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Merits of Mischief: The Big Apple
Synopsis: The start of a mischievous new middle-grade series has trouble written all over it.

Twelve-year-old Seamus Hinkle is a good kid with a perfect school record—until the day he accidently kills his substitute teacher with an apple.
     Seamus is immediately shipped off to a detention facility—only to discover that Kilter Academy is actually a school to mold future Troublemakers, where demerits are awarded as a prize for bad behavior and each student is tasked to pull various pranks on their teachers in order to excel. Initially determined to avoid any more mishaps, Seamus nonetheless inadvertently emerges as a uniquely skilled troublemaker. Together with new friends Lemon and Elinor, he rises to the top of his class while beginning to discover that Kilter Academy has some major secrets and surprises in store….
Publication Date: 04/24/12
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus
Denise Brunkus, Barbara Park
Synopsis: 10 Top-Secret Personal Facts About Junie B

By Me, Junie B. Jones

My birthday is Junie the 1st! My mother's name is Susan, Susie, Suz, Mommy, and Mother. Plus sometimes Daddy calls her Buttercup. That is ridiculous I think. My favorite food is yummy, delicious lemon pie. Plus also I like 'pasketti and meatballs and whipped cream in a can, and sugar cookies! I do not like peas. Or Tuna Noodle Stinkle  (that dish does not smell delightful). When I grow up I would like to be the janitor of my school. The janitor saves people from danger. And paints litter cans. And carry keys that unlock the bathroom. Without the janitor we couldn't even go to the toilet. I would also  enjoy being Beauty Shop guy, I think.   My grandma, Helen Miller has a pet bird named Twitter. (Only I hate that dumb bird). I am not actually a fan of roosters either. One time, a boy named meanie Jim said that roosters can peck your head into a nub. And that is not pleasant, I tell you. The name of my school is Clarence somebody or other Elementary School. I usually take the stupid smelly bus to school.  Only some mornings I accidentally spill cereal down the front of me at breakfast. And then I accidentally dance with Teddy instead of changing clothes. And so I accidentally miss the bus. Then Mother has to drive me. She is not pleasant when that happens. When I am scared in the dark, I grab my bestest stuffed animal named Philip Johnny Bob. And then both of us sing, "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow" from the hit musical Annie. My favorite fruits are fruit loops, cherry jello, grape Kool-aid, orange popsicles, strawberry shortcake, blueberry pancakes, and chocolate covered raisins.
Publication Date: 04/24/12
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Series
The Flight of the Dragons
Ross Collins, Vivian French
Synopsis: How long does a dragon’s egg take to hatch? Find out as this hilariously macabre series continues. (Age 8 and up)

In this deadly funny fourth Tale from the Five Kingdoms, it’s Gracie Gillypot’s birthday, and Prince Marcus plans to show her a flight of dragons as a special gift. But when greedy, chocolate-hungry twins awaken the banished Old Malignant One, evil magic and Total Oblivion threaten the Five Kingdoms. Gracie must find a powerful, long-forgotten dragon’s egg before the Old Malignant One does in order to save the day. With the help of a wayward troll, two chatty bats, and the ancient crones, can Gracie foil his rotten plans? And can she overcome a spoiled princess, a malicious crow, and loads of chocolate cake to do so?
Publication Date: 04/24/12
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fantasy
The Secret in Bladham Wood
Sheila Lee Brown
Synopsis: Sisters don’t always get along. Sam often wishes she was an only child. However, when something happens to her kid sister Lilly, Sam is ready to take on whatever comes her way, despite her fear and uncertainty. With her new friend Marcus, Sam sets out to rescue Lilly. Their journey uncovers a family secret that changes Sam and the way she sees the world, forever.
Publication Date: 04/22/12
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Gladius and the Bartlett Trial
Synopsis: "The whole time I read this I kept thinking how cool of a movie it would make..."

Run with Gladius on this epic adventure through the daunting pillars of Longwood Forest, past the beasts of lore and fancy, to the shadowy Hills of the Moon. Feel the creepy twinges of the nefarious tyrant Mulhurt pull and twist at Gladius' instincts. Crave the raw emotions as a budding friendship blossoms into young love when Ellie captivates his heart. Embrace and experience heartache and humor, fear and courage, doubt and confidence. Come along -- join Gladius on this tantalizing fantasy adventure sure to appease your inner soul!

“J. A. Paul definitely knows how to craft an epic story-line, as well as fully developed characters and dialogue richly detailed in ‘story-teller’ fashion” -- The Paperback Pursuer

“A thrilling read that I found to be very well written and vividly descriptive.” -- TFLReader,  Top 1000 Reviewer on Amazon

“I got this book for my 12 year old son. He got in trouble a few times for staying up past his bed time to read this book. The following is his opinion:

If you like Fiction, Action, & Adventure books, you'll LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVEEE this book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved it so much I can't wait to get the second book in the series. READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” -- Amazon reviewer

“I've already recommended it to some of the older students and they are pretty excited to read it!” -- Carole, an Amazon reviewer

There were a few sad moments but overall this story was hopeful and encouraging, something I think we all need in our lives.” -- Sarah, an Amazon Reviewer

Publication Date: 04/19/12
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fantasy
The Sisters Grimm Book Nine:  The Council of Mirrors
Peter Ferguson, Michael Buckley
Synopsis: In the final volume in the Sisters Grimm series, Sabrina, Daphne, and the rest of the Grimms and their friends must face off against the Master to decide the fate of Ferryport Landing—and the world. When Mirror fails to escape the barrier using Granny Relda’s body, he turns to his plan B: killing all the Grimms so that the magical barrier collapses. In the meantime, Sabrina has gathered the other magic mirrors as advisors on how to deal with their mortal enemy. They tell her to join forces with the Scarlet Hand against Mirror, in exchange for offering all the citizens of Ferryport Landing their freedom. This final chapter is the end of the road for several beloved characters, but the conclusion is sure to satisfy devoted fans of the series.

Publication Date: 04/19/12
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fantasy
Alice Parker's Metamorphosis
Synopsis: Thirteen-year-old Alice Parker knows something isn't right; mysterious aches and pains, a craving for sugar that's out of control. Suddenly she is top of the class in every subject.
  
Baffled by what is happening to her and feeling at odds with the world, Alice can't take much more. Only when she collapses and experiences a life-changing transformation does she discover why she is different. But this new, incredible identity brings its own challenges, and Alice isn't convinced she can rise to them. She just wants to be normal!

The fact is she's anything but. . .
Publication Date: 04/14/12
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fantasy
Zigzag Kids: Bears Beware
Patricia Reilly Giff
Synopsis: Mitchell really doesn't want to go camping with the other kids at the Zigzag Afternoon Center. Sleeping in the woods with creepy crawly things, coyotes, and bears? Yikes! But his best friend Habib is going, and it's Mitchell's birthday that weekend. He's just got to find a way to be brave, and scare the bears away!
As the fifth book in the Zigzag Kids series—which also includes Number One Kid, Big Whopper, Flying Feet, and Star Time—Bears Beware continues to delight readers with award-winning author Patricia Reilly Giff's quirky, lovable group of kids, capturing all the excitement and surprises of new friends and after-school fun.
Publication Date: 04/10/12
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Series
Child of the Mountains
Marilyn Sue Shank
Synopsis: "Unfolds in pitch-perfect regional dialect. . . . For fans of Ruth White's and Kerry Madden's Appalachian-inspired fiction."--Kirkus Reviews

It's about keeping the faith.

Growing up poor in 1953 in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia doesn't bother Lydia Hawkins. She treasures her tight-knit family. There's her loving mama, now widowed; her whip-smart younger brother, BJ, who has cystic fibrosis; and wise old Gran. But everything falls apart after Gran and BJ die and mama is jailed unjustly. Suddenly Lydia has lost all those dearest to her.
Moving to a coal camp to live with her uncle William and aunt Ethel Mae only makes Lydia feel more alone. She is  ridiculed at her new school for her outgrown homemade clothes and the way she talks, and for what the kids believe her mama did. And to make matters worse, she discovers that her uncle has been keeping a family secret—about her.
If only Lydia, with her resilient spirit and determination, could find a way to clear her mother's name. . . .
Publication Date: 04/10/12
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Historical Fiction
Alice-Miranda on Vacation
Jacqueline Harvey
Synopsis: Girls who are fans of Judy Moody, Matilda and Clementine will love Alice-Miranda, the  precocious and endearing heroine whose adventures continue in book #2 of the Alice-Miranda series. 

Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones has survived her first semester at boarding school. Now she's headed home for break—and she's invited Jacinta Headlington-Bear, the school's second-best tantrum thrower, to join her. The two girls are looking forward to a fun mini-vacation. Nothing too eventful! But a cranky boy is causing mischief, a movie star has come to visit, and a stranger is snooping around. Add a naughty pony, a hint of romance, and a dastardly scheme, and Jacinta and Alice-Miranda might have a more exciting time than they ever expected. . . .
Publication Date: 04/10/12
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Series
Gladius and the Sea of Lost Souls
Synopsis: No longer plagued by the wild beasts and tyrants faced during his Bartlett Trial, 15-year-old Gladius looks forward to returning with his new friend, Ellie, to her family home. Good food, great stories and a much needed rest await them – at least that is what they believe until they discover their homes burned to the ground and their families missing. Something, or someone, is not only collecting bodies all over the countryside, but also snatching their souls. A mysterious clue on an old map spurs the two of them, plus Ellie’s childhood friend, Henry, a deaf mute, to travel cross country to the Sea of Lost Souls. Relationships deepen and obstacles abound as they pass over the snowy Porcupine Pass, through the walled City of Thieves and across the hot sands of the Drylands during the hunt for their loved ones.
Publication Date: 04/05/12
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Adventure
Where Shadows Dance: (Ghosts & Shadows Book 2)
Synopsis: Ash was looking forward to a summer of camping with friends and time travelling. Then his Great Aunt fades away (literally), his near-death nightmare gets even weirder and he keeps falling into someone else's dreams. On top of that, his house is attacked and he gets trapped in the past while trying to help a new friend who isn't too friendly. Juna isn't having a great time of it either: having escaped from her parole officer, she barely survives falling out of a plane and getting sucked into a bizarre tornado that keeps appearing in the most unlikely situations. While Ash and Juna try to get out of the past and back home, events and dreams keep pointing them to the place where it all starts and ends, where shadows dance and time bends. If they can get there, they may be able to stop an implacable enemy from destroying their future. Of course, getting there means surviving first. Also read Book 1, 'Diary of a Part Time Ghost': amazon.com/Diary-Part-Time-Ghost-Vered-Ehsani/dp/1456579231/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1326525441&sr=8-1
Publication Date: 04/03/12
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Adventure
The Metamorphosis of Kaden Parsons
Synopsis: The Metamorphosis of Kaden Parsons is about a boy who is bullied at school following the loss of his mother and mid-year transfer to a new school. As a new single-parent, his dad must learn how best to help his son while fighting the guilt of not knowing. Using the amazing transformation of the Monarch butterfly as a metaphor, Kaden's journey reveals who he really is and launches his dad on a quest to become the father his son needs him to be.

The conversation starters at the end of the book help busy parents to personalize the major themes of the story--which include bullying and the power of standing up, love and loss, and single parenting--to their own family values and experiences.
Publication Date: 04/02/12
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Blood Oath
T.L. Clarke
Synopsis: Publication Date: January 13, 2014| Age Level: 8 -12 | Grade Level: 3 - 5

The battle against pure evil begins. Friendships are betrayed. Rivals bond...and powers collide.

Gabrielle discovers that everything she has known to be true is a lie...just smoke and mirrors to disguise a deadly world filled with creatures with one goal--to kill.
Publication Date: 04/01/12
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Paranormal
Jinxed!
Eric Wight, Kurtis Scaletta
Synopsis: It’s Chad’s first spring as a batboy, and the Pine City Porcupines are hot—until they come up against the league-leading Heron Lake Humdingers. Now Chad’s got a whole lineup of problems: his favorite player, shortstop Mike Stammer, thinks he’s jinxed; Dylan, the other batboy, doesn’t even like baseball; there’s a goofy new porcupine mascot on the field; plus, Chad has to fill in as batboy for the Herons. It’s a good thing there’s something in the cards—his baseball cards, that is—that can help Chad sort it all out.

Publication Date: 04/01/12
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Steal That Base!
Eric Wight, Kurtis Scaletta
Synopsis: Chad’s got the summertime blues: his parents want him to be home by midnight (no extra innings) and eat healthier (no corn dogs). His friend, Abby, has bobblehead issues. And then there’s pinch hitter Sammy Solaris. But Sammy has problems of his own. He has a big swing but is too slow. If he can’t speed up his running and stealing, he’ll be off the team. There’s got to be something Chad can do to save the day . . . with a little help from Dylan, a baseball card, and that porcupine!

Publication Date: 04/01/12
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction

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