Hyacinth and the Secrets Beneath

Gr 4–8—When Hyacinth moves from a small town in Illinois to London, she does a bit of research about her new city's history. Too bad the history books have it all wrong. It doesn't take long before Hyacinth discovers the truth: magic is real, and London is built upon ancient rivers filled with magical powers. Soon Hyacinth's mother is kidnapped, and Hyacinth must go on a mission into the sewers in order to rescue her. Along the way, she encounters strange creatures, including an odd unicorn, an evil postal organization, and a giant pig wearing a bathing suit. Hyacinth will have to learn whom to trust, as not everyone is friendly. The action is nonstop from the moment the protagonist's mother is abducted to the ending, which leaves the door open for a sequel. With plot twists and potty humor galore, this is an entertaining read-aloud that should keep even reluctant readers engaged.