Monster Locker by Jorge Aguirre and Andres Vera Martinez

 Wow. It's hard to know where to begin to review this book - it's just that amazing. So, quick summary first I guess.

It's not a good start to the new school year when Pablo's abuela drags him out of bed to save their nonexistent goats. Once he remembers he's in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio, he realizes that doesn't make things any better - his sister is insisting he learn to waltz for her quinceanera, his parents won't get him a phone, he runs into a weird new kid, and he's still unpopular at school, due to... the incident. Oh, and he's gotten stuck with a haunted locker in the haunted basement.

Pablo's plan is to lie low and just make it through middle school, but it's getting harder and harder to do that as things just keep happening! When an inky black monster named Obie pops out of his locker and offers to help him summon monsters from mythology to solve his problems, he's hardly even surprised. He is surprised and overjoyed when he finds a phone in his locker - his parents finally got him a phone!? Nope, turns out it's a trick and the next thing he knows Pablo has summoned Coatlicue and she is NOT happy. She's decided it's time for all the ungrateful humans to pay for what they've done, starting with Pablo's middle school, the firefighters who show up (his mom gets transformed into an armadillo), and everyone she can get her stone jaguar claws on.

Readers are in for a wild ride, as one moment Pablo is debating the merits of tacos with his new friends, and the next minute he's using D&D rules to try and plan a strategy for saving his hometown. There's a sharp reality to the story, despite the mythical monsters, as the students deal with racism and hostility in their own ways and Pablo finds a way to honor his heritage and still be himself. At the same time, the story never takes itself too seriously, with Pablo's hilarious interactions with his abuela (where has she even been keeping those bones!?) and his determination to save his new friends, his family, but maybe not the bullies... Every kid is a unique character, showing all the drama, awkwardness, and struggle of middle schoolers, from Pablo's former best friend, who falls back on threatening to call I.C.E. on the Hispanic kids, to his new friend Maggie who has declared war on all technology because she's tired of dealing with the girls' group chat.

Verdict: For a story about ancient mythical beings returning to unmake the world, this is real, funny, and hits home in all the right ways. I've been looking for books that center Hispanic experience in the Midwest for a long time and never expected to find the perfect book in a fantasy graphic novel starring a nerdy short kid and a bloodthirsty goddess. Aguirre hits every point for the classic middle grade audience and I highly recommend this for all public and school libraries.

ISBN: 9781250749734; Paperback on Baker & Taylor for $9.44

Published October 2024 by First Second; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library

Camp Scare by Delilah S. Dawson

 Spooky stories are really not my thing, but something about Leila's description of this book at Bookshelves of Doom grabbed my attention. It's been on my shelf for a while, and then I tackled it in one of my periodical clearing-of-the-shelves reading sprees. Generally, in these I skim 80% of the books and then a couple will grab me and I'll go back and read them from beginning to end and this was one of those books.

The story starts with Parker having a miserable, humiliating experience at new girl Cassie's house - she thought she had a chance at being friends with her, if she just didn't blurt out too many weird facts or do whatever mysterious thing it is that keeps her from making friends. But it turns out that it was all a mean joke and now there are pictures online. School is hell and the adults' vague platitudes are useless. She's got another chance - she thinks - when the school gives her a scholarship to a famous overnight camp (mostly so her parents' won't sue them). When she arrives, it turns out Cassie is in her cabin. Not only that, Cassie is a "legacy" who's known everyone there since she was a kid. Once again, Parker is the odd kid out and she barely has time to say hello to the other kids when Cassie starts spreading rumors.

The only reason Parker sticks it out is that she's made one friend - Jenny - who is willing to hang out with her, albeit at weird times. But then "accidents" start happening to the bullies in Parker's cabin and she begins to realize that Jenny isn't what she seems to be.

Of course, there are lots of things to think about here in the themes of bullying, cliques, and well-meaning but useless adults. Leila makes some really good points about Parker's feelings of helplessness and lack of control as well. Mostly, however, this is a really creepy ghost story and what makes it perfectly middle grade is the satisfying ending. Even though horrible things happened to "Jenny" and Parker has been completely miserable, there's hope for both of them to move on and find some peace. Parker makes difficult choices about how she will respond to the bullies, especially when she has no adults to support or help her, and it's a measure of her growing maturity that she realizes the adults who control her life are flawed people who can't - or won't - fix things.

Verdict: A fast-paced and dramatic story of ghosts, bullies, and revenge. Hand this one to readers who like a good summer camp scare and will maybe stop and think a little about the results of their own actions as well.

ISBN: 9780593373262; Hardcover at $9.51 on Baker & Taylor

Published 2022 by Delacorte; Purchased hardcover on a discount site

The Lumbering Giants of Windy Pines by Mo Netz

This debut creepy fantasy is a little rough, but fills several needed niches in the middle grade fantasy genre.

Jerry is used to moving around. Ever since her dad died and they lost their home, she and her mom have been bumping from motel to motel as her mom picks up temporary cleaning work. Jerry stopped going to school after she was attacked by a bully, and she's all alone except for her imaginary friend, a mini dragon with the voice of her Jewish uncle.

When they arrive at the Slumbering Giants motel, Jerry thinks things will go on as they always have. She'll stay in the motel room, maybe explore a little in the parking lot, until they move again. People will look at her, at her wheelchair, and make up their minds about who she is before they even talk to her. They'll move on soon and it will start all over again.

But this is different. The motel is old and run-down, surrounded by creepy woods. Her mom doesn't get a uniform and starts disappearing at odd hours. Paul, her dragon, won't leave her alone about trying to make friends, especially with the chatty and odd girl she's seen hanging around. Although she's wary about trusting or even talking to other people, Jerry is also determined to solve the mysteries and maybe even consider the possibility that she's found a new home. But when she and Chapel, the girl she's met, find themselves in the scary and dangerous woods searching for Jerry's missing mom, they aren't sure if they'll survive long enough to become friends.

The story moves quickly, roughly setting the scene and characters, gradually bringing in creepy occurrences and phenomena, and then plunging the two girls into the frightening woods where they make rapid discoveries about the menace. The story isn't really long enough to fully develop the plot and characters, but with the need for shorter books (this is 200 pages) that's acceptable and leaves lots of room for kids to mull over the story and draw their own conclusions. Netz notes that he consulted sensitivity readers when forming his characters (Chapel is Black and Jerry uses a wheelchair) but also speaks from his own experience as a wheelchair user and specifically wrote this to center a disabled kid in a fantasy adventure. The practical challenges and uses of Jerry's chair are smoothly woven into the story and clearly realistic. Adult readers might find the quick friendship of Jerry and Chapel and the happy resolution a little too pat, but this is perfect for middle grade readers, especially towards the younger end of the spectrum.

Verdict: This debut is a good length with a creepy and interesting story, intriguing characters, and a satisfying ending. It's a strong choice for libraries looking for more diversity, especially picturing kids with disabilities, as well as books that will capture the attention of young readers.

ISBN: 9780063266537; Hardcover at $10.63 on Baker & Taylor

Published March 2024 by Clarion; Purchased for the library

The Monkey King and the World of Myths: The Monster and the Maze by Maple Lam

 This looked cute and I was flipping through it; I initially didn't think I'd like it, as it pushed heavily towards the trope where myths are reinvented with happier endings. But it really works in this context and it was funny, quirky, and sweet.

The story begins with the mysterious appearance of a monkey - from inside a rock! The comic follows the general origin story of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, on his quest to become a god, rampage through the heavenly kingdom, and eventual imprisonment by a pantheon of gods. However, the gentle elder god Venus is kind to Sun Wukong and advocates for him to learn to use his strength and power wisely - and perhaps someday become a god. With his powers partially shackled, Sun is sent out to fight against not only the monsters of the world, but a great and powerful evil. His first mission takes him to Greece and the island of Crete, where he is accompanied by the adorable three-headed Cerberus puppy on a mission to destroy the monstrous Minotaur. But is the minotaur the real monster?

Lam's art is cartoon-style but includes a fun range of body types, including both the weird and wonderful representation of gods from around the world as well as lots of exciting action in fights. Sun Wukong bounces energetically through the panels, filled with anger, excitement, and energy.

Full of thoughtful interjections about what makes a monster, happy endings for all, even King Aegeus, as well as plenty of fights and farts, this book has something for everyone. The author explains the mythology of each of the deities and personalities in the back, as well as her own experiences of mixed heritage and feeling like an outsider.

Verdict: Hand this to fans of both Percy Jackson and Dogman and be ready to order Sun Wukong's next exciting adventure! Highly recommended.

ISBN: 9780593524633; Published April 2024 by Putnam; Added to library order list

Beyond the Portal by Donna Galanti, illustrated by Bethany Stancliffe

 I was eagerly awaiting the conclusion of the Unicorn Island trilogy, but as so often happens to me with anticipated books, I didn't get around to reading it for quite a while! When I finally did, it was a satisfying finale.

In her first adventure, Sam leaves her mom in New York and goes to live with her uncle in a small town. There she discovers the existence of Unicorn Island and makes a friend in the local vet's son, Tuck. Her second adventure reveals more about her own past, including the identity of her biological mother, and that Mitch is actually her father. Sam comes to see Unicorn Island as home and forge the beginning of a relationship with her sometimes difficult father. The book ends on a dramatic note with the revelation of a portal to the unicorns' original home.

In their third and final adventure, Sam and Tuck, in typical heedless tween style, ignore the warnings of their parents and set off to go through the portal and see if they can find Sam's bio mom Sylvie - and if there are any surviving unicorns in their original land. Tuck does try to warn Sam, but she blunders ahead and they find themselves potentially trapped on the other side of the portal, just like Sylvie was so many years ago. They also find Sylvie, but she's not at all what they had expected. Her loss and imprisonment, as well as her loyalty to the local village and the people who took her in when she was stranded, have led her to make decisions that seem terrible to Tuck and Sam and they are both shocked and angry that she is no longer protecting the unicorns; instead, she is leading them to near extinction and she immediately tries to do the same to the young unicorn who came through the portal with them.

Sam regrets her actions, but is determined to save the day and with the help of Tuck and her own indomitable courage, she discovers not only a cure that will save the unicorns, she redeems her bio mom and brings her back to reunite with their family. Sylvie acknowledges that her sister, who raised Sam, is truly her mother but is eager to try and build a new relationship with her daughter, just as Mitch is trying as well. The unicorns are safe, and there's a happy ending for all after so many years apart.

Admittedly, the ending, and the writing in general, is somewhat trite, but one doesn't expect (or want) a highly literary book - it's a great story, includes some thoughtful moments, and is a perfect length for young tweens looking for chapter books. It's also nice to see a blended family that doesn't revert to traditional ways of thinking - Mitch and Sylvie both know they have a lot of work ahead to build a relationship with Sam and she will always think of her aunt as her "real" mother, since she raised her.

Verdict: If you haven't purchased the previous two volumes, now is the time to do it. A strong addition to young middle grade fantasy and sure to be a hit with young unicorn and fantasy fans. Recommended.

ISBN: 9781524878702; Published April 2023 by Andrews McMeel; Review copy provided by publisher; Purchased for the library

The day I fell into a fairy tale by Ben Miller, illustrated by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini

 A mysterious shopping center appears in the middle of a village one night, and thus begins an exciting adventure. Lana misses her older brother, Harrison, who's very busy studying now that he's entered middle school, so when she visits the strange shopping center, meets a mysterious man, and gets her hands on a book of fairy tales, she's delighted by the distraction. She's shocked when she discovers that the bins of candy at the store will let her travel into the fairy tales and the next thing she knows, she's getting mixed up in the story of Sleeping Beauty.

She makes multiple journeys into the fairy tale world, eventually accompanied by her brother, and despite her parents' attempts to take away the fairy tale book (and the weird and creepy behavior of the little old man). Eventually, with the help of the prince, there's a happy ending for everyone, including Sleeping Beauty's children, Hansel and Gretel, and Lana and Harrison race to return home, arriving just as the magic supermarket begins to break up and sink back into the ground...

SPOILERS

Just in time, Lana saves Harrison from falling into a crack, but the last chapter reveals that they are playing in their treehouse, their imaginations having been fired by the book of fairy tales. The book includes excerpts from various fairy tales, in an italicized script. The fairy tales are slightly changed - for example, the good fairy in Sleeping Beauty was about to give her the ability to find lost socks when the bad fairy shows up, and so on. There are black and white illustrations throughout the book, mostly decorations and motifs, but there are a handful of full page pictures of the characters. The book winds a number of different fairy tales into the Sleeping Beauty story and does include some of the grimmer aspects, like the ancestor of the prince being killed in the thorns (he is, naturally, a fortune-hungry scoundrel and the prince who saves her is respectful and only kisses her hand, since it's rude to touch someone without permission.)

The author is a British comedian and actor who has written a number of books, including one for each of his children. This one is written for his daughter, Lana. It's been well-reviewed in several places, and it was mildly humorous with a plot that many children will enjoy. It's definitely the lower end of middle grade; Lana is 9 and the book is just over 200 pages long. There are certainly Britishisms in the book, but nothing that readers can't easily figure out. However, I personally was not impressed. None of the characters ring true - Harrison sounds like he's much younger than he's supposed to be, especially when he's apparently learning basic science principles for the first time, and self-importantly focused on learning about people like Archimedes. Lana appears to not be attending school and just hanging around at home with nothing to do, while her parents vaguely console her about not having a playmate and go back and forth about letting her read the "scary" book of fairy tales. The ending, especially, is hurried and confusing, with a jarring drop from fantasy to "it was all a dream" and it was also disappointing that the prince rescues everyone in the conclusion of the fusion of fairy tales.

Verdict: There are quite a lot of fractured fairy tales out there, as well as books based on fairy tales, and this is an additional purchase at best if you happen to have fans of Miller's other books.

ISBN: 9781665949736; Published April 2024 by Aladdin; Galley provided by publisher

The bravest warrior in Nefaria by Adi Alsaid

Bobert Bougainvillea is invisible. He lives in the country of Nefaria and no matter how he tries to make friends at school, in between dodging the evil schemes that proliferate in his country, everyone seems to forget about him instantly and ignore him constantly. So when he meets two kids planning to try out the supposedly cursed gumball machine in the town square, two kids who, even though they think he's a new kid are willing to include him, he happily goes along with them. And is promptly cursed - and this time he's not just invisible, he's been completely forgotten by everyone, including his parents. Luckily, or unluckily, he's the final part of evil wizard Matt's scheme and instead of being trapped for endless years he, and all the other cursed kids, are transported to Matt's castle. There they become part of his scheme to take over the kingdom and Matt is helped, much to Bobert's shock, by the country's greatest warrior, Imogene Petunias. Matt has made her an offer she can't (or won't) refuse and it seems that there's no one to help Bobert and the other kids. But Bobert won't give up - finding his courage for the first time, he makes repeated efforts to escape, despite the apathy and eventual antagonism of many of the other prisoners, and to his surprise finds himself aided by his two new friends, Candelabra and Stanbert.

In the end, the Bobert discovers he has been lacking not visibility, but the courage to speak up and make the choice to connect with others and once he determines to shape his own destiny, he finds plenty of friends willing to help him. The kingdom is saved and Petunias redeems herself at the end, acknowledging Bobert as the truly brave warrior of the kingdom, as he is willing to risk everything to break the curse on the children.

 There are many examples of authors moving between audiences with more or less success. Adi Alsaid is a fairly popular young adult novelist and this is his first middle grade novel. However, like many authors stepping "down" in their audience, he falls into a familiar trope of writing a lengthy, and very silly, fantasy novel with a heavily didactic aspect. From the goofy names and ridiculous characters to the constant asides passing on "wisdom" to the reader, and finishing with the rather trite realization that Bobert was never invisible, he just needed to put himself out there to make friends, this hits pretty much every stereotype of "light fantasy" for young readers. This is not to say that no kids will enjoy this - plenty of kids enjoy silly stories and they will giggle and groan over the jokes about goat poop and Matt's lack of cleanliness, while happily enjoying the thought of friendship saving the day.

Verdict: Lengthy, silly fantasies do not do well in my library - if you have fans of this genre, this is a perfectly acceptable addition, but it does not stand out from the genre and is not an essential purchase.

ISBN: 9781665927758; Published May 2023 by Aladdin; Galley provided by publisher/Netgalley

The Bellwoods Game by Celia Krampien

 This poignant and chilling story expands the trope of "kid turned ghost" into an adventure in friendship and fear.

The story opens with the original events of 1982, when a girl named Abigail flees from her bullies to the Bellwoods and never returns. Present-day, it's tradition for 6th graders to go into the Bellwoods and "play the game." If they ring the bell on the far side of the woods, they save the town for another year from the ghost of Abigail Snooks. Bailee is eager to play - she's been ostracized by her friend Fen, who blames her for tattling to the principal about a risky plan and getting him (and most of the school) stuck in detention.

Bailee is chosen to play, along with Fen and Carmen, a girl who skipped several grades and is alternately ignored and taunted for her intelligence. They're not alone in the woods though - they're joined by new kid Noah, who's determined to find out the truth about the game and the ghost and Bailee's former friend Madison, this year's organizer of the game, and who has been acting hot and cold towards Bailee ever since the incident.

SPOILERS

It turns out that there is, indeed, a ghost in the woods - but Abigail is not the real danger. There is an ancient creature in the woods that grows stronger every year and only by ringing the bell can the kids truly save the town for another year. But what will happen the year after that, and after that as the creature grows stronger? Nothing can be trusted in the Bellwoods, but in the midst of the most dangerous, high-stakes game they've ever played, this group of kids will reveal their secrets and their darkest feelings. If they survive, they might not only save the town but find a new bond of friendship together. 

Black and white drawings and panels are scattered throughout the book, showing a diverse group of kids, a chilling representation of the creature in the woods, and the frightening events that ensue. The year's previous winner, Arlo, is addressed with they/them pronouns.

Verdict: This reminded me a little of Doll Bones, with its mixture of illustration, bildungsroman, and spooky events. It's a little slow-paced and more reflective than gory for horror fans, but it's beautifully written, includes relatable characters, and will certainly appeal to certain kids who like atmospheric, slightly creepy stories and are fluent enough to read and enjoy a full-length chapter book. I enjoyed reading it and have several kids in mind who I am eager to hand it to. I only buy a few middle grade novels at this point, because of the changing tastes and needs of my audience, but this will be one of them.

ISBN: 9781665912501; Published July 2023 by Atheneum; Galley provided by publisher; Purchased for the library

Scurry by Mac Smith

  Warrior fans and those who love tales of adventure starring animals will be delighted by this lush, thrilling graphic novel.

The story opens by introducing Wix, a small but brave mouse, and his rat friend Umf. The two are searching through abandoned houses for precious food, but all they find is danger, from poison, traps, and cats. The cats include a terrifying striped monster named Titan, who has a personal grudge against Wix. Meanwhile, back at the colony, Pict, a young white mouse, worries over their ailing leader, her father, and tries to convince the other mice that there's a better future in the dark and dangerous woods. Other mice, including the scheming Resher, are tired of trying to survive an everlasting winter and want to return to the city without regard for the weak, elderly, and ill they will have to abandon.

  As the drama unfolds, there is betrayal, secrets, and danger and Wix and Pict must each stand alone in their efforts to help each other and their colony. The woods hold a dark secret but also potential allies and they must face change, betrayal, and danger if they want their community to survive. Smith's art is realistic and cinematic, with black-bordered panels giving the illusion of stills from a film. The mice's beady black eyes give them a feeling of otherness, while their anthropomorphic movements and emotions make them relatable. Wix's dreams of fire are woven throughout the story, climaxing with the destruction of their home and the warring mice who cared more for themselves than the community as a whole. The story ends with a sense of peace and hope, as the mice look forward to a better future, while still acknowledging that their lives are short, compared to the other animals.

Verdict: Back matter includes themes, characters, and questions, making this a great choice for book clubs or classroom discussion. It's also a stand-out in the currently somewhat repetitive field of middle grade graphic novels, offering a familiar storyline in a very attractive format. The bulky paperback is available in prebound edition through my vendor, Baker & Taylor, and is likely to be worth the extra cost as it will surely be read to pieces! Recommended.

ISBN: 9781534324367; Published February 2023 by Skybound; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library

Legends of Lotus Island: The Guardian Test by Christina Soontornvat, illustrated by Kevin Hong

I received an ARC of this title, but it took me a while to get around to reading it - mostly because I knew right away that I was going to purchase it! It's a middle grade fantasy that is just under 150 pages long. A rare gem indeed!

The story opens with Plum happily tending to her grandparents' garden on their remote island and quickly segues to her bewildered shock when she finds out they have applied for her to attend the elite Guardian Academy on Lotus Island. She's scared of leaving her family and trying something new, but determined to shine and make her grandparents, and her deceased mother, proud. Unfortunately, the things that come so easily to the other students seem impossible to her. There are bullies who look down on her because of her poverty and snooty rich kids. She also discovers that not everyone appreciates and honors the Guardians!

As Plum makes friends and explores the island, she continues to struggle over her biggest challenge - transforming into an amazing animal that will protect and serve the land and its creatures. Does she have the inner magic she needs for this challenge or will she be unable to transform and sent home a failure?

This is a pure delight from start to finish. Brisk pacing, fantasy elements infused with Asian culture, magical creatures, and suspicious secrets abound. There are stereotypical kids who turn out to be more nuanced and enough excitement and adventure to keep kids reading breathlessly and eagerly awaiting the next volume.

Verdict: This fills a huge gap in library collections - middle grade for younger readers who can't, or don't want to - read massive 400 page tomes. Soontornvat in her introductory note says she wrote this for kids aging out of beginning chapters but not ready for the big epic fantasies and it absolutely hits the target. A must-have for every library collection.

ISBN: 9781338759150; Published March 2023 by Scholastic; ARC provided by publisher; Purchased for the library

Nayra and the Djinn by Iasmin Omar Ata

Nayra is near a breaking point. Constant harassment at school, pressure from her family, who think she should just tough it out like her siblings did, and increasing frustration with her friend Rami, the only other Muslim student, all come to a boiling point one Ramadan. While she's on a website that focuses on preserving Muslim oral history, she and the others get a strange message from someone claiming to be a djinn. Only Nayra is gullible - or desperate - enough to answer and is shocked when the djinn shows up. Marjan at first appears to be intent on helping Nayra deal with her complicated life - and they do have a lot of good advice to offer - but they're hiding secrets of their own. When everyone's secrets meet, will Nayra be able to salvage her friendships and find a way forward, or will everything collapse?

There's a quasi-manga style to the artwork, shown in the choppy hairstyles, big eyes, and exaggerated movements. Ata has a style all their own though, weaving myth and oral history throughout the contemporary story with Marjan's storytelling, illustrated in bright motifs of pink, purple, and turquoise.

This is a unique offering, delving into friendship and family challenges, like the memoir style popularized by Raina Telgemeier, but weaving in the challenges of Nayra's exploration of religion and her struggles with harassment from students and indifference from teachers as well. Her struggles and culture are expanded through the introduction of Marjan and the focus on memories, secrets, and the sharing of stories. The ending is left open; Nayra introduces the djinn to her family and they agree to set aside differences and discussions and have a peaceful Eid together, promising to listen to Nayra later. Nayra's complicated relationship with Rami and her desire for a more accepting atmosphere will resonate with readers trying to find their own identities and move forward into their own future.

Verdict: I don't think this is the first choice I'd give kids who are unfamiliar with Arabic culture and Muslim religion, but it's a good starting point for a discussion and, aside from the educational aspect, it's a strong story with beautiful art.

ISBN: 9780593117118; Published February 2023 by Viking; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library

Juniper Harvey and the vanishing kingdom by Nina Varela

June (short for Juniper) is not happy about her family's move from Dallas to a tiny, rural town in Florida. She has no friends and no idea how to make any and her best friend back in Texas has ghosted her. To make matters worse, she keeps having a strange nightmare about a girl in a temple, a sword and a statue.

When she gets roped into attending a dance by her outgoing, goofy mother (who wears cowboy boots and plaid shirts on all occasions), she sneaks away to the art room, where she draws pictures of the girl in her dreams and makes a wish... The next morning, she wakes up to find the girl there. In her bedroom. With a sword.

Galatea is a princess of a floating island and has been ruling since her father left to search for their missing goddess. She is desperate to find the missing crown of horns and save her shrinking and dying home and she's not at all happy to find herself dumped into a strange world with an, apparently, useless girl like June. However, she and June will have to team up with a new group of friends, the quirky but friendly Kamaria, Ollie, Sam, and Noah, if they are going to retrieve the broken pieces of the crown, save Galatea's home, and get her back safely.

The story is at turns funny and frightening as June stumbles through making friends, trying to fit in at the tiny middle school, helping Galatea in her quest, and sorting out her own feelings for Galatea. There are thoughtful interjections about not making pre-judgments and a gentle and kind treatment of June's gradual realization that she likes girls. Her parents are supportive, if a little clueless, and the sad and dramatic moments are dealt with quickly without maximizing the angst. The story ends on a happy note, with Galatea figuring out a magical way to visit and, consequently, June enjoying the school's Halloween dance. There is an epilogue that hints at a sequel, with Galatea's long-absent mother showing up to help her search for her missing father and readers are sure to want to know how Juniper gets involved.

From an adult point of view, there's no way a small Florida town would be so casually accepting of Juniper dancing with a girl at the middle school party and her parents were exasperatingly clueless. It was a nice touch not to focus on stereotypical bullies though, showing that Juniper has trouble making friends both because of her own self-consciousness and because the kids have all known each other forever. Galatea's world is based on Greek mythology, but has lots of individual quirks and world-building that make it unique.

Verdict: I'm trying to scale back on purchasing middle grade fantasy, as interest has definitely waned, but this is not too long at around 300 pages, fast-paced and funny, and with excellent characterizations of kids finding their place and the portrayal of a queer character figuring out who she is. Varela has knocked it out of the park on her middle grade debut and I can't wait to hand this to readers and add it to our 5th grade fantasy unit next year.

ISBN: 9780316706780; Published February 2023 by Little Brown Co; Borrowed from another library in my consortium

Frights from Feral: Welcome to Feral, Little town. Big scares! by Mark Fearing

I'm not really a fan of gruesome comics, humorous or otherwise, but I am a big fan of Fearing's hilarious picture books, so I picked this one up to review.

The framing story begins after the reader journeys through the creepy woods and down into a cellar, where they meet Freya. With short red hair, wearing a black t-shirt and plaid shirt, Freya is busy compiling the weird, the strange, and the unusual incidents that happen in Feral. At least, this is what they think happened... The five stories include two kids and a mysterious slide - if you go down it, you disappear! Or is that just a story? A group of kids goes off into the woods and discovers a mysterious ice cream truck. What could it be hiding? A student gets detention and discovers that time moves... differently. A kid who's always being told to keep busy and do chores is delighted to find a bike, so he can join his friends. But there's something.... unusual about the bike. And a band of boy scouts become suspicious of their strange leader... but he's not the only one with secrets!

Fearing's goofy style flips easily into the realms of scary with lots of bulging cartoon eyes, dark and menacing forests, and strange, creepy shadows. Most of the scary events involve disappearances, but there are also a few creepy ghosts, looming monsters, and child-devouring items lurking about. Although there's plenty of off-scene gore, screaming children being dragged off, and eldritch horrors hiding in unexpected places, it's hard to get really frightened by this collection. One can't resist the feeling that the kids will all jump up afterwards and be Just Fine and we can happily enjoy the ghoulish, humorous horror of these scary campfire stories. 

Verdict: While really sensitive children won't enjoy these, and true horror fans will also be apt to turn up their noses, those who like goofy humor with a dark side will find them hilarious and enjoy the mild thrills they engender.

ISBN: 9780823448654; Published November 2022 by Holiday House; Borrowed from another library in my consortium

Quest kids and the dragon pants of gold by Mark Leiknes

Ned, the narrator, is the brave and noble leader of the Quest Kids, whose journal has been discovered by J. B. Lucastoothe, curator of a museum and the Quest Kids manuscripts. The story opens with the Quest Kids trying to remove the pants off a dragon...

Let's go back a little... Ned is a typical village kid, although now he is the Leader of the Quest Kids. He is joined by his best friend Gil, who is.... sort of... a wizard, the 700-year-old elf Terra, Boulder the gentle rock troll, and their dog Ash. Pig dog? Who breathes fire? Well, some kind of dog. Maybe. Well, anyways, they are experienced adventures... kind of.

Really, they have no idea what they're doing, but they've only got each other and Ned's desperate desire to Save the World, at least the town, well, maybe the girl from his old village he met. They set out on an impossible quest, buoyed up by Ned's leadership (and, unfortunately, a number of lies) and encounter disaster, boring elves, aggressive creatures, and a giant golden monster. Will Ned come clean to his friends? Will he discover clues to the mysterious disappearance of his parents and Gil's wizard-master? Or will he get yet another village burned to the ground through ineptitude and false bravado?

Black and white illustrations decorate the pages of this fantasy, notebook-novel style, with hilarious illustrations of the group donning life jackets for "Crazy Larry's Acid Swamps of Doom Adventure Lines," the gold sweatpants-clad dragon, and the climactic battle with the golden rage-beast. There are the obligatory lessons about being honest with friends, as well as an unexpectedly mature discussion of making your own choices in life, even if your parents don't agree, as well as plenty of fart jokes.

Verdict: This is likely to appeal to fans of Cowell's How to train your dragon and Brallier's Last Kids series. The quest aspect may also click with young Dungeons and Dragons fans and the combination of humorous illustrations and text will pull in readers as long as they're ok with goofy humor. It was also nice to see that, although the main character is white, the creator did not completely default to the predominantly white cast of medieval/feudal fantasy.

ISBN: 9781454946250; Published September 2022 by Union Square Kids; ARC provided by publisher and passed on to my beta-readers (aka the D&D kids)

The unfinished corner by Dani Colman and Rachel Petrovicz

Miriam has a lot of things on her mind, mostly how to tell her two best friends that she's been accepted into a prestigious art academy and won't be going to their Jewish school with them next year. When the three of them, plus one, set out on a bus trip for an art show, her worries are quickly subsumed by their bus turning into an eagle and crashing in a desert! Meanwhile, the rabbi escorting them turns out to be an angel and he's got a mission for Miriam, with the others along for the ride.

It turns out when Hashem created the universe, he left a corner unfinished and from there come all the evil demons that are causing all the ills of the world. Ma'alachiel thinks that Miriam can complete the corner, pushing all the evil creatures out where Hashem can destroy them once and for all. As Miriam, Avi, David, and Judith move forward on their task, they meet and experience creatures and people from Jewish history and legend, reveal their own pasts and struggles, and grow together as friends.

Colorful creatures, glowing blue power, and a diverse range of characters show not only the breadth of Jewish legend and tradition but the diversity within the faith. The fallen angels often have a stereotypical bright red skin, horns, and hooved feet and there is a fantastical element to the setting that is extended through Miriam's art that is expressed in drawn worlds.

This is a fascinating plunge into a culture and tradition that will be unfamiliar to many children in my audience. But it's also a thoughtful look at how people grow and change, how they define their culture and heritage, and the ongoing trauma of persecution and bigotry. Each of them expresses their Jewishness in their own way and struggles with growing up and issues of faith in individual moments of confrontation and reflection; Judith when she confronts a demon and defends not just her Jewishness but her power as a woman; David when he reveals his grief and despair over a tragic family loss; Avi when he has the chance to ask a powerful golem why he did not defend the Jews during the Holocaust. When the final push comes and Miriam and Avi have an argument that ends in her revealing her struggles and doubts, the friendship of all four is cemented and with their support Miriam goes forward and produces her own solution for the unfinished corner of the universe.

Verdict: The narrative does not run completely smoothly, but the rapid pace of action will draw readers briskly through the story and leave them with plenty of food for thought to consider after they've finished. Whether you have a Jewish audience or not, this will be of interest not only to readers who like strong fantasy adventures but also to those interested in exploring their own or other cultures and faiths. Recommended.

ISBN: 9781638490111; Published 2021 by Wonderbound; Borrowed from another library in my consortium

Alliana, Girl of dragons by Julie Abe

 It's been several years since I read/skimmed Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch, and I never got around to the sequel, but I remembered enough to be interested in this title set in the same world. Alliana has a Cinderella-like existence, working endlessly for her cruel stepmother with only the stolen moments with her step-grandmother and best friend, a baker's helper, to solace her. When her grandmother dies, leaving her only a message to care for the grandmother's family, Alliana feels that her last chance of hope and escape are gone, but accepts the request and the ever-growing cruelty of her stepmother and stepsiblings. Then Nela, a real witch, appears and Alliana saves a baby nightdragon. Maybe there's still a chance for magic in her world?

Alliana's world is threaded with Japanese culture, rather than the stereotypical western medieval fantasy, and she is described as having darker skin. This is not a fast-paced fantasy, but a slow growing of mind and experience as Alliana finally escapes from the abusive family she has been tied to and makes the decision to free herself from the lies of her past. There are moments of magic and excitement, from the tales Alliana and her grandmother share,  to the adventurers visiting the inn, to the encounters with the dragon, and the mysterious dangers of the rift. Although the book is medium-length, a little over 300 pages, I felt like a significant portion of it was devoted to Alliana's emotions and struggles, rather than to explaining the magical events and setting. I would have liked to see a stronger message that Alliana should not have stayed with her abusive "family," even if her beloved step-grandmother had left her instructions to do so; I think it was a realistic depiction of how abuse can warp one's ideas and perceptions, but I don't think most middle grade readers will understand that.

It's recommended for fans of Shannon Hale and Gail Carson Levine, and Eva Evergreen is specifically recommended to fans of Kiki's Delivery Service. I think Alliana, with the hints of magic and a more complex world, the character-driven story, and the delicate threads of Japanese food and culture will indeed appeal to these fans - but do they exist? Frankly, not at my library. I can't remember the last time I got a reader to pick up Hale or Levine and while I have plenty of Studio Ghibli fans, they prefer the movies or the manga. Abe writes beautiful, complex friendships, but the lack of action in the story and the somewhat piecemeal plotting and setting will not attract most of my middle grade readers.

Verdict: While I enjoyed the story myself, and I can think of several adults who would like this, I think most young readers will be disappointed that there isn't more action (and more dragons) and turn back to their favorites like Tui Sutherland. I don't know if it's a temporary trend or not, but my readership for fantasy, especially lengthy fantasy, has steadily decreased and I rarely find kids willing to pick up even Rick Riordan Presents, which flew off the shelf a few years ago. If your library has a good audience for a wide variety of fantasy, specifically of the more thoughtful variety, this may find an audience and be an additional purchase for the collection.

ISBN: 9780316300353; Published May 2022 by Little Brown; ARC provided by publisher

The Lost Ryu by Emi Watanabe Cohen

Kohei sees his mother and grandfather struggling and wishes he could help, but there doesn't seem to be anything he can do. He clings to the memory of seeing a truly big ryu, or dragon, as a child, before the end of the war and his father's death. Now the only ryu are the small ones that can perch on a shoulder. His mother is tired and refuses to talk about anything and his grandfather gets drunk and angry more and more frequently.

When a new family moves in with a daughter Kohei's age, Isolde, who is half Japanese and half Jewish, Kohei starts out on a bad footing with her due to his disappointment that her ryu is not the massive Western dragon of his childhood memory. When his grandfather is sick, he decides to follow his childhood dream and find a full-size ryu that will bring hope and happiness back to Ojiisan.

This is beautifully written and the story is all the more powerful for the things it doesn't spell out and the threads of regret and loss that trail through the story. It's set in the years after World War II and Kohei and Isolde's families are still suffering from their traumatic pasts. Isolde's parents survived the camps in Europe and America, but her grandparents did not; Kohei knows there are secrets about his father's death and his family's past that are never spoken of and he is an outcast at school, but all his mother will ever say is "shikata ga nai" everything is fine, even when he knows it's not true.

Will kids pick this up? Honestly, I don't see this appealing to most young readers. It's not a fantasy - the dragons are peripheral to the story and almost metaphorical, blends of mythology and pets. It's achingly realistic, exploring the suffering and aftermath of war and the difficult choices people make, as well as how the effects are passed down to the next generation. Isolde struggles to reconcile her two different heritages while Kohei is both frustrated and devastated by the loss of his past. In the end, there are no easy answers; Kohei gets some answers and Isolde finds a measure of peace, but they cannot repair or erase the damage their families have suffered.

Verdict: I can see this being assigned in school, or appealing to kids who like serious, realistic fiction that explores emotion and history, but it's not a mainstream, popular title. It a good choice for larger collections and I'm glad it's available in my consortium, although I probably will not purchase it for my own collection.

ISBN: 9781646141326; Published June 2022 by Levine Querido; Borrowed from another library in my consortium

Star Knights by Kay Davault

I meant to just skim through this graphic novel, as the art style wasn't my favorite, but the storyline caught me and I ended up reading it cover to cover.

The story begins with a wise turtle telling a group of small furry animals the story of the Star Knights - how stars fell from the sky, a gift from the Star King that granted the brave, beautiful creatures the power to transform into human knights who defended the Milky Way Marsh from the evil marsh witch and her minions. The small creatures troop off to play and are joined by Tad, a frog - only to violently reject him as a slimy, evil creature. Tad makes an effort to overcome their prejudice, but between the angry marsh dwellers, who tell him that the Marsh Witch is a toad and salamanders and frogs her evil minions, and the attacks of the Fallen Fauna, Star Knights who have been mysteriously corrupted, he despairs of ever being more than a slimy frog.

Then stars begin to fall again and Tad hopes for the chance to realize his dream. But what is his true wish? What is the real story behind the Star Knights and the Marsh Witch? Who are Tad's true friends and family? After a series of adventures, Tad finally discovers that truth behind the Marsh Witch, the Star Knights, and the Fallen Fauna - not to mention the Star King.

The doll-like knights wear quasi-medieval clothes, capes, and sport shiny weapons while stars spangle various creatures on earth and in the sky. The cute images bely the more serious underlying messages of the book about prejudice, misconceptions, and the corruption of power, but still make for a generally light and feel-good adventure. Stereotypes are turned on their heads and readers are shown that beauty does not always equal kindness or goodness and you can't judge an amphibian by its appearance.

Verdict: Hand this one to fans of lighter graphic novel fantasies like Drew Brockington or Kaeti Vandorn or read together as a family or class.

ISBN: 9780593303658; Published July 2022 by Random House Graphic; Purchased for the library

Doom's day camp by Joshua Hauke

 In a post-apocalyptic world full of monsters and mutants, small packs of mutated humans remain. Including one particular pack, under the charge of Grizzly Thorax. Oh, and don't forget his son and heir, Doom. In a world where extra powers are necessary for survival, Doom has no special abilities except having taught himself to read, an arcane skill that nobody sees any use for.

So far, Doom has survived ok, thanks to his dad who protects him from both the monsters and their own pack, including his little sister Dizy (short for Destruction) who has super-strength and a very low opinion of Doom. But now all the adults, led by his father, are taking off to find and destroy the mysterious monster that is driving their game away and the monsters towards them and he's left... Doom to babysit?

Doom will have to deal with his own ineptness and feelings of uselessness if he - and the pack's kids - are going to survive. Luckily, Doom has discovered an abandoned building full of books and if the other kids will just give him a chance, he might be able to improve all of their lives. But, led by his sister Dizy, the other kids are as unsure of Doom's value and leadership as he is himself and the mistakes he makes destroying their shelter and food supply don't help.

From (literally) explosive farts, caused by a kid formed of mud who overeats on library paste to a disaster when a girl's protective suit is opened and her untrammeled brain powers are set free, Doom will have to tackle one wild adventure after another. But with the help of a giant mutant library fish and the books he's found, maybe he has a chance to make things work and fix his past mistakes.

This is definitely on the Pilkey line with the weird/gross factor, but also hits on classic themes from comics like mutants and outcasts with a side of the nerdy kid who saves everyone. There are some mildly serious moments and occasionally a real sense of danger, but the cinematic action moves on quickly and there's little time for reflection when the kids are trying to calm down Slimon, the sentient blob that's gotten mad at its best friend or fight off Snot Wolves.

Verdict: Hand this to fans of Max Brallier's Last Kids on Earth and readers who are reluctant to branch out from Dogman but willing to try anything funny, action-packed, and leavened with potty humor.

ISBN: 9780593205419; Published April 2022 by Penguin/Razorbill; Review copy provided by publisher

Unicorn Island: Secret beneath the sand by Donna Galanti, illustrated by Bethany Stancliffe

 In her first adventure, Sam (Samantha) discovered the existence of Unicorn Island and has found a new and somewhat more stable home with her uncle while her mom tours. However, there were plenty of questions left unanswered, and lots of adventures left for Sam and her new friend Tuck.

At first, Sam and her friend Tuck are enjoying their work as apprentice unicorn protectors, but when Barloc, the unicorn colt they saved in the first book, begins to show signs of illness again and there are strange happenings on the island, Sam and Tuck must decide if they will obey Uncle Mitch and return to the mainland, leaving him alone to cope with the unicorns, or if they will investigate themselves.

Of course, they investigate themselves and in the process discover more of Mitch's painful past and some shocking secrets about Sam's own origins. There are lessons to be learned about trust and bravery, the consequences of anger and fear, and what's most important as well as lots of exciting appearances of unicorns and other creatures.

The pages are sprinkled with full-page, colored illustrations from Stancliffe showing the unicorns and the characters exploring the island and encountering various strange creatures. Back matter explains some of the things referenced in the book like invasive species and salves and profiles the author and illustrator.

This series falls into what, for lack of a better term, I'm calling intermediate chapters. There's an odd blank spot between older readers who can't handle a full-length, 200-300 page chapter book with no illustrations and younger readers who are academically able to read more challenging books but are not mature enough for the more complex issues often included in middle grade titles. One could discuss falling literacy rates and the changes in the publishing industry and in offerings for readers, but basically the gap is here and I need books to fill it.

From a literary standpoint, this and other series from Epic! are not going to win any awards. They're rather trite and this second title in particular puts in some rather heavy revelations about the characters without fully explaining or developing them. However, it's still just what these intermediate readers will - and do - love and I have a line of eager readers waiting for this sequel. I will not be giving them any spoilers though!

Verdict: I'm realistic about my collection development and am focusing heavily on beginning and intermediate chapter books as that is what my audience wants and needs. This is a satisfying sequel to a popular title and has more depth than the usual run of "unicorn princess" style books with the added bonus of Latinx/Black characters. Purchase if you have unicorn fans and/or own the first book.

ISBN: 9781524871970; Published March 2022 by Andrews McMeel; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library