The Missing Dog is Spotted

Jessica Scott Kerrin is the author of this sweet book about a vertically challenged (short) boy named Trevor, and his super-tall classmate, Loyola. Trevor's family moves frequently because his parents are pilots: due to this, Trevor has decided to never become too attached to anyone or any place. In fact, he is due to move again at the end of the school year. But, before his big move, the sixth graders have been assigned jobs for a local service project. Trevor awkwardly dismisses an opportunity to work with a crotchety graveyard groundskeeper in favor of a job walking dogs for senior citizens. What he doesn't realize is that Loyola is signed up for the same job. Initially, they are extremely self-conscious about walking next to each other. Fortunately, the dogs keep them busy and they soon forget about their own height-related issues. On their daily route, they meet a sweet old man who is looking for his lost dog. Or is he? Trevor and Loyola take it upon themselves to solve the case of the missing spotted dog. Readers who have outgrown the A-Z Mystery series will enjoy this book.

A Sister Lost. A Body Found. The Truth Buried. ✩✩✩✩✩

The book cover of One Came Home, with its beautiful graphics, Newbury honor sticker and compelling subtitle, drew me right in. Although darker in tone than the mystery I reviewed in the previous post, this multiple-award winning book is just as terrific. Amy Timberlake is an amateur birder, and when she heard about the largest recording of passenger pigeon nesting in 1870 Wisconsin, she decided to weave a historical fiction mystery around the event. Readers will love Georgie, the intrepid main character who sets out on a quest to discover what happened to her missing sister, Agatha. The suspense builds as Georgie and Billy, the sister's boyfriend, search for clues among sinister characters and remote locations.

To learn more about the book, the author, or the now-extinct passenger pigeon, go to Amy Timberlake's comprehensive website. This book is a must-recommend to any mature fifth grade reader and up.

An Irresistible Southern Mystery ✩✩✩✩

Here in Connecticut, ten middle-grade books are nominated every year to compete for the Nutmeg Award. This year, the list includes The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing by Sheila Turnage. I was pretty certain that The One and Only Ivan (also on the list) would have the win all wrapped up. However, this charming adventure really took me by surprise! Mo LeBeau, "one half of the probably world-famous detective agency the Desperado Detectives", and her sidekick Dale, are back in this sequel to Three Times Lucky. Mo is plucky and clever, and her way of looking at the world is laugh-out-loud funny! For example, in Chapter 30, "The Horror Unfolds", Mo is desperately trying to avoid giving her oral report on Fishbowl Friday, so she exclaims: "Excuse me, Miss Retzyl, but the entire town's trembling from financial stress. Oral reports could tip us over the edge, which could mean not only personal heartbreak, but a class action lawsuit. I'd hate to see you embroiled." The entire book is just as witty...I had to read passages to my husband as he wondered what I was laughing about. This is a terrific book you could recommend to any fifth grader who loves a good tale.

A Flashlight-Worthy Thriller

SYLO

by D.J. MacHale

Get out your flashlights...
This fast-paced suspense story will keep you reading all night. Tucker and his friends get caught up in a frightening mystery on their normally sleepy, quiet island off the coast of Maine. SYLO has invaded,and no one knows if they are here to help or harm? If the U.S. President sent them, does that mean that all is well? When all communication with the mainland is disrupted, Tucker and his friends plan a dangerous escape to get out their important message.

If you loved this book, try the Morpheus Road series by the same author, or Wake Up Missing by Kate Messner.