(view spoiler)[What if the answer to a mystery story turns out to be science fiction? That's the premise in this story where Rafa's time traveling fut(view spoiler)[What if the answer to a mystery story turns out to be science fiction? That's the premise in this story where Rafa's time traveling future self is the culprit. (hide spoiler)] Rafa has been sent to live on his uncle's ranch in New Mexico for the summer. Upon arriving, strange things start happening at the ranch. The Gearheart brothers cooking no longer tastes right, a horse changes colors, the people in photographs look like older version of themselves and more. Who could be behind it? Could it be a ghost from the past? With his new friend Jennie, the two set out to find the answer. (view spoiler)[This is a mystery with a science fiction twist. If you like mysteries and science fiction or love any story involving time travel, this book is for you. (hide spoiler)]...more
Could a spy from the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) left clues to a treasure for a future generation to find, clues that could still be followCould a spy from the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) left clues to a treasure for a future generation to find, clues that could still be followed 300 plus years later? That's what Rachel and her best friend Joon set out to do as they spend one last summer together before Joon moves away. Based on Nancy Smith who may or may not have been a Revolutionary War spy, fans of mysteries, stories with treasure hunts or American Revolutionary War buffs should enjoy this. You may even look at history in a new way after reading this. As one of the characters in the story says,“Sometimes historians make mistakes, or more often, they don’t have all the information yet. . . reconstructing history is like piecing together a puzzle where there’s no picture on the box, half the pieces have fallen on the floor, and the cat has eaten a quarter of them. You try to guess what the picture looks like as best you can with what you have.” ...more
Bailee, Fen, Carmen, new kid Noah and Bailee's former best friend are playing the Bellwoods game. A night out in the woods, which one of them will rinBailee, Fen, Carmen, new kid Noah and Bailee's former best friend are playing the Bellwoods game. A night out in the woods, which one of them will ring the bell first? What could possibly stop them, Abigail Snook's ghost or something more sinister? This might be the perfect Halloween read for tweens who like ghost stories or tales of creepy nights in the woods....more
Nate says it best, it's a strange case. What can the strange note that Pip receives from his piano teacher mean?Nate says it best, it's a strange case. What can the strange note that Pip receives from his piano teacher mean?...more
Not a whodunit mystery, this is the story of secrets. Five students at the Boston School; Weatherby, Jack, Pres, Iris and Harper are tapped by the LosNot a whodunit mystery, this is the story of secrets. Five students at the Boston School; Weatherby, Jack, Pres, Iris and Harper are tapped by the Lost Heir to join a secret society. Told from Weatherby and Jack's viewpoints, can the five trust each other? They are all hiding secrets. In addition to the secrets the five carry, who or what is behind the Lost Heir? What secrets will be unveiled? Give this to those who are interested in secret societies or boarding school stories. ...more
What if Nancy Drew lived in a tough crime-ridden neighborhood? Nia is a black Nancy Drew. Instead of Bess and George, she has Miracle Ruth and Dontay What if Nancy Drew lived in a tough crime-ridden neighborhood? Nia is a black Nancy Drew. Instead of Bess and George, she has Miracle Ruth and Dontay to help her find the clues and solve the mystery of who shot and killed Little Petey one early summer morning. Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book to review as a possible future Maud Hart Lovelace Award nominee....more
With a touch of romance and madcap situations throughout, this would have made a great mid 1900s movie. Aubrey Gilbert works for an ad agency. While tWith a touch of romance and madcap situations throughout, this would have made a great mid 1900s movie. Aubrey Gilbert works for an ad agency. While trying to get an ad with Roger Mifflin, proprietor and owner of The Haunted Bookshop, Aubrey finds himself in the middle of a mystery about a lost/stolen book and falling for the bookshop's new employee Titania Chapman. Written in 1919 and set shortly after the end of World War I, Germans are not to be trusted, people wait for 25 minutes to make a long distance connection and Woodrow Wilson is on his way to a peace talks in Europe. (view spoiler)[If you are sensitive to dog stories, this one may not be for you. Roger's dog Bock dies in the course of saving Titania and Mrs. Mifflin from the baddies. (hide spoiler)] If you like stories set in the past that were actually written during the time they take place, this is for you. ...more
3.5 stars, Hazel's voice is what makes this ghost story within a mystery shine. When Hazel's older brother Den and his friends are playing hide-and-se3.5 stars, Hazel's voice is what makes this ghost story within a mystery shine. When Hazel's older brother Den and his friends are playing hide-and-seek at a local cemetery, his friend Everett disappears. Hazel who considers herself an amateur detective decides to investigate. (view spoiler)[Even though she has solved other cases, this is her first case involving a ghost. (hide spoiler)] Along with Den and her friend Maggie who Hazel reluctantly lets join her, can the three solve the case? Who took Everett? And why? Can he be found? The story starts creepy as Everett's disappearance happens almost immediately. (view spoiler)[From there, the story gets creepier and creepier as the ghost (or ghosts) that may be involved begins leaving messages and clues for Hazel to find and makes himself more and more known to the three, finding out that there was a train crash/fire in 1918 that left many circus performers dead only heightens the creepiness. And learning that identifying all the performers was near impossible due to performers often being runaways or going by different names put this over the top for me. (hide spoiler)] There is sadness to the story as Hazel learns more about the history of the local cemetery and comes closer to solving the case. Give this one to those who have Mary Downing Hahn's works or those who are looking for something a little scarier than the typical tween ghost/horror story....more
Fans of James Ponti'sCity Spies will love this similar story about a group of kids who become part of the top-secret NOCK (aka No One Can Know) and wFans of James Ponti'sCity Spies will love this similar story about a group of kids who become part of the top-secret NOCK (aka No One Can Know) and work together to find out who is stealing Dame Gloria's jewels, how they're stealing them and why....more
Jake, Wes, Amber and their families are taking a two month summer vacation to explore ten of the United States's national parks. To kickoff the trip, Jake, Wes, Amber and their families are taking a two month summer vacation to explore ten of the United States's national parks. To kickoff the trip, Jake's deceased grandpa has left him a scrapbook with a mystery for him to solve. Will Jake keep the mystery to himself or let Wes and Amber in on the secrets? Can Jake solve the clues without their help? Book 1 in what's expected to be a ten book series, the story does end with a cliffhanger. If you like exploring the great outdoors, scavenger hunts, and coded messages, you'll enjoy this self-published series that's meant for tweens and family read-alouds....more
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this title. A new graphic novel series by Sara Varon of Robot DreamsChicken and Cat,Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this title. A new graphic novel series by Sara Varon of Robot DreamsChicken and Cat, etc. fame. Sweet Pea and his new friends, Jelly and Casper are asked to find the missing Golden Bone when it disappears from the local museum. Who would take it? Why did they take it? And how did they take it? Sweet Pea will need to use more than his nose to solve this mystery. The story started a little show for me as the first few chapters are to introduce us to the characters but once the mystery was introduced I couldn't put it down. Young fans of graphic novels with animals or mystery fans of all ages will want to give this a try. ...more
Seal helps Worm find his lost hat. Give this to the young worrier or perfectionist in your life. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowingSeal helps Worm find his lost hat. Give this to the young worrier or perfectionist in your life. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this title....more
Molly is a likable protagonist in this whodunit murder mystery that many readers will be able to solve before the end. For those who enjoy, there is aMolly is a likable protagonist in this whodunit murder mystery that many readers will be able to solve before the end. For those who enjoy, there is a second book in what might become a series....more
A mystery story with more than one mystery. Told from the points of views of Mortimer; a cat, Al; who once worked as an assistant librarian and Evan; A mystery story with more than one mystery. Told from the points of views of Mortimer; a cat, Al; who once worked as an assistant librarian and Evan; a young boy who is finishing elementary school. A little free library appears, where did it come from? Who created it? Why were almost all of the books in it returned to the old public library on the same day in 1999? Who checked them out? Why was one signed out to H.G. Higgins, a famous and reclusive mystery author? Why is Mortimer always at the library? How does Al fit into this story? Will Evan find out the answer to any of these questions or will the answers lead to yet more mysteries?...more
First impressions - great cover, catchy title A fun mystery story with a dash of nonfiction. Amelia and five other girls from around the United States First impressions - great cover, catchy title A fun mystery story with a dash of nonfiction. Amelia and five other girls from around the United States are invited to stay overnight at the birthplace of Amelia Earhart in Atchison, Kansas. Shortly after they arrive, a pair of her flight goggles disappear. Can six girls who just met team together to solve this mystery? Give this one to fans of mystery stories; classic ones like Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys or more modern ones like Chasing Vermeer or Under the Egg.
Merged review:
First impressions - great cover, catchy title A fun mystery story with a dash of nonfiction. Amelia and five other girls from around the United States are invited to stay overnight at the birthplace of Amelia Earhart in Atchison, Kansas. Shortly after they arrive, a pair of her flight goggles disappear. Can six girls who just met team together to solve this mystery? Give this one to fans of mystery stories; classic ones like Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys or more modern ones like Chasing Vermeer or Under the Egg....more
A victim, bystanders, outsiders and bullies. When Jennifer Chan disappears, which one is Mallory? Mallory, a twelve-year-old waffles between friend grA victim, bystanders, outsiders and bullies. When Jennifer Chan disappears, which one is Mallory? Mallory, a twelve-year-old waffles between friend groups. There's Reagan who makes her feel special and Tess. Then there's Ingrid who she used to spend time with and Kath, a budding scientist. Plus Mallory befriended Jennifer over the summer. While hanging out, Jennifer shared her interest in Unidentified Arial Phenomena (UAPs) with Mallory. Where is Jennifer? Did she run away? Was she taken? Or could it be aliens? Using clues from Jennifer's notebooks, will Mallory figure it out? This was an interesting and fascinating look at the fluidity of middle school friendship and peer groups....more
What if you discovered you had an unknown relative who left you a treasure map in their will? Could you and your friends find the treasure? Grady hopeWhat if you discovered you had an unknown relative who left you a treasure map in their will? Could you and your friends find the treasure? Grady hopes to in this story(view spoiler)[, especially as he and his father are about to be evicted from their home (hide spoiler)]. Can you solve the mystery before Grady? If there is a treasure, where is it and what could it be? (view spoiler)[Like her first book, Coop Knows the Scoop, this one also includes a murder. (hide spoiler)] Young mystery fans and sleuths will want to give this one a try along with fans of other mysteries set in the south (i.e. Three Times Lucky, Last in a Long Line of Rebels)....more
This one starts with April Fools' Day pranks and repercussions. Then Ginni and her friend Catherine host a pirate-themed party for Ginni's brother FraThis one starts with April Fools' Day pranks and repercussions. Then Ginni and her friend Catherine host a pirate-themed party for Ginni's brother Frankie and his friend Scott. The last third of the book is the mystery where Neelia disappears in plain sight from the Easter carnival. Once Neelia disappears, I couldn't stop turning the pages to find out what happened to her or who had taken her. If you have enjoyed the other stories in this series, you'll want to read and share this one too....more
German spies on the east coast of the United States during World War II? I had no idea. Stick, Neb, Rain are the Dime Novel Kids. Growing up on HatterGerman spies on the east coast of the United States during World War II? I had no idea. Stick, Neb, Rain are the Dime Novel Kids. Growing up on Hatteras Island in the 1940s, they enjoy reading dime novels (stories of mystery and intrigue), not realizing that soon they'll be involved in a mystery. When some ringers show up on another town's baseball team in early 1942, some wonder what their real motive is. Why are they befriending the locals? Give this to fans of Nancy Drew and/or Hardy Boys mysteries, those who are fascinated by spies and/or double-agents, those who cannot get enough of World War II, or anyone living in North Carolina as that is where this takes place. ...more
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4. A lot happens in this one that features two mysteries and more. First, who or what is making the strange noises and messes 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4. A lot happens in this one that features two mysteries and more. First, who or what is making the strange noises and messes in the library's attic? Second, who is spying on the Pearl family? There are footprints in front of the windows. Thankfully, Frankie and Ginni have Neelia the kitten to help them solve the mysteries. In addition to the mysteries, Ginni's classroom is starting research on notable people. Despite her mother's death, she chooses Amelia Earhart as her subject. And Ginni has her tonsils taken out. This is such a gentle and comforting series for those who like family read-alouds....more