The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Pages: 372

Intended Audience: Teens

Genre: Contemporary mystery

Notes for Parents: Some mature scenes.

The Back Cover

Avery Grambs has a plan for a better future: survive high school, win a scholarship, and get out. But her luck changes in an instant when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves her virtually his entire fortune. The only catch? Avery must move into his sprawling mansion, full of secret passages, riddles, and codes. Unfortunately for Avery, Hawthorne House is also occupied by the family that was just disinherited. This includes the four Hawthorne grandsons: dangerous, magnetic boys who grew up with every expectation that, one day, they would inherit billions.

Heir apparent Grayson is convinced that Avery is a con woman, and he’s determined to take her down. But his brother Jameson views her as their grandfather’s last hurrah: a twisted riddle, a puzzle to be solved. Caught in a world of wealth and privilege, with danger around every turn, Avery will have to play the game herself just to survive.

What you should know:

This is the first book in a trilogy. Book #2 is called The Hawthorne Legacy (2021) and Book #3 is The Final Gambit (2022).

The Review

It’s a good thing Avery loves riddles because there are plenty to sift through as she searches for the reason why a billionaire left her nearly his entire fortune. Unfortunately, there are a host of characters who are trying to get in the way of her claiming the inheritance and discovering the truth. Avery is a well-constructed protagonist who is confident and clever. The supporting characters, including the Hawthorne family, come in a variety of depths that will likely improve as the trilogy unfolds. Short chapters make it a quick and easy read.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☺ (4/5)

There was plenty of mystery, some danger, a little romance, and an entertaining adventure. If you don’t mind a love triangle (and a cliffhanger ending), it’s a great read.

Barnes, Jennifer Lynn. The Inheritance Games. New York: Little Brown and Company, 2020.

Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee

Pages: 383

Intended Audience: Teens

Genre: Historical / Survival

Notes for Parents: Some violence and mature scenes.

The Back Cover

San Francisco, 1906: Fifteen-year-old Mercy Wong is determined to break from the poverty in Chinatown, and an education at St. Clare’s School for Girls is her best hope. Although St. Clare’s is off-limits to all but the wealthiest white girls, Mercy gains admittance through a mix of cunning and a little bribery, only to discover that getting in was the easiest part. Not to be undone by a bunch of spoiled heiresses, Mercy stands strong—until disaster strikes.
On April 18, a historic earthquake rocks San Francisco, destroying Mercy’s home and school. With martial law in effect, she is forced to wait with her classmates for their families in a temporary park encampment. Though fires might rage, and the city may be in shambles, Mercy can’t sit by while they wait for the army to bring help—she still has the “bossy” cheeks that mark her as someone who gets things done. But what can one teenage girl do to heal so many suffering in her broken city?

What you should know:

The story is fiction but the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 was very real, killing more than 3000 people and destroying over 80% of the city.

The Review

Mercy is a strong-minded and intrepid teen resolved to make her future bright. Mercy’s story is one of dogged determination and resourcefulness, first to get herself into a top school, then to survive a major earthquake. The reader gets a strong sense of the times, especially of the systemic racism that existed. Chinese culture and tradition are beautifully integrated into everything Mercy does, and her love for her family and community is inspiring. The earthquake doesn’t hit until page 174, so it felt like a bit of a slog getting to that point, but it did provide a chance to get to know the characters beforehand. Once the tragedy hits, the story is fast-paced and dramatic. There are some mature scenes, but it never gets too graphic.

Recommendation ☺☺☺ (3.5/5)

Mercy’s experiences as an indomitable teen, a child of Chinese immigrants, and an earthquake survivor are riveting and grab the readers heart almost instantly. The first half of the story is interesting, but a bit slow. Things pick up and the end is worth it.

Lee, Stacey. Outrun the Moon. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2016.

Enola Holmes: The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer

Pages: 216

Intended Audience: Tweens

Genre: Mystery

Notes for Parents: Some mild violence and a few mature scenes.

The Back Cover

When Enola Holmes, sister to the detective Sherlock Holmes, discovers her mother has disappeared, she quickly sets off to find her in London—but nothing can prepare her for what awaits. For when she arrives, she finds herself involved in the kidnapping of a young marquess, and must flee murderous villains and elude her shrewd older brothers—all while trying to piece together clues to her mother’s disappearance. Amid all the chaos, can Enola find the marquess and her mother?

What you should know:

There are six books in the series, and the first has been made into a Netflix film, with a second film in the works.

The Review

Fourteen-year-old Enola is a plucky and intelligent girl who sets off on her own to solve the mystery of her missing mother. She’s determined and resourceful as she braves the streets of 19^th century London. The story is easy-to-read and moves at a good pace. The plot and subplots are simple and interesting, and the characters are well-drawn and likeable. Some words and terms used are rather archaic, or uniquely British, and may be a bit of a challenge for some readers. Regardless, the story is relatable and fun.

Recommendation ☺☺☺ (3.5/5)

It’s a lovely middle-school novel with an intelligent and tenacious protagonist. Compared to the Netflix film, it’s a much tamer, less complex story. Recommended…but the film was much more exciting.

Springer, Nancy. Enola Holmes: The Case of the Missing Marquess. New York: Puffin Books, 2006.

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

Pages: 368

Intended Audience: Mature Teens

Genre: Speculative – Contemporary Dystopian

Notes for Parents: Contains violence, mature scenes.

 

The Back Cover

On September 5, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to deliver some bad news; They’re going to die in less than twenty-four hours. Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but, for different reasons, they’re both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news is there’s an app for that. It’s called Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo meet up for one final epic adventure—to live a lifetime in a single day.

 

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

It was the winner of the Lincoln Award (Illinois Teen Readers’ Choice Award) in 2020, and was a Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fiction in 2017.

 

What’s good?

In this alternate world, two boys meet to spend their last day alive together. Mateo and Rufus are beautifully constructed characters who couldn’t be more different but find common ground as they traverse the city and try new things. We’re given just enough world-building to understand the solemnity of their predicament, but not so much that we’re bogged down with trying to understand the mechanics. The emotional ending packs a punch.

Best Part: The interwoven stories of the minor characters they meet along the way. (There’s a bonus chart at the end that shows how everyone is connected.)

 

What isn’t good?

While the story is consistently poignant, it’s not always exciting. There’s action, but not a lot of it, and there’s tension, but we already know what it’s leading up to.

Worst part: Nothing was terrible.

 

Recommendation ☺☺☺ (3.5/5)

They Both Die in the End was worth the read. The premise was thought-provoking, and the characters, both main and supporting, were note-worthy. It’s not exactly a page-turner, but it’s a very unique story told adeptly in the span of the day. Recommended.

 Silvera, Adam. They Both Die at the End. New York: HarperTeen, 2017.

Notes from the Midnight Driver by Jordan Sonnenblick

Pages: 265

Intended Audience: Teens

Genre: Contemporary

Notes for Parents: Contains some mature scenes.

 

The Back Cover

“Alex Peter Gregory, you are a moron!” Laurie slammed her palms down on my desk and stomped her foot. I get a lot of that.

One car crash.

One measly little car crash. And suddenly, I’m some kind of convicted felon.

My parents are getting divorced, my dad is shacking up with my third-grade teacher, I might be in love with a girl who could kill me with one finger, and now I’m sentenced to baby-sit some insane old guy.

What else could possibly go wrong?

 

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This book was a South Carolina Young Adult Book Award nominee (2009), Rhode Island Teen Book Award Nominee (2008), Iowa Teen Award Nominee (2011), Missouri Gateway Readers Award Nominee (2009), and a Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award Nominee (2011)

 

What’s good?

Alex is assigned to be a companion to an elderly gentleman at a local nursing home as punishment for killing a garden gnome while drinking and driving. The premise is serious, but the story is a lot of fun. The simple plot is punched up by Sol’s stinging wit and Alex’s funny narration. With Jewish terminology, musical references, and a blossoming friendship, this is a comical yet sentimental story about a dying man who teaches a teen how to live.

Best Part: The chapter called “Coda.”

 

What isn’t good?

The romance, while sweet, was totally predictable. And there was no action. Nevertheless, the strong characters and engaging narration prevailed.

Worst part: There was nothing terrible.

 

Recommendation ☺☺☺☺(4/5)

I can see this story as a movie. The visual setting and comical dialogue would translate well onto the screen. Definitely recommended.

Sonnenblick, Jordan. Notes from the Midnight Driver. New York: Scholastic, 2006.

Save the Date by Morgan Matson

Pages: 417 + bonus material
Intended Audience: Teens
Genre: Contemporary
Notes for Parents: Contains brief coarse language, and some mature scenes.
 
The Back Cover
Charlie’s sister is getting married.
Everyone is coming home – all her older siblings. It’ll be just like it used to be. One last weekend together before her parents sell the house.
Charlie doesn’t want to think about college next year, or things changing – she just wants to make this a perfect weekend. What could go wrong?
Well.
First the wedding planner quits. Then the house alarm won’t stop going off. Charlie’s biggest crush shows up unannounced. There’s a missing tuxedo, an unexpected dog, and a neighbor bent on destruction. Not to mention the event planner’s assistant, who is surprisingly, distractingly . . . cute. And that’s before things get really crazy.
In all the chaos, Charlie will learn more than she ever expected about the family she thought she knew by heart. And she’ll realize that sometimes trying to keep everything like it was in the past means missing out on the future.
 
What the cover doesn’t tell you:
This was a Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fiction in 2018.
 
What’s good?
This is a story about a family trying to connect with each other. Charlie is the youngest, and she’s having trouble coping with all of the changes happening within her family, so she’s hoping her sister’s wedding brings everyone together. The characters are well-done and the premise feels fresh. Throw in a prodigal son, unexpected guest, a feuding neighbor, a neglected friend, a cute wedding planner, a divorce, a malfunctioning smoke alarm, and a dog, and you’ve got a fun story about a charming family.
Best Part: Grant Central Station and Waffles the dog
 
What isn’t good?
This novel was a lot longer than it had to be. The wordiness made it slow at times. Luckily the quality of characters kept me reading. The ending was predictable, but still worth it.
Worst part: The “love triangle.” We all know who she should be with.
 
Recommendation ☺☺☺☺(4/5)
This was a fun book, and it would make a great tv movie!

Matson, Morgan. Save the Date. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2018.

Secrets of a Fangirl by Erin Dionne

Pages: 261
Intended Audience: Tweens and up
Genre: Contemporary
Notes for Parents: Contains a bit of mature content, nothing concerning.
 
The Back Cover
Sarah Anne loves lacrosse, and the MK Nightshade series that everyone was obsessed over in grade school. The problem is that she's still obsessed, which is way too nerdy for a popular kid like her. So she hides her geekiness with a set of rules meant to keep her geek and jock selves separate.
Except when she's offered a spot in a Nightshade fandom contest, where the winner gets to see the new movie premiere in LA. No one seems to think Sarah Anne can win, since she's up against a pair of guys in high school--but the more she's called a fake fan, the more determined she is to wipe the floor with her competition. As long as none of her friends or anyone at school knows what she's doing.
Can she keep her geek identity a secret, win the contest, and manage to keep her friends even though she's been living a lie? Sarah Anne is going to have to make some choices about what's truly important to her and which rules she's going to break to stay true to herself.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:
This is geared to middle school ages, but it’s fun for all.
 
What’s good?
Not only does Sarah feel she has to hide her geekiness from friends, she doesn’t feel respected by the fandom world because she’s a girl. She’s a relatable character who tries to balance her jock popularity with her love of the fantasy world. This is a quick and easy read that’s both fun and satisfying.
Best Part: Sarah Anne (aka SAM)
 
What isn’t good?
It’s a tired plot – girl hides her true self from her friends to avoid judgement. We know that never works.
Worst part: Nothing was terrible.
 
Recommendation ☺☺☺(3.5/5)
Despite being predictable and having an overused storyline, it was will a sweet story with fun characters. Recommended.
Dionne, Erin. Secrets of a Fangirl. New York: Scholastic Inc., 2019.

The Hidden Witch by Molly Knox Ostertag

Pages: 203
Intended Audience: Tweens and up
Genre: Graphic novel / Supernatural
Notes for Parents: None.
 
The Back Cover
Aster’s parents have finally agreed that he can learn witchery with the girls, but he has a lot of catching up to do. So when Grandmother offers her tutoring in exchange for a favor, Aster jumps at the chance—until she asks him to help his great-uncle, Mikasi. Family or no, Aster isn’t ready to face the beast who nearly destroyed him and his cousins.
Across town, Dark magic has attached itself to Aster’s friend Charlie. Witches are taught to never create a “Fetch,” a cruel shadow form that only does harm. But the thing following Charlie is a clear sign that someone is breaking the rules.
With the help of his family, Aster does everything he can to protect Charlie. But to discover who’s making the Fetch and put a stop to it, he’ll need darker, more powerful magic—from the most dangerous witch he knows…
 
What the cover doesn’t tell you:
This is the second book in The Witch Boy series.
 
What’s good?
Once again, the author/illustrator delivers a beautiful graphic story that uses fantasy to explore real life issues. Gender roles, mental health, friendship, fear, and redemption are some of the many issues touched upon as main character Aster has to protect his friend Charlie from an evil spirit and help his grandmother with his great-uncle Mikasi. The illustrations are bold and expressive and the characters are diverse and well-developed.
Best Part: Aster
 
What isn’t good?
There isn’t anything I didn’t like!
Worst part: None.
 
Recommendation ☺☺☺☺ (4.5/5)
I wish graphic novels were longer. It’s like watching a sitcom – it’s over so quickly! The Hidden Witch was thoroughly enjoyable. Definitely recommended.

Eliza and her Monsters by Francesca Zappia

Pages: 385

Intended Audience: Teens

Genre: Contemporary

Notes for Parents: Contains coarse language and mature scenes.

The Back Cover

In the real world, Eliza Mirk is shy, weird, and friendless. Online, she’s LadyConstellation, the anonymous creator of the wildly popular webcomic Monstrous Sea. Then Wallace Warland, Monstrous Sea’s biggest fanfiction writer, transfers to her school and draws her into a life offline she never could have imagined. But when Eliza’s secret is accidentally shared with the world, everything she’s built—her story, her relationship with Wallace, and ever her sanity—begins to fall apart.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

The novel includes drawings from the main characters webcomic, Monstrous Sea.

What’s good?

Eliza is living a double life -- one online as a confident, gifted artist and storyteller, and the other in real time, where she suffers from social anxiety and keeps to herself. Her two lives inevitably meet and Eliza must cope with the outcome. Eliza is a realistic, relatable teen whose online success only seems to increase her inability to deal with real life situations. Her family is present, but can’t relate to her (because she never talks to them!), and her new “real life” friends only seem to add to the pressure she feels she’s under. The plot is simple but emotional and the pace is steady.

Best Part: Monstrous Sea.

What isn’t good?

This is yet another story about a someone keeping a big secret that’s destined to be revealed and ruin trust and relationships. Fortunately, this story has the added bonus of the Monstrous Sea story line (and fabulous drawings!) that adds some uniqueness to a trope that’s getting old.

Worst part: Are people going to discover her secret? Of course they are!

Recommendation ☺☺☺☺ (4/5)

I really enjoyed this story despite it having an overused plot line. The character of Eliza should resonate with many readers for her online confidence and offline anxiety. The supporting characters are well drawn and the pace makes this an easy read. Definitely recommended.

Zappia, Francesca. Eliza and her Monsters. New York: Greenwillow Books, 2017.

American Panda by Gloria Chao

Pages: 304

Intended Audience: Teens

Genre: Contemporary

Notes for Parents: Contains some mild language and mature scenes.

The Back Cover

At seventeen, Mei Lu should be in high school, but skipping fourth grade was part of her parents’ master plan. Now a freshman at MIT, she is on track to fulfill the rest of this predetermined future: become a doctor, marry a preapproved Taiwanese Ivy Leaguer, produce a litter of babies.

With everything her parents have sacrificed to make her cushy life a reality, Mei can’t bring herself to tell them the truth—that she (1) hates germs, (2) falls asleep in biology lectures, and (3) has a crush on her classmate Darren Takahashi, who is decidedly not Taiwanese.

But when she reconnects with her brother, Xing, who is estranged from the family for dating the wrong woman, Mei starts to wonder if all the secrets are truly worth it. Can she find a way to be herself, whoever that is, before her web of lies unravels?

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This book received starred reviews from Booklist, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, and VOYA.

What’s good?

Mei Lu is the daughter of strict, traditional Taiwanese parents who struggles to find a balance between her parents’ expectations (become a doctor and settle down with a nice Taiwanese boy) and her own desires. Mei narrates her story with an engaging sense of humor that is poignant and thought-provoking. Secondary characters are very strong, including Mei’s mom, her exiled brother Xing, Ying-Na (the cautionary tale), and even her roommate Nicolette. The plot is simple, but is full of emotional twists and turns. Highlights include fascinating bits about MIT, Mandarin/Taiwanese phrases (sometimes translated, other times not), Mei’s mom’s messages, and interesting customs and traditions surrounding weddings, funerals, food, etc. Themes include identity, obedience, family, honor, appearance, reconciliation, traditions and customs, parent-child relationships, and parental expectations.

Best Part: “Mei! Are you in trouble? Eating drugs? Pregnant? KIDNAPPED! Call me!!” (A voicemail from Mei’s mother, pg. 26)

What isn’t good?

Besides the horrible sounding food (stinky tofu!!), there’s nothing I didn’t like. It was by no means a unique story, but Mei’s voice is distinctive and relatable.

Worst part: Dried squid.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☺ (4.5/5)

I really enjoyed this story. While Mei’s predicament was disconcerting, her family’s love was never in question. At its core, this is a somber story that will be relatable to many whose families adhere strictly to cultural or religious traditions, but it’s told with a heartwarming, comical charm. Definitely recommended!

Chao, Gloria. American Panda. New York: Simon Pulse, 2018.

Sparrow by Sarah Moon

Pages: 264

Intended Audience: Mature Teens

Genre: Contemporary

Notes for Parents: Contains mildly coarse language and mature scenes.

The Back Cover

They find her on the edge of the roof of her school. No one believes that se wasn’t about to jump.

But then again, no one knows Sparrow very well.

She keeps good grades. She keeps to herself. Though she wishes she could find a friend, she has no idea how that might happen.

So sometimes she goes where the birds gather, and she waits, waits for them to come get her, gather her up, take her with them, take her high above the school, above the city, above the crowds. For those few moments she’s not alone, closed in.

But Sparrow begins to discover something else inside her—a music, a song that grows in power, if only she can let it be bridge.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

The author, Sarah Moon, created a Spotify soundtrack for this book, and you can find the link to it in her Instagram profile (sarahmoonbooks).

What’s good?

Sparrow is a lonely girl, who finds solace in books and in being invisible. She’d love to make a friend but doesn’t know how and instead imagines herself flying with the birds. After a traumatic loss sends her to the edge, people take notice. Fear of being labelled or judged keeps Sparrow from asking for help. The story follows her through conversations with her mother and therapist that eventually leads her to music as an alternative source of comfort, and to a rock camp that opens up a whole new world for her. The plot is straight forward, the pace is steady, and the tone is hopeful.

Best Part: Dr. Katz and her fun and funky retro clothing and cool music.

What isn’t good?

The first half of the book is mostly conversations between Sparrow and her mother, and Sparrow and her therapist where she (eventually) reveals that she’s shy, lonely, and sad. The story starts to perk up when music enters the conversation. When Sparrow goes to rock camp, things genuinely get good.

Worst part: Nothing is terrible, but Sparrow’s coping mechanism is very poetic, making it perhaps a little too romantic for comfort.

Recommendation ☺☺☺ (3.5/5)

Sparrow’s story will resonate with many young people who are feeling lonely, sad, or out of place. It is ultimately a positive story about growth with the help of therapy, music, and effort. While the subject of mental health is an important one, the premise has been overdone in the past few years, but the inclusion of music and her focus on birds sets it apart just enough. Recommended.

Moon, Sarah. Sparrow. New York: Scholastic, 2017.

Guts by Raina Telgemeier

Pages: 211

Intended Audience: Tweens and up

Genre: Grahpic novel / Memoir

Notes for Parents: Contains some mildly mature scenes.

The Back Cover

Raina wakes up one night with a terrible upset stomach. Her mom has one, too, so it’s probably just a bug. Raina eventually returns to school, where she’s dealing with the usual highs and lows: friends, not-friends, and classmates who think the school year is just one long gross-out session. It soon becomes clear that Raina’s tummy trouble isn’t going away…and it coincides with her worries about food, school, and changing friendships. What’s going on?

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

As with her books Smile and Sister, this is based on the author’s real-life experiences.

What’s good?

With her trademark bold, colourful drawings, Raina Telgemeier once again brings a personal childhood experience to life. Young Raina’s anxiety is causing her physical symptoms that make it difficult to deal with friends and school. With the help of her family and a therapist, she learns to cope with the stresses of life. The plot is simple and straight forward and the pace is good. The characters are relatable, and the message is thoughtful and heartwarming. This is a quick and easy coming of age story that promotes mindfulness and courage, and de-stigmatizes anxiety disorders and therapy.

Best Part: Raina.

What isn’t good?

I supposed if I have to find something that isn’t so good, I’d have to say that the story itself is a little thin. I’m not sure if more substance is really a fair expectation of a middle grade graphic novel, but that’s the only thing I thought of after I read it – this could have used a little more…depth.

Worst part: Nothing.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☺(4/5)

This is a classic Raina Telgemeier graphic novel. If you enjoyed her other novels, you’ll love this one. If you haven’t read any of her stuff yet, you should. Definitely recommended.

Telgemeier, Raina. Guts. New York: Graphix, 2019.

Beneath by Roland Smith

Pages: 264

Intended Audience: Teens and mature tweens

Genre: Adventure

Notes for Parents: Contains implied violence and some mature scenes.

The Back Cover

Pat O’Toole has always idolized his older brother, Coop. Coop is…different. He doesn’t talk on the phone, doesn’t use email, and doesn’t have friends. He’s never really cared for anything but the thrill of being underground, and for Pat of course. So it’s no surprise to anyone that after a huge fight with their parents, Coop runs away. One year later, Pat receives a package containing a digital voice recorder and a cryptic message from his brother. He follows the clues to New York City and soon discovers that Coop has joined the Community, a society living beneath the streets. Now it’s up to Pat to find his brother—and bring him home.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This is the first book in a series. It was nominated for the Oregon Spirit Book Award for Middle Readers in 2015 and for the Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award in 2018.

What’s good?

Pat has one goal – find his brother. But it isn’t so simple when he tracks him to New York and discovers he’s somewhere in the mysterious underground where a community of people have settled. The underground is a fascinating place full of interesting people like Posty, Lod, Kate, and the Librarian. The chapters are short – sometimes very short – so it’s a quick and easy read. The plot is simple (find Coop!) and the pace is quick. There’s plenty of adventure, danger, fear, and intense moments. The ending is good, wrapping up most of the story but leaving it open for further adventures.    

Best Part: Pat was very likeable.

What isn’t good?

The geography of the underground was a little confusing.

Worst part: Nothing was terrible.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☺(4/5)

The description of the story didn’t sound very interesting, so it took a while before I picked up this book. But once I did, I was sucked into the story almost immediately. The short chapters and fast pace make it very easy to read, and the premise is captivating. Definitely recommended.

Smith, Roland. Beneath. New York: Scholastic Inc., 2015.