Spy Camp Spy School, book #2 Graphic Novel Mystery Suspense Thriller * * * * Stars (Great!) Ben Ripley started spy school in the first installment of this graphic novel series based on the books. Now he’s just been informed that ALL students are required to attend summer school, actually summer camp for prospective spies. Ben’s getting himself resigned to MORE school when he discovers that the evil spy organization, SPYDER is STILL after him … Read more
Out of My Heart sequel to “Out of My Mind” by Sharon Draper Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Melody has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair because she has trouble controlling how her body moves. She also has difficulty speaking, but has an assistive device that she calls “Elvira” that allows her to type out what she wants to say. In “Out of My Mind” Melody found her voice through Elvira and … Read more
Nature’s Best Hope: How You Can Save the World in Your Own Yard by Douglas W. Tallamy, adapted by Sarah L. Thomson Nature Nonfiction * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Douglas Tallamy presents some compelling evidence that the world is struggling because of human overpopulation and its sprawling, destructive consequences. He makes the case that things could be improved for all species if we were all to convert at least some of our lawns … Read more
You Have a Match by Emma Lord Mystery Realistic Fiction Romance * * * Stars (Pretty good) When Abby’s best friends convince her to get a DNA test she doesn’t expect to find that she has a secret older sister. But the more she learns the more indisputable the facts are. After meeting Savannah (Savvy), who has a huge social media presence, Abby decides to attend the same summer camp where Savvy is working – … Read more
One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus Mystery Realistic Fiction Suspense Thriller * * * * Stars (Great!) Four high school students end up in detention together under false pretenses, and become suspects in a murder investigation when the only other teen in detention with them suddenly dies. Traces of peanut oil (he was highly allergic) are found on the cup he drank from and his epi pen is missing (as are emergency … Read more
Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson Mystery Realistic Fiction Suspense * * * * Stars (Great!) Fifteen year old Mary Addison is in a halfway house after being released from “baby jail” where she’s been since she was convicted (at the age of nine) of killing a baby. Alyssa (the baby) was left in Mary’s mother’s care while her parents were out, and when neither Mary nor her mother could calm her (she wouldn’t stop crying), … Read more
Vern: Custodian of the Universe Tyrell Waiters Adventure Graphic Novel Science Fiction * * * Stars When Vern’s prospects dry up he moves back home and his grandma immediately gets him a job as custodian at a tech company called Quasar. It’s not what he’d expected. He *does* have to clean up a lot of messes, but they seem to involve weird eyeballs creeping through spatial rifts. Vern eventually discovers that Quasar is messing with … Read more
Four Eyes by Rex Ogle & Dave Valeza Autobiography Biography Graphic Novel Nonfiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Rex Ogle (the author) is going into middle school and is super excited about it until his first day, when he discovers that because of new school districts being created, most of the kids he knew from his old school are going somewhere else. His friend Drew is there, though, but he’s obsessed with becoming one … Read more
Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor Fantasy Mystery Romance * * * Stars (Pretty good) Jani and her sister Zosa are living on their own and trying to make ends meet when Jani learns that the Hotel Magnifique (a hotel that magically travels around to different locations) is in town and that they are picking up guests and hiring staff and entertainers. She hopes that she and Zosa can work as hotel employees, but when … Read more
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Overlode Diary of a Wimpy Kid #17 By Jeff Kinney Humorous Illustrated Fiction Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Greg Heffley narrates the saga of his older brother’s trials and tribulations as he and his band Loded Diper attempt to rocket themselves into stardom. Trying to follow in the footsteps of their idols, Metallichihuahua, they’re supposed to perform in a battle of the bands competition, but before … Read more