The Phantom Firefighter by J.W. Jarvis

What worked:

Noah finds a book in an inconspicuous, small-town bookstore that’s about the life of a firefighter. The next thing you know, Noah thinks he’s dreaming about being inside the firefighter’s story and leading his team into a burning building. However, Noah’s unaware that his father believes he’s dreaming about observing the same experience. It’s an innovative twist to have a father and son unknowingly go through the same events in dream-like states. As the synopsis shares, other characters are drawn into the story later.

Most of the story happens inside the fireman’s diary so readers accompany the characters on various fire emergencies. The story shares different aspects of firefighting that might be new to young readers. The calls range from a house fire rescue to a raging forest inferno, to an oil tanker truck engulfed in flames. The narrative describes strategies used by firefighters in different situations to save victims and to keep themselves safe. What should firefighters do if they’re trapped in the middle of a forest fire with no route to escape? The book highlights fireman Zach’s promotions up the leadership ladder until he becomes the captain of a firehouse.

What didn’t work as well:

The narrative explains everything about the characters and what’s happening so it requires very little inferencing. Readers don’t need to use their imaginations as much which limits them from becoming more personally connected with the characters and story. Also, the book’s synopsis reveals way more about the plot than it should so there are no surprises until Noah returns the diary.

The Final Verdict:

The book presents a creative way to share what it’s like to be a fireman in life-threatening situations. Noah’s story is motivating but it would be even better if the author had left more to the imagination. Overall, I recommend this book to readers looking for a quick-read adventure.

Stinetinglers 2: 10 MORE New Stories From the Master of Scary Tales by R.L. Stine

What worked:

This book provides short samples of R.L. Stine’s style of writing. All of the chapters have eerie angles to their stories based on different interpretations of the author’s life as a young boy. Each chapter opens with one page referencing a life experience along with a hint as to how it influences the story. One chapter mentions Stine’s brother’s lucky hat that becomes an unfortunate adventure of good luck gone bad. Another chapter draws inspiration from being lost at the Columbus Zoo and becomes an encounter with unexpected, endangered creatures. Young children will often tell adults, “You’re not the boss of me,” and that’s transformed into how it might look if that were twisted into reality.

I like to look for patterns in order to predict where various stories are headed but Stine manages to keep me guessing. The first couple of chapters seem to turn out better than expected for the main characters but that trend doesn’t continue for every story. Some characters learn the hard way that with great power comes great responsibility. Other lessons might be that people should be careful what they wish for or they should treat others with more kindness and compassion.

In general, the book doesn’t include the strange and dangerous creatures or characters found in many of Stine’s “Fear Steet” and “Goosebumps” books. Much of this book reminds me of old “Twilight Zone” television episodes (you can find them on YouTube kids) that depict strange twists in human nature. Most of the chapters are probably born from the question of “What if?” However, that’s not to say the book doesn’t involve any creepy critters at all as some of the stories are darker than others. A bit of evil is bound to work its way into the details when characters are dealing with embarrassment, anger, and revenge.

What didn’t work as well:

The short stories may have readers wanting more. Many of them end with dramatic reveals so readers are left wondering, “Now what?” In one story, a character unveils his hidden secret and terrifies his classmates and he hints that things will get worse. Readers are left to wonder how bad it might get although using our imaginations to make predictions can be enjoyable too. Sometimes.

The Final Verdict:

I was skeptical about how well Stine would be able to transfer his style to short stories but he’s amazingly successful. He’s able to generate intrigue and suspense through his strange views of the world and I highly recommend you give this book a chance.

Jett Jamison & the Secret Storm by Kimberly Behre Kenna

What worked:

Jett struggles with social interactions and anxiety and she’s especially sensitive to noise. Jett’s safe place is the solitude found in libraries but two girls playing chess even upsets her. The sound of jets flying overhead really overwhelms her but the reason why is a mystery. She hears a little voice in her head and gets periodic headaches. Jett’s parents have an unconventional view of the world so she’s reluctant to speak with them about her problems. Jett’s hope for a peaceful, organized life is at the crux of the plot’s conflict and morphs into a story about censorship and healing.

The topic of censorship begins when a nun suggests a specific book might help Jett deal with her internal conflicts. Jett finds a copy in the library but black marker makes most of the sentences illegible and sections of pages have been torn out. She’s told many people living in the town don’t approve of what the book says. This makes Jett especially curious since she has no idea what the book’s actually about. She has some deep conversations with the nun about religion and what it means to be religious.

It's clear Jett is battling a horrible internal conflict and its source is suggested in the censored book’s subject matter. Suppressing the memories and emotions is causing her physical and mental issues while other characters are unaware of her issues. Most of the other students simply view her as odd and make fun of her behavior. Unfortunately, Jett’s problems are more common than they should be and the book gives girls hope and paths to recovery. The censored book from the narrative includes blank pages for characters to add their own stories and begin their healing. The author informs readers at the end of her book that she experienced the same trauma and encourages others to seek help.

What didn’t work as well:

Jett has a disagreement with her two friends about white lies and honesty. Readers might expect Jett to be the one devoted to honesty since the need for organization and planning are so important to her. She demands truth from the librarian and a nun so it seems inconsistent when she doesn’t have a problem telling white lies.

The Final Verdict:

I was expecting a book about censorship but the story goes far beyond that. Jett’s problems highlight the conflict as the book shares a powerful message of strength and healing. Overall, I recommend this book to middle-grade readers.

The Horrible Bag of Terrible Things #1 (The Horrible Series) by Rob Renzetti

What worked:

The narrative is told in mostly short chapters which should appeal to young readers. The horrible bag makes its entrance in the very first sentence and the author grabs readers’ attention by taking the time to describe its creepiness. It makes groaning noises, is slouched, and has very bad posture. The outside is patched with different types of animal skin such as finished leather, bristled hair, and reptilian skin. Haphazard stitches hold them together along with a tarnished brass clasp that resembles the thorns and flowers of a rosebush. The descriptions make the bag seem like a living thing but the real excitement and adventure are found in the bag’s murky mystery.

The author blends strange, absurd humor into Zenith’s mission to rescue his sister Apogee from the horrible bag. An entire bizarre world is found inside it and Zenith has no useful skills or knowledge to navigate and survive the plants and creatures found there. Three holes negotiate for his blood and promise to take him where he needs to go. Tree roots grab his sister, water tosses him out, and rocks move to block his way. A tiny gargoyle named Kreeble offers to help in exchange for five minutes of feasting on Zenith’s ear wax and he becomes Zenith’s main companion. You might be disgusted with the story if Kreeble’s eating habits bother you. The story’s text plays with literal versus figurative language and creates funny interactions between the characters. Unexpectedly weird characters and situations arise at every turn which makes it difficult to predict what will happen next.

Zenith’s relationship with Apogee creates an internal struggle throughout the adventure. He misses how things used to be and resents that she acts more like another parent than his sister. The narrative includes some of Zenith’s memories but one in particular eats away at him. He’s preparing to score the winning goal in a hockey game when his sister yells out to him. As a result, he’s knocked over by a bully and nearly drowns in the pond. He can’t understand why she’d stop him and he gets angry whenever he thinks about it. However, he’s still determined to save her from the Holey Wurm despite the numerous dangers he encounters.

What didn’t work as well:

As with some other books I’ve reviewed, this book requires a high tolerance for zaniness and strange ideas. I happen to appreciate these types of books although this one may not appeal to everybody. It’s often hard to tell if this book is meant to be a funny adventure story or an adventurous funny story.

The Final Verdict:

The second half of the book has less wackiness and the build-up to the climax is exciting with an action-packed chase at the end. The resolution is a bit of a surprise but it leaves the door open for the sequel. Overall, I recommend this book for readers with imaginations who enjoy the unusual.

Alebrijes by Donna Barba Higuera

What worked:

The author skillfully takes the time to describe the oppressive, despondent dystopian setting in the early parts of the book. Leandro and his little sister Gabi harvest potatoes all day in the hot sun only to be paid with a couple of potatoes for themselves. They share a tent-like hut with a frail, old woman but she takes most of their payment for herself and threatens them into submission. Anyone caught stealing or not obeying the rules of Pocatel is taken into custody by the Patrol and banished into the barren Outlands. The wyrms and spores that become active at night almost guarantee the exiles won’t live to see the sunrise. Leo is determined to escape with Gabi and find a safer place to live.

The Old-World refers to Earth as it used to be. Leo and Gabi wonder if the unbelievable tales of abundant wildlife and plants are actually true and they dream of someday living in a place like that. Readers will try to make mental connections between the world we know and the general descriptions of a world long gone. Some familiar technology and building structures are mentioned along with geographical locations and occupations. The term alebrije refers to mythical creatures but in this book, they’re simply animals the characters haven’t seen before. Leo speaks Spanish at times and I confess that I don’t know exactly what he’s saying. Readers can get the gist of the meanings for these phrases and the language enhances the cultural aspect of the story.

The essence of the conflict is based on the governing structure of Pocatel. The Pocatelans lived independently and took care of their own until the Cascabels arrived years ago. The Cascabels are used to ensure the survival of Pocatel but it’s clear the city’s citizens are more valued than the immigrants. The Cascabels living in the Pox are afraid of banishment and probable death so they don’t complain and silently perform the harsh tasks assigned to them. However, the story later reveals there’s more going on behind the scenes than anyone knows. The Directors are planning to take drastic, heartless actions that go well beyond anything done before. The real problem is the Imperator leading all of Pocatel. The repressive, cruel atmosphere has conditioned most of the citizens to have the same attitudes since speaking out against the leaders can lead to Pocatelans being banished too.

What didn’t work as well:

The book’s synopsis tells readers where the plot is headed but it takes a while to get there. There’s a great deal of description. However, the story takes a drastic turn about a fourth of the way into the book when Leo goes through an extreme transformation, and his consciousness is joined with a hummingbird drone.

The Final Verdict:

The book shares an innovative view of a dystopian culture living under a repressive, strict government. The interest level kicks up once Leo is banished as the plot opens up to a new setting, new characters, and significant revelations. Overall, this is a highly entertaining book and I highly recommend you give it a shot.

The Great Texas Dragon Race by Kacy Ritter

What worked:

The plot is interesting as it’s related to a couple of current, real-world issues. The story is set in West Texas on a farm dedicated to protecting abused and lost animals. Okay, the animals in question are dragons but the focus on rescuing creatures from deplorable conditions and death is similar to actual dog shelters today. The nation’s largest oil company, FireCorp, is the main violator of dragon mistreatment and their attitude is that they can do whatever they want and solve any problems with money. FireCorp wants to buy the dragon sanctuary property in order to build another refinery. Big business versus the common man is a universal conflict in many novels.

The opening pages display pictures and brief descriptions of dragons appearing in the story. It’s not overly critical to memorize them but they’re nice to reference if readers desire. Cassidy rides a Polychromatic Dragon called Ranga that she rescued when he was quite little. He’s fast but unpredictable due to what I’ll call PTSD at the hands of FireCorp. The author blends real descriptions of the desolate, dangerous Texas desert with the make-believe world of dragons that will make readers feel like their part of the race. Water and food are scarce and wild dragons are an ever-present danger so the dragon race is also a survival test. Riders are required to perform dragon-ranching skills along the way as they receive hologram clues from past race winners telling them various destinations. However, the riders must be wary of dirty tricks and sabotage from their competitors.

Cassidy wants to win the race to help with her family’s money problems but other issues make the plot more intriguing. FireCorp has dominated the winners in past dragon races and this year’s team of riders continues to intimidate everyone else. However, their sabotage and shady tactics frequently target Cassidy more than others and they’re determined to keep her from winning. Is it because her deceased mother was a former champion, because they want to get her family’s dragon ranch, or is it because of another unknown reason? Cassidy has a bad experience with one of the FireCorp riders but he apologizes afterward and says that wasn’t really him. Cassidy is well aware that ALL of the dragon riders only care about themselves and winning so she’s very reluctant to trust any of the competitors.

What didn’t work as well:

This is pretty petty but the words used to describe dragon sounds are generic and don’t work. I’m looking for onomatopoeia or additional descriptions to really help readers experience the noises.

The Final Verdict:

The story is about a fun, deadly adventure in the Texas desert where problem-solving, survival skills, and perseverance are requirements to reach the finish line. Cassidy learns valuable lessons about teamwork, friendship, and what’s important and the author wraps up the conflict in an unexpected way. I recommend you give this book a shot.

White House Clubhouse by Sean O'Brien

What worked:

The kids of all presidents in history have formed a club using a secret room in the White House as their base. Marissa and her younger sister Clara accidentally find the room and discover it has many different doors to choose from. The one they select transports them back to the presidency of Teddy Roosevelt and they learn they can’t return to the present until they complete some type of quest. Marissa realizes it must involve a two-thousand-year-old giant sequoia tree in California that will soon be cut down. The girls set out on a cross-country adventure to save Steeple Giant and possibly convince President Roosevelt that it's important to preserve nature for future generations.

Passenger jets hadn’t been invented yet so most of the story takes place on the president’s private train as it travels from Washington to California. Two of Roosevelt’s kids help Marissa and Clara sneak aboard so avoiding discovery by the security team is a constant challenge. They find themselves hiding or investigating all over the train including the caboose, dining car, press car, and even the steam engine. The train makes stops at cities all across the country where the president makes quick speeches to patriotic citizens. The reporters don’t pay much attention since he says the same thing every time. However, Roosevelt starts adding new phrases at some stops and the newspapermen want to find out why. Marissa and Clara may have something to do with that but they know time is running out to save Steeple Giant.

The author incorporates historical elements into the plot that will help young readers experience the way the United States used to be. At the end of the book, the author shares which parts of the story are based on actual events. He includes quotations from Roosevelt’s speeches in the story’s dialogue and the president’s love of nature is featured. He’s responsible for many national parks, forests, and preserves throughout the states with some of them mentioned in the narrative. Apparently, it wasn’t unusual to see a pony, badger, and guinea pigs inside the White House since his children shared his adventurous, mischievous spirit. On the other hand, the book points out how lobbyists constantly try to influence the president’s policies and the ongoing conflict between business and nature.

What didn’t work as well:

The plot features many chase scenes with the kids fleeing in, on, and around the train. Their daring escapes sometimes feel impossible and seem to require superpowers or superior athletic abilities. These scenes are exciting but don’t fit in a historically-accurate story from 1903.

The Final Verdict:

The book takes readers in unexpected directions as Marissa and her sister navigate the world of politics and adventure. Saving Steeple Giant is the focus but unexpected characters arise to add twists to the story. Overall, this book is thought-provoking and entertaining and I recommend you give it a shot.