SHARKS, PIRATES, AND DEATH!

Fidelia Quail and her family were on their last outing at sea before winter and the beginning of the Undertow, when her parents perished in a storm. Deep in a depressive state over the loss of her family, Fidelia's aunt Julia wants to move to the mainland, but Fidelia doesn't want to move away from Aborley Bay and all she knows and loves.  

But when she is kidnapped by the notorious pirate Merrick the Monstrous, Fidelia is forced to use her knowledge of sharks and her skill in invention to find his most prized treasure. Pursued by Her Majesty's Naval Admiral, Merrick presses Fidelia to finish her underwater breathing invention before time runs out. Will Fidelia ever be able to just go back home to her Aunt Julia? 

Race to the Bottom of the Sea by Lindsay Eager is a thrilling novel about an eleven-year-old's love of sharks, the sea, and her family, told both in the past and in the present.

Ideal for readers in 5th through 8th grades.

SEE OTTO

Attention adventure and robot lovers, this book is for you. Otto the robot loves to seek adventures despite the dangers. Otto sets off to explore space in his spaceship but things don’t go as planned and he lands on Earth.  What will he find there? 

See Otto, part of The Adventures of Otto series written by David Milgrim, tells an exciting story of a robot through easy and repetitive vocabulary and illustrations.  It's perfect for readers who enjoy space, rockets and adventures, and those practicing to read on their own. 

A NECESSARY JOURNEY

Kate Di Camillo and Chris Van Dusen have partnered up once again for a third Tale From Deckawoo Drive: Where Are You Going, Baby Lincoln? Baby Lincoln, whose real name is Lucille, strikes out on a necessary journey after an inspirational dream.   She packs her suitcase with a few necessary items and sets off to the train station to go as far as she can with the money in her pocket.  With the help of Stella, Baby Lincoln sets off for the town of Fluxom, on her own without her bossy older sister.  During the train ride she meets new people and makes her own discoveries about life, herself, family and friends.  

The creative duo has created another sweet and touching offshoot for the people connected to Deckawoo Drive  and fans of the Mercy Watson series.  

For readers in grades 1st to 3rd.  

AN ORDINARY BOY MEETS AN EXTRAORDINARY WATCH

A review by Adam: 

Trenton Lee Stewart, author of The Mysterious Benedict Society series, is back with The Secret Keepers, a new mystery where an ordinary boy goes on the adventure of a lifetime.

Living in a tiny, rundown apartment, Reuben Pedley and his widowed mother spend their evenings together dreaming and drawing up blueprints for magical homes filled with firefighter poles and hidden staircases. During the day, while his mother is at work, Reuben spends his solitary afternoons wandering the streets of New Umbra. As he explores the nooks and crannies of the city Reuben tries his best to avoid the searching eyes of the Directions, a group of sinister men who terrorize the citizens of New Umbra under the orders of a secretive and tyrannical figure known only as The Smoke.

One day while climbing up a perilously tall building Reuben comes upon a mysterious pocket watch. To Reuben’s surprise the watch doesn’t tell time, but instead gives Reuben an incredible power and launches him on a whirlwind journey as he attempts to stay one step ahead of The Smoke’s searching grasp and uncover the secret behind the watch’s mysterious origin.

4^th to 8^th graders will love the twists and turns Reuben’s journey takes, and will delight in uncovering the book’s many mysteries along with Reuben.​​

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN A CHILD WANTS MORE!

Henry laughs when he's lifted into the air by his Papa.  He enjoys playing the piano with his Grandma, and he plays fun games with his siblings.  At the end of the day, Henry gets to cuddle up with his Mama and listen to the best stories ever! With all this adventure, it's no wonder why Henry Wants More! He's truly loved by his family.  

Linda Ashman's delightful story about a young child who enjoys a variety of activities, especially with the people he loves the most. Brooke Boynton Hughes adds a sweet touch of color to this very loving family. 

Pre-K- 2nd

READ ALL THINGS STAR WARS IN OCTOBER!

What do a princess, a scoundrel, and a farm boy have in common? There's at least one thing: a desire for adventure.  Unfortunately, deep within the Galaxy an evil Empire is gaining control over different star systems and killing off the galaxy's great peace keepers- the Jedi Knights.  

What roles will the princess, scoundrel, and farm boy play in this struggle?  Will they find ways to get along after their paths merge? Andrea Brackenberg's junior novelization of Star Wars: A New Hope is a welcome addition to the sci-fi genre.  She provides such interesting insight to each of the key characters' thoughts as they move through key scenes in the story.  Both humorous and memorable, this is best for 4th grade and up, or for budding Star Wars fans.  

For 4th grade and up.

THE JOYS OF CHILDHOOD

Four very young children have different aspects of childhood:catching worms, splashing in puddles, and collecting bouquets of flowers.  When it's time to go home, their mother sees that their bodies are covered with dirt and grime.  Fortunately, she knows that the mess is not as important as the smiles on their faces and the memories they've made together.

Mary McKenna Siddals' Bringing the Outside In gently reminds readers of the importance of exploration, the joys of being 'in the moment', and our need to be truly carefree.  A wonderful "it's good to be a kid" story with a diverse set of characters is a plus. 

PreK- 2nd grade.

CROOKED GRANDMA

The Classy Crooks Club by Alison Cherry stars our soccer fiend, AJ, or Annemarie as her grandmother prefers to call her. She must spend a month with her disapproving wealthy grandmother when her parents have to go to the Amazon for work. She only gets to go to soccer practice, she can't have her dog or sleepovers, or hang out with her best friend, but she does get etiquette lessons.  Whoopee. The only silver lining is that Stanley, grandmother's hunky chauffeur, drives her to soccer practice and she is the envy of all.    

AJ thinks that her grandmother's friends just get together and play bridge, but they are really "liberators".  The ladies liberate lots of things from their undeserving or bad owners like a macaw who doesn't get any love.  Even AJ gets liberated, unwillingly.

There's a mean girl and her crew, a misunderstanding with friends but it's a fun and mostly predictable adventure with a twisted ending. Great for readers who love a good spunky girl story.

For readers in 6th - 8h grades.

A BOOK SCAVENGER FINDS A BOOK

Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman is a book lover's adventure that's described by the author as a mix of geocaching, scavenger hunting and Bookcrossing.com.  In this story, people hide books and provide clues online for others to decipher in order to find the hidden books and with each successful find the hunters earn points.  

San Francisco, California is the next city Emily and her family are headed for on their quest to live in all 50 states.  Her parents' jobs and nomadic lifestyle has left her with one thing that she clings to and can always count on to do in each new city, The Book Scavenger game started by Garrison Griswold.  As soon as she arrives in the city, Griswold is mugged and in the hospital.  Emily finds a book thinking it's part of the game but as she and her new friend, James, begin to decipher each clue and code they realize this new game has become more and more dangerous.  

For 5th-8th grade readers who really enjoy decoding, a mystery and an adventure in one of the most amazing city in the country.  

STEP RIGHT UP FOR THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH!

Come one, come all and read something truly spectacular! Prepare to witness the Greatest Show on Earth in Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley with striking black-and-white illustrations by Diana Sudyka. Micah has grown up hearing his grandfather Ephraim spin some pretty amazing tales of his time spent at a magical circus when he was a young boy, and Micah is totally convinced that magic is real.

And now more than ever, with his beloved grandfather on his deathbed and his truly awful great-aunt stepping in to take care of him, is the time Micah needs a miracle to happen in order to cure the person he loves most in the world. What's more the Lightbender--the most powerful magician at Circus Mirandus--had promised Ephraim a miracle once upon a time, so what could possibly stop him from making Micah's grandfather well again? Unfortunately, something is preventing the magician from keeping his promise, but Micah refuses to take no for an answer and, with the help of his new friend Jenny, is determined to do anything it takes to get the Lightbender to grant the miracle he needs before it's too late.

With humor, heart, adventure, and more than a little magic, this captivating and poignant middle-grade fantasy will have readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page.Best for readers in 5th to 8th grades.

THE FELONY BAY DETECTIVES

Abbey Force is living with her awful uncle Charlie, a degenerate drunken gambler,  and his wife after her father falls into a coma in what looked like an attempt to hide jewels he had stolen from a wealthy client.  Still living on the plantation her family had once owned she yearns for everything to return as it once was, her father healthy, having Reward Plantation back, riding her horse and going to her old school.  

Alas, she's now helping the new owner also named Force, whose ancestors were once slaves owned by Abbey's ancestors.   Beatrice, the daughter her age, while recovering from a car accident explores her new home with Abbey and they accidentally stumble on some suspicious activities on a piece of the bay that should belong to the new plantation owners, Beatrice's family.   

Follow Abbey Force, one spunky and determined twelve year old who has more character than most adults, as she seeks to right  injustices, find truths and a way to pull her father out of his coma.  

The Girl From Felony Bay by J.E. Thompson is a fantastic new mystery series with a two amazing sleuths. The author beautifully weaves the issue of slavery and what it means in present day South Carolina through the point of view of these amazing protagonists. The second title, The Hangman's Bluff,  is also available. 

SUMMER VACATION FUN

While sitting in his classroom, Charlie wonders where his parents will take him and his younger brother Max on vacation.  After all, how can they beat canoeing with reptiles in Okefenokee or eating exotic insects in Mexico?  When he arrives home and settles in for dinner, the grand announcement is made.  The vacation will be unlike any other!  Thanks to Charlie's ingenuity, he and his brother, Max, learn that adventures during vacation can really happen at anytime and just about anywhere!

Marie-Louise Gay's book, Summer in the City is a surprisingly fun read with many adventures that really don't cost much.

For 3rd-5th grade.

LOOKING FOR MOM IN MANY STRANGE PLACES

Julia lives with her grandmother and aunt in an old house called Windy Ridge. Her mom has been gone quite some time, and Julia has pretty much settled into a life with her friend Belfry, taking pictures with her Brownie camera of things she finds interesting. Well, her grandmother decides to die one day, so Aunt Constance and Julia pack up the house and head out on the road to find Julia's mother. Without any idea of where they are going, quite a quirky, entertaining adventure unfolds. With a bit of humor and a whole lot of weird, this historical fiction just may capture the attention of even the most reluctant reader. JULIA AND THE ART OF PRACTICAL TRAVEL by Lesley M. M. Blume is an entertaining read for 5th - 8th grades.

NOV 2015

ZOMBIES REVISTED

Do you fear the "walking dead"? Maybe they're a little too creepy for you, but in James Ponti's second zombie-related book, DEAD CITY: BLUE MOON, Molly Bigelow is back to defeat the worst of them. But with less disgusting stuff and more action and adventure, with a little mystery thrown in. Molly and her zombie fighting Omega Team are tracking down the original 13 zombies all over New York, and along the way Molly comes across some information about her mother that has her wondering - is her mother still alive? 

A lively story for any zombie fan. For 5th - 8th grades.

OCT 2015

THE GRIFFIN'S RIDDLE

If you could travel to the imaginary world to find a cure, would you? Ben and Pearl from Buttonville do!  Ben is a ten-year-old whose parents are going through a rough patch and Pearl is Ben’s new friend who loves adventure and allows her curiosity to get her in trouble.  When Mrs. Mulberry, the snoopy committee president, needed to visit Dr. Woo the duo knew they were in trouble.  

Ben and Pearl could not allow anyone to find out that there was a portal to the imaginary world inside Dr. Woo’s hospital but that was not the only problem the two faced. Ben and Pearl learn that both Dr. Woo and the Sasquatch have fallen ill with Troll Tonsillitis which can spread throughout the town within hours. Now it’s up to Ben and Pearl to find a cure from the imaginary world.

Read the Griffin’s Riddle by Susanne Selfors to find out if the duo was able to help the Dr. Woo and the Sasquatch or did the entire town of Buttonville catch Troll Tonsillitis. The fifth book of the Imaginary Veterinary is filled with mythical creatures and fun riddles.

For grades 3-6

REVENGE IS A DISH BEST SERVED COLD... WITH SPRINKLES!

Chomp of the Meat-Eating Vegetables, the fourth Notebook of Doom book by Troy Cummings, takes the series' trademark wacky monster-hunting shenanigans to new heights. At first it feels like a dream come true when the school cafeteria starts serving delicious desserts for lunch instead of gross healthy meals--after all, what could possibly be wrong with replacing re-re-re-fried beans with an ice cream sundae bar? But Alexander Bopp, and his friends Nikki and Rip, who together make up the S.S.M.P. (Super Secret Monster Patrol), are always on the hunt for new monsters lurking in the shadows of their town, and though they hate to admit it, the S.S.M.P. begins to find something fishy about the new chef and his aversion to cooking vegetables. But the mysteries don't end there: what is that weird onion-y smell, why is the school so freezing cold all the time, and what's the deal with the new school nurse, Nurse Brock? 

Though the cover itself hints at the reveal of some of these mysteries within, the fast-paced adventure will keep readers turning the pages to find out how our heroes can stop the titular villains from bringing their evil plans to fruition, while the zany humor will leave them in stitches. 

This installment in the series can work as a fun stand-alone read, but the exciting text, madcap humor, and dynamic illustrations make the whole series an especially good pick for reluctant readers in the 3rd and 4th grades. 

THE FANCIEST CAR IN THE UNIVERSE

LOWRIDERS IN SPACE by Cathy Camper is a unique graphic novel because the illustrator Raul the Third did all the art work with three colors of ball point pen! He does a fantastic job of helping to tell the story of Lupe Impala, a female mechanic, El Chavo Flapjack, a car detailing octopus, and Elirio Malario, a Zoot Suit wearing mosquito who does amazing car paint jobs! Why do they do all of this? Because they love cars. All they need to do now is win the Universal Car Competition so they can open their very own garage instead of working for "el jefe". Their lowrider turns out being out of this world! Many car lovers and those that appreciate great drawing will be drawn to this book, but it's especially good for 4th - 8th grades.

SECRET AGENT

Darren Dirkowitz, an adventurous and spy-obsessed fifth grader, lives a double life as Dirk Daring Secret Agent. His opportunity to take on a real mission comes when his stepbrother gets a hold of his top-secret spy journal. For fear of it getting leaked to the students of Preston Middle School, Darren and his best friend “T-bone” set out to complete some spy work at the school for his evil brother. However, an unexpected turn of events occurs as Darren gets further into his mission. 


Read to find out what happens when friendships are tested and secrets are revealed in this amusing narrative filled with appealing illustrations.  Dirk Daring, Secret Agent by Helaine Becker is a perfect read for students who enjoy spy adventures. This book is for grades 4-6. 

REFORMED FAIRY TALE VILLAINS?

OUR MISSION:  TO TURN WICKED DELINQUENTS AND FORMER VILLAINS INTO FUTURE HEROES.  

Can "baddies" really be reformed?
All is not as it seems at Fairy Tale Reform School just outside of Enchantasia where the teachers are former fairy tale villains and the new student, Gillian, knows something strange is happening.
Flunked is new a fast-paced fantasy adventure for 4th-6th grader readers by Jen Calonita.  

TWO GIRLS AND THE MYSTERY OF THE PREGNANT DOG

In The Disappearance at Hangman's Bluff, J.E. Thompson writes another suspenseful mystery set on the Reward Planation in South Carolina. Abbey and Bee are back and this time they can't figure out why someone would steal Yemassee, their neighbor, the judge's pregnant dog.  While searching for Yemassee they encounter the mean girl from school and her family, who blames Abbey's dad, who had just come out of a long coma, for their recent misfortunes and vows revenge. 


Set against the backdrop of a summer storm, this complex mystery adventure weaves in the history of slavery, black and white relationships and human compassion. Check out the other book as well, The Girl From Felony Bay.  
For readers in 6th - 8th grades.