Wingbearer

Wingbearer
Marjorie Liu

Teny Issakhanian, Illustrator
Quill Tree, March, 2022
208 pages
Grades 3-8
Graphic Fantasy

Zuli is a young girl who resides in a mystical tree where bird's souls come to roost in between lives. When new birds stop arriving, the elder bird spirits send her to find out what is wrong. Accompanied by her nervous guardian owl, Frowly, Zuli sets off on her adventure. She meets Orien, a young goblin, who joins her in the quest and they pick up more supernatural folks along the way. The Witch Queen is out to stop the adventurers and they must fight her minions at various points in the story. As the journey continues Zuli learns more about who she is and the history of her people. She posses abilities and an identity previously unknown to her and now she must learn to tap into her powers to save the souls of the birds, as well as other creatures. The truth behind the missing souls of the unborn creatures becomes clear by book's end, though the details have yet to be revealed, leading readers to the next installment in the series yet to be released.

As seen with other teen/adult authors, Liu has switched to to the exploding market of middle grade with exciting results. This is a very readable and action-packed series opener that will appeal to a variety of readers. A bit more "cartoony" than Amulet it will catch the eye of both fantasy lovers and general graphic novel readers alike. The story is easy to follow and compelling. I enjoyed the characters and found them to be a likable lot. Frowly the owl steals the show, reminding me of Zazu from The Lion King and provided balance between the intensity of Zuli and some comic relief. The illustrations are in full-color and are perfect for the intended audience and the mood of the story. This is an original concept that will be an easy sell-both in the attractive packaging and well-crafted and interesting story. The plot ends on a bit of a cliff-hanger after a big reveal, encouraging readers to reach for the sequel. A fresh series opener that is sure to be a hit with young readers.

The River Has Teeth

The River Has Teeth
Erica Waters
HarperCollins, 2021
393 pages
Grades 9-Up
Mystery/Fantasy

Alternating first person narratives relate the disappearance of a girl in a rural southern wildlife preserve. It is Natasha's sister Rochelle who disappears. The girls grew up surrounded by poverty and addiction and, though they were eventually adopted and now have financial and emotional security, their sister-bond is strong. Natasha is determined to find Rochelle, even if it means taking on her abusive boyfriend or seeking help from the local witch. Bella is the said local witch with secrets of her own. She and her family are considered "trash" by the town, yet it's residents come to purchase brews when hopeless situations arise. Bella suspects that her mother may be the source of the Rochelle's-and then other girl's-disappearances. Mom's magic went wrong and now she is stuck turning into a river siren at night, no longer able to control her own instincts. The new partners end up working together to unravel the whereabouts of the missing girls. Slowly they learn to trust each other, revealing secrets and parts of their pasts, and romantic feelings begin to develop. The news about Rochelle goes from bad to worse and it becomes unclear the source behind what actually happened. Can Bella and Natasha work together to get to the truth?

October was the perfect month to read this dark and atmospheric paranormal mystery. I was drawn to the story after hearing it was about witches, but it turned out to be much more. At its core The River Has Teeth is a girl-power, feminist adventure. The women use the strength they have, tapping into nature's powers to supplement, to fight the male agenda and power structure. There is a tentative romance between the two main characters and most of the secondary characters are gender/sexually fluid. There are some truly violent bits, making this not a great choice for the squeamish. The mystery was well-drawn out. Red herrings and surprises were planted along the way. I was able to figure out the culprit before the two teens did, but it took me a minute. There is much anger and intensity within the pages of this novel, but it results in a nail-biting page-turner that I read through quickly. I love that the source of the magic came from nature and enjoyed watching the characters harness it. Waters completely nails the setting and mood, creating a southern gothic adventure that will be sure to creep-out even the bravest reader.

Dust & Grim

Dust & Grim
Chuck Wendig
Little Brown, 2021
368 pages
Grades 5-8
Fantasy/Horror

After Molly's father dies his brother, Uncle Gordo, deposits her in the home of estranged older brother, Dustin. Dustin was raised by their deceased mother and is now under the care of her unfriendly best friend. All is not as it seems in the creepy manor house, which serves as a mortuary, yet no bodies are ever delivered. Uncle Gordo is putting the screws to Molly to snoop around and find hidden secrets. A walk into the woods delivers just that as Molly discovers a door with a mysterious multi-holed lock and wolves who can communicate with her and are less than welcoming. Further investigation reveals that the family business is not as it was presented and although they are caretakers to the dead, it becomes apparent the customers are not quite human. Molly meets otherworldly beings, who become her allies and friends, and develops a tentative partnership with Dustin in order to protect the realm of the fantastical dead and their family lineage. Does Molly have what it takes to travel into the unknown and battle supernatural forces?

Adult author, Wendig, tries his hand at middle grade and delivers a deliciously creepy tale of monsters and the supernatural afterlife. What can be more scary than an old graveyard? A burial ground for a variety of deceased monsters! The gothic vibe of the book immediately clues readers into the fact that something sinister is going on and that this house is hiding secrets. The reader discovers the secrets right along with Molly and the story then dives into the realm of the monsters of legend. No one is as they seem and twists and turns reveal who the "bad guy" actually is. Meanwhile, Molly slowly makes close connections for the first time and discovers "family" and what that means. Horror is trending right now, so this story is sure to find an audience. The underlying humor and humanness of the monsters undermine some of the fright aspects, rendering the book not too scary. Molly never loses her composure, also helping the reader to be brave enough to keep reading. Though the main arc of the plot ends, I would not be surprised to see more adventures in store for Molly, Dustin, and the gang.

The Beatryce Prophecy

The Beatryce Prophecy
Kate DiCamillo
Candlewick, 2021
247 pages
Grades 3-6
Historical Adventure

Beatryce lands in the goat stall of the Order of the Chronicles of Sorrowing grasping onto the ear of the dreaded goat Answelica with no memory of her past. It is kind Brother Edik, bearer of a funky eye that won't stay in place, who discovers her. Even more bewildering than her discovery is the fact that Beatryce can read, which is against the law for females in this medieval-esque kingdom. To save the young girl's life, Brother Edik shaves her head and disguises her as a boy. When the king's men track down Beatryce as the girl prophesied to unseat the king, she begins a quest, gathering more companions on her way, including the dashing young orphan Jack Dory, and the hermit Cannoc, who harbors secrets of his own. A story within a story develops as Beatryce writes a tale about a mermaid requested by Brother Edik. Eventually the crew of friends land at the castle. Will the prophecy come to pass or will the adventurers be killed by the king in order for him to keep his throne?

Kate Dicamillo has won more Newbery Medals than anyone else. For this reason I want to believe she is overrated and entered this book critically. In my humble opinion, DiCamillo has hit it out of the ballpark again, proving her range, this time offering a medieval yarn. The Beatryce Prophecy is most similar to Deperaux, yet is more of a medieval epic and less of a fairytale. The writing is as tight as always, with every word counting and perfect. The length is not too long for young readers and the fabulous illustrations by Caldecott winner Sophie Blackall are a perfect fit. Beatryce is a brave, smart and creative sole, surrounded by a diverse cast of misfits, simular to the crew from the Wizard of Oz, yet it is the cranky goat who steals the show. Beatryce, and later Jack, can hear the goat's thoughts, putting this book almost in the realm of fantasy, but there really is no other magic seen in this quest. The story-within-a-story adds another dimension and layer of richness, reflecting the arc of the plot. DiCamillo leaves her readers with much to think about including the power of stories and reading, that love and friendship are the most important things in the world and appearances are deceiving. The ending offers a bit of a satisfying twist and all of the characters find the places in which they were meant to be. I finished the book with a contented sigh, knowing that everyone found their best ending.

Ahmed Aziz's Epic Year

Ahmed Aziz's Epic Year
Nina Hamza

HarperCollins, 2021

320 pages

Grades 3-6

Realistic Fiction

The start of middle school is not promising as Ahmed moves from Hawaii to Minnesota, where his father grew up. He doesn't know anyone and there doesn't appear to be any brown kids, making him stick out even more. The family relocated to be closer to the medical treatments his Dad requires for a life-threatening liver illness. The only boy on the block, Jack, is not only unfriendly, but begins to bully Ahmed. Luckily, he meets a couple of kids in his classes, joins the media club, and slowly finds his people. More of a tech-geek than a reader, Ahmed is placed in advanced language arts and the teacher turns out to be a childhood friend of his dad and deceased uncle. Through this teacher Ahmed is forced to read three middle grade classics, discovering himself to be a reader after all, and learning more about his family's history. A blatant and life-altering incident bring the bullying problems to a head. Ahmed comes up with a well-crafted plan of revenge, only, is it the best course of action to take? It is a year of changes, growing up, and self-discovery, all while Dad is fighting for his life. Will the school year end tragically or triumphantly?

Debut author, Hamza, crafts an own-voices account of a Muslim-Indian boy transplanted in the Midwest. The conflict involves the constant bullying (motivation is provided, giving the character depth beyond villainy), Dad's illness, and feeling like an outsider. All plotlines are resolved satisfactorily and redemption is achieved with the bully without soiled hands or further conflict. Ahmed is a sympathetic character and readers will emotionally grow spending time in his shoes. He learns many lessons, including that everyone is going through stuff and aren't just watching you, friends can be family, and that the journey is more important than the destination. Kids from other cultures will relate with the frustration of no one being able to correctly pronounce Ahmed's name and the embarrassment of eating unfamiliar foods at lunch. The climax arrives as the police respond to a potential threat at the school by interrogating and harassing Ahmed, which made me squirm. Teachers will find this a useful book to start the school year either as a read-aloud or as part of the classroom library. My favorite part of the book was watching Ahmed grow as a reader, proving that everyone can learn to love books-they just need to be pointed in the right direction.

Happily Ever After Rescue Team

Happily Ever After Rescue Team
Sam Hay
Genevieve Koto, Illustrator
Feiwel & Friends, February, 2022
240 pages
Grades 2-5

Fantasy
Agents of H.E.A.R.T series #1

Evie desperately wants to help out at her parent's new seaside cafe, but it seems as if everything she does is wrong. She has great dessert ideas and is friendly with customers, though a bit clumsy. Her stepmom is super patient, but trying to keep Evie out of the way, especially today when the judge for the best cafe in town is arriving. A mysterious book is left behind by a young customer. As Evie examines the book three princes/agents from H.E.A.R.T. (Happily Ever After Rescue Team) appear to save the day. The problem is, the princesses don't really listen to Evie and apply their own stories to the situation. Suddenly, Evie is the proud owner of a dog (okay, that solution isn't so bad) and her hair has grown to monstrous proportions. Before things can get too out of control, the owner of the book shows up and distracts the princesses. Iris left the book on purpose because the princesses are menaces and, though eager,  cause more trouble than they help. Iris and Evie are now set dashing around, trying to dodge the princesses, all while keeping the dog and saving the day at the cafe. Another former owner of the book shows up to lend a hand and the three young people work together to untangle Evie from this royal mess.

This new series start will certainly find an audience among kids who have graduated from Fairy Magic, but may not be ready for Whatever After. The plot is face-paced and fun and readers will relate to and cheer for Evie as she figures out how to be heard and contribute. Not just a fantasy/princess story, this is also a book of friendship, as Evie navigates moving to a new town and trying to make a friend. My favorite aspect of this book is that the author has included recipes and projects that fit in with the story, which readers can try at home. The fabulous dessert that Evie invents to save the day is included, as are plenty of other projects and ideas to keep kids busy. Heavily illustrated with black and white comic-style pictures, reluctant readers will be drawn to this volume and kids that prefer to "do" rather than "read" will rejoice. Madcap humor and outrageous situations will keep the target audience chuckling and a planned sequel will give them somewhere else to go once they finish. The question of whether or not Evie will permanently keep the dog is still unresolved, so readers will need to read the next installment to find out. A fun new series that serves its purpose well.

JoJo Makoons: The Used-to-Be-Best Friend

JoJo Makoons: The Used-to-Be-Best Friend
Dawn Quigley
Heartdrum/HarperCollins, 2021 62 pages
Grades 2-4
Realistic Fiction
JoJo Makoons series #1

First grader Jojo Makoons often finds life confusing. Part of the problem is code-switching between languages and cultures. She is a member of the Ojibwe Nation and speaks Obibwe, Michif (the local dialect on her reservation), and English. School can run tricky. Jojo often confuses sayings and idioms and doesn't always understand why her answers make people laugh. Even more confusing is the world of friendship. Jojo's #1 best friend is her cat Mimi, but that friendship can be less than satisfying-and certainly doesn't help during school hours. Her #2 best friend, who is also her best school friend, has been sometimes eating lunch with other people. Is Fern moving on and away from Jojo? After eavesdropping on Mom and Kokum (Grandmother) Jojo discovers that poor Mimi must go to the vet for shots. What is a best friend to do? Smuggle her buddy to school of course!

This new chapter book series is helping to launch a new imprint from HarperCollins featuring Native American children, who are formally underrepresented in children's literature. As far as I know, this is the first early chapter book series featuring a native girl, which will be a welcome sight for children who see themselves within the pages and non-native children to broaden their exposure to other cultures. Jojo is a very likable character who will appeal to the target audience, who will immediately feel better about their own skills knowing what Jojo doesn't. In fact she reminds me of a Ojibwe Junie B. Jones, only with better grammar. There are some truly funny bits as Jojo learns about life, friendships, and what is appropriate behavior. Black and white illustrations, contributed by Tara Audibert, are plentiful and sometimes full-page, encouraging the emerging reader to turn pages. The chapters are short, the margins are wide, and the print is large, inviting new and struggling readers to hop right in. The end of the volume offers a glossary of some of the terms used by Jojo that readers may be unfamiliar with, as well as an author's note offering some Ojibwe context. A welcome series featuring a charming protagonist that is sure to find a wide audience.

The Bridge Home

The Bridge Home

Padma Venkatraman

Nancy Paulsen/Penguin, 2019

191 pages

Grades 5-8

Realistic Fiction

In a letter to her special needs sister Viji recounts their adventures running away from an abusive father to the city. Life in the city is tough, but the kindness of strangers keeps them going until they meet two boys who are in the same predicament. Muthi and Arul live under an abandoned bridge and the girls join them both in their home, scraping together a living. The group becomes a makeshift family and they pool together their resources and talents to survive on the streets. Money comes from sifting through piles of garbage and selling what they can to a crooked junkman. Sister Ruku cannot sift through garbage, but she can bead necklaces made from beads given by a kind merchant. The necklaces bring in some much needed funds, providing food and other essentials. Life is tolerable, that is until their little home is ransacked and the rainy season descends. How will this band of children survive in a harsh world that has no place for them?

Even though this book had such great reviews, I put off reading it. It felt long and oppressive, along the lines of The Night Diary or Amal Unbound and I just couldn't face it. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed this book and did not feel bogged down by it. Instead, I was swept up in the drama of the characters and looked forward to picking it up again. Because it is written in a letter or diary format, the reader is instantly pulled into the action. Although the subject material is harsh, the book is not long and reads quickly. Terrible things happen to these characters, but ultimately this is a book of hope and finding something to be grateful for even when life is bleak. There is a tremendously sad bit that will hit readers hard, but I love that the author kept the story realistic and not a fairytale. Kids will experience the conditions of the poor of India and how difficult it is for children on their own, perhaps creating better citizens of the world. I love that Venkatraman delved into religion, an often taboo topic in children's literature, and offers multiple views on the topic. A well written and at times brutally realistic view of homeless children in contemporary India.