The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo

Summary from Goodreads:

From two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo and two-time Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall comes a fantastical meditation on fate, love, and the power of words to spell the world.

We shall all, in the end, be led to where we belong. We shall all, in the end, find our way home.

In a time of war, a mysterious child appears at the monastery of the Order of the Chronicles of Sorrowing. Gentle Brother Edik finds the girl, Beatryce, curled in a stall, wracked with fever, coated in dirt and blood, and holding fast to the ear of Answelica the goat. As the monk nurses Beatryce to health, he uncovers her dangerous secret, one that imperils them all--for the king of the land seeks just such a girl, and Brother Edik, who penned the prophecy himself, knows why.

And so it is that a girl with a head full of stories--powerful tales-within-the-tale of queens and kings, mermaids and wolves--ventures into a dark wood in search of the castle of one who wishes her dead. But Beatryce knows that, should she lose her way, those who love her--a wild-eyed monk, a man who had once been king, a boy with a terrible sword, and a goat with a head as hard as stone--will never give up searching for her, and to know this is to know everything. With its timeless themes, unforgettable cast, and magical medieval setting, Kate DiCamillo's lyrical tale, paired with resonant black-and-white illustrations by Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall, is a true collaboration between masters.

Review:

At this point, Kate DiCamillo could write anything and I’d buy it for my library and most likely want to own it too. I loved this. There’s something so special about the characters DiCamillo writes. She can write believable children who dream about stories and mermaids. And she can write about laughing kings who have abandoned the throne for the woods. Then there’s monks who write prophecies who have soft spots for girls who aren’t supposed to know how to read. And you can’t help but love all of them! How does she do that?

At first, this book comes off as something light. You think it’s about monks who are afraid of a tenacious goat and a girl with amnesia. But, then it gets seriously dark. There are robbers who kill parents. And there are soldiers who kill children. And you learn that Beatryce can’t remember because she wants to not remember the terrible things of her past.

But, there is also a monk who risks everything to help a child. And an old king who risks coming back the life he despises to save the child. There’s humorous goat that protects the motley crew. There’s also the errand boy who learns to read. Beatrice learns the power of words and friendship. And I guess this story has a little bit of everything: lightness, darkness, adventure, humor, love, friendship, family, prophecy, and power.

There’s a moment when Beatryce tells the evil King in power a story about a mermaid and I can’t help but think about Scheherazade. There are certain classical elements to this story that also remind me of The Canterbury Tales and the kids book The Inquisitor’s Tale by Adam Gidwitz; however, this book is all it’s own. I can see kids discussing this one for years to come. I give it 10/10.

As Good as Dead by Holly Jackson

Summary from Goodreads:

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING SERIES
The highly-anticipated finale to the A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series, the instant bestsellers that read like your favorite true crime podcast or show. By the end of this mystery series, you'll never think of good girls the same way again...

Pip is about to head to college, but she is still haunted by the way her last investigation ended. She’s used to online death threats in the wake of her viral true-crime podcast, but she can’t help noticing an anonymous person who keeps asking her: Who will look for you when you’re the one who disappears?

Soon the threats escalate and Pip realizes that someone is following her in real life. When she starts to find connections between her stalker and a local serial killer caught six years ago, she wonders if maybe the wrong man is behind bars.

Police refuse to act, so Pip has only one choice: find the suspect herself—or be the next victim. As the deadly game plays out, Pip discovers that everything in her small town is coming full circle . . .and if she doesn’t find the answers, this time she will be the one who disappears. . .

Review:

I DEVOURED this book. I’m so bummed that the series is over now….I think it’s over? The way that this author could connect 3 different cases together was insane. Also, the character growth was remarkable. Poor Pip had serious PTSD after book 2, and who could blame her? But, for the police to not take her seriously again after everything she was correct about before? I was so angry for her. I didn’t blame her for her feelings in this book.

However, this book takes on a whole new level of darkness that I was not expecting. The first half reads like the others in the series, where Pip solves a mystery (and rather quickly because this one involves her). But the second half of the book is about something else entirely, and I feel like I can’t exactly give away what it is here without a HUGE spoiler. Just know that this book is in a definite gray zone when it comes to a moralistic black and white, and I was here for it.

After Pip solves the mystery, that involved stalkers, kidnappings, trophies, and duct tape, the second half of the book is un-put-down-able. I literally told Nick at one point I’d be late for dinner. I couldn’t stop reading. Think about a high suspense morally ambiguous show on Netflix, multiply it times 20, and then add your favorite characters from this series. It was that good.

Again, I can’t really say too much here without giving anything way. Just know that it’s super high suspense and really good. I recommend these books to fans of Truly Devious and E. Lockhart and Courtney Summers. All in all, I give this one a 10/10.

Pax: Journey Home by Sarah Pennypacker

Summary from Goodreads:

From bestselling and award-winning author Sara Pennypacker comes the long-awaited sequel to Pax; this is a gorgeously crafted, utterly compelling novel about chosen families and the healing power of love.

It’s been a year since Peter and his pet fox, Pax, have seen each other. Once inseparable, they now lead very different lives. Pax and his mate, Bristle, have welcomed a litter of kits they must protect in a dangerous world. Meanwhile Peter—newly orphaned after the war, wracked with guilt and loneliness—leaves his adopted home with Vola to join the Water Warriors, a group of people determined to heal the land from the scars of the war.

When one of Pax's kits falls desperately ill, he turns to the one human he knows he can trust. And no matter how hard Peter tries to harden his broken heart, love keeps finding a way in. Now both boy and fox find themselves on journeys toward home, healing—and each other, once again.

Review:

Both the first Pax book, and this sequel surprised me in pleasant ways. I’m not typically an animal book reader. But, I love these books. There’s something so clever about the way Pennypacker writes the point of view of Pax. If you’ve ever owned a dog, and thought they could just read your mind….it’s like that, but even more believable.

Anyway, it did take me a little longer to get into this book. It was somehow darker and more intense than Book 1. Peter had a lot to go through, and I found myself enjoying the fox chapters more, which are much briefer and more hopeful. Pax has no idea that the water is polluted. And he wouldn’t just leave his new family like Peter decides to do. I guess part of my initial problem was that I was angry with Peter and I wasn’t sure I wanted a second book where I was just going to be upset with the kid the whole time.

I’m glad I kept reading though. Of course I wasn’t upset with him the whole time. Of course, my heart ached for Peter and I wanted him to get through all of his grief and find help and friendships along the way. Then there’s the whole wanting him to reunite with his furry friend. The moment they see each other again for the first time was just magic. I pretty much clutched the library book to my chest and took a deep breath before I could keep reading.

Maybe this book has a deeper meaning for me now that I have a dog again. Maybe I connected to it so strongly because my community has terrible water, and this past year my husband and I had spent some money on a fancy water filter. Regardless, I found myself really connecting to this book and feeling sad when it was over -the true markings of a wonderful kids book. The few sweet illustrations by Jon Klassen are interwoven between the pages again. Writing this review now, after having read two more books since, I still feel drawn to this book. It’s just so heart-warming.

You cannot read this book without reading the first Pax book. And if you haven’t read Pax, what are you waiting for? I give this sequel a 9/10.

City of Illusion by Victoria Ying

Summary from Goodreads:

It's been a peaceful three months since Hannah Morgan and Ever Barnes saved their beloved Oskars, and activated the powers of their city's Megantic. Ever now lives with the Morgan family and the two children watch over and learn more about Oskar (the Megantic) every day.

But their conflict-free days come to an abrupt end when Mr. Morgan is captured while on a family trip to nearby Alexios, and the kids get into a spat with a group of street magicians who con Hannah out of her pocket money. Chifa and Tanan were never planning to make friends while performing their tricks, but when Hannah and Ever learn of their connection to Vash, they realize there's much more at stake than a few coins.

If Hannah and Ever want to find out what Vash is hiding and save both Oskars and Alexios before time runs out, they'll have to learn to trust Chifa and Tanan, and most importantly, find a way to work together.

Review:

This was a fun sequel to City of Secrets. But, you definitely need to read the first book for this one to make sense. It didn’t amaze me like book 1 did, but it was still a book I finished in one sitting, and I can see kids loving it and finishing it up just as quickly.

What makes this book (and its predecessor) stand out is the artwork. The art is just stunning. After a couple pages you forget you are reading a book. It’s like you are watching an exceptionally well done anime.  The art did not lose any of its magic here. It still has the same magical effect.

I didn’t learn to love the new kids/characters as much as the originals. But, maybe I wasn’t supposed to. I guess it’s hard to love characters originally working with the bad guy…I feel like this book in large part exists as a way to give the reader more info about the world/cities it all takes place in. We learn more about the machines/robots. We learn about the mythology behind everything. And we learn more about Hannah’s and Ever’s parents’ involvement in things. But, as I’m learning with all kids adventure graphic novels, not enough is learned! I want more.

I loved all the scenes that took place on the farm. It was fun to watch the city kids experience a more rural lifestyle (even though they were visiting another city). And it was interesting getting the same princess/mythology story in so many different ways (through the artwork, the ballet, and the people). It’s clear that the author has a lot of this story mapped out. And I cannot wait to see where everything goes. All in all, I give this one an 8/10.

Curse of the Specter Queen by Jenny Elder Moke

Summary From Goodreads:

Samantha Knox put away her childish fantasies of archaeological adventure the day her father didn't return home from the Great War, retreating to the safety of the antique bookshop where she works. But when a mysterious package arrives with a damaged diary inside, Sam's peaceful life is obliterated. Ruthless men intent on reclaiming the diary are after Sam, setting her and her best friend, along with her childhood crush, on a high-stakes adventure that lands them in the green hills outside Dublin, Ireland. Here they discover an ancient order with a dark purpose - to perform an occult ritual that will raise the Specter Queen, the Celtic goddess of vengeance and death, to bring about a war unlike any the world has ever seen. To stop them, Sam must solve a deviously complex cipher - one that will lead her on a treasure hunt to discover the ancient relic at the heart of the ritual: a bowl carved from the tree of life. Will she find the bowl and stop the curse of the Specter Queen, or will the ancient order bring about the end of the world?

Indiana Jones gets a refresh with this female-driven mystery adventure, set in the 1920s, full of ciphers, ancient relics, and heart-stopping action - the first in a brand-new series!

Review:

This was my favorite YA books in a long time. I couldn’t put it down. A female driven Indiana Jones type story in the 1920s? I knew I was going to like it. But, it’s one of those books with little to no hype…I think maybe it’s because of the super lame cover? If it had a gorgeous girl in a flapper dress, or maybe 2 girls driving a car down the Irish countryside…..dressed to the nines….then more people might be talking about it.

Anyway, it starts with a sarcastic, intelligent main character, running a bookshop. From there, it’s  fancy parties,  secret ciphers, thieves, fires, international travels, romance, mystery, secret societies, evil creatures, kidnappings, close friendships, and plenty of banter in between. There is never a good place to pause your reading. Each chapter ends with you needing to know more. The book goes from one mystery to another.

Also, the setting is spectacular. From the Titanic-like boat ride to the Irish country estates, I felt like I was there. This book will make you want to travel and go on your own adventures. Then, there’s the characters. We have the reunited best friends who have some things to work through. There’s also the childhood crush storyline. There’s new crushes, new friends along the way, and of course learning to figure out who you can trust is always an issue.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I read it quickly. I was sucked into the fast paced plot. But, it was the adventurous setting and witty characters that kept my interest. I wish more people knew about this one. Truly, I blame it on the cover. I give it a 9/10.

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

Summary from Goodreads:

A cursed girl escapes death and finds herself in a magical world - but is then tested beyond her wildest imagination

Morrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on Eventide, the unluckiest day for any child to be born, she's blamed for all local misfortunes, from hailstorms to heart attacks--and, worst of all, the curse means that Morrigan is doomed to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday.

But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange and remarkable man named Jupiter North appears. Chased by black-smoke hounds and shadowy hunters on horseback, he whisks her away into the safety of a secret, magical city called Nevermoor.

It's then that Morrigan discovers Jupiter has chosen her to contend for a place in the city's most prestigious organization: the Wundrous Society. In order to join, she must compete in four difficult and dangerous trials against hundreds of other children, each boasting an extraordinary talent that sets them apart - an extraordinary talent that Morrigan insists she does not have. To stay in the safety of Nevermoor for good, Morrigan will need to find a way to pass the tests - or she'll have to leave the city to confront her deadly fate.

Review:

This was a lot of fun. I needed a good adventure to read on my mini vacation. I got a little time off at the end of summer, and nothing like a little fantasy adventure to brighten one’s mood! This book has a little bit of everything that makes a good kids fantasy: magic, curses, giant cats, evil villains, crazy competitions, bullies, and fascinating characters. It also mostly takes place in a hotel that reminds me of the one from the Lemony Snicket books.

Morrigan’s family is almost worse than the Dursleys. And as the book goes on, you can’t help but hope for her to succeed above everything. The trials/competition had a bit of a Hunger Games feel to them, mixed with the Tri-Wizard tournament. I know this author read: A Series of Unfortunate Events, Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, The Magisterium books, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It also made me think a bit of the show, Gilmore Girls and an important moment with umbrellas. Clearly, Tonsend did her research.

However, this book is definitely its own story. I was fascinated by the world building. The societies, the mythology of Christmas, the hotel that changes as it gets to know you, the talking cat, the constant competitions, and shadows. I was interested in everything. I also was just as nervous as Morrigan about the trials and Jupiter not telling her everything.

I do have to say though that I wasn’t really surprised by much. I read a lot, so none of the twists shocked me. I kind of had the whole thing figured out from about a tenth of the way through. But, I wasn’t actually bothered by this because I was so impressed by everything else. The only time the predictability did bother me was towards the end, but I think this can right itself out in book 2? I want to read book 2 now. I’m glad this book was recommended to me by a couple of people.

All in all this was a lot of fun. I was impressed by the characters and the setting. The author definitely has read her fair share of children’s books and it shows. It was rather predictable, but I mostly wasn’t bothered by it. I give this one a 9/10.

Cici's Journal: Lost and Found by Joris Chamblain and Aurelie Neyret

Summary from Goodreads:

Everyone has secrets, but no one can hide them from Cici!

As a future writer, Cici knows what questions to ask and where to find the clues she needs to unlock peoples’ hearts. Yet even though Cici is great at helping others, for a long time now she has kept a dark and painful secret hidden inside herself.

Cici’s friends and mom all want to help her heal, but she keeps pushing them away. Can a treasure hunt, a mysterious mansion, and an epic beachside fight help her to open up at last?

Review:

I loved this. I didn’t know there would be a book 2, though I had hoped. I was surprised and thankful for this book when it came across my radar not that long ago. I remember being so charmed and in awe of the artwork of book 1. This book was the same.

However, where the first book was borderline fluffy and endearing, this one was a little bit deeper. Cici was a little older and more capable of understanding and handling her emotions. As much of this book was about solving a mystery (almost Nancy Drew style), the rest was about Cici coming to terms with her past and how she was feeling. There was this whole emotional element of this book I was not expecting, a past that involves trauma. At first, I was actually a little annoyed by this. It took me out of the story that I was so engrossed in. But, then, I loved it. It made me love Cici and the other characters that much more.

Besides the deeper story and stronger character arcs, there’s the stunning artwork I fell in love with from the beginning. It’s just gorgeous. Even my husband noted it while I was reading it. And it’s not every Children’s graphic novel that I read that he will comment on, but I think he might actually pick this one up at some point. It’s filled with the standard graphic novel panels, but also, journal entries, illustrations, and author’s notes because Cici want’s to be a writer. The layout is fun. But the art itself is just really good. It looks like the artist could design video games or Pixar movies.

One of the stories involves Cici and her mother going to a tourist destinations that’s literally a murder mystery mansion at sea! There’s also a mystery involving hidden notes and a scavenger hunt that begins in a bookbinder shop. I mean come on…This book is amazing. There’s little nods to book 1 and the zoo. There’s great messages of friendship. I love the family dynamic between Cici and her mother and everything they work through together. And when it ends, I just want more. I could have read 4 more of these books and kept going. I hope these keep going. I give this a 9/10.