THE MAGIC BOX

Want to solve a good mystery? Do you have what it takes to be a good detective? Well, join Max and Larry to find out what happened to the little girl named Daisy. Max Monroe is a smart young boy in The Magic Box. When Max’s mother dies and his father becomes increasing busy at work, Max goes to stay with his grandfather, Harry.  Upon arriving at his grandfather’s house Max begins to hear crying from behind the house. When he goes after the sound he stumbles upon a small house behind the bushes with a sign reading “The Monroe Detective Agency.”  Max’s excitement fills the air as he rushes to his grandfather to learn more about the old wooden detective house. To his surprise, Max meets his grandfather's brother, Larry, the ghost. Yes, you read correctly-- a ghost.

As soon as Max comes to the understanding that Larry is really a ghost, his grandfather tells him to spend time with Larry.  Max and Larry take a look around the old wooden detective house when they get a phone call for detective work.  Both Max and Larry must work together to find out what happened to Daisy, the girl who disappeared from her own birthday party.

The Magic Box is the first book in The Ghost and Max Monroe series by L.M. Falcone.  Those that love detective stories will also love this humorous, early chapter book. The pages have very minimal black and white illustrations.

For grades 2 and up.

THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES IN... DRAGON FLIGHT

All is calm in Feravel until a scorned brother devises a plan to become the King of the Dragons.  When his plan is unveiled, the Heroine of the Dragon Wars makes a desperate plea to friends and strangers to help her in the fight.  Will she have to fight alone against evil?  Another fantasy adventure by Jessica Day George.  

For 4th grade and up.

MERMAIDS AND PONIES AND CARNIVALS! OH MY!

Rosa lives in the ocean with her BFF's Melody, Sula and Jasmine and they cannot wait to do a performance for this year's carnival. Even Rosa's cousin is going to help make it the best dance ever! Wait. They live in the ocean? Yes, because all the girls are MERMAIDS!!! And, as part of their best dance ever, they change a sea horse into a magical water-pony that is sparkly and gorgeous! Trouble is, Coral is better than Rosa, and Rosa gets a little mad, and then something bad happens to the pony! Better read to find out what happens next...ROSA AND THE WATER PONY by Katy Kit is just the beginning of the "Mermaid Mysteries" series. For grades 2-4.

MY LIFE AS A BOOK SEQUEL

In this sequel to My Life As a Book, Derek gets a chance to be a skateboarding stunt double for a famous actor. Only it's for a famous GIRL actor. His best friend is totally jealous of him and starts making fun of him and he strikes back. He makes a deal with his parents to keep up with his tutoring and take care of his foster monkey in order to get the stunt job but one tiny mistake might undo the whole thing.

I think My Life As a Stunboy by Janet Tashjian and illustrated once again by Jake Tashijian is even better than the first book. Lots of action, humor and some emotional tugs on the heart strings will keep the reader hooked until the end. For readers in 4th-8th grade.

NO ROOM OF HER OWN

Lucy Wu thought that with her older sister going off to college she would get a room all to herself. NOPE! Her beloved grandmother's long lost sister has been invited to come to visit, all the way from China and of course Lucy will be expected to share her room. Her great aunt doesn't speak English and Lucy's Chinese is... well,you'll see.

Things as you know, in books and in life, never turn out the way you plan them. The Great Wall of Lucy Wu by Wendy Wan-Long Shang is a journey of family, love and understanding. A beautiful well written book for readers 5th - 8th.