Makeda Makes a Home for Subway

Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich

There are several books about Makeda and this one is great for the beginning of the school year. If your child has a class pet they may bring home at some point, this story can spark some interesting ideas, and also help them discover that what they enjoy isn't always enjoyable for everyone else.

The Fix-Its: Power Up with Power Drill

Sarah Lynne Reul

A starter comic and graphic novel for early readers! Some kids need a different way to experience a story, and graphic novels are a great way to encourage reading without the pressure of text-heavy books. The I Can Read Comics series actually teaches children how to read a comic book and what each part of the page is telling them to do. This story follows Power Drill, the new tool in the box, as they try to do it all and learn their limits.

Penny and Her Sled

Kevin Henkes

Kevin Henkes books are classics for a reason. His signature illustrations and relatable characters have been keeping children entertained for almost 50 years! Penny so wishes for snow so she can take her sled for a ride, and is thoroughly disappointed when no snow falls all winter. Houston families, we can absolutely relate to wishing for cooler weather!

Rulers of the Playground

Joseph Kuefler

What happens when two students both want to rule the playground? This story dives into what happens when things don't go your way with a friend, and what it looks like when most of the class doesn't want to play the same way either. A great read for the early back-to-school season when everyone is still figuring each other out.

Antonia, the Horse Whisperer

Elizabeth Zoller

An early chapter book perfect for 2nd through 5th graders who love horses. Antonia is the only safe person for a new horse at the stable, and kids who love animals will really connect with this story. It's a short series of only two books, making it a great way to keep your child's interest without committing to a ten-book run.

📚 First of a 2-book series, perfect for new chapter book readers!

Franny K. Stein Mad Scientist: Frantastic Voyage

Jim Benton

Silly, fun, and full of pictures! This chapter book series has 10 titles total. With a very obvious nod to Frankenstein, the books are packed with mad science puns and a fun twist on the family dynamic. This is the fifth title in the series and a great pick for any 2nd through 5th grader with a sense of humor.

🔬 10 books in the series, great for kids who love silly humor!

Restart

Gordon Korman

If your tween is an aspiring author, this one comes with a fun fact: Gordon Korman had a contract with Scholastic at age 14! Restart is the story of a young boy who suffers amnesia after a bad fall. The story is all about seeing yourself through other people's eyes and deciding whether or not you like the way you behaved in the past, and whether you have the chance to change.

Space Runners: The Moon Platoon

Jeramey Kraatz

For your sci-fi loving teen! This action-thriller is all about outer space and teens discovering more than they bargained for. If your teen would love the chance to travel to the moon and stay at a luxury resort, this might be their next favorite series. This is the first of four books.

🚀 First of a 4-book series!

The Infamous Gilberts

Angela Tomaski

A brand new release and a perfect pick for puzzlers, mystery lovers, and fans of historical fiction. The story features five siblings, but is really centered on the objects found in their childhood home, which is sadly now falling apart. Think Wes Anderson vibes with a little less whimsy and a fascinating structure that focuses more on the objects and the house than the characters themselves.

Note: There's currently a hold list at HCPL, but it'll be worth the wait!