Zombie Kid by J. Scott Savage

Title: Zombie Kid (Case File 13 #1)
Author: J. Scott Savage
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Mid-Grade Horror
Rating: Fabulous
Alerts/Warnings: None unless your kid is highly sensitive to zombies and voodoo.
Premise: "The Halloween plans of monster enthusiasts Nick, Carter, and Angelo are thrown into turmoil when a magical amulet acquired from Nick's voodoo queen aunt turns Nick into a zombie and prompts an uproarious effort to break the curse" (King County Library System).
Opinions: I LOVE this book and I hate zombies. This book is an awesome cross between a mystery, Halloween horror, and just plane awesome sauce. It is perfect especially for pre-teen boys who love to be grossed out by limbs falling off of the undead, practical jokes, and learning that your relatives have spooky secrets. And for a zombie book it was incredibly clean and fun to read. There was great character growth, proof of awesome friends, and fun humor.  I'm still dying over the creation of a food substitute for zombies who crave brains.  I'm intrigued by the concept and look forward to reading more about Nick, Carter, and Angelo in book #2, Making the Team.

The Empress's Tomb by Kirsten Miller

To read my review of the first book in this series click here: Inside the Shadow City.

 

Title: The Empress's Tomb (Kiki Strike #2)
Author: Kirsten Miller
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: YAMystery
Rating: Adore
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise: "Fourteen-year-olds Ananka Fishbein, Kiki Strike, and the other Irregulars encounter a Chinese mummy, a ghost, trained squirrels, and old enemies as they try to stop an art forgery ring and safeguard the secret streets hidden beneath New York City" (King County Library System).
Opinions:  The group of Irregulars, who were founded in book one (Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City), continue to be a fantastic mix of personalities and talents.  The Empress's Tomb is a perfect sequel in that it retained several aspects of the first book that I adored, but still increased the level of intrigue dramatically.  I still LOVE Ananka.  I loved seeing her delve into issues of faith in others.  I loved wondering if the Irregulars would stand through amazing trials as true friends, or be torn apart by mistrust. I love the diversity in characters.  I also enjoyed seeing the interactions between several of the girls and their "parents".  This series is a brilliant one for focusing on the inner strength and self-worth of teen girls. The plot is intriguing and the twists engaging.  I highly recommend this for anyone who enjoys a great adventure.

The Wright 3 by Blue Balliet

For my review of the first book in this series please click here: Chasing Vermeer.



Title: The Wright 3 (Sequel to Chasing Vermeer)
Author: Blue Balliet
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Mid-Grade Fiction/Mystery
Rating: Love
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise: "In the midst of a series of unexplained accidents and mysterious coincidences, sixth-graders Calder, Petra, and Tommy lead their classmates in an attempt to keep Frank Lloyd Wright's famous Robie House from being demolished." (King County Library System)
Opinions: The Wright 3 is a brilliantly written sequel to Chasing Vermeer. I love the difficulties and opportunities provided to Petra and Calder as Calder's friend Tommy returns to Hyde Park. The trio have to decide whether or not to work together as a group rather than the old friendship of Tommy and Calder fighting against the new friendship of Calder and Petra. I still love the eclectic characters and backgrounds. I love that this story revolves around the history of Frank Lloyd Wright and his work and making a mystery out of one of his creations. I even still love and admire Ms. Hussey's unusual technique of teaching school and getting the kids excited in what they are learning about. Overall, I highly recommend this book. If you loved Chasing Vermeer you will love The Wright 3.

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliet

Title: Chasing Vermeer
Author: Blue Balliet
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Mid-Grade Fiction/Mystery
Rating: Love
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise: "When strange and seemingly unrelated events start to happen and a precious Vermeer painting disappears, eleven-year-olds Petra and Calder combine their talents to solve an international art scandal."
Opinions: Stephanie recommended years ago that I read this book and I finally did, and once again I do not regret reading anything that Stephanie recommends. This is a fantastic mystery written for pre-teens that even I enjoyed. It was imaginative, intriguing, and was hard to put down from start to finish. I love the eclectic backgrounds that the author uses for each of the characters. I love the code Calder creates using pentominoes and the twists and turns of the plot. I also wish I had had a teacher like Ms. Hussey. This is a fun mystery that I highly recommend that you check out. I think you will thoroughly enjoy it (in fact I insisted that my husband read it before we have to return it to the library).

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

Title: The Westing Game
Author: Ellen Raskin
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Junior Mystery
Rating: Adore
Alerts/Warnings: None that I can recall
Premise:"This Newbery Medal-winning novel now features updated cover artwork. The mysterious death of an eccentric millionaire brings together an unlikely assortment of heirs who must uncover the circumstances of his death before they can claim their inheritance." (King County Library System)
Opinions: This book is amazing. Even though it is written for younger kids I love this book as an adult. I love the way Ellen Raskin weaves the clues and gets apparent strangers to work together to try and solve the mystery of Sam Westing's death. The winner then wins millions of dollars. I love Turtle with her sassy braids and her brains. I love the humor and play on words and the way she unfolds the clues. Whether or kid or a kid at heart, if you love mysteries this book is for you.