[WPF] Thea Stilton and the Dragon's Code by Thea Stilton - 3 stars

[Theresa]

First in a cute middle grade (for younger ages) series of adventures revolving around 5 mousling girl students at Mouseford Academy and their teacher Thea. This introduces the 5 students who at the end name themselves 'Thea's Sisters' after having one lovely adventure and helping Thea solve a mystery involving a secret deep below the school. There are secret rooms and passages, viking and dragon lore, and secret codes that have to be deciphered.

I found it absolutely charming and would have adored it as a tweenie. I'd say they are for those not quite ready for Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys or HP. There are bright colorful illustrations, fun formating and fonts, and educational box inserts that are written not as lessons but kept short and entertaining.

There is also one fabulous alphabet made from dragon shapes!

Sometimes deciding to read a book for a challenge that you would never otherwise pick up (well, except to read to a kid), you can be pleasantly surprised. I do not routinely read middle grade books - I have no reason to do so. Yet, when I wanted a quick super easy fun read, I decided to go with one of the WPF middle grade authors. It was perfect.

[Book Concierge]

A few years ago - in another group - there was a challenge to read the Caldecott Winners. I was familiar with many of the earlier winners because they were childhood favorites (I'm looking at you, Make Way for Ducklings) but it was interesting to see the newer winners that I would never have come across otherwise.