Best New Kids Stories | January 2015

The Children’s Book Review | January 1, 2015

Hot New Releases & Popular Kids Stories

Popular series, a new addition to the American Girl conglomerate, and a Disney Frozen book make this month’s selection of best new kids books totally a kids’ choice list! Here are our picks for five kids and teen books that we feel represent some of the best new kids stories releasing this month …

Fairest: The Lunar Chronicles: Levana’s Story 

By Marissa Meyer 

Publisher’s synopsis: Mirror, mirror on the wall,
Who is the fairest of them all?

Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story – a story that has never been told . . . until now.

Marissa Meyer spins yet another unforgettable tale about love and war, deceit and death. This extraordinary book includes full-color art and an excerpt from Winter, the next book in the Lunar Chronicles series.

Ages 12-18 | Publisher: Feiwel & Friends | Jan. 7, 2015 | ISBN-13:  978-1250060556

I Totally Funniest: A Middle School Story 

By James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein

Publisher’s synopsis: Jamie Grimm is back and better than ever in the third episode of James Patterson’s bestselling I FUNNY series. Finding himself one step closer to his dream of being the best kid comic in the world, Jamie faces his biggest challenge yet.

After scoring big on national TV in the semifinals contest, everyone back home is jumping on the Jamie Grimm bandwagon, and all the attention might be going to his head. Not only are his friendships starting to suffer, but the pressure of coming up with his best material ever for the ultimate standup act to snag the final win in Hollywood is pushing Jamie to the brink. Suddenly, life isn’t looking very funny anymore. Can Jamie take the grand prize without pushing away his fans, friends and family?

Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Little, Brown and Company | Jan. 26, 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0316405935

Anna & Elsa #1: All Hail the Queen

By Erica David; Illustrated by Bill Robinson

Publisher’s synopsis: Princess Anna, Queen Elsa, Olaf the snowman, and the rest of the stars from Disney Frozen are back in an all-new magical chapter book series that is perfect for girls ages 6 to 9. Now that the castle gates are open, Anna and Elsa are thrilled to be finally getting to know their kingdom. Anna bubbles with enthusiasm for all the things to do and the people to meet in Arendelle, and Elsa loves using her magic to help the town. But sometimes even a queen needs a day off.

Ages 6-9 | Publisher: RH/Disney | Jan. 6, 2015 | ISBN-13: 978-0736432849

The Darkest Part of the Forest 

By Holly Black

Publisher’s synopsis: Children can have a cruel, absolute sense of justice. Children can kill a monster and feel quite proud of themselves. A girl can look at her brother and believe they’re destined to be a knight and a bard who battle evil. She can believe she’s found the thing she’s been made for.

Hazel lives with her brother, Ben, in the strange town of Fairfold where humans and fae exist side by side. The faeries’ seemingly harmless magic attracts tourists, but Hazel knows how dangerous they can be, and she knows how to stop them. Or she did, once.

At the center of it all, there is a glass coffin in the woods. It rests right on the ground and in it sleeps a boy with horns on his head and ears as pointy as knives. Hazel and Ben were both in love with him as children. The boy has slept there for generations, never waking.

Until one day, he does…

As the world turns upside down and a hero is needed to save them all, Hazel tries to remember her years spent pretending to be a knight. But swept up in new love, shifting loyalties, and the fresh sting of betrayal, will it be enough?

Ages 12 and up | Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers | Jan. 13, 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0316213073

Grace: American Girl

By Mary Casanova

Publisher’s synopsis: Nine-year-old Grace is always thinking up big ideas, like starting a business with her friends over the summer! When Mom announces a trip to Paris instead, Grace gets on board, but it quickly seems as if none of her plans are working out the way she’d hoped. She and her French cousin aren’t getting along, and Grace’s friends back home have started a business without her. Can she find the courage to stay open to new ideas and turn the summer around?

Ages 8-12 | Publisher: American Girl | Jan. 1, 2015 | ISBN-13: 978-1609588915

Do you have a certain young someone that will be excited for one of these books? The new American Girl book or Disney Frozen early reader? For more popular books for kids, follow along with our tag for Popular Kids Stories.