6 Exciting Adventures for Young Readers

Big Nate: Silent But Deadly, by Lincoln Peirce
Silly sixth-grade Nate is back up to his usual antics in Lincoln Peirce’s latest collection of Big Nate comics—and this time he’s bringing his super-smelling alter ego, the Great Nose-ini, with him. Fans of these funny, full-color comics will laugh their way through the 176 pages as Nate shows a detention newbie the ropes, campaigns improbably for Student of the Month, and even gets a gig writing his own hilarious movie reviews for The Weekly Bugle. Join Nate, his friends Francis and Teddy, and his school rival Gina in another laugh-out-loud installment in the popular series.

The 78-Story Treehouse, by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton
Andy and Terry began with a mere 13-story treehouse, and it’s only grown from there in this absurdly charming series filled with middle school hijinks and imaginative wish-fulfillment (although who wouldn’t want a treehouse with a “high-security potato chip storage facility”?). The sixth book in this hilariously illustrated series finds best friends Andy and Terry on the outs when Andy gets cut from the Hollywood blockbuster that Terry’s going to star in. Can these two friends reconcile in time to stop a herd of spy-cows from stealing their ideas and ruining everything?

Invisible Emmie, by Terrie Libenson
This is the tale of one secret note, two girls, and the boy they both have a crush on. What could possibly go wrong? Everything! When the very private note in question is made public with disastrous (for seventh grade) consequences, the lives of two very different girls—shy Emmie and outgoing Kate—intersect on one memorable, embarrassing, and surprising day. This debut graphic novel is a fun read and a great way to open the door to discussions about friendships, crushes, and other precarious middle school relationships.

Middle School Mayhem (Misadventures of Max Crumbly Series #2), by Rachel Renée Russell
Dork Diaries fans who have fallen head-over-heels for heroine Nikki Maxwell will adore author Russell’s new Misadventures of Max Crumbly series, a notebook-style narrative that chronicles the hilarious ups and downs of middle school in Max’s distinct voice. When readers last left Max, he had crash-landed on top of a Mighty Meat Monster pizza only to find himself surrounded by three criminals! How will he finagle his way out of this one?

Diary of an 8-Bit Warrior: From Seeds to Swords: An Unofficial Minecraft Adventure, by Cube Kid
What do you get when you combine Minecraft and Diary of a Wimpy Kid? The Diary of an 8-Bit Warrior series by Cube Kid! In this second installment, 12-year-old Runt, a villager who dreams of becoming a Minecraft warrior, is continuing his battle preparation, all while dealing with a new nemesis at school, and a weird girl who keeps following him around everywhere. Plus, the school has recently been hit by a series of mob attacks. How will Runt and his pals face this new challenge? Find out in this exciting 8-bit adventure!

Detention of Doom (DC Comics: Secret Hero Society #3), by Derek Fridolfs and Dustin Nguyen
Superhero middle schoolers Bruce Wayne, Diana Prince, and Clark Kent are back at it in this third exciting installment in the DC Comics: Secret Hero Society series. Smartypants Clark Kent has been invited to an honors ceremony at Lex Luthor’s family company. But it’s a trap! The award trophy sucks Clark into another dimension, and now it’s up to Bruce, Diana, and new friends, Barry (aka The Flash) and Ollie (aka Green Arrow) to save him from what might possibly be the worst detention ever.
What stories of action and adventure do your middle schoolers adore?