Children's Book Review: Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind (Momo Arashima, #1) by Misa Sugiura

Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind by Misa Sugiura
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Non-stop action with magic and mythical beings and creatures will tempt even reluctant readers to fall into the story.

When twelve-year-old Momo Arashima discovers that all the stories of mythical beings and supernatural spirits that her Japanese mother had told her when she was very young were true, she is shocked and dismayed. She had drawn unwanted attention and ridicule at school early on for believing the fantastical tales and had emotionally demanded that her disappointed mother stop telling her those make-believe stories as if they were real. Now she hears that her mother is actually an Earth goddess from the Island of Mysteries and is responsible for keeping the evil spirits and demons from crossing into the world. But the portal between the land of the dead and this one has been breached. Hundreds of demons and worse have made their way onto the island, and the more that enter, the sicker her mother physically becomes. Finding out she is the only one able to stop the monsters, Momo joins a magical talking fox named Niko and her childhood friend, Danny, on a mission to save her mother and the world.

Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind is the first book in author Misa Sugiura’s new middle-grade fantasy series featuring the twelve-year-old heroine from the title. Hands down, this is one of the top books I’ve read this year, and I feel it is sure to be a hit with middle-grade students, including reluctant readers. As the mother of three boys who all needed coaxing to complete independent reading requirements at that age, I wish this book had been available back then! The story would be a fabulous read-aloud selection.

Momo has had a tough childhood. Not only had she lost her father, but her mother had also been swamped with grief and, eventually, illness. To top off her misery, Momo has been besieged by cool-kid bullies at school because she’s seen as "different." The bullying hurts even more when her childhood friend, Danny, is one of the group. It is extremely important at that age to feel like you belong; most readers will relate to Momo’s experience. Perhaps, even more important, Momo’s plight will strike a chord with young readers that bullying and cruel jokes hurt. Our heroine rises above her mistreatment, but she also stands up for herself.

The story is fantastic, and its fast pace moves things along like a runaway rollercoaster. It captured my attention from the start, and I didn’t want to put the book down until I was finished. With the recent popularity and interest in Asian culture, the story, with its modern take on Japanese mythology, couldn’t come at a better time. The fantastical elements are fresh, unusual, scary, and perfect for igniting young imaginations. The awesome cover art already has me hoping for this to become an animated series.

The trio travels to many magical places while on their quest for the tools to succeed in their ultimate showdown. Real cities, in addition to those of myth and legend, are visited and will please readers familiar with those locations. They may begin to imagine running into some of the magical beings or evil minions, just as Momo, Danny, and Niko did.

With its highly likable and engaging characters, fun dialogue, the inclusion of current pop cultural references, and a story with non-stop action, I recommend MOMO ARASHIMA STEALS THE SWORD OF THE WIND to older elementary or middle-grade readers who enjoy stories with fantasy, magic, and mythical creatures, fans of the Percy Jackson series, and perhaps those who enjoyed the Nickelodeon series, AVATAR: The Last Airbender.


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Children's Book Review: It Happened on Saturday by Sydney Dunlap

It Happened on Saturday by Sydney Dunlap
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An excellent story for middle-grade readers that realistically portrays the dangers lurking online.

It was the end of the summer between seventh and eighth grades, and Julia’s best friend since the fifth grade was finally coming home from camp. The days had dragged while Nori was away, more so than in the past, since the twins, also friends from school, had moved away right after the last day of school. Julia was looking forward to Nori’s return with plans for how they would spend the final summer vacation days before the new school year started.

But when Nori returned, something had changed. She had met a boy at camp who turned out to attend the same school and had developed a different kind of friendship: a boy-girl friendship. Suddenly, Nori always had plans with Luke and didn’t have time for Julia. To top it off, Julia’s parents were busy with work and each other, and her older sister, Danielle, had a boyfriend of her own. Julia felt abandoned, the odd-man-out, just like that awful time in fifth grade before she had met Nori.

However, after a quick afternoon makeover by Danielle, Julia posted her “new look” online. To her surprise and gratification, the “Likes” and complimentary comments poured in. But one comment, in particular, caught her eye. When that one was followed up by another and another by the same intriguingly unknown boy, Julia decided to reply, even though her parents had told her never to respond to strangers online. Little did Julia know that tyler_g had plans for her.

It Happened on Saturday is a marvelous cautionary tale that explores the dangers lurking online with the advent of social media. In this case, the threat is kidnapping for sex trafficking. Julia is a regular girl with the same troubles and concerns felt by most elementary and middle-grade children: feeling ignored, not belonging, loneliness, and parents who are distracted by having to make a living. She is also experiencing changes in her once stable relationship with her best friend, who has moved on from childhood interests to having a boyfriend. Young readers will easily relate to her feelings and everyday life.

The story demonstrates some of the simple, yet devious tactics employed to gain a victim’s trust, manipulate their choices, and isolate them from safety. Julia is somewhat wary at first, especially when Tyler reveals too much too soon. But the guy is a pro and recovers to the point where Julia gets comfortable again.

This book would be an excellent choice to share with older elementary/middle-grade children or students to launch a discussion of this topic at school or home.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author or publisher through TBR and Beyond Book Tours.

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Children's Book Review: Far Out! by Anne Bustard

Far Out! by Anne Bustard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A fun and exciting children's chapter book that will entertain older readers, too!

Far Out! is the new children's historical mystery by author Anne Bustard that will also entertain and delight older readers. Just days before their hometown’s First Annual Come On Down Day, held to hopefully encourage the world’s first contact, Mimi Crook, the vice president of the Totter Unidentified Flying Object Organization, becomes the main suspect when a coveted space artifact disappears. However, her granddaughter is sure she’s innocent, no matter how suspicious her grandmother is acting. And with the main character, Magnolia Jean Crook, and her best guy pal, Nick Lawless, on the case of the missing meteorite, everything is sure to work out fine.

The story's setting is in the small town of Totter, Texas, in November 1964. LBJ is President, and America is smack in the middle of the space race. I loved the idea of the town capitalizing on the country's fascination with all things space and alien with not only the festival but the decorations around town, simple and spectacular (the spaced-out dolls on the square were a hoot and probably one of my favorite images of all time!)

MJ and Nick are sure to appeal to readers of all ages, and there are plenty of other named characters to get to know. I enjoyed the small-town vibe of everyone knowing everyone else. I was surprised by Mimi's official arrest even though I understood the reasoning behind it, trying to treat all suspects equally. A quibble, though, the Miranda Warning issued by the arresting deputy in the story was not in use until after 1966 and, frankly, not in wide or consistent practice at the local level well into the 70s.

I enjoyed the mystery the two new young sleuths pursue and how they worked their investigation into their daily activities. MJ's use of questions and comments she's heard used on TV detective shows was fun and made me laugh. The issue of dementia will resonate with many readers. Chapters are compact and of convenient lengths, perfectly sized for young readers.

With its pair of relatable young sleuths, nostalgic mid-60s timeframe, small-town Texas ambiance, and the unique and appealing underlying subject matter of visitors from outer space, I recommend FAR OUT! to readers of all ages but especially upper elementary school-aged readers looking for an exciting yet approachable chapter book.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Book Blog Tours.

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Children's Book Review: Will's Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Will's Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An exciting and inspirational historical middle-grade adventure story.

Will’s Race for Home is a new historical middle-grade adventure story from author Jewell Parker Rhodes centered around the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889. Twelve-year-old William Samuels and his father, George, set out for Oklahoma from their home in Texas, where they are sharecroppers on another man’s cotton farm, to participate in the upcoming land rush. At stake is a 160-acre piece of farmland they can call their own. Along the way, they face danger from many directions: rattlesnakes, a treacherous river crossing, and, worst of all, from their fellow man. However, Will also comes to know and understand his emotionally distant father, a man of few words and agonizing secrets buried in his past.

I absolutely fell in love with this book and its young protagonist from the first page. Will Samuels easily mirrors the thoughts and feelings of any boy, as does his yearning to gain his father’s approval and love. Not only does the journey allow him to connect with his reserved father, but it also opens his eyes to a world from which he’s been mostly sheltered his entire life, living in deeply rural southwest Texas. Young readers will identify with Will, his hopes and dreams, and his love for his family and the mule, Belle.

The author features the historic Oklahoma Land Rush, which occurred on April 22, 1889, and the descriptions of the Samuels’s journey, the time, and settings are vivid and evocative, putting the reader smack on the trail with Will, George, and their new friend and former Union soldier, Caesar. The story gives readers an idea of what it meant to be a sharecropper and the difficulty of ever getting ahead under the system.

Occurring a little over 20 years after the end of the Civil War, the story relates the tensions still in existence between those who supported opposite sides of the conflict: for many, the war was never over. Will’s mother, Anna, his father, George, and their friend, Caesar, put names and faces to the men and women who had been enslaved from birth, only gaining freedom after the start of the war, and illustrates realistically what that meant for them going forward.

This is not the first book I’ve read from this author, and her stories and writing continue to be an immersive experience, no matter the topic. Her writing style is warm and easy to read, and the chapter lengths are perfect for younger readers. With its exciting and suspenseful story and engaging, relatable characters, I recommend WILL’S RACE FOR HOME to middle-grade readers and for use as a read-aloud book in the classroom, in an afterschool program, or at home.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through TBR and Beyond Book Tours.

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