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.