It is no surprise that this book already has a wait list at my library & after previewing it I can say that kids will not be disappointed with the wait. Though they might be immensely frustrated having to wait for book 3! This book definitely lives up to the silliness of the first book. Kids are going to be thrilled to join in on this new adventure as we get to meet some Bodkins and get a little glimpse at the mystery surrounding Max's past. This book is not one I personally thrill at, but kids are going to love it A LOT!

For Libraries: Goodness, if you don't already have this one on order-buy it!

A real gem of wit and fun! You can't ask for a better blend of modern kid humor which appeals to readers and a new vocabulary and details from a historical period. This book is entertaining, but has great supporting features. My favorite is the vocabulary and unique characters. Great choice for all!

Max and her friends battle bodkins who are invading Byjovia, while Max is unsure if she has what it takes to be a knight. The funny dialogue, especially modern references inserted into the medieval setting, will have kids laughing out loud.

Cute book two by the author of the Big Nate books. Silly fantasy world with lots of pratfalls and mixed up magic (and age appropriate fart jokes). It wouldn’t make as much sense to someone that hadn’t read book one but it’s such a fun read that that’s no hardship!

If you have not read the first book, Max and the Midknights, this review may have some spoilers for the series. You have been warned.

Max is struggling in her knight training program because the teacher seems to think that she shouldn't be a knight. It doesn't help that Sedgewick, another knight in training, seems to ally himself with Sir Brickbat. The other Midknights have all found their own passions; Millie is involved with her magic, Kevyn has started a library, and Simon is working with horses. When the group duplicates the one book in Kevyn's library, they unwittingly unlease the threat of Bodkins on Byjovia. Bodkins are the doubles that everyone has (body kins), but are essentially evil. There is always one tiny feature that seems wrong compared to the original person, but this can be hard to detect. When Sedgewick gets sucked into the Bodkins dimension while on a training mission with Max, Max consults Mumblin the magician as well as the king, and tries to put things right. This isn't easy, and of course children are the only ones who can easily travel into the other realm. Will the Midknights be able to once again save the kingdom?
Strengths: Peirce, along with Tom Watson, is really a master of the notebook novel. The ratio of pictures to text is perfect, and he manages to deliver a well-crafted middle grade novel complete with plot, character development, humor, and action. The world building is very solid, and the adults work well with the children. Now that I think of it, Big Nate has a lot of intriguing adult characters as well.
Weaknesses: I already have a lot of Medievalish Anglo-Saxon stories, albeit none in notebook novel format. Also, I kept reading "Byjovia" as "Bonjovia", and that really puts a WHOLE new twist on the book.
What I really think: Because he writes an absolutely textbook middle grade novel, I'd love to see Peirce try some stand alone titles combining his humor with the more serious "heart print" topics that teachers and librarians seem to love. Then I could recommend one of his books for a class novel. Mr. Peirce has such a good grasp of the middle school experience that he would pick a topic that students want to read about (losing a friendship, establishing personal identity) rather than ones that are being done to death and are never requested by my students (the death of everyone, anxiety). Definitely purchasing!

Max is unsure if she is knight material; Simon finds his calling in the stables working with horses and there’s a magic book. What’s not to like.
This has a ready made audience.