Once Upon Another Time

Once Upon Another Time

James Riley

Aladdin/Simon & Schuster, 2022

321 pages

Grades 3-6

Fantasy/Fairy Tale

Once Upon Another Time Trilogy

It is not easy being a human-sized girl in a family of giants, but Lina is convinced that at the naming ceremony her true nature and height will be realized. The day of the ceremony arrives and, against her parent's wished, Lina shows up with the other twelve-year-old giant hopefuls, only to have disaster strike, forcing her to flee her village in the clouds. Meanwhile, alternate chapters relate the experiences of Jin, a young genie in training, who is forced to endure the voice of the Cosmic Knowledge in his head and follow the whims of the evil Golden King, who has him in his clutches. Their paths collide as Lina escapes to the human village of who's inhabitants include many displaced magical fairy tale characters in hiding from the Golden King. Jin is sent to the same village by the evil ruler from which everyone is hiding. He becomes invisible to complete his dastardly mission and secretly encounters Lina--and inconveniently develops a crush on the giant-in-training. The situation quickly spins out of control as the giants go on a rampage thanks to Lina's actions and the Golden King's greedy desires force Jin to worsen the situation. Will this fairy tale world be destroyed forever? Will Jin ever break free of his evil master? And-most of all- if she isn't a giant, then what is Lina's true nature?

Riley, author of the popular Story Thieves series presents a new companion trilogy to his Half Upon a Time series. Honestly, I did not know that this was connected to the before mentioned series until the end of the book and it stand alone from it's predecessor. Kids who read the first series will be the natural audience, as will fans of Chris Colfer and Michael Buckley. I enjoyed the story very much and felt that Riley twisted common fairy tail tropes in a fun and original way. Lina is a bold, kind and daring individual who, though impulsive at times, attempts to fix her mistakes and leads with her heart. Jin is a bratty tween who, though wielding great power, is still learning how to manage it responsibly. He offers comic relief and exhibits room for character growth as the trilogy continues. Readers will guess the true identity of the evil Golden King and I suspect that his arc will get that much more interesting as well. The two storylines are distinct and written clearly in alternating voices, offering different views of the plot, which come together by book's end. The story moves quickly with a lot of action and interesting characters, sure to satisfy fans of the twisted fairy tale subgenre.

The Legend of Brightblade

The Legend of Brightblade

Ethan Aldridge

Quill Tree/HarperCollins, 2022

208 pages

Grades 3-7

Graphic Fantasy

Meet Prince Alto, the wayward son who longs to be a bard, but must perform royal duties instead. In this fairytale land bards can wield magic through their playing and Alto is blessed with this gift. His mother, the queen, also so blessed, once had adventures keeping the kingdom safe from evil magic and Alto longs for similar exploits. One fateful day Alto leaves home to seek his destiny, picking up two like-minded friends with musically magical abilities along the way. When the three play together, their magic is powerful. Unfortunately, evil is afoot, as nefarious bards abuse their talents to hypnotize the people seeking to gain control of the kingdom. When they play their instruments, everyone in earshot begins to fight with each other. It is up to Alto and his pals to play their music to combat the evil sounds. Can Alto keep the kingdom safe, all while staying out of sight of his powerful mother, who will most certainly shut down his endeavors?

Aldridge, author/illustrator of the Estranged duology, offers a fresh fairytale of magic coming from unexpected places. I love that magic takes the form of music and is wielded by musicians. Having long believed in the power of music, it is great to see it literally manifested. Alto is a likable and believable character who must go on quest to find his inner courage and come of age. His best friend is a troll, which adds interest, and all of the side characters are distinctive and eye-catching. The illustrations are well drawn and saturated in color. The artist manages to capture the magical music and conveys whether the power is evil or good. This is an original story and a cut above the usual fare for this age group. I would recommend it to the Amulet crowd and readers of the 5 Worlds series. I am sure that it will connect with an audience and is already checked out at my library, having been released just this month. The publishers lists this title as a stand alone book, but I would not be surprised to see a sequel-or prequel featuring the adventures of the Queen and her pals in their youth.

Field guide to the Supernatural Universe

Field Guide to the Supernatural Universe

Alyson Noel

McElderry/Simon & Schuster, 2022

352 pages

Grades 4-7

Fantasy

Max has a major problem. Everywhere he goes he sees ghosts, who then interfere with his life, causing trouble and embarrassment. His widower father attempts to help him become more "normal" in order to fit in with his classmates, but it is a losing battle. The situation only gets worse when Max is sent to spend the summer with estranged eccentric grandfather, Ramhart Woodbead. Ramhart and his mansion seem normal enough at first glance, but eventually the glamour wears off and Max sees the place for what it is: an enchanted house filled with magical and strange objects. Ramhart, himself, is anything but ordinary, as a celebrated monster hunter and author of the famous Field Guide to the Supernatural. Ramhart is thrilled to have his grandson and heir under his care and immediately starts training Max to eventually take over his supernatural duties, including guarding the graveyards and keeping the town safe from wicked otherworldly creatures. The worst happens when Ramhart is betrayed and his soul is swapped with that of a cat. Max must work with a crew of new like-minded pals to rescue his grandfather's soul and keep the world safe from evil supernatural forces.

Infused with humor, Noels latest offering is filled with interesting magical creatures, non-stop action, and danger galore. Readers will immediately identify with oddball Max as he struggles to fit in with his classmates and keeps messing up socially. He does not feel up to the task of keeping the world safe from evil supernatural forces and must dig deep to find the courage to tackle what needs to be done. By the book's end Max has gained confidence, discovered something he can excel at, found a place to call "home", and, most of all, made some much needed friends. The book is slightly wacky with a little bit of horror, mystery and adventure thrown in for good measure. I felt that it was a bit too long, but kids use to reading other dense fantasy books will not be intimidated by the size. Truly an original with a captivating cover, this story will find an audience and I would not be surprised if it spawns a sequel.

Hotel for Dogs

Hotel for Dogs

Lois Duncan

Houghton Mifflin, 1971

165 pages

Grades 3-6

Animal Story

Andrea and her family must move from New Mexico to Elmwood, New Jersey to live with ancient Aunt Alice while Dad trains for a new job. Because Aunt Alice is allergic, Andi must leave her beloved dog behind with neighbors until they have their own place. She misses her pet so much that when a small dog shows up looking homeless she wants to take care of her. Meanwhile, Andi's brother Bruce attempts to befriend the neighbor boy next door, only to find Jerry a bully. Jerry is cruelty trying to train his Irish Setter, Red Rover, but only frightening the poor dog. When Red Rover runs away, Bruce is determined not to return the abused pet to his mean neighbor. Where can the kids stash these dogs where they won't bother Aunt Alice? They finally chose the abandoned house down the street to keep the undercover pets. Bruce lets a new friend in on the secret and the two boys begin raking leaves in order to raise money for dog food. More friends-and more dogs-enter the situation, finally creating the Hotel for Dogs. Naturally, the hotel can't go on forever without detection. How will they be discovered and what will be the consequences?

This is not a new book. In fact it is quite an old book, older than I thought at first glance. I remember reading it as a child a long time ago and liking it, but can't recall the details. I decided to give it another crack to see if it is still relevant for today's readers to possibly use for a book discussion group comparing the story to the movie released in 2009. Yes, the book is very different from the movie and in my opinion better. (which is always the case, isn't it?) And yes, the book is also very dated in spots. The technology is different (do today's kids even know what a slide projector is?), boys and girls conform to traditional gender roles, and the kids have a ton of freedom to run around the neighborhood. The most glaring difference is the lack of animal shelters. The children must find their own solutions for rehousing the dogs. Animal abuse in 1971 was apparently allowed and there is talk of drowning unwanted puppies, which is now illegal. That said, the book is fun, reads quickly, and has kid appeal. The children develop their own solutions to problems until the jig is up and they must have adult intervention, which helps to solve the problem. Will I use the title for book group? Still unsure, but I would recommend it to young readers-with a caveat that things were different in "the good old days".

Tuesdays at the Catle

Tuesdays at the Castle

Jessica Day George

Bloomsbury, 2011

240 pages

Grades 4-6

Fantasy

Tuesday at the Castle series #1

Castle Glower is not your ordinary castle. It has a personality and changes its design based on what is happening and who is visiting. Eleven year old Princess Celie knows the castle best and is making a valiant attempt to map it out-not an easy task since the castle is always changing. Celie's parents leave the kingdom to attend her eldest brother's graduation from wizarding school, leaving her next oldest brother and sister in charge. Brother Rolf takes over the ruling duties, while sister Lilah assumes the running of the household. The worst happens when word arrives that Celie's parents have been ambushed on the road and are now pronounced dead. Royals from neighboring kingdoms arrive to attend the memorial service--and never leave. It seems as if one royal in particular has sights on the kingdom and begins to manipulate the council to take control away from Rolf. The three siblings-and the castle-must work together to keep the kingdom under family control and protect its people. Suspicions arise behind the disappearance of their family members and the true nature of the council. It is up to Celie, her siblings, and a surprising ally to save the day--and the kingdom.

Perfect for fans of The Land of Stories series, this tale is seeped in the world of fairytales, yet is totally original. The house is a character unto itself and Celie has an amazing relationship with it, feeling a bit like Home Alone gone medieval. Who wouldn't want to live in a magical castle that protects its inhabitants? Celie is a strong and relatable protagonist and her siblings are kind and likable. They have a cooperative relationship, which is refreshing in children's literature, and personalities that complement each other. The young people work together, using their wits and chutzpah to overcome evil adult forces. The villain is clear and dastardly, providing a foil that kids will love to hate. There is a lot of action and at times I was on the edge of my seat, wondering how the kids were going to get out of one situation or another. Readers will keep turning pages and the story as a whole reads quickly. Gentle humor and clever writing make the book that much more appealing. The story ends satisfactorily, leading readers to the next installment of the series, yet with no cliffhanger requiring you do so. A fun fantasy that can be enjoyed by a wide cross-section of readers.

PAWS: Gabby Gets it Together

PAWS: Gabby Gets it Together

Michele Assarasakorn & Nathan Fairbairn

Razorbill/Penguin, 2022

173 pages

Grades 3-7

Graphic Novel

PAWS series #1

Gabby attends a progressive urban school where her two best friends are a year older, yet still in her class. Even though Priya is sporty, Mindy is edgy, and Gabby sometimes feels babyish in comparison, they have one thing in common: they all LOVE dogs. The other thing they have in common is that none of them for various reasons are allowed pets. After brainstorming a lot of ideas and exploring a few options about connecting to real dogs on a regular basis, the girls come up with a brilliant plan to start their own dog walking business. With the help of Gabby's Dad, who works from home, the girls distribute fliers around the neighborhood and new clients emerge. Before they know it, PAWS has five regular dogs. This is the job of the friend's dreams, yet running a business is not as easy as they think it will be. Obstacles come their way and the ambitious walkers have different ideas for the running of the business. When Gabby is alone with all the dogs, the worst happens and she needs help. Can PAWS-and the girls' friendship-survive?

PAWS is the start of a new series sure to find a home with the fans of the graphic Babysitters Club books, of which there are many. Instead of friends forming a babysitting business, this crew choses dogs-which is sure to resound with the target audience. Kids will love this book and clamber for the sequel, yet to be released. The girls are a relatable update from the original babysitters. Friendship problems are combined within the dog shenanigans, giving the story an extra layer that readers will further identify with. The story is the perfect length and age appropriate. The panels scan easily and the full color illustrations will draw in young comic enthusiasts. The books ends with Instagram posts from PAWS that will further attract the target audience and contemporize the story. Kids dream about starting businesses and this book will jumpstart a lot of big plans, as well as get kids reading!

I Must Betray You

I Must Betray You

Ruth Sepetys

Philomel/Penguin, 2022

336 pages

Grades 8-Up

Historical Fiction

Cristian is a seventeen-year-old boy growing up behind the Iron Curtain in 1989 Romania. The communist dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu, and his wife have been exploiting the Romanian people for years, starving them while they enjoy a lavish lifestyle. In Romania at this time one in ten people are informers and Cristian is recruited to spy on the American diplomatic family at whose apartment his mother cleans. He has no choice-someone informed on him for excepting a foreign stamp and in exchange for his information they will give him much needed medicine for his dying grandfather. Cristian tells the agent what he can about the Americans, but keeps his best friend, who he suspects ratted on him in the first place, and his new girlfriend out of it. Never knowing who to trust, Grandfather, a dangerously vocal opponent to the communist regime, suspects an informant in their very family. Was it a family who turned him in about the stamp? As winter rages on and the electricity and heat flicker on and off and folks must stand in cold lines for scarce food, revolution is in the air. Cristian discovers that other Eastern European countries have broken away from the USSR. Can Romania ever be free?

Maybe the best living writer for teen fiction, Sepetys tackles a difficult and underrepresented subject: the overthrowing of the Romanian communist dictator Ceausescu. Readers will experience the dreary and scary life under a communist regime. With Sepetys' skillful hand we experience what it is like to always be hungry, cold, and looking over our shoulders. This is the only life that the Romanian teenagers of the late '80's knew and it was up to them to bring about change. Cristian has to make some difficult decisions and learn who to trust. He makes some mistakes, but gains confidence, courage, and wisdom as the book progresses. Readers will relate to him and try to determine what they would do in his shoes. The romance is sweet and innocent and will attract teen readers without overwhelming the story. The subject might turn readers off, but thoughtful young people, and adults, will find much to savor. Sepetys is a very intentional writer and every word counts. The book is as beautiful as it is difficult to read in places. With the eyes of the world currently on Eastern Europe with the situation between Ukraine and Russia, readers will wonder if anything is ever new under the sun. I felt that reading this book at this time was that much more meaningful and it made my heart hurt that much more for the people of Ukraine. An important and well-crafted book that can be a game-changer to all who read it.

The Song of Achilles

The Song of Achilles

Madeline Miller

Ecco/HarperCollins, 2012

378 pages

Grades 9-Up

Mythology

Prince Patroclus is banned from his home by his cruel father and sent to a different kingdom to train as a soldier. It is here that he meets the famed Prince Achilles and the two form a strong bond. With time, Patroclus becomes Achilles most trusted companion and the youths are sent together to train under Chiron the centaur. It is here that the two boys come of age and eventually become lovers and soulmates. Achilles' goddess mother Thetis, not Patroclus' biggest fan, is determined for her son to become the greatest warrior ever and her wish is fulfilled as the now young men travel with various armies to Troy to rescue the famous Helen. The army of Troy turns out to be a more formidable opponent than first suspected and they will not release Helen easily. The war drags on for ten years and in that time the men become frustrated. Achilles has a disagreement with the commander of the Greek armies, resulting in his refusal to fight and the Greeks start to lose battles and men. Patroclus tries to convince Achilles to get back into the war, if only to save his comrades. Achilles remains stubborn and it is up to Patroclus to take drastic measures to preserve Greek lives, eventually resulting in tragic consequences.

Based on the Iliad by Homer, Miller takes the classic story and retells it from Achilles' companion Patroclus' point of view. I put off reading this story for ten years, even though teens kept recommending it to me. I finally gave in and listened to the audio version, which was a great choice considering this tale, like many of the Greek myths, lends itself to be told orally. I was surprised to find it in the adult section, since it was only teenagers that recommended it to me, and it is appropriate for an older teenage audience. Graduates of Percy Jackson will gravitate to this book and appreciate that the author sticks very close to the actual myth. She plays up the love story, which will also appeal to the intended audience, and the tragic ending lends itself to a delicious cry. Though not an easy read, it is well written and feels like an ancient tale, though with modern sensibilities. All the players are there with their fierceness and foibles. Patroclus is a sympathetic character and readers will root for him as he stands by his man and tries to fix a very broken situation. Currently my library system owns eighty copies of this title and only twenty-eight are available, which is pretty good for a ten year old book and proves that it still has an audience and relevancy.

Ain't Burned All the Bright

Ain't Burned All the Bright

Jason Reynolds

Jason Griffin, Illustrator

Caitlyn Dlouhy/Atheneum, 2022

Unpaged

Grades 8-Up

Illustrated Poetry

Prolific author Jason Reynolds works with a collaborator to create a poetic response to the Summer of 2020. The unnamed narrator is in his home while his mother is glued to the violence on the streets on the television, Dad is in the bedroom battling COVID, Brother is deeply lost in a videogame and Sister is on the phone with her friend making plans to rise up and march. Our narrator can only sit and worry, frustrated that no one in his family is able to stop what they are doing. He reminds himself to keep breathing and that action and the hopeful illustrations on those pages in an otherwise depressing canvas keep the boy going.  Finally, he breaks through and the family stops what they are doing and pay attention to each other, only to slip back into their patterns and the cycle continues, yet our narrator continues to breathe--and hope.

Reynolds and Griffin capture what many of us were feeling during the summer of 2020. I also felt the darkness and couldn't break out of my negative cycle. Just when there seemed to be a light, the rug was swept out from under us yet again. The author and illustrator create a seamless piece of art that perfectly captures those feelings of the time from a young perspective. The poem is brief and presented with a few typed and collaged words per page. The illustrations seem to be painted in a notebook and are stunning, utilizing a careful palette of colors, rich textures and collage. Teen readers may not pick this book up on their own, although Reynolds's name on the cover will help it connect to an audience. Teachers will find this a useful tool for poetry units and, in time, it will serve as a slice of history. Themes include the mess that defined 2020 with a plea for the world to work together and care for each other. Although unpaged, the book is over three-hundred pages, yet can be read in less than an hour in one sitting. We are left with no easy answers, but with a sense of hope, a full green leaf, and, of course, remembering to breathe. Reynolds proves that he deserves all of the writing accolades he has received and Griffin has proved that he can hold his own working with such a strong talent.