5 Adventure-Packed Reads Kids Will Love This January

Packed with pirates, spells, brave misfits and laugh-out-loud moments, these five books are perfect for young readers who love fast-paced adventures and unforgettable characters. From treasure hunts and magical maps to kids determined to prove themselves (often with hilarious results), each story is ideal for emerging middle-grade readers.

Atticus Van Tasticus #2: The Map of Half Maps by Andrew Daddo and Stephen Michael King

The second book in the Atticus Van Tasticus pirate series from the hilariously funny team of Andrew Daddo and Stephen Michael King. ATTICUS VAN TASTICUS is back. And this time he means business. Having escaped certain disaster on the high seas, he’s on the scent of treasure. Then the call comes from above: ‘Ship ahoy, Captain, ship ahoy!’ If only it were good news, which of course it ain’t. Vicious, mean and mighty unclean Bjorn Ironhead is on the warpath – and Atticus and his crew are in his sights. Stay and fight, or run and hide? But where do you hide a pirate ship, and who’s this Captain Half Map, and, most of all, where’s that TREASURE OF TREASURRRRES?! Join Atticus and his crew as they roll from one adventure to certain disasterrrrr…

Buy a copy of Atticus Van Tasticus 2 The Map of Half Maps here.

The Republic of Birds by Jessica Miller

Olga loves the stories of the old cartographers and pores over their ancient books and maps, trying to unlock their secrets. Sometimes, she thinks she can even feel through the maps— almost see into them—as if by magic. But magic is banned in Tsaretsvo, ever since the war with the birds that divided the kingdom, and the powerful magic-wielding Iagas have long been banished. Now, any young girl who shows signs of being an Iaga is whisked away to Bleak Steppe—to a life, so the story goes, of unspeakable punishment. When the bird army kidnaps Olga’s sister in a surprise attack on the human kingdom, Olga realises she has to venture into the Republic of Birds to bring her back. But first, she must learn to unlock her magical ability. As her journey takes her into the hidden world of the Iagas and the wilds of the Unmappable Blank, Olga discovers the truth about the war with the birds—and learns just how much is at stake. Inspired by Russian folklore, The Republic of Birds is a rich middle-grade fantasy adventure for readers of Karen Foxlee, Jessica Townsend and Philip Pullman.

Buy a copy of The Republic of Birds here.

Derek Dool Supercool #1: Bust a Move by Adrian Beck and Scott Edgar

Think of the COOLEST, FUNNIEST, most HANDSOME kid in school, times it by a gazillion and you get DEREK DILBERT DOOL. At least he thinks so . . . Pity he’s the only one. Life’s tough when your name’s Derek. You’re destined to be uncool. But Derek is determined to find something – anything – that will change that. He’s sick of being picked last in PE, of not being invited to parties, and of all the cool kids using his freckles as dot-to-dot challenges. Derek is going to find something that will make him SUPERCOOL and nothing is going to stop him.

Buy a copy of Derek Dool Supercool #1: Bust a Move here.

Monty’s Island #1: Scary Mary and the Stripe Spell by Emily Rodda

Monty lives on a perfect island in the middle of a magical sea. Sometimes the sea throws up something interesting … and Monty goes on an amazing adventure! On a tiny island far away, in a sea that ripples with magic, Monty never knows what he might find… Monty, Tawny and friends receive some startling news: Scary Mary and her pirate crew are on their way, looking for a new island to call home. What can they do? There’s no way they can hide – especially when Bunchy accidentally turns the whole island stripy with her new magic wand. It’s going to take one of Monty’s best ideas to save them!

Buy a copy of Monty’s Island #1: Scary Mary and the Stripe Spell here.

Funny Kid #7: Peeking Duck by Matt Stanton

Every kid wants to laugh, but Max is the boy who can make it happen. He’s not the smartest kid; he’s not the fastest kid; he’s not the prettiest kid; but he might just be the funniest kid you’ve ever met. Max and his friends take a road trip to Adventure Park to dare each other to ride The Tower of Dying Deathly Doom. But it may be Duck who is the bravest one of all.