Greenglass House Mr. Lemoncello and the Titanium Ticket The Westing Game Charlie and the Chocolate Factory These stories combine puzzles, competition, and mystery, following clever kids navigating high-stakes challenges, uncovering secrets, and using creativity and logic to succeed in unusual settings. Here’s what they’re about The Candymakers Four children are invited to compete in a famous candy factory’s annual contest to create the next best sweet. Each contestant bri

The One and Only Ivan The One and Only Bob A Rover’s Story Because of Winn-Dixie Amari and the Night Brothers These stories explore friendship, belonging, and self-discovery, following characters who feel different as they form meaningful connections and find courage in unexpected places. Here’s what they’re about The Wild Robot Escapes After being captured and taken from her island home, Roz the robot is sent to work on a farm, far from the animals and life she has come

Guardians of Ga’Hoole Survivors A Wolf called Wonder Pax These stories follow animal protagonists navigating survival, loyalty, and belonging, as they face danger, form bonds, and discover strength in the wild. Here’s what they’re about Warriors: Into the Wild Rusty, a house cat, has always dreamed of life beyond his comfortable home. When he ventures into the forest, he discovers a hidden world of wild cat clans, each with its own rules, loyalties, and rivalries. Renamed

The Willoughbys Ottoline and the Yellow Cat The Mysterious Benedict Society The Terrible Two These stories feature quirky humour, eccentric worlds, and clever kids navigating odd adults, using wit, teamwork, and creativity to solve problems and outsmart expectations. Here’s what they’re about A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning After their parents die in a terrible fire, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are sent to live with the sinister Count Olaf. Disgu

The Westing Game Chasing Vermeer The Mysterious Benedict Society These stories feature clever young problem-solvers tackling layered mysteries, using observation, logic, and teamwork to uncover secrets and outwit adults in satisfying, puzzle-filled adventures. Here’s what they’re about Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Old Clock Teen detective Nancy Drew is determined to help a family who have been unfairly denied an inheritance. When a mysterious old clock becomes the key to

Big Nate Timmy Failure The Terrible Two These stories combine humour, school life, and quirky protagonists, following kids who navigate everyday challenges with creativity, confidence, and plenty of laugh-out-loud misadventures. Here’s what they’re about The Smartest Kid in the Universe Jake McQuade is an average kid who prefers video games and snacks to schoolwork — until a science experiment accidentally turns him into the smartest kid in the universe. Suddenly, Jake kn

The Bad Guys Dragon Rider Amari and the Night Brothers These stories blend humour, adventure, and unlikely heroes, following misfit characters who discover courage, friendship, and their own strengths in exciting, imaginative worlds. Here’s what they’re about How to Train Your Dragon Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III is the son of a Viking chief — but he’s not exactly the fierce warrior his tribe expects. When it’s time to train a dragon, Hiccup ends up with a small, stubborn

Because of Winn-Dixie The Wild Robot Pax These stories explore friendship, empathy, and resilience through animal bonds, helping children understand emotions, kindness, and connection in gentle, deeply meaningful ways. Here’s what they’re about Charlotte’s Web Wilbur is the runt of the litter, saved from certain death by a kind girl named Fern and raised on her uncle’s farm. There, he befriends Charlotte, a wise and compassionate spider who lives in the barn. When Wilbur

City of the Plague God The Egypt Game The Last Shadow Warrior Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts Each of these books blends mystery, history, and a touch of the supernatural, perfect for readers who love spooky adventures grounded in real-world emotion. Here’s what they’re about The Mummy in the Attic When a strange mummy linked to Ancient Egypt enters his life, Tom McNabb finds himself caught in a mystery that refuses to stay buried. As unsettling events unfold, Tom

Because of Winn-Dixie Pax A Wolf Called Wander The Tale of Despereaux These gentle, emotional stories centre on animals, friendship, and compassion, offering meaningful themes in accessible, beautifully told ways. Here’s what they’re about The One and Only Ivan Ivan is a gorilla who lives in a shopping mall, observing humans and animals from his enclosure. Through his quiet, thoughtful narration, Ivan reflects on friendship, freedom, and memories of a life before captivity. W

Greenwild: The World Behind the Door by Pari Thomson The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat Wildwood by Colin Meloy These books are united by a love of curiosity, nature, and discovery, blending real or imagined worlds with environmental awareness, hidden places, and brave young protagonists. Each story celebrates exploration, connection, and the quiet power of noticing — and protecting — the world around us. Here’s what they’re about The Green Kingdom When Caspia’s fam

The Mummy in the Attic The Mysterious Benedict Society Chasing Vermeer The Westing Game These books reward puzzle-loving readers with clever clues, smart teamwork, and mysteries that make kids feel one step ahead of the adults. Here’s what they’re about Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library When Kyle Keeley is chosen to attend the grand opening of the world’s most high-tech library, he expects fun — not to be locked inside overnight. To escape, Kyle and a group of clever k

The Mummy in the Attic The Night Librarian Doll Bones The House with a Clock in Its Walls All of these stories create an eerie-but-comforting atmosphere, pairing gentle scares with emotional depth and unforgettable characters. Here’s what they’re about The Graveyard Book After a toddler escapes tragedy and wanders into a graveyard, he is raised by ghosts who become his unlikely family. Known as Nobody Owens, Bod grows up learning ghostly customs while slowly uncovering th

The Bad Guys Captain Underpants Max Crumbly InvestiGators All of these titles lean into visual humour, silly scenarios, and high-energy storytelling that keeps reading fun and pressure-free. Here’s what they’re about Dog Man When a police officer and his loyal dog are injured in an accident, doctors save the day by combining them into one hero: Dog Man. Part dog, part man, and all heart, Dog Man must stop the evil Petey the Cat while navigating friendship, responsibility, and

The Mysterious Benedict Society Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library The Westing Game Chasing Vermeer These books weave mystery, friendship, and layered storytelling into clever plots that reward patient, curious readers. Here’s what they’re about Holes Stanley Yelnats believes his family is cursed, and when he’s wrongly accused of theft, he’s sent to Camp Green Lake — a desert detention centre where boys dig holes all day, every day. As Stanley befriends the other campers, h

The Mummy in the Attic The Red Pyramid These reads are perfect for curious minds who love history with a twist, mixing Ancient Egypt, secrets, and mysteries where imagination and reality collide. Here’s what they’re about The Egypt Game When new girl April and her neighbour Melanie bond over a shared fascination with Ancient Egypt, they create an imaginative game set in a deserted yard behind a local curiosity shop. As more children join in, the “Egypt Game” becomes increas

The Wild Robot The Girl Who Drank the Moon Fortunately, the Milk Each story celebrates clever, resilient children who use wit, imagination, and courage to stand up to unfair or puzzling worlds. Here’s what they’re about Matilda Matilda is a brilliant little girl with a love of books and a sharp sense of justice — unfortunately, she’s surrounded by adults who don’t appreciate either. From her neglectful parents to the terrifying headmistress Miss Trunchbull, Matilda faces un

The Kane Chronicles: The Red Pyramid Artemis Fowl Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor T hese adventures blend mythology with modern life, pairing fast pacing, humour, and high stakes with heroes kids instantly root for. Here’s what they’re about Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief Percy Jackson has always felt like an outsider — struggling at school and constantly getting into trouble. When he discovers he is a demigod, the son of a Greek

The Mummy in the Attic The Kane Chronicles: The Red Pyramid Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor The Storm Runner Each story blends ancient mythology with modern kids, delivering fast-paced action, high stakes, and legends that refuse to stay buried. Here’s what they’re about City of the Plague God When a mysterious amulet unleashes an ancient Mesopotamian god, Zane’s everyday life is turned upside down. Teaming up with unlikely allies, he must navigate modern London while b

The Mummy in the Attic Doll Bones The Doll in the Garden Small Spaces These books all tap into the delicious thrill of creepy objects, slow-burn suspense, and spooky surprises that feel daring without tipping into nightmare territory. Here’s what they’re about Goosebumps: Night of the Living Dummy When twins Lindy and Kris find a ventriloquist dummy in a rubbish bin, it seems like a harmless toy — until it starts causing trouble. Lindy’s dummy, Mr Wood, begins saying cruel