Get in the Game: Read by diglib

Youth Services Recommended Reads

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wake county public libraries www.wakegov.com/libraries

Welcome to our annual booklet featuring great summer reads! In honor of this year’s Summer Reading theme, we have chosen some wonderful titles to help you and your family “Get in the Game!” From picture books to young adult books, and from genres such as science fiction to graphic novels we cover a wide variety, so you’re sure to find some books you’ll love!

Bear Can Dance! by Suzanne Bloom E Bloom Goose, bear, and fox are friends through thick and thin. Max and Marla by Alexandra Boiger E Boiger Max and Marla are best friends and aspiring Olympians! With their eyes on the prize, they know exactly what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll take to reach sledding success: preparation, practice and perseverance. The Turnip by Jan Brett E Brett Badger Girl is delighted to find the biggest turnip she has ever seen growing in her vegetable garden, but when the time comes to harvest the giant root, she is unable to pull it up without help from family and friends. Charlie Plays Ball by Ree Drummond E Drummond Charlie the basset hound participates in a variety of sports on the ranch. Tommy Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Stop! by Tom Federle E Federle Tommy has worn out his parents and sister with his bouncing, clomping, and leaping, but when they convince him to try tap dancing, he finds it the perfect outlet for his energy.

Doctor Nice by Valeri Gorbachev E Gorbachev Doctor Nice spends a busy morning helping his patients with various winter ailments, including Moose, who caught cold after falling through the ice, and the goat kids, who have headaches from head-butting while playing hockey. Jake at Gymnastics by Rachel Isadora Toddlers have fun at gymnastics class.

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Little Red Gliding Hood by Tara Lazar E Lazar Little Red is an excellent ice skater, but she will need a good partner for the skating pairs competition and the only one available is a certain Wolf, who needs new skates as badly as Little Red does. Bike on, Bear! by Cynthea Liu E Liu Bear is an extraordinary, genius bear, who can do anything except ride a bike. Can Bear figure out how to get on two wheels? Cat and Bunny by Mary Lundquist E Lundquist Best friends Bunny and Cat have always enjoyed playing alone together, so when others ask to join their favorite game Cat wants to say no, while Bunny’s happy to have everyone play. I’m Cool! by Kate & Jim McMullan E McMullan When the ice is full of cuts and ruts, only one machine has the GUTS to clean it up. But can this slow-movin’ ice fixer smooth the grooves before the next period? Or will he lose his COOL? The timer’s ticking! BUZZZZZZ!

I Am Jackie Robinson by Brad Meltzer E Meltzer Jackie Robinson always loved sports, especially baseball. He could run, leap, and throw better than any other kid around. But he lived at a time when the rules weren’t fair to African Americans: Even though Jackie was a great athlete, he wasn’t allowed on the best teams just because of the color of his skin. Jackie knew that sports were best when everyone, of every color, played together. He became the first black baseball player on a major-league team, and his bravery helped lead the way to equality in all sports in America. And Away We Go! by Miguel Ornia-Blanco E Migy Mr. Fox is going to the moon. Away he goes in his hot air balloon. But wait. Can Elephant come too? Sure! Let’s bring along some pizza. What about Giraffe? And Squirrel? Everyone is welcome in Mr. Fox’s balloon, but look out--a surprise is in store for everyone, too. Walk on the Wild Side by Nicholas Oldland E Oldland There once was a bear, a moose and a beaver who loved adventure. But sometimes their competitive natures got in the way of having fun. Yoga for Kids: Simple Animal Poses for any Age by Lorena Pajalunga E Pajalunga A little boy begins taking yoga lessons at the zoo, where he learns that he can mimic the animals there with simple yoga poses.

How to Share with a Bear by Eric Pinder E Pinder One cold day, Thomas builds a cave of pillows and blankets where he can read, but when he goes to get a flashlight, a young “bear” goes inside and nothing Thomas does discourages the bear from being near him. On the Ball by Brian Pinkney E Pinkney Owen loves soccer, but isn’t the best at playing it. After a particularly disastrous day on the field, Owen is benched. He is feeling so low that he doesn’t notice the ball rolling away from him until it’s too late. In his effort to get it back, he discovers that he has more skills than he realizes. Waddle! Waddle! by James Proimos E Proimos A penguin waddles along, searching for the dancing friend he met yesterday, while encountering other penguins, and a hungry seal on the way. Curious George Joins the Team by H. A. Rey E Rey While on a playdate with his new friend, Tina, who uses a wheelchair, George sees some kids playing basketball and jumps right into the action, but Tina is too shy to join in, even though he knows she is a great player. Big Friends by Linda Sarah E Sarah Birt and Etho are best friends. Together they play outside in big cardboard boxes. Sometimes they’re kings, soldiers, astronauts. Sometimes they’re pirates sailing wild seas and skies. But always, always they’re Big friends. Then one day a new boy arrives, and he wants to join them. Can two become three?

Pig Kahuna: Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that Pig? by Jennifer Sattler E Sattler At the beach, pig brothers Fergus and Dink meet Tallulah, who can whistle, make sand angels, and stand on her head, but while Dink quickly becomes friends with the new pig, Fergus feels a little shy. Race From A to Z by Jon Scieszka E Scieszka Dump trucks, fire trucks, and even garbage trucks join in a race through the streets of Trucktown. Ballet Cat: The Totally Secret Secret by Bob Shea E Shea While Ballet Cat and Sparkles the Pony are trying to decide what to play, they each share an important secret. Where is Jumper? by Ellen Stoll Walsh E Walsh Jumper is missing, and his mouse friends look for him inside the cave and outside, up among the branches and down into moleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tunnel, but still they cannot find him. Dino-Swimming by Lisa Wheeler E Wheeler Plant-eating dinosaurs compete against meat-eating dinosaurs at a swimming meet.

Don’t Throw It to Mo! by Davide Adler ER Adler Mo is the youngest kid on the Robins, his football team. His classmates don’t mind, but the kids on their rival team tease him for being a “butterfingers” who’s too tiny to catch the ball. But Mo’s coach has a plan to turn Mo’s little size into a big win for the Robins! The Berenstain Bears: We Love Soccer! by Mike Berenstain ER Berenstain The Berenstain Bears enjoy playing soccer on a sunny afternoon, but when Mama gets too involved, the cubs take it upon themselves to remind her what the sport is really all about. Henry on Wheels by B. B. Bourne ER Bourne Henry is going on a bike ride all by himself through the neighborhood. What amazing new vehicles will he find? Katy Duck and the Tip-Top Tap Shoes by Alyssa S. Capucilli ER Capucilli When dancing diva Katy Duck meets Alice, she thinks Alice has forgotten her ballet slippers! Instead, Alice is ready to make some noise in a pair of tip-top tap shoes Cubs in a Tub by Molly Coxe ER Coxe Gus and his little brother Russ are glum: their friends have sleds and they don’t. What to do? Make one, of course! Gus and Russ set out on a snowy adventure featuring a faster than expected sled, jumps, bumps, lumps, and when they need her most––Mum (and her delicious hot buttered muffins)!

Scuba-Cat by James Dean ER Dean Pete the Cat is going scuba diving! Before he hits the water, Captain Joe tells him about all the sea creatures he can encounter, and Pete is super excited to see a seahorse. But when he is suited up and swimming around, he has to search high and low to find the little guy. Aaron is a Good Sport by P. D. Eastman ER Eastman Aaron the Alligator loves to play sports - but isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quite an allstar athlete Meet the Dinotrux by Chris Gall ER Gall Introduces the part-dinosaur, part-truck monsters called Dinotrux, including Dozeratops, Digasaurus, Velocitractor, and Tyrannosaurus Trux. Pinkalicious: Soccer Star by Victoria Kann ER Kann Pinkalicious and her soccer team, the Pinksters, play their first game against the Ravens, but when the ball is kicked off the field, Pinkalicious chases it and is picked up by Goldilicious for a trip around the world. Clara and Clem Under the Sea by Ethan Long ER Long Clara and Clem are off on an adventure under the sea! The two swim with dolphins, hug a shark, and even find buried treasure. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s go! Hot Rod Hamster Meets his Match! by Cynthia Lord ER Lord When Hamster and his friends go looking for some cool, wet, wild fun at the Water Kingdom waterpark, Hamster and his new friend, Holly, challenge two dogs to a race down the waterslide. Can they win?

Just a Special Day by Mercer Mayer ER Mayer When Mom and Little Sister go to town, Little Critter and his dad share a day of fun involving playing games, meeting new friends, and preparing a special surprise for their return home. Playdates Are Not Scary! by Kara McMahon ER McMahon Today is a big day for Friday the Scaredy Cat! Friday has his very first playdate with a nice orange cat named Mushy. There is just one problem—Friday is scared of playdates! Panda School by Ellie O’Ryan ER Oryan When Po is in charge of training the Furious Five, it’s more like a vacation for the team, but when the Croc Bandits find a trainer of their own, Po realizes it’s time for the team to step up their game. Amelia Bedelia by the Yard by Herman Parish ER Parish Amelia Bedelia’s mother loves garage sales so much, she decides to have one herself! But Amelia Bedelia loves her garage and does not want to sell it, so she and her parents decide to call it a yard sale instead. People come from all over the neighborhood to buy Amelia Bedelia and her parents’ old things, and one woman even buys the yard!” Make a Trade, Charlie Brown! by Charles Schultz ER Peanuts Springtime means it’s baseball season, and Charlie Brown wants this to be the year his team finally wins a game! Charlie Brown’s only option is to make some trades to improve his team. But will Charlie Brown trade his beloved beagle just to win a ball game?

Hamster Holmes: On the right track by Albin Sadar ER Sadar Hamster Holmes and his firefly sidekick, Dr. Watt, find a trail of clues in an inventor’s workshop. Splat the Cat Makes Dad Glad by Alissa Heyman ER Scotten When Dad’s team loses a soccer game, Splat decides to cheer up his dad by entering them in a father-son six-legged race at the Cat School Picnic. The race doesn’t go the way Splat hoped, but he still makes his dad very, very glad. What This Story Needs Is a Pig in a Wig by Emma Virjan ER Virjan Illustrations and rhyming text introduce an increasing, then decreasing, cast of characters sharing a boat in a moat with a pig in an enormous wig. A Big Guy Took My Ball! by Mo Willems ER Willems Piggie is devastated when a big guy takes her ball! Gerald is big, too...but is he big enough to help his best friend? Oh the Things You Can Do That Are Good For You! by Tish Rabe ER 613 Rabe The Cat in the Hat takes children to the Feeling Great Clinic, where they learn about exercise, germs, healthy eating, and playing safely. Indy Cars by Kate Riggs ER 629.228 Riggs A kindergarten-level introduction to Indy cars, covering their speed, drivers, role in racing sports, and such defining features as their wings.

Lola Levine is not Mean by Monica Brown J Brown Second-grader Lola is teased and forbidden to play team sports at recess for having accidentally hurt classmate Juan during a soccer game. Beast Keeper by Lucy Coats J Coats Eleven-year-old Demon had never met his father, the god Pan, until the day he was whisked away to the stables of Olympus and charged with looking after all of the mythical creatures there. Bramble and Maggie: Horse Meets Girl by Jessie Haas J Haas Bramble the horse gets bored giving riding lessons, but regains her enthusiasm when she goes to live with a girl named Maggie. Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream by Jenny Han J Han Korean American fourth-grader Clara Lee longs to be Little Miss Apple Pie. Tales of Bunjitsu Bunny by John Himmelman J Himmelman Although she can throw farther, kick higher, and hit harder than anyone else at school, Isabel, aka Bunjitsu Bunny, never hurts another creature, unless she has to.

Written and Drawn by Henrietta by Liniers Graphic Novel J Liniers When Henriettaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother gives her a box of colored pencils, she sets out to draw a terrifying and fantastic adventure. Jelly Bean by Cynthia Lord J Lord Suzannah volunteers at a local pet shelter and plays with the dogs and cats there--but when a child whose family is moving brings in her pet guinea pig, Jelly Bean, Suzannah promises that she will find him the perfect home. Marty McGuire by Kate Messner J Messner When tomboy Marty is cast as the princess in the thirdgrade play, she learns about improvisation, which helps her become more adaptable. Rescue on the Oregon Trail by Kate Messner J Messner Ranger, a golden retriever, unearths a mysterious box and finds himself transported back to the year 1850 where his faithful service is really needed by a family traveling west along the Oregon Trail. Louise Trapeze is Totally 100% Fearless by Micol Ostow J Ostow Six-year-old Louise Trapeze lives at the circus and canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to fly on the trapeze until she discovers that she is afraid of heights. 8 Class Pets + 1 Squirrel [divided by] 1 Dog = Chaos by Vivian Vande Velde J Vande Velde A dog chases a squirrel into an elementary school one night, creating monumental chaos.

Hilo : The Boy Who Crashed to Earth by Judd Winick Graphic Novel J Winick When a mysterious boy falls from the sky, friends D.J. and Gina must discover the secrets of his identity and help him save the world. Secret Coders by Gene Luen Yang Graphic Novel J Yang Hopper and Eni attend an elite school where enterprising students are challenged to solve a variety of clues and puzzles using computer programming.

The Zero Degree Zombie Zone by Patrik Henry Bass J Bass Fourth-grader Bakari Katari Johnson is having a really bad day--class bullies Tariq and Keisha are mad at him, his best friend Wardell has nominated him for hall monitor, a pack of ice zombies from a frozen world are demanding he return the magic ring that Keisha has, and somehow he has to find a way to save the school. Soar by Joan Bauer J Bauer Moving to Hillcrest, Ohio, when his adoptive father accepts a temporary job, twelve-year-old Jeremiah, a heart transplant recipient, has sixty days to find a baseball team to coach. The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier J Brallier After a monster apocalypse hits town, average thirteenyear-old Jack Sullivan builds a team of friends to help slay the eerily intelligent monster known as Blarg.

The Bubble Wrap Boy by Phil Earle J Earle Social outcast Charlie Han searches for a talent to improve his popularity, but when he discovers skateboarding, much to the disapproval of his overprotective mother, he also uncovers a huge family secret. Escape from Mr. Lemoncelloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Library by Chris Grabenstein J Grabenstein Kyle gets to stay overnight in the new town library, designed by his hero (the famous gamemaker Luigi Lemoncello), with other students but finds that come morning he must work with friends to solve puzzles in order to escape.

Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson Graphic Novel J Jamison A graphic novel adventure about a girl who discovers roller derby right as she and her best friend are growing apart. The Contract by Derek Jeter J Jeter In Kalamazoo, Michigan, eight-year-old Derek Jeter, who dreams of playing for the New York Yankees, learns what it takes to be a champion on and off the field. Elvis and the Underdogs by Jenny Lee J Lee All his life Benji has been sickly and he has long been targeted by the school bully, but after a seizure Benji gets a therapy dog that is not only big enough to protect him, it can also talk. Project Alpha by D. J. MacHale J MacHale Eight boys and girls compete for a spot on the space voyage that will search for a source to solve Earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s energy crisis.

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin J Raskin The mysterious death of an eccentric millionaire brings together an unlikely assortment of heirs who must uncover the circumstances of his death before they can claim their inheritance.

Friday Barnes, Girl Detective by R. A. Spratt J Spratt A genius girl detective discovers her ultra exclusive boarding school is a hotbed of crime, from missing homework and stolen lemon tarts to a mysterious yeti haunting the school swamp. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead J Stead As her mother prepares to be a contestant on the 1980s television game show, “The $20,000 Pyramid,” a New York City girl tries to make sense of a series of mysterious notes received from an anonymous source that seems to defy the laws of time and space. Hamster Princess: Harriet the Invincible by Ursula Vernon J Vernon Harriet becomes an adventurer after learning she is cursed to fall into a deep sleep on her twelfth birthday. Pie by Sarah Weeks J Weeks After the death of Polly Portman, whose award-winning pies put the town of Ipswitch, Pennsylvania, on the map in the 1950s, her devoted niece Alice is going to extremes to find Aunt Polly’s secret pie crust recipe. President of the Whole Fifth Grade by Sherri Winston J Winston To gain leadership skills needed to run a cupcake-baking empire when she grows up, Brianna runs for president of the fifth grade--expecting little competition--until a new girl enters the race.

The Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman by Meg Wolitzer J Wolitzer Twelve-year-olds Duncan Dorfman, April Blunt, and Nate Saviano meet at the Youth Scrabble Tournament where they realize that something more important is at stake than the grand prize. Josh Baxter Levels Up by Gavin Brown J Brown When Josh Baxterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother takes away the video games that have become his refuge because of his poor grades, he realizes he has to come up with a new strategy for success.

Popular a Memoir: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek by Maya Van Wagenen Nonfiction YA 155.5 Van Wagenen Stuck at the bottom of the social ladder, Maya Van Wagenen decided to begin a unique social experiment: spend the school year following a 1950s popularity guide Does My Head Look Big in This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah YA Abdel-Fattah Sixteen-year-old Amal makes the decision to start wearing the hijab full- time and everyone has a reaction. The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall by Katie Alender YA Alender Cordelia and her family move into a former insane asylum the locals call Hysteria Hall--unfortunately the house does not want defiant girls like Delia. The Crossover by Kwame Alexander YA Alexander Twin basketball stars Josh and Jordan wrestle with highs and lows on and off the court as their father ignores his declining health.

The Eye of Minds by James Dashner YA Dashner Michael, a skilled gamer in a world of advanced technology, is called upon to seek out a cyber-terrorist threatening players. The Leveller by Julia Durango YA Durango Nixy Bauer, a sixteen-year-old self-made video-game bounty hunter, gets in over her head when she attempts to rescue a game developer’s son from a virtual trap. Court of Fives by Kate Elliott YA Elliot Jess must rely on her skill at Fives, an intricate, multi-level athletic competition that offers a chance for glory, to protect her family. Buzz Kill by Beth Fantaskey YA Fantaskey Millie joins forces with her classmate, gorgeous but mysterious Chase Colton, to try to uncover who murdered head football coach “Hollerin’ Hank” Killdare--and why. The Walk On by John Feinstein YA Feinstein Alex Myers is happy to win a spot on the varsity team as a quarterback but must deal with the idea of not playing for two years since the first-string quarterback is not only a local hero, he is also the son of the corrupt head coach. Vigilante Poets of Selwyn Academy by Kate Hattemer YA Kate Hattemer When a sleazy reality television show takes over Ethan’s arts academy, he and his friends concoct an artsy plan to take it down.

Losers Take All by David Klass YA Klass At a sports-crazy NJ high school where all kids must play on a team, a group of rebels start a soccer team designed to undermine the jock-culture of the school The Art of Secrets by James Klise YA Klise When some quirky art donated to a school fundraising effort to help a Pakistani American family, victims of a possible hate crime, is revealed to be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, adults and teenagers alike debate who should get the money and begin to question each other’s motivations. Epic by Conor Kostick YA Kostic On New Earth, a world based on a video role-playing game, fourteen-year-old Erik persuades his friends to aid him in some unusual gambits in order to save Erik’s father from exile and safeguard the futures of each of their families. Randoms by David Liss YA Liss A 12-year-old boy is chosen to join a four-person applicant team to work towards membership in the Confederation of United Planets, and stumbles across conspiracies resembling science fiction he’s been a fan of his entire life. Soundless by Richelle Mead YA Mead When her village is suddenly in danger, Fei finds herself on a journey from the peak of her jagged mountain village to the valley of Beiguo, where a startling truth and an unlikely romance will change her life forever The Trouble with Destiny by Lauren Morrill YA Morrill A high school drum major must save her school band and navigate romantic disasters when their cruise ship gets stranded at sea.

Keepers of the Labyrinth by Erin E. Moulton YA Moulton Lil Bennett goes to Crete to find answers about the circumstances of her mother’s death, and there finds herself entangled in an adventure of mythical proportions. Juba! by Walter Dean Myers YA Myers In Five Points, New York, in the 1840s, African American teenager William Henry “Juba” Lane works hard to achieve his dream of becoming a professional dancer but his real break comes when he is invited to perform in England. Darius & Twig by Walter Dean Myers YA Myers Two best friends, a writer and a runner, deal with bullies, family issues, social pressures, and their quest for success coming out of Harlem Riders by Veronica Rossi YA Rossi Recovering from the accident that most definitely killed him, Gideon finds himself with strange new powers and a bizarre cuff he can’t remove. Blood Guard by Carter Roy YA Roy Thirteen-year-old Ronan Truelove learns that he is a member of the Blood Guard, a secret society sworn to protect the pure, and must use his skills to save his kidnapped father, the girl of his dreams, and the world. Tesla’s Attic by Neal Shusterman YA Shusterman With a plot combining science and the supernatural, four kids are caught up in a dangerous plan concocted by the eccentric inventor, Nikola Tesla.

Geek Girl by Holly Smale YA Smale When she is accidentally discovered by a modeling agent, fifteen-year-old Harriet jumps at the chance to transform herself from a geek to a fashion model. The Beast of Cretacea by Todd Strasser YA Strasser Young Ishmael awakens aboard a ship on an unpolluted faraway planet where he harvests resources for a depleted Earth before witnessing his captain’s growing obsession with a great sea creature. The Night Parade by Kathryn Tanquary YA Tanquary During summer vacation thirteen-year-old Saki Yamamoto unintentionally invokes a death curse at her old family graveyard and now she must enter the dangerous spirit world of the Night Parade. YOLO Juliet by Brett Wright YA Wright The classic Shakespeare play told through its characters texting with emojis, checking in at certain locations, and updating their relationship statuses Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon YA Yoon The story of a teenage girl who’s literally allergic to the outside world. When a new family moves in next door, she begins a complicated romance that challenges everything she’s ever known. Nimona by Noelle Stevenson Graphic Novel YA Nimona Lord Blackheart, a villain with a vendetta, and his sidekick, Nimona, an impulsive young shapeshifter, must prove to the kingdom that Sir Goldenloin and the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics aren’t the heroes everyone thinks they are.