The Maze of Bones

The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan
Book One of The 39 Clues series

The 39 Clues series is a unique new mystery that follows siblings Amy and Dan Cahill as they follow clues left by their late Grandmother. After her death, Amy and Dan find out that their extended family is much larger (and more powerful!) than they'd ever imagined!

At the reading of their Grandmother's will, Dan and Amy are given the choice of receiving a million dollars immediately, or uncovering the 39 clues hidden around the world that will lead to "something bigger..." but no one knows what. By taking on the clues, they end up in a dangerous race against their own family members that takes them around the country and eventually, the world.

There will be 10 books in this exciting series, each written by a different author. This mystery is perfect for middle school readers, with enough action and suspense to keep you on your toes! Start the adventure in The Maze of Bones, continue it with One False Note, by Gordon Korman, and keep an eye out for book 3, coming soon!

The Seer of Shadows

The Seer of Shadows
by Avi
Reading level: Grades 4 – 8

Horace Carpetine is a fourteen year old photographer apprentice to Enoch Middleditch of New York City during the time period following the Civil War around 1870. When Mr. Middleditch decides to expand his business into “spirit” photography, Horace discovers his special gift as a seer of ghosts.
Together with Pegg, servant to the wealthy Mrs. Von Macht, Horace tries to help the restless spirit of Mrs. Von Macht’s daughter, Eleanora, find peace.

This is a fast paced story that will keep the reader turning pages. Horace, with the help of Pegg, is finally able to piece together the mysterious ghostly events surrounding the Von Macht family, business, and Fifth Avenue home. Another winner from prolific writer, Avi.

Found

Found
By Margaret Peterson Haddix
Reading level: grades 5 and up

The Missing: Book 1
Jonah Skidmore’s parents have never hidden the fact that he was adopted, not like his buddy Chip’s parents. With the help of Jonah’s sister, Katherine, the threesome set out to solve the mystery of the strange letters that Chip and Jonah have received. There is danger and suspense at every corner. Even the FBI gets involved. What really happened aboard the Sky Trails flight at Gate 2B? How did a plane land without showing up on radar? Haddix has another winner here! If you liked The Shadow Children series, this new one promises to be just as good.

Death Collector

Death Collector by Justin Richards
Reading level: Grades 6-10

This is a fabulous blend of mystery, horror and adventure. The book catches your interest with the opening line, "Four days after his own funeral, Albert Wilkes came home for tea", and keeps it to the very end. When Eddie, a 14-year-old pickpocket, witnesses the "deceased" Albert Wilkes being kidnapped, he becomes swept away in a mystery concerning a mysterious diary entry. Along with George, a 19-year-old assistant at the British Museum, and Liz, an 18 year-old clergyman's daughter, Eddie must solve the mystery horror befalls all of London.

The setting-foggy, Victorian London, is the perfect backdrop for dinosaur like animals, monstrous "humans" and a mad, power hungry industrialist. This is an enjoyable, suspenseful, thrilling adventure.

The King of Murder

King of Murder by Betsy Byars
Reading level: Grades 4-6

Girl detective Herculeah Jones and her best friend Meat team up to solve another crime in the newest book in this series. When the pair of amatuer detectives realize that local mystery writer Mathias King's stories match crimes in the community, they begin to think he is responsible for commiting the murders. His descriptions seem too detailed and accurate to have come just from his imagination. Herculeah seems to be unaware of the danger she is in as she tries to find the facts that will prove her theory. If you like mysteries, you'll have trouble putting this one down until you reach the last page! Recommended.