Final Thoughts: I enjoyed this story, loving how Pixie found her voice and discovered talents.
Lailu graduated as a master chef and finally found someone to back her restaurant. Little does she know that her master made a deal with the devil in order for funding. Now he's come calling and Lailu learns the truth.My Thoughts: I really loved this book. I loved the banter between Lailu and Greg (her rival). It added humor to the story. I enjoyed the moments between Lailu and her fashion loving friend. I loved the world and understanding the hierarchy. I loved the mystery and the spying (along with with the action and danger of course.) I enjoyed the cooking parts, even if they were dishes I would never eat! I loved Lailu coming up with plans. I really hope there's a sequel in the works!
If they don't pay back the loan within a year, they will lose the restaurant and also their freedom. Lailu is not about to let this happen, she'll do anything in power to stop it - even if it means spying for the elves or fighting dragons.
With the help from a friend and one rival, she comes up with a plan to make her restaurant filled with people. She hates depending on her rival for help, but she can't do it without him. Is her pride worth the sacrifice for her future?
They're celebrating Farah's birthday. Because of a move, she hasn't seen her two best friends in a while. They head upstairs to try to escape her younger brother. Her aunt left her a birthday present. When they unwrap it, they find the strangest game they've ever seen: The Gauntlet of Blood and Sand.My Thoughts: I really loved this book. I loved the Middle Eastern flair. I loved how the friends had to come together to save Farah's little brother. Of course I loved the description of food. And the board gaming. I loved reading about the puzzles and the challenges they had to solve. I enjoyed the characters (especially the giant lizards) in the game who wanted to help them and get out of the game itself. The world building was amazingly good; I loved the descriptions. The action and the danger pulled the story along making me not want to put the book down.
Before they realize what happened, her younger brother vanishes into the game. They go in after him, knowing they must beat the game or be trapped inside forever.
Library Recommendation: A must have for both middle school and public libraries
When their favorite YouTube star announces plans to visit their state, Hailey and her friends would do anything to see him. But the trip to the local comic-con is expensive and their parents aren't willing to pay for it. So the girls come up with a plan - they will become princesses and babysit the neighborhood kids. Babysitting is easy right?My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I felt bad for Hailey because of all the pressure she was under and how she didn't have any time for herself. I enjoyed the babysitting moments - both the sweet and the crazy ones. I loved the magic show in the hospital and how that worked out for the friends. I really liked the writing moments - even the accidental email. The writing advice was great; I loved the different between the fanfiction and the more literary writing. I loved how Hailey and her friends have so many interests: writing, video games, cosplay. And that they get excited about them. Another fun novel from Mari Mancusi.
Hailey has another reason for going to the comic-con; she wants to enter a writing contest. She loves writing, especially the fanfiction starring a certain YouTube star. But she needs something more impressive to enter.
In between school work, babysitting, and writing Hailey barely has time to sleep. Can she and her friends pull off their plan or will it be a complete failure?
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for both public and school libraries. Hand it out to everyone with a fandom.
It's a new school year and John is a bit nervous. As Shelby and John walk down the hallway, Shelby mentions everyone's summer failures from her observations. When they meet the new teacher, Shelby realizes that he's acting suspicious.My Thoughts: I really liked this book. I loved seeing these characters again. They're super great - smart, nice, and entertaining. I like how they balance each other out. I enjoyed the first day of school an Shelby knowing everything about everyone. I liked how she knew something was off with the new teacher. I enjoyed the case - and the one-upmanship. I felt bad for John's mother and how she was left in the dark. I loved Shelby's attempt at friendship and how she feels it's exhausting. She's right; it can be. Another solid case that leaves me excited for more Shelby Holmes adventures.
Upon digging deeper, Shelby and John uncover his secret. He's being blackmailed. About Shelby. Shelby can't wait to uncover the truth. The case leads her and John to her old school where one girl takes responsibility.
But that girl is also one step ahead of Shelby and John the entire time. Has Shelby finally met her match or will she and John save the day once again?
Library Recommendation: Perfect for both middle school and public libraries - highly recommended.
Why it Should be on Your Radar:
Twin sisters have spent their last year apart, each training for her future. Seika remained in the palace, learning her role as heir of the kingdom while her sister Ji-Lin learned how to become a warrior to protect her sister. In their world, the two must make a journey across the Hidden Islands to reform the bond between the dragon that keeps their world safe. The princesses believe that day will be far in the futures, so they're stunned when their father sends them on their way.My Thoughts: I adored this book. I felt bad for the sisters first for their separation from each other and their strict lifestyle and then because they were forced into this journey without proper preparations. I love how they started to bond again after so long apart. I adored Alejan (the flying lion). He added humor and bravery into the novel. I loved how these two sisters grew into their positions and how they wanted to change the world. I love that they never stopped trying, even after all the hardships that came their way. A wonderful novel filled with adventure, action, danger, bravery, friendship, humor, and growing up.
Little prepared for the journey, they arrive at the first island and realize something is amiss. Monsters are attacking the people, who are in hiding. The earth shakes, causing damage. There's something drastically wrong. How are these two Princesses supposed to save the world?
Library Recommendation: Perfect for both public and school librarians - grab this one.
Aventurine loves her dragon life, but she hates being cooped up in the caves waiting until her scales are hardened so she can escape danger. Annoyed at everyone, Aventurine decides to take matters into her own hands and show her family that she can survive.My Thoughts: I adored this novel. First for the dragons - I loved the family squabbles. I loved Aventurine learning more about the human world. Her limited knowledge made me laugh. The secondary characters brought life in to the story. Greta added humor. Marina added motherly affection. I adored Marina and her knowledge of chocolate. I liked that she feared success. Silke added friendship and sass. I love how she knew how to obtain information and how she pushed herself forward. I adored the two princesses and how Aventurine immediately understood their behavior based on her own siblings. I loved reading about the chocolate houses and the politics of the town. Of course, this book made me crave chocolate - how could it not? I was sad when it ended because I desperately wanted more - and there is more coming!
She escapes through a hole in the mountain case, hurting her wings as she maneuvers outside. But when she encounters a human, she's distracted by the smell of hot chocolate.
After she drinks the chocolate, her form changes into a human. Without her dragon form, Aventurine isn't sure what to do next, but she knows that she finally found her passion - chocolate. Armed with barest hint of knowledge, she makes her way towards the city to become an apprentice at a chocolate house. Can she survive in the city with her limited knowledge of humans?
Library Recommendation:Be sure to get this one for both your school and public library. It's so charming; readers will gobble this one up!
Addie's birthday isn't the day she thought it would be. Instead of feeling more grown-up, she only feels humiliated by all the the events. She can't wait to be sixteen - to wear make-up, have a cell phone, and go out on dates. It's the perfect age.My Thoughts: I love Jessica Brody's novels - so I was really looking forward to reading this 13 Going on 30/Big inspired novel. Addie tries desperately to figure out the holes in her life. She has no idea what anyone is talking about, especially her school work. Plus she has no idea how to act around boys or drive her car or feed her dog or put on makeup. All of these little things not only add humor to the story, but they begin to add up making Addie frustrated in her new life.
So when her neighbor gifts her a wishing box, there's only one wish to make.
The next morning when she wakes up, everything is different. Her sister is off to college. She finally got the dog she always wanted. She's super popular at school. She has an amazingly cool wardrobe. But not everything is great. She's missing the last four years of her life. She has lots of questions.
Why isn't she best friends with Grace anymore? Why can't she date the cute boy she likes? Most importantly how did she become this person and can she go back?
Library Recommendation: Perfect for Middle School collections where everyone's dying to be older, but then you realize it might not be all that's cracked up to be. An entertaining read that will make readers laugh.
Supergirl has recently discovered her powers. She leaves the Kent farm to attend Super Hero High School. But she feels lonely and out of place. She has a hard time controlling her powers.My Thoughts: I love that superheroes are having a moment and that at least in books, female superheroes are getting a lot of love. I felt terrible for Supergirl - trying to acclimate to earth, trying to get used to her powers, and trying to fit in at a new school. She lost everything when she left her home planet, but gained things too. I loved her friendship with Batgirl. I like how she looked up to Wonder Woman. I love her determination. I loved how she stood up for her costume, explaining why it meant so much to her. a fun read with lots of action and lots of girl power!
She learns that someone is trying to open the travel tubes locked away inside the school. A team of students investigates. Supergirl wishes she was part of the investigation.
Supergirl wants so much to belong, but if she can't control her powers, she'll end up hurting her friends. When the time comes will all the extra practice make her be able to control her powers enough to help her friends?
Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended for public and school libraries.
Art thieves strike at midnight all around the world. It's up the society recover the lost items. They're heading to Paris where they believe another theft will occur. Henry, Anna, and Jose are traveling to Paris too. They're supposed to stay behind in the bookstore while the adults search for clues.My Thoughts: I adore this series - there's so much action and danger. I loved learning more about Paris, especially Notre Dame and the catacombs. I loved traveling through the streets of Paris with the gang and eating all the food. I wanted to travel to Pris after reading this one (but then who wouldn't?) I love the friendship between Henry, Anna, and Jose. I love the Harry Potter references. I loved the messages in the wall in the bookstore. Although I would love more in this series, it's a great ending to a fun trilogy. Looking forward to more books by this author!
But when the adults don't return, the trio take matters into their own hands. The society believes there's a mole in their group. They aren't sure who to trust. The trio isn't sure if they should trust Hem, their guide. He's been a little superior and shifty.
When the Mona Lisa is stolen, they band together to attempt to find their family and the stolen art. But will they succeed or will they trust the wrong person?
Library Recommendation: This series is highly recommended for school and public libraries! Lots of action, danger, and adventure with a diverse cast.
Devin loves playing soccer, especially with her friends. When she moves across the country to California, she's hoping to make the soccer team. She worried for nothing. Tryouts are a joke. Everyone makes the team. Everyone seems to get equal playing time, no matter how good they are.My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this sports book - both for the fun of sports and the seriousness of playing because you love the game. I liked how Devin made new friends and helped out her teammates. I love the bond they had. I felt a little bad for Mirabelle, because I feel there's more to her story. But I do love how Devin stood up for herself and her teammates against bullies and those who spoke badly about the team. I love how she infected the team with her love for the sport. I love her ideas for her two friends who had trouble playing in front of people. I loved how annoyed Devin was at the soccer conditions for the girls team and how she worked to change it. An entertaining read with great messages.
And Devin is good.
She wants to win.She wants the team to be an actual team. She makes friends with a few girls on the team. Before long, she's co-captain. Can she make a difference and help change the team to become more serious?
Library Recommendation: A great soccer book all about teamwork and friendship - perfect for any school or public library. Recommended.
Ginger feels like the only normal person in her family. She's happy to have a BFF with her same goals - become a doctor and move to a big city to open a practice together. They're even getting started with this year's Science Olympics.My Thoughts: A really cute book. I love how the author explores cities in her novels. I loved trekking all over Hollywood with Ginger and Payton and Margot. I enjoyed the stunts the trio pulled trying to get a behind the scenes look at some of the places where they thought the money might be hidden. (I guessed the location very early on, but I realize I'm not the target audience for this book). Plus I loved the journey the girls took to get to their realization of the true potential location. I loved Leo and his crazy burrito taxi. I loved Ginger's brother and how he thought he was an alien. He added some humor to the story. I loved the walkie talkies, I loved ABJ. Another fun novel from Cindy Callaghan. Can't wait to see where we get lost next!
But when her great aunt is having trouble, the whole family plus Payton flies to Hollywood to help out. Aunt Betty used to be a Hollywood actress, but now she sits at home waiting for the phone to ring.
Something happened to all her money and her Oscar statue. She asks Ginger to help her recover the missing money, giving her a map (of sorts) to help her out. Betty swears she hid the money from the bank. If Ginger can't find it, the bank will foreclose on her house.
Library Recommendation: Recommended purchase for public and school libraries
India's life has been hard since her father left to discover Ironheart, a fairy tale that's said to have all the secrets of the old world. Ironheart would bring happiness and safety to the people again. But it's been years since he's vanished.My Thoughts: I enjoyed this dystopian novel. I haven't read too many for middle grade readers. I really liked India. She was fierce, determined, and nothing stopped her. I like how she was forced to change plans often. I loved the secondary cast of characters including the android. I liked her journey. I loved the action and the danger around every corner.
When a tech hunger and her android appear in her village asking for help, India doesn't hesitate. It's either that or be forced into marriage. She's happy to escape home.
And she has a hidden map that might lead her the way. But nothing goes as planned and India's forced to improvise. Will she find the city and will it give her answers?
Karma's wildly addicted to Snappypic - she loves posting pictures and interacting with her thousands of fans. But her family isn't thrilled with all the time she's spending on her phone. After her mom catches her on it during an event, she decides it's been one too many times. Her parents take Karma's phone away and delete her account.My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this read. I love Karma's interactions with her brother and her family. I like how she branched out from taking photos with her phone to using a digital camera. I loved reading about her taking photos; it made me want to take more photos. I really enjoyed her volunteering at the historical society. She had a lot of friendship drama and it was hard to read them treating each other so badly, but I'm glad it all came together in the end.
Now Karma feels like a part of her is missing. She no longer has the ability to take pictures. Plus she was almost asked to be chair of publicity for their grade's spirit week by the popular girls. What's a girl to do?
Final Thoughts: A really fun book that's perfect for anyone addicted to their phone! Recommended for public and school libraries.
John Watson, an Army brat moves into a new building where he meets Shelby Holmes. At first he isn't too sure about her, but right now she's the only person he knows. He asks to tag along on her walk with her dog.My Thoughts: Honestly, the name and the cover sold me on this book (not to mention the author.) I was pleasantly surprised when I realized the narrator wasn't Shelby Holmes, but John Watson. I loved seeing the neighborhood through his eyes when he walked with Shelby. I loved his initial meeting with Shelby and how she grew on him. They make an unlikely pair, but they're refreshing. I enjoyed the case and meeting the family. I like John's mother and how she isn't sure that Shelby is the best person for John to befriend. I liked her backstory too. Plus the illustrations are charming. I can't wait to read more about this pair.
They run into a school mate of Shelby's who is devastated because her dog has gone missing. Shelby takes the case and allows John to tag along. Can they solve the case?
Since her mother died, Lia's been feeling a little lost. At the last moment, she ditches her friends and camp for a summer at the beach with her aunt. But the beach isn't perfect and Lia struggles with her aunt and her own emotions.My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book and it centers on such an important topic. Girls aren't the nicest to each other, especially in middle school. I like how Lia questioned er friendship bonds with these girls. I hated how she lied to keep up with them or to make herself fit in with part of the group. I like how she listened to everyone around her - how she listened to her aunt and her friend's mother. I like how the issue of friendship came full circle with Val and her aunt. I felt bad for Lia for losing her mother. But I like how her family came out of their struggle. Great book to read with book clubs or just between mothers and daughters - lots of great discussions.
When summer comes to an end, her friends return home. Lia begins to feel left out from the inside jokes.. To make her summer more exciting, Lia tells a few white lies.
Her once solid friendships now seem to be breaking apart. Between lies, manipulations, and bragging, Lia isn't sure what to say anymore. She's getting fed up with games.
Annie and Jason are best friends - they do everything together. Until they learn that Jason's family has financial troubles and might be moving. Luckily Annie has lots of ideas on how to raise money to save Jason's house.My Thoughts: Oh man, this book was excellent and it seriously tugged at my heartstrings. I felt terrible for Annie and for the thought of her best friend leaving her. I like that she had a lot of ideas to help. She has a really big heart, even if none of the ideas turned out well. I felt terrible for Jason, for what his family was going through and for how his parents acted. I love how Annie and Jason befriended Mrs. Schuster. I loved the realistic ending.
Except none of them work out the way she planned. But she's not about to give up. She can't lose her best friend. Can she find a way to save them? Maybe an ancient pirate treasure? Or maybe win the lottery. Or maybe...
AJ's stuck spending the summer with her strict grandmother while her parents travel to the Amazon for a research trip. Her grandmother wants to turn her into a proper young lady. She must answer to Annemarie, she must not skateboard or run in the house, her friends may not come over, and she must learn how to sew. AJ is sure this is going to be the worst summer ever - until she accidentally goes into the forbidden part of the house.My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. In the beginning, I felt terrible for AJ as her summer looked dismal outside of her soccer practices. But as the book went on, her summer improved. I like how her relationship changed with the grandmother. I love how she learned new skills. I like how the ladies formed the club and how they rotated through their members. I liked the friendship drama between AJ and her best friend - how she couldn't tell her about her real summer and the misunderstandings. A fun book with a brave character who wasn't afraid to stand up for what's right.
There she uncovers birds - lots of birds. Just to make sure, she didn't dream everything, she breaks into the room again to discover her grandmother and her friends where she learns the truth. These ladies steal things and they want her to help.
