Lemon Drop Falls by Heather Clark

What worked:

Grief is a major topic as Morgan struggles to fill the role of her deceased mother. Morgan feels it’s her responsibility to keep the family safe and happy and she is very concerned about adding stress to her father’s life. Her mother always created ABC plans to keep homelife organized and Morgan tries to maintain that level of structure. Hiding her true feelings inside puts her under tremendous pressure but she can’t let anyone, especially her father, think she’s having problems.

The author shares past events and the present by using the mother’s death as an anchor point. Some chapters are labeled “Before” while others are labeled “After” to differentiate their focuses. The author uses an interesting technique to connect them by starting many chapters with phrases or words that are repeated from the last sentences of the preceding chapters. The flashbacks show how Morgan’s mother holds the family and friends together so her loss is especially devastating. Clues are dropped that indicate all is not well with her and there are other vague references to events preceding her death. Something happens between Morgan and her mother but readers must speculate about the details until much later in the book.

The story takes place as Morgan is preparing to start middle school and seventh grade. Her mother’s death complicates the transition but relationships with Morgan’s two closest friends are changing too. Morgan isn’t happy with how a new girl is influencing her BFF, Keilani, as their interactions become more strained. Also, Hrishi might be liking Morgan as more than just a friend and she isn’t sure how she feels about that. Her mother’s not there to counsel her on natural “girl” things, like buying a proper bra, and her dad seems too overwhelmed to notice. Many middle-grade female readers should be able to find connections with Morgan’s character.

What didn’t work as well:

The author has written a tale full of feelings as Morgan struggles to make sense of the changes in her life. There are pleasant memories from the past until she remembers her mom is dead. This results in a melancholy tone throughout much of the book until Morgan realizes Plan B doesn’t need to last forever.

The final verdict:

The author tenderly deals with Morgan’s emotional trauma as readers accompany her on the trials of moving forward in life. Lemon drops and the battle with anxiety are drawn from the author’s life experiences and her range of feelings are clearly incorporated into the story. She compassionately addresses sensitive topics and I recommend you give this book a shot.

Ace Adler and the Pendulum of Doom by John H. Matthews

What worked:

The author allows readers to become accustomed to Ace’s time travel by having him go back minutes in time early on. His needs begin simple enough as Ace needs to finish two questions on his math test and he forgets something on his shopping list at the store. Readers will wonder how Ace transports himself but the incidents are insignificant enough that there’s no urgency to know. He’s doing things any reader might do on a normal day but how does he gain the ability and why now? More information is revealed as the plot moves along but the author still leaves room for readers to wonder.

Ace sees a man wearing a white suit zoom past during his initial quick jaunts into the past. The lack of information about the man and his brief appearance immediately generates curiosity and anticipation. Is he a friend or a foe and how does he know Ace’s real name is Horace? Once they finally meet, the man shares some life-changing information that will force Ace to reevaluate the world and the people in his life. This character also introduces the problem with the giant pendulum clock that becomes the basis for the plot’s conflict.

The topic of time travel always creates interesting possibilities so it’s fun to see how authors handle them. The big issue usually involves characters going back and doing something to alter future events. This book doesn’t really address that until it nears the end. For the most part, Ace is able to relive moments in his life without any collateral effects. This book introduces three planes of existence: the past, the present, and an in-between world between them called the Slip.

What didn’t work as well:

The main conflict isn’t introduced until the midway point of the plot and it’s not a very long book. This doesn’t leave much room to develop the story and build up to a climax. The author accomplishes the feat but the book actually sets the stage for a sequel. A longer book would allow more time to develop the action, with complications

The final verdict:

This book offers a creative take on time travel along with Ace’s life without a mother. The pace of the book picks up during the second half and concludes with additional questions for a sequel. I can recommend you give this book a shot.

The Traitor of Nubis (Umbra Tales 2) by Janelle McCurdy

What worked:

Mia has horrible dreams involving her family members where shadows pour from their bodies. A strange woman’s voice speaks to Mia in her dreams and she starts having visions even while she’s awake. The troubling thoughts seem to be a sign that the Reaper King isn’t gone forever and at least one of his Elite is still roaming free to cause trouble. Mia can’t believe it might be her former best friend, Miles. For readers, it’s unclear if Mia’s imaginings are twisted variations of her experiences, premonitions of what’s to come, or messages from the Reaper King. The woman’s voice speaks to Mia in a time of need so maybe the voice is trying to help her. Or, maybe it’s trying to manipulate her.

Mia’s parents continually stress the importance of Mia learning to control her Lightcaster powers. Standing up to the Reaper King and his minions last summer doesn’t mean she knows how she did it. Her power often builds up when she feels strong emotions, like stress and anger, until it erupts from her hands. That’s not a useful way to use such a strong ability. Mia’s parents provide lessons but they’re not Lightcasters and they get their knowledge from incomplete text from a Lightcaster book. She’s frustrated with her lack of progress especially when her little brother, also a Lightcaster, has some success. However, she eventually feels a new sense of purpose and determination with the hopes of helping her grandparents and preparing for the secret plans of the Elite.

As the title indicates, a traitor is lurking in the story. Readers will be suspicious of every character and question their actions. New characters who were once aligned with the Elite enter Nubis so readers will immediately be leery of their motives. The Reaper King is still able to influence his Elite followers even though he’s not physically present. Consequently, readers will anticipate his return even though they won’t know when or how he’ll do it. He hopes to capture a Lightcaster which puts Mia and Lucas in imminent danger. Mia finds cryptic messages from an unknown person that influence her decisions but is the person trying to help Mia or are the messages leading her into a trap?

What didn’t work as well:

I know it’s a way to develop drama but Mia repeatedly disobeys her parents to go on her secret missions. It gets a little redundant when Mia repeatedly goes off on her own, fearful of what her parents may think, but receives little consequence for putting herself in danger. It seems like her parents should be more protective of her safety but Mia repeatedly puts herself in danger. This adds tension to the plot but readers may expect the parents to try harder to keep their daughter safe. I was.

The final verdict:

This book continues Mia’s quest to stop the Reaper King even though this time the antagonists aren’t clearly defined. The suspects aren’t easily identified which helps to build suspense. Overall, this is an exciting continuation of the series and I recommend you give it a shot.

Nightmares in Paradise (Ring of Solomon 2) by Aden Polydoros

What worked:

The book presents a familiar, middle-grade format as Zach must battle huge malevolent monsters to rescue his sister and save the world. He travels through the original Garden of Eden which has gone downhill through centuries of change. Dangers lurk around every turn and it seems that every threat is worse than the previous ones. Zach, Sandra, and Ash must reach the Tree of Life and an old “friend” of Ash decides to make it into a contest. There aren’t many unexpected twists so the plot is easy to follow. The author includes references to the Jewish religion which provides a different slant to some biblical details incorporated into the story.

Zach is forced to hide his true self from others and it’s taking a mental toll on him. He can’t tell anyone about the powerful demons and Knights of the Apocalypse he defeated last summer and his parents are concerned that he’s putting disturbing thoughts in his younger sister’s head. Her talk of battling monsters and Zach’s flaming sword convince them that he’s the reason Naomi runs away. Zach’s also hiding the secret that he’s gay and he feels more stress when his father tells Zach that he wishes he’d be a normal boy. How does Zach share his feelings with his parents after his father says that?

The demon king called Ash may be the most interesting character. He usually appears when Zach calls although Ash compares the requests to an annoying noise that he can ignore. He steps up to defend Zach against other creatures and provides advice and guidance when they enter Eden. However, Ash is a demon and he can be a terrifying beast when he chooses to morph. He warns Zach and Sandra to look away when he battles Uriel because his appearance will permanently harm them too. The school bullies who’ve been harassing Zach for years learn that the hard way. Ash is a valuable ally and friend to Zach but he can quickly change into a devastating, horrifying demon who unleashes his wrath onto formidable foes. Ash’s wide range of changes leaves readers wondering which character will appear throughout the plot.

What didn’t work as well:

The early pages mention events from the first book so readers won’t feel totally lost. However, characters reappear later in the story and readers may want to know more about them. Naomi’s character was surely developed more in the previous book but new readers, like me, don’t get a full grasp of her relationship with Zach.

The final verdict:

This book will appeal to lovers of monsters and adventure as Zach follows a dangerous path through Eden to save his little sister. The banter between Zach and Ash offers some humor. Overall, this is a fun story for young readers and I recommend you give it a shot.

The Observologist: A Handbook for Mounting Very Small Scientific Expeditions by Giselle Clarkson

What worked:

The author speaks directly to young readers in a light-hearted voice as she shares facts about tiny, common creatures. This technique helps to create a connection between the book and young readers. They’ll like that the book suggests they look down by their feet (maybe even lie on the ground), be curious and patient, and flip over rocks and wet logs. The topics are organized into four groups based on where they can be found. Kids can look in Damp Corners (slugs, fungi, and lice), around Pavement (ants, lichen, and worms), in Weedy Patches (bees, caterpillars, and wasps), and Behind the Curtains (cockroaches, moths, and spiders). Other random information is described that readers might not think about. They can learn how to safely move a spider, how to save a moth from drowning, or how to recognize insects by their sounds. The final pages include an index where readers can locate specific topics.

Color sketches, comics, and diagrams help young readers visualize the information being shared. An illustration of a fruit fly shows its “striking red eyes” and “handsomely tiger striped abdomen” as the fly says its elderly granny is “twenty days old”. Other diagrams point out body parts found on ants and earthworms. Kids can also see how millipedes and centipedes differ and how to tell apart common wasps and honey bees. A short comic strip depicts how a spider traps its prey. Many young readers like gross things so how about including drawings of different bird poop to tell which birds made them? One page displays the droppings from worms, roaches, and spiders while a variety of tiny eggs are shown on another. Everyone knows spiders have eight eyes but readers can see different possibilities of their pattern. The “hand-written” captions accompanying every illustration are very informative without being overly serious.

What didn’t work as well:

Some readers might not appreciate all of the topics or the more serious information but it’s better to be thorough than leave interesting things out. If you don’t like reading about slimy, creepy things then my recommendation is to deal with it! This is a fun book to read.

The final verdict:

I just realized this could be a good book for bathroom reading in addition to an entertaining resource for school. The casual voice of the narrator makes the information easy to read and enjoyable. Overall, I highly recommend you give this book a shot!

Cloudlanders by Christopher Mackie

What worked:

Magical lightstone lifts the land of Bastion up into the skies and the leaking magic reveals creatures and characters of all kinds. This prepares readers for the appearance of many strange, unexpected things. The seven-foot mushroom called Kurt, the fairy made of gemstone named Flicker, an invisible boy named Boy, and a magical Auger are only a few of the magical beings. A giant, talking wolf named Lycan can morph into any kind of creature, including a human, and he becomes a prominent character. All technology has been banished from the kingdom so the appearance of a crashing aeroplane raises quite a stir. All of these imaginative qualities help to build an entertaining plot.

While the characters are trying to survive their various predicaments, some questions are raised that create a mystery to solve. Bastion was forced to escape into the atmosphere because of the Wavewrecker down on the planet and it will never forget that this piece of land escaped it. Its agents have infiltrated Bastion and they’re trying to undermine the citizens and release the lightstone. One of these Tidekins is covertly introduced as an innocent character so readers will need to figure out which one is up to no good. A strange boy crashes onto Bastion and his emergence from nowhere is full of intrigue. He can’t talk and has mechanical body parts which makes his arrival unexplainable and concerning. It seems there’s an imminent, catastrophic threat to the kingdom that the characters and readers will need to figure out before it’s too late. Palatin Flint is married to the queen but citizens are leery and fearful when he comes to their towns. No one knows about a terrible thing he did in the past but the issue resurfaces in the later parts of the book.

The author focuses on different characters in alternating chapters which allows the story to jump between settings. These chapters mainly follow Aliana and her brother Garrett. Aliana is an adventurous risk-taker and she joins the story as a bounty hunter searching for Lycan. The exchanges between these two characters add a touch of humor to the story as they become partners in rescuing a young girl. Garrett is a thinker who loves to research and discover new artifacts from society before the Lift. While Aliana is out exploring different areas across Bastion, Garrett’s chapters are located in the city of Floatania. Other chapters follow Kurt as he tries to keep the aeroplane pilot safe from Paladin Flint.

What didn’t work as well:

Flicker is a main part of the story early on but then she inexplicably leaves Kurt in a time of need. Readers are left to wonder why for most of the book until she returns with a compelling revelation. Also, leaving the settings after some chapters break the momentum developed at those points in the story. The changes help build anticipation but they stop the flow of emotions that were being created.

The final verdict:

I wouldn’t describe this book as “laugh-out-loud” as the synopsis says. The author has created innovative conflicts with memorable characters and that is always a model for successful books. Overall, this book will be enjoyed by lovers of speculative fiction and I recommend you give it a shot.

The Climate Diaries (The Academy 1) by Aaron Arsenault

What worked:

The topic focuses on climate change and the opposing views that are debating the issue. Jax is the main character and he’s recruited by CAT, a secret world organization combating the causes and effects of climate change. Short chapters mixed in share the view that any atmospheric changes are natural and humans are overreacting to normal weather patterns. Efforts to improve pollution and global warming will cost trillions of dollars and people will lose jobs that are dependent on fossil fuels. Their attitude is that we shouldn’t thank businesses that have given us everyday fuel sources and plastics by forcing them to close due to environmental concerns. The book blends information about climate change throughout the plot so readers will learn something while being entertained. The mid-term project for the recruits is to find a way to decrease methane emissions in cow farts!

The introduction of CAT, the Climate Action Taskforce, to the story makes it sound like a CIA operation. Agents dressed in black suits and dark glasses arrive at Jax’s home and present him with a choice between going to juvenile detention or attending the Academy. He’ll be trained there to become a CAT agent. The agents show up in a solar-powered, bulletproof, amphibious car with an exoskeleton made from tungsten. Academy candidates are flown in a windowless drone to an unidentified location, somewhere in the world. The secrecy and high tech of CAT are reminiscent of a covert government agency. There are clues provided about the Academy director that will make readers think he’s a shady character.

Jax is an intriguing character due to his diverse attitudes toward saving the environment and intolerance for bullies. He’s a genius but he doesn’t play well with others! Another recruit named Grace may be more interesting though. She has a superior, condescending attitude and immediately begins calling Jax, August, and Kylie nerds because of their knowledge and excitement about the environment. Grace says she attended the Academy the previous year but it’s clear she didn’t stay for the whole thing. She interrupts the counselor whenever he mentions her past participation so Jax realizes she’s hiding something. It doesn’t help that Grace is chosen captain over him so Jax is determined to prove himself superior to her at any cost. Their ongoing feud will keep readers wondering how bad it will get.

What didn’t work as well:

Jax is a difficult protagonist to root for. He’s arrogant and self-centered, and he doesn’t like being shown up by anyone else. He gets pleasure from antagonizing the people he targets. Jax doesn’t do well with rules and limits and he quickly gets offended or annoyed by authority. While his behavior and attitude make him difficult to like, these qualities help the plot’s conflict grow and increase the tension. Hopefully, the events at the end of the book will cause Jax to change his combative ways in the sequel.

The final verdict:

The cow fart methane problem is real; there was a story about it on my local news program this morning! The author skillfully includes facts about the climate crisis without making it annoying or overwhelming for readers. Jax’s personality is hard to tolerate but it certainly helps keep readers interested. I highly recommend you give it a shot! Can’t wait for the sequel.

The Spider's Lair (Stitch Head 4) by Guy Bass

What worked:

Stick Head is the main character and his greatest quality is helping others. The mismatched creatures living together in a castle care for and support one another as a family of oddities. Stitch Head cleans up all of the messes that result from the doctor’s other creations so he automatically decides to help a human named Arabella escape from an orphanage. Stick Head realizes he doesn’t look completely human so he must maintain a disguise while going undercover. Ivo, a small, slender creature with one arm, will be even more difficult to hide so he pretends to be a doll. Pox, a monkey-bat, and the Creature, a huge three-armed monstrosity, want to help but hiding their appearances is impossible. The gothic illustrations accompanying the narrative artfully help readers visualize the various, unique characters.

Arabella is a curious character as she’s quite contrary and doesn’t need a reason to give someone a quick kick. She even has kicking shoes! While she’s the character who needs to be rescued, she’s not a big part of the action once the plot moves to the orphanage. Initially, Stick Head can’t find her anywhere. The behavior of the other orphans is unexpected as the plot transitions to a sort of mystery with Stitch Head trying to find an explanation. Stitch Head suspects the creepy, watchful professor can see through his disguise but the woman running the place is constantly singing a song about the wonderfulness of being an orphan. Hidden passages are found behind the orphanage walls with one of them leading to the lair of a giant spider!

Not surprisingly, the story includes levity arising from the creations, dialogue, and events. The Creature calls the orphanage the AWFULAGE with some of his loudly spoken words printed in all capital letters. Many of the chapters begin with Mad Musings from crazy Professor Erasmus Erasmus like “Science without madness is like a castle without monsters.” The song Madame Venin repeatedly sings is titled “It’s Not So Awful Being an Orphan” with lines describing a father being a bother and a mother being a nag.

What didn’t work as well:

It would be nice to know more about the creations and their origins, especially Stitch Head. The line between creations and humans isn’t clear except that the creations were made, not born. Stitch Head doesn’t need to eat, but he does in this story, and a couple of comments bring up the question of creation life spans. Stitch Head gets banged around a bit and takes some tumbles but it doesn’t seem to hurt him too badly. I may be the only one with these questions and perhaps more clarity can be gained by reading the previous three books in the series.

The final verdict:

This book is the fourth in the Stitch Head series but it can be read independently. It’s a charming story of friendship with a creative quest to bring everything together. Overall, it’s a fun read and I recommend you give it a shot.

The Day I Fell Into a Fairy Tale by Ben Miller

What worked:

The book’s cover shows Lana smiling as she tumbles through a portal but it’s not a happy experience in the book. The story is darker than that as Lana is pushed into the portal by a creepy little man at Grimm’s supermarket. Fairy tales are fun to read but many of them are filled with dark, evil characters doing dark, evil things. The witch wanting to eat Hansel and Gretel and another witch wanting to kill Snow White are two examples. This book centers on the tale of Sleeping Beauty, with references to a couple of more, as Lana finds herself dropped into a castle where everyone has fallen asleep for 100 years. The little man at Grimm’s warns Lana that the stories in a book are scarier than she might expect which ensures she’ll read it. Everything is going as the little man plans.

The plot touches on the inevitable transition from childhood to becoming an adult. Lana misses playing with her older brother as he’s always in his bedroom studying something. Harrison understands the importance of being successful in school so he doesn’t have time for childish games. Perhaps this also mutes a youthful imagination as he scoffs at Lana’s tales of traveling through a portal into a fairy tale. Lana doesn’t understand why her brother is becoming more serious and she wants them to go back to their times of playing in the backyard. Middle-grade years are a time of change that can be difficult for young boys and girls and for their siblings too.

The book includes occasional chapters that share a version of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. These sections are written with a different font that notifies readers the story has been interrupted by the fairy tale. This information prepares readers for what’s about to occur or to provide the setting characters are about to enter. Later on, the fairy tale takes a twist as Sleeping Beauty and the prince have twins that they name Hansel and Gretel. The portal that transitions the story into the make-believe world is found in various candy displays around Grimm’s. It’s presented as a tunnel slide into the fairy tale that characters can climb back up to return home. All kids can relate to tumbling down a slide!

What didn’t work as well:

The appearance of Grimm’s supermarket happens overnight and the town readily accepts this magical event. It’s unclear if the citizens have been enchanted by the little man but their obsession with the “bargains” they find inside seems to have a mystical angle. Do the townspeople know the store is a result of magic?

The final verdict:

This book will appeal to lovers of fairy tales and adventures in a new world. The relationship between Lana and Harrison is enjoyable as they try to rediscover the close bond they once had. Overall, the story is entertaining and I recommend you give it a shot.

The Taste of Storm and Brine (A Talisman Series Novella Vol. 5.5) by Brett Salter

What worked:

The story revisits ocean dragons that were first introduced earlier in the Talisman Series. The characters this time are four scouts who guard the waters north, south, east, and west of the Den from unwanted visitors or invaders. The opening pages find Starboard chasing down an elusive Garm until he realizes he’s now outnumbered. The action scene is reminiscent of battles found in previous books. Much of the plot involves the impending Garm invasion and the mixed feelings among the ocean dragons about humans. Some dragons don’t want anything to do with them since humans can’t be trusted. Others have visions of humans and dragons reuniting to fight the Garms as they once did long ago.

Humor is incorporated throughout the book, mostly from the dragons’ personalities. Starboard likes to talk like a pirate as he says, “Tis a situation most foul, indeed.” Driftwood likes surfers so he likes to say “dude”, says humans were “flaking” on dragons, and dreams of surfing “gnarly bangers” and “ten-foot curlers”. Tampa uses incorrect names for the other dragons but Starboard’s not sure if it’s intentional or if she simply doesn’t care. Bismark is a self-centered braggart who annoys the other scouts. The narrator also adds some amusing aside comments directed to readers.

What didn’t work as well:

Driftwood comes across a fishing boat leaking oil everywhere and it’s farther from shore than he’s ever seen humans before. Even the humans on board are anxious about their excursion into these waters. Later in the book, the dragons encounter the humans again but there aren’t any concerns about the oil spill or questions about why the ship was in the waters over Oceania. Readers are left to wonder why Driftwood is no longer alarmed and why the boat showed up in the first place.

The final verdict:

The plot moves swiftly and the book can be completed in one sitting if a motivated reader chooses to. For readers who’ve not read any of the other books, this one offers an excellent taste of the author’s writing style and the tense relationships between dragons, Garms, and humans. I recommend you give this book a shot.

Nemesis and the Vault of Lost Time by PJ Davis

What worked:

The author adds a creative twist to an apocalyptic plot by making a connection to familiar human experiences. Everyone zones out at times or gets a sense of déjà vu. Sneezing and yawns happen every day. The plot suggests these common events are evidence of time (life force) being stolen from individuals. Boggarts collect the stolen time and deposit it into a vault, hidden in the dimension of Nemesis; Nemesis is a place, not a person. Once enough life force has been accumulated, Abaddon will lead an army of goblins, trolls, and all kinds of other monsters in an invasion of Earth and start an Armageddon.

Max is the main character and he’s an awkward seventh grader who’s often picked on for his unusual habits of daydreaming, dozing, and drooling in class. He’s the one who has a personal connection to the plot and decides he needs to destroy the vault. Max is able to manifest a special ability by calming his mind and seeing his surroundings in new ways. He has two close friends to support him. Derek adds levity to the narrative as he’s impulsive, always hungry, and he’s often complaining about the danger they’re putting themselves in. Max calls Sam the group’s voice of reason as she’s very intelligent and excels at analyzing tricky situations. Together, they form a trio of fun, relatable characters that are commonly found in middle-grade novels.

The plot includes a bit of mystery as the characters and readers don’t fully understand everything that’s happening. Max finds a book written in Latin and he’ll need to decode the dead language to unlock secrets about the strange feelings he’s been having. There aren’t any instructions on how to enter another dimension and scholarly adults have failed to uncover the way. How are three kids supposed to succeed? In addition, Max’s father supposedly died in an explosion but hints are dropped that this may not be the truth. Max’s main motivation to take on the quest is to pursue the possibility that his father may still be alive.

What didn’t work as well:

The story references science theories that may have some basis in reality. I have no idea. The references to theta waves and calculus equations will surely sail over the heads of most young readers. Mentioning Benedictine monks and the Renaissance will not have any meaning to them. However, most readers should be able get the gist of why the author includes these descriptions and still fully enjoy the story.

The final verdict:

The basic format of the story will be familiar to lovers of middle-grade books although it’s unique to find a main character who taps into his abilities by calming his mind and emotions. Overall, it’s an exciting, action-packed adventure and I recommend you give it a shot.

Wrath of the Rain God (Legendarios Book 1) by Karla Arenas Valenti

What worked:

The book’s synopsis reveals most of the entire plot. Martin and Emma do not want to move but gifts from their abuela help them feel a connection to Mexico. Abalone shells and Emma’s obsidian necklace are other reminders. Abuela gives the twins a magical book about Mexican legends although the kids don’t realize its powers until later. Emma’s necklace has powers of its own and it becomes an important piece of jewelry during their adventure.

The plot incorporates elements from the Mexican culture as the family moves from Mexico to Chicago. The book opens with their abuela in the kitchen cooking for the family’s goodbye party. Martin and Emma are eating churros and hot chocolate as their grandmother prepares frijoles in a ceramic pot. Tamales and flan will also be included as part of the family’s comida. Abuela uses several Spanish phrases when speaking to the twins but readers should still be able to use the context to understand them. Transporting back to the time of the Aztecs shares more about the pre-Mexican culture and beliefs.

Martin and Emma have no trouble arguing, just ask Abuela, but the story’s challenges force them to become a united team. Martin isn’t about to let Emma enter the portal alone and he’s always by her side even if he doesn’t fully agree with her decisions. They display great bravery during the adventure as they don’t hesitate to help frightened villagers who’ve fallen victim to torrential rains. It takes guts and brains to face two angry Aztec gods and find a way to make them both happy. The twins’ empathy for the defenseless villagers motivates them to never give up.

What didn’t work as well:

The story doesn’t use in-depth descriptions of the events and characters so more advanced readers will find it lacking. However, the writing style results in a faster pace that will appeal to many readers and keep them mentally engaged.

The final verdict:

The fast-paced narrative includes a good deal of action and results in a wholesome, feel-good story. Overall, it will be enjoyable for young readers and I recommend it to average, intermediate-grade students.

Closet of Dreams by Mark Ukra & Tara Mesalik MacMahon

What worked:

The plot is presented in simple language without complications or hidden meanings. It will be very easy to follow for young readers. Child is bullied at school and he finds ways to avoid after-school confrontations with Eddie and his gang. It doesn’t always work as Eddie thinks Child ratted him out to the principal. Child finds refuge from these stressful situations and storms by entering a closet holding positive memories, like his grandmother’s old baseball jersey. The closet allows Child to escape his fears and direct his attention on pursuing his dreams.

Child enjoys caring for the former circus animals at the park where they’re given the freedom to roam the grounds. The elephant, hippo, and bear still wear costumes from their performing days and they enjoy their lives at the park. As the synopsis points out, the animals can talk although that’s not revealed until the story has moved along a bit. The plot begins as regular, realistic fiction but gradually becomes a make-believe tale of a boy and his animal friends.

Child lives with his grandmother, Gamma, and they display a very close bond. They don’t have much money so they help out at the Kid’s Park and are allowed to live free in a basement. Child tells her about all of his problems and Gamma helps him handle the stress or offers suggestions on what he might do. She supports his efforts to finally join a little league baseball team and helps him find a solution when the season is in doubt. Together, they present a loving boy and his grandmother for young readers to enjoy.

What didn’t work as well:

The story may be overly uncomplicated for more mature readers as everything falls into place without much fuss. Child’s anxiety doesn’t develop into a problem as it’s eased by going into the Closet of Dreams or remembering advice he’s been told. In addition, the idea of animals playing baseball doesn’t shock anyone, not even a little bit, yet Child promises to not reveal they can also talk.

The final verdict:

This book best fits students in the third and fourth grades. It’s a sweet, pleasant story that shares Child’s common challenges in an easy-to-read, fast-paced, tender way. I recommend this book for young, emerging readers.

Lili Gray and the World's Most Embarrassing Superpower by Ada Loewe

What worked:

This book is sure to interest many elementary readers due to its juvenile humor. Lili’s superpower happens to be her powerful farts that can launch her high into the air. The opening chapters describe the moment she first discovers her ability during an awkward show-and-tell incident. She doesn’t fully understand what’s happened until her best friend shows her a picture of the hole in her classroom chair. Lili realizes she’s seen this type of hole before in her deceased mother’s journal.

Lili’s relationship with her stepmom may resonate with young readers who are experiencing the same family situation. Lili can’t believe Bella’s kindness is real and assumes she must have ulterior motives. Lili can’t adapt to the changes in her family structure and there’s now a baby on the way. Bella just wants to be a loving parent to Lili so she’s patient and understanding even when Lili doesn’t deserve it. The plot itself is silly but it still points out some of the complexities of new stepparents.

The story is obviously intended to be funny with farting being a major component. It’s one of those things that everybody goes through but it’s embarrassing when it happens in public. Lili must deal with this every time she uses her superpower. Her best friend Ale is a genius but he doesn’t pick up on social cues. This can lead to amusing comments and interactions with Lili and others. Men find Bella very attractive so it’s comical to see how silly men act around her. The author manages to include the old kids’ rhyme about “Beans, beans…” that will bring smiles to young readers and adults remembering their childhoods.

What didn’t work as well:

The story’s climax is a bit over the top as Lili and another character face off in a farting showdown. Young readers will probably find it uproariously hilarious while others will think it’s disgusting. However, if you’ve read enough of the book to reach the climax then it shouldn’t bother you too much.

The final verdict:

This book tells the funny origin story of a young superhero, for those readers who aren’t bothered by the topic of flatulence. Lili’s emotional concerns with her stepmother offer a connection for many young readers. Overall, this book will enjoyed by those with a matching sense of humor.

The Underdogs of Upson Downs by Craig Silvey

What worked:

Annie and her dog Runt make a delightfully unique pair of characters. Annie prefers to be by herself so others think she’s strange. She sees herself as a fixer and she’s happiest when trying to find remedies for anything not working correctly. Annie’s immediately concerned by the drought that’s slowly killing Upson Downs and by the possibility of her family losing its farm. She feels a strong connection to her deceased grandfather Wally since he was an eccentric inventor. The rainmaker she builds by following Wally’s plans doesn’t work as she expected so her attention becomes focused on saving the farm. Annie also wonders what her father is doing in his greenhouse and why he feels a need to lock its door.

A neighbor is one of the plot’s antagonists as he’s dammed up a river, keeping precious water from the other farms in the area. The man collects everything imaginable but not because he actually wants them. His motivation is owning anything other people might want just so he has them, and everybody else doesn’t. Another antagonist is a fame-hungry dog owner who’s finished second in sixteen national agility competitions. He’s an egotist always looking to make headlines and he sees Runt and Annie as challenges to winning the tournament this year. He’ll do anything, no matter how devious, to keep Runt from stealing his fame and glory.

Runt used to be a runaway mutt, tormenting shop owners and the town’s deputy. Annie found him outside her school one day and they’ve been inseparable ever since. Runt is always by Annie’s side but he doesn’t like to interact when other humans are around. He’ll follow Annie’s hand gestures on command unless he sees people watching. His laser-focus on Annie exemplifies their tight bond but it’s also the source of his inability to perform in public. Runt’s cuteness and intelligence will endear him to readers and they’ll cheer on this amazing underdog.

What didn’t work as well:

The story is told in third-person, present tense which doesn’t allow readers to fully connect with the characters. It would be nice to get inside Annie’s mind during this emotional tale to appreciate the important decisions and feelings she experiences.

The final verdict:

The book shares a heart-warming, underdog story that will appeal to readers of all ages. The author can’t go wrong by featuring a cute dog and the two antagonists are easy to root against. I recommend you give this book a shot!