Youth – What We’re Reading

While many have heard of the landmark court case Brown v. Board of Education, few know the story of Sylvia Mendez, an eight-year-old girl of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage, who played a major role in the desegregation of public schools in California.  This picture-book-style nonfiction selection has an important, and interesting, historical story to tell.  Recommended for readers ages 6 and up….

From the author of Belly Up comes another mystery set at the FunJungle Zoo.  When twelve-year-old Teddy Fitzroy is accused of kidnapping the zoo’s koala-on-loan Kazoo, it is up to him alone to prove his innocence and find the real koala thief.  Full of humor, hijinx, and suspense, this mystery is recommended for readers in grades 5 and up….

When twelve-year-old friends River, Freak, and Fiona find a rare, zucchini-colored crayon in a sofa outside the mysterious Underhill mansion, they have no idea that the item will help them save the world from a mind-controlling alien corporation.  Recommended for readers ages 10 and up, this silly sci-fi novel is full of suspense and adventure….

In this first book in a new fantasy series, orphan Jax discovers on his thirteenth birthday that he has access to an eighth day of the week known as Grunsday.  From that point on, Jax learns much more about where his fantastical abilities came from, tracing his roots all the way back to the time of King Arthur’s court.  A thrilling fantasy series for fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson in grades 5 and up….

In this first graphic novel from author/illustrator Victoria Jamieson, 12-year-olds Astrid and Nicole are best friends.  During the summer before junior high, their friendship becomes rocky when the girls decide to attend different camps.  While Astrid is having a difficult time becoming a junior roller derby girl, Nicole is at dance camp with Astrid’s sworn enemy.  Recommended for fans of Raina Telgemeier,…