Middle school students have reading interests that run the gamut from Diary of a Wimpy Kid to Twilight. Sometimes as a parent it is hard to know what is age appropriate for your child. Through this blog, I will try to help parents make informed decisions about what is available in our library. I am hoping that this blog will be a resource for our parents, and that we can all work together to make our students life-long readers!



Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Black Widow: Forever Red

Black Widow: Forever Red
by Margaret Stohl
From the publisher:
"Enter the world of the Avengers’ iconic master spy…

Natasha Romanoff is one of the world’s most lethal assassins. Trained from a young age in the arts of death and deception, Natasha was given the title of Black Widow by Ivan Somodorov, her brutal teacher at the Red Room, Moscow’s infamous academy for operatives.

Ava Orlova is just trying to fit in as an average Brooklyn teenager, but her life has been anything but average.The daughter of a missing Russian quantum physicist, Ava was once subjected to a series of ruthless military experiments—until she was rescued by Black Widow and placed under S.H.I.E.L.D. protection. Ava has always longed to reconnect with her mysterious savior, but Black Widow isn’t really the big sister type.

Until now.

When children all over Eastern Europe begin to go missing, and rumors of smuggled Red Room tech light up the dark net, Natasha suspects her old teacher has returned—and that Ava Orlova might be the only one who can stop him. To defeat the madman who threatens their future, Natasha and Ava must unravel their pasts. Only then will they discover the truth about the dark-eyed boy with an hourglass tattoo who haunts Ava’s dreams…

Black Widow: Forever Red features all the heart-pounding adventure readers expect from Marvel, written by #1 New York Times best-selling author Margaret Stohl. Uncover a new side of the Marvel Universe that will thrill loyal fans and newcomers alike, as Stohl reveals the untold story of Black Widow for the very first time.
 "

I've never read a comic book before, but I do enjoy the Avenger movies, so I thought this would be a fun thing to read. I was right. And did I picture Scarlett Johansson the entire time I was reading? Yes, I did. It made it even that more fun. The story was gripping, the characters were awesome, but I was NOT prepared for the ending. Still, it was a very fun ride. I will definitely be getting the next book for our library. 

Areas of concern:
*I only noticed 2 uses of the "a" word and no other language.
*There is an evil antagonist who abuses children horribly. None of the abuse is described very graphically, but it is central to the plot.
*Tense and sometimes violent action scenes similar to the Avenger movies.

Suggested Ages:
Kirkus Reviews - Ages 11+
School Library Journal - Grades 8+