Puppet by David Almond

What worked:

The book’s tone is reminiscent of old children’s books or fairy tales. An old puppeteer named Silvester donates his old puppets to a museum and thinks back to happy times traveling and performing with his deceased wife Belinda. He makes one last puppet from scrap parts and that’s when the magic slowly begins. The author’s subtle descriptions of the puppet cause Silvester and readers to suspect it might be coming to life. The author uses the story to share thoughts on aging, friendship, and the wonders of imagination.

The puppet, later called Kenneth, provides plenty of fodder for readers to use their imaginations. Kenneth is sometimes unresponsive to Silvester so readers will wonder what’s happening with him. His vocabulary consists of “EO” and “Jam” until he adds two significant words late in the book. Those are the two main sounds Kenneth uses when he chooses to respond to others so readers are left to imagine what he might be trying to say. What does Kenneth think when he's looking at a cat, clouds in the sky, or a car, or when the old man tries to teach him about other music or love? They meet a friendly little girl in the park named Fleur and she quickly befriends Kenneth. Fleur has a revelation midway through the plot that alters the rest of the book.

The most magical aspect of the book is the author’s artful mastery of the English language. The text sounds very simple and basic but the words generate an abundance of deep thinking. Different sentence lengths create suspense, amusement, or thoughtful reflection. A sense of community is felt from the characters' interactions with compassion and caring for one another. Fondness for past memories and experiences gives rise to hope and inspiration for the future.

What didn’t work as well:

Some readers might not like the simplicity of the story or it might make them think too much. I don’t share those concerns and found the whole book very charming.

The final verdict:

This heartwarming tale will touch the full gamut of reader emotions. Silvester finds a new purpose in his life and his positivity is contagious. This book will appeal to lovers of skillful writing and the power of creativity and I highly recommend you give it a shot!

out of my dreams by Sharon M. Draper

What worked:

The story is told in first-person from Melody’s point of view. Cerebral palsy has confined her to a wheelchair and it’s difficult for her to control her muscles. She utilizes a computer-like machine called a Medi-Talker that she’s named Elvira. Elvira allows her to “speak” by converting typed words to sound. Despite her challenges, Melody is a highly intelligent twelve-year-old as she’s in advanced math classes and has a talent for languages. She’s curious about anything she doesn’t know and she’ll quickly jump on the internet to learn more. Melody uses her wits to save an elderly neighbor named Miss Gertie which leads to a trip to England. Melody is a remarkable character and will be an inspiration to young readers.

The author keeps Melody’s disability real as her family and a neighbor chip in to help her. She needs her mother’s help simply getting out of bed in the morning and she gets embarrassed at times about needing assistance to use the restroom. Her food needs special preparation and she can’t manipulate silverware to feed herself. However, her parents and little sister are very supportive and help her without complaint. A neighbor, Mrs. V., has been helping the family since Melody was born and she’s the one who accompanies Melody to London.

Each book has Melody traveling to someplace special where she faces new challenges. The first book saw her competing in a team competition, she goes to camp in the second book, and this time she travels to London for an international conference. Actually, the middle part of the book is almost like a travel documentary of a London vacation. Melody and her friends do a good bit of sightseeing and Miss Gertie’s connections open up unexpected doors. Melody may have saved Miss Gertie in ways she never expected.

What didn’t work as well:

As mentioned, the middle part of the book is spent visiting the sights of London with a lot of factual information shared. These chapters allow her mind to obsess with Imposter Syndrome as she doesn’t understand what her plain self can contribute to an International Symposium for I.D.E.A. Much of the book describes her journey through this time in her life but there’s not a large conflict that needs to be resolved. Speaking at the conference seems to be the problem but it’s not a dramatic one.

The final verdict:

This book is an emotional roller coaster as Melody laughs, cries, and gets excited during her adventure to London. I recommend you give this book a shot but I suggest you read Out of My Mind first to fully appreciate Melody’s life journey. 

The Chronicles of Viktor Valentine 1 by Z Brewer

What worked:

From the book’s synopsis, readers already know Viktor’s parents are vampires but Viktor himself is a mystery. The sight of blood makes him dizzy although it doesn’t affect him while playing his favorite video game. He’s often battling a zombie apocalypse with his best friend Damon and blood and gore splatter everywhere. Damon is Viktor’s only friend until a new girl named Alys moves in across the street. Young readers can identify with his middle-school insecurities, especially with a bullying girl living right next door.

Readers have a good idea of what will happen but the author lets the events slowly unfold. This piques their anticipation as they wonder when Viktor will realize the truth about his parents. Viktor’s mother volunteers at a blood bank while his father designs coffins. The opening chapters reveal that Alys and her parents are vampire hunters and they’ve moved to Nowhere to kill one. Alys is nice to Viktor and becomes his friend but readers will know she’s actually collecting information about his family. However, Alys’s father isn’t happy that she displayed sympathy for their previous target and it’s unclear what she’ll do this time. Readers will root for Viktor as he’s just a nice guy trying to survive the early days of seventh grade. It feels wrong for vampire hunters to take advantage of a kind, innocent boy but that adds intrigue to the story. The plot has a bit of a Romeo and Juliet vibe going on.

A couple supporting characters add to the story's uncertainty as readers try to figure out if they’re normal humans or friends of vampires. Viktor’s mother insists he volunteer in the school library and she’s helpful with locating vampire information. A substitute English teacher doesn’t fit the description of a “normal” educator. Her appearance gives off a strong goth vibe and she has a special interest in the supernatural. She scraps the regular teacher’s lesson plans and has the students read the novel Dracula. Viktor is startled by her reaction when he shows her his father’s original copy of the novel. Readers will wonder about the backstories of these characters and others.

What didn’t work as well:

The downside of the synopsis is that readers already know what’s going to happen up until the climax. There aren’t as many opportunities for surprises and twists which may not appeal to some readers. However, many truths are revealed during the climax that will make readers want to read the sequel as soon as it’s published.

The final verdict:

The book touches readers’ emotions as an innocent boy doesn’t realize he’s at the center of a brewing storm. He just wants to have friends and survive middle school and doesn’t know his family is in danger. The book will appeal to lovers of vampires and goth and I recommend you give it a shot.

The Long Way Around by Anne Nesbet

What worked:

Vivian is uncertain about starting a new school year but her cousin Owen’s emotional conflict is a bigger issue. Owen is involved in a car accident that sends him to the hospital, but his best friend has more serious injuries. Owen is traumatized in the aftermath of the incident and he’s having trouble accepting the fate of his friend. Amy has a vivid imagination that makes readers wonder if she’s seeing things that aren’t there. She reports seeing and talking to a golden bear but Owen says the only bears in the area are black. She’s eventually given the trail name Bear and the other two characters receive nicknames as the story progresses.

The kids encounter problems during their hike that readers might expect in the mountainous areas of California. The state experiences many earthquakes and a large one causes the plot’s main conflict. Smaller tremors ensue to make the setting uncertain. Smoke from a fire is spotted in the distance so readers don’t know if that will become a factor. The weather is unpredictable so readers don’t know if flooding or slippery rocks may complicate the kids’ plans. Amy’s questionable sighting of a bear introduces the possibility that the kids might encounter wild animals. Readers are reminded that the main characters are young children with little experience surviving in the wild.

The relationship between the cousins will make readers feel good. They constantly have positive words for each other to help them deal with their issues. Vivian and Amy display empathy for Owen especially when begins sharing the truth about the car accident. Amy begins to lose hope but Owen and Vivian find different ways to motivate her to keep moving forward. Owen is in charge of their food and he always manages to use meals and snacks to keep up the morale. Amy and Owen understand what’s bothering Vivian and they provide verbal and emotional support to help her battle through them.

What didn’t work as well:

For a survival story, the journey around the lake isn’t as dramatic as it might be. There are many opportunities to add twists or to make things more challenging but they never happen. Experienced readers will expect Mother Nature to present life-threatening obstacles but the kids surprisingly navigate everything they face.

The final verdict:

This book tells a wonderful survival story for those who’d prefer not to deal with intense fear or danger. The real story focuses on the three kids as they provide loving support for each other’s emotional needs. The long hike provides situations where they must face unresolved issues but their fondness for each other carries them through. I recommend you give this book a shot.

The Gods' Revenge by Katherine Marsh

What worked:

The premise of the series is that Greek gods control all of the details in myths to depict men being in charge and heroes of every story. Library books have been censored to share the stories they want known so their lies will continue. Ava is determined to reveal the truth about all of the gods but they will do all they can to stop her. In the previous book, Ava discovered her mother, the gorgon Medusa, is still alive and Perseus never chopped off her head as the myths say. Ava’s school year is complicated when Pereus is named the new headmaster of the school! Her friends know she’s being targeted and they do their best to keep her from being expelled.

Middle-grade readers can identify with Ava’s insecurity about her appearance as she begins a new school year. She’s initially excited about being several inches taller until she sees how her friend Layla has changed. Layla can make herself appear as anyone she likes so she decides to become as beautiful as possible. She still has the same kind, friendly personality but Ava is uncomfortable with everyone staring and wanting to be near Layla. It creates an internal conflict for Ava when she feels guilty for any negative thoughts about her friend’s new look.

Perseus is a cocky character whose main role seems to be antagonizing Ava. He changes instructors, classes, classrooms, and activities to favor male students and it’s not done quietly. There’s no effort to hide his unfair treatment which helps to magnify the conflict between the gods and females. Perseus assesses strikes to students for unacceptable behavior and three strikes result in a student being kicked out of the school. Perseus is assisted by other godly characters and readers may be surprised to see female characters helping to oppress the rights of all women. Ava helps reveal the truth about god-created stories that have misguided some female characters.

What didn’t work as well:

It’s surprising when Perseus uses supernatural powers to control others. He’s a demi-god in myths and doesn’t display any special abilities like that. His character is confusing when compared to the typical myths of Perseus. However, his puzzling powers are explained later in the story and make perfect sense.

The final verdict:

This book highlights the fact that whoever controls the information also controls the power. Ava’s efforts to uncover hidden truths create conflict with the gods that will continue throughout the series. Readers who enjoy mythology and women’s rights will appreciate this book and I recommend you give it a shot.

The Crossbow of Destiny by Brando Hoang

What worked:

The whole story is immersed in Vietnamese culture. The opening pages present a folktale about a magical crossbow. The king makes a deal with a turtle-god to protect his realm but he eventually becomes greedy and won’t fulfill his part of the deal. Obviously, bad things result and the crossbow becomes legendary. The author includes an abundance of information about Vietnam through clothing, food, rituals, landmarks, and language. Readers get help with understanding new vocabulary since Freddie, the main character, has forgotten much of it since moving to America. There’s also a glossary at the end of the book. Freddie’s cousin Lien is very helpful with explaining unknown ideas or language. Freddie’s grandfather is retiring after a long career as an archaeologist and his research into Vietnam’s history and culture is important in the overall plot.

The cousins are each dealing with their own internal conflicts that trouble them throughout the book. Freddie has forgotten much of her Vietnamese past since she moved to America and it frustrates her. There are glimpses of memories but she still feels disconnected from her relatives. She thinks she’s disappointing them and her poor speech is embarrassing. Lien has always been a straight-A student and everyone expects her to be perfect. Her parents don’t want her taking risks and they expect her to obediently follow the rules. Lien feels stifled and irritated and she wants more freedom and respect. The unsettled feelings of Freddie and Lien eventually create friction between the two cousins.

The plot becomes an adventure into the wilds of Vietnam when Freddie, Lien, and a boy named Duy traverse the country to rescue Freddie’s grandfather. They’re forced to find refuge in the jungle where they encounter vicious animals and a harsh environment. Meager rations force them to use their ingenuity to survive while also being on the lookout for dangerous henchmen. The success of their mission is dependent on their ability to decode a folktale and a diary to locate the Crossbow of Destiny. However, how can they expect to uncover the secrets when no one else has for thousands of years.

What didn’t work as well:

In some sections, the Vietnamese facts become informational and may distract from the plot. It’s not a big deal and may not bother all readers.

The final verdict:

This book shares an exciting adventure into Southeast Asia in a country that’s not often highlighted. Vietnam offers a unique culture and setting that should appeal to lovers of folklore and legends. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot.

Boy 2.0 #1 by Tracey Baptiste

What worked:

The opening hook describes the mysterious circumstances when Coal is forced to change foster homes. He really likes his foster father Tom but one day Tom starts telling him to run while trying to stab people no one else can see. Coal and readers don’t know anything about his real family as he was left on a doorstep as an infant. This backdrop leads to all kinds of possible explanations when Coal discovers he can turn invisible. Readers can use their imaginations to fill in details and modify their ideas as more information arises. There must be more to Tom’s character than we know and the story of Coal’s parents must eventually be revealed.

It's always interesting to watch how characters respond when they suddenly acquire “superpowers”. Coal escapes a traumatic situation when the police can’t see him hiding right in front of them. He freaks out when his skin becomes invisible and is frightened by the unexplained. Doubt then sets in when he can’t make it happen again and he can’t trust anyone to share his secret. He finally confides in his best friend Door and their curiosity is piqued. This range of emotions is more “realistic” than immediately deciding to become a new superhero. Coal never even considers intentionally using his invisibility because he’s more concerned with understanding it.

A couple of social issues are included in the book. Racism is an underlying issue throughout and police brutality in particular is highlighted after the news of a young girl’s death. Coal has a frightening encounter with a white man and police officers after he’s spotted painting a mural of her. This terror leads to his first episode of invisibility. Coal’s new foster parents, Doc and Jackson McKay, try to balance their understanding for his emotions and freedom while trying to keep him safe from dangerous situations. Moral and ethical questions arise when Coal learns more about genetic engineering and the manipulation of DNA. This would allow scientists to speed up human adaptation in response to the rapidly changing global environment. However, just because something might be possible doesn’t mean it's something that should be done.

What didn’t work as well:

The plot could use a faster pace as most of the real action begins when Coal locates a company that is cutting edge in the field of genetic engineering. It also seems overly convenient when Coal moves in with the McKays even though the parents say it was unexpected. The transition is too smooth so readers will know there’s more to the story. The parents and children go out of their way to support Coal so it’s surprising when it takes so long for him to trust them.

The final verdict:

Readers will empathize with Coal as he struggles with his new ability after being shipped to a new foster family. Strong emotions are embedded in the story as he tries to uncover the mystery of his past and the dangers in his future. I recommend this book for lovers of origin stories, science, and social issues. Give it a shot.