Summer 2021 Picks

Blue Sky

Blue Sky

By Audrey Wood | ISBN 978-0-545-31610-1
Ages All | Picture Books

Spanning the sky's ever-changing panorama, each page presents a different skyscape as the day progresses. Soothing and warm, Blue Sky is perfect for bedtime, too—and morning reading as the sun comes up again into "New Sky" "Blue Sky." This fresh approach to nature combines joy, wonder, and tranquility as it captures the fascinating landscape always above us and reminds us to include the sky in our daily life.

Just Behave, Pablo Picasso!

Just Behave, Pablo Picasso!

By Jonah Winter | Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes | ISBN 978-0-545-13291-6
Ages 4-8 | Picture Books

Picasso may have been one of the most famous artists of the 20th century, but that doesn't mean he painted what people wanted him to paint! In fact, some people hated his paintings, and called them "ugly!" and "terrible!"—something many kids can relate to. But Picasso didn't listen to all those people, and kept on working the way he wanted to work, until he created something so new, so different that people didn't know what to say!

The Runaway Hug

The Runaway Hug

By Nick Bland | Illustrated by Freya Blackwood | ISBN 978-1-4431-1369-4
Ages 4-6 | Picture Books

When Lucy's mother gives Lucy the last hug she has, Lucy promises to give it back, but first she must share it with everyone in the house — Dad, the twins, the baby and even her dog, Annie. Along the way, the hug changes — it becomes stronger, bigger, a bit slobbery, peanut-buttery, and at one point it even runs away on her. But it always comes back to her and it's always nice.

Silly Doggy!

Silly Doggy!

By Adam Stower | | ISBN 978-0-545-37323-4
Ages 3-5 | Picture Books

When Lily looks out of her bedroom window, she finds the best surprise ever: her very own lost dog! But this is no normal puppy—this is actually a lost, lovable bear! Nevertheless, Lily and Doggy quickly become fast friends. Sure, Doggy doesn't eat his dog food, can't do any dog tricks, and never ever does what Lily tells him, but this rambunctious "pup" still steals Lily's heart. However, Lily's mommy knows that every lost dog has a home of its own with people who miss it dearly. So Lily creates a "Found Dog" poster about their fantastic day together.

Split! Splat!

Split! Splat!

By Amy Gibson | Illustrated by Steve Bjorkman | ISBN 978-0-439-58753-2
Ages 4-8 | Picture Books

When one little girl and her adorable dog venture out on a rainy spring day, her neighbourhood friends join her, and what results is squishy, sloshy, muddy day fun. Amy Gibson's simple, whimsical rhymes and Steve Björkman's bright and sweet illustrations create the perfect celebration of nature and friendship in this springtime, anytime rhyme! A perfect read-aloud or storytime book.

Stay: The True Story of Ten Dogs

Stay: The True Story of Ten Dogs

By Michaela Muntean | Illustrated by K. C Bailey and Stephen Kazmierski | ISBN 978-0-545-23497-9
Ages 4-8 | Nonfiction Picture Books

With beautiful full-colour photographs, Stay is the story of ten dogs rejected by their owners as hopeless cases and adopted by Luciano Anastasini, a renowned circus performer and dog trainer, who saw hope in every single one of them and gave them new lives as proud, happy circus dogs.

The 39 Clues: Cahills vs Vespers Book Three: The Dead of Night

The 39 Clues: Cahills vs Vespers Book Three: The Dead of Night

By Peter Lerangis | | ISBN 978-0-545-29841-4
Ages 9-12 | Middle Grade Fiction

The Vespers have crossed a line. Amy and Dan were devastated when the Vespers kidnapped seven Cahills around the world, holding them hostage until Amy and Dan delivered an impossible ransom. But at least the hostages were Cahills—members of the world's most powerful family, trained to face disaster. This is the third book in the second set of 39 Clues mysteries.

Bone: Quest for the Spark Book Two

Bone: Quest for the Spark Book Two

By Tom Sniegowski | Illustrated by Jeff Smith | ISBN 978-0-545-14104-8
Ages 9-12 | Illustrated Middle Grade Fiction
Also available in HC ISBN 978-0545141031

The Nacht, the evil dragon that threatens to destroy both the Dreaming and the Waking Worlds, is growing stronger, and twelve-year-old Tom Elm is the champion the Dreaming has chosen to defeat it. Along with Roderick the raccoon, Percival Bone and his nephew and niece, Randolf, Lorimar, and the two stupid Rat Creatures, Tom must race to find the missing pieces of the Spark.

Dear Canada: Torn Apart

Dear Canada: Torn Apart

By Susan Aihoshi | | ISBN 978-0-439-94660-5
Ages 9-12 | Middle Grade Fiction

It is 1941 and Mary Kobayashi, a Canadian-born Japanese girl enjoys her life in Vancouver. Although WWII is raging elsewhere in the world, it hasn't really impacted her life in B.C. Then on December 7, 1941, Japan bombs Pearl Harbor. . . and everything changes. In Torn Apart, author Susan Aihoshi draws from the experiences of her own family during "The Uprooting" of the Japanese in B.C. during WWII. Through young Mary's eyes, readers experience this regrettable time in Canadian history firsthand.

I Am Canada: Behind Enemy Lines

I Am Canada: Behind Enemy Lines

By Carol Matas | ISBN 978-0-545-99066-0
Ages 9-12 | Middle Grade Historical Fiction

Treated as spies rather than POWs, flyers from various Allied countries, after being shot down over France, are beaten or tortured — then sent to Buchenwald Concentration Camp in eastern Germany. It is here, in these wretched conditions, that Sam Frederiksen witnesses the darkest side of humanity — gas chambers, torture and starvation. Yet it is also here that he comes to understand the true resilience and unfathomable courage of the victims.

Marty McGuire Digs Worms!

Marty McGuire Digs Worms!

By Kate Messner | Illustrated by Brian Floca | ISBN 978-0-545-14247-2
Ages 6-9 | Early Chapter Book
Also available in HC ISBN 978-0-545-14245-8

Marty McGuire's third-grade class has a special assignment: Save the Earth! Even more exciting, the best project wins a special award. Marty's pretty sure her classmates' ideas won't stand a chance against her plan to turn the garbage from the school cafeteria into fertilizer. All she needs is a little help from her teammate and best friend, Annie—and the worms in her Grandma's garden.

One Dog and His Boy

One Dog and His Boy

By Eva Ibbotson | | ISBN 978-0-545-35196-6
Ages 9-12 | Middle Grade Fiction

All Hal had ever wanted was a dog. "Never!" cries his mother. But on the morning of Hal's tenth birthday, the unbelievable happens. He's allowed to choose a puppy at Easy Pets, a rent-a-pet agency (a fact his parents keep from him). The moment he sees the odd-looking terrier, he knows he's found a friend for life. But no one tells Hal that Fleck must be returned and when Hal wakes up on Monday morning, Fleck is gone. If dog and boy are to stay together, they'll have to run away... From the renowned Eva Ibbotson comes her final novel, a tale laced with humour and full of heart, and stunning in its beauty and all things dog.

Showoff

Showoff

By Gordon Korman | | ISBN 978-0-545-32059-7
Ages 9-12 | Middle Grade Fiction

When Luthor goes berserk at a mall dog show, he's accused of ruining the career of the three-time best-in-show beagle. Griffin always knew that Luthor's viciousness was simmering just below the surface — so why does he feel bad enough to spring him from the pound?

The Crowfield Demon

The Crowfield Demon

By Pat Walsh | | ISBN 978-0-545-31769-6
Ages 9-12 | Middle Grade Fantasy

In The Crowfield Curse, young monks' apprentice Will discovered he was gifted with "The Sight": able to see beyond the mortal world into the realms of Magic. Protected by the powerful fay Shadlok—and accompanied by the wry, wary hobgoblin nicknamed Brother Walter—Will faced down the sheer force of evil. But now the Crowfield monastery has begun to crumble. As Will slaves to salvage the wreckage of the chapel, he discovers a haunted relic buried beneath the rubble. Free at last, a hideous demon from a pagan past is about to unleash hell on holy ground!

The False Prince

The False Prince

By Jennifer A. Nielsen | | ISBN 978-0-545-28413-4
Ages 9-14 | Fiction

Sage, an orphaned thief with a sharp tongue and a sharper wit, is one of four boys chosen to participate in a lethal contest. After being plucked from the streets by a nobleman named Conner, Sage learns that Conner plans to choose one of the orphans to impersonate a long-lost prince in the hopes of averting a civil war. Conner's rules of play become quite clear after he murders one of the boys who will not compete. Suddenly winning matters very much. The first book in a new trilogy, this brilliant and heart-racing tale is taut with danger and adventure.

The Moon Over High Street

The Moon Over High Street

By Natalie Babbitt | | ISBN 978-0-545-37636-5
Ages 9-14 | Fiction

Joe Casimir needed help with the choice he had to make. But how do you choose the person who will help you choose? The good advice was there, though. Right across the street. Just waiting right across the street. There are a lot of good things just waiting. You'll see.

The Whisper

The Whisper

By Emma Clayton | | ISBN 978-0-545-31772-6
Ages 9-12 | Fantasy Fiction

Suddenly alert to the microchips implanted in their brains, an army of stolen children revolts! But the response of the tyrant Mal Gorman is swift and brutal: He quickly quells the mutiny, sweeping up the fleeing children in spiked nets and dragging them back to their training camp. But before all-out war erupts, a brother and sister are determined to reconcile humankind with nature-and to free the captive children. This is a thrilling sequel to Carnegie shortlisted The Roar.

Pandemonium

Pandemonium

By Chris Wooding | Illustrated by Cassandra Diaz | ISBN 978-0-439-87759-6
Ages 8-12 | Graphic Novel
Also available in HC 978-0-545-25221-8

As captain of the local skullball team, Seifer Tombchewer is the envy of his peers. He's fast, he's strong, and he flies circles around the competition. But Seifer's always dreamed of more—of leaving his tiny, remote village for a new life beyond the mountains. He just never dreamed it would happen like this . . .

Above

Above

By Leah Bobet | | ISBN 978-0-545-29670-0
Ages 12 & up | Young Adult Fantasy

Matthew has always lived in Safe, a community hidden far beneath the pipes and tunnels of the city Above. One horrifying night, an old enemy murders Safe's founder, Atticus, and the community is taken over by an army of shadows. Only Matthew, Ariel, and a handful of friends escape Above. Now they not only have to survive in a sunlit world they barely know, but they must unravel the mystery of the shadows' fury and Atticus's death.

Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip

Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip

By Jordan Sonnenblick | ISBN 978-0-545-32069-6
Ages 12 & up | Young Adult Fiction

Meet Peter Friedman, high school freshman. Talented photographer. Former baseball star. When a freakish injury ends his pitching career, Peter has some major things to figure out. In his new novel, Jordan Sonnenblick explores deep themes of friendship, romance, family, and tragedy, while still managing to be hilariously funny.

The List

The List

By Siobhan Vivian | | ISBN 978-0-545-16917-2
Ages 13 & up | Young Adult Fiction

It happens every year. A list is posted, and one girl from each grade is chosen as the prettiest, and another is chosen as the ugliest. Nobody knows who makes the list. It almost doesn't matter. The damage is done the minute it goes up. This is the story of eight girls, freshman to senior, "pretty" and "ugly." And it's also the story of how we see ourselves, and how other people see us, and the tangled connection of the two.

What Boys Really Want

What Boys Really Want

By Pete Hautman | | ISBN 978-0-545-11315-1
Ages 13 & up | Young Adult Fiction

Lita is the writer. Adam is the entrepreneur. Adam would never sell copies of a self-help book before he'd even written it. They'd never steal each other's blog posts. And Adam would never end up in a fistfight with Lita's boyfriend. Nope, never. Adam and Lita might never agree on what happened, but in this hilarious story from Pete Hautman, they manage to give the world a little more insight into what boys and girls are really looking for.

The Scholastic Discover More Series

The Scholastic Discover More Series

The Scholastic Discover More Series has a clear mission to engage children in nonfiction wherever they go, in the real and virtual world. The program features print and digital books wholly global in their subject matter and contents. Stranded by age and ability, each product is designed to inform, entertain, and give children key skills in their journey as lifelong learners.

Emergent Reader

See Me Grow by Penelope Arlon

978-0545345132 $8.99 HC 32 Pages January 2012 Ages 4-6 Nonfiction

Farm by Penelope Arlon

978-0545365710 $8.99 HC 32 Pages January 2012 Ages 4-6 Nonfiction

My Body by Andrea Pinnington

978-0545345149$8.99 HC 32 Pages January 2012 Ages 4-6 Nonfiction

Animal Babies by Andrea Pinnington

978-0545365680 $8.99 HC 32 Pages January 2012 Ages 4-6 Nonfiction


Confident Reader

Penguins by Penelope Arlon

978-0545330244 $13.99 Flexibound 80 Pages January 2012 Ages 7-9 Nonfiction

Penguins by Penelope Arlon

978-0545330282 $13.99 Flexibound 80 Pages January 2012 Ages 7-9 Nonfiction


Expert Reader

The Elements by Dan Green

978-0545330190 $17.99 Flexibound 112 Pages January 2012 Ages 10-12 Nonfiction

Ocean and Sea by Steve Parker

978-0545330220$17.99 Flexibound 112 Pages January 2012 Ages 10-12 Nonfiction


L'auberge du rocher noir

L'auberge du rocher noir

By Scott Chantler | | ISBN 978-1443111645
Ages 9-12 | Graphic Novel

Young readers (and adults, too) will feel transported by the clever, intricate plotline and superb, sweeping illustrations of this second title in the Les trois voleurs series!

Nicolas fou de soccer

Nicolas fou de soccer

By Gilles Tibo | Illustrated by Bruno St-Aubin | ISBN 978-1443116718
Ages 4-7 | Picture Book

Nicolas' first soccer tournament is today. He's so excited! But if he keeps kicking his ball and sending it flying in the house, he might get himself in trouble...

Art © 2021 by Victo Ngai from Wishes by Mượn Thị Văn. All rights reserved.