THE LAST HEIR TO BLACKWOOD LIBRARY by Hester Fox

 

The Last Heir to Blackwood Library by Hester Fox

Mystery, Ghosts, Gothic, Romance
Grade 8 and up

2023; 331 pages

Description

"With the stroke of a pen, twenty-three-year-old Ivy Radcliffe becomes Lady Hayworth, owner of a sprawling estate on the Yorkshire moors. Ivy has never heard of Blackwood Abbey, or of the ancient bloodline from which she's descended. With nothing to keep her in London since losing her brother in the Great War, she warily makes her way to her new home. The abbey is foreboding, the servants reserved and suspicious. But there is a treasure waiting behind locked doors: a magnificent library. Despite cryptic warnings from the staff, Ivy feels irresistibly drawn to its dusty shelves, where familiar works mingle with strange, esoteric texts. And she senses something else in the library too, a presence that seems to have a will of its own. Rumors swirl in the village about the abbey's previous owners, about ghosts and curses, and an enigmatic manuscript at the center of it all. And as events grow more sinister, it will be up to Ivy to uncover the library's mysteries in order to reclaim her own story--before it vanishes forever"--Provided by publisher.

My Comments

A great, shivery, gothic, romantic story. Highly recommended for a fun high school read.

SIMON SORT OF SAYS by Erin Bow

 

Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow

Realistic Fiction, Mental Health, Grief, PTSD, Humor

2023; 305 pages

Newbery Honor

Description

Booklist (March 15, 2023 (Online))

"Grades 5-8. Author of Stand on the Sky (2019) Bow delivers another middle-grade page turner. Seventh-grader Simon O’Keefe moves with his parents to the small town of Grin And Bear It, Nebraska. Hoping to help their son forget a traumatic event, his dad, a Catholic deacon (and sackbut player), and mom, an undertaker, help Simon adjust. Though the townspeople are thirsty to find out more about the O’Keefes, Simon wants to get through the school year by remaining incognito. That plan becomes moot when he befriends a girl named Agate and a boy named Kevin. All seems normal until the reason for the O'Keefes' move is exposed, causing anxieties to flare in Simon that result in conflicts among the trio. Bow diffuses the story's serious topics, ranging from parental and social issues to mental and emotional health, with humor and a silly scheme. Middle-grade students will resonate with the worries and pressures attached to making friends and meeting one another’s families. A tale of healing that serves as an excellent reminder to never assume we know what plights another friend is going through."

My Comments

This is a tough subject but author, Bow skillfully entwines trauma with humor and suspense. Unfortunately, school violence can be too close to home these days, so the topic won't be a surprise to students no matter how much we want to protect them. Most young people can relate to Simon's insecurities about being the new kid and making a place for himself. In that way, Bow helps the reader be sensitive to the fact that families may be dealing with more than meets the eye.

THE EYES & THE IMPOSSIBLE by Dave Eggers

 

The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers

Fantasy, Animals, Adventure, Friendship

2023; 249 pages

Description

Booklist starred (February 15, 2023 (Vol. 119, No. 12))

Grades 4-7. Johannes has always lived his life as a free dog in a vast park by the sea. Three captive elderly bison are the Keepers of the Equilibrium and overseers of the land, and they’ve dubbed Johannes “the Eyes,” as his agility and observant gaze allow him to notice the park’s happenings and report back to the bison. An assortment of wild animals assists Johannes on his daily intel gatherings, and he’s content in his dear friendships and freedom. But change is afoot: an enormous building containing mesmerizing rectangles is being built, a herd of mysterious creatures has set up shop in a field, and a heroic act brings Johannes intense human scrutiny that impedes his duties as the Eyes. It will require all of Johannes’ ingenuity, kindness, and speed to navigate the new developments while maintaining his precious independence. The utterly delightful book is narrated by a distinctly canine voice similar to the narrator’s in Eggers’ short story “After I Was Thrown in the River and Before I Drowned,” and though Johannes is prone to matter-of-fact bragging and hilarious exaggeration, he’s also capable of profound introspection and appreciation of life’s wonders. Eggers touches on deep topics with a light hand, effortlessly building suspense and a wonderful sense of adventure. A merry reminder to face the truth about the world and ourselves with compassion, curiosity, and joy.

My Comments

One of the BEST books I've ever read. Johannes is the embodiment of joy, curiosity, passion, creativity, and loyalty. He is pure love and innocence. There are so many wonderful parts, but one special thread is his obsession with artwork. He becomes hypnotized whenever he looks at the rectangles in the park and new museum (his word for artwork). The story is heart wrenching, but thankfully the plot ends with an unexpected new opportunity. This would be a special read aloud for elementary level kids and a magical read for ALL ages. A wonderful gift. I am still under the spell. Sequel, please!

I AM THE WALRUS N.O.A.H. Files (Book 1) by Neal Shusterman and Eric Elfman

 

I Am the Walrus by Neal Shusterman and Eric Elfman

Science Fiction, Humor, Animal Defenses Fiction, Genetic Engineering Fiction, Survival, Alien Contact

2023; 392 pages

Description
Horn Book Magazine (March/April, 2023)
Fourteen-year-old Noah Prime is late for school and collides with classmate Sahara on his way in, although he can’t remember how it happened. But that’s not the only strange thing that happens that week. He suddenly freezes up and topples over when confronted by bullies, embarrasses himself on the dance floor with Sahara, and performs a difficult gymnastics routine with ease on the first try. Noah’s best friend, Ogden, gradually works out that when Noah is stressed, he exhibits the defense mechanisms of various animals: bird, possum, penguin, chimpanzee, and -- when he is accidentally trapped with Sahara in a refrigerated meat locker -- walrus. Early in the novel, the reader is given teasing glimpses into further mysteries. A boy named Noah Tercero is captured and killed in Argentina, as is Noah Secundus in England. Do they have similar abilities? And does the same fate await Noah Prime -- or can he figure things out with the help of Ogden and Sahara? With brisk pacing, offbeat humor, and endearingly quirky characters, the plot grows more outlandish with each chapter, which is perhaps fitting for a book whose title alludes to a famously nonsensical Beatles song. Shusterman and Elfman (co-authors of the Accelerati trilogy) deliver the goods in this entertaining science fiction romp, leaving readers eager for the next installment. Jonathan Hunt March/April 2023 p.80

My Comments
Still reading!

ALEBRIJES by Donna Barba Higuera

 

Alebrijes by Adonna Barba Higuera

Dystopian, Science Fiction, Fantasy and Magic, Survival, Hispanic-Latino

2023; 404 pages

Description

Booklist starred (August 2023 (Vol. 119, No. 22))
Grades 5-8. Upon a desolate Earth, an enclave of humans has established a society amid hostile surroundings, including a wyrmfield inhabited by subterranean monsters straight out of Tremors. A harsh caste system has landed orphaned 13-year-old Leandro and his little sister, Gabi, in the Pox (Pocatel’s slum) with the other Cascabeles, who work the potato fields each day under the watchful eye of the Pocatelan guards. Longing for a better life, Leandro has planned an escape, but everything is ruined when he is arrested for stealing and sentenced to three years’ exile. Curiously, it will only be his mind that is held captive—uploaded into a tiny piece of Old-World tech called a spark. The physician performing the procedure secretly offers Leandro a deal in which she will place his spark into a hummingbird drone if he will search for her missing daughter, who is also in drone form. He accepts, knowing he and Gabi can leave Pocatel should he succeed. The high-stakes adventure awaiting Hummingbird Leandro is enthralling and studded with surprises that spur the narrative onward. Beautiful, imaginative writing fills this dystopian sf novel. Though it exposes cruelty and corruption, it raises up storytelling, culture, and kindness as stronger yet, giving a satisfying nod to Higuera’s Newbery Award–winning The Last Cuentista (2021) in the process. A wondrous addition to any collection.

My Comments

Still reading!

WINGS OF FIRE (Series) by Tui Sutherland

 

Wings of Fire (Series - 15 Books)

The Dragonet Prophecy (Book 1) by Tui Sutherland

Fantasy, Dragons, Survival, Adventure, Friendship, Courage

Text and Graphic Novel formats

2012; 304 pages

Description

Booklist (May 15, 2012 (Vol. 108, No. 18))

Grades 4-7. One stormy night on an island of warring dragon tribes, five eggs from five separate tribes are stolen from their nests. The eggs hatch in a secret location, and the dragonets are raised to fulfill a destiny they neither understand nor wish to face. They tire of the secrecy that has dictated their lives at the behest of the shadowy organization the Talons of Peace, and they look for any opportunity to break free. When that opportunity finally comes, it has ramifications they could never possibly imagine. As the first title in a multiple volume series, this gets down to the business of introducing readers to the key players in what is set to be an epic saga. While a lot happens in this first book, Sutherland has taken time to flesh out the characters and make each vital to the story, rather than simply overwhelming in their numbers. Dramatic battle scenes, double-crosses, and one seriously deranged queen makes Wings of Fire a series that should have broad appeal for middle-grade fantasy fans.

My Comments

I am hooked! Literally binge listening and reading to this series. Absolutely wonderful. Good for upper elementary (there are some really mean dragons and some violence), but the little dragonets offer counterpoints of peaceful resolution to conflict, loyalty, kindness, and bravery. A winner for kids (and adults like me) who like dragons and action!

CITY SPIES (Series) by James Ponti

 

City Spies (Book 1-Series) by James Ponti
Spies Fiction, Adventure, Foster Children, Relationship Skills

2020; 378 pages

Description
Booklist (December 15, 2019 (Vol. 116, No. 8))
Grades 4-7. Caught hacking into the NYC juvenile justice system's computers, 12-year-old Sara Martinez faces years in detention centers, but a British secret agent rescues her and takes her to Scotland. There she joins his small, top-secret team of gifted young spies, each recruited from a different continent. Sara, renamed Brooklyn, trains with Paris, Rio, Kat, and Sydney for a few short weeks before joining the team for a mission in Paris. They are realistically wary of their newest member until she earns their trust. Working undercover as students attending a summit on the environment, they plan to break into a secret research facility and outwit an evil genius. A television writer and producer as well as the author of Framed (2016) and its sequels, Ponti writes a well-paced story laced with suspense, wit, and entertaining dialogue. Events unfold within colorful Parisian settings that include the Eiffel Tower, the Catacombs, and a deceptively shabby-looking hotel run by British Intelligence. Laying the groundwork for a new series, this brisk adventure features mysteries, intrigues, and five clever young heroes.

My Comments
High action, page-turner. A lot of fun interlaced with introspection and emotional growth. This is not a difficult read although almost 400 pages.

REZ DOGS by Joseph Bruchac

 

Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac

Realistic Fiction, Native Americans, Abenaki Indians, COVID-19, Dogs, Grandparents, Novels in Verse

2021;184 pages

Description

Horn Book Magazine (September/October, 2021)
In this verse novel, Malian, a Penacook girl, is visiting her grandparents on the Penacook reservation when shelter-in-place orders are given due to COVID-19. Malian misses her parents and friends, but she spends time with a dog that has mysteriously appeared, and she enjoys listening to her grandparents' retellings of traditional stories. They also tell her about some of the more difficult parts of their history that have affected their nation, such as boarding schools and forced sterilizations, all touched on by Bruchac (Peacemaker, rev. 7/21) in an accessible and age-appropriate way. Ultimately, Malian's grandparents remind her that their people have survived pandemics before, through caring for one another. Young readers will be able to understand Malian's situation, including technological struggles in connecting to her remote classroom. The book's ending -- in which Malian waits eagerly but with mixed emotions for her parents to pick her up -- raises relatable questions of home, friendship, and belonging. Nicholl Denice Montgomery September/October 2021 p.90

My Comments

Upper elementary-middle school. A gentle story that keeps moving despite the quiet life on the Reservation during COVID. The grandparents' stories, the dog, remote school, and Malian's Penacook friends add richness to this deceptively simple book. This is the kind of story that stays with you.

LIA AND BECKETT'S ABRACADABRA by Amy Noelle Parks

 

Lia and Beckett's Abracadabra by Amy Noelle Parks

Realistic Fiction, Romantic Comedy, Magicians

2022; 296 pages

Description

Kirkus Reviews starred (May 15, 2022)

Two teens from rival families fall for each other during a stage-magic competition. Seventeen-year-old Lia Sawyer has just dumped her latest short-lived boyfriend when her eccentric Grandma Matilda, who has been missing, invites her and her older sister, Emma, to compete in a summerlong contest in Mirror Lake, Wisconsin, a lakefront resort town known for its magic shows and as the headquarters of the Society of American Conjurers. Her first day there, Lia has a meet-cute with Beckett Blackwell, the handsome, college-bound grandson of Henry Blackwell, a legendary local magician who’s also Matilda’s first husband and former stage partner. Despite their instant chemistry, the two must balance their attraction with their individual desires to win. The romance sizzles with slow-burn longing. The story also explores the sexist nature of the male-dominated magic industry that historically relegated women to being glamorously outfitted assistants in ways that will be interesting even to those unfamiliar with the culture of this community. Lia is a clever and delightful protagonist, and Beckett is a brooding and selfless love interest. The author crafts captivating descriptions of the various magic acts and ensures that even the supporting characters have fleshed-out storylines. Most characters are White; Beckett’s mother is from India. An enchanting enemies-to-lovers romance. (Romance. 12-18)

My Comments

Fun romance! An interesting look into the magic industry and magic tricks.  Appropriate for middle schoolers as well a good bet for high schoolers looking for a light read.

PERSEPOLIS by Marjane Satrapi

 

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Graphic Novel, Autobiography, Iran, Iranian Revolution 1979, High School

2000-2003

Description

 Persepolis is the story of Satrapi's unforgettable childhood and coming of age within a large and loving family in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution; of the contradictions between private and public life in a country plagued by political upheaval; of her high school years in Vienna, facing the trials of adolescence far from her family; of her homecoming--both sweet and terrible; and, finally, of her self-imposed exile from her beloved homeland. It is the chronicle of a girlhood and adolescence at once outrageous and familiar, a young life entwined with the history of her country yet filled with the universal trials and joys of growing up.

Edgy, searingly observant, and candid, often heartbreaking but threaded throughout with raw humor and hard-earned wisdom, Persepolis is "a dazzling singular achievement" (Salon) from one of the most highly regarded, uniquely talented graphic artists at work today. (The publisher)

My Comments

A powerful and engaging historical perspective on the Islamic Revolution. A classic.