Race to the Bottom of the Sea by Lindsay Eagar

Fidelia Quail is totally happy living with her marine biologist parents.  Even though she is only 11, she does her own field studies and even invents new technology to help with the work.  Then one day her parents are down in a submarine Fidelia designed when a terrible storm hits.  Fidelia feels that their deaths are partially her own fault, but she doesn't have much time to mourn.  Just months after their deaths, she is captured by some pirates who want her to use her inventions to get a treasure that has fallen to the bottom of a bay.  At first Fidelia is terrified, but after a while she begins to see her captors are more than ruthless pirates.

This was a remarkably original and emotionally complicated story.  It reminded me a little of Holes by Louis Sachar.  There are two stories going on in the narrative.  One is Fidelia's story and one is a story that began years before about the pirate and his one true love that he lost and desperately wants to find again.  Eagar fleshes out all the characters and shows how heroes can be villains, and villains can be heroic.  Readers should beware that there is some Biblical swearing in this one, as well as pirate violence and plenty of fish guts.  If anyone is a "Pirates of the Caribbean" fan, or just want a swashbuckling adventure, this one is definitely a good choice. (423p. 2018)

Belinda the Unbeatable by Lee Nordling

Belinda and her friends/class are having a game of musical chairs.  As the music starts they are transported into a surreal realm of windy paths, and gigantic musical notes.  Some of the students are ruthless in the quest to get a chair when the music stops, but Belinda remains kind to the end.

This is an odd little wordless book that blurs the boundaries between picture books and graphic novels.  The format is that of a graphic novel, but the content and length is more like a picture book.  The illustrations are a bit funky, too, but the message is clear and sweet; it is better to be a friend than a victor.  (32 p.  2017)

The Apprentice Witch by James Nicol

Arianwyn is the daughter and grand-daughter of witches.  Instead of going to a witch school, she is tutored by her grandmother who is on the witch council.  When it comes time for her evaluation to become a full fledged witch, she is sad and disappointed when something goes wrong and she is the only candidate that doesn't pass.  Retaining her status as an apprentice witch, she is sent to a small town that has been without any witch for 40 years. She bumbles her way through the first few months, and gradually begins to gain the confidence of the residents.  When her rival arrives in town and unleashes a creature of immense dark power, Arianwyn must conquer the darkness within before she can hope to save her new home and friends.

This is a decent middle grade fantasy.  It isn't going to win any awards, but I know plenty of 4th and 5th graders who would enjoy it.  After reading so many "acclaimed" books, I was pleased to find it was refreshingly devoid of any controversial issues, like same gender attraction, or racial tension.  It is just an entertaining adventure that is just a little bit sappy.  (A little sap never hurt anyone.) The ending could lead to a second novel or stand alone so it will be interesting to see if there is a sequel. (318 p.  It was published in UK in 2016, and in the US in 2017)

The Curse of the Harvester by Greg Grunberg

This is the second in the Dream Jumper series.  In this one Ben and Jake have started a successful dream jumper business.  Jake gets the clients and monitors Ben while he helps people turn their nightmares into good dreams.There is still evil brewing at the sleep center, and Jake is almost captured by it until an unexpected helper from the waking world joins in the battle against dream darkness.

This is a fresh riff on the kid superhero theme.  Like all superheroes, Jake has a double life, as a regular kid when he is awake, and a superhero while he is asleep. The characters are, if not deep, at least likeable, the action is fast paced, and the illustrations do a great job of moving the story along. This is a good choice for kids who liked the Amulet series. (2017, 216 p)

Ahimsa by Supriya Kelkar

I like the cover, though.

Anjali lives as a Brahman in a smallish town in India during the time of Gandhi.  Her father is a professor and her mother works as a translator for the top British official in her town.  One day her mother realizes she can no longer support the injustices she sees in her employer's service and instead joins the resistance movement. At first Anjali is reluctant to join her mother in wearing only homespun cloth and serving the "untouchables" but soon she comes to adopt the principals of Ahimsa (non-violence) and the brotherhood of all people.

This was an interesting story and the parallels between the desegregation of the castes is very similar to the racial desegregation that took place in the US.  I think that is why this book received starred reviews.  It was not because of the writing which was clunky and often awkward.  I often thought as I was reading, "wow Kelkar writes fiction about like I do"  (not a compliment).  Don't get me wrong, it was OK and a totally readable book.  It just wasn't even in the same league with something like Stars Beneath our Feet or Clayton Byrde Goes Underground.  If you are looking for books about this time period, Small Acts of Amazing Courage by Gloria Whelan is probably better choice. (2017, 307 p)

Forever or a Long Time by Caela Carter

Flora and Julian have been adopted now, but they still suffer trauma from a long history in foster care.  Flora has a hard time expressing herself and sometimes her words won't come out at all.  Julian hides food in his bedroom because of times in the past when he didn't get enough food.  Their adopted mom, Emily, continually reassures them that their family is forever now, but Flora and Julian finally have to explore their past before they can begin to hope for a happy future in a permanent home.

This is a heart wrenching look at foster care and the scars it can leave on the children caught in the system.  Some of Flora and Julian's foster parents were loving, but others were overworked and detached.  Carter doesn't sugar coat the fact that it may take years, or even a life time, to deal fully with the trauma of the past, but she leaves the reader with hope that things will get better.  (2017, 309 p)

Recess Warrior: Hero is a Four Letter Word by Marcus Emerson

Scrap, AKA Bryce, is the playground superhero.  His best friend, Yoshi, is the toughest girl in school.  Together they face down cootie ridden zombies and crazed female pirates.  This is an amazingly clever comic book about the imaginary life on a school playground.  Of course, in the story it isn't imaginary and it is all dead serious, which, of course, makes it all the more funny.  Emerson has the classic stereotypes, the girl that is always trying to kiss everyone, the boy who acts like a cowboy, the kid who talks like a TV narrator, the science nerd kid. There is a lot of talk about bases, and territories, and getting cooties. I am always impressed when adult authors and tap into their younger selves and capture what it is like to be a 4th grader again.  I honestly chuckled all the way through this one. It reminded me of those old "Recess" cartoons my kids used to watch 20 years ago.  (2017, 133 p.)

Amina's Voice by Hena Kahn

Amina is a Pakistani American girl whose best friend is a Korean immigrant girl named Soojin.  When Soojin reaches out to Emily, who used to tease Amina when she was younger, Amina feels betrayed and wonders if she is losing her best friend to the "popular" crowd.  She gets more concerned when Soojin decides to change her name to Susan when she goes through her upcoming ceremony to become a US citizen. Amina wonders if she should just hang out with her own kind, the other kids at the Muslim community center, but is only sticking with her own kind the real way to happiness?

This was a sweet and timely realistic fiction that gave me new incite into the daily life of Muslim Americans.  It is a very positive book that shows Amina relying on her faith, and diverse religious communities coming together to help each other.  I love books about good kids trying to do what is right.This one might be a good choice for a future Mother/Daughter book club. (2017, 197 p.)

The Magical Misfits by Neil Patrick Harris

When Carter is orphaned, he is sent to live with his uncle who is a trickster and con man.  Carter learns some basic slight of hand tricks from his uncle, but refuses to become a thief.  He runs away and comes to a small town.  There he discovers a carnival, as crooked as his uncle, and a magic shop that is home to a bunch of misfit kids just like him.  He is surprised when the kids want to be his friends, and together they decide to save the town from the cheating carnival master.

This is a lighthearted and simple middle grade novel that was a bit refreshing after all the heavy "critically acclaimed" novels I have been reading.  This one didn't get any starred reviews, but I can think of a bunch of kids who would enjoy it.  Between chapters the author teaches the read a few basic magic tricks.  The book ends with the promise of more adventures to come for our clever little band. (253 p. 2017)

Over the Garden Wall by Pat MacHale

This is an odd little graphic novel that says it is based on a Cartoon Network mini-series.  Since I haven't seen the mini-series, it actually made very little sense to me.  That said, the illustrations were interesting and I think if I had known what was going on, I might have enjoyed it.  It will be interesting to see how well it circulates. 

Oh, I just realized something.  The one I read, (though marked with a #1 on the spine) is actually the second in the series.  So not only had I not seen the TV series, I haven't read the first book.  No wonder it didn't make sense. 

Ha ha, the joke's on me.  I thought I put it on hold because it was on my starred review list, but actually I just needed to change the call number on the spine.  Classic librarian fail.

Posted by John David Anderson

Frost, Wolf, Bench, and DeeDee (nicknames) have been a foursome since the beginning of middle school.  They are not part of the "in" crowd, but at least they have each other to sit with at lunch and play dungeons and dragons every Friday night. Then a new girl moves in to school.  She is big and dresses like an army commando but Wolf seems to instantly have a connection with her.  At the same time the school bans cell phones, and the kids start to communicate with each other by leaving sticky notes on lockers and desks.  Some of the messages on the notes are positive or playful, but some are hurtful. All this shakes the foursome and starts to cause cracks in their friendship.  Frost, (the point of view character) just wants things to go back to how they were, but begins to realize that things may never be the same again.

I started this book not expecting to like it, but in the end I did enjoy it pretty much.  I was afraid that it would deal with some really cruel bullying (which is always hard for me to read) but Anderson keeps it toned down. The thing that is engaging about the book is that the author has amazing incite into the workings of a adolescent boy's mind. I don't know if any boy would really be as self aware at 13 as Frost is, but his observations about why the four (and later five) teens did the crazy things they did, were brilliant. I laughed out loud several times.  I kept thinking, "oh my gosh, I totally know kids that would have done that." I don't think this one will win the Newbery, but I will be recommending it to kids that are ready to move on from Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Whichwood by Tahereh Mafi

Here is the second in the series that began with Furthermore.  In this one Alice has undergone her second Surrender and has received her assignment to help a young magical undertaker in a land called Whichwood.  Oliver volunteers to accompany Alice, but when they finally meet the girl, Laylee, they find her prickly and not at all eager to become their friend.  Alice is discouraged, and feels like she has failed, but when she tries again, she finds that she really can make a difference in Laylee's life, and save the whole town in the process. 

Like the first one, this book is wildly imaginative.  There is a little of the "undead" and "zombie" theme going on here as well, which may appeal to some audiences.  This is on my starred review list, but I must admit that this style of fantasy is not really my cup of tea.  It is so far out there. The characters are sympathetic, the story is Ok, but it is just a bit too bizarre for me. (2017, 360 p.)

Auma's Long Run by Eucabeth Odhiambo

Auma lives in a small town in Kenya.  Her father works in Nairobi, and only comes home occasionally, but makes enough money there that she and her siblings can attend school.  One time when her father comes home, he is acting ill.  When his sickness doesn't go away, Auma begins to fear that it is the same "new" sickness, they call slim, that has taken so many lives in her small village.

This is a really interesting look at the toll that HIV has taken in Kenya and other areas of Africa.  After reading the book, I looked up statistics, and the numbers are staggering.  In Kenya, 1/3 of all prostitutes has AIDS, so if a man visits one, it is worse than Russian Roulette.  Then he goes home, and gives it to his wife.  As a result, both parents die and orphans are left to fend for themselves.  The book also talks about how young girls, as soon as they reach puberty, are sexual targets because of a false belief that a man can cure AIDS by sleeping with a virgin. 

This all sounds terribly depressing, and it is, but the author (who grew up in Kenya) manages to make the story palatable and hopeful because Auma has a possible way out.  Still, parents should probably read this book first before offering it to anyone younger than 13, or even a older child who is very sensitive. (2017, 298 p)

Train I Ride by Paul Moser

The story starts as Rydr boards a train that will carry her across the country to live with relations she has never met.  As a minor traveling alone, she is assigned a attendant, Dorothea to keep an eye on her while she makes the long journey.  At first Rydr (the readers isn't even sure that is her real name) sticks to herself, but eventually an empty stomach (she didn't have any money to buy food) and the long lonely miles compel her to interact with the other passengers and staff.  As she does the reader comes to know her back story and the unfortunate events that have lead to the journey. She starts to hang out with a bunch of scouts, and one in particular becomes a closer friend.  Soon friendships with other passengers and staff bloom until, when the end of the trip arrives, she feels like she has become a part of a loving family.

This is a different and refreshing approach to the "social issues" trope.  Rydr has a boat load (or I guess a train load) of issues, as do others on the train, but their forced physical proximity makes them come together and help each other cope.  Rydr is a quirky and likeable character and her relationship with Dorothea, Neal the concessions guy, and the scouts are both complex and satisfying.  I think this one has a shot at the Newbery. (192 p. 2017)

The Assasin's Curse by Kevin Sands

This is the third in the Blackthorn Key series.  In this one Christopher and Tom are called to meet the King of England who wishes to thank them for their service stopping the plague doctor (in the previous book).  While they are at the palace, an attempt is made on the life of the king and his sister, the lady Minette.  The king enlists Christopher, Tom and Sally to accompany Lady Minette back to her home in France and try to discover and stop the assassins. In there search they discover a plot related to the old legends of the Knights Templar treasure.

I really like this series.  The first one was a little too violent, but the later ones were better and I really enjoy the characters and setting of this medieval mystery series. Sand's description of the Cemetery of the Holy Innocents was so bizarre that I had to look it up. His descriptions are correct; it really was one great stinking open mass grave. I have come to trust Sand's historical detail. This book ends with the door wide open for more, so huzzah! (532 p. 2017)

Super Narwal and Jelly Jolt by Ben Clanton

Narwhal has decided that he is a super hero and invites Jelly to be his sidekick.  He has his cape and his cool super hero name, but he can't figure out what his super power is.  As Narwhal and Jelly go out to discover Narwhal's super power, they meet friends along the way and soon it becomes clear what Narwhal's super power is.

You can find graphic novels written for all age levels.  This one is very appropriate for a kindergartner, or even younger. The illustrations are darling and the story is sweet and simple.  This is a sequel to Narwhal, Unicorn of the Sea and I hope that there are more adventures of these two ocean friends to come.(2017, 64 p.)