Kidnap at Denton Farm by Robert Swindells - OPTIONAL

 Kidnap at Denton Farm (The Outfit) by Robert Swindells, 104 pages. Darby Creek (Lerner Publishing). 2022. $8 (paperback)

Language: G (1 swears); Mature Content PG; Violence: PG 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Farmer Denton gets a new wind turbine that brings out protesters. Things go south fast when his daughter Jillo is kidnapped. The Outfit, four teens and their dog, leap into action to help solve the case and rescue their friend. 

Even though the teens are ages 16 and up, the reading level and the simplistic story better serves a younger audience. Nothing earth shattering and readers may guess the ending, but it’s a quick read. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Strange Tale of Ragger Bill by Robert Swindells - OPTIONAL

The Strange Tale of Ragger Bill (The Outfit) by Robert Swindells, 102 pages. Darby Creek (Lerner Publishing). 2022. $8 (paperback). 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Ragger Bill is a strange old character with a speech impediment who gets picked on by the people and kids in town. When a young girl goes missing on her way home from school, Ragger becomes the prime suspect. The Outfit, four teens and their dog, try to find the girl and clear their friend’s name. 

Simplistic writing and low lexile make this a lower level read even though the teens are 16 and up. The plot is fairly predictable but the kids are likeable and it’s a short book. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Micah: The Good Girl (Flyy Girls) by Ashley Woodfolk - OPTIONAL

Micah: The Good Girl (Flyy Girls) by Ashley Woodfolk, 135 pages. HI-LO. Penguin Workshop, 2020. $16. 

Language: PG-13 (13 swears); Mature Content PG-13; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Micah Dupree is in high school and suffers from anxiety following the tragic death of her brother. Micah works at a church-run camp where her boyfriend also works. She is “the good girl” but is starting to have second thoughts about waiting for sex, especially as her anxiety escalates. 

Because the book is short, it’s hard to delve deeply into the characters, so they come off a little one dimensional. There is a sexual situation but it isn’t too graphic. It’s a fast read with themes of friendship, family, and religion. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Lux: The New Girl (Flyy Girls) by Ashley Woodfolk - OPTIONAL

Lux: The New Girl (Flyy Girls) by Ashley Woodfolk, 141 pages. HI-LO. Penguin Workshop, 2020. $16. 

Language: PG-13 (15 swears); Mature Content PG-13; Violence: PG-13 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

16yo Lux is new to the Augusta Savage School of the Arts in Harlem. She was lucky to be accepted since she got kicked out of her last school for fighting and breaking another girl’s nose. Lux wants to break into the popular group, the Flyy girls, but her plans could be derailed if videos of her fight surface. 

 Lux has a lot of issues, but they seem to wrap up almost too neatly. The length of the book is both its strength and its weakness: a fast read, but hard to flesh out character and plot development. There is use of sexual language. 

 Michelle in the Middle 

Stranded by Jannette LaRoche - HIGH

Stranded by Jannette LaRoche, 93 pages. Darby Creek (Lerner Publishing Group), 2020. $8.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL:  HIGH

Kevin and Jesse are high school friends on their way to spend a weekend at Jesse’s cabin.  When a car accident leaves them stranded in the woods, they have to figure out how to work together to survive.

Part of the Road Trip series, the charm of this book is that for reluctant readers, it’s high interest and a super fast read.  It’s not great literature, but it will pull readers in.

Michelle in the Middle

Spinning Out by R.T. Martin - HIGH

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Spinning Out by R.T. Martin, 93 pages. Darby Creek (Lerner Publishing Group), 2020. $8. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL:  HIGH

Two couples are heading up the canyon their senior year to hit the slopes.  A potentially lethal combination of a fight between one of the couples and a crippling snowstorm makes this winter break a challenge in survival.

Part of the Road Trip series, the charm of this book is that for reluctant readers, it’s high interest and a super fast read.  It’s not great literature, but it will pull readers in. 

Michelle in the Middle

The Garden by Meghan Ferrari - ADVISABLE

The Garden by Meghan Ferrari, 109 pages.  Red Deer Press, 2018.  $13. 9780889955684.

Language: G (0 swears, 0‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 9bloody deaths, torture mentioned

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – ADVISABLE (hi/lo)

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

When their village is invaded by the Syrian Rebels, Elias and his little brother are captured and threatened with torture.  In the present day, Elias and his parents are in Canada, and Elias can barely hold his rage inside.  Only the kindness of a couple of classmates helps him navigate the minefields of the bullies at his new school.  A patient counselor draws out Elias’ story of escape and terror.

I am going to recommend this to a couple of my Language Arts teachers as a class read.  It feels spot on about the terror of life in Syria and life capriciousness of life in a refugee camp.  I think this author could very easily write a much longer book (another 100 pages) on the same subject – I’d love to read it if they did.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Super Human series - OPTIONAL

Take to the Skies by R.T. Martin (94 pages) and Stronghold by R.T. Martin (92 pages).  HI/LO.  Darby Creek (Lerner), 2018.  $8 (paperback)

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY:  MS, HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Two titles from the Super Human series.  When you turn 16, your superpowers start to manifest themselves.  Maybe you can fly, maybe you have super strength.  Whichever power it is, you’d better figure out how to use and who you can trust with your secret identity, because there is a stiff learning curve and danger in being a super!

There are 6 books all together in this series.  The two I read were fun and realistic – just shorter than your average book.  Nothing else to indicate that they are meant as a hi/lo book.  Now I want to read them all!

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Suddenly Royal Series - OPTIONAL

Royal Pain by Raelyn Drake (94 pages) and Royal Treatment by K.R. Coleman (114 pages).  HI/LO.  Darby Creek (Lerner), 2018.  $8 (paperback)

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY:  MS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Two titles from the Suddenly Royal series.  In both books, an US-raised teenager finds out that they are part of the royal house of Evonia, a small European country.  They travel to Evonia to meet their new country, and their relatives, and wrap their head around being minor European royals.  

Both of the books I read form the series are solidly written – its hard to remember that they are a hi/lo option except that they are short and simple.  Now I want to read the whole series, because I am really hoping they all meet up somewhere, since all of the kids are related.  And I really want to know which one finds out that they are the future ruler, not just a duke or a countess.  If you need to add hi/lo series to your collection for romance lovers, then this is a cute option.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Classic by Eric Stevens - ADVISABLE

Stevens, Eric, The Classic. Pgs. 94. Darbycrekk, 2013. $23.95. Content:

Language: PG (4 swears, no “f”s), Mature Content: PG, Violence: PG.

Eddie King wants to be a drag racer like his MIA dead. In his yard, he has ’69 Chevy Camaro and he want to fix it up. When his dad reappears with a carburetor and wants to help him fix it up. With his dad’s history, however, Eddie doesn’t know what his dad’s true motives are. Is his dad here to stay? Where did the carburetor come from?

Reluctant readers will connect with the realistic characters and bittersweet plot. Fans of drag racing, cars, and family problems will enjoy reading this book.

MS, HS. ADVISABLE.

Reviewer: Jessica Moody, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High.

Stolen Luck by Megan Atwood-ADVISABLE

Atwood, Megan, Stolen Luck. pgs 100. Darbycreek, 2013. $23.95. Content:

Language: G, Mature Content: G, Violence: G

Kayley is under constant pressure from her family to be the best. When she loses her role in the upcoming performance, she starts to think that all she needs is a little good luck. But, will her good luck be the downfall of both of her friends and others at the school?

This haunting story of a ballerina, dreams, and pressure will connect with many readers. Stolen Luck is the perfect hi-lo book for girls.

MS - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Jessica Moody, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High.