August of the Zombies by K.G. Campbell

What worked:

The first thing readers realize is August is like a zombie magnet. He’s not sure why, but he always has a group of zombies, and butterflies, following him wherever he goes. His one hope of getting rid of them is to locate the Zombie Stone, but it’s been stolen by Professor Leech, who is on his way into the Lost Souls’ Swamp. The story becomes an adventure, a treasure hunt of sorts, as the professor searches for hidden gold and August hunts for the Zombie Stone that will open a Go-Between with the dead.

The book has a couple of interesting subplots. August’s Aunt Hydrangea may lose her home, since the crop of rare peppers is lost in a storm, meaning they can’t create her family’s famous hot sauce. Also, she hasn’t left her home in decades because of The Incident which August doesn’t discover until late in the book. August’s strong motivation to find the Zombie Stone is a wish to have a normal life with normal friends. It’s hard for him to have positive relationships when he’s constantly accompanied by the undead, and Aunt Hydrangea has kept him inside her house as protection against cruelty in the world. Finding the stone will allow him to send the zombie souls to their eternal, peaceful resting places. He wishes to have the life he sees on Stella Starz's television show where all of the characters are best friends.

August is accompanied throughout the story by a young, zombie girl named Claudette. She doesn’t have any speaking lines since she can’t talk, but she’s loyal and protective of August. The author compares her to a loving puppy, as she does whatever August asks and leaps into action if he encounters any danger. A humorous angle to her character is that everyone else believes she’s dressed in a zombie costume, and they’re impressed with the quality of her make-up. The people working on Stella Starz's television show are so impressed with her image that they want to use her in an important scene of an upcoming episode.

What didn’t work as well:

You need to read the prior two books in the trilogy before reading this one. I was unaware August of the Zombies was part of a series until I started reading it. Comments are made early on about past events, but it feels like readers are dropped into the middle of a story, which they are. It takes a while to figure out what’s going on. The easy solution to any concerns I have is to read the series from the beginning!

The Final Verdict:

Listen with your heart, not your ears. Reading the trilogy from the beginning will allow readers to fully enjoy this entertaining book. August is a very kind character caught in a challenging situation, and the author rewards him with a pleasing resolution to his problems. I recommend you give this book a shot!

The Jalopy Chronicles: Across the Universe by Caeli Ennis

 

What worked:

The premise of the book is quite unique. Future Earth is becoming uninhabitable for humans, and a terrorist group called the GeoLapse has its eyes set on ruling the planet, and eventually the universe. The world leaders tell the remaining people on Earth that everything is getting better, but the truth is finally revealed. Everyone will die in one month, so immediate plans are made to ship humans to other planets across the universe that have offered to help. Each planet affords challenges making survival difficult, such as a total absence of light or sound.

Each child in the McHubbard family has a unique disability related to one of the five senses. This seems rather strange early in the story, but the differences become important once humans are sent to other planets. The oldest sister Luna has been slowly going blind, so she’s sent to a planet with no light. Riff is the oldest brother and he’s been going deaf, so he ends up living on a planet with no sound. The plot follows Ann Lou, whose left arm disintegrated last year after being exposed to earth’s atmosphere, as she moves to a planet with extreme heat. Her new planet is the first one threatened, and she is the first one to seek answers and solutions.

The story shares a wonderful message of unity, as creatures from across the universe come together to help one another. It just so happens that a group of terrorist humans are the ones who disrupt the harmony. The creatures from other planets come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny cells to towering giants. The one thing they all have in common are beating hearts and care for each other. Ann Lou even develops feelings for a character from another species which broaches the subject of interracial relationships. Ann Lou isn’t sure how she feels about it, since this character is immediately ready to get married!

What didn’t work as well:

The story skips ahead seven years, so the young characters are immediately transformed into young adults. This change totally erases any age connection young readers might have had with the characters. Middle school and early high school maturity and thinking are a whole lot different than being the age of an adult.

The Final Verdict:

Uniting to save the universe. The author’s vivid imagination transports readers into an adventure among the stars. The book celebrates differences and shows how much can be accomplished when people, and aliens, work together. I recommend you give this book a shot.

Hardcourt: Stories From 75 Years of the National Basketball Association by Fred Bowen

What worked:

This nonfiction book tells the history of the NBA ranging from James Naismith up until 2021. It makes a great reference book with its index of topics citations of resources. The book is broken up into four quarters, just like a basketball game, and the quarters denote significant periods of history. It begins with the creation of basketball at a YMCA in 1891 and describes how the rules are transformed to improve the game. The score of the first game is 1-0 and had nine players are on each team. Basketball starts to be played across the country, but it needs to become more exciting to watch. The shot clock and three-point line are introduced over the years to create the game we watch today.

The book covers many basketball personalities, some familiar and others not as much. Bill Russell and Julius Erving are two Hall of Fame players who are pioneers, as black athletes are finally allowed to join NBA teams and make a huge impact on the game. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson lead the Celtics and Lakers, as their two teams dominate the league in the 1980’s. George Mikan is the league’s first superstar, and later, the ABA contributes several teams and superior athletes, including George Gervin. Danny Bianoe isn’t a player, but he’s credited with saving the NBA by implementing the shot clock to speed up play. The impact of international and high school players is shared, as the book notes the accomplishments of Hakeem Olajuwon and Moses Malone.

What didn’t work as well:

The book is packed full of colorful drawings, but it would leave a greater impression if they were mixed with actual photographs. Finding pictures from the sport’s origins is probably rare, but photographs of famous players should be easier to locate. Young readers can more easily connect to the book when they see clear images of athletes they have seen on television and in magazines. Nevertheless, the pages are chocked full of interesting information that will keep readers engrossed.

The Final Verdict:

The NBA, then to now. I’ve enjoyed basketball my whole life, and I’ve learned many things about the sport and the NBA after reading this book. It will appeal to anyone loving outstanding athletes, and readers will be entertained learning about the origins of the NBA. I recommend you give it a shot!

The Night Bus Hero by Onjali Q. Rau

What worked:

I haven’t read many books that follow the point of view of a bully. Hector steals money and candy from other students, and he’ll punch them for no reason. He hangs with two intimidating friends, and they have a daily routine to harass their schoolmates. He sometimes regrets bullying others but admitting it to his two friends will go against his reputation. Eventually, Hector becomes involved with the homeless population living in London, and his character slowly, and reluctantly, starts to transform. Readers will be inside Hector’s mind, as he tries to sort through his feelings and plan his actions. His most redeeming character trait is that he doesn’t lie, and that spurs events that will change his life.

The plot gradually shifts from middle school bullying to the mystery of a crime spree spreading across London. Valuable objects are being stolen and graffiti used by the homeless is always found at the scene. The most obvious suspects are all the people living on the streets, but the story immediately creates doubt about that idea. That raises the question of if the homeless aren’t doing the thefts, then who is? Who has the motive and the ability to pull off these crimes without leaving any witnesses? Hector’s little brother is the one who notices an important clue.

The book shines a light on homelessness and the issues that go along with it. The general public doesn’t want the homeless anywhere near their homes or businesses. Hector thinks they’re below his status, and his problems begin when he tries to bully one of them. Ironically, Hector’s father is producing a documentary about the homeless. Hector eventually learns how some of the people became homeless and how they’re often blamed for crimes they didn’t commit. They’re easy targets with little power to defend themselves. Hector learns more from a classmate, a “Teacher’s Pet”, and he discovers all the homeless people in London already know he’s a bully and that he can’t be trusted.

What didn’t work as well:

Hector is a bully, but the reason isn’t clearly explained. He lives in a home with successful parents, a little brother and older sister, and a nanny. Readers can attempt to infer why Hector behaves negatively, and some light is shed near the end of the book, but the story doesn’t give a clear reason for his feelings. It would be nice for his parents to have a longer discussion with him to figure out why he feels so angry.

The Final Verdict:

From bully to hero. It’s surprising that readers can feel any sympathy for a bully, but that’s the magic of this book. It masterfully describes Hector’s dramatic change, albeit reluctantly, into a caring young man his family can be proud of. I highly recommend you read this tale of a unique type of courage.

Overground Railroad by Candacy Taylor

What worked:

This nonfiction book for young adults is full of facts and anecdotes chronicling the horrendous, frustrating, and terrifying history of Negroes in the United States. The common thread throughout the pages is The Green Book, a guide for Black people moving and traveling across the country. It shares businesses, towns, and locations that were friendly to Black Americans and warns them of places to avoid. Stories of enjoyable and frightening incidents from their lives are described and will evoke a wide range of emotions from readers. Although most of the businesses no longer exist, the stories in the book offer insight into the history of bigotry and prejudice that is still present today.

This book can be used as a reference source, even though it doesn’t read like one, as it’s divided into sections that are easy to navigate. There is an index at the back to locate topics quickly, and there’s a section that cites sources of information and quotations found on specific pages. There is an abundance of photographs, both color and black and white, mixed with pages from various publications. Photos of covers from The Green Book tie the chapters together, and excerpts from its pages display information available to Black readers. Chapters are organized by topics, not historical dates, and they include the origins of the book, driving while black, music, and traveling Route 66 across the country.

The long history of prejudice and Jim Crowe laws are explored using well-known and lesser-known events and people from the past. It describes how the Pullman Company was the largest private employer of Black Americans, as trains became a major form of transportation. Harlem was a center for entertainment and featured performers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, and Benny Goodman. Tragically, pages and pictures depict the massacre and burning of a wealthy Black community in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Sundown towns, places where Blacks weren’t allowed to enter after dark, could be found all over the country, and the NAACP led a travel ban to Missouri in 2017 warning Blacks of potential violence. There are other stories of bigotry where Blacks are attacked just for being too successful.

What didn’t work as well:

This book is a young-adult adaptation, but it still has some pretty intense subject matter for young readers. There is a section describing an era of frequent hangings, and it includes a graphic photograph of a black man who had been hanged and shot. Some of the material may be upsetting, but it’s a part of America that’s not often shared and needs to be remembered.

The Final Verdict:

A history of prejudice in the U.S. Accomplishments and pleasant experiences of Black Americans temper the focus on unfair and violent attacks they were forced to endure. The stories are often disturbing to read, but they should be. I recommend this book for mature readers, as it’s probably not appropriate for elementary students. 

The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera

This book is a finalist for the 2021 Cybils Award in Elementary and Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction.

What worked:

The premise of the story is very novel and uncommon. Earth is being destroyed by a comet, so groups of people are sent into space where they’ll reinhabit a planet in another galaxy. Petra awakens from the centuries-long journey to discover she’s the only one who remembers living on Earth. The Collective has erased all memories of the planet in order to establish a more perfect community. However, Petra’s mind isn’t erased, and she still remembers her grandmother’s Mexican folktales. This fact might undermine the Collective’s efforts, so Petra can’t let anyone know about her memories. It’s not clear why the author gives her a chronic eye disease that will steadily become worse since it’s not much of a factor in anything that occurs. The vision problem is mentioned throughout the story, but it could easily have been left out.

This is a dystopian story that opens around the year 2150, with most of it set around the year 2600. The technology is based on science with nothing being overly unbelievable. There’s a movement to fix the world even before Earth is destroyed by the comet, and the hope is to end all wars and unrest and make everyone equal. Equality doesn’t mean everyone’s the same. Equality and a peaceful world sound great but the danger is in what people will do to make that happen. The main conflict deals with saving the past, as Petra discovers what the Collective is planning.

The heart of the book is found in the folktales Petra learned from her grandmother. She thinks of them in her mind and also shares them with the children in her Zeta squad. The children love the cuentos and Petra is able to manipulate them with promises of more. The stories are analogous to what’s happening in the plot, and Petra uses them as guidance and motivation. Blending space travel with Mexican folktales makes this book creative and original.

What didn’t work as well:

It’s a little challenging to make connections with the characters as the story unfolds. Most of those introduced early in the book are not part of the plot later. Petra spends much of the time alone or with characters having little personality. The other children in Petra’s Zeta squad are unique but don’t fully develop their identities until much later.

The Final Verdict:

Remembering the past is crucial and worth protecting. The early part of the book is not as engaging as the second half, but Petra’s battle to save Earth’s relics and stories is captivating. I recommend you give it a shot!

Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff

This book is a finalist for the 2021 Cybils Award in Elementary and Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction.

What worked:

The story is told first-person through Bug’s eyes, which makes sense since the main issues are happening within Bug's mind. Bug was close to Uncle Roderick, but he’s recently died after spending his final months in hospice. Memories of him constantly arise in Bug's thoughts, and there are troubles dealing with his death. Also, Bug is starting middle school in the fall and might want to try a different image before meeting new classmates. Bug isn’t interested in make-up, new clothes, and boys and doesn't understand how to fit in with girl friends. Revelations about herself steer the plot, as Bug discovers she’s transgender. 

This book tells a ghost story, although it’s not really about ghosts. The plot has eerie moments, but it’s not a spooky narrative. Bug’s house has been haunted ever since his mom and uncle moved in, but he’s never seen an actual ghost. He can sense cold areas in the house and sees objects that have been moved. Bug starts to have strange dreams and wakes up to find his bedroom a mess, but he isn’t sure what it all means. His best friend Moira gets freaked out about the idea of ghosts, and always asks Bug if any new ones are around. Bug finally figures out a ghost is trying to communicate with him but has no idea what the message might be or why it's chosen to speak to him. 

Moira is a remarkable best friend. She tries to help Bug prepare for middle school, while Bug isn’t always open to her efforts. Ghosts frighten her, but she hangs out with Bug at his haunted house. She still comes over even after some creepy and alarming things happen during a sleepover. Her patience and understanding, even when she doesn’t understand, are remarkable and display admirable qualities of friendship for young readers. She’s amazingly accepting when Bug’s revelation comes to light. 

What didn’t work as well:

The book doesn’t have a hook in the beginning to engage a wide range of young readers, and the ghost angle isn’t at the forefront in the beginning. Opening with Uncle Roderick’s death, Bug’s subsequent grieving, and increasing differences with her Moira make the early part of the book depressing. The story is much more engaging once Bug figures out a ghost is trying to make connections. The second half of the book is an emotional ride to discovery.

The Final Verdict:

An emotional journey to self-discovery. The book may not appeal to all young readers, but it’s a book that will enlighten all who read it. It’s an inspirational adventure, and I recommend you give it a shot. 

Ophie's Ghosts by Justina Ireland

This book is a finalist for the 2021 Cybils Award in Elementary and Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction.

What worked:

The book uses ghosts to share the history of prejudice in our country in 1923. Ophie and her mom work for a rich, white woman in Pittsburgh, and they hope to earn enough money to get their own apartment. The elderly woman is difficult and irrational, as she can’t be satisfied by Ophie’s efforts and suspects all black people will steal from her. The servants can never tell her no and are forced to obey her unreasonable demands, lest they be fired on the spot. Many of the haints haunting the house have experience with slavery and injustice and can’t move on until they resolve unfinished issues.

Ophie has the ability to see ghosts and is aware of their presence in almost every place she goes. Her aunt has the ability too and shares a little bit of information about the responsibilities that come with it. She also shares the dangers, and this develops a sense of drama that readers will anticipate throughout the story. Ophie wants to help the ghosts she meets, but communicating with them can lead to unforeseen disasters. The aunt shares enough information to let readers know the ghosts can be threatening but leaves enough unsaid to allow readers to imagine the worst.

The main conflict involves the mystery of a former house servant’s disappearance. Ophie meets the ghost and learns about some of her background, but she’s not able to remember how she was murdered. Ophie makes it her mission to uncover the truth and help the haint move on, but is this a huge mistake? Ophie catches glimpses of purple around the ghost, the color of deep anger, but isn’t that to be expected if the servant was murdered? The ghost is the only one who takes the time to listen to Ophie and is becoming her best friend.

What didn’t work as well:

There are intermittent chapters where the narrator shares the house’s thoughts and gives insight into what’s happening among the ghosts. Most of the information is general and doesn’t add much to the story, but some nuggets of suspicions are included that add to the mystery. Overall, the chapters don’t make the book less enjoyable, and they feel like mini-breaks between the main action.

The Final Verdict:

The seed of hate rears its ugly head. Overall, this book tells a ghostly mystery that’s eerie but not super scary. Prejudice, anger, and fear create the conflict, as the story depicts racism through a different genre. The book is very engaging and entertaining, and I highly recommend you give it a shot. 

The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy by Anne Ursu

This book is a finalist for the 2021 Cybils Award in Elementary and Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction.

What worked:

The story evokes feelings that should offend readers of both genders. Males are the privileged ones, and females’ roles are to support them. The author describes the unfairness Marya experiences from her parents, as they’re obsessed with her brother Luka becoming a sorcerer. The kingdom relies on sorcerers to protect it from the Dread. Marya’s expected to do all of the dirty chores around the house and she’s blamed for upsetting her brother, even when she’s the victim of his pranks. Her parents won’t let her learn a trade from the neighbor woman, and they eventually send Marya to Dragomir Academy, a school for troubled girls.

The structure of the plot is familiar and easy to follow. A character can’t live up to society’s expectations and is sent away where she can’t cause more problems. She’s dumped in with other girls in the same situation, but Marya’s circumstances hint that she will become more than expected. She’s able to read and has grasped information more easily than her brother. The school says it will enable the girls to help with protecting the realm, although Marya doesn’t understand what that means. Regardless, the comment allows readers to imagine and predict how it might come true. The plot develops into a story of empowering women and changing the stereotypes and expectations of the past.

The author introduces the Dread early in the book but doesn’t make it a direct part of the story until later. This delay creates anticipation for readers, as the Dread isn’t behaving as it’s done in the past. The Dread was originated by witches and is the reason they’ve been feared and forbidden ever since. Marya learns to read beautiful tapestries and discovers some of the history being taught may not be true. She ponders who benefits from the untruths to unravel the kingdom’s past. The resolution of the plot is predictable, but the overall story is very entertaining.

What didn’t work as well:

The first half of the book feels like it’s on the verge of upping the conflict and suspense but then settles back into Marya adapting to the academy. The plot offers several major problems, but it doesn’t focus on one in particular. However, the second half brings everything together to share a compelling, magical adventure of curses, witches, and the spreading Dread.

The Final Verdict:

Become who you’re meant to be. This book can be enjoyed by all middle-grade readers and shares an emotional adventure to empower women. Critical issues are addressed and resolved, and I highly recommend you give it a shot. 

Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom by Sangu Mandanna

This book is a finalist for the 2021 Cybils Award in Elementary and Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction.

What worked:

The story is based on Indian myths and folklore, so readers can learn a bit about the culture. Kiki has heard stories of how the demon king Mahishasura violently takes over the town of Mysore, and the gods eventually find a way to banish him to the Nowhere Place between worlds. The Dussehra festival is being celebrated in India, and it creates magic enabling the fictional Mahishasura to potentially enter the real world through Kiki’s sketchbook. Actually, Kiki creates her version of the Indian folktales and mythical creatures in her sketchbook, so some of the information about the culture gets muddled.

Kiki’s character has an uncommon mental issue of obsession. She fixates on a simple, innocent idea and can’t move on until she does something about it. She can’t just let it go. The book opens with Kiki worrying about whether she’s locked the front door when she left home and how this will cause her mother to be killed. It forces her to leave her friends at the amusement park to return home and make sure her mom is safe. This behavior is a big deal, although Kiki denies it in her mind. It seems to arise from a lack of self-confidence, but it’s more extreme than most kids experience.

The actual story and characters are entertaining, especially since most of the characters are aware they only exist because of Kiki’s sketchbook. One character even questions what will happen if Kiki succeeds in defeating Mahishasura. The demon king says Kiki fears him because he’s a manifestation of herself. She needs to defeat her own mental demons to stop him. The plot includes fighting scenes, as Asura soldiers battle to stop Kiki. She draws a warrior named Ashwini, based on her great-grandmother’s sister, to lead the Crows, a band of rebel kids determined to defeat the demon king.

What didn’t work as well:

The author creates a fantasy world of mythical creatures and characters from Kiki’s mind, but establishing the setting takes a lot of time. The narrator and characters must explain how Kiki’s sketchbook creates the problem, they need to retell some of the folktale to explain what’s “really” happening, and they must share how timid, frightened, human Kiki can resolve the magical war. The pages of explanation feel like a narrator talking rather than a story and distract from the actual adventure.

The Final Verdict:

The battle to defeat your own mental demons. This book portrays a classic showdown between good and evil, set in Indian folklore. The climax is exciting and dramatic as Kiki discovers the strength within herself. Give this book a shot!

Cece Rios and the Desert or Souls by Kaela Rivera

This book is a finalist for the 2021 Cybils Award in Elementary and Middle Grade Speculative Fiction.

What worked:

The story is embedded in Mexican culture, as it utilizes Spanish vocabulary to share native folklore. Readers can learn about the people without having cultural facts thrown in their faces. Tierra Del Sol is on the frontlines of a war between humans and creatures called criaturas. The creature can be controlled if a human snatches the soul necklace hanging around its neck, but the person is supposed to return the soul to nature. Brujos are snubbed by other humans, because they started the war by keeping captured souls. The criaturas have native names, and Cece gets help from Coyote, the Great Namer, with rescuing her sister Juana from a dark criatura called El Sombreron. However, no human has ever entered the Devil’s Alley and returned alive.

A conflict within Cece rages as she must become a brujo to save her sister while retaining her kind heart. Brujos are not known for their kindness, as controlling criaturas requires coldness and inflicting pain. Cece is very aware of how her family and village despise brujos, since her aunt became one. Cece must keep her plans secret from other humans, and her newly shaved head makes that difficult. Telling the story from her point of view is the most effective writing strategy, so readers are aware of her conflicting feelings. Luckily, she finds unexpected assistance from Coyote, and their relationship is the highlight of the story.

The magical elements in the story elevate the suspense and keep things mystical. El Sombreron captures Juana by playing enchanting music on his guitar, and Cece is “cursed” early in the book. Cece’s people draw power from the sun, but Cece’s inner fire is replaced by a connection to water. Hints are dropped along the way that imply she has unusual abilities, and the curse may not be as bad as she thinks. The criaturas display enhanced abilities of different creatures such as the scorpion, ocelot, and Chupacabra. They’re stronger, faster, and can jump higher than natural animals, and they’re able to communicate with humans, although their comments are often insults or threats.

What didn’t work as well:

I’m not sure about the plot’s resolution. Without creating a spoiler, most of the conflict is resolved, but an underlying major problem is left behind. It seems like Cece should take care of it, but perhaps there’s a sequel on the way. The book’s resolution will still leave readers satisfied and happy.

The Final Verdict:

Kindness can overcome anger and hate. The book tells an engaging and entertaining story based on Mexican folklore that creates drama and suspense. I highly recommend you read about Cece’s emotional quest to rescue her older sister. This book is a finalist for the 2021 Cybils Book Award in elementary and middle grade speculative fiction.

Falling Short by Ernesto Cisneros

What worked:

Characters misinterpret the apparent self-confidence of others. Marco’s best friend Isaac is an outstanding basketball player, and Marco thinks Isaac fits right in with everyone else at school. However, Isaac struggles with his grades, he almost failed fifth grade, and he thinks he’s the cause of his parents' impending divorce. He admires how easily Marco has adapted to sixth grade and how quickly he’s able to make friends. He’s unaware that Marco feels like he doesn’t belong with the other students due to his small size. He’s taking honors classes so he’s isolated from his elementary-school friends, and he’s being bullied by eighth-graders. His decision to try out for the middle-school basketball team changes the story for both Isaac and Marco.

The book explores the emotions of middle-grade boys in a way that’s not often done. Marco and Isaac have troubled relationships with their fathers but for different reasons. Marco’s father has divorced, remarried, and is enjoying life with his new son. Marco craves that kind of attention and affection from his father. Isaac’s father wants to spend time with his son, but he has a serious drinking problem. It’s the reason behind the looming divorce even though he keeps promising he’s trying to get better. Isaac is forced to keep secrets, and it takes a near-disaster to initiate any evidence of change. Marco and Isaac share deep feelings with each other, and they aren’t afraid to shed a few tears in the process. Having alternating chapters share their different points of view is a very effective strategy.

The story incorporates Mexican culture, as Spanish vocabulary is used by the parents, some teachers, and others. Readers are able to use context clues to figure out most phrases, and none of the words are critical to understanding what’s going on. The use of Spanish keeps the story feeling authentic and allows the characters to stay true to their heritage. Isaac’s mother and father are referred to as Apa and Apo, and his Abuelita often speaks in Spanish. The Mexican culture doesn’t take over the story, but it’s a big part of the characters’ lives.

What didn’t work as well: The opening doesn’t have a great hook to draw readers in. The boys have issues adapting to sixth grade in a new school (fitting in, bullies, etc.) but nothing makes their situation stand out from other middle-grade books. However, that changes when Marco decides to play basketball, and his determination to succeed is contagious. Readers will not want to miss the emotional journey to make sixth grade successful and memorable for two unlikely best friends.

The Final Verdict:

Best bros forever! The story may not immediately grab readers, but it’s a very entertaining, emotional narrative about two best friends. The feelings and worries of sixth-grade boys aren’t often shared this effectively, and I highly rec

Sneaks by Catherine Egan

What worked:

The first sentence describes a wristwatch crawling across the floor, so reader interest is piqued right away. Ben, the main character, soon discovers the watch is a creature from another world, but he doesn’t fully understand what this means. The plot takes a significant turn when Ben, Akemi, and Charlotte retrieve a letter and The Book of Keys for an elderly lady that reveal troubling, shocking concerns. The story is opened up to multidimensions, wormholes, and looming chaos, and Ben and his friends are thrown into the middle of it.

Sneaks are able to appear as unassuming objects, like a wristwatch, and on rare occasions, they can take the form of humans. This results in an element of uncertainty, as the kids never know when the Sneaks are around. There’s always something slightly off about Sneaks, but it sometimes takes effort to notice. When Sneaks attack, they can be stunned using water, and a special suitcase can send them back to their dimension. The Gateway Society is tasked with monitoring and controlling Sneaks, but they don’t appear overly concerned with the uptick in sightings. Why not? Is there more going on than what is seen?

The book shares several different issues with friendship. Ben’s little brother Leo befriends a new boy who is being teased, but his “friends” say he needs to stop. He can’t be around his old friends unless he dumps the new kid. Ben’s best friend from kindergarten has been mean to him for years, but he discovers she has a reason. It’s a long time to hold a grudge, but can what she says be true? Then, Ben’s best friend Ashok has moved to Paris, so their relationship is limited to texting. However, Ben’s not sure why he fails to tell Ashok about becoming friends with Akemi. Friendship can be complicated.

What didn’t work as well:

It would be nice to have one stable family in the story. Ben’s parents are self-absorbed and barely notice him and his little brother. Akemi’s mother died last year, so his father decided to move where they won’t be reminded of their grief. Charlotte has always been an outcast at school, but no one truly knows what’s happening at home. Her family life is not happy. The most “normal” family is in Paris where Ashok moved over the summer. The three main characters have underlying family issues, but the problems mostly help to add additional tension to the Sneak conflict.

The Final Verdict:

Saving the world from chaos and destruction! The story is fairly familiar, so it’s easy to follow and anticipate possible future events. Lovers of shape-shifting creatures and multidimensional fantasies will enjoy the book, and I recommend you give it a shot.

 

Guitars: Made By Hand by Patricia Lakin

What worked:

The nonfiction book shares a broad range of information about guitars while keeping it relatable to young readers. The narrator’s voice speaks semi-casually to readers, and this helps to keep the text easy enough to understand. It opens by defining the meaning of guitar, its history, and how it creates vibrations to make music. It explains the processes of making acoustic and electric guitars and has a section focusing on a female luthier named Meredith. The book wraps up by highlighting famous guitarists and memorable moments in the guitar’s history.

An abundance of colorful pictures will grab the eyes of readers and help them understand some of the technical language. A glossary is included to help with any unfamiliar vocabulary. Sharp photographs and enlargements present a pictorial display of the history of the guitar and important people in its development. Diagrams help readers learn about the different parts of guitars, and timelines assist readers by summarizing significant moments and guitarists from the past. There’s even an illustrated, step-by-step guide explaining how guitars are made and how they make music.

What didn’t work as well:

The book will appeal to music lovers, but it might not attract the interest of general readers. The information and illustrations are very engaging for readers wanting to learn about guitars, as the material isn’t overly complicated and the book is only thirty-two pages long. These same reasons may be enough to keep the interest of young readers, for a short time.

The Final Verdict:

Good vibrations. This book offers a revealing introduction into the world of guitars. The material isn’t overly technical or detailed and spans a wide range of topics that will appeal to many readers. I recommend you give it a shot.

The Beast of Buckingham Palace by David Walliams

What worked:

Prince Alfred is an unlikely hero in this dystopian novel. Alfred’s a weak, sickly boy who’s never left Buckingham Palace to see what life is like beyond the fortress walls. He can barely walk across his bedroom without losing his breath, so his transformation later is remarkable, until readers realize what’s happening. Many areas of the castle are off-limits to Alfred, by order of the Lord Protector, but he’s learned a lot about England’s history from the library’s books that he’s been given. The queen calls Alfred “Lionheart”, and his courage and leadership become evident as the situation with the revolutionaries becomes direr.

The template for the plot is familiar, so it’s easy to follow and make predictions. The king is being manipulated by an evil antagonist, and a harmless young boy is forced to become the hero. The antagonist plans to use an ancient spell to unleash tremendous power that will allow him to rule the entire world. He has control over everything, even the royal family, so stopping him may be impossible. The confusing destruction across London becomes clear once the antagonist’s plans are uncovered.

The story includes some unique twists to make things interesting. It’s set in the future after humans have ruined Earth through global warming and abusing its resources. Alfred’s father is the king of England, but the people feel oppressed and rebel against his rule. The book mostly feels like it’s centuries in the past, except the castle guards carry ray guns and robots roam the halls. One robot spies on everyone inside Buckingham Palace, and another inept robot slowly loses its eight limbs, adding some humor to the events. Alfred receives funny, very unexpected assistance late in the book, but it’s critical to saving England.

What didn’t work as well:

As mentioned earlier, the structure of the plot is very familiar, but that makes the overall book seem less creative. The dialogue between characters is rather basic, and the action scenes include sound effects that might remind readers of the old Batman television show. “Bang! Bash! Bonk!” The dialogue and sound effects aren’t a big problem, but they feel out of place when compared to the overall, imaginative story.

The Final Verdict:

Boy versus Beast. Prince Alfred’s quest to save the kingdom will entertain most middle-grade readers with its elements from the past, present, and future. Alfred’s character remains unassuming throughout, but his determination to save his parents is inspiring. I recommend you give it a shot.

Best Nerds Forever by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein

What worked:

How many books open by murdering an 8^th boy and then making him the main character? Finn must learn how to be a ghost, I mean he’s never died before, and the authors use their customary humor to describe the process. He’s able to taste ice cream, can appear instantly in different locations, and time sometimes jumps forward and backward. The living might be able to hear him, and maybe not, but they can definitely feel the chill as he passes through them. However, he still retains many of the fears his parents created, such as drowning in the lake or being smashed while jumping from the rocks. The anxieties he feels are actually keys to unlocking the cause of his death

Finn meets the ghost of a classmate, Isabella, and they work together to figure out how each of them died. Finn can’t understand why anyone would run his bike off the road and then leave him for dead. Does he have an enemy who hated him enough to commit murder? Isabella’s death may be more difficult to investigate. She’s been missing for four months, and her ghost doesn’t remember much about how she died. She hasn’t returned to her home since her death, because she’s upset about what she did to her mother. What did she do? It’s difficult for Finn and Isabella to investigate her disappearance and death when she doesn’t have a clue where to start.

The story explores how different characters deal with death. It offers a perspective of how restless spirits also need closure even though some ghosts don’t know why they haven’t passed on. Finn’s family is hit the hardest, and his father has difficulty understanding how he died. His father works for an insurance company and studies the probabilities of dying from various causes. Both parents are overly protective and their worries make Finn paranoid about danger. Finn’s friends are very sad, and Finn has mixed emotions when they seem to move on with their lives.

What didn’t work as well:

The story doesn’t develop a great deal of drama, as Finn and Isabella reflect on their short lives and how the living deal with grief. Consequently, the climax and revelations surrounding the deaths of Finn and Isabella aren’t suspenseful. However, the resolutions are surprising when compared to other middle-grade mysteries. The cover photo makes me think the ghost of Finn will work with his living friends to locate his killer, but the book goes a different way.

The Final Verdict:

Live life to its fullest. The humor is pretty mild when compared to other books by these authors, but the book deals with death in a novel manner. Finn and Isabella share valuable insight with readers, as they reflect on their tragically short lives. The story moves quickly, and I recommend you give it a shot. 

The School for Whatnots by Margaret Peterson Haddix

My name is Josie, and becoming a whatnot got me into a good school where I met Max. Pretending to be a well-behaved robot wasn't easy, since I love to explore and run around. Max's parents bought the whatnots for his classroom, so he would grow up surrounded by "kids" who wouldn't be bad influences. Now that we've finished fifth grade, I don't know if I'll ever see my best friend again.

What worked:

Josie is pretending to be an android in Maximillian’s classroom, but she doesn’t behave the way the whatnots were designed. Whatnots are supposed to be well-behaved and kind to the rich student in the room, but Josie is independent and gets Maximillian to do things he wouldn’t normally do. On the first day of kindergarten, she gets Maximillian to shorten his name to Max and encourages him to play in the mud at recess. There are cameras all over the school, so security is very aware of Josie’s behavior. However, instead of correcting Josie, a voice to security says “Maybe she’s the one”. This statement leaves a lingering question about her character that continues throughout the book until the climax.

The focus of different chapters changes between Josie, Max, and the narrator. Max and Josie come from very different backgrounds with very different experiences, but the narrator controls the overall story. She shares relevant sidenotes to help readers understand what’s going on, but she’s also confused at times when some discoveries are shared. This fact creates some confusion at times for readers, (How can she be confused when she’s the one telling the story?) but everything becomes understandable as the book gets deeper into the plot. The narrator is actually a character in the story, and her engaging voice presented directly to readers makes her chapters some of the most enjoyable.

The book is a lesson in how to treat others, as it passionately promotes a theme of loyalty and friendship. Max’s parents pay for classes full of whatnots in order to give him stable “friends” who display positive behaviors. They want to protect him from bullies, keep him from mistreating other kids, shielding him from people who want to get close to him because of his family’s money. Even though Josie doesn’t act like a typical android, she still treats Max with kindness and respect, and the two of them become inseparable. The second half of the book finds their friendship put to the test, and a difficult challenge highlights the foundation of their relationship. Loyalty and supporting each other are keys to success.

What didn’t work as well:

The conflict early in the book isn’t very suspenseful or compelling. It’s interesting, but it’s not easy to tell where the plot is headed. However, the story becomes more focused and an intriguing problem emerges when Max completes the fifth grade. All kinds of revelations are made about whatnots, androids, and several important characters. Max’s whole world is turned upside down, but Josie discovers many new truths too. The build-up to the climax is a roller coaster ride of emotions.

The final verdict:

A moving tale of friendship. The adorable kids will touch readers’ feelings, as they struggle to stay together. The author creates a thought-provoking and moving story that will make readers ponder the kind ways to treat others. Margaret Peterson Haddix has written another winner!