Although Bobby's father thinks that he might be expelled just like his older brother, with the encouragement of a new fifth-grade teacher, Bobby tries to channel his penchant for humor into a learning experience.
Eleven-year-old Sam Bamford's on-line chess pal is in New York to play in a tournament, but Sam's sister and cousin are wary because Vlad has pointy teeth, comes from Romania, and admits to keeping secrets.
While running in the fog early one morning, three friends suddenly find themselves in the Roman Empire of 73 B.C. where they become catalysts in a slave revolt led by the gladiator Spartacus.
Eleven-year-old Philippa Bath, who loves mysteries, lives aboard a cruise ship where her parents are employees, and when the new captain and his son arrive, along with some royal guests, she is sure that something is wrong.
While staying in Atlantic City for the summer, Lily Potter concocts her own tour of the city, a tour that includes the haunted side of town and the eerie stories and cycle of death surrrounding the Gurney mansion.
