American as Paneer Pie

Kelkar, Supriya. American as Paneer Pie
May 12th 2020 by Aladdin
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Lehka loves being on the swim team and hanging out with neighbor and friend Noah in her town an hour from Detroit, but she occasionally wishes she weren't the only Desi girl in her school. When new neighbors move in and have a girl her age AND have just come from India, Lehka doesn't quite know what to think. There are a lot of things she has in common with Avantika, but since her new neighbor is a fob (fresh of the boat), she doesn't understand that there are some things you just don't do-- let the other girls know you use coconut oil on your hair, don't bring "smelly" Indian food for lunch, and try to fly beneath the haters' radar instead of challenging them. Things seem to work out for Avantika, but Lehka struggles. She doesn't want to shave her legs even though her swim teammates are pressuring her, but she also doesn't feel at home with her Indian friends in the city. She loves celebrating Hindu holidays with her family and the always understanding Noah, but feels awkward when she is with friends and has to make sure the snacks are gelatin-free because her family is vegetarian. She puts up with constant, daily insults from boys in her class, but when there is a racist incident in her neighborhood and a candidate who is hostile to immigrants is elected, Lehka reexamines her relationships and her level of activism in order to try to make things right for herself and her family.
Strengths: This had lots of great details about Lehka's family dynamics and culture. It was interesting that while her family was unique in their town, they did have access to a larger Indian community in Detroit. Her complicated feelings about Avantika are so typically middle school that it was painful to read about-- but SO true!
Weaknesses: I wish that we didn't see the kind of pervasive racism Lehka experiences, but hopefully books like this will make readers aware and help to end it.
What I really think: This author's Ahimsa has done well for historical fiction in my library, and American as Paneer Pie is a great choice for students who like realistic fiction, especially those who enjoyed other books with culturally connected characters like Ramee's A Good Kind of Trouble, Bajaj's Count Me In, and Pancholy's The Best at It.

Lai, Remy. Fly on the Wall
May 12th 2020 by Henry Holt & Company
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Henry feels like his family is much too overprotective. He is also hiding a secret from his best friend Phoebe, so when his trip to go to Singapore to spend time with his father is canceled, he feels a need to leave Australia. To prove that he's not a baby, he manages to get himself on a flight, which the help of Phoebe, who manages to hide his whereabouts from his older sister, who is supposed to be keeping tabs on him. Told in a mixture of pictures and text, we find out that Henry has started an online web comic that has lots of views... and which is very mean to the vast majority of the people he draws, including Phoebe. When a boy from school who knows that Henry is behind the comic is on the same plane, Henry's anxieties ramp up and cause him difficulties during his journey.
Strengths: I love Lai's illustrations, and she does a great job of showing what immigrant life like when there are cultural expectations that might be somewhat different from the predominate culture, and when there are ties to family who don't live near. Friend drama is always a huge problem with children, as is wanting to be seen as more mature.
Weaknesses: Henry makes some very bad choices, especially where the online comic is concerned, but he never suffers any consequences for his behavior.
What I really think: This seems a bit young for my students, and I need to see what the text size is in the print version before buying. I thought Pie in the Sky was fantastic, but it has circulated poorly, I suspect mainly because the print is so tiny. Weird, but true.

Lots of fantasy

Stone, Nic. Shuri: A Black Panther Novel
May 5th 2020 by Scholastic Inc.
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Shuri is hard at work on a new suit for her brother, T'Challa, the Black Panther and king of the isolated kingdom of Wakanda. Things are not going the way she would like; she can't find a good combination of fabric and Vibranium to make the suit fit better AND protect her brother. She also has to put up with the demands of her mother, who wants her to act like a proper princess and go to council meetings wearing a dress. There's also K'Marah, the annoying "friend" her mother has foisted on her. When Shuri finds out that the plant used for the ritual challenge is dying at a horribly fast rate, she makes plans to find out why and get some assistance. Of course, her mother is against this, so she tries to sneak out. Unfortunately, K'Marah follows as well. The two girls head to Kenya, where they meet Queen Ororo and ask for her help. In order to do more research, the group heads to London, where they also meet up with the White Wolf, Dr. Selvig, and other super heroes. As the threat to Wakanda and to T'Challa grows, Shuri tries to perfect a suit for him, help the plants that are dying, and return to her country to help out.
Strengths: I loved Shuri's devotion to science and technology, as well as her dedication to helping her brother and her country. She is aware that she could one day be the Black Panther, even though there has never been a woman who has held the position. I'm not sure how closely this follows the Marvel canon on this character, but it seems like this is a fairly recent story line, and since it is published by Marvel it must have their blessing. Stone's writing is always great, and I love seeing fantasy books that aren't just reworkings of Anglo-Saxon tales like The Hobbit.
Weaknesses: Shuri could take some lessons from Queen Elizabeth about doing her duty and occasionally wearing a dress without fighting about it with her mother. Clearly an adult viewpoint, not one from the target demographic, clearly. Some of us think that skirts and dresses are more comfortable than skin tight, low riding jeans, after all!
What I really think: I'll buy this, since this author and the Ronald L. Smith Black Panther: The Young Prince book circulate well, but there was a LOT I didn't understand about what was going on, since I'm not familiar with the Marvel canon.

Oh, here is a fantastic review of the Marvel Comic Book in which I appeared in 2006, where I help defeat Dr. Doom. My new alias is going to be Mousy Vixen.

Barron, Rena. Maya and the Rising Dark
May 5th 2020 by HMH Books for Young Readers
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Maya is starting to see some weird things in her South Side Chicago neighborhood, but she doesn't say anything to her parents. Her father is gone a lot for his work, since he is an engineer who travels to lots of different countries to fix edifices. The two share a love for comic books, and are planning on going to Comic Con. She does mention the odd things to her friends Eli and Frankie, which is helpful when the group is attacked. Maya learns that her father, as well as many of the neighborhood denizens, are orishas, gods who have special powers. They are all keeping the darkbringers at bay, but they are seeping into the neighborhood more and more. Maya finds out that she and her friends are all godlings; they have one parent who is a god and one who is human. When her father, who is the guardian of the veil that separates our world from the realm of the gods, goes missing, it is up to Maya and her friends to defeat the Lord of the Shadows, bring her father back, and keep her neighborhood safe. Since Maya becomes an official guardian in training at the end of the book, there is surely a sequel in the offing!
Strengths: I loved the author's note at the beginning of the book; she says that she wanted to write a book about the south side of Chicago but not dwell on its problems to the exclusion of the sense of family and community, she wanted to learn about West African traditions, and she wanted a character who loved superheroes and comics. The story is well organized and progresses quickly, and the mythical characters are well explained. Maya and her friends area  fun group, although Maya's concern for her father is definitely what drives the story. Like Roanhorse's Race to the Sun, this is an excellent fantasy book that brings in interesting elements from other cultures.
Weaknesses: I was really intrigued by a comment early on about Maya's anemia making her feel dizzy sometimes, but it wasn't elaborated on and now I'm just curious!
What I really think: Definitely purchasing. There are so many good fantasies now that draw from cultures other than medieval Europe! I'm looking forward to see what Maya's next adventure is!


Lerangis, Peter. The Chaos Loop (Throwback #2)
May 5th 2020 by HarperCollins
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Corey and Leila have done some time traveling in Throwback, when they discovered that Corey has the ability not only to time travel, but to actually change history when he does. In the first book, he managed to save his grandmother from being killed on 9/11, but also found out that time traveling can have very bad effects if done too much. He decides that his trips to the past must be the most meaningful ones he can find, so when he realizes how many of his family members were killed during the Holocaust, he decides to go back and neutralize Adolph Hitler. Reluctant to just kill the man, he tries to redirect his life choices, only to find that this isn't enough to change history. He tries several different things in order to change the past, but finds that it is harder than he thinks, and Corey also finds that the repercussions of time traveling are very real.
Strengths: The first book set up the reasons that Corey and Leila can time travel, as well as the problems that other travelers have faced. Papou is a great character, and the New York City setting is interesting as well. The fact that Corey chooses to take out Hitler is fascinating, and many young readers will agree with his choice. This moved along swiftly and was just fun to read.
Weaknesses: This ends very abruptly, paving the way for another installment!
What I really think: I'm curious what will happen in the next book, which I predict will have a red or lime green cover! Wanting to change the past is a powerful story line which makes the books very intriguing. The great covers help students pick these up, too!

MMGM- Keep it Together, Keiko Carter

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday at Always in the Middle and #IMWAYR day at Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers. It's also Nonfiction Monday.

Florence, Debbi Michiko. Keep it Together, Keiko Carter
May 5th 2020 by Scholastic Press
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

With 7th grade about to start, Keiko is glad that her friend Jenna is back from visiting her father, who now lives in Texas. She and Audrey were worried that Jenna stopped texting them over the summer. Audrey has a plan for the school year-- the girls will all find boyfriends. Jenna is tired of following Audrey's orders, especially since she has already made friends with the boy who is Audrey's target, and Keiko is a bit weary of her as well. Keiko had been friends with Audrey's brother, Connor, but stopped talking to him when Audrey demanded it. As a result, Connor's friends have been jerks to the girls, hurling racist insults and being generally unpleasant. When Keiko reconnects with Carter, she realizes that he isn't really bad, and that Audrey is actually more unpleasant. Keiko's mother has taken a demanding full time job, and is rarely home, leaving Keiko and her sister Macy feeling lonely and neglected. Macy is acting secretive, and Keiko is worried about her sister. It's tough to try to figure out middle school friendships, boys, and family dynamics, but Keiko realizes that she is the only one who can make the decisions needed to balance her world.
Strengths: THIS is the sort of book that my students always seem to want. Is middle school really about anything BUT friend drama? This was pitch perfect with Audrey being pushy and demanding, Jenna just slowly backing away, and Keiko wanting her friends to reconcile and for everyone to be happy and get along. The romance with Connor is really great; I love that they are friends first and bond over things like his dog, Lumpy. Keiko's (and Jenna's) Japanese heritage is an integral part of the story, even though the book is not about cultural identity. Perfect. When I say this is like Ellen Conford for the New Millenium, remember that Ellen Conford books were my absolute favorite when I was in middle school!
Weaknesses: The beginning of this seemed oddly dated-- the mentions of music, "classic" films (from the 1940s but also the 1980s)  and the stress about the mother going back to work full time seemed very early 2000s. Might have just been me, or maybe the author was recalling her own 7th grade year!
What I really think: I am definitely purchasing a copy. I loved Jasmine Toguchi, Mochi Queen, but it is rather young for my students, so I'm glad to see this solidly middle grade title.

A Dog's Day

Stier, Catherine. I am Jax, Protector of the Ranch
April 1st 2020 by Albert Whitman & Company
E ARC provided by Netgalley

Jax is a Great Pyrenees dog who works on a ranch in Texas, protecting sheep. Bev is the lead guard dog, and Stormy is a pup who is learning how to work. Stormy is somewhat unpredictable, since she is curious and doesn't know all the ways of the guard dogs yet, like not bothering a mother ewe or her lambs! One night, there is a threat in the area, and Bev is injured after a tussle with a mountain lion. Jax is ready to step in while the humans take Bev to get medical attention, but there is a sheep who has just given birth, and there is still a threat in the area. With only Stormy to help, can Jax keep the flock safe?

Stier, Catherine. I am Jax, Protector of the Ranch
April 1st 2020 by Albert Whitman & Company
E ARC provided by Netgalley

Ava is a chocolate labrador who has been trained in search and rescue and who works at a ski resort. Most of her time is spent patroling (I loved the picture of Nate, her owner and coworker, skiing with her over his shoulders!), and she also spends a lot of time visiting with children at the resort when she is not waiting in the office for the next call. Ava is a little wary of going on an actual search and rescue, and is even a bit apprehensive about the demo that the dogs are going to do. When there is an actual emergency, will Ava live up to her training?

Strengths: There are not that many books about working dogs (Salisbury's Banjo is a recent exception), and Jax and Ava's lives are very interesting. Even though the books are from the dogs' limited perspectives (Ava isn't sure what a demo is), the style never cloying or precious. There are some end notes about different facets of the working dog experience that are good to have as well. These are perfect books for first through third graders who will enjoy the illustrations and larger print. The stories are fast paced and engaging. I wish I had had stories like this when I was just starting to read chapter books!
Weaknesses: I would have loved this if it were for older students-- perhaps a  bit longer, with more about the humans involved. The details about the life of a working dog were fascinating, and I wanted to know more!
What I really think: A lot of my lower readers are huge fans of dog stories, so I think I will purchase this instead of a couple of the new Bruce Cameron's A Dog's Purpose puppy novels, which are starting to get a bit all of a piece.

Dog Days in the City

Kendall, Jodi. Dog Days in the City
November 5th 2019 by HarperCollins
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

In The Unlikely Story of a Pig in the City, Josie and her large family adopted Hamlet, a pig. When he grew too big to keep in their townhouse, he was sent to live in the country on the farm of neighbor Mrs. Taglioni's brother. Josie is still volunteering at a veterinary clinic nearby, and one day seven puppies are left at the clinic with a note saying that the owner had seen her on the news and thought she would be able to find home for all of the German Shepherd mix puppies. The vet says that Josie must get permission from her parents to foster them, and once she does, things get complicated. Sully, a neighbor boy she likes, says he will help her, as will several of the other kids in her neighborhood. Her brothers and sisters are less than excited, but help out a bit as well. Some of her friends think she should forget about animals and return to gymnastics, but Jodie knows what she loves best. In between taking care of the puppies and visiting Hamlet, she is faced with the fact that Sugar, the family's 14 year old dog, is not doing well. Josie must face the best way to say goodbye to the puppies as well as to her beloved family pet.

There is  never a shortage of books about animal shelters and children who want to take care of animals, but there is never a shortage of readers for them, either. Most animal obsessed readers would be thrilled to have seven puppies arrive unbidden on their doorstep, even if it means quite the outlay of money for food and puppy pads! It was interesting to see Josie's thoughts about quitting gymnastics, and her light romance with Scully was fun as well.

When I was growing up, everyone I knew wished they had more brothers and sisters, so Josie's family and all of the activity will appeal to readers who enjoyed the family stories of the Vanderbeekers and Penderwicks. Josie has to fight a bit to be heard in her family, but that is something to which most middle graders can relate.

Maple's Roxbury Park Dog Club, Cervante's Lety Out Loud, Deutsch's Cinnamon Bun Besties and Garland's The Twelve Pets of Christmas will enjoy learning more about Josie and her family as well as finding out how Hamlet is faring out in the country.

For some reason, I can't get anyone to pick the first book up, even though it is sent in central Ohio. That's also something that confused me-- Josie takes a train out to the farm, and there aren't any passenger trains here in Ohio. Maybe it's set on the east coast, but I got confused because the author lived in Columbus when she was young and had a pig?

Johannes, Shelley. Sabotage (Beatrice Zinker: Upside Down Thinker #3)
March 10th 2020 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Beatrice calls a meeting of Operation Upside with her friends Sam and Lenny, and they decide what the newest awards will be. Beatrice is wary, because her awards have gotten her into trouble in the past, so when she wants to present Sam with one, she is worried that Lenny might not approve. There are problems with another award as well-- Lenny wants to give one to Chloe for "Most Brave", but when she sneaks into Chloe's pretend vet clinic, she sees an Upside award already posted, for Best Vet! Of course,Beatrice has to investigate, but she is soon getting herself into trouble at school. Her parents, who are well used to her shenanigans, ask that she scale things back, and even take away her ninja suit. Still, the mystery must be solved, and the careful dynamics of elementary friendships must be preserved if Beatrice is to remain friends with Lenny as well as newcomer Sam.

This is an excellent chapter book for readers who have read all of Parks' Junie B. Jones books and are a little older than Junie; second through fourth grade would be the sweet spot for this. Beatrice is very energetic, interested in break dancing, and finds it hard to sit still in school. The episode where she is determined to make it through class without getting three marks against her is very indicative of her personality, and even though she tries very hard to behave herself, it just isn't in her nature to do so. Young readers enjoy characters who sometimes get into trouble, and adults enjoy those books if the character is well meaning.

Friendship problems are different in elementary school than they are in middle school, and I enjoyed how this book was very classroom-centric, and how the girls interacted with many different classmates. They suspect several of them for various reasons, like Wes and his scented magic markers, but are never mean in their interactions. They think through who might have had motive and means for creating and presenting the certificate, and work to solve the mystery.

The adults in the book are also well represented; when Beatrice makes the poor decision to investigate instead of getting on her bus to go home, we see the concern for her well being demonstrated by her parents, and I particularly liked how the principal works with Beatrice to make her understand how the school is concerned with her safety.

Readers who are big fans of Judy Moody, Ivy and Bean, Brown's Lola Levine, Mills Franklin School Friends and English's Carver Chronicles will enjoy Beatrice's exuberant antics as she tries to navigate through school and relationships with friends.

Too young for middle school, and children who misbehave are never my favorite. Picky Reader loved Junie B. Jones, but we had frequent conversations about appropriate behavior, especially when it concerned inconveniencing teachers and other students!

Turtle Boy and Battle of the Bulge (Soldier Dogs #5)

Wolkenstein, M. Evan. Turtle Boy
May 5th 2020 by Delacorte Press
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Will has always been self conscious about his receding chin, but middle school has heightened his anxiety, mainly because of the name calling of two bullies, who taunt him with "Turtle Boy". His mother has taken him to the doctor to check this out, and the diagnosis was micrognathia, which is concerning because it can lead to problems eating and breathing. There is a surgery for it, but Will is afraid because his father died during a routine hernia repair operation when Will was four. His mother is doing her best, but Will's insistence on keeping to himself is starting to cause more and more problems. He's alienated his best friend Shira, and struggling to get his community service hours before his bar mitzvah because he doesn't want anyone to look at him. Rabbi Harris steps in and takes him to the hospital to visit with RJ, a teen drummer who is dying due to mitochrondrial disease. Will doesn't want to be in a hospital, doesn't want to talk to RJ, and would rather stay at home with his collection of turtles that he has illegally removed from the school nature lab. Luckily, the adults in Will's life step in when he is not helping himself. A teacher lets him know that keeping wild turtles is illegal, and demands that he returns them. He returns all but one, an endangered Blandings turtle that was injured due to his negligence. Rabbi Harris makes him go visit RJ, and his mother schedules the chin surgery and makes him go to classmates' parties. Even faced with RJ's serious condition and relentless optimism, Will remains unhappy and closed off, but starts to slowly work on RJ's "bucket list" so he can share his experiences before RJ's health takes an inevitable turn. When the school's nature lab might be sold to developers, Will does use the rare turtle to try to save the land, and he manages to get through his bar mitzvahttp://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/2017/06/mmgm-this-is-just-test.htmlh, where he finally comes to terms with the many issues in his life, and seems prepared to go forward.
Strengths: It's good to see a variety of physical conditions in middle grade literature; I've had several students over the years with micrognathia. Will's involvement with turtles is innovative, and I was glad to see that he consulted experts and was cautioned against taking animals from the wild. His interest in drumming, spurred on by RJ, is a good addition as well. The grief over the father's death is experienced very differently by the mother and Will, and their reactions and coping mechanisms are well portrayed. Books with cultural heritage also are good to see, and there aren't as many books about bar and bat mitzvahs as I would like. (Notable exceptions are Freedman's My Basmati Bat Mitzvah , Rosenberg and Shang's This is Just a Test, Perl's All Three Stooges, and Ben Izzy's Dreidel's on the Brain.)
Weaknesses: I found Will hard to like for most of the book, and his growth and insights come late in the book. Two of the main plots, gaining wisdom from someone who is dying and evil developers trying to take beloved land, have been done quite a bit, but this book does have the addition of the bar mitzvah and the physical condition, which helps.
What I really think: This has a blend of humor and Important Topics that will make it popular with teachers who like to use Sonnenblick's Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie or Benjamin's The Truth about Jellyfish for classroom novels or read alouds.

Sutter, Marcus. Battle of the Bulge (Soldier Dogs #5)
November 19th 2019 by HarperFestival
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Juliette's father is a baker in Belgium in 1944, and has been threatened by the occupying Nazis into giving them extra bread in exchange for protection. Since everyone is starving, Juliette's parents decide to leave town and hope that they can find somewhere safer. Juliette doesn't want to leave, and makes a last ditch attempt to go to the family's hidden house in the forest and alert the Kraismans, a Jewish family hiding there. When she arrives, she finds the door open and the house empty, and also that a bullying neighbor, Antoine, had been bringing them food. While searching the house, they hear German soldiers approach and hide, only to be caught in the house when it is set on fire. They manage to escape, but have to try to survive in the woods. At the same time, American forces are arriving from Alaska at the front line of the Battle of the Bulge. Two military dogs, Boss and Tank, end up finding the children, and the group takes off, trying to get to safety. It's treacherous, cold, and seemingly hopeless. Will Boss be able to get the children to safety and also fulfill his duty?

All of the books in this series are a great length, and packed with action and adventure. They remind me a little of the mid century We Were There books in that they bring in children to participate in historic events, so there is a tween perspective to them that young readers can understand. Adding in military dogs, with plenty of notes about the battles at the end of the book, makes for a winning combination.

Juliette and Antoine are interesting characters, and the fact that they didn't know the other was helping the family as well makes an interesting point; during war, you make sure that secrets stay secrets. We never quite find out why Antoine had been so mean to Juliette, but they manage to forge a relationship after their harrowing time in the forest.

Readers of Calkhoven's G.I.Dogs, Hart's Dog Chronicles, and London's Dogs of War will want to collect all of these riveting tales of bravery and survival, and will look forward to the next installments, Heroes on the Homefront and Shipwreck on the High Seas.

Julieta and the Diamond Enigma and Tornado Brain

Armendariz, Luisana Duarte. Julieta and the Diamond Enigma 
May 5th 2020 by Tu Books
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Julieta lives an interesting life; her parents both work for the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and she has traveled a bit. When her father is required to go to the Louvre and do some work on pieces for an exhibit that is being sent to the US, Julieta is thrilled to go. Her only disappointment is that her mother won't be able to go, because she is heavily pregnant. Once in Paris, Julieta gets to see a lot of sights with Monique, and even gets to hold the Regent Diamond. When the appointed handler goes missing, the job of transporting the very expensive piece falls to Julieta's father. Unfortunately, when the two stop by the museum to check on things, they come across someone stealing the diamond. At first, her father is suspected, but Julieta manages to collect some clues that are helpful to the investigation. Will she and her father be able to make it home in time for her brother's birth? And will the thieves be brought to justice?
Strengths: I'm a big fan of books that give good descriptions of different places in the world, and Julieta's experiences in Paris were a fascinating bit of travel! I also really appreciated that there were notes about the Spanish and French that were spoken in the book at the beginning, and notes about the art and the Regent Diamond at the end of the book. That is VERY helpful. While this isn't a murder mystery, it at least involves a stolen diamond, and Julieta helps with solving it in a realistic way. Her father's job insecurity added a nice touch; it can't be easy working in the art world!
Weaknesses: Julieta is described as being nine; she acts much older most of the time, but I wish she had been older. The mystery could have been better developed, but the big draw of this was the travel!
What I really think: I will definitely try to purchase this title for fans of Runholdt's Kari and Lucas Mysteries, Shepherd's The Gemini Mysteries, and Beil's The Red Blazer Girls.

Patrick, Cat. Tornado Brain
May 5th 2020 by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus


Frankie is very different from her twin, Tess. She is on the autism spectrum and has ADHD. She tries to moderate her behavior, because her mother has made a deal with her that she won't have to take medication if she can, but it's hard. She's bothered by scratchy clothing, distracted by noises, and has a hard time reading her friends. Tess, on the other hand, is popular at school. They had a friend in common, Colette, but Frankie overhead her saying mean things about her to another friend, so has distanced herself. At the end of 7th grade, Colette goes missing. The girls are stunned and upset, but Frankie is determined to find out what happened. She realizes that a page was missing from a joint journal the three kept that the police found in Colette's locker, and thinks that Colette was trying to complete a list of "dares or scares" that the girls had created earlier. When videos show up on their joint account, Frankie is sure that they were taken the night before she disappeared, even though no one believes her. She starts to locate all of the places where the videos were taken, and has an idea of where Colette might be. In the meantime, she has to deal with her sister, the friend drama in the seventh grade, and her own neurodiverse issues.
Strengths: It's always good to see characters that might diverge from the norm a bit, especially when they are in a story that is not about their abilities! The fact that Frankie is a twin is great as well-- just about all middle school students secretly wish they had a twin! The mystery of Colette's disappearance, while very sad, was also compelling and realistic. This reminded me of Lee Weatherly's 2004 Missing Abby, which I still have because it was so good.
Weaknesses: This was both a strength AND a weakness-- This was written in a way that got me right inside Frankie's brain. It was an uncomfortable place to be, but reading books like this helps me to be empathetic with students who might approach the world from a different perspective than mine.
What I really think: I'm not wild about the cover, so this might need to be hand sold, but the combination of mystery and friend drama will make this a popular title once students discover it. The fact that the main character is neuroatypical is just a bonus!

Ways to Make Sunshine

Watson,Renée. Ways to Make Sunshine
April 28th 2020 by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Ryan Hart lives with her parents and brother Ray in Portland, Oregon. Her parents are struggling financially, and when their landlord sells their house, they have to move. Luckily, Ryan gets her own room, and can now walk to school. She misses being dropped off by her dad, who now works a different shift and earns less money. Still, she tries to find the bright side to things and is glad to be closer to her friends. Throughout the year, she is involved in a variety of activities; reading a poem at church at Easter, going to birthday parties for friends, arguing with her brother, and helping her mom sell needlework at the weekly farmer's market. She does her fair share of cooking, and even had a plan to cook for the school talent show, if only they would allow her to use a deep fryer. At the end of the school year, her parents have a big surprise for her. Ryan isn't thrilled with their news, but makes the best of it.
Strengths: Ryan is a fun character who knows what she wants. There is a slight mystery about a box of possessions found in the family's new house that was fun. Her friends and family are supportive, and the glimpses of school amusing. There is also some interesting information about Black hair that will resonate with readers who have had their hair hot combed and be informative for those who have not!
Weaknesses: I've been in the mood for more plot lately, and this is more of a book like The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary or The Family Fletcher that follow characters through a school year.
What I really think: This had sort of an updated Ramona or B is for Betsy feel and would be a great choice for an elementary school. The combination of illustrations and elementary school concerns make this too young for my middle school students.

Ali, S.K. and Saeed, Aisha. Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices.
May 5th 2020 by Amulet Books
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Short stories collections are the hardest thing for me to review, and I always finish each story and want an entire book to follow through with the character! I won't even try to do justice to this marvelous collection, but will just say that I am definitely purchasing a copy, and I am sure it will be very popular with my students. I do find it vaguely interesting that there are so many Pakistani Muslim writers; most of my Muslim students have Somalian heritage, although looking at demographic maps, there is a small Pakistani population in central Ohio.

From Goodreads.com
"Once Upon an Eid is a collection of short stories that showcases the most brilliant Muslim voices writing today, all about the most joyful holiday of the year: Eid!

Eid: The short, single-syllable word conjures up a variety of feelings and memories for Muslims. Maybe it’s waking up to the sound of frying samosas or the comfort of bean pie, maybe it’s the pleasure of putting on a new outfit for Eid prayers, or maybe it’s the gift-giving and holiday parties to come that day. Whatever it may be, for those who cherish this day of celebration, the emotional responses may be summed up in another short and sweet word: joy. The anthology will also include a poem, graphic-novel chapter, and spot illustrations.

The full list of Once Upon an Eid contributors include: G. Willow Wilson (Alif the Unseen, Ms. Marvel), Hena Khan (Amina's Voice, Under My Hijab), N. H. Senzai (Shooting Kabul, Escape from Aleppo), Hanna Alkaf (The Weight of Our Sky), Rukhsana Khan (Big Red Lollipop), Randa Abdel-Fattah (Does My Head Look Big in This?), Ashley Franklin (Not Quite Snow White), Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow (Mommy's Khimar), Candice Montgomery (Home and Away, By Any Means Necessary), Huda Al-Marashi (First Comes Marriage), Ayesha Mattu, Asmaa Hussein, and Sara Alfageeh."

What We Found in the Corn Maze and How It Saved a Dragon

Clark, Henry. What We Found in the Corn Maze and How It Saved a Dragon
May 5th 2020 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Calvin's family will probably lose their farms because of a combination of an accidental fire and the new Davy-Tron, a machine which can turn genetically modified tomato juice into any vegetable. Cal's parents are managing to scrape by with seasonal festivities like a corn maze and farm stand, but are seriously considering an offer from the owner of Davy-Tron to buy their farm. When Cal and his friend Drew are hanging out, they see coins rolling uphill, and follow them. They see a girl from school, Modesty, but she runs away, leaving behind a notebook. It seems to be a book of magic spells, and when they run into her again, they find out that the spells work, but are only good at 12:54 each day, limiting their usefulness. Cal and Drew experiment and find out their are several times during the day when they work, but even this magic is not enough to save the farm. When all three children get transported into an alternate universe, they find that the magic is coming from this place, and the use of it in their world is slowly killing the magic one. Will they be able to defeat the evil doers in their world and save the farm as well?
Strengths: This started out really strong-- farm setting, good friends hanging out in a corn maze, magic encroaching upon our world in a way that the protagonists can master. That's the sort of thing that my students are always asking for, especially if there are then magic schools. (Yes, this is no doubt the Harry Potter effect.) Modesty and her large family of sisters was interesting as well.
Weaknesses: The Davy-Tron was kind of cool, but the story took a decidedly quirky turn much like this author's What We Found in the Sofa and How It Saved the World.
What I really think: I probably won't purchase. There are so many fantasy books, and my students are so particular about what constitutes a book they want to read. The public library will no doubt have this one if I have readers who want something quirkier than I stock.

Hernandez, Carlos. Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe (#2)
May 5th 2020 by Rick Riordan Presents
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

This is the sequel to Sal and Gabi Break the Universe. The cover update is a great choice; the first book doesn't circulate all that well, and I think it is due in large part because of the cover.

From Goodreads.com
"Sal Vidon creates wormholes. But Sal's father, a calamity physicist, is trying to shut down all the wormholes Sal creates, because Papi thinks they are eroding the very fabric of our world. All of Papi's efforts are in vain, however, because a Gabi from another universe has gone rogue and is popping up all over the place, seeking revenge for the fact that her world has been destroyed. While Sal and Gabi work together to keep both Papi and Rogue Gabi under control, they also have to solve the mystery of Yasmany, who has gone missing from school. Could it have something to do with the wormhole in the back of his locker?"

MMGM- One Last Shot, Any Day with You

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Anderson, John David. One Last Shot
May 5th 2020 by Walden Pond Press
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Malcolm's father was an up and coming baseball player who never made it as far as he wanted to, so he has put his hopes on Malcolm. Malcolm does not enjoy baseball. He feels inept, doesn't get along with his teammates, and feels that he will never be good enough to make his father happy. His mother and father fight a lot, and Malcolm feels like this might be his fault as well. When his father finally lets him quit baseball, they spend the afternoon playing miniature golf. Malcolm does pretty well, so his father changes his focus, and before long Malcolm is practicing all the time and getting lessons from Frank Sanderson, a one time friend of his father's who had a sketchy career in pro golf. Frank is slovenly and talkative, but does a good job improving Malcolm's skills at Fritz's time worn mini gold course. While there, Malcolm meets Lex, who is playing while her mother has a hair appointment across the street, and the two click. This is unusual, because Malcolm has always found it hard to make friends, as has Lex. They both share a love of trivia, and meet several times. Malcolm's parents are glad, but continue to bicker about everything. When his father arranges for Malcolm to play in a tournament, Malcolm has his doubts about his success, but he gives it his best try, even though it looks like his father won't make it. Will Malcolm be able to handle his friendship with Lex, his parents' troubled marriage, and the expectations of his father?
Strengths: It is far, far more likely that students will be dealing with bickering parents than it is that they will have a parent pass away, yet the majority of middle grade novels kill off the parents. If authors really want to help children process life difficulties, they would write more about parents fighting! This book was a great mixture of family drama, a light romance, an older mentor (need more of those stories, too) and sports. The cover is fantastic, and the tone light enough that I can sell this as humorous fiction. Another excellent title from Mr. Anderson!
Weaknesses: The beginning of the book made it a bit hard to get into, and ending most chapters with what was going on in the tournament took me a while to get used to. That might just be me-- I have trouble with flashbacks.
What I really think: Definitely purchasing. I love Anderson's work and have fond memories of playing miniature golf with friends when I was growing up. There need to be a few more golfing books; the only other one I can think of is Feinstein's excellent The Prodigy.

Respicio, Mae. Any Day With You
May 5th 2020 by Wendy Lamb Books
E ARC provided by Netgalley.com

Kaia lives in Santa Monica with her supportive family, which includes college professor mom, movie artist dad, older sister Lainey, and great-grandfather, Tatang. She is looking forward to a fun summer, even though she will miss Lainey, who is off to medical school in the fall and is spending the summer in the Philippines, where Tatang was born and raised. The plan is that Tatang, who is 90, will visit with friends and family while Lainey is there, then return with her to the US. When he tells Kaia that he is actually going to remain in the Philippines for the rest of his days, Kaia is devastated. She is in a summer program, Camp ArtAttack, with her good friends Trey and Abby, Kaia comes up with a great idea-- they will base their video project on the traditional tales Tatang told her and win the prize in a local competition. Surely that will be enough to persuade Tatang to stay with her family. When that plan looks like it won't be as effective, Kaia applies for a military honor for Tatang, who served in WWII and suffered through the Bataan Death March. She has some issues to work through with the rest of her family, particularly since she feels her interest in doing make up for movies isn't treated as a serious career path in the way that Lainey's medical aspirations are. Will Kaia be successful in keeping her beloved great-grandfather close to her?
Strengths: I adore stories with supportive and involved grandparents, since mine were older and/or not involved (when I was Kaia's age, my grandmother was 84! and the rest were deceased). Tatang is a great character, with his fun shirts and boundless energy, and the bits of his personal history that we learn only add to his appeal. Kaia's involvement in making a video will appeal to students, many of whom share this interest. Changing family dynamics are hard on tweens, even when they are natural and unavoidable, like a sibling heading to college. This was a short, quick read that can be handed to a variety of readers in the same way that this author's The House That Lou Built can.
Weaknesses: It seemed off that Kaia's grandparents from this side of the story were deceased, and I wanted a few more details about them.
What I really think: Definitely purchasing. It's a bittersweet tale that is ultimately upbeat, and is a great example of how to come to terms with difficult circumstances that many tweens face. I'm always a fan of kids who have interests in passion, although as a bitter, disappointed former Latin teacher, I will always wish that those passions were less liberal arts focused and more concerned with tech, math, and science fields!

Kent State

Wiles, Deborah. Kent State
April 21st 2020 by Scholastic Inc.
E ARC provided by Edelweiss

This is a well-researched and interestingly written novel. I was looking forward to it because I was living in Kent on May 4, 1970 and have thought this topic was ripe for middle grade coverage.

Sadly, this is more of a high school book. There are a few f-bombs, but it is the format that is really stopping me from buying it. It's told in short snippets from various view points, rather like a Greek chorus. Many view points are represented this way, and there are excellent notes at the beginning, but my students, who really know nothing about the event, will most likely struggle with understanding what is going on. Not all, of course, but it's gotten to the point where a lot of my students struggle with Matt Christopher. This would be a stretch.

I would definitely buy this for a high school library, and have recommended it to our three high school librarians. In the current climate of political activism, it is an important book. If you have a middle school library, however, I would take a look at it. Wiles has done a lot of middle grade books, but don't purchase this one without investigating whether or not it is a good fit for your students.

Before She Was Helen

This is definitely an adult title, but WOW! It's perfect for readers who loved The Face on the Milk Carton when it came out thirty years ago, whether they were 12 at the time, or in their forties, like Helen would have been. It has so many different levels of impact, and was a fascinating but devastating read. If you need a book to read for yourself, treat yourself to this one.

As a former Latin teacher from Ohio, I wanted to know a little more about Helen's career!


Cooney, Caroline B. Before She Was Helen
May 5th 2020 by Poisoned Pen Press
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Clemmie lives a careful and circumspect life in a retirement village in the South. She teaches Latin part time, plays cards, and checks on her neighbors. She also has two cell phones, one for her family, and one for everyone else, to whom she is Helen. When her next door neighbor, the unpleasant Dom, doesn't check in with her, she does to his house to investigate. She doesn't find him, but does find an odd door that goes to a connecting unit, rarely inhabited by couple who keep to themselves. She takes a picture of an interesting glass sculpture to send to her niece and nephew, but doesn't worry too much about Dom, since his golf cart is gone. Things, however, escalate. Her nephew does an image search for the glass, and finds out it is stolen drug paraphernalia worth a lot of money, and manages to let the creator and owner, Boro, know his great-aunt has it. Boro is determined to get it back, and hunts Clemmie down. Clemmie worries, because her own back story has been very complicated, and she has been living under an assumed identity since college. As the drug related mystery evolves, so does a fifty year old cold case from Connecticut that is all too familiar to Clemmie. The coach of her brother's team, Rudyard Creek, was killed in a highway picnic area, and the murderer was never found. In flashbacks, we find out what her connection to this case was as the events surrounding Boro and Dom, as well as her neighbors, unfold at the retirement village. Clemmie has always been careful, but will this one misstep disarray all of her careful plans?
Trigger warnings: Rape, drug use, stalking.
Strengths: This was an utterly captivating and intense novel; I had to take a break halfway through it because I just needed to breathe! The details about both the present problems and the past ones were so well thought out and intricately arranged that I found myself almost holding my breath on several occasions. I was completely amazed by Clemmie's resiliency and resourcefulness in the face of horrible things that happened to her and kept happening to her, and by how she was able to create a new identity because of the lack of paper trails in the past. I don't want to spoil the twists and turns by saying too much. This was an excellent read, and I appreciated that the character was an older woman with a past!
Weaknesses: As a former Latin teacher from Ohio, I just really wanted an entire book about Clemmie's career in the last several decades of the 1900s.
What I Really Think: This was just exquisite. Cooney has an impressive range, from picture books to historical fiction to medical mysteries, but this was by far her best book. Not only that, but even though it has several disturbing topics, the story is delivered with discretion for those of us who are used to the profanity and detail free books of middle grade. I sort of want a follow up about how Clemmie's life proceeds after the book ends, but it's not really need it. We are given the hints we need to imagine her new life.

We Dream of Space

Kelly, Erin Entrada. We Dream of Space
May 5th 2020 by Greenwillow Books
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Bird, her twin brother Fitch, and their older brother Chase are all doing the best they can in 1986 Park, Delaware. They all have some interests; Bird likes machines and tinkering, Fitch likes arcade games, and Chase likes basketball but is struggling because he has been held behind a grade in school. Their parents are constantly fighting, and their mother has gone back to work at a time when families were still struggling a bit with the concept of women working outside the home and men being involved in the home. The family dynamics are especially hard on Bird, who feels like she somehow needs to make things better, even though she needs more emotional support than she is getting. When her science class starts studying the Challenger Space Shuttle and looking forward to the launch, she finds something with which she can identify, and her internal conversations with mission specialist Resnick help her through some rough times. Having a goal like being an astronaut is a good coping mechanism for having to deal with her toxic parents, her messy home life, and her mother's controlling attitudes toward food. She does find a good friend with a calm, ordered family life, and loves to visit there, even though it makes the chaos at home seem worse. When the Challenger disaster occurs, will Bird find the support she needs to make her own way in the world?
Strengths: There are lots of good details about daily like in 1986, and even the depiction of the family troubles seems to reflect some of the middle grade literature of the time. (Think Judy Blume, Norma Fox Mazer, Marilyn Sachs and Cynthia Voigt.) Ms. Salonga was a great character and her enthusiasm reminded me of Ms. Lowitt, my 6th grade science teacher. She also kept her eye on Bird. Like Kelly's The Land of Forgotten Girls, Hello, Universe, Blackbird Fly, and other titles We Dream of Space explores how tweens can manage to find a way forward through difficult circumstances.
Weaknesses: The trend seems to be toward more character driven stories, and my students really like a lot more to happen in the plot.
What I really think: This is a more interesting coverage of the Challenger disaster than that in Planet Earth if Blue, and is reminiscent of the great I Love You, Michael Collins, which is set two decades earlier.

When I Hit the Road

Cavanaugh, Nancy. When I Hit the Road
May 1st 2020 by Sourcebooks Young Readers
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Samantha's mother is very stressed because her mother has moved to Florida after the death of Samantha's grandfather instead of moving into a condo eight minutes away. The mother is also working very hard at her job for a scrapbook company, and gives Sam a journal to keep when the two go to Florida to keep an eye on the grandmother. Sam isn't thrilled, although she has nothing better to do with her summer, having been unsuccessful at everything she tried during the school year in the way of extracurricular activities. Once the two arrive at Sandy Shores, the condominium complex where Gram lives, the mother's anxiety goes into overdrive. Gram has a new turquoise convertible, got rid of all her furniture (to the mother's dismay), and is on blood pressure and cholesterol medication. She's also playing pickle ball with her new friend Mimi, and planning a road trip to sing in a karaoke competition and deliver Bibles to churches for Mimi. At the last minute, Samantha's mother has to return home for work, and Sam gets left to go on the trip by herself. Mimi's grandchild also goes along, and is a bit of a surprise. The trip is plagued with all manner of humorous difficulties which soon become more serious, and Sam begins to wonder if she is in over her head. She does make a lot of quality memories, and so forgives her mother for forcing her on the trip.
Strengths: I liked the multigenerational aspect of this, even though most of the book centered on Samantha's concerns. The mother and grandmother had their own issues, and they definitely affected Sam! All too often, we don't see adults having lives of their own, unless they are dying or have some horrendous problem. The karaoke dreams are fun, and the idea of making memories is a good one. The problems the group runs into are funny (the kids get splattered with mud, they have to break into a church to sleep, they have a very interesting transaction at a run down gas station), and the novel moves along quickly.
Weaknesses: I wish the adventures hadn't been quite so serious. The grandmother collapses twice, which makes this a bit less lighthearted. Also, Mimi's grandchild was a fairly flat character, and could have been a lot more fun.
What I really think: I will probably purchase because I need more funny, realistic fiction that doesn't cover heavy topics. This is great for fans of other grandparent road trip books like Cooney's Hit the Road (which has circulated well for 14 years!), McVoy's Drive Me Crazy or Acampora's How to Avoid Extinction. I love the cover on this one and read this just before our Boys Read Pink celebration-- it's a perfect read for boys reluctant to pick up a book with a girl as the main character!

The Starlight Claim

Wynne-Jones, Tim. The Starlight Claim
September 10th 2019 by Candlewick Press
Public library copy

Nate's best friend, Dodge, has died with his father and younger brother in an attempt to deliver a refrigerator to their remote cabin. The bodies of the brother and father were found, but Nate is disturbed by the fact that Dodge is still missing. He is also bothered by the fact that he didn't try harder to stop Dodge from going, especially after the boy asked him to go along because his backwoods skills were much stronger. When Nate's plans to return to his family's own cabin with a friend fall through, he decides to go on his own, hoping to somehow find some clue as to what happened to Dodge. When he gets to the remote location, however, he finds nefarious sorts skulking around the house that his father built. He heads over to Dodge's cabin, and is followed by one of the men, who warns him to stock up with water and firewood for the upcoming storm, and to lock himself in so that the other men don't find him. Of course, Nate doesn't do this, and begins a game of cat and mouse with the men that ends in family secrets being revealed, an unfortunate tragedy, and in Nate exercising his survival abilities and making peace with Dodge's fate.
Strengths: This is a good outdoor adventure book, even though Nate has a comfortable cabin to which to retreat. The gangster types add another level of suspense, and the twist with the family history is interesting. Fans of Hobbs' Never Say Die , Greci's Surviving Bear Island, or Lawrence's The Skeleton Tree will appreciate the icy, backwoods setting and Nate's resourcefulness.
Weaknesses: The story line goes back and forth from the present to Nate's adventures with Dodge in the past, and is a bit disjointed. There are also a LOT of bad decisions made by both boys on many occasions.
What I really think: Nate's father is Burl from The Maestro (1995), which I think was in my library at one point. While The Starlight Claim can be read as a stand alone, the average life expectancy of a library book is 8-10 years, so I wouldn't expect many people to be eagerly awaiting this as a sequel.

Rick

Gino, Alex. Rick
April 21st 2020 by Scholastic Press
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Rick is starting a new year in middle school as his sister goes off to college. He has a best friend, Jeff, but Rick is starting to get ever more annoyed at Jeff's behavior. When Jeff makes rude comment about how "hot" Melissa is, Rick starts to realize that he doesn't really think of anybody as "hot". Intrigued by the Rainbow Spectrum group at school, he goes to see what it is all about, not letting Jeff know he is attending. Melissa, who was the subject of the book George, and the rest of the students are very welcoming and supportive, and Rick likes the group. When they decide to put on a talent show to help raise money to buy LGBTQIAP+ books for the school library, Rick wants to help, but he doesn't want others to know that he's involved with the group. Rick is also spending Sundays with his Grandpa Ray, and the two watch a science fiction show and bond. They also decide to attend a con, and Grandpa Ray shares with Rick that he liked to attend cons with Rick's grandmother... and he often dressed up as a woman. Jeff's toxicity because unbearable, and Rick drops him as a friend. Luckily, he has made new friends in the Rainbow Spectrum group.
Strengths: This was a short, simple book that outlines Rick's growing uncertainty while addressing the classic middle school issue of losing friendships. The inclusion of a LGBTQIAP+ school group, as well as a talent show, moves the plot along. The relationship with the grandfather is a nice touch; I wish there were more middle grade books about children interacting with grandparents who are still fairly healthy. The best thing about Gino's books is that they make gender and sexuality topics understandable on an age appropriate level. Too many Young Adult books include instructional sex and a lot of underage drinking, which is just a bit too much for my students. When I have 6th graders bring back books because the word "hell" or "damn" is in them, I'm more circumspect in my purchases than I would be in a high school or public library.
Weaknesses: It seemed very odd that the Rainbow Spectrum advisor, Mr. Sydney, didn't know about they use of singular they for people who prefer to use that as their pronouns. It was good to point out this use, but it would have made more sense for a student to claim ignorance. Some reviews called this book didactic and agenda driven, and while I can see that, it's really about perfect for the level of understanding most of my students have about LGBTQIAP+ topics.
What I really think: As the book itself points out, Rick is on the young side to identify with being asexual. I think many middle school students are not interested in anything romantic at all. It's good that people who support Rick tell him that it's okay if he does identify as Ace, but also okay if his feelings change at some point. I will definitely purchase this, as there is a growing interest in LGBTQI+ (or QUILTBAG+) titles in my library.

Daring Darleen, Queen of the Screen

Nesbet, Anne. Daring Darleen, Queen of the Screen
April 14th 2020 by Candlewick Press
E ARC provided by Netgalley

Darleen comes from a long line of entertainers; her father and his siblings are all part of Matchless Studios, a silent film concern trying to stay in business in 1914. Darleen has gone from being "darling" as a child film star to being "daring" in her tween years, and is the star of a serial in which she is a princess trying to find her father. In order to drum up more interest, and perhaps make more money, her aunt comes up with a great idea: film Darleen being kidnapped at the opening of a new theater, so fans can read about the "real life" episode in the paper. On the night of the event, Darleen is ready, but ends up in the wrong car... with the subject of an actual kidnapping. Victorine Berryman is the orphan heiress of a railroad fortune. Her only relatives, the Brownstones, are cruel to her, so once she and Darleen escape, she is loathe to turn herself in. Both kidnappings seem to be tied together through one particularly unpleasant actor, and the girls try to figure out the mystery. Along the way, they get involved in lots of escapades, including going up in a hot air balloon. They also meet Madame Blanche, the owner of rival Solax studios, who helps the girls figure out the problem with Victorine's inheritance, and encourages them to continue their work in film.
Strengths: The early 1900s are ripe for all manner of interesting historical fiction, and there's very little that I've come across. The early days of motion pictures is a great place to start! The alliance of the two girls from different backgrounds is charming, and I enjoyed Victorine's plight as the "poor little rich girl". The fact that Darleen dangles over cliffs and has adventures makes it even better.
Weaknesses: This could have been about 100 pages shorter if some of the plot elements had been simplified, and would have made for a more exiting story.
What I really think: I will purchase this because I love the era and the topic, but I'm not sure how well it will circulate. Readers who picked up Tubb's Selling Hope (2011), Cheaney's I Don't Know How the Story Ends,(2015)or Fleming'ss Strongheart: Wonder Dog of the Silver Screen (2018) will find this another fascinating foray into early films.

Pavlou, Stel. The Betrayer (Daniel Coldstar #1)
November 12th 2019 by HarperCollins
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

After the evens in The Relic War, Daniel, Jasper the penguin anatom, and his friends are back. On Oota Mheen, Daniel has found a wrecked ship named the Coldstar, and wonders what its connection is to him, since he doesn't know who his parents are. Unfortunately, the Tarafands invade, forcing Daniel to flee with Ionica. The two find a number of children on the planet that must be evacuated, and narrowly manage to get them to safety. Alioth is not happy that the Truth Seekers were out and about without permission. They return to the Seventh Summit and go back to classes, but Daniel soon receives a mysterious message that claims knowledge of the Coldstar and his parents. He is instructed to meet on the planet Juba, which happens to be Ionica's home. She hasn't been back for a long time due to a family tragedy, but agrees to accompany him back. It is the festival of Luminara, which remembers the destruction of Earth and celebrates peace, but it's anything but peaceful once they arrive. Ionica's father, Dimas Lux, claims that Daniel knew Ionica's sister when he was a Sinja slave in the mines, and Daniel has vague memories of this. Many of the parents in Ionica's world have lot their children to the Sinja and will do anything to get them back, even if it destoys Juba. Will Daniel be able to help them retrieve the children and save the planet?

Daniel and Ionica's role as Truth Keepers comes into play here, although we don't hear as much from Rann, Fix or Blink. There are lots of good science fiction details with clothing, space ships, technology, and human settlements to delight fans of books like Swiedler's In the Red, Van Eekhout's Cog, and Lander's Blastaway.

The plight of the children stolen by the Sinja and enslaved in the mines continues, and Daniel's desire to find out more about his life is understandable, especially when he is confronted with evidence by Dimas Lux. The continuing threat for them, as well as the constand battles with the Tarafand, keep this book moving along despite these more personal quests.

For some reason, this reminded me of the cantina scene in the first Star Wars series; there seemed to be a lot of different looking characters from different backgrounds, and there was always an air of something just about to happen. Science fiction fans who want lots of intricate details will enjoy this next installment in Daniel's quest to find his past.

Maybe it's the style of cover, but this is the sort of science fiction/fantasy that I often get for free, add to the collection, and no one ever checks out. I think I'll pass this on to a school that has the first book instead of buying it myself.

MMGM- Saltwater Secrets

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Callaghan, Cindy. Saltwater Secrets
April 28th 2020 by Aladdin
E ARC provided by Edelweiss

Half sisters Stella and Josie only see each other during the summer, since Stella lives in New Jersey with her mother and Josie lives in Australia with hers. During the summer, however, they stay with their father in an East Coast beach resort town. They have their traditions and secrets, like getting Water Ices and hanging out in their under-the-boardwalk hideaway. This summer, things have changed. Stella has gotten into some trouble with friends during the school year, and feels like she is a high schooler, while Josie is still a kid. Not only that, but their Water Ice shop has been turned into a smoothie store, which has affected their hideaway. Josie intends to boycott the smoothie shop, but Stella is trying to move on. We get the story of their summer in flashbacks-- both girls are being interviewed by the police after an incident that has sent someone to the hospital. For Stella, this is a "third strike", and her lawyer step father is on his way to deal with her. We get the mystery in tiny sections, and it all has to do with local eccentric Rodney, the smoothie store, a pop singer, and the deaths of jellyfish along the beach. How much trouble are Stella and Josie really in?
Strengths: The environmental mystery is well constructed and has a flavor of Monster meets Hoot. The seaside, summer setting is fun even with the darker overtones. There are colorful local characters and some good twists that I don't want to ruin. Of course, the real charm for me was the sisterly bond. I think a lot of tweens and teens want a sibling who is their friend, but with whom they don't have to deal with all the time.
Weaknesses: We are kept in the dark about what happened for most of the book, and I got oddly annoyed at this. It might have been the flashbacks. I'm not a fan.
What I really think: Callaghan's Lost In books are HUGELY popular in my library, so I will probably buy this for the readers who love those, although this has a decidedly different flavor. (Obviously, wattle berry...)