Also Known As by Robin Benway Mystery Realistic Fiction Romance Suspense Thriller * * * Stars (Pretty good) Maggie Silver’s parents are spies working for the Collective – an organization devoted to ferreting out bad guys and righting the wrongs of the world. Maggie herself, is an expert safe-cracker and lock-picker. After her family finishes up an assignment in Iceland, they move back to New York where Maggie is given her first undercover job. Disguising … Read more
Small Acts of Amazing Courage by Gloria Whelan Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Rosalind is English, but she has been raised in India her whole life. Years ago, her brother Edward was sent back to England to receive his schooling, but he became ill and passed away. Their parents – especially their mother – have never truly gotten over his death. As a result, Rosalind’s mother has kept her close … Read more
Will & Whit by Laura Lee Gulledge Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Wilhelmina (Will) has been living with her Aunt Elsie (Ella) since her parents died last year. They live in Will’s grandparents’ house (they are also deceased) and will helps Ella run the family Antique shop, which is next door. Will finds distraction and relief from the loss of her parents through the creation of lamps – her grandpa … Read more
Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Lily’s brother decides she needs a boyfriend, so he leaves a mysterious red Moleskine notebook among the used books at Strand’s (bookstore) for someone worthy to find. That someone is Dash (Dashiell), who is Lily’s age, loves the OED (Oxford English Dictionary), and has the most swoon-worthy musings. After leading him on a scavenger hunt … Read more
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline Adventure Science Fiction Suspense Thriller * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Wade (aka Parzival), 18, spends most of his time in the OASIS, the massive virtual world created by Jim Halliday and Ogden Morrow. He attends a virtual school – which is way better than a bricks and mortar school for so many reasons (not the least of which is that there’s no PvP on school grounds, and … Read more
Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper Juvenile Fiction Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Can you imagine being one of the smartest kids in school and not being able to speak? Melody is a bright, humorous eleven-year-old who just wants to fit in and be with other kids her age. But because she is in a wheelchair and cannot speak, she has been in a Special Education class, until now. … Read more
The Beetle Book by Steve Jenkins Juvenile Non-fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Beetles Insects Juvenile Nonfiction This book will whet young appetites for beetles – learning about them, at least. With over 350,000 different species, readers are sure to encounter some of them in their lifetimes. Steve Jenkins presents almost 80 beetles in this introduction to beetle types, morphology, adaptations, and life cycles. You will come away amazed at all of the different … Read more
The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy Fantasy Tween * * * * Stars (Great!) Four Princes Charming team up to save Cinderella from the clutches of the evil witch, Zaubera in this funny fairytale mashup. Zaubera has also kidnapped all of the kingdom’s bards as a publicity stunt (she wants people to know her NAME), and they must also be rescued. Unfortunately, all of the princes (except Liam) are pretty inept … Read more
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake Audio edition Horror Supernatural Suspense Thriller * * * * Stars (Great!) Cas is a professional teenage ghost hunter. He uses his father’s athame (specially blessed – or possibly cursed – knife) to send harmful, destructive, dangerous spirits to their eternal rest. His father was killed several years ago, and while Cas is following in his footsteps, he’s also amassing the knowledge, experience, and power he will need … Read more
The Princess and the Packet of Frozen Peas by Tony Wilson illustrated by Sue deGennaro Picture book * * * * Stars (Great!) Prince Henrik wants to fall and love and get married, but he’s not really sure how to choose the perfect princess. When he asks his brother for help, he tells him how he picked out his own perfect princess – with the pea hidden under the multiple mattresses method. Princess Eva, his … Read more