The Road Beside by Fred Gracely

What worked:

The opening chapters jump right into the action and adventure. Readers quickly know something is different about Willow; animals are attracted to her. She starts having visions about other characters, but she doesn’t understand why. Her father has been working on a secret project and rarely sees her. She’s shocked when he gives her a folder related to his project, and her uncle and assassins try to kill her. The folder remains a mystery throughout the book, but readers know her uncle will reappear at some point.

The biggest conflict and most captivating part of the story is Willow’s shaky presence at Harmony Hollow. The settlement is secluded and secret, and the inhabitants have little contact with the outside world. Willow is the first person to arrive without an escort, and she can’t tell them that assassins killed Hector. Several characters suspect her and consider kicking her out. This shaky balance between accepting her and exposing her lies keeps readers interested. One source of magic conceals and protects Harmony Hollow, although a gargoyle senses Willow has magic inside her too. The Dark Ones are becoming more powerful across the world, and Willow’s presence may lead them to Harmony Hollow. The battle between light and dark rages on.

The book offers an intriguing cast of characters, but Charlotte and Oka stand out. Charlotte is pretty, kind, and innocent, and she seems too good to be true. She’s always positive and supportive, no matter what Willow says or does. Charlotte has a secret that isn’t revealed until the book nears its climax. Willow is very skilled at martial arts, but Oka is even better. Oka is blunt, sarcastic, and suspicious, and she enjoys sparring with Willow. She constantly peppers Willow with questions and is determined to find out what Willow’s hiding. Their relationship is the most interesting one in the story.

What didn’t work as well:

Gus is a close neighbor, and the early pages describe his dependence on Willow. Why is he part of this story if he’s abandoned? The book's resolution has a surprising twist, and perhaps Gus will have a larger role in the second book.

The final verdict:

The character interactions are the book’s highlight, as Willow slowly learns to trust others and feel like she belongs among all of the kind people. I recommend you give this book a shot!

Nightmare Fuel (You're Invited to a Creepover) P.J. Knight

What worked:

The book offers three scary stories, and they all include sleepovers. In the first story, a seventh-grade girl, Katie, is missing her best friend, and a potential new friend moves to her school. Katie accepts Whitney’s invitation to a sleepover, but the new girl talks to her porcelain dolls like they’re real people. Katie thinks it’s strange, but she’s really creeped out when she thinks the dolls start staring at her. Katie and Whitney eventually get along very well, but astute readers will notice clues that foreshadow Katie’s demise. Young readers can relate to moving and making new friends, and many of them enjoy being frightened.

In the second story, Jasmine’s father travels the world and returns with a tribal mask that’s supposed to protect the house. But he angered the mask maker during the process, which alters the mask’s magic. Tribal masks are often creepy-looking, so this mask helps set the story’s mood. Readers can connect with Jasmine’s fear and the different ways she tries to handle it. We sometimes think our fears are irrational or phobic, but this time, Jasmine has a valid reason to feel terror.

The final story finds Gabby visiting her friend Sydney living in Trouble Slope, Iowa. Readers quickly know something is off as Gabby’s aunt drives her to Sydney’s home. Sydney is excited to see carnival lights as they pass an exit, but her aunt says the place looks abandoned. Sydney’s parents also say it’s been closed for years, and a storekeeper gets upset when the girls ask about it. Of course, readers know the girls will visit the carnival where mysterious and creepy things happen. Readers may even use clues to predict what will happen to them on the carnival’s final day.

What didn’t work as well:

In the first story, without giving away spoilers, readers will wonder how things happened. They’ll know why, but not how. Also, the stories don’t explain Whitney’s strange relationship with her father. Each story ends with an epilogue, so the author might have worked in reasons or hints to answer these questions.

The final verdict:

These stories do not have “happily ever after” endings, which will attract many middle-grade readers. I recommend you try this book for yourself.

Escape from the Chrome Dome (Craniacs) by R.L. Stine

What worked:

The book requires reader participation, as their decisions determine the story and outcome. They’re first instructed to choose the character they’ll become, each one having a unique personality. Bo is adventurous, Darby is a rule-breaker, Evie wants to unleash her inner superhero, and there are other choices. Readers can select a character they identify with or one that’s totally different. The character establishes where the story will start. This choice is very important, as most of the plot paths end in failure. Surviving and winning the contest is possible, but it may require many attempts. That’s the enjoyment!

The characters and challenges are wacky, but young readers will enjoy them. One character must choose a trampoline, bungee cord, or cannon to travel over a lava pit. One path ends with the character flossing the Chew Collector’s hundreds of teeth for a long, long time. Another path requires readers to decode a message using the Skull Key found at the back of the book. Abundant illustrations appear on the pages and enhance the colorful descriptions.

What didn’t work as well:

Some character paths don’t require many decisions, if any, which detracts from the experience. The choices are often random, requiring little thought from readers. On the other hand, that may be attractive to young readers.

The final verdict:

This series will be attractive to readers in elementary school, especially those who like strangeness and humor. I recommend you check it out for yourself. 

Don't Wake Up (Doll Island 2) by Cassandra Ramos-Gomez

What worked:

The book is set in Mexico City and infuses many elements of Mexican culture. The school bully is called El Feo, which can mean the ugly one; other students don’t know his real name. Teachers are addressed as Señor or Señora, and the principal is called Directora Campos. Itzel is obsessed with Mexican mythical monsters, and she keeps a binder full of her research. This time, the creature is El Cucuy, feasting on the fears and life force of misbehaving children.

In the previous book, Diego, Jandro, and Itzel, the Three Amigos, battled a creature in the spirit world, and it’s no longer a threat. Or so they think. This book includes a school bully, but surprisingly, he’s the first student to fall into a deep coma. His two cronies are next, followed by students who act out in class. Poor behavior becomes the common thread, but it gets confusing when other students are victimized. The Amigos’ good, well-behaved friend drops in the classroom, but his violation is forgetting to put his name on his assignment! His incident lets readers know that any character can become the next casualty. The plot shifts to the dream world where the amigos must find a way to defeat El Cucuy. Compelling relationships arise when the amigos are reunited with El Feo. He’s managed to survive the monster, but can he be trusted?

What didn’t work as well:

Some phrases and incantations are in Spanish without context to show what they mean. Also, readers may wonder why the adults described in the opening pages don’t appear later in the story until the new conflict is resolved.

The final verdict:

This book is part of the Doll Island series, but it can be enjoyed on its own. I recommend it to young readers who enjoy ghosts and spooky stories.

Bad Things Happened Here by Moniza Hossain

What worked:

Sam admits that he’s obsessed with learning about his mother, who died before he got to know her. He scours the Internet for her social media, and he’s unexpectedly invited to spend the summer with his grandmother in Singapore. Sam quickly senses spirits in the house, and he comes face to face with a young version of his mother. The spirit says it’s not a ghost, causing readers to wonder if it’s true. Readers may be surprised when Sam sees another spirit, but this one feels threatening and dangerous. Sam knows he’s supposed to stay away from an abandoned factory, and it gives off mysterious, spooky vibes. Readers later learn the gruesome things that happened there.

The family dynamics are challenging for Sam. He’s never met his grandmother in person, and he doesn’t know how to talk to her. Her cluttered house is dirty and uncomfortable, but she doesn’t want anything thrown away. Sam’s left on his own most days, and he doesn’t know anyone else in Singapore. Sam’s dad is halfway across the world, so he isn’t much help to Sam. Sam talks to him on the phone and discovers his dad is spending time with a woman living down the hall. Sam wants to feel closer to his mother, but his father is moving on after her death. Sam must deal with his father dating on his own. The ghost of Sam’s mother becomes an important character and his closest friend. The experience helps him deal with his grief and help him move on.

What didn’t work as well:

The first half of the book doesn’t grab the reader's interest, as Sam tries to understand what he’s experiencing. The plot becomes more intriguing once Sam starts investigating the second ghost and what it wants. Sam’s mother’s ghost is more mischievous than expected, which may get mixed reactions from readers.

The final verdict:

The plot evolves slowly, but builds to a horrifying climax, revealing a hidden truth. I recommend this book for middle-grade mystery and ghost lovers.

Ghost Light (The Last Resort #3) by Sara Farizan

What worked:

This book is the third in the series, with each one written by a different author. This book opens with Rosteen in the spirit world, bored by the repetition and monotony of being a ghost. Teddy, Lila, and Caleb, three of his living friends, summon him. Rosteen warns them that the Fire Maiden is still active, and they should prepare for her attack. They decide to go on the offensive and figure out a way to stop her. The Fire Maiden has been killing and using people for decades, as she seeks revenge against the town of Castle Hill. The plot has a high level of anxiety, since no one knows what she has planned this time or when she will strike. She pops up several times throughout the book to remind readers she’s still furious and hatching a diabolical plan. Readers know the climax will explode during the Founder’s Day play.

Illustrations are included, adding to reader enjoyment and opening a creative feature. Young readers can scan a QR code on the book’s first page to open an electronic connection. Readers are directed to the Scholastic Books website where Teddy’s voice and image greet them. Readers are then directed to scan illustrations as they arise in the book, where a character summarizes information and asks for their participation. Readers answer character questions to check off tasks in an electronic journal before going back to the book. QR codes are unique to the book being used, so readers' progress on their electronic investigations and journal checklists are saved. Readers will not lose their progress when shifting back to reading the book.

What didn’t work as well:

The illustrations come at the end of chapters, instead of on the pages where they apply. By that time, the plot has moved on, so seeing the images is moot. The author probably does this so scanning pictures during their electronic investigations won’t interrupt any chapters.

The final verdict:

You should at least read the first book in the series, as this one ends it. The story is suspenseful, and the series ends with an emotional resolution. I recommend this series for middle-grade readers who love ghosts and mystery.

Lionborn and the Secret of Dark Rider (Lionborn 2) by Sharique Zea

What worked:

The book opens with Marrok ruthlessly slaughtering villagers, burning their homes, fields, and livestock.   He conjures and controls a pack of wolves, and Fionn, the protagonist, sees an image of Abigor in a flaming inferno. Fionn is shocked because in the previous book he cast Abigor out of Aseria and the human world. This leaves readers wondering if Marrok is following Abigor’s orders. Marrok continues wreaking havoc across Aseria and becomes aware of Fionn’s presence. Fionn doesn’t think he’s powerful enough to stop Marrok, so readers will anticipate a future showdown between them. Some of Fionn’s hazy dreams about his past gain clarity. He eventually discovers unbelievable memories about the identity of his birth father.

Fionn is joined by two allies, Ella and Tiny. Fionn is Lionborn, meaning he can shoot rays from his eyes, get visions of the future, and he’s bonded with Uks, an invisible lion with powers of his own. Ella has a special power too, and readers catch a glimpse of her potential, which is still raw and out of control. In the first book, Fionn knew little about his abilities or how they worked. In this book, he begins taking classes at the Phom to learn more about Aseria and improve his fighting skills. Readers will expect him to get better, but they’ll be shocked by the changes.

Fionn suspects Abigor is still trying to get Ella and him, and there may be more Abigor followers than Marrok. Middle-grade novels often have seemingly innocent characters turn out to be working for the antagonist. Consequently, readers may be suspicious when new “friends” enter the story. At Phom, Fionn meets an orphan boy, Alain, and they become fast friends. However, while practicing spells, Alain conjures a huge dragon made of water that attacks Ella. It looks like someone hijacked his spell and took control of the creature, but who is that powerful? Speaking of dragons, Fionn receives a dragon egg as a gift, and the mischievous newborn adds a little levity to the story.

What didn’t work as well:

Amazon indicates the book is for ages eight and older, but eight is probably too young. Also, Fionn is attacked late in the story, but surprisingly, he doesn’t use a powerful defensive weapon that he’s learned.

The final verdict:

Readers should expect to read the next book in the series, as this one ends at a dramatic moment. This book is full of action, mystery, and surprises, and I highly recommend that you check it out.