The River Between Hearts by

What worked:

The book addresses two major social issues: death and immigration. Readers will see Rill go through the different emotions of grieving such as denial, anger, sadness, and acceptance. She can’t accept her father’s drowning last year, and she fully expects he’ll return sometime soon. She avoids dealing with his death and only recently returns to Fort Kruse, the treehouse he built in the woods. Rill’s surprised to find someone living there and discovers Petra, the daughter of Mexican illegal immigrants who are deported. Rill’s curiosity and desire to help the girl will help young readers learn about the problems and concerns surrounding illegal immigration and death.

The story goes a step further and shares information about the Mexican culture and what motivates the people to come to this country illegally. Petra loves to sing and shares many of the songs she’s grown up with. Rill enjoys them and the girls sometimes change the words to fit things that are happening in their lives. Petra’s family left their home in Mexico because of crime and threats of violence. Even pastors won’t come to the town due to threats from the criminals. Despite her anguish, Petra becomes valuable support with Rill’s grieving, and Rill supports her as she tries to reunite with her family.

The book explores the dynamics of Rill’s uncommon family situation, as she lives on the premises of the family business. Her mother is present and caring, while Rill’s older brother finds ways to irritate her. The kids deal with the father’s death in their own ways, but they both have unresolved issues. The employees of Kruse Whitewater Adventures act as surrogate parents too, especially Joyce, the arm-wrestling, mechanic, office manager. Since she’s usually around the office, she’s the one doing most of the supervising of Rill’s activities. Rill wears a whistle around her neck, and any of her “parents” will come running if they hear it.

What didn’t work as well:

The tone of the story is a little sad and serious, as the two main characters are dealing with loss. The two girls have fun, but Rill’s anger is always on the brink of erupting. The emotions and tone are to be expected since they’re not light-hearted issues. The overall story effectively explores the journeys of overcoming Rill’s and Petra’s tragic problems.

The Final Verdict:

The many emotions of loss. Death and loss aren’t easy, and the author tenderly shares the turmoil experienced by those dealing with them. I can’t say everything turns out happily ever after, but the book presents a passionate story of friendship and love. I recommend you give it a shot.

Daughter of the Deep by Rick Riordan

 

What worked:

The story develops drama and tension right away when Harding-Pencroft Academy is destroyed by Land Institute’s torpedoes. Ana Dakkar fears her brother is killed in the attack, and she later discovers she’s become the most important person in the world. The surviving freshman students escape aboard the school’s ship Varuna, but Ana is soon forced to become the captain. LI has developed a powerful, combat submarine, the Aronnax, and the Varuna won’t stand a chance if the enemy ship ever catches up to them. The author plants the seed that there may be a spy aboard the Varuna relaying intel to LI.

Most of the main characters are female and offer unique personalities. Students of HP are divided into houses depending on their areas of expertise, and Ana is prefect for the Dolphins, specializing in communication and strategizing. Her best friends and roommates are Nelinha, House Cephalopod and expert in anything mechanical, and Ester, House Orca and expert in medicine and communal memory. Ester has autistic tendencies and is accompanied by a service dog named Top, and she offers knowledge in addition to sensing the feelings of any living thing.

This book differs from Riordan’s usual mythological fantasy series that readers might expect. It’s based on science fiction and Jules Verne’s novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. This classic novel is supposedly based on true events, and Daughter of the Deep explores how the world might change based on Captain Nemo’s discoveries and inventions. HP wants to keep them secret until the world is ready, while LI wants to exploit the innovations and breakthroughs for power and money. This war between values has been going on for 150 years, but the attack on HP is a tremendous escalation of the conflict. The resolution of the book seems like there will be a sequel, but the indications right now are that it will be a stand-alone novel.

What didn’t work as well:

The plot introduces the submarine that destroyed the school as a threat to the surviving students on the Varuna, but it’s not actually present during the middle part of the book. The plot doesn’t maintain a high level of suspense as the characters travel across the ocean and learn the truth behind HP. Other revelations and problems pop up to sustain some drama, and readers know it’s only a matter of time until the Aronnax returns to rain devastation onto the Varuna.

The Final Verdict:

Is the world ready for it? The book was selected to be a 2021 Goodreads Book of the Year. Riordan doesn’t include his normal elements of humor, but he masterfully meshes science, ocean life, and imagination to create an immensely entertaining science-fiction adventure. I highly recommend you make it one of your must-reads.

This Last Adventure by Ryan Dalton

My name is Archie, and I'm frightened, scared, and angry that I'm losing my grandfather to Alzheimer's. He sometimes forgets my name in the middle of a conversation, and he can't remember all of the great moments from his past. I've used positive memories from his Journal to create imaginary adventures we share, and they seemed to help for a while. However, he's having fewer good days now, and I don't know how I can help. Oh, and in school, I'm expected to choose the career plan I have for my life, but I have no idea what I want to be. 

What worked:

Illness, injuries, and death are parts of young people’s lives, and this book focuses on Alzheimer’s Disease. Archie looks up to his grandfather and loves him with all his heart, but Archie worries about the times when his grandfather’s memory slips. His grandfather forgets to use Archie’s nickname during their daily greetings, and he doesn’t remember he’s living with Archie and his mom. The author skillfully expresses the frustration, anger, and fear of watching a loved one’s mental capacity slowly deteriorate. He also addresses how the loved one experiences those same emotions to demonstrate how Alzheimer’s affects the entire family. You’ll go through the same range of despair. However, the story leads to a tender, emotional resolution that will bring you to tears.

The characters create subplots that mesh into an overall engaging book. Archie and his best friend Zig work in a school group with Archie’s crush, Desta, and the school’s top jock, Spencer. Zig adds humor to the story, and he’s truly a loyal friend. Desta is pretty, intelligent, and the most popular girl in school, and she’s equally kind to everyone. Archie manages to help the others in his group improve their projects, but he’s frustrated and embarrassed that he can’t think of a career for himself. Becoming an author is the obvious choice, but does it reflect his passion? Maybe there is something more important than asking a seventh-grader what he wants to be when he grows up.

The grandfather has good days, bad days, and really bad days. On the good days, he enjoys time with Fletch, his nickname for Archie, and he offers life lessons to his grandson. He’s kept a journal of happy and sad memories and shares it with Archie. He marks the pages Archie’s allowed to read, and Archie uses those moments to create fantasy adventures with his grandfather to stimulate positive thoughts. However, Archie and readers will wonder about the forbidden pages in the journal. Grandfather is Archie’s hero, so it’s impossible he could have done anything too terrible to share. The truth is revealed in the end and forces Archie to reflect on his expectations of others, and himself.

The final verdict:

A special, loving bond spanning generations. This book shares an emotional roller coaster of adventure, heartbreak, and affection. The curse of Alzheimer’s is a ruthless enemy, but pleasant and passionate memories must not be forgotten. This book will appeal to a wide range of readers, and I highly recommend you add it to your list of must-reads.

The Eye of Ra #3: People of the Sun by Ben Gartner

Sarah and I have just met ourselves from the future, and now we must travel back to the time when Cortes massacred the Aztecs. We must make sure it still happens! A woman who doesn't belong has appeared there and has a real chance of changing history. Sarah agrees with some of the woman's ideas, but I understand the importance of saving the storyline in history. I don't feel good about allowing thousands of Aztecs die, but what other choice do we have?

What worked:

The story deals with time travel, and these kinds of books usually tip-toe around the paradoxes created. Should a person change the past if they have the opportunity? What happens if you go back in time and accidentally kill your parent? You never would have been born, so how could you go back in time to cause the accident? This book deals with the paradoxes head-on, as the characters form a philosophy about changing the past. Some changes are inconsequential and don’t affect history in the long run, but other changes may be needed to correct the overall storyline.

A large issue is a question of what is right when it comes to changing events. Should we stop an invading ruler from murdering thousands of people in a country? Should we prevent the atomic bomb from being dropped on Hiroshima? What if saving thousands of lives would lead to the slaughter of millions of more people? What if stopping a destructive invention would lead to a worse one being created later? Or eliminating one discovery could prevent more useful ideas from ever being realized? Just because the kids can change events in history, should they?

The plot is told from Paul and Sarah’s alternating points of view, and they each present unique perspectives to the book. John tends to think things through before making decisions, and he’s dedicated to maintaining the existing timeline. Sarah is more impulsive, and she’s open to changing historical events to save lives. Who’s to say a better future might result, but then again, that brings up the question of what is better? This contrast between characters adds unpredictability to the story. Add that to the uncertainty from interacting with characters from the past, and the result is an exciting adventure through time.

What didn’t work as well:

Reading the previous books isn’t essential, but it definitely helps. I hadn’t read them, so references made to prior books and events left me wondering. This book is still able to stand alone, as it introduces some series-changing information about what’s been going on. The problem of missing out on past events can easily be solved by reading the first two books!

The Final Verdict:

A ripple in time can be devastating. Cortes massacres an entire population out of existence, but Paul and Sarah must allow it to happen. The book is recommended for lovers of time travel and history, as it addresses a critical moment in Mexico’s history. The previous two books should be read first to understand the full situation, but this book can still be enjoyed on its own. 

The Supervillain's Guide to Being a Fat Kid by Matt

 

What worked:

Having Max seek advice from a supervillain named Master Plan, or Maximo, is a unique twist for a book about a troubled sixth grader. Max’s two main issues stem from being overweight and consequently being bullied at school. Surprisingly, Master Plan’s emails from prison show compassion for Max’s situation and provide sound suggestions to help him improve his life. Maximo says violence will only make the situation worse, and he shouldn’t expect respect from others unless it’s been earned. Max shouldn’t worry so much about others, and he should do things that make him feel better about himself. Useful advice indeed, but is there an endgame? Cooking is one thing Max enjoys, so the inclusion of a competitive baking show should have an additional appeal for some readers.

The dynamics between Max and his best friend Luca add another dimension to the problem. They are both outcasts, for different reasons, and they stick together for moral support. Luca even jumps in when Max is getting beaten up. However, a question arises as Max’s confidence changes. What will happen to their friendship if Max is perceived as less nerdy? Luca isn’t getting any helpful advice from a master criminal to improve himself, so will he be left behind, alone? Their relationship should be relatable for middle-grade readers, as they go through the emotional and physical changes of puberty.

The setting is in a world where supervillains and superheroes are commonplace. Most people are huge fans of the heroes, but Max views them in a totally different manner. He thinks they’re all self-centered jerks. Heroes swoop in to capture criminals without regard for the destruction of public property, and Max asks his mom about the aftermath. Do the heroes clean up the damage, and do they pay for the repairs? Is anyone hurt or killed when the heroes destroy buildings or smash cars and busses? Max doesn’t think criminals are innocent, but the public ignores the harm done by superheroes in the name of upholding the law. Who does more harm to public safety? It’s an interesting perspective about crime fighters.

What didn’t work as well:

Ok, a supervillain compassionately becoming the voice of reason and good judgment for a troubled sixth grader is hard to accept. His comments encourage Max to see the good in himself, and others will respond more positively as he becomes more confident. The first inkling that things may not be all that they seem is when Max enrolls in self-defense classes with Master Plan’s former “villainy aid” (not his henchman). Master Plan seems able to control people and situations even though he’s in prison. The question in the back of Max’s mind remains, “Why is a supervillain willing to help me?”

The Final Verdict:

Advice can be dangerous. This book is delightfully entertaining as Max learns to improve his self-image. Revenge against the bully will only make things worse, so Master Plan offers a method to change the perceptions of Max’s peers. Some parts of the bully story are stereotypical, but the author includes his own nuances to the book. The book should be enjoyable for all middle-grade readers, and I recommend you give it a shot.

Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts by Erika Lewis

What worked:

The familiarity of the format makes it easy to follow, as Kelcie is whisked away to a secret school and discovers she has rare elemental powers. The students are divided into five houses that don’t always get along. Most classmates fear and mock Kelcie, so she’s an instant outcast. It’s fun to see how authors take this basic premise and modify it to create their own stories. Kelcie’s fianna of four first-years won’t move on to the second year if any one of them fails, so they have an incentive to cooperate. Kelcie’s powers frequently go out of control and put people and property in danger of being destroyed. She needs to muffle her powers instead of practicing to let them grow. Creatures impossibly appear on school grounds, and no one can figure out how they’re doing it. The Lands of Winter and Lands of Summer are in the midst of a never-ending war, and it seems clear the war is finding its way into the academy.

The book presents mysteries to make readers wonder about what’s going on behind the scenes. The plot opens with Kelcie becoming an heir, but the heir of what? She has no idea what happened to her real parents until she receives a broken message from her father. He warns her to leave the academy immediately, return to the human world, and keep running. She decides to stay at the academy. Kelcie hears a voice that sounds vaguely familiar, but she’s not sure what it’s trying to tell her. She keeps secrets from the school and her friends about what’s happening until she’s forced to reveal the truth.

Kelcie’s friends are interesting characters that enhance the plot. Brona is the best at everything and other girls want to become her closest friends. She’s the daughter of a goddess and seems to have everything going for her. However, things are not always as they seem, and Kelcie gets a sense of déjà vu when she’s around Brona. Then there’s Niall. He becomes Kelcie’s friend from the beginning, and everyone else, including his family, doesn’t want him at the academy because having one arm guarantees he’ll fail. The fianna learns to work as a team to help all of them succeed.

What didn’t work as well:

There are a lot of characters from different houses, fiannas, and school staff, and it’s sometimes difficult to remember them all accurately. However, the important thing is to focus on the four members of Kelcie’s fianna and everything else will eventually make sense. The characters aren’t a huge issue so readers should still fully appreciate the exciting adventure.

The final verdict:

The clash between Summer and Winter. The plot follows the successful format of similar novels. Kelcie is a likable underdog, and the teamwork within her fianna creates a positive story of cooperation and trust. The creative twists to the plot will entertain most middle-grade readers, so I recommend you give it a shot.

Riley's Ghost by John David Amdersom

My name is Riley, and I have trouble getting along with other students. Most of them are morons, and it's hard to control my temper when they try to make fun of me. Maybe I overreacted when Chris made me kiss a frog, but he deserved his suspension. Now, I'm trapped inside the school, in the dark, and there are no other living humans around. However, I'm not alone.

What worked:

Riley feels isolated, and the early chapters effectively paint a picture of the difficulties she faces. She has no friends at school, and her parents’ jobs cause her to fend for herself at home. Her temper creates social conflicts, as her responses to problems are often the result of angry impulses. As her counselor says, Riley’s feelings are normal but the way she expresses them are not acceptable.

The author wonderfully creates an eerie experience for Riley and readers, as ghosts take over the story. The school setting is familiar to all middle-grade readers, so easy connections are made with Riley and her situation. Goosebumps are the result of strange sounds and fuzzy sights in darkened rooms and hallways. All of Riley’s efforts to escape the school are stymied, and the feeling of being trapped and stalked by something unknown is terrifying.

Alternating chapters contrast events from Riley’s life with her experiences in dealing with the ghosts. Her father enjoys telling ghost stories at bedtime, and Riley enjoys hearing them. He even explained the difference between ghost and horror stories, and it’s unclear which one she’s currently experiencing. Does the school ghost have unresolved issues, or is it more about creating violence and terror? As more of Riley’s past memories are shared, it’s clear she has some of the same issues as the ghost in the gym. Not being accepted by other students is their most common ground, although Riley tends to fight back when she feels wronged. It seems the ghost’s time to fight back is now.

What didn’t work as well:

The format of the book follows the common ghost story pattern where the protagonist must figure out why the spirits are haunting a location. The plot doesn’t deviate from this plan, as Riley tries to uncover what happened to a previous student at the school. This setup helps readers follow the events and make predictions, but it doesn’t present anything unexpected. Surprises make stories more creative and help readers become more mentally engaged.

Riley meets a possessed, dissected frog early in the book, and his character is puzzling. Riley assumes he’s the cause of her problems, but he says she doesn’t know what’s really going on. He says little, and his statements are vague. Then, he disappears for periods of time out of fear, but the cause of his fear is unknown. These disappearances add mystery to the plot, and his part in the conflict is revealed later.

The Final Verdict:

A horror-filled nightmare of revenge. The story is very spooky, and the author’s descriptions create strong emotions. Riley’s ordeal seems hopeless, as the ghost manipulates her throughout the story. The book is highly recommended for lovers of ghost stories, and readers looking for a creepy twist to middle school life.

 

Just Harriet by Elana Arnold

What worked:

The author successfully describes Harriet’s conflicted feelings about a new baby joining the family. She has nightmares and sometimes wets the bed. These strong emotions are common for young readers and should help them connect with the story. Harriet feels anger toward her parents for the changes she’s experiencing but then feels guilt and love for them. She's conflicted with sharing her true feelings because then they might not notice the pain she’s going through. Harriet also has a bad habit of lying to hide her embarrassment and frustrations. The lies add some confusion early in the book since readers are learning about the characters, setting, and plot from Harriet. Her words can’t immediately be trusted, so readers need to think twice about what she’s saying.

The surface-level problem is Harriet’s attempt to make her life interesting while spending the summer on an island with her grandmother. She’s convinced there might be something valuable to be found, as her father said the real treasure was in the Gingerbread House. Of course, she must discover clues to the treasure with the first one being an old key she found in a shed behind the house. However, where is the lock that fits the key? The true problem is Harriet’s struggle with adapting to the changes occurring within her family.

The setting takes place where Harriet’s father grew up, so she imagines what his life must have been like as a young boy. She finds his name on a library card and checks out the book herself. She visits the local ice cream shop and sees his name on the wall for the record of most consecutive days of eating ice cream. Her shared experiences with her father help her understand and appreciate him. She’s upset that he doesn’t her, but she starts to realize that she hasn’t taken the time to understand him.

What didn’t work as well:

The conflict wasn’t overly dramatic, so there was never a sense of high tension or suspense. There wasn’t even a deadline that might create some artificial uncertainty. However, the author didn’t intend to create a dramatic story filled with problems, and she ended up with a sweet story of a young girl trying to recover the happiness within her family.

The final verdict:

Treasure is found where you least expect it. The author skillfully creates a sweet story of a young girl, as she learns to appreciate her life and family. The emotions will resonate with young readers, and I recommend you give it a shot.