Bad Kitty Meets the Baby

Eeesss aw beebee!

Bruel, Nick. Bad Kitty Meets the Baby. New York : Roaring Brook Press, 2011.

Plot: For a long time, Kitty enjoyed the house to herself. After a while, Puppy joined the family. While he was messy, smelly, and noisy, Kitty eventually made peace with the interloper. Not long afterwards, her family goes on a trip with a promise of a very special surprise. Last time, the surprise was Puppy, so Kitty does not feel especially confident. Her dread seems justified when a messy, smelly, and noisy baby comes to the house. Not only does the baby complicate her life, the kid shamelessly claims all the attention she normally enjoys. Kitty must learn to adjust yet again.

Genre: Animals, Family, Comics

Genre: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Dragonbreath, I, Freddie

Personal Thoughts: Bad Kitty continues a growing trend of mixing comics with text in tween books. The result feeds into the desire to focus on chapter books, while still acknowledging tweens' enjoyment of illustrations. The plot of the story remains relevant, too. Everyone with a sibling eventually reaches a point of frustration and jealousy with the interloper. Yet, the majority of us also manage to find some common facets with the newbie and even learn to love them, in our own imperfect way.

Dragonbreath: Lair of the Bat Monster

Haaalp!

Vernon, Ursula. Dragonbreath: Lair of the Bat Monster. New York : Dial Books for Young Readers, 2011.

Plot: After escaping ninjas, exploring the ocean, and conquering were-weiners, Danny and Wendell are ready to relax at the community pool for the summer. Their plans get interrupted by a tiny, injured bat. Danny's mother arranges for them to visit a bat-studying cousin in Mexico. The two boys and the researcher get to study a cave full of bats, when an absolutely enormous bat kidnaps Danny! While the bat shows Danny plenty of affection and care, he has no desire to stay in the rain forest. There are insects, raw fish, and real dangers far from home.

Genre: Fantasy, Comics, Science

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Bad Kitty, Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Personal Thoughts: It's not a problem. I can quit reading Dragonbreath books anytime I want. 

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Folktale

Yes, yesss...

Pay attention to the mirror and not the mosasaur stealing your medal

Steptoe, John. Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Folktale. New York : Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1987.

Plot: One of Mufaro's daughters is industrious, kind, and generous, while the other is demanding, slanderous, and manipulative. Both are beautiful and the pride of their father. When the local king sends a proclamation requesting a wife, both women seem ideal. The trip to the king's palace will reveal the one with a true queenly nature, however.

Genre: Picture Books, Folktales, Fairy Tales

Reading Level: Grades Pre-K through 4.

Similar Titles: The Blind Hunter, What is My Song

Personal Thoughts: The title earned a Caldecott Honor Book award and enjoyed a feature on Reading Rainbow. While the book is fairly old, it still manages to appeal to modern audiences with its timeless diction and attractive illustrations. Also, like most folktales, it offers a fable about human nature. Two women seek their fortunes, but the kind nature of one ultimately serves her better than the rudeness of the other. Notably, both the good and the bad daughter are beautiful, reminding the audience that beauty is not the only value of a person. The way a person treats others reveals their worth. 

Vader's Little Princess

Tee hee...

Brown, Jeffrey. Vader's Little Princess. San Francisco : Chronicle Books, 2013.

Plot: Darth Vader is second only to the Emperor in the evil Empire of Star Wars. He is also the hapless father of the energetic Princess Leia. The title follows the two as the learn and love as the princess changes from a sweet little girl to a rebellious teenager.

Genre: Comics, Family

Reading Level: The title is pretty accessible. Fans of Star Wars will probably appreciate it more, though.

Similar Titles: Darth Vader and Son, Star Wars Tales

Like Darth Vader and Son, the title offers a look at parenthood through movie allusions, modern concerns, general silliness, and colorful illustrations. Highly recommended for fans of the movies. 

Big Nate Makes the Grade

I'm eating his hair!

Pierce, Lincoln. Big Nate Makes the Grade. Kansas City, Mo. : Andrews McMeel, 2012.

Plot: Nate is an eleven-year-old striving for survival in the crazy world of middle school. He manages to prank every teacher, fail every test, and visit the principle's office daily. Still, he enjoys popularity among his peers, even the insufferable Artur. However, some victories come with more effort than anticipated, and some never come at all. Prank Day makes it worthwhile, though.

Genre: Comics, Graphic Novels, Middle School

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Bad Kitty, Judy Moody

Personal Thoughts: The title offers a comedic look at middle school troublemakers. Nate manages to capture the confused, independent, needy, and intelligent aspects of the age group. Unfortunately, some of the comics become repetitive, particularly ones facing Nate against common antagonists such as Mrs. Godfrey or Gina. Still, a funny book is appreciated, especially during the craze that is Jr. High.