The Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein

The Crossroads

by Chris Grabenstein
Random House, 2008

GENRE: Horror, Thriller, Mystery, Ghost Story, Paranormal, Crime

HONORS: Winner 2010 Anthony and Agatha Award

REVIEW:  Zack Jennings, his father George and his new step-mom Judy have just moved back to the small Connecticut town where George originally grew up. Their old Victorian home sits on a large lot near a major crossroads where fifty years ago, a tragic accident occurred involving a crazed man who purposely caused the deaths of forty innocent people, and then his own when he crashed into a large oak tree on the edge of the Jennings’ new property. All is looking up for this new young family, until lightning strikes the tree during a storm and releases the evil spirit of the crazed man who’s mission was not completed, and Zack just may be next on his list.

OPINION: Most of the horror I’d read for this assignment was not true horror, but had elements of horror mixed with other genres such as fantasy or humor. This book was more along the lines of true horror as a realistic ghost story mixed with the thrill of mystery and crime. For a sizeable book, it was a quick read of short manageable chapters that keep the reader on the edge of their seat and eager to read on.

IDEAS: This would be another good addition to a Halloween display. It could also serve as the basis of a lesson or program on ghost stories where students/TAG members could write a ghost story of their own, or share their favorite story.

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer
by John Grisham
Hachette, 2010

GENRE: Mystery, Crime, Thriller

HONORS: None known

REVIEW: As the 13-year-old son of two lawyers, Theo Boone knows a lot about the law, not to mention he’s on a first name basis with many of the policemen, judges, clerks and bailiffs at the county courthouse. Theo dreams of being a great trial lawyer and already acts as somewhat of a legal consultant for many students at his middle school. His consulting takes a serious turn when a friend confides in him valuable evidence for a big murder trial in progress and Theo must figure out how justice can be rightfully served.

OPINION: This book offers a great introduction to the U.S. legal system from the relatable point of view of a middle school student. I found the book to be gripping, educational and entertaining.

IDEAS: As I mentioned, this book could serve as a great introduction to the U.S. legal and justice system. This book could serve as the inspiration for a lesson/program featuring a mock trial to give tweens and teens the chance to participate in legal procedure.

The Sisters Grimm: Fairy Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley

The Sisters Grimm: Fairy Tale Detectives
by Michael Buckley
Harry N. Abrams, 2007

GENRE: Fantasy, Fairy Tale Retellings, Mystery

HONORS: Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award 2006, Kirkus: The best Children's Books of 2005

REVIEW: After moving from foster home to foster home, orphaned sisters Daphne and Sabrina are sent to live with their grandmother – a woman they had been told was dead. Granny Relda takes the girls to her home in Ferryport Landing where she reveals to the girls that they are actually descendents of the original Brothers Grimm who were not only storytellers, but detectives of cases involving magical phenomenon involving the Everafters, a magical race that inhabits Ferryport Landing. Soon enough, Granny Relda goes missing and the girls find themselves solving their first case involving giants, Prince Charming and an Englishman.

OPINION: I was recommended this series by a number of tweens, and enjoyed the retellings and fracturing of fairytales and how they had been explained for use in a modern setting. It mixes the extraordinary content of familiar tales with our ordinary familiar world.

IDEAS: Fairytale retellings are a growing and popular subgenre. This would make for a great inclusion in a fairy tale retellings/fractured fairy tale display, or as the inspiration for a short story contest for tweens involving a reimagining of familiar fairy tales.

39 Clues: The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan

39 Clues: The Maze of Bones
by Rick Riordan
Scholastic, 2008

GENRE: Mystery, Adventure

HONORS: None known

REVIEW: After a last minute change before her death, at the reading of her will Grace Cahill gives her family two options: walk away with a million dollars, or take the first of 39 clues that will lead to something of great power. Amy and Dan were orphans who lived in the care of their Aunt Beatrice, but were very close with Grace and considered themselves her favorites. Grace had always told Amy that she would go on great adventures and accomplish great things. Could this be the adventure Grace had in mind?

OPINION: I had heard much criticism that this series is just a big marketing scheme, and while I can see where they are coming from, I still found the book and story highly entertaining and am eager to finish the rest of the series.

IDEAS: This book is just asking for some sort of 39 Clues event/program that involves a scavenger hunt for the tween and teen attendees. The book would also fit well in a mystery/adventure display.

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy

Skulduggery Pleasant
by Derek Landy
Harper Collins, 2007

GENRE: Mystery, Horror, Comic Fantasy

HONORS: Bord Gais Energy Irish Book of the Decade Award 2000-2010, Red House Children's Book Award

REVIEW: Stephanie was always very close with her uncle Gordon who has just mysteriously passed away. Surrounded by family and friends of her uncle at the reading of his will, 12-year-old Stephanie learns that she alone will inherit her uncle’s mansion and the royalties from his best-selling book, much to the surprise of everyone in the room. On the first visit to her new home, Stephanie is attacked by a man demanding “the key,” only to be saved by her uncle’s strange friend Skulduggery Pleasant. This incident becomes the first of many adventures together as they uncover the details of her uncle’s murder, secrets he has hidden away, and a world of magic Stephanie never knew existed.

OPINION: I noticed this book as a California Young Reader’s nominee a couple of years ago, and having enjoyed a few of the other nominees this was one I had always been interested in reading, and I was not disappointed. I love it when a book surprises me for the better and provided a story of magic and mystery mixed with clever and witty humor.

IDEAS: This book would work well in a display/book mark of juvenile mysteries, or perhaps a Halloween display of books with creepy themes. If a TAG group was to read this book, related programming ideas might be something along the lines of a murder mystery dinner or a game similar to Murder in the Dark.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

The Invention of Hugo Cabret
by Brian Selznick
Scholastic Press, 2007

GENRE: Historical Fiction, Steampunk, Mystery

HONORS: 2008 Caldecott Medal, National Book Award Finalist, A New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2007, A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2007, 2007 Quill Award Winner, 2007 Borders Original Voices Finalist, 2007 #1 Best Book for Kids from Barnes and Noble, Parenting Magazine "Mom–Tested Book of the Year," Miami Herald Best Kids Book of 2007, Rocky Mountain News Best Book of 2007, San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of 2007, Kansas City Star Top 100 Books of 2007, Columbus Dispatch Best Book of 2007, Los Angeles Times Favorite Children's Book of 2007, Kidsreads.com Best Book of 2007

REVIEW: 284 hand-drawn pencil illustrations, photographs and words tell the story of Hugo, a young orphan living in secret in a small apartment hidden away in the walls of a bustling Paris train station. So that no one might suspect his uncle has gone missing, Hugo takes over his uncle’s duties of maintaining the station’s clocks and steals good to eat and parts to eventually fix the only remaining artifact from his father, until one day he gets caught and his life changes forever.

OPINION: Brian Selznick wrote the book based on facts and the very real historical icon, film maker and magician, Georges Méliès. This made for a very unique, interesting and believable story, which was beautifully illustrated with meticulously crosshatched pencil drawings. I had never read anything like this book, and was thoroughly impressed.

IDEAS: Book could be included the book in a steampunk display. A number of programs could be developed in conjunction with the book: steampunk costume contest/event; magic show; draw pictures based on a scene from a favorite book; George Melies film event, etc.