Little Maverick Award List 2026Like this list

15 items

• Dino Poet. 1

  Angleberger, Tom,

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  Ages 6-9. In the eat-or-be-eaten world of this story, every snack-sized reptile has to hustle to avoid becoming lunch. When the ever-appetizing Frog crosses paths with aspiring poet Coelophysis, Frog employs philosophical wits to redirect…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Max, a Little Axolotl

  An Original Graphic Novel

  Spiotto, Joey,

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  Ages 6-9. Axolotl Max's peaceful lake-dwelling lifestyle is rudely disrupted by habitat-harming construction when a quick-thinking conservationist intervenes, giving Max a fresh start at a nearby aquarium. Much to standoffish Max's chagrin, his new…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Dream on

  Hale, Shannon,

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  Ages 8-12. As one of six kids, Cassie doesn't get much one-on-one time with her parents and often feels overlooked. When her best friend, Vali, starts to hang out with a mean girl in their class, Cassie feels abandoned with no one to talk to. So,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Mixed-up

  Garcia, Kami,

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  Age 8-12. Fifth grade friends Stella, Latasha, and Emiko have a shared obsession: their favorite magical television show, Witchlins. But when the TV show releases a guidebook and accompanying digital game, Stella can't keep up with the text-heavy…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Fire-breathing Duckling

  Cammuso, Frank,

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  Ages 5-7. In this appealing spin on Hans Christian Andersen's "The Ugly Duckling," a mama duck finds a strange egg in her nest. When it hatches, a red, reptilian creature entirely unlike its siblings emerges. Despite the love and acceptance shown by…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Welcome to Barnacle Bay

  Curll, Jana

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  Ages 6-9. Pun-tastic introductions to kelp, sea stars, shellfish, and other residents of ocean shallows. "You can run, but you can't tide!" quips a sea star on the title page--giving fair warning of what's in store as a crabby purple shore crab…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Detective Beans & the Case of the Missing Hat

  Chen, Li, 1986-

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  Ages 7-10. This cat is on the case! Trench coat--clad Beans--called Jellybean by his affectionate mother--is a majorly cute tabby who takes his job seriously. As he tells Mom, he's "a hard-boiled detective cleaning up this city one case at a time."…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Chickenpox

  Lai, Remy,

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  Ages 8-12. Set in 1994 Indonesia, the tale is related from a surprising first-person viewpoint: that of her oldest sister, Abby. At twelve, Abby finds little peace at home with four little brothers and sisters constantly quarreling and demanding…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• What If Marty Doesn't Like My Party?

  Arthur, Katie

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  Ages 6-9. Henry, a city kid, is excited and worried about his upcoming birthday party. His very favorite friend and coolest kid in class, Marty, is invited. Henry is trying to fall asleep but cannot stop going down the what-if rabbit hole. He…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Supa Nova

  Timothy, Chanté,

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  Ages 7-10. Nova is horrified when she learns about the world's plastic problem and the trash islands floating in the ocean. Good thing she has a super-secret lab in her basement. No problem is too big for Supa Nova or for science! But things go…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• How to Talk to Your Succulent

  Persico, Zoe, 1993-

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  Ages 8-12. During Thanksgiving break, 11-year-old Adara and her father move from California to Michigan to live with her grandmother. Adara misses her late mother, who could communicate with plants, and tries talking to her mother's plants herself,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Pacheco and the Witch of the Mountain

  a Graphic Novel

  Zambrano, Juan E.,

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  Ages 8-12. Ranging from cozy cottage magic to epic duels and transformation, this debut graphic novel will bring delight and promote authenticity while warning against the fallacy of appealing to tradition. Pacheco, who comes from a line of…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Free Piano (not Haunted)

  Gardner, Whitney,

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  Ages 10-12. Margot comes across a keyboard left on the street and decides to take it home, despite the sign that reads "Free Piano, Not Haunted." Margot's hipster dad promises to teach her how to play but instead moves away to pursue his music…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• A Hillside Valley Graphic Novel. 1, Speak Up, Santiago!

  Anta, Julio,

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  Ages 8-12. Santi is spending a month with his abuela during the summer in an effort to improve his Spanish. Abuela Emma, who speaks more Spanish than English, has high expectations for Santi to learn as much as possible in his time with her. Santi…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Wish I Was a Baller

  Shah, Amar (Screenwriter),

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  Ages 8-12. In 1995, 14-year-old Shah finesses a press pass from the school newspaper editor to gain access to the Chicago Bulls, who are practicing on his Orlando high school campus. Though Shah's main goal is to meet the Bulls, once he experiences…Read moreRead more of this annotation