Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms

Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms
by Lissa Evans

When Stuart Horten's mother is offered a new job, his parents decide to move to the small town where his father group up.    Stuart is not happy about leaving his home and all of his friends.   Soon after his arrival, however, Stuart learns of a family mystery.  His great-uncle Tony, a magician, mysteriously disappeared many years earlier.    Hidden somewhere is his uncle's secret workshop, where he created magical tools.   Stuart finds himself caught up in a quest to find his uncle's secret workshop and solve the mystery of his disappearance. 

This was a fun read with a combination of mystery, adventure, and magic!   I loved the characters and the many fun gadgets that Stuart encountered throughout the story.    This book definitely sparked my interest in the "miraculous mechanisms" described in the book.   I'm excited to read the next book in the series!

Author video: 

Hiding Out at the Pancake Palace

Hiding Out at the Pancake Palace 
by Nan Marino

Elvis Ruby needs a place to hide. After a disastrous performance, the famous eleven-year-old just wants to get away from the cameras and fans that are always following him.  The Pancake Palace, a tiny restaurant in a tiny town, seems the perfect place for Elvis to go.  At first his disguise seems to fool everyone, except Cecelia, who recognizes Elvis almost immediately.  She promises to keep his identity a secret, but also needs his help in an important task.    Will he be able to help Cecelia without anyone else finding out who he really is?

This is a fun book that will be a nice choice for fans of realistic fiction.   The story is full of many fun, likeable characters, particularly the main characters Cecelia and Elvis.  

Author's website:   http://www.nanmarino.com/

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library
by Chris Grabenstein

Twelve sixth-graders are faced with an unusual challenge: find a way to escape from the brand new public library designed by game-maker Luigi Lemoncello.   After a dozen years without a public library, their town is celebrating the impending opening of the new, unique library.

Kyle is one of the twelve sixth-graders who win an essay contest to be part of a group of students who get to spend a night in the library before it is open to the public.   Not only does this innovative new library contain books, it also is home to an IMAX theater, a game room, and other amazing things!  

Just when everything couldn't get any more exciting, the twelve are offered another contest:  be the first to escape from Mr. Lemoncello's library!   In order to find a way out, Kyle and the others must use book-related clues to find an alternate exit to the library.   Will Kyle accept the challenge and be the first to escape from Mr. Lemoncello's library?

As a librarian, I loved this book!   There were many connections to well-known books as well as other library-related trivia, such as the Dewey Decimal system.    As I read this book, I was easily able to envision this extraordinary, innovative library that the kids were exploring.   It is a fun book that has many similarities to stories such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  

Author's website:  http://chrisgrabenstein.com/kids/

Creepy Carrots

Creepy Carrots
by Aaron Reynolds
illustrated by Peter Brown

Jasper Rabbit loves carrots.  He loves them so much that he always finds time to stop by the carrot patch for a snack.    His ravenous appetite for carrots is tested, however, when he suddenly realizes that creepy carrots are following him!   Although he sees the creepy carrots everywhere he goes,  no one else seems to be able to see them.   Will Jasper find a way to escape the creepy carrots?

This Caldecott Honor Book is a hilarious story full of great illustrations.    I've read it aloud to many classes and most of my students love it!



Author's website: http://www.aaron-reynolds.com/

Illustrator's website:  http://www.peterbrownstudio.com/books/#.Un5o442RE7A

Creepy Carrots Zone:  

Capture the Flag

Capture the Flag
by Kate Messner

When a historical flag is stolen, three children who have never met suddenly find themselves working together to solve the mystery!  Anna, Jose, and Henry are strangers who come together at a Washington D.C. airport after their flight is cancelled.   Not only do they each have a connection to the flag, they soon learn that they have something else in common.   Suspecting that the stolen flag (and its thief) is somewhere in the airport, they rush to find the flag and the culprit.   Will they find the flag before their time runs out?

This is a great mystery and the first in a series!  Fans of mysteries will enjoy reading this story.   I'm looking forward to reading more in the Silver Jaguar Society series.

Author's website:  http://www.katemessner.com/