When Hector and his mom leave their San Francisco home, the 12-year-old becomes an outsider, bullied because of his dramatic flair and love of theater. He takes refuge from his tormenters in a janitor’s closet where he meets two other outsiders — from different schools in different states. The contemporary fantasy is heartwarming with a gratifying conclusion.
The Insiders
Everyone knows that garlic repels vampires and so it falls to Garlic to rid her vegetable community of the newcomer. This delightfully illustrated tale with anthropomorphized plants with a kindly witch is more charming than spooky concluding with very satisfying if unexpected friendships.
Garlic and the Vampire
It all started when a king learned of that a girl would unseat him and change the world. How a girl, a monk, and a goat named Answelica come together for a riveting tale handsomely illustrated to create a medieval world in which the unexpected can and does occur.
The Beatryce Prophecy
When 12-year-old Aidan returns home after missing for 6 days, how will he explain that he’s been in a Narnia-like place called Avenieu? Confronted with relief followed by anger, Aidan’s journey is told by Lucas, Aidan’s 11-year-old brother. This fascinating exploration of what happens when one person’s reality conflicts with another is taut and convincingly told.
The Mysterious Disappearance of Aidan S. (as told to his brother)
When Cece’s sister, Juana, is kidnapped by a bride-stealing criatura, Cece is determined to get her back even if it means pretending that she’s a dark witch. This slightly dark, taut, and gripping novel is imbued with Mexican lore, told in a cadence that evokes the desert setting.
Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls
A boat sets out for a sea voyage that evolves intriguingly and abstractly. Highly detailed black/white illustrations call to mind Escher’s impossible but riveting creations in this surreal adventure by a Dutch artist. Fans of Shaun Tan will appreciate this sophisticated and unique book.
The Wanderer
A curse prevents the Widdershin sisters from leaving their home in a dreary town on an island called Crowstone. The curse kicks in when one sister inevitably leaves, and the girls must rely on each other — and magic — to reverse it. This is a fast-paced and fun fantasy.
A Pinch of Magic
Set in a futuristic fictionalized Thailand, run by a powerful Governor, Pong has spent his life in prison. He escapes but is pursued by Nok, the Warden’s daughter. Themes seen in Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables are freshly presented in a wholly original setting and vivid period in this riveting and accessible novel.
A Wish in the Dark
Magical mayhem begins when Emily goes in search of her parents, finding instead an alternate London. Today’s London is in danger from the “other” London, and protected by an enchantment in which both parents play a part. This is a funny, fast, and accessible fantasy.
The Midnight Hour
A boy is not happy about moving but while exploring his new home, he finds a large roll top desk. There he discovers imaginative, surprising stories. The Argentinian author/illustrator has created a memorable fantasy juxtaposing the real world and extraordinary adventures held in the found journal. Surreal illustrations are presented in sequential art, calling to mind a graphic novel.
When You Look Up
Her mother disappeared when Matilda “Tilly” Pages was just a baby. Since then she has lived with her grandparents in their London bookstore, Pages & Co. At the start of the midterm break, Tilly discovers a special talent: she is a bookwanderer which allows her to meet characters from her favorite books like Anne (of Green Gables) and Alice (in Wonderland). In this riveting, well-told tale, other characters from classics come alive. The conclusion is satisfying while pointing to forthcoming stories.
Pages and Co.: The Bookwanderers
Lalani and her mother live on Sanlagita, an island under constant threat from the mountain Isa. Lalani’s quest begins when her mother falls gravely ill. Steeped in Filipino lore, this is a riveting fantasy, enhanced by evocative illustrations in a handsome format. Lalani confronts and overcomes all odds for a satisfying conclusion.
Lalani of the Distant Sea
Monsters are found around the world, in book and in folktales. They are scary or silly, well-known or unfamiliar. With a red cellophane lens, find hidden critters on the large pages. Meet monsters that come from caves and mountains, to those that come in the night. There are even monster parts and pieces presented that can be used to inspire new creations.
Monsters: A Magic Lens Hunt for Creatures of Myth, Legend, Fairy Tale, and Fiction
A sterling storyteller and wonderful writer with a word-spinning pen turn Captain Rottingbones and his word-pilfering pirates into fantabulous farmers. Lush language and humorous illustrations capture the zany story which demands to be shared aloud. This is a fitting homage to this creative team’s friend (author and storyteller Margaret Mahy) and may lead readers to find additional tales.
The Word Pirates
Catrina and her family are moving to the coast of Northern California because her little sister, Maya, is sick. Cat isn’t happy about leaving her friends for Bahía de la Luna, but Maya has cystic fibrosis and will benefit from the cool, salty air that blows in from the sea. As the girls explore their new home, a neighbor lets them in on a secret: There are ghosts in Bahía de la Luna. Maya is determined to meet one, but Cat wants nothing to do with them. As the time of year when ghosts reunite with their loved ones approaches, Cat must figure out how to put aside her fears for her sister’s sake – and her own.
Ghosts
Polly and her magic book, Spell (first introduced in Polly and the Magic Book (opens in a new window)) are back for another magical adventure. What Polly writes in Spell comes true, just not always as she intended. Magical, madcap adventure follows in this generously illustrated and engaging second book about Polly and the power of writing.
Polly Diamond and the Super Stunning Spectacular School Fair
Dragons from the East are significantly different from those of the West. But Gondra is the offspring of a dad from the East and a mother from the West and has characteristics from both. Lush, often humorous illustrations complement the story and show characterizations of both eastern and western dragons.
Gondra’s Treasure
Princess Violet is plain, reckless, and possibly too clever for her own good. Particularly when it comes to telling stories. One day she and her best friend, Demetrius, stumble upon a hidden room and find a peculiar book. A forbidden book. A different kind of fairy tale, about the power of stories, our belief in them, and how one enchanted tale changed the course of an entire kingdom.
Iron Hearted Violet
Warring nations, mysterious stone figures, and the running thread that magic is alive and dangerous all add to the gripping cnarrative of two children who find strength and ingenuity from being pushed out of their comfort zones. Áine, the daughter of the Bandit King, is haunted by her mother’s last words: “The wrong boy will save your life, and you will save his.”
The Witch’s Boy
Twelve-year-old Jerome is shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real threat. As a ghost, he observes the devastation that’s been unleashed on his family and community. Jerome meets another ghost: Emmett Till, a boy from a very different time but similar circumstances. Emmett takes Jerome on a journey towards recognizing how historical racism may have led to the events that ended his life.
Ghost Boys
Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There’s no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan, again. Crenshaw is a cat. He’s large, he’s outspoken, and he’s imaginary. He has come back into Jackson’s life to help him.
Crenshaw
Byx is the youngest member of her dairne pack. Believed to possess remarkable abilities, her mythical doglike species has been hunted to near extinction in the war-torn kingdom of Nedarra. After her pack is hunted down and killed, Byx fears she may be the last of her species. The Endling. So Byx sets out to find safe haven, and to see if the legends of other hidden dairnes are true.
Endling
This tale is told by a tree named Red, a red oak who is “two hundred and sixteen rings old.” Touching on bigotry and the environment, Applegate keeps the emphasis on her characters, the many animals and birds who find shelter in the tree’s branches all year round.
Wishtree
Alberto lives in a remote town called Allora. After his family is gone, Alberto is lonely until he rescues a desperate boy. They share a folktale and see it come true in this evocative store with elements of magic realism.