The Girl is Murder

By Kathryn Miller Haines
(YA F Hain)
342 pages 2011 Mystery Fiction

New York City, 1942. Fifteen-year-old Iris has just moved from a swanky uptown neighborhood to the Lower East Side after her mother’s death and her wounded father’s return from the war. Now she has to attend public school, make all new friends, and deal with her detective father, who forbids her to assist with his cases even though he can’t get around very well with a missing leg. But Iris can’t resist doing her own detective work when a boy from her school ends up missing. Soon she’s lying to her father and her new friends, staying out late at dance clubs, and doing what she can to solve the case. Will her snooping get her into more trouble than it’s worth? (Grades 7 & up)

Reviewed by Teen Librarian Shelly P.

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Uncommon Criminals

By Ally Carter
(YA F Cart)
298 pages 2011 Mystery

Fifteen-year-old Kat and her talented crew must work together to find and steal the "Cleopatra Emerald" from an unscrupulous dealer and return it to its rightful owner, while a former love of her Uncle Eddie tries to get the gem for herself. Did we mention that the emerald hasn’t been seen in 30 years or that it’s cursed? Definitely not your typical five-finger discount. As Kat travels the world chasing the Cleopatra, she begins to wonder if she’s in over her head. A smart, fun read. Sequel to Heist Society. (Grades 6 & up)

Reviewed by Teen Librarian Kay G.

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Tighter

By Adele Griffin
(YA F Grif)
216 pages 2011 Mystery

Recovering from a bad relationship, Jamie takes a summer job as an au pair for eleven-year-old Isa. The discovery that she closely resembles Isa’s last au pair, Jessie, who died in a plane crash the year before with her boyfriend Pete, may explain why Jamie’s suddenly seeing their ghosts. Her attempts to lay them to rest are complicated by the return of Isa’s older brother Milo, as he seems to hinder her pursuit of the truth. This is a tense, modern retelling of Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw. (Grades 6 & up)

Reviewed by Teen Librarian Shelly P.

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Hot Pick from TAB - The Reformed Vampire Support Group

By Catherine Jinks
(YA F Jink)
362 pages 2009 Fantasy/Mystery Fiction

Being a vampire is not a blessing for this group—it’s a disease. They have found a way to not have to drink human blood, but it’s hard on their systems. They can’t go out during the daytime because they are knocked unconscious and look dead. When one of the vamps gets staked, turned to ashes, and shot by a silver bullet, the others along with a priest drive all over Australia with fear in their hearts and guinea pigs in the bed of their truck. This book has a great plot, is fast-paced, and definitely not your average vampire novel.  (Grades 8 & up)

Reviewed by TAB member Colleen K.

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Alibi Junior High

By Greg Logsted

(YA F Logs)

244 pages 2009 Mystery

Thirteen-year-old Cody has traveled the world, speaks five languages and has two black belts in martial arts. When things get too intense for him and his undercover CIA agent dad, Cody finds himself experiencing a "normal" life in a small town and attending public school for the first time. So, why is middle school so tough and why does he feel like he's being secretly watched? (Grades 6 & up)

reviewed by Teen Librarian Elaine D.

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