Masterminds

Masterminds
by Gordon Korman

Can a town really be perfect?  With a population of only 185 people, no crime, and beautiful homes, Serenity seems to be a perfect small town.  However, Eli Frieden begins to suspect that Serenity may not be as perfect as it seems after he receives a mysterious letter from a friend.    Suddenly, Eli begins to question everything in his beautiful, calm, New Mexico town.   Is his world real?   What secrets are the grownups hiding from them?  Eli and his friends investigate and find a shocking answer!

After finishing this book (the first in the Masterminds series)  I needed to know what happened next and immediately went online to buy the next one!  Masterminds is full of action, suspense, and many unexpected twists.   I loved how Gordon Korman alternated between narrators, allowing the reader to  get to know the different characters and experience the life of Serenity from various perspectives.   I'm looking forward to reading the third book in the series when it gets published in March!

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

Fuzzy Mud

Fuzzy Mud
by Louis Sachar

A “shortcut” home meant to avoid a school bully has two friends battling something even more dangerous: fuzzy mud! Soon after their encounter with the odd looking mud Marshall and Tamaya find themselves battling unusual symptoms.  Where did the mud come from?   And will anyone find a cure for the fuzzy mud that soon spreads all over town?

What an entertaining science fiction book by award-winning author Louis Sachar (Newbery winner for his book Holes)!   It's a fast read that is full of action, mystery, environmental issues, and school struggles.  

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

Upside Down Magic

Upside-Down Magic
by Sarah Miynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins

Nory desperately wants to get accepted into Sage Academy.  Not only is it the best private magic school, her father is the headmaster and her brother and sister go there.  Unfortunately, Nory has a hard time controlling her magic, which ultimately costs her the chance to attend Sage Academy.    After failing her admission test,  Nory is sent to live her unusual aunt and attend a public school, where she finds herself in an "Upside-Down Magic" class with other kids who have a hard time getting their magic to work the way it should.   Will Nory, and her family, ever learn to accept her unusual magic?

Readers looking for a magical, humorous book will love this story!   A great choice for fans of Harry Potter and other fantasy books about kids learning to use their magical powers.

Book Website:  http://upsidedownmagic.scholastic.com/#_

Book trailer:

The Doldrums

The Doldrums
by Nicholas Gannon

Archer B. Helmsley was born a dreamer.   Growing up in his grandparents' unique home, Archer is surrounded by unusual items collected by his explorer grandparents throughout their travels.   All he wants is adventure, but after his grandparents disappear on an iceberg in Antarctica, his mother barely lets him even leave the house.    When Archer comes up with the idea for the ultimate adventure,  finding his missing grandparents, he and his friends Oliver and Adelaide must come up with a clever plan to get them to Antarctica before his parents, and their scary new teacher Mrs. Murkley, find out what they're up to!

The Doldrums is a humorous book about friendship and adventure.  Full of unique characters, charming illustrations, and many funny moments, this is a book that I know many readers will enjoy!   I was often reminded of the Roald Dahl classic Matilda as I read this, particularly with the character of Mrs. Murkley, who is very much like Matilda's Mrs. Trunchbull.   The ending of this book left me, and will likely leave other readers, curious about what will happen next with Archer, Oliver, and Adelaide.   Fortunately, it looks like author Nicholas Gannon plans to continue with this series and future adventures are in store for these three friends!

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

Book trailer: 

Moving Target

Moving Target
by Christina Diaz Gonzalez

A legendary spear with the power to change the world has turned Cassie Arroyo's life upside down!   The daughter of an art professor, Cassie is used to traveling the world.  However, when she learns that she is part of an ancient bloodline linked to the Spear of Destiny, she is in for the journey of a lifetime as she and her friend Simone flee from a dangerous organization that is out to get her!   As they embark on the dangerous, possibly deadly, mission of locating the missing spear, Cassie begins to uncover many secrets about her and her father's past that change her life forever.

What an exciting book!   Moving Target is an thrilling, suspenseful adventure that will leave its readers anxious for the next book in the series.   I know I'm looking forward to September 27th, when the next installment of Cassie's adventures will be available!  


Author's website:  http://www.christinagonzalez.com/index.html

The Imaginary

The Imaginary
by A.F. Harrold
illustrated by Emily Gravett

Rudger just appeared one day in Amanda's closet.   She eventually realizes he is imaginary, but that doesn't stop her from spending all of her time with him.  Rudger enjoys his time with Amanda as well, but their friendship is threatened when the evil Mr. Bunting appears.   Mr. Bunting is an imaginary friend hunter and, in a desperate attempt to escape him, Amanda and Rudger are separated.  Lost and scared, Rudger is rescued by an odd cat who brings him to the "Agency", a library full of other imaginary creatures who are looking for new "friends".  However, Rudger does not want a new friend, he just wants to find Amanda.  Will he be able to find his friend without getting caught by the evil Mr. Bunting?

The Imaginary is a heartwarming story of friendship and imagination, with a few scary, suspenseful parts in it as well!  Emily Gravett's beautiful illustrations are a wonderful addition to this amazing story.  Readers who enjoy fantasy with some scary twists should give this book a try!  

Author's website: www.afharroldkids.com

Seven Dead Pirates

Seven Dead Pirates
by Linda Bailey

Libertalia.  You!  Great-Granddad's last words to Lewis Dearborn made no sense.   That is, until he and his family move into the large, ramshackle home that once belonged to his great-grandfather.   Soon after moving in, Lewis learns that his home, particularly his new bedroom, is haunted by the ghosts of seven dead pirates.  The rowdy group of ghostly pirates, who once knew his great-grandfather, need Lewis to help them reclaim their old ship, now on display in a local museum.   How will Lewis be able to sneak these seven unruly, yet fearful of cars and other modern vehicles, pirates back to their ship without getting caught? 

A ghost story with a bit of humor mixed in, Seven Dead Pirates is a very entertaining read!  I love how the story also deals with school and family issues that the shy Lewis faces throughout the book.   This book will be a great choice for many readers!

Author's website: http://www.lindabaileybooks.com/home.html

The Tortoise and the Soldier

The Tortoise and the Soldier
by Michael Foreman

As he struggles to survive in a battle at Gallipoli during World War I, British Royal Navy soldier Henry Friston is shocked to discover a tortoise by his side.   Unable to leave his new companion behind, he sneaks him aboard his battleship, the HMS Implacable, where the two friends continue to travel the world together during the remainder of Henry's time on the ship.  This story, based on true events, follows the struggles faced by Henry Friston, as well as his fellow soldiers, as they fight in World War I, as well as describes the lifelong bond between Henry and his tortoise friend, Ali Pasha. 

What an amazing story!  Not only does it detail the challenges of the life of a World War I soldier, it also shows how strong a bond between a human and his animal companion can be!  Outstanding illustrations help bring this wonderful story to life.  This book is a great choice for fans of war stories as well as animal lovers.  

Full Cicada Moon

Full Cicada Moon
by Marilyn Hilton

When aspiring astronaut Mimi moves from California to Vermont in 1969, the 7th grader encounters a very different place than what she left behind. As she fights to fit into her new town and school, many of the people she meets react to her mixed heritage with questions, confusion, bigotry, and suspicion.  As much as Mimi wants to fit in, her determined personality and love of science continue to make her stand out to everyone she meets.   Will the strong willed Mimi find a way to fit in without having to sacrifice everything she believes in?  

This inspiring historical fiction is a wonderful story of staying true to oneself.   The narrator, Mimi, demonstrates incredible strength  and determination as she works to achieve her goals.   This was one of those books that, when I started reading it, I simply could not put down until I finished it!  

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

Took

Took
by Mary Downing Hahn

The move to West Virginia was supposed to be a new start for Daniel’s family.   Unfortunately, it has only been one disaster after another.   Their new house is falling part, the kids in his new school call him a snob, and his parents are fighting all the time.   When others tell him rumors about a ghost witch and the mysterious disappearance of the little girl who used to live in his house,  Daniel doesn’t want to believe them.  Then, when his own sister disappears suddenly, he realizes the stories of the  ghost witch may be true after all.   Will he be able to rescue his sister before it’s too late? 

Another creepy story by author Mary Downing Hahn!  For readers looking for ghost stories, she is  one of the authors I always recommend.  Took is  great choice for those looking for a haunting tale to read!

Author's website:  http://www.hmhbooks.com/features/mdh/index.html
Took game from author's website:  http://www.hmhbooks.com/features/mdh/took-game.html
The Took game requires Adobe Flash Player, so it unfortunately will not work on iPads.