.jpg)
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |
Middle Grade Book Reviews
Beast Mode: The Animal Awakens
J.J. Arcanjo, pub. Hachette Children’s Books
If you’ve ever wondered what lies beneath the surface, not of the world around us but under the surface of ourselves, now is the time to discover more. Have you noticed that all around us, in nature, there are creatures who can do the most remarkable things, who can change forms, colours even? Have you ever wondered what that would be like?
Caine, Ember and Blue are special, so special that they are having to live in hiding. It’s been a year, a full year since they woke up in a dark forest, since Caine found a lump the size of a paracetamol tablet under his skin. They were in their FlipSuits as they call them but they had no memory of who they were and how they got there. Over the last year they’ve been hiding and stealing to get by, trying to work out why they can flip into animals and who created them to be able to do this. The world around them is dangerous, they know that and they soon find that it’s even more dangerous than they first thought, they learn there is an organisation who wants their powers for its own evil ends.
Immerse yourself in a world where nothing is as it seems, where there are young people who can change forms, life-threatening situations, betrayals as well as close friendships and a strong fight for survival. The Animal Awakens feels very much like the introduction to an exciting and fast-paced series where nothing is predictable and the stakes are high. You might not want to have the power to Flip but you’ll soon find yourself captivated by this group of children and their determination to survive.
Colin Paterson
Cecily Sawyer: How to Crack a Code
Iona Rangeley, illus. David Tazzyman, pub. HarperCollins Children’s Books
Cecily Sawyer is a spy. So is her best friend Felix. Between them they run Magnificently Intelligent Coordinated Espionage, or MICE for short. Cecily’s parents, Emmeline and Peregrine, are in the spying business too, though they also run a hotel, an excellent cover for their espionage activities. In fact, the whole city is bursting with spies, with everyone constantly on the alert for danger and plots.
Previously Cecily and Felix, with the help of her extremely clever pet mouse Mrs Maple Syrup, have rescued Emmeline and Peregrine from a terrible fate and in doing so have discovered to her horror that her beloved godparents were traitors. Cecily spends most of her time reading any books she can lay her hands on to learn how to become more effective at sleuthing, including during her very boring lessons at school. In particular, she tries to find out everything she can about code-cracking, because she is sure that the city is yet again under threat.
Felix and she join a lunchtime club exploring the history of the city, in case it provides them with clues to what is going on now. But can they trust Miss Virgil, the teacher who runs it? Can they trust fellow pupil Katie? They have to risk it. Plots and counter-plots abound. To Cecily’s horror, it seems that her parents too may be traitors. Could they really have been involved in the assassination attempt against the city’s Head Councillor? The hotel staff don’t give much away however hard Cecily tries to get information out of them. In fact, can they be trusted? Can anyone? What and who can Cecily, Felix and Katie believe? Can they crack the fiendish code in the letter Cecily has cunningly intercepted? Their bid to save the city requires great intelligence and wiliness and also secret doors, a somewhat ineffective bugging device and quite remarkable amounts of food.
This is a follow-up to Cecily Saunders: How to be a Spy but can be read on its own. Children with reading stamina will be rewarded with a convoluted plot with numerous red herrings, plenty of humour and enjoyable illustrations, plus handy hints at the back on cracking Caesar cyphers.
Anne Harding
The Children of Wolf Rock
Natasha Farrant, pub. Faber & Faber
Setting this story in Scotland has helped author, Natasha Farrant, use her knowledge of the country to bring colour and atmosphere to this wonderful story. As the title suggests, it revolves around some children and a place known as Wolf Rock. What the title doesn’t give away is how exciting this story is going to be.
Minna, Kass and Tom are spending their holiday at their ‘unusual’ castle school near to Wolf Rock. Children who attend the school are there for many different reasons and they are, as a result, an eclectic bunch. Fortunately, the school is led by Major Fortescue, who is equally eclectic and it gives the school a completely different approach to learning. All too soon the children find themselves involved in a mystery as they help a new friend. Embarking on a dangerous journey, the friends find themselves testing their confidence, new friendship and every gut instinct they have. Since these are all topics that children can find tricky growing up the book is an excellent guide as well as a great adventure story to get lost in.
I could not put this one down, the author keeping the reader engaged from the first chapter; dealing with the different emotions of teenagers she weaves a story that is both engaging, exciting and emotional. Reading this new book has encouraged me to read Natasha’s previous books which I am sure will deliver the same outstanding level of excitement and intrigue.
Definitely a must-read and I know you will not be disappointed.
Helen Finch
Legacy: The Shadow Rises
Zak Simmonds-Hurn and the Fickling Brothers, pub. David Fickling Books
Scarlett Thawn discovered her magical power young, causing mischief in the castle’s kitchens. Then she’s sent north to Heaven’s Blade, to begin her official magical training, so one day she too could become one of the mages of the Jindari Empire. This abruptly ends after her father and brothers are assassinated, leaving Scarlett heir and Warden of Hightown.
In this epic fantasy series, Scarlett Thawn is seemingly a pawn in the cosmic battle of good – the Council of Flowers of which her father had been a member – against evil: the Queen of Shadows, Obaga, craving power. Shadow magicians killed Scarlett’s father. Scarlett is likely to be next, and little does she know that even if she reaches Hightown safely, she is carrying an object imbued with deadly magic. If unleashed it has unimaginable consequences. Saved by a stranger, Rex Adamar, with his own backstory of family, and colluding with the Wildkin of the Burnt District, seems to be the only way for Scarlett to claim her title and for Rex to get his revenge.
The Shadow Rises is the first in a new three-part fantasy series, introducing the Jindar universe of the five ancients or creator gods, the Shadow of those who serve Obaga and magic gifted by the gods to defeat her. The first book also introduces our heroes. Scarlett proves to be a feisty character, naïve but resourceful in her physical prowess and desperate to control her magic for good. Rex, is more cautious, perhaps more worldly, still developing his powers but with a keen sense of justice. Certainly, two characters young readers will sympathize with as they face impossible odds.
This is a great graphic novel in full colour with plenty of dramatic action, constant danger and a last desperate stand of good versus evil.
Simon Barrett
The Othernauts
Clare Pollard, illus. Macha Yao, pub. Piccadilly Press
Eleven-year-old Phoebe is bored out of her mind on her home island of Lemnos. Her father abandoned her and took her only brother with him when a curse-gone-wrong chased all of the men off the island. So, Phoebe is stuck with her judgemental, moody mother and avoids her by practicing the art of soothsaying. But when a ship arrives, with actual men on board, Phoebe takes firm hold of the opportunity of a lifetime and stows away on the ship, leaving her humdrum life behind and embarking on an epic quest.
Based on the classic Greek myth of Jason and the Argonauts, The Othernauts focuses on the adventures of a young band of misfits, hunky heroes and a wise, talking ship called the Argo. Their fearless leader is confident that getting the golden fleece, which is often mistaken for a rug, will be a breeze. Wild whirlpools, no problem. Attacking harpies, we got ‘em. Skelton armies, sounds like fun. But with a crew that includes an unreliable shapeshifter, a siren whose voice causes acute headaches, and a seer who isn’t quite telling the truth about her oracle skills, this is going to be one unpredictable expedition. Phoebe must use her quick wit and creative thinking to lead the Othernauts to victory and learns the importance of friendship along the way.
The Othernauts is a highly-imaginative, hilarious, bitingly sarcastic, action-filled middle grade adventure novel that introduces young readers to mythology in a fun, approachable way.
Stephanie Ward
Six Weeks
Matt Goodfellow, illus. Joe Todd-Stanton, pub. Hachette Children’s Books
Alfie Piper has six weeks of summer to look forward to. Since his mum died, Alfie’s world has been turned upside down. He desperately misses her and there is a difficult silence between him and his stepdad. He also has his own dad and stepmum to deal with. So, Alfie turns to his bike and he rides. Can the long summer days help him to rebuild his life?
This is the story of a young boy, his family and friends and the way he deals with his very sad loss. It is about relationships, hope and healing. It’s an excellent and very emotional read from beginning to end and is beautifully told. Everything about it is honest, hopeful and heartbreaking. The story ebbs and flows with the ups and downs of life.
The book is written in verse form and the light, free style makes it very readable. It can be a quick read as some pages contain just a single line or a short verse. It also manages to cover the difficult themes of loss, healing and hope with warmth, understanding and humour. The grief, anger and confusion felt by Alfie are dealt with in a very moving way which makes the reader think about the ups and downs of family life.
There is some reference to other sensitive issues such as abortion and mental illness. These are also tackled in a very understanding way, which is authentic and deeply moving. The writing style makes it easier for young readers to understand and relate to. The book is full of wisdom, love and hope. It should help some children to come to terms with family death and to deal with family relationships.
Gary Kenworthy
The Summer My Wishes Came True
Radhika Sanghani, pub. Usborne
Ayesha is packing for summer camp and has already decided it will be the best two weeks of her life! Not only does she finally get to do all the things her older brother, Jay, tells her about - midnight feasts, swimming in the lake and toasting marshmallows over campfires, but she gets to do it all with her best friend Nikki. Ayesha and Nikki are practically sisters, after all their birthdays are just a day apart, they spend all their time together, co-ordinate their outfits, and are completely united in their dislike of Nikki’s stepmother, Seville.
So, with Year 8 finally over, Ayesha can’t wait for her first stay at Camp Willow. Except, there’s a problem. Before they even set off for camp Nikki must take a trip to New York with Seville and her responses to Ayesha’s messages are few and far between. By the time they reach camp Ayesha realises things have started to change. To start with Nikki now has a boyfriend who has taken Ayesha’s place as the screensaver on Nikki’s phone and it seems Nikki has had a major makeover thanks to Seville. When they meet their cabin mates, Cami and Roxy, things only get worse as Nikki seems to fit right in with them whilst Ayesha is left feeling like the odd one out. Determined not to simply let her friendship with Nikki slip away Ayesha tries hard to fit in until she overhears Nikki telling Cami and Roxy that she thinks Ayesha is immature. Finding solace beneath the old willow tree by the lake Ayesha wishes things could be different. This isn’t how camp is supposed to be!
As Ayesha tackles her first time at camp and her strained friendship with Nikki, she finds friendship and comfort with George and Serena, with whom she shares kitchen duties. She also finds that she may have picked up a little magic along the way. Will Ayesha’s summer get better with magic on her side? Surely it has to, but wishes are tricky things and what Ayesha wishes for may not always be what she truly wants.
Radhika Sanghani, author of the amazing The Girl Who Couldn’t Lie and How to Get Magically Popular has done it again with another perfectly pitched book! This is the perfect mix of tween friendship drama, summer adventure, and magic, making The Summer My Wishes Came True completely unputdownable! I was hooked from the very beginning with beautifully written and easy to relate to characters and situations. Readers around the age of 9+, fans of real life mixed with magic, I urge you to pick up a copy – you won’t regret it!
Tracey Corner
The Thing About Giants
Christopher Galvin, pub. Walker Books
A delightful mixture of folklore, fantasy and adventure showing truth, trust and friendship.
Jacq Dyer is the human daughter of renowned giant hunters and is being trained to follow in their footsteps. These humans live in a city made from the bones of the giants they have slain - particularly the giant, King Athos. The inhabitants totally rely on the hunters to keep them safe from what they perceive to be violent, senseless giant creatures.
But when an accident leaves Jacq lost and injured in the wilderness, she comes face-to-face with Corman, a young, gentle giant. In order for each of them to find their way to their homes and their people, Corman and Jacq need to learn to trust each other.
During their journeys they meet rock giants (who eat humans), they have to eat live worms to survive (delicious for Corman, but uncomfortable for Jacq!) and they must uncover the truth about each other's worlds. Along the way they find out that not everything is as it seems - and that it's up to them to set things right. A powerful and important message for young readers.
I think we're going to hear more from this author in the future. He mixes myth and magic to create a thrilling and very enjoyable read.
Carol Farley
Welcome to the School of Gods
Thiago De Moraes, pub. David Fickling Books
Olly Morris can only imagine what it is like to go to school. He’s never been. His dad and mum home school him in their boat, moving around a lot, and consequently although he knows lots of people, he doesn’t have friends. When Olly receives a scroll inviting him to join the School of Gods, he jumps at the chance. He’s going to be one of only three mortals ever to join.
The School of Gods sounds great. It’s run by gods for young godlings of gigantic proportions with superpowers and magical abilities. It’s a place where tackling fierce some monsters has little consequence and smiting a town for no apparent reason is of little concern. Very quickly you might begin to see why Olly and his two human roommates, Gert and Enrico are struggling. The gods have little understanding of what it means to be human, to live without any divine ability, seeing them as a curiosity, and as a running joke, they constantly say hewmongs incorrectly, I mean whomans, no I mean youmoans…
There’s lots of great humour, making fun at the collision of the modern and ancient worlds, for example, try reading out-loud, and phonetically, the names of the gods, such as Dehegelico, a Mercury-god figure pronounced Dee-Aitch-El-Ee (aka DHL). Ingenious is the iGnome 14 1/2, the ultimate mythological accessory for a god with all of time on their hands, complete with three different increasingly painful wake up alarms. Then comes all the silliness inherent in the School of Gods: a world made to look like a pear; school buildings including kitchens and vomitorium; school food with breakfast porribo that tastes like gummy bears; subjects like PE (Physical Enhancement), and unusual staff, for example the flying hamsters.
There is of course, the school bully, Borla, a ponytaur, whose nastiness turns into spitefulness as she does everything to stop Olly, Gert and Enrico finishing, and achieving their TOOTs (Tests of Optimum Trying). So, as the ace in the pack, Olly, Gert and Enrico must find a human solution to their problems.
Readers, you are invited to join Olly and friends in their first, possibly last and only ever term at the School of Gods, to see if they survive.
Simon Barrett
Wildheart
Bec Manser, pub. Puffin Books
In the woodland town of Twigswick, stepping beyond the outer rune posts risks your life: in Dryda Forest, spirits swirl through mist and dip into hollows, haunting between trunks and branches. Tales grow of the Chalk Twins, the Lost Princess and the Hunter, all roaming close at hand. Children of the forest towns must always be ready to run…
Nettle and Fern are as close and as different as sisters can be. Nettle is terrified of the forest, Fern is defiant, determined to leave Twigswick and join the Wildheart Rangers, fierce protectors, dwelling in the trees around the town and defending its people from the dark spirits that wait at every turn. Nettle longs to accompany her sister, can’t imagine being without her - but since straying into the forest as a little girl, Nettle is consumed by fear. She had never been confident, bold or brilliant but after losing her way, her nerves grew tenfold.
Watching Fern go, Nettle is left behind with sharp, daily blame from her mother. She can’t hold on to her friendships and misses Fern every day. So, when news arrives that Fern has deserted the rangers, turning instead to the Shadow Stalkers who rob and raid the forest towns, it’s more than Nettle can bear.
Answers lay in one place: the Rangers’ camp, deep in the woods. But the Spring Equinox brings a surge in the gloom: the curse that infects Dryda wood. The power waxes strong until summer, creating six weeks of havoc: spirits are far more able to slip through boundaries, to do lasting damage. But Nettle can’t let her sister vanish. To take the first step feels colossal, but Nettle’s desperation is as strong as any root. She steps forward, again and again, and must decide her route? What waits around each bend? Each step is somehow better and worse than the last. Will Fern be there?
Having a main character who is not immediately confident or bold is heartening: instead, we have Nettle, who takes time to find her own strength, and shows how hard it can be, trying to believe in yourself. Overwhelmed by all the things you are not, the process of building courage seems impossible - but Nettle shows that you can find a way to yourself and grow into exactly who you are. She has to believe that her sister is still out there. And only she can tread the path towards her…
Jemima Breeds
Youngest Faircrest and the Search for a Sorcerer
Ollie George, illus. Tom Knight, pub. DK Flip
With a map of Rivell and the words of Agnes Witterer to guide us we are launched into a story recounting the legend of the Youngest. Well, I say legend but is that truly correct, after all Agnes is sharing the story of how it happened, from the perspective of being a first-hand witness, so does that make it a true story? You’ll soon discover the answers and learn a great deal more as the story progresses.
It all begins with The Deciding. It’s an important day in the town of Bogmarsh one that’s kept the Youngest awake all night with worry. Youngest, in case you haven’t yet worked it out, is the youngest of six children. He’s the shortest, the blondest and the only one of them who has green eyes. So, yes, he does stand out a little bit! But will that help when it comes to The Deciding? It ought to, since this is the day when every twelve-year-old will learn what has been decided about who they will be forever - now you can probably imagine why Youngest lost sleep over it.
But, sitting in the study, under the scrutiny of the Decider, the Youngest is pronounced unremarkable. Apparently that is the only remarkable characteristic he has, his unremarkableness. The Youngest doesn’t like this one bit. Would you? And so that is how we find him making the sensible decision to prove them all wrong. He is going to reclaim the missing magic of Bogmarsh from the legendary ancient sorcerer who apparently stole it. Now, she really is a legend as no-one is certain she even exists…
Agnes, of course, is with Youngest every step of the way, as is the piglet Satchel. Together they show us courage, resilience and self-discovery alongside powerful friendship bonds. Ollie George’s writing flows beautifully and will not only have you hanging on every word but also laughing out loud at the sheer daftness of this story. That, coupled with the expressive illustrations Tom Knight has created, will ensure this book quickly becomes a firm favourite.
Rachel Langran
Zero Override
Steve Blackman, pub. Scholastic
This is a high octane science fiction adventure set in a near-future London. It’s a fast action adventure with many twists and turns. The world of Artificial Intelligence is very much at its core. The fast action is mixed with modern technology and will appeal to younger readers who enjoy action stories and solving puzzles. It is a story where humans and robots live side-by-side and it will encourage children to think about a future world of robots and Artificial Intelligence. Every machine in the country is threatened with shutdown. Zero, the main character, is concerned for the life of Grace, his younger sister, who has a machine heart. Zero will work hard to stop the malicious software upload. It is a race against time to stop a devastating virus destroying every machine in the country.
Zero is very likeable and the robots are quite funny. Despite his distrust of the robots, Zero will team up with them. Friendship and family also feature strongly in the story. The plot starts with Zero and his friends carrying out a computer hack and then the action doesn’t stop until the very end.
The story is written for the first generation of children to grow up with Artificial Intelligence. The author is keen to encourage children to question Artificial Intelligence and its role and to understand what it means to be human in a world of intelligent, robotic machines. The book really should make children think about a future world with robots everywhere. With technology very much at its core, it features a code cracking challenge and hidden clues throughout the story, which can be decoded using a key. A secret chapter can then be unlocked on the website.
The fast action plot, the likeable main human character, the funny robots and the look into the future world of humans and robots, should all combine to help children to learn from this book. The author is keen for children, especially boys, to love and learn from reading.
Gary Kenworthy
