Ages 8-12 | Chapter Book | Short Attention Spans | 30+ Mysteries to Solve | Video Trailer BelowNew: The new Timmi Tobbson Big Boxed Set is now available!Note to Parents: Please see our 'No Bad Language!' notice below.Following the clues concealed within a centuries-old family legacy, Timmi Tobbson and his friends hope to save a dear friend. But only twenty-four hours remain to unravel the legend of a long-lost pirate ship, buried somewhere deep beneath the city streets. Unbeknownst to them, their search awakens a mystical dark power, sworn to protect what is hidden on board the once famous Star Runner.Unravel 'solve-them-yourself picture mysteries' and uncover the Legend of the Star Runner!Mysteries to Solve The adventure is divided into 31 concise chapters, each of which ends with a puzzle to be solved by finding and interpreting visual clues concealed within a beautiful color illustration. Suited for explorers and sleuths young and old. Children under 8 years may need assistance in solving some of the puzzles. Grade level: 3rd and up.Beautiful Color IllustrationsLegend of the Star Runner gives readers the best of both worlds, merging the visual appeal of a graphic novel with text-based storytelling's power to spark imagination.Psst: This book contains a puzzle which is unrelated to the story and involves all thirty-one main illustrations.---No Bad Language:The first edition of this book included one instance of mild language and another instance, in which one character calls out the Lord's name in surprise, when a little white dog walks into the room. Both these instances have been removed. All editions sold here are free of bad language. Also, we can promise this: Should Amazon, for some unlikely reason, send you the old version - please contact us via our homepage (look at the beginning of the book) and we will exchange it for free.Please do not buy used books if you want to receive the updated version.---Manufactured in North America / Europe:This book has been entirely manufactured - printed, bound and packed - by North American (USA and / or Canada) or European companies.---Shelve under:mystery books for kids 9-12mystery books for kids 8-10adventure books for boysadventure books for girlschapter books for kids age 9-12chapter books for kids age 8-10graphic novels kidsbooks for intermediate readersbooks for reluctant readerssolve riddles, solve puzzles, solve mysteriescrack the case like a sleuthchoose your own adventure books for kids 9-12choose your own adventure books for kids 8-10Especially for fans of:Adventures of the Black Hand GangGravity FallsGet a ClueCaptain UnderpantsA to Z MysteriesDog ManBoxcar ChildrenEncyclopedia BrownHardy BoysBallpark MysteriesSeek and Find / Hidden PicturesVideo Games Featuring ExplorationVideo Games Featuring Puzzle SolvingPoint and Click Adventure Games Read more

Alice in Wonderland is an 1865 English novel by Lewis Carroll. It details the story of a young girl named Alice who falls through a rabbit hole into a fantasy world of anthropomorphic creatures. It is seen as an example of the literary nonsense genre. The artist John Tenniel provided 42 wood-engraved illustrations for the book.It received positive reviews upon release and is now one of the best-known works of Victorian literature; its narrative, structure, characters, and imagery have had a widespread influence on popular culture and literature, especially in the fantasy genre. It is credited as helping end an era of didacticism in children's literature, inaugurating an era in which writing for children aimed to "delight or entertain." The tale plays with logic, giving the story lasting popularity with adults and children. The titular character Alice shares her given name with Alice Liddell, a girl Carroll knew. Read more

Little Women is a coming-of-age novel written by American novelist Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888).Originally published in two volumes in 1868 and 1869, Alcott wrote the book over several months, at the request of her publisher. The story follows the lives of the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—and details their passage from childhood to womanhood. Loosely based on the lives of the author and her three sisters, it is classified as an autobiographical or semi-autobiographical novel.Little Women was an immediate commercial and critical success, with readers eager for more about the characters. Alcott quickly completed a second volume (titled Good Wives in the United Kingdom, though the name originated with the publisher and not Alcott). It was also met with success. The two volumes were issued in 1880 as a single novel titled Little Women. Alcott subsequently wrote two sequels to her popular work, both also featuring the March sisters: Little Men (1871) and Jo's Boys (1886).The novel has been said to address three major themes: "domesticity, work, and true love, all of them interdependent and each necessary to the achievement of its heroine's individual identity." According to Sarah Elbert, Alcott created a new form of literature, one that took elements from romantic children's fiction and combined it with others from sentimental novels, resulting in a totally new genre. Elbert argues that within Little Women can be found the first vision of the "All-American girl" and that her various aspects are embodied in the differing March sisters. Read more

The Call of the Wild is a short adventure novel by Jack London, published in 1903 and set in Yukon, Canada, during the 1890s Klondike Gold Rush, when strong sled dogs were in high demand. The central character of the novel is a dog named Buck. The story opens at a ranch in Santa Clara Valley, California, when Buck is stolen from his home and sold into service as a sled dog in Alaska. He becomes progressively more primitive and wild in the harsh environment, where he is forced to fight to survive and dominate other dogs. By the end, he sheds the veneer of civilization, and relies on primordial instinct and learned experience to emerge as a leader in the wild.London spent almost a year in the Yukon, and his observations form much of the material for the book. The story was serialized in The Saturday Evening Post in the summer of 1903 and was published later that year in book form. The book's great popularity and success made a reputation for London. As early as 1923, the story was adapted to film, and it has since seen several more cinematic adaptations. Read more

When Jacob Armitage, a local verderer, hears that Parliamentary soldiers looking for King Charles I are planning to burn down the home of the Beverley orphans he saves the children and rears them as his own grandchildren in a small cottage in the woods. But can aristocratic children, used to being served, learn to survive as simple foresters?This story was one of the first historical novels written for younger readers and has endured until today. Its classic themes of chivalry and bravery and the examples the children set are sure to be enjoyed by readers of all ages.This edition features the gorgeous illustrations of Paul Hardy throughout to add extra charm to an already incredible tale. Read more

Part of the highly-successful Anholt''s Artists series about great painters, which tells the stories of real meetings between world-famous artists and the children who knew them.  Zoro is the young pupil of the amazing painter, sculptor, scientist and inventor, Leonardo da Vinci. Every day he works hard in Leonardo''s workshop, mixing colours, cleaning paintbrushes and practising his drawings. But he is never allowed inside the secret locked room, where Leonardo spends hours hammering and sawing at a mysterious invention. One day Leonardo brings a mischievous boy named Salai to work for him. He is so intrigued by the secret room that he steals the keys to find out what is inside... Leonardo and the Flying Boy provides an exciting introduction to the great genius of the Italian Renaissance, with reproductions of Leonardo''s own work. Read more

Only in the world of the theater can Nat Field find an escape from the tragedies that have shadowed his young life. So he is thrilled when he is chosen to join an American drama troupe traveling to London to perform A Midsummer Night's Dream in a new replica of the famous Globe theater. Shortly after arriving in England, Nat goes to bed ill and awakens transported back in time 400 years - to another London, and another production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Amid the bustle and excitement of an Elizabethan theatrical production, Nat finds the warm, nurturing father figure missing from his life - in none other than William Shakespeare himself. Does Nat have to remain trapped in the past forever, or give up the friendship he's so longed for in his own time? Read more

Zula and Milo are back on another thrilling, time travelling adventure as their magical bathtub catapults them to the year 1845. Here they meet trailblazer Pablo Fanque, the first Black circus owner and master equestrian, and are plunged into a vibrant world of Victorian acrobats and daring lion tamers.But a series of puzzling events threaten to destroy Pablo’s circus dreams, putting the entire performance - and Zula and Milo’s return home - at risk.With the clock ticking down to opening night, can Zula unravel the mystery in time?Discover a page-turning adventure of friendship and courage that celebrates a remarkable figure from Black British history for 8 year olds and up."I would recommend to a friend because it was like a an extra fun history lesson." Maya, age 9"Utterly captivating." Imogen, age 10"Funny, engrossing and action-packed" Edea, age 9"It is a book with meaning and is all-round entertaining." Henry age 9"Exciting with amazing cliff hangers" Mica age 9"I really enjoyed this fun, pacy time-travelling adventure, which has lots of humour and a mystery at its heart. Zula and Milo are likeable, pro-active main characters and I loved how supportive they are of each other. The Victorian circus bursts to life, with historical details sprinkled through with a light touch, whilst teaching the reader about Victorian currency, customs and slang. I loved the way that real historical details are woven through the story without detracting from the fast-paced adventure!" E. L. Norry (author of Fable House)Praise for Time Tub TravellersWinner of Best Debut Novel in the Ink Book Prize 2024Shortlisted for Best Children's Book in the Selfies Book Awards 2025"Fast -paced, funny, informative and fresh." Ian Eagleton (author of Glitter Boy)"A fantastically well-imagined, fast-paced and hilarious novel for young readers…offering an all-important glimpse into the crucial, yet often lesser-known, melting point of Black and British history." P. A. Staff (author of Casander Darkbloom and the Threads of Power)Time Tub Travellers in an award-winning series that is ideal for engaging and entertaining readers ages 8 and up. This fast-paced adventure series is perfect for bringing Black British history to life, even for kids who don't enjoy history. Read more

Jack and Annie are on a mission to save Merlin from his sorrows! The brother-and-sister team travel back in the magic tree house to the period known as the Renaissance. This time, Jack and Annie will need more than a research book and a magic wand. They'll need help from one of the greatest minds of all time. What will they learn from Leonardo da Vinci? Did you know that there’s a Magic Tree House book for every kid? Magic Tree House: Adventures with Jack and Annie, perfect for readers who are just beginning chapter books Merlin Missions: More challenging adventures for the experienced reader Super Edition: A longer and more dangerous adventure Fact Trackers: Nonfiction companions to your favorite Magic Tree House adventures Have more fun with Jack and Annie at MagicTreeHouse.com! Read more

Two unlikely friends - Federico, in 16th-century Rome, and Bee, in present-day New Jersey - are linked through an amiable cat, Leonardo Da Vinci’s mysterious wardrobe, and an eerily perfect sketch of Bee. Newbery Honor author Catherine Gilbert Murdock’s Da Vinci’s Cat is a thrilling time-slip fantasy about rewriting history to save the present. This inventive novel will engross anyone who loved When You Reach Me and A Wrinkle in Time.Federico doesn’t mind being a political hostage in the Pope’s palace, especially now that he has a cat as a friend. But he must admit that a kitten walking into a wardrobe and returning full-grown a moment later is quite odd. Even stranger is Herbert, apparently an art collector from the future, who emerges from the wardrobe the next night. Herbert barters with Federico to get a sketch signed by the famous painter Raphael, but his plans take a dangerous turn when he hurries back to his era, desperate to save a dying girl.Bee never wanted to move to New Jersey. When a neighbor shows Bee a sketch that perfectly resembles her, Bee, freaked out, solidifies her resolve to keep to herself. But then she meets a friendly cat and discovers a mysterious cabinet in her neighbor’s attic - a cabinet that leads her to Renaissance Rome. Bee, who has learned about Raphael and Michelangelo in school, never expected she’d get to meet them and see them paint their masterpieces. This compelling time-slip adventure by Newbery Honor author Catherine Gilbert Murdock is full of action, mystery, history, art, and friendship - and features one unforgettable cat. Includes an author’s note about the art, artists, and history that inspired the novel. Read more

If nobody wants him, that's fine.He'll just take care of himself.When his father dies, Dave knows nothing will ever be thesame. And then it happens. Dave lands in an orphanage—the cold and strict Hebrew Home for Boys in Harlem—far from the life he knew on the Lower East Side. But he's not so worried. He knows he'll be okay. He always is. If it doesn't work out, he'll just leave, find a better place to stay. But it's not that simple.Outside the gates of the orphanage, the nighttime streets of Harlem buzz with jazz musicians and swindlers; exclusive parties and mystifying strangers. Inside, another world unfolds, thick with rare friendships and bitter enemies. Perhaps somewhere, among it all, Dave can find a place that feels like home. Read more

The Mona Lisa... Why did Leonardo da Vinci lavish three years on a painting of the second wife of an unimportant merchant when all the nobles of Europe were begging for a portrait by his hand? No one knows for sure. But this story of Leonardo, his wayward apprentice Salai, and the Duke of Milan's plain young wife, Beatrice d'Este, may hold the clue to the most famous -- and puzzling -- painting of all time. Read more

Things are disappearing mysteriously from Will Shakespeare's acting company, and it looks like an inside job. Everyone's eyes are on Widge, the orphan boy turned actor, and former thief. Widge knows better than anyone that Shakespeare's plays must be protected at all costs. In order to prove his innocence and clear his name, Widge must learn a new role: spy. But can he dig through the suspects and skulduggery and catch the true culprit? Read more

Venice is sinking, so they say. And so are Nico's chances to prosper in the most glorious city in the world. Nurse Francesca is threatening to send him to a farm to pick olives, he has failed at two apprenticeships, and one of the most powerful men in Venice would like to sink his lifeless body into the deepest canal. Orphans have very few options, and Nico might be forced to chose the one he most wishes to avoid, leaving Venice behind forever. Read more

The scandalous and tragic life of Mary, Queen of Scots. Read her incredible story before seeing the major motion picture starring Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie! Mary Stuart was just five years old when she was sent to France to be raised alongside her future husband. But when the frail young king dies, eighteen-year-old Mary is stripped of her title as Queen of France and set adrift in the harsh world, alone.Determined to reign over what is rightfully hers, Mary returns to Scotland. Hoping that a husband will help her secure the coveted English throne, she marries again, but the love and security she longs for elude her. Instead, the fiery young queen finds herself embroiled in a murder scandal that could cost her the crown. And her attempts to bargain with her formidable “sister queen,” Elizabeth I of England, could cost her her very life. Read more

Piero, a page in the Medici court in fifteenth-century Florence, hunts through the palazzo for his father and finds him helping the artist Michelangelo sculpt a snowman. "The tour of the Renaissance palazzo is good and provocative, while the paintings are architecturally savvy and washed in Mediterranean color."-Kirkus Reviews Read more

A warrior in disguise. A lover to be rescued. A city under siege.Cyprus, 1571. An island at war. The powerful Ottoman army has taken every city save one, Famagusta, a Venetian port and stronghold. Besieged by a force of 80,000 men, they city has valiantly fought back with its small garrison of warriors and mercenaries. The greatest among them is Captain Tempesta, a young noble unmatched in bravery and swordsmanship. Few, however, know the captain’s secret… that she has donned armour and passed herself off as a man in order to search for her beloved who has been imprisoned by the Turks. Will she triumph? The odds are overwhelmingly against her. The Turks are preparing to storm the city and slay all those within it, and still there has been no word of her beloved’s whereabouts…Selected by Julia Eccleshare as one of the 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up."Other novels by Emilio SalgariThe Sandokan SeriesThe Tigers of MompracemThe Mystery of the Black JungleThe Pirates of MalaysiaThe Two TigersThe King of the SeaQuest for a ThroneThe Reckoning (forthcoming)The Black Corsair SeriesThe Black CorsairThe Queen of the CaribbeanThe Black Corsair's Daughter (forthcoming) Read more

In A Ceiling Made of Eggshells, Newbery Honor-winning author Gail Carson Levine tells a moving and ambitious story set during the expulsion of Jews from Spain, about a young Jewish girl full of heart who must play her own role in her people’s epic history—no matter the sacrifice. Surrounded by her large family, Loma is happy living in the judería of Alcalá de Henares, Spain, and wants nothing more than to someday have a family of her own. Still, when her intimidating grandfather, her Belo, decides to bring her along on his travels, she’s excited to join him. Belo has the ear of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, and Loma relishes her adventures with him, adventures that are beyond the scope of most girls of the time. She soon learns just how dangerous the world is for the Jews of Spain, and how her grandfather’s influence keeps their people safe. But the older Loma gets, the more she longs to realize her own dreams—if Belo will ever allow her to leave his side. Read more

This concluding book in bestselling author Tony Abbott’s critically acclaimed middle grade adventure series is a mile-a-minute thrill ride. Perfect for fans of Rick Riordan and Ridley Pearson.“Upon my life, I will.” Across the centuries, every Guardian who has protected one of the twelve relics of the Copernicus legacy has taken this vow. But never have the consequences of the promise been more profound. The secret network of the great astronomer’s spies is the target of an assassination plot, led by the despicable Galina Krause. And now the Kaplans are more alone than ever before as they race from France to Antarctica against a deadly ticking clock.There is not much time left for Wade, Darrell, Lily, and Becca to find the remaining relics and defeat their enemies. But are they willing to risk the life of one of their own in order to save the world? Read more

Suddenly a hand gripped the back of his neck. "Cutpurse!" Kit is caught! Twelve-year-old orphan Kit Buckles, seeking his fortune in Elizabethan London, has bungled his first job as a pickpocket at the Theatre Playhouse where the Lord Chamberlain?s Men are performing. To avoid jail, Kit agrees to work for the playhouse and soon grows fond of the life there: the dramas on- and offstage. Things get truly exciting when Kit joins the plot to steal the playhouse from the landlord who has evicted the company. Read more