Ghost in the Night by Tiffany D. Jackson

What worked:

As you might guess from the synopsis, this ghost story turns into a mystery. A popular black man is murdered, his grandson goes missing, and Harmony’s new friend Myah is determined to find the killer. Myah is also dealing with the consequences of a poor decision, but readers don’t learn the details until later. Robby is a precocious ten-year-old dealing with an overprotective mother. Harmony is still grieving for her recently deceased grandmother, and she’s been touring with her father’s band for the past six months. She wonders if she’s already seen her grandmother’s ghost, so she’s more open to the possibility of spirits in the most haunted city in America.

The narrative is a nice blend of fiction, true ghost tales, and the history of New Orleans and Savannah. The author acknowledges she took some liberties “to keep this story PG”, since some of the actual tales are “REALLY gruesome”. There are links in the back of the book to some of the author’s favorite ghost tours and sources of ghostly information. The narrative includes actual locations and real people who lived in Savannah. The author includes information about the abuse and disrespect shown toward slaves, and readers may be surprised to know that parts of Savannah are built atop mass graves.

What didn’t work as well:

Readers looking for a ghost story will be disappointed. The book has more information about ghosts than it does about a spooky story. The mystery of the murder is the driving force of the plot, along with the children’s subplots mentioned above. The book’s second half becomes more interesting as things fall into place.

The final verdict:

Despite the backdrop of ghost stories and a murder mystery, the story of the three children is most engaging. I recommend this book to readers interested in learning about ghosts and children dealing with hardships. 

The Magic Library of Waterfall Way (The Prophecymakers) by Julie Abe

What worked:

Lyra is immediately cast into the role of underdog when she’s labeled Extremely Unremarkable. She’s the only Unremarkable in the empire, and the empire’s census shows it. She’ll be sent to the Mist if a guild doesn’t accept her, and every guild so far balks when they become aware of her status as Extremely Unremarkable. Readers will develop empathy for Lyra’s character because she’s desperate to find a place she can call home. Her parents are dead, and her older sister is in the Guild of the Crown, so she doesn’t have any family left. The Guild of Scholars is her last chance to avoid the Mist.

The Guild of the Crown is cast in a negative light, as its superiority is lorded over everyone else. This guild will probably become more of a focus in future books, but the Mist is the true antagonist this time. The Mist was once united with the Guilds, but they were separated hundreds of years ago. The Mist wants to control all of the magic in the world, although they’re appeased when the Guilds send them any Unremarkables who are not part of a guild. Readers and Lyra will learn more about the Mist throughout the book, as Lyra reads and hears stories about the past. The topic of Prophecymakers arises later in the plot, but it’s very important to the series.

Two supporting characters are important to the plot for different reasons. Wishlight is a sable that can transform into a book, with a tail. Lyra and Wishlight can communicate through their minds, and Wishlight possesses a bit of magic. Wishlight gives Lyra an unexpected quest that becomes the conflict’s main conflict. Flynn is the assistant to the Guild Master, and his dislike for Lyra is evident. He openly says he wishes she’d leave, even though they’ve both lost family members. There are moments when they seem to bond, but any camaraderie doesn’t last.

What didn’t work as well:

Lyra’s quest is unusual, as it involves reopening halls in the library that closed following a great fire. She makes attempts to find the keys, but she can always leave whenever she wants to have dinner or rest in her bed. Venturing inside the library presents dangers, but the ability to leave makes it unusual.

The final verdict:

The fact that Lyra is an orphan and only wants to find a new family and home will touch readers’ heartstrings. The premise of the book is fresh and innovative, and I recommend you give it a shot!

The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia (An Illustrated Novel) by Leia Ham

What worked:

Sparrow, real name Ruyan, is an unassuming, humble student, trying to learn about magic before it’s lost. All children in this setting possess magic while knowing they’ll lose it as adults. Her older brother Ainsley is a third-year student, but he’s recognized for his powerful fire magic. In contrast, the fire Sparrow summons is barely larger than the flame on a match, and she feels inadequate when compared to other students, especially her brother. However, she sees a vision while being tested for her magical ability, and she’s told that’s usually an indicator of strong power. The head healer examines her and says something is blocking Sparrow’s ability to access her power. This tells readers that there’s more to her character than they currently see, and they’ll await the moment her powers awaken.

Sparrow becomes obsessed with finding out the cause of magedrain, which is causing students to lose their magic. She thinks it’s not natural reasons and suspects that someone is poisoning their classmates. Sparrow quickly identifies a suspect, but readers will question if she’s right. The suspect seems too obvious, and Sparrow makes all of her observations and “evidence” fit this person. The illness is attacking students with the strongest magic, so Sparrow fears her brother may be one of the next victims. Her friend wonders if Sparrow is more concerned about finding the guilty party or proving her brother wrong. Good question.

The school’s purpose is to strengthen students’ magic, and it’s interesting to see the variety of mages. Besides Sparrow’s fire, her best friends Lyndon and Orla possess air and nature magic, respectively. All of the students want stronger powers, although Lyndon has a special interest in magecraft, the art of engineering magic. The school includes a first-year bully who goes out of her way to heckle and tease Sparrow. Sparrow eventually has an unexpected reaction to the girl’s harassment, but it’s important to the story.

What didn’t work as well:

It would be nice to know more about a few of the supporting characters. Ainsley is a conflicted mage, but readers are only shown his arrogant side. Camellia taunts Sparrow throughout much of the story, but behaves differently later on. Readers don’t really know exactly what changed to cause this new version of herself.

The final verdict:

The book has many of the same traits as other stories about schools for magic students, although it’s unusual that none of the teachers can perform it. The plot focuses on the mystery of magedrain and Sparrow’s drive to prove herself, culminating in a surprising revelation that will continue into the sequel. I recommend you try this book for yourself.

Jamie Cooper and the Touchscreen Portal by J.P. Harper

What worked:

The format will be familiar to middle-grade readers, as an underdog, Jamie, teams up with two students at opposite ends of the student spectrum. Dan is a large, quiet boy whom everyone else avoids out of fear. Lakshmi is a popular, top student who brings her knowledge to the group. A twist involves Jamie’s older brother, as his father has moved to this small town for a fresh start. The early chapters inform readers that Cameron died, but they soon learn that he actually disappeared. This fact leaves the door open for Cameron to reappear later.

Visiting a new world is nothing new, although this book connects Myridiam to video games. The mysterious messages and portal to the world arise from Jamie’s iPad, and a version of it allows him to return home. Much of his experience doesn’t feel like virtual reality, although Jamie, Dan, and Lakshmi see text in their peripheral vision that identifies unknown creatures and weapon upgrades. Upon arriving in Myridiam, a chamber chooses a bow for Jamie, giving him the ability to rapidly shoot arrows with electrical charges or fire. Dan is assigned gleaming armor along with a shield that can grow to protect him and others from attacks. Lakshmi receives a staff that fires an energy beam and other powers that are revealed when needed.

It’s interesting to note that these three Guardians don’t overtly kill anyone with their powerful weapons, and there are many fighting scenes where that can happen. The only clue that an opponent might have been slain is a VR message indicating Jamie’s arrow made a critical hit. The kids have virtuous characters that aren’t immediately evident in the early chapters. This quality and their merciful nature make others respect and admire them, which is especially important when they venture within the borders of suspicious, aggressive Sothian warriors.

What didn’t work as well:

The ending is disappointing, as it leaves readers needing to read the sequel to resolve unfinished business. Also, the characters get into dire, no-win situations, but the arrows, staff, or armor get sudden upgrades to get them out of it, especially Lakshmi’s staff. It sometimes feels like cheating, since the characters don’t use their talents or intelligence to come up with solutions.

The final verdict:

This book will appeal to middle-grade readers who enjoy underdog characters with unexpected abilities. The purity and compassion of the main characters are admirable, as they aid new allies to save Myridiam. I recommend you try this book for yourself.

The Odyssey (A Classic Tale by Homer) Retold by Geraldine McCaughrean

What worked:

The book is based on Greek mythology, so young readers will be familiar with most of the gods mentioned. Zeus, Poseidon, and Athena are important to the story, as Odysseus’s behavior sometimes angers them, or he prays to them for help. Readers who enjoyed the Percy Jackson books or movies will recognize the Lotus Eaters, the cyclops, and the Sirens. The book offers aspects of mythology that young readers may not know, such as Odysseus blinding the cyclops, Polyphemus. The author’s retelling of Homer’s short stories makes them more understandable and faster-paced for a middle-grade audience.

Each chapter tells a different adventure where Odysseus and his crew struggle for their lives. They’ve been away from Ithaca for ten years, so they’re desperate and determined to return home to their wives and children. The first story finds Odysseus’s crew beguiled by the Lotus Eaters, as their food mesmerizes them into complacency without a motivation to leave. The second chapter introduces Polyphemus, and Odysseus’s decision to blind him changes the trajectory of the rest of the book. Poseidon is furious that his son can no longer see, so he finds all kinds of ways to punish Odysseus by impeding his progress or putting him in perilous situations.  

What didn’t work as well:

The book is a collection of short stories, and Odysseus is the only character connecting them all. Little time is spent developing characters, because there isn’t much of a reason. Everyone except Odysseus dies.

The final verdict:

The original Homer version of The Odyssey would intimidate young readers, but the author’s retelling makes it accessible. The collection of brief stories with life-threatening conflicts will appeal to all adventure lovers. I recommend you give this book a shot. 

The Island at the Edge of Night by Lucy Strange

What worked:

The early chapters will have readers immediately conjuring mysterious thoughts. The prologue describes Faye sleepwalking and hearing her aunt exclaim, “Oh, what have you done, you wicked child?” Faye is sent to a “different” school, far away from home, located on a desolate island. The headmaster’s wife shows Faye and Boudicca, another new student, to their cells, which the wife says are what the monks used to call their rooms. However, they’re locked inside their rooms to keep them “Safe from each other.” Faye is given a blue pill, a “sort of vitamin”, that the wife says all the children are given. Faye secretly refuses to take the pill because she’s concluded that she can’t trust anyone.

The mystery continues, as readers will try to understand Faye’s character. Something terrible happened one night while she was sleepwalking, and she woke up with an axe in her hand. She’s told that all of the kids at this school have done something horrible, and Faye wonders what she’s done. She feels a tremendous pull from nature, and her safe place always finds her in the branches of a tree. Being cooped up in the school on Auk Island depresses Faye greatly, but she is transfixed by the sight of The Knife. Her father was a renowned botanist until he presented a paper proposing that trees can talk to each other and that fae folk exist.

The author creates a dark, creepy atmosphere through the setting and characters. The island always seems to be covered by dark clouds, rarely letting the shine break through. The desolate landscape is void of green plants, and animals are rarely seen. The Knife towers over everything else, and its secrets beckon to be discovered. Dr Lighter and Nurse Violet clearly don’t like the children under their care, and they use medication, mind games, and threats to make the students subservient. The kids have no way to escape since the doctor and nurse pay the captain’s salary to ferry the only boat to the island.  All mail is read before it can be sent, isolating the students from all contact with the outside world.

What didn’t work as well:

It would be nice to know more about the other students, since they’re not a major part of the plot until the book’s last quarter. Boudicca is an especially interesting character, since she’s most defiant about the strict expectations. She won’t stop asking questions, speaks without permission, and refuses to follow orders. However, she disappears shortly after her arrival and isn’t heard from again until much later.

The final verdict:

The real mystery involves the truth behind Faye’s amnesia, although astute readers will predict what happened. The story’s dark tone and Faye’s natural spirit are highlights of the book, and I recommend you check this book out for yourself. 

Fifth Grade Top Dogs (Rule the School) by Jerry Spinelli

What worked:

The plot will be familiar to all middle-grade readers, as best friends George (Suds) and Joey look forward to being the oldest class in their elementary school. The early chapters describe George preparing for the first day of school, as he doesn’t know how to be a Top Dog. He consults with his mom and dad, but Joey gives him the most useful tips. George asks Joey how he can be so cool, and Joey replies that the best way is to fake it until you feel it. All middle-grade students go through fifth grade, so they can relate to George’s questions, doubts, and insecurities. The story is told from George’s point of view, so readers will know everything he thinks and feels. The narrative isn’t complicated by advanced vocabulary or surprising twists, so it can be easily read and finished in a short amount of time.

The author includes two common subplots to enhance the story. George finds his younger sister very annoying, and there’s only one year difference in their ages. George wants more privacy, and he’s tired of Zippernose barging into his bedroom. He can’t stand her crying and whining when she doesn’t get her way, and he might be getting too old for the pranks they pull on each other. Another problem for George is the crush he’s had on a classmate since they were in first grade. He always gets nervous around Judy, but he can’t stop watching her whenever he can. At first, he’s happy when Judy bullies his sister off the swings during recess, but it also makes him feel uneasy. I mean, Zipoernose is his little sister after all.

What didn’t work as well:

The story may be overly simple for older middle-grade readers. The adults in this book are probably kinder and more understanding than in the real world, as the boys test the limits of their independence.

The final verdict:

Spinelli captures the trials and tribulations of fifth-grade boys with his easy narrative and sense of humor. In the end, readers can benefit from George’s realizations and lessons learned. I recommend you give this book a shot.