Olivia and the Gentleman From Outer Space by Moses Yuriyvich Mikheyev

What worked:

The most obvious aspect of this book is its wholesomeness. As the title states, a gentleman alien named Galax arrives on Earth to take Olivia on an adventure among the stars. Their sole mission is to retrieve the Black Ruby that can heal and repair anything but their motivation is to save Olivia’s father from dying of cancer. Galax calls Olivia the Princess of Blue Earth and refers to her with respectful terms when not using her name. His favorite number is a million billion trillion as he uses it to describe time and distance across the universe, although his spaceship and knowledge of wormholes allow him to travel more quickly than imaginable. Olivia and Galax stop to recuperate on a planet inhabited by women from Earth who do all they can to make the pair comfortable.

The author creates an inventive story based on science fiction and imagination. Galax’s spaceship is able to generate impossible speeds and is almost indestructible. Galax is able to repair and heal almost anything although the effort it takes has its limits. He’s nearing the end of his life-energy so the success of the quest is the only thing that will save him from dying. Galax has a residence on the moon and he shares a story about his meeting with the Apollo 11 astronauts. Olivia is concerned that a trip across the universe will take too long so they’ll never make it back in time to save her father. However, Galax informs her that time works differently in space as time on one planet they visit doesn’t move at all.

What didn’t work as well:

The showdown with the Black Priests in the climax lacks the suspense and uncertainty that readers might expect. The priests are a menace across the universe but the non-violent nature of the story takes the bite out of their threat.

The Final Verdict:

This book shares an entertaining journey into space that’s void of violence, profanity, and suggestive material that’s found in many middle-grade novels. The plot moves quickly resulting in a quick read that will appeal to young readers. 

Hide or Seek (The Superpower Protection Program) by Dan DiDio

What worked:

I’ve read a few books where kids have superhero parents but Nick’s father has been a questionable parent. The summary accompanying this post sums up the plot nicely as Nick and his mom are herded to Crucible where his mom says they’ll be able to live safely. Their handler seems shady and all of Nick’s questions are answered with ambiguity and vagueness. There are no connections to the outside world and Nick finds everything just a bit off. His name is changed to Theo and his former identity as Nick is erased from all digital footprints. The only place Nick exists is in his own mind. Crucible is the place his father wanted Nick and his mother to relocate in case of trouble but something’s amiss.

The initial pages seem like the book is headed toward an action-adventure but it develops into a mystery of sorts. Nick doesn’t like not knowing what’s going on with his life so he’s determined to figure out the secrets surrounding Crucible. Characters frequently warn him that his every move is being watched so it sometimes feels like Nick is a lab rat under the control of an unseen organization. Characters fear punishment when they don’t “follow the script” and it’s unclear which characters are the good guys and the bad guys. Nick’s not even sure if he can trust his new “friends” since they won’t tell him the truth and try to avoid him. The author allows Nick to ponder his new reality throughout the book and doesn’t reveal the true nature of Crucible until the plot nears the end.

The author endows the teenage characters with some uncommon powers. Nick’s temper causes him to become hot and fiery but he has no idea how to control it. Jerry is a curious character because they don’t identify with gender pronouns and are actually three people in one. I won’t elaborate but this character causes Nick a great deal of confusion in the first half of the book. Another boy is able to transport to different locations although his magic comes at a price. A girl is able to absorb and redirect energy, which can come in handy. It’s unknown if the adults have powers but it’s silly to assume none of them do. Mirrors have a special place in the plot and contribute to the eerie atmosphere of Crucible.

What didn’t work as well:

The blurb accompanying the post reveals way more than it should so opportunities for surprise are lost. This book is listed with middle-grade titles on NetGalley, Amazon lists it for grades 3-4, and the main character is sixteen. It can easily be read by middle-grade students since it’s not violent, vulgar, or embellished with sexual moments.

The Final Verdict:

The listings don’t say this book is the first of a new series but I assume that’s the case. It feels like this book is setting the stage for a sequel since there are issues left unresolved. Overall, the mysterious story is entertaining and I recommend you give it a shot. 

The Jump by Brittney Morris

What worked:

This book pushes realistic fiction in a fresh direction. It’s a character versus society plot with an oil company set to build a refinery in Seattle, Washington. A secret, vigilante group called The Order has protested against civil wrongs throughout the country although the main characters don’t understand why they’d bother messing with the school’s fire alarms. These four characters form a group called Jericho and they’re the top team in a clue-solving, scavenger hunt competition. They uncover clues for a new hunt that may change their futures forever.

The members of Jericho form an odd group of outcasts, each with differences that isn’t readily accepted by society. Three of them are of color and racism is an issue, especially later in the story. Spider is transgender, transitioning to become male, and he’s an expert at computers. Jax is the leader of Jericho and an expert at logic and solving puzzles. Yas is an athletic girl with excellent agility and parkour skills. Finally, the book doesn’t specifically say so, but Han seems to be on the autistic spectrum but he’s an expert on the geography of Seattle. They work together with the intention of winning the latest competition but different perceptions of The Order create friction. Yas especially questions the wisdom of admiring the radical group and what it actually represents.

Riddle and puzzle solvers will enjoy the mental aspect of the plot. The Order presents cryptic clues around Seattle with each solution revealing a new riddle. Jericho must interpret evidence from different angles which is where the diversity of their team is valuable. However, Yas senses there’s something different about the new batch of clues but each member of the team is motivated by his or her own situation. Saving the neighborhood and their families’ ways of life are at the core. However, a competing group is right on their heels, sometimes ahead, with its own personal inspirations.

What didn’t work as well:

The cryptic clues may not appeal to all readers but the characters provide thorough explanations after their revelations. The story includes profanity but it fits the characters, setting, and tone of the book.

The Final Verdict:

The evolving dynamics of the characters are the highlight with the race to solve all of The Order’s clues being the driving force of the plot. The author provides hints along the way but a compelling surprise is saved for the end. I recommend you give this book a shot.

Zara's Rules for Living Your Best Life (Zara's Rules #3) by Hena Khan

What worked:

Young readers will be able to identify with Zara’s disappointment. She has big plans to have fun with her neighborhood friends during Spring Break but being sent to her grandparents’ house ruins all of that. Then, her little brother Zayd adds to her frustrations by speaking those annoying words, “I’m bored”. Visiting grandparents can be very enjoyable but Zara’s patience is put to the test with the prospect of spending a week with them instead of her friends. Her irritation grows when her list of interesting activities isn’t readily embraced by her little brother and grandparents. Zara’s mission, and the main conflict of the plot, is to find her grandfather a new hobby that will motivate him and make him more active.

The author includes cultural details in the plot through Zara’s family and her best friend Naomi’s family. Naomi is Jewish and she’s spending the week at her synagogue’s camp in preparation for Passover. Zara’s family is Muslim with her parents’ families living in Pakistan. Her grandparents use Urdu and Punjabi words and phrases (I can’t tell them apart) but they mostly speak English. Readers can get the gist of any unfamiliar terms by using the context of the sentences. Naano, Zara’s grandmother, loves to cook ethnic foods so different Pakistani foods are included. Nana Abu loves her flaky bread called parathas, especially with a sweet paste called halwa spread on it. There’s also a scene with Zara and Naano praying at the mosque.

Zara epitomizes the old phrase, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” She’s very bummed when she can’t play with her friends and her feelings only worsen after her first day at the grandparents’ house. However, instead of complaining and moping around, she focuses on others and strives to make their lives better. The kindness and love she exhibits toward her family make her a character young readers can emulate. Her positivity makes it easy to root her on as she searches for different ways to get her grandparents to try new things. One failed plan only means she’ll need to try something else. Zara’s main goal in life is to make people happy and that includes her little brother!

What didn’t work as well:

Readers looking for drama, conflict, and serious tension will be sadly unfulfilled. Zara encounters highs and lows as she tries to make the best of the Spring Break but she never considers the possibility her plans won’t succeed. She constantly spreads good feelings in everything she does.

The Final Verdict:

The book tells a feel-good story through Zara’s love for her grandparents. Zara is one of the most positive and kind characters you’ll meet and I recommend you give this book a shot.

Desperate Tides, Desperate Measures (Talisman 5) by Brett Salter

What worked:

The author’s sense of humor is a constant in his writing style. Oftentimes, the characters exchange sarcastic comments or playful jests at one another. An elemental named Mander is introduced to the cast of characters and he’s not overly impressed with humans. Rome and Krysta are becoming more affectionate and their friends don’t miss opportunities to make teasing comments. Julian is a Synergist Knight but he exudes fun and excitement whenever conflicts approach. He doesn’t mock his sister or Rome, his dragon brother, as much but he can’t totally stop himself from making amusing remarks.

The plot includes more fight scenes than in previous books as Darkbrand attacks continue to become more frequent and violent. All of the elemental talismans are finally located and creatures from The Void are aggressively trying to collect them. Rome and his alliance of knights and dragons have successfully thwarted those efforts so far but it’s becoming more difficult. The Nocturns that sometimes possess human hosts now wield more devastating abilities and weapons that are even able to penetrate Rome’s dragon scales. Minotaurs still lead bands of Garms against the alliance and they each have unique arsenals and powers. Rome learns the Tyrant King’s plans may not be as random as they first thought and the alliance may actually be playing right into his hands.

Characters are able to overcome their differences and distrust of others and join forces to defeat a common enemy. Since the beginning of the series, Rome and Julian have faced resistance every time they’ve encountered new dragons. The dragons remember the betrayal of humans so they initially abhor the idea of becoming allies again. In this book, the boys meet dragons from the sea whose leader is content to have his followers remain in their protected fortress. Julian’s cousin Jericho, another Synergist Knight, is finally forced to face his sorrow and anger toward his uncle when the two characters come face to face. In the end, all of the Synergist Knights and their dragons possess complimentary abilities that make them impressive, formidable defenders of the planet.

What didn’t work as well:

The resolution sets the stage for the next book as it builds to the series’ climax. I like when books resolve issues before moving on to their sequels but this book ends “mid-spell” and leaves unresolved problems. The next book is sure to present an escalation of excitement that I assume will tie everything together.

The Final Verdict:

The author crafts an action-filled adventure between unlikely allies and a growing force of evil creatures. The blend of drama, humor, relationships, and unexpected twists is sure to entertain young readers. The book is classified as young adult, but middle-grade readers can enjoy it too. I recommend you give this book, and the series, a shot.

The Battle for Verdana (Talisman 4) by Brett Salter

What worked:

A large twist ends the previous book when Julian and Rome lose their powers after being infected by the Dark. I’ve been waiting for the characters to achieve their full potential and now they have almost no powers at all. Rome can still transform his arms to wield the strength of his dragon form and he can still shoot fire from his eyes. However, you know from earlier books that these weapons are of little use when fighting Garms, Minotaurs, and Nocturns. The main goal in this book is for the boys to cement their bond and regain their formidable abilities by properly completing the Great Synergy.

This book continues the pattern in the series as Julian and Rome add allies but the Darkbrands display increases in numbers, power, and frequency of attacks. Rome and Julian travel to the upper northwest of the USA where they’ve noticed a new portal and increased Darkbrand activity. In the past, this evidence has indicated a talisman is near. Readers may remember from book one that few Darkbrands were able to pass through portals from The Void as The Tyrant King is amassing the energy needed for a full-on Darkbrand invasion. Well, with all the monsters popping up in the past two books, it’s not a stretch to predict the ruthless Tyrant King will make an appearance. The series seems to be building to that inevitable climax between Julian, Rome, and The Tyrant King, although it may need to wait until the final book.

Character relationships create different conflicts as Julian and Rome explore new places. Dragons and knights trusted and bonded with each other centuries ago to defeat the Tyrant King but things have changed. A rift between the two races has lingered and the boys meet resistance whenever they encounter new dragons. Dragons distrust human motivations and expect them to eventually succumb to their own desires and turn against dragons. Julian’s father openly thinks all dragons should be slain and readers have been waiting since the first book to find out what will happen when the man discovers his son has bonded with one. Julian and his sister continue to have a contentious relationship while Rome’s feelings for Krysta are growing stronger.

What didn’t work as well:

After reading all of the books in the series so far, the descriptions of the battle scenes are fairly familiar. Clay bowls people over, Jericho fights like a staff-wielding ninja, Krysta expels ice and slashes with her claws and tail, while Rome uses his arms and laser eyes to help. I guess there are only so many ways to describe fight scenes, so perhaps my concern is born out of reading all the books at once. Nevertheless, I’m not too bothered as I’m enjoying the series so far.

The Final Verdict:

I suggest you read the series from the beginning or you’ll miss out on the character relationships and how the conflict with the Darkbrand creatures has been building. This book will appeal to lovers of dragons and fighting as Rome and Julian find monsters everywhere they go. I highly recommend you give this book, and the series, a shot.

Ten Percent Magic by Gina Zapanta-Alder & Michael Alder

What worked:

The story is set in the land of Imagine, a combination of reality and magic at Disneyland. Magic has begun leaking into areas where it shouldn’t be found and there’s no explanation as to why. Much of the plot takes place in New Orleans where Jax and Zoe encounter a mixture of humans, animatronics, and holograms. References are made to cultural aspects of New Orleans as well as various sites in Disneyland that may be familiar to young readers. Traveling between the two locations is a magical and hazardous hike with a dancing clown and mermaids presenting the danger.

Zoe and Jax make an unexpected pair of main characters. They’ve known each other since sixth grade but they can’t be described as friends. Jax still hasn’t found anything to like about his lab partner in the three years they’ve been classmates. Zoe has always thought Jax is a slacker but she gets irritated when he acts more responsibly than her in Imagine. She learns Jax’s family is dependent on his support while it’s clear she’s lacking in many life skills. The pair realize they need to work together in order to rescue missing kids and eventually return home to the world of reality.

The author creates a creepy conflict with a blend of strange characters. Many readers have a fear of clowns so presenting a dancing clown as a threat adds an extra layer of anxiety. The wide popularity of video games is a perfect backdrop for the story as the Game Master is changing human children into avatars. The Game Master’s identity and location are unknown so readers will constantly be on guard for his physical appearance in the plot. A group of mermaids presents a danger for Jax and Zoe as characters will be enchanted and captured if the mermaids say their names.

What didn’t work as well:

The plot quickly takes an unusual turn after the kids meet Ms. Ella. They’re told to travel to New Orleans where they should make written lists of things they need to do, find an apartment, get jobs, and complete a budget to account for their money. It’s unclear why the author takes the story in this direction although Jax and Zoe are able to discover the Game Master’s plans in the process. Also, the text includes mild expletives so be forewarned if that type of thing offends you.

The Final Verdict:

Honestly, this book doesn’t work for me. Requiring characters to create a budget and resumes while getting jobs and finding an apartment seems more of a distraction from the conflict. The plot leaves out some potentially exciting confrontations and the “climax” may leave readers wanting more. Actually, the way the book closes leaves the door open for a possible sequel.