"The Name of This Book Is Secret"

Bosch, Pseudonymous (2007). The Name of This Book is Secret. Grades 4-6.

The author of this book does not want to share too much information with you, including the names of the characters, where they live, or what they look like. Instead, he provides fictional names and let's you the reader use your imagination in realizing the setting and character traits.
If you can get past the first few pages where the author goes on and on explaining just why he is doing this, you will find that this book is a quirky mix of adventure and mystery.
Cassandra and Max-Ernest, the two main characters, are both outsiders at their school. When Cassandra's grandfathers are given a mysterious box that was found at a recently deceased magician's home, Cassandra notices something strange about it. This is where the adventure begins. Cassandra and Max-Ernest pair up to figure out the secret that the magician does not want anyone to know. They have to keep this box and any other contents they find away from the villains, Mr. L and Mrs. Mauvais, who may somehow be connected to the magician's death.
And if you enjoy this book, don't forget to read the sequel: If You're Reading This, It's Too Late.

Imagine if another world existed underground...

Gordon, Roderick and Williams, Brian (2008). Tunnels. 472 pages. Grades 5-9.

The one thing that fourteen- year-old Will Burrows enjoys most is digging tunnels. He and his father frequently go on archeological digs to uncover lost items that are sometimes added to his father's museum collection. But when Will's father disappears, Will and his friend Chester embark on a dangerous journey to an underground world known as "The Colony." Will and Chester are shocked to find that there are people living under London with their own set of rules and punishments. Will is certain that this underground society is the reason behind his father's disappearance, but how will two young boys from London survive in this mysterious place, let alone rescue his father?

A boy, a flying boat, and an evil genius...

Miller, Wiley (2006). The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Basil. 126 pages. Grades 3-5.

Twelve-year old Basil lives in a lighthouse in Maine where nothing much happens...until now. An unexpected visitor arrives at Basil's window, in a flying boat! Professor Angus McGookin and Basil take a trip to the city of Helios, where they encounter interesting inventions, flying pteranodons, and an evil genius. Kids will also enjoy the colorful illustrations and comical characters.

Fairy Tale Fans

Rodda, Emily (2008). The Key to Rondo. 342 pages. Grades 4-6.

If you enjoy books with fairy tale tie-ins, such as Into the Woods by Lyn Gardner, then this is a book for you!

Leo is given a family heirloom, a music box, which has magic powers. When his cousin, Mimi and her dog, arrive for a visit, she winds the music box four times and opens the door to a magical place called Rondo. The adventure begins when the magic is released. The Blue Queen kidnaps Mimi's dog, which causes Mimi and a reluctant Leo to follow her into Rondo. They must travel through this new place and encounter characters from well-known nursery rhymes and fairy tales in order to rescue Mimi's pet. This is an action-packed adventure with a fast paced story line.

An ancient door, mysterious codes, and a map

Baccalario, Pierdomenico (2006). The Door to Time. (Ulysses Moore, bk. 1) 222 pages. Grades 4-6.

Julia and Jason have moved into Argo Manor in Kilmore Cove, a grand mansion with an unsolved mystery. The previous owner, Ulysses Moore, left behind interesting clues and codes to unlock an ancient door. With the help of Rick, a local boy, Julia and Jason begin their adventure, which leads them down dark stairways and grottos beneath the old house. They must solve codes and riddles in order to find the map that Ulysses intended for them to find. Little do they know that someone else is after the same thing and will stop at nothing to find it before they do. Will the three children locate the ancient map or will their journey lead them to an even more fantastical place?

Recently Added Fiction

Barber, Tiki. Kickoff! 153 pages. Grades 4-6.

Tiki and Ronde's summer is winding down and it will soon be time to start junior high. This year they will tryout for the Hidden Valley Eagles team, but there is much more competition than in elementary school. Will Tiki and Ronde make the team or spend the season on the bench?

Berkeley, Jon. The Tiger's Egg. 400 pages. Grades 4-7.
In the second book from The Wednesday Tales, orphan Miles Wednesday joins the Circus Bolsillo with his angel-friend Little. Hoping to find out more about his parents, Miles joins Doctor Tau-Tau on a journey, which he believes will lead to his father, but he soon finds out that Doctor Tau-Tau is on a quest to find the Tiger's Egg instead.

Doder, Joshua. A Dog Called Grk. 241 pages. Grades 5-7.

When Tim Malt finds a dog called Grk near his home in London, he tries to find Grk's owner. After doing some detective work, Tim learns that Grk belongs to Natascha Raffifi who has been kidnapped along with her parents and taken back to their homeland in Eastern Europe. Tim is determined to return Grk to Natascha and manages to get to Stanislavia where she is being held prisoner. Will he rescue Natascha and reunite her with Grk?

LaFevers, R.L. (2007). Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos. 344 pages. Grades 4-8.

This is an exciting read for anyone who loves historical fiction, mystery, and adventure all rolled into one! Theodosia is a precocious and very intelligent young girl who lives in London at the turn of the 20th century. Her father is the head curator at the Museum of Legends and Antiquities in London and her mother is an archaeologist who travels the world looking for interesting artifacts. Theodosia practically lives at the museum and she is the only one who can sense the curses and black magic that are attached to the numerous artificats brought to the museum. She uses Egyptian magic, which she learned from ancient books, to remove the curses and to protect her parents.

When Theo's mother returns with her latest find, the Heart of Egypt, Theo discovers that this amulet has one of the worst curses that she has ever faced. It is so evil that it can destroy the entire British Empire! Follow Theo on her adventure through London and Egypt as she uses all of her knowledge and skills to prevent the amulet from releasing chaos into her world.