"If you think you know what a library is, this marvellously idiosyncratic book will make you think again." —The Sydney Morning Herald Libraries are much more than mere collections of volumes. The best are magical, fabled places whose fame has become part of the cultural wealth they are designed to preserve. Some still … Continue reading THE LIBRARY, by Stuart Kells, Counterpoint/Perseus/Hachette Book Group
Middle Grade Novel
THORNHILL, By Pam Smy, Roaring Book Press/Mackids.com
Parallel stories set in different times, one told in prose and one in pictures, converge as Ella unravels the mystery of the girl next door. 1982: Mary is a lonely orphan at the Thornhill Institute For Children at the very moment that it's shutting its doors. When her few friends are all adopted or … Continue reading THORNHILL, By Pam Smy, Roaring Book Press/Mackids.com
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ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, A GRAPHIC NOVEL, Adapted by Mariah Marsden, Illustrated by Brenna Thummler, Andrews McMeel Publishing
Schoolyard rivalries. Baking disasters. Puffed sleeves. Explore the violet vales and glorious green of Avonlea in this spirited adaptation. The magic of L.M. Montgomery’s treasured classic is reimagined in a whimsically-illustrated graphic novel adaptation perfect for newcomers and kindred spirits alike. When Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert decide to adopt an orphan who can help manage … Continue reading ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, A GRAPHIC NOVEL, Adapted by Mariah Marsden, Illustrated by Brenna Thummler, Andrews McMeel Publishing
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A NEARER MOON, By Melanie Crowder, Simon & Schuster/Kids
In a small river village where the water is cursed, a girl’s bravery—and the existence of magic—could mean the difference between life and death in this elegant, luminous tale from the author of Parched and Audacity. Along a lively river, in a village raised on stilts, lives a girl named Luna. All her life she … Continue reading A NEARER MOON, By Melanie Crowder, Simon & Schuster/Kids
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LOST CHILDREN OF THE FAR ISLANDS, By Emily Raabe, Random House Kids
Twins Gus and Leo and their little sister, Ila, live a quiet life in Maine—until their mother falls ill, and it becomes clear her strength is fading because she is protecting them from a terrible evil. Soon the children are swept off to a secret island far in the sea, where they discover a hidden … Continue reading LOST CHILDREN OF THE FAR ISLANDS, By Emily Raabe, Random House Kids
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MARY’S MONSTER, by Lita Judge, Roaring Brook Press
A young adult biography of Frankenstein's profound young author, Mary Shelley, coinciding with the 200th anniversary of its publication, told through free verse and 300+ full-bleed illustrations.Mary Shelley first began penning Frankenstein as part of a dare to write a ghost story, but the seeds of that story were planted long before that night. Mary, … Continue reading MARY’S MONSTER, by Lita Judge, Roaring Brook Press
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A FAR, FAR BETTER THING TO DO, A Lit Lover’s Activity Book, by Joelle Herr, Illustrated by Lindsey Spinks, Running Press
Nothing captures the imagination quite like classic literature -- the warmth of Little Women, the mystery of Dracula, and the heart-racing suspense of Moby Dick have inspired generations of readers. A Far, Far Better Thing to Do pairs these treasured books with a witty, light-hearted sensibility, giving lit lovers 65 engaging activities to tease their … Continue reading A FAR, FAR BETTER THING TO DO, A Lit Lover’s Activity Book, by Joelle Herr, Illustrated by Lindsey Spinks, Running Press
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FISH GIRL, by Wiesner & Napoli, Clarion Books
Who is Fish Girl? What is Fish Girl? She lives in a tank in a boardwalk aquarium. She is the main attraction, though visitors never get more than a glimpse of her. She has a tail. She can't walk. She can't speak. But she can make friends with Livia, an ordinary girl, and yearn for … Continue reading FISH GIRL, by Wiesner & Napoli, Clarion Books
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THE GIRL WITH THE GHOST MACHINE, by Lauren DeStefano, Bloomsbury
When Emmaline Beaumont's father started building the ghost machine, she didn't expect it to bring her mother back from the dead. But by locking himself in the basement to toil away at his hopes, Monsieur Beaumont has become obsessed with the contraption and neglected the living, and Emmaline is tired of feeling forgotten. Nothing good … Continue reading THE GIRL WITH THE GHOST MACHINE, by Lauren DeStefano, Bloomsbury
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SCARLET and IVY, THE WHISPERS IN THE WALLS, by Sophie Cleverly, SourceBooks/Jabberwockykids
When the walls begin to speak, it is unwise to ignore what they have to say... At the bidding of their cold-hearted stepmother, twin sisters Scarlet and Ivy are sentenced to board for a year at Rookwood School. The headmaster is cruel, the hallways are drafty, and there seems to be a thief afoot. … Continue reading SCARLET and IVY, THE WHISPERS IN THE WALLS, by Sophie Cleverly, SourceBooks/Jabberwockykids
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