Category: Middle Grade Fiction Review

REVIEW: Moon Rising by Tui T. Sutherland

REVIEW: Moon Rising by Tui T. Sutherland

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

The War of Sandwing Succession is over and the Dragonets of Destiny have started a school so other dragons can learn about one another and old animosity might someday be overcome. But someone seems to be trying to cause trouble at the school – and commit murder. One Nightwing, Moon, has the legendary mindreading and prophecy gifts of her ancestors, so she’s getting clues about the culprit. But she’s afraid everyone will hate her if they find out what she can do.

Review

This is the graphic novel adaptation of the 6th novel in the Wings of Fire series. This kicks off my favorite arc of the series, and I was pleased with how this turned out. The artwork is gorgeous and does a great job with the story. But it’s still an adaptation of a larger story. This really whet my appetite to revisit the series again so I can enjoy the full experience.

Newcomers should probably start with book 1 to understand the references to the first arc, but I think this can stand alone. But to truly experience the story, I still think the full middle grade novel is the best bet. This graphic novel can be a great introduction for newcomers to the story, and it can also be a great visual experience for readers who already love the novel.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ – Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Daisy Woodworm Changes the World by Melissa Hart

REVIEW: Daisy Woodworm Changes the World by Melissa Hart

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and North Star Editions in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Daisy is a semester away from the shift to high school and the ground beneath her feet has never felt less stable. Her parents have launched a dog poop business, trying to stay afloat after her mom was laid off. And as her parents use every spare moment to secure their own footing, Daisy has to step up at home, including helping her older brother, “Squirrel,” who has Down syndrome.

When Squirrel endures several crushing disappointments in a row, Daisy decides she’s going to help him achieve his dream – to be a YouTube celebrity. Even though her parents have forbidden him from all social media after the #EligibleBachelor incident.

Review

This was quietly amazing. I was hooked by the characters early on, but was starting to feel the stress of the impending doom. You know it’s all going to explode at some point. One minute I was braced for disaster and ready to skim ahead. The next I was wiping away tears, and reading every word. This is SO GOOD.

Like most of my favorite middle grade and older middle grade books (this one is for readers 10-14), this has an excellent teacher at the edges of the story, encouraging and cheering on his students.

If you can work around a few uses of the word “ass” in the text, this would be an excellent class read aloud – or a family/bedtime read aloud. I could also see this being a fantastic book club selection for upper elementary or middle school students.

If you love books with great characters, personal and family growth, and a triumphant ending, don’t miss Daisy’s story! (Includes some examples of online trolls/bullying)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: The BIG Adventures of Babymouse: Once Upon a Messy Whisker by Jennifer L. Holm

REVIEW: The BIG Adventures of Babymouse: Once Upon a Messy Whisker by Jennifer L. Holm

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary and Review

This is an all new format for a Babymouse book – 200 pages, full color – but the same fun. This book includes

  • school stories
  • Cinderella
  • Jason and the Golden Fleece
  • Three Little Kittens
  • Rapunzel, and
  • the Titanic

This was cute! I think Babymouse fans are going to love having a new book to enjoy. And newcomers to the character will have lots of classic material to go back to. Libraries and classrooms should definitely have this in their collection.

Details from the publisher list this as a book for 7-10 year olds. But I think the topics in the book – middle school, self-consciousness, identity, etc. – skew this a little older than that, so I put this in a middle grade range (9-12).

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+

REVIEW: Ham Helsing, Vampire Hunter by Rich Moyer

REVIEW: Ham Helsing, Vampire Hunter by Rich Moyer

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Ham is part of a long line of monster hunters. Most have been big on bravery, but short on smarts. But now it’s Ham’s turn to be in the family business, so he goes to hunt a vampire.

Along the way, Ham makes some interesting friends and discovers evil lurks in unexpected places.

 

Review

This was a hoot! A clever graphic novel with some laughs, a few monsters, and a bit of self-discovery and self-acceptance. I think kids will love this book! There’s some gross bits, some funny bits – and an engaging story from start to finish.

Graphic novel fans and fans of funny adventure stories should give this one a try!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ – Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Mr. Lemoncello's Very First Game by Chris Grabenstein

REVIEW: Mr. Lemoncello’s Very First Game by Chris Grabenstein

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

A young Luigi L. Lemoncello longs to fit in and find his place, but he was born to stand out. And he finds a kindred spirit at a travelling carnival where he meets Professor Marvelmous. Luigi is so good at the Professor’s carnival game that he gives Luigi a job there every day while the carnival is in town.

At the carnival, Luigi gets to practice being a showman. And the professor and Luigi’s friends encourage him as he works on his game ideas.

But two town bullies are determined to cause trouble for Luigi and his friends. Of course, one of them is a Chiltington.

Review

This was a fun prequel! Fans of the Lemoncello series by Chris Grabenstein will love all of the Easter eggs in this book. But newcomers could start here, too. I think it’s more fun to read the books in publication order, but that’s just my opinion. The story stands solidly on its own.

Luigi is a delightful character as a child (also as an older adult in other books). He’s sweet, clever, and kind. And the Professor is an excellent mentor who gives sage advice while also giving Luigi space to find his own path.

The bullies are the worst, just like in the earlier books. But Luigi is eventually able to outsmart them. The ending is a happily-ever-after for the Lemoncello family as well as Luigi’s friends.

This is a fun, feel good story, perfect for summer reading! This would also make a great classroom read aloud, but again I think it works best if the students have previously read (or heard) at least one of the other books.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Sloth Sleuth by Cyndi Marko

REVIEW: Sloth Sleuth by Cyndi Marko

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Clarion Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

When the inhabitants of the island of Winklefuss start getting sick at the café, Paz the sloth teams up with her best friend, Andrews, the librarian, to figure out why.

Review

This is a meaty graphic novel mystery – lots of characters, plenty of silliness, and one main case – from the author of the BRANCHES series Kung Pow Chicken.

The book starts with something of an info dump. The background of the island is amusing. The introduction of the island’s inhabitants – all criminals – feels like a lot. Later in the book, minor characters get a side bar-ish introduction that might have worked earlier for some of the main characters so they weren’t all introduced at once.

There are a lot of distractions along the way to the solution – many based on sloth facts. Their slow pace is used a lot. Also the fact that they poop once a week. Other facts worked into the story are explained in an end note. Overall, this was cute, and I think kids will enjoy it.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good +

REVIEW: Max and the Midknights: The Tower of Time by Lincoln Peirce

REVIEW: Max and the Midknights: The Tower of Time by Lincoln Peirce

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

As Max longs for answers about her twin, she turns to Mumblin the Magician for help going back in time. But he tells her there’s no spell for that. So the kids head out to find answers for themselves.

Review

This was so fun! It’s a great story – meaty, and it didn’t feel like it was over too soon. It was fun to spend time with Max and her friends once again.

References to the earlier books – Max and the Midknights, and Max and the Midknights: Battle of the Bodkins (♥♥♥½) – reward series readers, but newcomers would probably be all right starting here. The story definitely makes more sense, though, with the context of the earlier books. This is a series I have really enjoyed and look forward to – I think kids will love it!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Enola Holmes: The Graphic Novels, Book 1 by Serena Blasco

REVIEW: Enola Holmes: The Graphic Novels, Book 1 by Serena Blasco

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

The first three Enola Holmes novels by Nancy Springer have been adapted into graphic novels – The Case of the Missing Marquess, The Case of the Left-Handed Lady, and The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets.

Enola is on the run from her older brothers, Mycroft and Sherlock, as she looks for their missing mother. Along the way, Enola dodges her brothers and solves mysteries.

Review

This is a fun, colorful adaptation of the first three novels in this middle grade mystery series. Fans of the books will enjoy the visual delivery of familiar stories. Fans of the Netflix movie will see a few points of similarity as well as many changes for the movie’s purposes. Newcomers should absolutely check this out as a teaser to the full books.

Book 2 in the graphic novel adaptation will release in October. You can read my review of the latest Enola Holmes novel for young adults here; a second book in that series, Enola Holmes and the Elegant Escapade, will release in September.

REVIEW: The School for Whatnots by Margaret Peterson Haddix

REVIEW: The School for Whatnots by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Max was born into a world where well-off parents like his could afford to send their kids to school with “whatnots.” But Max was just a kid. He didn’t even know what whatnots were. All Max truly knew was that ever since kindergarten, Josie had been his best friend.

So when Josie disappears after fifth grade after leaving him a mysterious note, Max is desperate to find her. His texts go unanswered. And his family is ready to whisk him away for summer vacation just like always. So Max sneaks out to find Josie.

Review

What a creative and unusual story! This is the first Haddix novel I think I have read – although I stocked her books in the library where I worked, and my students loved them. The story here intrigued me, but the truths, as they were slowly revealed, continued to surprise and delight as I read.

I don’t want to give too much away by going into a lot of detail about what I enjoyed. The characters are great, but the situation was the most fun because it wasn’t what I was expecting.

I think kids will get a kick out of this twisty tale of friendship and family and secrets. I think the early chapters BEG to be read out loud. And I’d love to get a group of kids together to talk about what happens and WHY they think the author created this story. What might she have wanted readers to consider? Haddix fans should not miss this one. And science fiction/mystery fans should give this a try as well.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ – Great! Might re-read

REVIEW: The Map of Flames by Lisa McMann

REVIEW: The Map of Flames by Lisa McMann

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Louis was the only “parent” the kids had known for years. While he was Brix and Birdie’s biological father, he’d filled the role for Tenner, Seven, and Cabot too when their parents had not returned.

Three of the superpowered adults had left the island first, in search of supplies. When no one heard from them, four more left as well. And now Louis is dead, leaving the five kids alone.

Birdie’s father left her a map and told her to find her mother. Her ability to talk to animals would be an asset in the journey. But some of the kids don’t want to leave the only home they’ve ever known – and risk anyone back in Estero City discovering they have powers. But Birdie can’t resist the pull of finding out what happened to their missing parents. They all want to know why they’ve been left alone, forgotten, all this time.

Review

I was captivated by the start of this one, but after a few chapters of the kids alone on the island, the book started to drag. I think this is something tricky about first books in a new fantasy series. There’s a lot of world-building and character introduction to do, and it can feel slow.

Section 2 of the book picks up with some danger situations. And section 3 was great. I was all in by the end. There are some nice twists and tons of unanswered questions to carry readers to book 2 in the Forgotten Five series – The Invisible Spy (November 2022).

Fans of fantasy stories like McMann’s other series – The Unwanteds, Going Wild, etc. – will find a lot to connect to. And I’d encourage readers to push through section 1 if they feel things are starting to slow down. It’s worth it to stick with the story. The ending is easily a 4 or 4.5 star adventure. (Grief and loss)

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good +