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Anna Jarzab’s debut murder mystery, All Unquiet Things, immerses the reader in the elite world of Brighton Day’ School’s student body.  It’s the start of senior year, and no one has been able to put the horrific murder of the beautiful, smart, self-destructive Carly behind them. Carly’s first love, Neily, is still torn apart by grief, anger and pain after losing his beloved Carly twice – first when she cruelly dumped him in front of the whole school the year before her death; and second when he discovered her gunned-down body. She’d called him multiple times the day of her death and he’s tearing himselfRead More →

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Prince of Pirates is a solid installment in Philip Caveney’s Sebastian Darke series.  For those who enjoyed Prince of Fools, this book delivers more adventure, danger, and three friends working together to overcome obstacles. Ready to find their next adventure, Prince of Piratesopens with half-elf Sebastian, his trusty buffalope Max, and half-sized soldier/adventurer friend Cornelius about to enter a deep, dark forest on their way to the coast to find a ship to take them on the hunt for the long lost treasure of pirate King, Captain Callinestra.  While in the woods, Sebastian is bewitched by the beautiful, evil shape-changer Leonora.  After barely escaping from her clutches,Read More →

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In: Action & Adventure, Elementary Book Reviews, Middle Grade Reviews, Mystery & Suspense, Sci Fi & Fantasy
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Powerless, Matthew Cody’s debut novel,  is a fun, action-packed novel that middle grade readers will really enjoy.  When 12-year old Daniel and his family move to the small town of Noble’s Green he’s nervous about making new friends and fitting in at school.  But soon enough he makes friends with some kind of odd, but cool, kids, as well as making some instant, and scary enemies. Daniel begins to realize that what he thought were simply oddities and quirks are actually powers – super powers, that is:  Mollie is the fastest flier ever; Rohan has super senses; Rose can disappear; and Eric is super strong and can fly.  ButRead More →

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Sometimes you’re craving an over-the-top, action packed summer-block buster, full of outrageous aliens, unbelievable CGI special effects, fast dialogue, and zany surprises & intrigue… and when you’re looking for that perfect thing, and nothing else will do, then Hollywood screenwriter David O. Russell and video game designer Andrew Auseon’s Alienated is the ticket you want to buy. But I am getting ahead of myself, since Alienatedwas just published, as a book, by Aladdin.  Clearly conceptualized and written as the beginning of a series destined for the big screen, this book is one over-the-top, crazy episode and character after another.  Middle grade guy readers (and some girls too) whoRead More →

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In: Middle Grade Reviews, Supernatural & Horror, Supernatural & Horror (YA), Young Adult Book Reviews
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14 year olds Stuck and Pete are best friends who live on the shores of a glacier-lake in New England, surrounded by a dense, dark wood. Every summer their lake gets an influx of summer visitors and their friends from the city come back for another season. But this year is different – the kids are older now, their relationships are changing, and the terror in the woods that’s haunted them in the past has crossed over into their world. As part of their annual summer activities the gang of friends spend most nights around the campfire, telling ever more complicated and scary versions of theRead More →

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In: Middle Grade Reviews, Mystery & Suspense, Supernatural & Horror
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F.E. Higgins’ newest book for middle readers, The Eyeball Collector, takes us to another macabre setting in her stories from Urbs Umida.  It’s full of mystery, danger, blackmail, the grotesque, and of course, revenge.   Hector Fitzbauldy lives a rich and privileged life on the north side of the River Foedus in a Victorian-esqe Urbs Umida, but he is curious about the seedy, dangerous life on the South side of the river, far from the safety and wealth of his father’s comfortable home.  But after his father is blackmailed into losing his wealth, influence and even his life, the gritty life of a street urchin is Hector’s reality.  AsRead More →

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Dweeb: Burgers Beasts and Brainwashed Bullies by Aaron Starmer follows the tale of five boys- Denton, Wendell, Eddie, Elijah and Bijay-who are thrown together after Vice Principal Snodgrass frames them for stealing the Bake Sale money. Snodgrass’ punishment is extreme-he locks the boys in a secret room beneath the school and forces them to study for the upcoming Idaho tests- if the boys ace them, their crime will be forgiven. But there is something more going on at the school and the 5 misfits, now collectively called DWEEB, must use all of their skills to unravel the mysterious happenings at Ho-Ho-Kus Junior High. This isRead More →

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In: Middle Grade Reviews, Romance (YA), Supernatural & Horror, Supernatural & Horror (YA), Young Adult Book Reviews
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I may have been watching too much Buffy: The Vampire Slayer lately, but… 16 year old Nikki’s just moved to another town and unlike other schools, seems to have been able to make friends with the most popular girl in school. And, the cutest guy has just asked her to attend the winter formal dance.  But then a strange, secretive guy starts stalking her.  When Michael finally catches up to Nikki, he reveals that her long-lost father is actually a demon king, charged with protecting the Shadowlands and prohibiting the demons of Hell from reaching Earth.  Now that Nikki is 16, her powers as a Darkling, half-human, half-demon will emerge.Read More →

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When Beatrice, aka Robot Girl, moves to a new town and meets Jonah, aka Ghost Boy, they form an unexpected friendship. Jonah is a loner who hasn’t made a new friend (or much of an impression on anyone) since the third grade–but he might make the exception for Bea. Bea describes herself as Robot Girl (except for the made-out-of-metal part). As this quirky tale unfolds,  Bea and Jonah bond through honest conversations, shared escapades, and late night calls into an “old-timer radio show.” As their friendship grows, Bea learns about Jonah’s history and their relationship becomes more meaningful than either of them ever expected. ThisRead More →