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  <title><![CDATA[Ages 9 to 12]]></title>

  <description><![CDATA[The Indie Next List, drawn from bookseller-recommended favorite handsells, epitomizes the heart and soul of passionate bookselling. Independent booksellers are and have always been discoverers of the next big thing, the next great read, the next bestseller, and the next undiscovered gem.]]></description>

  <link><![CDATA[https://www.indiebound.org/]]></link>

  <language><![CDATA[en-us]]></language>

  <item>
  <title><![CDATA[Before the Ever After]]></title>
  <link>http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780399545436</link>
  <description><![CDATA["Jacqueline Woodson brings us into the life of 12-year-old ZJ, whose father is a beloved football star. But after years of professional head-bashing, something is terribly wrong: he now has headaches, memory loss, and mood swings. With the help of his mother and good friends, ZJ faces his father’s decline. An important and heartfelt prose poem." -- Liza Bernard , Norwich Bookstore, Norwich, VT]]></description>
  <dc:title><![CDATA[Before the Ever After]]></dc:title>
  <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jacqueline Woodson]]></dc:creator>
  <dc:publisher><![CDATA[Nancy Paulsen Books]]></dc:publisher>
  <dc:identifier><![CDATA[9780399545436]]></dc:identifier>
  <dc:description><![CDATA[Jacqueline Woodson brings us into the life of 12-year-old ZJ, whose father is a beloved football star. But after years of professional head-bashing, something is terribly wrong: he now has headaches, memory loss, and mood swings. With the help of his mother and good friends, ZJ faces his father’s decline. An important and heartfelt prose poem.]]></dc:description>
  <dc:contributor><![CDATA[Liza Bernard , Norwich Bookstore, Norwich, VT]]></dc:contributor>
  <bsbl:rank><![CDATA[1]]></bsbl:rank>
  <dc:format><![CDATA[Hardcover]]></dc:format>
  <dc:date>2020-09-01T00:00:00-04:00</dc:date>
  </item>

  <item>
  <title><![CDATA[A Cat Story]]></title>
  <link>http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062932044</link>
  <description><![CDATA["Teachers and parents of middle grade students will want this book so they can capture the animal lovers and travelers in the room. It reminded me of the weird and whimsical cat tale told by T.S. Eliot, though set in beautiful Malta. My favorite part is the incorporation of famous historical artwork into the world of the two cats, who dart in and out of everything from Botticelli to Munch." -- Kim Ralph, Lark and Owl Booksellers, Georgetown, TX]]></description>
  <dc:title><![CDATA[A Cat Story]]></dc:title>
  <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ursula Murray Husted, Ursula Murray Husted]]></dc:creator>
  <dc:publisher><![CDATA[]]></dc:publisher>
  <dc:identifier><![CDATA[9780062932044]]></dc:identifier>
  <dc:description><![CDATA[Teachers and parents of middle grade students will want this book so they can capture the animal lovers and travelers in the room. It reminded me of the weird and whimsical cat tale told by T.S. Eliot, though set in beautiful Malta. My favorite part is the incorporation of famous historical artwork into the world of the two cats, who dart in and out of everything from Botticelli to Munch.]]></dc:description>
  <dc:contributor><![CDATA[Kim Ralph, Lark and Owl Booksellers, Georgetown, TX]]></dc:contributor>
  <bsbl:rank><![CDATA[2]]></bsbl:rank>
  <dc:format><![CDATA[Paperback]]></dc:format>
  <dc:date>2020-10-06T00:00:00-04:00</dc:date>
  </item>

  <item>
  <title><![CDATA[Cattywampus]]></title>
  <link>http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338561593</link>
  <description><![CDATA["<em>Cattywampus</em> is filled with raccoon familiars, magic, and two kids aimed at saving their town from generations of zombie ancestors brought on by a spell gone bad! I loved the sense of place Ash Van Otterloo has brought to this book, plus the wonderful language and some beautiful representation." -- Nathaniel Hattrick, Ballast Book Company, Bremerton, WA]]></description>
  <dc:title><![CDATA[Cattywampus]]></dc:title>
  <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ash Van Otterloo]]></dc:creator>
  <dc:publisher><![CDATA[Scholastic Press]]></dc:publisher>
  <dc:identifier><![CDATA[9781338561593]]></dc:identifier>
  <dc:description><![CDATA[<em>Cattywampus</em> is filled with raccoon familiars, magic, and two kids aimed at saving their town from generations of zombie ancestors brought on by a spell gone bad! I loved the sense of place Ash Van Otterloo has brought to this book, plus the wonderful language and some beautiful representation.]]></dc:description>
  <dc:contributor><![CDATA[Nathaniel Hattrick, Ballast Book Company, Bremerton, WA]]></dc:contributor>
  <bsbl:rank><![CDATA[3]]></bsbl:rank>
  <dc:format><![CDATA[Hardcover]]></dc:format>
  <dc:date>2020-08-04T00:00:00-04:00</dc:date>
  </item>

  <item>
  <title><![CDATA[Cinders and Sparrows]]></title>
  <link>http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062289957</link>
  <description><![CDATA["Witches, ghosts, and beastly creatures, oh my! A spine-tingling adventure ensues when a 12-year-old orphan housemaid is found to be the lost heir of a family dynasty of witches. Add in the creepy Blackbird Castle, a pinch of evil villains, and a dash of spells, mix well, and enjoy a suspenseful mystery of good vs. evil." -- Katrina Padilla-Sornoso, San Marino Toy & Book Shoppe, San Marino, CA]]></description>
  <dc:title><![CDATA[Cinders and Sparrows]]></dc:title>
  <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stefan Bachmann]]></dc:creator>
  <dc:publisher><![CDATA[Greenwillow Books]]></dc:publisher>
  <dc:identifier><![CDATA[9780062289957]]></dc:identifier>
  <dc:description><![CDATA[Witches, ghosts, and beastly creatures, oh my! A spine-tingling adventure ensues when a 12-year-old orphan housemaid is found to be the lost heir of a family dynasty of witches. Add in the creepy Blackbird Castle, a pinch of evil villains, and a dash of spells, mix well, and enjoy a suspenseful mystery of good vs. evil.]]></dc:description>
  <dc:contributor><![CDATA[Katrina Padilla-Sornoso, San Marino Toy & Book Shoppe, San Marino, CA]]></dc:contributor>
  <bsbl:rank><![CDATA[4]]></bsbl:rank>
  <dc:format><![CDATA[Hardcover]]></dc:format>
  <dc:date>2020-10-13T00:00:00-04:00</dc:date>
  </item>

  <item>
  <title><![CDATA[Fighting Words]]></title>
  <link>http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984815682</link>
  <description><![CDATA["Wow, wow, WOW. This book handles so many intense, difficult topics — addiction, sexual abuse, foster care, mental health, consent, poverty — in a sensitive, age-appropriate way. I can’t express how perfectly Kimberly Brubaker Bradley walks the line of telling the truth about these situations without ever getting explicit or unnecessarily graphic. I am astounded at how gracefully and carefully this story is laid out. Everyone everywhere should read <em>Fighting Words</em>." -- Tory Hall, Chapters Books & Gifts, Seward, NE]]></description>
  <dc:title><![CDATA[Fighting Words]]></dc:title>
  <dc:creator><![CDATA[Kimberly Brubaker Bradley]]></dc:creator>
  <dc:publisher><![CDATA[Dial Books]]></dc:publisher>
  <dc:identifier><![CDATA[9781984815682]]></dc:identifier>
  <dc:description><![CDATA[Wow, wow, WOW. This book handles so many intense, difficult topics — addiction, sexual abuse, foster care, mental health, consent, poverty — in a sensitive, age-appropriate way. I can’t express how perfectly Kimberly Brubaker Bradley walks the line of telling the truth about these situations without ever getting explicit or unnecessarily graphic. I am astounded at how gracefully and carefully this story is laid out. Everyone everywhere should read <em>Fighting Words</em>.]]></dc:description>
  <dc:contributor><![CDATA[Tory Hall, Chapters Books & Gifts, Seward, NE]]></dc:contributor>
  <bsbl:rank><![CDATA[5]]></bsbl:rank>
  <dc:format><![CDATA[Hardcover]]></dc:format>
  <dc:date>2020-08-11T00:00:00-04:00</dc:date>
  </item>

  <item>
  <title><![CDATA[The Girl and the Ghost]]></title>
  <link>http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062940957</link>
  <description><![CDATA["A marvelously unique story that incorporates both an unfamiliar modern-day world and an uncommon mythology. Should be a great fit for fans of Percy Jackson and the books of Erin Entrada Kelly." -- Rosie Lee-Parks, Readers' Books, Sonoma, CA]]></description>
  <dc:title><![CDATA[The Girl and the Ghost]]></dc:title>
  <dc:creator><![CDATA[Hanna Alkaf]]></dc:creator>
  <dc:publisher><![CDATA[HarperCollins]]></dc:publisher>
  <dc:identifier><![CDATA[9780062940957]]></dc:identifier>
  <dc:description><![CDATA[A marvelously unique story that incorporates both an unfamiliar modern-day world and an uncommon mythology. Should be a great fit for fans of Percy Jackson and the books of Erin Entrada Kelly.]]></dc:description>
  <dc:contributor><![CDATA[Rosie Lee-Parks, Readers' Books, Sonoma, CA]]></dc:contributor>
  <bsbl:rank><![CDATA[6]]></bsbl:rank>
  <dc:format><![CDATA[Hardcover]]></dc:format>
  <dc:date>2020-08-04T00:00:00-04:00</dc:date>
  </item>

  <item>
  <title><![CDATA[Ikenga]]></title>
  <link>http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780593113523</link>
  <description><![CDATA["This is a story that deals with heavy issues through the lens of a 12-year-old boy who lost his father and now seeks justice, superhero style. Preteens often get stuck between books that are too kiddy or too adult; without making it too ‘old’ for them, this walks the fine line of what someone this age is thinking and prepared to learn about. I love the respect Nnedi Okorafor gives kids by putting deep issues and thoughts into her books." -- Kate Larson, Bank Square Books, Mystic, CT]]></description>
  <dc:title><![CDATA[Ikenga]]></dc:title>
  <dc:creator><![CDATA[Nnedi Okorafor]]></dc:creator>
  <dc:publisher><![CDATA[Viking Books for Young Readers]]></dc:publisher>
  <dc:identifier><![CDATA[9780593113523]]></dc:identifier>
  <dc:description><![CDATA[This is a story that deals with heavy issues through the lens of a 12-year-old boy who lost his father and now seeks justice, superhero style. Preteens often get stuck between books that are too kiddy or too adult; without making it too ‘old’ for them, this walks the fine line of what someone this age is thinking and prepared to learn about. I love the respect Nnedi Okorafor gives kids by putting deep issues and thoughts into her books.]]></dc:description>
  <dc:contributor><![CDATA[Kate Larson, Bank Square Books, Mystic, CT]]></dc:contributor>
  <bsbl:rank><![CDATA[7]]></bsbl:rank>
  <dc:format><![CDATA[Hardcover]]></dc:format>
  <dc:date>2020-08-18T00:00:00-04:00</dc:date>
  </item>

  <item>
  <title><![CDATA[Measuring Up]]></title>
  <link>http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062973863</link>
  <description><![CDATA["A really cute graphic novel about a girl who moves from Taiwan to Seattle. Cici has a close relationship with her grandmother back home, who taught her how to cook some of her favorite dishes. Cici makes friends but is often subjected to microaggressions from these friends as well as adults. She desperately wants to bring her grandmother for a visit and  enters a cooking contest to win the money. What comes out of this contest is both surprising and heartwarming." -- Audrey Huang, Belmont Books, Belmont, MA]]></description>
  <dc:title><![CDATA[Measuring Up]]></dc:title>
  <dc:creator><![CDATA[Lily LaMotte, Ann Xu]]></dc:creator>
  <dc:publisher><![CDATA[]]></dc:publisher>
  <dc:identifier><![CDATA[9780062973863]]></dc:identifier>
  <dc:description><![CDATA[A really cute graphic novel about a girl who moves from Taiwan to Seattle. Cici has a close relationship with her grandmother back home, who taught her how to cook some of her favorite dishes. Cici makes friends but is often subjected to microaggressions from these friends as well as adults. She desperately wants to bring her grandmother for a visit and  enters a cooking contest to win the money. What comes out of this contest is both surprising and heartwarming.]]></dc:description>
  <dc:contributor><![CDATA[Audrey Huang, Belmont Books, Belmont, MA]]></dc:contributor>
  <bsbl:rank><![CDATA[8]]></bsbl:rank>
  <dc:format><![CDATA[Paperback]]></dc:format>
  <dc:date>2020-10-27T00:00:00-04:00</dc:date>
  </item>

  <item>
  <title><![CDATA[One Time]]></title>
  <link>http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062570741</link>
  <description><![CDATA["This is a truly beautiful story. The writing is like colors painting pictures of Gina’s life in my mind and I love it. <em>One Time</em> is a story about imagination, childhood, friendship, growing up, and still being a child inside. The characters are wonderful, and the story is heartwarming and relatable to anyone who has ever felt like the odd one out. Everyone should read this book." -- Marielle Orff, Towne Book Center and Wine Bar, Collegeville, PA]]></description>
  <dc:title><![CDATA[One Time]]></dc:title>
  <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sharon Creech]]></dc:creator>
  <dc:publisher><![CDATA[HarperCollins]]></dc:publisher>
  <dc:identifier><![CDATA[9780062570741]]></dc:identifier>
  <dc:description><![CDATA[This is a truly beautiful story. The writing is like colors painting pictures of Gina’s life in my mind and I love it. <em>One Time</em> is a story about imagination, childhood, friendship, growing up, and still being a child inside. The characters are wonderful, and the story is heartwarming and relatable to anyone who has ever felt like the odd one out. Everyone should read this book.]]></dc:description>
  <dc:contributor><![CDATA[Marielle Orff, Towne Book Center and Wine Bar, Collegeville, PA]]></dc:contributor>
  <bsbl:rank><![CDATA[9]]></bsbl:rank>
  <dc:format><![CDATA[Hardcover]]></dc:format>
  <dc:date>2020-09-08T00:00:00-04:00</dc:date>
  </item>

  <item>
  <title><![CDATA[The Places We Sleep]]></title>
  <link>http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780823444212</link>
  <description><![CDATA["This middle grade novel-in-verse follows Abbey, the only child in a military family who is adjusting a new school for the 2001–2002 school year. On September 11, Abbey gets her first period. Abbey grapples with love and loss, family and friends, finding her passion, and connecting to her parents. A beautiful book that effectively captures the post-9/11 world from a 12-year-old’s perspective." -- Kate Storhoff, Bookmarks, Winston-Salem, NC]]></description>
  <dc:title><![CDATA[The Places We Sleep]]></dc:title>
  <dc:creator><![CDATA[Caroline DuBois]]></dc:creator>
  <dc:publisher><![CDATA[Holiday House]]></dc:publisher>
  <dc:identifier><![CDATA[9780823444212]]></dc:identifier>
  <dc:description><![CDATA[This middle grade novel-in-verse follows Abbey, the only child in a military family who is adjusting a new school for the 2001–2002 school year. On September 11, Abbey gets her first period. Abbey grapples with love and loss, family and friends, finding her passion, and connecting to her parents. A beautiful book that effectively captures the post-9/11 world from a 12-year-old’s perspective.]]></dc:description>
  <dc:contributor><![CDATA[Kate Storhoff, Bookmarks, Winston-Salem, NC]]></dc:contributor>
  <bsbl:rank><![CDATA[10]]></bsbl:rank>
  <dc:format><![CDATA[Hardcover]]></dc:format>
  <dc:date>2020-08-25T00:00:00-04:00</dc:date>
  </item>

  <item>
  <title><![CDATA[Premeditated Myrtle (A Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery)]]></title>
  <link>http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781616209186</link>
  <description><![CDATA["Myrtle can give Sherlock Holmes a run for his money! This audacious and bright young detective will stop at nothing to discover what happened to her neighbor. She’s wicked sharp, but that will only take her so far. Luckily, she’s assisted by the invincible Miss Judson, governess and mentor. I flew through this exciting mystery." -- Miriam Meeks, E. Shaver, Bookseller, Savannah, GA]]></description>
  <dc:title><![CDATA[Premeditated Myrtle (A Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery)]]></dc:title>
  <dc:creator><![CDATA[Elizabeth C. Bunce]]></dc:creator>
  <dc:publisher><![CDATA[Algonquin Young Readers]]></dc:publisher>
  <dc:identifier><![CDATA[9781616209186]]></dc:identifier>
  <dc:description><![CDATA[Myrtle can give Sherlock Holmes a run for his money! This audacious and bright young detective will stop at nothing to discover what happened to her neighbor. She’s wicked sharp, but that will only take her so far. Luckily, she’s assisted by the invincible Miss Judson, governess and mentor. I flew through this exciting mystery.]]></dc:description>
  <dc:contributor><![CDATA[Miriam Meeks, E. Shaver, Bookseller, Savannah, GA]]></dc:contributor>
  <bsbl:rank><![CDATA[11]]></bsbl:rank>
  <dc:format><![CDATA[Hardcover]]></dc:format>
  <dc:date>2020-10-06T00:00:00-04:00</dc:date>
  </item>

  <item>
  <title><![CDATA[Séance Tea Party]]></title>
  <link>http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984894151</link>
  <description><![CDATA["Lora doesn’t want to grow up like the rest of her friends; she wants to keep playing outside, imagining far-away places and crazy adventures. When she meets Alexa, a ghost about her age, Lora thinks she has solved her problem — she doesn’t want to grow up, and Alexa never will. But as their friendship grows and Lora begins to meet more living people who have similar interests, they both begin to realize that maybe growing up isn’t bad, it’s just hard." -- Teresa Steele, Old Firehouse Books, Fort Collins, CO]]></description>
  <dc:title><![CDATA[Séance Tea Party]]></dc:title>
  <dc:creator><![CDATA[Reimena Yee]]></dc:creator>
  <dc:publisher><![CDATA[]]></dc:publisher>
  <dc:identifier><![CDATA[9781984894151]]></dc:identifier>
  <dc:description><![CDATA[Lora doesn’t want to grow up like the rest of her friends; she wants to keep playing outside, imagining far-away places and crazy adventures. When she meets Alexa, a ghost about her age, Lora thinks she has solved her problem — she doesn’t want to grow up, and Alexa never will. But as their friendship grows and Lora begins to meet more living people who have similar interests, they both begin to realize that maybe growing up isn’t bad, it’s just hard.]]></dc:description>
  <dc:contributor><![CDATA[Teresa Steele, Old Firehouse Books, Fort Collins, CO]]></dc:contributor>
  <bsbl:rank><![CDATA[12]]></bsbl:rank>
  <dc:format><![CDATA[Paperback]]></dc:format>
  <dc:date>2020-09-15T00:00:00-04:00</dc:date>
  </item>

  <item>
  <title><![CDATA[The Silver Arrow]]></title>
  <link>http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780316539531</link>
  <description><![CDATA["When Kate and Tom’s rich, eccentric uncle delivers a steam train on Kate’s birthday, the breathtaking adventure they take will sweep readers off of their feet. Meeting many (talking!) endangered animals on the train, taking them to safe places to live after their habitats were destroyed, and hearing their stories fills Kate with a need to help them all. The important message of conservation and awareness is not blatantly lectured on, but brought up in an honest and hopeful way." -- Katrina Bright-Yerges, Books & Company, Oconomowoc, WI]]></description>
  <dc:title><![CDATA[The Silver Arrow]]></dc:title>
  <dc:creator><![CDATA[Lev Grossman]]></dc:creator>
  <dc:publisher><![CDATA[Little, Brown Books for Young Readers]]></dc:publisher>
  <dc:identifier><![CDATA[9780316539531]]></dc:identifier>
  <dc:description><![CDATA[When Kate and Tom’s rich, eccentric uncle delivers a steam train on Kate’s birthday, the breathtaking adventure they take will sweep readers off of their feet. Meeting many (talking!) endangered animals on the train, taking them to safe places to live after their habitats were destroyed, and hearing their stories fills Kate with a need to help them all. The important message of conservation and awareness is not blatantly lectured on, but brought up in an honest and hopeful way.]]></dc:description>
  <dc:contributor><![CDATA[Katrina Bright-Yerges, Books & Company, Oconomowoc, WI]]></dc:contributor>
  <bsbl:rank><![CDATA[13]]></bsbl:rank>
  <dc:format><![CDATA[Hardcover]]></dc:format>
  <dc:date>2020-09-01T00:00:00-04:00</dc:date>
  </item>

  <item>
  <title><![CDATA[Three Keys (A Front Desk Novel)]]></title>
  <link>http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338591385</link>
  <description><![CDATA["A heartfelt and powerful middle grade novel about southern California in 1994 grappling with immigration and Proposition 187. While I haven’t read <em>Front Desk</em>, its sequel stands well on its own. Mia Tang, daughter of Chinese immigrants, helps run their motel with the help of a rainbow cast of locals and friends. When her best friend’s father is arrested and threatened with deportation, they all band together to fight for his release amidst the Prop 187 protests. The novel explores friendship and determination in ways that will bring tears and laughs." -- Robin Stern, Books Inc., San Francisco, CA]]></description>
  <dc:title><![CDATA[Three Keys (A Front Desk Novel)]]></dc:title>
  <dc:creator><![CDATA[Kelly Yang]]></dc:creator>
  <dc:publisher><![CDATA[Scholastic Press]]></dc:publisher>
  <dc:identifier><![CDATA[9781338591385]]></dc:identifier>
  <dc:description><![CDATA[A heartfelt and powerful middle grade novel about southern California in 1994 grappling with immigration and Proposition 187. While I haven’t read <em>Front Desk</em>, its sequel stands well on its own. Mia Tang, daughter of Chinese immigrants, helps run their motel with the help of a rainbow cast of locals and friends. When her best friend’s father is arrested and threatened with deportation, they all band together to fight for his release amidst the Prop 187 protests. The novel explores friendship and determination in ways that will bring tears and laughs.]]></dc:description>
  <dc:contributor><![CDATA[Robin Stern, Books Inc., San Francisco, CA]]></dc:contributor>
  <bsbl:rank><![CDATA[14]]></bsbl:rank>
  <dc:format><![CDATA[Hardcover]]></dc:format>
  <dc:date>2020-09-15T00:00:00-04:00</dc:date>
  </item>

  <item>
  <title><![CDATA[A Whale of the Wild]]></title>
  <link>http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062995926</link>
  <description><![CDATA["What a great follow up to <em>A Wolf Called Wander</em>! This time in the Salish Sea! When an orca brother and sister are separated from their pod, they need to find their way back, and they help others along the way. I learned a lot about the orcas and their ecosystem in this great book, which shows the true meaning of family and what it means to love them eternally, while finding how to be your true self!" -- Derrick Brunner, The Well-Read Moose, Coeur d'Alene, ID]]></description>
  <dc:title><![CDATA[A Whale of the Wild]]></dc:title>
  <dc:creator><![CDATA[Rosanne Parry, Lindsay Moore]]></dc:creator>
  <dc:publisher><![CDATA[Greenwillow Books]]></dc:publisher>
  <dc:identifier><![CDATA[9780062995926]]></dc:identifier>
  <dc:description><![CDATA[What a great follow up to <em>A Wolf Called Wander</em>! This time in the Salish Sea! When an orca brother and sister are separated from their pod, they need to find their way back, and they help others along the way. I learned a lot about the orcas and their ecosystem in this great book, which shows the true meaning of family and what it means to love them eternally, while finding how to be your true self!]]></dc:description>
  <dc:contributor><![CDATA[Derrick Brunner, The Well-Read Moose, Coeur d'Alene, ID]]></dc:contributor>
  <bsbl:rank><![CDATA[15]]></bsbl:rank>
  <dc:format><![CDATA[Hardcover]]></dc:format>
  <dc:date>2020-09-01T00:00:00-04:00</dc:date>
  </item>

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