FRY , Jason. Hunt for the Hydra. Bk. 1. 256p. (The Jupiter Pirates Series). glossary. HarperCollins/Harper. Jan. 2014. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780062230201. ebook available.

Gr 4-6 –Following the catastrophic Battle of 624, Hektor, the Jovian Union outlawed space piracy but offered letters of marque to any pirates who were willing to turn privateer. The Hashoone family accepted the offer and their starship has been harrying Earth merchant ships ever since. Tycho, 12, is at the helm as the Comet captures what seems to be an ordinary freighter. When the privateer boarding party tries to collect its prize, the freighter claims to be on a diplomatic mission, but the “diplomat” looks more like a seedy space tough than a respectable Earth official. Tycho’s mother, the privateer captain, decides to take the captured ship–and the case–to the admiralty court at the neutral settlement on Ceres. There, the Hashoones learn that more than 100 doubtful “diplomatic credentials” have been issued recently. Moreover, 16 Jovian vessels have mysteriously disappeared. The Comet and crew are recruited to investigate–a dangerous mission that risks their vessel and their lives–and could force the Jovian Union and Earth back into open warfare. This is space opera in the classic style–ultracool technology, sinister interplanetary intrigue, and thrilling space-battle action. Necessary background information is seamlessly integrated into the story, creating a fully realized future world. While Tycho is the main focus, the other members of the Hashoone clan are interesting in their own right. Half-cyborg Grandpa Huff is a particularly fascinating character. A barely reformed old pirate who yearns for the good old days, he provides moments of comic relief, but also represents a link to family history. There’s plenty of sci-fi action, and readers will admire and envy the respect and responsibility that adult characters give to Tycho and his crew members.–Elaine E. Knight, formerly at Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL

JONES , Gareth P. Constable & Toop. illus. by Jim Tierney. 416p. Abrams/Amulet. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9781419707827. LC 2012047785.

Gr 5-8 –Sam Toop can see ghosts. That in itself is a bit of an issue, but the real problem is they can talk to him and are constantly asking for his help in making amends with the living. But a Talker is what Victorian London could use as the Black Rot begins to seep into haunted houses that have lost their ghosts. Mr. Lapsewood, a clerk from the Ghost Bureau and woefully unprepared ghost himself, is sent to investigate in the living world. What he discovers is a much larger plot than he could have imagined and he finds himself working with Rogue ghosts escaping from prison, and coming very close to his death at the mouth of a hellhound. Meanwhile, aristocratic and unconventional Clara believes that a mysterious Reverend Fallowfield is not merely performing parlor tricks in the fancy houses around the city, but performing real, and cruel, exorcisms on unsuspecting ghosts. This might turn out to be the key to the problems of both the spirit and human world, and all of these characters come under one roof to solve them. The characters, particularly of the ghosts, including the Marquis de Sade, are humorous and unique. With the popularity of novels such as Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book (HarperCollins, 2008), this story is sure to tickle the funny bone and satisfy the taste for some gruesome adventure while appealing to both girls and boys. A fun read that includes intrigue, murder, mystery, and a young damsel who rescues them all.–Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA

KERRIN , Jessica Scott. The Spotted Dog Last Seen. 205p. Groundwood. 2013. Tr $14.95. ISBN 9781554983872; pap. $8.95. ISBN 9781554984015; ebk. $8.95. ISBN 9781554983889.

Gr 4-7 –Sixth-graders Derek, Pascal, and Merrilee are assigned volunteer work at the Twillingate Cemetery, assisting with gravestone upkeep, among other tasks. On rainy days, cotton-eyed Mr. Creelman, along with the eccentric Cemetery Brigade, instructs the trio in the nearby library on reading carvings, symbols, epitaphs, and the properties of different types of stones. Meanwhile, Merrilee discovers a trail of secret codes inside several mystery books that leads to a locker at school that is a time capsule. The more clues the friends find, the more secrets are unearthed. The more they learn from Creelman, the more Derek’s fear of cemeteries lessens. Unfortunately, his nightmares about a childhood accident involving an orange rubber ball have returned to haunt him. Kerrin understands this age group and creates a sympathetic protagonist who will draw in readers. While the dialogue is sharp, the moments when Derek admits his most private feelings and recalls his nightmares for readers are standouts, as they portray authentic preteen feelings of self-doubt, self-consciousness, and even guilt. Given the subject matter, the author strikes just the right balance between gloomy ambience and lighthearted humor. While the many plot threads seem to tangle here and there, the author delivers a satisfying conclusion with all loose ends tied up. Even though Derek experiences an upsetting loss, he finds closure. Going far beyond mystery book conventions, Spotted Dog is also a well-told story of growth and self-forgiveness.–Elly Schook, Jamieson Elementary School, Chicago

RUNDELL , Katherine. Rooftoppers. illus. by Terry Fan. 277p. S & S. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781442490581; ebk. $10.99. ISBN 9781442490604. LC 2012049469.

Gr 4-6 –Sophie has been living with her loving guardian, Charles Maxim, for almost all of her 12 years, ever since she was rescued as a baby from a floating cello case after a shipwreck. Charles reads Shakespeare aloud to her, serves her roast potato chips on an open atlas (owing to her penchant for breaking plates), and allows her to wear pants. In this 19th-century world, the Dickensian Miss Eliot, of the National Childcare Agency, decides that Charles is an unfit guardian and that Sophie must become a ward of the state. She and Charles escape to Paris, and it is there that Sophie begins her search for her mother, who, she is convinced, is alive after all and not drowned. Confined for security reasons to an attic room, she begins to explore the rooftops and meets an extraordinary boy, Matteo, who lives and scavenges entirely on the roofs. Life up there is full of dangers, and Sophie’s determination to find her mother lands her in some tough situations. Ultimately, however, with the help of Matteo and Charles, her quest comes to a genuinely touching and satisfying conclusion. Rundell’s gentle poetic style gives Sophie’s story a full-heartedness that makes it take flight at times and sweeps readers along with it. In describing Charles, Rundell writes: “Think of nighttime with a speaking voice. Or think how moonlight might talk, or think of ink, if ink had vocal chords.” Realistic fiction with the feel of fantasy, this atmospheric novel will appeal to a wide range of middle-grade readers.–Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City

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ABBOTT , Tony. The Forbidden Stone. Bk. 1. 410p. (The Copernicus Legacy Series). HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen. Jan. 2014. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780062194473.

BACH , Shelby. Of Witches and Wind. Bk. 2. 386p. (The Ever Afters Series). S & S. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 9781442431492; ebk. $10.99. ISBN 9781442431515. LC 2012026025.

BLACKWOOD , Sage. Jinx’s Magic. 400p. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen. Jan. 2014. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780062129932; ebk. $9.99. ISBN 9780062129956. LC 2013010171.

BODEEN , S. A. The Fallout. 336p. Feiwel & Friends. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780312650117.

BOORAEM , Ellen. Texting the Underworld. 320p. Dial. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780803737044. LC 2012032488.

CHRISTOPHER , Nicholas. The True Adventures of Nicolò Zen. 304p. Knopf. Jan. 2014. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780375867385; lib. ed. $20.99. ISBN 9780375967382; ebk. $10.99. ISBN 9780375897863. LC 2013012853.

CLARK , Bridie. Maybe Tonight? Bk. 1. 224p. (Snap Decision Series). Roaring Brook. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 9781596438163.

DELANY , Shannon. Weather Witch. 320p. St. Martin’s Griffin. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 9781250018519. ebook available. LC 2013003054.

DEUKER , Carl. Swagger. 304p. Houghton Mifflin. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780547974590.

EAMES , Brian. The Dagger X. 344p. (The Dagger Chronicles). S & S/Paula Wiseman Bks. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 9781442468559; pap. $6.99. ISBN 9781442468566; ebk. $6.99. ISBN 9781442468573. LC 2012040713.

FAIRLIE , Emily. The Magician’s Bird: A Tuckernuck Mystery. illus. by Antonio Javier Caparo. 279p. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780062118936; ebk. $9.99. ISBN 9780062118950. LC 2012051738.

FREEDMAN , Paula J. My Basmati Bat Mitzvah. 256p. Abrams/Amulet. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9781419708060; ebk. $16.95. ISBN 9781613125236. LC 2013005791.

GIDWITZ , Adam. The Grimm Conclusion. 368p. Dutton. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780525426158; ebk. $10.99. ISBN 9781101612552. LC 2013021686.

GOEBEL , Jenny. Grave Images. 208p. Scholastic. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780545519304; ebk. $16.99. ISBN 9780545522540.

GREENWALD , Tommy. Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Summer Vacation. illus. by J. P. Coovert. 231p. (Charlie Joe Jackson Series). Roaring Brook. 2013. Tr $14.99. ISBN 9781596437579. LC 2012034249.

HALE , Shannon. Ever After High: The Storybook of Legends. 320p. Little, Brown. 2013. Tr $14.99. ISBN 9780316401227. ebook available.

HASKELL , Merrie. Handbook for Dragon Slayers. 324p. HarperCollins/Harper. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780062008169. ebook available. LC 2012022159.

HIRSCH , Jeff. The Darkest Path. 320p. Scholastic. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780545512237; ebk. $17.99. ISBN 9780545512251. LC 2013004367.

HOLYOKE , Polly. The Neptune Project. 352p. Hyperion/Disney. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 9781423157564. LC 2013000353.

HUGHES , Gregory. Unhooking the Moon. 336p. Quercus. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9781623650209. LC 2013937924.

HUSER , Glen. Time for Flowers, Time for Snow: A Retelling of the Legend of Demeter and Persephone. illus. by Philippe Béha. 54p. w/CD. Tradewind. 2013. Tr $18.95. ISBN 9781896580265.

JOHNSTON , Julie. Little Red Lies. 340p. Tundra. 2013. Tr $19.95. ISBN 9781770493131. LC 2012947608.

LEGRAND , Claire. The Year of Shadows. illus. by Karl Kwasny. 416p. S & S. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781442442948; ebk. $10.99. ISBN 9781442442962. LC 2012034667.

MCKAY , Kirsty. Unfed. 278p. Scholastic/Chicken House. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780545536721. LC 2012040707.

MARGOLIS , Leslie. Secrets at the Chocolate Mansion. 245p. (Maggie Brooklyn Mystery). Bloomsbury. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781619630369; ebk. $11.99. ISBN 9781619631779. LC 2013009608.

MARTIN , Ann M. The Long Way Home. Bk. 2. 224p. (Family Tree Series). Scholastic. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780545359436; ebk. $16.99. ISBN 9780545576475. LC 2013018597.

MORGAN , Alex. Sabotage Season. Bk. 2. 169p. (The Kicks Series). S & S. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 9781442485747; ebk. $10.99. ISBN 9781442485785. LC 2013010894.

REEVE , Philip. Goblins. 340p. Scholastic. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780545222204.

SCHROEDER , Lisa. Frosting and Friendship. 216p. S & S/Aladdin. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 9781442473966; ebk. $10.99. ISBN 9781442473980.

SCIESZKA , Jon, ed. Guys Read: Other Worlds. Vol. 4. illus. by Greg Ruth. 340p. (Guys Read Series). HarperCollins/Walden Pond. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780061963803; pap. $6.99. ISBN 9780061963797. ebook available.

SMILEY , Jane. Gee Whiz. illus. by Elaine Clayton. 272p. Knopf. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780375869693; lib. ed. $19.99. ISBN 9780375969690. ebook available. LC 2012024370.

SMITH , Jim. I Am Still Not a Loser. Bk. 2. illus. by author. 240p. (Barry Loser Series). Egmont UK/Jelly Pie. Jan. 2014. pap. $8.99. ISBN 9781405260329.

SPRADLIN , Michael P. Menace from the Deep. Bk. 1. 240p. (Killer Species Series). Scholastic. 2013. pap. $5.99. ISBN 9780545506717; ebk. $5.99. ISBN 9780545580700.

SPRING , Melanie. Game On. 272p. (A Varsity Novel). Little, Brown/Poppy. 2013. pap. $10. ISBN 9780316227278. LC 2012048436.

STANISZEWSKI , Anna. The Dirt Diary. 256p. Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky. Jan. 2014. pap. $6.99. ISBN 9781402286360.

STRASSER , Todd. No Place. 272p. S & S. Jan. 2014. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781442457218; ebk. $10.99. ISBN 9781442457232. LC 2012043701.

TAYLOR , Thomas. Haunters. 327p. Scholastic/Chicken House. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780545496445. LC 2012024406.

TRESKILLARD , Robert. Merlin’s Blade. 428p. Zondervan. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 9780310735076.

TWAIN , Mark. Advice to Little Girls. illus. by Vladimir Radunsky. 24p. Enchanted Lion. 2013. RTE $14.95. ISBN 9781592701292.

VANHEE , Jason. Engines of the Broken World. 272p. Holt. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780805096293.

WARD , Matthew. The Fantastic Family Whipple. 400p. Penguin/Razorbill. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781595146892.

WATTS , Frances. The Spies of Gerander. Bk. 2. illus. by David Francis. 320p. (The Song of the Winns Series). Running Pr./Kids. 2013. Tr $12.95. ISBN 9780762446582; ebk. $12.95. ISBN 9780762448388. LC 2012955521.

WEISMAN , Greg. Rain of the Ghosts. Bk. 1. 288p. St. Martin’s Griffin. Dec. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 9781250029799; ebk. $7.12. ISBN 9781250029805.

WESTON , Robert Paul. The Creature Department. 327p. illus. Penguin/Razorbill. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781595146854.

WINNACKER , Susanne. Imposter. 274p. Penguin/Razorbill. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781595146540.