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Adam, Paul Max Cassidy: Escape from Shadow Island
295 pp. HarperCollins/ Waiden Pond
ISBN 978-0-06-186323-3 $16.99
(3) Fourteen-year-old Max Cassidy is an accompUshed escape artist - as was his father, presumed to have been murdered (by Max's mother?) two years before. Max's theatrical performances pale, however, in comparison to the danger of investigating Dad's disappearance. Max's skills in stealth and espionage, in addition to the story's intrigues and shadowy villains, set the stage for an action-packed sequel, BNT
Agell, Charlotte The Accidental Adventures of India McAllister
152 pp. Holt/ Ottaviano ISBN 978-0-8050-8902-8 $16.99
(4) Fourth grader India, adopted from China, lives in Maine with her artist mother and their dog Tofu; her dad recently moved out to live with another man. Now India's friend Colby might like her enemy, Amanda. It's a lot for one story to bear, but the tale is cheerful and breezy, as relationships get sorted out and some mysteries are solved, CJ
Alexander, R. C. Unfamiliar Magic
357 pp. Random ISBN 978-0-375-85854-3 $17.99
LE ISBN 978-0-375-95854-0 $20.99
(4) In this contemporary-set fantasy, twelve-year-old Desi is a witch, but her mother refuses to teach her any spells. Frustration leads Desi to secretly use her mother's spellbook - with unexpected results. The plot's a bit stretched, with the transfiguration of Desi's pet cat from feline to human, a budding romance, and Desi's discovery of her warlock father, but fans of domestic fantasy will remain engaged. CLS
* Almond, David The Boy Who Climbed into the Moon
119 pp. Candlewick ISBN 978-0-7636-4217-4 $15.99
(2) Illustrated by Polly Dunbar. Paul takes the tift up to the twenty-ninth floor of his apartment building because he wants to touch the sky. This journey catapults him into an adventure during which he meets an odd cast of characters who teach him about risk-taking and exploring strange ideas. Paul's story, beautifully illustrated in full color, reveals a new dimension to Almond's particular brand of magic realism. Review 5/10. SE
* Anderson, M. T. The Clue of the Linoleum Lederhosen
251 pp. Simon/Beach Lane ISBN 978-1-4424-0697-1 $17.99
New ed. (2006, Harcourt). Review 5/06.
* Anderson, M. T. Whales on Stilts!
199 pp. Simon/Beach Lane isbn 978-1-4424-0695-7 $17.99
New ed. (2005, Harcourt). Review 3/05.
(2) Illustrated by Kurt Cyrus. Pals in...