marylannireads's reviews
47 reviews

So-hee and Lowy by Anna Kang

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

 

So-Hee dreams of having a friend. Classmates at school are not always as welcoming as So-Hee would like, and with no siblings at home, So-Hee imagines the possibility of adopting a pet. Unfortunately, So-Hee is allergic to nearly everything, so her animal options are rather limited. When So-Hee discovers a loophole to her allergic responses, however, an unexpected companion opens the door for a whole world of friendship and connection. This charming picture book by celebrated author/illustrator duo Anna Kang and Christopher Weyant celebrates the tenacity and resilience demonstrated by a young girl as she sets about finding ways around the obstacles in her path. Though the narrative incorporates only a brief amount of text, the subtle subtext found in the illustrations balances with the words in such a way as to expand upon the story, giving the narrative a robust and multifaceted foundation that will resonate with readers of all ages. Fans of the You are (Not) Small collection will recognize similar fonts and illustrative styles in this book, but So-Hee is her own unique–and human–individual. Filled with positive messaging about how and where friendship can be found, So-Hee and Lowy inspires conversation about social and emotional topics that are pertinent to young readers. Heartfelt, funny, and inspirational, this picture book will delight young audiences as it is read aloud with them. So-Hee and Lowy is a lovely addition to Storytime collections for young readers.

 

The Green Kingdom by Cornelia Funke

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 

This summer, twelve-year-old Caspia Turkel is spending eleven weeks in Brooklyn with her parents. A far cry from the rural Maine town in which Caspia has lived all her life, Brooklyn is intimidating with all its people, noises, and sights. On the first day in their temporary home, Caspia discovers a stack of letters from 1958, and each one holds a clue about a specific plant or flower. As Caspia works to solve the riddles from the letters, she is taken on adventures around her new city, exploring all the beauty and richness it has to offer and meeting friends along the way. This charming middle grade story is accessible both in its storytelling style and in the strategic use of imagery throughout the narrative. The plot is guided by the letters Caspia has uncovered, which serve as guideposts and stand out from the rest of the text, appearing as illustrations of letters amidst the traditional chapter designs. Additional images are interspersed within the novel, as well, offering readers a way to visualize Caspia’s experiences while also providing a visual respite from the text. Though the plot of Caspia’s faunal research is the primary focus of the novel, readers will appreciate the transformation Caspia undergoes in the process, becoming increasingly more confident in a place where she initially feels incongruous. Filled with engaging writing, memorable characters, and an interactive premise, this is a delightful addition to library collections for newly independent middle grade readers.

 

The Dragon's Apprentice by James Riley

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

One thousand years ago, magic was everywhere, and dragons were the creatures who imparted magical knowledge upon humans. In twelve-year-old Ciara’s time, however, magic has been relegated to only the select few individuals in power, and everyone else must somehow survive a non-magical existence. Secretly, Ciara has come into the possession of a journal written one thousand years earlier by a girl named Bianca, and the emperor will stop at nothing to get it back. When Ciara meets the fearsome and mighty Scorch, the dragon who trained Bianca herself, Ciara realizes that she may finally have the tools to restore her community to the magic-filled place it once was.

This entertaining middle grade novel is told in a stream-of-consciousness style narrative that unfolds primarily from Ciara’s perspective. The chapters are short, and each one advances with a momentum that keeps readers engaged. Comedic characters and situations are embedded within the more somber challenges Ciara faces, which serves to add some levity to the heavier topics within the narrative. Readers who enjoy stories that incorporate magic and the unexpected within the framework of familiar human situations will appreciate the structure of this book. Similarly, the relatability of the main characters helps readers to empathize with this fantasy-based story. Samples of Draconic language are found at the end of the book, further anchoring the fantastic nature of the novel in reality. Entertaining and primed for a sequel, this book is a positive addition to library collections for confident middle grade readers.

A Recipe for Trouble by Sarah Todd Taylor

adventurous hopeful informative inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 

Thirteen-year-old Alice Eclair is an accomplished pastry chef by day, working in her mother’s shop and creating delectable creations for Paris’ elite in the mid-1930s. Secretly, Alice is also a spy, working to solve clues and riddles that take her all around Paris. When her most complicated mission to date brings her face-to-face with the mysterious entity who has been leaving the clues, Alice is surprised to discover it is her beloved uncle, who was believed to have been dead for the past two years. Another mission is laid before Alice, and she must determine whether she has what it takes to retrieve the required documents before they can fall into the wrong hands. This fast-paced middle grade novel embraces the potential that can come from having a thirteen-year-old with enough tenacity to be an accomplished spy as well as the ability to diligently avoid the notice of adults in her environment. Alice is precocious, smart, and resourceful, knowing exactly what she wants and how to achieve her desires when people least expect her to do so. Red herrings are sprinkled throughout the novel, keeping readers engaged with each new development in the plot. French vocabulary and locations are abundant within the narrative, as well, immersing readers in Alice’s natural environment. The first in its series, this book is primed for subsequent stories, and readers will eagerly await the next installment. This book is best suited to confident middle grade readers who relish a touch of mystery and intrigue in the books they choose.

 

The Last Bookstore On Earth by Lily Braun-Arnold

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 

The world as she knows it is gone, and seventeen-year-old Liz Flannery has settled into the remains of a familiar bookstore, riding out the uncertain future as best she can. Initially, Liz’s maybe-more-than-a-friend Eva was there to share the loneliness alongside Liz. But after Eva’s abrupt departure, Liz was on her own once more, making small talk with the few visitors who would occasionally venture inside. When a new companion named Maeve enters the store, however, Liz finds herself adjusting to her new reality in ways she never expected, and even as the world prepares to end once again, Liz no longer feels quite so alone. This thought-provoking novel transports readers into the not-so-distant future where natural disasters abound and contemporary human society has ceased to exist. Told through Liz’s perspective and alternating between Liz’s past and her present, the narrative offers readers pieces of the story that are compelling as they fall into place. Focused more on the character development between Liz and Maeve than on the forward momentum of the plot, the novel moves slowly, allowing both the reader and the characters to better absorb the situations unfolding within the narrative. Themes of loneliness, peril, LGBTQIA+ romance, and survival are found throughout the book. These themes, coupled with the speculative nature of a potentially catastrophic global future, give the novel a sense of weight and offer readers the opportunity to consider how they might react under similar circumstances. Deep and contemplative, this book is well-suited to mature readers who enjoy stories that investigate the complexities of human existence.

 

Frankie & Chair by Johan Ingler

emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

 

It is time for nine-year-old Danny to start at a new school, and for a boy who dislikes change, there has been entirely too much lately. A new house, a new school, a new babysitter, and a new life without his father all amplify the discomfort Danny feels. Luckily, Danny is able to lose himself in the comic book series he is creating with his best friend Chair, imagining adventures that take them both far away from their everyday existence. But when Danny encounters a girl named Frankie at school, Danny begins to realize that hiding away is not the only way to live a life that brings him joy. This amusing middle grade novel alternates between events happening in Danny's real life with the adventures of Captain Redtail and Sir Winchester in the comic book stories Danny writes. Filled with puns, creative word choice, and a plethora of nut-related jokes, the narrative is immediately appealing to readers who appreciate a tongue-in-cheek approach to storytelling. Initially, Danny spends most of his day in the company of his late father's favorite chair who has been personified in Danny’s imagination. As Danny begins emerging from the hole created by his grief, however, he finds himself spending more time in his present, appreciating all the good things his new world has to offer. Entertaining and heartfelt, this investigation of one child’s experience after the loss of his father is an enjoyable coming-of-age story for confident middle grade readers. 

 

Charley Mouse Cleans House by Katerina Gorelik

lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

 

Charley Mouse loves cleaning, and she especially enjoys getting to help her friends keep their homes in order. Every week, Charley Mouse travels through her community, beginning with the Wild Wood and finishing up in the Magical Forest. Each home has its own unique charm, and Charley Mouse is always proud of a job well done. Whether she is tidying up, finding lost objects, or connecting with her friends, every day is a new adventure for the intrepid Charley Mouse. This whimsical picture book is especially enjoyable when read at bedtime with a beloved caregiver. While the amount of text in this book is not overwhelming as a whole, some pages incorporate large blocks of text that are best enjoyed while readers can examine the details in the accompanying illustrations. Everywhere Charley Mouse goes, she is asked to find something that has gone missing in the featured home, and readers will enjoy seeking these missing items alongside Charley. Not every missing object is specified as far as how many might be found on a page, but there is still joy to be had in searching for them. Warm, cheerful colors and a large number of details make the illustrations in this book especially pleasing to the eye. Additionally, the endpapers give readers a sense of where Charley Mouse finds herself during the week. Fun and unique, this is an enjoyable bedtime story to share with curious children who love to find hidden objects.

 

Eid for Nylah by Nizrana Farook

funny informative lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

 

Everyone seems to be endlessly busy, scrubbing, decorating, and preparing for something special. Unfortunately, the neighborhood cat Nylah just wants to play, and she does not understand why none of her friends have time for her. As the crescent moon hangs in the peaceful night sky, Nylah’s friends count the minutes until the Eid gathering in the nearby park begins. When the long awaited moment finally arrives, the neighborhood community dresses in their finest and is ready to celebrate, and Nylah’s friends can finally give Nylah the playtime she craves. This charming story about Eid al-Fitr is told through the eyes of a neighborhood cat whose journey brings her through various homes as the community prepares for the Eid celebration. Each scene depicts Nylah getting in the way of something that is traditionally done to celebrate Eid, and thanks to the singular focus of each spread, readers are able to better understand the many elements involved in Eid celebrations. Human characters in Nylah's environment are depicted with a range of skin tones and abilities, which amplifies the diversity seen in Nylah's community. At the end of the book, a message from the author describes some of the author's own experiences with Eid. Whether or not a reader celebrates Eid themselves, this book is a friendly and accessible story that cheerfully brings Eid into classrooms and homes around the world. This is a charming addition to library holiday collections for young readers.

 

Who Ate Steve? by Susannah Lloyd

adventurous funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 

It is time to learn about size, and Marcel the bird and Steve the worm have offered to assist. Unfortunately, just as the story gets going, Marcel decides to do as birds do and catch Steve up in his mouth. Much to the dismay of the narrator, the story cannot continue until Marcel decides to give Steve up for good. But even with Steve back, the momentum of the story has altogether changed, giving readers a taste of the unexpected. This clever story is ideally suited to be read aloud to a group of young children. Not only are the children themselves referenced directly within the narrative, but the interactive elements of the book are especially pleasing in a group setting. Fans of Mo Willems will find similar structures and design in this book, and an unexpected ending is a surprise for everyone. Large, dynamic fonts are used throughout the book, presenting the narrator's thoughts in a way that keeps readers engaged. The colorful, expressive illustrations tell their own story beside the written words, and children will love observing what is happening on the page especially as it contradicts their expectations. Built with a sturdy binding and thick pages, this book is designed to be enjoyed a multitude of times. This is an excellent addition to read aloud and Storytime collections, particularly those intended for preschool aged readers.

 

The Hero's Equinox by Antoine Bandele

adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Despite his best efforts, TJ Young is still hard pressed to be a normal sixteen-year-old. Because of the unusually powerful magic he possesses, TJ is often summoned to help solve problems that arise between the mortal realm and that of the gods. But now, TJ is being accused of a crime he did not commit, and gods from across the pantheon of global deities are being held prisoner. Together with a collection of complementary companions, TJ must attempt to rebalance the divine forces without becoming a prisoner himself. This third in the TJ Young and the Orishas series begins shortly after the second book ends, connecting readers to the next challenge standing in TJ’s way. Familiar characters and situations appear quickly within the narrative, and readers will appreciate the character development that occurs even as the plot unfolds. Strong writing and an engaging premise make this book appealing to readers who enjoy magic realism, and the complexity of the plot and TJ’s responsibilities are commensurate with his age. While the West African pantheon is a primary focus of TJ’s adventures, this installment involves a wider collection of deities from around the globe, offering a unique and compelling take on how these otherwise disparate mythologies may be connected. Some strong language, light romance, and high intensity make this book best suited to mature readers. Fast-paced and action-packed, this book fits well into the TJ Young series, and it is primed for a sequel.