Seattle Mystery Bookshop: Great Gifts For Readers 5-8ish

Great Gifts Fore Reader 5-8ish -

Looking for some good books to hand out to your kids/grandkids/ nieces or nephews? Here are a few of my top picks for the readers on your list who are vertically challenged at present.

43 Old Cemetery Road: Dying To Meet You - by Kate Klise and illustrated by M. Sarah Klise

This is the first book in this great series! It is about a grumpy old man named Ignatius B. Grumply who moves into an old Victorian manor in hopes of curing his writers block. However his new house isn’t as empty as he thought, it turns out included in his lease was Seymour. An eleven year old boy (and his cat Shadow) whose parents have left him behind while they travel and pen their own books. Even more disturbing to Mr. Grumply is the manor’s other resident, Olive a book lover in life and in her death. Who is no slouch in the grumpy department herself. Will they ever find a way to coexist? Could they ever find a way of actually liking each other?

These books are fantastic. They are told as a series of letters, telegrams, newspaper articles, contracts, sketches, floor plans and even a tombstone rubbing! They are interesting to read with a very witty sense of humor that kids and adults can enjoy. Their unique storytelling approach keeps these books from ever dragging, and there is always something new to find in the fine print or a small detail to discover when you reread the book. While the titles sound as if they are a little scary or serious, I assure you they are not! There are three books in this series so far the second is Over My Dead Body and Till Death Do Us Bark, you do need to read them in order however. I recommend these books to boys (or open minded girls who are into reading chapter books!

The Buddy Files: The Case Of The Mixed - Up Mutts - by Dori Hillestad Butler

Buddy is a dog who has lost his humans, Kayla, Mom and Dad. However he has found new humans to watch over, Connor and Mom (Buddy is trying hard not to become too attached to since he is determined to find Kayla). When Connor and Mom announce it is time to go to obedience school, Buddy is excited, he knows his humans are very smart and will do well in class. During class he meets a pug named Jazzy whose human switched her with another dog named Muffin while at the dog park. Buddy, who understands what it is like to be separated from your person is determined to help reunite Muffin and Kathy. And perhaps Jazzy will come live with Connor and Mom to watch over them, since Buddy needs to leave Four Lakes to search for Kayla….

This is the second book in the fun series. Told from Buddy’s point of view it adds an air of excitement. You finally get to know what your dog is thinking! This series does a good job in showing how to break down seemingly impossible problems into little solvable bits in a logical way, without ever talking down to the reader. The enthusiasm which Buddy pursues the problems keeps the story moving swiftly along. And I find it nice there is an overarching mystery to the series as well as smaller cases for each book. It gives the series a strong sense of cohesion without becoming boring or repetitive. There are five books in the series so far. The first book in the series, The Case Of The Lost Boy was the 2011 Edgar winner for best Juvenile Mystery. I would recommend this book for boys or girls (since there are a number of great female characters in the book).

Geronimo Stilton: The Haunted Castle by Geronimo Stilton

Geronimo is the editor of the most famous newspaper in all of New Mouse City, The Rodent’s Gazette. While at work Geronimo gets a collect call from his Uncle Samuel S. Stingysnout, inviting Thea, Trap, Benjamin and himself to A CEREMONY in his drafty old castle! But before Geronimo can get a squeak in edge wise Uncle Stingysnout hangs up, leaving him clueless to what the ceremony is about……

This is a wonderful series of books, the color pictures and words draw event the most reluctant reader in. Geronimo and his relations have great vocabularies and never hesitate to use them! They also demonstrate and explain a number of concepts well, without ever talking down to the reader, integrating them well into the stories. There are 47 chapter books and graphic novels in this series. You are sure to find one which fit’s the interests and personality of your reader! For boys and girls it is told mainly from Geronimo’s point of view but has a number of strong female leads in it as well.

Thea Stilton: And The Cherry Blossom Adventure - by Thea Stilton

Thea is Geronimo’s sister, who also works for newspaper as a special correspondent who travels the world and writes of adventures. Closer to home she taught a journalism class at her alma mater Mouseford Academy, where she became close friends with five very different girls Nicky, Colette, Pamela, Paulina and Violet. In this tale of adventure Thea recounts the mystery the five girls find on their exchange program to Kyoto, Japan - when an item of great value and importance is stolen from a friends family!

Again this is a great series of books! With engaging pictures and emphasis on visual stimulation of the words on the page you can’t go wrong. Where Geronimo’s stories focus on conveying concepts, Thea focuses on cultural information from around the world. From animals to fashion to vocabulary and geography you never know exactly where Thea will take you next! There are nine books in there ever growing series focusing on a different parts of our planet; countries, under the sea and space. This is a very engaging series, told exclusively from the female point of view I would recommend this for any young girl!

Creepella Von Cacklefur: Meet Me At Horrorwood- by Geronimo Stilton

Creepella is a the spookiest mouse of Geronimo’s acquaintance. But her spookiness cannot keep even Geronimo’s ‘fraidy mouse streak from being friends with this fascinatingly creepy mouse! While she sleeps in a marble sarcophagus and drives a hearse, she is also a set and special effect designer for the moves and is going to school to become a journalist. Creepella’s new skills as a journalist are tested when her moat monster Gorgo’s crush Blobbina (who is also a movie star) has disappeared! And it is up to Creepella and her friens Billy Squeakspeare to find her!

I really enjoy this series and all of the great puns they use! It isn’t particularly frightening, no more than Scooby Doo ever was. With a great use of vocabulary and integrated with the color pictures it is a fun read. This series is focused on the mystery which Creepella is determined to solve. It does a good job in giving clues, following them and finding the solution to the mystery. They just begun this series and there are only two books so far, but it will grow quickly I am sure! The other book in the series is The Thirteen Ghosts. Again I would recommend this for girls (or open minded boys) who are looking for something a little bit different to read.