WHERE HAVE ALL THE SHADOWS GONE?

The boy that Smoot, our titular fun-loving shadow, is attached to sadly leads a pretty humdrum existence--always sitting still, coloring within the lines, and never daring to do anything fun or extraordinary. Sigh. One day, when he just can't take the boredom anymore, the intrepid shadow decides to strike off on his own to have some real adventures--jumping rope in the park, climbing trees, riding the merry-go-round, and just going wild to his heart's content.  And unlike in Peter Pan, Smoot is not about to be captured and sewed back together with his person. But when the other shadows see what Smoot has done and all the fun he's having, they stage a rebellion of their own. From dandelions to dragonflies, other shadows start to run amok, creating confusion aplenty. But once all the shadows have their fun will they ever want to come back?

Smoot: A Rebellious Shadow, imaginatively written by Michelle Cuevas and brilliantly illustrated by Sydney Smith, is an inventive and jubilant picture book about a shadow gone AWOL and living life to its fullest, perfect for sharing with kindergartners through second graders. 

INVISIBLE SHADOWS

After his father’s sudden disappearance, 12 year old Cully takes a job at Batty’s Antique Shop to help with the family finances.  Little does he know that old man Batty is interested in more than antiques.  He collects (really, though, steals) people’s shadows, which seems weird at first, but even weirder when Cully sees how people react once their shadows are in the hands of Mr. Batty.  With the help of friends, Cully uses unique spy tactics to solve the mystery of where his father went and what Mr. Batty does with those shadows once they no longer have an owner.

A cross between mystery, fantasy, and spy novels, The Shadow Collector’s Apprentice by Amy Gordon will appeal to readers in 4^th – 7^th grades.