Epic adventures sure to thrill young readers

The Unexpected Life of Oliver Cromwell Pitts

By Avi (Algonquin Young Readers, 312 pages)

In an English town in 1724, Oliver awakes to a flood and a missing father. To survive he must steal from a shipwreck and face jail, escape the poor house, evade criminals, and find his father and sister in London. This adventure will take readers ages nine to 14 on a dangerous tour through historic London. Bounced

By Ted Staunton (Scholastic Canada, 165 pages)

When Duncan accidentally bounc- es into a bank robber, he jumps on the chance to cash in. If he captures the criminal, he can collect the reward and help his aunt pay for his tuition. With the help of his friends, he stakes out the next possible crime scene For readers ages eight to 12 who love to laugh while solving mysteries.

Me and Marvin Gardens

By Amy Sarig King

(Arthur A. Levine, 243 pages) Obe Devlin loves what’s left of his ancestors’ land and hates to see it being turned into a housing development. His favourite getaway is Devlin Creek, where he stumbles upon a strange creature that eats plastic. This novel, for readers nine to 12, is a combination of science, historical fiction, fantasy, friendship and mystery.

Yours Sincerely, Giraffe

By Megumi Iwasa, Illustrated by Jun Takabatake

(Gecko Press, 106 pages)

A great introduction to chapter books, this story follows a giraffe that writes letters to a penguin, which are delivered by a pelican. Fun animal facts are incorporated with each letter as the three creatures introduce themselves. An easy read for children five to seven.