Books about ingenuity

Delivery to the Lost City is the breathtaking conclusion to P.G. Bell's beloved Train to Impossible Places trilogy. Suzy Smith, the brave and resourceful post-girl of the Impossible Postal Express, is back for one final, high-stakes mission. What starts as a seemingly simple task—returning an overdue library book—quickly spirals into a race against time when Suzy discovers the book is not only alive but pulsing with dangerous, uncontrollable magic. To make matters worse, the entire world the book belongs to has vanished, forcing Suzy and her loyal friends to navigate uncharted territories and face their greatest challenges yet.

This magical middle-grade adventure is perfect for children who love fast-paced stories filled with whimsical technology, talking trolls, and high-flying heroism. Ideal for readers interested in steampunk elements and epic world-building, this book explores themes of ingenuity and the weight of responsibility. It is a great choice for fans of Nevermoor or The Polar Express who are looking for a satisfying and imaginative series finale that balances humor with heart-pounding action.

Highlights:

• The thrilling conclusion to the Train to Impossible Places trilogy.
• Features a strong, relatable female protagonist who uses her wits to solve problems.
• A unique blend of magic, technology, and postal-themed adventure.
• Explores deep themes of rebellion, courage, and finding one's place in the world.

How to Ride a Dragon's Storm is the seventh action-packed installment in Cressida Cowell's beloved series that inspired the hit movies. In this hilarious and high-stakes adventure, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third finds himself in a dire situation. Trapped on the ship The American Dream II alongside his friends Fishlegs and Camicazi, Hiccup must outsmart the terrifying barbarian Norbert the Nutjob. The stakes are higher than ever as they navigate icy waters filled with deadly Polar-serpents, all while trying to rescue over a hundred Wanderer slaves.

This book is perfect for children who love stories about unlikely heroes, mythical creatures, and laugh-out-loud humor. Hiccup’s journey from an ordinary boy to a true Viking leader is both inspiring and relatable, making it an ideal choice for readers interested in epic quests and clever problem-solving. With its unique blend of witty dialogue and heart-pounding action, it’s a great choice for fans of the Percy Jackson series or Wings of Fire.

Highlights:

• A thrilling escape mission involving clever tactics and brave dragons.
• Explores deep themes of leadership, responsibility, and standing up for others.
• Features the signature humor and charming illustrations that fans of the series adore.
• Perfect for middle-grade readers who enjoy fast-paced, funny fantasy adventures.

Swindle is an exhilarating, fast-paced heist caper that has been described as "Ocean's 11 with 11-year-olds." When Griffin Bing, the "Man with the Plan," discovers a rare Babe Ruth baseball card, he thinks his family's financial troubles are over. However, a dishonest collector named S. Wendell Palomino—better known as Swindle—tricks him into selling it for a mere twenty dollars. Determined to get back what is rightfully his, Griffin must assemble a specialized team of classmates, each with a unique skill, to break into a high-tech compound and retrieve the card.

This book is a fantastic choice for young readers who enjoy high-stakes action mixed with laugh-out-loud humor. Gordon Korman masterfully balances the tension of a secret mission with the relatable struggles of middle school life. It is ideal for children who love stories about underdogs standing up to bullies and using their wits to solve complex problems. Parents looking for a page-turner that emphasizes teamwork and creative thinking will find this to be a perfect addition to their child's library.

Highlights:

• A thrilling heist plot featuring a "Man with the Plan" and his specialized team.
• Engaging themes of justice, friendship, and standing up for oneself.
• Perfect for fans of fast-paced mysteries and humorous adventure stories.
• Great for reluctant readers due to its quick pacing and relatable characters.

In the tenth chilling installment of A Series of Unfortunate Events, the Baudelaire orphans find themselves in their most precarious situation yet. Separated from their sister Sunny, who has been kidnapped by the villainous Count Olaf, Violet and Klaus must navigate the treacherous, frozen peaks of the Mortmain Mountains. This story is perfect for children who love high-stakes adventure mixed with a unique, darkly comedic tone that respects the intelligence of young readers.

As the siblings face freezing temperatures and dangerous villains, they must rely on their individual talents—Violet’s mechanical inventing and Klaus’s vast research skills—to uncover the mysteries of the V.F.D. and reunite their family. Ideal for readers interested in gothic mysteries and stories of resilience, this book continues the series' tradition of vocabulary-building narration and suspenseful cliffhangers. It is a great choice for fans of Lemony Snicket’s signature wit and those who enjoy seeing clever children outsmart incompetent adults.

Highlights:

• High-altitude suspense and clever problem-solving.
• Deepening mystery surrounding the secret V.F.D. organization.
• Strong themes of sibling loyalty and perseverance against all odds.
• Engaging, sophisticated vocabulary and dark humor.

In the thrilling third installment of the Framed! series, Trapped! follows the brilliant Florian Bates and his best friend Margaret as they face their most personal case yet. When their FBI mentor and father figure, Marcus Rivers, is framed for a series of high-stakes crimes including espionage and corruption, the duo must go undercover to clear his name. This fast-paced mystery takes readers from the halls of the FBI to a daring break-in at the Library of Congress, all while battling a dangerous Russian spy ring.

Perfect for children who love Sherlock Holmes style deduction mixed with modern-day spy gadgets, this book is an ideal choice for readers interested in clever puzzles and high-stakes action. James Ponti masterfully blends humor with heart-pounding suspense, making it a great choice for fans of the Spy School or City Spies series. It is a story that celebrates the power of friendship and the importance of standing up for family, even when the odds are stacked against you.

Highlights:

• Engaging 'TOAST' (Theory of All Small Things) deduction method that encourages critical thinking.
• A high-stakes plot involving international espionage and the Library of Congress.
• Strong themes of loyalty, found family, and intellectual bravery.
• A perfect balance of hilarious dialogue and genuine suspense.