Bookshop's Favorite Books for Independent Readers

Someone has stolen the crown jewels from Buckingham Kennel! Thankfully, Sherlock Bones and his friend Dr. Jane Catson are on the case. While the game is afoot–or should we say apaw—they meet all sorts of characters such as the retired diva Poodle, a carrot vendor with a secret, and a restaurateur who only sells bug-based entrees. Packed with animal puns and challenging puzzles, this mystery is sure to delight any reader of Encyclopedia Brown and The Clubhouse Mysteries.
—Ivy

Dubbed the “Queen of the Neighborhood,” Zara always knows the best rules to make sure everyone is having fun, but when a new family moves in, the whole street’s dynamic changes. Zara’s struggle to assert some control over her life felt so familiar and the ultimate solution is as touching as it is realistic. Anyone who’s read Jasmine Green or looking for the next step up from Charlie and Mouse will love this one. -Ivy

Faruqi, author of Meet Yasmin!, is back with a new heroine ready to take on the world. Third-grader Marya Khan’s family, friendships, dreams, and jealousy are immediately recognizable, as is the trouble she gets herself into. Her escapades are not only entertaining but insightful for all involved. With Bushry's playful illustrations, this chapter book is terrific for kids with big dreams. 
—JOCELYN

Not since Ramona Quimby have I fallen quite so in love with a book family. In this companion to his Billy Miller stories, Kevin Henkes lets us delight in each character while giving us a peek into just two very special days. With a new baby and a family visitor in the house, Sal feels somewhat overlooked, especially when she loses something very dear to her (favorite underwear!). Sal's personality comes bursting through these pages, and the warmth and humor of this kindhearted family makes this story ideal for a young reader or a family read-aloud.

—S.M.C.

Sergio Ruzzier’s return to the colorful world of Fish with a new character, Wave, is just as fun and imaginative as its predecessor, Fish and Sun. This early graphic novel is perfect for beginning readers, with its use of repetition and phonetics. Combined with warm and playful watercolors, this makes for a great read for those new or returning to the series.  —Eli

What a delight! Waffles and Pancake are two kittens looking to have a fun day with their Dad-cat, and boy does the planetarium deliver. From cool skeletons and exhibits to delicious tots at the cafeteria, this gem is sure to get any kid excited about a day at the museum. I really appreciated how they dealt with what to do if you get lost, and a small nod to the fact that the kitten’s parents live in separate households, normalizing it in a lovely way.—Jax

Flubby—of Flubby Is Not a Good Pet! fame—is back and once again hilariously unwilling to participate in our cat-ish expectations of him. Author-illustrator J. E. Morris seamlessly combines simple text with engaging illustrations, providing beginning readers with plenty of hints for new vocabulary. Each of these installments serves up a slew of laugh-out-loud images: watch for Flubby and Kami eye-to-eye in a bedtime showdown, or Flubby’s clever strategy for avoiding the bathwater. Can’t wait for the next exciting adventure!—Michelle

Newly independent readers will find Penny and Her Sled a great next step. Full of beautiful illustrations for context clues—with plenty of repeating words—young readers will feel successful and delighted by this book. Told in five short chapters, this is a story about patience, imagination, and how to share feelings when things don't go quite as expected. A beautiful addition to any child's bookshelf.—Jenny

The cat is back—this time standing in for the dog, who's sick. Goofiness ensues as "the book" tries to direct the cat to do dog-like tasks, tasks the cat finds revolting! Not so easy for a cat to be a dog, after all. Early readers will appreciate the simple sentence structure and fun illustrations. Adults reading along with kids will surely enjoy the shared humor-filled experience, too.—Jenny

Chitra Soundar and Jen Khatun have created a perfect book for any soon-to-be big sibling. Sona’s jealous uncertainty and her ultimate love and determination to care for her little sister all ring true, while Soundar also demonstrates the care and empathy adults can take to make the transition easier. With beautiful details of family and traditions in India (brought to joyful life with Khatun’s illustrations), Sona’s story will be familiar to anyone who’s ever welcomed a new member of the family.—Jocelyn