• Age: 8 to 12
• Grade: 3 to 7

While Canada cannot lay claim to wonders like the Great Pyramid of Egypt, Stonehenge of England, or ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru, Canada is by no means lacking for stories of intrigue and adventure. From buried treasure to ice mummies to bootleggers to shipwrecks, curious readers need look no further than Cryptic Canada to discover seven of the country’s most engaging unsolved mysteries.  Beginning with the ongoing hunt in Nova Scotia for the legendary treasure of Captain Kidd and his crew, moving to the discovery of the mummified Franklin Expedition in Nunavut by modern-day scientists, and ending with an exploration of the Great Lakes Triangle phenomenon (with several other exciting stories in between), this book has something for every adventurous reader.  Each chapter, bursting with illustrations by Matt Hammill and color photographs, ends with an interview with an expert in the field, who answers questions kids will be eager to ask after reading about each mysterious case.

Natalie Hyde writes fiction and non-fiction for middle-grade and young adult readers. Her fiction titles include Mine!, Saving Armpit, I Owe You One and Hockey Girl. She is also the author of over forty educational non-fiction books, as well as trade non-fiction titles: Cryptic Canada, Glow-in-the-Dark Creatures and Stay Strong: A Musician’s Journey from Congo to Canada. Her books have garnered award nominations in both Canada and the U.S. She lives in Flamborough, Ontario, with her family.

Natalie Hyde's profile page

Matt Hammill Sir Reginald’s Logbook is the product of the clever mind and talented pen of Matt Hammill. The original mock-up of this story was unveiled at a student art show held by the Sheridan Institute, where he graduated with a degree in illustration. Matt grew up in the 1980s in Mississauga, Ontario, drawing video-game bad guys and digging for dinosaur bones in his backyard. These days he can most often be found drawing illustrations, making animations … or watching Star Trek.

Matt Hammill's profile page

• Short-listed, Rocky Mountain Book Award
• Short-listed, Ontario Library Association Silver Birch Express Award
• Short-listed, Red Cedar Information Book Award
• Short-listed, Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award
• Winner, Best Bets for Children List, Ontario Library Association

Readers don't have to be natural-born Canucks to relish these puzzling mysteries associated with intriguing settings.

Books for Kids

Cool to think about, especially since it's on - or near - home-turf.

Booklist

Who knows, this could be just the thing that sparks a love of history or archaeology in your child!

Shelf Candy

Hyde will engage young readers with the snappy writing style, easy flowing stories, and the visually interesting pages.

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