Prisoner of Ice and Snow

Prisoner of Ice and Snow
by Ruth Lauren

From the publisher:
"When Valor is arrested, she couldn’t be happier. Demidova’s prison for criminal children is exactly where she wants to be. Valor’s sister Sasha is already serving a life sentence for stealing from the royal family and Valor is going to help her escape . . . from the inside.

Never mind that no one has escaped in three hundred years. Valor has a plan and resources most could only dream about. But she didn't count on having to outsmart both the guards and her fellow prisoners. If Valor’s plan is to succeed, she’ll need to make unlikely allies. And if the plan fails, she and Sasha could end up with fates worse than prison."

I really enjoyed this book, but had some concerns. The story is gripping from the first page. The main character, although somewhat likable, seems to make one stupid decision after another and drags people down with her when she fails. But the action is intense, the story interesting, and there was good world building. Everything moves along very quickly. I liked that it had closure with the possibility of more - kind of like Harry Potter in that way. I think middle school students will really like this first book in a new fantasy series, and that is who the book is written for.

Areas of concern:
* A lot of violence and abuse towards children in a prison. I found parts quite disturbing.
* A lack of good adults.

Suggested Ages:

Kirkus Reviews - Ages 8+

School Library Journal - Grades 4-7

The Traitor's Game

The Traitor's Game
by Jennifer A. Nielsen

From the publisher:

"Nothing is as it seems in the kingdom of Antora. Kestra Dallisor has spent three years in exile in the Lava Fields, but that won't stop her from being drawn back into her father's palace politics. He's the right hand man of the cruel king, Lord Endrick, which makes Kestra a valuable bargaining chip. A group of rebels knows this all too well - and they snatch Kestra from her carriage as she reluctantly travels home.The kidnappers want her to retrieve the lost Olden Blade, the only object that can destroy the immortal king, but Kestra is not the obedient captive they expected. Simon, one of her kidnappers, will have his hands full as Kestra tries to foil their plot, by force, cunning, or any means necessary. As motives shift and secrets emerge, both will have to decide what - and who - it is they're fighting for."

It took me a while to get into this book because I didn't really like the main characters very much for a while. I did learn to like them, and the plot was exciting (if predictable) and the world building was cool. I liked that the 2 main characters knew each other as children, but why Simon would ever even think of liking her again is hard to believe. The antagonist in this story is incredibly evil in a Voldemort-y sort of way, but even Voldemort was scared of Dumbledore, and Lord Endrick seems pretty much indestructible and horrible. Quite frankly, I'm not sure how that will pan out in the 2nd and 3rd books. I did like some of the twists at the end and felt very satisfied with the overall experience when I finished. I think middle schoolers will love it.

Areas of concern:
*Very evil person who enjoys inflicting pain, torture and death on anyone and has killed countless people.
*A very dysfunctional family dynamic.
*Many tense moments with death imminent.
*Mild romance.

Suggested Ages:

Publisher's Weekly - Ages 12+

School Library Journal - Grades 6-8

The Harry Potter Series

Harry Potter Collection 1-7
by J.K. Rowling

From the publisher:
"Harry Potter and the sorcerer's stone -- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets -- Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban -- Harry Potter and the goblet of fire -- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix -- Harry Potter and the half-blood prince -- Harry Pottter and the deathly hollows. Presents all seven books of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, which follows the boy wizard through his years at Hogwarts as he tries to stop the evil Lord Voldemort with the help of his friends.
The Harry Potter series has been hailed as "one for the ages" by Stephen King and "a spellbinding saga' by USA Today. And most recently, The New York Times called Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows the "fastest selling book in history."" 

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the first book coming out, and because I haven't read them in years, I just did a marathon re-read of all 7 books.  Once again, I am struck with the genius of J.K. Rowling.  These books are classics that will stand the test of time and be around forever.  The characters will be loved and revered for generations.  The plot is amazingly cohesive and well thought out from start to finish.  The world of wizards and Muggles seems practically real.  Many, many children who didn't care about reading have been and will be hooked by these books (one of my own daughters is one of them).   I love them.  Since I haven't read them in many years, but have seen the movies a zillion times, I was so struck by how much is changed or left out of the movies.  Don't get me wrong, I am not a Harry Potter movie hater - I love the movies - I just have to divorce the movies from the books in my mind when I watch them.  However, I was reminded of a lot of important moments that I love and have missed in the movies.  Oh, I love these books!  

Now, are these books for everyone?  Of course not.  We all have different tastes.  I may have a hard time understanding why someone would dislike them, but we all have different opinions.  I do get concerned when I hear of children reading Harry Potter too early.  Some of the plot lines are quite complex, and each book gets darker and darker with really intense and scary things going on.  So much sadness, so much death.  Much has been said about the witch and wizard aspect of these books and they have been challenged many times over the years in school libraries.  But ultimately these books are about good triumphing over evil and there are many lessons about character and moral virtues.  I recommend them to everyone starting about the 4th grade (or older).   

Areas of concern:
*There is a little bit mild of cussing throughout the series, but not much.
*Dramatically intense situations
*Many incredibly sad deaths
*Some torture of children by adult wizards

Suggested ages (I'm using Deathly Hallows for this - earlier for the first 3 books):
Booklist - Grades 6-12
School Library Journal - Grades 6+
(If you have sensitive children.... I had a friend who let her kids read the first 3 books when they were the same age as Harry in the books - then they could finish at their own speed.  I love this idea!)

  

The Adventurers Guild

The Adventurers Guild
by Zack Loran Clark &
Nick Eliopulos

From the publisher:
"Few ever asked to join the Adventurers Guild. . . . Their members often died young.

In one of the last cities standing after the world fell to monsters, best friends Zed Kagari and Brock Dunderfel have high hopes for the future. Zed desperately wishes to join the ranks of the Mages Guild, where his status as Freestone's only half elf might finally be an asset. Brock, the roguishly handsome son of merchants, is confident he'll be welcomed into the ranks of the Merchants Guild.

But just as it seems the boys' dreams have come true, their lives take a startling turn . . . and they find themselves members of the perilous Adventurers Guild.

Led by the fearsome Alabasel Frond, the guild acts as the last line of defense against the Dangers-hungry, unnatural beasts from otherworldly planes. And when the boys uncover a conspiracy that threatens all of Freestone, Zed, Brock, and their new allies-Liza, a fierce noble, and Jett, a brave dwarf-must prove their worth once and for all.

This start of a thrilling new series is sure to be a hit with readers who like their fantasies clever and action-packed, with tons of humor and heart."

This book is a fun start to a new series. The author does a great job of world building, there are secrets and mysteries to be solved, horrible monsters to be fought, new friends to be made, and a world to be saved. What more can you ask for in a middle grade fantasy? There was a feel of The Lord of the Rings with elves, dwarves and sorcerers. The action and suspense are almost non-stop, and the characters are well developed, likable and very intriguing. You will care about what happens to Zed, Brock, Jett, Liza and even Micah. Humor is laced throughout the book and the main characters all have fun relationships with each other - whether friendly or not. 
There are even drawings at the end to show what the monsters look like that are talked about. Students who love fantasy are sure to like this one, and the ending will ensure that they will want to go on with the series. 

Areas of concern:
*Fights between humans and horrible monsters.
*Intense moments where main characters lives are threatened.

Suggested Ages:

Publisher's Weekly - Ages 8-12

School Library Journal - Grades 5-8

The Luck Uglies

The Luck Uglies
by Paul Durham

From the publisher:
"The Luck Uglies is the first in a tween fantasy-adventure trilogy brimming with legends come to life, a charming wit, and a fantastic cast of characters-and is imbued throughout with the magic of storytelling.

Strange things are happening in Village Drowning, and a terrifying encounter has Rye O'Chanter convinced that the monstrous, supposedly extinct Bog Noblins have returned. 
Now Rye's only hope is an exiled secret society so notorious its name can't be spoken aloud: the Luck Uglies. As Rye dives into Village Drowning's maze of secrets, rules, and lies, she'll discover the truth behind the village's legends of outlaws and beasts...and that it may take a villain to save them from the monsters.

The first in a series, The Luck Uglies is an altogether irresistible cross of Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain, Stefan Bachmann's The Peculiar, and Chris Healy's The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom, overflowing with adventure, secrets, friendship, and magic."

I know I'm late to the ballgame on this one because all three books are already out, but better late than never. I found this to be a fun and magical start to a series. There were certain times it seemed to drag just a little, but for the most part it was exciting and riveting. I liked the main character, but sometimes got frustrated with her for making stupid decisions that endangered other people.

“In her long history of bad decisions, even Rye had to admit this one might be her worst.” 

I loved her family dynamic - her strong, loving mother, her adorable little sister (I can't wait to see what happens as she grows.... will she ever be potty-trained?), the mysterious stranger, Harmless, and the family pet, Shady (Nightshade Fur Bottom O'Chanter). I also loved her loyal friends, Folly and Quinn. The world building was very well done. I appreciated the humor that was laced throughout the book and that lightened up some very tense moments. There was action, suspense and intrigue, with evil antagonists and fantastic monsters. This is a great series for middle schoolers who love fantasy. 

Areas of concern:
*Violence and fighting, but nothing terribly graphic. If your child can handle Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, they can definitely handle the violence in this one.
*No cussing, but there are made-up words that are very bad in their society and the one word is used by the children several times - with mention that their mothers would kill them if they heard them use it.

Suggested Ages:
Publisher's Weekly - Ages 8+
School Library Journal - Grades 5-7

Caraval

Caraval
by Stephanie Garber

From the publisher:
"Remember, it’s only a game…

Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny island where she and her sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval—the faraway, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show—are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. Nevertheless she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic. And whether Caraval is real or not, Scarlett must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over or a dangerous domino effect of consequences will be set off, and her beloved sister will disappear forever.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval…beware of getting swept too far away."

The feelings I have for this book are quite similar to those I had after reading The Night Circus, and there are actual similarities in the stories as well. So I will use some of the exact sentences I used for that book. "My 4 star rating doesn't really mean "really liked it", it's actually more like "amazing on many levels, but not sure how I really feel about it". What imagination and creativity went into this!" 
For a lot of the book I was thinking, "What the heck is going on?!", yet it was mesmerizing and I couldn't stop reading (once I really got into the story). The writing is incredible, so beautiful and gripping. So many secrets! Who to trust? Who to like? The setting of Caraval is amazingly unique and magical. I would like to see what the director of The Greatest Showman would do with a movie of this. There is one part where the main character starts seeing only in black and white, unless it is something really important for her to notice, and I can imagine that being put on the big screen - it would be beautiful!
This book has action, adventure, heroes and villains (although you're not always clear which is which), romance, magic, character growth, and above all - sisterly love. And that sounds like I just described Frozen, but it is nothing like that :) . It was amazing, but do I recommend it for middle school students? Maybe 8th graders, but no younger.

Areas of concern:
*Serious abuse.
*Steamy romance - although it was kind of more a feeling of steamy than actual graphic steaminess, if that makes sense.
*Several disturbing murders - one off stage and 2 right in front of us.

Suggested Ages:

Booklist - Grades 9-12

Publisher's Weekly - Ages 13+

Rebel of the Sands

Rebel of the Sands
by Alwyn Hamilton

From the publisher:
"Mortals rule the desert nation of Miraji, but mythical beasts still roam the wild and remote areas, and rumor has it that somewhere, djinn still perform their magic.  For humans, it’s an unforgiving place, especially if you’re poor, orphaned, or female.

Amani Al’Hiza is all three.  She’s a gifted gunslinger with perfect aim, but she can’t shoot her way out of Dustwalk, the back-country town where she’s destined to wind up wed or dead.

Then she meets Jin, a rakish foreigner, in a shooting contest, and sees him as the perfect escape route. But though she’s spent years dreaming of leaving Dustwalk, she never imagined she’d gallop away on mythical horse—or that it would take a foreign fugitive to show her the heart of the desert she thought she knew.

Rebel of the Sands reveals what happens when a dream deferred explodes—in the fires of rebellion, of romantic passion, and the all-consuming inferno of a girl finally, at long last, embracing her power."

Whew, what a ride! This book is a piece of great storytelling and it sucked me in from page one. It has an incredibly original plot - other people have described it as a cross between a western and Arabian Nights - and characters that you will care deeply about. There is great sorrow and hardship for our heroine, and great growth and strength. It ends with quite a bit of closure, but enough still to come to make you want to get your hands on book 2 immediately. I really loved this one, however sometimes some of the First Beings seemed out of place of what was happening. I'm not sure why we needed the Nightmares or the Skinwalkers when the rest of the story was so gripping (were they First Beings? I'm actually not sure about that.). Maybe they will play a more important and necessary role in the coming books. There was enough of a romance in the book to keep it interesting, but it was in no way the main focus of the story. I really enjoyed the world that was created for this story, and that is saying something because I hate the desert. Seriously hate it. But reading this filled you with the mystique and romance of riding a flying carpet through the desert sky (yes, A Whole New World is now going through my head). As much as I would hate to have desert sand all over me - I don't even like having beach sand all over me - I could feel the love Amani had for her desert home. Well done, Alwyn Hamilton, I heartily recommend this one.

Areas of concern:
*There were upwards of about 20 combined swear words.
*A couple of pretty disturbing deaths.
*A very mild romance with a couple of kisses.

Suggested Ages:

Publisher's Weekly - Ages 12+

School Library Journal - Grades 8+

The Thief

The Thief
by Megan Whalen Turner

From the publisher:
"The king's scholar, the magus, believes he knows the site of an ancient treasure. To attain it for his king, he needs a skillful thief, and he selects Gen from the king's prison. The magus is interested only in the thief's abilities. 

What Gen is interested in is anyone's guess. Their journey toward the treasure is both dangerous and difficult, lightened only imperceptibly by the tales they tell of the old gods and goddesses."

I've been in a YA reading slump lately. It's been a long time since something has reached out and grabbed me enough to keep me reading until I finish. We have a winner! I really liked this book and found it interesting, exciting, surprising, and full of fun. It is with horror that I have realized I don't have the second book of the series in my library. I will be remedying that oversight. This isn't a series that gets checked out a lot, so I will need to start pointing it out to students I know will love it. 

Gen was an interesting main character. There were times when he was obnoxiously cocky, but somehow you still love him. The other characters were a slow burn, but you learn to love them as well. I'm still surprised by a couple of things that come out in the end. Did not see those coming.

The world-building was very cool. I felt like I was actually seeing the dystopia (glad the author explained that) and the river ebbing and flowing, not to mention trying to come down a mountain on loose shale. I found the different countries' governments a little confusing, but I think that will all be explained more fully in the rest of the series. 

I actually liked the stories of the gods. Sometimes those kind of things slow the book down for me, but I felt like it really set things up for the story and helped me understand things better. 

All in all, I really enjoyed this and highly recommend it.

Areas of concern:
*The religion in this book consists of several gods, and the term Oh Gods, or gods-damn it is used several times.
*Some violence - nothing graphic.

Suggested Ages:

Publisher's Weekly - Ages 10+

The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo)

The Hidden Oracle
by Rick Riordan

From the publisher:

"How do you punish an immortal?

By making him human.

After angering his father Zeus, the god Apollo is cast down from Olympus. Weak and disorientated, he lands in New York City as a regular teenage boy. Now, without his godly powers, the four-thousand-year-old deity must learn to survive in the modern world until he can somehow find a way to regain Zeus's favour.

But Apollo has many enemies—gods, monsters and mortals who would love to see the former Olympian permanently destroyed. Apollo needs help, and he can think of only one place to go... an enclave of modern demigods known as Camp Half-Blood."

I know this is a blasphemous statement to a lot of people, but I'm not a Rick Riordan fan. I read Percy Jackson and thought it was "meh", so I never read any more of his books. However, one of my students promised this one was amazing, so I tackled it. I ended up annoyed with the constant need to be cute and witty. It seemed way over the top. And it seems like the humor is aimed at the wrong audience. There are so many of the quips and one-liners that will go way over the heads of the target readers. Granted, I chuckled at some of them. "A penguin and a nun walk into a Shake Shack"...... come on, that's amusing. However, my middle school students would have no idea what that even means. 
It probably didn't help that I haven't read the entire Percy Jackson collection and didn't know or couldn't remember who most of the people were. 
I really didn't like Apollo, and when the main character annoys the heck out of you, it is hard to enjoy the book. I thought his constant talk of his past lovers (male and female) was totally inappropriate for this age group as well. 
So now that I have made the attempt twice, may I please be released from reading any more of this author? I will leave that to my students, who can't get enough or Rick Riordan no matter how prolific of a writer he is. Middle school students - enjoy! Adults - take a pass. No, wait, I know a lot of adults who love Rick Riordan, so if that is you - definitely read it.

Areas of concern:
*Above mentioned talk of Apollo's past lovers, both heterosexual and homosexual.
*Teenage love stories abound - both heterosexual and homosexual.

Suggested Ages:

Booklist - Grades 5-8
Kirkus Reviews - Ages 12-17

My Lady Jane

My Lady Jane
by Cynthia Hand, Brodi
Ashton and Jodi Meadows

From the publisher:
"The comical, fantastical, romantical, (not) entirely true story of Lady Jane Grey. In My Lady Jane, coauthors Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows have created a one-of-a-kind fantasy in the tradition of The Princess Bride, featuring a reluctant king, an even more reluctant queen, a noble steed, and only a passing resemblance to actual history—because sometimes history needs a little help.

At sixteen, Lady Jane Grey is about to be married off to a stranger and caught up in a conspiracy to rob her cousin, King Edward, of his throne. But those trifling problems aren’t for Jane to worry about. Jane is about to become the Queen of England."

I started this book over a month ago and I'm still only at 50%. I just can't take it anymore. Why did they make this about Lady Jane Grey and then completely change history? Why not just make new characters? The whole book is silly, but not in a good Princess Bride-y kind of way, just in a ridiculous way. I can't keep going with it when there are so many good books out there to read.
  *I have read several reviews from people who have loved this book, so the above review is just my opinion - please read it for yourself to make your own decision.

Areas of concern:
*A lot of talk about bedding, brothels, marriage bed..... nothing graphic, but mentioned a lot.

Suggested Ages:

Booklist - Grades 7-11

Publisher's Weekly - Ages 13+

Masterminds

Masterminds
by Gordon Korman

From the publisher:
"From bestselling author Gordon Korman comes a thrilling new middle grade trilogy about a group of kids living in a Pleasantville-type town who discover a dark secret that connects them to some of the greatest criminal masterminds of their time.

Eli Frieden lives in the most boring town in the world: Serenity, New Mexico. Only thirty kids live in the idyllic town, where every lawn is perfectly manicured and everyone has a pool and a basketball hoop. Honesty and kindness are the backbone of the community. There is no crime in this utopia.

Eli has never left town…. Why would he ever want to? But everything changes the day he and his friend Randy bike to the edge of the city limits. Eli is suddenly struck with a paralyzing headache and collapses. Almost instantly, a crew of security—or “Purple People Eaters,” as the kids call them—descend via helicopter. Eli awakens in the hospital, and the next day, Randy and his family are gone.

As Eli convinces his friends Tori and Malik to help him investigate Randy’s disappearance, it becomes clear that nothing is as it seems in Serenity. As the clues mount to reveal a shocking discovery, the kids realize they can trust no one—least of all their own parents. So they hatch a plan for what could be the greatest breakout in history—but will they survive? And if they do, where do they go from there?

This first book in a thrilling new series from the middle grade “mastermind” Gordon Korman is sure to be a hit with his myriad fans.. "

This is a very fun and exciting book. It is told from the different perspectives of five 13 year olds who live in the most perfect town in all of the land. They discover some terrible secrets about their perfect little town and their perfect lives that changes everything for them. It has a very gripping story line, and makes you want to grab the next book as quickly as you can the second you finish. The characters are all likable, but more than that they are interesting . Once you know their secret, it is fascinating to look at them in a different light. I can definitely see why my students love this one. I will be recommending it to everyone.

Areas of concern:
*Possible death of a main character.
*Parents and all adults end up being the enemy. (One of my pet peeves, however in this one it is very understandable and necessary.)\

Suggested Ages:

Booklist - Grades 5-8

Publisher's Weekly - Ages 8-12
*I think 8 and 9 are a little young for this one.  I would say at least 10 and up.*

Loki's Wolves

Loki's Wolves
by K.L. Armstrong

From the publisher:
"In Viking times, Norse myths predicted the end of the world, an event called Ragnarok, that only the gods can stop. When this apocalypse happens, the gods must battle the monsters--wolves the size of the sun, serpents that span the seabeds, all bent on destroying the world.

The gods died a long time ago.

Matt Thorsen knows every Norse myth, saga, and god as if it was family history--because it is family history. Most people in the modern-day town of Blackwell, South Dakota, in fact, are direct descendants of either Thor or Loki, including Matt's classmates Fen and Laurie Brekke.

However, knowing the legends and completely believing them are two different things. When the rune readers reveal that Ragnarok is coming and kids--led by Matt--will stand in for the gods in the final battle, he can hardly believe it. Matt, Laurie, and Fen's lives will never be the same as they race to put together an unstoppable team to prevent the end of the world."

This is one of those books where I have to set my feelings aside and try to think like a middle school boy. I didn't particularly enjoy it - but then I didn't like Percy Jackson, either. Percy Jackson is much better than this one, though. I didn't like the characters very much and the writing didn't impress me. And how do all of these children just strike off on their own without more repercussions?! However, I know several middle school age kids who love this series, and this is one I recommend for kids who ask me what they can read after Percy Jackson. There is plenty of action, Norse gods are very popular right now, it ends with a huge cliffhanger, and it moves at a fast pace. Win, win, win, win for middle schoolers. 

Areas of concern:
*Complete and total lack of parental concern.
*Scary situations
*Sudden death of a main character.

Suggested Ages:

Publisher's Weekly - Ages 8-12

School Library Journal - Grades 4-6

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+

Frostblood

Frostblood
by Elly Blake

From the publisher:
"Seventeen-year-old Ruby is a fireblood who must hide her powers of heat and flame from the cruel frostblood ruling class that wants to destroy all that are left of her kind. So when her mother is killed for protecting her and rebel frostbloods demand her help to kill their rampaging king, she agrees. But Ruby's powers are unpredictable, and she's not sure she's willing to let the rebels and an infuriating (yet irresistible) young man called Arcus use her as their weapon.

All she wants is revenge, but before they can take action, Ruby is captured and forced to take part in the king's tournaments that pit fireblood prisoners against frostblood champions. Now she has only one chance to destroy the maniacal ruler who has taken everything from her and from the icy young man she has come to love.

Fast-paced and compelling, Frostblood is the first in a page-turning new young adult three-book series about a world where flame and ice are mortal enemies—but together create a power that could change everything."

Well let's just say that I was reading 3 other books when I started this one, but this is the one I raced through and finished without even looking at the others. One of the things I love most about this book is the author's amazing world building. I could see everything in my mind - it was like watching a movie in my head. The language is beautiful, there is a kind of lilting flow to it like poetry or music. I really like the main character, Ruby. She is strong and weak, loving and hate-filled, determined and unsure. She is very human and flawed, which makes the reader very empathetic towards her. 
The powers were very cool! The mythology behind them all was very well-explained. Are there correlations that can be made between this book and books like Red Queen or Snow Like Ashes? Certainly. But that doesn't mean that all of those books aren't awesome. This story is uniquely its own and I really enjoyed it. I also really loved that although it is obvious there is much left to accomplish, there was a resolution to the main story line. It reminded me of Harry Potter. We had resolution at the end of the books, but we always knew Voldemort was still out there ready to pounce. The ending was incredibly intense but satisfying. I read an ARC (courtesy of Netgalley), the book doesn't actually come out until January 17th, 2017, but I will definitely be buying it for my middle school library. I'm extremely interested, and worried, to see what comes next for this protagonist. 

Areas of concern:
*Maybe 2 uses of the d-word.
*A lot of violence - some of it pretty grisly. The main character is fighting for her life and her very soul.
*There is talk of her passion making her power stronger, and there is an instance where she loses herself and does some things she regrets.

Suggested Ages: 

None available from publishers at this time.  I will be buying it for my school.  

Connect the Stars

Connect the Stars
by Marisa de los Santos

From the publisher:
"From Saving Lucas Biggs authors Marisa de los Santos and David Teague comes another heartwarming middle grade adventure about two misfits who discover the importance of just being themselves.

When thirteen-year-olds Aaron and Audrey meet at a wilderness camp in the desert, they think their quirks are enough to prevent them from ever having friends. But as they trek through the challenging and unforgiving landscape, they learn that they each have what it takes to make the other whole. 

Luminous and clever, Connect the Stars has Marisa de los Santos and David Teague’s trademark beautiful prose, delicate humor, swooping emotions, and keen middle grade friendships. This novel takes on the hefty topics of the day—bullying, understanding where you fit in, and learning to live with physical and mental challenges—all in a joyous adventure kids will love!"

This was an enjoyable book about some misfit teenagers whose parents think that sending them to a wilderness camp will help them with all of their various problems.  The thing that stuck with me the most about this book is that these wilderness camps need to be vetted by parents a lot better than the parents in this book did.  Not that I'm against these kinds of camps, but only one adult out in a wilderness area outside of range of communication with a bunch of teenagers?   I don't think so.  However, that isn't the point of the book.  The point of the book is that these kids all had issues and were sent to the wilderness to try to work through them.  They all have life-changing experiences and all end up better and stronger because of those experiences.   I loved the friendships that formed.  The characters were very diverse and interesting.  There was action and suspense, and fun and laughter.  The core group of Audrey, Aaron, Kate and Louis was very strong and I liked them all.  I have a member of my family who is a combination of Louis and Aaron, so it was interesting to read about their difficulties and think of my close relative and his struggles.  It's always nice to feel a connection like that to a book.  I think middle schoolers will really like this one.  I know the students at my school who have read it really recommend it to their peers.

Areas of concern:

*All of the campers have different issues, so there are things talked about like a grandparent's death, parental abandonment, foster homes.....  Nothing too graphic for a middle schooler.

*There is some massive bullying going on - a lot of it coming from an adult directed towards kids.

*I don't remember any bad language, and there were no sexual situations.

Suggested Ages:

Booklist - Grades 4-7

Kirkus Reviews - Ages 8-12
*Mrs. Duke thinks those ages are a little on the young side because there are some serious issues discussed and dealt with.  I wouldn't suggest it for elementary age, but definitely for middle school.

Powerless

Powerless
by Tera Lynn Childs

From the publisher:
"Kenna is tired of being "normal". The only thing special about her is that she isn't special at all. Which is frustrating in a world of absolutes. Villains, like the one who killed her father, are bad. Heroes, like her mother and best friend, are good. And Kenna, unlike everyone else around her, is completely ordinary— which she hates.

She’s secretly working on an experiment that will land her a place among the Heroes, but when a Villain saves her life during a break-in at her lab, Kenna discovers there’s a whole lot of gray area when it comes to good and evil and who she can trust.. After all…not all strength comes from superpowers."

While I enjoyed the plot and characters in this book, I was very surprised and disappointed by all of the bad language in it. I have 3 different series by this author in our library and they are all really clean reads (as far as I know). When I was researching this book, I saw that Booklist had recommended it for grades 9-12 and I thought that was weird because it was Tera Lynn Childs, for heaven's sake! So I ignored Booklist and went with the other reviewers recommended ages (listed below). I'm still glad I got it for our library, but I won't recommend it as much as I would have without all the language. 

Setting the language aside, this book was an exciting ride! It started out with a bang and just kept going. I liked that the main character was "powerless" in a superhero world, but still spunky and able to take care of herself. The secondary characters were exciting and likable. I loved the superhero/villain plot. I know it has been done many times now, but it is still fun. It's actually hard to review this without giving too many things away, but I enjoyed a lot of things about it and it definitely kept my interest from the first page. It checked off several of my YA lit pet peeve boxes, but somehow I still liked it. (Predictability, insta-love, teenagers good - all adults bad...) There is quite a bit of humor in this book. I love the descriptions of Riley, the best friend's brother. He is portrayed as a blonde nitwit with a Superman complex. His superpower is flying and he wears a cape everywhere - but he swears it's just a coat. I could picture him so clearly with his perfectly coiffed hair and his ridiculously straight posture. Kind of a Dudley Do Right with a cape instead of a Mountie hat. It is nice to have that comic relief in it as there are some seriously villainous activities going on throughout. When you finish the book, you should go back and read the preface over again. It will make much more sense. As per usual with YA lit these days, it leaves you with a big cliff-hanger. Let's hope there is no middle-book slump with the next one. 

Areas of concern:
*At least 70 uses of cuss words - the most prevalent being the *s* word used around 30 times. The *f* word is only used in an acronym. There are also a few vulgar British-isms.
*There is a fair amount of violence with a scene of disturbing torture - but it wasn't very graphic.
*A couple instances of pretty intense kissing. 

Suggested Ages:
Booklist - Grades 9-12
Kirkus Reviews - Ages 12-15
School Library Journal - Grades 7-10

Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25

The Prisoner of Cell 25
by Richard Paul Evans

From the publisher:
"My name is Michael Vey, and the story I’m about to tell you is strange. Very strange. It’s my story.

To everyone at Meridian High School, Michael Vey is an ordinary fourteen-year-old. In fact, the only thing that seems to set him apart is the fact that he has Tourette’s syndrome. But Michael is anything but ordinary. Michael has special powers. Electric powers.

Michael thinks he's unique until he discovers that a cheerleader named Taylor also has special powers. With the help of Michael’s friend, Ostin, the three of them set out to discover how Michael and Taylor ended up this way, but their investigation brings them to the attention of a powerful group who wants to control the electric children – and through them the world. Michael will have to rely on his wits, powers, and friends if he’s to survive. "

I have many students who absolutely LOVE this series, and when the new one came out this year they literally shrieked with joy when it came into the library. I enjoyed it and it kept my interest, but I definitely didn't love it. There were some things that bothered me that wouldn't bother the targeted age group (see "Areas of Concern" below). Sensitive readers should wait to read this one. But it was a riveting, fun story and I loved that it was a clean read. Boys and girls both will enjoy this series.

Areas of concern:
*Tons of violence - torture, murder, kidnappings... (Nothing was graphic, it was just talked about.)

Suggested Ages:

Publisher's Weekly - Ages 12+

School Library Journal - Grades 5-9