Tag: middle grade science fiction

REVIEW: Stowaway by John David Anderson

REVIEW: Stowaway by John David Anderson

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Walden Pond Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Leo and his brother, Gareth, live on board a science vessel called the Beagle with their father, Dr. Fender. At least, they did, before the Djarik came. They took Dr. Fender along with the fuel for the Beagle and stranded the rest of the crew in space. They don’t even leave anything pirates would want. Leo knows this because after the Djarik leave, the ship is attacked by pirates.

But those pirates give Gareth an idea. If the boys could stow away on the pirates’ ship, they could sneak off when they landed and find help for the Beagle. But the pirates’ hold only has room for one, so he sends Leo off to find help.

It doesn’t take long for the pirates to find Leo. And after some deliberation, they decide not to just push him out into space. But what started as a plan to look for help for Gareth and the Beagle becomes a fight for their lives. Leo might be with the pirates longer than Gareth had planned….

Review

I enjoyed this latest story from John David Anderson. Leo is a great kid, and I was rooting for him the whole time. I enjoyed the science fiction story and the ragtag group Leo finds himself with.

There are a lot of flashback scenes and moments of remembering for Leo. And while at times that filled the backstory in nicely, other times they interrupted the flow of the story and the momentum of the action. I think I would have liked fewer flashbacks – or maybe shorter ones. The action with Leo and the quest to find his family held my attention better.

I wasn’t sure I would read a sequel to this one, but the epilogue is great and sets up book two really nicely. There are some predictable developments here, but they were all enjoyable. I’d happily adventure with Leo and friends again.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good +

REVIEW: The Retake by Jen Calonita

REVIEW: The Retake by Jen Calonita

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Delacorte Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

When Zoe gets back from her family’s summer vacation, she discovers her best friend, Laura, has moved on without her. New friends, new in-jokes, new interests. And Zoe is left to negotiate the start of 7th grade watching Laura from the sidelines.

Zoe is convinced if she was only cooler, if she did things Laura likes, then they can get back to being best friends. And a mysterious new app on her phone gives her the chance to test this theory.

The app lets Zoe go back in time to key moments in her friendship with Laura and get a do-over. And it works! But not in the ways Zoe was hoping for….

Review

This is another fun twist on the time travel/do over story. No time loop in this one, which is refreshing, but Zoe does get to do a few moments of the last year over. The set up of this story is clever and fun.

It was heartbreaking to see how much of herself Zoe is willing to sacrifice in her efforts to hang onto Laura – who was not a great friend in the first place. Zoe’s sister has Laura figured out from the start, but Zoe has to walk the journey to see those things for herself. And it was satisfying – although cringe-worthy – to watch her work through the issues and decide how she wants to move forward.

This would be terrific as a classroom read aloud or a book group selection. My review copy didn’t have discussion questions, but I think they almost write themselves. Kids could get a lot out of digging into the friendship dynamics of the kids in the book. And the discussion of moments readers might choose to do over would be fascinating. Don’t miss this friendship story with a science fiction/time travel twist from Jen Calonita.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+

REVIEW: Gina: The Girl Who Broke the World by Judd Winick

REVIEW: Gina: The Girl Who Broke the World by Judd Winick

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House Children’s in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This post contains SPOILERS for the Hilo series.]

Summary

In the final battle with Razorwark, Izzy gave all her energy to Hilo. And now DJ, Hilo, and Gina are still missing their friend. Hilo is adjusting to his new existence as a human (with some… extra features). And Gina doesn’t want to do magic or be a hero any more. She understands the risks all too well now.

But magical creatures keep showing up on Earth. And Gina is the only one who can see them. They are hunting beings known as the Nestor. And Gina is torn between protecting the Nestor and giving up magic for good.

Review

This is book 7 in the Hilo series, but it launches a new story arc. And Gina is the star, which is awesome! This was exceptional. I have loved this series from the beginning (The Boy Who Crashed to Earth – ♥♥♥♥♥). I loved how the author gave space in an action-packed, funny book for the kids to also grieve the losses from their last adventure. It doesn’t overwhelm this story, but it’s also not rushed either. Those scenes were beautiful – and necessary. Hilo fans will appreciate the acknowledgement of the six book journey that has already taken place.

There’s a nice summary in the book of those adventures so that new readers have some context for what’s going on with Gina and Hilo in this book. I think new readers will be able to track this story, but I also think they will want to go back and get the full Hilo experience.

I LOVE the characters in this series. Gina really gets to shine here which was excellent. I was thrilled when I finished book 6, All the Pieces Fit (♥♥♥♥♥) and saw that the new book was going to feature Gina. DJs sister, Lisa, whom I adore, also gets to join the gang for this adventure. The family pieces in this – DJs family, his older brother who comes to stay with the kids, Gina’s sisters – are a hoot! This series is truly exceptional.

The ending of this is quite the twisty cliffhanger. This is especially painful because it looks like we will be waiting a year for the follow up (and I read this book in November of 2020, so I have had an even longer wait already!). But every book has been worth the wait. Do not miss this series, and this new story arc launch starring Gina! (TW: Grief/loss)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

 

“I’m delighted to announce that this review has been shared by Twinkl! For even more great recommendations, make sure to visit their TBR blog“

REVIEW: Cleo Porter and the Body Electric by Jake Burt

REVIEW: Cleo Porter and the Body Electric by Jake Burt

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

In May 2096, Cleo Porter and her parents are living in an apartment – like pretty much everyone else. Every apartment is sealed and secured. Supplies are delivered by drone. And no one leaves. It was the way the world became safe from influenza D.

The problem is that a drone has delivered a package of life-saving medication to Cleo’s apartment. By mistake. If the medication doesn’t get to the right person in time, she could die. Cleo plans to be a doctor when she grows up. In fact, she is preparing for her first major exam to get into the training program. She feels like this woman is already her patient. And she can’t let her die without trying to help.

After Cleo exhausts her ideas for finding a solution from the inside of her home, she decides she’ll have to leave it – its safety and security, her parents, and everything she knows – to try to get the medication to the right person.

Review

Believe it or not, this book existed before we had even heard the term “Covid-19.” But the publication process meant the book didn’t get into the hands of readers until fall of 2020, when many folks had already had their fill of quarantines and masks and such. Thankfully, this novel takes place far in the future from the novel’s own pandemic. In fact, the culture in the book “solved” their pandemic with extreme lockdown measures. I believe things are different enough for readers to be able to enjoy this and not let Covid dampen their enthusiasm for a high stakes, futuristic adventure. But there will be some kids who will want a different sort of escape these days. (There are questions raised about what the “proper” response to a pandemic should be, so readers may have questions about those pieces of the story.)

Cleo’s a great protagonist – bright, empathetic, brave, and determined. The author does a great job of giving Cleo of “team” of sorts as she negotiates her escape so she isn’t entirely alone or in her own head for the action of the story. I felt for Cleo at the resolution of her quest. There are a lot of complicated feelings for her to explore, and I liked that. As an adult, I wanted MORE at that point, but I think the focus on the adventure and the closing scene will be satisfying for most readers in the intended age group.  I also wanted more details about the future for Cleo – what happens “after?” But the glimpse we are given is satisfying.

Hand this to fans of the author (Greetings from Witness Protection, The Right Hook of Devin Velma, The Tornado) as well as readers who love middle grade survival stories, adventure, and science fiction.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+

REVIEW: Star Wars The High Republic Sampler

REVIEW: Star Wars The High Republic Sampler

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this sampler from Netgalley and Disney Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Star Wars The High Republic: A Test of Courage by Justina Ireland – Summary and Impressions

The sampler included 3 chapters from this middle grade novel starring new Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh. Vernestra is on her first mission for the Jedi Council. It’s glorified babysitting – protecting a senator’s daughter – but she’s determined to do a good job. But Avon Starros is full of mischief and trouble, especially when it comes to her inventions.

The first three chapters in this sample introduce Vernestra, Avon, her protocol droid J-6, and Honesty, the son of a Dalnan ambassador. I thought the characters were interesting. Avon was probably my favorite of these few. She’s spunky, bright, and bored – a combination perfect for an adventure. When the action of the story kicks off, she will be a character to watch. While the sampler didn’t get into any of that action, I was intrigued enough by the introduction that I would read the whole book to see what happens and how these new characters interact and develop through the story.

 

Star Wars The High Republic: Into the Dark by Claudia Gray – Summary and Impressions

The sampler included 3 chapters from this YA novel starring Jedi Padawan Reath Silas. Reath’s master has taken a new assignment in the middle of nowhere. Reath is not a fan. He’s always fallen on the more sedate side of the Jedi Temple. He’d rather do hours of research in the Archives than get into a light saber battle. He’d rather not be leaving the Temple at all. Master Jora will be in charge of the Starlight Beacon. Reath is traveling to the Beacon with an eclectic group of Jedi, each dealing with personal questions and dilemmas.

Sadly, this had a dry beginning that didn’t really grab my attention. If I had the full book, I would have pushed farther to see if things started clicking when the action amped up. I was also startled toward the end of the first chapter, after Reath had been the POV character for several pages, to have the POV suddenly shift to each of the other characters he is traveling with. That changing POV will be important to understanding the secrets each is keeping, but in the reading it felt abrupt and disorienting. Usually books will insert some sort of page break or change chapters when changing POV characters, but that was not the case in my electronic sampler. This may be clearer in the full, published version of the novel.

I’m not sure that I would go out of my way to read the full novel. The teaser just didn’t grab my attention.  I am intrigued by the connections between Reath and the main Jedi character in the middle grade novel, Vernestra, though. They are contemporaries at least, which is interesting. If I enjoy Vernestra’s story enough, that could draw me into reading this one.

BONUS REVIEW: The Smartest Kid in the Universe by Chris Grabenstein

BONUS REVIEW: The Smartest Kid in the Universe by Chris Grabenstein

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Once upon a time, a ruthless pirate entrusted his treasure to his cabin boy. He forgot he killed the boy’s father; the boy had no loyalty to the pirate. The cabin boy hid the treasure and left a trail for his descendants to follow to find it.

Riverview Middle School is a shabby, derelict building whose best days were long ago. The district will likely sell the building off at the end of the year rather than invest what it would cost to bring it up to snuff. At least, that is what a certain land developer and his cohort are counting on.

Jake McQuade attends Riverview. Jake is cool and popular. And he’s at school to hang out with his friends. He figures if he needs to know something, he can just look it up on his phone rather than put a lot of effort into learning things. He’s the poster child for apathy and slothfulness.

For example, one night when his mom is working late, she tells Jake he’s responsible for making sure he and his younger sister have dinner. Rather than cooking something from the fridge – too much work – he and his sister take a bus to the hotel where his mom works. She’s working a big banquet where there’s always extra food, cooked by someone else. While Jake waits, he eats a small jar of jelly beans from the hotel’s green room.

Jake has no idea that those were no ordinary jelly beans. They were a science experiment! By the end of the night, Jake is spouting random facts and speaking foreign languages. But he doesn’t know why.

When word starts getting out about Jake’s intelligence, everyone wants Jake for something. The scientist who made the jelly beans wants to study him. His crush at school wants him to join the quiz bowl team. His best friend wants him to use his brain to make money. And the FBI wants his help solving cases. All Jake wants, though, is to go back to his normal self and his old life.

Review

This was so fun! Jake’s a great kid – both the apathetic version and the brilliant one. I loved his friends and his relationship with them and with his family.

The villains were exactly right for the audience of the book. And I enjoyed the three distinct pieces of the story – the jelly beans and Jake’s intelligence, the missing treasure, and the school pieces (quiz bowl, the principal, etc.). Everything fit together like a perfect puzzle, well-balanced and well-paced. The short chapters added to the sense of adventure and urgency of the story. This would be a fun class read-aloud because of the story, but those short chapters would be an advantage for teachers as well when kids ask for “one more chapter.”

This is another fun, captivating story from the author of the Lemoncello Library books and many others, Chris Grabenstein. Don’t miss this one!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read