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Mrs. Flanagan's Picture Book Recommendations

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Mrs. Flanagan's Picture Book Recommendations

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Picture books truly are for everyone of all ages! You may even be surprised to find that many are written for an older audience and deal with a range of interesting and complex topics. Check some out today!

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Check out www.dogobooks.com for suggestions and reviews!

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Kids Book Reviews and Ratings at DOGO Books

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Read book reviews written by kids for thousands of kids books. Follow reviewers, track the books you like, rate books, write your own book review, and more!

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Check out the cool poster below for some fun summer activities! See our Summer Bucket List Challenge for more details and websites!

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This fictional adventure book is set in New Jersey and features two young kids, Nick and Jess, who are forced to flee from an approaching tsunami! Luckily, they are able to escape far enough to stay safe but unfortunately, they don't recognize the landscape of what was once their town. As they try to find their parents, they discover two survivors, who assist them on their journey. This book is action-packed and makes those of us living near a shoreline ponder what we'd do in this situation!

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Kathryn Ormsbee writes a graphic novel memoir about growing up and the friendship problems that many kids face. Katie, the main character, doesn't feel any different than other kids, even though she's homeschooled, When her best friend Kacey asks her to go to summer camp, Katie is a little nervous. As Katie branches out and makes new friends, Kacey starts acting weird. Are they even still best friends? And as Katie's worries grow into buzzing feelings, will the things that might stop the worrying actually help, or are they turning into something else?

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I could not put this book down! Sam lives with his mom and dog, Goodboy, in Santa Bonita, California. Wildfires are a common occurrence in Southern California, but so far, none have come close to Sam's hometown. As he and his best friend, Marco, are recreating photos of Sam's dad's pictures, they begin smelling smoke. As the wildfire gets closer, the neighborhood is forced to evacuate. Sam knows he's supposed to stay with Marco's family while his mom is working at the hospital, but he can't just leave his house full of his dad's photos and memories to burn. When Goodboy unexpectedly runs away, Sam knows he has to save his beloved dog. This sets off a chain of events plunging Sam and Marco right into the fire's deadly path. Can they really outrun a wildfire and survive, or will the fire be the death of them? I really enjoyed how some chapters explained how the fire started and gave information about wildfires, all of which related to events that Sam and Marco faced.

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Noura Alwan and her family have just moved to the U.S. after fleeing from war in their hometown of Aleppo. Jordyn Johnson and her family have volunteered to help the Alwans feel welcome and get used to life in America, especially after the president's Muslim travel ban causes many Americans to be unfriendly towards them.

As Jordyn and Noura become friends, each girl helps the other with their personal problems. Jordyn used to be a great swimmer, but after a family tragedy, she can't seem to swim well. Noura can't seem to find a safe place to pray at school and gets bullied for her religion. The girls get to know each other and create a safe space for ALL students, but when vandals strike, will they be able to stand up to others and get the community to come together? This book is told in the girls' own voices in alternating chapters.

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Another great historical fiction adventure book by Lauren Tarshis! Charlie lives in a beach town in Galveston, Texas, where he enjoys swimming in the overflows that occur after flooding from storms. Weather forecasters are convinced that hurricanes will not strike Galveston, but as Charlie observes the water one September day, he realizes a major storm is on its way! Charlie gets sucked into the storm waters and is trying to survive debris, flooding, strong winds, and rain so he can make it back to his family. This book reminded me a lot of Hurricane Sandy. If you love adventure, historical fiction, and severe weather, you'll certainly enjoy this book!

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Cody is so excited that her best friend, Spencer, is moving in with his grandma, closer to her house. She's excited for the school year, even though Spencer doesn't share that same excitement, and cannot wait to have his help in solving the mystery of Mr. Meen, a neighbor who is hardly ever seen. However, one day, two kids show up at Mr. Meen's house, and true to their name, they are MEAN! It's up to Cody and Spencer to find out through all their adventures why these kids are so mean. Cody is super relatable, fun, and you'll want to be her friend! This happens to be the second book in the series, but you don't have to have read the others to understand and like it. Can't wait to read the other Cody books!

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Have you ever wanted to know how some of the world's most famous landmarks were built? How much they cost? Why they're still around today? This book explains why 10 different landmarks were built, how the architects were chosen, and what happened when budgets and plans didn't go exactly as expected. There's so many facts and cool stories that go with each of these special places. Check it out if you're into history, architecture, or engineering!

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This is a really cute graphic novel about Rainbow, a koala, who has to grow up and live on his own (at least according to his mom). Rainbow doesn't think he's quite ready and is frightened of many things in his new surroundings. But when a brush fire threatens his life, can he overcome his fears and rely on others to help him? This story is based on true events. I loved the bright colors of the illustrations and how relatable Rainbow's feelings are. Can't wait to read the next one in the series!

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Maia survives a fire at her house, but her younger sister isn't as lucky, ending up in the hospital with burns. Maia gets sent to live with her grandparents for the summer and questions if this is punishment for her role in the house fire. As she makes friends with one of the only kids in town and learns more about her grandfather's duty to search for forest fires, Maia must learn to confront her own fears. When a potential tragedy occurs in town, is Maia doomed to repeat history?

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Every kid loves when snowstorms cause school to close early, just like the students in Mr. Wolfe's class. Abdi's brother is getting surgery, so he's supposed to go home with Henry. Abdi is so preoccupied, though, that they end up missing the bus! Mr. Wolfe comes to the rescue, trying to take them home, but they end up getting stranded at school! I'm sure most kids have imagined what it would be like to be stuck at school overnight...this becomes reality for Abdi, Henry, and Mr. Wolfe! Another funny, interesting story in the series!

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Janie, an orphan, has gotten sucked into a life of crime by some local gangsters. Her latest job is to travel by train with stolen jewels to bring to criminals in another town. Along the journey, the travelers hear news of a blizzard and avalanches in the Cascade Mountains, covering the tracks, even with crews working as quickly as they can to clear the snow. Janie is desperately hoping to reach her destination, but when an avalanche hits, can Janie survive?

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Topher, Brand, and Steve feel incredibly lucky to have Ms. Bixby, one of the "good ones" as a teacher. When they find out Ms. Bixby is sick and not finishing out the school year, the three friends are determined to give her a "good last day" by any means possible. As the boys put their plan into action, we learn just why she is so important to each of them. There's action, adventure, and a real sense of independence in this book! Be prepared to laugh, cry, and wish there was a sequel!

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Maggie's part of a large family, but she feels left out.  All she really wants is a pet...especially an adorable little dog!  When her wish finally comes true, the unthinkable happens - she's severely allergic to dogs! Now what?! Will the allergy shots Maggie's getting help her be less allergic? Will she be able to play with her new best friend, Claire, who also just got a dog? This book does a nice job explaining what allergies are like. I really enjoyed the illustrations, and the idea that everyone is going through something tough.

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If you're looking for a fast-paced, nail-biting adventure story, look no further Distress Signal! Lavender and her class go on a field trip that has them hiking down a ravine in a national park. When Lavender gets a flash flood alert, she realizes she must warn not only her teachers, but her former best friend, Marisol, as well. Unfortunately, Lavender, Marisol, Marisol's new friend Rachelle, and a boy named John get separated from the group and must do everything they can to survive! Read this thrilling novel to see if this unlikely group can overcome their differences to make it out alive!

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Danny and his friends are going on an awesome trip to Wild Out, an adventure-filled weekend sure to have lots of rock climbing, kayaking, and other extreme outdoor activities. As city kids, this is a dream come true! Unfortunately, nothing seems to go right from the moment they get there, and worst of all, Danny's mean older brother is going on the trip too! Can Danny and his friends survive? Such a fun adventure story, and I think many kids can relate to Danny's feelings.

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I absolutely LOVED this fractured fairy tale practically wordless graphic novel! Little Red and his dad bake a cake for his grandma. Along the way through the fairy tale city, a certain little Wolfie follows Little Red to grandma's house. See if Grandma is clever enough to outsmart Wolfie and as you read, enjoy finding all the famous fairy tale and nursery rhyme characters! Be sure to read the end pages and covers for Goosetown's news!

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I've had this book on my TBR list for awhile now, and it did NOT disappoint! Peter and Pax are best friends, boy and fox. When Peter's dad enlists in the army and sends Peter to live with his grandpa, Peter is forced to let Pax go into the wild. Of course, both immediately realize this was a huge mistake! They can't live without each other and are determined to somehow find a way to be back together. There's tons of action, adventure, and near-death experiences as the two try to survive in the wilderness. I was rooting for these two the entire time and loved the sweet story. I won't spoil the ending but make sure to have tissues with you!

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This graphic novel is all about seeing the world in a different way. Patrick goes blind from an accident and eventually gets placed with Bear, a guide dog.  One day, Bear unfortunately loses his sight too and gets whisked away on a wilderness adventure by some pesky raccoons.  Bear has to use all his senses to find his purpose and make his way back to Patrick.  The illustrations tell this story wonderfully!

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Nat is starting middle school, and everything is changing, including her best friend, Lily. Nat can't figure out why Lily no longer wants to be her friend, even when other people point out that maybe, Lily wasn't even a great friend to start with. Nat also learns that she must change too, to be a good friend to others. I can't wait for more in the series to come out!

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Arnold Z. Ombee escapes from a top secret government zombie lab only to be found by humans! Luckily for him, the Kinders are an incredibly nice family who want to help him survive by disguising him as a HUMAN boy! Unfortunately, their son is not so sure about this. Can Arnold fit in and convince his new fifth grade class that he truly is a human boy?

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Absolutely enjoying this new Girls Survive series!  Alice, a young Asian American teenager, is living on Hawaii during World War II when the unthinkable happens: Pearl Harbor is bombed.  Alice not only sees the destruction first hand, but her father is then taken away to a Japanese internment camp.  Will she ever see him again?  In the meantime, the members of Alice's family are each treated differently because of their Japanese heritage.  This book is the perfect next step for fans of the I Survived! series!

This is the perfect next step for fans of the I Survived series

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Dion Leonard, the author, is an ultramarathoner who was running a race in China's Gobi Desert when a small little dog started running alongside him. Thinking the dog would lose interest and give up running soon, Dion thought nothing of him. But as Gobi followed along, the two struck up a great friendship. At the end of the race, when Dion has to return to Scotland, he tries to bring Gobi with him but finds getting Gobi to Scotland is an expensive, scary, and bigger deal than he thought! Especially when Gobi goes missing!

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Stella Diaz is trying to find her voice and her place in life. It's not that she's shy, but sometimes she accidentally speaks Spanish instead of English and her best friend, Jenny, is in another class. Can Stella find her voice and courage to befriend the new student and give a presentation in front of her class? I can't wait to see what else Stella Diaz has to say in this new series by Angela Dominguez.

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This is one book that truly lives up to its hype!  Ellie is constantly made fun of for her weight, starting with her siblings at her fifth birthday, when her cannonball made a giant splash. The pool, however, is the one place Ellie truly feels weightless and at home.  Outside of the water, she is constantly bullied at school, made to feel inferior by her mom, and shuttled along to various doctors in order to "fix" her weight problems.  With the support and help of her dad, Ellie begins therapy and even makes a new friend along the way.  But is that enough for Ellie to leave her "Fat Girl Rules" behind and find happiness?  I felt for Ellie throughout the entire story and could certainly relate to some of her feelings.  This YA novel in verse pairs well with the picture book, Abigail the Whale by Davide Cali.

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This new graphic novel series by Jarrett Lerner is hilarious! The Hunger Heroes, a bean, a chip, a tomato, and a wedge of cheese, have their first mission: help a kid in Ms. Sternbladder's class who missed breakfast survive the school day without going hungry!

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A very brief graphic novel and new series by Kyla May.  Follow along "a day in the life of Sloth" as he lazes around and goes about his day.  This is a very quick read but it's fun and entertaining.

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Alex and Connor grew up reading and listening to many fairy tales and stories told by their grandmother and father.  Then one day, they enter a familiar, fairy-tale type world.  To escape, they must complete an adventure filled with trolls, goblins, and evil witches, while making new friends along the way.  Fans of the Whatever After series will enjoy this series as well.

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This graphic novel made me laugh so much! The egg puns are pretty funny! Kung Pow Chicken, Egg Drop, and Beak Girl must save the future by going back to dinosaur times. Can they stop the evil chickens who want to take over Fowladelphia? I can't wait to check out some of the other books in this hilarious series!

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Diary of a Pug is one of my new favorite graphic novel series!  Bub the Pug loves fashion, peanut butter, and his human, Bella - most of the time! Some things Bub doesn't like are getting wet, Nutz the squirrel, and other scary animals.  Each book focuses on one of Bub's fears and how he tries his best to overcome those while helping his human Bella.  The illustrations are cute, and the books are super funny!  Kyla May keeps writing more books for this series, so be sure to check out her website!

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Ellie loves baking and plans to become a professional baker one day, no matter what anyone thinks about her or her wheelchair. And just because she's in a wheelchair doesn't mean she's all sweet and sunshiny. Especially when she discovers that her mom is moving the two of them to Nashville with her grandparents in their small trailer home. Now Ellie has to navigate daily life in a trailer not made for someone with disabilities, deal with her grandfather's Alzheimer's, and make new friends at a new school. Check this book out to see if Ellie can roll with it in Nashville or returns home.

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I couldn't put down this historical fiction book!  It's 1958, and Marlee, an incredibly shy and quiet girl, is starting middle school in Little Rock, Arkansas. Marlee doesn't like to talk, but her older sister encourages her to start conversations. At school, the new girl, Liz, befriends Marlee and somehow gets Marlee to speak! Just as Marlee and Liz become friends, Liz suddenly disappears from school! Her teacher says Liz is sick, but there's a rumor going around that Liz is really black and tried to "pass" as a white student. Marlee just wants her friend back and will stop at nothing to continue their friendship. But can their friendship survive the hate and danger neighbors and townsfolk put them in?

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It's summer, and Nina Ross is trying to find her "thing".  With her family and friends all busy this summer, Nina decides to try doing one good deed a day for 65 days for someone in her neighborhood.  Can she do it without being discovered?  And does doing something kind for others really matter?

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This poetry collection by various authors focuses on issues affecting today's kids and society as a whole. There's poems on discrimination, empathy, acceptance, living with disabilities, and social justice. The artwork that goes along with each poem is beautifully done. Read, think, write, and act.

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Seventeen year old Juliane Koepcke is flying home to see her family for the holidays when all of a sudden, a lightning storm strikes the plane she's flying in, causing it to crash in the Amazon rainforest.  When she wakes up, strapped to her seat, she's injured, alone, and the plane is nowhere in sight.  If she's to survive, Juliane must make some quick decisions and find water fast.

This is based on a true story, as are the other books in the Lost series.  If you like the I Survived series, this series is a step up, containing more details and for maturing readers.

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When girls at her school start getting in trouble for dress code violations, like wearing a tank top or shorts that don't go to your fingertips, and the class trip is in danger of being cancelled, Molly Frost takes action. She starts a podcast where girls can share their stories and works to change the unfair practices her school is enforcing on girls. I enjoyed this realistic (and all too often true) story of a young girl finding her voice to enact a change. Mature readers will enjoy this one!

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Nikki's Death Ray accidentally blows up her bedroom and changes her life. She is sent to Genius Academy, a school for history's exceptional scientific minds, but Nikki doesn't feel like she fits in. Unfortunately, Nikki's Death Ray wasn't destroyed in her bedroom blast and gets stolen by an evil villain. Can she and her new classmates work together to save the world? I can't wait to read more about Nikki and her classmates in the rest of the series!

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If you like spooky tales, then you'll enjoy this nonfiction book on real life hauntings! Dinah Williams has plenty of first-hand eye-witness accounts and even photographs of hauntings people have been experiencing, from the Japanese tsunami to the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. Wreckage and destruction are not the only thing these deadly disasters leave behind!

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Barbara O'Connor has done it again!  Another wonderful book by this great author!  Charlie wishes for the same thing every day, using different kinds of wishes for it to come true.  Charlie feels like she doesn't belong or fit in, especially when she gets sent to live with family she barely knows.  While there, she stumbles upon a dog, whom she is determined to give a good home to, and begins to make an unlikely friend.  Will Charlie's wish ever come true?  You'll have to read on to find out!  If you like this book, you will also enjoy Barbara O'Connor's How to Steal a Dog!

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At first glance, Christine and Moon are as different as can be; some might even say they are total opposites of each other. As the two girls slowly become friends, they realize how their individual strengths make their friendship better and even begin practicing for the talent show. Things take a turn for the worse when Moon's visions lead to a catastrophe. Will their friendship survive? The storyline is exciting and relatable, and I loved the illustrations in this graphic novel!

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The One Thing You'd Save is a bit of a novel in verse, a bit of a poetry anthology. A teacher asks her class what one thing they would save in an emergency, and the answers are as varied as the students. Each classmate shares their reasoning, leaving readers to wonder, "What one thing would I save?"

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Just when Aven has finally started to fit in, her parents decide to move the family to Arizona to manage a rundown amusement park called Stagecoach Pass. This would be a difficult adjustment for anyone, but especially for Aven, who was born without arms. Will she ever make any new friends or is she destined to eat her lunch in the library forever?  I LOVED this book and enjoyed the mini mystery in it as well!  If you enjoyed Wonder, Ugly, or just like books about characters with challenges, you will certainly enjoy this book!  Be sure to check out the sequel, Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus.

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What would you do if you had a magic pencil that could answer (almost) every question you ever had?! When Ava discovers this ordinary-looking yet magical pencil, she can't wait to use it for all sorts of things! After realizing the pencil gets shorter each time it's sharpened and receiving some bad news from it, Ava must find out who is behind this information and decide whether or not to continue using the pencil.

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In the middle of the night, Nate and his mom run away from a bad home situation to an abandoned cabin in the woods.  When Nate's mom runs out for groceries and never returns, he's left to wonder if she's abandoned him or something horrible has happened.  Can Nate convince his new friend he's not been abandoned and find strength from his old friend to survive on his own?

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Jude has to leave her home country of Syria, leaving behind her brother and dad, because of unrest in her hometown and a possible war.  Jude moves to America and lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her relatives.  As she adjusts to her new life in America, Jude has to learn to speak English, make friends, live with her not-so-nice cousin Sarah, and deal with the prejudices that come when she's labeled "Middle Eastern", all the while not forgetting her family in her home country.  This novel in verse reminds me a lot of Inside Out and Back Again, which is a great read alike companion.

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Caleb and his brother Bobby Gene live an ordinary, small-town life until they meet Styx Malone. This new friendship with a cool older boy leads to a summer full of adventure as they try The Great Escalator Trade (trading something small for something bigger and bigger). As the summer goes on, the trades become crazier, peer pressure tests their friendship, and it seems like everything might just fall apart. This book has been compared to a modern Tom Sawyer.

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Ross not only has to deal with school and his relationship with his best friends changing, but also a rare form of eye cancer that could cause him to lose his eyesight.  Through it all, he tries to keep his sense of humor and continue his comics.  For fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Wonder, you will enjoy Wink, based on Rob Harrell's actual diagnosis with a rare eye cancer.

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Amy Anne Ollinger is upset to discover that her favorite book, From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, is no longer in her school's library because a classmate's mom had problems with children reading this book.  So begins the first banned book from the school library.  As more books get banned, Amy Anne creates a lending library of these texts out of her locker.  As word spreads, the situation gets out of control, and Amy must take some drastic measures to show the adults in her life how important these books are to her and her classmates.

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Clara is at the mall when she finds a mysterious note in a purse. The note is written by a young girl, Yuming, who lives halfway across the world, in China, and is trapped as a factory worker. Clara is still upset over the death of her sister and decides that she should help Yuming escape. Clara and her family plan an unforgettable trip while Yuming deals with a life-changing situation. I couldn't put this book down as I read on to find if the two girls ever met up!

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This is the first book in the Shadow Children series, which follows Luke, a shadow child, as he seeks to have a normal life. The government says families can only have two kids; shadow children are the illegal third (or more) children in a family. Luke has to hide from the Population Police, and now that new houses are being built near his family farm, he can't even go outside anymore. One day, Luke sees a girl in the window of a nearby home, where he KNOWS only two kids live. Can the two ever become friends and become more than just shadow children?

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This has been on my to-be-read list for awhile, ever since a guest reader read aloud a few chapters. This autobiography has short anecdotes (or small moments) from Jon Scieska's life growing up with his 5 brothers. The stories are funny and interesting. As an adult, it makes you nostalgic for old times. There are a few bad words in here, so reader be warned.

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Franny K. Stein is really a mad scientist-type little girl who loves experimenting and creating new inventions. Follow along with her wacky adventures in this great series! Perfect for sci-fi fans and for girls who aren't so sure about the sci-fi genre.

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I'm really enjoying the Mr. Wolf's Class series, and this third book is one of my favorites. This is a funny graphic novel for any student who has ever had trouble thinking of what to write about, especially during personal narrative writing! Poor Sampson struggles with this until one day he has an accident that causes him to miss some school but gives him plenty to write about!

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Another great series by author Anh Do!  Nelson is a big nerd but on his 10th birthday, he wakes up to a big surprise!  Suddenly he has some cool abilities, a top secret mission, and a family who supports him on his ninja quest.  I can't wait to read the next one in the series!

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Students must come up with a new way to communicate when cellphones are banned at Branton Middle School. Frost and his friends come up with the genius idea of leaving post-its all over the school. The only problem: some kids start leaving not-so-nice messages. During all this, a new student, Rose, enters school and shakes things up between Frost and his group of friends. Can Frost's friendships survive or will this post-it war tear everyone apart?

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Mac B. is an ordinary kid who doubles as a secret agent working for the Queen of England! Can he stop the Crown Jewels from being stolen? See if you can follow the clues to solve the mystery as Mac B. does in this graphic novel series!

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One of my new favorites! Jacky is a sixth grade class clown but has vowed to make some big changes this school year. It’s hard for her to leave her funny jokes behind, which causes her to get many detentions. When the newest teacher offers her a deal to be in the school play, Jacky is reluctant but gives it a try. Meanwhile, at home, her mom is serving in the Middle East and her dad’s lifeguarding job keeps him away until late at night. Will Jacky’s life ever be back to normal? I love that this story takes place in NewJersey, in Seaside Heights!

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Even if you are not a Star Wars fan, you can enjoy this book! Dwight is weird. What's even weirder is that he carries around a small, origami Yoda figure on his fingertips that gives advice to the kids at school. Tommy believes in Origami Yoda's mysterious powers in predicting the future and sets about proving it by collecting his classmates' encounters. His friend Harvey isn't so sure Yoda is telling the truth. Who is to be believed?

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If you enjoyed Wonder, you will like this true story of a real-life Auggie, Robert Hoge. Robert writes about his life and growing up as a kid who had a severe facial deformity. When he was born, his mom didn't even want to see him, let alone take him home! Robert writes about his childhood, his surgeries, how he dealt with bullies and being teased, and what his life is like now.

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Cilla Lee-Jenkins is not looking forward to her new baby sister's arrival.  However, before The Blob, as Cilla calls her, arrives, Cilla is determined to become a famous, best-selling author.  The thing she knows the most about: herself!  Cilla's memoir tells all about her baldness, her trouble learning to read, and her family and their differences.  Cilla loves the traditions both sides of her family celebrates and hopes that one day, her Chinese grandparents and American grandparents will become close.  Read on to find what happens when The Blob arrives and how Cilla and her family handle the new baby!

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Bixby Alexander Tam, or Bat for short, gets the surprise of his life when his mom, a veterinarian, brings home a baby skunk to care for for a month. Bat adores the skunk and really wants to keep him much longer, but will his mom let him? This book is told from the perspective of a boy who has autism, helping the reader to understand all different viewpoints and perspectives.

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As a kid, I loved playing Nintendo (and had Super Nintendo, N64, and a GameBoy). This book takes a look at the history of video games and their creators, starting with the very first "games" created for military use. It can be a bit technical at times, but as someone who has used many of these game stations to play all different kinds of games, I found it quite enjoyable!

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This graphic novel series is hysterical!  Weir Do is new to school and has the misfortune of being called WeirDo by his new classmates.  Follow along as he navigates school, making new friends, girls, and his weird, embarrassing family!

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Izzy is a brainiac, and while she doesn't deny that label, it's not ALL she is.  When she's asked to perform in the school talent show, Izzy does it, as much as she is worried and anxious about being in front of an audience.  The story is told from two different perspectives, surprising readers at the end!

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I rarely read books twice, but this one was SO GOOD!  India, Finn, and Mouse are sent to live with their uncle in Colorado after the bank takes back their house. When their plane is detoured, a mysterious driver takes them to some very interesting places. The three siblings must make some very important choices in this new place. The ending was a total surprise that I didn't see coming...so I had to go back and reread it for all the clues I missed!  After I told my mom how good it was, SHE read it, was surprised by the ending, and then read it a second time too!

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I absolutely LOVE New Jersey and all the fun things it has to offer! This is one of my favorite series to learn more about our state in a fun way. Nicky has moved to NJ from Philadelphia and thinks his life will now be boring. After meeting T-Bone and going on day trips throughout the state, Nicky realizes New Jersey has a lot to offer! Perfect if you're looking for new, interesting places to visit over the summer!

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A boy gets a lawnmower for his birthday and soon is earning thousands of dollars just by mowing lawns! This book is funny, entertaining, and a quick read! You'll learn a lot about the economy and starting your own business. Who knows, maybe you will end up just like Lawn Boy one day! This is one of my favorite books to read aloud to my class!

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Abbie Wu is stuck in the middle, the worst place to be: she's the middle child in her family and starting middle school. Everyone has a "thing", and Abbie is desperately trying to find HER "thing." I loved the doodle drawings in this book!

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Jocko Willink is a former Navy SEAL Officer and uses his experiences as the seed idea for this book. Marc feels like a wimp - he can't do a pull-up, he doesn't know his multiplication facts, he doesn't know how to swim, and he's getting bullied by one of the meanest kids at school. When his Uncle Jake, who is a Navy SEAL, comes to visit for the summer, all that changes! Uncle Jake comes up with a plan to make Marc a warrior! Marc's goal is to become a warrior before the start of school, and he is determined to go through all of Uncle Jake's grueling training!

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If you loved Wonder and enjoy Willy Wonka, this is the perfect story for you!  Four children, each with a special talent, are competing to create the best candy in the country.  This story is told from each character's point of view, and from that, we learn how each kid views the situation and their competitors. There's also another book now in the series!

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This is one of my top 3 favorite books that I have mentioned to you all year! I've read this book from cover to cover, then reread it, and even read just Harriet's spy notes! Harriet wants to be a spy and records anything and everything that's suspicious in her notebook. When she accidentally loses her notebook, it ends up in the wrong hands! Will Harriet get it back, or will her life be ruined?

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This was one of my favorite books when I was your age!  Oscar Noodleman owes his inventor cousin A LOT of money, and the quickest way to pay him back is by entering a chicken eating contest!  The two travel around the country in their Picklemobile, trying to beat the evil Madame Gulbenkian to the finish!  I shared this book with my brother, and it quickly became one of his favorite books too!  It's not in print anymore, but you can find it at the Morris County Library or on Amazon.

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This book has quickly become one of my new favorites, especially since I have been learning sign language and all about Deaf culture! This graphic novel is based on the author's life - she became hard of hearing when she was very young and had to use a hearing aid called The Phonic Ear. Cece hears all sorts of things with her Phonic Ear, including her friends conversations, her teacher, and even her teacher going to the bathroom! Cece gets teased and has a hard time making friends so she creates a comic about her superhero life. A great story about what it's like to lose your hearing as a child.

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I had been hearing so many good things about this book and couldn't wait to read it!  It quickly became one of my top books!  Catherine's brother, David, has autism and doesn't always understand what is appropriate.  Catherine just wants to be "normal", so she teaches David rules she has made up for different situations.  Then Catherine makes friends with Jason, who makes her question what "normal" really means.  I recommend this book for more mature readers.

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This is one of the few books that has made me cry! Elise lives with her aunt and uncle after her parents die. For her 12th birthday, she is given a mysterious key that unlocks a barn door filled with messages from her parents.

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On October 29, 2012, the East Coast, especially the Jersey Shore, was battered by a large, dangerous storm called Hurricane Sandy. The storm caused millions of dollars in damages, left people without power for weeks, and changed the face of our coastline. Learn how the storm formed, find out the damage it caused, and discover what people are doing to prepare for future storms. This book has great photographs of many places in New Jersey and New York before and after the storm.

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Sometimes, the people we least expect to have something in common with end up becoming one of our best friends. Joe and Ravi have nothing in common, except they both go to the same school and are struggling to fit in. When the class bully begins picking on kids, the boys take a stand. One of the things I love about this book is that Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan have done an excellent job of alternately narrating the book to show both boys' point of views.

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Another one of my favorite scary books from when I was younger! In this story, Heather makes a new friend - who happens to be a ghost! This ghost is not a friendly ghost and tries to lure children to her pond...to drown!

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Bonnie's brother leaves his kindergarten class to go to the bathroom and disappears, along with the family dog. It's up to Bonnie to outsmart the abductor and get her brother and dog back!

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Esme Raji Codell was a teacher, and I really love her writing!  In this story, Hunky Dory decides being a wicked witch isn't really her style, and she'd rather be a fairy godmother.  She uses her powers for good and helps some of our favorite fairy tale characters!

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This picture book ALWAYS makes me smile!  Seth Casteel has taken thousands of photographs of puppies and dogs jumping into water and swimming underwater.  I guarantee these photographs will make you smile!  At the end, Seth tells a little about each dog.  If you can't get enough of his pictures, try his other books as well, including Underwater Dogs, Puppy Pool Party,  and Underwater Babies!

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Have you ever wondered if animal siblings have things in common like you do with your siblings? This book focuses on the unique relationships between siblings in the animal world. Learn how many siblings some animals have and what happens when they grow up!

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From the second the first book came out, I couldn't get enough of this series!  Abby and her brother, Jonah, have a magical mirror in their basement that transports them into fairy tales.  Unfortunately, each time they enter a fairy tale, something goes wrong!  It's up to Abby and Jonah to fix it to make sure the stories still have a happy ending!  If you enjoy fairy tales, especially fractured fairy tales, this is a fun series for you!

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Kristine O'Connell George writes some of my favorite kids' poetry! She takes a family camping trip and uses that as her seed idea for each poem she writes. Join Kristine and the family as they camp in the great outdoors!

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Tess believes in all kinds of good luck charms. When the island school she attends doesn't have enough students and might have to close down, Tess's family and others on the island decide to take in foster children as a way to save their school.  When Tess meets Aaron, she immediately thinks he is going to be bad luck.  Find out if Tess and Aaron's luck will change!

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One of my favorite nonfiction books! Ellen and her husband William dream of their freedom when they are no longer slaves.  They come up with a daring escape plan to make it to freedom in Philadelphia.  This book will keep you on the edge of your seat!

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Six kids get shipwrecked and stranded on a desert island. They need to use their wit and work with each other to survive. Will they ever get rescued? Another great three-part series by Gordon Korman!

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Scary books are some of my favorites to read, and I always loved the Goosebumps series.  This is my all-time favorite Goosebumps book!  In this story, Greg finds a camera but when the pictures come out, there's something wrong!  Some of the pictures seem to be telling the future...or is the camera making the future happen?!

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Amy gets an easy job babysitting 3 year old Kendra, but the job takes a turn for the worse when the girls get kidnapped. Clever Kendra thinks of clues to send in the kidnappers' videos to try to save her and Kendra. You won't be able to put this book down!

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Benny is having an awful start to fourth grade.  He doesn't have a best friend, and he still can't ride a bike.  He worries about his brother, George, who is autistic, and he worries even more that the accident his dad was in is his fault.  Benny tries to take his mind off things by helping others, but his luck seems to go from bad to worse.  If you like Rules, you will enjoy this book as well.

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This classic is one of my favorite stories. Mary is orphaned and sent to live with her uncle, who is hiding many secrets in his large house. Many of the rooms are locked, and Mary often hears crying at night coming from one of the rooms. After hearing that there is a secret garden locked by a key, Mary becomes determined to find they key and visit the garden. Read on to see if she discovers it!

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Paul and his family move to Tangerine County, Florida, a place where lightning strikes everyday at the same time, and the school gets swallowed by a sinkhole!  Paul gets made fun of by the other kids because he is legally blind and wears thick glasses, but things start changing once he joins the soccer team.  Read to see if Paul will ever find out what's going on in his new town and if he'll ever fit in!  I recommend for more mature readers.

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Follow four children on board the Titanic to see if they each survive the disaster! This is a historical fiction trilogy by Gordon Korman.

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This is a favorite series of mine (and many of my students as well!).  I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916 is based on a true story of the shark attacks that took place in New Jersey in the summer of 1916.  That summer, a great white shark attacked and killed people along the coast, and even ventured inland into Matawan Creek!  Even today, sharks still swim in our waters!  Don't believe me?  Follow Mary Lee a famous shark who has surfaced close to New Jersey beaches! (Click on her name to see where she was last seen!)

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This historical fiction book follows 20 French school children who agree to hide 10 Jewish children during World War 2. This exciting story is a short read told through a child's point of view. If you like historical fiction books about children and want to learn more about what it was like for kids during WWII, you will enjoy this book!

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Justin is a big-time worrier!  He worries about starting third grade, losing his favorite stuffed animal, going to camp, and then, starting fourth grade! I like this series because Justin is like many third graders, and I love seeing how he grows and changes, just like many of you do!

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Kenny moves to Providence, Rhode Island, a town filled with history, and is shocked to discover that there is a ghost living in his room! The ghost is a teenage slave named Caleb. Caleb takes Kenny back in time, hoping Kenny can help solve his murder. Otherwise, Caleb will be trapped in the house forever!

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These 7 true tales tell the story of people who have disappeared. Some were eventually found, but others were never seen again. The stories in this book will leave you hanging and wondering what happened!