Book Reviews

  • A Time Traveler's Theory of Relativity

    A Time Traveler’s Theory of Relativity

    He believes in science, but only magic can help his mom.

    Twelve-year-old Finn is used to people in his family disappearing. His twin sister, Faith, drowned when they were three years old. A few months ago, his mom abandoned him and his dad with no explanation. Finn clings to the concrete facts in his physics books―and to his best friend, Gabi―to ward off his sadness. But then his grandmother tells him a secret: the women in their family are Travelers, able to move back and forth in time.

    Finn’s mom is trapped somewhere in the timeline, and she’s left Finn a portal to find her. But to succeed, he’ll have to put his trust in something bigger than logic.

    For readers 9-14 from author Nicole Valentine.

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  • The Losers at the Center of the Galaxy

    The Losers at the Center of the Galaxy

    When Lenny Volpe, former quarterback of the worst professional football team in the nation, leaves his family and disappears, the Chicago Horribles win their first game in a long time. Fans are thrilled. The world seems to go back to normal. Except for the Volpe kids.

    Winston throws himself into playing the tuba, and Louise starts secret experiments to find a cure for brain injuries, and they’re each fine, just fine, coping in their own way. That is, until the investigation of some eccentric teacher behavior and the discovery of a real live bear paraded as the Horribles’ new mascot make it clear that things are very much Not Fine. The siblings may just need each other, after all.

    For readers 8-12 from author Mary Winn Heider.

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  • Marshmallow & Jordan

    Marshmallow & Jordan

    Alina Chau’s Marshmallow & Jordan is a middle-grade graphic novel about a disabled, sports-loving Jordan, and the magical elephant named Marshmallow who she befriends.

    Jordan’s days as star player for her school’s basketball team ended when an accident left her paralyzed from the waist down. Now, she’s still the team captain, but her competition days seem to be behind her…until an encounter with a mysterious elephant, who she names Marshmallow, helps Jordan discover a brand new sport.

    Will water polo be the way for Jordan to continue her athletic dreams–or will it just come between Jordan and her best friends on the basketball team? And with the big tournament right around the corner, what secret is Marshmallow hiding?

    For readers 8-12.

  • Frizzy

    Frizzy

    Marlene loves three things: books, her cool Tía Ruby, and hanging out with her best friend Camila. But according to her mother, Paola, the only things she needs to focus on are school and “growing up.” That means straightening her hair every weekend so she can have “presentable”, “good hair.”

    But Marlene hates being in the salon and doesn’t understand why her curls are not considered pretty by those around her. With a few hiccups, a dash of embarrassment, and the much-needed help of Camila and Tia Ruby―she slowly starts a journey to learn to appreciate and proudly wear her curly hair.

    For readers 8-12, from award-winning author Claribel A. Ortega and illustrator Rose Bousamra.

  • Before the Ever After

    Before the Ever After

    For as long as ZJ can remember, his dad has been everyone’s hero. As a charming, talented pro-football star, he’s as beloved to the neighborhood kids he plays with as he is to his millions of adoring sports fans. Lately, life at ZJ’s house has been anything but charming. His dad is having trouble remembering things and seems to be angry all the time. ZJ’s mom explains it’s because of all the head injuries his dad sustained during his career.

    ZJ can understand that–but it doesn’t make the sting any less real when his own father forgets his name. As ZJ contemplates his new reality, he has to figure out how to hold on tight to family traditions and recollections of the glory days while wondering what their past amounts to if his father can’t remember it. And most importantly, can those happy feelings ever be reclaimed when they are all so busy aching for the past?

    For readers 10-13 from award-winning author Jacqueline Woodson.

  • The Unteachables

    The Unteachables

    The Unteachables are a notorious class of misfits, delinquents, and academic train wrecks. Like Aldo, with anger management issues; Parker, who can’t read; Kiana, who doesn’t even belong in the class—or any class; and Elaine (rhymes with pain). The Unteachables have been removed from the student body and isolated in room 117.

    Their teacher is Mr. Zachary Kermit, the most burned-out teacher in Greenwich. He was once a rising star, but a cheating scandal shattered his career and still haunts him. After years of phoning it in, he is finally one year away from early retirement. But the superintendent has his own plans to torpedo that idea—and it involves assigning Mr. Kermit to the Unteachables.

    The Unteachables never thought they’d find a teacher who had a worse attitude than they did. And Mr. Kermit never thought he would actually care about teaching again. Over the course of a school year, though, Room 117 will experience mayhem, destruction—and maybe even a shot at redemption.

    For readers 10-12, from best-selling author Gordon Korman.

  • Hall Monitors

    Hall Monitors

    Meet Parker Ronald, captain of the Hall Monitors. Not every school has them, but Wood Intermediate does, at least for one more week.

    Being a Hall Monitor ain’t always pretty, but somebody’s gotta do it. And after a high-speed chase ends with two kids kaboomed against a trophy case, the principal has decided to cut the program. But with the help of Davy Spencer and a little something called YouTube, Parker will try to prove to everyone why the Hall Monitors shouldn’t get axed. Oh, and the school’s most prized possession also gets ganked, so that’s a whole thing, too.

    Hall Monitors is a funny children’s book for ages 9-12, middle school students, and adults who never grew up. Marcus Emerson is the author of Kid YouTuber, Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja, and The Super Life of Ben Braver.

  • Enola Holmes

    Enola Holmes: The Graphic Novels: The Case of the Missing Marquess (Volume 1)

    A graphic novel adaptation of the hit books that inspired the Netflix film! Sherlock Holmes’ brilliant, strong-willed younger sister takes center stage in this delightfully drawn graphic novel based on Nancy Springer’s bestselling mystery series.

    14-year-old Enola Holmes wakes on her birthday to discover that her mother has disappeared from the family’s country manor, leaving only a collection of flowers and a coded message book. With Sherlock and Mycroft determined to ship her off to a boarding school, Enola escapes, displaying a cleverness that even impresses the elder Holmes. But nothing prepares her for what lies ahead…

    Book One in the series includes three thrilling mysteries: The Case of the Missing MarquessThe Case of the Left-Handed Lady, and The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets. At the back of the book, readers can explore a portfolio of pages from Enola’s secret notebook!

    For readers 9-11, from author Serena Blanco, and translator Tanya Gold.

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  • Scavenger Hunt Puzzles

    Brain Games – Scavenger Hunt Puzzles

    Go on a scavenger hunt without leaving your couch! Includes 70 engaging puzzles packed with things for you to find on your visual scavenger hunt.

    • For each puzzle, you’ll see a scavenger’s checklist of 20 to 50 random objects to find, from animals, airplanes, food, jewelry, and more.
    • Search the chaotic, surreal scenes to find items on the list, whether it’s one shark, three crayons, or ten pieces of candy!
    • Some objects you’ll spot right off. Others will be more of a challenge.

    For readers 9-12.

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  • The Ultimate Maze Book

    The Ultimate Maze Book

    Test your wits with our masterful maze designs! Enjoy several different types of puzzles, from ‘No Brainers’ to ‘Full Brain Overload’; all categorized for varying difficulty levels. Grab your pencil and a-Maze yourself!

    Entertain and challenge your brain with this bonanza of puzzles. Thirty mind-boggling mazes, created by a master maze designer, include labyrinths involving 3-D constructions, directional arrows, over-and-under structures, as well as key mazes, surface mazes, designated stops, and much more.

    The puzzles are designed around clever themes and are categorized by difficulty into five levels–from “No Brainers” that take about five to ten minutes to solve, to “Full Brain Overload,” mazes that might take hours to find a solution. (A picture of a brain with varying amounts of gray matter appears next to each maze to indicate its level of difficulty.)
    There’s also a “hints section” that provides clues for all but a few of the easiest puzzles. Use the hints section if you get stuck, but working the easier mazes will help you solve the more difficult ones. So grab a pencil and a-Maze yourself!

    • 30 mind-boggling mazes: Test your brain’s agility with a new challenge and take on complex constructions, from 3-D structures to directional arrows and over-and-under structures. With five levels of difficulty, you can find the perfect puzzle for you!
    • 3D constructions: Take your game to the next level trying out our 3D mazes! See how far ahead you can think and work around moving parts that require creative solutions. Every turn is like an adventure with puzzling twists and turns.
    • Designated stops: Can you find your way through every maze? Follow directions in each puzzle, including over and under structures, directional arrows and designated stops that might just lead you to the treasure at the end.
    • Fun and challenging themes: Get inspired by creative themes as you solve each one! Themed mazes will challenge your skills while also entertaining you with delightful visuals. Are you up to the task?
    • For all ages and skill levels: Puzzles start from easy and get progressively harder, so there’s something for everyone! The hints section provides clues for those tricky ones.
    • Unlock your true potential: Test and sharpen your skills; these mind-bending puzzles from The Ultimate Maze Book will help you challenge your intellect & build problem-solving skills. Get ready for an ultimate maze experience!

    For readers 8-12 from author Galen Wadzinski.

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