Unearth a Story: Independent Reader

Our 2026 Bookworm Summer Reading Theme is Unearth a Story. Dig into these exciting reads to get you started!

Updated April 6, 2026
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Dinosaur! : dinosaurs and other amazing prehistoric creatures as you've never seen them before
Woodward, John
Paper Book
Journey back in time to explore the prehistoric world like you've never known before with this children's encyclopedia perfect for young dinosaur lovers. Forming part of a fantastic series of kid's educational books, this bold and brilliant dinosaur book for kids uses ground...
How do dinosaurs say good night? ... and more stories that rhyme
Yolen, Jane.
The last apple tree
Mills, Claudia
Paper Book
When feuding neighbors Sonnet and Zeke are paired up for a class project, they unearth a secret that could uproot Sonnet's family--or allow it to finally heal and grow. Twelve-year-old Sonnet's family has just moved across the country to live with her grandfather after her nana...
Lost time
Mukanik, Tas
Paper Book
Jurassic World meets How to Train Your Dragon in this gorgeously drawn, adventure-packed middle grade graphic novel about a girl who gets trapped 65 million years in the past and must learn to survive with only her wits...and the pterosaur she befriends. Twelve-year...
Dinosaurs before dark
Osborne, Mary Pope.
Paper Book
Where did the magic tree house come from? Before Jack and Anie can find out, the mysterious tree house whisks them back to the prehistoric past. Now can they do it before dark... or will they become a dinosaur's dinner?
The talking T. Rex
Roy, Ron
Paper Book
Help Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose solve mysteries from A to Z! Kids love collecting the entire alphabet and super editions! With over 8 million copies in print, the A to Z Mysteries have been hooking chapter book readers on mysteries and reading for years. Now this classic kid...
Valley of the giant skeletons
Stilton, Geronimo.
Paper Book
Enter the world of Geronimo Stilton, where another funny adventure is always right around the corner. Each book is a fast-paced adventure with lively art and a unique format kids 7-10 will love.Tuslaarai! Tuslaarai! That's Mongolian for "Help!" and holey cheese did I need some! I was lost in...
The mystery of the stolen dinosaur bones
Warner, Gertrude Chandler
Paper Book
The Aldens are visiting a real dinosaur dig in Montana, in an area full of fossils and caves! But the bones of a rare dinosaur have gone missing, and when the children begin to search for clues they hear strange noises in the caves and discover mysterious tracks! Why are bones disappearing? And...
Digging for dinos
Young, Jessica
Paper Book
Meet Haggis and Tank--two dogs with BIG imaginations!This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost...
The Secret Explorers and the Jurassic rescue
King, SJ
Paper Book
Travel back in time and discover facts you never knew about dinosaurs and prehistoric life in this fourth instalment of the The Secret Explorers. This group of brilliant kids come together from all four corners of the globe to fix problems, solve mysteries and gather knowledge...

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