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Series Spotlight: THE MISFITS

A Royal Conundrum (The Misfits)

A Royal Conundrum (The Misfits) By Lisa Yee; illustrated by Dan Santat

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • When a notorious thief is out for priceless treasure (gems! cats! general decorum!)—who're you gonna call? An elite team of crime-fighting underdogs, that's who! The Misfits are on the case in this hilarious illustrated series from Newbery Honoree Lisa Yee and Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat!

“For any kid who’s felt like a misfit, this crackling adventure packs a wallop!” —Lincoln Peirce, creator of Big Nate and Max & the Midknights

Olive Cobin Zang has . . . issues. And they mostly aren’t her fault. (No, really!) Though she often slips under the radar, problems have a knack for finding her. So, imagine her doubts when she’s suddenly dropped off at the strangest boarding school ever: a former castle turned prison that's now a “reforming arts school”!

But nothing could’ve prepared Olive for RASCH (not “rash”). There, she’s lumped with a team of other kids who never quite fit in, and discovers that the academy isn’t what it seems—and neither is she. In fact, RASCH is a cover for an elite group of misfits who fight crime . . . and Olive has arrived just in time.

Turns out that RASCH is in danger of closing, unless Olive’s class can stop the heist of the century. And as Olive falls in love with this wacky school, she realizes it’s up to her new team to save the only home that’s ever welcomed them.

A Copycat Conundrum (The Misfits)

A Copycat Conundrum (The Misfits) By Lisa Yee; illustrated by Dan Santat

When San Francisco is under strange attacks—like earthquakes affecting only two city blocks at a time—who're you gonna call? An elite team of crime-fighting underdogs, that's who! The Misfits are on the case in this hilarious illustrated series!

“For any kid who’s felt like a misfit, this crackling adventure packs a wallop!” —Lincoln Peirce, creator of Big Nate

Oof! After solving the case of the Royal Rumpus, Olive Cobin Zang and her elite team of underdogs are on top of the world. As the awkward, crime-fighting Misfits, they’re acing every mission thrown at them from NOCK (aka No One Can Know, the covert agency they work for).

But when their classmate Zeke starts receiving threatening notes, the Misfits are stumped. They’re no strangers to danger, but this case is a total head-scratcher. Who would target kind, friendly Zeke . . . unless he’s not what he seems to be?

At the same time, unusual earthquakes start shaking up San Francisco just as priceless art goes missing, and the Misfits are called to investigate. Is it a coincidence that the city is under attack while Zeke is getting mysterious messages? Or is it all just a cover for a scheme bigger than any they’ve faced before?

For other Misfit adventures from Newbery Honoree Lisa Yee and Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat, don't miss The Misfits #1: A Royal Conundrum!

Lisa Yee

Lisa Yee

Lisa Yee is a Newbery Honoree and National Book Award finalist for Maizy Chen’s Last Chance. She is also the author of over 21 books for young people, including the groundbreaking Millicent Min, Girl GeniusStanford Wong Flunks Big-Time; and the DC Super Hero Girls novel series. Lisa is a frequent contributor to NPR’s Books We Love. A third-generation Chinese American, Lisa divides her time between Western Massachusetts and Los Angeles.

Dan Santat

Dan Santat

Dan Santat is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of over a hundred books. His picture book The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend received the Caldecott Medal. He also illustrated The Blur, Lift, and Drawn Together, both written by Minh Lê, which received critical acclaim. Dan is also the creator of the Disney animated hit The Replacements. He lives in Southern California with his family.

Independent Reading Books

Llama Quest #1: Danger in the Dragons' Den

Llama Quest #1: Danger in the Dragons' Den By Megan Reyes; illustrated by Kay Davault

Start your quest with a talking purple llama and protect the Kingdom of Ravenwood! Join eight-year-old Dak as he's swept into a magical adventure to protect the people and creatures of their kingdom—including dragons!

Eight-year-old Dak spends his days scooping llama poop and dreaming of adventure. Then he meets Fenn, the mysterious girl who lives next to his family’s farm, and Lucy, a llama…who wears a scarf? And talks? And turns PURPLE?!

Suddenly Dak is on a magical whirlwind adventure! Turns out Lucy is the keeper of the magical stones that protect the people of Ravenwood —and a thief has tried to steal them. Now they're scattered across the kingdom! The good news? Lucy has found the Fire Stone. The bad news? A family of dragons found it first and they won’t give it up easily. Can Dak, Fenn, and Lucy get the Fire Stone back? 

They’ll encounter magical creatures, a sneaky thief, and tricky magic, but when Dak, Fenn, and Lucy work together, nothing can beat Team Llama Quest! 

Join Team Llama Quest on all their adventures!
#1 Danger in the Dragons' Den
#2 Secrets of Starfall Forest

Bibsy Cross and the Creepy-Crawlies

Bibsy Cross and the Creepy-Crawlies By Liz Garton Scanlon; illustrated by Dung Ho

Meet Bibsy Cross, the precocious, regular-pegular eight-year-old whose pickle-jar terrarium habitat gets a little out of control in the third installment of this charming chapter book series.

Most things are easy-peasy, regular-pegular for Bibsy Cross. She loves her parents, her cat, her best friend, Natia. She loves school and the library. And she loves to lend a helping hand.

For their class project, Bibsy and her group must create a self-sustaining pickle-jar terrarium. That means the plants and bugs will live in a harmonious balance.

But when things go a little off-kilter in the pickle jar, will Bibsy's instinct to help out truly do good?

Earl & Worm #1: The Bad Idea and Other Stories

Earl & Worm #1: The Bad Idea and Other Stories By Greg Pizzoli

This giggle-inducing early reader kicks off a brand-new series featuring two unlikely friends, for fans of Frog and Toad, from beloved Geisel Award-winning author of The Watermelon Seed.

Earl and Worm have been friends for a very, very long time, but their friendship had a rocky start. Earl is a happy go-lucky bird who plays saxophone to his plants because they love music in the morning. His neighbor Worm, on the other hand...well, Worm is the exact opposite. She would rather read in silence.

How will these very different neighbors become the very best of friends? With some sweet lemonade, the right shade of paint, and an unfinished poem, and most of all, sharing a little bit about themselves.

Award-winning creator Greg Pizzoli delivers three funny stories that will have kids hooting along soon after they've outgrown Elephant and Piggie.

Pizza and Taco: Coolest Club Ever!

Pizza and Taco: Coolest Club Ever! By Stephen Shaskan

Join Pizza and Taco's afterschool club in the next installment of this hilarious graphic novel chapter book series! What happens when these foodie besties have to compete with a video game club for members ?

Pizza and Taco are serving up more awesomeness with a cool new club! They can't wait to talk about all their favorite interests...including making comic books. Lots of people signed up, so they know it's going to be popular! Then why does everyone go to Cheeseburger's video game club instead?! Pizza and Taco have no choice but to check it out. They just might learn that kids want to make comics just as much as they want to play video games! 

This hilarious young graphic novel series—with chapters—will tickle the funny bones of kids ages 5-8 and bolster their reading confidence. It's the perfect stepping stone for those who are transitioning to longer chapter books and graphic novels.

Readers will be hungry to read all eight books in the series! Here are just a few:
Who's the Best?
Super-Awesome Comic!
Too Cool for School
Dare to be Scared!

A to Z Animal Mysteries #5: The Emerald Egg

A to Z Animal Mysteries #5: The Emerald Egg By Ron Roy and Kayla Whaley; illustrated by Chloe Burgett

Solve Animal Mysteries from A to Z! Inspired by Ron Roy's A to Z Mysteries series, this exciting animal adventure mystery is perfect for budding young chapter book readers. This time, 8-year-old Abbi and her friends solve the mystery of missing emu egg!

E IS FOR EMU EGG . . .

Crack that case! While visiting her cousin in Australia, Abbi learns that a valuable carved emu egg has been stolen. Who is the thief? Could it be Abbi's aunt who hates the egg? Or the visiting couple who likes to collect rare items? Or. . . is it Abbi's favorite cousin? With the help of her friends, Abbi and her friends, Lydia and Daniel, will crack this case wide open!


Don't miss the first books in the A to Z Animal Mysteries series:

  • #1: The Absent Alpacas
  • #2: Bats in the Castle
  • #3: Cougar Clues
  • #4: Dolphin Detectives

Ready for more? Check out the original A to Z Mysteries series by Ron Roy!

Random House Teachers and Librarians