The Tail of Emily Windsnap

The Tail of Emily Windsnap

Liz Kessler

Candlewick, 2004

208 pages

Grades 3-6

Fantasy

Emily Windsnap series #1

For a girl raised on a houseboat in a port town it is strange that Emily doesn't know how to swim and that her single mother seems to be afraid of the water. At twelve years old Emily finally takes a swimming lesson and something miraculous happens. Not only does the water feel like home, but her legs tingle and begin to transform into a tail, perfect for swimming. Emily is surprised and fears that this new development will make her social status worse than it already is. Late at night she privately tries to swim again--and the same magical transformation takes place. Swimming alone at night leads Emily to a new friend, Shona, who exposes her to the underwater mermaid life. Emily is not sure why she can transform into a mermaid. but thinks there may be a connect with Mom's fuzzy past and absentee father. Marriage between merpeople and humans is strictly forbidden and those who break the law are sent to an underwater prison. Could Emily's father be alive and incarcerated for an illegal marriage? And why doesn't Mom remember anything? Emily must work through her new discoveries, while learning who to trust and overcoming the bullies and haters.

I read this book almost twenty years ago when it first came out and loved the concept. My mermaid-want-to-be daughter loved the whole series. After further reflection, and two decades, I think this series serves a purpose for mermaid lovers, yet is not the best written title out there. Kids love the idea of actually being a mermaid or princess and escaping from their dreary lives. This concept alone is enough to sell the book to potential readers and the light adventure and mystery behind Emily's abilities will keep them turning pages. It is light and frothy, while remaining very readable and the target audience will leave satisfied and continue on in the series. Better written books with more developed characters are certainly out there, but not ones that explore a realistic contemporary girl actually converting to a mermaid for kids who has graduated from early chapter books, but not quite ready for more advanced middle grade fiction like Aquamarine by Alice Hoffman. Fans can also try the Philippa Fisher series about a girl who discovers that she has a fairy-godsister for more realistically magical dreams come true. 

The Secret Letters

The Secret Letters
Margaret Peterson Haddix
Katherine Tegen/HarperCollins, Sept. 2022
368 pages
Grades 4-7
Mystery
Mysteries of Trash and Treasure series #1

Two narrators tell the story of the discovery of a shoebox filled with missing letters and the mystery that follows. Colin must work all summer for his single mother, who is a home organizer and helps folks clean out their homes. It is hard work, but made better once he discovers a treasure under a floorboard in an attic: a shoebox filled with letters written in the 1970's from a boy named Toby to a girl named Rosemary, whose relationship seems to have ended in a huge fight. Where are Toby's letters from Rosemary? And whatever happened to their friendship? Meanwhile, Nevaeh must also work all summer for her Dad, the "Junk King". He also cleans out houses, though is more geared towards reselling items than providing organizational services. Colin's mother and Nevaeh's father are professional rivals and seem to have a shared past. Why do they hate each other so much? Eventually Colin and Nevaeh meet and a platonic friendship blooms. Colin shares the letters with his new friend and the two work together to find Toby's share of the letters and, eventually, to track town both Toby and Rosemary. Meanwhile, as the truth behind the letters emerges, so does the story behind their parent's past, what life was like for folks back in the 1970's, as well as both of their own personal family stories.

Haddix usually seems to write fantastical tales involving clones or time travel. This story is a departure, yet still contains an amazing plot, for which we have come to rely on her. The mystery is solid and is really in two parts, the story behind the letters and the connection between the young people's parents. Both are satisfactorily solved and explained. The kids must follow clues, do some digging and even offer free babysitting to get to the answers and their efforts are rewarded. Through the letters Haddix highlights several struggles from the seventies that we still are encountering today, specifically equal rights for women, discrepancies between economic classes and how hard it is for eleven-year-old boys and girls to be friends. As a fans of the TV show Hoarders I am fearful of my stuff taking over my life and this aspect of American society is relevant and fresh in a middle grade novel. Both main characters are unique and likable with struggles of their own. The alternating chapters are written distinctly and the relationship with their families and each other is believable. Readers will appreciate the satisfactory ending of the book and that all the loose ends are tied-up. This is a story that will be enjoyed by a wide range of young people and we will all eagerly await the next installment in the series.

All My Rage

All My Rage

Sabaa Tahir

Razorbill/Penguin, 2022

374 pages

Grades 9-Up

Realistic Fiction

Alternating chapters and points of view convey the stories of Salahudin and Noor, former best friends growing up poor in a California desert town as the only Muslim teenagers. A third voice is offered in italics and is a person from the past in Pakistan, who eventually is revealed and is significant to the present day characters. An aspiring writer, Sal lives in a failing motel. His mother is dying of a kidney disease and his father is an advanced alcoholic. After his mother dies and the small family is in danger of losing the motel, Sal makes poor choices to earn money that bring repercussions for them all. Meanwhile, Noor would love to go to college, but her abusive uncle forbids it, forcing her, instead, to work many hours in his liquor store. She finds escape in music and in her friendship with Sal and his mother. Feelings of friendship between the young people grow and Sal panics-leading him to push Noor away and cause a riff in their relationship. They finally find their way back together-only to have disaster strike and their worlds turned upside down yet again. Can Sal fix the situation to offer a life raft to his friend and can Noor ever find her way back to Sal?

This is a very different book from the author's Ember in the Ashes series. It is contemporary, honest, raw, and heartbreaking. I had to stop reading it a few times to catch my breath and then found myself worrying about the characters, forcing myself go back to it. Tahir explores themes such as immigration, islamophobia, addiction, abuse, and the cycle of poverty. At times the situations of the young people seem hopeless, yet through the guidance of a few trusted adults, perseverance, and luck there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The author adds some websites for help for some of the various troubles explored for readers who may see themselves within these pages. The two narrators voices are very distinct and offer complimenting, yet different, sides to the story. We see the truth in some situations before the other teenager does and in some cases before the actual narrator does. I love the thread of the narration from the past that fits in with the overall plot, offering another layer to the rich tale. This is a book with no easy answers and though the main characters survive and find some semblance of peace, there is no perfect happy-ever-after. I know that this book is loosely based on the author's youth and I only hope that she did not have to endure the full extent of pain and heartbreak experienced by these characters.

The Inheritance Games

The Inheritance Games
Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Freeform/Disney 2020
376 pages
Grades 7-Up
Mystery

The Inheritance Games Trilogy #1

High School student, Avery, does not have it easy. Her mother is dead, Dad is a deadbeat, and her half-sister means well, but has a dysfunctional boyfriend. Out of the blue she is summoned to Texas because a billionaire has made her a beneficiary in his will. Tobias Hawthorne has not just left her some money--he left her ALL of his money and property, displacing two daughters and four grandsons. Why would a man she never met or have no apparent connection to leave her his fortune and disinherit his blood kin? Needless to say, the family is not happy, yet she must coexist with them in a huge mansion filled with secret passageways and unknown rooms. Avery gets to know all four of the Hawthorne boys, becoming tentative friends with Jamison, who is her age. They discover that Tobias, who loved a good brain teaser, left them one final puzzle to solve and it is hard to resist. As Avery solves the clues, more questions pop-up, especially concerning Jamison's dead ex-girlfriend. Who can Avery trust in a house of hostility? The stakes get even higher as Avery is shot at and it looks as if those nearest to her may have a hand in the attack.

I thought going into this story that it would be like the Westing Game: family members competing for a family fortune via a scavenger hunt. It is much different in that Avery walks into the situation already the winner. The scavenger hunt comes later-and it seems to be for answers more than a fortune-yet the game will continue to play out in the next two books in the trilogy, the second, The Hawthorne Legacy, already released with the third dropping in August. The plot is interesting and twist and turns will keep readers guessing. I was surprised by more than a few turns of events and couldn't wait to see what would happen next. There is love triangle, that the target audience will appreciate and though there is some kissing, it doesn't get any steamier than that-at least in this first installment. This is a common fantasy, inconceivably inheriting a lot of money, and readers will be hooked right away and cheer for Avery, who is, when we first meet her, sometimes living out of her car. Avery experiences some character growth as she realizes that she can be self-absorbed and becomes a better person as the book moves forward. This trilogy has become widely popular and my older elementary kids are reading it. Currently, only fifteen of the sixty-one copies are available in my system and I had a bit of a wait for the e-book version, proving that it is currently trending with teen readers. 

Just Harriet

Just Harriet
Elana K. Arnold
Walden Pond, 2022
208 pages
Grades 2-5
Realistic Fiction

It is the last day of third grade and Harriet can't wait for summer fun! Her dreams are dashed as Dad picks her up from school (instead of Mom) and explains that she must go to stay with her grandmother for the summer on an island off the coast of her California home while Mom completes her difficult pregnancy on bedrest. Nanu runs a B&B and, though Harriet resents being sent away, she is willing to help out. Harriet insists on bringing Matzah Ball, her cat, which creates drama with Moneypenny, Nanu's ancient Basset Hound, but Harriet is insistent on making it work. Dad drops hints about a magical Gingerbread House and thinks that the shed may hold secrets. Harriet offers to clean out the shed and it is here that she stumbles upon an ancient key, which leads her to a mystery trying to discover where it fits, as well as seeking the magical Gingerbread House. While making connections with the B&B guests, as well as the islands locals, Harriet starts to uncover her father's past and finds some magic of her own as she searches for clues. Our heroine also grows up a bit along the way as she learns the power of honesty and empathy and finds allies in unexpected places.

Arnold, who also writes powerful teen fairy tales, is the author of the Bat series, about a young boy who sees the world through the eyes of Asperger's. Now we meet Harriet, who struggles with telling the truth and is realistically self-absorbed. The reading level is that wonderful sweet-spot between chapter books and more mature middle grade and is perfect for transitioning readers. Both in level and content, this is a perfect update for the Ramona books, which are the best level for kids moving up from Junie B. Harriet is a sympathetic, yet flawed, character with a lot of depth. She often takes the easy way out by stretching the truth and following what feels more comfortable at the time. Eventually, she gets tired of the "yucky feeling" that lying brings and comes clean to Nanu, who is an understanding grandparent and leads Harriet in the right direction. The gentle mystery is fun and gives the plot somewhere to go, leading the reader to a pleasant surprise. Animal lovers will especially enjoy this story and the pet's antics are likely to entice giggles. Harriet is most likable, yet far from a perfect individual. The best thing for her will be a sibling, though I think that will bring its own challenges, which will likely be explored in a sequel.

12 to 22: Pov You Wake Up in the Future

12 to 22: Pov You Wake Up in the Future

Jen Calonita

Delacorte, August, 2022

256 pages

Grades 5-8

Fantasy

Harper is celebrating her twelve-and-a-half birthday, which is a thing in her house, where they celebrate half birthdays. She is thrilled to receive the presents and make a wish later, especially since her baby sister, Reece, continues to make her life messy, her parents don't trust her to be just a little independent, and she doesn't know how to handle her growing feelings for a boy who is one of her best friends. The good news is--her parents finally allow her to post on TikTok and her premiere make-up video is scoring hits and leading to followers. Further complications ensue as the school queen-bee invites Harper to her (actual-not half) birthday party. Of course Harper accepts, but why does the birthday girl seem to have shifty intentions? Harper retreats to the bathroom and makes her half-birthday wish on a TikTok filter on her phone, and magic ensues. She wakes up and her wish came true! Harper has skipped ahead to the dream age of twenty-two, inspired by the Taylor Swift song of the same name, and, best of all, she is a social media influencer with an important job. Independence, glamour, money, and fame are all Harper's, but is twenty-two all its cracked up to be?

This first-person narration is a reboot of a common fantasy seen before in movies and books--with a current twist. Harper gets to be "big" and adulthood is seen through her twelve-year-old lens. Twelve-year-old Harper is a nicer and more ethical person and, after the initial glee at being an adult wears off, she attempts to improve the corrupt adult she now proves to be. Readers will fall into this fantasy and enjoy the story. The social media references and trends seem spot-on and will appeal to the age group, though may date the book in a few years. Harper learns many valuable lessons along the way, including appreciating her family and true friends, all that glitters is not gold, fame is not all its cracked up to be, and that there are pros and cons at every age. The story is fun, yet Harper experiences growth as a character and her journey provides substance to the entertaining fluff. The eye-catching cover will attract readers and though this book will not win any big awards, it will be an easy sell and woo reluctant readers.

The Music of Dolphins

The Music of Dolphins
Karen Hesse
Scholastic, 1996
181 pages
Grades 3-7
Animal Story

Mila only remembers her life with her dolphin family, swimming by day and sleeping on the island sand at night. She is picked up from the sea by the US Coast Guard and given to the government for research and rehabilitation purposes. At first Mila is very unhappy and confused by everything. Dr. Beck and kind assistant Sandy slowly begin to break through to Mila and she slowly starts to adjust to life on land, though always missing her ocean home and family. She meets another feral girl, Shay, who is experiencing a harder time relearning how to be human. Making friends with Dr. Beck's son and discovering music help to ease Mila's transition and for a while it looks as if she is making great progress. Dr. Beck is hopeful that she can discover the secret behind dolphin-speak through Mila and spends time trying to get information from her young patient. Despite all of the progress, Mila starts to slowly regress. The pull of the ocean is too strong. Will she bounce back or is the experiment destined to end in disaster?

I rediscovered this book as I am looking for "under the sea" titles to fit in with my summer "battle of the books". I remember loving it when it first came out, but was curious to discover if it still holds up. I became swept up, yet again, in this simple, yet heartful story and fell in love with it-and Mia-once more. The designers were very intentional and use type to help convey the story. The book starts and finishes with a poetic account of what is in Mia's head as she experiences life as a dolphin-girl. and is in italics to set this narration apart. As the book begins the font is big and gradually gets smaller, as Mia's vocabulary increases and she learns and understands more about the human world. A newspaper article informs the reader of Mia's backstory and we see Mia gradually learn about her past and come to terms with her confusing childhood and the tragedy that led her to the dolphins. Animal lovers are the natural audience for this book, but really anyone would like it. The length is short and it reads quickly with a linear plot, making it accessible to a variety of readers. Although it is not a good fit for my battle of the books (not enough plot details for quizzing), this is a story that continues to hold up twenty-five years later and I would highly recommend it to thoughtful readers.

Just Right Jillian

Just Right Jillian

Nicole D. Collier

Diversify/HMH, 2022

224 pages

Grades 4-7

Realistic Fiction

It's been almost a year since Jillian's beloved grandmother died and she is still mourning the loss. Fifth grade has not been the best year. Jillian is very shy and often feels invisible. Her archenemy, the class queen bee, insists that all of the girls dress the same and consistently beats Jillian to the right answer. Jillian knows the answers, she just can't get them out in time. When the school announces the annual Mind Bender competition, Jillian thinks she has a chance, but isn't sure that she has the confidence to compete. Meanwhile, the class receives a new addition: eggs! They watch their development and hold their breath as they begin to hatch. Other troubles ensue as Jillian's mother, who battles lupus, has a flare up and Jillian worries for her health. Can Jillian find her inner voice and learn to use it? Grandma always said that Jillian was just right the way she was, Jillian must learn to believe that statement, emerge from her egg and show the world what she has on the inside.

As kids are emerging from their Covid-cocoons and struggling with social skills, this title will be welcome and useful. Readers will relate to Jillian's troubles and insecurities. The eggs serve as a metaphor, as Jillian slowly comes out of her shell and shows herself to the world. Struggling with grief, she finds a way to connect with the memory of her grandmother and tap back into the creative hobby that they shared and was always her happy place. Her female archenemy, as well as the boy who always teases, become friends as the book progresses and we learn that people are not always what they seem on the surface. I felt that certain situations turned out a little unrealistically perfectly positive in Jillian's favor by the book's end, but this will satisfy the target audience, as they live vicariously through Jillian's successes. The reading level and length are perfect for chapter book readers ready for something a bit more challenging, yet still with a straight forward plot. A wonderful spring story to share as we emerge out of the darkness of the past two years and back into society.

Monster and Boy

Monster and Boy

Hannah Barnaby

Holt/Macmillan, 2020

137 pages

Grades 2-4

Fantasy/Humor

Monster and Boy series #1

Imagine the boy's surprise when he discovers that the monster under his bed is real! He lets out an enormous scream-and the monster promptly swallows him. Unfortunately for Monster, the boy doesn't sit well and he must figure out a way to remove him. After many failed attempts at extricating the unwanted guest, the monster finally gives up and falls asleep. Upon waking, the monster coughs--and out pops the boy, only he is super tiny--and very hungry. The new friends try to brainstorm ways to make the boy bigger, yet to no avail. They finally give up and go in search of food. Once in the kitchen they are in for another surprise: the entire kitchen has been ransacked. Who is responsible for this destruction? Is it burglars? Will the boy ever find a snack and, more importantly, reach his full size again?

This newish series for emerging chapter book readers is right on point for the intended audience. There are comic-like illustrations on every page, wide margins, large print, and a linear storyline. Scary books are currently trending and this title will catch the eye of early elementary crowd without keeping them up at night. Just the thought of a monster is creepy enough for this age group and this particular monster is lovable and huggable, making the reader wish they had such a guest under their own bed. Gentle humor diffuses any scariness that kids may feel and they will delight in the nocturnal adventure. The book is well designed and makes great use of the single color of turquoise blue. There are cliffhanging chapter endings and some surprise plot twists that will encourage readers to keep turning pages. Once the story is finished, kids can go on in the series to the next two installments, which are already available. Not a new idea, but a common childhood fear made harmless with a accessible update.