Book Recommendations

A little boy promises his beloved friend, an elderly lady, that one day he will fix up her old house--and his words inspire the other people in the neighborhood to pitch in and get it done.

Interest Level: K-3

Kit is excited to prove her worth as a Moth-Keeper, a protector of the lunar moths that allow the Night-Lily flower to bloom once a year, but she quickly finds that life as a Moth-Keeper is not what she imagined it would be.

Interest Level: 3-6

"Worries, fears, and anxieties are all dragons that sneak up on most of us at one time or another. Lots of people get dragons. Even really really good people get them. And sometimes they are hard to get rid of. So what can a young boy with a bad case of the dragons do? He can pretend they are not there, or that they are really quite harmless. Hugs from his mom help. Looking his dragon straight in the eye at least once every day helps even more. But most reassuring of all is the reminder that dragons don't stay forever." --From YA Books Central

Interest Level: K-3

"Welcome to Cat's Café a neighborhood coffee shop where all are welcome. Based on the popular webcomic, Cat's Café introduces readers to the adorable denizens of this world. There's Penguin, who has a bit of a coffee problem; Rabbit, whose anxiety sometimes overwhelms him; Axolotl, whose confidence inspires his friends; the always-supportive Cat, who provides hot drinks made with love and a supportive ear for anyone's troubles; and many, many more"--Back cover.

Interest Level: 5-8

"The bookstore cat is an adorable, bossy, cuddly cat. He is everything from intelligent and loyal to naughty and vocal! But most of all, the bookstore cat is a well-loved (and well-read) kitty. Follow his funny antics from A to Z through a day in his bustling, book-filled shop"--OCLC.

Interest Level: K-3

Since her father's death, Cat has taken care of her brother, Chicken, for their hardworking mother but while spending time with grandparents they never knew, Cat has the chance to be a child again.

Interest Level: 3-6

"In this . . . picture book, a repeated call to action reminds young readers that everything in our world is connected"--Provided by publisher.

Interest Level: K-3

"A trip to the beach gone terribly wrong. 30 possible storylines. Which will you pick? Choose carefully, because it's a matter of life and death. Imagine: You're swimming in the ocean, trying to escape dangerous mercenaries who have planted a bomb on the mainland. Behind you, getting closer, is the largest shark you've ever seen. An explosion rips out from the shoreline and a massive wave flings you closer to the stunned shark's open mouth. You don't have much time, and you need to reach land. Do you keep swimming--or do you climb onto the shark's back to ride to shore? Every step of the way, a wrong decision will lead you deeper into danger... possibly to your death"--Provided by publisher.

Interest Level: 3-6

Shortly after his birth, Elbert floats into the air and as he grows everyone tries to ground him, except for his mother, who encourages Elbert to be himself.

Interest Level: K-3

"Azmina, Willa, and Naomi are thrilled to learn they're Glitter Dragon Girls. Summoned to the Magic Forest by its magnificent ruler, the Tree Queen, the girls quickly find out their dragon-selves have unbelievable abilities...As Dragon Girls, they are sworn protectors of the forest and must help keep it safe from the troublesome Shadow Sprites, who are determined to take the forest's magic for their own"--Provided by publisher.

Interest Level: 3-6

"When Charlie's class has to do a class project on trains, can he use his SEN Superpowers to help his group get the job done? . . . [This book] explores the topic of autism"--Provided by publisher.

Interest Level: K-3

The unexpected delivery of a large crate containing an Antarctic penguin changes the life and fortune of Mr. Popper, a house painter obsessed by dreams of the Polar regions.

Interest Level: 3-6

"When a young girl moves to her new home far away from the sea, she feels lonely and out of place. But soon she meets an elderly woman next door, who shares her love of nature and art. As the seasons change, can the girl navigate the failing health of her new friend?"--Dust jacket flap.

Interest Level: K-3

"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!"--Provided by publisher.

Interest Level: 3-6

Presents a story in which friends support each other for who they are.

Interest Level: K-3

Conscious of the strict limitations imposed by the Taliban rulers of Kabul, Afghanistan, on women's freedom and behavior, eleven-year-old Parvana disguises herself as a boy in order to earn money so that her family can survive after her father's arrest.

Interest Level: 5-8

Henley hates to read, so his homework assignment to bring in his favorite book seems an impossible challenge--until his mother shows him a box of books he made himself when he was younger.

Interest Level: K-3

"Moses, General Tubman, Minty, Araminta, the woman we know today as Harriet Tubman went by many names. Each represented one of her many roles as a spy, as a liberator, as a suffragist, and more."--Provided by publisher.

Interest Level: K-3

A voracious young reader pens a love letter to libraries and books, and powerfully expresses the need for diversity and the importance of representation in stories.

Interest Level: K-3

Presents the history of kings and queens of Africa.

Interest Level: 3-6

"When Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela asks her father why she has so many names, she hears the story of her name and learns about her grandparents"--OCLC.

Interest Level: K-3

"When his veterinarian mom brings home a stray baby skunk that needs rehabilitation before it can be placed in a wild animal shelter, Bat, who has austim, resolves to prove that he is up to the challenge of caring for the skunk permanently"--OCLC.

Interest Level: 3-6

"This book is about Circle. This book is also about Circle's friends, Triangle and Square. Also it is about a rule that Circle makes, and how she has to rescue Triangle when he breaks that rule"--Back cover.

Interest Level: K-3

After moving to their ancestral home, Emily and Navin's mother is kidnapped by a tentacled creature in the basement that leads the children on a deadly chase into the magical world below their home.

Interest Level: 3-6

"When Parker Curry came face-to-face with Amy Sherald's transcendent portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama ... She saw dynamic self-assurance. She saw truth and beauty. She saw a queen. But most importantly, Parker saw Her hopes. Her dreams, Her power. Her promise. Herself"--Jacket flap

Interest Level: K-3

"George and Harold have created a new hero who digs into deception, claws after crooks, and rolls over robbers. When Greg the police dog and his cop companion are injured on the job, a life-saving surgery changes the course of history, and Dog Man is born. With the head of a dog and the body of a human, this heroic hound has a real nose for justice. But can he resist the call of the wild to answer the call of duty?"--Amazon.com.

Interest Level: 3-6

"... author Duncan Tonatiuh reimagines one of Mexico's ... legends. Princess Izta had many wealthy suitors but dismissed them all. When a mere warrior, Popoca, promised to be true to her and stay always by her side, Iztafell in love. The emperor promised Popoca if he could defeat their enemy Jaguar Claw, then Popoca and Izta could wed. When Popoca was near to defeating Jaguar Claw, his opponent sent a messenger to Izta saying Popoca was dead. Izta fell into a deep sleep and, upon his return, even Popoca could not wake her. As promised Popoca stayed by her side"--Provided by publisher.

Interest Level: K-3

Follows the adventures of Kristy and the other members of the Baby-sitters Club as they deal with crank calls, uncontrollable two-year-olds, wild pets, and parents who do not always tell the truth.

Interest Level: 3-6

"Shares a story of loving who you are, respecting others and being kind to one another" -- OCLC

Interest Level: K-3

"Though scoffed at by Harold the dog, Chester the cat tries to warn his human family that their foundling baby bunny must be a vampire. Presented in comic book format"--OCLC.

Interest Level: 3-6

A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa Claus.

Interest Level : K-3

Rescued from the outrageous neglect of his aunt and uncle, a young boy with a great destiny proves his worth while attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

A colorful picture book that features a young, science-minded boy who goes to the beach to collect and examine anything floating that has been washed ashore and discovers an underwater camera that contains a collection of unusual pictures.

Interest Level: K-3

Bilbo Baggins, a respectable, well-to-do hobbit, lives comfortably in his hobbit-hole until the day the wandering wizard Gandalf chooses him to take part in an adventure from which he may never return.

Interest Level: 7-12

"This book is about Triangle. This book is also about Triangle's friend Square. Also it is about a sneaky trick Triangle plays on his friend Square"--Back cover.

Interest Level: K-3

The life of a ten-year-old boy in rural Virginia expands when he becomes friends with a newcomer who subsequently meets an untimely death trying to reach their hideaway, Terabithia, during a storm.

Interest Level: 5-8

Leo is a friendly house ghost--but when a family moves into his house, and tries to get rid of him, he leaves and roams the city looking for a friend. 

Interest Level: K-3

When he decides to turn his fifth-grade teacher's love of the dictionary around on her, clever Nick Allen invents a new word and begins a chain of events that quickly moves beyond his control. 

Interest Level: 3-6

"After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Tama is sent to live in a War Relocation Center in the desert...Trying not to think of the life she once had, she works in the camp's tiny library...And she isn't the only one. George waits each morning by the door, his arms piled with books checked out the day before. As their friendship grows, Tama wonders: Can anyone possibly read so much? Is she the reason George comes to the library every day?"--Provided by publisher. 

Interest Level: K-3

Taran, the Assistant Pig Keeper in the mythical kingdom of Prydain, sets out with the warrior Gwydion to save his country from evil. 

Interest Level: 5-8

"When he is paired with a girl who has lost her legs, Rescue worries that he isn't up to the task of being her service dog"--OCLC. 

Interest Level: K-3

After the sudden death of their parents, the three Baudelaire children must depend on each other and their wits when it turns out that the distant relative who is appointed their guardian is determined to use any means necessary to get their fortune. 

Interest Level: 5-8

"In a world built for Perfect Pets, Barnabus is a Failed Project, half mouse, half elephant, kept out of sight until his dreams of freedom lead him and his misfit friends on a perilous adventure"--Amazon. 

Interest level: K-3

Percy Jackson has struggled with ADHD, dyslexia, parnoia, and anxiety all his life. After being kicked out of 6 schools, he finally learns the truth about himself. His father is Poseidon, the Greek God, making Percy a demigod. He learns his dyslexia is because his brain is hardwired for Ancient Greek, and his anxiety and ADHD help him keep him safe in battle. He is sent to Camp Half Blood, a place for other children of gods, where he meets Grover and Annabeth who join him on a journey to the Underworld to prevent a catastrophic war.

Interest Level: Grades 5-8