ShareThisMany kids love series because they can follow a familiar, much-loved character into a new adventure, book after book.
Here's a look at some new series books:
-- Young readers who love mysteries will want to make the acquaintance of Enola Holmes, the much, much younger sister of Sherlock Holmes. In her fifth adventure, "The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline" (Philomel, $14.99), the teen-age Enola, who has lived on her own since her mother disappeared, must find her kidnapped landlady while continuing to elude her older brother, who believes she should be in a boarding school. Author Nancy Springer's series centered on the intriguing Enola will appeal even to adults who love pastiches of the Holmes stories. (Ages 10-14.)
-- In another book connected with Holmes, kids play starring roles in helping the fictional detective solve a murder case in "The Mystery of the Conjured Man" (Scholastic, $6.99). But these aren't just any kids; these are the Baker Street Irregulars, a group of street kids that Holmes used to solve cases. The "Sherlock Holmes & the Baker Street Irregulars" series, written by the husband-and-wife team of Tracy Mack and Michael Citrin, is a delightful riff on the original Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle. In this case, the Irregulars, led by the amiable Wiggins, must use all their wiles as they delve into the world of the supernatural to figure out who caused the sudden death of a woman at a seance. This second volume in the "Baker Street Irregulars" series is just as fun as the first book, "The Fall of the Amazing Zalindas." (Ages 7-12.)
-- Second-grader Alvin Ho is curious, enthusiastic and energetic. Unfortunately, he's also fearful of many things, as readers of his first adventure are well aware. Now in his second book, "Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking and Other Natural Disasters" (Schwartz & Wade Books, $15.99), Alvin needs to figure out a way to survive out in the wild with his dad and younger sister. Author Lenore Look's story is both hilarious and compassionate; the line drawings by LeUyen Pham add to the fun. (Ages 7-10.)
-- Cat Royal is an orphan who has always lived in London's Theater Royal, under the protection of its wealthy owner, Richard Sheridan. Now, however, the theater is being razed to make way for a new one, and Cat finds herself out on the street. In "Den of Thieves" (Roaring Brook, $16.95), author Julia Golding offers a rip-roaring third volume in this series set in the late 1700s. After an initially difficult start in making her own way in the world, the adventurous and street-savvy Cat is sent by Sheridan to act as his spy in the French Revolution. But things really heat up when her titled friends, Frank and Lizzie, are thrown into prison there and Cat must try to save them. Golding's novel is a heady blend of history and mystery, but it's Cat's spunky, articulate personality that really drives this series. (Ages 10-14.)
-- Three new books feature the latest adventures of some strong girl protagonists:
In "Piper Reed Gets a Job" (Henry Holt, $14.99), fifth-grader Piper is desperate to help her fellow members of the Gypsy Club figure out a way to raise money to pay for a clubhouse. Being Piper, she naturally finds a way -- launching her own party-planning business. Written by National Book Award winner Kimberly Willis Holt, the "Piper Reed" series focuses on the doings of a girl who is part of a Navy family. Christine Davenier's illustrations add further interest. (Ages 7-11.)
Julia Gillian, the girl with two first names, returns in "Julia Gillian and the Quest for Joy" (Scholastic, $16.99). In this book, author Alison McGhee details how the new school year starts out hard for Julia and gets even worse as she seemingly loses her best friend, has trouble learning to play the trumpet and must deal with a mean-spirited substitute lunch monitor. (Ages 8-12.)
Author Charise Mericle Harper deftly mixes art and text to make her character, third-grader "Just Grace," come alive. In Grace's fourth adventure, "Just Grace Goes Green" (Houghton Mifflin, $16), Grace learns about the environment as she also helps best friend Mimi navigate a tricky situation with her cousin, Gwen, and a favorite stuffed toy. (Ages 6-10.)
-- Take one kid and one dog, add a bit of doggie mischief and you've got the premise for a fun new series called "Pet Trouble." Written by T.T. Sutherland, each book features a different protagonist and a different breed of dog. The first three books, which cost $5.99 each and feature adorable dogs on their covers, are: "Loudest Beagle On the Block"; "Runaway Retriever"; and "Mud-Puddle Poodle." (Ages 8-12.)
(Karen MacPherson, the children's/teen librarian at the Takoma Park, Md., Library, can be reached at Kam.Macpherson(at)gmail.com. For more stories visit scrippsnews.com)
CHILDREN'S CORNER
