THE WITCH IN THE WOODS: Grimmworld, by Michaelbrent Collings, Shadow Mountain, March 5, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 9 and up)

Two siblings find themselves in the middle of the Grimm fairy tales in The Witch in the Woods, the first book in Michaelbrent Collings Grimmworld series.

Twins Willow and Jake Grimm are not prepared for the bizarre gadgets and scary changes in their new home of New Marburg, the location of the top-secret Think Tank where their parents now have jobs as scientists. In this town, people jetpack to work, robots direct traffic, and senior citizens duel with laser swords.

Yet nothing compares to what happens the day after lightning strikes the twins’ house. Their school building transforms around them, becoming a medieval castle—complete with moat, drawbridge, and a dangerous giant who looks strangely like the school’s overly aggressive hall monitor.

Barely managing to escape before a massive beanstalk lifts the castle above the clouds, Willow and Jake learn that their ancestors, the original Brothers Grimm, were more than storytellers. They were Grimmwalkers, able to travel from our universe to Grimmworld: the universe where all fairy tales are born.

Somehow, Willow and Jake have been transported to Grimmworld as well. But before the twins can figure out how to get back to their own universe, they discover that their best friends, Hank and Pearl, have morphed into the fairy tale characters Hansel and Gretel and been captured by a candy-obsessed witch deep in the Cursed Forest.

Now, aided by a mysterious wizard with shimmering golden eyes and a befuddled, talking naked mole-rat named Chet, the twins must trust in each other, believe in themselves, and find the courage to face their darkest fears in order to save their friends, return to their family, and maybe—just maybe—save the world. —Synopsis provided by Shadow Mountain

The Witch in the Woods has so much potential — action, adventure, fairy tales — but it only halfway lives up to that potential.

The story starts out well enough, a big move to a mysterious town. Lots of cool technology. New friends and a teacher who seems out to get the twins.

And then the twins enter Grimmworld, and an explanation of other worlds and theoretical science and bubbles enters the conversation, and it’s complicated. Complicated enough that the intended might struggle. It’s supposed to be this big aha moment, but it kind of stalls things. Tighter editing here could have made a big difference.

I wish the characters were slightly older and The Witch in the Woods was billed as an older MG/ young YA. It’s a better fit for that audience. The book itself has enough to it that it would do well there. And even though Willow and Jake are fifth-graders, that’s the group I’d still recommend it to.

Beyond that, author Michaelbrent Collings’s writing is smooth and full of humor. Even though Grimmworld is, well, grim, he injects a lightness that really lifts the tone. There’s lots of action and mysteries to solve. It’s not a bad start to what could become a very entertaining series.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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COURTESY OF CUPID, by Nashae Jones, Aladdin, Jan. 2, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10 and up)

A girl uses her ability to make people fall in love in Courtesy of Cupid, an upper middle-grade rom-com by Nashae Jones.

Erin Johnson’s thirteenth birthday unfolds like any other day, from her mom’s quirky and embarrassing choice of outfit to racing her nemesis, Trevor Jin, to the best seat in class—front row, center. But her gifts this year include something very out of the ordinary: magical powers.

Erin discovers her mysterious father is actually the love god Cupid and she’s inherited his knack for romance. It’s not the most useful ability for an overachiever with lofty academic and extracurricular goals…or is it? Erin desperately wants to be elected president of the Multicultural Leadership Club, and as usual, Trevor is her fiercest competition. He’s never backed down from a challenge before, but if Erin makes him fall in love with her, maybe he’d drop out of the race and let her win.

With her magical pedigree, wrapping Trevor around her finger is a snap, and having him around all the time is a small price to pay for victory. But without their cutthroat rivalry bringing out the worst in each other, Erin realizes Trevor may not be as bad as she thought, and suddenly her first foray into love gets a lot more complicated… —Synopsis provided by Aladdin

Courtesy of Cupid is geared toward tweens who are drawn to romance but aren’t ready for full-blown YA romance. The cover does make it clear this is a romance, but it reads a little older than 13-year-olds.

Author Nashae Jones has a warm writing style that immediately draws you in. Her concept is sound and believable while still having an air of magic.

Erin is a bit tightly strung, and her need to be perfect is a touch overwhelming. Thankfully, there’s a lot more to her. And there’s a lot more to Trevor, as well, which Erin discovers when she finally opens herself up to the possibility. The push and pull between them is the highlight.

There are a few elements to the book that feel a bit forced — the campaign to be elected president of the Multicultural Leadership Club is just way to big and intense for what it is. I don’t think it’s a gamechanger, but this — rather than the magical powers — is what’s challenges belief.

Despite the age of the characters, Courtesy of Cupid does read a little bit older, making it a good choice for 11- to 13-year-olds.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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IT HAPPENED ON SATURDAY, by Sydney Dunlap, North Star Editions, Feb. 20, 2023, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 11 and up)

A teen is lured into a relationship via social media in It Happened on Saturday, by Sydney Dunlap. 

Thirteen-year-old Julia would much rather work with horses at the rescue barn than worry about things like dating and makeup. But when her BFF meets a boy at camp, Julia’s determined not to get left behind. After a makeover from her older sister, she posts a picture of herself online and gets a comment from Tyler―a seemingly nice kid who lives across town. As they DM more and more, Julia’s sure that Tyler understands her in a way her family never has. Even better, their relationship earns her tons of attention at school.

Then Julia finds out Tyler’s true plan, and her world is turned upside down. She fiercely guards her secret, but could her silence allow her friends to fall into the same trap? —Synopsis provided by North Star Editions

It Happened on Saturday reads like a “message” book. And that’s not to say the message is bad, but it lacks that sort of organic feel that makes a book feel special. Instead, it feels like the author has a message to share, and the book is her way of doing it.

It Happened on Saturday is specifically about a girl who becomes enamored with a guy she meets online. He compliments her photo and they begin “talking.” Soon, he’s asking her to meet and later lures her into a hotel room where he intends to hand her off to a human trafficker. That’s the first half of the book. The second half focuses on her experiences after getting away.

Again, this is something to be aware of, but something with the book just didn’t sit right with me. I often felt like author Sydney Dunlap was telling rather than showing, and somehow the whole thing felt a bit formulaic.

It Happened on Saturday is not bad, it’s just not great. I suggest parents read it before or in conjunction with their kid. Because of the topic, it warrants further discussion.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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