The Fire Serpent Legacy by Cindy L. Rodriguez

What worked:

Auri’s parents died when she was an infant, and she compares her life to a puzzle with missing pieces. Many books save the truth about lost parents until later, but readers learn early that her father rode a fire serpent and protected the Amazon jungle. She realizes that the large egg displayed in her grandmother’s cabinet holds the last fire serpent and wants to follow her parents’ wishes by returning it to Brazil. Auri feels an electrical charge up her arms when she touches the egg, which lets readers know she has a special connection with the Boitatás. Readers will anxiously await the moment the egg hatches, giving the story a jump start.

The book weaves elements of the Portuguese/Brazilian culture and the Amazon Forest into the story. The importance of the rainforest to Earth's survival is emphasized, and deforestation is the main conflict in the plot. The characters prepare Portuguese dishes, and Auri and her sister learn about unique fruits and foods found in Brazil. Auri’s aunt mostly speaks Portuguese, and Auri’s sister has refreshed her knowledge of the language to become fluent. Portuguese words and phrases add authenticity to the story, and readers can figure out most of their meanings using the context. Auri also interprets some of the vocabulary, although she struggles with the language herself.

The conflict is complicated by Auri’s uncle, since he’s a major player in the destruction of the local environment. Auri’s grandmother goes so far as to warn Auri to stay away from her uncle, because he’s a dangerous man. In addition, a group of Amazon protectors used to support the efforts of the Boitatás, but they’re no longer active. Many of them think it’s most important to save the last Boitatás, which is why Auri’s grandmother took the egg to the United States. Consequently, Auri doesn’t know who might be willing to help her and the newly hatched Boitatás. Some people will want Sergio taken out of the country to keep him safe, but Auri is determined to stop the deforestation.

What didn’t work as well:

Sergio’s reaction to Auri after hatching is a little confusing. The tingling she feels when touching the egg implies they’re already forming a bond, yet the Boitatás is defensive and frightened toward Auri when they first meet. They quickly become close, but that initial meeting is surprising.

The final verdict:

This exciting adventure addresses a real-world issue: deforestation. The issue may be news to many young readers, but the book’s message is vitally important for them to hear. I recommend you try this book for yourself.

George Goodwin, Dragon Slayer: A Scouting Legend (Order of the Dragon Slayer) by Candace Lee and Eric Newman

What worked:

This book is reminiscent of the movie, “The Goonies”? This book also has a group of local kids venturing underground, looking for hidden treasure. Thieves race to flee the abandoned mine taking diamonds that could be used to save the dying town. George’s main goal is to clear the disgraced memories of his father, since his dad was blamed for the deaths of other miners. The other kids follow him into the mine with thoughts of becoming rich, but they become trapped and must follow a map to get out. The tunnels are difficult and treacherous, and there are natural obstacles just waiting to bring tons of rocks falling onto the kids. Oh, there’s also a dragon looking for its next meal.

Readers can learn about West Virginia and the importance of coal mining to the people living there. The people are prideful, but they know the dangers of working in the mines. Many towns are abandoned when the coal runs out, and Big Mountain is slowly becoming the next casualty. The narrow tunnels are reinforced to offer support, and George wishes this mine had been lined with limestone to prevent the spread of fires. The kids learn that a blocked exit can mean death, since the only other way out is on the other side of the mountain.

The plot will certainly satisfy any readers with a need for action or fighting scenes. The dragon attacks are relentless, and readers discover it won’t stop searching for George until it kills him. Lulls in the action give a false impression that things are okay, only to have the dragon rear its terrifying face again. To complicate things further, thieves are roaming the tunnels, so readers can expect them to pop up. One of them is crazy enough to destroy the whole mountain, even if the kids are still inside the mine.

What didn’t work as well:

There’s a Scottish man named Rowland who can see into the future. He adds humor and predictions of events to come, but his ability doesn’t immediately make sense. The book begins with a realistic tone, and the existence of a dragon is strange enough. The kids use scouting skills, but there’s no hint that some humans will have superpowers.

The final verdict:

This story is a flat-out action adventure, as George and his friends battle a dragon that is determined to kill them. I recommend you give this book a shot.

Dungeon Runners: Fang Attack Level 4 by Kieran Larwood

What worked:

The plot moves very quickly, so it will keep the attention of young, emerging, and reluctant readers. The characters face many obstacles and dangerous creatures, although this part of the series offers new twists. This story finds Kit, Sandy, and Thorn on the last leg of the Dungeon Runners competition. They must finish in the top two places to be promoted to the Tryhard League (a new future book series?) or lose their hopes of being Dungeon Runners forever. In addition, this competition will be held in Vostovia, a land of vampires. Thorn is a vegan vampire, and this new setting provides complications for him. A bully from Kit’s past is on the third-place Trogton Terrors, and Kit’s sure the first-place Roost Raiders “earned” their position by cheating.

Kit, Sandy, and Thorn form the team of Triple Trouble, and they’re a stark contrast from the other teams. Kit has the roles of leader and fighter, but he’s gotten this far with limited abilities and questionable bravery. His best assets are intelligence, luck, and compassion. Sandy is the team’s mage, even though she doesn’t know many spells. Plus, the spells she tries to cast rarely work the way she intended. Thorn is the healer, and he’s uncertain about returning to Vostovia. He’s afraid of what will happen if the other vampires find out he doesn’t drink blood anymore. They’ll surely be angry, and the consequences may result in the end of his eternal life. Readers can easily predict that his secret will eventually be revealed.

What didn’t work as well:

The book jumps right into the action, so readers need to have read the previous three books to understand what’s happening. There’s not enough character and plot development to help readers connect with the backstory and featured personalities.

The final verdict:

This is a fun series that features underdogs with admirable qualities. Their kindness and empathy for others make them unpredictable Dungeon Runners when contrasted with their ruthless, selfish, cheating competitors. I recommend this book for a wide range of young readers.

The Wizard's Way (Adventures in O'Mirra Book 1) by Lisa Kelly

What worked:

Divorce is very relevant to the girls’ problems. Katie and Jenny’s father left the family, and they don’t know why. With no explanation, the girls suspect that they are the reason. More specifically, Katie feels certain that her headstrong, rebellious behavior is the cause of her father’s anger and absence. She remembers what she did on the day he left, and the way he talked about her. This internal conflict plagues the girls as their adventure to O’Mirra unfolds. Their father makes an appearance in O’Mirra, in a way.

Katie learns her mother and grandmother are witches, and that she is one, too. She first notices her amulet is vibrating against her chest, and she sees her deceased (missing?) grandmother in the scrying mirror. Readers will have questions about her family. Where is her grandmother? Why doesn’t her mother seem to have any knowledge about magic and O’Mirra? Katie has moments of insecurity about her abilities, but she really displays an aptitude toward casting spells. She feels responsible and protective of her younger sister, but Jenny often offers her support and flashes of bravery. Their mettle will be tested by a magical plague that feeds on fear, anger, and self-doubt.

What didn’t work as well:

Katie’s magical learning curve is very quick, as performing spells isn’t overly complicated. It’s a matter of possessing the ability and reading spell words from a scroll. At times, it seems that the most difficult part of casting magic is unrolling the scrolls and reading in pressure situations. It’s a little odd.

The final verdict:

The book shares a fast-paced adventure in a magical world. The plot’s format is familiar, but the author includes twists to make it unique. I recommend you try the book for yourself. 

Sire, Oleander isn't dead! (Yet) by T.I. Avens

What worked:

The opening chapter introduces Marlow and leaves readers with a couple of significant questions. She is living with a guardian, so readers will wonder what’s happened to her parents. While delivering messages, she is saved by slayers, and readers are introduced to Oleander. However, later, Marlow’s guardian asks if the slayers recognized who she really is, and Marlow says they did not. What is her true identity, and why doesn’t she want anyone to know? Marlow has a complicated history, and her secret is a major focus during the book’s second half.

In the next chapters, readers learn about Oleander’s pressure-filled life. His mother is highly demanding, and she won’t accept that he’s not giving full effort at all times. She shows him a room honoring his family’s heritage, and renowned heroes highlight every generation. Oleander’s mother says he will be a footnote, forgotten forever, if he slacks off for even a moment. Her pressure causes Oleander to take risks, and he pushes Squallsong, the guild he leads, to go on non-stop missions. Oleander uses a poisoned blade to kill difficult wilders, but it has unexpected results. The creatures return from the dead and will continue to do so until they get vengeance against Oleander. Marlow notices a magical aura around her friend, but revealing her observation will give away her secret.

Marlow struggles with a family situation that causes complications and expectations that she can’t handle. In addition, the other slayers in Oleander’s guild have trouble with his leadership, and they choose to follow someone else. Oleander reflects on his life path and must make hard decisions about his future. Oleander and Marlow find support and understanding in each other, but Marlow’s secret may fracture their relationship.

What didn’t work as well:

There are numerous fictional monsters, and it can be challenging to visualize them. The story includes brief descriptions, but matching their names from memory is tricky. A glossary or collection of illustrations would help.

The final verdict:

Young readers will enjoy the adventures of Oleander and Marlow, and the endless stream of dangerous wilders creates suspense and fighting scenes. I recommend you try this book for yourself. 

A Sprinkling of Danger (Alice Eclair, Spy Extraordinaire #3) by Sarah Todd Taylor

What worked:

The book is set in Paris, right before the start of World War II. Alice works her way onto the movie set by baking cakes and pastries for different scenes. Readers will know from the previous books that Alice is an expert chef, so she can whip up delicious, decorative, and detailed pastries at a moment’s notice. She is tasked with locating the map that reveals French agents secretly working throughout Europe, and identifying the spy sharing information with the Germans. The story presents several suspects, ranging from the movie’s star, Catrine, to movie employees and the hotel’s staff. Readers know Alice’s life is in constant danger after there are multiple events when she could have been killed. The lives of French agents are in immediate peril, so there is pressure for Alice to complete her mission as quickly as possible.

A different twist in this third book is that Alice is supposed to train a new agent. Readers know immediately that it will add a complication, since Pierre doesn’t want anything to do with her. He says he won’t listen to anything she has to say and that he works alone. He finagles himself onto the movie set and sneers every time he looks her way. However, Alice notices him passing secret messages to Catrine, and it crosses her mind that he might be a double agent. She also spots a man passing a package to an unknown accomplice, so readers will wonder if it’s one of the missing hotel artifacts.

Many young readers enjoy cooking and baking, so they’ll appreciate Alice’s talent and the products she creates. She works at her mother’s famous French bakery, but her mother is unaware of her daughter’s life as a secret agent. Alice bakes multi-tiered cakes, decorated like objects found in the hotel and on the movie set. She adds special effects that amaze everyone, although her plan for sparklers is disrupted by the sun. Luckily, the mishap explains one of the attempts on her life. It also helps Alice realize the identity of the traitor working with the movie production.

What didn’t work as well:

Readers may wonder about Pierre, since the story doesn’t give any information about him. He appears in the second chapter but goes on his own right away. If Alice is supposed to train him, how does he know what to do without her help? What is in his background that makes him totally reject Alice without even speaking to her?

The final verdict:

Lovers of mystery and adventure will enjoy this latest installment of Alice Éclair’s secret missions. She is in more danger than in the previous books, but that makes it more dramatic and exciting. I recommend you give this book a shot.

Trunk No. 3 by Allie Millington

What worked:

The first thing readers will appreciate is the author’s masterful ability to tell a story. They can feel the desperate emotions of Earl Grey and Cleo as they try to find their places in the world. Earl loves living with Oswald, but she longs to know who she belonged with Before Oswald. Cleo believes he is a failure, so he wants to run away. No one will miss him. The narrator explains, “And sometimes, you started breaking rules when you started breaking inside too.” An old, battered trunk is the center of attention, and it supplies footnotes with explanations from its point of view. It had to say something when Cleo commented that it smelled “… like bad breath that had been held in for too long.”

Oswald and his deceased wife used to mine for memories, and his Repertorium contains objects holding strong, emotional experiences. “It’s like the expression of walking a mile in another person’s shoes.” Guests can touch the items and experience moments that leave them feeling thrilled, curious, or surprised. Oswald’s never shown Earl how to mine, but she discovers that she gets visions and emotions just from touching other people. This ability will have readers wondering more about Earl and where she came from. How can her ability be explained?

It turns out, there’s more than one trunk. Cleo steals Trunk No. 3 from Earl, but he doesn’t realize how his theft will bring them together. Earl finds another trunk, Trunk No. 2, and the two characters discover the trunks are “magically” connected. Earl’s bunny climbs in her trunk, and the lid closes, and it immediately appears in Cleo’s trunk. This begins their “pen pal” correspondence, even though they’re unaware of each other’s identity. Readers will anticipate the moment they figure out their paths have already crossed. Also, readers may wonder if there’s a Trunk No. 1.

What didn’t work as well:

Earl seems to have a better handle on the whole situation than is believable. She’s struggling to learn about her past, but she somehow manages to offer Cleo sage advice about his situation. The eloquence of her messages to him seemed more mature than her character should have been.

The final verdict:

The book shares a tender, budding friendship between two characters who are trying to understand their places in the world. I recommend that middle-grade readers try it for themselves.