​Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them
Written by J.K. Rowling & Newt Scamander
Illustrated by Olivia Lomenech Gill
Age Level: 8 and up
Grade Level: 3 – 6   
 
I didn’t think I’d like this book, but I’m glad I picked it up . . . it was great! J.K. took some of the creatures we’ve loved from her Harry Potter books, and she wrote about them in a nonfiction style you’d see in an encyclopedia. J.K. includes where the creature lives, what it eats, and any unusual traits it might have. There’s even a rating system to tell you how dangerous it is. What an incredible imagination she has to create a book like this! 

​The Peddler of Wisdom
Written by Laura Matthias Bendoly
Age Level:  14 – 18
Grade Level: Middle School/High School
                                      
If you love historical fiction with a touch of fantasy, you’ll love this story. Irene is the village healer of Les Echelles in Provence, and she’s already failed to save the village from the black plague. Now she faces an evil invader whose magician/ alchemist lays claim to her heart. The plot twists and turns with historical detail. The bonus, meeting 17th century figures like Nostradamus along the way. Read through the back matter to find out how Laura conjured writing magic.

​Marya Khan and the Incredible Henna Party
Written by Saadia Faroqi
Illustrated by Ani Bushry
Age Level: 6 – 9
Grade Level: 1 – 4

​Have you ever been jealous of that girl in your class, the one who has everything? She even has the best birthday parties ever! Marya is, and her family refuses to give one a try. They believe in family parties. So what’s a girl to do?  Marya comes up with Operation Help the Khans. Its goal – to convince her family she deserves an incredible henna party. Will it work? You’ll have to read and find out. 

Knights vs. Dinosaurs
Written & Illustrated by Matt Phelan
Age Level: 8 – 12
Grade Level: 3 – 7

When I saw this book in my local library, I had to pick it up, and I wasn’t disappointed! Imagine going back in time to meet four of King Arthur’s knights. I don’t remember these names, do you? Sir Bors, Sir Hector, Sir Erec, Squire Mel, and the black knight. The action begins when Sir Erec brags about beating 40 dragons. Merlin decides Erec needs a little more fun, with a few dinosaurs. That’s when the real sport begins!
 
PS – This book was so good it became a series, book 1 out of 3. 

It’s a Rhap, Cat
Written by Lee Y. Miao
                                      
What would you do if you discovered your identical twin in a Renaissance painting by Raphael? No one knows who the lady in the portrait is, but everyone’s staring . . . at you and your painted twin.

Follow Cat in this tween adventure. Can she find the right partner for the Renaissance History and Art Project (RHAP)? She has a crush on Trey, the best artist, but so does the class diva. Both girls want to win RHAP, for the glory, and for a seat in honors history. Who will Trey pick? But don’t forget the other twist in the plot – the lady in the painting! Can Cat find a connection?
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You’ll have to read for yourself, but be prepared for a roller coaster of an adventure. The best part – this author really understands middle schoolers, their locker kingdom, and their relationships, with each other and with parents too. It’s true . . . there’s nothing like a good roller coaster! 

Royal Princess Academy: Dragon Dreams
Written by Laura Joy Rennert
Illustrated by Melanie Florian
Age Level: 7 – 10
Grade Level: 2 – 5

This is one of the first books I read back when I started keeping a reading journal, around 2012. I loved it back then, and now I’m disappointed to discover, for whatever reason, that it’s not part of a series. Emma is a princess who absolutely does not fit the traditional princess mold. She tries, but somehow she always manages to do the wrong thing. Her big dream – to earn her own dragon. Can she do it? I hope so – a princess should always have a happy ending!

​ The Secret Explorers and The Lost Whales
Written by S J King
Age Level: 6 – 9
Grade Level: 2 – 4
 
This is a SENSATIONAL book. Imagine a secret group of kids who get to help the planet. An ordinary door flashes a signal, then whisks you off to a super-secret meeting. Two kids will be selected for the mission. Could it be you? You’ll have to wait to see if you’re selected . . . and to find out your mission.
 
In the Lost Whales, a marine biology and space expert are called forward, Connor and Roshnie. They hop into the beat-up go cart. It’s the best transformer ever. This time it changes into an underwater vehicle that can help the kids find those lost whales. Seem impossible? Try diving into this action-filled adventure!  
 
PS – if you like this one, there are 14 more adventures left in this series.

​ Stink: Hamlet and Cheese
Written by Megan McDonald
Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Age Level: 6 – 9
Grade Level: 1 – 4

I loved Stink, and so will kids, especially boys. Stink is all-boy, and that’s the hook – a boy taking on Shakespeare camp. Acting, using weird words in sentences? YUCK! But . . . if you told Stink that there are silly curses, sword-fighting, making faces, and acting out, I bet he’d go! The only downside – Riley Rottenburger. She is not boy friendly, but, boys could overlook her . . . because farting is!

Nancy Drew Clue Book #4: Big Top Flop
Written by Carolyn Keene
Illustrated by Peter Francis
Age Level: 6 – 9
Grade Level: 1 – 4

This set of 18 chapter book mysteries is great! When Nancy’s friend George wins the Junior Ringmaster whistling contest, her prize whistle is stolen and replaced with a dud. Can Nancy, George, and Bess solve the mystery before the circus leaves town?
 
The best part – the Clue Crew and You page. That’s where the case is summarized, and the last two clues repeated. Then it’s your chance to solve the mystery before the last chapter begins. I did, and I got it right! 

Heart Changer
Written by Jarm Del Boccio
Age Level: 9 – 12
Grade Level: 4 – 8

Have you ever wanted to know more about a Bible story, the back story? That’s exactly what Jarm did with Naaman and his leprosy, the Naaman from 2 Kings Chapter 5 in the Old Testament. In second Kings, we don’t know anything about the maidservant except for the important part . . . that she believed in Yahweh and that her faith helped Naaman into the River Jordan.

Jarm started there, by giving the servant a name and a story based on historical details from this time period. For me it made the story richer, and it gave me a greater appreciation of the journey Naaman took. He didn’t want to get into the Jordan River. He said it was polluted, but he did it because of the faith of a servant.