What's in your danger box?

Blue Balliett is known for writing mysteries, and her latest is The Danger Box. Zoomy Chamberlain is an interesting 12-year-old: he's almost legally blind, he's compulsive about making lists, and he's being raised by his grandparents. When his alcoholic father shows up and drops off a box, a battered notebook inside quickly catches Zoomy's attention. After identifying the word "Galapagos," he starts doing some research, and soon Zoomy in convinced the notebook has something to do with Charles Darwin. Teaming up with Lorrol, a girl he meets at the library, the two try to learn more about the notebook and how it might be connected to the newly-arrived (and somewhat creepy) stranger in their small town. Chapters are interspersed with "a free newspaper about a mysterious soul," written by Zoomy and Lorrol; it seemed pretty obvious they were referring to Darwin, and I thought the articles didn't add a lot to the story. Mixed feeling about the book - I was disappointed that there wasn't more of a mystery to solve, but I really liked the characters of Zoomy and Lorrol.

Fluffy, but fun

Female fans of the Wimpy Kid series will probably also enjoy Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life by Rachel Renee Russell.  The first in the Dork Diaries series, the pages appear to be diary entries, with drawings that are funny and manga-like and a font that looks like handwriting.  Nikki is a new student at Westchester Country Day School, and she's trying to fit in.  Her life is fairly typical for a girl in middle school: an embarrassing family (her dad is an exterminator), a snotty CCP (Cute, Cool & Popular) group at school, a crush on the hunk in biology class, and friends (Chloe and Zoey) who come through in a pinch.  Readers are bound to identify with many of the situations Nikki encounters, from mean girl MacKenzie Hollister to the dreaded lunchroom.  Good for lighthearted entertainment.

Spooky!

You've heard, "Never judge a book by its cover," right?  So true.  I only picked up this book because it had been recommended to me, but I thought that it looked dated and....sort of lame.  Shame on me - this was good!  The story begins with 11-year-old Allie stuck on the side of a cliff after fossil hunting.  Then a voice - from where? - calmly gives advice on how to get down.  After seeing a young girl's grave in a nearby cemetery and doing some research with her friend Dub, Allie is convinced that the voice belonged to the ghost of Lucy Stiles, who died four years ago but whose body was never found.  Now Allie is trying to solve the mystery of Lucy's death so that Lucy's spirit can finally rest in peace.  This is a well-paced book that's hard to put down, so look past the cover and check it out.

One feisty young lady

I was pleasantly surprised when I read Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman.  Based on the cover (I know, don't judge a book by its cover), I assumed the story would be about the Middle Ages (correct) and some lah-de-dah, prim and proper girl (way NOT correct).  I should've looked closer - she's getting ready to dump a bucket of water on a guy!  Catherine (nicknamed Little Bird or Birdy) is 14, and the year is 1290.  She's expected to learn her "lady lessons" and be married off in a year or two, but she would much rather join a crusade or become a puppeteer.  Told in a diary format, this book includes rich details of the daily life, beliefs, and customs of the medieval times.  Catherine has quite a bit of spunk, and I couldn't help but wonder how (or if?) she would escape her planned marriage to the abominable Shaggy Beard.  A fascinating story, this would be an especially good companion book to the study of the Middle Ages.

Laugh out loud funny!

I know so many kids who have read Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney that I decided it was about time I checked it out. Kids - you're brilliant. I haven't laughed at a book this much in ages! Greg Heffley is in his first year of middle school, and he describes it perfectly ("You've got kids like me who haven't hit their growth spurt yet mixed in with these gorillas who need to shave twice a day"), with goofy friends, annoying siblings, and clueless parents. The illustrations on every page are priceless, and Greg's thoughts and actions are both authentic and supremely funny. This is the first book in the Wimpy Kid series, and I bet the rest are just as funny. Be on the look-out: the fifth book is scheduled to be released in November!