Thea Stilton and The Treasure Seekers

Author: Thea Stilton 

Translator: by Julia Heim

Illustrators: Giuseppe Facciotto, Chiara Balleello, Barbara Pellizzari, and Valeria Brambilla
Publisher (English version): New York : Scholastic Inc., 2016 

Series: Geronimo Stilton: Thea Stilton and the treasure seekers

Book number: 1/3

Original title: "Alla ricerca dei tesori perduti"

Originally published : Milan : Piemme, 2016.  


This whimsical stories follows a group of mice detectives as they find treasures. This upbeat, plot-driven story is filled with colorful and bold drawings on nearly every page. Follow this mysterious treasure hunt to see what the Thea sisters find next.

Exploring in Scotland is exciting and mysterious. Especially
for the Thea sisters when they are using a secret map from hundreds of years ago! A young explorer once discovered seven treasures and the sisters are following the clues to find the first of all the treasures. Follow the sisters as their vacation turns to a mysterious treasure hunt all over Scotland.
 
Author Elisabetta Dami writes under the pseudonyms Geronimo Stilton and Thea Stilton. Her books were originally published by her own publishing company Edisioni Piemme that she co-owns and are now translated into English by Scholastic Inc. They are published in 49 languages altogether.

The Geronimo Stilton series a is a best-selling children's book. The character was created when Dami worked in a children's hospital. She began creating entertaining stories for children.  Now these stories are made into books in which Dami brings in her real travel experiences to the stories.

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ElisabettaDami.com - Blurb About the Author

Clover's Luck

Author: Kallie George

Illustrator: Alexandra Boiger

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion Books, New York, [2014]

Series: The Magical Animal Adoption Agency (3 books in total)

Book number: 1/3

This short series is a perfect introduction to chapter books and can even be very enjoyable read out loud. The mystery and magic inside this series will keep readers turning the pages and hoping for the main character's achievements to continue coming.
Written in a descriptive manner this plot-driven story reveals all that a complex character can accomplish when working with magical animals. The illustrations in this book are soft and whimsical black and white pencil drawings.

In this story we find the main character Clover has been extremely unlucky. Now she is pondering the fact that she may never have luck. When chasing her pet canary Clover finds an advertisement for in the dark mysterious woods near her house she becomes curious.
The ad is for volunteers to help at an animal adoption agency. When she inquires at a cottage on Dragon Tail Lane she learns that the animals that are fostered here aren't just regular animals, they are Magical animals. 

Mr. Jams the head of the agency accepts her to come volunteer and immediately Clover is going on a special rescue mission. Can she lead the mission and rescue these magical animals even with her incredibly bad luck?

Author Kallie George is an author, editor and creative writing teacher. She writes mostly for children having written several books outside of the Magical Animal Adoption Agency.

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Publishers page (Harper Collins) about the author

The Secret Keepers

 

 

Author: Trenton Lee Stewart
Illustrator: Diana Sudyka
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company, New York, 2016
Not a series


This illustrated fantasy fiction story is a welcome addition to children's mysteries.
Published in 2016, Trenton Lee Stewart's book caters to the 9-12 age range with quirky characters and a plot-driven, suspenseful narrative. Black and White illustrations full the book with moody, bold and high contrast imagery. The illustrations are black and white spot illustrations in ink and wash.

Rueben is 11 and living with his mother, a widow. When Rueben finds and object that allows him to become invisible he begins experimenting. When he finds the object that allows his invisibility is being hunted by a controlling character called "The Smoke" and his gang. Soon Rueben learns from a girl in town that there are two objects that allow invisibility and if the owner has both, they are then immortal.
Rueben uses his intelligence to follow the clues to stand up to "The Smoke" as be believes the other object is in his hands. Surprises abound on the journey as well as traps and hidden tunnels too! Rueben also must learn to question his morality along the way. 

Trenton Lee Stewart is a scholar in English and grew up in Arkansas, USA. He lives there now with his wife and two sons.
Diana Sudyka is a Chicago based illustrator. She has illustrated several of Trenton Lee Stewarts books as well as books by other authors. She uses inspiration from folk art traditions in her artwork.

Readers can continue with The Mysterious Benedict Society Series. It is also written and Illustrated by Trenton Lee Steward and Diana Sudyka.

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Publishers page (Chicken House Books) about the author

Treasure Hunters

     

 

Author: James Patterson
Narrator: Bryan Kennedy
Publishing details: Hachette Audio 2013.; 1 sound file; digital.

Series: Treasure Hunters (7 books in total)

Book number: 1/7

Available as: Print book, eAudiobook, CDs ( 6 audio discs) and on pre-loaded audioplayer 

Running time: 5hrs., 56 min.

Treasure Hunters (7 books)

Author James Patterson presents this funny fast-paced series as an energetic saga sure to have you ready for the next book. Quirky characters hook readers in and are embellished with Patterson's attention grabbing writing style. Give the audio a listen on its own or follow along with the books. 

Brother and sister Brick and Beck are experienced treasure hunters. They have helped their parents do this their whole life. Now they are the experts and must help to investigate the disappearance of their parents.
They fight pirates, compete with other treasure hunters and follow creepy clues to find their disappeared parents! 

 

Patterson is a best selling author in many genres - such as children's fiction, romance and stand-alone thrillers. With a passion for encouraging children's reading habits, Patterson writes compelling series' for this age group. Some of these series include Treasure Hunters, Dog Diaries, I Funny and Max Einstein series.

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Shirley and Jamila Save Their Summer

Author and Illustrator: Gillian Goerz
Publisher:
Dial Books for Young Readers, New York, 2020

 

Come along on the suspenseful summer adventures of Jamila and Shirley as this author's attention grabbing writing style pulls you in. This atmospheric comic mystery is chock full of action and various story lines. Bold, cartoony and colorful illustrations take the reader along on the most exciting summer adventure with this culturally diverse character duo.

When Jamila Waheed meets Shirley Bones in her new neighborhood, they form a bond and immediately learn the other is also being sent to camp this summer. They don't agree with their parents' ideas to send them to camp and both work to convince their parents to allow them to stay home and spend their summer together. They are successful in escaping camp and begin to meet at a local basketball court. Shirley and Jamila soon begin doing detective work together. The new friendship they create is tested bringing them closer together as their cases become challenging time and time again. One case in particular about a missing gecko comes into their case load. Will they be able to solve this case and keep their friendship?

Gillian Goerz' writing and illustrations in this mystery comic are ideal for the 9-12 reading group. Younger advanced readers can also enjoy this colorful comic/graphic novel. Well-developed characters keep the reader attentive as they guess the next turn the plot will take.

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