Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Buffalo Dreamer by Violet Duncan - ADVISABLE

Buffalo Dreamer
by Violet Duncan
, 110 pages. Nancy Paulsen (Penguin), 2024. $18.

Language:  G (0 swears) Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

12yo Summer and her family are spending the summer on the Cree reservation in Canada with extended family. While there, she begins to have troubling dreams about a runaway girl from the old residential school near their reservation. The Indian residential schools cover are a dark time, where Indian children were often forcibly taken or kidnapped from families so that their heritage could be erased and they could be better assimilated into society. Summer and her cousin, Autumn, learn from their tribal community and survivors about their past and how to move on. 

Violet Duncan is Cree and has based her story on family history. The story covers a dark chapter in Native American history, but one that is important to understand. Culture and heritage come through in the writing, helping the reader better understand what Summer's family and others have gone through. This is a fast and engaging read that mostly focuses on discovery and healing. A great read for anyone who wants to learn more about history or Indian culture. 

Michelle in the Middle

A Royal Conundrum (The Misfits #1) by Lisa Yee, art by Dan Santat - ADVISABLE

A Royal Conundrum (The Misfits #1)
by Lisa Yee, art by Dan Santat
, 276 pages. Random House, 2024. $15. 
Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence Rating: PG (chases, peril) 

BUYING ADVISORY:, EL, MS - ADVISABLE 
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

When 12yo Olive is enrolled in "Reforming Arts School" a boarding school near San Francisco, she finds herself in a class of elite Misfits - a group of 5 preteens who secretly work for NOCK (No One Can Know), whose mission is "ensuring the safety of the community, guarding the possessions of the citizens, and preventing civil disorder." Each of the kids have exceptional talents, but Olive hasn't discovered hers yet. 

Dan Santat's illustrations are great! I really liked the storyline, and although, sending children after dangerous jewel thieves seems like a really bad idea, this group of misfits is up to it. The beginning of a 3 part series, I felt The Royal Conundrum stood on it's own, and wasn't bogged down with character building. A perfect adventure spy novel for upper elementary, and although the characters are young (one of them is still 10) the cool cover illustration will appeal to middle school and once they start reading will be hooked. The kids are mixed races and cultures. 

Lisa Librarian 

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

The Mythmakers by John Hendrix - OPTIONAL

The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien by John Hendrix
, 224 pages. NON-FICTION Abrams Amulet, 2024. $25. 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

A walk with a Wizard (for Tolkien) and a Lion (for Lewis) through the life stories of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. From their difficult childhoods, their WWI experiencesand to their eventual fellowship at Oxford and their shared love of Norse mythology. It also reflects on the events that shaped their ideas and the worlds of Narnia and Lord of the Rings. 

Much like "The Faithful Spy" The Mythmakers is also a mashup of text, illustrations and graphic style storytelling. It has "choose your own adventure" elements where the reader can jump to another section of the book to get more information about literary subjects like Myth and Fairy Tale. Rated by the publisher as 10-14yo the vocabulary is difficult, the text tiny and it is a review of things I learned in college, including references to classical literature like The Canterbury Tales and Beowulf, and long discussions of Theology. This is going to go over their heads. I understood it, but I have a lot of background knowledge. Tolkien and Lewis are white. 

Lisa Librarian

Extra Large by Tyler Page - ADVISABLE

Extra Large
by Tyler Page
, 204 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL First Second Roaring Brook Press (Macmillan), 2025. $15 

Language: PG (2 swears, 0 F); Mature Content: G Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Tyler is beginning 7th grade. As he does, he realizes he is bigger than his friends. To compensate, he changes last in P.E. and is first in and out of the pool. His friends are bullies, and Tyler goes along to fit in. Though he is afraid of being made fun of, he is sometimes cruel to others. Tyler's dad has the family eating more healthy and dieting, though they don't seem to be getting any more fit. 

Based on the author's experiences, Tyler's experiences are cringey. The bullying makes me sad. This may be a good book to show that being funny sometimes comes at a cost to others. Tyler discovers how to be comfortable with himself and not worry so much about what others think, which is a good message for middle school readers. The art is colorful and adds to the story, which is a fast read. Tyler is white. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Monday, June 16, 2025

The Sherlock Society: Hurricane Heist by James Ponti - ADVISABLE

The Sherlock Society: Hurricane Heist
by James Ponti
, 320 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2025. $19 

Language: G (0 swears) Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 
APPEALS TO: MANY 

In book two, Alex Sherlock and his friends, who are members of the Sherlock Society, are days away from beginning another school year, when Hurricane Clyde puts down. While it causes some damage, it unearths the body of a suspected criminal mastermind who disappeared during a hurricane 61 years ago, when Alex's grandpa was a kid. Determined to find out what really happened, Alex and friends, together with Grandpa, join forces to solve the mystery of a robbery and possible murder. 

You don't have to read this series in order, although it may help. The characters are well written and I like that they team up with Grandpa, who can help make mystery solving possible, with his connections and ability to drive. Too often adults are left out of YA lit, so this makes the story more credible and charming. We get part of the story from the first hurricane in 1964, and then it picks up 61 years later. Anyone who has ever dreamed of solving a mystery will wish they had a crime solving grandpa to adventure with. The plot will keep you guessing and the ending satisfying. Alex may be white, but his friends come from diverse backgrounds. 

Michelle in the Middle 

How it All Ends by Emma Hunsinger - ADVISABLE

How it All Ends
by Emma Hunsinger
, 295 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Greenwillow Books, (HarperCollins), 2024. $26.

Language: PG (12 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (illustration of a classroom full of shirtless 9th grade boys) Violence: PG (sister fight involving pushing and kicking) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Tara learns at the end of 7th grade that she is skipping 8th grade and going straight to High School. Even though her older sister reassures her, Tara doesn't feel like she fits in, and worried the other students think she's a baby. The others who moved up with her are adapting better. Tara just wants to be in middle school again. High School is weird and scary. 

Tara has a great imagination, I love the games she plays with her baby brother, and Graphic 
Illustrations are a terrific way to present it. As a middle school librarian, I see a big difference between 8th and 9th graders, and I worried about Tara. There's so much more going on socially in High School - although she and her sister rode the bus together, they didn't connect at all during the day. I thought that was strange. All in all, a recommended middle grade read! Characters are white. 

Lisa Librarian 

Sunday, June 15, 2025

Faker by Gordon Korman - ADVISABLE

Faker
by Gordon Korman
, 214 pages. Scholastic, 2024. $18. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Trey is a 7th grader. He and his sister jump from school to school around the country as their father is a con-artist, swindling Trey's friend's rich fathers into investing into non-existant schemes. When the "marks" catch on, the family disappears like Houdini. Trey has recently become a "full partner" so he feels more responsibility at his job of making friends with rich kids, but his 5th grade sister is jealous and thinks she's a partner too. Might her zeal and excitement ruin the family business? 

Gordon Korman writes another winner. Faker is a lot of fun, and seems to be a stand alone (which is rare these days). I loved the characters, especially Mr. Novak, the social studies teacher, and his lessons on ethics. Nice twists, too. No wonder it's always checked out at my library Characters default white. 

Lisa Librarian 

Earhart: The Incredible Flight of a Field Mouse Around the World by Torben Kuhlmann - ADVISABLE

Earhart: The Incredible Flight of a Field Mouse Around the World by Torben Kuhlmann, 128 pages PICTURE BOOK North South, 2025. $22. 9780735845794  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

A little field mouse discovers that there is so much more to the world beyond her garden and the limited view of her fellow field mice. She wants to fly around the world! She finds a learned old mouse aviator who helps her with her dream, and maybe, the little mouse can inspire Amelia Earhart's aviation career. 

The size of the book makes it a picture book, though the text can be dense at times, so not a picture book in the traditional sense. The cover art is so realistic, I neglected to see the small mouse, and thought it was nonfiction at first. That said, the artwork is breathtaking. The artwork tells a lot of the story. This is the fifth book in a mouse series that has been published in 30 languages. It's worth a look-see if only for the art and the theme of following your dream no matter how unlikely. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Saturday, June 14, 2025

Looking for Smoke by K. A. Cobell - ADVISABLE

Looking for Smoke by K. A. Cobell, 402 pages. Heartdrum, 2024. $20

Language:  PG (21 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (some kissing, attempted sexual assault, death, grief, a fully clothed overnight stay with only kissing, sexual innuendo, drug use and addiction mentioned, on page underage drinking); Violence: PG-13 (murder by strangulation and gunshot, physical fights, animal hunting)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

The summer before senior year four kids become suspects in the murder and disappearance of two classmates from the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana. Mara is new to the community. She did not grow up on the reservation and is considered an outsider. Loren is the sister of the missing girl. Eli and Brody are friends with both the missing and murdered girls. The four will need to work together to solve things. Each of the suspects is dealing with complicated family dynamics, including neglect, drug use, and trauma. 

Cobell’s murder mystery/thriller is told from the alternating points of view of each of the four suspects, Mara, Brody, Loren, and Eli. The story highlights the Blackfeet people and their culture. It also brings attention to the issues of missing and murdered Indigenous women. Although some tough subjects are covered, it does not get bogged down. The story is a fast-moving, interesting murder mystery told from multiple points of view.

Mara, Brody, Loren and Eli are Blackfeet.

A. Snow, Librarian


 

Happy & Sad & Everything True by Alex Thayer - NO

Happy & Sad & Everything True by Alex Thayer, 255 pages. Aladdin (Simon), 2024. $18.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: NO

APPEALS TO: FEW

Sixth grader Dee is having  a hard year because she and her best friend Juniper are no longer in the same classroom and Juniper has been drawing away from her. Also, her mother came to parents day and accidentally, but without shame, exposes her underwear to the entire 6th grade. Dee has taken to hiding in the bathroom during snack time and one time a voice from the boys’ bathroom talks back to her and Dee doles out a bit of friendly advice. Then a couple of other kids ask for advice the same way. And then a couple more kids ask for advice in different places. But someone is out to sabotage Dee - in school and personally.  

I found so many of the premises of this book to be unbelievable - starting with communicating through the vents between the bathrooms - this means anyone could hear anything said in either bathroom. Then there is Dee absenting herself every snack period - without any questions from her teacher. Then there is the fact that Dee doesn’t seem to notice whether someone is absent or not from her own classroom, or whether that person has proceeded her to the bathroom. Please don’t waste your time or your students’ time.  The only thing redeeming about this book is the final confrontation in the principal’s office, which is handled very well.  But just start reading from chapter 29 to the end and call it good. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS


Friday, June 13, 2025

Hungry Bones by Louise Hung - ADVISABLE

Hungry Bones by Louise Hung, 328 pages. Scholastic, 2024. $20. 

Content: G (ghost present, but not the death and destruction indicated on the cover)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Molly has been getting “the zaps” since she was a little girl. “The zaps” meant that she could read bits of history in objects and feel ghostly presences. She and her mother have moved around the country, leaving when people start looking at Molly with suspicion. Their latest move is to her mother’s home town - unfortunately their home has  a resident ghost - Jade. Jade has been dead for over 100 years, and she needs human food to stay sane - or she turns into a hungry ghost - an evil spirit. Though Molly ignores Jade at first, Molly gets drawn into Jade’s story and decides she will do what she can to help her.

Jade’s story is not as evil as the cover would indicate. Besides the ghost story, Hung touches on the Chinese after life, reconciling with family, and getting a parent to listen to a child who deserves a voice and answers. Also includes information about how the Chinese were treated in the American West during and after the joining of the Transcontinental Railroad. I do think 50-75 pages could be trimmed from the story, which would make this more appealing to a wider variety of readers. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS


Rachel Carson's Wonder-Filled World by Kate Hannigan and Katie Hickey - OPTIONAL

Rachel Carson's Wonder-Filled World: How the Scientist, Writer, and Nature Lover Changed the Environmental Movement by Kate Hannigan, illustrated by Katie Hickey. NON-FICTION, BIOGRAPHY PICTURE BOOK. Calkins Creek, 2025. $25. 9781662680571

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Rachel Carson always loved nature. Her whole life, she wrote about what she saw, heard, and felt in the outdoors. As a child, she explored the woods. As a student, she loved the Atlantic coast. When she got older, she combined her love of science, nature, and writing and published a book to try to protect nature and warn people about pesticides. 

The end pages include an author's note, biographical timeline, glossary, and information about how to be a naturalist like Carson. " The best part of this book is the pictures. The illustrations are colorful and dynamic. Every few pages there is a quote from Carson. I thought they took away from the narrative, and the language would be hard to understand for children.

Rachel Carson and her family are white.

Rachel, Elementary Library Specialist


Thursday, June 12, 2025

Seasick by Kristin Cast and Pintip Dunn - OPTIONAL

Seasick by Kristin Cast and Pintip Dunn, 328 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2023. $19

Language: R (32 swears, 2 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (a few kisses); Violence: PG-13 (bloody murder, fighting)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

A few kids from Yatesville High School were selected to go on a yacht trip following their  senior year of high school. Once on the yacht, the murders start.. The kids are trying to stay safe, survive and figure out the murderer’s identity. The story is told from two perspectives alternating between Naya and Yana. They were childhood best friends who had fallen out. Over the course of the difficult trip, they regain their friendship.

Overall I really enjoyed the murder mystery. It was well written and interesting to see it told from two points of view. There are several bloody murders. The book addresses some class issues: most of the students are wealthy, while Naya and Yana are scholarship students. There was a regular gossip social media post that usually had unkind things to say about some of the kids.

Naya is biracial and Yana is Thai-American.

Claire S., 11th grade student



Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Deep Water by Jamie Sumner - ESSENTIAL

Deep Water by Jamie Sumner, 213 pages. Atheneum BYR (Simon), 2024. $18

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (some peril)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12yo Tully's life revolves around swimming. She wants to break the record for the youngest person to complete the "Godfather" swim, a 12 miles swim across Lake Tahoe. So with her best friend Arch as her support crew, she sets out early one morning without telling her father. She hopes her mother will hear of her accomplishment and it will be enough for her to want to come home. The swim starts off well. But alone with her thoughts Tully begins to think about all that she has lost recently.   One of the greatest risks in a long distant swim is allowing your thoughts to bring you down. Tully must confront her feelings about her mother leaving and keep pace in order to reach the shore before her father notices she is not at home. But when a storm rolls in, Tully has to decide if she will risk both her life and Arch's or call it quits.

A beautifully written novel in verse told through flash backs of memories alongside descriptions of the current conditions of the swim. I liked the perspective of a child struggling to cope with and understand a parent's mental health issues. Tully still loves her mother. But she is also struggling with how her mother's choices are affecting her. Fast paced. I had a hard time putting it down.

Tully and Arch present white.

A. Snow, Librarian


Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Safiyyah's War by Hiba Noor Khan - ADVISABLE

Safiyyah's War
by Hiba Noor Khan
, 336 pages. Allida, HarperCollins, 2023. $20. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Nazi soldiers, threats, arrests, children in peril) 


BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

11yo Safiyyah lives with her family in Paris. Her father is one of the leaders of the Grand Mosque. When Hitler's army invades the city and Jews are arrested, abused and sent away, Safiyyah's father and other leaders help provide identification and safe passage for Jewish people fleeing Paris. But when the Nazi's suspect the men might be up to something, Safiyyah volunteers to help the Resistance. Afterall, who would suspect a little girl? 

Oh, historical fiction is such a hard sell these days, but Safiyyah's War is a beautiful story and I hope it's Beehive Book Award consideration helps boost readership. I love that she's aware of how dangerous her deliveries are, and understands the intensity of her interactions with soldiers. I was often on the edge of my seat. Based on real events during WWII, I'm sure there were children who, like their parents resisted the occupations and helped where they could. The characters are Muslim. 

Lisa Librarian 

Monday, June 9, 2025

Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce - ADVISABLE

Dungeons and Drama
by Kristy Boyce
. 293 pages. Penguin, 2024. $12 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG. (romantic kissing); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

16yo Riley is in trouble with her parents, she took her mom's car without asking and drove - without a license - out of town to see Waitress with her best friend Hoshiko. Now she's grounded for 8 weeks and must work at her dad's gaming store after school. Nathan also works there, she knows him from school, but he's not a theater kid, he's a D&D player, so they aren't friends. But when her ex suggests she's unable to find a new boyfriend, and the girl Nathan likes doesn't seem interested, the 2 decide to fake-date to make Sophie and Paul jealous. 

I think guys would like this darling romance, too. There's a bunch of Dungeons and Dragons play, and Boyce doesn't make the boys hopeless nerds. Riley's love of theater is fun with tons of Broadway references. The romance is slow and, while predictable, builds to a great ending. The main characters are white, their friends are multi cultural and include a gay couple. 
Lisa Librarian 

Sunday, June 8, 2025

Wires Crossed by Beth Fantaskey - ADVISABLE

Wires Crossed
by Beth Fantaskey
, 240 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Clarion, 2024. $25. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

For the last few summers, 12yo Mia went to a robotics camp. She has made a friend their, Tariq, and the two are amazing scientists together. Then, when Mia learns that Tariq is moving from San Diego to where she lives (their moms will work at the same place) she is so excited to see him year round and go to school with him. But when he arrives, he looks different - school year Tariq is cooler and cuter, and since camp Mia has changed too. Their chemistry at camp might be gone forever 

A fun graphic novel - the crowd who likes the Click series will also enjoy Wires Crossed. I felt like the dialogue was forced and awkward as Fantaskey was setting up the story and introducing characters, but once the story got rolling, that was no longer an issue. I loved the illustrations, The drama was perfect without anyone being mean. Mia and her friends are a mix of races and cultures. 

Lisa Librarian 

Saturday, June 7, 2025

Trans History: From Ancient Times to the Present Day by Alex Combs & Andrew Eakett - OPTIONAL

Trans History: From Ancient Times to the Present Day by Alex Combs & Andrew Eakett, 384 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Candlewick Press, 2025. $25.

Language: R (2 swears, 6 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (repeated objective references to sexual anatomy, repeated references to sex work & sexual abuse, repeated references to different types of body modifications throughout history, one trans man portrayed without a shirt); Violence: PG-13 (repeated references to physical violence & abuse towards trans people throughout history, but nothing graphic or on-page, and two specific references to suicide of a trans person).

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

Trans History is a graphic nonfiction book that offers an engaging and deeply researched introduction to trans history, spanning from ancient times to the present. The five chapters of the book highlights stories, historical profiles, and conversations with modern activists, to explore the diversity of trans experiences and tracks the evolution of the concepts of gender and sexuality across cultures and eras.

As someone who has studied and taught world history, I found this text incredibly helpful for illustrating how history is shaped and how voices are often excluded from the historical record based on past and present cultural norms and values. Even though I have read a lot of LGBTQIA+ literature, there is still so much that I didn’t know about the trans experience. I felt like this book taught me a lot and gave me more to think about every time I stepped away from it. It is not a “how-to become trans” book, merely a well-researched and easily digestible history of trans people. I don’t see it as something that will be widely circulated, but for those that need it, it will be incredibly valuable.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes


Friday, June 6, 2025

Love on Paper by Danielle Parker - OPTIONAL

Love on Paper by Danielle Parker, 320 pages. Penguin, 2025. $20

Language: R (56 swears, 11 ’f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (References to underage drug and alcohol use; 23 mentions of kissing); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULT - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

17yo Macy wants to be a writer--well, maybe. But her own kind of writer, not the same as her famous novelist mom or picture book author dad. Even though her mom might have pulled some strings to get her in, Macy is determined to find her voice at Berkeley’s prestigious Penovation writing retreat. This summer’s focus: Romance. While searching for inspiration, Macy finds a few other things: the swoon-worthy son of her family’s enemies and a tantalizing mystery left behind by a famous romance writer. As the story progresses, Macy and boyfrienemy Caleb try to figure out their feelings in the face of their families’ ancient grudge and their own complicated relationships with their parents. Everyone at the retreat, Macy and Caleb included, is trying to write a story to win a spot in a published anthology. And when introspection, budding love, and writing sprints fail to inspire, the clues leading to Betty Quinn’s unfinished manuscript are the perfect distraction. This is a lot of ground to cover in four weeks--but of course, Macy is about to discover that all of these paths are connected.

This was a fun, sweet, swoon-worthy read, but the characters still had complexity and depth. The writing was engaging and full of current lingo and pop culture references, and the story had a satisfying ending. While I wish the language were cleaner, the profanity use felt natural and was used with humor.

Main character Macy is mixed race Black and Korean, love interest Caleb is Black, and roommate Fern is nonbinary and Latinx.

Lindsay Blowers, ELA Teacher


Thursday, June 5, 2025

The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry (Sunderworld #1) by Ransom Riggs - OPTIONAL

The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry (Sunderworld #1) by Ransom Riggs, 336 pages. Dutton BYR (Penguin), 2024. $12

Language: R (100+ swears, 15+ f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (brief underage drinking); Violence: PG (Fantasy violence)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULT - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Since his mom died, 17yo Larry’s life hasn’t been easy. He’s nothing but a disappointment to his motivational-speaker father--”average in every way”--and he keeps having “episodes” where he sees things from his favorite childhood TV series about a fantasy land called Sunderworld. The only one who kind of gets Larry is his best friend, Emmett--but they’re seniors in high school now, and while Emmett has become popular and well-adjusted, Larry has... not. Finally Larry can no longer ignore the visions, and it turns out Sunderland was real all along. He and Emmett find a way in together, and they realize Sunderland is in trouble. Their efforts to help, however, cause more harm than good, leaving Emmett with a damaged memory. Eventually, Larry forces his way back into Sunderworld and, with a little help from a girl named Isabel and her hippie-genius uncle, makes a plan to help Emmett get back to normal. Of course, larger forces are at work, including the plans laid in place by Leopold’s late mother, who knew a lot more about Sunderland than Leopold ever guessed.

Fans of Ransom Riggs and gritty fantasy will enjoy this book if they are prepared for a more mature read. It was a fun page-turner with a well-developed fantasy world, but it's for a more mature audience than Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children--the main characters are 17 and sweary. There are some cheesy tropes, but they're mostly tongue-in-cheek--Riggs knows what he's doing.

Larry reads white, Emmett is Black, and love interest Isabel is Latinx.

Lindsay Blowers, ELA Teacher