First Clues: Mysteries for Kids is pleased to announce a selection of new mystery, suspense and thriller books (including series books) scheduled for publication during March 2011.
Due to the large number of titles being published, we're splitting the list into two, with books for readers aged 4 to 9 listed yesterday, and books for readers aged 10 and older shown below.
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Magic and Mayhem
Marcus Sedgwick
A Raven Mystery: 5th in series
Join the wonderfully weird Otherhand family and their faithful guardian, Edgar the raven, and discover the dark secrets of Castle Otherhand.
A trip to the circus has far-reaching consequences for the Otherhands when Fellah goes missing. Before long the Castle is plagued by a duck, a suspect fortune teller, and several cartloads of lethal cabbages. The family is preoccupied: Valevine is busy inventing a cabbage-counting machine; Minty is waiting to hear the secrets of the universe; and Solstice has discovered that Cudweed is concealing three hundred and forty-two rabbits in his bedroom. When chaos strikes and thieves infiltrate the Castle, it falls to Edgar to extract his family from a very fluffy predicament.
The Raven mysteries are recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.
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The Midnight Tunnel
Angie Frazier
A Suzanna Snow Mystery: 1st in series
It is 1905 and young Suzanna works at her family's inn in Loch Harbor, New Brunswick, where she is trained to be a well-mannered hostess and a charming lady. Suzanna has other ideas for her future — she wants to be a detective. When a young guest goes missing on a stormy summer night, Suzanna's famous detective uncle, and idol, comes to solve the case. But Suzanna learns that not everything is as it seems. With a little help from her friends, can she solve the mystery of the missing girl before her uncle gives up?
This Suzanna Snow mystery is recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.
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The Silver Guitar
Kathryn Reiss
The American Girl Series: A Julie Mystery
When an oil spill threatens the sea birds of San Francisco, Julie is eager to lend a hand. So when she learns that her friend T. J. is helping with an auction to raise money for the clean-up efforts, she decides to get involved. But then she finds out that T. J. is in trouble, and Julie just can't shake the feeling that he's hiding something from her. Can Julie follow the clues before it's too late to help her friend?
Includes an illustrated Looking Back essay about the music of the 1970s.
American Girl mysteries are recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.
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A Bundle of Trouble
Kathryn Reiss
The American Girl Series: A Rebecca Mystery
Rebecca is put in charge of the new neighbors' baby — and a kidnapper is on the loose in New York City! So when a strange boy shows up asking a few too many questions about the baby, Rebecca starts to worry. Could the child be in danger?
Includes an illustrated Looking Back essay about household duties of young girls in 1914.
American Girl mysteries are recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.
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Clue in the Castle Tower
Sarah M. Buckey
The American Girl Series: A Samantha Mystery
Samantha and Nellie are in England for the first time, vacationing with Grandmary and the Admiral. They are excited to visit an English knight who lives in an ancient manor house, next to a castle that's rumored to be haunted. But the visit turns spooky when the girls see odd and eerie lights in the castle tower at night ... and learn that valuable books are disappearing from the manor's library. Can the girls find out who — or what — is behind the strange happenings?
Includes an illustrated Looking Back essay about Americans traveling abroad at the turn of the last century.
American Girl mysteries are recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.
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Johnny Swanson
Eleanore Updale
Eleven-year-old Johnny Swanson is in business. He's raking in the money with his advertising scams and his advice columnist persona, who offers advice on absolutely anything in return for a shilling. But his money-making schemes are getting him in too deep with the wrong kinds of people. Everything is spiralling out of control, and now his own mother is in mortal danger. There's only one thing to be done: Johnny must assume another role as undercover detective!
This mystery is recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.
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Max Finder Mystery Collected Casebook Volume 5
Craig Battle
The Max Finder Mystery Series
Each solve-it-yourself comic stars amateur detective Max Finder and his best friend, budding journalist Alison Santos. Seventh graders at Whispering Meadows Junior High, these two intrepid investigators must call upon their skills to crack each case before them. Who defaced the town with graffiti? Who sabotaged the school magic show try-outs? And who stole the exam answer key from Mr. Reed’s desk? Readers can decipher the clues for themselves and make their own judgments — before the true culprit is revealed.
Bonus content unique to this volume includes a yearbook-style introduction to Max and Alison’s classmates: bully Ben “Basher” McGintley, gossip queen Leslie Chang, prankster Kyle Kressman, and a host of others. Plus, tips and tricks from Max and Alison for readers looking to develop their own eagle eyes and other sleuthing skills!
These solve-it-yourself casebooks are recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.
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Scared to Death
Norah McClintock
A Chloe & Levesque Mystery: 3rd in series
When Tessa’s body is discovered floating in Elder Pond, Chloe’s shock soon turns to guilt. If only she had paid more attention to what was bothering Tessa, instead of brushing her off. To come to terms with her feelings, Chloe tries to find out who’s responsible for Tessa’s murder, but all she uncovers is a web of lies. Then some key bits of evidence help her put the puzzle together, until all she needs is the last piece. But now that Chloe’s almost sure “whodunit” ... her own life is on the line.
The Chloe & Levesque mysteries are recommended for readers aged 13 and older.
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The Liar Society
Lisa and Laura Roecker
Kate Lowry's best friend Grace died a year ago. So when she gets an email from her, Kate's more than a little confused.
To: KateLowry@pemberlybrown.edu
From: GraceLee@pemberlybrown.edu
Subject: (no subject)
Kate,
I'm here ... sort of.
Find Cameron. He knows.
I shouldn't be writing.
Don't tell. They'll hurt you.
Now Kate has no choice but to prove once and for all that Grace's death was more than just a tragic accident. She teams up with a couple of knights-in-(not-so)-shining armor-the dangerously hot bad boy, Liam, and her lovestruck neighbor, Seth. But at their elite private school, there are secrets so big people will do anything to protect them — even if it means getting rid of anyone trying to solve a murder ...
This young adult thriller is recommended for readers aged 13 and older.
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Clarity
Kim Harrington
Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It's a gift.
And a curse.
When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case — but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother — who has supernatural gifts of his own — becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?
This supernatural mystery is recommended for readers aged 13 and older.
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Rattled
Lisa Harrington
Fifteen-year-old Lydia, resigned to a boring summer, is thrilled when Megan and her totally hot brother, Sam, move in across the street. But their rude and hostile mother, Mrs. Swicker, is strangely protective, and does everything she can to stop Lydia and her older sister, Jilly, from getting anywhere near her kids.
One day Lydia accidentally stumbles across something very puzzling in the Swickers' basement.
Determined to find some answers, Lydia enlists the help of Jilly. But the further they investigate, the more bizarre the discoveries.
Lydia's suspicions about Mrs. Swicker are mounting, but she has no idea what a twisted, dangerous secret she has uncovered until it's too late.
This mystery is recommended for readers aged 13 and older.
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Adventure at Simba Hill
Susan Runholt
The Kari and Lucas Mysteries: 3rd in series
Best friends Kari and Lucas are thrilled to go on safari in Africa. They're fascinated by the lions, giraffes, and zebras. Even more intriguing to Kari is the cave where her uncle and other archaeologists have discovered artwork from thousands of years ago. But when some of the ancient artifacts are stolen, Kari and Lucas are thrust into an art mystery as compelling as any they've faced before — only, surrounded by wild animals, far more dangerous.
The Kari and Lucas mysteries are recommended for readers aged 13 and older.
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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; Sleuths in Training, ages 10 to 12; and Apprentice Sleuths, ages 13 and older).
