-
The Golden Compass
British author Philip Pullman takes readers to a world where humans have animal familiars and where parallel universes are within reach.
The Golden Compass is the story of Lyra, an ordinary girl with an extraordinary role to play in the fates of multiple worlds, in an entirely fresh way.
It is the story of Lyra’s journey to the far north, her rescue of the kidnapped children at Bolvangar, her escape via hot-air balloon, and her crucial role in Lord Asriel’s ambitions to build a bridge to another world.
Lyra is rushing to the cold, far North, where witch clans and armored bears rule. North, where the Gobblers take the children they steal – including her friend Roger. North, where her fearsome uncle Asriel is trying to build a bridge to a parallel world.
Can one small girl make a difference in such great and terrible endeavors? This is Lyra: a savage, a schemer, a liar, and as fierce and true a champion as Roger or Asriel could want.
But what Lyra doesn’t know is that to help one of them will be to betray the other….
A masterwork of storytelling and suspense, Philip Pullman’s award-winning The Golden Compass is the first in the His Dark Materials series, which continues with The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass.
It’s for readers 10 and up.
-
Explorer Academy: The Falcon’s Feather
In Book 2 of this great series it’s an adventure of a lifetime when Cruz Coronado sets sail aboard the Explorer Academy ship to continue his studies at sea. But, things take a turn while exploring the icy north, when he embarks on a dangerous mission to uncover the first piece of an important puzzle his mother left behind.
In the exciting follow-up to The Nebula Secret in the 7-book Explorer Academy series, Cruz, Sailor, and Emmett, along with their new ally Bryndis, embark on their first globe-trotting mission aboard the ship Orion. Cruz jumps right back into school and starts using the latest technology in submersible underwater dives, but is soon reminded of the dangers of exploration when his equipment fails and he almost drowns. Determined to keep his eyes on the prize, Cruz sneaks away to try to find answers, but unknowingly lures his friends into bigger trouble. When a friend of Cruz’s mom meets an untimely end, Cruz’s luck really seems about to run out and the questions multiply. What does the message mean? Where will it lead? Who is following him? And why?
A great read for explorers 8-12.
-
Unplugged
From New York Times bestselling author Gordon Korman comes a hilarious middle grade novel about a group of kids forced to “unplug” at a wellness camp—where they instead find intrigue, adventure, and a whole lot of chaos. Perfect for fans of Korman’s The Unteachables and Masterminds series, as well as Carl Hiaasen’s eco mysteries.
As the son of the world’s most famous tech billionaire, spoiled Jett Baranov has always gotten what he wanted. So when his father’s private jet drops him in the middle of a place called the Oasis, Jett can’t believe it. He’s forced to hand over his cell phone, eat grainy veggie patties, and participate in wholesome activities with the other kids whom he has absolutely no interest in hanging out with.
As the weeks go on, Jett starts to get used to the unplugged life and even bonds with the other kids over their discovery of a baby-lizard-turned-pet, Needles. But he can’t help noticing that the adults at the Oasis are acting really strange. Could it be all those suspicious “meditation” sessions?
Jett is determined to get to the bottom of things, but can he convince the other kids that he is no longer just a spoiled brat making trouble?
For readers 8 – 12.
-
The Eyes of Pharaoh
1177 BC: During the reign of Pharaoh Ramses the Third, Seshta, a 13-year-old dancer in the Temple of Hathor, dreams of becoming a famous entertainer. Horus, the brother of her heart, is content as a toymaker’s apprentice. Reya, at 16, has joined Egypt’s army with hopes of becoming a hero. When Reya hints that Egypt is in danger from foreign nomads, Seshta and Horus don’t take him seriously. How could anyone challenge Egypt?
Then Reya disappears. Seshta and Horus set out to find him—and discover a darker plot than they ever imagined. To save their friend, Seshta and Horus spy on merchants, soldiers, and royalty, and start to suspect even The Eyes of Pharaoh, the powerful head of the secret police. Will Seshta and Horus escape the traps set for them, rescue Reya, and stop the plot against Egypt in time?
Set in ancient Egypt, the ideas in this book resonate today, while the power of friendship will touch hearts both young and old. Suitable for ages 9 and up.
Chris Eboch is the author of over 60 books for children, including nonfiction and fiction, early reader through teen. Her novels for ages nine and up include The Eyes of Pharaoh, a mystery in ancient Egypt; The Well of Sacrifice, a Mayan adventure; The Genie’s Gift, a Middle Eastern fantasy; and the Haunted series, about kids who travel with a ghost hunter TV show, which starts with The Ghost on the Stairs.
-
Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret
In Book 1 of the Explorer Academy series Cruz Coronado leaves his tranquil home in Kauai, Hawaii to join 23 talented kids from around the globe to train at the Explorer Academy with the world’s leading scientists to become the next generation of great explorers. But for Cruz, there’s more at stake. No sooner has he arrived at the Academy than he discovers that his family has a mysterious past with the organization that could jeopardize his future. In the midst of code breaking and cool classes, new friends and augmented reality expeditions, Cruz must tackle the biggest question of all: Who is out to get him, and why?
Readers 8-12 can get in on the excitement with puzzles and codes embedded throughout the book.
-
Samantha Spinner and the Super-Secret Plans
Here’s another great book for readers 8-12. The author is Russell Ginns.
For Samantha Spinner it just isn’t fair. Her uncle Paul disappeared, and here’s what he left:
Samantha’s sister Buffy got a check for $2,400,000,000.
Samantha’s brother Nipper got the New York Yankees.
And Samantha got a rusty red umbrella with a tag hanging off its worn handle. The tag says “Watch out for the RAIN.”
Thanks a lot, Uncle Paul.
But really, after all the strawberry waffles, stories, and puzzles they’ve shared, how could Uncle Paul just leave without saying goodbye? And what is the meaning of that mysterious message?
The answer is simple: Sam knows in her heart that Uncle Paul is in danger. And if he taught her anything, it’s that not everything is exactly what it seems. Which is why we should pay close attention to that rusty red umbrella, and never trust a monkey at a hula-hoop contest.
The RAIN is coming, and Samantha Spinner is about to find herself mixed up in some super-important, super-dangerous, super-secret plans.
And if she’s brave enough and smart enough, she just might find Uncle Paul.
-
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
Young Minli lives in the Valley of Fruitless Mountain, where she and her parents spend their days working hard in the fields. At night, Minli listens to her father’s tales about the Old Man of the Moon, who knows the answer to everything.
Minli sets out on a quest to find the Old Man of the Moon – he will know how she can bring good fortune to her family. Along the way, she meets many magical friends including a talking fish, a powerful king, and a dragon who can’t fly.
Written by Newberry Honor award-winning author Grace Lin this timeless story has stunning illustrations that really add to the wonder of this great adventure story. Grace Lin is also the author of the beloved The Year of the Dog and The Year of the Rat.
For all you Science Fiction and Fantasy fans this is a great book for you. And for those of you who think you don’t like Science Fiction or Fantasy, give it a try because Minli is a heroine that you would want to be best friends with. And besides that, who doesn’t love a dragon that can’t fly or fish that can talk?
-
Buried Treasure and Best Friends
I had a best friend growing up named Dee Adams. We had many adventures together including building a fort in her backyard and trying to create a new language of our own.
One adventure that I still remember so clearly was borrowing and gathering as many shiny valuables as we could from our moms’ and sisters’ old junk jewelry, decorating a shoe box, and burying it in the far end of my backyard. We made a careful map with a big X to mark where it was buried, then tried as hard as we could to forget about it.
That only lasted a few days. We talked about it nonstop, though for all those days, wondering if someone had found it, whether maybe (we hoped) the fake jewelry had turned into real gold and gems. When we couldn’t wait any longer, on the tenth day we pretended we didn’t know where it was and followed our careful map, counting out steps and carrying Dee’s dad’s shovel.
When we dug the box back up, I was more excited than I thought I would be. We had gathered and made the box and buried it and drew the map ourselves, so there shouldn’t have been any surprise.
But the planning and waiting and re-discovery was so very exciting. It was like re-reading a book I loved. I knew how it would turn out, but the pleasure of going on that journey again was just as delicious.
Maybe you and your best friend or friends could bury your own treasure. Ask your parents for any shiny objects you might borrow. Look in your family junk drawer (I have never been in a house that didn’t have one of these). Gather some coins and small toys and little treasures you have in your room.
Find a small box and decorate it with lots of colors and shapes. If you have some stickers, this would be a great place to use them. Load up your treasure box and secure the top carefully.
Plan with your friends where a good place to bury it might be. If you don’t have a yard, consider a closet that seldom gets used and bury it way in the back under old sleeping bags or shoes.
Don’t forget to make a map. Draw as many details as you can so your return trip to dig up your treasure will last as long as possible. Include important items like the ceramic frog in your garden, or the big rock at the bottom of the hill, or the poster on the wall with a dragon. Count out the number of steps it takes to go from one place to the next. Put a big “X” to mark the spot where you buried your treasure. Wait as long as you can.
Then, pretend you are pirates returning for your booty. Or treasure hunters on an adventure of a lifetime. Or maybe even a writer, looking for clues for your mystery novel.
I hope you find treasure everywhere in your life, especially in books and in best friends.
“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.” Walt Disney
-
Sally Lockhart Mystery
“Beware The Seven Blessing. . . .”
When she first utters these words, sixteen-year-old Sally Lockhart doesn’t know their meaning. But when an employee of her late father hears them, he dies of fear. Thus begins Sally’s terrifying journey into the seamy underworld of Victorian London, in search of clue that will solve the puzzle of her father’s death. Pursued by villains and cut-throats at every turn, she at last uncovers two dark mysteries. One involves the opium trade; the other, a stolen ruby of enormous value. Sally soon learns that she is the key to both — and that it’s worth her very life to find out why.
This is a great book for kids of all ages from the award-winning Philip Pullman better known for His Dark Materials trilogy. There are four books in this series: The Ruby in the Smoke, The Shadow in the North, The Tiger in the Well, and The Tin Princess. Try them — you’re going to really like them.
-
Simone LaFray Book Review
Simone LaFray and the Chocolatiers’ Ball
Steve O’Farrell, author
Simone LaFray had never questioned one thing – the character of her father. A fourth generation chocolatier and owner of a world famous patisserie, in her eyes he could do no wrong. However, her eyes were trained to see everything that was wrong. A covert agent with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this extraordinary 12-year-old was living a double life, walking in the veiled footprints of her mother, icing eclairs, dusting pastries, and darting between the shadows. What could be sweeter? When a notorious thief returns to Paris seeking revenge against her mother, a series of unforeseen and potentially devastating events ensue, leaving Simone to question everything. Her father can’t be the man they say he is, can he? Her concealed life is evaporating, the store hangs in the balance . . . and did I mention she needs a ball gown? Life in a French patisserie may not be as sweet as you thought. Simone LaFray and the Chocolatier’s Ball pulls the invisible girl out of the shadows and into the spotlight. Is she ready?
