http://mppl.org/services/youth-department/good-books/?category=current+events&list=Our+Favorite+Childrens+Books+2023
List: Our Favorite Childrens Books 2023
Don't mix up my puppy!
"Which puppy is your favorite? Spin the wheel to change the look of each puppy with five fun touch-and-feel textures!"--
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Hello, baby : say hello in 15 languages!
A diverse group of babies from around the world complete a variety of everyday activities while revealing how to say "Hello" in fifteen different languages. Includes pronunciation guide at back of book.
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My hair is like the sun
In rhyming text, celebrates the natural hairstyles of African American children, encouraging them to see themselves relected in the wonders of nature.
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The nose, toes, and tummy book
"From fingers that tickle to bellies that need to be gobbled up, toddlers will love playing and laughing, as they learn the names of their body parts."--Publisher's website.
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An American story
From the fireside tales in an African village, through the unspeakable passage across the Atlantic, to the backbreaking work in the fields of the South, this is a story of a people's struggle and strength, horror and hope. This is the story of American slavery, a story that needs to be told and understood by all of us. A testament to the resilience of the African American community, this book honors what has been and envisions what is to be.
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Big
Praised for acting like a big girl when she is small, as a young girl grows, "big" becomes a word of criticism, until the girl realizes that she is fine just the way she is.
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Bing! Bang! Chugga! Beep!
Bing! Bang! Chugga! Beep! is the latest charming tale from rhyming pair Bill Martin Jr and Michael Sampson. This old car has been everywhere from the backyard to the sky, from the hills to the water. Bouncing between the mud in the ground and the clouds up high, the old car is loved by a clever young boy ... --Publisher.
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Cape
After losing the person in his life he loves more than anything, a young child holds onto a cape as a source of comfort and strength as he navigates the sadness and joy of his memories.
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Every dreaming creature
"An exploration of the sensory experiences of different animals through the perspective of dreams"--
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I want to be spaghetti!
"Even from Ramen's small shelf in the supermarket, they see spaghetti propaganda everywhere. They want to be celebrated, too. Maybe, Ramen misguidedly thinks, I have to change to be loved like that. "I want to be spaghetti!" they proclaim to the dismay of the rest of the instant noodle section"--
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Little land
"An environmental tale of land evolving over the millennia up to present day environmental changes, as well as the role one can take in caring for it"--
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Mr. S
When a kindergarten class arrives for the first day at school, they are greeted only by the words "Mr. S" on the chalkboard and a delicious-looking sandwich, resulting in merry mayhem as the kids wonder if the sandwich is their teacher.
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Oh no, the aunts are here
A girl experiences a tumultuous and overwhelming visit from her aunts, but when they finally say good-bye she discovers that the uncles are on their way to visit.
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Pepita meets bebita
Family pup Pepita must learn how to welcome a fussy new baby into the home.
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Plátanos go with everything
"Yesenia introduces readers to her favorite food--plátanos--which go with everything, especially love, in this ode to the star of Dominican cuisine"--
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Plátanos go with everything = Los plá́tanos van con todo
"With the English and Spanish text side by side on the page, this bilingual edition of the vibrant picture book celebrating the strength of community and the versatility of plátanos is ideal for bilingual readers as well as Spanish speakers learning English and vice versa. Paletero Man meets Fry Bread in this vibrant and cheerful ode to plátanos, the star of Dominican cuisine, written by award-winning poet Lissette Norman, illustrated by Sara Palacios, and translated by Kianny N. Antigua. Platanos are Yesenia's favorite food. They can be sweet and sugary, or salty and savory. And they're a part of almost every meal her Dominican family makes.Platanos are Yesenia's favorite food. They can be sweet and sugary, or salty and savory. And they're a part of almost every meal her Dominican family makes. Stop by her apartment and find out why platanos go with everything--especially love!"--
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Say my name
Six people from different corners of the world celebrate the history, culture, and beauty behind their names.
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There was a party for Langston
A celebration of Langston Hughes and African American authors he inspired, told through the lens of the party held at the New York Public Library's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in 1991.
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When you can swim
"A reverent celebration of learning to swim among a diverse cast of children and families who each experience the mysterious joys of water in nature"--
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The walk
As a little girl accompanies her grandma on a walk to the polling station, members of their community join and the grandmother explains the importance of their journey.
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The apartment house on Poppy Hill
Nine-year-old Ella considers herself the official greeter, tour guide, and is generally in charge of 1106 Wildflower Place, but the elusive Robinsons who live on the top floor are a mystery--one which Ella is determined to solve, and bring the elderly couple into the community of the apartment building on Poppy Hill.
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Fox has a problem
"Fox has a not-so-new problem, and every possible solution leads to more problems for the other animals, until they all come together with the ultimate fix."--
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The gray day
On a rainy day, a young artist struggles to find inspiration--until she remembers all the things she loves that are black and white.
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Hoggy at bat
"Now that this former ball hog has learned to be a team player, Hoggy's friends think he's a real catch. But Hoggy feels more at home on the basketball court than he does on the baseball diamond. He wants to hit the ball so flawlessly that it soars over the fence. Instead, it's a swing and a miss. When Hoggy strikes out, the pressure is on. Can he learn to relax and enjoy a fun game with his friends? Or will the pressure to win keep him from stepping up to the plate?"--
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The lost mitten
When Rabbit and Mouse finally find the owner of a lost red mitten, Rabbit has a hard time letting it go since red is his favorite color.
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Salma makes a home
"Charming, creative Salma takes on big feelings with even bigger ideas as she navigates life in a new country, Syrian identity, family changes and new friendships in this engaging and heartfelt early chapter book series. After a year, eleven months, and six days apart, Salma's dad is finally joining her family in their new home. Salma is so happy to see her baba-but she's also worried. What if he misses Syria so much that he leaves them again? She throws herself into showing him around the city and helping him learn English, but as Baba shares memories of Damascus Salma starts to realize how much she misses Syria, too. Can Salma make space in her heart for two homes? And can Baba?"
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The story of Gumluck the wizard
Gumluck, a young, naíve wizard, does his best to help the local townspeople (and a small friendly ghost) with his sometimes critical raven sidekick, Helvetica.
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Tacos today
It's lunchtime for young El Toro and his friends--and each one is looking forward to a different kind of taco, their favorite! The luchadores take a break from their training and head into town to eat. When they count their lunch money and discover they don't have enough for tacos, they will have to work together on a creative, fun solution to earn plenty of dinero for a delicious all-you-can-eat spectacular! Flavored with Spanish phrases and topped with plenty of humor, this early reader graphic novel is essential for those who want an action-packed story and lots of laughs."--Publisher marketing.
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Tip tap Sam ; & Not a nut
"Sam likes to tap everywhere. What happens when he can't tap somewhere? An alien visits earth and finds something. It isn't a nut, so what is it?"--
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Trim sets sail
When Trim gets off to a bumpy start as ship's cat, new friends, human and animal, help him settle in.
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Ancient night
"Ancient Night is a twist on two Nahua traditions: the rabbit which the Feathered Serpent placed on the moon, and the Lord Opossum who ruled the earth when humans were first created, who stole fire from the gods to keep them warm."--
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Crowned : magical folk and fairy tales from the diaspora
A collection of reimagined classic fairy tales, African, and African American folktales that bring to life past, present, and future visions of Black culture.
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Simon and the better bone
One day, down by the pond, Simon meets another dog just like him. And that dog has a bone just like his, only better! How will Simon ever get him to trade, when the other pup knows all the same tricks? Using the same innovative format as his Caldecott Honor winner, Mel Fell, Corey R. Tabor reimagines Aesop's "The Dog and His Reflection" in a clever, charming tale of empathy and generosity.
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Zhen Yu and the snake
Based on the Talmudic tale of Rabbi Akiva's daughter and a snake, in 12th century Kaifeng, China, a fortune teller predicts Zhen Yu will be bitten by a poisonous snake on her wedding day.
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The song that called them home
"A picture book about two siblings who go on a strange, beautiful adventure while visiting with their grandfather."--
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Stories of the islands
"A graphic novel collection of girl-centered fantasy stories, based on Indonesian traditional tales"--
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Darwin's super-pooping worm spectacular
The silly true story of how Darwin discovered that the earthworm is one of the most important species on the planet. Without their life-sustaining poop, there would be no plants or animals on Earth. A scholarly worm gives historical facts and context on every page.
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Holding her own : the exceptional life of Jackie Ormes
"When Jackie Ormes sees an opportunity, she takes it. She's a journalist, cartoonist, fashionista, philanthropist, and activist -- and she wants to use her artistry to bring joy and hope to Black people everywhere. But in post-World War II America, Black people are still being denied their civil rights, and Jackie has a dilemma: How can her art remain true to her signature Jackie joy, while also staying honest about the inequalities Black people have been fighting against? Traci N. Todd and Shannon Wright have crafted a gorgeous and moving tribute to the indelible legacy of America's first Black woman cartoonist"--
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How do you spell unfair? : MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee
A true story of determination and groundbreaking achievement follows eighth grade African American spelling champion MacNolia Cox, who left Akron, Ohio, in 1936 to compete in the prestigious National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., only to be met with prejudice and discrimination.
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Invincible : fathers and mothers of Black America
"In a poetic narrative of the origins of Black America, acclaimed Black author and publisher Wade Hudson teaches us about the little-known men and women who had a profound effect on the history of the nation. Black America was built by brave pioneers--men and women taken from Africa, who suffered and struggled to build a country, a culture, and institutions. Emphasizing that freedom didn't ring for all when the United States gained its independence from Great Britain, Hudson shows the slow process by which Black Americans fought for justice over the course of many generations."--Publisher's website.
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A llama is not an alpaca : and other mistaken animal identities
"Do you know the difference between an alpaca and a llama? How about a crocodile and an alligator? A frog and a toad? Test your knowledge and learn exciting facts inthis charming book about animal look alikes!"--
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Mi papa es un agricola = my father, the farmworker
From dawn to dusk, through sunshine, rainfall, and everything in between, he works his smooth hands until they crack. He harvests plenty of gifts for everyone to enjoy in hope of a brighter future for his own--he is the backbone of our country. Beautifully illustrated with the gifted colors of Mother Earth and told from the perspective of a proud son, this heartfelt tale will take us on a journey through the hardships and tireless days of a field worker.
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Not a monster
"An axolotl egg hatches and matures in the Xochimilco canals in Mexico City, the only natural habitat of these unique salamanders that spend their lives in water." --
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Stars of the night : the courageous children of the Czech Kindertransport
"The powerful and sensitively told true story of the Czech Kindertransport, which rescued 669 children from Nazi persecution on the eve of World War II"--Provided by publisher.
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Tenacious : fifteen adventures alongside disabled athletes
"An introduction to fifteen fascinating disabled athletes and their many achievements, daily challenges, and joys. Includes an author's Note, glossary, and history of the Paralympics"--
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Whale fall : exploring an ocean-floor ecosystem
"When a whale passes away, its body sinks to the ocean floor and becomes an energy-rich food source for organisms living in the deep sea"--
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Dear Mothman
After the death of his best friend and the only other trans boy at school, Noah starts writing letters expressing his feelings to the humanoid creature Mothman and risks everything when he treks into the woods to prove Mothman's existence.
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Eagle drums
"Winter approaches, and there's much to do if PiKa's family wants to be prepared: hunting, fishing, gathering, and more. Now, PiKa must travel up the mountain to collect obsidian for knapping -- the same mountain where his two older brothers disappeared. As he leaves, PiKa reassures his parents that he will not succumb to the same fate as his brothers. He will return. But when he reaches the mountaintop, he is confronted by a terrifying eagle god named Savik, who gives the boy a choice: Follow me, or die like your brothers. What follows is a harrowing journey to the home of the eagle gods, where PiKa faces unexpected trials that teach him lessons on the natural world, the past that shapes us, and the community that binds us. With beautiful full-color art, this vivid retelling of the first Messenger Feast -- still celebrated today -- brings to life the origin myth of how the eagle gods bestowed the Iñupiat with the gifts of music, song, dance, community, and everlasting tradition."--
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Elf dog & owl head
Quarantined with his family as a global plague ravages the world, Clay retreats to the woods where he meets a special little dog who leads him on surreal adventures where choosing the wrong path could cause them both to lose their way forever.
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The eyes & the impossible
Free dog Johannes' job is to observe everything that happens in his urban park and report back to the park's three bison elders, but changes are afoot, including more humans, a new building, a boatload of goats, and a shocking revelation that changes his view of the world.
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Good different
Seventh-grader Selah Godfrey knows that to be "normal" she has to keep her feelings tightly controlled when people are around, but after hitting a fellow student, she needs to figure out just what makes her different--and why that is ok. Told in verse.
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The Guardian test
"Young Plum is shocked to discover that she's been accepted to the Guardian Academy on Lotus Island, an elite school where kids learn how to transform into Guardians, magical creatures who are sworn to protect the natural world. The Guardian masters teach Plum and her friends how to communicate with animals and how to use meditation to strengthen their minds and bodies. All the kids also learn to fight, so they can protect the defenseless if needed. To her dismay, Plum struggles at school. While her classmates begin to transform into amazing creatures, Plum can't even seem to magic up a single feather! If she can't embrace her inner animal form soon, she'll have to leave school and lose the first group of real friends she's ever known"--Provided by publisher.
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The grace of wild things
Fleeing from the orphanage where she lives, Grace makes a deal with the witch in the nearby woods -- if Grace can learn all the witch's spells, she must make Grace her apprentice -- an agreement that leads to an unexpected bond, and an unimaginable sacrifice.
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Not an easy win
Nothing has gone right for twelve-year-old year old Lawrence since his Pop went away, but after getting expelled from school for fighting he discovers the world of chess and things begin to change.
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The otherwoods
When twelve-year-old River's only friend is kidnapped and dragged to the terrifying spirit world of The Otherwoods, they have no choice but to face the world's monsters and their own fears to become the hero they were destined to be.
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The probability of everything
When an asteroid has an 84.7% chance of colliding with the Earth in four days, eleven-year-old Kemi, who loves scientific facts and probability, assembles a time capsule to capture her family's truth as she tries to come to terms with saying goodbye.
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The rhythm of time
After accidentally traveling back in time and rewriting the future, twelve-year-old best friends Rahim and Kasia must work together to restore their timeline.
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Simon sort of says
Two years after a tragedy saddles him with viral fame, twelve-year-old Simon O'Keeffe and his family move to Grin And Bear It, Nebraska, where the internet and cell phones are banned so astrophysicists can scan the sky for signs of alien life, and where, with the help of two new friends, a puppy, and a giant radio telescope, Simon plans to restart the narrative of his life.
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A spoonful of time
"Maya discovers stories and secrets from her family's past in Korea as her grandmother teaches her to cook and about their family's ability to time travel into memories via food"--
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Treasure Island : runaway gold
Zane is itching for an adventure that will take him away from his family's boarding house in Rockaway, Queens. So when he is entrusted with a real treasure map, leading to a spot somewhere in Manhattan, Zane wastes no time in riding the ferry over to the city to start the search with his friends Kiko and Jack and his dog, Hip-Hop. Through strange coincidence, they meet a man who is eager to help them find the treasure: John, a sailor who knows all about the buried history of Black New Yorkers of centuries past, and the gold that is hidden somewhere in those stories. As a vicious rival skateboard crew follows them around the city, Zane and his friends begin to wonder who they can really trust. And soon it becomes clear that treasure hunting is a dangerous business.
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We still belong
"Wesley's hopeful plans for Indigenous Peoples' Day (and asking her crush to the dance) go all wrong-until she finds herself surrounded by the love of her Indigenous family and community at the intertribal powwow"--
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Are we having fun yet? : the human quest for a good time
"This nonfiction illustrated book for middle grade readers explores why and how people have had fun over the course of human history."--
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Chinese menu : the history, myths, and legends behind your favorite foods
"The origin stories of each Chinese dish told using the framework of Chinese cuisine-oftentimes based in folklore, both ancient and contemporary"--
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Indigenous ingenuity : a celebration of traditional North American knowledge
"Corn. Cholage. Fishing hooks. Boats that float. Recorded history and folklore. Lifesaving disinfectant. Forest-fire management. Our lives would be unrecognizable without these and countless other scientifc discoveries and technological inventions from Indigenous North Americans. From transportation to civil engineering, hunting technologies to astronomy, and architecture to agriculture, Indigenous Ingenuity is an unforgettable introduction to STEM fields, featuring interactive activities, recipes, and science experiments."--
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Is it okay to pee in the ocean? : the fascinating science of our waste and our world
"Explore the human systems that make pee happen, tackle environmental questions about the impacts of human waste, discover surprising uses of urine throughout history-like in mouthwash and skin creams-and even try out at-home, hands-on experiments (with no bodily fluids required, of course!)"--
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LOL 101 : a kid's guide to writing jokes
Packed with fun-filled illustrations, easy-to-follow exercises, and sample jokes, this humorous how-to joke book for kids proves that with a little elbow grease, anyone can write jokes that really make people LOL. Covering everything from surprise to wordplay to visual jokes--plus tips on how to perform a joke so it lands--LOL 101 is the approachable and (of course) funny guide for any kid ready to channel their inner comedian.
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The Mona Lisa vanishes : a legendary painter, a shocking heist, and the birth of a global celebrity
"A narrative nonfiction about how the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre, how the robbery made the portrait the most famous artwork in the world-and how the painting by Leonardo da Vinci should never have existed at all"--
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Search for a giant squid : pick your path
"A choose your own path style story that guides the reader through the very real job of being a teuthologist"--
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Ten-word tiny tales : to inspire and unsettle
UK Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho presents twenty tiny tales -- each one illustrated by a different artist, and each just ten words long -- in a book that's as much a work of art as an invitation to budding writers. Is it possible to spin a tale using just ten words? In this magnificent compendium, author and poet Joseph Coelho proves that it is -- with mini-stories of underwater worlds, demon hamsters, bears in outer space, and portals to places unknown. From charming to creepy, fantastical to mysterious, each tale is paired with an outstanding illustrator, and together words and pictures inspire creativity as young readers are prompted to continue the story. Prefaced with a note from the author and offering two writing challenges at the end, this is an ideal gift for anyone ready to unleash their imagination.
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Unseen jungle : the microbes that secretly control our world
"Did you know that you're surrounded by microbes? They're on your body, in your body, and on every body! In fact, only about half of our bodies' cells are human cells--the rest are microbes. From the ways they help us digest our food to the ways they control critters and creatures (zombie flies, anyone?), microbes form an unseen jungle around us. Complete with zany, gross facts, hilarious and sometimes disgusting illustrations, and interviews with real researchers, this is your close-up view of the microbe drama unfolding in your world every day." -- Back cover.
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Where are the aliens? : the search for life beyond Earth
"A deep-dive exploration into the many theories and discoveries surrounding the possibility of extraterrestrial life beyond Earth"--
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Bea Wolf
"Listen! Hear a tale of mallow-munchers and warriors who answer candy's clarion call! Somewhere in a generic suburb stands Treeheart, a kid-forged sanctuary where generations of tireless tykes have spent their youths making merry, spilling soda, and staving off the shadow of adulthood. One day, these brave warriors find their fun cut short by their nefarious neighbor Grindle, who can no longer tolerate the sounds of mirth seeping into his joyless adult life. As the guardian of gloom lays siege to Treeheart, scores of kids suddenly find themselves transformed into pimply teenagers and sullen adults! The survivors of the onslaught cry out for a savior--a warrior whose will is unbreakable and whose appetite for mischief is unbounded. They call for Bea Wolf."--Provided by publisher.
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Enlighten me
When Bình fights back against a bully who makes fun of his Vietnamese heritage, he expects to be cheered as the hero. He defeated the bad guy, right? Instead, it gets him a stern warning from his vice principal and worried parents. Now he's stuck on a family trip to a silent meditation retreat. That means no talking--and no video games!--for a whole weekend. Could things possibly get any worse? However, when a nun gathers all the kids to tell them the Jataka tales--the stories of the Buddha's many past lives--Bình takes a fantastical dive into his imagination and starts to see himself in these stories. Will he retreat further into himself, or will he emerge from the weekend open to change? With any luck, these next few days will prove more enlightening than he thought.
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Four eyes : a graphic novel
"When Rex finds out he needs glasses, he's beyond miserable. Dealing with the bullies at school, his family being broke, and an embarrassing lack of friends, he has way too much on his plate already"--
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Ghost book
"July Chen sees ghosts. But her dad insists ghosts aren't real. So she pretends they don't exist. Which is incredibly difficult now as it's Hungry Ghost month, when the Gates of the Underworld open and dangerous ghosts run amok in the living world. When July saves a boy ghost from being devoured by a Hungry Ghost, he becomes her first ever friend. Except William is not a ghost. He's a wandering soul wavering between life and death. As the new friends embark on an adventure to return William to his body, they unearth a ghastly truth--for William to live, July must die"--Provided by publisher.
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Ink girls
"In a vibrant city that thrives on trade and invention, two girls from very different walks of life join forces to fight censorship and protect the people they love"--
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Mexikid : a graphic memoir
"Pedro Martin's grown up in the U.S. hearing stories about his legendary abuelito, but during a family road trip to Mexico, he connects with his grandfather and learns more about his own Mexican identity in this moving and hilarious graphic memoir."--
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Shakti
"When the three meanest girls in school start casting spells, 12-year-old Shakti draws on ancient Indian magic to stop them but instead curses the entire town and must harness her own strength, power and empathy to save those she loves and end the hate"--
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The skull : a Tyrolean folktale
"This is an old story. It is about a girl named Otilla who runs away. It is also about a house in the woods, and a skull who lives there, and a secret the skull has, and the night that Otilla finds out what that secret is."--
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Super boba café. 1
When her granddaughter Aria comes to stay with her, making it her mission to turn her boba café around, Jing Li, who is the secret keeper of the monster of San Francisco, is overrun with customers while Aria sneaks away to reason with the earthquake-causing monster.
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Two tribes
"Mia is still getting used to living with her mom and stepfather, and to the new role their Jewish identity plays in their home. Feeling out of place at home and at her Jewish day school, Mia finds herself thinking more and more about her Muscogee father, who lives with his new family in Oklahoma. Her mother doesn't want to talk about him, but Mia can't help but feel like she's missing a part of herself without him in her life. Soon, Mia makes a plan to use the gifts from her bat mitzvah to take a bus to Oklahoma--without telling her mom--to visit her dad and find the connection to her Muscogee side she knows is just as important as her Jewish side"--
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