2024 NATIONAL MEDAL
for Museum and Library Service Finalist

Mystery

First Lie Wins

The identity comes first: Evie Porter. Once she’s given a name and location by her mysterious boss, Mr. Smith, she learns everything there is to know about the town and the people in it. Then the mark: Ryan Sumner. The last piece of the puzzle is the job.

Evie isn’t privy to Mr. Smith’s real identity, but she knows this job isn't like the others. Ryan has gotten under her skin, and she’s starting to envision a different sort of life for herself. But Evie can’t make any mistakes—especially after what happened last time.

The Parker Inheritance

"When Candice finds the letter, she isn't sure she should read it. It's addressed to her grandmother, after all, who left Lambert in a cloud of shame. But the letter describes a young African American woman named Siobhan Washington. An injustice that happened decades ago. A mystery enfolding the letter writer. And the fortune that awaits the person who solves the puzzle. Grandma tried and failed. But now Candice has another chance. So with the help of Brandon Jones, the quiet boy across the street, she begins to decipher the clues in the letter.

Sammy Keyes

The series follows Sammy through her seventh and eighth grade years as she navigates school, her family life, and various mysteries, all while developing her own character and perspective. 

Neil Flambe

A 14-year-old prodigy chef, Neil Flambé, uses his super-sensitive nose to solve mysteries, often involving culinary-related crimes, while also navigating the world of competitive cooking and restaurant ownership. He is known as "The Nose" for his ability to identify ingredients and clues by smelling things. 

Friday Barnes

The main idea of the Friday Barnes series is that eleven-year-old Friday Barnes, a girl genius and amateur detective, uses her intelligence and observational skills to solve mysteries, often in the context of her life at a prestigious boarding school. The series blends mystery, humor, and character development, focusing on Friday's adventures as she navigates school life, confronts challenges, and uncovers secrets. 

Coop Knows the Scoop

Thirteen-year-olds Cooper Goodman and Justice and Liberty Gordon investigate the eccentric residents of Windy Bottom, Georgia, after the remains of Coop's long-missing grandmother are uncovered and his Gramps is the prime suspect.

Manhunt

 

Henry, Anna, and Jose, the junior members of the Silver Jaguar Society, are on a mission in Paris to recover the Mona Lisa--but when senior members of the Society are taken hostage, it is up to Henry to rescue them while continuing to pursue the missing masterpiece.