The School for Wicked Witches by Will Taylor

What worked:

Ava is a sympathetic character following her epic failure when trying to enter the West Oz Witch Academy, or WOW. Her magic affects water and plants but performing her magic near her home in the desert is drastically different from the abundant water found in the school. She’s overwhelmed during her trial performance which the teachers interpret as evil magic. Readers will root for Ava after she’s dumped into the Wicked Wagon and sent to the School for Wicked Witches (the secret name is Swickwit). Ava has mixed feelings upon her arrival but she’s determined to prove her goodness and return to WOW.

Swickwit is not at all what Ava expects or what the synopsis implies. Most witches perceive the school as a punishment with severe, strict rules for the wicked witches to follow. However, Swickwit views them as misunderstood and the teachers try to help the “wicked” witches master their unique, special abilities. Ava begins to feel more comfortable with her powers and she even learns to perform other kinds of magic. Because the school for evil witches is not what the rest of the world expects, all students are confined to the school grounds until they can be trusted to keep the secret. This typically takes about seven years so some readers might think Swickwit sounds like a prison.

Ava is caught in a difficult situation when she first meets her new roommate. Tinabella insists her trial to attend the North Oz Witch Academy was sabotaged and she’ll stop at nothing to get back and punish the responsible people. Ava quickly agrees to team up with her but it always feels like she’s following Tinabella’s lead. The other Swickwit students look down on Ava because she’s from the West so she’s not able to make any other friends. There’s one excluded boy who’s repeating his first year at Swickwit for the third time and readers will probably predict that Ava will eventually join up with him.

What didn’t work as well:

Ava is determined to get back to WOW even though Swickwit is a better fit for her. She doesn’t share much thought as to how she plans to get accepted into the school for good witches even if she can find some way to get there. Her resolve makes sense early on but the thinking is less logical as the story moves along. This character is forced to think about the bigger picture when the plot arrives at the climax.

The final verdict:

Swickwit is a curious setting due to its secrets and methods for handling “evil” witches. It creates unexpected problems for the characters and their unique abilities are both useful and potentially terrifying. Overall, the book should appeal to amusing witch lovers and I recommend you give it a shot.

Villains Academy 1 by Ryan Hammond

What worked:

The whole story is contrary to what young readers might expect. Bram is a werewolf and he hopes the school will help him learn to become more villainy. Students are rewarded with detention and extra homework if they’re bad enough and Bram is upset when he’s left out. Students are encouraged to use curse words in Bad Language class, although the whole class is shocked when the teacher yells “Shubblemegump” at Bram. He tells that teacher he prefers not to use bad words and another teacher scolds him for saying “Thank you” and shouts “Don’t use your manners at me!”

Bram’s problem is that he’s not a villain and he doesn’t want to embarrass his fathers. Students share the worst thing they’ve done (one student, a toad, had eaten a child) but Bram can’t think of anything. He’s bullied and cowed by the other monsters and classmates tell him he needs to defend himself. Bram can’t seem to perform any villainous acts. He even tries sneaking into detention but that only causes the class and teacher to roar with laughter. He’s later falsely accused of stealing something valuable and he’s threatened with expulsion instead of being commended for doing something wicked. The plot’s conflict might seem like it’s about finding out who committed the theft but it’s really about Bram accepting who he is.

The supporting characters are strange creatures who are forced to work together as a team. Bryan is a lion with a habit of falling asleep and passing gas. Tony is a skeleton who frequently removes body parts to throw at other characters. Sheila is a ghost who doesn’t seem as scary as one might expect. Mona is an elf-witch who takes on the role of leader for their group. However, she wants nothing to do with the others and wears a button saying “Go Away”. Bram’s lack of villainy and his propensity to fail increases his self-doubt and causes teachers and other students to demean him.

What didn’t work as well:

Some readers might be put off by the juvenile humor. Farting is repeated throughout the story, especially by Bryan, and it’s the source of humor. It also represents something more important in the story but some readers might still find it disgusting.

The final verdict:

This is actually a fun, quick-paced story that can be enjoyed by most average, middle-grade readers. They can easily connect with Bram’s self-doubt and struggles to be accepted and they’ll cheer for him to overcome assumptions and unfairness. The illustrations help readers visualize the characters and settings, and overall, I recommend you give it a shot.

Top Marks for Murder (A Murder Most Unladylike Mystery 8)

What worked:

The story is narrated by Hazel Wong, vice president and secretary for the Wells & Wong Detective Society. Experienced readers may notice similarities to Watson’s role in the Sherlock Holmes stories. Hazel helps with investigations but this book is comprised of her journal entries documenting the group’s efforts to solve cases. The characters identify suspects, motives, and opportunities to commit a murder. It’s realistic to see them change hypotheses as they collect more evidence although their ideas take drastic turns on more than one occasion. Hazel and Daisy widen and narrow potential suspects and completely change their motives when they think previous assumptions are incorrect. The girls worked with a detective on previous cases and it’s surprising to see how much this adult character trusts their judgment.

Daisy is president of the society and she constantly reminds other characters about that. She’s aloof and self-centered and she feels jealousy upon returning to school when she’s no longer the center of attention. Her greatest excitement comes from solving mysteries, especially murders. Daisy has a very logical mind with keen detective skills and she demands the other members of the society think the same way. This attitude makes her seem unemotional and callous but Hazel’s observations of her friend reveal the emotions Daisy’s dealing with. Daisy offers her friends more praise as the story moves along, so perhaps she’s slowly changing.

The plot includes the families of different students and highlights their complicated relationships. Some of the issues are relevant since they may provide motives for murder. Characters were unaware the head of the school had a sister but this woman becomes the first victim. One father is a world-class tennis player while another is a suspected smuggler. It also turns out that many of the parents are former classmates at the school and the girls wonder if past teenage problems may be affecting events in the present. One couple is worried about telling their daughters they’re going to become big sisters and another mother’s serious illness has returned and may not be treatable. Interestingly, the only two students without parents attending the 50^th anniversary celebration are Hazel and Daisy.

What didn’t work as well:

The fun part of reading mysteries is considering new clues as the characters uncover them. However, the girls in this book drastically change their suspect list depending on new theories. This makes it more difficult to follow the investigation and it continues even late into the story. There are usually four to five suspects at a time which makes it more challenging to focus readers’ attention.

The final verdict:

This book is my first experience with the series and it can be read independently. The topic of murder probably makes it more appropriate for older, middle-grader readers but the girls’ relationships can be appreciated by all. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot.

The Legend of the Last Library by Frank L. Cole

What worked:

The most curious thing about this dystopian story is how paper has become so valuable. Juni and her best friend Doler frequently search old, crumbling buildings looking for paper, this is called plifting, and the opening chapter finds them in Harker’s Village, an off-limits area. The Blight wiped out all trees a hundred years ago but it’s still unclear why paper is so important. Pollution renders the environment inadequate for growing new trees but technology provides communication and entertainment for everyone. Readers may wonder if the paper itself has value to Novexus or if it’s more about what might be printed on it. Or, does O’Donnell have a devious plan for paper that the rest of Novexus knows nothing about?

The synopsis identifies Quaze as a friend but that’s an iffy description. She takes possession of the one piece of paper Juni finds and they almost come to blows over a plastic card. Quaze strikes a deal with O’Donnell that doesn’t include Juni or Doler so it’s clear Quaze only cares about herself. On the other hand, Doler stands over six feet tall and honors his loyalty to Juni. He’s also nervous and paranoid all the time so he adds levity and unpredictability to the story. Juni encounters another boy named Kobyn and he seems to know a lot about the plastic card, the locked box in her grandfather’s closet, and her parents’ activities before they died. He tells her about a rumored Last Library her parents were trying to find but this is the first time she’s ever heard about it. Kobyn makes comments that imply he’s working with others but readers are left to wonder what he might be hiding.

Juni and other citizens are able to enjoy books by downloading them using their Syncrons. However, no one is aware these books are abridged versions and Juni only discovers this fact when she gets her hands on a real, hard copy of one. Readers may connect with her reaction when Juni marvels at how the author’s descriptions allow her to become immersed in the story. She’s so engrossed that she’s surprised to realize several hours have passed. How many young readers have had similar experiences with their own books? Perhaps reading this book will have the same effect.

What didn’t work as well:

There are minor details in the story that may, or may not, bother young readers. What value are tiny scraps of paper? It’s not clear if Juni actually makes any money and how are they able to pay for her grandfather’s expensive medical care? The characters plan to do something with the library near the end but it’s unclear how they can do it and keep the thirty million printed items secret from Novexus. How could the Last Library have been constructed in the first place without anyone knowing? Again, there may be moments when something bothers young readers but it shouldn’t be enough to detract from enjoying the story.

The final verdict:

The author creates an original view of a future world where a major company has taken control of society. Lovers of reading will root for Juni as she tries to save the only remaining printed words left in the world. This book will appeal to readers who enjoy dystopian stories and adventure and I recommend you give it a shot.

Westfallen by Ann and Ben Brashares

What worked:

Some time travel books don’t deal with the paradox of how changes in the past might affect the future (What if you go back in time and your parents die?) but this book addresses the issue head-on with a twist. Readers know from the first page that the characters have dramatically changed history but they won’t know the details. World War II is going on in the past and the characters’ comments will lead readers to believe it turns out differently. The worst scenario would be that Germany wins the war so readers will look for clues as to how six seventh-grade students in New Jersey might cause that to happen.

The opening pages find Henry and Alice apologizing for the huge mistake they’ve each made and the rest of the book is told alternately from their viewpoints. Readers slowly learn that Henry’s story is from 2023 while Alice is sharing events from 1944. Henry and his friends dig up a metal box in his backyard but they’re confused by the contraption inside. Alice’s brother builds a crude radio made from scrap parts when Alice later rescues it from the garbage can. Both characters are startled when their contraptions start making static sounds and they’re even more shocked when they hear each other’s voices. Having characters instantly, and verbally communicate across 79 years is a creative concept by the authors especially when the characters discover past changes can quickly affect the future. This realization is when the plot gets very interesting.

The characters have different relationship issues in the two separate time periods. In 2023, Henry, Lukas, and Frances used to be best friends and neighbors growing up but things quickly changed one summer. They’ve drifted apart and rarely interact anymore. The death of a gerbil brings them back together but things are not the same. In 1944, Alice and Lawrence are best friends but Lawrence’s skin color creates some problems. Artie used to play with them too until his father forbade him from being around these bad influences. His father is of German descent and his character has an aura of mystery. Readers hear about him at times but his dialogue often leaves negative impressions. Readers will have suspicions about Artie’s father as his character adds intrigue to the story.

What didn’t work as well:

The events leading up to discovering the radio’s capabilities are slow-developing. Also, it’s challenging to figure out the rules of “time travel” once the kids realize they can alter future events. Most of the characters still exist in both worlds, their personalities mostly intact, but their circumstances, relationships, and memories have changed.

The final verdict:

The authors present a thought-provoking twist to time travel. Readers will scratch their heads while wondering how problems will be resolved but the fact this book is the first in a series indicates they will continue into a sequel. Some hints later in the book suggest there’s more going on here than readers might suspect. I highly recommend you give this book a shot as I anxiously await book two.

The Beast of Grubbers Nubbin (Stitch Head 5)

What worked:

The main characters were created by Professor Erasmus but these Creations are adorable. Stitch Head is his first creation so he takes on the part of leader. He’s not always confident in what he’s doing but his heart’s always in the right place. Arabella was rescued from a cruel orphanage in the previous book and she’s the only main character who’s human. She has a tendency to take spontaneous action through confrontation and kicking so she’s a stark contrast to Stitch Head. The professor is rarely seen as he’s always in his lab throwing parts together making his next creation. Other Creations making cameo appearances are a glow-in-the-gloom skeleton, a flying eyeball named Dorothea, and Bertram, a dog made of cats.

The book includes subtle humor in various ways. The first chapter is titled “Little Terrors” which describes the one hundred hungry orphans who’ve found refuge in Castle Grotteskew. The title page of each chapter consists of the title (like “One Hundred Suspects”), a subtitle (“Close encounters of the furred kind”), and frequent mad (as in crazy) musings from Professor Erasmus (“Lose your mind, not your potions”). The Creature is a large creation who often speaks through capitalized words and misspellings. He’s convinced he’s an excellent Chief (chef?) and ENTER-TRAINER but his stew full of eyeballs, tentacles, and toes found in the professor’s garbage contradicts that.

The plot is easy to follow for young readers due to its straightforward mystery. Stitch Head and Arabella want to steal food from Grubbers Nubbin to feed the orphans but a beast is now terrorizing the town. It’s introduced without dragging out the anticipation but the characters can’t figure out where it came from. They assume it must be one of the professor’s new Creations but the castle monsters aren’t monstrous and all of them are accounted for. The plot builds to an unforeseen climax in the dark of the night.

What didn’t work as well:

The story may be too simple for more capable readers and the twist regarding the beast may be predictable for them. However, the bizarre characters and humorous dialogue provide plenty of amusement. Also, it’s strange the professor has no idea there are a hundred hungry, screaming kids running around the castle.

The final verdict:

The motley band of Creations are endearing with their positive, helpful attitudes. Short chapters and delightful, gothic illustrations make this book very approachable and enjoyable for young readers. Overall, I recommend you give this book, and the series, a shot.

Mermedusa (The Legends of Eerie-on-Sea) by Thomas Taylor

What worked:

The author helpfully recaps what is necessary so readers won’t feel like they’ve missed anything significant. Herbie arrived in Eerie-on-Sea without any memory of his past and that mystery has continued throughout the series. Sebastian Eels has been the ongoing antagonist and Herbie and Violet have been trying to figure out what he’s up to. They can’t get anyone to believe he’s evil since he’s careful not to leave any hard evidence. They’ve been anticipating he’ll do something truly despicable and it seems like it’s only a matter of time before that happens. Herbie and Vi haven’t discovered the Deepest Secret of Eerie-on- Sea but they suspect Eels already knows.

This book begins to hint that there may be more to Sebastian Eels’ story than what Herbie and Violet are aware of. Three new characters are in town to do a podcast about the mysteries of Eerie-on-Sea that highlight the legend of the malamander haunting the offshore waters. However, Professor Newtiss is more interested in Sebastian Eels and he wants Herbie and Vi to spy for him. The characters suspect something happened to Sebastian when he was twelve years old that will help explain his questionable activities. They find a message that talks about selling his soul for the Kraken gold but they have no idea what that means. Much of the plot follows Herbie and Violet as they try to uncover the truth behind Sebastian Eels.

As the name suggests, eerie things happen around the town and the people are reluctant to talk about them. Herbie and Violet have had encounters in the past but most people don’t have first-hand experience. Herbie has been feeling a hum, a vibration, for the past week and it’s been activating visions (memories?) in his mind. Violet’s cat is no longer speaking and the mermonkey isn’t choosing books found in the bookstore. Citizens have been disappearing for years and no one knows where they’ve gone. Sebastian Eels has been making mysterious boat trips during the night into the dangerous waters where the malamander lurks. What do all of these strange things have in common?

What didn’t work as well:

The mermedusa isn’t mentioned at all for much of the story so readers may wonder how it fits in. It must be significant since it’s the title of the book but readers will know nothing about it. Rest assured the mermedusa finally makes an appearance and it’s critically important in resolving the strange happenings around Eerie-on-Sea.

The final verdict:

I’ve only read the fourth book in the series before this one but readers should still be able to read Mermedusa independently. I don’t recommend that since you’ll miss out on previous eerie adventures. Herbie and Violet are honest, loyal, enjoyable characters that will connect with all readers and I recommend you give their story a shot.