Chicken Chicken (Goosebumps #53) by R.L. Stine

 Chicken Chicken (Goosebumps #53) by R.L. Stine-113 pages

⭐⭐⭐

Everyone in Goshen Falls knows about weird Vanessa. She dresses all in black. Wears black lipstick. And puts spells on people. At least, that's what they say.

Crystal and her brother, Cole, know you can't believe everything you hear. But that was before they made Vanessa mad. Before she whispered that strange warning, "Chicken chicken."

Because now something really weird has happened. Crystal's lips have turned as hard as a bird's beak. And Cole has started growing ugly white feathers all over his body....

Thoughts: This one is a decent read. It's actually more funny than scary, although it would be kind of scary to be turned into a chicken for real. The reasoning behind the person turning Cole and Crystal into chickens is pretty thin, though. Overall, not a bad read, but not my favorite in the series by a long shot.

The Underwild: River of Spirits by Shana Targosz

 

The Underwild: River of Spirits

432 Pages | 2025

Summary:

A stunning debut middle grade fantasy about a girl caught between the realms of the living and the dead who gets lost in the Underworld—perfect for fans of Greenwild and Rick Riordan.

Senka lives between the realm of the Living and the realm of the Dead. As ward to Charon, the Ferryer of the Underworld, Senka assists in ferrying recently departed souls across the river and into their afterlife. Although Charon has taught her many Rules about life in the Underworld, there is much he avoids telling her. Though she doesn’t understand why the Rules are so important, she listens—she must heed them in order to become an official Ferryer, just like Charon.

Then a Living girl, Poppy, enters the Underworld to plead for help in finding the ghost of her brother. Poppy’s grief tugs at Senka’s heart—but helping Poppy goes against the very Rules Senka is so desperate to follow. When Poppy is yanked away by the river’s current, Senka leaps to save her, and she and Poppy are swept downriver, far from everything Senka has ever known.

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

 

The Little Prince

96 Pages | 2000

Summary:

The beloved classic story about a young prince's travels through space―a profound philosophical tale about loneliness and loss, and love and friendship.

A pilot crashes in the Sahara Desert and encounters a strange young boy who calls himself the Little Prince. The Little Prince has traveled there from his home on a lonely, distant asteroid with a single rose. The story that follows is a beautiful and at times heartbreaking meditation on human nature and the wisdom of the heart.

The Little Prince is one of the best-selling and most translated books of all time, a classic fable universally cherished by children and adults alike, and Richard Howard's translation of the beloved classic beautifully reflects Saint-Exupéry's unique and gifted style, bringing the English text as close as possible to the French in language, style, and spirit.

Witchycakes: Sweet Magic by Kara LaReau

 

Witchycakes: Sweet Magic

74 Pages | 2025

Summary: 

Welcome to the most magical bakery -- Witchycakes! Little Blue, a witch-in-training, delivers baked goods all over their town, and helps their neighbors with a touch of magic. Cozy up with this sweet chapter book with irresisitible full-color art on every page!

In a magical bakery called Witchycakes there's a young witch-to-be named Blue. Blue's Mama bakes with magic and Blue makes the deliveries! They ride their bike all over town with their basket filled with magical scones, tartes, and pies to deliver. There's always something going on in Shelville and Blue loves to help their neighbors -- especially if helping them means they get to use a little bit of magic.

Cook up some love with Blue as they use magic and problem-solving to be the best helper they can be in their whimsical little town. And there's a special magical recipe at the end of the book!

The Princess in Black by Shannon and Dean Hale

 

The Princess in Black

96 Pages | 2015

Summary: 

Who says princesses don’t wear black? When trouble raises its blue monster head, Princess Magnolia ditches her flouncy dresses and becomes the Princess in Black!

Princess Magnolia is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess Wigtower when . . . Brring! Brring! The monster alarm! A big blue monster is threatening the goats! Stopping monsters is no job for dainty Princess Magnolia. But luckily Princess Magnolia has a secret —she’s also the Princess in Black, and stopping monsters is the perfect job for her! Can the princess sneak away, transform into her alter ego, and defeat the monster before the nosy duchess discovers her secret? From award-winning writing team of Shannon and Dean Hale and illustrator LeUyen Pham, here is the first in a humorous and action-packed chapter book series for young readers who like their princesses not only prim and perfect, but also dressed in black.

Princess Evie: The Forest Fairy Pony by Sarah Kilbride

 Princess Evie: The Forest Fairy Pony

112 Pages |  2021

Summary: 

Princess Evie and her pony go on a magical journey in this first book in an enchanting new chapter book series about a princess, her stable full of ponies, and the amazing adventures they share.

Princess Evie is worried about making friends as she joins a new class at school. But her mind is soon put to rest with the help of her magic pony, Willow. Evie and Willow go exploring and find an enchanted forest where they meet a group of forest fairies. Evie makes friends with Arwen, who needs her help rescuing a baby hedgehog. Could their act of kindness lead them to discover a secret fairy treasure?

Princess Pulverizer: Grilled Cheese and Dragons by Nancy Krulik

 Princess Pulverizer: Grilled Cheese and Dragons

146 Pages | 2018

Summary:

Meet the princess who'd rather wear a suit of armor than a crown!

Princess Serena (or as she prefers, Princess Pulverizer) doesn't want to be a princess--she wants to be knight! But her father, King Alexander of Empiria, thinks she still has a lot to learn when it comes to exhibiting valiant behavior. So he presents a challenge: the princess must first go on a Quest of Kindness and perform good deeds to prove that she truly deserves to go to knight school. With help from a friendly dragon named Dribble and a perpetually terrified knight-in-training named Lucas, can she complete her quest and discover what it really takes to be a hero?