Ada Twist and the Perilous Pants
Written by Andrea Beaty. Illustrated by David Roberts Ada Twist is a member of “The Questioneers” in a series of science-based books for middle grade readers. The first three books in the series are: Ada Twist, Scientist; Rosie Revere, Engineer; and Iggy Peck, Architect; and Sofia Valdez, Future Prez. Each book has an unlikely issue and the kids use critical […]
The Nerviest Girl in the World
Author: Melissa Wiley Pearl Donnelly grew up on a ranch near San Diego back in the early 20th century. Along with cattle, the family raises ostriches and sells their feathers for lady’s fancy hats. When she’s 11, Pearl’s rambunctious brothers are spotted by a movie producer. He hires them as stuntmen in the Western he’s […]
The War That Saved My Life
Author: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Ada Smith and her brother Jamie are evacuated from London at the start of World War 2. They are sent to a village far from the city, just like the Pevensie kids in Chronicles of Narnia. However, instead of a magical land in a wardrobe, Ada finds a pony in a […]
The Last Mapmaker
Author: Christina Soontornvat Sai Arawan, apprentice to the Master Mapmaker, escapes family trouble on an expedition to the Southern Lands. Along the way, she finds more trouble from the disloyal crew, dragons, and greed. The story mixes nautical technology, Thai mythology, and the Age of Exploration to create an exciting fantasy adventure. Sai faces serious […]
Space Case
Book 1 of the Moon Base Alpha trilogy Author: Stuart Gibbs Twelve-year-old Dash Gibson lives on the moon. His parents are exceptional scientists who were hired to study lunar geology on a three-year mission with their family. Dash discovers that life on Moon Base Alpha is boring, except that “the toilets might as well be […]
The Blackthorn Key
Author: Kevin Sands Middle grade, history, and science – The Blackthorn Key combines my favorite genres into an exciting, high-stakes mystery. Apothecary’s apprentice Christopher Rowe starts this adventure with the phrase, “Let’s build a cannon.” He builds one, although testing it inside the apothecary shop was probably not his best idea. Ah, well. What does […]
A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking
Author: T. Kingfisher I instantly fell in love with this fun fantasy. Fourteen-year-old Mona is the baker’s niece and a baker herself. She is also a minor mage with the power to magick the best breads ever. She’s content using her gift to make the gingerbread men dance. And then, she finds a dead body […]
Shadows of Sherwood
Kekla Magoon Re-told myths and twisted fairy tales are quite popular these days. Shadows of Sherwood is Book 1 of the “Robyn Hoodlum” adventures. Kekla Magoon sets this version of Sherwood in a near-future urban jungle.Robyn is a rich girl with the odd habit of breaking into junk yards to steal obsolete electronics. One night, […]