STEAMPUNK FUN

Sophronia is 14 years old, tomboy and middle child of a family of girls who is suddenly told that she will be going to a finishing school, but this isn't any ordinary finishing school.  Unbeknownst to her, Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality has vampires, werewolves, and flying airships.  There she learns to fend off all types of foes and becomes embroiled in adventures unlike any she has known before.

Etiquette and Espionage:  Finishing School Book the First by Gail Carriger is a fun steampunk action adventure story.   

For readers in 6th -9th grade

A FUTURE QUEEN IN A QUANDRY

Dear Liza has arrived in London to make her society debut. But when her parents die in a tragic accident, she is left penniless and must find work to stay alive. Luckily, she is hired on as the hand maiden of Princess Victoria, who is one day to be queen. It is up to Liza to keep the best interests of Victoria at the forefront of the petulant princess's life, thwarting the over-protectiveness of Victoria's mother and deterring the unwanted advances of Sir John. It isn't long until Liza is being courted by her own beau, and a delightful romance is weaved into this exciting Victorian era novel. PRISONERS IN THE PALACE: HOW VICTORIA BECAME QUEEN WITH THE HELP OF HER MAID, A REPORTER, AND A SCOUNDREL (A NOVEL OF INTRIGUE AND ROMANCE) is written by Michaela MacColl and is a very enjoyable book for readers in middle school and older.

THE BOY SHERLOCK HOLMES IS BACK!

The third adventure of the dark and brooding young Sherlock Holmes is here. Out to prove to everyone that he's brilliant and they're not, he sets off by any means possible to find a kidnapped nobleman's daughter before she is killed. It's been weeks and her father will not give in to the blackmailers but Sherlock believes if he can solve this case and bring her back alive, no one can deny that he is the best detective in England, better than Scotland Yard.

Another great installment in the series for readers 6th and older. Vanishing Girl by Shane Peacock.

CASE OF THE CRYPTIC CRYNOLINE

Enola meets Florence Nightingale, a woman of definite independence and progressive ideals, when her landlady asks Enola for help after getting threatening messages. Enola, this time crosses paths with her older and famous brother, Sherlock, as both work on the same case but from different angles. Determined to help her landlady Enola discovers that maybe Florence Nightingale was not just a nurse during the Crimea War, but perhaps also a SPY!

Another super suspenseful adventure in which Enola Holmes tries to outwit her brother and villanous lords. The Case of the Cryptic Crynoline by Nancy Springer is for 6th - 8th graders.

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.

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.

IF CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF SHERLOCK HOLMES...

... YOU MIGHT WANT TO TRY THESE BOOKS


The Eye of the Crow: the Boy Sherlock Holmes by Shane Peacock. A complex story of how poverty and his parents shape the young boy into the tormented man and famous detective, Sherlock Holmes. For mature 6th and up.

Death in the Air - 2nd in the series




The Fall of the Amazing Zalindas: Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars by Tracy Mack
The boys who work on the street follow clues to help Sherlock Holmes figure out what happened to a group of tightrope walkers. For 4th - 8th grade readers.

The Mystery of the Yellow Hands by Jake and Luke Thoene
The Irregulars help Sherlock solve mysteries throughout London. For 6th - 8th grade readers.

The Jewel of Persia, Thundering Underground -series

The Raven League: Sherlock Holmes is Missing by Alex Simmons
Sherlock Holmes is missing and the Irregulars who normally assist him must now become detectives themselves and find Sherlock before he is killed. For 4th - 8th grade readers.
The Raven League: Buffallo Bill Wanted- series

The Case of the Missing Marquess: An Enola Holmes Mystery by Nancy Springer.
Sherlock and Mycroft have a younger sister! Enola is a product of her mother; strong-willed, spirited and unwilling to conform to her brothers' Victorian ideas of what a girl can or can't do. She escapes and hides from her brothers in London while working as a detective in various disguises. For 6th - 8th grade readers.
The Case of the Left-Handed Lady, The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets -series

Down the Rabbit Hole: An Echo Falls Mystery by Peter Abrahams
Seventh grader, Ingrid must use her skills, like her idol, Sherlock Holmes, to find out who killed a woman in her small town while trying not to be a suspect herself. For 6th - 8th grade readers.

Behind the Curtain: An Echo Falls Mystery, Into the Dark: An Echo Falls Mystery - series

THE DEADLY MEANING OF FLOWERS

The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets: An Enola Holmes Mystery by Nancy Springer. In this third twisted tale of mystery for 6th - 8th grade readers, Dr. Watson has been kidnapped and committed to an insane asylum under another's name. Enola is on a parallel hunt with her older brother Sherlock to find Dr. Watson before the anonymous bouquet sender kills him. Enola must use all her skills to pull their beloved Dr. Watson from danger.