Goblin Secrets: By William Alexander

GOBLIN SECRETS

SUMMARY

A boy joins a theatrical troupe of goblins to find his missing brother.

In the town of Zombay, there is a witch named Graba who has clockwork chicken legs and moves her house around—much like the fairy tale figure of Baba Yaga. Graba takes in stray children, and Rownie is the youngest boy in her household. Rownie’s only real relative is his older brother Rowan, who is an actor. But acting is outlawed in Zombay, and Rowan has disappeared.

Desperate to find him, Rownie joins up with a troupe of goblins who skirt the law to put on plays. But their plays are not only for entertainment, and the masks they use are for more than make-believe. The goblins also want to find Rowan—because Rowan might be the only person who can save the town from being flooded by a mighty river.

REVIEW

While aimed at a bit younger audience than I usually like this Goblin Secrets was full of interesting characters and makes for a entertaining book.

Rownie’s a fun and brave protagonist perfect for the target audience. Hi’s transformation over the book acts as a great coming of age/strength story that kids will love. Of course besides being a great actor Rownie is determined, strong, and quick witted. All in all a fantastic underdog.

Of course while I liked Rownie, Graba and the Mayor make fantastic antagonists (Graba very much reminded me of a combination of Ursula from The Little Mermaid and a number of the characters from Spirited Away). They are gruesome combination of parts, take advantage of the weak, and are just despicable.

Speaking of combination of parts, I thought it was an interesting creation to make people part machine, but I would have liked an explanation as to why it was that way, or why goblins were not that way. Basically I wanted more back story.

All in all I thought it was a fun book for its age group. It has a likable protagonist, despicable villains, and an interesting world full of goblins and half machine half human creatures. In a word FUN.

INFO

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Published: March 6, 2012

Price: $16.99

The Always War: By Margaret Haddix

THE ALWAYS WAR

SUMMARY

For as long as Tessa can remember, her country has been at war. When local golden boy Gideon Thrall is awarded a medal for courage, it’s a rare bright spot for everyone in Tessa’s town—until Gideon refuses the award, claims he was a coward, and runs away. Tessa is bewildered, and can’t help but follow Gideon to find out the truth. But Tessa is in for more than she bargained for. Before she knows it, she has stowed away on a rogue airplane and is headed for enemy territory. But all that pales when she discovers a shocking truth that rocks the foundation of everything she’s ever believed—a truth that will change the world. But is Tessa strong enough to bring it into the light?

REVIEW

At some points in time I felt like The Always War was a little juvenile. At others I felt like it was trying to send a message to advanced for its readers. And yet throughout most it I found myself really enjoying it.

I credit this mostly to Haddix’s fantastic writing skills and her ability to maintain constant action and tension throughout the book. This book is great for readers in middle grades who want some fast paced action with short chapters that leave the reader wanting more each time.

While some of the characters leave a little to be desired in terms of complexity, they accomplish their goals in the story and move on. Some readers will enjoy this, and if looking at this in the eyes of a middle grade reader, this level will work fine. Further, while not all the characters are complex, they do deal with more advanced situations and lessons than one would expect, increasing the satisfaction gained from the story itself. In fact the story itself is appealing as it’s full of action, deception, and character realization.

All in all The Always War is like an action movie broken up into mine segments, almost like a soap opera. It is full of action and deception, and for middle grade readers looking for something quick and nonstop, this will be a great read.

INFO

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers

Published: November 15, 2011

Price: $16.99

The Dark City: Catherine Fisher

THE DARK CITY

SUMMARY

Welcome to Anara, a world mysteriously crumbling to devastation, where nothing is what it seems: Ancient relics emit technologically advanced powers, members of the old Order are hunted by the governing Watch yet revered by the people, and the great energy that connects all seems to also be destroying all. The only hope for the world lies in Galen, a man of the old Order and a Keeper of relics, and his sixteen-year-old apprentice, Raffi. They know of a secret relic with great power that has been hidden for centuries. As they search for it, they will be tested beyond their limits. For there are monsters-some human, some not-that also want the relic's power and will stop at nothing to get it.

REVIEW

After reading Incarceron and Sapphique I was expecting something absolutely fantastic with Fisher’s new new series, the Relic Masters, but I have to say I was a little disappointed.

While there was nothing wrong with the plot, it was interesting, fun, and held a pretty good pace, it felt as if the book was stuck in-between age groups it was aiming for. What I mean by this is that all the chapters were middle grade and lower level short (less than 10 pages for most), the characters felt confused as if they wanted to be deeper and more intricate but were stuck at a younger level in hopes to simplify actions for the reader, and the format of the book was that of one for younger grade books (wider font, less words per page, ect…).

At the same time, the larger plot of the book was more complex than a book of this age group and demanded deeper fuller characters and was much more intricate that a normal elementary or middle grade novel. Because of this The Dark City felt like it was constantly at odds with itself and hampered what could have been a great book.

Of course that said, this was the first book in the series and the characters could have been set at the level so that they could evolve in later books to a greater degree. Not only that but I personally hate when books “dumb down” plots and characters for a younger audience, and the wider and more complex plot may be an effort to do just the opposite of this and bring the level of this middle grade novel up to that of a YA novel, which in my opinion would be fantastic.

All in all while much of The Dark City seemed at odds with itself it was the first book in a new series and could be Fisher’s attempt at bringing up the level of some middle grade novels. So until I read the later volumes in the series (luckily they come out in consecutive months) I will withhold judgment and hope for the best, from what I usually consider a great writer.

INFO

Publisher: Dial

Published: May 17, 2011

Price: $16.99

Small as an Elephant: By Jennifer Richard Jacobson

SMALL AS AN ELEPHANT

SUMMARY

Ever since Jack can remember, his mom has been unpredictable, sometimes loving and fun, other times caught in a whirlwind of energy and "spinning" wildly until it's over. But Jack never thought his mom would take off during the night and leave him at a campground in Acadia National Park, with no way to reach her and barely enough money for food. Any other kid would report his mom gone, but Jack knows by now that he needs to figure things out for himself - starting with how to get from the backwoods of Maine to his home in Boston before Social Services catches on. With nothing but a small toy elephant to keep him company, Jack begins the long journey south, a journey that will test his wits and his loyalties - and his trust that he may be part of a larger herd after all.

REVIEW

Small as an Elephant had me hooked from page one. The story was both riveting and touching, the characters (especially the protagonist Jack) were interesting and realistic, and the pace fast moving.

Of course for me what was most impressive about Small as an Elephant was the level of writing Jacobson exhibits. She is obviously a talented storyteller, but the connection she creates between Jack and the reader really goes above and beyond. Readers will commiserate with Jack and his situation, and find themselves overwhelmed by Jack’s futile thoughts of living with his mother again, and will tear up with the books touching and fantastic ending. Really it is this level of writing and connection to Jack that brings Small as an Elephant from a good book to a must read.

All in all Small as an Elephant is a fantastic book. While it is short, readers will thoroughly enjoy the book. Jack is endearing and relatable, the premise is unique, and the level of writing is superb. Defiantly worth the purchase.

RATING

9 out of 10

INFO

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Published: March 8, 2011

Price: $15.99

Beyonders: A World Without Heroes: By Brandon Mull

BEYONDERS: A WORLD WITHOUT HEROES

SUMMARY

Jason Walker has often wished his life could be a bit less predictable--until a routine day at the zoo ends with Jason suddenly transporting from the hippo tank to a place unlike anything he's ever seen. In the past, the people of Lyrian welcmoed visitors from the Beyond, but attitudes have changed since the wizard emperor Maldor rose to power. The brave resistors who opposed the emperor have been bought off or broken, leaving a realm where fear and suspicion prevail.

In his search for a way home, Jason meets Rachel, who was also mysteriously drawn to Lyrian from our world. With the help of a few scattered rebels, Jason and Rachel become entangled in a quest to piece together the word of power that can destroy the emperor, and learn that their best hope to find a way home will be to save this world without heroes.

REVIEW

I hadn’t read any of Brandon Mull’s previous books when I picked this up. Someone recommended it to me and asked if I would review it, and so I said sure I’d be happy to take a look at it. From the first page I was riveted by the dark and powerful opening that propels the reader into the world of the Lyrian.

Of course the book seemed to change from the type of storytelling seen in the introduction to the first few chapters. Characters are given quests, they must overtake a sitting evil ruler, and they are the only hope as this is a land ruled by fear and corruption. This whole setup seemed a little simplistic and the quest reminded me very much of an old math adventure computer game from JumpStart that you travel around and solve riddles and math puzzles to help beat the game.

Of course there is a reason that those games were as popular as they were, and everyone my age played them at some point in time. Because they were incredibly well targeted for that age group. This is exactly what Mull has done with the Beyonders series, by targeting a specific age group that will be sure to respond to his writing.

What Mull really adds to the story is his ability to create inventive and interesting magics and creatures. My personal favorites were the characters/creatures Jasher, a seed person, and Ferrin, a displacer. I found both of these wizardborn (I assume the seed people of Amar Kabal were wizardborn because of there rebirth through seeds but I don’t believe it was actually stated that they were so I might be wrong) characters fascinating. The ability to detach one’s body and survive is a fascinating (and useful) ability that I felt was both unique and interesting to read about. These characters were also complex and really helped bring a higher level of action and adventure to the story.

Yet, while the quest seemed simplistic the twists that Mull introduces and especially at the end of the book make for an exhilarating spin on the story. Because of this shocking revelation at the end which promises to bring an excellent sequel in Seeds of Rebellion, the interesting wizardborn characters, and the quest, this book is perfect for it’s recommended age group. It will engross both boys and girls between 3^rd to 8^th grade, and after the revelations at the end, even a much older reader such as myself can’t wait for the next book in this exciting series.

RATING

9 out of 10

INFO

Publisher: Aladdin

Published: March 15, 2011

Price: $19.99

How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy: By Crystal Allen

How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy

SUMMARY

Thirteen-year-old Lamar Washington is the maddest, baddest, most spectacular bowler at Striker's Bowling Paradise. But while Lamar's a whiz at rolling strikes, he always strikes out with girls. And his brother, Xavier the Basketball Savior, is no help. Xavier earns trophy after trophy on the basketball court and soaks up Dad's attention, leaving no room for Lamar's problems.

Until bad boy Billy Jenks convinces Lamar that hustling at the alley will help him win his dream girl, plus earn him enough money to buy an expensive pro ball and impress celebrity bowler Bubba Sanders. But when Billy's scheme goes awry, Lamar ends up ruining his brother's shot at college and every relationship in his life. Can Lamar figure out how to mend his broken ties, no matter what the cost?

REVIEW

How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy is book that is clearly aimed at a single age group. This is not a book for young adults, nor adults looking for a great kids book. Instead this is a book that is aimed for older elementary school children and middle schoolers. What I mean by this is that some aspects of the book that I found annoying (some of the phrases Lamar and his friends use) I’m sure many of it’s intended audience will love.

The aspects of Lamar’s Bad Prank that impressed me most were the plot and the overall deeper issues it discusses. These issues include dealing with the death of a loved one (Lamar’s mother), revenge (on his brother), bowling for money/scamming others through bowling, and the issue that makes it’s way into almost all young adult/middle grade books, girls. Lamar deals with all of these issues, and while some of them seemed to be solved just a little too easily at the end of the book, it was an enjoyable book that I would have no trouble recommending for someone in it’s recommended age group.

RATING

7.5 out of 10

INFO

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Published: February 22, 2011

Price: $16.99

The Fourth Stall: By Chris Rylander

THE FOURTH STALL

SUMMARY

Do you need something? Mac can get it for you. It's what he does—he and his best friend and business manager, Vince. Their methods might sometimes run afoul of the law, or at least the school code of conduct, but if you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can pay him, Mac is on your side. His office is located in the East Wing boys' bathroom, fourth stall from the high window. And business is booming.

Or at least it was, until one particular Monday. It starts with a third grader in need of protection. And before this ordeal is over, it's going to involve a legendary high school crime boss named Staples, an intramural gambling ring, a graffiti ninja, the nine most dangerous bullies in school, and the first Chicago Cubs World Series game in almost seventy years. And that's just the beginning. Mac and Vince soon realize that the trouble with solving everyone else's problems is that there's no one left to solve yours.

REVIEW

Fans of Raymond Chandler and Mickey Spillane will love this book for their kids. The Fourth Stall takes all the key elements out of these authors’ excellent detective novels and miniaturizes for a younger audience. Instead of having a run down office, readers will find Mac, the stories narrator, in a broken down toilet stall in the boys bathroom. Instead of fixing any situation by solving a murder mystery, Mac fixes the situations for elementary and middle school kids. The similarities go on and on, but that’s exactly the purpose the author, Chris Rylander, wrote The Fourth Stall with.

I particularly enjoyed the end of the book where Rylander sets up a sequel to The Fourth Stall by having “a real dame” walk into the stall to ask for help. But the books target audience will love any number of things, from Vince’s insane sayings, to the exciting action scenes that seems to occur every other chapter, to Mac’s descriptions of characters and situations and the ruminations of cases past and how he met the other members of his crew. But most importantly readers will love the mystery detective style that the book emits.

That said this book is not for everyone. It hits perfectly for its target audience (kids in late elementary and middle school), but readers of an older persuasion might find some of the aspects of the book lacking.

Of course it wasn’t written for this older audience, so because of that my feelings are that this is a great book that does an excellent job of bringing the world of mystery and detective novels to young readers, an audience that I’m sure will love it.

RATING

8 out of 10

INFO

Publisher: Walden Pond Press

Published: February 8, 2011

Price: $15.99

Hero: By Mike Lupica

HERO

SUMMARY

Fourteen-year-old Zach Harriman can feel the changes. The sharpening of his senses. The incredible strength. The speed, as though he can text message himself across miles. The confidence and the strange need to patrol Central Park at night. His dad had been a hero, a savior to America and a confidante of the president. Then he died, and the changes began in Zach. What Zach never knew was that his father was no ordinary man--he was a superhero, battling the world's evil. This is a battle that has been waged for generations and that knows no boundaries.

And now it's Zach's turn to take on the fight. It's Zach's turn to become a hero.

REVIEW

When it comes to elementary and middle school sports novels, Mike Lupica is king. He’s written countless books about everything from football to basketball to baseball, and so when I saw he was coming out with a superhero novel I thought he’d be a great person to write one, (because of his experience with suspense and pace in the story) and so I marked it in my calendar and I couldn’t wait to pick up a copy for myself.

When I picked up Hero though I was a little disappointed, this wasn’t the all inclusive for any age book for I was expecting, this was a superhero book for kids in middle and elementary school (I don’t know why I was expecting anything else, but I was.) Of course even with that disappointment I still decided to finish the book, and I have to say it was pretty good.

Ok, now understand when I say that this book was pretty good, I had decided to try to put myself in the mindset of someone in middle school to better evaluate the book. So when I did that I found the book much more enjoyable and a great book for kids.

Hero is full of mystery, action, and superpowers, what’s not to love? The characters don’t develop as much as one might hope, and the end seems a little corny, but the story and the fun a reader will have reading it are top notch, and in my opinion that’s what matter most. Making this a good book for middle school and elementary school kids (especially boys).

RATING

8 out of 10 (for elementary/middle schoolers)

INFO

Publisher: Philomel

Published: November 2, 2010

Price: $17.99

Archvillain #1: By Barry Lyga

ARCHVILLAIN

SUMMARY

Kyle Camden knows exactly where he was the night Mighty Mike arrived: Sneaking around the fallow field behind Bouring Middle School (motto: "The U Makes It Exciting!"), running the electrical cabling that would allow him to dump the contents of the old water tower on the visiting football team during the next day's game.

Which is why he couldn't tell anyone where he was.

Or what he saw.

Those lights everyone saw in the sky weren't tiny meteors burning up in the

atmosphere. They were some kind of strange, supercooled plasma that bathed the entire field - including Kyle - in alien energies, energies that boosted Kyle's intellect and gave him superpowers.

Unfortunately, the energies also brought Mighty Mike to earth.

Kyle is the only one who knows that Mighty Mike is an alien. Everyone else thinks that Mike is just some kid who stumbled into the field, got beefed up on meteor juice, lost his memory, and decided to start rescuing kittens from trees. But Kyle knows the truth. And he'll do anything in his power to stop Mighty Mike, even if it means being an Archvillain!

REVIEW

Fans if Barry Lyga’s previous books may be a little surprised when they pick up his newest book, Archvillain. Archvillain is written for a younger audience, and it certainly reads like it.

That said this is not a bad book. Personally once I got over the differences and expectations from his previous books in style and content I really enjoyed it.

Archillain reads like Grossman’s Soon I Will Be Invincible and the recent blockbuster movie, Megamind. I’ve always liked superhero stories and I’m guessing that if you read Lyga’s previous books you’re not new to the superhero genre yourself (given Lyga recently wrote Wolverine: Worst Day Ever.) This is clearly a superhero story but told from the point of view from the villain. It’s got clever and funny moments and kids in middle school and elementary school will love the action and pace of the book, making it a perfect fit for its desired age group.

All in all while I was disappointed that Archvillain wasn’t in Lyga’s normal vein of stories, I still enjoyed it. And I guarantee that kids (especially boys) in middle/elementary school will love it to, making it a fun good read for the holidays.

RATING

8 out of 10

INFO

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Published: October 1, 2010

Price: $16.99

Monster War: By Dean Lorey

MONSTER WAR

SUMMARY

Charlie is in big trouble

Dangeroos, Mimics, Netherstalkers, and worse are everywhere, and the danger to our world has never been greater. The Named have succeeded in summoning the Queen of Nightmares, a villain so terrible that only one person can stop her—Charlie Benjamin, armed with the Sword of Sacrifice. But Charlie can't get the fabled sword without the help of his friends Theodore, Violet, and Brooke—and the sacrifice it demands from them is even more horrifying than a roomful of Ravenous Sticky-Spitters. . . .

REVIEW

Monsters are real, and nightmares are their way into our world.

Monster War is the third installment in the Nightmare Academy series and completes the story of the Fifth. When readers left the series in Monster Madness, Charlie Benjamin was exiled, the headmaster was critically wounded, and the Fifth, the creator of the Named monsters, was loose in the world.

Now as the final installment to the Nightmare Academy begins, monsters are running loose in the world, causing chaos, killing, and creating even more nightmares letting in more monsters to wreck havoc.

Nightmare Academy is an interesting series that has a unique concept. Part Monster’s Inc. and part Yu Yu Hakishu (for those not familiar it’s an anime series where the protagonist kills monsters/demons sending them back to the demon world) that is perfect for elementary and middle school children.

While some of the characters seem childish in their dialog (such as Theodore), the majority of the characters are solid enough. That, plus loads of action and excitement makes this a great book for kids.

What surprised me most about Monster War was that it doesn’t end the series, it is just the end of the first installment. It does resolve many of the problems created in the first two books in the series, but in the extra chapter offered in the end, Charlie discovers a whole new aspects of the Nether that opens up a new development in the series. I was expecting Lorey to neatly wrap up this series and so when he left this cliffhanger of an ending it truly shocked me.

All in all Monster War is fun and exciting. It is filled with action, and while some of the characters seem silly and some of the plot lines are predictable it is a good book, a fun series, and a great read for middle school readers looking for a quick engaging book.

RATING

7 out of 10

INFO

Publisher: HarperCollins

Published: July 27, 2010

Price: $6.99

Touch Blue: By Cynthia Lord

TOUCH BLUE

SUMMARY

The state of Maine plans to shut down her island’s schoolhouse, which would force Tess’s family to move to the mainland--and Tess to leave the only home she has ever known. Fortunately, the islanders have a plan too: increase the numbers of students by having several families take in foster children. So now Tess and her family are taking a chance on Aaron, a thirteen-year-old trumpet player who has been bounced from home to home. And Tess needs a plan of her own--and all the luck she can muster. Will Tess’s wish come true or will her luck run out?

REVIEW

With carefree enthusiasm, Touch Blue tackles the subjects of adoption of acceptance. And while not easy subjects to discuss Touch Blue does an excellent job of describing how jarring it would be to move from one home to the next without secure knowledge that this new home will be the last.

Not only that but Cynthia Lord does an excellent job of dealing with these issues in a clean and appropriate manor. Children and adults alike will approve this message as it teaches how to accept one another, the importance of moving on, and how to deal with change all in the short 192 pages it Touch Blue.

Yet, while Touch Blue touches on these issues with grace and deftness it is most certainly aimed at a younger crowd. Instead of the usual preteen and young adult book that deals with these issues, Touch Blue is most certainly aimed for elementary age kids. It is simple in its plot, easy to foresee the conclusion, and contained 2-D characters, such as the antagonist, Eben.

And still it is a good book for its intended audience. And while I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone looking for explosions or a fast paced novel it most certainly completes its goal as a sensitive engaging novel for 3^rd-6^th graders.

RATING

7 out of 10 (for ages 9-13)

INFO

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Published: August 1, 2010

Price: $16.99