Georgie Summers and the Scribes of Scatterplot by Isaac Rudansky

What worked:

This book has many elements that will be familiar to young readers. Georgie’s father disappears and is taken to a new world called Scatterplot. Georgie has a crush on the prettiest girl in school named Apurva and she accompanies him on the adventure. They’re joined by Georgie’s neighbor although Roscoe is taken hostage almost immediately after passing through a portal. Georgie is the son of two Scribes, which leads to his incredible reading and writing skills. These skills don’t sound impressive but readers will learn more about them in the book. Finally, Georgie is the only one who can use the Aetherquill which means he’s the only person who can save the memories of everyone on Earth, and possibly rescue his father in the process.

The author includes bits of humor throughout the book by utilizing wordplay and funny situations. Twins greet Georgie and his friends when they’re preparing to enter a portal in Georgie’s garage. Edie was told Georgie might be spectacle (eyeglasses) about their destination and Ore says she meant to say skeptical. Edie says they’re in an orifice (an opening) when she should have said office. Roscoe claims to be a YouTube star and he doesn’t mind embarrassing Georgie in his videos. He tends to boast quite a bit but the truth is usually less than he claims. Readers will enjoy Roscoe’s transformation after he’s captured by a rebel named Rollie D.

Readers will discover an innovative world when the setting moves to Scatterplot. Georgie and his friends are transported by pocket horsemen named Phiz and Bugle that resemble miniature gorillas with horse’s heads. They can transform into huge versions of themselves and become ferocious, loyal defenders. The seven Scribes choose important events from the lives of every human on Earth and record them in books for each of them. These records allow humans to have memories but Scribe libraries are being attacked by Flint Eldrich. He wants to make all humans mindless subjects as he rules the world. The author saves a twist regarding Flint’s identity for later in the book. There are constant reminders that the Aetherquill should never be used in a lower realm, like Scatterplot” so readers will probably foresee that someone will undoubtedly do it.

What didn’t work as well:

Some details are overlooked or unexplained which may puzzle readers. For example, the Scribes shoot beams of energy from their hands during a fight without any prior hints of this ability. Also, it seems the Scribes don’t record memories of people in their own realm so readers may wonder why not.

The final verdict:

Young readers will like how Georgie discovers he has abilities like in other popular books. The Aetherquill and Scribes are fresh ideas and the truth about Georgie’s father is a surprising twist. Overall, this is an enjoyable adventure and I recommend you give it a shot.

Painting the Game by Patricia MacLachlan

What worked:

This book has a feel-good story with absolutely no negativity. There’s no violence, no profanity, and not even a single disagreement. Lucy gets along with her parents and misses her father when he’s away playing baseball. Hugs and kisses await when he returns and braiding Lucy’s hair has special meaning for them. Her father’s catcher lives next and he’s treated like part of the family as is his dog, Ruby. Ruby loves to be around Lucy and the dog most enjoys playing catch. Yes, Ruby catches the ball and can toss it back to the thrower.

Baseball is a major part of the plot. Lucy’s father hopes to pitch in the major leagues and Lucy carefully watches him while he practices. She’s always thought the pitcher’s mound is a scary place to stand but she begins to think that she’ll give it a try. However, she practices secretly and wants to surprise her parents when she’s ready. Lucy’s mother also has a surprise for her daughter and husband but it’s the one thing that doesn’t involve baseball. These loving secrets between Lucy’s family members are the main conflicts in the book.

What didn’t work as well:

Readers who don’t enjoy sports probably won’t like this book very much. Also, as you may have guessed, the plot doesn’t generate much tension or suspense since the main conflicts involve family secrets. However, there’s nothing bad about them and readers can easily predict how things will turn out.

The final verdict:

This book will appeal to readers looking for a story that features the best in family relationships. Everything about it will make readers feel happy and peaceful and I recommend you give this book a shot.

Thief of Colours by Stephen Sinclair

What worked:

The author takes the time to accentuate colors in the early chapters, contrasting with what happens later. The mayor’s secretaries are superficial characters and prideful of their colorful fingernails, dresses, and shoes. Later, they’re angry and alarmed when all colors on the island appear faded and dull. Citizens notice the difference but life dismally goes on. However, they eventually realize it’s affecting their businesses and they want something done. The upcoming changes aren’t what they expect and a pseudo caste system is created.

It's unexpected to learn the whole conflict is initiated by one man. Embarrassment and hurt feelings combine to transform a public servant into the plot’s protagonist. He’s easily manipulated and greed becomes a motivating factor. The conflict is easy to follow but a stone found in an abandoned mine is the real mystery. Where did it come from and how does it work? It’s found in one of the mine shafts so did a worker discover it years ago? The solution to the plot will come from understanding the eerie stone and finding a way to reverse its effects.

Margie and Henry are the main characters but Margie is most interesting. She’s stubborn, opinionated, impulsive, and sometimes bossy but Henry still considers her his best friend. She’s upset that her sister is getting married even though Henry reminds her that she likes the fiancée. She’s dreading being part of the wedding party and she’s furious when she sees the dress she’s expected to wear. It leads to one more argument in her family to go along with the constant quarreling between her mom and sister. Her family problems create a subplot that develops connections with the island’s loss of color.

What didn’t work as well:

The protagonist and his helpers are adults and there may be some subtly inappropriate scenes for younger readers. It’s nothing too bad but it’s not necessary in a book for younger readers.

The final verdict:

This book must be a reprint of one originally published in 1995. The absence of color on the island is a novel idea and Margie and Henry are delightful characters. The plot is easy to follow and readers can predict where it’s headed but there are mild surprises in the end. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot.

The Bug Bandits by Jenni L. Walsh

What worked:

Liberty has a special love for animals with six or eight legs and she’ll do anything to save her father’s insect museum. She doesn’t mind being called Bug Girl although she’s learned not to advertise her unusual interest in school. She feels a bit alone this school year since her best friend moved to Florida although she video chats with Emmy every day at 5:00. Later, the most popular boy in school begins working for Liberty’s father but he’s keeping a secret from his parents. Liberty has full access to all areas of the museum as she helps to care for the insects, spiders, and lizards living among the various rooms and floors of the building. She has a special love for these creatures and she can’t imagine losing them.

Drama surrounds the museum’s survival as it’s still trying to recover from the deaths of valuable insects. Chapters count down the days remaining until the father meets with potential investors; later chapters count down to a possible robbery. Liberty gets an idea to begin a butterfly release program that should be sustainable and help raise money for the insectarium. However, she must pitch the concept to her father and await his approval or rejection. Emmy inadvertently hears voices one day and shares what she hears with Liberty. This moment transforms the plot into a mystery as the girls suspect something nefarious will occur. The police are skeptical of the girls’ story and it eventually becomes clear the girls will need to take matters into their own hands.

Bug lovers will enjoy this book as it’s packed full of buggy information. Liberty talks about different butterflies but focuses more on the pipevine swallowtails she’d like to use for her release program. The museum has a popular turtle named Franklin. A green iguana frightens Cam so Liberty shares facts about why Kermit is harmless. Stag beetles, pink katydids, and rare tarantulas are the most valuable exhibits in the museum. The plot builds to a climax where Liberty takes hints from defense mechanisms found in the bug kingdom. This is the part of the book where the characters are inspired by Kevin McCallister in the movie “Home Alone”.

What didn’t work as well:

Readers learn a little bit about the characters but there isn’t much depth to them. We hear about Liberty’s past issues with classmates but what’s happening now? It’s surprising when the epilogue takes place at her school, on the last day before summer break. Readers know Cam wants to explore his talents in art and readers, along with Liberty, are under the impression he’s being pressured by his parents to play sports. His decision later in the book would make more sense if readers had more information about Cam’s situation.

The final verdict:

Although many readers may not share Liberty’s interest in insects and small creatures, her passion for them is contagious. A mystery evolves as the date of the investor meeting gets closer and young readers will enjoy unlocking the clues along with the characters. The book will surely appeal to bug lovers but I recommend you give it a shot too!

Airi Sano, Prankmaster General: International Menace by Zoe Tokushige

What worked:

This book will appeal to readers interested in the Japanese culture. Airi’s father is in the U.S. military and he met her mother while stationed there. The family takes a trip to see Airi’s grandparents and she shares information about the culture with her friends. The author includes footnotes to explain words and phrases used and there are a few sections that explain specific information, like the Japanese alphabet. The father and kids need to practice speaking which provides opportunities for the author to describe the language. Airi’s grandfather is learning calligraphy and explains this form of writing to her. Every page covering the trip to Japan will shed light on what it’s like to live in that country.

As the title says, Airi considers herself a prankmaster and constantly dreams up ways to trick others. She does it for laughs and tries not to embarrass others or put them in danger. For example, she sews her younger brother’s packed clothes together and secretly gives origami dragons to other passengers on the airplane. Her parents are surprisingly okay with her pranks and give her kudos for imaginative ones. Even her sixth-grade teacher is okay with her pranks. As a matter of fact, Airi challenges her teacher to see who can come up with the funniest prank during the sixth-grade graduation ceremony!

The story highlights the various personalities and relationships in Airi’s life. Her family moves a lot due to her father’s role in the military so she hasn’t had any close friends. However, she has developed close friendships in Hawaii but is still insecure about maintaining them from Japan. Airi likes to feel close to her brother and kids around with him but she’s unaware of the subtle cues revealing E.J.’s true feelings. Airi spends time with her Japanese cousins and discovers Haru has a low self-image. She decides training E.J. and Haru as her pranking apprentices will help them feel better. Airi also enjoys getting closer to her grandfather and comes to a realization about the relationship between her mother and grandmother.

What didn’t work as well:

Different types of writing are included throughout the book which sometimes distract from the main plot. Airi writes structured action reports before and after some events. Many of the footnotes are more than a sentence or two so they require consideration. Airi and her friends create group texts sharing things that have happened in their lives. Summer email exchanges between Airi and her sixth-grade teacher are included. All of these different writings are woven into the story and require their own attention. It’s probably a matter of reader taste but it feels like more than enough supplemental writing.

The final verdict:

This book tells a heartwarming story of family, friends, and pranking. A family reunion in Japan and Airi’s antics provide the backdrop for a reflection on feelings and relationships. I recommend you give it a shot.

In a Glass Grimly (A Tale Dark and Grimm) by Adam Gidwitz

This book is a sequel to A Tale Dark & Grimm, and I gave it a rating of five out of five. Jack and Jill have problems at their homes and decide to go on a quest with a three-legged frog. They must find the Seeing Glass, a powerful mirror for which kings would give up their kingdoms to possess. The children survive the challenges of the giants at the top of the beanstalk, the evil mermaids in the sea, dangerous goblins under the ground, and a fire-breathing salamander. Jack and Jill are brave adventurers, but their brains are their most valuable weapons. However, the children risk their lives against many foes but may never discover the power of the Seeing Glass. The key is finding the end of their con-fusion.

I enjoy unexpected and strange humor, so this book was right up my alley. I liked how the kids solved their challenges through cleverness, and the adventures had unusual twists. The book begins with a couple of familiar fairy tales, but the narrator tells the reader the "true" endings to the stories. The description is a little gross and crude at times, but it's something most teen readers will enjoy. You can find my review of A Tale Dark & Grimm by typing the title in the search box at the top-left corner of the screen.

Unraveled (Keeper of the Lost Cities 9.5) by Shannon Messenger

What worked:

Keefe travels to the Humanland as he tries to figure out his new abilities. He’s always been an empath which means he can detect the emotions of others and he can understand any language he hears. He’s overwhelmed by the multitude of mixed feelings generated in streets crowded by humans and he struggles to find a place of solace. Keefe has also developed new powers although he doesn’t yet know what they can do. The great effort required to handle his empath ability in a strange world, and fears of his untapped powers, allow readers to connect with his plight. The uncertainty of his future creates mystery and speculation about what’s to come. He eventually lands in London where he tries to uncover the truth about his role in a past tragedy.

Keefe’s mom is the main antagonist although she’s not a physical part of the story. She’s experimented on her son in the past and she’s convinced that he’ll someday join her Neverseen. Their relationship complicates Keefe’s interactions with his father who surprisingly offers help navigating Humanland. The second half of the book is more interesting when Keefe encounters a character who he thought was dead. This boy was a Neverseen and took orders from Keefe’s mother so it will be very difficult for Keefe to trust him. However, the boy may offer a path to Keefe’s contentment as he has useful ideas to help Keefe master his new powers. The boy also his inside information about the tragedy haunting Keefe’s memories.

Keefe’s lack of experience with humans will amuse readers since he knows nothing about how Humanland works. He has no idea about cell phones and the idea of money is new to him. He’s confused that different cities in the world have different languages, clothes, and customs. And how can humans be so infatuated by an amusement park featuring a giant talking mouse? Keefe’s pleasantly surprised to discover bags of Cheetos although the flaming hots are a bit spicy. He grudgingly admits that his father is right about the deliciousness of churros and room service is a wonderful human invention. The double-decker London busses can be intimidating and librarians are treasures when doing research. However, Keefe must figure out ways to answer simple questions like where he’s from or why he’s never heard of the internet.

What didn’t work as well:

As with earlier books, this one has an overabundance of description, making the plot move slowly. Keefe is the only character loyal readers will recognize in the first fourth of the book as he tries to adapt to life among humans. It’s unclear where the story is headed while Keefe jumps from city to city around the world. In the end, this book doesn’t add much to the overall series plot as it’s a side story of what was happening during the ninth book.

The final verdict:

This book will interest loyal readers of the series with a special interest in Keefe. The plot moves slowly as it highlights Keefe’s journey toward mastering his new powers and discovering memories that were shattered from his mind. Don’t read this book if you haven’t previously read any other books in the series.