Category: Middle Grade Fiction Review

REVIEW: Gordon: Bark to the Future by Ashley Spires

REVIEW: Gordon: Bark to the Future by Ashley Spires

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

The adventure that started with Binky the Space Cat and FURST (Felines of the Universe Ready for Space Travel) takes a trip to the past.

Gordon the dog, part of PURST (Pets of the Universe Ready for Space Travel) finds himself alone when the aliens (insects) invade his “space station” (home). Binky has been captured, and their humans have been swarmed.

How can Gordon hope to defeat the aliens on his own? He’s not good with combat. His skills fall more on the science side. Their only hope is an untested time machine. Gordon only needs to go back five days to save his family. But one of the crafty aliens changes the setting to 5 YEARS.

One simple choice in the past threatens to undo everything Gordon holds dear. What will become of Gordon and his family now?

Review

I have been a fan of this series since the first book. A house cat who thinks he’s an astronaut, fighting insect “aliens”? Yes, please. When I was teaching, we had the whole series in the library, and they were often checked out for the majority of the school year. My teenager still keeps up with the new books in the series because he has been a fan since the begining.

This was a fun addition to the series with some great dramatic tension. The time travel piece was terrific. And the author does a great job on the details so even new readers can follow the story if they haven’t read the earlier books.

I recommend the whole series. Spires is one of my favorite illustrators. This is a graphic novel series that will appeal to animal lovers as well as kids who like some action and humor in their books. Gordon is a great main character (although Binky is still my favorite).

Thanks to Netgalley and Kids Can Press for the opportunity to read an electronic review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Click'd by Tamara Ireland Stone

REVIEW: Click’d by Tamara Ireland Stone

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Allie gave up a summer of soccer with her best friends to follow her passion. She spent her summer at coding camp. And while she was there, she developed a game – an app. Click’d takes a user through a multiple choice quiz and then matches him or her to other users who answered similarly. Then users are sent  on a scavenger hunt to find their matches. It’s a great way to meet people and make new friends. And Click’d gets Allie a coveted spot in a coding competition.

When Allie shares Click’d with her friends, it’s a HUGE hit! And the popularity only builds in the week leading up to the competition. But that many users exposes a glitch in the app. Allie tries to find the bad code. She doesn’t want to shut down the app before the contest. She has a real chance to beat her nemesis with Click’d. But only if she can find and fix her glitch.

Review

I know almost nothing about coding. But I didn’t have to know anything to completely love this whole book!

The characters in this book are delightful. Allie is smart, dedicated and earnest. She loves coding. And her friends accept and celebrate her passion. Her “nemesis,” Nathan, is a kindred spirit, but Allie doesn’t see that because of her competitive nature. There’s a great dynamic between the different characters.

The games/apps are fun! I can totally see how kids would go crazy for a social app like Click’d. And I’d play Nathan’s game in an instant. It’s very cool. The fact that these are 7th graders in advanced coding classes and building their own apps is inspiring.

I can’t recommend this book highly enough to kids, teachers, parents and librarians. This book would work for coders as well as kids who have no interest in creating their own tech. This is a great story on its own and a great tech story, too.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

REVIEW: Charlie and Frog by Karen Kane

REVIEW: Charlie and Frog by Karen Kane

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Charlie Tickler wishes his parents were a little more “normal.” They often leave him with a nanny so they can go to far flung places to help exotic animals. This time, they’re off to help the Giant Golden Moles in South Africa. And they’ve left Charlie with his grandparents.

Charlie’s grandparents may stay at home most of the time – generally watching TV all day – but they aren’t a lot better than Charlie’s folks. They tend to forget about him. They are resistant to anything that would take them away from the TV programs, like playing with Charlie or taking him somewhere. Thanks to the four most important people in Charlie’s life, he feels pretty unwanted.

But in his new temporary home of Castle-on-the-Hudson, Charlie finds a purpose. He meets an elderly Deaf woman, Aggie, at the library, and she seems to be worried about something. Before Charlie can figure out what’s wrong, Aggie has disappeared, and some strangers show up looking for her.

The librarian suggests Charlie find “Frog” at the Flying Hands Cafe to help him figure out the sign language Aggie had used before she disappeared. Soon, Charlie, who is hearing, and Frog, who is Deaf, are working together to solve the mystery

Review

This was delightful! There are three main layers to this story. First is the mystery. For me, this was the weakest part of the story. The mystery is pretty simple and is only solved when the kids finally get all the information they need from the adults at the end. It’s not something the reader can really puzzle out on his/her own.

The second layer is the Deaf/hearing/sign language piece. This was really cool. The author did a fantastic job conveying the conversations between characters without getting bogged down in sign descriptions every time. The descriptions were there often enough to inform the reader without negatively impacting the flow of the story. As a kid, I would have adored a book like this! I always wanted to learn sign and took some classes. This book would have been a perfect fit for me.

The third layer is Charlie, who longs to be noticed and wanted and valued by the people who should love him most. There are some lovely, powerful moments in the book that address this layer. I would have liked more. I think what’s there is appropriate for the larger story and the audience, but for Charlie’s sake I wanted more. Hopefully this piece will get more development in future books.

I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Disney-Hyperion in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions on this are my own.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Wizard for Hire by Obert Skye

REVIEW: Wizard for Hire by Obert Skye

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

When Ozzy was seven, his parents left New York and moved to a remote cabin in Oregon. Both of Ozzy’s parents were brilliant scientists – one in neuroscience and the other in psychology. Everything that remained of their lives out east was stacked in boxes in the small cabin.

One day when Ozzy was off playing by a stream, some men came to the cabin and took his parents. Ozzy came running when he heard his mother scream. But when he hid from the men, they left in him there. Alone in the woods.

For seven years Ozzy lived alone in the cabin with only a mechanical bird, Clark (one of his dad’s inventions), for company. He survived on the canned and dried food stockpiled in the basement. He entertained himself with all of the books and papers in the house. Thankfully his mother taught him to read at an early age. The academic papers were offset by fantasy novels like Harry Potter. And Ozzy had cassettes of his father’s work so he could hear his dad’s voice and remember when he had parents and felt safe and loved.

When Ozzy tries going to school in order to meet other people and access a computer to try and get information on his missing parents, it draws unwanted attention to his situation. Then a magazine ad gives him a great idea. He’ll hire a wizard to help him find his missing parents. Labyrinth – “Rin” – the wizard isn’t quite what Ozzy expected from Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings, but if Rin can help him, that is all that matters.

Review

I can’t remember the last time I read such a spectacularly bizarre book. I loved every page! Ozzy’s story is fascinating. I was engrossed from the beginning. I had to know what would happen to this boy,  abandoned in the woods.

When  Clark the bird is discovered, Ozzy’s world widens quite a bit. They explore their surroundings, and Ozzy experiences school. I loved this part. He has a great reaction to this unfamiliar system, and he’s bright enough to pull it off for awhile.

Adding Rin to the story, though, kicks this into a whole other place. He says he’s a wizard, but Ozzy sees no evidence. Yet he is trusting and wants to believe Rin can help. And while Rin is quirky to the nth degree, he is honestly invested in helping Ozzy. And the people Rin pulls into Ozzy’s orbit are terrific parts of the story.

If the awesome and quirky characters aren’t enough, there’s the adventure of keeping Ozzy off the radar of the powers that be that will take him from his home “for his own good.” And on top of that is the mystery of what happened to Ozzy’s parents and what he might discover if he finds them.

All the pieces come together into a reading experience unlike anything I have had before. And I enjoyed every bit of it. This is a smart, funny, and engaging story. I highly recommend this for upper elementary and middle school readers, but I think this also would work for older teen readers who enjoy quirky and unusual characters.

Thanks to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an electronic review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

REVIEW: Unicorn of Many Hats by Dana Simpson

REVIEW: Unicorn of Many Hats by Dana Simpson

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Phoebe and her unicorn best friend, Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, are back in a new comic collection. In this volume the friends

  • talk about books
  • learn about fandom
  • explore Phoebe’s favorite show, Confetti Canyon
  • see what a unicorn is like as a babysitter
  • experience friendship and family
  • visit Marigold’s home
  • meet Phoebe’s new teacher
  • celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas
  • and Marigold tries video games

Review

This is my favorite comic/graphic novel series for kids. The pair’s friendship has grown so nicely over the series. Marigold maintains her unicorn vanity but she isn’t off-putting or catty. (That’s Dakota’s role.) Phoebe’s family and human friends bring some diversity to the stories and the humor, so every strip isn’t about sparkles or Marigold’s beauty.

I can’t recommend this series – and this particular book – highly enough. If you are looking for a FUN reading experience for yourself or for a kid in your life, check out the Phoebe and her Unicorn series. I have enjoyed reading these books in order so I can see how the relationships change over time, but I don’t know that it is essential. This is book 7 in the series. Books 1, 2 and 7 have been my favorites so far.

Many, many thanks to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for an electronic review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

REVIEW: Art of the Swap by Kristine Asselin and Jen Malone

REVIEW: Art of the Swap by Kristine Asselin and Jen Malone

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Hannah lives at the Elms, a turn-of-the-century (1900s) home that once belonged to the Berwind family. Her father is the caretaker, and they live in the old servant quarters of the mansion. A history buff, Hannah can’t imagine a better place to live.

Margaret Dunlap – Maggie – stayed with her aunt and uncle, the Berwinds, in 1905. They even commissioned a painting of Maggie by a new artist, Mary Cassatt. But the painting was stolen before it could be debuted. A servant was suspected of the theft, but neither he nor the painting were ever found.

At The Elms in Hannah’s time, they have a reproduction of the portrait. The mystery of the original’s disappearance is one of her favorite parts of the history of the house. If only she knew what really happened….

Hannah may get her chance to find out when she and Maggie swap places! Now Hannah is in 1905 trying to track down a missing painting and an art thief. And Maggie is in 2018 trying to figure out an unfamiliar world without anyone finding out what has happened.

Review

This was so fun! Hannah definitely got the better end of this swap. As a lover of history, and of Maggie’s story and The Elms, she is more prepared for her new surroundings. Poor Maggie isn’t ready for the social changes of our time – the language, the freedom for young women, the customs – much less the technology. Watching the girls negotiate their environments was a lot of fun.

This was less of a mystery than I expected. Discovering what happened to the painting played a smaller role than the bigger issues of (1) what to do with Hannah’s discoveries in 1905 and (2) how to get switched back to their own time. I would categorize this as historic fantasy moreso than mystery. This is an asset, though, because I think this will appeal to fans of historic fiction, fantasy, and mystery.

There’s a great girl-power piece to this that I wasn’t expecting but I adored. It took the overall story to a higher level for me than if they had not included it. There are recommended resources in the authors’ notes for readers who want to know more.

Thanks to Netgalley and Aladdin for the opportunity to read an electronic review copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Switched by Jen Calonita

REVIEW: Switched by Jen Calonita

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Rumpelstiltskin was run off, but he’s not gone for good. Gilly’s sister, Anna, and a bunch of other kids have followed him, ready to do his bidding as he tries to take over Enchantasia. And while Gilly has school and her friends to distract her, she is desperate to get Anna back.

One of the exciting things at Fairy Tale Reform School (FTRS) this term is a new library and the librarians coming to run it – Prince Sebastian (Beast) and Princess Beauty. Of course, since this is Enchantasia, some of the books are magic – and some are dangerous.

Gilly is convinced that if she can find a book on Rumpelstiltskin in the library, it will tell her what she needs to know to defeat him and rescue her sister. She’s certain that her past adventures mean she can handle whatever a simple book could throw at her. But villain origin stories can be more dangerous than Gilly can imagine.

Review

I have enjoyed this world since book one, Flunked. It feels a little like the Ever After High series, but without an over-reliance on fairy tale puns. I enjoy Gilly and her group of friends. The addition of Beauty and the Beast’s daughter, AG, and her personal development in the story was my favorite part of the book. I have high hopes for her character in the continuation of the series.

I was disappointed in Gilly in this book, though. At the beginning of the series, she’s such a terrific, tough and determined character. This time, she’s completely consumed with the rift between her and her sister and with rescuing Anna. She loses all rational thought. She ignores her friends – and her own past experience – in favor of voices that tell her what she expects and wants to hear. And that robs her of some of the strength she has had in the past that made me enjoy the character so much.

I think fans of the series will be content with this new installment, but they may miss the more adventurous action and tone of some of the early books. There’s going to be a new series in this world called the Royal Academy Rebels. Book one, Misfits, will release in fall of 2018. I’m looking forward to seeing what that adds to the world of Enchantasia.

Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the opportunity to read an electronic review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: ♥♥♥

REVIEW: Samantha Spinner and the Super-Secret Plans by Russell Ginns

REVIEW: Samantha Spinner and the Super-Secret Plans by Russell Ginns

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

When Samantha’s Uncle Paul goes missing, she does her best to find a clue for where he is and what’s happened to him. But all the family is able to find is a long, confusing letter that leaves each of the kids a gift. Samantha’s sister, Buffy, gets $2.4 billion, which she promptly takes on a shopping spree of epic proportions. Samantha’s brother, “Nipper,” gets the deed to Yankee Stadium and ownership of the team, which he promptly loses to their manipulative neighbor. And Samantha? Uncle Paul’s partner in exploration? Samantha gets a worn, red umbrella with a weird note.

An umbrella? Seriously? How unfair is that?

Once Samantha gets some well-deserved moping time, though, she and Nipper discover there’s more to her umbrella than she thought. What they discover will send them on an international adventure.

Review

As I was reading this, it reminded me of Dan Gutman’s Genius Files series. A couple of kids traveling to interesting, far-flung places, looking for clues and dodging villains. This will appeal to fans of that series.

There are a lot of quirky things for kids to enjoy with this one. Samantha’s siblings are a large part of the quirk. The ways the kids move around the world, and the dangers they encounter will appeal to fans of adventure stories, too.

I wish I had a better feel for the characters in this. The books I love almost always have characters I love. Samantha and her family are interesting, but I didn’t connect with them emotionally. I don’t feel like I really got to know Samantha in this book, so it’s harder to care what happens on her adventures. I think kids who love a lot of action and activity in their stories will enjoy this. Kids who want to connect with great characters may need to work a little harder to get to know Samantha and her family.

Thanks to Netgalley and Delacorte Books for the opportunity to read an electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Rating: ♥♥♥

REVIEW: Arts and Thefts by Allison K. Hymas

REVIEW: Arts and Thefts by Allison K. Hymas

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Jeremy, Case and Hack are heading to an art show for the day. Case has entered a painting in the show. Of course his best friends are there to back him up!

But trouble is brewing. Someone stole paint and paintbrushes from another artist. Jeremy’s sometimes-nemesis/sometimes-partner, Becca, is on the case. Even though they worked together once before, Becca is determined to catch Jeremy at something and see him in detention forever. But Jeremy isn’t a thief. Sure, he takes “retrieval” jobs, but it’s always to right wrongs.

Becca and Jeremy realize the thief could use the stolen items to sabotage the art show. If they work together, they could solve the case and protect Case’s painting and the others from the saboteur. Jeremy is a righter-of-wrongs after all. But he can’t let Case or Hack know he’s working with Becca. They would never understand.

Review

In preparation for reading this book, I read the first book, Under Locker and Key, a book that has been on my wishlist since it published. I loved it and gave it 4.5 stars in my (non-blog) reviews. This second book, while different, is just as terrific. Book one is more of a heist/con story (like The Great Greene Heist – which I loved – but with a much smaller crew) while this is a more traditional mystery. The characters are fantastic. Becca and Jeremy like to think they are on opposite sides of the law, but their intentions are similar – to right wrongs.

I loved that this story took place almost entirely over one day at the art show. It gave the story a nice, quick pace. The secondary characters for this one were a lot of fun. I hope there’s going to be a book 3 because I’d love to see how the new characters could factor in. I’m also hoping for more of Case and Hack. I feel like they are going to make a huge contribution to a later story. They have the skills, but we haven’t gotten to see much of them. Yet.

These are some of my favorite middle grade mysteries. I highly recommend both books – and that you watch for more from this series! Many, many thanks to Netgalley and Aladdin for an electronic review copy of this book for review purposes. That pushed me to get the first book off of my TBR list so I could enjoy this one fully.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

REVIEW: DC Superhero Girls: Date with Disaster! by Shea Fontana

REVIEW: DC Superhero Girls: Date with Disaster! by Shea Fontana

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Romance is in the air as the Super Hero High kids plan a dance and Batgirl sees her dad, Commissioner Gordon, on a date. Even Principal Waller has a boyfriend. Batgirl signs her dad up for a dating service because she doesn’t like the person he’s dating. But her plans to find true love for her dad backfire.

While the plans for the dance start coming together, and the kids start matchmaking for one another, there’s an explosion at STAR Labs. Dr Faulkner is hurt, and the mayor is trying to hide something. The kids will have to wait to put on their dancing shoes until they sort out what is really going on at STAR Labs.

Review

This was a fun story that really held together well.  There was a nice level of tension from chapter to chapter leading up to the end. The STAR Labs piece was especially well done. The matchmaking was more of a means to an end. It got people into places where they need to be for other parts of the story to take place.

Poison Ivy and Lois Lane had expanded roles in this story which was a lot of fun. The rest of the girls worked various angles on the mystery. The guys – Flash and Cyborg in particular – were more involved in the dance portions of the story.

This will be great for fans of the other graphic novels in this series as well as fans of the Lisa Yee middle grade novels and other DC properties. This is my favorite book so far in this graphic novel series.

Thanks to Netgalley and DC Comics for the opportunity to read an electronic review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥