Books published by publisher North Star Press of St. Cloud

Abby is a nobody. That is, she was a nobody. Until a ­horrifyingly embarrassing thing happened to her. Now she’s the laughingstock of St. Theodore High. Abby is desperate to get her life back to the way it was, and after meeting a ­mysterious and unlikely ally, it seems she will get her wish. But trying to get it “right,” isn't as easy as it seems. Abby finds out all choices have consequences, good and bad, and you never really know what you're going to get.

Ghosts love to go camping. It provides them a nice break from having to spend most of their ghostly lives alone in broken-down old houses waiting for anyone dumb enough to come in and get scared. Taking an outing to a cemetery isn't much of an improvement. Those places are just as lonely, especially at night. Campgrounds, though, are filled with people, who, from the stories they tell around their campfires, seem to enjoy getting scared. The evening in a campground is when ghosts most like being ghosts. In campsite after campsite, they listen to families telling stories about them. The stories in this book are “ghost approved.” Should you make up your own ghost stories and share them around the campfire, make sure they are stories ghosts will like. One of them could be listening.

Police investigators Pete Culnane and Martin Tierney are as different as parchment and newsprint, and Martin's insecurities are fed by Pete's expertise and finesse. A homeless man wearing an eye-popping diamond ring is as inexplicable to both of them as the disappearance of the two boys who reported his body on St. Paul s Upper Landing. Blinded by the Sight demonstrates how good intentions can go awry, resulting in unintended, life-altering predicaments. If you like mysteries that keep you guessing until the very end, you'll love this one.

Thirteen-year-old Tim Hansen lives in a quaint little neighborhood in South Minneapolis. For the most part, he leads a normal, preteen existence. He is concerned about friendships, girls, sports, and even schoolwork from time to time. But when his mother, who is a nurse in the United States Army Reserve, is deployed to Iraq, Tim’s relatively normal and happy existence gets flipped upside down. How will Tim cope without his mother? Will his family ever be the same? Middle school was unpredictable enough, but when Tim faces this sudden dose of mortality, the adventure is just beginning.

The world's best dog detective can't be taught his sleuthing skills. They are in his genes passed down through the generations. Tramp realizes this after he is taken forcefully from his home and put up for sale in the neighborhood pet store. He makes friends with an assortment of very smart animals and yes, a human family that loves him. He soon discovers that with the help of the animals and the humans in his life he can solve the most intricate of mysteries.

The Crypto-Capers are off on another adventure, but this time it is because of their adversary, the Panther. Max, Mia, Granny and Morris, must rise to his challenge. If they don't, the infamous Panther will surely win. The Legend of the Golden Monkey leads the Crypto-Capers to the ancient ruins of Chichen Itza, a once flourishing Mayan city where secrets abound. Sent to the Riviera Maya on the request of a friend, the Crypto-Capers find themselves on a treasure hunt smack dab in the center of Chichen Itza's archeological park. Upon realizing the Panther's involvement, the Crypto-Capers immediately agree to find ways to sabotage his efforts of finding the treasure first. But they find more questions than answers, and more clues. Are they being led astray? Or does the truth run so deep that it cannot be believed? The Crypto-Capers must believe in themselves and have faith in their new friends to help them find the items needed to open the treasure room and finally bring closure to an archeologist's life, a man whose history is tied to the Golden Monkey. Join the Crypto-Capers on their new adventure by solving the cryptograms and participating in the various activities. Good luck!

Panic fills Aly and her grandmother when Aly's ten-year-old sister, Emily, sees a troll. The shock of Emily also having magical powers gives way as the sisters begin to share a world of intrigue. Aly becomes Emily's instructor and protector while they interact with many new creatures―some of which are fascinating and some terrifying. Aly finds her guardianship responsibilities increasing as the autumn wears on. Can she keep her sister and all the light elves safe from the dangers that await?