INTERGALACTIC CLONES?

THE TWINNING PROJECT by Robert Lipsyte has a little bit of something for every Tween. There's bullies getting beat up, football and band practice, families that don't get along, meddling teachers. Tom and Eddie are twins, living on different Earths, 50 years apart. Sound confusing? On Earth 1, Tom spends his time moving from school to school after he avenges the many underdogs being picked on by school bullies. Tom just hasn't been very happy since his Dad allegedly died, and he is surprised to hear his intergalactic twin is having the same kinds of feelings. Eddie isn't quite the rebellious type, though. He is more of a goodie two-shoes, even if it means it goes against his own beliefs to follow authority. 

If you can get past the chapters switching back and forth between characters, you are really going to enjoy this mysterious science fiction story! 

For grades 6 and up.

July 2014 

A LOOK AT THE FUTURE

For the past three years, Elissa's life had changed drastically. At one time, she had been a popular and spoiled teenager living the perfect life but now she was a sick one. Unexplainable bruises, disturbing visions and pounding headaches kept her apart from the rest of the kids in school. Doctors and medical tests had not solved the problem either until finally she was scheduled to have an operation on her brain to burn out the problem. However, before that could happen, Elissa follows one of her visions and discovers a girl who turns out to be her twin. Because of this meeting, a government secret is revealed forcing the two girls to have to flee for their lives and take off across the galaxy in an exciting and suspenseful science fiction tale in Imogen Howson's Linked. 

For grades 5-8.

CHRONICLES OF AVANTIA ADVENTURE

A special mask possesses the power to control the Beasts of Avantia.  But when danger nears, the mask is purposefully broken up and hidden in different places so that the evil warlord does not gain possession of them.  It is now up to two heroic young people and others to retrieve each piece.  Unfortunately, the sibling of one of the two heroes turns towards evil which makes this novel adventurous and full of surprises.

ADAM BLADE delivers a thrilling fantasy story for boys and girls to enjoy. Check out CHASING EVIL, book two in the CHRONICLES OF AVANTIA.  For 4th grade and up.

NEW BOYS JOIN THE DETECTIVE GAME

Twins Cody and Otis are traveling to a Caribbean island to help their aunt with her new inn.  Being totally into detective and mystery stories, they jump into helping her with mysterious ghost and troubles with all four feet. Each chapter has the boys dealing with red herring and a long list of suspects.  Perfect for those who enjoy an easy read.  

Double Detectives:  The Secret of Skull Island by Zack Norris is a new mystery series for those who would enjoy a duo of detectives hashing it out in different locations in each book much like the Hardy Boys of yesteryears.  This series is available in hardback and uncatalogued paperback.  A very innocent and wholesome style of mystery detective fiction for children in 4th through 6th grades. 

WHERE'S THE BOOV??

Adam Rex writes about the weirdest, most unbelievable things. But his books are funny. And interesting and entertaining. In fact, it will be hard for you to put down one of his books without finishing it first.

His latest book for kids, COLD CEREAL, is about a young boy named Scottish Play Doe. Yes, his middle name and last name form a common toy for toddlers involving a clay-like substance. So, he prefers to go by the name Scott and just not tell anyone the part about his middle name. He moves to a city where the main source of income is a cereal factory. But it's not just any cereal factory. Strange and mystical creatures reside inside and appeal to Scott to save him from the treachery within!

While this is in no way similar to his first children's book, The True Meaning of Smek Day, it will appeal to anyone who loved that book as much as me. For 5th grade and up.

ALIEN BUNNIES FROM MALLOW

What would you do if evil, sugar-addicted seven-foot-tall rabbits from another galaxy invaded your summer camp?

a) SCREAM.

b) Hide your candy.

c) Say, "there's no such thing as evil,sugar-addicted seven-foot-tall rabbits from another galaxy."

Attack of the Fluffy Bunnies by Andrea Beaty is super silly! Rabbits from another planet are looking to take over the human population, but first they must prepare by stuffing themselves with sugary treats, like marsmallow. They land near a summer camp and soon they take over the bodies of the camp counselors. The only ones who can save the earth from these fluffy alien horrors are twins, Joules and Kevin.

A true story for 5th - 8th grade readers. Really. Well, it could happen.

DOG WALKER EXTRAORDINAIRE

Since Maggie's twin brother is allergic to dogs, it seemed like a perfect plan when her parents suggested she help out her landlord by walking her dog after she hurt her ankle. One thing led to another and instead of walking just one dog for fun she now walks three dogs and has her own bustling small business and all the troubles that come with a business; jealous competition, more business than she could handle, and mysterious dog disappearances. On top of all this, she must keep it a secret from her parents, help out her ex-best friend and keep her blooming crush on "Milo" under wraps.

Girl's Best Friend: A Maggie Brooklyn Mystery by Leslie Margolis is a fabulous new mystery series for girls who are seriously into dogs. For readers in 5th-8th grade.

MY BROTHER CHARLIE

This book does a very good job describing an autistic child, showing that though they may be very quiet at times or sit and play by themselves, they are not different than other children. They have things they love to do and want to play and have fun. The book shows the sense of family togetherness and the many ways to say I love you without always using words.

My Brother Charlie will be greatly enjoyed by families with an autistic sibling and should be shared in elementary classrooms to discuss among the students. Beautiful facial expressions expressing various emotions. Ages 4-8. Written by Holly Robinson Peete and Ryan Elizabeth Peete, illustrated by Shane W. Evans.

LOIS LOWRY STRIKES AGAIN!

I am beginning to think that Lois Lowry can write about anything. Author of award winning books like Number the Stars and The Giver, not to mention the Anastasia Krupnik series among other greats, she's managed to pen a fabulous story for the "dark comedy" genre that will remind you of Roald Dahl and Lemony Snicket! THE WILLOUGHBYS is an atypical story about a miserable family with misearble parents who decide they don't like their kids anymore, hire a nanny and leave town. The oldest boy is the bossiest kid you'll ever meet, the twins have the exact same name but alternate days they can wear the one sweater they own, and the only girl is really the smartest but is too shy to say anything. Down the street lives a miserable candy bar inventor who lost his family. But the two families intertwine in very strange ways, and make for a delightful tale. For grades 4 and up.

THE MAGIC HALF OF YOURSELF?

Imagine if there was another you, living in a different time period with a different family, in the same house! That's what happens to Miri when her family moves to a new house in the country - well almost. Miri finds the lens from a pair of eyeglasses taped to the wall in her bedroom, and when she looks through the lens, she ends up in the past! From the author of the "Ivy & Bean" series, THE MAGIC HALF by Annie Barrows is a delightful quick read that's just great for readers just starting out with longer chapter books. For grades 4 and up.

THINK ALIKE?

There are times that many of us have wondered what it would be like to have a twin, someone who not only looked just like us but thought like us as well. In THE MIDNIGHT TWINS by Jacquelyn Mitchard this was the case for twelve-year-old twins Meredith and Mallory. They had always been so close that they shared thoughts. That was about to change as their thirteenth birthday party suddenly goes awry and the two are hurt in the fire that ruins the party. While recovering in the hospital they each discover a new gift; Meredith can see way into the past and Mallory can see into the future. What they don't know is if these are gifts or curses.

For grades 5-8.

NEVER MIND, JUST READ IT!

Meg and Edward are twins that don't get along at all. They are in constant fighting mood and one is terribly embarrassed of the other. Meg is smart, funny and full of wit whereas Edward is an underachiever who has no problem for being just that. Meg does not want anyone at school to know that they are in anyway related to one another. However, unexpectedly Meg gets tricked by her brother in believing that he is a rock singer who is going to be at her party. Knowing all her sister’s concerns Edward begins to think of all the different pranks that he can pull on her sister. This is a really fun story to read about sibling rivalry and it is written in an alternating narratives so you will be able to literally read about each side.

Mind this book and read it. NEVER MIND! by AVI and RACHEL VAIL.

For grades fifth and up.