Flyaway Boy by Jane De Suza

What worked:

The book opens by introducing the characters figuratively. “Everyone lived in boxes. They just didn’t know that.” Characters could be labeled with single words; some had labels no one could see. For example, Kabir’s mother could be labeled BUSY, but she was a researcher, an unseen label of an artist. Kabir’s box “wouldn’t fit into the slot it was meant to-in the classroom, on the playing field, in his own family sometimes.” Kabir is often made fun of, and he gets on his teachers’ nerves. He has a vivid imagination, and embracing our creativity may be the moral of this story.

The most unique and compelling feature of this book is the narrator’s voice. It speaks directly to readers with side notes and descriptions of the events. However, the voice is inspiring and clever and presents the narrative in unexpected ways. It may be a poem, a blend of illustrations and flowing text, or musings of possibilities. Readers will expect serious text when Kabir disappears, but imaginative accounts are shared. The search for Kabir helps characters and readers explore their artistic sides and discover that it’s wrong to force everyone to fit in the same box. The ingenious climax is surprising, amusing, and inspiring, as the characters give Kabir an emotional “welcome home”.

What didn’t work as well:

It’s tricky to identify the appropriate audience for this story. The narrative requires readers to accept the imaginative descriptions in Kabir’s mind and use their brains to interpret the creative language. The setting and young characters relate more to elementary school, but the story requires higher-level thinking.

The final verdict:

This book is an unexpected gem for middle-graders with solid reading skills, creative minds, and a tolerance for the unusual. I highly recommend you try it for yourself. 

The Farouk Forgery (Mystery at the Biltmore #4) by Colleen Nelson

What worked:

Although this book is the fourth in the series, readers can enjoy it independently. Elodie, Oscar, and Carnegie have solved crimes in previous books, and they’ve built a good reputation at the Biltmore Hotel, where they live. Elodie’s parents are world-famous art detectives, and they’re usually off in some other country tracking down art thieves. Elodie is the main character, and she develops a list of suspects that she keeps in her notebook. She considers motives, opportunity, and means for each one just like real detectives. The narrator mentions well-known fictional detectives and authors like Sherlock Holmes and Miss Marple, as Elodie often uses them for inspiration. 

The characters are the highlight, as Elodie and Oscar are learning to blend their skills. Oscar is usually a humorous, goofy distraction, but he displays some new detective abilities in this book. He asks important questions and notices relevant clues, although he also adds new comedic moves to his acrobatic talents. Carnegie is Elodie's adorable little dog, and her nose often locates things that can’t be seen. Elodie constantly practices her observation skills, and the author points out things she discovers. Elodie is more frustrated than usual, since her investigation seems to eliminate all of her suspects. However, she’s forced to restart from the beginning, and that’s the key to solving the case. 

What didn’t work as well:

Elodie still tends to jump to conclusions and narrow her focus to an innocent suspect. However, she becomes aware of it and learns to let the evidence guide her efforts.

The final verdict:

As with the previous three books, this series is perfect for young readers with a budding interest in solving mysteries. The story is easy to follow with endearing characters, and I recommend you try this book for yourself.

Wicked Great and Small (The School For Wicked Witches 4) by Will Taylor

What worked:

The opening chapter introduces a witch named Osmuth Rush, who plans to become the most powerful now that Vivienne Morderay is absent. Intermittent chapters follow to apprise readers of his progress. His first step is to cancel all his currently active spells to amass all his magic. His last curse is “tricksy, and hungry, and trouble”, slithering away from his magic and disappearing. The spell will make readers wonder when it will reappear and what kinds of problems it will create. The climax unites Osmuth’s situation with Henry’s curse, and Osmuth will be a main focus in the book’s sequel.

Ava can be impulsive, and she wants to perform awesome, attention-getting spells. For example, while trying to help Henry, she overdoes her part of a group spell and shrinks the group to two and a half inches tall. It’s now obvious why the teachers forbid them from attempting this kind of magic, but Ava and her friends aren’t willing to wait for the teachers to fix them. It’s easy to predict that they’ll find a risky way to restore their size. Angelica, an older student, says she can fix them if they’ll help her with a mission. Tinabella doesn’t trust her, so readers will watch closely to see if Angelica betrays them or creates more problems. The mystery of Angelica’s mission and the uncertainty of her motivation will keep readers mentally engaged. Ava’s need to please others and excel as a witch causes her to make poor decisions.

What didn’t work as well:

Ava develops an immediate crush on Angelica, and readers may agree with Tinabella that it doesn’t make sense. The book takes place during Spring Break, and it feels odd that there aren’t any classes at school. Ava and her friends are Nettles, and readers may wonder when they’ll be promoted.

The final verdict:

You should at least read my reviews of the first two books before reading this one. The plot centers on Angelica’s mission and the new ways Ava and her friends get into trouble. I recommend you give it a shot.

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.