What Comes Next? Warriors

Many parents will be familiar with the challenge of finding their tamariki interesting and exciting books to read after they finish a fantastic series, and the library is here to help. In our series “What Comes Next?” we provide some recommendations for children after they’ve finished a popular series. Last month we looked at the hilariously unlucky Series of Unfortunate Eventsand this month we have focused our attention on the long-running Warrior Cats series by Erin Hunter.

For many tamariki the Warriors books are one of the first big series they really dive in to. And whether they make their way through all the books or are looking for something to read after they’ve gotten their fill, we’ve done our best to find something for everyone. We haven’t included the other Erin Hunter books in this list, but if you haven’t read them yet then check out Seekers, Survivors and Bravelands

Librarian’s tip — If you are reading the Warriors series and aren’t quite sure what order you’re meant to be reading them in, we recommend visiting Fantastic Fiction, who’ve done all the hard work of putting all those books in reading order for you!

Younger Kids:

Young kids have quite a few options when it comes to animal-focused books with lots of adventure. Kathryn Lasky’s Guardians of Ga’Hoole is simply excellent, and Lucky by Chris Hill is sure to delight kids, with a fun squirrel as the main character. Animorphs by Katherine Applegate needs no introduction to many people, who wouldn’t remember a book where kids gain the power to transform into animals? Finally, a newer book with panthers as main characters is The Lost Rainforest by Eliot Schrefer.

The capture / Lasky, Kathryn
“When Soren, a barn owl, arrives at St. Aggie’s, a school for orphaned owls, he suspects trouble and with his new friend, a clever elf owl named Gylfie, embarks on a perilous journey to save all owls from the danger at St. Aggie’s.” (Catalogue)

Mez’s magic / Schrefer, Eliot
“Caldera has forever been divided into those animals who walk by night and those who walk by day. Until the eclipse. Now Mez has discovered that she can cross the Veil and enter the daylight world. Her magical power has unknown depths, but she must rush to discover it after a mysterious stranger arrives at her family’s den, bearing warnings of a reawakened evil. Saving Caldera means Mez must leave her sister behind and unite an unlikely group of animal friends to unravel an ancient mystery and protect their rainforest home.” (Adapted from catalogue)

Lucky / Hill, Chris
“Every day is a fight for survival when you’re a young squirrel lost in the world. And for Lucky, it gets even tougher when he finds out he’s the only red squirrel in a city park fought over by grey ones. Lucky needs fortune on his side to win a place in their hearts. But when he discovers a plot that threatens his new home, is his luck about to run out?”–Back cover” (Catalogue)

Invasion / Applegate, Katherine
“When Jake, Rachel, Tobias, Cassie, and Marco stumble upon a downed alien spaceship and its dying pilot, they’re given an incredible power … a power they must use to outsmart an evil greater than anything the world has ever seen.” (Catalogue)

Older Kids:

If you’re on the older side, and looking for Young Adult reads with similar energy to Warriors then we’ve found a few books you’ll probably enjoy. While Gone by Michael Grant doesn’t have any animals, it does have teenagers with mysterious powers trying to solve a mystery in a Lord of the Flies-esque society. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater does have animals in the form of werewolves as main characters and Protector of the Small by Tamora Pierce is an excellent fantasy series sure to delight fans of Warriors who enjoyed the political intrigue.

Gone / Grant, Michael
“In a small town on the coast of California, everyone over the age of fourteen suddenly disappears, setting up a battle between the remaining town residents and the students from a local private school, as well as those who have “The Power” and are able to perform supernatural feats and those who do not.” (Catalogue)

Shiver / Stiefvater, Maggie
“In all the years she has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house, Grace has been particularly drawn to an unusual yellow-eyed wolf who, in his turn, has been watching her with increasing intensity.” (Catalogue)

First test / Pierce, Tamora
“Ten-year-old Keladry of Mindalen, daughter of nobles, serves as a page but must prove herself to the males around her if she is ever to fulfill her dream of becoming a knight.” (Catalogue)

Hopefully you’ve found something to dive into after finishing Warriors, and catch us next time for another blog on a popular series, we haven’t quite decided which one yet, so feel free to drop some suggestions down below!

Top 10 Children’s comics January 2017

Plants vs Zombies has hit the Top 10!  If you like the comic do you like the game? Get the background on how the suburbs became the battleground for warring zombies and mutant plant life.

Have you discovered a new comic series in the holidays? Let us know your favourites in the comments =)

  1. Pokémon, by Hidenori Kusaka
  2. Big Nate, by Lincoln Peirce
  3. Peanuts series, by Charles M. Schulz
  4. Garfield series, by Mark Evanier, Cedric Michiels and created by Jim Davis
  5. Tintin series, by Hergé
  6. Asterix series, by Goscinny and Udzero
  7. Adventure Time, by Ryan North
  8. Amulet, by Kazu Kibuishi
  9. Plants vs Zombies, by Paul Tobin
  10. The Smurfs anthologies, by Peyo

 

 

 

Top 10 Children’s comics for June

Best liked children’s comics for June 2014:

1.  Pokémon story by Hidenori Kusaka, art by Satoshi Yamamoto

2.  Big Nate by Lincoln Peirce

3.  Amulet series by Kazu Kibuishi

4.  Babymouse series by Jennifer L. Holm

5.  Adventure time by Ryan North

6.  Warriors series by Dan Jolley

7.  Chi’s sweet home series by Kanata Konami

8.  Garfield sits around the house by Jim Davis

9.  Asterix omnibus by René Goscinny

10. The complete Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz

Top 10 Children’s Comics for May

May’s most popular comics

1. Big Nate by Lincoln Peirce

2. Pokemon series by Hidenori Kusaka

3. Amulet series by Kazu Kibuishi

4. Asterix omnibus by Goscinny

5. Chi’s sweet home by Kanata Konami

6. Babymouse by Jennifer L. Holm

7. Warriors series by Dan Jolley

8. The complete Peanuts by Charles M.  Schulz

9. Asterix the legionary by Goscinny

10.Adventure time by Ryan North

 

 

 

 

 

Top 10 September

September is quite exciting – check out the new Diary of a Wimpy Kid book!

1. Mark of Athena, Rick Riordan – New Book – this is the 3rd time the 3rd book in the Heroes of Olympus Series is #1 on the Reserves list!

2. Kingdom of the Wicked, Derek Landy – Available Now – The latest Skulduggery Pleasant is up from #10 last month.

3. Yellowfang’s SecretErin Hunter –  New Bookup from # 4 last month – the 5th book in the Super Edition Arc.

4. Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers, Dav Pilkey – Available Now – 4th month on the Top 10!

5. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: the third wheel, Jeff Kinney – New Book – The latest in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Greg is in middle school – it debuts at #5! Reserve it now!

6. Big Book of Billy B. BrownSally Rippin – New Book – 4th month on the top 10 list!

7. Guide to Pokemon Legends, – New Book – 1st time on the list. Reserve now and learn all about the legends of Pokemon!

8. The Third DoorEmily Rodda – New Book – Join Rye as he faces another door – the third, wooden door.

9. The 26-Storey TreehouseAndy Griffiths – Available Now – Get in quick – For everyone who enjoyed the 13-Storey Treehouse!

10. Emerald StarJacqueline Wilson – New Book – Reserve your copy of Hetty Feather’s latest adventure now!

New non-fiction to get you moving

Great kids non-fiction books with an ‘action’ theme.

 Free Running

Have you ever heard of free running? Free running is an awesome sport that is popular in many urban centres around the world, such as London, New York and Tokyo. This book talks about the short history of free running, why it has become so popular and how you can start free running! Unlike a lot of the other extreme sports, you don’t need any special equipment…just a good level of fitness and nerves of steel! This book is part of the ‘Adrenelin Rush’ series.

 

 

 

Snowboarding

This is another book in the Adrenelin Rush series, for those who love nothing more than to hit the slopes! It talks about the history of snowboarding, its famous athletes, and how you can start snowboarding yourself. It’s also got some good basic information on the types of tricks you do, and how to buy and get the best out of your equipment. It also gives some great tips on how you can stay safe while looking cool.

For those who like to draw rather than do there’s a great book for you as well:

 

 

How to draw manga action figures

This is a great book for those who are just starting out drawing. It’s got great instructions on important topics like perspective, what drawing tools to use and action poses. After you’ve mastered those basics, this book will show you how to draw figures who are jumping, kicking, falling or in a defensive posture…all essential if you want to draw your own action-packed manga!

If machines are more your thing, take a look at:

Drawing Speed Machines

This is another great book for those who have just started to draw. The pictures are large and clear, and the instructions will teach you, step by step, to draw sports cars or stunt planes or any other vehicle you could want! It’s got some interesting information about the machines featured as well.

 

 

Avoid being a ninja warrior!

This book will tell you everything you need to know about the real Ninjas of Japan.  Follow a young Ninja through his training to the end of his first mission, and learn all about the training, discipline and skills that made the Ninjas so famous.

 

 

 

 

Warships

Why fight with a sword when you can fight with a ship? Or even better, a fleet? If you want to learn about the modern warship, this the book for you!  It talks about how warships are built, and has great cross sections showing you different parts of the ship.  There are some great illustrations showing the different types of warship, and there’s a few pages on the warship through history.

 

 

 

 

Fighter Planes 

Did you know that pilots earn the title “Ace” after five victories in the air? If that and other facts about Spitfires, Hurricanes and the modern fighterplanes such as F-22 Raptors interest you, get this book out! It’s got plenty of information about fighter planes from the early biplanes to the futuristic UCAVs.

Kids’ Review by Lily

Warriors Omen of the Stars #6: The Last Hope by Erin Hunter

The dark forest is rising. The clans are dividing. Starclan is slipping from its grand place. The new prophecy looms. The three must become four. Jayfeather, Dovewing and Lionblaze must find the fourth cat before the great battle. Time is ticking away and the three don’t know which cat it is, or if it even is a cat. I recommend this book for ages 9+. 5 Stars.
Review by Lily of Ngaio

 

 

Kids’ Reviews of the Warrior Books

Warriors: The Lost Warrior by Erin Hunter

This is an awesome manga. In the Warriors book Dawn, a beloved warrior, Greystripe, gets captured. This is his story of finding his way back home. The start of a three-part manga series, it really shows how much Greystripe means to Firestar and ThunderClan, and to StarClan. This is his story of a new life, new rivals, new friends… and a new love. 4 stars.
Review by Alex of Johnsonville

Have you ever wondered how Scourge became Scourge? How he became a blood-thirsty killer? Maybe it is the last thing you thought about. His life wasn’t always how it seems. Every cat gets to tell its story, and this is Scourge’s hour. This is an awesome manga! Erin Hunter has worked and thought hard on this book. It’s amazing! 5 stars.

Warriors: Omen of the Stars #4: Sign of the Moon by Erin Hunter

This is a very gripping book. It has all sorts of secrets packed inside, and unexpected surprises! Some cats from ThunderClan go back to visit the Tribe, where Brook and Stormfur have a happy future. Jayfeather finds something big, and an old friend dies. 5 stars. You rock  – Erin Hunter!!!
Reviews by Emily of Newlands