- Graphic Novels
- Ages 6–9
- Science Fiction

Juniper Mae: Secrets of the Guardian Knights
Book 2 of 3 in Juniper MaeView the full series
A bigger second adventure that pushes Juniper beyond Tykotech City and into the forest-world mythology of the Guardian Knights. It is a good next step for readers who enjoyed the first book's gadgets but want more friendship and lore.
- Best for6–9
- FormatGraphic
- Length64 pp
- Read aloud~30 min
The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Conversational
- Comedic
Tone
- Adventurous
- Exciting
- Warm
- Suspenseful
Themes
- Friendship
- Teamwork
- Responsibility
- Science and curiosity
- Creativity and imagination
- Nature and environment
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
Deep in the forest, Juniper Mae and her best friend Albie are trying to become Guardian Knights. Their training is full of inventions, discovery and excitement, but a new danger is rising close to home. When one of Juniper's latest inventions creates tension between her and Albie, the pair must work out how to trust each other again before the threat to their beloved forest grows too large to handle. This second Juniper Mae graphic novel expands the world beyond the high-tech city into a richer blend of nature, robots, fantasy knights and sci-fi adventure. The story keeps the series' colour, energy and accessible panel storytelling while adding stronger friendship stakes and a clearer environmental edge. It is especially appealing for younger readers who like heroic teams, gadget-led problem-solving and bright all-ages action.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
- 1
- 3
- 5
- 7
- 9
- 11
- 13
- Best fit · 6–9
- Read aloud · 5–8
- Independent · 6–9
Prose load
Light
Visual support
Very high
Reluctant-reader friendly
Very
Read-aloud quality
Workable
Works well for
- Reluctant readers
Nothing in the book is likely to concern most parents. Safe to recommend without preview.
Bedtime suitability
3 / 5 · Workable
Sensitive-child
3 / 5 · Mostly fine
Graphic intensity
1 / 5 · None
Best for
- Stem adventure
- Friendship adventure
- Robot fans
- Colourful action
- Graphic novel beginners
Avoid if
- Prefers realistic stories
- Wants dense prose
- Dislikes robot stories
Particularly good for children who are…
- Reluctant reader
- Interested in science
- Interested in art and creativity
- Making friends
In the classroom
How it works in school.
A bright STEM-flavoured adventure-comic series — a reluctant-reader pick with a science spark.
A book children love that happens to support school — never a stand-in for the texts a class is taught with. Reviewed for the classroom · June 2026.
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
The specific weight is the invention causing the rift — Juniper and Albie training as Guardian Knights in the forest, one of her latest gadgets driving them apart, having to rebuild trust before the rising threat takes the woods. The second Juniper Mae with friendship-stakes added.
- Friendship and belonging
- Making a difference
- Adventure and freedom
- Being special or chosen
Why parents love it
The Juniper Mae sequel — world expanded beyond Tykotech City into forest mythology, environmental edge and friendship-stakes added to the gadget-led adventure. Bigger lore, same accessible panel storytelling.
- Beautiful illustrations
- Quick to read
- Conversation starter
- Shared humour
In the series
Juniper Mae.
3 books · open the series →
About the creators
About the creators.
If you liked this
Three ways out of this book.
If you liked this, try…
Lateral matches. Same shelf, different texture.
Come into this from…
Easier or preparing reads — perfect lead-ins.
Where to go next…
Escalation reads — a step up in scale, silliness, or stakes.
More like this…
Books that share themes and topics with this one.
Buy or borrow
Pick up a copy.
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