I frequently see comments online that there are no “boy books” for children. Personally, I’m not 100% on board with labeling things “girl books” and “boy books,” but I can imagine what people mean when they say this: generally books with male protagonists, often books written by men. Here are 33 books I’ve rounded up I think boys might like. And as an added bonus, I made sure they’re all recently published for readers who are looking for that kind of thing.
1. Brand New Boy by David Almond (2024)
When a new boy joins their class, everyone thinks he’s . . . odd. George doesn’t behave like other kids. He doesn’t think like other kids. But he’s great at football and snacking, and that’s what matters to Dan and Maxie and their friends, who resolve to make George feel welcome. Over time, they learn that he’s just like them in most ways, except one: George is a robot, part of an ambitious new experiment, with sinister people bent on destroying him. When George’s lab pulls him out of school, can his new friends recover him—and set him free? Told in David Almond’s signature rollicking narrative style, this poignant tale explores what it means to be human—and will inspire children to think and giggle in equal measure.
2. Spark by Chris Baron (2025)
Finn and his friend, nicknamed Rabbit, live in a rural area that’s been hit hard by wildfires. Families were displaced and school was interrupted. Moreover, their beloved forest is suffering―animals and plants haven’t been able to come back, and the two friends wonder if there’s anything they can do to help. Rabbit’s uncle, a science teacher, is part of a study that may help bring the forest back to life, but Finn and Rabbit wonder if the forest can wait. And what if another fire comes in the meantime? They believe a small part of the forest―the forest heart―that survived the wildfire may hold the key to regrowth, but first, they have to find it and then convince the adults around them to listen.
3. Galactic Hotdogs 1 by Max Brallier (2020)
From the creator of the bestselling series The Last Kids on Earth, this hilarious middle grade adventure follows a young boy thrust into the world of selling hot dogs in space!
Over the course of one very strange night, Cosmoe went from being an adventure-seeking, thirteen-year-old Earthling orphan to a hot-dog-slinging space traveler. He has all the adventure he once craved and more aboard the Neon Wiener—part spaceship, part food truck—selling their trademark “Galactic Hot Dogs.”
Cosmoe and the rest of the crew journey to food competitions across the universe serving up the wildly popular wieners…until they gain a troublesome stowaway. The half-evil, half-awesome Princess Dagger doesn’t plan on going anywhere, and her presence on the ship means her all-evil mother is gunning for the Neon Wiener.
Cosmoe rallies his friends to fight space jerks in all their many forms and vows to protect the princess. But can a group of hot dog enthusiasts face down an evil space queen?
4. The School for Thieves by Peter Burns (2026)
Tom Morgan’s life on the streets of London consists of shining shoes, picking pockets, and keeping his group of street kids out of the hands of snatchers. When he fails at the last and their home is raided, Tom is the only one not carted off to the workhouse. He’s determined to rescue his friends, but breaking into the workhouse is a nearly impossible task, let alone breaking back out.
Tom is at a loss until he’s approached by a mysterious figure claiming to be an accomplished thief and Tom’s ticket to the best training in the clandestine arts in the world: an elite international boarding school that would teach him all the skills necessary to help his friends. Without any better ideas—and his curiosity piqued—Tom accepts the invitation.
Whisked away to the snowy Alps, Tom enters a thrilling world of intrigue and heists. But the deeper he gets into the Shadow League, the harder it becomes to leave. Tom has to learn fast and uncover the nefarious secrets within the league to have any chance of saving himself, his friends—and maybe even the world.
5. King Alfred and the Ice Coffin by Kevin Crossley-Holland (2024)
When Wulfstan, an intrepid ninth-century sailor, arrives at King Alfred’s court, he soon enchants the king with his riveting tale of stormy seas, thrilling races on horseback, and a ruler encased in ice. In this extraordinary collaboration, the award-winning Kevin Crossley-Holland and former British Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell reunite to bring Wulfstan’s tale, and the world of King Alfred the Great, to life. Told in lyrical prose and richly illustrated, this story of a West Saxon king known for fighting off the Vikings will captivate readers of all ages. An author’s note details King Alfred’s wish to enable his people to read books in their own language, learning Latin himself so he could translate the written works into English and incorporate tales of northern lands, such as the one retold here, that were recounted to him by travelers.
6. Jerry, Let Me See the Moon by Jeffrey Ebbeler (2024)
Jerry has serious questions about the town his scientist father drags him to: why did they give up traveling the world to settle down in such a strange spot? Why won’t his dad talk about his mysterious research or explain what happened to his mother, who disappeared years ago? And when he sees his friend Pearl transform into a were-squirrel under the light of the full moon, he needs to know: were exactly has he ended up?
But when criminal mayhem turns Jerry’s town—a safe haven for were-creatures—into a not-so-safe haven, Jerry must uncover a twisty conspiracy and take down the instigators who are trying to tear the place that’s become his home apart.
Packed with twists and turns and filled with vivid black-and-white drawings, Kraken Me Up author Jeffrey Ebbeler’s experience as a comics artist translates into dynamic, visual action sequences that even the most reluctant readers won’t have to fight their way through. Larger-than-life bad guys and slapstick humor meets a heartfelt exploration of what makes a place home in this page-turner that will leave younger middle grade readers howling for more.
7. The I Scream Truck by I. M. Eerie (2026)
Asking too many questions about the new ice cream truck puts a boy on thin ice in this entry in the bone-chilling middle grade horror series An Eerie Tale, perfect for fans of Goosebumps and Christopher Pike.
John’s sister has always warned him that curiosity killed the cat. But he can’t help it—nosiness is in his nature. So when Mr. Dandy’s neighborhood ice cream truck is suddenly replaced by Mr. Twisty’s horror-themed truck, John has questions. Did Mr. Dandy really retire to Florida? Why does Mr. Twisty seem as sinister as his truck? Something about him makes John’s blood run cold.
Putting his curiosity to work, John discovers Mr. Twisty is making mysterious nighttime deliveries to his neighbors. Who needs ice cream at two o’clock in the morning? Clearly something strange is happening, and John is determined to figure out what. But sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong might have serious consequences…
8. The Halloween Moon by Joseph Fink (2022)
Esther Gold loves Halloween more than anything in the world. So she is determined to go trick-or-treating again this year despite the fact that her parents think she is officially too old. Esther has it all planned out, from her costume to her candy-collecting strategy. But when the night rolls around, something feels . . . off.
No one is answering their door. The moon is an unnatural shade of orange. Strange children wander the streets, wearing creepy costumes that might not be costumes at all. And it seems like the only people besides Esther who are awake to see it all are her best friend, her school bully, and her grown-up next-door neighbor.
Together, this unlikely crew must find a way to lift the curse that has been placed upon their small town before it’s too late. Because someone is out to make sure Halloween never comes to an end. And even Esther doesn’t want to be trapped in this night forever.
9. The New Norm by Alfred J. Gilbert (2026)
A chronically online middle schooler tries to bring his social media fame into his real life in this new middle grade series about surviving cringe both on the internet and IRL!
Everyone’s got a lot to say on the Meadowview Middle School social media forum. From roasts of Mrs. Klinger’s morning announcements to rage-bait cafeteria pizza reviews, the tea is hot!
And in the middle of it all is Alexander “Norm” Norman, who has just gone unintentionally viral across the internet and become a middle-school celebrity. Pretty sweet, right? Well, not so much. Can Norm balance his real friends and his new fame—and make it through the first week of school without getting totally roasted in the chat?
10. Houdini and Me by Dan Gutman (2021)
Eleven-year-old Harry Mancini is NOT Harry Houdini—the famous escape artist who died in 1926. But Harry DOES live in Houdini’s old New York City home, and he definitely knows everything there is to know about Houdini’s life. What is he supposed to do, then, when someone starts texting him claiming that they’re Houdini, communicating from beyond the grave? Respond, of course.
It’s hard for Harry to believe that Houdini is really contacting him, but this Houdini texts the secrets to all of the escape tricks the dead Houdini used to do. What’s more, Houdini’s offering Harry a chance to go back in time and experience it for himself. Should Harry ignore what must be a hoax? Or should he give it a try and take Houdini up on this death-defying offer?
11. The Time Corridor by Ben Guterson (2027!)
It’s a quiet summer night in Nine Hill City when twelve-year-old Riki Kanno sees a mysterious light flick on in the Time Corridor, a wing of the majestic museum across from his apartment. Riki finds himself curiously drawn to this wing which houses wondrous timepieces, and he begins making secret, midnight investigations of the massive hall. There, he meets five enchanted beings who recount an unbelievable tale about his father that’s filled with bewitchment and danger. Now, with his missing father possibly closer than ever, Riki realizes he must pursue the spellbinding key while under threat from the dark force of the Time Guardian.
This captivating mystery features winding labyrinths, twisty mazes, leaps through time, and a full-throttle face-off with an otherworldly power. Time is ticking. Can Riki find the answers and reunite his family?
12. Wink by Rob Harrell (2021)
Seventh grader Ross Maloy wants to blend in, but a rare eye cancer makes middle school anything but normal. Between losing his hair, wearing a cowboy hat, and navigating friends who don’t know how to act around “the cancer kid,” Ross must find a way to survive school and embrace life’s weirdness. With humor, comic panels, and heart, author Rob Harrell finds the humor in his lived experience and lends it to this honest, uplifting story that tackles themes like loss, anger, and courage in life’s toughest moments.
13. The Adventures of Invisible Boy: A Graphic Novel by Doogie Horner (2024)
It’s his first day at a new school, and Stanley wishes he could disappear. He can hardly believe it when, after a big spill at the science fair, POOF!
Stanley is invisible! It’s awesome! He can do anything he wants, and no one will know!
But Stanley isn’t the only one who turned invisible. The inventor of the potion is not happy about the accident and takes his anger out on kids
all over town.
Stanley wants to use his power for good . . . which means going up against the one person who can make him visible again.
Get ready for a battle of the ages.
14. National Archive Hunters 1: Capitol Chase by Matthew Landis (2024)
Ten-year-old Ike Carter has committed large chunks of American history to memory. That’s what happens when you’re a genius who loves the past. His twin, Iris, prefers the present (aka reality). She’s an elite athlete, dominating the competition thanks to her wicked-sharp spatial awareness.
During the opening night of a new exhibit at their mom’s boutique museum in Washington, D.C., Ike and Iris inadvertently stumble onto a robbery in progress. A girl not much older than them is stealing a miniature portrait of George Washington from the collection. It’s only the first in a string of crimes, all focused on items that were once gifted by the Marquis de Lafayette to his American friends. With some help from the National Archives Research Center, the twins puzzle out the culprit’s next targets, and are soon hot on the trail of the mystery girl.
But their efforts also put them in the crosshairs of the FBI’s Art Crime team, who suspect their family is involved. If the twins can’t catch the real perp as they target the final item, it’ll be game over.
15. Dead Man’s Castle by Ian Lawrence (2021)
When Igor was five, his father witnessed a terrible crime—and ever since, his whole family has been hunted by a foreboding figure bent on revenge, known only as the Lizard Man. They’ve lived in so many places, with so many identities, that Igor can’t even remember his real name.
But now he’s twelve years old, and he longs for a normal life. He wants to go to school. Make friends. Stop worrying about how long it will be before his father hears someone prowling around their new house and uproots everything yet again. He’s even starting to wonder—what if the Lizard Man only exists in his father’s frightened mind?
Slowly, Igor starts bending the rules he’s lived by all his life—making friends for the first time, testing the boundaries of where he’s allowed to go in town. But soon, he begins noticing strange things around them—is it in his imagination? Or could the Lizard Man be real after all?
16. Fire on Headless Mountain by Iain Lawrence (2022)
Virgil is making his older siblings trek to a mountain lake on a trip unlike any they’ve taken before. They carry precious cargo: the ashes of their beloved mother, who asked that her remains be scattered at her favorite spot. Then a forest fire is sparked by a bolt of lightning at the exact moment when their van breaks down, and the journey quickly turns to disaster.
Virgil finds himself separated from his brother and sister. With the fire moving closer and closer, he isn’t sure he can make it alone in the wilderness. But with the memory of his late mother, a science teacher, and all her lessons about the ecosystem and fire safety to guide him, he quickly learns that survival starts with letting go of your fears and taking action.
Fire on Headless Mountain is a thrilling adventure tale that showcases not only the overwhelming beauty and terrifying power of nature, but also the gift of memory when facing great emotional and physical trials.
17. Embassy of the Dead by Will Mabbit (2020)
When Jake Green opens a mysterious box containing a severed finger, he accidentally summons a grim reaper intent on dragging him to the Eternal Void (yes, it’s as fatal as it sounds). Now Jake is running for his life. Luckily, he has a knack for talking to ghosts, which just might help him survive long enough to reach the Embassy of the Dead and plead his case. With the help of a prankster poltergeist and a dead undertaker, Jake dodges fearsome undead creatures, discovers his own ghostly abilities, and gets excused from the school field trip due to a terrible (and made-up) bout of diarrhea. But the Embassy has its own problems, and Jake must be very careful where he places his trust—in both the living and the dead. With a plot that zips and a colorful cast of characters, this delightful new series delivers laughs and shivers in equal measure.
18. Swift and Hawk: Cyberspies by Logan Macx (2022)
When their families are violently kidnapped, Swift and Hawk—teen experts in AI and robotics—are plunged into a life-or-death rescue mission by the secretive Möbius group. Their journey takes them from hidden tunnels beneath the British Museum to the dangerous docklands of Amsterdam in search of the mysterious ship Nightfall. Caught in a treacherous world of spies and saboteurs, Swift and Hawk will be pushed to the limit as they follow a trail that leads to the remote island of Spøkelsøy—and straight into the hands of a dark and chilling enemy.
19. Jax Freeman and the Phantom Shriek by Kwame Mbalia (2025)
The award-winning author of the best-selling Tristan Strong trilogy has created a secret world where kids can wield magic by summoning the power of their ancestors
What do you get when you combine Kwame Mbalia’s incredible imagination and world-building talent with trains, history, and ghosts? Nothing less than middle grade magic.
On his twelfth birthday, Jackson “Jax” Freeman arrives at Chicago’s Union Station alone, carrying nothing but the baggage of a scandal back in Raleigh. He’s been sent away from home to live with relatives he barely knows. But even worse are the strangers who accost him at the train station, including a food vendor who throws dust in his face and a conductor who tries to steal his skin.
At his new school, Jax is assigned to a special class for “summoners,” even though he has no idea what those are . . . until he accidentally unleashes an angry spirit on school grounds. Soon Jax is embroiled in all kinds of trouble, from the disappearance of a new friend to full-out war between summoning families.
When Jax learns that he isn’t the first Freeman to be blamed for a tragedy he didn’t create, he resolves to clear his own name and that of his great-grandfather, who was a porter back in the 1920’s. By following clues, Jax and his schoolmates unlock the secrets of a powerful Praise House, evade vengeful ghosts, and discover that Jax may just be the most talented summoner of all.
20. No Place for Monsters by Kory Merritt (2020)
Levi and Kat are about to discover a very dark side to their neighborhood. Nothing ever seems out of place in the safe, suburban town of Cowslip Grove. Lawns are neatly mowed, sidewalks are tidy, and the sounds of ice cream trucks fill the air. But now…. kids have been going missing – except no one even realizes it, because no one remembers them. Not their friends. Not their teachers. Not even their families.
But Levi and Kat do remember, and suddenly only they can see why everyone is in terrible danger when the night air rolls in. Now it is up to Levi and Kat to fight it and save the missing kids before it swallows the town whole.
21. How to Say Goodbye in Cuban by Daniel Miyares (2025)
Carlos, who lives in a small town in the Cuban countryside, loves to play baseball with his best friend, Alvaro, and to shoot home-made slingshots with his abuelo.
One day, a miracle happens: Carlos’ father, his papi, wins the lottery! He uses the money to launch his own furniture business and to move the family to a big house in the city.
Carlos hates having to move — hates leaving Abuelo and Alvaro behind — and hates being called country kid at his new school. But the pains of moving and middle school turn out to be the least of his problems.
When rebel leader Fidel Castro overthrows the existing Cuban president, the entire country is thrust into revolution. Then, suddenly, Papi disappears. Carlos’ mother tells him that Papi has gone to America, and that they will soon join him. But Carlos really doesn’t want to leave Cuba, the only home he’s ever known. Besides, how will they get to America when Castro’s soldiers are policing their every move? Will Carlos ever see his father again?
This powerful book about a boy coming of age amid massive political upheaval tells a timeless story of one family’s quest for freedom and for a new place to call home.
22. Dragonborn by Struan Murray (2025)
Life is no fun for Alex Evans. Ever since her dad’s death, her overprotective mother has smothered her with unbreakable rules and unspoken fears. When the frustration inside Alex finally gets too big to bear, it rushes to the surface.
And flames spill from her mouth.
Because Alex is a dragon. One of the many who live among us, unless something awakens their true nature. Led by the mighty Oliphos to the legendary island of Skralla, Alex must now train alongside fierce, frightening dragon children, if she is to unlock the power of her birthright.
But other dragons are rising too. Drak Midna, the greatest dragon of all, is preparing a war against the human world, and Alex has to be good enough for this fight, or we all will burn . . .
23. The Pumpkin Apocalypse by M. D. Payne (2026)
Halloween is a big deal in Little Pine, but newcomer Adam Gibbons doesn’t get the hype. In fact, he’s actively anti-Halloween—and you would be, too, if you were deathly afraid of pumpkins! Yeah…don’t ask.
When Adam is tasked to team up with pumpkin fanatic Molly to plan Friday Night Fright Night, the middle school shut-in event before Pumpkin Fest, he’s forced to confront his greatest fear head…er…jack-o’-lantern-on.
But it soon becomes clear that there is something strange and supernatural brewing in Little Pine. Mind-controlling pumpkins are possessing people and taking over the town, and it’s up to Adam and his small group of friends to smash the infestation and save the world!
24. Wild Blizzard by Rodman Philbrick (2026)
Jack and his friends are on the school bus driving back from a science fair when a bomb cyclone hits. Out of nowhere, blinding snow fills the sky, and a powerful wind starts to shake the bus.
Moments later, the bus swerves off the road, crashing into the trees, and leaving their teacher unconscious at the wheel. With minimal resources, limited fuel, the blizzard only getting worse, and the bus getting colder every minute, the kids will have to figure out how to get to safety before they freeze to death.
Jack volunteers to head out into the snowy woods to make the long trek back to school . . . but what’s that strange sound he hears in the trees?
Will Jack’s resourcefulness and determination-and the unexpected help of a wild dog- be enough to get them home alive? This is a gripping survival story from the Newbery Honor author of Wildfire and Wild River.
25. The Sherlock Society by James Ponti (2025)
Siblings Alex and Zoe Sherlock take their last name as inspiration when choosing a summer job. After all, starting a detective agency has to be better than babysitting (boring), lawn mowing (sweaty), or cleaning out the attic (boring and sweaty). Their friends Lina, an avid bookworm, and Yadi, an aspiring cinematographer, join the enterprise, and Alex and Zoe’s retired reporter grandfather offers up his sweet aquamarine Cadillac convertible and storage unit full of cold cases.
The group’s first target is the long-lost treasure supposedly hidden near their hometown Miami. Their investigation into the local doings of famed gangster Al Capone leads them to a remote island in the middle of the Everglades where they find alarming evidence hinting at corporate corruption.
Together with Grandpa’s know-how and the kids’ intelligence—plus a slick gadget or two—can the Sherlock Society root out the conspiracy?
26. Fast Break by Shawn Pryor, Del Hahn (2026)
Growing up is a team effort in Fast Break, a contemporary middle-grade graphic novel about hoops, family, and friendship—perfect for fans of The Tryout and Ride On.
Mikayla Thomas is a star basketball player determined to be the best at everything she does, including making her family’s move across town as stress-free as possible.
So when the girls’ coach at Mikayla’s new school refuses to let her try out for their lineup, she agrees to join the Firebirds, a ragtag coed-league team, instead. But Mikayla is used to winning, and while the Firebirds are great kids, they aren’t great at basketball.
In this fast-paced, high energy story about taking charge on and off the court, Mikayla begins to wonder if the path to success is maybe more than a solo journey.
27. Deepwater Creek: A Graphic Novel by Michael Regina (2025)
There’s nothing that Wade and his younger brother, Andrew, love more than fishing together. As summer draws to a close, they’re excited for one last hoorah before classes begin and they end up at different schools for the first time. But a typical fishing trip with their best friends, Camilla and Tommy, quickly takes a darker turn. As heavy fog creeps over the creek, Andrew hooks something big—too big. In a moment of chaos, the brothers end up overboard. There, in the murky depths, they get a glimpse of what waits at the end of the line. And it seems far more monster than fish.
Wade and the others wonder if the recent hurricane that hit the area may have stirred up more than just water, unleashing something horrible from below. Their parents don’t believe they saw anything at all. But if there really is something out there, the kids know someone needs to stop it. So, they decide to do what they do best and go fishing for their biggest catch evidence of a real-life river monster. Will these four friends be able to prove everyone wrong and save the creek, or are they about to discover they’re in way over their heads . . . and in deep trouble?
28. Troubling Tonsils! by Aaron Reynolds (2025)
From the team behind the New York Times bestselling and Caldecott Medal–winning Creepy Carrots! and its sequels comes the first entry in a spin-off chapter book series in which Jasper Rabbit tells the story of a young marmot whose tonsils get the better of him.
Jasper the Rabbit is back! A little older and wiser, he collects creepy stories to share as cautionary tales. If you’re ready for some chills and chuckles alike, tune in as Jasper weaves the yarn of Charlie Marmot and the particular pickle he found himself in.
See, Charlie here has a problem: his tonsils have become infected and have to come out. No biggie, right? But when he decides he wants to keep them in a jar for show and tell, things get creepy… First, strange slurping sounds in his room keep Charlie awake the night before his surgery. Then, he goes to the doctor only to be told his tonsils are already gone! Could it be they’re out for revenge?
Join Jasper and Charlie in this first Creepy Tale chapter book and learn from Charlie’s mistakes before it’s too late!
29. PetWizards by Kirk Scroggs (2024)
Finch Eaglehawk may seem like an average oddball with a taste for the dramatic and glam-rock musical numbers, but he has a secret. Finch is a PetWizard, with the ability to control the animal kingdom—well, the “et cetera” category of the animal kingdom. Though he loves his naked mole rats, bearded dragons, and boa constrictors, Finch yearns for more. With the help of his best friend, Aberdeen, a mysterious new kid named Erica, and an ancient PetMaster manual, Finch tries to learn how to own his powers and use them to help those in need, protect the vulnerable, and, most important, impress his crush, Ken Chu, the star of the upcoming school musical.
30. First Kiss with Fangs by Marker Snyder (2025)
Born into a family of vampires, cheerful Ivan is a black sheep: he loves sunshine, his best friends are human, and he can’t stomach the thought of eating meat.
So when Ivan’s vampire fangs come in on his first day of eighth grade, he’s determined to keep them a secret. He wants to stay in day school, with his sweet group of human BFFs, rather than transfer to night school with the rest of the teenage vampire crowd. Sure, that means he’ll have to lie to everyone, but how hard can it be? He will just act normal.
Keeping his secret gets much harder when Ivan is assigned a new lab partner: transfer student Damien. Around him, Ivan acts anything but normal. He’s fainting and fumbling and far from blending in. Ivan even finds himself thinking about blood and heartbeats and vampire kisses . . . All. Day. Long.
Is it safe to spend time with humans, or is Ivan turning into a bloodthirsty vampire against his wishes? He always thought he would do anything to stay in the human world, but maybe it’s too dangerous to keep pretending. . . .
Fans of Fake Blood will sink their teeth into this graphic novel that’s perfect for readers navigating first crushes, unpredictable emotions, and the perils of middle school. Featuring LBGTQ+ characters and a unique, homespun art style, Snyder’s debut is fang-tastic.
31. Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to Being Good by Louie Stowell (2022)
Packed with doodles and cartoons, here is the diary of Loki as he’s trapped on earth as a petulant eleven-year-old—and even worse, annoying thunder god Thor is there, too.
After one prank too many, trickster god Loki has been banished to live as a kid on Earth. If he can show moral improvement within one month, he can return to Asgard. If he can’t? Eternity in a pit of angry snakes. Rude! To keep track of Loki’s progress, King Odin (a bossy poo-poo head) gives him this magical diary in which Loki is forced to confess the truth, even when that truth is as ugly as a naked mole rat. To make matters worse, Loki has to put up with an eleven-year-old Thor tagging along and making him look bad. Loki is not even allowed to use his awesome godly powers! As Loki suffers the misery of school lunch, discovers the magic of internet videos, and keeps watch for frost giant spies, will he finally learn to tell good from bad, trust from tricks, and friends from enemies? Louie Stowell’s witty text and hysterical drawings will keep readers in stitches from start to finish.
32. Malamander by Thomas Taylor (2020)
Nobody visits Eerie-on-Sea in the winter. Especially not when darkness falls and the wind howls around Maw Rocks and the wreck of the battleship Leviathan, where even now some swear they have seen the unctuous malamander creep…
Herbert Lemon, Lost-and-Founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel, knows that returning lost things to their rightful owners is not easy – especially when the lost thing is not a thing at all, but a girl. No one knows what happened to Violet Parma’s parents twelve years ago, and when she engages Herbie to help her find them, the pair discover that their disappearance might have something to do with the legendary sea-monster, the Malamander. Eerie-on-Sea has always been a mysteriously chilling place, where strange stories seem to wash up. And it just got stranger…
33. Junius Leak and the Spiraling Votext of Doom by Allan Wolf (2025)
When thirteen-year-old Junius Leak—expert on waterbodies and creator of the encyclopedic Amazing Waterbodies of the World—steps foot on Uncle Spot’s rickety dock on Lake Peigneur, the truth assails him: he may love waterbodies, but that doesn’t mean they love him back. The latest in a long line of Junius Leaks, he’s the first to be doomed to ten days of awkwardness and boredom on a houseboat with a relative he doesn’t know while his parents “work on” their marriage. Delcambre, Louisiana, where Junius was born, is awash with unwelcome surprises. He determines to learn why his mom left town when he was a baby—and to conquer his fear of water at the same time. But the lake has other plans for him, plans tied to a hundred-year-old family feud and a swashbuckling mystery. When disaster strikes, Junius must dive deep within to emerge an unlikely hero. Alternating viewpoints spin the perceptions of a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)—and the wry voice of a lake with a long memory—into an inventive tale of sunken treasure and buried secrets anchored by a dramatic true event.
