The Best Books for Young Readers in February 2018

I Survived the Children’s Blizzard, 1888 (I Survived Series #16), by Lauren Tarshis
The popular I Survived series, which offers fictionalized accounts of historical events, returns with its 16th installment, this time based on one of the deadliest blizzards in our country’s history. It was a relatively warm day in 1888 when the storm hit the midwest without warning, catching people completely unaware. The story follows 11-year-old John Hale as he finds himself trapped in the bitter cold and blinding snow with only his inner strength to keep him going in the face of disaster. Young readers who love adventure and historical fiction will quickly tear through this exciting read.

Dragon Bones (Unwanteds Quests Series #2), by Lisa McMann
Picking up right where Dragon Captives left off, this second book in the Unwanteds Quests series—a sequel series to The Unwanteds, finds twin sisters Thisbe and Fifer in dire shape on the heels of their last treacherous adventure. Fifer has been badly injured, and Thisbe was captured and is being held as a slave by the evil Revinir. The Artiméans are preparing to rescue her, but she fears it will be too late by the time they arrive. So she’s taking matters into her own hands as she attempts to harness her fiery magic in order to prevent Revinir from overtaking the world in this fast-paced page-turner for middle graders.

Samantha Spinner and the Super-Secret Plans, by Russell Ginns and Barbara Fisinger
Mystery-loving middle grade readers will love this first book in an exciting new series about a brother and sister traveling the world in the hopes of finding a treasure and, hopefully, their missing uncle. When 11-year-old Samantha Spinner’s Uncle Paul disappeared, he left her shopaholic sister a check for $2.4 billion, her younger brother the New York Yankees and their stadium, and Samantha an old umbrella that says, “Watch out for the RAIN.” The book is hilarious and action-packed and is sure to keep kids engaged with puzzles sprinkled throughout and journal entries all about famous spots like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Temple of Horus.

Checked, by Cynthia Kadohata and Maurizio Zorat
Calling all sports fans! Newbery Medalist Cynthia Kadohata brings young readers a stellar new read about 11-year-old Connor MacRae, a half-Japanese boy who’s much more adept on ice than he is in the classroom. Hockey is his life! But after his dog is diagnosed with cancer, he makes the difficult decision to put his hockey lessons on hold in order to pay for Sinbad’s chemotherapy. Without the constant distraction of hockey, though, Connor is forced to face some difficult realities about his family and friends. Checked is sensitive and thoughtful tale that middle grade readers will relish.

Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire, by John August
John August’s first book in an exciting new fantasy series is perfect for middle grade readers who enjoy stories filled with magic and adventure. Twelve-year-old Arlo Finch, his mom, and his sister just moved in with Arlo’s taxidermist uncle in the tiny town of Pine Mountain, Colorado. After he joins the local scouting troop, the Rangers, Arlo learns there’s magic and mystery to be found in these mountains, and there are dark forces at work here. Arlo has so many questions—What is the Wonder? Where are the Long Woods? Who is this girl that only he can see?—and little time to find the answers.

Plants vs. Zombies Volume 9: The Greatest Show Unearthed, by Paul Tobin, Jacob Chabot, and Matt J. Rainwater
Fans of the popular Plants vs. Zombies game can keep the fun going off the screen with this new standalone graphic novel. In it, Dr. Zomboss has created Big Z’s Adequately Amazing Flytrap Circus, thinking he can lure Neighborville’s humans to run away and join his circus of doom. But starting a zombie circus is tougher than Dr. Zomboss could have imagined, and he’s got neighborhood defenders Nate and Patrice trying to break up the show with their own parade of plants.

The Heat Is On, by Charise Mericle Harper and Aurelie Blard-Quintard
Aspiring young chefs will eat up the second book in this delectable series by Charise Mericle Harper and Aurelie Blard-Quintard. There are only three contestants left in the televised “Next Best Junior Chef” competition—Caroline, Oliver, and Rae—and this second episode is all about family and tradition. The challenges include cooking with only fire, water, or (hot) air; recreating one of the other contestant’s favorite comfort foods; and cooking a three-course meal with only food-pantry items. Which of these kids has what it takes to become the Next Best Junior Chef?

Granted, by John David Anderson
The author of Ms. Bixby’s Last Day brings readers a funny and endearing tale about a young fairy-in-training named Ophelia Delphinium Fidgets. But Ophelia is not just an ordinary fairy—she’s a Granter, meaning it’s her job to grant wishes of unsuspecting humans. And today Ophelia is getting her first wish-granting mission, which seems fairly simple: a 13-year-old girl’s request for a bike. But Ophelia will have to face some unforeseen challenges that make her realize there’s more to granting wishes than sprinkling some fairy dust.

Bravelands #2: Code of Honor, by Erin Hunter
The second book in the thrilling Bravelands series will have action-adventure fans clamoring for more installments. The story is told from the perspective of three different animals living in the African savannah—an elephant, a baboon, and a lion. The trio of unlikely heroes must join forces to discover the truth about the murder of a great elephant leader before the ensuing chaos destroys Bravelands forever. The riveting tale will engage longtime fans of Erin Hunter as well as those who love the Spirit Animals and Wings of Fire series.