The Declaration Decoded: A Guide to the Document That Inspired Our Nation by Katie Kennedy

What worked:

The author breaks down the Declaration of Independence step by step and explains the meaning behind its different parts. The explanations are highlighted in red for easy identification. It briefly goes into the events leading up to its creation, and the colonists’ rising frustration and anger with the King of England. There are anecdotes about historical figures and events relevant to the grievances; some will be familiar, while others will not. Communication between England and the colonists was troublesome because messages took weeks to cross the Atlantic, and some were lost along the way.

The decoding makes the declarations easy to understand, and they’re followed by rationales and connections to real events. The author examines the grievances with an impartial stance and doesn’t hesitate to point out Thomas Jefferson’s flair for propaganda. Most of the grievances are directed at the king, even when the king didn’t have control over them. Other grievances sound greater than they might have been, or they may not have been concerns for all of the colonists. However, the Declaration of Independence showed that the thirteen colonies were united in rejecting the king’s rule. He was not looking out for their best interests, and England did not think the colonists’ rights were equal to those of citizens living in Europe.

What didn’t work as well:

While the book presents interesting, factual information, the tone may not resonate with middle-grade readers. It’s non-fiction, so the readers may have trouble connecting with unfamiliar personalities and straightforward descriptions of events that happened hundreds of years ago.

The final verdict:

The synopsis indicates this book is for readers interested in civics or American history, so it’s not for a general audience. However, readers interested in the evolution of the United States or the Declaration of Independence will find this book enlightening. I recommend you try it for yourself.

Deepa M.D. by Priya Swaminathan

What worked:

Deepa’s leukemia is in remission, but she tells everyone she knows that she’s cured. She just wants to get back to having a normal life, so she doesn’t even tell her best friend, Renee. Denying her actual condition causes Deepa to put her health in jeopardy, and readers will anticipate the consequences. Her behavior is ironic, since she wants to become her uncle’s medical partner. Patients call her uncle when their doctors can’t help, and he has a perfect record for diagnosing the causes of confusing symptoms. However, his people skills are lacking, and Deepa can calmly mediate his interactions with patients. She’s surprised when a patient won’t heed her uncle’s medical advice, but she’s doing the same thing in her own situation.

Medicine is similar to solving mysteries, as doctors must make observations and collect clues to understand their patients’ problems. Deepa’s uncle has the role of Sherlock Holmes, and Deepa compares herself to Dr. Watson. The newest patient happens to be the brother of Deepa’s nemesis, which adds a complication to the plot. Their efforts face additional obstacles when they discover some characters are reluctant to be forthcoming with useful information. Tayo, the patient, isn’t telling his parents everything happening with his health, and other characters don’t seem to want Tayo get better. Assumptions and lies make things more difficult.

Childhood diseases are a part of life, but they can be devastating for the patients and their families. Readers will learn about Deepa’s leukemia, from her initial symptoms to the treatments during the diagnosis and remission. Her parents are concerned about a possible relapse, so they’re overly protective. A young, world-famous pop star suffers dizzy spells that keep her from performing, so she doesn’t want to cancel her tour. The most confusing case will remind readers to be vigilant when staying safe from summertime dangers.

What didn’t work as well:

Many different things are going on in the story, and readers’ attention may become distracted. However, the author navigates the numerous problems to bring the story to an emotional climax and resolution.

The final verdict:

This book will appeal to mystery lovers, as Deepa is as obsessed as her uncle when it comes to deciphering symptoms. Honesty and friendships are topics that will resonate with all middle-grade readers. I recommend you give it a shot.

STEM Kids Make a Robot by Carlotta Berry

What worked:

The book describes a problem-solving process using the STEM approach. The group of kids must first identify a real problem where they can build something to solve it. They focus on the lunchroom and decide that the process for collecting food trays needs to be changed. Getting outside for recess as quickly as possible is something all middle-grade students can understand. The kids decide to create an AI robot that will collect and sort the paper, plastic, and silverware as it moves around the room. The kids learn to use library books and the computer to research how to create a robot, and they get invaluable help from the school’s technology teacher. They create a prototype, make modifications, and finally test it, taking notes.

The story also teaches young readers how to work with others in a small group. Tyler tends to make silly comments, and his partners kindly guide him to focus on useful ideas. They remember to always keep their comments respectful. They often remind each other of the teacher’s instructions or things they’ve learned in class. There are moments of compromise, like when the kids select the group name and choose a problem for the project. The kids assign responsibilities based on the team members’ interests and talents, and they respect their teammates’ ideas. They accept input from each group member and ask for help or ideas when needed. Each student steps up to make modifications based on his or her specialty. In the past, Minyuan always ate lunch by herself, but the students developed a friendship and now sit with her.

What didn’t work as well:

The story sounds like a description of a science project, because that’s what it is. Every chapter deals with a different step in the process, so it probably only appeals to readers interested in STEM. The target audience is younger, but some of the vocabulary is pretty technical.

The final verdict:

Amazon indicates this book is appropriate for students in kindergarten and older, but it’s probably over the heads of readers in the primary grades. The emphasis on STEM and describing the steps in completing a project may limit the audience, but I recommend you try the book for yourself. You may disagree.

Scrap by Guy Bass

What worked:

Paige and Gnat are sisters with contrasting views of Scrap. Gnat is convinced that Scrap is the missing King of the Robots and that he will help them escape Somewhere Five One Three. Paige is certain this dented, broken case of metal and bolts is definitely not K1-NG. Humans are comparable to rodents on this planet, and the robots are trying to exterminate them. Paige, Gnat, and their ailing mother are the last humans, and Gnat expects Scrap to help them escape. However, Scrap feels the humans betrayed him during The Difference of Opinion, and he’s sworn never to help them again.

Scrap’s character straddles the line between humans and robots. He’s made of metal parts and a battery that will never run out, but he must keep his core’s identity a secret. The robots consider K1-NG a traitor, and he’ll be dismantled if they discover his identity, his core code. Like humans, the robots have male and female genders, and readers learn they have vanity and emotions. All robots are obsessed with getting upgrades, and they constantly want more. Scrap tells Paige that he has a mind and dreams when he sleeps. Readers will follow his internal turmoil as he debates whether to help the girls or keep the promise he made to himself. Scrap tells them he won’t help, but readers know his actions say something different.

The author infuses elements of humor in different ways. Early chapters open with sales pitches that advertise all of the wonderful things humans can expect when they’re transported to Somewhere 513. Readers will smile when they contrast the descriptions to the actual robot takeover on the planet. Later chapters insert messages to the robots and provide readers with context for the rules guiding the robots. A character called Gunner enters the story mid-book, and she frequently mixes up familiar figures of speech by using similar-sounding words. The author often italicizes phrases like “have you been living under a sock”, “I beg your garden”, and “thinks outside the blocks”. Gnat’s childish innocence contributes levity and a contrast to the seriousness of her situation. Paige has one grenade, and she frequently threatens to blow everyone up.

What didn’t work as well:

Gnat and Paige wear old robot heads to hide their identities as humans. Strangely, a world full of self-aware, highly evolved robots can’t recognize human bodies under the robot heads. Gnat pretends to be mechanical, calling herself Gnat-Bot Ninety-Nine, but it’s still unbelievable that the human girls can navigate the world of robots with such simple disguises.

The final verdict:

The story mirrors human fears that robots will rise up one day and take over the world. The mayor is the true villain, and she’ll reveal the underlying problem when the story nears its climax. This is an unpretentious book, and I highly recommend it for readers wanting thought-provoking entertainment.

The Unchosen One by Amy Sparkes

What worked:

The synopsis is misleading, since Tassie doesn’t have a problem becoming part of the Chosen One’s prophecy. Saving Peryll from the Shadow fits perfectly into her dream of going on an adventure. The Wisest of the Wise tells her she’s the Chosen One, but she knows that she doesn’t totally fit the description. Sure, Tassie was born during the overlap of the Three Moons, and she’s escaped death several times, but no one can say she has a calm mind or that she’s wise beyond her years. The characters then decide she’s not the Chosen One, but Tassie eagerly joins the quest to find the real one. Readers are left to wonder if Tassie is, or isn’t, the Chosen One.

The author provides many twists to keep readers guessing. The Wisest of the Wise leaves Tessie to navigate a dangerous forest on her own, following an unknown path. An elf named Darley thinks he can steal Tessie’s gold, so he agrees to be her guide. However, nefarious characters want to get their hands on him, including a dangerous fairy queen. Darley has learned to distrust everyone, but he’s never met anyone like Tessie. She shows she cares about his welfare and refuses to leave him behind. Darley, and perhaps readers too, is surprised that he begins to care about her.

The author infuses humor into the story in different ways. Three wraiths strike fear into everyone they encounter, and their purpose is to destroy the Chosen One before the Shadow rises. The wraiths try to use proper manners, like saying please and thank you, even when they’re threatening “doom and destruction!” The banter between Tassie and Darley is fun. Tassie is always getting him into trouble, and she rarely has a plan to get him out of it. However, she has a talent for knowing what to say to confuse other characters. She convinces her best friend, Spin, to go with her by calling her quest a research mission rather than an adventure.

What didn’t work as well:

Readers may expect Spin to have a larger role in the story. He’s Tessie’s best friend and is a talented inventor. Although Tessie talks about the wonderful things he’s created, the only one he uses in the story converts a bar into a shield. It feels like he should utilize another clever invention or two.

The final verdict:

This fast-paced, entertaining story will appeal to a wide range of young readers. The action, humor, and character relationships provide a potpourri of positive elements. Overall, I recommend you give it a shot.

Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler by Amelia Tait

What worked:

Time travel is always an intriguing topic, and the author adds a creative twist. Every New Year’s Eve, Lily is transported back in time, along with everyone she knows. However, Lily is the only character aware that it’s happening. These characters maintain their personalities and relationships with Lily, which provides readers with some consistency as the settings change. Lily has a crush on Ollie, but she’s a servant in 1621 and can’t show it. They still share a love for reading and find ways to interact when opportunities arise. Georgia bullies Lily during each time period, but it’s difficult for her to obey Georgia’s orders in 1621.

A main aspect of the story is Lily’s personal growth, as she tries to understand her connections to other characters. Georgia subtly insults Lily in 2025, but Lily doesn’t understand why it happens. She reaches a breaking point in each time period and retaliates against her tormentor. However, her actions have unexpected consequences, forcing her to evaluate her own behavior. Poppy is Lily’s best friend, and Lily admires Poppy’s willingness to be different. Poppy always supports Lily, but their friendship is tested as the plot progresses. Lily is unsure how she feels about Joe. He seems to be a neutral character, although he shares suggestions about how to get revenge against Georgia. Lily eventually must reconsider his influence on her life.

Visits to different time periods provide opportunities for readers to learn about England’s history. People in 1621 were strictly religious, and being accused of witchcraft could be a death sentence. Lily draws suspicion when she refuses to let doctors drain blood from her sick mother and instead makes chicken soup and a concoction of ingredients for congestion. Lily is baffled at the lack of women’s rights in 1621, and she’s angry that there hasn’t been much improvement in 1972. She faces culture shock in 1972 when she doesn’t know about popular music and pop stars. She doesn’t understand why she’s considered different for not wearing a regular bra in 2025, but Georgia insults her for wearing one and not supporting women’s liberation in 1972.

What didn’t work as well:

The jumps to different years in history are creative, but the first half of the plot feels choppy. There’s no explanation for how or why the jumps occur, so readers are left to wonder.

The final verdict:

The time jumps make it more challenging to understand the overall plot, but Lily’s self-actualization is the real story. She encounters the same characters in different time periods and must learn to understand her place among them. I recommend you try this book for yourself.

The Fire Serpent Legacy by Cindy L. Rodriguez

What worked:

Auri’s parents died when she was an infant, and she compares her life to a puzzle with missing pieces. Many books save the truth about lost parents until later, but readers learn early that her father rode a fire serpent and protected the Amazon jungle. She realizes that the large egg displayed in her grandmother’s cabinet holds the last fire serpent and wants to follow her parents’ wishes by returning it to Brazil. Auri feels an electrical charge up her arms when she touches the egg, which lets readers know she has a special connection with the Boitatás. Readers will anxiously await the moment the egg hatches, giving the story a jump start.

The book weaves elements of the Portuguese/Brazilian culture and the Amazon Forest into the story. The importance of the rainforest to Earth's survival is emphasized, and deforestation is the main conflict in the plot. The characters prepare Portuguese dishes, and Auri and her sister learn about unique fruits and foods found in Brazil. Auri’s aunt mostly speaks Portuguese, and Auri’s sister has refreshed her knowledge of the language to become fluent. Portuguese words and phrases add authenticity to the story, and readers can figure out most of their meanings using the context. Auri also interprets some of the vocabulary, although she struggles with the language herself.

The conflict is complicated by Auri’s uncle, since he’s a major player in the destruction of the local environment. Auri’s grandmother goes so far as to warn Auri to stay away from her uncle, because he’s a dangerous man. In addition, a group of Amazon protectors used to support the efforts of the Boitatás, but they’re no longer active. Many of them think it’s most important to save the last Boitatás, which is why Auri’s grandmother took the egg to the United States. Consequently, Auri doesn’t know who might be willing to help her and the newly hatched Boitatás. Some people will want Sergio taken out of the country to keep him safe, but Auri is determined to stop the deforestation.

What didn’t work as well:

Sergio’s reaction to Auri after hatching is a little confusing. The tingling she feels when touching the egg implies they’re already forming a bond, yet the Boitatás is defensive and frightened toward Auri when they first meet. They quickly become close, but that initial meeting is surprising.

The final verdict:

This exciting adventure addresses a real-world issue: deforestation. The issue may be news to many young readers, but the book’s message is vitally important for them to hear. I recommend you try this book for yourself.

George Goodwin, Dragon Slayer: A Scouting Legend (Order of the Dragon Slayer) by Candace Lee and Eric Newman

What worked:

This book is reminiscent of the movie, “The Goonies”? This book also has a group of local kids venturing underground, looking for hidden treasure. Thieves race to flee the abandoned mine taking diamonds that could be used to save the dying town. George’s main goal is to clear the disgraced memories of his father, since his dad was blamed for the deaths of other miners. The other kids follow him into the mine with thoughts of becoming rich, but they become trapped and must follow a map to get out. The tunnels are difficult and treacherous, and there are natural obstacles just waiting to bring tons of rocks falling onto the kids. Oh, there’s also a dragon looking for its next meal.

Readers can learn about West Virginia and the importance of coal mining to the people living there. The people are prideful, but they know the dangers of working in the mines. Many towns are abandoned when the coal runs out, and Big Mountain is slowly becoming the next casualty. The narrow tunnels are reinforced to offer support, and George wishes this mine had been lined with limestone to prevent the spread of fires. The kids learn that a blocked exit can mean death, since the only other way out is on the other side of the mountain.

The plot will certainly satisfy any readers with a need for action or fighting scenes. The dragon attacks are relentless, and readers discover it won’t stop searching for George until it kills him. Lulls in the action give a false impression that things are okay, only to have the dragon rear its terrifying face again. To complicate things further, thieves are roaming the tunnels, so readers can expect them to pop up. One of them is crazy enough to destroy the whole mountain, even if the kids are still inside the mine.

What didn’t work as well:

There’s a Scottish man named Rowland who can see into the future. He adds humor and predictions of events to come, but his ability doesn’t immediately make sense. The book begins with a realistic tone, and the existence of a dragon is strange enough. The kids use scouting skills, but there’s no hint that some humans will have superpowers.

The final verdict:

This story is a flat-out action adventure, as George and his friends battle a dragon that is determined to kill them. I recommend you give this book a shot.

Dungeon Runners: Fang Attack Level 4 by Kieran Larwood

What worked:

The plot moves very quickly, so it will keep the attention of young, emerging, and reluctant readers. The characters face many obstacles and dangerous creatures, although this part of the series offers new twists. This story finds Kit, Sandy, and Thorn on the last leg of the Dungeon Runners competition. They must finish in the top two places to be promoted to the Tryhard League (a new future book series?) or lose their hopes of being Dungeon Runners forever. In addition, this competition will be held in Vostovia, a land of vampires. Thorn is a vegan vampire, and this new setting provides complications for him. A bully from Kit’s past is on the third-place Trogton Terrors, and Kit’s sure the first-place Roost Raiders “earned” their position by cheating.

Kit, Sandy, and Thorn form the team of Triple Trouble, and they’re a stark contrast from the other teams. Kit has the roles of leader and fighter, but he’s gotten this far with limited abilities and questionable bravery. His best assets are intelligence, luck, and compassion. Sandy is the team’s mage, even though she doesn’t know many spells. Plus, the spells she tries to cast rarely work the way she intended. Thorn is the healer, and he’s uncertain about returning to Vostovia. He’s afraid of what will happen if the other vampires find out he doesn’t drink blood anymore. They’ll surely be angry, and the consequences may result in the end of his eternal life. Readers can easily predict that his secret will eventually be revealed.

What didn’t work as well:

The book jumps right into the action, so readers need to have read the previous three books to understand what’s happening. There’s not enough character and plot development to help readers connect with the backstory and featured personalities.

The final verdict:

This is a fun series that features underdogs with admirable qualities. Their kindness and empathy for others make them unpredictable Dungeon Runners when contrasted with their ruthless, selfish, cheating competitors. I recommend this book for a wide range of young readers.

The Wizard's Way (Adventures in O'Mirra Book 1) by Lisa Kelly

What worked:

Divorce is very relevant to the girls’ problems. Katie and Jenny’s father left the family, and they don’t know why. With no explanation, the girls suspect that they are the reason. More specifically, Katie feels certain that her headstrong, rebellious behavior is the cause of her father’s anger and absence. She remembers what she did on the day he left, and the way he talked about her. This internal conflict plagues the girls as their adventure to O’Mirra unfolds. Their father makes an appearance in O’Mirra, in a way.

Katie learns her mother and grandmother are witches, and that she is one, too. She first notices her amulet is vibrating against her chest, and she sees her deceased (missing?) grandmother in the scrying mirror. Readers will have questions about her family. Where is her grandmother? Why doesn’t her mother seem to have any knowledge about magic and O’Mirra? Katie has moments of insecurity about her abilities, but she really displays an aptitude toward casting spells. She feels responsible and protective of her younger sister, but Jenny often offers her support and flashes of bravery. Their mettle will be tested by a magical plague that feeds on fear, anger, and self-doubt.

What didn’t work as well:

Katie’s magical learning curve is very quick, as performing spells isn’t overly complicated. It’s a matter of possessing the ability and reading spell words from a scroll. At times, it seems that the most difficult part of casting magic is unrolling the scrolls and reading in pressure situations. It’s a little odd.

The final verdict:

The book shares a fast-paced adventure in a magical world. The plot’s format is familiar, but the author includes twists to make it unique. I recommend you try the book for yourself.