Ranger’s Apprentice: The Royal Ranger – A New Beginning – Read It and Rate It

The Royal Ranger: A New Beginning Ranger’s Apprentice #12 by John Flanagan Adventure Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) This book is amazing! It is my introduction to Ranger’s Apprentice series, and I have loved every single page. Princess Madelyn of Araluen is headstrong, willful, and stubborn. And she exasperates her mother and father to the utmost. Meanwhile, a ranger named Will Treaty is struggling with a difficult loss. His … Read more

Spy Catchers of Maple Hill – Read It and Rate It

The Spy Catchers of Maple Hill by Megan Frazer Blakemore Adventure Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) This book is absolutely amazing! Hazel Kaplansky loves detective work. But in a small town in Vermont, there isn’t usually a lot. Until Mr. Jones moves in. Set in the 1950s, this book revolves around the Cold War. When there is an investigation being conducted at a nearby factory, Hazel’s mind … Read more

Archer’s Cup – Read It and Rate It

The Archer’s Cup Green Ember Archer #3 by S.D. Smith Adventure Fantasy Short Stories Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) S.D Smith brings back the fictional world of Natalia with a bang! This adventurous book fills in more of the blanks between the overall story. If you were wondering what Emma, Heyna, Cole, and Jo were doing before Book 4 of the Green Ember series, this is the book to read. The … Read more

Keeper of the Lost Cities: Unlocked – Read It and Rate It

Unlocked Keeper of the Lost Cities #8.5 by Shannon Messenger Adventure Fantasy Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) “Unlocked” by Shannon Messenger contains files on the characters in KOTLC, along with exclusive illustrations, records, and much more. There is a short, 400- page novel at the end of the book. As some of the last books in the series have had a sort of downward trend, I wasn’t sure what to think … Read more

Vanderbeekers: Lost and Found – Read It and Rate It

The Vanderbeekers: Lost and Found Vanderbeekers #4 by Karina Yan Glaser Adventure Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Why wouldn’t you love this book? The Vanderbeekers crash through the pages of this book, pulling their readers in with them as they have yet another adventure. The book starts off with the Vanderbeekers getting ready for a marathon that Mr. Beiderman is going to run in. One of the reasons why … Read more

Max & the Midnights #2 – Read It and Rate It

Max & the Midnights: Battle of the Bodkins Max & the Midnights #2 by Lincoln Peirce Adventure Fantasy Funny Illustrated Fiction Juvenile Fiction Tween * * * * Stars (Great!) Max and her friends are back in this second Midknights book. They’ve all started down the paths to their future careers – Max is in knight school, Millie is learning magic, Kevyn is starting a Library, and Simon has discovered he has a gift with … Read more

Wildwood – Read It and Rate It

Wildwood Wildwood #1 by Colin Meloy Adventure Fantasy Mystery Review #1 * Star (A waste of time!) While this book is well written, it was not my favorite. There is a sense of black magic woven throughout the whole book. And the antagonist is erring into the category of a sadistic villain. The antagonist takes pleasure in lying and twisting words so that other characters in the book will be lead astray by her. She … Read more

Tea Dragon Tapestry – book review

The Tea Dragon Tapestry Tea Dragon Society #3 by Katie O’Neill Fantasy Graphic Novel Juvenile Fiction Teen Tween * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Characters come together from the two previous books (The Tea Dragon Society and The Tea Dragon Festival) and continue to learn more about themselves and their tea dragons. Beautifully illustrated (the tea dragons themselves are so adorable!). Love the sense of love, community, and acceptance in these books. They just … Read more

Measuring Up – book review

Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte & Ann Xu Graphic Novel Juvenile Fiction Realistic Fiction Tween * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) When Cici’s family moves from Taiwan to Seattle, Cici is worried about adjusting to life in a new place, but her transition is pretty seamless. She makes friends right away and does well in school. Her parents work long hours, though, and they all miss A-má (Cici’s grandma/father’s mother) who stayed behind in … Read more

Max & the Midknights – book review

Max & the Midknights #1 by Lincoln Peirce Adventure Fantasy Funny Illustrated fiction Juvenile Fiction Tween * * * * Stars (Great!) Max has no desire to be a troubadour like Uncle Budrick, but kids always end up following in the footsteps/trades of their families, so it seems inevitable. That all changes when they visit Byjovia – the kingdom where Budrick grew up and discover that the good and benevolent king has been supplanted by … Read more