Detective Natty and Doggy Dale Follow the Clues by Deborah Hunt is the first book of the series ‘Detective Natty and Doggy Dale Mini Mysteries’. It features Natty, a little detective, and her loyal partner Dale, a dog who is equally good at solving mysteries, if not more. The two of them solve four simple mysteries involving missing objects, utilizing clues and of course, their detective skills. The first story is about a boy losing his soccer shoes while the rest are concerned with missing lunch box, saxophone, and button collection respectively.
Dulcie is new to Vietnam and much less adventurous than her parents; they’re always willing to try something new. When Dulcie steps outside for some fresh air, she is in for a surprise when Duke, a magical monkey, takes her on a special tour of her new home. With his magic wrench, Duke opens doorways to the most beautiful places of the country and opens Dulcie’s eyes to the wonder of a new culture. Now ready to embrace a big change, Dulcie learns the value of family, no matter where life takes you.
The Grand Witch is looking for an assistant, but being the best at magic might not be the way to win. Sometimes, it’s a special gift that will help someone stand out. Youngest witch sister, Zadie, wishes to attend the Grand Witch’s Tea. When her Hairy Godspider grants this wish, Zadie joyfully attends the tea alongside her witch sisters. While Zilda and Zale compete for the Grand Witch’s attention using magic, Zadie has a unique gift to offer: kindness! The Grand Witch is ready to announce her decision, and everyone is likely to be surprised, especially Zadie.
During the summer of 1963, Sophia goes through some serious growing up. She is the one who finds her older brother’s mutilated remains while spending time with her new friend, Sammie, while they were walking in the local woods. Life instantaneously changes for her and her family. Living in a racist community at that time in Marin County, California has the family extremely unsettled because the racism and destruction to the black community makes everyone edgy and fearful for their lives at every turn.
The Last Invention by Diane Lilli is foremost a story about sisters and their nearly unbreakable bond. Amanda and Emily have an enviable sisterhood, a bond like steel, forged by their indomitable mother. Their lives are very different, but their bond remains. Amanda is a successful businesswoman, married, and has a son. Emily was a successful athlete and has a joyful life. All is well until tragedy strikes. Heavy grief changes both sisters; that grief becomes an opportunity for one sister and makes the other vulnerable. Bonds between sisters can be broken—by death.
Rebecca is a preteen girl who is obsessed with ghosts and lives with her mother in Chicago, IL. Her mother gets an invite to spend the summer with her family in Iowa so she can catch up on work and let Rebecca get to know family she never had the chance to know. Rebecca, who is not thrilled about the idea of spending a summer away from her best friend, reluctantly accompanies her mother on a summer family vacation. Since the passing of her father, Rebecca is only allowed to talk about her father with her mother once a year, which is the anniversary of his death.
