**Local Author Alert** 

The Secrets of Lovelace Academy 

written by Marie Benedict and Courtney Sheinmel 

(Marie Benedict is from Sewickley!)

Lainey Philipps has lived at the Sycamore Home for Orphaned Children since she was three years old. Now nearly a teenager, her life is hard, and she doesn't expect it to get better--until a chance encounter during an open house changes everything when Lainey meets a woman who invites her to attend the prestigious Lovelace Academy.

Fitting in amongst the many privileged students within the ivy-covered walls of Lovelace Academy presents challenges unlike the ones Lainey has faced in the past. Her life of drudgery has hardly prepared her for the aristocratic airs and cutthroat academic ambition of the other girls. Terrified she'll be cast out of the academy, Lainey grabs at her chance to prove herself by traveling to Switzerland to meet a female scientist crafting a groundbreaking theory.

Determined to prove her capability and reach her destination, Lainey must rely on her own wit--as well as a mysterious boy who has yet to prove himself as friend or foe. But the real test is what awaits her in Switzerland, at the home of Mileva Maric, wife of Albert Einstein.

**For readers who love the Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novels**

Sweet Valley Twins: Best Friends

adaptation written by Nicole Andelfinger ; illustrated by Claudia Aguirre

Jessica and Elizabeth have always been inseparable twins, but starting middle school means a chance for new beginnings! Elizabeth is excited to organize a school newspaper, but Jessica is more interested in joining the exclusive Unicorn Club. What will happen when the twins realize they might not be as alike as they thought?

Middle school is hard enough, but with these twins each dealing with becoming their own person--will they be able to stay friends at the same time?

Check out the whole series - our library has books 1-6! 

**For readers who love sports and recognize the name Derek Jeter!**

Strike Zone

written by Derek Jeter (with Paul Mantell)

In the seventh book in the New York Times bestselling middle grade series inspired by the life of iconic New York Yankee Derek Jeter, young Derek and his friends learn the true meaning of teamwork when they have to embrace the unexpected on their baseball team.

At the first practice of the season, Derek takes note of who is on the team. They have some good players, for sure--but also some weaker ones. There's still one kid missing, and Derek hopes it's a really good ballplayer to round out the roster. But when the kid arrives, everyone is shocked: she's a girl! Can Derek's team come together to have a winning season?

**For readers who love books about WWII** 

War Games

written by Alan Gratz

In 1936 Berlin, nothing is what it seems...

Evie Harris can't believe her luck: She's competing in the Olympics, along with fellow American athletes like Jesse Owens. True, there's something creepy about Germany's leader, Adolf Hitler, who watches over the games with his Nazi henchmen. But Evie's just here to win a gold medal in gymnastics.

Until she discovers a horrible secret.

Behind all the Olympic fanfare, the Nazis have Berlin in an iron grip of terror and violence--and war is brewing. When Evie becomes embroiled in a mysterious plot to help steal Nazi gold, she must navigate the city's darkest corners and hidden passageways, never knowing who she can trust.

With lives on the line and her family's future at stake, Evie has to choose between following her Olympic dreams and standing up to evil... before it's too late.