In Sister Showdown!, the sixteenth instalment in the Dork Diaries series, Rachel Renee Russell creates realistic characters to build a fast-paced story about friendship, sisterhood and the anxieties of starting high school.   Plot summary Nikki Maxwell is back from a summer holiday in Paris, but the days ahead are worrying. She “BARELY survived all the middle school DRAMA”, and…

The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle, the second book in the series by Hugh Lofting, follows the eccentric doctor, this time to the Spider Monkey Island. The doctor is kind and deeply devoted to studying animals, understanding their language and exploring nature in general, as well as showing a strong sense of responsibility toward the inhabitants of the island. However, the…

Robodog is a middle-grade humorous story for ages 9-11, exploring crime, supervillains, and the impact of technology.   Plot summary Welcome to Bedlam, “home to some of the dastardliest criminals the world has ever known.” The city is in urgent need of well-trained dogs to tackle its rising crime problems. When another theft occurs, this time at the museum, the…