Two page-turners for the weekend 📚📚

MBH no. 32

Hello!

Hope you’ve had a great month! 🍁

Just a quick intro today because my kids have a half day and then no school Friday 🙄, but at least we’ll have plenty of time to read. If you’re on the hunt for page-turners to keep your readers happily occupied through the weekend, then these two recommendations—though quite different from one another—might be perfect. We loved these, and I hope you do too.

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Mac B., Kid Spy (series), by Mac Barnett (2018-2021)

Mac B., Kid Spy Book #4

One afternoon the phone rang, and it was for me. It was the Queen of England. “Hello?” I said. “Hullo,” she said. “Can I speak to Mac?” “Speaking,” I said. “Mac, this is the Queen of England,” she said. “I would like to ask you for a favor.” “OK,” I said. Whenever somebody asks you for a favor, it is a good idea to ask them what the favor is before you say OK. But I had never talked to a queen before. So I said OK. “Wonderful,” said the Queen. “I will tell you a secret. Last night, somebody stole the Crown Jewels!” “No!” I said. “Yes,” said the Queen. “This is the favor: You shall find the missing treasure and bring it back to me.” This was very exciting.

But I had a question. “I have a question,” I said. “I hope it is a quick question,” said the Queen. “Why me?” The Queen of England sighed. “That is a stupid question.” “My teacher says there is no such thing as stupid questions.” The Queen of England frowned. (I could tell she was frowning, even over the phone) “That is just something teachers say in America. But I am not a teacher from America. I am a queen, from England.”

Mac B. Kid Spy is a hilarious chapter book series about an ordinary kid who unexpectedly becomes a spy for the Queen of England. Presented as a “mock memoir” of the author’s childhood in the 1980s, the series is full of witty dialogue and dry humor (much like the quote above!)

Mac travels all over the world to tackle his missions, and between the absurd scenarios and fun illustrations, the author sneaks in a ton of historical and cultural insights. This series is smart, silly, and makes a great read aloud—this is one I’ve recommended a lot to parents of reluctant readers aged 7-10.

buy Mac. B, Kid Spy on Bookshop.org

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The Liars Society (Book 1), by Alyson Gerber, 2024

I’ve wanted to be a student at the Boston School ever since Dad’s journal was sent to me a few months ago, just after Skip and I signed up to sail in this regatta and our names were listed in the paper. Everythin about my dad is mysterious like that. I never met him. Peter Graff. He moved to Switzerland before I was born, and then he died. Mom doesn’t like to talk about Dad, and I know she’d be freaked out that his journal was delivered with no return address and a note that said: Weatherby, this is your dad’s journal…

I feel a prick of guilt the way I always do when I think about how I didn’t tell Mom—but it’s too late to go back now.

Weatherby is a newcomer to the prestigious Boston School, thrilled to finally be in the same world as her late father and hoping to fit in with her new sailing team. But she’s hiding a big secret that could ruin her fresh start.

Jack comes from a wealthy family with a long history at Boston School, but he feels like his father is constantly disappointed in him—and he’s hiding a secret of his own.

Weatherby and Jack start off as rivals, but when their sailing coach assigns them to the same boat, they begin to trust one another. Their lives become further intertwined when they receive mysterious messages indicating they’ve been “tapped” to join Last Heir, a secret society connected to Boston School.

Weatherby, Jack, and three of their classmates soon realize that the mystery is much more complex—and dangerous—than they ever imagined.

We love a good prep school/boarding school mystery, and this one has it all: sports rivalry, extreme wealth, powerful families, deception, corruption, and a cast of (somewhat) relatable characters.

The Liars Society is a total page-turner with twists and a cliffhanger ending, making it a perfect escape for middle grade readers. My kids (10 and 12) were completely hooked on this one, and I was, too. I also loved that it was appropriate for my sensitive 4th grader (not too scary, etc.) but still intriguing enough for my 7th grader to devour in one weekend.

Recommended for ages 10-13

buy The Liars Society on Bookshop.org

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✨Wishing you hours and hours of reading magic,✨

Katie

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