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ANYWHERE BUT HERE ADELE DUECK RED DEER, ALTA.: RED DEER COLLEGE PRESS, 1996, 111 P. (NORTHERN LIGHTS YOUNG NOVELS) ISBN 0889951470 AGES 9 TO 11

When Saskatchewan farm girl, Marjorie, and her neighbour, Craig Geller, who is a year younger and a head taller, stumble upon the ill-gotten gains of modern day "rustlers" in an old barn on her father's property, all clues seem to point to her dad. The moral dilemma for the crime-solving duo adds an extra dimension to the story, as Marjorie, a Nancy Drew fan, must learn where her true loyalties lie. Tensions at the beginning, spine-tingling excitement in the finale and a sprinkling of well-placed clues throughout this prairie-based novel will beguile young mystery fans from cover to cover.

BELFRY BAT THE SCAREDY CAT GAYLE McGUIRE TREMBLAY ILLUSTRATIONS: CHUM McLEOD TORONTO: SECOND STORY PRESS, 1997, 24 P. ISBN 0929005953 (BOUND) 0929005937 (PAPERBACK) AGES 3 TO 7

Belfry Bat is caught on the horns of a dilemma when she agrees to use her special radar power to guide the broomstick of speedy Mildred, the fastest witch who ever lived, in a race against the world's fastest roller coaster. Afraid to ride the broomstick, but too afraid to admit it, Belfry finds herself hanging on and helping out in spite of herself. The energetic illustrations capture Mildred's irrepressible enthusiasm, Belfry's quivering trepidation, and the excitement of this momentous excursion. The final scene portrays a very tall, very proud Belfry soaring and swooping with Mildred as they zip over the treetops on the way back home.

CRIME SCIENCE VIVIEN BOWERS ILLUSTRATIONS: MARTHA NEWBIGGING TORONTO: OWL BOOKS, 1997, 64 P. ISBN 189568868X (BOUND) 1895688698 (PAPERBACK) AGES 9 TO 14

This fascinating foray into the world of criminal investigation explains how science is used to catch and convict crooks, killers, counterfeiters, and even computer hackers. The introductory section invites readers to try to solve three hypothetical cases. Subsequent sections provide the "know-how". Fingerprints, forgeries, fibre analysis, DNA samples, and police line-ups are just a few of the tools suggested. The author's impeccable research and breezy style combine with catchy captions, sidebars, photographs, amusing drawings, crime puzzlers (answers at the back of the book) and an attractive page layout to offer armchair detectives an inside look at what police work is all about. It is an entertaining and educational package.

ESCAPE FROM BIG MUDDY ERIC WILSON ILLUSTRATIONS: RICHARD ROW TORONTO: HARPERCOLLINS, 1997, 179 P. (A LIZ AUSTEN MYSTERY) ISBN 0002244004 AGES 10 TO 12

No list of mystery books for children would be complete without mention of Eric Wilson's popular Tom and Liz Austen mystery series. Designed with the reluctant reader in mind, the books are both fast-paced and predictable, with stories rooted firmly in Canada's culture and landscape. In Escape from Big Muddy, 60-year-old Liz reminisces about her first case  -  murder, mayhem, missing treasure and a tornado in southern Saskatchewan 48 years earlier. Rejected by some critics, but recognized by others, Eric Wilson received a special president's award from the Crime Writers of Canada in 1991 for his contribution to children's literature. In 1992, he was named Author of the Year by the Canadian Booksellers Association.

THE EXTORTIONIST AND HIS DOLLS MARY ANN SCOTT TORONTO: BOARDWALK BOOKS, 1997, 159 P. (JESSICA MARCH MYSTERY, #2) ISBN 1895681146 AGES 12 TO 15

Although its sensational title and distinctive cover may entice reluctant readers, this story will also appeal to others with more sophisticated tastes who just want to lose themselves in a good mystery. Jessica, a 15-year-old teenager who lives with her mom in Parkdale (a vibrant, multicultural, inner-city neighbourhood in downtown Toronto), is challenged to rid the area of a scary and intimidating individual who has been threatening and terrorizing female students at her school. Clues and tension are developed with finesse in this fast-paced novel which also manages to address many teenage concerns, such as body image, parents and peer relationships, and wider issues of race and violence.

THE FACES OF FEAR MONICA HUGHES TORONTO: HARPERCOLLINS, 1997, 166 P. ISBN 0002245604 AGES 11 TO 16

Can you find Real Happiness on the Internet? After a terrible accident which left her confined to a wheelchair, Joan Sandow seems to think so. To encourage a tentative friendship which is developing between Joan and her online chess partner, Joan's father asks one of the finest programmers at his software company to create an interactive virtual reality adventure for the two teenagers. Fearful and fearless, Joan (Joanna on the Net) and Whizkid (a.k.a. "strictly average" Steve Andersen) venture into the virtual world, encountering and mastering all kinds of seemingly insurmountable challenges and, not surprisingly, becoming more capable and self-confident in the real world at the same time.

FARMER JOE BABY-SITS NANCY WILCOX RICHARDS ILLUSTRATIONS: WERNER ZIMMERMANN RICHMOND HILL, ONT.: NORTH WINDS PRESS, 1997, 22 P. ISBN 0590249770 AGES 3 TO 7 AVAILABLE IN FRENCH: PAS DE DODO SANS DOUDOU! (RICHMOND HILL, ONT.: ÉDITIONS SCHOLASTIC, 1997)

Farmer Joe, the loveable, laughable hero of two earlier Farmer Joe books, is looking after a toddler in this story. When it's time for Jennifer's nap, he cannot find her bedtime blanket. Where can it be? Werner Zimmermann's delightful illustrations provide clues on every page. Can you find the elusive blanket? It is bright red. By the end of the story, Jennifer is asleep on a haystack, two little teddy bears are tucking her in, her mother is returning from her outing, and Farmer Joe is looking forward to baby-sitting Jennifer again. All's well that ends well.

FLYING DIMITRI BLAIR DRAWSON ILLUSTRATIONS: BLAIR DRAWSON TORONTO: A GROUNDWOOD BOOK, DOUGLAS & McINTYRE, 1997, 33 P. REVISED EDITION ISBN 088899284X AGES 4 TO 7

When Dimitri gives his father a cake and a tie for his birthday, his father is thrilled. He tosses Dimitri in the air just like he did when Dimitri was small. Later that evening, as he gets ready for bed, Dimitri soars through the air once again, this time embarking on a fantastical adventure in which he splashes with whales, converses with Martians and rescues their mysterious queen by outwitting a dragon. When his flight is over, something pulls him back home where his loving dad is waiting to tuck him in bed. Straightforward text and eloquent illustrations explore the delights of imagination and the comforts of home and family in this enchanting story.

THE GARDEN CAROL MATAS TORONTO: SCHOLASTIC CANADA, 1997, 102 P. ISBN 0590123815 AGES 12 TO 16 SEQUEL TO: AFTER THE WAR. (RICHMOND HILL, ONT.: SCHOLASTIC CANADA, 1996)

A 16-year-old survivor of Nazi concentration camps, Ruth is in bad shape when she arrives at Kibbutz David, Israel in 1947. In this sequel to After the War, Ruth finds happiness and a sense of peace in her role as gardener for the kibbutz. She is not insensitive, however, to the escalating violence which threatens the establishment of her new homeland. In fact, her dilemma about taking up arms  -  to fight or not to fight, to kill or not to kill  -  is at the core of the novel. Not for the faint-hearted, The Garden counterbalances adventure and political intrigue with reflection, humour and even romance.

THE GOOD COMPANION JOAN SKOGAN ILLUSTRATIONS: STEPHEN McCALLUM VICTORIA: ORCA BOOK PUBLISHERS, 1998, 30 P. ISBN 1551431343 AGES 6 TO 9

Danger lurks on the high seas, and the captain of the Good Companion, a fishing vessel, is careful not to jinx his luck. When his deckhands rescue a mysterious young woman who is adrift in a half-swamped skiff in the middle of nowhere, he knows her presence will bring misfortune. She is a puzzle; is she real or an illusion? The fate of the little fishing boat hinges on the acceptance of what she represents. This is a well-written story which includes fascinating bits of seafaring lore and majestic illustrations that capture the unpredictability of the ocean and life at sea.

THE HOLLOW TREE JANET LUNN TORONTO: ALFRED A. KNOPF CANADA, 1997, 208 P. ISBN 0394280741 AGES 11 TO 16

Phoebe Olcott's heart is breaking and her loyalties are stretched two ways. Her quiet, scholarly father and her gentle cousin, Gideon chose opposite sides in the American Revolutionary War and now, in the fall of 1777, both are dead. In her grief, she returns to a childhood haunt (the hollow tree of the book's title) and discovers a secret message which Gideon had hidden before his death. Deciding that she must deliver it for him, she sets out on a long and arduous journey (physically and emotionally) which takes her over 100 miles to Canada and a new life. History, adventure, romance, and interesting connections to Lunn's other novels await readers of this fast-moving and intriguing story.

JACOB TWO-TWO'S FIRST SPY CASE MORDECAI RICHLER ILLUSTRATIONS: NORMAN EYOLFSON TORONTO: TUNDRA BOOKS, 1997, ©1995, 137 P. REVISED EDITION ISBN 0887764266 AGES 9 TO 12 SEQUEL TO: JACOB TWO-TWO MEETS THE HOODED FANG. (TORONTO: TUNDRA BOOKS, 1997, ©1975) AND JACOB TWO-TWO AND THE DINOSAUR. TORONTO: TUNDRA BOOKS, 1997, ©1987)

The third book about Jacob Two-Two finds him living in Montreal with his two older brothers, two older sisters and two very busy parents, and, at two times two times two years of age, attending an expensive private school for boys. To fight the greed and corruption at his school, Jacob Two-Two enlists the aid of his next-door neighbour, the master-spy, Mr. X. Barnaby Dinglebat. Organized mayhem ensues as the two super-sleuths use invisible ink, encoded messages, "The Clairvoyant Gamble", elaborate disguises and other creative manoeuvres to bring the villains to justice. This is a funny, fast-paced novel which is equally good for silent reading or for reading aloud.

JESS AND THE RUNAWAY GRANDPA MARY WOODBURY REGINA: COTEAU BOOKS, 1997, 209 P. ISBN 1550501135 AGES 9 TO 12

At twelve years of age, Jess is finding life's trials hard to take. Worst of all is her Grandpa Ernie's debilitating memory lapses. He is in the first stages of Alzheimer's and neither he nor his family and friends know how to deal with it. When Jess catches him sneaking away on a camping trip, it only takes her a split second to realize that as she can't stop him, she must accompany him. In an interesting role reversal, she relies on her ingenuity and recollection of the wilderness lore, once taught by Grandpa Ernie, to see them through their harrowing adventure in the northern Alberta wilderness.

KELE'S SECRET TOLOLWA M. MOLLEL ILLUSTRATIONS: CATHERINE STOCK TORONTO: STODDART, 1997, 30 P. ISBN 0773730079 AGES 3 TO 7

Yoanes helps Koko, his grandmother, on the coffee farm in Tanzania, by gathering eggs and taking them to market. The trouble is that Kele, Koko's most unusual hen, is hiding her eggs. Given the task of discovering her secret hiding place, Yoanes follows Kele all around the farmyard and even out to the coffee plantation. His heart thumps when he tracks her to the lair of a monster. Does he dare follow her inside? This is a warm-hearted story about loving family relationships with just enough foreboding to challenge and enchant young readers (and listeners).

MORNING ON THE LAKE JAN BOURDEAU WABOOSE ILLUSTRATIONS: KAREN RECZUCH TORONTO: KIDS CAN PRESS, 1997, 30 P. ISBN 1550743732 AGES 6 TO 9

As this beautifully illustrated story opens, Noshen (Anishinawbe Ojibway for "grandchild") and Mishomis ("grandfather") paddle through the gentle morning mist. It is so quiet and peaceful that Noshen is almost afraid to breathe. A family of loons appears out of nowhere. Later, on a cliff top, they feel as if they are on the top of the world. An eagle swoops down upon them. In the starry evening, a pack of timber wolves welcomes them to the woods. Enveloped, throughout the day, in his grandfather's love and acceptance, Noshen learns, in turn, to love and respect all living things and discovers his own place in harmony with them.

THE NIGHT VOYAGERS DONN KUSHNER TORONTO: LESTER PUBLISHING, 1995, 220 P. ISBN 1895555698 (BOUND) 1895555795 (PAPERBACK) AGES 12 AND UP

This is a complex and challenging story about three Central American refugees  -  a woman and her two sons  -  who flee for their lives early in the 1980s, north through Mexico and the United States, to a safe haven on the Ontario side of the St. Lawrence River. The story is seen through the eyes of the younger son, Manuel, who is so traumatized and confused by the horror of recent events that he refuses to speak. Aided and abetted along the way by spiritual companions and by malevolent characters from Mayan mythology, Manuel (as well as the reader) gradually comes to understand the horrible circumstances surrounding his father's disappearance.

ON THE GO ROGER PARÉ WITH BERTRAND GAUTHIER ILLUSTRATIONS: ROGER PARÉ TRANSLATION: DAVID HOMEL TORONTO: ANNICK PRESS, 1996, 24 P. ISBN 1550374095 (BOUND) 1550374087 (PAPERBACK) AGES 2 TO 4 AVAILABLE IN FRENCH: PLAISIRS DE VACANCES (MONTRÉAL: LES ÉDITIONS LA COURTE ÉCHELLE, 1995)

Soft watercolour illustrations, in this picture book for very young children, set the mood and tell the story of two little mice who make holiday plans, take the trip of a lifetime and then return home. The mice, Georgia and Gigi, soar over rooftops on an airborne cat, en route to "strange new lands" where they meet bears, catch butterflies and race with kangaroos. Their travels even take them "to visit the moon and a planet or two". Short, four-line rhymes which accompany each full-page illustration will tempt discerning preschoolers to "read" the pictures and discover the action, little jokes and bits of whimsy in this magical odyssey.

PEEK-A-BOO AT THE ZOO FRANK B. EDWARDS ILLUSTRATIONS: JOHN BIANCHI KINGSTON, ONT.: BUNGALO BOOKS, 1997, 24 P. (NEW READER SERIES) ISBN 0921285531 (BOUND) 0921285523 (PAPERBACK) AGES 2 TO 4

On four separate occasions in this short and simple story, a loveable but befuddled zookeeper calls to his wild animals: "Peek-a-boo. Where are you?" To help him find his animals, enterprising young children must read the clues. The first time, a monkey is hiding in the branches of a tree. Only his tail is visible, but the sign below says "Monkey". By the end of the story, ten mischievous animals have been located. Specifically designed to stimulate word recognition in young readers, this comical and challenging story should also encourage a love of words and books in its target audience.

SARAH AND THE PEOPLE OF SAND RIVER W.D. VALGARDSON ILLUSTRATIONS: IAN WALLACE VANCOUVER: A GROUNDWOOD BOOK, DOUGLAS & McINTYRE, 1996, 45 P. ISBN 0888992556 AGES 7 TO 11

The first part of Sarah's adventure begins when she moves from her isolated family home on Frog Bay to stay with strangers in the city of Winnipeg. At the turn of the century, her father, an Icelander and a widower, feels the move is necessary for her to learn to speak English and to become a lady. The second part traces her journey back to him, in a blinding snowstorm, as she flees loneliness and exploitation. Everything is not what it seems and Native benefactors who bring solace to Sarah also add a spiritual dimension to this wonderfully rich and diverse story.

SHADOWS ON A SWORD: THE SECOND BOOK OF THE CRUSADES KARLEEN BRADFORD TORONTO: HARPERCOLLINS, 1997, ©1996, 249 P. ISBN 0006480543 AGES 12 TO 16 SEQUEL TO: THERE WILL BE WOLVES. (TORONTO: HARPERCOLLINS, 1994, ©1992)

At the start of the Holy Crusade in 1096, Theo is an idealistic young knight, eager to prove his faith and courage and to fulfill his duties to his master and to God. Amalric, his convivial chum and companion-in-arms, feels blessed to be a part of this grand adventure and can't wait to take part in a battle. The two lads are joined by Emma, a tempestuous serving girl, who disguises herself as a boy to become Theo's groom. Three years after the companions, and thousands of other crusaders, sweep across the European continent, we find them victorious in Jerusalem, each one affected and changed by the face of war.

VANISHING ACT CORA TAYLOR RED DEER, ALTA.: RED DEER COLLEGE PRESS, 1997, 199 P. (NORTHERN LIGHTS YOUNG NOVELS) ISBN 0889951659 AGES 10 TO 14

A summer cruise through the Greek islands with their globe-trotting granny and their best friend, Sam Elwin, turns out to be more than just fun-in-the-sun for 13-year-old twins, Maggie and Jennifer Arnold. There is a dash of magic when Maggie discovers how to make herself invisible, a dollop of political intrigue when desperate international spies appear on the scene, and a dose of high drama when their father's three-year absence is explained. The many twists and turns in plot and storyline are fraught with tension and humour. This is a complex novel which is a lot of fun to read.

WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T GO NEAR THAT CANOE! JULIE LAWSON ILLUSTRATIONS: WERNER ZIMMERMANN RICHMOND HILL, ONT.: SCHOLASTIC CANADA, 1998, ©1996. 30 P. ISBN 0590124226 AGES 3 TO 9

The opening quatrain sets the tone for this rollicking piratical poem: " ‘Whatever you do, don't go near that canoe!' Said Captain Kelsey McKee. ‘Because if you do go near that canoe, You'll have to reckon with me.' " The threat is enough to tempt any land-loving, fun-loving adventurers, especially a little girl (the narrator), her younger brother, and O'Malley, a stuffed kangaroo. And when they venture forth, what a surprise awaits them! The marvellously detailed double-page illustrations match the mood  -  a little bit scary, a little bit funny  -  and extend the story. It is a wonderful romp. Whatever you do, don't miss it!

WHAT'S A DARING DETECTIVE LIKE ME DOING IN THE DOGHOUSE? LINDA BAILEY TORONTO: KIDS CAN PRESS, 1997, 185 P. (STEVIE DIAMOND MYSTERY SERIES, 5) ISBN 1550743988 AGES 8 TO 11

In the fifth book in the popular Stevie Diamond mystery series, our intrepid amateur detective is hoping to solve a crime with a little bit of "class". Instead, Stevie and her partner, Jesse Kulniki, find themselves suspects in a dognapping incident with practical joke overtones and international implications. To clear their names, the crime-solving duo must keep one step ahead of the Vancouver police, all the while searching for the real culprit. In keeping with other titles in the series, this book relies on slapstick humour, misplaced clues and lots of action to intrigue those mystery fans who like light-hearted suspense served up in an easy-to-read format.

WHO TOOK HENRY AND MR. Z? DAVE GLAZE REGINA: COTEAU BOOKS, 1996, 137 P. ISBN 1550501070 AGES 8 TO 11

The disappearance of Henry and Mr. Z, pet guinea pigs who live at the back of the grade five classroom, upsets everybody, especially Caroline and Winston. As they search for the animals, it is learned that a large sum of money, which had been collected for school T-shirts, is also missing. The plot thickens! This short mystery will be appreciated by children just beginning to read chapter books. The writing is clear and succinct, but there are plenty of twists and turns, suspects, clues and even a heart-thumping encounter in the school one dark evening. The school setting and Saskatchewan locale are authentic and the information about guinea pigs is a plus.

ZOOM AT SEA TIM WYNNE-JONES ILLUSTRATIONS: ERIC BEDDOWS TORONTO: A GROUNDWOOD BOOK, DOUGLAS & McINTYRE, 1993, ©1983, 32 P. ISBN 088899172X

ZOOM AWAY 1993, ©1985, 32 P. ISBN 0888991738

ZOOM UPSTREAM 1993, ©1992, 34 P. ISBN 0888991886 AGES 4 TO 7

The Zoom books are Canadian classics about an adventurous cat who loves water "not to drink" but "to play with". In the first book, Zoom at Sea, Zoom frolics joyously in ocean waves which the mysterious Maria unleashes in her big front room. In Zoom Away, he ventures through Maria's snow-filled hallway and up her icy staircase to get to the North Pole and the Arctic Sea. By the third volume, a stairway of books leads him to ancient Egypt and the mighty Nile. Here, he finds the captain of the Catship, his Uncle Roy, who promises another adventure. Together, the evocative texts and black-and-white illustrations are a tour de force in which fantasy and reality meld to make a satisfying and stimulating whole.