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The Silver Arrow

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The Silver Arrow by Lev Grossman
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Kids

Dear Uncle Herbert,
You’ve never met me but I’m your niece Kate, and since it’s my birthday tomorrow and you are super rich do you think you could please send me a present?
Warmly,
Kate

Kate has no idea when she writes this letter to her Uncle Herbert, whom she has never met, but is told is very rich and very irresponsible, that he will actually show up on her birthday with a present.

She certainly has no idea that the present will be an actual steam engine called “The Silver Arrow.”

She really couldn’t have guessed that tracks would suddenly appear from her backyard into the woods beyond, and that the train will take off along them.

She couldn’t have even had an inkling that talking animals will be waiting with tickets at magic train stops all over the world, and she and her little brother Tom are expected to conduct them to their destinations.

These are the first of many surprises for Kate as she embarks on an adventure filled with thrills and chills in this novel for children by Lev Grossman (author of The Magicians novels for adults) which makes a wonderful read-aloud for families to share together.

Find The Silver Arrow in the catalog

The Mysterious Benedict Society

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The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
Format: Book
Who it’s for: kids, everyone

The Mysterious Benedict Society follows four children – Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance – as they join Mr. Benedict’s secret organization in an effort to defeat evil. After completing tests and solving puzzles, the four unlikely friends are brought together in an effort to solve the mysteries plaguing their little town. Why are people disappearing? What’s going on at the Learning Institute? Follow the adventures of these four unlikely friends as they work together to solve the mysteries.

This book was enjoyable from beginning to end! It was quick-paced with lots of little twists and turns and a strong found-family theme. While this is a children’s book, I’d recommend it for anyone of any age. If you like mysteries, I recommend giving this book a try!

The Mysterious Benedict Society is the first in the series, and has also been made into a TV show on Disney+.

Find The Mysterious Benedict Society in our catalog! 

Blackout

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Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, Nicola Yoon
Format: Audiobook
Who it’s for: Teens

*Sighs* New York City in the summer. The birds are chirping, music is playing, kids running around and all is well in the world, then a blackout happens. “Blackout” is a book that proves the city of New York is smaller than we think. Each character in the series of short stories within the book interconnect throughout and it exudes the story of young Black teens in love. I saw this book last year in an article and was SO excited about its release. It gives the book world something it desperately needs – Black teens in love and living life. The inclusiveness of the characters is something that makes this book a great read. All six authors are powerhouses and I hope to see more collaborative stories from them in the future.

Find Blackout in the catalog.

Don’t Touch My Hair!

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Don’t Touch My Hair! Written and illustrated by Sharee Miller
Format: Book
Who It’s For: Kids

Aria is a girl with ah-maaazing hair. Big and thick, soft with dark springy curls, everyone notices Aria’s hair when she walks down the street and they love it almost as much as she does. Unfortunately, everywhere Aria goes, people want to touch her hair, without asking her permission! Aria tries to hide her hair or hide from people so she feels safe, but when hiding doesn’t work, she escapes. Whether she is deep in the blue ocean, in a steamy jungle, or high in a castle tower, there’s always someone or something who tries to touch her hair and finally Aria. Has. Had. ENOUGH!!

Read Don’t Touch My Hair! to see how Aria finds the strength she needs to set her own personal boundaries while still loving her friends and her beautiful hair.

Find Don’t Touch My Hair! in the catalog

Seeds of Change

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Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace Written by Jean Cullerton Johnson, illustrated by Sonia Lynn Sadler
Format: Book
Who It’s For: Kids

Wangari Maathai was born in Kenya, to the Kikuyu people who loved and respected nature and taught little Wangari to do the same. Girls weren’t educated in her culture but she learned from nature and from her brother who went to school. When her parents saw how smart and curious she was, they finally sent Wangari to school too! A hard worker, she did well in her studies, even when she had to go away from home for school. At college in far-away America, she learned about science, and also learned that women could do anything! But her home and her people were always in her heart, so Wangari went back to Kenya, taking this freedom and knowledge to all Kenyan women. When she returned, she discovered the government was selling Kenya’s land to big companies who cut down many trees for lumber or coffee plantations. This destroyed the land, and dried out the rivers so crops wouldn’t grow. Her people were hungry.  What could she do? “Harambee (all pull together)!” she said to the women of Kenya. ” Together, let’s plant new trees, and make a change here!” And they did plant trees, millions of them! Throughout her life the unstoppable Wangari worked hard despite those who disagreed with her and traveled all over the world planting her “seeds of change”, showing people everywhere how to work together in caring for the Earth and all who live there. I also loved the colorful illustrations by Sonya Sadler!

Wangari Maathai is one of my heroes of the environmental movement. After reading Seeds of Change, you may just feel the same!

Find Seeds of Change in the catalog

Layla and the Bots: Happy Paws

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Cover image of "Layla & the Bots: Happy Paws"Layla & the Bots: Happy Paws by Vicky Fang
Format: Book
Who’s it for: Kids

Layla and her robots are rock stars and inventors! They’re super excited to perform at Happy Days Amusement Park… until they hear that the park is closing down. The whole town has gone dog-crazy, and everyone is spending their time at the dog park. To save Happy Days, Layla and her bots will have to use all their design and engineering skills to create something totally new- “Happy Paws!” the amusement park for dogs. This easy chapter book is a 2021 Maryland Blue Crab Young Reader Award honor book for Beginning Fiction.

Find it (and other Layla and the Bots books) in the catalog!