SOLIMAR by Pam Muñoz Ryan.   Ryan returns to her fictionalized Mexican empire with a magical tale of a kingdom, a princess, and butterflies.  Solimar is on the verge of her quincenera,(although she would rather be king) when she visits the oyamel fir tree forest for the return of monarch butterflies.  Afterwards, she seems imbued with magical sight.  She will need that and more as she defends the kingdom against an invader determined to destroy the forest for financial gain.  Beautiful imagery, loving family relationships and the power of youth combine into a wonderfully imaginative story. Gr 3-7. 

THE BOY WHO MET A WHALE by Nizrana Farook.  Exciting ocean adventure for younger readers set in a Sri Lankan locale.  Razi, while watching sea turtles hatch, rescues a survivor of a merchant ship, and finds them both in danger, as “bad guys” are after the survivor, Zheng.  He has taken a map to an island where a fabled treasure is hidden from the thieves before abandoning the ship they had sabotaged. Razi, his sister and Zheng dodge danger as they try to find the treasure with help from animals such as the titular whale.  Gr 3-5. 

THE WITCH, THE SWORD, AND THE CURSED KNIGHTS by Alexandria Rogers.  Fantasy combining fairy tales, and the Arthurian Legend with deep, detailed world-building about 2 young people – one a witch, one a regular guy from Wisconsin, who are summoned to undergo trials to become knights and break a curse on the kingdom.  Gr 4-8. 

WHEN THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN by K. Ibura.  A look back at the past 2 years.  Four schoolmates (not necessarily friends) are locked down in the same apartment building as the pandemic takes off.  Main themes are positive, as the kids look to help others in the building and stay positive. However, the author doesn’t shy away from reminding us that being in a small apartment with your family all day isn’t that great from the kids’ point of view, too.  Gr 3-7. 

FREEWATER  by Amina Luqman-Dawson.  Two children of slaves try to escape with their mother, but get separated.  As they try to navigate the swampland around them, they are rescued and taken to a community deep in the swamp inhabited by other escaped slaves.  Loosely based on “maroon” communities, these people isolated themselves via the swamp lands and lived free, if not easy lives.  Gr 3-7.

THE FORGOTTEN FIVE: MAP OF FLAMES by Lisa McMann.  Five children, off-spring of criminals with super powers, and each possessing a power of their own, must leave their island haven when all the parents are dead or gone.  They have been charged to return to the outside world, where they are despised and hunted, to find the hidden cache one parent stored and perhaps locate one who is missing.  Popular premise of child super heroes not too sure of their abilities, but still cool, lots of relationships with plenty of action and plot twists. Gr 3-7. 

LOYALTY by Avi.  Set in Boston as the American Revolution begins to brew, this is the other side of the story.  A young Puritan boy & his family who are loyal to England and the King, are brutalized and ostracized by the freedom fighters, called Sons of Liberty.  Avi gives the reader fresh insights into the American Revolution. Some comparisons to world issues today can be seen, as Noah sees tyranny and hypocrisy on both sides.    Gr 5+. 

ABBY IN BETWEEN READY OR NOT by Megan E. Bryant.  She's not a grown-up yet, but she definitely doesn't feel like a little kid anymore.  Ready or not, here comes puberty!  And along with it, more awareness of social issues such as homelessness.  Gr 3-7.

MAIZY CHEN’S LAST CHANCE by Lisa Yee.  A Chinese American tween leaves the salad bowl of Los Angeles for the meat and potatoes of Minnesota to help care for aging grandparents.  She learns a lot about her family’s history and legacy and bigotry.          Gr 4-6. 

JUST HARRIET by Elana K. Arnold.  Harriet loves Marble Island, the small island off the coast of California where her nanu runs a cozy little bed and breakfast.  She didn’t like the way she was sent to stay there without even asking her, though.  But once there, she discovers that it's full of surprises, and even a mystery. One that seems to involve her Dad, back when he was a young boy living on Marble Island.  Gr 1-5. 

GRAPHIC NOVELS 

GINA AND THE BIG SECRET (HILO series) by Judd Winick.  Newest entry in the popular graphic novel series, with laughs, out of this world monsters and Hilo the robot boy.  Gr 4-6. 

GARLIC AND THE VAMPIRE by Bree Paulsen.  Unusual tale featuring Garlic, who tries hard but often comically fails. When her village of vegetable folk learns that a bloodthirsty vampire has moved into the nearby castle, they all agree that, in spite of her fear and self-doubt, Garlic is the obvious choice to confront him. Gr 3-6.