Secret of the Storm by Beth McMullen - HIGH

 Secret of the Storm by Beth McMullen, 288 pages. Aladdin (Simon & Schuster), 2022. $18

Language: PG (1 swear, 0 “f”); 

Mature Content: G;

Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Middle school student Cassie King feels like the universe has it out for her. But after she gets caught in a sudden, unusual and extreme storm, she finds herself with a new friend of sorts, plus a little lost kitten to take home and love. But things, including her new kitty, definitely aren't quite as they seem. Cassie and her new friend Joe have a mystery to solve, an obsessed bad guy to evade and a seemingly impossible mission to accomplish, all while learning about and protecting their new not-so-feline pet.

McMullen writes a fast-paced, high-adventure and just plain fun. I really appreciated the developing unlikely friendship between Cassie and Joe, especially in contrast with the disintegrating friendship Cassie experienced with her long time best friend Mia. It was a very relatable, realistic representation of middle school relationships. In the story, Cassie also deals with grief after the death of her father, and navigating life with her mom whose grief is overwhelming and limiting her ability to function. Mixing these real-world topics with the fun and fantasy of dragons makes this an excellent book that I'll enthusiastically recommend to my upper elementary students.

Angie Campbell