The Boy with the Living Shadow (MIriwan Academy 1) by Anas Hakeem

What worked:

Adam’s character will generate sympathy, as he’s remained unadopted for ten years. He’s bullied by the “tall boy”, insulted and singled out by the nasty director, and is forced to live alone in the orphanage’s dismal attic. Then, a gnome transports him into a new life of magic. He’s adopted by a woman who once knew his mother, but no one knows anything about his father. Readers will anticipate that his father’s identity will become significant sometime in the future. Also, Adam displays unusual abilities with his new power, after he infuses some of his energy into a non-living companion he creates and calls Jumperjeans. Not to mention, his shadow seems to have a mind of its own when Adam feels strong emotions. This adds unpredictability to the story.

The book uses vocabulary that probably won’t be familiar to most readers. The story opens in Algiers, so the author incorporates words that reflect the culture and religion there. In addition, he creates words that are necessary to describe the magic in the story. Young readers should be able to understand the meaning by using the context in the story and sentences. Adam and others with magic are called Gushmars, and the magic itself is called Gushoolah. Adam’s adopted brother, Daniel, manifests his Feranimus on his Sunderday. Most of the Gushmar students at Miriwan Academy have already welcomed their animal companions, but readers must wait for Adam Feranimus to emerge. The Gushoolah in some students will never be strong enough to celebrate a Sunderday. Adam’s lack of a Feranimus will have readers wondering what animal he will have, or if he will ever get one.

The author incorporates aspects of fictional and real schools to keep the setting familiar, but adds his own twists. Adam attends a school for magic, but the Gushmars’ powers boil down to three areas. They can manipulate objects and perform telekinesis, they can create illusions, and they can make objects and themselves invisible. Adam’s shadow tends to do things without his control, and this can be frustrating, confusing, and sometimes helpful. Some magic is conjured with concoctions, but most of the magic in the story comes from the Gushmars exerting their powers. An underlying conflict with sundering and feranimi is brewing throughout the plot and eventually comes to a head in the climax.

What didn’t work as well:

There are quite a few characters with uncommon English names, so readers may mentally double-check their memories when the characters pop up. This is not a huge concern, but it’s something young readers might experience as they read.

The final verdict:

The author presents some innovative ideas about magic, but keeps everything familiar enough for young readers. Adam’s kindness and empathy for others are admirable qualities, and he’s determined to uncover secrets and save all Gushmars. I recommend you try this book for yourself!

My Thousand Treasures (The Adventures of Raini 1) by Licia Chenoweth

What worked:

The story breaks down into two main parts. The opening chapters describe Raini taking a gold coin that thieves left on the beach and fleeing the beach patrol. She reluctantly tells her cousin, Ian, what she’s done, and they form a shaky alliance to keep it a secret. The tension amps up when one of the thieves lurks outside their home, and Ian becomes especially distressed. The situation becomes more complicated when a couple of things happen. A professor tells Raini that the coin may be very valuable, which means she’s in a bigger mess than she thought. Also, the plight of an old, widowed woman is connected to the coin, and time is running out to save her home from destruction. Readers will become engrossed in Raini’s thrilling adventure as she tries to evade danger and trouble while trying to make things right.

The second main part involves Raini’s relationship with her father, Gerry. Raini feels no love for him, since he only recently entered her life. Gerry didn’t know Raini existed before that, so readers will need to decide how they feel about the situation. Gerry is trying hard to connect with his daughter, but she’s doing all she can to push away. Some of that is due to her strained feelings, while some of it is due to the time-sensitive adventure mentioned above. The pair tries to navigate Raini’s disrespect and impulsiveness, and Gerry’s family plans to help them grow closer. About halfway into the book, Raini learns their bond is even more confusing when her father texts that he knows about the coin.

What didn’t work as well:

Gerry and Raini’s great aunt are Scottish, and Ian has just returned from living there. The author tries to use alternate spellings to reflect their Scottish accents, but that strategy isn’t overly successful. Most young readers won’t be familiar enough with the variation in dialect, so they won’t appreciate the author’s efforts.

The final verdict:

Raini is a headstrong young girl who should connect with many middle-grade readers. Her mother left when she was a baby, and the book’s resolution revisits the topic. It seems likely that it will become part of the sequel. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot.

Theft of the Ruby Lotus by Sayantani Dasgupta

What worked:

Ria has a complicated relationship with her mother. Her mother works for the Metropolitan Museum, but she spends much of her time trying to get relics returned to the countries from which they were stolen. The book opens with the mother announcing that Ria and her grandmother will be moving to Germany with her. The mother is not present for much of the story. Ria doesn’t understand why her mother suddenly left the museum, or was fired, so Ria is left to make up answers when problems and questions arise. A news article reports that robbers attempted to steal a legendary sword from India, but they were only able to pry a large, red ruby from it. Then, Ria finds the ruby and a cryptic message in an envelope mailed to her mother. Did her mother help steal it? Who mailed it?

The plot is the mystery surrounding the sword and the stolen ruby. Who stole the Ruby, and why was it mailed to Ria’s mother? Who is the cute boy Ria meets outside the museum? He keeps showing up, but Ria’s friends don’t trust him. Who are the two women they keep seeing, and are they part of the Lotus Society, a radical group started in the early 1970s? Is the Lotus Society still active, and are they the thieves targeting the sword and ruby? How much trouble are Ria and her friends in for attempting to return the ruby to the museum?

Each chapter is titled with “In Which…” and three comments that hint at events to come. For example, one chapter is titled “In Which We Make a Discovery in a Bathroom Stall, Concoct a Concept of a Plan, and Get Spied On.” Another says, “In Which We Are Suspects on the Run, Hide Behind Some Gods, and Do a Little Bit More Stealing.” The titles prepare readers for the chapter, and some of them add a little humor. A section after the plot’s resolution provides information about some concepts in the story. Repatriation is at the heart of the conflict, holograms become important, and ideas about the Indian queen and sword are based on real history.

What didn’t work as well:

Ria, Annie, and Miracle come from three different cultures, but it doesn’t work as well in this book. Ria has some Indian in her; the narrative is told in her first -person voice, and the sword comes from India. Her culture is well-represented, but details about the other ones are somewhat lost amid the adventure and descriptions of the Indian culture. Perhaps the other cultures will be more important in the future, but they didn’t work as well as they might have.

The final verdict:

The mystery offers twists and turns, as Ria and her friends try to identify their opponents and repatriate the sword and ruby to India. Young readers will learn a bit about Indian culture as the characters avoid trouble and danger all around New York City. I recommend you try this book for yourself. 

Relic of Thieves (The Underwild 2) by Shana Targosz

What worked:

Anya has emotional concerns that sometimes overwhelm her. She’s tormented by her parents and older brother, which is more than sibling rivalry. He thinks life was better before Anya joined the family, and she frequently suffers his threats and physical abuse. Anya also suffers from panic attacks and finds her best defense is to avoid any attention. Lizzie is her best friend and understands most of Anya’s problems. Lizzie knows how to calm Anya’s emotions, but Lizzie is still not fully aware of her best friend’s home situation. Despite her self-doubts, Anya undergoes a dramatic transformation, always wanting to assist anyone in need. She must battle self-doubt and low self-esteem to discover the power she holds.

Using the magical keys incorrectly sets off unseen alarms, and the three mythical furies are sent to track down Anya. These creatures are relentless and won’t stop until they find her, and they aren’t averse to using violence during their pursuit. This creates perpetual danger for Anya and constant suspense for readers. Other characters are more sympathetic to Anya’s plight, and Senka becomes an invaluable new friend. Different characters from Greek mythology are part of the story, including Dionysus, Ariadne, and Charon, and Zeus is the unforgiving, powerful ruler of everything godly. Dionysus and Ariadne don’t agree with Zeus’s overbearing, intolerant position, and they set Anya a quest. Her ultimate goal is to find three mythological witches who might provide an answer to her predicament.

An interesting twist to the story comes from a creative retelling of Persephone’s myth. The myth says Persephone ate six pomegranate seeds while in Hades. Consequently, she’s forced to spend six months in Hades, creating fall and winter, while spring and summer arise when she returns to her mother, Demeter, for the rest of the year. However, the author changes the relationship between Hades and Persephone into a tragic love story. Persephone’s story involves the magical keys and the curse that Zeus places upon them. This curse explains Anya’s ill-fortune, but other characters she meets aren’t happy with Zeus’s bullying and strict punishments. This results in Anya encountering many unexpected allies, especially when they’re most needed.

What didn’t work as well:

This is a long story that requires endurance. However, it’s worth the effort and ends with a surprising, satisfying trial.

The final verdict:

This book can be read independently, though the first book will provide more backstory about Senka and the Underwild. Young readers will enjoy Anya’s loyalty to others and cheer for her to overcome her insecurities. I highly recommend you read this book yourself!

Song of the Yellow Dragon by Ying Ping Low

What worked:

The opening hook is dramatic and should draw in young readers. Kai becomes a twelve-year-old puppet emperor after his father suddenly dies. He’s the emperor in name only until he reaches the age of 13, so his shady advisor makes decisions that run the empire. Kai overhears the advisor’s plan to kill him, so Kai flees the castle. Kai has never left the castle before, so he wanders the forest, not knowing where he’s going. In addition, readers learn that children 12 and younger believe in magic, but they immediately lose those thoughts and beliefs on their thirteenth birthdays. A second-person narrator tells the story, and it directly addresses readers at the plot’s key moments.

Mengyao and Kai offer contrasting characters. Living under the advisor’s control, Kai knows he’s in daily danger. He’s learned that he can’t trust anyone, so he’s wary of anyone he meets. On the other hand, Mengyao lives in a remote, unknown village where no one visits and no one leaves. The village provides fertile lands, plentiful food, friendly neighbors, and safety from any outside dangers. Mengyao’s dream is to become a Divine Healer, so she can help others and never lose her magic. The village’s lone Divine Healer refuses to accept Mengyao as an apprentice, so Mengyao’s open to the idea of leaving. She readily agrees to lead Kai through the forest, with the characters having separate motivations.

The plot becomes an adventure as Mengyao and Kai search for the Dragon’s Pulse. The quest is complicated by Kai’s thirteenth birthday, which is only two weeks away. As the day nears, it’s more difficult for him to remember the story of an ancestor, and he becomes unsure of why he’s traveling through the forest and desert and climbing mountains. The birthday creates a countdown for the plot, which becomes more suspenseful as the day nears. A huge surprise awaits the characters once they reach the Dragon’s Pulse, and it will alter the series as it moves forward.

What didn’t work as well:

Considering Kai is an emperor, readers may tire of his attitude. Mengyao is stronger both physically and mentally, and Kai still has distrust simmering within. However, his apparent weaknesses are necessary as the plot nears the climax and secrets are revealed. His character undergoes a dramatic transformation.

The final verdict:

Young readers will enjoy this captivating adventure, as Kai and Mengyao evade the emperor’s enemies and pursue their dreams. I recommend you give this book a shot!

The Cloud Kingdom by Maire Zepf

What worked:

The illustrations are enchanting, artfully depicting the characters, creatures, and scenes. The sketches found inside the cover and on the title pages are rough yet detailed, enough to pique readers’ imaginations. The colorful pictures within the narrative capture the whimsy and imagination of the author’s stories. A mechanical jellyfish, a Graggally, and a dragon ghost are just a few of the creative creatures featured in the book.

The book is broken up into short stories, which is perfect for younger readers. They can feel success by completing each “chapter” and then taking a break before tiring out. The premise is that Nancy is telling these stories to the faeries that stole her cat. Interestingly, each of these stories contains a line from another tale that will be shared in the next chapter. This detail connects all of the separate stories into a cohesive overall plot. 

Each tale finds a character standing up for what’s right, and the good guys always come out on top. A young girl stands up to her entire village to save them from a greedy hat salesman. The townspeople fear a lonely dragon ghost for generations until a girl is brave enough to change the dialogue. An inventor and his daughter undermine a domineering factory owner’s efforts to save a mechanical jellyfish from exploitation. There’s even a chapter that features an appreciation for artists and their creations. The collection of stories will leave readers feeling good about the world.

The final verdict:

This delightful book returns to a world of simple stories with happy endings. The blend of descriptive narratives and colorful, expressive illustrations results in a literary gem for all readers. I highly recommend you add this book to your reading list!

Game Zero (Escape Room 2) by Christopher Edge

What worked:

The author creates an innovative world that blends reality and virtual reality. Eden finds herself inside The Escape, although she’s not sure how she got there. She meets Ted, but there’s a significant difference between these two characters. Ted wears a VR helmet to play the game, but Eden does not. How is this possible? Readers will know The Escape is different for Eden, because she slowly forgets details of her life outside the game. And she doesn’t know how to escape back to reality. The narrative describes background music throughout the story, which contributes to the tension. The music gets louder and faster as the story becomes more suspenseful, which should cause readers to feel more anxiety.

The Escape is much like other adventure stories where the characters follow clues to reach a destination or goal. The characters begin with three riddles that they repeat throughout the story. They must find three keys to unlock three different worlds, leading to the next set of puzzles. They encounter several characters from the first book, although it’s not absolutely necessary to know this. Eden and Tom encounter many obstacles and dangers, even though Eden seems to be the only one experiencing physical harm. Tom gets an additional life if his character “dies”, but Eden may not have that option. The author leaves a couple of big surprises at the climax, so the plot continues a bit further than readers might expect.

What didn’t work as well:

The book doesn’t take any time to develop the characters, so readers can’t learn much about them beyond the game. Also, Eden is surprised when Ted repeatedly uses his helmet to make their quest easier, and readers may want the challenges to be more challenging. Ted isn’t a model teammate, and readers may be annoyed or angry at his selfish attitude.

The final verdict:

Actually, this book feels like the beginning of the series, as the climax introduces a large problem that will continue into the next book. Readers should probably start with the previous book in order to understand the background information surrounding the game and minor characters. Ami and Oscar have important roles in this book that readers new to the series won’t appreciate. I recommend you try this book for yourself.