Book Review: Indigo, the Deep (Yellow Cottage Stories, #3) by Kellye Abernathy

Indigo, The Deep by Kellye Abernathy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Return to Dipitous Beach and surrender to the pull of the Autumn Equinox.

Indigo, The Deep is the third book in author Kellye Abernathy’s magical middle-grade fantasy series, the Yellow Cottage Stories, and there is excitement and self-understanding throughout as the storylines established in the previous novels come together. Told through multiple points of view, the young residents of Dipitous Beach face big challenges from both outside their community and inside themselves.

The ugly, black research ship anchored off the shoreline of Dipitous Beach not only mars everyone’s lovely view of the ocean, but its occupants’ careless activities below water are destroying the local ecosystem and drawing sharks to the perfect surf spot. While the residents grumble, so far, they have been unable to halt the operations that are more geared toward making a profit than adding to the knowledge of the ocean. In addition, newcomers to the area, drawn by the expensive new housing development under construction and the massive new marina, are racing speedboats through the surf, oblivious to the damage they are causing in the local sea turtle habitat. Then, too, the autumn equinox brings its own changes to the ocean. In the previous two years, the ocean has revealed its magical secrets to one young resident, and Condi and Isaac wonder who will be next?

Author Kellye Abernathy continues the stories of the families in the small coastal town: Condi Bloom, Grand Ella, and their fosters: Firth, Cissy, and Malcolm; Tad, Cara, Lorelei, and Gabby Finch; Abe and Isaac Huddleston; the Arondales; Kait Dooley; Andy Marshall; Trippy; and the rest of the Beachlings. The story is about discovering one’s heart, living your own life and not someone else’s dream; releasing false memories; learning to establish boundaries that respect how you will be treated by others; and letting go of and healing from the past to move on to a happier future. This story explores the pursuit of knowledge and profit and how it must be balanced with preserving the environment and adding to the greater good. All these important concepts are delivered in a gripping seaside tale, with magical underwater adventures.

I loved the northern California coastal setting, which the author makes so broodingly atmospheric and filled with dark, hidden dangers on the surface, while another light and color-filled world exists just below. The young characters are well-drawn, engaging, and it was easy to connect with their emotional and physical dilemmas. My favorite character remains Condi Bloom, and I already know that her frightening journey through the sea caves with Firth is going to stay with me for a long time.

While this book can be read as a standalone, the histories of the main characters are deep and complex, with the backstories presented in this book only touching the surface. I feel that this book would best be enjoyed after having read the previous novels in the series. I recommend INDIGO, THE DEEP and the rest of the YELLOW COTTAGE STORIES* to readers of middle-grade fantasy.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Literary Life Book Campaigns.

*See my review of Amethyst, The Shallows, Book Two of the Yellow Cottage Stories, HERE!

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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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Book Review: Relatively Normal Secrets (The Falinnheim Chronicles, #1) by C.W. Allen

Relatively Normal Secrets by C.W. Allen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fast-paced and full of surprises, with engaging main child characters!

Relatively Normal Secrets is the first book in author C.W. Allen’s delightful middle-grade fantasy series, The Falinnheim Chronicles, and features two precocious and curious siblings, Zed and Tuesday Furst. Obsessed with their parents’ shadowy pasts that no amount of questioning seems to shed any light on, Zed and Tuesday decide to take the opportunity to search their house for clues when their parents leave for a short business trip. Instructed to head directly to a trusted neighbor’s home after school, the brother and sister decide to detour to their own home instead to put their plan in action.

Before they can even make a cursory look, two large, menacing men show up at the house and try to grab them and their pet dog, Nyx. With Nyx’s intervention, they escape through the woods behind the house, where they are magically transported to another land called Falinnheim. Suspecting the evil men will soon be on their trail, they travel to the nearest town in hopes of finding a way to return home and reunite with their parents.

The two Furst siblings are fun, smart kids with engaging personalities and a talent for getting into trouble. Their questions about their parents’ pasts are relatable, and their parents’ deft deflection very mysterious. The various conspiracy theories and possible alternate lives the kids dream up to explain their parents’ reactions were wild and fun, and I loved how the two siblings worked together to find answers throughout the story.

The plot is fast-paced and full of surprises, with magical elements, bandits, an evil, tyrannical leader, and a dangerous resistance group in hiding. The children find direction in mysterious, altered nursery rhymes left for them along the path of their journey, and Nyx proves to be more than just a pet dog. The exciting cliffhanger ending left me anxious for the next book.

Ivy Tara Blair ably narrates the audiobook and creates distinct voices for each character. I appreciated the clarity of her delivery and the variety and vocal nuances she used to create the impression of different speakers. I would be happy to listen to more of her narrations.

I recommend RELATIVELY NORMAL SECRETS to fans of middle-grade fantasy books.

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Children's Book Review: Fanny Fitzpatrick and the Sirens (Fanny Fitzpatrick, #3) by Dana Hammer

Fanny Fitzpatrick and the Sirens by Dana Hammer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fun, mysterious, and suspenseful tale of gods, goddesses, sirens, and friendships.

Fanny Fitzpatrick and the Sirens is the third book in author Dana Hammer’s middle-grade adventure series featuring Fanny Fitzpatrick and her unusual group of friends. In this adventure, Fanny is invited to a summer music camp run by famous pop star Mara Fry, who heard Fanny sing at her cousin’s funeral. Against the advice of her friends —Athena, Gemma, and Danial —and despite their worry and the revelation that Mara and the women who run the camp are sirens, as in the mythological sirens of old, Fanny decides to attend. However, things at the beautiful tropical island camp aren’t exactly what they appear, and she soon realizes there’s more going on than vocal training.

Fanny is a sweet, helpful girl, and she especially looks forward to being a great big sister to her new baby brother, Damon. While a summer hanging out with her friends would be wonderful, the opportunity to spend time with a superstar and get some professional vocal training proves impossible to pass up. In fairness to Fanny, she considers her decision long and hard, with the deciding factor being her tired mother’s desire for her to be out from underfoot as she adjusts to life with a cranky newborn. Athena and Gemma, in their distress, are a little heavy-handed in their attempts to dissuade Fanny, too, ordering her around and getting angry rather than maintaining a cool head and offering proof of their accusations that the sirens are still up to no good.

The plot is fun and quirky, with Fanny trying to keep Athena’s bed-bound brother, Dion, out of trouble, but the suspense quickly takes center stage when she and the three other girls get to the island. The formerly overly friendly adult leaders have secrets they’re not ready to share with the campers and use questionable tactics to get the girls to do what they want. The story is absolutely absorbing, and I didn’t want to take a break until almost halfway through the book, and then it was hard to find an appropriate stopping point! Fanny and her friends are bright, engaging, and so easy to root for. Although this is the third book in the series, adequate backstory is provided so it can be read as a standalone.

I recommend FANNY FITZPATRICK AND THE SIRENS to readers of middle-grade fiction, especially those who enjoy a mythological theme.

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

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Children's Book Review: The Tear Collector by R.M. Romero

The Tear Collector by R.M. Romero
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Intriguing middle-grade climate fiction, post-apocalyptic tale.

The Tear Collector by R.M. Romero is an intriguing post-apocalyptic tale for middle-grade readers, featuring an island community formed after a second great flood. Besides a mysterious story with young protagonists living on an isolated island where sadness can transform one into a monster, it is a cautionary tale about taking care of our world before it is too late. All is not lost, though; the story provides hope for the future by the tale’s end.

Siblings Malka and Ezra were swept away during the civilization-ending flood, ending up with other survivors on an island formed by the rising water level. They are "adopted" by a medical doctor in the new community who has dedicated his life to finding a cure for a terrible new malady called "The Sorrows' that afflicts deeply bereft, morose islanders and turns them into monstrous, animalistic creatures. Dr. Jonas Hollman is convinced that the answer to the horrifying illness lies in the tears of the people, and it becomes Malka’s job to collect samples. She follows through with determination because her beloved younger brother, Ezra, has started sprouting feathers. But when a small plane flown by a girl her own age, claiming to come from the mainland, crashes on the beach, everything changes.

Malka and Ezra were close even before the flood. She saved his life when the water came, and continues in her role as his champion when other islanders shun him when the proof he’s got "The Sorrows" comes to light. Malka is quite aggressive in her dealings with others, sometimes getting in people’s faces so quickly that she borders on unlikable. She takes nothing from nobody, except Ezra. They have developed a found family with Jonas and some of the other residents of their hotel home, complete with all the quirks that come with one formed from blood ties. However, their relationship with Jonas takes an unfortunate (and all too tragically realistic) turn as the story progresses.

The author does an amazing job creating her post-flood world, with the survival of random bits and pieces of life from before and the odd mix of buildings that literally weathered the storm. I really liked the pink hotel, where Jonas, Malka, Ezra, and others made their home as Jack’s efforts to normalize its current state continued.

The horrifying effects of "The Sorrows" absolutely gripped me, not only because of the body horror but also the uncertain internal impact on the minds of those poor afflicted individuals. Jules Gray and his henchmen, Mikos and Lukus, are dastardly, evil villains.

Due to the colorless, dreary, and always-raining setting, Olivia Diaz, the young pilot, stands out as a shockingly bright spot in the narrative from the very first. Still, it is a toss-up as to who I would name my favorite character among the three children.

I recommend THE TEAR COLLECTOR to readers of middle-grade fantasy and horror.

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

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Children's Book Review: Momo Arashima Breaks the Mirror of the Sun (Momo Arashima, #2) by Misa Sugiura

Momo Arashima Breaks the Mirror of the Sun by Misa Sugiura
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A great adventure to share with the younger readers you know.

Momo Arashima Breaks the Mirror of the Sun is the second book in Misa Sugiura's splendid middle-grade fantasy series. However, don't let the middle-grade assignment fool you; this book (and series) is fun for the entire family.

While the plot is fast-paced and the mythology intriguing, it is the main character, Momo, that really has me championing this entire series. Momo is a seventh-grade middle-schooler and so relatable. Even after her successes in the series debut, she's a little awkward and is still quite insecure about the mean girls and their followers, though things are improving. Momo's internal dialogue is often laugh-out-loud-funny and fresh. She's game to put everything on the line for others. What ensues is a great adventure, and young readers will realize through Momo's growth that it is best just to be themselves. As mentioned, this is the second book in the series, and the books should be read in order of publication for the best enjoyment.

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 BREAKS THE MIRROR OF THE SUN 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: 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: Elvia and the Gift of Passion (Tales by Moons-light, #3) by Ruthy Ballard

Elvia and the Gift of Passion by Ruthy Ballard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Perfect for reading aloud and sharing with the entire family.

Elvia and the Gift of Passion is the third book in the imaginative and fun middle-grade fantasy series, Tales by Moons-light, by author Ruthy Ballard. With its dramatic yet engaging ten-year-old main character and adventuresome and whimsical storyline, this may be a perfect book to read aloud and share with the entire family. Elvia is fed up with her boring life and hovering parents and longs for some excitement. But when she uncovers a long-held family secret, she gets more than she bargained for and the adventure of a lifetime when she suddenly finds herself 64,000 light-years from Earth.

The main character is Elvia Elizabeth Hill, a fun, typically self-absorbed, and oh-so-relatable pre-teen who is convinced she’s grown up in the wrong family. (And hasn’t everyone at some time during their childhood wondered if they had been switched at birth?) It seems to be a universal experience during adolescence to feel you don’t quite fit in with your crowd, are majorly different from your siblings, or are totally mismatched with the ideals of your parents. I loved Elvia’s total buy-in with the DNA results and her complete lack of questioning because it supported her suspicions.

Elvia interacts with a variety of colorful and well-developed secondary characters, many with interesting quirks, backstories, motives, or agendas; it’s such a robust story! I loved Lacie’s part-time career as a “color appellation artist,” her inventive color names, and how she used this “trivial” strength to improve her performance as an "uppy."

The different settings introduced as the fantasy unfolds are creative and well-developed. Real Earth locations or part of the world of Urth, the descriptions are vivid and put me right next to the characters in the middle of all the action. There was an immediate and satisfying sense of place. In addition, the book includes delightfully eye-catching illustrations.

The author’s easy-to-read writing style and perfectly sized chapters, along with its fast pace and engaging characters, make ELVIA AND THE GIFT OF PASSION a story that’s sure to please middle-grade readers, including those of a reluctant nature, and the family as a whole.

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


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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: Skyriders (Skyriders, #1) by Polly Holyoke

Skyriders by Polly Holyoke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An epic middle-grade fantasy adventure that will capture the hearts and imaginations of boys and girls alike.

Skyriders is the first book in a new middle-grade fantasy series of the same name by author Polly Holyoke. In 13-year-old Kiesandra’s world, humans coexist and depend on their bond with the beautiful and powerful winged horses known as skysteeds to keep them safe. When terrible monsters that haven’t been seen in years return to threaten their people, it is up to Kie and her beloved skysteed, N’Rah, to alert the palace and convince their leaders that they know how these creatures of legend can be defeated.

The story pulls out all the stops for adventure, world-building, and overcoming impossible, overwhelming odds. This epic fantasy adventure will appeal to both boys and girls, reluctant readers, and would be perfect for reading aloud and tempting eager young imaginations.

The book’s action begins immediately with minimal exposition; there’s no waiting around! Kie is the kind of young heroine who everyone can get behind. At 13 years of age, she is humble, loving, brave, and loyal. I loved that she (and the others) could communicate telepathically with their skysteeds, and early on, readers know that her ability is not limited to N’Rah. Their foe, the chimerae, are horrific three-headed monsters and are a returning menace from her country’s past, one foretold by her beloved Uncle Dug. He was right all along! The aerial battles against the chimerae are exciting and easy to follow.

The plot is an extraordinary underdog story, as Kie faces frustration after frustration trying to get those in a position to act to believe her. Her warnings repeatedly fall on deaf ears. However, it’s always a satisfying moment for young readers when young characters prove to be right and the adults wrong.

The author’s world-building is so impressive in this first volume of the series. The descriptions of the various settings are so vivid you can practically feel the mountain storms or the grit and heat of the desert. But best of all are the Pegusus-like skysteeds, sentient and wise and a welcome addition to a genre filled with dragons. You can almost feel the experience of flying on the back of one of these winged horses (but don’t call them horses!) Kudos for the fabulous cover that features Kie, N’Rah, and the monstrous chimerae and establishes a perfect visual right from the start.

With its highly relatable heroine, great underdog story, and fantastic creatures of myth and legend, I recommend SKYRIDERS to readers of middle-grade fantasy and adventure.

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Children's Book Review: Rufus and the Dark Side of Magic (Rufus and Magic, #3) by Marilyn Levinson

Rufus and the Dark Side of Magic: Rufus and Magic by Marilyn Levinson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rufus meets his Uncle Hector, a rich and powerful witch with an evil reputation whom he never knew existed, at the annual Samhain celebration.

Rufus and the Dark Side of Magic is the third book in author Marilyn Levinson’s fun and exciting children’s fantasy series, featuring 5th-grade magic initiate Rufus Breckenridge and his family and friends. When the Breckenridge family attends the annual Samhain night celebration, they are surprised when Hector, Rufus’s father’s brother, shows up during the evening’s fireworks display.

Rufus realizes Uncle Hector has come to the party looking for him even though they’ve never met before. Hector leaves after making eye contact with his young nephew; however, on the way home, Grandma Lavinia and Aunt Ruth caution Rufus to stay away from the evil witch, and for good reasons. But later that night, Uncle Hector makes another surprise visit, this time outside Rufus’s bedroom window.

Rufus finds his uncle charming and fun and is persuaded to pursue a relationship with him despite his family’s warnings and without his parents’ knowledge. Uncle Hector has a beautiful estate but soon expresses some ideas and uses some magical spells that are contrary to what Rufus has been taught are right. But has Rufus gotten too close to his uncle to come clean with his family and escape his evil demands?

Except for his magical gifts, Rufus is the epitome of what regular fifth-grade boys are like, and it was easy to understand how he was persuaded to disobey his parents and embrace the lavish lifestyle his uncle offered him. He is tempted to try out spells on his friends, even though he knows it is wrong to take advantage of them in this way, and crossing that line causes him to rethink his choices. Young readers will find the relationship between Rufus and his little sister, Griselda, relatable, and even younger children will be able to understand the lessons presented in the book when read aloud. The chapters are short enough to provide easy stopping points, and even though this is the third book in the series, the story can be read as a stand-alone. Readers new to the series should have no trouble jumping into the story at this point.

With its themes of friendship, respecting boundaries, the use of power, and respecting parental rules, there are numerous opportunities for further discussion and enrichment. I recommend RUFUS AND THE DARK SIDE OF MAGIC to upper-elementary and middle-grade fantasy readers.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions 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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Dust by Dusti Bowling

Dust by Dusti Bowling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Riveting and realistic story with elements of fantasy, probing serious topics, and all too possible situations middle-grade students may encounter.

Dust by Dusti Bowling is a riveting tale of four middle-graders navigating a toxic school environment with rampant and unrelenting bullying. Targeted because they stand out as different in some way, three have been friends since starting school together. But when the new kid, Adam, catches the eyes of the mean kids, those most responsible for the bullying, they try to bring him into their group: safety in numbers, right?

The story is told from the point of view of Avalyn, who suffers from severe asthma and whose struggle hits crisis level when dust storms begin to batter their small hometown. She loves her best friends, Dillon and Nan, but knows her disease affects them, too: always having to accommodate for her health and safety. She is genuinely aware and grateful for their modifications but is frustrated all the same.

Nan and Dillon have their own struggles, with Dillon drawing the ire of the Meanie Butt Band first and Nan and Avalyn more so by association with him. The constant harassment these children endure is shocking and heartbreaking. But their situation is not new; it's been going on for a long time. Adam's arrival on campus provides the mean kids with another vulnerable target. I was surprised that Nan and Dillon were reluctant to include him in their small group. Avalyn, on the other hand, can sense his pain and loneliness, and he represents a mystery she needs to solve.

As the dust storms continued to batter the town, the tension built, and so did the severity of the harassment. I knew any minute that something awful was going to happen. When it does, Avalyn must work through her natural doubts and fears to take action and make her voice heard.

Bullying at schools is ongoing and real for many children. The situation in the story had taken on a life of its own and became part of the school's culture. Adam's home situation is not a singular one, and if a reader learns anything from their reading of this book, please let it be that circumstances like Adam's are never the fault of the victim, the child. The story could serve as a jumping-off point for children and adults to discuss the serious topics involved.

I recommend DUST to middle-grade readers and adults who work with or parent this age group.

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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Book Teaser Tour: Gobbledy by Lis Anna-Langston

 

Middle-Grade / Holiday

Date Published: 10-20-2023

Publisher: Mapleton Press

 

Ever since Dexter and Dougal’s mom passed away, life has been different—but things take a whole new turn when a shooting star turns out to be a creature from outer space! Gobbledy is a fun-filled holiday story that adds up to two brothers, three friends, unlimited jars of peanut butter, a ketchup factory, and one little alien far, far from home.

 

 

Excerpt

 

“What do you think these things are?” she asks.

          A loud wail comes from the new jar full of dirt.

          Slowly, I lift the jar off the work table and unscrew the lid.

          Fi and I look down at the strange bug. The little thing wails. It's not much bigger than the two crickets standing on the sidelines, staring.

          Fi looks at me with a wild look in her eyes. “Does your dad know?”

          I shake my head. “Absolutely not. No. Dad will just make me take him back to the forest.”

          I pull the lid off. The strange little bug opens his mouth really big.

          “Okay, okay,” I whisper. “I’ll feed you, but you have to be quiet.”

          He closes his mouth and blinks. For a second, I think he might actually understand what I’m saying.

          There's a bag of potato chips on the counter in the kitchen. I drop chips into the jar one by one, avoiding the crickets.

          Chomp. Chomp. Chomp.

          “Where’s the rock?” Fi asks.

          Chomp. Chomp. Chomp.

          The back door opens. Startled, Fi jerks upright abruptly, smacking her head on the slanted ceiling. I try to grab her hand as it flies past my face.  Her arms flap wildly as she falls in a woozy, slow motion out into the hall.

          “Fi?” I say loudly.

          Ka-thunk.  

          “Fi?”  I drop to the floor next to her and check her pulse, like I've seen people do in movies.  “Can you hear me?”

          She undoubtedly cannot.  She does not move or answer.

          The jar wobbles on the wooden table.

          “Excuse me,” I quickly step over her limp body and grab the jar.  I tighten my grip as it jerks around in my arms.  Hurky-jerky, it shifts against my shirt.  I hold tight and screw the lid back on.

          “Dexter?”

          Huh? “What are you doing home, Dougal?” I yell.

          “I live here.”

          “I know that, but you're early.”

          “Not really. School is out. Dad asked Fran to pick me up because you got in trouble again, and he couldn't leave work twice.”

          “Umm...”

          Fran walks into the hall and says, “Oh my gosh, what happened?”

          I look left, then right.  Up, then down.  Over, then under.  My eyes settle on my backpack next to my work table. I shove the jar inside quick, listening to the hurky-jerky sound of glass tapping against my notebooks.  I cover the jar with my jacket and step quickly into the hall.

          Fran pulls her hand to her mouth.  “What happened to Fi?”

          Fi is on the floor where I left her.

          “She was, ummm, we were doing our science projects and then she fainted.”

          “I thought you had to turn those in today?”

          “We did, but mine got loose and she was ...”

          I stare at her limp, oddly twisted body.

          “Do you want me to perform CPR until the emergency workers arrive?” Dougal asks.

          Fran rolls Fiona over on her back.  “They'll be no emergency workers. I got this,” she says quietly, tapping Fi’s cheeks. “Fiona?”

          Fi's eyes pop open. “Wha?”

          “You passed out, girl.  Are you okay?”

          “Huh?”

          Fran helps Fi to her feet.  She sways, woozy, reaching for the wall.

          Their cat, Sir Shreds-A-Lot, scratches and howls at the back door.

          “Don't let that cat in,” Dougal says.  “He's been sneaking up to the attic and eating the villagers in Mom's village.”

          “What's the last thing you remember?” I ask Fi.

          She rubs her forehead.  “Let me get an ice pack. I'll answer that in a minute.”

 

About the Author

Hailed as “an author with a genuine flair for originality” by Midwest Book Review and “a loveable, engaging, original voice…” by Publishers Weekly, Lis Anna-Langston was raised along the winding current of the Mississippi River on a steady diet of dog-eared books.

You can find her any day of the week in the wilds of South Carolina plucking stories out of thin air.

 

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Tessa Miyata is NO Hero (Tessa Miyata, #1) by Julie Abe

Tessa Miyata Is No Hero by Julie Abe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A magical story about being yourself and fighting for what and who you love.

After a difficult school year, highlighted by her best friend dumping her for a "cooler" bunch of kids, Tessa Miyata and her older sisters are sent to spend the summer with her grandparents outside Tokyo. She is excited at first, with loads of opportunities to post pictures to her usually boring social media accounts of her exciting adventures in this exotic location that are sure to impress her former bestie and her new crowd. But the reality is that while her older sisters are allowed to head into the city for fun with friends their age, Tessa's grandparents won't let her out of their sight. To top things off, they seem set on her making friends with the son of one of their neighbors, who makes it abundantly clear that he has other plans for his summer, and they don't include Tessa. But during an impromptu trip into town, the two accidentally break a family heirloom belonging to her grandparents and are drawn through a portal into a magical city hidden from human eyes. Along with a mystical creature, a nine-tailed fox, they must work to stop a mythical samurai god on a rampage through the real Tokyo!

Tessa Miyata Is No Hero is a magical story by acclaimed author Julie Abe, and it is the debut novel in a new middle-grade fantasy series featuring young heroine Tessa Miyata. With its engaging main characters and fresh, fantastic plot drawing on exciting Japanese history and mythology, the story is guaranteed to capture the imagination of readers, young and old alike.

Tessa is a vibrant, realistic, and likable character, much loved by her older sisters, Peyton and Cecilia, and grandparents. Like many middle-grade students, she is weathering a difficult school year as her former best friend abandons her for a more popular crowd. But a summer in Japan with her grandparents there changes her entire life and outlook. As Tessa and Jin battle an evil out to destroy Tokyo, they also struggle to overcome some inner demons. I appreciated that Tessa’s character is surrounded and supported by loving family members and that she sees and recognizes their love: not often the case in many middle-grade novels, which is nice for a change. She’s a loving and sympathetic character with the same fears most children her age experience, and she works to overcome them in spectacular fashion.

The Japanese setting is vivid and dramatic, mixing ancient and modern, a mortal city and a City of Legends. Wisps of culture and language are sprinkled throughout, with a quick explanation when needed, and these help anchor the story in time and place; there’s no mistaking the characters are anywhere but Japan. Early mentions of well-known areas and venues near Tokyo further establish the feeling of place.

From start to finish, the plot is non-stop action, with elements of fantasy appearing right away. Readers learn Tessa’s emotional backstory along the way as the story continues to move ahead without any expositional downtime. And, once she and her sisters are in Japan, the pace quickens even more.

The chapters are short enough for younger readers who need more frequent breaks; however, they frequently stop in the middle of a scene. I felt compelled to read on, and I think others will, too. The story would make a good read-aloud choice, and the cliffhanger chapter endings may have listeners clamoring for “just a little bit more.”

I recommend TESSA MIYATA IS NO HERO to middle-grade readers, especially those who enjoy fantasy adventures. While perfect for all genders, this may be a good selection for girls wanting a book featuring a young female action hero.

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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Book Blitz: Adventures of Takuan from Koto by Ryu Zhong

Adventures of

Takuan from Koto

by

Ryu Zhong

Fantasy Adventure

Publisher: Anno Ruini Books

Publication Date: August 6, 2023

Page count: 676 pages

(This book is the full box set of the series "Adventures of Takuan from Koto," including Prince of Blue Flowers, Hunters of Weredemons, and Envoys of Celestials.)

SYNOPSIS:

Whimsical adventures of a young trickster: from clever exploits to a god-given mission.

The stone marten, in pursuit of the sun, climbs to the very Heavens and causes quite a commotion. Both the stubborn gods and the ordinary people have a hard time when weredemons break free. Even the Lord of the Underworld turns out to be powerless.

But sometimes even a mouse can be stronger than an elephant, as the old proverb says. The fate of the world ends up in the hands of Takuan — a young trickster, who deceives the greedy, angry, and ignorant people across the country of Chinayindu. On his journey, he meets the wandering warrior Zhu Leizu, a temple monk named Soliang, the clumsy sorcerer Bricabrac, and many others.

Our story begins with a village boy setting off to a monastery to become a demon-hunting monk, only to find out how truly dull monastic life can be. 

Or does our story actually begin with the birth of the stone marten Ta Guan? To learn about what happened in the Heavens, the incredible adventures of Takuan, and what was the end of all of it, read the book ‘Takuan of Koto’ by Ryū Zhong.

CLICK TO PURCHASE!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ryu Zhong has spent the last fifteen years in multinational corporations doing future research and developing novel tech. Today, Ryu writes fantasy and science fiction based on his experience. In his novels, he highlights the phenomena that humanity may face in just a few hundred years.

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ChupaCarter by George Lopez & Ryan Calejo

ChupaCarter by George Lopez
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The delightful debut novel for authors George Lopez’s & Ryan Calejo’s middle-grade fantasy adventure series, ChupaCarter!

When the struggle to make ends meet and provide the stability he needs becomes too much, twelve-year-old Jorge’s mother makes the tough decision to send him to live with her parents. However, the dry and dusty town of Boca Falls, New Mexico, feels like an alien planet to the boy from LA, and he dreads being the new kid coming in mid-semester to a new school again. But the night before his first day at school as Jorge sits on his grandparent’s roof looking at the stars and the desolate surroundings, he catches a glimpse of a strange creature in the lone pine tree near the house: a strange creature who tells him his name is Carter and he’s a chupacabra.

ChupaCarter is a delightful middle-grade fantasy chapter book from the multi-talented George Lopez and co-writer Ryan Calejo. The book debuts the series about the friendship between twelve-year-old Jorge and Carter, the young chupacabra who was accidentally separated from his family.

The main character, Jorge, has been an angry, frightened, and worried child for some time. His father is not in the picture, and his mother is foundering as she tries to keep body and soul together as a single parent. Jorge has been acting out in school, and his quick wit and fast mouth have gotten him into trouble. This is all too much for his mother, and her solution to send him to live with his grandparents feels like a huge betrayal to the boy. It is a wonderful moment when Carter gives Jorge a new perspective on her motives. Both benefit from their relationship as they learn that it is only how THEY see themselves that matters, not how others do.

The story is fast-paced, with fun moments, sparkling dialogue, and tense situations. Readers with a Spanish language background will enjoy the natural mix of English and Spanish throughout the text. And readers learning Spanish or English may be able to hone their reading and comprehension in a light and entertaining way. The witty exchanges between characters and Carter’s incomplete understanding of common idioms and phrases are sure to generate a smile or two, as will Jorge dodging his abuela’s chancla.

I am happy to recommend CHUPACARTER to upper-elementary and middle-school readers.

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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Book Tour: The Frights of Fiji (Alyssa McCarthy's Magical Missions: Book 1) by Sunayna Prasad

Middle Grade fantasy

Date Published: 10-20-2018

Sent to live with her strict, aloof, and uncaring uncle after her parents are killed in a car accident, twelve-year-old orphan Alyssa McCarthy longs for the life she used to have—one filled with fun and love. Then one stormy night, a message appears in the raindrops on the window that will change everything.

"Your life will never be the same again, as magic will interfere."

Before long, Alyssa is kidnapped by Master Beau, a banished sorcerer with a mysterious connection to her who can only regain his power by weakening hers. Suddenly hurled into a world of wizardry filled with fantastical beasts and marvelous technology beyond her wildest imagination, Alyssa must defeat Master Beau if she ever wants to get home again. But Master Beau will stop at nothing, including using Alyssa’s friends, to ensure he is triumphant.

 

 

Review

4 stars!

Fun and fast-paced tale of magic and faraway places for middle-grade readers! 

The Frights of Fijiis author Sunayna Prasad’s opening installment in her planned middle-grade fantasy series, Alyssa McCarthy’s Magical Missions, and things start off with spooky, unexplainable happenings that are sure to grab the attention of even reluctant readers. With its nice pacing and relatable characters, this may be the perfect book for reading aloud in the classroom, home, or after-school care. 

The story features orphaned Alyssa McCarthy, her cousin Hailey, and friends, with plenty of magic and adventures in unusual places. When an evil wizard threatens to use Alyssa to increase his own power and take over the world, she and her companions rush to foil his plans. The fast-paced action will keep young readers engaged and eager for more as they look for answers to the following questions. 

Will good triumph over evil?

Can Uncle Bruce be saved?

And, what will happen next in this fun series of magical missions?

 

About the Author

Sunayna Prasad enjoys writing fantasy books for children, as well as cooking, creating artwork, watching online videos, and blogging.  She is passionate about modern-day life in fantasy stories, worldbuilding, and even humor. She is constantly brainstorming new ideas and using her creativity.

Sunayna has been writing stories since the age of six. Many sources that have inspired include various books and movies, all of which are fantasy.

She is lives in New York with her parents.

 

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The Frights of Fiji (Alyssa McCarthy's Magical Missions, #1) by Sunayna Prasad

The Frights of Fiji by Sunayna Prasad
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A magic-laden plot with a nice touch of mystery and suspense!

After the death of her parents, young Alyssa McCarthy was taken in by her uncle and aunt to grow up beside their only child, Hailey. But when Aunt Laura passed away a few years later, her grieving husband, Bruce, became a strict taskmaster obsessed with the girls' grades. He eventually resorted to homeschooling, believing their traditional classroom education offered too many distractions for the young cousins to achieve his high academic goals for them.

One afternoon, Alyssa began finding odd notes around the house, predicting her life would change forever because of magic! But when she discovered the anonymous messages were from someone with plans to harm Uncle Bruce, she tried to warn him of the threatened danger. However, the notes disappeared before she could share them as proof. When he refused to believe her, strange things started happening around the house, and he blamed the two girls for the mischief. These malicious acts escalated until Uncle Bruce was afflicted with complete memory loss. Alyssa herself was kidnapped by the evil wizard behind the notes and whisked off to the Fiji Islands, where he planned to use her to gain power for his own gain.

The Frights of Fiji is the debut novel by young author Sunayna Prasad and the first in the planned seven-volume, middle-grade fantasy series, Alyssa McCarthy's Magical Missions. With its realistically relatable young heroine, her friends, and family members leading the action, this first book was a fun and imaginative adventure where good triumphs over great odds and the evil behind it.

A major strength of the story lies in the realistic portrayal of the pre-teen characters, with their friendships, rivalries, and squabbles. Alyssa and Hailey relate to each other like siblings, and 'mean girl' Destiny Cox brings conflict into the group of friends. Much of the dialogue feels authentic and true to life. I liked that the author had adults who made regretful decisions but later apologized for their hasty actions.

The plot slowly divulges the main characters' backstories while maintaining the action's pace. The current menace is confronted and dealt with, and the book concludes on a positive note, leaving plenty of room for future adventures.

I recommend THE FRIGHTS OF FIJI to middle-grade readers who enjoy a magic-laden plot with a nice touch of mystery and suspense.

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