Gleam: Semma and the Secret of Stuffmore by Kurt Christiansen

What worked:

The story is told from Semma’s point of view as she lives in an orphanage with her twin sister Trooni. They retrieve their cousin, Rascal, to search for their only living relative, an old, estranged uncle named Bumbrain. Their previous guardian’s last wish was that the cousins should not, under any circumstances, have any form of contact with Uncle Bumbrain. This adds intrigue to the story when Semma and Trooni set off to seek him out on their twelfth birthday. The man has always sent them gifts and he’s the only positive thing left in their lives. What could go wrong with meeting him in Stuffmore?

The characters offer distinct, contrasting personalities. Trooni is very logical and linear as she immediately tries to create step-by-step plans for every situation. She tends to lose her cool when others make spontaneous decisions and Rascal kiddingly calls her “Mom”. Rascal’s lack of inhibition makes him the exact opposite of his cousin. He wants to have fun and he’s prone to running off on his own. Semma’s personality is full of emotions and kindness toward others and she’s especially loyal to her twin sister. She wants to be part of a loving family. Semma gets feelings about her surroundings that others do not and she begins to have visions too once they reach Stuffmore. The visions complicate the plot and lead it new directions.

Greed is a major topic in the book and it doesn’t paint a pretty picture. Everyone in Stuffmore is obsessed with their standing on the city’s happiness list and all of their time is spent trying to move up. Even Uncle Bumbrain quickly gets back in the race after he appears to be pleased about the children’s arrival. Citizens fill their days doing non-stop shopping without spending time looking at what they’re bought. Semma becomes concerned when her uncle, sister, and cousin don’t leave even a moment to use what they’ve purchased or to have friendly talks as a family. The motivating idea in Stuffmore is quantity since having everything you might possibly want will make you happy.

What didn’t work as well:

Readers may wonder how the citizens are able to keep continuously buy more stuff every day when no one has a job. Buying bigger houses and cars will move a person up the happiness list but why can’t everyone do that? Where are all these products made and what limits citizens from buying everything? The list creates a hierarchy of citizens that promotes competition to buy more stuff.

The final verdict:

This wacky adventure into another world shares a lesson in greed and the search for happiness. The characters battle real-life inner thoughts and feelings that are taken to extreme levels. The blend of humor, serious, and zany will appeal to many young, able readers and I recommend you give this new series a shot.

The Secret in the Tower by Andrew Beattie

What worked:

Jack Broom is an endearing character who balances doing his apothecary duties for Old Mother Cobb with avoiding her beatings for being late or messing up. He scrapes together any money he has to buy medical books as he dreams of becoming a surgeon’s apprentice. He’s treated rudely by the king’s guard and suspects he’s being spied on. He tries to survive his difficulties as best he can and finally finds a friend in a girl named Alice. He’s willing to help those who need it but discovers he often needs help from others.

Jack is an orphan and doesn’t remember anything about his parents. The “aunt” he’s living with doesn’t seem to be a loving relative so her relationship to Jack is unclear. These questions force readers to speculate about Jack’s true story so the idea that he might be a lost son from nobility is very possible. He eventually realizes he may be able to learn answers about his past if he can somehow sneak into the Tower. However, there are people in the Tower searching for Jack and he doesn’t understand why. He must weigh the danger from the threats seeking him out with his desire to understand his past.

The story is set in the 1400s and the author includes numerous details from that time period. Old Mother Cobb creates remedies from herbs but Jack knows they probably don’t do much to cure any ailments. He studies the latest medical treatments using his books which include blood-letting with leeches to heal diseases. Clothing is handmade from wool and Jack mostly moves by foot around the city. King Richard III is ruling England but his claim to the throne may be illegitimate. This leads to the Cousins War, or the War of the Roses, which is a major part of the book. An epilogue and the author’s note at the end will answer any lingering questions and provide historical context to the story.

What didn’t work as well:

Clues are left regarding what’s happening in the plot but astute readers will probably be able to easily figure everything out. The synopsis lets readers know Jack will be misidentified and chased by unknown assailants but the mystery isn’t hard to foresee. The author’s twist adds some intrigue to Jack’s character but readers will have an inkling about that too.

The final verdict:

Jack’s kind, humble character is at the center of a historical adventure. There’s enough danger and drama to satisfy everyone with mystery and a suspenseful climax to wrap things up. I recommend you give this book a shot. 

The Sherlock Society 1 by James Ponti

What worked:

The author presents a dramatic hook as readers meet the two main characters adrift in the water off the coast of Florida. Siblings Alex and Zoe Sherlock had just survived a boat explosion after sneaking on and hiding from the owner and his crew. The setting then shifts back three weeks to explain how the kids get themselves, and their grandfather, into this predicament. This adventure reveals secrets they never expected, putting them in potentially dangerous situations. The book’s title comes from Alex’s admiration for Sherlock Holmes and his mysteries not from the fact they share the same last name.

The story is told from Alex’s first-person point of view although it doesn’t add significant information or insight. The book reads as a mystery when Zoe joins Alex and his two friends, Lina and Yadi, to form a summertime detective agency. Their mother nixes that plan but Grandpa suggests they try to finish one of the unsolved stories from his reporter days. The article they choose to pursue happens to be about Al Capone and a million-dollar hidden treasure he may have buried around Miami. Grandpa says being a reporter is like being a detective so that’s how they’ll spin it when the mother finds out. They often fall back on the 5 Ws of newspeople (who, what, why, when, where) to guide their investigation.

The plot includes news from the past as the Sherlock Society researches Al Capone’s life and historical events during that time. Capone is best known for living in Chicago but he moved to Miami after being released from Alcatraz prison. Grandpa shares what he knows as a lifelong resident of the area and they visit sites from Capone’s life and interview people who have knowledge about him. As the plot shifts, readers learn additional information regarding nature and science when a new antagonist arises. This new conflict allows the characters to use their detective skills to resolve an important public problem.

What didn’t work as well:

The whole plot is about solving mysteries and readers may want a break at times. There are a couple of subplots concerning Lina and Zoe but it might be nice to develop them more.  

The final verdict:

The book begins as an interesting exploration of Al Capone’s past then transitions to an important investigation about a local, public figure. The characters don’t have super-sleuthing talents but they work well together as a team. Overall, I recommend you give it a shot. 

Confessions of a Junior Spy 1 by Rosaria Munda

What worked:

The Pangean Hotel is a curious setting where spies freely roam the hallways and rooms after their worldwide missions. It’s a sanctuary for them and houses the Pangean League, an ancient international association dedicated to maintaining world peace. Its spies are committed to helping people in trouble and they never use violence except in self-defense. The fraternal twins of the hotel’s Branch Director are snobby brats and they provide an annoyance for Bea, the book’s main character. Staff members provide all of the necessary services for spies ranging from clothing and equipment to medical services. Bea’s teachers range from the Interpreter for lessons in Latin and French, to learning chemistry from the Jeweler, and history and espionage from the Archivist.

While this book doesn’t tell a superhero story, it does include Bea’s new super ability. These talents are called Knacks and Bea eventually learns hers has to do with knives. Her best friend Tommy has a Knack for cleaning while her new friend Chantal has a Knack for communicating with animals. Bea’s Knack manifests itself when she needs to protect a friend and she’s overjoyed when she discovers it. If you ignore the fact that she could have seriously injured a bully. The residents and staff of the Pangean respond with praise and congratulations. Bea feels a comforting connection with the weapons and the Jeweler gifts her with a special knife bearing an inlaid, scrimshaw hilt, and tiny teeth. Bea’s mother, however, would prefer Bea use her new Knack to become a skilled surgeon or a chef, like her father.

The biggest conflict is between Bea and her mother and it concerns Bea attending a normal school. Bea doesn’t have any first-hand experience beyond the walls of the Pangean Hotel but she doesn’t want to spend her days sitting behind a schoolroom desk. Classes that don’t include self-defense or stitching up wounds don’t interest her at all. However, Bea’s mom doesn’t want her daughter to enter the dangerous world of spies like she was forced to do as a child. Her mother isn’t sharing all she knows about the spy business but she’s afraid of the dangers Bea’s new Knack might bring.

What didn’t work as well:

Chantal’s knack doesn’t work as well for a couple of reasons. First, she’s supposed to be a “normal” young girl so it doesn’t seem like she should have a special ability. Second, her knack is more supernatural than other knacks. Bea can’t do anything magical with knives other than throw them with great accuracy. The spies’ talents are based on exceptional skills and interests while Chantal's communication with animals goes beyond human capabilities.

The final verdict:

This book is certainly an appetizer for greater adventures to come. Bea’s struggle to pursue a life of spying is at center stage but the appearance of an assassin brings much excitement and suspense. I recommend you give this book a shot and I’m looking forward to its sequel. 

Never Thirteen (The Evers 2) by Stacy McAnulty

What worked:

This book immediately creates a conflict between Ronan and the Evers. Ronan is psychic, like most of his relatives, and he learns from his aunt that psychics and Evers are enemies. Evers can steal Ronan’s psychic power but he can kill Evers through extended physical contact. Ronan’s aunt says psychics have a responsibility to rid the earth of Evers since Evers intend to spread their “disease” around the world. This revelation causes a huge internal conflict for Ronan since an Ever named Ivy is one of his good friends. Ivy’s Ever friends learn about his ability, meaning they now see him as a threat. This conflict between Evers and Enders becomes a bigger problem as Ivy and her friends begin to look elsewhere for answers. Alternating chapters focus on various main characters so readers can appreciate their different points of view.

This series will make readers ponder the concept of eternal life and the serious consequences it holds. The Evers don’t age and their injuries heal while they rest which sounds wonderful. However, not growing old means they never change physically while everyone around them does. It’s impossible to go unnoticed in a community so the Evers are forced to constantly move. They don’t like to develop serious friendships since they can’t last long and the Evers will experience grief and sadness when mortal friends die. Since Ivy’s only recently been changed, the Evers want to make her mortal again so she can have a normal life. Another Ever wants the same thing but his decision creates a rift between Este, the oldest member of their group, and the others.

The author throws another twist into the plot since Ivy’s new roommate is mortal. Aurora knows nothing about Ivy’s secret so she’s hurt and confused by Ivy’s behavior. Ivy is forced to lie about why she didn’t finish the previous school year and why she often sneaks off to meet with the other Evers. Aurora feels like she’s being avoided and pushed away and she realizes Ivy isn’t being honest. This only adds to Aurora’s stress about her parents’ splitting up so the friction between the roommates grows. Other characters new to the series bring different perspectives about Evers and Enders along with additional questions and a few answers.

What didn’t work as well:

The idea of Enders doesn’t make total sense. If Enders can hurt Evers by touching them but Evers can hurt Enders by doing the same thing, won’t they hurt each other if they make contact? Also, there’s still fuzziness about why some psychics feel it’s their duty to end the Evers. Evers don’t seem to have the same feeling about Enders. If this battle has been going on for centuries, why hasn’t Este ever heard about Enders during her almost three hundred years of life?

The final verdict:

The author introduces several consequences of becoming mortal again that really complicate Ivy’s thoughts about returning to a normal life. There are dramatic twists on an emotional rollercoaster as the battle between Evers and psychics escalates. I recommend you give this book a shot but I also suggest you read Forever Twelve first.

One Wrong Step by Jennifer A. Nielsen

What worked:

Each chapter begins with a few lines sharing facts relevant to the following events. Mountain climbing is a major part of the story and readers will learn much about it. The first chapter shares information about Atlas’s first mountain climb to the summit of Kings Peak in 1936. It’s also the time when his mother loses her battle with a chronic disease. A map to the summit of Mt. Everest precedes the second chapter with information about the sherpas who assist climbers. Other chapter introductions explain terms like acclimation, climbers adjusting to the lack of oxygen, columns of ice called seracs, and various tools used during a climb. These descriptions are helpful to understand the nuances of scaling Earth’s tallest mountain. Additional maps throughout the book identify Atlas’s location on Mt. Everest to give readers context for the dramatic events. They’ll discover it takes months, a lot of money, courage, and a bit of luck to attempt a climb up Mt. Everest.

The story is told in first-person by Atlas, a teenage boy from London. This allows readers to learn about his feelings and unspoken thoughts about mountain climbing and special memories. Dealing with grief is an issue since Atlas hasn’t had a serious talk about his mother’s death in the three years since it happened. He’s frustrated that his father won’t let him climb to Mt. Everest’s summit but that doesn’t stop Atlas from trying to change his mind. An avalanche will find Atlas climbing farther than his father expected. Telling the story first-person also lets readers in on Atlas’s climbing knowledge and strategies as well as his conflicted thoughts about his mother.

The climbing team presents a variety of personalities to enhance the plot and drama. Mr. Blake is financing most of the expedition but his superior air creates conflict and mystery. He loves to hear himself talk, mostly about himself, and he frequently shares disparaging remarks about Atlas’s age and skill. Hushed comments between Blake and another team member create uncertainty about Blake’s character and his motives. Chodak is the main sherpa guide and his kind personality is a stark contrast to Blake. He’s the group’s biggest asset but an accident complicates his role. Maddie is about Atlas’s age and Atlas initially doesn’t like her presence on the mountain. She has very little climbing experience and one of her phobias may make her a liability. What kind of father makes Mt. Everest his daughter’s first mountain-climbing event?

What didn’t work as well:

The Nazi subplot slowly emerges but it’s not a necessary complication to the mountain-climbing adventure. The avalanche and Atlas’s subsequent efforts and setbacks to rescue his father provide plenty of drama for one book. Reader attention is distracted from this gripping problem as the topic of a Nazi spy continues. Mentioning the possibility of Nazis on Mt. Everest adds historical context to the plot but it would be better to leave it at that.

The final verdict:

The author captures the life-threatening perils and the harrowing weather conditions found on Mt. Everest to help readers experience the torturous quest to reach the summit. Atlas struggles to deal with his grief over his mother’s death and this subplot may resonate with readers. Overall, this riveting survival story will appeal to a wide audience and I recommend you give it a shot.

Bringing Back Kay- Kay by Dev Kothari

What worked:

The plot is a missing-person story with Lena trying to find her older brother Kay-Kay. It’s kind of a locked-door mystery as Kay-Kay was on a moving train when he went to bed but there’s no evidence of how he disappeared when passengers unload the next day. Lena doesn’t feel the police are doing enough so she begins investigating on her own. It’s hard to believe she’ll succeed, but she’s more emotionally motivated than anyone else. Some people she interviews are kind and helpful while others think she’s interfering and should let the police do their jobs. Lena is able to uncover secrets about her brother but his life is a bigger mystery than she could ever know.

Grief is a major issue as Kay-Kay’s disappearance is devastating for the family. The mother is hit hardest as she withdraws into her sorrow and can’t function anymore. Lena does her best to support her parents during this trying time but it’s not enough to make her mother feel better. The father struggles to carry on but Lena’s investigation wears on his nerves. Lena creates friction with others and her father is the one who hears their complaints about how his daughter is behaving.

The author weaves poetry and flashbacks into the plot as Lena remembers happy times with her brother. She idolizes him and her memories are of times when he supported her, counseled her, or simply brought joy to her life. The poems shared fit Lena’s thoughts of the situations that arise. One called “Expectations” goes with the chapter where Lena is on a bus to find her brother and “A Love Letter” fits her mood later in the story.

What didn’t work as well:

Uncovering the truth about what’s happened to Kay-Kay moves at a slow pace as Lena hits one dead end after another. This is especially evident once Lena leaves the city since readers are already anticipating significant developments in the case. It feels like Lena is back at square one.

The final verdict:

This emotional tale highlights the loving bond between a girl and her older brother. Parental expectations complicate the family dynamics but the conflicts are resolved in a compassionate manner in the end. This book will appeal to readers interested in India and sibling love and I recommend you give it a shot.