Chantel Acevedo

Light Hardcover (1 lb or less)

Florida

A sweetly spooky ghost story about a Cuban American boy who befriends a pair of spirits and tries to break the curse on his island home . . . only to discover a seemingly lost piece of his family's history in the process. This new middle grade standalone mystery from the author of the Muse Squad series is perfect for fans of Doll Bones and The Girl and the Ghost! Frank Fernandez's family never stays in one place for long. His parents renovate unusual buildings and turn them into homes, which means the family moves--a lot. This makes it hard for bookish Frank to make friends. So when his parents announce they're moving to Spectacle Key, Florida, to live in a lighthouse--this time for good!--Frank is thrilled. But Spectacle Key isn't the perfect forever home they'd imagined. The lighthouse is falling apart. There are knocks on the door--but no one is there--and mysterious sighs and sniffles from nowhere. There's even a creepy doll that seems to move on its own. Could Spectacle Key be haunted? Then one day while exploring, Frank meets a girl in old-fashioned clothes, with no memory of who she is. What she does know, though, is that the island is under a curse--and she needs Frank's help to figure out how to lift it. But what if learning the truth about Spectacle Key means losing the first real friend he's ever had?

The Curse on Spectacle Key

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Kate DiCamillo

Hardcover (1 to 2 lbs)

The Illuminated Adventures

Rescuing a squirrel after an accident involving a vacuum cleaner, comic-reading cynic Flora Belle Buckman is astonished when the squirrel, Ulysses, demonstrates astonishing powers of strength and flight after being revived. By the Newbery Medal-winning author of The Tale of Despereaux.

Flora and Ulysses

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Jennifer Swender

A coming-of-age story about a boy who is used to flying under the radar, and the classroom of kids determined to help him stand out. This touching friendship tale is the perfect read for fans of Fish in a Tree and Song for a Whale. "Austin’s narration is conversational and observant." -Publishers Weekly, Starred Review If Austin picked a color to describe his life, it would be tumbleweed brown. Austin doesn't like standing out. He’s always the new kid, and there's no hiding his size. Plus, Austin has a secret: he struggles to read. Then Austin meets Bertie, who is razzmatazz. Everything about Bertie is bursting! But the best part of his newest school is the Safety Squad, with their laser lemon vests. Their easy confidence and leadership stand out in the coolest way. Even when things are not so vibrant and life at home makes Austin feel pacific blue, for the first time, he wants to leave a mark. And the more Austin speaks up, the more he finds he may not be that different after all.

Stuck

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Rachel Wenitsky

David Sidorov

Light Paperback (1 lb or less)

The Secret Life of Pets meets Toy Story in a new illustrated series about a group of Very Good doggie day care buddies who follow a few of their wilder instincts, leading to hilarious chaos. Do good dogs have to be good all the time? Hugo, Lulu, and King love going to doggy day care together. The super-friendly dogs there are very good listeners, and they always follow the rules, even at the park. But then a new dog comes to town. Napoleon jumps on people, dives into fountains, and will do anything (really!) to get human food. The Good Dogs are shocked to see such canine chaos, but they also notice something else: Napoleon seems to be having a ton of fun. That gets them thinking: Could being a little bit bad be a good idea? Find out directly from Hugo, Lulu, and King as they tell you all about it!

Good Dogs on a Bad Day

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Pam Muñoz Ryan

The Sword of the Monarchs

"Award-winning author Ryan has masterfully crafted a story using cultural elements from Mexico with a generous sprinkling of magic. In this story of courage, determination, and ingenuity, readers will cheer on Solimar in her arduous journey to save what is near and dear to her heart." --Booklist


"I advise you to tell no one about the gift unless you trust them implicitly."

Ever since Solimar was a little girl, she has gone to the ouamel forest bordering her kingdom to observe the monarch butterflies during their migration, but always from a safe distance. Now, on the brink of her quinceañera and her official coronation, Solimar crosses the dangerous creek to sit among the butterflies. There, a mysterious event gives her a gift and a burden--the responsibility to protect the young and weak butterflies with her magical rebozo, or silk shawl.

Solimar is committed to fulfilling her role, and has a plan that might have worked. But when her father, the king, and her brother, the prince, leave on an expedition, a neighboring king overthrows the kingdom and holds everyone left in the village hostage. It takes all of Solimar's courage to escape and then embark on a dangerous journey to save her kingdom, but she's not alone. Her pet bird, Lázaro, the butterflies she protects, and a magical rag doll, Zarita, are with her. Then, at a precarious moment, she meets a river boy who knows the rapids.

Even with help, can Solimar save her family, the kingdom, and the future of the monarchs from a greedy king?

Middle-grade fans of Pam Muñoz Ryan's Esperanza Rising, will find a new Mexican heroine to love in Solimar and a fresh, magical story!

Solimar

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Julie Buxbaum

Aliens, sassy hedgehogs, and unexplained disappearances . . . Oh, my! Discover the secrets of the universe in this hilarious, highly illustrated middle-grade series from New York Times bestselling author Julie Buxbaum. “Epically fun!”—Max Brallier, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Kids on Earth When Sky Patel-Baum is sent to live with her mysterious uncle, she didn’t imagine she’d end up here: Area 51. A top-secret military base with a bajillion rules and so classified not even the president knows its secrets. Also, it turns out the place is full of aliens. Lots and lots of aliens. But they prefer to be called Break Throughs, thank you very much. As Sky sets out to explore her extraordinary new home with her pizza-obsessed pet hedgehog Spike, she meets her otherworldly next-door neighbor Elvis and his fluffy pup, Pickles. But something mysterious is afoot in Area 51. Some of the Break Throughs have gone missing… at the exact same time Sky arrived. Where could they be? How can Sky and her uncle convince everyone they had nothing to do with the disappearance? And why does the macaroni and cheese at Area 51 Middle have eyeballs in it? New best friends Sky, Elvis, Spike, and Pickles try to crack the case, but the clock is ticking…

The Area 51 Files

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Stephanie Burgis

Perfect for fans of Robert Beatty and Shannon Hale comes a magical new middle grade fantasy series about a young shapeshifter trying to save her family.

Deep within an enchanted forest lies a castle where a set of triplets and their sorceress mother have lived for years--safe from the decades-long war for the Raven Throne that rages in the kingdom. Cordelia, one of the triplets, has the power to become any animal with just a thought, and she yearns to discover more about the world outside her castle.

But one day, the world comes to her, when the eldest of the triplets becomes the newest heir to the throne. Knowing that being named heir means certain death, Cordelia's mother hid the truth about which child is the eldest when she hid them in the forest. When her family is captured, it's up to Cordelia to use her powers to keep her siblings hidden and discover the truth about the Raven Heir--before it's too late.

From the author of The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart comes a thrilling new fantasy full of magic, adventure, and the power of family.

Acclaim for The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart
A Kids' Indie Next List Pick
An Amazon Best Book of the Month
A Mighty Girl Best Book of the Year
A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year
A VOYA Top Shelf Pick

The Raven Heir

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Gillian McDunn

"Elliot has been struggling since starting middle school, when his ADHD spiraled and his best friend moved away. He's not too sure where he fits in with his own family either, especially since his newly remarried dad and stepmom are expecting a baby. Especially when he already feels like his dad just doesn't get him - or his passion for cooking. In the kitchen, it's actually a good thing to have a brain that goes in six directions at once. When he's paired with the popular and super smart Maribel for a school-wide project, Elliot worries they won't see eye to eye. But Maribel is also looking for a way to show others her true self, and this project could be the chance they've both been waiting for. Sometimes the least likely friends help you see a new side to things... and sometimes you have to make a few mistakes before you figure out what's right. Gillian McDunn, the highly acclaimed author of Caterpillar Summer, explores boyhood in a funny, big-hearted story about a kid trying to find the best way to be his best self"--Dust jacket.

Honestly Elliott

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Victoria Piontek

A girl with anxiety disorder finds an unlikely friend -- and emotional support animal -- in the form of an adorable fainting goat. Twelve-year-old Marvel is afraid of absolutely everything -- amusement park rides, food poisoning, earthquakes, and that big island of plastic floating through the ocean. She also obsesses about smaller worries like making friends, getting called on by the teacher, and walking home alone. Her parents and the school therapist call her worries an anxiety disorder, but Marvel calls them armor. If something can happen, it will. She needs to be prepared. But when Marvel stumbles on a group of older kids teasing a baby goat that has mysteriously shown up on the soccer field, she momentarily forgets to be afraid and rescues the frightened animal. Only Butter isn't any old goat. She's a fainting goat. When Butter feels panic, she freezes up and falls over. Marvel knows exactly how Butter feels and precisely what Butter needs--her. Soon, the two are inseparable, and Butter thrives under Marvel's support. But Butter also helps Marvel. Everything is better with Butter by her side, and Marvel starts to imagine a life in which she doesn't have to be so afraid . . . until she's told she might have to give up Butter forever. Will Marvel find a way to fight for her friend? Or will she revert back to the anxious, lonely person she used to be?

Better with Butter

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Carolyn Crimi

A heartwarming--and heart-tugging--middle grade novel about love, loyalty, and what it means to be part of a family--from author Carolyn Crimi, with adorable illustrations by Melissa Manwill. Perfect for fans of A Dog's Life and Because of Winn-Dixie. Miss Lottie's home was for second chances. When she adopted Gus, Roo, Tank, and Moon Pie, Miss Lottie rescued each member of the pack--including herself, her helper, Quinn, and her reclusive cat, Ghost--and turned them into a family. But when a new dog, Decker, arrives and tries to hoard Miss Lottie's heart and home for himself, the pack's future is threatened. At first, Gus, the insecure pack leader, only notices little things, like tiny Moon Pie being kicked out of the bed and Ghost acting spooked (then again...Ghost is a cat). But things soon go from bad to worse as Decker's presence causes disharmony in the group. When Decker convinces Moon Pie to embark on an impossible journey, it's up to Gus to gather his courage, rally his splintered pack, and bring the little dog home. And with coyotes and cars on the loose, the pack must push through obstacles and dangers to reunite with Moon Pie before he can get hurt--or, nearly as bad, get his heart broken.

Joanna Rivera

@joanna844411

Books Listed

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Chantel Acevedo

The Curse on Spectacle Key

Kate DiCamillo

Flora and Ulysses

Jennifer Swender

Stuck

Rachel Wenitsky; David Sidorov

Good Dogs on a Bad Day

Pam Muñoz Ryan

Solimar

Julie Buxbaum

The Area 51 Files

Stephanie Burgis

The Raven Heir

Gillian McDunn

Honestly Elliott

Victoria Piontek

Better with Butter

Carolyn Crimi

Secondhand Dogs

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Chantel Acevedo

The Curse on Spectacle Key

Kate DiCamillo

Flora and Ulysses

Jennifer Swender

Stuck

Rachel Wenitsky; David Sidorov

Good Dogs on a Bad Day

Pam Muñoz Ryan

Solimar

Julie Buxbaum

The Area 51 Files

Stephanie Burgis

The Raven Heir

Gillian McDunn

Honestly Elliott

Victoria Piontek

Better with Butter

Carolyn Crimi

Secondhand Dogs

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