Jake Ransom and the Skull King’s Shadow.

Connecticut middle-schooler Jake and his older sister Kady are transported by a Mayan artifact to a strange world inhabited by a mix of people from long-lost civilizations who are threatened by prehistoric creatures and an evil alchemist, the Skull King.

Magic Thief

A young thief is drawn into a life of magic and adventure after picking the pocket of the powerful wizard Nevery Flinglas, who has returned from exile to attempt to reverse the decline of magic in Wellmet City.

Storm Chaser

When a fire forces her family to turn their home into a guest ranch, aspiring horse trainer Jessica finds herself working with her favorite horse, Storm Chaser, to tame the wild filly for snobbish, spoiled Ariel, Storm Chaser’s future owner.

Dying to Meet You

Children’s book author I. B. Grumply gets more than he bargained for when he rents a quiet place to write for the summer. The story is told mostly through letters.

Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

In central Texas in 1899, eleven-year-old Callie Vee Tate is instructed to be a lady by her mother, learns about love from the older three of her six brothers, and studies the natural world with her grandfather, the latter of which leads to an important discovery.

Night of the Spadefoot Toads

When his family moves from Tucson, Arizona, to Massachusetts, fifth-grader Ben has a hard time leaving the desert he loves. When he finds a kindred spirit in his science teacher and tries to help her with some of her problems, he finally begins to feel at home.

Closed for the Season

When thirteen-year-old Logan and his family move into a run-down old house in rural Virginia, he discovers that a woman was murdered there and becomes involved with his neighbor Arthur in a dangerous investigation to try to uncover the killer.

Shooting the Moon

When her brother is sent to fight in Vietnam, twelve-year-old Jamie begins to reconsider the army world that she has grown up in.

Kenny & the Dragon

Book-loving Kenny the rabbit has few friends in his farming community, so when one, bookstore owner George, is sent to kill another, gentle dragon Grahame, Kenny must find a way to prevent their battle while satisfying the dragon-crazed townspeople.

Extra Credit

Clements, Andrew
Illustrated by Mark Elliott

As letters flow back and forth between the prairies of Illinois and the mountains of
Afghanistan, sixth-grader Abby, ten-year-old Amira, and eleven-year-old Sadeed begin to speak and listen to each other.