2009 Edgar Award Nominations pt. 8

by Greg "The Undead Rat" on April 29, 2009

This is the eighth installment of the 2009 Edgar Award Nominations, brought to you by the RATS of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library.

You can view the entire list of Edgar Award Nomination on the Mystery Writers of American website.

Click the mouse on the book covers to order these books from the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library.

Edgar Award for Best Juvenile

The Postcard	The Postcard Author: Abbott, Tony Format: Hardcover Type: Novel Page Count: 368pp. Pub. Date: April 2008 Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Nominated for the 2009 Edgar Award for Best Juvenile “So how smart are you?” said a man’s voice abruptly. And loudly. “Because now . . . it’s starting.” A creepy phone call. An old, yellowed postcard. A bizarre magazine story. And a strange group of funeral-goers who seem to follow their every move — all contain clues that will send Jason and Dia on an adventure to uncover extraordinary family secrets. Award-winning author Tony Abbott weaves an intriguing and entertaining mystery of adventure, friendship and family.



Enigma: A Magical Mystery	Enigma: A Magical Mystery Author: Base, Graeme Format: Hardcover Type: Story Page Count: 48pp. Pub. Date: October 2008 Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Nominated for the 2009 Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Enter a magical world in this warm, funny, and enduring story about the special relationship between a grandson and his grandpa — and their love for magic. Bertie Badger loves to visit the Retirement Home for Elderly Magicians and watch his grandpa perform magic tricks. But one day all the magicians’ props go missing, so Bertie sets off to investigate. Can he solve the mystery in time to save the show? This clever book will engage readers as they are challenged to solve the mystery along with Bertie, discovering where the missing props have gone by using a decoder included with the book that reveals the mystery. Graeme Base, creator of Animalia and many bestselling and beloved books for children, conjures up an inventive, irresistible tale.



Eleven	Eleven Author: Giff, Patricia Reilly Format: Hardcover Type: Novel Page Count: 144pp. Pub. Date: January 2008 Publisher: Random House Children’s Books/Wendy Lamb Books
Nominated for the 2009 Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Sam is almost 11 when he discovers a locked box in the attic above his grandfather Mack’s room, and a piece of paper that says he was kidnapped. There are lots of other words, but Sam has always had trouble reading. He’s desperate to find out who he is, and if his beloved Mack is really his grandfather. At night he’s haunted by dreams of a big castle and a terrifying escape on a boat. Who can he trust to help him read the documents that could unravel the mystery? Then he and the new girl, Caroline, are paired up to work on a school project, building a castle in Mack’s woodworking shop. Caroline loves to read, and she can help. But she’s moving soon, and the two must hurry to discover the truth about Sam.



The Witches of Dredmoore Hollow	The Witches of Dredmoore Hollow Author: McKenzie, Riford Format: Hardcover Type: Novel Page Count: 264pp. Pub. Date: September 2008 Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books
Nominated for the 2009 Edgar Award for Best Juvenile When his two strange aunts arrive at Dredmoore Hollow, eleven-year-old Elijah finds his life turned upside down. His parents suddenly leave town, and he’s whisked away to stay with Serena and Agnes on Moaning Marsh, where they run the world’s most mysterious beauty salon. Not to mention their creepy hired man, his beastly pet, and the three unusual girls who are their only customers. Elijah discovers that secrets and magic are part of the Dredmoore family legacy, and there’s no hiding from your roots no matter how deep, dark, and tangled they may be.



Cemetery Street	Cemetery Street Author: Seabrooke, Brenda Format: Hardcover Type: Novel Page Count: 188pp. Pub. Date: October 2008 Publisher: Holiday House
Nominated for the 2009 Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Fast paced and suspenseful, this new-kid-at-school story combines with a spooky mystery to offer an engaging and affecting story of fragile family bonds and fledgling friendships. It’s bad enough that Courtney’s mom, recently divorced from her latest husband, has moved the family all the way from Vermont to Florida; but when she rents a rattletrap house on Cemetery Street, it’s just too much! Fifteen-year-old Courtney is used to being uprooted — but living on Cemetery Street proves to be more of a challenge than even Courtney can handle. Still, although the creepy cemetery and surrounding jungle next to her house are a bit spooky, Courtney doesn’t really believe in ghosts. Then strange things start happening. Lights flicker in the graveyard; tombs are desecrated with satanic markings; an innocent puppy is mysteriously killed. Suspense builds as Courtney and Josh, a handsome classmate, investigate rumors of devil worship in town, culminating in a terrifying Halloween night kidnapping and entombment. Solid detective work leads the young investigative reporters to uncover a diabolical publicity stunt by a celebrated author and his henchman.