New Releases by Kevin Sylvester

Meet six kids a lot like you. Except . . . . . . Benny, Jenny, Karl, Starlight, DJ and Mo got zapped in an evil plot gone wrong — and they became the super-est team the world has ever seen. Starlight wakes up in an alternate reality, although she doesn’t realize it right away. She sees kids skating on a secluded pond using ancient equipment. Is she in the past? The kids are secretly playing hockey because it’s banned for all but the elites. Plebes who might never make the pros are not allowed to play at all. Only select individuals chosen by Dr. Boom — the supreme leader who has taken over Canada — are given the privilege of playing the game. Starlight must track down the rest of the Super Six so they can defeat Dr. Boom and his horrible minions and restore hockey to its former glory. This is the eighth action-packed, laugh-a-minute book in the Hockey Super Six series.

Meet six kids a lot like you. Except . . . . . . Benny, Jenny, Karl, Starlight, DJ and Mo got zapped in an evil plot gone wrong — and they became the super-est team the world has ever seen. In this new instalment, the Six are awoken from their icy prison only to find out there is a new villain (fallen former superstar Sam Boni, AKA Ned Doosa) on the loose, and he is kidnapping Canada’s best hockey players. Why? To control their minds and assemble the best team of all time to win the Snowlympic Gold Medal. Soon enough the Six get themselves into Boni''s inner sanctum and must participate in an all-or-nothing game with this new superstar lineup. The losers will be tossed into the collider to create more energy. Can the Six win by losing? Yes. Will there be hockey action and non-stop laughs along the way? Yes and yes. Join the Six in this seventh instalment of their madcap quest to save the world through hockey!

Three days in a haunted mansion full of secrets. Two intrepid investigators. And one chance to solve a generations-old mystery. Beloved monster enthusiast Zed Watson returns in this charming new adventure chock-full of illusions, spirits, haunted pasts and heartwarming friendships. Zed and Gabe are back to their treasure-hunting, literary-sleuthing ways in this spooky new adventure! After some lacklustre cases involving lost books and a missing pet, the two friends have finally come across a mystery worth their attention: the secrets of Glyndebourne Manor, haunted home of a late, great opera designer. Every twenty-five years, the Manor hosts a challenge. You have three days and two nights to solve the puzzles in each room before the stroke of midnight. If you leave, you forfeit the game. If you solve the puzzles in time, you win a huge pile of money. Simple enough, thinks Zed. They and Gabe are interested in all things ghoulish. And if they win, they will be able to give their friends Sam and Jo the large wedding they deserve. There’s only one problem: no one has been able to stay in the house for more than a single night. Cue a whirlwind of scary ghosts, moving walls and cryptic letters. The two friends are going to need some help. Which means figuring out who the mysterious figure holding a crowbar is. And how to get out of a room with no doors! But thanks to Zed’s fearless enthusiasm and Gabe’s encyclopedic knowledge of theatre, they might be able to survive and maybe even right some past wrongs.

Secret ballrooms, hidden artwork and unlikely friends—welcome to the Regency, where even time moves in surprising ways! Jake Simmons hates his new home. The Regency is nothing more than floor after floor of peeling wallpaper and faded glory. Jake misses his old life. He misses the time when his mother was employed. He misses living in a house where the wind doesn’t make the windows whistle. Loneliness (and a trail of kittens) leads Jake to the apartment of an elderly lady, then to the bowels of the building and then to a part-time job assisting Danny the custodian. With each passing day, the building reveals more of its mysteries to Jake. The occupants grow on him too. Unfortunately, Jake’s feeling of belonging is short-lived: the city plans to demolish the Regency. Jake feels powerless. And then fate throws him a curveball. He’s summoned to apartment 713. An apartment he’s been told is off-limits. But when he opens the door . . . he travels to the past! Alongside Beth, his new friend and guide, Jake begins searching for any clue that might help him save the Regency. As their friendship blooms, the mystery around the building’s makers deepens. The Regency’s own storied past will give Jake the key to saving his own future—if only he knows where to look.

Meet six kids a lot like you. Except . . . . . . Benny, Jenny, Karl, Starlight, DJ and Mo got zapped in an evil plot gone wrong— and they became the super-est team the world has ever seen. Lucky thing, because this time they are sucked into a virtual reality, with a computer program firing the worst bad guys at them in a bid to learn all the Hockey Super Six’s best tricks for stopping evil in its tracks. But then the Six and all the evilest evil-doers are tossed out of the game and into real life. Can the Six round them up using their hockey superpowers? It’s a race against time and the whole universe is at stake in this fifth action-packed, laugh-a-minute book in the Hockey Super Six series. With short, fun-filled chapters and highly illustrated pages, these books provide just the kind of story today’s sports- and humour-loving kids want.

A very special group of kids must save the world with — what else? — HOCKEY! Meet six kids a lot like you. Except . . . . . . Benny, Jenny, Karl, Starlight, DJ and Mo got zapped in an evil plot gone wrong — and became the super-est team the world has ever seen. Lucky thing, because they have to face off against enormous, multi-appendaged, hockey-playing tardigrades IN SPACE! Turns out the last of the Sizematrons was not destroyed in the Six-versus-evil-bunny saga of Hat Tricked. And now very enhanced giant tardigrades working for astronaut-turned-evil-scientist Richard threaten the world with an asteroid that would end it all. Can the Super Six use their hockey superpowers to thwart the baddies? Find out in this fourth action-packed, laugh-a-minute book in the Hockey Super Six series.

A very special group of kids must save the world with - what else? - HOCKEY! Meet six kids a lot like you. Except . . . . . . Benny, Jenny, Karl, Starlight, DJ and Mo got zapped in an evil plot gone wrong -- and they became the super-est team the world has ever seen. Lucky thing, because they have to face off against their toughest foe yet -- a hockey-loving, nuclear . . . BUNNY! Yep, a Sizematron-enhanced gigantic (and gigantically evil) rabbit. Can they use their hockey superpowers to overpower the power-hungry bunny? Find out in this third action-packed, laugh-a-minute book in the Hockey Super Six series. Short chapters packed with action and jokes keep kids gripped, and wondering how the Super Six will win the day. Loads of images and cartoons mixed in with the text keep the read light and fun.

Get ready to go global! Our cellphones, our clothes, our food: All are everyday things we consider essential, but we seldom think of what and who is involved in making them and getting them into our hands. In Follow Your Stuff, award-winning children’s author Kevin Sylvester and business professor Michael Hlinka team up again, this time to tackle the dynamics of the global economy, examining the often-complex journey of ordinary goods from production right to our doorsteps. Using familiar examples, easy-to-follow charts and graphs, and a fun, accessible tone, Hlinka and Sylvester introduce young readers to concepts such as relative value and fair wages and how to think critically about our purchasing decisions. Sylvester’s lively illustrations add even more kid-appeal making this sequel to the critically acclaimed Follow Your Money the perfect introduction to socio-economics and an eye-opening essential read for young people.

Will the Hockey Super Six thwart their enemy''s plans for world domination in book two of this action-packed series? In the second book pitting six ordinary kids with super hockey skills against the forces of evil, Jenny, Benny, Mo, Starlight, DJ and Karl desperately need to stay out of Crosscheck''s grasp! Their last run-in revealed to evil scientist (and former mediocre goalie) Clarence Crosscheck the scope of some of their secret powers -- powers he can use in his never-ending quest for world domination. Hard at work on a robot army to do his bidding, Crosscheck underestimates how strong the Super Six can be when they work together as a team. Get ready for high-stakes ice battles, non-stop hijinks and never-before-seen hockey action (it''s kids vs robots, and some giant lizards too)!

A special group of kids must save the world with — what else? — HOCKEY! There are people out there, nasty mean greedy people, who want to rule the Earth. People such as evil scientist (and former mediocre goalie) Clarence Crosscheck. Only one thing is stopping them . . . hockey. This hilarious new high-action series from Kevin Sylvester pits six ordinary kids with super hockey skills against the forces of evil — specifically, the nefarious wannabe genius, Clarence Crosscheck. In The Puck Drops Here, Jenny, Benny, Mo, Starlight, DJ and Karl need to outmaneuver Crosscheck and his army of mammoth mutant ice squids before Crosscheck turns his giant freeze ray on the world. The entire planet is at risk! Get ready for high-stakes ice battles, non-stop hijinks and never-before-seen hockey action (it’s kids vs squids)! With fast-paced text and illustrations throughout, this series will grip sports fans and funny story lovers alike. Will the kids win the day? You’ll have to read the books to find out . . .

"A hilarious new high-action series from Kevin Sylvester pits six ordinary kids with super hockey skills against the nefarious wannabe genius, Clarence Crosscheck. Hard at work on a robot army to do his bidding, Crosscheck underestimates how strong the Super Six can be when they work together as a team. Get ready for high-stakes ice battles, non-stop hijinks and never-before-seen hockey action (it''s kids vs robots)! The winning combination of fast-paced text and art-filled pages makes an interactive and absorbing reading experience great for a range of readers and interests."--

Before Gargantua Junior was born, Mom had a reputation for being a little wild. Now she prefers to repair damage and protect the Earth from invaders — and Gargantua Junior wants to help! Gargantua (Jr!) wants to grow up to be just like Mom. Before Junior came along, Mom had a reputation for being a little wild, but now she only knocks over buildings that are supposed to come down. She also protects Earth from dangerous space robots and giant asteroids. Gargantua (Jr!) would like to help out, but Mom says, “You’re too little.” So Junior sets out to prove that she’s wrong ... Making amends for past mistakes, giving back to the community, learning one’s limits and teamwork all come into play in this story about a mom and her baby monster, vibrantly written and illustrated by Kevin Sylvester. Key Text Features speech bubbles Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.6 Compare and contrast the point of view from which different stories are narrated, including the difference between first- and third-person narrations. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.7 Analyze how visual and multimedia elements contribute to the meaning, tone, or beauty of a text (e.g., graphic novel, multimedia presentation of fiction, folktale, myth, poem).

In this hilarious, new series, four ordinary kids are about to learn that they are on deck. . . to save the world! Jessica Flem has spent the better part of her life so far reacting allergically to everything -- and much of it in her basement where she rules the online game Gang of Greats. She''s used to a nose that never stops running, but is not prepared for the mysterious power that shows up around her thirteenth birthday -- the ability to transform her mucus-filled tissues into slimy magical helpers. And just in time, too. It turns out there are forces both good and evil who have had their eyes on her and three other "special" kids since their exposure at birth to a mysterious element called reidium. Jess must draw on her full video game knowledge to face the evil Boss and her equally evil henchwoman in their quest for world domination. With her best friend Cliff at her side, and with the stakes ratcheting higher and higher, Jess and her arsenal of mighty. . . well, tissues, must make the world of Dimly, Manitoba, a safe place once again. In this hilarious new multi-author series, four kids are about to discover what they''re really made of. It might not be a superpower, but it sure is almost a superpower! Each book features an 8-page "origin story" comic strip, illustrated by Britt Wilson, and is penned by an all-star line-up of authors, including Kevin Sylvester (MiNRS and Neil Flambe series) Ted Staunton (Bounced; Seven series), Lesley Livingston (Wondrous Strange; Valiant series) and Richard Scrimger (Zomboy; The Nose from Jupiter).

The action-packed conclusion to the MiNRS space adventure series, which School Library Journal praised for keeping readers “on the edge of their seats.” We do what we do best. Run. Hide. Survive. The children of Perses must return to Earth. They defeated Major Kirk Thatcher on their adopted planet, but his evil plans are still unfolding. People need to know the truth. Christopher has a video of Thatcher killing an injured grinder in cold blood. If they can show that to the people of Earth, they might just turn the tide. The MiNRs need to bear witness. A transport ship might get them back home, or it might send them spinning off into the deepest recesses of space. Is it worth the risk? Cracks begin to appear in the group. Darcy refuses to leave Perses, the only home she’s ever known. And Pavel’s mistrust of the grinders threatens to destroy them all. Once again, Christopher has to make tough choices, choices that will cost them dearly. And even when things seem to be going well, there are hidden dangers. A strange noise on their transport ship signals the return of their worst nightmare. And the Earth they left years before is not the Earth they will return to now. Can Christopher and his friends win the race to reveal the truth? Or will they escape one dangerous planet for one far worse?

Neil and his friend Larry travel in their new food truck to the Salsa Verde ranch in Arizona to participate in the legendary food-truck gathering, but when Neil discovers that the Verde ranch is in danger of foreclosure, the only hope for the ranch is a treasure map left behind by the very first Verde, a chef who discovered a mine while escaping from a murderous army colonel.

"Christopher, Elena, and the other survivors of the attack on their space colony know two things: their victory over the Landers will be short-lived and a new wave of attacks is imminent"--

Dive right back into the action on Perses in this thrilling sequel to the gritty, space adventure, MiNRS, which School Library Journal called “a solid survival story.” They are coming to get you. Hide. Hide. Hide. The children of Perses have been receiving this message on repeat from Earth for weeks. Christopher, Elena, and the other survivors of the attack on their space colony know two things: Their victory over the Landers will be short-lived and a new wave of attacks is imminent. New Landers arrive sooner than expected. Led by the ruthless Kirk Thatcher, and armed with a new lethal kind of digger, they vow to hunt down and destroy everyone. The kids have nowhere to go but underground. Again. But resources and patience are running low, and the struggle to keep everyone safe is complicated by all the infighting. As Christopher bears the burden of leadership, he also has to decide whom he can trust. There are no easy answers. And with deadly consequences on the line, there is no room for mistakes.

Imagine that you are holding a device that will allow you to see the monsters that live invisibly all around us. All you have to do is follow the simple instructions and…total chaos! Technology isn’t always easy, and this monster viewer disguised as a book is no exception. If you hold the viewer too high, all you see are the tops of the monsters’ heads. Too low, and all you see are their feet. And things don’t get any better when the monsters themselves try to help out. Full of puns and visual jokes, Super Duper Monster Viewer pokes gentle fun at our obsession with technology and the next cool thing. And while the two monsters we meet in this book might be terrible at tech support, they make pretty fun companions just the same. Written and illustrated by the irrepressibly funny and highly acclaimed children’s author Kevin Sylvester, Super-Duper Monster Viewer is sure to bring laughter — and maybe a little mayhem — into your day.

Fifteen-year-old celebrity chef Neil Flambe is summoned to England to solve a Shakesperian mystery.

Learn about some of the more surprising and little-known facts and insights about baseball.

Called Ogood funO by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey, this series about a teen chef detective is a delicious blend of mystery, history, and topnotch cuisine. The first three books are now available in paperback. Illustrations.

When Neil arrives in Mexico City to partake in the Battle of the Chefs, he learns that Isabella has been kidnapped and it will take a dose of Aztec history and knowledge of buried ruins to find her before time runs out.

Includes an excerpt from "Neil Flambe and the Bard''s Banquet."

Looks at what is required for different jobs in the performing arts, including choreographer, set designer, advertiser, pyrotechnics expert, and promoter.

Examines how cost is determined in goods, what happens to money once it is used to buy something, and the basics of credit.

Humorous look at how men can manage playing more golf while balancing marriage and family. Includes a golf prenuptial agreement, as well as tips to play more golf, and new rules to follow.

Cindy Winters loves to play hockey. When her family''s basement apartment is flooded and the floor freezes, she''s even happy to skate on the concrete. Her parents are too poor to enroll her in a league, but she''s resourceful and does odd jobs until she has earned enough money to play. Armed with her mother''s old equipment, she is thrilled to join a team. But her happiness doesn''t last long. Among her teammates are the horrible Blister Sisters. They make her life miserable. And worse, Cindy''s sidelined by the coach, who just happens to be Mrs. Blister. It looks like she''ll be spending the season cleaning equipment, instead of playing on the ice. Cindy''s luck changes when her Fairy Goaltender appears and saves the day. With its great good humor and hilarious illustrations, Kevin Sylvester''s Splinters is bound to become a favorite.

Not everyone can be an athlete, but that doesn’t stop thousands of others from participating in world-class sporting events. When Patrick Reynolds realized that he couldn’t be a race car driver, he turned his love of cars into a successful career as a NASCAR mechanic. A passion for grass and baseball lead Nicole Sherry to become the groundskeeper at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. Author Kevin Sylvester tells the stories of 20 talented and dedicated behind-the-scenes stars of the sports world. In this new book, the glamour of the frontline athletes takes a backseat to the hard-working people whose jobs are critical to the success of their sport but often go unacknowledged. Readers will discover some very special people who have devoted their lives to supporting the sports they love, including the eagle-eyed baseball scout for the Chicago White Sox, the members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and the doctor who treats injured players on the Canadian Olympic soccer team. With its real-life stories and lively photographs, GAME DAYwill delight any young sports fan or wannabe athlete.

Come on in! Don''t be shy. Bizarre, hilarious and just plain gross moments are waiting inside Sports Hall of Weird. From yucky bathroom accidents and crows hungry for golf balls, to cursed teams, haunted stadiums and spectacular losers, this Hall''s got it all. Find out why some hockey fans throw an octopus on the ice for good luck. How the hand of God might have decided a soccer game. How a dead guy got drafted ... all this and a lot more is immortalized in Sports Hall of Weird!