When Oliver’s parents disappear along with some islands in the bay outside his home, he decides to follow them. Raised by world-renowned explorers, Oliver isn’t daunted when the islands turn out to be living, migrating creatures or when a nearsighted mermaid blunders into his expedition. Oliver befriends the island and mer-girl and together they set off to rescue his parents.
Each character in the story faces an obstacle which requires courage to overcome. Oliver, who grew up simply wishing for a normal life, learns the value of his wilderness education when it takes every ounce of his bravery and resourcefulness to save his parents from an evil island. Iris learns that her voice can be a weapon. Together they challenge the bully who swiped ornaments from the island they’ve befriended and who holds Oliver’s parents captive.
This book is packed with hilarious illustrations and quirky characters. The story is as whimsical as it is fun. Iris, the unusual mermaid, and Oliver make a good team and balance the story, making it a great read for boys and girls alike.
Language Content
No profanity.
Sexual Content None.
Spiritual Content None.
Violence Brief references to rumors of human sacrifice.
Drug Content
None.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When Zayele is promised to the prince against her will, she vows to escape her fate and return home to her family. The perfect opportunity arises when a curious jinni who wanders too close. Zayele seizes the girl and forces the jinni to take her place.
The jinni girl, Najwa, indeed takes Zayele’s place. Instead of returning home as she asked, Zayele finds herself trapped in the jinni world, where she is mistaken for Najwa. There she learns not all the rumors she’s grown up believing about jinni are true.
Trapped in Zayele’s place, Najwa tries her best to play the part of the betrothed princess. If she’s discovered – a jinni living in the Baghdad palace – she’ll surely be killed.
As the girls learn more about the history between humans and jinni, they uncover a sinister plot which means to destroy the jinni once and for all. Only together can they thwart the powerful new weapon which threatens all jinni and both their lives.
Threaded with suspense and romance, Lough weaves a cunning, fantastic tale of a kingdom besieged by fear and hatred. Through the eyes of two young girls, the reader experiences mirrored stories – one human, one jinn – showing the loss and tragedy created by war.
Lough captures the voice of fairytale and fancy, carrying the reader off to places and times unknown. Though this story doesn’t have the same lyrical beauty as some other Eastern stories, what it does well is marry a modern style to a fantasy story. This makes it a lot more accessible to readers who aren’t big fantasy fans, but who are looking for tales of forbidden romance.
I also liked that while the girls each have a part in battling the story’s villain, the boys who’ve stolen their hearts are quick, smart and powerful, making a good balance of characters. I’m all for strong heroines, but I dislike weak men as their counterparts. Lough’s characters complement one another well.
However, it’s Rahela, the princess’ companion who steals my heart. Though she first appears meek and fearful, Rahela’s true nature emerges when her cousin leaves her behind with a jinni. Instead of raising the alarm, Rahela reacts coolly. It is she who keeps her head and helps Najwa succeed in pretending to be Princess Zayele. While I loved the story and the other characters, I couldn’t help admiring her most.
Profanity and Crude Language Content
No profanity.
Sexual Content Kissing.
Spiritual Content A brief reference to origin of jinni tells of a man who found an angel who had crashed into earth and helped, thinking this was a test from God. Afterward, he discovers he’d helped a fallen angel, who then transformed him into a jinni.
The story is set in and near Baghdad, and contains several references to Allah and regular prayer times.
Violence Zayele recalls the incident which left her brother blind. War between humans and jinni causes casualties to both sides. Battle descriptions are brief and without any gory details.
Drug Content
None.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
A cruel comment from a classmate sends thirteen year-old Wendy into a spiral of self-doubt. What can she expect when even her own father barely takes an interest in her life? Mysterious notes from “AFREND” help Wendy see there’s still hope. Who could the notes be from? A cute boy perhaps? When the nasty comments continue to wear her down, Wendy is forced to take drastic measures. She tries changing who she is, hoping it will be enough put the taunting behind her.
This story delves into the anxiety and excitement of middle school, brought to life by a charming narrator. Wendy struggles to find value in herself while her classmates often undermine that journey. I loved the little notes she receives and how those affected her.
When even her best friend takes a jab at Wendy, she decides it’s time to make some changes. She breaks down the process of making a friend into simple steps and commits to following those steps. It sounds simple and obvious, but as I read it I thought, you know, I wish someone had broken this down for me as a seventh grader. Wendy makes it look so easy. And indeed it should be.
She also learns that her classmates lives aren’t what they seem. She discovers some of the students who relentlessly pick on her have dark secrets of their own. She begins to empathize with them as she learns who they really are, despite the fact that they’d picked on her in the past.
The same way that life doesn’t reach neatly finished moments, the story resolves with some unfinished conflict. Because Wendy has made progress toward being the best version of herself – friendly and less self-focused – it’s easy to hope that the other issues in her life will find their own resolutions, too.
Toney’s novel is a great story for middle school students, especially those struggling to find a social niche. While her life isn’t perfect, Wendy’s optimistic attitude and creative spirit make her an easy character to enjoy and admire.
Profanity and Crude Language Content
No profanity.
Sexual Content None.
Spiritual Content Quick prayers punctuate Wendy’s inner thought life. At a funeral, Wendy’s mom and a friend’s dad briefly discuss whether a suicide victim would find a home in heaven. (No judgment is passed or conclusions drawn.)
Violence/Graphic Content While this story tackles some big issues that are too common among teens – anorexia, suicide and bullying – these events are not the focus of the story. No graphic content or glorification occurs.
Drug Content
None.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Abby and the other Lessers in her small village rush to bring in the apple harvest for shipment to the Greaters in their vast, advanced cities. At the end of the harvest the village’s betrothed couples will wed in a group ceremony. Abby’s best friend Kyan will stand among them with his wife-to-be. The village leader’s son tries to bully Abby into marrying him, but she refuses, captivated instead by a handsome stranger who is more than he seems. Abby soon discovers dangerous secrets swirling beneath the surface of her simple life. Secrets that change who she is and whom she can trust.
The story contains an interesting dystopian landscape with sharp divides between the powerful rich and subservient poor. Abby and Kyan’s relationship is sweet, though she is a little dense about his feelings for her. When Crew arrives to help with the apple harvest, Abby is nearly swept off her feet. His character seems less developed than some of the others. In the latter portion of the tale, he becomes much more erratic and fragmented. Despite the fact that Crew appears to be a major hunk, I couldn’t help rooting for Kyan, who remains steadfast and loyal to Abby.
The story itself spirals into something of a confusing end. The last two chapters yank the story in a different direction and left me confused. It’s clear another novel is meant to follow this one, and the author may clarify the ending in that next book.
Throughout the novel Abby remains a strong heroine willing to fight for what she wants, seeking love but not helpless without it. Fans of Bond’s earlier novel Winter Shadows will notice similarities in the core characters of each story, but the settings are very different. Dystopian fiction fans may enjoy this novel for its themes and setting.
Profanity and Crude Language Content
Moderate profanity, infrequent usage.
Sexual Content Kissing.
Spiritual Content None.
Violence A girl is whipped for contradicting those in command and protecting a child. A man threatens and tries to take advantage of a girl.
Drug Content
None.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The adventure begins when an apparently grief-stricken couple hire detective Victor Getz to track down their missing nephews: Prosper, age twelve and Bo, age five. Instead of languishing in the chill of the Venice streets as their aunt fears, Prosper and Bo have allied themselves with a band of urchins led by a boy who calls himself the Thief Lord.
When a shop owner whispers to the group of a special task for the Thief Lord worth an enormous amount of money, the kids are quick to relay the information to their leader. But not even the Thief Lord could foresee what would happen if the artifact is recovered and the magical merry-go-round is rebuilt.
Quirky characters and quick humor make it easy to get lost in Funke’s award-winning, whimsical tale. Sections from Victor’s point-of-view keep the story grounded and realistic, balancing the children’s idealism and limited understanding of the world around them.
The story creates several moments in which its characters have opportunities to choose how to respond to situations and face grave consequences. When the children discover the true identity of the Thief Lord, they must reevaluate their relationships with him. Some respond with understanding and loyalty, but others embrace feelings of betrayal and remain unforgiving. When the merry-go-round is restored and its magical properties discovered, the children must decide whether it should be used at all.
The variety of narrators make this novel a great read for young and old alike. Recommended especially for readers who enjoy realistic fiction with a twist of fantasy.
Profanity and Crude Language Content
Very mild profanity.
Dashti, a mucker maid, follows her lady into imprisonment in a lonely tower. Lady Saren’s father vows to lock her up for seven years after her refusal to marry the powerfuls but vile Lord Khasar. When Lady Saren’s love, Khan Tegis visits the tower, she begs Dashti to woo him in her place. Dashti complies, unwillingly at first, until the kindness and good humor of the gentle prince stir her own heart. Lord Khasar also visits the tower, demanding that Lady Saren emerge and marry him. Dashti must use all her wits and bravery in order to protect her lady and herself from the monster inside the evil lord.
In a dramatic retelling of the familiar Brothers Grimm tale Maid Maleen, author Shannon Hale introduces a humble maid through journal entries kept through the long tower imprisonment. Dashti relates her story in lyrical prose strewn with cultural references and songs reminiscent of an ancient Middle-Eastern or Asian land so realistic it’s easy to forget it’s fiction.
The expert writing and diary format make it feel like a historical account written by a member of some ancient kingdom. Dashti’s goodness and loyalty make her an easy character to admire. Though she never takes up weapons made of steel, her cunning and bravery in the face of powerful enemies place her among the greatest heroes, a worthy role model for young readers. The writing style and setting reminded me of another childhood favorite, Seven Daughters and Seven Sons by Barbara Cohen and Bahija Lovejoy. I highly recommend both stories.
Profanity and Crude Language Content
None.
Sexual Content None.
Spiritual Content Polytheistic religion incorporated into the story.
Violence A girl very briefly tells her maid that she witnessed a man brutally murder another man.
