Skandar and the Phantom Rider (Skandar #2) by A.F. Steadman

What worked:

The revelation that Skandar’s a spirit wielder, the spirit element also called the death element, is the biggest issue affecting his character. His abilities scare all of the other riders at the Eyrie, a school for new unicorn riders, because they don’t understand what he can do. Spirit wielders have a unique ability to kill bonded unicorns although Skandar would never consider doing something that atrocious. However, his mother is an evil spirit wielder called the Weaver and she has no reservations about performing ghastly, violent attacks. No one besides his close friends knows the Weaver is his mother but he’s still ostracized by all the other riders and society due to the fact he’s a spirit wielder.

The character relationships are more complicated than the first book and that makes the story more interesting. Riders at the school are grouped into teams of four and Skandar’s friends face their own, individual challenges. Flo has an opportunity to join the elite Silver Circle but their main focus is getting rid of spirit wielders. Mitchell wants to do well in school and remain friends with Skandar but his father is highly demanding and prejudiced and he expects his son to become the Commodore. Bobby also has high aspirations, she won last year’s trial, but she’s tired of being perceived as Skandar’s sidekick. Skandar becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth about his sister and possibly helping her bond with the wild unicorn that was supposed to be her lifelong partner.

The underlying conflict connecting all of the events is news that wild unicorns are turning up dead which results in devastating elemental disasters on the Island. Wild unicorns are supposed to be immortal so how are they being killed? Who would want to kill wild unicorns and what could be their motivation for doing it? As noted, spirit wielders are already feared and despised so immediate suspicion is directed at the Weaver. Not surprisingly, suspicion then turns toward Skandar so the plot becomes a mystery adventure. An additional complication develops as some riders are overcome with bloodlust and you can probably guess who’s blamed for that too.

What didn’t work as well:

You need to read “Skandar and the Unicorn Thief” before reading this book. Some information about previous events is shared but you’ll want to have a more thorough understanding of the Weaver and how the Eyrie works.

The Final Verdict:

This book may not appeal to lovers of unicorns as the creatures this time are prone to violence and enjoy eating raw meat. The author artfully crafts Skandar’s intriguing story as he battles unfairness and accusations of evil to save the Island from destruction. I highly recommend you read this book, after reading book one of course.

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!