If you like Lemony Snicket.....

Did you like the humorous darkness of the Lemony Snicket series? Then you might enjoy some of these...

Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynne Jonell
When Emmy discovers that she and her formerly loving parents are being drugged by their evil nanny with rodent potions that can change people in frightening ways, she and some new friends must try everything possible to return things to normal.

The Fall of Fergal or, Not so dingly in the Dell by Philip Ardagh (first in The Unlikely Exploits series)

When Le Fay McNally becomes a finalist in the "Tap 'n' Type" typewriting competition, she and her four unusual siblings stay at the Dell Hotel, where they encounter joy, tragedy, and a variety of interesting characters.

Holes by Louis Sachar
As further evidence of his family's bad fortune which they attribute to a curse on a distant relative, Stanley Yelnats is sent to a hellish correctional camp in the Texas desert where he finds his first real friend, a treasure, and a new sense of himself.

Matilda by Roald Dahl

Matilda applies her untapped mental powers to rid the school of the evil, child-hating headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, and restore her nice teacher, Miss Honey, to financial security.

AND MANY MORE BY ROALD DAHL!!!

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trent Lee Stewart
After passing a series of mind-bending tests, four children are selected for a secret mission that requires them to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules.

Pure Dead Magic by Debi Glori

When their father is kidnapped and danger looms, the Strega-Borgia children, their mysterious new nanny, and a giant tarantula use magic and actual trips through the Internet to bring peace to their Scottish castle.

Rare Beasts by Charles Ogden (first in the Edgar & Ellen series)
The sinister siblings, twins Edgar and Ellen, kidnap the pets of Nod's Limb's youngest citizens and turn them into "rare beasts" in hopes of making money to finance future pranks.

The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry

The four Willoughby children set about to become "deserving orphans" after their neglectful parents embark on a treacherous around-the-world adventure, leaving them in the care of an odious nanny.

The Wooden Mile by Chris Mould (first in the Something Wickedly Weird series)

Eleven-year-old Stanley Buggle discovers, soon after arriving in the seemingly peaceful village of Crampton Rock, that along with the house he has also inherited some sinister neighbors, a talking stuffed fish, and a host of mysteries surrounding his great-uncle's death.

And, of course, other books by Lemony Snicket....

The Composer is Dead by Lemony Snicket

There's dreadful news from the symphony hall, the composer is dead! If you have ever heard an orchestra play, then you know that musicians are most certainly guilty of something. Join the Inspector as he interrogates all the unusual suspects. Then listen to the accompanying audio recording. Hear for yourself exactly what took place on that fateful, well-orchestrated evening.

Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can't Avoid by Lemony Snicket

Lemony Snicket's work is filled with bitter truths. It is for all of life's ups and downs, its celebrations and its sorrows, here is a book to commemorate it all – especially for those not fully soothed by chicken soup. It is witty and irreverent.

Our Favorite Superheros! ... you've never heard of..

You've heard of Batman and Superman... but how about Noodle Man? Check out our list of all the heroes you've never known and be introduced to a whole new world!

Baron von Baddie and the Ice Ray Incident by George McClements

When Baron von Baddie defeats his nemesis, Captain Kapow, he discovers that it is not as much fun to create chaos and engage in bad behavior if no one tries to stop him.

Kapow! by George O'Connor
Truth, justice, and the American Eagleway! A young boy realizes what it really means to be a superhero.

Noodle Man : the Pasta Superhero by April Pulley Sayre
Al Dente's invention of a portable pasta machine turns him into a superhero and helps to save the family's fresh pasta business.

Sumo Mouse by David Wisniewski
When an evil toy store owner brings crime to the city of Tokyo, only a mysterious, and large, hero is able to defeat the villain.

Superdog : the Heart of a Hero by Caralyn Buehner

Tired of being overlooked because he is so small, a big-hearted dog named Dexter transforms himself into a superhero.

SuperHero ABC by Bob McLeod
Humorous SuperHeroes such as Goo Girl and The Volcano represent the letters of the alphabet from A to Z.


Superhero Max by Lawrence David
A second-grade boy has trouble fitting in at his new school, until he wears his Captain Crusader costume for Halloween.

Supersnouts! by Steve Björkman

Hamlet the piglet joins Snoutbuster and Kernel Hog in a flying confrontation with two burglars on Farmer Frank's farm.

Traction Man is here! by Mini GreyTraction Man, a boy's courageous action figure, has a variety of adventures with Scrubbing Brush and other objects in the house.

And for older readers....

The Adventures of Captain Underpants : an Epic Novel by Dav Pilkey

When George and Harold hypnotize their principal into thinking that he is the superhero Captain Underpants, he leads them to the lair of the nefarious Dr. Diaper, where they must defeat his evil robot henchmen.

The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby : the First Graphic Novel by George Beard and Harold Hutchins by Dav Pilkey

Irrepressible friends George and Harold create a new comic book superhero, Super Diaper Baby.

The Caped Sixth Grader : Happy Birthday, Hero! by Zoe QuinnJust after her twelfth birthday, Zoe Richards, daughter of a police officer and a social activist, learns that her family tree holds an inheritance even more exciting.

The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Boy: The Hero Revealed by William Boniface

Ordinary Boy, the only resident of Superopolis without a superpower, uncovers and foils a sinister plot to destroy the town.

The Great Cape Rescue by Phyllis Shalant

Upon entering fourth grade, Fin and his friends think they must stop playing superheroes, until they discover that their game might become real through a magical cape, and the Society of Secret Superheroes is born.

Horace Splattly, The Cupcaked Crusader by David LawrenceHorace is the shortest 10-year-old in the town of Blootinville. When his taller, smarter, younger sister makes him eat her experimental cupcakes and wear a purple costume, he becomes a superhero.

Melvin Beederman, Superhero: The Curse of the Bologna Sandwich by Greg Trine

After graduating from the superhero academy, Melvin Beederman heads for Los Angeles, where he unexpectedly teams up with Candace Brinkwater, school play actress, to nab the evil McNasty Brothers

Shredderman: Secret identity by Wendelin Van Draanen

Fifth-grader Nolan Byrd, tired of being called names by the class bully, has a secret identity--Shredderman!