Erica Stafford has just entered the sixth grade in Vermont after the family moved there from New Jersey just two years earlier. She leaves behind her old friends and is forced to make new ones in her new home. Fortunately she meets Abigail Adrianna Post or Abby, who becomes her very best friend. Abby's dog, Sandy, joins Sophie and The Finn and they form a bond that leads them on a number of adventures together. Then one day, by chance, Erica gets thrown into a mystery that she just can't let go of, but it could place her and her pups in imminent danger. She is torn between solving the mystery and turning her head as if it never happened. With Sophie and The Finn at her side she decides that she must see it to the end no matter the risk. Erica has also recently discovered that something strange is happening to her that she can't explain or understand. Is it something that she can control or does it only occur randomly without warning and what does it all mean? She and her two constant companions, Sophie and The Finn embark on an adventure that will begin with a discovery, but as they unravel the clues will eventually lead them into a dangerous encounter that places everyone at great danger. "Unfortunately she never heard Sophie's warning because of all of the noise coming from inside the factory building. The next thing she felt was a pair of large strong hands pinning her arms together. She struggled to try and free them, but it seemed like the more she squirmed, the tighter the grip became. It was as if she was caught in a vise. Next, she felt her feet being lifted off the ground, "Oh my God, she thought to herself, I've lost complete control of my body." It felt like a giant had picked her up like she was a helpless doll. It all happened so fast, she didn't know how to react. She thought, "What's happening to me, I can't even make a sound?" Finally she started to scream, but the odd thing was that there was no sound coming out of her mouth. Her legs were kicking out at this giant, but he was way too strong. To him it must have felt like nothing more than a mosquito attacking his tree trunk legs." It is a story of a young inquisitive girl and her two dogs that have built this incredible bond together and a sense of adventure that leads them into the Mystery of the Disappearing Dogs. Look for the second book in the series, "Secret of the Box," which will be out shortly. Visit us at: sophieandthefinn.com

SHADOW CHILDREN

Luke has never been to school. He's never had a birthday party, or gone to a friend's house for an overnight. In fact, Luke has never had a friend.

Luke is one of the shadow children, a third child forbidden by the Population Police. He's lived his entire life in hiding, and now, with a new housing development replacing the woods next to his family's farm, he is no longer even allowed to go outside.

Then, one day Luke sees a girl's face in the window of a house where he knows two other children already live. Finally, he's met a shadow child like himself. Jen is willing to risk everything to come out of the shadows -- does Luke dare to become involved in her dangerous plan? Can he afford not to?

Solve the mystery with the Secret Seven - everyone's favourite detective club! This fantastic bumper collection contains Secret Seven books 1-3, with illustrations by Tony Ross. Book 1: The Secret Seven (first published in 1949) It's their first adventure and the Secret Seven super-sleuths are already on the trail of a mystery! The gang are dressed in disguise, following a lead to a spooky old house in the snow... Book 2: Secret Seven Adventure (first published in 1950) When a priceless pearl necklace goes missing the Secret Seven are first off the mark to catch the thief! Why? Because they saw him making his escape! Now all they have to do is find the necklace ... Book 3: Well Done, Secret Seven (first published in 1951) The Secret Seven have a new meeting place - a treehouse! But someone else is using it too. The gang are furious, but then they learn the intruder is in big trouble and needs their help. Can the Seven come to the rescue ...? These timeless stories are perfect for young fans of mystery, adventure or detective series.

Ned's classmate Portia Leoni won last year's Miss Pretty Face River Heights Beauty Pageant. But after Portia was accused of shoplifting dresses from a local boutique, her crown was taken away from her. Portia claims that she's innocent, but why would someone want to frame her?
To find out more, I'm going undercover -- as a pageant contestant But going undercover in Miss Pretty Face may be my toughest challenge yet. Everyone seems to have a motive
Who knew it was so hard to walk, smile, and wave? I have to find out the truth before someone finds out that I'm anything but a beauty queen

" Recommended Reading by the Mamie Eisenhower Library Project, 2014 - The Midwest Book Review calls Striker Jones a "fun and rollicking series" with "effortless teaching of both cooperation values and basic economics." "

Striker Jones is a classic kid's detective novel that also teaches children ages 8-12 basic economic concepts. By solving ten entertaining mysteries with boy detective, Striker Jones, kids will learn concepts like trade-offs, supply and demand, risk, and incentives. There's no jargon -- only fun

Teachers and homeschooling parents, check out the "Teacher's Companion" (also available on Amazon), and read reviews by real educators at elementaryecon.com/teacher-reviews.html.

Reviews

"Striker Jones is an excellent text for older elementary students beginning to grasp more and more complicated economic concepts. Through its easy flowing narrative with lots of conversational dialogue, children will learn to see that economics affect their daily life far more than they realized "

"Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children"

"'Striker Jones' is a thoughtful delve into economics and short fiction, a top pick for younger readers."

"Midwest Book Review Bookwatch"

"There is no more important subject for young people to be exposed to right now than elementary economics. Larche has produced a well written primer that illustrates the economic fundamentals clearly, succinctly and with a cool factor that young readers will love... Think young Sherlock Holmes meets Milton Friedman "

"James Larriviere, Ph.D., Professor of Economics at Spring Hill College"

"A great way to introduce those economic principles to kids in a fun way. The book shows real insight into kids - so much more fun than a dry textbook ... a wonderful, educational book."

"Laurie Cockerell, Author of Founders' Fables"

Harleigh J. Weatherby IV leads a lonely existence in the vast Weatherby mansion under the watchful eye of his great aunt Adelaide -- until a mysterious girl named Allegra literally flies over the walls of Weatherby House and into his life.

Allegra's intense curiosity about Weatherby House forces Harleigh to think about things he's always ignored, including the long-lost treasure of the first Harleigh -- which someone is trying to steal.