Hannah Edwards: Secrets of Riverway by Ashley Hards

What worked:

I’m always interested in how authors motivate readers in the opening pages to keep them reading. This author uses an unusual strategy by having the first chapter describe how uninteresting the town has become. It makes readers curious to find something unexpected. The river that once carved out a canyon is now a trickling stream and canola farms have replaced the booming barley industry. The old, drafty school holds students from elementary through high school although ghosts might, or might not, be spotted there. The town tries to maintain an image of the Old West but the shop owners aren’t always hospitable. The most interesting thing happening now is that Hannah’s father has been missing for three months and she intends to find out where he’s gone. Readers quickly discover the town has more mystery and adventure than it seems.

The story is presented as Hannah’s journal entries where she records everything she learns from her investigation. It’s supposed to be her grief journal. Hannah’s voice speaks directly to readers which helps to draw them into the book. She explains events and her thoughts throughout the story and shares the importance of keeping accurate, thorough records. She even transcribes her tape-recorded interviews. One chapter is written in prose using a style Hannah learned in class. The chapters allow readers into her neurodivergent mind as her thoughts often switch to different topics or her brain becomes fixated on one task. She has trouble sitting still and frequent daydreaming should be expected. The chapters also describe Hannah’s irritation toward her Uncle Fergus and her suspicions about the school guidance counselor. Could Ms. Grant be a witch?

Early parts of the book allow readers to wonder if anything supernatural is happening. Hannah’s best friend Sam says he’s seen a ghost in the abandoned mill and he’s pretty sure it looked just like her father. Hannah doesn’t believe in ghosts so she’s skeptical of Sam’s story. She finds explanations for ghostly evidence they encounter plus she’s not ready to believe her father is dead. Denial is a natural reaction to tragedy and Hannah has been dealing with grief since her father’s disappearance. It takes the entire book until she finally accepts the truth and can heal her broken heart.

What didn’t work as well:

Uncle Fergus comes across as a shifty character right from the start. It would be nice if his sneaky, manipulative qualities were more subtle so readers could discover his dishonesty on their own.

The final verdict:

The plot addresses the grief of suddenly losing a loved one in the form of a ghostly mystery. Sam loyally stands by Hannah even when she holds out hope for her father despite increasing evidence that he’s gone. This book should appeal to lovers of ghosts and small-town mysteries and I recommend you give it a shot.

The Oracle's Door by Zetta Elliott

What worked:

This book is the backstory for a series. It’s set in the early 1900s when black families flee the South only to discover they’re not universally accepted in the North. Families from different ethnicities don’t interact despite living as neighbors on the same streets. Racial tension runs throughout the story and the Red Summer is the climactic moment in the plot. The Red Summer occurred in 1919 when riots between blacks and whites spilled into Chicago streets. The story includes historical references to add authenticity and to describe the emotional turbulence of the times.

The plot follows Vinny’s journey into a magical world called Palmara where she learns she has powers and can train to become a witch. Sis is the Guardian of the realm and Vinny and L. Roy, her best friend, have mixed reactions to Sis’s view of humans. L. Roy is offended that she thinks humans are violent and crave power but Vinny knows there is truth in the Guardian’s words. Vinny becomes connected to a baby dragon but its critical condition after a premature birth has her worried. Sis, Vinny, and L. Roy have different ideas about what is best for the dragon and it develops into a major issue between them.

Vinny experiences racism from white neighbors and she struggles when her desire to stand up for herself conflicts with her mother’s wish for her to mind her place. Vinny’s father had been hanged by white men and Vinny had stones thrown at her while walking along the shore of Lake Michigan. Readers can understand Vinnie’s desire to live her own life but they can also appreciate her mother’s protective nature. Vinny’s grandmother doesn’t interfere with the mother’s decisions but she offers Vinny counseling and comfort when they’re alone. The story includes an old man the children fear but Vinny finds out he’s misunderstood and may be a valuable ally.

What didn’t work as well:

Readers can enjoy this book independent of the series but they’ll miss out on connections with the rest of the series. This book lacks significant tension and suspense in the plot as Vinny discovers the new world. There is friction between characters but the Red Summer offers the most serious consequences but doesn’t arise until the climax.

The final verdict:

While the discovery of Palmara is important, the book mainly addresses racial pressure and uncertainty during this time in history. Vinny’s relationships with her mother and best friend present different kinds of conflict that highlight the story. This book is more compelling than readers might expect and I recommend you give it a shot.

Beware the Heartman by Shakirah Bourne

What worked:

One of the main characters is autistic but the author includes him from a different angle. Ahkai doesn’t like physical contact or interacting with others but Jo is his best friend and neighbor. In some ways, Jo has more difficulty dealing with human relationships than him. She’s anxious about starting a new school year but becomes especially fearful when she learns Ahkai will be going to a different building. She’s desperate to get her assignment changed but she’ll need to convince her father first. To complicate matters, the daughter of a family friend is staying with Ahkai and his grandmother so Jo is afraid she’s losing her best friend.

There is a supernatural element to the story set in Barbados but the author introduces it gradually. Jo senses things are off and recalls a clash with a malevolent creature named Mariss from a previous book. Tales are told around town about the Heartman but Jo suspects they’re just stories to scare kids into behaving. However, she hears rattling sounds in the long grass and sees shapes in the night which makes her imagination take over. A magical tree holds malevolent spirits and she wonders if something wicked may have escaped. Could Mariss somehow be the one responsible for the disappearances of Jo’s cricket coach and teammate?

The strange things are unsettling but readers will become suspicious of two characters. Lynne has a problem with Jo even before they meet and it’s unclear why. She makes snide comments and amused facial expressions when Jo is upset. Jo overhears a conversation where Lynne says she doesn’t understand why Ahkai puts up with Jo. Readers will wonder about the untold secrets behind Lynne’s presence and wonder if she’s good or bad. Mr. Atkins is a teacher and he’s been behaving oddly. One of Jo’s teachers is dating her dad and Mr. Atkins has been treating the woman poorly. He can be found patrolling the streets each night and he seems nervous around the magical tree. Lynne and Mr. Atkins are behaving suspiciously which allows readers to speculate about what they are hiding.

What didn’t work as well:

Ahkai is described as being on the autistic spectrum but he doesn’t seem much different from other characters. As mentioned, he helps Jo deal with anxiety and offers her suggestions on how she might interact with others. There’s nothing wrong with this per se but I’m not sure why the concept of autism is attached to Ahkai. Maybe he behaves differently in the first book of the series.

The final verdict:

The concept of the Heartman is gory but the author adds an unexpected twist to the tale. The character relationships highlight the book, especially the clash between Jo and Lynne. Overall, I recommend you give this exciting book a shot.

Exit Nowhere by Juliana Brandt

What worked:

Barret Eloise has a low self-image despite being the smartest girl in the seventh grade. She has difficulty knowing what to say to others which explains why she doesn’t have any friends. She used to be friends with Helena until something happened in the fourth grade but Barret Eloise doesn’t remember what she did. The pair are assigned a group project with Wayne, another smart student, and Ridge, an outstanding basketball player. Ridge isn’t shy about sharing his thoughts which creates tension with Barret Eloise. On the other hand, introverted Barret Eloise slowly realizes she has a crush on Wayne which causes its own form of anxiety.

The author masterfully crafts her words to create a creepy, eerie atmosphere. The book opens by saying Raithfield Manor looks exactly like a rotting skull, plants hanging from the roof are like moss covering bones, and there’s a blackened hole in the center of the mansion’s face. The haunted house is surrounded by bushes with “little scratchy fingers that clawed skin and snagged hair.” The inside of the abandoned house has the expected dark, dusty rooms with creepy, creaky floors although it holds unexpected surprises. The kids know a boy named Eugene disappeared in the house decades earlier, he was the boyfriend of Ridge’s grandmother, so they hope to uncover the mystery of what happened to him. They quickly realize they’re in trouble when they see words scratched into the “feathery ice that slicked the walls.” YOU. WEREN’T. SUPPOSED. TO WIN.

The most entertaining part of the story is the spirit haunting the house and the challenges it presents. The identity of it isn’t what the characters expect but some readers might anticipate the truth. I don’t want to give away any spoilers so I won’t say more about that. The first obstacle is a floor of lava that most young readers will have played. They won’t have experienced the flames and intense heat that make this a life-threatening problem for the kids. Additional encounters are equally dangerous but they’re unpredictable due to the ghost’s past. The ghost doesn’t like to lose. The characters will need to learn the ghost's motivation and uncover its mysteries to stay alive and escape Raithfield Manor.

What didn’t work as well:

It’s unclear what happens to other people who’ve lost the ghost’s games in the past. The public should have known more about the house based on what readers learn about their demises. This next thing is petty on my part but I agree with Ridge that Barret Eloise’s name has too many syllables. It would work better if she hadn’t been the main character and her name didn’t appear as often.

The final verdict:

Barret Eloise’s journey to self-discovery is the main thread throughout the plot. She doesn’t truly understand how to be a friend until Helena helps her reflect on her past. The overall story is spooky without being over the top and I recommend you give it a shot.

The Pinchers and the Dog Chase by Anders Sparring & Per Gustavsson

What worked:

This fast-paced story will appeal to younger or emerging readers. The opening pages describe Theo’s family and their different criminal interests. His grandmother is a retired thief and she’s serving time in the jail. Various chapters throughout the book find the pet dog speaking directly to readers. He explains how he gets the name Shuddup Sherlock (because of his barking) and he offers a different perspective when Officer Clive, a new policeman, tries to ship him off to the North Pole. This conflict becomes the focus of the plot. Theo is an appealing character since he’s trying to live an honest life even though the rest of his family members are criminals, even his little sister. Theo dresses like the rest of his family, striped shirt plus a mask covering his eyes, so Officer Clive assumes he’s a crook too. Theo resorts to trickery to save his dog rather than doing anything illegal.

Almost every page has a color picture to help young readers envision what’s being described. The author’s light-hearted tone reflects the humor of the characters and their relationships. Theo’s little sister doesn’t understand why she should pay money for anything she can steal and she continuously crosses her fingers to cover up her frequent lies. Interestingly, a policeman lives next door to the Pincher’s home and he’s a good friend to Theo. Theo’s grandma, Stola Pincher, is spending her time in jail but the loose visitation rules and enforcement make it seem more like an apartment.

What didn’t work as well:

The plot is very basic and more-capable readers will probably feel it falls short. It doesn’t have much tension or suspense. There’s little character development and the plot doesn’t have any surprising twists but that makes the story more appropriate for readers trying to develop their skills.

The final verdict:

Most young readers will be able to quickly finish this pleasant book. They’ll be entertained by the levity of the story and characters and the pictures illustrate the amusing situations. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot.

Dungeon Runners: Hero Trial by Kieran Larwood

What worked:

Kit is an undersized monster with feelings of inferiority and proving himself.  His best friend is a tiny gobrot called Kleekoo living in the walls of his home. Kit is overjoyed with the opportunity to become a Dungeon Runner until he realizes he doesn’t have many friends. He’s finally joined by an aspiring swamp witch who only knows one spell (making a tiny sand castle) and a vampire who’s become vegan (or is he?). That leaves Kit to be the Triple Trouble warrior even though he isn’t strong, has no fighting abilities, and must make his wooden sword and shield. Readers will root for this motley crew especially when they become the laughingstock of their competitors and the contest’s “television” hosts. The plot includes Kit’s neighborhood bully who makes enough appearances to be annoying. Kit and his new friends are able to persevere with teamwork highlighting their high cleverness scores.

The Dungeon Runner trial provides a taste of what readers will encounter as the series moves on. It’s set in a dark, damp, dingy dungeon with a maze of confusing hallways and doors. The characters don’t know if the next turn will lead to a deadly creature, dangerous challenge, treasure, or janitor’s closet. The Hero Trial arises after a team in the Master League is eaten by a dragon, highlighting the very real dangers. Kit doesn’t know if the other competitors might try sabotaging his team or if they could become allies. Triple Trouble tries navigating the tunnels logically but that doesn’t always work out as expected. Other characters can view the action on a show hosted by Jenna the Giant and Dirk the Orc. These characters provide contest information and reflect changing attitudes toward Kit and his teammates.

What didn’t work as well:

The plot is simple to follow and readers shouldn’t expect much character and plot development. Cursory backstories are shared but only enough to establish the current problem. However, the simplicity makes it excellent for emerging readers and those looking for an easy, fun adventure.

The final verdict:

This book is best for mid-elementary readers as it’s fast-paced and includes black-and-white illustrations to enhance the story. The unlikely heroes are an odd mix of likeable creatures who join together searching for glory and respect.  Overall, many young readers will enjoy this entertaining story and I recommend you give it a shot.

Operation Bungaree (The Inkwell Chronicles 3) by J.D. Peabody

What worked:

The whole series revolves around Ink, a magical substance found inside the earth. Inklings want to use it to enhance creativity while blotters have more dastardly plans. The plot has two main antagonists with opposing schemes that put them in competition with each other. Cyno wants to use Ink to amass power while Eddie is only concerned about making money and killing Ev, a main character. Eddie’s scientist has already invented a synthetic Ink called Inkanto but the formula requires some of the real substance. Eddie finds a tree full of Ink in the first chapter but he learns the hard way that he can’t simply cut it down to transport and extract the substance. Ink is a very rare element and all of the subplots involve locating a major deposit somewhere in the world.

The first page jumps into the main problem as Ev falls into an active volcano. He only manages to survive by Leap Reading into one of his father’s comic books. His sister Bea is the only one who truly knows he’s still alive but the author adds a complication that will make him harder to rescue. Ev has landed in a manual that’s inside the comic book so Bea doesn’t have a clear way of locating him. Ev encounters an imaginary world he’s not experienced before so readers will accompany him as he tries to figure out a way to escape. He meets a robot caretaker named Archie who shares information and adds humor to the story.

The author shifts the setting to describe Ev’s adventure inside the comic book, Bea’s efforts to rescue her brother, and the nefarious activities of the two villains. The author has fun with the imaginative world inside the comic book by playing with the writing process and creative freedom. Bea enlists the help of her father and friends and blends their talents to come up with an innovative rescue plan. The plan involves a rocket scientist so you know there will be some higher order thinking. The bad guys do their best to thwart Bea’s efforts while clashing with each other. Cyno’s minions fearfully follow orders and their antics add humor to the book. The author also provides levity by incorporating (inkcorporating) the word ink into different words used in the story, like Inkubator.

What didn’t work as well:

There are too many settings that can affect the flow of the main conflict and keeping track of all of the characters is more challenging. Anything over three settings isn’t necessary and can be incorporated into other subplots.

The final verdict:

You need to read the previous books to fully understand what’s happening. The author has invented an imaginative world where Ink is a valuable, rare, and powerful resource. Ev’s suspenseful predicament will keep readers engrossed while the determination of his sister and the villains supply plenty of twists to the tale. I recommend you give this series a shot.