Here is a mystery for your upper- grade Hi-low readers. The color illustrations are very close to graphic novel style, only page-size. Each page of text has two or three words jumping out at the reader by way of size, color, and/or style. Like in any good mystery, the reader will need to read between the lines.

As the book begins, it’s the first day of middle school for both the narrator and Ms. Fleek the new science teacher. As the weeks pass, Ms. Fleek can not find the key to unlock the science lab room. The class is forced to continue reading and doing textbook  assignments, even though I can see a glow coming from under the lab’s door. By mid-October, Ms. Fleek is questioning her ability to teach science when she still can’t find the key to the lab. Then one night, after yet another strange and bad dream, Ms. Fleek awakes to find the key in her hand. “We’ve been able to do all of our science labs since Ms. Fleek opened THAT DOOR three months ago.    I was so excited when we first had the equipment out! But science class and Ms. Fleek have become strange. She doesn’t smile as much. Well, not real smiles anyway.” (34) In February, the English teacher asked me some questioned about Ms. Fleek. Then,  the English teacher disappeared from school after Spring Break. I have stopped hanging out around the science room. “Anytime that door OPENED … I felt sick.” (44)

Next fall, when I am in 8th grade, “I stayed AWAY from Rm. 201.”  [Cliff-hanger]