Book Review: Sophia Freeman and the Mysterious Fountain (Sophia Freeman, #1) by T.X. Troan

Sophia Freeman and the Mysterious Fountain by T.X. Troan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Imaginative and exciting middle-grade fantasy adventure!

Sophia Freeman and the Mysterious Fountain is the first book in author T.X. Troan's middle-grade fantasy series featuring the poor little rich girl left alone on a mysterious island. The author has created a magical world filled with mythical beings and talking, walking trees, all working to defeat an evil and powerful island demon.

The main character is Sophia Freeman, the motherless daughter of a wealthy and often too-busy business tycoon. While able to have any physical object her heart desires, what she wants most is the love and understanding of her workaholic father. Despite the fulfillment of her every whim, Sophia is a kind and compassionate child, showing entitled or bratty behavior only on rare occasions, even after being left behind on her father's newly acquired island.

Sophia's main supporter in her predicament is the fledgling island guardian, a tree boy named Silimon. Adventure ensues as he tries to get her the help she needs to survive until her father returns to rescue her and take her home. As the two youngsters make their way around the island, they encounter its many magical and mythical inhabitants, including the spirit of the entrapped island demon whose curse has long affected all who have set foot on his former island domain.

The plot moves quickly with exciting twists and turns as the island's secrets and Sophia's reason for being stranded there come to light. The ending isn't a final resolution to Sophia's story but a jumping-off point for the next adventure in the series.

I recommend SOPHIA FREEMAN AND THE MYSTERIOUS FOUNTAIN to upper elementary and middle-school-aged readers who enjoy stories of adventure, magic, and mystery, and for reading aloud at home, school, or after-school settings.

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Audiobook Review: Living at the Edge of the World - Spring (Papala Island Adventure, #2) by S.J. Barratt

Living at the Edge of the World - Spring by S.J. Barratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Viking history and modern-day treasure hunters clash on a small, isolated island.

Living at the Edge of the World – Spring is the second book in author S.J. Barratt's Papala Island Adventure series and, once again, excitement visits the tiny, remote island in the Scottish Shetlands. When tween twins Timothy and Tabitha Brown and their friends uncover what may be the most perfectly preserved Viking helmet ever found, their excitement draws unscrupulous thieves to their remote community, and they will stop at nothing to get their hands on the valuable ancient artifact!

Readers are returned to Papala Island, a small island on the far reaches of Scotland's Shetland Islands, where Tim and Tabitha are nearing the end of their stay with their Great-uncle Tamhas. With only a few weeks left before their departure and return to their London home, mother, and father, the twins are sad to leave their newfound friends and the close-knit community that made them so welcome. While Tim will miss all the opportunities still available to expand his knowledge of life and the island, Tabitha has really grown up during her sojourn, and the place and its people have become her new life. Her innocent announcement of their discovery of the Viking helmet on her social media accounts, though, has unexpected consequences.

The plot is exciting and full of local lore and nature. Readers who enjoy stories with a lot of interaction with animals will find themselves right at home among the pages. I was glad their leave-taking was gentle, with a proper plan for returning during their upcoming summer break from school. No tearful scenes or traumatic incidents to delay their departure.

Gill Mills narrates the audiobook, and her performance really brings the twins, their friends, and their family to life. While it took me a little while to connect with Mills's accent (so very different from the voices in my part of the world), once I did, I clearly imagined all the characters and the story's excitement and emotions.

I recommend LIVING AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD – SPRING to middle-grade readers and listeners, and for reading aloud at home, in the classroom, or at after-school programs.

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Children's/Young Adult Book Review: Amethyst, The Shallows by Kellye Abernathy

Amethyst, The Shallows by Kellye Abernathy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Return to Dipitous Beach for the exciting and satisfying continuation of the story begun in THE AQUAMARINE SURFBOARD!

Amethyst, The Shallows is the second book in the series or companion book to author Kellye Abernathy’s middle-grade/young adult magical realism novel, The Aquamarine Surfboard, which I read a little over a year ago and thoroughly enjoyed. With its variety of characters’ experiences, multiple points of view, and atmospheric portrayal of the small oceanside community, this magical return trip to Dipitous Beach even surpasses the wonder of the first.

The main characters are a core group of friends who attend the same school and share many of the same interests, perfect for their setting as a beach town, such as surfing, oceanography, and preservation of marine life. Their hometown is slowly coming out of quarantine after a devastating sickness has swept through the country, and the friends have suffered through a long period of isolation and fear. Many of their parents or adult acquaintances died during the pandemic, and the story reflects how grief continues to affect them all. The characters’ behaviors are individualized, showing that not everyone reacts to their loneliness, fear, or sorrow in the same ways.

Two particularly interesting characters are Tad, Lorelei’s younger brother, and Isaac, the son of the aquarium director. Tad, who quickly became my favorite character, is doing his best to be there for his mother, who is in a coma and is still ill from the recent sickness. He is neurodivergent but growing in his ability to control his emotions, which he experiences as colors. Isaac has just arrived in town from back East to live with his non-custodial father after the death of his mother from the sickness. He’s angry and resentful and hates the beach and ocean. His only solace seems to come from music. He, too, is neurodivergent and experiences musical notes as colors. I loved these two very different characters together.

As in the first book, there is a brief sojourn underwater for a couple of the characters. While this visit isn’t as extensive as the first, the wonder and the magic are still ever-present and provides some new surprises.

While this book could be read independently, I feel it should be read after the first one for the best reading experience and comprehension. While time has passed and new life situations and struggles present themselves and are the focus of this companion story, the previous book lays a necessary and magical foundation on which these subsequent events rely.

I recommend AMETHYST, THE SHALLOWS to middle-grade and young-adult readers of fantasy and magical realism.

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Children's Book Review: The Lost Journals of Bud Wiper by S.M. Morgan

The Lost Journals of Bud Wiper - A Middle Grade Adventure Kids Will Love: An Exciting Adventure Full of Life Lessons and a Healthy Dose of Potty Humor for Kids by S.M. Morgan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A likable and relatable main character and an adventuresome story from the past!

After his father's death, Teddy Larson's mother relocates them to the town of Ravenwood for a fresh start. School is already in full swing, so Teddy is a newcomer to Ravenwood Middle School in the middle of the semester. On his first day, he not only attracts a lot of stares from the other kids but also draws the attention of the school bully, Zane.

With students having already formed their friends' groups, Teddy feels completely isolated, so he talks his mother into letting him skip school on Friday of his first week. His mother, a real estate agent, is readying a spooky old mansion in town for sale, inventorying its contents before listing, so Teddy accompanies her and explores the old place while she works. In a secret room, he discovers a box of old journals written by the house's previous owner when he was a boy, the same age as Teddy is now. Intrigued, Teddy takes the first volume of the journals home that night.

Back at school, Zane and his cronies delight in tormenting the lonely boy. Still, when Teddy accidentally bloodies Zane's nose during an ambush in the boys' restroom, there are unexpected consequences. Three against one convince the principal that Zane's story that Teddy attacked HIM earns Teddy swats and a two-day suspension. However, on his return to school, he discovers that the story that he bested the bully has circulated throughout the school and has gained him some new friends.

Bud Wiper's journals are riveting reading for the miserable Teddy. Beginning in 1949, they detail Bud's daily life, revealing that he, too, is lonely. As the only child of wealthy parents, Bud is often left at home in the care of the butler while his parents travel the world in search of treasure. However, one day the butler brings him a strange letter written in code, and when the secret message is revealed, Bud is shocked to learn that his parents have gone missing, and he needs to mount a rescue. The story hooks Teddy, and due to his continued school misfortunes, it may be the only thing that helps him make it through each day.

The Lost Journals of Bud Wiper is a fun, adventure-filled story for middle-grade or older elementary-age readers that even reluctant readers will enjoy. Teddy is sweet, likable, and oh-so-misunderstood, making him a perfectly relatable hero sure to capture the imagination.

The story switches point of view from Teddy to Bud as pages of the journal are read. While both boys experience a lot, Bud's adventures are much more action-hero-oriented: think "Indiana Jones." In Teddy's case, "Revenge of the Nerds" would be more apropos. Both are fun and compelling reading.

The adults in Teddy's life are exceptionally clueless about what is going on between him and Zane. While I was somewhat disturbed by this, young readers will probably relate to a time when they felt they had been treated unfairly. The story leaves a couple of ideas unexplored that, hopefully, are bridges to future Bud Wiper journal adventures. I certainly would pick up any sequels to this book.

With its likable and highly relatable main character and the adventuresome story from the past, I recommend THE LOST JOURNALS OF BUD WIPER to elementary students ready for chapter books and middle-grade readers, especially those falling in the reluctant reader category.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

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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: Elvira Vance and the Monster Mystery by Kacy Ritter

Elvira Vance and the Monster Mystery by Kacy Ritter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Suspenseful and fun middle-grade adventure where young supernatural sleuths investigate the disappearance of some of their monster neighbors.

Elvira Vance and the Monster Mystery by Kacy Ritter is a fun and exciting paranormal middle-school novel about a team of young investigators looking into the disappearance of a number of monsters from their community right before the annual Marfa Monster Festival, the biggest event of the year. Half-siren Elvira Vance is the daughter of the owners of Vince Vance’s Vintage Trailer Park Inn for Monsters and a budding detective. When some of her monster neighbors begin to go missing, she and her two best friends, Mari, a chupacabra, and Emilio, a human and photography enthusiast, jump at the chance to investigate, especially when the official detective, a human from the local town of Marfa, Texas, shows up to take over the case.

In the years since monsters of all kinds came out into the open, there had been an uneasy truce between them and the humans. However, the local mayor, Guff McCoy, had been doing his level best to stir up fear and hate in the human community. With tensions between the species about to boil over, and finders from both camps pointing at the other, Elvira, Mari, and Emilio know they must get to the bottom of the disappearances before things explode.

What a delightful children’s/middle-grade story of monsters and mystery, unknowns and underdogs! Elvira is a confident character, certain that she and her team can crack the case before the adult human can, and they do uncover clues that Detective Ace Price has no way of obtaining. I enjoyed the trio’s investigations and their questioning of a variety of mythical beings in the process. While Elvira, Mari, and Emilio frequently disobey their parents, they seem to generally believe they have no choice and accept their punishments, when caught, without complaining. However, they readily continue to break those same rules without ever fully explaining what they’re involved in with their parents, and perhaps avoiding some of their problems. As they gather their clues and build their case, twists in the plot rule out a couple of major suspects. The eventual reveal is a surprise, and the action leading up to the resolution is shocking and exciting.

I recommend ELVIRA VANCE AND THE MONSTER MYSTERY to readers of middle-grade paranormal fiction, action, and adventure. However, not only will middle-grade readers enjoy the adventure, but the book will also work well as a read-aloud selection for younger children.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through Toppling Stacks Tours.

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Children's Book Review: It's Watching by Lindsay Currie

It's Watching by Lindsay Currie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This one even gave Mom the shivers!

It’s Watching by Lindsay Currie is a new middle-grade horror story that even gave this Boys’ Mom the willies! Three ambitious young seventh-grade reporters want to secure their spot on their school’s newspaper, so they hatch a plan to score the story of the year by proving or debunking a local ghostly legend. But heading off into the haunted cemetery on Halloween night to, hopefully, photograph “The Lady in White” isn’t their only mistake.

I absolutely loved the three main characters, Josie, Alison, and Jackson. Their relationships and camaraderie were fun and authentic, and their back-and-forth banter was delightful. Of course, as a parent, I was not a fan of their lying to their parents and risk-taking, but that’s where the plot gains its traction for what’s to come. The author skillfully incorporates creepy cellphone messages and ghostly computer use into the tale to really induce some shocking moments and clues. The cellphone messages spooked me to no end!

While the kids could have thrown in the towel just due to the worsening weather, they are gutsy enough to continue with their original plan, so points to them. However, the creepy Uber driver, the fact that they knew they were breaking the law by going into the cemetery after hours and being aware that the police regularly staked out the area were all red flags that this was not a GOOD plan. The consequences make for a compelling mystery, plenty of scares, and an overall riveting read.

I recommend IT’S WATCHING to hardy readers of middle-grade horror.

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

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Children's Book Review: The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon by Grace Lin

The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon by Grace Lin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Imaginative merging of modern-day adventure and Chinese folktales for a warm and wonderful children’s story.

In The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon, author Grace Lin uses a fascinating combination of Chinese folktales to create a fresh and exciting children’s adventure story featuring a young stone lion cub named Jin, Lulu, a little lost girl, and an ancient dragon trapped in the body of a worm. Jin must overcome his fear of getting in trouble and his guilt of being in the wrong to save his stone spirit family and the Gonshi community when he causes the Sacred Sphere his father safeguards to roll out of their world and into that of the humans.

The main character, Jin, is much like his human counterparts of the same age: interested in his own pursuits, pleasures, and interests, many times inconveniencing his parents and others due to being thoughtless or irresponsible. He’s disinterested and dismissive of his father’s stories of the past, responsibilities, or parental instructions until he finds himself accidentally shut out of his world and stuck in the human one, where he finds he longs to return to his family once again. When he discovers the damage the loss of the Sacred Sphere puts in motion, he must gather his courage and sacrifice his own desires to make things right again. His gradual growth and understanding of his choices are a poignant tale, one that even young children will recognize and consider.

Jin is assisted in his journey by Lulu, a young girl trying to reunite with her mother, who is also undergoing her own revelations. Worm, the dragon trapped in this tiny, unassuming form, is probably the most fanciful of all the creatures in the book and has some of the best lines as he reveals his story and joins with the young ones to reset the balance in the world before it is too late.

With its magical setting, mythical creatures, and suspenseful plot, I recommend THE GATE, THE GIRL, AND THE DRAGON to upper-elementary and middle-grade readers and for reading aloud to include younger listeners.

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

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Children's Book Review: The Two Terrors of Tulelake by W.M. Gunn

The Two Terrors of Tulelake by W.M. Gunn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Eye-opening historical fiction novel for more mature middle-grade readers.

The Two Terrors of Tulelake by Texas author WM Gunn is an eye-opening and suspenseful historical fiction novel about the Japanese-American internment camps set up on the West Coast during World War II. Entire families, rather, entire communities of Americans with Japanese heritage, were forcibly removed to hastily constructed internment camps and detained after the attack on Pearl Harbor as fears of spies and Japanese operatives raced through cities and towns across the West. The horrific events, both before and after the internments occurred, are recounted from the point of view of 16-year-old Ichiro Hisakawa, whose family members were all born in the U.S., yet still eyed with suspicion and subjected to detention in the Tulelake, California, camp along with thousands of others. What makes this story unique is the presence of a modern-day boy whose psyche is thrust back in time to 1942 and co-exists in Ichiro’s mind.

Bobby King was a 16-year-old bully in 2017. The product of a broken home, with an absent mother and alcoholic father, Bobby has been dealt a horrible hand, and his goal is to take out all his rage, hurt, and disillusionment on anyone and everyone else. Knocked unconscious when an act of vandalism and revenge goes wrong, he awakens to find himself the second personality inside Ichiro’s mind.

The story is filled with characters, both fictional and historical, and the perspective sometimes shifts from Ichiro/Bobby to others to provide context to historical events or circumstances that neither boy is privy to. There are good guys, bad guys, and followers, but Bobby eventually sees how he, too, was a bad actor in his time, similar to the evil Sergeant Weston at the camp. Young readers will clearly get the messages the story conveys, as Bobby’s cruel behavior is often demonstrated, and Sgt. Weston voices his vitriol over and over, often with a compassionate adult present in such scenes to point out the obvious hate and wrongdoing. The Hisakawa family is strong in the face of danger in the camp, heroic considering the ample examples of what happens to those who don’t go along with the gangs. The story goes a little long in setting up Bobby’s situation and the years spent in the camp, and while the chapters are nice sized, the length may discourage young readers.

I recommend THE TWO TERRORS OF TULELAKE to readers of middle-grade historical and science fiction.

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: Instafamous by Erika J. Kendrick

Instafamous by Erika J. Kendrick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Catch up with the squad at Valentine Middle School!

Instafamous, the new middle-grade book from the talented and clued-in Erika J. Kendrick, returns readers to Santa Monica and Valentine Middle School, the setting of her previous novels. While both Magic (Squad Goals) and Brooklyn (Cookie Monsters) make appearances, this new tale is all about Lyric Whitney Houston Darby.

Lyric is a self-confident 12-year-old who wants to follow in her famous singer-mother’s footsteps, but she wants to do it NOW. When her favorite reality musical competition television show, American Rockstar, announces auditions in her hometown of Santa Monica, Lyric is set on participating and confident she’s a shoo-in to win and finally launch her career: all against her mother’s wishes and advice. To qualify, however, Lyric must show proof she has “industry” experience, and the quickest way to get that is by starring in Valentine Middle School’s upcoming production of The Wiz. Lyric is supported in her aspirations and schemes by her BFFs and acolytes, Twinkle and Georgia, who are both facing their own struggles.

The plot is fun and lively while exploring important life lessons in friendship, family, honesty, mental health care, and handling attention and fame. The interactions and dialogue among the middle-grade girls felt authentic, and I smiled and laugh-cringed in equal measure. The author subtly includes a diverse range of characters so naturally, you’ll think you were actually back in school yourself. The story resolves nicely with the main character re-discovering what’s truly important in life.

I recommend INSTAFAMOUS to readers of middle-grade fiction, especially those who appreciate strong female characters and fans of the author’s previous work.

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

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Book Review - Vibrations: Children of Atlantis by A.R. Alexander

Vibrations : Children of Atlantis by A.R. Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A unique tale for upper middle-grade readers featuring magic and myths, friendship, and trust.

Vibrations: Children of Atlantis by A.R. Alexander is a unique adventure for older middle-grade to younger young adult readers featuring magical realism and two determined teen protagonists tasked with defending the world against an ancient enemy. Incorporating elements from several mythologies, Nada Gilbride and Kani Kakoa are all that stand between their world and complete destruction.

The author has created a pair of unique main characters in Nada and Kani. Nada is deaf but can see sound waves. She learned to speak by mimicking the pattern of the waves she observes from others. Kani, while able to hear, can see the vibrations of energy and has learned to manipulate them. Urged from a young age to hide their unusual abilities from others, both are naturally full of questions about their gifts. Since the adults in their lives refuse to talk about it, they are desperate for answers, especially when their abilities seem to be attracting creatures only found in myths and legends and even affecting their physical well-being in public. Their confusion and need for clarity are well portrayed, and I was drawn to their situation and anxiety over not knowing what was “wrong” with them.

The story’s suspense builds quickly with the appearance of supernatural creatures and the subsequent attention of a mysterious trio who seem to know more about their situation than they do followed by an involuntary stay with the FBI at a secret research facility. But a simple field trip to a museum where an ancient artifact awakens and causes both Nada and Kani to blackout brings things to the attention of someone close by that can finally deliver the answers the teens crave. Unfortunately, the explanation of what was behind their abilities and reactions was not clearly explained enough for me, and I was left feeling I didn’t really have a better understanding of what was going on or the magic system in play than what I’d gotten from the book’s blurb and the kids’ own suppositions. I enjoyed the growth in the relationship between the two main characters, leading to the trust they would need to complete their trials later, as well as the budding, sweet romance (which kept this story appropriate for younger readers.) However, their pairing as a team during their training and the training itself is glossed over, while much more story is expended on a rivalry with another couple to be the champions who will defend the world from destruction.

The link to Atlantis, which given its prominence by appearing in the title, was only given a superficial explanation, leaving me wondering how all these teenagers with special abilities were connected to it. There were other instances of plot points suddenly popping up without explanation. I enjoyed that some inanimate objects were sentient, so there were some fun moments where a plane was complimented to keep her happy, and a platform was thanked for allowing their back to be used as a training surface, but there wasn’t an explanation of why these objects were aware, and others weren’t. Also, it just pops up that Auntie apparently had a rival from her past who is now the director at the island where the teens are undergoing their training. On the other hand, the various settings were diverse and vividly described, so I always had a clear picture in my mind of where the action was taking place.

I recommend VIBRATIONS: CHILDREN OF ATLANTIS to upper middle-grade readers.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from Reedsy Discovery.

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Book Review: Hannah's Pony Twist (Dream Pony Riders, #6) by Susan Count

Hannah's Pony Twist by Susan Count
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wonderful, sweet, faith-forward middle-grade pony tale.

While Hannah’s Pony Twist may be the sixth book in Susan Count’s wonderful Dream Pony Riders middle-grade series, it can easily be read and enjoyed as a standalone novel. The recurring characters are introduced with enough detail of what has transpired in their pasts to establish their relationships with one another and hint at their experiences in the previous stories without spoiling those prior books for those who haven’t read them yet. Each book features one of the pre-teen girls taking riding lessons at the stables managed by Miss Elena. This story unfolds from Hannah’s and her pony Freckles’ points of view.

Freckles is an older animal, and Hannah is concerned he’s slowing down and will be retired. He refuses to trot unless strongly urged and walks slowly and only for short distances. However, the truth behind his behavior is a surprising and loving testament to the bond between the pony and his young rider. The plot portrays a young girl growing into her teen years and learning to look beneath the surface of someone’s behavior before leaping to judge, standing up for herself and those in need, and that pursuing one’s dream can require hard work, practice, and perseverance.

I recommend HANNAH’S PONY TWIST to readers of middle-grade fiction, especially those who enjoy horse-themed stories.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.


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Book Review: What I Must Tell the World: How Lorraine Hansberry Found Her Voice by Jay Leslie, illustrated by Loveis Wise

What I Must Tell the World: How Lorraine Hansberry Found Her Voice by Jay Leslie


Well done and thoughtful biography for upper middle-grade and older readers about playwright Lorraine Hansberry, the groundbreaking Black female playwright.

What I Must Tell the World: How Lorraine Hansberry Found Her Voice, words by Jay Leslie and pictures by Loveis Wise is a well-done and thoughtful introduction for upper middle-grade and older readers to the life of renowned playwright Lorraine Hansberry. The evocatively illustrated text presents the highlights of the first Black woman to have a show produced on Broadway (A Raisin in the Sun).

Starting with her surprising childhood as the daughter of a man who had to go to the Supreme Court of the land (and won!) to establish his right to purchase a home in the white Woodlawn area of Chicago and her preparation and journey in pursuing her dream of crafting a play representing the Black experience in America. There is a short, forthright discussion of her gradual awareness of her true sexual orientation, offering parents an opportunity to discuss and answer questions with their young readers. While this little book examines her life, it naturally brings up many important social issues that can also offer additional topics of one-on-one or group discussions with readers. Hansberry experienced the gamut of discrimination in her short life: for being Black, for being a woman in a traditionally male profession, and for being attracted to another woman rather than a man.

I recommend WHAT I MUST TELL THE WORLD: HOW LORRAINE HANSBERRY FOUND HER VOICE to young readers who want a look into the life of this fascinating woman.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy via Netgalley.


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Book Review - On The Block: Stories of Home, edited by Ellen Oh

On the Block: Stories of Home by Ellen Oh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Welcome to The Entrada! You’ve come home.

On The Block: Stories of Home is an anthology of twelve connected vignettes, edited by author Ellen Oh, that portray the diverse families in residence at the New York apartment building known as The Entrada. Each chapter, appropriately titled by the apartment number of each new middle-grade-aged narrator, is a lovely gem and tells of the young resident’s life in the days leading up to the building’s first community potluck.

The stories explore the cultures and concerns of the new young immigrant, and while their origins are global, their hopes and fears are universal and relatable to all readers. I loved that the connections among the families while beginning with a common address, became personal through the friendships of the building’s child population. I enjoyed the concurrent points of view of events or encounters among the children, two or more people observing the same event but “seeing” or interpreting something from it that was entirely different. And I’m not talking about the paranormal activity threaded through some of the tales, though there is that!

Food is a common thread running through the collected tales. There are numerous scenes of family meals, and some of their favorite dishes may be unfamiliar to many readers. However, they are tempting just the same because of the authors’ tantalizing descriptions. The story culminates in the building’s big community potluck on a wonderful summer Saturday evening.

At the end of the book are the contributing authors’ biographies, including the titles of their previous works. That information alone is gold and could provide additional stories for the targeted age group to enjoy.

I recommend ONE THE BLOCK to readers of middle-grade fiction, especially those interested in getting a peek into a different culture.

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


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Book Review: The Curse of the Dead Man's Diamond by Christyne Morrell

The Curse of the Dead Man's Diamond by Christyne Morrell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Delightful middle-grade book featuring a haunted house, humor, and finding out home is where the heart is.

The Curse of the Dead Man’s Diamond by Christyne Morrell is a delightful new middle-grade haunted house story featuring an engaging 12-year-old protagonist and the surprise inhabitants of her new home in Florida. There’s so much to enjoy: a mystery, a search for a fabulous but cursed diamond, and a young girl’s discovery that home is where the heart is.

Charlotte “Charlie” Hess is such a delightful character. While grieving the loss of her beloved grandmother, her father buys a fixer-upper home in a small coastal Florida town, uprooting her from her friends’ group and all that was familiar. The story unfolds from Charlie’s first-person point of view, and her voice is relatable and delivered with wit. I was on board and behind this character from page one and completely engaged with her feelings. The same goes for Charlie’s dad, who is trying to fit in in his new town. I laughed out loud at his Pig Latin! The three spirits are as well-developed, and their tragic backstories are sad and preventable. While they are ghosts and do ghostly things, as a parent, I was more frightened by the idea of an unsupervised 12-year-old with a box of hair dye. (So, not too scary for sensitive young readers.)

The plot moves quickly, with convenient-length chapters creating good logical stopping points for reading aloud or on one’s own. Chapters relating how the curse came to be are interspersed with Charlie’s narrative of the present. Young readers should have no trouble following the shift in perspective or time frame. The descriptions of the house, the town, and the landscape are vivid, and I felt as if I was experiencing the scenes firsthand.

I recommend THE CURSE OF THE DEAD MAN’S DIAMOND to readers of middle-grade fiction who enjoy a paranormal aspect in their stories.

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

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Book Review: Monster Movie! by Chuck Wendig

Monster Movie! by Chuck Wendig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A great mix of bad dreams and self-discovery.

Sixth-grader Ethan Pitowski, the only child of very cautious parents, has taken on their anxiety and fearfulness (about everything), overthinking each and every daily movement and decision until he’s almost paralyzed from actually living. When his two best friends run into trouble at a clandestine house party thrown by the most popular kid in class, he must overcome his fears to save them. Readers will enjoy his lively inner monologue and pep talks in which he convinces himself to forge on as everyone else around him is losing their heads.

Monster Movie! by Chuck Wendig, a new upper middle-grade horror story, is a great mix of bad dreams and self-discovery. While eluding a horrifying TV-headed monster, the product of a cursed videotape of the “SCARIEST MOVIE EVER MADE,” the main character’s greater challenge is overcoming his fears to be himself (and save his friends and family in the meantime.) This unusual monster tale was mesmerizing, hitting many universal fears, some from daily life and others from the horror film genre, and I could easily relate to the young protagonist’s struggles easily relatable.

The monster of the story is a large, older-model television set that moves about on spindly, insectile legs. The television’s screen changes from a blue screen to white crackly static to an enormous eye to a maw that bloodlessly removes the heads of its hypnotized victims: nightmarish images, perhaps, for more sensitive younger readers. Besides the frighteningly unstoppable monster, there is a villainous movie theater manager behind the monster’s release into Ethan’s community to best. The plot includes exciting rescues and escapes, movie-making action, and facing and overcoming one’s fears, and while scary, the story is easy and engaging to read. Thumbs up as a possible choice to entice reluctant readers.

I recommend MONSTER MOVIE! to upper middle-grade readers who enjoy scary stories.

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

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Book Review: The Queen of Ocean Parkway by Sarvenaz Tash

The Queen of Ocean Parkway by Sarvenaz Tash
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A magical mystery for middle-grade readers!

The Queen of Ocean Parkway is a new, fantastical mystery story for middle-grade readers from the creative mind of author Sarvenaz Tash. Young Roya Alborzi and her precocious new friend and neighbor, Amin Lahiri, travel through time to try and break a curse that makes the women of the Petrov family disappear, never to be seen again.

The main character, Roya Alborzi, is the only daughter of their Brooklyn apartment building’s super, and while only 11 years old, she is carrying an emotional load that adults would have trouble managing. Though her parents are divorced, her father is desperately ill with cancer, and she does all she can to assist her mother in her job to free her up to care for him. Then, one of her favorite tenants, Katya Petrov, suddenly disappears without a trace. She joins forces with Amin, the son of the new family in the building, to find her and break the chain of disappearances that have plagued the Petrov family for the past four generations.

The Brooklyn setting is well-developed, feeling familiar and comfortable. Roya’s descriptions and tales of the other neighbors for her fledgling podcast are entertaining and made me laugh about some of her observations.

The plot thickens as soon as the characters are introduced, and some surprising twists make the story even more suspenseful and intriguing. As time travel is involved, the author must re-describe the Coney Island setting each time Roya and Amin land in the past. The gorgeous cover, rich with jewel tones, attracts the eye and had my imagination working before I even read the first page. I liked how the author populated the apartment building with an array of different configurations of families and enjoyed meeting each one as the mystery of the disappearing Petrovs unfolded.

I recommend THE QUEEN OF OCEAN PARKWAY to upper elementary and middle-grade readers or for reading aloud in the classroom, in afterschool programs, or at home.

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

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Book Review: The Very First Amazing Adventure of Griswold & Christophe by Christian Bjone

The Very First Amazing Adventure of Griswold & Christophe by Christian Bjone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An entertaining retelling of the fairytale of Prince Gilgamesh.

The Very First Amazing Adventure of Griswold and Christophe by author-illustrator Christian Bjone introduces a new audience of children to the ancient Babylonian myth of Prince Gilgamesh. This fairytale retelling is whimsical and unique as it features a giant teddy bear and a toy soldier as the main characters.

After a disrupted toy parade leaves Griswold the Teddy Bear and Christophe the Toy Soldier completely alone, they naturally join together as friends for company and support. Hearing about the trouble at the Queen’s Castle, Christophe decides they must travel there to free the inhabitants from the Evil Ogre. Their journey commences, and they meet powerful and strange creatures along the way. They complete challenges to win the magic weapons they’ll need to defeat their foe.

The story unfolds through short paragraphs, colorful illustrations, and maps. Much of the narrative, while lyrical and vivid, may fly over the heads of struggling or reluctant readers and will require adult interpretation. I enjoyed Christophe’s focus on their ultimate mission and smiled over his reaction to Red Fox and his various kindnesses throughout the story. I laughed about Griswold’s constant and appealing interest in food and eating rather than almost anything else. The result of Christophe’s kindness and bravery came as a twist, as did the surprising cliffhanger ending, which is to be continued in a follow-up retelling of the story of Ulysses and his journey home from the Trojan War.

I recommend THE VERY FIRST AMAZING ADVENTURE OF GRISWOLD AND CHRISTOPHE for older, more advanced middle-grade readers and teens and for reading aloud to younger children.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through RABT Book Tours and PR.

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Book Review: The Sky King (Skyriders, #2) by Polly Holyoke

The Sky King by Polly Holyoke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Exciting aerial action, magnificent winged horses, and a relatable young heroine!

The Sky King is the second book in the middle-grade fantasy adventure series, Skyriders, by author Polly Holyoke, and it is a wonderful follow-up to the debut novel. With exciting aerial action, magnificent winged horses, and a relatable young heroine, this new adventure had me glued to its pages and completely invested in the outcome.

Young Kiesandra “Kie” Torsun and her skysteed partner, N’Rah, have returned to their duties in the mail service after Prekalt’s victory over the Foul Ones. Still, rumors of rogue chimerae attacking isolated villages and fellow couriers prove all too true. As the Nexara, the physical link between humans and skysteeds, Kie is conflicted over her desire to safeguard her people and the danger to the skysteeds, whose involvement would be necessary to defeat the evil beasts. After a misstep in her relationship with N’Rah, she realizes she must convince humans and skysteeds alike that they must work together as equal partners for success. I could feel the love and respect between Kie and N’Rah throughout the story, and her relationship with the quirky N’Poda involved all my emotions.

The action sequences of the skyriders and skysteeds battling the chimerae and vultiren were exciting with edge-of-your-seat suspense. I also enjoyed Kie’s growing awareness of the magic available to her and look forward to this aspect expanding in future books.

The author’s writing style is engaging, and the storyline is suitable for a wide age range of readers, although younger children may be bothered by the monsters and off-page losses of skyriders and skysteeds in battle. This series would make a great read-aloud for the family, classroom, or after-school programming. While this is the second book in the series, new readers can easily pick up on the overall story.

I recommend THE SKY KING to middle-grade and older readers of fantasy and adventure stories.

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Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: Izzy Hoffman is Not a Witch by Alyssa Alessi

 

Izzy Hoffman is Not a Witch

by

Alyssa Alessi

Middle-grade horror
Publisher: Cinnabar Moth Publishing LLC
Publication Date: September 5, 2023
Hardcover age count: 150 pages

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SYNOPSIS:

Twelve-year-old Izzy has been haunted by the shadow of her ten-times-great grandmother for as long as she can remember. This is no ordinary ancestral ghost: This great granny was the first woman to be hung for witchcraft in Izzy’s small New England town.

Every October first, tourists flood the streets of Marblehead. Unfortunately, this year so do a mysterious man and a possessed town psychic. When the man shows up at Izzy’s family-run bookstore, making odd demands and threatening her mom, she must find the connection between this creep and her ghostly visions.

Trying to make sense of this chaos, Izzy roams into secret rooms, holds seances at the local tarot parlor, and digs through the old family cookbooks that sit on her shelves. When she discovers that she may be a part of a once-in-a-century ritual, Izzy must decide whether it’s going to take baking magic or blood magic to protect herself and her parents from the return of the witch hunt.

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READ AN EXCERPT:

Every morning I wake from the same dream. Honestly, it’s more like a nightmare. I walk up to a ridiculously large brass-framed mirror, its dirty gold trim holding golden vines wrapped around its curves. Faces belonging to chubby baby angels are carved in its crevices. I’m hesitant to look at first, but then I jump in front of it like I know what’s coming and want to get it over with. I do know what’s coming. My reflection is the same every time. A woman with long straggly black hair and a gaunt face stares back at me. She has no eyes, yet she looks straight into my soul. Her head moves from side to side. My chest aches with each crook of her neck. She wants to pull me in, I know she does. Her bony fingers scratch at the sides of the glass. I open my mouth to scream, but the shriek comes from her unhinged jaw instead of mine. I always wake in a puddle of sweat, then get up to brush my teeth. This has been on repeat for five years, until today. Today is my twelfth birthday and as a gift, this woman smiled and punched through the glass.

REVIEW:

5 stars!

A quick and exciting witchy read for upper-elementary and middle-grade readers, perfect for the fall season.

Izzy Hoffman Is Not a Witch by author Alyssa Alessi is the perfect fall tale for advanced elementary and middle-grade readers who enjoy stories of witches, magic, and family. With a brave 12-year-old protagonist and her loyal best friend in the spotlight, the story weaves an exciting tale that includes some early history of women folk healers persecuted as witches by the fearful, jealous, and greedy, with a hidden world where magic really exists.

 

In this fictional tale, Izzy Hoffman is the bright and brave heroine of the book, whose early ancestor, Alice Young, was the first person executed for witchcraft in the 13 American colonies: an actual person. Alice's spirit is a restless one and has infiltrated Izzy's dreams and terrified the child for years. But on Izzy's 12^th birthday, the recurring nightmare gets even more frightening, with Alice seeming determined to take Izzy with her into her world. After much agonizing consideration, Izzy shares her problem with her mother, and together, they decide to get to the bottom of the endless nocturnal visitations. Assisting is the elderly but feisty tarot reader, Miss Clara, and Izzy's best friend, Nat, who models what a true friend is all about.

 

At school, Izzy has experienced finger-pointing and been the subject of a rumor that she's a witch, and Nat has always had her back. But in a town that celebrates Halloween and witches year-round, this didn't have quite the stigma it might have had elsewhere or in an earlier era. Izzy has a handle on weathering that storm and isn't timid about speaking up for herself. Still, over the course of the story, Izzy gains and nurtures her confidence and grows to accept her true self.

 

The action begins quickly when a rude stranger knocks Izzy down but hurries away without apologizing or checking to see if she is injured. Later, when the stranger menaces her mother at their bookstore, readers will realize that great-grandma Alice times ten may not be the real villain in the piece. The story's pace builds quickly from this point and never lets up. Its shorter length and nicely spaced chapter breaks make this book middle-grade-friendly and a great choice for reading aloud.

 

I recommend IZZY HOFFMAN IS NOT A WITCH for advanced elementary and middle-grade readers and as a possible choice for reading aloud in school, during after-school programs, and at home.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alyssa Alessi is a writer of middle grade, young adult and short stories all inspired by the unsettling macabre aesthetic of New England. As a child she was on a constant hunt for ghosts, vampires, and her own powers as a witch. When she couldn’t find them, she settled for writing them into existence. You can find her hiking any trail in the Northeast said to be haunted, roaming old cemeteries with a camera in hand, or thrift shopping anywhere antiques are sold. She resides in Boston, MA with her husband, three children and their mini dachshund.

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Alyssa Alessi will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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