Five Survive by Holly Jackson - OPTIONAL

Five Survive by Holly Jackson, 400 pages. Delacorte Press (Random), 2022

Language: R (20 swears, 105 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (drinking); Violence: PG-13 (shots, blood, knife attack, deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Red is traveling in an RV to Florida with her friends to spend a week celebrating spring break together. They lose cell service and GPS capabilities then end up down a dead end road getting a flat tire. After replacing the flat tire with the spare, Red sees a red dot hovering around the RV and yells at the others to notice. They ignore her until they hear the gunshots that take out all four tires. The group runs into the RV for protection. The shooter leaves a walkie talkie for communication and tells them that one of them has a secret they need to share. The secret is going to be revealed, one way or another!

Oliver is annoying because he’s a know-it-all with a superiority complex. The mystery is interesting to try to unravel when a few characters allude to having secrets. The suspense builds intensely, which makes a riveting read. The ethnicities are Korean, Mexican, white, and African American.

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Librarian

Accidentally Famous by Marissa Clarke - OPTIONAL

Accidentally Famous by Marissa Clarke, 352 pages. Entangled Publishing, 2023. $9.

Language: PG13 (19 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

23 yo Cassy knows what she wants her life to look like, but her plans fall apart when her lifelong crush returns to their small town without looking at her twice. Without the man she always knew she was going to marry and the sudden appearance of reporters thanks to some hot-shot actor’s thoughtless mistag on social media, Cassy doesn’t know what to do. But maybe these mishaps are exactly what Cassy’s life needs.

While dramatic in this romance, I do like Clarke’s theme about letting your plans for life change. Not living out the exact life we thought we would doesn’t mean that we can’t still be happy and accomplish our goals. Sometimes reality is better than our imaginations, and Cassy didn’t have to change her values in order to adjust to a new outcome. Be yourself and enjoy life’s surprises.

Cassy and Jack are depicted as white on the cover, Dee is implied Black, and most of the other characters are implied white. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, innuendo, and mentions of drugs, lust, groping, and penises.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber - ESSENTIAL

Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber, 416 pages. Flatiron Books, 2021. $20

Language: G (1 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: PG-13 (ungory deaths, vampires) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Evangeline believes in magic. She knows that there is truth in legend and danger in curses. Thus, when the man she loves is brought under a love spell, or so she thinks, Evangeline will seek the Fated Prince of Hearts and make a bargain to stop him from marrying her step-sister. But you cannot escape a deal made with a Fate and Evangeline will learn that her trip to the North as an ambassador and potential bride of the Prince of the North may be exactly what Jacks has been planning all along.

I love Garber's writing style. The scenes are vivid and engulfing, the characters realistic and relatable, and the plots magical and creative. Set in the same world as Caraval, this novel was thoroughly enjoyable to read. There was also minimal swearing and only brief undescriptive nudity. 

Sierra Finlinson https://www.kingsenglish.com/book/9781250268396

City of Nightmares by Rebecca Schaeffer - HIGH

City of Nightmares by Rebecca Schaeffer, 384 pages. Clarion Books, 2023. $19.

Language: R (93 swears, 17 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Everyone knows that having a nightmare means that you’ll wake up as your greatest fear. Ness (19yo) is terrified of everyone who has turned into a Nightmare and everyone who might turn into a Nightmare – including her own potential to become a Nightmare. When her cowardice prevents her from doing her assigned job – again – the small, safe, windowless room she stays in is threatened. If Ness can’t find a way to function with her fear, she’s going to lose everything.

I couldn’t even get through two chapters before I had to share snippets of this book with my friends. Ness is a coward, in part, because she lives in terrifying circumstances – a reality that I cannot begin to imagine functioning well in. This reality allows the background of her story to be as entertaining as what Ness is doing in the foreground. Schaeffer makes these throwaway comments that had me laughing and engaged while Ness glossed over it. I’ve never had that kind of relationship with a story, and I loved it. And I’m still invested in the story itself. Ness’s character arc is full and natural, there are several overlapping plots and schemes to untangle, and the book ends in a satisfactory way while still leaving me excited for the sequel.

The characters are diverse in race, and Schaeffer describes skin tones of various shades. The mature content rating is for alcohol use; mentions of child trafficking, brothels, sexual assault, and sex; illegal activity; and innuendo. The violence rating is for mentions of assault, abuse, and assassination; fantasy violence; use of a range of weaponry, including guns; and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Unseelie by Ivelisse Housman - OPTIONAL

Unseelie by Ivelisse Housman, 432 pages. Inkyard Press, 2023. $19.

Language: PG (4 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Today is Isolde’s seventeenth birthday, and, as her changeling twin sister, Iselia claims it as her birthday, too. As a birthday present to themselves, they’re planning on stealing some things from Wildline Manor. They didn’t know what they would find, but the compass they end up leaving with is more trouble than they wanted – mostly because of the people chasing the sisters down to get it back.

Despite the magic and the thieving and the living-on-the-run stuff, Iselia felt relatable and real. Some of the fae lore, magic, and portal details were confusing, but not in a way that distracted from the story; I was able to move on and still enjoy the adventuring. Maybe more of the magic details will be made clear in the sequel, but, if not, I’m still interested to know what happens with the characters moving forward.

Isolde and Iselia have “olive” skin, Raze has “rosy” skin, and Olani has “dark brown” skin. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, illegal activity, and a passing mention of escorts. The violence rating is for mention of murder, weapon use, blood and gore, and fantasy violence.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Big Bad by Lily Anderson - ADVISABLE

Big Bad by Lily Anderson, 311 pages. Hyperion Avenue (Disney), 2022. $27 Language: PG-13 (40 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (naked demon mentioned); Violence: PG-13 (blood, fighting, vampires, demons)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS – OPTIONAL; HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Warren is about to ascend and embody a demon, when a petite blond stranger interrupts and Jonathan ends up killing Warren instead of helping him. Turns out the stranger is a slayer from another dimension, there to take out as many Black Flames from as many dimensions as she can so that she can find her home dimension. Jonathan, Andrew, and Anya (who works at a “juice” bar with Andrew) won’t let Demondale vanish forever, so they recruit Angelus, Spike, Drucilla, and vampire Willow to help them find some way to defeat Buffy for good.

For fans of Buffy, they will love this look at the Buffyverse that weaves in many familiar episodes in different ways. I am just not sure how hot Buffy is for the MS/HS crowd. Probably the best I’ve read of the Buffy as it pays homage without twisting the series in weird ways. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS LGBT 

Holler of the Fireflies by David Barclay Moore - ADVISABLE

Holler of the Fireflies by David Barclay Moore, 360 pages Knopf (Random House). 2022. $18. 

Language PG (3 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (racist language including the N word). 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Javari got into a 2 week STEM camp in West Virginia, sponsored by a small Christian College in the town of Horsewhip Holler - a far cry from his hometown of Brooklyn New York. Javari is super good at science, but is shy and doesn't make friends soon enough to get into a good group for the final project. He does, however, meet a local boy named Cricket, who gives him a look at what the black community of Horsewhip Holler is like. Javari gets more than a stem education that summer. He also learns about racism, activism, and sees that some things aren't all that different away from home. 

Javari's experience at camp is complicated - I think my middle-grade gamers will like the story, as there is a cool game the kids are beta testing. I wonder, though, when he sleeps - sneaking out at night to meet up with Cricket after his roommate has gone to sleep, even attending a late-night book club? I wish he had been a bit older than 12 - sending him alone on a bus with transfers to make and then to arrive at the destination with no one there to meet him felt irresponsible, so I was suspect of the whole program. Setting aside these issues, I think it will be a good addition to a middle school library.  Interesting that the cover reflects (pun intended) Moore's "The Stars Beneath Our Feet," and it contains some interesting elements of the history of African Americans in the Appalachians.

 Javari and Cricket are black, Veer is Indian culture, Tuyet is Vietnamese culture. Rebecca is white. 

Lisa Librarian 

Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl by Julie Kagawa - ESSENTIAL

Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl by Julie Kagawa 309 pages. Disney/Hyperion. 2022 $17. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG peril, injuries resulting in blood 

MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

13yo Shinji Takahashi discovers a cool statue in a shop that turns out to be an ancient idol called a Coatl. Now he is being chased by an organization called Hightower which wants the statue for themselves. On the advice of Lucy, a girl who helps him escape from Hightower, Shinji travels cross-country and meets up with an organization called The Society of Explorers and Adventurers. SEA wants to help him return the idol to its rightful place, and hopefully break the curse on Shinji. 

Exciting right from the start, I was feeling Indiana Jones vibes the whole read. Kids are going to love this. Lots of dangerous plot twists (caves, rope bridges, jungle chases), creepy monsters - spiders, bears, snakes -  and a really great Meso-American legend. I loved that SEA is a group of adults, and that Shinji isn't on his own. I'm so happy this is Book 1 of what I hope will be a long series. Shinji is Japanese American 

Lisa Librarian 

Key Player (Front Desk #4) by Kelly Yang - ADVISABLE

Key Player (Front Desk #4) by Kelly Yang, 274 pages. Scholastic Press (Scholastic). 2022 $18.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The world cup is coming to Los Angeles, and Mia is so excited because the Chinese Women's team will be playing against the Americans! She has started playing soccer in P.E. (after years of avoiding sports because they were dangerous and her parents didn't have insurance) but Mia's athletic confidence is low and she really needs a passing grade. Maybe she can get an interview with one of the world cup teams and publish her story in the school paper! Also, her parents are looking for a house - no more living in the motel - but they are running into roadblocks as real estate agents don't seem to want to represent a Chinese family. 

 I continue to love this series. I love that the books stand alone, resolving nicely, but then Kelly Yang gets Mia and her friends into another pickle and away we go! Mr. Yao is back - ooh, I didn't like him in book one - but we start to see him differently. So many parts of Key Player are directly connected to the others in the series, so be sure you have 1-3 on your shelves as well. Family Ties - Family-focused drama Mia and her family are Chinese, as are Jason and his father. Lupe is Hispanic, Hank is Black. 

Lisa Librarian

French Kissing in New York by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau - ADVISABLE

French Kissing in New York by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau, 336 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2023. $13.

Language: PG13 (19 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Growing up in her mother’s restaurant in France, Margot (18yo) learned a lot about traditional cooking. But Margot is done with doing things traditionally. Now she’s moving in with her father in New York City where she plans to work as a cook in a decidedly non-traditional restaurant and have an epic love story – and Margot did not make a backup plan.

Like Margot, we all have to balance our dreams and plans with reality and setbacks. I loved that no one told Margot not to dream big and go after what she wanted. Her loved ones supported Margot, which sometimes meant sharing their points of view – unobscured by the big dreams Margot didn’t want to see around. The moral of the story is not to stop dreaming but that it’s okay if you go after your dream and then want to change your mind.

Margot is French, Ben is half Haitian, and Raven is described as having “dark brown” skin. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, including underage drinking, and innuendo.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

We are Displaced by Malala Yousafzai - ADVISABLE

We are Displaced by Malala Yousafzai, 224 pages. NONFICTION. Little, Brown Books, 2019. $19.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Malala is in a unique position to meet other people like her who have been forced to leave their homes. She briefly shares parts of her own story in this book, instead focusing on ten other young and adult women who have experienced displacement from different countries and points of view. These are not only their stories but representations of millions of others whose stories are not heard.

While mentioning the high numbers of those around the world who are displaced, Yousafzai focuses on individuals and stories rather than the statistics. By focusing on these few, readers can feel the fear and uncertainty in leaving home as well as the hope that their lives will make sense again, that they can continue to move forward, that they will find belonging. Despite every difficulty faced, I was struck over and over by the hope in each story – the real stories that are still being lived.

The mature content rating is for mentions of nudity, sex trafficking, and rape. The violence rating is for mentions of murder, knife and gun use, bombings, and genocide.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Stranded by Sarah Daniels - HIGH

The Stranded by Sarah Daniels, 464 pages. Sourcebooks Fire, 2023. $19

Language: R (43 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

When a virus broke out in Europe over 40 years ago, the Arcadia was already planning on setting sail, but they were never allowed off the ship at their destination. Esther (16yo) was born here and is focused on passing her medic test and earning her way off the ship. Then a rebel gets shot, and Esther is the one taken and threatened to help him – or else – placing her in the middle of a rebellion she never wanted.

The points of view in this book take readers from rule-follower to rebel to antagonist, showing how the actions of each affects the whole. Everything is set into motion because of the risky plan executed in chapter one. As everything unravels, readers scramble to understand the whole plan – like the antagonist – while worrying about getting caught – like the rule-follower and rebel. It’s a bumpy ride aboard the Arcadia, and one that isn’t over yet.

The majority of the characters are European. Esther, May, and their family are implied white; Nik and his family are Indian. The mature content rating is for drug use. The violence rating is for gun and knife use, blood, brief description of torture, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Tumble by Celia C. Perez - ADVISABLE

Tumble by Celia C. Perez . 352 pages. Kokila (Penguin). 2022. $18. 

Language: PG (5 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG pro wrestling bouts described 

EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Addie is seeing some changes in her life. Her mom is about to have a new baby with Addie's step-father Alex. Addie loves Alex, he's been a great father to her, but when he tells her he'd like to adopt Addie. - to make him her legal father as well, Addie wants to find out about her birth father - her mother has told her nothing. So, Addie and her best friend Cy start doing some snooping and discover that Addie's real dad is a locally famous wrestler called Manny the Mountain. Addie wants to meet him, and find out for herself if he wants to give up his parental rights and let Alex adopt Addie. 

There was a lot to love about Tumble. The family dynamics, and discovering a whole new set of grandparents and cousins etc. was delightful. I loved that the Bravo family wasn't perfect, the grandfather had memory issues, an Uncle who performs in drag, the family is complicated.   I especially loved Abuela, she was the traditional family caregiver who makes delicious foods and holds the family together, and the fact that she had a hidden past was great too. I think the Nutcracker with a twist (letting the students cast in the show decide what the theme is going to be) was fun for the story, but would be problematic from a production perspective. Oh, and Addie's research! Visiting an archive! Ahhh - I loved that readers will see what a deep dive like that looks like. The Latinx culture will also be a great draw to Tumble, and the cover picture is great. I'm excited to recommend it. 

Lisa Librarian

Nate plus One by Kevin van Whye - OPTIONAL

Nate Plus One by Kevin van Whye, 247 pages. Random House Children’s Books (Penguin Random House), 2022. $18.

Language: R (63 swears, 5 “f”); Mature Content: R (teenage drinking, frequent safe sex discussions, and one fade-to-black sex scene); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Nate is a 17yo Black teenager who dreams of being behind the scenes as a songwriter, rather than the singer. He has a crush on his best friend, Jai, but prefers to keep it on the down-low. If Jai doesn’t know, Nate doesn’t have to get hurt, again. Except Nate is flying out to attend his cousin’s once-in-a-lifetime destination wedding in South Africa, and he just found out his ex-boyfriend (who ghosted him) will also be there. Jai volunteers to go as Nate’s plus one. That is just what a good friend would do, right? Or could it be something more?

First, I loved the South African setting. It clearly showed the author's first-hand experience with the location, culture, history, food, and people. Second, I loved the queer love story between two Brown boys. However, it did feel a little like Crazy Rich Asians but set in South Africa, with Nate's über wealthy paternal side of the family. I don't know how likely it is for two young boys to fly halfway around the world and spend so much time alone, like Nate and Jai did. So hurrah for the BIPOC & LGBTQ representation and accuracy in the setting, and a little meh for all the teenage angst and the secondary rock band competition plot line.

Kiera, BookswithBeddes

Growing Pangs by Kathryn Ormsbee and Molly Brooks - ESSENTIAL

 Growing Pangs by Kathryn Ormsbee and Molly Brooks, 340 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Random House Graphic, 2022. $21. 9780593301289 

Language: G (1 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: ; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – ESSENTIAL; MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Rising 6th grader Katie and her best friend Kacey were headed off to summer camp together, but Kacey resents Katie’s friendship with another camper. When their homeschool co-op starts up again, Kacey starts freezing Katie out. If that weren’t enough drama for Katie, she also starts having buzzing thoughts that won’t go away – thoughts that make her do weird things to make them go away. 

What an excellent book for students to discover the transitory nature of friendships, and such a gentle, but important introduction to OCD. A friendly, honest, and heart-warming look at the confusion of growing up. Katie has red hair, a few of the secondary characters are not white, but ethnicity doesn’t guide anyone’s actions. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

Counting Down With You by Tashie Bhuiyan - HIGH

Counting Down With You by Tashie Bhuiyan, 464 pages. Inkyard Press (HarperCollins Publishers), 2021. $19.

Language: R (134 swears, 17 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Struggling to live up to her strict Bangladeshi parents’ rules and expectations, Karina dreams of being able to live her own life and make her own choices. When her parents leave for 28 days, Karina wears the clothes that she wants, breaks her 5:15pm curfew, starts fake-dating a boy, and tastes the freedom she’s always wanted. Will these 28 days of reprieve sate her need for freedom or make it impossible to go back to letting her parents control every decision?

I was in agony reading this book because the emotions are so real. Karina struggles with shoulds and with knowing what she deserves. Her Bangladeshi culture says one thing and her friends say another – thoughts in line with American culture. These clashing cultures inside Karina manifest as a desire to have positive relationships with her parents while still being happy herself. Her agony was also mine because there isn’t one right answer. No one can tell Karina how to live her best life in this scenario because only she has to live with the consequences of those decisions, and I have been there. Karina laments about why she has to choose between her parents’ happiness and her own when what she really wants is both. In an ideal world, she could have both. But we don’t live in an ideal world.

Karina and her family are Bangladeshi; Nandini is Indian; and Cora is half Chinese, half French. Mia and Tina are described as Black, and Ace and the rest of his family are described as are white. The mature content rating is for mentions of drug use, partial nudity, and innuendo. The violence rating is for jokes about murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Unite Me (novella) by Tahereh Mafi - HIGH

Unite Me (novella) by Tahereh Mafi, 197 pages. Harper Collins, 2012. $12 (paperback)

Language: R (70 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (High amounts of domestic abuse and depression/anxiety/suicidal thoughts); Violence: PG-13 (mention of lots of death)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

In this short novella, we see a glimpse into both Warner and Adam's worlds. The first short story, Destroy Me, picks up immediately after Shatter Me and the second story, Fracture Me, begins during the last few pages of Unravel Me. In this we see Juliette through the eyes of the respective characters and gain new insight regarding the mechanics of this futuristic America.

I loved the opportunity to see the world through these different characters; however, the author's writing style, while complimentary to one character, was absolutely awful for the other and it felt cheap and cliché. Further, while not imperative to the trilogy, I highly recommend it. Readers may want to watch out for sensitive themes of domestic abuse and suicide especially in the first story.

Sierra Finlinson 

Making Friends with Alice Dyson by Poppy Nwosu - OPTIONAL

Making Friends with Alice Dyson by Poppy Nwosu, 296 pages. Walker Books, 2018. $18.

Language: R (27 swears, 5 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Nerd. Teacher’s pet. These labels mean that Alyson is invisible at school. And she’s okay with that. The one day that Alyson does something spontaneous, it’s caught on camera and shared with everyone. Her invisibility has been lost, and it’s all Teddy Taualai’s fault.

Alice struggles socially and gets anxious about saying the right thing, but she’s also confident in her own way. I admire how Alice doesn’t worry about fitting in with the popular crowd and that she couldn’t care less about what people say about her. Alice has a plan for herself, one that she chose, and she’s doing everything in her power to be successful. While there are unexpected consequences for her choices, I love that Alice is happy being Alice. I hope I – and other readers – can be as confident in myself. The flow of the writing itself was sometimes confusing, but the encouragement Alice’s story gives readers makes this a worthwhile book anyway.

Alice and her family are implied white, and May is described as pale. Teddy is described as having dark skin and is implied Polynesian. The mature content rating is for underage drinking, partial nudity, and innuendo. The violence rating is for mentions of fistfighting.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Other Ever Afters: New Queer Fairy Tales by Melanie Gillman - OPTIONAL

Other Ever Afters: New Queer Fairy Tales by Melanie Gillman, 228 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. RH Graphic (Penguin Random House), 2022. $25

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG (various couples drawn in bed together, covers up); Violence: PG (some bruises and blood from various conflicts, but not shown in action) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Seven new feminist, queer, and antiauthoritarian fairy tales told through a graphic novel format. These fairy tales focus on different protagonists than have populated the fairy tales of yore, thereby offering a fresh new interpretation for old stories. 

I’m torn. I was quite excited to read a queer collection of fairy tales, but I was mostly dissatisfied with how this book turned out. A lot of the stories ended inconclusively. Forget the “happily ever after,” I was still looking for “the end”! However, I did appreciate the variety of stories and protagonists. It is refreshing to see BIPOC, queer, feminist protagonists in these fairy tales. 

Kiera, BookswithBeddes

Ignite Me (#3) by Tahereh Mafi - HIGH

Ignite Me (#3) by Tahereh Mafi, 408 pages. Harper Collins, 2014 13 (paperback) Language: R (212 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: R (Graphic make out and nudity in a sexual way); Violence: PG-13 (Brief but intense fight scenes)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Juliette is dead. The sad, scared girl who was locked up and isolated died when Anderson put a bullet in her chest. At the head of the resistance now is a Juliette full of ambition and determination. She will embrace the power she has fought against her whole life, she will kill the supreme, and she will claim the man she loves.

Book #3 was a bit interesting. On one hand, the story was the best of the trilogy to read and I completed the novel in one sitting for this reason alone. Although it is mainly based around character dynamics and politics, this plot is enjoyable because the author has made them characters you like. However, as the characters change and evolve, the writing does so as well, and not necessarily is a pleasant way. Reading this, I was cringing and rolling my eyes at not only cheesy writing but also one-dimensional and shallow character responses. Regardless, I still recommend it. In comparison to the other books in the series, the characters do not deal as much with mental illness however there is a graphic make out scene near the end.

Sierra Finlinson 

A Consuming Fire by Laura E. Weymouth - HIGH

A Consuming Fire by Laura E. Weymouth, 352 pages. Margaret K McElderry Books (Simon & Schuster), 2022. $20

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G ; Violence: PG (Mutilation and death mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

In an imaginary Britain, Anya sends her sister off to give a sacrifice to the god, but when Ilva returns she has sacrificed everything and soon dies. Anya vows to kill the god so no one else will ever have to sacrifice to him again. She travels under the guise of a willing sacrifice while learning everything possible to kill the god. Along the way, she learns a great deal about herself, what it means to be a family, loyalty, dedication and love. She meets wanderers and befriends them as they teach her and protect her. She also meets the mysterious thief Tieran who is an enigma to everyone he spends time with.

I love Anya and her determination. I enjoyed uncovering Tieran’s mysterious nature while reading the story. I like how the story ended and all that was revealed throughout the book.

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Librarian

The Poison Season by Mara Rutherford - HIGH

The Poison Season by Mara Rutherford, 390 pages. Inkyard Press, 2022. $20

Language: PG (4 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (infidelity and domestic abuse mentioned); Violence: PG-13 (Sacrificing animals and people, blood, gore and poison)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

All of Leelo's life she has lived on a small island with a river surrounding it, and it's not just an ordinary river- it's a poisonous one that could kill a grown man in minutes. The islanders claim it's for their protection, but often times Leelo feels trapped. Then one day, when Leelo was taking look out on the shore and she sees a boat coming, with a man in it. Panicked because it's her duty to kill any outsiders, she freezes on the spot and even helps the man, Jaren, find shelter and food. Torn between her life of comfort and stability vs the exciting new life on the mainland Jaren starts sharing with her, Leelo will have to decide, all while hiding an outsider on a island full of people that would kill Jaren in a heartbeat.

The Poison Season was a very quick read for me, the world building was fantastic and I thought the romance was top notch. I even cried at a few parts, so nice job to the author. One thing I did not particularly like, was the ending, it all just ends with a nice pretty bow on top with not much explanation to why or how and it seemed a little lazy, but all in all a good read. Leelo is described with pale white skin and pale blonde hair with blue eyes. Jaren is described with tan skin and chesnut brown hair.

Kenzie Hoehne Reviewer 

Rise of the Kelpies by Shonna Slayton - ADVISABLE

Rise of the Kelpies by Shonna Slayton, 335 pages. Amaretto Press, 2022. $17 (paperback)

Language: G (0 swears,0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (kelpie attack)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Set in a fantasy world full of Scottish folklore, the kingdom of Glenmoor is searching for the lost prince and princess. Farrah is part of a group that has safely hidden and helped Tavish so that he can soon take his place as the rightful king but he never makes it; his body is found and rumors abound that a kelpie may have taken his life. Prince Tavish has been hidden for his entire life after he and his sister, the princess, went missing when they were very young. Now, a person claiming to be the lost prince has arrived at the castle and is calling for his sister to also return. Every village sends princess hopefuls to the castle to go through testing. Farrah accompanies a group traveling to the castle to protect those she’s with; her job is to pretend to be the princess and take the danger upon herself therefore protecting the other young women. The trip to the castle is just the beginning of the danger and deceptions are uncovered the further Farrah investigates.

The slow start kept me from getting into the book quickly but it soon picked up and became interesting. I like the author’s writing style and the character development. I enjoyed the mystery.

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Librarian

Unravel Me (#2) by Tahereh Mafi - HIGH

Unravel Me (#2) by Tahereh Mafi, 461 pages. Harper Collins, 2013. $12 (paperback)

Language: R (177 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: R (Heavy themes of self-loathing and suicide, domestic violence, there is a graphic kissing scene); Violence: PG-13 (torture scene, gun wounds, people injured by Juliette)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Juliette is not alone. There are other people like her, perhaps not with her same predicament, but that are unique and different. She has a man who loves her, who can touch her, so why does she still feel this way? War is coming, and with it inevitable choices, revelations, and change. The question is: will Juliette be able to harness her power and tame her mind in time?

Mafi crafted another enjoyable read, especially through the second half, and although the first took me a decent amount of time to finish, I flew through all 461 pages of this in a single day. It's a beautiful continuation of the story. There were moments when I felt like moments or characters responses were shallow, predictable, or unrealistic, but moments were all they were and even me, being a picky reader, was able to overlook them. Like the first novel, heavy themes of suicide, self-loathing, anxiety, and depression are in this, but, unlike the first, Juliette begins to develop and understand how she might deal with and overcome these challenges. 

Sierra Finlinson 

Shatter Me (#1) by Tahereh Mafi - HIGH

Shatter Me (#1) by Tahereh Mafi, 338 pages. Harper Collins, 2011 $10 (Paperback)

Language: R (105 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: R (Strong and prevalent themes of self-loathing, suicidal thoughts, and domestic violence) ; Violence: PG-13 (Low body count, some undescriptive violence)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Asylums are for the insane, the mentally broken, and now the girl whose skin is deadly to the touch. Life has not been kind to Juliette, the events of an isolated childhood and bitter parents leading her to the cell she lives in now. However, an opportunity has arisen: become the living weapon of the Reestablishment, the dystopian dictatorship that rules this futuristic America, leave the asylum behind forever. Faced with a brutal but magnetic militaristic leader, a loyal and kind soldier, and the possibility of making a life, Juliette is thrust from a simple world of 4 walls, 1 window, and 1 girl, into a world brimming with complexity and emotion.

Mafi’s novel was an experience. I found the writing beautiful and fascinating and most of the characters complex and intriguing. Reading a library copy, I wanted nothing more than to buy my own so that I could write down thoughts and highlight statements. Absolutely gorgeous! There is one character with quite colorful language than was the reason for the mature marking regarding swearing, and there are extremely heavy themes of suicide and self-loathing as well as tragic domestic violence.

Sierra Finlinson 

I am the Walrus (N.O.A.H. Files #1) by Neal Shusterman and Eric Elfman - ESSENTIAL

 I am the Walrus (N.O.A.H. Files #1) by Neal Shusterman and Eric Elfman, 389 pages. Little Brown, APRIL 2023. $18. 9780759555242

Language: G (3 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (crocodile bite with some blood)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

The worst thing 14yo Noah Prime has to worry about is that his favorite motocross course is being demolished – just as he was starting to get really good and gather attention, too. Noah loves physical activity, even if his best friend, Ogden, is no athlete at all. But when Noah decides to try out for school sports, he seems to instantly be good at everything. And when he tries the rings at a gymnastic meet – well hair sprouts on his arms and his whole body bulks up. What is going on! Way more than Noah and Ogden could have dreamed of. Turns out Noah has a destiny. It may involve Samantha, the girl at school that usually stays away from everyone, but it mostly involves forces that Noah had no idea existed. When you are working off of limited information, how can you decide to trust?

Shusterman and Elfman have written another multi-layered book which will challenge you in unexpected ways. Their Accelerati trilogy was soooo good and NOAH looks to be another homerun. I really can’t tell you too much – but authors and cover artist have done their best to prepare you. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

Art Attacks! by Chad Sell - ADVISABLE

 Art Attacks! (Doodleville #2) by Chad Sell. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Random House, 2022. $21. 9781984894731 

Content: PG (mild violence, baby from painting “stolen”) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – OPTIONAL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Drew may be part of the Art Club, but she still has issues to deal with that endanger everything. One of her self-aware doodles, Levi, has taken a baby from a painting in the Art Institute of Chicago. When Drew and others try to return the baby, the other paintings have also come alive and now everything is royally mixed up and messed up. And the director is so mad at Drew – that even if she doesn’t know what Drew actually did, Drew is not allowed into the Institute. 

There’s a whole lot more going on here in a big, chaotic mess that I think kids will understand and like way more than I do. One of the characters is non-binary. While an ethnic mix is portrayed in the illustrations, it is not a plot point. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS Nonbinary character 

A Million to One by Adiba Jaigirdar - ADVISABLE

A Million to One by Adiba Jaigirdar, 304 pages. HarperCollins Publishers, 2022. $18. 

Language: PG (5 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Josefa loves the thrill of a con, whether it’s pickpocketing or carrying out a planned heist, and, this time, Josefa has her sight set on a bejeweled book. She recruits Violet, Hinnah, and Emilie to help her, promising the jewels on the book will be enough to make all their dreams come true. Josefa has it all planned out. They just need to get on the same boat where the book will be: the Titanic.

I love heists: the deception, the planning, the improvising when the plan inevitably goes wrong. Making the Titanic the background for this heist was absolutely brilliant. None of the characters know what the readers do about the Titanic, adding to the suspense and urgency of everything going on. If you need a little more excitement in your life, this is the book for you – just remember that the Titanic will also add a dose of tragedy. 

Josefa, Violet, Marko, and August are white. Hinnah is Indian, and Emilie is half Haitian and describes herself as Black. The mature content rating is for illegal activity, alcohol use, partial nudity, and innuendo. The violence rating is for knife use, mention of murder, and death.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Wildoak by C.C. Harrington - ESSENTIAL

Wildoak C.C. Harrington. 288 pages. Scholastic Press (Scholastic). 2022. $19 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (animal caught in trap, tormented). 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

11yo Maggie stutters. She dreads reading aloud in class - in fact, she avoids it. Her father wants to send her away to Granville - a children's hospital. Maggie has heard that they mistreat the patients there. Her parents agree to one last chance and send Maggie to live in the country (Cornwall) with her maternal grandfather. Maggie adores animals - in fact, her stutter doesn't happen when she is talking to them. At her grandfather's, Maggie loves exploring Wildoak, an ancient woods near his home. A large cat - a snow leopard purchased as a pet from Harrod's (yes that was a thing in the 1960s) has been released into the woods and Maggie discovers it caught in a trap. As the two form a cautious bond, Maggie must learn to speak clearly when she's the only one who can stand up for the Leopard - and also for herself. 

This is my current favorite book! I've been telling everyone about Wildoak, and I am so happy to recommend it here. A well told story with an environmental message as well. I loved Harrington's depiction of Maggie's stutter. I can think of so many kids I'd recommend this to - animal lovers for sure, kids who like a fast-paced story with a little danger, and also for readers who like stories set in England (like the War the Saved my Life). The characters are British.

Lisa Librarian

Moon Flower by Kacen Callender - ESSENTIAL

Moonflower by Kacen Callender. 272 pages. Scholastic Press (Scholastic). 2022. $18 

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Moon is non-binary and suffers from depression. They are struggling and their mom, who is a hospice nurse doesn't know what to do. Moon feels out of place in the world of the living but travels at night to a realm where Blue, the Keeper, the Magician, and a being called Wolf reside. But when this spirit world is threatened, Moon tries to save it, and along the way, may get the chance to maybe save themself. 

Moonflower is a remarkable story. Callender's depiction of a child's experience with depression was heartbreaking and enlightening. I was moved by his struggle, and angry at the circumstances. The Spirit world was beautiful and terrible. I would love to see this taught, so many quotable passages. A marvelous empathy builder, and a necessary novel many of my students will see themselves in. Moon is black.

Lisa Librarian

Follow Your Arrow by Jessica Verdi - ADVISABLE

Follow Your Arrow by Jessica Verdi, 320 pages. Scholastic Press, 2021. $19.

Language: PG13 (18 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

CeCe (16yo) lives her life online, curating her posts and her life to be what her followers expect. Then an unexpected change threatens the world she’s built for herself and CeCe meets someone totally offline. With a new perspective for her own life, CeCe has to decide if the life she’s built is really the one that she wants.

From the opening page, CeCe’s character flaw is perfectly clear to readers: she cares too much about what other people think. Maybe it’s so easy to spot because we all suffer from bouts of self-consciousness. Verdi invites readers on a powerful journey of letting go of the stress we put upon ourselves by caring about others’ opinions on everything we do. Like CeCe learns to do, we can choose to be ourselves and be happier for being authentic.

CeCe is described as pale, Josh is white, and Silvie is Mexican. The mature content rating is for alcohol use and making out; the violence rating is for brief mention of domestic violence.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Cruel Illusions by Margie Fuston - OPTIONAL

Cruel Illusions by Margie Fuston, 512 pages. Margaret McElderry (Simon and Schuster), 2022. $22

Language: R (54 swears, 3 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: R (many loody deaths, shootings and stabbings)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

In a world where vampires exist, Ava Perry lives with her brother Parker, and Jacob, another foster kid, and their foster parent Deb. Ava’s and Parker’s Dad was killed in a suspicious mugging when they were really young and their mother was supposedly killed by a vampire less than a decade ago. Ava has always wanted to follow in her parents’ footsteps and become a magician and she wants revenge on the vampire that killed her mom. She meets magicians and is invited into their secret society, which turns out to be the home of vampire hunters who use their magic to kill vampires. While spending time with this society, Ava discovers the truth about her parents’ pasts and their deaths and does everything in her power to right the wrongs her eyes have been opened too.

The beginning of the story doesn’t flow well so it’s difficult to keep important details straight. The connections between the vampires/vampire hunters/magicians were confusing for a while until more of the background was explained. By mid-book, the story picked up momentum and grabbed my interest more. I like that the ethnicity is mixed.

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Librarian

Scotland's Melody by Katie Stewart Stone - ADVISABLE

Scotland’s Melody by Katie Stewart Stone, 208 pages. Covenant Communications, 2023. $15.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

When Melody (19yo) ran away from home to marry the man she was in love with instead of the man her father chose, she didn’t imagine actual running would be required. Instead of living each day buoyed up by true love, Melody finds herself struggling to move forward with her new life as a disowned woman with no prospects. Determined as she is to forge her own path, Melody struggles to accept Lady Fate’s constant involvement.

Strong and independent female lead characters are becoming more abundant, and I enjoyed reading how Melody’s determination to make her own choices actually backfires at first. Melody wants to be independent, but she has to learn how to also be wise and accept help. There has to be a balance, which is a painful lesson for Melody to learn. Also, if you want a happy ending, don’t read the epilogue – it’s just build up for another book.

Melody, Richard, her family, and her friends are English. Cameron, Elsie, and their family, friends, and servants are Scottish. The mature content rating is for alcohol use and kidnapping; the violence rating is for fistfighting and knife use.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Secrets of Blueberries, Brothers, Moose and Me by Sara Nickerson - ESSENTIAL

 The Secrets of Blueberries, Brothers, Moose and Me by Sara Nickerson, 326 pages. Dutton Children's Books (Penguin), 2015. $17

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

To make some extra money, 12yo Missy and her older brother Patrick get summer jobs picking blueberries at a local farm. Missy and Patrick are children of divorced parents and spend time at both parent's houses. Dad is engaged to be married and Missy is not a fan of this idea and wants to sabotage the wedding with a dress with skulls. Missy earns the respect of the owners of the farm and is allowed to a special area to pick very unique and priceless blueberries. Her brother has found a love interest and he is suspicious of Missy and her whereabouts during the day. They discover that a family feud caused by the owner of the farm and his brother have caused some serious problems over the years. The kids all spend time trying to put the pieces together of the feud when it happened and why.

Nickerson does an excellent job in this realistic fiction story of portraying the coming of age story and its complicated emotions and scenarios that go along with it. I honestly couldn't wait to get back to this book as I read it. The characters are very relatable and the descriptions of them and their stories are captivating. Being a child of divorce I felt the author did an amazing job portraying this circumstance. I enjoyed learning more about blueberries and how they are harvested reading this book. It's just a charming story overall. I truly enjoyed it. The characters default to white.

Emilee-School Librarian 

Honest June: The Show Must Go On by Tina Wells - ADVISABLE

The Show Must Go On (Honest June #2) by Tina Wells, 260 pages. Random House. 2022. $14. 

Content: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: E:, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

11yo June is still under the spell of her Fairy Godmother Victoria and has to tell the truth. She's starting to wonder if she likes her best friend Lee, but before she can pursue her feelings, Lee asks June if her best friend Nia might want to hang out with them. June just can't get them together, so instead of talking to them, June writes her true feeling in her private blog. It's an efficient workaround for the whole truth problem. At least she's being honest with herself. She auditions for the school play The Wiz, and is cast as Dorothy, Her dad doesn't think acting is a real career so she doesn't tell him. Victoria has warned her that if she isn't honest with her dad, opening night will not be the success she anticipates. June's lies are starting to catch up to her, and she can't use other lies to divert.

 June is in a production! Personally I'm so surprised she was cast in a leading role after only a singing audition, but her inexperience quickly became an important plot point. Honest June is turning into a fun series, I'm excited to read book three - they end with nice cliffhangers, so be sure to read them in order. June, her friends and family are black.

Lisa Librarian

The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James - OPTIONAL

The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James, 318 pages. Berkley, 2012. $12

Language: R (90 swears, 5 ‘f’); Mature Content: R (Brief sex scenes, psychological post-war effects); Violence: R (rape mentioned, murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Sarah has never seen a ghost before, she may not even believe in them. So when her agency sends her with a couple of men to research a supposed haunting, it should be a relatively uneventful vacation, right? This is quickly proven to not be the case as the ghost, Maddy Clare, is not only real, but she is active and violent and she's taken a liking to Sarah. If the men are to publish anything about their findings, the trio must find a way to get rid of Maddy, and it seems like to do so, they may just have to solve the mystery behind her attack. However, doing so will inevitably put them right in the eye of the small town politics, perhaps a dangerous place to be as this town may just have a dark secret. 

At first I was skeptical about both the characters and the writing, but as I continued to read, I found myself not minding so much. It is not my favorite book in the whole wide world, but it was a pleasant, enjoyable read. Before braving this novel, readers must be made aware that there are themes of sexual assault and murder as well as trauma from the war. There are two somewhat graphic sex scenes, but they are not the focus of the book nor are they pivotal moments for the characters and are easily skipped.

Sierra Finlinson 

Honest June by Tina Wells - ADVISABLE

Honest June by Tina Wells. 240 pages. Random House. 2021. $14. 

Content: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

 AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

11yo June Jackson is a pleaser. She wants her parents to be proud, her friends to like her and her life to run smoothly. In order to do that, June finds herself telling half truths, fibs, even outright lies, because that's what she thinks others want to hear, and to keep herself out of trouble. Until she is visited by a woman named Vanessa who claims to be her fairy godmother. Vanessa tells June that she needs to stop telling lies, and casts a spell on her which makes her completely honest with everyone. She will only remove the spell when June has learned her lesson, and chooses the truth. 

I loved this premise! Tina Wells covers many different levels of honesty - June isn't honest with her parents about the difficulty she is having doing all the things they expect, she hasn't been truthful with her friends when they do things that bother her, and she hasn't been truthful with herself. A fun beginning to a cute series. Most of the characters including June and her family are black.

Lisa Librarian

Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier - ESSENTIAL

Emerald Green (Precious Stone #3) by Kerstin Gier, 447 pages. Sqaure Fish, 2013. 11 (paperback)

Language: PG-13 (67 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (Use of drugs, underage drinking, non-sexual partial nudity); Violence: PG-13 (Character stabbed, fight scenes, premediated murders discussed)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

As much as she is told to otherwise, Gwen dislikes the Count. He has telepathically threatened her, dismissed her because of her femininity, and now he has named Gideon his accomplice in manipulating her. Her heart is broken, he grades are suffering, and now she must attend a ball. In the meantime, the mystery regarding the Count is revealing more leads indicating that perhaps he really ought not to be trusted. Gwyneth will need to find the information about her destiny and who she really is, learn her eighteenth century etiquette, and navigate her feelings about zat 'orrible boy once and for all!

Gier writes a magnificent finale to such a great series. As with the rest of the trilogy, the character, writing, and world building were immaculate and thoroughly enjoyable. I must recommend, after rereading it this last time, that the reader read the chapter endings that are little exerts as well as the prologues and epilogues in this series. I read them for the first time and it gave a whole new ending to the novel!

Sierra Finlinson 

A Wilderness of Stars by Shea Ernshaw - OPTIONAL

A Wilderness of Stars by Shea Ernshaw, 400 pages. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2022. $14

Language: R (31 swears, 4 ‘f’); Mature Content: (PG (saloon mentioned); Violence: PG-13 (Outlaws stealing and bloody stabbings)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Vega is with her fatally ill mother when she sees twin stars in the sky; her mother has taught her to watch for these stars that only show up every one hundred years and when they appear, Vega needs to find The Architect for information on how to travel to the sea. Vega's mother passes away from consumption and Vega heads out to find The Architect; she keeps asking around for The Architect, even though her mother warned her to be discreet. She enters a saloon and soon after four thieves arrive and demand money from the bartender for protection; a fight erupts and Vega gets knocked down and her constellation tattoo is revealed when her hair falls out of the way. Everyone is curious and wants to see her mark when a girl saves her, taking her out of the saloon. This girl, Cricket, takes Vega to The Architect and soon after the group is attacked and he’s killed. Noah, next in line, then becomes The Architect and vows to help Vega get to the sea. Cricket, Noah and Vega travel together as a team to complete the mission of generations of astronomers and architects; they meet danger and adventure at every turn and have to fight for their lives.

I would have liked to have more insight into Noah’s thoughts and point of view. I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the blackness in the sky and the information passed down through generations of astronomers and architects. The bond between Noah and Vega is endearing. I enjoyed the Old West setting and the mixed ethnicities.

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Librarian