Reading Challenges
Kids are invited to participate in the library’s annual Lincolnwood Reads and Summer Reading programs. Sign up for the Summer Reading program on our Beanstack page or visit the Youth and Teen Services desk to get started with either program at designated times throughout the year.
New Kids Books
For personalized recommendations, please speak to staff at the Youth and Teen Services desk or email us at youthservices@lincolnwoodlibrary.org.
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The Last Kids on Earth and the Forbidden Fortress
The highly-anticipated eighth book in the #1 New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling series, with over 10 million copies in print!
Picking up after Quint and Dirk's Hero Quest, the Last Kids are happily reunited--but quickly faced with a monstrous new mission. Inside an other-dimensional fortress, the evil Thrull, alongside a vile new villain, is carrying out a sinister plan. Jack, Quint, June and Dirk must make their own plans to infiltrate the stronghold before Thrull gets any closer to completing the mysterious Tower, a structure that could ultimately spell doom for this dimension.
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Starlet Rivals
Twelve-year-old Bela has always dreamed about becoming a famous Bollywood star, and now the opportunity might finally be within her grasp.
When a reality TV show gives her the chance to dance in front of the nation, she knows that she is performing for a place at the most prestigious stage school in Mumbai.
Can Bela win the Dance Starz competition to score a place at the Bollywood Academy and move one step closer to her dreams of stardom? And will child star Monica, the most "in" girl at school, see her as a friend or a rival?
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Kitten Around
All the awwws of animal adoption stories are combined with sugary sweetness in this new, fun-filled chapter book series about a cat café!
Every home needs a cat!
Kira Parker lives above The Purrfect Cup, the cat café that her family owns and runs. But this weekend, Mama and Dad are taking a "much needed vacation," which means that Granny is coming to visit! Mama puts Granny in charge, but Kira's got so many GREAT IDEAS to make her cat friends and customers happy. So when Granny gives her the okay to take control, it's Kira's moment to make The Purrfect Cup extra purrfect.
But between a new, overly-energetic cat and a line of customers that never seems to end, running the café is harder than it looks! Will Kira be able to run everything smoothly . . . or will this weekend be a total cat-astrophe?
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The World of Emily Windsnap: Shona Finds Her Voice
With her best friend's help, can mermaid Shona get up the nerve to share her singing talents at school? A new reader for younger fans based on the New York Times best-selling Emily Windsnap novels.
Emily Windsnap's best friend, Shona Silkfin, is a mermaid who loves to sing . . . but only when she is by herself. So when Shiprock School announces a talent show whose winner will have the honor of meeting King Neptune, everyone is excited to perform--except Shona, who is too nervous to sign up. But when Emily overhears her friend singing, she's amazed by Shona's beautiful voice. With Emily's encouragement, Shona decides to enter the talent show--and when she anxiously takes the stage, Shona knows that her best friend is cheering her on, giving her the courage to sing loud and proud in front of everyone, even the King of the Oceans. Based on the New York Times best-selling series by Liz Kessler, this underwater adventure offers a sweet story about a confidence-bolstering friendship to new readers.
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The Hayley Mysteries: the Missing Jewels
The next book in an exciting new middle grade mystery series from actress, artist, and YouTube star Hayley LeBlanc!
In Hayley Mysteries: The Missing Jewels, Hayley is the lead in a Nancy Drew like kids TV show, and when strange things happen around the studio, she and her friends become real-life sleuths. Now Hayley needs help finding a jewel thief in this action-filled and adventurous story. Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at what it's like to be an actress IRL!
Things are going great for Hayley on the set of the mystery showSadie Solves It. But one day, things start disappearing from the studio--expensive jewelry used on the show, and even earrings from someone's purse! Who's the thief stalking Silver Screen Studios?
Hayley doesn't want to get involved... after all, she only plays a detective on TV. But then one of the stolen items is found in her trailer, and her favorite makeup artist, Vee, is blamed for the theft! With the help of her two best friends and co-stars, Hayley begins to investigate. Can they find the real thief before Vee is fired for good?
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The Mythics #1: Marina and the Kraken
From Case Closed author Lauren Magaziner and artist Mirelle Ortega comes the first book in a new highly illustrated middle grade fantasy series. Full of action, adventure, and friendship, a team of five girls must stop a powerful villain by finding their mythical familiars.
It's Pairing Day in Terrafamiliar! Marina has been waiting for this moment--anxiously--for as long as she can remember. Because today's the day she gets to bond with her animal familiar for life, like every other ten-year-old in the land.
Except after the ceremony ends, Marina doesn't have one. And she's not alone . . . four other girls also didn't get their animal companions. The leaders of Terrafamiliar realize something special is happening: Marina and the other four girls--Kit, Ember, Pippa, and Hailey--are called Mythics
In times of unrest, the Mythics must earn their Mythies--mythical beasts--in quests of courage. But danger lurks everywhere as there are others seeking this mysterious power. And only the Mythics can save Terrafamiliar!
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Spy School Project X
In the tenth book in the New York Times bestselling Spy School series, Ben Ripley races against time and across state lines—by car, train, boat, and plane—to avoid his new cyber enemies and track down Murray Hill.
Ben Ripley’s longtime nemesis, Murray Hill, has put a price on Ben’s head and accused him of being at the center of a conspiracy on the internet. Now Ben finds himself in his greatest danger yet, on the run from both assassins and conspiracy theorists.
Ben must find Murray before his machinations catch up to Ben—but with so much at stake, even some of Ben’s most trusted friends might not be at the top of their game, leaving Ben to be tested like never before. -
The Interplanetary Expedition of Mars Patel
Mars is on Mars! But as techie colonists and scrappy rebels clash, can Mars and his friends survive long enough to discover the planet's dark secrets? Based on Season 2 of the Peabody Award-winning podcast.
Six months ago, Mars Patel boarded a spaceship to travel to Oliver Pruitt's colony on the planet Mars, and now he's finally there. The journey gave Mars lots of time to bond with his copilots, but Mars and his new friends soon discover that Pruitt's colonists aren't the only people living on the inhospitable planet. A splinter group, led by the mysterious Fang, are desperate to go back to Earth--and they don't care who they hurt in the process. Amid the slick subterranean colony filled with rules and giant, terrifying tardigrades who poop a lot, Mars searches for answers about Oliver Pruitt's supposed plans--and the real reason the eccentric billionaire has been so invested in him all this time. Featuring thrilling technology, a diverse cast, and a gripping plot, this extraterrestrial adventure, a follow-up to The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel, is also based on the popular and award-winning podcast.
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Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie Thief
Justice is sweet when a school bully gets a taste of his own medicine. A hilarious new Cookie Chronicles adventure that middle-school readers who love Wimpy Kid and Dog Man will gobble up with gusto.
Impossible to resist." --Lincoln Peirce, New York Times bestselling author of Big Nate.
When Ben's fortune cookie tells him that the best things in life are free, he believes he can get anything he wants without paying for it--as long as it's the best. But Ben's dreams of free cookies and fancy scooters are quickly dashed when schoolyard bully Flegg McEggars steals his fortune.
Ben will stop at nothing to get his fortune back, but bringing the thief to justice will be no easy feat. He has to lawyer up, gather witnesses, and present his case to the fifth graders in Kid Court. Along the way, Ben learns that crime comes in many forms and the real villains are not always the people we first suspect.
From the husband-and-wife, author-and-illustrator duo that brought you Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Doom comes a tale of truth, justice, and the pursuit of cookies.
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The Polter-Ghost Problem
Three best friends discover a haunted orphanage and get swept up in ghoulish shenanigans in this laugh-out-loud, spooky middle grade adventure for fans of Best Nerds Forever and the Fear Street series.
One haunted orphanage + two types of ghosts + three freaked-out friends = plenty of trouble.
Best friends Aldo, Pen, and Jasper are braced for a boring summer. And equally dull summer journal writing assignments.That is, until they see a slightly transparent boy with a bad haircut appear by the soccer field and then disappear into the woods beyond. The boys follow him and discover the long-abandoned Grauche Orphanage for Orphans, a house in the woods that is most definitely haunted.
But the ghosts are not the problem. They have been trapped at the orphanage by a cranky poltergeist who erupts into violent tantrums if they put even a spectral toe across the property line. The ghosts ask the boys to help free them—but who is the angry poltergeist and what does it want? To solve the mystery, the trio must investigate the orphanage’s dark past, evade Aldo’s ghastly older brother, borrow a skeptical librarian, and duck lots of flying furniture, all while failing to agree on almost anything. Can they defeat the evil entity and rescue the ghosts before their parents catch on and ground them for eternity?
Digital Resources
Beanstack
Beanstack is a platform for tracking reading to encourage everyone to have fun while learning. You'll be able to track your reading anywhere you go with a free account for Summer Reading and more.
Brainfuse HelpNow
Brainfuse HelpNow helps students succeed by connecting them with live tutors anytime, anywhere, and it hosts online meetings for peer-to-peer learning.
Comics Plus - Children's Library
EBSCO eBooks 6-8 Collection
This e-book collection supports a quality learning experience for K-8 students across all subject areas taught in elementary and middle schools.
EBSCO eBooks Cricket Media Subscription Collection
Build strong literacy skills in students from pre-K to 8th grade by oƯering digital access to award-winning, short-form fiction and nonfiction titles.
EBSCO eBooks K-5 Collection
This e-book collection supports a quality learning experience for K-8 students across all subject areas taught in elementary and middle schools.
EBSCO eBooks K-8 Collection
This e-book collection supports a quality learning experience for K-8 students across all subject areas taught in elementary and middle schools.
EBSCO eBooks Public Library Subscription Collection
Access to high-quality e-books covering a wide range of topics such as self-help, fitness, games, hobbies, and cooking. This general reference e-book collection features titles for both adults and juveniles.
Hoopla
Kanopy
Libby/Digital Library of Illinois
LOTE4Kids
LOTE4Kids is a database of digital picture books in World Languages that allows kids and their families to enjoy the magic of books in over 65+ world languages.
Mango Languages
Middle Search Plus
Magazines and reference books for middle school students. Includes thousands of biographies and primary source documents. Subjects include history, current events, science, sports, and biographies. Also includes photos, maps, and flags.
Middle Search Reference eBook Collection
A broad range of general reference subject coverage for middle school students, with topics including social studies, math, history, language arts, technology, geography, culture, and science.
NoveList
NoveList K-8
Find just the right book by subject, age, awards won, books made into movies, and much more. Read reviews and learn about the author. Create your own reading wish list.
Points of View Reference Source
Presents multiple sides of over 500 issues. Helps students assess and develop persuasive arguments and essays, better understand controversial issues, and develop analytical thinking skills.
Primary Search
For elementary school libraries. Content from children’s magazines, easy-to-read encyclopedia entries, and images. Students can learn about animals, musicians, fitness, space exploration, and much more.
Primary Search Reference eBook Collection
A range of general reference subject coverage for primary school students, with topics like social studies, history, language arts, geography, culture, math, and science.
TumbleBooks
Tutor.com
World Book Online
World Book Online is an engaging, verified, and trustworthy digital resource for grades pre-K through high school.
WorldCat & Statewide Illinois Library Catalog (FirstSearch)
Library of Things
The Library has more than just books! Check out our robust Library of Things collection which includes circulating collections for kids.
Museum Passes
The Library has passes that offer free and discounted visits to local museums. Visit our Museum Pass information page to learn more about how to visit museums with your kids.
Brookfield Zoo
Chicago Botanic Garden
Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center
Community Resources
If you and your children need specialized assistance or support, there are many community organizations that serve Lincolnwood and the surrounding area. For a full list of organizations serving this area, check out our Community Resource page.
2-1-1 Metro Chicago
A free helpline for information and referrals for resources related to food, housing, utility payment assistance, health care, transportation, childcare, employment, mental health, disaster information and assistance, and more.
Center for Conflict Resolution
The Center for Conflict Resolution works with individuals, communities, courts and other institutions to manage and resolve conflict.
Illinois Department of Children & Family Services
The mission of Illinois DCFS is to protect children who are reported to be abused or neglected and to increase their families' capacity to safely care for them.
Jewish Child & Family Services
JCFS Chicago strives to enhance social-emotional well-being for adults, children, teens and families as well as maximize potential for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Lincolnwood Elementary School District 74
Information on the Lincolnwood Elementary School District.
Metropolitan Family Services
Metropolitan Family Services provides a wide variety of programs and services designed to strengthen families and help them realize their potential.