The First Flame (The Aerimander Chronicles Book 2) by Lily Berlin Dodd

What worked:

The same main characters from the first book regroup to save an aerimander from danger. Aerimanders will remind readers of dragons, and the main one in this story is Rubi. Dusty and Eva guarded her egg until she hatched, and they still have a connection with her. Eva and Dusty can sense when the aerimander is near, which comes in handy when they try to locate Rubi in the mountains. The story takes a surprising turn when the characters finally locate her, or rather, Rubi finds them.

Dusty, Eva, and Myrna bring contrasting talents to the story. Dusty grew up in an orphanage before escaping, so he has street smarts and physical skills the others lack. He has other abilities and connections thanks to his time in the Thieves Guild. Eva is book-smart and outspoken, so don’t expect her to hold her tongue. She has a keen eye for details and a talent for creativity. Readers find her in a reformatory for problem girls when she enters this story. Myrna is Eva’s best friend, and her strengths are planning and a sensitivity to nature. Eva is rescued from the reformatory thanks to Myrna’s step-by-step plans.

Several elements of the plot will have readers wondering about upcoming events. Myrna is not immune to aerimander flame, like Dusty and Eva, so it’s dangerous for her to be around them. Eoin Parnassus, the story’s evil antagonist, is searching for Rubi and wants to use her as a weapon. He’s nearing the mountains where Rubi is hiding, and he’s dragging a heavy box along with him. It’s obviously not good news, but what is in the box? Dusty, Eva, and Myrna discover people secretly living in the mountains, and the three kids pass a test to join their school. They’ll learn common school topics, but they’ll learn all about the aerimanders. However, these people seem to know everything about the trio, and Eva wonders how that’s possible. There’s a huge secret they’re not being told.

What didn’t work as well:

Rubi’s size may be confusing. On one hand, Dusty can carry her in his arms, but later she picks him up and flies him away to safety. There’s also a scene later in the book where Dusty and Eva wear a protective covering to complete a ceremony. However, Myrna later walks the same path without the same protection. Confusing. However, overall, this is a solid book.

The final verdict:

Readers should begin with the first book, The Last Ember, to fully understand the backstory. I recommend it for lovers of dragons and adventure.

I Know You Started It by Daphne Benedis-Grab

What worked:

The main characters represent the kinds of students readers encounter every day in school. Gabe is always angry and in trouble, but he’s promised himself that he’s going to change. He fears he’ll be accused of arson, and public opinion will find him guilty. Gabe, Liam, Dani, and Kate are the first witnesses called to the principal’s office, and Gabe is convinced that makes them look like suspects. Kate’s on the school newspaper, and she used to be best friends with Dani. Now, they don’t talk anymore, and readers are left to wonder what happened. Liam is new to the school, and no one has taken an interest in him. Maybe helping to find the arsonist will finally make classmates notice him. The chapters alternate the focus among these four characters, revealing their individual struggles.

Rumors, gossip, and cyberbullying are major issues. It’s what motivates Gabe, Liam, Dani, and Kate, and they think they must solve the arson case before the end of the school day. Classmates’ gossip will find them guilty if they wait for the principal to finish her investigation. Jonathan’s locker was the arsonist’s target, but he’s one of the most popular kids in school. Does Jonathan have a secret, unsavory side that makes someone hate him? As it turns out, identifying the fire-starter doesn’t end the story. Additional planning is needed before justice is served.

What didn’t work as well:

The synopsis says the setting is in a middle school, but it’s actually a combined middle school and high school. The high school characters make the book appeal to a more mature audience, but the narrative's vocabulary and sentence structure are appropriate for younger readers. It’s also unrealistic to think the entire story takes place between homeroom and 2:00 PM in one school day.

The final verdict:

The issues and characters are probably most relevant to teens, but the reading level is appropriate for mature middle-grade readers. I recommend you try this book for yourself.

Time Thief (Solve Your Own Mystery 2) by Gareth P. Jones

What worked:

The series includes a good deal of humor and strange events, which should appeal to young readers. Detective Klaus drives a car that used to be a dog. It wags its tailpipe when it’s happy or excited and makes soft, satisfied sounds when you scratch its car seats. Two talking gargoyle statues watch a museum’s back entrance, where a medusa-like character is the curator. The main police inspector is a minotaur, and the lead detective is an elf walking on stilts. A banshee news reporter details the facts of her stories, or she makes them up to make the stories more appealing to her readers.

The premise of the series is that the reader is Klaus’s assistant, and they make decisions on which clues to follow. Young readers will enjoy skipping pages to arrive at the next step in the story they have chosen. The different sections aren’t very long, which is appealing to young or reluctant readers. Like real detectives, readers identify the cast of suspects, examine their motives, and decide if they had opportunities to commit the crime. There’s always evidence pointing to different suspects, but readers eventually discover clues that narrow their focus. The book says there are three possible conclusions, depending on which clues are followed. The last page of the story lets readers move to alternate endings by directing them to different parts of the book. 

What didn’t work as well:

There isn’t much time spent developing characters or describing the events in detail. However, that’s the trade-off for skipping around to different parts of the plot. Readers may be curious about Klaus’s time with the UPF when he was the lead detective on the police force. It’s been mentioned in both books, but readers are left to wonder about anything specific. 

The final verdict:

Books that allow readers to choose how the stories unfold are always entertaining, and this one adds mystery and humor. Overall, I recommend this book to all middle-grade readers.

Monster Maker (Solve Your Own Mystery 1) by Gareth P. Jones

What worked:

These kinds of books allow young readers to control their reading experiences. The narrative asks them to make decisions as the story unfolds, and their choices direct them to different pages. This book indicates there are three possible endings, but there are many alternate pathways to arrive. The book’s format allows, even encourages, readers to reread the story while making different decisions. Every few pages offer choices, creating frequent breaks for young readers needing to stop. Reluctant readers also feel like they’re making visible progress at these spots without getting overwhelmed by the book’s length. Skipping to other pages makes young readers feel good. Humor is another attractive asset, along with the black-and-white illustrations in each chapter.

This particular mystery describes the theft of a monster-making machine, and readers are Detective Klaus Solstaag’s assistant. Klaus is a large yeti, and the client, Dr. Franklefink, is the only human in the story. Monsters don’t trust humans or bald characters. The theft occurred when the doctor held a birthday party for his son, whom he had created nine years earlier. The primary suspects are the parents of the kids attending the party, although Franklefink is convinced that a bald vampire must have done it. Klaus knows he can’t dismiss any suspects and must follow clues to identify the guilty party.

What didn’t work as well:

The story doesn’t end once a guilty person is identified. More information leads to further reading until the monster maker is finally retrieved. This situation isn’t necessarily bad, but it moves the plot further along than readers may anticipate. Also, there’s not a great deal of character development and story description, but that’s to be expected in this type of book.

The final verdict:

These kinds of books are fun to read, since the format is so different. Young or reluctant readers aren’t used to skipping pages, but making choices is empowering. Overall, I recommend you try this book for yourself.

Sacrificing Ayda by D.A. Beaumont

What worked:

Ayda doesn’t have many friends, and her teacher has frequent problems with her. Villagers accuse her mother of being a witch, so Ayda dreams of fleeing to Witch Marsh. She’s chosen to sacrifice her life to protect all of Zandia, but she doesn’t want to give her life for people who hate her. When an entourage arrives to take her away, a Wilder named Sunny helps her escape. His role is to lead Ayda to her destination, but he says he’ll take her to Witch Marsh or to the Pit where she’ll be sacrificed. It’s up to her, but he warns that Witch Marsh may not turn out as she expects.

Sunny is the most interesting character, and readers will suspect he’s much older than he seems. He always seems to know about future events, but he never tells Ayda what she should do. He pops up to offer assistance and counsel and speaks to Ayda in her dreams, too. He performs nature magic, repels witch spells, and Aden says he must be a wizard. Sunny always wears a smile, and his confidence always makes Ayda want to trust him. Some of his recommendations seem to put her life in danger, making Ayda seriously think about what he says.  

A witch named Dara tells Ayda that being a witch is about power. “And power comes from being the one inflicting the pain, not being the one receiving it.” Ayda’s major internal conflict is deciding whether she should venture to Witch Marsh or follow Sunny’s idea and travel to the Pit. Readers will think that it’s best if she does as Sunny says, but how can her sacrifice at the Pit be the best decision? On the other hand, Ayda already displays tattoos that identify her as a witch. So doesn’t it make sense that she should go to the Witch Marsh, where she’ll be accepted by witches just like herself?

What didn’t work as well:

Ayda and Dara form a bond as events evolve, but it’s unexpected and a little confusing. Dara spits threats and demonstrates how witches inflict pain, but Ayda still feels a need to protect her. Ayda seems to care more for Dara than the witch feels for her.

The final verdict:

The story presents many twists and turns, so young readers may be frequently surprised. A case can be made that the book is a metaphorical look at God and the Devil. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot.

The Cassette Tape Secret by Danielle Herzog

What worked:

Alex and Ida May form an unusual, contrasting pair of characters. Alex likes everything neat and orderly, and he always follows the rules. His obsession with sterilizing surfaces he might touch makes him an easy target for middle-school classmates. Readers’ introduction to Ida May arises when she confronts the school bully and makes him back down. Alex immediately knows she’s not someone to mess with, so he’s stunned and leery when she asks a teacher to put them in the same group. She asks him to fix her cassette player, but Alex resists, saying those are not the directions for the activity. Alex’s therapist wants him to try new things, so readers know that Alex should prepare for uncomfortable challenges ahead.

Alex’s battle with OCD is more compelling than solving the cassette tape mystery. He’s embarrassed to be around other people, and he’s well aware of his strange habits. He must do things in fours (turning doorknobs, etc.), and he sterilizes anything he needs to touch. Don’t expect him to sit in a chair that can’t be wiped down first. His therapist’s weekly challenges force him out of his comfort zone, and Ida May’s constant support gives him a needed push. Alex describes his anxiety as a combination of nervousness and fear, and the author does an excellent job of describing the physical and mental pressure he endures.

Ida May has her own issues, since her mother didn’t make the move with the family. Ida May often tells Alex her mom will be coming soon, but something comes up to keep that from happening. Ida May’s anguish is evident, and she quickly hides her feelings when tears start to form. Alex is aware of his “friend’s” pain and offers supportive words of “that sucks.” Alex doesn’t know if Ida May is his friend, because he’s never cared about anyone else like this before. What does friendship feel like? Ida May and Alex are good for each other, and their characters transform as they investigate the cassette tape.

What didn’t work as well:

The message on the tape may not create the anticipated suspense, since readers don’t know when it was recorded. It seems like years ago, which doesn’t make the message feel urgent. The characters treat it more as a curiosity than a mystery that must be solved.

The final verdict:

This mystery focuses more on emotions and feelings, as Alex must learn to handle new situations. I recommend you try this book for yourself.

Building 903 by Lois Lowry

What worked:

The author is a master of writing dystopian novels for middle-grade readers. In this setting, the government controls everything, and citizens are afraid to say anything against the president. He has ruled for decades, and no one opposes him during elections. Animals have been eliminated from the planet, and Tessa’s pet “dog” is robotic. No religions are allowed, so the characters don’t know the meanings of prayers or the bible. All books have been banned because they spread dangerous ideas. Anyhow, fiction books are untrue, so why would anyone want to read about lies? Possessing books is against the law, and their presence in Tessa’s house creates drama.

Tessa was born a twin, but her brother Theo isn’t around anymore. Readers will wonder what’s happened to him, and investigators don’t know why he went missing. The government doesn’t like leaving Theo’s disappearance unsolved, so they’ve erased all records that he ever existed. The family doesn’t speak about him, but Tessa constantly keeps his memory in her thoughts. However, passages from Theo’s point of view pop up in the narrative, so readers know he still exists somewhere. The first passages describe him on a sailing ship, but readers will be puzzled by this new information. What happened to Theo, and what does their former neighbor know about it?

What didn’t work as well:

The book is mostly dystopian science fiction, but the absence of Theo inexplicably shifts it into the genre of speculative fiction. Tessa’s father tries to explain Theo’s disappearance, and it makes scientific sense up to a point. The moment Theo vanishes takes the story into speculative fiction because it lacks a logical, scientific basis.

The final verdict:

It’s always fun to see how authors foresee possible futures for the world, and this book takes current societal issues and makes them obsolete. It will have readers comparing and contrasting their lives with events in the story. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot!