5 Worlds: The Emerald Gate by Mark Siegel, Alexis Siegel, Xanthe Bouma, Matt Rockefeller, and Boya Sun

Summary from Goodreads:

Oona and her friends face their ultimate challenge in the final installment of the graphic sci-fi fantasy series that's Star Wars meets Avatar: The Last Airbender!

In the epic conclusion to the 5 Worlds series, the final battle looms as Oona, Jax, and An Tzu travel to the treacherous world of Grimbo (E)! There, Oona must light the last beacon to save the 5 Worlds, but first she has to find it! When Jax saves an old friend, Oona is given a clue to the green beacon's location.

Unfortunately, the journey to lighting it on this strange, watery planet is the most dangerous yet. Meanwhile, Stan Moon has one more trick up his sleeve as his frightening powers and mysterious connection to An Tzu continue to grow. How can Oona ever hope to beat him? Can she count on her friends or will a terrible betrayal mean the 5 Worlds will be lost to evil forever?

Review:

These books are so good. I’m trying to remember how I stumbled upon the first one, years ago. But, I can’t recall what drew me to it. I’ll have to look up my review. It doesn’t really matter though. Over time, these books not only hold up; they improve. The character development, the world building, the stunning artwork, and the layered adventurous plot all make for one remarkable series.

I was not disappointed in the last installment. I guess I’m just disappointed that it’s over….There were a few things I saw coming, but there were some classic sci-fi tropes here, so it was hard for me not to see where the book was going. That being said, there was one shocking component for me at the very end that really impressed me. I wish I had friends or a book club or something who has read all these books, so I could go into detail  with someone about this ending!

This last book is the kind of last book that will have you gasping in shock, smiling with success, and cheering for your friends. It will also make you want to go back to the beginning and read them all over again. So, I guess it doesn’t get too much better. The writers have really developed  well thought out worlds with various cultures, religions, peoples, sports, and plant life. These books would make a fantastic tv show.

All in all, I highly recommend these books to graphic novels fans, particularly to fans of the Amulet series. But, also, I can see these books appealing to fans of Star Wars, Avatar the Last Airbender, and just any really fun adventure story reader really. I give this last one a 9/10.

Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac

Summary from Goodreads:

From the U.S.'s foremost indigenous children's author comes a middle grade verse novel set during the COVID-19 pandemic, about a Wabanaki girl's quarantine on her grandparents' reservation and the local dog that becomes her best friend

Malian was visiting her grandparents on the reservation when the COVID-19 pandemic started. Now she's staying there, away from her parents and her school in Boston. Everyone is worried about the pandemic, but on the reservation, everyone protects each other, from Malian caring for her grandparents to the local dog, Malsum, guarding their house. They always survive together.

Malian hears stories from her grandparents about how it has always been this way in their community: Stories about their ancestors, who survived epidemics of European diseases; about her grandfather, who survived a terrible government boarding school; and about Malian's own mother, who survived and returned to her Native community after social services took her away to live in foster care as a child. With their community and caring for one another, Malian and her family will survive this pandemic, too.

Review:

I wrote on Goodreads: This book was a brief, but beautiful. It's a little window into the life of a kid on a reservation during the pandemic. It's also an ode to dogs and stories. It's written in verse, so it moves quickly. It's truthful and doesn't sugarcoat racism or Covid, like some of the other "current" books today do. I loved it. We need more honest books like this. But, also, it's just full of beautiful stories.

I’m not really sure what I was expecting this book to be. Maybe more dog story, less real world in the now. But, I got a little bit of both. And I feel a little bit of a hypocrite because I literally just told someone a couple days ago that reading for me, these past few months has been my escape from the “now.” But, sometimes reading stories in the “now” are good too. And there are not a lot of kids books that do it. Most current Middle Grade books pretend the pandemic never happened or that it’s over now….and there’s something so refreshing about how honest this book is. Kids don’t need to be lied to. This author gets that. The teacher in the novel got that. And the grandparents in the story definitely got that too.

How can we lie about something so big? And Bruchac’s answer: we can’t. But, he tells his truth with such power and wisdom. There were stories about dogs wearing clothing mixed with the fear we all had at some point being around someone coughing. It’s the magical kid befriending a dog story mixed with the reality of the pandemic that is still going on, mixed also with stories of racism and the history of Mailan’s family.

I found this book to be special. It resonated with me in a way I wasn’t expecting it to. I sat on my sofa, next to my dog, reading about the connection humans have always had to dogs. But, also just loving this main character and how much compassion she had for her family. I think this is something that can be read in the classroom years, decades even from now, when hopefully this pandemic will be in the rearview mirror and this moment in time can be someone else’s history lesson. I give this a 10/10.

5 Worlds: The Amber Anthem by Mark Siegel, Alexis Siegel, Xanthe Bouma, Matt Rockefeller, and Boya Sun

 Summary from Goodreads:

Think Star Wars meets Avatar: The Last Airbender ! Kazu Kibuishi (AMULET) says this graphic novel adventure is "a magical journey, as fun as it is beautiful!"

In book 4, Oona Lee arrives on Salassandra determined to light the yellow beacon and continue her quest to save the Five Worlds from the evil Mimic's influence. But the beacon is encased in amber! An ancient clue says that Oona and her friends must seek out the Amber Anthem to succeed. Meanwhile, Stan Moon sends an evil Jax robot to assassinate Oona and hunts down An Tzu himself. Turns out, as An Tzu fades away from his Vanishing Illness, he's becoming someone else--someone who could tip the scales in the battle for the Five Worlds!

Review:

I was a little nervous going into this one because it’s been so long since I had read book 3, and I’ve forgotten a few things. But, thankfully, the author thought of this and had a “The story so far….” section! If only all series had this! Seriously, what a help this made. I didn’t have to scratch my head for the first quarter of the book; I could just enjoy it. And enjoy it, I did.

I forgot just how stunning these books were. I also picked up book 5, which is already out….and I can’t wait to get started on after the ending of this one. This one had the most revealing storyline yet. You finally learn about who one character truly is, what the vanishing sickness really is, and why the Mimic is so bent on stopping the characters from lighting all the beacons. Plus, I think the 5th book is the last one? 5 Worlds and 5 books, right?  

I also loved the overall message of togetherness in this book. Everyone has to come together for the beacon on this planet to be lit. Everyone has to sing together in an overall message of hope and equality, despite so much propaganda and fake rumors spreading about the beacons. I also just love how much stronger and tougher the characters are now. They have come so far. Oona has so much more faith in herself to light the beacons. AnTzu knows he can do more then he’s given credit for. And I love that none of the main characters like the unfair treatment of the giant characters throughout the whole planet.

All in all, this was a fantastic 4th installment. I cannot wait to start reading book 5. I was intending to read a couple of books before that but I’m not sure I can wait that long. I give this one a 9/10.

The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner

Summary on Goodreads:

Thirteen-year-old Moth Hush loves all things witchy. But she’s about to discover that witches aren’t just the stuff of movies, books, and spooky stories. When some eighth-grade bullies try to ruin her Halloween, something really strange happens. It turns out that Founder’s Bluff, Massachusetts, has a centuries-old history of witch drama. And, surprise: Moth’s family is at the center of it all! When Moth’s new powers show up, things get totally out-of-control. She meets a talking cat, falls into an enchanted diary, and unlocks a hidden witch world. Secrets surface from generations past as Moth unravels the complicated legacy at the heart of her town, her family, and herself.

Review:

This book reminded me of Sabrina the Teenage witch (90’s sitcom) in a good way. It has all the charm and humor of a sweet kids tv show that anyone can watch. There’s a talking cat, there’s a lot of lessons about finding your own way, and doing what what’s right for you versus what’s right for others. And to keep you interested until the very end, there’s an overarching story about family secrets and witch hunters.

Of course, living in Massachusetts, I also connected to the location. It had a sort of Hocus Pocus vibe to it, though maybe a little less dark. Major plot points involve a school play and a field trip to the historical museum. However, there are a few new magical twists I’ve never seen before, involving a magical land and witches from another time period.

What stands out the most is the artwork. Reminiscent of Raina Telgemeier, fans of Smile will rejoice to find another graphic novel that perfectly captures teenage embarrassment so well. Everything bright, colorful, and fun. I loved the diverse cast, the talking cat, the intergenerational storyline, and the magical humor. I can see lots of kids eating this one up. I give it an 8/10.

Tidesong by Wendy Xu

Summary from Goodreads:

Perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli and The Tea Dragon Society, this is a magically heartwarming graphic novel about self-acceptance and friendship.

Sophie is a young witch whose mother and grandmother pressure her to attend the Royal Magic Academy--the best magic school in the realm--even though her magic is shaky at best. To train for her entrance exams, Sophie is sent to relatives she's never met.

Cousin Sage and Great-Aunt Lan seem more interested in giving Sophie chores than in teaching her magic. Frustrated, Sophie attempts magic on her own, but the spell goes wrong, and she accidentally entangles her magic with the magic of a young water dragon named Lir.

Lir is trapped on land and can't remember where he came from. Even so, he's everything Sophie isn't--beloved by Sophie's family and skilled at magic. With his help, Sophie might just ace her entrance exams, but that means standing in the way of Lir's attempts to regain his memories. Sophie knows what she's doing is wrong, but without Lir's help, can she prove herself?

Review:

This is a sweet graphic novel with strong messages about family, friendship, and growing up. I didn’t particularly love the main character. She seemed to be allergic to listening to her family….And I didn’t really grow to empathize or love her before she went off and did stupid things, like you usually do in these kind of “Sabrina the Teenage witch” type tropes. That being said, I eventually grew to tolerate her…

Her family wasn’t much better either. The Great Aunt she’s sent to live with is brutal and unkind to her in a Dursley kind of way. This does get addressed by the end of the story, but yikes it’s hard to get into this book if you are a character reader like me. You really have to rely on the artwork. Good thing the artwork is unbelievable.

Mostly, what makes this book a standout is the art. It’s just stunning. You both feel like you are watching a masterful anime and staring at a beautiful rendition of “The Great Wave Off Kanagawa.” While typing this review, my eyes keep wandering over to the book, and it’s not because the story was anything new. or the characters were great. I do think kids at the library will flock to this book because of the artwork, and I won’t blame them. I did.

There’s also this really unique folklore element to the whole thing, involving water dragons and weather magic! I think the dragons were my favorite characters. The world this takes place in, the magic, and the artwork are just remarkable. The characters and the character development needed a little work. I give it an 8/10.

Willa of Dark Hollow by Robert Beatty

Summary from Goodreads:

Plunge into an exciting story of history, mystery, & magic from the best-selling author of the Serafina series. Loved by adults and young readers alike, Kirkus Reviews has awarded Dark Hollow the prestigious Kirkus Star, calling it "a captivating, stirring tale of family and friendship.”

The Great Smoky Mountains. 1901. Willa and her clan are the last of the Faeran, an ancient race of forest people who have lived in the mountains for as long as the trees have grown there. But as crews of newly arrived humans start cutting down great swaths of the forest she loves, Willa is helpless to stop them. How can she fight the destroyers of the forest and their powerful machines? When Willa discovers a mysterious dark hollow filled with strange and beautiful creatures, she comes to realize that it contains a terrifying force. Is unleashing these dangerous spirits the key to stopping the loggers? Willa must find a way to save the people and animals she loves and take a stand against an all-consuming darkness that threatens to destroy her world.

Review:

Why am I always surprised by how much I love this author’s books? It took me a hot second to get into this story though. I think this is mostly because I didn’t quickly remember Willa or the storyline of the previous book. And I have to go against the note of the publishing company (on the book) and say this is not really a stand-alone. It’s more of a sequel. It really would be much more enjoyable if you read the first Willa book. I don’t understand why the HUGE need to market it as a stand-alone story? Once I remember the hardships and beauty of book 1, I enjoyed this that much more.

In a weird way, the plot felt like a mixture of Outlander (for kids), Homeward Bound, The Overstory, Native folktales, and FernGully. If any of those things were enjoyable for you, this book will be. The writing is lyrical and pure magic. Wills has her work cut out for her in a world where industry and technology are taking priority over nature and animals. There’s a suspenseful storyline with Willa’s adoptive father being wrongfully accused of murder. There’s some harsh Bambi-is scenes with animals. There’s lots of empathy, adventure, and of course nature.

The forest is almost a character itself, and if you didn’t want visit the Great Smoky Mountains before, you will now. This book is also filled with more hope than the last one (despite some of the critical circumstances). There’s more a sense of family for Willa with the family she chooses, than the harsh one she left behind. I love the dynamic between the sisters (in more way than one). I love the relationship between Willa and the baby bear. There is just so much love in this book, it’s hard to not want to hug it before putting it down .

I can’t really say too much about it with spoiling it, but WOW I was impressed by the ending. It blew me away and shook me. Beatty is a an amazing author and I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next. This gets a 10/10.

Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

Summary from Goodreads:

Morrigan Crow and her friends have survived their first year as proud scholars of the elite Wundrous Society, helped bring down the nefarious Ghastly Market and proven themselves loyal to Unit 919. Now Morrigan faces a new, exciting challenge: to master the mysterious Wretched Arts and control the power that threatens to consume her.

Review:

These books get a little better, a little smarter, and a little more developed with each installment. The world building and character development has grown leaps and bounds by this book 3. This book has also gotten a little darker, and you can’t help but pull parallels to the world pandemic that is currently taking place. How long ago did Townsend write this? I know it takes a long time to get books published…but, there is no way Covid hadn’t started yet, right? That would be kind of scary.

There are also some very clear stories Townsend drew inspiration from. I kept thinking back to the story of Wicked (book and musical), and the movie Zootopia. But, I loved both of those, so it didn’t really bother me. Also, the book gets a tad political, in a fantasy children’s book kind of way -where it’s clear who the bigots are and there are some top-notch HP level quotes like:

“We don’t ignore bigotry, Jack. That’s how cowardly bigots turn into brave bigots.” and “The thing about numpties, Mog, is that they can always find plenty of other numpties to believe their numpty nonsense. You know what they say: you're never more than six feet away from a numpty.”

I think my favorite parts though involved Morrigan’s lessons, called Ghostly Hours (possibly inspired by scenes with the pensive in HP). I was fascinated! I think maybe I was more interested in it than Morrigan, and that’s saying something because she was obsessed. The one thing I felt was a little lacking in this book were the side characters (aka: her friends). So much focus was on the world building and Morrigan becoming a Wondersmith. And again, I was totally fine with that. I was fascinated. Oh, and there was this one scene in a magical library! I couldn’t put the book down.

This book ends with quite the cliffhanger, and I have such a wait before book 4 comes out…I tried to wait a bit before diving into this one, but I couldn’t hold off that long. These books are just that good. I highly recommend them to any all middle grade fantasy fans. I give it a 9/10.