August 2026 Selections
August Is American Artist and Women’s Equality Month
To access the books on our monthly MPS Reads book lists, visit your school library or local library. You can also go online to Sora* (formerly OverDrive) and log in with your MPS student ID number.
*Not all titles are available through Sora.
This page has been specially formatted for printing. To request a one-page, print-only version of these book selections for home or classroom printing, please contact webmaster@milwaukeepublicschools.org.
Primary (Preschool–Grade 2)
I Want to Be a Vase
by Julio Torres, illustrated by Julian Glander
Shapes. Do you really know them? From plucky Plunger, who wishes to defy his shape and become a beautiful vase, to other household objects with dreams of a life beyond their predestined roles, readers will enjoy a visually stunning journey through the lives of household appliances.
Time to Make Art
by Jeff Mack
A young girl asks meaningful questions about creating art, and her questions are answered by a diverse group of artists throughout time and history. This book introduces readers to diverse works from every era and continent in a playful and inspiring way.
Intermediate (Grades 3–5)
A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin
by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
As a child in the late 1800s, Horace Pippin loved to draw. Even during WWI, Horace filled notebooks with drawings, until he was shot. Horace couldn't lift his right arm and couldn't make art. Slowly, he regained use of his arm until he was able to paint. Before long, his paintings were displayed in galleries and museums across the country.
The Black Mambas: The World's First All-Woman Anti-Poaching Unit
by Kelly Crull
This anti-poaching team is unlike any other: they carry no weapons. They keep animals safe with frequent patrols and a keen eye for footprints, snares, and clues that poachers are nearby. These courageous women work in a nature reserve in South Africa, home to white rhinos, black rhinos, and ground pangolins.
Middle School (Grades 6–8)
Let’s Get Together
by Brandy Colbert
The day Liberty and Kenya meet, they discover they are identical. Neither of them is ready for a twin sister (they're unsure if they even want one). But the connection they share might be even stronger than the things that kept them apart—and they begin to see that teaming up might be the only way to set everything right.
Black Star
by Kwame Alexander
12-year-old Charley Cuffey is probably the best pitcher in Lee’s Mill. Set on becoming the first female pitcher to play professional ball, Charley doesn't need reminders from her best friend, Cool Willie Green, to know that she has lofty dreams for a Black girl in the American South.
High School (Grades 9–12)
Soundtrack
by Jason Reynolds
Stuy Grey plays the drums, just like his mom, a founding member of the Bed-Stuy Magic Dusters. His landlord, Dunks, shreds on only five strings. Add Alexis on bass guitar and Keith on horn: These teens are a band, busking in New York City. When the police start looking for their bassist, Stuy faces his toughest decision yet.
Wish Upon a K-Star
by Kat Cho
Moon Minseok wasn’t born to lead. Even as part of the world’s most popular K-Pop group, he found comfort in his role as the jokester, the sidekick, the unserious one (with the cutest smile). But now WDB is drowning in dating scandals, and it’s time for Moonster to take charge of the group's image.
Manga
Yokai Cats, Vol. 1
by Pandania
Think cats are mischievous pranksters? Wait till you meet the yokai cats! One has a neck that can stretch to steal food off the counter, and another looks like a wall big enough to block a road, but is still warm and fluffy. Get ready to be surprised and delighted by these supernatural felines and their humans.
Books in Spanish
Suenos salvajes
by Margarita Engle
Ana y su madre han estado viviendo en su coche. Leandro ha luchado contra la ansiedad desde que su familia huyó de Cuba. Ana y Leandro fundan un club de «renaturalización» en su escuela para ayudar a los pumas a encontrarse entre sí. Si los pumas pueden hallar el camino hacia un mañana mejor, seguramente Ana y Leandro también podrán hacerlo.
MPS Reads Archive
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