We know that lots of kids and families are starting journals and diaries as they stay at home – writing about their feelings, how they’re spending their time away from school, and drawing pictures.
To help inspire your kids with their own journals, here is a round-up of some journal/diary style series in Scholastic’s early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers.
Owl Diaries and Unicorn Diaries by Rebecca Elliott
A USA Today bestselling series, Owl Diaries follows Eva Wingdale, an energetic owl who loves going to school, starting clubs, and spending time with her friends. In each of the series’ twelve books, Eva writes about a different adventure, whether she’s organizing a spring festival or going on a camping trip.
Rebecca Elliott’s GLITTER-RIFIC new series, Unicorn Diaries, follows Bo Tinseltail and the other unicorns of Sparklegrove Forest. Bo writes about using unicorn powers, earning patches at school, and meeting other creatures, like dragon pups! Both series are perfect for kids who love colorful characters and fantastical worlds.
The Notebook of Doom and The Binder of Doom by Troy Cummings
When Alexander moves to a new town, he never expects to discover the Notebook of Doom – a notebook that contains secret information about all kinds of monsters - let alone to meet the monsters themselves! This action-packed series shares pages from the notebook and follows Alexander and his best friends, Rip and Nikki, as they try to defeat the Balloon Goons, Shadow Smashers, Snombies and more.
In The Binder of Doom, Alexander, Rip, and Nikki have a new slew of monsters to fight! Readers will see monster trading cards firsthand, along with Rip’s hand-drawn comics.. Full of imagination and creatures who are more zany than scary, these series are great for kids who want books they can’t put down.
Diary of a Pug by Kyla May
It turns out that pugs can keep diaries too, at least Baron von Bubbles, a.k.a Bub! Bub loves to write about his day-to-day life with his human, Bella, whether they’re working on a science fair project or helping the local animal shelter…and to complain about getting wet! This series has plenty of humor and is great for dog lovers.
Hilde Cracks the Case by Hilde Lysiak, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
Based on the real life of young reporter Hilde Lysiak, Hilde Cracks the Case follows nine-year-old Hilde as she solves local mysteries with her sister/photographer, Izzy. Featuring pages from Hilde’s reporter notepad, this series is perfect for kids who dream of becoming journalists and love solving puzzles. It’s also great for young readers whose older siblings and parents watch the new show “Home Before Dark” on Apple TV, which is also based on Hilde’s life!
Party Diaries by Mitali Banerjee Ruths
This exciting new Branches series from Mitali Banerjee Ruths and Aaliya Jaleel follows Priya Chakraborty, a young girl that wants to save the planet one party at a time. In each of the series’ books, Priya writes about a new party she is planning for one of her clients. She outlines everything that needs to get done and discusses what cause she will donate the money she makes to. This series is great for kids that love the planet and have a knack for planning.
Learn more about these series and all Branches books at scholastic.com/Branches
