R. L. Stine's Goosebumps Most Wanted: Reluctant Readers are Dying to Read Them!

Series: Goosebumps Most Wanted

Author: R. L. Stine
Ages:  9 to 12*

Rating:  4 out of 5 nightmares

*Warning: R. L. Stine's books are not for younger or sensitive children.  Not only are they scary, but they rarely have happy endings.  If your child is interested in Goosebump books, try reading a few yourself before deciding whether your child is ready to read them.     

What kid's will love about Goosebumps Most Wanted books:

• the escalating creepy (and sometimes gross) situations 
• the main characters they can quickly relate to
• the twist endings
• for fans of the Classic Goosebumps series, another chance to encounter their favourite villains

Click on the images for more info:

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From Dragons to Phantom Bullies - Top 5 Summer Reads for Reluctant Middle School Readers

Here is my list of top 5 books to put on your middle school child's summer reading list:

1. The Phantom Bully (Star Wars: Jedi Academy #3) by award-winning author-illustrator Jeffrey Brown.

 


2. Wings of Fire Book Seven: Winter Turning



3. My Life as a Gamer (The My Life series)



4.Middle School: Just My Rotten Luck by James Patterson



5. Geronimo Stilton Cavemice #8: Surfing for Secrets



Please leave your summer read suggestions in the comments below:

Take flight through imaginary worlds: Flight Explorer

Editor: Kazu Kibuishi
Ages: 8 and up*

Rating:  4 out of 5 unique snowflakes

 

The creator of Amulet series is the editor and a contributor to this imaginative collection of comics and graphic short stories. 

 

There is a good mix of humorous and heartwarming stories, and this is a great way for both adults and kids to be introduced to the work of some amazing writers/illustrators.    

 

 

 

 

 

*Warning:  Sensitive children may be upset by the (off-page) sacrificing and mummification of a cat in ancient Egypt in "Egyptian Cat: Perfect Cat."  

 

 

 

Disgusting Critters you want your child to encounter - Disgusting Creature Books by Elise Gravel

Series:  Disgusting Critters
Author:  Elise Gravel, founder of the Organization for Defense of Disgusting Critters
Age range:  
Overall rating:  5 out of 5 rats sitting on your toilet seat


What kids will love:

• the funny illustrations and captions 
• grossing out their parents with the books

What parents will love:

• the educational value of the series
• learning some new things themselves (I learned that lice can't jump, much to my relief!)

Personal favourite: The Slug (Disgusting Creatures)

Flat Stanley Stories Won't Fall Flat for Early Readers

Series: Flat Stanley
Author:  Jeff Brown
Age range: 6 to 10
Overall rating: 4 out of 5 Flat Stanleys

After a bulletin board falls on him, Stanley becomes flat!  But being flat has its advantages, and in each story, Flat Stanley saves the day.

What kids will love:

• imagining what they could do if they were flat like Stanley
• the stories are easy to read
• the amusing illustrations
• making their own Flat Stanley

Personal favourite:  Flat Stanley at Bat (I Can Read Book 2)

Classroom hamsters Max & Mo are the perfect early readers for "crafty" kids

Series:  Max & Mo
Author:  Patricia Lakin
Age range: 4 to 7 
Overall rating: 5 out of 5 hamster wheels*

Max and Mo are two hamsters that are classroom pets.  In each book, when the kids are working on an activity, the hamsters are eager to try it too.

What kids will love:

• the cute illustrations
• the theme of friendship 
• the short sentences help build confidence for early readers
• the tie-in craft activity in the back of each book

Personal favourite:  Max & Mo's Halloween Surprise (Ready-to-Reads)


 

*In the books the two hamsters share a cage, which is the only thing I didn't like.  Many breeds of hamsters (e.g. Syrian) are territorial and will fight if put in the same cage together.

It's no Mystery why Young Cam Jansen Series Appeals to Reluctant Readers

Series: Young Cam Jansen
Author: David A. Adler
Ages:  6 - 8

Rating:  5 out of 5 camera clicks

Cam Jansen has a photographic memory that she uses to solve everyday mysteries, such locating a classmate's missing tooth.

What kids will love:

• Trying to see if they can solve the mystery.
• Familiar settings and situations (e.g. classroom, school trip, outing with friends).
• Testing their own memory skills with the quiz in each book.  
• The colourful illustrations featuring Cam and her friends, family and teachers.   

Parents will love:

• The stories appeal to both genders.   
• Trying to solve the mystery too!

Favourite tile: Young Cam Jansen and the Dinosaur Game