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. 

The Thing About Giants by Christopher Galvin

What worked:

This book has a giant role reversal, pun intended. Readers meet a young giant named Corman as he’s searching for medicinal plants to help his sick sister. It’s his first time above ground, so he’s leery of every new thing he sees, like an owl and a deer. However, the most fearsome things he might meet are humans trained to hunt and kill giants. Readers then meet Jacq, the daughter of the greatest giant hunter who was recently killed by rebels. Giants are slain to harvest their bones, which are used to make buildings, tools, and other things the humans need. However, Jacq has no interest in becoming a giant hunter and thinks the two groups should live in harmony. Her outlook on hunters strongly contrasts with expectations for the daughter of the greatest hunter hero, creating a major conflict.

The innocence and purity of Jacq and Corman will make this book endearing for young readers. Corman’s motivation is to bring healing herbs to his ailing sister. When things get tough, that thought gives him extra energy and determination. Jacq finds herself hunting for giants from a helicopter only because of her father’s orders. Her hope is to be rescued and returned to her home. Corman and Jacq are forced to work together to survive the dangers they encounter. However, their shared experiences allow their characters to grow and understand the enemies they’ve always feared. Giants aren’t emotionless, stupid beasts who want to devour humans. Not all humans are hunters who want to harvest the bones of slain giants.

There are overall themes of understanding others and the evils of greed. Humans and giants have been told horrible stories about each other since they were children, and short statements on the first page of each chapter reinforce them. There are different kinds of giants, and Corman’s people were forced underground seeking safety when humans arrived. Another effect of humans invading these lands is that the different kinds of giants rarely interact with each other anymore. In contrast, many humans are fixated on killing giants for their bones, and it’s an honor for children to be chosen to become giant hunters. Readers will learn later in the story that lies and schemes are being plotted, and Jacq will discover an unknown truth about her mother’s death.

What didn’t work as well:

Readers shouldn’t think too much about the logistics of giants, since an underground city of them is hard to imagine. Hidden passageways are challenging to envision when they’re big enough to fit giants. Also, if human society is developed enough to have helicopters, electronics, and factories, why are they so determined to harvest giants’ bones? Why not build structures utilizing the same metal used to make helicopters?

The final verdict:

This emotional, action-filled adventure shares thoughtful commentary regarding human behavior. Overall, young readers will be touched by the empathy and compassion shown by the main characters, and I recommend you give this book a chance. 

The Echoes of Time (Temporal Scent Trilogy #1) by Duane Penshorn

What worked:

Imagining how the past and present can merge can be daunting, but the author introduces it gradually. At first, a woman is startled to see her older image in the mirror, and her children treat her as if her mind is addled. A famous podcast personality visits a holocaust concentration camp and becomes overwhelmed by the smell and despair of the slaughter. His emotional breakdown is broadcast live for all to see. A man in Japan visits a memorial at the site of the atomic bomb and is overcome by the terror and searing heat during the explosion. The effects of temporal scent bombard the senses, “… a bizarre new reality where the past could be sensed, like a lingering smell of history.”

Temporal scent becomes a mystery, as much of the plot tries to understand everything about it. Several scientists from various fields of study interview and observe three subjects. Two men and a woman are put in situations to activate the phenomenon, while the scientists take notes. All three report that their experiences started about two months ago, but there’s no evidence that they’re a result of environmental factors. The military is leading the investigation, so skeptical readers will wonder what the army will do with any information they learn. Also, a select group is formed to protect the highest level of specials, and a scientist wonders about its combination of knowledge and power.

Other chapters share the variety of experiences and points of view toward temporal scent. One charlatan tries to make money by pretending to have the ability, while another man uses specials to locate hidden treasures. A detective becomes a valuable asset when he can sense new information from crime scenes and evidence. A TSA worker is transferred to border patrol, because her temporal scent allows her to identify suspicious people and vehicles. Other stories are presented as people discover new ways to use this new ability.

What didn’t work as well:

NetGalley listed this book for middle grades, but it’s probably best for an older audience. All of the characters are adults, which will make it less relatable for middle-grade readers. The story doesn’t have main characters, although a few personalities begin to stand out near the end. A few characters’ dialogue is sprinkled with the f-word.

The final verdict:

The plot is very creative, but the book feels like it’s establishing the backstory for future books. The ending will have readers wanting to turn the page for more information, but they won’t find it. Overall, this book will appeal to an older audience, but I can’t recommend it for most middle-grade readers. Since posting my review, the author informed me that this book is no longer listed for middle-grade readers.

The Golden Monkey Mystery by Piu DasGupta

What worked:

The plot becomes an adventure when Roma encounters a rare golden monkey. She makes it her mission to return it to its home, but there are many complications to her plan. It’s first captured by bandits, sold, stolen again, and Roma eventually ends up in the middle of the jungle. She reluctantly joins forces with a young boy, but she knows his cousin will be a hindrance. Arabella is a privileged, spoiled foreigner with no helpful skills, so she’ll only make the quest more difficult. It takes all of Roma’s self-control to hold her tongue, although Arabella’s whining and slowness make that challenging.

Roma’s dream is to enter medical school, but women in India are not permitted to attend them. Nevertheless, Roma won’t give up, and she thinks returning the rare golden monkey to its Himalayan home may change the minds of some people. She displays the medical knowledge she’s gained as she encounters different problems. She saves the life of a boy when a king cobra is ready to strike, but she shares how she would have treated a snake bite anyway. She needs to avoid detection from a light sleeper, and she knows an herb that promotes deeper sleep. Becoming a doctor is important to Roma, as she’s sure she’ll be able to save the lives of many Indian women.

The illustrations are clever, and they’re an integral part of the story. The most uncommon thing about them is that they show different scenes depending on how they’re viewed. One picture might display events relevant to the text on that page, but looking at it upside down shows something totally different. Roma notices the same thing, and several inverted illustrations provide clues toward completing the quest. These unique pictures add an innovative twist to the story.

What didn’t work as well:

Some readers may want a more developed adventure, as Roma quickly resolves any issues. The whole story takes place over the course of one day, so more serious complications or description may have been warranted.

The final verdict:

This quick adventure can be enjoyed by all middle-grader readers. Its fast pace is easy to follow, and the Indian jungle may be new to many young readers. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot.

The Case of the Pilfered Pearls (Shrew Detective #1) by Margi Preus

What worked:

The story is full of humor, as Minerva’s cousin, Tenacity, asks her to investigate a missing pearl necklace. Much of the humor arises from their lives as shrews, although Minerva lives in the wild and Tenacity lives in a house full of humans. Most of the story is set in the house where the shrews must avoid dangers from mouse traps, humans, a cat, and a security dog. Tenacity distracts the dog by claiming to hear a rubber ball bouncing down the stairs. Wordplay creates levity; for example, Tenacity calls Minerva the Shrewd Detective. Other examples are the result of similar-sounding or misused words, which Minerva sometimes does for her own amusement.

Readers can learn a good deal about shrews, as the author utilizes many facts about them in the story. Readers may be surprised to learn that shrews must eat frequently, which helps explain why they don’t sleep much. Minerva is constantly hungry, so many different types of shrew food are mentioned. More facts are shared after the story concludes, so readers may remember them from earlier in the book. Information about chipmunks and flying squirrels is also shared, as their unique talents are used to solve the problem.

What didn’t work as well:

Minerva has wallpapered her den with pages from a dictionary, so she shows off her large vocabulary throughout the book. The words and definitions are bold-faced to stand out, but they may simply distract some readers. Readers should be able to use context to understand the words. Curiously, this strategy is used in chapter 6 for words like brooch, leverage, simple machine, and fulcrum.

The final verdict:

This book is a wonderful first mystery for young middle-grade readers wanting to explore this genre. The plot is straightforward without any confusing complications. Overall, I recommend you try this book for yourself.

The Declaration Decoded: A Guide to the Document That Inspired Our Nation by Katie Kennedy

What worked:

The author breaks down the Declaration of Independence step by step and explains the meaning behind its different parts. The explanations are highlighted in red for easy identification. It briefly goes into the events leading up to its creation, and the colonists’ rising frustration and anger with the King of England. There are anecdotes about historical figures and events relevant to the grievances; some will be familiar, while others will not. Communication between England and the colonists was troublesome because messages took weeks to cross the Atlantic, and some were lost along the way.

The decoding makes the declarations easy to understand, and they’re followed by rationales and connections to real events. The author examines the grievances with an impartial stance and doesn’t hesitate to point out Thomas Jefferson’s flair for propaganda. Most of the grievances are directed at the king, even when the king didn’t have control over them. Other grievances sound greater than they might have been, or they may not have been concerns for all of the colonists. However, the Declaration of Independence showed that the thirteen colonies were united in rejecting the king’s rule. He was not looking out for their best interests, and England did not think the colonists’ rights were equal to those of citizens living in Europe.

What didn’t work as well:

While the book presents interesting, factual information, the tone may not resonate with middle-grade readers. It’s non-fiction, so the readers may have trouble connecting with unfamiliar personalities and straightforward descriptions of events that happened hundreds of years ago.

The final verdict:

The synopsis indicates this book is for readers interested in civics or American history, so it’s not for a general audience. However, readers interested in the evolution of the United States or the Declaration of Independence will find this book enlightening. I recommend you try it for yourself.

Deepa M.D. by Priya Swaminathan

What worked:

Deepa’s leukemia is in remission, but she tells everyone she knows that she’s cured. She just wants to get back to having a normal life, so she doesn’t even tell her best friend, Renee. Denying her actual condition causes Deepa to put her health in jeopardy, and readers will anticipate the consequences. Her behavior is ironic, since she wants to become her uncle’s medical partner. Patients call her uncle when their doctors can’t help, and he has a perfect record for diagnosing the causes of confusing symptoms. However, his people skills are lacking, and Deepa can calmly mediate his interactions with patients. She’s surprised when a patient won’t heed her uncle’s medical advice, but she’s doing the same thing in her own situation.

Medicine is similar to solving mysteries, as doctors must make observations and collect clues to understand their patients’ problems. Deepa’s uncle has the role of Sherlock Holmes, and Deepa compares herself to Dr. Watson. The newest patient happens to be the brother of Deepa’s nemesis, which adds a complication to the plot. Their efforts face additional obstacles when they discover some characters are reluctant to be forthcoming with useful information. Tayo, the patient, isn’t telling his parents everything happening with his health, and other characters don’t seem to want Tayo get better. Assumptions and lies make things more difficult.

Childhood diseases are a part of life, but they can be devastating for the patients and their families. Readers will learn about Deepa’s leukemia, from her initial symptoms to the treatments during the diagnosis and remission. Her parents are concerned about a possible relapse, so they’re overly protective. A young, world-famous pop star suffers dizzy spells that keep her from performing, so she doesn’t want to cancel her tour. The most confusing case will remind readers to be vigilant when staying safe from summertime dangers.

What didn’t work as well:

Many different things are going on in the story, and readers’ attention may become distracted. However, the author navigates the numerous problems to bring the story to an emotional climax and resolution.

The final verdict:

This book will appeal to mystery lovers, as Deepa is as obsessed as her uncle when it comes to deciphering symptoms. Honesty and friendships are topics that will resonate with all middle-grade readers. I recommend you give it a shot.