The Big Break by Mark Tatulli Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Best friends and middle schoolers, Andrew and Russ are in the process of filming a documentary about a local cryptid – the Jersey Devil – which they plan on entering in a contest. They’re trying to figure out how it should end and add some special effects when Russ gets distracted by a new friendship. With a girl – … Read more
Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls Adventure Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) This book was amazing! The main character is Jay Berry. He has a little sister named Daisy who is his twin. Jay was born healthy, but Daisy was born with a crippled leg. Jay thinks his summer is boring until he sees monkeys by the bottoms. Seekin gthe advice of his grandfather, Jay sets out to … Read more
The Simple Art of Flying by Cory Leonardo Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) The humans see him as a trouble maker. Aggie, his sister, sees him as the most wonderful brother. Meet Alastair, the African Grey parrot. He has a tendency to bite. He enjoys eating words. As soon as he rips a page out, the words spring into his mouth. Some taste as dry as sawdust. Some taste … Read more
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
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
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
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
Darius the Great Is Not Okay Realistic Fiction YA Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Darius is a chubby 14-year-old Persian-American who loves tea and Star Trek and his little sister, but not so much being bullied, being a disappointment to everyone, and dealing with his depression. When his grandfather is diagnosed with a brain tumor Darius and his family travel to Iran to visit them and he gets to meet his extended Iranian/Persian … Read more
Class Act sequel to New Kid by Jerry Craft Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction Tween * * * * Stars (Great!) It’s a new year and students have returned to Riverdale Academy Day School for more adventures. The school is attempting to be more diverse and to bring awareness about and sensitivity to issues surrounding diversity. Some of these endeavors are more successful than others. Jordan Banks, who featured prominently in Jerry Craft’s previous book, “New … Read more
Tune It Out by Jamie Sumner Juvenile Fiction Realistic Fiction Tween * * * * Stars (Great!) 12-year-old Louise Montgomery can sing like the angels, but she has a sensory processing disorder that makes her extremely sensitive to noises and crowds, so performing is a real problem. Her single mother keeps scheduling gigs, though, because they need the money. One night, Louise crashes their truck on her way to pick her mom up from work … Read more