The Tribe #2: The Disappearance of Ember Crow by Ambelin Kwaymullina

My name is Ashala, and I have a big question to answer. Should I search for my best friend Ember even though she says she doesn't need to be found? It's not safe for Illegals like us to walk among the humans, and her message said I might hate her for things she's done. I don't care. A stranger arrived a short while ago with more information about Ember. I don't know him but I trust him, and he's helped me learn some things about Ember's family. Connor will be furious if he finds out the identity of her brother! I want to rescue Ember and return before the start of the Resurrection. However, I didn't know at the time the importance of that event. All Illegals will be in terrible danger if I can't get back in time.

Details from the first book returned as I got into the story. Ash and the rest of the Tribe had abilities related to different animals, and the book opened with her living among wolves. Her boyfriend Connor was able to move air and could fly, while Ember had a connection to birds and an ability to change memories. The whole idea of Ember's terrible secrets added suspense and anticipation to the plot. It was unclear how Ash would respond when she found out, so it was impossible to predict where the story would go. The discrimination and prejudice against Illegals were at core of the conflict, and the origin of these feelings was revealed. Humans' thoughts and feelings were manipulated, and the consequences were still being felt. Some leaders fed the fears of citizens in order to achieve their own private agendas. Readers might notice some similarities to the real world. The main characters were portrayed in their upper teens, and there were moments where mature emotions were shared. There wasn't anything inappropriate, but the book's not for younger readers. Overall, I'm enjoying the series and plan to read the sequel, The Foretelling of Georgie Spider.

Emily Windsnap #1: The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler

My name is Emily, and no one knows I'm a mermaid. I only found out when my phys ed class went swimming, but luckily my legs came back when I left the pool. Please keep my secret, or everyone will start calling me a freak. My father left my mother and me when I was a baby, and my mom never talks about him. It's strange that my mom's afraid of the water, but we live on a houseboat by the ocean. Anyhow, I snuck into the water one night and swam farther than I have before. I rested atop some a rock formation and found Shoana on the other side. Shoana is a full mermaid and can't walk on land. She told me Neptune is their king, and he gets irate when mermaids or mermen interact with humans. I'd love for Shoana to become my best friend, but it may be dangerously deadly if Neptune ever finds out. 

I read the seventh book in the series before I actually knew there was a series! I figured it might be worth my time to read the first one. Stories about mermaids are unique unless you're watching a Disney movie. Much of the setting takes place underwater. Emily fears her secret might open her up to ridicule which is a feeling that will resonate with middle grade readers. Many students will go to great lengths to not stand out or seem different. Emily's driving motivation is to find her father. She doesn't understand why her mother never talks about him, but she later learns there's a very good reason. Kids want to know how they fit in, and children with a missing parent will often want the family reunited. That sometimes works, but it's a risky proposition. Readers should start having strong suspicions about where the plot is headed, and you'll probably be correct. Overall, this is a nice book that will appeal to lovers of sympathetic, determined female antagonists. Give it a shot. 

The Coin Slot Chronicles #2 and the Golden Travel Guide by Rashad Jennings

My name is Zoe, and I won't leave my brother Arcade alone with the magic token on his new necklace. There's a man trying to get the token from him, so we convinced our parents to send us back to Virginia for a month. The token sends us on unpredictable adventures, and our cousins have now joined us. Arcade says the "Travel Guide", the token, will take us where we need to go, and it's up to us to learn the lesson. He got this message from a little old lady that no one else can see. However, I'm not totally sure why he has such an interest in the rundown putt putt course. The owner is very grouchy and mean, and the whole idea of putt putt makes no sense to me. I think Arcade should pay more attention to the cute girl at the bakery. I can see the sparks, even if he won't admit it.

There is a spirituality to the series that spreads a message of compassion for others. Words from the Bible are sometimes shared, but the story isn't overly religious. The theme of the book is caring for others and doing the right thing. Zoe and Arcade tease each other, but love is at the center of their relationship. As in the previous book, I'm surprised at how easily other characters accept the token. I wasn't expecting it to take the kids so far back in time and so far around the world, since the trips in Arcade and the Triple T Token happened in the present day. The positivity in the book is refreshing, and Arcade's kindness is key. Humbleness, understanding, and forgiveness are critical in resolving the main conflict. The return of the antagonist from book one is complicated by some new information. Some parts of the problem were easy to figure out, but the author saved some details for surprises. Overall, this is a fun, feel-good series, and I recommend you give it a shot. 

Valiant by Sarah McGuire

My name is Saville, and my father's illness has forced me to become the tailor for all of Reggen. I've succeeded in concealing my identity as a girl in order to get the king's business. Terrifying stories have been spreading about giants destroying towns and villages, and they're headed toward our city. Wow, I never thought I'd consider this place my home. However, I decided to help a young boy living on the streets, and he quickly discovered my secret. We've come to an agreement, and I've grown fond of him. However, his curiosity has now gotten him into serious trouble, and no one else in the town is willing to help. If I'm successful, the king will probably want me to marry the princess, but I could never imagine that my decision would put the kingdom in peril.

Saville was the protagonist, and her time as a "boy" created political and emotional issues. The citizens would never accept a female champion, and budding feelings for an ally complicated matters. The young boy mentioned above, named Will, was an amusing distraction to the main plot. Saville became a surrogate mother to him, and he became her loyal companion. He used his role as a child to move unnoticed around adults and to collect information for Saville. An evil duke and his army of giants presented the major conflict, and Saville found herself cast into a key role to save the castle. Her observation skills and empathy for the "enemy" were invaluable. She was able to encourage and facilitate the transformation of several characters. Overall, this was a very entertaining book, and I recommend you give it a shot. I kind of wish it had a sequel.

The Coin Slot Chronicles #1:Arcade and the Triple T Token by Rashad Jennings

My name is Arcade Livingston, and my life changed when an old lady gave me a necklace with a magical token. I don't know how it works, and I can't predict when it will start burning, but it always transports my sister Zoe and I on new adventures. My first trip sent me right into the middle of a bronco bull rodeo! The token has allowed me to help my friends choose careers for our school project, but I wish it would give me some ideas. I don't know what I'm good at, and I can't decide what I want to do. I'm also distracted by a mysterious man who's saying the token belongs to him. I'm a little scared, because he knows my name and I don't know what he might do. My parents will never believe me, although I suspect my mom might be able to help.

The early part of the book left me a little confused, as I couldn't figure out when or why the token transported Arcade and Zoe. The characters and I learned to accept the unpredictable nature of the token and enjoyed the ride. The minor characters in Arcade's group each had a moment of surprise before fully embracing the token's powers. That surprised me a bit. The book never fully explained how the token worked. Did the kids travel into the future? Did their experiences actually happen? The veterinary trip seemed to have occurred but what about the pit crew? It was cool that Zoe wanted to protect Arcade and didn't want him traveling alone. The parents were busy with their careers, but the father managed to write daily, motivational notes to the kids. The parents were prepared to drop everything if Arcade needed them. That was an inspiring portrayal of a modern family unit. Overall, this was a fun story, and I recommend you give it a shot. The story's resolution presented some questions, so I've already reserved the sequel from my library.

Fairy Tale Reform School #4: Switched by Jen Calonita

My name is Jack, and I got myself sent to the FTRS. My mother and pet cow have been taken by Rumpelstiltskin, and I think Gilly may be able to help me. She's defeated other evil enemies, and I know she's not above breaking some rules if it means saving her sister Anna from Rump. Her friend Jax doesn't trust me, but I don't like him much either. I hope I can keep my secret from Gilly a little while longer, at least long enough to rescue my mom. 

You can probably enjoy this book by itself, but I think you should enjoy the previous books first. Gilly is the main character, and she always gets obsessed with some major problem. Because of her tunnel vision, she's easily manipulated by the antagonists and tends to make bad choices. Rescuing her sister from Rumplestiltskin is the focus of this plot. An interesting twist to this book involves Gilly's efforts to help the daughter of Beauty and the Beast, new teachers at the school. AG has inherited qualities from both parents, and her father's beastly character comes out when she gets upset. Consequently, she's very withdrawn around other characters until Gilly helps her celebrate her uniqueness. People should accept their differences rather than conceal them. In the end, Rumplestiltskin will continue to be the recurring antagonist in the book's sequel, as he tries to overthrow the Royal Court. Overall, this is a fun and popular series, and I recommend you give it a shot. 

Dragon Slayers' Academy #2: Revenge of the Dragon Lady by Kate McMullan

My name is Wiglaf, and the Beast of the East is determined to kill me once she reaches the academy. Seetha is pretty angry about me slaying her son, and she means to dispatch me in a slow, painful manner. Actually, I was lucky to discover his secret weakness, and my only chance of survival is to identify Seetha's vulnerability. I know it starts with the letters "ba". Ball? Babies? Badminton? I need to figure it out in the next few days or I'm a goner.

Each book in the series can be read in about thirty minutes, so there's little chance to develop personalities and relationships. Wiglaf is the well-intentioned, kind protagonist, and he believes his destiny is to become a hero. Erica/Eric (she's hiding her identity as a girl) is his best friend, but there are few meaningful interactions. They talk about the tasks at hand, but that's about it. In this book, Wiglaf talks about a need to be braver, but that's the extent of any feelings talk. Nevertheless, this book is a fun, quick read, and you might enjoy it. 

Dragon Slayers' Academy #3: Class Trip to the Cave of Doom by Kate McMullan

My name is Erica, although everyone else at the academy knows me as Eric. Wiglaf is my best friend, and he's agreed to keep my secret from the staff and students. He's also the only one here who's killed two dragons, but we haven't collected the hoard of gold from either one. However, the second dragon, Seetha, hid her treasures in the Dark Forest, and all of the students are being sent to find it. I hope I get a chance to slay my first dragon, although it's much more dangerous than you might expect.

I haven't read the second book in the series yet, but I don't think it's a huge problem. Each story can be read very quickly and could easily be chapters in one novel rather than separate books. Wiglaf is the main character and is very endearing. He doesn't like to hurt other creatures and especially doesn't like the sight of blood. He's willing to work hard and is doing all he can to become a hero. Each story in the series includes humorous twists which is the most enjoyable aspect of them. The books can be read in about thirty minutes, so it greatly limits how much character and plot development can be accomplished. I would rather have seen the author focus on one story to develop, but these books are still entertaining. Give them a shot if you're looking for a quick, funny read. 

Dragon Slayers' Academy #1: The New Kid at School by Kate McMullan

My name is Wiglaf, and a traveling minstrel says I'm destined to become a hero. I can't imagine how that will come true when I'm the smallest son in a family of thirteen boys. I don't suppose being a great dishwasher or pig slopper will help much when slaying dragons. Then, my life changed when we visited a festival going on in the town. I saw a sign posted inviting families to send their sons to the Dragon Slayers' Academy, but it'll cost seven pennies to attend. My parents can't afford that much money, but maybe the school will let me pay them using the gold I find after killing dragons. I suppose my dislike for blood and hurting living creatures may be a problem.

This book was a very quick read, as I completed it in about thirty minutes while exercising on the elliptical machine. The story is humorous, as you might imagine, with a great deal of funny situations and personalities. It's not a far stretch of the imagination to recognize the headmaster at the school is only in it for the money. Even though Wiglaf is impressed by his one-day education, he's hardly prepared for his first quest into danger. He's accompanied by another character who ends up sharing an important secret. Due to the book's shortness, there's little time to develop characters, so it feels like an appetizer. The whole series could have become a nice novel if the different books were combined to create chapters. Nevertheless, the book is an amusing tale, and it's worth your attention if you have a little time to spare. 

Sisters Grimm #3: The Problem Child by Michael Buckley

My name is Daphne, and my sister Sabrina says Little Red Riding Hood is behind the disappearance of our parents. Red Riding Hood used to be kept in an insane asylum until she burned it down, and we now think she wants to kidnap our Grandma. Puck insists helping us will ruin his reputation, but he always seems to come to our rescue. He now needs our help, although Sabrina is still angry about what he did to her face. He's going to die if we can't get him out of Ferryport, but there's no way to safely remove the town's magical barrier. There's a good reason why all the Everafters have been confined to this one location, and it'll be disastrous if they ever discover a way to escape. Our only hope is to find a magical sword hidden in pieces somewhere around the town.

The subplots of this book concern Prince Charming's efforts to get re-elected as mayor, and Canis's ongoing battle to control his alter-ego. The main story follows Sabrina's antics, as she's not known for following rules or warnings. The twist this time is the introduction of magic. Her Uncle Jake uses it to solve all problems, while her grandmother says there's always a price to pay. Sabrina learns the lesson the hard way. The series focuses on females resolving all of the problems. Grandma Relda is the steady center of clear thinking and morality. She seems to know everything but realizes Sabrina often needs to learn from experience. Daphne is the younger sister but usually remembers previous warnings from Relda that Sabrina is preparing to ignore. However, the girls always lead efforts to stop the antagonists. There's a new development at the end of the story that should have a major impact on the fourth book. Give the series a shot!