January’s Best Books for Young Readers

Robot Revolution (House of Robots Series #3), by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein
James Patterson’s narrative/graphic novel hybrid House of Robots series returns with its third installment, and Sammy’s robot helpers are not happy. He and his “bro-bot” E are now BFFs—E is a robot invented by Sammy’s mom to attend school with Sammy in his sister Maddie’s place. (Little sis has an immune disorder that keeps her confined to the house.) But E has become such an important member of the family that all the other robots are feeling some major FOMO. They’re wreaking (harmless) havoc on the house in revolt. How can Sammy and his sis help the robots feel valued? And what’s this new secret project Sammy’s mom is working on? Find out in this fast-paced and funny read.

Short, by Holly Goldberg Sloan
The bestselling author of Counting by 7s brings middle-grade readers a sweet and funny story about what it’s like to feel like you’re coming up a little short. Eleven-year-old Julia is short for her age—plus, she doesn’t dance or act or sing like her brother, Randy. But after she’s cast as a Munchkin in the community theater’s summer production of The Wizard of Oz, Julia is forced to reassess the way she looks at herself. Through newly forged friendships with Olive, one of the play’s adult Munchkins; her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Chang; and the play’s amazing director, Julia comes to realize that being short doesn’t have to be such a bad thing.

The LEGO Batman Movie Activity Book with Minifigure, by Ameet Studio
Fans of the super-popular LEGO Movie are psyched for the release of its follow-up, The LEGO Batman Movie, hitting theaters in the spring of 2017. Give your little LEGO lovers something to tide them over till the release with this activity book based on the animated film. It also includes an exclusive buildable minifigure. Kids will love all the engaging activities based on the movie, which stars Will Arnett as the voice of LEGO Batman, Michael Cera as Robin, Zach Galifianakis as The Joker, Rosario Dawson as Batgirl, Ralph Fiennes as Alfred Pennyworth, and more.

Secret Origins (Story Thieves Series #3), by James Riley
The third book in James Riley’s bestselling Story Thieves series finds Bethany jumping into yet another fictional world to try to rescue her father. But this time it’s not the pages of a book that Owen and Bethany find themselves in—it’s a comic book that’s been devastated by a force known as the Dark. The superheroes and villains of Jupiter City have either disappeared entirely or have been lost to mind control. Bethany and Owen aren’t superheroes—so how do they have any hope of defeating the Dark? And just how are Bethany’s own secret origins related? Find out in this exciting, fast-paced read.

Bad Kitty Takes the Test, by Nick Bruel
Bad Kitty is back with her 10th chapter book! And this time, she is having some seriously bad luck. After a nasty fall from a tree while trying to play with a couple of birds, Bad Kitty gets her official cat license revoked by the Society of Cat Aptitude Management. And to make matters even more embarrassing, she now has to take a special class and a test to get it back. Filled with a cast of crazy kitty characters, this hilarious and surprising book will surely have young readers happily purring away.

Inspector Flytrap in the Goat Who Chewed Too Much (Inspector Flytrap Series #3), by Tom Angleberger and Cece Bell
That wacky mystery-solving Venus flytrap has returned in the third installment of this funny illustrated chapter book series. This time, it looks like Flytrap’s assistant, Nina the Goat, is the culprit of the latest crime, leaving Flytrap without his partner—who wheels him everywhere on a skateboard—to find the real criminal mastermind. Kids will tear through this silly read with colorful illustrations on almost every page—perfect for reluctant readers.

Tomb of the Khan (Last Descendants: An Assassin’s Creed Novel Series #2), by Matthew J. Kirby
The exciting second book in the Last Descendants series picks up right where book one left off—both the Brotherhood of Assassins and the Templar Order were after a piece of the Trident of Eden. Meanwhile, Owen and a group of teens had located the piece. But before they could get it, it was stolen by a mystery party. Now the teens have chosen sides between the Assassins and the Templars, and there are still two pieces of the Trident that need to be found. Set within the universe of the Assassin’s Creed video game, the series appeals to both gamers and fantasy-adventure fans.

My Little Pony: Equestria Girls: Wondercolts Forever: The Diary of Celestia and Luna, by Sadie Chesterfield
What’s juicier than reading someone else’s diary? My Little Pony fans will relish the opportunity to dive deep into the pages of this replica of teenage Luna and Celestia’s journal. Readers can experience just what its like to be a part of Canterlot High School from these girls’ very distinct point of view. Kids will feel like they’re walking the hallways, attending classes, and even taking part in the Mane Event right along with their favorite My Little Pony characters.

Herobrine’s War: An Unofficial Minecrafter’s Adventure (Gameknight999 Series: The Birth of Herobrine #3), by Mark Cheverton
It’s a classic battle of good versus evil in the third book in this exciting series for Minecraft superfans. A hundred years in Minecraft’s past, the villainous Herobrine is enraged after being foiled by a time-traveling Gameknight999. He’s now determined to knock every NPC off the server and is creating a ghastly new monster to aid in his plans. Feeling overpowered and outnumbered, Gameknight999 is unsure of how to finally defeat his nemesis. Follow his adventures in this fast-paced middle-grade read.