Book Reviews

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**Author’s Note: All my reviews range from GOOD (3 stars) to GREAT (5 stars). If I do not like a book, I do not finish it, and thus, do not review it.

My review of Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger

Twelve-year-old Sophie has been able to read people’s minds since she hit her head when she was five years old. Then one day, she meets Fitz, a boy who can also read minds, and he introduces her to a world she never knew existed. The only problem is, as she learns more about this strange new world, she also unlocks memories she didn’t know she had, dangerous memories that someone (or someones) doesn’t want the world to know exist. The more she remembers, the more dangerous her adversaries become, as the truth of who she really is begins to manifest.

What I liked: pretty much everything! Great characters with a great story line. Each of the characters is well-developed and believable; the plot holds your attention, and you find yourself drawn into the story and wondering the same things Sophie does about herself and her past.

What I didn’t like: not much. It was a little long, but I think that’s because I’m not used to reading middle grade fantasy.

A great, fun read, and great beginning to a series.

5 out of 5 stars

My review of The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

High school junior Avery Grambs gets the shock of her life when she finds out that multi-billionaire Tobias Hawthorne has died and left her nearly all his fortune. The weird thing is, she’s never even met the man. According to the will, in order for her to receive the inheritance, she must live in the mysterious Hawthorne mansion for at least a year, along with the four Hawthorne grandsons, all of whom expected to receive the inheritance, and harbor a serious distrust of Avery. As things progress, she learns the deceased billionaire had a love for puzzles and riddles, and somehow, she had now become a part of his last, and most dangerous, game.

What I liked: pretty much everything! The storyline was gripping. The characters were unique and likable. The mystery continued to become more complex and interesting as the story progressed.

What I didn’t like: nothing, really. The book had a satisfying ending, but did leave with a major teaser for book 2 which I am now dying to read.

A great read.

5 out of 5 stars

My review of Juniper’s Christmas by Eoin Colfer

Worried about her disappeared mom, 11-year-old Juniper sets out to get help from a mysterious woodsman she believes is actually Santa. But she gets more than she bargained for when she finds herself in a race trying to prevent a crime boss from stealing Santa’s magic.

What I liked: great characters! Juniper is a wonderful character, with a kind heart full of hope. The other cast of characters are quirky and unique. The storyline does tug at your heartstrings at times, but it is charming. Lots of themes woven in, including dealing with grief, healing, and hope.

What I didn’t like: there is only one thing, and it is minor, but there are too many point-of-view shifts for me. I understand the need to be in different characters’ heads, but it did take me out of the flow of the story at times. Again, very minor.

A great read.

4.5 out of 5 stars

My review of A Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam Gidwitz

Entertaining and a little disturbing (in a good way).

A Tale Dark & Grimm is sort of a throw back to old-school fairy tales, the ones that were meant to teach kids lessons by shocking them with horror. The novel follows the adventures of Hansel and Gretel as they embark on an incredible journey. Each chapter is a different story featuring either Hansel or Gretel or both. The tales are indeed dark and may possibly be scary for some younger kids (8 or 9), but I found them incredibly entertaining and definitely suitable for upper middle grade.

What I liked: the originality! I’ve never read such interesting takes on old fairy tales. I love how the author weaves the main characters through a vast array of dangerous and unique experiences. I also loved how both the characters grow throughout the stories, learning lessons as they do. The narrator interruptions were, for the most part, very witty.

What I didn’t like: some of the narrator interruptions were just too long. Most of them were fine (and funny), but some of them went on and on, and took me out of the story. Occasionally, the interruptions were over a page long. Too much in my opinion.

But overall, a very interesting read.

4.5 out of 5 stars

My review of The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy

The Penderwicks is a light read for girls ages 8-10 (boys would probably be bored with it). It revolves around the four Penderwick sisters and their adventures at a rented summer home named Arundel. Heavily character driven, the book is charming and has an old-fashioned feel to it. You get to know the personalities of each of the girls and appreciate the relationship they have with each other.

What I liked: The book is well-written, innocent, and enchanting. For young girls, especially those with sisters, I could see this being a fun read.

What I didn’t like: the lack of actual escapades. The kids experience adventures that are realistic and that could indeed happen at a summer cottage on vacation, but (and this is a total personal preference) I wanted to see more adventures, ones that are bigger than life. So, even though it is charming, parts of it seemed to drag on and I found myself flipping pages to see if something more exciting was coming up.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

My review of The Chalice of the Gods by Rick Riordan

The Percy Jackson series is my all-time favorite book series, so I was ecstatic and a little nervous when I heard he was releasing a new book in the series. And after finishing it, all I can say is…he did not disappoint!

During senior year, Percy finds out that in order to get into his choice college, he needs to get letters of recommendation from three gods. Unfortunately, that means he will have to complete three quests in order to get the letters. The first quest is to help Ganymede, the cupbearer to Zeus, retrieve his magical goblet before Zeus finds out it’s missing. With Annabeth and Grover at his side, Percy sets out to retrieve the missing cup and get that letter of recommendation.

What I liked: pretty much everything. It was wonderful seeing my three favorite characters on an adventure together. Percy may be older, but he still has that lovable charm, snarkyness, and big heart that won me over in the original series.

What I didn’t like: not much. It doesn’t have quite as much action as the books in the original series, but the storyline and plot are so enjoyable, that it doesn’t matter.

Overall, just a fun read.

5 out of 5 stars

My review of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

For her final project, senior Pip Fitz-Amobi announces she plans to do an investigation into how media have become key players in police investigations. At least, that’s what she says she plans to do. Her real plan is to investigate the 5-year-old “murder” of popular senior Andie Bell and the subsequent suicide of her alleged murderer, boyfriend Sal Singh.

As her investigation deepens, she begins to realize there are a lot more suspects than the original investigation let on, and a lot of dark secrets that people don’t want exposed. Then when her own life is threatened, Pip realizes she must figure out the identity of the real killer before she becomes a victim herself.

What I liked: pretty much everything. Interesting plot, great twists, believable characters—a very well-done murder mystery. I liked the subtle exposure of racism, and the often realistic relationships of post-high school friends.

What I didn’t like: nothing really. It was a fun read and kept me guessing till the end.

5 out of 5 stars

My review of A Comb of Wishes by Lisa Stringfellow

This book may be a little dark for younger middle grade (8-9 year olds) but fine for older (10 and up) or younger readers that are fine with scarier characters.

Since the death of her mom, Kela has been completely heartbroken. But when she comes across a magical comb in a cove at the beach, she discovers that she could make a wish, anything she desires. What she wants more than anything is to have her mother back. But the mermaid owner of the comb warns her: with every wish comes a price. And the greater the wish, the greater the price. But Kela really wants her mother back.

What I liked: love the Caribbean folklore. It’s nice to see the scarier characters not shied away from. The characters and their behaviors are very believable. Dealing with grief is a great lesson, as is the value of friendship.

What I didn’t like: There were parts of the book that dragged a bit, but the story was interesting enough for me to continue. Glad I did! I also would’ve liked to have seen more of Caribbean life intertwined, the glimpses of it we got were great.

Overall, a fun read.

4 out of 5 stars

My Review of Leigh Howard and the Ghosts of Simmons-Pierce Manor by Shawn M. Warner

Unlike most people, I did NOT see the video on TikTok until AFTER I had already bought and started reading the book. 🙂

After the murder of her parents, 16-year-old Leigh is sent to live with rich relatives she had never met. While searching for clues into her parents’ death, she encounters the ghosts that live in the mansion and begins a string of dangerous adventures trying to get to the truth of what really happened, and who was responsible.

What I liked: interesting storyline and plot! The ghosts were great characters, and I loved the dynamic they brought to the story.

What I did not like: several things bothered me a little. One issue was the dialogue. Leigh is 16 but speaks like an adult, not a teenager. The Guatemalan immigrant handyman, Nacho, speaks perfect English, like college-educated level (with a better vocabulary than me!), but then uses random Spanish words here and there, like he forgets the English word. The Spanish interjections felt very forced, not natural, and just took me out of the story. There were also some discrepancies in the narration (she started in one place then suddenly she was somewhere else, or she got into bed and then later got into bed again). There were a couple of scenes that came across rather creepy. (Her dad’s friend describes being disappointed in her and having the urge to “put her over his knee and spank her,” and she responds with, “Oh I’d deserve it.” Creepy.

It was an interesting read, and I loved the mystery and the ghosts, I just wish it had better editing.

3 out of 5 stars

My review of Sleepover Sleuths (Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew #1) by Carolyn Keene

As a life-long Nancy Drew reader (I’m 53), I was happy when they modernized Nancy and her pals to appeal to a modern generation. And now, they’re broadening their audience even more with stories for a younger audience.

Eight-year-old Nancy Drew and her best friends Bess and George are invited to a fun doll-themed sleepover. But when one of the dolls goes missing, it’s up to our favorite detective to search for clues and solve the mystery.

What I liked: such a cute, fun read! It was fun to see their respective personalities already apparent in their eight-year-old selves. The mystery was perfect for the age level and even had some plot twists.

What I didn’t like: not much. I did think it odd that George would have a doll being quite the tomboy, but it fit into the story, and with the American Girl Doll craze, I think it made sense.

5 out of 5 stars

My review of Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja by Marcus Emerson

I would definitely recommend this for a younger middle grade audience, and a good transition book from chapter books to middle grade.

Chase was not looking forward to being the new kid at school, especially since the only person he knew at the school was his cousin, Zoe. But when a group of ninjas recruit Chase to join their clan, things get a little out of control.

What I liked: it is just a fun read. Chase is a wonderful protagonist and someone every kid can relate to. The book has some great underlying themes (like friendship and honesty), but it is just a cute story with fun characters, one that even adults would enjoy.

What I didn’t like: there were a few parts that felt unnecessary and slowed the flow down, but not enough to detract from the overall enjoyment of the book.

4.5 out of 5 stars

My review of The Ghosts of Rancho Espanto by Adrianna Cuevas

After being sent to Rancho Espanto for trying to steal a slushie machine at school, Rafa soon befriends Jennie, the only other kid at the ranch. But then things at the ranch start getting weird, like supernatural weird. And a man in a green sweater keeps yelling at Rafa to go home. Rafa realizes it’s up to him and Jennie to get to the bottom of the strange occurrences and find out who the mysterious green-sweatered man is and why he wants Rafa gone.

What I liked: great characters! Each of the characters, including the adults, are unique, endearing, and believable. The story has many laugh-out-loud moments, but it also touches on some serious subjects, like the difficulty of dealing with a family member with cancer, as well as PTSD. LOVE all the talk about Cuban food (being part Cuban myself, I found myself craving Cuban food every time I read the book!)

What I didn’t like: the beginning felt a little slow for me. But it did pick up, and the last half of the book flew by.

All-in-all, a good read.

4.5 out of 5 stars

My review of Witch Wars by Sibéal Pounder

A fun and quick read.

When Fran the Fairy shows up at Tiga Whicabim’s shed (not house, that’s where her mean old guardian, Miss Heks, lives) to tell Tiga she’s a witch, the nine-year-old doesn’t believe her. Then Fran takes her down the pipes and into fabulous Ritzy City to prepare her for Witch Wars. Nine little witches compete to solve riddles and the winner becomes Top Witch and rules over Ritzy City. But for Tiga, losing means returning up the pipes and back into the hands of the evil Miss Heks. With her new best friend Peggy at her side, a determ

What I liked: Such a fun little read! Great characters. Tiga and her best friend Peggy are definitely the underdogs that you want to root for, but all nine witches have distinct personalities, both good and bad, that make the story flow and keep the reader interested in the story. The illustrations are remarkable and help bring the characters and the setting to life.

What I didn’t like: not much! It’s fast-paced and fun.

5 out of 5 stars

My review of Sophie Washington: Treasure Beach by Tonya Duncan Ellis

I would definitely put this at lower middle grade (years 8-10).

When Sophie and her best friend spend a day at the beach (with her annoying little brother), they find something they never expected -a treasure map! While on their search for the clues, they learn about a number of things, including sea turtles and World War II. With a little help from their Granny, they find the treasure and learn a number of life lessons along the way.

What I liked: great characters! Each character is unique and believable. Loved the valuable lessons about friendship and honesty. I was also very curious throughout the book about what the treasure would be.

What I didn’t like: the book moved a bit slow, especially the beginning. But it had such a cute story that I wanted to keep reading.

Overall, a cute read.

4 out of 5 stars

My review of City of the Plague God by Sarwat Chadda

I’ve read several of the Rick Riordan presents books and this one is my favorite so far. Sik is a 13-year-old Iraqi kid who just wants to help his parents in the family deli. Then one day, he is attacked by Nergal, a Mesopotamian god, who believes Sik has the secret to eternal life. Once he gets over his shock that the gods and goddesses of the stories he grew up with are real, he teams up with Belet, the adopted daughter of the goddess Ishtar, and Gilgamesh (yes, that Gilgamesh) to find the flower of immortality before the bad guys destroy his city.

What I liked: the writing reminds me a lot of the original Percy Jackson series (my all-time favorite series). I love learning about the Mesopotamian gods and goddesses, and the Muslim culture. It was fun seeing words (like cuneiform) I haven’t seen since 9^th grade World History (and I’m 53, so it’s been a while!). The characters were unique and fun, and the action moved quickly.

What I didn’t like: not much. There were a couple scenes that I thought were too long, but they took nothing away from the joy of reading the book.

A truly fun and interesting read.

5 out of 5 stars

My review of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy by Rey Terciero and Bre Indigo

Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy is (in case you couldn’t tell by the title) a modern retelling of Little Women. Like most modern retellings, it varies from the original storyline significantly…more like a based loosely on rather than a strict retelling. (think Disney’s The Little Mermaid [1989] vs. Hans Christian Anderson’s original story. VERY different.) This retelling does take place over the course of only one year, so the author did have a lot to try and cover with a little amount of time. It’s also a graphic novel, so, again, a lot to cover in a little time.

What I liked: LOVED the inclusion. The story includes blended family, disability, and so much more! LOVED Jo’s story line. I really enjoyed the modernization: emails, school peer pressure, Beth’s illness (leukemia). All four girls (even Amy!) show growth throughout the book.

What I didn’t like: I didn’t feel attached to the characters, not even Jo (Amy annoyed me, but she did in the original story, too! lol). But what ended up ruining the book for me was the last twenty or so pages became so preachy that it bothered me. There are ways for authors to weave their opinions/beliefs into the story without being preachy, this author failed to do that.

Better than okay, but not my favorite.

3.5 out of 5 stars

My review of The Messengers by Edward Hogan

Creepy cover. Creepy book.

Fifteen-year-old Frances ends up spending the summer at her aunt’s house. She meets Peter and is immediately drawn to him. It turns out, Peter is a messenger, a “chosen” one whose job it is to deliver messages of death, or face death within his own family. As it turns out, Frances is a messenger, too. But, she refuses to just accept this role, and begins to develop a strategy to change the future. But, death seems to have other plans.

What I liked: REALLY different concept. The story was disturbing, but so interesting that you had to keep reading to see what was going to happen.

What I didn’t like: the age difference between Frances and Peter was a little odd (she’s 15 and he’s 29), but her attraction to him is believable, even if a little unsettling. My biggest complaint was that even though the concept was interesting, the story seemed to drag on and on, and we never really got a full understanding of these “messengers.”

The concept alone makes the story unique, but in the end, it just falls a bit flat.

3.5 out of 5 stars

My review of Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald

When 13-year-old Theodora “Theo” Tenpenny accidently spills rubbing alcohol on her late grandfather’s painting, she’s surprised to find another painting underneath. Using her knowledge of art and a bit of research, Theo is convinced the painting is a genuine Raphael, which presents her with a dilemma. Her grandfather was a security guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, what if the painting was stolen? Determined to find out the truth, Theo and her new friend Bodhi set out on a quest for answers and discover her grandfather had many secrets, including classified missions during World War II.

What I liked: Fun mystery! The girls have to do research to find things out, so the reader learns quite a bit along with them, not just about art and art history, but also about World War II, Monuments Men, and the Holocaust. I love that the kids have to work hard to figure out the clues. The characters, including the adults, are relatable and likable.

What I didn’t like: not much! The ending may have been a bit abrupt, but it doesn’t detract from the book

All-in-all, a great read.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

My review of Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

A great addition to any library.

Aven Green is a spunky, witty, and adventurous thirteen-year-old girl who happened to be born with no arms. When her dad gets a job managing a run-down western-themed theme park in Arizona, Aven has to leave all her friends and start over, knowing that new people don’t know how to react to her disability. Things are lonely at first, until she meets Connor, a boy with Tourette’s, and the two of them hit it off. Then one day, whilst exploring the theme park, they come across a mystery, one Aven is determined to solve while trying to fit in to her new school and helping her new best friend with his problems.

What I liked: great protagonist! Aven tackles the reality of her disability with both honesty and humor. All the characters were unique and colorful. It’s a wonderful way to teach kids empathy toward kids different than them, and a great source of inspiration for all kids (and adults).

What I didn’t like: not much! It was a tad predictable, but that in no way detracted from the fun of the book.

5 out of 5 stars

My review of The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera

Petra loves nothing more than to listen to her abuelita tell stories, stories of their ancestors and stories of the past. But that will soon end. The Earth is about to be destroyed by a comet, and only a few hundred scientists and their children (including Petra and her brother) are chosen to leave and inhabit a new planet.

But when Petra is awakened out of stasis, hundreds of years after the Earth has been destroyed, she discovers that an evil group known as the Collective has taken over the ship and purged everyone’s memory of Earth. Only Petra remembers. She alone carries the stories of our past, and with them, the hope for our future.

What I liked: great plot and premise, semi reminiscent of The Giver. I love how the author interweaves stories from her grandmother into the character’s present circumstances. The book is beautifully written and has a great message of the importance of the stories of our past to our future.

What I didn’t like: for me, the book dragged on through the middle. The beginning and ending were great, but I got a little antsy for the story to move forward toward the middle. I am glad I stuck it out, the ending was great!

4 out of 5 stars

My review of The Witches of Brooklyn by Sophie Escabasse

When 11-year-old Effie is sent to live with her aunts, she can’t imagine anything worse. But then strange things begin to happen. Magically strange things. And the more Effie learns about her aunts, the more she realizes perhaps there’s more to them than meets the eye. And maybe more to herself as well. The book is labeled as middle grade, but would be a great crossover for younger kids from chapter books to middle grade.

What I liked: super fun graphic novel! The characters are fun and unique, especially the aunts. The plot is fun and engaging. The illustrations are amazing. It’s a great story about family, healing, growth, and change.

What I didn’t like: honestly, not much. The beginning was a little strange, as we’re getting to know Effie, but it doesn’t take long to figure her out and empathize.

Just a fun, engaging book.

5 out of 5 stars

My review of Epic Zero: Tales of a Not-So-Super 6th Grader by R.L. Ullman

All Elliot wants for his twelfth birthday is to be a superhero like everyone else in his family (even the dog has super powers). But no such luck. Looks like he’s stuck being an ordinary kid struggling through middle school. Everything changes when he meets a girl who believes he is the key to finding a mysterious, powerful orb. Now the fate of the world is in his hands, and he has the chance to prove he is more than just a zero.

What I liked: fun characters! Elliot is a relatable kid, flaws and all, who really just wants to fit in. The plot is fun and there is lots of action to keep readers turning the pages.

What I didn’t like: not much. It was a tad slow at the beginning, but the action picked up very quickly.

Super fun read!

5 out of 5 stars

My review of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia

7^th grader Tristan Strong is struggling with the recent death of his best friend Eddie, yet he can’t get himself to open Eddie’s journal, the only thing he has from his late friend. But after he arrives at his grandparents’ Alabama farm, strange things begin to happen. Eddie’s journal is stolen by a doll (yes, a doll), so Tristan chases the strange creature and ends up in a strange world, one in which the inhabitants are the characters from stories his Nana used to tell him. Except, this wasn’t a story. This was real. And so were the characters. And right now, they were in the middle of a war.

What I liked: loved reading and learning about African mythology and southern black folklore. Tristan was a great protagonist, wanting to be a hero, but struggling with fear. I also loved the underlying themes spread throughout, including dealing with grief, feelings of not living up to parents expectations, etc.

What I didn’t like: the book was way too long. There were many scenes that I thought could’ve been shorter, and that made reading the book drag on sometimes, but the story itself was definitely interesting enough to keep me going.

Definitely worth a read.

4 out of 5 stars

My review of Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee

When 13-year-old-Min discovers that her brother has gone AWOL from the Space Forces, she runs away from home to find him and clear his name. Using fox-magic (something her mom has always disapproved of), she shape-shifts and uses Charm, and finally ends up aboard her brother’s battle cruiser under the ruse of a “boy” named Jang. But as she (as Jang) gets closer to discovering the truth about what happened to her brother, she uncovers a web of secrets that puts her life, and the lives of her new friends, in danger.

What I liked: loved learning about Korean folklore (something I know very little about). The author weaves it effortlessly throughout the story. I also liked the diversity of characters, and the plot was very interesting. (Combining a space opera with Korean Folklore is super cool!)

What I didn’t like: for much of the book, the main character over uses her Charm gift… to the point that I began to wonder if she could actually use her brain to get out of difficult situations. The middle of the book is pretty slow, and bogged down with little scenes that don’t really add to the story.

All-in-all, a fairly good book.

3.5 out of 5 stars

My review of The Unicorn Rescue Society: the Basque Dragon by Adam Gidwitz and Jesse Casey

Elliot and Uchenna were recruited yesterday by their professor to join a super-secret society, one that keeps the creatures of myth and legends safe. Now today, one of those creatures is in danger.

When the two kids learn that a dragon—yes, a real dragon—has been kidnapped from the mountains of the Basque Country, they realize it’s up to them, and their goofy professor, to track down the missing creature, and find out who is responsible.

What I liked: fun adventure! I loved learning tidbits about the Basque people and culture. Great characters, including the villains, and nothing too scary, so appropriate for kids 7-10.

What I didn’t like: the beginning was a little too slow (I almost stopped after the first 20 pages). It definitely picks up later, but it took a bit to get to the adventure. But once it did, it was fun.

All-in-all, a cute read.

4 out of 5 stars

My review of Daughter of the Deep by Rick Riordan

If you love Jules Verne, you’ll love this book. I like Jules Verne, and I liked this book.

Ana Dakkar is a freshman at the Harding-Pencroft Academy. While she and her classmates are en route to their freshman trials, they witness a horrifying event, one brought about by their school’s rival, the Land Institute. Ana will learn that the rivalry goes much deeper than a simple competition, and that her ancestry is a huge part of it. Now Ana and her mates are competing in the greatest race of their lives to save the world, and she will discover the true leader inside of her she never knew she had.

What I liked: great cast of characters. Interesting plot, very reminiscent of 20000 Leagues Under the Sea. I love that Ana’s character shows tremendous growth, and I appreciate the dynamic of the relationships, both with new friends and old ones. It was a fun read.

What I didn’t like: honestly, it was my least favorite of the Riordan books. It lacked the quirkiness of the mythological gods that all the others have that make them so great. It also took me a while to connect with Ana, and though I did eventually, I never fully connected with her, like I have with other protagonists in his books. I know it isn’t fair to compare, but it’s hard not to when I have loved all his others books so much.

However, despite it not being my favorite, it was still a good book, and a must read if you are a Jules Verne fan.

3.5 out of 5 stars

My review of The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

I recently re-read this book, and thought it would be a good idea to review it. Most people have heard of the Percy Jackson series, but may not be familiar with the Kane Chronicles.

Estranged siblings Carter and Sadie Kane are reunited one night by their father, who takes them to the British Museum for “research,” something that will allegedly set things right in their family. But, when he accidently unleashes the Egyptian god Set, Carter and Sadie find themselves on a dangerous quest around the world.

What I liked: pretty much everything. I enjoyed the first person accounts by each of the two main characters. I felt that gave me a deeper understanding of each character. I also like the sister/brother dynamic. The two kids are pretty much strangers at the beginning of the book, both jealous of each others’ upbringing. As the book progresses, they learn things about the other that not only brings them closer, but gives them a sense of understanding as to why they are the way they are (and that maybe their life wasn’t as great as each one thought).

What I didn’t like: The names of the gods and their roles did get confusing. It was hard to keep track of which god was son/brother (or whatever) to which god. I understand their roles changed throughout the history of Egypt, but it did get confusing trying to keep them straight. The author did a great job of trying to make the connections clear, but it still did get a bit overwhelming.

Overall, a great and fun read.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

My review of The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

I would definitely put this at lower middle grade, 8-9 year olds.

When Dwight (the weird kid) makes an origami Yoda that somehow seems to predict the future and give advice, sixth-grade Tommy wants to know if Origami Yoda is for real. So, he begins an investigation. He asks everyone who’s been “helped” by this Yoda to tell him their story, which he writes down into a collection, and then he, and his cynical pal, Harvey, comment on each story. What Tommy really wants to know is… can he believe Origami Yoda’s advice to him? Should he ask Sara to dance?

What I liked: super cute story idea. Each chapter is a different kid telling their story, and you get to know the main characters through each story. The drawings are cute and not too many, so they don’t detract. The theme of friendship and acceptance is a plus. I also loved that there were directions for how to make my own origami Yoda at the end.

What I didn’t like: the ending was incredibly rushed. There were many characters that we were introduced to through the stories, and then everything just gets resolved in like 6 pages at the end.

Still, pretty cute read.

4 out of 5 stars

My review of Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Mejia

12-year-old Paola, or Pao as her friends call her, is a scientist. She relies on facts and science to explain the universe, and has no time (or patience for that matter) for her mom’s ridiculous superstitions. But when her best friend disappears, and a strange magical mist appears filled with not-so-human creatures, Pao finds herself confronting the monsters of her nightmares, and the reality that all her mom’s superstitious nonsense is real. She must race against time to save her friend from an evil even her mom’s stories couldn’t have prepared her for.

What I liked: entertaining story! The plot kept my attention, and the glimpse into Mexican folklore was fun and educational. The protagonist was great—a real spit-fire with a temper! The other characters were unique and total assets to the story.

What I didn’t like: The beginning was a little slow, and I found myself waiting for something more exciting to happen. There were also a few scenes in the middle that felt just too long. But, I’m glad I held in there, because it was definitely worth the read.

4 out of 5 stars

My review of Abigail’s Curse by J. B. Cantwell

12-year-old Zander has a unique secret—he’s a parallel, a ghost-seer. The amulet he carries around his neck gives him the ability to obliterate the nasties (bad ghosts). But his whole world is thrown into chaos when Abigail arrives for her first day of school, bringing a trail of nasties with her. At first, Abigail defends the nasties, but when she accidently opens a gateway to a dark, sinister world, the two must work together to save the Earth.

What I liked: the two main characters are fun, and the tension between them, which develops into friendship, is nice. The plotline is easy to follow.

What I didn’t like: the story itself has potential, but falls very flat. There is no real climax, and the big “threat,” which isn’t even introduced until well past the half-way mark of the book, just kind of ends abruptly. Aside from the two main characters, the others are all very one-dimensional.

It was a decent enough read, one that may be better for younger middle grade (8-9 years old) that can handle some scary scenes.

3 out of 5 stars

My review of Fairest of All by Serena Valentino

I remember seeing this book at Disneyland when it first came out twelve years ago and thinking how clever the idea was. Now that I have actually read it, I have to say, it was as clever as I hoped it would be.

Fairest of All tells the story of how the Queen goes from being the meek, full of self-doubt daughter of a village mirror maker, to the evil, ultra-vain Queen of the land.

What I liked: pretty much everything. I loved the weaving of the Disney animated movie into the story, right down to the dialogue. The Queen’s character is well-developed, and the reader feels empathy toward the Queen as the tale unfolds, which makes for a wonderful villain.

What I didn’t like: not much. There was a bit of repetition as the Queen descends into evil, but it wasn’t enough to distract from the story.

A great read! I would recommend watching the original Snow White animated movie first before reading this book.

5 out of 5 stars

My review of Cora Flash and the Diamond of Madagascar by Tommy Davey

I would definitely consider this lower middle grade, for 8-9 year old kids. Maybe a good transition from chapter books.

11-year-old Cora Flash is taking her first solo train trip up to Topaz Mountain. On the way, she meets and befriends a small group of travelers. All is well until a valuable diamond is stolen, and the culprit must be one of the group. As the investigating detective begins his interrogations, Cora realizes the man may be on the wrong track, and it may be up to her to find the thief and the diamond before it’s too late.

What I liked: cute mystery, with a Murder on the Orient Express motif (minus the murder). It’s a fast read with identifiable characters. I like that the ending leads right into the next mystery.

What I didn’t like: the beginning is slow, not much really happens, and the mystery itself doesn’t begin until the end of chapter 4. But what bothers me the most is the way Cora talks—she speaks like an adult. No 11-year-old that I know says things like “I made a mental note of this trivial detail” or “I woke up in the morning feeling refreshed” or “my hunch was incorrect.” Her speech throws her character off, like she should be quite a bit older, but her actions are definitely those of an 11-year-old.

3.5 out of 5 stars

My review of The Magical Reality of Nadia by Bassem Yousseef and Catherine R. Daly

Great story about friendship, prejudice, and empathy.

Nadia can’t wait for the first day of sixth grade. Not only is she excited to learn more facts (she is, after all, a member of the “Nerd Patrol”), but she had also spent the summer getting a fashion upgrade with her cousins back in her homeland of Egypt. But the first day of school brings two very unexpected surprises: 1) a new kid named Jason shows up, and makes some subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) prejudiced remarks about her culture; and 2) her Egyptian amulet begins to glow, revealing a very magical secret—an ancient Egyptian teacher, trapped inside.

What I liked: great story about the complexities of friendship, the realities of prejudice/racism, and the triumph of empathy. The characters are believable (including the bully) and each learn valuable lessons as the story unfolds. The relationships between the characters are not perfect, they are flawed and realistic which I love. I also loved all the random facts Nadia mentioned throughout the book.

What I didn’t like: honestly, the element of magic felt a little forced in the story. I felt like the author wanted the Egyptian teacher to be like the genie in Aladdin, but he came across as unnecessary to the story, and even detracted a little from it. I would’ve preferred his character to be a real person. I also did not like the Prologue—it could’ve easily been woven into the story itself—as I would’ve preferred Nadia to be the first character I met.

Still, the premise was great, and the story of standing up to bullies and prejudice, and showing empathy, is definitely worth the read.

4 out of 5 stars

My review of The Zombie Zone (A to Z Mysteries) by Ron Roy

Not scary, just fun!

My great nieces love the A to Z Mysteries chapter books, so when I found this one at a thrift store, I decided to read it and see what the books are like. So glad I did! The three main characters, Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose, head to the Louisiana bayou for vacation, but soon get pulled into a new mystery. Locals of the small village tell stories of a silver-haired zombie that has been digging up graves. The three sleuths decide to do a bit of investigating to see if it’s really a voodoo zombie, or something else.

What I liked: super fun mystery! Nothing scary (even if the cover may look a little creepy), so it’s perfect for the 6-8 age range it is intended for. The three main characters are likable and relatable, and the plot moves quickly and keeps the reader’s interest. It’s a great introduction to the mystery genre for kids, and would be good as a read aloud for younger kids.

What I didn’t like: not much. The ending was a little odd, although it was informational, and didn’t exactly tie into the mystery, but that’s not necessarily unusual.

All-in-all, a fun read.

5 out of 5 stars

My review of The Last Fairy Door by N. A. Davenport

Super fun read!

When 10-year-old Amy helps an injured fairy inside her grandmother’s barn, she has no idea that her life will never be the same. Wishing to find the fairy princess whose magic could save her dying father, she travels through an enchanted door and finds herself in the beautiful, magical land of fairies. Unfortunately, the fairy world is not the peaceful place she thought it would be. As civil war threatens to tear the magical land apart, Amy finds herself the target of an evil queen and the race to find the princess becomes a far more dangerous quest than she expected.

What I liked: super fun read! Great characters and adventures. Lots of details make the fairy world come to life. Plenty of action and situations kept the plot moving along, and it was easy to get caught up in the fun, wondering what would happen next. Would be a good book to read to a younger audience as well.

What I didn’t like: not much. It was fairly predictable, but that didn’t deter from the fun.

Overall, a great read.

5 out of 5 stars

My review of Knights vs. Monsters by Matt Phelan

Knights vs. Monsters is a sequel, which I did not realize when I started the book, but it did not appear necessary to have read the first one to follow this one along. It tells the story of the young Knights of the Round Table after getting aboard a mysterious ship. and their adventures fighting the evil Queen Morgause and her team of monsters.

What I liked: fun story line. Any time kids fight monsters it’s a good time; and make those kids knights? Even better! The characters are unique, and their interactions are witty and enjoyable. The illustrations are fabulous, and I enjoyed the references to King Arthur folklore.

What I didn’t like: I didn’t care much for the random graphic novel chapter in the middle of the book, but I suppose it is an interesting way to introduce young readers to graphic novels. I found the beginning a little slow, but the action did pick up.

Overall, a good read for a transition from Chapter Books to Middle Grade. I would recommend for ages 8-10.

4 out of 5 stars

My review of Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring by Angela Cervantes

Fun mystery!

After her mother is awarded a fellowship for the summer, Paloma Marquez finds herself on an airplane, flying to Mexico City, wishing she could stay home and spend the summer reading her favorite mystery books instead. But soon after arriving, she meets a brother and sister who beg her to use her powers of perception to solve a mystery of her own—help them find a valuable peacock ring that belonged to Mexico’s most famous artist, Frida Kahlo. Paloma soon discovers they are not alone in the search for the ring, and not everyone is who they seem to be, including her new friends. But Paloma cannot resist the temptation of solving a mystery, even if it means potentially putting herself in danger.

What I liked: GREAT characters. The main character is fun and very likable, quirks and all. Her friends and the adults in the book are unique and believable. There’s lots of information about Frida Kahlo, some of which I did not know. It’s also a great introduction to Mexican culture.

What I did not like: the beginning is a bit slow, it took me a while to get into it. But, once I did, it was a fun read.

4.5 out of 5 stars

My review of The Young Elites by Marie Lu

16-year-old Adelina is a survivor of the blood fever, a disease that killed most of its infected. Some of the survivors (malfettos) were left with strange markings, a few were left with special powers, all are hated.  Adelina is one of them. When she is saved from execution by a group of gifted malfettos called the Dagger Society, she joins them and hopes they can help her learn to control her strange new power of illusion. Perhaps she can even help them with their quest to end the Inquisition genocide of malfettos. But her power stems from a darkness within her, a darkness that grows as her power does, a darkness she likes.

What I liked: the premise was good. No real heroes in the book, just lots of diverse characters who all have their own personal internal struggles, including Adelina (who I suppose would be considered more of an anti-hero).

What I did not like: I never connected with the main character. She was just too dark. Some of her flashback memories showed how mean she was as a kid, especially toward her sister. Yet I still thought I would end up cheering for her (like I did Artemis Fowl, who I also didn’t connect with at the beginning of that book, but ended up loving by the end), but I didn’t. I just never really liked her. I was also disappointed by the ending. It does set up the next book, but the reader is left not satisfied.

3 out of 5 stars

My review of The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

Great characters and storyline!

Ivan is a silverback (an adult male gorilla) and is nice, easy-going, and friendly. He lives in a shopping mall where he has learned to understand humans, and is content in his simple life watching TV and chatting with the other animals. One day, a baby elephant named Ruby arrives to join the troupe, and everything changes. Ruby awakens memories in Ivan, memories of his past that he had somehow forgotten. And now all Ivan wants is to help Ruby get out of there. Through his art and the support of his friends, he will change their future forever.

What I liked: great characters and story! Ivan is totally endearing, and the other characters are unique and fun. The plotline is great and makes you want to read to the end to witness the warmth and happiness you know will come.

What I didn’t like: not much. It was perhaps a tad too long, but the chapters are short and the read is quick.

Great book.

5 out of 5 stars

My review of Ulysses Moore: The Door to Time

An okay read, with some fun characters.

The book begins as 11-year-old twins Jason and Julia move from London to Argo Manor, a mysterious mansion on the British coast. After befriending Rick, a local boy, the three friends discover that the previous owner, the wildly eccentric Ulysses Moore, left behind clues to unlock a hidden door, and once opened, it leads the kids into a web of passageways, potential danger, and mind-boggling discoveries.

What I liked: great characters! Each of the three friends is unique and brings an interesting element to the story. The mansion’s caretaker is peculiar, but in the most fascinating way (I really want to know his story!). The plot is interesting and the comradery between the kids is lighthearted and fun.

What I didn’t like: it ends with a major cliffhanger. The last quarter of the book is when the adventures really begin to pick up, and then it just ends. The reader is left with no sense of closure. There were also a couple of times when it felt like the author was talking down to the reader (over-explaining for the sake of the reader’s age).

3.5 out of 5 stars

My review of Nightbooks by J. A. White

After being lured into Apartment 4E by his favorite movie, Night of the Living Dead, Alex realizes he’s been tricked and captured by a witch named Natacha, and that the apartment is somehow magical (and evil). Natacha informs Alex that if he wants to live, he must read her one of his scary stories every night. The only other inhabitant, a fellow prisoner named Yazmin, assures Alex there is no way to escape, but he doesn’t believe her. Determined to find a way out, he continues to read the witch a story every night while searching for a way out during the day. But soon, he only has one story left.

What I liked: fabulous storyline! An evil witch, a magical apartment, a ticking time bomb—great setting for suspense! And the stories Alex shares with the witch, and the reader, are creepy and fun. It’s like a cross between Hansel and Gretel and Scheherazade. Great characters, too.

What I didn’t like: not much. It might be a little dark for some younger readers (7 or 8-year-olds) who get scared easily, but if they’re good with Goosebumps, then they should be fine.

Great and fun book.

5 out of 5 stars

My review of The Keys to the Kingdom book 1: Mister Monday by Garth Nix.

Fast-paced, but a little dark.

After suffering an asthma attack that nearly kills him, Arthur is saved by a mysterious man in a wheelchair named Mr. Monday that hands him a key —a key that saves his life, a key that puts him in danger. When an army of dog-faced “Fetchers” show up, Arthur knows he must go to the house, the one that only he can see, and unravel the mystery. But, once inside the house, things become much more complicated, and Mr. Monday wants his key back.

What I liked: the novel starts off great! Fast-paced and captivating, the story really gripped me and I wanted nothing more than to keep reading. The author does a great job of creating a completely different world inside the house. Arthur is definitely likable.

What I didn’t like: the story became incredibly confusing. Once inside the house, the story became a bit like a dark, Alice in Wonderland dream. Several times, I had to go back and re-read something because I didn’t quite understand what Arthur was seeing. Although interesting, I found the story too confusing, and that frustrated me.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

My review of Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz

When 14-year-old Alex Rider learns his uncle dies in a car accident, he just doesn’t buy it. A bit of snooping, and he learns the truth: his uncle was a spy for Britain’s secret intelligence agency. And now that same agency wants Alex to go undercover, find his uncle’s killer, and discover why his uncle was killed. Easier said than done.

What I liked: fun spy book with lots of action. Great villain -one the reader can have a tad of empathy for at first, but then he really is just evil. Great writing, it’s easy to visualize all the different settings and locales in the book. And, did I mention lots of action? So fun!

What I didn’t like: sometimes things just happened too fortunately for him. He’d get into a really tight spot, and -stroke of luck- there was a convenient way for him to get out. It is kind of reminiscent of James Bond, so I get it, but it was just a little too much. Also, Alex himself is rather stoic sometimes (14-year-old boys are usually a bit more…animated).

But all-in-all, a fun read, and great start to a series.

4 out of 5 stars

My review of Dog Man by Dav Pilkey

I put off reading this book because it just did not appeal to me. A superhero with the body of a human and the head of a dog? And yet, the books are immensely popular. So I gave it a shot. A few pages in, and I was hooked! The book tells the adventures of Dog Man, the world’s most greatest cop. (I won’t give away how he becomes Dog Man, because that is a fun part of the story.) I would HIGHLY recommend this book for all 6-8 year old kids (especially boys) who are reluctant readers, and all kids in general. (and adults like me)

What I liked: absolutely everything. The illustrations are bright, colorful, and imaginative. The characters are fun and unique. The stories are positively silly and absolutely entertaining. Plus, there are some “flip-o-rama” pages where the reader gets to flip the page back-and-forth to see the characters do some action. (so fun)

What I didn’t like: nothing really. There is a bit of poor grammar, but it makes sense as the story is being “written” by a little kid.

Overall, an absolute delight.

5 out of 5 stars

My review of King of the Mole People by Paul Gilligan

A cross between Wimpy Kid and Timmy Failure.

I would recommend this book for younger middle-grade readers, 8-10 years old.

Doug just wants to be normal and fit in, but that proves to be a bit of a challenge for him. He lives in a creepy mansion with a graveyard for a backyard. He’s bad at jokes, sports, school, and pretty much everything else. His dad makes him eel sandwiches for lunch. Oh, and he’s also been crowned king of the mole people. Trying to fit in above ground is hard when you’re trying to solve the Giant Worm Problem for your underground mole people.

What I liked: pretty much everything. Great illustrations and fun, unique characters. Lots of quirky adventure and funny situations. Great underlying moral of accepting who you are, even if you’re different than everyone else.

What I didn’t like: not much. The beginning was a tad slow, but it picked up quickly.

Overall, a really fun, weird read.

5 out of 5 stars

My review of Escape Room: Thorn House by J.E. Hailstone

Spooky!

With only a week left until school begins, Luca is sorely disappointed that his Explorer’s Club hasn’t really had any adventures. That all changes when he receives a strange invitation for a top-secret escape room challenge at midnight at Thorn House, the local house in the middle of the woods that is allegedly haunted. Luca and his two best friends show up, only to discover that this is far from a game. Escaping each room soon becomes a battle for their lives as the three kids hope to discover a way out before the ghouls do them in.

What I liked: it’s a great creepy plot. The setting is fabulous and all the rooms they are trapped in have great character. The clues are fun to try to unravel as well. The book is well-written.

What I did not like: two major things. One: the main character, Luca, is kind of a jerk for the first half of the book. He’s completely self-absorbed and truly cares only about fulfilling his desire for his Explorer’s Club success, to the point that he treats his friends badly and they’ve started keeping things from him. I almost didn’t finish the book because I really didn’t like him. Two: the book ends with a total cliffhanger. I understand wanting to leave some unanswered questions so reader will be excited for the next book, but this book ends with absolutely no closure at all. I hate that in a book.

Not a bad read, just a bit frustrating.

3 out of 5 stars

My review of The Wild Robot by Peter Brown.

Cute with lots of underlying themes.

Note: I believe this book is best for the lower-end of middle grade readers, 8-9 years old (maybe even as low as 7), perhaps even a good bridge book between chapter books and middle grade.

Robot Roz wakes up on an uninhabited (well, by humans, anyway) island, with no idea how she got there or what she’s supposed to do. As she begins to interact with the animals, she learns important lessons about friendship and what it means to be part of a community. Then, when she adopts an orphaned gosling, she learns the importance of family. Together, Roz and her friends face adventures and dangers, both of nature and of man.

What I liked: Roz is absolutely endearing, in an Iron Giant kind of way. There are many underlying themes, from tolerance to friendship to mother/child relationships to death, great teaching tools for little kids without the in-your-face kind of morals that some books have. Also, the chapters are super short (prepping kids for James Patterson I suppose, LOL) and the illustrations are great making it a great book for reading aloud to smaller kids.

What I did not like: The book felt just a little too long. More than once, I was glad the chapters were so short because I didn’t really see a purpose for that snippet of story. But that was only occasionally.

Cute story for younger middle grade readers.

4 out of 5 stars

My review of The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan.

Fun adventures but mean competitors.

When their Aunt Grace dies, siblings Amy and Dan (along with a number of distant relatives) are faced with a tough decision… accept one million dollars each, or embark on a quest for 39 clues the winner of which will gain the most important treasure in the world and become powerful beyond belief. Dan and Amy accept the challenge, as do several groups of family members. After deciphering the first clue, Amy and Dan race to Paris (along with their au pair) and face a web of dangerous traps and mayhem, thanks to their greedy and ruthless competitors, all who would like nothing more than to get the siblings out of the way for good.

What I liked: great writing (it is Rick Riordan after all). The adventures were fun and the historical facts were very interesting (I loved learning things I didn’t know about Benjamin Franklin!).

What I didn’t like: I never really connected with the two main characters. They were definitely likable, but I just didn’t feel a strong connection. What bothered me more was the absolute evilness of the other family members. There was no ONE antagonist, there were many, and the various groups had no redeeming qualities whatsoever. They were just plain mean.

Still, a fun read.

3.5 out of 5 stars

My review of Elizabeth Webster and the Court of Uncommon Pleas by William Lashner.

Mystery and a bit of paranormal fun.

Middle-school math whiz Elizabeth Webster is shocked when the school’s star athlete Henry Harrison asks her to tutor him in math. But, when she shows up at his house, she discovers the real reason he wants her there…a ghost is haunting his house and it is calling her name! Soon, Elizabeth and her friends become embroiled in a web of strange family secrets, otherworldly characters, and a courtroom where demons and ghosts are called as witnesses. And, amidst all of this, they must solve a decades-old mystery to help the ghost so she can finally rest in peace.

What I liked: great and unique characters. All of the side characters from Elizabeth’s best friend to her mother to the courtroom’s judge were entertaining and fun. The mystery was woven well into the story and was not so obvious that the reader knew what happened before the end. The reader gets to go along with Elizabeth as she discovers the truth about her family and her own destiny.

What I did not like: I found the beginning a bit slow. I also am not sold on the narrator (Elizabeth) saying over and over, at the beginning, how if she only knew what was about to happen, she wouldn’t have gone, etc. However, the last half of the book was incredibly interesting as the kids begin to actually solve the mystery. But then at the very end, the author threw in a scene that left Elizabeth with a number of questions that I suppose will be answered in the next book, but I found that a bit annoying and unsatisfying for the reader.

3.5 out of 5 stars

My review of The Last Treasure by Janet Anderson.

Fun treasure hunt!

After getting a letter from an estranged aunt he’s never met, 13-year-old Ellsworth Smith decides to go, despite his father’s misgivings, and see the homes built by his ancestor John Matthew Smith. Once there, he discovers that only seven of the homes were ever lived in, the other three had treasures that the ancestor had “hidden” to help future generations in time of hardships. Two of the treasures have already been found, and now, as the family has been torn apart by feuds and monetary misfortunes, it’s up to Ellsworth to find the last treasure.

What I liked: Ellsworth’s character is likable and relatable, and I love the setting. Anderson adds a lot of great details so the reader gets a good feeling as to where they are. I can easily picture the houses of the square. There’s also an element of mystery, which, of course, I love. It also has a feel-good ending, stressing the importance of family and working together.

What I didn’t like: The beginning of the book is VERY slow; so much so, that I almost put it down. But, I am so very glad I didn’t. Once it picked up, it was very interesting.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

My review of The Great Shelby Holmes by Elizabeth Eulberg.

A cute twist on the traditional Sherlock Holmes story line.

11-year-old John Watson isn’t sure what to make of his new home at 221 Baker Street, in Harlem, NYC.  Being a military brat, he’s accustomed to moving a lot and has always found it pretty easy to make friends. Then he meets his new neighbor, 9-year-old Shelby Holmes, and his whole life changes. A renowned neighborhood detective, Shelby is asked to solve a crime involving the disappearance of a classmate’s show dog, and somehow, John gets pulled into the mystery with her. Utilizing her smarts and his social skills, the two solve the case and along the way, become friends.

What I liked: Great characters…I just love John Watson. Shelby comes across a bit egocentric and bossy, but then, that would be how Sherlock Holmes would most likely have come across as a child as well, so I understand. Her relationship with Watson develops nicely throughout the book, and the mystery was cute, even if not too dramatic. References to the original Sherlock Holmes throughout the book were fun as well.

What I did not like: In trying to maintain the Sherlock story line, the author includes minor characters such as Michael Holmes, Shelby’s (also smart) brother, and Detective Lestrade. The only scene with the brother felt so forced it was uncomfortable, and Lestrade came across as not only incompetent, but also completely unnecessary to the story line.

All-in-all, a fun read.

4 out of 5 stars

My review of The Problim Children by Natalie Lloyd.

When their house in the swamp explodes, the seven Problim children have no choice but to move into their grandfather’s abandoned home in the city. But when they move in, the neighbors do not seem too happy. Then, rumors of an old feud and a mysterious treasure come to light, and the children realize their grumpy neighbor next door wants nothing more than to have the Problim children removed, and the house all to herself.

What I liked: Interesting story line. I enjoyed the plot and wondered throughout the book about the feud and the treasure. Great interactions with the neighbors, both adults and children. Some sweet, heartwarming moments.

What I didn’t like: too many characters. I never felt like I connected with any of the characters, and some of them were a bit two-dimensional. The ending was a disappointment simply because nothing was resolved. I understand this is the first book of a series, but the reader still needs some kind of closure.

The writing was solid and the characters unique, but I just didn’t get into the book like I wanted to.

3.5 out of 5 stars

My review of A Take Dark & Grimm by Adam Gidwitz

Entertaining and a little disturbing (in a good way).

A Tale Dark & Grimm is sort of a throw back to old-school fairy tales, the ones that were meant to teach kids lessons by shocking them with horror. The novel follows the adventures of Hansel and Gretel as they embark on an incredible journey. Each chapter is a different story featuring either Hansel or Gretel or both. The tales are indeed dark and may possibly be scary for some younger kids (8 or 9), but I found them incredibly entertaining and definitely suitable for upper middle grade.

What I liked: the originality! I’ve never read such interesting takes on old fairy tales. I love how the author weaves the main characters through a vast array of dangerous and unique experiences. I also loved how both the characters grow throughout the stories, learning lessons as they do. The narrator interruptions were, for the most part, very witty.

What I didn’t like: some of the narrator interruptions were just too long. Most of them were fine (and funny), but some of them went on and on, and took me out of the story. Occasionally, the interruptions were over a page long. Too much in my opinion.

But overall, a very interesting read.

4.5 out of 5 stars

My review of The World’s Greatest Detective by Caroline Carlson

Mystery fans will be pleased, indeed!

11-year-old Toby Montrose has been bounced around from family member to family member following the disappearance of his parents. Finally, he ends up in the care of his Uncle Gabriel, a detective on the famed street, Detective’s Row. When the World’s Greatest Detective, Hugh Abernathy, announces a contest to choose the next World’s Greatest Detective, Toby hops on the chance in hopes of earning the prize money and helping out his uncle. But, when Hugh Abernathy unexpectedly turns up dead, it’s up to Toby and his new friend Ivy to solve the case!

What I liked: such a fun detective story! It’s like a cross between a Sherlock Holmes and an Agatha Christie novel, but brought down to a kid’s level. The two main characters are fun and unique, and the story will keep you guessing.

What I didn’t like: not much. The opening scene seemed a bit too long, although it did help establish the main character and his desperate need for getting the money to help his uncle. Other than that, the story itself was delightful and fun to follow along with.

I highly recommend to anyone who loves a good mystery.

5 out of 5 stars

My review of Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi

Aru Shah is a 12-year-old girl with a tendency to tell elaborate lies in an effort to fit in at her new, upper-class school, and conceal the fact that she and her mom live at the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture, where her mom works. But when three of her classmates show up at her home, Aru feels compelled to do something impressive. So, she lights the cursed Lamp of Bharata and unwittingly releases the Sleeper, whose job it is to awaken the God of Destruction. Now it’s up to her to save the world.

What I liked: I love mythology and this book did not disappoint. I enjoyed reading about Hindu myths (so many books weave in Greek mythology, it’s nice to read about different deities). The side characters were fun and unique, and the storyline was fun and adventurous.

What I did not like: the main character. I just never connected to her like I normally do with main characters. For the first fifty pages or so, I actually didn’t like her, but I thought I would grow to like and connect with her as I did with Artemis Fowl (who I also didn’t like at the beginning of the first book), but it just didn’t happen for me.

Still, a good read for those who enjoy mythology.

4 out of 5 stars

My review of Mac B, Kid Spy by Mac Barnett

Okay, this book is a little younger than I normally review as it is a chapter book, but its premise was so cute I just had to read it (and I’m so very glad I did!).

Mac B is an author, but before that he was a kid, and when he was a kid, he was a spy. Mac B is just an average kid from California who gets a call from the Queen of England who asks him to do a favor–retrieve the crown jewels that were stolen. Mac B is not sure why the Queen picks him, but he agrees, and then a plane ticket shows up at his door and he is off on the adventure of a lifetime.

What I liked: absolutely everything. The storyline is witty and silly and fabulous. I found myself laughing out loud quite a few times. The characters are charming, and the illustrations are fantastically adorable. And, of course, I love that there are historical references throughout the book.

What I didn’t like: absolutely nothing. I read it in one sitting (it is a chapter book after all), and I enjoyed every single page. Kudos to the author and illustrator.

I would highly recommend this for chapter readers (and anyone else who enjoys silly, witty stories).

5 out of 5 stars

My review of The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch

This book has a narrator telling the story, but since no-one should know what happens or to whom, the narrator uses fake names and places. So, “Cass” and “Max-Ernest” are two eleven-year-olds who become interested in a box labeled “The Symphony of Smells” left behind by a recently deceased magician. While investigating the magician’s house, the two kids stumble upon the magician’s notebook and a very intriguing mystery. Throw in some bad guys and the disappearance of a classmate, and the two kids have quite the adventure on their hands.

What I liked: the two main characters are unique and quirky; the mystery is quite intriguing; and, the plot has many unexpected twists. The story is also well-written.

What I did not like: the narrator. He constantly says he should not tell the reader this, or he can’t say what really happened. I understand this is the gimmick, but after about the first fifty pages, I was over it. I just wanted to read the story (which was interesting). There’s even an entire chapter toward the middle of the book where the narrator says he decided to end the book there and goes on a tangent about chocolate, and ends the chapter with why he must keep writing. I understand the narrator’s interruptions might be interesting to some (there are five books in the series), but it was just not my cup of tea.

3.5 out of 5 stars

My review of Warren the 13th and the All-Seeing Eye by Tania Del Rio

12-year-old Warren is the 13th Warren to own the magnificent Warren Hotel. Unfortunately, the hotel has fallen into shambles since lazy Uncle Rupert and his new (evil) wife, Aunt Anaconda, had stepped in to run the hotel after Warren’s dad died seven years ago. When Anaconda’s two creepy sisters suddenly show up, Warren realizes the three of them will stop at nothing to find the hotel’s hidden treasure, the All-Seeing Eye. Determined to find the treasure before his aunt, Warren befriends a strange girl named Petula, and begins following the clues only to discover that the hotel, and his new friend, have more secrets and mysteries than he could ever have imagined.

What I liked: just about everything! The illustrations are bizarre and intriguing; the characters are unique and enjoyable; and the plot is interesting and holds your attention.

What I did not like: not much. The beginning is a bit slow, but the story picks up quickly and becomes interesting.

Definitely worth a read.

5 out of 5 stars.

My review of Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere by Elise Gravel

Olga is a girl who loves, I mean LOVES animals. People, not so much. When she discovers a weird creature that no one has ever seen before, she becomes absolutely fascinated by it. Naming the creature “meh,” Olga decides to use scientific observation to learn and deduce everything she can about it. As she sets out on the road to discovery, she meets a number of interesting people, some that she actually likes.

What I liked: amazing illustrations! The pictures are cute and silly and add so much character to the story. Olga also grows as a person as the story progresses. Even her relationship with the neighbors she didn’t like evolves throughout the book. I also like that it shows the scientific method.

What I didn’t like: the story may be cute and silly, but it did feel a bit long. I know the illustrations take up a lot of room, but I felt the story could’ve been a little tighter.

All-in-all, a cute read.

4 out of 5 stars

My review of Black Butler, vol.1, by Yana Toboso

I have a confession. I watched the anime first, and then decided to read the manga (so I was a little biased going in). Black Butler is about a 12-year-old boy (later 13) named Ciel Phantomhive whose parents are murdered and he decides to make a contract with a demon to avenge his parents’ death. The contract stipulates that the demon (Sebastian) will perform any command given to him by his master (Ciel) while working as the boy’s butler, and in return, once Ciel’s parents have been avenged, Sebastian gets to devour Ciel’s soul. Complicating things is the fact that Ciel is also an Earl, and as such, inherited his father’s obligation of being Queen Victoria’s Guard Dog―the one the queen calls on to solve more… delicate problems (like Jack the Ripper).

What I liked: the two main characters are amazing. Ciel is such a complex character, and Sebastian makes you want your own demon butler. The well-structured storylines are intricate and full of small details, essential to a good manga.

What I did not like: not much. Although, it does end on a cliffhanger, which I am not a super fan of, but I know it’s typical in series manga.

Warning: this is not for a young middle grade audience. I would put it in the young adult category (maybe older middle grade).

5 out of 5 stars

My review of Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl is a criminal mastermind  descended from a family of wealthy criminal masterminds.  After the family fortune is lost, his father mysteriously disappears, believed dead, and   his mother goes mad from grief. Artemis decides to get the family fortune back in the most unusual way―by kidnapping a fairy and holding her for ransom. But as it turns out, Artemis may have underestimated the power of the fairies, and the lengths they would go to hold on to their gold. He also may not have anticipated the cunningness, and intrigue,  of his captive fairy.

What I liked: great story! So unusual and compelling. The characters are so well written and diverse, everything from goblins to centaurs, and they each have their own unique personalities and attributes. The plot is outlandish, but so interesting and different.

What I didn’t like: the main character comes off a bit stoic, especially at first. True, he is an anti-hero, but he was almost too unrelatable at first. Still, his character improves as the book progresses, and by the end, the reader wants to know what happens to him (and the other characters) in the next book.

5 out of 5 stars

My review of The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd

After accepting a free ride ticket from a mysterious man, Ted and his sister Kat give the ticket to their cousin Salim to ride the London Eye. The brother and sister watch carefully as their cousin boards the Ferris wheel, they watch his pod go around, then they watch his pod open and everyone disembark. Everyone except Salim. He has literally disappeared. When the police find no evidence of the boy, it’s up to Ted, whose brain works slightly differently than most, and his older sister to follow the clues and find their cousin before it’s too late.

What I liked: LOVE the characters. The main character Ted has autism, and it’s this unique trait that helps him spot the clues that the police miss. Since the story is told in first person, from Ted’s point of view, the author really gives the reader a great insight into the mind of an autistic child. And, along those lines, Ted’s sister Kat is a great representation of what having a sibling with autism is like.

What I didn’t like: not much. There were a couple scenes that I thought were a bit long, but the story is quite enthralling, so I’ll let that slide.

Overall, a great read and a fun mystery!

5 out of 5 stars

My review of The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall

The Penderwicks is a light read for girls ages 8-10 (boys would probably be bored with it). It revolves around the four Penderwick sisters and their adventures at a rented summer home named Arundel. Heavily character driven, the book is charming and has an old-fashioned feel to it. You get to know the personalities of each of the girls and appreciate the relationship they have with each other.

What I liked: The book is well-written, innocent, and enchanting. For young girls, especially those with sisters, I could see this being a fun read.

What I didn’t like: the lack of actual escapades. The kids experience adventures that are realistic and that could indeed happen at a summer cottage on vacation, but (and this is a total personal preference) I wanted to see more adventures, ones that are bigger than life. So, even though it is charming, parts of it seemed to drag on and I found myself flipping pages to see if something more exciting was coming up.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

My review of The Legend of Greg by Chris Rylander

Greg Belmont is a normal 13-year-old kid, and he’s okay with that. His BFF Edwin is the most popular kid in school (and the richest), and the two share an appreciation for something that most middle schoolers don’t get―chess. Then one day, everything changes. After his dad is kidnapped, Greg is led underground where he learns he is not quite as ordinary as he thought. He’s a dwarf. Oh, and there’s an entire world of dwarves living under Chicago. Oh, and now that dwarven magic is returning, a war is brewing between them and their long-time enemies, the elves. And it’s up to Greg to stop it.

What I liked: the two main characters are fabulous, and their friendship evolves throughout the story. There’s also quite a bit of action and humor which keep the story moving at a good pace.

What I did not like: I did not get a good sense of what this underground world of dwarves was like. World-building is so important in fantasy and I just couldn’t visualize the new world Greg was thrown into.

Still, the plot was solid and interesting and the characters were fun.

4 out of 5 stars

My review of Muhyo & Roji”s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation by Yoshiyuki Nishi

Muhyo and Roji are a team that investigate supernatural beings. Each chapter of the graphic novel brings the duo a different ghost to investigate, and then “help” to cross over to the other side (either up OR down). Muhyo is the “expert” in the laws of magic (he does have a book) and Roji is more of the people person. Together, they help people deal with ghost problems.

What I liked: two great characters! The two main characters are so complex and different, and evolve as the book goes on. Each chapter is a different story and the ghosts are as diverse as the problems they create. I also really loved reading the book backwards (for us), it made the experience all the more fun!

What I did not like: things moved almost too quickly. Because each chapter is a different story, the story arc is very short and sometimes I found it a little too abrupt. But, it is understandable as the story has to fit into a small number of pages.

All in all, a fun (albeit different) read.

4.5 out of 5 stars

My review of Nicola Berry, Book 1 by Liane Moriarty

Nicola Berry is just an average kid until the day a man from another planet comes to Earth to seek out the “Earthling Ambassador” who will travel back to his planet and hopefully convince Princess Petronella not to turn Earth into a garbage dump. When Nicola is chosen, she is excited and nervous about her mission. But, when it becomes apparent that the princess has no intention of deviating from her plan, Nicola decides to put together her own crew of earthlings to save the Earth before it becomes a giant pile of garbage!

What I liked: great characters! Each of the characters is unique and believable, from main character Nicola to her arch-nemesis Greta to her new alien friend Shimlara. Even the princess has her own quirkiness. The writing style is fun and easy to read, and keeps you wanting to know what is going to happen next!

What I did not like: The Prologue. I usually don’t mind prologues, but I felt this one was unnecessary and a huge distraction. The story should begin with Nicola as it does in chapter 1. Other than that, the story was a quick, delightful read.

5 out of 5 stars

My review of The Trials of Apollo, Book 1 by Rick Riordan

After making his father Zeus super mad, Apollo gets punished by being sent down to Earth as a human teenage boy. And not a tough, hot teenage boy, but an average, run-of-the-mill teenage boy with―horror of horrors!―acne. Now the arrogant former god must figure out how to win back his father’s favor while fending off the numerous enemies he made as a god, enemies that are all too happy to see the god in his puny human form. Realizing, much to his disdain, that he needs help, Apollo sets off for the one place he knows he has friends and family―Camp Half Blood.

What I liked: Apollo is definitely my favorite of Riordan’s gods. His vanity and egotism, even now as a puny human, is hilarious and caused me to laugh out loud multiple times. I loved the return of some of the previous characters (like Percy Jackson) from other series, as well as the new characters introduced in this one.

What I didn’t like: not much. It was a bit long, but I never felt like I wanted the book to end.

A fun romp through mythology and history.

5 out of 5 stars

My review of SCAT by Carl Hiaasen

When the scariest teacher at the Truman School goes missing after the field trip to Black Vine Swamp gets cut short due to a forest fire, Nick and Marta get the feeling that something is terribly wrong. But when the class delinquent “Smoke” is blamed for the fire, the two kids suspect he has something to do with the teacher’s mysterious disappearance as well. Complicating their investigation is the unexpected return of Nick’s father from Iraq with a life-altering injury—a severed right arm. As Nick tries to deal with the situation at home, he also must deal with the uneasy feeling that Smoke isn’t responsible and that something else, something much darker, is going on.

What I liked: Great characters, great plot, great tension. I really got pulled into the story, and the more I read, the more I wanted to know what was going to happen. Lots of interesting characters, each with their own quirks, and because the author puts you in each of their POVs, you get to know the characters pretty well.

What I did not like: It was just too long. Some of the scenes felt completely unnecessary, and I was like…why was this scene even in here? There were a lot of character POV shifts which at first felt confusing, but after a while, you pick up on the rhythm.

Overall, an interesting read with an interesting mystery.

4.5 out of 5 stars

My review of The Island of Dr. Libris by Chris Grabenstein

When Billy arrives at the cabin his mom rented from the mysterious Dr. Libris for the summer, he’s disappointed. No TV, no video games, no technology of any kind except for the creepy video cameras in every room. Then, he discovers the library, and more importantly, Dr. Libris private bookcase. As Billy begins reading the books, he starts hearing strange noises from the island in the middle of the lake. Upon investigating the island, he discovers that all the characters from the various books he’s read have come to life and are interacting with each other and with him on the island! Hercules, Robin Hood, Tom Sawyer, and even Pollyanna all come together for a wild adventure.

What I liked: So creative! I love the various characters interacting with each other. Some of the scenes are hilarious. This is such an inventive way to intersect multiple popular fiction characters. Billy is also very relatable, unsure of himself and unsure of his parents upcoming divorce.

What I didn’t like: The ending is very rushed, like the author had to hurry up and finish the story. Also, Dr. Libris makes a brief appearance at the end, and is such a terrible person that I wish he had been left out. The ending is okay, just a little disappointing.

Still, a rather enjoyable read.

4 out of 5 stars

My review of The Last Kids on Earth and the Zombie Parade by Max Brallier

Jack Sullivan and his three best friends may be the last kids left on Earth. But, there are the zombies. Oh, and the monsters. When Jack realizes that the zombies are disappearing, he decides to get to the bottom of it. He and his friends embark on a quest and discover a plethora of strange things on the way, including a giant wormungulous, that has apparently decided to live at the nearby mall, a popular pizza parlor that has now become the new hotspot hangout for monsters, and a new rumor, one that just happens to mention that the destroyer of worlds would like to come to Earth. It’s up to Jack and his friends to figure out the mystery of the disappearing zombies and save the earth from being destroyed.

What I liked: pretty much everything. The illustrations are actually part of the story. For example, you’re reading a passage and the picture is there in place of a paragraph, so you have to read the illustration to understand what happens next. The main character is great, flaws and all. And, of course, the story has zombies AND monsters, so how could it not be amazing?

What I did not like: some of the other characters were just a tad bit flat, especially June. But, since the story is told in first person through Jack’s voice, it’s fine.

A fast and enjoyable read.

5 out of 5 stars

My review of A Spy in the House by Y. S. Lee

If you are a parent/adult who loves regency/historical era books, this YA is for you. Mary Quinn is a poor child miscreant, rescued from the gallows and taken to an upscale academy for girls, where she will learn to become a lady. At seventeen, Mary learns the school is only a cover for an organization known as the Agency. She is recruited by the Agency to become a spy and her first assignment, a lady’s companion at a wealthy merchant’s home, becomes far more dangerous than anyone expected, full of dark secrets, international intrigue, and even murder. There is, of course, a rather handsome rascal to reckon with as well. In the craziness of her assignment, Mary also learns a dark secret from her own past—one, that if exposed, could jeopardize her position in the Agency.

What I liked: The setting is amazing. Lee does a tremendous job of putting us in 19^th century smelly London. The characters are all believable and wonderfully flawed. The story flows smoothly and keeps you turning page after page.

What I did not like: Not much. Perhaps my one critique would be that there was not enough information about the Agency. But, as this is only the first book, I expect the rest in the series give more insight.

A delightful read.

5 out of 5 stars

My review of The Giver by Lois Lowry

The world Jonas lives in is perfect. There is no snow, sleet, hurricanes, or tornadoes. There is no hatred, no bigotry, no jealousy. Spouses are assigned by compatibility, and the Committee of Elders observes every child throughout their childhood and assigns them their career at age 12. There are no choices to make, no mistakes to be made. There is only…sameness. And, there is no love. But, no one notices. Only one person holds the memories, all memories—war, famine, love, joy. He is the Giver.

At the Ceremony, Jonas learns of his destiny. He is chosen to be the new Receiver, the one who will receive, and be responsible for, all the memories. But, as Jonas begins to experience humanities past, he begins to question if sameness is truly perfect, and whether there could be a way to change it.

What I liked: The world Lowry creates is brilliant. Every aspect of life is covered by this “Sameness” community, and the reader can easily see how humanity would’ve chosen this life. Such a great moral of celebrating diversity, and how a world of people who are all the same is far from idyllic. The two main characters are so well-developed, and the others are so simple (perfect for a world of sameness).

What I didn’t like: The ending. The reader has no idea what happens to the community. Jonas will be okay, we think (not positive). But, the very last line was so terrible, it left a frustrated feeling in my heart. I put the book down, disappointed. Which is a shame, because I really loved the book up to that point. If she had just left out that last line, I would’ve been happy. (ps…the movie addresses this issue and is the only part of the movie that I actually liked)

Still, I won’t crush the book because of one lousy line.

4.5 out of 5 stars

My review of The Fourteenth Goldfish by  Jennifer L. Holm

Eleven-year-old Ellie was used to her life. She had the same best friend since she was little, and she and her mom had a comfortable routine. But, all that changed. Her best friend joined the volleyball team and her grandfather moved in. Watching her best friend slip away was hard, but dealing with her grandfather became the real challenge. Why? Because he was now a fourteen-year-old boy. As a scientist, he invented a formula that would reverse the aging process and make a person young again. He found a way to change the world, no more aging, no more pain. But, does the world need changing? Ellie learns a great deal as she tries to help her grandfather break into his lab to retrieve the formula, the biggest lesson being that things change, and we should enjoy life as we go.

What I liked: great lessons throughout the book, and the main character truly grows as a person. Although the book is made for kids, I think adults would learn a few things from it as well. The grandfather character is fantastic! Exactly what you’d expect from an old man stuck in the body of a young kid. Hilarious.

What I didn’t like: the first and last third of the book were wonderful, but the middle third was a bit slow. I had to force myself to get through it.

Still, a good read and worth your time.

4.5 out of 5 stars

My review of Timmy Failure Mistakes Were Made by Stephan Pastis

Timmy Failure is the founder, president, and CEO of the best detective agency in town, probably the nation (at least that what he says). Timmy is self-confident and clearly the sharpest kid at school, even if no one else sees that. This book is his documentation of the cases he solves. The author, Stephan Pastis, (also the creator of Pearls Before Swine), does an incredible job of combing witty humor with clever drawings. If taken seriously, this book could be viewed as depressing, but, if taken in the manner it was intended, humor, the book is hilarious.

What I liked: the humor is fantastic. There were many times when I (literally) laughed out loud, and the drawings were so on point with the humor. The main character, Timmy, is unique and eccentric, and the mother is fabulous. There are many jokes that, while funny for kids, are even funnier for adults. This would be a great book to read with your child.

What I didn’t like: not much. My only criticism, and it’s not a big one, is that the book seemed a bit long. Although, if you took out the drawings, it’d be fairly short, it still felt like it dragged a bit in the middle. Not enough to put it down, though.

5 out of 5 stars

My  review of The Doom Machine by Mark Teague

Jack Creedle, and the town of Vern Hollow, have been invaded by aliens. Well, not invaded per se, more like under the watchful eyes of creepy, giant spider aliens who are after Uncle Bud’s invention—a refrigerator-looking machine that actually can create holes in space and time. But, when Jack, Uncle Bud, Isadora Shumway and her highly-respected scientist mother are kidnapped by the spider aliens, things really get crazy.

What I liked: GREAT characters! All the main characters are different with their own individual quirks and attitudes. The plot is solid and interesting enough (who doesn’t love a group of hapless earthlings who have to save the Earth from alien invaders?).

What I didn’t like: Teague writes the story from many points of view, and each time we shift from one to another, there’s a scene break. Sometimes there’s two scene breaks on one page. It got tiresome by chapter five. I appreciate trying to write the story from multiple points of view, but there are better ways to accomplish that. It was also unnecessarily long. 376 pages that could easily have been told in 250.

An okay read, but nothing spectacular.

3.5 out of 5 stars

My review of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein

What a fun read! The book is about 12 kids that get to spend the night in a super cool new library designed by a famous game-maker. Once inside, they are invited to play a game where they are challenged to “escape” from the library and receive a prize. The catch? They only have 24 hours to do it, and the library is, well, interactive…in a “Night at the Museum” kind of way.

What I liked: The characters are believable. All kids (and adults) will relate to the personality traits and complicated relationships experienced by the characters. I also loved the clues the kids had to figure out in order to solve the puzzles…totally made me wish I was in that library with them.

What I didn’t like: My only real criticism is that a few of the characters fell a little flat (some could’ve used a little more character development). I found myself flipping to get past a few pages because of the characters. But, the main character is great!

All-in-all, a fun book

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

My review of Secrets of the Dragon Tomb by Patrick Samphire

Set in 19^th-century British Mars, Secrets of the Dragon Tomb has a combination steampunk and sci-fi feel. Edward Sullivan is a 12-year-old who has always dreamed of becoming a spy. One day, his silly cousin Freddie comes to visit and everything changes, and not for the better. His parents are kidnapped by an evil archaeologist and Martian henchmen, and it’s up to Edward, his two sisters, and silly cousin Freddie to save the day. As Edward embarks on a crazy and dangerous trek to save his parents, he’ll learn that people, including his own family, are not always as they seem, and being a spy is not exactly what he thought it would be.

What I liked: I absolutely LOVED the characters. Each was completely unique and fully developed. The book was non-stop action and adventure, with crazy situations and fabulous locales.

What I didn’t like: not much. There were a couple times where I thought the situation went on a little long, but then something would happen that pulled me right back into the story.

I would definitely recommend this book.

5 out of 5 stars

My review of Spy School by Stuart Gibbs

The storyline is really fun. An average 12-year-old boy is selected to go to Spy School, which is pretty cool. And, like all schools, this one has all the great characters you’d expect to meet, bullies and all. But, when his life is suddenly placed in danger, things get crazy and all kinds of drama and adventures unfold.

What I liked: Great story line! The characters are intriguing and realistic, especially the main character, who thinks it’d be really cool to be a spy and get the girl, but finds out pretty fast that it comes with a lot of danger as well. And, anytime you have an ordinary kid thrown into extraordinary situations you have a great plot.

What I did not like: This novel would probably get a much higher rating, but one thing really bothered me about the book…it has curse words. I wouldn’t mind as much if they were used in context of heightened emotion (ie–he gets super mad and a curse word slips out), but they are thrown in so casually that they took me by surprise each time, enough to pull me out of the story, and that’s bad. The author could’ve easily told the story without them. That’s fine for YA, but not for middle grade.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

My review of The Last Treasure by Janet Anderson

After getting a letter from an estranged aunt he’s never met, 13-year-old Ellsworth Smith decides to go, despite his father’s misgivings, and see the homes built by his ancestor John Matthew Smith. Once there, he discovers that only seven of the homes were ever lived in, the other three had treasures that the ancestor had “hidden” to help future generations in time of hardships. Two of the treasures have already been found, and now, as the family has been torn apart by feuds and money problems, it’s up to Ellsworth to find the last treasure.

What I liked: Ellsworth’s character is likable and totally relatable. I absolutely loved the setting and could easily picture the houses of the square. There’s also an element of mystery, which, of course, I love. And, the ending is also a feel-good, stressing the importance of family and working together.

What I didn’t like: The book took a while to get going; you’ve got to struggle to get through the beginning. But, once you do, the story picks up and becomes really interesting. So, stick it out, it is worth it.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

My review of Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

Moses LoBeau (aka Mo) is a spunky 11-year-old girl who loves an adventure. But, when robbery, murder, and kidnapping arrive at her small town of Tupelo Landing, Mo and her best friend, Dale, decide to form a detective agency and solve the crimes, much to the chagrin of recently arrived Detective Starr.

What I liked: lots of great characters. Because the story takes place in a small town, all the characters (except the recently arrived detective) all know each other very well (maybe too well) and their interactions are fun and perfect. The main character is a true spitfire and the kind of girl you’d want as a friend if you were 11. It’s a mystery, which I love, and gets even more exciting as you near the end.

What I didn’t like: It’s a slow beginning. Very slow. Even though there’s a murder pretty close to the beginning of the book, it takes a while for the action to pick up. I found myself dragging to read the first half of the book. But, once I hit the second half, I had a hard time putting it down. Very exciting.

Overall, a good book.

4 out of 5 stars

My review of The Secret of Platform 13 by Eva Ibbotson

Every nine years for nine days a secret doorway opens allowing humans entry to a magical island where humans, ogres, giants, and elves live together in harmony. Nine years ago, just before the portal closed, the island’s young prince was stolen. Anxiously, the queen and king have waited for the doorway to reopen. Now, as the ninth year approaches, the royals prepare a ragtag group of rescuers to find the prince and return him to the island. Together, a wizard, an ogre, a fey, and a young hag befriend a kindly kitchen boy names Ben (of unknown parentage…hmmm) as they attempt to lure the rich and insufferable prince (are we sure that’s the prince?) back to the island.

What I liked: the first few chapters feel a lot like the first Harry Potter book, although written years before (maybe J.K. Rowling got her inspiration here). The characters are so much fun and eccentric, and the island itself made me want to try and find it. It’s a fun, fast-paced story with a charming, feel-good energy.

What I didn’t like: not a whole lot to not like. My one critique would be that there was no real villain. Mrs. Trottle and her obnoxious son are terrible people, to be sure. But, there was no real sense of danger. But, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It was a bit predictable, but again, not a bad thing. Overall, super cute.

4.5 out of 5 stars

My review of Loki’s Wolves by K. L. Armstrong and Melissa Marr

I love mythology, so I was excited to read this. Most of the people in the small town of Blackwell, South Dakota, are descendants of the long-since dead Norse gods, Thor and Loki. With Ragnarok coming (aka the end of the world), the champions must fight in place of the gods. Of course, thirteen-year-old Matt Thorsen never thought it would be him. He screws everything up! Now he must put together the team of champions who will fight to prevent the end of the world.

What I liked: Great story line. I mean, you can’t go wrong with unlikely kids who must take on the world’s greatest monsters to save the world from destruction. Great characters. Matt, Fen, and Laurie are a great team, even if they have a hard time trusting each other. I also liked that each chapter was through the eyes of one of the three main characters, so you get to know each of them well.

What I didn’t like: It was a little slow at first, but not for long. And, I think it did need some explaining before delving into the action.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the rest of the series.

5 out of 5 stars

My review of Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead

12-year-old Georges (the s is silent) moves into a new apartment building and sees a sign for a “spy club meeting.” It is there where Georges meets Safer, the self-appointed spy, and the adventure begins. They start staking-out the mysterious Mr. X who dresses all in black and carries suitcases (full of what?) out of his apartment. As the stake-outs grow more intense, Georges starts to question Safer’s intentions and questionable methods. This is a great book about friendship and confronting your fears.

What I liked: the characters are fabulous. The main character Georges is so believable as a 12-year-old making a new friend. I liked being in his head and seeing all the characters through his eyes. The two families are also great. Each character is so completely different and interesting, it made me want to meet them in person.

What I didn’t like: the first half of the book is so slow. It was a struggle for me to plow through the beginning, but then, once it picked up, it was interesting (and the ending was great). But, the struggle was real. I almost didn’t finish it, and that is bad.

3.5 out of 5 stars

My review of Etiquette & Espionage (Finishing School) by Gail Carriger

14-year-old Sophronia would much rather climb up things and take stuff apart than curtsy and sip tea. Once her mother decides to send her to finishing school, Sophronia thinks her life is destined for boredom. She is wrong. Mademoiselle Geraldine’s Finishing Academy for Young Ladies, located on a floating airship, does indeed teach how to be a proper young lady, along with how to be a proper assassin and a proper spy. When a missing prototype becomes the object of thieves, Sophronia decides she must find the prototype before they do, all while dealing with typical teen problems.

What I liked: it’s a Victorian paranormal steampunk novel. Seriously. It has werewolves and vampires and tea and crumpets, all set in a steampunk Victorian background. The main character is a strong, female lead who knows how to use her mind as well as her skills. The steampunk elements are fun, and although the paranormal elements are few and far between, it shows how interesting it would be to have a vampire as a teacher. It is light-hearted and fun, and a bit silly sometimes.

What I didn’t like: the language feels a bit dull. Because the author wants to remain true to the era, she writes in an old Victorian manner, which can drag on sometimes. Aside from Sophronia, none of the other main characters have any real personality and are pretty flat. The plot is a little thin, and at times, I’d forget what it is (a few times, I found myself skipping ahead because it was taking too long to get there). Luckily, Sophronia’s quirkiness kept the story itself moving.

3.5 out of 5 stars

My review of Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Book 1: The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan

Magnus Chase has been a troubled kid since his mother’s death, living alone on the streets and trying to keep out of conflict with the police. Then, one day, everything changes. He learns he is the son of a Norse god. Oh, and all the Viking myths are true. Unfortunately, so is Ragnarok (aka Doomsday) and he, Magnus Chase, is the only one who can prevent it.

What I liked: great main character. Magnus is sarcastic (something I love) and snarky. All the characters, good and bad, are unique. I love Riordan’s writing style (he is my favorite author) and I loved learning about Norse mythology, something I knew very little about. As always, I love that his main characters are from a variety of different backgrounds, and this book is no different (from a Middle-Eastern girl to a mute elf that uses sign language). Fabulous.

What I did not like: the book was just too long. The writing was great, but there were way too many action scenes. It was like watching an action movie that was more action than character development. By around page 300, I was ready for the final battle/showdown, but I still had 200 pages left to read. I understand that there were many characters to introduce, but fully developing fewer characters would’ve been more enjoyable and allowed the story to be less choppy.

Still, I did enjoy the book.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

My review of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a stage play. If you are expecting it to read like a book, then you need to readjust your thinking. The play tells the story of Harry Potter (as an adult) and his youngest son, Albus. While Harry is dealing with problems at his job at the Ministry of Magic, Albus is struggling with his first year at Hogwarts, and the pressure of a family legacy.

What I liked: the characters are all fabulous. The originals (Harry, Hermione, and Ron) are adults now and act accordingly, not like they think they’re still teenagers. They behave as real adults would. The new characters of Albus and Scorpius are interesting and unique, and you find yourself rooting for their friendship. I also loved the time-travel element. So much fun. The father/son tension is also endearing. You feel bad for both of them.

What I didn’t like: I missed some of the old characters. I know that it’s unrealistic for a stage play to have so many characters, but I was left wondering what happened to some of the people (like why is Ron running the Joke Shop and not George?) The beginning is a little slow, it took me a while to get into it. But, once I did, I really enjoyed it. It is a fast read.

4 out of 5 stars

My review of The Cabinet of Earths by Anne Nesbet

Strange title. Strange book. In The Cabinet of Earths, 13-year-old timid Maya has moved to Paris (something she had no desire to do) and has a growing suspicion that her mother’s cancer is returning. But soon, she begins to notice strange things…the salamander door handle that moves, but only she sees it; a handsome purple-eyed man who seems too interested in Maya’s family; and a strange, magical cabinet that wants Maya as its keeper. When her little brother’s life becomes endangered, Maya becomes a powerhouse and challenges the forces of evil.

What I liked: Great characters! Maya is believable and her character grows throughout the story, and the relationship with her brother is sweet. All her relatives in France are so strange, and completely fascinating (I mean, who has a purple-eyed cousin that hasn’t aged in 100 years?). The plot is bizarre and different, and very, very interesting.

What I didn’t like: parts of the book move a bit slow. Characters are introduced (like the Dolphin), a big deal is made about them, and then they just sort of disappear. I thought that Paris would play more into the book since the author made it a point to move the characters there, but very few references to Paris are made and the story really could’ve taken place anywhere. But, all of these are minor. I still enjoyed the book.

4 out of 5 stars

My review of Doll Bones by Holly Black

Doll Bones tells the story of Zach, Poppy, and Alice, three kids who love playing make-believe adventures with their dolls. When the Great Queen, aka a creepy bone-china doll locked in a cabinet in Poppy’s house, begins haunting Poppy’s dreams for real, the trio decides to take the doll (and her ghost) to her burial site and lay her doll bones to rest.

What I liked: Great coming-of-age story. The three kids are relatable and their friendship, including the drama, is totally believable. It’s a bit scary at times, but those scenes are well-written.

What I did not like: Beginning is a bit slow, but it does pick up. The characters are each a bit selfish, and I found myself sometimes becoming annoyed with them (but I guess that is real life). But, what I did not like at all, and the reason this gets a 3 star rating, is that the kids steal a bicycle and a boat, and they break into a library, all with virtually no consequences. I’m not okay with that.

3 out of 5 stars

My review of Witch Wars by Sibeal Pounder

When Fran the Fairy shows up at Tiga Whicabim’s shed (not house, that’s where her mean old guardian, Miss Heks, lives) to tell Tiga she’s a witch, the nine-year-old doesn’t believe her. Then Fran takes her down the pipes and into fabulous Ritzy City to prepare her for Witch Wars. Nine little witches compete to solve riddles and the winner becomes Top Witch and rules over Ritzy City. But, for Tiga, losing means returning up the pipes and back into the hands of the evil Miss Heks. With her new best friend Peggy at her side, a determined Tiga sets off to solve the riddles, win Witch Wars, and remain in Ritzy City forever.

Such a fun little read. Meant for girls around 8-10 years old, Witch Wars has a wonderful variety of characters. Tiga and her best friend Peggy are definitely the underdogs that you want to root for, but all nine witches have distinct personalities, both good and bad, that make the story flow and keep the reader interested in the story. The illustrations are remarkable and help bring the characters and the setting to life. All-in-all, a fun and quick read.

5 out of 5 stars

My review of Murder Is Bad Manners by Robin Stevens

Murder is Bad Manners is a murder mystery set in a 1930s boarding school in Britain. Daisy and Hazel have formed a detective club and, up till now, their mysteries have been pretty simple. Then, Hazel finds one of her teachers murdered and, after rushing to get daisy, returns to discover the body has disappeared. Everyone is a suspect.

The story is fun and interesting, and one of the few murder-mystery books I’ve seen for kids. The two characters are extremely different and both completely believable. The mystery is challenging and doesn’t talk down to kids, like some books do. The two characters really have to work and deduce to figure things out. I won’t give away the ending (it is a murder-mystery, you know), but I will say it is not one you predict from page one. I would definitely recommend it for anyone, even adults, who loves a good mystery.

5 out of 5 stars

My review of The Witch’s Boy by Kelly Barnhill

The story is about two different kids. It begins when the main Character, Ned, and his twin brother build a raft and set off to sea, but the raft sinks and Ned’s twin is killed. The villagers decide “the wrong boy” survived and treat him awful. When his mother, a witch and keeper of a very powerful magic, leaves to see the queen, bandits attempt to steal the magic, and it infuses itself onto Ned.

The other main character is Aine, whose father (now bewitched by magic) is the leader of the bandits. She hates what the magic has done to her father. She is independent, strong-willed, and sensible.

The two characters meet and join forces to undo a very old problem.

What I liked: strong characters and a good plot. The two kids are likable and both undergo a transformation throughout the story, making them both better people. There’s a great connection between the two of them.

What I didn’t like: the beginning is SLOW. The two characters do not even meet until the middle of the book. Although, once they do meet, I did enjoy their relationship. I am also not a fan of the ending. It came out of nowhere. She’s gone for a year, then comes back, and he leaves with her without saying good-bye to his dad? It left me disappointed.

3.5 out of 5 stars

My review of Divergent by Veronica Roth

Okay, I’m sure many of you have already seen the movie, but have you read the book? I saw Divergent in the theaters when it came out in 2014 and liked it, saying that one day I would read the book. And, that day has finally come.

For those of you not familiar with the story, Divergent is a dystopian tale about a society where people are divided into five factions. When it is time for the main character, Beatrice, to choose which faction she belongs with, she is torn between her own family and a different faction. When she chooses to leave her home and everything she knows behind, everyone is shocked, including her new faction. Beatrice changes her name to Tris, with plans to embrace her new life, but a secret, one she has kept hidden from everyone, threatens to destroy her and everything she cares about.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It is, of course, much better than the movie because you get inside her head and understand her motivation for everything she does (which in the movie you don’t). She is a great, strong female lead, who is both empathetic and formidable. The other characters are also well-rounded, interesting, and very diverse in nature. The action moves quickly and I found myself wishing I could spend longer periods of time reading, so I wouldn’t have to wait until the next day to find out what happened next.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

My review of Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham

A John Grisham series for kids? I had to try it out for myself. This first book in the series introduces the reader to Theodore Boone, the son of two lawyers, who absolutely loves the law. As the biggest murder trial in the history of his small town is underway, Theo wants nothing more than to watch every minute of it. Unfortunately, he has to go to school. But, things get complicated when he is approached by a schoolmate who knows a secret witness, one who could change the outcome of the trial. Now Theo must figure out how to get the witness to come forward before a guilty man is declared innocent.

What I like: great protagonist. I love Theo and his passion for law. I like that the reader also gets some facts about how the law actually works (always good for kids…and adults…to know). The book was a short, fast read, good for kids around 10-11 years old. (Might be a little harder for 8-9 year olds, only because of the legal jargon.)

What I didn’t like: parts of the book, especially the beginning, were slow (but not terrible). The only thing I really didn’t like about the book was the ending. It was so abrupt. It was kind of like…wait, that’s it?

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

My review of Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett

Chasing Vermeer is a middle-grade novel centering around two slightly odd eleven-year-olds, whose intellectual curiosity brings them together to solve a mystery.

What I liked: It’s a mystery! I love mysteries, especially when they’re about kids out-smarting adults. The book incorporates art into the story, educating the reader on some pretty interesting art history. The cover and the interior drawings are wonderful.

What I didn’t like: Although it is a mystery, the two kids don’t really use problem-solving or reasoning to solve it. There are way too many coincidences throughout the book, and the finale is pretty disappointing and flat. The two main characters are likable, but it would’ve been more interesting if they had used their intellect to solve the mystery rather than rely on dreams and coincidences. I would’ve liked to have seen them discover clues and then put together the pieces to discover the bad guy and find the painting.

All-in-all, it was well-written and beautifully illustrated, but a bit disappointing throughout.

3 out of 5 stars

My review of The Keys to the Kingdom 1: Mister Monday by Garth Nix

After suffering an asthma attack that nearly kills him, Arthur Penhaligon is saved by a mysterious man in a wheelchair named Mr. Monday that hands him a key -a key that saves his life, a key that puts him in danger. When an army of dog-faced “Fetchers” show up, Arthur knows he must go to the house, the one that only he can see, and unravel the mystery. But, once inside the house, things become much more complicated, and Mr. Monday wants his key back.

The novel starts off great. Fast-paced and captivating, the story gripped me and I wanted nothing more than to keep reading. Until Arthur got to the house. Then the story became incredibly confusing. Mr. Nix did a great job creating a completely different world inside the house, but it is more like a dark, Alice in Wonderland dream and difficult to follow. Several times, I had to go back and re-read something because I didn’t quite understand what Arthur was seeing. I found the story a little too dark and too confusing for my taste.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars