Darius Knight

Kamran Smith has the perfect life. You probably know someone just like him: the star of the football team, dating the most popular girl, and planning to join the army just like his big brother, Darius. But everything shatters when Darius is accused of being a terrorist. Suddenly, the whole world turns against Kamran and his family. Videos show Darius making threats, but Kamran knows his brother better than anyone. He knows Darius is innocent. To prove it, you will follow Kamran as he races against the clock to piece together a hidden trail of clues and secret codes. The journey will test his courage and force him to question everything he thought he knew about loyalty and truth. Can Kamran decode the messages in time to save his brother, or will he discover secrets that are too dangerous to face? This fast-paced mystery keeps you guessing at every turn, putting you right in the middle of a high-stakes rescue mission where trust is the ultimate puzzle.

Detention is bad. Detention with a science teacher who wants to use your DNA to make an army of perfect students is much worse. Regan, Sofia, Bennett, and Darius know something is wrong when they are unfairly sent to Ms. Stein’s classroom. Soon, strange clones with their best traits are running around Cauldron’s Cove, causing trouble while the real kids get blamed. And behind it all is a long-dormant witch’s curse that is only getting started. This first Scared Silly adventure mixes creepy-school horror with big laughs and quick teamwork. The scares stay playful, the danger is energetic, and the mystery gives readers plenty to race after. It is a fun middle grade choice for kids who like monsters, magic, friendship, and spooky stories with a silly edge.

Pine Island is supposed to be a quiet, remote getaway for campers, but the deep woods are hiding a terrifying secret. When Darius and his fellow Wilderness Warriors arrive for a late summer trip, they find the usually busy area practically abandoned. As the group ventures deeper into the dense forest, the peaceful trip quickly shatters. You will feel the tension rise as the campers begin hearing massive, crunching footsteps and eerie howling echoing through the trees. They are being carefully tracked by something massive, something that feels not quite animal, but definitely not human. The real nightmare begins when they wake up the next morning to discover their experienced guide has completely vanished from his tent. Now, Darius and his friends must navigate the dangerous, isolated wilderness completely alone while a legendary creature stalks them from the shadows. Prepare for a spine-chilling journey where survival requires outsmarting the ultimate forest monster.

A mysterious family has checked into Regan’s family Boo and Breakfast, and they are giving off every possible vampire warning sign. They avoid daylight, hate garlic, speak like they stepped out of the past, and seem far too interested in Regan. Regan, Sofia, Bennett, and Darius already know Cauldron’s Cove is not exactly normal. A witch’s curse has been causing chaos, and now the friends must figure out whether these guests are really vampires and why they want Regan. When danger starts getting personal, the group has to act fast. Packed with spooky jokes, monster mayhem, and fast-moving mystery, this Scared Silly story is made for readers who like scary books that are more fun than terrifying. It is a playful middle grade pick for kids who enjoy horror, magic, friendship, and chaos.

A wedding should have music, flowers, cake, and maybe a few happy tears. In Cauldron’s Cove, it also comes with zombies. Sofia’s dad and Bennett’s mom are finally getting married, and Regan, Sofia, Bennett, and Darius would love one normal celebration after surviving their last cursed adventure. But the witch’s curse is back, and this time a horde of brain-hungry undead threatens to ruin the big day. The adults still may not believe what is happening, so the kids have to face the chaos themselves. Fast, funny, and just spooky enough, this Scared Silly story mixes family changes with monster trouble and teamwork. It is a lively middle grade pick for readers who like horror with jokes, magical curses, friendship, and a wedding day that goes wildly off schedule.

Zuri Benitez has pride. She is fiercely proud of her Brooklyn neighborhood, her tight-knit family, and her Afro-Latino roots. But as rapid gentrification threatens to make the streets of Bushwick unrecognizable, Zuri fears that her pride might not be enough to save the place she calls home. When the wealthy Darcy family moves into the renovated house across the street, Zuri wants absolutely nothing to do with their two teenage sons. Even as her older sister begins falling for the charming Ainsley, Zuri cannot stand the arrogant and judgmental Darius. But as circumstances force Zuri and Darius to spend time together, their initial hostility slowly shifts into an unexpected and complicated understanding. With college applications looming and her four wild sisters pulling her in every direction, you will watch Zuri fight to find her place in a changing world. Experience a vibrant, smart, and funny reimagining of a beloved classic that perfectly balances cultural identity, class struggles, and the heady magic of first love.

King Jaron finally believes that his beloved kingdom of Carthya is at peace. Hoping to enjoy a moment of calm, he and his betrothed, Imogen, are sailing home from a successful trade mission. But the quiet waters hold a terrifying surprise. Their ship is suddenly and violently attacked by the ruthless Prozarians. Overpowered and taken prisoner along with several of his closest friends, Jaron realizes this is no random pirate raid. The Prozarian captain harbors a deep, personal grudge, convinced that Jaron had something to do with the tragic deaths of his parents. Even more shocking, the captors possess highly classified information about Jaron's family. They claim to know the truth about Jaron's long-missing older brother, Darius, the rightful heir to the Carthyan throne. As Jaron fights to outsmart his captors and keep Imogen safe, he must unravel a massive web of lies to discover if his brother is actually still alive.