Hank Zipzer 6: Holy Enchilada!
by Henry Winkler
Published 2004 by Grosset & Dunlap

Mass Market Paperbound, English. ISBN: 0448433532

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Jacket Notes:

When Hank makes enchiladas for a multicultural luncheon, Mrs. Adolf's face turns bright red after eating one. Believing someone has played a practical joke, she punishes the entire class with no recess. Hank realizes his trouble with numbers may have caused the problem. Illustrations.

Publisher's Marketing Text:

PS 87 is having multicultural week, and Ms. Adolf's class is putting on a "Foods from Around the World" luncheon. Hank is thrilled--no reading, no outlining, and no review questions, just cooking! Hank makes enchiladas, and at the luncheon, Ms. Adolf piles her plate with lots of food. But after a few bites, her face turns bright red--one of the dishes is super-spicy! Ms. Adolf accuses someone of playing a mean practical joke, and punishes the entire class with no recess until the guilty party comes forward. Hank realizes his trouble with numbers might have caused the problem--what if he accidentally used three cups of peppers instead of 1/3 cup? Will Hank be able to get recess back for everyone without getting detention for the rest of his life?

The Akhenaten Adventure
by Philip Kerr
Published 2004 by Orchard

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 0439670195

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Jacket Notes:

Acclaimed writer Philip Kerr delivers his first novel for children--the initial book in the imaginative "Akhenaten Adventure" trilogy. Twelve-year-old twins John and Phillipa Gaunt discover they are descended from a long line of magical djinn.

REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 10/04/2004

In thriller writer Philip Kerr's YA debut, he puts an entertaining spin on the genieinalantern mythos, thanks to the exotic setting and a breezy and humorous delivery. Twelveyearold John and Philippa Gaunt are "the least identical twins imaginable," at least in appearance, though they can read each other's minds. While anesthetized at the dentist, they meet their Uncle Nimrod in a hallucination; he encourages them to come to London to stay with him over the summer. Their parents agree to the plan, surprising the siblings. Before they arrive in England, strange things begin happening--a neighbor who mentions to the twins that she wishes she would win the lottery suddenly does, and a scared couple on their Londonbound plane tells Philippa that they wish they were back home then promptly vanish. In his palatial home, Nimrod tells the twins that they are djinn, or "children of the lamp... the guardians of all the luck in the universe," and whisks them off to Egypt to continue their training. While in Cairo, the family encounters an explorer who claims to have discovered the key to the lost tomb of Akhenaten, which legend says contains enough trapped djinn to upset the balance of luck in the world. A breakneck paced, Indiana Jones-style adventure ensues, taking Nimrod and the twins from the heat of the Egyptian desert to the bowels of the British Museum. Kerr keeps the emphasis on fun, making this the first in a series worth watching. Ages 912. (Oct.)

12/01/2004 REVIEW: School Library Journal

Gr 5-8 -In this uneven fantasy, 12-year-old twins live a privileged but uneventful life in New York City until both John and Philippa need to have their wisdom teeth extracted. Afterward, the children begin to experience strange growth spurts, have cravings for smoke and heat, and gain the ability to grant wishes. After inviting them to visit him in London, their Uncle Nimrod informs them that they are descended from the Marid tribe of djinn. As he begins their training, they travel to Egypt, where they are pursued by Iblis, the leader of an enemy tribe who thinks Nimrod knows the location of the lost tomb of Akhenaten. This pharaoh bound 70 djinn to his service and whoever finds his tomb will have the ability to command them and shift the balance of power from good to evil. As they travel around the world, the siblings and their uncle have numerous adventures, culminating in an encounter with Akhenaten's ghost. The writing has a cinematic quality as Kerr provides detailed glimpses at the changing scenery; at times, there is too much description, particularly of room furnishings. In-depth characterizations are sacrificed for the often humorous, fast-moving plot. For a more complex and satisfying fantasy about djinn, try Jonathan Stroud's "Bartimaeus Trilogy" (Miramax).-Sharon Rawlins, Piscataway Public Library, NJ

Ancient Greece
by Anne Pearson
Published 2004 by DK Publishing

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 0756606497

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Jacket Notes:

Discover the origins of the Hippocratic oath, what toys Greek children played with, the layout of a typical Greek home, the range of the conquests of Alexander the Great, who the Greek gods were, and much, much more!

Landon Snow and the Auctor's Riddle
by R. K. Mortenson
Published 2005 by Barbour Publishing

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 1593108818

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Jacket Notes:

Disillusioned with the adults and filled with doubts about God, Landon Snow questions the meaning of life and sets off on an adventure into a fantasy realm within the pages of the "Book of Meaning."

Publisher's Marketing Text:

Landon Snow and the Auctor's Riddle is for fantasy fans of all ages. Disillusioned with adults and filled with doubts about God, Landon Snow questions the meaning of life. After falling through the pages of the Book of Meaning, Landon enters a fantasy realm where new friends are discovered and answers are unearthed. Adventurers along with Landon will find themselves captivated by the Odds of Wonderwood, the poet/prophet Vates, and a horse named Melech, Landon's friend and companion. Once this otherworld is entered, readers will find it hard to leave.