The Princess in Black

Title: The Princess in Black

Series: Princess in Black

Author: Shannon Hale and Dean Hale

Illustrator: LeUyen Pham

This is the first book in the Princess in Black series.

Princess Magnolia, in her glass slippers and frilly pink dress, is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess Wigtower when the monster alarm (her sparkly ring!) goes off. It’s time for her to change into her black super hero costume and go off to save the day. At the same time, she also has to make sure that nobody, including the suspicious Duchess, knows her secret identity.

The illustrations by LeUyen Pham are cute and colourful, and a perfect accompaniment to the action that Princess Magnolia gets into.

Series Website

Book Trailer

Listen to a reading here

Zac Blasts Off

Title: Zac Blasts Off

Series: Zac Power Spy Camp

Author: H. I. Larry

Zac Blasts Off is the first book of the Zac Power Spy Camp series.

To become a super boy spy for the GIB, which stands for Government Investigation Bureau, Zac Power starts training at Spy Camp to learn some important spying skills. First up, space training! What can be more fun than dodging space lasers?

If you like action, adventure, and explosions then this book (and series) is for you.

Kids with older siblings who are fans of the original Zac Power series, which has sold over 3 millions books in Australia, can now join in the fun with this series aimed at younger readers.

Goodreads

Books in the series

Ricky Ricotta

Title: Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot

Series: Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot

Author: Dav Pilkey

Illustrator: Dan Santat

This is the first book of Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot series.

Ricky Ricotta is a little mouse who doesn't have any friends. When the evil Dr Stinky sends his giant robot to destroy the city, the robot disobeys his orders when he saw the scared little mouse. The robot is punished for his effort but is saved by his new friend Ricky. They must work together to save the world from Dr Stinky's evil grasp.

The current edition of this title has been expanded to include full colour illustrations and mini comics.

Series website

Book trailer

Listen to a chapter as well as a review

Water Beast

Title: Water Beast

Series: Boy vs Beast

Author: Mac Park

Water Beast is the first book of the series, Boy vs Beast.

In each book of the series, Kai must fight a new beast with new weapons.

Kai is a Border Guard in training, so that he can become a Border Guard just like his dad. It is his job to defend Earth from the mega beasts. Every time he wins a battle, new gear is unlocked to help him with his mission. He also has the help of B.C., his Dogbot.

In Water Beast, he has chosen the Torpedo Crossbow as his weapon. Find out if this will help him defeat the water beast, defend against toxic jellyfish, and defy a tsunami!

Series website

Series trailer