Horse Trouble by Kristin Varner Juvenile Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction Tween * * * Stars (Pretty good) Kate is a middle schooler who loves horses and has been obsessed with them since she was 7 (she’s now 12). Although she can’t afford to have her own horse, she has been taking riding lessons over the past 4 years and is becoming an accomplished rider, though she does seem to fall off a lot. She pays … Read more
A Witch Alone Apprentice Witch #2 by James Nicol Fantasy Juvenile Fiction Mystery Tween Young Adult Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Arianwyn’s experience with the forgotten glyphs brings her to the attention of the High Elder, who wants her to go on a quest to retrieve a special book that is supposed to contain more of them. Although Arianwyn will have companions, they aren’t allowed to reveal the true purpose of their mission. … Read more
The Apprentice Witch Apprentice Witch #1 by James Nicol Fantasy Tween * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Something goes horribly wrong during Arianwyn’s assessment and it’s only through her powerful and respected grandmother’s influence that she’s given a position as an apprentice witch in the town of Lull, bordering the Great Wood (where all manner of dark and dangerous magical beings lurk). Despite her test results, Arianwyn does admirably well in her new position. … Read more
All the Greys on Greene Street by Laura Tucker Realistic Fiction Juvenile Fiction Review #1 * (A waste of time!) This book was not what I was expecting. There were quite a few subplots within the main plot, none of which ever seemed to be tied off in the resolution. There was no resolution, no final ending. Olympia is an artist, along with her parents. Her father paints, her mother makes sculptures, and Olympia draws … Read more
Long Distance by Whitney Gardner Graphic Novel Mystery Science Fiction Tween * * * Stars (Pretty good) Vega’s dads have just moved their family to Seattle, Washington, and they’re sending Vega to camp so she can make some new friends. Vega isn’t super keen on this idea. Although she misses her bff, Halley, Vega doesn’t think she needs any more friends in her life. Camp Very Best Friend is definitely weird. The counselors are creepily … Read more
Unplugged by Gordon Korman Funny Mystery Realistic Fiction Tween * * * Stars (Pretty good) As the son of a tech billionaire, Jett Baranov is accustomed to getting whatever he wants and is well known for his stunts, which have gotten him into plenty of trouble. Tired of paying for/covering up his son’s pranks (which are becoming more and more dangerous), Jett’s dad sends him (and one of his employees – Matt – to babysit … Read more
Snapdragon by Kat Leyh Graphic Novel Supernatural Teen/Tween * * * * Stars (Great!) When her dog Good Boy goes missing, Snapdragon meets the local “witch,” Jacks, who found him and patched him up. She returns later with some baby possums who Jacks agrees to take in IF Snap helps care for them. Snap learns that Jacks is also a taxidermist of sorts – cleans up animal skeletons and then puts them back together (articulation) … Read more
Silver Batal and the Water Dragon Races Silver Batal #1 by KD Halbrook Adventure Fantasy Review #1 * * * * * Stars Are you fascinated by dragons? Well, this is your book. Silver Batal is an ele-jeweler, daughter of one of the most skilled jewelers in all of the city. There is one slight problem though. Silver is not good at jewelry work. And she dreams about the great dragon races, and most of … Read more
The World Ends in April by Stacy McAnulty Adventure Funny Realistic Fiction Suspense Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) I loved this book! This book is about Eleanor, a middle schooler who is like most middle schoolers. She has been best friends with Mack since kindergarten. Even though Mack is blind and way more social than Eleanor, they will most likely survive the end of the world. When they figure out the … Read more
The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead Juvenile Fiction Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Bea’s biological parents are divorced, but she’s accustomed to going between their two households and following a schedule that allows her to spend time with both of them. She keeps a list in her notebook of the “Things That Will Not Change,” and one of them is that her parents still love her and … Read more