Early Chapter Books

Freedom fire book cover

Freedom fire

Daniel José Older

jFICTION Older Daniel
Kids, Fiction, Fantasy, Early Chapter Books

Magdalys Roca and her friends from the Colored Orphan Asylum are heading southwest on the back of Stella, the giant pteranodon, to find Montez, her brother, wounded during the siege of Vicksburg; now they are heading into the heart of the fighting, depending on Magdalys' ability to communicate telepathically with dinosaurs--but one of the companions is not quite what she seems, and Magdalys's talent could make her a target for both sides.

Angie's picture

Fans of the acclaimed first Dactyl Hill chapter book will rejoice for the thrilling second book in the series! Background notes elaborate on the story’s elements. Intelligent, rousing, and abundantly diverse, this is every bit as satisfying as the first installment. Ages 8–12. -Angie

A case in any case book cover

A case in any case

Ulf Nilsson

jFICTION Nilsson Ulf
Kids, Early Chapter Books, Mystery, Fiction

When Detective Gordon retires and Buffy is left alone at the police station, she hears strange noises and decides to call on Gordon to help her with the mystery.

Anne W's picture

Sweet, gentle, yet hilariously funny Swedish frog detective and his deputy mouse solve sweet, gentle mysteries in the forest. -Anne W

To Night Owl from Dogfish book cover

To Night Owl from Dogfish

Holly Goldberg Sloan

jFICTION Sloan Holly
Early Chapter Books

Unhappy about being sent to the same summer camp after their fathers start dating, Bett and Avery, two girls, age eleven, eventually begin scheming to get the couple back together after a break-up. Told entirely through letters, emails and text messages.

Mari's picture

This was a great summer read. An epistolary "Parent Trap" story told through the email communication of two 12 year-old girls, adventurous Bett Devlin from California, and neurotic Avery Bloom from New York. After their dads fall in love at a work conference, sisterly friendship is forced upon the girls at a STEM camp in Michigan for the summer while their fathers travel together. I was pleasantly surprised by the twists thrown in and loved the characters! -Mari

The princess in black book cover

The princess in black

Shannon Hale

jFICTION Hale Shannon
Early Chapter Books

Hiding her secret identity as a monster-fighting superhero, Princess Magnolia interrupts her fancy tea with the unsuspecting Duchess Wigtower to stop a big blue monster from endangering her kingdom's goats.

Casey's picture

This is not your typical princess! Get ready to fight crime and save the kingdom with Princess Magnolia. -Casey