THE TALES OF BEEDLE THE BARD by J.K. Rowling
Loved the Harry Potter series, did you? Then read the five magical stories that Hermione herself translated from the ancient runes. For centuries, Beedle's stories have been read to little wizards and witches as they ready themselves for bed. For you Potter aficionados out there, you now know that Beedle's stories are more than that. Sure, they work as bedtime stories, but they hold in them a legendary power. How else could they have held so many secrets for Harry, Ron and Hermione? Reviewed by Jonathan Stephens.

New Series Feature: Star Wars: The Clone Wars

As 2008 comes to a close, we at Kidsreads.com have compiled some of our favorite books of the year for children. Along with THE TALES OF BEEDLE THE BARD, a collection of five fairy tales courtesy of J.K. Rowling that gives new insight into the world of Harry Potter, we spotlight THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY AND THE PERILOUS JOURNEY, the sequel to Trenton Lee Stewart’s bestseller about four children who are brought together to go on secret missions that only the most intelligent and inventive youngsters can complete; The 39 Clues, an exciting multimedia series consisting of 10 books, 350 trading cards and an online game where readers play a part in the story and compete for over $100,000 in prizes; and INKDEATH, the conclusion to Cornelia Funke's absorbing Inkheart fantasy trilogy.

Additional standouts include CHAINS, Laurie Halse Anderson's compelling examination of the very different implications of freedom and loyalty for slaves during the American Revolution; THE GRAVEYARD BOOK by Neil Gaiman, a chilling tale about an unusual boy who is the only living resident of a graveyard; RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE, Shannon and Dean Hale’s graphic novel adaptation of the classic story as you’ve never seen it before; and THE WILLOUGHBYS by two-time Newbery Medal winner Lois Lowry, in which four thoroughly old-fashioned children seek happiness, fortune --- and a way to get rid of their parents.

November and December’s roundup of Cool New Books includes THE TALES OF BEEDLE THE BARD, a collection of five fairy tales courtesy of J.K. Rowling that gives new insight into the world of Harry Potter; ONE FALSE NOTE, the second installment in The 39 Clues, a blockbuster series consisting of 10 books, 350 trading cards, and an online game where readers play a part in the story and compete for over $100,000 in prizes; THE SORCERER OF THE NORTH, book five in John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice fantasy/adventure series; LONG SHADOWS by Erin Hunter, the newest Warriors: Power of Three novel that finds three young cats having to put their powers to the ultimate test to save the Clans from destruction; and a spectacular pop-up edition of the classic story of Peter Pan, courtesy of paper engineer extraordinaire Robert Sabuda.

November and December’s roundup of New in Paperback titles includes THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY, Susan Patron's Newbery Medal-winning novel about a 10-year-old girl who doesn't expect running away to turn into such a complicated adventure; THE PILGRIMS OF RAYNE, the eighth installment in D. J. MacHale’s wildly popular Pendragon series; THE DAY OF THE DJINN WARRIORS by P. B. Kerr, the fourth Children of the Lamp book featuring djinn twins John and Philippa Gaunt; DARK RIVER, a continuation of Erin Hunter’s Warriors: Power of Three series and a thrilling new chapter in the chronicles of the Clans; COVER-UP, a John Feinstein mystery that finds Steve Thomas and Susan Carol Anderson sitting on the biggest sports scandal of the decade; and GEMINI SUMMER, Iain Lawrence's poignant story of a boy who won't allow anyone to separate him from his very special dog.

RANGER'S APPRENTICE, Book 5: THE SORCERER OF THE NORTH by John Flanagan
Will Treaty is an apprentice no more as he returns in this fifth installment of John Flanagan’s bestselling series. Will sets out to take on his new assignment, a post of his own in the kingdom. But soon after settling in, he receives a special assignment --- to go undercover as a traveling musician to investigate a mysterious illness rumored to be caused by a sorcerer. Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman. 

BARNABY GRIMES: CURSE OF THE NIGHT WOLF by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
Barnaby Grimes is a tick-tock lad, running errands in his city, day and night, and “highstacking” around the rooftops in search of new mysteries to solve. In this first adventure, Barnaby is attacked one night by an enormous dog and soon finds himself swept up in a world of crooked doctors, poor and ill-advised patients, strange tonics and very expensive furs. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman. 

RUNEWARRIORS by Jim Jennewein and Tom S. Parker
It's the eve of the Festival of Greatness, and Dane has a big problem: he has yet to choose his nickname. But when he sees his proud father shamed by the evil tyrant Thidrek the Terrifying, Dane's indignation earns him a moniker that sticks: Dane the Defiant! And when Thidrek kidnaps Dane's beloved Astrid in hopes of trading her for the ultimate power of the gods, Dane defiantly goes after him. Reviewed by Joy Held. 

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