As Bethany approaches her 13th birthday, her parents begin acting more oddly than usual: Her mother cries constantly, and her father barely lets Bethany out of his sight. Then one morning he hustles the entire family into the car, drives across several state lines–and leaves Bethany with an aunt she never knew existed. Bethany has no idea what’s going on. She’s worried that her mom and dad are running from some kind of trouble, but she can’t find out because they won’t tell her where they are going.
Bethany’s only clue is a few words she overheard her father tell her Aunt Myrlie: “She doesn’t know anything about Elizabeth.” But Aunt Myrlie won’t tell Bethany who Elizabeth is, and she won’t explain why people in her small town react to Bethany as if they’ve seen a ghost. The mystery intensifies when Bethany gets a package from her father containing four different birth certificates from four states, with four different last names–and thousands of dollars in cash. And when a strange man shows up asking questions, Bethany realizes: She’s not the only one who’s desperate to unravel the secrets of her past.
“A twisting plot and spine-tingling creepiness.”
—VOYA
“This quick, engaging read is a good choice for reluctant readers.”
—School Library Journal
Everyone has to keep a journal in Mrs. Dunphrey’s English class, but the teacher has promised she won’t read any entry marked “Do not read this.” It’s the kind of assignment Tish Bonner, one of the girls with big hair who sit in the back row, usually wouldn’t take very seriously. But right now, Tish desperately needs someone to talk to, even if it’s only a notebook she doesn’t dare let anyone read.
As Tish’s life spins out of control, the entries in her journal become more and more private…and dangerous. Is she risking everything that matters to her by putting the truth on paper? And is she risking more by keeping silent?
“A brief, gritty documentary novel, this will be a natural for reluctant readers and could also be used for readers’ theater.”
—Booklist
“The peeking-into-a-life appeal of the journal format combined with the realism of Tish’s plight will satisfy readers looking for high drama with a gritty edge.”
—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
It was a talent that came out of nowhere. One day, Lindsay Scott was on the top of the world, the child star of a hit TV show. The next day her fame had turned into torture. Every time anyone said anything about her, anywhere in the world, she heard it: praise, criticism, back-stabbing… Lindsay had what looked like a nervous breakdown and vanished from the public eye. Now she’s sixteen, and a tabloid newspaper claims that her own father is holding her hostage. The truth is much stranger, but that tabloid article sets off a chain of events that forces Lindsay to finally confront who she really is.
“Haddix’s characters are, as usual, superbly drawn, and Lindsay’s struggle to shape her identity independent of what others think of her will surely resonate with many young readers.”
— The Bulletin of the Center of Children’s Books
The around-the-world clue hunt of Amy and Dan Cahill comes to an end in a way they never would have expected.
Desmia and her twelve sister-princesses are finally ruling Suala together, as a united front. All seems to finally be well, and Suala seems to have gotten its happily ever after at last. But Desmia, trained by a lifetime of palace intrigue, is not so sure. She desperately wants to believe everything will be fine, but she can’t help but see danger around every corner.
And then the unthinkable happens, and Desmia’s worst fears are confirmed. Now without the support of the sister-princesses she’s grown to rely on or the trappings of royalty that she’s always taken for granted, Desmia must find the courage to seek out the truth on her own terms—and determine the course of two kingdoms.
“Readers enchanted with princesses and palace life will enjoy a hearty dish of royal conspiracy with a healthy side of sibling loyalty that should keep them satisfied until the next installment. Haddix is no stranger to best-seller lists, and she has another hit on her hands with the Palace Chronicles.”
—Booklist
“Haddix keeps the plot suspenseful even as she delves into Desmia’s new insights, providing plenty of entertainment along with some advice for life. Readers who enjoyed the earlier books will find plenty to like here…. A welcome return to the Just Ella universe.”
—Kirkus Reviews
For as long as Cecilia can remember, she has known that she is not just another peasant girl. Instead, she is the true princess of her kingdom, in hiding, waiting until the evil forces who killed her parents are vanquished. To make sure that no enemy finds her—or even looks–the knights who are protecting her have placed an impostor on the throne, the so-called Princess Desmia.
But as she gets older, Cecilia finds it harder and harder to study statesmanship and palace protocol at night, in secret, by candlelight, and then pretend by day that she has nothing more on her mind than figuring out how to scrub the gruel stains out of her best apron. When danger threatens in her own village, Cecilia grabs the chance to take matters into her own hands. With her best friend, Harper, she flees to the capital city, planning to take the throne now, and protect the other girl. But when Cecilia and Harper reach the famed Palace of Mirrors, they discover that Princess Desmia has been told an entirely different version of her kingdom’s history…
“Plenty of fun here from a superior author.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Middle-grade aficionados of Gail Carson Levine and Shannon Hale will find much to like in this welcome addition to the ever-growing canon of smart-princess stories.”
—Booklist
In this continuation of the Cinderella story, fifteen-year-old Ella finds that accepting Prince Charming’s proposal ensnares her in a suffocating tangle of palace rules and royal etiquette, so she plots to escape.
“This cleverly done book would make a good read-aloud for younger children, an addition to units on myth and fairy tales at the middle-school level, and will also entertain high school students and lead them to Haddix’s other, more contemporary works.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“A provocative and entertaining novel.”
—Booklist
After traveling through history multiple times and finding out his original identity, Jonah thought he’d fixed everything. But some of his actions left unexpected consequences. His parents—and many other adults—are still stuck as teenagers. And now Jonah has a new sibling, an identical twin brother named Jordan.
As odd as all this is for Jonah, it’s beyond confusing for Jordan. How does everyone in his family have memories of Jonah when he doesn’t? How can his annoying kid sister Katherine speak so expertly about time travel—and have people from the future treating her with respect? A few rash moves by Jordan send them all into the future—and into danger. What if he’s also the only one who can get them back to safety, once and for all?
“A satisfying end to a long-running series.”
—Kirkus Reviews
It’s morning as usual at the Skidmore household—until Charles Lindbergh, the famous historical pilot, appears in their living room. Jonah can hardly believe his eyes—and then Lindbergh grabs Katherine and vanishes again. And that’s not all. Chip, Andrea, and all the other children from the plane have disappeared too. And worst of all, Jonah’s parents and all the other adults in his town have de-aged into children.
Jonah is the only one left, and the only one who can save everyone. With the help of de-aged JB and Angela, he has to collect the clues. And they lead directly back to Gary and Hodge, and a terrible plot that could mean the end of everything Jonah has ever loved. Can Jonah put the pieces together before time runs out?
“Plenty of well integrated backstory lets this lively series continuation stand on its own… an entertaining and informative way to connect young readers to history.”
—Booklist
Jonah thought that after his last adventure in 1903, he and his sister Katherine would have a break from time travel for a while. For the first time, he’s willing to look into his own identity in the past, and he thinks this is his chance.
But he barely has time for a single Google search before he, Katherine, and their friend Chip are tricked and zapped back to 1918—and to the house where the Romanov family was imprisoned after the Russian Revolution. Trapped without a fully working Elucidator, the three kids still hope they can escape and save the lives of Anastasia and Alexei Romanov.
But is it possible to change time that much when modern-day scientists have identified the entire Romanov family’s remains?
“The story continues with the suspense fans have come to expect in this entertaining and discreetly educational series… this story has great potential to spark interest in a historical event while keeping young readers entertained and fascinated. Plenty of fun and great for history teachers as well.”
—Kirkus Reviews
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