stories in and

Smoochy and the Maga

Smoochy and the Maga by Lea Kinley

Okay, okay. I admit I was bored with the tedium of my centuries of work as a magical Familiar. But did I really deserve to be punished with an assignment on Earth of all places? My employer, The Society for the Conservation of Wholeness, tasked me with locating a fellow Familiar that appeared to be working for a destructive wizard . . . which is a big no-no according to our employment contract. While Earth is generally a non-magical, dull, and undesirable location, I never thought Iā€™d have any trouble at all with the assignment . . . until I realized I knew far less about Earth than I needed to and my enemy, the destructive wizard, knew far more than I did. The stakes were high for me for the first time in tens of thousands of years . . . had I finally met my match? Smoochy and the Maga is a fun, fanciful, and charming middle-grade urban fantasy novel by introductory author, Lea Kinley. The perfect cozy fantasy for tweens, teens, and the young at heart. Recommended for grade five and up or ages 9 and up.


The Hat

The Hat by Darya Lenkou

The book introduces young readers to the story of Charlie Chaplin, one of the most famous comedians in history. It is written in a way more suitable for children to read and learn about Charlie Chaplin. We all remember him with his favorite iconic bowler hat, mustache, and cane. It`s a story about a little mouse named Charlie who lives in a town in the olden times. Charlie is a lonely mouse with only one little bug friend. The adventure begins when Charlie finds a bowler hat one day, and it helps him discover his talent. The ability to make laugh and be a comedian himself.


The Dragon Hunters

The Dragon Hunters by James Russell

Away across the oceans, where few have dared to roam, upon a wondrous island, a family made its home. Living on an island means life is full of adventure for brothers Flynn and Paddy. So when a dragon swoops out of the sky and nabs their beloved dog, Coco, Flynn and Paddy know it's up to them to bring her home. That night, they pack their bags, make some terrible sandwiches, and set off on an epic adventure... See the map in this book come alive! Includes BONUS Dragon Brothers map in 3D for your phone or tablet! Download the free AR Reads app on your Android--or iOS--compatible smartphone or tablet to see and hear dragons fly, geysers gush, and get a glimpse of your favorite characters in action!


The Revenge of Bridget Cleary

The Revenge of Bridget Cleary by Mathilda Zeller

SPFBO9

Are you a witch, or are you a fairy, or are you the daughter of Bridget Cleary? Exiled for a murder her father committed, Brigid Cleary has until midsummer to gather what she needs for readmission to her home in the fairy mound: a chest of stolen gold and a chest full of her fatherā€™s blood. With nothing but her own wits and an ability to be mostly unseen, she takes a position as a scullery maid in a country manor house, where stealing gold is easy as dusting the candlesticks. When discovery of her thieving becomes likely, she scarpers, embarking on a madcap season in London. With midsummer fast approaching, Brigid must recoup her stolen gold in any way she can, even if it means modeling for a lecherous pre Raphaelite artist, posing as a young debutante to spy on other debutantes, and forming a clandestine Pugilism Club for Young Ladies. With gold filling her pockets and her father newly released from prison, the path back to the fairies should be clear. Or would be, were it not for her growing feelings for Edmund, the gentle young lord who hired her to spy on his sister; her burgeoning sense of loyalty and friendship to Adelaide, the sister upon whom she was meant to spy; and the unsettling question of whether she should--or even could--bloodily avenge her motherā€™s death. Inspired by the actual 1895 murder of Bridget Cleary by her husband Michael, the struggle for Irish Home Rule, and events surrounding the late pre Raphaelite artistic movement, The Revenge of Bridget Cleary has been heralded by author Joanna Ruth Meyer as "equal parts haunting, compelling, and throughtful."


The Blue Mage Raised by Dragons

The Blue Mage Raised by Dragons by Virlyce

Blue mages learn skills from beasts. This is the story of one fortunate enough to be taken in by dragons.


Misfit's Rise

Misfit's Rise by Sara E Tall

A century after the Magi of Earth found sanctuary in an underground Realm, those whose magic is sub-par or are halfbreed outcasts are forced into exile back on Earth. As a powerless Fae/Human hybrid, Billie should fit right in. Except, sheā€™s anything but powerless, making her a misfit among misfits. When her powers nearly destroy a human home, she's given a chance to return. Returning to the Realm has always been Billieā€™s dream, but the Realm is anything but a fairy tale. Despite its claims of acceptance and equality, ancient rivalries between the Realmā€™s magical species are threatening to rip it apart. Billie somehow manages to land herself in the middle, a dangerous place for an outcast to be. Whatā€™s more, the powerful magic that brought her there suddenly vanishes, leaving her vulnerable to the attacks of those who think a misfit doesnā€™t belong in the Realm. Staying in the Realm is her only chance to live life as a true Mage, but staying could cost her life.


4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace

4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace by Johan Twiss

14-year old Aaron Greenburg is trapped in a vegetative state. He's awake and aware of everything around him, but the doctors don't realize it. After being placed in a care facility, he receives a new roommate--an old eccentric jazz musician with dementia. When Aaron talks in his mind to stay sane, the old man hears his thoughts and replies. But no one believes the old man because they think he's crazy. And when the old man thinks he's living in the past with his dementia episodes, it pulls Aaron into those moments in time and he gets to experience 1920's New York City, World War II, and much more as the two develop an unlikely and unique friendship. 4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace is a humorous and heartwarming coming-of-age story, entwined with an end-of-age story, that will capture your imagination and renew your faith in the power of friendship.


Earthking

Earthking by Christopher C. Hall

When a killer strikes from the shadows young prince Colmeron is torn from the comfort of his fatherā€™s castle and sent into hiding with the man he's sure is the traitor. Secluded in a distant refuge, Col comes to know the power of his ancestors, the Earthkings: men with the power to shape and control the land. But will that be enough to save the kingdom when an ancient enemy returns to free their long captive master?


The Cracklock Saga Book 3:  Alice and the Mirror Glass

The Cracklock Saga Book 3: Alice and the Mirror Glass by C A Deegan

Space and time. A recipe for disasterā€¦ A plea for help, long-lost family members, and a shadowy organisation hell-bent on stopping a terrible threat they think is the Fae. Jack and his friends are really in trouble this time. What has Jack's dad really been up to? It's got a lot of people pretty angry. And the Cracklocks have got their hands on something they shouldn't. Something they don't understand. Something that they should have left well alone. And when Fae glamours don't work, what can be done to save the day?


A Dragonbird in the Fern

A Dragonbird in the Fern by Laura Rueckert

When an assassin kills Princess Jiaraā€™s older sister Scilla, her vengeful ghost is doomed to walk their city of glittering canals, tormenting loved ones until the murderer is brought to justice. While the entire kingdom mourns, Scillaā€™s betrothed arrives and requests that seventeen-year-old Jiara take her sisterā€™s place as his bride to confirm the alliance between their countries. ā€‹Marrying the young king intended for her sister and traveling to his distant home is distressing enough, but with dyslexia and years of scholarly struggles, Jiara abandoned any hope of learning other languages long ago. Sheā€™s terrified of life in a foreign land where sheā€™ll be unable to communicate. Then Jiara discovers evidence that her sisterā€™s assassin comes from the kingā€™s own country. If she marries the king, Jiara can hunt the murderer and release her family from Scillaā€™s ghost, whose thirst for blood mounts every day. To save her family, Jiara must find her sisterā€™s killer . . . before he murders her too.


A Girl Named Adam

A Girl Named Adam by Jordan J. Scavone

A Girl Name Adam follows fourth grade best friends, Annie & Adam. But, when Adam starts wearing dresses and changes their name to Addie, all Annie wants is her best friend back.


Awakening: The Communeā€™s Curse Book 1

Awakening: The Communeā€™s Curse Book 1 by Lucy A. McLaren

The Kingdom of Septima is ruled in all but name by the Commune, a ruthless cult that seeks control of an ancient power that has taken root in unsuspecting children in Septima. To maintain their hold on the kingdom, the Commune will stop at nothing to capture children who show signs of this power, to be weaponised or eliminated. 18-year-old Evelyn Folksman is in hiding. Taken in by a tavern-owner, she is haunted by the horrific events that drove her from her home years before. Evelyn is forced to face her past when two wayward children, Raif and Rose Huntsman, arrive at the tavern, pursued by Commune soldiers. The children fall under Evelynā€™s reluctant care as the trio narrowly escape a raid. Relentlessly hunted by Commander Jonah Sulemon and Commune agent Lord Eirik Torrant, Evelyn and Raif cannot fathom why they pose such a threat to the Commune, until six-year-old Rose unwittingly reveals a terrible secret: she possesses powers more fearsome than any the Commune has unearthed in decades. There are only two options: to be captured and imprisoned, or to run for the rest of their lives.


The Problem With Fae

The Problem With Fae by Emma Bradley

A new gift, the next assignment, and a realm full of elitist Fae - beating the Forgotten on their own territory is going to be Demi's biggest challenge yet. For Demi, achieving her dream and becoming a member of Faerie headquarters should be a reason to celebrate. But that was before her new gift started causing problems. Then she's thrown onto her second assignment at Gallows Oak, a realm full of ruthless, trickster Fae. Her task: find and expose the Forgotten 24 club. Simple, except the Forgotten are the enemy and hate half-bloods like her. With a target on her back and no clue where to hunt for the mysterious 24 club, Demi faces controlling her new gift amid the increasing hostilities from those around her. At least this time her best friend Taz will be going with her, even if he is hiding secrets of his own... Welcome to Gallows Oak, Where the Fae always win.


The Trouble With Fairies

The Trouble With Fairies by Emma Bradley

All Demi Darcy dreams of is a new life. Tormented by her human sisters for being born part-fairy, she wants to find somewhere she can truly belong. When she is invited to join Arcanium, one of the most prestigious organisations that oversees all Faerie realms, she believes it's her big chance. But all is not well in Faerie. Despite her best efforts to stay out of trouble, Demi soon stumbles on a plot to murder the Queen by an outcast group of Court Fae. Their goal? Return Faerie to the dark days of old, when humans were used for sport and half-breed fairies were ostracised. Letting the Queen die isnā€™t something Demi's willing to do, but neither is ruining her chance at a new life. A choice must be made, but time is short and life in Faerie soon turns out to be more dangerous than Demi's darkest nightmares.


The Berge Sisters Tour the Neitherswarth

The Berge Sisters Tour the Neitherswarth by J.L. DuRona

Lacey Berge is not happy about being dragged to her late great uncleā€™s mansion in the mountains, especially since her know-it-all stepsister, Cal, is along for the ride. Laceyā€™s dad wants them to bond, but thatā€™s not going to happen! Soon after they arrive, an emergency forces Laceyā€™s dad to leave the two girls on their own. When they take the opportunity to explore, they discover a secret lab, and accidentally let loose a hoard of mischievous creatures into the mansion. Things look grim for Lacey and Cal until they're contacted by an ā€œotherworldly exterminatorā€ who offers to get rid of the creatures for them. The catch? They have to traverse the Neitherswarth, a heinous alternate dimension, to meet him. With Laceyā€™s dad due back soon, the girls will have to put aside their differences and work together to get things back to normal!


Devil's Deal

Devil's Deal by Tessa Hastjarjanto

SFFOasis

When two angels break their deal with the Devil, he comes for the one theyā€™re trying to protect. 16-year-old Eleonora Santos works through the summer break so she can visit her family in Italy when she graduates. With the new school year around the corner, her focus is back on homework and enjoying life with her tight group of friends. But on their first day back, she finds them fawning over two new guys in their classā€”Ben and Danny. Not a day goes by before Noraā€™s life is turned upside down. Her best friend now hates her, and the boys seem eager to get to know her. Despite their charming efforts, sheā€™d rather have her best friend, not a boyfriend. When Nora discovers Ben and Danny are not who they claim to be, and their nefarious deal goes wrong, Nora is caught in the middle. To fix their mistakes, she must face the Devil and betray herselfā€”or pay with her life. Devil's Deal is a YA romance novel with a paranormal twist set in the Dutch fictional city Lakeside. The Infernal Contracts trilogy is perfect for fans of the Twilight Saga, The Vampire Diaries, and Fallen.


Lucifer's Favour

Lucifer's Favour by Tessa Hastjarjanto

SFFOasis

When a demon takes over Hell, you turn to the one you fear the most. After Noraā€™s encounter with Beelzebub she can no longer escape the supernatural worldā€“she is marked for life. The demonā€™s sinister plans will hurt the people she cares about, and the only way to restore order is to track down Lucifer and convince him to reclaim his throne. Lucifer has his own agenda for staying on Earth and faces threats heā€™s never seen before. His escapades draw the attention of Earthly demons, ones he doesnā€™t control, and theyā€™re ready to protect their territory. Nora and her friends must unite and persuade Lucifer while escaping the dangers and temptations of supernaturals. Living on the edge of the mundane world and the supernatural world challenges Nora and her friends to look beyond what they know, and believe.


Tales of Lunis Aquaria

Tales of Lunis Aquaria by Tessa Hastjarjanto

SFFOasis

Lose yourself in the wondrous world of Lunis Aquaria. Explore daunting deserts, treacherous mountains and the deep blue of the Morcain sea. If you enjoy the fairy tales of old you will enjoy this collection of nine short adventure stories. ā€¢ Coming of beasts: A mysterious Lady uses her powers to cultivate the land. When five otherworldly visitors arrive, she gives them a set of powers to aid them on their quest. ā€¢ The sacred maiden: When a young girl's house is raided, she escapes. One thief chases her into the night. Both of them find something they never thought they would. ā€¢ Moon Flower: To win the heart of a girl, a young man sets out to find the most beautiful flower there ever was. He faces the dangers of the mountains, looking for a flower that might not even exist. ā€¢ Thomas and the wolf: A wolf finds a little boy watching a blazing fire in which his family is trapped. The wolf takes the boy to meet the only one he trusts. ā€¢ The witch of Monterra Mountain: The blacksmith's apprentice falls for a woman who's accused of witchcraft. ā€¢ Shepherd's Stick: A scholar ventures into the desert to experience the ghost stories the elders tell to scare the children. He finds much more than just a ghost. ā€¢ Archipelago of Wonder: A fisherman survives a storm and ends up on a tropical island. As he looks for resources to repair his ship, he receives help from an unexpected source. ā€¢ Decapod's Ire: An archer joins a seafaring crew to hunt the creature that destroyed a handful of fishing boats. ā€¢ Lovers through time: A time traveller finds the love of his life in the past and must find a way for them to be together.


Rhonda Wray: Raptor Wrangler

Rhonda Wray: Raptor Wrangler by Charon Dunn

SPSFC 2022

Rhonda Wray: Raptor Wrangler is about a teenage girl who was innocently trying to listen to some live music ā€¦ her favorite boy band happened to be playing a festival on a dinosaur planet ā€¦ when bad things suddenly happened. Now she and her trusty robot are all alone in the wilderness, picking up survival skills and looking for her favorite singer, Sebastian Rose, just in case he needs to be rescued. Thereā€™s hard science, explosions, plenty of dinosaurs (with feathers), diversity, no sex (although there are a few references to it), less violence than many dinosaur stories, cliffhangers galore, and a little bogus science just to honor the fine tradition of speculative fiction (what if raptors had syrinxes and could sing like birds?).


Tracker220

Tracker220 by Jamie Krakover

SPSFC SPSFC 2022

When everyone has a brain-interfacing tracking chip, one glitch threatens the entire network. Sixteen-year-old Kaya Weiss is that glitch. Through thoughts and blinks, Kaya can access anyone or anything on the tracker network. But the authorities monitor everything--where Kaya goes, who she talks to, and what she searches. And without the ability to turn it off, Kaya and her family can't observe a tech-free Shabbat. To fix the glitch, the authorities slice into her skull to reset her tracker, leaving Kaya to question more than the system's invasion into her faith. Kaya won't be a lab rat again. Evading the authorities requires some serious tech skills the rogue underground Ghosts can offer. But Kaya's not sure she can trust them--even if their top tech wiz, Bailen, has interest in her running deeper than her bum tracker. Kaya must decide if gaining freedom is worth losing her tracker's infinite knowledge--because to take down the tracker network, she must betray the only tech she's ever known.


Banneker Bones and the Giant Robot Bees

Banneker Bones and the Giant Robot Bees by Robert Kent

SPSFC

Fifth grader Ellicott Skullworth has always felt out of place at public school and now he's tested into the Archimedes Program at Latimer University. While in Latimer City, heā€™ll be living with his world famous and insane(ly) brilliant cousin, Banneker Bones, the eleven-year-old inventor of robots. The only problem: Banneker doesn't want to share his room. And he's got an army of robots to make Ellicott miserable until he goes home. When the boys are ambushed by robot bees as big as cars, Ellicott's only friend is carried off and held for ransom. To rescue him, Ellicott has no choice but to partner with his maniacal cousin. Ellicott doesn't know what's worse: facing a hive of giant robot bees or spending more time with Banneker Bones. BANNEKER BONES AND THE GIANT ROBOT BEES is a humorous, science fiction adventure for readers of all ages written in the spirit of a comic book.


Atlas the Moroccan Dino: Face his Fear

Atlas the Moroccan Dino: Face his Fear by Rakan Azize

Atlas isnā€™t like the other Spinosauri. In fact, the thought of deep water makes his tail curl. But when heā€™s invited to join a competition to see who can hunt the most fish, heā€™d rather mask his uncertainties than be seen as a coward. So, does Atlas have what it takes to win? And can he prove that he has the courage to wade into deeper water? Or will he remain in the comfort of the shallows forever?


Alice's Adventures under Water

Alice's Adventures under Water by Lenny de Rooy

If you enjoyed Lewis Carrollā€™s books ā€œAliceā€™s Adventures in Wonderlandā€ and ā€œThrough the Looking-Glass and what Alice found thereā€, this is the book for you! Finally, there is a third story in the ā€˜Aliceā€™ series ā€“ written in Carrollā€™s familiar style, but packed with a great number of completely new puns, poems, and satire! This time, Alice explores an under-water world, in which she meets new characters who again make her wonder about their strange logic and behaviour. The story can be enjoyed by everyone, even those who have never read Carrollā€™s tales. However, the more familiar you are with them, the more references you will recognise in this exceptionally clever storyā€¦


Drummond: Learning to find himself in the music

Drummond: Learning to find himself in the music by Patrick R. F. Blakley

Drummond, a thirteen-year-old C student in middle school, is steered into joining the high schoolā€™s marching band. Heā€™s far from ready, and his friends help him make several attempts to learn new instruments to try and fit in better. With a little unexpected guidance from the drummers and their instructor, he realizes how well he already fits in. He discovers who he is inside. Homelife deteriorates behind him and pushes him forward into the arms of his new family, the marching band.


Emma and the Prince of Shadows (World of Light Book 2)

Emma and the Prince of Shadows (World of Light Book 2) by Jon Herrera

WriteHive Book Club

A dangerous journey across a dark, desolate landscape. Having passed through a portal to the World of Light, eleven-year-old Emma Wilkins and her brother, Will, find themselves in a place called Perdition by some, a dead land shrouded in darkness where ash falls from the sky. But a guide awaits them: the mysterious Prince of Shadows. Together, they must make the long, dangerous journey through Perdition and pass through the Teeth of the World in order to survive. But time is running out. A fallen god has awakened. Its Shade, unstoppable and unrelenting, is in pursuit of Emma and her power. At the same time, another race is taking place: The moment drew near when it would all begin again. The turning point in the hunt eternal. Laelaps had run forever. She would run forever more unless the legend was true. The man who could break eternity. The Prince of Shadows. The hound looked up. She yearned for the moon and the stars. Raising her head, she howled into the roiling black sky. Her prey, Cadmes, the fleeing fox, ever out of reach, turned his head and glanced back at her, acknowledging her longing. The chase continued. Who is the Prince of Shadows?


The Centaur Wars

The Centaur Wars by Roz Evans

A rollicking modern fantasy! Sixteen-year-old Dee Markappen is flunking Chemistry, flunking History, and flunking basically everything else. Biology, thoughā€”Bio is great. Sheā€™s grown up next to a haunted forest that contains impossible creatures, and she wants to know why: snakes with wings. Toads with feathers. Surely thereā€™s an explanation. Everything changes when Dee finds an injured centaur chained beneath an old motel. Heā€™s shackled. Heā€™s furious. Heā€™s disgusted at being captured by humans. And heā€™s exactly the source of information Dee needs. Every member of her family dies young. Her mother is involved in something gruesome. Despite Deeā€™s lifelong efforts, she hasnā€™t learned why. So, Dee strikes a bargain with this half-crazed centaur. In exchange for his freedom heā€™ll give her the answers she seeks. His herd is murderous. Even worse foes lay beyond the haunted forest. But if Dee can survive the journey, the distant homeland of her ancestors holds not just the source of impossible beasts, but the greatest secret ever hidden from humankindā€¦ Featuring an inconveniently-attractive sidekick and a temperamental centaur, this banter-filled romp is sure to please fans of adventure and magic.


Secret of 8

Secret of 8 by Cristal Sipple-Underwood and Andrew Underwood

Indie Recs Indie

Imagine a world where being different was better than being ordinary. Six misfit kids (Sarah-The Ginger, Ben-The Geek, Nate-The Deaf Kid, Marcus- The Bully, Steph-The Dreamer & Mike with his Imaginary Friend) find themselves part of an unsolved mystery when Ben and his family move into a haunted house. Not only do they all find acceptance but unite together to become ghost hunters. By using their unique abilities and teamwork, they get one step closer to solving the case. They never imagined the magical transformation their lives would take. This is a unique story that was written in two points of view. The female and male voice allows the reader to see through the eyes of Sarah and Ben. Since this book portrays life during the 1920ā€™s and 1980ā€™s, we have created an informative webpage for our younger readers. History can be fun!


City Kitties

City Kitties by Rizwan Asad

When naughty little Mitten asks Nessie why she never falls for his tricks, Nessie answers with a tale of experience. She's "been there, done that!" Told in gentle rhymes, City Kitties is more than a story about knowing the value of experience. It's about knowing which experiences are truly valuable.


The Pirates of Pepper Pot Point

The Pirates of Pepper Pot Point by Michele Schultz

The Pirates of Pepper Pot Point is the story of a little boy named Peter that has a scary adventure with a pirate who circles the waters of a town called Pepper Pot Point. During this adventure, Peter befriends this pirate and teaches him a valuable lesson, friends are worth more than their weight in gold.


Reality Dreamers

Reality Dreamers by K.M. Frost

Indie Recs Indie

Dreams or Reality... Which would you choose? "There's another horrible scream, a lot closer this time, and then I can feel the ice cold fingers brushing the back of my neck, just like in my nightmare... I know there's no way to escape the Entities, but we keep running. What else can we do?" Fifteen-year-old Jonas Hartley shouldnā€™t be having nightmares anymore, but that doesnā€™t stop them from coming. Every night, the dreams get worseā€”until he meets the Reality Dreamers. Normally, Jonas would avoid this strange trio of teenagers, but when he realizes one of them is a mysterious girl heā€™s seen in reality, he decides to stick around for a while, curious about what theyā€™re doing in his dreams. But curiosity isnā€™t always harmless. The Reality Dreamers are hunted by dark beings called Entities, products of a dark world with many secrets. Too late, Jonas realizes he may have gotten himself into something much larger and much darker than he ever could have imagined...


Chase: The Boy Who Hid

Chase: The Boy Who Hid by Z Jeffries

Don't run from your feelings. Run from the killer robot hunting you. Chase refuses to believe Grandad is dead. When he skips the old manā€™s funeral, he finds shape shifting tech, Grandadā€™s invention and the first hint of a secret life. Then his old teammates show up at Chaseā€™s, recruiting him to pilot the tech. Trusting these strangers, risking his life piloting this bleeding edge technology is the only way to find out if Grandad is still alive. It all leads to the Military Camouflage Challenge, a clash of billion-dollar armor prototypes against clones and drones, and a classified game of hide-and-seek. Thatā€™s why the team wants to train Chase. Itā€™s also the last place anyone saw Grandad. If heā€™s going to learn the truth, Chase must train, qualify, and survive the deadly game. Given the chance, heā€™ll do anything to reunite his family, including double-crossing his new teammates...or even risk disappearing himself. Chase: The Boy Who Hid is the action-packed first book of the Hide & Seek Chronicles, the teen Sci-Fi adventure series. If you like fast-paced sci-fi, lqbtq representation, and adventure stories for all ages, you have to follow Chase: The Boy Who Hid today!


Starvation

Starvation by Molly Fennig

John Green meets Laurie Halse Anderson in this award-winning, "haunting," and "incredibly real" book that "holds you there until the very last sentence". 16-year-old Wes McCoy is not the favorite child. He does not have a wrestling scholarship to Stanford nor does he live up to the family legacy as an athlete, unlike his brother, Jason. But when Jason dies in a car accident on the way to the state high school wrestling championship, Wes turns to food to give him the control over his life he didnā€™t have before-- the kind of success he never tasted. Wes must take back control from his eating disorder as he learns more about himself and the mystery surrounding Jasonā€™s accident, before he loses his life and those closest to him.


Djinn Tamer: Starter

Djinn Tamer: Starter by A.J. Cerna & Derek Alan Siddoway

SPFBO7

Tame. Train. Battle. Fans of PokĆ©mon, Digimon, and Monster Rancher love this monster-battling series! Jackson Hunt dreams of becoming a professional monster tamer ā€” to raise magical creatures called Djinn and battle them in the big leagues. Unfortunately for Jackson, dreams and reality donā€™t always coincide. Facing bank foreclosure, Jackson is desperate to save his family's home. Discovering a young, untrained Djinn is just the chance he's been waiting for. But can Jackson and his Djinn level up fast enough? Taming isnā€™t as easy as the pros make it look. As time runs out, Jackson delves into the shady world of underground fighting, experiences the agony of defeat and learns what it takes to be a true monster tamer.


Fableman

Fableman by Brad Carsten

SPFBO7

People say that if Charlie Pratt had a penny for every blunder, he'd fill his pockets and then misplace his trousers. When Charlie tries to learn more about Dalia Addair, the peculiar girl who lives in the haunted manor on the edge of town, he accidentally slots himself into her magical trialā€”a trial that she has spent her whole life preparing for; he gets a day. But something's wrong; the trial is unleashing monsters that haven't been seen for centuries, and powerful forces are determined to stop them at any cost. Without knowing whom they can trust, Dalia and Charlie must work together to survive, and finish the trials, if they don't strangle each other first. Quirky, fast-paced, and brimming with action, Fableman is a middle-grade fantasy adventure that proves how even the most unlikely of heroes will step forward... when there's a ten-foot troll screaming after him.


Oh Wretched Moon

Oh Wretched Moon by Kate Ramsey

SPFBO7

They were never supposed to meet. Stolen at birth and brought up underground, Luna knows nothing but darkness and isolation. When disaster drives her out of the only home she knows, she stumbles into a world of wonders. But monstrous creatures lurk in corridorsā€”and then thereā€™s the mysterious stranger who disappears when danger strikes. Raised by a witch, Aethon has been taught to worship strength and fear nothing. When a hunting expedition keeps him out past curfew, he finally encounters a threat his courage cannot face. With the help of a strange girl he survives the harrowing night, but his life has already begun to crumble. As opposite worlds collide, they will need to rely upon each other to find freedom. But which is more dangerous: captivity or escape? In Oh Wretched Moon, Kate Ramsey puts a new spin on a beloved fairy tale about power, love, and moonlight. If you love stories about dangerous magic, courageous women, and daring escapes, youā€™ll love this spellbinding fantasy.


The Wizard of New York City

The Wizard of New York City by Randall P. Girdner

SPFBO7

On the students' trip to New York City, the wolves rounded up the people. Then the trolls sealed off the edges of the island with stacks of crushed cars, and the goblins set about constructing a portal; a portal that would bring something horrible to this worldā€¦and all of this happened before the students had even left the American Museum of Natural History. Now, armed with strange weapons they acquired in the museum, seven students find themselves on the run in a frightening urban environment overtaken with dragons, ogres, and an undead populace intent on changing the city into a fortress. Nothing will ever be the same again. The Wizard of New York City tells the tale of seven teenagers trapped in Manhattan as a world of fantastic creatures and bizarre beings invade the island. As they struggle to stay alive in the face of dangers they can barely comprehend, the students soon realize that there is a reason they are still alive, and that reason will place a heavy burden on not just them, but the whole world...


Snowborn

Snowborn by Larema Dixon

SPFBO7

A millennium has passed since the small world of Incari was struck by a meteor known as the Kutsal Stone. In the celestial object's wake, two powerful inhabitants of another realmā€”beings of light and creatures of shadowā€”ravaged the land with war until they were ultimately banished. Time distorted tales of these god-like creatures into myth and legend, but Princess Elurra quickly finds there is legitimacy amongst the lore. After her parents' deaths pave the way for her exiled aunt to claim the throne, she finds herself desperate and on the run. Elurra must uncover the truth about magic and untwist the legends of old in order to protect the future of her homeland and thwart her aunt's malicious plots. Mysterious visions lead Elurra and her unlikely allies down a path to the truth; however, they find the conflicts of the past may be impossible to repair before they rip Incari apart.


The Gatekeeper's Staff

The Gatekeeper's Staff by Antoine Bandele

SPFBO7 Indie Recs Indie

TJ Young has been surrounded by magic his entire life, yet he has never tapped into itā€¦ until now. Fourteen-year-old TJ grew up normal in a secret community of gifted diviners in the heart of modern-day Los Angeles. His powerful sister was ordained to lead his people into a new age of prosperity, but her mysterious death in Nigeria threatens to destroy the very foundations of TJā€™s world. Desperate to pick up where his sister left off and uncover the secrets behind her questionable death, TJ commits himself to unlocking the magical heritage that has always eluded him. So he enrolls in Camp Olosaā€”a remedial magic school for the divinely less-than-gifted in the humid swamps of New Orleans. But little does he know, TJ is destined to cross paths with powerful spirits of old thought lost to time: the Orishas. Delve into this young adult fantasy based on the mythology of the West African gods, where TJ will encounter unlikely allies, tough-as-gatorhide instructors, and the ancient secrets of the Orishas.


Squire George & The Dragon

Squire George & The Dragon by Adam Digger Stolz

SPFBO7

A Reluctant Squire vs. An Invincible Dragon Squire George has no aptitude for (and even less interest in) being a knight, a hero or a dragonslayer. He also has no choice in the matter. It is, after all, the family business. So he shouldnā€™t be surprised when his father sends him off to chase after rumors of a mighty dragon in a faraway land. He shouldnā€™t be, but he still is. With an unfunny fool, a cursed wizard and a black-hearted knight for companions, it isnā€™t long before Squire George comes up against wispy zephyr-fiends, vengeful nar and single-mindedly stupid crorks. He also survives a trufflehump, befriends a bridge troll and meets an old crone to whom he might or might not be related. None of which helps prepare him to kill an unkillable dragon.


I Am King: Book One

I Am King: Book One by Damien Shillingford

SPFBO7

Ten year old Beaumont never meant to get anyone killed. But when Rancine, the man who murdered his mother and father, sent assassins to capture him and deprive him of his right to his fatherā€™s stolen crown, the weight of his destiny came crashing down on him and his loved ones. After the assassination of the King and Queen of the Middle Islandā€™s, young Prince Beaumont was taken from the island nation and hidden away in the secluded mountain village of Mount Hope in the newly discovered realm of Hattan, waiting for the day he was a man and could reclaim his stolen crown from his families killer. But the arrival of a warrior named Nisila and her mysterious raven Shadowcry, changed all his plans and at ten years of age Beau must brave the wilderness with his cousin Julius as they flee for their lives. With the help of Nisila, Shadowcry, Julius and a foul mouthed, ill-tempered sellsword named Gavin, Beau must brave harsh winter storms, mythical creatures, forsaken ghouls, black magic, determined assassins and a powerful demon in hopes of making it back to the safety of his homeland in the Middle Islands. This is a character driven story, about survival, trust, friendship and overcoming adversity. Readers who enjoyed such fantasy works like J.R.R. Tolkienā€™s Lord of the Rings, George R.R. Martinā€™s A Song of Ice and Fire series (Game of Thrones) and Poul Andersonā€™s The Broken Sword will enjoy the nostalgic, classic fantasy vibe of I Am King. With lead characters of color and a pinch of influence from West Indian folklore, readers can expect a classic fantasy tale with diverse representation and plenty of the elements that make classic fantasy memorable and exciting. With no sexual content or strong adult language, this is the perfect gift for young readers of fantasy/action adventure.


Girlgoyle

Girlgoyle by Better Hero Army

SPFBO7

Now that Tiffany Noboru is dead, being forced to become a fresh recruit in the gargoyle ghost hunter corps is the least of her worries. Soon she is meeting bizarre new people, discovering her magical abilities, and learning the landscape of a strange and captivating world where gargoyles protect the living by hunting ghosts. When her own killer, a maniacal ghost named Bones, comes after her again, Tiffany must find a way to defeat him in order to save the gargoyle world.


Little White Hands

Little White Hands by Mark Cushen

SPFBO7

Almost five hundred years have passed since the Seasons were at war. Half a millennium since Winter defied Spring, and lost. Generations have come and gone, not knowing the bitter freeze and howling snows of Winter ever existed. But now, after centuries of silence, the participants in this ancient struggle have resurfaced and reignited their feud on the doorstep of an unassuming little kitchen boy. Garlanā€™s dreams of being just like the knights he idolizes may not be as impossible as he has always been led to believe, when he is chased from his home and thrust headlong into the kind of adventure he had only ever read about in books. Setting out on a journey that spans the entire kingdom of Faeland, Garlan will traverse impossible mountains and stormy seas and battle terrible monsters, all to keep the world he knows safe from an enemy who will stop at nothing to bring about a never-ending winter. With a cast of fantastical characters to aid him in his quest, can Garlan overcome his self-doubt and find the courage he needs to rise above his humble station and become the hero he always dreamed of being? The fate of the world rests in his hands.


The Frights of Fiji

The Frights of Fiji by Sunayna Prasad

A world of magic and adventure awaitsā€¦ Sent to live with her strict, aloof, and uncaring uncle after her parents are killed in a car accident, twelve-year-old orphan Alyssa McCarthy longs for the life she used to haveā€”one filled with fun and love. Then one stormy night, a message appears in the raindrops on the window that will change everything. "Your life will never be the same again, as magic will interfere." Before long, Alyssa is kidnapped by Master Beau, a banished sorcerer with a mysterious connection to her who can only regain his power by weakening hers. Suddenly hurled into a world of wizardry filled with fantastical beasts and marvelous technology beyond her wildest imagination, Alyssa must defeat Master Beau if she ever wants to get home again. But Master Beau will stop at nothing, including using Alyssaā€™s friends, to ensure he is triumphant. Originally titled "From Frights to Flaws", this story is the exciting and enchanting first book in the "Magical Missions" series.


Sol Invictus (The Eye of Ra Book 2)

Sol Invictus (The Eye of Ra Book 2) by Ben Gartner

Siblings John and Sarah barely made it home last time, but in their next time traveling adventure the challenge really heats up. Surrounded by clashing cultures on the ancient Roman frontier, they must fulfill their quest to unite the emperor with his enemy, an Alemanni barbarian, or risk being stuck in time forever. An action-packed fantasy full of sword fights, chariot chases, fearsome wild animals, and high mountain survival. For graduates of the Magic Tree House looking for a thrilling middle grade page-turner, read Sol Invictus, book two of The Eye of Ra series!


Tommy Black and the Staff of Light (Tommy Black #1)

Tommy Black and the Staff of Light (Tommy Black #1) by Jake Kerr

SPFBO6

A magical legacy that isn't what it seems! For fourteen-year-old Tommy Black, nothing is worse than being raised by an overprotective grandfather in the city that never sleeps. That is until his grandfather is captured by magical creatures and Tommy has to save him with his family's magical staff. That wouldn't be so bad, but the only magic he can do with the staff is weak--making light. What the heck can you do with light? Tommy finds out as he fights golems, shadow creatures, and djinn in a journey that features a magical river, an enchanted train, and an illusionary fortress. But the worst part of all? Tommy has to save his grandfather with the help of Naomi, a girl whose talent with magic is only rivaled by her ability to hurl insults. From Nebula, Sturgeon, and Million Writers Award nominee Jake Kerr comes the Tommy Black trilogy, an action adventure series for readers of all ages.


Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows (The Elandrian Chronicles #1)

Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows (The Elandrian Chronicles #1) by J.M. Bergen

SPFBO6

Thomas thinks he's an ordinary twelve year old, but when a strange little man with gold-flecked eyes gives him an ancient text called The Book of Sorrows, the world he knows is turned upside down. Suddenly heā€™s faced with a secret family legacy, powers he can hardly begin to understand, and an enemy bent on destroying everything he holds dear. The more he reads and discovers, the deeper the danger to himself and the people he loves. As the race to the final showdown unfolds, Thomas must turn to trusted friends and uncertain allies as he seeks to prevent destruction at an epic scale.


The Pygmy Dragon (Shapeshifter Dragon Legends #1)

The Pygmy Dragon (Shapeshifter Dragon Legends #1) by Marc Secchia

SPFBO6

Yesterday, a Dragon kidnapped me from my cage in a zoo. Stolen from her jungle home and sold to a zookeeper, Pip knows only a world behind bars, a world in which a Pygmy warrior and her giant ape friends are a zoo attraction. She dreams of being Human. She dreams of escaping to the world outside her cage. Then, the Dragon Zardon kidnaps her into a new life. Pip rides Dragonback across the Island-World to her new school - a school inside a volcano. A school where Humans learn to be Dragon Riders. But this is only a foretaste of her magical destiny, for the Dragon Assassins are coming. They have floated an Island across the Rift and their aim is nothing less than the massacre of all Dragons. Now, the courage of the smallest will be tested to the utmost. For Pip is the Pygmy Dragon, and this is her tale.


On Winter's Eve

On Winter's Eve by C.D. Alexander

SPFBO6

Winters in Bern are long and cold and deep. On winter nights, when the snow is falling, Pippa goes to sleep knowing sheā€™ll wake up to tracks in front of her farmhouse. The tracks are small, and they come from the woodsā€”those same woods that her mother says are full of witches and elves and trolls, and her father says are full of wolves and bears and demons. But these tracks are the Tompteā€™s, and he is a friendly creature. Or at least thatā€™s what Pippa hopes. . . The Tompte borrows and mends things, he takes and he sometimes leaves things, and such is life on a farm at the edge of the realm. Her mother calls it tradition. Her father calls it a curse. And when things start going missing and trouble comes their way, Pippaā€™s not sure what to believe. Soon enough, she'll have no choice but to go into the woods to find out. . .


Finding Fairy Tales

Finding Fairy Tales by Kate Ramsey

SPFBO6

Imagination is outlawed. Fairy Tale herself is imprisoned. Molly has never heard a bedtime storyā€¦ or any kind of story. But her daydreams are full of impossible wonders nonetheless. She's kept her unruly imagination hidden for years, but she knows her luck won't last. The emperor has eyes everywhere. Even in her own house. Hatch knows it's risky even to dream of adventures beyond his home, but he can't help himself. Worse, the end of 7th grade is approaching. That means enrollment in the dreaded Institute, where there's no chance of keeping his illegal imagination under the radar, and not everyone makes it out alive. When a government agent appears on Molly's doorstep, the two children must flee together or risk arrest, but an impassable wasteland lies between them and freedom. Then they learn astonishing secrets about their pasts, and realize there is more at stake than their safety. To fulfill an ancient prophecy, the two embark on a dangerous quest to rescue Fairy Tale. But will they outwit the emperor's henchmen and reach her before it's too late?


Earthcore Book 3: Aftershocks

Earthcore Book 3: Aftershocks by Grace Bridges

SPFBO6

They saved a town with the help of the creatures that command the geysers. They saved a city from volcanic eruption. Surely they've earned a break? Tell that to the Titanosaur. Now the faultline network is active, threatening all of central New Zealand with aftershocks that might be bigger than the initial event. Amateur geologist Anira Fraser is in Picton, facing her final high school athletics competition. Along with her friend Tiger McRae, she realises their presence is disturbing the area's guardian spirits. Soon other Earthcore members arrive in town and discover an old enemy stirring up fresh trouble, while the locals hint at the legend of a mysterious taniwha war that could worsen the series of quakes. It's up to Anira and the Earthcore team to find the cause of the war and end it--otherwise they themselves could be responsible for a cataclysmic natural disaster.


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