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Hank is a second-grade kid who doesn’t try to be funny, but he somehow always makes the kids in his class laugh. He’s pretty bad at memorizing stuff, and spelling is his worst subject. (But so are math and reading!) Hank’s class is putting on a play, and Hank wants the lead part: Aqua Fly. But he freezes in his audition and can only buzz like a fly. His teacher creates a special part for Hank, a silent bookmark. This may seem like an insignificant role, but when his enemy, Nick McKelty, freezes during the performance, it’s up to Hank to save the play! This is the first book in the Here’s Hank series.

Meet Daniel Funk, a regular guy who’s stuck living in a house full of girls. Why couldn’t he have a brother instead of all those sisters? That would be so cool. When Daniel shrinks to the size of the fourth toe on his left foot, he discovers that he actually does have a brother. A little brother. A very little brother. He’s Pablo Funk, Daniel’s tiny twin, who is a toeful of trouble. When Daniel and Pablo decide to have some fun at their sisters’ party and let loose a giant hissing cockroach just to watch the girls scream, they find out that it’s dangerous to be so small. This is the first book in the Daniel Funk series.

The octopus is not only intelligent, it can be remarkably adaptable able to change color, shape and even skin texture. This fascinating overview is illustrated with attractive watercolors and includes additional detail in back matter. For older readers (ages 9 to 12), The Octopus Scientists (opens in a new window) by Sy Montgomery with photographs by Keith Ellenbogen follows octopus scientist, Jennifer Mathers, and her international team as they learn about and try to better understand this clever creature.

Follow three scientists as they study the osprey, a fascinating raptor, in and around Missoula, Montana. How these large birds are tracked and studied is revealed in a highly accessible well-researched text and color photos. Further information appears in sidebars and back matter.

School’s out! Everyone’s favorite amoeba is headed to summer camp! Squish’s summer is turning out to be terrifying! For one thing, Squish can’t swim. And to make matters worse, his new camp friend is a Hydra (scientific fact: A hydra’s tentacles can paralyze you!). Will Squish sink or will he swim this summer?

It’s a brand new school year for everyone’s favorite amoeba! Will Squish finally get to sit with the cool kids at lunch? Will Pod stop the giant asteroid from destroying the world? Will the leeches be the end of Super Amoeba? And what makes cafeteria nachos so delicious anyway?

In this Magic Tree House story, Jack and Annie’s vacation in the glorious waters off Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula doesn’t turn out quite like they expect. An encounter with sharks and with a Mayan girl plus a bit of magic create another satisfying, fantastical adventure in the series. A companion book, Sharks and other Predators (opens in a new window) helps readers separate fact from fiction.

Miss Drake, a strong-willed dragon, has a new pet, a girl named Winnie who thinks Miss Drake is her pet. When Winnie’s sketches come to life, can dragon and girl work together to put things right? Read in an appealing British accent, this is sure to delight listeners of all ages.

Adam Melon (better known as Melonhead) narrates the adventures he and his best friend, Sam, have during winter break. The boys stay with Melonhead’s grandparents in Paradise, Florida. Their exploits include deciding to get Sam an alligator with very funny — and potentially disastrous results.

Frank Einstein must figure out an alternate source of power or succumb to his archenemy T. Edison’s exorbitant prices for electricity. In this latest of over-the-top funny Einstein series, actual science fact is couched in humorous fiction.

Serendipity Smith is the pseudonym used by Tuesday McGillicuddy’s mom. Serendipity is a famous children’s author who goes missing while working on the last of her adventure series. On their quest to find her mom, Tuesday and her faithful dog find myriad adventures involving writing, mystery, mayhem, and pirates in a breathtaking, satisfying, often humorous fantasy.

When the human to whom Angus (a brownie) is bound dies, he must leave his native Ireland to serve Sarah’s nearest relative. Serving an American girl named Alex means she must acclimate to having a magical creature and whose slovenly habits are in stark contrast to a cleanliness-obsessed brownie.  

Jack and Annie are transported back to Normandy, France, when Europe is in danger of falling to the Germans and the D-Day invasion is about to begin. Though necessarily simplified, this adventure gives an age appropriate introduction to WWII. “Track the Facts” concludes this “super edition” of the popular Magic Tree House series.

Birds aren’t the only animals to make their homes in nests. Other nest-dwellers include insects, turtles, even orangutans. Handsome, detailed illustrations and an informative text (which can be read either in detail or for the main theme) appealingly present these animal homes and their residents.

While their father is attending a speed-knitting competition, Nick and his sister Maxine stay with Mrs. Noodlekugel. Together they share outrageously silly experiences that involve talking animals, a bear learning to dance, and a lost-but-found Mr. Noodlekugel. Line drawings enhance the absurd humor and add great appeal.

Babymouse wants to earn money and she knows she can do it because she’ll be the best babysitter ever. But things never go quite as planned for Babymouse with results that are sure to make young readers laugh — and maybe even recognize some familiar goings-on. Signature comic book illustrations are used in this installment of the series.

Hudson, a small dog, narrates his travels from Paris by train to Provence with his human mom. Although a tourist, Hudson tries jobs done by local dogs but finds the magic of Provence in his ability to paint portraits of the canines. Impressionistic paintings glimpse the French countryside and its goings-on.

Although the booming storm frightens Bear, the cub tries different things by himself and with his parents, until the weather passes. Reassuringly, each kiss, snuggle, or song lets him feel better.

From planting to harvesting, Stanley grows wheat on a large farm. Cartoon illustrations of the charming hamster-as-farmer present a straightforward, simplified look at typical activities.

Spot explores familiar shapes that can be seen in a child’s everyday life — a book is square, for example. Shapes and objects are presented in easy language and a signature-style of illustration.

“Chirp!” says a big-eyed bird; “Slurp!” responds the anteater. Animals both familiar and more exotic greet each other with one rhyming sound on opposite sides of each colorful spread.

What can you see at the beach? Lift the flap to find out then make repeat the animal’s sounds in this bright, playful book sturdy enough for young hands.

Girls didn’t always have the freedom to choose what they wanted to do. This is certainly true for Callie Tate, the only girl in her family. How she follows her interests and deals with not being taken seriously is revealed in rich, well-paced language. Callie’s story started in The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate though both books can be read without the other. Both will appeal to sophisticated readers.

Clementine hates change. And there’s a lot of change about to happen: summer is approaching and the end of third grade means goodbye to her beloved teacher, Mr. D’Matz. Plus her family expects a new baby. Like other books in the series, this seventh and final one is sure to cause laughter as Clementine works to come out successfully on the other side of change.