THE NIGHT LIBRARIAN: A Graphic Novel, by Christopher Lincoln, Dial Books, July 30, 2024, Paperback, $13.99 (ages 8-12)

Twins discover a secret side to the New York City Public Library in The Night Librarian, a graphic novel by Christopher Lincoln.

Twins Page and Turner know about the magic a library holds—they’ve been going to their beloved New York City public library for years, especially since their parents are always traveling for work.

But a secret mission involving their dad’s rare and valuable edition of Bram Stoker’s Dracula uncovers a world they’ve never known, featuring a mysterious Night Librarian, famous heroes (and villains) that have broken free from classic books, and an epic battle to save the library from total destruction. —Synopsis provided by Dial Books

The Night Librarian is an ode to libraries, books, adventures and the librarians that change lives.

This fun graphic novel adventure not only takes readers inside the bowels of the library, but into the literal pages of classic books.

Author/illustrator Christopher Lincoln tells his story with humor and heart. Page and Turner are a bit obnoxious, but kids will love their interplay. And the twins eventually learn to work together, giving them nice character arcs.

Lincoln’s illustrations are set against backdrop colors of yellow (day) and blue (night) and feature strong linework and expressive characters.

The Night Librarian is a fast-moving graphic novel that kids — especially those who love books — won’t want to put down.

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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THE NEW GIRL: A GRAPHIC NOVEL (The New Girl #1), by Cassandra Calin, Graphix, June 4, 2024, Paperback, $12.99 (ages 8-12)

A girl faces a world of change when her family moves from Romania to Canada in The New Girl, a graphic novel by Cassandra Calin.

Goodbye, old life…

Lia and her family are waiting to board a flight across the Atlantic, leaving behind family, friends, and Romania — the only home Lia has ever known. But Lia’s heartache is overshadowed by the discomfort of her first period. As if things weren’t difficult enough! Now Lia is thrust into a world where everything is different: her home, her language, and even her body. With so many changes happening at once, Lia struggles with schoolwork, has trouble communicating with classmates, and has no idea how to manage her unpleasant periods. Will she ever feel like herself again?

Inspired by the author’s own immigration experience, The New Girl is a story about change and acceptance. —Synopsis provided by Graphix

I brought The New Girl with me on a family trip, and my 10-year-old took it and wouldn’t give it back. Here’s her review:

“I like graphic novels and when I saw the cover, I knew someone would choose the artist for a graphic novel. Plus, it looked kind of interesting.

It’s about adjusting to a new life where you have to learn a new language and make new friends.

I think the best thing is a lot of girls can relate to Lia about getting stressed about cramps and her period.

The New Girl has lots of languages in it. And a lot of diversity in it, too.

I like how the illustrations look realistic, but it still looks a bit cartoony.

The thing I would have like better is maybe a bit less drama. Plus, it’s all about boyfriends, and that’s not my cup of tea.”

If that’s not a glowing recommendation, I don’t know what is. My 10-year-old has read it at least 10 times during our trip, and we’ve still got a few days left. “I like it!” she says.

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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CODE NAME KINGFISHER, by Liz Kessler, Aladdin, May 7, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)

A teen learns about her grandmother’s life in Nazi-occupied holland while doing research for a school project in Code Name Kingfisher, by Liz Kessler.

Thirteen-year-old Liv’s beloved ninety-two-year-old grandmother, Oma, is moving into a home where she can be cared for as her dementia worsens. As Liv helps her father empty Oma’s house, she finds an old chest which opens up a whole world that Liv never knew about: the hidden world of Oma’s childhood.

Through the letters and other mementos, Liv learns that Oma, given name Mila, had a sister, Eva, that no one in Liv’s family ever knew about. In 1942, Mila and Eva are sent away from their parents to a non-Jewish family so they will survive the war. Twelve-year-old Mila believes that they will soon be reunited with their parents and go back to their normal lives, but fourteen-year-old Eva knows better, and soon gets involved in the Resistance. Eva takes on more and more dangerous assignments until a betrayal forces her to decide between running away with her sister or fully committing to mission. Tragedy strikes, and Mila goes to England on her own to restart her life from scratch, vowing never to talk about her childhood again.

In the present day, Liv reads how Mila builds something new from the shattered pieces of her childhood while giving beloved Oma all the support she can. Both Liv and Mila grapple with loyalty, family, and love as they discover what it means to be brave and go above and beyond to offer someone else a life of dignity, happiness, and freedom. —Synopsis provided by Aladdin

Code Name Kingfisher is the story of family and the bonds that reach through generations. The story unfolds through alternating time periods/points of view. While Liv’s story is interesting, it’s Mila and Eva’s stories that are the most compelling. But all address themes of bullying and learning to trust.

Author Liz Kessler’s writing is comfortable and accessible. Her work is thoughtful and well researched. And her characters are fully formed and feel authentic.

Code Name Kingfisher is a fast-moving historical fiction novel that would make an excellent classroom or personal read.

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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SUSIE KING TAYLOR: NURSE, TEACHER & FREEDOM FIGHTER (Rise. Risk. Remember. Incredible Stories of Courageous Black Women), by Erica Armstrong Dunbar and Candace Buford, Aladdin, Sept. 26, 2023, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 10 and up)

Learn about one of the first Black nurses in the Civil War in Susie King Taylor: Nurse Teacher & Freedom Fighter, by Erica Armstrong Dunbar and Candace Buford.

A groundbreaking figure in every sense of the word, Susie King Taylor (1848–1912) was one of the first Black nurses during the Civil War, tending to the wounded soldiers of the 1st South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Afterward, she was a key figure in establishing a postbellum educational system for formerly bonded Black people, opening several dedicated schools in Georgia. Taylor was also one of the first Black women to publish her memoirs.

Even as her country was at war with itself, Taylor valiantly fought for the rights of her people and demonstrated true heroism. —Synopsis provided by Aladdin

Susie King Taylor: Nurse Teacher & Freedom Fighter is a middle-grade biography written in first-person voice. Much of the information comes from Taylor’s own narrative Reminiscences of My Life in Camp, which was published in 1902.

The authors also included “additional experiences we imagine must have confronted her… In some cases, we use ‘informed speculation’ — meaning we tried to estimate what Taylor would have experienced — even though she may not have told us about her feelings in writing.” However, the authors tried to use Taylor’s words wherever possible.

The authors do this extremely well.

Susie King Taylor: Nurse Teacher & Freedom Fighter is divided into two parts. The first, is this new biography. The second, is Taylor’s own writing, allowing readers to compare and contrast the two.

Susie King Taylor: Nurse Teacher & Freedom Fighter is as compelling a biography as any that I’ve read. The first-person narrative immediately draws you in, and makes you feel as if you’re right there with Taylor. The biography is full of harrowing moments, but it is the addition of the simplest of details that add depth.

The authors capture Taylor’s voice in prose that is both accessible for the intended audience and engaging for those who are older. It’s an excellent biography.

Susie King Taylor: Nurse Teacher & Freedom Fighter is the first book in a new series — Rise. Risk. Remember. Incredible Stories of Courageous Black Women — spotlighting Black women who left their mark on history.

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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VIOLETS ARE BLUE, by Barbara Dee, Aladdin, Oct. 12, 2021, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 9-13)

A girl uses makeup as a refuge while navigating friendships and her parents’ divorce in Barbara Dee’s Violets Are Blue.

Twelve-year-old Wren loves makeup — special effect makeup, to be exact. When she is experimenting with new looks, Wren can create a different version of herself. A girl who isn’t in a sort-of-best friendship with someone who seems like she hates her. A girl whose parents aren’t divorced and doesn’t have to learn to like her new stepmom.

So, when Wren and her mom move to a new town for a fresh start, she is cautiously optimistic. And things seem to fall into place when Wren meets potential friends and gets selected as the makeup artist for her school’s upcoming production of Wicked.

Only, Wren’s mom isn’t doing so well. She’s taking a lot of naps, starts snapping at Wren for no reason, and always seems to be sick. And what’s worse, Wren keeps getting hints that things aren’t going well at her new job at the hospital, where her mom is a nurse. And after an opening night disaster leads to a heartbreaking discovery, Wren realizes that her mother has a serious problem — a problem that can’t be wiped away or covered up.

After all the progress she’s made, can Wren start over again with her devastating new normal? And will she ever be able to heal the broken trust with her mom? —Synopsis provided by Aladdin

At the center of Violets Are Blue is Wren, a girl whose confidence in herself is shaken by a multitude of things. Wren is trying to grow, trying to explore new interests and talents, but it feels like she has to keep things hidden. Hidden from her friends, from her parents, and sometimes hidden from herself. This push and play make for a fascinating character study and introspection on the part of the reader.

Barbara Dee (My Life in a Fish Tank) understands her audience, and speaks directly to them. By doing so, she also speaks to older readers who will also see themselves past, present or future. Her ability to draw in such a large cross-section of readers is not only impressive — it’s why I am recommending Violets Are Blue for tweens, teens and parents alike.

Violets Are Blue is an engaging read that you won’t want to put down — I read it in one day. It’s one of my favorite middle-grade reads of 2021.

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DANNY CONSTANTINO’S FIRST (AND MAYBE LAST?) DATE, by Paul Acampora, Dial Books, July 14, 2020, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 9-12)

I don’t know exactly what I was expecting from Paul Acampora’s Danny Constantino’s First (And Maybe Last?) Date, but it certainly wasn’t what I got. And what I got was delightful.

The story centers around Danny Constantino who asks his old friend to his local school dance and homecoming parade.

Sort of.

See, Natalie Flores Griffin is not a Hollywood movie star, and it’s Danny’s friend’s sister who asks for Danny.

Without his permission.

Much to everyone’s surprise — especially Danny’s — Natalie says yes.

Soon Danny’s “love life” is at the center of social media. Natalie is Cuper Cove’s hometown hero, and everyone wants a piece of her, including Danny’s mom, who wants to use Natalie as free publicity for her mayoral campaign.

Danny’s got his work cut out for him … if only he can figure out what he wants.

Danny Constantino’s First (And Maybe Last?) Date is a breath of fresh air. It’s bright. It’s funny. It’s fast-paced. It’s just the kind of book to get you out of Pandemic Funk No. 326.

Danny and his friends practically jump off the page. Their quirky personalities combine to make a friend mashup one can only dream of.

Paul Acampora’s wit permeates the text, leaving you wanting for more.

I read Danny Constantino’s First (And Maybe Last?) Date in one sitting, and I’d happily go back and read it again tomorrow.

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INTO THE CLOUDS: THE RACE TO CLIMB THE WORLD’S MOST DANGEROUS MOUNTAIN, by Tod Olson, Scholastic Focus, April 21, 2020, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)

Mt. Everest. It’s probably the best-known mountain on the planet. It’s the one climbers dream of summitting. Or is it?

For Charlie Houston, it was always K2, the second-highest mountain in the world, that he dreamed of conquering.

In 1953, as two men summit Mt. Everest for the first time, Charlie Houston and a team of mountaineers carve a path up the deadly K2. Four Houston, reaching the top of K2 is a lifelong dream, an obsession that began 15 years earlier on his first expedition there.

Since then, another American expedition has fallen apart on the remote, windswept mass of rock and ice.

Now, Houston’s team follows in their tracks. With the summit in their grasp, a vicious storm and a sudden illness puts their own expedition on the edge of disaster, turning their qust to conquer a mountain into one of the most daring rescue missions ever. —Synopses provided by Scholastic

Into the Clouds follows the experiences of three groups of mountaineers as they took on K2. Bound together by the love of climbing, these men were pushed to their absolute limit and beyond.

Into the Clouds is one of my favorite books of 2020. It’s a gripping nonfiction narrative that transports readers directly to the side of the mountain. This is a book you get lost in. I found myself gobbling up chapters late into the night, and it wasn’t until after I finished that I realized I was reading it not as a “reviewer” but as a someone utterly swept away.

Into the Clouds works in every way. It is meticulously researched with a comprehensive list of sources and source notes included at the end. The inclusion of photos from the actual expeditions adds another dimension, allowing you to not only put faces to names but to better understand the terrain and conditions the climbers encountered.

I highly recommend Into the Clouds for middle-graders, young adults and adults. It’s a fascinating read that sticks with you.

Tod Olson is the author of the narrative nonfiction series, LOST, and the historical fiction series How to Get Rich. He has written for national magazines on the Columbine school shooting, homeless teens, the murder of Matthew Shepard, and many other stories of interest to children and young adults. Tod holds an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and lives in Vermont with his family, his mountain bike, and his electric reclining chair. To learn more, and to download free teaching resources, visit his website: todolson.com.

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THE SEEKING SERUM, by Frank L. Cole, Shadow Mountain, Jan. 7, 2020, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

If you have not read the first two books in Frank L. Cole’s Potions Masters trilogy, stop here. Go read the first two books — The Eternity Elixir and The Transparency Tonic — before cracking the cover of the final book, The Seeking Serum.

The Seeking Serum is the third book in the Potions Masters trilogy. The series follows Gordy Stitser, one of a select group of people who know about the secret society of potion masters. His mom used to be on the Board of Ruling Elixirists Worldwide (B.R.E.W.), and she’s been training Gordy since the moment he showed aptitude.

But things haven’t been going well as of late.

There’s a covert group determined to overthrow the potion-making community and control the world. And Gordy’s grandfather, Mezzarix, just happens to be the leader. Mezzarix, who is a powerful, evil elixirist, stole the Vessel, the source of power for all potion masters. His plan is to eliminate all prisons, all rulers, all secrets and send the world into chaos.

No one is sure who’s on what side, forcing Gordy and his family into hiding. With help of an underground renegade network known as the Swigs, the Stitsers form a plan. When formerly imprisoned potion masters attack the Swigs, Gordy barely escapes. And he goes to the only people he knows he can trust — his friends.

Max, Sasha and Adilene join Gordy in making a plan to find Mezzarix’s secret location. While a battle between good and evil and everything plays out in the town, the friends set out to save the Vessel and Stop Mezzarix once and for all.

The Potions Masters trilogy is one of the more enjoyable middle-grade series I’ve recently read. Though the fate of the world is at stake, Frank L. Cole has injected his stories with just the right amount of humor. Gordy’s a likeable teen that readers will immediately root for.

If you have time, I highly suggest rereading The Eternity Elixir and The Transparency Tonic prior to taking on The Seeking Serum. This far out, it’s hard to remember some of the finer plot points that would have been helpful to the overall flow.

If The Eternity Elixir serves as an introduction to the potions world and The Transparency Tonic immerses you in it, then The Seeking Serum blows it all up. It’s fun seeing Cole’s world come full circle, and there’s room for him to build on it later on should he choose to do so.

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I CAN MAKE THIS PROMISE, by Christine Day , Harper, Oct. 1, 2019, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

Christine Day’s I Can Make This Promise is a heartfelt novel that follows a girl as she unravels her family’s past.

All her life, Edie has known that her mom was adopted by a white couple. So, no matter how curious she might be about her Native American heritage, Edie is sure her family doesn’t have any answers.

Until the day when she and her friends discover a box hidden in the attic—a box full of letters signed “Love, Edith,” and photos of a woman who looks just like her.

Suddenly, Edie has a flurry of new questions about this woman who shares her name. Could she belong to the Native family that Edie never knew about? But if her mom and dad have kept this secret from her all her life, how can she trust them to tell her the truth now? — Synopsis provided by Harper

I Can Make This Promise was inspired by Christine Day’s own life and family history, among other sources.

I can’t imagine what it’s like to not know where your family comes from. I live in a place where family history is at the forefront. The largest genealogical library in the world is about a 20-minute drive from my house. Knowing what my ancestors did and did not accomplish makes me think to the future both near and far.

In I Can Make This Promise Edie feels like a piece of herself is missing. Her attic discovery changes everything. Edie’s longing is palpable and her frustration understandable. She’s a beautiful character and so is her journey.

I Can Make This Promise offers a number of surprises (that I won’t give away here) that delve into aspects of American history that aren’t spoken about often enough but should be. As a mother, my heart ached, and I can only imagine how a child would feel when putting themselves into that situation.

Beyond Native American themes, Day’s book elegantly celebrates family and friendship. And like it’s cover, it is full of hope. This is a novel that all middle graders and their parents should read.

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MASTER OF THE PHANTOM ISLE, by Brandon Mull , Shadow Mountain, Oct. 1, 2019, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)

On June 14, 2006, Shadow Mountain released a little book with a lot of heart called Fablehaven. The book by author Brandon Mull told the story siblings Seth and Kendra Sorenson who find out their grandfather and grandmother run preserve where mythical creatures can live in peace. The book grew into a best-selling series with a worldwide fan base.

After finishing the fifth and final book in the series in 2010, Mull moved on to other projects. But the world of Fablehaven still had more stories to tell, and in 2017, Dragonwatch: A Fablehaven Adventure was released. It was followed up in 2018 with Dragonwatch: Wrath of the Dragon King and this month with Dragonwatch: Master of the Phantom Isle.

There are four books planned in the Dragonwatch series, which follows Kendra and Seth as they become caretakers of Wyrmroost, an ancient dragon sanctuary. The dragons see the sanctuary as prison and will stop at nothing to get out and roam the earth as they once did.

Master of the Phantom Isle takes up where Wrath of the Dragon King left off.

Cursed by the Key of Forgetting, Seth has lost all memory of his past—his relationships, his experiences, and who he really is. For now he will align with his new mentor, Ronodin, the dark unicorn, who takes him to the Phantom Isle, the secret gateway to the Under Realm. Though Seth is not formally a prisoner, Ronodin wants to use him and his shadow charmer powers for his own dark ends.

Kendra is frantic to find her missing brother, but the quest will take her and her companions, including Warren, Tanu, and Vanessa, far from Wyrmroost to Crescent Lagoon—a recently fallen dragon sanctuary made up of many islands and underwater domains. Its caretaker has regained a foothold on one of the islands. If Kendra and her friends can save that sanctuary, they might uncover the answers they need to rescue Seth.

With each sanctuary the dragons overthrow, Celebrant, the Dragon King, comes closer to the dawn of a new Age of Dragons. With the forces of darkness on the march, can Kendra and her allies gather enough power to win the epic dragon war? — synopsis provided by Shadow Mountain

If you haven’t read the previous Dragonwatch books, then you’ll be lost in Master of the Phantom Isle. Likewise, you probably should read all the Fablehaven books beforehand, too — although it’s not essential, you’ll have a much better sense of the world Mull has created.

As the third book in the series, you can expect some “getting from here to there” elements that are necessary to move the story forward for the fourth installment. Master of the Phantom Isle is also a bit darker than its predecessors, so be prepared for that. However, fans of the Fablehaven world will have a lot to cheer for in this book.

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