Breath of the Dragon by Shannon Lee and Fonda Lee

Breath of the Dragon by Shannon Lee and Fonda Lee
Publisher:  Wednesday Books
Format:  E-ARC
Number of pages:   352 pages
Publishing:   January 7th, 2025
Source:  St. Martin's Publishing Group

Opening Line:  "Two strangers arrived on a mid-autumn morning, as if swept in by the cold wind rustling the drooping branches of the elm trees."

At the age of six, identical twins Sai and Jun were separated when their father, Li Hon broke the law by teaching them martial arts, something strictly forbidden in the East.  Jun and his father were banished to West Longhan, forced to work at the Cheon Opera Company, separating them from Sai and his mother.    

Every six years an elite Guardian's Tournament is held to entrust the Scroll of Earth to its new protector.  For the past ten years, Jun has done nothing but dreamed of competing, but his father has forbidden him from entering.  Instead, he wants Jun to take the imperial exam and get a respectable job.  However, Jun's desire to become a Guardian is too strong, even though he isn't breathmarked like his brother Sai.  Jun lacks the scales, dragon's blood and special abilities that are associated with the mark. Determined to not let that stop him, Jun secretly steals aboard a carriage heading East, defying his father's wishes.

During the tournament, Jun encounters numerous setbacks. First, his registration fee is stolen and then he faces more experienced opponents.   General Cobu of the Imperial Army even changes the rules of the tournament to favor his own fighter.  Jun has much at stake in the outcome of the tournament, but can he survive long enough to make it to the finals while the fate of the country is resting on him winning?

Breath of the Dragon is a fast paced, action-packed fantasy set in a Chinese inspired world.   It's a story with political intrigue, lovely fight scenes, and a country that has been divided into two opposing sides over their differing views on the practice of martial arts.  Reunification hasn't been possible for many years as they have taken different paths and continue to be divided over this complex issue.

Jun is a sympathetic and generally well-intentioned character.   At first, I was thrown off by his over confidence in his skills and ego, he is kind of portrayed as a jerk.  However, I began to warmup to him by the end of the book as his motivations for wanting to enter the tournament came more to light.  Also, he shows a lot of growth despite facing some challenging opponents.  Eventually even coming to understand what the weight of being a Guardian really entails.   I found myself absorbed with his journey to enter the tournament, and enjoyed how the story kept me guessing with all of its twists and turns.  The corrupt General even raised the tension nicely and the stakes kept getting higher and higher.  This is the first book in what is meant to be a duology and is said to be based off of the characters and teachings of Bruce Lee, it is written by Bruce Lee's sister, Shannon and author Fonda Lee.  Overall, I enjoyed reading this YA fantasy and am eagerly awaiting the sequel.    

The Hunt for the Nightingale by Sarah Ann Juckes , illustrated by Sharon King-Chai

The Hunt for the Nightingale by Sarah Ann Juckes, illustrated by Sharon King-Chai
Publisher:  Kane Miller Publishing
Format:  Paperback
Number of pages:   272 pages
Published:   December 1st, 2024 (1st published 1/1/22 in UK) 
Source:  Publisher

Opening Line: "My big sister Rosie says that the first thing you need to do when you're feeling lost, is get your bearings."

Each year, Jasper and his older sister Rosie eagerly await the arrival of their beloved nightingale, who appears every spring in their garden gracing them with its song.  However, this year the nightingale hasn't yet returned.  Rosie promised to help Jasper to find it over the weekend but then she didn't come home either.  Jasper's parents then tell him the sad news that Rosie has gone on to "a better place," which he understands to mean that she has disappeared.  Jasper concludes that Rosie must have gone to search for the nightingale at the gas station where she spotted it last year, and all he has to do is walk there to find them both.  

The Hunt for the Nightingale is a beautiful story that explores themes of sadness, grief, loss, and is a journey towards acceptance.  It highlights the importance of parents communicating openly and in clear terms that kids can understand, rather than trying to deliver simplified messages.  Phrases like "being in a better place" were too abstract for Jasper, leading him to focus on where is Rosie?  Jasper also would have benefitted from parents who weren't so preoccupied with their work.  One's who didn't forget his birthday.  Or parents that weren't dismissive of Jasper and Rosie's passion for bird watching by making comments like it's "only a bird."  It minimized the importance of Rosie having taught Jasper facts about birds and that they had been writing Rosie and Jasper's Book of Birds together.  Jasper and his sister were obsessed with birds and it's something that their parents should have been more encouraging about.   

On his way to the gas station, Jasper encountered many wonderful people, each leaving a lasting impression on him. There was Lulu, an older girl from his school with visual difficulties, who's searching for her lost dog.  Madge who helps Jasper to navigate through a field of cows, Gan Tran Stevens and Ibrahim who help him to push through the tough questions and suggest breathing exercises for those panicky feelings he's been experiencing.  Each offered him valuable advice, guiding him to come to terms with his loss.  Jasper's raw emotions of anger, sorrow and denial are relatable and heartwarming for the reader.  I must admit that it brought me to tears. Yet, there's also a tenderness and heartwarming sentiment in knowing that there were people who took the time to listen and cared for Jasper while he was in so much pain. Jasper changed following each interaction he made, becoming more courageous and gaining insight into his panic attacks.  The book features Sharon King-Chai's exquisite bird illustrations and each chapter is punctuated with fascinating facts about birds.  Overall, this is a beautiful story filled with emotion, warmth and lovely messaging. 

  **A huge thank you to Kane Miller Publishing for the paperback in exchange for an honest review. **       

SPOTLIGHT on UNRAVELED Newest Installment in the Bestselling KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES Series by Shannon Messenger (out:12/3)

Unraveled (Keeper of the Lost Cities #9.5) by Shannon Messenger
Publisher:  Aladdin
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 432 pages
Publishing:   December 3rd, 2024
Find It:  Goodreads, Amazon ,

 YouTube Trailer for Unraveled

  About the Book:

The past and present unravel into staggering truths in this can’t-miss installment of the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling Keeper of the Lost Cities series told entirely from Keefe’s point of view.

Please be careful. Please be happy. And PLEASE forget all about me. It’ll be better for everyone that way.

Those were the last words Keefe Sencen wrote to Sophie Foster before he ran away to the Forbidden Cities. He didn’t want to leave, but it was the only way to keep his friends safe while he figured out how to control his scary new powers and searched for answers about his past.

What he found was so much more than adventures in Humanland.

Where did he go? What did he do? And who did he meet while the rest of his friends worked to solve the mystery of Stellarlune? The answers go far beyond anything anyone could have ever imagined and give Keefe the power to change his destiny.

Unraveled makes for the perfect holiday gift idea for fans of the series! And everyone waiting to finally get Keefe's perspective.   

**Of Special Note:  Warner Bros Pictures has acquired Keeper of the Lost Cities, with Emma Watts set to produce.**

                                  About the Author

Shannon Messenger graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where she learned—among other things—that she liked watching movies much better than making them. She studied art, screenwriting, and television production but realized her real passion was writing for kids and teens. She’s the internationally, New York Times, and USA TODAY bestselling author of the award-winning middle grade series Keeper of the Lost Cities, as well as the Sky Fall young adult series. Her books have been featured on multiple state reading lists, published in numerous countries, and translated into many languages. She lives in Southern California with her family and an embarrassing number of cats. Visit her online at ShannonMessenger.com /X / Instagram / Facebook / and for fun Keeper of Lost Cities Themed Receipes

SPOTLIGHT on FUTURELAND by H.D. Hunter a New Afrofuturist Middle Grade Series (Book 3 publishing 11/19/24)

I wish I could read all the books, but occasionally a new series slips by.  Therefore, rather than reviewing the book, I decided to instead highlight the entire series.  Put a spotlight on a book whose covers immediately captured my attention.  Doesn't the premise just grab at you?    If you've already read this series, please feel free to share your thoughts in a comment.  I'd also like to send a big thank you to Banholzer PR for bringing this promising, exciting series to my attention. 

                         About the Series:

Futureland (Book 1):  Battle for the Park  
When an extraordinary flying theme park arrives above Atlanta, one boy must stop a sinister force from stealing the park's tech and taking over the world..

Welcome to the most spectacular theme park in the world.

Everyone wants a ticket to Futureland, where you can literally live out your wildest dreams. Want to step inside your favorite video game? Go pro in a sports arena? Perform at a real live concert? Grab your ticket and come right in.

Yet with all its attractions, Futureland has always just been home to Cam Walker, the son of the park's famous creators. And when Futureland arrives at its latest stop, Atlanta, Cam is thrilled for what promises to be the biggest opening ever. . .

But things aren't quite right with the Atlanta opening. Park attractions are glitching. Kids go missing. And when his parents are blamed, Cam must find the missing kids and whoever's trying to take down his family . . . before it's too late.

Futureland (Book 2):  The Nightmare Hour

The theme park of your dreams is back in this action-packed sequel as Cam Walker and his friends take on creepy carnivals, insidious tech, and a nightmarish new enemy to save the world. An electrifying illustrated series for fans of Miles Morales. 

The most spectacular theme park in the world is headed to the Big Apple. 
After Atlanta, Cam Walker and his family are ready to turn over a new leaf with Futureland. This is where dreams literally come true, and the Walkers are going to show the people of New York City that their park is back and better than ever.

But trouble isn’t done with the Walkers yet. Glitches keep happening with the park attractions. There's a creepy carnival in town that gives Cam goosebumps. Plus, he just can’t shake the feeling that his family is being watched. And it may be his imagination, but are the people around him acting . . . stranger than usual?

Can Cam get to the bottom of what’s going on before Futureland becomes a playground of terrors?

                    And the final book in the series is....

Futureland (Book 3):  The Architect Games by H.D. Hunter, illustrated by Khadijah Khatib
Publisher:  Random House Books for Young Readers  
Format:  Hardcover
Number of pages:  336 pages
Publishing:  November 19th, 2024

Find It: Penguin Random House , Goodreads, Amazon

Mazes and mind games await in this epic third book
about the theme park of your dreams, where Cam Walker goes head-to-head with the villains who have been after Futureland from the start. An electrifying illustrated series for fans of Miles Morales."Hold on tight, Futureland will be the ride of your life . . . and maybe the last!" —Kwame Mbalia, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Team Futureland. Their archenemies. A showdown in spectacularly futuristic Egypt.After Futureland emerges from back-to-back scandals, Cam Walker and his family are ready to confront the people who keep targeting their flying park. A group called the Architects has been after them since Futureland made its Atlanta stop, and the Walkers have had enough.

To settle things, the Architects propose the very first Architect Games, where the Walkers and the Architects will battle in a series of challenges. If the Walkers win, then the Architects will leave them alone once and for all. But if Cam and his family lose, they will lose everything—including Futureland and its prized tech.  The Architects can't be trusted, but Cam doesn't have a choice. If he can lead his team to victory, his family and friends will be free. Otherwise, there's no telling what the Architects will do once they get their hands on Futureland. . . .

                                  About the Author

Hugh “H.D.” Hunter is a storyteller, teaching artist, and community organizer from Atlanta. He’s also the winner of several indie book awards for multicultural fiction. Hugh is committed to stories about Black kids and their many expansive worlds. He loves vegan snacks, basketball, and stories that make you cry—but make you smile afterward. Check out Hugh’s work at thesoutherndistrict.com and follow him at @hd_tsd.

From Wonderland with Love by Jeffrey Westhoff

From Wonderland with Love by Jeffrey Westhoff

Publisher:  Ringtale Publishing
Format:  E-ARC
Number of pages:   261 pages
Publishing:   November 5th, 2024
Source:  Edelweiss+

Opening Line: "Alice sat alone beneath a tree on the bank and, with considerable envy, watched the people rowing past her on the river."

It has been five years since Alice's last adventures in Wonderland and Looking Glass Land, and she has yet to dream up a new adventure to share with her sister.  Suddenly she receives an official visit from the White Rabbit.  The Queen and King of Hearts have demanded her immediate presence in Wonderland for a special mission.  They want Alice to retrieve the T.A.R.T.S (Totally Automatic Random Targeting System) that was stolen by the Knave of Hearts before he can put his sinister plans to instill chaos into motion.  Alice is tasked with infiltrating Looking Glass Land, as the Queen and King of Hearts spy to track the Knave of Hearts, locate the device and return them all to Wonderland.  

As a huge fan of Alice in Wonderland I try to read any new books that come along centered in the same world.  It's always a treat to revisit the characters and see how the author will put a new spin on the classic stories.  From Wonderland with Love continues where Lewis Carroll left off in his previous books, but Alice is now older and much wiser.  Each character from Rabbit to the Cheshire Cat and the Caterpillar had the same personality as you would find in the classic story and it was especially fun reading Alice's interactions with Humpty Dumpty, who has been put in charge of C.H.E.S.S (the Consummate Headquarters for Espionage, Spying and Such).  Yep, the acronyms abound.

I really appreciated Westhoff's take on the story, particularly envisioning Alice as a spy.  Such fun.  Learning about the various gadgets she used on her mission, such as the bag of holding, informant's brooch, and the mirror portals that enabled her to travel between Wonderland and Looking Glass Land.  The narrative had thrilling moments, like when Alice was aboard a train, and it was very entertaining.   I found myself quickly flipping pages.  Overall, the story was well written, had similar vibes to the classic and has me eagerly awaiting the sequel, Tinker, Tailor, Hatter, Spy!  


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

The Swifts: A Gallery of Rogues by Beth Lincoln , and illustrations by Claire Powell

The Swifts:  A Gallery of Rogues by Beth Lincoln, illustrations by Claire Powell
Publisher:  Dutton Books
Format:  Hardcover
Number of pages:   338 pages
Published:   August 20th, 2024
Source:  Purchased

Opening Line: "In Morbidity Swift's Definitive Ranking of Painful Deaths, drowning is quite far down on the list, sitting squarely in the merrily unpleasant tier."

Shenanigan Swift has resumed her quest for Grand-Uncle Vile's long-lost treasure by scouring the lake.  Meanwhile, Felicity is in Paris and Phenomena is engrossed in a secret project.  Suddenly, news arrives that Felicity has been invited to stay with the Martinet's (the French branch of the Swift family tree) at their hotel, prompting Aunt Schadenfreude to exclaim that "she's all but dead!" You see the Martinets and Swifts have been engaged in a heated war for over a century, disputing which of their families came first.  Concerned for Felicity's safety, Shenanigan, Phenomena and Uncle Maelstrom head off to France and while there become entangled in a mystery involving a series of elaborate art museum heists.  Could this be the infamous Ouvolpo, the world's most famous art thief?

A Gallery of Rogues was one of my most anticipated sequels for this year.  I so adored the first book for its use of language, wordplay and dictionaries and I loved that the second book continued with this theme.  This time examining the roots of French, English and Spanish words and how there are links between some words in other languages.  How words in one language influence the words of another culture and often get adopted into that language (like how chauffer, and deja vu have become common place in the English language).   And how French words like "Pharmacie" and "Framboise" are spelled similarly in English and Spanish.  I've always been a fan of languages and words, and Gallery of Rogues is filled with such wonderful words, like "Haughty" and "Ostentatious" that make ya feel all decadent reading them aloud.  Just absolutely love it!  

The art heist investigation was entertaining, reminiscent of the movie Ocean Eleven, and I enjoyed the addition of all of Swifts French cousins.  There's the chaos of navigating a luxury hotel in disrepair, compounded by the confusion over the room numbering, which adds some intrigue.   If you've read the first book, the sequel will resonate with you even more.  I really recommend it to readers who delight in mysteries, or clever wordplay and languages.  I know I am eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series. 

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

Take It From the Top by Claire Swinarski

 Take It From the Top by Claire Swinarski
Publisher:  Quill Tree Books/Harper Collins
Format:  E-ARC
Number of pages:   256 pages
Publishing:   November 19th, 2024
Source:  SparkPoint Studio via Netgalley 

Opening Lines: "When I was five years old, I got lost in the historic Leighton Theater."

This will be Eowyn and Jules sixth summer at Lamplighter Lake Summer Camp for the Arts.  Eowyn can't wait to reach her cabin, reunite with Jules, and dive into eight weeks of musical theater, dance, vocal training and acting.  Escaping the shadow of her older brother, an accomplished Broadway actor and singer, will also be a welcome change.  At camp, the busyness helps to ease the pain of her mother's death, yet Eowyn finds herself grappling with an unexpected performance anxiety. Receiving only a spotty few texts from Jules since last summer has not made the situation any easier.  But when the two girls get to camp, their reunion is awkward and feels off.  Why is Jules being super friendly with everyone else, and standoffish with her?  She will barely even look at Eowyn and she can't figure out why.    

Take It From the Top spans across six summers at camp, told through flashbacks from present day— their sixth year— to previous summers spent together.  At one time the girls shared a really strong bond, they even dreamed of performing Wicked on Broadway together one day.  The flashbacks reveal how their friendship evolved and how the current rift developed between them.  How Jules' experiences during the times between camp were very different than Eowyn's.  Jules family is struggling financially and getting the money for camp has been a huge strain.

Meanwhile Eowyn comes from a place of privilege, her dad is a doctor, her brother is a famous actor, and she's able to take private lessons.  What is missed in this equation is that both girls think that the others life is so much better than their own.  Eowyn is envious of Jules' extended family, how her parents are always present at her shows.  Just once she would like her dad to make an effort to come.  She feels quite alone and misses her mom.

Jules is upset because she was told by one of the instructors that she'll have to work twice as hard as Eowyn to prove herself because things will just be handed to Eowyn.  She resents having to work so hard to find ways around her family's money problems to get her headshots, to have proper name brand clothing and to improve her singing without lessons.  I felt like Eowyn seemed to be trying harder to reach out to Jules and make amends.  It was difficult because she's also slightly clueless to her privilege which is worsened when she lets the source of Jules' scholarship slip.   

The story made for a really good summertime read; it had the whole summer camp vibe going for it, minus all the pranks that are usually associated with being at camp.    It's perfect for fans of the theater, musicals or acting with lots of references to Wicked.  Which is especially timely given that the movie will be coming out soon.  

There are demanding teachers and kids doing something that they feel passionate about.  I think kids will relate to the feeling of wanting to be successful, receive praise and recognition.  Both Eowyn and Jules were searching for a moment in the limelight and a chance for that opening role.  While also balancing their hurt feelings and trying to not let it overwhelm all their senses.  Their friendship was complex and yes messy but eventually they learned how to let go of the hurt and began to see the good moments that they previously shared.  Overall, a really fun story with lots of theater kid appeal.       

** A huge thank you to SparkPoint Studio 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   

Haru: Book 2: Summer by Joe Latham

 

Haru: Book 2: Summer by Joe Latham
Publisher:  Andrews McMeel Publishing
Format:  E-ARC
Number of pages:   227 pages
Publishing:   October 22nd, 2024
Source:  NetGalley

Opening Line: "When the choking dust spread, the humans that could afford to left."

Haru is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel, intended as a coming-of-age story showcasing the four seasons. The series began with the Spring volume and has now been followed by Summer.  Each book should be read in order.    

The first couple of pages of the book are black and white or a blue tinged with a white feature of billowing clouds.  A rocket ship is seen taking off and the message alludes to centuries of life slowly coming back, via sprouts returning with color. Meanwhile something sinister is seen lurking, waiting for its strength to build. The story then jumps ahead to a midnight blue or night scene of a ghost bird in search of Haru.  Haru and Yama are seen leaving the mall from the previous book as they continue their quest toward the Beacon, following the clues of the Oracle.  Frei (a small fly) is trying to get Herb to help locate Goose who is in danger, while in an all-red cave a skeleton-ish creature has captured Haru's brother.       

The colors of each page vary dependent on where each of the characters are. They are often bright and vibrant shades.  Although this is titled Summer, it would work for a Halloween read because of the darker, more menacing tones of this book.  There are eerie pages dripping in red and the Blight's new hunter is well, menacing.  Summer to me was meant to highlight the sibling bird's relationship, familial bonds, their caring, love and sacrifice for one another.  The plot moves along with the introduction of new characters and the shifting in action between Yama running off, Haru at the ancients and Goose being captured.  The curse item Yama is stuck with gives off some Harry Potter (HP) vibes in that it seems to be changing them and not for the better.  Like in HP they have to trade off wearing it.  Herb begins using self-depreciating statements and his words bleed off him withering the plants and killing all that they touch.  And he begins to grow, or as the sadder he gets, the taller he seems to become.  It's like all light is being absorbed and "negativity is being spread."  

The artwork conveys a lot of darker versus lighter shades and there is a lot still to be explored in the story.  The ending felt a little rushed to me (the new addition of the mice and ancients needed a little more explanation) and what was with that cliffhanger?  I'm also a little confused because the third book appears to only be 52 pages, and I can't fathom how that will bring things together more clearly.  Summer will appeal to readers that have already read the graphic novel, Spring, enjoy the artists illustrations, and like me, want to continue with the series.  I will probably need to start from the beginning again before the third book releases, but it's well worth it for the illustrations alone.    

Unsinkable Cayenne by Jessica Vitalis

Unsinkable Cayenne by Jessica Vitalis
Publisher:  Greenwillow Books
Format:   E- ARC
Number of pages:  304
Source:  NetGalley via Publisher
Publishing:  October 29th, 2024

Opening Line:  "I don't know what the owners have against trees, but I wish they'd plant a few between their squished sites."

Cayenne, along with the twins Bear and Sossity, and their parents, lived in a 1969 van traveling from one place to another until their father found a job working at a Sawmill in Montana.  Her dad is a Vietnam vet on disability and their mom is a free spirit, carefree, adventurous and doesn't want to be tied down.   It's the first time that they will have a place with a roof over their heads that isn't moving, and room for their new dog, George to roam.

Seventh grade presents many challenges for Cayenne, yet she's thrilled by the prospect of making new friends and finally fitting in. However, this proves difficult as the house they rent is run down, and her hippie parents constantly embarrass her by keeping chickens in the front yard and sending her to school with vegan lunches.

Soon, she meets Dawn, a bookish outcast, and Tiff, who appears to be popular.  Cayenne takes up playing the flute and develops an interest in a cute boy named Beau, she just wishes that she had the courage to talk to him.  In social studies they're studying about the sinking of the Titanic and the new wreckage that was recently discovered. 

Will Cayenne fulfill her dreams to fit in with the popular crowd?  And are the rumors that Beau might actually like her back true?  Is living in this town everything that she thought it would be or does she want to return to a time when she didn't have to worry about fitting in so much?

Unsinkable Cayenne is a beautiful novel written in verse that explores wealth inequality, first crushes, the challenges of making new friends, fitting in, and family.  Other books by Jessica Vitalis that I've read and enjoyed include The Wolf's Curse, Coyote-Queen, and The Rabbit's Gift. 

Having this set in 1985 brought back so many memories, it had all the vibes of this time period with references to the clothing, perms, pooling together your change to buy a new pair of shoes, and even secretly piercing your own ears.  The crush on Beau was really sweet and I loved that Cayenne finally found a supportive circle of friends.  The classroom discussions about the Titanic were interesting and really highlighted the stark differences in class systems or how where the passengers stayed on the ship correlated to differences in the number of fatalities that were reported.  Cayenne's story will resonate with kids whose families are struggling financially and those kids who want to fit in at school.  Readers will appreciate that the author utilized her own life experiences when writing the book and I sincerely hope for more books about Cayenne, as her story deeply moved me.

*A huge thank you to Jessica Vitalis and her publisher for the E-ARC of Unsinkable Cayenne, 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   

The Shape of Lost Things by Sarah Everett

The Shape of Lost Things by Sarah Everett
Publisher:  Harper Collins
Format:  E-ARC 
Number of pages:   272 pages
Publishing:   October 22nd, 2024
Source:  Spark Point via NetGalley 

Opening Lines:  I think it's safe to say I hate September."  

Four years ago, Skye Nickson's father kidnapped her brother, Finn and they disappeared.  Every September, their mom throws a MIA birthday party for him, and she's reminded of how much they miss him and just how difficult his absence has been on their mom.  Finn has always been her favorite person.  Usually, Skye could rely on her best friends, Reece and Jax to cheer her up, but recently, Reece has been acting differently.  Mom's new boyfriend, Roger helps to fill in some of mom's loneliness and their cat, Catastrophe has been a nice addition too.  Roger even asked Skye for her permission to marry her mom.     

When news arrives that Finn has been found, everyone is elated, but this new Finn is nothing like he was before.  He's grown taller, is secretive and he doesn't appear to remember any of the special moments they spent together growing up.  He's forgotten the family game of "Did you Know" and all the inside jokes they used to share.  And what is it with his late-night phone calls and losing things?  Skye tries to recapture the Finn of four years ago, but time didn't stand still.  Finn has had his own series of events that has shaped him into who he is now and yet Skye can't understand why he isn't happy to be home with them.

Skye loves to take photographs with an old Polaroid camera, she feels that they capture the things we can't see in the moment.  And she hopes that by taking pictures of Finn she'll be able to understand him better, but all it does is make her even more suspicious that this Finn can't really be her brother.  He doesn't even have the same scar that he had as a kid.  She knows that Finn has been in contact with their father, and that he's been lying about it and because she can't trust this new Finn, she even tries to get the police to investigate.   When Finn fails to come home one night, everyone begins to suspect foul play.  Recalling Finn's phone, Skye manages to contact their dad, and she begins to piece together some of what Finn was going through while he was with their dad.  Skye is instrumental in finding Finn and the whole family begins to receive therapy. 

Change is a huge theme throughout The Shape of Lost Things.  I especially liked the emphasis that "change doesn't have to be a bad thing.  It can just be a fact.  Like day and night, or the fact that some people are cat people, and some people are not."  Friends may change, Skye's brother changed, everyone around them may be changing and sometimes even our memory about events can change, but some changes are natural, and we need to adapt with them.  Keeping dialog open.  

Overall, the story is a little sad but does manage to resolve on a happier note.  Skye and her brother learn they had similar feelings of abandonment.  Skye feeling that she wasn't "special enough" for her dad to even take her with them.  While Finn struggled over his feelings about how no one found him and that it wasn't a choice for him to go.  Despite the tight bond they shared being disrupted by their dad's apparent mental health issues, and processing the kidnapping differently, it was nice to finally have them see both sides of the story and to have glimpses of the old Finn emerge.  This quick read may delve into some emotionally complex topics like a parent's mental illness and a sibling's abduction and return, but it also includes topics like a first crush, evolving friendships, and a parent's remarriage that kids can easily identify with.  I hope you'll have an opportunity to read it and would look forward to reading your thoughts.  Feel free to leave me a comment. 

** A huge thank you to the Spark Point for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review**  

Check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE           

Diet Soda Club by Chaz Hayden

Diet Soda Club by Chaz Hayden
Publisher:  Candlewick Press
Format:  Paperback-ARC
Number of pages:   320 pages
Publishing:   October 8th, 2024
Source:  Publisher 

Opening Lines:  "Most kids probably wake up to the sound of an alarm clock or the smell of breakfast cooking."  

Reed Beckett is the primary caregiver for his ten-year-old sister, Beatrice, who was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) at a young age.  Bea has been in and out of the hospital with recurrent pneumonias and Reed has always been by her side.  Their father died after a car accident, and their mom has been overwhelmed working double shifts at a bar.  Reed and Bea share a very special bond, his utmost priority is ensuring Bea is never left alone, even if it means sacrificing his schoolwork.

After Bea's latest stint in the hospital, they learn that as soon as she has recovered from her lung infection, she will need surgery to correct the scoliosis in her spine.  Struggling to process the news, their mom starts spending more and more time with her new boyfriend, Seth.  She even goes so far as to announce that she's spending the weekend away with Seth, leaving Reed responsible for all his sister's medications, breathing treatments, and daily care. When the weekend is over and their mother is still a no show, Reed begins to realize that she's left them to fend for themselves.

Reed takes up more of the slack from their mom's absence and begins to worry as there food and money is beginning to dwindle.  Also, there's the pending surgery for his sister which requires a five-thousand-dollar downpayment, an amount that seems unattainable.  When their mother still hasn't returned, Reed and Bea develop a system so that he can go back to school.  Reed gets up early to take care of her morning routine, during school, Bea will have access to his laptop so that he can call her, and Reed will skip lunch and head home to give Bea a bathroom break.  To raise money, Reed begins making and selling fake I.D.'s.  At first, he makes one to two but as news spreads, he begins to make more because they desperately need the cash in order to pay for their rent and to buy food.  To keep his side business a secret, he enlists the help of Helena, a previous friend who he had a falling out with in the past.  She has access to all the equipment that he needs and hopefully she'll help cover up his illegal activity.  At first it appears that Reed has found a solution to their money problems but keeping up the secrecy of their mom being absent possess to be a huge challenge.

I first heard about Diet Soda Club back in March when Candlewick Press had their Fall Fiction Preview.  The title and cover really piqued my interest and I wanted to know more.  Then the author, Chaz Hayden spoke during the event and provided a synopsis of his book.  He discussed having Spinal Muscular Atrophy and how he had always explored the idea about writing a book that included the caregiver's experience, expressing that he was hopeful that others will better understand SMA.  It was such a compelling plot, so I jumped at the chance for an ARC.

Beatrice is such an incredibly bright ten-year-old girl.  She never really gets down about spending too much time in and out of the hospital.  Sure, she has moments where she gets frustrated by a breathing treatment or scolds her older brother for spending all his time with her, but Bea is a fairly upbeat kid.  She's a whiz with computers (a mini hacker Reed would say) and better than even him at his math homework.  Reed is the worrier who takes everything on his shoulders.  He cares deeply for his sister and there really isn't anything that he wouldn't do for her.  They're both put into a difficult situation by their mom's negligence, yet somehow, they make the best of it.  Overall, this is the kind of story that will stick with you with characters that you won't be able to forget.  It's well written, providing positive representation of disability, and written by an author from their own personal experience.  Can't wait to check out Chaz's previous book, The First Thing About You next.        

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

Thea and the Mischief Makers by Tracy Badua

Thea and the Mischief Makers by Tracy Badua
Publisher:  Harper Collins
Format:  E-ARC
Number of pages:   240 pages
Publishing:   October 15th, 2024
Source:  Books Forward

Opening Lines:  "Two kids and five feet stand between me and utter social failure."

Thea is in her second week at the Junior Stunt Warrior Summer Camp, following her transfer to the private Pacific Academy middle school.  Her new friends, Brooklyn and Rex convinced her to join, and she wants to make a good impression on them.  Thea is disappointed to find out that her former friend, Evan has also joined.  At Pacific, she feels popular and noticed because of her wins in Brazilian Jui-jitsu.  But Evan is so clumsy and falls as soon as he makes his first jump in class, so Thea tries to keep her distance from him, so he won't embarrass her.  Class has been difficult enough because of her fear of heights and she really wants to keep that a secret so Rex and Brooklyn will still hang out with her.  Then Thea's mom drops some bad news, without even consulting her, she's invited Evan to come over to their house every day after practices.  How will she be able to distance herself from him now?

Making the most of her mom's decision, Thea decides that they should make an obstacle course in the backyard.  Although Evan is not super excited with the idea, he'd much rather hang out relaxing, he finally helps her with construction.  Thea's father cautions them about being careful around the calamansi tree in the backyard, according to her grandfather it's rumored to house duwendes, goblins from Filipino folklore, tricksters seen as protectors of the tree.  Thea scoffs saying that it's just an old superstition and cuts off a branch from the tree.  That night, two duwendes appear in Thea's bedroom wreaking havoc with her bookcase, smashing her trophies.  She awakes to shattered glass and is told by the two duwendes, siblings Dante and Dora that she ruined their home so they will ruin hers.  Thea attempts to apologize, but the siblings in no uncertain terms tell her that her apology lacks sincerity.  They give her one week to provide an apology that includes "words, an offering and heart."  Whatever that means, Thea wonders?  

Thea tries to come up with a solution that will satisfy the duwendes, but each attempt seems to anger Dante more.  They begin to exact revenge on Thea's neighbors, escalating to include the town.  While Dora is amendable to the idea of forgiving Thea, especially when she introduces her to mac and cheese, Dante can't be bribed by food.  When Dora reveals that locating Dante's solokot (a hat) will appease her brother, Thea sets out to find it for him.  

From the author of The Cookie Crumbles comes her latest book, Thea and the Mischief Makers, a story filled with hijinks, mischief, and Filipino folklore.  I adored how the emphasis of the story was on being genuine and that to truly apologize means more than just saying the words, that the person that you're apologizing to has to feel it.  Thea makes numerous mistakes in her interactions with Dante and Dora, the biggest when she taunts them by saying that there isn't anything worse that they can do to her than what they've already done to her room.  It takes her quite a while to figure out how she will make amends and understanding why a true apology is so important.  I liked how the more Thea and Evan began to hang out together, laughing and joking around, Thea begins to see remnants of their past friendship and even questioned what things she had to give up in order to be liked.  Was excluding Evan and making him feel unwelcome the kind of person she wanted to be?  

Sweet Evan, I loved his attitude, he's not fazed by how other people feel about him.  His concern was what Thea thought of him, and he's perfectly fine with not being considered cool.  Geeky and clumsy are ok too.  Overall, this was a fast read and I really enjoyed the messaging.  This reads a little on the younger side because of the goblins but a lot of the friend dynamics and concerns about one's image and being popular track more middle grade.  Still a very nice mix of fantasy, martial arts and adventure.     ** A huge thank you to Books Forward 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