Teen Tuesday and ARC Review: Run Away with Me by Brian Selznick

Image: Scholastic

Run Away with Me by Brian Selznick. 320 p. Scholastic Press/ Scholastic Inc., April 1, 2025. 9781339035529. Review of arc courtesy of publisher.

It is the summer of 1986, and our narrator is a sixteen-year-old lonely young man forced to move, yet again due to the nature of his single mother's rather esoteric job as a rare books expert. After wandering sullenly around Rome, he takes refuge in a cathedral to get out of the heat and falls asleep. When he awakens, he is struck by paintings of two angels seemingly staring at each other across the room. Haunted by these images, he resumes wandering and, at an intersection comes across a statue, which, unlike the many others in Rome, lacks beauty. As he turns away, he hears someone shout, "Wait!" and thinks for a moment that it is the statue. He finds a folded piece of paper jammed into the statue and upon unfolding it, finds that it is a map with a location circled. He makes his way to an elephant obelisk and meets the creator of the map, who looks exactly like the angel he just saw, and this angel speaks perfect English. Suddenly, Rome has become interesting. This mystery person names our narrator Danny, short for Dante, the sculptor of the elephant and Danny names his guide, Angelo, for the angel in the church. 

The next weeks unfold dreamily for Danny as he aches to reunite daily with Angelo, who is filled with anecdotes about Rome, not all of which Danny can believe. Angelo is secretive, but so is Danny, especially with his mother. 

Lies and truths intermingle in this intense story of first love, and identity. There are stories within the story that are utterly enchanting and heartbreaking. The narrative feels occasionally forced, especially when Angelo disappears and the cause is revealed. Sorry, the nurse in me is especially critical of medical stuff. This will not be noted by intended audience. 

The narrative is bookended by Selznick's signature pencil drawings that are so incredibly detailed they feel architectural and dreamy at once. 

Run Away with Me publishes on April 1. Mr. Selznick's YA debut is impressive. 

Middle Grade Monday and Audiobook Review: The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko

Image: Penguin Random House

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko. Unabridged e-audiobook ~7 hours. Narrated by Javier Prusky. Books on Tape/ Listening Library, June, 2024. 9781984833716. Review of e-audiobook borrowed from public library.

Happy Monday! What are you doing the beat the heat? It's pretty steamy here. Too hot to garden and too hot to take the dogs for long walks. Middle Grade Monday features The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko. 

Eleven-year-old Hank adores his three-year-old sister, Boo, even though she calls him Pooperman. He also adores his mother even though she doesn't make the best decisions. She has been gone for a week now and Hank has stayed home from school to take care of Boo, but food is running out and there's no money to buy more. The electricity was turned off and the landlord is about to evict the family for non-payment of rent. When Hank finds the name of an emergency contact, he knows his mom will be angry with him, but he feels he has no choice. Together, he and Boo take buses to find their way to LouAnn Adler's house. Ms. Adler was Hank's grandmother's best friend and runs a day care center from her home. She's not happy that Hank and Boo showed up, but she takes them in out of respect for his grandmother's memory. Hank starts a new school, makes new friends and might even make the basketball team, but deep down, he knows this arrangement isn't permanent and he really misses his mom.

There is so much to love about this first-person narrative. Hank is so earnest and endearing and Boo is just a hoot! Be prepared though, Hank and Boo's situation is dire. LouAnn can't/ doesn't want to keep the siblings and social services might split them up. Hank is very resourceful, but makes some poor decisions of his own out of love. My heart just broke for Hank and Boo.

The audio performance was well done. Mr. Prusky sounded appropriately young and had a wide variety of voices to distinguish the characters. I can't wait to add this to my library's collection and share it with my students. Highly recommended. 

PS: Posting might get a little hit or miss in the coming days. On Friday, I became a foster mom and Boo became a foster brother to Helga. She's a German Shepherd who was pulled from an animal cruelty situation. The rescue thinks she's around three. An amazing trainer has been volunteering his time to work with her and help her trust again. She's eager and smart, but a bit mouthy, especially if I try and sit down. She's doing really well and Boo is getting lots of extra treats.

Middle Grade Monday and ARC Review: Barely Floating by Lilliam Rivera

Image: Penguin Random House

Barely Floating by Lilliam Rivera. 240 p. Kokila/ Penguin Young Readers, August 29, 2023. 9780593323120. (Review of arc courtesy of publisher.)

Happy Monday! I spent a lovely weekend with my youngest sister up in her home in the Berkshires. It was lovely family time filled with good food and lots of walks and talks. Middle Grade Monday features Barely Floating by Lilliam Rivera. Twelve-year-old Natalia de la Cruz Rivera y Santiago goes by Nat and is unapologetically fat. She's also athletic. She uses people's assumptions about her size to her advantage in a side hustle at the town pool, where she challenges unsuspecting mean kids to a swim race. She's planning on earning bank this summer and reading endless manga, but when the LA Mermaids perform at the pool, she falls hard for synchronized swimming. When she asks her activist mom and professor dad for permission to join, she's dismayed to learn that they view the sport as a "pageant in water." Sure, the sport is dominated by very thin white girls, but the LA Mermaids is a mostly Black team and there's even a boy who wants to try out! So, Nat tries out secretly and, when she makes the team, talks her cousin into helping her attend practices and meets without her parents' knowledge. Surely, once her parents see her dedication, they will change their minds! Won't they?

Nat is a sassy, saucy narrator with a strong sense of self and a strong sense of social justice that occasionally gets her in trouble. Readers will find her hilarious, endearing and occasionally annoying. I loved her complicated friendships and her supportive family. She's a lucky girl. Barely Floating goes down real easy, but has depth. It releases on August 29. Put it on your radar. 

Arc Review: House of Marionne by J. Elle

Image: Penguin Random House

House of Marionne by J. Elle. 432 p. Razorbill/ Penguin Young Readers, August 29, 2023. 9780593527702. (Review of bound manuscript courtesy of publisher.)

Happy Tuesday! I hope you are enjoying the sunshine and relative cool this morning! Boo and I were finally able to get in a nice long walk this morning. Teen Tuesday features House of Marionne by J. Elle. This is a fantasy series starter and will release in late August.

Seventeen-year-old Quel is used to life on the run with her mom. Quel possesses a dark magic she calls Toushana and an elite band of assassins called Draguns are tasked with hunting down anyone with this forbidden magic and killing them. So far, Quel's mom has been successful in keeping her hidden by moving frequently, but Quel messed up and now she's separated from her mom and the safe spot they were to meet in turns out to be not-so-safe. She turns to the one person her mother has forbidden, her grandmother. Turns out, her grandmother is headmistress of House Marionne and is delighted to reunite with Quel and determined to have her hone her magic and debut.

Quel is relieved to be safe, eager to learn magic that she hope will tame her toushana, but not too thrilled about the wardrobe, curtseying and etiquette lessons. She's also terrified of Jordan. He's been assigned to mentor her, but he's also a Dragun. What will happen if he finds out who she really is? And why is he so hot? It's distracting and dangerous.

Sinister and gothic with a steamy, slow-burn romance and plot twists galore. This was fun. Look for it August 29. Apparently, there's a limited edition first printing available for pre-order. Happy reading!

Middle Grade Monday: The Order of Things by Kaija Langley

Image: Penguin Random House

The Order of Things by Kaija Langley. 278 p. Nancy Paulsen Books/ Penguin Random House, June, 2023. 9780593530900. (Review of finished hard cover courtesy of publisher.)

Happy Monday! What a mixed bag of weather we are having! The air quality hasn't been the greatest lately. Between that and the heat, I've noticed that Boo isn't his usual bounding self on our walks, so I've modified them to frequent and less lengthy. It's so humid and damp and I'm being plagued by those little gnats or whatever. Ugh! 

Middle Grade Monday features The Order of Things by Kaija Langley. Eleven-year-old April lives in an apartment in Boston with her single-by-choice Mom. They live right across the hall from Zee and Papa Zee. April and Zee were born within months of each other and are more than best friends. The four of them have formed a family. Things are changing for sixth grade for April though, because Zee, who is a violin prodigy, was accepted into a prestigious STEAM charter school. Not only does she not have her best friend in class, but her teacher has assigned seating and she's stuck next to Asa, who is socially awkward, a bit unkempt and shunned by the only two white girls in April's class.

April and Zee try to maintain life as they knew it, but Zee is driven to be the best and this requires a lot of after school practice and lessons, so April decides to pursue drumming and Papa Zee agrees to teach her. Then, her mom brings Robin to their sacred family dinner and April takes an instant dislike to her.

When Zee has a fainting episode at school, Papa Zee wants him to slow down, but Zee sneaks away to practice in the building's laundry room. April finds him when she goes to do the family laundry and he swears her to secrecy. He also swears her to secrecy when he suffers another cardiac episode and reassures her that it is nothing.

It's not nothing though, and just before Christmas, the unthinkable happens. The family receives support from their community, but April does not know how she will cope without Zee. "I'm dreaming solo from now on." She feels guilt in addition to her grief for keeping Zee's secret. Soon, she's keeping Papa Zee's secret. Then, she discovers Asa's secret and it may be just too much for April to handle.

This novel in verse is told from April's point-of-view. It's well-crafted and immediately engaging, featuring fully formed characters and an authentic sense of community. April thrives in her found family. She's a realistic mix of thoughtful and thoughtless, and confident and uncertain. Readers who love sad books will root for April as she tries to find her footing. I read this in one sitting and just love it. I can't wait for my students to meet April. 

Middle Grade Monday: The Flying Horse by Sarah Maslin Nir

Image: Linden Tree Books

The Flying Horse by Sarah Maslin Nir. Once Upon a Horse #1. 172 p. Cameron Books/ Linden Tree, March 14, 2023. 9781951836672. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publicist.)

Happy Monday. Middle Grade Monday features The Flying Horse by Sarah Maslin Nir. This series beginner is sure to please your horse-obsessed readers. This is a parallel story where the chapters alternate between the birth of a foal in the Netherlands and the struggles of a horse-loving middle school student who is hiding her dyslexia. 

When the foal is born early, the surprised farmer names him Trendsetter, or Trendy for short. Trendy soon shows promise as a jumper. The farm is struggling, so the farmer has high hopes that Trendy will become a jumper at the National Equestrian Center. Unfortunately, he misses his horse pals, his treats and affectionate pats from the farmer, and so, he literally digs his heels in and refuses to jump. His spirit catches the eye of an imposing lady though, the Calvary Master for Piper Stud Farms, where the world-famous Lipizzaner horse are trained. 

Sarah is a seventh grader at an elite, private school in New York City. She's bright and inquisitive, but hiding a secret-reading and writing don't come easily to her. She can't even confide in her beloved grandmother. Like many students with learning problems, she has been able to hide her weaknesses, but in middle school, the emphasis on reading and writing increases. Her solution-to stop doing homework-gets her suspended. 

This quick and sweet read is attractively designed and certainly gives readers tons of all things horsey-from treats to tack to competing.

Teen Tuesday: Unraveller by Frances Hardinge

Image: Abrams Books

Unraveller by Frances Hardinge. 432 p. Amulet Books/ Abrams, January, 2023. 9781419759314. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

Fifteen-year-old Kellen is blunt, off-putting and easily irritated. He also has a singular talent that the residents of Raddith find useful. He's an unraveller and there are quite a number of residents who need their curses unravelled, including Kellen's traveling companion, Nettle, who was cursed into a heron's body and was unravelled by Kellen. She is now his traveling companion. 

Curses spring from curse eggs and can appear at any time, but is usually brought on by intense hatred. There is a government department, the Chancery, devoted to rounding up the cursers and separating them from society. Cursers are remanded to the Red Hospital, presumably for treatment, but it's little more than a prison. The unravelled also tend to suffer from PTSD and are never the same. 

There is a quiet revolution afoot. Someone is releasing captive cursers and there may a traitor among the Chancery! Kellen and Nettle receive an invitation from a mysterious one-eyed man who drives a carriage pulled by a marsh horse. But as they venture deeper into the Wilds, Kellen and Nettle no longer know whom they can trust. 

This was absolutely exquisite. I wanted to swallow it whole due to the suspense and mystery, but slowed to savor the absolutely lovely writing, flawed and complex characters and vivid world building. It's definitely a book I would reread! Highly recommended!

Teen Tuesday and Audiobook Review: As Good as Dead by Holly Jackson

Image: Penguin Random House

As Good as Dead by Holly Jackson. Unabridged e-audiobook, ~15 hours, eleven minutes. Read by Bailey Carr and others. Books on Tape/ Penguin Random House, September, 2021. 9780593416761. (Review of e-audiobook borrowed from public library.)

Happy Tuesday! I hope you had a thoughtful MLK Day. My students were off, but we teachers had PD. Teen Tuesday features As Good as Dead by Holly Jackson. This is the third and final book of a trilogy that many seventh and eighth graders have been recommending to each other and me. 

Pippa is getting ready to go to college, but she's in a dark place since her last investigation. She's definitely suffering from PTSD and having trouble with flashbacks and is unable to sleep. In fact, she has turned for former suspect and drug dealer, Luke Hastings for a regular supply of Xanax when her doctor cuts her off. While she's used to death threats, thanks to her true crime podcast, she has been receiving regular messages asking, "Who will look for you when you're the one who disappears?" She is definitely feeling like she's being watched. This intensifies when she's asked by the mother of a man convicted of being the area's serial killer from a few years earlier. Pip believes the wrong man is behind bars and of course, Detective Hawkins doesn't believe her. So it's up to Pip. Will this investigation be her last because she's off to college or because she's dead?

I must say that this series took a very dark turn in this final installment. The first two books are borderline middle school YA, but the last is definitely DARK and twisty. While the credits list multiple narrators, this is mostly Bailey Carr's show. I really couldn't distinguish between the other narrators. Carr's delivery turned a bit annoying, sort of whiney while stretching out intonations. Not that subtle. The twist and the ensuing events just strained credulity for me. 

Teen Tuesday and Audiobook Review: Radio Silence by Alice Oseman

Image: HarperCollins Publishers

Radio Silence by Alice Oseman. Unabridged e-audiobook, ~11 hours. Read by Aysha Kala. Harper Teen/ HarperCollins Publishers, March, 2017. 9780062474612. (Review of e-audiobook borrowed from public library.

Happy Tuesday! I am a huge fan of the Heartstopper graphic novel series by Alice Oseman, as are many seventh and eighth graders, probably propelled by the popular Netflix series. Did you know that Ms. Oseman also writes novels? In fact, Charlie was a minor character in her debut novel, Solitaire, which was published in 2014, when she was only twenty years old! But Teen Tuesday isn't featuring Solitaire. I couldn't find it on audio, though I do intend to read it some day. 

Teen Tuesday features Radio Silence. This book was published in 2016 and is her second novel following the publication of two novellas. Radio Silence is narrated by Frances Janvier, who introduces her self with this: “I was study machine Frances Janvier. I was going to Cambridge . . . Uni, job, money, happiness. That’s what you do. That’s the formula." She's top girl at her school and despises the top boy. She also has a loose group of "friends" she really doesn't relate to or feel close to. What she does love with all her heart is a podcast called "Universe City." It's dark and brooding and Frances frequently publishes her fan art to Tumblr under the pseudonym, Toulouse. She's shocked and delighted to received a message through the app from the creator, who loves her art and wants permission to use it even though he can't pay her.

Turns out that the creator is none other than her across the street neighbor, Aled and twin to her former best friend, Carys. Aled is brilliant and headed to university and Carys struggeld in school and ran away two years earlier. Frances feels it is her fault. Frances and Aled strike up a fast friendship and work on the podcast together through the summer. After a social media influencer gives the podcast a shoutout, Universe City goes viral and the fandom are rabid to discover the identities of Aled and Frances.

This nuanced, layered novel explores themes of friendship, identity, familial relationships, societal expectations and being true to yourself. Frances' wry narration reveals her to be bright, honest, self-deprecating, driven and doubtful. I was immediately smitten. She also has a brilliant mother. I went into this vaguely thinking it would be a romance along the lines of Heartstopper. It's not, but it's utterly engaging. Mature teen readers questioning the status quo and looking for a challenging read  will enjoy Radio Silence.

Middle Grade Monday and Audiobook Review: The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat

Image: OrangeSky Audio

The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat. ~7 hours, 21 minutes. Read by Sura Siu. OrangeSky Audio, 2022. (Review of e-audio borrowed from Hoopla.)

Happy Monday! I hope you had a fantastic weekend. The weather was just gorgeous here in northern NJ. I spent a lot of time outdoors taking care of my leaves and walking Boo. And, Happy Halloween!

Middle Grade Monday features The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat. Twelve-year-old Sodsai, "Sai" Mudawan has been able to hide her lowly birth and secured a job with Paiyoon the mapmaker. She lives in the Fens with her conman father. She knows that once she turns thirteen, her ruse will be discovered when she fails to receive a lineal, a bracelet with links that represent noble lineage. When the queen dispatches a ship to find and explore the Sunderlands, Paiyoon is to join the expedition as Royal Mapmaker. He invites Sai to come along as his apprentice because she has a talent for copying and Paiyoon's hands are no longer as steady as they once were. Once on board, Sai meets Rian, a dashing figure and rising star in the queen's navy. She also spies a deck hand who might recognize her from the Fens and blow her cover. It seems everyone has secrets on board and some of them might be dangerous.

This Thai-inspired fantasy is getting a fair amount of well-deserved Newbery buzz. It's quick pace and suspense will keep readers turning pages. The characters are complex and the world on board the ship is vividly drawn. The Last Mapmaker hits that sweet spot where lovely writing meets rousing adventure. 

Middle Grade Monday: The Fort by Gordon Korman

Image: Scholastic Inc. 

The Fort by Gordon Korman. Unabridged e-audiobook, ~6 hours. Read by Christopher Carley, Michael Crouch, Nick Walther, Ramon De Ocampo, Tom Picasso, and Mark Sanderlin.

Recorded Books, June, 2022. (Review of e-audio borrowed from public library.)

Happy Monday TMS! I hope you had a blast this weekend and got outdoors in the gorgeous weather! I also hope you got a glimpse of the Hunter's Moon which rose on Saturday night.

Middle Grade Monday features The Fort by Gordon Korman. What kid doesn't dream of having a fort-a place to hang, to escape or just dream? When four best buds plus one new-comer literally stumble upon a fully-stocked underground bunker, they can't believe their luck and swear each other to secrecy as they explore their new digs and eat canned food. Suspension of belief is definitely required for this story told from multiple points of view. Each boy has an issue, whether it's fighting parents, absent parents or crippling anxiety.

The Fort is Mr. Korman's 100th book, and, while not his best, certainly starts with a terrific premise and features engaging characters. 

Teen Tuesday and Audiobook Review: Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzalez

Image: Macmillan Publishers

Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzalez. Unabridged e-audiobook, ~8 hours. Read by Mark Sanderling. Macmillan Audio/ Macmillan Young Listeners, March, 2020. 9781250265371. (Review of e-audio borrowed from public library.)

Happy Tuesday! It's the first day back for my students! Too bad it's rainy! Teen Tuesday features Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzalez. Ollie is the narrator of this fluffy with a side of sad lgbtq romance. He's out and proud and visiting his aunt in North Carolina for the summer. She has cancer and he has been babysitting so that his mom can spend time with her sister at a lake. He has a summer fling with Will, who has suddenly ghosted him. As he's angsting over that, he learns that his parents decided to relocate to North Carolina for the school year - his senior year - in order to take care of his aunt and her family. Ollie is devastated, of course, but soldiers on, 1. because he's a good guy and 2. because he adores his aunt and her kids. 

Little does he know that Will is a basketball star at the school he will be attending and that Will is firmly in the closet. Oh the drama! Luckily, Ollie is befriended by a trio of besties who have his back, Juliette, Niamh and Lara. He also joins a band.

This was a fluffy, fun read that also had moments of tenderness and depth. I absolutely adored the narrator and his performance. 

Middle Grade Monday: The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo

Image: Candlewick Press

The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Sophie Blackall. 256 p. Candlewick Press, September, 2021. 9781536213616. (Review of arc courtesy of publisher.)

Happy Monday! I hope you had a healthy and restful holiday filled with a lot of great books. Today was my first day back from break and it was quite interesting. Lots of kids on the quarantine list due to either testing positive or exposure to Covid, or travelled and are unvaccinated. I'm in a 5 - 8 middle school and until recently, fifth graders were too young for vaccination. There were a few staff members out as well. Taking attendance was a bit more involved and then there were the late-comers on Zoom. Sigh. It's good to be back though. 

Middle Grade Monday features the very last book I read in 2021, The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Sophie Blackall. Sadly, I'm woefully behind in all my reading and it took me forever to get to this gem. I must say though, reading it as my last book of 2021 was lovely.

Brother Edik illuminates manuscripts in a monastery while he awaits visions, which he reports to the his superior, who then writes them down in The Chronicles of Sorrows. His other job is caring for Answelica the goat, a being so ornery that she strikes fear in everyone. Imagine his surprise then, when Brother Edik discovers a little girl, curled up, asleep in Answelica's stall holding the goat's ear! The girl is dirty, bloody, and running a high fever. She remembers nothing about how she got to the monastery. She only remembers her name, Beatryce.

Gentle Brother Edik convinces the monks to nurse the child back to health. As he cares for Beatryce, he uncovers a secret. The girl knows how to read and write! It is forbidden for girls and women to read and write in the kingdom! As Brother Edik ponders the danger of this, he remembers one of his earlier prophecies, "There will one day come a girl who will unseat a king..." Could Beatryce be this girl?

This book is getting a lot of Newbery buzz. Ms. DiCamillo builds a dangerous world, unfolding it slowly in spare and concise language. Readers will instantly care for Brother Edik, Beatryce and later, Jack Dory, all three are so pure and vulnerable in this harsh world. It is a rare thing to possess a true moral compass. 

Answelica's antics lend humor and her devotion to Beatryce is endearing. The author packs a lot of adventure and suspense in this rather short book. The black and white illustrations are well-placed and lovely.

Fans of Kate DiCamillo will not be disappointed. Fans of Adam Gidwitz's The Inquisitor's Tale will likely enjoy The Beatryce Prophecy, though there's no magic here, just the magic of the powers of friendship, love, courage and storytelling.

Teen Tuesday: A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow

Image: Macmillan

A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow. Tor Teen/ Macmillan, June, 2020. 

Teen Tuesday features A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow. BFFs and sisters by choice, Tavia and Effie are juniors in their Portland, Oregon high school. Not only are they dealing with the social perils that high school brings, but both are hiding secrets. Tavia is a siren in a world that is hostile to them. In fact, a siren was recently murdered and her killer will probably elude prosecution. Effie isn't sure which mythical creature she is, but plays a mermaid in a local Ren Faire and is crushing on her cosplay prince. Contemporary social justice issues are expertly woven into a compelling story about Black girl friendship and magic for mature teen readers. This dual narrative rachets up the tension right up to its startling conclusion. Innovative and intriguing!

Middle Grade Monday: Chirp by Kate Messner

Image: Bloomsbury

Chirp by Kate Messner. 232 p. Bloomsbury, February, 2020. 9781547602810. (Review of arc courtesy of publisher.)

Middle Grade Monday features Chirp by Kate Messner. Most children might experience anxiety or even anger at moving house, especially during the summer between seventh and eighth grades. Mia doesn't mind moving from Boston to Vermont. She'll be able to see her grandmother whenever she wants now and she's ready for a fresh start. She packed a big secret along with her gymnastics uniforms and trophies into the moving boxes. She's eager to learn all about her grandmother's cricket farm, especially when she learns that someone has been sabotaging the business. A mystery to solve is just the ticket to keep her mind from going where she doesn't want it to go. But keeping her secret affects Mia in big and small ways. As she recovers from an injury that allowed her to quit gymnastics without needing to explain why, Mia tries new activities, meets new friends and eventually finds her voice. 

This middle grade novel helps tweens understand consent in an age-appropriate way. Chirp joins a growing list of excellent mg fiction dealing with child sexual assault. This topic should not be relegated to the YA shelves because sexual assault, grooming and abuse occurs to children at any age and those victims need to know that they will be believed and that they are not alone. 

Ms. Messner excels at creating vivid communities peopled with interesting characters and supportive adults. She spins a good mystery too! And, I might be convinced to try eating crickets. Chirp belongs in all school, classroom and public libraries. 

Middle Grade Monday and Arc Review: War Stories by Gordon Korman

Image: Scholastic

War Stories by Gordon Korman. 234 p. Scholastic Press/ Scholastic Inc., July 21, 2020. 9781338290219. (Review of arc courtesy of publisher.)

Middle Grade Monday features War Stories by Gordon Korman. Twelve-year-old Trevor is a bit of a history buff - well, World War II history. This might be because he's an avid video gamer and he's an ace at his WWII game. More likely, it's because his beloved great-grandfather, Jacob, is a WWII war hero. Trevor is his best fan and never tires of G.G.'s war stories. Trevor's dad, on the other hand, worries about Trevor's obsession with war and war games. Daniel was raised by his grandfather and, while he loves and respects his grandfather, he is anti-war. 

G.G. receives a invitation from the town that he helped liberate. They want to honor him, the only surviving soldier, with a parade for the 75th anniversary. Trevor's dad doesn't think travel is a great idea for a man his age. G.G. not only wants to go, but he wants to retrace his steps from 1943 by first traveling to Georgia, where he did his basic training before heading to Omaha Beach, where he landed and then take a road trip through the French countryside, where he fought. And, he wants to bring Trevor with him!

The chapters shift in time between Trevor's trip with his dad and G.G. in the spring of 2020 and 1943, when Jacob dropped out of high school, lied about his age and enlisted. 

War Stories is a bit more serious than Korman's usual fare. He has a lesson to teach, but he does so with a deft hand. The scenes from WWII are gripping and vivid. The tension of G.G.'s secret gradually builds as he revisits each site. Trevor's love and admiration for G.G. is palpable. I felt that the revenge subplot was a tad weak and distracting until the end, where it made for quite the climactic scene. Young readers won't notice. 

One other quibble for me was the math. My husband's uncle served in WWII. He's four years older than G.G. He never married but his great-nieces and nephews range in age from 50 to 28. For me, it's more likely that Trevor would be a great-great-grandson. Again, the kids won't notice.

If you have readers who chew through your collection of war stories and ask for more, War Stories is just the ticket. 

Teen Tuesday and Audiobook Review: One of Us is Next by Karen McManus

Image: Penguin Random House

One of Us is Next by Karen McManus. Unabridged audiobook. ~ 10. hours. Narrated by Holly Linneman, Maria Lists, Fred Berman and Karissa Vacker. Listening Library/ Penguin Random House Audio Publisher Group, January, 2020. 9781984842107. (Review of e-audiobook borrowed from public library.

Fans of One of Us is Lying, buckle up. Author Karen McManus, queen of the pageturners, has returned with a sequel. Teen Tuesday features One of Us is Next. It is a year after Simon's spectacular set-up and Bayview has had to put up with a few Simon Wannabes trying to resurrect the gossip app. Now, there's a new game in town - Truth or Dare - with the advice, "Take the dare" to sign off on every school-wide text. The first victim didn't take the dare, and embarrassing news about her was spread far and wide, causing her to become a pariah. The second victim took the truth as well and lost her best friend. So victim number three took the dare and, while embarrassing, it wasn't so bad. Lesson learned: take the dare. But then, the dare turned deadly. 

This gripping mystery takes place in the same community as One of Us is Lying. While some of those main characters are present in the story, younger students are chosen, one being the sibling of one of the Bayview Four. The story does stand alone, but do yourself a favor and read book one first. If you are a teen who likes whodunits, you will love this book.

Teen Tuesday and Arc Review: Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

Image: HarperCollins Publishers

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo.424 p. HarperTeen/ HarperCollins Publishers, May 5, 2020. 9780062882783. (Review of arc courtesy of publisher, ALAMW.) 

Elizabeth Acevedo returns to verse form for her third novel and it's intense! Camino Rios lives in the Dominican Republic and sees her beloved father only during the summers. Yahaira Rios lives in New York City and misses her father terribly when he leaves each summer to visit the DR. Camino arrives at the airport to greet her dad to find crying people at the airport. Her father's plane crashed. Yahaira is called out of class and told by her mother that her father died in a plane crash. Two girls, two countries, one father. A secret exposed.

This dual narrative switches between Camino and Yahaira as they grieve and eventually learn of the other's existence. While Camino's dad sends enough money to provide tuition to a private school and some comforts for her and her Tia, she still lives in a poor neighborhood where girls often become prey to sexual predators. Her father has been paying off El Cero to leave her alone. Now that he's gone, not only are her hopes to attend Columbia as a pre-med gone, but she's not sure she can escape El Cero's plans for her.

Yahaira's situation is more stable with two working parents. Her life in Morningside Heights is comfortable. She has a girlfriend and was a rising star in the chess community until she abruptly quit a year earlier after discovering part of her father's secret. 

Don't let the page count intimidate you. Both girls' voices grab from the beginning. This is an intense read with a lot of heartbreak along the way to healing and hope. If you have Acevedo fans among your students, this is an absolute must read. If you haven't yet read anything by her, certainly start here. 

Middle Grade Monday: Feathers by Jorge Corona

Image: Simon & Schuster

Feathers written and illustrated by Jorge Corona. Colors by Jen Hickman. Letters by Deron Bennett. Feathers series #1. 176 p. Archaia/ Simon & Schuster, February, 2019. 9781684153077. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

Middle Grade Monday features Feathers written and illustrated by Jorge Corona. Eleven-year-old Poe is a shadowy figure in the slums of the Maze. His over-protective foster father, Gabriel forbids him to leave their dwelling for fear he will be kidnapped, or worse. He found Poe as an infant, abandoned and covered in black feathers. But the children of the slums are disappearing and Poe feels it's his duty to try and protect them. 

On the other side of the wall that surrounds the slums, the rich live in splendor. One little, rich girl named Bianca is bored though, and seeks adventure. She convinces her father to take her with him on a trip into the Maze and disappears in search of adventure at the first opportunity.

This debut graphic novel is the beginning of a series that rewards readers with rich art and plenty of action and suspense. It was originally published as a series of magazine installments. I cannot wait for book two.

Teen Tuesday and Audiobook Review: Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys

Image: Penguin Random House

Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys. Unabridged audiobook on ten compact discs. ~ 12.5 hours. Read by Maite Jáuregui with five others; author's note read by the author. Listening Library/ Penguin Audio, October, 2019. (Review of audiobook borrowed from the public library.)


Teen Tuesday features The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys. Weighing in at over 400 pages, this historical fiction set in 1957, Franco-ruled Spain will require a patient reader. Fans of the author's Between Shades of Gray and its companion, Salt to the Sea, know to expect - intriguing characters, lovely writing and meticulous research into lesser known historical events. 

The Fountains of Silence is all about secrets. Seventeen-year-old Daniel Matheson, visiting from Texas with his parents has them. His parents have a few themselves. But it is Ana, who works as a maid at the American hotel Daniel is staying at who has the most to lose if her secrets are revealed and she has been receiving threatening notes. The world did not know what life was like for citizens of Spain under the dictatorship of Franco, especially if they had opposed his rule as Ana's parents had. American tourists experienced only the lush beauty of Spain. But Daniel, a budding photojournalist observed something deeper and attempted to capture those moments with his photographs - an act that could mark him with danger. This layered and complex novel is slow to unfold, but is harrowing and beautifully told. A lengthy author's note, read by the author provides insight into the story and and the time period.

I enjoyed this narration. Whenever there are bits of another language sprinkled into a narrative, I prefer to read with my ears to experience fluent speakers. The narration was measured and nearly unbearably slow. New-to-me narrator, Maite Jáuregui spoke English well, but had a curiously inconsistent way of pronouncing some words. I was listening in my car, so didn't make notes; but hotel was one that stuck out for me. Sometimes it was "ho-TELL," and sometimes it was "ho-till." I found it quite distracting. Once the secrets began to unfold and the suspense built, I was less aware of them. 

I was fully immersed in the first part of the book. Then, the story flashes forward eighteen years. Though I loved it, it felt rushed and a tad incomplete. I guess I didn't want to leave the characters just yet, even after 12.5 hours of listening (or over 400 pages if reading.) Also, I could stare at that gorgeous cover forever.

I'm in a middle school. Though I usually have at least one advanced, mature and eclectic reader each year, I am not sure that a middle school student is the audience for this book. Definitely a must-read for high schools. I also anticipate hearing the title announced come awards time.