Check out these exciting easy and fiction titles that were published in September. Since fall is such a busy publishing season, I’ve divided the easy and fiction titles into two posts. This one contains anything realistic, including mystery, historical, and adventure. Tomorrow I’ll post my lists of speculative titles.
Happy reading!
ELEMENTARY PICTURE BOOKS
Amazed by Aleksandra Artymowska. 9781786270511. 2017. Gr 1-4.
Readers need to help a boy through ten mazes so he can get back to his friends.
The Best Tailor in Pinbaue by Eymard Toledo. 9781609808044. 2017. Gr K-3.
Industrialization in Brazil has changed Edinho’s town of Pinbaue, and he especially notices it when he visits his Uncle Flores, a tailor. Where his uncle once sewed beautiful clothing of bright colors, he had to make gray overalls for workers of the new factory. And now that cheap uniforms are imported from overseas, Uncle Flores has no work—until Edinho comes up with an idea.
City Moon by Rachel Cole (ill. by Blanca Gomez). 9780553497076. 2107. Gr PK-2.
A young child and his mother wander their neighborhood one evening looking for the moon.
Come With Me by Holly M. McGhee (ill. by Pascal Lemaitre). 9781524739058. 2017. Gr K-3.
Frightened by news of angry people around the world, a young girl gets her parents’ help in learning to be compassionate and brave a little at a time.
Flashlight Night by Matt Forrest Esenwine (ill. by Fred Koehler). 9781629794938. 2017. Gr PK-3.
Three children armed with a flashlight explore their backyard at night. In the beam of the light they see spooky woods, a fearsome tiger, an Egyptian god, a swashbuckling pirate, and even a giant squid! The kids bravely vanquish their enemies and, returning to their tree house, they continuing reading the stack of classic books that inspired their adventure in the first place.
In the Middle of Fall by Kevin Henkes (ill. by Laura Dronzek). 9780062573117. 2017. Gr PK-2.
In a companion to their book When Spring Comes, Henkes and Dronzek show the colors and activities one might find in the middle of autumn.
Mary Had a Little Lizard by Kayla Harren. 9781510716353. 2017. Gr PK-2.
When Mary’s pet lizard stows away in her school backpack, he wreaks havoc in her kindergarten class until he is sent to the principal’s office.
Mr. Crum’s Potato Predicament by Anne Renaud (ill. by Felicita Sala). 9781771386197. 2017. Gr PK-3.
Satisfaction is guaranteed at George Crum’s “Crum’s Place,” full of sorbets, soufflés, stews, ragouts, goulashes, and succotashes—until one day George meets a picky customer with a very specific request: potatoes cooked just to perfection.
On a Magical Do-Nothing Day by Beatrice Alemagna. 9780062657602. 2017. Gr K-2.
A young child is bored when a rainy day cancels their plans, especially when Mom takes away the video game player. Heading outside in a raincoat, the child gloomily wanders the woods near their cabin until, following four large snails, he discovers many unexpected treasures.
Red & Lulu by Matt Tavares. 9780763677336. 2017. Gr PK-2.
Red and Lulu, two cardinals, make their home in a huge evergreen tree. But when the tree is cut down to be used in a Christmas show, the birds get separated, and Red races to the city in a desperate bid to find Lulu, ultimately revealing the true nature of Christmas.
Robinson by Peter Sis. 9780545731669. 2017. Gr K-2.
Peter arrives at his school’s costume party dressed as Robinson Crusoe, his favorite literary hero. When his friends, who are dressed as pirates, tease Peter, he retreats into his imagination and dreams of a world of adventure and wonder. The dream reverts to reality as Peter’s friends, still dressed as pirates, come to his house and issue an apology. Based on an incident from the author’s childhood.
When’s My Birthday? by Julie Fogliano (ill. by Christian Robinson). 9781626722934. 2017. Gr PK-1.
A cast of multicultural children express the joy and anticipation children feel in the months, weeks, days, or hours leading up to their birthdays, anticipating when it will be, where it will be, and what they will get.
ELEMENTARY CHAPTER BOOKS
Caleb and Kit by Beth Vrabel. 9780762462230. 2017. Gr 4-7.
Caleb struggles to live with his debilitating chronic illness under the watchful eye of his over-protective mother. When Caleb meets Kit, her free spirit and adventurous attitude are captivating to Caleb. But the deception and danger that comes with being Kit’s friend leaves Caleb wondering if her friendship is truly what’s best for him in the long run.
Chasing Augustus by Kimberly Newton Fusco. 9780385754019. 2017. Gr 3-5.
Rosie may only be in fifth grade, but so far her short life has been great, despite being abandoned by her mother as a baby. Her dad and her dog Augustus are all she needs. But everything changes after her father suffers a debilitating stroke, and Rosie is sent to live with her gruff-but-loving grandfather. To make matters worse, her mother reappears in her life just long enough to give away her beloved dog, leaving Rosie desperate to find him.
Elsie Mae Has Something to Say by Nancy J. Cavanaugh. 9781492640226. 2017. Gr 4-6.
With a letter to President Franklin Roosevelt and unexpected help from her Hallelujah-spouting cousin, Elsie Mae tries to prevent a company from building a canal through the Okefenokee Swamp.
The Explorer by Katherine Rundell. 9781481419451. 2017. Gr 4-6.
Left stranded in the Amazon jungle when their plane crashes on their way back to England from Manaus, Brazil, four children struggle to survive for days until one of them finds a map that leads them to a ruined city and a secret hidden among the vines.
Just Dance by Patricia MacLachlan. 9781481472524. 2017. Gr 3-5.
On a farm in the middle of the prairie, ten-year-old Sylvie struggles to understand why her mother gave up singing on stage while she sets off on an adventure of her own as the town reporter.
One Mixed-Up Night by Catherine Newman. 9780399553882. 2017. Gr 3-6.
Unbeknownst to their parents, best friends Francesca and Walter make a plan, pack a bag, and sneak away to spend the whole night in an IKEA store—just like the characters in their favorite book, “From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.”
Under the Bottle Bridge by Jessica Lawson. 9781481448420. 2017. Gr 4-7.
Minna Treat, skilled in woodcraft, hopes the mysterious messages she finds in bottles under the bridge her mother died on will lead her to her unknown biological father.
Who Killed Darius Drake? by Rodman Philbrick. 9780545789783. 2017. Gr 4-6.
Arthur is the school thug-for-hire (paid in candy bars), mostly because he just looks the part, so when orphan Darius Drake offers him three candy bars to accompany him to the run-down Stompanado Housing Complex, and just look menacing, he agrees, Arthur soon finds himself deep in a mystery involving Darius’ estranged grandfather, the lost Dunbar Diamonds, and the villainous Jasper Jones.
MIDDLE SCHOOL FICTION
Auma’s Long Run by Eucabeth Odhiambo. 9781512427844. 2017. Gr 5-9.
When AIDS devastates thirteen-year-old Auma’s village in Kenya during the 1980s, Auma must choose between staying to help her family and working toward a track scholarship that will take her away from home.
Falcon Wild by Terry Lynn Johnson. 9781580897884. 2017. Gr 5-8.
Karma, daughter of parents who own a raptor education center, comes by her love of birds naturally. Facing the prospect of returning her beloved falcon, Stark, to its original owner, Karma finds herself lost in the wild terrain of Montana’s backcountry with only Stark as her companion. When she encounters a runaway named Cooper, it seems unlikely the two will become friends. But Karma and Stark only grow closer as they rely on one another to survive.
The Great Hibernation by Tara Dairman. 9781524717858. 2017. Gr 4-8.
In the tiny northern town of St. Polonius, everyone over the age of twelve falls asleep after the traditional tasting of the Sacred Bear Liver at the Founders’ Day Festival, leaving the children in charge, including Jean who tries to solve the mystery.
Halfway Normal by Barbara Dee. 9781481478519. 2017. Gr 5-8.
Norah had battled cancer for two years and won. Now she’s back at school and ready to face seventh grade. But her classmates treat her strangely—some act like she’ll blow away in the wind if they’re not careful and others are avoiding her altogether. When she meets a cute eight-grader, she tries to keep her illness a secret. But the truth comes out, and Norah has to find a way to talk about her cancer, even though she’s not sure she understands it herself.
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling. 9781454923459. 2017. Gr 5-8.
When thirteen-year-old Aven and her family take over a Western theme park in Arizona, she is forced into a new school. Being born with no arms, life is difficult enough, but with so many changes, Aven is desperate to connect. She then meets Connor, a boy with his own disability, and after finding a mysterious storage shed, Aven and Conner learn about the importance of friendship.
Lone Stars by Mike Lupica. 9780399172809. 2017. Gr 5-8.
Clay, star football receiver for his Texas school, is the pride of his coach; who used to play for the Dallas Cowboys and is like a second father to Clay. Then Clay begins to notice his coach experience confusion and mood swings from the many concussions he received during his playing days. He begins to worry about himself as well as he takes hit after hit in the game. However, Clay is determined to help get his coach to the Cowboys’ field one last time for a ceremony honoring him and his team.
Slider by Pete Hautman. 9780763690700. 2017. Gr 6-8.
After David accidentally puts $2,000 on his mom’s credit card, he begins training as a competitive eater in order to win the money back. And as he trains, he has to keep an eye on his kid brother, who has special needs; and on his friends, Cyn and HeyMan, who are becoming more than friends.
The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore. 9781524701246. 2017. Gr 4-7.
Lolly is having a terrible time—his brother Jermaine got in a fight and was shot. He doesn’t know how to go on, but using the two giant bags of LEGOs his mom’s girlfriend gave him, Lolly starts making a city, which becomes so big that it goes outside his apartment. When he and his friend Vega get jumped by a few older guys, Lolly will have to decide either to join a “crew” and get revenge, or find a different path.
Threads of Blue by Suzanne LaFleur. 9781101939994. 2017. Gr 5-8.
Mathilde escapes war-torn Sofarende and reunites with Megs and the other children who are working for the army to retake Sofarende from the enemy. But Mathilde must come to terms with her past treasonous actions and determine what she must do in order to prove her friendship to Megs.
Trell by Dick Lehr. 9780763692759. 2017. Gr 6-8.
In the tiny northern town of St. Polonius, everyone over the age of twelve falls asleep after the traditional tasting of the Sacred Bear Liver at the Founders’ Day Festival, leaving the children in charge, including Jean who tries to solve the mystery.
The Way to Bea by Kat Yeh. 9780316236676. 2017. Gr 5-8.
Recently estranged from her best friend and weeks away from shifting from only child to big sister, Beatrix consoles herself by writing haiku in invisible ink and hiding the poems. But one day she finds a reply—is it the librarian with all the answers, the editor of the school paper who admits to admiring her poetry, an old friend feeling remorse, or the boy obsessed with visiting the local labyrinth?
HIGH SCHOOL FICTION
The Agony of Bun O’Keefe by Heather Smith. 9780143198659. 2017. Gr 7-12.
Bun O’Keefe is kicked out of her hoarder mother’s home in Newfoundland and ends up on the streets of St. Johns. A street musician named Busker Boy takes her in, and along with an eclectic group of misfit street people, Bun learns how to appreciate herself and the things that make her unique.
All about Mia by Lisa Williamson. 9781338163971. 2017. Gr 10-12.
High school student Mia Campbell-Richardson is used to being at the bottom of the sister food chain. Then her perfect older sister comes home from a volunteer mission pregnant, and Mia is overjoyed at not being the “bad” child anymore. But when she makes a series of mistakes, her relationships with her best friends are put in jeopardy.
Blood and Ink by Stephen Davies. 9781580897907. 2017. Gr 7-12.
Kadija is the music-loving daughter of a guardian of the library in the ancient city of Timbuktu, Ali is a former shepherd boy, trained by Islamist militants. Both are caught up in the war in Mali and on opposite sides of the struggle to save the sacred Sufi manuscripts that the militants want to destroy.
Disappeared by Francisco X. Stork. 9780545944472. 2017. Gr 7-12.
In Juárez, Mexico, Sara’s best friend is abducted and Sara is desperate to get her back. Meanwhile, Sara’s brother Emiliano is in love with a wealthy girl and gets roped into Juárez’s dangerous underbelly as a way to find the means to impress her. But when that underbelly targets Sara, the siblings know the only way to escape is across the desert in America.
Feral Youth by Shaun David Hutchinson. 9781481491112. 2017. Gr 10-12.
Zeppelin Bend is an outdoor program designed to help teens turn their lives around. After two weeks of rigorous hiking, camping, and survival training, ten teens are left alone in the wilderness amid a three-day survival test. They need to overcome their differences if they hope to make it back to camp alive.
Game Change by Joseph Monninger. 9780544531222. 2017. Gr 9-12.
Zeb quietly spends his days working in his uncle’s auto repair shop, deer hunting on weekends, and sitting on the bench of his high school’s football team watching the star quarterback perform. Then just before the state championship game, the quarterback is injured and Zeb is forced to step up. With the pressure on and a chance at a college scholarship at stake, Zeb’s future relies on his actions over the course of seven fateful days.
Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart. 9780385744775. 2017. Gr 9-12.
Jule is a chameleon and liar who conned her way into the inner circle of Imogen—a wealthy heiress and runaway—in order to escape from her dark past. But a series of dangerous events leads the friendship to be tested.
I Hate Everyone But You by Gaby Dunn & Allison Raskin. 9781250129321. 2017. Gr 10-12.
Ava and Gen are determined to stay best friends even as they leave high school for college on opposite sides of the country. To stay close, the young women text and email constantly, updating each other on their roommates, classes, dates, mental health, and burgeoning sexuality. But as each matures and settles into her new life, they wonder if their friendship will be able to survive the distance.
If There’s No Tomorrow by Jennifer L. Armentrout. 9780373212224. 2017. Gr 9-12.
Lena is looking forward to friend-time during her senior year of high school until a split-second decision to let a drunk friend drive results in tragedy. Racked with guilt, she pushes away her friends, even her long-time crush who has just become something more, and tries to learn how to forgive herself.
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. 9780735224292. 2017. Gr 10-Adult.
In a perfect community based on rules, order, and conformity, a single mother named Mia and her daughter Pearl rent a house from the Richardsons. As the Richardson children become close to Mia and Pearl, Elena Richardson begins to suspect the motives of this woman who goes against the grain, and who possesses a dark secret. And after family friends enter into a fierce custody dispute over an adopted Chinese American child, pitting Mia and Elena against each other, Elena decides to investigate Mia’s secrets—with devastating effects.
Neighborhood Girls by Jessie Ann Foley. 9780062571854. 2017. Gr 9-12.
When Wendy’s father is sent to prison for a year for being a crooked cop, the shame hovering over her is almost unbearable. She finds some relief from the gossip and physical attacks she’s endured by joining a popular group of girls who have a reputation that is both admired and feared. Struggling with peers and trying to acclimate to the changes at home, Wendy clings to her new friends whose guidance is as skewed as her own.
Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman. 9781481487726. 2017. Gr 7-12.
Kiko has always felt like an outsider by her mother and her small town because of her mixed-race heritage. Now her only friend has left for college and Kiko, who did not get accepted to the art school she dreamed of attending, feels she’ll be stuck in her town forever. She deals with her social anxiety and memories of abuse through her art, until a chance meeting gives her hope.
Too Shattered for Mending by Peter Brown Hoffmeister. 9780553538052. 2017. Gr 9-12.
Trying to cope with his dysfunctional family, a learning disability, and the fact that his older brother is in prison, Gavin “Little” McCardell tries to figure out the secrets of his small Idaho town. When his grandfather disappears, the cops are too interested, especially the sheriff who starts blackmailing Little. His friends are working through their own problems, and the revelation of Little’s own secret could shatter all of them.
Wild Bird by Wendelin Van Draanen. 9781101940440. 2017. Gr 8-12.
Wren has hit rock bottom. Desperate to turn her life around, her parents send her to a wilderness survival camp for eight weeks. Wren’s bitterness and anger do nothing to help her when she arrives at the desert camp. Survival there means she must accept the consequences of her actions and admit that she is responsible for her current situation.
You Bring the Distant Near by Mitali Perkins. 9780374304904. 2017. Gr 7-12.
From 1965 through the present, an Indian American family adjusts to life in New York City, alternately fending off and welcoming challenges to their own traditions.
