Welcome To Our Kids' Section!
At Munro's we have a dedicated team of children's book experts happy to help you select the perfect book for your special someone.
Please contact us if you have any special requests or questions.
In the subsection links above, we have highlighted some of our recent and all-time favourites for a variety of ages. If you are looking for more ideas, please check out:
What's New & Hot for May!
Elizabeth Foley
In a town full of geniuses, Jane Doe is entirely unremarkable. Somehow this average girl will have to deal with the lake monsters, pirates, and scheming criminals besetting her singular town. Please read this genuinely funny and very likeable book. Ages 9-12
Chris Grine
Funny, silly and wacky, this is the perfect book for fans of Bone and other outlandish graphic adventures! Ages 9-12
Maile Meloy
Maile Meloy’s Apothecary is a wonderful mix of historical fiction (post-WWII Britain, cold war spies & knee socks) and fantasy (mystical book, magical spells & impossible adventures) that culminates in a race to save the world. A fantastic gem for Harry Potter fans! Ages 10-14
Jonathan Bean
For anyone who has built a house or a family, this is a must-have book. There are thousands of stories in these gorgeous illustrations that chronicle the construction of a house from empty lot to finished home - enough to captivate the whole family. Ages 3+
Ryan Higgins
A beautiful and charming story of an improbable friendship between a giant hairy monster and a lonely young boy. Ages 3-6
Maggie Stiefvater
The Island Scorpio Races see riders competing to win the prize, and to reach the finish line alive. Nineteen-year-old Sean Kendrick is the reigning champion, but this year is different. This year a girl has entered for the first time. Puck Connolly and her horse are brave, but are nowhere near ready for the races. Ages 12+
If you loved Ivy & Bean...
Annie Barrows
Ivy and Bean couldn’t be more different but end up becoming best friends. Together, these 7-year-olds share all kinds of adventures in this popular early chapter book series. In their latest book, the girls decide to be so good that animals will love them and follow them home. But of course, things don’t turn out as planned!
Sara Pennypacker
Clementine is a talented problem-solver and through these delightful chapter books she tells us the story of her daily adventures as her mind races from one thing to another.
Diana Wynne Jones
Unfortunately for Earwig, who loved living at the orphanage, her new "mother" is horrible and not as easily manipulated as the staff at St Morwald′s. But with the help of a talking cat named Thomas, Earwig will have to use all her ingenuity to turn the tables on the ugly Bella Yaga!
Anna Branford
Violet always tries to think outside the box. When she spots a small china bird at the flea market that she desperately wants, she thinks of an imaginative plan for getting it - and her methods are anything but ordinary!
Jill Murphy
This fabulous British primary book follows the adventures of Mildred Hubble, the worst witch-in-training at Miss Cackle's Acedemy for Witches. Try as she might, Mildred can't get the hang of flying on a broomstick, she's afraid of the dark, and her potions tend to explode.
If you loved The One & Only Ivan...
Katherine Applegate
Not often does a book come along that all our Kids' Section staff unanimously adore, but we are confident that this is one of 2012's best. Based on a true story, Ivan is a Silverback Gorilla who was taken from his home as a baby and has lived his nearly thirty years as The Big Top Mall's biggest attraction. When customers begin to dwindle, a baby elephant is captured to draw in the crowds and Ivan makes it his mission to rescue her from the same fate that had befallen him. A gorgeous, tragic and definite must-read!
Kate DiCamillo
Edward Tulane is a china rabbit who thinks very highly of himself until one horrible day he is ripped away from his devoted owner and thrown overboard from the Queen Mary. During his extraordinary journey home he discovers that he can learn to love.
Barbara Wersba
This brilliant read is the story of a friendship between Walter, a solitary rat who is an avid reader, and Miss Pomeroy, a reclusive children's book author. Their correspondence begins when a lonely Walter writes a note on Miss Pomeroy's typewriter: "My name is Walter, I live here too."
Ursula K Le Guin
When Mrs. Tabby discovers that her litter of kittens can fly, she knows she must send them to find somewhere safe to live, far from the city. Thelma, Roger, James, and Harriet fly off to the countryside to find a new home.
Berkeley Breathed
What are a motley group of mutts to do when they want revenge on an evil prize-winning purepred poodle? Why, sabotage the Westminster dog show of course. The residents of the National Last-Ditch Dog Depository may be drooly, flatulent, and in one case three-legged, but their hearts are as pure-bred as they come.
If you loved The Girl Who Could Fly...
Victoria Forester
Like a cross between Anne of Green Gables and X-Men, this is a creepy and gripping tale of a girl with special powers who is taken from her family to live in a mysterious Institute with others of her kind. This novel is similar in tone to Philip Pullman or the later Harry Potters, so be aware that some scary situations could upset younger or more sensitive readers.
Elizabeth Foley
Ten-year-old Jane Doe is an entirely ordinary girl living in a town of extraordinary geniuses. How will she ever stand out ? However, when pirates, sea serpents and other adventures start causing chaos, an unremarkable Jane might just have the key to sorting it all out. This genuine and charming book is guaranteed to make you chuckle!
Ingrid Law
Mibs Beaumont is about to turn thirteen find out what her savvy, or special power, will be: will she be able to create electricity like her brother? However, just before the big day, her Poppa is in a terrible accident. Mibs is sure her savvy will be able to cure him and sets off on a cross-country trip to reach him and save his life.
Lisa Graff
Everyone has a Talent, and eleven-year-old Cady’s is cake baking. But while she can pick out everyone’s perfect cake, she doesn’t know who she or how she became an orphan. With its blend of whimsical stories, eccentric characters, unexpected plot twists and a pinch of magic, this book is a perfectly-crafted treat.
Polly Horvath
This is a great quirky read for girls! When Primrose's parents disappear on an extended sea voyage, Primrose passes much of her time at the nearby restaurant Girl on a Swing, where everything is served on a waffle. A recipe at the beginning of every chapter adds to the charm of this lovely story.
If you loved John Green...
Markus Zusak
Ed Kennedy does not have a lot going for him. He's a high school dropout, an underage cab driver who lives with his coffee-drinking dog, the Doorman, and his life is unremarkable, until the day he accidentally stops a bank robbery. Suddenly, Ed is a hero. Suddenly, Ed is given a mission...
Susin Nielsen
Henry is living with his father in Vancouver, trying to deal with the violent tragedy that has blown his family apart. Amidst all his grief and rage is a wonderful story with laugh-out-loud moments. Never has recovering from bullying and its aftermath been so real or so darkly funny.
Jesse Andrews
Greg’s life as an invisible high school student (and covert movie maker with his tiny but dangerous friend Earl) is going fine until his mom makes him befriend Rachel, a girl dying of leukemia. Full of obscenities, awkward moments, hilariously original humour and surprisingly deep emotional truths.
A. S. King
Everybody Sees the Ants and Please Ignore Vera Dietz. Lucky (from Ants) and Vera are narrators dealing with unbelievably crazy situations. With dark humour, a twisted sense of surreal and compelling topics, these books cannot be put down!
If you loved The Hunger Games...
Suzanne Collins
As punishment for an uprising against the capital almost 75 years ago, Panem (once known as North America) must provide 24 teenagers to participate in the yearly live broadcasts of the Hunger Games. Brave Katniss volunteers to replace her young sister in these cruel and deadly games. We loved this thrilling and exciting series. Put lots of time aside as you won't be able to put any of them down! Ages 12+
Veronica Roth
Tris was born among The Selfless but chooses to join The Brave, and as part of her brutal initiation she must learn to embrace danger and control her fears. The biggest risk she takes by far, however, is the secret she keeps--one that could have her killed or worse... Ages 14+.
Marie Lu
June is a prodigy of the Republic – a rising star of the elite ruling class who is destined for success. Day is a fifteen-year-old outlaw who has a sizeable bounty on his head. After June’s brother is murdered, Day and June are thrown together, caught between each other and the Republic that has the power to destroy everything they care about.
Mike Mullin
After a volcano suddenly erupts in Yellowstone, darkness and ash take over most of the surrounding states. Which leads Alex, whose family was visiting relatives in a distant town, to leave his violence-ridden town and make his way through harsh weather and a desolated landscape to find them.
Rick Yancey
On a day like any other, a spaceship appeared in the sky and and began taking over the Earth in waves. Teenage survivor Cassie is fighting her way back to her younger brother, taken away by military forces, while preparing herself for the 5th and last wave. Only 1 rule applies to survivors: trust no one.
Paolo Bacigalupi
Teenage orphans Mahlia and Mouse have created a quiet life for themselves in the jungle on the outskirts of the war-torn Drowned Cities. The last thing they want is trouble, but when they stumble upon an injured genetically altered super-soldier named Tool, trouble is already on its way.
Nancy Farmer
Matt learns very young that he is a clone. Although he doesn't know what that means, judging by the way people treat him - it must be bad. As he gets older he learns the frightening truth and the reason why he was created. This terrific science fiction story is one of our all-time favourites!
Student Reviews
Marianne Malone
The moment that 11 year old Ruthie walks into the Thorne rooms, an exhibition of 68 miniature rooms, she feels that they are magical. When she and her friend Jack find a key that lets them shrink and enter the rooms, she knows she’s right! Jack and Ruthie visit the rooms and discover that there is a real world outside of the doors and windows, that they can leave the Thorne rooms and enter history! They are blown away.
This book contains fantasy, adventure and history, for the “Thorne Rooms” do exist. The story is exciting, and what I love most about this book is that it feels as if the story could happen to me! This book is great for avid readers, ages 9-12, who sometimes like to gobble up a book in hours. I cannot wait to read the next Sixty-Eight Rooms adventures.
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Henry Cole
I read the book A Nest For Celeste. I liked the book because the main character meets many friends and has many adventures. I also like this book because there are a lot of exciting times, like when Celeste is outside, looking for a new home, and gets caught in the rain and meets a friend named Layonette. I would recommend this book to ages 7 and up. People who like books with adventure and friends would like this book. I also loved the illustrations in the book.
Peter Lerangis
When I read this book I felt like I was eating a whipped cream and waffle sandwich that is how good this book is! It was amazing most of the time; I never wanted to put it down and just keep reading until it was done! But of course you have to stop reading eventually to eat or visit with relatives but any chance I had I would read read read!
I think that a lot of people would like this book if they are into mythology. It’s all about Cass, Marco, Aly and Jack (written from his point of view). The main characters have a brain condition that is called G7W which allows them to access a different part of their brain. Any talents that they have, they will be even better at doing that certain thing! But in order to survive with this amazing talent they must find all seven loculus and bring them to the center of Atlantis. The seven loculus are hidden in the Seven Wonders of the World but almost all of those are destroyed by bombings years ago. It’s a wonder how they will find them! But the catch is that each loculus is heavily guarded by the griffins. This book takes twists and turns every which way!
The book was basically to me as good as it ever could be. It is very exciting and I loved to read it. There is not much violence except for against evil creatures and nothing dies! I think that if you can understand weird words like vromaski and can read a 352 page book you will like it!
Dav Pilkey
This is a book about two boys - one named Herald and the other named George. They were in prison and they traveled back in time when a giant pair of pants that belonged to Tippy Tinkletrousers kidnapped them. They have to face the meanest person that ever existed: Kipper Krupp the nephew of the school principal.
I liked the book because it is funny. It is funny because they are in kindergarten and they pull so many pranks on Kipper.
I think grade 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 boys and girls might enjoy this book. They might enjoy this because it has a lot of humour and laughs in it.
Judith Viorst
Lulu Walks the Dogs is about a girl who wants something so much but her parents won’t buy it for her. So, she decides to get a job walking dogs. I liked this book because every body in the book had a unique and different character, even the dogs and the dog’s owners. I also liked that at the start of the book, there is a character named Fleishman that Lulu doesn’t like at all and at the end of a book, she learns to like him for what he is. I also thought it was funny at the end when the writer wrote: "Were Lulu and Fleishman new best friends? No. You want a happy ending. Read Cinderella." I didn’t like that when there was a page with no pictures, only a third of the page was filled with text. I thought that the illustrations were very original and unique. I would recommend this book for girls ages 8 to 10.
Margi Preus
Shadow on the Mountain is based on the true adventures and life of a wartime spy in WWII. Almost every event that happened to Espen happened in real life, which is what makes the book awesome.
The story is set in Norway, between 1940 and 1945. Espen wants to do something in the war so bad, he becomes a spy. But it isn’t all milk and cookies for Espen! Along the way, he has to avoid capture, keep deadly secrets and leave his life behind!
I particularly like this book because every once in a while you get to see the story from another person’s point of view, which really helps you understand the character. You even go back in time! I think people who like to read adventure or war stories will like this book a lot. There was some mild language and bloodshed, so I would suggest it for Gr. 5 or 6 at the least. Other than that, anyone who is everyone will like this book.
Jennifer A. Nielsen
The False Prince is an engaging tale of an orphan named Sage who is swept up in an adventure when a nobleman named Conner Bevin buys him and a couple other boys from orphanages for a mysterious reason. Conner later reveals that he has a plan to save their country from civil war. Even though Conner denies it as treason, it no doubt is. What makes this story really engaging is the danger at every corner, deadly secrets, and the mysteriousness of it all.
At the end, Sage reveals something that you never would’ve guessed, something that affects the story from that point on, something that will change your point of view, something that will change your life forever. Maybe. Probably not. But still, you get the picture.
This book was not one for humor, but one for darkness and mystery that really gets your brain going. People who liked the Hunger Games, are not grossed out by deaths, and are old enough to understand large concepts (9+), will like this amazing book by Jennifer A. Nielsen.
James Dashner
This book is an action packed adventure! It’s all about Dak, Sera and Riq who are the three main characters. They run into enough trouble to go around the entire planet! It all started when Dak and Sera broke into Dak’s parent’s lab, in the process breaking the most sacred family rule. When Sera, Dak and his parents test the infinity ring (which they created) they go a little off course and end up in a war on the British battle field! When they are leaving, Dak’s parents disappear into the time stream and as soon as Dak and sera get back they are captured by agents…..
This was a great book, I was interested just from the title! I think that this was a great book but the ending could’ve been a little more suspenseful.
I think about eight out of ten Rick Rordian lovers will enjoy this book. I would not recommend this book for children under six years old just because there is a bit of violence at the end.
John Wilson
Steven and his six cousins each receive a task in their grandfather’s will. His task is to find out more about his grandfather’s time during the Spanish Rebellion and the people his grandfather had met. Steven travels to Spain to meet his guide and there he finds his grandfather’s trunk filled with memorabilia and his journal.
I could not put this book down. I loved how there were two stories going on at once, one in his grandfather’s journal from 1938 and one in present-day Spain. It was like a puzzle. As I got to know the characters, the story started to fit together.
This is a very unique story and a very informative book. I would recommend this book to anyone over the age of ten, as it has some gore and a bit of romance. This book is an “adventurous history lesson”. (Part of Orca's exciting new Seven series.)
Cornelia Funke
This book is about an eleven year old boy who gets sent to boarding school. One night while he's sleeping, three murderous ghosts appear in his window. He goes outside to see the ghosts when his teacher catches him. Rumours spread through the school. A girl named Ella dares him to "go to the cathedral and call up William Longspee." He does just that and the ghost William Longspee helps him. Read the book and find out about the exciting battles!
I enjoyed Ghost Knight, despite its slow start. I think boys ages 8-13 would like the book. If you are a fan of Percy Jackson and the 39 clues, you'll love Ghost Knight.
Kit Pearson
To her dismay, Polly Brown from Kingfisher Island is sent to boarding school in Victoria. She can come home on the week-ends, but she even looses that privilege when her extra art class is moved to week-ends. Polly is shocked when her sister Maud tells her that she is expecting a baby even though she had not planned to have one, and her boyfriend has left her!
She does not want to tell her family because at that time there was a bad reputation for mothers who are un-wed.
This book is great for ages 8 and older. The themes are more serious than her first book, and there are some words that some younger children wouldn’t understand. Kit Pearson writes about real things that are not made up. That’s why I like the book so much.
A. S. King
Lucky Linderman's life is far from normal. His days are filled with bullies, a distant father, and a passive mother. Sleep provides Lucky with a different kind of escape; every night he goes on a rescue mission for his POW/MIA grandfather. Lucky's dreams are special though - they're real, and he has evidence to prove it.
Everybody Sees the Ants is a thought provoking book with a strong message. A. S. King weaves in a broad range of topics such as suicide, bullying, feminism, and family. Lucky's narration is relatable and witty - it fills the reader's imagination with pictures of the jungles of Laos and Aunt Jody's dysfunctional home in Arizona.
I would definitely recommend this book to teenagers and those struggling to find themselves. Everything down to the tiniest detail is in this story for a reason: a must read!
Advent reviewed by Nicolas, grade 12
James Treadwell
Advent by James Treadwell is an interesting read about a fifteen year old boy named Gavin who has lived his life feeling as if shunned and alone. This is caused by Gavin’s strange ability to see things that everyone claims should not exist. We join Gavin as he is traveling to his Aunt’s house after being kicked out of school. Gavin remembers that this Aunt is known as the “black sheep” of the family but Gavin is pleased with the notion of escaping his everyday life, even if it is just for a week. Gavin isn’t even off the train however, before weird things begin to happen. To make matters worse, upon arrival Gavin discovers that his aunt is missing which sparks a series of strange events leading Gavin to a mysterious world that he has been told does not exist. Gavin story is occasionally broken up by flashbacks to the 1500s providing a backstory about a magician known as Johannes. This story begins strong but falls a little flat about half way through. I enjoyed the premise and the author’s depiction of Gavin which showed him to be an incredibly lonely and conflicted character. This novel may have been a more solid read but at around the half way mark the perspective begins to shift between multiple characters that tend to feel a little boring. This being said, if one is able to overlook some of the short comings introduced in the latter half of the book then they may be able to gain enjoyment from the interesting protagonist and the wonderful ideas Treadwell portrays. This book would probably be enjoyed by teen readers and those who can’t get enough of Harry Potter. Some adults may also enjoy this book if they enjoy a more British writing style and are open to magical fiction.
7.5/10
Michelle Cooper
Princess Sophie is the typical young teenage girl, falling in love, thinking about fancy parties and dresses, except that she lives on an almost deserted island which just so happens to be her family's kingdom! Life for Sophie is not however a life of parties and sparkles. She crosses paths with Hitler's S.S. and tries to forget the face of her cousin's late mother who haunts her in her dreams. Sophie also dreams of their servant's son Simon Chester, but is he in England to help with the affairs of their kingdom - or is he there to feed his own hunger for ambition? Can Sophie and her family survive on the Island of Montmaray with its mad king (her Uncle), castle with a leaky roof and ghosts or will they have to leave their kingdom behind? The story of Montmaray is taken from the diary of Princess Sophie. It starts off at a slow, tranquil pace with a plot that develops through the story and comes to an exciting climax during the last 150 pages. A recommended read for a teenage reader who enjoys tales of the daily lives of royalty during the 20th century.