Are you looking for an exciting mystery?  Well, look no further.  Here you will find the perfect mystery, a broken watch, a missing aviatrix, and the search for the elixir to eternal youth.  Hermux Tantamoq, an oldfashioned watchmaker, is a diligent mouse who appreciates the mundane daily routine of going to work, coming home and enjoying his bowl of warm soup and reading the newspaper.  Little did he know that when the adventurous Ms Linka Perflinger, who is an aviatrix, arrives at his shop with a broken watch to be fixed, he would be drawn into the dangerous world of international business and the research for the cure for aging.  His client goes missing and a doctor at a cosmetics company is murdered.  What will happen next?  What will Hermux do?  Read Time Stops for No Mouse by Michael Hoeye, an excellent mystery for good readers, for children grades five and up.

Emma Rose continues her adventures as Allegra Biscotti in Who What Wear (AR 7.0, Level 4.8) by Olivia Bennett. Order this title through Link+.

In an earlier blog, I mentioned the first title in this series, The Allegra Biscotti Collection. Not quite as suspenseful as the first title, Who What Wear examines Emma's fraying relationship with her best friend, Holly. Will Emma's Allegra adventures further push Holly towards Holly's new friends? Will Holly finally find out Emma's secret?

The central problem in this title revolves around Emma trying to provide a dress for a sweet sixteen party for a prominent and popular high-schooler, who is a friend of Holly's sister. The problem? The interfering mother who wants a horrendous dress! Emma is told that she must cater to the mother, who is paying for the dress. The very idea of creating a hideous dress is appalling to Emma, however. How can she resolve her own ethics with the ethics of the fashion industry? Find out in this good sequel!

The 39 Clues have ended, but a new series has started. This is the second book in the Cahills vs. Vespers series. As with the other novels, different authors are tackling different books in this series. Jude Watson has written A King's Ransom (AR 6.0, Level 4.2).

The suspense continues, as Vesper One continues to hold the seven Cahills hostage. Vesper One's identity still remains safely hidden from the Cahill siblings, but for how long? As Greg Korman introduced in the first title, The Medusa Plot, Amy continues to worry about Dan's state of mind. Dan continues on his dark path (are we entering Star Wars territory here?) as he assembles the thing that he thinks will save the others.

Meanwhile, Atticus makes a reappearance with his brother, Jake, who turned over information about the Cahills to Interpol.  Will Atticus help his former friend, Dan? Will the Wyomings continue to impede Dan and Amy's progress? Who is AJT and what is AJT's connection to the Cahills? Read the book and find out!

13 Gifts (AR 13, Level 4.5. Order through Link+) by Wendy Mass continues the birthday book series. Be forewarned, fans of the birthday books, the author has written a darker-toned story from the other two titles.

The main character of this story, Tara, has been sent to Willow Falls because she committed a prank at school that has resulted in her suspension from school for two weeks. Of course, she soon runs into Angelina, the supernatural character who helps kids to find themselves. In this novel, Angelina has some serious lessons to teach Tara; she makes a dire prediction about Tara's future.

The caveat? She needs to find thirteen items before she turns 13 in two weeks! Luckily, Tara befriends characters from the other two novels: Leo, Amanda, Rory, and David. Does Tara find all of the items in time? Read the book to find out.

In alternating chapters, the authors tell the story of two cousins Margarita, known as Margie to her school friends, and Lupe. The two girls are the same age, Lupe was born and raised in Mexico, until Margie’s parents arranged for her to come to live with them and go to school with Margie. Margie’s grandparents were all from Mexico, but she was very proud to have been born in Texas. She considered herself to be a true American.

When Lupe arrives, things change in Margie’s life both at home and in school. She is expected to help translate the teacher’s instructions into Spanish for Lupe, but Margie hasn’t spoken Spanish for several years. She understands most of what her parents say, but can’t carry on a real conversation.

Lupe’s life also changes completely. She leaves behind her beloved grandmother and her twin baby brothers. Her Mother is nice to her, but wrapped up in taking care of her new husband and the twins. Lupe is both happy and scared with this new situation, happy to be living with her aunt and uncle, but scared she won’t find friends or a place for herself in this new school.

Will Margie and Lupe become friends? Can they each learn to adapt to the changes in this shared life? Can they find something in common to bring them closer together? The book’s title, Dancing Home, hints at a shared interest and how both girls find ways to adapt to their new lifestyle. Written by Alma Flor Ada and Gabriel M. Zubizarreta, a mother and son writing team, both living in California.

The BFG by Roald Dahl -- The BFG is one of those books that seems to harken back to the days where fairy tales had an edge. While the BFG (Big Friendly Giant) is a nice guy who only eats snozzcumbers and gives people dreams and his fellow giants are large man-eaters whose favorite dish is children. The book stars a little orphan girl named Sophie who has the good fortune to run into the BFG. Together they plan to stop the BFG's marauding fellow giants.

Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster -- Milo is a bored ten-year old boy who swears there is nothing to do. This changes when a tollbooth appears in his room. Curious, Milo dusts off his toy car, pays the toll, and drives through. Milo finds his way into a strange world where he meets several interesting characters and is tasked with returning two princesses to the kingdom of Wisdom. Fans of Alice in Wonderland will love this book!

From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konisburg -- Claudia runs away from home, inviting her brother to come along with her. They end up at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Once the place closes up for the night, the two siblings come out of hiding to explore. It is then that Claudia encounters an angelic statue that entrances her. She must find out for certain who made it! To this end, she and her brother track down the statue's former owner, Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.

Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli -- Maniac is a homeless kid living in the deer pen at the city zoo. He can untie any knot, outrun anyone on two legs or four, he helps out little kids with their problems, and tries to see the good in everyone. In a racially-divided town he doesn't see what the difference between people are.

Written by volunteer Robert D.