By Nico

For Ty, getting through the day means standing up to a couple of middle school bullies, not defeating a magical dictator. But that’s before he follows a crow through a portal that leads him to Arcania—a parallel world where magic is not just real, but expected.

At first, it seems a dream come true, but there's a catch: for years now, Arcania has been ruled by Emperor Blackthorn, whose army of sorcerers and crows keeps down any dissent. An emperor who, as soon as he learns of Ty's presence in Arcania, will hunt him down.

Alongside Ayslenne, a girl from his school whose constant talk of magic makes much more sense now that he knows she's Arcanian, Ty sets off to find a way to get home—and save Ayslenne's brother, who was abducted by Blackthorn's crows. But as he learns more about Arcania, and his place within it, Ty finds himself questioning whether he can turn his back on this world so easily, and if he might be the one who can change everything.

River of Crows is a great read for fantasy lovers who are just beginning to fall in love with the genre. Though set primarily in another world, the story felt very accessible to readers less used to complex fantasy worlds. Following along with many familiar tropes—tyrannical ruler, Chosen One prophecy, portal fantasy—allows the details of Arcania to stand out without becoming confusing or convoluted, and helps keep readers engaged. That said, because of these tropes I believe people who frequently read fantasy might find it a little harder to get into. I particularly enjoyed the character relationships in River of Crows; the conflict between Ayslenne and Ty, as well as the supporting cast, made everyone feel more realistic. I recommend River of Crows to readers eight and up who are looking for a fast-paced, accessible fantasy series starter. 

Thank you to N P Thompson for sending an e-copy in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own. 

By Nico

When Olive Cobin Zang’s parents unexpectedly enroll her midyear at a peculiar, artsy boarding school that used to be a prison, she’s not too optimistic about her new life. After all, her parents have never paid much attention to her—they’re far too busy working constantly, and since her grandmother died a month ago, she doesn’t have anyone else to look out for her. The chances of this new development being one she’ll enjoy feel pretty slim.

But that’s before she gets to the school—named, weirdly, RASCH—and discovers it’s not just a quirky, offbeat boarding school. It’s also cover for a group of crime fighters, a group that Olive, along with four of her new misfit friends, have been chosen to become part of.

Learning to be a secret agent, all while finding her place among her quirky friends, is better than Olive possibly could’ve hoped for. There’s just one problem: RASCH is in danger of shutting down. And if Olive and her friends can’t catch a world-renowned jewel thief and secure the respect of RASCH’s most famous donor, they’ll lose the first place they’ve ever belonged.

Quirky and fast-paced, I highly enjoyed A Royal Conundrum. With all the trappings of a spy novel, all about an unexpected group of crime-fighting middle-school underdogs, this book entirely lives up to its premise. The characters are awesome; Olive and the Misfits are all quite different, and often don’t entirely get along, but their developing relationships and strong personalities made the story sparkle. I also loved the illustrations—they truly brought Olive and her friends to life, and added so much to the fun atmosphere of the story. And that’s all even without mentioning the mystery itself, which was hilarious and action-packed in all the right places. I’m glad to know this one’s part of a series—I’ll be anxiously awaiting book 2! I highly recommend A Royal Conundrum to readers ages eight and up, particularly fans of middle-grade mystery books like Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls or Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation. 

By Nico

All Olivia wants is to be as remarkable, as magical, as the rest of her family. But despite her best efforts, she can't develop the Tiller magic that makes her family such renowned healers. So, when her older sister invites her to accompany her to Arden’s capital as her apprentice, Olivia's family is certain that this is her only chance to amount to much of anything.

But when Olivia discovers that she's been offered a spot at the new Unicorn Academy—an experimental school that brings together students of all magical disciplines—she sees her chance to find her place. The only problem? Not everyone is convinced that the guilds’ newfound unity is a good idea. And when Olivia’s sister is accused of unicorn poaching, she and the school are caught in the crossfire.

Olivia, with help from her new friends, is determined to clear her sister’s name and uncover the real criminal before the conflict forces Unicorn Academy to close. But the secrets surrounding—and beneath—Unicorn Academy are more dangerous than Olivia imagined, and she soon realizes that learning the truth isn’t just about clearing her sister’s name.

For lovers of middle-grade fantasy who want a series opener that has the feel of an old favorite but with unique twists aplenty to draw you in, I definitely recommend Tangled Magic. The land of Arden was an awesome setting, with lots of intertwined history and magic that felt appropriately layered and deep without ever becoming confusing or info dump-y. Olivia and her friends were quite simply just fun to read about. Too many friendships feel forced, but the ones in this book never do, perhaps because they develop so naturally at the beginning of the story.

Although Tangled Magic is interconnected with a previous series set in Arden, I don’t think you’ll enjoy this book any less by not having read the earlier ones—I didn’t! Plus, I definitely want to go back and read the Unicorn Quest series now that I enjoyed Tangled Magic so much (at least, while I wait for the sequel, which I very much want to read after the ending of this one). I recommend Tangled Magic to readers ages eight and up who are looking for an exciting fantasy series to dig into.

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

By Nico

The Haunting of Lake Lucy will be released on May 14, 2024.

Jayce is just expecting to enjoy a normal vacation with his family and twin sister, Evie, at a summer house on Lake Lucy. But that’s before he starts seeing odd lights and movement in the windows of the abandoned house next door…oddities that call to mind the ghost that lurks in the corners of his dreams.

With Evie’s help, Jayce starts sending letters to the ghost to uncover the truth about it—and what it wants from him. But to do that, he’ll have to truly understand the story behind the haunting of Lake Lucy. And that might prove far more dangerous than he could’ve expected.

The Haunting of Lake Lucy is a fast-paced novel-in-verse that I highly enjoyed. I love novels in verse, but as someone who often steers clear of stories whose central plot reduces me to tears, I often sample the genre somewhat liberally. The Haunting of Lake Lucy satisfied my wish for an interesting, multilayered verse book that left me excited and wishing I could read more. Green’s well-written, descriptive verse propels the story forward and dropped me directly into Jayce’s thoughts and feelings, a level of personal intensity lent by the format which truly brought the story alive. It took me a few poems to orient myself to the characters and setting, but once I’d gotten to know them, I was able to truly absorb myself in the story. The setting felt particularly well-imagined to me—the mythos surrounding Lucy and the descriptions of the lake were notably vivid—and helped immerse me in the story. Although parts of this book were definitely creepy, I still found it appealing and engaging as someone who doesn’t always like horror-leaning stories (I’d place the level of creepiness around, or slightly less than, books like The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle and The Thickety). Overall, I recommend The Haunting of Lake Lucy to readers ages eight and up.
 
Thank you to Sandy Deutscher Green for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

By Nico

Rick knows Jeff will always be his best friend. After all, they’ve already been best friends for years, and Jeff is his favorite person to hang out with. Sure, sometimes Jeff says things that Rick isn’t totally comfortable with…but they’ll always be friends anyway. Right?

But everything seems to be changing when Rick enters middle school, particularly after he joins the Rainbow Spectrum club without telling Jeff and realizes he’s not the only person who his best friend’s words can hurt. Plus, as he’s getting to know his grandfather on the weekends, he’s wondering who he’d be without Jeff for the first time. Rick has to decide: will he keep going along with Jeff just to keep his life the same? Or will he stand up to him and be who he really is?

A sequel/companion book to Alex Gino’s novel Melissa, Rick is a thoughtful, relatable book about figuring out where you belong. Rick’s character was great—I loved how his developing understanding of himself and Jeff really powered this story, and his uncertainty felt relatable without becoming overdone. I was also glad to see the much-needed ace rep in t his story. Plus, seeing Melissa again after the conclusion of her own story felt incredibly heartwarming—watching her grow and thrive through another’s eyes made the conclusion to Melissa almost more satisfying. I recommend Rick to readers ages eight and up, particularly on audio. 

By Ella

Kai does not want to go to summer camp. E doesn’t see the point—after all, even with the incident that left eir arm in a sling a few weeks ago, e doesn’t think that going away to summer camp is going to fix anything. Kai just wants to hang out with eir friends at home. But no: eir parents are sure that sending em to a summer camp decked out in rainbows and pride flags will fix everything, and so, reluctantly, Kai packs eir bags.

Abigail can’t think of a way she’d rather spend her summer then at Camp QUILTBAG. A summer camp full of other LGBTQ+ teens sounds perfect…especially after the humiliating coming-out-gone-wrong that’s left her an outcast from her longtime friends. But she can’t help but feel a little out of place surrounded by all these kids who know exactly who they are, when this is the first time Abigail has been able to talk about who she likes without risking outright rejection.

Kai and Abigail might be unlikely friends, but soon after arriving at Camp QUILTBAG, they make a pact to help each other. Kai will help Abigail be more confident, and Abigail will help Kai’s group win the highly competitive camp-wide competition. Along the way, Abigail and Kai will both make friends and find their place at Camp QUILTBAG—and learn more about themselves, too.

​Camp QUILTBAG is a fun, quirky middle-grade novel perfect for anyone looking for a lighthearted and thoughtful summery read. I really liked all the characters—although Kai and Abigail were particularly awesome, there were so many more minor characters who felt equally developed and interesting (I particularly liked Oren and Juliana). The ways they interacted and found common ground truly formed the backbone of this story, and the relationships in Camp QUILTBAG were some of the highlights for me. I highly recommend Camp QUILTBAG to readers ages eight and up, particularly those who like inclusive middle-grade and summertime reads. 

P.S. If you like Camp QUILTBAG, check out our interview with coauthor A. J. Sass about his first book, Ana on the Edge! 

By Ella

Everyone seems to have their own opinion on Marlene’s frizzy hair. For Marlene’s mother, it’s that curly hair should be straightened every week at the salon, yanked and prodded by a much-hated stylist. To her family, it’s only remotely manageable and presentable when it’s styled her mother’s way, but even then, it’ll never live up to her cousin’s Diana’s gorgeous, flowing, straight golden locks. And for Marlene’s classmates? Her hair is just something else to make fun of her for.

Marlene just wishes that she didn’t always have to be so careful to keep her hair tame like the whole world seems to want her to—no running, no dancing, and definitely not any attempts to style it her own way. But with the help of her best friend Camilla and her beloved tía Ruby, Marlene begins to realize that her hair is most beautiful when she wears it the way she wants to—and that maybe she can show everyone else just how lovely it can be, too.

​Frizzy is absolutely wonderful. The sweet, pithy writing of Claribel A. Ortega (also the author of Witchlings) blends with Rose Bousamra’s beautiful, evocative illustrations to create a moving, lovely graphic novel about the prejudices of those around us and the capacity of each of us to be beautiful. Quirky and relatable, I couldn’t help but read Frizzy in one sitting—I was pulled into Marlene’s story from the first page thanks to her struggles with self-identity and how others perceive her, universal questions that gave the book such depth. Perhaps best of all was the realism of Marlene’s interactions with other characters, particularly her family; ranging from awful to heartwarming, they truly brought the story alive with dimensionality and authenticity. I highly recommend Frizzy to readers ages eight and up, particularly more reluctant readers or those looking for an affirming, realistic story. 

By Lina

Sixth-grader Peter is good at lots of things, from making jokes to quoting lines from his favorite classic movies. But fitting in? Not so much--having autism spectrum disorder makes it hard to fly under the radar when you're surrounded by elementary school bullies. When his parents announce their latest solution—spending the summer with a grandmother he’s never met on the remote Johnson Island—he has no reason to believe that summer on some island in the middle of nowhere will be any different than the misery of elementary school. 

However, life on Johnson Island isn’t nearly as terrible as Peter (or Pete, as everyone on the island seems to insist on calling him) was expecting—especially once he meets witty, sarcastic twins Kat and Sofia, who appreciate his sense of humor and retro movie t-shirts. Before he knows it, he’s playing manhunt and having water gun fights with the other island kids, and learning about all of Johnson Island’s quirky traditions—and for the first time, he begins to feel that he belongs. The islanders have been financially struggling ever since weed management company Meta-Gro abruptly ended all research at their facility there, but the community has remained tight-knit and welcoming. And while yes, Gram makes Pete learn to swim and do chores (weeding every day!), it’s really not so bad with two new friends at his side. 

Yet there’s something strange about Johnson Island—and when a spontaneous bet leads Pete and the twins to discover the secret behind Meta-Gro’s hurried removal from the island, they’re forced to face off with a failed experiment worthy of any of Pete’s favorite movies. Except….can a quirky, nerdy underdog really be the one to save the day? 
​
A perfect read to for the beginning of summer, The Summer My Grandmother’s Yard Tried to Kill Me is a delightful debut! Pete’s well-rounded character, quirky narration and consistent sense of humor make him irresistible; it’s incredibly satisfying to watch him grow and ultimately triumph over the course of the story as he learns the importance of accepting and celebrating yourself for who you are. Details such as Pete’s impressive knowledge of classic movies, the islanders’ unique, often amusing slang words and phrases, and the island traditions bring the story to life. It’s a fast, fun, engaging read; older middle grade readers will enjoy reading it on their own, while it’s also a great story for younger ones to read with their parents. And I thoroughly enjoyed it as a high schooler as well! Full of deft humor, quirky, caring friendships, and winning characters, I would highly recommend The Summer My Grandmother’s Yard Tried to Kill Me to readers ages eight and up. 

Note: Check out our interview with the author, Harry Harvey! 

By Ella

​If Barclay Thorne had his way, his life would be spent peacefully hunting for mushrooms in his hometown of Dullshire, never straying into the dangerous Woods that lie on the brink of his peaceful, wonderfully boring village. The Woods, after all, represent everything he and Dullshire hate most--lawlessness, nonconformity, and magic. 

Dullshire has lots of rules, but among all of them, that one's the most important: absolutely no magic. It's because of the magical Beasts--and the Lore Keepers, misguided humans who live in the Woods and actually bond with the foul creatures--that Barclay is an orphan. Ever since, he's been determined to do his absolute best to follow every one of Dullshire's rules, though there are some, like never running, that he has some trouble with. 

Still, it's Barclay's worst nightmare come true when a mushroom hunting mission goes wrong, and one of the beasts bonds--with him. Cast out of Dullshire, his mushroom hunting future gone in a blink, Barclay is determined to dissolve his bond with the beast and get his life back on track, even if that means seeking out the dangerous and powerful Lore Keepers in the Woods. 

But when Barclay discovers a plot that endangers the new place he's starting to wonder if he can find for himself, it's up to him to accept who he might just be becoming before Dullshire itself is destroyed. 

The Accidental Apprentice is a light, humorous fantasy novel that nimbly avoids any expected clichés with unexpected freshness and creativity. Barclay's stubbornness is commendable, his resolve relatable, and his development both a joy to read about and full of realism. I loved this world, from Dullshire to the depths of the Woods, and some of the supporting characters particularly stuck out to me. I highly recommend The Accidental Apprentice to readers ages eight and up looking for a whimsical, funny fantasy novel full of adventure. 

By Piranha T. 

Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality is the fifth and final book in the Pandava Quintet, which opened with Aru Shah and the End of Time. 

[Look out--there are spoilers below for earlier books in the series!] 

Aru Shah and her friends have lost their celestial weapons--and without them, they don't have a chance of entering the labyrinth in which the Nectar of Immortality is hidden. The Sleeper and his army are already there, though, and Aru knows she's running out of time. 

Together, Aru, Mini and Brynne--with lots of help from their friends--must trade in old favors, journey to the ends of the earth, and even perform at a rock concert to regain their weapons and stop the Sleeper in time. But what if the Pandava sisters aren't up for the task? And can Aru figure out the right thing to do in time? 

The first book in the Pandava Quintet, Aru Shah and the End of Time, was so funny, spot-on and brilliant that it made me think, there's no way the whole series can be this awesome. Having finished the final installment, Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality​, I can assure you that it is. The quirky characters, witty narrative and constantly engrossing story never flags; Aru and her friends--particularly Mini, Brynne and Aiden--manage to be both utterly hilarious and deeply relatable and understandable. Having reached the final page of the final book, I found myself wishing I could hang out with them some more! I highly recommend Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality​ (and the entire Pandava Quintet) to readers ages eight and up. 

By SK

Ten-year-old self-proclaimed natural-born cynic Flora Belle Buckman has studied enough of her beloved comics to know that it is imperative to be prepared for the Terrible Things that can happen to a person. So when her next-door neighbor's birthday present, a Ulysses Super-Suction, Multi-Terrain 2000x vacuum cleaner, accidentally suctions up a hapless squirrel, she doesn't hesitate--she administers CPR. To the squirrel. 

Except....he's not quite an ordinary squirrel anymore. He looks like a squirrel (albeit a slightly bald one, thanks to the vacuum cleaner), and thinks like a squirrel ("Food?"), but now the newly dubbed Ulysses has the powers of a superhero from one of Flora's comics: He can fly! Lift enormous objects! Type! He even writes poetry. 

If Flora knows one thing about superheroes, it's that they always have a job to do, and people to save. And Ulysses' new powers do spark an unexpected chain of events, setting Flora on a wild adventure filled with a variety of quirky characters, including a dramatic divorced romance novelist (who also happens to be Flora's mother); a doctor of philosophy from Blundermeecen; Flora's father, who shares her love of comics; her improbably named, poetry-loving neighbor Tootie; and William Spiver, Tootie's pedantic, eccentric great-nephew who insists that he is temporarily blind. They will face opposition, archenemies, and giant donuts. They will realize that the universe is a very random, very beautiful place. And in the end, Ulysses might just save the day. 

I first read Flora and Ulysses when I was eight or nine, and I remember enjoying it then--but when I recently reread it for a book group, I utterly adored it. The characters are pitch-perfect and irresistibly quirky, and it's an absolute joy to watch them grow and connect over the course of the story. Kate DiCamillo is brilliant, and her writing makes the many wacky characters, events, and unexpected occurrences hang together perfectly with ease, and keeps the story fast-paced and the reader constantly laughing. It's a difficult book to do justice to in a summary, given the quirky premise, but I can honestly say that it's one of my all-time favorites, and a book which I could read over and over, and would bring me joy every time. Filled with madcap wit, wisdom, hilarity, and surprising tenderness, I would highly recommend Flora and Ulysses to readers ages eight and up--it's an excellent read-aloud, audiobook (complete with superhero music!), or book group selection, and is also a delight to read on one's own. 

By Piranha T.

Twelve-year-old Sophie Brown has never owned a chicken in her life. But after moving to Great-Uncle Jim’s old farm, she decides it might be cool to have some. After all, she likes eggs. But then she begins to find Great Uncle Jim’s chickens around the farm, and it soon becomes clear that these are no ordinary birds.

They’re chickens with superpowers.

At first, Sophie doesn’t believe it’s possible. Great-Uncle Jim’s chickens might be unusual, but not that unusual. But when someone comes to steal her chickens, it’s up to Sophie to protect her flock—including those she hasn’t even found yet. Because in the wrong hands, unusual chickens aren’t just unusual. They’re dangerous.

​Told in a series of letters, notes, and other correspondences, Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer is a book about friendship, adventure, and—most of all—chickens. Sophie and the supporting characters are funny, giving this book, despite its more unusual format, a fast pace and humorous inclinations. Kelly Kath’s illustrations, interspersed with the text, add another layer to this novel as well. Although this story may be enjoyed more by those familiar with chickens, it’s a fun book whether or not you have poultry. I recommend Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer to readers ages eight and up who like books about normal kids having unusual adventures with a touch of magic, particularly those involving chickens.

By SK

When twelve-year-old Reena's family decides to move from the city to coastal Maine, Reena imagines lupines and lobsters and beautiful rocky coastlines. She is definitely not anticipating her and her younger brother Luke being enlisted by a prickly, reclusive neighbor to help her take care of her animals, particularly an ornery cow named Zora. But like it or not, that's exactly what happens.

Maine is lovely, just like Reena had imagined. But cows? Not so much. Zora is irascible, stinky, and stubborn--not to mention ENORMOUS--and is as, er, uninterested in getting to know Reena as Reena is in taking care of her. But there's more to "that cow" than meets the eye, and with the help of two kids from a local farm, Reena and Luke slowly begin to feel a sense of belonging--with Zora, with Mrs. Falala, and with their new home.

Written in an engaging combination of free verse and prose, Moo is a warm, satisfying story about siblings, friendship, and the magic that can happen when you step out of your comfort zone. The writing is spare, but each character is deftly created and irresistible--including the cows! Like Reena, Creech lives in Maine, a fact that's made clear from her evocative descriptions of Reena's town and local county fairs, and while the basic plot isn't one I've never seen before, her distinctive storytelling makes the story fresh and amusing. Hopeful and heartwarming, I would highly recommend Moo to readers ages eight and up.  

By Piranha T.

Why did Mrs. Olinski choose this particular sixth grade Academic Bowl team?

The question has been posed to Mrs. Olinski many times, and despite no dearth of good answers—their quickness to learn, their willingness to study, their ability to work together—none of them can quite explain how she decided to pair Noah Gershom, Nadia Diamondstein, Ethan Potter and Julian Singh. She doesn’t know herself.

But the lives of these four unlikely sixth graders began to collide long before Mrs. Olinski began preparing her team for the Academic Bowl, and these are the stories which unfold as overlapping flashbacks while they ascend through the ranks of the Academic Bowl championship.

​Noah accidentally becomes best man at a wedding. Nadia rescues sea turtles on a trip with her grandmother. Ethan takes a ride on the bus with someone he’s never met before, and Julian makes a choice backstage in the school auditorium. These are the tales which lead up to Mrs. Olinski’s decision: tales of their differences, their friendships, and the experiences they all have in common.

I first read The View from Saturday years ago, and rereading it, I’m not surprised it stayed with me. E. L. Konigsburg expertly crafts four intersecting stories, one for each character, which delve deeply into Noah, Nadia, Ethan, and Julian, so as a reader, you know each of them intimately. Although at first these stories seem unrelated, they pull together in a truly amazing way. I especially love the elements of the Academic Bowl—having participated in a similar competition, it felt extremely realistic to me. I highly recommend The View from Saturday to readers ages eight and up.