Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers : the ninth epic novel by Dav Pilkey

After being sent to jail for the rest of their lives, George and Harold are taken on a trip back in time by Tippy Tinkletrousers back to their Kindergarten days where they must deal with their bully without the help of Captain Underpants.

Reviewed by Joao-Marcos, age 9:

I thought that the book was wonderful! It's funnier and longer than the other books. I'm dying to know what happens next. My favorite part was the dolly prank on Kipper. It was hilarious! You should see it yourself. The only thing I didn't like was the ending because the whole world ends and no one wants the world to end. On a scale of 1 to 10 I give the book a 9 because the ending is a very sad ending. I'll leave any changes to Dav Pilkey (the author) because the book is Uncorrected Proof.

Capture the Flag by Kate Messner

Snowed in at a chaotic Washington, D.C. airport, Anna, JosT and Henry encounter a mysterious tattooed man, a flamboyant politician and a rambunctious poodle before learning that a historical U.S. flag has been stolen and that the culprits are also at the airport.

Reviewed by Zachary, age 10:

I think of this book as half action, fourth adventure, eighth comedy, and eighth romance. It consists of a journalist, a video addict, and a know-it-all that's parents are in a secret society. I could tell you the whole book right now, but that would be cheating. Overall, it is a suspenseful mystery. I think kids 13-15 would like this book.

Ghost Knight by Cornelia Funke

Eleven-year-old Jon Whitcroft and new friend Ella summon the ghost of Sir William Longspee, who may be able to protect Jon from a group of ghosts that threatens him harm from the day he arrives at Salisbury Cathedral's boarding school.

Reviewed by Oliver, age 8:

I liked reading this book. I was afraid of ghosts but now I am not so afraid. I like that Jon started to enjoy boarding school when he met Ella who helped him get to know the ghosts. I could not believe when The Beard turned up as Zelda's son. I am happy Jon made friends again with his mom. Boarding school sounds fun. This is a cool book so read it!

The Golden Door by Emily Rodda

A first entry in a new trilogy by the best-selling author of Dragons of Deltora finds the walled city of Weld under attack by ferocious flying creatures that are dispatched by the Enemy and raid in the night, prompting young Rye to become an unwilling hero in the face of numerous volunteer disappearances.

Reviewed by Philippa, age 10:

It's skimmer season. The giant, vicious beasts have been witnessed attacking people everywhere. The beekeeper and her three sons, Dirk, Sholto, and Rye all live silently in fear of the beasts. One day Dirk sets out to find the enemy who is sending the beasts. When he doesn't return, Sholto sets out to find him and when Sholto doesn't return, Rye trails along behind. He encounters many things along the way, like Sonia, the fierce, redheaded weld orphan who insisted upon coming along, and Fitzfee, the tender little young man who takes Rye and Sonia very far. When Sonia is captured by Gifters and the talk about Midsummer's Eve is getting really intense, Rye leaves Fitzfee's encampment and sets out to find the enemy. What will await Rye on Midsummer's Eve?

This book is very serious and you sort of have to work the thread through the holes carefully if you want to solve the mystery. The Golden Door is especially for kids who have enjoyed the wonderful Narnia books. I loved it so much; I caught myself biting my fingernails off at the thought of it. This book will have you shuddering, shivering, laughing, stunned, and shaking for seven nights in a row. Five stars to Emily Rodda for having done that rare thing--putting you in Rye's situation--without even meaning to! I learned a lot of things from the book--lessons and facts and even how to act in weird situations. I highly recommend this book to tweens of all reading levels.

I Funny: A Middle School Story by James Patterson

Following the bestselling success of the hilarious Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life, James Patterson continues to dish out the funnies in another highly-illustrated, heartfelt middle school story.

Reviewed by Jordan, age 10:

I liked this book because it was funny and was about a disabled boy who wasn’t afraid to do something big, which I think is very inspiring. I really liked the jokes. They were funny because it was based on real things that somebody his age would go through. I also liked how he had a very vivid imagination.
What I didn’t like about I Funny was that the book didn’t have that many parts in the story with his friends. I like learning about different types of friendships. I also think it should tell more about his friends because I like to learn about different people in the story.

I would recommend I Funny to anyone who wants to be inspired to do something big. I’ve read other books by James Patterson and would recommend them all.

Malcolm at Midnight by W.H. Beck

Malcolm, a smaller than average-sized rat, loves his life at McKenna School and the secret society of classroom pets that keep children out of trouble, but when Aggy the iguana disappears Malcolm must use all of his ratty persistence to prove his innocence and save her.

Reviewed by Thomas, age 10:

Malcom at Midnight was an outstanding book. It had some very good cliffhangers. It had some minor twists leading into backwards twists, if you know what I mean. It was about a "mouse" that is made a school pet but wants everybody to know HE IS A RAT! A hilarious story that I would recommend to everybody!

Princess Academy: Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale

In the highly anticipated sequel to the Newbery Honor Book, Princess Academy, Miri and her friends set off to help the future princess Britta prepare for her royal wedding, and she is happy to attend school in the city where she befriends students who seem so sophisticated and exciting ... until she learns that they have some frightening plans.

Reviewed by Victoria, age 12:

Shannon Hale's Princess Academy: Palace of Stone is a wonderful sequel to her first book Princess Academy. In this book Miri of Mount Eskel travels to Asland with her friends as ladies of the princess. While she is there Miri attends a school and meets a boy who tells her about the rebellion the commoners are trying to make. She decides she wants to help until she finds out the want to kill her friend Britta the princess. I loved this book and I recommend it to anyone who likes romance and adventure.

Secrets of New Forest Academy by Tyler Whitesides

The Bureau of Educational Maintenance (BEM) is after Spencer, and the only place he is safe is within the walls of the New Forest Academy--or so he thinks.

Reviewed by Joshua, age 13:

Brace yourself for an action packed book full of insane monsters and magical wielding mops and brooms. Tyler Whitesides' Janitors Secrets of New Forest Academy was a great follow up to the award winning first book Janitors. I recommend this for kids 9 and older especially if you have a knack for young adult fiction books this book is for you! Without the Warlock Janitor, Walter, Spencer, and Daisy have done a pretty decent job of keeping the school clean of toxites but how can they keep it up with the BEM on their tail. Spencer's safety is decreasing rapidly will they give up or figure a way out of this mess?

The Storm Makers by Jennifer E. Smith

Twelve-year-olds Ruby and Simon have been growing apart since their parents moved them to a Wisconsin farm, but weird weather events that seem tied to Simon's emotions bring a stranger into their lives who introduces them to the Makers of Storms Society, strengthening the bond between the twins.

Reviewed by Thomas, age 10:

The Storm Makers was a good book; however, it takes a long time to get into. It is about a kid who can make (or tame) storms, but he doesn't know this. An okay book that I would only recommend to people with long attention spans.