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The 7 Professors of the Far North, written/illus. by John Fardell, (G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2005), 224p, Ages 10-12.
Eleven-year-old Sam Carnabie finds himself immersed in a page-turning adventure when he visits friends, Zara and Ben, and their great-uncle, Professor Ampersand for the summer. When the professor and his colleagues are kidnapped, the three kids devise a way to rescue them from a mad scientist, who is holding them captive at the top of the Artic Circle. With three days to rescue the professors and save the human race, the kids travel from Scotland to Northern Europe, using an ingenious secret subterranean railroad (ISNT), along with snowmobiles and a submarine to reach a remote island fortress in the middle of the Artic Ocean. There is non-stop action with a bit of geography thrown in. Illustrations help pull kids into this fast-paced adventure and suspense story.

Children of the Lamp: The Blue Djinn of Babylon, written by P. B. Kerr, (Orchard Books, 2006), 384p, Ages 9-12.
In this second book in the series, twelve-year-old twins, descended from a long line of magical genies, become more acquainted with the world of djinn culture. John and Philippa attempt to retrieve a stolen book of djinn magic, but Philippa is kidnapped by the Blue Djinn, the supreme arbiter of all djinn. With a mother who has renounced the djinn ways, it is up to their uncle, Nimrod, to rescue Philippa.

Children of the Lamp: Day of the Djinn Warriors, written by P. B. Kerr, (Orchard Books, 2008), 384p, Ages 9-12.
In this fourth book of the series Children of the Lamp, twins John and Phillipa Gaunt become involved with the famous Chinese Terracotta Warriors, seven thousand life-size, ancient, clay soldiers buried with the Chinese Emperor of Qin around 210 BC. Originally created to protect and defend the Emperor in the afterlife, the twins discover that the warriors were awakened by the evil djinn, Iblis. They race against time to stop the warriors, return the rightful Blue Djinn to Babylon, rescue their mother, as well as halt an aging curse that was placed on their father. With their Uncle Nimrod and friends, they battle Iblis, who desires to take over the Universe by capturing millions of children's spirits. Fans of the series will not be disappointed in this latest installment. It's a fun, action-packed adventure with many twists and turns.

Dragon Rider, written/illus. by Cornelia Funke, translated by Anthea Bell, (The Chicken House, 2004), 528p, Ages 8+.
A young silver dragon, fearing destruction from humans, embarks on a dangerous journey to find the Rim of Heaven in the Himalayas where all dragons can live in safety. Firedrake befriends Ben, a runaway, and together they manage to keep one step ahead of a man made, gold plated creature bent on destroying them.

Drift House: The First Voyage, written/illus. by Dale Peck, (Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2005), 450p, Ages 10+.
After September 11, three children are sent to stay with their eccentric uncle on the Bay of Eternity in Canada. In an old house designed like a ship, they awake one morning to realize that they have been washed out to sea - the Sea of Time. It takes their combined ingenuity, with the help of a whale and time pirates to return home, and, oh yes, keep the mermaids from stopping time. A great adventure book.

The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Basil, written /illus. by Wiley Miller, (The Blue Sky Press, 2006), 128p, Ages 7-10 yrs.
Every century or so a child is born with the gift of hearing musical notes that originate from the ancient civilization of Helios, futuristic city floating in the clouds. Living in a lighthouse in Maine in 1899, twelve-year-old Basil Pepperell longs for adventure. One day it arrives in the form of a hot air balloon outside his window. The owner, jovial Professor Angus McGookin, persuades Basil to return to Helios where he befriends a young girl and her giant flying pteranodon. Together they battle the evil Dr. Euric Von Röttwell, whose ambition in life is to dominate Helios as well as the world. Based on historical (World War I) and mythological events (Atlantis), comic strip artist, Wiley Miller, has woven together a great little fantasy adventure with clever illustrations.

Gregor and the Code of the Claw: Book Five in the Underland Chronicles, written by Suzanne Collins, (Scholastic Press, 2007), 352p, Ages 9-12.
In this fifth and final installment to the Underland Chronicle series, 12-year-old Gregor learns that he is the warrior of The Prophesy of Time, which foretells of his death. With help from Humans, Fliers, Crawlers, and Nibblers, he gathers courage to defend the underground city of Regalia from an army of approaching rats. A new code, which the rats use to transmit information, must be cracked. There is a new princess (his sister) to contend with, as well as the dark side of his nature as he fights the huge white rat, Bane, to the death. Readers will sympathize with Gregor who feels torn between returning his family safely to New York City and leaving human and animal friends behind in the bittersweet conclusion. For those who love this series, it will be hard to forget the many endearing, yet flawed, characters. In the fantasy genre, this is one of the best.

Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods: Book Three in the Underland Chronicles, written by Suzanne Collins, (Scholastic Press, 2005), 304p, Ages 9-12. In this third installment, eleven-year-old Gregor, and his sister Boots return to Underland, this time with their mother. They must find a cure for a plague spreading in this land under the city of New York. The plague not only threatens the lives of the people, bats, and rates who populate Underland, but now their mother is stricken. Fans of this popular fantasy series will not be disappointed.

Gregor and the Marks of Secret: Book Four in the Underland Chronicles, written by Suzanne Collins, (Scholastic Press, 2006), 304p, Ages 9-12.
For fans of fantasy and especially the Underground Chronicles, this fourth installment draws readers deeper into an approaching war between the inhabitants of Underland. Twelve-year-old Gregor and his younger sister, Boots, return to Underland, beneath New York City, where giant talking cockroaches, bats, rats, and humans exist in an uneasy peace. It falls to Gregor, Princess Luxa, and Ripred, a renegade, cynical, but lovable rat to determine why the mice (nibblers) are disappearing. Awaiting Gregor is another prophesy that may secure the survival of the Underland civilization.

Gregor and the Prophesy of Bane: Book Two in the Underland Chronicles, written by Suzanne Collins, (Scholastic Press, 2004), 320p, Ages 9-12.
In Book 2 of the Underland Chronicles, Gregor returns to Underland beneath New York City to help his friends search for the Bane, a mysterious white rat. There are giant talking bats and cockroaches, as well as adventure, danger, death, and conflict, all ingredients of a great fantasy.

Gregor the Overlander: Book One in the Underland Chronicles, written by Suzanne Collins, (Scholastic Press, 2003), 320p, Ages 9-12.
When his little sister, Boots, falls down a grate in the laundry room of their New York apartment, Gregor follows only to find an Underland with giant spiders, rats, bats and cockroaches, who all exist in a fragile peace. He learns about his missing father and a strange prophesy foretelling his role in the future of Underland. A must for anyone who loves adventure and imagination.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, written by J. K. Rowling, illus. by Mary GrandPre (Arthur A. Levine Books, 2005), 672p, Ages 11+.
In this sixth book, Harry turns sixteen and looks forward to private lessons with headmaster Dumbledore. As rumors spread about Harry being the "Chosen One" who alone can defeat Voldemort, enemy of the Wizard world and now the Muggle world, Harry and his beloved professor delve deeper into Voldemort's past. Still, Harry and friends are typical teens dealing with homework, messy rooms, and sports activities. Some attractions with the opposite sex are finally realized. This is the darkest book yet with a heart-wrenching ending for fans.

Inkspell, written by Cornelia Funke, illus. by Carol Lawson/Cornelia Funke, translated from German by Anthea Bell, (The Chicken House, 2005), 672p, Ages 9-12.
This next installment in the Inkheart trilogy begins a year after the conclusion of Inkheart, a fantasy in which only a few readers have the ability to read characters in and out of books. A story within a story, Inkspell explores the predicament and fascinating concept of authors who try to change the world that they have created.

Ordinary Basil: Attack of the Volcano Monkeys, written/illus. by Wiley Miller, (Blue Sky Press, 2008), 128p, Ages 7-10.
For children who liked the first book, "The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Basil", this second installment will be enjoyed even more. The story is set on Monkey Island, which looks like a lush, tropical island with a volcano in the middle, but in reality, it is a scientific laboratory with resembling a huge barge with propellers and rudders to keep it moving. Told in flashback scenes by Basil, the island is home to a hidden civilization of intelligent monkeys, which are being trained by the evil Euric von Röttweil to take over the world. Basil, his friends, and the leader of the resistance movement help defeat the Monkey King and his army and return rule to the resistance monkeys. There are also great themes of showing compassion to one's enemies and seeking justice not vengeance. As in the previous book, the mechanical contraptions and inventions are marvelous for children to behold. Stunning full-color illustrations on every page make this a wild, exciting page-turner.

The Overlord Protocol (H.I.V.E.), written by Mark Walden, (Simon & Schuster, 2008), 256p, Ages 12+.
Otto, Wing, Laura, and Shelby are still trapped at the H.I.V.E. academy, which trains children to become super villains and dominate the world. When Otto and Wing are released from school to attend the funeral of Wings' father, Wing is seemingly murdered, and Otto and bodyguard-assassin, Raven, barely escape with their lives. Seeking revenge for his friend's death, Otto begins to hunt Cypher, a masked, ruthless villain who desires the Overlord Protocol, a highly intelligent device that will enable him to control the world. When several teachers and students defect to the enemy, Otto and his friends, with their highly specialized talents, join Dr. Nero and computer H.I.V.E. Mind to dismantle gigantic killer robots that have taken over the school. Unexplained information and facts surrounding several of the characters from the previous book are revealed. The startling conclusion to this page-turner will leave open the possibility of another entertaining book.

The Return of the Dragon, written by Rebecca Rupp, (Candlewick Press, 2005), 160p,
Ages 9+.
In this delightful sequel to "The Dragon of Lonely Island" Hannah, Zachary, and Sarah Emily return to Aunt Mehitabel's house on Lonely Island and to their friend, Fafnyr, a three-headed dragon who loves to tell stories that teach a lesson. They discover a mysterious yacht anchored off their island, whose owner is supposedly searching for rare birds. Fafnyr's stories help the children save their beloved dragon from a greedy billionaire's search for wealth and fame.

The Saint of Dragons, written by Jason Hightman, (Eos/HarperCollins, 2004), 304p, Ages 10+.
Simon St. George, raised at the Lighthouse School for Boys, realizes that he is descended from a family of medieval dragonslayers, when a father that he has never known shows up and decides that he should enter the family business.

The Secret Country: The Eidolon Chronicles Book 1, written by Jane Johnson, illus. by Adam Stower, (Simon & Schuster, 2006), 256p, Ages 8-12.
At the Dodds's Pet Emporium, a talking cat persuades twelve-year-old Ben to purchase him instead of Mongolian Fighting Fish. Iggy then proceeds to tell Ben about the world of Eidolon where mythical animals are being stolen and sold as exotic pets in Ben's world. However, the imported dragons, wood sprites, unicorns, and saber-toothed tigers are becoming ill and Ben must return them to Eidolon and stop the thieves from destroying both worlds. Oh yes, it seems that Ben's very ill mother is the long-lost queen of Eidolon, which makes Ben and his sisters royalty.

The Secret of Castle Can't, written by K. P. Bath, illus. by David Christiana, (Little, Brown & Co., 2004), 304p, Ages 10-14.
Two heroines learn courage and devotion in this funny and adventuresome story. Lucy Wickwright, a maidservant to the Baron of Cant's daughter Pauline, discovers that she is actually the true heir of Cant. When a revolution begins in the kingdom, both girls must make some difficult choices.

Ulysses Moore: The Door to Time, written by Pierdomenico Baccalario, translated by Leah Janeczko, illus. by Iacopo Bruno, (Scholastic, Inc., 2006), 240p, Ages 9-12.
An old mansion on the English coast becomes a new home to eleven-year-old twins Jason and Julia. Together with a friend, they discover that Argo Manor has twisting tunnels, strange artifacts from around the world, and a mysterious, locked door. The previous owner, Ulysses Moore, left behind clues and codes to unlock the ancient door, but they must pull together to solve the secrets of the mansion and Ulysses strange disappearance.

The Wall and the Wing, written by Laura Ruby, (HarperCollins, 2006), 256p, Ages 11+.
In a futuristic Manhattan where almost everyone flies, twelve-year-old Gurl, an orphan from the Hope House for the Homeless and Hopeless, discovers that she can turn invisible (the wall.) With an orphan friend Bug (the wing) and a wacky cat that showers and blow dries her fur, they seek to unravel mysteries surrounding the orphanage. This poor little rich girl story is full of peculiar characters. The eccentric Professor with a head full of grass lives with hundreds of cats and seeks information from the Answer Hand he bought on eBay. Mrs. Terwiliger, orphanage matron, has a plastic surgery obsession and blackmails Gurl into stealing for her. Sweetcheeks Grabowski, a gangster, who realizes that Gurl is a wall (a person born every 100 years) and kidnaps her. Add to this mixture are the rat men, a zipper-faced monster, and mechanical monkeys. A magical, wacky, and bizarre story with good triumphing over evil. A sequel is planned.