Featured Reads

Three starred reviews!

In this “beautifully executed victory lap” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) to Jason Reynolds’s award-winning and New York Times bestselling Track series, meet Coach as a boy striving to come into his own as a track star while facing upheaval at home.

Before Coach was the man who gave caring yet firm-handed guidance to Ghost, Lu, Patina, and Sunny on the Defenders track team, he was little Otie Brody, who was obsessed with Mr. 9.99 (a.k.a. Carl Lewis) and Marty McFly from Back to the Future. Like Mr. 9.99—and his own dad—Otie is a sprinter. Sprint free or die is practically his motto. 

Then his dad, who is always away on business trips, comes home with a pair of Jordans. JORDANS. Fine as fine can be. Otie puts them on and feels like he can leap to the moon…maybe even leap like Mr. 9.99 when he won the Olympic gold medal in the long jump. But one morning he wakes up to find his brand-new secret weapon kicks are missing—right off his feet! And Otie just might have a fuzzy memory of his dad easing them off as Otie was sleeping, but that can’t be right, can it?

Unless all the reasons for his dad’s “gone’s” are very different from what he’s been told… Because now, not only are the Jordans missing, but so is his father.

Thirteen-year-old Keedie Darrow is used to bullies. Growing up neurodivergent makes you an easy target. But when her friends fall victim, Keedie launches an anti-bullying agency—and business is booming. A moving and inclusive prequel to the award-winning novel A Kind of Spark.

Keedie Darrow has never been afraid of standing out. Her autism makes it clear she sees the world differently from others. But ever since Keedie and her twin sister Nina entered middle school, NOT standing out seems to be the only thing that matters.

And the more Nina tries to fit in, the less Keedie understands her--or her classmates who become increasingly cruel to anyone who is different. Determined to take a stand, Keedie launches an anti-bullying agency. Soon, kids are lining up to have her tell off their biggest nemeses. 

But Keedie will have to be careful. It's a fine line between speaking up for what you believe in and becoming a bully yourself.

The second book in a rich, eerie middle grade fantasy duology full of magic, monsters, and miles and miles of untamed forest, from Rochelle Hassan, author of The Prince of Nowhere. Perfect for fans of Over the Garden Wall and Serafina and the Black Cloak.

After Nox's narrow escape from the Nightwood last fall, he had no intention of ever returning. It doesn't matter that he's a Keeper of Night, destined to guard and rule over the forest. He never wanted the title or the power; it wasn't his choice, so as far as he's concerned, it's not his problem.

But when an old friend comes to Nox for help, he can't refuse. He agrees to go back to the Nightwood one more time, a decision that sends him on a harrowing journey into the mountains at the edge of the forest. There, he and his friends fall prey to a trickster deity of good fortune, whose games they must win if they want to survive. But victory may require Nox to do the one thing he swore he wouldn't--accept his magical inheritance and the responsibility that comes with it.

Nox might be ready to put the Nightwood behind him. But the Nightwood isn't ready to let him go.

SERIES LAUNCH! The full story of a junior high musical production, told exclusively from the POV of the kids backstage. It's High School Musical, from behind the scenes...without the high school.

Every cast depends on its stage crew. But what happens when they hate each other? SETTING THE STAGE is the first act in a trilogy that tells the whole story!

Eighth grader Ella Amani has been waiting her whole life to be the stage manager of the middle school musical, and this is her year!

Somehow she'll have to find jobs for Willow, who's doing stage crew instead of detention, and Sebastian, a shy sixth grader whose sister is the star of the show. She'll have to wrangle Kevin, the clumsy new kid who was homeschooled on a boat, and Levi, her best friend, who used to tell her everything.

Still, Ella's pretty sure she can handle the crew. The cast? That's a different story. They're ungrateful, they treat the crew like servants, and when Ella finally pushes back, they start playing pranks!

Setting the Stage is a behind-the-scenes look at the drama of drama club from the crew's point of view.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

A half-human, half-jinn girl tries to save both her worlds from destruction in the second book of this richly imagined, action-packed fantasy series inspired by Persian mythology and Islamic lore.

“A jewel of a fantasy novel that shines with adventure and sparkles with humor.”
—A.F. Steadman, New York Times Bestselling author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief, on Farrah Noorzad and the Ring of Fate

On her twelfth birthday, Farrah Noorzad found out her father was one of the seven jinn kings. Now, one epic quest and a whole lot of adventure later, she hasn't seen her father since she saved him from a cursed ring, and her place in the jinn world as a forbidden half-human is still more up in the air than a flying cloud. Not to mention that in the human world, she's moved away from her best friend Arzu because her mother wanted them to have a fresh start.

So when she is summoned by the kings after months with no word from her father or her half-brother, Yaseen, she jumps at the chance to return to the floating jinn city and attend the glittering, magical Al Qalam Academy for the Exceptional while the kings make their final judgement. Farrah just has to prove she belongs at her father's side, and maybe even help Idris finally uncover his missing memories along the way.

But all the while the fire jinn Azar continues to whisper in her ear, sowing doubt and fear about her true place and her true powers. And when the City of Jewels is threatened, fate steps in once again, with a prophecy that claims Farrah might be the one to save the jinn world...or destroy it.

The Lost Library meets Not Quite a Ghost in this middle grade horror novel about a girl uncovering secrets about her new, haunted home.

The only thing worse than having ghost hunters for parents is having fake ghost hunters for parents. Luna Catalano would know. Her moms are haunted house flippers who use their home reno skills and pretend psychic powers to turn spooky old houses into ghost-free modern homes. Not only does their job require the family to move all the time--meaning Luna is completely friendless--but the only thing haunting any of those houses is bad decor. For once Luna wishes there was an actual, for-real ghost.

When they move yet again, Luna isn't expecting much. But this house feels... different. Things start out innocent enough--items not where they should be, strange noises--but soon things turn sinister. Her moms are waking up with cuts and bruises, and disturbing drawings showing them with even worse injuries are being left in Luna's room. With the help of her next-door neighbors and a mysterious woman who seems to know a lot about the home, Luna starts to piece together what exactly happened in that house before she moved in. But not everything is as it seems. In order to save her moms, Luna will have to get the story right before everything goes completely wrong. 

Stonewall Honor-winning author Justine Pucella Winans returns with another middle grade horror with heart about friendship, family, and the stories we tell when real life feels too scary.

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the bestselling author of Song for a Whale comes a deeply moving story about a boy, an octopus, and the extraordinary bond that changes their lives forever.

Max can’t seem to escape the big, looming shadow of his politician dad. But for the next few months, Max and his mom are going away to a quiet Texas beach town where Max can be someone else. Someone who doesn’t make dumb mistakes that embarrass his father—someone who knows how to be strong.

He stumbles on his fresh start right away, when he finds an injured octopus washed up onshore after a storm. With the help of a local wildlife center and a couple of new friends, Max rescues the octopus—who they name Ursula—and vows to take care of her until she’s ready to return to the sea.

But as their bond deepens and Max makes unexpected discoveries that turn his summer upside down, Max’s true strength will be put to the test. Can he keep his promise after all?

The astromancers in Peter's star-touched village have an amazing device that nudges time--surely it wouldn't hurt if Peter used it to fix a few mistakes? Cozy fantasy alight with wonder from the author of Wicked Marigold.

When Peter leads two Tinkerers to his family's inn in Stargazers Valley, he imagines they're like other astromancers, researchers from the Imperial College who study starstuff. The valley is a special place, where the magical aurora called the Skeins appear in the sky and starstuff falls in their wake, as thin and wispy as fluff from a seed pod. But starstuff is powerful, and astromancers are the only people allowed to handle it--a law enforced by the strict and stealthy Outbounder Task Force. When Peter discovers the Tinkerers have used starstuff to invent an incredible not-a-clock that can turn back time for a few minutes, he realizes it's his chance to undo his mistakes: if he can go back and put away his new boots, he doesn't need to add their destruction by falcons to his list of ten worst mistakes (#7: stepping on a star-eating newt). But while using the not-a-clock is easy, stopping using it is hard. And maybe not everything that feels like a mistake at the time actually is. Family, friendship, and budding self-confidence are at the heart of Caroline Carlson's stellar fantasy.

A laugh-out-loud, edge-of-your-seat time-travel adventure perfect for fans of The Last Last-Day-of-Summer and City Spies from New York Times bestseller, Krystal Sutherland.

Twins Pearl and Patrick are no ordinary twelve-year-olds. They’re geniuses, hiding in plain sight, who pull heists all over the world to further their scientific and historical research. Their criminal activity, including grand theft auto and espionage, has made them a regular nuisance to both the CIA and MI5. But it’s all been worth it. They’ve finally achieved their greatest triumph: time travel. Pearl’s Chrono-Loop can take the twins anywhere in time! Their first stop: ancient Egypt, where they even get to see King Tut!

But when they return home, they’re arrested by TIME—The Interdimensional Misconduct Enquiry—a secret organization charged with maintaining the timeline. Turns out Pearl and Patrick didn’t invent time travel, after all—that happened two hundred years ago! And what Pearl did in ancient Egypt—killing a mosquito—could have rewritten history as we know it if not for TIME agents stepping in.

Punishment for disrupting the timeline is 100 years in the Eternal Abyss. But TIME, impressed by the pair, offers them a chance to become agents. Unfortunately, they fail their entrance exam and instead are banned from ever attempting time travel again. Pearl is furious, and when she’s offered another chance at time travel by a rival organization, she takes it! Too late, she realizes she’s been tricked and unwittingly plays a part in replacing the timeline they know with a nightmarish scenario.

Now Pearl and Patrick must clean up the mess they’ve made. But to restore the timeline, they have to go back to the beginning—to Lion Rock—to convince the real inventor of time travel to help them save time and the world.

In this electric time travel adventure steeped in unexplored Sri Lankan history, these whiz kids use their book smarts and a healthy dose of girl power to fight the ultimate villain.

Mystery and adventure collide in this humorous and heartfelt multiverse adventure from beloved, award-winning authors Wendy Mass and Nora Raleigh Baskin.

Twelve-year-old Piper's life has always been unusual: her parents are clockmakers whose inventions are anything but ordinary, and she's the only kid she knows with a robotic talking dog. But her life takes a turn for the truly bizarre when she discovers her parents are in jeopardy and the key to saving them is a book full of strange equations.

When Raisa and Lev travel through the portal to Piper's world, Raisa can finally prove that her mother's multiverse project worked. Now, she just needs the book containing her mother's equations to get back to her world...if only she can find it! As Raisa and Piper adventure to the bounds of the multiverse, they'll need to discover their place in the world if they ever want to find their way back home. 

"Kadarusman beautifully brings Kartini to life with clarity and empathy in a story that's educational without being preachy and is a superb pick for readers interested in history and activism."--Kirkus Reviews

Inspired by the true story of a nineteenth century feminist.

Seabird follows Kartini's early teen years as a young noble girl. Confined to the family home in preparation for an arranged marriage, Kartini's desire for freedom ignites as she fights to have a say in the decisions that shape her life.

In late nineteenth century Indonesia --then known as the Dutch East Indies--a Javanese girl from a noble family is confined to her home before her thirteenth birthday, where she must remain until she is married. Removed from school and the outside world, Kartini writes to her former Dutch schoolmate, Lesty, who has returned to the Netherlands. With Lesty's support Kartini begins to challenge the role expected of her, and that of girls and women in her community. Determined to gain her freedom, Kartini bravely battles prejudice and tradition stirring change for her family, and for her country.

Michelle Kadarusman shows us that no matter how powerless you feel, your voice can have great impact. By virtue of writing down your dreams and ideas, you can inspire generations to come--as Kartini continues to do through Kartini Day in Indonesia.

For fans of Not Quite a Ghost and Ghost Squad, acclaimed middle grade author Ellen Oh of Spirit Hunters and an APALA Honoree delivers a new spooky novel about young hero Rory and the creepy house next door. Filled with scary spirits, mysterious noises, and malevolent forces, the house has tormented many souls, and Rory must do everything he can to prevent the new neighbors from becoming its next victims. We Need Diverse Books cofounder Ellen Oh delivers another heart-pounding story that you won't be able to put down.

Home is where the sinister lives. Rory Parker knows not to step a foot in, on, or around the house next door. He's seen things creeping in the shadows, has had encounters with spirits, and lost a best friend to the house's malevolence. But when his new neighbors, Jack and his lovable family, move into the house next door, Rory makes it his duty to protect them at all costs.

But the vicious forces lying within the house are plotting something evil, something that puts Jack's little sister in extreme danger. Soon, Rory understands he'll need the help of his new friend and some friendly ghosts in order to stand a chance at defeating whatever lurks within its walls for good. But what exactly lives in the house next door, and will Rory and Jack find out in time to save the day, or can its evil never be evicted?

Perfect for Halloween readingFeatures light scaresA charming cozy seasonal pick
 

A challenge from her little brother and a Chinese fable inspire Lani Li to hit every note of invincible bravery on her band trip to London.

Thirteen-year-old Lani Li has grown up with the tale of the Eight Invincible Brothers--Chinese heroes who use their superpowers to conquer challenges. Lani wishes she could be as brave as them, especially as she faces her own test of courage . . .

When Lani's elite performance band is chosen to perform in London, she should be thrilled. But with too many fears to count and her little brother, Gavin, unable to join her due to a serious heart condition, the trip feels more daunting than exciting. Before Lani leaves, Gavin gives her a challenge: tap into her own hidden strength by embodying the Eight Invincible Brothers--and each of their special powers.

In London, Lani creates her own "invincible list" based on the fable, and as she checks off each quality, she discovers that these "superpowers" might not be as farfetched as they seem. But when the final challenge demands that she face a daunting fear--running down the famous Cooper's Hill in a wild cheese race--Lani wonders if she has what it takes to complete the list.

With her brother's courage as her guide, can Lani conquer her fears and prove she's invincible in her own way? Or will this last challenge be the one that defeats her?

In this fresh, funny, and fast-paced story, chaos ensues when a down-on-its-luck middle school comes to believe that fake magic is the real deal!

Magic loving, wheelchair user Lil Evers wishes she could start sixth grade at a real wizarding school, instead of the worst junior high in her district. But when she leads her friends in roleplaying their own magic school in the Exceptional Children's (EC) class for special education, it helps the school days feel more bearable.

When their magic wands end up scaring some bullies away in a chance encounter, the EC students' standing at school does a total 180. Students think their magic is actually real-and that Lil and her friends can grant their wishes with good luck charms! Strangest of all, the charms seem to be working...

But it becomes clear that there's someone lurking who doesn't want the good luck to spread. Can Lil let go of her fantasy world to find her voice-and embrace her real  school-before Willow Street Middle falls victim to an evil plan?

From the co-authors of the critically acclaimed memoir The Year of the Buttered Cat comes an imaginative novel that shines a spotlight on the way the school system often fails students with disabilities-while showcasing the power of those very students to make positive change.

From drag superstar Eureka O'Hara and bestselling author Dan Poblocki comes a beautiful, buoyant middle-grade novel about a boy who enters a local pageant--as a drag queen!

When Jackson Bright wears a dress to the last day of school, he expects to be complimented on the cute polka-dot design. Instead, he gets sent to the principal's office.

Jackson doesn't know why people are saying that he needs to "dress like a boy." And with all the discussions of "dressing like a boy" and "dressing like a girl," he wonders where people like his best friend Eva, who's nonbinary, fit into all of this. Or why he felt so confident and happy while wearing that dress.

So when Jackson sees a flyer for the town's beloved Little Miss pageant, he comes up with a plan: dress in drag in order to compete and show the town just how fabulous he can be! More than anything, though, he wants to push the boundaries of gender and learn how to better support Eva and other nonbinary kids like them, which is harder than he realizes.

Before he knows it, he's thrust into a world of rhinestone gowns and fiercely applied makeup. With the help of Eva and Uncle Aaron, Jackson scrambles to come up with an array of dazzling costumes, a crowd-winning speech, and a killer talent act.

As he navigates the ups and downs of the competition--all while keeping his real identity a secret and hiding a growing crush on his rival's brother--Jackson will have to figure out how to stand beside his friend and show his small town that #nonbinaryteaisvalid, unpack questions about his family and identity that he's been hiding from, and learn how to stay true to himself and hold his head high no matter what!