Alfie and his gang are on a dangerous mission.Spying on a Russian secret agent, they must be quick, clever and totally invisible. But when the Russian is found dead, Alfie faces the greatest threat of his life . . . Views: 50
From Publishers WeeklySmith delivers yet another delightful installment to his Scotland Street series. This time out, he focuses mostly on the irrepressible Bertie Pollock, a precocious six-year-old whose mummy, Irene, forces him to play a saxophone, converse in Italian, do yoga and see Dr. Hugo Fairbairn, a psychotherapist who looks a lot like Bertie's baby brother, Ulysses. As Bertie struggles to accommodate his nutty mummy and new brother, another crisis explodes for artist Angus Lordie, whose beloved dog, Cyril, has been thrown in the pound for biting someone. Cyril is innocent, and Angus, with Bertie's assistance, sets out to rescue Cyril before he's put down. Subplots abound, and Smith details with dependable whimsical flair the romantic progress of Scotland Street familiars Matthew, Pat and Bruce. Series fans know what to expect, and they get it by the truckload. (Nov.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From School Library JournalThis fourth installment—following Love over Scotland—in New York Times best-selling author McCall Smith's (www.mccallsmith.com) "44 Scotland Street" series centers on a group of Edinburgh denizens' quirky and intriguing antics as seen through the eyes of a six-year-old boy. The book can stand alone, though listeners would benefit from meeting the characters earlier in the series. Actor/narrator Robert Ian Mackenzie's (_Freddy and Fredericka_) voice and delivery are wonderful; however, he could have done a better job distinguishing among the numerous characters. For mystery and audio collections in public libraries, especially those with previous McCall Smith titles.—Nicole A. Cooke, Montclair State Univ. Lib., NJ Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Views: 50
Fashion AND fairies? An unbeatable combination!The Fashion Fairies use their magic accessories to make sure that fashion everywhere is fun and fresh. But when jealous Jack Frost steals their magic away, it could lead to a fashion flop! Luckily, Rachel and Kirsty are ready to dive into another fairy adventure. . . .Now that Miranda the Beauty Fairy's magic is missing, no one is looking or feeling very good! Can Rachel and Kirsty help? Views: 50
Will a spelling bee be the answer to all of Bird's problems?All her life, all Bird has ever wanted is to be noticed in her small town and to get to Disney World. As it turns out, Bird just might have a chance to realize at least one of her goals because of a state spelling bee, and she might get to make a friend along the way – a boy named Harlem Tate who has just moved to Freedom. Harlem seems like a kindred spirit – someone like Bird, whom people don't usually take the time to find the good in. (Unless it's someone like Miss Delphine, who always makes Bird feel special.) But as much as Bird tries to get his attention, Harlem is not easily won over. Then Harlem agrees to be her partner in the spelling bee, and if they study hard enough, the two might just win everything Bird's always wanted.In Barbara O'Connor's funny new novel, a spunky young girl discovers that sometimes all it takes to feel famous is a little recognition from true... Views: 50
Five...four...three...two...one. Lift-off! What can Lizzie do when big-headed Jake challenges her to a race in space? She's GOT to beat him. But Jake has a super-duper, deluxe new spaceship that runs on special fuel... Zoom to Pluto and back with this super space story from award-winning author, Malorie Blackman. Views: 50
From Publishers WeeklyHahn (Stepping on the Cracks) mines her mother's reminiscences of growing up in Baltimore before WWI to create this nostalgic chapter book. Though set in a bygone era of gas street lamps and horse-drawn delivery carts, these episodes in the year Anna turns nine have timeless themes. Anna's efforts to eavesdrop are thwarted, for example, when her mother and aunt speak in their native German to tell secrets, so she attempts to learn the language on her own. (Hahn includes a glossary of German words and phrases.) On a dare from her best friend, Charlie, Anna speeds down a cobblestone street on her roller skates and ends up with stitches. One of the most humorous chapters also delivers the greatest lesson: Anna throws herself a "surprise" birthday party after her mother strictly forbids having friends to the house; her aunt saves the party, but as punishment Anna has to go to her room without dinner. Children will recognize the personalities and rivalries of the neighborhood (e.g., snobby Rosa with the perfect coat and her sidekick Beatrice as foils for tomboyish Anna) and will seeing the similarities between Anna's time and their own. Final artwork not seen by PW. Ages 7-10. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. From School Library JournalGrade 2-4-Life in Baltimore in the years just before World War I might seem slow and dull to today's youngsters, but eight-year-old Anna experiences the same yearnings, disappointments, joys, and adventures that all children do. During the seasons described here, she struggles with long division; she outgrows her winter coat and longs for a red one just like the one belonging to her snobby friend Rosa; she asks Santa for an Erector set, though it is not considered a suitable present for a young lady; and she eavesdrops on her mother and aunts' conversations, only to be thwarted when the adults speak in German (a glossary of German terms is included). Hahn masterfully captures Anna's humiliation at wearing a coat that is too small, her thrill and fear during her fling as a daredevil roller skater, and the comforting sense of family that surrounds these everyday activities. De Groat depicts the period details-dress, transportation, etc.-and the characters' personalities all come to life through her soft, though vibrant pencil illustrations. Reading this book is like taking a quiet, peaceful carriage ride over the cobbled streets of an earlier time.Linda Bindner, formerly at Athens Clarke County Library, GA Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. Views: 50
From Publishers WeeklyIn this sequel to Anna All Year Round, set just before WWI, nine-year-old Anna is happy to spend a week at her aunt and uncle's farm in Anna on the Farm by Mary Downing Hahn, illus. by Diane de Groat. All runs smoothly until she meets Theodore, who calls her a "stuck-up city slicker" and spurs her to prove that she's just as clever and brave as he is. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.From BooklistGr. 3-5. In this sequel to Anna All Year Round (1999), nine-year-old Anna travels to spend a week in the country with Aunt Aggie and Uncle George. She is ecstatic (since all her Baltimore friends have left on vacations) until she discovers that her aunt and uncle have taken in a young orphan named Theodore. The rivalry between the children results in a series of pranks, but eventually the children become good friends. Unlike the earlier, more episodic title, the action here is better focused and the characters more fleshed out. Particularly interesting is the contrast between Anna's mother (a rigid woman with definite Old World ideas about ladylike behavior) and Aunt Aggie, who allows Anna to wear overalls for play and encourages her to have fun. The details in the setting (early-twentieth-century Baltimore, Washington, and rural Prince Georges County) add to the richness of the text, as do the illustrations by Diane de Groat. A good choice for easy-chapter-book readers, especially those who have met Anna before. Kay WeismanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved Views: 50
Twist it once, you're horned and haired;Twist it twice and fangs are bared;Twist it thrice? No one has dared! Russell is sure that the ring he gets at Mr. Elives' shop is just a silly magic trick, but he follows the instructions and twists the ring twice anyway—and becomes a monster! Includes an author's note. Views: 50
On an island of geniuses, a gang of kids must use their smarts to survive When five brilliant but wacky friends get dragged to a deserted island by their scientist parents, they decide to do what any self-respecting young brainiacs would: beat the adults at their own game. The only problem is, before the group can discover whether artificial intelligence is an impossible dream or the solution to mankind's problems, they'll first have to save themselves from a horrifying death trap—and the entire island from destruction at the hands of a mad bomber! This ebook features an illustrated personal history of Bruce Coville including rare images from the author's collection. Views: 50
Ray Hockaday plays center for the Medicine Hat Tigers. He's spent his hockey career hiding something from the world. When his new Russian roommate shows up, Ray is assigned to help Vlad get used to life in Canada. What Ray doesn't know is that Vlad is also hiding something. And that secret could get both of them killed. Views: 50
Fear Street -- Where Your Worst Nightmare Lives... Julie's friends couldn't stand Al. In fact, they all wished Al were dead. But that doesn't mean one of them killed him. Julie knows her friends. She knows they're innocent...until one of them confesses to the murder. Julie and her friends make a pact to keep the killer's secret. They're sure it was a one-time thing. It will never happen again. ...Will it? Views: 50
Tania is having the best year of her life. She has a hot new boyfriend, she landed the starring role in a student film, and she's just been voted homecoming queen. But someone is jealous of Tania. Someone plans to ruin her perfect year—even if that means killing her. Will Tania live to see the homecoming dance? Views: 50
