Kids Staff Picks (August 2025)Like this list

12 items

• Big Family Beach Day

  Crews, Nina,

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  “We are going to the beach today!” Maya and her cousins, aunts, uncles, grandma, and mom are headed to the shore with pails, snorkels, and plenty of sunscreen. Splash in the surf, dig a deep hole, tread water, and explore more beach activities to…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Candle Island

  Wolk, Lauren, 1956-

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  Privacy is the official reason that 12-year-old Lucretia (Lucy) Sanderson and her artist mother give for moving to a remote island off the coast of Maine. They are still mourning the sudden and tragic death of Lucy’s father. And journalists are…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Fireworks

  Burgess, Matthew,

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  From strolling in the park to snacking on watermelon, two siblings make the most of a hot summer day in the city. But the real magic starts at sundown when the “pop!” “zing!” and “tizzle-ting!” of 4th of July fireworks lights up the night sky.…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Hurricane

  Chin, Jason, 1978-

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  “A storm is raging over the Atlantic Ocean. Its terrible winds whip up waves taller than houses. Torrents of rain pummel the water’s surface. Lightning and thunder split the sky. A weather buoy measures 85 miles-per-hour winds. This is no ordinary…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• I Got You

  a Brother's Promise

  Barnes, Derrick,

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  “True story: The first person that I remember seeing the very first time I opened my eyes was my big brother, Anthony.” As Rasheed prepares to become a big brother for the first time, he reflects on all of the ways his big brother Anthony has looked…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Kaya Morgan's Crowning Achievement

  Tew, Jill,

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  At Brightcastle Renaissance Faire you can cosplay as the character of your dreams: a pirate, a jester, a fairy, an archer, a knight! But for Kaya Morgan there is only one dream: to be crowned Queen of Brightcastle. A dream that her late father,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Next to Me

  Salmieri, Daniel, 1983-

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  “After my school day is done/ I see PEPPER/ Next to PEANUT/ Next to MAMA!” From the end of the school day to bedtime tuck-in, follow our young narrator and keep your eyes open. Can you find the walking person? How about the wheelbarrow? And where is…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Night Light

  Emberley, Michael,

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  It’s nighttime in the city. A child is cozying up with a bedtime book when - flick! - the lights go off because of a blackout. Their parent finds a flashlight, but it’s still too dark. No worries, they have another solution! But you guessed it, now…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Octavio and His Glasses

  Rossell, Marc González,

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  After a visit to the doctor’s office, Octavio receives a pair of glasses that open up a whole new world. High contrast black-and-yellow illustrations of aliens, monsters, good guys and bad guys all come into sharp, new focus for a surprise ending…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Sea Legs

  Bakes, Jules,

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  Big changes can be hard on friendships. If you have the experience of moving to a new neighborhood or a new school, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s not impossible, but it can take some extra work! Now imagine living in a home that…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Summer of the Bone Horses

  Sneve, Virginia Driving Hawk,

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  Eddie had never heard of bone horses until the summer he stayed with his grandparents on their Sioux reservation. Eddie’s homesick at first, but as he spends time helping with the farm, playing, fishing, and singing, he begins to warm up, have fun…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Words With Wings and Magic Things

  Poems

  Burgess, Matthew,

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  Poetry is a portal into wonder. A diverse assortment of children, animals, and magical creatures frisk across the pages of this book of poetry featuring 49 original poems on a variety of themes, all starting with the letter W. Poetry lovers of all…Read moreRead more of this annotation