Lists and Suggestions for Kids
List: If You Like Smile, Drama, or Sisters
Awkward
Chmakova, Svetlana, 1979- author, artist.
After shunning Jaime, the school nerd, on her first day at a new middle school, Penelope Torres tri... More
After shunning Jaime, the school nerd, on her first day at a new middle school, Penelope Torres tries to blend in with her new friends in the art club, until the art club goes to war with the science club, of which Jaime is a member. Less
All's Faire in Middle School
Jamieson, Victoria, author, illustrator.
Homeschooled by Renaissance Fair enthusiasts, eleven-year-old Imogene has a hard time fitting in wh... More
Homeschooled by Renaissance Fair enthusiasts, eleven-year-old Imogene has a hard time fitting in when her wish to enroll in public school is granted. Less
The Silver Six
Lieberman, A. J., author.
"When a group of orphans discover they have a common connection, plucky heroine Phoebe leads t... More
"When a group of orphans discover they have a common connection, plucky heroine Phoebe leads them in a daring escape from their orphanage to an uninhabited moon. But their idyllic paradise is shattered when the powerful corporate boss who caused the deaths of their parents sends a relentless henchman to track them down. Now, with nowhere left to turn and tired of being on the run, these resourceful kids decide there's only one thing left to do: Fight back!" -- from publisher's web site. Less
Cleopatra in Space: Target practice
Maihack, Mike, author.
"When a young Cleopatra finds a mysterious tablet that zaps her to the far, REALLY far future,... More
"When a young Cleopatra finds a mysterious tablet that zaps her to the far, REALLY far future, she learns of an ancient prophecy that says she is destined to save the galaxy from the tyrannical rule of the evil Xaius Octavian." Less
Real Friends
Hale, Shannon, author.
Newbery Honor author Shannon Hale and New York Times bestselling illustrator LeUyen Pham join force... More
Newbery Honor author Shannon Hale and New York Times bestselling illustrator LeUyen Pham join forces in this graphic memoir about how hard it is to find your real friends--and why it's worth the journey. When her best friend Adrienne starts hanging out with the most popular girl in class, Shannon questions with whether she and Adrienne will stay friends, and if she is part of the clique. Less
The Popularity Papers: the awesomely awful melodies of Lydia Goldblatt & Julie Graham-Chang
Ignatow, Amy.
Lydia and Julie decide to start a rock band with their friends, unfortunately, none of them are ver... More
Lydia and Julie decide to start a rock band with their friends, unfortunately, none of them are very good musicians and suddenly the whole school knows about their band and wants to hear them play. Less
Click
Miller, Kayla, author, artist.
When a school variety show leaves Olive stranded without an act to join, she wonders why all of her... More
When a school variety show leaves Olive stranded without an act to join, she wonders why all of her friends have already formed their own groups without her. Less
El Deafo
Bell, Cece, author, artist.
"Going to school and making new friends can be tough. But going to school and making new frien... More
"Going to school and making new friends can be tough. But going to school and making new friends while wearing a bulky hearing aid strapped to your chest? That requires superpowers! In this funny, poignant graphic novel memoir, author/illustrator Cece Bell chronicles her hearing loss at a young age and her subsequent experiences with the Phonic Ear, a very powerful--and very awkward--hearing aid. The Phonic Ear gives Cece the ability to hear--sometimes things she shouldn't--but also isolates her from her classmates. She really just wants to fit in and find a true friend, someone who appreciates her as she is. After some trouble, she is finally able to harness the power of the Phonic Ear and become "El Deafo, Listener for All." And more importantly, declare a place for herself in the world and find the friend she's longed for"-- Less
Unicorn of Many Hats : another Phoebe and her unicorn adventure
Simpson, Dana, 1977- author, illustrator.
Phoebe and her exceptional hooved pal are back in this all-new collection of comics! Laugh alongsid... More
Phoebe and her exceptional hooved pal are back in this all-new collection of comics! Laugh alongside the lovable duo as they question the idea of "coolness," gain a deeper appreciation for the power of friendship, and put off summer reading assignments for as long as physically possible. Less
Hereville: how Mirka got her sword
Deutsch, Barry.
Eleven-year-old Mirka Herschberg dreams of fighting dragons and spends her days honing her skills, ... More
Eleven-year-old Mirka Herschberg dreams of fighting dragons and spends her days honing her skills, even though there are no dragons in her Orthodox Jewish community, but when she accepts a challenge from a mysterious witch, Mirka just mightwin her dragon-fighting sword after all. Less
The Dumbest Idea Ever!
Gownley, Jimmy.
"What if the dumbest idea ever turned your life upside down? At thirteen, Jimmy was popular, a... More
"What if the dumbest idea ever turned your life upside down? At thirteen, Jimmy was popular, at the top of his class, and the leading scorer on his basketball team. But all that changed when chicken pox forced him to miss the championship game. Things went from bad to worse when he got pneumonia and missed even more school. Before Jimmy knew it, his grades were sinking and nothing seemed to be going right. How did Jimmy turn things around, get back on top at school, and land a date with the cutest girl in class?"--Front jacket flap. Less
Sunny Side Up
Holm, Jennifer L., artist, author.
Sunny Lewin is sent to live with her grandfather for the summer in Florida, where she befriends Buz... More
Sunny Lewin is sent to live with her grandfather for the summer in Florida, where she befriends Buzz, a boy completely obsessed with comic books, and faces the secret behind why she is in Florida in the first place. Less
Zita the Spacegirl. book 1, Far from home
Hatke, Ben.
When young Zita discovers a device that opens a portal to another place, and her best friend is abd... More
When young Zita discovers a device that opens a portal to another place, and her best friend is abducted, she is compelled to set out on a strange journey from star to star in order to get back home. Less
Bunk 9's Guide to Growing Up: secrets , tips, and expert advice on the good, the bad & the awkward
Nuchi, Adah, author.
This girl-powered book about puberty is written in the voice of counselors in training at the ficti... More
This girl-powered book about puberty is written in the voice of counselors in training at the fictional Camp Silver Moon. This fictionalized nonfiction diary-style guide follows nine 12-year-old girls at a summer camp is like having a best friend or older sister who shares everything there is to know about being comfortable in your chasing body so you can survive and thrive through puberty. Less
Space Battle Lunchtime. Volume one, Lights, camera, snacktion!
Riess, Natalie, author, illustrator.
"Space Battle Lunchtime is a hit show broadcast all over the universe, and the new season is a... More
"Space Battle Lunchtime is a hit show broadcast all over the universe, and the new season is about to start! When one of the competing chefs drops out at the last minute, an aspiring baker from Earth, Peony, is offered the chance to compete for fame, glory, and a 20,000 Solarbuck prize. All she has to do is impress the alien judges and beat the other five chefs (also aliens): mysterious Neptunia, sneaky Melonhead, intimidating Jacques, fierce Owline, and Rugged Meatabax. Surrounded by sabotaging contestants and otherworldly ingredients, Peony's got her work cut out for her. Is she ready for the cutthroat world of intergalactic cooking, or has she bitten off more than she can chew?"-- Page 4 of cover. Less
Roller Girl
Jamieson, Victoria, author, illustrator.
"A graphic novel adventure about a girl who discovers roller derby right as she and her best f... More
"A graphic novel adventure about a girl who discovers roller derby right as she and her best friend are growing apart"-- Less
Lumberjanes: volume one, beware the kitten holy
Stevenson, Noelle, author.
Best friends Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley spend a fun summer at Lumberjane scout camp where th... More
Best friends Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley spend a fun summer at Lumberjane scout camp where they encounter yetis, three-eyed wolves, and giant falcons while solving a mystery that holds the fate of the world in the balance. Less
Zebrafish
Emerson, Sharon.
When their rock band becomes popular, five middle schoolers use their new fame to generate awarenes... More
When their rock band becomes popular, five middle schoolers use their new fame to generate awareness (and donations) for an important cause. Less
Newsprints
Xu, Ru, author, artist.
Blue is an orphan who disguises herself as a newsboy. There's a war going on, and girls are ex... More
Blue is an orphan who disguises herself as a newsboy. There's a war going on, and girls are expected to help the struggling economy by selling cookies. But Blue loves living and working at the Bugle, the only paper in town that tells the truth. And what's printed in the newspapers now matters more than ever. But Blue struggles with her secret, and worries that if her friends and adopted family at the Bugle find out that she's a girl, she'll lose everything and everyone she cares about. And when she meets and befriends Crow, a boy who is also not what he seems, together they seek the freedom to be their true selves, and to save each other Less