Sixteen-year-old Luke Harding, a newly qualified forensic investigator, and his robot sidekick, Malc (Mobile Aid to Law and Crime), are on their first case, a race to discover who is behind three student murders, only to find that the evidence points to Luke, himself. Look for other titles in the Traces series.

Similar books: Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/29/2009

ISBN-10: 0753458292

ISBN-13: 9780753458297

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At the school science fair celebration, the principal announces Franny's full name, Franny Kissypie Stein, when she gives her an award. The entire school makes fun of Franny's middle name, and she is humiliated. Vowing never to be laughed at again, she invents a time machine and goes back to meet baby Franny to change her awful middle name. Unable to resist sneaking a peak into the future, she also jumps ahead in time to see herself as teen Franny. She can't believe what she sees! Will she really turn into an evil scientist set to conquer the world? This is book 4 of the Franny K. Stein, Mad Scientist series. The first story about Franny is 'Lunch Walks Among Us' by Jim Benton. Anyone who likes icky and weird things needs to meet Franny K. Stein!

Reviewed by: mec

Date read: 6/1/2011

ISBN-10: 0689862946

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This is a collection of 10 scary stories. First, there's the tale of Luke, who befriends Steven so he'll help him on his homework and tests. Steven is a very strange kid, who lives with all his stuffed pets, and creates things out of them. He made his stuffed hamster come to life by making it a robot. Everything was great with Luke and Steven, until Luke tells the school what a weird kid Steven is. Steven is very upset and vows to get even. Cut to the last scene of the story, and there's Luke back, at school after visiting Steven. But why does Luke now have these lips like chiseled stone, and eyes that are blue and clear like glass?? There are other scary tales about cats that take over a town; a boy watching a video that suddenly shows his future; an archaeologist, who discovers a pharaoh's tomb, only to end up cursed, and locked away in the tomb with the pharaoh.

Similar books: Horowitz Horror by Anthony Horowitz; All Hallows' Eve: 13 Stories by Vivian Vande Velde; Beware!: R.L. Stine Picks His Favorite Scary Stories

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0803709528

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Frankie Piccolini wants to be Indiana Jones. With his trusty sidekick, the family dog Argyle, Frankie explores the most distant regions of the planet, often found in his own house. Like any normal kid, Frankie would rather play and explore than clean up his room. He can't believe it when, one day, his mother tells him that he doesn't have to keep it clean, BUT, he has to live with the consequences! Without the hindrance of cleaning his room, and himself, Frankie is free to continue his intrepid explorations, but, how will he tackle the Closet of Doom?

Similar books: The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey

Awards nominated: 2013 Monarch Nominee

Reviewed by: vfv

Date read: 3/8/2012

ISBN-13: 9781416964841

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It's summer and Franny Parker's animal hospital has been keeping her busy. With more patients by the day, Franny's summer 'job' becomes more and more rewarding. Humor breaks up the busyness as Franny's sister Sidda accidentally puts crickets into her blueberry pancakes. The new neighbor boy and his mother quickly become friends with Franny's family. What secrets have the new neighbors brought with them? What are they trying to cover up?

Reviewed by: jb

Date read: 8/24/2009

ISBN-10: 0374324697

ISBN-13: 9780374324698

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