I don't normally post reviews, but I recently came across a book that I simply adored. It's called "Fly by Night" by Frances Hardinge. The cover is what first got my attention in Barnes and Noble. It's done by Brett Helquist. (I just adore his work. READ "ROGER THE JOLLY PIRATE" NOW if you want to know why.) In any case, I made a mental note that I wanted to read it and promptly forgot about it, which often happens to me.

My boss brought an ARC for me from a meeting that she went to, and I devoured the book within a week. Here's what it's about:

"Taught to read by her scholar father, orphaned book lover Mosca Mye is an anomaly in a culture where literature is highly suspect and tightly controlled. When silver-tongued poet-spy Eponymous Clent passes through her village, the word-starved 12-year-old stubbornly installs herself as his traveling companion, serving as his uneasy accomplice in a mission that exposes the cutthroat intrigues roiling the surface of her troubled fantasy realm."~ Quoted from Booklist via Amazon.com

In any case, it has something for everyone. It's got mystery and adventure. It's funny and dark. It's got fantasy, which is based on elements of history (which in my opinion will make kids want to learn about the history that its based on.) Mosca is a fiery character who you will root for all along the way, and she is smart and witty and tough.

I absolutely loved this book! (And I would reccommend it to anyone- provided they were the right age group- who came into my dept. looking for a good read.)