Nielsen’s writing unfolds like a movie, using intrigue, suspense, drama, and emotion like brilliant-colored, textured paints that enliven a blank canvas. Readers feel the pain of impossible decisions, the darkness of misguided means for well-intended ends, and the victory of wisdom and perseverance. A masterful, breathtaking first in a trilogy. Content is best for middle-grade readers.

A story of growth toward selflessness disguised as a mystery/adventure. A worthy addition (a prequel!) to the rip-roaring Benedict Society series, but also a great read on its own.

Snow Hill, Alabama 1937 sets the stage for conveying important complexities Brother, a privileged white boy experiences when befriending Champion Always Luckey, a black boy from Detroit. While the plot isn't necessarily compelling, the power of healing a racial divide is as portrayed here. An excellent springboard for timelining events of that period.

Under arrest! The words came as a shock to young Esther Rudomin, Polish citizen. Because of their Jewish heritage and Father's business success, Esther's family faced certain deportment to Siberia. This sobering tale of a family torn from their homeland, from close relatives, and eventually from one another, paints a vivid picture of grim determination to survive against overwhelming odds. The Sib ...

In 119 A.D., the Ninth Roman Legion marches north into the wilds of Britain--and disappears without a trace. Fifteen years later, Marcus Flavius Aquila, the son of the unit's commander, embarks upon a quest to recover the lost eagle standard of the Ninth.

A fascinating journey to the Middle Ages through this Newbery Award-winning book.

For Tottie Plantaganet, a little wooden doll, belonging to Emily and Charlotte Dane is wonderful. The only thing missing is a dollhouse that Tottie and her family could call their very own. But when the dollhouse finally does arrive, Tottie's problems really begin. That dreadful doll Marchpane comes to live with them, disrupting the harmony of the Plantaganet family with her lies and conceited way ...

Lina and Doon go back underground to the dying city of Ember as bestselling author DuPrau juxtaposes yet another action-packed adventure with powerful themes about hope, learning, and the search for truth.

Hannah thinks Passover Seder will be the same as always. Little does she know that this year she will be mysteriously transported into the past where only she knows the horrors that await. Now repackaged with a new sophisticated look.

While the story is based on the Pinkerton National Detective Agency's beginnings and the notable detective work of its first female detective, Kate Warne, the pages dedicated to the restoration of family through testing fortifies this tale's telling. Hannigan weaves parallel stories -- of Underground Railroad workers and undercover detective agents whose survival depends on wits, disguise, truth-s ...

Crossover is an engaging set of free verse poems describing events in the lives of 7th grade twin boys throughout their basketball season. The poems are charming and engaging, some in a rap style. The short, pithy style and athletic allusions will appeal to middle school boys. The story is told through one brother’s eyes, and sibling rivalry between the two is a part of the plot. The parents are ...

The city of Ember was built as a last refuge for the human race. Now, 200 years later, the great lamps that light the city are beginning to flicker. When Lina finds part of an ancient message, she's sure it holds a secret that will save the city.

In this witty take on the legend of King Midas, John is about to learn that there is, indeed, such a thing as too much chocolate. Illustrations.

This classic is a powerful story of love, prejudice, and survival. Set during World War II, two survivors--a white boy and an old West Indian man--from a torpedoed American freighter have much to learn from each other when the Germans invade the small island of Curacao.

The Crimebusters face a new challenge when Maria visits her grandmother and finds out someone has broken into her shop. But the hard part is determining who are their friends and who are the enemies. Will a giant python and a back-talking parrot help with clues or give the detectives away? This is the second book in the Crimebusters Series.

Join the Crimebusters as they begin a career of solving mysteries.

Chickadee, Atim, Otter, and Sam are tweens on a mission! The national gathering of the Cree Peoples is meeting on their Windy Lake land, but the sudden disappearance of the sacred relics from their location threatens Windy Lake’s reputation among the other Cree tribes. Blending traditional native tracking methods and 21st Century technology they search diligently to restore Windy Lake’s honor, ...

Ann Hamilton's family has moved to the western frontier of Pennsylvania, and she misses her old home in Gettysburg. There are no girls her age on Hamilton Hill, and life is hard. But when the Hamiltons survive a terrible storm and receive a surprise visit from George Washington, Ann realizes that pioneer life is exciting and special.