Synopsis: In The Idea Miners: The Lost Lake Dig, two young boys stumble into a parallel world called the Land of Lights and join an expedition with a mysterious girl, two dwarfs, and two donkeys on a quest to find a “gusher”―a buoyant, glowing sphere that holds an as-yet unthought-of brilliant idea. This exciting fantasy adventure book for middle readers is unlike anything else you will find. The unique and imaginative story―full of danger and magic; seers, dwarfs and elves; bloodthirsty trolls and crazy miners―keeps the reader glued to the book, while interwoven historical facts remind the reader of great gifts to the world by the likes of Sir Isaac Newton, Wilber and Orville Wright, Charles Babbage, and others. In this fantasy story all ideas originate in the Land of Lights. These ideas are released for discovery into our world, which is called the Land of Harvesters. The ideas are contained in glowing spheres call squirts and gushers. Squirts are the everyday types of ideas: “I’ll walk the dog,” or “I’ll wash the car.” Gushers are world-changing: the printing press, flight, computers. The squirts and gushers encountered by the two young boys on their journey, and while camping on top of a mountain playing a game called “Catch the Squirt,” provide a glimpse into their past and future, creating an excitement for ideas. For children today, preparing to embark on their journey through ideas which we call high school and college, the most important thing they can take with them is a passion for education and discovery. This book, with hidden worlds, crazy characters, and danger, plants these seeds of passion. As one of the reviewers of the book wrote: “With elements reminiscent of The Hobbit and Harry Potter, the pace and variety of challenges carry the reader along to a surprising and satisfying conclusion.” A part of this satisfying conclusion is captured in the very last line of the book: “Ideas define us, our past, our present, and, most importantly, our future.” It’s for the future that this book may have the most impact, by sending kids forward with a budding thirst for knowledge and an excitement for the world’s undiscovered potential.

Synopsis: Quirky, smart, and good looking, Zack Chase is a book-loving, talented hockey player.But he doesn't want to turn pro like his late dad, despite his mom's hopes. New in town, Zack's pitted against obnoxious Mac, the hockey team captain with something against Jane, the alluring Goth-girl who's caught Zack's eye. As incidents on the ice and off force Zack to decide what he really wants, he copes with sore losers, other people's drinking problems, and the consequences of making out with too many girls. As Zack focuses even less on hockey, he discovers other ways he wants to score in life, especially as a 15-year-old guy with spiking hormones. He's being chased by hot little Mona; his best friend Sheila has curves that make him sweat; and he'd like to show Jane that he's not another typical hockey player. Soon Zack finds out the hard way that people have secrets and burdens all their own, and that some actions have tragic, far-reaching consequences.

Synopsis: The summer of 1970 starts off badly for 13-year-old Maya. Her mother has sent her to Seattle to stay with the grandmother she's never met; her father is reported MIA in the jungles of Vietnam; and angry Maya's determined to get back home, even if it means running away. But slowly Maya begins to adjust, first befriending an autistic boy-and piano prodigy- living next door, and getting to know her grandmother. When Maya finds a trombone in the attic, she's mesmerized. She learns to play as her grandmother gradually unravels details of her past: Maya's grandfather was a famous jazz trombone player who died in a car crash, and her grandmother was a top jazz singer-who now only sings in church. Maya gradually adjusts to the prospect of life without her father, helps to mend mom's relationship with her grandmother, and takes the first steps to becoming an accomplished musician.

Synopsis: Young Humpty Dumpty wants to make friends with Shellga, the new girl in town. But every time he works up the nerve to talk to her, Sunny Side Up and Sunny Side Down (the very "anti-boy" Sunny Side Twins) do their best to scramble his plans. After his failed attempts to talk to Shellga and getting an "F" on his spelling paper, poor Humpty is starting to feel pretty rotten. But with the help of his grandpa Dumpty and best friend, Eggden, things may not be so hard-cooked for little Humpty after all! Follow the adventures of a lovable little egg-boy before he took his famous fall from the wall in this original offshoot from a classic children's tale. About the Author: Benjamin Boyd created the Kid Humpty Dumpty series as bedtime stories for his little sister, Ruby. He works as a house painter and is currently working on the next installment for his series. The Adventures of Kid Humpty Dumpty is his first published book. Benjamin lives in Walterboro, South Carolina.

Synopsis: Buffy fans will go wild!

SHE WAS TARA ON BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER.

Now she’s the author of Ace’s hottest new series— killer novels featuring Calliope Reaper-Jones, who doesn’t want to be daddy’s little girl anymore...

View our feature on Amber Benson’s Death's Daughter.

Calliope Reaper-Jones so just wanted a normal life: buying designer shoes on sale, dating guys from Craig’s List, web-surfing for organic dim-sum for her boss...

But when her father—who happens to be Death himself—is kidnapped, and the Devil’s Protege embarks on a hostile takeover of the family business, Death, Inc., Callie returns home to assume the CEO mantle— only to discover she must complete three nearly impossible tasks in the realm of the afterlife first.

Synopsis: Noble, with hooves and horn of gold, the unicorn is the embodiment of magic. When Princess Eleanor of England catches sight of him in Swinley Forest, she can’t resist taking him back with her to Buckingham Palace. Unfortunately, once the unicorn leaves the forest, both he and the forest begin to sicken. As the only witness to the unicorn’s departure, Joyce, an intrepid and curious young fairy, sets out for London on a grand adventure to rescue the unicorn—and maybe help the princess while she’s at it.