Fiction Book Selections
Each book cover is linked to a library source if available. If there was a Download Destination option, that is the one that is linked. There is often a print copy available of those titles so search the card catalog if you prefer the print copy.
A Field Guide to Getting Lost
Joy McCullough
Nine-year-old Sutton loves robots and coding while ten-year-old Luis loves to read and write fantasy fiction. They are very different kids who would probably not hang out . . . unless their parents started dating! When their parents get serious, they plan a hiking trip near their Seattle area homes that goes wrong. Sutton and Luis need to learn to work together to make it back to their parents.
Minecraft: The Island
Max Brooks
In this title, fiction meets instruction manual as a gamer that cannot remember who they are wakes up in the middle of a Minecraft ocean and needs to find where and how to navigate the terrain in survival mode. They encounter hostile mobs and dangerous terrain with only a cow to talk to that can only say, "moo". This is a fun story and a great introduction to the game.
Every Soul a Star
Wendy Mass
Over a thousand people gather at the Moon Shadow Campground, where star gazing Ally lives with her parents and younger brother, to view the Great Eclipse. Among the visitors are Bree, who was dragged there by her physics scholar parents, and Jack, who is there with his teacher to make up for poor grades in science. This is truly a story of friendship with fascinating details about the eclipse. Astronomy facts included in the back.
The Acadia Files Book 1:Summer Science
Katie Coppens
What happens when your parents are science teachers? You get a summer full of science! Acadia, age 10, cannot find her blueberries. When she asks for help finding them, her parents give her the scientific method instead! Written in notebook format with Acadia's notes and drawings throughout, readers can follow her journey to, hopefully, her blueberries!
Chasing Vermeer
Blue Balliett
Illustrated by Brett Helquist
Set in Chicago's Hyde Park, sixth graders Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay find themselves in the middle of a mystery involving a valuable piece of Johannes Vermeer's art that is stolen. The friends turn to dreams, secret codes, pentominoes, and puzzles to solve the mystery. The illustrations found in this book's pages have a puzzle of their own that readers can solve. This math and art mystery is a great read!
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again
Frank Cottrell BoyceÂ
illustrated by Joe Berger
Mr. Tootings has lost his job and turns to fixing a 1966 pop-top camper van to fill his time and keep his engineering skills in practice. After finding a replacement engine he gets it running and the Tootings family is off on an adventure to find other parts for the vehicle. This installment of the reboot series ends in high-flying fun!
Airborn
Kenneth Oppel
Matt Cruse is a cabin boy on the airship Aurora when hot air balloonist Benjamin Molloy is rescued. His granddaughter, Kate, returns a year later to solve the mystery of the mysterious cloud cats Molloy discovered, a species that experts doubt exists. Flying mammals, pirates, and flying machines are all a part of this alternate universe in this fantastical and adventurous tale. Complete with an airship diagram and technological details of how it works this Steampunk title is a great STEAM choice.
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl
Stacy McAnulty
Twelve-year-old Lucy was struck by lightning when she was 8, causing brain damage that gave her extraordinary mathematical skills and a bit of obsessive behaviors. Lucy likes staying home for her online college classes buy her grandma decides to enroll her in 7th grade and gives her the task of committing to one year, finding one friend, and one activity. Volunteering at the animal shelter for her activity Lucy makes her friend which makes her 7th grade year bearable.
New Kid
Jerry Craft
African American 7th grader, Jordan Banks, feels the sting of racism in this graphic novel as he starts school at a Manhattan private school. People talk to him in slang, use questionable language in reference to him, and assume he is getting financial aid to name a few. He tries to be himself but feels like he is one person at school and another at home. The illustrations reveal the emotions of the characters.
The Seventh Most Important Thing
Shelley Pearsall
In 1963 President Kennedy was assassinated and Arthur's dad died. Arthur is sad and angry when he sees a man wearing his dad's hat. He throws the rock in his hand and hits the old man wearing it. Once in court Arthur, who is white, realizes how it looks that the victim is an old black man. When Arthur explains about the hat the judge gives him community service helping the man, artist James Hampton, with his masterpiece.
Emmy in the Key of Code
Aimee Lucido
Emmy is coping with the aftermath of a move from Wisconsin to San Francisco. Hoping to follow in the path of her musically talented parents she tries out for choir and ends up in computer club instead. There she meets a new friend, Abigail. Emmy tells her story in poetry and blends coding with music as she discovers her strengths and identity in this new place.