In case you haven’t heard, Dog Man is an extraordinarily popular graphic novel series by Dav Pilkey (also the creator of Captain Underpants, where the Dog Man character first appeared). With over a dozen installments and counting, this bestselling spinoff saga has inspired the production of a video game, an Off-Broadway musical, and now a feature film, set to open January 31.

Do you have Dog Man fans at home hounding you to take them to the movie (even though you’d sooner vacuum the curtains or alphabetize the pantry)? For those who aren’t already steeped in the lore of this peculiar phenomenon, you might do well to bone up on the basics so you know what you’re stepping into. 

Here’s a quick breakdown of our hero’s origin story: 

While this sounds eerily similar to the premise of RoboCop (and the first book does indeed feature a Robo Chief), rest assured that, instead of startling violence and incisive social commentary, you’ll be treated to an uplifting and family-friendly tale of a dogged do-gooder hungry for justice—and maybe some table scraps. Fun, right?

Jokes aside (for now), these madcap stories undeniably spark joy in young readers, and the goofiness is balanced out with thoughtful depictions of primal instinct versus technological threat, individuals’ capacity for both good and evil, and the value of loyalty and teamwork.

But there are more quirky characters to discover in this offbeat universe than just Dog Man—let’s meet some!  

Supporting Characters

Of the many personalities roaming the streets of Ohkay City—or so it’s called in the upcoming movie—here are some you’re bound to encounter should you and your kids attend a screening:

Chief – Top brass on the force. He’s given a lot of responsibility and none of the glamor. He’s essentially kind-hearted but can become short-tempered while keeping Dog Man’s focus from straying toward squirrels and such. 

Petey – The so-called “most evilest cat in the world.” He has technological know-how, a flattened tail, and a difficult past, which includes being framed for a mishap that got him booted from the Critter Scouts.

Li’l Petey – Petey’s clone/son (in other words, a much younger clone). Though Petey wants him to follow in his evil footsteps, Li’l Petey would rather do good, teaming up with Dog Man and taking on the persona of “Cat Kid.” 

Grampa, a.k.a. Crud – Petey’s father. According to a description in Dog Man: Mothering Heights, “He’s a selfish, egotistical meanie who currently resides in cat jail. Petey and Li’l Petey no longer associate with him.”

80-Hexotron Droidformigon, a.k.a. 80-HD – A sandal-wearing robot originally built by Petey. He later joins a crime-fighting trio alongside Dog Man and Li’l Petey. Although equipped with many gadgets, his greatest strength is creativity.

Sarah Hatoff – Known as the “world’s best reporter,” she provides a more objective point of view, but she also knows karate and actively participates in central events from time to time.

Flippy the Fish – Originally given to the Chief as a gift. After coming into contact with “Supa Brain Dots” that grant him telekinetic powers, this one-time bullying victim “wakes up” and chooses violence, using his newfound smarts to wreak havoc. 

Style & Substance

While Dog Man the movie will feature polished animations and voice acting, the original books’ illustrations and dialogue are presented to readers as homemade comics crafted by young collaborators George and Harold. This metafictional frame captures the free-wheeling nature of the creative process, and the occasional crossed-out word only adds to the propulsive feeling of in-the-moment inspiration. It’s also just a lot of fun!

Graphic novels typically serve as a bridge between picture books and text-heavy chapter books. Dog Man is uniquely accessible, as its deliberately childlike artwork draws readers in to experience something “by” kids, for kids.

You the parent, meanwhile, can appreciate the titles’ not-so-sly nods to classic novels (e.g., Fetch-22, Grime & Punishment, The Scarlet Shedder). While kids likely won’t know how these references resonate, you’ll be able to glean a given book’s thematic focus—like conundrums, consequences, or a community’s collective cold shoulder—with one look at the cover. 

Dig Deeper Into Dog Man at the Literati Store

If your kids are clamoring for even more Dog Man content, or if this article has inspired you to gobble up the whole series yourself, you can shop the Dog Man Collection at the Literati Store, where you’ll find giftable boxed sets, card games and puzzles, and even Spanish-language editions.

And the best part? 10% of every purchase goes back to your child’s school. So take a page out of Dog Man’s book: do a good deed that keeps students reading.

The post The Curious Parent’s Guide to “Dog Man” appeared first on Literati.

Frindle

By Andrew Clements

Tree. Soup. Armchair. What’s in a word? And where exactly do they come from? When class jester Nick Allen asks his teacher those questions, he ignites the inspiration for his best prank yet: Frindle, his clever new word for a pen. Soon enough, his hometown catches onto his inventive vocabulary, making Nick a hometown hero. But things get a little out of hand when frindle makes waves across the county. Can young Nick truly change the dictionary by the seat of his leg sleeves? A hilarious and imaginative adventure, Frindle dares your elementary school reader to make their mark in permanent ink.

The Last Cuentista

By Donna Barba Higuera

Petra Peña has always dreamed of being a storyteller, una narradora, just like her Abuelita. But when a comet crashes into Earth, Petra and all remaining humans must take a space-bound quest to a new planet—one that’s far from paradise. What’s worse, an evil Collective wipes the memories of passengers, making Petra the only person who can remember humanity’s time on Earth. Can she share the stories of the past to save their future? Part science fiction, part cultural celebration, The Last Cuentista tells us that home isn’t our location—it’s where our love flourishes. Your middle-school reader will practice the power of storytelling and abstract thinking with this title as they graduate to more young-adult fiction.

Stuntboy in the Meantime

By Tae Keller

Science was always Natalie’s favorite class. So when she learns about an egg drop competition, she jumps at the chance to win prize money with her keen smarts. Finally, she’ll be able to soothe her botanist mother’s depression by taking her to see the Cobalt Blue Orchids—flowers with the power to flourish in almost any condition. But Natalie learns that perhaps joy needs more than flowers to blossom. With incredible empathy, The Science of Breakable Things is one of the best fiction books for readers working on their literary mood discernment skills. This uplifting novel will enrich your 8- to 12-year-old’s understanding of hope, support, and love.

The Science of Breakable Things

By Tae Keller

Science was always Natalie’s favorite class. So when she learns about an egg drop competition, she jumps at the chance to win prize money with her keen smarts. Finally, she’ll be able to soothe her botanist mother’s depression by taking her to see the Cobalt Blue Orchids—flowers with the power to flourish in almost any condition. But Natalie learns that perhaps joy needs more than flowers to blossom. With incredible empathy, The Science of Breakable Things is one of the best fiction books for readers working on their literary mood discernment skills. This uplifting novel will enrich your 8- to 12-year-old’s understanding of hope, support, and love.

The Season of Styx Malone

By Kekla Magoon

Despite his love of exploring with his brother Bobby Gene, Caleb Franklin itches for something more. That more turns out to be Styx Malone, Caleb’s new neighbor, who’s so cool he doesn’t need sunscreen. Soon enough, Styx convinces Caleb and Bobby Gene to join him on his Great Escalator Trade—a mischievous game of swapping items in stores. But there’s more to this trade game than Styx is letting on. Thrilling and insightful, The Season of Styx Malone is a diverse coming-of-age book with plenty of heart. Middle-school readers will discover the importance of trust, intuition, and metaphorical language through Caleb’s relatable journey.

Other Words for Home

By Jasmine Warga

Goodbye, Syria, hello… Cincinnati? In this poetic novel, a young Jude leaves her family in Syria to live with relatives in Ohio. Her first impression of the American midwest? Head-scratching perplexion. Why do they put chili on spaghetti? And why do people keep calling her “Middle Eastern?” While navigating the relatable trials of moving to a new place, Jude learns that home is wherever you want it to be—as long as you stay true to yourself. A Newbery Honor Book, Other Words for Home infuses beauty, delicacy, and heart into a tale of immigration, family, and diversity. In its poetry, young readers will learn to find the cultural touchstones that define their sense of self.

Nurture a Fiction Fan with Literati Book Clubs

Fiction is more than make-believe. It’s believing that life is what you make it. With relatable characters they’d call friends, mind-stretching new words, and engaging visual language, these fiction books help young readers build empathy, imagination, and advanced vocabulary. From backyard adventures to space-bound quests, our best fiction books can help your little one’s inner magic shine through.

Ready to help them craft a narrative of their own? Plot a path toward literary love with the Literati Kids Book Club. We’ll send bunches of our favorite books customized to their skill level and tastes sure to support their reading journey. Kick off the first chapter with our personalization quiz.

The post The Best Fiction Books For Kids appeared first on Literati.

Fantastic books for fourth graders also need to be a whole lot of fun. Capturing a reader’s attention is no small feat—your reader needs excitement, intrigue, and hands-on engagement. To help you find those just-right reads, we’re sharing titles that cleverly combine educational and entertaining elements. Here are a few reading adventures they’re sure to love:

The Entirely True Story of the Unbelievable FIB

by Adam Shaughnessy

Classic mythology, meet contemporary mystery-solving. This delightful, race-to-the-finish read is everything we want from a young-reader mystery novel: clever, satisfying, and intriguing to the last page. Packed with Norse and Russian mythology, this fantasy is a major departure from your average middle-school whodunnit—a little bit of genre-blending can go a long way for a budding bookworm!

Pashmina

by Nidhi Chanani

Priyanka has a lot of questions about her family’s past, but her mother refuses to answer them. One day, Pri finds a magical pashmina that transports her to a mysterious world. Is this the key to her family’s history—or something more sinister? This graphic novel is a beautiful story about juggling two cultures. Not only can it mesmerize any young reader, but it’s packed with lessons in empathy and creative inspiration.

The Good Thieves

by Katherine Rundell

It’s 1920s Manhattan. A crooked real estate mogul has stolen Vita’s grandfather’s mansion. But Vita has hatched a plan—break into the mansion, take back what’s rightfully theirs, and expose the villain. With complex emotions of justice, hope, and grief, this enthralling story helps fourth-graders learn more about their world, and develop a love for independent reading.

Write Your Own Story Book

By Louie Stowell

Sometimes all a curious storyteller needs is a springboard! Write Your Own Story Book is a guided workbook to get every rookie wordsmith excited about writing. With whimsical illustration and engaging prompts, readers can channel their inner Shakespeare and learn the foundational skills to go above and beyond as writers.

Copycat Science

By Mike Barfield

Turns out you don’t need impressive gray facial hair to feel like Einstein or Darwin for an afternoon. Grab your lab coats and protective goggles, this graphic novel-style guide lets your reader step into the shoes of famous scientists and recreate experiments at home! This informative, interactive read can help nurture a budding interest in STEM, but comes packed with facts to excite young history buffs, too!

Discover Personalized Picks with Literati Book Clubs

There you have it—a handful of stories that can help fourth graders continue on their reading journey with confidence. While these books are undeniable crowd favorites, the very best books for your child probably won’t come from a list. Literati curates books on an individual basis—Literati readers get a box of books that’s as unique as they are.

With Literati’s personalized kids book clubs, you’ll never have to worry whether your bookshelf is suited to support your child’s progress. Instead, you’ll get a box of books that match their reading level, align to their interests, and expand their love of learning. Take the Literati personalization quiz, and Literati’s curation experts will get to work finding extra-enriching books—stories your child simply won’t want to put down.

The post The Best Books for Fourth Graders appeared first on Literati.

History is more than about learning facts of the past. Historical accounts are important tools for teaching cause and effect, and stories set in historical times help students put the present in perspective. With rich characters and engrossing stories, these reads spark life into history. Tales of ancient cultures, underground societies, and historic scandals will show your middle schooler that history is a force that powers our everyday lives.

Here in the Real World

By Sara Pennypacker

Ware has always felt like a lone wolf, so when his parents send him off to summer camp, he can’t help but feel disappointed. Luckily, Ware finds an unlikely partner-in-sword-fighting through the mysterious Jolene. The pair even skip activities to build their own historical sanctuary! But when a threat to their castle looms, Ware and Jolene must defend their manor—and learn valuable social skills along the way.

With this playful take on medieval history and preteen years, Sara Pennypacker creates an anthem for introverts. Humorous and touching, Here in the Real World will help your middle schooler find their place in the world.

The Entirely True Story of the Unbelievable FIB

by Adam Shaughnessy

What is the unbelievable FIB? That’s the question thrust upon eleven-year-old Pru, scribbled on an anonymous postcard. A mystery from the past is calling her—one filled with Nordic myths and Viking lore. Following a series of strange events, Pru decides it’s time to put on her own detective hat and confront these forces of historical magic.

Combining mystery, fantasy, and history, Unbelievable FIB sneakily leads readers down Nordic mythology and history. It’s one of the best chapter books to open the historical fiction gates. After all, who can resist tales of lightning-powered gods?

Season of the Witch

By Matt Ralphs and Nuria Tamarit

What if all witches weren’t so evil and menacing—what if they were an essential part of our history?

In this illustrated guide, readers can walk alongside Ancient Egyptian priestesses, Voodoo masters, and Nordic healers and discover how witches impacted our cultural history. Blending mythical tales with real-life events, Season of the Witch is the perfect gateway to more advanced historical fiction.

The Lost Property Office

By James R. Hannibal

Jack Buckles has an uncanny knack for locating abandoned items, from felt hats to crumpled notes. But when Jack’s father goes missing in the London streets, all seems lost, until a centuries-old scandal is unearthed from the underground.

Soaring through London sites and history, The Lost Property Office is an action-historical fiction hybrid. Gripping and clever, it’s one of the best books for young adults hungry for historical thrills.

Famous Phonies: Legends, Fakes, and Frauds Who Changed History

By Brianna DuMont

Alright, alright. Maybe it’s not historical fiction, but Famous Phonies is still a unique and hilarious look at some of history’s “good guys.” Brianna Dumont’s writing exposes the cons and scandals buried under historical legacies, helping your middle grader take on a critical perspective. With entries like “Top Confucius Sayings,” Famous Phonies stays educational and entertaining—get ready for big laughs and deep gasps.

Cruise Through History Class with Our Historical Fiction Reads

Historical fiction reads can help kids become immersed in different time periods, take on new perspectives, and connect the dots between past and present. A strong foundation in historical fiction can also give social studies students a leg up: the more historical context they already understand, the easier it is to remember new information. As middle schoolers take on more complex concepts in the classroom, their favorite Literati read might just come in handy!

With Literati’s personalized book club, middle schoolers can choose their own topic preferences and receive Literati’s best picks for their skills and interests. You certainly don’t need to be a budding history buff to enjoy these great stories, but if the past piques your child’s interest, head to Literati’s personalization quiz to start their one-of-a-kind reading journey!

The post Blast to the Past with 5 Top Historical Fiction Books for Grades 6-7 appeared first on Literati.

From black holes to robot battles, these Literati kids book club selections will thrill budding scientists. Complex topics, like technological ethics of the future, become approachable (and even fun) with a sprinkle of imagination. Add in a relatable protagonist, and you’ve got every 4th to 6th grader hooked.

Got your seatbelt fastened? Then let’s launch our rockets and explore the best science fiction books for kids ages nine to twelve.

Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret

by Trudi Trueit

Forget book reports—at Explorer Academy, students are graded on their code-cracking, obstacle coursing, and virtual-reality explorations. But for new pupil Cruz, this elite school has a few more challenges up its sleeves.

With solvable puzzles, Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret is the perfect book for those who need a little brain challenge to stay engaged. Get your young scientist in on the journey, and give them Trudi Truett’s full-throttle adventure.

The Last Human

By Lee Bacon

In robot XR_935’s world, humans are creatures of the past. That is, until the impossible happens: XR discovers a 12-year-old girl—a human girl. Can one human rescue the fate of her entire species? Or is humankind lost for good to its own machinery?

The Last Human is one of the best kids books to stretch imaginations, capturing themes like morality and societal norms. Sprinkles of humor and plenty of action will keep your reader flipping pages like a reading machine!

The Homework Machine

By Dan Gutman

A nerd, a wisecracker, a goody-two-shoes, and a slacker. What could these four possibly have in common?

They all share one secret: the homework machine.

In this cross-clique adventure, the D Squad is on a mission to hide their magical creation (lovingly known as Belch). But as Belch grows in power, the squad races to hide their invention from fellow fifth graders—or worse, their teachers.

In The Homework Machine, it’s a classic humans vs. technology battle. Will the squad be able to control their machine? Or will they lose their special tool… and also their top grades? Your favorite young reader will cackle with every page of this hilarious sci-fi adventure.

George’s Secret Key to the Universe

By Lucy and Stephen Hawking

Who else besides Stephen Hawking could make black holes fun? Strap into your imaginary space shuttle, and soar through George’s Secret Key to the Universe! With the help of a mystical computer, young George and his scientist friends use space-bending portals to explore the great unknown.

Mixing space science with a charming plot, George’s Secret Key to the Universe is the perfect gateway to the cosmos. The combo of Hawking’s deep knowledge and his journalist daughter’s prose keep this book approachable yet utterly fascinating for young astronauts.

EngiNerds

By Jarrett Lerner

Ken, Dan, and their friends are your typical geek squad, or as they prefer to say, the EngiNerds. Dan has a little surprise for his fellow comrades—the robotic invention, Greeeg.

At first, the Greeeg models are a dream come true, but as Ken discovers, this amateur creation has a few bugs and a gigantic appetite! Now, it’s up to the EngiNerds and their robotic skills to destroy these food-blasting creations. Humor, wit, and good ‘ol nerd appreciation fill every page of EngiNerds. It’s one of the best books for fourth graders to laugh and feel at home among fellow science-lovers.

Our Hypothesis? Your Child Will Love Literati Book Clubs

For budding astronauts and engineers alike, these sci-fi books aren’t just filled with imagination and fun (although there’s lots of that). These books can be a fantastic introduction to STEM concepts and help your reader take interest in different science topics! 

Whatever your child is interested in, Literati’s book clubs can bring you the perfect selection—thanks to top-notch curation expertise and a little bit of science. Start with the personalization quiz, and get books picked to match your child’s interests and reading level. Curation adapts as they grow, so no matter your kid’s passion, there’s a read that’ll keep them on the edge of their seats.

Just keep an eye on their experiments going forward, and remind your kid it’s important to program morality into their chore-completing robots!

The post Experiment with Our Favorite Sci-Fi Books for 4th-6th Graders appeared first on Literati.