The Origami Kid: A Paperfolding Adventure by Robert McGuire

What worked:

The author indicates his family shares two cultures and this story is a new version of a Japanese folktale, Momotaro (The Peach Boy). Origami is a Japanese art form and it becomes a central part of this book. The main character is Mike and he folds paper to make new friends or to make items that will help during his adventure. The author includes directions for the origami and there are even pieces of thin origami paper in the back. The early origami requires simple folds while the later ones are more detailed.

The colorful illustrations will catch the eyes of young readers as Mike travels through the jungle, sails across ocean water, and lands on an island. He encounters an oni (a demon or ogre from Japanese folklore) and isn’t sure what to do. The folded friends are added to the graphics as they become part of Mike’s team. The exception is Oni as readers must wait until the end to learn how to fold him.

What didn’t work as well:

While this book is considered middle-grade, the story itself probably won’t entertain middle-grade readers. It has a very plain format that’s appropriate for picture books. Middle-grade readers will most enjoy the origami.

The final verdict:

The reading level of the story is for young children but the instructions for paper folding are more appropriate for middle-grade readers. Older readers who enjoy origami will like this book but they will find the story lacking. The author summarizes the story of Momotaro at the end but I suggest reading the actual book and comparing it to The Origami Kid.

The Monster Hunter (Stitch Head 6) by Guy Bass

What worked:

Stitch Head is the mad professor’s first creation although the professor forgets about his “monsters” as soon as he makes them. Stitch Head is like the caretaker guardian of Castle Grotteskew as he sees to the welfare of all creations. As the first creation, he develops a potion to tame all the monstrous beasts Mad Professor Erasmus invents. There are now over three hundred creations in the castle who are the tamest, gentlest creatures you can find. Stitch Head has protected them, and the professor, from all kinds of dangers and challenges in previous books, and this one brings the series to a satisfying conclusion.

There are two main humans in this book who present contrasting characters. Arabelle has been part of the series since the beginning and has been looking for adventure all her life. Stitch Head offered her a home in the castle after her grandmother died so she’s been unwaveringly loyal to him ever since. However, she has a temper and threatens to kick anyone who makes her angry. Even the largest and most fierce-looking creations are terrified of being kicked by her big boots. Dotty Dauntless shares Arabelle’s love of adventure but she comes to Castle Grotteskew looking for a monster to capture. She’s determined and pushy so she often gets what she wants before anyone else knows what’s happening. She fills the role of antagonist when she targets Creature as the monster she’ll haul away. Creature has been a popular character throughout the books so faithful readers will become emotionally involved.

The chapters are very short which will appeal to young or reluctant readers. The abundant black-and-white illustrations enhance the story and help readers visualize the events and characters. The pictures have a Gothic feel which fits perfectly in a story about monsters. Every chapter begins with a quotation although they come from various sources this time. Of course, Mad Professor Erasmus is the author of many of them and they’re often zany. Some of the quotations come from Dotty’s diary and mostly share some of her background story. There are even some words this time from the Creations of Grotteskew.

What didn’t work as well:

There’s a level of silliness to the book that readers must accept. When the story opens, the creations are competing to see who can be the most monstrous, and a tiny, doll-like creation named Ivo wins. The professor’s attitude toward creations is “Why add an arm, when you can add three? And some tentacles and a tail.” This quotation gives you an idea of the mad professor's cast of characters.

The final verdict:

This book ends the charming adventure of Stitch Head, Arabella, and their creation friends. The plot is clear and dramatic and builds to an unexpected conclusion. Readers who enjoy friendly monsters with a bit of humor and suspense will love this book and I recommend you give it a shot.

The Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls by Judith Rossell

What worked:

Maggie is anonymously left at an orphanage but the nuns send her to the Midwatch Institute due to her bad behavior. The cannery owner’s son was bullying some young kids so she pushed him off the wharf and into the bay. This shows how she’s willing to protect the weak from the strong. Midwatch has a reputation for taking in the worst kids but Maggie is shocked when she’s settled within its walls. Girls are taught useful skills for solving crimes and keeping the city safe although Maggie doesn’t understand exactly what that means. One surprise for readers might be that the institute has no bullies. Maggie and two other recruits are immediately accepted by other girls so they easily transition to the new setting. There is some banter between first-year and second-year girls but nothing malicious or mean.

Many chapters end with mini-lessons for some of those useful skills mentioned above. These pages add levity to the story even though some seem a bit strange. One of the lessons describes how to escape an alligator attack and another covers how to dance the Charleston. It's easier to see how learning to communicate with Morse Code and training animals might be useful in helping others. Maggie is surprised by her class schedule but readers will recognize the usefulness of the lessons. They include learning to speak German, read maps, and hide. Maneuvering around the institute tests her agility as it’s often like completing an obstacle course.

The plot’s conflict emerges as it nears the midpoint and it will make readers wonder. People have been disappearing around the city but no one is sure what’s causing it. There’s nothing supernatural about life at the institute so readers will suspect a person or gang must be responsible. However, news reports describe a large beast due to growls heard and scratch marks found at the locations. Eventually, a librarian reports a missing woman and the police direct him to the institute. Everyone is stumped by a note left by the woman until Nell, another new arrival and Maggie’s friend, realizes there’s a cry for help hidden within the words. This leads to Maggie and the other first-years becoming part of the search but things don’t work out as smoothly as they hope. The plot builds to an exciting climax above the city!

What didn’t work as well:

I’m not female but the premise of the story might bother some readers. The girls can move freely around town because no one expects anything from females, especially young ones. The man inspecting Midwatch thinks sewing is the best way to improve a young girl’s character so that’s what the teachers and girls show him when he visits. Nevertheless, the young, female characters at Midwatch prove to be brave, resourceful detectives.

The final verdict:

The book has similarities to another one called The School for Wicked Witches. The most interesting part of the story is Midwatch’s façade of a strict institute for wayward girls while it secretly trains them to keep the city safe. The absence of petty squabbles, jealousy, and malicious bullying is refreshing and the immediate comradery between characters is very enjoyable. Overall, this book will make readers feel positive and entertained and I recommend you give it a shot!

Grunthar's Revenge (The Outer Space Mystery Pizza Club 2) by Bruce Hale

What worked:

The story’s humor is perfect for lower-middle-grade readers. The two main alien characters are named Clorox and NoWay and they come from the planet Kroon. Clorox tends to interpret language literally and NoWay takes notes of wordplay they haven’t heard before. The human characters tell them to “Spill” the reason they’ve arrived on Earth but Clorox says they don’t have a drink to spill. Amazon indicates this book is for younger readers but they might not understand some of the word humor. A man tells the characters to “Beat it” and Clorox wants to know if they’re supposed to beat an egg or a rug.

The plot is easy to follow for younger readers and older, reluctant readers can finish it quickly. Grunthar is an alien inventor from Kroon and the characters are trying to figure out what he’s up to. Tina, her older brother Mateo, and their babysitter Jennica are the main human characters although they’re joined by a neighbor named Booker. Jennica might have a crush on NoWay. Tina wants to be the hero as she feels like Mateo gets all of the attention. Her favorite television show is about solving mysteries and she thinks she should be better at finding Grunthar. Grunthar’s motives are unclear but everything he’s doing involves pizzas.

What didn’t work as well:

More experienced readers might tire of the juvenile humor and expect more from the plot. While the story is humorous, it lacks detailed development that might create suspense or drama.

The final verdict:

The book will be entertaining for emerging or reluctant young readers due to its light conflict and corny jokes. I recommend it for this targeted audience but experienced readers may not like it as much. 

Shadow Wars: The Secret War (Shadow Wars Series 1) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

What worked:

The story’s unusual, curious aspect occurs when Ryuichi’s protective yokai is revealed. Yokai choose the person they’ll protect and Masaru becomes Ryuichi’s guardian. However, Masaru is an evil demon and it’s unclear why he chooses an unremarkable samurai in training. It’s not unusual in books for spirits to protect heroes but it’s very strange when a “guardian” like Masaru doesn’t fulfill his role. Not only does he not appear when summoned but he’s prone to act against Ryuichi’s best interests. Masaru is allied with Ryuichi’s father, the malevolent Shadow King, who wants his son’s powers. Readers will enjoy the transformation of Masaru’s character when he experiences unexpected emotions.

Ryuichi’s life changes after being sent to the dangerous Night Patrol. The Night Patrol searches for demons during the night and most of its members end up lost or dead. They’re led by a disgraced, drunken warrior named Koichi who initially doesn’t provide much guidance. The dynamics change when Ryuichi is overwhelmed by a demon and the other members of Night Patrol come to his aid. Koichi begins to suspect something unusual about Ryuichi and the big secret is slowly revealed. Koichi is a fearsome protector for Ryuichi but also adds humor to the story. His sarcastic barbs toward others and himself lament becoming sober and taking on the role of Ryuichi’s guardian.

Ryuichi doesn’t know the identity of his parents so he feels unworthy of training to become a samurai. He feels he deserves the teasing and bullying from his peers and instructors which adds to his anger and loneliness. These feelings are significant since his character is teetering between good and evil. Negative emotions will lead him toward his father and allow demons to pass through the gate his mother once guarded. He’ll be overwhelmed by the shadows. On the other hand, he’ll become a guardian of his mother’s gate if he can stay positive and defeat the army of shadows.

What didn’t work as well:

The story includes an abundance of Japanese terms and readers should be able to use context clues to understand many of them. However, there are some terms whose meanings aren’t as clear. A glossary of terms might be helpful to ensure readers have correct meanings and mental images. It’s also challenging to keep a mental image of events as the characters fluctuate between humans, shadows, demons, and the shadow world.

The final verdict:

The plot is fascinating although the narrative sometimes makes it difficult to follow the events. A battle between good and evil always makes a good story and the immersion in Japanese folklore spices things up. Give the book a shot if you’re into Asian monsters or samurai.

The Dragon's Apprentice by James Riley

What worked:

The story opens with a prologue that presents an enticing hook. It’s a journal entry by a homeless girl named Bianca on the day she meets the Dragon Mage. Bianca is recruited along with five other children to become apprentices to six dragons. The Dragon Mage’s hope is for all humans to eventually have magic and Bianca assumes readers must have the ability years later. However, Ciara, the main character, finds only one journal entry, and only royals are allowed to practice magic today. This will lead readers to wonder what happened to Bianca and the other apprentices and why the royals forbid anyone from ever speaking Bianca’s name. Each chapter begins with a short sentence or two from Bianca that adds anticipation or a touch of humor.

Ciara finds the journal in the Dragon Mage’s rundown, neglected tower but chooses not to hand it over to the new Warden. She summons a dragon called Scorch and readers will enjoy their unusual relationship. Scorch doesn’t think much of human intelligence and doesn’t miss many opportunities to point that out to Ciara. He explains the importance of tracing draconic symbols precisely and laughs hysterically when Ciara’s spell results in a horde of rats instead of a sumptuous meal. Scorch becomes cranky when Ciara wants to use the term spell instead of dragon magic. He refuses to call Bianca’s journal a spell book! Maybe he’s still testy since Ciara changed him into a horse.

Ciara’s sole motive is to cure her mother of the deadly Skael Cough that’s already taken her father. The Warden says he has enough medicine to save the whole village but people must pay everything they own to receive it. The Warden isn’t an honorable man as he often fails to follow through with his promises and deals. This makes him a ruthless antagonist who’s easy to hate. Scorch agrees to help Ciara save her mother but his motivation is to discover what happened to his original apprentice, Bianca, and the Dragon Mage. Ciara and Scorch make an unlikely pair and their sarcastic, playful relationship still makes a formidable team against a clear-defined bully.

What didn’t work as well:

The book leaves unanswered questions that readers must assume will be dealt with as the series progresses. What happened to the Dragon Mage and is her dream of universal magic a mistake? What kind of person is the emperor? Most of what readers know comes from the Warden who is a dishonest man. The characters of Ciara and Scorch could have been more developed.

The final verdict:

The amusing interactions between Ciara and Scorch make the book an entertaining adventure. The story has minimal violence and has a wholesomeness to it. I recommend you give it a shot!

Skandar and the Skeleton Curse (Skandar 4) by A.F. Steadman

What worked:

Skandar is the main character and he’s the only spirit-wielding student. This makes many students uneasy since his mother was also a spirit elemental and the antagonist in the series’ first three books. She dies in the last book but family matters still complicate Skandar’s life. His sister Kenna replaces their mother as an antagonist and she has powers no one thought possible. She appears in the middle of the Earth Festival and changes unicorns bonded with earth-wielding riders back into wild, vicious, unpredictable unicorns. This problem becomes a mystery as Skandar tries to discover a way to restore the bonds between riders and their unicorns. No one besides Kenna truly understands how the curse works and feelings of desperation and dread grow as other elemental bonds are strategically targeted.

The Eyrie, a school for unicorn riders, undergoes serious changes in this book. The new Commodore, Rex Manning, implements unpopular changes despite unspoken resistance from the instructors. The biggest change is the dismantling of all quartets comprised of riders from the four main elements. This means Skandar no longer lives with his three best friends, Flo, Mitchell, and Bobby. Rex implements additional restrictions as the plot moves forward creating a tense, divisive school environment. Skandar and his quartet eventually take drastic actions and readers will slowly realize Rex Manning is the biggest villain in the book. His big scheme will affect the series in ways readers will never expect.

Most of the story is told from Skandar’s point of view but the author focuses on Kenna’s thoughts in many other chapters. Skandar’s chapters obviously describe his complicated emotions for the sister he’s always loved and counted on. He can’t believe the killing and evil she’s done but he can’t ignore her plans for the Skeleton Curse. Kenna’s chapters are compelling since she’s having internal struggles despite her malevolent deeds. She still has positive memories of Skandar and their parents but they get overwhelmed by feelings of loneliness and anger. Her negative emotions are often amplified by her bond with a wild unicorn and they sometimes explode uncontrollably. The author’s skillful descriptions allow readers to experience the mental turmoil befalling Skandar and Kenna.

What didn’t work as well:

It will be hard for new readers to join the series by starting with this book. The author shares events from book three but they don’t provide a complete backstory for new readers to understand and appreciate everything going on. Also, there are A LOT of names to remember, actually twice as many. Almost all of the characters are paired with unicorns and both of their names are used throughout the story.

The final verdict:

This is a fantastic book. The plot evokes strong emotions and creates plenty of drama and the author constantly inserts new twists. Readers will have a hard time deciding which villain is worse and a shocking climax may provide an answer. I highly recommend you give this book a shot.