UPRISING, by Jennifer A. Nielsen, Scholastic Press, March 5, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)

Uprising, by Jennifer A. Nielsen, follows a young Polish girl as she participates in the Warsaw city uprising during WWII.

Twelve-year-old Lidia is outside her grandfather’s house when planes fly overhead, bearing the Nazi cross on each wing. Before the bombs hit the ground, Lidia realizes her life is about to change forever. Poland has fallen under German occupation, and her father makes the brave decision to join the Polish army to fight against the Nazis. Lidia wants to follow him into war, but she’s far too young, and she’s needed by her mother and brother.

After her family returns to Warsaw, where life has changed irrevocably, Lidia continues to play the piano, finding comfort in Chopin, Bach, and Beethoven. But she also wants to aid the Jewish people held captive in the Warsaw Ghetto. With the help of a friend, Lidia begins to smuggle wheat and food into the ghetto. Still, she feels like she could be doing so much more. She wants to fight. After her brother joins the resistance, Lidia wants only to follow in his footsteps. Soon, she begins to work as a courier, smuggling weapons and messages for the resistance throughout the city.

When the Warsaw city uprising begins―one year after the more well-known Warsaw Ghetto uprising by Polish Jews―with gunfire and bombs echoing throughout the streets, Lidia joins the Polish nationalists’ fight, too, and she and her peers fight with everything they’ve got. Life will continue to surprise Lidia, as she and the resistance fighters do their best to defeat the German soldiers. No matter the consequences, they’re willing to defend their freedom and their homes from the Nazi invaders―even with their lives. —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press

Jennifer A. Nielsen has become a mainstay in middle-grade literature, crafting captivating historical fiction and page-turning series.

Uprising, which was inspired by the real-life story of Polish teenager Lidia Zakrzewski, is an excellent addition to her canon. The story follows Polish resistance fighters who fought against the Nazis.

The story follows Lidia over a period of five years. During which, readers get a first-person account of the horrors Polish citizens faced. Lidia is smart and determined and someone you very much want to root for.

Nielsen adeptly captures the traumas of occupation and war while providing moments of light and hope throughout. Her pacing is smooth and her prose inviting.

While Nielsen did adapt the timeline for her story, much of Uprising is taken from her journals, other writings and stories she told to friends. A few of the characters are also partially fictionalized for purposes of the narration. Also included are photographs of Lidia and her family.

Uprising is a fast-moving historical drama that will appeal to fans of Alan Gratz.

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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HEROES: A NOVEL OF PEARL HARBOR, by Alan Gratz, Scholastic Press, Feb. 6, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)

Heroes: A Novel of Pearl Harbor, by Alan Gratz, follows two boys during the raid and aftermath of the Japanese attach in December 1941.

December 6, 1941: Best friends Frank and Stanley have it good. With their dads stationed at the Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii, the boys get to soak up the sunshine while writing and drawing their own comic books. World War II might be raging overseas, but so far America has stayed out of the fight. There’s nothing to fear, right?

December 7th, 1941: Everything implodes.

Frank and Stanley are touring a battleship when Japanese planes zoom overhead, dropping bomb after bomb. As explosions roar and sailors scream, Frank and Stanley realize the unthinkable is happening: Japan is attacking America! The war has come to them.

Frantically, the boys struggle to find safety. But disaster and danger are everywhere — from torpedoes underwater to bullets on the beach… to the shocking cruelty that their friends and neighbors show Stanely. Because his mom is Japanese-American, Stanely is suddenly seen as the “enemy.” And Frank, who is white, cannot begin to understand what his friend is now facing.

If the boys make it through this infamous day, can their friendship–and their dreams — survive? Or has everything they know been destroyed? —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press

Alan Gratz has a way of bringing history to life that you can’t ignore. From beginning to end, Heroes is a high-stakes read that you won’t want to put down.

Gratz takes young readers to the center of action by placing Frank and Stanley on the deck of the battleship Utah when the Japanese start dropping bombs. Seeing the ensuing chaos through their eyes brings an immediacy to the story you couldn’t catch otherwise.

With so much going on, it would be easy for readers to get lost, but Gratz deftly shepherds his audience from place to place in a way that makes sense. He removes the confusion for the reader while still conveying that overwhelming feel of mayhem.

At the center of it all is a friendship that is built on the love of comic books but is fractured by racism. Frank and Stanley are best buds that are well developed and likeable. They’re easy to root for both during and after the attack. You want them to succeed and you hope for a future where their friendship endures.

Heroes ends with an all-original, 10-page black & white comic that brings to life the comic book idea that Frank and Stanley brainstorm in the novel. The comic is written by Alan Gratz and illustrated by Judit Tondora. And it’s a lot of fun to see the ideas realized. Also included is a map of Pearl Harbor on Dec.7, 1941 and an author’s note about WWII, a section about the story, and a discussion of Asian Americans in comics.

Heroes is an action-packed read that should appeal to a large cross-section of readers. I read it in one sitting.

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.

The post Alan Gratz’s Heroes is excellent story of attack on Pearl Harbor appeared first on www.crackingthecover.com.

EARLY READER

THE SKULL: A Tyrolean Folktale, by Jon Klassen, Candlewick, July 11, 2023, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 4-10)

Jon Klassen’s signature wry humor takes a turn for the ghostly in this thrilling retelling of a traditional Tyrolean folktale. In a big abandoned house, on a barren hill, lives a skull. A brave girl named Otilla has escaped from terrible danger and run away, and when she finds herself lost in the dark forest, the lonely house beckons. Her host, the skull, is afraid of something too, something that comes every night. Can brave Otilla save them both? —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

I recently passed this book on to a friend whose son needed to read a “fairy tale” book and do a report on it. He’s not a confident reader, but The Skull had immediate appeal. Klassen’s monochromatic artwork is an immediate draw. There’s a subtlety to Klassen’s humor that really resonates with kids.

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AGES 6 AND UP

A KID’S GUIDE TO BACKYARD BIRDS, by Eliza Berkowitz and Nicole LaRue, Gibbs Smith, March 7, 2023, Paperback, $12.99 (ages 6-8)

A Kid’s Guide to Backyard Birds is filled with facts about the most common birds, including where they live, what they eat, and how they sound when they sing. How did the Brown-Headed Cowbird get its name? Which bird can fly up to 40 miles per hour? Packed with over 80 full-color, illustrations, this portable field guide will have burgeoning bird lovers excited about exploring the amazing world just outside their door.

The frontmatter contains a hands-on DIY project, info on how to identify birds, and what are absolute essentials to take in your bag as a beginner birdwatcher. The backmatter contains a bird log to keep track of all the birds spotted, information on how we can protect our birds, and a glossary of important terms found bolded throughout the book. —Synopsis provided by Gibbs Smith

Each of the birds get a two-page spread, including a full-page illustration, and information about habitats, food and fun facts. Illustrations offer distinct features of each bird and are charming in an of itself.

A KID’S GUIDE TO BACKYARD BUGS, by Eliza Berkowitz and Nicole LaRue, Gibbs Smith, March 7, 2023, Paperback, $12.99 (ages 6-8)

 A Kid’s Guide to Backyard Bugs is filled with facts about the United States’ most common insects, including where they live, what they eat, and how they move. Which insect can live without food for up to a whole year? Which insect grows up to almost 2 feet in length?  The front matter contains a hands-on DIY project, info on how to identify bugs, and the essentials to take in your bag as a beginner bug-finder. The back matter contains a bug log to keep track of all the bugs spotted, information on how we can protect our bugs by protecting our planet, and a glossary of important terms bolded throughout the book. —Synopsis provided by Gibbs Smith

This nonfiction bug book has more than 80 detailed full-color illustrations. It’s a portable guide features habitats and food for each bug.

FRANKIE AND FRIENDS: BREAKING NEWS, by Christine Platt and Alea Marley, Walker Books US, Oct. 10, 2023, Hardcover, $15.99 (ages 6 and up)

Frankie’s mama is leaving to cover a breaking news story. Frankie, Papa, and Frankie’s teenage sister, Raven, are all proud of Mama, even though they miss her when she’s away. But Frankie has a great idea: she can make her own news show! After all, Mama has told her that news is happening around her all the time. With a little assistance from her friends—including her doll Farrah, Robert the toy robot, and her tabby cat, Nina Simone—Frankie prepares for her first “broadcast.” And when she hears someone crying in the house, she knows that’s the developing story she must cover. With humor, empathy, and imagination, Frankie gets the scoop—and learns that even mature older sisters can miss Mama sometimes. —Synopsis provided by Walker Books

Frankie and Friends: Breaking News is the first book in a new chapter-book series. It goes deeper than a lot of chapter-book series, focusing on compassion and communication. Full-color illustrations are featured throughout.

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AGES 7 AND UP

THE GUARDIAN TEST (Legends of Lotus Island #1), by Christina Soontornvat and Kevin Hong, Scholastic Press, March 7, 2023, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 7-11)

Young Plum is shocked to discover that she’s been accepted to the Guardian Academy on Lotus Island, an elite school where kids learn how to transform into Guardians, magical creatures who are sworn to protect the natural world. The Guardian masters teach Plum and her friends how to communicate with animals and how to use meditation to strengthen their minds and bodies. All the kids also learn to fight, so they can protect the defenseless if needed.

To her dismay, Plum struggles at school. While her classmates begin to transform into amazing creatures, Plum can’t even seem to magic up a single feather! If she can’t embrace her inner animal form soon, she’ll have to leave school ― and lose the first group of real friends she’s ever known. —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press

At 160 pages and sprinkled with illustrations throughout, The Guardian Test is perfect for readers who are moving out of beginning chapter books but want a grander story. Soontornvat’s prose is not overly complicated, and, yet, she provides an expansive world with complex characters that readers can really sink their teeth into. The Guardian Test is a fast-moving story of growth and friendship. It’s a great first book in the Legends of Lotus Island series.

THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX DELUXE ANNIVERSARY EDITION: BEING THE STORY OF A MOUSE, A PRINCESS, SOME SOUP, AND A SPOOL OF THREAD, by Kate DiCamillo and Timothy Basil Ering, Candlewick, Sept. 19, 2023, Hardcover, $24.99 (ages 7-10)

Celebrate twenty years of Despereaux with a splendid anniversary edition—including a bonus original short story from Kate DiCamillo and a new piece of art by Timothy Basil Ering.

Welcome to the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who is in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives in the darkness and covets a world filled with light. And it is the story of Miggery Sow, a slow-witted serving girl who harbors a simple, impossible wish. These three characters are about to embark on a journey that will lead them down into a horrible dungeon, up into a glittering castle, and, ultimately, into one another’s lives. And what happens then? As Kate DiCamillo would say: Reader, it is your destiny to find out. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

THE PUPPETS OF SPELHORST, by Kate DiCamillo and Julie Morstad, Candlewick, Oct. 10, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 7-10)

Shut up in a trunk by a taciturn old sea captain with a secret, five friends—a king, a wolf, a girl, a boy, and an owl—bicker, boast, and comfort one another in the dark. Individually, they dream of song and light, freedom and flight, purpose and glory, but they all agree they are part of a larger story, bound each to each by chance, bonded by the heart’s mysteries.  

When at last their shared fate arrives, landing them on a mantel in a blue room in the home of two little girls, the truth is more astonishing than any of them could have imagined. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

Sometimes you pick up a book and you know immediately that there’s something special about it. That’s the case with The Puppets of Spelhorst. The Puppets of Spelhorst is an original fairy tale set in three acts that oozes with magic and charm. From Kate DiCamillo’s lyrical prose to Julie Morstad’s are masterfully rendered pencil drawings. At 160 pages The Puppets of Spelhorst is the perfect size for middle readers. Most of the chapters are only a few pages, and the font is slightly larger. And illustrations appear with most turns of the page.

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AGES 8 AND UP

PRINCESS OF THE WILD SEA, by Megan Frazer Blakemore, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, Jan. 24, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

Princess Harbor Rose is cursed. She’s lived her whole life hidden away on a remote island with her magical aunts, following all the rules for being a princess. Now it is only one more year until thirteenth birthday, when a hero will finally arrive to save her from her curse.

But as with any story, there are two sides . . . and the curse told of much more than a single princess’s uncertain fate. It told of a dangerous foe rooted in powerful magic. It told of a terrible war that could destroy everything if a young hero didn’t arrive in time. It told of a magic imbued with hope that could save everyone, but only if they believe.

With her beloved kingdom and island at grave risk, Harbor Rose has a choice: Should she wait for the hero, or take matters into her own hands? —Synopsis provided by Bloomsbury Children’s Books

Harbor is exactly the sort of protagonist you’d want at the middle of such a tale. She’s clever and adventurous and has to work through some of her own flaws. Her surrounding cast of characters are equally as flawed in delightfully warm and understandable ways.

Even though there’s a curse at the center of Princess of the Wild Sea, author Megan Frazer Blakemore’s warm prose creates a comforting undercurrent throughout even the more dangerous, darker moments. And — without giving too much away — her use of the “real world” combined with a fantastical one is a great twist.

THE MANY FORTUNES OF MAYA, by Nicole D. Collier, Versify, Jan. 24, 2023, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

Maya J. Jenkins is bursting with questions. For answers, 12-year-old Maya turns to her Wheel of Fortunes, a cardboard circle covered with the small slips of wisdom she’s collected from fortune cookies.

But can the fortunes answer her deep-down questions? The ones she’s too scared to ask out loud? Like, where did Mama’s smile go, the real one that lit up everything around her? When will Daddy move back home? And most of all, does she have enough courage to truly listen to the voice in her heart? —Synopsis provided by Versify

The Many Fortunes of Maya explores real-life issues that face kids every day. Her parents aren’t happy. Add to that, Maya desperately wants to make her dad proud. Soccer is “their thing,” and she loves it, but she’s not sure it’s her passion.

The highlights of The Many Fortunes of Maya are the familial interactions. Maya with her parents and Maya with her uncle. It’s lovely to see them work through things alone and together. It’s authentic and beautiful and full of hope and promise.

RARE BIRDS, by Jeff Miller, Union Square Kids, Jan. 31, 2023, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

Twelve-year-old Graham Dodds is no stranger to hospital waiting rooms. Sometimes, he feels like his entire life is one big waiting room. Waiting for the next doctor to tell them what’s wrong with his mom. Waiting to find out what city they’re moving to next. Waiting to see if they will finally get their miracle — a heart transplant to save his mom’s life.

When Graham gets stuck in Florida for the summer, he meets a girl named Lou at the hospital, and he finds a friend who needs a distraction as much as he does. She tells him about a contest to find the endangered Snail Kite, which resides in the local gator-filled swamps. Together they embark on an adventure, searching for the rare bird . . . and along the way, Graham might just find something else — himself. —Synopsis provided by Union Square Kids

Rare Birds is one of those gut-punchingly beautiful reads that resonates long after finishing it. Rare Birds isn’t exactly a happy book, but there’s a brightness that runs through it that offers a sense of hope even when things are going wrong.

This comes, in part, because of the quality of author Jeff Miller’s writing. There’s an underlying warmth to it that feels familiar while the story itself is fresh. Strength comes, too, in the form of Graham and Lou who are exceptionally realized. The two balance each other well and the exploration of their friendship is a delight.

THE PEARL HUNTER, by Miya T. Beck, Balzer + Bray, Feb. 7, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

Kai and Kishi share the same futon, the same face, and the same talent for pearl diving. But Kishi is the obedient daughter, while Kai tries to push the rules, and sometimes they fight. Still, when Kishi is stolen and killed by the legendary Ghost Whale, nothing will stop Kai from searching for her, deep in the ocean, hoping for a way to bring her back to life.

But such a rescue is beyond the power of an ordinary mortal. Kai strikes a deal with the gods: she’ll steal a magic pearl in exchange for her sister’s soul. As she journeys across treacherous land scape, Kai must navigate encounters with scheming bandits, a power-hungry war lord, and a legion of conniving fox spirits.  And when a new friendship becomes something almost as powerful as her love for her sister, Kai must make impossible choices and risk everything just to get home again. —Synopsis provided by Batlzer + Bray

Set in a world inspired by pre-Shogun era Japan, The Pearl Hunter is a magical read. Author Miya T. Beck’s world-building skills are lovely. She transports readers to the bottom of the ocean, the top of a mountain and everywhere in between. From the first page, she sets the tone and doesn’t stray from it once.

The Pearl Hunter is an engaging adventure along the lines of Grace Lin (Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, When the Sea Turned to Silver). It captures the imagination and leaves you wanting more — especially Beck’s ending, which turns the entire book on its head.

THE GRACE OF WILD THINGS, by Heather Fawcett, Balzer + Bray, Feb. 14, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

Grace has never been good at anything except magic — not that anyone believes her. While other children are adopted from the orphanage, nobody wants Grace. So, she decides to make a home for herself by running away and offering herself as an apprentice to the witch in the nearby woods.

But the witch is bad. So, Grace offers a deal: If she can learn all 100½ spells in the witch’s grimoire, the witch will make Grace her apprentice. But if Grace fails, the witch can take her magic. The witch agrees, and soon an unexpected bond develops between them.

But the spells are much harder than Grace expected, and when a monster from the witch’s past threatens the home Grace has built, she may have to sacrifice more than her magic to save it. —Synopsis provided by Balzer + Bray

The Grace of Wild Things is a lovely reimagining of Anne of Green Gables that captures the spirit of the classic and essence of “Anne” while becoming something that stands fantastically on its own.

The best things about The Grace of Wild Things are the feelings it evokes. Picking it up is like visiting with an old friend. Fawcett’s writing is warm and inviting, full of wit and emotion. The Grace of Wild Things is a fine update to a beloved classic.

FINALLY SEEN, by Kelly Yang, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Feb. 28, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

When ten-year-old Lina Gao steps off the plane in Los Angeles, it’s her first time in America and the first time seeing her parents and her little sister in five years! She’s been waiting for this moment every day while she lived with her grandmother in Beijing. Finally, her parents are ready for her to join their fabulous life in America! Except, it’s not exactly like in the postcards: 1) School’s a lot harder than she thought. 2) Her chatty little sister has no problem with English. And seems to do everything better than Lina. 3)They live in an apartment, not a house like in Mom’s letters, and they owe a lot of back rent from the pandemic.

As she reckons with her hurt, Lina tries to keep a lid on her feelings, both at home and at school. When her teacher starts facing challenges for her latest book selection, a book that deeply resonates with Lina, it will take all of Lina’s courage and resilience to get over her fear in order to choose a future where she’s finally seen. —Synopsis provided by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Author Kelly Yang (Front Desk) has become one of the best-known Asian-American voices in middle-grade literature. And for good reason. Yang’s writing stems from her own childhood and adult experiences. Her voice is clear and authentic and heartfelt.

Multiple plot lines intersect throughout Finally Seen, ranging from immigration and family to bullying and climate change. There’s a lot going on, but the elements play off each other, creating a cohesive read. Yang’s writing is warm and familiar. She captures Lina’s true essence, and captures readers’ hearts in the process.

LEEVA AT LAST, by Sara Pennypacker and Matthew Cordell, Balzer + Bray, March 7, 2023, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 8-12)

What are people for? That’s the burning question on the mind of Leeva Spayce Thornblossom. Fame! says Leeva’s mom, the mayor of Nutsmore. Money! says her dad, the town treasurer.

With the help of an orphaned badger, a risk-averse boy in a hazmat suit, and the town’s librarians, Leeva sets off to discover her own answer—setting off a chain of events that will change Nutsmore forever. —Synopsis provided by Balzer + Bray

Leeva At Last has a very Roald Dahl-esque feel to it. From the quirky characters to the adventurous spirit to the suspension of norms that just fit inside the world Sara Pennypacker has created.

Leeva At Last is just plain charming. There’s a lightness to Pennpacker’s writing that just resonates. Her pacing is spot on and you want to know more about her characters. Illustrator Mathew Cordell’s drawings add humor and personality throughout. Even at 300 pages, this one is a fast read.

YOU ARE HERE: CONNECTING FLIGHTS, by Ellen Oh, Allida, March 7, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)

An incident at a TSA security check point sows chaos and rumors, creating a chain of events that impacts twelve young Asian Americans in a crowded and restless airport. As their disrupted journeys crisscross and collide, they encounter fellow travelers — some helpful, some hostile — as they discover the challenges of friendship, the power of courage, the importance of the right word at the right time, and the unexpected significance of a blue Stratocaster electric guitar.  

Twelve powerhouse Asian American authors explore themes of identity and belonging in the entwined experiences of young people whose family roots may extend to East and Southeast Asia, but who are themselves distinctly American. —Synopsis provided by Allida

You Are Here is one of those books that just kind of sticks with you. It’s a compilation of twelve one-chapter short stories. The magic comes where the stories overlap. A look of solidarity in passing, a small smile, an inspiring act of bravery. Those moments bring the stories together into what is a compelling and moving look at the lives of young Asian Americans.

Each writer’s own style embodies the character they portray, giving them a strong sense of individuality in such a short space. Ellen Oh’s expert editing, makes the entire collaboration seamless. And Oh’s note at the end answers questions that those not of Asian descent may have.

SKYRIDERS, by Polly Holyoke, Viking Books for Young Readers, March 7, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)

Thirteen-year-old Kiesandra’s best friend isn’t human, but that doesn’t stop her from sharing jokes and secrets with her winged horse, N’Rah. She, like every other person with a skysteed, can communicate with N’Rah through her mind. Their bond is critical when one day, monsters from long ago reemerge to ravage a nearby village. No one knows how to fight the fearsome chimerae except Kie’s uncle . . . and now Kie.

Injured in the battle, Uncle Dug makes her promise to bring his attack plan and weapons to the capital. Kie reluctantly agrees. At the palace, she and N’Rah attempt to gain the trust of the royals and train the army in Dug’s lessons. But how can a young girl and her skysteed convince anyone that only they know how to defeat the deadly monsters? —Synopsis provided by Viking Books for Young Readers

Buzzing with action, Skyriders is a heart pounding fantasy adventure that you won’t want to put down.  While Skyriders is definitely a page-turning adventure, author Polly Holyoke has also included themes of communication, empathy and equity. It’s done so naturally that readers won’t feel as though they’ve been “taught a lesson.” It seamlessly lives within the plot’s framework and Holyoke’s prose.

Skyriders does feature a fair amount of violence and gore —there are a number of battles — but it’s written in such a way that it never feels gratuitous. It’s a fun read and a great start to a new series.

SQUISHED: A GRAPHIC NOVEL, by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter, Graphix, March 7, 2023, Paperback, $12.99 (ages 8-12)

Eleven-year-old Avery Lee loves living in Hickory Valley, Maryland. She loves her neighborhood, school, and the end-of-summer fair she always goes to with her two best friends. But she’s tired of feeling squished by her six siblings! They’re noisy and chaotic and the younger kids love her a little too much.

All Avery wants is her own room. So, she’s furious when Theo, her grumpy older brother, gets his own room instead, and her wild baby brother, Max, moves into the room she already shares with her clinging sister Pearl! Avery hatches a plan to finally get her own room, all while trying to get Max to sleep at night, navigating changes in her friendships, and working on an art entry for the fair. And when Avery finds out that her family might move across the country, things get even more complicated. —Synopsis provided by Graphix

The definition of what constitutes a “large” family varies depending on your community. Where I live, having six or seven siblings isn’t unheard of. There are five kids in my own family. And if you’ve ever lived in such a family, Squished will definitely resonate.

In Squished, Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter have created a charming story of a family facing change. It’s lovely to see the disfunction that happens in even the most loving families play across the pages. The dynamics between siblings are spot on. And the expectations and judgements from a social perspective ring true. Inviting artwork and well-thought-out text really bring this story to life.

ICEBERG, by Jennifer A. Nielsen, Scholastic Press, March 7, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

Hazel Rothbury is traveling all alone from her home in England aboard the celebrated ship Titanic. Following the untimely death of her father, Hazel’s mother is sending her to the US to work in a factory.

But Hazel harbors a secret dream: She wants to be a journalist, and she just knows that if she can write and sell a story about the Titanic’s maiden voyage, she could earn enough money to support her family and not have to go to a sweatshop. When Hazel discovers that mother didn’t send her with enough money for a ticket, she decides she must stow away onboard the storied ship.

With the help of a porter named Charlie and a sweet first-class passenger named Sylvia, Hazel explores the opulent ship in secret, but a haunting mystery quickly finds her. The danger only intensifies when calamity strikes, and readers will be caught up in the terror and suspense alongside Hazel as she fights to save her friends and herself. —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press

Nielsen’s writing is warm and practiced. She writes to her audience, challenging them to solve Hazel’s mystery alongside her. Nielsen’s pacing, too, is spot-on, echoing the experiences — both languid and immediate — of the passengers.

Iceberg is a fast-paced survival story that will appeal to a wide cross-section of readers. It works well as an individual read or as a read-aloud in a classroom setting. It’s thrilling and suspenseful and will have readers on the edge of their seats.

HOOPS: A GRAPHIC NOVEL, by Matt Tavares, Candlewick, March 14, 2023, Paperback, $12.99 (ages 8-12)

It is 1975 in Indiana, and the Wilkins Regional High School girls’ basketball team is in their rookie season. Despite being undefeated, they practice at night in the elementary school and play to empty bleachers. Unlike the boys’ team, the Lady Bears have no buses to deliver them to away games and no uniforms, much less a laundry service. They make their own uniforms out of T-shirts and electrical tape. And with help from a committed female coach, they push through to improbable victory after improbable victory. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

Illustrated in full color, Hoops helps readers understand women’s ongoing fight for equality in all fields. Quickly paced and full of energetic images, it’s not hard to see why kids would be drawn to it. Tavares does an excellent job balancing text and art, creating a cohesive whole.

My 9-year-old got to my review copy of Hoops before me, and I had to promise to return it once I finished writing this review. “Would you like to read this again?” I asked her. With big eyes and a huge smile, she emphatically stated, “YES!” I can’t think of a better recommendation.

A SKY FULL OF SONG, by Susan Lynn Meyer, Union Square Kids, April 11, 2023, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

North Dakota, 1905. After fleeing persecution in the Russian Empire, 11-year-old Shoshana and her family, Jewish immigrants, start a new life on the prairie. Shoshana takes fierce joy in the wild beauty of the plains and the thrill of forging a new, American identity. But it’s not as simple for her older sister, Libke, who misses their Ukrainian village and doesn’t pick up English as quickly or make new friends as easily. Desperate to fit in, Shoshana finds herself hiding her Jewish identity in the face of prejudice, just as Libke insists they preserve it.

For the first time, Shoshana is at odds with her beloved sister, and has to look deep inside herself to realize that her family’s difference is their greatest strength. By listening to the music that’s lived in her heart all along, Shoshana finds new meaning in the Jewish expression all beginnings are difficult, as well as in the resilience and traditions her people have brought all the way to the North Dakota prairie. —Synopsis provided by Union Square Kids

Shoshana is a wonderful character to grow with. As she tries to marry her new American life with her old Ukrainian one, she faces bigotry and bullying. Readers will immediately recognize parallels to issues in today’s society and realize the fight for acceptance goes back long before they were born.

A Sky Full of Song is a fast-moving historical fiction novel with a lot of heart. It’s beautifully written and a joy to read.

THE GREATEST KID IN THE WORLD, by John David Anderson, Walden Pond Press, May 9, 2023, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 8-12)

Zeke Stahls is not the best kid in the world. Some days he struggles just to be good. Which is why Zeke and his entire family are shocked when they receive word that he has been selected as a contestant in an online competition to find the World’s Greatest Kid.

Zeke has no idea how he was chosen for this, and he knows that measuring up to the other nominees is hopeless. Still, with a $10,000 cash prize on the line, and Zeke decides to give it his best shot.

As Zeke concocts various plots to show the world just how “great” he is, he finds himself wondering what that word even means, and who gets to decide. And what kind of kid he wants—and needs—to be. —Synopsis provided by Walden Pond Press

The Greatest Kid in the World is one of those books that starts off innocuously but quickly turns into something much more. It’s an unassuming novel that will knock your socks off. It’s exactly the sort of contemporary middle grade that has appeal for everyone. It will make you laugh. It may even make you cry. It definitely will stick with you long after you finish it. I highly recommend it.

THE MUSEUM OF LOST AND FOUND, by Leila Sales and Jacqueline Li, Harry N. Abrams, May 16, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)

Vanessa isn’t sure which happened first: finding the abandoned museum or losing her best friend Bailey. She doesn’t know what to do with herself now that Bailey has left her behind — but when she stumbles upon an empty, forgotten museum, her purpose becomes clear. Vanessa starts filling the museum with her own artifacts and memories.

As Vanessa’s museum grows, it seems like the place might have the answers to other questions, too. Like why a mysterious work of art was left behind. Or how to deal with a military dad who’s trying to parent from thousands of miles away. Or why Vanessa’s bad habit is getting harder and harder to quit. Or even, maybe, how to set the past to rest and find a way to move forward. —Synopsis provided by Harry N. Abrams

The Museum of Lost and Found is a story of friendships and self-reflection. As Vanessa curates her exhibit, she is forced to look at her own behavior. That’s when she realizes that she might be at least partially to blame for her friendship with Bailey falling apart. Vanessa’s growth is energizing and makes her interesting as a character. There’s growth among a strong cast of supporting characters, as well, which really fills things out.

What sets The Museum of Lost and Found apart is the museum itself. The exhibits the kids put together are fascinating. The thought that goes into their pieces and the descriptions of them make for a lovely piece of writing.

THE LABORS OF HERCULES BEAL, by Gary D. Schmidt, Clarion Books, May 23, 2023, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 8-12)

Herc Beal knows who he’s named after — a mythical hero — but he’s no superhero. He’s the smallest kid in his class. So, when his homeroom teacher at his new middle school gives him the assignment of duplicating the mythical Hercules’s amazing feats in real life, he’s skeptical. After all, there are no Nemean Lions on Cape Cod — and not a single Hydra in sight.

Missing his parents terribly and wishing his older brother wasn’t working all the time, Herc figures out how to take his first steps along the road that the great Hercules himself once walked. Soon, new friends, human and animal, are helping him. And though his mythical role model performed his twelve labors by himself, Herc begins to see that he may not have to go it alone. —Synopsis provided by Clarion Books

The hero of this tale is Herc — a kid whose voice rings true from Page 1. Herc’s life isn’t what he expected it to be, but he’s learning there’s more to it than he thought. And he’s got friends to help him along the way.

From the start, it’s clear that Schmidt knows his audience. He writes to them, not down to them, creating a sense of respect for the reader. Schmidt’s writing is lively with short sentences sprinkled throughout for emphasis. And though his book is about healing and empathy, you never feel like you’re “learning” a lesson.

HALF MOON SUMMER, by Elaine Vickers, Peachtree, June 6, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

Drew was never much of a runner. Until his dad’s unexpected diagnosis. Mia has nothing better to do. Until she realizes entering Half Moon Bay’s half-marathon could solve her family’s housing problems.

And just like that they decide to spend their entire summer training to run 13.1 miles. Drew and Mia have very different reasons for running, but these two 12-year-olds have one crucial thing in common (besides sharing a birthday): Hope. For the future. For their families. And for each other. —Synopsis provided by Peachtree

Half Moon Summer unfolds from the alternating viewpoints of Drew (prose) and Mia (verse). This mixture of styles not only sets the two voices apart, but really encompasses their personalities.

Author Elain Vickers’ writing feels comfortable and assured as she follows her protagonists through the hardest summer of their young lives. She captures their emotions with an earnestness that is rooted in authenticity. Everything about Half Moon Summer rings true. It’s a warm book about friendship and family that’s definitely worth reading.

LAND OF BROKEN PROMISES, by Jane Kuo, Quill Tree Books, June 6, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)

After a rocky first year, Anna’s family have settled into life in California — their small restaurant is even turning a profit. Then her parents make a shattering discovery: their visas have expired.

Anna’s world is quickly overwhelmed by unfamiliar words like “undocumented” and “inequality.” She longs to share the towering secret that looms over every aspect of her life with a friend, but her parents strictly forbid her from telling anyone.

As Anna grapples with the complexities of being undocumented, the strain that it places on her family, and the loneliness of keeping it all to herself, she has to wonder — if America is the promised land, why does everything she’s hoped for feel like a lie? —Synopsis provided by Quill Tree Books

Written in verse, Land of Broken Promises is a beautiful mix of detail and sparsity. Kuo balances the two, providing needed structure in some places and room for imagination in others.

Though set in the 1980s, Land of Broken Promises gives young readers a broad introduction to immigration and citizenship and the very real struggles surrounding them. And at the center of everything is Anna, a girl who just wants to live like her classmates. Land of Broken Promises is a heartfelt novel loosely based on the author’s real-life experiences. I highly recommend it.

LET’S FILL THIS WORLD WITH KINDNESS: TRUE TALES OF GOODWILL IN ACTION, by Alexandra Stewart and Jake Alexander, Thames & Hudson, June 27, 2023, Hardcover, $19.95 (ages 8-12)

In this uplifting collection of true stories, readers are introduced to real-life heroes and heroines who have chosen to act in kindness, even when they have faced terrible persecution, prejudice, disaster, and illness. These stories are designed to empower children to make positive choices in their own lives by embracing kindness as their superpower.

Stories include Harriet Tubman’s remarkable rescue missions to free enslaved African Americans, the French village of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon’s protection of Jewish refugees under Nazi persecution during WWII, and the brave people who volunteered to clean up after the nuclear crisis in Japan. Also included are everyday examples of acts of kindness to protect nature and lift up others, even complete strangers. —Synopsis provided by Thames & Hudson

THE PROBABILITY OF EVERYTHING, by Sarah Everett, Clarion Books, June 27, 2023, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 8-12)

Eleven-year-old Kemi Carter loves scientific facts, specifically probability. It’s how she understands the world and her place in it.  But everything Kemi thought she knew changes when she sees an asteroid hover in the sky. Amplus-68 has an 84.7% chance of colliding with earth in four days, and with that collision, Kemi’s life as she knows it will end.

With the days numbered, Kemi decides to put together a time capsule that will capture her family’s truth: how creative her mother is, how inquisitive her little sister can be, and how much Kemi’s whole world revolves around her father. But no time capsule can change the truth behind all of it, that Kemi must face the most inevitable and hardest part of life: saying goodbye. —Synopsis provided by Clarion Books

The Probability of Everything is an end-of-the-world book. But it’s not the end-of-the-world book you’re expecting. It’s one of those books that you should NOT read out of order. Do NOT read the ending first. Start at the beginning and enjoy the ride.

The Probability of Everything is not an easy read. And, as I’ve alluded to before, it turns out to be about something more. But, oh, how gut-wrenchingly beautiful it is. It’s sprinkled with love and hope and heartbreak. As a parent, I’d want to read it prior to my child, just because I know there would be questions and conversations. It’s a transformative read.

CLARA POOLE AND THE LONG WAY ROUND, by Taylor Tyng, Pixel+Ink, July 4, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

When an unintended flight over Michigan in her class science project—a lawn chair held aloft by balloons—brings her instant celebrity, Clara Poole is invited to be the spokesperson for a round-the-world adventure race. But when her overprotective father refuses, Clara forges his signature in a moment of defiance and runs away to Paris to take her place in the skies. 

Partnered with a veteran aeronaut who wants nothing to do with her, Clara faces down ten treacherous stages in a race around the world all while learning the ropes alongside a colorful cast of international competitors.

But there are more dangers ahead. Someone is trying to sabotage the competition. And surviving this race means Clara must come to terms with the tragedy that set her fleeing to the skies in the first place, and accepting that forgiving herself isn’t a process she has to undertake alone. —Synopsis provided by Pixel+Ink

If you’re looking for a high-flying adventure , then look no further. Clara Poole and the Long Way Round is a fantastic middle-grade novel that will sweep you away. Clara is a spunky main character that seems downright normal compared to the quirky characters that cross her path. She’s well-realized, as are some of the more important supporting characters, adding depth to this charming tale.

Clara Poole and the Long Way Round is the first book in a planned series, and I am really excited to see where Tyng takes it. That said, the first book is completely standalone and can be read that way.

LIGHT COMES TO SHADOW MOUNTAIN, by Toni Buzzeo, Holiday House, July 11, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

It’s 1937 and the government is pushing to bring electricity to the mountains of southeastern Kentucky. It’s all Cora can think of, and Cora figures she can help spread the word by starting a school newspaper and convincing her neighbors to support the Rural Electrification Act.

But resistance to change isn’t easy to overcome, especially when it starts at home. Cora’s mother is a fierce opponent of electrification. She argues that protecting the landscape is their responsibility. But Cora just can’t let go of wanting more.

Back matter includes an Author’s Note; further information on the Rural Electrification Act, the herbs and plants of Appalachia, the Pack Horse Library Project, and more; and a “Quick Questions” historical trivia section for readers. —Synopsis provided by Holiday House

Cora is bright and driven. She looks forward to change while her mother fears it. These opposing views drive Buzzeo’s story forward, forcing Cora — and readers — to consider the pros and cons of progress. Both Cora and her mother are well conceived, as are Buzzeo’s supporting characters. Light Comes to Shadow Mountain is a fascinating historical fiction read. Buzzeo has clearly done her research. It’s a compelling backdrop on which her story of family, friendship and loss are explored. Many a daughter will relate to the mother/daughter dynamic that plays out here.

BORN READING: 20 STORIES OF WOMEN READING THEIR WAY INTO HISTORY, by Kathleen Krull , Virginia Loh-Hagan, Aura Lewis (Illustrator), Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, Aug. 1, 2023, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 8-12)

This collection of short-form biographies tells the story of twenty groundbreaking women and how their childhood reading habits empowered them to change the world. From Cleopatra to Sally Ride to Amanda Gorman, the women featured in this collection are from all throughout history and all kinds of backgrounds.

For some, reading was forbidden, but they taught themselves to read anyway. For some, reading was a struggle, but they practiced and grew to love it. For some, reading was an escape from difficult realities. For all, reading was empowering. —Synopsis provided by Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books

I’ve seen with my own eyes how important it is for girls to see, read and learn about what women can accomplish. Born Reading allows them to see these accomplishments through a different lens. Reading is universal. It’s attainable. It makes doing hard things seem just a little bit easier.

Born Reading is divided into an introduction; 20 chapters; an epilogue; feminist fun facts; shorter writing on more girls with books; activities to keep reading; resources; references; and an index. It sounds like a lot, but the book is only 134 pages, and with fairly short chapters and illustrations, it moves very quickly. It can be read from beginning to end or a chapter at a time. The writing is smooth and conversational. And the illustrations/portraits are bright and inviting.

THE GREAT TEXAS DRAGON RACE, by Kacy Ritter, Clarion Books, Aug. 1, 2023, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 8-12)

Thirteen-year-old Cassidy Drake wants nothing more than to race with her best dragon, Ranga, in the annual Great Texas Dragon Race. Her mother was a racing legacy, and growing up on her family’s dragon sanctuary ranch, Cassidy lives and breathes dragons. She knows she could win against the exploitative FireCorp team that cares more about corporate greed than caring for the dragons. 

Cassidy is so determined to race that she sneaks out of her house against her father’s wishes and enters the competition. But with five grueling tasks ahead of her, dangerous dragon challenges waiting at each one, and more enemies than allies on the course, Cassidy will need to know more than just dragons to survive. —Synopsis provided by Clarion Books

The Great Texas Dragon Race is 400 pages. But it doesn’t read like that. Author Kacy Ritter has created a world and story that are so encompassing that you feel as if you’re watching a movie as the story unfolds. This would be a fun book to read or listen to aloud as a class.

The Great Texas Dragon Race is a contemporary middle-grade fantasy that’s full of excitement adventure and heart. Though it’s a stand-alone novel, and everything is resolved, there’s definitely room in the world Ritter has created to explore more stories.

FORGET-ME-NOT BLUE, by Sharelle Byars Moranville, Holiday House, Aug. 8, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

Siblings Con and Sofie’s mom promised that nothing would ever come between them — but when she disappears without any warning, she becomes the one who’s tearing them apart.

With no one else to rely on, inseparable siblings Con and Sofie must decide who they can trust, and whether or not it’s safe to share their hearts with family members who have the power to hurt them. Sofie has always turned to Con — and to books — during times of upheaval in their unstable lives. But as their mother is arrested and their guardianship becomes uncertain, Sofie will have to find hope in the most important story of all: her own. —Synopsis provided by Holiday House

Author Sharelle Byars Moranville expertly explores how addiction ripples through generations through prose that is both gentle and vulnerable. Sofie and her family are weighted in authenticity. And Moranville’s study of family bonds is beautifully rendered. Though there are some really tough moments to read in Forget-Me-Not Blue, Moranville tempers them with themes of resilience and strength.

While Forget-Me-Not Blue is written at an age-appropriate level, I suggest reading together with your middle-grader or prior to handing it to them. There’s some heaviness to it that they will most likely want to talk about. Forget-Me-Not Blue is a worthwhile read that with beautifully realized characters you won’t soon forget.

THE WILD JOURNEY OF JUNIPER BERRY, by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown, Shadow Mountain, Aug. 15, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)

Eleven-year-old Juniper Berry lives with her family deep in the wild woods. Living off the grid is pretty exciting, but her happy life in the wild ends abruptly when her younger brother gets sick, and they move to the city to be closer to the hospital. Juniper and her older sister end up living with cousins they hardly know and attending public school for the first time, which is harder to navigate than the wild woods ever were. Juniper feels like a wolf cub separated from her pack.

As the hospital bills for her brother start piling up, Juniper knows they’ll need to be paid before the family can go back to the woods, so she decides to make enough money to help out. With her cousin Alayna’s support, Juniper starts posting videos filled with her wisdom from the woods, hoping to get a following. But what if it doesn’t work? What if the bills never get paid? Not going home to the wild is Juniper’s worst nightmare. While she’s stuck in the city, she might as well make the most of it, like sticking up for Alayna, who’s being bullied by her supposed friends, for starters. —Synopsis provided by Shadow Mountain

Juniper is a force to be reckoned with. She’s clever, resourceful, athletic and speaks her own mind. Having been raised away from society, she doesn’t understand social cues, why people wear the clothes they wear or the lack of interest in how things work. Juniper can’t figure out why there’s a pecking order for people and why people adhere to it.

This sets up situations that help readers eliminate the noise surrounding social situations. It’s pretty marvelous, and it comes across naturally without feeling like a lesson. The Wild Journey of Juniper Berry is a quick-moving read with short chapters and engaging characters. This would make a great classroom read-aloud but it’s also perfectly lovely reading it on your own.

SPLAT!: THE MOST EXCITING ARTISTS OF ALL TIME, by Mary Richards, Thames & Hudson, Aug. 15, 2023, Paperback, $14.95 (ages 8-12)

Splat! is the history of art at its most exciting and outrageous. Organized by artist and covering key events and major movements such as the Renaissance and impressionism to surrealism and contemporary art, it is a valuable resource for young art lovers.

Each artist is introduced with bulleted facts including their country of origin, most famous works, the movement they belonged to, techniques they employed, and the greatest challenges they faced in creating their art. This overview offers further insight into who these artists were and how they changed the course of art history. Illustrated in color throughout. —Synopsis provided by Thames & Hudson

Splat! is a great introduction to art through the ages. The book is ordered chronologically, helping readers to see how art has evolved through time. Author Mary Richards begins with a colorful timeline and a brief section on art in the beginning (cave paintings to painted churches), and then really gets started with Michelangelo. From there, she highlights 19 more artists and ends with a section on how artists are continuing now to push the boundaries.

My kid loves Splat! and enjoys flipping to her favorite sections. It’s a great option for kids who already love art or are new to the subject. It’s one of those books that you won’t mind having out when company is around. It’s lots of fun for all ages.

THE LOST LIBRARY, by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass, Feiwel & Friends, Aug. 29, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

When a mysterious little free library (guarded by a large orange cat) appears overnight in the small town of Martinville, 11-year-old Evan plucks two weathered books from its shelves, never suspecting that his life is about to change.

Evan and his best friend Rafe quickly discover a link between one of the old books and a long-ago event that none of the grown-ups want to talk about. The two boys start asking questions whose answers will transform not only their own futures, but the town itself. —Synopsis provided by Feiwel & Friends

Sometimes books have a charm to them that you can’t quite put your finger on but the book fairly radiates. That’s The Lost Library. The book unfolds through multi-points-of-view — from a ghost librarian named Al, an aging cat named Mortimer, and Evan. These unique voices move the story quickly forward while simultaneously making you pause to consider each new revelation.

Authors Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass have crafted a magical read with smooth and inviting prose and characters that you really care about. The book is a celebration of family, friendship, choosing your path and a love of reading.

THE A&A DETECTIVE AGENCY: THE FAIRFLEET AFFAIR, by K. H. Saxton, Union Square Kids, Sept. 19, 2023, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

The celebrated museums of the Fairfleet Institute are known for curating the mysteries of humanity. But they don’t solve mysteries. Luckily, twelve-year-old friends Alex Foster and Asha Singh of the A&A Detective Agency do. Or they will . . . once they get a real case to test their skills as sleuths.

When Dr. Alistair Fairfleet, the institute’s eccentric chairman, disappears on the first day of Alex and Asha’s summer vacation, they receive a letter written by the missing millionaire himself inviting them to a game involving complicated clues and puzzles. It is just the sort of case they’ve been waiting to tackle. But nothing in the Fairfleet case has a simple solution. As the kids track down clues, they uncover art forgeries, archaeological crimes, and Fairfleet family secrets. All of this tests their partnership and forces them to confront the complicated legacies of the people and places they admire most. —Synopsis provided by Union Square Kids

This delightful detective story is smart, funny and full of heart. Debut author K. H. Saxton tells the story with the confidence and cadence of a seasoned writer. Her knack for combining an intricate plot, dynamic characters and compelling information into a novel that is perfectly suited to middle readers is commendable. The backdrop of art, theater and natural history provides depth and added interest.

The A&A Detective Agency: The Fairfleet Affair is a fast-moving mystery that’s got wide appeal. It’s one of my top middle-grade reads of the year, and I can’t wait to read more stories from the author.

THREE TASKS FOR A DRAGON, by Eoin Colfer and P.J. Lynch, Candlewick, Oct. 3, 2023, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 8-12)

Studious Prince Lir is next in line to become the Wolfhound King, but he can’t ride a horse, lift a sword, or summon the fabled wolfhounds. So, his stepmother decrees that her own son will inherit the crown instead, sending Lir away on a seemingly impossible—and assuredly fatal—quest: to rescue the maiden Cethlenn from the once-fearsome dragon Lasvarg.

Rather than wage battle, Lir insists that Lasvarg, now decidedly past his prime, honor tradition by setting him three tasks to perform—starting with tackling the mold encrusting the dragon’s cave (and his feet!). As Lir improves Lasvarg’s life, he also grows closer to Cethlenn . . . as well as the wolfhound puppy strangely devoted to her. In time, they learn more of the dark magic that may be making pawns of them all—and how Cethlenn herself could be the key to breaking a spell that clouds the entire kingdom. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

Three Tasks for a Dragon reads like a fairy tale/adventure of old. And that’s not a bad thing. It’s kind of epic. There’s a power to Eoin Colfer’s lyrical prose that draws you in and pushes the story forward. His characters are nuanced and unexpected and everything else you’d want them to be.

P.J. Lynch’s mood-filled watercolor illustrations set in tones of oranges and blues add an extra dimension to this sweeping fantasy. Three Tasks for a Dragon is a magical tale that feels fresh and familiar at the same time. It’s a beautiful tale that children and grownups alike will enjoy.

THE SONG OF THE SWAN, by Karah Sutton and Pauliina Hannuniemi, Knopf Books for Young Readers, Oct. 24, 2023, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

Olga is an orphan and a thief, relying on trickery and sleight of hand to make her way in the world. But it’s magic, not thievery, that could get her into trouble.

When Olga and her partner-in-crime Pavel learn of a valuable jewel kept in a secluded castle, Olga sees an opportunity to change their lives: a prize so big, they’d never have to steal again. But the castle is not as it seems, ruled by an enchanter who hosts grand balls every night, only for the guests to disappear each morning, replaced by swans. Guided by cryptic clues from the palace spiders, Olga soon realizes she’s in over her head—torn between a bargain with the enchanter, loyalty to Pavel, and determination to understand how the enchanted swans are linked to her own fate.

One thing is certain: there is dark magic behind the castle’s mysteries, and Olga will stop at nothing to unmask it. —Synopsis provided by Knopf Books for Young Readers

This fast-moving retelling of Swan Lake reads like a fairy tale. Author Karah Sutton’s writing is smooth and accessible and illustrator Pauliina Hannuniemi’s images are charming.

Keeper of the Lost Cities The Graphic Novel Part 1: Volume 1, by Celina Frenn, Shannon Messenger, Gabriella Chianello, Aladdin, Nov. 7, 2023, Hardcover, $27.99, Paperback, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

Twelve-year-old Sophie Foster has never quite fit into her life. She’s skipped multiple grades and doesn’t really connect with the older kids at school, but she’s not comfortable with her family, either. The reason? Sophie’s a Telepath, someone who can read minds. No one knows her secret—at least, that’s what she thinks…

But the day Sophie meets Fitz, a mysterious (and adorable) boy, she learns she’s not alone. He’s a Telepath too, and it turns out the reason she has never felt at home is that, well…she isn’t. Fitz opens Sophie’s eyes to a shocking truth, and she is forced to leave behind her family for a new life in a place that is vastly different from what she has ever known. —Synopsis provided by Aladdin

The first book in the bestselling Keeper of the Lost Cities series is being reimagined as a graphic novel. This is  the first half of the epic novel, and, wow, it’s impressive. This full-color adaptation gets to the heart of source material. 

ABOVE THE TRENCHES, by Nathan Hale, Amulet Books, Nov. 14, 2023, Hardcover, $14.99 (ages 8-12)

When the Great War began in 1914, America had plans to stay out of it. But some young men were so eager to fight, they joined the French Foreign Legion. From deep in the mud and blood of the Western Front, these young volunteers looked to the sky and saw the future—the airplane.

The first American pilots to fight in World War One flew for the French military. France created a squadron of volunteer Americans called the Lafayette Escadrille (named after the great Marquis de Lafayette).

This book is about that volunteer squadron: How they got into the French military. How they learned to fly. How they fought—and died. And how these American pilots would go down in history with other legendary flying aces like the Red Baron and his Flying Circus. —Synopsis provided by Amulet Books

Above the Trenches is the 12^th book in Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series, graphic novels that tell true stories of American history. My kid loves these books. They’re entertaining while being educational.

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AGES 9 AND UP

PARACHUTE KIDS: A GRAPHIC NOVEL, by Betty C. Tang, Graphix, April 4, 2023, Paperback, $12.99 (ages 9-12)

Feng-Li can’t wait to discover America with her family! But after an action-packed vacation, her parents deliver shocking news: They are returning to Taiwan and leaving Feng-Li and her older siblings in California on their own.

Suddenly, the three kids must fend for themselves in a strange new world ― and get along. Starting a new school, learning a new language, and trying to make new friends while managing a household is hard enough, but Bro and Sis’s constant bickering makes everything worse. Thankfully, there are some hilarious moments to balance the stress and loneliness. But as tensions escalate ― and all three kids get tangled in a web of bad choices ― can Feng-Li keep her family together? —Synopsis provided by Graphix

Author Betty C. Tang is one such kid. She was 10-years-old in 1979 when she and her siblings arrived in the US. Though Parachute Kids is not a memoir, it does draw from her family’s experiences as well as those of other immigrants she’s met throughout her life.

And that’s why Parachute Kids works so well. Tang tells her truth through text and illustrations that are a mix of thoughtful and humorous. There’s joy and there’s pain and everything in between. Her illustrations are full of energy — expressive and detailed. The pacing is spot on, and the flow makes you want to keep turning the pages. Tang doesn’t shy away from complicated family and social dynamics, providing a narrative that’s moving and entertaining at the same time. It’s an excellent option for kids who are drawn to graphic novels and newbies alike.

RACE AGAINST DEATH: THE GREATEST POW RESCUE OF WORLD WAR II, by Deborah Hopkinson, Scholastic Focus, April 18, 2023, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 9-12)

Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, America entered World War II, and a new theater of battle opened up in the Pacific. But US troops, along with thousands of Filipino soldiers who fought alongside them, were overtaken in the Philippines by a fiercely determined Japanese navy, and many Americans and Filipino fighters were killed or captured.

These American and Filipino prisoners of war were forced to endure the most horrific conditions on the deadly trek known as the Bataan Death March. Then, the American servicemen who were held captive by the Japanese military in Cabanatuan Camp and others in the Philippines, faced beatings, starvation, and tropical diseases, and lived constantly under the threat of death.

Unable to forget their comrades’ fate and concerned that these POWs would be brutally murdered as the tides of war shifted in the Pacific, the US Army Rangers undertook one of the most daring and dangerous rescue missions of all time. Aided by the “Angels of the Underground,” the Sixth Ranger Battalion and courageous Filipino guerrilla soldiers set out on an uncertain and treacherous assignment. Often called the Great Raid, this remarkable story remains largely forgotten. —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Focus

Author Deborah Hopkinson is no stranger to nonfiction, having written more than 70 books for young readers including picture books, middle grade historical fiction, Little Golden Book biographies, and long form nonfiction.

That experience shows in her meticulously written Race Against Death. Though nonfiction, Hopkinson’s writing is almost conversational — it reads like a novel — immediately making it accessible to readers ages 9 and up.

BARELY FLOATING, by Lilliam Rivera, Kokila, Aug. 29, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 9-12)

Natalia De La Cruz Rivera y Santiago was swimming neighborhood kids out of their money at the local Inglewood pool when her life changed. The LA Mermaids performed, emerging out of the water with matching sequined swimsuits, and it was then that synchronized swimming stole her heart.

The problem? Her activist mom and professor dad think it’s a sport with too much emphasis on looks — on being thin and white. Nat grew up the youngest in a house full of boys, so she knows how to fight for what she wants, often using her anger to fuel her. People often underestimate her swimming skills when they see her stomach rolls, but she knows better than to worry about what people think. Still, she feels more like a submarine than a mermaid, but she wonders if she might be both. —Synopsis provided by Kokila

Barely Floating is more than just a swimming story. It’s the exploration of body image, community, family, building community and finding your voice.

Nat is a vibrant character who grabs your attention from the start. She’s not ashamed of her size, but struggles when other people make it important. She loves sequins and sparkles and beauty magazines, even though she’s not supposed to like them. Her bold personality resonates throughout the novel, daring you not to follow her journey.

Barely Floating is one of those books that’s going to resonate with readers from all walks of life — swimmers or not.

NO BRAINER (DIARY OF A WIMPY KID BOOK 18), by Jeff Kinney, Harry N. Abrams, Oct. 24, 2023, Hardcover, $14.99 (ages 9-10)

Up until now, middle school hasn’t exactly been a joyride for Greg Heffley. So when the town threatens to close the crumbling building, he’s not too broken up about it.

But when Greg realizes this means he’s going to be sent to a different school than his best friend, Rowley Jefferson, he changes his tune. Can Greg and his classmates save their school before it’s shuttered for good? Or is this the start of a whole new chapter for Greg? —Synopsis provided by Harry N. Abrams

No Brainer is the 18^th book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, and it’s just as fun for readers as the previous books. My kid loves this series, and has read some books in order and others out, and has had no complaints, other than she wants more. Author Jeff Kinney knows his audience and gives them exactly what they want.

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AGES 10 AND UP

THE LOST YEAR: A SURVIVAL STORY OF THE UKRAINIAN FAMINE, by Katherine Marsh, Roaring Brook Press, Jan. 17, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10-14)

Thirteen-year-old Matthew is miserable. His journalist dad is stuck overseas indefinitely, and his mom has moved in his 100-year-old great-grandmother to ride out the pandemic, adding to his stress and isolation.

But when Matthew finds a tattered black-and-white photo in his great-grandmother’s belongings, he discovers a clue to a hidden chapter of her past, one that will lead to a life-shattering family secret. Set in alternating timelines that connect the present-day to the 1930s and the US to the USSR, Katherine Marsh’s latest novel sheds fresh light on the Holodomor – the horrific famine that killed millions of Ukrainians, and which the Soviet government covered up for decades. —Synopsis provided by Roaring Brook Press

Told through dual timelines, The Lost Year explores the Holodomor — a man-made famine that killed millions. In it, Author Katherine Marsh expertly explores both a historical event and the people who lived through it. And by setting one of the timelines during the COVID-19 pandemic, Marsh gives readers a relatable place to start from.

The Lost Year unfolds from the alternating points of view of Matthew and cousins Helen and Mila. The three stories perfectly interweave to keep readers interested and the book moving forward. Marsh pulls from her family’s own past, adding authenticity throughout.

Everything about The Lost Year is impeccable. From Marsh’s inviting prose and compelling characters to accessible history and gripping storyline, readers won’t want to put it down. It should especially appeal to fans of Alan Gratz (Refugee, Ground Zero) and those who enjoy contemporary and historical fiction.

HANDS, by Torrey Maldonado, Nancy Paulsen Books, Jan. 24, 2023, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 10 and up)

Trev would do anything to protect his mom and sisters, especially from his stepdad. But his stepdad’s return stresses Trev—because when he left, he threatened Trev’s mom.

Rather than live scared, Trev takes matters into his own hands, literally. He starts learning to box to handle his stepdad. But everyone isn’t a fan of his plan, because Trev’s a talented artist, and his hands could actually help him build a better future. 

Ultimately, Trev knows his future is in his hands, and his hands are his own, and he has to choose how to use them. —Synopsis provided by Nancy Paulsen Books

At less than 150 pages, Hands is a relatively short book for middle readers, but it certainly packs a punch. In fact, the book is better for its brevity with author Torrey Maldonado perfectly capturing the voice his audience wants to hear.

From the first page, it is as if Trev is talking directly to you. His tone, his body language, his emotion. They’re all there. Hands is a fast-paced read with short chapters that’s full of energy. For many, it will be a one-sitting read.

CHILDREN OF THE BLACK GLASS, by Anthony Peckham, Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, March 7, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10-14)

In an unkind alternate past, somewhere between the Stone Age and a Metal Age, Tell and his sister Wren live in a small mountain village that makes its living off black glass mines and runs on brutal laws. When their father is blinded in a mining accident, the law dictates he has thirty days to regain his sight and be capable of working at the same level as before or be put to death.

Faced with this dire future, Tell and Wren make the forbidden treacherous journey to the legendary city of Halfway, halfway down the mountain, to trade their father’s haul of the valuable black glass for the medicine to cure him. The city, ruled by five powerful female sorcerers, at first dazzles the siblings. But beneath Halfway’s glittery surface seethes ambition, violence, prejudice, blackmail, and impending chaos.

Without knowing it, Tell and Wren have walked straight into a sorcerers’ coup. Over the next twelve days they must scramble first to save themselves, then their new friends, as allegiances shift and prejudices crack open to show who has true power. —Synopsis provided by Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books

Children of the Black Glass is a darker middle-grade novel. Tell and Wren come from a harsh place, and Halfway isn’t any better, just different. The mood of the novel is echoed perfectly in its cover, which truly captures its essence. The overall tone and themes — death, violence, betrayal and revenge — are better suited to older, more mature middle readers, ages 10 and up.

Peckham gives readers a morally gray world with morally gray characters that’s compelling. There are moments of hope and happiness sprinkled here and there that feel natural and help lighten the tone. It’s a well-paced novel, and I look forward to reading it’s sequel.

WILD BIRD, by Diane Zahler, Roaring Brook Press, March 21, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 10 and up)

Her name was Rype. That wasn’t really her name. It was what the strangers called her. She didn’t remember her real name. She didn’t remember anything at all. Rype was hiding in the hollow of a tree trunk when they found her. She was hungry, small, cold, alone. She did not speak their language, or understand their mannerisms. But she knew this: To survive, she would have to go with them.

In fourteenth-century Norway, the plague has destroyed the entire village of Skeviga. To stay alive, Rype, the only one left, must embark on a sweeping adventure across Europe with the son of an English ship captain and a band of troubadours in search of a brighter future and a new home. —Synopsis provided by Roaring Brook Press

Wild Bird is one of those books that you want to reread almost as soon as you finish it. Author Diane Zahler’s ability to show scope while remaining intimate is excellent, and her prose and pacing are comfortable and well-suited to her story.

While the publisher’s suggested age range for Wild Bird is 8-12, the book reads older. LGBTQ+ issues, sexual innuendo in sea shanties and implied sexual abuse of a character push it a bit older — ages 10 and up — or at least warrant a parent-child discussion.

Wild Bird is a fast, compelling read that will appeal to older middle readers, young adults and even adults.

ARTHUR, THE ALWAYS KING, by Kevin Crossley-Holland and Chris Riddell, Candlewick Studio, April 11, 2023, Hardcover, $29.99 (ages 10 and up)

Translated, adapted, told, and retold, the stories of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table have captivated imaginations across time. Now comes an illustrated, retelling sure to enthrall a new generation of readers.

From the tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight to the quest for the Holy Grail, stories both familiar and unfamiliar are woven into a vivid tapestry of Arthurian lore that spans from the king’s conception to his final battle. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick Studio

Arthur, The Always King is the type of book written for children (ages 10 and up), but grownups will buy for themselves as well. Especially those who have a hankering for Arthurian legend.

Arthur, The Always King begins with Arthur’s childhood; Merlin and the Sword in the Stone; and the Round Table. Next comes the seven trials the knights must complete. This setup creates a series of sections that feel like short stories or interludes. This provides natural breaking points for readers and feel appropriate for this narrative.

Arthur, The Always King is a good option for those who are already enticed by Arthurian mythology. It’s a beautiful book that has a lot to offer.

GLOBAL: ONE FRAGILE WORLD. AN EPIC FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL. by Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin, Giovanni Rigano, Sourcebooks Young Readers, April 11, 2023, Paperback, $14.99 (ages 10-14)

Time is running out for Sami and Yuki. Sami and his grandfather live in a village along the Indian Ocean. They earn their living by fishing. But the ocean is rising and each day they bring back fewer and fewer fish.

Yuki lives in the far north of Canada where warming temperature are melting the ice. Polar bears have less food to hunt and are wandering into town looking for something to eat. Yuki is determined to do something to help the bears. —Synopsis provided by Sourcebooks Young Readers

Authors Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin have expertly crafted text that not only provides first-person narration, but dialogue, too. The well-thought-out text may be sparse, but readers immediately get a sense of who both Sam and Yuki are. They are complex and wonderfully crafted.

Colfer and Donkin’s text is perfectly paired with Giovanni Rigano’s stunning illustrations. Each panel is full of detail, emotion and color. His bold work truly brings this graphic novel to life.

THE ASTRONAUT’S GUIDE TO LEAVING THE PLANET: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW, FROM TRAINING TO RE-ENTRY, by Terry Virts, Workman Publishing Company, April 11, 2023, Paperback, $14.99 (ages 10 and up)

A kid’s guide to leaving the planet from someone who’s done it! Former astronaut Terry Virts guides readers through the practical elements of becoming an astronaut, along with the wonders (and challenges) of space travel.

With insider information, readers and aspiring astronauts will be inspired to start their own journey to the stars. This practical guide is full of valuable wisdom and insight that will guide the astronaut candidates of tomorrow! —Synopsis provided by Workman Publishing Company

The Astronaut’s Guide to Leaving the Planet is divided into chapters that feature subheadings, fact boxes, illustrations and photographs. Terry Virts’ writing is clear and conversational. He covers timely topics and doesn’t shy away from the “gross” stuff.

The publisher’s suggested age range for this book is 10 and up, but I would go as young as 8, especially if your young reader is more advanced. There’s nothing that’s objectionable content wise for a younger audience. The Astronaut’s Guide to Leaving the Planet is an informative read that should appeal to space fanatics young and old.

OPINIONS AND OPOSSUMS, by Ann Braden, Nancy Paulsen Books, May 2, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10 and up)

Agnes has been encouraged not to question authority by her mom—but that’s especially hard in religion class, where it bugs her that so much gets blamed on Eve and that God’s always pictured one way.  

Fortunately, Agnes’ anthropologist neighbor, Gracy, gets Agnes thinking after they rescue an opossum together. Playing dead didn’t serve the opossum well, so maybe it’s time for Agnes to start thinking for herself. And when Agnes learns that some cultures picture God as a female, she feels freed to think—and write—about things from new perspectives. —Synopsis provided by Nancy Paulsen Books

Ann Braden takes a big topic like God and breaks it down into thought-provoking questions and observations. Some people will see this book as an attack on religion, but in truth, it’s a celebration of faith. And Braden begins with a simple, but profound, quote from Maya Angelou, “Tell the truth. To yourself first.”

Opinions and Opossums is a book that makes you think. It’s the kind of book that would have changed the world for me as a youth. So much so that I bought a copy for my 9-year-old to read. Braden’s prose is warm and inviting and Agnes is a character that will challenge and excite you. This is an excellent read.

THE FIRE, THE WATER, AND MAUDIE MCGINN, by Sally J. Pla, Quill Tree Books, July 11, 2023, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 10 and up)

Maudie always looks forward to the summers she spends in California with her dad. But this year, she must keep a troubling secret about her home life—one that her mom warned her never to tell. Maudie wants to confide in her dad about her stepdad’s anger, but she’s scared.

When a wildfire strikes, Maudie and her dad are forced to evacuate to the beach town where he grew up. It’s another turbulent wave of change. But now, every morning, from their camper, Maudie can see surfers bobbing in the water. She desperately wants to learn, but could she ever be brave enough?

As Maudie navigates unfamiliar waters, she makes friends—and her autism no longer feels like the big deal her mom makes it out to be. But her secret is still threatening to sink her. Will Maudie find the strength to reveal the awful truth—and maybe even find some way to stay with Dad—before summer is over? —Synopsis provided by Quill Tree Books

The Fire, The Water, and Maudie McGinn is the kind of book that sticks with you. Author Sally J. Pla’s elegant prose draws you in and makes you want to stay. She creates a sense of space that feels warm and familiar. And the parallels between the ocean and Maudie are spot on.

One of the central plot lines in The Fire, The Water, and Maudie McGinn is the way Maudie’s stepfather treats her. It turns out that Maudie is being physically abused. Pla addresses this topic with care, and the few descriptions of Maudie being hurt are quick and not gratuitous. But it’s still a hard topic, and it will be slightly jarring for readers. I suggest parents read the book ahead of time or at least be prepared to discuss it with their children.

The Fire, The Water, and Maudie McGinn is one of the best middle-grade novels I’ve read this year. Maudie’s growth and journey toward defining herself rather than letting her autism define her is beautiful.

MEXIKID, by Pedro Martín, Dial Books, Aug. 1, 2023, Hardcover, $24.99, Paperback, $14.99 (ages 10 and up), Graphic Novel

Pedro Martin has grown up hearing stories about his abuelito — his legendary crime-fighting, grandfather who was once a part of the Mexican Revolution! But that doesn’t mean Pedro is excited at the news that Abuelito is coming to live with their family. After all, Pedro has eight brothers and sisters and the house is crowded enough! Still, Pedro piles into the Winnebago with his family for a road trip to Mexico to bring Abuelito home, and what follows is the trip of a lifetime, one filled with laughs and heartache. Along the way, Pedro finally connects with his abuelito and learns what it means to grow up and find his grito. —Synopsis provided by Dial Books

Mexikid is a road trip like no other. From laugh-out-loud hijinks to gross-out moments and everything in between, it’s a journey that readers won’t soon forget. The story rings with authenticity. It almost feels like you’re at a family gathering listening to the story around the dinner table.

The story unfolds through a blend of cartoon, comic-style illustrations that are bold and full of exuberance. Mexikid is the story of a multi-generational, immigrant family that’s full of love, laughter and bigger-than-life lore. It’s a heartwarming read that readers will gobble up.

TIGER DAUGHTER, by Rebecca Lim, Delacorte Press, Aug. 15, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10 and up)

Wen Zhou is a first-generation daughter of Chinese migrant parents. She has high expectations from her parents to succeed in school, especially her father whose strict rules leave her feeling trapped. Then she befriends a boy named Henry who is also a first-generation immigrant. He is the smartest boy at school despite struggling with his English and understands her in a way nobody has lately. Both of them dream of escaping and together they come up with a plan to take an entrance exam for a selective school far from home.

But when tragedy strikes, it will take all of Wen’s resilience and tiger strength to get herself and Henry through the storm that follows. —Synopsis provided by Delacorte Press

At 192 pages, Tiger Daughter is in the sweet spot for middle readers who want a big punch in a not-so-long book. And, boy, does Tiger Daughter make a statement.

Author Rebecca Lim’s prose is smooth and thoughtful. She deftly touches on racism, sexism and emotional domestic violence. Her care and attention to detail is evident from beginning to end, making Tiger Daughter a transformative read.

FARTHER THAN THE MOON, by Lindsay Lackey, Roaring Brook Press, Sept. 19, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 9 (ages 10 and up)

All Houston Stewart has ever wanted is to become an astronaut. His dreams feel like they’re finally coming true when he’s accepted to the  Junior Astronaut Recruitment Program – if only he could bring his little brother, Robbie, with him. Ever since their dad left, Houston and Robbie have been inseparable. But Robbie’s cerebral palsy and epilepsy mean he needs medical attention at home, so Houston has to go on his own.

At camp, Houston is quickly drawn into the orbit of new friends, cosmic adventures, and a long-lost grandfather. Houston is determined to honor Robbie’s dream, even if it seems like an impossible mission. So, like a good astronaut, he dares to make a new plan ― one that shoots for the stars. —Synopsis provided by Roaring Brook Press

Farther Than the Moon is a fabulous story of two brothers — Houston and Robbie — and the bond they share. Beyond the sibling relationship, Lackey also focuses on friendship and teamwork within the setting of the Junior Astronaut Recruitment Program. Here, it’s great to see teens in their element while still very much themselves. Houston’s team is full of wonderfully flawed characters who are continually working to better themselves academically and personally. Farther Than the Moon is a great upper-middle-grade novel that has multiple educational tie-ins as well as being just a good book to read.

KIN: Rooted in Hope, by Carole Boston Weatherford and Jeffery Boston Weatherford, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Sept. 19, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 10 and up)

Carole and Jeffery Boston Weatherford’s ancestors are among the founders of Maryland. Their family history there extends more than three hundred years, but as with the genealogical searches of many African Americans with roots in slavery, their family tree can only be traced back five generations before going dark. And so from scraps of history, Carole and Jeffery have conjured the voices of their kin, creating an often painful but ultimately empowering story of who their people were in a breathtaking book that is at once deeply personal yet all too universal.

Carole’s poems capture voices ranging from her ancestors to Frederick Douglass to Harriet Tubman to the plantation house and land itself that connects them all, and Jeffery’s illustrations help carry the story from the first mention of a forebear listed as property in a 1781 ledger to he and his mother’s homegoing trip to Africa in 2016. Shaped by loss, erasure, and ultimate reclamation, this is the story of not only Carole and Jeffery’s family, but of countless other Black families in America. —Synopsis provided by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Kin: Rooted in Hope is one of those books that sticks with you long after you read it. It’s a striking work that combines both poetry and illustration. Carole’s beautiful prose is moving in its cadence. The pauses and words left unsaid serve to strengthen her narrative, which spans five centuries and is told in multiple voices. It’s a book that begs to be read aloud.

Jeffery’s scratchboard art is stunning. His ability to capture emotion through line is superb. His work is raw, bold and beautiful. He matches Carole’s tone while adding even more depth to her words.

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)

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 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.

REMEMBER US, by Jacqueline Woodson, Nancy Paulsen Books, Oct. 10, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 10 and up)

It seems like Sage’s whole world is on fire the summer before she starts seventh grade. As house after house burns down, her Bushwick neighborhood gets referred to as “The Matchbox” in the local newspaper. And while Sage prefers to spend her time shooting hoops with the guys, she’s also still trying to figure out her place inside the circle of girls she’s known since childhood. 

But it’s also the summer of Freddy, a new kid who truly gets Sage. Together, they reckon with the pain of missing the things that get left behind as time moves on, savor what’s good in the present, and buoy each other up in the face of destruction. And when the future comes, it is Sage’s memories of the past that show her the way forward. Remember Us speaks to the power of both letting go . . . and holding on. —Synopsis provided by Nancy Paulsen Books

Jacqueline Woodson is a masterful storyteller. Her prose has a richness to it that feels as if she’s in the room talking to you herself. Her style is tight, carefully selecting narrative and dialogue. Never giving too much or too little. At the center of Remember Us is Sage. A teen who lost her own firefighter father to a blaze. Her relationship with fire is complicated, but her dreams for the future — becoming a pro basketball player — are not. Until they are, too. Sage’s heart is on the page for all to see — her pain, triumphs, her memories.

Remember Us is a captivating, fast-moving read. With 77 chapters and less than 200 pages, it’s approachable for all middle-readers.

THE NIGHT RAVEN (The Moonwind Mysteries), by Johan Rundberg and A. A. Prime, Amazon Crossing Kids, Nov. 1, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99, Paperback, $9.99 (ages 10 and up)

It’s 1880, and in the frigid city of Stockholm, 12-year-old Mika knows that everyone in her orphanage will struggle to survive this winter. But at least the notorious serial killer the Night Raven is finally off the streets…or is he?

Mika is shocked when a newborn baby is left at the orphanage in the middle of the night, by a boy with a cryptic message. When a detective shows up, Mika senses something even more sinister is going on.

Drawn in by Mika’s unique ability to notice small details, the detective unwittingly recruits her to help him with his investigation into a gruesome murder. Mika knows she should stay far, far away, but maybe, this is Mika’s chance to be someone who matters. —Synopsis provided by Amazon Crossing Kids

The Night Raven is a smart page-turner that’s a bit dark and full of mystery. At just under 200 pages, it’s the perfect length for Rundberg’s intended audience. But the intrigue is strong enough that older audiences will appreciate it as well.

The Night Raven is a fast-moving read that’s suitable for older, more mature middle-readers. Some topics — death, dead bodies, murder, violence— might be a little scary for younger readers. These are all explored tastefully and are not graphic, but are there nonetheless. I look forward to reading more in this series.

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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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GLOBAL: ONE FRAGILE WORLD. AN EPIC FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL. by Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin, Giovanni Rigano, Sourcebooks Young Readers, April 11, 2023, Paperback, $14.99 (ages 10-14)

“All I know is that even though the world is big, our world is growing smaller every day.”

Two kids on opposite ends of the world face the effects of climate change in Global: One Fragile World. An Epic Fight for Survival, by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin and illustrated by Giovanni Rigano.

Time is running out for Sami and Yuki.

Sami and his grandfather live in a village along the Indian Ocean. They earn their living by fishing. But the ocean is rising and each day they bring back fewer and fewer fish.

Yuki lives in the far north of Canada where warming temperature are melting the ice. Polar bears have less food to hunt and are wandering into town looking for something to eat. Yuki is determined to do something to help the bears. —Synopsis provided by Sourcebooks Young Readers

Global is a timely, breathtaking look at climate change. In many ways it calls to mind Alan Gatz’s Two Degrees, which also tackles climate change from multiple kids’ perspectives. In fact, the two books would be great read together.

Authors Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin have expertly crafted text that not only provides first-person narration, but dialogue, too. The well-thought-out text may be sparse, but readers immediately get a sense of who both Sam and Yuki are. They are complex and wonderfully crafted.

Colfer and Donkin’s text is perfectly paired with Giovanni Rigano’s stunning illustrations. Each panel is full of detail, emotion and color. His bold work truly brings this graphic novel to life.

Though the suggested age for Global is 10 and up, I did not hesitate to hand it to my 9-year-old, and she has read it multiple times since. This is what she had to say:

“There’s this really cool book called Global — it tells what we need to save about the Earth. It’s Amazing! At first, I wondered what this book would be like, and now I’m like ‘Wow! This is one fragile world.’ I like Yuki’s dog. It is a very funny husky and is willing to save Yuki. I learned that one thing can go a long way.”

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.

The post Graphic novel Global is excellent exploration of climate change appeared first on www.crackingthecover.com.

THE LOST YEAR: A SURVIVAL STORY OF THE UKRAINIAN FAMINE, by Katherine Marsh, Roaring Brook Press, Jan. 17, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10-14)

A 13-year-old boy discovers his grandmother’s painful past in Katherine Marsh’s The Lost Year: A Survival Story of the Ukrainian Famine.

Thirteen-year-old Matthew is miserable. His journalist dad is stuck overseas indefinitely, and his mom has moved in his 100-year-old great-grandmother to ride out the pandemic, adding to his stress and isolation.

But when Matthew finds a tattered black-and-white photo in his great-grandmother’s belongings, he discovers a clue to a hidden chapter of her past, one that will lead to a life-shattering family secret. Set in alternating timelines that connect the present-day to the 1930s and the US to the USSR, Katherine Marsh’s latest novel sheds fresh light on the Holodomor – the horrific famine that killed millions of Ukrainians, and which the Soviet government covered up for decades. —Synopsis provided by Roaring Brook Press

Told through dual timelines, The Lost Year explores the Holodomor — a man-made famine that killed millions. In it, Author Katherine Marsh expertly explores both a historical event and the people who lived through it. And by setting one of the timelines during the COVID-19 pandemic, Marsh gives readers a relatable place to start from.

The Lost Year unfolds from the alternating points of view of Matthew and cousins Helen and Mila. The three stories perfectly interweave to keep readers interested and the book moving forward. Marsh pulls from her family’s own past, adding authenticity throughout.

Everything about The Lost Year is impeccable. From Marsh’s inviting prose and compelling characters to accessible history and gripping storyline, readers won’t want to put it down. It should especially appeal to fans of Alan Gratz (Refugee, Ground Zero) and those who enjoy contemporary and historical fiction.

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.

The post Katherine Marsh’s The Lost Year is impeccable upper MG appeared first on www.crackingthecover.com.

AGES 6 & UP

THE THREE PRINCES OF SERENDIP: NEW TELLINGS OF OLD TALES FOR EVERYONE, by Rodaan Al Galidi and Geertje Aalders, Candlewick, Dec. 28, 2021, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 6-9)

*Folktales

Filled with wisdom about love and acceptance, and warnings against folly, these translated stories—many unknown in the United States — of donkeys and roosters, kings, sheikhs, and paupers are illustrated by cut-paper artist Geertje Aalders. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

Folktales and fables have been around for thousands of years. Every child grows up with them. And each one varies slightly depending on where it originates and who is telling it. The Three Princes of Serendip is a lovely collection new to the majority of Americans. Beautifully told and illustrated, this book deserves a place on your bookshelf.

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AGES 8 AND UP

THE UNFORGETTABLE LOGAN FOSTER by Shawn Peters, HarperCollins, Jan. 18, 2022, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

*Sci-Fi

Logan Foster has pretty much given up on the idea of ever being adopted. Everything changes when Gil and Margie arrive. Although they aren’t exactly perfect themselves, they genuinely seem to care. But it doesn’t take Logan long to notice some very odd things about them. No matter what Logan could have imagined, nothing prepared him for the truth: His parents are actually superheroes, and they’re being hunted down by dastardly forces. Logan’s found himself caught in the middle in a massive battle and the very fate of the world may hang in the balance. —Synopsis provided by HarperCollins

Logan’s story unfolds as he writes his story for the sibling he hasn’t seen since he was 3. This first-person approach is a brilliant move on author Shawn Peters’ part. Readers get a true sense of how Logan thinks and why he acts the way he does. It’s a great character study against the backdrop of superheroes and supervillains.

The Unforgettable Logan Foster is the first book in a planned series that is sure to appeal to kids and adults alike. It’s one of those books that would be just as fun to read aloud as it is to read it to yourself.

THE LEGEND OF THE DREAM GIANTS, by Dustin Hansen, Shadow Mountain, March 8, 2022, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)

*Fantasy/Fairytale

For many years, Berg has lived alone. Sometimes, when Berg feels lonely, he will risk entering a village to trade a smooth river rock or a feather for food. He’s really searching for companionship; but with every attempt he makes, people chase him away, thinking he is a monster. In his travels, Berg meets a little girl, Anya. To his amazement and delight wants to be his friend. The mayor also befriends Berg and enlists him to guard the city. But Anya suspects the mayor has other plans for the young giant. Fearing the city isn’t safe, she warns Berg to flee. Confused and torn between his two friends, the young giant has to figure out where he can place his trust. —Synopsis provided by Shadow Mountain

Author Dustin Hansen combines grayscale drawings and text to create a story within a story. The Legend of the Dream Giants is an excellent read that will appeal to middle readers of all backgrounds. But it will also appeal to older readers, especially those who like to contemplate. It would also work well in a classroom setting, with lots of room to dive off into different subjects and explorations.

IN HONOR OF BROKEN THINGS, by Paul Acampora, Dial Books, March 8, 2022, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

*Contemporary

A group of students become unlikely friends during Introduction to Clay class. Oscar, a football star, just lost his little sister to cancer. Ellie’s been dragged away from Philadelphia by her single mom to a new life in West Beacon, a tiny Pennsylvania coal town that’s smaller than Ellie’s old school. Noah’s spent his whole life as a homeschooler and just started West Beacon Middle School as a result of his parents’ train wreck of a divorce. In true friendship, they discover that some injuries may never heal, some things can never be unbroken — and that’s okay too. —Synopsis provided by Dial Books

In Honor of Broken Things has heart. It has humor. And it asks readers to look beyond themselves. The book feels almost like a letter to Paul Acampora’s readers, assuring them that like his characters, broken things can be beautiful.

Each of the characters are well-developed and feel as if they’re already your friends. The pacing is strong, and though Acampora tackles difficult topics, the book never feels preachy or too easy.

CRESS WATERCRESS, by Gregory Maguire and David Litchfield, Candlewick, March 29, 2022, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 8-12)

Gregory Maguire turns his trademark wit and wisdom to an animal adventure about growing up, moving on, and finding community. When Papa doesn’t return from a nocturnal honey-gathering expedition, Cress holds out hope, but her mother assumes the worst. It’s a dangerous world for rabbits, after all. Mama moves what’s left of the Watercress family to the basement unit of the Broken Arms, a run-down apartment oak with a suspect owl landlord, a nosy mouse super, a rowdy family of squirrels, and a pair of songbirds who broadcast everyone’s business. Can a dead tree full of annoying neighbors, and no Papa, ever be home?  —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

LIA PARK AND THE MISSING JEWEL, by Jenna Yoon, Aladdin, May 3, 2022, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

*Fantasy

Twelve-year old Lia Park just wants to fit in. Her parents work with a mysterious organization that makes them ridiculously overprotective. So, when she gets invited to the biggest birthday party of the year — and her parents say she can’t go — Lia sneaks out. But her first act of rebellion not only breaks her parents’ rules, but also an ancient protection spell, allowing an evil diviner spirit to kidnap and ransom her parents for a powerful jewel that her family has guarded for years. With just the clothes on her back and some very rusty magical skills, Lia finds herself chasing mysterious clues to save her parents —Synopsis provided by Aladdin

Lia Park and the Missing Jewel begins in, and jumps through, the “real world,” giving readers a starting place from which they can explore magical elements. It’s from this place that the author Jenna Yoon’s world unfolds. Yoon’s writing is clear and accessible. She expertly weaves Korean words and culture throughout, making her novel all the more interesting.

THE NATURAL GENIUS OF ANTS, by Betty Culley, Crown Books for Young Readers, May 10, 2022, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

*Contemporary

Harvard is used to his father coming home from the hospital and telling him about all the babies he helped. But since he made the mistake at work, Dad has been quieter than usual. And now he is taking Harvard and his little brother, Roger, to Kettle Hole, Maine, for the summer. Harvard hopes this trip isn’t another mistake. In the small town where he grew up, Dad seems more himself. Especially once the family decides to start an ant farm — just like Dad had as a kid! But when the mail-order ants are D.O.A., Harvard doesn’t want Dad to experience any more sadness. Luckily, his new friend Neveah has the brilliant idea to use the ants crawling around the kitchen instead. But these insects don’t come with directions. So, the kids have a lot to learn — about the ants, each other, and how to forgive ourselves when things go wrong. —Synopsis provided by Crown Books for Young Readers

At the center of the story is Harvard, a likeable character who just wants to make sure his dad gets better. Many readers will relate to having a parent experiencing sadness/depression. And Harvard’s doggedness to make things better should resonate beyond his particular situation. The Natural Genius of Ants is a heartfelt novel that weaves science into daily life.

SINGING WITH ELEPHANTS, by Margarita Engle, Viking Books for Young Readers, May 31, 2022, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

*Novel in Verse

Cuban-born 11-year-old Oriol lives in Santa Barbara, California, where she struggles to belong. But most of the time that’s okay, because she enjoys helping her parents care for the many injured animals at their veterinary clinic. Then Gabriela Mistral, the first Latin American winner of a Nobel Prize in Literature, moves to town, and aspiring writer Oriol finds herself opening up. As she begins to create a world of words for herself, Oriol learns it will take courage to stay true to herself and do what she thinks is right. —Synopsis provided by Viking Books for Young Readers

When a novel in verse is written well it can transport you. Each word or phrase is carefully chosen. The prose is smooth, with room to breathe. And it’s in those pauses that the text truly transforms. Singing with Elephants is one of those books that you feel better for having read it. Though a quick read, there are layers upon layers, making a big impact.

WRETCHED WATERPARK (The Sinister Summer Series), by Kiersten White, Delacorte Press, June 7, 2022, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

*Mystery

Meet the Sinister-Winterbottoms: brave Theo, her timid twin, Alexander, and their older sister, Wil. They’re stuck for the summer with their Aunt Saffronia, who doesn’t know how often children need to eat and can’t use a smartphone, and whose feet never quite seem to touch the floor when she glides — er — walks. When Aunt Saffronia suggests a week pass to the Fathoms of Fun Waterpark, they hastily agree. But the park is even stranger than Aunt Saffronia. Something mysterious is happening at Fathoms of Fun, and it’s up to the twins to get to the bottom of it. But are Theo and Alexander out of their depth? —Synopsis provided by Delacorte Press

This is one book where the setting — the Fathoms of Fun Waterpark — is just as important as the characters. White deftly transports readers to this creepy world and allows the park and its inhabitants to carry some of the load. Wretched Waterpark is a fast-paced adventure that should have wide-spread appeal, particularly for fans of the Lemony Snickett series.

SPINELESS, by Samantha San Miguel, Union Square Kids, June 7, 2022, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

*Historical Adventure/ Mystery

When his asthma lands him at a health resort in the wilds of Gilded Age South Florida, Algie Emsworth is over the moon. The scientific treasure trove of unexplored swamps may launch his dream career as a naturalist. But even Algie is startled when he happens upon a brand-new species and her brood in the karst springs surrounding the resort. Algie quickly realizes he must keep his discovery a secret. An apparent curse has also descended upon the hotel, bringing with it a deadly red tide. But when the pool starts filling with ink and guests start getting mysterious, sucker-shaped wounds, Algie must pluck up his courage to find the truth about the goings-on at the grand hotel — and save the new species from destruction. —Synopsis provided by Union Square Kids

From the first chapter, it’s clear that Spineless is going to be a grand adventure. You’re not even 20 pages in before Algie’s getting into trouble, and oh does he get into some delightful trouble! Author Samantha San Miguel’s writing is smooth and inviting. Her excellent world-building skills drop you right into the Floridian swamps. You can practically feel the humidity roll over you as Algie and his friends explore. Miguel’s strong pacing emphasizes certain plot twists and leaves you wanting for more.        

THE LAST MAPMAKER, by Christina Soontornvat, Candlewick, April 12, 2022, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

*Adventure

As assistant to Mangkon’s most celebrated mapmaker, 12-year-old Sai plays the part of a well-bred young lady with a glittering future. In reality, her father is a conman — and in a kingdom where the status of one’s ancestors dictates their social position, the truth could ruin her. Sai seizes the chance to join an expedition to chart the southern seas, but she isn’t the only one aboard with secrets. When Sai learns that the ship might be heading for the fabled Sunderlands — a land of dragons, dangers, and riches beyond imagining — she must weigh the cost of her dreams. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick Press

This tale is as much of a personal journey as it is a physical one. Sai’s story begins with her hiding who she really is. Her goal is to gain a footing in society, but as things progress, her focus changes. And when she embraces herself for who she is, she shines. The Last Mapmaker is a fast-moving, thought-provoking adventure. It offers the perfect summer getaway without leaving the comfort of home. It’s one of my Top 10 middle-grade reads this year.

ULTIMATE FOOD ATLAS: MAPS, GAMES, RECIPES, AND MORE FOR HOURS OF DELICIOUS FUN, by Nancy Castaldo and Christy Mihaly, National Geographic Kids, June 14, 2022, Paperback, $12.99 (ages 8-12)

 *Nonfiction

Pull up a chair and dig into this world atlas full of food facts, information about crops and farming, easy-to-read maps, recipes, and games from around the world. On the menu: vegetables, grains, meats, dairy products, and foods harvested from the water.  Highlights include appetizing attractions, cool places to eat, and food festivals, and sustainable eating is promoted throughout. —Synopsis provided by National Geographic

This atlas opens with a “how to” section and is then followed by chapters featuring continents, oceans, feeding the world, and backmatter. Each chapter contains subjects ranging from farming for foods and festivals and feasts to great grains and dairy delights. And each category is associated with a color and icon. Each spread features maps, graphics, full-color pictures and bite-sized facts. The very nature of this book encourages readers to flip through and read as little or as much as they want. The Ultimate Food Atlas is exactly the sort of book I’d hand to any kid who is curious about the world.

FENRIS & MOTT, by Greg van Eekhout, HarperCollins, Aug. 2, 2022, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

*Fantasy

When Mott finds a puppy abandoned in a recycling bin, she’s ready to do everything she can to protect him. What she doesn’t realize, however, is that this is the legendary wolf Fenris, who’s prophesied to bring about the end of the world by eating the moon. Now Mott has found herself in charge of making sure the hungry pup doesn’t see all of California as an appetizer, while also hiding him from the Norse gods who are hot on his trail, determined to see the prophecy come true. Mott vows to protect Fenris, rescue him from his destiny, and prevent the world from ending. But will she be able to keep her promise? Or has she bitten off more than she can chew? —Synopsis provided by HarperCollins

Fenris & Mott is the sort of book that will appeal to all adventure-loving readers. There’s action, there’s mystery, things explode, and there’s an adorable pup. At 208 pages, Fenris & Mott is a shorter, and more accessible middle-grade read that would be fun to read aloud independently or in a classroom setting.

HUMMINGBIRD, by Natalie Lloyd, Scholastic Press, Aug. 2, 2022, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

 *Magical Realism

Olive is tired of being seen as “fragile” just because she has osteogenesis imperfecta (otherwise known as brittle bone disease) so she’s thrilled when she finally convinces her parents to let her attend Macklemore Elementary. Olive can’t wait to go to a traditional school until a disastrous first day dashes her hopes of ever fitting in. Then Olive hears whispers about a magical, wish-granting hummingbird that supposedly lives near Macklemore. It’ll be the solution to all her problems! If she can find the bird and prove herself worthy, the creature will make her most desperate, secret wish come true. When it becomes clear that she can’t solve the mystery on her own, Olive teams up with some unlikely allies who help her learn the truth about the bird. And on the way, she just might learn that our fragile places lead us to the most wonderful magic of all . . . —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press

Hummingbird is magical realism at its best. Author Natalie Lloyd introduces magic into her settings that feel real. Of course, a hummingbird grants wishes. How could it not? But it’s not just the themes that make this book magic. It’s Lloyd’s use of first-person prose mixed with Olive’s free-verse thoughts that truly take it over the top.

GAIA: GODDESS OF EARTH (TALES OF GREAT GODDESSES), by Imogen Greenberg and Isabel Greenberg, Harry N. Abrams, Aug. 9, 2022, Hardcover, $14.99 (ages 8-12)

*Fairy Tale/Fantasy

A spunky, feminist take on the myth of Gaia, the Greek goddess of the Earth. Long before the age of the Olympian gods, Gaia created the world in all its beauty. But from Gaia also came the Titans, who ran wild and free through this world — until her husband Ouranos turned on Gaia and declared himself the ruler of all she’d created. Her son Cronus then rose to power, but soon he too became hungry for more power — so much so that he swallowed his own children. But Gaia managed to hide the youngest son, Zeus, from Cronus. Zeus grew up and defeated Cronus and saved his brothers and sisters. Gaia thought this would be the end of all the needless war, but Zeus was not satisfied — he swore to rid the world of anyone who challenged his power. Gaia was furious. She wanted no part in the world of Zeus. She would not fight his destruction with more destruction. It might be too late for Zeus, but it wasn’t too late for the mortals — or for the earth itself. Follow the goddess of earth through her struggles with gods and mortals as she discovers her strength and eventually finds the peace she has always longed for. —Synopsis provided by Harry N. Abrams

THE ANTIRACIST KID: A BOOK ABOUT IDENTITY, JUSTICE, AND ACTIVISM, by Tiffany Jewell and Nicole Miles, Versify, Oct. 4, 2022, Hardcover, $14.99 (ages 8-12)

*Nonfiction

What is racism? What is antiracism? Why are both important to learn about? In this book, systemic racism and the antiracist tools to fight it are easily accessible to young readers. This book teaches young children the words, language, and methods to recognize racism and injustice — and what to do when they encounter it at home, at school, and in the media they watch, play, and read. —Synopsis provided by Versify

The Antiracist Kid is an excellent tool in helping kids — and adults — identify discrimination and how to stand up to it. Written in clear, concise and comfortable prose, each idea or point is easy to identify and understand.

At 130 pages, The Antiracist Kid is fairly short, but kids/adults will likely spend time discussing/thinking about the topics in greater detail. Illustrator Nicole Miles helps break up information with fun illustrations, and the text itself is broken up into short paragraphs, bullet points and calls to action.

TWO DEGREES, by Alan Gratz, Scholastic Press, Oct. 4, 2022, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

*Contemporary

Fire. Ice. Flood. Three climate disasters. Four kids fighting for their lives.

Akira, Owen, George, and Natalie are all swept up in the devastating effects of climate change. They are also connected in ways that will shock them — and could alter their destinies forever. —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press

Alan Gratz is an immersive writer. From the moment you start reading to the moment you stop, you are right there with his characters — breathing in smoke, shivering in the cold and holding on for dear life.

Two Degrees is so successful because Gratz doesn’t just kids about climate change, Gratz drops them straight into it. Kids from all walks of life understand natural disasters — wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, drought etc. hit just about everyone in the United States. The story is relatable and helps readers understand how widespread the problem is.

A ROVER’S STORY, by Jasmine Warga, Balzer + Bray, Oct. 4, 2022, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

*Science Fiction

Meet Resilience, a Mars rover determined to live up to his name. Res was built to explore Mars. He was not built to have human emotions. But as he learns new things from the NASA scientists who assemble him, he begins to develop human-like feelings. Maybe there’s a problem with his programming….

Human emotions or not, launch day comes, and Res blasts off to Mars, accompanied by a friendly drone helicopter named Fly. But Res quickly discovers that Mars is a dangerous place filled with dust storms and giant cliffs. As he navigates Mars’s difficult landscape, Res is tested in ways that go beyond space exploration. —Synopsis provided by Balzer + Bray

A Rover’s Story is a moving middle-grade novel that you won’t stop thinking about. Author Jasmine Warga’s ability to not only show readers Earth, Mars and beyond from a rover’s point of view but to make that view compelling and exciting is truly impressive. She masterfully mixes science and imagination. Her little rover has heart.

A Rover’s Story is an excellent option for future engineers, explorers and lovers of space.

HOW TO HEAL A GRYPHON (A Giada the Healer Novel, 1), by Meg Cannistra, Inkyard Press; Original edition, Oct. 4, 2022, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

*Fantasy

With her thirteenth birthday just around the corner, Giada Bellantuono has to make a big decision: Will she join the family business and become a healer or follow her dreams? But even though she knows her calling is to heal vulnerable animals, using her powers to treat magical creatures is decidedly not allowed.

When a group of witches kidnaps her beloved older brother, Rocco, and her parents are away, Giada is the only person left who can rescue him. Swept into the magical underground city of Malafi, Giada will need the help of her new companions to save her brother — or risk losing him forever. —Synopsis provided by Inkyard Press

Author Meg Cannistra transports readers to the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Through her deft hand all the sights, smells and sounds jump off the page. There’s a freshness to Cannistra’s writing that adds to the overall liveliness of her book. How to Heal a Gryphon is a fresh middle-grade fantasy that should appeal to a wide cross-section of readers. There may be a few readers who stumble over the Italian words, but overall, it’s an accessible, enjoyable read.

FULL OF LIFE, EXPLORING EARTH’S BIODIVERSITY, by Isabel Thomas and Sara Gillingham, Phaidon Press, Oct. 5, 2022, Hardcover, $24.95 (ages 8-12)

*Nonfiction

This guide to Earth’s Tree of Life — the reference tool used by scientists to organize the incredible variety of living things on our planet — helps young readers understand how every living creature, from the tiniest germ to the biggest blue whale, is part of one big family tree.

Layouts feature fascinating facts and stories behind some of the most extraordinary species on Earth, from familiar plants and animals to newly discovered microorganisms and viruses. With a comprehensive introduction, conclusion, and glossary, this is an introduction to the 2 million+ life forms on our planet. —Synopsis provided by Phaidon Press

Full of Life, Exploring Earth’s Biodiversity is one of those books that’s specifically written for children that adults will want to own, too.

Full of Life, Exploring Earth’s Biodiversity is divided into 11 color-coded sections ranging from True Bacteria and Archaea to a glossary and index. Though divided up into large and small sections of text, this book is text heavy. The fantastic graphic illustrations help keep things in balance, but that will probably make it more appealing for more advanced middle readers.

LET’S MAKE HISTORY! (NATHAN HALE’S HAZARDOUS TALES): CREATE YOUR OWN COMICS, by Nathan Hale, Harry N. Abrams, Oct. 11, 2022, Hardcover, $14.99 (ages 8-12)

*Graphic Novel

From the New York Times bestselling creator of the Hazardous Tales series comes an exciting activity book that puts kids’ writing, drawing, and researching to the test! Do you have what it takes to be a Hazardous Cartoonist Make your own way through history! Readers will tackle seventy-one comic-creating challenges, with help from some of their favorite characters from the series! With each challenge, young cartoonists will learn new skills, from sound effects and character creation to building their own ten-page comic. —Synopsis provided by Harry N. Abrams

Let’s Make History! is the perfect book for fans of Hale’s Hazardous Tales books. Not only does it prompt readers to draw, but it offers up the squares and pages on which they can create. I know my 8-year-old will be glued to it. The fun and imaginative drawing prompts will get kids writing their own thrilling, shocking, gruesome, and totally true histories!

QUEST KIDS AND THE DRAGON PANTS OF GOLD, by Mark Leiknes, Union Square Kids, Sept. 13, 2022, Hardcover, $14.99 (ages 8-12)

*Fantasy/ Graphic Novel Hybrid

The Quest Kids are ready for their first real quest. All they have to do is find the Golden-Fleeced Rage Beast, shave it, and make a really nice golden tracksuit to appease a furious dragon. Simple, right? Meet the Quest Kids crew: Gil, a wizard (well, wizard in training . . . the beard isn’t his); Terra, a 700-year-old elf kid; Boulder, a rock troll who is more of a cook than a fighter; Ash, a flatulent pig-dog-maybe-lizard hybrid; and, Ned, the intrepid and overly optimistic leader with his own personal quest to find his missing parents.  —Synopsis provided by Union Square Kids

The biggest selling point Quest Kids and the Dragon Pants of Gold has going for it, is its novel/graphic novel hybrid setup. Not only do kids love the “comic-type” illustrations, but it gives them an accessible taste of reading novels, too, making it a win-win situation.

Quest Kids and the Dragon Pants of Gold has it all — comedy, adventure, illustrations. There is a bit of bathroom humor, which parents may find obnoxious, but it’s pretty harmless and is the sort of stuff kids this age find hilarious. Fingers crossed this will turn into a series.

NEW KIDS AND UNDERDOGS, by Margaret Finnegan, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Oct. 25, 2022, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

*Contemporary

Robyn Kellen has been the new kid six times. She’s developed foolproof rules to help her get by: Blend in, don’t go looking for trouble, and move on. Unfortunately, Robyn’s mom has a rule, too: Robyn must do an after-school activity. When Robyn discovers a dog agility class, she thinks she’s found the perfect thing — but then her dogs, Sundae and Fudge, are rejected from the class. Sundae won’t do anything without Fudge, and Fudge is deaf and blind. Luckily, the instructor’s grandson, Nestor offers Robyn a deal: If she helps him with math, he’ll train Sundae and Fudge. Problem is, Robyn isn’t so great at math herself, so she’s forced to recruit the class outcast, Alejandra, to help. Suddenly, Robyn finds herself surrounded by people who do anything but blend in. But as Robyn learns how to adapt the rules of agility for Sundae and Fudge, she will find that some rules are worth breaking altogether. —Synopsis provided by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

There are a lot of things to love about New Kids and Underdogs, but I think my favorite is author Margaret Finnegan’s ability to draw in a large range of readers with something cool — dog agility training — all while exploring nuances of classroom/playground dynamics, self-confidence and friendship. New Kids and Underdogs is a thoughtful novel that moves quickly and is a joy to read.

LILY AND THE NIGHT CREATURES, by Nick Lake and Emily Gravett, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Aug. 30, 2022, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

*Fantasy/Mystery

Lily is used to hospitals — she’s spent more time in them than out of them thanks to her recent health issues. But when her mother goes into labor, her parents drop her off at her grandmother’s house and rush to the hospital without her. Lily doesn’t want the new baby to replace her and she certainly doesn’t want to be sick anymore.

Most frustrating of all, she forgot to pack Willo, her favorite toy. Under her grandma’s not-so-watchful supervision, Lily sneaks back home to get Willo. Expecting to find an empty house, she is surprised to find her parents there. But something isn’t right… They look just like her mom and dad until she gets closer and sees their coal black eyes. And they refuse to let her in — it’s their house now. —Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

FREESTYLE, by Gale Galligan, Graphix, Oct. 18, 2022, Paperback $12.99 (ages 8-12)

*Graphic Novel

Cory’s dance crew is getting ready for a major competition. It’s the last one before they graduate eighth grade and go their separate ways to high schools all over New York City, so they have to make it count! The group starts to have problems as their crew captain gets increasingly intense about nailing the routine, and things go from bad to worse when Cory’s parents ground him for not taking his grades seriously. He gets stuck with a new tutor, Sunna, who he dismisses as a boring nerd… until he catches her secretly practicing cool yo-yo tricks. Cory wants to learn the art of yo-yo, and as his friendship with Sunna grows, he ends up missing practice and bailing on his crew — and they are not happy about it. With mounting pressure coming from all sides, how is Cory supposed to balance the expectations of his parents, school, dance, and his new friend? —Synopsis provided by Graphix

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AGES 9 AND UP

FLOODED: REQUIEM FOR JOHNSTOWN (SCHOLASTIC GOLD), by Ann E. Burg, Scholastic Paperbacks, May 3, 2022, Paperback, $7.99 (ages 9-14)

*Nonfiction

Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in 1889 is a busy factory city, where best friends Daniel Fagan, William James, and George Hoffman love to hike the mountain and spy on the rich folks at their exclusive lakeside club. Monica Fagan, Joe Dixon, and Gertrude Quinn dream of traveling the world, starting a business, and going to the city’s Decoration Day parade.

 Some of them have heard the rumors about the dam that holds the lake needing repairs and the club members who refuse to fix it. But no one wants to believe the danger they could be in, until the heavy spring rains come, and the dam collapses, plunging the city into chaos. On that fateful day, Daniel, William, George, Monica, Joe, and Gertrude find themselves caught in the wreckage. Who will live to tell their stories? —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Paperbacks

Flooded is a compelling novel-in-verse that explores events leading up to, and the aftermath of, the Johnstown flood. Burg’s writing is sparse and exceptional, allowing for the pauses and phrasing to become part of the narrative. Each chapter features one of the six people listed above. By focusing on the six, it is easier to imagine the 2,000 who died. Each voice ring loud, clear and true, adding to the emotion and strength of the book.

ATTACK OF THE BLACK RECTANGLES, by A. S. King, Scholastic Press, Sept. 6, 2022, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 9-12)

*Contemporary

When Mac first opens his classroom copy of Jane Yolen’s The Devil’s Arithmetic and finds some words blacked out, he thinks it must be a mistake. But then when he and his friends discover what the missing words are, he’s outraged. Someone in his school is trying to prevent kids from reading the full story. Even though his unreliable dad tells him to not get so emotional about a book, Mac has been raised by his mom and grandad to call out things that are wrong. He and his friends head to the principal’s office to protest the censorship… but her response doesn’t take them seriously. So many adults want Mac to keep his words to himself. Mac’s about to see the power of letting them out. —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press

As important as the black rectangles are to this book, it’s not just about rectangles. It’s about family dynamics, mental health, friendship, adult-child relationships, trust, maturity and so much more.

King writes directly to her audience. She celebrates their intelligence through warm and accessible prose. Her writing is clear and inviting. Her characters are relatable. And her use of humor adds brightness. Attack of the Black Rectangles is an excellent read that is also timely. I highly recommend it.

THE RAT QUEEN, by Pete Hautman, Candlewick, Oct. 11, 2022, Hardcover, $18.99m(ages 9-12)

For Annie’s tenth birthday, her papa gives her a pad of paper, some colored pencils, and the Klimas family secret. It’s called the nuodeema burna, or eater of sins. Every time Annie misbehaves, she has to write down her transgression and stick the paper into a hidey-hole in the floor of their house. But Annie’s inheritance has a dark side: with each paper fed to the burna, she feels less guilty about the mean things she says and does. As a plague of rats threatens her small suburban town and the mystery of her birthright grows, Annie — caught in a cycle of purging her misdeeds — begins to stop growing. It is only when she travels to her family’s home country of Litvania to learn more about the burna that Annie uncovers the magnitude of the truth. Gripping and emotionally complex, Pete Hautman’s inventive yarn for middle-grade readers draws on magical realism to explore coming of age and the path to moral responsibility. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

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AGES 10 AND UP

NORTHWIND, by Gary Paulsen, Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), Jan. 11, 2022, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10 and up)

*Historical Fiction/ Adventure

When a deadly plague reaches the small fish camp where he lives, an orphan named Leif is forced to take to the water in a cedar canoe. He flees northward, following a wild, fjord-riven shore, navigating from one danger to the next, unsure of his destination. Yet the deeper into his journey he paddles, the closer he comes to his truest self as he connects to “the heartbeat of the ocean . . . the pulse of the sea.” —Synopsis provided by Farrar, Straus Giroux

Gary Paulsen was a master storyteller. His ability to capture a person’s essence was remarkable. And that was never truer than in Northwind. It’s a character study of Leif, who spends the majority of the novel surrounded by nature rather than humans. His interactions with the natural world are full of danger and surprise.

Northwind is a beautiful narrative that draws you in from the beginning. Gary’s writing is elegant and sparse. You feel as if you are in the boat alongside Leif, paddling through the cold, blue waters. Though Gary wrote for young readers, his words will resonate with adults, too. Northwind is among my top books by Gary. It should be on your to-read list if you haven’t already read it.

HIDDEN POWERS: LISE MEITNER’S CALL TO SCIENCE, by Jeannine Atkins, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Jan. 18, 2022, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10 and up)

*Biography

At the turn of the 20th century, Lise Meitner dreamed of becoming a scientist. In her time, girls were not supposed to want careers, much less ones in science. But Lise was smart — and determined. She earned a PhD in physics, then became the first woman physics professor at the University of Berlin. The work was thrilling, but Nazi Germany was a dangerous place for a Jewish woman. When the risks grew too great, Lise escaped to Sweden, where she continued the experiments that she and her laboratory partner had worked on for years. Her efforts led to the discovery of nuclear fission and altered the course of history. —Synopsis provided by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Jeannine Atkins is a master storyteller, and she tells her stories through verse. Lines like “Elements seem like the alphabet of the world!” and “Science becomes a need, like hunger.” are just a peek at the wonderful pictures she creates with words. Hidden Powers is a fantastic read that will appeal to a large group of readers.

LOYALTY, by Avi, Clarion Books, Feb. 8, 2022, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 10 and up)

*Historical Fiction

When his father is killed by rebel vigilantes, Noah flees with his family to Boston. Intent on avenging his father, Noah becomes a spy for the British and firsthand witness to the power of partisan rumor to distort facts, the hypocrisy of men who demand freedom while enslaving others, and the human connections that bind people together regardless of stated allegiances. Awash in contradictory information and participating in key events leading to the American Revolution, Noah must forge his own understanding of right and wrong and determine for himself where his loyalty truly lies. —Synopsis provided by Clarion Books

Loyalty is a master class in examining an event from multiple viewpoints. Noah finds himself smack in the middle of British and colonists, and from where he sits, both sides are lacking. He’s forced to find what works best for him and realize that what’s best for him isn’t necessarily best for those he’s closest to.

As always, Avi’s writing is engrossing. There’s a reason for the author’s Newberry Award and two Newberry Honors. Loyalty is an excellent look at the American Revolution.

OMAR RISING, by Aisha Saeed, Nancy Paulsen Books, Feb. 1, 2022, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10 and up)

*Contemporary

Omar knows his scholarship to Ghalib Academy Boarding School is a game changer, providing him — the son of a servant — with an opportunity to improve his station in life. He can’t wait to experience all the school has to offer, especially science club and hopefully the soccer team; but when he arrives, his hopes are dashed.

First-year scholarship students aren’t allowed to join clubs or teams. At first Omar is dejected — but then he gets angry when he learns something even worse — the school deliberately “weeds out” kids like him by requiring them to get significantly higher grades than kids who can pay tuition, making it nearly impossible for scholarship students to graduate. With the help of his tightknit new group of friends he sets out to do what seems impossible: change a rigged system. —Synopsis provided by Nancy Paulsen Books

Omar Rising is a hopeful look at youth using their voices for change. Author Aisha Saeed carefully balances optimism vs. reality, creating a compelling read that will speak to readers from all backgrounds.

Though Omar Rising is a companion novel to Amal Unbound, it stands alone and can be read separately. However, based on the quality of both, I suggest reading them in succession.

WORSER, by Jennifer Ziegler, Margaret Ferguson Books, March 15, 2022, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 9-12)

*Contemporary

William Wyatt Orser is a wordsmith who acquired the ironically ungrammatical nickname of “Worser” so long ago that few people at school know to call him anything else. Worser grew up with his mom in a comfortable routine suffering the bare minimum of social interactions with others. But recently all that has changed. His mom had a stroke that left her nonverbal, and his Aunt Iris has moved in with her cats, art projects, loud music, and even louder clothes. Home for Worser is no longer a refuge from the unsympathetic world at school that it has been all his life.

Feeling lost, lonely, and overwhelmed, Worser searches for a new sanctuary and ends up finding the Literary Club. But relationships can be precarious, and it is up to Worser to turn the page in his own story to make something that endures so that he is no longer seen as Worser and earns a new nickname, Worder. —Synopsis provided by Margaret Ferguson Books

Worser is one of those books that you sort of just fall into and don’t want to put down. At first, the main character is uncomfortably honest, but you quickly come to love his blunt nature. It is who he is, and that’s part of what makes him endearing.

There are many high points in Worser, but for me, it was the title character’s love of words that really set it apart. The very thing that sets him apart, also opens an entirely new world for him. And the exploration of friendship through this lens is truly delightful.

THE PATRON THIEF OF BREAD, by Lindsay Eagar, Candlewick, May 11, 2022, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 10 and up)

*Medieval Magic

Fished from the river as an infant and raised by a roving band of street urchins who call themselves the Crowns, 8-year-old Duck keeps her head down and her mouth shut. It’s a rollicking life, always thieving, always on the run — until the ragtag Crowns infiltrate an abandoned cathedral in the city of Odierne and decide to set down roots. It’s all part of the bold new plan hatched by the Crowns’ fearless leader, Gnat: One of their very own will pose as an apprentice to the local baker, relieving Master Griselde of bread and coin to fill the bellies and line the pockets of all the Crowns. But no sooner is Duck apprenticed to the kindly Griselde than Duck’s allegiances start to blur. Who is she really — a Crown or an apprentice baker? And who does she want to be? —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

With warm prose and excellent worldbuilding, author Lindsay Eager immediately puts readers at ease. She immerses readers in a world of sights and smells paired with friendship, love and learning to love oneself. The Patron Thief of Bread is hands down one of my favorite books of 2022.

RIDE ON, by Faith Erin Hicks, First Second, Aug. 16, 2022, Paperback, $14.99 (ages 10-14)

*Contemporary/ Graphic Novel

Victoria has always loved horses. But riding in competitions is high stakes, high stress, and shockingly expensive. And Victoria has lost her taste for it and needs a new start ― at new stables. A place where she doesn’t have to worry about anything other than riding. No competition, no drama, no friends. Edgewood Stables seems ideal. There are plenty of horses to ride, and Victoria is perfectly happy giving the other riders the cold shoulder. But can she truly be happy with no friends? —Synopsis provided by First Second

It’s easy to tell a good story told through well-illustrated frames and thoughtfully crafted dialogue. It’s key that these elements work seamlessly together, and in Ride On they do.

Victoria and her supporting characters are all well-developed. Hicks explores each of them separately and together. I will say that Norrie is obnoxious. She grows on you, but give her time.

Ride On is a great option for middle readers looking for a new graphic novel. It should especially appeal to fans of horses.

DOGS OF THE DEADLANDS, by Anthony McGowan, Rock the Boat; US edition, Sept. 13, 2022, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10 and up)

*Historical Fiction

Chernobyl, 1986. Without humans, how will dogs survive?

As humans fled the nuclear disaster, they were forced to leave their pets behind. Without people, nature began to return to the woods surrounding the power plant — lynx, bear, and wolves. But the overgrown forest is no place for dogs. Can Zoya, and her pups Misha and Luka, learn to survive in the deadlands? And will Zoya ever find her way home to her beloved owner? —Synopsis provided by Rock the Boat

Dogs of the Deadlands is a fast-moving read featuring short chapters and black-and-white illustrations sprinkled throughout. It’s a compelling novel that forces readers to think beyond human implications. It’s an excellent read that should appeal to a fairly large audience and could be a good classroom option.

DRAWING OUTSIDE THE LINES: A JULIA MORGAN NOVEL, by Susan J. Austin, SparkPress, Oct. 18, 2022, Paperback $12.95 (ages 10 and up)

 *Historical Fiction

Growing up in horse-and-buggy Oakland, Julia enjoys daring fence walks, climbing the tallest trees, and constantly testing her mother’s patience with her lack of interest in domestic duties and social events. At a time when “brainy” girls are the object of ridicule, Julia excels in school and consistently outsmarts her brothers — but she has an even greater battle ahead. When she enrolls at university to study engineering, the male students taunt her, and the professors belittle her.

Through it all, however, Julia holds on to her dream of becoming an architect. She faces each challenge head-on, firmly standing up to those who believe a woman’s place is in the home. Fortunately, the world has yet to meet anyone like the indomitable Miss Morgan. —Synopsis provided by SparkPress

Author Susan J. Austin’s prose is smooth and inviting. She expertly sets each scene, dropping readers onto a bridge, into a classroom and onto the streets of northern California. From clothing to food to architecture, everything is spot on. Drawing Outside the Lines feels familiar and new at the same time. There’s a warmth to it that invites you in and a compelling story that makes you want to stay.

PLOTTING THE STARS 1: MOONGARDEN, by Michelle Barry, Pixel+Ink, Nov. 1, 2022, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 10 and up)

*Science Fiction/Dystopiam

Centuries ago, Earth’s plants turned deadly, and humanity took to space to cultivate new homes. Myra Hodger is in her first year at an elite school on the Moon, and she’s crumbling under the pressure. She doesn’t fit in and, worse, the tattoos that signal her Number Whisperer magic aren’t developing. In her heart, she knows she doesn’t have a Creer, and soon everyone else will, too.

Wandering the halls while cutting class, she discovers a secret lab hidden behind one of the unused classrooms and, beyond that, a secret garden overflowing with plants. As she learns more about the garden, Myra begins to wonder if she does have a Creer after all — One that could help solve the food shortages the government doesn’t want anyone to know about. —Synopsis provided by Pixel+Ink

Moongarden is Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden not only reimagined but transformed. Yes, there’s nods to source material, but make no mistake, Moongarden is unique.

Moongarden is a sci-fi, STEM, dystopian smorgasbord. Barry deftly weaves this together with themes of mystery, conspiracy, social pressures and friendship. It’s a fantastic start to Barry’s Plotting the Stars series, and I can’t wait to read the next book!

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Copyright © 2022 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.

The post 2022 Gift Guide: Middle Grade Books appeared first on www.crackingthecover.com.

TWO DEGREES, by Alan Gratz, Scholastic Press, Oct. 4, 2022, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

Four kids fight for their lives during three climate disasters in Alan Gratz’s nail-biting new middle-grade novel, Two Degrees.

Fire. Ice. Flood. Three climate disasters.

Four kids fighting for their lives.

Akira is riding her horse in the California woods when a wildfire sparks–and grows scarily fast. How can she make it to safety when there are flames everywhere?

Owen and his best friend, George, are used to seeing polar bears on the snowy Canadian tundra. But when one bear gets way too close for comfort, do the boys have any chance of surviving?

Natalie hunkers down at home as a massive hurricane barrels toward Miami. When the floodwaters crash into her house, Natalie is dragged out into the storm — with nowhere to hide.

Akira, Owen, George, and Natalie are all swept up in the devastating effects of climate change. They are also connected in ways that will shock them — and could alter their destinies forever. —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press

Alan Gratz is an immersive writer. From the moment you start reading to the moment you stop, you are right there with his characters — breathing in smoke, shivering in the cold and holding on for dear life.

The title of the book, Two Degrees, is a reference to Earth’s rising temperature and the changes in climate directly related to that. In order to show how varying the effects of climate change are, Gratz focused on three regions in North America. Each story unfolds in alternating sections that are unique unto themselves but compliment the others.

Two Degrees is so successful because Gratz doesn’t just kids about climate change, Gratz drops them straight into it. Kids from all walks of life understand natural disasters — wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, drought etc. hit just about everyone in the United States. The story is relatable and helps readers understand how widespread the problem is.

Gratz’s characters are likeable, but more importantly, they’re real. Their hopes, dreams, fears and imperfections add to Two Degrees’ overall authenticity.

Two Degrees is a fast-paced read that will appeal to fans of the I Survived and Survivor Diaries series.

Copyright © 2022 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.

The post Alan Gratz tackles climate change in excellent Two Degrees appeared first on www.crackingthecover.com.

Each year, Cracking the Cover compiles a list of books that make great gifts. The following are middle grade books published in and/or reviewed by Jessica in 2021. Synopsis are written by Jessica unless otherwise noted. Scroll down for the complete list or click or tap the following links to directly visit a section. EARLY READER • CONTEMPORARY • FANTASY • ADVENTURE/MYSTERY • GRAPHIC NOVEL • HISTORICAL FICTION • NONFICTION • INTERACTIVE 

EARLY READER

TALLY TUTTLE TURNS INTO A TURTLE (CLASS CRITTERS #1), by Kathryn Holmes and Ariel Landy, Amulet Books, Aug. 31, 2021, Hardcover, $12.99 (ages 6-9)

It’s Tally Tuttle’s first day of second grade, and she’s so nervous that she feels like she ate butterflies for breakfast! She just wishes she could retreat into a shell . . . Then, all of a sudden, the desks and her classmates around her seem enormous, and Tally is shell-shocked to discover that she’s actually turned into a turtle! She’d heard that Mrs. Norrell’s class was special, but she hadn’t expected this. —Synopsis provided by Amulet Books

I handed Tally Tuttle Turns into a Turtle to my then-soon-to-be second-grader with instructions to read it and report back. Here’s what she had to say: “It’s about a girl who gets turned into a turtle on her first day of school, and then she ends up outside and has to figure out how to turn back into a kid! It’s a funny adventure, but the best part is at the end when she gets friends. It says it’s Book 1, and I want to read more.”

Barkus: The Most Fun by Patricia MacLachlan and Marc Boutavant, Chronicle Books, Sept. 21, 2021, Hardcover, $14.99 (ages 6-9)

A young girl and her dog, Barkus, never know exactly how their adventures will turn out, but they know they’ll have fun along the way. From camping and visiting the family farm to a parade of ambling claves and winter at the cabin, the two are never far apart.

Barkus: The Most Fun is actually the third book in this early chapter series, but the books can be read out of order. These full-color reads feature short chapters and simple — but entertaining — text perfect for emerging readers. And they’re fun enough that even kids who’ve advanced past them will still want to read them.

JUDY MOODY: IN A MONDAY MOOD, by Megan McDonald and Peter H. Reynolds, Candlewick, Sept. 14, 2021, Hardcover, $15.99 (ages 6-9)

Judy Moody is Monday-morning mopey. Another week in her same-old seat at her same-old desk in her same-old school. Even worse, there aren’t any days off from school for ages. But when she steps into Class 3T, Judy’s Monday frown turns upside down. Mr. Todd is making Monday special by celebrating Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day (no lie)! This gives Judy an idea that just-might-maybe turn her week around: why not make every day of the week a holiday? —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

My 7-year-old began reading the Judy Moody books when she was in kindergarten, and she was immediately impressed. She really connected with this spunky girl who honestly expressed herself and wasn’t afraid to fail. Though my daughter is moving into harder books, she begged me to read it. We’ve really come to enjoy this series at our house, and when people ask for recommendations, I always suggest Judy over Junie B. Jones.

BOOK BUDDIES: IVY LOST AND FOUND, by Cynthia Lord and Stephanie Graegin, Candlewick Press, Sept. 28, 2021, Hardcover, $12.99 (ages 6-9)

Ivy was Anne the librarian’s doll when she was a young girl. But now she has moved to Anne’s library to be its newest Book Buddy — a toy that can be checked out just like a book. Fern, a child who visits the library with her stepfamily, wishes things could go back to the way they were, when Fern had her dad all to herself. When Fern takes Ivy home, an unexpected outdoor adventure helps both of them find confidence and belonging in their changing worlds. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick Press

Ivy Lost and Found is the first in a chapter-book series that pairs friendly toys with child characters who need them. The book was an immediate hit with my 7-year-old, who was immediately drawn to the sweet cover. Ivy Lost and Found has a timeless feel to it. There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles, just a lot of heart. The publisher’s suggested age for it is 6-9, but I’d drop it to 5-8. Nine-year-olds are probably a little to “mature” for it, but I could definitely see 5-year-olds thumbing through with an adult or on their own.

THE SECRET OF THE MAGIC PEARL, by Elisa Sabatinelli and Iacopo Bruno, Red Comet Press, Oct. 12, 2021, Hardcover, $21.99 (ages 6-10)

Hector lives with his family at the Marina in an Italian coastal town where they organize tourist expeditions to explore the many wonders of the sea. Hector’s dream is to become a deep-sea diver, just like his father. Then, one day, an unscrupulous entrepreneur opens a much newer center next door, forcing them to close their business. This man has a single purpose, to find the legendary Pearl in order to sell it and make money. Hector decides to find a way to thwart the plan and save what matters most to him: the sea, his family, and his dream. —Synopsis provided by Red Comet Press

The Secret of the Magic Pearl is a picture/chapter book hybrid with full-color illustrations throughout. And. It. Is. Gorgeous. From the bold and magical illustrations to the eccentric characters, everything about The Secret of the Magic Pearl feels special. Short chapters are broken up by a mix of small, medium and full-page spreads that get to the heart of the story. The tale itself is charming and a bit quirky. I’ve never read/seen anything like it.

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CONTEMPORARY

REAL, by Carol Cujec and Peyton Goddard, Shadow Mountain, Feb. 2, 2021, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8 and up)

Charity may have mad math skills and a near-perfect memory, but with a mouth that can’t speak and a body that jumps, rocks, and howls unpredictably, most people incorrectly assume she cannot learn. Charity’s brain works differently from most people’s because of her autism, but she’s still funny, determined, and kind. So why do people treat her like a disease or ignore her like she’s invisible? When Charity’s parents enroll her in a public junior high school, she faces her greatest fears. —Synopsis provided by Shadow Mountain

Real is inspired by co-author Peyton Goddard who spent 22 years trapped inside her own body. At the age of 6, Peyton was diagnosed as severely autistic. It wasn’t until she gained a dependable mode of communication some 16 years later that she was recognized as intelligent.

Charity’s journey goes beyond finding her voice. In fact, finding her voice is just the beginning. Themes of anti-bullying, friendship, civil rights, self-acceptance, and preconceived notions are threaded throughout.

THESE UNLUCKY STARS, by Gillian McDunn, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, March 2, 2021, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

Ever since her mother left a few years ago, Annie has felt like the odd one out in her family. Her dad and brother just don’t understand the way she thinks. Everywhere she turns, she feels like an outsider, even at school, so she’s been reluctant to get close to anyone. When a “Ding-Dong-Ditch” attempt goes wrong, Annie finds herself stuck making amends with Gloria, the eccentric elderly lady she disturbed. As she begins to connect with Gloria and her weird little dog, it becomes clear that Gloria won’t be able to live on her own for much longer. But it’s this brief and important friendship that gives Annie the confidence to let people in, and see how rich life can be when you decide to make your own luck and chart your own path to happiness. —Synopsis provided by Bloomsbury Children’s Books

These Unlucky Stars is a tender read that celebrates family and friendships of all shapes and sizes.

STELLA, by McCall Hoyle, Shadow Mountain, March 2, 2021, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

Ever since she was a puppy, Stella was trained to use her powerful beagle nose to sniff out dangerous chemicals and help her handler keep people safe. But during a routine security inspection, Stella misses the scent of an explosive. Unable to go back to work because of her anxiety, Stella is retired as a working dog. When a young girl name Cloe wants to adopt Stella, the beagle knows this is her last chance to prove her worth. But how? When the beagle smells a strange chemical inside Cloe’s body just before the girl has a seizure, Stella’s nose makes the connection. But how can Stella convince others that she can be a new kind of service dog and hopefully save Cloe’s life? —Synopsis provided by Shadow Mountain

Stella is a book that you’ll talk about after finishing it. It’s one you’ll think about, too. That’s because McCall Hoyle is an excellent storyteller. The book is told from the point of view of the title character. You get a real sense of what it’s like to be a dog. The behavior and thought process are spot on. But it’s when you read her tale within the context of conversations and observations that you truly understand how difficult it must have been for Hoyle to maintain a perfect balance.

RESCUE AT LAKE WILD, by Terry Lynn Johnson, HMH Books for Young Readers, April 27, 2021, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

Everyone knows that twelve-year-old Madison “Madi” Lewis is not allowed to bring home any more animals. But when Madi and her two best friends, Aaron and Jack, rescue beaver kits whose mother was killed, they find themselves at the center of a local conspiracy that’s putting the beavers and their habitats in danger. As Madi and her friends race to uncover the threat targeting the beavers, Madi must put her animal whisperer skills to the test in both raising the orphaned beaver kits and staying out of trouble long enough. —Synopsis provided by HMH Books for Young Readers

Madi, Aaron and Jack are a delightful trio who balance each other out. They’ve all got their quirks, and that, along with Jack’s dog, Lid, make for some great interactions, mishaps and discoveries. Rescue at Lake Wild celebrates friendship, ingenuity and nature. It will make an excellent addition to any reader’s growing library.

UNSETTLED, by Reem Faruqi, HarperCollins, May 11, 2021, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

When her family moves from Pakistan to Peachtree City, all Nurah wants is to blend in, yet she stands out for all the wrong reasons. Nurah’s accent, floral-print kurtas, and tea-colored skin make her feel excluded, until she meets Stahr at swimming tryouts. In the water Nurah doesn’t want to blend in. She wants to win medals like her star athlete brother, Owais — who is going through struggles of his own in the U.S. Yet when sibling rivalry gets in the way, she makes a split-second decision of betrayal that changes their fates. —Synopsis provided by HarperCollins

Written in verse, Unsettled is a fast moving, compelling read. Some chapters are a few pages, others a few sentences. Author Reem Faruqi takes advantage of the sparse language, allowing the spaces and silences to say as much as the words. The simplicity is eloquent and moving. Unsettled is a warm read that offers themes of empowerment, belonging and self-discovery.

THE LAST SUPER CHEF, by Chris Negron, HarperCollins, July 6, 2021, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

For as long as he can remember, Curtis Pith has been obsessed with becoming a chef like Lucas Taylor, host of Super Chef. And Curtis has a secret: Taylor is actually his long-absent father. So, when Taylor announces a kids-only season of Super Chef, Curtis finally sees his chance to meet his dad. But after Curtis wins a spot in the competition and arrives in New York to film the show, nothing goes as smoothly as he expected. —Synopsis provided by HarperCollins

The Last Super Chef reads like a behind-the-scenes expose of MasterChef/MasterChef Junior. Lucas Taylor is an easy stand-in for multi-Michelin starred chef Gordon Ramsay, and Curtis could be any of the contestants that have participated over the years. Obviously, there are some differences — the main one being the long-lost father storyline — but the overall passion, competition concept and cookery are not only similar, but feel true to the circumstances.

DOWN TO EARTH, by Betty Culley, Crown Books for Young Readers, August 24, 2021, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

Henry has always been fascinated by rocks. As a homeschooler, he pours through the R volume of the encyclopedia (to help him identify the rocks he finds). So, when a meteorite falls in his family’s field, who better to investigate than this rock enthusiast. But soon after the meteorite’s arrival, the water in Henry’s small Maine town starts drying up. It’s not long before news spreads that the space rock and Henry’s family might be to blame. Henry is determined to defend his newest discovery, but his knowledge of geology could not have prepared him for how much this stone from the sky would change his community, his family, and even himself. —Synopsis provided by Crown Books for Young Readers

The appeal of Down to Earth comes in its simplicity. Kids aren’t glued to cell phones; families work to support each other; and there’s a true sense of community, even when there are disagreements. Quite honestly, it’s this sort of wholesome background that really elevates the magic and joy of making a discovery and learning. Author Betty Culley’s writing is smooth and inviting. She seamlessly educates — lots of space and geological science facts — while painting a compelling story of friendship and family.

STARFISH, by Lisa Fipps, Nancy Paulsen Books, March 9, 2021, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10 and up)

Ever since Ellie wore a whale swimsuit and made a big splash at her fifth birthday party, she’s been bullied about her weight. To cope, she tries to live by the Fat Girl Rules — like “no making waves,” “avoid eating in public,” and “don’t move so fast that your body jiggles.”  And she’s found her safe space — her swimming pool. In the water, she can stretch herself out like a starfish and take up all the room she wants. It’s also where she can get away from her pushy mom, who thinks criticizing Ellie’s weight will motivate her to diet. Fortunately, Ellie has allies in her dad, her therapist, and her new neighbor, Catalina, who loves Ellie for who she is. With this support buoying her, Ellie might finally be able to cast aside the Fat Girl Rules and starfish in real life. —Synopsis provided by Nancy Paulsen Books

Starfish is an emotional read from beginning to end. Lisa Fipps’ prose is elegant, honest, and, at times, raw. It’s clear from the beginning that she hasn’t just written a story. Ellie’s experiences stem Fipps’ own life. There’s an authenticity there that you just can’t make up. Starfish is one of those books you pick up and don’t want to put down. Fipps’ writing packs an emotional punch that will make readers from all points of view question themselves and their actions. It’s one of the best books I’ve read this year.

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FANTASY

THE ACCIDENTAL APPRENTICE, by Amanda Foody, Margaret K. McElderry Books, March 30, 2021, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

As an apprentice to the town’s mushroom farmer, Barclay need only work hard and follow the rules. But then Barclay accidentally strays into the Woods where magical Beasts lurk. To Barclay’s horror, he unwittingly bonds with a Beast and is run out of town by an angry mob. Determined to break this bond and return home, Barclay journeys to find the mysterious town of Lore Keepers, people who have also bonded with Beasts and share their powers. But after making new friends, entering a dangerous apprenticeship exam, and even facing the legendary Beast of the Woods, Barclay must make a difficult choice: return to the home and rules he’s always known, or embrace the adventure awaiting him. —Synopsis provided by Margaret K. McElderry Books

Author Amanda Foody does an excellent job setting up a world that feels both expansive and small at the same time. She mimics Barclay’s limited view to his immediate surroundings, but as he opens himself up to new possibilities, the world around him expands. This fast-moving fantasy adventure has broad appeal.

THE LAST WINDWITCH, by Jennifer Adam, HarperCollins, April 13, 2021, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

Many years ago, in the kingdom of Fenwood Reach, there was a powerful Windwitch who wove the seasons, keeping the land bountiful and the people happy. But then a dark magic drove her from the realm, and the world fell into chaos. Brida is content trying to convince her fickle magic to actually do what it’s meant to in her work as a hedgewitch’s apprentice—until she accidentally catches the attention of the wicked queen. On the run from the queen’s huntsman and her all-seeing Crow spies, Brida discovers the truth about her family, her magic, and who she is destined to be. —Synopsis provided by HarperCollins

One of the best things about The Last Windwitch is that it stands alone. Yes, author Jennifer Adam could return to the world she’s created — and I hope she does — but she doesn’t have to. At 448 pages, it’s probably too long for less advanced middle readers. However, it takes courage to contain the story to one novel, and I commend both author and editor for that choice. The book and overall reading experience are better because of it.

A DISCOVERY OF DRAGONS, by Lindsay Galvin, Chicken House, July 6, 2021, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)

It’s 1835. Cabin boy Simon Covington is on the voyage of a lifetime to the Galapagos Islands with the world-famous scientist, Charles Darwin. But when Simon falls overboard during a huge storm, he washes up on an unexplored island. Stranded there, he makes a discovery that could change the world. Now it’s not just his own survival at stake — the future of an undiscovered species is in his hands. But perhaps there’s one person who could help … —Synopsis provided by Chicken House

Author Lindsay Galvin does an excellent job setting the scene. You do feel as if you’re at the Galapagos. And though she adopts the more formal language of the time, it never feels stiff or stilted. A Discovery of Dragons isn’t high fantasy, but it asks you to imagine “what if?” which might be even better.

THE RAVEN HEIR, by Stephanie Burgis, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, Sept. 14, 2021, Hardcover, $6.99 (ages 8-12)

Deep within an enchanted forest lies a castle where a set of triplets and their sorceress mother have lived for years — safe from the decades-long war for the Raven Throne that rages in the kingdom. Cordelia, one of the triplets, has the power to become any animal with just a thought, and she yearns to discover more about the world outside her castle. But one day, the world comes to her, when the eldest of the triplets becomes the newest heir to the throne. Knowing that being named heir means certain death, Cordelia’s mother hid the truth about which child is the eldest when she hid them in the forest. When her family is captured, it’s up to Cordelia to use her powers to keep her siblings hidden and discover the truth about the Raven Heir — before it’s too late. —Synopsis provided by Bloomsbury Children’s Books

The Raven Heir is a fantasy novel full of magic, but at its heart, it’s about what truly makes a family whole. It’s a fast-moving adventure that’s heart-warming as well. It should appeal to a large cross-section of readers.

THE SHATTERED CASTLE, by Jennifer A. Nielsen, Scholastic Press, Oct. 19, 2021, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)

King Jaron has outwitted the Prozarians and returned to his own kingdom with one secret in his pocket that not even his friends know about. He’s hoping that secret will help him finally bring stability to Carthya. But a surprise attack on his own land  reminds Jaron that nothing is easy. The Prozarian Monarch threatens to crumble Jaron’s entire kingdom. And that’s not the only thing in danger: With old enemies and new rumors circling around him, even Jaron’s relationship with Imogen is uncertain.—Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press

The Shattered Castle is full of plot twists of all sizes, including a big one that explains a lot of Jaron’s behavior. It’s a great read with lots of mystery and adventure. Nielsen’s writing is comfortable and inviting, making The Shattered Castle a welcome addition to any home library.

CHILDREN OF THE FOX, by Kevin Sands, Viking Books for Young Readers, Oct. 5, 2021, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

Lured by the promise of more money than they’ve ever dreamed of, five young criminals are hired to steal a heavily guarded treasure from the most powerful sorcerer in the city. There’s Callan the con artist, Meriel the expert at acrobatics (and knives!), Gareth the researcher, Lachlan who can obtain anything, and Foxtail, whose mysterious eyeless mask doesn’t hinder her ability to climb walls like a spider. Callan has been warned most of his life, it’s best to stay away from magic. It can turn on you at any moment, and make you think you’re the one running the con game, when in reality you’re the one being fooled. Faced with these unsurmountable odds, can the friends pull off this legendary heist, or has their luck finally run out? —Synopsis provided by Viking Books for Young readers

 Children of the Fox is an exciting read from beginning to end. It’s fast-paced, full of magic and adventure, and it’s the first book in a planned series (Thieves of Shadow), so readers will have plenty to look forward to.

THE HATMAKERS, by Tamzin Merchant and Paola Escobar, Norton Young Readers, Feb. 2, 2021, Hardcover, $18.95 (ages 9-12)

When Cordelia Hatmaker’s beloved father fails to return from an ingredient-hunting expedition, Cordelia is the only member of the family who knows in her heart that he can’t be gone for good. Her grief-stricken aunt and uncle forge ahead to continue the work of their guild and to fulfill a crucial order from the King for a magical Peace Hat. But the enchantments woven into the carefully crafted goods of the Hatmaker, Bootmaker, Cloakmaker, Watchmaker, and Glovemaker guilds begin causing sudden inducements of rage and chaos. As war looms and the Peace objects backfire, Cordelia must find out who is using the Makers’ creations for dark purposes and uncover the truth about her father’s disappearance. —Synopsis provided by Norton Young Readers

 The Hatmakers is a magical tale about family, friendship and believing in yourself. It is a quick-moving adventure that’s sure to appeal to a large cross-section of readers.

BLOOM, by Nicola Skinner and Flavia Sorrentino, HarperCollins Children’s Books, March 16, 2021, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 10 and up)

Sorrel Fallowfield is so good at being good that teachers come to her when they need help remembering the school rules — and there are LOTS. Luckily, Sorrel doesn’t have any trouble following them, until the day she discovers a faded packet of Surprising Seeds buried under a tree in her backyard. Now she’s hearing voices, seeing things, experiencing an almost unstoppable urge to plant the Seeds in some very unusual places… and completely failing to win her school’s competition to find The Most Obedient Child of the School. And all that’s before flowers start growing out of her head… —Synopsis provided by HarperCollins Children’s Books

Bloom has a distinctly Roald Dahl-esque feel to it. Nicola Skinner’s quirky, often tongue-in-cheek prose practically flies off the pages. And Flavia Sorrentino’s floral illustrations add an extra dimension that truly benefits the story. Bloom is one of those books you don’t know you needed to read until you’ve read it. It brings life and lightheartedness, as well as a positive message. It was fun to read to myself, and I can’t wait to read it aloud with my 7-year-old when she’s a bit older (I’d say more advanced 8- and 9-year-olds will get along just fine with this one).

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ADVENTURE/MYSTERY

WINTERBORNE HOME FOR MAYHEM AND MYSTERY, by Ally Carter, HMH Books for Young Readers, March 2, 2021, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

April thought she had her happy ending. After all, she has her new house and new friends and new guardian. But she also has a very big new secret. The kids of Winterborne House are the only ones who know that Gabriel Winterborne is really a sword-wielding vigilante. What they don’t know is that he’s not the only one. When a masked figure breaks in, looking for something, it’s clear that Gabriel has met his match, and now no one is safe. April and her friends will have to solve a decades-old mystery in order to hang on to the most important thing in the world: each other. —Synopsis provided by HMH Books for Young Readers

One year ago, I called Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor “awesome MG.” And its follow-up, Winterborne Home for Mayhem and Mystery, is just as good. Both books are cinematic and feel as if everything plays out on the big screen before you. Like its predecessor, this novel is adventure from beginning to end. This fast-moving book is full of twists and turns, and a few surprises.

STOWAWAY, by John David Anderson, Walden Pond Press, Aug. 3, 2021, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

When scientists discover a mineral buried in the Earth’s crust, they have no idea that it just happens to be the most valuable substance in the entire universe. It’s not long before aliens show up, offering a promise of protection, some fabulous new technology, and entry into their intergalactic coalition — all in exchange for this precious resource. A material so precious that other alien forces are willing to start a war over it. A war that soon makes its way to Earth.

Leo knows this all too well. His mother was killed in one such attack, and soon after, his father, a Coalition scientist, decides it would be best for them to leave Earth behind. It’s on this expedition that their ship is attacked, Leo’s father is kidnapped, and Leo and his brother are stranded in the middle of space. The only chance they have is for Leo to stow away on a strange ship of mercenary space pirates bound for who knows where and beg the captain to help him find his father. Leo must decide who to trust as he tries to stay alive and save his family, even as he comes to understand that there aren’t many people — human or alien — that he can count on in this brave new universe. —Synopsis provided by Walden Pond Press

Stowaway is one of those novels that swiftly sweeps you away. Author John David Anderson’s prose is nimble and engaging, drawing readers in from the first page. And then there’s sort of a sci-fi familiarity. Stowaway feels like a mashup of the television shows Firefly and Farscape. It’s not an exact mirror of them, but they both came to mind when considering different elements. The pirates have the same banter and character development fans of Firefly will appreciate and the wild and weird aliens definitely have a Farscape vibe.

JANE AUSTEN INVESTIGATES: THE ABBEY MYSTERY, by Julia Golding, Lion Fiction; New edition, April 23, 2021, Paperback, $10.99 (ages 9 and up)

It’s 1789 and a Jane Austen turns detective as she seeks to solve the mysterious happenings at Southmoor Abbey. When a carriage accident forces a change of plans, 13-year-old Jane is sent to be a companion to Lady Cromwell for a week as the household prepares to celebrate the eldest son’s coming-of-age party. While there, Jane vows to solve the mystery of the ghostly monk in the Abbey grounds — for she does not believe in such stories! But this is not the only strange occurrence for the adventurous young Jane to investigate. There are shivery night-time investigations, an Indian girl with secret talents, a library fire, two prize horses in danger, and friends to save from false accusations. — Synopsis provided by Lion Fiction

In The Abbey Mystery, readers are exposed to societal norms of the time through a sort of Nancy Drew lens. Golding’s prose meets somewhere in the middle — with sophisticated phrasing that feels reachable to more modern sensibilities. Her tone is clear and concise, providing equal attention to both Jane’s surroundings and the action at hand.

ALONE, by Megan E. Freeman, Aladdin, Jan. 12, 2021, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10 and up)

When 12-year-old Maddie hatches a scheme for a secret sleepover with her two best friends, she ends up waking up to a nightmare. She’s alone — left behind in a town that has been mysteriously evacuated and abandoned. With no one to rely on, no power, and no working phone lines or internet access, Maddie slowly learns to survive on her own. As months pass, she escapes natural disasters, looters, and wild animals. But Maddie’s most formidable enemy is the crushing loneliness she faces every day. Can Maddie’s stubborn will to survive carry her through the most frightening experience of her life? —Synopsis provided by Aladdin

I’m not usually drawn to novels written in verse, but Alone quickly drew me in. Author Megan E. Freeman’s prose is natural and inviting, and it lends itself well to both the intense and quiet moments. Alone is a fast read, you won’t want to put down — I read it in one sitting. Alone rings true and will appeal to a wide variety of older (ages 10 and up) middle graders.

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GRAPHIC NOVEL

ASTRONUTS MISSION THREE: THE PERFECT PLANET, by Jon Scieszka and Steven Weinberg, Chronicle Books, Sept. 21, 2021, Hardcover, $14.99 (ages 8-12

Time is up for our friends the AstroNuts. In fact, time is up for you, too. If they don’t succeed on this mission, Earth is doomed! So when the team finds out they’re being sent to a place called “the perfect planet,” their mission sounds way too easy. Unfortunately, the second they land, they realize they’ll be dealing with the most dangerous species of all time . . . humans. Huh? Where in the universe is this supposedly perfect place? And how will the Nuts manage to convince the humans to risk death . . . for the sake of their lives?! —Synopsis provided by Chronicle Books

The AstroNuts series, in particular, is very visual. All of the books feature full-color illustrations throughout. Illustrator Steven Weinberg bases his collage-type art on public domain pieces from the Smithsonian Museum. And author Jon Scieszka utilizes word bubbles and text boxes that quickly move the story forward and feel accessible to readers if all levels. The AstroNuts series is a good option for fans of Dog Man, Big Nate, Wimpy Kid, and Captain Underpants, as well as visual learners, reluctant readers, and those who just want to go on an adventure.

COLD WAR CORRESPONDENT (NATHAN HALE’S HAZARDOUS TALES #11): A KOREAN WAR TALE, by Nathan Hale, Harry N. Abrams, Oct. 26, 2021, Hardcover, $14.99 (ages 8-12)

In 1950, Marguerite Higgins (1920–1966) was made bureau chief of the Far East Asia desk for the New York Herald Tribune. Tensions were high on the Korean peninsula, where a border drawn after WWII split the country into North and South. When the North Korean army crossed the border with Soviet tanks, it was war. Marguerite was there when the Communists captured Seoul. She fled with the refugees heading south, but when the bridges were blown over the Han River, she was trapped in enemy territory. Her eyewitness account of the invasion was a newspaper smash hit. She risked her life in one dangerous situation after another — all for the sake of good story. Then she was told that women didn’t belong on the frontlines. The United States Army officially ordered her out of Korea. She appealed to General Douglas MacArthur, and he personally lifted the ban on female war correspondents, which allowed her the chance to report on many of the major events of the Korean War. —Synopsis provided by Harry N. Abrams

Two years ago, my then-5-year-old picked up Nathan Hale’s Major Impossible, Book 9 in the Hazardous Tales series. I couldn’t pry it away from her. Now, 7, she’s been asking for more books in the series, and when Cold War Correspondent arrived, I had to hide it. This addictive series tells true stories of American history that middle-readers love. You don’t have to read the books in order, and they’re all full of adventure and shocking events.

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID (SPECIAL DISNEY+ COVER EDITION) (DIARY OF A WIMPY KID #1), by Jeff Kinney, Amulet Books; Media tie-in edition, Nov. 23, 2021, Hardcover, $14.99 (ages 8-12)

In 2007, Diary of a Wimpy Kid was published, introducing readers to Greg Heffley and his family, his best friend Rowley Jefferson, and the dreaded Cheese Touch. It’s a new school year, and Greg finds himself thrust into middle school, where undersized weaklings share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner, and already shaving. The hazards of growing up before you’re ready are uniquely revealed through words and drawings as Greg records them in his diary. —Synopsis provided by Amulet Books

More than 250 million copies of Diary of a Wimpy Kid have now been sold and the 16^th book in the series, Big Shot, just came out. This new edition of the book that started it all is in honor of a new full-color, 3D animated production that premieres Dec. 3 on Disney+. If you’re new to the Wimpy Kid universe, this book is the place to start.

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HISTORICAL FICTION

I Survived the Galveston Hurricane, 1900, by Lauren Tarshis, Scholastic Inc., Sept. 7, 2021, Paperback, 5.99 (ages 7-10)

I Survived: The Galveston Hurricane, 1900, by Lauren Tarshis, follows a child through America’s deadliest disaster.

Back matter provided by Lauren Tarshis not only explains why the author wrote about the Galveston hurricane, but provides facts about hurricanes and life in 1900. The historical photographs really helped my daughter visualize the time and place.

Tarshis’ writing is clear and exciting. She doesn’t overcomplicate things, and illustrations sprinkled throughout add interest. At 115 pages (plus approximately 20 pages of back matter) I Survived: The Galveston Hurricane, 1900 is a great length for readers of all abilities. This engaging read will appeal to readers ages 7-10.

RESCUE, by Jennifer A. Nielsen, Scholastic Press, March 2, 2021, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

Meg Kenyon’s father is supposed to be in France, fighting for the Allies in World War II. Recently, she heard he was being held prisoner by the Nazis. All she has left of him are the codes he placed in a jar for her to decipher. Suddenly, an impossible chance to save her father falls into Meg’s lap. After following a trail of blood in the snow, Meggie finds an injured British spy hiding in her grandmother’s barn. Captain Stewart tells her that a family of German refugees must be guided to Spain, whereupon one of them has promised to free Meg’s father. Captain Stewart asks Meg to take them and gives her a final code from Papa to help complete the mission. —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press

Rescue stands out from other novels in its genre in a number of ways. The most intriguing — the use of codes. Not only are the codes used, but Meg has to decode them herself. And the way the author presents them, allows the reader to work on them as well. Meg is a smart, lively girl who makes mistakes and quickly learns from them. Her adventure is nail-biting to the final chapter.

THE BEATRYCE PROPHECY, by Kate DiCamillo and Sophie Blackall, Candlewick, Sept. 28, 2021, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 8-12)

In a time of war, a mysterious child appears at the monastery of the Order of the Chronicles of Sorrowing. Gentle Brother Edik finds the girl, Beatryce, curled in a stall, wracked with fever, coated in dirt and blood, and holding fast to the ear of Answelica the goat. As the monk nurses Beatryce to health, he uncovers her dangerous secret, one that imperils them all — for the king of the land seeks just such a girl, and Brother Edik, who penned the prophecy himself, knows why. And so it is that a girl with a head full of stories ventures into a dark wood in search of the castle of one who wishes her dead. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick Press

The Beatryce Prophecy is one of those books you want to share with everyone you meet. Kate DiCamillo’s writing is clear and engaging, and Sophie Blackall’s detailed illustrations are lovely. The story is broken into 54 short and accessible chapters (only a few pages in length) that move the story forward and serve as natural stopping points for readers who need them.

FACELESS, by Kathryn Lasky, HarperCollins, Oct. 19, 2021, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

Over the centuries, a small clan of spies called the Tabula Rasa has worked ceaselessly to fight oppression. They can pass unseen through enemy lines and “become” other people without being recognized. They are, essentially, faceless. Alice and Louise Winfield are sisters and spies in the Tabula Rasa. They’re growing up in wartime England, where the threat of Nazi occupation is ever near. But Louise wants to live an ordinary life and leaves the agency. Now, as Alice faces her most dangerous assignment yet, she fears discovery, but, most of all, she fears losing her own sister. —Synopsis provided by HarperCollins

Faceless is the sort of story I would have loved as a middle-reader and that I still enjoy today. Her mix of espionage and historical drama make for a fast-paced and engaging adventure. I would recommend this for fourth- and fifth-graders.

GROUND ZERO, by Alan Gratz, Scholastic Press, Feb. 2, 2021, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 9-12)

September 11, 2001, New York City: Brandon is visiting his dad at work, on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center. Out of nowhere, an airplane slams into the tower, creating a fiery nightmare of terror and confusion. And Brandon is in the middle of it all. Can he survive — and escape?

September 11, 2019, Afghanistan: Reshmina has grown up in the shadow of war, but she dreams of peace and progress. When a battle erupts in her village, Reshmina stumbles upon a wounded American soldier named Taz. Should she help Taz — and put herself and her family in mortal danger?

Two kids. One devastating day. Nothing will ever be the same. —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press

One of the things I love about Alan Gratz’s writing, is his ability to look at events from different viewpoints over the span of time. As is often the case, things are not as clear-cut as we would like them to be. While each child’s story is heart-pounding and heart-breaking, its pairing with the other is what makes this book excellent. Gratz’s thoughtful insight is paired with questions not easily answered. He gives readers the framework, and then asks them to form their own beliefs.

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NONFICTION

GONE TO THE WOODS: SURVIVING A LOST CHILDHOOD, by Gary Paulsen, Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), Jan. 12, 2021, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

Gary Paulsen portrays a series of life-altering moments from his turbulent childhood as his own original survival story. If not for his summer escape from a shockingly neglectful Chicago upbringing to a North Woods homestead at age 5, there never would have been a Hatchet. Without the encouragement of the librarian who handed him his first book at age 13, he may never have become a reader. And without his desperate teenage enlistment in the Army, he would not have discovered his true calling as a storyteller. —Synopsis provided by Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Paulsen’s prose is poignant and immersive, pulling you in further and further until you have to keep reading. You feel his joy, his sadness, his confusion and his pain. His experiences with his aunt and uncle are heartwarming and those with his parents, heartbreaking.

WE ARE EXPLORERS: EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN WHO DISCOVERED THE WORLD, by Kari Herbert, Thames & Hudson, March 16, 2021, Hardcover, $19.95 (ages 8 and up)

Women have always explored the globe, but their stories aren’t always well-known. In We Are Explorers, fourteen intrepid women and their incredible adventures finally get their due. These fearless explorers trekked across deserts in search of the source of the Nile, crept through jungles to discover rare butterflies, journeyed into the Arctic, and so much more. —Synopsis provided by Thames & Hudson

Though the publisher’s suggested age for We Are Explorers is 8 and up, I’ve caught my 7-year-old eyeing the book, and I’ve already passed it on to her. Each short chapter (less than 10 pages) focuses on an individual woman and her accomplishments. Paintings, illustrations and photographs accompany each person. Back matter includes a world map and short, paragraph-long biographies of each explorer. This is a great option for those looking to learn about extraordinary women from all walks of life.

THE CURSE OF THE MUMMY: UNCOVERING TUTANKHAMUN’S TOMB, by Candace Fleming, Scholastic Focus, Sept. 7, 2021, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)

During the reign of the New Kingdom of Egypt, the boy pharaoh Tutankhamun ruled and died tragically young. In order to send him on his way into the afterlife, his tomb was filled with every treasure he would need after death. And then, it was lost to time, buried in the sands of the Valley of the Kings. His tomb was also said to be cursed.

Centuries later, as Egypt-mania gripped Europe, two Brits — a rich earl with a habit for gambling and a disreputable, determined archeologist — worked for years to rediscover and open Tutankhamun’s tomb. But once it was uncovered, would ancient powers take their revenge for disturbing and even looting the pharaoh’s resting place? What else could explain the mysterious illnesses, accidents, and deaths that began once it was found? —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Focus

Everything about The Curse of the Mummy is great. Author Candace Fleming presents the true story of the search for, and discovery of, Tutankhamun’s tomb in a format that almost reads like a novel. Her conversational tone makes history come to life, and the “curse pages” sprinkled throughout add a sense of drama. What really helps take The Curse of the Mummy over the top is the wealth of photographs and illustrations throughout. There were far more than I was expecting, and they help break up the chapters for readers with shorter attention spans.

STOLEN SCIENCE, by Ella Schwartz and Gaby D’Alessandro, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, Aug. 31, 2021, Hardcover, $21.99 (ages 9 and up)

Over the centuries, women, people from underrepresented communities, and immigrants overcame prejudices and social obstacles to make remarkable discoveries in science — but they weren’t the ones to receive credit in history books. People with more power, money, and prestige were remembered as the inventor of the telephone, the scientists who decoded the structure of DNA, and the doctor who discovered the cause of yellow fever. This book aims to set the record straight and celebrate the nearly forgotten inventors and scientists who shaped our world today. —Synopsis provided by Bloomsbury Children’s Books

Each chapter spans only a few pages but features a wealth of information. Not only is there an interesting and engaging biography for each person, but a section that further explains “What’s the science?” Beautifully intricate images by Gaby D’Alessandro go beyond simple portraits, with each hinting at the discoveries in store. Stolen Science is fascinating look at some of the movers and shakers overlooked by history. Though intended for middle-readers, it’s a book that should appeal to young adults and adults, too.

J.R.R. TOLKIEN FOR KIDS: HIS LIFE AND WRITINGS, WITH 21 ACTIVITIES, by Simonetta Carr, Chicago Review Press, Aug. 3, 2021, Paperback, $16.99 (ages 9-12)

R. R. Tolkien for Kids takes young readers through the exciting life of the man who created amazing new worlds and helps kids discover how he could see them. Explore the personal experiences and subjects that inspired Tolkien’s stories through hands-on activities, and learn how he influenced his contemporaries as well as later writers. —Synopsis provided by Chicago Review Press

We own a number of “for kids” books from Chicago Review Press, and all of them are excellent. J. R. R. Tolkien for Kids is no exception. Each chapter is divided into manageable sections, giving readers natural spots for taking breaks. The book is full of photographs, illustrations, maps and fact boxes — all of which also break up the text. The text itself is clear and accessible. Extensive backmatter includes a glossary, a list of resources, notes, a selected bibliography and index.

THREADS OF PEACE: HOW MOHANDAS GANDHI AND MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CHANGED THE WORLD, by Uma Krishnaswami, Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, Aug. 17, 2021, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 9 and up)

Born more than a half-century apart, with seemingly little in common except one shared wish, a lawyer and activist from India and a minister from Georgia would go on to be icons of peaceful resistance and human decency. Both preached love for all human beings, regardless of race or religion. Both believed that freedom and justice were won by not one, but many. Both met their ends in the most unpeaceful of ways — assassination.

But what led them down the path of peace? How did their experiences parallel… and diverge? Threads of Peace keenly examines and celebrates these extraordinary activists’ lives, the threads that connect them, and the threads of peace they laid throughout the world, for us to pick up, and weave together. —Synopsis provided by Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books

Threads of Peace is a dual biography that shows that ideas of freedom and equality are universal and how each step forward builds upon the past. I left the book with a greater respect for and understanding of both these men.

THE ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS: THE POWERS, USES, AND HISTORIES OF EVERY ATOM IN THE UNIVERSE, by Lisa Congdon, Chronicle Books; Illustrated edition, July 13, 2021, Hardcover, $22.99 (ages 10 and up)

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Elements leads young readers in an exploration of all 118 known elements. From their discoveries to their uses to their special properties, this book explores all things elements. It features: a tour of the periodic table; profiles of notable scientists; infographics, and an illustrated history of the periodic table’s origins. —Synopsis provided by Chronicle Books

While the suggested age for The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Elements is 10 and up, I think you can go younger. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Elements is a fantastic resource for young readers. With science, history, trivia, and much more, it has the making of a great gift for budding scientists and kids who just want to know more about the world around them.

BLACK BALLERINAS: MY JOURNEY TO OUR LEGACY, by Misty Copeland and Salena Barnes, Aladdin, Nov. 2, 2021, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 10 and up)

As a young girl living in a motel with her mother and her five siblings, Misty Copeland didn’t have a lot of exposure to ballet or prominent dancers. She was sixteen when she saw a black ballerina on a magazine cover for the first time. The experience emboldened Misty and told her that she wasn’t alone — and her dream wasn’t impossible. In the years since, Misty has only learned more about the trailblazing women who made her own success possible by pushing back against repression and racism with their talent and tenacity. Misty brings these women’s stories to a new generation of readers and gives them the recognition they deserve. This book delves into the lives and careers of women of color who fundamentally changed the landscape of American ballet from the early 20th century to today. —Synopsis provided by Aladdin

While Black Ballerinas: My Journey to Our Legacy may look like a picture book, it’s much more. A two-page spread is dedicated to each ballerina. One page features a beautiful dance portrait and the other is full text. The print size is what you would find in a typical middle-grade novel, and the text difficulty mirrors that as well. Not only are the mini-biographies heartfelt and inspiring. But the illustrations show a true understanding of movement and technique. Budding ballerinas and ballet fans alike will be drawn to this excellent book.

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INTERACTIVE

WELCOME TO STONEYBROOK: A GUIDED JOURNAL (BABY-SITTERS CLUB TV), by Jenna Ballard, Scholastic Inc., May 4, 2021, Paperback, $12.99 (ages 8-12)

Say hello to your friends from the new Baby-sitters Club show on Netflix! Kristy, Mary Anne, Claudia, Stacey, Dawn, and the rest of the BSC gang have taken their hometown of Stoneybrook and the world by storm. This guided journal is full of quotes, activities, and in-world content, including doodles and notes from the girls in the BSC and full-color photos from the show. Plus, lined pages leave plenty of room for notes from your own baby-sitting adventures and space to plan your own version of the BSC! —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Inc.

This guided journal is less about creating your own baby-sitters club and more about using BSC members’ experiences as prompts to write about your own. Keep in mind, this fun journal is based on the Netflix show and not the original books. If you’ve got a fan in your house, this is a no-brainer.

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GROUND ZERO, by Alan Gratz, Scholastic Press, Feb. 2, 2021, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 9-12)

Author Alan Gratz explores the events of 9/11 and its aftermath in Ground Zero, a new novel for middle readers.

September 11, 2001, New York City: Brandon is visiting his dad at work, on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center. Out of nowhere, an airplane slams into the tower, creating a fiery nightmare of terror and confusion. And Brandon is in the middle of it all. Can he survive — and escape?

September 11, 2019, Afghanistan: Reshmina has grown up in the shadow of war, but she dreams of peace and progress. When a battle erupts in her village, Reshmina stumbles upon a wounded American soldier named Taz. Should she help Taz — and put herself and her family in mortal danger?

Two kids. One devastating day. Nothing will ever be the same. —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press

I came to a weird realization the other day. My 6-year-old will never know what life was like pre-9/11, and, her knowledge of 9/11 will come from books, media and remembrances. This realization came with an onslaught of emotions — anger, sadness, anxiety, and a little relief, too. It’s a day I would love to forget if I could, and I only watched things unfold on television.

Ground Zero is an emotional read. I was instantly transported back to Sept. 11, 2001. I can recall where I was, what I was doing, where my family was. Everything. From that sense, this book will most likely have a profound impact on adults. More importantly, it offers up a strong opening for conversation with our children, allowing them to see history through our eyes.

One of the things I love about Alan Gratz’s writing, is his ability to look at events from different viewpoints over the span of time. As is often the case, things are not as clear-cut as we would like them to be.

While each child’s story is heart-pounding and heart-breaking, its pairing with the other is what makes this book excellent. Gratz’s thoughtful insight is paired with questions not easily answered. He gives readers the framework, and then asks them to form their own beliefs.

Brandon and Reshmina are worlds apart but share the same traits of resiliency among the darkest of hours. It’s not hard to put yourself in either’s place.

Ground Zero is a fast-paced and cinematic read. It’s timely and heart-wrenching. I highly recommend this for all middle-readers (and their parents).

The post Alan Gratz’s Ground Zero is MG writing at its best appeared first on www.crackingthecover.com.

AGES 7 AND UP

THE ADVENTURES OF HENRY WHISKERS and THE LONG WAY HOME (THE ADVENTURES OF HENRY WHISKERS) by Gigi Priebe and Daniel Duncan, Aladdin, Aug. 29, 2017, softcover, $5.99 (ages 7-10)

I’m always on the lookout for books for the younger middle-grade set that are smart, enjoyable and don’t talk down to their readers. The new Henry Whiskers series by Gigi Priebe and illustrated by Daniel Duncan is an excellent example of this.

The star of the series is Henry Whiskers. Henry and his family live in Windsor Castle’s most famous exhibit: Queen Mary’s Dollhouse. In fact, 25 generations of Henry’s family have lived there and have served as caretakers of sorts.

Henry and his family live in the base of the dollhouse. When the exhibit closes to visitors for the day, his family has the run of the house, keeping it clean and exploring. Henry doesn’t need to explore too much, though. His favorite place is the dollhouse’s library. Both books follow Henry and cousin Jeremy on wild adventures.

The books are on-point for lower middle-grade readers, easing them in to chapter books with ease. Lovely black-and-white illustrations grace the top of the page with each new chapter, serving as the perfect tease for what’s to come. The Long Way Home is slightly longer than its predecessor and the adventure a bit more grand, but the first book is the perfect setup for what could become a long-lasting series.

THE VANDERBEEKERS OF 141ST STREET, by Karina Yan Glaser, HMH Books for Young Readers, Oct. 3, 2017, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 7-10)

The brownstone on 141^st Street is the only home the five Vanderbeeker kids have ever known. The problem is, it’s not going to be their home much longer. In fact, the family has to be out in eleven days.

When the siblings learn their grouchy landlord hasn’t renewed their lease, they decide to take matters into their own hands. One way or another, they plan to convince Mr. Beiderman to let them stay. The problem is, Mr. Biederman doesn’t care. He doesn’t want anything to do with the kids at all. It’s because of the kids he’s not renewing their lease. It’s going to take a team effort and a creative plan if the Vanderbeekers have any hope of staying in the home they love.

The Vanderbeekers of 141^st Street is a contemporary novel that feels as if it could be set in any time. The children are creative and smart without coming across as overly cute. Each has their own strengths and personalities and each have equal billing throughout.

There’s magic to The Vanderbeekers of 141^st Street although not in the way you usually think of it. The magic comes in the siblings’ resourcefulness. They are both supportive of each other and willing to try things on their own. They don’t spend their time in front of electronic devises, but rather create things of their own. The Vanderbeekers of 141^st Street is a charming middle-grade novel that would be fun read aloud or individually. It’s quick-paced and laced with humor sure to appeal to even the pickiest of readers.

FLASHES OF GENIUS SERIES by Luca Novelli, Chicago Review Press, June 1, 2017, Softcover, $9.99 (ages 7 and up)

NEWTON AND THE ANTIGRAVITY FORMULA :  In the late 1600s, science was still in its infancy. But that changed in 1687 when professor Isaac Newton published a book describing three laws of motion as well as a theory of universal gravitation. He also came up with a brand new field of mathematics, called calculus, to explain it all. The same equations that described the motion of a falling apple could also be used to describe the orbit of planets around the sun. It was revolutionary! Newton and the Antigravity Formula tells the story of the man who launched the field of modern physics and changed the way humans look at the world around them. —Synopsis provided by Chicago Review Press

DARWIN AND THE TRUE STORY OF THE DINOSAURS: When Charles Darwin published The Origin of Species in 1859, he shocked the world. In it he claimed that humans were just another animal species that had evolved from more primitive life forms. Years earlier, Darwin had collected thousands of animal specimens during a five-year voyage around the world, specimens that he used to make his case for biologic evolution through natural selection. Darwin and the True Story of the Dinosaurs tells the story of the brilliant naturalist who changed humankind’s understanding of its origins. —Synopsis provided by Chicago Review Press

LEONARDO DA VINCI AND THE PEN THAT DREW THE FUTURE: Like nobody before or since, Leonardo da Vinci united both the arts and the sciences. He was not only a painter and skilled draftsman, but also an inventor and tireless researcher. His art, including the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, remain classics of Western civilization. And though he lived 500 years ago, many of his futuristic ideas, such as the contact lens and the armored vehicle, are still with us today. Leonardo da Vinci and the Pen That Drew the Future tells the story of the greatest thinker of the Renaissance. —Synopsis provided by Chicago Review Press

EINSTEIN AND THE TIME MACHINE: Albert Einstein wasn’t afraid to think for himself. Working as a clerk in the patent office in Bern, Switzerland, he wrote papers with fantastical theories—that light is both a wave and a particle; that matter can become energy, and energy can become matter; that space can “bend,” and time is relative. His revolutionary theories turned the world of physics upside down, and earned him a Nobel Prize. Einstein and the Time Machine tells the story of one of the greatest thinkers of the 20th century, as well as the basics of his Theory of Relativity. —Synopsis provided by Chicago Review Press 

THE ADVENTURES OF CHATTERER THE RED SQUIRREL, by Thornton W. Burgess and Maddie Frost, Seagrass Press; Reprint edition, Oct 17, 2017, $9.95 (ages 7 and up)

Newly updated with original cover art, this freshly printed edition of The Adventures of Chatterer the Red Squirrel invites a new audience to read about the antics of our eponymous, furry, hero as the little mischief-maker escapes Shadow the Weasel and Redtail the Hawk. As with all Burgess’ charming tales, young readers will learn important lessons about curiosity, carelessness, and mistrust as well as true-to-life behaviors of our favorite woodland animals. In addition to the beautiful, color illustrations of Maddie Frost, this edition of The Adventures of Catterer the Red Squirrel features the original black-and-white artwork by Harrison Cady. —Synopsis provided by Seasgrass Press

THE ADVENTURES OF REDDY FOX, by Thornton W. Burgess and Maddie Frost, Seagrass Press; Reprint edition, Oct 17, 2017, $9.95 (ages 7 and up)

In The Adventures of Reddy Fox, our crafty, eponymous main character must outsmart Farmer Brown’s Boy so he can continue to steal his chickens. Along the way, Reddy Fox learns many important lessons, like the danger of showing off, the importance of using all of his senses, sympathy, and kindness, to name a few. —Synopsis provided by Seasgrass Press

AGES 8 AND UP

THE HARLEM CHARADE by Natasha Tarpley, Scholastic, Jan. 31, 2017, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

The Harlem Charade takes place, as the title suggests, in New York’s Harlem. The neighborhood is home to people from all cultures and all walks of life. Jin has spent her whole life watching people pass by the window of her family’s bodega. One day, she notices a girl from her school leaving free MetroCards for unsuspecting individuals. Intrigued, Jin gets up the courage and asks if she can help.

All Alex wants to do is help people who are less fortunate than herself, but she can’t do that with Jin tagging along. Or can she? When the two cross paths with Elvin, who was forced to live on the streets after his grandfather was attacked, everything changes and a new purpose is discovered.

Jin, Alex and Elvin begin looking into who hurt Elvin’s grandfather, who has some secrets of his own. Soon the trio find themselves looking into an artist whose missing masterpieces are worth a fortune. Those paintings are worth enough to save the neighborhood from a development project that would house a ludicrous historic theme park. But it all depends on who finds those paintings first.

I live in a place that isn’t very diverse so it’s always fun for me to read books like The Harlem Charade. Natasha Tarpley brings Harlem to life with food for the senses. I immediately felt transported to a place that felt grounded and substantial. And her use of history and artists from numerous mediums adds weight to an already intriguing story. Jin, Alex and Elvin are unique and perfectly paired. Their strengths and weaknesses lend to each other and the plot.

DRAGONWATCH: A Fablehaven Adventure, by Brandon Mull, Shadow Mountain, March 14, 2017, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8 and up)

Once upon a time, dragons roamed freely, and those dragons almost destroyed the world. It was then that the ancient order of the Dragonwatch was formed, and the dragon sanctuaries created. Wyrmroost is one of those sanctuaries, and Celebrant the Just, King of the Dragons, has been named co-caretaker of it. Celebrant sees this as an advantage, and is putting his newfound position — and the freedoms — it comes with to the test.

The Dragonwatch was initially made up of wizards, enchantresses, dragon slayers, and others who worked to confine the dragons. But that was a long time ago, and now nearly all of the original members are dead. With so few resources, the wizard Agad turns to the Sorensons for help. Kendra and Seth have unique abilities that make them critical to the success of Agad’s plan. But the siblings will have to work together, if they’re even going to make it past the front door.

Dragonwatch is the first book in a new series featuring Brandon Mull’s Fablehaven characters. First, and foremost, if you haven’t read the Fablehaven series, do yourself a favor and go back and read it before diving into Dragonwatch. While Brandon does a nice job giving a brief overview of what came before, it’s not enough to fully understand the nuances of the world you’re about to enter. In fact, I found myself wishing I could have reread the Fablehaven series again beginning Dragonwatch.

If you’re already familiar with Brandon’s earlier books, then dive right in. Fans will immediately notice that while Seth remains true to his rambunctious nature, he has matured a little bit. Kendra has grown, too. Unfortunately, in Kendra’s case, that equates to an interest in boys that is a touch annoying. Dragonwatch is fast-paced with lots of interesting characters and situations. If you’re a fan of the Fablehaven series, this is a must-have.

ORPHAN ISLAND, by Laurel Snyder, Walden Pond Press, May 30, 2017, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

Orphan Island opens on the day of the Changing. On the island, everything is pretty much perfect. The nine children who live there are protected by their surroundings — wind that blows them to safety, food that keeps their stomachs full and snug cabins to sleep in at night.

Each day is predictable as the next, even when the Changing happens. Each year, a boat — seemingly powered by magic — appears on the horizon. In that boat, a young child sits, waiting to become the island’s newest inhabitant. After its arrival, the boat makes a return trip to the unknown, taking the eldest child from the island with it.

It’s a pattern all the children — except, perhaps the newest inhabitant — are used to. Today is no different. Except, now that Deen is gone, Jinny is the new Elder. She’s responsible for teaching Ess everything she needs to know about the island. Being the Elder changes everything, and Jinny’s not sure she’ll be ready when the boat returns to take her away forever.

Orphan Island is immediately engrossing. I did not want to put it down, and stayed up late into the night finishing it. While author Laurel Snyder has written Orphan Island for middle graders, it will strike a chord with YA and adult readers as well. Not only does Snyder accurately depict the change from childhood to teen, she also gives her characters — the children — freedom to grow and explore on their own. She celebrates their resiliency through beautiful prose and a compelling plot.

Orphan Island is a quiet book — no dystopian or paranormal elements here — and yet there’s a magic to it that’s unparalleled. This thoughtful story of growth and self-discovery is well worth reading.

BAN THIS BOOK, by Alan Gratz, Starscape, Aug. 29, 2017, Hardcover, $15.99 (ages 8-12)

At the center of Ban This Book is Amy Anne, a shy and soft-spoken fourth-grader. There’s nothing Amy Anne likes to do more than escape into a good book. And recently that book is From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg. Amy Anne can totally relate to running away and hiding in a museum.

When Amy Anne arrives at her school library to check out her favorite book, it’s not on the shelf. But it hasn’t been checked out, either. It’s been pulled from the library all together, and it’s not the only book. A parent has been hand-selecting books she sees as dangerous for young people and getting the school board to ban them.

So Amy Anne does what all mild-mannered girls would do — she sets up a banned books library in her locker. At first it’s just a few friends who are borrowing books but pretty soon kids from all grades are coming to her for reading material. But it isn’t until she gets caught that Amy Anne really finds her voice. With the help of friends she sets out to make a point by getting every single book in the library banned.

Gratz’s writing is easy and inviting, and his characters are multifaceted. I loved how Amy Ann related to the children from From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, and how Amy Anne helps a friend deal with loss by sharing Bridge to Terabithia. Ban This Book is an excellent read that will probably earn a place on the banned list just because it challenges the notion. That’s OK, though. When you ban something, especially a book, you tend to only make it more popular.

MUSTACHES FOR MADDIE, by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown, Shadow Mountain, Oct. 3, 2017, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-11)

Maddie is 12. She’s silly and bright and loves to make her classmates laugh by sporting fake mustaches at the most opportune times. Things are looking up because those mustaches have landed Maddie in Cassie’s good favor. Cassie is the class queen and everyone wants to be her friend, Maddie included. But Maddie can’t help noticing the way Cassie excludes people, and she’s sort of bossy, too. Maddie learns that the hard way when she is cast as Juliet in the school play. It’s the part Cassie wants and she makes it clear she’s not happy.

The play is the least of Maddie’s problems, though. She’s started tripping when she walks, and her hand curls up at her side without her knowing it. A trip to the doctor confirms that Maddie has a brain tumor. Maddie doesn’t want everyone at school to know what’s going on, but something this big is hard to hide. As her surgery approaches, Maddie learns that being funny isn’t the only thing she’s good at.

Mustaches for Maddie was based on the true story of the authors’ daughter, Maddie, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2013. Because the authors lived through this experience, Mustaches for Maddie feels very real. But while the medical elements are spot-on, this book isn’t necessarily about a brain tumor. Rather, it’s a book about love, family and the resiliency of spirit. While I liked a number of components throughout Mustaches for Maddie, the one that resonated the most for me, was Maddie’s interaction with Cassie. Maddie realizes that just because she’s going through something big right now, doesn’t mean she’s the only one facing challenges. And everyone’s challenges are big for them, even if they don’t appear so on the surface.

THE DREADFUL TALE OF PROSPER REDDING, by Alexandra Bracken, Disney-Hyperion, Sept. 5, 2017, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

Prosper Redding is the only Redding who isn’t exceptional. And for a family that goes back as far as the Reddings, that’s saying something. He sort of a thorn in everyone’s side until the family discovers there’s a demon living inside of him. Then, they sort of want him dead.

It turns out a long, long, long time ago, Prosper’s great-great-great-great-great-something grandfather made a contract with a malefactor, a demon who exchanges fortune for eternal servitude. The problem is, Prosper’s grandfather broke the contract, and Alastor (the demon) isn’t too pleased.

Now Alastor has reawakened inside Prosper’s body — his sole purpose to destroy the Reddings. Prosper only has days send Alastor back to the demon realm, and he must do it with Alastor trying to thwart his every effort. But even though his family is no help, Prosper isn’t alone. With the help of his long-lost uncle, Barnabas, and his daughter, Nell, a witch-in-training, Prosper may just have a chance.

The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding is Alexandra Bracken’s first foray into middle-grade, but it feels like she’s been writing for middle readers for years. If anything, I felt like middle-grade conventions forced Bracken to tighten her prose and hone her pacing. She provides the perfect framework for imaginative reading at its best.

EMBERS OF DESTRUCTION, by J. Scott Savage, Shadow Mountain, Sept. 26, 2017, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10-13)

Embers of Destruction is the final book in the Mysteries of Cove trilogy. It opens with Trenton, Kallista and their friends just outside what used to be San Francisco. The friends are hoping to rescue any survivors from the battle of Seattle, including Kallista’s father, Leo Babbage. They also hope to find something about the dragons that can help defeat them once and for all.

Instead, they happen upon a bustling city where humans and dragons seem to peacefully coexist. Skeptical of this alliance, Trenton and his friends cautiously begin to explore, and run into Kallista’s father in the process. It turns out the humans are working as slaves to the dragons, but they don’t want to be rescued. They may be slaves, but a huge white dragon who lives in a tower above the city keeps them safe and keeps them fed. What more could they ask for.

Even Kallista’s father seems to think the setup is a good idea, and, in a stunning move, turns Trenton and his friends over to the city’s guards. Though they’ve officially been assimilated into the city, the friends are anything but accepting. And they’re not the only ones. Kids from all over the city feel the same way. Together, they track down the source of the dragon’s power and discover how the beasts came to be in the first place.

As with the other books in this series, there’s lots of steampunk machinery and mixed with fantasy elements. But this time around author J. Scott Savage also focuses on more of the little moments, getting inside Trenton’s head and working through his insecurities. With Embers of Destruction being the third book, Savage could have easily coasted. Instead he continues to build his characters and world. This keeps the books fresh and exciting.

THINGS THAT SURPRISE YOU, by Jennifer Maschari, Balzer + Bray, Aug. 22, 2017, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

Things That Surprise You features Emily Murphy who is about to enter middle school. Emily and her best friend, Hazel, are the biggest Unicorn Chronicles fans, and Emily can’t wait for them to celebrate the series’ new book and movie. But things are changing, and they’re changing faster than Emily is prepared for. Hazel’s joined the field hockey team, and her tastes have evolved to match those of her teammates. Hazel starts wearing makeup and caring about clothes and boys. Suddenly Emily seems so babyish next to them.

Home isn’t much better. Emily and her mom have started to adjust to just the two of them at home, but that won’t be for much longer. Emily’s sister, Mina, who has been in a treatment facility for anorexia, is expected to come home soon. Emily wants Mina come home, but she’s afraid Mina’s return will mean walking on eggshells again. It doesn’t seem to matter what Emily does. She no longer seems to fit anywhere. If only she could reinvent herself into the new Emily, the one everyone wants around.

Any book that makes you think beyond it is good, and Things That Surprise You is excellent. In Emily, Jennifer Maschari has created a character that a lot of young people can see themselves in. Her balance of insecurity and an underlying sense of who Emily is at her core rings true. Emily is dealing with changes at school, changes with friends, with her sister’s illness, and with her parents who are recently divorced. Those themes provide multiple entry points for readers to engage. I wish there had been more books like Things That Surprise You around when I was a middle-grader. I would have gobbled them up.

SNOW & ROSE, by Emily Winfield Martin, Random House Books for Young Readers, Oct. 10, 2017, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

Inspired by the tale Snow White and Rose Red, Snow & Rose tells the story of two sisters who find themselves uprooted from the home they’ve always known and missing a father who disappeared without a trace. When Snow and Rose last saw their father, he was headed out into the woods. Now, the sisters and their mother live in a small cottage in those very same woods. While their mother moves through life as though moving through quicksand, the girls take it upon themselves to explore.

As the girls wander, they realize the woods are not so lonely as they once thought. New friends are made and magic discovered. But not all is happy in the woods. There’s a dark force just waiting to take advantage of two young girls. It will take all of Snow and Rose’s might and the help of some unexpected creatures to expel the darkness forever.

Snow & Rose is just the sort of fairy tale I would have devoured as an 8-year-old, and I can’t wait to share it with my daughter when she’s old enough. There’s an innocence to Emily Winnfield Martin’s writing that pairs perfectly with the subject matter. She perfectly balances the sad and scary with the wonder and excitement young people often feel. Her characters are well developed with strong emotions and compelling storylines.

Emily’s strong writing is paired with enchanting illustrations. Snow & Rose was conceived as a picture book and then grew into a full-length novel. While the illustrations aren’t necessary to the story itself — it stands well on its own — they do add a charm that takes the book over the top. I love the whimsical nature of Emily’s illustrations and know younger readers will enjoy them, too.

THE ILIAD/THE ODYSSEY BOXED SET, by Gillian Cross and Neil Packer, Candlewick; Box edition, Oct. 10, 2017, Hardcover, $39.98 (ages 8-12)

Homer’s two age-old classics have been revisited countless times. Gillian Cross and Neil Packer’s versions of The Iliad and The Odyssey are a good choice for readers who have not yet made the acquaintance of Odysseus, Achilles, or Hector. Depicting their actions, and those of the gods they invoke, are vivid, stylistic illustrations reminiscent of Greek pottery, giving these large-format volumes an extra measure of authenticity and appeal. From the raging battles outside the walls of Troy to the strangely surreal 10 years it takes Odysseus to journey home, these bold re-envisionings of Homer’s stories are told with simplicity and style — perfect for fans of graphic retellings and mythology enthusiasts alike. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

AGES 9 AND UP

DRAGON’S GREEN, by Scarlett Thomas, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, May 30, 2017, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 9-12)

Effie Truelove has always believed in magic, and despite her father’s denial of it, she holds that belief close to her heart. Effie’s grandfather, Griffin, seems to confirm its existence but refuses to do any or to teach Effie how to use it. When Griffin is attacked and left for dead, Effie finds herself in the possession of an unusual silver ring and tasked with protecting her grandfather’s library of rare and powerful books. While Effie is able to salvage a number of Griffin’s strange objects, the library falls into the hands of a shady scholar.

Unwilling to see her grandfather’s things sold off, Effie enlists the help of her new friends — nerdy Maximilian, rugby-mad Wolf, helpful Lexy, and eccentric Raven. It’s a ragtag group of children that one would never expect to join forces, but as they quickly discover, they each hold true powers that could make all the difference.

At first glance, Dragon’s Green seems a little formulaic — a child discovering magical powers and using them to thwart evildoers. Once you start ready, though, you realize there’s much more to the book. The magical world unfolds in bits and pieces, allowing the reader to experience it just as Effie does.

Author Scarlett Thomas has created a unique world where magic exists in the most unexpected places. Dragon’s Green isn’t just told from Effie’s point of view. Readers also get to know her friends, although Maximilian gets much more attention here. I’m excited to see all the children develop as the series advances.

THE STAR THIEF, by Lindsey Becker, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, April 11, 2017, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 9-12)

The Star Thief opens at the Vidalia mansion. Honorine is a maid, going about her mundane chores among the magical treasures once brought home by the famous explorer Lord Vidalia. Those chores are interrupted first by a small fire and then by two sailors ransacking Lord Vidalia’s study.

Just when Honorine thinks things might be settling down, a mysterious girl with wings swoops in, and Honorine finds herself following along. Before she can even blink, Honorine lands smack dab in the middle of a battle of epic proportions. The stars in the sky — the constellations themselves — have come to life to defend their very way of life. The crew of an amazing steamship is after the constellations in a quest to harness their powers. At the center of the battle is Honorine herself, who may hold the key to bridging the divide between magic and science.

The Star Thief is unlike any other middle-grade novel I’ve read. It’s part magic, part steampunk and part mystery. Lindsey Becker’s prose is sophisticated and well suited for her audience. Lindsey’s pacing is spot on, as is her world. This unpretentious adventure is fast paced and infinitely interesting. The story is complex and Honorine is a strong main character.

AGES 10 AND UP

A SINGLE STONE, by Meg McKinlay, Candlewick, March 14, 2017, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10 and up)

Jena’s people depend on the mountain and the mica it provides for survival. Long ago, an earthquake trapped the people who were mining the mountain in a small mountain valley. Of the people who were inside the mountain when it crumbled, only the women survived. Since then, the Mothers have been the leaders and protectors, and the members of the line have been the providers.

Jena is the leader of the line — seven girls who work together, squeezing and contorting through the mountain’s tunnels to harvest mica. Mica provides heat and light to the villagers throughout the year, and most importantly during the winter when heavy snows trap them inside for months. Being chosen as a line member is an honor, but it comes with sacrifice — years of denying girls food and wrapping their limbs to keep them small. No work is more important, yet Jena has a sneaking suspicion that all is not as it seems. Babies are being born earlier and smaller than ever before. Winter is coming fast, and the foundation on which Jena’s life has been built is crumbling.

A Single Stone very much reminds me of Shannon Hale’s Princess Academy. The similarities between the mica and linder are obvious, as is the story of a girl who defies what’s expected of her. But those aren’t really why the one makes me think of the other. Rather, it’s Meg McKinlay’s quiet, but determined, prose that evokes the same feel.

BEYOND THE BRIGHT SEA, by Lauren Wolk, Dutton Books for Young Readers, May 2, 2017, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 10 and up)

Beyond the Bright Sea tells the story of 12-year-old Crow. Crow has lived her entire life on a tiny, isolated piece of the Elizabeth Islands in Massachusetts. Crow is an orphan, raised by Osh, the man who rescued her from a small boat when she was just hours old, and Miss Maggie, a neighbor from across the sandbar.

Thought to have been set adrift from the leper colony on another island, Crow finds herself isolated. While Osh and Miss Maggie hold no fear of becoming sick from contact, the others who live in the Elizabeths are more wary. Crow is curious about everything around her, and yet, she’s not even allowed to attend school with the other children. But Crow has Miss Maggie and Osh, and for the most part, she’s content. But one night, a mysterious fire appears across the water, and Crow starts to truly wonder about her own history. Sometimes, curiosity has a way of getting away from you, and soon Crow’s questions set in motion a chain of events that can’t be stopped.

Beyond the Bright Sea is a quiet book. While there is action, it’s through excellent prose that tension is created. Author Lauren Wolk has a way of giving readers just enough. She often goes right to the precipice with readers, but never pushes too hard.

At the heart of Beyond the Bright Sea is Crow, an intelligent young woman with strong intuition and sense of what’s right and wrong. Crow’s relationships with Osh and Miss Maggie are what I hope to achieve with my own daughter — open and with the ability to freely ask questions and challenge each other.

THE LIST, by Patricia Forde, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, August 1, 2017, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 10-14)

Imagine a world where when you speak, you only have a few hundred words to choose from. Welcome to Ark where everyone must speak List, a language made up of only 500 words.

People used to have thousands of words, but then the Melting came. Noa was one of the few who foretold of the destructive force, and he was prepared when the Melting came. After the Melting, Noa and his followers return to a more simplified lifestyle. Technology is all but abandoned. Believing that the arts and language were among the vices that led to the current situating, Noa eliminated music, dance and art from society, and he limits the amount of words, making them utilitarian in use only.

As apprentice to the Wordsmith, 12-year-old Letta is one of the lucky few who is able to speak more than List. Her master is in charge of collecting and cataloging words for a time when they might be used again — at least that’s what Noa said initially. After her master disappears, Noa makes Letta the new Wordsmith and suggests she cut even more words from the list. Then she meets a stranger who speaks as if List was never invented. Soon, Letta is questioning everything she’s ever known to be true, and she’s faced with a choice — allow language to disappear completely or embrace it as her ancestors once did.

Patricia Forde has crafted a world that is terrifyingly realistic. There’s nothing here that screams, “this is just imaginary,” and that is why The List works so well. Forde’s world and character building are spot-on. Letta is complex and likeable. She faces hard decisions and doesn’t come by them easily. There were a few places where the pacing felt a little off, but otherwise, The List is a well-crafted dystopian novel that should appeal to middle-graders, young adults and adults alike.

YOU MAY ALREADY BE A WINNER, by Ann Dee Ellis, Dial Books, July 11, 2017, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 10-14)

You May Already Be a Winner is a story of dreams, of imagination and resiliency. At the center of the novel is 12-year-old Olivia Hales. Olivia spends her days entering contests — at least 10 each day. Olivia is sure that if she wins $1 million all her family’s problems will be solved. With the money, Olivia and her sister, Berkeley, and even her mom can move out of Sunny Pines Trailer Park. If she won, maybe her dad would come back, too.

Having yet to win the mother load, Olivia keeps plugging away at her entries, writing letters to her dad — even though he’s never written back — and taking care of Berkeley. Mom can’t afford daycare, so Olivia stays home from school and makes sure her little sister knows the important stuff.

But Olivia can’t stay away from school forever. When the time comes that she must return, she’s asked to go above and beyond what any 12-year-old should have to do. Olivia’s spent so much time taking care of everyone and everything that when she needs to take care of herself, she doesn’t know where to turn. Luckily for Olivia, sometimes help is right behind you.

You May Already Be A Winner is an excellent study of family dynamics, where the child becomes the parent when the real parent can’t see beyond the very basic of necessities. In You May Already Be a Winner Ann Dee Ellis has created a relatable young protagonist that calls out to be loved for her bravery and creativity. Ellis’ mixes humor with an authenticity you can’t just make up. Her prose is at once warm and welcoming and her story brims with optimism despite a heavier subject. This is one book I will read again and again.

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