A TOAST TO T.O.A.S.T

Pranks are being set off throughout an elite school in Washington D.C. so Florian and Margaret are engaged as consultants by the FBI to investigate them and the perpetrator.  Everyone is brilliant and seemingly unfriendly so there's no lack of suspects among the the children of prominent Washingtonians. Every move is calculated and watched so they really have to put their T.O.A.S.T. skills to use. 

Is the president's daughter involved?
Is the school bully behind it? 
What about Victoria, the leader of the popular girls? 
Or, that gifted violinist who just appeared out of nowhere? 

The two friends have impressed the school director with their T.O.A.S.T. skills but a good first impression is not enough to solve the case.  

In this sequel Vanished!, James Ponti explores the complexity of friendships and social structure within the exclusive and intense lives of elite private middle school students.  

For readers in 5th-8th grades.

MURDER IN SPACE

Imagine being one of the first humans to live on the moon. Pretty cool, right?  When Dashiell Gibson and his family were invited to live on Moon Base Alpha, they were promised a once in a  lifetime experience. Upon his arrival, Dash realized that the place was not at all what they were promised. He wished he and his family had stayed in Hawaii instead. His parents, both scientists, spent most of their days working, which left all the kids to find things to do on their own. With limited space, activities, and terrible food, Dash became very bored with his new living situation. 

One night, Dash heard the top scientist, Dr. Holtz, talking to someone about making a big announcement the next day. However, by morning he was discovered dead. They announced his death as an accident but Dash, having heard Dr. Holtz the previous night, believed it was a murder and he wasn't the only person to believe this. Will Dash find the murderer amongst them? 

Space Case by Stuart Gibbs is the first book of the Moon Base Alpha series is especially good for readers interested in learning about space and space travel. This book is recommended for grades 4-8.  

THE BIG BAD DETECTIVE AGENCY

The Big Bad Wolf (BBW), a.ka. Wolfgang and a fourth little pig, Ferkel combine forces in order to solve a crime the BBW has been accused of committing.  Does this sound like a big whopping tall tale to you?  Well, it's not. It's the plot of a new series by Bruce Hale, author of the Chet Gecko series.

Wrongly accused, the Big Bad Wolf has no choice but to become a detective in order to find the real vandal who trashed the Three Little (really ginormous) Pigs' house.  The two detectives follow clues, talk to suspects and try to figure out what motive the criminal would have for doing this.  Their list of suspects grow as they delve deeper into the crime.  

Was it H&G (Hansel & Gretel)? 
Was it Mama Pig? 
Was it Cinderella?  
Was it Goldilocks?  
Can they find the culprit before Wolfgang's time is up and he's thrown in jail?  

Find the Big Bad Detective Agency in the beginning chapter books area.  Perfect for readers in 3rd-4th grades who enjoy humor and twists on the fairytale classics.  

THE POSSIBILITY OF CHANGING THE PAST

Thirteen-year-old Margaret O’Malley’s world is turned upside down when the corrupt Judge Biggs sentences her father to death for burning down a Victory Fuels building and killing a person trapped inside. Margaret knows that her father did not do it, and that his sentencing was in retaliation for uncovering a secret that Victory Fuels wanted to keep hidden at any cost. Desperate to save his life, Margaret decides to do the thing that she knows she shouldn’t – use the O’Malley gift to go back in time to change the events that made Lucas Biggs into the man who sentenced an innocent man to die. But Margaret will discover that changing the past means more than changing history, and that no one is beyond saving - from themselves or others.

Saving Lucas Biggs is a page-turner with lots of mystery, action, history, and a touch of science fiction, and will appeal to boys and girls in grades 5 and up.

PUZZLES GALORE

Let's face it, Winston has become a puzzle addict.  He's getting in trouble and missing out on special things with his friends because all he can think about is puzzles.  Maybe it's time to give it up.  But can he?  He gets an opportunity to go away for a puzzle filled weekend at a mansion.  Will this be his last hoorah?    

While puzzling away, there's another mystery afoot.  A coveted prize goes missing and everyone is pointing fingers at the obvious suspect, but Winston and his friends think it's someone else.  Everyone is acting suspicious and more than one person has a motive.  

Come join Winston, his friends and a house full of famous guests for a weekend of puzzles and mystery in Winston Breen and the Puzzler's Mansion by Eric Berlin, the third book in the Winston Breen series.  For readers in 6th -8th grade. 

 - SPOILER ALERT - someone will die.