An utterly empowering book for anyone with a disability,The Chance to FThis review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
An utterly empowering book for anyone with a disability,The Chance to Fly follows Nat, a young girl with a spectacular singing voice who has always wanted her chance to shine in the spotlight. The only problem? She’s in a wheelchair, and her overprotective but well-meaning parents don’t want her to get her hopes up (and then dashed in the process). She sneaks away and auditions for the musical of her dreams, and she gets a part! But there are many obstacles to overcome, and Nat sometimes questions if her parents may have been right after all.
The book is co-written by Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz. Some of you might recognize the first name—Ali was recently the first person in a wheelchair to win a Tony award (and, not long before that, the first person in a wheelchair to appear on Broadway). Not surprisingly, the story is semi-autobiographical; while the actual plotline is fictional, the experiences that Nat has, the challenges she faces, and the emotions she goes through are very obviously based on Ali’s own, making the story feel very authentic. Since Stacy has also been long involved in the theatre, she understands that side of the story as well and is able to help the reader feel like they’re a part of this close-knit cast. While the story definitely focuses on ableism and Nat’s day-to-day experiences as a person in a wheelchair, those aren’t the only themes explored. Nat has just moved and is dealing with the unknowns and frustrations of leaving her best friend and starting over in a whole new town. She develops a crush on a boy in the show and wonders if he feels the same. She deals with broken friendships and rivalries. All of these are things that every kid can relate to—and it’s important to remind the “average” middle-grader that kids with disabilities have all of the same hopes, fears, dreams, and disappointments that they do. In the end, Nat’s story (and Ali’s) is utterly inspirational!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
This book is perfect for anyone who craves a sweet, heartfelt romance thThis review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This book is perfect for anyone who craves a sweet, heartfelt romance that doesn’t feel like fluff. And, don’t get me wrong, I love a light, fluffy YA romance now and again—sometimes that escape is just what I’m looking for. But this book gave me all those same feels with a side of heavier themes like racial bias and homophobia. Liz has spent her whole school career working toward attending her late mother’s alma mater to achieve her dream of becoming a doctor and being able to help others who have sickle cell anemia. Unfortunately, she doesn’t get the scholarship she was hoping for and suddenly she’s left scrambling to find the money to fund her dream. The solution: compete for prom queen—and the massive scholarship that goes along with it in her small town. Of course, the competition comes with a whole set of rules (both written and unwritten) that make Liz feel like winning is nearly impossible. And the most important unwritten rule is not to let anyone know you’re gay, which is harder than it seems when Liz finds herself crushing on a fellow competitor.
Okay, I’ll confess that, as a mom of a kid who’s currently figuring out her college plans, a teensy part of me felt like Liz’s desperation to go to one single school was sort of unreasonable. She auditioned for a scholarship and didn’t get it—which sometimes happens in life and we need to be resilient (and go with a plan B, which never felt like an option in this book). But, I put that one little issue aside, and loved everything else about the story. I was with Liz all the way as she fought to make her dream a reality without giving in and becoming someone she wasn’t in order to fit the prom-queen mold. With a sweet romance, wonderfully complicated friendships, strong family bonds, and a sense of empowerment most teens are striving for, this book was a win!
NARRATION: Alaska Jackson pulled me into this story beautifully and made me want to keep listening!...more
This important book about living with Tourette Syndrome and OCD is equal parts inspirational and heartrending. Troy has struggled his whole life with This important book about living with Tourette Syndrome and OCD is equal parts inspirational and heartrending. Troy has struggled his whole life with the pain and stigma of a disorder that almost no one understands. He’s used to being looked at like he’s either crazy or on drugs. And the one person who could have helped him work through the emotional and physical turmoil he’s gone through—his mother—abandoned him as a child. Troy doesn’t see a light at the end of the tunnel, all he sees is more pain. Because of this, he makes a list of ten things he wants to accomplish before the ten year anniversary of his diagnosis (ten is an unfortunately significant number for him and holds a certain power over him due to his OCD). The tenth item on the list is committing suicide. While on the journey to accomplishing his checklist, Troy starts to find reasons to live, but he can’t quite decide if those outweigh the daunting realities in front of him.
It would be nearly impossible to read this book and not sympathize with Troy. Through his eyes, readers will come to understand the complexities of Tourette Syndrome and OCD: how the compulsions relentlessly drive him, how his emotions affect his symptoms, the intense physical pain that goes along with his tics. I came to care deeply for this boy who just wanted relief from his neverending struggles. And, yes, I shed tears for him when he was suffering from the suffocating truth that he would never be completely free from his burdens, even when many aspects of his life were falling into place beautifully. Ultimately, this is a story of hope, but it’s hard-won. There are no easy answers or quick fixes for Troy but, instead, he gains an innate sense of his own self-worth and an understanding of the ultimate value of life. I highly recommend this book!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher for review purposes, and the author shares an agent with me, so we’ve met. Still, all opinions are my own and no compensation was given.***...more
This book explores the complicated business of wishing. Sometimes the thThis review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This book explores the complicated business of wishing. Sometimes the things we think we want are not the things we actually need, and sometimes the answers to our problems are unexpected. Ivy’s family has always lived on the road in an RV. Her mother is a star—no she’s not famous; she is an actual fallen star who travels the country granting wishes and helping the world to stay in balance. But Ivy wants a true home; she’s tired of her nomadic life where she can’t form relationships that last. So, she uses her mother’s wishes, knowing full-well that her plan could go very awry. They end up with her aunts in Whistling Ridge, and Ivy starts to feel like she might actually belong there—that this might be her forever home. But when Whistling Ridge starts to die, sickening her aunt along with it, Ivy wonders if it all might be her fault and if the cost of her dreams might be too high. Ivy learns to deal with loss and finds that her definition of a forever home might have been missing some key ingredients.
A note about narration: I listened to this book via NetGalley with a computerized voice, meant just for review purposes. I was interested to find that I didn’t mind the fact that the computer wasn’t perfect about inflection. I thought the “voice” that they chose for the book fit extremely well, so it worked for me. I’d definitely try listening to another of these review audiobook galleys.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***...more
This book is told from the unique perspective of a Muslim boy. Recently, I've read MG and YA stories told from Muslim POVs, but all of them have been This book is told from the unique perspective of a Muslim boy. Recently, I've read MG and YA stories told from Muslim POVs, but all of them have been from a girls' perspective. The male perspective gives a surprisingly different dynamic. Chadda doesn't shy away from the fact that Muslim men don't ever get to be the heroes in Western stories---a fact that is addressed directly throughout the book. He also uses the word jihad to describe the characters' struggles. I will fully confess that I read this word and internally flinched. I've never heard it used in anything but a negative light, and it's obvious that Chadda is well aware of those negative associations and he's working to counteract them. I honestly appreciated this reminder (and repudiation) of my own cultural biases.
As I said, the MC is a teenage boy. The story follows Sik, a thirteen-year-old boy who grew up hearing stories of the epic hero Gilgamesh and his many mighty deeds. When Sik's brother dies while on a trip to Iraq, Sik feels like his family is broken in ways that can't be fixed. He pours his time and energy into his family's deli, but he feels like nothing he can ever do can make up for the loss they've experienced. Then one day, the Mesopotamian plague god shows up at his door, insisting that Sik has something precious in his possession from Sik's brother. He destroys the deli and infects Sik's parents (and, soon, the rest of Manhattan) with a deadly disease. Sik teams up with the goddess of love and war (and her daughter Belet) to try and defeat the plague god.
One of my favorite aspects of this book is how seamlessly Chadda interweaves many seemingly unrelated elements. Tiny details from the beginning of the story become important later. For instance, Sik completely misunderstands and misjudges his brother's best friend, a character who becomes vitally important by the end of the book, and seemingly bothersome details about him transform into something new by the end. The story explores the themes of love and loss, family, friendships, and what it means to fight for your homeland and those you love. It's also full of adventure that will appeal to Rick Riordan Presents' typical fans.
I truly hope this turns into a series so we can follow Sik's and Belet's further adventures!!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for review purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***...more
This book explores gender in a way that I've never seen in a middle gradThis review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This book explores gender in a way that I've never seen in a middle grade book, and I loved every minute of this important story. Ana is a highly competitive figure skater, a sport that (like most of society) is strictly split into genders. She's always felt uncomfortable with the elements of figure skating that make people see her as a girl, but she doesn't quite understand why or what it means. Then one day she meets a transgender boy who, through a case of mistaken identity, thinks she's a boy too, and she realizes it doesn't feel wrong exactly. But it also doesn't feel exactly right? And because of this experience, Ana goes on the sometimes confusing journey of figuring out that she may not be either boy or girl at all. Ana's emotional journey is grounded in her figure skating training. The details of Ana's training are a big part of the book, and kids who are interested in figure skating will be fascinated by all that goes into learning a new skill and a new routine. It's quite obvious that the author is an accomplished figure skater himself and he understands the rigors (and financial burdens) of training at elite levels. Ana is torn: she loves skating and wants to do anything she can to succeed, but can she do that while still being true to herself and her new understanding of her identity? I love that the book shows Ana's struggles---Ana doesn't immediately understand who she is and what it all means, which is often (though not always) typical of kids who are non-binary or transgender. And, best of all, the ending gives her room to continue to figure herself out---there is no "one size fits all" when it comes to gender (or "two sizes"?). Ana doesn't have all the answers by the end of the book, and that's okay.
The Memory Keeper is an exploration of the power and shortfalls of memorThis review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
The Memory Keeper is an exploration of the power and shortfalls of memory. Lulu has the rare ability to remember every minute of her life in detail, a fact that she’s hidden from most people because she doesn’t want to seem strange. She remembers her sister’s death and the happy life her family lived before the tragedy—and she also remembers each time they turned away from her in the aftermath of their grief. Lulu’s grandmother has been a constant in her life, taking on a motherly role when Lulu’s mom couldn’t function. But now Gram seems to be losing her own memory—she often experiences periods of fuzziness and confusion. When Lulu discovers that Gram suffered some trauma when she was younger that she has possibly blocked out, she becomes sure that the key to restoring Gram’s memory is by helping her get past that block. Of course, she can’t come right out and tell Gram that’s what she’s doing, so things get complicated fast as Lulu unravels a secret past.
I love how this book juxtaposed Lulu’s perfect memory with Gram’s fading one. Each chapter starts with a passage about the brain and how memories are processed, which I also found fascinating (especially since I’ve done quite a bit of research myself on the subject for a draft of a manuscript I wrote a couple of years ago). The mystery of Gram’s past will be sure to keep kids turning the pages, and they’ll also learn some fascinating facts (both positive and negative) about what it would be like to live with HSAM and remember every detail of your life!...more
“I honestly don’t even know how to describe in words how I felt about this book. You almost just have to experience it for yourself to understand its brilliance.”
“This book gives lyrical resonance to the cyclical nature of violence in inner cities—a pattern that can be nearly impossible to break out of.”
So, let’s talk just a little bit about the graphic elements of the book and how the text compares to the original. I love that the graphic novel version opens this book up to a whole new audience. Some kids are drawn to verse novels because they feel less imposing than regular novels. The white space on the page is reassuring to some readers. But there will always be kids who are still intimidated by verse, even free verse. The graphic novel format of the book will help those readers to visualize the action and the emotion in a way they might not have otherwise been able to.
When a prose novel is reimagined in graphic format, you obviously lose most of the text. However, in verse novels, the text is much more spare. Because of this, the graphic novel version of Long Way Down is relatively faithful to the original verse novel, with some omissions where the meaning is portrayed graphically. Novgorodoff’s art highlights the emotion of the story and cleverly uses grayscale versus color to delineate between events in the past and the present. Pops of color (especially red) draw the reader’s eye and accentuate the violence of many of the circumstances of the book without becoming gory. The illustrations feel like a perfect match for Reynold’s compelling verse.
In the end, I recommend this book in all its formats. I need to take a listen to the audiobook next!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher for review purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***...more
My daughter loved the Scholastic Wish novels when she was younger, so I This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
My daughter loved the Scholastic Wish novels when she was younger, so I was excited to see a book from this imprint with LGBTQ+ rep! So many aspects of this book would have appealed to her that it made me love the book even more: the musical theatre, the cuddly cat, the strong friendships, the crush, even the MC Avery’s anxiety (my daughter also struggles with anxiety, though it’s not as debilitating as Avery’s). This is just one of those books that makes you want to give it a big hug—it’s utterly sweet! The book tackles issues in a way that doesn’t feel overwhelming for a middle grade audience. Not only does it focus on Avery’s anxiety, but it also features a character who is struggling with a mentally abusive parent and explores sexuality in a way that feels authentic and relatable. And I love that Taylor wraps everything up in a way that feels satisfying but is also believable (no, Avery doesn’t miraculously get over her anxiety completely). This middle grade read makes my heart happy!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via Edelweiss for review purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
This YA paranormal reimagining of King Arthur’s court is utterly addictiThis review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This YA paranormal reimagining of King Arthur’s court is utterly addictive! The book goes deep into the world of secret societies when sixteen-year-old Bree goes to her late mother’s private school and discovers that demons are running amok—along with a select group of people who can see them and have the magic to fight them called the Legendborns. When Bree suspects that these people had something to do with her mother’s death, she’s bound and determined to find out what happened; and the only way to do that is to make her way into the Legendborns herself. She uncovers secrets of an ancient magic, legends who live forever, and the people who serve them. But she also discovers truths about her mother—and herself—that she never imagined.
Race relations is a theme that’s threaded throughout the story seamlessly—the book doesn’t feel like a book just about race, but the inequities of both today’s society and the past are woven into the plot in important ways. The book also explores themes of loss, evolving friendships, and anger that holds us back, even when we feel like it’s fueling us. All of this in a story that’s action-packed and full of surprises. The twists at the end blew me away, and I can’t wait to read more!!!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher for review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***...more
A heartwarming story that examines what it really mean**spoiler alert** This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
A heartwarming story that examines what it really means to be family. You’ve probably seen stories of people who’ve unearthed family secrets via DNA tests (the tests have become quite popular lately!). In today’s world it’s becoming easier and easier to find genetic ties you might not have known you had. But how would you feel if you took one of these tests and found out about the existence of a (full) sister you never knew existed? That’s what happens to Abby, and it turns her world upside down. Now, from reading this description, you might expect this book to be dark and angsty, but Lord manages to explore issues of family (and friends who are as close as family) without making this feel like an “issue” book. I would say this reads more like a feel-good romance than a book about deep dark family secrets (though it manages to be a bit of both—the romance definitely takes a backseat to the family plotline). As Abby tries to unravel the mysteries of her sister’s very existence, she also deals with a crush on her best friend and all of the many hang-ups and insecurities that go along with being a teenager. In the end, she has to convince her conflict-avoiding self to fight for the relationships that mean the most to her, but she learns that it’s definitely worth the fight!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for review purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***...more
This story is utterly delightful! Maeve is the type of spunky main charaThis review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This story is utterly delightful! Maeve is the type of spunky main character who doesn’t put up with anything. She doesn’t follow rules very well, and I’ll confess that at first I found her the teensiest bit unlikable (for instance, I wished she’d given her friends a bit more credit and trusted them more), but it’s a testament to Berry’s writing that I was completely won over in the end. When Maeve finds a djinni in a sardine can, she suddenly finds herself under attack from all sides. She has to figure out the best way to use her wishes and how to keep the djinni safe and hidden in the meantime. The book is full of fun moments, friendships, humor, magic and adventure!...more
This book is powerful and important, and covers the topic of abuse, whicThis review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This book is powerful and important, and covers the topic of abuse, which isn’t often covered in middle grade. Unfortunately, many kids live in abusive situations, and they need books where they can see themselves and find hope for a better future. I will say that, for kids who are sensitive, it might be difficult to digest, but I think that books like this are needed. It was very obvious to me that Reese came from a difficult background herself because she portrayed the emotions of constantly walking on eggshells around a difficult family member perfectly. Samantha and her sister have struggled between love and fear when it came to their dad, and now that they’ve gone to live with their aunts, they’re just looking for a way to move forward and feel safe. Samantha struggles to trust, and when her aunt gives her a game called Fox and Squirrels, the fox in the game starts visiting her. He seems friendly, but there’s something sinister underneath. Via the fox, Samantha learns to stand up for herself and deal with the emotional baggage that comes with dealing with a controlling presence in her life. She also finds hope through her relationship with her aunts. The story has some difficult moments as Samantha relives her father’s violent temper, but it also shows how the human spirit can overcome. Samantha’s aunts are just what she needs—finally has a reason to feel safe and hopeful about her future.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher in order to read it for the Cybils Awards. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***...more
I wasn’t sure what to expect from a book about ogres, but I was surpriseThis review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I wasn’t sure what to expect from a book about ogres, but I was surprised how much I ended up loving Mulrox! It’s a fun and unique story with a lovely reinforcement of the message that “no idea is a bad idea.” Mulrox wants nothing more than to be a poet, but he just can’t manage to write anything he likes. He’s got a whole notebook full of rejected poems and scribblings, but none of it will win him the big competition so he can save his home. When a bunch of crazy characters called malcognitos show up, they send him off into the forest and then into a strange realm where he has to save them from disappearing. The story feels a teensy bit long in the middle, but I quickly forgave it that flaw because it’s full of quirky characters and madcap adventures, and shows that creative inspiration can come from anywhere!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher in order to read it for the Cybils Awards. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***...more
It surprised me how much I loved this book! For some reason, the cover mThis review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
It surprised me how much I loved this book! For some reason, the cover made me think it was going to be another superhero chosen-one story, but it wasn’t that at all. Yes, Cleo goes on a quest, but it’s a quest to leave her world’s absolute quarantine in order to save just one person who she believes is in danger. Mind you, the book was written well before COVID, so it felt sort of eerie to be reading a book set in a futuristic world where everyone lived in total and complete quarantine—literally no one ever leaves their own apartment. But when Cleo gets an accidental shipment of life-saving medication, she realizes that the intended recipient might die without it, and she sets off on a dangerous journey into the underbelly of her automated apartment complex. Her robotic companion Yorick adds a fun touch to the story and the story ends up taking many unexpected twists along the way. I think kids today will get a kick out of seeing quarantine taken to an extreme!...more
The best thing about this fun series is the ironic, goofy narration stylThis review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
The best thing about this fun series is the ironic, goofy narration style. In case you didn’t catch this based on the title, the narrator is quick to point out that this is a dreadful fairy book—like, really terrible. That tongue-in-cheek narration style carries us through Shade’s quest to save Elfame’s library from the evil clutches of those who want censorship. Shade and friends end up on a grand adventure filled with humor and surprises. The book has many of the original characters, but also introduces us to some hilarious new friends. This is definitely not your average fairy tale—it flips the typical tropes and turns them into the unexpected!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher in order to read it for the Cybils Awards. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***...more
If you’re expecting a bland extension of Disney in this book, you’ll be incredibly surprised. This was my first time reading Grace Lin, but I see whatIf you’re expecting a bland extension of Disney in this book, you’ll be incredibly surprised. This was my first time reading Grace Lin, but I see what all the fuss is over her now. Her lyrical prose is utterly beautiful, and she truly brought the character of Mulan to life. You don’t need to be familiar with the story of Mulan at all to enjoy this, but of course, there are little nods to the Disney version that serve to enrich the story. The book follows Mulan as she goes on a quest to save her sister from a deadly magical spider bite (see the tie-in there to Mulan’s sister’s fear of spiders?). She is joined by a healer, who actually turns out to be the famous Jade Rabbit of Chinese lore. The folklore is woven into the story as Mulan journeys through mythological lands to find the spider bite cure. When she learns about the prophesy that a member of the Hua family will one day save the Emperor, she is sure it is her sister, who has always met their parents’ expectations for what a girl of honor should be. Through her journey, Mulan learns that she might be able to bring honor to her family in other ways. Like I said, the book is perfect for fans of Mulan (I watched the live-action movie shortly after reading this, and loved it that much more because of the tie-in to this prequel), but it’s also wonderfully accessible to all fantasy readers!...more
This book imagines an alternate reality in which ghosts were released into the world in a cataclysmic accident back in 1900. Because of this, people rThis book imagines an alternate reality in which ghosts were released into the world in a cataclysmic accident back in 1900. Because of this, people regularly ward themselves against ghosts, which are a normal, if unpleasant, fact of life. Some people are spiritualists who can detect supernatural activity in various ways, but these people are looked at suspiciously or with downright hostility because they were the ones who caused the ghosts to be released in the first place (even though it was hundreds of years ago, the prejudices still exist). Alex, the MC of the book, knows he’s not a spiritualist since kids develop their powers by the age of 10, and he’s 12. So, when he starts seeing and hearing ghosts, he thinks he’s gone crazy. This book will especially appeal to fans of Supernatural because the ghost-hunting aspects of the book mirror that show pretty closely—sigils and salt and such. (I’m not implying that the author stole those elements from the show since they’re all based on “real” ghost-hunter lore.) And the whole story is told with great middle-grade appeal!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher in order to read it for the Cybils Awards. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***...more
The Barren Grounds is a fantastic exploration of Canadian First Nations culture and folklore, a culture that hasn’t gotten the respect or attention itThe Barren Grounds is a fantastic exploration of Canadian First Nations culture and folklore, a culture that hasn’t gotten the respect or attention it deserves. The story follows Morgan and Eli, two Indigenous children who have been taken from their communities and placed into foster care. Morgan feels completely disconnected from her culture, and she’s been in so many foster care situations that she’s lost her ability to trust and connect to people in any real way. Because of this, she doesn’t see Eli as much more than a person to share a house with. But when the two of them are swept away into a magical First Nations alternate world that is dying because of a perpetual winter, they must come together and decide whether to help save this new world or find a way home. I loved the exploration of a folklore I knew nothing about, and the setting was captivating. It was easy to root for these kids because I so wanted them to find ways to connect to their culture and also feel a sense of belonging in their new home. A wonderful fantasy for anyone who loves adventure and folklore!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher in order to read it for the Cybils Awards. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***...more
Yanka was found abandoned in a cave when she was just a toddler, with only a bear for company. Since then, she’s been raised by her loving adoptive moYanka was found abandoned in a cave when she was just a toddler, with only a bear for company. Since then, she’s been raised by her loving adoptive mother, but she knows she’s different from the rest of the village (if for no other reason than her size and strength), and she’s always felt the lure of the forest calling to her. When Yanka wakes up one day with bear legs, she flees her village and goes on a journey of self-discovery, determined to find out where she truly belongs. The answer is more complicated than she imagined, which is what makes this story so beautiful. One of my favorite elements of the book is the way that folklore is woven into Yanka’s story. It all threads together masterfully in the end, and it does so in some surprising ways. The book features themes of found family and self-acceptance, and Yanka discovers that her differences don’t have to mean that she doesn’t belong. The writing is gorgeous and the setting is beautifully atmospheric. Any fan of fairy tales will love this twist on old Russian folklore....more
A dark adventure full of rogue assassins ready to kill and a dragon who will do whatever he has to in order to earn his freedom. I have to start by saA dark adventure full of rogue assassins ready to kill and a dragon who will do whatever he has to in order to earn his freedom. I have to start by saying that this book is definitely upper MG; in fact, in my opinion, it seems like YA (Carmen, the MC, is sixteen and is trying to graduate from Assassin School). The themes are dark, and there’s quite a bit of violence (including an eye being removed!). Still, I suppose Carmen does come off as rather young and naive, and the book lacks anything more than the tiniest hints of romance, which is probably why it’s being marketed as MG. I think it fits nicely in that “in-between” space that gets lost so often.
I ended up loving this book and its morally gray heroine. It’s fast-paced, full of adventure and danger, and it left me wanting to read more!! As a one-eyed assassin, Carmen constantly has to prove herself. Things are harder for her, but she won’t allow it to be an excuse to fail. She is determined to graduate from Assassin School, no matter what she has to do to make that happen. Oh, and did I mention that her jealous brother is the one who took out her eye in the first place? The complicated rivalry between Carmen and her brother creates tensions and tests loyalties. Then there’s the relationship between Carmen and a certain dragon—I was left feeling constantly torn about that, but I won’t spoil all the reasons why. Suffice it to say, all those complications kept me turning the pages.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher in order to read it for the Cybils Awards. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***...more
The Clockwork Crow has a very classic feel, probably because of its histThis review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
The Clockwork Crow has a very classic feel, probably because of its historical Welsh setting. It reminds me of The Secret Garden or Tom’s Midnight Garden, both of which have a special place in my heart. When Seren is sent off to live with her uncle, she’s hoping for a new life, filled with family and a home she can truly call her own. But what she gets is a drab and lonely existence—the young boy of the house has been missing for a year and everyone but a few servants has abandoned the house. The most exciting thing about her new life is the mechanical crow a mysterious man left with her at the train station. Seren won’t stop until she’s uncovered the mysteries of the magical crow and Tomos’s disappearance, and then she heads off on a quest to save him. The story is beautifully told and full of wonder, perfect to pass along to any child who likes to imagine a world just beyond their own....more
Perfect for fans of the Warriors Series, this book follows Horace the FoThis review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Perfect for fans of the Warriors Series, this book follows Horace the Fox on his journey to claim his rightful inheritance. Horace has never left his safe den, but when his mother is ready to have new kits, it’s time to head out into the world. He decides that the best thing to do is head for the city, where there is an abundance of food—and dangers. But just as his journey is underway, he finds out that he is being hunted. His father died, leaving his only living son his den, but the biggest, baddest badger in town wants to keep the property for himself. Horace has to outsmart a deadly snake and make it past the threats of the human world to find a place to call home. A fun animal adventure full of humor and heart....more
This book is utterly and wonderfully strange. Like, Twilight Zone strangThis review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This book is utterly and wonderfully strange. Like, Twilight Zone strange. It is chock full of inexplicable mysteries and enigmas. The story takes place in a strange house that cares for the children living there. Their parents have left (for seven years) and warned them to never go outside into the tall silver grass that surrounds the house. When Winnow disobeys that order one day, Mayhap feels she needs to save her—and the story just gets stranger and stranger from there. Mayhap discovers a slew of secrets about her home, about her parents, about her sisters, about her pets, and about herself. I’ll confess that it took me a little while to get into this book, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down because I just had to unravel all the mysteries. There were more than a few surprises!!...more
This book is a quintessential fantasy, with its unique magical system, wThis review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This book is a quintessential fantasy, with its unique magical system, well-drawn characters, and a gripping plot that’s filled with a myriad of twists and turns. First off, I loved how rich the worldbuilding is in this story. Antonia is an apprentice wizard with middling powers—could be a story we’ve seen before, but the magical system is complex (without being overwhelming). The magic is ancient and many of the magical words have been lost to time. The way that spells are structured matters quite a bit, which is what makes Antonia an ideal student, even though her actual magic isn’t as strong as she would like it to be. And the political system of their world is highly influenced by the magic as well. All of this rich worldbuilding is doled out in ways that never feel boring or overcomplicated, a must for a middle grade book. The rivalry between Moppe and Antonia feels realistic—Moppe has pure power and no training whereas Antonia has studied for years and mastered the intricacies of spells but can’t do anything amazing with them. Antonia’s resentment of Moppe is palpable, which only makes it that much more wonderful when the two learn to work together. Their rivalry turns into a true friendship, but not one without complications. I highly recommend this book to any child who loves fantasy!!...more
Wonderland fans will love this new foray into the magical land. When CelThis review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Wonderland fans will love this new foray into the magical land. When Celia and Tyrus find Lewis Carroll’s missing diaries, they’re transported to Wonderland and must decide if they want to stick around to save it or head back to the safety of home. They encounter some of the same characters that Alice did on her journey (the Red Queen, the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit, and more), but if anything, Wonderland seems even a bit madder than it did when Alice was there. Since Celia is dyslexic, being transported to a world from a storybook basically represents her worst nightmare, but in Wonderland she learns to trust in her strengths. By the time, she returns home, she’s gained newfound confidence and has conquered her self-consciousness about using the tools that help her in everyday life. Since Tyrus is a bookworm, the two make an unlikely pair at first, but they eventually realize that they don’t have to be completely alike to be friends. And to save Wonderland both of their strengths will be necessary. This is a fun twist on the original Wonderland!
I don’t even know what to say about this book. Sometimes you read a bookThis review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I don’t even know what to say about this book. Sometimes you read a book that’s so special that you can’t even describe why you loved it so much. After finishing it, I put it down in awe and immediately wanted to buy myself a copy (I ended up adding it to my Christmas list). Keller’s writing is utterly gorgeous, yet very accessible to middle grade readers. The story explores Korean folklore, family relationships, friendships, LGBTQ relationships, and more. I found myself drawn into Lily’s journey of self-discovery and her quest to save her grandmother, who is slowly losing herself, body and mind, to cancer. The mythological tiger is woven wonderfully into the real-world setting of the story, and I found myself ever-eager to learn what Lily’s next encounter with the tiger would bring. The ending is beautiful and bittersweet, and I was left with a sense of loss when I turned the last page. Highly recommend this book!...more
Hauntingly lyrical and eerie, A Time of Green Magic paints a portrait ofThis review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Hauntingly lyrical and eerie, A Time of Green Magic paints a portrait of a blended family learning to love each other in a new house touched by something mystical. The story follows Abi, Max, and Louis, who are all just trying to figure out where they fit after the boys’ dad and Abi’s mom get married. When they move to a new house, strange things start happening—Abi’s always got her head in a book, and the house seems to brings those books to life right around her. Meanwhile little Louis finds a strange creature in his room that keeps him company, but grows ever wilder and more intimidating, and Max is dealing with a first crush that he definitely doesn’t know how to handle. The kids eventually have to come together to solve the mystery of the house’s magic and find a way to keep it in check before it goes too far. This is a quiet book, best for patient MG readers who don’t need everything spelled out for them right away and don’t need every loose end tied up with a bow at the end. But the writing is utterly gorgeous, and what kid wouldn’t love the idea of a magical house that brings books to life?...more
The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel is a diverse high-tech MG This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel is a diverse high-tech MG sci-fi mystery. Mars Patel has always idolized Oliver Pruitt, who runs an elite school and has a cryptic podcast that Mars would never miss. But when Mars’s friends start to go missing, he thinks that Oliver just might have something to do with it. I love the representation in this novel—main characters are Indian, white, and Black, and one is non-binary. Middle grade readers will love the fact that Mars and his friends are seemingly normal, but they all have certain abilities or talents that get amplified as the book goes on. It really gives a sense that maybe anyone could be a sort of superhero. The mystery pulls you along and keeps you wondering what’s really happening with Mars’s friends, and the ending gives a satisfying showdown (but kids who want a storyline to be at least partially wrapped up in one book will have to wait).
This is based on a podcast, and I’m curious to listen to it now—if anyone’s heard it, let me know what you think in the comments....more
Into the Tall, Tall Grass is magical realism at its best. Yolanda struggThis review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Into the Tall, Tall Grass is magical realism at its best. Yolanda struggles with so many real-life issues: the death of her abuelo and her abuela's serious illness, the loss of a friendship, sibling rivalry, budding romance, her military father's absence, and so much more. Add to that a touch of magic---all of Yolanda's family members except for her have magical gifts---and you have a recipe for a story filled with wonder. This is definitely a quiet tale---the plot revolves around Yolanda's desire to save her Wela by bringing her out to the lone remaining pecan tree past the strange tall, tall grass on their property, and there are certainly some obstacles along the way, but the true story is Yolanda learning about her family's mysterious past and coming to terms with the emotional ramifications of her broken relationships. The secrets of the past (both Yolanda's recent past and her abuela's past) unravel slowly throughout the book, which keeps you turning the pages. And the bittersweet emotional payoff in the end is utterly wonderful!...more
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