5 books full of mayhem

Nothing goes according to plan in these wild tales of adventure and chaos.

What’s New, Harper Drew? by Kathy Weeks.

Illustrated by Aleksei Bitskoff (Hachette Children’s)

Harper Drew uses her journal to write down all the ridiculous things that happen around her. As her family set out on their annual trip to France, she knows she won’t be short of things to write about. The first in a fun new series, this is perfect for fans of Dork Diaries.

Sleepover Takeover by Simon James Green. Illustrated by Aleksei Bitskoff (Scholastic)

In this funny story, 11-year-old

Otis wakes up the morning after a sleepover party to complete chaos. There’s a donkey in the chocolate fountain, a huge inflatable sausage has appeared and one of the guests even has a new tattoo. Weirder still, no one can remember how any of it happened.

A Robot Squashed My Teacher by Pooja Puri.

Illustrated by Allen Fatimaharan (Macmillan Children’s)

Esha Verma invents a gadget that lets the user speak to animals. Thanks to her arch-nemesis Ernie, though, things go badly wrong and Esha’s teacher is transformed into a pigeon. The sequel to A Dinosaur Ate My Sister, this is a brilliant, imaginative adventure.

It’s The End of the World and I’m in My Bathing Suit by Justin A. Reynolds (Scholastic)

What happens when five children face the apocalypse – in very silly circumstances? In this sci-fi story, Eddie is stuck doing the laundry when the power goes off. Soon he teams up with friends to work out what has happened – all while wearing swimming trunks.

Happy Town Must Be Destroyed by James Harris

(Hodder Children’s)

Leeza’s parents are perfectly normal: unfit, grumpy and sometimes a bit embarrassing. Then one day they start jogging, eating salads and smiling all the time. What can possibly have happened to them? Soon Leeza realises someone has been brainwashing everyone in town – and she’s the only one who can stop what’s happening.