THE EPIC GUIDE TO DRAGON MASTERS: A Branches Special Edition (Dragon Masters), by Tracey West and Matt Loveridge, Scholastic Inc.; Special Edition, Aug. 6, 2024, Paperback, $11.99 (ages 6-8)

The Epic Guide to Dragon Masters is a special edition guidebook for Tracey West’s bestselling Dragon Masters early chapter book series.

Kids love reading all about the Dragon Masters’ adventures in Tracey West’s Dragon Masters early chapter book series. Now fans can own the official guide to Dragon Masters. This epic, 256-page, full-color special edition features maps, information about Dragon Masters and their dragons, notes from wizards, the history of Dragon Masters, and more! This book has everything a future Dragon Master needs to know! —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Inc.

The intended audience for The Epic Guide to Dragon Masters is fans of the series, but I could see this book drawing in new fans as well. It’s the sort of primer that I know my kid would have poured over time and time again. With full-color throughout and accessible snippets of text, it’s perfect for early chapter readers. You can read the book front-to-back or flip through, grazing information. And, with a price of $11.99 for the paperback, it’s affordable for a 250-page book.

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NATE THE GREAT AND THE STAR-SPANGLED PARROT, by Andrew Sharmat, Olga Ivanov, and Aleksey Ivanov, Delacorte Press, June 11, 2024, Hardcover, $14.99 (ages 6-9)

One of childhood’s favorite detectives is back on the case, and just in time for the 4^th of July, in Nate the Great and the Star-Spangled Parrot.

Nate is working two cases at once! A double whammy in more ways than one way!

The annual 4th of July Picnic is two days away and decorations are going up in Deering Oaks Park. As Nate and Sludge stroll along, they run into their friend Pip and his parrot Prattles. Pip explains that he’s lost his other parrot—Penelope—a drone that he disguised as a parrot, as a friend for Prattles. Pip plans to sing the Star-Spangled Banner with Prattles and Penelope at the picnic so they don’t have much time.

The next day, Claude comes calling and asks Nate if he can help solve a case for him. He explains he’s lost Baxter, his drone parrot. A lightbulb goes off in Nate’s head–an idea that may very well lead to solving both cases at once.

What happens next is a mix-up of epic proportions, but in the end Nate’s smart thinking and problem-solving makes sense of it all. And on picnic day, Pip is able to sing his song with Prattles and Penelope, however a pig called Anastasia manages to somehow steal the show! —Synopsis provided by Delacorte Press

My daughter was 5 when she was first introduced to Nate the Great, and he’s held a soft spot in her heart ever since. In fact, I think it’s because of the series that she’s fallen in love with mysteries.

Like the other books in the series, Nate the Great and the Star-Spangled Parrot features short chapters with engaging illustrations that help emerging readers to contextualize. The book is just over 60 pages, making it accessible while still feeling like a step forward as far as reading chapters is concerned.

The main thing about Nate the Great and the Star-Spangled Parrot is that it’s a story kids will enjoy. They’ll want to see what happens, and they’ll have fun finding out. It (and all the Nate books) are great options for summer reading.

About the creators:

Andrew Sharmat previously collaborated with his mother, Marjorie Weinman Sharmat, the creator of Nate the Great. Now Andrew continues solving mysteries with Nate and Sludge, most recently in Nate the Great and the Earth Day Robot and Nate the Great and the Missing Tomatoes. He lives in Indiana.

Olga and Aleksey Ivanov are renowned children’s book illustrators/authors and classically trained commercial artists. This talented husband-and-wife team immigrated to the United States in 2002 and live in Colorado. In all, the two have illustrated over 100 children’s books around the globe.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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This series will feature 18 books about 18 kids who have in total 18 secrets. Each book is written by a different author about a different kid in the same third-grade class. Each book’s main character then becomes a supporting character in subsequent books in the series.

The first two books, Emma McKenna, Full Out, by Kate Messner, and Rohan Murthy Has a Plan, by Rajani LaRocca, published April 30 in hardcover ($15.99), paperback ($6.99), eBook ($6.99) and audio ($14.95). The next two books, Poppy Song Bakes a Way, by Karina Yan Glaser, and The Legend of Memo Castillo, by William Alexander, have a release date of Oct. 8. Kat Fajardo is the series illustrator.

By design, the utilization of 18 different authors ensures that the series reflects the diversity of classrooms in America today.

As an early-chapter series, readers can expect short chapters with accessible language and lots of fun illustrations. Each book is just over 100 pages, making them inviting for kids who are moving out of picture books and early readers, but aren’t quite ready for a full-on novel.

Both Messner and LaRocca write with ease. Their text is full of energy and excitement. Their writing is perfectly tailored for the intended audience. So, too are the illustrations that not only celebrate the main characters, but give kids a glimpse of students who will be featured later on. Readers will especially be drawn to the books’ front pages, which feature pictures of each of the 18 kids in Mrs. Z’s class.

Learn more about the first two books below.

EMMA MCKENNA, FULL OUT, by Kate Messner and Kat Fajardo, Algonquin Young Readers, April 30, 2024, Paperback, $6.99 (ages 6-9)

Emma McKenna can’t wait for third grade at the brand-new Curiosity Academy. She’ll have a cool teacher who wears high-tops and science earrings. She’ll meet interesting classmates from all over Peppermint Falls. Best of all, she’ll get a fresh start after last year’s talent-show disaster left her with that awful nickname. It’s going to be the best year ever!

Then Lucy walks into Mrs. Z’s room. Lucy, Emma’s best-friend-turned-enemy. Lucy, who gave Emma that nickname and spread it all over school! Emma’s fresh start is doomed . . . unless she can make friends before Lucy ruins everything.

So Emma sets out to be pals with everyone, just like her favorite animal, the capybara. As her classmates argue over the choice of a new school mascot, Emma stays quiet and doesn’t pick sides. (The last thing she needs is another enemy.) But maybe speaking up could be the thing that helps her really connect with her class—and saves her at last from third-grade doom. —Synopsis provided by Algonquin Young Readers

ROHAN MURTHY HAS A PLAN, by Rajani LaRocca and Kat Fajardo, Algonquin Young Readers, April 30, 2024, Paperback, $6.99 (ages 6-9)

Rohan Murthy dreams of running a successful business like his creative and kind mom. When Mrs. Z announces that Curiosity Academy needs to raise money for a school garden, Rohan sees the chance to launch his dreams right away! He’ll start a pet care company to help the people of Peppermint Falls look after their dogs, hamsters, fish, snakes, lizards . . . anything but cats. With hard work, some glittery posters, and the help of his friends from Mrs. Z’s class, Rohan knows he can do a lot for the school garden.

His parents point out just one small problem: Rohan has never taken care of an animal before. They think he doesn’t even like touching animals. (There is a reason cats aren’t on his list.) To prove his parents wrong, Rohan volunteers to spend a weekend watching over Honey, the class guinea pig. But Honey appears surprisingly anxious, which makes Rohan nervous as well. When his big dreams meet his secret fears, what will Rohan do? —Synopsis provided by Algonquin Young Readers

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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WRATH OF THE RAIN GOD, by Karla Arenas Valenti and Vanessa Morales, Aladdin, April 16, 2024, Paperback, $6.99 (ages 7-10)

Twins get swept back in time by a magical book in Wrath of the Rain God, by Karla Arenas Valenti and Vanessa Morales.

Nine-year-old twins, Emma and Martín, couldn’t be more different in their personalities, interests, and even their looks. But one thing they absolutely agree on is that moving from Cuernavaca, Mexico, to Illinois is a terrible idea. Unfortunately, they’re not given a choice when their dad lands his dream job as a middle school principal in Chicago. To help the twins stay connected to their Mexican heritage, their abuela gifts them a book of Mexican legends. The book turns out to be more than a going away present…it’s a magical item that transports them directly into the legends!

In the first legend, Emma and Martín encounter Tlaloc, the god of rain. Tlaloc is angry because his lightning bolt has been stolen, and his rage is manifesting as a torrential downpour over the ancient city of Texcoco. The rain won’t stop until the lightning bolt has been returned, so Emma and Martín set out to recover it.

Will they find Tlaloc’s bolt in time to help the people of Texcoco save their home? Or will the wrath of the rain god mark the end of this legendary city? —Synopsis provided by Aladdin

Wrath of the Rain God is the first book in the new Legendarios series by Karla Arenas Valenti and Vanessa Morales. The series follows twins Emma and Martin as they cope with their move to a new city. The next two books, The Beginning of All Things and The Child King of Uxmal are slated for August and December releases.

This early chapter series is perfect for readers who are just beginning chapter books. What makes this time-traveling series different than say, Magic Tree House or The Legends of Lotus Island — two excellent early reader series — is that Legendarios focuses specifically on Mexican legends.

Wrath of the Rain God is sort of the origin story — it sets up all the hows and whats needed for time travel — as well as an actual time-traveling story. It’s an engaging tale that will catch kids’ attention early on and hold it all the way through.

At less than 150 pages and with illustrations sprinkled throughout, Wrath of the Rain God is immediately approachable. And the use context when utilizing Spanish words helps kids learn vocabulary without them even knowing it. This is a fun new series that should have broad appeal.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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MISS CAT: THE CASE OF THE CURIOUS CANARY, by Joëlle Jolivet and Jean-Luc Fromental, Thames & Hudson, April 16, 2024, Paperback $12.95 (ages 6-10)

A detective sets out to find a missing bird in Miss Cat: The Case of the Curious Canary, an early chapter/graphic novel hybrid by Joëlle Jolivet and Jean-Luc Fromental.

Sad, old Mr. Maximus comes to see Miss Cat at the old dairy she uses as an office. Someone has kidnapped his canary, Harry, his pride and joy. Mr. Maximus begs the detective to help find him.

Following the trail of the missing canary, Miss Cat encounters the alluring Doris and aggressive Wolfgang, her talking dog. What could they be trying to hide? And could the elderly Maximus and the dashing Mixus the Magnificent―a magician with extraordinary powers―actually be the same person? Miss Cat must uncover the truth and get everything back to normal! —Synopsis provided by Thames & Hudson

I’m always on the lookout for early chapter books that are unique, and Miss Cat: The Case of the Curious Canary is definitely different. The book has a Scandi noir atmosphere that quickly grabs attention. The book is a sort of hybrid style, featuring chapters and chunks of text mixed with full-color illustrations and comic-style thought and text bubbles.

A clever story and Edward Gorey-esque illustrations make this a complete package. Miss Cat: The Case of the Curious Canary is an excellent option for kids graduating from picture books to more complex stories.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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This excellent series features women who spoke up and rose up against the odds. These accessible chapter books are less than 70 pages, feature 6 chapters, a section on how you can persist and references. Each book also features fantastic black-and-white illustrations that give readers a greater sense of the women they read about.

Two of the latest offerings in the series feature Opal Lee and Simone Biles, two Black women who have had a large influence on girls big and small.

SHE PERSISTED: OPAL LEE, by Shelia P. Moses, Chelsea Clinton, and Alexandra Boiger, Philomel Books, Dec. 19, 2023, Paperback, $6.99 (ages 6-9)

Opal Lee grew up as a Black girl in Texas at a time when Black and white people were kept separate and Black people had fewer opportunities than white people did. She knew that this wasn’t right, and she grew up to be a teacher and a community leader, determined to help create a better future for all people. A big part of her work and life was making Juneteenth a national holiday to mark the end of enslavement for Black Americans. She loved this day as both a celebration and as a way of teaching about the past. Opal’s work and dedication has helped millions of people learn about important parts of American history. —Synopsis provided by Philomel Books

SHE PERSISTED: SIMONE BILES, by Kekla Magoon, Chelsea Clinton, and Alexandra Boiger, Philomel Books, Oct. 17, 2023, Paperback, $6.99 (ages 6-9)

Simone Biles was raised by her grandparents and had to overcome many hardships as a child. After trying gymnastics for the first time on a field trip from elementary school, Simone continued with the sport, working hard and reaching professional levels. She persisted in the field and went on to become the most decorated US gymnast of all time. Through it all, she inspired kids everywhere to follow their dreams. —Synopsis provided by Philomel Books

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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This classic series follows the winged feline siblings across four big adventures: finding a new home in the country, returning to the city to visit their mother, befriending a wonderful orange cat, and following the youngest sibling’s foray into the world on her own.

The books are being released in Oct. 24 in hardback ($17.99) and paperback ($6.99) or in a hardcover box set ($71.99). 

THE CATWINGS COMPLETE COLLECTION (Boxed Set): Catwings; Catwings Return; Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings; Jane on Her Own, by Ursula K. Le Guin and S.D. Schindler, Atheneum Books for Young Readers; Boxed Set edition, Oct. 24, 2023, Hardcover, $71.99, Paperback, $27.99 (ages 5-9)

Catwings: Mrs. Jane Tabby can’t explain why her four kittens—Thelma, Roger, James, and Harriet—were born with wings. Whatever the reason, she’s grateful they can use their flying skills to soar away from the dangerous, busy city where they were born. But once the kittens escape, they learn that country life comes with its own difficulties—just as they learn that help and friendship can be found in even the most unlikely places.

Catwings Return: As kittens, James, Thelma, Harriet, and Roger took advantage of their wings by flying away from the busy city where they were born. Now the cats live comfortably in the country with two human friends. But a big adventure is in store for James and Harriet when they decide to return to the city to visit their mother. So much has changed! The dumpster where the kittens grew up is gone. All the buildings in their old alley are being torn down. And inside one of them is a wonderful surprise, just waiting to be discovered…

Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings: When a spoiled kitten named Wonderful Alexander gets caught in a tree, it’s up to Jane to save him. Once he is rescued and adopted by the catwings, Alexander decides to repay Jane’s favor by helping her to overcome her mysterious fear of speaking. When a spoiled kitten named Wonderful Alexander gets caught in a tree, it’s up to Jane to save him. Once he is rescued and adopted by the catwings, Alexander decides to repay Jane’s favor by helping her to overcome her mysterious fear of speaking.

Jane on Her Own: Jane, the youngest of the catwings, goes looking for adventure in the big city and captured! Longing for adventure, Jane, the youngest of the catwings, flies to the city on her own. When she flies through the window of a man who feeds here, she is suddenly captured, and finds herself making appearances as Miss Mystery, the fabulous winged cat! Realizing that being independent is much more dangerous than she thought, Jane plots her escape and hopes to reunite with her mother.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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THE SKULL: A Tyrolean Folktale, by Jon Klassen, Candlewick, July 11, 2023, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 4-10)

Jon Klassen’s signature wry humor takes a turn for the ghostly in this thrilling retelling of a traditional Tyrolean folktale. In a big abandoned house, on a barren hill, lives a skull. A brave girl named Otilla has escaped from terrible danger and run away, and when she finds herself lost in the dark forest, the lonely house beckons. Her host, the skull, is afraid of something too, something that comes every night. Can brave Otilla save them both? —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

I recently passed this book on to a friend whose son needed to read a “fairy tale” book and do a report on it. He’s not a confident reader, but The Skull had immediate appeal. Klassen’s monochromatic artwork is an immediate draw. There’s a subtlety to Klassen’s humor that really resonates with kids.

CRIMSON TWILL: WITCH IN THE COUNTRY, by Kallie George and Birgitta Sif, Candlewick, July 11, 2023, Hardcover, $15.99 (ages 7-10)

Crimson Twill’s new friends from New Wart City, Mauve and Wesley, are coming for a visit! But as soon as they arrive at Crimson’s house in Cackle County, things start to go wrong. At the rotten apple orchard, Crimson’s ripening spell goes horribly awry (what will they do with all that rotten applesauce?).

Then, at the broom-straw field, Wesley cuts too much straw and starts to float away. And when the friends try to collect frogs’ breath for their spells (it makes everything wonderfully green and warty), Mauve gets a stinky faceful of it!

What on earth is going on? The whole countryside feels like something big is about to happen, and Crimson wonders if it has something to do with Granny Twill and that giant cauldron of stew she made. Can Crimson get to the bottom of this bad-luck mystery? And, more importantly, will her city friends ever want to visit her again? —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

This is the second book in the Crimson Twill series, but they don’t have to be read in order. It features cute characters and heartfelt storylines that will appeal to readers. Black-and-white illustrations bring the story to life.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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GET OUTER MY SPACE! (The Cosmic Adventures of Astrid and Stella Book #3 (A Hello!Lucky Book)): A Hello!Lucky Book, by Sabrina Moyle and Eunice Moyle, Amulet Books, Sept. 26, 2023, Hardcover, $12.99 (ages 6-9)

Blast off with Astrid & Stella in Get Outer My Space, the third book in the full-color young readers graphic novel series from the bestselling creators of Hello!Lucky, Sabrina and Eunice Moyle, and perfect for fans of Narwhal and Jelly.

Fire up the turbo pumps, best friends Astrid and Stella are off on another high-flying adventure!

When the Wi-Fi goes out on the Friend Ship, Astrid and Stella make an emergency landing on the only planet that still has Internet to spare. There, they dive into video game fun until they realize something is terribly wrong—the games have no rules—and everything falls into chaos. But this is nothing the dynamic duo can’t solve! From there, Astrid and Stella visit planet Wink 40 to find tools to conquer their worst nightmares—nightmares that have kept them (and their trusty assistant, Bobo) up for nights on end. They also take a detour to help an alien neighbor out of a tight spot. —Synopsis provided by Amulet Books

The Cosmic Adventures of Astrid & Stella series is perfect for emerging readers who are moving into chapter books. Though part of a series, the books don’t have to be read in order. Bright colors and a comics-style layout quickly draw readers in to this three-chapter, approximately 100-page book. There’s a lot of sill fun here mixed with social-emotional learning.

ADVENTUREGAME COMICS: THE BEYOND (Book 2), by Jason Shiga, Harry N. Abrams, Aug. 22, 2023, Hardcover, $14.99 (ages 8-12)

Adventuregame Comics is a new series of interactive graphic novels from Jason Shiga in the vein of his hit graphic novel Meanwhile. Readers follow the story from panel to panel, using tubes that connect them, and sometimes the path will split, giving readers the chance to choose how the story unfolds.

The Beyond takes place in some sort of afterlife. You don’t know much when you begin, save that you’re dead and that you’ve ended up in a room that includes a door, a window, and a table with some books. You need to get out, so you try the door. And then the window. And then you finally turn to the books—and when you open them, you’re pulled into the worlds of those pages. Could these fictional worlds hold the key to your escape? Or is there more to this room than first meets the eye? —Synopsis provided by Amulet Books

With muted tones and good use of white space, The Beyond is an adventure that will appeal to fans of all genres. The text is fairly simplistic, but the interactive nature makes it feel like something “more.”

OLIVER’S GREAT BIG UNIVERSE, by Jorge Cham, Amulet Books, Sept. 26, 2023, Hardcover, $15.99 (ages 8-12)

Oliver has a lot going on starting his first year of middle school—new friends, new classes, new everything. But at least there’s one thing that still makes sense: science! Determined to be an astrophysicist one day, Oliver explains everything he learns—like how the sun burps, how ghost particles fly through you, the uncanny similarities between Mercury and cafeteria meatballs, and most important, how the Big Bang is basically just like a fart in the school hallway. (Also, there are time-bending black holes, exploding supernova stars, and aliens! Well, there could be aliens.)

Oliver finally feels like he’s starting to figure things out . . . but can he stay out of the principal’s office or catch a break from his annoying sister? —Synopsis provided by Amulet Books

Oliver’s Great Big Universe has a definite Diary of a Wimpy Kid vibe. Kids will relate to this easily-distracted kid that loves science. Expressive illustrations throughout add to the diary-type nature of this book. It’s easy to see this becoming a break-out favorite.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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THE PRINCESS IN BLACK AND THE PRINCE IN PINK, by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale, LeUyen Pham, Candlewick, April 11, 2023, Hardcover, $14.99 (ages 5-8)

A new hero steps in to help Princess Magnolia save the day in The Princess in Black and the Prince in Pink, by Shannon and Dean Hale and LeUyen Pham.

Princess Magnolia is at the Flower Festival prepping for the evening ball when suddenly she hears a commotion. Oh no! She isn’t prepared to fight a monster or . . . a grumpy emu! To her surprise, a knight in shining armor comes to the rescue, but not before the princess’s prized decorations are stomped on and destroyed. Luckily, the gallant Prince Valerian has his own secret identity — the Prince in Pink — and has been yearning for a chance to show off his special skills, with the help of some twinkle-twinkle and major glam. Glitter has been restored, but then the angry emu returns — with friends! Can the party heroes step up to save the day again? —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

The Princess in Black and the Prince in Pink is the tenth book in this popular series. And as with any series of this length, there are bound to be reasons people like/dislike the books. As you might expect, the new character in this book has some people up in arms, calling it “woke.” But, honestly, there’s nothing wrong with the Prince in Pink. If anything, his character reinforces allowing kids to be themselves.

The bigger problem, if there is one, is that there are fewer monsters to battle and they’re present for less time. So, if that’s what your kids read these books for, then this one should be a library pick prior to purchase.

All that said, The Princess in Black and the Prince in Pink fits well into the series. The illustrations are as energetic as ever and the writing remains on-par.

My 9-year-old is well past reading these books, but that didn’t stop her from picking this one up, reading it cover-to-cover and declaring it, “Great!” She happily recommends it and so do I.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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