The Isle of Ever by Jen Calonita Review

Isle of Ever by Jen Calonita
Publisher:  Sourcebooks
Format:  Paperback ARC
Number of pages:   307 pages
Publishing:  March 25th, 2025
Source:  Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Opening Lines:  "The tide brought back many things, but this was the first time it brought back a person..." 

Days after turning twelve-years old, Everly "Benny" Benedict receives news that she is the sole heir to her five-time great grandmother's fortune, including her hotel in Greenport, New York.  This is wonderful news for Benny and her mother, as after the death of her current grandmother, her mom has been barely making ends meet at her job waitressing.  Unfortunately, there is one small stipulation in the will, Benny most follow a series of clues and solve riddles in order to receive her inheritance.  With a two-week clock ticking, Benny uses a letter written in the 1800's addressed directly to her, to set out to solve the mystery regarding the location of a secret island and to break the curse that was cast 200-years ago.  Benny receives help from Wally, the hotels caretaker, Thea a local historian and her grand-daughter Zara, as well as Ryan one of the local business owners' sons.  Together the trio begin canvasing the island and hotel for information about this mysterious island, and to locate the next clue.  

The Isle of Ever alternates between present day and 1825 in order to explain how Evelyn "Sparrow" Terry, Benny's great grandmother and her best friend come to find the mysterious island off the coast of Greenport, Long Island and their first encounter with Captain Jonas Trimble, a pirate captain.  The story is a wonderful adventure/mystery that will keep you guessing.  With a tagline line of the Pirates of the Caribbean meets Tuck Everlasting you can see why. 

The story is equal parts fantasy and historical fiction with a focus on the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1825 and Blood Orange Moons.  The pacing was perfect, having everything set around a two-week time frame helped keep things moving along.  The stakes were high because if Benny couldn't find the island's location, she would forfeit her inheritance, and she really doesn't want to go back to a life of financial instability.  The prospect of owning the hotel was also really important to Benny as she wants nothing more than to drop roots and continue her new friendship with Zara and Ryan.

Calonita wonderfully weaves in Evelyn's letter's, diary, journal entries, articles, and texts to tell her story.  The flashes between present and past come together naturally.    There is so much fun to be had in following the trio with hunting for clues, solving the puzzles and riddles, I was reminded of The Westing Game.  Unfortunately, the story ends on a cliff hanger, so we'll have to wait for the sequel's release.  Overall, this was a wonderful new series from the author of Fairy Tale Reform School, Secrets of My Hollywood Life and the Royal Academy Series.     

**A huge thank you to Sourcebooks for the paperback ARC**

 I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE   

    

              

    

 

Paper Dragons #2: The Rise of the Sand Spirits by Siobhan McDermott Review

The Rise of the Sand Spirits by Siobhan McDermott
Publisher:  Delacorte Press
Format:  E-ARC
Number of pages:   465 pages
Publishing:  March 11th, 2025
Source:  Banholzer PR

Opening Lines:  "Zhi Ging leaped to the shore, pebbles scattering beneath her feet."

Hok Woh is the underwater realm of the immortals, where Zhi Ging aspires to train as an apprentice to the Silhouette's.  To succeed, she must complete twelve challenging trials.  The first two test her skills in perception and recall.  The second book in the series begins with Zhi Ging's quest to find Reishi, a Silhouette Scout and her friends who were possessed by an evil spirit.  Her travels take her beyond the school and lead to her confronting a new adversary, the Matchmakers and Sand Spirits, but just who is controlling them is under debate.  Some believe it is Ami who initially was trapped under a waterfall and has questionably escaped, others believe it is the Fui Gwai or evil spirit who kidnapped the Silhouettes with Thralls, and yet some believe it is Zhi Ging acting as the Fui Gwai.    

The Rise of the Sand Spirits has an exciting, action-packed opening, but slows down in the middle when Zhi Ging returns to resume her training at Hok Woh and the focus shifts to the students recovering from being frozen, and the continued drama with Iridill.  I greatly admired Zhi Ging's determination to uncover the truth about the Sand Spirits, as well as her willingness to place herself in danger to assist her friends.  The strengths of this book lie in its intriguing magic, the addition of Malo, a little troublemaking phoenix, the school and the challenges that the apprentice's undergo.  I found myself wanting to know more about the Floating Markets and the Chinese folklore and mythology that this story is partially based off.  Finally, I enjoyed that the bullying of Zhi Ging that was present at the beginning of the book began to soften, and she began to get some answers to her questions, as well as gained insight into her past.  The story ends with a huge reveal, so I would recommend starting with The Fight for the Hidden Realm.  I look forward to reading the next book in the series. 

**A huge thank you to Banholzer PR for the E-ARC**

 I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE   

Heidi: A Graphic Novel by Mariah Marsden, illustrated by Ofride

Heidi:  A Graphic Novel by Mariah Marsden, illustrations by Ofride

Publisher:  Andrews McMeel Publishing
Format:  E-ARC
Number of pages:   160 pages
Publishing:  March 11th, 2025
Source:  Edelweiss+

Summary from Publisher:  

When young Heidi is sent to live with her grandfather in a small shepherd’s hut in the Swiss Alps, everyone expects him to turn her away. He has a bad reputation: mean, growly, and harsh as the cold mountain winds. But Heidi is quick to take on any challenge, whether it’s keeping an eye on the rebellious goats, learning to read, or melting Grandfather’s icy heart.
 
Heidi’s adventures take her up and down her beloved mountain, from picnics in the high alpine meadows all the way to the distant streets of Frankfurt and a city life she could never have imagined. But when homesickness strikes, Heidi must weigh old friendships with new ones and find her place in an expanding world.
 
Given new life as a graphic novel in artist Ofride’s warm, folk art–inspired style, Heidi celebrates the joy of storytelling, the wonders of nature, and the healing power of kindness.

My Review:     The artwork in Heidi is absolutely stunning.  The illustrations feature bright pastel hues, with lovely shades of blue and green for the sky, leaves and grass.  The Swiss Alps are depicted so perfectly, rising majestically across the pages with wildflowers scattered along the mountainside and fun pages of Peter herding the goats.   It evokes memories of watching The Sound of Music, particularly the iconic scene where Maria is twirling in the meadow. 

Key scenes from the original classic are present, like Aunt Dete bringing Heidi to live with her grandfather in the Alps, his initial awkwardness and gruffness with her being left with him and how they gradually soften and warm up to one another.  The illustrations beautifully depict rural life, the changing seasons, and the contrast between Heidi's time in the mountains versus living in the city with Clara.           

Included within the book is a bibliography of Johanna Spyri, a photograph of the original cover of the German edition of Heidi's Lehr-Und Wanderjahre (Heidi's Year of Wandering and Learning).  There's a map of Switzerland, helpful information about Swiss folklore, crafts, and celebrations as well as descriptions of the plants and animals found in the Alps.  There's even a list of the various adaptations that have been made of the classic book, to include games and movies.  Such a wonderful story and I can't wait to purchase my own copy.   

 Other graphic novel adaptions by Mariah Marsden include The Secret Garden and Anne of Green Gables.  I'm looking forward to reading these as well very soon.

I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE   

Werewolf Hamlet by Kerry Madden-Lunsford

Werewolf Hamlet by Kerry Madden-Lunsford

Publisher:  Charlesbridge Moves
Format:  E-ARC
Number of pages:   256 pages
Publishing:   February 18th, 2025
Source:  Blue Slip Media

Opening Line: "Anybody can forget to wear shoes at school."

From a young age, Angus could quote Shakespeare and now even dreams about producing a Werewolf Hamlet play for his fifth-grade legacy project.  But lately, he's been most concerned about his older brother, Liam and all the changes that he has been going through.  Liam has been sneaking out at night, snapping at Angus for no reason, and becoming increasingly more difficult to interact with.  In addition, Liam and his parents are frequently arguing.  Their family has been facing financial difficulties lately too, leading to considerable tension regarding the next steps. His older sister, Hannah, is feeling frustrated and is considering moving to Maine, while their younger sister hasn't fully grasped the gravity of the situation.

Angus believes that if he can persuade Liam to come to his play, he will have the opportunity to show him how much he's changed and maybe he'll even be able to get his older brother back.  Angus is a genuinely kind and caring boy who just wants his brother to be the one he knew.  The one who taught him everything he knows about Houdini and how to make a superb Shakespeare insult.  I certainly felt a lot of sympathy for how Angus was feeling. 

Each chapter highlights a little conversation between Liam and Angus, it's a nice way of highlighting the closeness that they once shared.    Along the way, Angus enlists the help of some of his fellow classmates.  I quite enjoyed Conner, the new boy at school who desperately missed living in Alabama and who keeps saying that they're going to be going back real soon.  This is a story about ultimately coming to the realization that we can't truly "fix" someone else.  That sometimes we need to listen and hope that someone can find their own way back.

** A huge thank you to Blue Slip Media for the E- ARC in exchange for an honest review**  

 I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE   

Skylar and the K-Pop Principal by Luan Goldie, illustrations by Amy Nguyen

 

Skylar and the K-Pop Principal by Luan Goldie, illustrations by Amy Nguyen
Publisher:  Candlewick Press
Format:  ARC paperback
Number of pages:   272 pages
Publishing:   February 18th, 2025 
Source:  Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Opening Line: "My eyes ping open as Kookie scratches at my bedroom door and lets out her weird meow, which sounds nothing like a meow but more like an airplane tumbling from the sky."

Eleven-year-old Skylar is the ultimate fangirl, obsessed with the South Korean boy band, AZ8.  She can't wait to get together with her best friend Dana for a release party of AZ8's latest comeback video. Unfortunately, her parents aren't supportive of her obsession.  They could care less if she learns all the lyrics, and dance moves for each of their songs.  In fact, they believe that she should be more involved with activities at home, like spending time with her Nana, helping her mom with her business, or at least practicing math to improve her scores.  So, they remove everything AZ8 from her room, including all her posters and plushies. She's even prohibited from watching any videos on her phone for a week. 

Skylar and Dana are upset by Skylar's parent's decision because they feel like every move they make is controlled by the adults around them. They are told when to eat, sleep, what to study, and the clothes they can and cannot wear by the headteacher/principal, Ms. Callus. When Skylar comes to school wearing a dancing bunny ear hat, which violates the school's uniform policy, Ms. Callus confiscates her hat.  Angered, Skyler attempts to confront her, and a freak accident occurs where they wake up having switched bodies.  Skylar is now the 71-year-old principal of Saint Margaret's Academy, while Ms. Callus returns to Skylar's home as a young girl.  Suddenly, both are navigating life in the other person's shoes without trying to arouse suspicion.  However, when an unexpected dance video contest emerges to win tickets to AZ8's show, can Skylar and Ms. Callus find a solution to resolve their issues and switch back in time for Skylar to participate in the competition?

Skylar and the K-Pop Principal is a comical Freaky Friday inspired body swap story.  I love how Skylar's innocent wish to be in charge is the catalyst for their body swap.  Just goes to show that you should be careful what you wish for.  Now Skyler is experiencing all of Ms. Callus' exhaustion and stress (although all she wanted was a little freedom) while Ms. Callus is experiencing all of Skylar's frustration and feelings of powerlessness.  Or is she?  

Both come into this new experience with a few preconceived perceptions and make a lot of assumptions about each other's lifestyle.  Skylar thinks Ms. Callus needs some friends and a new hairstyle.  While Ms. Callus thinks that all Skylar focuses on is her obsession with AZ8.  Ms. Callus does initially live up to her name, she's rude, demeaning and probably shouldn't have gone into teaching if she has such a disdain for children.  Who goes around calling their students a nobody because they aren't one of the "high achievers."  Ms. Callus views her experience as a vacation, she gets to spend time with Skylar's family, spy on the school and her new youthful body is a huge plus.  

As is often the case with having power, it soon goes to Skylar's head, and she starts changing all the rules at school according to what she thinks the students would want.  Until Dana points out that it's what Skylar wants, and not what everyone else wants.   Dance parties and K-pop clubs after school and flashy lights at assemblies where awards are given out for remembering your PE uniform four times in the semester, these are not the things that all students want.  Dana for example just wants more ecofriendly supplies and an environmentally friendly school.  And soon both Skylar and Ms. Callus agree that they want to switch back, with some comedic changes happening at the end of the book.  

Overall, this was a very amusing story that highlights having empathy, not being selfish, and that we never truly know what a person is dealing with until we've walked in their shoes.  Perfect for fans of K-pop or the reader looking for an amusing story.  There's even a nice glossary of K-pop terms at the back of the book.

 I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE   

** A huge thank you to Candlewick Press for the paperback ARC in exchange for an honest review. **       

Fairy Door Diaries: Eliza and the Flower Fairies by Megan McDonald , Illustrated by Lenny Wen

Fairy Door Diaries: Eliza and the Flower Fairies by Megan McDonald, illustrated by Lenny Wen
Publisher:  Candlewick Press
Format:  Paperback ARC 
Number of pages:   88 pages
Publishing:   February 4th, 2025 
Source:  Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Opening Lines:  "Imagine a door.  A teeny tiny fairy door.  Now imagine it is magic.  Open the door."

At the end of Salt Pond Lane, atop the hill, lies Eliza's family's cottage. Inside the low curved door in Eliza's bedroom is the entrance to the Land of Understair, a secret space filled with all of Eliza's favorite things—her drawings, stuffed animals, and new diary.  Deeper in the room is another teeny tiny door which with a sprinkle of fairy dust allows her to enter the world of the flower fairies.  Upon slipping a magical bracelet made of thyme onto her wrist, Eliza gains the ability to see the fairies.  Eliza then meets Poppy who introduces her to all of the other flower fairies, and together they begin to explore around the garden.  However, Eliza's curiosity soon leads her to the hedgerow where she becomes trapped in a patch of stinging nettles.  Poppy successfully rescues Eliza, but in doing so, she crosses the hedgerow and incurs the wrath of the witches Wolfsbane and Belladonna. The witches cast a spell creating a Demon Wind capable of stealing a flower fairy's scent, causing both the flower and the fairy to wither and die. Can Eliza find a way to reverse the spell and save her friends?

Megan McDonald, best known for her Judy Moody and Stink series, has a new chapter book series, Fairy Door Diaries which revolves around a girl captivated by magic and fairies, who embarks on enchanting adventures with her dragonfly familiar, Haiku.  

The land of flower fairies is a picturesque realm where each flower is accompanied by a fairy that gives the flower its scent.  I really love the artwork by Lenny Wen and how the combination of gouache and colored pencils subtly mutes the colors of the flowers while accenting the lovely details of each of the flower fairies, i.e. Violet, Lily and Daisy.  The colors are bright and with lots of pinks, purples and greens.  My favorite illustration was the laughing daffodils with giraffe heads.

Overall, this is a delightful story with beautiful illustrations that highlight's Eliza's bravery and determination to assist the flower fairies.  The narrative opens up the possibility for Eliza to further explore the enchanted worlds of pixies, elves, brownies, and even hobgoblins in the future.  This would be ideal for a reader eight years old and up who is practicing reading longer words or who is interested in flowers, fairies and hidden magical worlds.  It might even inspire the reader to make their own flower fairy garden.  

I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE   

**A huge thank you to Candlewick Press for the ARC paperback which will be donated to my local Little Free Library** 

The Last Great Heir: Feast and Famine by Carina Finn

The Last Great Heir: Feast and Famine by Carina Finn
Publisher:  Sourcebooks for Young Readers
Format:  E-ARC via NetGalley
Number of pages:   278 pages
Publishing:   January 28th, 2025 
Source:  Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Opening Line: "Rue pressed her back flat against the brick wall of the alley, her breath caught in her lungs."

The land of Fauret was once united until a rift was caused by a demon leading the land to divide into two distinct houses: the Feast and Famine's.  The demon was contained within the spiral tower of Helix and since then, the custom in Fauret has dictated that the heirs of Feast and Famine engage in a duel.  The victor will retain rule over the land of Fauret and ensure that the demons are unable to break loose from the tower and inhabit  Fauret.

Merriment "Merri" Feast has always known a life of parties and fine pastries, gold bracelets with a sword charm and elaborate skirts of emerald.  Rue Famine, on the other hand wears an all-black dress and stockings, and a silver bracelet with a tiny skull.  She's never indulged in the frivolity of pastries or parties.  Instead, her house creates the potions and elixirs that help the people of Famine.   

Yet, on the girls thirteenth birthday, which is quickly approaching, they are set to participate in a duel.  Rue would like nothing more than to be a great heir, but her mother hasn't been proactive with her training, so how is she to be successful?  Merri is being trained by her Aunt Ambrosia, and the Feasts haven't lost a duel in three generations, placing considerable pressure on her to ensure that the trend continues.  While she is naturally gifted with charms, Merri begins to experiment in Famine magic and one of her potions accidentally causes her twin sister, Abundance "Bun" to fall into a deep slumber.     

Rue and Merri have always been curious about one another, wanting to learn more about the person who they've been brought up to view as their rival.  Each feeling weighed down by the responsibility and what the consequences of them possibly losing the duel will mean to themselves and their house.  As they get closer and closer to their birthday, they begin to realize that they don't feel prepared to do battle and suspicions begin to form that their families have been holding a valuable piece of information from them.  

The Last Great Heir is the debut novel from Carina Finn, a food writer, critic and content creator.  Finn began writing The Last Great Heir while she was working in NYC as a restaurant critic, stating "living a life of “unfathomable abundance.” She says, “In many ways, it was a dream. But sometimes my dream life felt physically awful, and it was impossible not to think of all the people who went without basic necessities while I spent my days writing about the previous night’s twelve course dinner.  The world of Feast and Famine was born out of this dichotomy."  She can be found at @sheneedsasnack (Instagram, TikTok).

The Last Great Heir is a light middle grade fantasy that focuses on classism, familial ties, the expectations that are placed on us or that we place upon ourselves, and the aspirations of being a kind and just heir who "understands the world beyond the confines of one's inheritance."  Rue and Merri have two very different lived experiences yet have more in common than they even know.  Feasts have a lavish life and vigorish magical training while Famine study history, alchemy and develop elixirs to stave off hunger.  Both families have been keeping secrets from the girls, and I enjoyed watching how their shared hidden past lead them closer and closer toward one another and a final understanding of how and why the duel began in the first place.  Through the alternating narratives of Merri and Rue the author fills in some of the key details and helps the reader to understand these girls better.  What motivates them and who is most important to them.  Fauret is an interesting world of demons, ancient magic, talking cats, an adorable puppy and two houses that have long been divided over social class.  The story includes LGBTQIA+ representation with Rue having two mothers and two gay uncles and that final twist will have the reader eager for the next book in the series.  

 I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE   

**A huge thank you to Sourcebooks for Young Readers for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review**