Finding Lila (The Adventures of Raini 2) by Licia Chenoweth

What worked:

A mysterious man tells Raini that she can see her mother if she doesn’t say anything to her father. Raini was a baby when her mother left, so she jumps at the chance. However, the effect of this misadventure is that the setting shifts to New York City, miles away from her grandfather, Mo. Gerry, her father, thinks someone is trying to kidnap her by using her mother as bait, so he restricts her privileges and has an adult stay with her while he’s at work. Finding her mother becomes an obsession for Raini and steers the plot for the rest of the book. She sneaks around, looking for clues, until Gerry finds out and threatens to send her to Scotland, again. Detectives are investigating the possible kidnapping, and Gerry’s deathly afraid for his daughter’s safety.

Raini meets a delivery boy from the deli across the street, and she thinks he’s her only friend. However, Cecilio is forbidden from seeing her anymore after her photograph gets posted in the New York Times. Gerry is livid because the picture may expose her to more danger. Cecilio displays flowers of different colors, and Raini looks forward to seeing them each day. Gerry forbids any further contact between them, which creates underlying tension from that point on. Raini’s behavior causes Gerry’s distrust, but Raini is angered that Gerry is keeping secrets about her mother. Gerry frequently tells Raini she must trust him on this, but their communication breakdown creates further conflict and unease.

What didn’t work as well:

Raini often disobeys her dad, and the behavior has been consistent in the first two books. It seems like she wants to be a loving daughter, so it’s hard to believe how quickly she can misbehave behind Gerry’s back. She apologizes to him every time she’s caught, but then quickly goes against his wishes. It’s hard to sympathize with her character when she constantly deceives her father and rarely considers how her behavior affects Gerry’s feelings.

The final verdict:

This book is more dramatic than the first one, as the conflict surrounding Raini’s mother is more serious. I suggest you start with book one to fully understand relationships and backstories. I recommend you check this book out yourself. 

The Boy with the Living Shadow (MIriwan Academy 1) by Anas Hakeem

What worked:

Adam’s character will generate sympathy, as he’s remained unadopted for ten years. He’s bullied by the “tall boy”, insulted and singled out by the nasty director, and is forced to live alone in the orphanage’s dismal attic. Then, a gnome transports him into a new life of magic. He’s adopted by a woman who once knew his mother, but no one knows anything about his father. Readers will anticipate that his father’s identity will become significant sometime in the future. Also, Adam displays unusual abilities with his new power, after he infuses some of his energy into a non-living companion he creates and calls Jumperjeans. Not to mention, his shadow seems to have a mind of its own when Adam feels strong emotions. This adds unpredictability to the story.

The book uses vocabulary that probably won’t be familiar to most readers. The story opens in Algiers, so the author incorporates words that reflect the culture and religion there. In addition, he creates words that are necessary to describe the magic in the story. Young readers should be able to understand the meaning by using the context in the story and sentences. Adam and others with magic are called Gushmars, and the magic itself is called Gushoolah. Adam’s adopted brother, Daniel, manifests his Feranimus on his Sunderday. Most of the Gushmar students at Miriwan Academy have already welcomed their animal companions, but readers must wait for Adam Feranimus to emerge. The Gushoolah in some students will never be strong enough to celebrate a Sunderday. Adam’s lack of a Feranimus will have readers wondering what animal he will have, or if he will ever get one.

The author incorporates aspects of fictional and real schools to keep the setting familiar, but adds his own twists. Adam attends a school for magic, but the Gushmars’ powers boil down to three areas. They can manipulate objects and perform telekinesis, they can create illusions, and they can make objects and themselves invisible. Adam’s shadow tends to do things without his control, and this can be frustrating, confusing, and sometimes helpful. Some magic is conjured with concoctions, but most of the magic in the story comes from the Gushmars exerting their powers. An underlying conflict with sundering and feranimi is brewing throughout the plot and eventually comes to a head in the climax.

What didn’t work as well:

There are quite a few characters with uncommon English names, so readers may mentally double-check their memories when the characters pop up. This is not a huge concern, but it’s something young readers might experience as they read.

The final verdict:

The author presents some innovative ideas about magic, but keeps everything familiar enough for young readers. Adam’s kindness and empathy for others are admirable qualities, and he’s determined to uncover secrets and save all Gushmars. I recommend you try this book for yourself!

My Thousand Treasures (The Adventures of Raini 1) by Licia Chenoweth

What worked:

The story breaks down into two main parts. The opening chapters describe Raini taking a gold coin that thieves left on the beach and fleeing the beach patrol. She reluctantly tells her cousin, Ian, what she’s done, and they form a shaky alliance to keep it a secret. The tension amps up when one of the thieves lurks outside their home, and Ian becomes especially distressed. The situation becomes more complicated when a couple of things happen. A professor tells Raini that the coin may be very valuable, which means she’s in a bigger mess than she thought. Also, the plight of an old, widowed woman is connected to the coin, and time is running out to save her home from destruction. Readers will become engrossed in Raini’s thrilling adventure as she tries to evade danger and trouble while trying to make things right.

The second main part involves Raini’s relationship with her father, Gerry. Raini feels no love for him, since he only recently entered her life. Gerry didn’t know Raini existed before that, so readers will need to decide how they feel about the situation. Gerry is trying hard to connect with his daughter, but she’s doing all she can to push away. Some of that is due to her strained feelings, while some of it is due to the time-sensitive adventure mentioned above. The pair tries to navigate Raini’s disrespect and impulsiveness, and Gerry’s family plans to help them grow closer. About halfway into the book, Raini learns their bond is even more confusing when her father texts that he knows about the coin.

What didn’t work as well:

Gerry and Raini’s great aunt are Scottish, and Ian has just returned from living there. The author tries to use alternate spellings to reflect their Scottish accents, but that strategy isn’t overly successful. Most young readers won’t be familiar enough with the variation in dialect, so they won’t appreciate the author’s efforts.

The final verdict:

Raini is a headstrong young girl who should connect with many middle-grade readers. Her mother left when she was a baby, and the book’s resolution revisits the topic. It seems likely that it will become part of the sequel. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot.

Theft of the Ruby Lotus by Sayantani Dasgupta

What worked:

Ria has a complicated relationship with her mother. Her mother works for the Metropolitan Museum, but she spends much of her time trying to get relics returned to the countries from which they were stolen. The book opens with the mother announcing that Ria and her grandmother will be moving to Germany with her. The mother is not present for much of the story. Ria doesn’t understand why her mother suddenly left the museum, or was fired, so Ria is left to make up answers when problems and questions arise. A news article reports that robbers attempted to steal a legendary sword from India, but they were only able to pry a large, red ruby from it. Then, Ria finds the ruby and a cryptic message in an envelope mailed to her mother. Did her mother help steal it? Who mailed it?

The plot is the mystery surrounding the sword and the stolen ruby. Who stole the Ruby, and why was it mailed to Ria’s mother? Who is the cute boy Ria meets outside the museum? He keeps showing up, but Ria’s friends don’t trust him. Who are the two women they keep seeing, and are they part of the Lotus Society, a radical group started in the early 1970s? Is the Lotus Society still active, and are they the thieves targeting the sword and ruby? How much trouble are Ria and her friends in for attempting to return the ruby to the museum?

Each chapter is titled with “In Which…” and three comments that hint at events to come. For example, one chapter is titled “In Which We Make a Discovery in a Bathroom Stall, Concoct a Concept of a Plan, and Get Spied On.” Another says, “In Which We Are Suspects on the Run, Hide Behind Some Gods, and Do a Little Bit More Stealing.” The titles prepare readers for the chapter, and some of them add a little humor. A section after the plot’s resolution provides information about some concepts in the story. Repatriation is at the heart of the conflict, holograms become important, and ideas about the Indian queen and sword are based on real history.

What didn’t work as well:

Ria, Annie, and Miracle come from three different cultures, but it doesn’t work as well in this book. Ria has some Indian in her; the narrative is told in her first -person voice, and the sword comes from India. Her culture is well-represented, but details about the other ones are somewhat lost amid the adventure and descriptions of the Indian culture. Perhaps the other cultures will be more important in the future, but they didn’t work as well as they might have.

The final verdict:

The mystery offers twists and turns, as Ria and her friends try to identify their opponents and repatriate the sword and ruby to India. Young readers will learn a bit about Indian culture as the characters avoid trouble and danger all around New York City. I recommend you try this book for yourself. 

Relic of Thieves (The Underwild 2) by Shana Targosz

What worked:

Anya has emotional concerns that sometimes overwhelm her. She’s tormented by her parents and older brother, which is more than sibling rivalry. He thinks life was better before Anya joined the family, and she frequently suffers his threats and physical abuse. Anya also suffers from panic attacks and finds her best defense is to avoid any attention. Lizzie is her best friend and understands most of Anya’s problems. Lizzie knows how to calm Anya’s emotions, but Lizzie is still not fully aware of her best friend’s home situation. Despite her self-doubts, Anya undergoes a dramatic transformation, always wanting to assist anyone in need. She must battle self-doubt and low self-esteem to discover the power she holds.

Using the magical keys incorrectly sets off unseen alarms, and the three mythical furies are sent to track down Anya. These creatures are relentless and won’t stop until they find her, and they aren’t averse to using violence during their pursuit. This creates perpetual danger for Anya and constant suspense for readers. Other characters are more sympathetic to Anya’s plight, and Senka becomes an invaluable new friend. Different characters from Greek mythology are part of the story, including Dionysus, Ariadne, and Charon, and Zeus is the unforgiving, powerful ruler of everything godly. Dionysus and Ariadne don’t agree with Zeus’s overbearing, intolerant position, and they set Anya a quest. Her ultimate goal is to find three mythological witches who might provide an answer to her predicament.

An interesting twist to the story comes from a creative retelling of Persephone’s myth. The myth says Persephone ate six pomegranate seeds while in Hades. Consequently, she’s forced to spend six months in Hades, creating fall and winter, while spring and summer arise when she returns to her mother, Demeter, for the rest of the year. However, the author changes the relationship between Hades and Persephone into a tragic love story. Persephone’s story involves the magical keys and the curse that Zeus places upon them. This curse explains Anya’s ill-fortune, but other characters she meets aren’t happy with Zeus’s bullying and strict punishments. This results in Anya encountering many unexpected allies, especially when they’re most needed.

What didn’t work as well:

This is a long story that requires endurance. However, it’s worth the effort and ends with a surprising, satisfying trial.

The final verdict:

This book can be read independently, though the first book will provide more backstory about Senka and the Underwild. Young readers will enjoy Anya’s loyalty to others and cheer for her to overcome her insecurities. I highly recommend you read this book yourself!

Song of the Yellow Dragon by Ying Ping Low

What worked:

The opening hook is dramatic and should draw in young readers. Kai becomes a twelve-year-old puppet emperor after his father suddenly dies. He’s the emperor in name only until he reaches the age of 13, so his shady advisor makes decisions that run the empire. Kai overhears the advisor’s plan to kill him, so Kai flees the castle. Kai has never left the castle before, so he wanders the forest, not knowing where he’s going. In addition, readers learn that children 12 and younger believe in magic, but they immediately lose those thoughts and beliefs on their thirteenth birthdays. A second-person narrator tells the story, and it directly addresses readers at the plot’s key moments.

Mengyao and Kai offer contrasting characters. Living under the advisor’s control, Kai knows he’s in daily danger. He’s learned that he can’t trust anyone, so he’s wary of anyone he meets. On the other hand, Mengyao lives in a remote, unknown village where no one visits and no one leaves. The village provides fertile lands, plentiful food, friendly neighbors, and safety from any outside dangers. Mengyao’s dream is to become a Divine Healer, so she can help others and never lose her magic. The village’s lone Divine Healer refuses to accept Mengyao as an apprentice, so Mengyao’s open to the idea of leaving. She readily agrees to lead Kai through the forest, with the characters having separate motivations.

The plot becomes an adventure as Mengyao and Kai search for the Dragon’s Pulse. The quest is complicated by Kai’s thirteenth birthday, which is only two weeks away. As the day nears, it’s more difficult for him to remember the story of an ancestor, and he becomes unsure of why he’s traveling through the forest and desert and climbing mountains. The birthday creates a countdown for the plot, which becomes more suspenseful as the day nears. A huge surprise awaits the characters once they reach the Dragon’s Pulse, and it will alter the series as it moves forward.

What didn’t work as well:

Considering Kai is an emperor, readers may tire of his attitude. Mengyao is stronger both physically and mentally, and Kai still has distrust simmering within. However, his apparent weaknesses are necessary as the plot nears the climax and secrets are revealed. His character undergoes a dramatic transformation.

The final verdict:

Young readers will enjoy this captivating adventure, as Kai and Mengyao evade the emperor’s enemies and pursue their dreams. I recommend you give this book a shot!

The Cloud Kingdom by Maire Zepf

What worked:

The illustrations are enchanting, artfully depicting the characters, creatures, and scenes. The sketches found inside the cover and on the title pages are rough yet detailed, enough to pique readers’ imaginations. The colorful pictures within the narrative capture the whimsy and imagination of the author’s stories. A mechanical jellyfish, a Graggally, and a dragon ghost are just a few of the creative creatures featured in the book.

The book is broken up into short stories, which is perfect for younger readers. They can feel success by completing each “chapter” and then taking a break before tiring out. The premise is that Nancy is telling these stories to the faeries that stole her cat. Interestingly, each of these stories contains a line from another tale that will be shared in the next chapter. This detail connects all of the separate stories into a cohesive overall plot. 

Each tale finds a character standing up for what’s right, and the good guys always come out on top. A young girl stands up to her entire village to save them from a greedy hat salesman. The townspeople fear a lonely dragon ghost for generations until a girl is brave enough to change the dialogue. An inventor and his daughter undermine a domineering factory owner’s efforts to save a mechanical jellyfish from exploitation. There’s even a chapter that features an appreciation for artists and their creations. The collection of stories will leave readers feeling good about the world.

The final verdict:

This delightful book returns to a world of simple stories with happy endings. The blend of descriptive narratives and colorful, expressive illustrations results in a literary gem for all readers. I highly recommend you add this book to your reading list!

Game Zero (Escape Room 2) by Christopher Edge

What worked:

The author creates an innovative world that blends reality and virtual reality. Eden finds herself inside The Escape, although she’s not sure how she got there. She meets Ted, but there’s a significant difference between these two characters. Ted wears a VR helmet to play the game, but Eden does not. How is this possible? Readers will know The Escape is different for Eden, because she slowly forgets details of her life outside the game. And she doesn’t know how to escape back to reality. The narrative describes background music throughout the story, which contributes to the tension. The music gets louder and faster as the story becomes more suspenseful, which should cause readers to feel more anxiety.

The Escape is much like other adventure stories where the characters follow clues to reach a destination or goal. The characters begin with three riddles that they repeat throughout the story. They must find three keys to unlock three different worlds, leading to the next set of puzzles. They encounter several characters from the first book, although it’s not absolutely necessary to know this. Eden and Tom encounter many obstacles and dangers, even though Eden seems to be the only one experiencing physical harm. Tom gets an additional life if his character “dies”, but Eden may not have that option. The author leaves a couple of big surprises at the climax, so the plot continues a bit further than readers might expect.

What didn’t work as well:

The book doesn’t take any time to develop the characters, so readers can’t learn much about them beyond the game. Also, Eden is surprised when Ted repeatedly uses his helmet to make their quest easier, and readers may want the challenges to be more challenging. Ted isn’t a model teammate, and readers may be annoyed or angry at his selfish attitude.

The final verdict:

Actually, this book feels like the beginning of the series, as the climax introduces a large problem that will continue into the next book. Readers should probably start with the previous book in order to understand the background information surrounding the game and minor characters. Ami and Oscar have important roles in this book that readers new to the series won’t appreciate. I recommend you try this book for yourself.

A Blood Moon (Snowlands 1) by Morr Meroz

What worked:

Outcast stories create immediate sympathy, and in this case, it’s due to Feba’s fur color. The other cubs don’t like her, and many of the adult wolves believe tales that white fur means bad luck. The pack makes immediate plans to kill Feba, so she flees on her own. She doesn’t have a destination in mind and hopes to find a new pack to join. Being set adrift and alone will have young readers empathizing with Feba’s predicament and hoping she can find a friendly ally. Causing readers to become emotionally connected to the characters makes the story more engaging and entertaining.

The story teaches young readers valuable life lessons. Feba is a loyal friend who doesn’t acknowledge illogical customs, so she does the right thing. Usha believes leopards should live solitary lives, free of attachments to others. That’s the way it’s always been. Feba doesn’t accept this premise and refuses to abandon her new friend. Feba unites different species of animals through kindness, acceptance, and bravery. How else do you explain a wolf and leopard becoming friends, and baboons, alligators, and vultures helping them along the way? Batu is described as a bumbling wildcat, but this character adds a little humor to the story. The only word he says is “batu”, so readers will have fun trying to interpret what he’s trying to say.

What didn’t work as well:

After the opening pages, all of the illustrations are in black and white, but that’s not an issue. The transition between settings is unclear, as the story shifts from Feba back to the wolf pack, and then to the antagonist, a sheep called Umanga. Some graphic novels differentiate transitions using labeled chapters, text boxes, or colors. It takes a moment or two to realize the settings in this book have changed. Also, my third-grader agrees that the print is pretty small.

The final verdict:

Amazon indicates this book is for ages 9 and older, but that might be due to some violence. There’s nothing inappropriate or overly concerning, so younger readers can enjoy this animal adventure, too. I recommend you check out this book for yourself!

Wrath of the Ravelwind Knight (Spindleheart 2) by T.I. Avens

What worked:

As with the first book, alternating chapters follow the stories of Wynn and Calla, as they track down a malevolent magic-stealer named Brume. The two main characters have separate storylines. They had a brief encounter in the first book, and Calla and her sister, Saffron, wonder if Wynn and her friends are enemies, too. These characters are called larks, because they are sentient, intelligent creatures, while wilders are animals without the ability to communicate verbally and reason. Brume can transform his appearance, so readers and characters will never know when he might show up. Perhaps readers will unknowingly encounter him in the form of a seemingly innocent minor character.

Wynn is the guardian of the Spindlechest, but Brume stole it in the first book. She’s on a quest to get it back before Brume becomes too powerful to stop. Calla is a caster, meaning she can wield magic. Her quest is to bring justice against Brume and stop him from stealing magic. Each girl follows Brume’s trail through a magical veil and into a world of breeps. The breeps are covered in wool above the waist, scales below, with wings that enable them to fly. These creatures are wary of strangers, which complicates the efforts of Calla and Wynn. Wynn is nearly imprisoned or executed, while Calla isn’t shown any favor, even after saving the life of a young breep and snatcher.

Wynn is accompanied by a caster named Lance, and their relationship provides more conflict and drama. Wynn notices he seems to struggle after casting spells, but Lance won’t admit it. Wynn also thinks he’s keeping secrets from her, and their interactions become prickly. Wynn knows she needs the caster’s help, but they may not trust each other anymore. Calla and her sister disagree on a plan to defeat Brume, and discussions about it are postponed. Calla deals with problems head-on, so she wants to use magic and force against Brume. Saffron is more diplomatic and wants to talk and understand his motives. They’ll need to come to some kind of agreement before they locate and confront him.

What didn’t work as well:

Readers may find it challenging to visualize the characters, as they come in all shapes and sizes. Calla and Saffron are flower elves, while Wynn is a swirlear, Beryl is a blue beetlewark, and Lance is a green thistle-hopper. Small illustrations are displayed on the first page of each chapter, but mentally picturing the characters in the narrative and action scenes may not be easy. Also, the book’s title doesn’t have a clear connection to what happens in the story. There are breep knights in Ravelwind, but the wrath of one specific knight isn’t a factor in the conflict.

The final verdict:

Readers will enjoy young characters thrust into quests to stop the evil Brume. They’ll appreciate revelations about his past, as well as Wynn’s heritage, but the conflict moves on to the third book in the series. I recommend you give this book a shot, but read book one first.

Mythspeaker by Christopher Roubique

What worked:

The author writes a narrative that’s reminiscent of a folktale. The book’s opening describes the formation of the world, as the shells of two turtles form the continents. An Egg is laid, and it becomes the center of the conflict. Endellion and his tribe of Tenemusuh steal it, as they strive to wield power over others and take anything they want. The Egg of the World Turtles is guarded by five tribes, but the Tenemusuh control a massive creature that can’t be defeated. Kyta, the main character, is destined to save the world, and he’s certain that stealing the Egg back is his defining moment.

Occasional chapters are written in boldface font, and these pages describe the conflicted existence of the Tenemusuh creature and its captors. Yes, it slaughtered the warriors guarding the Egg, but it was forced to do it. Readers may feel pity toward this juggernaut of a beast when they realize its freewill has been taken away. It’s confined to a cage when it’s not being used as a weapon, and it dreams of joy and freedom running under the stars. The creature isn’t a prominent part of the overall plot, so these chapters remind readers of its impending threat. Readers will anticipate that Kyta will eventually need to face it when stealing back the Egg of the World Turtles.

 Kyta uses a myth told by his tribe as the template for his quest. The story says four team members are needed, so he must find three other young people to fill specific roles on the mission. Yudove is ostracized from her tribe, but she’s experienced with handling the horses they’ll need. Eno was banished for predicting the destruction of the Egg, but he’s an expert at stealth and using ropes. The final team member is Tumuhv, the son of a tribal chief. Tumuhv views himself as a mighty warrior, but he hasn’t earned his father’s respect. His prickly, condescending attitude makes him a questionable team player, but Kyta needs him to fill the role of warrior. Kyta is the leader, since it’s his destiny to save the world. However, he must learn the meanings of teamwork and selfishness to complete his quest.

The final verdict:

Kyta is a kind-hearted, humble, and determined boy who exhibits positive characteristics that young readers can admire. The plot includes action, drama, character conflict, and ends with an exciting, emotional climax. The resolution indicates a sequel will be forthcoming. I highly recommend this book for all middle-grade readers, especially those who enjoy folklore. 

Sleepless by Gordan Korman

What worked:

This plot answers the question, “What if there were more hours in a day?” The characters not only don’t need sleep; they never get tired. It’s interesting to consider their five different viewpoints, as they’re presented in alternating chapters. Mickey is tired of being bullied at school, so he starts running and lifting weights at three o’clock in the morning. Levi likes to make posts on social media, so he creates multiple personas for different time zones around the world. Skye is already an outstanding student, but she uses her extra time to expand her learning and develop impressive projects. Cyrus uses the night hours to create new inventions, and he starts by trying to perfect his family’s toaster.

Readers will notice that the characters all use the same allergist before they do. This revelation leads to the main conflict in the plot. Most of the characters don’t view sleeplessness as a problem, but one of them thinks it’s cheating. Her position reminds readers that there are always multiple ways to view a situation. The characters eventually discover there are other sleepless kids, and it’s a relief to share their experiences and feelings. They eventually get together to question Dr. Malachi about how this happened, but his answers aren’t what they expect.

Readers who enjoy Gordan Korman books may enjoy the story's mysterious twist. Sleeplessness is treated as a huge secret, so the kids don’t tell their parents or friends. The early chapters will have readers wondering how it happened, but the answer may be more troubling. Then, they begin to notice clues indicating someone else knows about their secret. Who is this person, and what do they want? Is it a stalker out to harm them? Again, the answer only creates more questions.

What didn’t work as well:

A conflict involving Mickey and Skye develops, and its resolution comes out of the blue. Even Mickey is shocked when it happens. Even though it seems plausible, it feels like a step is missing from the process.

The final verdict:

Fans of the author will be pleased, and the alternating chapters sharing the characters’ five points of view provide a familiar format. I recommend all readers give it a shot.