STAR SPANGLED ADVENTURE

In Capture the Flag, the flag is the historic “Star Spangled Banner” flag, and it is captured from the modern Smithsonian after a re-dedication ceremony by person or persons unknown.  Seventh graders Anna, Henry, and Jose were at the ceremony last night, because each of their parents was involved in the event.  They really didn’t meet until this morning, trapped at the airport by a record breaking blizzard and fighting over electrical outlets to save batteries on their various devices.  They hear the breaking news that the flag is missing, and a little later hear that Jose’s mother is a prime suspect. 

The rest of the story takes place in the airport, during the blizzard. Budding journalist Anna; game freak Henry; and Harry Potter fanatic Jose pool their talents and differences to discover clues that suggest the thief/thieves may be trapped in the airport, too.  Along the way to solving the crime and freeing Jose’s mom, the trio is harassed by a presidential candidate, spied on by a suspicious serpent-tattooed food manager, chased at knife-point through the baggage area, and corralled by airport security.  

In true National Treasure tradition, there is humor, danger, and a secret society or two to keep the plot twisting and the pages turning.  It isn’t until the planes are ready to roll that author Kate Messner finally lets her junior detectives re-capture the flag. Young readers, their parents and maybe even a film producer or two will like this book.

For readers in 4-7grades. 

ZOMBIES ARE A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN WE THOUGHT

There's actually three levels of zombies, at least according to DEAD CITY  by James Ponti. You won't necessarily be able to tell if a zombie is a Level 1 because they look and act exactly like living humans, just with a lot more make up.  Level 2s try to be like Level 1s, but they have no soul and can't tell right from wrong.  Level 3s are pretty much like the zombies you're already familiar with - mindless, brain-eating blobs.  Of course, there's a team of kids out to save the city from the zombies.  They're called the Omegas, and are a highly secret organization, and it turns out that Molly, the newest member, is the greatest Omega since...well, since the death of someone very important to Molly. 

For grades 5 and up.

MARCH 2013

A BOY + A DOG = ADVENTURE

Mystery, adventure, betrayal and riches are all here in one action-packed book. At the death of his uncle, Homer inherits his dog. He seems like any other ordinary dog except that he holds the clue to this madcap adventure.

Smells Like Dog by Suzanne Selfors is a over the top goofy adventure for readers in 6th- 8th.

WHAT DO YOU KEEP SECRET?

Nyssa has just been roused from her home in the dark of night, only to find out she is one of the last members of a secret tribe. She must unravel the mystery of her life, one dangerous journey at a time. She leaves her home to escape an evil band of "Shadow Keepers", seeing visions of her past last. It's not easy deciphering what it all means, but Nyssa, her uncle and an old friend traipse across many islands to save themselves and a lost culture which turns out to not be so lost after all... THE KEEPER'S TATTOO by Gill Arbuthnott is a pretty thick read, and would be best for advanced readers in 6th grade and up.

SUPER COOL SOCIALLY MISFIT SPIES!

Braces. That's how Jackson, a once popular kid turns into one that the popular kids pick on. He loses his identity & cool standing but this gives him the opportunity to observe his classmates, discovering that the nerds are really spies operating right from inside the school! When Jackson himself accidentally becomes a spy and is reluctantly inducted into N.E.R.D.S. he realizes that all their supposed nerdish qualities have been retooled to become their greatest weapons and that includes his wicked new braces.

N.E.R.D.S: National Espionage, Defense and Rescue Society by Michael Buckley is very funny spy book with all the great gadgets and action of Alex Ryder and the humor of The Sisters Grimm. For readers in 5th -8th grade.

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.

NO GIRLS ALLOWED!

Sophomore, Frankie Landau-Banks doesn't want to be Bunny Rabbit anymore. She wants to be more like her popular sister, noticed and and a part of something cool. She wants to belong to her new boyfriend's cool crowd. Through chance Frankie discovers that he and his friends haved been "tapped" to join a secret male society at their boarding school just as her father had been many years ago. She wants to join desperately but realizes she would never be included because she is female.

Feeling challenged and desperate to belong, she sets on an ambitious path to prove herself. She masterminds school pranks, manipulates the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds members through a convoluted series of emails and false identities. Everyone at school enjoys the fun and Frankie is thrilled by the comments until one member is caught and everything unravels. When she unmasks herself as the secret leader of the pranks, her schoolmates, family and boyfriend have differing reactions and are thrown by this other side of Frankie.

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart is about one girl's attempt to make sense of her world; love, her identity, her ambition, social acceptance and the ultimate power and role of men and women. A great novel for mature readers 6th and older.