Pre-Teen

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool  $16.99

Twelve-year-old Abilene Tucker is the daughter of a drifter who, in the summer of 1936, sends her to stay with an old friend in Manifest, Kansas, where he grew up, and where she hopes to find out some things about his past.

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia  $15.99

In a humorous and breakout book by Williams-Garcia, the Penderwicks meet the Black Panthers in 1968 Oakland, California.

Turtle in Paradise by  Jennifer Holm  $16.99

Inspired by family stories, a two-time Newbery Honor winner and “New York Times”-bestselling author beautifully blends family lore with America’s past in this charming gem of a novel, rich in historical detail, humor, and the unique flavors of Key West.

The Secret Zoo by Bryan Chick  $16.99

When four best friends uncover the magical secret behind the animal exhibits at their local zoo, they discover a whole new world–and looming danger.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth by Jeff Kinney  $13.95

Kinney delivers the fifth installment of his #1 “New York Times”-bestselling series. Greg Heffley has always been in a hurry to grow up. But is getting older really all it’s cracked up to be?

How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O’Connor $6.99

Desperate to hold her struggling family together, Georgina Hayes is inspired after she spots a poster offering a $500 reward for the return of a missing dog. All she has to do is “borrow” the right dog and its owners are sure to offer a reward.

Word After Word After Word by Patricia MacLachlin $14.99

Sure to inspire new generations of writers and readers, this contemporary novel from a beloved author and Newbery Medalist celebrates the power of words and language, stories and poetry.

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan $6.99

Esperanza Ortega lives in a beautiful home filled with servants and the promise of one day presiding over all of Rancho de las Rosas. But tragedy shatters that dream, forcing Esperanza and Mama to flee from Mexico to California and settle in a farm labor camp.

Toby Alone by Timothee DeFombelle $8.99

Toby Alone is a gripping and witty eco-adventure set on a Lilliputian world where a tree is under threat and a boy hunted by his own people must protect his father’s secrets.

The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan, illustrated by Peter Sis  $17.99

This moving story about the birth of an artist is also a celebration of childhood, imagination, and the strength of the creative spirit. Ryan weaves sound poems and thought-provoking questions into her exquisitely crafted prose while Sis’s delicate drawings transport readers to the lushness of the Chilean rainforest.

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan  $17.99

To stop Egyptian god Set from going after their father, siblings Carter and Sadie embark on a dangerous journey across the globe–a quest which brings them ever closer to the truth about their family, and their links to a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs.

The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester $6.99

Forester’s humorous, thrilling debut novel is an unforgettable story of defiance and courage, about a girl who can fly and the institute for normalcy that wants to bring her down.

A Whole Nother Story as told by the one and only Dr. Cuthbert Soup  $16.99

For kids who love A Series of Unfortunate Events and Mysterious Societies comes a new series featuring the three Cheeseman children, their father, their psychic dog, and a sock puppet named Steve who are on the run from international superspies.

The Children’s Baking Book by Denise Smart   $17.99

With easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions sure to inspire children to bake up brownies, breads, cookies, and more, “The Children’s Baking Book” features more than 50 fabulous recipes guaranteed to stir any baker.  Perfect for those bad weather days when kids need something to do indoors.

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart  $6.99

A first-time novelist takes readers on a dazzling adventure that puts friends, family, and foe to the test, as four children go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and inventive children can complete.  First in a series.  Books three has just been released.

A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein $18.99

First published in 1981–the first children’s book ever on the “New York Times bestseller list”–this beloved classic is back in a special edition that features 12 never-before-published poems by Silverstein. Accompanied by his iconic black-and-white line art, these new poems reflect Silverstein’s signature humor and timeless style.

Pocket Guide to the Outdoors: Based on My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George $9.99

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of George’s acclaimed “My Side of the Mountain,” this easy-to-follow guide to the outdoors is packed with activities, naturalist trivia, and practical wilderness tips.

The Dream Stealer by Sid Fleischman $17.89

Filled with intrigue, magic, and adventure, Fleishman’s latest novel tells the story of a young girl who is determined to finish a dream and tracks down the elusive Dream Stealer.

The Georges and the Jewels by Jane Smiley $6.99

The author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “A Thousand Acres” makes her debut for young readers with this novel set on a California horse ranch in the 1960s, where a girl finds refuge from her problems with the horses.

Robe of Skulls by Vivian French $5.99

High above the village of Fracture, trouble is brewing. The sorceress Lady Lamorna wants a skull-studded gown of deep black velvet, and she will stop at nothing to get what she wants. This exuberant, fast-moving tale stars a cast of characters who are good, bad, and very, very ugly.

The Magicians Elephant by Kate DiCamillo $16.99

In her newest novel, Newbery Medalist DiCamillo (“The Tale of Despereaux”) conjures a haunting fable about trusting the unexpected and making the impossible come true. When orphan Peter Augustus Duchene asks a fortuneteller about his sister, the fortuneteller’s mysterious answer sets off a chain of remarkable events.

Born to Fly by Michael Ferrari  $15.99                                       Set during World War II, this winning entry in the Dell Yearling Contest tells the story of 11-year-old tomboy Bird, who loves flying in small propeller airplanes with her mechanic dad. But when a young Japanese-American student joins Bird’s class, the entire school seems to be convinced that he’s a spy.

This group takes in all kinds of goodies.  This seems to be the age group that authors are experimenting with.  Picture books with lots of text, just text with imagination galore, funny stuff, serious and fairly deep stuff.  These are the books where authors start adding emotion and some depth  with just enough humor to keep it light.

How to Train Your Dragon (series) Cowell, Cressida

Never Land Books (series) Pearson, Ridley

Anything But Typical Baskin, Nora Raleigh

Island of the Blue Dolphins O’Dell, Scott

The Boxcar Children Warner, Gertrude Chandler

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Rowling, J K

Nick of Time Bell, Ted

Pain and the Great One Blume, Judy

Inkheart Funke, Cornelia

Encyclopedia Brown Sobol, Donald J

Peter and the Starcatchers Barry, Dave & Pearson, Ridley

Icarus at the Edge of Time Greene, Brian

My One Hundred Adventures Horvath, Polly

The Graveyard Book Gaiman, Neil

The Table Where Rich People Sit Baylor, Byrd

Imagine a Night Thomson, Sarah L

The Dangerous Book for Boys Iggulden, Conn

The Daring Book for Girls Buchanan, Andrea