SO NOT HAPPENING, by Jenny B. Jones, $12.99, Thomas Nelson; ages 9-12.
Bella Kirkwood lives in New York, attends a private school, is on the A-list of popularity and shops with her daddy’s MasterCard. But her world crumbles when her dad leaves for another woman and her mom falls for a man who lives in Oklahoma with his two sons on a farm.
WHEN THE BLACK GIRL SINGS, by Bil Wright, Simon Pulse, paperback, $5.99; ages 12-14.
Lahni Schuler’s music teacher has nominated her to sing in the school talent show. As a way to prepare, Lahni decides to join the church choir. She is the only African-American in an all-white world until choir. Not only has choir prepared her for the talent show, it has become a place where Lahni feels she belongs and can show her true self.
WILD MAGIC (THE IMMORTALS), Book 1, by Tamora Pierce, Simon Pulse, paperback $6.99; ages 11-13.
Daine, a 13-year-old orphan, is running from her past, straight into the arms of the King’s horse-mistress. With a new job at the castle, Daine’s ability to communicate with animals can’t be kept hidden. With lessons from the wizard, she must learn to face her fears and embrace her talents. As the kingdom is attacked, Daine is at the center of the war.
THE FALL OF THE AMAZING ZALINDAS (SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE BAKER STREET IRREGULARS), by Tracy Mack and Michael Citrin, Orchard Books, paperback $6.99; ages 9-11.
Tightrope walkers, The Amazing Zalindas, fall to their deaths when the circus comes to town. Sherlock Holmes is on the case. While Holmes and Watson investigate at the palace, The Baker Street Irregulars spy on the circus. The street boys, with the help of the fortune teller’s daughter, discover a connection between the deaths and a very valuable book stolen from the king and queen.
NECROPOLIS, by Anthony Horowitz, Scholastic Press, $15.99; ages 9-12.
In this fourth novel in the Gatekeepers series, Matt and the other three gatekeepers are in hiding. They must find the fifth gatekeeper. The trail takes them to Hong Kong where the fifth gatekeeper is being used as bait.
