Holding on for Dear Life by Dusti Bowling

What worked:

Bull riding is the backdrop for the plot. Readers will know something about the sport, but a whole book dedicated to it should pique their interest. Readers will learn that riders can only use one hand to stay on the 1,000-pound bucky bulls, and there’s a science to holding the rope. Riders falling off before eight seconds have elapsed do not receive scores. For those who stay on for the full time, judges score them based on their performances and the activity of their bulls. It is almost impossible to earn a high score riding a bull that won’t buck or twist. Readers learn about different bulls, and Canyon shares a brief story about his choice for the greatest bull of all time. The book tries to describe the whole bull riding culture.

Canyon is the main character, and his life presents several conflicts. He loves bull riding, but he’s been seriously hurt many times. Other characters joke that he falls on his head more times than he lands on his feet. However, Canyon doesn’t reveal the truth to anyone; he constantly suffers excruciating headaches and has recurring dizzy spells. His love for bull riding is a means to impress his father and perhaps help the man find a way to fix his life. The father is an alcoholic, and he often neglects the care and supervision of Canyon and his little sister, Josie. Canyon is left to fill the void of his father’s emotional absence, and Canyon’s anger and frustration are building inside of him. He loves playing his fiddle, and it’s the only thing that brings him peace. Canyon is so good with the fiddle that his music teacher suggests he send an audition video to a television talent show. Readers will be able to predict the scheduling conflict that ensues.

Female characters have important roles in this book. Canyon’s grandmother keeps a watchful eye on the children’s welfare and expresses anger when she feels the father is falling short. She takes Canyon and Josie to her home when she sees they’re being neglected or if they’re in danger. Josie appears to be an innocent little sister, but her spunk blossoms as the plot progresses. She loves to have Canyon play his fiddle at bedtime, and these moments offer him solace, too. Finally, Dakota is a close friend, and she shares caring, kind, and playful comments with Canyon. She provides a balance to the bull riding obsession of characters, and Canyon slowly comes to appreciate her company more and more.

What didn’t work as well:

Bull riding and rodeos may not appeal to urban and suburban middle-graders in general. It’s a foreign culture to their lives, so will they want to read a whole book about it? However, Canyon’s issues with his father and the loss of his mother are universal problems, and Josie is an adorable character.

The final verdict:

Canyon’s complicated life creates an emotional, heartfelt story. Bull riding may not be familiar to most middle-school readers, but his family issues and desire to please his father are relatable. I recommend you check this book out for yourself.

Follow the Water: The Unbelievable True Story of a Teenager's Survival in the Amazon by Ellen Cochrane

What worked:

The story is told using present-tense verbs, so readers will feel like the events are happening right then. The book opens with background information describing Julianne’s formative years. This section is important as it shows where she acquired most of her survival knowledge. “Normal” teenagers would probably perish in the Amazon jungle. Julianne’s parents study Amazonian flora and fauna, and they built a home in the jungle to support their work.  Julianne spends most of her formative years in the Amazon, and her father teaches her about plants she can eat and dangers she should avoid. Following the water is an important survival skill he shares, since moving water will eventually lead to humans.

Sidebars are found in each chapter, and they present information relevant to Julianne’s situation. The first question readers will have is how a girl can still be alive after falling into a dense jungle from two miles in the sky. The book shares a scientific explanation. Hungry predators are a constant danger, so the book offers information about piranhas, jaguars, caimans, giant spiders, and various insects, including the screwworm fly. There’s even a part about the harmful effects of eating too much after starving for days. Julianne suffers from many severe injuries, and readers might wonder why she doesn’t succumb to the pain. The book provides information on how the human body responds to severe trauma and stressful situations. Some of the effects aren’t felt until several years pass. Pages at the end of the book share additional material related to the Amazon and how to become a scientist.

What didn’t work as well:

For the most part, middle-grade readers can appreciate Julianne’s ordeals. Some of the descriptions are graphic, especially when screwworm flies lay eggs in her open wounds. Julianne faces harrowing dangers in the jungle, but there’s not a moment when readers will feel her death is imminent. That’s probably due to her superior knowledge of survival.

The final verdict:

The book augments Julianne’s dramatic adventure with facts to describe jungle hazards and the science of her survival. The tale is even more amazing when readers understand that everything described happened to a real, living teenager. I recommend you try the book for yourself.  

The Weirdies #1 by Michael Buckley

What worked:

Obviously, the triplets are odd characters, and their behavior doesn’t fit normal social expectations. Readers should understand that living among a diverse range of criminals and shady personalities can warp the characters' views of the world. Garlic is the youngest and has a love for explosives and fires. The others often defer to her wisdom, but that may be due to her threateningly holding a grenade in her hand. Melancholy believes she can talk to spirits, and she enjoys collecting body parts. Barnacle thinks he can determine others’ futures by examining their skulls. The kids view the world as a violent, selfish place, and being ignored by their parents contributes to that.

Miss Emily’s personality is a strong contrast to the triplets, as she’s loving, caring, and kind. These emotions are unknown to the children, and they think Ms. Emily is weird. She recognizes that the orphans’ violent behaviors will keep them from being adopted, so she adopts them herself. This relationship is the guiding force of the plot, although it’s a rocky road. The kids recognize that Ms. Emily cares for them, so they make an effort to try fitting in. Garlic tries to help a neighbor with his squirrel problem, but he doesn’t appreciate the huge hole she creates in his backyard. Barnacle tells the future of two neighbors walking down the street, but the women don’t respond as readers might expect.

The narrator speaks directly to readers and adds additional humor, as if that were necessary. The opening page warns readers that “characters will suffer tragedies... die in unspeakable ways… Only a truly horrible person would be amused by their misfortune.” The narrator shares reminders of past events and informs readers about the missing Weirdie parents’ activities. The narrator occasionally strays from the topic and shares personal anecdotes, including an apology to her father. It’s all done to enhance the story in order to make it more amusing.

What didn’t work as well:

The main issue is the violence. Parents probably won’t appreciate it, but middle-school readers often like things that aren’t socially acceptable. The book’s resolution will be unexpected, but a sequel will be coming.

The final verdict:

The children may remind readers of the Addams Family kids, Wendy and Pugsley. Their moral standards are abnormal, and the humor may not appeal to everyone. However, those readers with a tolerance for the absurd will enjoy it, and a story of love and family lies at the heart of the tale. Check it out for yourself.

Styx and Stones by Gary D. Schmidt and Ron Koertge

What worked:

Other books have characters leave mythological worlds to enter the human domain, but this book takes the time to describe Simon’s woes in Hades. Upon entering the underworld, he refuses to drink water that will make him forget everything he’s known, and that’s the smartest thing he does. However, Simon is tortured for more than 2,500 years by memories of his family and being alive, and he’s punished thousands of times for trying to escape. The author describes the suffocating atmosphere in Hades and the dreariness of existing among mindless shades. The only positive moments come from Persephone when she allows scholars to educate Simon about math, science, and philosophy.

Simon’s introduction to the modern world is rocky, as he appears naked in a middle-school bathroom. Coming from ancient Athens, he’s immediately angered to learn he’s now in the middle of a school full of their enemies, Spartans. Simon was murdered by a Spartan! Zeke, a seventh-grader, calms him down and tells others that Simon is his cousin from Las Vegas. Obviously, Simon is unaware of middle-school culture, and he misunderstands situations, speaking without foreseeing the consequences. Young readers will smile when a bully gives him the middle finger, and Simon happily returns the greeting. A teacher tries to explain a map of Hades, but Simon ends up drawing an entirely different layout based on his time down there. Simon’s knowledge, maturity, and compassion have positive effects on almost everyone he meets, although a pompous bully probably disagrees.

Simon’s effect on Hades is an expected, thought-provoking aspect of the plot. He holds onto hope for becoming alive again, and he displays a curious, kind disposition. Hades rules his realm with hatred, cruelty, and fear, so Simon’s personality is an annoyance. The other shades and characters don’t know what to do with his kindness, but it slowly becomes the key to his escape. The subtle changes that remain after he leaves cause Persephone to wonder what makes him so different. Simon’s civility and gentleness have lingering effects in the underworld that will make Hades even angrier and vengeful.

What didn’t work as well:

Hades is supposed to be for those who were evil during their lives, so readers will wonder why Simon ended up there. The answer is revealed late in the plot, but it doesn’t seem worthy of being banished to the underworld for eternity. Also, it’s strange that Zeke doesn’t initially question Simon’s sudden appearance at school, even though Simon isn’t wearing clothes and talks about living in Hades. Most middle-school boys would flee when faced by a nude stranger in the school bathroom.

The final verdict:

The book may be more than readers expect. The threat of Hades underlies the whole story, but Simon’s gentle demeanor is the highlight of the book. I recommend you give this book a shot!

Secrets of the Purple Pearl (The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science 2) by Kate McKinnon

What worked:

The characters and story are odd, which should appeal to middle-grade readers. The main characters are the three Porch “sisters” with their unique personalities. Gertrude is the oldest at 13 years, and she is a lover of animals and nature. Staying at the Purple Pearl Hotel evokes memories, and she spends most of the plot trying to make sense of them. Dee-Dee is the youngest, and she has the most useful, creative ideas. She’s always chewing on a toothpick, and she believes she can’t think without one in her mouth; she even gives them names! Eugenia is in the middle, and her sarcasm and emotions are a highlight. The three sisters are guided by Millicent Quibb, a kind mad scientist, and she takes them aboard her Flycycle to sort out the mystery of the Purple Pearl. The oddity of the book creates weird humor.

The KRA is a group of evil mad scientists, and they are the antagonists of the story. The two main evil characters are Majestina DeWeen and Ashley Cookie, Esq. Ashley clearly has a huge crush on Majestina, while she detests his attention. They believe Millicent Quibb died in the first book, so they don’t take the threat of the Porch sisters seriously. Ashley and Majestina are plotting to recover the Purple Pearl from the bottom of a lake using an unusual method. The Porch sisters know it has something to do with a Shrimpmaid, but no one seems to know what that means. The sisters must avoid their Aunt Desdemona during their investigation, since she thinks they’re troublemakers. She would just as soon see them back in an orphanage or returned to the School for Failures.

The secrets behind the Porch sisters’ past are the most emotional aspect of the book. Gertrude’s memories indicate she once stayed at the Purple Pearl Hotel, but she doesn’t know how that’s possible. She’s always making up stories about growing up to make her younger sisters feel good. If she discovers the truth about her past, then she must admit that she’s been lying to Dee-Dee and Eugenia. Growing up in an orphanage brought the three girls together and helped them form their family. Revealing Gertrude’s lies could undermine her sisters’ trust and break the family apart.

What didn’t work as well:

The book is narrated by a non-character named Dr. G. Edwina Candlestank, and readers may have mixed feelings. The narrative is playful when it speaks directly to readers, but there are interruptions throughout the book. At one point, a collection of short bios is shared, giving readers a chance to recover from the story’s drama. The story breaks are amusing, but they’re not necessary.

The final verdict:

This book can be read independently, but I recommend reading the prior book first. I did not, and I missed out on previous knowledge about the KRA and its members. The general plot and storyline are funny and entertaining, and I suggest you check out the book for yourself.

Lost Evangeline by Kate DiCamillo

What worked:

The author is a master storyteller, and readers can imagine hearing the narrator’s voice. The tiny girl, Evangeline, may remind them of Hans Christian Anderson’s Thumbelina. The simple, heartfelt story features rhythmic lines and repetition that almost sound like the narrator is reciting a poem. Evangeline’s special talent is singing, and the lyrics of her song often evoke feelings of love and wonder. Evangeline’s father has always wanted to sail the seas, and they dream of future adventures aboard a fine ship.

Fairy tales often feature character flaws, and the cobbler’s wife suffers from greed, jealousy, and fear. She worries that her husband has been bewitched, so she never accepts Evangeline as a member of the family. In contrast, the cobbler immediately feels a strong affection for Evangeline, and they quickly form a close, loving bond. Their affection for each other permeates the story, and their separation leaves readers with hope that they’ll eventually be reunited. Minor characters create conflict or assistance, and the cat has an especially memorable personality. Evangeline’s kindness will evoke new, positive emotions in the self-centered cat.

What didn’t work as well:

The plot’s resolution may not satisfy readers, as it leaves much to the imagination. There isn’t a clear happy-ever-after ending, but there is a feeling of wonder and hope.

The final verdict:

The author’s writing style consistently delivers engaging, poignant stories, and this book is no exception. The sweet relationship between father and daughter is sure to tug on heartstrings, and I recommend you try this book for yourself.

The Last Dragon House by Liv Mae Morris

What worked:

The early part of the book follows Olly as he is expected to find a job after finishing the fifth grade. He answers an ad for a job opening even though the description says death is a possibility. Readers will be fascinated by the personalities he encounters at the sanctuary for dragons. He’s greeted at the door by a bat-dragon that can translate most dragon languages. Olly’s jobs include wearing down the back scales on Onyx, a stone dragon, and polishing the scales on a giant, deadly wyrm named Amy. Olly must be alert when helping Amy, because she might eat him or add him to her hoard if he’s careless. Amy adds humor to the story, as she often threatens to eat other characters. A smaller, fairy-dragon adores Olly’s hair and becomes an enthusiastic companion.

The author subtly hints at societal problems before revealing the main conflict. Most children must work to help pay for their families’ needs, since rampant poverty is a major issue. Dr. Lady created the Dragon House because humans were killing them for no reason. Onyx tells Olly about humans blowing up the mountain where he lived, killing his entire family living in caves. Many humans died while mining the mountain, and then the mines closed. It didn’t make sense to Onyx. Dragons once lived peacefully among humans until the rich and powerful became angered by how the dragons helped the powerless. Today, wealthy individuals still bribe the ruler to get laws and decisions favorable to their companies and fortunes. Readers slowly learn that the conflict has arrived at the Dragon House.

The synopsis hints at Jenny’s role in the plot, but she doesn’t make a significant appearance until the book’s second half. Early in the book, she finds a creature hidden near the family garden, but her family doesn’t believe her description of a dragon. Jenny’s transformation into performing magic happens slowly and doesn’t become significant until after Dr. Lady is poisoned. The author introduces another character later in the plot who changes the dynamics. Trev doesn’t seem to like Olly and constantly scowls and says everything is stupid. His negativity stands in stark contrast to the cooperation of other characters, but his character provides an opportunity to teach readers a lesson about understanding.

What didn’t work as well:

The story includes many amusing footnotes, but they’re not shared until the end of the chapters. Readers might prefer to see them at the bottom of individual pages, so that the context will be fresh in their minds. The number of dragons can be overwhelming, but the author takes the time to highlight the main characters. Including scenes that feature them individually helps readers differentiate and understand their personalities.

The final verdict:

This is a charming book about the highs and lows of human-dragon relations with underlying messages relevant to today’s society. Olly is the main character, and his compassion, bravery, and honesty make him an admirable, honorable protagonist. Dragon lovers or those looking for adventure will obviously enjoy this book, and I recommend you check it out for yourself!