CHOLDENKO, Gennifer. Al Capone Does My Homework. Dial. 2013. ISBN 9780803734722. JLG Level: C : Advanced Readers (Grades 6–9).

Moose Flanagan’s dad has been promoted to associate warden at Alcatraz, but inmates and colleagues have their own ideas about how to handle the new boss. A prisoner earns five points for spitting on a warden and 5,000 points for killing him. To make it worse, Guard Darby Trixle is angry about being overlooked for the promotion. Piper, whose father is the head warden, tells Moose to watch his dad’s back. However, his hands are already full keeping an eye on his autistic older sister, Natalie. When their apartment catches on fire, Natalie is blamed. It’s up to Moose and his friends to solve the mystery of the blaze, but the investigation puts them close to prisoners who want Warden Flanagan dead. When a butcher knife goes missing from the kitchen, not even Capone can control what follows. Choldenko’s conclusion to the trilogy will make readers laugh and hold their breath.

FFORDE, Jasper. The Song of the Quarkbeast. Houghton Harcourt. Sept. 2013. ISBN 9780547738482. JLG Level: FM : Fantasy/Science Fiction Middle (Grades 5–8).

As acting manager of Kazam, foundling Jennifer Strange must accept (and win) King Snodd IV’s challenge―a contest of wizards. Losing would endanger Zambini Towers and its inhabitants and compromise the use of magic throughout the kingdom. Enchanting a new bridge is no small task, and their best sorceress has just turned herself into stone. The power-hungry king (who would control all magic if his Court Mystician wins) puts competing wizards in prison, leaving Jennifer with few resources. As time runs out, the remaining few must work together to save the kingdom from evil plans far beyond the obvious. Full of surprises and intrigue, Fforde’s sequel to The Last Dragonslayer (Houghton Harcourt, 2012) keeps readers on the edge of their seats in the race to conquer evil.

HADDIX, Margaret Peterson. Risked. S & S. Sept. 2013. ISBN 9781416989844. JLG Level: C+ : Advanced Readers (Grades 6–9).

Once again, Jonah, Chip, and Katherine travel to the past―though this time against their will. A rogue missing child joins forces with their money-scheming enemies and takes them to Russia in 1918―the day before the royal family is assassinated. Two of the children were missing for years; however, recent discoveries prove that Alexis and Anastasia were killed with their siblings. If that is the case, can Jonah and his friends save them from being killed again? How will saving the entire family affect history? In the sixth book of the Missing series, Haddix explores one of the most fascinating mysteries of our past.

WHITE, Ruth. The Treasure of Way Down Deep. Farrar/Margaret Ferguson. 2013. ISBN 9780374380670. JLG Level: B+ : Upper Elementary & Junior High (Grades 5–7).

Life in Way Down Deep has always been a community affair―everyone attends all events (no formal invitations needed) and secrets are rare. When an evil wind blows into town in the fall of 1954, hardship hits local businesses and mine workers in the West Virginia town are laid off. Who would have thought that the death of a pet goat and a sleepwalking old lady would help reveal the one secret that everyone wants to know―the location of the treasure of Way Down Deep. It’s up to Ruby to save the town, while proving the town’s founder myth to be true. White’s sequel to Way Down Deep (Farrar, 2011) brings the return of the charming residents of the small country town, and a character one can’t help but love.

For audio/video versions of these booktalks, please visit JLG’s Shelf Life Blog.

Junior Library Guild is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, Junior Library Guild book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit us at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.

HADDIX, Margaret Peterson. Caught. Bk 5. S & S. (The Missing Series). Sept. 2012. ISBN 9781416989820. JLG Level: C: Advanced Readers (Grades 6-9)

Longtime favorite author, Margaret Peterson Haddix, releases the fifth book in The Missing series. Jonah and Katherine travel to the early 1900s to return Albert Einstein’s daughter. (He had a daughter?) Blending more science into the series, readers will continue to race through the story as it unfolds. With short, cliff-hanger chapters and familiar characters returning to the series, Haddix’s new book will be on the waiting list for quite some time.

KORMAN, Gordon. Ungifted. HarperCollins/Balzar + Bray. Aug. 2012. ISBN 9780061742682. JLG Level: HIM: High Interest Middle School (Grades 5-8)

You know you that an author is a perennial pick when his name is in a larger font than the book’s title. Korman is back with another crowd-pleaser. “I want a refund from ancestry.com…there’s nobody like me,” says Donovan, our act first-think later protagonist begins. When his harmless pranks go awry, he remarks, “I hit the statue with a branch, but I didn’t think the world would come off.” Korman’s classic wit and humor hook the reader. Donovan’s prank accidentally gets him enrolled in a school for the gifted. Though he may be “ungifted,” there is much we can learn from the boy and his new classmates. The movie rights, by the way, have already been picked up by Walden Media.

LUBAR, David. Beware the Ninja Weenies and other Warped and Creepy Tales. TOR/Starscape. 2012. ISBN 9780765332134. JLG Level: HIM: High Interest Middle School (Grades 5-8)

The Weenies are back with 33 more warped and creepy tales. As most of the stories are short (an average of three pages each), Lubar brings another sure-to-please collection that will keep your reluctant readers technology-less, for a short time at least. Also great for reading aloud, readers will pause to think in Playing Solo- “game over forever” or laugh out loud at the nothing-is-off-limits plot lines in this made-for-kids book.

PENNYPACKER, Sara. Summer of the Gypsy Moths. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray. 2012. ISBN 9780061964206. JLG Level: B+: Upper Elementary & Junior High (Grades 5-7)

One way to help bridge the gap from elementary school to middle school is to connect kids with their favorite primary authors’ more mature titles. Widely known as the creator of the “Clementine” series (Hyperion), Sara Pennypacker has a wonderful new chapter book for older readers. Two orphans, a dead great-aunt, and some dying blueberry bushes connect in this charming story as two lost souls find their way home. When Stella’s great-aunt dies, she and Angel decide to keep it a secret, bury her and run the Linger Longer Summer Cottages by themselves. The adventures that follow will surely keep readers turning pages.

STEAD, Rebecca. Liar & Spy. Random/Wendy Lamb Bks. 2012. ISBN 9780385906654. JLG Level: B: Upper Elementary & Junior High (Grades 5-7)

Students who see the cover will recognize the art style and recall Newbery-winning author, Rebecca Stead (When You Reach Me). Stead’s new book is no less a mystery. Seventh grader, Georges (the s is silent) struggles through big changes—a move to an apartment, longer working hours for his mom, and bullies at school. Then he meets a home-schooled neighbor, Safer, who enlists his help to spy on Mr. X. Kids will keep guessing until the end at the interwoven strands of plot. Full of wit and wisdom, Georges will become a favorite character and a champion of middle schoolers everywhere.

Junior Library Guild is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, Junior Library Guild book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit us at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.