About the Book:
All his life, twelve-year-old Ben Grishop has been practically nonexistent. Hardly anyone knows who he is, he’s not good at anything no matter how hard he tries, and he blends into all chairs and benches. But when he and his friends Joe and Dana are abducted by aliens one fateful summer night, they have the chance to become famous for saving the universe. That is, if they can survive a planet full of giant, man-eating, French-speaking crabs, a pair of tuxedoed, gibberish-spouting men with handlebar mustaches, and the mysterious “immensely powerful, evil force from The Realm Beyond.”
Jampacked with action, humor, and heart, How We Became Intergalactic Superheroes will have middle-schoolers and the young at heart alike hopping the closest spaceship to their own next cosmic adventure.
My Thoughts:
How We Became Intergalactic Superheroes is a quick, fun read for middle-schoolers that will keep them on their toes as they try to find out what happens next. Getting abducted by aliens is one thing, but having to interact with them and outsmart them is a whole different experience.
This is what happens to Ben, Joe, and Dana, three friends who are generally considered normal and boring, but who end up on an unexpected adventure. Though a little confusing at times, there are definitely moments of laughter in the story. Through this, readers will learn simple lessons of friendship, leadership, getting over one’s fears and even standing up for oneself.
I enjoyed reading this book and exploring the galaxies with Ben and his friends! I hope you all do too!
About the Book:
Can the power of friendship save the day?
Get ready for a whirlwind adventure like no other in The Chambered Nautilus, the thrilling conclusion to Laura Segal Stegman’s enchanting Summer of L.U.C.K. trilogy. Best friends Darby, Justin, and Naz are facing their biggest challenge yet. After a year apart, they find themselves drifting away from each other at summer camp. But when the ghostly Leroy Usher’s carnival falls under mysterious turmoil, the trio reunites to answer his desperate call for help. The camp’s new attraction, the Chambered Nautilus ride, hides a magical secret that could change everything. As pieces of the Ferris wheel vanish, Darby, Justin, and Naz must rely on their wits and teamwork to locate Leroy Usher before it’s too late. Their unique bond is put to the ultimate test as they encounter one crisis after another. With expulsion from camp and the carnival’s existence on the line, the friends must persevere and unravel the mysteries surrounding Leroy Usher’s plea. Join them in a heart-pounding journey filled with friendship, courage, and the power of never giving up. Will they save the carnival and their cherished memories? Find out in this tale of adventure, discovery, and the true meaning of loyalty.
My Thoughts:
The Summer of L.U.C.K trilogy takes us through various adventures of Darby, Naz and Justin as they navigate summer camp, friendship and growth. Each of them learn more about themselves, learning lessons that help them be better.
This is trio’s last adventure together and they are against the clock to save Mr. Usher and the carnival, while learning the importance of friendship and trust in one another. Our main characters are almost teenagers, their interests have started to diversify, their priorities are changing and, while making new friends, they are on the verge of moving away from those that were there.
This book focuses on the thoughts that permeate the minds of each of our main characters and finally the bonds of friendship that remain in the end, no matter how different they all grow to be. They learn to accept each other as they are and also to allow more people into their group. Things can only be more fun with more people, and it is okay to share! I think Mr. Usher has some good messages for us in this book and the journey of discovering them, learning what a chambered nautilus is and finding out the secrets of the ride are what makes this story more exciting!
I loved the entire trilogy and watching the trio grow into who they are today. It’s a wonderful journey and with each finding their own space, either at camp or outside, it’s easy to trust that they will always be friends!
About the Book:
Mikaela Kadono is bummed when her parents move the family to a creepy, old, fixer-upper house, leaving behind her friends, school and familiar neighborhood. But things quickly look up when she meets her new neighbor, George, who invites her to join a cool club called Drone Legends. Little does Mikaela know that this will be the first step in a life-changing adventure!
On The Drone Legends very first mission, a nearly tragic accident brings a mysterious, talking AI drone into their lives. But was it really an accident? And who created this drone that seems to be far beyond any available technology? As they search for answers, Mikaela discovers that the old house her parents bought holds a secret – a cryptic message from the past, hidden in riddles and codes. With the help of her new friends, they embark on a quest to solve the mystery, which takes them on a perilous journey from adventure on the high seas to secret tunnels deep beneath the ground.
The team applies science, math, cutting-edge technology and old-fashioned gadgets as they solve the clues and battle a mysterious foe who always seems to be one step ahead. The closer they get to solving the mystery, the more it seems that the messages were left specifically for them. But how would someone living a century earlier know that Mikaela and her friends would even exist? And what role is this strange, intelligent drone playing? Is it a friend, or part of a conspiracy to change the course of history?
It’s a nail-biting adventure full of twists and turns, as Mikaela and her friends race against time to stop an evil plot to take over the world. Are they following their destiny, or are they in over their heads? The fate of world and future of humanity hangs in the balance.
My Thoughts:
The Rise of the Legends is a joy to read! Filled with adventure, lots of twists and turns and a world of gadgets Mikaela and her friends will fascinate everyone who reads about them.
The story is well-written and easy to follow. The science behind everything is explained very well making it quite simple and relatable as well as easy to understand and follow. The author focuses on strong friendships, learning to face adverse situations and helping one another. Everything is not black and white in life and thus it is necessary to understand another person’s situation/circumstance before judging them. Mikaela teaches us this through her interactions with the different characters.
All the characters are a pleasure to read about and though at times it feels unbelievable that these children know so much, I think that if we have an interest to learn, age is no barrier. The book is the start to the series and sets the pace and tone for the rest to come! I am looking forward to reading about the Legends and their future adventures!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
About the Book:
What would you do if things disappeared from your doorstep? Would you stand up to a King if you thought he was a crook? Have you ever wondered how your dog spent their free time? Meet Zoe the Fierce and her brand new BFFE Rita the Sane as they jump headlong into a world of mysteries. Along their adventures they add Alex the Brave to their enterprise. Little do they know though that Zoe’s dog Scruffy has a huuuuge secret! And it’s not just that his best friend is a M…! Are their cases dangerous? Do they solve them on time? What is Scruffy’s secret? And what on earth is a M…?
About the Author:
Mamathi Chari is a proactive humanist, storyteller and fact-seeker, a hugely popular and pioneering television host, actor and content producer from Tamil Nadu. She writes books for children and young adults under the name Maya Spark—the eternal child in her, living in a world of illusion.
My Thoughts:
The Making of Heroes: The Adventures of Zoe and Scruffy is truly a pleasure to read! I love reading children’s books, they’re usually fun and wonderful for light reading. This book has just the right amount of fun, adventure and small lessons weaved into the story.
I had the pleasure of meeting Mamathi Chari at the Bangalore LitFest. She is enthusiastic and full of life and this is reflected in her writing through her characters. Zoe is a delight to read about along with her friendship with Rita, her love for Scruffy and her budding investigative skills.
The story follows Zoe as she moves to a whole new country to live with her mother and focuses on how she settles down. She is observant and a huge fan of Nancy Drew which brings out her investigative skills, leading her to solve many small mysteries. The most delightful part of this story is indeed Scruffy and his secret! I cannot reveal what it is but I’m sure the little readers will be intrigued and will really enjoy this twist in the story.
Overall a truly enjoyable read, this book had me smiling throughout and I’m sure that children will enjoy it too! I am looking forward to picking up Book 2!
About the Book:
How do you learn to be brave?
With his summer headed downhill fast, thirteen-year-old Justin faces a tricky choice: stand up to bigotry or let fear hold him back. When he’s targeted by a bully, and a good friend stops speaking to him, Justin counts on help from Leroy Usher, the ghost whose magical carnival helped transform Justin’s life after his father died last year. So this should be a breeze, right? His expectations rise further when a mysterious message from Mr. Usher invites him and pals Darby and Naz for a midnight visit. Instead of a reunion, though, the kids find themselves transported through time to unravel a mystery that tore Mr. Usher’s family apart. As Justin digs for the truth, he discovers that Mr. Usher faced challenges during his lifetime with courage – and without magic. But if courage is what it takes, Justin must learn to do what’s right when everything’s wrong.
Ready or Not is Book Two in the Summer of L.U.C.K. Trilogy
My Thoughts:
Ready or Not is Book Two in the Summer of L.U.C.K Trilogy by author Laura Stegman. Having read the first book, I was eager to dive into the second book to meet Justin and his friends again. The book is simple and easy to read with a message on learning to be brave delivered through Justin’s experiences.
This book can be read as a standalone, but some references to Leroy Usher might be a little confusing for those who have not read the first book. Justin and his friends meet again at summer camp and are eager to explore their magical experiences through the carnival nearby. This summer, Justin faces the dilemma of standing up for himself and others, standing up for what he believes in without feeling afraid.
I enjoyed reading this story and following the interactions of all the characters. The author does a wonderful job in bringing out the different situations that Justin and his friends face and also how they reason things out and learn to handle it. This is definitely a story with a message that will be a delight for young readers!
About the Book:
The novel Journey to Justice, Book 1 of The Adventures of Spider and Ruby , is a futuristic, suspense-filled novel that takes place in a post-global-warming future in which the Earth has flooded. The surviving population lives on houseboats on the water or in large greenhouses deep in the water. They are all servants to a small group of people (The Chosen) who run the planet from an artificial island and who force them to supply food and services. The Chosen live a life of leisure. Spider, a HouseBoater, and Ruby, his friend, who is an AquaGrower, are on a quest to free Spider’s 12 year old twin brother Luke, who has been arrested and imprisoned on the island for trying to organize an uprising against The Chosen. Along the way, Spider and Ruby face many dangerous obstacles including being held hostage by marauders, escaping from prison, and participating in high-speed chases.
My Thoughts:
Journey to Justice, Book 1 of The Adventures of Spider and Ruby, is drawn from author Tanni Haas’s imagination and set in a post global warming future. In this future, the Earth is flooded leading to a new life order and a new way of living. I was intrigued by the way the author imagined the world and the lives of the people. I also like the fact that this book talks about Global Warming and the impact it has today. It is an important topic and since this book is aimed at Middle Graders, this is a wonderful way to get them to think about global warming.
Initially I was a little lost with the characters and I did not understand who they were and what they were doing. The world building was also not strong enough at the beginning which had me a little confused. However, as the story progresses, more and more of the history of the world is revealed and then everything becomes clearer. After this I really enjoyed reading about Spider and Ruby, how they meet, how they plan Luke’s rescue and the adventure that follows. There are a lot of things that happen to prevent them from reaching their goal but the children persevere on.
I think that children will enjoy reading this book for both the information and the adventure in it. It is fun and fast paced with the kind of action that will draw children in and keep them interested until the very end. The people we meet along the way are quite interesting and there is a lot to learn from reading this book. Overall I enjoyed the book and recommend this for all middle graders and anyone else interested in a quick and fun read!
About the Book:
Emmie let out a huge sob – “It’s not a film set”, she cried. She held onto Jack for a moment, then took a step back, closed her eyes and shouted – “WHERE AM I?”
When Jack and Emmie suddenly find themselves transported back to London in 1940, they find a world both familiar, yet very different. As they dodge falling bombs and over-zealous policemen, they befriend Jan – a lonely Polish refugee. Together, they must work out if the shadowy figure they keep seeing is a spy and unlock the secret of getting home again…
My Thoughts:
The Blitz Bus is a delightfully quick read targeted at middle graders that takes us into 1940 and gives us a glimpse into England during the Second World War. Even though I am outside the actual target audience, I enjoyed this book and the adventure that Jack and Emmie find themselves on. While learning about the Second World War at school, Jack finds it difficult to picture the events and life of the people in his mind. Through this book, the author brings to us some of the historical facts in a way that would be easy to visualize for children.
Imagine reading about children your age who travel back in time and experience something that they are studying about. The whole idea is unimaginable, but is enough to keep children hooked. I like how the author stuck to a few specific facts and brought to us a view of the world through the eyes of children. Jan and Stan’s stories were well portrayed and it really brings home the hardships of the time. I also enjoyed reading about how the children found a way to stay there and survive until they could find their way back.
Through the book, children can learn about the situation in England, how people lived, the night raids, bunkers and even the food situation. The book is both educational and enjoyable and I think will be a wonderful adventure for all children to go on along with the main characters! I definitely recommend this book for middle graders and for anyone who loves a good historical fiction adventure mixed with time travel!
About the Book:
The explosive reveal about who John and Sarah really are and why they’re traveling through time, with their most gut-wrenching challenge yet. In the time of the Aztec, a scoundrel named Cortés arrives and the kids are forced to make an extremely difficult decision: If you could change history, should you?
For more twists, more danger, and more fun, read the third book in The Eye of Ra series, People of the Sun!
My Thoughts:
People of the Sun is a wonderful and epic conclusion to the Eye of Ra series. Once again the reader is pulled into an adventure with John and Sarah, this time to the time of the Aztec. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it brings more clarity to the characters and the timeline of events. The author also ensures to bring out the effects of the previous time travel experiences.
This book goes into some technical detail while talking about time travel and the concepts behind it. As readers, we are also in for a wonderful surprise with the turn of events and the decisions to be made. The book is indeed interactive, giving the reader enough information to get them thinking.
In this book, John and Sarah travel to Mexico during the time of the Aztecs. They end up in the middle of a war which shapes the course of history as we know it today. The most important question is then raised that I think is one to really think: If you could change history, should you? This was perhaps the most intriguing concept behind the book and I love how the author tackled the question. The characters find themselves in this dilemma and it was quite a learning experience for me as a reader to watch them on their journey of learning.
This is indeed quite a roller coaster adventure filled with historical facts, people from history, essential lessons, some science and a whole lot of fun! This series is definitely worth the read not just for middle graders but for every age group!
About the Book:
Jesper Jinx is eleven, and probably the unluckiest person in all of Puffington Hill. Everything he touches seems to end up in sweet disaster. Hence his nickname ‘Jinx’.
Are you ready for the Puffington Hill International Children’s Book Fair? That is where Jesper and the Silly Old Scribbler are heading in this hilarious and wonderfully chaotic tale of secrets and devious revenge plots.
Can Jesper save the day with another Boredom Breaker or will a vengeful group of peace-loving animals get to him first?
My Thoughts:
Jesper Jinx is back and for once he is not the one making devious plans initially! Jesper Jinx Gets Famous is the 8th Book in the series that will leave the reader rolling on the floor with laughter. I loved this new book in the series as it brings a different perspective to the series with the Silly Old Scribbler narrowly escaping being caught for something he should not be doing. Oops, I cannot say more than that since I am sworn to secrecy too! 😉
The story starts off with Jesper realizing that it is once again the holidays and he can spend time working on new pranks with his nest friend Oliver. What follows next are a series of unexpected events that leave Jesper baffled. As desperate as he is to find out why everyone seems to know him, his brush with the media turns his few moments of fame into quite something else! This entire story is more engaging with the author talking to the reader directly and of course sharing secrets with us. We also have a whole lot of animals wreaking havoc or hatching a plan, I cannot say, but it is worth the wait! 😉
The book is inclusive and more evolved showing us how much the series and characters have grown. It has been an interesting journey to get here and I have enjoyed following Jesper’s adventures so far! We can always trust that he has something up his sleeve and even though we have many new heroes in this book, I think the author has brought it all together very well! The overall plot is funny and just what young readers need to have lots and lots of fun!
Once again, I highly recommend this book and of course the entire series! The books can be read by readers of all ages and serve to provide a good break from normal routines! Do give Jesper and his friends a chance. Be sure to talk to the Silly Old Scribbler if you happen to meet him! I’m sure he has something up his sleeve just like Jesper! 😉
About the Book:
Nancy Drew. Enola Holmes. Sally Lockhart. Move over girls, it’s Jane’s time!
Join young budding detective Jane Austen in her second investigation to uncover a devious diamond thief at the glitziest, most scandalous ball of the year! Inspired by Sense and Sensibility. *
‘No one who had ever seen Jane Austen in her infancy would suppose her to be born to solve crimes. From her early love of sugar plums, and cleverness in hiding her expeditions into the pantry, her mother declared her far more likely to commit them. However, as Jane would counter, there was no better person to identify the culprit than the thief turned thief-catcher.’
When the headmistress invites her past favourite pupil to attend their end of term ball, Cassandra brings her younger sister, Jane, along too. Cassandra plunges into the feverish excitement of preparing for the biggest event of the year – the dresses, the dances and the boys expected from the neighbouring school.
Feeling rather excluded, sharp-witted Jane unearths the reason for the fuss – the headteacher wants to impress a rich family returned from India as the school is at risk of going bankrupt. Jane also befriends the dancing master’s assistant, a former slave, called Brandon, who is as quick to notice things as she. At the ball, a diamond necklace is stolen from a locked room and they are propelled into a race to uncover the burglar and save Brandon from gaol.
With the ever-present Austen spirit, Jane with notebook in hand, boldly overcomes the obstacles to finding the truth.
Perfect for readers aged 9-109, and for fans of Katherine Woodfine and Lucy Worsley.
Note: I received an ARC of the book from NetGalley. A huge thanks to the publishers and author.
This is the second book in the Jane Austen Investigates series that follows a young Jane Austen on another of her adventures to solve a mystery. Cassandra Austen is invited to attend a ball at her old school and asks Jane to come along. The headmistress of the school has a soft spot towards Cassandra, her favourite pupil. However, Jane’s presence is quite unexpected and received with some reluctance.
What follows is a series of friendships, some cricket and a theft that leads to Jane stepping in to investigate once again. We also meet Arjun and Deepti again, characters from Book 1 who are delightful and add some wonderful color to the book. I enjoyed the different perspectives in the book and everyone’s lives.
I found that this book was a little less impactful when compared to Book 1, but I still enjoyed it thanks to some of the newer characters, a talking parrot and some circus friends. The mystery was well thought out with a simple plot of theft which moves quickly ensuring the reader is engaged. In an attempt to solve the mystery, Jane uncovers many truths that shed light on the various characters of the book including the headmistress. This is the perfect book for middle graders and will give them a thrill to read it. Let’s not forget the cricket match that has to come to some kind of conclusion with the girls all showing off their amazing skills in a “boys game”! Not to be outshone, the boys also show off their skills in dancing at the ball! It’s all fun and more fun until things go wrong!
I am delighted to have read the books in this series so far and am looking forward to reading more of Jane’s adventures and her witty, sarcastic letters. She had a gift for writing and the author of this series does her justice in my opinion!