Astra Fox and the Rise of the Wonderworkers by Isaac Fitzsimons

What worked:

Astra is a sympathetic character, as she’s treated poorly at the orphanage. She’s frequently and severely punished and is separated from other orphans. Her hope is that someone will claim her when they discover her wonderwork ability. Those who wield wonderwork are called gilders. Astra creates amazing illusions, but many people hate all wonderworks and think it shouldn’t exist. That means gilders like Astra shouldn’t exist. Another underlying problem is that Astra doesn’t know where her sister lives, but her ultimate hope is to be reunited. Some chapters begin with letters from her sister, always sounding hopeful that they’ll be together again. 

Astra is claimed by a wealthy benefactor, and she’s taken to Bellamore Hall in Empire City. There, she discovers two large problems. First, prejudice against gilders is ever-present, as evidenced when Astra isn’t allowed in a store without an escort. Secondly, she finds parts of the city without wonderworks, where dark, dirty buildings seem like they can fall at any moment. Astra realizes Bellamore Hall’s appearance is an illusion after she discovers a dark, moldy, crumbling room. She eventually ends up in the Bellamore Factory and is thrust into the middle of the wonderworks conflict. The working conditions are deplorable, and gilders are getting hurt or dying. Astra is torn between helping the other workers while avoiding the wrath of Mr. Bellamore. Non-gilders enjoy the fruits of wonderwork, but they don’t want gilders to have any rights. The situation is reminiscent of slavery.

The author creates vivid mental images with a masterful gift for words and language. Descriptions of wonderwork creations are colorful and eloquent, enabling readers to “see” the gorgeous scenes. “Sprawling ivy… leaves ablaze in hues of crimson, amber, and gold.” A “grand marble staircase” led to the manor’s front door, and “towering columns stretched skyward…they brushed the clouds.” Readers learn about Astra’s personality when the author says, “But Astra’s greatest talent was outrunning her better judgment.” 

What didn’t work as well:

Wonderworks create illusions, but they don’t change the essence of reality. Gilders can make food look and taste better, but it can’t make moldy food more nutritious or rickety buildings more stable. These inconsistencies may bother some readers, although the story eventually addresses them. 

The final verdict:

The story deals with civil rights for a discriminated group of gilders. Astra’s emotional rollercoaster will lead readers on a troubling adventure that pits the existence of wonderworks against the rich and powerful. I recommend you give this book a shot. 

Transylvania County by Jenny Howard

What worked:

Dig’s father hopes Dig’s behavior will improve after spending time with his cousin, Elliot. Elliot is a model student who follows all the rules, so his parents hope that he’ll be a better role model for Dig. However, Dig knows he doesn’t do bad things because of his friends; Dig is the bad influence on others. He is impulsive and rebellious, but he also cares about other people. He’s angry when his grandfather is the target of a prank and later loses his job for something he didn’t do. Dig is repulsed by the new P.E. teacher, Coach Renfield, who tries to get the students to stop caring about each other. Dig protects his cousin during dodgeball and is furious when Elliot is hit in the nose. Dig’s behavior can seem delinquent at times, but readers will begin to understand that he has good intentions. 

The story quickly confirms the scary rumors surrounding Transylvania County when Dig runs across an eight-foot, hairy Boojum with yellow eyes. The adults think he’s making up stories for attention. Dig can’t call the police, since his uncle, the county sheriff, is the first person to say he’s lying. Dig’s encounter with the Boojum adds credibility to tales of Dracula being entombed somewhere in the surrounding forest. This mystery becomes the plot’s focus when Dig and Elliot suspect someone of trying to locate Dracula. They’re convinced it has something to do with their grandfather, and their main suspect is Coach Renfield.

It looks like each book in the series will feature a different monster. Dracula and the Boojum are highlighted this time, while it appears werewolves will be the stars in the sequel. Elliot has ample general knowledge, but researching specific information is his superpower. He knows the local legends surrounding Dracula, has read Bram Stoker’s novel, and his knowledge of Latin comes in handy. The author adds to the mysterious ambiance through her descriptions of the setting. The town is located amid remote, forested terrain, and rainy skies and dark nights add to the gloom. Plenty of shadows can be found where surprises are hidden.

What didn’t work as well:

Readers will wonder about Dig’s mother, since she’s not in the story. Dig talks about what his parents will think or do, but his mother isn't present. Also, it takes a while for the promise of monsters to be fulfilled. Dracula's appearance is as expected, while the Boojum is a surprise.

The final verdict:

Dig is the highlight, as readers will be impressed by his daring (even though he has a crippling fear of bats) and willingness to help others in need. The climax will please monster lovers. I recommend you try this book for yourself.

Firebloom by Justin Davies

What worked:

Tally hopes to become a Sting Winkler like her grandfather, mother, and Smuck ancestors, but doesn’t know if it will happen. Sting Winklers normally show their abilities before the age of twelve, so she’s extra worried when she can’t communicate with the jellyfish when the Firebloom Festival starts. The townspeople expect her to become a Sting Winkler, and her grandfathers tell her that it will happen someday. Tally is not so sure. She feels more pressure this year after the jellyfish fail to shine their light, disappointing everyone, including visitors who support the local economy. Everyone seems to blame Tally, adding to her mounting stress.

The author shows the importance of jellyfish in the town by describing the many products made from jellyfish Sting, a substance harvested from jellyfish tentacles. For example, Tally’s best friend, Farran, relies on a Sting lotion to calm his frequent panic attacks. The lack of a jellyfish light show becomes a mystery that Tally must solve. Her grandfather is a Sting Winkler, but his ability to communicate with the jellyfish is fading away. Tally thinks something is scaring the jellyfish away from coming near the shore, and they’re behaving strangely. One jellyfish stung her on the leg, and that doesn’t happen to members of her family. The Vorpal twins do their best to annoy Tally, and their mother is threatening Tally and her grandfathers. Tally has a tiny ally named Albert, a highly intelligent cliff rat. Young readers will enjoy his invaluable assistance and his tendency to pop up when he’s most needed.

What didn’t work as well:

The plot has a slow, steady pace, but doesn’t pick up until the end of the festival draws near. Also, jellyfish aren’t the cuddliest creatures, so they may not interest young readers. However, there aren’t many books that feature jellyfish, so their novelty may be an attraction.

The final verdict:

Featuring jellyfish is unusual, but the mystery of the missing light show is engaging as it unfolds. Readers will enjoy Tally’s struggle to live up to the community’s expectations, and the author saves a couple of surprises for later in the story. I recommend you give this book a shot.

Our Children in the Shadows by J.T. Bird

What worked:

Haven’s character is the highlight of the book. She’s confident, curious, mischievous, and sarcastic, and she loves snooping. These qualities and her intelligence result in an invitation to join the Guild of Whispering Shadows, a secret government organization. Haven isn’t the guild’s purpose, so readers are left to wonder what kinds of missions are in her future. Initially, Edith, head of the guild, doesn’t expect much from Haven, a “scallywag”, since she’s not from a noble family. Haven doesn’t like uppity, rude people, and she’s not ashamed of her background.

However, Haven must pass a trial before becoming a member of the guild. The plot’s first half focuses on this test, as she teams up with Sunny, another recruit, to follow a man and stop a massive weapons deal. Much of the trial is pretend, since a real one would be too dangerous, but it still gives Haven and Sunny chances to prove themselves. A subplot waits in the background, as newspapers report that several people have been murdered. The victims are turned to stone, and this is the first hint that the story will take a drastic turn. At the book’s midpoint, Edith reveals the existence of fantasy creatures, including a talking horse named Dale.

Haven’s is given her first mission in the book’s second half. She doesn’t understand why she’s tasked with investigating the stone murders, since she hasn’t even gone through training. She’s partnered with Sunny again, but this mission could get them killed. The author saves a huge surprise for later in the story that shifts the book more into the speculative fiction category. It makes Haven wonder about her safety when working with the adult characters.

What didn’t work as well:

Haven’s Cockney accent makes her difficult to understand, and a couple of characters would agree. Also, Haven is sarcastic and confident in her snooping abilities, so it’s surprising when she becomes frightened or anxious. She’s hard to figure out. Finally, a minor thought: illustrations of characters are found at the end of chapters, but placing them at the beginning would allow readers to speculate and anticipate upcoming events. As it is, the pictures have little impact.

The final verdict:

This fun speculative fiction book wonderfully blends intrigue, curious characters, and adventure with a touch of humor tossed in. I recommend you give this book a shot!

A Kingdom of Shadows (Lightseekers Book 1) by Emily Bain Murphy

What worked:

The Great Betrayal causes the diminishing light, along with other negative consequences. Evil and danger lurk in the spreading shadows, as evidenced by shadow-infected fruits. The characters encounter the Domino, a mist in the forest that sucks happy memories from unwary travelers. Everyone once possessed a little magic, a gift, but the Great Betrayal took it away. The land is now dark and depressing, and many characters hope to take advantage of those less fortunate. This setting makes Ehrit’s dream of light and hope stand out in stark contrast. The author saves a surprise for near the end, flipping the story upside down.

Ehrit is the “mysterious stranger” leading the characters to the Lake of Light, but the quest creates unease between Finn and his best friend Adrion. The boys have lived a life of thieving to stay alive, but Ehrit seems to live a life of honesty and hope. Finn finds it difficult to believe anyone can be kind and generous without wanting something in return. Finn begins to believe in the possibilities Ehrit is preaching, but Adrion is ever the skeptic. Finn is torn between loyalty to his best friend and the trust he is forming with Ehrit. Lydia, Finn’s younger sister, symbolizes goodness, and the siblings hold out hope of finding a mother they hardly remember. They still recall a bedtime song that may be the key to discovering their family history and future, and surprisingly, Ehrit knows the song, too.

Other characters join the group along the way, adding various motivations and personalities. One of them steals key ingredients needed to reach the Lake of Light, and Finn is suspicious of everyone. His feelings are ironic, since he’s been a thief for most of his life. Another group member suffers from a curse that limits how many words he can speak each day. He often points to tattooed words on his arms to circumvent the curse. Another girl likes to “boop” the others with playful, affectionate punches, and she becomes buddies with Lydia. Finn wonders if Ehrit can see into the future, because he always seems to know what will happen. Readers may notice similarities between Finn and Ehrit and begin to wonder if it’s significant.

What didn’t work as well:

The concept of increasing darkness is abstract and sometimes hard to understand. It’s not a big factor for the characters’ progress until shadow creatures pop up along the way. These obstacles are creative and infuse suspense. Some readers may interpret religion in the story, but it’s more spiritual than worshipping a god. The suggested reading level is eight and older, but eight is too young.

The final verdict:

This book offers a classic good-versus-evil story, although readers can’t always tell one from the other. The characters and creative plot are the highlights. I recommend you give this book a shot!

The Last Immortals: Dawn of the Axolotl (Epic Axolotls #1) by Kit Brooks

What worked:

Young readers can learn a lot about axolotls because the story begins with Ace hatching from an egg with his twin brother. After the pair’s birth, his brother is so hungry that he eats Ace’s tail, highlighting the concept of survival of the fittest. It also displays the axolotl’s ability to regrow body parts, including parts of the heart and brain. Ace’s initial efforts to find food are less than successful until he learns to be patient and camouflage. He must be on guard against predators, like fish, frogs, and larger salamanders. He experiences greater danger from toxic algae caused by human pollution. Axolotls are related to salamanders, and a friendly one named Neptune shares his story of life in an aquarium. 

The adventure has exciting moments, especially when Ace is cornered by predators. He meets a larger, female axolotl named Ariel who teaches him and his best friend Bubbles about their unique abilities. Neptune introduces a plot twist when he reports human plans that will endanger every living thing in their pond. Ariel wants to spread the word to other axolotls and enlists Ace and Bubbles for help. They learn about the Immortal Code and its importance to axolotl survival. The author saves another surprise for late in the book concerning Ace’s twin brother.

What didn’t work as well:

The story is creative, but the adventure is missing something. Perhaps it spends too much time focusing on ecology, axolotl information, and the Immortal Code when it might have further developed the characters. Ace’s good friend Bubbles is especially short-changed. In addition, several axolotls undergo extremely rapid evolution that doesn’t fit the overall story. It makes the story less “realistic."

The final verdict:

Axolotls are unusual creatures, so they should appeal to young readers. The story is informative and interesting, but the sequel will be more dramatic. I recommend you try this book for yourself.

Kolila the Ice Pirate (Thee Seas of Change Book 1) by Lauren Nicolle Taylor

What worked:

A frozen, Arctic setting is unusual for a middle-grade book, which should interest young readers. Kolila wants to prove she’s worthy of becoming the future leader of the Anuks, so she wants to do well on her first raid without adult assistance. However, her mission takes a serious turn when collapsing ice and a ferocious monster block her path home. Koli, her little brother, and Dale are stranded in harsh conditions, and they learn that something more dangerous is happening. The story becomes a tale about survival and saving the environment from the effects of oil.

All Anuks partner with narwhals, and Koli has bonded with Kari. They communicate by singing, and the narwhals use their horns to melt paths through the ice. Dale loses his narwhal to the monster, so he becomes despondent and angry. The connections between these beautiful creatures and humans highlight the Anuks’ relationship with nature. Stone City presents a stark contrast, as its development sacrifices wildlife and clean air. Koli must bring proof to the city leaders, so they’ll change their ways. Young readers will notice similarities to real life when it becomes clear that change will be difficult. Many people deny evidence of problems because it causes uncomfortable changes to their lives.

What didn’t work as well:

The Anuks singing communication with their narwhals isn’t as effective as it might be. The text doesn’t show the melody of their “speaking” very well. It feels like they’re simply talking mentally, and the narwhals use proper English.

The final verdict:

Much of the story is suspenseful, as the kids try to survive huge, devastating titans and dangers in the warming ocean. The book offers commentary on the importance of conservation and responsible development. I recommend you give this book a shot.

Journey Through the Mind: Unlocking the Brain's Secrets, One Thought at a Time

What worked:

The author blends comprehensive information about the brain with wit and a conversational style. He explores the brain’s smallest parts and functions, explaining each one. Our senses, emotions, dreams, and myths are just a few examples. Unusual associations help imprint facts in readers’ minds, and mental tasks are posed to highlight specific topics. Chunking and mnemonics are two strategies that help long-term memory, and the author has readers form mental palaces to practice them. Some sections break down functions into step-by-step instructions to explain mental processes of the brain. A cartoon shows the way our brains take a sad thought and make someone start crying. The overall narrative is written in blocks of information, so it doesn’t feel like everything is lumped together. Colorful illustrations and interesting facts help break up potential monotony.

The book’s highlight is the author’s combination of humor with a casual tone. “Yes, brains are weird, but that’s what makes them so interesting!” Muscle memory is applied to playing video games, which makes the topic relatable to young readers. Melatonin acts like a “… chemical lullaby, easing you off to the Land of Nod…” The author reminds readers of cavemen when a brain function doesn’t make sense today. Leptin is formed by fat cells to regulate when a person feels hungry, but it was more important for cavemen with unreliable food sources. Graphics accompanied by speech bubbles are especially amusing, like a dream about a pasta owl chasing someone in their underwear or cavemen “trepanning” holes in others’ skulls.

What didn’t work as well:

As mentioned, the book has an abundance of information that can become overwhelming. A table of contents helps readers find specific topics, but the book might be challenging to read straight through. The book’s light-hearted tone makes it easier for young people to form connections with the material.

The final verdict:

This book makes a serious topic, the brain, approachable for middle-grade readers. It covers almost any possible topic related to the brain and presents it in a style young readers will enjoy. I recommend you try this book for yourself. 

Roar by Varsha Bajaj

What worked:

The book exposes readers to wildlife and nature conservation in India. Ro’s grandfather oversees a sanctuary and fights hard to protect all of the animals living there. Tigers are the main topic, as Arya protects and nurtures her two newborn cubs. Mira, Ro’s cousin, loves to study birds, and she shares information with Ros and readers about the hundreds of species found in the sanctuary. G-pa and the other rangers teach the kids about tigers and their survival habits. Ro even discovers that tiger urine smells like popcorn! Young readers learn about trespassers and poachers and their tactics for hunting and killing tigers. The book shares ways the sanctuary tries to combat humans with evil intent, although it’s very difficult to do in a space that covers miles.

Young readers will love the short chapters, which help make the story feel fast-paced. Periodically, chapters share Arya’s perspective of life in the sanctuary. Readers learn about the tiger’s habits, including how she stalks and kills her prey. The cubs grow from tiny newborns into mischievous toddlers. They’re still too young to hunt on their own and protect themselves from danger, so Arya must watch them closely. The male cub listens to his mother and stays close, but his sister is slier and more daring. Arya gives her a wallop or carries the cub in her mouth, trying to teach the youngster that she needs her mother’s protection. Readers learn that wild animals have personalities, too.

What didn’t work as well:

The narrative is mostly realistic fiction, so the chapters from Arya’s point of view seem strange. The tiger has conversations with a crow that calls her Queen, and they talk about Good Human, Ro’s grandfather. These chapters seem odd since the rest of the book could really happen.

The final verdict:

This book is ideal for animal lovers, especially those interested in protecting them in the wild. Tigers are the story's main focus, but readers will find many other creatures. I recommend you try this book for yourself.

Fallen Empire (Guardians 2) by Brandon Mull

What worked:

Mako, Arden, and Tuck remain the main characters, and problems from the first book remain. They can’t reveal how their masters were disintegrated to dust, or they’ll be tracked down by the giant man who spared their lives. They’ve roamed the kingdom for months, but their Paramond horses attract attention wherever they go. They decide to settle in a remote mining town, but they get caught up in local problems. The trio begins to work for several Anorans, but readers will suspect they’re unsavory characters. Mako, Arden, and Tuck are honorable people, so working for these miners creates an immediate conflict. This story leads to Mako discovering the identity of his birth mother, a woman he’s never met.

Mako continues to struggle internally with the Accursed, Narrix. Mako bonded with this dangerous spirit out of desperation, even though their bond was forbidden. Narrix is always in the back of Mako’s mind, augmenting his power and fighting skills when needed. However, Narrix has a smooth tongue, always sounding sincere and supportive, but Mako can’t trust him. Mako must learn to use Narrix’s help without giving up his control or conscience. He must keep their alliance secret, but that’s hard to do when he displays unnatural fighting skills. Many people suspect the bond, and Mako eventually confesses to two characters. 

The rise of the Accursed is the underlying problem in the series, but many citizens are in denial about the possibility. Mako, Arden, and Tuck witnessed the truth when their masters were slaughtered, but they can’t reveal their knowledge. Alternate chapters focus on Mako or Arden with their overlapping and contrasting problems. Arden can sense truthfulness in others, and she knows Mako is hiding a secret. She desperately wants to learn what happened to her father, so most of her chapters follow that storyline. Mako tries to locate a woman who has partnered with Vandrel, the leader of the Accursed, while hiding his true identity. No one has ever bonded to an Accursed without turning evil, but Mako hopes to be the first. His problem is complicated by characters who don’t see bonding with the Accursed as bad. Do they truly believe the Accursed can do good, or are they hoping to use Mako for evil purposes?

What didn’t work as well:

In book one, Mako displayed uncanny talents with the sling and music; it would be nice to see them highlighted more to emphasize his humble background and normality. Amazon suggests this book for ages 8 and older, but readers that young probably aren’t ready.

The final verdict:

You should read Forbidden Mountain, the first book in the series, before reading this one. Understanding Fallen Empire requires knowledge of what happened earlier. This book has complicated characters and relationships and growing suspense as critical decisions must be made. There’s plenty of action, and secrets are revealed. I highly recommend you read this series.