Ravenous Things by Derrick Chow

What worked:

Dealing with grief is a major topic in this book. Reggie deeply misses his father who died two years prior. His mother is devastated to the point that she’s feeling paranoid and won’t leave the apartment. Reggie has many fond memories of his father and often relives them in his mind. His sadness is accompanied by anger toward his mother since he feels forced to cope with his heartache alone. However, he later learns that appearances can’t reveal what others are experiencing and perhaps he’s not as alone as he thinks.

Reggie teams up with his “mortal enemy” Gareth and a girl named Chantal to figure out why the Conductor lures kids onto a subway train using false promises. Reggie has had fights with Gareth at school since second grade, and Gareth’s constant teasing is infuriating. Reggie’s temper makes the problem worse, so trying to work together to uncover the Conductor’s secrets is a struggle. Chantal has been seeing a psychiatrist since her twin sister died, and she offers some of the doctor’s advice as the team learns to face their problems. Readers may use those same suggestions in their own lives. All three characters learn that communication goes a long way toward identifying their issues and gaining the support needed to overcome them.

The world created by the author is imaginative but maintains connections to real life. The Conductor wields a magic flute that may remind readers of an old fairy tale, but the spells he casts are surely impossible. He commands an army of ravenous rats that project an air of danger within the underground Darkness. The Darkness itself is treated as another character with feelings and intentions, as the kids fear its presence. Reggie, Gareth, and Chantal encounter seemingly familiar settings only to find the images are illusions. The composition of the background scenery is a surprise, but a small bug and a balloon become unexpected allies.

What didn’t work as well:

The main characters are interesting, but not especially memorable. Their problems and issues are serious and relatable to young readers, but the characters themselves are quite average.  Nevertheless, the creative story and comradery of the characters make this book entertaining.

The Final Verdict:

Problems must be given names to solve them. The fanciful story addresses serious, real-life issues including the many faces of grief. Readers will enjoy the characters’ efforts to stop the Conductor as the plot builds to an exciting climax.

Lark and the Wild Hunt by Jennifer Adam

What worked:

The author crafts a mysterious adventure of Fae and magic. The Wild Hunt is supposed to return any lingering magic to the Fae world, but something has gone wrong this year. Lark’s brother disappears during the hunt, and she’s determined to find a way to bring him home. She’s the first to suspect there’s a bigger problem, but no one understands what’s actually happening. Wildkins shouldn’t be appearing the day after the Wild Hunt, they’ve taken an interest in what Lark is doing. Why are the Fae so interested in the broken pieces of metal she’s been given?

The author methodically develops the conflict, but I don’t find the plot slow-moving. The adventure reads like a mystery, as Lark tries to figure out the unknown problem with the Fae. Hints are dropped throughout the plot that point to a more serious problem humans have yet to learn. The border between the magical Fae world and the human world is getting weaker, and there may be violations of the Accord agreement that could lead to war. The tension and suspense grow, as this conflict worsens and the plot nears a deadline.

Lark is the protagonist, and she doesn’t have any superpowers or special abilities, except a talent for repairing things. As with many books, the main character keeps secrets from her family and other adults, because she thinks they’ll stop her from helping. Lark is supposed to build a Moonclock that can restore order to the border, but she has no idea how to do it or how to make it work. Her main motivations are to rescue her brother, protect her sister from participating in the next dangerous hunt, and repair damage to the border. She must deal with an internal conflict since all humans know that Faes cannot be trusted. However, a Fae boy named Rook offers help, so Lark’s not convinced he’s sincerely helping. The fact that Fae cannot tell lies forces Lark and readers to infer the truth behind Rook’s words.

What didn’t work as well:

Some readers might like a faster-moving story, and I normally do as well. However, the various subplots involving the Moonclock, Lark and her family, Rook, and the big conflict between the Fae and human worlds provide variety to readers.

The Final Verdict:

Keeping the peace. This book is much more than I expected, and I highly recommend you give it a shot. The blend of family, adventure, mystery, and magic is sure to entertain middle-grade readers.

Fierce as the Wind by Tara Wilson Redd

Most of my reviews are for middle-grade readers, but this book is for young adults.

What worked:

Miho’s determination to recover from a devastating breakup is the impetus behind the plot. She’s dumped by her “boyfriend” of two years when she learns he’s going to marry another girl he got pregnant. It’s amusing that he’s called Scumbucket for most of the plot. Miho decides to enter Hawaii’s Ironman Triathlon even though her only athletic ability is riding a bike. The race consists of swimming 2 ½ miles in the ocean, biking 120 miles, and then running a 26-mile marathon, so it seems like an impossible feat for Miho to complete. The story reflects her trials and tribulations, her highs and lows, as she pushes herself beyond and previous physical and mental challenges.

Miho has a diverse group of close friends who do all they can to support her. They all have impressive plans after graduation, such as attending MIT and Stanford University, and they combine their talents to create Miho’s training regimen. X is her best friend, motivator, and confidant, and those are tough roles to fulfill with Miho’s turbulent emotions. Other friends assist with her diet, style and appearance, and trying to find equipment worthy of a triathlete. However, the team members struggle with expectations, sexuality, love, and trust that complicate their relationships. Much like Miho, they’re forced to reflect on their own lives and contemplate their futures after graduation.

In addition to her ex-boyfriend problems, Miho also wrestles with self-image and socio-economic questions. She’s the one member of the team who doesn’t seem to have a plan for what she’ll do after high school. She’s afraid to apply to colleges despite scoring a perfect 1600 on her SAT’s. She has a talent for art but doesn’t think it’s better than a hobby. Her father lost a leg and his disability income won’t cover costs for tuition, housing, and books. Miho can’t afford a car or new clothes, and she delivers pizzas around the area on her heavy-duty bike. One member of the group comes from a wealthy family, and Miho is very uncomfortable accepting “charity” from her. Miho wants to earn everything she receives so she’s reluctant to accept any kind of help. All of these factors create feelings of inferiority and undermine her efforts to face challenges.

What didn’t work as well:

As an adult male, it was more difficult for me to connect with the emotional turmoil of a seventeen-year-old girl. Right from the start, Miho is hurt, furious, and devastated about being dumped by her boyfriend but holds out hope that he still might come return to her. Miho’s strong feelings are evident throughout the story, but the overall book ardently describes her inspirational story.

The Final Verdict:

Close friends can heal raw emotions. Readers will need to be prepared for a lot of feelings talk and Miho’s thoughts about her life. Teenage readers can easily relate to Miho’s problems as they contemplate their relationships and lives after high school. Girls might connect with Miho’s character more easily, but I can recommend this book to all readers due to her ability to persevere and achieve her goal.

Duplex: A Micropowers Novel by Orson Scott Card

Most of my reviews are for middle-grade readers, but this book is for young adults.

What worked:

The supernatural element of the plot is slowly sprinkled into the plot until it becomes a major conflict. Some characters have micropowers and they form a support group of micropotents to learn about their abilities. The unexpected twist is the powers are relatively useless but they are special abilities none-the-less. Making others yawn and being aware of the presence of spiders aren’t particularly useful in most situations. Bizzy is able to make herself stunningly beautiful, and Ryan can instantly react to situations perfectly. The micropowers aren’t remarkable but they’re enough to make the micropotents targets for witch hunters and create the main conflict of the plot.

Ryan is the fifteen-year-old main character, and he’s a dynamic young man. In the beginning, he seems to be a sassy, angry teenager due to his parents’ failed marriage. He’s actually very intelligent, caring, and has a high moral character. Ryan deeply misses his father living at home and he wants to earn his trust and respect. He strives to prove his maturity by becoming more responsible, and his efforts become part of his everyday behavior. His micropower causes him to do things he regrets, and this humility reflects his inherent kindness and heart. He does what needs to be done but it doesn’t mean he needs to like it.

Several types of interpersonal relationships are blended into the overall plot. Ryan and Bizzy explore becoming boyfriend/girlfriend and consider what that actually means. Bizzy’s beauty makes her skeptical of Ryan’s intentions, and Ryan’s never been with a girl that’s way out of his league. Ryan struggles with Defense’s pranking behavior and his newfound maturity makes it harder to tolerate the harm Defense is causing. Ryan’s parents are going through a nasty separation and the kids are stuck in the middle. Ryan and his sister feel anger toward the situation, and their mother is especially malicious toward the father. It’s not until later in the story that the kids discover the root of the problem.

What didn’t work as well:

The dialogue includes playful banter between Bizzy, Ryan, and his best friend Defense that sometimes lasts longer than necessary. The exchanges are usually entertaining and help to describe relationships, but their duration stalls the momentum of the plot.

The Final Verdict:

There’s power in working together. It’s a novel concept to endow characters with powers that aren’t especially useful, but it makes them underdogs readers can cheer for. The numerous levels of personal problems maintain interest throughout, and the main conflict builds to a suspenseful climax. I recommend you give this book a shot.

Cady and the Bear Necklace by Ann Dallman

What worked:

The book features modern-day Indians living in Upper Michigan and the importance of preserving their heritage. Cady takes a 20-minute bus ride to attend an Indian school even though a public school is located only minutes from her home. Her father isn’t knowledgeable about their tribe’s history but he thinks it’s important for Cady to learn. Cady is respectful of her Indian past and is open to this learning, an attitude not shared by all young people. She jumps at the chance to interview a friend’s grandmother for a school project, and that’s when the book jumps into the meat of the plot.

The mystery of an old beaded necklace with a bear figure attached consumes Cady’s character. The conflict arises while she’s interviewing John Ray’s grandmother. The woman happily answers all of Cady’s questions until she asks about a photograph that had dropped to the floor. The woman becomes terse and agitated and tells Anna she needs to leave. This severe contrast in moods creates confusion for readers and Cady spends the rest of the book trying to uncover the story behind the necklace. Why won’t anyone talk about it? Readers will learn more about Cady’s family history as well as the tribe’s heritage and customs.

Cady is the main character and the story faces many challenges. Her relationship with her father changes after he remarries and her stepmother seems more like an older sister. Cady loves her baby brother but his presence changes the family dynamics, as he demands constant attention. Also, Cady has feelings for John Ray but she’s not sure how he feels about her. Her principal tells her that finding an eagle’s feather might be a sign from the spirits that she needs to complete a special task or solve a mystery. There are too many clues to be a coincidence and Cady is confused as to why she’s been given the task. The grandmother’s reaction to the photograph and Cady finding a hidden necklace make her determined to understand the history behind it.

What didn’t work as well:

An effective hook in the opening chapters of this short book would help grab readers right away. Sharing Cady’s problems with school, living with a very young stepmother, a new baby brother, and learning about her Indian heritage don’t do it. Once the bear necklace is introduced, the story becomes a mystery and carries the rest of the plot, although the conflict lacks strong emotions and tension.

The Final Verdict:

Trust the power within yourself. The most enjoyable part of the book is the emphasis on Indian heritage and culture. Times are changing and it’s important to honor the history of our ancestors. Resolving the mystery of the necklace feels more like a personal project than an actual conflict, so the story would be improved with more suspense or drama. Overall, I enjoyed the book and recommend it to readers who like Indian storytelling.

Mr. Lemoncello’s Very First Game by Chris Grabenstein

What worked:

It’s nice to see a young protagonist without any superpowers using his imagination to create games. His determination is evident as he continues to pursue new, fun ideas despite negative comments from his older brothers and sisters. He has dreams of becoming the world’s first “bajillionaire” even though his family currently struggles to pay rent for their apartment. He’s motivated by a desire to help his hard-working father financially, and he hopes to prove to his older sister that there’s more to games than just having fun. When Luigi gets frustrated or depressed (which is very rare), it’s nice to see him get inspiration from the words of his mentor, Professor Marvelmous, at the traveling carnival.

Luigi’s family lives in an Italian neighborhood in Alexandriaville, Ohio, in 1968, and Luigi faces common social problems. Socio-economic prejudice is at the forefront, as more affluent characters call Luigi and his friends “riffraff” and flaunt their wealth. This includes adults who try to control the town. Two high-school bullies frequently insult Luigi and wave their money around to display their self-importance, and their disdain for Luigi becomes more personal. Their fathers own the bank and many businesses in town, and the boys use that as a weapon against Luigi. Luigi and his friends call themselves the three musketeers, but Bruno lacks Luigi’s enthusiasm for games. Luigi most enjoys the process of problem-solving, while Bruno thinks prizes are most important. Events strain the boys’ bond and have unexpected consequences.

The book will appeal to game lovers, as that’s the central theme of the whole story. Luigi is obsessed with them, and he has a talent for inventing new ones and for solving puzzles. The pages are filled with his innovative ideas for new games, as he tries to create one that will become widely popular. In addition, Luigi gets a temporary job at a summer carnival when Professor Marvelmous hires him to help with his booth called Balloon-Centration. The game combines throwing darts with solving rebus puzzles, so readers will have many opportunities to solve picture messages. Luigi also enjoys playing a local radio station’s daily contests that pose questions for listeners to answer. This gives readers additional chances to practice their thinking skills before Luigi reveals the solutions.

What didn’t work as well:

Luigi is almost too positive and kind to be true. He diffuses confrontational situations with the bullies by using humor and wit, which quickly drops the tension. Actually, it postpones the tension until later in the book when the bullies make it their mission to stifle Luigi’s plans.

The Final Verdict:

All for fun, and fun for all! This book is a prequel to the “Mr. Lemoncello’s Library” series, so it’s not necessary to have read all of the previous books. Overall, this is a light-hearted story that allows kindness and creativity to persevere over meanness. If you’re looking for a fun book to read, I recommend you give this one a shot.

The Hurricanes of Weakerville by Chris Rylander

What worked:

The plot explores how people deal with grief when Alex’s grandfather dies after battling cancer. Alex doesn’t display much sadness, but the assumption is he’s been dealing with the expectation of death since the diagnosis. Alex and Grandpa Ira share a passion for baseball, and they both love the Weakerville Hurricanes. Their family has owned the team for over a hundred years. Ira’s death leaves Alex confused and missing his grandfather, but Alex inherits all of Ira’s old scorecards. In addition to game information, the cards include notes and comments that keep the memory of Grandpa Ira alive. Alex learns more about Ira’s heart and generosity and gets some unexpected insight into how he ran the team. The notes also reveal a mystery regarding the whereabouts of a Dream Team player from the past. Grandpa Ira’s controversial decisions from the past are often rooted in empathy for others.

The book feels like a blend of two baseball movies, “Little Big League” and “Major League”. In the first, a young boy becomes the owner and manager for a major league baseball team. In the second, the new owner of a struggling baseball team will leave Cleveland if the misfit players can’t win the pennant. Alex discovers the Hurricanes are actually owned by a rich relative named Tex who intends to disband the team and tear down the stadium for development. The only thing that can save the team is Alex figuring out a way to lead the team into the playoffs. That becomes more challenging when Alex realizes most of the players quit when they learn he becomes the new manager. The tension builds as the number of games left in the season ticks away.

Alex gets anxious when speaking to most people, and he even creates a name for it, Flumpo. The book shares what his mind is thinking of saying, so it’s fun to contrast that with what actually comes out of his mouth. It’s usually a mixture of sounds and out-of-order words that are sure to confuse the person he’s speaking to. His best friend Slips is aware of the problem and knows when to speak up and interpret what Alex means to say. However, Flumpo still makes it much more difficult to coach a team of grown men who have no confidence in their new 7th-grade manager. Alex’s worries are exasperated since he isn’t telling the players the team will no longer exist if they miss the playoffs.

What didn’t work as well:

The main conflict surrounds saving an independent-league baseball team, and Alex shares his knowledge of baseball strategy. There is a great deal of thinking and planning behind the scenes of baseball operations, and readers should have a tolerance for sports. Alex’s determination to not let his grandfather down provides the context and determination for the plot’s focus. I happen to appreciate the knowledge and logic underlying baseball, so I love the story.

The Final Verdict:

Saving Weakerville with Baseball Zazzle. The author skillfully weaves a story of Alex’s battle to overcome his anxiety and lack of confidence while internally struggling with the death of his grandfather. The story using a baseball team to save a depressed town evokes a wide range of emotions. I recommend you give it a shot!

Nora and the Sacred Stones by Laura Hatch Rupper

What worked:

Nora is a sixteen-year-old peasant girl with a rare talent for pulling energy from stones to concoct potions called revars. There are seven different kinds of stones holding unique powers, and the various kingdoms take extreme measures to ensure no one has all of them at the same time. It’s not clear what might happen if someone succeeds since it’s never happened before. Nora’s teacher tells her that her ability to concoct will draw the interest of all the rulers, so she needs to be careful about who knows. That may be a problem since in the opening chapters a prince catches her in the royal kitchen while she’s concocting a revar.

Nora’s devotion to her family and her empathy for others make her a character to be admired. Her sole reason for sneaking into the royal kitchen is to create an elixir to save her little sister. Even while being chased by soldiers, Nora is willing to sacrifice her own freedom to save her. She convinces soldiers to let her brother go, so he’ll be able to take the revar to their sister. Nora feels regret for losing her mentor’s ancient book, and she fears for an old woman’s safety after she provides Nora with a map. Later, Nora risks imprisonment in order to save the life of a pursuer.

The author includes clues along the way to give the plot a mysterious air. The first and biggest is Nora’s ability to draw power from stones. The ability itself isn’t uncommon, but the depth of her ability decimates a Ballutite stone by pulling all of its energy which shouldn’t be possible. She’s unaware of what she’s done and doesn’t understand the voice she starts hearing in her head. Ancient legends and myths talk of rocks having souls, but most people remember them simply as old stories and reasons for holding traditional celebrations. All of these details create a sense that there’s more going on than what’s on the surface of the plot.

What didn’t work as well:

The conflict and story are interesting, but there isn’t a sense of urgency and intensity. In the beginning, it seems like Nora’s sister needs a cure immediately, but as the chapters go along, that thinking eases. Her sister has a serious problem but it’s not like she’s near death. Perhaps Nora’s concern epitomizes her empathy for her family.

The Final Verdict:

Listen to the voice of the earth. Nora’s kindness and determination allow readers to easily connect to her character, and the supernatural air makes the story intriguing. Her confrontations with the prince make their relationship a question of whether they are friends or foes. Overall, this book is very entertaining and I highly recommend you give it a shot.

Slip by Marika McCoola and Aatmaja Panya

Most of my reviews are for middle-grade readers, but this book is for young adults.

What worked:

In the opening pages, Jade learns that her best friend Phoebe has tried to commit suicide, so readers know this isn’t a light-hearted graphic novel. Jade’s unable to talk to Phoebe during her hospital stay, so the story focuses on Jade’s struggles to understand what’s happening. She’s frustrated with their inability to communicate and feels some guilt that she might have missed signs of her friend’s depression. The isolation at the camp makes it difficult for her to create meaningful ceramics and to develop relationships with the other campers.

The story has a supernatural twist to it, as Jade discovers she can use fire to reflect with Phoebe’s spirit. She’s not speaking directly with her friend, but the image shares ideas Jade needs to hear. She also learns the wood-burning kiln used to fire her creations has more dangerous consequences. For some reason, Jade’s clay cat becomes animated and lashes out at her. It remains elusive for much of the book and becomes especially vicious as her emotions are in turmoil.

Jade’s emotional and mental well-being is at the forefront of the plot and is a catalyst for the events. The campers are all specially selected, and one of them will win a scholarship to a prestigious art school. That pressure is compounded due to Jade’s lack of self-confidence. She compares herself to the phenomenal pieces done by others, and she’s on edge toward the approaching days when her mentor and other campers critique what she’s done. Phoebe’s issues just add to the stress. Then, another girl expresses a romantic interest in Jade, and Jade’s not sure how to respond. The idea appeals to her, but her relationship with her best friend Phoebe confuses her emotions.

What didn’t work as well:

Jade spends most of the book at an art camp, and the characters frequently discuss art-related concepts. Jade’s thoughts are otherwise dominated by Phoebe’s attempted suicide. Consequently, the book may not appeal to readers uninterested in art talk or trying to understand suicide.

The Final Verdict:

This book is for mature readers due to the serious topics of suicide and sexuality, and it includes mild profanity. The story is interesting and compelling, but it may not have wide appeal to general readers. It may be a book that kids should read even though they may find it more challenging to make personal connections.

Pizazz by Sophy Henn

What worked:

Presenting a young, unhappy superhero is a novel idea, as Pizazz finds the cons far outweigh the pros. Even her name isn’t as cool as her sister’s name Red Dragon. Pizazz’s situation worsens when her parents decide to move, forcing her to adjust to a new school and the loneliness of having no friends. Many young readers will be able to make this connection. All of the members of Pizazz’s family are born superheroes and have unique abilities. However, Pizazz has an embarrassing superpower that she’s reluctant to share with readers and rarely wants to use. The author teases readers throughout most of the book before finally revealing her deplorable ability. I must admit, it’s pretty embarrassing.

While this book is not a graphic novel, it contains a lot of pictures that contribute to the story. They depict scenes from the plot that help to visualize what’s happening. Pizazz’s family is summoned to save the world every few chapters, and those missions are presented in a manner more like graphic novels. Pages display panels of illustrations with captions that quickly recount the planet-saving battles. This strategy is very effective since Pizazz’s problems are the focus of the book, not her family’s fights with nasty villains that twerk, shoot goo, and projectile vomit.

The book appears to be about superheroes, but the essence of the story centers on Pizazz’s self-image. She wants a cooler name, a superpower that’s more impressive and less annoying, and a costume that’s more comfortable and stylish. She even hates that her little sister Red Dragon is too happy and positive. Pizazz is awkward around new classmates, so she becomes the school’s eco monitor to meet new people. She’s not quite sure what to do, but the annoyed former eco monitor named Ivy gives her an idea for an important community issue. The duo team up to stop big business from destroying the park next to the school, and it may take Pizazz’s embarrassing superpower to get it done.

What didn’t work as well:

The early part of the book shares Pizazz’s likes and dislikes of being a superhero, but the overall conflict starts murky. Her whiny venting about being a superhero is humorous, but it takes a few chapters for a focus to develop. The plot emerges into a young heroine trying to accept herself, fit in with normal people, and save the world in the process.

The Final Verdict:

The book is most appropriate for upper elementary readers and is reminiscent of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The author’s voice is easy to follow, and the humor and illustrations will appeal to young readers. The plot shares important issues of having a positive self-image and protecting nature from big corporations. I recommend you give it a shot.