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
Created in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution and packed with fun facts on fossils, amphibians, sea creatures, woolly mammoths, Neanderthals, insects and more, Dinosaur! will intrigue readers and provide an experience that will redefine natural history for kids. The lost world of...
How do dinosaurs get well soon?
Yolen, Jane.
Paper Book
The bestselling, award-winning team of Yolen and Teague are back with another playful dinosaur tale--this time about a sick dinosaur child who catches the flu and must go to the doctor.What if a dinosaur catches the flu?Does he whimper and whine between each "At-choo"?Does he drop dirty tissues all...
Dinosaurs for kids : an introduction to dinosaur paleontology
Kuether, James
Paper Book
Discover the fascinating world of prehistoric life with this children's book that includes an introduction to paleontology and a guide to dinosaurs. Dinosaurs are as mysterious as they are captivating. Children hunger to better understand them. Become a young paleontologist. Learn...
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...
Dino-Mike and the dinosaur cove
Aureliani, Franco
Paper Book
Dino-Mike and his best friend, Shannon, discover that the nefarious Mr. Bones has gone underground down under! Mike and Shannon track the dino-reviving villain to a secret cove in Australia that contains a cache of dinosaur bones! Mr. Bones plans to create an army of reanimated dinos--and only Mike...
Dinomighty!
Paleo, Doug
Paper Book
A wildly funny full-color graphic novel about dinosaur heroes on a quest to fight for good over evil. On their own, they are four mild-mannered dinos, but together they are . . . DINOMIGHTY! Everything is pleasant and good in Dinotown . . . until Teri-Dactyl discovers a cryptic...
Dinosaurs before dark
Osborne, Mary Pope.
Paper Book
Read the #1 bestselling chapter book that started it all! Magic. Mystery. Time-travel. Get whisked back in time in the magic tree house with Jack and Annie! Where did the tree house come from? Before Jack and Annie can find out, the mysterious tree house whisks them...
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...
The test of time : the sixth journey through time
Stilton, Geronimo
Paper Book
A thrilling quest through the past!A fur-raising journey through time!I, Geronimo Stilton, found myself traveling through time once again! While testing his latest time machine, Professor von Volt accidently brought some history into the present. Tops, our triceratops friend, Helen of Troy,...
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...
The raptor rescue
Warner, Gertrude Chandler
CD
The Raptor Rehab Center's reputation is at stake! Can the Aldens figure out who's responsible for the bad press before the center gets shut down for good? Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny are excited to learn more about raptors when they volunteer at a rehab center for wild birds. But...

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