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Featured Books & Reviews
Explorer Academy Vela: The Sailor Cipher (Book 1)
By Trudi Trueit
Sailor York and the daring recruits of Explorer Academy uncover an elusive animal-smuggling ring in the first electrifying book in this new companion series. Soon after Cruz, Sailor, Emmett, and Lani return for their second year at Explorer Academy, their sense of calm is shattered when Sailor’s older sister goes missing. Amidst incredible expeditions to far-flung destinations and competitive classes, Sailor bravely steps into the lead to discover how her sister’s sudden disappearance may be linked to ...
The Deadly Daylight
By Harrier, Ash
12-year-old Alice has a hard time making friends. Maybe it's because she works in a funeral home and receives messages from the dead. While the kids at school taunt her and call her “Alice in Zombieland," Alice England finds refuge at her father’s funeral home, where the dead tell her stories. As she arranges the deceased’s personal mementos, an item will hum with meaning–resonance–and Alice will see the story of their life.
The Lost Heir (Wings of Fire, Book 2)
By Tui T. Sutherland
Tsunami one of the dragonets of the prophecy who are destined to stop the war that has been going on for eighteen years. After the dragonets escape from Queen Scarlets Palace Tsunami finds out that she is the SeaWing queen's daughter. The Dragonets decide to go to the Kingdom of the Sea so that Tsunami can meet her mother, Queen Coral. They can meet Blister, one of the rival SandWing princesses who started the whole war by competing for the throne. Tsunami gets attacked and they find out that someone has been killing eggs. They find out that Orca a daughter of Queen Coral who died, had enchanted a statue to kill the eggs, the last one hatches, and they call it Auklet. But when they want to leave to see Blaze, Blister and Queen Coral Put them in jail. Then Anemone another daughter of Queen Coral has animus powers. She acks a horn to go and get the person that attacked Tsunami, and they find out that it was someone. READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT THE REST.
The Goose Girl
By Shannon Hale
As soon as I finished reading this book, I immediately went to Dogo to write a review. In the beginning, the book was a bit hard to get into, as it was more slow-paced and uneventful, but soon after, Shannon Hale didn't disappoint. There was action, drama, and suspense! If it were a movie, I'd watch it ten times over, as it is, I'm probably going to read it multiple times. It follows along the basic plot of "The Goose Girl" by the Brothers Grimm but adds breezy and immersive descriptions, beautiful characters, and commendable plot that turns it from a bed-time story to a fantastical, spellbinding tale of betrayal, friendship, and a fair share of magic.
The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
By Karina Glaser
The Vanderbeekers kids; the twins, Isa and Jessie both are 13 years old, Oliver, 10 years old, Hyacinth, 8 years old, and lastly but not at least, Laney who is 6 years old. They lived in the brownstone apartment for whole of their lives, and it's practically another member of the Vanderbeekers family. They have pets, Franz, a dog, George Washington, a cat, and Prangini, a bunny. All were well until their landlord, Mr. Beiderman refused to renew their lease after 6 years of living there for Vanderbeekers. Papa Vanderbeeker as revealed lived in Harlem for all of his childhood, which was actually hoping to have his children to live for whole of their childhood in the Harlem, too. Ever since when the news broke out that Mr. Beiderman refuses to renew their lease, the Vanderbeekers doing as much as they could to save their home. You'll meet people like, Mr. Van Hooten, Isa's violin teacher, Auntie Harrigan and Uncle Arthur, Miss Josie, Mr. Jeet, Angie, the Castlemans, Benny and his parents (Benny is 8th grader and Isa is in 7th grade), etc. In the ending, Benny finally asked Isa out for the dance and the Vanderbeekers also got invited into the Mr. Beiderman's apartment after those long years and the Vanderbeekers barely even know him until they found the truth in the newspapers and people. - Happy Reading!
The Deadly Daylight
By Harrier, Ash
Have you ever wondered if the people who live in a funeral home were scared or eldritchly? Ash Harrier’s “The Deadly Daylight” will clear up all of your misconceptions as she introduces you to Alice England, a precocious twelve-year-old girl, who lives with her father in a funeral home, and her unwonted clique. Though the unlikely threesome of Alice, Violet Devenish, and Calvin Lee seem harmless enough, the Zombie Queen, Ultraviolet, and Cal’s friendship manifests under the haze of a mystery. Nothing interesting happens in Damocles Cove. Ever. Until the untimely death of Violet’s uncle George. But is his death really a mystery? Alice believes there is more to his death. But why? Harrier’s witty writing of Alice’s attitude to her temporary guests normalizes being surrounded by death and sadness daily while she works with her father in the funeral home. Alice never knew life without dead people whom she always treated with respect. Alice finds solace in working alongside her father and finds she can connect with the temporary house guests. These strong intuitions propel Alice to investigate Violet’s uncle’s death. Unwillingly Violet tags along with Alice in her search for the truth which later becomes an obsession. Would the obsession destroy the new friendship? Was George’s death really related to his health? Was it an accident? Murder? Everyone is a suspect, including his niece Violet, maybe even Cal. The chapter book is an easy read. Comical interactions between Alice, Violet, and Cal keep you entertained as they hang out at school, the funeral home, and some unseemly gatherings at the pier and wharves on the Australian coastline. Alice’s over-the-top vocabulary and keen investigation skills make the mystery fun. But how can it be fun with a rare genetic allergy, illegal exotic animals, and a funeral home all part of the plot? Well, you have to read the book to find out! I would recommend the book for kids ages 13 and older. And grab a thesaurus when you read the book!
The Deadly Daylight
By Harrier, Ash
Working in a funeral home does not seem to be a quite enjoyable job to many people, but Alice England loves it. By touching a memento or one of the dead themselves, Alice can obtain a brief glimpse of their lives, whether whole or a small period of them. Working with her father, the 12 year old's life is peaceful - until one of her companion's uncle is seemingly murdered on the pier. Now Alice must work around a recently formed relationship with the dead's niece, Violet, to try and solve the mysterious case. She may have other prospects of friends, such as a boy named Cal, but attempting to balance the needs of the case with the constant demands of friends may prove to be too much to handle. The Deadly Daylight seamlessly balances suspense and the other qualities of a murder mystery in language that is suitable for middle-grade readers, taking in the best of both worlds. The book never has a dull chapter, and although some of them may seem slightly slow in progression, the climax of the novel fits them all together and gives every single one meaning. This book is not overly scary, which makes it perfect for readers who just want a comfortable read, yet still intriguing and one that makes them guess along with the main character.