The Night Before Kindergarten

Natasha Wing

A perfect back-to-school read! There are several in this series covering First Grade, Second Grade, picture day, and the 100th day of school. If your little one has nerves about starting school or a new grade, these are wonderful to read in the weeks leading up to the first day.

The Scoop on Ice Cream

Bonnie Williams

Still enjoying ice cream to beat the Houston heat? This fun story covers the history of everyone's favorite summer treat. Pair it with a trip to your favorite local ice cream shop for a taste test. A book that doubles as a fun outing? Yes please.

Ice Cream Man

Glenda Armand

Because you truly cannot read enough about ice cream! Historical picture books are a wonderful way to introduce kids to stories from the past without a deep dive into any subject. Don't forget the Fairbanks Library has a fantastic nonfiction picture book selection to browse.

Spaghetti Head & Chicken Fingers

Rhett and Link

For the picky eaters! This story takes "you are what you eat" completely literally. Two friends who only eat one thing each wake up to find they've got food for fingers and hair. A fun way to turn mealtime frustration into something silly that just might nudge habits in the right direction.

The Hobbit

J.R.R. Tolkien

A classic every middle schooler should experience. Adventure, friendship, dragons, and confidence all come together in this timeless story. Finish the book, then kick off the school year with a movie marathon of the film adaptations.

🎬 There's also a performance at MATCH Theater for Youth in Houston coming in January!

The Beautiful Game

Yamile Saied Mendez

A wonderful pick for any tween caught up in the World Cup soccer frenzy! This story follows a thirteen year old soccer star who faces a tough moment at a huge game and has to rebuild her confidence. A meaningful and empowering read for tweens navigating big changes.

The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy

Angela Cervantes

The perfect mystery for your futbol-loving tween! Diez Espada is on a mission to figure out who stole the World Cup Trophy. Mysteries are fantastic for building critical thinking skills as kids piece together clues and race to figure out whodunnit before the final page.

A Curious Kind of Magic

Mara Rutherford

For your magic-loving teen! An adventurous story about a young girl on a quest to save her father's shop and break her curse, with themes of friendship, love, and bravery woven throughout.

Note: Fantasy with some romantic subject matter. Please review before sharing with your teen.

When the Moon Hits Your Eye

John Scalzi

A low-stakes, quick-read sci-fi novel told through multiple perspectives across America when the moon suddenly seems to turn into cheese. This was a recent book club pick and even non-sci-fi readers found it totally enjoyable. Several members went on to read other books by the same author.

🌙 Book club approved!