Chloe Vega and the Agents of Magic by Leslie Adame

What worked:

Chloe’s parents are undocumented immigrants from Mexico, which isn’t a common topic among middle-grade novels. The narrative includes some Spanish words and phrases, but readers should be able to use the context to understand their meanings. The early chapters describe the family’s fear of ICE, and Chloe’s sister is afraid federal agents will grab her parents at any moment. Chloe learns that a new classmate named Tiny is also from an undocumented family, and the author later reveals that a second character’s parents were arrested by ICE agents.

Since there’s a school, there must be bullies, and two characters fill that expectation. Chloe meets Danielle before reaching the academy, and her conflict with Danielle is more personal. Danielle’s father and Chloe’s parents have a contentious history, so Danielle directs that animosity toward Chloe. Jason’s character is pompous and cocky which rubs everyone wrong. He’s overly competitive and isn’t used to losing. An expected aspect of the story concerns how Chloe’s interactions with these two bullies develop over time.

Osthall is the main antagonist, and he wants magic revealed to humans. His anger toward humans comes from their history of persecuting sorcerers, as in the Salem Witch Trials. However, Ora, the head of the Agents of Magic, casts a spell separating the two worlds. Osthall wants to destroy the protective shield, which will let him control humans and make them his slaves. He captures Chloe’s parents to find the location of a powerful gem, and the residual effects of touching Chloe’s arm let him connect with her when she sleeps. These dreams tease her with feelings of hopelessness and have Chloe questioning any trust she might have with the Agents of Magic. The agents also think someone at the academy is passing intel to Osthall, so everyone becomes a suspect.

What didn’t work as well:

The Agents of Magic are sticklers for following human laws in case humans become aware of magic sometime in the future. If the veil is broken sometime in the future, it will be unimportant if the sorcerers followed human laws in the past. It’s only described in the book’s early parts, so it’s not a big deal. Also, astute readers may figure out the identity of the academy spy before it’s revealed.

The final verdict:

It’s hard to write a fresh story about a character discovering her powers, but the Mexican culture and undocumented immigrants help. There’s a spy at the academy, a family feud, an evil sorcerer, and Chloe puts a lot of pressure on herself to keep her parents safe. Overall, this is an exciting new series, and I recommend you give it a shot.

Soni and the Life Drinkers by Shiko Nguru

What worked:

Soni and her friends, the Intasiimi Warriors, have superpowers that help them fight evil in the world. Soni blasts sound energy from her hands, Xirsi can talk to animals and is a genius at research, Mwikali is a seer, and Odwar has super strength. Two of them have already acquired Entasims, objects that amplify their powers, and a girl unexpectedly appears and gives Soni a bracelet. She says she’s a relative, and that the bracelet is Soni’s Entasim. It doesn’t work the way her friends’ Entasims did, so readers are left to wonder why not, and Soni assumes she doesn’t know how to activate it yet.

The Life Drinkers, or Takers, are trying to attain immortality by stealing years of life from Soni’s mentor, Mr. Lemayian. This makes the conflict personal and creates sympathetic emotions in readers. Soni and her friends don’t know how his life is being taken, but they realize the person must be close when it happens. This will cause readers to suspect almost every character they encounter, as they try to unravel the mystery. While this is happening, Mr. Lemayian is slowly wasting away and may only have a few days to live. It may be a prelude to an ultimate battle between good and evil.

The author artfully weaves elements from the Kenyan culture to add authenticity. The book opens with Soni and her dance team practicing for a Vunja Mifupa competition. The Intasimi Warriors snack on plantain chips, flavored milk, or mango juice. Mr. Lemayian greets the kids by saying “Karibu” or “Jambo”. The clothes and homes reflect what readers might find if they visit Nairobi. Evil creatures from folklore called shiqqs attack the warriors on multiple occasions and have different appearances; Mwikali is the only one who can see the true face of a shiqq.

What didn’t work as well:

Soni’s cousin gives her the bracelet, but Soni refers to the girl’s mother as her Evil Auntie. It never occurs to Soni and her friends that a gift from an evil aunt and a cousin she just meets might be a bad thing. Also, there was tension in the conflicts, but it didn’t reach the level of being suspenseful.

The final verdict:

The Intasimi Warriors will appeal to a middle-grade audience, and the inclusion of Kenyan culture makes it even better. I was expecting more from the conflicts, but I still recommend you check it out for yourself.

Sky Battles (Dungeon Runners 2) by Kieran Larwood

What worked:

The camaraderie between Kit and his teammates sets them apart from the other competitors. Kit lacks confidence, although he wants to prove he can be a fierce, brave hero. Sandy is the team’s spell-casting mage but doesn’t know many incantations. She’s conjured a sandcastle spell before, and Kit’s grandfather gives her a staff and a second spell written on paper. Sandy’s main contribution to the group is her positivity and rosy disposition. Thorn is the third member of the team, and he’s a vegan vampire (although Kit and Sandy think he might have eaten something else during the previous competition). He’s the team’s healer but doesn’t see much action this time.

The story has humorous highlights, as you can see from Thorn being a vegan vampire. Kit shows up for his first professional Dungeon Runner competition carrying a sword and shield he made out of wood. Not very handy when battling monsters. Kit wishes the team could get a sponsor, and the only business interested is called Troll Boogers. Apparently, their snot is good for making things stick together. One of the other teams is called the Yarn Stormers, and the team members are made of living string in humanoid shapes. The Gravediggers consist of Dr. Kronkenstein and two assistants made from bits and pieces of former Dungeon Runners. They tend to fall apart in the dungeons.

What didn’t work as well:

Thorn doesn’t have much of a role this time, unless you count knitting the team uniforms with purple and orange yarn. There’s not much character or plot development in this short book, and the challenges don’t develop much drama. There are two bully-like characters, but there aren’t enough interactions to be significant. It feels like the book ends rather than builds to a big climax, which may be because it describes challenges in the first part of the overall competition.

The final verdict:

The short, quick-paced story and abundant illustrations of various monsters are perfect for emerging or reluctant middle-grade readers. It doesn’t seem to be as eventful as the first book, but I still recommend you give it a shot.

Storm Singer by Sarwat Chadda

What worked:

The author creates an imaginative world where birdlike creatures rule over the humans. The garuda call humans Worms because they’re a lower life form, barely worth worrying about. Nargis finds an injured eagle garuda named Mistral, although she likes to call him Birdy. Raptor garudas are the most powerful, and Birdy’s father was the ruler before being captured by a vulture garuda named Shamshir. As you can see, the characters live in a caste system with humans at the bottom. Normally, characters aren’t able to move to higher caste levels, but Mistral’s father has ideas that are not popular among many garudas. The sarcastic banter between Mistral and Nargis is a highlight.

Young readers will root for Nargis, as she’s an unlikely hero. She seems feeble due to her damaged leg and the fact that she must use a crutch carved by her deceased father. She’s been ostracized from her village and lives in a small hut with her Baba. Her lone friend is Arjuna, owned by the greedy, ruthless man controlling the village. Nargis has a magical ability to control the spirits, although she still needs to learn that they can’t be ordered to help. Her songs asking for help have good intentions but the spirits don’t always act as she wants. Readers will wonder why Shamshir wants her dead once he learns Nargis’s connection to her father.

The setting is very important to the events, so readers are constantly reminded of the harsh, dry, barren lands. Nargis assumes her village is worse off than most others until she discovers they’re more fortunate. Nargis and Baba have a well that provides small amounts of water, but the stream running by the village is tainted with yellow poison. Nargis and Baba use spirit singing to help their small garden survive, but everyone else struggles for food. Nargis is banished from the village and ventures into the severe terrain, which reminds readers that it’s unforgiving. The hostile environment forces all the caste groups into competition for survival, with the strongest typically surviving.

What didn’t work as well:

The crippling of Nargis’s leg is a little confusing, as she seems to move about better than expected. The author emphasizes the pain and cramping she experiences, but she’s still able to travel across rocky, hilly terrain and scale a ladder. Also, there isn’t any technology in the book; bows, arrows, spears, and clubs are used as weapons, but Shamshir has a cannon called the Dragon. It’s powerful enough to wipe out a whole village, but its power doesn’t fit the context of the overall book.

The final verdict:

Nargis’s sympathetic character highlights the book, as her story is literally spiritual. The author saves some surprises for later in the book, as Nargis learns of her father’s past history with the garudas. I recommend you give this book a shot.

Skandar and the Chaos Trials (Skandar 3) by A.F. Steadman

What worked:

The author creates uncertainty between the unicorns and their riders. Skandar and his friends are now Fledglings, third-year students at the Eyrie, but their unicorns have reached a rebellious age. They don’t always obey their riders even though they’ve become more connected during the past two years. The unicorn might decide to chase a rabbit, shoot lightning from its horns, or release sparkles from its butt. Readers should expect the unexpected. Skandar’s older sister has a forged bond with a wild unicorn and is connected to all five elements; most riders have one special element. The Weaver forges Kenna’s bond, so everyone is leery and frightened of what Kenna might do.

Skandar and the other Fledglings must pass four Chaos Trials by collecting spirit stones from each of the elements: air, fire, water, and earth. These trials break the book into separate milestones while the longer stories of helping Kenna and locating missing unicorn eggs are going on. Each trial presents different rules and challenges that might result in death or injury. In the first trial, the Fledglings must climb to the top of a mountain that seems to have a mind of its own and doesn’t want to be climbed. The Weaver adds to the danger as Skandar and Flo spot her during two of the trials. Why is she risking being seen, and does she truly want to kill Skandar, her son?

Several subplots are equally interesting. Skandar is afraid of what the forced bond with a wild unicorn might be doing to his sister, especially when he sees what her magic can do. He has an idea of how to fix the bond, but Kenna’s reaction to it is unpredictable. The missing unicorn eggs mean there won’t be any new rider ceremony for the next decade, but Bobby is expecting her younger sister to come this year. Readers don’t see much of the Weaver for most of the book, but the characters can’t figure out what she’s up to. They assume she’s behind the missing eggs, but they don’t know why she might want them. Rex Manning is now in charge of the Silver Circle, and there are concerns that he wants more power. He’s been helping Flo navigate her problems this year, which worries Skandar.

The final verdict:

This book seems to mark a pivotal moment in the series. Two important events occur as the book nears its climax that will surely have a dramatic effect on the future. I highly recommend you read this book, but you’ll enjoy it more if you start the series from the beginning.

Save Noah (Superworld 1) by Yarrow & Carrie Cheney

What worked:

The book’s title refers to a game that normal Noah plays with his superfriends; they put his life in danger and then try to save him. The book opens with Noah having just broken eighteen bones in his body. The premise of the story is very unique, as everyone else in the world has a superpower, and they all want to rescue Noah. In addition, many of the citizens are supervillains with Destructo being the most powerful. The author develops Noah’s low self-image as Noah feels useless among his friends; his six-year-old sister even has two superpowers! Noah is shocked and skeptical when Mobius tells him he’s the only one who can save the world. Ironically, a non-super person may be the savior of all the superheroes.

Noah’s group of friends presents innovative abilities and personalities. Arturo (super name Replay) can do anything his character could have done in a video game. Tabitha (Hairstrike) is an ultra-fast thinker and can wield her hair like super-powered tentacles. Hugh (Hugh-Mongous) is usually rather small but can quickly grow into a huge, powerful fighter. Ivy (Nightingale) is perhaps Noah’s closest friend, and she’s what’s called a Fixer. Ivy can fix anything that’s broken, which means she can repair those eighteen broken bones Noah suffered playing “Save Noah”. The characters are enhanced by fantastic, black-and-white illustrations that depict scenes of them in non-stop action. Readers will encounter pictures every time they turn a page.

The story includes an abundance of humor, some of it being a bit juvenile. Noah’s parents, especially his mother, are overly protective since he doesn’t have any super abilities. His mom grows to a giant size and literally hovers over his school to make sure he’s not being hurt. He goes on dangerous missions with his friends but he can’t let his parents know he’s part of them. His little sister Joy may be six years old, but she’s a sneaky toddler. She’s a big fan of Dr. Destructo, and Noah’s afraid she’ll grow up to become a villain. Noah begins working with the five most popular superheroes and he’s mentally joined with the team. He discovers it can be embarrassing when others know what you’re thinking. In addition, one of the superheroes is an invisible rat who tends to startle Noah when perched on his shoulder. It’s absurd when the characters get super-brain and become uncontrollably obsessed with fighting villains.

What didn’t work as well:

The sense of humor may not appeal to everyone. As mentioned, it’s often silly but entertaining for readers with a tolerance for it. Also, there are a lot of characters, so they’re not fully developed.

The final verdict:

This book is perfect for middle-grade readers looking for superhero humor with awesome illustrations. It may not appeal to everyone but I recommend you find out for yourself.

The Ghost Orb (A Pix and Gabe Adventure 2) by Kate Machon

What worked:

Pix’s character provides uncertainty as her body contains a bit of angel power from the previous book. Other pixies, faeries, and magic folk, including her parents, are leery of her since possessing this magic is unnatural. Pix already has a questionable reputation among the faery folk since her love of pranks is legendary and has gotten her into trouble with the queen. She must still fight the urge to act up, trying hard to gain Gabe’s trust again. She tries to create a charm to release her from Gabe’s angel power, but things go terribly wrong. Unfortunately, Pix doesn’t share a few details about what’s been happening even though Gabe’s bound to find out eventually. It’s hard to build trust when she’s not being totally honest. The story is told through Pix’s eyes so readers will experience all of her fear, anger, mischievousness, and irritation.

Gabe is an angel, and he’s assigned to supervise Pix after her pranks had nearly disastrous consequences. His character is very different from Pix’s since he’s a stickler for rules and doing what he’s supposed to do. His stiffness is in stark contrast to Pix’s playfulness and love for adventure. Gabe’s angel power is quite formidable and it’s often called on to get them out of tricky situations. Pix is frustrated when Gabe must always check with the Brownie Brigade, the Angel Council, or the MDS (Magical Disturbance Section) for permission before doing anything. The MDS monitors for unusual magic, but they haven’t detected the strange orb of light that’s been tormenting Pix and Gabe.

The ball of light adds mystery to the plot as Gabe and Pix have never seen or heard of anything like it.  The MDS doesn’t think it’s harmful or dangerous, but it’s stolen some of Pix’s charms from their van. This may sound unimportant, but Gabe has placed protections on the van so no one should be able to touch it. The problem becomes more serious when Rachel, their giant spider friend, is absorbed by the light and disappears. At first, Pix and Gabe can defend themselves, but the orb becomes more resistant to their spells. It seems to be getting more powerful as it absorbs more things. Gabe thinks the light is targeting him, but Pix thinks there’s more to it. Many unexplained things have happened since Pix released the angel power from her body, and she doesn’t believe in coincidences. And the orb of light is becoming unstoppable.

What didn’t work as well:

Readers may be challenged to understand the differences between pixies, brownies, and angels. Gabe needs Pix’s rainbows to travel long distances but angels and brownies find their modes of travel are better to use as the plot moves along. The orb becomes resistant to Pix’s magic (or faery science) and Gabe’s powers, but Pix’s friend can use her brownie abilities against it. There’s no clear distinction for how the different magics work.

The final verdict:

The exciting adventure finds Pix facing a seemingly unbeatable force with unexpected twists popping up later in the story. This book will appeal to readers who enjoy faery folk and spells and I recommend you give it a shot.

Mary Bowser and the Civil War Spy Ring: A Spy on History Book by Enigma Alberti & Tony Cliff

What worked:

This historical fiction follows Mary Bowser as she collects secrets from the desk of Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy during the Civil War, to help the Union win the war. It includes many facts from this critical time in our country’s history that young readers might not know. They’ll learn that there were four million slaves in the South who had no freedom or rights as human beings. The story mentions famous battles and army officers from both sides, including Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant. Many people might not know that Lee changed the South’s strategies by becoming more aggressive against the North instead of defending Richmond, Virginia. 

The most dramatic aspect of the story is Mary’s role as a spy. It’s incredibly important that she pretend she can’t read to avoid suspicion. She’ll be immediately caught if anyone sees her reading even a single piece of paper. The pseudo-antagonist is another servant who’s mistrustful of Mary from the moment she arrives at Davis’s house and constantly watches her. Mary examines important papers on the president’s desk while pretending to dust the room, always on the lookout for the other servant. Another dangerous part of Mary’s role is passing the information to others in the spy ring. She must be careful to do it unnoticed or her friend or the baker might be hanged as spies. Paragraphs at the end of the book describe the real lives of the main characters and what happens to them after the Civil War ends.

What didn’t work as well:

The plot moves very quickly, so there’s little depth to the plot or character development. The narrator’s voice is like a separate observer, so readers may not make emotional connections with Mary’s character.

The final verdict:

This book shares information about an important time in United States history that may be new to today’s readers. Mary’s perilous role as a spy is engaging, especially when President Davis and other Confederates become aware that their secrets are being passed to the Union army. It’s an educational, exciting tale and I recommend you give it a shot.

Innovative Octopuses, Half-Brained Birds, and More Animals with Magnificent Minds by Christina Couch

What worked:

The common thread connecting the book is studies of how animals think and then comparing them to human brains. It’s pretty comprehensive as it touches on all areas of the brain. The book opens with a study of how the brain interprets messages from the sensory organs, including our reflexes. A quick activity ends the chapter with a test of how quickly people can respond. Jester is a blue-and-green parrot that was mistreated, and scientists are studying how it recovers from trauma and fear. Did you know llamas and pigs can help humans deal with stress? Other chapters address memory, communication, aging, and even sleeping! Connections are made to a goldfish driving a car, sperm whales speaking in different dialects, and birds napping while they fly.

The author relates the animals to specific people, which humanizes the factual information. A war veteran with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is unable to talk about his terrifying experiences with doctors, but he begins to open up while working with Jester. An octopus named Sawyer has fun with his handler and enjoys playing with the toys Zoe brings him. Color photographs and illustrations fill the pages to add visual interest to the topics. In addition to the activities at the end of the chapters, the book includes short sections on related topics. For example, robo-rodents can hop after scientists studied squirrels, and there are jellyfish smaller than pencil erasers that are virtually immortal.

What didn’t work as well:

How the brain works is an abstract concept for many young readers, and the book doesn’t shy away from the relevant vocabulary. Definitions are included throughout the chapters so the meanings stand out and are easy to recall. Young people can still enjoy the animal studies and other pages even if understanding the exact workings of the brain is a challenge.

The final verdict:

The author does a fascinating job of combining scientific information, interesting animals, and related anecdotes, resulting in a remarkable book about the brain. I recommend you give it a shot!

Ain't It Funny by Margaret Gurevich

What worked:

Maya is the main character and has a range of issues that should connect with many young readers. Her parents are separating, and she gets to spend weekends with her father in the city. Maya’s parents still get along okay, but her grandmother constantly makes disparaging comments about her father. Maya gets what she calls “hot, hot, hot” when she’s overwhelmed with emotions. She can feel it slowly creeping up inside her, but she must learn how to deal with it. Maya may have a little OCD in her as she becomes anxious when her teacher changes the classroom routine, and she keeps her colored pencils in a specific order. She can’t effectively communicate to her parents how consuming her anxiety gets, so they downplay it as normal worries. Maya’s mental health is the main topic of the book.

The story has humor that should appeal to middle-grade readers. Maya’s father is an aspiring comic, and the author includes some of his jokes. He gets inspiration from the customers who frequent the family’s Russian deli, although he must be careful not to embarrass Maya’s family. Maya decides to join the sixth-grade talent show because she thinks her dad will spend time with her creating a routine. He gives her a book for beginning comics, and young readers may appreciate some of the book’s tips. Being a professional comedian sounds like it would be a lot of fun, but the story describes the difficult challenges of being discovered.

A curious twist to the story happens when Maya notices her teacher does everything in groups of three. She walks back to the Smartboard after helping three students and taps on a doorknob three times. These observations cause Maya to research for more information, where she learns more about her own anxiety, too. In some ways, it’s a relief to find someone else with anxiety issues, but it doesn’t really help when dealing with stressful situations. She struggles to hold it together while working the counter at the deli, especially when she must serve demanding, irrational regular customers. Her teacher begins visiting the deli too, but that has mixed effects.

What didn’t work as well:

For a book called Ain’t It Funny, the depression from Maya’s anxiety overshadows the humor. It shares the fact that people who seem to have it all together may be battling internal demons. After seeing the title, readers expecting a light-hearted story may be disappointed, but the truth is reality isn’t always fun.

The final verdict:

This is an emotional, heartwarming story of a young girl struggling with her mental health. The underlying Russian culture is uncommon, and Maya and her father’s comedy contributes a little levity to a very serious plot. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot.

How to Survive on the Moon: Lunar Lessons from a Rocket Scientist by Joalda Morancy and Neon Squid

What worked:

At first look, this appears to be a typical kid’s book about traveling to the moon. It has large pages with colorful illustrations that make it eye-catching but young readers will see the difference when they notice the topics covered. It goes beyond the moon’s rocky surface and covers information needed to settle there. Where would people live (in underground tubes), where would they find food (in greenhouses with worms to improve the soil), and what would we use for power? The brief answers to those questions are in underground lava tubes, in greenhouses with worms to improve the soil, and with nuclear and solar power. In addition, who would imagine the potential dangers of moon dust?

The book goes a step further since settling on the moon creates more issues than just surviving. Many people living there will create a society that requires jobs, government, and laws. The people will need to exchange goods and services so what will they use for money? Moon settlers will rely on robots to do dangerous tasks on the surface, such as the construction of buildings and roads. Humanoids can monitor projects and jobs that might be life-threatening for humans. There are a couple of pages dedicated to touring facilities that will be unique to moon life. Psychologists and doctors will study the effects the moon might have on people living there while other sites research new foods, and the moon’s geology, and explore the rest of space using giant telescopes.

What didn’t work as well:

The book is non-fiction so it will most appeal to lovers of space travel. To help young readers, the information is presented in short paragraphs or sentence clusters and it doesn’t try to be overly detailed or comprehensive. It introduces lunar-related topics without getting too complicated for young readers.

The final verdict:

It’s an excellent resource for kids interested in the next step in space exploration. The colorful graphics blend with brief summaries of information about the many issues of settling on the moon. I recommend you give this book a shot.

The Trouble With Heroes by Kate Messner

What worked:

The story is written in verse but the main character’s attitude makes the poetry more palatable for reluctant readers. Finn is an angry 7^th grader and he’s writing different types of poetry to avoid failing his language arts class. He refers to this assignment as his “Stupid Poetry Project”. His early poems are chalked full of sarcasm as he defiantly completes the assignment. He clearly communicates his low self-image and can’t see how anyone would want to be associated with a loser and screw-up. However, readers will notice a subtle change in his tone as he begins to scale different mountain peaks. He even lets the slobbery dog near him.

The novel is written in verse although there isn’t a set pattern. Readers will sometimes recognize haiku because Finn usually points out when he’s using it. He knows this type of poetry has to do with nature so he makes it work to fit the teacher’s assignment. He’s also supposed to use different kinds of figurative language so that will be highlighted too. Most of the narrative is free verse which allows Finn’s character freedom to share his thoughts and feelings. He doesn’t believe in heroes and can find fault with any hero society identifies. His father is considered a hero of 9/11 but Finn’s emotions about him are confused. The truth about his father slowly emerges and Finn tries to reconcile his feelings about his father’s life and death.

The author adds small details to enhance the description of Finn’s quest to scale 46 peaks in the Adirondack Mountains. His problems start when he kicks over the tombstone of Edna Grace Thomas, a legendary amateur climber. Many other climbers wrote to her about their experiences and she replied to every one of their letters. Finn and readers learn later that his father was one of those climbers. Finn’s early disdain for climbing comes through in his automated text reply every time his mom tries to check up on him. “I am not lost in the woods or being stalked by a panther or getting swatted by a bear.” His grandmother owns a chocolate shop and Finn likes to bake cookies after his climbs. He begins to name cookies after his experiences with each peak and his recipes are included. These small details help develop Finn’s character and add a little levity to the story.

What didn’t work as well:

Climbing in the Adirondacks isn’t like being in taller mountain ranges so Finn’s experiences are comparable to strenuous hiking in mountainous areas. There are 46 peaks of similar elevations and terrain so there is some redundancy in his experiences.

The final verdict:

The story is as much about Finn’s emotional journey with grief as it is about scaling all 46 peaks. It’s a heartwarming tale and I recommend you give it a shot.

The Quest for Calinore by Theresa Leyes

What worked:

I like to consider a book’s hook at the beginning and this book’s opening is a little different. Dylan’s twelfth birthday is the age when many characters discover something special about their lives, and he knows what to expect this year. However, while walking to the ice cream shop, he is compelled to change his course and enter an old, dismal-looking shop. Later, his father is drawn to the same shop where he finds an old wooden chest containing an amulet and a small journal with blank pages. While exploring the chest, his birthday present, Dylan experiences the same migraine headache and chest pains that have debilitated his father since he was twelve. To add to the mystery, Dylan and his father are the only ones who can see the strange pitchfork symbol on the forehead of the cranky, old woman living as a house guest. Readers will get a sense of where the plot is headed but the hook will make them curious to read more.

Dylan has visions of a king being killed in a dungeon and discovers they can communicate with each other using the blank journal. Dylan learns he can end the family curse by stopping the evil reign of Mordrid and a sorcerer named Drucilla. The author emphasizes their cruelty by describing Mordrid’s love of torturing and how his lead guard Maggotbreath inflicts ruthless violence on his prisoners. Drucilla secretly plots to get rid of King Mordrid as her evil magic is an overwhelming force. Dylan’s quest is to recover two mystical items, a hidden scepter and Drucilla’s wand, and restore King Paul to the throne.

The supporting cast is a unique blend of characters and personalities. Dylan is aided by an aging witch whose abilities have seen better days and readers won’t know what to expect when she casts spells. The rightful king of Calinore is killed in a prison cell and his soul is now trapped inside the journal with a pirate called Greybeard. King Paul provides helpful advice and motivation for Dylan while Greybeard’s soul is cranky, angry, and has little patience for Dylan. King Paul’s wife and their son have been changed into talking mice and a former assistant to Drucilla now acts as a spying sparrow for the queen. King Mordrid’s prison guards are inept, bumbling buffoons but the head jailer, Maggotbreath, is as malevolent as they come.

What didn’t work as well:

The story shifts settings to focus on various characters but some of these are unnecessary. It’s most important to follow Dylan, Mordrid, and Drucilla as they have the most interesting, conflicting subplots. The end of the book may not be as satisfying as readers would like.

The final verdict:

Young readers will enjoy Dylan’s quest into a magical world of witches, pirates, and even a dragon. There’s a nice blend of drama, humor, and suspense as Dylan tries to end the family curse. I suggest you give this book a shot.

Farther Than the Moon by Lindsay Lackey

What worked:

Character relationships and interactions often create highlights in middle-grade novels. Houston’s guilt for attending camp without his younger brother eats at him. Houston’s pompous roommate, Maverick, annoys everyone he meets and fills the role of bully. Readers later learn his bravado masks untold insecurities. Houston gets butterflies around a pretty crewmate named Tahmina while Freya, a timid girl he meets first, has issues with sensory overload. George adds enthusiasm to the story while Dongjoo produces a popular podcast. The six crewmates must work together for four weeks to pass Challenges and successfully graduate from the JARP.

The plot is an emotional rollercoaster with readers soaring high from successes, plummeting due to conflicts among the team, and sharp twists as unexpected issues arise. Houston’s experience becomes more complicated when he tells the group his grandfather is the famous astronaut, General Carey Broderick. The statement is true but the two characters have never met or spoken to each other. The situation results from a rift between Houston’s grandfather and mom although readers won’t fully understand the details until late in the story. General Broderick makes a surprising appearance at the camp and the truth about his misleading relationship with Houston is revealed. Houston assumes his teammates are angry and no longer trust him which leads to tension and conflict. The crew may be in danger of failing the JARP.

The author includes ample information about astronauts and space travel. Houston has a list of his favorite astronauts and Freya has her top female astronauts printed on a t-shirt. Grandpa tells Houston about Saturn rockets that powered missions into space and shares how his most famous spacewalk was complicated by mishaps. Houston and his crew are constantly reminded their crew comes first as they complete tasks based on space missions. They replicate the near-disaster of Apollo 13 by creating an object from a pile of parts without having any pieces left over. There are opportunities in every chapter for the author to include space trivia.

What didn’t work as well:

There are moments when the narrative becomes informative and some readers may feel it’s too much. However, the author smoothly melds the space facts into the story so it’s not really a problem. It’s natural to share information when first arriving at the facility or while touring areas with historical displays.

The final verdict:

This book is perfect for space lovers, especially those with an interest in astronauts. It’s a sensitive, heart-warming tale of Houston’s love for his brother and how he finds unexpected support from new friends. Overall, this story will appeal to a wide range of readers and I recommend you give it a shot.

The Rise of the Sand Spirits (Paper Dragons 2) by Siobhan McDermott

What worked:

The book’s first half finds Zhi Ging and other Silhouettes trying to pass twelve challenges. Silhouettes are apprentices to the Cyo B’Ahon, or immortals, and the challenges require them to master twelve different disciplines including Perseverance, Recall, Concealment, and Perception. The tasks Zhi Ging and her friends face differ from what readers might expect. The story includes a bully named Iridill but Zhi Ging can’t understand why the girl’s so mean. She goes out of her way to verbally attack Zhi Ging and uses fear to manipulate others. Strange, painted yellow lines begin to appear on the walls and Iridill tries to direct suspicions in Zhi Ging’s direction. Zhi Ging fears it could doom her hopes of passing the twelve challenges and becoming a Cyo B’Ahon.

The author creates a mystical, magical setting under the sea. How many books incorporate a phoenix along with jellyfish of different sizes helping the immortals train the Silhouettes? Jellyfish assist by recording stories, carrying messages, supervising the students, and doing other tasks for the immortals. Early in the book, cut paper birds are animated and protect Zhi Ging. In the previous book, many of the Silhouettes became thralls, minions for the antagonist named Ami, and Zhi Ging now discovers they’ve been frozen into statues. The Silhouettes are protected by Cyo B’Ahon with talents in Prediction and they’re supported by battle cranes. The book’s second half shifts to a more desert-like setting and presents even more imaginative descriptions.

Zhi Ging and her mentors suspect the Matchmakers are doing some shady things. Children have been disappearing but no one is sure why they’re being targeted or where they’ve gone. The Matchmakers aggressively try to force kids to eat buns they’ve made but Zhi Ging discovers grains of sand in the middle. This detail draws Sand Spirits into the plot and opens many new questions. Sand Spirits don’t work with humans so what would make them become allies with the Matchmakers? It seems to have something to do with an upcoming ceremony. Zhi Ging learns something about her past that rocks her world and has her questioning her life. Is she the reason behind the abductions of children?

What didn’t work as well:

This book doesn’t recap the backstory so readers will need to have clear memories of what’s already happened. The setting and language are unique to the story and readers need to have a working knowledge to follow along. It can be challenging at times.

The final verdict:

You should read Paper Dragons: The Fight for the Hidden Realm before reading this book. Blending Chinese folklore into the story creates an imaginative adventure with memorable characters. It’s a gripping tale and I recommend you give it a shot.

Where There Be Monsters (The Outersphere Series 1) by Alby C. Williams

What worked:

Glory dreams of becoming a Spherinaut and searching for and studying magical creatures. Her mom is the greatest Spherinaut today and people across all the lands reference the Brown Books her ancestors have written to navigate an uncertain world. Glory knows something strange is going on with magic as she’s frightened by a small, tree-like creature in the Light Inn’s garden. Most of the monsters she knows are friends to humans but there are level four beasts that are wild and dangerous. There’s clearly a surge of feral monsters happening but this outbreak doesn’t seem to be from natural causes.

All children are born with Moxie which Glory’s parents believe is connected to curiosity. Older people lose their Moxie so readers might infer this means adults are less inquisitive. For some reason, monsters are repelled by Moxie so Glory feels protected from potential dangers she might face in the world. Glory’s mind tends to jump around from thought to thought, her father calls it mazy head, and he often reminds her to slow down. Young readers will admire Glory’s desire to find answers and her determination to explore the Outersphere. Her family’s motto is “Let kindness be your guiding light and knowledge be your shelter”. Glory’s an obedient daughter and is proud that she doesn’t know how to lie but is she willing to disobey her parents and help a person in need? Glory is another young character in a middle-grade book who doesn’t fully appreciate the lethal threats lurking beyond her safe haven.

The story has an underlying plot of mystery and intrigue. The unnatural surge of monsters has everyone worried and trying to understand its cause. Glory’s mother believes it's related to the mining of magical siphonite leaving pockets under the ground. Readers will slowly suspect something suspicious is going on with the siphoning of magic. Gertrude Paxton, former head of the Dominicule of Siphonry, is vying for more power and Glory hears the woman’s name or reads about her everywhere. Then there’s Marcus, the Parliament student Glory is helping. He’s wearing a cursed charm and was told to deliver a secret message but he won’t say who gave it to him. Glory touched the charm once so she’s now cursed too. These events describe a secret conspiracy and Glory finds herself thrown into the middle of it.

What didn’t work as well:

The relationship between Glory and Marcus is puzzling at times. They’re working together to break Marcus’s curse but manage to bicker over comments each other makes. Also, Glory gives him a hard time about the effects of his curse but there’s little talk about the fact that she’s cursed too. Some of their comments are confusing.

The final verdict:

This adventure/mystery will entertain young readers as the characters attempt to discover the cause of the monster surge. Magic is used as an energy source but the characters can’t use it as their own special powers. It’s an interesting twist on magic and a select school for young characters and I recommend you give it a shot.

The Peach Thief by Linda Joan Smith

What worked:

The story will immediately please readers who love underdogs as the book opens with Scilla scaling the walls of the earl’s garden. She’s homeless and spends much of her day trying to ignore, or appease, the burning hunger in her belly. Rather than beg for food, Scilla and her friend have learned to steal it. They’re usually successful enough to settle their stomachs but the book’s opening scenes find Scilla caught trying to steal the earl’s peaches. She also breaks a vine and tree that have been carefully nurtured over the years so she’s in big trouble. Her friend taught her that boys are given more leeway so she says her name is Seth. This begins her adventure as a boy as she tries to stay alive and out of jail.

Much of the plot concerns Scilla’s efforts to not let anyone know she’s a girl. She calls herself Seth Brown and most of the other characters call her Brownie. She stays in a shed on the Earl’s property which allows her to change clothes and have some privacy from everyone else. She must be careful of her higher-pitched voice giving away her secret as well as the physical changes on her chest. Scilla begins to take a liking to a boy named Phin which presents another complication to her life. The story of Scilla’s secret ties the whole book together but her real dream is to find a home with people who care for her.

Two supporting characters contribute to the drama in different ways. Phin acts as a mentor for Scilla as she adapts to life on the estate. He has a talent for charming others that keeps him out of trouble. His charm has a strong effect on Scilla and causes her to make some questionable choices. The caretaker of the earl’s gardens is Mr. Layton and he begins to take a special interest in Scilla. He works with her one-on-one to learn new skills and encourages her to read any gardening books that interest her. However, some of the other boys are disgruntled about the attention she’s getting and she doesn’t want to cause any trouble. Scilla also knows Mr. Layton trusts her so she’s concerned that she might let him down.

What didn’t work as well:

The book opens with Scilla sneaking into the earl’s garden to taste a fresh peach. She’s caught trespassing and spends the rest of the book working with the plants. Some young readers might not be interested in gardening and cultivating all kinds of fruits and vegetables but that’s what’s happening throughout the story. It’s a fitting backdrop for Scilla’s struggles.

The final verdict:

Gardening is a big part of the story so this book won’t appeal to everyone. However, the tale of Scilla trying to find a loving home is captivating and will touch readers’ emotions. Overall, I recommend you give this heartfelt story a shot.

Ista Flit and the Impossible Key (Tidemagic 2) by Clare Harlow

What worked:

Almost all of the characters have abilities that come from tidemagic so they’re called Tide-Blessings. Ista is able to change her appearance into that of anyone she’s previously seen. Ruby always lands on her feet and Padley, co-owner of a restaurant, moves small metal objects, not always intentionally. Giddon is the other co-owner of the Fabulous Fletwin and sometimes gets short glimpses of the future when he sleeps. Nat is the one character without magic but his dream of becoming a reporter gives him strong observational skills. Alexo Rokis is a curious character because it’s unclear if he’s a helper or someone the others should fear. He doesn’t have any Tide-Blessings but as a gelkin, he can perform magic anyhow. Readers will enjoy watching characters interact to see how their different priorities combine, or conflict, with each other.

Much of this book is set on Glass Island which used to be where criminals were sent. No one from Shelwich ever goes near it. Readers immediately know this island will be trouble when Ista steps through a portal. She meets a character who tries to lure her through a mysterious archway but she senses its danger. She’s searching for her missing father and thinks he probably followed the music coming from the archway. She senses it will be dangerous to go there herself but she comes up with a plot when her friends arrive. However, much of it depends on what they’ve learned from a new character named Tamlin but he’s keeping secrets from them.

The real intrigue of the story surrounds marsh spinners and the trouble they’ve created. Their new queen feeds off fear and chaos so her marsh spinners are constantly hunting for humans to trick. Ista is told not to make any deals with them even if they offer a free favor. It’s similar to reading the small print in contracts where something harmful is hidden among the words. Marsh spinners can twist the words in any agreement so characters must take care with how things are said. This makes readers aware of the potentially dangerous consequences of interacting with spinners so they’ll anxiously anticipate the uncertainty of future events. The overwhelming power of the queen’s music only adds to the doubt that Ista’s plans will go smoothly.

What didn’t work as well:

The wicked queen uses magical music to control unsuspecting victims and it affects Ista and her friends too. The line between losing control and fighting off the effects is fuzzy as the author describes characters beginning to sway to the beat. They’ve taken measures to combat the music but still feel themselves beginning to fall under its spell. How do they repeatedly feel the music’s influence but somehow fight it off? Why does willpower fight off the music’s influence, until it doesn’t, but then it does again? It’s not a big issue but it may cross readers’ minds.

The final verdict:

It’s not absolutely necessary to read the previous book first but it will help to understand the characters and backstory. The author has crafted an imaginative adventure that requires clever minds to navigate tricky language and surprising plot twists. Overall, this is a very entertaining book and series, and I recommend you give it a shot.

I Know What UFO Did Last Summer (Alien Survival Guide 1) by Kevin Garone

What worked:

Having Marv tell the story is interesting because he’s convinced an alien invasion is imminent. In most books, characters who believe in conspiracies have minor roles while this book makes Marv the main focus. He calls himself Gold Leader, his best friend Jace is Baller One, and his new girl neighbor Nora is named Space Cadet. Marv lets an alien-invasion guidebook control his life and the book opens with an observation mission/campout atop an abandoned fire ranger tower. It’s strange to be inside Marv’s mind when he expects anything unusual to be a sign of an alien invasion. His wacky interpretations of everyday sights and events add amusement to the story. He’s frustrated when others don’t agree with his conclusions but he’s equally unwilling to consider he might be wrong.

Each chapter opens with an excerpt from How to Survive an Alien Invasion: Your Guidebook to an Inevitable Future. These lines are related to the events in their chapters without sounding overly serious. They cover how aliens might infiltrate society, the importance of monitoring the skies, what to do if you’re being chased by an alien, and the reluctance of the public and authorities to take action after you report a sighting. Don’t run into the streets yelling, “They’re here!” These excerpts offer consistency and cohesion to the overall story and temporary pauses in the non-stop action.

About a third of the way into the book, the plot takes a twist in whole new direction. Nora’s just moved to the area with her father and Marv finds all his electronic equipment suspicious. Nora’s the first one to notice a flashing light in the forest which leads Marv, Jace, and Nora to discover a large, cylindrical “spaceship” with an “alien” dressed in black suit wearing a helmet. Further snooping reveals Nora’s father is connected to this site and he’s keeping secret from his daughter. Then, Marv notices a red pickup truck slowly cruising the streets and wonders if it’s part of the alien sighting. He confronts the man and woman in the truck and is relieved to see their Department of Homeland Security badges. However, this moment is when the story heads in a new, unexpected direction.

What didn’t work as well:

There’s little character development as the story immediately jumps into Marv’s campout. Readers don’t know what made him so obsessed with the alien invasion that’s consumed his life. Amazingly, his character continues to speak of an alien invasion even after the plot takes its dramatic turn.

The final verdict:

This book will appeal to science fiction lovers who don’t mind a story that’s not overly serious (even though several characters perish). The second half of the book requires Marv and his friends to stop a potential threat to world peace. Overall, it’s a fun book and the resolution leaves readers with an unresolved question.

Abeni and the Kingdom of Gold by P. Djeli Clark

What worked:

The book builds anticipation from the first page by introducing the Witch Priest’s daughter, Fulan. She’s summoned to her father’s underground throne room surrounded by heat, fire, and molten rock. The Witch Priest displays his ruthlessness by torturing a follower who failed a mission. Fulan is detained on her way there by a huge, muscular creature. The author shows off her viciousness as she quickly dispatches him and cuts the topknot from his head as a trophy. The Witch Priest orders Fulan, and a terrifying hunter, to track down Asha and bring her back to his throne. Fulan has flickering memories but readers can’t predict how they might affect her. Abeni is protecting Asha from the Witch Priest so readers will anxiously expect a future confrontation with Fulan.

The author creates a cast of characters with a variety of personalities, including one antagonist. Abeni plays the role of peacekeeper for her group, especially when Ama, princess of the Gold Kingdom, joins the story. Ama has a superior air of royalty but the other characters are chafed when she tries to order them around. Zaneeya is a spirit who transforms between a young girl and a panther and she’s more vocal about her irritation than the others. Zaneeya faces her problems head-on and often wants to resolve them with violence. Nyomi is a timid, porcupine spirit girl who loves to eat and has no problem munching on grubs, worms, and bugs she digs up in the dirt.

The author artfully creates a wide range of emotions as the plot’s suspense grows. Zaneeya and Nyomi add levity through starkly different means. Nyomi disappears at the first signs of violence while Zaneeya enjoys antagonizing others, especially Ama. Ama is torn between her role as princess and the despicable deeds her people have inflicted on others. She’s even more confused and upset when she learns the history she’s known all her life is wrong. The presence of the Witch Priest and Fulan invokes feelings of danger and malevolence which only grow as their influence spreads throughout the lands. Asha always projects feelings of calm when she speaks and shares words of knowledge and reason.

What didn’t work as well:

Readers who haven’t read the first book may be puzzled about the references to Abeni’s past deeds.  She leads her group of friends and can wield a staff with skill during battle but she doesn’t seem to possess any special abilities. Fulan calls her a sorceress but Abeni’s greatest powers seem to come from kindness, leadership, and a determination to do what’s right. The author reveals more about Abeni’s powers at the end of the book.

The final verdict:

This book can be enjoyed by itself but I suggest you read the prior one first. The story contains non-stop adventure and Abeni’s group offers a variety of curious characters. Abeni and Fulan go through huge changes and Ama must change too. I recommend you give this book a shot.

What Fell From the Sky by Adrianna Cuevas

What worked:

The book includes elements of historical fiction as it’s set in 1952 Texas. The Korean War is going on and Communism is a major threat to the United States and democracy. The Cold War is brewing and the book opens with Pineda’s class under their desks, practicing a nuclear bomb drill. Pineda’s father and most of the men in Soledad served in World War II so a feeling of patriotism is strong. An army corporal knows white soldiers don’t like taking orders from him since he’s black. People don’t have a high tolerance for things that are different so Pineda doesn’t feel fully accepted due to his half-Cuban heritage. Interestingly, the Author’s Note at the end of the book says the military exercise that’s so important to the plot actually happened in Texas.

The author has the alien, Luisa, resemble humans to make her more relatable to young readers. She has one head, two legs, two arms, and white hair but there are differences beyond that. Close observation will show she has two pupils in each eye and two eyelids covering them. Her six toes on each foot can be covered by shoes but her light gray skin is harder to hide. She doesn’t understand human languages but she seems to be a quick learner. Luisa’s parents explore life on different planets so she’s used to encountering other life forms. Body language and tone of voice help her grasp emotions but she doesn’t understand why some people hate others because of skin color.

The chapters alternate between Pineda and Luisa as they share contrasting points of view. Pineda’s protective side kicks in as he makes it his responsibility to keep Luisas safe. He can identify with Luisa feeling different from white people and his chapters include subtle, and some blatant, insults he hears from other citizens. Luisa’s chapters share her confusion and fear as she tries to make sense of the world. Some moments are highlighted by single letters like B is for barn, H is for headache, or C is for confused. The author changes the chapter pattern late in the book as she features several other characters. This variation shows how the town finally begins to work together although the community fair at the end demonstrates they still have a way to go.

What didn’t work as well:

Luisa’s chapters are told as though readers are in her mind but the narrative is written in perfect English. It’s confusing when her mind says she doesn’t understand what’s happening or what is said yet the narrative clearly explains those very ideas. One chapter about her is very short and basic and it better displays how her mind might be working.

The final verdict:

This seems to be a simple, innocent story of an alien on Earth but readers will discover it has heart. Pineda and his friends are determined to help Luisa even though she’s different and only wants to go home with her parents. Young readers will enjoy the innocent alien and the pranks unleashed to help her escape. I recommend you give this book a shot.

Wicked Never Waits (The School for Wicked Witches 2) by Will Taylor

What worked:

This book has a different feel from the first book due to Ava’s wishy-washy decisions. She ran away from the Swickwit and the School for Wicked Witches last time but this book opens with her trying to return. She’s still accompanied by Crow, an underperforming student, and Henry, a giant who shrank to human size from a curse. They’re welcomed back by the headmaster but there are consequences for running away last month. Ava feels overwhelmed from trying to catch up on lessons she’s missed but the punishment is taking up all of the time she might have to study. She thinks it isn’t fair but rule breakers don’t get to complain about the penalties they must pay. Ava is back at the academy but doesn’t have the same feeling.

Vivienne Morderay is the villain as she tries to become the most powerful, evil witch ever. Tinabella, Ava’s roommate, has the same goal so she idolizes Vivienne. Vivienne wants revenge against the school’s headmaster but she can’t penetrate its protective wards. Readers were introduced to her character in the first book when Ava made a deal to free a gargoyle. However, Vivienne always plans ahead and figuratively plants seeds through Ava to attack the school. She hopes to get her hands on a book in the school library that may be just what she needs to make her powers unbeatable.

Ava, Henry, Crow, and Tinabella must work together to save the school. Warden Pike and the other teachers guarding the school are trapped by Vivienne and will soon die if she doesn’t receive the magic book. Ava and her friends must use their individual talents to venture into unexplored areas of the school where they’ll new, quirky characters. They must solve cryptic clues to find the elusive book. Readers will wonder about Tinabella since she seems to have mixed motives. Help her friends save the school or impress her idol, Vivienne Morderay?

What didn’t work as well:

Readers may want to see Crow and Henry play a bigger role especially since little was known about Crow in the first book. He’s finally discovered his magic so it would be nice to see it incorporated more. The book also makes references to the land of Oz so readers might be searching for more from that story.

The final verdict:

This book shares a fun twist on what it means to be a wicked witch. Ava and her friends won’t be able to overpower Vivienne’s magic so they must use their teamwork and wits. You can still enjoy this book without reading the first one and I recommend you give it a shot.

The Guardian's Quest (The Magic Paintbrush 2) by Kat Zhang and Eric Darnell

What worked:

The previous book introduces readers to Amy and the magic jade paintbrush and this book provides enough information to get the gist of the backstory. Amy’s grandmother was the previous guardian of the magic paintbrush and Amy’s still learning how to take her place. Amy unexpectedly creates a portal to a fantasy world where she encounters an old woman living inside a cage. Minli says the paintbrush’s power must be recharged every 500 years so Amy accepts a quest that will create the magic. Readers will be leery to believe Minli’s story and it’s puzzling when her cat shows up later to help Amy and her two friends. The cat gets annoyed when Amy asks for help but he gets irked anyway when she acts like she doesn’t need it. Its surly attitude and questionable actions make readers wonder if the cat is a friend or a foe in disguise.

Luna is a humorous character and his impulsiveness is sometimes surprisingly helpful. He has the body of a tiger and the wings of a bird, although tiger claws aren’t great for holding things. He has the enthusiasm of a little kid but is fiercely protective of Amy. That might be because he’s only existed since Amy created him in the first book. His ability to fly makes him an excellent scout and his sense of smell makes him immediately suspicious of Minli and Cat. Many young readers like to see animals in books so they’ll be overjoyed with this large, cute, energetic creature. The bummer is when Luna disappears and is absent from the story.

The quest seems straightforward without any complications but of course, that’s not the way things go. Minli gives Amy a time limit for the quest which adds an unspoken countdown clock as the plot progresses. Characters can magically change their appearances so readers should always question the motives of anyone Amy meets. Is generosity coming from a kind heart or is it bait for a trap? The quest tasks seem simple enough, such as collecting sap from a specific tree, but surprises await Amy at every stop. The cat begins to regain some of its lost memories and shares tidbits of information making her question the whole mission. Amy envisions praise from her grandmother and Minli after she collects the ingredients to recharge the paintbrush but what if her efforts create a more terrible problem?

What didn’t work as well:

The characters can be developed more as we know little about Amy other than being the guardian of the magic paintbrush. Also, Luna’s disappearance leaves a big void in the story. His bold personality creates a presence in the story and readers will miss him when he’s not there.

The final verdict:

The plot is fast-paced with plenty of action that will appeal to young readers. The magical world leads to a wide range of characters that will keep readers guessing. The conflict’s resolution is predictable although events during the quest offer surprises. Overall, this book offers an imaginative story and I recommend you give it a shot.

Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Age of Enchantment by Anna James

What worked:

The characters of Whetherwhy fall into different magical focuses related to the “five” seasons. Children of age go through a ceremony to identify the season guiding their futures. Spring is the season of creation, summer is for revelation, autumn is the power of transformation, and winter is to soothe and calm. An exception is the citizens who can use powers from all the seasons and become enchanters. Juniper is the main character when she’s identified as an enchanter and is sent to Thistledown Academy for her schooling. Readers will join her as she learns to control her powers. A unique aspect of these abilities is the enchanters weave strands of magic from different seasons to create spells. Think of it like sewing together the ingredients of a recipe.

The plot is fairly uneventful until Juniper’s trip to Thistledown offers readers a taste of what’s to come. She doesn’t understand how a horse-drawn carriage can complete a two-day trip before school starts tomorrow morning. The driver, Nimbus, picks up two more beginning students including Zinnia, a pompous rich girl, who readers will notice flaunts her superior attitude throughout the story. At an inn, the children encounter several threatening men and something unexplainable happens to Juniper. Juniper’s twin brother Rafferty reenters the book about a third of the way in when he takes an apprenticeship to be nearer his sister. He meets Jessy, another apprentice, and readers will immediately sense the mystery she brings to the book when she tells Rafferty, “Keep your wits about you.” This subplot creates the plot’s conflict and merges with Juniper’s story in the end.

The author creates intrigue through cryptic descriptions. Juniper’s strange experience at the inn has never been seen before and it delays her learning at Thistledown. She’s unable to summon her magic like the other students but she’s assured her powers will come back shortly. Juniper wonders if that’s true. The queen has been hiring more enchanters than expected but there’s little evidence of what they’re doing for her. A secret society is meeting at the bindery where Rafferty works and he learns there’s a connection to the death of Jessy’s parents. This group presents a mystery that Rafferty and Jessy will need to solve.

What didn’t work as well:

The story shifts between Juniper and Rafferty with each shift going on for several chapters. The downside is it breaks the flow of each plot and requires remembering what happened before rejoining each one. However, these separate subplots are necessary as there are two distinct stories and settings to be covered.

The final verdict:

This is a fun, suspenseful adventure of young characters learning to use seasonal magic. Many books have characters with new powers become superior to others but Juniper merely displays a special aptitude for her ability. It makes her more humble and relatable. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot.