Never Thirteen is the sequel to Forever Twelve by Stacy McAnulty, and finishes out the series.
It will be released on October 1, 2024. 

After a near-death mistake and becoming an Ever—cursed to stay forever twelve—Ivy struggles to find her footing among her new family of Evers, and leave behind the future dreams that she’s imagined for so long.

Fellow Ever Abigail is determined to make Ivy’s life normal again, but the sacrifice is too great to reverse what she’s done. Unless there’s another way…?

Ronan’s a psychic, and it turns out that Evers and psychics are supposed to be mortal enemies—at least, that’s how his family views the situation. But he cares too much about Ivy to simply leave her behind…

Ivy, Abigail, and Ronan will have to work together to unravel the real secrets behind remaining forever twelve if they want their lives to have a chance of becoming normal again.

I was a fan of the first book in this duology, Forever Twelve, and the sequel didn’t disappoint. The strong cast of characters, unusual magic system, and tight writing propel this story forward to a satisfying conclusion. The entire cast—but especially Ronan, Ivy, Abigail, and Este—feel authentic and multifaceted, and the character relationships are also excellent, providing the perfect balance of genuine caring and antagonism to become completely real. I particularly loved the increasingly detailed understanding of the Evers and psychics, and how these worldbuilding aspects that were only broadly painted in the first book were given more attention and unraveling. That said, I struggled a little with the ending, and though I truly can’t think of a better resolution, I would’ve loved a slightly more satisfying conclusion.

I recommend Never Thirteen (and the first book) to readers ages ten and up looking for a quirky, character-driven fantasy series. 

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed here are my own. 

By Nico

When Zach and his friends get attacked by a monster from another world, it’s hard not to panic. After all, even his worst problems—like his struggles in school and grandmother’s illness—are firmly grounded in modern, normal Australia.

Then Zach and his friends are introduced to the Tower, a secret organization spanning the globe that detects magical interlopers like the one they encountered and banishes them before they can wreak havoc. They’re given the choice to simply remain silent about what they’ve seen or become full members of the Tower—where they can defeat the otherworldly creatures and learn to harness the magical currents that flow between the worlds to perform spells themselves.

Zach’s life seems to be looking up. He’s literally learning magic—and, with his newfound healing abilities, he might even be able to save his grandmother. But keeping half of his life secret is more complicated than he could’ve imagined, and Zach must decide whether he’s willing to do what it takes to become the mage his friends, and the Tower, needs him to be.

The Tower Between is a fun, fast-paced middle-grade series opener for fans of world-within-our-world stories and ensemble casts. The very idea of the Tower grabbed me immediately, and loved digging into what truly felt like how such an organization would exist within our modern world—with all the associated complications, practicalities, and sci-fi edge! The threads of folklore, science fiction, and more found in the other worlds accessed through the Tower were very strong, and lent those worlds a lot of personality.

​I would’ve loved to get to know Zach and his personal conflicts/life a little better—the subplot with his grandmother lent his character a lot of dimensionality, and I would’ve loved to see more of that with the rest of his family. That said, I feel like the relationships and characters within the primary cast were extremely well fleshed out. I often find it hard to keep track of large casts, but I didn’t have that problem with this book, as they all had a distinct flair and personality. I particularly loved the magic system here—although different schools or categories of magic can easily feel cliché, their execution here makes them truly come alive and feel different from others I’ve read. I recommend The Tower Between to readers ages ten and up who love fantasy adventures with big casts of characters.

Thank you to the author for providing an e-copy in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Impossible Creatures will be released in the US on September 10, 2024.

When Christopher fishes a griffin out of a mysterious lake, he hardly expects an even more remarkable girl to follow it. But Mal does just that—and she needs his help.

Mal and the griffin are from the Archipelago, a hidden pocket of magic in the modern world where creatures out of storybooks thrive. Despite its glorious possibilities, though, not all is well in the Archipelago; magic is vanishing, and the creatures that rely on it to survive are vanishing too. Mal is determined to uncover what’s going wrong, and to do that, she needs Christopher.

Together, they traverse the islands in search of an answer to the waning magic, which will require not just human allies but aid from the Archipelago’s hidden creatures to uncover. But when the cost to cure the islands is revealed to be one Mal and Christopher may not be willing to pay, they must rely upon all their wits—and their friendship with one another—to save the Archipelago, and the world, before the damage becomes irreversible.

Impossible Creatures effortlessly calls to mind the character-driven, worldbuilding portal fantasies that made me fall in love with middle-grade fantasy to begin with, while balancing a plot original enough that I never was even tempted to roll my eyes at a cliché turn of phrase or twist. Recalling elements of, at turns, The Neverending Story, The Book of Three, and The Dark is Rising, all accompanied by a set of gorgeous illustrations that made me think of Greenwild, I’ll definitely be recommending this beautiful, timeless story.

To be honest, I was a bit skeptical of reviews that heralded Impossible Creatures as a modern classic, but within a few pages I understood immediately what they meant. Rundell’s writing is absorbing and immersive, with the kind of open, uncomplicated prose that makes it easy to get lost in without even realizing it. I really loved the cast, particularly Mal and Nighthand, whose dimensionality helped make the whole world feel more believable. I was a bit startled by the ending, but the promise of a series makes me believe that my initial reaction will be thoroughly resolved in later books.

Overall, I highly recommend Impossible Creatures to readers ages ten and up who are looking for a new fantasy series to obsess themselves with, or anyone who loves a good fantasy story with well-thought-out characters and twists.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed here are my own.

By Nico

The Night Compass is the fourth book in the ongoing Wilderlore series; it is preceded by The Accidental Apprentice (book 1), The Weeping Tide (book 2), and The Ever Storms (book 3).

After the death—or murder—of the Tundra’s Keeper, Barclay and his friends head straight there to investigate. But it’s soon clear that far more is afoot: Audrian Keyes is on track to find Navrashtya, the missing Legendary Beast of the Tundra, and the only way to stop him is to find her before he does.

Alongside a team of talented Lore Keepers, Barclay and his friends set out for the unmapped northern regions of the Tundra, searching for any hint of Navrashtya. But Barclay soon finds his own way to track the Beast—a mysterious wild lore that no one else can feel…no one else, that is, except Audrian Keyes.

As they draw closer to Navrashtya and Barclay struggles to control the wild lore, he and his friends must stop Keyes before he deals irreversible damage to the Tundra—and shakes their confidence in the world they’re all determined to protect.

I’ve loved every book in the Wilderlore series, and The Night Compass was no exception. The halfway point is where too many series falter, but Wilderlore does the opposite here; it feels as though Foody has hit her stride in this series and with these characters, and I can’t wait to see where it goes next. Fast-paced, multifaceted, and with Foody’s trademark incredible worldbuilding, I sped through this book and was left wishing book five—and books six and seven, for that matter—had already been released.

The characters, as always, are awesome. At this point in the series I feel like I know all of them so well, which gives each of them the opportunity to grow and change and connect with each other in unexpected ways. In particular, I need to give a shout-out to Yasha and Keyes, and the developing relationships between both of them and Barclay. The twist with the wild lore is truly brilliant, and not only does it add extra depth to Barclay’s character, it gives Yasha and Keyes so much more complexity—and dangerousness.

I also loved this chance to dig more deeply into the world of Wilderlore. The journey through the Tundra puts Barclay and his friends closely in touch with the wilderland even without the addition of wild lore, and I can’t wait to learn more about this world in the next few books. I highly recommend The Night Compass (and the entire Wilderlore series) to readers ages ten and up, particularly anyone who loves multi-part fantasy series and fast-paced narratives. 

By Nico

Henna has grown up surrounded by gardens and books on the tiny island of Earth’s End with her beloved papas. She couldn’t wish for a better life. But when her papa Niall falls ill, she journeys into the other Gardenia Isles to find a cure and preserve the life she’s grown up with. And she sees only one path to doing that: finding an almost mythological plant, the nightwalker.

Once, this odd plant, which can only bloom on an orange tree, was renowned throughout the Gardenia Isles for its healing properties. But after the blight that put an end to the Isles’ citrus trees, the nightwalker has become a legend—one that holds Henna’s only hope for Niall.

Henna enrolls at St. Basil’s Conservatory, the elite botanical secondary school where she’s traced the last known specimen of the nightwalker. Out of place among the elites of the isles—particularly since she and the other scholarship student, a witty, genderfluid troublemaker known as P, are instructed to look after wealthy student Lora’s every need—Henna’s mission quickly seems pointless.

But as she gets to know her new companions better and they become friends, Henna discovers that P and Lora might hold her only hope of finding the nightwalker, and of imagining a future for herself.

To be perfectly honest, I often steer clear of middle-grade books I know will make me cry; for that reason, I almost didn’t pick up The Girl from Earth’s End. But I’m so glad I did—even if only because the cover was so gorgeous I couldn’t resist it. I would be lying if I said this book didn’t indeed make me tear up, but it also made me laugh and hope, and I truly recommend it. Atmospheric and whimsical, Dairman weaves a thoughtful and lush world rich with history and life that brings to mind books like Greenwild. I adored Henna, but P and Lora were absolutely the standout characters for me in this book—they each have a unique perspectives and challenges that I don’t see often enough in middle grade fantasy, and their evolving understandings of themselves and each other gave the story extra depth.

​This book is much more small-scale than many fantasy books; the world will not end if Henna fails, but honestly that made me love it even more. The personal quality to the stakes made me incredibly invested in the characters and every twist of the plot, and once I started reading I truly didn’t want to stop. I highly recommend The Girl from Earth’s End to readers ages ten and up who love quiet, thoughtful fantasy with beautiful worlds and characters you’ll adore. 

First Test: The Graphic Novel will be released on July 2, 2024.

Keladry of Mindelan has always known she wants to be a knight—and now, she’s the first girl to take advantage of Tortall’s new law that decrees that girls, as well as boys, can become pages. But not everyone is thrilled about the decision, and the training master, Lord Wyldon, insists on putting her on probation, which no other page has ever had to endure.

Although many expect her to back down, Kel is determined to become a knight—even though that means enduring the hatred and taunts of other pages, and even standing up to the unfair system of hazing. One day, Kel is sure, she will prove everyone who doubts her wrong, and become a true protector of the small.

The original First Test by Tamora Pierce is one of my all-time favorite books, so when I saw there was a graphic novel adaptation coming out, I knew immediately I had to read it. That said, I had my misgivings: just like when I see a movie adaptation of a book I love, I was sure it couldn’t remotely compare to the original story.

Instead, I found myself instantly engrossed in one of the best novel adaptations I’ve ever encountered.

For fans of the original First Test, there is so much to love in this book—most of the dialogue is pulled directly from the novel, and it felt much more like a visual representation of the novel than a new story with elements of it, as too many adaptations often do. Although of course cutting some scenes or sequences was necessary, I loved how Devin Grayson and Becca Farrow used panel arrangement to convey a sense of time or a montage of scenes, creating the sense of all those scenes without narrating them all individually. The art really captures the spirit and personality of all the characters, particularly Kel and Neil, and I found myself hoping as I devoured this book that there would be adaptations of the rest of the series, too!

Especially at the beginning, some of the worldbuilding might be a little confusing for readers unfamiliar with Tortall, so I highly recommend checking out the character guide and glossary in the back. Although I’m often a little leery of supplemental materials like these, Grayson and Farrow did an excellent job of creating thorough and readable guides that allow new readers to orient themselves, without making previous Tortall readers feel bogged down by pages of worldbuilding.

I highly recommend First Test to both old and new fans of Tamora Pierce’s books ages ten and up, or anyone who enjoys excellent, fast-paced fantasy graphic novels!

An e-ARC of this book was provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Read our review of First Test (Book 1 in the Protector of the Small Quartet) by Tamora Pierce!

The City Beyond the Sea is the sequel to Greenwild, and the second book in the ongoing Greenwild series. If you haven’t already read Greenwild, look out – there are spoilers ahead!

The City Beyond the Sea will be released on June 4, 2024. 

Now that the Greenwild has woken up to the threat posed by the Grim Reapers, Daisy Thistledown is determined to finally travel to the Amazon and rescue her beloved mother. But then Daisy gets a surprise message from her mother that urges her to find a place still clouded in myth: Iffenwild, a cousin city to the Greenwild that hid itself away so long ago its very existence is under question.

With the help of a quirky, magical theater company, Daisy and her friends find their way into the Iffenwild. Iffenwild hasn’t been untouched by the Grim Reapers, though, and it’s up to Daisy and her friends to secure its people’s help—even if that means saving them first.

The City Beyond the Sea has all of the best aspects of fantasy sequels without any of the too-common letdowns. Thomson takes advantage of the established characters and world to deliver a fantastic, multilayered tale, one that never falters into the weaker plot of many second novels. In fact, I’d be hard-pressed to say that The City Beyond the Sea isn’t as good—or even better—as the first book in the series. Just as in the first book, Thomson takes a familiar genre and crafts a tale that manages to combine the nostalgia of past favorite fantasy books with a uniqueness and spark that make the story impossible to put down.

To begin with, the worldbuilding is top-notch. Worlds-within-our-world are not uncommon, but as in all of this book, Thomson brings something fundamentally fresh to this trope, creating a setting that brims with color and interest. I loved reading about the Greenwild in book 1, but it was impossible not to fall equally in love with Iffenwild, the Nautilus theater company, and every intricacy of this new setting. Thomson is able to describe so vividly I can see the world without slowing down the story—and the gorgeous illustrations fill in all the details!

I also loved the characters. Truly getting to know Daisy, the Prof, and her friends better was one of my favorite parts of this book, but the new cast, especially Max, can’t be discounted—every character feels vibrant and unique. In The City Beyond the Sea, there is certainly a lot of conflict between them at times, but if anything, that made me love them even more. Seeing them in their darker moments as well as their hopeful ones made them all dimensional, and made the highs and lows of the story all the more impactful.

Blending action, adventure, and atmosphere, I highly recommend The City Beyond the Sea equally to middle-grade readers themselves and to teens and adults who love the genre—I truly loved it!

​An e-ARC of this book was provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

By Nico

Homeschooler Shai has grown up with their struggling mom and their best friend, Mille. Life hasn’t always been easy, but their family and friends have supported them through everything, including coming out as genderfluid a few months ago.

But back when COVID started, Shai started picking at the hair on their arms—and even though lockdown is long over, they haven’t managed to stop. Luckily, they have a plan to break the habit: they’ll strike out and make a new normal for themself. A new normal that includes going to public school for the first time.

Their plan, though, doesn’t predict her entering as a ninth grader instead of an eighth grader when her test scores place her ahead. Or her growing distance from Mille as she gets to know new friends at school. Or a project that leaves them exploring their Jewish heritage for the first time.

As public school turns out to be a little more than Shai bargained for, they’ll have to find a normal for themself that’s not just new, but right, too.

I’ve loved every book A. J. Sass has written, and Just Shy of Ordinary is not just no exception—it might be my favorite yet! Thoughtful, authentic, and hopeful, this book quite literally feels like it’s about me a few years ago, and every inch of it rings true. Quiet but incredibly compelling, I particularly loved its exploration of identity and how different facets of our lives intersect to make us who we are.

A lot of middle-grade books, particularly those centered on evolving friendships, can feel a bit drama-prone, but this was the opposite, instead encapsulating the day-to-day challenges and changes of middle and high school with an impeccable and irresistible realism. I loved Shai; their anxiety, stubborn self-sufficiency, and reactions to public school made me instantly connect with them, and watching them grow and learn was so much fun. The feeling of change was so palpable in this book, and so were all the things it triggers—anxiety, uncertainty, struggles—but throughout it all the sense of hope ties together this story into something not just uplifting, but beautiful. I highly recommend Just Shy of Ordinary to readers ages ten and up, particularly those who love middle-grade realistic fiction or fell in love with Ana on the Edge. 

By Nico

​On the ice, Mars is at home. Everywhere else, they have to deal with the realities of seventh grade, the recent death of their father, and the knowledge that they’ll never be able to tell him that they’re nonbinary. But when they’re skating, all of that disappears. Here, they’re free to be themself.

Of course, ice skating also requires competing in the girl’s division, something Mars barely considers until they’re challenged by another skater—the new skating partner of their best friend—to see if they can beat him in a real competition. That means Mars competing in the boy’s division, something that would be far less problematic if it didn’t mean keeping so many secrets.

As Mars’s plans to beat the other skater develop, they must reckon not just with their grief and strained friendships but also what it means to be nonbinary in a relentlessly binary world.

In the constant debate about trans kids in sports, particularly youth sports, nonbinary kids are too often forgotten entirely—so when I came across Skating on Mars, I immediately knew I had to check it out. It didn’t disappoint! Thoughtful, authentic, and fast-paced, this book delves into the complicated realities of being a nonbinary kid in sports today. I really liked Mars—their conflict and struggles felt utterly relatable, and I particularly liked the realism with which they interacted with the supporting cast. If you loved Ana on the Edge, or want a realistic fiction novel with the same defiant fire of Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston, definitely check this one out! I highly recommend Skating on Mars to readers ages ten and up. 

By Nico

When each new Swift is born, the ancient family dictionary is brought out of its glass case to select a name for the newest member of the family—names they’re supposed to live up to. It’s seen as perfectly natural when Phenomena discovers an interest in science. No one bats an eyelash at Candor’s scrupulous honesty.

And Shenanigan Swift? Well, no one expects her to be anything short of a troublemaker.

Which she usually is, of course. But right now, Shenanigan isn’t thinking about her various shortcomings—she’s focused on the upcoming Swift family reunion, during which she’s determined to be the first Swift to find Great-Uncle Vile’s long-lost treasure.

But her plans go awry when there’s a murder attempt on the family Matriarch. Surrounded by Swifts she’s never met and their bevy of enigmatic names, Shenanigan now must train her skills on finding the murderer—before the next victim doesn’t survive.

The Swifts was a brilliant read. I love books with lots of wordplay and quirky humor, and this one was spectacular on both counts, weaving a story so full of cleverness and excitement that I didn’t want it to end. The Swifts are one of the most outrageous and yet utterly believable families I’ve come across in fiction; Shenanigan’s various relatives were all vastly different but eccentric and hilarious in their own ways, and the dynamic between them felt like it perfectly captured the chaotic reality of a gigantic and unusual family. I really loved the characters. Shenanigan was certainly a favorite, with her clever mystery solving and attempts to figure out whether she’s defined by her name, but I truly loved the entire cast; Erf, Maelstrom, and Flora/Fauna were probably my other favorites. Although not central to the storyline and Shenanigan, I also really appreciated how the larger Swift family quietly included queer and nonbinary/trans characters without making a big deal out of it—the normalization truly made me fall even harder for this entire story and family. Lincoln’s writing and the plot is twisty and zany, so full of clever vocabulary and the absolute unexpected that this book was an absolute pleasure to read. This will definitely be one I’ll be rereading in the future—I can’t wait to read the sequel! I highly recommend The Swifts to readers ages ten and up, particularly to anyone who loved The Mysterious Benedict Society but wished it included a murder. 

By Nico

Daisy Thistledown has traveled around the world with her beloved journalist mother. But when her mother disappears and Daisy finds herself alone, on the run from an unknown enemy attempting to steal her dandelion paperweight, she stumbles into a place far more mysterious than any she’s entered before: the Greenwild, a magical pocket of the normal world where Daisy, impossibly, belongs.

Daisy has never lived anywhere long, so when she discovers that the Greenwild might hold the truth about where her mother has gone, she’s more than happy to stay there for a little longer. Surrounded by new things to learn, magical plants, and unexpected friendships, Daisy can almost forget about the enemies hunting her on the other side of the door—and the mysteries about her own life that she finally has the chance to answer. Particularly since her new friends are helping her uncover the truth about her mother’s disappearance.

But whoever took Daisy’s mother is still out there. And their next target might be the Greenwild itself.

When I first came across Greenwild, I had a feeling it would be the kind of magical, atmospheric adventure that made me fall in love with middle-grade fantasy to begin with—books like Finding Serendipity, Magyk, and The Dark is Rising. It was everything I hoped it would be! Accompanied by Thomson’s beautiful writing and gorgeous interior illustrations (which are honestly some of my favorites that I’ve come across in MG), the Greenwild sprang to life in my mind, atmospheric and quirky in all the right places. Thomson truly has the knack of creating a fully formed, believable world nestled within our own, and the Greenwild has the perfect balance of the utterly fantastical and details grounded in stunning realism.

I loved the characters. Daisy was a brilliant protagonist, with such a complicated and relatable mix of emotions. The supporting cast was particularly excellent, and watching secrets be revealed and new characters get introduced was utterly delightful. With plenty of twists and clever surprises, I didn’t want to stop reading this book! I highly recommend Greenwild to readers ages ten and up. 

By Nico

​The Notorious Scarlett and Browne is the sequel to The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne, and the second book in an ongoing series. 

Look out--there are spoilers ahead for book one!

For Albert Browne, life is just beginning to get interesting. After spending his life stuck indoors, courtesy of the Faith House's oppressive views on his ability to read minds, he's finally escaped, thanks to Scarlett McCain, a far more experienced outlaw with a sharp tongue and a quick wit. All in all, leading a life of crime is all he could've hoped for and more: he gets to see the world and follow Scarlett on all sorts of interesting adventures. And with his magical skills and Scarlett's clever plans, they're yet to find a stronghold that can outwit them. 

Of course, there are some downsides...such as the nefarious criminal organization pursuing them, who is somehow connected to Scarlett's past. And the Faith House operative, with powers to rival Albert's own, who keeps popping up when least expected. And, of course, a messy ultimatum: either Scarlett and Albert break into a dangerously secure facility, or their friends will get eaten by owls. They might be the land's most infamous outlaws, but even they will be hard-pressed to handle everything before their time is up. 

And if they fail? Well, then, the story of the notorious Scarlett and Browne might just be over. 

The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne was one of my favorite books last year, and its sequel lived up to even my highest expectations. Stroud's writing is focused and clever, full of evocative descriptions and turns of phrase--plus an impeccable dose of humor--while keeping the story flying at an impossibly quick pace. I love the setting, as before; a futuristic, post-apocalyptic Britain governed by an organization of corrupt Faith Houses, it's utterly unlike anything I've read before, in the best possible way. The dynamic between Scarlett and Browne is truly brilliant. Full of humor and panache, their exploits are clever and all-absorbing, and although the happy, naive character contrasted with the snarky realist is a relationship I've seen many times before, Stroud makes it not just fresh but hilarious, too. And I'd be remiss not to mention the other characters in this book, particularly Mallory, whose arc/development was one of my favorite parts of the story. If you like audiobooks, this one's also extremely well-read! I highly recommend The Notorious Scarlett and Browne to readers ages ten and up looking for a quirky, fast-paced adventure with an intricate plot and spectacular characters. 

By Ella

The Golden Frog Games is the sequel to Witchlings, and the second book in Claribel A. Ortega’s ongoing Witchlings series.

[Look out—there are spoilers for book 1 below!]

Being one of the most famous Spares in the Twelve Towns is a lot to live up to. Especially for Seven, who’s heralded not just as the Spare who defeated the Nightbeast but as the future Town Uncle—a Town Uncle who, despite all her best efforts, can hear the voices of dangerous monstruos far louder than the animals that are supposed to be speaking to her. But ever since she, Valley, and Thorn made history as the first true Spare coven, they’ve been the face of all the Spares in the Twelve Towns. And Seven is sure that admitting she’s failing at her most basic Uncle duties is exactly what the growing number of anti-Spare agitators need to prove that Spares were always supposed to be powerless.

Amid a rise in anti-Spare sentiment, Seven hopes that the Golden Frog Games—an anticipated tournament where the Twelve Towns compete in everything from frog racing to magical clothing—will allay the worst of the tension, thanks to Seven’s covenmate and friend Thorn being a prime contender in the costura division. But when a fellow competitor is turned to stone, with Thorn the prime suspect, it’s up to Seven, Valley, and Thorn to find the hexer before they hurt anyone else.

I loved Witchlings, so I was super excited for the sequel—and it didn’t disappoint! Brimming with quirky worldbuilding, humor, and adventure, I didn’t want to put this story down. As before, the characters are awesome—Seven, Thorn, and Valley are one of my favorite literary trios, both for their individual personalities and the way they interact with each other. They feel like such a natural group of friends, and I love reading about them! The new cast was also great (I particularly liked Graves), always bringing energy and quirkiness to the narrative. I particularly loved seeing Seven and her friends stand up to anti-Spare prejudice in this book, and her struggle and determination in the face of it; realistic and thoughtful, it helped make the world of Witchlings come alive. I highly recommend The Golden Frog Games (and the Witchlings series) to readers ages ten and up. 

​By Ella

The Secrets of the Stormforest is the third book in L D Lapinski's middle-grade fantasy Strangeworlds Travel Agency series. It is preceded by Strangeworlds Travel Agency and The Edge of the Ocean, both of which we also loved--we chose the series overall as one of our favorites of 2022! 

​
[Look out--there are spoilers for books 1 & 2 below!]

Ever since Flick Hudson discovered the Strangeworlds Travel Agency and met Jonathan Mercator, who oversees the travel through the multiverse via portals trapped in suitcases, her life has become extraordinary. But now, as Flick begins to understand the truth about the travel agency and the dangers facing the many worlds, she discovers that not just Strangeworlds, but the entire multiverse, might be in danger. 

Now, with Jonathan and Avery by her side, Flick must race to find a suitcase with the power to destroy the multiverse--before it is used to tear apart every magical place she's ever found. 

I adored Flick and Jonathan's previous adventures, each full of quirky twists, awesome characters, and a sense of inarguable magic. The Secrets of the Stormforest's only flaw is that it's the final book in the trilogy! With everything that made books one and two so wonderful, plus unfolding secrets, impending disaster, and a series of stunning plot twists I never would have expected, there was so much to love about this story. As in the earlier books, Lapinski's characters are extraordinary; I felt so much for Flick, Jonathan, Avery, and the entire cast over the course of this book, who are made utterly relatable by their vulnerability, flaws, bravery, and connections to one another. Everything came together with beautiful, sometimes heartbreaking perfection, and threads both anticipated and unexpected from the previous books wove into a story I didn't want to end. I highly recommend the Strangeworlds Travel Agency series to anyone who loves heartwarming, exciting adventures, strong characters, and immersive worldbuilding, ages nine and up. 

​By Ella

It's been a long time since twelve-year-old Gabriela felt right in the world. Between not having any friends at school, their beloved single mom's depression, and Gabriela's increasing discomfort in their own body, life has just become harder lately. 

But when they meet Abbie and Héctor at the beginning of the new school year, who introduce them to the LGBTQ+ community for the first time, Gabriela begins to find the language to put to how they've always felt--and to understand who they really are. 

The One Who Loves You the Most is a warm, sweet novel that explores identity, friendship and family in a relatable, engaging way. I loved the characters of Gabriela, Abbie and Héctor--they all felt authentic and relatable, and their friendship forms the core of the story. I recommend The One Who Loves You the Most to readers ages ten and up who like realistic fiction with LGBTQ+ characters.