Middle Grade Review: The Secret Bookstore Sleuth Society

 

Merrick is now homeschooled. Her grandmother had to move in with her and her mother after the medical bills became too high. There wasn't enough money left over for Merrick's private school. Now she facetimes with her friends but misses them. She never thought she's miss wearing a uniform and going to school, but she does. Her school is in the staff area of her mother's bookstore.

One afternoon, an ice storm hits. The weather turns bad quickly. There's a fender bender between Merrick's Grandmother and her friends. Everyone hurries into the bookstore where they discover a man with his face in a cake - dead. 

The bookstore is connected to an Inn - which gives everyone a place to stay to weather out the storm. But it also means that Merrick and her friends are stuck with a killer on the loose - or so they think. They decide to form a club and sus out the murderer. Merrick's Grandmother overhears them and becomes part of the club. Can they solve the death?

My Thoughts: I'm so happy that this is the start of a new series. I loved this book. I really enjoyed the moments between Merrick and her grandmother. They were sweet.  I loved the group of friends. They all have their strengths and quirks. I loved how the club formed. I loved that they had a notebook for all their clues and would update it. I loved the methodical way they investigated and how different detectives were mentioned along the way. I enjoyed the setting of the inn and the different themed rooms. I loved how this took place in 24 hours because of the storm. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: A must have mystery for your school and public library collections

Hand this to readers who love The Sherlock Society

Middle Grade Monday: The Curse Breaker

 

* Book 2 in the Isle of Ever trilogy*

Benny did manage to find the island - but the game isn't over. Evelyn shares there is much more to the game and it's more dangerous than ever. Benny has two weeks to break the curse or she will lose everything - her new house, her mom's job, and her new friends.

Can Benny and her friend manage to uncover the clues in time? Even with people working against them? Benny's struggling to put the pieces together, but she's not giving up.

My Thoughts: I read this book in one day because I didn't want it to end. I loved being back with Benny and her friends. I loved watching her put the pieces to the clues together and uncover the history of the past in order to save the future. This is such a clever story - filled of twists and turns, secrets, and danger. I can't wait for the last book to see how everything turns out! 

Cover Thoughts: Very similar to the first book, making it great

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: a must have trilogy for your middle grade school or public library collection

Middle Grade Review: Secrets and Scones

 

Scarlett has had a rough time of it lately; she's dropped her friends and all her clubs at school due to her mother's blog. Her mom writes a parenting blog that shares intimate details of Scarlett's life. 

Scarlett stumbles across a secret. Her neighbor was taken away in an ambulance. When Scarlett walks by her house, she hears the cat crying. Scarlett discovers a house key and lets herself into the house. As she's feeding the cat, she discovers an amazing kitchen. There's a cookbook on the counter and when it opens to a page, her mouth waters.

Even though she has no prior experience, she decides to bake cinnamon scones. She's desperate to keep her mom from discovering her secret, but the new girl at school catches her. Scarlett swears her to secrecy. The Secret Cooking Club is formed. 

My Thoughts: I felt horrible for Scarlett - being the brunt of her mother's blog. They didn't have the best relationship, but I do like how it grew in this book. I like watching the friendship moments happen and then strengthen. I loved the baking moments. I really enjoyed the baking lessons between Mrs. Simpson and the club. And I confess, I liked the blogging moments and how Scarlett learns to blog. This ended really well and I'm eager to read the second book.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: my Library

Why I read it: I love books about baking

Library Recommendation: A good choice for your middle grade collection for school and public libraries 

Middle Grade Review: House with No Keys

* Book 2 in the Delta Games series *

Sarah and her two best friends are excited to test out the new escape room; it's supposed to be very hard. It's challenging, but they do beat it - barely. They leave a good review and that's when everything goes sideways.

The creator of the room is opening an Escape Room in their town. It's going to compete with the escape room they work at. And worse, they are using the Delta's positive review as advertising. The three friends are dumbfounded. They are invited to play the first game. 

Can they escape the house on time? Will they sort out this misunderstanding?

My Thoughts: I loved this book - it develops the friendship and relationships. The games are clever and entertaining to read. I wanted to wrap these three in a hug; they were so naive. No one should be taking advantage of them like this. I did enjoy how everything worked out. While I've never been to an escape room, this book makes them see so fun (and challenging). I can't wait to see what happens next! 

Cover Thoughts: Clever

Why I Read this Book: I loved the first book

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have series for your public and school library's collection

Middle Grade Review: Isle of Ever

 

Days after her twelfth birthday, Everly "Benny" Benedict learns she's the heir to a fortune! But to collect the inheritance, she first has to play—and win—a game. Following clues that her ancestor left, Benny must locate a small island that vanished long ago, according to legend.

She has only two weeks to play the game and find the island. If she's successful, she'll break a two-hundred-year-old curse. If she fails, the fortune will be forfeited. And if she's not careful, she'll cross paths with someone else who is after the island's secrets, and who will stop at nothing to get them. Because, as it turns out, there's far more than a fortune at stake. - summary from publisher

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. I loved how one letter changed Benny's life. I love how she experienced a new world - one with everything at her fingertips. I enjoyed watching her make friends and trying to figure out the clues. I loved exploring the town with them. I enjoyed the two timelines and the magic of everything. And that ending! I can't wait for book two to find out what happens next. 

Why I Read It: The Author but also puzzle books

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your school and public library

Hand this book: to readers who like puzzles

** this is a middle grade book that reminds me of Jennifer Lynn Barnes' Inheritance Games

Middle Grade Monday: Mystery of the Locked Rooms

Sarah and her two best friends love escape rooms. When Sarah spots a foreclosure notice on her front door, she knows everything will change. Her father has a chronic health condition and her mother's working as much as she can, but it's not enough.

West, Hannah, and Sarah remember hearing about a treasure in an old, abandoned funhouse. They decide to risk the danger and see if the treasure is real. It could be the answer to Sarah's problems. She really doesn't want to have to move and lose her friends.

Together, they find the hidden passageway inside. The first room leads them to another room in such a way that there's no way backwards. They can only move forwards. Their phones don't work and the rooms don't have much light. Can the three friends who love escape room find their way through the funhouse?  

My Thoughts: This was a super run read: lots of puzzles to figure out. I've never been to an escape room, although I've helped build a couple for my library. Reading about these rooms was really neat. I'm impressed with how Sarah, West, and Hannah did. I loved how they worked together to solve the puzzles. I love how they used their strengths and how they dealt with their weaknesses. I liked the story of the triplets and how they came together to create the funhouse. The book takes place mostly in one day. I loved all the action and the danger from the funhouse rooms. 

And even better, there's a sequel! I can't wait to see what happens next. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect

 Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have middle grade book for your school and public library collection

Review: Wished

* Book 5 in the Fairy Tale Reform School Series *

Gilly and her friends are prepping for the next attack from Rumpelstiltskin. In fact, that's all anyone at school can talk about. Maxine's sick of it; she wants people to be happy.

In fact, when she discovers a genie's lamp, that's exactly her first wish. Suddenly everyone's happy fun and no one is worried, except Gilly. Now everything's out of control. Everyone's worried about putting on a musical and no one is worried about the school's defense.

Maxine knows that it's too much, but she's so tired of everyone being miserable all the time that she refuses to break the spell. Can Gilly convince her before it's too late?

My Thoughts: Another fun book in this series. I enjoyed the genie plot - and how wishes never quite turn out the way people expect. It's fun seeing my favorite characters again. I loved that Gilly didn't let others talk her out of her career choice simply because of her past - and that she had a chance to experience the job herself. I'm intrigued about her family history. I can't wait to see where this story goes next!

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: My library
Library Recommendation: High recommend this series for your school and public libraries.

Graphic Novel Review: Illegal

Ebo's brother disappeared - trying to make it to Europe without him. But Ebo isn't about to let him make the journey alone. He sets out after his brother. Luckily, he finds him. They travel together through perilous moments and dangers. They hope to make it to their family already in Europe. But nothing goes as planned. Will they lose everything, including their hope?

My Thoughts: A wonderful, powerful moving story that's necessary in today's world to talk about compassion and empathy. I felt terrible for the brothers as they made their way across countries hoping for a better life. I couldn't put this book down. This story tugged at my heartstrings. It's a perfect book for anyone not understanding illegal immigration. 

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: BEA Arc 2018
Library Recommendation: A must have graphic novel for school and public libraries.