Scholastic’s Dog Tags series of chapter books is perfect for military families to enjoy together. Dog Tags #1: Semper Fido (5/5 stars, currently priced at $3.99) Man’s best friend goes to war. When Gus Dempsey joins the US Marine Corps, he knows without a doubt that he will make a great dog handler. He’s always … Read more
Adults and kids alike have made Jonathan Auxier’s magical, lyrical novels very popular. His bestselling debut novel and follow up have drawn comparisons to such various and celebrated authors as Neil Gaiman and Henry James—sophisticated touchstones, but these books are appropriate for kids aged 8 and up. Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes (4.5/5 stars, … Read more
The My Sister the Vampire series offers a new twist on the twins-separated-at-birth story, brimming with age-appropriate mischief and sisterly support. My Sister the Vampire #1: Switched! (4.5/5 stars, currently priced at $4.99) When Olivia Abbott moves to town, she’s excited to join the cheerleading team and make new friends. Then she meets Ivy Vega. … Read more
Author of the bestselling Bartimaeus series doesn’t disappoint in his The Lockwood & Co. series, about a London-based, kid-run detective agency that specializes in the supernatural. It’s like Harry Potter meets Young Sherlock Holmes. Note that while this series is described as being appropriate for kids aged 8 and up, you can tell just by … Read more
Lucky Dragon (4/5 stars, all ages, currently priced at $1.99) is a strategy-based endless runner, sort of like a thinking person’s Flappy Bird. From Amazon: After LUMI & Dark Guardians, Studio Baikin presents their new addictive mobile game: Lucky Dragon. Fly across hundreds of levels by making obstacles disappear with a tap on the screen. … Read more
The Joshua Dread series stars the tween son of two super villains, but he doesn’t want to follow in their footsteps. School Library Journal says: Sixth grader Joshua Dread’s life is far from ordinary. As the son of the super villains, the Dread Duo, Josh spends most of his time traveling from town to town. … Read more
Alphabet Aquarium Vol 1: Animated Puzzle Games with Letters and Animals (4.5/5 stars, all ages, currently priced at $1.99) is a popular app to help preschoolers master the English alphabet. From Amazon: The best-selling Alphabet Aquarium School Vol 1: Animated Letters Puzzle for Preschool and Kindergarten Explorers by 22learn arrives on Android! Brought to you … Read more
Middle graders who are fascinated by time travel, technology and mysteries will want to check out the Cragbridge Hall series! Cragbridge Hall, Book One: The Inventor’s Secret (5/5 stars, currently priced at $7.59) Imagine a school in the year 2074 where students don’t read history, but watch it happen around them; where running in gym … Read more