Zibby Payne

The Zibby Payne series by Alison Bell continues with two new books that are as cute and original as the previous ones. Zibby is a sixth-grade tomboy, navigating her way through the difficulties of school, homework, friendship, and brothers. In the previous stories, Zibby tackled starting a club and getting out of kissing a boy in the school play. Now, in Zibby Payne & The Trio Trouble, Zibby must face the problems and jealousy that come with having two best friends. In Zibby Payne & The Party Problem, Zibby finds herself dealing with a clique that accepts her but leaves out a number of her friends.

Pirateology

Pirateology is newest in the Ology Series of books, which includes Mythology, Wizardology, Egyptology, and Dragonology, and is published by Candlewick Press. Meant for ages 8 and up, the book, which, the story tells us, was “discovered” in an underwater chest, is as beautifully created as it is fascinating. The gorgeous hard cover features a working compass, and inside are a variety of other treasures to discover, from pirates’ maps and charts to gold dust and a sundial. The illustrations are detailed and authentic, while the information about the life of a pirate and the stories from “pirates” themselves are both comprehensive and captivating.