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"All Allie wanted to do was get her group project done and figure out a way to get out of the friend zone with her best friend, Winston. That all changes when she opens an old fairy tale book and her and her group are sucked into that world. Now, they are in Nerissette, and a cat is telling Allie she is the queen. Allie has to try to figure out how to rule a country amidst evil plots and work out how to get her and her friends back home." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=41757
Red grew up using magic…badly. Now, she stays far away from it and only watches her Granny perform the wonders. When Granny gets sick, magic may be the only thing that can save her life. Red begins a journey to face her fears, along with the help of a chatting girl called Goldie, a mysterious wolf, and a huntsman.
RED is a brilliant interweaving of fairy tales with a focus on Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and even a good portion of Beauty and the Beast and Snow White and Rose Red. The connections between some of the characters from different tales are genius. In particular, the twist on Beauty and the Beast is one I’ve never seen done before, but Shurtliff pulls it off seamlessly. The friendship between Red and Goldie is also unexpected (as those two tales are rarely put together), but they are a hilarious and sweet pair. Even if you haven’t read Shurtliff’s previous works, there’s an ease of sinking into this magical world that new and old readers alike will love.
One of the masterpieces of the story is the presentation of death. Death, especially in middle grade books, is a very heavy topic. Red is worried about her Granny’s health and the potential death there. However, while death is blatantly discussed among many characters, all offering a different perspective, it never feels overwhelming or depressing. It presents death as realistically as possible with sincere thought. It allows readers of any age to ponder on such a difficult subject in a safe, honest, and even practical fashion.
RED is a story of life, death, friendship, and fairy tale, and readers shouldn’t be surprised if they reach the end only to turn back to the first page for another magical experience.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfiction/19766-red-the-true-story-of-red-riding-hood
RED is a brilliant interweaving of fairy tales with a focus on Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and even a good portion of Beauty and the Beast and Snow White and Rose Red. The connections between some of the characters from different tales are genius. In particular, the twist on Beauty and the Beast is one I’ve never seen done before, but Shurtliff pulls it off seamlessly. The friendship between Red and Goldie is also unexpected (as those two tales are rarely put together), but they are a hilarious and sweet pair. Even if you haven’t read Shurtliff’s previous works, there’s an ease of sinking into this magical world that new and old readers alike will love.
One of the masterpieces of the story is the presentation of death. Death, especially in middle grade books, is a very heavy topic. Red is worried about her Granny’s health and the potential death there. However, while death is blatantly discussed among many characters, all offering a different perspective, it never feels overwhelming or depressing. It presents death as realistically as possible with sincere thought. It allows readers of any age to ponder on such a difficult subject in a safe, honest, and even practical fashion.
RED is a story of life, death, friendship, and fairy tale, and readers shouldn’t be surprised if they reach the end only to turn back to the first page for another magical experience.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfiction/19766-red-the-true-story-of-red-riding-hood
When Gretchen receives a phone call saying she’s to inherit an old mansion from a great-aunt, she is more than a little unsure. Her mother’s disappearance years ago made her think she would never hear anything more from that part of her family, but now she is being sent knee deep into the mystery of the disappearance and much, much more. The great-aunt who called her, Esther, turns out to be more than a little eccentric, but when Gretchen starts to see the very ghosts Esther is telling her about, she will uncover a dark history to her family line.
WHAT THE DEAD WANT begins as a spine tingling, haunted mansion mystery, but it soon turns to a dark (and still spine tingling) story about the history of a town going back to the Civil War. In an interesting twist, this story takes place far north in New York and shows that some small towns there were full of as much hate and racism as Confederate states. The atmosphere is excellent, giving a weight to a history that has been silenced for far too long. One of the most powerful aspects of the main character, Gretchen, is how she holds her own ancestry accountable and doesn’t shy away from recognizing their guilt.
While the plot follows a fairly expectant line, the letters and journal entries Gretchen finds from one of her ancestors are absolutely stunning and are interjected in nice places to move the plot along. The only downside is that sometimes the emotion and fierceness in the letters make Gretchen’s emotions pale a little in comparison.
This spooky, dark mystery will leave readers will serious thought on accountability, history, and family ties. Readers who enjoy learning about details of history that are sometimes brushed over for the bigger picture will especially like the focus on the small northern town.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/19767-what-the-dead-want
WHAT THE DEAD WANT begins as a spine tingling, haunted mansion mystery, but it soon turns to a dark (and still spine tingling) story about the history of a town going back to the Civil War. In an interesting twist, this story takes place far north in New York and shows that some small towns there were full of as much hate and racism as Confederate states. The atmosphere is excellent, giving a weight to a history that has been silenced for far too long. One of the most powerful aspects of the main character, Gretchen, is how she holds her own ancestry accountable and doesn’t shy away from recognizing their guilt.
While the plot follows a fairly expectant line, the letters and journal entries Gretchen finds from one of her ancestors are absolutely stunning and are interjected in nice places to move the plot along. The only downside is that sometimes the emotion and fierceness in the letters make Gretchen’s emotions pale a little in comparison.
This spooky, dark mystery will leave readers will serious thought on accountability, history, and family ties. Readers who enjoy learning about details of history that are sometimes brushed over for the bigger picture will especially like the focus on the small northern town.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/19767-what-the-dead-want
The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency is on their next big case. This time, they are investigating a mysterious engagement, possibly a ghost, and a missing will. However, solving mysteries is a hard feat with both Lady Ada and Mary juggling sisters and society. They will use their brains, wit, and sneaky skills to get to the bottom of this one.
THE CASE OF THE GIRL IN GREY is a delightful middle grade mystery with gorgeous illustrations. Even if you haven’t read the first Wollstonecraft Detective Agency mystery, the first chapters have plenty of background information to get readers up to speed. When the new case is first introduced, it seems like a simple question of an engagement possibly gone wrong, but the mystery deepens beautifully as it starts to tie into a certain ghost sighting. Young readers will gasp at some of the twists and turns this story takes.
Alongside the strong mystery, the story also focuses on sisters. Ada is still getting used to her half-sister being around, and Mary’s sister is ready to join the agency, even though she wasn’t invited. Both Ada and Mary eventually see that having a sister is far better than being without them, and sometimes their sisters know just what to do to help.
Anyone who loves the rich history of Mary Godwin, Percy Shelley, Lord Byron, and the like will find complete fun in this series that reimagines just enough to make for one exciting adventure. The illustrations add a beautiful visual to the story, and the short chapters make this a quick read for reluctant readers.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kbc-home/latest-kids-indie?url=preview/id:19770:the-case-of-the-girl-in-grey-the-wollstonecraft-detective-agency-book-2
THE CASE OF THE GIRL IN GREY is a delightful middle grade mystery with gorgeous illustrations. Even if you haven’t read the first Wollstonecraft Detective Agency mystery, the first chapters have plenty of background information to get readers up to speed. When the new case is first introduced, it seems like a simple question of an engagement possibly gone wrong, but the mystery deepens beautifully as it starts to tie into a certain ghost sighting. Young readers will gasp at some of the twists and turns this story takes.
Alongside the strong mystery, the story also focuses on sisters. Ada is still getting used to her half-sister being around, and Mary’s sister is ready to join the agency, even though she wasn’t invited. Both Ada and Mary eventually see that having a sister is far better than being without them, and sometimes their sisters know just what to do to help.
Anyone who loves the rich history of Mary Godwin, Percy Shelley, Lord Byron, and the like will find complete fun in this series that reimagines just enough to make for one exciting adventure. The illustrations add a beautiful visual to the story, and the short chapters make this a quick read for reluctant readers.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kbc-home/latest-kids-indie?url=preview/id:19770:the-case-of-the-girl-in-grey-the-wollstonecraft-detective-agency-book-2
Nic is a slave living around the mines outside of Rome. When he is ordered into a dangerous cavern that holds the treasures of Julius Caesar, he discovers a bulla, a god-powered amulet. Between the bulla and the mark the griffin hidden in the treasures gives him, Nic now has magic in him. Instead of getting his freedom, Nic is plunged into a world of conspiracy centering around the emperor and the Praetor War.
Jennifer A. Nielsen delivers another action packed story with MARK OF THE THIEF. Nic is a feisty protagonist full of drive and determination. His caution towards the magic inside him and the magic in the bulla is realistic and refreshing. Instead of magic being a way out of his problems, it becomes a primary cause of them. The narrative explores what it means to not have control over power, both magically and otherwise, and the importance of maintaining a balance. The magical battles are rich scenes ringing with emotion and consequences.
The plot is quick and engaging, with plenty of twists and surprises. Alliances are shaky, and there is never a promise of who is trustworthy. Nic has had to rely on himself for a long time, and he realizes that while it’s important to have allies, that might not be changing anytime soon. The big climax will have readers begging for the next book.
With excellent details of ancient Rome, a powerful narrative, and a magical plot, MARK OF THE THIEF is a must for fans of Jennifer A. Nielsen’s previous series.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfiction/17807-mark-of-the-thief-mark-of-the-thief-1
Jennifer A. Nielsen delivers another action packed story with MARK OF THE THIEF. Nic is a feisty protagonist full of drive and determination. His caution towards the magic inside him and the magic in the bulla is realistic and refreshing. Instead of magic being a way out of his problems, it becomes a primary cause of them. The narrative explores what it means to not have control over power, both magically and otherwise, and the importance of maintaining a balance. The magical battles are rich scenes ringing with emotion and consequences.
The plot is quick and engaging, with plenty of twists and surprises. Alliances are shaky, and there is never a promise of who is trustworthy. Nic has had to rely on himself for a long time, and he realizes that while it’s important to have allies, that might not be changing anytime soon. The big climax will have readers begging for the next book.
With excellent details of ancient Rome, a powerful narrative, and a magical plot, MARK OF THE THIEF is a must for fans of Jennifer A. Nielsen’s previous series.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfiction/17807-mark-of-the-thief-mark-of-the-thief-1
Basanta lives in a village in India, surrounded by friends and family. She works for a young mistress who has a beautiful ring that Basanta wouldn’t mind having herself. When the ring disappears, she is hurt when her mistress accuses her of being a thief, and when, by chance, the ring does find its way to her, she discovers that having it isn’t all that she expected.
CHILD OF SPRING has a magical effect with Farhana Zia’s descriptions. The rich atmosphere comes to life as readers learn about Basanta and her community. From the hot weather to the dirt floors to the trees, the imagery is absolute perfection. The fun cast of characters, though they definitely don’t always get along, truly feel like a family in their village, and Basanta is an important member. She starts the novel a bit immature, very feisty, and slowly shows how big her heart is. Her interactions with her mother are especially nice, as her mother tries to give her guidance in generosity.
Sometimes the plot falls a little flat, but the powerful themes and characterization keep the story engaging. Much like Basanta, readers will feel the need to take a look at their own privileges in life and remember that lifting one another up is far better than competing or hoarding through greed. Family, blood or made, are stronger together. Perhaps most importantly, excessive wealth does not equate to happiness, and a rich heart can often go further than rich jewels.
With strong themes, stunning imagery, and excellent character growth from Basanta, CHILD OF SPRING is a lovely novel perfect for middle grade readers.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfiction/19878-child-of-spring
CHILD OF SPRING has a magical effect with Farhana Zia’s descriptions. The rich atmosphere comes to life as readers learn about Basanta and her community. From the hot weather to the dirt floors to the trees, the imagery is absolute perfection. The fun cast of characters, though they definitely don’t always get along, truly feel like a family in their village, and Basanta is an important member. She starts the novel a bit immature, very feisty, and slowly shows how big her heart is. Her interactions with her mother are especially nice, as her mother tries to give her guidance in generosity.
Sometimes the plot falls a little flat, but the powerful themes and characterization keep the story engaging. Much like Basanta, readers will feel the need to take a look at their own privileges in life and remember that lifting one another up is far better than competing or hoarding through greed. Family, blood or made, are stronger together. Perhaps most importantly, excessive wealth does not equate to happiness, and a rich heart can often go further than rich jewels.
With strong themes, stunning imagery, and excellent character growth from Basanta, CHILD OF SPRING is a lovely novel perfect for middle grade readers.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfiction/19878-child-of-spring
3.5/5 stars rounded up
RETURN TO THE ISLE OF THE LOST picks up right where The Descendants movie left off, though there is a handy recap before the first chapter for readers who haven’t seen the movie. Those who want the full effect of the character growth should start with the first Descendants book, ISLE OF THE LOST, but basic plot details aren’t lost for those jumping in later.
This new story in the beloved fairy tale characters’ lives focuses on the friendships between the group and their respective relationships with their parents, absent as the parents are. Mal, Carlos, Jay, and Evie have made a lot of personal progress, but the one thing they all still struggle with is trust, whether that’s with a specific person or with themselves. Though they are all reformed children of villains, they still spent a long time on the Isle of the Lost, and navigating healthy relationships doesn’t come easy. The relationship between Mal and Evie is especially fragile at times but ultimately proves strong in a beautiful display of friendship.
The mystery behind the threatening messages and a strange group called the Anti-Heroes drives the plot, and the humor along the way keeps the tone fairly light as good and evil prepare to battle once again. The plot and character resolutions wrap up a bit quickly, but they pave the way for a larger story to be continued in the next book.
Fans of this series will love the continuation of Mal and her friends’ stories. RETURN TO THE ISLE OF THE LOST has everything Disney fairy tale fanatics have come to expect: banter, good versus evil, a splash of romance, and moving friendships.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/19774-return-to-the-isle-of-the-lost-descendants-2
RETURN TO THE ISLE OF THE LOST picks up right where The Descendants movie left off, though there is a handy recap before the first chapter for readers who haven’t seen the movie. Those who want the full effect of the character growth should start with the first Descendants book, ISLE OF THE LOST, but basic plot details aren’t lost for those jumping in later.
This new story in the beloved fairy tale characters’ lives focuses on the friendships between the group and their respective relationships with their parents, absent as the parents are. Mal, Carlos, Jay, and Evie have made a lot of personal progress, but the one thing they all still struggle with is trust, whether that’s with a specific person or with themselves. Though they are all reformed children of villains, they still spent a long time on the Isle of the Lost, and navigating healthy relationships doesn’t come easy. The relationship between Mal and Evie is especially fragile at times but ultimately proves strong in a beautiful display of friendship.
The mystery behind the threatening messages and a strange group called the Anti-Heroes drives the plot, and the humor along the way keeps the tone fairly light as good and evil prepare to battle once again. The plot and character resolutions wrap up a bit quickly, but they pave the way for a larger story to be continued in the next book.
Fans of this series will love the continuation of Mal and her friends’ stories. RETURN TO THE ISLE OF THE LOST has everything Disney fairy tale fanatics have come to expect: banter, good versus evil, a splash of romance, and moving friendships.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/19774-return-to-the-isle-of-the-lost-descendants-2
Frannie and Louis have been online friends for years as part of a support group. Time has brought them closer, and they find they have weird things in common like losing random items constantly, but they’ve never meet face to face. When a string of events have them both setting off for Austin, Texas, they start to find the lost items of the other person as they make their way to each other. Together, they might find exactly what they’ve been missing all along.
Katrina Leno knows exactly how to mix magical realism, mental illness, road trips, and romance into an adventurous and sort of heartbreaking, sort of uplifting story. THE LOST & FOUND features Frannie and Louis, two teens who have a habit of losing things. The magical realism of the things being lost and mysteriously reappearing to the other person is a unique twist and is simply beautiful as the characters become more and more real. For a novel that has the two love interests in different parts of the country for most of the book, their friendship/budding romance is one of the sincerest and sweetest I’ve read in a while.
One of the elements that makes the story so moving is the importance of Louis’s relationship with his sister and Frannie’s relationship with her best friend. This is a book about friendship just as much, if not more, as it is romance. Frannie’s family is far from traditional, and her journey in learning who and what matters most to her is stunning. As Louis’s sister is particularly involved in his mental health, their relationship is powerfully close but not without its own share of sibling trouble. These characters are not ones readers will forget soon.
A bit weird, a lot important, THE LOST & FOUND is a moving story about relationships, family, and the things we want to find most of all.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/19768-the-lost-and-found
Katrina Leno knows exactly how to mix magical realism, mental illness, road trips, and romance into an adventurous and sort of heartbreaking, sort of uplifting story. THE LOST & FOUND features Frannie and Louis, two teens who have a habit of losing things. The magical realism of the things being lost and mysteriously reappearing to the other person is a unique twist and is simply beautiful as the characters become more and more real. For a novel that has the two love interests in different parts of the country for most of the book, their friendship/budding romance is one of the sincerest and sweetest I’ve read in a while.
One of the elements that makes the story so moving is the importance of Louis’s relationship with his sister and Frannie’s relationship with her best friend. This is a book about friendship just as much, if not more, as it is romance. Frannie’s family is far from traditional, and her journey in learning who and what matters most to her is stunning. As Louis’s sister is particularly involved in his mental health, their relationship is powerfully close but not without its own share of sibling trouble. These characters are not ones readers will forget soon.
A bit weird, a lot important, THE LOST & FOUND is a moving story about relationships, family, and the things we want to find most of all.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/19768-the-lost-and-found
