Middle Grade Fiction Book Reviews

Gift From Above by Frank Cardinale

Gift From Above by Frank CardinaleA compelling message and two well-drawn protagonists make Frank Cardinale’s Gift From Above a unique work of science fiction.

Andy Milton has managed to land himself a dream job working for Londra Aeronautical Engineering. At the helm of Londra is CEO Wally Smith, Andy’s idol. Andy’s relationship with Wally gets off to a rocky start and when Wally asks to see Andy in his office the next day, he believes he’s about to be fired. Andy fearfully heads to the meeting, little suspecting that his life is about to drastically change, as his boss reveals that he was whisked away […]

2018-02-21T09:44:20+02:00February 21st, 2018|Categories: New Releases|Tags: , |

Review: Isabel and Siofra: The Heist of 2098 by K.D. Blackwall

Isabel and Siofra: The Heist of 2098

For an adventurous time travel tale for the middle-grade reader, look no further than Isabel and Siofra: The Heist of 2098, written by K.D. Blackwall with illustrations by S. Red Amparo and Oshred Art.

It’s the year 2115 and the first day of the new school year. Isabel (Izzy) Akilina and Siofra (CeCe) O’Malley meet on the hoverbus on their first day as fifth graders at Luna Elementary, located in Luna City on the moon. They’re both in Mr. Saladin’s science class, and during their first day in school both girls discover two important things. The first is that […]

Doubloon Cove: The Secret of the Ancient Visitors by Kelly Novak

Doubloon Cove: The Secret of the Ancient VisitorsDoubloon Cove: The Secret of the Ancient Visitors, an enjoyable middle grade novel by Kelly Novak, harkens back to classic sleuths like the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, and the Three Investigators.

Twelve-year-old Jeffrey Ferguson and his best friend Steven are sleeping out in Jeffrey’s fort when they’re spooked by noises, forcing them inside the house. Once inside, Jeffrey’s little sister, Cindy, reveals that random “babysitters” came shortly after their parents’ departure for a meeting and were now trying to rob their safe. They thwart the burglary, although the burglars escape. Jeffrey finds the burglars’ backpack, which he’d hidden from […]

2017-08-14T08:36:53+02:00August 10th, 2017|Categories: New Releases|Tags: |

Megan’s Munchkins (Megan’s World Book 1) by Pamela Foland

Megan's Munchkins by Pamela FolandWhat young teenage girl doesn’t have a secret or two? Megan’s Munchkins, a work of middle grade fiction by Pamela Foland, shows us that secrets come in all shapes and sizes.

Thirteen-year-old Megan Thompson has been begging for a pet forever but her parents have always refused because owing one is a huge responsibility. Shortly before spring break, Megan stumbles upon a box containing four-day-old kittens in some bushes. She sneaks them home and hides them in her closet, determined to raise them by herself. Megan also begins taking on additional chores at home, resulting in her parents announcing […]

2017-08-14T05:05:41+02:00August 10th, 2017|Categories: New Releases|Tags: |

Review: Freeing Linhurst by Al Cassidy

★★★★½ Freeing Linhurst by Al Cassidy

Targeted at younger readers, Freeing Linhurst is a thrilling mystery that follows the adventures of Jack Alexander, an intrepid young investigator who is following in his mother’s footsteps – determined to uncover the truth about Linhurst State School and Hospital – an abandoned mental asylum in town.

Jack doesn’t know exactly what happened at Linhurst, but after choosing to write a school paper on the subject, his curiosity leads him down the proverbial rabbit hole. The scars of the asylum can still be seen all around, particularly in the ex-residents who still populate the town of Spring Dale. There […]

2018-09-11T10:55:18+02:00July 16th, 2017|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: |

1939: The Phantom Zeppelin (Churchill’s Children Book 1) by A.R. Grogan

1939 - The Phantom Zeppelin by A. R. Grogan The Phantom Zeppelin (Churchill’s Children Book 1) by A.R. Grogan is an engaging middle grade historical novel following the exploits of a group of aristocratic children during World War II who work undercover for Winston Churchill. Christopher Finch, the child of a diplomat, is at the story’s center, who becomes one of Churchill’s spies, leading to incredible adventures for the typical 12-year-old boy in this informative and engrossing first book in the series.

The Churchill’s Children series seems very much geared as an historical lesson, while not drowning younger readers in too much detail, and keeps readers engaged by Kit’s […]

2017-06-23T10:12:44+02:00June 22nd, 2017|Categories: New Releases|Tags: , |

Review: In Search of A Little Piece of Sunshine by Carlos Jimenez

★★★★★ In Search of A Little Piece of Sunshine by Carlos Jimenez

In Search of A Little Piece of Sunshine by Nicaraguan writer Carlos Jimenez is a beautiful and original middle grade novel for readers who enjoy fantasy and nature. Jimenez is a new talent ready to burst onto the US market with this, his first English language release.

As a band of brave children search for “a little piece of sunshine” to save the freezing cities in North America, namely NYC, they must travel into the forests and face many strange and mythical creatures in their environmental quest. An allegory set in the time of Obama, this book is really […]

2019-01-22T11:03:39+02:00April 27th, 2017|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: |

Magical Eyes: Dawn of the Sand by Jessica D’Agostini

Magical Eyes: Dawn of the SandPrincess Martina lives in the kingdom of Brightalia where magic is forbidden, yet she’s gifted with magical abilities. Her secret might be safe, except her brother has it out for her. When tragedy befalls the royal palace, the princess might need to reconcile with her brother in order to save the kingdom, only he has sinister intentions of his own. Teaming up with a newfound friend, a peasant boy named Enzo, they set out to save the kingdom before it falls to ruin.

Magical Eyes unfolds like a movie, with each moment vividly depicted, so it comes alive in a […]

2019-01-22T11:01:05+02:00February 22nd, 2017|Categories: New Releases|Tags: , |
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