The Iron Trial

The Iron Trial 
by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

Callum Hunt did not want to get into the Magesterium.   When he performed terribly in his entrance exams, he and his father were certain that they had succeeded in keeping Callum away from the magic school.  Unfortunately, to the surprise of everyone, Callum was chosen to attend the Magesterium and, despite his father's protests, is forced to attend the prestigious magic school.

Warned about magic his entire life by his father, who had also attended the Magesterium, Callum became determined to do whatever he could to fail while attending the school.   However, as he progressed in his studies, he realized he wanted to be there.   Unfortunately, dangerous situations could prevent him from making it through his Iron Year.  Will he survive his first year at the Magesterium?

I recently finished this book with one of my book groups at George E. Jack and we all loved it!  We agreed that this book about a magic school has many similarities to the Harry Potter series and highly recommend it to fans of Harry Potter!   It is full of magic, action, and battles between good and evil.   Our book group is looking forward to reading the next book in this exciting series!

Book website: http://irontrial.scholastic.com/

Book trailer: 

The Whisper

The Whisper
by Pamela Zagarenski

Does a book need words on its pages to tell a story?  One little girl thinks so and, when she borrows a special book from her teacher, she is dismayed to find that the beautiful pictures have no words to go with them!   A whisper, however, reminds her that the words for the pictures can come from inside her imagination and soon the little girl becomes a storyteller, imagining the right words for each picture inside the magical book.

This beautiful story, with outstanding illustrations, reminds us that within all of us is the ability to be a great storyteller if we just look deep within ourselves and use our imaginations! 

Author's website: http://www.pzagarenski.com/Home.html

Saving Lucas Biggs

Saving Lucas Biggs
by Marisa de los Santos & David Teague 

When Margaret's father is sentenced for a crime she doesn't believe he committed, she is forced to go against a longtime family promise to try to save her father's life.    Despite her father's warnings, Margaret realizes that she must use her family's ability to time travel to go into the past in order to keep Judge Biggs, who sentenced her father, from becoming the cruel man he grew up to be.  Will Margaret be able to change the past and save not only her father, but also Lucas Biggs?

Alternating between 1938 and 2014, Saving Lucas Biggs is a wonderful story of family, friendship, and justice.   While time travel is an important detail in this story, I find the book more of a historical fiction, asmuch of the story takes place in 1938.    I recently finished this book with a 5th grade reading group and it was a hit with them!    

The Night Gardener

The Night Gardener
by Jonathan Auxier

Everyone they meet caution Molly and Kip not to go to the Windsor house but,  knowing that this may be their only hope for work, the young siblings go anyway despite the warnings.   As they arrive at the home deep in the woods, they find the neglected house has been almost entirely taken over by a large, creepy tree that grows through it.    As she meets the Windsor family, including the unpleasant Mrs. Windsor, Molly becomes concerned about the unhealthy appearance of the family.   Despite the poor condition of the home and the peculiar family, Molly knows she and her brother have no other place to go and must stay and work as servants for the Windsors.

As they settle into the Windsor home, Molly becomes more suspicious that something odd is going on with the family and the home.   When she discovers that a strange, sinister man is going through the house at night, she realizes that there is something evil about the tree that has taken over the home.  

What a creepy story!  Readers who are looking for a suspenseful, scary book will love this one!    As I read this book, I was reminded of other books that involved creepy trees, including The Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein and Juniper Berry by M.P. Kozlowsky.    Also worth noting about this book is that there's a good chance that it may be made into a movie, according to the author's website!

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

Going Places

Going Places
by Peter & Paul Reynolds

It's time for the "Going Places" contest!   Just like the other kids in his class, Rafael gets a Going Places Kit to build the go-kart that he will race against his classmates.  Because all the kits are the same, he expects his neighbor Maya's finished go-kart to look just like his.  To his shock, he learns that Maya did not follow the directions on the kit, instead using her imagination and creativity to make a very different looking vehicle!   Inspired by Maya's unique creation, Rafael suggests they work together and combine their kits to make a vehicle unlike any of the ones their classmates are making!

Going Places is an excellent story about teamwork and creativity that will inspire readers to think outside the box!

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

Book trailer:

A Handful of Stars

A Handful of Stars 
by Cynthia Lord

When Lily's beloved blind dog, Lucky, escapes from her one day, she has no idea that a peanut butter sandwich and bag of chips is about to change her entire summer!   Due to the quick thinking (and lunch) of Salma, the daughter of blueberry harvesters who are spending their summer working in the quiet, small Maine town that Lily lives in, Lucky is caught.   Soon after, Salma and Lily meet up again and develop a friendship, bonding as they work together to help Lily save up money for a surgery that could restore Lucky's eyesight.

When Salma decides to enter the Blueberry Queen pageant, Lily worries about how the people of their small town, including her close friend and  the current Blueberry Queen Hannah, will react to having a migrant worker enter.   Will the small town be accepting of Salma entering the pageant and will the two friends be successful in raising the money they need to help Lily's dog?

Written by a Maine author and set in Maine, A Handful of Stars is a wonderful story about friendship, family, hope, and acceptance.   Readers who enjoyed other Cynthia Lord books, such as Touch Blue or Half a Chance,  will want to read this one!  

Author's website: http://www.cynthialord.com/handful-of-stars.html

A Boy and a Jaguar

A Boy and a Jaguar
by Alan Rabinowitz
illustrated by Catia Chien

Growing up, Alan Rabinowitz could not speak without stuttering.    Because of his stutter, he was put into a special class at school, making him feel like he was broken.    However, there were times when he didn’t stutter at all: when he was speaking to animals.  With animals, the words flowed easily and fluently.   His love of animals, including his ability to communicate easily around them, eventually brought him to Belize, where he realized the jaguars were at risk.    Determined to help protect the jaguars, Alan faced the challenge of speaking to a group of people in order to convince them that the jaguars needed to be saved.

This inspiring autobiography is an excellent book that shows readers how someone can overcome a challenge and make a difference in the world!

Video of Alan Rabinowitz:

The Blood Guard

The Blood Guard
by Carter Roy

Ronan should have known something was up with his family when their last house suspiciously burned down.   At the time, however, there was nothing unusual about his two very ordinary parents.  Sure, his mother kept him busy with gymnastics, judo, and other after-school activities, but even that never made him suspect that his mother was beyond ordinary.   At least, not until the day she picks him up unexpectedly and tells him some shocking news: his father has been kidnapped and she is a member of a secret society called the Blood Guard.  In a flash, Ronan's life changes and he finds himself on the run from a sinister group out to get information that only the Blood Guard knows.  

Full of suspense, action, and adventure, this series will be a great choice for fans of Percy Jackson or The Genius Files.   The story is very fast paced with many unexpected twists.   

Author's website: http://carterroybooks.com/

The Worst Class Trip Ever

The Worst Class Trip Ever
by Dave Barry

Wyatt's class trip to Washington, D.C. has gone from bad to disastrous!    A smelly hotel room and a directionally challenged teacher are the least of his problems after his best friend Matt gets kidnapped by two men who could possibly be terrorists with a plot to attack the White House.   Of course, if Matt hadn't accused the two men on the airplane of having a missile, maybe they wouldn't be in this mess at all!   Now Wyatt has to save his best friend and, possibly, also the White House!

This hilarious story had me laughing many times while I read it!    This story is an excellent combination of humor and action.  It's a great choice for anyone looking for a funny, school-themed story.

The Luck Uglies

The Luck Uglies
by Paul Durham
illustrated by Petur Antonsson

The village of Drowning is a dreary, strange place full of secrets that eleven-year-old Rye O'Chanter is determined to uncover.   Unfortunately, Drowning is also full of strict rules created by Earl Longchance to keep curious minds like Rye's from learning about the dark history of the village.  Despite these rules, Rye remains stubborn in her decision to learn more about the secrets of Drowning, especially after a scary encounter with a Bog Noblin, a dangerous creature that was supposed to be extinct.   Only one thing can chase away the Bog Noblins: the Luck Uglies, a secret society banished from Drowning years earlier.    In the midst of all the danger and excitement, Rye meets a strange man with a surprising connection to her and finds herself entangled in the secretive world of the Luck Uglies.

The first in a series, The Luck Uglies is an exciting, suspenseful fantasy full. adventure!   This is a fast paced story full of engaging characters, adventure and unexpected twists.  I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

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

Book trailer: 

The Stratford Zoo Midnight Revue Presents Macbeth

The Stratford Zoo Midnight Review Presents Macbeth
by Ian Lendler
illustrated by Zach Giallongo

What happens in a zoo at night after everyone goes home?  A performance of the Shakespeare play Macbeth, of course!  Why else would the animals look so tired during the day?  The latest production by the Midnight Revue is quite an entertaining one, as they perform the famous Shakespeare play, with the lion playing the lead role of the villain Macbeth.   The audience, made up of various zoo animals, make an entertaining addition to this graphic novel as they contribute entertaining comments throughout the performance.    Will the Shakespeare play be a hit with the zoo audience?

Full of hilarious characters, funny twists, and awesome illustrations, this graphic novel turns a Shakespeare classic into a wild zoo adventure!   A great choice for fans of graphic novels or anyone looking for a funny read!  Those who like this book will look forward to the Midnight Revue's next production: Romeo and Juliet!

Author's website: http://ianlendler.com/home
Illustrator's website: http://zackgiallongo.com/

Eddie Red Undercover

Eddie Red Undercover: Mystery on Museum Mile
by Marcia Wells
illustrated by Marcos Calo

Edmund Lonnrot has a unique talent: he has a photographic memory.   Combined with his other talent, drawing, Edmund is the perfect choice for an undercover assignment with the police.   Using the codename "Eddie Red", Edmund stakes out museums to help the NYPD catch a clever art thief.   However, what is supposed to be a safe assignment turns into a dangerous one as Eddie becomes more involved in the case.  

This exciting, fast-paced book is a great choice for fans of mystery and detective stories!   Those who enjoy this book (like I did) will be happy to know that there is a sequel where they can read more about Eddie Red's adventures!

Author's website: http://marciawellsauthor.com/

Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere

Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere
by Julie T. Lamana

Armani can't wait for her tenth birthday!   Unfortunately, her plans for a big party are ruined when a severe storm is predicted.   Despite the warnings about the storm, her family still has a small party for Armani's birthday.   Their celebration is cut short, however, when they learn that the storm, named Katrina, has grown into a major hurricane.    Realizing it is too late to leave New Orleans, the family must stay in their home through the terrible storm. 

Despite surviving the storm, Armani must deal with tragedy and danger as a result of Katrina.  In the days that follow, Armani and her siblings, separated from their parents, struggle to recover in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina while facing the possibility that their family may never be together again. 

As we approach the ten year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, this story is a reminder of the tragic event.  Although a fiction book, the struggles that Armani and her family encountered represent what many lived through ten years ago.   This is an emotional story of fear, tragedy and, in the end, hope.  

Just Jake

Just Jake
by Jake Marcionette

Jake's used to being the awesome kid in school.  When his family moves from Florida to Maryland, he expects that his awesomeness will go with him to his new school.   Unfortunately,  after a rough first day at his new school, Jake feels less than awesome as he finds himself the target of the school bully.   As he struggles to climb up the popularity ladder at his new school, Jake continues to create his "Kid Cards".  Similar to baseball cards, Jake's homemade Kid Cards details and ranks many of the kids he encounters in his new school.   Unfortunately, despite having made a few friends, Jake still has not achieved his desired level of awesomeness and, when his Kid Cards end up in the wrong hands, faces losing the little popularity he has!

Full of many funny moments and entertaining "Kid Cards", this book will be a hit with fans of stories like Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  The best part about this book, to me, was that the author wrote this awesome story when he was twelve-years-old!

Author's website: http://justjake.com/index.html


Book Trailer:

Courage for Beginners

Courage for Beginners
by Karen Harrington

Everything is going wrong in Mysti's life.   As she prepares to enter seventh grade, her hopes for a great year are shattered as everything begins to fall apart.  Her best friend has abandoned her, her father is in a coma after a bad accident, and her mother still never leaves their home.   Mysti has always imagined herself to be a character in a book but, with the way everything is going, her story doesn't look like it will have a happy ending.  Will she be able to find the courage she needs to face the challenges in her life?

What an inspiring story!   I think that a lot of readers will be able to relate to some of the issues that Mysti is dealing with.    Those who like realistic fiction, particularly stories that deal with friendship and family situations, will enjoy this book.  I've always been a huge fan of realistic fiction and this book was one that I couldn't put down once I started reading it.  

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

Space Case

Space Case
by Stuart Gibbs

Imagine being one of the first people to live on a moon colony!   Because of his scientist parents, Twelve-year-old Dashiell Gibson's family is one of the privileged few who get the opportunity to live on the first moon colony.   However, life for Dashiell and the other residents of the Moon Base Alpha colony is far from a dream come true as they live in tiny spaces, eat horrible food, and have very little to do.  Dashiell's boring life is disrupted with the suspicious death of one of the colony's researchers.   Dashiell knows that the death was not an accident, but can he convince the others on Moon Base Alpha that Dr. Holtz's death may have involved foul play? 

Set in the not-so-distant future, Space Case is a fast-paced, entertaining science fiction mystery!   Those who enjoy futuristic science fiction or stories set in space will enjoy this book.  I'm looking forward to the sequel to this story, due to be available in April of 2016!

Author's website: http://stuartgibbs.com/

Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh

Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh
by Sally Walker
illustrated by Jonathan D. Voss

When veterinarian and army soldier Harry Colebourn saw a baby bear at a train station, he immediately bought the orphaned bear hoping to care for it and give it a better life.   He didn't know then that the young bear, named Winnepeg after the  army company's hometown in Canada, would go on to be one of the famous bears in literature! 

Before Winnepeg, nicknamed "Winnie", became the inspiration for the fictional Winnie-the-Pooh stories, she traveled with Harry during his time in the army during World War I, until Harry had to go to France.   It was then he made the decision to find Winnie a new home in the London Zoo, where she would later be seen by a young boy so fascinated by her that his father, author A.A. Milne, would use the friendly bear as the inspiration one of his most famous characters!

I enjoyed learning about the history behind Winnie-the-Pooh as I'm sure many readers will when they read this excellent tale about the inspiration behind the famous bear.   This short book will work well for independent reading or as a read-aloud.  

Author's website: http://www.sallymwalker.com/index.html
Illustrator's website: http://www.jonathandvoss.com/

Telephone

Telephone
by Mac Barnett
illustrated by Jen Corace

It's time for Peter the bird to come home for dinner, but will his mother's message get to him correctly?   As her message travels from bird to bird, it gets more and more mixed up!   What will Peter hear by the time his mother's message makes it to him?

Those who have played the game "telephone" will appreciate this story!  With entertaining illustrations and hilarious errors as birds try to pass along a message, this will be a read-aloud that will bring many laughs!   A great follow up activity is to play a game of telephone after reading the story. 

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

Book trailer:

Special Delivery

Special Delivery 
by Philip C. Stead
illustrated by Matthew Cordell

How do you mail an elephant?  Sadie decides to mail an elephant to her great-aunt Josephine, but runs into many challenges along the way!   Despite these challenges, which include airplanes and alligators, Sadie stays optimistic throughout her journey to make her special delivery!

What a fun, sweet story!   Full of funny moments and wonderful illustrations, Sadie's challenging, yet cheery, journey will make a great read aloud.   I look forward to asking my students the question "How would you mail an elephant" before reading this story to them!  A great after read-aloud activity would be for students to devise their own methods for delivering an elephant.

Author's website: http://philipstead.com/
Illustrator's website: http://www.matthewcordell.com/

Under the Egg
by Laura Marx Fitzgerald

Shortly before he died,  Theodora's grandfather told her to look underneath the egg to find a treasure.   At a loss for which egg he meant, she discovers a clue when she spills rubbing alcohol over one of his paintings and finds another painting underneath it.   Suspecting the hidden painting to be valuable, Theo and her new friend Bodhi search for information about the mystery painting.  As they try to trace the history of the painting, Theo must also face her worries that her grandfather, a former museum worker, may have stolen the painting.    Is the painting real and, if it is, how did her grandfather end up with it?

Under the Egg is a great choice for readers who enjoyed books like Chasing Vermeer.   It has a good combination of art history, family problems and, of course, mystery!

Author's website: http://www.lauramarxfitzgerald.com/#!books/cnec

Operation Bunny

Operation Bunny
by Sally Gardner
illustrated by David Roberts

When the egocentric Daisy and Ronald Dashwood decide they want a child, they adopt the recently abandoned Emily Vole.   Years later, when Daisy has identical triplet girls, the Dashwoods have no use for five-year-old Emily.   Because they cannot send Emily back to the orphanage, the Dashwoods instead turn Emily into their nanny and housekeeper, responsible for watching the triplets and taking care of their home.   Emily's only escape from her daily duties is the one book that Daisy and Ronald reluctantly buy her, until she meets her eccentric neighbor Miss String and her talking cat, Fidget, who teach her more than the Dashwoods ever could.   As Emily spends more time with Miss String and Fidget, she begins to suspect that there may be something magical happening.   Unfortunately, the happiness she finds with her new friends is tragically cut short when an odd accident occurs.   Suddenly, Emily finds herself the target of an evil witch and, along with Fidget, must solve a magical crime!

As I read this magical story, I couldn't help think of the Roald Dahl book Matilda!  Emily Vole, as the ignored, unwanted child forced to be a servant to her family, is very similar to the title character in Matilda.  This is a fun fantasy, full of mystery and magic as well as many humorous moments!   Fans of Matilda and similar stories will enjoy this.  I'm looking forward to reading more of Emily's adventures in the next book in this series.

Author's website:  http://www.sallygardner.net/books/operation-bunny/

This Journal Belongs to Ratchet

This Journal Belongs to Ratchet 
by Nancy J. Cavanaugh

All Rachel, aka "Ratchet", wants is a semi-normal life and some friends.  Being home-schooled and having a father that everyone thinks is crazy has left the eleven-year-old feeling isolated.   In her language arts journal, Ratchet tells her story of growing up without a mother, her eccentric father's passionate attempts to protect the environment, and her struggles in trying to find friends and a sense of normal in her unstable world.

This is one of those books that I did not put down until I was done reading it!  As soon as I began, I was drawn into Ratchet's story.   It's a great realistic fiction that deals with friendship, fitting in, and family issues and the journal format will appeal to readers who enjoy books like Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  

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

El Deafo

El Deafo
by Cece Bell

In this engaging autobiography, author Cece Bell uses a graphic novel format to describe life as a hearing-impaired child.   After a childhood illness damages her hearing, Cece must adapt to many new challenges.   Although embarrassed by her hearing aid, Cece learns that the new device she wears at school gives her the amazing ability to hear her teachers wherever they are!   Inspired by this new ability, she creates an alter-ego for herself, "El Deafo".    

This Newbery Honor book is an inspiring autobiography about the childhood of an award-winning author.   I love how Cece Bel uses a graphic novel format to tell her story, the illustrations are very entertaining.   This is an amazing book and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, inspiring story!

Author video:

Author's website: https://cecebell.wordpress.com/

Greenglass House

Greenglass House
by Kate Milford
illustrated by Jaime Zollars

Winter is supposed to be the quiet time at the Greenglass House, the inn run by twelve-year-old Milo Pine's parents.   Unfortunately, Miles' plans for a relaxing school vacation are interrupted when an unexpected guest arrives at the inn.   As more and more guests suddenly arrive, Miles realizes that his holiday will be anything but relaxing.  With the unexpected strangers come odd stories and many mysteries that are all connected to the Greenglass House in some way.   With his new friend Meddy, Miles sets out to solve the strange mysteries that have suddenly filled the Greenglass House.

This is a book full of mystery, unusual characters, and some surprise twists!   Greenglass House is a great choice for 4th and 5th graders looking for a unique mystery. 

Author's website: http://clockworkfoundry.com/

The Man with the Violin

The Man with the Violin 
by Kathy Stinson illustrated 
by Dusan Petricic

In a busy subway station, a man plays the violin. A young boy named Dylan, who notices everything, wants to stop to listen, but his busy mother pulls him away. She's not the only one, many others walk by the talented musician as he continues to play. Later, Dylan learns that the man with the violin was a famous violinist named Joshua Bell giving a free concert that thousands didn't even notice as they rushed by him that day int he subway station.

While Dylan is a fictional character, the story of the subway concert by Joshua Bell is not. The renowned violinist really did play one day at a D.C. subway and only a few out of thousands of people stopped to listen. A beautiful story that reminds us to stop and notice what is around us.

Author's website: http://kathystinson.com/the-man-with-the-violin/

Book Trailer:
 

Carnivores

Carnivores
by Aaron Reynolds
illustrated by Dan Santat

Unhappy by their bad reputation, carnivores Lion, Great White Shark, and Timber Wolf get together to discuss how to make others like them.   After unsuccessfully trying to become vegetarians, they attempt to fit in by disguising themselves.   Unfortunately, that doesn't work either.   After consulting the wise owl about their challenges, the three friends learn that it's okay to be carnivores and learn to happily accept what they are!

This was a very funny story, with several moments that made me laugh!   The three main characters are very entertaining in their efforts to overcome their carnivore tendencies.   Full of funny moments and hilarious illustrations, this is a book that will entertain readers from the first page to the end. 

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

Book trailer:

A Funny Little Bird

A Funny Little Bird
by Jennifer Yerkes

Once there was a funny little bird who felt invisible.   Wherever he was, he just blended in.  Other birds made fun of him or just looked right through him.   He finally decided to do something about it and tried to make himself stand out.  Unfortunately, he learned that standing out could be dangerous!

This cute picture book is a great story to use to discuss animal camouflage and why some animals have certain coloring or patterning.    It's also a good book to use to discuss how there's nothing wrong with looking different.   I recently shared this story with several of my classes (it's one of this year's Chickadee Book Award books) and, with the fun story and great illustrations, it was a hit!

The Princess in Black

The Princess in Black 
by Shannon Hale & Dean Hale
illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Princess Magnolia has a secret life!   To most, she is Princess Magnolia, a proper princess who wears pretty dresses and drinks tea with other royalty.   However, when the monster alarm sounds, she becomes the Princess in Black, fighting the monsters that threaten her lands.   As she fights to protect others from the monsters, she also must protect her secret identity from others, including the nosy Duchess Wigtower!

What a fun story! With its engaging illustrations and short chapters, this book will be a wonderful choice for younger readers looking for a magical chapter book, especially for those who enjoy princess stories!   I'm sure this new series will be a popular one in the library!

Book website: http://www.princessinblack.com/ 

The Lost Stone

The Lost Stone (The Kingdom of Wrenly book 1)
by Jordan Quinn
illustrated by Robert McPhillips

Lucas, the prince of Wrenly, is tired of his boring life inside the castle.   Desperate for adventure, he finally convinces his father to allow him to be friends with Clara, the daughter of the Queen's seamstress.   When the Queen's emerald goes missing, Lucas and Clara embark on a journey through the lands of Wrenly to find the lost stone.  

This book, the first in the Kingdom of Wrenly series, is a fun adventure story and  a good choice for younger readers ready for their first chapter book.   It is a great combination of fantasy, mystery, and adventure!  I look forward to reading more of Lucas and Clara's adventures.  

Odd, Weird & Little

Odd, Weird & Little
by Patrick Jennings

There's something odd about Toulouse, the new boy in Woodrow's class.   Toulouse is smaller than everyone else, barely speaks, and his unusual clothing include gloves and a hat that he refuses to take off.   Before long, this strange new student becomes the target of the class bullies.   Woodrow, who is also often picked on, becomes drawn to the strange new boy and decides to get to know him better.   As he gets to know his new friend better, Woodrow finds that he and Toulouse have a lot in common, but also becomes more and more curious about some of his friend's strange behaviors. 

Odd, Weird & Little is a fun, entertaining story with a cute ending.   It is a great book about friendship that also addresses bullying.  I enjoyed reading it as will others who enjoy books about friendship and school stories.

Author's website:  http://www.patrickjennings.com/tigers-books/tigers-books/19092468 

Miracle Mud: Lena Blackburne and the Secret Mud That Changed Baseball

Miracle Mud: Lena Blackburne and the Secret Mud That Changed Baseball
by David A. Kelly
illustrated by Oliver Dominguez

Lena Blackburne loved baseball.   However, while he was a good player, he was not an outstanding player who would break records or become famous for his playing.   Despite this, he found a way to make an important change in baseball: his discovery of a special mud that would help solve problems that many players were having with shiny, new baseballs.   Even today, Lena's special mud is still used by major league baseball teams.   

Miracle Mud is a fun, informative, picture book biography that will be a good choice for fans of baseball.   It explores a unique aspect of the sport that not everyone may know about!   As someone who knows little about baseball, I enjoyed reading this book and learning about someone who made a contribution that is still important to the sport today!

Official website for Lena Blackburne Baseball Rubbing Mud: http://baseballrubbingmud.com/

The Copernicus Legacy: The Forbidden Stone

The Copernicus Legacy: The Forbidden Stone
by Tony Abbott

When Wade's father, an astrophysicist, receives an unusual, coded email from an old professor, their family suddenly finds themselves thrown into a dangerous international adventure!   Shortly after receiving the strange email, the family soon learns that the professor has recently been killed, leading the family to travel to Germany to attend his funeral.   What is intended to be a brief trip quickly turns into a wild adventure when Wade's family soon learns that the professor had many secrets, including knowledge of the whereabouts of the 12 relics of Copernicus.   Unfortunately, others are seeking the same information and will stop at nothing to uncover the relics.   Wade, along with his father, stepbrother, cousin Lily, and friend Becca, must race around the world to locate the relics before they end up in the wrong hands.

The Forbidden Stone is a fast-paced adventure story full of many dangerous, suspenseful moments!   It is rare for a story to get my heart-racing, but this is one that often kept me on edge.  I'm looking forward to the second book!   Fans of The 39 Clues series and similar books will likely enjoy this series.  

Book website: http://www.thecopernicuslegacy.com/

Book trailer: