THE IMAGINARY PRAGUE

THE CABINET OF WONDERS by Marie Rutkoski begins a new series called The Kronos Chronicles. Set in Prague in an undetermined point in time, Petra lives with her father who has the amazing ability to move and shape metal just by thinking! Unfortunately, when her father's eyes are removed after he builds an astronomical clock of magical proportion for the local prince, Petra sets out to retrieve them. She experiences some great adventures along the way, and learns quite a bit about who she is and her own special powers. Hopefully the rest of the series will be as entertaining and enjoyable as this book. For 6th grade and up.

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.

ONE GIRL'S EUROPEAN VACATION

Four Things My Geeky-Jock-of-a-Best-Friend Must Do in Europe
by Jane Harrington

My mother is really looking forward to this European vacation. She says it will be a perfect bonding experience for us. My best friend Delia thinks I need to experience life. So…. She wrote a list all over my hand and up my wrist in PERMANENT MARKER so that EVERYONE can read it.

1. Write real letters to your best friend every day, describing thrilling adventures (uh...um...)
2. Wear the bikini… (under my T-shirt)
3. In Public (does inside my ship cabin count?)
4. Meet a code-red Euro-hottie ((me?!?!)

Nothing exciting ever happens to me.

A story for middle schoolers who love to read other people’s journals and travel.