Fast Pitch

Fast Pitch
Nic Stone
Crown, August, 2021
192 pages
Grades 4-7
Sports/Mystery

Shenice is determined to lead her all-black softball team to the championship, only family distractions are getting in the way. Coming from a family legacy of ball players, Shenice has the sport in her blood. Former player, Dad, takes her upstairs to her late grandfather's hidden attic where she is shown his memorabilia trunk from his own ball playing days. A mystery is revealed about great-grandfather Jon-Jon, a player in the negro leagues who was accused of stealing an important baseball glove and kicked out of the sport. Did he really steal it or was the accusation racially motivated? Light is shed from an elderly uncle, who Shanice did not even know existed. The uncle leads her to a deserted house to try to find the glove in question. Shanie's safety is in jeopardy as she attempts to uncover the secrets to the past, all while trying to stay focused as team captain. This is not always easy as the Fulton Firebirds face all-white teams with racist intentions. Luckily, a supportive coach, good friends, and a tight family will help to see her through.

Stone is best known for her teen work, yet made her critically-acclaimed middle grade debut last year with Clean Getaway.  Scoob from the aforementioned novel makes an appearance as Shanice's friend in this book, drawing in previous readers. Sports fans will be drawn to this title, especially girls who are often not represented in this genre. The mystery fleshes out the plot, and though not always plausible, keeps the reader guessing and turning pages. As in her other works, Stone weaves racism throughout the plot both in the past and in contemporary times. Shanice needs to prove that black girls belong in the world of softball, just as her great-grandfather had to defend his place decades previous. Stone nails Shanice's voice and the story reads quickly and easily. There were a few plot points, such as how did Shanice never question the locked attic in her house, why was her great-grandfather's neighborhood abandoned, and the impossibility of the glove still being there under the floorboards completely preserved, that I questioned. Readers will not care if some of the story if farfetched. They will be along for the ride with Stone and cheering for Shanice the whole way.

Curse of the Phoenix

Curse of the Phoenix
Aimee Carter
Simon & Shuster, 2021
340 pages
Grades 4-7
Fantasy

Alternating chapters tell the story of Zac and Lu, two twins grieving the loss of their mother. After Mom dies, Dad struggles to cope and sends them to stay the summer with relatives they have never met in faraway England. The family manor is quite grand, if a bit shabby, and sits on the edge of a forest named The Wildewoods, a place of which Mom told fabulously magical stories. Could there have been truth behind them? Zac and Lu find out rather quickly as they stumble into the woods to discover mythological creatures that were thought to only exist in imagination. At the heart of the operation lies the magnificent Phoenix, the last of its kind, who holds the fate of all of the mythological creatures in its power, as well as the freedom of its human caretakers. Zac's debilitating asthma and allergies seem to be improving and both young people are enjoying their caretaking duties until an unfortunate incident leads to a fatal injury to their newly beloved cousin. Can Penny be saved? The whole future of the Wildewoods depends on whatever happens next and it's up to Zac and Lu to find the courage to save the day.

This is a fun book sure to appeal to fantasy fans. Unicorns are trending still and dragons never flag in popularity, so featuring both on the cover is a smart marketing move. I love, though, that the real star is the Phoenix. Growing up in a town where our mascot is the Phoenix I have always had a soft spot for this small, yet mighty, creature and feel that it's high-time that it gets its day. Harry Potter fans are sure to agree and they will be a natural audience, cheering as the siblings discover their previously unknown magical family legacy. Alternating narrators add a layer of interest to the storytelling. The siblings couldn't be more different, yet they learn to appreciate each other, grow stronger through this experience, and complement each other's abilities. Conflict arises as the twins unravel a mystery about the family "curse" and learn who to trust. The author slips in a subtle anti-hunting message and leaves kids with the desire to protect wildlife, both mythological and real. The story ends with a possible invitation back to the Wildewoods, so I would not be surprised if another adventure was not too far along.

A Secret Shared

A Secret Shared
Patricia MacLachlan
HarperCollins, September, 2021
160 pages
Grades 3-6
Realistic Fiction

When mom takes a DNA swab test, Nora's little sister Birdie swabs as well. Imagine Nora and twin Ben's surprise as the results come back that Birdie is of different parentage. Are their loving parents keeping a secret? Nora and Ben have nowhere to go with this information. They have Birdie swab again, asking her to keep it a secret, in order to double check the results. Meanwhile, Birdie has a secret all her own that once revealed, no one can resist. Further sleuthing divulges more information. Should they confront Mom and Dad with what they have found?

Patricia MacLachlan is an amazing author. Her stories are poetic and carefully written, with quirky characters and lots of love. This new book explores the consequences of family secrets and what it means to be a family. Mom is a poet and her work is infused within the beautiful narration, making it a thoughtful child's dream book. Many kids will become impatient with this quiet book, though and may not relate to the old-fashioned feel to the family and setting. I thought that the book was set in the past. Mom uses a typewriter to write, Dad carries a handkerchief, the whole town reads the physical newspaper and no one watches TV or has a cellphone. Yet, Mom turns on her computer at the end, proving that it must be somewhat modern days. The characters are a bit too good to be true and Birdie is a bit too precious, yet I loved the mystical fairytale nature of the narrative and fell right in. The story is short and reads quickly, making it feel like it is intended for for a younger audience than the subject matter suggests. This book is almost like a children's book meant for adults and I personally loved it, but could not think of a child to recommend it too. Many American children are being raised by someone other than their birth parents and will find reassurance in this tale that demonstrates that it is love that makes a family, not blood, and secrets are best revealed and put out in the open, even if we are afraid to share the truth. 

Pepper Page Saves the Universe

Pepper Page Saves the Universe
Landry Q. Walker
Eric Jones, Illustrator
First Second 2021
208 pages
Grades 4-7
Graphic Novel
The Infinite Adventures of Supernova series #1

Welcome to the year 2421. Orphaned Pepper is bullied at school and struggles to stay on top of her school work. She retreats into her vintage comic books from long-ago Earth, specifically the adventures of Supernova: the continuing saga of a teen girl superhero. One night at school after hours, Pepper spies her mean science teacher doing something sketchy. He seems to be tossing a cat into another dimension. Attempting to save the cat, Pepper throws herself in front of the machine and finds herself transported to another dimension: the world of Supernova. It gets even weirder when the cat talks to Pepper and she seems to be transforming into her hero. Does Pepper have what it takes to be a superhero? What will happen if she choses not to accept? And why did her teacher create this machine in the first place?

Walker and Jones have created a brand new series sure to appeal to kids who love sci-fic and superheroes. Pepper, socially awkward and powerless, has her dream come true as she transforms into her favorite superhero, becoming powerful and fabulous in the blink of an eye. What kids wouldn't want to be a secret superhero? This book ticks a lot of boxes and will gain a readership. So many graphic novels for kids that have come out recently are serious realistic memoirs or super-silly. Pepper Page is a welcome diversion and fun escape from reality. Although the main character is a girl, boys will enjoy this story as well. The full-color illustrations help to convey the plot and set the mood. Pepper's vintage comics appear slightly different, signaling to readers that they are in a separate story. The feline side-kick is a nice touch and will appeal to animal lovers. The first in a projected series, there should be more adventures for Pepper around the corner-so stay tuned!

Muted

Muted
Tami Charles
Scholastic, 2021
Grades 10-Up
381 pages
Narrative Poetry

Denver dreams of becoming a singer and breaking away from her humdrum life as one of the only girls of color in her small Poconos town. Her grades aren't great and her prospects are limited, so the music business offers an attractive way out. But how to break in? Along with her two best friends and singing partners, Denver travels into Newark to attend a Sean "Mercury" Ellis concert. The trio manages to sing for Merc as he passes by, catching his attention and landing backstage after the show. Merc wants to mentor the girls in the music biz and takes them under his wing. The problem is-the trio is under age and a parent needs to sign the contract. One girl's mother immediately signs, hoping for a step-up for the family. Another girl n the group's religious grandparents pull her out immediately. That leaves Denver. Her parents won't sign and are uncomfortable with the arrangement. She forges their signature and runs away. Life with Merc is not what Denver expects. He's very controlling and she loses freedom, as well as confidence, as Merc manipulates both Denver and her partner. Is this the dream that she's always wanted or a nightmare?

Narrative poems and song lyrics tell Charles' most autobiographical story to date. As a former R&B performer, she knows all about the pitfalls and manipulations of the music industry and sets out to warn the reader about the price of fame. Charles points out the dangers of the powerful taking advantage of the innocent and voiceless. This book made me increasingly uncomfortable as Denver's situation becomes more dire and the story goes a bit off the rails. A twist ending with shock the reader and help them to never forget this story and it's message. There are some very graphic scenes involving assault, underage drinking and drugs, strong language, and poor choices, making it best suited for older teens. I loved the writing and the lyrical, yet authentic voice of the author. Poetry is the perfect way to tell a story of a musician. The book reads quickly since some of the poems are short. Denver is both queer and Haitian/American, offering diversity on several levels. Charles highlights the dangers of the music industry, but the lessons apply to any imbalance of power, whether its entertainment or politics. A sobering, yet eye-opening novel that sings like Denver, perfect for fans of On the Come Up and The Poet X.

All Thirteen

All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team
Christina Soontornvat
Candlewick, 2020
280 page
Grades 4-8
Non-fiction

Soontornvat presents a Newbery Honor winning own-voices account of the 2018 rescue of the Wild Boars, a soccer team of boys that were rescued from a cave in Thailand. We meet the members of the Wild Boards, their devoted coach, as well as family members, Thai officials, military personnel, expert cave divers from around the world, and civilian volunteers, who all worked together to make the rescue possible. The story is conveyed chronologically with new members of the rescue team being introduced as the days go from one to another. Numerous full-color illustrations and maps round out the volume and extensive source notes and an index make it a great tool for research. Almost too dramatic to be true, the story that mesmerized the world is brought to life with all of its twists and turns, sure to intrigue young readers, who may not remember the actual events.

Like the rest of the world I found myself holding my breath during the summer of 2018 as the young members of the Thai soccer team were brought out to safety. A non-fiction account was released by veteran author Marc Aronson titled Rising Water: The Story of the Thai Cave Rescue in 2019. This was well written, if quickly, researched, and told the story in an interesting way. What makes the Soontornvat volume a bit more effective is that she somehow manages to create high emotion, while maintaining factual integrity. I felt as if I were right there in the middle of the proceedings and felt myself tearing up as the boys were swum out of the cave, one after another. The boys, themselves, serve as an inspiration and their bravery, humility and grace under pressure is a testament to great character. The book is impressively designed with many sidebars and extra info and diagrams to flesh-out the story. Soontornvat comes from a scientific background and this comes through as engineering details and other scientific information is included to explain the working of the cave and the rescue. With a little something for everyone, this narrative non-fiction title is a well researched, yet entertaining, piece of literature that can work for both curriculum support and pleasure reading.

Charlie Thorn and the Last Equation

Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation
Stuart Gibbs
Simon & Schuster, 2019
385 pages
Grades 4-7
Mystery/Adventure

Charlie Thorne series #1

Twelve-year-old genius, Charlie Thorne, is picked off by two CIA agents on the ski slopes, while playing hooky from college classes. She is whisked away to Israel to decipher Pandora; Einstein's last code that holds the secrets of the universe. Whichever country owns Pandora can fix the energy crisis, as well as control the entire world. Naturally, the United States is determined to gain control of this powerful information and will do whatever it takes to obtain it--including recruiting the services of a tween genius. An independent group of European white supremacists is also hot on the trail of Pandora, as is the Israeli government and secret police. Can Charlie get to the information before they do? Will she be able to decipher the code? And what exactly is her relationship with the CIA agent who seems to know her personally?

Stuart Gibbs is the current king of middle grade mysteries. He is my "go-to" guy for kids who are mystery lovers and need recommendations, though most kids already know him and have read his whole vast library. A bit of a departure from his Moon Base Alpha or FunJungle series, this recent series is more spy thriller and has a James Bond/Cold War feel to it. The plot has a lot of twist, turns, and surprises, containing enough details to keep the mystery interesting without bogging down the novel or confusing the reader. Charlie is an interesting character. Although a fearless genius, she realizes in the process of the novel that she has lessons to learn and choses to be a kinder person and responsible citizen. The Einstein connection adds a hook to the plot and lends ethnicity to the proceedings. I never achieved a proper handle on what exactly Pandora is, but it doesn't matter. It's all about the process of obtaining it and watching Charlie crack the code. Scientific tidbits are cleverly interspersed and wonderful quotes from Einstein introduce the different sections. The next series installment, Charlie Thorne and the Lost City, was released this year and involves fellow scientist Charles Darwin. A great mystery adventure series starter with a little something more.

Lucy in the Sky

Lucy in the Sky
Kiara Brinkman
Sean Chiki, Illustrator
First Second, 2021
304 pages
Grades 5-8
Graphic Novel

Lucy's seventh grade year starts off confusing. Her mother lives all over the world as a photographer and though she calls, Lucy feels abandoned. Dad tries, but is sometimes annoying and doesn't get it. Meanwhile, beloved grandmother, Cookie, is undergoing cancer treatments and is slowing down and not quite the same. Lucy's relationships with her friends are also changing as she realizes that maybe her best friend isn't very nice and that they really don't have much in common. A fan of boy-bands, Lucy picks up an early Beatles album belonging to her father and it becomes a game changer. Listening to the Beatles inspires Lucy to learn to play the drums like Ringo and she longs to form her own rock quartet. The only problem is: they need a guitar player. There is a cool girl that has always intimidated Lucy. Should she approach her and ask her to join the band? Lucy finds the courage and a new rock band (and friendship) is formed.

As a longtime Beatles fan I was drawn to this book immediately. I did not expect to love it so much! Husband and wife team, Brinkman and Chiki, team up for the first time to share their love of the Beatles within a middle grade graphic novel format. Perfect for the contemporary realistic graphic crowd, Lucy in the Sky will find an audience in both music and non-music fans. A coming of age story, Lucy grows and matures throughout the school year through the context of exploring the Beatles, starting from their early work and working through to the end. As someone who got through middle school by listening to the Beatles, I completely related to Lucy's experience. The book is set in 2012, which was unnecessary. Dad, Cookie, and Lucy all have experiences with the Beatles and the story demonstrates that people of all generations can find their music relevant and personal. Lucy learns to navigate friendship, family, and first crush dramas and finds solace and expression through music. I love the character guide at the beginning with a nod to Sgt Pepper. The full color illustrations will attract readers, who may be inspired to pick up instruments of their own.

Unplugged

Unplugged

Gordon Korman

HarperCollins, 2021

324 pages

Grades 3-7

Mystery/Adventure

Multiple points of view tell the tale of bad-boy rich kid and lonewolf, Jett, who is sent to an Arkansas wellness camp to learn to curb his impulses and mellow-out. Sent with a flunky of his tech-mogul father for babysitting purposes, Jett must hand over his cell phone and report to meditation class and eat strictly vegetarian. As per his usual patterns, he acts out and orders tons of highly forbidden and very expensive merchandise to be delivered. Jett's outrageous behavior and dislike of the program puts the other kids off and, as usual, he makes no friends. This slowly changes as a fellow camper discovers a small lizard with razor sharp teeth and Jett decides to team up with her and two other kids to keep the forbidden pet safe. The problem is the little guy won't eat any of the vegetarian fare. How can they keep their new friend alive? A forbidden trip to town by "borrowing" the keys to the camp's boat solves the problem, as well as stumbling them into a mystery involving shady dealings of a camp employee. The kids must work as a team and Jett must learn to trust if they want to do the right thing and save the day.

Gordon Korman is a highly reliable author. All of his books are competently written and extremely high-interest, involving both adventure and humor. I can always recommend them to both readers and non-readers of both genders and know that the book will be enjoyed. This new title is no exception. A stand alone mystery, readers will enjoy getting to the bottom of the camp employee's dishonest transgressions and discovering the connection that the little reptile friend, featured on the cover, has to the whole operation. Smart kids will figure it out before Korman gets there and others will have a delicious ah-ha moment at the several big reveals. Many chapters end at cliff-hangers, which keep the pages turning, and the multiple points of view add interest. For a rich-kid, Jett is a sympathetic character and has a transformation through his summer experience as he learns to be a friend and not just think about himself. On top of it all, there is Korman's characteristic humor and quirky characters, which make reading the book fun. Though the story is wrapped up neatly, I could see a potential sequel with more adventures for the kids of The Oasis Meditation Retreat. A fun story that could encourage readers to try going "unplugged" maybe for at least an afternoon.