7 Exciting New Titles in Beloved Series for Young Readers


Standalone books are terrific, but there’s nothing like reading a long-running series. Following a growing cast of characters through a number of different books (and adventures!) is a great way to really get to know them and to watch them change and grow. Plus, when you interest your young reader in the first book of an established series, you know you’ve got birthday and other presents in the bag for the next few years. Finally, in an instant-gratification world, it’s fun to give kids something to look forward to that they can’t have right away! If you’ve ever stood in line at Barnes & Noble with your little one to get the next book in a beloved series the day it comes out, you know what an exciting experience it can be. Below is a list of beloved, long-running series for young readers with new books either out now or on the way.
Double Down (Diary of A Wimpy Kid Series # 11), by Jeff Kinney
After finding an old video camera in the basement, Greg thinks maybe filmmaking could be his undiscovered talent and decides to make a scary movie with his best friend, Rowley. Of course, Greg doesn’t just have his sights set on finding a new hobby—he wants to become rich and famous in the process. Young readers can’t wait to get their hands on the 11th installment in the hugely beloved (and always hilarious) Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.
The Hammer of Thor, by Rick Riordan
Master mythological yarn-spinner Rick Riordan is back with the second book in his Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series, loosely based on Norse legends. You’d think that the mighty god Thor would be able to keep track of his hammer, but nope, Thor has lost it yet again. Fortunately, 16-year-old Magnus has been through this before. But this time, the hammer is not just missing; it has fallen into enemy hands. If Magnus can’t recover it in time, both mortals and gods alike will be destroyed. Fans of Percy Jackson will love this snarky, entertaining (and informative!) adventure series.
Ships in 1-2 days.
Tales from a Not-So-Friendly Frenemy (Dork Diaries Series #11), by Rachel Renée Russell
Everyone’s favorite dorky middle schooler (ok, not really) Nikki Maxwell is back! Fresh from her puppy escapades in book 10, Tales from a Not-so-Perfect Pet Sitter, Nikki and her friends Chloe and Zoey (and her adorbs crush, Brandon) are ready for more sometimes awkward, sometimes charming, but always relatable adventures in the 11th book in the popular Dork Diaries series.
Spy Ski School, by Stuart Gibbs
In the fourth novel in the dryly hilarious Spy School series, 13-year-old Ben Ripley is now 11 months into his spy training, and he’s being sent on his first official mission. Along with several of his classmates from the CIA’s Academy of Espionage, Ben is headed to Vail, Colorado to gather information on a Chinese billionaire, Leo Shang. The plan is simple: befriend Leo’s daughter, Jessica. But then a friend from home shows up and threatens to blow Ben’s cover, and Ben once again finds himself wondering if he’s really cut out for this spy business.
Ships in 1-2 days.
Middle School: Dog’s Best Friend, by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts
The eighth book in the Middle School series is finally here! Rafe Khatchadorian is just getting the hang of middle school and life is starting to feel a bit more normal, when he sees his grandmother standing in line at the soup kitchen. In order to raise money for his family, Rafe decides to start a dog-walking business which, in typical Rafe Khatchadorian-ian fashion, soon turns into a neighborhood dog-walking empire. Rafe is already planning on what he’ll do with all that extra cash when competition shows up. Oh, and did I mention that his younger sister has skipped a grade so now she’s in all of his classes? What was that again about life starting to feel a bit more normal?
Ships in 1-2 days.
The Rose Society (Young Elites Series #2), by Marie Lu
In empowering series starter The Young Elites, Lu introduced a dangerous monarchic world in the years after a blood fever swept its population. Adelina Amouteru survived the fever, but it left her with an eerily altered appearance and abilities beyond her understanding. While fleeing her cruel father, she’s rescued by similarly gifted survivors the Young Elites, who are vulnerable to two warring sects: the king’s Inquisition Axis, which wants to see the Young Elites dead, and the Dagger Society, which claims to want to protect them. In book two, The Rose Society, Adelina, now known as the terrifying White Wolf, is on the run with her sister, hoping to build up a force to strike back against the Inquisition Axis. Powerful, untrusting Adelina fears her own emergent viciousness, but must give into it in a world intent on tearing her apart.
Freddie’s Shadow Cards, by Jessica Brody
You may not recognize Freddie, but if you’ve seen Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, you know her father, the Shadow Man, Dr. Facilier. Like many other hero and villain descendants, Freddie attends Auradon Prep. She may be a villain’s kid, but she’s got goals like any other kid. In this case, to join an acapella group on campus. When things don’t go quite as planned, she uses a little of her magic to try and set things right. But as every fairytale reader knows, a little magic often leads to a lot of trouble.
What series are your kids enjoying?







