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School has been busy but my tweens have still been reading up a storm. Here is a look at some of the recent books that my 9 and 12-year-old children have been reading. With summer vacation soon approaching, maybe some of these reads will interest your own tweens.
The 9-year-old:
Big Nate on a Roll by Lincoln Peirce
Published: HarperCollins, August 2011
Pages: 224
Source: borrowed from the library
Rating: 4/5 stars
This is the third book in the Big Nate series. This series is similar to the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series in that there are lots of cartoon-like illustrations mixed with the text. In this book, Nate’s Timber Scouts troop is selling wall hangings. The grand prize is a customized skate board that Nate really wants. But he has major competition from new troop member Artur. Who will win the grand prize?! As a fan of cartoons and comics, my son likes this series. He’s read a couple of other books in the Big Nate series and thinks Nate is a funny character.
Bunny vs. Monkey: Book Two by Jamie Smart
Published by: David Fickling Books, August 2015
Pages: 64
Source: borrowed from the library
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
This is the second book in the Bunny vs. Monkey children’s graphic novel series. Bunny fights for good while Monkey fights for evil. This book is broken up by seasons, with several comics for each month. Each comic stars Bunny, Monkey, Pig and Squirrel along with some other woodland creatures. Monkey is always unsuccessfully trying to destroy the forest. My son found this book to be hilarious.
The Lost Hero: The Graphic Novel adapted by Robert Venditti
Art by: Nate Powell
Published by: Disney-Hyperion, October 2014
Pages: 192
Source: borrowed from the library
Rating: 4/5 stars
My son and I read The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan together a couple of months ago. When he saw this graphic novel at the library, he of course had to check it out. This book combines his love of comics with the great story of The Lost Hero.
Middle School Get Me Out of Here by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts
Published by: Jimmy Patterson, May 2012
Pages: 288
Source: borrowed from the library
Rating: 4/5 stars
This is the follow-up book to Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life. Rafe is now in 7th grade and has been accepted into art school. The family is now living with Rafe’s grandmother in the city, after there’s a fire in the restaurant where his mom worked. His new school isn’t all that Rafe expected it to be and he deals with bullying and trying to make new friends and fit in. There are plenty of illustrations in this book that help add to the story. Fans of the first book will likely enjoy this book as well.
Stick Dog Slurps Spaghetti (#6) by Tom Waston
Published by: HarperCollins, March 2016
Pages: 240
Source: borrowed from the library
Rating: 3/5 stars
This is the sixth book in the Stick Dog series. This is another series with lots of simple drawings. Can you tell the type of books my son enjoys reading?! In this book after Stick Dog and his friends get a small taste of spaghetti, they go on a search to get more. He enjoyed this book as much as the others that he read.
Zach King: My Magical Life
Illustrated by: Beverly Arce
Published by: HarperCollins, September 2017
Pages: 208
Source: borrowed from library
Rating: 5/5 stars
Zach King is a social media star and magician. My Magical Life is his debut novel targeted for middle grade readers. Everyone in Zach’s family has a magical power, but he hasn’t discovered his yet. So, his parents decide to stop homeschooling him and send him to a regular middle school. This book comes with a free downloadable app and it will eventually be coming to the big screen. Prior to reading the book my son was familiar with Zach King from YouTube. He loved this book and thought it was a fun read.
The 12-year-old:
30 People Who Changed the World – Edited by Jean Reynolds
Published by: Seagrass Press, October 2017
Pages: 144
Source: c/o publisher
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
This is a non-fiction book that includes 30 “bite-sized essay from award-winning writers.” Biographies include Julius Caesar, Cesar Chavez, Rosa Park, Sally Ride, Queen Victoria, Malala Yousafzai and many more. Each essay includes photographs and additional print and media resources to learn more information about the individual. My daughter found this book to be very educational. This isn’t a book that she read straight through, but rather would read an essay every now and then. Her favorites include Sally Ride and Malala Yousafzai.
The Flip Side by Shawn Johnson
Published by: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers, June 2016
Pages: 309
Source: borrowed from library
Rating: 4/5 stars
This is Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson’s first YA novel. In this book, high school sophomore Charlie is training to be an Olympic gymnast. But she really wants to do normal high school things like date boys and go to prom. I read this book when it was first published. I had to remind myself that it is a YA book, intended for younger readers. However, the writing and story is appropriate for even middle school readers. My daughter really liked this book. She liked Charlie and found her double life intriguing.
Kate Walden Directs: Night of the Zombie Chickens by Julie Mata
Published by: Disney-Hyperion, May 2014
Pages: 288
Source: borrowed from library
Rating: 3/5 stars
This middle-grade fiction book is about Kate Walden, a seventh-grade film fanatic. She’s working on her breakout film Night of the Zombie Chickens starring her mom’s organic hens. Then her best friend ditches her for the “cool kids” and Kate ends up alone at the loser table during lunch. Kate ends up dealing with both family issues and friendship issues all while trying to finish her film. My daughter thought this was an okay book about perseverance.
Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
Published by: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, March 2010
Pages: 295
Source: borrowed from library
Rating: 5/5 stars
11-year-old Melody has cerebral palsy and cannot walk or talk. However, Melody refuses to be defined by her disability. My daughter loves this book so much and has read it multiple times. She finds it very inspirational and highly recommends this book to middle school-aged readers.
Pottymouth and Stoopid by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein
Published by: Jimmy Patterson, June 2017
Pages: 336
Source: borrowed from library
Rating: 3/5 stars
Seventh graders David and Michael are still stuck with the nicknames they received in preschool, “Pottymouth” and “Stoopid.” When a new show on the Cartoon Network debuts, with the name “Pottymouth & Stoopid” the two become very popular. Who is making the television show and how do they know so much about David and Michael’s life? This book is a humorous take on the serious topic of bullying. My daughter thought that this was an okay read. She’s read several other of James Patterson’s series and this wasn’t her favorite.
The Power of Poppy Pendle by Natasha Lowe
Published by: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, September 2012
Pages: 268
Source: Courtesy of the author
Rating: 3/5 stars
Poppy is born into a long line of witches and has inherited great powers. Even though she’s a talented witch, she really wants to be a baker. However, her parents disagree and will do anything to keep her away from baking. That’s when Poppy decides to take matters into her own hands. This is the first book of three books in the Poppy Pendle series. Several recipes that Poppy makes in the book are included in the back of the book. My daughter thought this was a good book. She liked when Poppy stands up for herself and makes new friends. She also enjoyed reading about all of the delicious things that Poppy made.
