Magic books

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The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Green by Corey Ann Haydu (Quill Tree Books, 336 pages, grades 4-7). Denny is dealing with a lot as her twelfth birthday approaches: her mom has relapsed with the alcoholism that plagued her before Denny was born, and her best friend Runa wants to break into the popular crowd. Runa and Denny have spent many years creating the world of Sorrowfeld, an imaginary land they write about in a special notebook that’s filled with princesses and dragons. After Denny’s disastrous twelfth birthday party, she finds a gift from Runa–a mirror framed by dragons–that seems to show Runa hasn’t forgotten their magical world. When Denny gazes into the mirror, she’s transported into Sorrowfeld, trading places with Princess Auden, who finds herself in Denny’s world. Each girl has to deal with the other’s issues: Princess Auden has to figure out what’s going on with Denny’s parents and Runa, and Denny is tasked with fighting the dragons that the princess has been dealing with. Each girl feels torn between childhood and adulthood, still wanting the simple joys of being younger while facing the responsibilities of growing up. As each girl learns how to be herself and find her voice, both Denny and Auden learn how to deal with the dragons that they’re facing.

This is a very cool premise for a book, and for the most part it’s carried out with grace and skill. Anyone who’s ever created an imaginary world will envy Denny’s chance to visit hers, and the issues that each girl is facing are sympathetically portrayed. It did feel like it got a little preachy toward the end, with both Denny and Auden making one life-changing realization after another, but many middle school readers will find important lessons woven into a compelling and magical story. This has consistently been in the top ten of the Goodreads Newbery list.

When Tomorrow Burns by Tae Keller (Random House Books for Young Readers, 272 pages, grades 4-7). Long-time friends Nomi, Vi, and Arthur found a book many years ago with mysterious verses handwritten on its pages. Over the years, these verses have come to seem like prophecies, predicting events that have come to pass in their lives. Now their Seattle neighborhood is engulfed in wildfire smoke, and Nomi is certain that the end of the world that the book predicted is coming to pass. Told in alternating narrations, the three kids deal with a lot of big issues including sexual harassment and bullying, social media, climate change, toxic masculinity, and class differences. Through it all, their friendship evolves and survives, offering them hope in an uncertain future.

This is an amazing book that explores both the inner and outer worlds of three interesting and engaging middle school characters. The many different threads are expertly woven together, and it would make a great choice for any kind of book discussion. If anything, it felt a bit too ambitious taking on so many different topics, and I think it would be most appreciated by kids who get some expert guidance through it. Tae Keller is a Newbery Medal winner already, and she undoubtedly has another shot at it with this book.

New series for Dog Man fans

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Speed Reader by Matthew Cody, illustrated by Zack Giallongo (Andrews McMeel Publishing, 160 pages, grades 3-7). Despite his late superhero grandfather Felix Fast, Zander Fast isn’t exactly known for speed, as he plods through his day getting mediocre grades and coming in last in gym. But a mysterious package combined with a lightning strike unexpectedly gives him superpowers, and suddenly he can live up to his name, zipping through books, setting new running records, and dodging the villains that start showing up everywhere. With help from a new friend, his mom, and his great uncle Whizzy (Felix’s former sidekick), Zander’s able to defeat those villains, but it’s clear there’s more in store for him as a superhero.

From the author of the beloved Cat Ninja graphic novels comes a new series with the feel of a comic book or Saturday morning cartoon. What could be more relatable than a kid who struggles in school and gym class getting a superpower that specifically addresses those issues? Readers will enjoy reading about Zander and will be eagerly awaiting book 2.

Zeb and Bel: A Case of Bird Problems by Rachel Elliott (HarperAlley, 160 pages, grades 3-6). Bel is a cat who is also a detective. Zeb is her sidekick, brother, and a dog. When their human girl, Josephine, goes to see her friend Carlo do his magician act, Bel and Zeb follow and witness a shocking crime as Carlo’s bird and magician’s assistant, Payton, is stolen practically in front of the audience’s eyes. Bel gets on the case immediately, and with the help of Zeb, the two venture far into the city to figure out what happened to Payton. It’s not easy, but they crack the case, with the help (and despite the hindrance) of an engaging cast of animal characters. A cliffhanger ending and a preview page set up book 2, Night of the Bodega Cat. Includes instructions for drawing both Bel and Zeb, as well as a page showing mystery clues that were hidden throughout the story.

I found this graphic novel enchanting and laughed out loud at several scenes, particularly those involving Zeb and some of the other dog characters. It’s a good mystery, too, with an interesting (and funny) solution, and I liked how the author shared some of her visual clues at the end. For fans of both Dog Man and InvestiGators.

Hi-lo chapter books

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The Makeup Cover-Up by Natasha Deen (Stone Arch Books, 72 pages, grades 3-6). Bailey’s trying to fit in at her new school, but she’s torn between friends who are into makeup and clothes, and a mom who has a strict no-makeup policy. When Bailey starts sneaking to a friend’s house before school to put on the forbidden makeup, she feels cool and confident, but she also starts to notice issues with her skin. He big brother, even though he’s off at college studying theater, provides good moral support and serves as a go-between to help Bailey be honest with Mom and negotiate a compromise that works for both of them. Includes a glossary of makeup terms (which are highlighted in the story), a list of skin-care tips, and questions for discussion and writing.

This book is part of the four-book Tween Era series, written at a third-grade level but featuring middle school characters. It will appeal to a wide range of readers, with a short page count, plenty of illustrations, a lower reading level, and relatable issues for both elementary and middle school. I liked that the brother was the makeup expert! A good choice for reluctant readers.

The Clockwork Key (Relic Hunters, book 1) by Vashti Hardy, illustrated by Rebecca Sheerin (Union Square Kids, 104 pages, grades 3-7). Mabel and Will Graystone join their relic-hunting aunt on a journey to look for the lost city of Umber. Mabel is adventurous and impulsive, while Will is more of a thoughtful observer, each one of them bringing unique skills to the archaeological expedition. Aunt Lucy’s talking stuffed cat Grimm brings humor to the adventure, as they discover the secrets that destroyed Umber and outwit rival relic hunter Byron Cogsworth. The final pages hint at the next adventure, The Amulet of Hath.

This series was originally published in Great Britain a couple of years ago, but now the first exciting installment has been picked up by a U.S. publisher. It’s written in a dyslexia-friendly font, with lots of action and illustration and a low page count, making it another great reluctant reader choice.

Kids and their grown-ups

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Pia in the Forest by David Bruggink (Holiday House, 112 pages, grades 1-4). We meet Pia early one morning as she’s drawing a pinecone creature. She’s so excited about her idea that she has to wake up her dad (loudly). Dad’s sleepy, but a good sport, and he offers to take her to a state forest to look for materials. He brings along a recording device that allows them to hear all kinds of sounds in the forest and leads them to interesting places. But Pia’s loudness, impulsivity, and eventually, exhaustion, wear Dada down, and the two of them have a fight. Pia goes storming off and meets a new friend who shows her how to skip stones and build fairy houses, and who enjoys learning how to use the recording device. They eventually reconnect with Dada, and the day ends satisfactorily, with the promise of a return trip. Includes additional information on sound recorders and fairy houses.

Pia is an adorable, if occasionally annoying, character with an extremely patient dad. Kids and adults will relate to their interactions, filled with both love and frustration on both sides. This would be an excellent choice as both a first graphic novel for independent readers or a read-aloud to a younger audience.

Because of a Shoe by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Marla Frazee (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 40 pages, ages 3-6). A caregiver narrates the battle waged over putting on a toddler’s shoes in one long sentence. “Even when…” the narration begins and continues as the toddler lies on the floor, throws the shoe, and screams; and the narrator tries to be patient but eventually loses it and threatens to throw the (formerly favorite) shoes in the garbage, even then the two recognize that they love each other and have a sweet and wonderful connection. When they remember that, they’re both able to take deep breaths, get the shoes on, and get out the door. They head to a party, where there’s a bouncy house, and of course, the first thing the child does is throw off their shoes and head in for some fun.

Just as with Pia, both children and adults will recognize the scenes and emotions in this book. This would be perfect to read at the end of a long day to remind everyone of what is most important even when the day has felt like a series of battles, and older kids may need it as much as toddlers. One should never count Marla Frazee out for a Caldecott, as she spins out a series of imaginative takes on what would happen if the child spent the rest of their life lying on the floor or if the shoe were thrown to the bottom of the ocean.

Not-very-scary Halloween books

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The Haunted Playground by R. J. Palacio, illustrated by Brett Helquist (Random House Books for Young Readers, 50 pages, grades K-3). Even ghosts need a break from being scary, so on Halloween night after midnight, they gather on a playground for a chance to let go, donning discarded costumes to add to the fun. Rex Magnificus, “ruler of the park,” narrates the rhyming story. When a brother and sister show up to play, Rex tries to turn them away, but the kids aren’t scared, and before long, everyone’s having a blast on the playground. It’s so much fun, in fact, that the children want to go home with the ghosts. Rex assures them that this is impossible, then sends them on their way with a promise that he and the other ghosts will return on midnight next Halloween.

Kids who are fans of Caralyn Buehner’s Snowmen at Night series will enjoy this rhyming tale about ghosts who enjoy the same things that kids do. The story felt a big too long–the usual 32 to 40 pages seems like it would have been more effective–but readers looking for a little bit of spookiness will love these ghostly illustrations.

The Great Pumpkin Pancake Party by Celeste Pewter, illustrated by Kelly Wu (Henry Holt and Co., 40 pages, ages 4-8). Lao Ye, the narrator’s grandpa, may be newly arrived from China, but he loves to build community with his new neighbors, especially by sharing food. Before Halloween, Lilly accompanies him on a trip to fill his car’s back seat with pumpkins, and when they get home, the chopping, mixing, and frying begins. Before long, they have a giant stack of pumpkin pancakes. Lilly’s a bit nervous about introducing the neighbors to this unfamiliar food, but Lao Ye is confident that they will love it. A table is set up in front of the house on Halloween night, and trick-or-treaters stop by to show off their costumes and enjoy pancakes. Lao Ye enjoys every minute, practicing his English and making everyone feel welcome. Includes an author’s note about her own grandfather, a Taiwanese immigrant who inspired this story, and a recipe for Lao Ye’s pumpkin pancakes.

This unique–and completely non-spooky–Halloween story is a great way to celebrate both the holiday and the community that it can build. Lao Ye is an inspiring character, embracing his new life and making new friends everywhere.

The Skeleton and the Cat by Brandon James Scott (HarperCollins, 64 pages, ages 4-8). A skeleton leads a peaceful, solitary life until a black cat shows up who is persistent about friendship. Over the course of five short stories, the cat gently inserts himself into the skeleton’s life, teaching her the joys of knock-knock jokes, dancing, reading with a cat in your lap, and eating a sandwich (that one doesn’t work out as well for the skeleton). By the final story, it’s clear that a new friendship has been forged, and that the cat is there to stay.

This quirky friendship story is perfect for a fall story time; it includes Halloween-ish characters but never mentions the holiday. Everything about the book, from the characters to the humor to the illustrations is quiet and understated, yet kids and adults alike will find some chuckles and have their hearts warmed by getting to know these two new friends.

Summer fun

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Pandamonium! by Annie Bailey, illustrated by Bonnie Wong (Feiwel and Friends, 40 pages, ages 3-6). Pandas gather for their big family reunion, but when it comes time to take a photo, it’s impossible to get everyone looking just right. There’s sneezing, poking, nose-picking…finally, the kids can’t take it anymore, and everyone goes running all over the yard. Pandamonium! Even the adults get in on the fun. One young panda picks up a phone and takes a candid shot. And that’s the one! It’s clear the pandas are having a blast at their family reunion. Includes a ten-question Panda Family Trivia game which gives facts about both giant and red pandas.

The rhyming text and adorable panda illustrations make this a great choice for a preschool story time. Those candid shots are always the best.

Watermelon Pool by Boinsoir Lune, translated from the Korean by Frances Cha (Dial Books, 60 pages, ages 4-8). It’s opening day at the watermelon pool. The first man to get there props a ladder against the side, climbs up, picks out a few seeds, and sinks into the cool, refreshing fruit. It doesn’t take long for others to find out that the pool is open, and soon it’s filled with kids jumping in, hitting each other with watermelon bombs, and enjoying pools of juice. When the sun blazes too hot overhead, the cloud-seller shows up with his cloud parasols and rain-cloud showers. Of course, all good things must come to an end, and after everyone clears out, the last page shows four spoons and an empty watermelon rind. But don’t worry, the watermelon pool will open again next year.

I closed this book and felt like I had just woken up from a strange but delightful dream. Who are these people who swim in a watermelon, and who are the ones eating the watermelon at the end? We never find out, but we get to imagine how fun (if sticky) it would be to swim in a watermelon pool. This Korean import has been a bestseller since its publication in 2015, and now Americans can get in on the fun.

Imaginary worlds, real-life issues

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The Second Life of Snap by Erin Entrada Kelly (Greenwillow Books, 176 pages, grades 4-7). 12-year-old Zuzu lives in an impoverished camp in the shadow of Lockwood Corporation that controls life in her dystopian Texas town. When her single dad loses his job, instead of severance pay, he’s given an old robot programmed to be a guardian. Zuzu’s not crazy about being watched over by Snap (Secure Network Android Processor), but one of her friends manages to reprogram it, turning Snap into more of a friend than a babysitter. Snap’s charger is broken, though, so Zuzu and her friends know he’ll only last as long as his current battery charge. As Snap takes on a life of his own, Zuzu starts to question the line between human and machine. When a dust storm hits the settlement, Snap proves his devotion, even though he can’t save himself. A final chapter fast forwards six months, offering a note of optimism that Snap has survived in some way and that change may be possible in this dark futuristic world.

Newbery medalist Erin Entrada Kelly creates a future that doesn’t seem too far off, addressing artificial intelligence, as well as corporate greed and the resulting societal inequalities. This would make a great book for an elementary or middle school classroom read-aloud or a book club, with a pretty short page count, a fast-moving plot, and lots of interesting ideas to discuss. The downside of being a quick read is that there’s not a lot of space for world building, and older readers may find it not quite as intriguing as some more fleshed-out dystopian novels. A great choice for fans of The Wild Robot series and A Rover’s Story.

Clock Hands by Marieke Nijkamp, illustrated by Sylvia Bi (Greenwillow Books, 288 pages, grades 4-8). In the city of Siennarra, the guilds hold all the power, and the guildless, unable to afford the apprentice fee, scrape by with whatever work they can find. Vale longs to practice a craft, but their guildless status prevents them from pursuing an apprenticeship. When Maestro Giuseppi and his daughter move to the city, he brings unconventional ideas that he’s picked up from living other places, refusing to join a guild and hiring Vale, first as a guide around the city and eventually as an apprentice. The powerful guilds respond violently, and Vale has to decide whether to simply accept their fate or to fight back. They choose the latter path, leading the guildless in a labor strike that proves the value of their work and opens up more fair ways for organizing labor in Siennarra. Includes an author’s note with additional information about the guilds of Middle Ages Italy that inspired this story, as well as information about labor strikes.

I missed 2023’s graphic novel Ink Girls, but this one, by the same team and taking place in the same imagined city, features a host of interesting characters and beautiful artwork depicting the city of Siennarra. Although the strike results in greater changes than most labor actions in the real world, it’s a great introduction to the concept of collective action and how it can be used for justice.

Three bears

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Incredibly Fast and Not at All Fun by Tadgh Bentley (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 40 pages, ages 4-8). Did you know the first roller coaster was invented by accident? Bear just wanted a quick way to get from his quiet home to his peaceful beehives, avoiding the more crowded parts of the woods. He had to get used to the speed and steepness of the track his car went on, but it was worth it. Not really enjoying the ride, Bear was surprised when his neighbors wanted to try it. Their wails and squeals made him think they didn’t like it, but no, soon they were lining up for more. He tried adding loops and drops to scare them away, but surprisingly, that only made the ride more popular. Finally, Bear had no choice but to hand over the key and move to a quieter place at the top of a waterfall. He moved the bees to the bottom, then created a log flume to ride down the waterfall….

This is one of those books where everyone is in on the joke except for the main character. Kids will get a big kick out of Bear and his inability to understand the fun of amusement park rides. His efforts to make it less appealing of course produce exactly the opposite results, and his inadvertent invention of a water slide at the end will give everyone one last laugh.

Where Is Pierre? by Emma Clarke (Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 32 pages, ages 3-6). Bear’s excited to celebrate his birthday with his penguin friend Pierre, but…where IS Pierre? As Bear wanders through town looking for his friend, there are other penguins, and there are other red berets, but readers will be challenged to locate the red beret-wearing penguin Pierre. Finally, Bear tracks him down, and there’s a birthday surprise waiting for him. Pierre takes over the narration from there, ending with, “Where IS Bear?”

Those not quite ready to find Waldo will have a lot of fun figuring out where Pierre is. He’s hidden enough to make this challenging, but not so much as to cause frustration. The animal illustrations, rhyming text, and birthday surprise make this an appealing choice for the youngest readers.

Bear Hair by Jeff Mack (Henry Holt and Co., 40 pages, ages 4-8). Playing with homophones bear/bare and hair/hare, this story follows a bear and a rabbit who discover a blue wig. The hair is on bear, the hare is on bear, then hair is on hare, who is on a bare bear…you get the idea. The illustrations help sort out the confusion, and eventually the new words tear and share are introduced to come up with a solution that is satisfactory to both the bear and the hare.

This would be a great way to introduce homophones, with cute illustrations that are sure to produce plenty of laughs. The youngest readers, or those just learning English, may need some help understanding exactly what is going on, but they’ll get a kick out of the friendship story and may start to recognize some of the words.

Long, strange trips

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Styx and Stones by Gary D. Schmidt and Ron Koertge (Clarion Books, 240 pages, grades 4-7). Simon has spent centuries in the underworld, but he’s different than the other shades. After refusing to drink from the river Lethe, which wipes away memories, Simon spends his time in Hades’ kingdom plotting to escape. Even though each attempt results in his destruction, he’s brought back to life (sort of) the next day. Finally, his kindness to three-headed dog Cerberus results in success, and Simon finds himself naked in one of the boys’ bathroom stalls of a middle school in St. Paul, Minnesota. He’s rescued by Zeke, who spends too much time being bullied in the bathroom, and who gives Simon not only clothes, but a home, and an introduction to 21st-century American middle school. In return, Simon gives Zeke his undying friendship. The action shifts back and forth from school to the underworld, where Hades vows to retrieve Simon and destroy him. But Persephone and the other shades have been moved by Simon’s kindness, and little by little, changes begin to happen in the underworld. Eventually, the two worlds collide, and even Zeke’s friendship isn’t enough to keep Simon safe. But their few weeks together have changed everything for Zeke, Simon, and even the kingdom of darkness.

Collaborators Schmidt and Koertge have produced another engaging story that brings classical mythology into the modern world in a way that will undoubtedly appeal to Rick Riordan fans. While the world building is a little weak at times (how does Simon know English?), the story has a lot of heart and plenty of both mythological and middle school adventure. To me, it wasn’t quite strong enough for Newbery contention, but clearly there are other opinions, because it’s currently at #10 on the Goodreads list.

Midnight Mayhem by Christina Uss (Holiday House, 164 pages, grades 3-6). When Kaz accidentally eats an odd food combination at a diner, he loses the ability to sleep. At first, his sleepless nights are boring and lonely, especially since he and his family have just moved from Massachusetts to Philadelphia, and he hasn’t started school or made any new friends yet. When his parents put him into a hospital sleep lab to try to figure out a cure, Kaz meets fellow insomniac Floyd, who only requires an hour or two of sleep a night. Floyd loves adventures but has a tendency to inadvertently get himself into trouble, and Kaz finds himself forced to choose between lonely boredom and chaotic friendship. Ultimately, he chooses friendship, and he and Floyd get themselves a gig as late-night radio hosts…where Kaz accidentally discovers a (partial) cure for his sleeplessness.

This quirky novel features two endearing characters and a series of wacky adventures. It’s a pretty short read, and that, combined with plenty of humor, makes it a good choice for elementary kids. I haven’t read Gordon Korman’s latest, Sleepless, but interestingly it also features a group of kids who no longer need sleep, raising some interesting questions, as this book does, about what you would do with an extra 8 hours of activity in your life.

Sporty types

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Offside by Christina Diaz Gonzalez, illustrated by Mari Costa (Graphix, 208 pages, grades 4-8). This year’s middle school soccer team is open to girls for the first time, and just about everyone seems to have an opinion about that. Nicky, who fought for the opportunity to play on a team where she has a better chance of being scouted, is thrilled. Al, whose Brazilian father and grandfather have passed on their ideas about girls and sports, is determined to do whatever it takes to keep the team boys only. Fabiola and Sebastian, newly arrived from Colombia and Peru respectively, speak little English and just want a chance to play the sport they love. Palmer, sidelined with an injury, is bilingual and serves as a translator for the different teammates. As the season progresses, the kids–with some encouragement from their coaches–realize that to win games, they need to put aside their differences and appreciate each other’s strengths. By the end of the story, not only have they become a winning team on the field, but they’ve learned to act together to speak up for equal sports opportunities for everyone.

Those who have followed the World Cup this summer will appreciate this soccer-themed graphic novel with its uplifting message about equal access for all athletes. The different characters are well-drawn (in both senses of the word), showing growth as players and people throughout the story. Spanish and English are cleverly woven together in the dialog bubbles. Includes a glossary of soccer terms and a full-page illustrated explanation of what offsides means. I still don’t get it.

The Long Hike: The True Story of the First Appalachian Thru-Hike by Meghan McCarthy (Beach Lane Books, 48 pages, grades 1-5). Before World War II, Earl Shaffer had planned to hike the Appalachian Trail with his best friend Walter. But Walter didn’t survive the war, and Earl decided to go it alone, to “walk the war out of my system.” Following the motto, “carry as little as possible but choose that little with care,” Earl set out from Georgia on April 4, 1948. He suffered through blisters, mosquitoes, heat and cold (New Jersey prohibited campfires at the time), and a trail that was sometimes difficult to follow. But he also met interesting people along the way and was soothed by the natural world. Finally, on August 6, he stood atop Maine’s Mount Katahdin, the first person to have hiked the entire trail. Earl spent the rest of his life advocating for the preservation of the Appalachian Trail, and did two more through-hikes, including on in 1998, in which he set a record for the oldest person (at the time) to hike the trail. Includes several pages of back matter, with additional information on Earl Shaffer and the Appalachian Trail, as well as resources to learn more.

I love Meghan McCarthy’s quirky nonfiction books, and it’s been a few years since I’ve seen a new one. This one is a lot of fun, detailing Earl Shaffer’s adventures on the Appalachian Trail, along with excerpts from the notebook he kept along the way. The illustrations of different parts of the trail and beautiful and may inspire readers to get outside for a hike themselves. This is a timely story, as the record for oldest person hiking the AT is on track to be broken this summer by 91-year-old Dale Sanders.