Awake and Mission Manhattan

Krovatin, Christopher. Awake
February 6, 2024 by Scholastic Inc.
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Simon and his family have moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in an attempt to get away from his sister Rachael, who burned down the family home. Simon has nightmares about it, and his other sister, Aly, spends hours trying to figure out where her sister is. Simon has the ability to sense auras around people, and also to push them to do things by getting into their minds. Aly's powers are a bit vaguer, but even the father is able to move objects with his mind. When Simon goes to school, he's trying very hard just to keep his head down, but when bullies give a fellow student, Lena, a hard time, he steps in and intervenes. Lena also has powers, and when Simon is sleeping, she comes into his dreams and the two comisserate about their powers. After an incident at a street fair where Simon caused some bad things to happen, Lena convinces him that he can use his powers for good and not for evil. The two spend a lot of time in her dreams, and even manage to do good deeds, like convincing the mother of bullying twins to treat them better so that they don't give others trouble. Simon also gives one of the bullies his lunch. With a new friend and more control of his powers, things are looking up for Simon... until Rachel shows up in his dreams. Lena realizes that the building where she appears is in Albuquerque, and the two hunt her down. After being in the hospital after setting the house on fire, Rachael is very angry. She has aligned herself with Colin, a cyberpath who can hack into computers and make things go his way, and Joyce, who has the terrifying power to drain people's energy. Rachael invites Simon to come and "have fun" with her group, and they order room service and stay in a hotel room, but Colin's system didn't quite work, and security comes after them. Simon doesn't feel that he can just let Rachael go, and he and Lena decide to call the police on her. This leads to a terrifying confrontation. Can Simon and Lena find a way to communicate with Rachael before she causes more destruction? 
Strengths: Krovatin has come a long way from his 2012 Gravediggers series, and clearly has done his research in writing a short, punchy horror book that keeps tweens turning the pages. What eleven year old ISN'T worried that older, rebellious sister might suddenly decide to set fire to the house? I loved the sibling dynamics in this, with Aly retreating, and Rachael being the oldest who turns into a "wild child". I also enjoyed Lena, who is willing to be friends with Simon, but refuses to talk about their powers at school. Smart girl. I also love her outfits in the dreams. Why not? This is a little more complicated than, say, K.R. Alexander's scary titles, but I love the innovation. Readers who liked this author's Darkness will be glad to see this new title. 
Weaknesses: Could we please have a book where children have powers and ENJOY them a little more? It's such a fun idea, but there always seem to have horrible complications! 
What I really think: I bought three copies of Krovatin's Red Rover (it's NOT a dog, it's a DEMON) and two of Ablaze, but I may only buy one of this title. It's a little more complicated and philosophical than the other two books. I enjoyed it a lot, but it lacked the quick and easy horror hooks that most of my readers prefer. 

Ponti, James. Mission Manhattan (City Spies #5)
February 6, 2024 by Aladdin
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

The spies are off to Venice, Italy, to a climate convention for young people. Since their cover is being student fellows at the Foundation for Atmospheric Research and Monitoring, it makes perfect sense, but some of them don bee costumes as cover anyway. Rio is assigned to young climate activist Beatriz, who is also Brazilian, and manages to locate a bomb on the water taxi she is taking to go talk to a group of adults. This puts him under suspicion by the police, but endears him to Beatriz. Cairo, meanwhile, is still sorting through his feelings about his mother, Clementine, who is still at odds with his father. When Beatriz has to speak in Washington D.C., the spies notice that there is a pattern of unsettling behavior involving empty buildings, and worry that terrorists want to kidnap Beatriz and hold her in one of the abandoned locations. Does this have something to do with someone who wants to take Beatriz's place as an environmental leader? I don't want to spoil all of the twists and turns in this, so pick up a copy and find out! Since this ends with Clementine spying on all of the children at The Farm, it seems HIGHLY likely there will be at least one more sequel. 

Strengths: I love that this included a big environmental component, just like Gibbs' Fun Jungle books. It's one thing to see student protests around the world; it's quite another to see the nitty gritty of travel and security! The scenes in Venice with masked protestors wheeling a suspicious looking globe into the area was very interesting, and a little bit funny, even though it was a serious situation. The chidlren continue to play well off each other's strengths, and the addition of Cairo, who is struggling to understand what is going on with his mother, is a good one. Another strong addition to a popular series. 
Weaknesses: Oddly, I wanted to spend more time at the Farm. Apparently, I was just not in spy mode when I read this. Totally a "me" problem, as most of my readers are all about a LOT of action, and not just tea by the fire!
What I really think: Five books does make such a nice series, so I wouldn't have been disappointed if this had been wrapped up and we saw something new and exciting from Mr. Ponti, but I also understand the desire to keep a good thing going. These books circulate well, so I will continue to buy them for my school library.