Review: "Serafina and the Black Cloak" by Robert Beatty

Set in the Biltmore Estate in 1899, "Seraphina and the Black Cloak" by Robert Beatty tells the story of Serafina and her father, the maintenance man, who secretly live in the basement.  Serafina takes her job as the C.R.C. (Chief Rat Catcher) very seriously, and her unusual attributes - extra toes, gold eyes, and an ability to see in the dark - make her well-suited for prowling in the dark.  Her pa’s told her to keep herself scarce and not to tell anyone her name. Despite her curiosity about the Biltmore’s wealthy guests and the dangerous forest he’s forbidden her to enter, Serafina has become an expert at staying invisible.  That is, until one night she witnesses a mysterious man in a black cloak attack a young girl, making her disappear into thin air.  As more children are stolen, Serafina comes out of the shadows and joins forces with Braden Vanderbilt, the nephew of Biltmore’s owners, to discover the identity and motives of the Man in the Black Cloak. In the process, she experiences true friendship for the first time and learns more about her bizarre origins.  If you’re looking for an intriguing mystery with a creepy, atmospheric feel, this is one to check out. School Library Journal recommends this book for readers in grades five to seven. Click on the link above to reserve a copy today.

--Lindsay B., Headquarters

Review: "Detective Gordon: The First Case" by Ulf Nilsson

The tradition of anthropomorphic animals is long and beloved in children’s literature: “The Wind in the Willows” by Kenneth Grahame, “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis, “Frog and Toad” by Arnold Lobel, and so many more. It continues on today in many different forms, but only once in awhile does a book like “Detective Gordon: The First Case” come along with the timeless charm of the great ones.

In an atmospheric forest world, author Ulf Nilsson has created a community of animals that is wild, yet cozily domestic at the same time, not unlike the cast of characters in “The Wind in the Willows.” We meet Detective Gordon, an overweight and aging toad who solves crime as the chief of police. Living a solitary life in the police station with his official stamp and his tins of cakes, the Detective’s quiet winter is rudely interrupted by a crime.

Someone  has been stealing nuts from holes all over the forest, and squirrel is upset. Since Detective Gordon only loves to eat cakes and sit by his fire, he’s worried about cracking the case. Luckily, he finds some help along the way from a little mouse. Can they find the thieves before all the nuts are gone?

Illustrated with engaging, full-color illustrations by Gitte Spee and filled with delightful and well-developed characters. Nilsson’s gentle plot and delicate humor make this new beginning chapter book series not only a good read-alone for a first through third grader, but it would be the perfect read-aloud for a young family.  

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Review: "Secret Coders" by Gene Luen Yang and Mike Holmes

In "Secret Coders" by Gene Luen Yang and Mike Holmes, Hopper isn't so excited about starting her new school. It seems to be haunted, the kids are rude, and the principal is mean and scary! Even the janitor is creepy and definitely has anger issues. And there are four-eyed birds fling around with two eyes shut. So Hopper is not  a happy camper. Why in the world is the school so creepy? Why does it look like a haunted house? Why are the walls all covered in the number nine? Hopper and her new friend Eni have a lot of questions that need to be answered. They will have to become secret coders in order to solve the mystery of Stately Academy. Solve the puzzles right along side them as they do whatever it takes to break the code. Appropriate for readers in grades thee to seven. Click on the link above to reserve a copy today.

--Jocelyn H., Jamestown Bluffs

Review: "Nnewts" by Doug TenNapel

If you are in need of some magic, adventure and mystery this summer, pick up a copy of Doug TenNapel's latest graphic novel series, "Nnewts." Life in Nnewtown is quiet and normal--farmers farm, shopkeepers sell, soldiers patrol, and Herk's legs still aren't strong enough for him to climb out of the family pool. As Herk's dad is on the verge of a powerful and magical discovery, evil Lizzarks are planning to invade Nnewtown, and no one is prepared. Could it be that Herk is the one to save them all? 

With fabulous artwork and exceptional creativity, fans of TenNapel's "Cardboard" will be pleased with "Nnewts," and anyone who loves a good adventure will find it in these pages. The first two volumes are out now, "Escape From the Lizzarks," and "The Rise of Herk." These books are appropriate for readers in grades four to eight. Click on the link above to reserve a copy today.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Review: "Under the Egg" by Laura Marx Fitzgerald

 In "Under the Egg" by Laura Marx Fitzgerald, thirteen-year-old Theodora Tenpenny is a New Yorker living in a two-hundred-year-old townhouse with a garden, a flock of chickens, a reclusive mother and a mystery that could change her life. Her grandfather's dying words, "it's under the egg," take meaning when she discovers that the painting of an egg hanging on their mantle has another painting hidden beneath it. Give that her grandfather worked as both an artist and a security guard at a museum makes Theodora question both the painting's value and the grandfather she thought she knew.

The cast of quirky characters makes this an enjoyable read: Theodora's new friend from down-the-block, Bohdi, daughter of two famous actors, aids the unplugged Theodora with her smartphone and bold ideas while eluding the paparzzi; Eddie, the tattoo-covered, loud librarian who's mad search skills come in handy on several occasions; Cecily, the Greek Orthodox priest whose knowledge, kindness, and auction house connection helps along the way. Theodora's quest turns out to have lost of historical twists, making this a page-turner with bonus art history and fun facts. School Library Journal recommends this book for grades 4-7.

--Sarah W., Headquarters

Review: "Masterminds" by Gordon Korman

"You can waste your whole life wandering only to find that what you're searching for is right in your own backyard," reads the gazebo in the park of a small town called Serenity, New Mexico. In "Masterminds" by Gordon Korman, Serenity is a perfect town with no crime, poverty, homelessness, or unemployment. The middle of nowhere location has only thirty kid residents. Follow thirteen year old Eli around the town as he shockingly discovers that nothing is as it seems to be. Eli and his friends find that no one can trusted--especially their parents. 

Readers will enjoy the riveting adventure-driven plot that involves cloning, criminal masterminds, and unexpected twists. Each book chapter is narrated in the voice of one of four "special" kids who are finding out more and more about their identity on each adventure in this mystery. The first book in a new series by Gordon Korman, "Masterminds" will have you on the edge of your seat waiting for book number two! Appropriate for readers in grades three to seven.

--Alison R., Headquarters

Review: "Lost" by S.A. Bodeen

In "Lost" by S. A. Bodeen, Sarah and her family are shipwrecked on a island. Strange and mysterious things are happening like a shark with crocodile legs and a bird with a large yellow and black stinger. Sarah's father and her stepbrother, Nacho, disappear as her stepmother becomes ill. It's now up to Sarah and her older step brother, Marco to find her dad and Nacho and try to figure out what is happening on this beautiful island. If you like mystery and adventure this easy read is for you! This is number two in the Shipwreck Island series, and it is appropriate for readers in grades four to six.

--Trea P., Bridgeton Trails

Review: "Big Bad Detective Agency" by Bruce Hale

In "Big Bad Detective Agency" by Bruce Hale, the three little pigs are all grown up and someone has broken into their homes. The prince of Fairylandia has accused the Big Bad Wolf of the crime. The Wolf has one day to prove his innocence and avoid a lifetime of porridge in the dungeon, so he teams up with little pig Ferkel to help him solve the mystery. This is a fairytale with a twist that is cute, funny, and an easy read. Appropriate for readers grades two to five.

--Jocelyn H., Jamestown Bluffs

Review: "The Sherlock Files:The 100-Year-Old Secret" by Tracy Barrett

In "The 100-Year-Old Secret" by Tracy Barrett, Xena and Xander Holmes think that living in London will be boring until someone hands them a note that says, "Go to the Dancing Men and ask for a saucer of mild for your snake, then all will be revealed." That's when they find out that they're related to Sherlock Holmes and inherit his old unsolved casebook. Can they succeed in solving the mysteries he could not? This is an absolutely fun read for kids who like mysteries. Appropriate for readers in grades two to five.

--Linda S., Samuel C. Sachs

Review: "The City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau

"The City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau is an exciting story of discovery and courage in the face of a dark unknown. In it, the people of Ember have never known anything outside of their underground city. For as long as anyone remembers, the lights of Ember have kept the city illuminated amidst the endless darkness that surrounds them on all sides. When the city's lights begin to flicker and the food supplies are running low, twelve-year-old friends Lina and Doon piece together fragments of an ancient parchment that seems to point to a way out of the darkness. Will Lina and Doon risk everything to cross the dark expanse and possibly save the people of Ember? Appropriate for readers in grades three to six.

--Madeline B., Mid County

Staff Review: "Space Case" by Stuart Gibbs

For an extra-terrestrial game of Clue, pick up "Space Case" by Stuart Gibbs. This ultimate murder mystery where no one can get away will keep you guessing until the surprise ending.

Dashiell  Gibson is one of the few lucky kids who gets to live on Moon Base Alpha—the first colony on the moon. It sounds cooler than it actually is. Dash is bored out of his mind and sick and tired of the regulations and lack of company. One early morning, he overhears something mysterious in the bathroom, then wakes later in the day to discover that one of the scientists has died on the lunar surface. Dash knows it’s a murder, but no one else will admit the possibility. When the mysterious Zan Perfonic shows up on a transport to help with the investigation, Dash takes off running. Will he discover the murderer before the murderer gets to him?

If you're a Stuart Gibbs fan, or just love a good mystery, give "Space Case" a try. It might be just what you're looking for in your next good read! Good for grades 4-6.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Superstition Mountain Series by Elise Broach

Elise Broach has written some great books that you should not miss! 

"Missing on Superstition Mountain" --Mr. and Mrs. Barker and their sons, Henry, Simon, and Jack, along with their cat Josie, have moved from Chicago to a very remote area of Arizona. There really isn't much to do and the boys are quite bored until the day Josie runs off into the Superstition Mountain range, an area the boys are forbidden to enter. The boys are forbidden to enter the mountain as many explorers went missing or have been found dead in the canyons of Superstition. But what are three boys to do when their beloved cat runs off and won’t come when called? The boys go up the mountain and find danger, excitement, adventure, perhaps ghosts and, oh yes, three skulls. This is a must read for anyone that likes mystery and adventure. 

"Treasure on Superstition Mountain" Henry, Simon, Jack Barker and their new friend Delilah investigate the suspicious deaths and disappearances of adventurers looking for gold in the Superstition Mountain. They question locals, encounter a bizarre and mysterious librarian, come across a graveyard where many that are buried have the same names of people that are alive and well, and they visit a ghost town where one nearly comes to a dreadful end. When they get all the facts available, the foursome travel back into the Superstition Mountain range to search for answers and gold, but they are not the only ones on the mountain.Book 2 is another page turner that you won’t be able to put down until the end and then you will be itching to get your hands on "Revenge of Superstition Mountain."

Check out other books by this great author in our catalog.




Mary G., Grand Glaize 

Staff Review: "Randi Rhodes, Ninja Detective: The Case of the Time Capsule Bandit" by Octavia Spencer

Miranda Rhodes is a tough 12 year old who has been solving mysteries in her Brooklyn neighborhood for the last year, ever since her mother died.  It's just been her and her mystery author Dad who doesn't seen to notice much.  But now Dad's decided they need a change and they're moving to the sleepy town of Deer Creek, Tennessee.  It's fun to visit in the summer, but Randi doesn't want to live there.  What crimes could possibly happen for her to solve?

She changes her mind when the town's time capsule is stolen from right under everyone's noses.  The legend is that the time capsule tells where the town's treasure is buried.  It cold mean riches for everyone.  Without it, the whole town could go under and the place will get turned into a golf resort!  With the help of her new friend, D.C., Randi is on the case and is determined to find the time capsule, catch the crook and find the town's missing treasure. 

Randi is spunky and sassy-not a girly girl, but not exactly a tomboy.  She is a big-time rule-breaker.  She loves martial arts and especially admires Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan.  She's not really the kind of girl I would be friends with, but I think a lot of kids can relate to her.  She misses her mother so badly, but her and her Dad never really talk about it and that only makes it worse.  This gets brought up and worked through a bit in the book, but I'm hoping it comes up again in other books.  I suspect a step-mother is not too far in Randi's future.

Dario Cruz, who goes by D.C., and his mother bought the apple orchard in Deer Creek, but they're having trouble paying the mortgage.  He's a hard worker and helps his Mom as much as he can.  Because D.C. was born premature, he has some health problems.  He wears hearing aids to help him hear and he has asthma that he works to control.  But he also loves martial arts and his hearing impairment makes him great at reading lips!  

This dynamic duo forms the Ninja Detectives to save the town!  There's a great cast of characters in this book.  The crooked politician, the crabby old miser, and the greedy bank president are all suspects.  But add the kindly ice cream parlor owner, the overweight sheriff and the sweet housekeeper/nanny and Deer Creek feels a little like Mayberry.
"Randi Rhodes, Ninja Detective: The Case of the Time Capsule Bandit" is the first book in the series by Academy Award winning actress Octavia Spencer, but look for more to come.  Great adventure story to middle grade students who liked The Goonies, Missing on Superstition Mountain or Chasing Vermeer.

 --Angie RH, Headquarters

Staff Review: "Liar & Spy" by Rebecca Stead

How painful can seventh grade be? If your former best friend continues to ignore you to hang out with the cool kids, your dad loses his job,  and you have to sell your house and move into an apartment, it's pretty rough. In "Liar & Spy" by Rebecca Stead, Georges is just trying to get by  he goes to a meeting of the Spy Club in his new apartment building. There he meets Safer, a home-schooled expert on pigeons, dog-walking, and spying. Along with his little sister Candy, Safer begins to tutor Georges in the art of spying. There is a mysterious man in black who always comes and goes from his apartment with a suitcase, and the boys are going to find out why. But is that the only mystery here? Why does Safer never leave the building? Why doesn't Georges ever actually talk to his mom? And who put the cool kids in charge anyway?

A funny and serious book at the same time, Newbery Award Winning Rebecca Stead introduces us to a cast of delightful and confusing characters. There's Bob English Who Draws with his passion for phonetic spelling, cheeky Candy who keeps her big brothers in line, and a gym teacher who secretly loves her job. But mostly there's every-boy Georges just trying to figure it all out. Stead's characters and interactions felt very real to me, as if I could sit down and have a slice of pizza with Georges' family and a it wouldn't be weird. The mysteries were pretty easy to unravel before the end, and the plot itself felt a little slow, but the writing itself is delightful. I suggest that people who enjoy mysteries, stories about every-day life, or character-driven books will like "Liar & Spy." 

 Recommended for readers in grades 5-8.

--Andrea W., H.Q.

"The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict" by Trenton Lee Stewart

Did you ever wonder about the founder of The Mysterious Benedict Society? What was he like as a kid? When did the narcolepsy start? Check out this new book by Trenton Lee Stewart to find the answers.

"The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict"
Before there was a Mysterious Benedict Society, there was simply a boy named Nicholas Benedict. Meet the boy who started it all.... Nine-year-old Nicholas Benedict has more problems than most children his age. Not only is he an orphan with an unfortunate nose, but he also has narcolepsy, a condition that gives him terrible nightmares and makes him fall asleep at the worst possible moments. Now he's being sent to a new orphanage, where he will encounter vicious bullies, selfish adults, strange circumstances -- and a mystery that could change his life forever. Luckily, he has one important thing in his favor: He's a genius. On his quest to solve the mystery, Nicholas finds enemies around every corner, but also friends in unexpected places -- and discovers along the way that the greatest puzzle of all is himself.

Staff Review: "The Trouble with Chickens"

It was a hot, sunny day when I met that crazy chicken. So hot that sometimes I think the whole thing may have been a mirage. But mirages don’t have chicken breath, mister.

JJ is a retired search and rescue dog whose quiet life in the country is interrupted by a mother hen named Moosh. Two of her chicks have gone missing and she wants them back. After negotiating payment (one cheeseburger), JJ begins the job of tracking down the chicks. All clues lead straight to Vince the Funnel—37 pounds of mutt with chronic ear infections and a bad attitude.

This is the first chapter book from award-winning author Doreen Cronin. "The Trouble with Chickens" is a great read-aloud for the family and a good chapter book for independent readers second grade and up.