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Bookshop's Favorite Books for Independent Readers

Our favorite books for independent readers are a great way for kids to gain experience while having fun. Don't miss out on the opportunity to help spread the joy of reading to a new generation!

Fox Has a Problem by Corey R. Tabor

Fox is such fun! In Corey R. Tabor’s latest Fox adventure for the My First I Can Read! series, our dear friend has a problem—a kite-in-tree problem—that escalates into a bigger problem with each attempted solution. What to do? With sweet and clean illustrations in warm fall colors, simple skill-building text, and plenty of mishap, humor, and heart, Fox Has a Problem is an ideal read-aloud for our emerging book lovers and problem solvers.—Melinda

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Fox Has a Problem (My First I Can Read) By Corey R. Tabor, Corey R. Tabor (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Corey R. Tabor, Corey R. Tabor (Illustrator)
$5.99
ISBN: 9780063277922
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Balzer + Bray - August 1st, 2023

The Story of Gumluck the Wizard, Book 1 by Adam Rex

Adam Rex brings us a funny and lovely illustrated fantasy chapter book about the adventures of Gumluck, a little, bumbling wizard whose greatest wish is to help everyone. With a fairy-tale setting recognizable at any age, and a skeptical, sarcastic narrator who tells it like it is, you will laugh and learn about truth and lies, trying your best and being yourself, and really believing in someone else.—Jocelyn

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The Story of Gumluck the Wizard: Book One By Adam Rex Cover Image
$14.99
ISBN: 9781797213231
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Chronicle Books - August 15th, 2023

The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale by Jon Klassen

As she is running away through the snowy woods, Otilla meets her new best friend, a bodiless Skull that can somehow speak to her. The Skull shows Otilla his home, shares a pear snack, and generally makes her feel welcome. But what happens when the night creeps in? In this Tyrolean folktale retelling, you’ll encounter Jon Klassen’s signature blank stares full of humor and joy, combined with the perfect blend of spooky and weird. My new favorite!—Andrea

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The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale By Jon Klassen, Jon Klassen (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Jon Klassen, Jon Klassen (Illustrator)
$19.99
ISBN: 9781536223361
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Candlewick - July 11th, 2023

Skeleanor the Decomposer by Emily Ettlinger

Skeleanor the Decomposer tells the story of a skeleton who wants nothing more than to play violin in a band. This graphic novel is so beautifully painted that the reader will wish they could live in Skeleanor’s world. Given Ettlinger’s obvious passion for music, this story is infectious with its characters’ love of creating something unique and joyful together, even with instruments that might be out of tune.—Isaac

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Skeleanor the Decomposer: A Graphic Novel By Emily Ettlinger, Emily Ettlinger (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Emily Ettlinger, Emily Ettlinger (Illustrator)
$12.99
ISBN: 9780593519448
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Penguin Workshop - August 8th, 2023

Zoey & Sassafras Book 1: Dragons and Marshmallows written by Asia Citro

A beautiful mash-up of science and fantasy! Zoey is a young girl who discovers she can see magical creatures (just like her mom), which turns out to be a useful skill because they are secretly running an urgent care in their backyard. Each book in this series features a different magical creature with a malady that needs attention (and some of these healed creatures make an appearance in later books so it's worth reading in sequence). Written by a science teacher, this series is a great introduction to the scientific method, with lots of magic thrown in for good measure. Really fun. — Michelle

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Dragons and Marshmallows (Zoey and Sassafras #1) By Asia Citro, Marion Lindsay (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Asia Citro, Marion Lindsay (Illustrator)
$6.99
ISBN: 9781943147090
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Innovation Press - March 14th, 2017

Mac Undercover written by Mac Barnett

What if you were a kid, but also secretly a spy for the Queen of England? Well, then you'd be our intrepid author! When the royal Coronation Spoon is stolen, Mac is called in to take on the case. What follows is a madcap adventure with KGB agents, corgis, and hilarious illustrations by Mike Lowry. If you've run out of Dog Man, I promise this will scratch that itch. 

— Ivy

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Mac Undercover (Mac B., Kid Spy #1) By Mac Barnett, Mike Lowery (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Mac Barnett, Mike Lowery (Illustrator)
$12.99
ISBN: 9781338143591
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Orchard Books - September 11th, 2018

The Wolf Suit by Sid Sharp

Bellweather has a problem: he is a sheep in a forest of wolves. Tired of being afraid, he comes up with a solution: THE WOLF SUIT! Beautiful, offbeat illustrations depict the hijinks that inevitably ensue. I was hooked all the way through this delightful graphic novel about conformity, bravery, and strength among friends. — Yves

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The Wolf Suit By Sid Sharp Cover Image
$19.99
ISBN: 9781773217208
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Annick Press - October 25th, 2022

Maxie Wiz and Her Dragon: Book 1 Written by Michelle Meadows, Illustrated by Sawyer Cloud

This new leveled reader is right on cue, with its magic-fueled adventure, rhyming text, and colorful illustrations. Maxie, a budding wizard, conjures up a baby dragon for a playmate. As the dragon grows bigger and bigger, hijinks ensue. Perfect for repeated readings by beginning readers, this early chapter book is lots of fun to decode.  —MICHELLE

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Maxie Wiz and Her Dragon (Step into Reading) By Michelle Meadows, Sawyer Cloud (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Michelle Meadows, Sawyer Cloud (Illustrator)
$5.99
ISBN: 9780593570272
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Random House Books for Young Readers - April 11th, 2023

Jurassic Jeff: Space Invader, Book 1 by Royden Lepp

Jeff the alien does not come in peace. He’s here to take over Planet Earth…but he has arrived way too soon and humans don’t exist yet! No matter, it should be easier to take over with just dinosaurs running the place, right? This vibrantly colorful and funny story is sure to please readers who are learning to love graphic novels and those who avidly devour Spaceman Spiff (of Calvin & Hobbes fame) stories. 

—Ivy

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Jurassic Jeff: Space Invader (Jurassic Jeff Book 1): (A Graphic Novel) (Jeff in the Jurassic #1) By Royden Lepp Cover Image
$13.99
ISBN: 9780593565391
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Random House Graphic - May 30th, 2023

Sherlock Bones & the Case of the Crown Jewels, Book 1 written by Tim Collins

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 a paw —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

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Sherlock Bones and the Case of the Crown Jewels (Adventures of Sherlock Bones #1) By Tim Collins, John Bigwood (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Tim Collins, John Bigwood (Illustrator)
$9.99
ISBN: 9781780557502
Availability: Not On Our Shelves, But Available from Warehouse - Usually Delivers in 3-14 Days
Published: Buster Books - February 7th, 2023

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