Akiko and the Missing Misp

Mark Crilley's AKIKO AND THE MISSING MAP tells of Akiko, who is visited by the Akiko replacement robot in the middle of the first annual Middleton Mega MangaFest. Her journey to the world of Smoo lands her in a puzzle when her friends fail to recognize her and changes have been made which don't make sense. A fast-paced fantasy, AKIKO AND THE MISSING MAP is especially recommended for prior Akiko fans.

Truly charming childrens books are hard to find. Officially, I can say that I have found a series that would be 'at home' in almost any time frame. Akiko shares the same breath of fresh air that Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, the Lone Ranger, Gene Autry, Harry Potter, and Roy Rogers series oozed. Akiko is wisked away from Earth to the planet Smoo to help celebrate the 125th Smoovian Liberation Day but is thrown back in time 25 years. Now part of history, she becomes part of the events that put the present King Froptoppit on the throne. With teenage grace, she meets her future friends in the past, and somehow manages to land the exact day the Misp is stolen and the overthrow of the Froptoppit kingship is taking place! In 'real' time, the effort is thwarted, but 25 years in the past, it just might be successful! This is an amazing middle reader novel. The story is quick and easy to read, the plot is interesting, and the art by Mark Crilley is compelling. Those readers who just can't find it in themselves to pickup the Twilight, Harry Potter, or Eragon series, will love this. www.randomhouse.com/kids Tim Lasiuta