Book Reviews
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Misfit Magic School
Thirteen-year-old Ember Pearson failed her mandatory magic exam, and now there is only one place she can go—the school for magical misfits.
Ember is desperate to transfer to a school for real witches, like her celebrity parents and perfect sister. When the only teacher that believes in her vanishes, Ember and her fellow misfits must find a way to bring her home. But with a mix of chaotic powers that include spotty invisibility, baffling psychic visions, and unruly fire manipulation, it won’t be easy. Meanwhile, a forgotten danger threatens to change everything, and Ember’s family is in the middle of it.
Join Ember and her classmates as they investigate their teacher’s disappearance and discover their misfit magic!
Misfit Magic School is the thrilling first book in this enchanting middle grade fantasy series for young readers. If you like following underdog heroes on mysterious adventures in imaginative new worlds, you’ll love this magical story.
Harry Potter meets X-Men in this fantastical series, full of twists and turns. Perfect for fans of The Marvellers, Nevermoor, Amari and the Night Brothers, Keeper of the Lost Cities, and The Forgotten Five.
For Readers 9-12 from author Marina J. Bowman.
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Iveliz Explains It All
How do you speak up when it feels like no one is listening?
The end of elementary school?
Worst time of my life.
And the start of middle school?
I just wasn’t quite right.
But this year?
YO VOY A MI.Seventh grade is going to be Iveliz’s year. She’s going to make a new friend, help her abuela Mimi get settled after moving from Puerto Rico, and she is not going to get into any more trouble at school. . . .
Except is that what happens? Of course not. Because no matter how hard Iveliz tries, sometimes people say things that just make her so mad. And worse, Mimi keeps saying Iveliz’s medicine is unnecessary—even though it helps Iveliz feel less sad. But how do you explain your feelings to others when you’re not even sure what’s going on yourself?
Powerful and compassionate, Andrea Beatriz Arango’s debut navigates mental health, finding your voice, and discovering that those who really love you will stay by your side no matter what.
A timely topic for all Readers 10-14 from Newbery Honor Award Winner Andrea Beatriz Arango and illustrator Alyssa Bermudez.
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Holes
This groundbreaking classic from 2000 is now available in a special anniversary edition with bonus content. Winner of the Newbery Medal as well as the National Book Award, HOLES is a New York Times bestseller and one of the strongest-selling middle-grade books to ever hit shelves! This is a Must Read, no matter what your age is.
Stanley Yelnats is under a curse. A curse that began with his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather and has since followed generations of Yelnatses. Now Stanley has been unjustly sent to a boys’ detention center, Camp Green Lake, where the boys build character by spending all day, every day digging holes exactly five feet wide and five feet deep. There is no lake at Camp Green Lake. But there are an awful lot of holes.
It doesn’t take long for Stanley to realize there’s more than character improvement going on at Camp Green Lake. The boys are digging holes because the warden is looking for something. But what could be buried under a dried-up lake? Stanley tries to dig up the truth in this inventive and darkly humorous tale of crime and punishment—and redemption.
Special anniversary edition bonus content includes: A New Note From the Author!; “Ten Things You May Not Know About HOLES” by Louis Sachar; and more!
For Readers 9-adults from author Louis Sachar.
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The Gymnast
Fourteen-year-old Riley lives for gymnastics. The beam and vault are her very breath. So when a setback causes her to lose her spot as a level eight gymnast on the Stick Squad team, she does what she has to―she finds another gym.
Fitting in at the new gym feels impossible, but at least she can still tumble and train for the upcoming Regional Gymnastics Championships. Unfortunately, a former teammate will stop at nothing to keep Riley from competing.
Can Riley ignore the hate and prove that she deserves to be at the meet?
For Readers 8-12 from author Joanne Slazyk.
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The Great White Bear (The World’s Deadliest School Trips)
Some school trips can turn out to be deadly dangerous—like this one.
Six young teens visit the Canadian wilderness to view polar bears. They become snowbound in a castle with its terrifying owner, Mr. Lagrave. With escape attempts thwarted, Lance and his schoolmates must find the courage to face Lagrave and the massive polar bear which terrorizes the estate.
This thriller contains references to alcohol and moments of violence which are unsuitable for children under 10. Such activities are brief and not glamorized.
For Readers 10-15 from author Jame DuBern.
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The Boring Days and Awesome Nights of Roy Winklesteen
According to nightlifer (night owl) 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.
For Readers 8-12 from author Sally Dill.
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Patrick Picklebottom Everyday Mysteries: Book One: The Case of the Brazilian Vase
Patrick Picklebottom is out in the neighborhood and on the case – can YOU help him solve 10 different mysteries?
Patrick Picklebottom has a knack for critical thinking. So, it’s not too surprising that he and his best friend, Claire, keep coming across everyday mysteries. In school, at the local ice cream shop, during a history fair – even in his own house – Patrick constantly comes across new cases to crack.
Can you help him solve these confounding mysteries:
- The Case of the Brazilian Artifact
- The Case of the Stolen Bicycle
- The Great Mountain Rescue Mystery
- The Puzzle Behind the New Employee
- The Baking Contest Caper
- The Mystery of the History Fair
- The Case of the Broken Trophy
- The Mystery of the Missing Donut
- Who Shattered the Window?
- The Case of the Acorn and the Oak
Join Patrick and his friends in 10 short stories where YOU help solve the mysteries. Can you figure out the solutions based on the clues provided? Think carefully before checking the answers in the back!
For Readers 8-12 from author Mr. Jay and illustrator Erin Wozniak.
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A Really Short History of Nearly Everything
Did you know that:
• Every atom in your body has almost certainly passed through several stars and been part of millions of organisms on its way to being you?
• If you are an average-sized kid, you have enough potential energy inside you to explode with the force of several hydrogen bombs?
Plus—What happened to dinosaurs? How big is the universe? Why are oceans salty? Is a meteor going to hit us?
Explore the mysteries of the universe without ever leaving your home! Author Bill Bryson takes on the world of science and answers questions big and small, perfect for curious readers looking to learn outside of the classroom!
For Readers 8-12 from author Bill Bryson.
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The Presidents Did What?
Step right up for a spooky tour of the White House! A long dead, but still charismatic, Millard Fillmore will serve as your ghostly guide as you make your way through the Executive Mansion.
Learn about the history of each room you visit from ghosts of presidents past-arguably the worst presidents in US history. Discover how they ended up there, cursed for all eternity to haunt the rooms of the White House, and find out why it’s so important for us to learn from their mistakes.
This is a short fun book for Readers 8-12 from author Wag Harrison and illustrator C. Rod Unalt.
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The Marvellers
Eleven-year-old Ella Durand is the first Conjuror to attend the Arcanum Training Institute, a magic school in the clouds where Marvellers from around the world practice their cultural arts, like brewing Indian spice elixirs and bartering with pesky Irish pixies.
Despite her excitement, Ella discovers that being the first isn’t easy―some Marvellers mistrust her magic, which they deem “bad and unnatural.” But eventually, she finds friends in elixirs teacher, Masterji Thakur, and fellow misfits Brigit, a girl who hates magic, and Jason, a boy with a fondness for magical creatures.
When a dangerous criminal known as the Ace of Anarchy escapes prison, supposedly with a Conjuror’s aid, tensions grow in the Marvellian world and Ella becomes the target of suspicion. Worse, Masterji Thakur mysteriously disappears while away on a research trip. With the help of her friends and her own growing powers, Ella must find a way to clear her family’s name and track down her mentor before it’s too late.
For Readers 9+ from author Dhonielle Clayton and illustrator Khadijah Khatib.
