Tag: middle grade books

Book Review: The Shattered Lens (Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians #4) by Brandon Sanderson

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: MG Fantasy
Length: 336 pages
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Starscape
Release Date: August 2nd, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Alcatraz Smedry is up against a whole army of Evil Librarians in this fourth adventure, with only his friend Bastille, a few pairs of glasses, and an unlimited supply of exploding teddy bears to help him. This time, even Alcatraz’s extraordinary talent for breaking things may not be enough to defeat the army of Evil Librarians and their giant librarian robots.

GREAT AGAIN.

I don’t have a lot to add to my review at four books in that wouldn’t spoil anything. These books are short and ones I would love to read with my family in the future (as audiobooks because they really shine there). I love the joy these bring and how clever they are.

Alcatraz and his family are a hoot and make me smile and laugh. I continue to like the execution of the plot and the direction things are going. I’m looking forward to the next book!

Overall audience notes:

  • MG Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: flirting
  • Violence: low

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Book Review: Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians (Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians #1) by Brandon Sanderson

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Middle Grade Fantasy
Length: 320 pages
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Starscape
Release Date: May 3rd, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Experience the action-packed first book in #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson’s laugh-out-loud middle-grade fantasy series like never before― Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians is now in paperback with all new covers!

AN ANCIENT RIVALRY REAWAKENS.

Everything I’d known about the world was a lie.

On my thirteenth birthday, I, Alcatraz Smedry ( yes, I got named after a prison, don’t ask ) received my a bag of sand . And then I accidentally destroyed my foster parents’ kitchen. It’s not my fault, things just break around me, I swear !

I thought the sand was a joke until evil Librarians came to steal it. You’re probably thinking, “Librarians are nice people who recommend good books,” but that’s just what they want you to think! It turns out they’re actually a secret cult keeping the truth from you―a hidden world filled with magical eyeglasses, talking dinosaurs, and knights with crystal swords!

Or so my Grandpa Smedry claimed when he suddenly showed up to rescue me. So now I have to go with him to invade the local library and get that sand back, before it’s used to conquer the world. And Grandpa says how I keep breaking things is actually an amazing talent. There’s no way that can all be true, right?

Will I ever make it back home alive?

LOL.

This book had me snickering. I’ve been wanting to read Sanderson’s full backlist and this series has been on my radar, but I’m generally just not a middle-grade reader. This had me questioning that statement. I thought this was a lot of fun and fit the genre well. I would be able to hand this to a young kid easily.

I loved the concept and narrative. The unreliable and a bit chaotic Alcatraz brought the house down in keeping me on my toes. I enjoyed the side characters and the general concept of evil librarians (and the theme that knowledge should be available for all and not controlled by the ones at the top).

A great book and I look forward to continuing the series.

Overall audience notes:

  • Middle grade dystopian fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: none
  • Violence: low

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Book Review: The Blameless (The Blameless #1) by E.S. Christison

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: MG Fantasy
Length: 300 pages
Author: E.S. Christison
Publisher: Wildling Press
Release Date: July 7th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Briana, Princess of Predonia, has lived a happy and sheltered life. Then, in a single night, her kingdom is overthrown and centuries of peace are abruptly shattered. Fleeing for her life as her kingdom burns, Brie is rescued by Flinton, Derek, and Kove, three powerful protectors who pledge to teach her how to fight and use the powerful magic that has awakened within her. Brie finds sanctuary in the mountain stronghold of the Blameless, people who receive magical gifts from the gods after performing acts of unparalleled selflessness. Among them, Brie’s grieving heart slowly learns to live and laugh again. With the help of her new friends, she strives to master her growing powers so she can avenge her family, take back her place as the rightful heir to the throne, and free her people from the clutches of a tyrant. But can one girl change the tides against an evil that has conquered an entire kingdom?

Thank you to the author for sending me a gifted copy.

SOLID MIDDLE GRADE.

I know this isn’t my usual fantasy grade level, but I was sold on the idea and I think it is great for this age group. Keeping that in mind as I read led to a good reading experience and I’m excited for book two.

Briana, our lovely FMC, was wonderful. I loved that she acted and responded appropriately for her age group, but that it also didn’t bring on any annoyance. She’s going through a lot of growth and processing very hard things. I also loved that she wasn’t immediately good at everything, I liked seeing her learn new things and how to handle her power.

Her found family group was full of the kindest souls. I loved seeing them all together and enjoyed the lighter dynamics they brought to the table. There’s great father-like figures and friends Briana’s age that she’s able to connect with.

I enjoyed the plot and getting some snippets of the antagonists point of view to see inside his mindset too. There’s plenty of action and moments that keep those pages turning.

Overall audience notes:

  • Middle Grade Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: none
  • Violence: low-moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of family, small battle themes, weapons, physical and magical violence

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Book Review: The War I Finally Won (The War That Saved My Life #2) by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: MG Historical Fiction
Length: 387 pages
Author: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Publisher: Dial Books
Release Date: October 3rd, 2017
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Ada and her younger brother, Jamie, now have a permanent home with their loving legal guardian, Susan Smith. Although Jamie adapts more easily, Ada still struggles with the aftermath of her old life, and how to fit into her new life.

World War II continues, and forces the small community to come together and rely on one another. Ada has never been interested in getting to know her friend’s family—especially Maggie’s mother, the formidable Lady Thorton. However, circumstances bring them in close proximity along with other unexpected characters.

Ada comes face to face with another German! This time she isn’t sure what she should do. How can she help the ones she loves and keep them safe?

Ada’s first story, The War that Saved My Life, won a Newbery Honor, the Schneider Family Book Award, and the Josette Frank Award, in addition to appearing on multiple best-of-the-year lists. This second, marvelous volume continues Ada’s powerful, uplifting story.

AS BEAUTIFUL AS THE FIRST.

Ohhhhh my gosh. My heart. Ada. Jamie. Susan. The whole dang cast. READ THESE BOOKS. What an absolute gem for all ages.

I didn’t know if a second book was going to have enough plot in Ada’s life to further an entire second book and I stand completely corrected because this had everything it needed. I love the growth in Ada and yet how you could still feel her age. And not in that annoying, roll your eyes, kind of way. In that raw, going through grief and big changes and big emotions, kind of way. I loved it. It was executed so perfectly for this kind of book.

This was definitely a read that made me cry (iykyk). Many times I was brought through a flurry of emotions because of the travesty of war and heartbreak it causes. Yet, I love the hope that’s also infused. The love shown for those different from ourselves and extending needed hands of friendship and compassion. Many, many good things in this duology y’all. I will recommend it up and down. One of my new all time favorite World War 2 historical fiction books.

Overall audience notes:

  • Middle grade historical fiction
  • Language: none
  • Violence: surgery
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a loved one, debilitating sickness resulting in hospitalization, war themes

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