The Doomsday Vault (Everwhen School of Time Travel (and Other ODD Sciences)) by Thomas Wheeler

What worked:

The author’s idea for the special school is quite innovative. Students are chosen from throughout history so they won’t be handicapped by the schools of their times. The school in this book is called Everwhen and it’s actually a time machine! New students at a school usually ask where other students are from but the students in this book ask each other when they are from. Bertie’s dormitory is in 1330 Serbia while his two new friends, Millie and Zoe, share a room in twenty-second-century Paris.

Bertie, Millie, and Zoe offer different internal conflicts and alternating chapters focus on each of them. Bertie doesn’t understand why he’s been invited to the school since he was never a great student in the 1800s. Being ranked last out of all the Everwhen students reinforces that doubt. Millie’s brother is Leonardo Da Vinci so she’s tired of living in his shadow. She has imaginative ideas that don’t receive much attention but loves the opportunities offered at Everwhen. Zoe promised her dying mother that she’d work hard to be the best so she feels pressure to outdo everyone. A second-place ranking impels her to make a rash decision with drastic consequences and her character will offer many surprises.

The plot becomes a mystery of sorts as Bertie leads the effort to uncover secrets. The Haunted Formula is the first major question. It appeared one day on a whiteboard but no one knows who wrote it, or why. A curse is attached to the formula so many fear the consequences of solving it. Other people view it as a challenge. Then, a message appears on the wall of the dean’s office saying they must open the Doomsday Vault. Teachers and students don’t know much about but its name clearly indicates it’s bad.  Add to all of this the disappearance of the dean, Zoe, and others and the author has created a wonderful mystery to solve!

What didn’t work as well:

Time travel is always tricky in books because it can create paradoxes and open very imaginative situations. The fact that the school is a giant time machine leads to some confusion as the setting and time can change immediately when characters move around the facility. It presents a challenge when trying to form mental pictures of what’s happening.

The final verdict:

The story is a wonderfully, imaginative adventure. At the crux of the conflict is a question: What’s wrong with taking advancements from the future to resolve problems in the past?  Some parts of the plot may be challenging to follow but heart-warming events await as it nears the climax. I recommend you give this book a shot.

Quantum Insterstellar Sports League by J. Scott Savage

What worked:

Humor is embedded in the story as Wyatt must win a football championship to save Earth. His entire team lacks any football knowledge or skills and several strange aliens complete the roster. Strange is a subjective term when considering all the other players in the league come from different planets. Wyatt’s team is comprised of drafted players but it looks like they were chosen without any expectation of winning. Wyatt’s parents are champion athletes but Wyatt is happier reading a good book. That’s why his performance is abysmal and he continually tries to quit the team. His teammates remain supportive of him even though their football talents aren’t much better than his. Quake is especially encouraging as he always offers Wyatt comforting hugs and words of appreciation.

The gist of the plot is humans learn to quickly travel in space and return with objects from other planets. Aliens levy fines against Earth for stealing their stuff which leads to the football contest to keep Schnozly Grofsplot from taking over the planet. He’s a greedy, diabolical alien who’s willing to do anything to win control of Earth. His influence is felt during Wyatt’s football games so it seems like the championship is rigged for Earth to lose. Each competing alien team presents unique challenges and the football field is modified to make things more difficult. Flames shooting up from the ground can result in lethal consequences.

Wyatt suffers from self-doubt when compared to his MVP, superstar father. He focuses on things he can’t do and anticipates how he’ll fail and let everyone else down. His infatuation with his teammate Nova motivates him to stick it out plus she tries to help him discover his value to the team. Quake is a giant alien teammate who has an intimidating presence. However, he’s a gentle giant who always has the team’s best interests at heart.

What didn’t work as well:

Some readers may find the book overly silly. Wyatt is almost obsessed with a new drink he’s invented and he’s prone to throwing up when he gets nervous. The players make unusual moves during the games that aren’t always easy to follow. However, the silliness also results in non-stop humorous situations.

The final verdict:

The highlight of the book is how Wyatt’s team learns to work together and take advantage of their abilities. Abundant black-and-white illustrations help readers visualize the story and add entertainment value. It’s clearly an underdog story and I recommend you give it a shot.

Spy School Goes Wild (Spy School 12) by Stuart Gibbs

What worked:

The cast of characters will be familiar to loyal readers led by Ben Ripley. Ben has no impressive spy talents other than being pretty intelligent and excellent at math. Of course, his girlfriend Erica is in stark contrast to Ben. She follows generations of spies in her family tree and she’s as talented as any adult CIA agent. Murray Hill also returns as he’s been Ben’s nemesis since the start of the series. His character has ranged from an inept student at Spy School to the filthy rich leader of an international evil organization. Max has foiled Murray in every previous book so Murray is committed to getting his revenge.

Middle-grade readers will enjoy the author’s sense of humor. While Erica is an outstanding spy, her father comes across as an incompetent exaggerator. The others can roll their eyes when he tries to regale them with his heroic deeds and then have his wife explain what really happened. Murray Hill may be a conniving, evil nemesis but his survival skills are worthless. Ben convinces Murray to quench his thirst by squeezing water from animal poop while Ben discovers a bottle of fresh water for himself moments after Murray finishes. Readers will maintain smiles on their faces as situational humor arises throughout the story.

The author allows the plot to slowly evolve as the main conflict doesn’t begin to emerge until halfway through the book. Ben and Murray become temporary allies when they escape a common threat but Ben suspects a bigger problem is developing. His friends return late in the book and help him prevent a catastrophe. The final fourth of the book is a whirlwind of action. The author includes a lot of information about African wildlife and natural resources found there. The animals are significant elements in the story and add humor and suspense. The mining industry is vital to the African country and the author touches on its impact on the environment.

What didn’t work as well:

Much of the book has Ben and Murray as the only main characters so readers may miss the other personalities from past books. Rest assured they return to resolve the conflict. Ben’s whiny character is a constant presence through the middle of the book which can make him annoying when he isn’t amusing.

The final verdict:

Loyal readers of the series will not be disappointed by this book and new readers can easily jump into the fun. The blend of humor and adventure will appeal to many middle-grade readers and I recommend you give it a shot.

Max in the Land of Lies: A Tale of World War II (Operation Kinderspion) by Adam Gidwitz

What worked:

The first chapter offers a surprise as Max gets help and advice from two creatures, one sitting on each shoulder. No one else can see Stein, a Yiddish-speaking dybbuk, and Berg, a German-accented kobold; these characters add humor and novelty to the story. They often question Max’s decisions especially when he makes decisions that may endanger him. These characters have been alive since before there were countries or civilized humans. They provide historical context for Max and readers as they verify or debunk information shared by the Germans. Stein and Berg are stuck to Max and supply him with moral support until he no longer needs it.

The book includes facts about Germany during WW II; some may not be familiar to young readers. They will undoubtedly have heard of Hitler but this story takes place on the streets among everyday German citizens. These people aren’t universally behind the Fuhrer but it’s dangerous for them to speak against their leader. Citizens are on the lookout for traitors so individuals don’t know who might turn them in for something overheard. The story sheds light on how Hitler could take over the country with German citizens angry and struggling after the international community’s WW I sanctions. The book’s last few pages provide factual information about several characters and their roles in WW II. There’s also a section about the horrifying concentration camps.

Max progresses through his mission much faster than expected so the story has a good pace. The early parts of the book share life among the citizens living on the streets of Berlin while the later chapters find Max interacting with various military figures. Meeting German soldiers creates inherent suspense since Max could be executed at any moment for being a Jewish spy. Max (and especially Stein and Berg) is paranoid when meeting military officers since he’s never sure how much information they have on him. Max is alarmed when Hitler’s chief intelligence officer asks Max to confirm details he’s collected about rumors of a young spy entering Germany. Max survives his first encounter but readers will anticipate the inevitable moment when their paths cross again.

What didn’t work as well:

Max frequently takes risks that might reveal himself as a spy. Stein and Berg try to warn him but Max continues to say and do things that could put him in danger. There are times when these risks make sense but he’s rarely careful. The German officers always react in his favor so it feels like Max is unusually lucky. However, the positive outcomes provide insight into the minds of German citizens and help the plot move along.

The final verdict:

The author does a masterful job of sharing Max’s adventure as a spy, navigating Nazi Germany like a small fish in a pool of sharks. A big takeaway from the book is how it enlightens readers about the thoughts and feelings of German people while Hitler rules. It’s a thought-provoking story and I recommend you give it a shot.

Everything Interesting Keeps Happening to Ethan Fairmont by Nick Brooks

What worked:

This book concludes a trilogy and it can be read independently by readers not too worried about past events. Light-thieves return to invade Earth after destroying the planet of Ethan’s alien friend, Cheese. The alien’s name comes from his favorite food and his family members are named for their favorite tastes: Popcorn, Jelly Bean, Cookie, and little Pizza. Ethan has developed a strong bond with Cheese and the pair insist on always traveling together. It’s appropriate to compare Cheese to the adorable movie alien E.T. because of his innocence and limited communication skills. The highlight of the book is the caring and compassion shared by Ethan and Cheese.

Ethan is the leader of the group and he feels pressure to come up with ideas and inventions. Ethan constantly collects scraps and trash to create new things but he’s thankful for Fatima’s intelligence and logical thinking. Di provides emotional support as her hugs and kind words always make Ethan feel better. Their mutual crush on each other isn’t lost on most of the team. The light-thieves are going to destroy the world but they also have Ethan’s pet guinea pig Nugget. Most of the team agrees that saving Nugget is important but Ethan is angered when RJ doesn’t understand their concern for a “rodent”. Later, Ethan’s role becomes more complicated when his older brothers discover what he’s been up to.

The author presents some conventional and unconventional ideas about our world and the universe. Di has strong feelings about environmental issues so she often talks about recycling and protecting nature. Fatima and Ethan choose not to tell any adults about their alien friends because humans don’t respond well to things they don’t understand. The light-thieves are looking for sources of energy and they focus on organic resources to transform. Di remembers learning about the law of conservation of energy in class which is useful in creating a solution to the conflict. Despite the unusual plot, the story is based on science, creativity, and teamwork.

What didn’t work as well:

Perhaps it was a bigger part in the previous books, but it’s unclear how the light-thieves can harm humans. They never touch any of the characters as poison ivy is used as a strong deterrent. The aliens are determined to capture Cheese and his family and they’re searching for other energy sources on Earth. However, the story doesn’t describe how individual humans can be harmed by them. The book makes them a threat but readers don’t know why. Again, maybe the earlier books provide more information but this book does not.

The final verdict:

This book presents a humorous intergalactic adventure with a strong sense of caring and teamwork. Cheese and his family members are innocent victims and his human friends are willing to do anything to keep them alive. Overall, this book will appeal to lovers of alien stories and I recommend you give it a shot.

Like a Curse (Like a Charm 2) by Ellie McNicoll

What worked:

Ramya is a witch-in-training who is trying to unlock her magical abilities. One thing she can do that others cannot is to see through Glamours that camouflage Hidden Folk. She can spot every troll, vampire, or fae she encounters and she’s immune to the hypnotic songs of the sirens. She also has a special connection to water which comes in handy around Loch Ness. Ramya is neurodivergent so her approaches to interacting with others and reacting in sticky situations lack the tactfulness and nuances that may be “normal”. She tends to be impulsive and blunt. The author is also neurodivergent so she can provide insight into Ramya’s ways of speaking and behaving.

I haven’t read the previous book in the series but apparently, Ramya previously defeated a siren named Portia. Portia is back again as the protagonist and she controls the minds of humans in Edinburgh and rounding up Hidden Folk. The conflict centers on Portia’s search for a creature hiding in the depths of Loch Ness that isn’t Nessie. No one knows what the beast might be and many doubt it exists. Coincidentally, or not, Ramya is hiding behind a powerful Glamour near Loch Ness with her aunts and cousin. She’s frustrated and angry that her parents are in Edinburgh and no one will let her help confront Portia.

The cast of minor characters offers an unusual variety of personalities to assist Ramya. Her cousin Marley is human and doesn’t have any special abilities other than his loyalty and faith in her. He believes Ramya whenever she sees things he cannot and he willingly goes along with her rash decisions. They meet a dryad named Alona and are shocked that she can’t transform into a huge oak tree or a single, small leaf. Ramya has a good friend named Freddy who happens to be a siren. Marley questions their relationship since sirens are the bad guys in this book. Ramya learns a stunning truth about Freddy later in the book that should make her suspicious.

What didn’t work as well:

Ramya isn’t close to mastering her powers yet but she’s determined to stop Portia on her own. Her Aunt Opal is the most formidable witch Ramya knows and even Opal knows it’s fool-hardy to face the powerful siren. Ramya’s inner instincts usually come to the rescue when her life is in danger so it often feels like she gets lucky.

The final verdict:

I’m sure the first book has an exciting adventure of its own but this book can be read independently. Ramya may be rash and reckless but she has strong, unwavering feelings for family and friends. Loch Ness holds unexpected surprises and twists for the plot and the climax leaves readers wondering about Portia’s future. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot.

Beti and the Little Round House

What worked:

The narrator’s voice is written in the present tense and tells the story of Beti’s life with her family and friends in the woods. It’s divided into four sections based on the four seasons. The author connects the different sections by opening with the same two paragraphs in a repetitive format. The short stories in each part then develop into their own plots. An “Author’s Note” in the book’s first pages informs readers that she lived a life of “… magic, and of mud” in a roundhouse built in the woods of Wales. It seems that experience has inspired her to write this book.

The writing style is very simple and easy to read and will most appeal to emerging middle-grade readers. Each season’s story concerns a possible common occurrence when living in the woods. For example, Beti’s birthday is celebrated during the Spring but her party doesn’t turn out as she expects. Her main gift is a goat and its baby and these curious, energetic pets add confusion and mayhem to Beti’s expectations. In the Summer, Beti is grouchy from watching her little brother so her father asks her to retrieve some water from where it’s stored daily. However, the baby goat, appropriately named Naughty, complicates this everyday chore and Beti needs help from her friends to complete it.

The wholesomeness of Beti’s life and the author’s artful descriptions of nature are the most endearing parts of the book. The true love displayed by Beti and her family never falters even when they experience rocky moments. The woods come to life through the author’s carefully crafted words. This is highlighted in the Autumn story when Beti is stuck in a torrential rainstorm she calls a dragon. It “spits rain onto her clutching hands” and “tugs the raincoat out of her fingers.” The dragon “snatches her shout away” and it roars at her and pushes her back. The author sketches vivid mental pictures throughout the book for readers to enjoy.

What didn’t work as well:

References to modern technology don’t work. The setting feels secluded in the woods and everything Beti does focuses on nature and family. Referencing a cell phone or city traffic stands out and taints the beautiful images of flowers, trees, and wildlife. Including signs of civilization emphasizes the importance of enjoying the people and surroundings in the present but the mention of technology doesn’t fit the overall setting. It’s not necessary.

The final verdict:

This book would be excellent for reading aloud as the author’s descriptions come to life. The positive messages and lack of complexity make it a perfect fit for young middle-grade readers. I recommend you give it a shot.