First Clues: Mysteries for Kids is pleased to announce a selection of new mystery, suspense and thriller books (including series titles) scheduled for publication during April 2013, listed in approximate order of reading level, from books for younger readers to books for teens and young adults.
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The Black Paw
Heather Vogel Frederick
Series: Spy Mice
These comic spy novels are recommended for readers aged 7 to 9.
When Oz Levinson's dad gets a job at the Spy Museum in Washington, D.C., Oz is hoping for a fresh start. But no matter where he lives or what school he goes to, it seems like it's always the same. Sharks — bullies — versus everyone else. What would Oz's hero, James Bond, do? Make mincemeat out of the sharks, no doubt. Alas, Oz is no 007 — more like double-o-lard instead.
Then Oz meets Morning Glory Goldenleaf, a mouse who's also a skateboarding superspy, and finds himself swept into an exciting world of espionage he never dreamed existed beneath the museum's floorboards and in the subway tunnels of the nation's capitol. A world every bit as exciting as a spy film. But Glory's struggle against the evil rat Roquefort Dupont is no make-believe movie. It's real life: mice vs. rats, kids vs. bullies, good vs. evil. And all the power lies in one paw.
Also being published this month: the second and third in the series …
For Your Paws Only | Goldwhiskers
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Robot Rumble
Franklin W. Dixon
Series: Hardy Boys Secret Files
These series titles, with younger aged amateur sleuths based on the original characters in "The Hardy Boys" series, are recommended for readers aged 7 to 9.
It's time for the annual Bayport Science Fair, and Frank, Joe, and their friend Phil are determined to have the winning entry. With their spiffy homemade robot, they are convinced they can finally top their classmate, Cissy Zermeno, who has won the past two years.
But right before the boys are about to bring Mr. Roboto to the fair, Phil discovers that their prized creation has gone missing! Did town bully (and usual suspect) Adam Ackerman steal him out of jealousy? Or was Cissy worried she would have to settle for second place this year?
It's up to the boys to figure out how Mr. Roboto found his way out of Phil's garage. Will they get him back in time to compete?
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Rumble in the Jungle
Geronimo Stilton
Series: Geronimo Stilton
This long-running series of action-adventure tales is recommended for readers aged 7 to 9.
I, Geronimo Stilton, was off to the wildest part of Brazil — the Amazon jungle! I ended up on a hunt for an rare crystal treasure, which was stolen from a native tribe in the heart of the forest. I'd encounter alligators, snakes, piranhas, and other dangers on my way. Holey cheese! What an adventure!
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Write This Book
Pseudonymous Bosch
This "Do-It-Yourself Mystery" also serves as an entertaining guide to writing your own mystery story, and is recommended for readers aged 7 to 9.
I feared this may happen. I knew reading was a dangerous business, but now it's not safe for writers either! You see, the author of this book is missing. Well, maybe not "missing." A certain author whom I won't name (okay, me) has abandoned his book and has left his readers hanging out to dry. This is a crime, I admit, but there it is. Most of this book, well, I just haven't written it. And I'm not going to, either.
Why? Oh, I have my reasons. Big. Grown up. Author. Reasons. Unfortunately, I can't reveal them yet. Let's just say a life is at stake (mine) and leave it at that. So will you do it? Pretty please? You'll do it? Thank you! But please hurry! Time is of the essence and you can't wait any longer. You must WRITE THIS BOOK!
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The Girl from Felony Bay
J. E. Thompson
This stand-alone adventure mystery is recommended for readers aged 7 to 9.
The last year has been rougher than sandpaper for Abbey Force and her dad. He's in a coma after his accident a year back, wherein he was framed for a terrible crime he didn't commit. And their home, Reward Plantation, an idyllic spot on the eastern coast of South Carolina, had to be sold to pay off his debt to society. Abbey is stuck living with her uncle Charlie, who, even in the few hours a day when he's sober, ain't exactly your ideal parental role model.
But it turns out the new family that moved into Abbey's old house has a daughter named Bee. And she's just as curious about all the No Trespassing signs and holes being dug out by Felony Bay, in the corner of what used to be Abbey's home. It appears someone's been poking around a mystery that dates all the way back to the Civil War — and it just might be the same someone who framed Abbey's dad.
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Hide and Seek
Kate Messner
This mystery novel is recommended for readers aged 7 to 9.
José, Anna, and Henry are junior members of the secret Silver Jaguar Society, sworn to protect the world's most important artifacts. When they discover that the society's treasured Jaguar Cup has been replaced with a counterfeit, the trio and their families rush to the rain forests of Costa Rica in search of the real chalice.
But when the trail runs dry, new mysteries emerge: Who can they trust? Is there a traitor in their midst? With danger at every turn, it will take more than they realize for José and his friends to recover the cup before it falls into the wrong hands.
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The Phantom of the Post Office
Kate Klise
Series: 43 Old Cemetery Road
This series of paranormal mysteries is recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.
The letter-loving trio at Spence Mansion has something to grieve about — Ghastly's post office is about to close, which will cut off their connection to their fans. A new invention called VEXT-mail is threatening to replace not only letters, but books, hair dryers, and even garage door openers! Could the mysterious occupant of P.O. Box 5 and his seemingly sinister plan save the doomed post office? Will he strike down Ghastly's beloved ghostwriter in the process?
Eleven-year-old Seymour Hope and his new friend, Wy Fye, must solve this postmortem mystery … before it's too late!
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The Further Adventures of Jack Lime
James Leck
Series: Jack Lime
This comic hard-boiled PI series of short stories is recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.
Jack Lime, amateur private eye, solves mysteries for his high school classmates in exchange for future favors. He stops at nothing — except for an occasional bout of narcolepsy — to crack three seemingly stand-alone cases while dodging bullies, Principal Snit and tireless reporter KC Stone.
In the tradition of 1950s noir but with a thoroughly modern hero, these stories — shot through with Lime's acid wit — are best served with a root beer float.
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Dark Passage
Ridley Pearson
Series: Kingdom Keepers
This series of action adventure thrillers is recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.
The five Kingdom Keepers and their core friends have uncovered a startling truth: Maleficent and the Overtakers (Disney villains) are plotting a catastrophic event that could have repercussions far beyond the world of Disney.
Aboard the Disney Cruise Line's inaugural passage through the new Panama Canal, the Keepers and their holograms uncover a puzzle hidden within the pages of a stolen journal. The point of that puzzle will reveal itself in the caves of Aruba, the zip lines of Costa Rica, and the jungles of Mexico. A destructive force, dormant for decades, is about to be unleashed. The five Kingdom Keepers are to be its first victims.
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Lawless
Jeffrey Salane
Series: Lawless School
This first in a new series is recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.
The Lawless School provides the right education for kids on the wrong side of the law.
M Freeman has been homeschooled her entire life. So M has no idea just how unusual her education has been — not until she leaves home to attend the prestigious (and mysterious) Lawless School.
Suddenly, it's very clear to M that her tutors have been preparing her all along for a life of crime. She excels at escape tactics. She's a whiz at spotting forgeries. Her years of piano lessons pay off when picking pockets and cracking safes.
M's newfound talent for criminal mischief soon brings her to the attention of the Masters, the secretive school's most secretive clique. M's interest in the Masters is personal - joining this international dishonor society is her best chance to learn the truth about her father's life … and his death. But when her first real-world heist goes wrong, M is left wondering: Is there truly honor among thieves?
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Max Finder Mystery Collected Casebook Volume 7
Craig Battle
Series: Max Finder
These short story collections are recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.
The seventh volume in this graphic novel series features ten mystery comics and two never-before-published short stories.
Each solve-it-yourself story stars amateur detective Max Finder and his best friend, aspiring journalist Alison Santos. Seventh graders at Central Meadows Junior High, these two intrepid investigators must call upon their reason, memory, critical thinking, and observation skills to crack each case before them. Who stole the school mascot? Why did someone trash Ursula's guitar amp? And who sabotaged the girls' relay team? Readers can decipher the clues for themselves and draw their own conclusions — before the true culprit is revealed.
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The Petrified Man
Caroline Lawrence
Series: P. K. Pinkerton, Western Mystery
These Western-themed mysteries are recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.
After vanquishing three notorious Desperados, twelve-year-old P.K. Pinkerton opens a private-eye business in Virginia City. P.K.'s skills are quickly put to the test: When a maid named Martha witnesses a murder, she hires the young detective to track the killer before he finds her too.
P.K. enlists a trusted ally, Poker Face Jace, to help crack the case — but collecting clues and keeping Martha safe will not be easy. Cunning liars, rogue gunslingers and deadly foes lurk at every turn, and time is running out to bring the murderer to justice.
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Riley Mack Stirs Up More Trouble
Chris Grabenstein
Series: Riley Mack
These "Troublemakers" books are recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.
Briana Bloomfield, the talent Jake Lowenstein, the genius "Mongo", the muscle Jamal Wilson, the fifth grader — and — Riley Mack, the fearless leader …
Together, these five are the Known Troublemakers, stirring up trouble in the name of justice. Wherever a wrong needs righting or an innocent kid needs protecting, Riley and his friends will be there, ready to use their problem-causing expertise for the greater good.
Only this time, injustice strikes a little too close to home. School's out for the summer, and somebody's polluting the gang's favorite swimming hole. And if that wasn't enough to ruin the vacation, one of the Troublemakers is in serious trouble, and all of Riley's efforts to help are only making things worse. With ten thousand dollars and the fate of his friends and family on the line, Riley will have to think fast if he hopes to pull off his most daring caper yet!
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Bailey and the Florida Mermaid Park Mystery
Linda Carlblom
Series: Camp Club Girls
This series of light mysteries is recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.
Elizabeth, Alexis, Bailey, Sydney, Kate, and McKenzie come from different parts of the country and different backgrounds. But when they meet at Camp Discovery, they learn they all share one thing: an aptitude for intrigue! Soon they're embroiled in a search for lost jewels … and that's only the beginning!
Whether it's foiling terrorist plots or finding missing millionaires or rescuing sea lions, you'll love joining the adventure with these precocious preteens, as they pitch in their personal skills to solve the mysteries and save the day! The perfect blend of mystery and mayhem — just for you!
Also being published this month, three more books in this series …
Sydney and the Curious Cherokee Cabin | Elizabeth and the Music City Mayhem | Alexis and the Saint Helens Screamer
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Oblivion
Anthony Horowitz
Series: Gatekeepers
This final book in this series is recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.
Matt. Pedro. Scott. Jamie. Scar. Five Gatekeepers have finally found one another. And only the five of them can fight the evil force that is on the rise, threatening the destruction of the world.
In the penultimate volume of The Gatekeepers series, a massive storm arose that signalled the beginning of the end. Now the five Gatekeepers must battle the evil power the storm has unleashed — and strive to stop the world from ending.
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First Clues: Mysteries for Kids is your source for information on over 200 mystery series for children and young adults, where each series is conveniently listed under four different age categories (New Sleuths, ages 4 to 6; Future Sleuths, ages 7 to 9; Junior Sleuths, ages 10 to 12; and Apprentice Sleuths, ages 13 and older).
Click on the Amazon button to see also the special Whispersync offer associated with this title.
