The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good by Kirsty Applebaum

What worked:

Readers are treated to two stories instead of one, and the two parts are combined to form the overall plot. The opening pages describe Imogen and a friend named Bex when they approach a garden behind Stillness Hall. Everyone in town knows to stay away from it, but Imogen dares Bex. The book’s synopsis picks up from there, as Fran discovers no one knows a girl named Imogen. The plot follows Fran as she slowly realizes that the people here are trying to trick her. An unusual twist in this book is that there is still physical evidence of Imogen’s existence; her organized, dusty bedroom hasn’t been touched since she disappeared. There’s even a photograph of Bex alongside Imogen, but Bex has no memory of her. How can Imogen find Imogen when no one in town knows she exists?

Alternate chapters tell the tale of the original owners of Stillness Hall. The wealthy couple finally gives birth to a baby boy, but he later becomes dangerously ill. No one knows what’s wrong, so the parents go to drastic measures to save his life. Grief, anger, and enchantments lead to consequences that last for decades. Fran has no idea of the truth surrounding Stillness Hall, so she’s in danger of becoming the next victim. The book follows her relentless search for Imogen, and alternating chapters reveal the mystery's origins and the property's terrifying legends. Readers will anticipate the moment when the two stories merge to an eerie conclusion.

The plot addresses bullying and perceptions of others. Fran dreads seeing her cousin, Imogen, because Imogen is bossy and no fun to be around. Imogen doesn’t care for her sloppy cousin either, so their dislike is mutual. Imogen wants to be liked by a popular group of girls, so she bullies Bex into accepting a dare. That’s what ignites the main conflict. Fran realizes she may have bullied Bex, too, by pressurizing her into doing something she didn’t want to do. In a related way, the plot addresses atonement, as the girls try to make up for past indiscretions.

What didn’t work as well:

Part of the enchantment can be tricky to understand, as it doesn’t affect everyone. The story includes an explanation, but it may still have readers thinking twice.

The final verdict:

This speculative fiction story is skillfully crafted to share Fran’s determined efforts to do what’s right. Stillness Hall provides a mystery, and readers will follow hints from the alternate chapters to put together a solution. Of course, understanding the mystery doesn’t explain how to solve the problem. Overall, I recommend this book for all middle-grade readers who like mysteries.

Creepers: Soul Harvest (Creepers Horror Stories) by Edgar J. Hyde

What worked:

This book is easy to read due to its short chapters and total number of pages. The entire story takes place over the course of one day. The eerie black-and-white illustrations help create a mysterious, supernatural tone. The new ghoulish neighbors dressed in “black and old-timey” clothing silently move in, so readers immediately know these characters have evil intentions. The name of the series is appropriate, since the book is creepy, but not so scary that it will give young readers bad dreams. At first, the strange behavior only seems to affect adults, but the main characters discover that other children are behaving oddly, too.

Jacob is the main character, but his younger sister, Ava, is the hero. Noah is Ava’s best friend, and Alex is Jacob’s best buddy. Early in the book, Ava behaves like a typical little sister, but it’s clear that Jacob loves her dearly. He is the one who consoles Ava when their neighbor angrily yells at her. In contrast, Ava volunteers to perform two risky tasks that are critical to stopping the strange happenings in their town. However, young readers and the characters will anxiously await news to find out what’s happened to her after the climax.

What didn’t work as well:

Obviously, a book this short sacrifices any kind of descriptive development of the characters and plot. Readers are left to wonder how the “seeds” are planted before souls can be harvested. Why are the four kids the only ones not affected?

The final verdict:

This will be popular with young or reluctant middle-grade readers. It’s fast-paced and spooky, which will make it appealing to them. I recommend you give this book and series a shot.

Down the Plot Hole by Annaleise Byrd

What worked:

The main characters travel into Grimm’s fairy tales to correct gaps in the book’s text. Basil and Terry are the stars, and they’re tasked with finding missing sheep in different stories. Terry has a crush on Gretel, and she told the boys that plot holes are the worst thing that can happen. Members of FANCY are charged with locating and fixing any holes that develop. However, Gretel says the missing sheep aren’t a big problem, so there’s no need to worry. She seems to be echoing Herr Korbes’s words, but it doesn’t make any sense.  Why isn’t the leader of FANCY concerned about plot holes that could destroy everything in the fairy tale world?

The story lets readers revisit familiar characters in new situations and exposes them to less familiar tales. Readers will know the Grimms’ tales of Hansel and Gretel and Sleeping Beauty, but their stories of The Mouse, the Bird, and the Sausage, The Pink, and Clever Grethel will be new. Characters from different tales interact, and they are aware of each other’s plots. Many fairy tales feature gruesome, gory storylines, and this issue is the main conflict. SAD EGGS and another group are frequent victims in these tales, and their protests are creating problems. Prejudice and assumptions create bad feelings, so Basil and Terry will need to find a way to bring everyone together.

What didn’t work as well:

Apparently, Terry and Basil aren’t friends, but the evidence contradicts that. They formed a bond after the events in the first book, but this time they show no friction toward each other. Also, the plot creates questions and contradictions that aren’t resolved.

The final verdict:

This book can be read independently of the first one. It has a fast-paced plot and unexpected twists that young readers will enjoy. I recommend you try this book yourself.

Skygull Calamity by Bronwyn Fairchild

What worked:

The setting is quite unusual, as Nova City sits vertically atop long stilts in the middle of the ocean. Blue, the main character, works in a weather station at the top, alongside a retired zephyr named Lucado. The wealthy live on the upper levels with a nice view of the sky, while the poor, like Blue and his mother, live on the lower levels. Thelanamous Green runs Green Industries and the Zephyr Consortium, and his influence makes him the most powerful man in Nova City. Rain and snowstorms with high winds constantly bash the structure, and the Consortium has ignored Lucado’s warnings of an imminent catastrophe. Blue’s daily climbs to the weather station using rope ladders and back down to deliver Lucado’s weather reports help readers understand the difficulties of living in a vertical city. However, it seems evident that the Consortium is hiding secrets, but why?

Blue’s mother was a famous pilot, and he once hoped to follow in her footsteps, but he failed to pass the initial entrance test. Blue feels pressure from many directions, causing readers to empathize with him. His family is poor, and his position as an apprentice zephyr would have provided a significant, steady income. Thelanamous thinks Lucado is insane, so Blue knows his family will be homeless if he loses his job. A girl named Coraline brings intrigue to the plot, as she’s been studying the worsening weather for years. Blue doesn’t want anything to do with her, but she’s persistent. Maybe she’ll become a friend? And what about the photo Blue finds showing his mother in a place that’s not Nova City? Throughout the story, Blue compares his anxiety levels to severe storms and ranks his fear on a scale from 1 to 11. The numbers help describe Blue’s stress as he encounters ever-perilous challenges.

The story takes a turn when Blue and Tate miraculously find Lost City. The book’s second half introduces new characters, drama, and conflict, and the plot includes several surprises. Blue learns more about his mother’s past, but many questions remain. Tate always seems to know more than Blue, but even she may not have the answers to escape Lost City. The pair discovers the cause of the dangerous tempests threatening Nova City, but the kids are shocked when they learn its origins. It won’t be easy to find a solution, because people are willing to do anything to keep the storms brewing.

What didn’t work as well:

There are “miraculous” events that will test readers’ tolerance. Blue suffers falls in death-defying situations, but he always survives with minimal injuries. Tate is a smart girl, and she always has the skill or knowledge needed to solve any problem they face. The pair somehow escapes two instances in which their flying machine is blown to pieces.

The final verdict:

The book’s early chapters have drama, but things get very interesting when the plot shifts to Lost City. I recommend this book to lovers of adventure, science fiction, and steampunk.

 

The Traitor Moth by Katharine Orton

What worked:

How many books have you read that feature moths? Catclaw is the main character, and he belongs to the Nameless clan. Dreamkins used to have the ability to see premonitions of the future until the queen of all moths took that power away. Their clan is now known as Nameless. Most moths live around twelve moon turns, which readers will assume means twelve months. The moths find refuge in trees, tall grasses, and other vegetation, and it’s dangerous for them to fly during daylight hours. Bats and toads are common, natural enemies for moths, but Bluewings are mutant wasps that nearly wiped them all out. Catclaw fears the Bluewings are now returning.

The main conflict finds Catclaw on a quest to speak with the moth queen. He has a premonition of Bluewing attacks, and it’s believed the queen once repelled them by using her voice. However, the Nameless don’t believe Catclaw had a vision, so it’s unlikely other clans will listen to him. The queen rarely agrees to see visitors, and Catclaw must collect tokens from the other clans before he can even hope to approach her. The Nameless haven’t had contact with the other clans for years, and Catclaw discovers the situation is much worse than he expects. The other clans aren’t communicating with each other anymore, so how is he supposed to collect the tokens he needs? A huge surprise awaits once he finally reaches the queen’s fortress, and the book’s title makes sense.

The author includes some mystique to accent its speculative fiction. The Nameless Master dies, but first, he gives Catclaw his diary. Catclaw carries it with him during his adventure, but he realizes the book provides guidance. He thinks or speaks questions, and the book displays cryptic answers. However, the last page also states Catclaw Traitor. Catclaw has premonitions of future events, so readers are given hints of what’s to come. In contrast, italicized paragraphs relate to stories Master Saturna told Catclaw in the past, and they provide information related to current happenings. Catclaw also senses someone is watching him during his journey, but he’s never able to spot anyone.

What didn’t work as well:

Even though all kinds of creatures can be found in speculative fiction books, some readers may still have trouble wrapping their minds around moths. Some of the descriptions and movements are hard to visualize when readers consider the characters are moths.

The final verdict:

The title and moth characters may confuse young readers, but the plot contains everything they’ll want. Catclaw is an admirable character as he’s trustworthy and determined to save the clan that shunned him. Overall, I recommend adventure lovers check out this book.

Last Year With Maddy by Anna Rosner

What worked:

The story is told from Aviva’s first-person point of view, and she reflects on happy and troubled times with her best friend, Maddy. Aviva desperately laments about not speaking to Maddy anymore and hints at the reason. Readers will imagine what might have happened to keep best friends apart. The narrative is written using a middle-grade voice, including Aviva’s love for italics, capital letters, and poetry. Readers will understand her difficulties when she describes troubled moments, and these segments are offset by happier times together. The book’s purpose is presented as Aviva’s message to Maddy, and two pages at the end share Maddy response.

Midway into the book, the plot shifts to Aviva’s three-year-old brother. Unfortunately, serious childhood health issues aren’t uncommon, and Ethan’s development is delayed. He only says a couple of words, and he refuses to toilet train. A doctor diagnoses a physical problem, and the family hopes that surgery will make things better. However, they learn that Ethan is on the autistic spectrum, so he’s going to need to go through many different therapies to improve his deficiencies. The author shares a great deal of information and explanations about autism, and young readers will learn autistic people are different, not less.

What didn’t work as well:

Aviva states that she always says the wrong thing, but readers may disagree. She catches herself from saying things she shouldn’t, and her slip-ups don’t seem that offensive. Her worst comments arise when she’s angered, so readers can understand and forgive her for them. One of Aviva’s positive qualities is her empathy for others, and young readers can learn from her good example.

The final verdict:

The author shares an emotional tale of two close friends and the ups and downs they must navigate. Aviva acts as the narrator, so young readers can experience her rollercoaster of thoughts and feelings. I recommend this book for all middle-grade readers.

The First Flame (The Aerimander Chronicles Book 2) by Lily Berlin Dodd

What worked:

The same main characters from the first book regroup to save an aerimander from danger. Aerimanders will remind readers of dragons, and the main one in this story is Rubi. Dusty and Eva guarded her egg until she hatched, and they still have a connection with her. Eva and Dusty can sense when the aerimander is near, which comes in handy when they try to locate Rubi in the mountains. The story takes a surprising turn when the characters finally locate her, or rather, Rubi finds them.

Dusty, Eva, and Myrna bring contrasting talents to the story. Dusty grew up in an orphanage before escaping, so he has street smarts and physical skills the others lack. He has other abilities and connections thanks to his time in the Thieves Guild. Eva is book-smart and outspoken, so don’t expect her to hold her tongue. She has a keen eye for details and a talent for creativity. Readers find her in a reformatory for problem girls when she enters this story. Myrna is Eva’s best friend, and her strengths are planning and a sensitivity to nature. Eva is rescued from the reformatory thanks to Myrna’s step-by-step plans.

Several elements of the plot will have readers wondering about upcoming events. Myrna is not immune to aerimander flame, like Dusty and Eva, so it’s dangerous for her to be around them. Eoin Parnassus, the story’s evil antagonist, is searching for Rubi and wants to use her as a weapon. He’s nearing the mountains where Rubi is hiding, and he’s dragging a heavy box along with him. It’s obviously not good news, but what is in the box? Dusty, Eva, and Myrna discover people secretly living in the mountains, and the three kids pass a test to join their school. They’ll learn common school topics, but they’ll learn all about the aerimanders. However, these people seem to know everything about the trio, and Eva wonders how that’s possible. There’s a huge secret they’re not being told.

What didn’t work as well:

Rubi’s size may be confusing. On one hand, Dusty can carry her in his arms, but later she picks him up and flies him away to safety. There’s also a scene later in the book where Dusty and Eva wear a protective covering to complete a ceremony. However, Myrna later walks the same path without the same protection. Confusing. However, overall, this is a solid book.

The final verdict:

Readers should begin with the first book, The Last Ember, to fully understand the backstory. I recommend it for lovers of dragons and adventure.