Between Monsters and Marvels by Alysa Wishingrad

What worked:

The author creates a wonderful underdog story as a young girl is determined to uncover the truth behind monsters and her father’s death. Dare is incessantly teased and ridiculed at school but she draws a line when insults are directed toward her father. She views herself as an awful person and that emotion is emphasized in the book’s opening pages. Dare resists any attempts to transform her into a proper girl and her awfulness really rears its ugly head when she’s angry. She’s sent away from Barrow’s Bay where the privileged citizens live and she ends up on the mainland where she lives among the impoverished, filth, pollution, and crime. Strange that she forms two strong friendships there.

The plot becomes a bit of a mystery when Dare discovers monsters are more common than she thought plus other characters share information about her father that doesn’t match her memories of him. She thinks all monsters should be killed until they’re extinct but she learns others have contrasting thoughts about the existence of monsters. Some people, like Dare, think they are dangerous, vile monsters while others see these creatures as marvels. Dare’s feelings are a result of her upbringing and she’s never considered the possibility that the knowledge she has learned might be flawed. The monsters versus marvels conflict becomes the main focus of the plot and the author saves many surprises for later.

The author presents a cast of puzzling characters to develop more mystery and keep readers thinking. Gil is a boy who pops up whenever Dare needs help but she doesn’t believe anyone shows kindness without a reason. The book’s ending lends a curious twist to his character. Padgett, the owner of a popular theater, provides Dare with money and information about her father but she’s surprised to learn part of Padgett’s story is a lie. Nell is a young, popular performer in Padgett’s show but she becomes one of Dare’s closest allies. She helps with investigating the disappearance of Dare’s pet “chinchilla” and her fame and charm are valuable assets. However, Nell’s mother (Dare thinks of her as Foghorn) is a whole other story.

What didn’t work as well:

I hesitate to write in this section because the problem is in my own mind. Gil’s character always manages to come to Dare’s rescue before he goes off somewhere unknown. His character is quite compelling but there’s always a shroud of mystery surrounding him. The mystery is revealed in the end and I curse myself for not paying close enough attention to the clues along the way.

The Final Verdict:

Readers can form analogies between this story and the real world. The rich and powerful often control the narrative concerning issues so their lies may seem to be the truth. Rules don’t apply to them until someone refuses to let injustices go unchecked. Young readers will enjoy Dare’s character and her intriguing battle against influential people and politicians performing shady, loathsome atrocities. Overall, I highly recommend you give this book a shot!

From Shore to Ocean Floor: The Human Journey to the Deep by Gill Arbuthnott

What worked:

This book charts the history of underwater exploration and blends different forms of writing to accomplish it. Non-fiction books are typically great if someone is researching a specific topic but reading nonstop facts can make them boring from a general interest standpoint. This book includes pages about various ocean myths and legends from around the world including a Scandinavian myth explaining why the oceans are so salty. There’s a graphic short story about rescuing sailors in a sunken submarine which is more interesting than just sharing the information. Other illustrated pages present the history of submarines and diving suits with brief paragraphs. This makes the information approachable and not overwhelming.

The chapters span a wide range of material, but again, it’s not so in-depth that it overpowers young minds. Famous ocean explorers like Jacques Cousteau, Emperor Hirohito, and Asha De Vos are showcased in one chapter. Other chapters explain the physics of ocean currents, waves, and how submarines work. There’s an entire chapter on the Mariana Trench, the Abyss, with a graphic story of the first mission to touch its bottom, 33,000 feet below the surface, and other pages sharing the variety of creatures found down there. Another section highlights the information oceans have revealed concerning climate change, new medicines, and evolution.

What didn’t work as well:

The book doesn’t go into great detail about any specific topics so it’s better used for general entertainment rather than a source for research. The book can pique interest regarding an assortment of subjects but readers will need to find other places to get a full picture of them.

The Final Verdict:

This book does an amazing job of presenting information about the oceans without becoming dull and uninteresting. It blends facts, stories, and science to inform readers about the history and mystery of the oceans around the world. Overall, I recommend you give it a shot!

Arthur, the Always King by Kevin Crossley-Holland and Ralph Lister

What worked:

The narration of the tale is an interesting blend of historical “facts” and storytelling. Arthur is the main character and the book traces his life from birth to his tragic death. He’s dependent on Merlin’s counsel during his early years but slowly learns to incorporate the lessons into his own leadership style. Readers will also notice a reverent, religious element as references to Jesus and to faith are sprinkled throughout the narrative. King Arthur must repel invaders from the Roman Empire and he later heeds an order directly from the pope. Warriors wield time-period weapons including spears, lances, and swords, and their bodies are protected by armor. The narrator shares Arthur’s jubilations, frustrations, and doubts as he tries to lead his faithful followers in Britain.

The entire book has the feel of a collection of short stories rather than one long adventure. Arthur and Merlin imagine the Round Table will be the greatest collection of chivalrous knights in history but it will only come true if they successfully complete seven trials. These steps are identified by Arthur and the next seven chapters share different stories of how various knights triumph and fail with individual challenges. The first trial is “Friendship and Bravery”, followed by the trial of “Love”, and the final test is “The Blood Knot”. Arthur tries to lead his brave knights in a life of chivalry and honor, but in the end, he discovers they’re all human. The book sometimes reads like a medieval soap opera.

The stories present a good deal of magic and fantasy through the wizard Merlin, Arthur’s half-sister Morgan, and different imaginary creatures. Arthur pulls a sword from a stone thus demonstrating he’s the new true king and he later retrieves a magical sword and scabbard from the Lady in the Lake. A girdle protects a knight from harm and a cape engulfs a character in flames. Merlin shares prophecies and visions of the future which may be spoilers for readers without basic knowledge of the legends surrounding King Arthur. Beautiful, colorful drawings adorn the book’s pages, enhancing the descriptions and immersing readers in the tales.

What didn’t work as well:

While the book’s listing indicates it’s written for ages 10 and up, Arthur and the other characters are more adultlike than kids. The book quickly covers Arthur’s childhood as he becomes king and gets married in the early chapters. It’s probably most appropriate for middle-school readers or younger teens.

The Final Verdict:

The short story format breaks the book into logical stopping points and the seven trials give the overall narrative direction and structure. This book will appeal to lovers of medieval times and especially to readers who are familiar with King Arthur. I recommend you give it a shot.

Finch House by Ciera Burch

What worked:

This book focuses on the haunted Finch House and the author slowly builds reader anticipation of its creepy story. For years it’s had a crumbling porch and roof, an overgrown yard, and other states of disrepair. That sounds like a proper spooky house until a new family fixes it up and moves in. The information concerning its past is sketchy as there are few newspaper reports about specific incidents which only allows readers’ imaginations to fill in the gaps. Micah’s grandfather won’t give a reason why she should stay away from the house and she suspects there’s more behind his insistence. All of these factors make Finch House a forbidden, mysterious place that will suck readers into the story.

When main characters encounter new characters in haunted houses, readers are forced make connections and determine if the new characters are friends or foes. Micah meets various “people” inside Finch House and their eerie appearances and cold auras make her uneasy. This helps to make Micah’s character feel alone and despondent and sets the mood for the story. She also meets another girl named Jenn and this character emits warmth, something sorely missing in the house. Readers should begin to wonder why this character is so different because authors always have a good reason for what they do. A warm character is positive, right? However, another character tells Micah to stay away from Jenn which creates a problem. Who can Micah trust and how can she escape Finch House?

Micah’s love for her grandfather, Poppop, is at the core of the story. Micah and her mother have been living with him but they’re preparing to move into their own house, an hour’s drive away. Micah is afraid he’ll be lonely since her grandmother passed away so she’s distressed that she’ll be too far away to visit him regularly. Deep feelings for her grandfather are the force driving Micah to escape Finch House.

What didn’t work as well:

There are many disappearances surrounding Finch House but Micah finds very little information about the incidents on the internet. Wouldn’t families demand answers and wouldn't the police would need to investigate missing children? Strange indeed.

The Final Verdict:

The author has successfully developed a ghostly, eerie story and Finch House’s vast mood swings will keep readers on their toes. It’s very difficult to predict where the plot will travel when the house’s motives are unclear. Overall, this book should appeal to middle-grade readers and I recommend you give it a shot! 

Tales of the Forgotten Founders (The Falinnheim Chronicles #3) by C.W. Allen

What worked:

Zed and Tuesday live in the palace with their mother since she’s to become queen and has already joined the Falennheim regents ruling the realm. Their father heads the Royal Guard. The siblings’ relationship with a boy named Bastian is complicated by the fact that they’re royalty while his parents are not. Zed and Tuesday are able to move freely around the castle while Bastian sometimes fears accompanying them on mischievous and sneaky explorations might result in his parents getting fired. Bastian’s uncle is the Royal Librarian and he’s in charge of educating his nephew and the royal siblings. The best part of this relationship is it gives the trio access to a hidden archive and a realization that Bastian’s stash of Earth texts is more valuable than he knew.

Zed and his family were hiding out on Earth in the first book until they crossed dimensions back into Falennheim in book one. Zed and his sister Tuesday can’t understand how their mother knows so little about Earth while other characters seem to know more than they should. How does Bastian know about Shakespeare and Sherlock Holmes? The siblings and Bastian discover a book called “The Book of the Founders” concealed among the library shelves that sheds light on Falinnheim’s past. How might this explain why citizens fear Earth and why traveling to other worlds is forbidden? This book's place in the series looks back and explores the origins of Falennheim. These past events are shared via flashbacks that are recorded in the secret texts mentioned above. 

Hints are dropped that may, or may not, be connected. Tyrren’s been the main antagonist in the previous books but he’s now imprisoned. So why is there still discussion about how he’ll be punished? The narrator mentions that some of his followers have not been captured so the author leaves that conflict active but in the background. It seems predictable this will all become significant in the future. Ball-like crystals are the key to transporting between worlds so possibilities emerge for anybody in possession of one.

What didn’t work as well:

This book has less action when compared to the previous books, and the actual conflict isn’t clear. It’s more similar to a mystery story that might have detectives trying to uncover the truth. This template isn’t necessarily a bad thing for this book but it may not be what loyal readers are expecting.

The Final Verdict:

The author does a decent job of recapping the previous books so this one can probably be read independently. I still suggest you read all of them. Compared to the rest of the series, this book feels like it’s connecting the books around it as it doesn’t have a major conflict to create tension or suspense. It still has entertaining characters and sheds light on the overall scenario so give it a shot.

Evil Genius (The Smartest Kid in the Universe #3) by Chris Grabenstein

What worked:

As the title says, Jake is considered the smartest kid in the universe, although it’s not public knowledge that revolutionary, newly-created jelly beans are the source of his intelligence. He’s been working with a secret organization called the Consortium that performs covert operations unknown even to the FBI and CIA. Jake wants to do his best for the Consortium so he’s worried when he starts to have trouble remembering critical information. A subplot is a generations-old conflict involving two families and hidden pirate treasure. Jake and his friends found gold and jewels in a previous book and they’re now off to find a huge, orange diamond worth billions of dollars. However, getting their hands on the diamond might be even more important than they thought.

Readers actually know more about what’s going on than the characters themselves, a situation not often seen in plots. The jelly beans are stolen from the scientist’s home and Jake assumes he knows the culprit. However, there are two antagonists working separately to get revenge against Jake and his friends. Both of them are most angry about Jake’s sudden burst of intelligence and they each make plans to get even. These complicated relationships provide ample opportunities for unexpected twists so readers will anxiously make mental predictions about what might happen next.

Being inside Jake’s mind helps readers empathize with his predicament. He’s very concerned that he may lose his intelligence and thus let other people down. The Consortium has put a lot of faith in Jake, and his friends assume he knows everything. The theft of the new, improved jelly beans creates a couple of problems for Jake. Whoever stole them will have access to even greater knowledge than Jake and the theft can’t be reported to the police or FBI. Reporting the truth about Jake’s knowledge coming from the jelly beans will reveal him as a fraud to the Consortium and the authorities plus the inventor will be in trouble too. Jake’s intelligence is, in fact, fading away so the big question is how long will he keep it? Will he be smart enough to foil the evil plots that are unfolding?

What didn’t work as well:

For a boy working with a secret organization, it seems everyone knows about Jake’s abilities and exploits. It’s not a huge concern but it strikes me as strange that a boy trying to keep huge secrets and save the world is so recognized by everyone.  

The Final Verdict:

This fun adventure of a young genius should appeal to a range of middle-grade readers. Jake’s fading abilities keep him humble and make him less like a perfect super-character and it makes the plot unpredictable. The book can be read independently from the others (although maybe you shouldn’t) and I recommend you give it a shot!

Where the Water Takes Us by Alan Barillaro

What worked:

The book’s synopsis pretty much sums up the entire book. The focus is on Ava’s conflicted feelings about her mother’s pregnancy and the different ways they affect her character. She’s sad and angry when she’s forced to spend time at her grandparents’ house on a lake instead of staying home at her mother’s side. Ava’s moods waver between disappointment for being stuck there and her love for Nonna and Nonno. Her thoughts about the unborn, twin brothers are mixed since her mother’s serious health problems are caused by the pregnancy. Then, Ava’s imagination takes over as she thinks she’s cursed and must atone for a woodpecker’s death during a storm.

A boy named Cody offers a contrast to Ava’s character as he’s excited about everything related to the lake. His outgoing, positive personality really irks her since she’s trying to be upset with being separated from her mother. Ava finds him annoying and weird and she’s further bothered that he doesn’t consider the pain she’s experiencing. However, readers may realize that Ava’s not very understanding herself as she doesn’t know anything about Cody’s life either. His upbeat demeanor may not sit well with Ava but it also provides some optimism missing in her life.

Life around the lake is much different from the lives of most young readers. They’ve probably never heard of party lines which is the connection Ava must use to call home. Nanno has a canoe for Ava to use that allows her to explore Deer Island and other parts of the lake. She’s surprised to hear Nanno say deer, bears, raccoons, and other animals can swim anywhere and there’s nothing stopping them from visiting his home. Adventurous readers may relate to fishing on a lake, digging through dirt with their bare hands to find huge earthworms, and discovering bird eggs in the wild. How many people have collected fresh water from a natural spring? While it’s not a fantasy world, living among nature’s wonders provides an equally magical setting for a story.

What didn’t work as well:

The drama and conflict are mostly in Ava’s mind which may not appeal to everyone. Her concerns are realistic and relatable although the suspense doesn’t reach the high levels found in other books. Of course, that’s not true for the climax when Ava and Cody find themselves in a life-threatening situation.

The Final Verdict:

The plot shares Ava’s internal struggles with adapting to her growing family. Cody offers a playful contrast to balance Ava’s character. Overall, this is an entertaining story and I recommend you give it a shot.

Daughters of Oduma by Moses Ose Utomi

What worked:

The author artfully crafts a rustic world where there’s a definite hierarchy of social levels. Bowers like Dirt and her four “sisters” are at the top and spend every day training for competitions. Bowing seems to be a form of sumo wrestling with a bower throwing her opponent to earn points or forcing them out of a circle of sandbags to end the match. Dirt is part of the Mud Fam and she’s the Second Sis in the clan. The First is expected to represent the Mud in the God Bowing tournament and this year’s results will be extra important. Dirt will soon become a woman and leave her sisters and they’re already at the minimum number to remain together. The winning Fam will inherit all of the new bowing recruits and the Mud Fam will disband without that happening.

The most interesting part of the story is Dirt’s character and her internal struggle to become a champion bower. She’s out of shape and unmotivated and one of her younger sisters can even kick her butt. On the other hand, she knows the importance of the God Bowing tournament and how her family’s survival is at stake. To not compete would insult the Mud Fam but her skills and moves are slow and clunky and she tires too easily. The First has confidence in her and offers unwavering compliments and support. So why does she listen to the doubting voice in her head that always leads her to defeat? She is brave. She is fat. She is Dirt. This is what she must remember.

Different chapters focus on different characters to provide various perspectives on the story. Dirt’s sisters love living in their Mud Fam but they’re uncertain about their futures. Swoo aspires to become a champion bower and she resents Dirt’s attitude toward the championship. Nana has dreams beyond bowing but tradition dictates the direction of her life. Verdi isn’t the First of the Vine Fam but she manipulates Carra Carre to do her bidding. Carra Carre is obsessed with winning to help her Vine Clan but Dirt eventually realizes they share some of the same vulnerabilities. Verdi’s distorted vision of future Fams will result in drastic changes and it requires sacrifices and destruction in its wake. The various points of view allow readers to develop an overall picture of conflicting events.

What didn’t work as well:

Part of the world-creation includes dialogue specific to the story so the vocabulary sometimes affects understanding. Readers should still be able to get the gist of what characters are saying but the exact ideas may require inferencing. That being said, a unique language is necessary in order to effectively immerse readers in the culture.

The Final Verdict:

The unique culture and conflicts in the story are highly engaging. The author crafts an emotional tale where the dramatic suspense builds to an epic climax between two formidable forces. Overall, I highly recommend you give this book a shot.

Rare Birds by Jeff Miller

What worked:

The major focus of the story is how families deal with serious health issues. Graham’s mother has traveled across the country seeking medical treatments for her ailing heart and now they’ve landed in Florida, in the town where she once lived and where doctors want to perform a transplant. Graham meets a girl at the hospital named Lou who seems to have a father dealing with a possible heart transplant of his own. Both characters share their stress, anxiety, and other mixed emotions of concern surrounding the uncertainty of their futures. For example, Graham passes a severe car accident on the road and feels guilty for wondering if one of the victims might provide the heart his mother needs.

Lou and Graham have lived isolated lives due to their families’ medical issues but they discover a kinship and bond they both need. Graham has a name for their “club” based on the dire status of their lives but Lou has a more positive outlook. She is more adventurous and wants to live life in the moment rather than wait to try things in the future. She’s gung-ho about trying to locate an endangered Snail Kite in the swamp even though boaters can easily get lost and there are tales of an enormous alligator lurking in the dark waters. Graham’s mom was an avid birdwatcher when she was younger and the Snail Kite is the one bird she never found. Together, Graham and Lou are determined to take a picture of one but are they prepared for the challenges they’ll face?

While his mom is in the hospital, Graham stays with one of her childhood friends named Dom. She figures it’s a good situation since Dom’s son is the same age as Graham. However, neither parent is aware of the emotional baggage Nick is carrying and they don’t see the animosity he covertly displays toward Graham. Readers will wonder what’s really going on in Nick’s head as his behavior fluctuates throughout the story. Is he annoyed that he needs to share his space? Is it genuine anger toward a boy whose presence has upset the dynamics of his home life? Nick brings a couple of other characters into the story later on that escalate the conflict to a whole new level.

What didn’t work as well:

Graham and Lou don’t make steady progress searching for the Snail Kite so that part of the plot moves rather slowly. However, it gives the characters time to talk about health issues and time to become close friends. Dom gives them warnings about boating in the swamp so readers will know those dangers are sure to arise, thus creating more tension.

The Final Verdict:

This story evokes many emotions due to life-threatening problems in the hospital and in nature. The author reveals an important secret concerning Lou as the plot nears its climax to help the book come to a dramatic conclusion.

I Am the Walrus (N.O.A.H. Files #1) by Neal Shusterman and Eric Elfman

What worked:

Readers immediately realize there’s something different about Noah but the author merely offers clues to entice them. Noah’s had several near-death experiences where he somehow miraculously survives. Afterward, Noah has impressions of what happened but he can’t remember exactly the details of how he stayed alive. Readers may notice a pattern between Noah’s bizarre incidents and behaviors before the author reveals what’s actually going on. The plot takes an unexpected turn when Noah realizes he’s been targeted for death by aliens. However, he has no idea why, and the characters helping him are forbidden from sharing any details. This “serious” storyline is the backdrop of a plot that’s embellished in unexpected ways.

A good deal of humor runs throughout the story and it’s often provided by Noah’s best friend Ogden. Ogden seems to know everything as his logic usually results in spot-on hypotheses. That’s a good word to use because Ogden is likely to test out his ideas in strange, and sometimes dangerous, ways. Locking Noah in a meat-freezer is a good example. Androids, aliens, and holograms are part of the story too, and they don’t have a very good sense of human culture. Misunderstandings of human behavior, the English language, and figures of speech contribute to amusing dialogue and incidents. The opening pages find Noah trying to explain the volcano that popped up in the middle of town, monsters crawling out of the pond, and why he’s wearing caveman furs. Zaniness might be an appropriate word to use when describing some parts of the story.

The plot is told from different points of view which seemed unnecessary in the beginning. However, there are a couple of characters working independently of each other with different interests in Noah. Mr. Kratz is one of his teachers but he used to work for a secret government scientific agency until he was disgraced and fired from his position. He’s prone to misinterpret what he sees so readers can expect comedic relief from his character. Apparently, the group frowns upon employees who add extra body parts to their colleagues. Noah’s other pursuers are an alien and her partner with recent, failed missions in their past. Their motive seems obvious but readers will discover there’s much more to it.

What didn’t work as well:

The plot contains a lot of strange humor, perhaps too much. Except for Noah and Sahara, pretty much all the other characters have silly, funny facets to their characters. The conflict would feel more dire with additional seriousness added to the plot.

The Final Verdict:

This book will appeal to lovers of aliens and absurdity as it presents a funny tone to the plot. Of course, having the survival of the human race at risk offers entertainment too. Overall, this is a fun book to read and I recommend you give it a shot.

The Deadlands: Hunted by Skye Melki-Wegner

What worked:

I don’t think I’ve ever read a middle-grade book featuring dinosaurs as all of the characters. Scientists believe a giant meteor may have struck the earth, drastically altering the climate, and killing all of the dinosaurs. This book presents is an alternate reality where the meteor doesn’t kill all of the dinosaurs as the survivors have adapted to the new world. These creatures have the ability to talk and think and species have merged into three groups. Two of the three are herbivores while carnivores form the last group of mostly-independent predators. While dinosaurs have developed the humanlike characteristics of speech and community, they’ve also acquired the ability to wage war. Eleri, the main character, is able to ponder the concept of killing and envisions the value of all lives.

Readers will enjoy the wonderful underdog story where the main characters are expected to die. They’re all exiled to the Deadlands for different offenses but their herds assume they’ll never survive the barren, dry, toxic lands full of meat-eating carnivores. Eleri, disgraced runt son of a prince, is kicked out for warning an enemy about an impending danger, and Tortha, the enemy heir to his herd, is banished for not killing Eleri when ordered to. To complicate the situation, they’re from opposing herds and have deep-seated feelings of animosity for each other. Tortha’s destiny makes it more difficult to adapt to an alliance since she’s trained to become a warrior and has a grumpy personality. Sorielle is a seemingly naive, kind creature but she has an amazing mathematical brain. Lerithon is a world traveler and speaks in philosophical tones while providing spiritual and navigating guidance for the others.

The author creates mystique through events and characters to keep readers wondering. Eleri notices a secret meeting between unlikely characters that doesn’t make sense to him. He also observes some carnivores that seem to be working together even though he’s always been told that doesn’t happen. A minor character flies overhead with the intent of selling secrets to opposing sides in the war. He’s able to view happenings on the prairie and in the mountains and he accepts a deal with a hidden character to ensure Eleri dies. However, watching Eleri and his new team causes him to have second thoughts so readers will have trouble predicting what he will do with this new information.

What didn’t work as well:

I have a hard time visualizing the dinosaurs as they interact, especially as talking, sentient creatures. It might have helped if the author had included pictures of different dinosaurs in the beginning along with identifying their different herds. The introduction already has very general descriptions of each animal but illustrations would help readers envision the lesser-known ones.

The Final Verdict:

The author expertly develops personalities for the main characters, especially the star, Eleri. Readers will empathize with them as they’ve all been exiled from their friends and families and they struggle to survive the Deadlands. The plot builds to an exciting climax and the resolution leads nicely into a sequel. I recommend you give this book a shot.

The Fatal Infiltration: Cyber Twinsters by S.M. Wire

What worked:

A potential cyber-attack is a modern problem that will resonate with young readers. The author has a strong interest in creating secure technology and her passion is clearly communicated. The twins first notice a potential cyber-attack in their city so they start investigating on their own. It turns out an attack is in progress and the scale of the impact is much grander than they thought. There is no shortage of suspects to consider, and the security of the entire nation is at risk.

The twins have clearly developed an impressive reputation for solving cyber-crimes but they’re willing to admit they don’t know everything. They previously helped a classmate resolve an issue with cyberbullying and she’s now become proficient with cybersecurity. The twins’ father is an expert with computers so they ask for his help too. A national cybersecurity agency realizes the twins have superior talents of their own and enlist their assistance to thwart the attack. However, joining the team results in unforeseen problems and dangers to complicate the girls’ lives.

The cast combines a variety of characters with different perspectives that create uncertainty about their motives. Can one of the people helping to solve the attack actually be one of the people behind it? The twins are above reproach since they’re the main characters and the head of the cyber division should be honest. However, the cyber unit investigating the attacks includes a former hacker and the twins’ father enlists the help of two more notorious hackers. They seem to want to help but readers will wonder if they might have covert, devious intentions. In addition, hackers are able to manipulate online information so can characters trust the evidence they uncover? What if damning evidence has been planted by the bad guys to implicate someone else?

What didn’t work as well:

There’s a lack of cohesiveness to the chapters as some information is redundant or seems to forget about prior events. Characters draw conclusions but the evidence they’re based on isn’t always shared with readers. The plot lacks detail during important moments, which keeps the story moving quickly, but may leave readers confused or wondering about what just happened.

The Final Verdict:

This book is most appropriate for at least middle-school readers due to the subject matter. All of the characters are high school-age or adults and the entire focus of the story is on computers, technology, and cybercrime. Readers aren’t required to make many inferences and the straightforward explanations may not appeal to all readers. Those with a strong interest in computers and the cyber world will enjoy the book.

Ghosts, Toast, and Other Hazards by Susan Tan

What worked:

Deep fears are an issue in the book and pyromania is a big problem for Mo. Mo’s family lost their home so they’re now living with her Uncle Ray. Mo can’t sleep unless she’s checked the house for fire hazards and made sure all appliances have been unplugged. She also has a fear of ghosts but it’s not clear where it originated. Her phobias are exaggerated when she hears a story about the ghost of an elephant haunting the town after it was killed in a circus tent fire many years ago.

This strange tale of Maudie the elephant becomes the focus for the rest of the plot. Residents keep the myth of her ghost alive as a tourist attraction although there’s usually a hint of truth behind these kinds of stories. Mo reluctantly makes friends with a classmate named Nathaniel out of necessity. She has dreams about the elephant and fire but discovers some unexpected evidence that there’s more going on than she thought. Nathaniel has a strong interest in ghosts so he’s a perfect partner to help her uncover the mystery. The junkyard next to Uncle Ray’s house is the epicenter of the problem and makes an especially creepy setting, even more so at night.

The plot involves many serious issues and feelings that might be encountered by young readers. Mo’s stepdad left and remarried so she has mixed emotions about remembering him. He’s the only father she remembers but he abandoned the family and doesn’t treat her like his birth-daughter CeCe. In addition, Mo’s mother is still struggling after the divorce so she hasn’t been behaving very motherly. Being the new kid at school, Mo has trouble with classmates and doesn’t see the value in making new friends. Nathaniel’s father died a year ago so those emotions are still fresh in his mind, especially with the memory of his last words to his father.

What didn’t work as well:

Uncle Ray helps Mo deal with her stress throughout the book by listening to remixes of old music and discussing the song lyrics. I’m a huge fan of classic rock but young readers probably won’t appreciate song references without having some idea of their words. Readers will still get the gist of some songs after Uncle Ray shares his thoughts and the overall plot can still be enjoyed.

The Final Verdict:

The early part of the book may not grab readers right away due to Mo’s phobias and negativity. However, the author tenderly addresses Mo’s deep emotions and blends that with her quest to bring a peaceful resolution for Maudie’s spirit.