Other worlds are just an attic away ...

Wilson, N.D. (2007). 100 Cupboards (Gr. 5-7).

12-year-old Henry York has led a strange, if uneventful, life.  He has never played baseball, drunk soda, or had parents who paid much attention to him.  When his parents are kidnapped on a bicycling trip in South America, Henry travels to Kansas to stay with his aunt, uncle, and cousins.  A thump on the wall of his attic bedroom throws Henry into a whirlwind, sometimes creepy, adventure of mysterious cupboard doors that lead to other worlds.  Henry and one of his cousins begin to explore, finding notes from their grandfather and meeting a few people from these other worlds. Some of the people want to help, some want to be left alone, and others want something much more sinister than Henry can even imagine.

100 Cupboards combines the best of fantasy and mystery--readers might even find it a little bit scary.  Fans of Neil Gaiman's Coraline should check this one out!  The books move quickly, so be sure to request the two sequels at the same time.

Not Your Average Fairy

Anderson, R.J. (2009) Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter (Grades 5-7)

In a mighty oak tree, a dying colony of faeries struggles with a mysterious disease that slowly drains the life out of each faery.  These, however, are not typical faeries: they have no magic--it disappeared at about the same time that the disease began to claim the faery lives--and they have become selfish, fearful, and ignorant.  Knife, an orphan and the youngest faery in the colony, becomes the group's designated hunter and, during her trips into the wild, meets a young man.  Her forbidden friendship with this human reveals a startling secret about the faery colony, Knife's mother, and the source of the disease that is slowly destroying the faeries.

Adventure, mystery, and a twisting plot will keep readers on the edge of their seats as Knife's courage and determination unravel her colony's dark history.

Almost Astronauts

On this day in 1998, John Glenn became the oldest person ever to travel in space: he was 77 years old at the time.  That moment in history inspired today's review.

Stone, Tanya Lee (2009). Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream. (Gr. 5-7+).

The first seven American astronauts, dubbed the Mercury 7 in 1958, were all men.  The first woman to enter space, Sally Ride, launched on a space shuttle in 1983.  The twenty-five years in between those two dates were filled with women who tried to be astronauts but were nearly always turned down.

Thirteen women in 1960 and 1961 took a series of grueling tests--the same or harder tests that male astronauts took--to see if women would be strong enough and brave enough to fly into outer space.  Each of the thirteen women, all of whom had broken gender barriers to be pilots, passed the tests they were given with flying colors.  NASA and the United States government, however, stepped in just before the majority of the women were allowed to take the final test, and those thirteen women were permanently shut out of American space travel programs.

This book is well-written with a quick, compelling narrative that readers will tear through.  Even more importantly, it's a thorough, hard-hitting look both at what it means to be an astronaut and at women's struggles for equality and representation in the greatest adventure of modern times.

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Almost Astronauts won a 2009 Boston Globe - Horn Book honor award for non-fiction.  The video below is the author's acceptance speech at that awards ceremony.

Depression Era Murder Mystery

Collier, James Lincoln (2008). The Dreadful Revenge of Ernest Gallen. Grades 5-7.

Set during the years following the Great Depression, Gene Richards begins hearing a voice, which asks him to solve a mystery involving a murder. At first, Gene tries to ignore the voice, but each time the voice returns it becomes harder to do so. Then he learns that his friend Sonny's dad also heard a voice, which urged him to walk off a construction plank and die. Gene believes that this is the same voice he is hearing and must figure out a way to solve the mystery before the voice convinces Gene to hurt himself or worse.

Friendship and strength in the Bronx

Adler, David A. (2008). Don't Talk to Me about the War. Grades 5-7.

It is 1940 and thirteen-year-old Tommy's life is about to change. All his friend Beth talks about these days is the war in Europe. But Tommy doesn't care about that--it's so far away. He would rather listen to the Dodgers game and play stickball. When Beth introduces him to a girl named Sarah, who used to live in Germany, Tommy learns about her experiences with the war and the reason why her family came to the U.S. In addition to the war, Tommy's mother's health is declining and she doesn't know why. The responsibilities at home begin to increase and at first Tommy worries that he won't have time to spend with his friends, but in the end he realizes what really matters.

Adler provides accurate historical details from this time period and creates a character that kids will be able to relate to while learning more about America's role during World War II.

A Houdini Murder Mystery

Lawrence, Iain (2008). The Séance. 262 pages. Grades 5-7.

In 1926, Houdini arrives in the city to appear in several shows as well as to expose fake mediums. Thirteen-year-old Scooter King is excited to see Houdini, but his mother (a medium) isn't as thrilled. Luckily, she isn't on Houdini's list and doesn't have to fear public exposure as a fraud. But things don't go as planned for Houdini. First, a comedian is found dead in Houdini's water tank, then several more people are murdered at a séance, held in the same theater. As Scooter attempts to solve the mystery, he only places himself into more danger. His trail leads him to the home of the Russian medium, Viktor Valerian, but will he be able to make it out alive in order to notify the authorities?

If you liked this book, try Tom Lalicki's Danger in the Dark: A Houdini and Nate Mystery.

How can a plane land without a pilot?

Haddix, Margaret Peterson (2008). Found. (The Missing, bk.1) 314 pages. Grades 5-7.

Thirteen-year-old Jonah always knew that he was adopted. His parents were honest with him from the beginning. His friend, Chip, didn't learn that he was adopted until more recently. And it came as a complete shock. Unlike Jonah's parents, Chip's parents do not want to discuss the details with him and would rather he not ask them any questions. But, when both boys begin receiving anonymous letters concerning their adoptions, they begin to think that something is not right. With the help of Jonah's sister, Katherine, they attempt to figure out who is sending the letters and why. In the process, they discover that as babies, they were found on a plane that appeared out of nowhere, with no adults on board. Now it is up to the three friends to warn the other people who were on that plane before it is too late.

A new adventure from Erin Hunter

Hunter, Erin (2008). The Quest Begins. (The Seekers, bk.1) 293 pages. (Grades 5-7).

The story follows the journey of three bears: Kallik, a polar bear, Toklo, a grizzly bear, and Lusa, a black bear. Each bear must overcome hardships in order to continue their quest to the Northern Lights. Kallik becomes separated from her family and must continue on her own. Toklo is abandoned by his mother and meets a shape-shifting cub. Lusa meets Oka, Toklo's mother in the zoo, and promises to find him and bring him a message. It seems that destiny will bring these three bears together on a dangerous journey that will continue throughout this new series. Includes an excerpt from Great Bear Lake (The Seekers, bk. 2).

Calling all Harry Potter fans!

Neff, Henry H. (2007). The Hound of Rowan. (The Tapestry, bk. 1), 414 pages. Grades 5 -7.


When twelve year old Max stumbles upon a mysterious room at the Art Institute of Chicago, he finds a Celtic tapestry and has a confusing vision. Suddenly, he is the focus of a group of people at Rowan Academy, a secret school for people with magical capabilities. Max chooses to attend this school as an Apprentice (first year) where he learns how to use his magical skills and super-human powers. In addition, he learns that evil continues to lurk around the world and that children like him are being kidnapped by the enemy. After Max is captured by the enemy, he is brought to a crypt in Ireland where the other children are being kept. It is up to him to rescue these children and escape back to Rowan. The second book, The Second Siege, is due out in September.

A story of friendship and strength

Day, Karen (2007). Tall Tales. 299 pages. Grades 5-7.

Sixth-grader Meg has moved again and is going to start another new school, this time in Indiana. She is worried about making friends and when anyone asks about her or her family, Meg makes up tall tales. She makes up stories, because she has a secret that no one can ever find out. But, when Meg meets Grace she realizes that Grace is a true friend and she slowly begins to trust her and her family.

Prequel to the "Tales of the Frog Princess"

Baker, E.D. (2007) The Salamander Spell. 248 pages. Grades 5-7.



Thirteen year old Grassina is a princess and the younger sister to Chartreuse, who is destined to become the Green Witch. Their mother, Queen Olivine, has been teaching Chartreuse the tools of the trade, but Chartreuse doesn't seem to have any magical ability. Tragedy strikes when a curse takes away Queen Olivine's powers as the Green Witch and the kingdom of Greater Greensward becomes at risk from werewolves and dragons. Will Chartreuse come into her magic or will Princess Grassina have to save the day?

A friendship that spans generations

Newbery, Linda (2007). At the Firefly Gate. 152 pages. Grades 5-7.



At the end of his Sixth year in school, Henry and his parents move to an English town near a former World War II airfield. As soon as they move in, Henry begins to see a shadowy man standing by the orchard gate surrounded by fireflies. He begins to learn more about the man, without realizing it, after he meets Dottie, his neighbor's great-aunt. She tells him that he reminds her of Henry, her fiancé, who was a Royal Air Force navigator. Unfortunately, he never returned from his 13th mission. Henry begins to wonder if the man at the gate might be Henry, the navigator's ghost! In addition to these stories from Dottie, Henry begins experiencing strange sensations, including feeling as if he is in someone else's body, and hearing old planes flying over head. Dottie never found out what happened on her fiancé's final mission, but Henry may receive more clues that will help him figure out the entire story.

Fairy tales come alive in this fantastical adventure!

Durst, Sarah Beth (2007). Into the Wild. Grades 5-7.

Twelve year old Julie lives with her single mom, Zel (a.k.a. Rapunzel) who had once upon a time fled from the enchanted forest, known as "the wild", in order to live a somewhat normal life. There are others just like Zel -- Mary from "Mary had a little lamb," the Three Bears, Puss in Boots (he's now Julie's brother) and more. But, when someone makes a wish to release "the wild", it captures characters into their original roles. Julie must rescue her mother and the others before it is too late. Can she manage to escape the fairy tale endings or will she end up in a story of her own? A neat twist is that the setting is right here in Massachusetts!



If you like books with fractured fairy tales, try these titles:

• Buckley, Michael. The Fairy-Tale Detectives . (Sisters Grimm, bk.1)


• Gardner, Lynn. Into the Woods.

Wonderful historical fiction novel!

Rinaldi, Ann (2007). Come Juneteenth. 246 pages. (Grades 5-7).


The Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, but it took two and a half years for Texas slave owners to inform their slaves for fear of an uprising. Fourteen-year old Luli has grown up during the Civil War alongside Sis Goose, a slave who was raised as Luli's sister. The girls tell each other everything, but when Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, Luli is forbidden to tell Sis Goose that she is free. When Union soldiers arrive in Texas, Sis Goose learns that she has been free for over two years. Her trust in Luli is broken and she is forced to run away with a Union soldier, which results in a devastating tragedy.

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?

Lalicki, Tom (2006). Danger in the Dark (A Houdini & Nate Mystery). 186 pages. Grades 5-7.


It is the summer of 1911 and thirteen year old Nathaniel lives with his widowed mother and his great-aunt Alice in New York City. When he is woken up repeatedly by strange voices, Nate begins to suspect that something unusual is taking place at his aunt’s home. He soon realizes that his aunt is having spiritual gatherings that are led by Mr. Trane, a man that his aunt had just befriended. After meeting Houdini at his place of work, Bennett & Son, Gentleman’s Hatters, Nate asks for his help to uncover the mystery behind these gatherings and they find out that the phony man leading the séances is trying to get his hands on his aunt’s fortune rather than reach out to spirits. If you enjoyed reading about Houdini and would like to learn more about his life, try Spellbinder: The Life of Harry Houdini, also by Tom Lalicki.