Faces

  Sánchez, Carlos (Comic book artist),

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  Readers who love a quirky fantasy adventure with a hint of deeper, darker mystery at play, will likely devour this graphic novel. The only problem I have is that the next books in the series haven't been published yet. - Antonio B.,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Ink Girls

  Nijkamp, Marieke

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  Ink Girls may take place in a fictional world with guilds and royals holding power, but readers are sure to draw parallels to modern issues such as censorship and corruption. The girls in this book are determined to stand up for the truth,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• A for Effort

  Greene, Jarad

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  Middle-schoolers curious or nervous about high school will enjoy reading this graphic novel where Jay enters high school with none of his current friends. Jay has to navigate the pressure of getting good grades while exploring new classes…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• A Bit of Earth

  Riazi, Karuna

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  The Secret Garden gets a breath of fresh air in this reimagining of the classic story. This version stars Maria, a Pakistani-Bangaleshi Muslim girl who is sent to stay with the Claybourne family. She doesn't expect to be there long, but…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Sona Sharma, Very Best Big Sister?

  Soundar, Chitra

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  Sona's family is getting ready for a new baby. Everyone is busy and excited, but Sona isn't sure how she feels about all the changes. This sweet family story is full of relatable content for anyone who has been a part of a close-knit…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Puppets of Spelhorst

  DiCamillo, Kate

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  Award-winning author Kate DiCamillo has created an incredible original fairy tale that is sure to charm and delight children and the adults that read to them. Highly recommend this for the parent/grandparent/guardian who is looking for a…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Enlighten Me

  Lê, Minh, 1979-

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  Bình is stuck on a silent meditation retreat with his family. Unable to talk or play his video games he keeps remembering the racist bullying at his school. This thoughtful graphic novel blends Buddhist life lessons with a video game…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Star the Elephant

  Lai, Remy

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  The adorable illustrations in this graphic novel featuring a cute pink elephant turn serious topics (deforestation, climate change) into a kid-friendly animal adventure. There is a lot of information here--about the real events the story…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Saving Chupie

  Ortiz, Amparo

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  Violeta arrives in Puerto Rico with her family, excited for the beach and to help her abuela reopen her restaurant after the aftermath of Huracan Maria. Except her family doesn't let her help so instead she gets involved with some local…Read moreRead more of this annotation