.jpg)
Graphic Novels ~ Middle Grade
Boss of the Underworld.
Shirley vs the Huge Beast
Created by Tor Freeman
Published by Hachette Children’s Books
Boss of the Underworld, Shirley, is still being bossy. That is of course, in the best possible way. After all it was the Under-Underworld who crowned her as Queen as soon as she arrived with the faithful George, her cockroach companion by her side keeping her in line!
Shirly was the Boss in the Underworld but a trip to the Under-Underworld, where she’s had to go in order to rescue George from his kidnapper, a large mole, finds her crowned Queen. Now she. Has a new sidekick, Peels the banana-skin royalist and together they are going to rescue George and along the way they might find the time to confront the Huge Beast who has been terrifying the land. With trash bats, a rubbish compactor and many more perils this story will have you on the edge of your seat and laughing whilst you’re there!
Chicken Hill: Attack of the Zombie Cactus
Created by Beccy Blake
Published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Chicken Hill. An odd name perhaps but honestly it’s simply your every day, average town. Pets can talk, the frogs rule their very own underwater empire and aliens could attack any day. Perfectly normal that is until the day that weird just gets weirder…
Ferdy, Gripper and Tink are going to be our guides to Chicken Hill and they are going to be at the front of the action too. Ferdy is the tech whiz who is great at inventions and finding trouble. Gripper is his pug who is far too self-absorbed and Tink, well that’s his brothers very, very sleepy cat. An odd crew but they are kept busy in Chicken Hill, especially when there is an invasion of Zombie Cactus’. With this crew everything can go wrong but at the same time there is always adventure and something to be busy with. Are you ready for the chaos?
Dadbot. Rise of the Badbots!
Created by Jack Noel
Published by Piccadilly Press
If you enjoyed Dadbot then you are going to love the second book, which see the rise of the Badbots. Are the Dadbots going to be any competition to these intruders? It’s hard to. Know when they seem, at first, to be so practical and helpful… don’t be fooled!
Now the summer holidays are over Josh and Daisy are going back to school and Dadbot is staying home, on his own. When Honey, an AI home assistant is left on their doorstep Dadbot is delighted, he can have help and company! Josh and Daisy aren’t so sure, there is something about Honey which is suspicious, not least her changing voice and the way she is luring Dadbot away from them comes the power cut and the danger to the whole town. Josh and Daisy need to find out what is going on, save the town and save Dadbot!
Far-Out Five. Snot Jelly Island
Created by Olaf Falafel
Published by Puffin Books
The Far-Out Five are a group of four kids plus one very amateur magician who might also be very grumpy. The story also contains a magical mega tornado which is going to give the five of them some interesting powers which may, or may not, be helpful on their quest.
Stewart has transformed in Spewnicorn and now spews rainbows. The Great Waldini is now a grumpy Wally, Jeffrey has become Glossy Jeff and keeps everyone chilled. Sophie is Tubbs and yes, that’s right she is simply a bathtub whilst Zainab is a Bloof who has the gift of flight. Can these five really solve the mystery of Snot Jelly Island and find a way to get back home, safely? Oh, and did I mention they need to find Waldini’s missing wand too? Anarchic, very, very silly, laugh out loud graphic novel storytelling fun.
Megalomaniacs
Created by Jamie Smart
Published by DFB
Megalomaniacs are more than they seem. These are TERRORS and they’ve come all the way from outer space. There are more than a lot of them and they are teeny tiny though it might be best to keep that part to yourself so as not to offend them!
We’re in Bobbletown and it’s under attack, from the aliens and not just any aliens. These are the Megalomaniacs. As well as the aforementioned attributes they are also cute, silly and zany. They were intending to invade but their spaceship crash landed, still they are going to try and take over Earth. There is one problem however, since there are so many of them they are going to have to work super hard not to get in each other’s way and foil their own plans! Packed with unique humour and outstanding artwork this is a brilliant comic book.
Pandora in Puzzlevale. Call of the Crow
Creators - Paul Duffield, Siobhan McKenna, Poqu
Published by DFB
Puzzle books are so much fun, they offer stories, mysteries, challenges and hours of absorbing activity. They have been given a brand new lease of life with a new look and a new character heading them up, well for this series at least.
Pandora is lost in Puzzlevale which isn’t as bad as it sounds since she loves to solve puzzles. The town is a curious one, around every corner there are enigmas but she has some new friends and hopefully you’ll come on board too and help solve some of the mysteries. Pandora wants some clues to help her find her missing parents, wants to know what the magical crow guide she has really is and what is lurking in the secret chambers. Are you ready to test your logic skills and help Pandora find her way out of Puzzlevale?
Pets Tell Tales: Ancient Rome
Created by Rik Worth & Jordan Collver
Published by Wren & Rook
When you are at school and have history lessons I’m sure that at one point they will have included lessons about the ancient Romans. Do you believe all that you have been told about these people or would you like a new perspective on it all?
Good, a new perspective is always good and this one comes from the animals of the past, the ones who know what really happened and are happy to share their stories with you. No more architecture, Latin poems and togas, now it’s time to learn about the elephant soldiers, the lion gladiators, the celebrity horses and why chickens were sacred. Discover some fascinating facts about ancient Rome, true ones, told from a refreshingly different perspective and with a good dose of historical humour too.
Toby and the Pixies.How to be Cool!
Created by James Turner & Andreas Schuster
Published by David Fickling Books
I happen to think Toby and his Pixies are pretty cool. All their stories so far have convinced me of that and I hope you might agree. If you don’t then Toby’s most recent adventure with the Pixies is certain to set you right.
Being King of the Pixies should make Toby super cool but he feels deeply uncool so they are determined to help him find his groove. Now, bearing in mind the Pixies tend to go about things in a somewhat anarchic manner them helping Toby work out how to be cool will not be all smooth going. A snowman for example might not be what Toby had in mind when he said cool! If you are ready for a generous sprinkling of Pixie magic, friends who try to help you find your best self and a great big serving of laughs pick this book.