The Children’s Book Review | March 1, 2014
Hot New Releases & Popular Kids Stories
Are you looking for popular books that appeal to middle grade readers? Check out some of the best new kids books that release this month; including the latest from Tom Angleberger’s Origami Yoda series, Lincoln Pierce’s newest installment of Big Nate, and more fun books from popular authors like Garth Nix, Shannon Hale and James Patterson.
Princess Labelmaker to the Rescue
At McQuarrie Middle School, the war against the FunTime Menace—aka test prep—wages on. Our heroes have one battle under their belts, and they’ve even found a surprising ally in Jabba the Puppett. But to defeat the Dark Standardized Testing Forces they’re going to need an even bigger, even more surprising ally: Principal Rabbski. But with great forces—aka the school board—pushing her from above, will the gang’s former enemy don a finger puppet and join the Rebellion—or will her transformation to Empress Rabbski, Dark Lord of the Sith, be complete?
With this timely episode in the blockbuster Origami Yoda series, Tom Angleberger demonstrates once again that his “grasp of middle-school emotions, humor and behavior is spot-on” (Scripps Howard News Service).
Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Amulet Books | March 4, 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-1419710520
Big Nate: In the Zone
The sixth Big Nate book in the New York Times bestselling series by Lincoln Peirce! The latest illustrated novel from Lincoln Peirce is a laugh-out-loud must-read starring the one and only cartooning genius, king of detention, and Cheez Doodle connoisseur, Nate Wright. Nate’s not having the best of luck . . . in fact; he’s not having ANY luck. But with a little boost thanks to Chad’s lucky foot, suddenly good luck is everywhere Nate turns! Nate’s in the zone! But how long will it last?
“Big Nate is funny, big time,” says Diary of a Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney.
Lincoln Peirce continues to thrill readers with his hilarious series. Big Nate: In the Zone boasts more than 500 black-and-white illustrations, depicting an Enslave the Mollusk performance, a brand-new rival for Nate, and awesome Nate Wright comix, and also supports the Common Core State Standards.
Includes a sneak peek to the seventh Big Nate novel!
Ages 8-12 | Publisher: HarperCollins | March 11, 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0061996658
Spirit Animals Book 3: Blood Ties
By Garth Nix
The adventure continues in this third book of the epic multiplatform fantasy series.
Erdas is a land of balance. A rare link, the spirit animal bond, bridges the human and animal worlds. Conor, Abeke, Meilin, and Rollan each have this gift-and the grave responsibility that comes with it.
But the Conquerors are trying to destroy this balance. They’re swallowing whole cities in their rush for power-including Meilin’s home. Fed up with waiting and ready to fight, Meilin has set off into enemy territory with her spirit animal, a panda named Jhi. Her friends aren’t far behind . . . but they’re not the only ones.
The enemy is everywhere.
Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Scholastic | March 25, 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0545522458
Ever After High: The Unfairest of Them All
By Shannon Hale
It’s the aftermath of Legacy Day, the day when the students at Ever After High are supposed to pledge to follow in their fairytale parents’ footsteps, and everyone is in a huff and a puff! Raven Queen, daughter of the Evil Queen, has refused to sign the Storybook of Legends, rejecting her story–and putting everyone else’s in jeopardy.
The Royal Apple White doesn’t want to think Raven is being a rebellious pain, but Raven’s choice means Apple might never get the poisoned apple, Prince Charming, and a kingdom to rule. Behind Apple stands the Royals, those who want to play by the book and embrace their stories. The Rebels, supporters of Raven, believe in breaking free from destiny and writing their own stories.
But when the chaos and rivalry land wonderlandiful Madeline Hatter in trouble, Raven and Apple must bring the Royals and the Rebels together to shut the book on their feud before it threatens to end all of their Happily Ever Afters once and for all.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall…Who’e the Unfairest of Them All?
Don’t miss Book #1, Ever After High: The Storybook of Legends!
Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers | March 25, 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0316282017
Middle School: Ultimate Showdown
Readers get a chance to participate in James Patterson’s wildly successful Middle School series in this interactive book featuring more than 80 hilarious anecdotes from dueling siblings Rafe and Georgia Khatchadorian–plus dozens of fun-filled activities!
The Khatchadorian kids are an opinionated duo, and as readers of the Middle School stories know, they don’t exactly see eye to eye. But when wild-card Rafe and mostly-straight-laced Georgia go at it, the only thing more fun than their ranting is getting to join in! Their back-and-forth banter on a range of topics–from bullying to cafeteria food to school dress codes–introduces more than 40 writing and drawing prompts and other games, along with room for readers to share their own points of view. (Includes over 200 illustrations.)
Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Little, Brown and Company | March 31, 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0316322119
We hope you find something that piques your interest from our list of best new kids books and popular kids stories! Which book sounds the most exciting to you? Tom Angleberger’s latest Origami Yoda series book, Lincoln Pierce’s newest installment of Big Nate, the new Spirit Animals book from Garth Nix, or the books by Shannon Hale and James Patterson? If you happen to be looking for more picture book titles, take a look at our bestselling middle grade booklist from February, 2014.
