Mirror, Mirror (Creepers) by Edgar J. Hyde

What worked:

The story isn’t overembellished so it’s easy to follow and well-paced. The book opens with the family buying an old mirror from a shop owner and the youngest daughter, Sophie, finding a ballerina doll atop a music box. The family is told the mirror and doll come from the same home so readers will immediately sense something strange will happen. The mirror is hung in the den when Sophie finds herself alone, playing with her music box. She suddenly notices a terrifying scene in the mirror and witnesses a woman having her head chopped off! This kicks off the mystery of the mirror.

Maya and Dani, the two older sisters, are the main characters and middle-grade readers should be able to relate with them. Maya is the oldest child and Sophie thinks nothing can scare her. This characteristic is most handy when dealing with a haunted mirror. Dani is the most scholarly of the children as she’s constantly reading books. This habit makes her intelligent and a perfect partner for Maya. The sisters quickly realize a girl named Sara is keeper of the mirror and they’re determined to find a way to free the spirit.

What didn’t work as well:

The simple text may not appeal to more advanced readers although they often find the topics of spirits and ghosts very interesting.

The final verdict:

This book is a wonderful introduction to scary stories. Its simple text will appeal to reluctant or emerging readers and the subject matter isn’t too intense. I recommend you give it a shot.

The Abandoned Theater (Alderland Series 1) by Dana Robertson

What worked:

The story follows Beth as she wants to investigate the disappearance of a friend named Brent. Readers may be surprised to learn that her two best friends are starkly different from each other. Stan is an unpopular nerd with unusual quirks; he thinks dressing in green shorts, a green shirt, and a green fedora will act as camouflage in the woods. On the other hand, Teri is tall and pretty and she’s one of the most popular girls in school. Readers will know there’s something different about Beth as she wears an amulet that appears to glow. She dreams of places she’s never been only to discover they actually exist. She’s told she was lucky to escape the car accident that killed her parents when she was four but her aunt won’t talk about it. Beth has questions and the answers make her wonder about what she’s been told.

The theater is portrayed as a spooky, dangerous place that is off-limits to everyone. The theater owner disappeared years ago and now Brent is gone too. Beth’s aunt makes Beth promise that she’ll stay away from it but readers know that promise will soon be broken. Stan’s uncle was in the audience when the owner disappeared but he’s unable to recall any details from that night. No one fleeing the theater can remember exactly what happened. This leaves readers to speculate about the possibilities. Are the owner and Brent dead, murdered by an unknown villain? Did the owner’s wife commit the crime? The police bring her in for questioning. Perhaps something more magical is happening that might explain Beth’s amulet and premonitions. Could there be a hidden portal leading to another world?

The author artfully uses words and language to create moods and set scenes. When the kids first travel to the theater, they must maneuver a raft across a lake to reach it. At first, the lake has “gentle waves”, and fresh air “at this early hour”, and the raft drifts as the sun rises. The scene shifts once they make it across as “the sun’s rays flickered”, “an ominous shadow fell over the raft”, and the ground below the cliff was “untamed, overgrown”. Swaying branches seemed to “beckon them forward with long, slender fingers.” Once inside the theater, the kids hear clicking sounds that are “massive black crows” pecking at the skylight, blocking out the sun, “casting a shadow through the theater”.

What didn’t work as well:

The truth behind Beth’s past isn’t too hard to predict for experienced readers. The clues are all there and a character later in the book even tells Beth that she’s probably already figured it out on her own.

The final verdict:

The book’s second half has more action than the first as Beth starts to unravel the truth about her life. Shocking reunions await and Beth becomes an important factor in a war to save all worlds. There’s a medieval feel later in the story with magical elements mixed in. Overall, this should be a fascinating series to follow and I recommend you give this first book a shot.

Spy School Entrance Exam by Stuart Gibbs and Jeff Chen

What worked:

This book is a collection of puzzles enriched by the Spy School characters. The premise of the book is past mistakes led to security breaches and tainted recruitment of new CIA spies. The puzzles in this book present a new step in the screening process to identify intelligent, qualified candidates. After a brief, redacted introduction from the new CIA director, Zoe describes the first set of puzzles, word searches. Zoe has been a kind character in the past so Erica Hale presents a contrasting tone in the next section, different types of codes. Erica says she won’t be as supportive as Zoe since she’s “a spy, not a cheerleader”. Alexander Hale, Erica’s father, continues his tendency to exaggerate past accomplishments as he introduces “Outside the Box” mental challenges. However, Murray Hill, the antagonist in most of the Spy School books, interrupts and shares clever and devious solutions to the challenges. More characters from the series return to share Crypt-to-grams, crosswords, Battleship-like Battle Royale, and other familiar activities.

Many of the puzzle formats will be familiar to middle-grade readers although modifications have been made to make things trickier. Most people have seen Sudoku with numbers but how many are ready for a Sudoku with letters? “Chain Letters of Doom” requires readers to connect all twenty-six letters of the alphabet, in order, without crossing the connecting line. A fun twist to every section is the final puzzle’s hidden, coded messages that will be used later in the book. This detail promotes the book’s spy theme and helps to connect all of the different sections. In addition, all of the text, clues, and explanations are related to readers applying to become new CIA agents and to thoughts of the Spy School series.

Fans of Spy School will enjoy revisiting characters they’ve enjoyed in the past. Ben Ripley talks about his limited qualifications as a CIA agent even though he’s the main character of the series. He introduces Sudoku puzzles while Catherine Hale describes Double-Cross Crosswords. The characters mention previous events and missions so they evoke readers’ memories from other books. The last section of the book shares solutions to all of the puzzles. Of course, Murray Hill’s explanations cover more pages because he must share the clever solutions and then follow with his multiple devious solutions for villains.

What didn’t work as well:

Everyone can enjoy the variety of puzzles but they will need to read previous Spy School books to fully appreciate the characters and narratives. They have unique personalities and there are references to previous moments or relationships in the series. Crossword clues are related to the series so readers will need to have some knowledge of previous books to complete them.

The final verdict:

This book will be a treat for loyal readers although those unfamiliar with the series may not enjoy it as much. The different versions of familiar puzzles and challenges make them more interesting and difficult. Those who enjoy puzzles and Spy School will love this book and I recommend you check it out!

Careful What You Hear (Do You Hear What I Hear 2?) by Helen Dunlap Newton

What worked:

Noah and Lena are sent to Space Camp in Alabama to have a fun, relaxing vacation. However, they both assume it’s going to turn into a mission even though their undercover chaperones insist it won’t. Noah reminds readers of this doubt in almost every chapter until the inevitable happens. The relationship between the kids is a highlight as they tease, support, anger, and care for each other. Lean is extremely intelligent and she has a near-perfect memory. She jumps at the opportunity to point out Noah’s weak areas but then turns around and offers praise when he does things right. Noah tries to kid around with her but Lena doesn’t like being the target of jokes. They have an epic chess match that complicates their relationship.

Readers can still enjoy this book even if they haven’t read the first one in the series, like me. The important things to know are Noah’s cochlear implant allows him to hear others’ thoughts, Noah and Lena go on secret missions for the government, and last time they were captured by a red-headed woman and a man smoking brown cigarettes. Noah thinks he sees them wherever he goes but wonders if it’s just his imagination. Then, Noah bumps into a man touring with a group of teachers from Iowa and his fun trip to Space Camp takes an unexpected turn.

The story shares space-related activities at Space Camp as Noah and Lena pursue their own interests. Lena wants to learn all she can about computers and technology while Noah enjoys tasks that potential astronauts might perform. However, Noah’s cochlear implant presents logistical problems so he’s upset when he can’t do all of the activities. On the other hand, he excels at flying simulations and makes friends with another equally talented camper.  Meeting a Blue Angel pilot is a highlight for Noah while Lena is more excited about the prospect of building her own computer.

What didn’t work as well:

The major conflict involves spies and a military base but the plot isn’t fully satisfying. Noah and Lena are involved with collecting information but they’re not really included in the actual operation. We still don’t know exactly how things work out even at the end of the book. Also, the usage of the term “jinx” is way overdone and becomes a small distraction.

The final verdict:

The kids are protected by removing them from direct involvement in the mission but it leaves readers feeling detached from the action. The concept of using Noah’s cochlear implant as a spying device is unique but the story misses opportunities to make it more exciting and suspenseful. Overall, the team of Noah and Lena is fun to follow and you should this book a shot.

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.