Willow Moss & the Vanished Kingdom (Starfell #3) by Dominique Valente

What worked:

The author offers an interesting twist to a familiar plot. A wizard named Silas manipulates others in order to accumulate all of the magic for himself. Willow can’t understand why her parents now support Silas or why the mortal school is now accepting magical folk. It turns out Silas is using illegal magic to control other people’s minds and he plans to steal the magic from young, magical children first. As a witch, Willow has encountered Silas in previous books and she’s well aware of his diabolical schemes.

Willow teams up with her best friend Oswin (the last kobold), an elf girl named Twist, and a human boy named Peg. Oswin adds humor to the events with his whining and laments and he frequently gets upset when characters mistake him for a cat. Twist is an intriguing character as she is able to “control” the winds from the North, the most difficult zephyrs to harness. She blows into the classroom atop a chilling tornado and she’s able to wield the winds like a weapon. A trip to her home among the elves is on tap where the trio will uncover new clues. Peg has no special powers other than being intelligent and an excellent problem solver. He’s not sure if he'll be able to help but sometimes a sharp mind is the most valuable kind of magic.

The plot is a fast-moving adventure as the young heroes attempt to locate a city that disappeared one thousand years ago. The kids believe an elven staff is hidden in the city and it has the potential power to draw magic from every living thing. For a book with around 200 pages, the author is still able to develop the characters and their relationships and the plot includes enough detail to keep it interesting. The story is able to maintain a swift pace by not including any lengthy twists or major roadblocks so resolving the problem always seems to be just around the corner. Obstacles still emerge to keep the story following a winding path to the eventual, dramatic showdown.

What didn’t work as well:

The lack of major setbacks or detours keeps the plot moving but it omits opportunities to develop greater suspense. The problems are sometimes solved too easily so tension isn’t given time to develop. However, the story and characters are appealing enough to keep the book entertaining.

The Final Verdict:

The book is able to combine a quick-moving plot with compelling problems and characters to result in a compelling story. It can be enjoyed without reading the previous two books but I kind of wish I’d known they existed first. Overall, I recommend this book for your reading pleasure.

Peter Polo and the White Elephant of Lan Xang (Peter Polo Series #2) by Craig Bradley

Peter is the brother of Marco Polo and the book includes Chinese cultural, historical, and geographical information from the late 13^th century. The characters move across ancient China and traverse mountains and rivers in the country. The Mekong River’s rocks and rapids allow the characters to quickly move through the country but the journey is treacherous. Princess Beki, daughter of the emperor Kublai Khan, accompanies Peter and his best friend Tariq recounting previous adventures, including climbing the Great Wall of China. The trio enjoys food delicacies along the way although Peter isn’t as enthusiastic when he discovers the secret meat in his soup. The end of the book adds more depth and context to the information mentioned in the story, including The Grand Canal (the oldest and longest manmade waterway in the world), bocce, Pi Mai, catapults, and the Park Ou Caves.

The plot moves swiftly as Peter and his friends try to prevent a war between neighboring kingdoms. A rare white elephant is found along their border and superstition says the kingdom where it’s found will rule over the other. King Channarong, or Naja as he’s called in most of the story, rules Lan Na and plans to invade and steal the elephant from King Lang and his people. The first half of the book describes the perilous, arduous journey to the city of Luang Prabang while the second half is devoted to rescuing hostages and stopping Naja. Peter’s cleverness and resourcefulness are the keys to resolving the problems with help from his friends.

Friendship and teamwork are important elements highlighted in the story. Peter and Tariq have been fast friends since they met in the first book while Beki has been wishing to participate in one of their adventures. Beki is royalty but she’s been stifled by her father’s over-protection. Beki hates the idea of being a pawn in her father’s politics with other kingdoms and it’s a source for Peter’s amusement as events unfold. There’s nothing the three friends won’t do for each other and they won’t hesitate to take risks if it means saving one of them from danger. Their close bonds and trust in each other are admirable qualities for young readers to experience.

What didn’t work as well:

While the plot moves quickly, the fast pace results in lapses in story development. Conflicts are created throughout but they’re resolved before building up the potential tension and suspense. The story is still engaging and entertaining so readers shouldn’t let missed opportunities stop them from reading it.

The Final Verdict:

This book is a quick read and it’s highly enjoyable and informative. The conflict between the kingdoms is identified and all of the subsequent events in the plot lead to resolving this problem. While the book doesn’t take advantage of chances to heighten the drama, the overall story can be enjoyed by lovers of adventure and Chinese history. I recommend you give it a shot.

One Giant Leap by Ben Gartner

What worked:

The plot moves quickly as four young contest winners complete their training to venture into space. The opening pages tease about a catastrophe at the International Space Station allowing readers to anxiously anticipate when it will become part of the plot. The excerpt in the book’s synopsis comes from the opening scene. Complications enter the story as a mysterious someone begins trying to sabotage the mission by tampering with the training of the four young astronauts. Malfunctioning machines and computers that have been modified create dangerous situations for the kids. One person is identified as the primary suspect but is this person too obvious? The first half of the book finds all kinds of twists thrown at the characters to make the mission more tenuous.

The author includes information about space travel throughout the story. The end of the book has a fact versus fiction section that addresses material in the story and a glossary is provided to explain the terms used. The four kids learn to deal with G forces in a gyroscope machine and practice docking with the ISS in a flight simulator. The actual blast-off shares details about the process and the author enhances the experience using sensory descriptions. The roaring of the rockets and being crushed into the seat by gravity will help readers experience what astronauts might feel. The outside temperature varies by five hundred degrees as the orbiting spaceship enters and leaves the sun’s light. Upon their arrival, the kids get a quick tour and description of the ISS before the plot goes haywire.

Additional issues become part of the story as Fin and his new astronaut friends deal with stress from different sources. Fin’s mother had an accident of some kind and the author chooses to keep details of it unclear for a time. Fin goes back and forth about enjoying the mission into space and then feels guilty that he’s happy he’s not at home. Fin is wearing a space safety pack that he invented so it’s not a stretch to imagine it will become a major part of the story at some point. One girl is pretty quiet and hesitant during training and an air of mystery begins to surround her when the spaceship arrives at the ISS. The author provides hints when the Russian part of the ISS is mentioned so readers will begin to wonder what will come of it. The question of sabotage isn’t forgotten as the kids venture into space so it provides another layer of suspense when combined with everything else.

What didn’t work as well:

There are some parts of the plot where factual information takes over and stands out more than it should. However, most of the time, the history and details of space travel are woven seamlessly into the events. It makes sense to share specifics of lift-off, the ISS, and spacewalking as these happenings occur in the plot.

The Final Verdict:

This book should appeal to lovers of science and space as visiting the ISS is all about those two things. The plot includes many suspenseful, action-packed scenes, especially in the first two-thirds of the book. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot. 

Max and the Haunted Hotel by Michael Dane

What worked:

This book can be read very quickly due to the fast pace and having less than one hundred pages. Max and his parents are ghost hunters although they’ve never actually trapped one before. The descriptions of their equipment including a Spirit Containment Bag and Ghost Drinker Ray Gun sound like homemade knock-offs from a “Ghostbusters” movie. The family travels to a haunted house with hundreds of ghosts happily residing within its walls. Max meets a young girl named Millie who knows all the ins and outs of the building and introduces him to the cast of ghosts ranging from a sheriff to a barber, to a scientist. They’re excited with the prospect of eluding more ghost hunters as the chase is like a game to them. However, an old lady changes their viewpoints and Max learns one of his ancestors started the problem generations earlier.

The most entertaining feature of the book is the humor. It has adolescent humor with Gunther the farting ghost and a chanting, acrobatic cheerleader named Ashley. Millie and Max share playful banter throughout the story as they take turns being the leader and the eventual hero. Millie thinks she knows more and she kids Max about having a crush on her. The ghosts enjoy celebrations and a festive feast is highlighted by a wrestling match atop the huge dining table that turns into a food fight. Max thinks teachers are the worst people in the world and he makes various comments to express those feelings. The quick-moving plot and light-hearted dialogue should appeal to most young readers.

What didn’t work as well:

The main problem with very short books is the lack of detail and character development. Readers will get to know Max on a surface level but all of the other characters are even less defined. On the flip side, the lack of description results in a story that can easily be read in one sitting.

The Final Verdict:

This book is wonderful for novice readers, probably toward the younger end of middle-grade novels. It doesn’t require a long attention span and it will make readers feel happy and amused. Overall, this book is an easy read and I recommend you give it a shot.

The Carrefour Curse by Dianne K. Salerni

What worked:

The opening hook will grab young readers with its grossness. The scene finds young Garnet in the back seat of her mother’s car, regurgitating frogs into a bucket! The chapter goes on to reveal her mother’s reluctance, maybe outright defiance, to return to Crossroad House, the place where she grew up. This fact establishes a conflict and will make readers wonder what’s wrong with the family. On the other hand, Garnet has always wanted to visit Crossroad House but isn’t aware of her mother’s reasons for staying away. Maybe Garnet shouldn’t have sabotaged her mother’s plans.

The plot keeps readers wondering about the identity of the actual antagonist. Grandfather Jasper has lived longer than expected and is able to absorb the life force from others to continue living. Garnet experiences his power on her first day at Crossroad House. But then, there’s the house itself that has magic of its own. It won’t let anyone tear down a dangerous, damaged section of the property and now it won’t let anyone leave. Garnet experiences events from decades before that she attributes to the house’s power. Finally, a stranger summons Garnet to the cemetery and tells her some things that are hard to believe. He says he can help but Garnet isn’t sure if he can be trusted or if he’s dangerous.

The plot unfolds like a mystery as Garnet tries to understand her family and the danger surrounding Jasper’s transition. She hears stories of relatives and others who’ve suddenly died or disappeared on the property and an uncle dies while she’s there. Almost all of the relatives feel fear and anger toward Jasper and some of them silently wish he would die. Jasper says they’re ungrateful and don’t understand what he’s done for them which makes Garnet even more determined to uncover the truth. Jasper seems to be the obvious villain but is there more going on here than meets the eye? Why can’t his transition of power and death occur smoothly as with so many ancestors before?

What didn’t work as well:

There are many family members living in Carrefour House resulting in many names to remember. However, only a handful are critical to understanding the plot so readers will need to figure out which ones to focus on. Garnet and Ash are probably the two most important characters with others enhancing the story.

The Final Verdict:

This book is quite entertaining with the creepy house and energy-sucking patriarch at the center of the conflict. The blend of elemental magic with twists thrown in elevates the problems derived from broken family dynamics. I recommend you give it a shot.

Blood on the Plains (Bravelands #3) by Erin Hunter

What worked:

This book is the third in the series (I’ve not read the previous two) and it’s clear a lot has happened already. However, I don’t feel lost in the story and it’s easy to grasp what’s going on. A giant snake called Grandmother is amassing an army of gorillas, snakes, and crocodiles and is making plans to converge on the animals living on the plains. She uses snake venom to control the minds of her followers but she’s unaware that a leopard has infiltrated her ranks, hoping to discover Grandmother’s plot. The animals of the plains are mourning the death of their Great Father and they’re awaiting the Great Spirit’s choice for the next Great Parent. A gazelle named Prance eventually realizes she’s been chosen as the Great Mother but is she prepared to lead the baboons, elephants, birds, and others in the upcoming war?

Much of the plot follows Prance and Grandmother which is appropriate since they’re the leaders of the two opposing forces. As the Great Mother, Prance is able to understand and speak all the various animal languages and can use her shadow form to quickly travel across the plains. Readers will appreciate the animals’ dialogue is written in “normal” English and isn’t presented in a broken or animalish dialect. The author makes Grandmother a mysterious character as she hides in darkness and strikes fear from the shadows. She’s not seen in the early chapters but the effects of her terror are felt by her followers and foes.

The main plot pits Grandmother against the plains animals but there are few subplots to add interest. Gorillas named Bramble and Moonflower are forced to face their infected ancestors, including their father. A lion named Gallant is angry that his son was stolen by Menace and he asks the Great Mother for assistance. Chase is the leopard spying on Grandmother but she’s constantly terrified of being discovered and she fears for the safety of her mate and son. Grandmother’s spreading control creates uncertainty between families and species and it seems her power is ever-increasing. Will she eventually grow so large that it will be impossible to stop her?

What didn’t work as well:

The cast of characters includes many different animals, with different names to remember, and the plot is told from various points of view. For these reasons, the early chapters of the book are a bit confusing, although the story becomes clearer as readers get used to the style. It may take a moment to recall characters and their species after taking breaks between readings.

The Final Verdict:

I don’t normally read books with this many animal characters but the author creates interesting conflicts and relationships to make this book very entertaining. The problems develop tension and the plot builds to an exciting climax. I recommend you give it a shot.

Artemis Sparke and the Sound Seekers Brigade by Kimberly Behre Kenna

What worked:

The story is primarily a crusade for conservation as Artemis is determined to save the salt marsh on Long Island Sound. She’s kept records of observations and measurements for years and notices a change in the plants and animals living there. The big conflict she faces is apathy as most citizens aren’t as passionate as she is about protecting wildlife. Her mother’s boss, and new boyfriend, runs a hotel that may be contributing to the salt marsh problem. Art is told there’s nothing one young girl can do to save the salt marsh but that just makes her more determined. She ends up creating a conservation team she calls the Sound Seekers Brigade. However, how will her mom’s boss react if he finds out about the trouble Artemis is creating?

Art has problems with anxiety that affect her speech and self-confidence. She stutters when stressed so her thoughts don’t always come out clearly. She’s very self-conscious about it and avoids confrontations and situations that might create direct conflict. She tries to bring the public’s attention to the failing salt marsh without drawing attention to herself. An anonymous letter and humorous posters help her promote her message although she must eventually learn to face her fears and personal issues. We must accept ourselves as we are.

The book is realistic fiction, for the most part, but elements of speculative fiction are subtly included. The opening pages find Artemis referring to talks she’s had with a bird called RT and the initial thought is “Oh what a nice imagination she has.” However, it seems she might actually be able to communicate with nature which she attributes to taking the time to listen. She later starts to see images of people that may be ghosts with a vested interest in saving nature. The author includes information about famous ecologists as Art researches strategies to change people’s minds. Readers can learn about past ecology movements too.

What didn’t work as well:

Most of the plot has a gloomy tone as Art tries to save the environment, deal with her frustrating life in a hotel, and help her best friend Warren handle a toxic father. Her obsession with the salt marsh doesn’t help her friendship with Warren so their relationship becomes a source of worry too. More positive, happy interactions and events would add balance to the tone.

The Rabbit's Gift by Jessica Vitalis

What worked:

The author adds interest and helps expand the vocabulary of young readers through footnotes. Quincy, the main character and Angora Roux rabbit, uses some descriptive, mature words and the author provides additional context or meaning for them at the bottom of the pages. These footnotes are shared from the perspective of a rabbit and they aren’t necessarily definitions of the words. For example, Quincy states human hands have inadequacies and apologizes if we’re offended that our hands aren’t designed for digging. Another time, the word myriad is used and Quincy says it’s a much more interesting word than variety. This technique adds playfulness to the rabbit’s narrative while potentially broadening the language of young readers.

The relationship between the rabbits and humans is highly unusual. They both believe in supreme beings, the Great Maman Rabbit and the Great Maman in the Moon, who have created a symbiotic relationship between the two groups. The humans provide rabbits with the purple carrots they’re dependent on while the rabbits provide cabbage-like plants called Chou containing babies for the humans. The rabbits will try eating clover when they’re desperate but purple carrots, not other varieties, are the basis for their diets. Humans in other parts of the world still have mothers giving birth to live children as readers might expect but Montpeyroux relies on rabbits for human reproduction.

The story is told from contrasting points of view that highlight the two main characters’ internal conflicts. Quincy admits he may have stolen from the humans first but he views Fleurine as the thief who ignites a clash between the two groups. Quincy seeks recognition from his family and warren so he sets out on his own to find purple carrot seeds. He hopes growing his own crop of this vegetable will make the rabbits independent of needing help from the humans. Fleurine’s mother is the Grand Lumiere among humans in Montpeyroux and Fleurine is unhappy with the demands and expectations of being her daughter. Fleurine would rather pursue a study in botany instead of becoming the next leader.

What didn’t work as well:

I find myself wondering throughout the plot if Fleurine and Quincy will ever realize they share a strong interest in plants and gardening. It seems like an obvious connection but it’s not fully explored during the story. Quincy’s thoughts set everything in motion and Fleurine’s insight results in a solution to the main conflict.

The Final Verdict:

This book exceeds my expectations as the characters and issues add depth to the story. The internal conflicts of Quincy and Fleurine are catalysts for their actions and the plot has relevance to concepts in the real world. Poverty and hunger are examples of problems addressed. Overall, this book is quite enjoyable and I recommend you give it a shot.

Finally, Something Dangerous: The One and Onlys and the Case of the Robot Crow by Doug Cornett

What worked:

Three sixth-grade students form the “best kids” detective agency in the small, quiet town of Bellwood. They call themselves the One and Onlys. Shanks is the leader and the smallest kid in her grade and she’s assisted by Peephole (literally afraid of everything) and Paul (the voice of reason). They’re always curious and looking for new mysteries and the author presents topics to be explored. Their teacher assigns them a research project where they need to learn about and do a presentation concerning a building in the town. Shanks’s father idolized a pro wrestler from 1962 so she wants to uncover the reason for the Specter’s disappearance. Later, the kids learn untold secrets of the town that many citizens never knew about or want to forget.

The opening chapters introduce several mysterious occurrences to establish the One and Onlys newest case. Twin brothers tell the trio about a robot crow hiding at the top of Funston’s Oak and Shanks climbs to the top of the tree to confirm it. Later, the best ice cream shop in town (and the only one until a week ago) is beset by sewage odors and rats. Something similar happens to another restaurant in town and the kids begin to notice a pattern. The New Bellwood project is bringing changes to the town but does that have anything to do with the strange incidents? The One and Onlys begin to identify suspects and motives and readers will work to solve the mystery along with them.

The story has small-town appeal with the added complication of tradition versus expansion. The kids are able to pedal their bikes all over town while the mayor is transported in a golf cart. Bellwood has enough businesses to satisfy their needs but competition enters the picture as bigger store and restaurant chains move in. Many members of the community meet every week for a social gathering. While this activity may be familiar to readers, the characters in this book gather for poetic wrestling contests. I won’t explain; you’ll need to read about it. Kids and parents know each other and even the mayor knows Shank’s name. The characters form a Bellwood family so trying to identify suspects in the mystery gets complicated.

What didn’t work as well:

The mystery is interesting and different but it’s not overly complicated. Readers will quickly know what’s happening so it’s only a matter of time before suspects emerge. Astute readers may figure out the culprit early on but it’s still fun to watch the One and Onlys solve the case.

The Final Verdict:

The author shares a charming mystery that takes place in the small, proud town of Bellwood. The three members of the One and Onlys don’t possess special skills but their individual talents make them a formidable team. Overall, it’s an entertaining book and I recommend you give it a shot.

The Marvellers (Conjureverse #1) by Dhonielle Clayton

What worked:

The story offers familiarity with twists of imagination to keep things fresh. Ella heads off for her first year at the Arcanum Training Institute with other Marvellers, although being a Conjuror is feared and misunderstood by others. Conjurors are in charge of the bridge between life and death, and Ella’s father is in charge of the Underworld. The Arcanum is divided into five Paragons, the focus of different sources of magic. There are Paragons of Spirit, Sound, Touch, Vision, and Taste with different Marvels within each group. For example, a Paragon of Taste might have a specialty with spices, a Paragon of Sound might be able to communicate with animals, and a Paragon of Vision might see into the future. Ella can’t wait to discover her own Paragon and Marvel and she finds solace that her godmother will be teaching a new class at Arcanum about conjuring.

The plot contains subplots woven into the overall story. Ella is the first Conjuror to attend Arcanum and it isn’t without controversy. Her presence polarizes many students and Marvellers and signs of prejudice and bigotry frequently pop up. Ella’s new roommate (her first roommates wanted Ella gone due to the conjuring) named Brigit wants nothing to do with the school and doesn’t care about her classes or what others think. She carries a small clown doll everywhere which Ella finds very peculiar. Brigit’s abnormal behavior toward Marvellers and the school will make readers watch the character carefully. Every few chapters, there’s an update on a villain named Gia as she plans and implements her escape from prison. She leads a rogue group of criminals called the Aces and most Marvellers believe they’re associated with Conjurors. You can see where that will become a problem for Ella.

Especially early on, the Arcanum seems like a United Nations of Marvellers. Ella hails from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and her roommate is from New York City but their classmates and teaching staff come from all parts of the planet. Students are provided with translators so they’re able to easily communicate with each other, although some of them turn the translators off when Ella is around. The cafeteria serves meals from all different cultures and Ella loves exploring new flavors. The Arcanum was founded to unite all Marvellers but it’s experiencing problems associated with blending their differences. Putting people together doesn’t necessarily end prejudice and the history of the Arcanum’s origin is waiting to be revealed.

What didn’t work as well:

It takes some effort to figure out this magical world. Some aspects feel familiar from other books about schools with magical students but then this book adds new twists or rules. Ella doesn’t fully understand everything either which makes readers’ understandings take a little longer. However, the variations to familiar ideas make this book feel fresh and new.

The Final Verdict:

This book is a finalist for a 2022 Cybils Award in Elementary/Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction. Some aspects of the story are predictable but it holds many surprises ranging from plot twists to the characters. The imaginary world created by the author is sure to please middle-grade readers and I highly recommend you give it a shot.

My Best Friend, Athena by Dana Hammer

What worked:

The first few chapters sound like a normal middle-grade book with kids adjusting to a return to school. Fanny’s best friend is Athena, the most popular girl in the building and Gemma is a good friend riding in a wheelchair. Then, it’s revealed Athena is THE Athena from Greek mythology and the dynamics change a bit. The author doesn’t spend much time explaining why she’s currently in an eleven-year-old’s body although the friends ask for some answers. This revelation establishes a humorous scenario where three young girls navigate the challenges of growing up with a goddess best friend.

Fanny realizes she has a talent for singing but is afraid to perform on stage. She begins to imagine a future where she sings in public but that will never happen if she can’t overcome her fear. Many young readers can identify with some form of this dilemma and it’s the main focus of the plot. A pageant is introduced to the plot and Fanny thinks it might help her learn how to share her ability during the talent portion of the show. The author adds a complication when Athena decides to support her friend by joining the pageant too. Athena believes these kinds of contests are sexist so she wants to add some feminism to the proceedings. Having an immortal goddess in the story with strong opinions presents a volatile situation for everybody.

Athena creates a major conflict by accidentally losing control of her powers and changing a bully into a cockroach and this becomes the main problem to solve. Fanny and Athena are determined to change him back, even if he’s a “douche”, while Gemma has different thoughts. The main problem is trying to find the cockroach after it runs away. Athena’s father, Zeus, has forbidden Athena from revealing her true identity to humans which adds a twist to the plot. He’s not known for being an understanding, patient god so the threat of his wrath adds to the tension.

What didn’t work as well:

As mentioned, the author doesn’t spend much time explaining Athena’s status as a goddess. On the one hand, she’s not supposed to be a goddess anymore so why does she still have powers? Fanny questions this contradiction but it’s left unexplained. Also, the limits of Athena’s abilities are unclear so the vagueness may bother some readers.

The Final Verdict:

This book shares a very entertaining story where a god and goddess aren’t displaying their domination over humans. The author adds dashes of humor while addressing a couple of middle-grade issues, bullying and self-confidence, in a creative way. I highly recommend you give it a shot.

Smashie McPerter and the Shocking Rocket Robbery by N. Griffin

What worked:

This book shares a basic mystery for middle-elementary readers that’s most appropriate for third or fourth grade. The main characters are in a third-grade class that’s going on a field trip to a planetarium when some things turn up missing. Two grandmothers bring space-decorated cookies for the students’ snack but they disappear during recess. Then, a detailed drawing of a workable spaceship vanishes from a backpack. This theft is complicated since Smashie does something that she’ll later regret when it damages her friendship with Dontel. The story includes details of a well-managed class as chaperones, sharing time, and respectful interactions are included. The students are especially polite and well-behaved, with the class bully even trying to atone for his previous misdeeds.

Smashie and Dontel are famous in their classroom for solving mysteries in the two previous books. As with actual detectives, they develop lists of suspects, motives, and opportunities to commit the crimes in question. Unfortunately, Smashie’s own name must be added to the list. The teacher, students, and adults expect Smashie and Dontel to solve the thefts, although the other kids think they should prioritize finding the missing cookies first. Smashie likes to literally get into costume when she’s thinking about clues and she happens to be carrying three different kinds of hats during the field trip. This is an amusing quirk of the character but it seems to help.

Friendship is an important topic in the plot. Smashie’s poor judgment creates a rift with Dontel and she worries that he might never forgive her. Smashie is only trying to support him but she knows she made a bad choice. The class bully likes to play pranks on others but he’s behaving better during the field trip and is hoping for forgiveness. The classmates usually follow the teacher’s rules, although the resolution of the plot reveals there are serious exceptions during the field trip. The children are generally cooperative and complimentary and the final revelations concerning the conflict highlight their kindness.

What didn’t work as well:

The problems driving the plot could happen in any elementary classroom but they’re not compelling enough to result in a gripping story. The students complain quite a bit on the bus about being hungry and wanting the cookies but it doesn’t create much suspense for readers. However, the explanation of the crimes at the end is more complex than expected and is heart-warming.

The Final Verdict:

This book will appeal to third and fourth-grade readers but don’t expect any suspense or major issues. The compassionate, endearing characters offer a refreshing contrast to many of today’s novels and the message of thoughtfulness is at the forefront. Give this book a shot if you’re looking for a simple story of kindness.

Eden's Everdark by Karen Strong

What worked:

The history of slavery and bigotry are major parts of the plot as the ghosts arise from those times in the past. Eden encounters four ghosts in Everdark who each hail from different eras. The Witch of Everdark is most bitter as she had the brightest future before her death. The youngest ghost is most helpful to Eden although she fears the witch and must guard against offending the woman. Most of the restless spirits have experienced racism while they were alive but the witch’s control over Everdark may be worse than anything they’ve faced.

The author uses vivid descriptions to create a ghostly, gloomy world. The sun never rises and the moon casts its eerie light over the mansion and surrounding lands. The witch’s dark, dank mansion is made even worse as rotting decay begins to seep into the walls. To Eden, the food served in the home tastes like crumbling ash and the water is rancid. The author creates a ticking-clock feeling leading to the climax by using Eden’s skin tone to display the countdown. The ghosts call her a bright since she’s not actually dead but her skin slowly takes on a mottled purple color as her life drains away. The mansion is surrounded by a dangerous forest where creatures of the night are lurking to assail Eden if she ventures too far from safety.

The topic of death is obviously a major part of the plot and Eden deals with her own grief even before she stumbles upon Everdark. Eden’s mother has recently died and Eden travels with her father to her mother’s birthplace to process her passing. The spirits in Everdark have regrets and they have facets of their former lives that they miss. Many of them miss their loved ones and Eden fears she’ll regret never telling her father goodbye if she never escapes from Everdark. The plot takes an unexpected turn late in the book that actually creates a path to a resolution to the problem. Eden must discover the magic within her that she’s inherited from her ancestors. These deceased relatives are crucial to Eden’s survival.

What didn’t work as well:

Early parts of the plot sometimes move slowly as Eden discovers she’s the witch’s prisoner. She’s confined to the house and is often accompanied by the youngest ghost as she moves about. However, Eden is able to collect information about the ghosts and Everdark that will hopefully become useful in the future. The second half of the book picks up the pace.

The Final Verdict:

This book is a finalist for a 2022 Cybils Award in Elementary/Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction. The majority of the book is set in Everdark and the author masterfully crafts an evil, depressing imaginary world. The second half of the book is especially intriguing and I recommend you give this book a shot.

The Superteacher Project by Gordan Korman

What worked:

It’s quickly apparent there’s something different about the new teacher. All young readers can identify with encountering new teachers and the character in this book combines their common traits. He’s handsome and good-looking but he never smiles. He knows about everything but doesn’t understand common figures of speech. He’s a stickler for rules but his reactions to violations aren’t consistent. Readers will find themselves puzzled over what makes this teacher tick, although they’ll probably have suspicions. And what’s up with his student teacher looking like his grandfather and carrying a black case wherever he goes?

The plot is shared from various points of view that will help readers make personal connections with at least one character. The opening scene is told by a seventh-grade prankster as the new teacher foils his plans to shoot the perfect spit wad. A studious, well-behaved girl shares another chapter about the prankster scaring her in the bathroom and the new teacher’s unexpected reaction. She deals with the new teacher’s efforts to coach field hockey and her mom, PTA president, flirting with him. A lowly-motivated student connects with the new teacher in detention and makes some surprising behavior changes. The prankster’s best friend and the principal are the focus of additional chapters with drastically different perspectives of the new teacher and school.

As a retired teacher, the perspective of the teaching staff and the educational environment are interesting. The principal informs readers that this is a Department of Education experiment so the new teacher’s role is unexpected. Other teachers begin to take advantage of him as they dump all of their unwanted duties on him. However, the new teacher’s methods are effective and he becomes quite popular. He even makes afterschool detention a place where kids want to hang out. As we well know, all good things must come to an end.

What didn’t work as well:

While the plot is entertaining, the major conflict or problem is put on the back burner until the second half of the book. However, the overall story is very entertaining and the climax is worth the wait.

The Final Verdict:

The author has been a favorite of mine over the years and this book does not disappoint. The use of multiple points of view is a familiar strategy for this author and it works very well in this setting. I don’t often enjoy more than a couple of them in a book but I can highly recommend you give this book a shot!