If children’s literature introduces young readers to the world of books, teenage reading is what keeps them there. In Greece, books for teenagers were not widely distributed due to school and tutoring workload. The tip of the spear, books-series with the same characters that can accompany a child for years. Here are just a few of the dozens of carefully selected adventure series: books we’ve read and loved.

• Pataki’s publications have a huge pool of high-quality children’s literature, including many excellent series that easily captivate all young readers. Bethany and the Beast (illustrated by Isabelle Fallat, translated by Angelos Angelidis, Maria Angelidou, 256 pages, 8+) by Jack Meggitt-Phillips is well written, original, smart and funny, and unexpectedly dark, in a sweet “anarchist” way. Also a very beautiful black and white illustration. A second volume is expected. The Soccer Balls Series by Roberto Santiago (Volume 1: The Secret of the Sleeping Judges, translated by Agati Dimitrouk, 296 pages, 9+) and The Time Travelers (Volume 1: The Balbuenas Adventure in the Wild). The West, translated by Agati Dimitrukas, 232 pages, 9+) with illustrations by Enrique Lorenzo are also two favorite series. Fast-paced, with short poignant phrases, full of twists and turns, cinematic image switching, non-stop action, suspense and lots of humor. In the first there are police secrets, and in the second time travel. There are many illustrations, almost one on each page, and the entire book is in color. In fact, at some point, the images become full-page comics, which is very interesting. 8 volumes are already in circulation.

• At Metaichmio, where there are also many options, we really liked the “Exploration Diary” series by Christoph Diettert and Bjorn Berenz, illustrated by Philipp Ach (Vol. 1: “The Adventure Begins!”, translated by Maria Manti, 160 pages, 9+), because this is not only a pure adventure, but also an interactive puzzle book with a magnifying glass and… a chest hidden on the inside back cover. Four volumes have already been published. From the same publications, we recommend two long, fascinating novels: Shannon Herald, “Guardians of the Lost Cities” (translated by Fotini Mosca, 552 pages, 11+) and Naomi Novik, “Scholomantheus. Lesson one: death education” (translated by Vul Augustinou, 448 pages, 14+). The first features a telepathic twelve-year-old heroine who will be forced to start a whole new life in another dimension full of strange creatures. A very big bestseller, it will be made into a Disney movie by Ben Affleck. The second is a fantasy novel set in a “wizard” school, and at the same time a gritty coming-of-age story with a dark gothic aesthetic: a more “adult” Harry Potter. The next volumes of both are already in circulation.

• Psychogios Editions has a huge library of literature for children of all ages, but of course the number 1 series of all time: the Harry Potter books we can’t imagine will no longer be sold, read and loved in our century, as they were in the previous case with Jules Verne. J.K. Rowling not only broke all possible and incredible records, but also helped to attract a huge readership. From the rest of the series, we choose “Magic Candy Store” by Katherine Littlewood, which has already appeared in the seventh volume. The first (translated by Tatiana Stavroulakis, pp. 320, 9+) introduces the main characters to their first funny adventure involving confectionery, old books with strange recipes and… magical sweets. Our second suggestion is “Max Einstein”, a handsome and intelligent young engineer who stars in a series of the same name about the prolific and highly successful James Patterson (in collaboration with Chris Grabenstein, Volume I: Mind in Action, translated by Tatiana Stavroulakis). , 392 pages, 9+). Ideal, obviously, for science-loving girls. Three volumes are already in circulation.

Magdalena Hai’s Buhaha: Shop of Horrors series came to us from Finland. The first volume is “The Amazing Itchy Powder”.

• Minoas publications have a long tradition of children’s books. In fact, they are the publishers of Enid Blyton, the most classic author of the children’s book series – most parents today grew up with her books themselves. Saint Clair College (5 volumes), The Secret Seven (5), The Secret Seven – Stories (2), The Adventure (8) and The Five Hounds (7) have been released. However, they also publish many contemporary series. Among them, we choose “Rages of the Secret” by M. Leonard and Sam Seiman, who have released four games so far. First, The Mountain Falcon Robbery (illustrated by Elisa Paganelli, translated by Eugenia Kolidas, 340 pages, 9+): mystery, adventure, fast-paced plot and great love on trains. In the series “Captain Nemo: The Adventures of Young Jules Verne” written by Paula Vidal and illustrated by Paco Porres (1st volume: “The Lost Island”, translated by Callia Tabulari, 232 pages, 7+), young Jules Verne and His Friends, Science Lovers and technicians, form the Adventurer’s Club, encountering situations that would become the basis of the great writer’s novels in the future.

• Dioptra Editions also offers a variety of books for children, including some of the most interesting series of novels. The Sherguf Holmes Mystery Club by Isaac Palmiola has fortunately reached 16 volumes. The first title came out in 2018: Two and a Half Detectives (illustrated by Nuria Aparicio, translated by Titin Sperelaki, 128 pages, 7+). Good detective riddles, nice pagination, humorous illustrations. Magdalena Hai’s Buhaha: Shop of Horrors series came to us from Finland. Volume 1, The Amazing Itchy Powder (illustrated by Teemu Juhani, translated by Riikka Pauliina Pulkkinen, 64 pages, 6+). For younger kids, it stars nine-year-old Nina, who is not afraid of ghosts and the dark. Three titles have been released so far. Matilda and the Book Wanderers is the first volume in the Pages and Co. Bookstore series. Anna James (translated by Argyro Pipini, 368 pages, 9+). Three volumes have also been published to date. Long, soulful novels, pleasant to read, about books, about bookstores and libraries, about literary and fairy-tale characters, about the passion for reading.

• The editions of the Kastaniotis Youth Library, with their distinctive orange binding and over 270 carefully selected titles, are among the most classic in Greece. From the latest issues, we have read and singled out two series. Jacob M. Leonard’s Chatter Kings is amazing. The first three volumes are out. The first, “Friends Are Like Sea Dogs” (illustrated by Sebastian Heidel, translated by Despina to Cleombrotu, 168 pages, 9+), introduces us to the protagonists of a two-tone, illustrated on almost every book page, Justus and Abdi, classmates who fight over who will become school king. We liked it, it’s a terribly heretical book, and a hilarious one. In contrast, the Bukowski Struggles series by Will Gmelling. We read about the adventures of Alpha, his sister, their estranged brother, and their parents. Nothing magical or unreal happens here: life itself happens. Beautiful, touching, sweet books (so far two volumes have been published), which are good to read in order, despite the title of the first: “Summer in the Whirlpool” (translated by Pelageya Tsinari, 208 pp., 10+).

• Anubis Editions are known for their very large science fiction and fantasy library, but they also have a series of children’s and youth books that we really enjoyed. The Lucy and Stephen Hawking series (four volumes so far) is perfect for sparking children’s interest in science as we deal with thrilling adventures that allude to… the Time Chronicle itself. The first volume is called “George and the Secret Key to the Universe” (illustrated by Gary Parsons, translated by Evita Leekow, 312 pages, 8+). R.L. Lafivers re-introduces us to eleven-year-old Theodosia, who has a passion for archeology and spends time at the London Museum of Legends and Antiquities, curated by her father. In the first volume (Theodosia and the Reptiles of Chaos, translated by Athena Sarafi, 364 pages, 9+), young Indiana Jones will use Egyptian magic against the evil forces lurking in the corridors of the museum as she decides to go to Egypt to prevent the destruction of the world. We look forward to the second volume.

• Among the key titles is Bob Pflugfelder’s and Steve Hockensmith’s Science Nick and Tesla series: this is probably a must-have series for any child who loves science, as it combines adventure with original activities and safe experimentation, while in At the same time, the child is provided with illustrated instructions for making their own designs. Six hardcover volumes with two-color printing are already in circulation. Volume 1: High Voltage Dangerous Laboratory (translated by Kostas Karanikolos, 240 pages, 9+). In “The Secret Academy of Spies” again, a series by Stuart Gibbs (Vol. 1: “School of Spies”, translated by Cristina Sotiropoulou, 328 pages, 9+) we are dealing with a boy, the best student in his class, who is selected by the CIA for a secret super-spy academy future. Thirteen-year-old “nerd” Ben Ripley will have to make sworn enemies, face a satanic organization, get involved in dangerous adventures with his girlfriend Erica, go through terrible dangers together and, of course, smile at the end. Fast-paced plot, suspense, action and lots of humor in a spy series that is about to be transferred to the cinema. The first six volumes have been released.