Mini Review: Operation Chaos

 

X-Men meets Spy Kids in the fifth installment of The Forgotten Five middle-grade fantasy/adventure series by the New York Times bestselling author of The Unwanteds.

The Forgotten Five and their friends are reeling in the aftermath of the raid on Magdalia Palacio's campaign rally—an attack masterminded by her corrupt opponent President Fuerte and his henchmen. Birdie is in the hospital with a head injury, and under arrest for stealing a police horse in her attempt to evade capture. Separated from her friends—and not even allowed to see her mother—how can Birdie escape when she is utterly alone? Then the Librarian is taken captive in the heavily guarded palace dungeon after Fuerte discovers she's been acting as a double agent. What will they do without their trusted mentor? Luckily, the five have been honing their supernatural abilities, and it's Brix who takes the lead, forging an unlikely alliance and putting together a plan. Does the group have what it takes to rescue their friends and even the odds in the president's all-out war against Estero's supernaturals? 

- summary from the publisher

My Thoughts: I don't want to go into too many details and give away something from the series.

But...

Obviously, there is a lot of action and danger here

Rescue missions

Talking animals

Trust Issues

I can't wait to read the next installment. This is a such a fun series.

Source: My Library

Cover Thoughts: Love it - it's action packed

Library Recommendation: A must have series for school and public library.

Review: Rebel Undercover

 

* Book 3 in the Forgotten Five series * 

The rebel supers are beginning to understand just exactly what they are up against when one of their own goes undercover in the President's house. It's not looking good and they're beginning to lose heart.

They aren't prepared for a fight this big. Doubts creep in. Tensions run high. And people are beginning to wonder who to trust...

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this third installment of the series. Lots of action, danger, and plot twists and turns here. Lots of moments of doubt. Lots of secrets. And a very surprising ending. I can't wait to see what happens next. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have middle grade series for your school and public library. 

Review: Power of Flight

 

On a camp field trip, you tag along with your partner into an off-limits area. A bird scratches you and the next day you wake up with the power to fly.

You choose the path your take - will you be a hero or a villain or will you die?

My Thoughts: This reminded me of the Choose Your Own Adventure novels I read a lot as a kid. I liked the illustrations and how they added to the story. In the first time through the story, I came really close to a happy ending but I chose poorly on the last choice and died. But the choice was saving a dog, so...

This is a fun story to read together with a friend or sibling and see what choices you would make together. Because of the multiple storylines, you can read this book over and over until you choose the path that you like best. 

Cover Thoughts: I like the divide

Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: This is a great one for your school or public library collection.

Graphic Novel Review: Gotham High

Before they became Batman, Catwoman, and the Jokey, they were Bruce, Selina, and Jack. Just a couple of high school students who would do whatever it took to get the job done.

After being kicked out of boarding school of fighting, Bruce Wayne returns home. Everything has changed, except the fact that he's still haunted by his parents' murder. 

Selina, the girl next door, rules the school. But she has troubles of her own that she's not sharing. 

Her best friend is Jack, the class clown. Both of them can't wait to get out of Gotham.

Jack invites Bruce to a party where things start going downhill. When a student's kidnapped, Bruce's curiosity gets the better of him. But the more he digs, the more he uncovers truths he wish he left buried...

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this graphic novel from Melissa de la Cruz. I've always enjoyed her books, so I was happy to see her expand into graphic novels. I liked seeing the three main characters as teens. I like that each teens has his/her/their own issues and problems. I enjoyed the kidnapping plot, the secrets, the double crossing and betrayals, and the love triangle. I loved the art. Once again, I'm hoping that this the start of a new series.

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: Book sent for review
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your teen graphic novel collection.

Book Trailer:

On Your Radar: Black Canary (27)

Title: Black Canary: Ignite

Author: Meg Cabot

Publisher: DC Zoom

Release Date: October 29, 2019

Why It Should Be On Your Radar:

* Meg Cabot

* Danger

* Super Powers

* Trouble follows Dinah

* Middle Grade Graphic Novel

* Rock Band

* School Drama

* Secrets 

* Saving the World

* Junior Police Academy 

** ARC signed at BEA

Graphic Novel Review: Under the Moon

From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Myracle (ttyl) and artist Isaac Goodhart, comes a poignant coming of age graphic novel about a troubled teen who leaves her turbulent home life behind for a new start on the dangerous streets of Gotham City. A powerful story about domestic abuse, survival and self-discovery, Under the Moon: A Catwoman Tale is an important read.

Selina Kyle is fiercer than she knows. But when her mom’s current boyfriend, proves crueler than all the others combined, Selina reevaluates her dismal life and since Dernell won’ leave, Selina must.

Life on the streets is rougher than Selina expects – until by chance (or fate?), she falls in with a heist-happy gang of street kids like herself. What Selena doesn’t see coming is how appealing life in a pack can be, and how tempting it is to accept the comfort that comes from trusting others. But trust leads to vulnerability, and vulnerability leads to weakness – and Selina Kyle refuses to be weak. Selina soon learns that figuring out how to survive is simple compared to figuring out how to be. - Summary from the publisher. My Thoughts: My heart aches for Selina and all that went through - from her mom's crappy boyfriend, to the death of her cat to living on the streets. The world can be cruel and life can deal crappy hands. But I like that Selina took herself out of a terrible situation. I enjoyed her learn Parkour. I'm glad that she found herself a family. I liked Bruce Wayne. I loved her moments with Rosie and how they interacted. I like how Selina came into her own. The art work is great and the colors intensify the story. I really enjoyed this book - I hope this story continues! Cover Thoughts: Awesome Source: Book sent for Review Library Recommendation: A great graphic for public library

Picture Book Review: Super Manny Stands Up

What's Manny going to do when someone is mean at lunch?

Will he have the courage to say something?

A really important book with a great message about being brave and determined. Bullies won't stand a chance. Plus everyone can be both a sidekick and a hero. I loved the part about the invisible cape. 

Perfect for school and public libraries.

Middle Grade Review: Katana at Super Hero High

Katana different from her classmates; she follows the traditions of ninjas - just like her Grandmother. She still doesn't know what happened to her Grandmother, all she knows is that she went out ones day and never returned. Katana misses her more than anything. Luckily, a school project helps her gather answers from her parents.

Katana finds herself in position of guarding 100 ancient samurai swords. She's not sure why the swords are in possession or what she's supposed to do with them. She's hoping to uncover the truth about their past as well with the help from her friends.

What Katana and her friends don't know is an evil force is after the swords. Katana and her friends must protect the swords at all cost. Can the superheroes in training save the day yet again?

My Thoughts: Another fun book in this series. I love how the students work together to solve problems and how they support and defend each other. I loved learning about the connection between Katanna and her grandmother. I loved that her grandmother was fearless and was a samurai. I really liked reading about Katana training the other students. Looking forward to more from Super Hero High!

Cover Thoughts: Cute - I love the sword
Source: Book sent for review
Next Up: I really thought it was going to be Miss Martian, but it's Harley Quinn
Library Recommendation: Grab this series for Elementary/Middle Schools and all public libraries.

Review: Wonder Woman

Princess Diana feels like an outsider. She finally has a chance to prove herself, but she spies someone in trouble. Giving up her chance, she rescues the human. Bringing her onto the island causes her people pain. When she realizes what she's done, Diana learn what she must do to reverse her mistake.

Diana and Alia get off the island, but instead of ending up in Greece, the pair end up in New York. For Diana, who's never been outside of her island, the world is very different.

They have a limited time to get to Greece, but Alia isn't convinced of the plan. Until, more people start coming after her and attacking them.

Diana does everything in power to keep Alia safe, but if they don't get to Greece in time, the world could crumble with wars.

My Thoughts: I LOVED this one - for the action, the danger, the loyalty, the awesome female characters kicking butt and taking names. (Let's be honest -mostly for that last part.) I really liked the friendship between Diana and Alia - and the promise they made to each other. I liked the group of friends who traveled with them - and the banter between them.I really loved Nim - and her sense of fashion. I liked the bloodline idea - it reminded me a little bit of the Da Vinci Code. Beside Diana - the rest of the characters are not white. And of course my heart hurt at the one scene, but it eased by the ending. I desperately hope to see these characters again!

Cover Thoughts: Love
Source: My Library
Librarian Recommendation: A must have for school and public libraries! Don't miss this one.

Blog Tour: Renegades

About the Book: The first in a two book set.

Secret Identities. Extraordinary Powers. She wants vengeance. He wants justice. The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies—humans with extraordinary abilities—who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone...except the villains they once overthrew.

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice—and in Nova. But Nova's allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both. 

About the Author: MARISSA MEYER is the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles series, as well as the graphic novel Wires and Nerve: Vol. 1, and The Lunar Chronicles Coloring Book. Her first stand alone novel, Heartless, was also a #1 New York Times bestseller. She lives in Tacoma, Washington, with her husband and their two daughters.

My Thoughts:
It took me a chapter or two to get into the book, but once I was in, I was hooked. I really like Nora - I can see where she's coming from. I like how her view point wavers as she gets to know more about the Renegades. I love her team. I really like Max and his world. I found Adrian charming and I want to know more about this mother. I love his power. And his relationships. I liked the banter between him and Nova. I like how Nova tried to be tough, but she starts caring just a bit. I love all the action and the danger and the secrets. And the double crossings. 

And that ending - I didn't see that one coming. At All.

And now I need the second book.

Team Renegades or Team Anarchists?

At the moment, I'm team Adrian. I'm not sure I trust all the Renegades. And I definitely don't trust the Anarchists. 

You won't want to miss this book when it comes out November 7th.

Teen and Middle Grade Super Hero Novels

Tomorrow is Free Comic Book Day.

Check out your local comic book store for fun events and of  course free comics. 

Here are some novels that you might enjoy! 

Picture Book Review

The Science Behind series features
Superman's Flight, Superman's Sight, Superman's Speed, Batman's Ground Vehicles, Batman's Uniform, Batman's Flying Machines, and Batman's Tools

These books are super fun, with short chapters, lots of pictures, fun facts, and a glossary they tackle  questions on kids' minds and relate them to the real work. Perfect for learning about science and engineering, these books will be a hit. 

While they are technically, nonfiction, I'm placing them in our favorites Superhero bin because I think they will circulate more there.

I only hope they make more in the series with Wonder Woman, Batgirl, and more. 

Library Recommendation: Buy these now for your library!