Midnight Magic by Avi

Midnight Magic by Avi is a middle grade novel of excellent quality. 

Fabrizio is a young boy who is servant to a sleight-of-hand magician, Mangus,  in 1491 Italy.  In an age of superstition, sleight of hand looks like real magic.  Mangus has already been tried for demonic magic and put under house arrest.  Suddenly, a knock at the door on a stormy midnight brings Mangus and Fabrizio into the King's stronghold.  He is ordered to free the princess from the haunting of a spirit she claims is the ghost of her murdered brother.

The story goes on with Fabrizio overhearing things he can't tell, being told things under oath of secrecy, losing his way and finding his way through secret passages, and finally, helping Mangus to raise the spirit of the missing prince.

I can't tell you much more without ruining the story.  I think even an adult will enjoy this tightly-twisted tale told by an expert storyteller.

Kathi Linz

The Treacherous Teddy by John J. Lamb

If you like a fast-paced mystery not streaked with too much gore, or if you like mysteries and teddy bears, you might want to pick up one of John J. Lamb's Bear Collector's mysteries.

The Treacherous Teddy has one police car side-swiping, one stolen car, one murder/hunting accident (?) by arrow through the heart, one death by throwing off the balcony, one poacher desperately in need of a bath, one hotel kitchen staff serving poached wild meat, a realtor who is up to more than you might guess, an arson, a crusty old lady in a wheelchair, a teddy bear fair, and two amusement park executives. 

Odds are that unless you always solved the Perry Mason shows in the first fifteen minutes, you won't guess this one without cheating.

Hope you enjoy it.

Kathi

Writing for Children and Young Adults by Dr. Marion Crook

In Writing for Children and Young Adults by Dr. Marion Crook, you will find useful information for writing both fiction and non-fiction.  There is a discussion on having or not having a literary agent.  How to approach publishers and which publishers to approach are carefully covered. There are ideas for promoting your book once it gets published. Also included is a CD with examples, worksheets for completing your project, recommended reading lists and various forms.

Kathi Linz

25 Ways to Make Money Online by James Garton

If you think that making money online takes special skills (other than being able to use a computer competently) or that everything online is a scam, check out 25 Ways to Make Money Online by James Garton.

There are job ideas in here for full or part timers.  The opportunities have a wide range, so most people will be able to consider at least one online job.  Each listing comes with a description of the job and several websites where you can find out more or apply for the position.

Here are several of the possibilities: legitimate telecommuting jobs, blogging for profit, writing articles , freelancing, online auctions, ebook author, professional juror, manufacturers' representative, grant writer, and transcriptionist.  If you like the look of one of these or want to see the rest of the jobs listed in this book, come on in and check it out.

Kathi Linz