“HE WAS THE BEST OF TOMS. HE WAS THE WORST OF TOMS.”

From former Children's Librarian now manager of the Casa Verdugo and Grandview Branch Librarian, Katherine:

Skilley is a street-wise tom cat looking for a ready meal and a warm bed.  When he hears Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese pub is overrun with mice, he knows he’s found his home.  An unlikely partnership gives him plenty of food and a good reputation with the pub’s owner and customers, many of them notable 19th century British authors.  It’s the perfect life until Pinch, a vicious tom cat, also comes to live at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese.  The Cheshire Cheese Cat; a Dickens of a Tale by Carmen Agra Deedy and Randall Wright , though filled with secrets and revenge, is a heartwarming tale of strength in numbers and friendship overcoming adversity.  Barry Moser’s black and white illustrations are a perfect companion to this wonderful story.
For grades 4 and up.

ENOLA AND SHERLOCK?

A duchess has vanished in the Underground (London's subway trains) and Enola, rather Dr. Ragostin, has been hired to find the missing woman. The only glitch is that she disappeared at the Baker Street station where her brother, Sherlock, lives.

In this sixth book of the Enola Holmes Mystery, our fearless feminist heroine and her famous detective older brother are both hired to solve the same case! All the while, she receives a coded message from her mother who has been living with the gypsies. Who will solve the mystery and find the duchess? Will Enola be reunited with her mother?

The Case of the Gypsy Good-bye by Nancy Springer holds many surprises for Enola fans. For readers in 6th-8th.

CRAZY ADVENTURES OF DODSWORTH

Dodsworth gets the travel bug and decides to chuck it all and head for New York. Unbeknownst to him, Crazy Duck decides to stowaway in his suitcase, and every attempt to get rid of him is unsuccessful. So begins the frustrating but hilarious adventure around the New York City. Don't miss the continuing travels of Dodsworth and Duck in London and Paris.

Perfect travel logs by Tim Egan for beginning readers who want something a little quirky. For readers in 1st-2nd grade.

CASE OF THE CRYPTIC CRYNOLINE

Enola meets Florence Nightingale, a woman of definite independence and progressive ideals, when her landlady asks Enola for help after getting threatening messages. Enola, this time crosses paths with her older and famous brother, Sherlock, as both work on the same case but from different angles. Determined to help her landlady Enola discovers that maybe Florence Nightingale was not just a nurse during the Crimea War, but perhaps also a SPY!

Another super suspenseful adventure in which Enola Holmes tries to outwit her brother and villanous lords. The Case of the Cryptic Crynoline by Nancy Springer is for 6th - 8th graders.

THEODOSIA ONCE AGAIN

Theodosia, our young heroine, is back in Victorian England with her family in this second mystery adventure. After mummies from museums all over London appear repeatedly at the doorstep of her father's museum, Theodosia realizes she must use her magical skills and knowledge of ancient Egypt to outmanuever a sinister secret society from turning London into a city of Chaos, keep her father from being imprisoned and as if these weren't enough, free herself from the tutors that her grandmother insists that a proper young ladies need. Phew, this is one busy girl!

For those looking for some armchair excitement. Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris by R.L. La Fevers is for 5th & older.

CAT OF THE THEATER

One cannot imagine the world behind the scenes of the theatre - at least not in the 18th century! Mystery, intrigue, and spectacular performance fill the pages and Cat Royal's life, a young orphan girl left on the steps of the Drury Lane Theater in London. What lurks behind the curtain isn't what you would expect, and Cat leads you through the exciting city life of old England. THE DIAMOND OF DRURY LANE by Julia Golding spins a tale of dangerous adventure and paints a picture of what life was like more than 200 years ago. For 6th grade and up.

SPOOKY LONDON

Who knew that London was actually two cities, the one we know about and an alternate , damp, dark and dangerous one? Fourteen-year-old Jonathan Starling discovers this when his father becomes ill and he finds among his papers references to Darkside. While doing some research on the subject, Jonathan is almost kidnapped but manages to elude his captors and cross over to Darkside. There the adventure begins as he tries to solve the mystery with aid of a werewolf named Carnegie.

The Darkside by Tom Becker is an action packed story with lots of chase scenes and dastardly characters. This is the first volume of proposed series. For grades 5-8.

CATCH HER IF YOU CAN, SHERLOCK

Sherlock Holmes' much younger sister is once again entangled in a mystery where she herself is now in danger. In the midst of trying to start a new life for herself, Enola opens up a detective investigation agency using multiple disguises and pretenses, but things prove difficult when she becomes a victim herself while looking for a missing baronet's daughter. All the while trying to dodge her brother Sherlock.

The Case of the Left-Handed Lady: An Enola Holmes Mystery by Nancy Springer is a suspenseful detective novel with a great heroine. For middle school readers and those who enjoy Sherlock Holmes mysteries.