Kolila the Ice Pirate (Thee Seas of Change Book 1) by Lauren Nicolle Taylor

What worked:

A frozen, Arctic setting is unusual for a middle-grade book, which should interest young readers. Kolila wants to prove she’s worthy of becoming the future leader of the Anuks, so she wants to do well on her first raid without adult assistance. However, her mission takes a serious turn when collapsing ice and a ferocious monster block her path home. Koli, her little brother, and Dale are stranded in harsh conditions, and they learn that something more dangerous is happening. The story becomes a tale about survival and saving the environment from the effects of oil.

All Anuks partner with narwhals, and Koli has bonded with Kari. They communicate by singing, and the narwhals use their horns to melt paths through the ice. Dale loses his narwhal to the monster, so he becomes despondent and angry. The connections between these beautiful creatures and humans highlight the Anuks’ relationship with nature. Stone City presents a stark contrast, as its development sacrifices wildlife and clean air. Koli must bring proof to the city leaders, so they’ll change their ways. Young readers will notice similarities to real life when it becomes clear that change will be difficult. Many people deny evidence of problems because it causes uncomfortable changes to their lives.

What didn’t work as well:

The Anuks singing communication with their narwhals isn’t as effective as it might be. The text doesn’t show the melody of their “speaking” very well. It feels like they’re simply talking mentally, and the narwhals use proper English.

The final verdict:

Much of the story is suspenseful, as the kids try to survive huge, devastating titans and dangers in the warming ocean. The book offers commentary on the importance of conservation and responsible development. I recommend you give this book a shot.

Journey Through the Mind: Unlocking the Brain's Secrets, One Thought at a Time

What worked:

The author blends comprehensive information about the brain with wit and a conversational style. He explores the brain’s smallest parts and functions, explaining each one. Our senses, emotions, dreams, and myths are just a few examples. Unusual associations help imprint facts in readers’ minds, and mental tasks are posed to highlight specific topics. Chunking and mnemonics are two strategies that help long-term memory, and the author has readers form mental palaces to practice them. Some sections break down functions into step-by-step instructions to explain mental processes of the brain. A cartoon shows the way our brains take a sad thought and make someone start crying. The overall narrative is written in blocks of information, so it doesn’t feel like everything is lumped together. Colorful illustrations and interesting facts help break up potential monotony.

The book’s highlight is the author’s combination of humor with a casual tone. “Yes, brains are weird, but that’s what makes them so interesting!” Muscle memory is applied to playing video games, which makes the topic relatable to young readers. Melatonin acts like a “… chemical lullaby, easing you off to the Land of Nod…” The author reminds readers of cavemen when a brain function doesn’t make sense today. Leptin is formed by fat cells to regulate when a person feels hungry, but it was more important for cavemen with unreliable food sources. Graphics accompanied by speech bubbles are especially amusing, like a dream about a pasta owl chasing someone in their underwear or cavemen “trepanning” holes in others’ skulls.

What didn’t work as well:

As mentioned, the book has an abundance of information that can become overwhelming. A table of contents helps readers find specific topics, but the book might be challenging to read straight through. The book’s light-hearted tone makes it easier for young people to form connections with the material.

The final verdict:

This book makes a serious topic, the brain, approachable for middle-grade readers. It covers almost any possible topic related to the brain and presents it in a style young readers will enjoy. I recommend you try this book for yourself. 

Roar by Varsha Bajaj

What worked:

The book exposes readers to wildlife and nature conservation in India. Ro’s grandfather oversees a sanctuary and fights hard to protect all of the animals living there. Tigers are the main topic, as Arya protects and nurtures her two newborn cubs. Mira, Ro’s cousin, loves to study birds, and she shares information with Ros and readers about the hundreds of species found in the sanctuary. G-pa and the other rangers teach the kids about tigers and their survival habits. Ro even discovers that tiger urine smells like popcorn! Young readers learn about trespassers and poachers and their tactics for hunting and killing tigers. The book shares ways the sanctuary tries to combat humans with evil intent, although it’s very difficult to do in a space that covers miles.

Young readers will love the short chapters, which help make the story feel fast-paced. Periodically, chapters share Arya’s perspective of life in the sanctuary. Readers learn about the tiger’s habits, including how she stalks and kills her prey. The cubs grow from tiny newborns into mischievous toddlers. They’re still too young to hunt on their own and protect themselves from danger, so Arya must watch them closely. The male cub listens to his mother and stays close, but his sister is slier and more daring. Arya gives her a wallop or carries the cub in her mouth, trying to teach the youngster that she needs her mother’s protection. Readers learn that wild animals have personalities, too.

What didn’t work as well:

The narrative is mostly realistic fiction, so the chapters from Arya’s point of view seem strange. The tiger has conversations with a crow that calls her Queen, and they talk about Good Human, Ro’s grandfather. These chapters seem odd since the rest of the book could really happen.

The final verdict:

This book is ideal for animal lovers, especially those interested in protecting them in the wild. Tigers are the story's main focus, but readers will find many other creatures. I recommend you try this book for yourself.

Fallen Empire (Guardians 2) by Brandon Mull

What worked:

Mako, Arden, and Tuck remain the main characters, and problems from the first book remain. They can’t reveal how their masters were disintegrated to dust, or they’ll be tracked down by the giant man who spared their lives. They’ve roamed the kingdom for months, but their Paramond horses attract attention wherever they go. They decide to settle in a remote mining town, but they get caught up in local problems. The trio begins to work for several Anorans, but readers will suspect they’re unsavory characters. Mako, Arden, and Tuck are honorable people, so working for these miners creates an immediate conflict. This story leads to Mako discovering the identity of his birth mother, a woman he’s never met.

Mako continues to struggle internally with the Accursed, Narrix. Mako bonded with this dangerous spirit out of desperation, even though their bond was forbidden. Narrix is always in the back of Mako’s mind, augmenting his power and fighting skills when needed. However, Narrix has a smooth tongue, always sounding sincere and supportive, but Mako can’t trust him. Mako must learn to use Narrix’s help without giving up his control or conscience. He must keep their alliance secret, but that’s hard to do when he displays unnatural fighting skills. Many people suspect the bond, and Mako eventually confesses to two characters. 

The rise of the Accursed is the underlying problem in the series, but many citizens are in denial about the possibility. Mako, Arden, and Tuck witnessed the truth when their masters were slaughtered, but they can’t reveal their knowledge. Alternate chapters focus on Mako or Arden with their overlapping and contrasting problems. Arden can sense truthfulness in others, and she knows Mako is hiding a secret. She desperately wants to learn what happened to her father, so most of her chapters follow that storyline. Mako tries to locate a woman who has partnered with Vandrel, the leader of the Accursed, while hiding his true identity. No one has ever bonded to an Accursed without turning evil, but Mako hopes to be the first. His problem is complicated by characters who don’t see bonding with the Accursed as bad. Do they truly believe the Accursed can do good, or are they hoping to use Mako for evil purposes?

What didn’t work as well:

In book one, Mako displayed uncanny talents with the sling and music; it would be nice to see them highlighted more to emphasize his humble background and normality. Amazon suggests this book for ages 8 and older, but readers that young probably aren’t ready.

The final verdict:

You should read Forbidden Mountain, the first book in the series, before reading this one. Understanding Fallen Empire requires knowledge of what happened earlier. This book has complicated characters and relationships and growing suspense as critical decisions must be made. There’s plenty of action, and secrets are revealed. I highly recommend you read this series.

Diamond Fever!: A True Crime Story in the Wild West by Steve Sheinkin

What worked:

This narrative is based on factual information, as it retells one of the greatest hoaxes in the 1870s. The first part of the book sounds like a rags-to-riches tale, as two men bring a bag of raw diamonds to a potential investor. The investor determines the diamonds are real and convinces others to put up more money. The whole story sounds like a fantastic opportunity to make millions until the narrator informs readers that the diamond mine never existed! The next section reveals what was happening behind the scenes, as the devious scheme of two small-time miners unfolds. Philip Arnold and John Slack cheat investors out of hundreds of thousands of dollars (about 15 million today), and the book shows what really happened as they contacted investors. The pair set up a scenario about an untapped diamond mine, and the initial investor, George Roberts, spreads the story. The lie grows a life of its own!

The book includes black-and-white drawings and short comic strips to support the tale and break up the text. The author inserts interesting anecdotes about other events happening during this same time in history. A comic and pages of text describe Clarence King’s six-year mission to study hundreds of miles of land around the fortieth parallel. His efforts are instrumental in uncovering the fraud. Other parts talk about President Grant being arrested for racing his horse-drawn carriage down a city street, and Susan B. Anthony illegally voting in an election. The last section of the book shares the author’s abundant resources and an index to locate specific topics. Readers also learn that the author visited the actual diamond field from the story while he researched the topic.

What didn’t work as well:

The narrative is a recounting of events, so it may sound dry to young readers. There’s little character development, and the story isn’t embellished to make it sound more creative. However, the book’s purpose is to inform readers through a dramatic retelling of the Wild West hoax.

The final verdict:

The story teaches the lesson that if something seems too good to be true, then it probably isn’t. Young readers may be amazed that the diamond conspiracy actually happened! Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot.

Iron Man: Super Smash! (A Mighty Marvel Team-Up 2)

What worked:

Young readers enjoy superheroes, and the Marvel characters have been around for decades. This book features Iron Man and the Hulk, and there’s plenty of smashing for action lovers. The story moves very quickly, and the dialogue is simple and easy to follow. Iron Man asks Hulk to teach him to smash, and readers will be amused by their interactions. They compete by punching objects and monsters, but Iron Man is too puny to smash things up to Hulk’s destructive standards!

The illustrations are large and colorful, so it’s easy to interpret what’s happening. Text boxes and speech bubbles share the plot and dialogue between characters, and emerging and reluctant readers will find them easily accessible. The plot isn’t complicated by surprising twists, so young readers will find it simple to follow. Hulk and Tony Stark discover their differences make them better friends. Two pages at the end of the book share the creative process for getting a graphic novel published.

What didn’t work as well:

The drawings of characters and background scenes lack the detail young readers can find in other sources. The illustrations may not excite them as much as they could have. Also, the book’s synopsis summarizes almost the entire story, so there’s little left to the imagination.

The final verdict:

This book will appeal to younger middle-grade readers or those students who are unenthusiastic toward reading. I suggest you try this book for yourself.

Sentinels: Keepers of the Forest by Kate O'Hearn

What worked:

Young readers will love the main characters, which are different varieties of squirrels. The author includes facts about the animals to keep them “realistic” and relatable. Common predators are a constant danger, such as hawks, foxes, and skunks. The characters must forage for food and seek shelter from their enemies and nature. Rum has visions of possible future events and dangers, and he warns his clan about a severe, deadly snowstorm and attacking predators. He’s joined by a Lowland squirrel named Nearly, and she has a keen sense of her surroundings. Her ability seems similar to Rum's, although she can’t sense things that haven’t happened yet. 

Readers will feel empathy for Rum, as the other squirrels, including his brothers and sisters, don't accept him. He’s the smallest squirrel in his litter, and his deformed leg makes it harder to navigate his home and environment. He frequently feels an overwhelming need to scream, but he knows he must keep it secret. He’ll be banished from his home and clan if any of the other squirrels find out. Readers will think highly of Rum, since he’s the only member of his family willing to help their mother care for three new baby sisters. His empathy for others is evident throughout the book, and it’s probably a big reason why Nearly becomes his best friend. In return, she often acts as his protector.

Prejudice and understanding are big issues. All of the sentinels are different from the other squirrels in their clans, and they’re shunned, mocked, or feared. The five different squirrel clans are very territorial, and they never work together. None of the forest animals cooperate, and the smaller, weaker animals are often at the mercy of the stronger ones. Rum’s abilities allow him to make seemingly risky choices by spreading understanding and compassion for prickly or dangerous characters. The sentinels’ calls cause former foes to join forces to protect them during their journey to the Dark Forest. One evil antagonist disrupts their quest, and his misguided plans may spell doom for the entire forest.

What didn’t work as well:

The summary on the back of the book tells readers a deadly fire is coming, but the story doesn’t reveal that information until it's nearing the end. This huge surprise should have been left for readers to discover on their own. The back cover spoils the mystery of the sentinel’s message.

The final verdict:

Young readers will enjoy the animal characters and the sentinels’ determination to save the forest. There’s even a good deal of suspense and action for adventure lovers. I recommend you read this first book in an inspirational new series.