The Swift by Alex Banks

What a fun book!  Twelve year old Pete's life has not been the same since his father died and his grandfather began developing Alzheimer's.  Now, his mother is having to sell things so they can get  by.  As he and his twin brother, Henry, are cleaning out the attic, they find an old sea trunk containing a ship in a bottle.  When they take the ship to their grandfather in the old folks home, the adventure begins as they travel through time and fight pirates!

Mark of the Plague by Kevin Sands

I enjoyed this second book in the Blackthorn Key series.  The black plague has come to London and while the other apothecaries have left town, Christopher is left behind.  Because he is an apprentice without a master, he is unable to sell anything and he is barely scraping by.  There are frauds selling fake plague remedies and a mysterious "prophet" who is predicting who the plague's next victims will be.  Then, an apothecary comes to town with a cure for the plague, but things are not all as they seem and Christopher and his friend Tom need to solve the mystery before it is too late!

The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands

This is a fun to read historical fiction novel for middle grade students set in London in 1665. Fourteen year old Christopher is an apprentice to an apothecary. He is very smart and is learning the chemistry of the time, and how to decipher codes. He enjoys his job until his master is brutally murdered and leaves clues for Christopher to solve the crime. This is the first book in the series and I look forward to reading the next one.

The Lost and the Found by Cat Clarke

 
This is a captivating story about the sister of a girl who was abducted at age 6 and returned 13 years later. Faith tells the story of how her life had been changed by her sister Laurel's abduction and how it is changed once again when Laurel is returned. There is mystery, intrigue and plot twists in this sad story.

Poisoned Blade (Court of Fives #2) by Kate Elliott

In this second book of the series, Jessamy continues to try to secretly care for her family while participating in the game of Fives.  There is more action and adventure, romance and politics.  While she really only cares about saving her family, Jes learns that the political situation that she has been thrown into cannot be ignored.  I think fans of Hunger Games and Divergent will enjoy this series as well.

Court of Fives by Kate Elliott

Totally fun to read young adult fantasy novel! Jessamy and her 3 sisters have lived sheltered lives as Patrons with their lovely mother, who is a commoner, and their father who is a Patron war general.  While her father is away at war, Jess has often sneaked out and learned to be a competitor in the game of Fives, an athletic event in five sections rather like the American Ninja Warrior course.  Then her father comes home unexpectedly, and Jess is recognized competing in her first Fives game.  There is action and romance as she is thrust into a new life and must rescue her mother and sisters with the help of a handsome prince.

Jack Staples and the Ring of Time by Mark Batterson, Joel N. Clark

This is a fun first book in a middle grade fantasy adventure series.  Jack is 11 years old and after he mysteriously survives a fire at the circus, he learns that he is part of a world that he did not know existed - and coincidentally - or perhaps not - Alexia, a girl who was performing in the circus is also part of the mystery.  His ageless teacher, a boy named Wild, and another boy named Arthur are all part of the magical story. I think that middle grade children will enjoy this book!