Every day, King Bheema opens up his court to his subjects. Some come with complaints about a neighbor, some with tricky problems to solve. King Bheema deals with each fairly. Prince Veera watches his father and is excited when his chance finally comes to take over for a day. But some of the problems present unique challenges and puzzling circumstances. Will Prince Veera and his best friend Suku be able to solve them all?

This story is excellent for fans of folklore and traditional puzzle stories. Each chapter presents a classic dilemma for Prince Veera to solve. Children will enjoy trying to solve the puzzles before Veera and it would make a great class read-aloud so students can work together to try and solve them. The Indian setting only adds to the appeal, as does the sense of humor present throughout. Short chapters and ample illustrations make it great for young readers.

Mangoes, Mischief, and Tales of Friendship: Stories from India by Chitra Soundar, illustrated by Uma Krishnaswamy
Erica's Picks
2nd - 4th grade
​tags: fairy tales, global perspectives, historical fiction, People of Color

When Ada Ru's parents tell her they're moving to Scotland for the whole summer, she is not thrilled. But before long she's swept up in a local mystery. The city is by a lake, and not just any lake: Loch Ness, home of the fabled Loch Ness Monster. Ada Ru teams up with a fellow American transplant and a local Nessie enthusiast nick named Hammy Bean to find definitive proof that the monster exists. What follows is a summer that she'll never forget.

I loved this story, and not just because it's set in Scotland (although that certainly didn't hurt). There's a great sense of adventure as they embark on their quest and plenty of humor as well. All of the characters are great from the skeptical but loyal Ada Ru, the cool, guitar-playing Dax, and the always optimistic, blind Hammy Bean. (Not to mention Hammy's dog, Mac-Talla.) This is a perfect story of summer adventure and new friendships.

Nessie Quest by Melissa Savage
Erica's Picks
3rd - 6th grade
​tags: character driven, contemporary fiction, disability, friendship, global perspectives, humor, mystery, summer vacation

Zoey discovers an amazing secret one day, just before her mother goes on a business trip. Her mother can see magical creatures, and so can Zoey. Over the years, these special creatures have come to count on her mom when they're injured and need help. With her mom away, it's Zoey's responsibility. At first Zoey is excited, but when a baby dragon appears she worries she won't know how to care for it. What should she feed it? Where did it come from? And when will her mom come home? Zoey and her faithful cat Sassafras are on the case. It's up to them to save the dragon.

What is not to love in a story about a baby dragon and a cat named Sassafras? Pitch perfect for beginning readers with short chapters and ample pictures, this could make a great read-aloud as well. I particularly enjoyed how Zoey uses the scientific method to learn more about the dragon. Highly recommended for readers just ready for chapter books.

Dragons and Marshmallows (Zoey and Sassafras #1) by Asia Citro, illustrated by Marion Lindsay 
Erica's Picks
1st - 3rd grade
​tags: animals, fantasy, People of Color

When Louie's father brings home a sickly, newborn mini donkey Louie makes it his mission to care for the pitiful creature. Everyone thinks that he won't last more than a day or two. His friend Nora thinks the baby isn't worth the heartache. But Louie won't be dissuaded. When the donkey defies everyone's expectations there's a new problem: keeping a loud donkey on a residential street.

This is a sweet story of triumph over impossible odds and not being afraid to risk your heart by loving. Of course the main attraction is  the adorable baby mini donkey. But Louie and Nora's friendship shines through as another highlight. A quick read with short chapters perfect for sensitive young souls.

Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech
Erica's Picks
3rd - 5th grade
​tags: animals, character driven, contemporary fiction, family life, friendship, SEL

After the death of her sister, Violet's family moves back to the small town where her mother grew up. Violet doesn't like the creepy, old family house and she misses city life. There's something shady going on with people turning up dead in the woods. People act strangely around her because she's the descendant of one of the four founding families. When she meets the other teenage children of the founders, she discovers why. They each have their own dangerous powers, but the thing lurking out in the Gray is more dangerous still. Will they be able to put aside their differences and save their town? Or will Darkness consume them all?

This dark supernatural horror story has a palpable atmosphere that will leave you trembling as you turn the pages. The characters are well-written with their own complex backstories and motivations. The interpersonal drama is just as intense as the supernatural kind. A great book for brave readers looking to lose themselves in a story.

The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman
Erica's Picks
8th grade
​tags: family life, horror, supernatural

Ever since their parents' death, Ryn and her siblings have been in charge of the graveyard. Gravedigging is an important job in a town where the dead don't always stay dead if improperly handled. These risen corpses, called bone houses, are appearing with more frequency and the whole town is endangered. Legend says that they are the result of a curse and the only way to break it is to travel to the abandoned Castell Sidi and find the black cauldron. But between Ryn and the castle is a dark forest filled with monsters.

This story, based in the same world as Lloyd Alexander's Black Cauldron, is a great fantasy adventure set in a classic world complete with ancient curses, puzzles, and trials along the way. The horror elements are truly frightening and the world is completely immersive. Both Ryn and her companion, the traveling map-maker, are great characters and I loved following their story and cheering them on.

The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones
Erica's Picks
7th & 8th
​tags: adventure, fantasy, horror

When Sunflower is orphaned, the poorest family in the village adopts her. They may not have much, but they shower sunflower with love and work hard to give her the best they can. No one is more excited to have her join the family than her new brother, Bronze. He has been mute ever since a horrible fire, but communicates with sign language. The two of them are inseparable, but when the crops are devastated by locusts they are forced to make hard sacrifices to survive.

It's easy to tell why this story is so beloved in China and I'm glad it was finally translated into English. Even though Sunflower and her family go through serious hardships, their love shines through so strongly and the simple joys of childhood are depicted so clearly that the ultimate effect is a sweet, heart-warming story. The language is simple but vivid and displays great wisdom through accessible stories and languages as the very best children's books do. Highly recommended.

Bronze and Sunflower by Cao Wenxuan
Erica's Picks
4th - 6th grade
tags: 

Pepper may seem like she has it all, but her life is falling apart. Her parents' divorce created huge cracks in her family and now her older sister isn't talking to her mother. Her parents' fast food chain has gone national and she lives in a swanky apartment with her mother in New York City and secretly runs the company's twitter account while trying to keep up with school, college applications, and being the new captain of the swim team. Her only bright spot is the anonymous chat app where she's slowly falling in love, the problem is she has no idea who the person she's chatting to is. Jack has problems of his own. His family's small deli is struggling to get by and his more popular twin brother leaves him with all the work but none of the credit. When their signature sandwich is stolen by a big chain restaurant, he calls them out on twitter. What ensues is a messy conflict that has people all over the country picking sides and egging them on. Who will win the twitter war, and what will happen when the anonymous chat app reveals their secret identities?

This is a rom-com at its best. It's light and funny but still has a heart. The trope of enemies falling in love anonymously is well-trod from movies like You've Got Mail and The Shop Around the Corner to the musical She Loves Me (a favorite of mine). But there's a reason why this story keeps getting retold and that's because it's so satisfying. This update captures the current world of social media and is sure to capture plenty of fans as well. 

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord
Erica's Picks
6th - 8th grade
Tags: character driven, contemporary fiction, family life, humor, romance, school stories

Shapeshifters, ghosts, androids, gods, MMORPGs, goblins, and more. This collection of short stories has it all. Each story is based on a traditional tale from the author's East or South Asian culture. Some stories stick closer to their traditional roots while some are set far in the future. But every one has a fantastical element that will transport you to another time and place. My favorite was Olivia's Table by Alyssa Wong but they're all great. After each story is a brief note from the author explaining their inspiration and giving you a peek behind the scenes. A must-read for fans of speculative fiction looking for a global perspective.

A Thousand Beginnings and Endings edited by Ellen Oh
Erica's Picks
7th & 8th
​tags: fantasy, fairy tales, global perspectives, People of Color, retellings, science fiction, supernatural

This collection, edited by the cofounder of the We Need Diverse Books movement, gathers stories from some of my favorite authors. In these stories characters who were rarely seen in American stories for youth, or only as sidekicks, are the stars. These realistic stories tackle a diverse range of subjects and tones from serious to light-hearted. But they all give you a glimpse into someone's life. Great for fans of realistic fiction looking for more diverse stories.

​Fresh Ink: An Anthology edited by Lamar Giles
Erica's Picks
7th & 8th
tags: contemporary fiction, issues fiction, LGBTQ, People of Color, short stories, social justice