Each Christmas, the kids get new books...it's a holiday tradition! We've gifted everything from Magic Treehouse and A to Z Mysteries (elementary school) to the We Were There series and Wingfeather Saga (middle school) to the Lord of the Rings trilogy and Wheel of Time series (high school).... If you've got a reader on your list, or just want to foster a love of reading, here are some fresh new books perfect for stocking stuffers!
Something for the History / Mystery Lover
The Bletchley Riddle
Summer, 1940. Nineteen-year-old Jakob Novis and his quirky younger sister Lizzie share a love of riddles and puzzles. And now they’re living inside of one. The quarrelsome siblings find themselves amidst one of the greatest secrets of World War II—Britain’s eccentric codebreaking factory at Bletchley Park. As Jakob joins Bletchley’s top minds to crack the Nazi's Enigma cipher, fourteen-year-old Lizzie embarks on a mission to solve the mysterious disappearance of their mother.
The Battle of Britain rages and Hitler’s invasion creeps closer. And at the same time, baffling messages and codes arrive on their doorstep while a menacing inspector lurks outside the gates of the Bletchley mansion. Are the messages truly for them, or are they a trap? Could the riddles of Enigma and their mother's disappearance be somehow connected? Jakob and Lizzie must find a way to work together as they race to decipher clues which unravel a shocking puzzle that presents the ultimate challenge: How long must a secret be kept?
Combining World War 2 history with a Sherlock Holmes type of mystery, the author takes the reader on a journey that continues to be cloaked until the very last page! The protagonists are resourceful and curious, demonstrate good teamwork, and appreciate and celebrate their friends, no matter how quirky. The mystery is believable and will keep the reader engaged, all while teaching a bit about the era. This is perfect for any middle schooler who loves escape rooms and other intriguing activities...
Something for the Superhero / Spy Lover
The Forgotten Five series
X-Men meets Spy Kids in this instant New York Times bestseller! Here’s the first book in a new middle-grade fantasy/adventure series from the author of The Unwanteds.
Fifteen years ago, eight supernatural criminals fled Estero City to make a new life in an isolated tropical hideout. Over time, seven of them disappeared without a trace, presumed captured or killed. And now, the remaining one has died. Left behind to fend for themselves are the criminals’ five children, each with superpowers of their own: Birdie can communicate with animals. Brix has athletic abilities and can heal quickly. Tenner can swim like a fish and can see in the dark and hear from a distance. Seven’s skin camouflages to match whatever is around him. Cabot hasn’t shown signs of any unusual power—yet.
Then one day Birdie finds a map among her father’s things that leads to a secret stash. There is also a note: Go to Estero, find your mother, and give her the map. The five have lived their entire lives in isolation. What would it mean to follow the map to a strange world full of things they’ve only heard about, like cell phones, cars, and electricity? A world where, thanks to their parents, being supernatural is a crime?
Set up with a dystopian premise, this series follows five children as they navigate an adventure fraught with peril, mystery, and the need for both teamwork and self-reliance. Told from more of an omniscent perspective, the reader is able to hear and feel what each of the characters is thinking and feeling (rather than solely being from one character's perspective). Each has their own special skills and supernatural talents, and they have to work together to use these for survival. I won't say much more, especially about books two through five in the series, as that would give away some of the mystery and fun!
Something for the Little Sibling
Just One More Sleep
Waiting is not easy—especially for children. Often they measure the concept of time in how many more sleeps until the exciting day comes, when there is so much to do, so many exciting things to explore, and so many holidays to celebrate! In a buoyant book that channels childhood exuberance, Jamie Lee Curtis makes it clear why waiting is worth it. And with Laura Cornell’s bold and humorous artwork helping readers celebrate and appreciate milestones throughout the year, this is a story worth waiting for—and one kids will want to read over and over again.
This is a colorful book with delightful pictures. It is easy to read to a young child. It gives a little bit of information about each of the many holidays, including birthdays, that we celebrate each year. Told as a rhyme, it easily captures a young child's attention and even the reader can feel the excitement of what is about to happen the next day when we wake up. One more sleep and what fun this day will bring!
Something for Mom & Dad
A Very Merry 90's Christmas
Celebrate this holiday season with all your favorite 90s stars, icons, and pop-culture moments!
'Twas the night before Christmas
when all through the house
the only sound you could hear
was the click of a mouse…
This illustrated gift book is a perfect stocking stuffer for anyone who wants to relive the best decade of the twentieth century.
If you are product of the 90s, then you will enjoy this book as it takes you back in time! A lonely young man can't be with his family for Christmas and is sad so he types in his password to his AOL account and connects with his neighbor, Mrs. Doubtfire. She is going to save him from being sad and asks permission to bring a friend....who asks to bring one...who asks to bring one...and suddenly all the icons of the 90s are back with phrases from that era. The illustrations are colorful and reiminiscent of the period. This is a quick read that will take you down memory lane....
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After being abandoned, the site was stumbled upon by hikers and travelers who described its ruins over the years, but it wasn't until the mid 18th century that archaeologists became interested in excavations. Today, it is still being excavated and you can apply to help with the archaeological dig as a volunteer.
Upon joining the ranks, a man was issued his uniform of rectangular shield, short sword, dagger, chain mail jacket, lorica segmentata, belt, helmet, kilt, shirt, and sandals. Each legion had its own name, number, and special banner. Within each legion, the centuries also had special banners. It was similar to the way that Boy Scouts are set up - with each troop being divided into patrols. 
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