Riley Mack stirs up more trouble by Chris Grabenstein

324 pgs.

Target audience: Ages 8-12

Rating: Wizard

Crises abound at Fairview Middle School and Riley and his crew – tech savvy Jake, theatrical genius Brianna, strong and loyal Mongo and boy magician Jamal are there to right injustices wherever they see them. This time they uncover a plot to sabotage the talent show where Brianna plans to sing her way to a college scholarship. The local country club is hosting the event. The gang’s nemesis, Sarah Paxton, whose father runs the club, is also competing. At the same time Riley and friends stumble upon an ecological disaster at their favorite swimming hole where all the fish are found belly up. They trace the source of the toxins to the newly built golf course at the country club. The kids know Mr. Paxton is up to no good and to prove it they need to find out what’s underneath the nineteenth hole. This is a grand mystery caper with something to please everyone – impersonations, chemical lab tests, nighttime digging, disguises, shady corporate deals and more. These clever, resourceful, detention worthy middle schoolers will have readers on the edge of their seats. Don’t miss a grade A blast of the best kind of troublemaking. (Book provided for review by Children's Lit - www.childrenslit.com).