Book Reviews
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The Boring Days and Awesome Nights of Roy Winklesteen
Most people waste the night sleeping. As for the rest, they know better.
According to nightlifer Roy Winklesteen, daylifers have no idea what they’re missing.
So, when a 2 a.m. glance out his bedroom window reveals a neighbor is hiding a secret of mythic proportions, Roy’s summer break looks a lot more exciting. Seeking a cure for being the most ignored kid in all of fifth grade, Roy knows an awesome adventure will surely get him noticed in middle school.
He watches and waits for the perfect time to move in for a closer look at the mysterious man who lives one street over. Roy’s spy mission doesn’t go as planned. Still, he manages to gain access into his neighbor’s world–where mind-blowing inventions are more common than furniture and fighting crime involves transforming criminals into bumbling fools smothered in questionable goo.
Every night with the neighbor brings Roy one step closer to the most daring adventure of his life. But even if he survives, he can never tell anyone about it.
From author Sally Dill for Readers 8-12.
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Sir Princess Petra’s Talent: Book 2
Sir Princess Petra has already proven she is a kind and noble knight. This, however, does not please the king and queen—they want her to behave like a princess and forget this silly knight nonsense of hers!
But when the king writes a new rule in the royal rule book that requires her to attend Talent School and acquire a princess talent certificate or suffer the spell of the royal magician, Petra and her funny dragon steed, Snarls, reluctantly, agree to go. But who could have guessed what Sir Princess Petra’s Talent would be?
By author Diane Mae Robinson for Readers 7-11.
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IDIOT GENIUS Willa Snap and the Clockwerk Boy
Nancy Drew meets Steampunk!
Join Willa Snap and her cat, Grayson, on their first big adventure in Grandeur, a city filled with scientists whose ideas are too dangerous to remain Outside.
The mystery begins when a Clockwerk Boy from one of Grandeur’s strange neighborhoods warns Willa she’s in danger—but winds down before he can explain. Grandeur’s as full of secrets as it is inventions: tour the city from the air in a glass-bottomed MiniDirigy, ply its streets from the comfort of a steam-powered rhinoceros cab, or grab a quick bite at the Jolly Rajah Man-o’-War o’ Pancakes—where the french toast is always delicious, and the sea battles are epic. Quick’s the word and sharp’s the action . . . there’s not a moment to lose.
Perfect for fans of The Mysterious Benedict Society, Percy Jackson, Neil Gaiman, and the Artemis Fowl series, this action-packed adventure will take you to places you’ve never imagined, but always wanted to visit.
From author Richard Due for Readers 8-12.
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What’s My Superpower: Discovering Your Unique Talents
He wants to save humanity but hasn’t found his powers. Can one young boy unlock his hidden gifts and help his household of heroes?
Deshaun Prime longs to join in his daring family’s superhero feats. But while Dad is really strong, Mom is lightning-fast, and Sister can fly, he has no idea what his own abilities could be. And though he’s tried to copy their amazing skills… nothing seems to work!
Scared he doesn’t have a special gift; Deshaun takes his parents’ advice to simply do whatever comes naturally. And when he remembers his love for math and construction, his fingers start to fly as he builds a mighty robot!
Will Deshaun’s clever brain be the secret to helping his superpowered relatives save the world?
From authors Delanada Coleman, Terrence Coleman and illustrated by Bowen Jiang for Readers 8-12.
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Target Practice: (Cleopatra in Space #1) A Graphic Novel
A funny, action-packed graphic novel featuring a young Cleopatra who’s transported to the future and learns it’s up to her to save the galaxy.
When Cleo finds a mysterious tablet that zaps her to the far, really far future, she learns of an ancient prophecy that says she is destined to save the galaxy from the tyrannical rule of the evil Xaius Octavian. She enrolls in Yasiro Academy, a high-tech school with classes like algebra, biology, and alien languages (which Cleo could do without), and combat training (which is more Cleo’s style).
With help from her teacher Khensu, Cleo learns what it takes to be a great leader, while trying to figure out how she’s going to get her homework done, make friends, and avoid detention!
From author Mike Maihack for Readers 8-12.
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Sophie Washington: Code One
GIRL POWER!
Xavier Academy is having a computer coding competition with a huge cash prize!
Sixth grader Sophie Washington and her friend Chloe can’t wait to enter with their other classmates, Nathan and Toby. The only problem is that the boys don’t think the girls are smart enough for their team and have already asked two other kids to work with them.
Determined to beat the boys, Sophie and Chloe join forces with classmates Mariama, Valentina, and “brainiac,” Rani Patel, to form their own all-girl team called “Code One.” Computer coding isn’t easy, and the young ladies get more than they bargain for when hilarious mishaps stand in their way.
It’s girls versus boys in the computer coding competition as Sophie and her friends work day and night to prove that anything boys can do girls can do better!
From author Tonya Duncan Ellis for Readers 8-12.
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Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Real-Life Tales of Black Girl Magic (Volume 4)
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Real-Life Tales of Black Girl Magic, edited by award-winning journalist Lilly Workneh with a foreword by #BlackGirlMagic originator CaShawn Thompson, is dedicated to amplifying and celebrating the stories of Black women and girls from around the world; features the work of over 60 Black female and non-binary authors, illustrators, and editors; is designed to acknowledge, applaud, and amplify the incredible stories of Black women and girls from the past and present; and celebrates Black Girl Magic around the world.
Amongst the women featured from over 30 countries are tennis player Naomi Osaka, astronaut Jeanette Epps, author Toni Morrison, filmmaker Ava DuVernay; aviator Bessie Coleman, Empress Taytu Betul, journalist Ida B. Wells, and many other inspiring leaders, champions, innovators, and creators.
For Readers 6 and up.
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Super Puzzletastic Mysteries: Short Stories for Young Sleuths from Mystery Writers of America
Bestselling author Chris Grabenstein and the Mystery Writers of America bring together twenty peerless puzzles—from bestselling authors such as Peter Lerangis, Stuart Gibbs, Lauren Magaziner, Kate Milford, and, of course, Grabenstein himself—in an anthology of mystery short stories that invite readers to try to unravel the riddles themselves.
From tales of hapless superheroes and stolen squirrel monkeys to murderous triplets and haunted basements, these thrilling, puzzling, and hilarious cases have one thing in common—YOU get a chance to be the detective before the author reveals the solution.
With twenty never-before-published mystery stories, this collection will leave young detectives sleuthing for more!
For readers 8-12.
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Sophie Washington: The Snitch
Should Sophie Stand Up to the School Bully or Become a Snitch?
There’s nothing worse than being a tattletale…
That’s what 10-year-old Sophie Washington thinks until she runs into Lanie Mitchell, a new girl at school. Lanie pushes Sophie and her friends around at their lockers and even takes their lunch money. If they tell, they are scared the other kids in their class will call them snitches and won’t be their friends.
And when you’re in the fifth grade nothing seems worse than that. Then a classmate gets seriously injured and Sophie needs to make a decision: fight back, or snitch?
By author Tonya Duncan Ellis for Readers 7-13.
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Keeper of the Lost Cities
In this riveting series opener, a telepathic girl must figure out why she is the key to her brand-new world before the wrong person finds the answer first.
Twelve-year-old Sophie has never quite fit into her life. She’s skipped multiple grades and doesn’t really connect with the older kids at school, but she’s not comfortable with her family, either. The reason? Sophie’s a Telepath, someone who can read minds. No one knows her secret—at least, that’s what she thinks…
But the day Sophie meets Fitz, a mysterious (and adorable) boy, she learns she’s not alone. He’s a Telepath too, and it turns out the reason she has never felt at home is that, well…she isn’t. Fitz opens Sophie’s eyes to a shocking truth, and she is forced to leave behind her family for a new life in a place that is vastly different from what she has ever known.
But Sophie still has secrets, and they’re buried deep in her memory for good reason: The answers are dangerous and in high-demand. What is her true identity, and why was she hidden among humans? The truth could mean life or death—and time is running out.
From author Shannon Messenger for Readers 8-12.
