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Jed and the Junkyard War #2
Jed and the Junkyard Rebellion
With a turn of a key, Jed discovers he's more (and less) than he could have ever imagined. But as more questions than answers surface, Jed digs deeper into his history-and goes further into himself.
Who is his father? Where is his mother? What is this place? How did these dreadnaughts get here? And . . . why is this happening to him?
Strange truths, unexpected twists, and powerful revelations unfold as Jed confronts his past and contemplates his future.
Who is his father? Where is his mother? What is this place? How did these dreadnaughts get here? And . . . why is this happening to him?
Strange truths, unexpected twists, and powerful revelations unfold as Jed confronts his past and contemplates his future.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published February 19, 2019
About the author
Steven Bohls
4 books45 followersSteven Bohls lives inside a head of fairy tales and magic. He is a dreamer first, a thinker second, and a writer last. He also sculpts, illustrates, builds, creates, and designs.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 26, 2022
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The Value of a Star: Ratings Explained
Jed and the Junkyard War (Jed and the Junkyard War, book 1)
Jed and the Junkyard Rebellion (Jed and the Junkyard War, Book 2)
By: Steven Bohls
My Rating: Three and a half out of five stars
Best for: 10 and up
So much potential...
Jed and the Junkyard War and Jed and the Junk Yard Rebellion are super fun middle grade fantasy, steam punk adventures with really (REALLY) cool world building. They are absolutely bursting with potential, but fell just an teeny tiny bit short of complete awesomeness. My kids love them though, and that's really all that matters!
I discovered Jed after reading Lux, the book Brandon Sanderson co-wrote with his former student, Steven Bohls. Lux was great, so I looked to see what else Steven wrote. Lo and behold, his debut novel was Jed and The Junkyard War, followed by it's sequel, Jed and the Junkyard Rebellion. Brandon Sanderson took the time to bestow one of his rare 5 star reviews on Jed and the Junkyard War. He's never steered me wrong, so I got myself a copy and went to work.
So, what did I love?
Jed and the Junkyard War is a middle-grade story with really fun world building that pushed the boundaries of fun to almost (but not quite getting to) ridiculous. Jed's parents trained him to be a self-reliant problem solver in extreme ways--like dropping him off in the middle of Yellowstone with nothing but four dollars and a can of soda the day before his 12th birthday. The goal? To find his way home before his dad eats all his birthday cake. Where's home? Denver!
Through ingenuity and resourcefulness, Jed makes it home with time to spare. But when he wakes up the next morning, his parents have vanished. The only clue is a mysterious letter with instructions to follow a hidden tunnel behind the dishwasher that leads to...a world made of junk! Alice went to Wonderland. Jed went to junk land!
In this backwards somewhere, people live in floating cities, junk scavengers fly on junk ships, only eat canned food they find in the junk piles, use batteries as money, deal with junk storms, and keep an eye out for dread--terrifying creatures that are part junk, part human. I'm telling you, there is so much creativity here! The characters are a ton of fun, and I really got into the adventure.
I also appreciated the real peril, and I think that's what sucked me in. Jed is faced with some scary stuff, and I liked that Steven Bohls writes for middle graders without dumbing things down for them. Jed's parents are lost, he's confused about who he is, and the more he learns about himself, the more uncertain he becomes. Are his parents really his parents? Why did they vanish? And why do the dreads seem to be after him, in particular?
So what bugged me, then?
With all the detailed world building, I was really surprised will all the plot shortcuts. Questions that demanded answering were never answered. Important characters never finished their arc. Solutions to key problems conveniently appeared. Once the world was introduced and the story got going at the end of book one, things really started to drag. I loved book one, but felt pretty let down by the development of book two.
These are all grown-up frustrations with a middle grade story. The only real opinion that matters is the one from its target audience--and my kids love Jed! I've finished both books, but we're only partway through book 1 together. And they keep begging for more reading time!
That sounds like a winner to me!
The content is middle grade appropriate, including PG level peril. Best for 10 and up.
Happy Reading!
The Value of a Star: Ratings Explained
Jed and the Junkyard War (Jed and the Junkyard War, book 1)
Jed and the Junkyard Rebellion (Jed and the Junkyard War, Book 2)
By: Steven Bohls
My Rating: Three and a half out of five stars
Best for: 10 and up
So much potential...
Jed and the Junkyard War and Jed and the Junk Yard Rebellion are super fun middle grade fantasy, steam punk adventures with really (REALLY) cool world building. They are absolutely bursting with potential, but fell just an teeny tiny bit short of complete awesomeness. My kids love them though, and that's really all that matters!
I discovered Jed after reading Lux, the book Brandon Sanderson co-wrote with his former student, Steven Bohls. Lux was great, so I looked to see what else Steven wrote. Lo and behold, his debut novel was Jed and The Junkyard War, followed by it's sequel, Jed and the Junkyard Rebellion. Brandon Sanderson took the time to bestow one of his rare 5 star reviews on Jed and the Junkyard War. He's never steered me wrong, so I got myself a copy and went to work.
So, what did I love?
Jed and the Junkyard War is a middle-grade story with really fun world building that pushed the boundaries of fun to almost (but not quite getting to) ridiculous. Jed's parents trained him to be a self-reliant problem solver in extreme ways--like dropping him off in the middle of Yellowstone with nothing but four dollars and a can of soda the day before his 12th birthday. The goal? To find his way home before his dad eats all his birthday cake. Where's home? Denver!
Through ingenuity and resourcefulness, Jed makes it home with time to spare. But when he wakes up the next morning, his parents have vanished. The only clue is a mysterious letter with instructions to follow a hidden tunnel behind the dishwasher that leads to...a world made of junk! Alice went to Wonderland. Jed went to junk land!
In this backwards somewhere, people live in floating cities, junk scavengers fly on junk ships, only eat canned food they find in the junk piles, use batteries as money, deal with junk storms, and keep an eye out for dread--terrifying creatures that are part junk, part human. I'm telling you, there is so much creativity here! The characters are a ton of fun, and I really got into the adventure.
I also appreciated the real peril, and I think that's what sucked me in. Jed is faced with some scary stuff, and I liked that Steven Bohls writes for middle graders without dumbing things down for them. Jed's parents are lost, he's confused about who he is, and the more he learns about himself, the more uncertain he becomes. Are his parents really his parents? Why did they vanish? And why do the dreads seem to be after him, in particular?
So what bugged me, then?
With all the detailed world building, I was really surprised will all the plot shortcuts. Questions that demanded answering were never answered. Important characters never finished their arc. Solutions to key problems conveniently appeared. Once the world was introduced and the story got going at the end of book one, things really started to drag. I loved book one, but felt pretty let down by the development of book two.
These are all grown-up frustrations with a middle grade story. The only real opinion that matters is the one from its target audience--and my kids love Jed! I've finished both books, but we're only partway through book 1 together. And they keep begging for more reading time!
That sounds like a winner to me!
The content is middle grade appropriate, including PG level peril. Best for 10 and up.
Happy Reading!
January 30, 2019
"Who Am I?
He tried to think. The image of a burning heat melting his mind surfaced. He shook his head. Memories felt buried and looked blurry--dreams he could not remember.
What am I?"
This book is a great companion to JED AND THE JUNKYARD WAR. Quirky, magical, steampunk with genuine surprises combined with a fast plot and wacky world building make this a must read. The book reminded me of Serenity and Cinder; filled with danger and humor at the same time. Themes of friendship, loyalty, temptation, choices, heroism, love, adoption and family will evoke discussion and thought. As Jed discovers his true potential, the reader is swept up in his journey and how he transforms from scrawny inept boy into a self assured, powerful, literal golden boy.
He tried to think. The image of a burning heat melting his mind surfaced. He shook his head. Memories felt buried and looked blurry--dreams he could not remember.
What am I?"
This book is a great companion to JED AND THE JUNKYARD WAR. Quirky, magical, steampunk with genuine surprises combined with a fast plot and wacky world building make this a must read. The book reminded me of Serenity and Cinder; filled with danger and humor at the same time. Themes of friendship, loyalty, temptation, choices, heroism, love, adoption and family will evoke discussion and thought. As Jed discovers his true potential, the reader is swept up in his journey and how he transforms from scrawny inept boy into a self assured, powerful, literal golden boy.
January 29, 2019
I love how this book builds on the first, with the same mystery/intrigue and cool fun factor. Thankful to Disney Books for sending this ARC--my son and I are enjoying reading this one together!
February 20, 2019
Now Jed has seen the light, or should be say the golden glow, and is more confused than ever. Never mind the fact that his mind is not exactly his own right now. Never mind his memories aren't truly there, and his family still hasn't truly been found, and now dear old dad (but not that one!) is seeking him like a bloodhound after a criminal, and the danger levels are increasing exponentially with every new dread ship's arrival. Oh yes, there will be loss, junk storms aplenty, and danger up the wazoo, but there will also be discoveries about what truly makes family family, and how sometimes the only way to move forward is to truly let go of it all (or you know destroy a bunch of things in a major way, but you know...same same here).
I started reading and simply couldn't stop. The world built here takes hold of your imagination and doesn't let go. Long after you finish the final page, you'll still be remembering the battles with the dreadnoughts, the desperate searches and last chances, the mysterious disappearances and unusual characters, and all the other "junk" you may have been tempted to ignore, but won't be able to forget. It's EXCITING, it's STRANGE, it's a thousand other descriptive words you don't normally reach for when describing a FANTASTIC READ, and yet they SO work right here.
**copy received for review
I started reading and simply couldn't stop. The world built here takes hold of your imagination and doesn't let go. Long after you finish the final page, you'll still be remembering the battles with the dreadnoughts, the desperate searches and last chances, the mysterious disappearances and unusual characters, and all the other "junk" you may have been tempted to ignore, but won't be able to forget. It's EXCITING, it's STRANGE, it's a thousand other descriptive words you don't normally reach for when describing a FANTASTIC READ, and yet they SO work right here.
**copy received for review
January 26, 2026
yep the book was fun, honestly if you like these type of fantasy words, the story can't go much wrong. It has good progression, full of creative big action and the character development of Jed, specifically about him trying to find his true powers, is interesting to read through. The settings are also interesting and fun to imagine about. The Endeavor (that flying ahh train or something) is a good concept, and the golden city appear to be very beautiful, for example.
I can't say I find the characters much of a highlight tho. Can't find convincing how Jed just decided to trust Lyle for no good reason, and then switched sides by now trusting Shay, just because she said so. None of them gave proofs or good reasons on why they should be trusted.
Also, the book for sure should develop more the flying town and Penny before they were exploded by Lyle's ship. Penny had no character development, she was just a random girl Jed found to be his guard, yet the book wanted us to be sad because of her death.
Shay is kinda annoying, by the way, she says too many "funny things" that just appear to be forced. Lyle was probably the most developed characters in the book, showing his dreams and how he got insane. Although his actions as a "pretty evil guy" are kinda comic at some point. But I get it, this book has a lot of young adult literature energy, so I ain't blaming it for that.
Btw I kinda liked Sprocket, it was a good comic relief lol.
The ending was decent. Jed wanting to stay in the golden city can be understandable, since he was born there and the city needs someone to protect them. Although I believe Jed lacks character development. His power progression was good, but there aren't strong moments we could see his personality, like his qualities or flaws. Maybe if we could understand more who he is from the inside, his final decision could be more gratifying.
I can't say I find the characters much of a highlight tho. Can't find convincing how Jed just decided to trust Lyle for no good reason, and then switched sides by now trusting Shay, just because she said so. None of them gave proofs or good reasons on why they should be trusted.
Also, the book for sure should develop more the flying town and Penny before they were exploded by Lyle's ship. Penny had no character development, she was just a random girl Jed found to be his guard, yet the book wanted us to be sad because of her death.
Shay is kinda annoying, by the way, she says too many "funny things" that just appear to be forced. Lyle was probably the most developed characters in the book, showing his dreams and how he got insane. Although his actions as a "pretty evil guy" are kinda comic at some point. But I get it, this book has a lot of young adult literature energy, so I ain't blaming it for that.
Btw I kinda liked Sprocket, it was a good comic relief lol.
The ending was decent. Jed wanting to stay in the golden city can be understandable, since he was born there and the city needs someone to protect them. Although I believe Jed lacks character development. His power progression was good, but there aren't strong moments we could see his personality, like his qualities or flaws. Maybe if we could understand more who he is from the inside, his final decision could be more gratifying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2019
Liked the first book. Didn't like this hot mess sequel. It's hard to care about robots fighting robots, with god-like powers prevailing. The shifting perspectives are also a gimmick that doesn't really pay off either. Lastly, subtle religious sci-fi isn't my thing, but children may not notice this amid the zany dialogue and visuals that are the strength of this story. Read at your own risk of being disappointed, or not.
October 21, 2025
I had trouble following the places and people. It seemed to be skritch-this and shatter-that.
I constantly thought I was missing some other book. Even though I got half way through, I abandoned the book.
Maybe it would work better for a regular fantasy reader or for the younger people the book was intended for.
I constantly thought I was missing some other book. Even though I got half way through, I abandoned the book.
Maybe it would work better for a regular fantasy reader or for the younger people the book was intended for.
January 5, 2022
This was a great sequel to Jed and the Junkyard War. Steven Bohls has created an interesting world and peopled it with great characters. I enjoyed both books and would highly recommend, especially for a family read aloud. Does anyone know if there is a good audio version?
November 14, 2024
I read this book with my 9 year old son. We didn't know it was the second book in a series but it was easy to slide into the story even without having read the first book.
Now we have to find the first book - it's a hard find.
Now we have to find the first book - it's a hard find.
February 24, 2019
Excellent sequel to his first book. I loved the introduction of new, fun characters. Kept me engaged until the end!
June 1, 2019
Read this sequel to the kids (they had been waiting anxiously for it!) and it was wonderful. I love how unique it is.
June 13, 2021
One can definitely see Brandon Sandersons influence in the book. More so than the first book in this series. I enjoyed the books. Great swashbuckling adventure 👍
November 30, 2021
An amazing book, that's an amazing follow up to the first.
December 6, 2023
Lots of confusion, slowly piecing together the world and the story. Wraps up very quickly and not very satisfactorily. James will probably like it but it’s not a read-again novel.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews