Spring is in the air...

The future's on my mind lately. Maybe it's because my own middle grade mystery, THE WIG IN THE WINDOW, is coming out in June? I thought I'd take a look at the marvelous, mysterious company it will be joining on the shelves --- both current and upcoming.

Has anyone got their hands on one of these titles yet? I'd be curious to hear what you think!

 Blue Balliet's a beautiful writer who manages to create layered, complex mysteries with well-developed characters that are nevertheless suspenseful. I enjoyed CHASING VERMEER and THE DANGER BOX, so I just picked up her latest at Vroman's in Pasadena the other day. This story of a girl who falls into Chicago's foster care system and must solve the mystery of her father's disappearance sounds full of heart and compelling. In stores now.

We were lucky enough to nab New York Times best-selling and Edgar-winning author Peter Abrahams for an Interrogation Room interview last year when his first book in this series, Robbie Forester and The Outlaws of Sherwood Street came out. Sounds like Abrahams has followed up that action-packed tale with an equally thrilling mystery with a social message: this time Robbie is on the tail of a murderer who knocked off one of her friend's fathers just to build an apartment complex... Out May 16th from Philomel

The cover of this debut from Candlewick mesmerized me -- isn't it something else? Zebra Forest's description sounds dark for middle grade, but I'm intrigued by what sounds like an intricate, well-written tale about an eleven year old who uncovers family secrets when she's held hostage by a fugitive. Its flap copy says it's "driven by suspense and psychological intrigue"; Jen Robinson called it "dark and brooding" book that will nonetheless appeal to young suspense fans. Coming April 9 from Candlewick.

Colby Sharp and other fellow Nerdy Book Club members have been singing the praises of this wacky illustrated tale of two detectives, a missing teacher, and a duffle bag full of fish -- it looks like such an adorable, funny, high-interest read. Jarrett Krosoczka's Lunch Lady series is already such a hit, and I'm sure this won't disappoint. Out May 7 from Walden Pond Press.

 One of my favorite middle grade mysteries of 2012 was Kate Messner's CAPTURE THE FLAG, which introduced us to the junior members of "the Silver Jaguar Society," a group charged with protecting the world's most important artifacts. It offered a wonderful mix of fun, great characters, tight plotting -- not to mention a great educational angle and spot-on middle grade voice. I'm looking forward to the next installment, HIDE AND SEEK, which will be out in just a few short weeks!

What titles are you looking forward to?