If you’re looking for new books to read this Fall, Calgary Public Library has you covered! With a collection of nearly 1.4 million items - including books, digital books, and audiobooks - there are titles for all ages and interests. Not sure where to start? Children’s librarian Allison Streit shares her top book picks for preschoolers, school-aged readers, and tweens. Use your free Calgary Public Library card to sign out these titles or find a cozy reading nook inside our 21 libraries to enjoy a fresh Fall read.
Preschoolers
The Happy Book by Andy Rash. If you’re looking for a book about feelings, Andy Rash’s lovely new book is for you. The Happy Book helps to explain different emotions, from happy and sad to angry and frustrated. With fun illustrations, it’s a great book for parents and children to read together.
Tomorrow Most Likely by Dave Eggers. Instead of thinking about going to bed (because who wants to do that?), this book explores all the wonderful and fun things that kids could do tomorrow. It’s fun and silly and will help convince preschoolers that going to bed is worth all of the trouble. Tomorrow Most Likely is written by Dave Eggers, a celebrated novelist best known for his semi-fictional memoir, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius.
How to Read a Book by Kwame Alexander. Newbery Medal-winning author and poet Kwame Alexander has created a book about what it’s like for children to first read a book they really love. This imaginative and passionate book is a story for all book-lovers, young and old alike.
School-aged
The Friendship War by Andrew Clements. From the author of the classic kids’ book Frindle, this great read is focused on the fight between two best friends in Grade 6. It’s a perfect pick for late elementary school readers, especially those who are starting to deal with the complexities of friendship.
Katt vs. Dogg by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein. It’s dogs versus cats in this tale by famed author James Patterson. When two avowed enemies find themselves lost in the woods, they quickly figure out they have a better chance of survival when they work together. Kids will love the funny antics of the main characters and the adventures they have along the way.
Tweens
To Night Owl from Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan and Meg Wolitzer. When their single dads fall in love, Avery and Brett are sent away to the same sleepaway camp, so they can bond, become friends - and maybe even sisters one day. Unfortunately, they couldn’t be more opposite! There’s a great theme of ‘love finds a way’ throughout this book, plus it’s an awesome read for kids with LGBQT parents.
Girl Gone Viral by Arvin Ahmadi. In this tech-based mystery, teen coder Opal is given the chance to make a big splash in the virtual reality world, as well as find out what happened to her father who mysteriously disappeared 10 years earlier. This is a great choice for tweens interested in social media, tech, and coding - or just a good mystery.
Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams. This gorgeous book features 13-year-old Genesis. She’s struggling: She had to move in with her grandmother and start at a new school, all while dealing with self- esteem issues. But maybe this new school, as well as time with her grandmother, can help her to find the things inside herself that she does like. Tweens naturally struggle with self-esteem and self-consciousness, and Williams explores these elements in a way that is helpful to both tweens and parents of tweens.
Now that you have some great suggestions to choose from, what’s your kid’s next read?
Calgary Public Library’s strong and growing system of 21 libraries serves more than 722,000 members. A free Library card gives you access to books, programs, online resources, Early Learning Centres, printing, meeting rooms, plus much more. Visit calgarylibrary.ca to sign up and see what’s on at the Library.
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