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Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie: The Diary of Hattie Campbell

After the death of her two sisters, thirteen-year-old Hattie and her family make a fresh start. They sell their farm in Missouri and journey across the Oregon Trail toward Oregon City. At first, the adventure is exciting, but as the days, weeks, and months pass, Hattie realizes what a dangerous and tedious trip it is. As they cross the prairies, news of the fate of the Donner Party reaches them, and death, disease, weather, and the terrain take a terrible toll on their traveling party. The Campbells lose neighbors and friends until they can hardly bear to continue. But Hattie and her family must persevere or risk the same misfortune. Hattie’s diary chronicles the hardships of such a harrowing journey, but also captures the small moments, friendships, and celebrations of life that keep hope alive. 

Hattie and her family’s adventure is filled with danger—perilous rivers to cross, deadly animals, unpredictable weather, and accidents. Despite these daily perils, Hattie focuses on conflicts that today’s readers will relate to. She is sad to leave her friends behind but becomes excited when she meets fourteen-year-old Pepper. When a boy begins courting Pepper, Hattie worries about losing her newfound friend and wonders when she will fall in love. While Hattie doesn’t find romance, she does meet many interesting people along the trail. 

Like many thirteen-year-olds, Hattie’s life revolves around her friends and those she cares about, which often makes her seem self-centered and uncaring when others face problems. For example, when Hattie discovers that Mrs. Kenker, a member of their wagon train, is a thief, she struggles to treat the woman kindly. While this reaction is understandable, Hattie is repeatedly rebuked for her lack of compassion. Her mother provides wise counsel: “In order to move on we must forgive the past. Sometimes that means forgiving someone who hasn’t apologized and probably never will.” Through these trials, Hattie learns to show greater kindness to others. 

Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie is told in diary format, which limits the development of other characters but still allows readers to understand the importance of Hattie’s relationships with friends, family, and adults. The characters draw readers into the story while the narrative teaches fascinating facts about the Oregon Trail, including landmarks, dangers, and the various reasons people traveled 2,000 miles to start new lives. Although there is no direct interaction between the wagon train and Indigenous peoples, Hattie writes: “I have decided Indians are like white folks in that some are honest and kind, others are liars and thieves.” This observation reinforces a theme woven throughout the story: making assumptions based on appearance is not only wrong but can harm both yourself and others. 

If you’re interested in learning about the Oregon Trail, Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie offers a compelling glimpse into this historic period and will spark your curiosity to explore the people and landmarks along the trail. However, like the pioneers themselves, you may wish you could stop to explore these places in greater depth. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • While in Independence, Missouri, a group of “boys yell and wave their rifles around. One of them accidentally shot a nine-year-old in the neck. He died quickly, right where he fell.”  
  • Tall Joe, the leader of the wagon train, shows off “what looks like two short brushes hanging with a string of beads. . . Tall Joe said proudly, ‘Them is scalps, ma’am. . . Pawnee.” Tall Joe said he shot the men. 
  • Tall Joe and Mr. Kenker, another member of the wagon train, get into an argument. Mr. Kenker points a gun at Tall Joe. Tall Joe says, “And the next time you point a gun at me, mister, I’ll slice your ears off — don’t you forget!” When Mr. Kenker’s wife defends him, Tall Joe “grabbed Mr. Kenker’s pistol and aimed it at their wagon seat where a pie was cooling. The first shot made the pan spin, the second splattered it.”  
  • Tall Joe and Mr. Kenker get into another fight. Mr. Kenker “walked to the edge of the cliff, stepped into midair, and dropped out of sight. For a moment there was silence, then the piercing scream of Mrs. Kenker.” It is implied that Mr. Kenker died. 
  • While on the trail, “a boy playing with his father’s gun accidentally shot our front ox in the head. It dropped dead so quick the ones behind stumbled onto it.” 
  • Hattie’s little brother Ben fell off the wagon. “The wheels rolled over his left arm so that it hung like a broken stick. He cried and cried, while Pa set it in a splint.” He eventually recovers. 
  • A boy fell off the wagon and “was trampled by the mules behind. There was so much dust that it wasn’t until three wagons passed did they find him.” 
  • While crossing a river, a family’s mule panicked, and the animals began to drown. They sank so fast they pulled the wagons underwater before anyone had a chance to jump out. Two families disappeared just like that. I’m sick at heart. The screams of their friends on shore I will never forget as long as I live.” 
  • Mrs. Bigg, a kind woman whom Hattie admires, falls off her wagon. “Mrs. Bigg had fallen in the water and was trying to grab her husband’s hand. . . Each time she managed to grab a wheel or harness, the wagon tipped deeper toward her. . . In an instant, Mrs. Bigg and her rescuer disappeared under the tongue of the wagon. . . then they were gone.” 
  • A woman on the wagon train receives news that her friend has died. “It seems there was a measles epidemic. When some of the Indian children died, the Cayuse thought Dr. Whitman was a sorcerer. So they burned down the mission.” 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • A couple who were traveling with Hattie’s group has “two crystal wine goblets, for she and the mister tip back a few each night.” 
  • Hattie’s friend Wade is accidentally poisoned. While he’s sick, his parents “gave him a sip of rum” to help him relax. 
  • When Hattie’s brother is injured, he is given whiskey to help him with the pain. 

Language  

  • Brigham Young has “three nigras, servants look like.” 
  • “Lordy” is used as an exclamation once.  

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • Several people from the wagon train eat water hemlock, which is poison. When they get sick, Hattie’s father says, “God help us.” Several people die, and Hattie’s friend Wade “is breathing hard and fast through clenched jaws so it sounds like he’s hissing. Blood is at the corners of his mouth.” Hattie and others pray for Wade’s recovery. 
  • Hattie’s mother and Wade’s mother pray, “Asking God, that if it be His will, to please heal Wade.” Wade eventually recovers. His mother “cries and cries she is so thankful to God for healing her son.” Wade’s healing was attributed to God. 
  • When a wagon flips over and crashes, Hattie thinks, “Thank God, Mrs. Anderson and her daughters were watching from the top of the hill.” 
  • Along the way, Wade sings a hymn: “May our good Lord watch over you always.” 
  • When Mrs. Bigg dies, Hattie wonders, “Why did someone as generous and loving and honest as Mrs. Bigg have to die while Mrs. Kenker gets to live?” 
  • Hattie continues to mourn Mrs. Bigg’s death. Hattie’s mom says, “I know two things for sure. God loves us and he has a plan for our lives. I wish I knew why He took Mrs. Bigg and Cassia and the other children, but this I do not know.” 
  • Brigham Young, American religious leader and second president of the Mormon church, was traveling close to Hattie’s wagon train. She writes, “I think something’s wrong with a religion that says men get to have as many wives as they please all at once.” 
  • Hattie thinks Brigham Young is “very religious because he makes his people rest on the Sabbath—no traveling.” 
  • Brigham Young’s group travels alone, which makes some of the people on Hattie’s wagon train dislike them. Some say he is acting “high and mighty.” However, Hattie’s father says, “Brigham Young’s people are trying to start a new life, just like us. And I’ll tell you something else. . . we ain’t their judge, God Almighty is, so let’s get going and not be so mad about everything.” 
  • While trying to ford a dangerous river, Hattie’s aunt goes into labor. Hattie writes, “Why God sends babies into the world at times like this I’ll never understand, but he does.”

Sarah Journeys West: An Oregon Trail Survival Story

In the midst of the California Gold Rush, twelve-year-old Sarah and her family are living in the North as free Black people. Seeking a better life, Sarah’s parents decide they will venture west on the Oregon Trail. On the trail, Sarah and her family face all kinds of hardship, including racism, extreme weather, difficult terrain, and disease. But the journey will be worth it if they can find fortune in California. Will Sarah and her family endure the trail and make a new life out west?  

Sarah Journeys West gives a broad view of the Oregon Trail, allowing readers to understand the dangers of going west by following Sarah’s family. Although the trip was difficult, most of the dangers that are discussed aren’t directly related to the wagon train that Sarah’s family is traveling with. This decreases the story’s suspense and, similar to traveling on the Oregon Trail, the book sometimes goes at a very slow pace. 

Since Sarah’s family is the only Black family in their wagon train, the story offers a unique perspective that highlights the additional difficulties they faced, including discrimination from other members of the wagon train. However, they were not alone in facing prejudice. Many travelers feared Native Americans and harbored discriminatory attitudes toward them. For example, when a member of the wagon train, Mr. Adams, first encounters Indians, he wants to shoot them on sight, but Sarah’s father intervenes to stop him. Sarah’s mother provides insight into their shared struggles, explaining, “They aren’t that different from us. Our people got stolen from home, and their home got stolen from them.” 

The book’s structure makes it easy to follow, with each chapter beginning by noting Sarah’s location and the time. Black-and-white illustrations appear every 10 to 17 pages, including one that shows a family grieving over a grave. The back of the book includes nonfiction material on the Oregon Trail, a glossary, discussion questions, and writing prompts that provide brief explanations of African American and Native American perspectives. 

Throughout the journey, Sarah’s family encounters several historical landmarks along the trail and discusses the Hastings Cutoff and the Donner Party. While the book provides limited information about these topics, curious readers can learn more by reading Koda by Patricia Hermes. 

Sarah Journeys West focuses on a caring family that dreams of a better life. Although the story occasionally lacks action, Sarah is a likable protagonist who worries about what her new life in California will look like. Despite the difficult trip, the book reinforces the message that “a woman can do anything a man can do.” The story concludes on a hopeful note—Sarah and her family safely arrive in California, where Sarah has found a best friend, and the two girls plan to help their families become prosperous. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • As Sarah’s family prepares to go to Oregon, one of their companions, Mr. Adams, says that Indians had killed “a lot of people heading west.” The man promises to “shoot an Indian on sight if I have to.” 
  • The wagon train approaches a river and sees Indians. Mr. Adams plans to shoot the Indians, even though they have done nothing to provoke him. “Daddy lunged at him, which made the gun aim into the sky, and a shot went off. . . Mr. Lee grabbed the gun from Mr. Adams, and Daddy wrestled him to the ground.” No one is injured, and the Indians help them cross the river. 
  • A man mentions the Donner Party, saying, “They got stuck in these mountains in the middle of winter. Almost all of them died.” 
  • The author’s note explains that “American Indians suffered greatly because of Europeans and the California Gold Rush. Native Americans across the country were forced off their homelands and killed in battles over the land. . . Their way of life completely disrupted.” 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • Sarah sees women who were preparing to leave for Oregon carrying medicine bags. 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • Before leaving to head west, James’ granddaddy gave him a gun and said, “James you’re going to need this to hunt. I pray that’s all you need it for.” 
  • Sarah’s friend, Maddie, gets lost in the woods. At first, no one realizes she is missing. A group of men goes looking for Maddie, and Sarah sneaks off after them. When Maddie is found, her father says, “Thank God.”

Game Seven

Julio Ramirez Jr. lives in the shadow of his famous father. Not just because Julio Senior is a pitcher for the Miami Marlins and famous for his scorching fastball, but because he defected from Cuba, leaving Julio and his sister and mother branded as the family of a traitor. Now sixteen, Julio has dreams of playing shortstop for Cuba’s national team—until he’s given the opportunity to sail to the U.S. Can he abandon his family, just like his Papi did? Is freedom worth the perilous journey and risking prison if he’s caught? Will his Papi be waiting for him on the other shore—or, with the Marlins in the World Series against the Yankees, has Julio Senior forgotten all about his son? 

When his father defected, Julio’s life changed for the worse. It’s bad enough that he and his mother must work to eke out a living, but now his father’s actions might keep Julio from his baseball dreams. Dealing with the loss of his father, poverty, and a hopeless future causes a myriad of emotions that the teen isn’t sure how to handle. Then, in a blink, everything changes when Julio is given the opportunity to escape Cuba with his uncle and cousin. Despite the difficulties, Julio’s mother supports his decision to leave, saying, “Make your decision and know that I love you. I’ll always love you, no matter what.” 

Most of Game Seven chronicles Julio’s escape from Cuba and his anger at being abandoned by his father. During the dangerous journey, Julio listens to the Marlins playing in the World Series on a transistor radio. Listening to the games fuels his anger and isolates him from his family, who believe his father can do no wrong. At one point, Julio thinks, “All I knew was that Papi was about to be a hero in front of the whole world, and I didn’t want to hear it happen.” While Julio’s circumstances are unique, readers will relate to his conflicting emotions and the difficulty of his decision to leave Cuba. 

Julio’s story will force readers to consider the value of family, loyalty, and freedom. The narrative never tells readers what to think but shows the complexity of Julio’s decision. Readers will empathize with his desire to stay with his mother and sister while also desperately wanting freedom. Because Julio and the others are traveling in a Buick converted into a boat, there is added peril. However, most of the book’s conflict is internal, and the only baseball action appears in brief radio broadcasts of the World Series. While the cover art featuring a boy playing baseball is misleading, Game Seven is still worth reading because readers can relate to Julio’s desire to reach his goal. 

Game Seven uses Julio’s family dynamics, his dream of playing baseball, and his dangerous escape from Cuba to craft an entertaining story that fosters empathy for refugees. However, the plot’s focus on the teen’s inner turmoil might deter some readers from finishing. Still, because many major league baseball greats have defected from Cuba, Game Seven offers a valuable perspective for baseball fans. To learn how sports can give people hope, sports enthusiasts may also want to read Heat by Mike Lupica, Outcasts United by Warren St. John, and Now is the Time for Running by Michael Williams. 

Sexual Content  

  • Julio’s father left Cuba and did not contact his family for years. Julio “remembered Mama’s words about Papi. About how there was no way he was alone, living without a woman.” Afterward, Julio discovers his father has another child. “The stork didn’t drop him on Papi’s doorstep one day. He got here by Papi doing my mama wrong.”  
  • When Julio and his family make it safely to Florida, they stay at a housing complex. Julio’s cousin sees a swimming pool and says, “That must be where the honeys go sunbathing in bikinis. Maybe even topless.” 
  • Julio hears commercials for everything, including beer and “pills to keep older guys ready for sex.” 

Violence  

  • None

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • One of the baseball coaches smokes a cigar. 

Language  

  • Profanity is used occasionally. Profanity includes ass, bastard, damn, pissed, shit, and holy crap. 
  • Julio refers to one of the baseball coaches as a “blowhard.”  
  • Julio’s cousin refers to a coach as a “fat swine.” 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • Julio’s cousin, Luis, “would always say his prayers before bed. Like a little kid, he’d get on his knees with his hands clasped in front of him and close his eyes. Then his mouth would move with no sound coming out, until he was finished.” However, Julio doesn’t pray. He believes “God already knows what we want. Why should I bother Him?” 
  • Julio, his cousin, and his uncle flee Cuba with a man named Gabriel, who acts as their guide. They pray before they embark on the trip.  
  • When Gabriel was a teenager, he tried to leave Cuba. Before trying to escape Cuba, Gabriel’s family went to church to pray. “The priest even gave me my first Communion—the body and blood.” There were eight people on the raft; three people died in the ocean. An older woman died after being caught. The others were put in prison.  
  • On the trip, Julio occasionally prays. For example, “I was praying [the boat’s] tip would lead us straight to the States.” 
  • While in a car that was transformed into a boat, Julio thinks, “It was only God who was above us, however, He laid out the currents and weather in our path.”  
  • Julio’s baseball coach says, “But talent without heart—that’s talent ’sjust a waste of a God-given gift.” 
  • Right before Julio and his family flee Cuba, Julio goes through thick brush, “praying I was still going in the right direction.” 
  • When Uncle Ramon was young, “[his] mother told [him] thunder was the angels bowling in heaven. That it was the sound of them knocking down all ten pins, getting a strike.” 
  • Julio’s cousin asks if it’s okay to pray to win a baseball game. His father replies, “If it isn’t, I earned a ticket to hell before I was fifteen.”  
  • When the guide gets Julio and his family safely to Florida, Uncle Ramon says, “Now that those prayers have been answered, I think we should give thanks.” As they prayed, Julio “prayed [his half-brother] would never lose faith in Papi the way I had, even if I was going to be jealous of that.” 

What Was the Berlin Wall?

Berlin has long been a magnetic city, attracting artists, creatives, and scholars from around the globe. Yet its history is marked by dramatic rises and falls. Following World War I, Germany faced a severe economic depression, during which crime and unemployment reached high levels. These conditions enabled Adolf Hitler’s rise to power. His leadership ultimately led to Germany’s downfall in World War II. What Was the Berlin Wall? traces the events of the period that followed, focusing on the city’s division and the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall.  

Following World War II, the four victorious Allied powers divided Germany into four zones, and Berlin was split into two zones. The Soviets controlled East Berlin, while the United States, Britain, and France controlled West Berlin. “The famous Brandenburg Gate stood at the dividing line, just inside East Berlin, controlled by the Soviet Union.” As tensions between the Soviets and other Allied forces increased, the Soviets imposed an Iron Curtain, restricting movement in and out of West Berlin. With the city isolated, the United States was forced to find new ways to deliver essential supplies to West Berliners.  

The book pulls readers in from the beginning with a short retelling of Peter Fetcher’s tragic experience with the Berlin Wall. Peter, who lived in East Berlin, dreamed of moving West as “there were better jobs there, and Peter longed for a better life.” However, after the Wall’s construction in 1961, Peter felt his dreams being stifled. He watched people lose jobs, be separated from families, and become “prisoners in their own city.” Hoping to escape, Peter and his friend attempted to cross the wall, but guards opened fire, and Peter was shot. This heartbreaking moment immediately establishes the emotional weight of the story and will make readers feel invested in the lives of those who were impacted daily by the Berlin Wall.   

The book features eleven chapters, each delving into a different aspect of the Berlin Wall’s history. For example, Chapter Four covers the Cold War, describing it as “a war of ideas: communism versus capitalism,” rather than a traditional military conflict. While many chapters explore the growing tension between the Soviet Union and Western powers, Chapter 11 captures the excitement and relief that East and West Berliners felt when East German official Gunter Schabowski announced that citizens were allowed to cross the border freely. Learning about the hardships people endured makes the book’s depiction of the wall’s fall especially rewarding.   

Visual learners will also benefit from the book’s black-and-white, detailed illustrations, which appear throughout and directly support the text. One page, for instance, describes Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson’s visit to West Berlin, where he was greeted by children holding up letters that spelled Freiheit— “freedom” in German. Below the text, a matching illustration shows the children with their signs. At the end of the book, a “Photographs” section features twenty-two real images from Berlin between 1933 and 1990, offering young readers additional insight into the era.  

Overall, What Was the Berlin Wall? is a great option for young readers who are curious about history. By covering everything from the political climate that preceded the wall to the celebrations of its fall, What Was the Berlin Wall? provides a clear, engaging overview of one of the 20th century’s most defining symbols. Its blend of factual storytelling, emotional narratives, and historical visuals makes it both informative and compelling for children learning about this time period for the first time.  

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • After Adolf Hitler came into power, his supporters “arrested, beat up, and even killed his political enemies.” 
  • In 1941, the United States joined World War II after Hitler bombed a US naval base. 
  • Hitler committed suicide after it became clear that Germany would be defeated in World War II.  

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural  

  • None

Spiritual Content  

  • Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party blamed Germany’s economic problems “on communists and Jews.” 

by Madeline Hettrick 

The Jumbie God’s Revenge

Even after everything Corinne has done to protect her village, they still don’t trust her. Her friends—Dru, Bouki, and Malik—have come to look past her jumbie heritage, but others refuse to believe she can help. When a large storm blows in, Corinne volunteers to lead her people to safer ground. As the first winds arrive, Corinne encounters the witch, who hints that not all may be as it seems. Corinne ignores the warning because she has more pressing matters, but as the weather intensifies, she’s forced to admit something supernatural is at work. During a brief reprieve, she seeks out the witch for answers, only to find that she has drowned. 

Determined to understand what’s happening, Corinne goes to Papa Bois, the jumbie of the forest, who reveals that the sky god Huracan has awoken angry and vengeful. If Corinne doesn’t find and appease him, the hurricanes could destroy the entire island. Summoning all her power and allies—including Mama D’Leau’s mermaids, a forgotten mountain village, and a lost monster at the sea’s bottom—Corinne dedicates herself to finding the sky god and saving her home. 

The Jumbie God’s Revenge skillfully weaves Caribbean folklore into the worldbuilding, making for an interesting read and delivering a very creative story. That said, readers averse to horror may want to avoid this book due to the macabre creatures and tone. 

While the book incorporates magical and monstrous elements, the chapters are often too brief, resulting in a jarring rhythm. The frequent perspective changes interrupt the story’s flow rather than enhancing it, especially for a novel with a primary narrator. Additionally, the storm sometimes overshadows the characters, driving the plot more than it should. The ending feels a little too neatly tied, though it provides a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy.  

The Jumbie God’s Revenge presents powerful themes of community and heroism through imaginative monsters, a complex world, and wonderful friendships. The story builds upon previous books, presenting Corinne with more challenging tasks and a larger support system. She discovers that monstrous appearances don’t always indicate monstrous character, and that building community means accepting people for who they are. Ultimately, this story delivers a powerful message through its fierce protagonist: spite doesn’t have to consume people—the more love is freely given, the more it grows. 

Sexual Content  

  • None

Violence  

  • As a direct result of the sky god’s actions, Corinne’s friend, the witch, is trapped in a box and cannot get out during the storm. “The water was up to her bottom lip. As it continued to rise, the white witch sent a final message. It rippled out on the water, stretching out of the swamp and into the sea. And then the witch slept.” The witch drowned.  
  • During the storm, the sea witch, Mama D’Leau, is whipped around. “The water pulled her away and crashed her into the rocks again. She felt the sting of another cut near the end of her tail. The pain traveled up her body and brought tears to her eyes that mixed with the saltwater of the sea. She wrapped her tail around the rock, anchoring herself in place. She would have to wait out the storm there, cowering, angry that it made her feel so small and helpless.” She is injured but eventually heals.  
  • When Corinne dives into the water to confront Mama D’Leau, they fight. “[Mama D’Leau] squeezed harder and pulled Corinne into its depth like a slowly turning screw. When Corinne was wholly engulfed in the tail, she looked directly into a pair of deep blue eyes that blinked out at her from the darkness.” Corinne cannot breathe but Mama D’Leau lets her go and Corinne is fine.  
  • Corinne tries to save her Aunt Severine, who doesn’t remember who Corinne is. Severine attacks Corinne. “[Corinne] crashed into the branches. Some of the sticks stabbed her skin, others scraped her flesh and scales, another gouged her tail. The branches folded into a cage around her. Her plaits were caught and her arms and tail were trapped. Her skin burned in the places the sticks had cut and bruised. She tasted her own warm blood in the cold water.” Corinne eventually gets through to Severine and heals from her injuries.  
  • Corinne confronts the sky god about the storm. “Corinne hurtled to earth [because of the sky god’s powers]. Her flames extinguished and every particle of air burned her raw, exposed body as she fell. She hit the beach hard, sending sand in every direction. Corinne screamed. The combination of the fall and the sea salt against her raw skin ravaged her. She tried not to move.” Her injuries heal quickly, and the sky god doesn’t stop the storm. The fight is described over a chapter.  
  • The storm attacks Corinne. “Each time, Corinne pressed against the side of the mountain for protection, but the rocks still hit her. Larger ones left bruises that made each of Corinne’s movements ache. Sharper ones left scratches that burned in the rain. But [the sky god] wouldn’t stop, so neither would she.” She heals quickly.  
  • After Corinne and Mama D’Leau’s fight, Mama D’Leau is trapped under rocks. When Mama D’Leau tries to get out, she gets cut. “Mama D’Leau refused to be pinned down again. She whipped her tail, cracking it against the current, trying to bend it to her will, but she flailed in the water and had to grab on to the edge of a piece of broken coral to steady herself. The coral cut into her hand but she didn’t let go. As blood darkened the water, Mama D’Leau sensed the smallest of the mermaids trying to reach [Mama D’Leau].” 
  • During the worst moments of the storm, some children end up in the water. The mermaids try to save them but aren’t successful. “[The mermaid] looked into the water and smiled when she saw [the boy she was trying to save], his arms reaching out to her. Her heart caught and she paused, waiting for him to arrive, but his face changed, from calm to anguish in an instant, and he opened his mouth. He gasped bubbles, pulling one hand to his throat. [The mermaid] raced to him and caught his limp hand to drag him to the surface. She turned his face up toward air and patted his back. She pulled him close to her body, hoping to feel his warmth again, but it was slowly draining away. It was too late for him.” He was the only child who died. 
  • During the storm, a boulder gets loose and rolls towards one of the villagers, Victor. “Victor just got his feet under him and looked back to see the rock coming at him from one side and the lagahoo [a kind of jumbie] from the other. The only way to get away from both was toward the cliff. He ran. As the rock closed in, Victor skidded to the edge and tried to come to a stop, but couldn’t. His arms flailed over his head as he teetered on the same ledge that Mama D’Leau had leapt from.” It is implied that Victor dies.  

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural  

  • This novel incorporates Caribbean folklore and references to the supernatural on nearly every page. Corinne and her friends have many interactions with magic, mostly through magical creatures (called jumbies). Since Corinne herself is half-jumbie, she has magical powers.  
  • The jumbies are aptly summarized while Corinne sits by the ocean, alone with her thoughts. “Corinne hadn’t believed in jumbies before Severine followed her out of the forest. She thought they were only stories that grown-ups told to scare the children on the island, stories about things that came out at night so little ones would stay in their beds. But then she encountered creatures with backward feet, women who shed their skin, and men covered in spiky fur with teeth as sharp as daggers. There was a jumbie who cared for the woods, and one who lived beneath the waves who would turn anyone into stone at a glance and who ruled the mermaids in the sea.” 
  • When Corinne needs information about a strange storm, she goes to the jumbie of the forest, Papa Bois. “The boulder seemed to tremble at the annoyance, and slowly unfolded itself, softening and smoothing, shaking dust and pebbles off its surface until it was a real man with hairy goat’s legs. Matted gray hair entwined with moss and leaves tumbled down the man’s back. Still crouched, the man looked up at the sky, slowly, as was his way. He reached a hand out, and a drop of water plopped into the center of his palm. He brought it to his wrinkled mouth and sipped. The ancient creases of his face deepened, his jaw tightened, and his light brown eyes went a reddish color like the ground that was muddying at his hooves.” 
  • Trying to find a stop to the storm, Corinne has a lucid, psychic dream, where Papa Bois appears and tells her what to do. Her dream ends when Papa Bois uses his powers to engulf her in flames. “Corinne looked down at herself. She was standing in the middle of the fire. Flames licked at her body. But it was not exactly her body. Her skin was gone, leaving only her raw flesh, red like the fire and slick as the rain.” 
  • After Corinne and her friend Dru jump off a cliff, they’re saved by their mermaid friends. “Two mermaids pushed themselves halfway out of the water next to Corinne. Their faces were deep brown with dark eyes, and their long, thick hair was braided in dozens of plaits that fell over their shoulders and down their backs. The smaller of the two mermaids lifted herself out of the water to the dark yellow scales that began at her waist, and slapped Corinne on the back.” 
  • When they need Mama D’Leau’s help again, one of Corinne’s friends, Bouki, offers her a jewel as payment. Mama D’Leau summons Bouki to her. “The surface ruffled and then smoothed. It began to swirl like the water in a drain. Bouki dug his toes into the sand and stood his ground for as long as he could, but the pull of the water got too strong. He closed his fist around the shard of rock as the eddy sucked him under.” 
  • After Bouki is returned to the surface, he can barely breathe after almost drowning. Corinne saves his life. “Corinne reached toward the rock in [her mermaid friend’s] arms and felt until she could sense the heart at the middle of it. She pulled moisture to Bouki’s body, softening the stone until his skin went from dull gray to soft reddish brown, starting at the tips of his toes and trailing toward his stomach and chest.” 
  • Knowing Corinne is looking for him, the sky god Huracan summons Corinne to him. “A strong breeze took [Corinne] higher. She spread her arms, trying to stop herself, but the effort flipped her to the side. She screamed and a tongue of flame burst out, pushing Pierre and the others back.” When she is above the cloud level, she sees Huracan. “[Huracan] was young-looking, with straight hair that fell to his shoulders, a wide, flat nose, and thin lips curled into a snarl, which turned slack with surprise when Corinne wasn’t where he thought she would be. The face disappeared. Corinne felt for the air current again, turning when it turned, trying to see Huracan form again, but he was mist and she had no hope of keeping up. She stayed still.” 
  • After the storm, Corinne finds her jumbie aunt, Severine, in her father’s boat. “A creature peeked out that was Corinne and not Corinne. It had her soft brown eyes and the long hair that Pierre carefully plaited every night, but where Corinne’s bright smile should have been, drool dripped from sharp teeth in a red, angry mouth. Her body was covered in scales, fish-bright on one side and snake-dull on the other. One of her hands was dark as ash with blue flame playing around the fingers. The other was hairy at the knuckles with claws at the end of her fingers. One leg ended in a floppy fish tail with a bright orange fin, while the other was a girl’s leg with a goat’s hoof where the foot should be.”

Spiritual Content  

  • While Corinne and Dru speculate about the origins of the storm, her other friends, Bouki and Malik, interject, insisting that a god is behind it. Malik says, “It’s the god of storms. This god can break mountains, rip up forests, and flatten everything else. When he rages, the sea trembles, the ground, even the sky.” 

by Kate Schuyler 

Extra Yarn

Annabelle, a young girl living in a bleak, wintry town, is surrounded by darkness, cold, and solitude. Everything changes when she discovers a miraculous box filled with colorful yarn—magical, limitless, and full of possibility. As Annabelle knits, her creativity brings people closer and fills the town with color. Her generosity becomes a gift that keeps giving, gaining momentum with each act of kindness and resulting in a surprising twist in the story’s conclusion. This picture book invites children into a world where giving feels wondrous and unexpected, even as a dark force threatens to upend the town’s happiness. At its heart, the story celebrates generosity, creativity, and the triumph of goodwill over evil.  

Extra Yarn has a sweet, simple storyline: a quirky little girl with a dog named Mars begins knitting colorful sweaters and refuses to be discouraged when her neighbor, Nate, teases her. Instead, she knits one for him, too. “And even after she’d made a sweater for Nate and his dog, and for herself and for Mars, she still had extra yarn.” With each new creation, Annabelle always has yarn left over. The idea of extra yarn becomes a repeating motif throughout the story: “but there was still extra yarn.” For parents, the never-ending yarn is a gentle reminder that generosity and kindness have no limits. For young readers, the endless yarn creates a joyful and imaginative adventure. As the story unfolds, more and more color appears in the artwork, mirroring the growing warmth Annabelle brings to her world. 

Colorful knitting gradually appears on neighbors, pets, and wild animals—first as sweaters, scarves, and hats, and eventually even on the town’s trees and buildings. These scenes evoke the real-world art practice of yarn bombing, where public objects like trees, fences, and poles are wrapped in vibrant knitted creations. Comically, “Annabelle made sweaters for things that didn’t even wear sweaters.” Young readers will enjoy artwork revealing a once-dreary town transformed into a colorful, textured landscape. What begins as a simple sweater soon elevates Annabelle to local celebrity status for her miraculous knitting. “News spread of this remarkable girl who never ran out of yarn.” 

In a dramatic turn, a villainous archduke from a faraway land appears, recognizing the magical power of Annabelle’s yarn. He demands that she sell the box to him, offering millions of dollars in return. Annabelle refuses. The same little girl whose endless generosity and creativity have brightened her town has no interest in wealth, and her refusal only fuels the villain’s anger. He hires robbers to steal the box, an act that threatens to destroy Annabelle’s joy. Yet even as the yarn is taken from her, it becomes clear that Annabelle’s true gifts—her generosity, kindness, and unwavering goodwill—can never be stolen. They live within her, radiating a happiness no one else can claim. In the end, the box returns to Annabelle as mysteriously as it arrived. 

Extra Yarn has received many awards, including a Caldecott Honor and a spot on Time Magazine’s 100 Best Children’s Books of All Time. Jon Klassen’s artwork uses striking visual contrasts that complement Barnett’s storytelling. Most of the artwork is rendered in monochromatic or black-and-white tones, with the knitted pieces growing more vibrant as the narrative progresses. Created with a blend of pencil work, selective color, and digital techniques, the illustrations carry a vintage, minimalistic quality. Klassen’s mix of hard and soft edges mirrors the story’s shift from the ordinary to the magical. Each page is enriched with artwork, much of it unfolding in expansive full spreads. Extra Yarn shines when read aloud, especially with thoughtful pacing. Young readers will giggle at the imaginative, silly scenes of animals bundled up in sweaters. The story builds to a captivating finale that restores justice and offers relief when the box finds its way back to its rightful owner. In the end, goodwill wins.  

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • The story touches only lightly on burglary and vengeance, presented in a way that remains gentle and age appropriate. The villainous archduke “hired three robbers to break into Annabelle’s house, and they stole the box.” When he later finds out the box is empty, he yells, “Little girl, I curse you with my family’s curse! You will never be happy again!” The story unfolds much like a traditional fairy tale, complete with a clear antagonist and a moral resolution. 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • The book carries a sense of quiet magic, the kind that feels whimsical rather than spiritual or supernatural, making it especially gentle and reassuring for young readers. 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

by Maureen Lowe 

Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms

A few years ago, Cameron Battle’s parents went missing. Now, his grandmother takes great care of him, though she forbids him from the attic, and the book his parents used to read to him before bed, for reasons she refuses to explain. The Book of Chidani is a wonderful storybook that reminds him of his parents every time he reads it, but he hasn’t seen it since his parents disappeared. So, on the last day of the school year, as Cameron has his friends, Zion and Aliyah, over for a sleepover, they decide to sneak into the attic to find it. As they read the stories, they notice anomalies with the illustrations: they move and shift, seemingly trying to communicate with the trio of kids. Startled, the kids attempt to leave the attic, but the book glows, opens a magical portal to the kingdom it describes, and sucks them in.  

When the kids arrive, supernatural monsters immediately attack them. Running for their lives, the trio stumble into a group of guards who slay the monsters. Noticing the kids’ strange attire, the guards escort them to the palace and present them to Queen Ramala. The queen explains that Cameron is the last descendant of his family’s line—people from the kingdom of Chidani who were forcibly kidnapped and taken to the United States hundreds of years ago during the slave trade. The Igbo gods and the people of Chidani entrusted the Book to his family because it’s a portal home and a lifeline to protect them.   

Now, Chidani is in trouble, and Cameron is the only one who can help. The queen’s jealous sister, Amina, has partnered with the death god Ekwensu, who seeks to destroy the magical barrier between the worlds in an attempt to wreak havoc and gain more power. The guards of Chidani train Cameron, Zion, and Aliyah in an Igbo fighting style, arm them with weapons, and give them gryphons to ride, so they can recover the three magical objects Chidani needs to fight Amina. Cameron, Zion, and Aliyah prove to be brave, intelligent, and kind kids who put their own lives on the line to protect people they don’t know.  

Cameron is a likable, powerful protagonist who grows when challenged, leading by example and standing up to bullies. Cameron, Zion, and Aliyah are incredibly supportive, and they work well as a team. His friends also help him learn how to fight, trust, and stand up for what he believes in. Zion adds humor, where Aliyah adds the heart to the story. They both support Cameron in their own styles, Zion lifts his spirits, and Aliyah helps him work through his problems. Cameron fights an evil enchantress and gods, while also struggling with insecurities and feeling like he is not enough. With strong character development and powerful worldbuilding, the story explores issues of kids’ identity and self-worth, especially for kids of color.  

Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms’ plot is overcomplicated, with many elements that might be hard for younger readers to track. However, this is a minor flaw in an otherwise very entertaining book. Readers who enjoyed Black Panther, Percy Jackson, and The Jumbies will love the Igbo folklore, the good-versus-evil violence, and the elaborate magic system of Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms.  

This book is filled with supernatural creatures, from dramatic gods to spooky spirits of the dead and scary enchantresses. Overall, this is an inspiring story with creative twists, action-packed fight scenes, and heart-warming friendships. The book’s message is sweet and teaches kids not to be afraid to ask for help.  

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • Once in the Chidani, Cameron, Zion, and Aliyah are attacked by frightening monsters called mmo. Cameron describes the fight, “The mmo reached out with what looked like sharp nails made of smoke, just as a second group of them slithered up the trees and launched themselves toward the opening in the sky we had just fallen through. The one closest to me growled deep in its chest and tried to strike me across the face, but I parried the attack with my arm. The force sent me sprawling across the clearing. I wiped my nose and picked up a nearby branch, striking haphazardly, not waiting for the mmo to hit first. It stumbled backward, made a gurgling noise as black blood rushed from its body, and then disappeared in a cloud of smoke, leaving behind the stench of rotten meat.” The fight lasts for three pages. They all make it out with light scratches but no serious injuries.  
  • Shortly after the mmo encounter, kingdom guards find Cameron, Zion, and Aliyah. The guards threaten the kids and force the kids to follow them. When the guards take Aliyah, Cameron “ran after her, but the cold pressure of a sword at [his] neck stopped [him]. ‘You follow us, boy,’ a guard said to [Cameron]. [The guard] was tall, with muscles so big, they seemed to bulge out of his heavy armor. His face was striking, as if his features had been carved by the sharpest angles of a knife. His eyes reminded [Cameron] of Zion’s. His skin was dark, like [Cameron’s], and his words were harsh. ‘The queen demands an audience.’”  
  • While in the palace, the guards train the trio to fight. The guards have Cameron, Zion, and Aliyah watch a two-paragraph long demonstration between two of the guards, Halifa and Bakari. “Halifa jumped in the air, coming down on Bakari with a slash of her sword. Equally fast, Bakari shifted, kicking at the sand as he moved out of the way of her sword, dirt flying around them like a tornado. He moved, crouched to the ground, and kicked Halifa’s legs. She fell. A second later, she was up again, moving fast as a bullet, slashing her sword, striking his arm, drawing blood. Bakari yelped but moved away from her attack just as quickly.” 
  • While training to fight, a sword nicks Cameron’s cheek. “By the time [Cameron] turned to [the guard training him, Makai], [Makai] had thrown his sword at [Cameron]. Once [Cameron] saw it flying, [he] moved [his] head to the side, causing the sword to graze [his] cheek as it passed [him].”  
  • Later during the same fight, Cameron gets slammed to the ground. “[Makai] grabbed [Cameron’s] feet, turned [him] around, and threw [him] on the ground. ‘Oof,’ [Cameron] said as blood filled [his] mouth.” Zion and Aliyah experience similar injuries during their own fights. 
  • During their retrieval of Queen Ramala’s crown, Cameron, Zion, and Aliyah encounter more mmo. “[Cameron] opened [his] eyes and grabbed [his] sword from the ground, ignoring the pain that racked [his] body from the slash of mmo nails. . . [He] could make out at least ten other creatures stalking [them] inside the cavern, but [he] could also see the crown glistening on a wall behind the dais. [Cameron] moved forward and started to slash, bringing down mmo. [He] turned to see Zion battling four creatures at once. Three more rushed at [him]. [He] fell to the floor and slid underneath their feet, slashing as [he] went. The mmo fell to the ground. . . [He] slammed [his] legs into their chests; [they] all tumbled to the ground. Before they could move, [he] brought [his] sword down and slashed at their faces; their bodies turned to smoke.” Nobody is seriously injured.  
  • In a confrontation with the god Agwu, Cameron is tortured for information. “At [Agwu’s] words, [Cameron] felt a pain in [his] chest. [Cameron] kneeled on the ground. Something in [him] reached for the god and the lightning radiating through [Agwu’s] body. [Agwu’s] eyes followed [Cameron] as [he] sank to the dead grass.” 
  • During the confrontation with Agwu, Zion is injured. Cameron and Aliyah help hold him down while the goddess Agbala heals him. “[Zion] shifted on the ground and moaned even louder as the bones stitched back together in a sickening crunch. Then suddenly, it was over. [Cameron] watched his breath come back. [Cameron] looked down at [Zion’s] leg again and saw that it was healed.” 
  • In a vision, Cameron watches as Amina sells her soul to gain power from a dark god. “[The god, Ekwensu] pulled back the sleeves of his kaftan and snapped his skeletal fingers. A long blade appeared in his right hand, the hilt of it made from shards of bone. With a swift movement, he swiped down both her arms, leaving blood to fall to the rock. [Cameron] cringed as the blood began to boil, releasing a noxious smell as Amina moaned in pain. Ignoring her agony, Ekwensu thrust forward, slicing Amina in the chest, right in her heart. She screamed as she fell to her knees. . . Whoosh. A substance is extracted from her wound, something milky white.” 
  • Trying to find Amina, the trio kills more mmo. “[Cameron] moved to the side and sliced down, cutting [the mmo’s] arm off. It screamed as the appendage turned to dust and fell to the floor. Before it could regain its composure, [Cameron] sliced straight through its chest. [He] turned just in time to see Zion killing his mmo, too.” 
  • Shortly after Cameron and Zion rescue Aliyah, the two, along with Queen Ramala, battle Amina. “Zion tripped, and when [Amina] slashed at his cheek, he stumbled backward, causing her to advance on him. [Cameron] reached out and kicked her in the back. She turned to me, and the dance began again, Zion, Ramala, and me weaving around one another, striking at her with our swords whenever we could, taking small hits, and retaliating with our own. Amina jumped in the air and twirled in a deadly arc. Ramala jumped after her.” The fight with Amina lasts about three chapters. No one is hurt, except the MMO.  
  • Soon after Cameron, Zion, and Aliyah escape the kingdom, they’re attacked by a mmo that followed them. Cameron’s grandmother comes to the rescue. “Grandma reeled back and threw the knife with all her strength. [Cameron and his friends] ducked out of the way, then heard a scream. [Cameron] stood up to see a mmo standing near the attic’s window. The knife was protruding from its chest. It screamed again before falling to the ground and turning to dust.” 

 Drugs and Alcohol  

  • As Cameron and Zion try to recover a tool to defeat Amina from the god Agwu, they are drugged. Agwu laces the food he offers Zion and Cameron with a substance that forces them to sleep. Agwu says, “It must have been forever since you last ate anything of substance. You are certainly tired and sleepy after all that food. . .” and Cameron and Zion fall asleep.

Language  

  • Words like stupid, idiot, and hell appear frequently.

Supernatural  

  • This book is about three kids who are summoned to save a magic kingdom. Therefore, there is magic on nearly every page. There are also supernatural creatures, gods, and humans with magical powers. All characters use a mystical fighting style that gives them enhanced abilities and instincts without casting spells.  
  • The supernatural creatures are called mmo. They serve the Queen’s sister, Amina, and the Igbo death god, Ekwensu. The first time Cameron encounters them is near his house, in the real world. Cameron describes the experience, “A dark shadow ran across my vision as I stared at Grandma’s house. The rain shower stopped falling, as if someone had pressed Pause. The apparition took on a monstrous, humanoid shape right next to the old shed in the backyard. It was dark, tall, and obscured by shadows.” He later describes them as “spirits whose deaths were so traumatic that they were stuck in a sort of limbo that kept them from passing to the afterlife. They could either be benevolent spirits or malevolent demons, depending on who controlled them.” 
  • When Cameron reminisces about memories of his grandma reading to him, he suddenly realizes that he has seen magic before. Cameron describes the experience, “Grandma read about Queen Ramala, the main character in the Book, and was showing me her picture when suddenly it glowed golden, and I could have sworn the pictures began to move. The queen’s hair, which had been dark brown, started to turn gray before our very eyes.”  
  • Cameron remembers when his parents were reading to him and his friend, Zion. “Mama had flipped back to the page of Queen Ramala on her throne, while Amina stood behind her with no expression. As [Cameron and Zion] watched, the image moved, the sisters moved, and Ramala disappeared. Amina sat on her sister’s throne, a sly smile appearing on her face.” 
  • During a sleepover, Cameron, Zion, and Aliyah are sucked into the Book, landing in a magical kingdom. “Zion’s entire body lifted off the floor. [Cameron’s] grip was slipping, [his] hands beginning to sweat. [Cameron] could feel [Zion’s] fingers releasing. . . [Cameron] tried with all [his] might, but [his] sweaty hands slipped from the carpet, and [Cameron and Zion] were both lifted into the air. It was almost like time stopped for a moment. And then [they] were flying. . . One second, [they] were frozen in midair, and the next, [Cameron, Zion, and Aliyah] were sucked straight through the hole in the wall.” 
  • The palace is coded to use magic in the place of servants if guests choose this option. “Before [Cameron] could respond, the air whipped around [him] and [his] clothes rippled, drowning out Zion’s voice. [Cameron] peeled off [his] soiled clothes and waded deep in the steaming-hot pool, sighing in contentment. Droplets of water lifted from the pool, twirling around [his] head. [Cameron] watched in amazement as they transformed into a comb, a brush, and bars of soap.” 
  • The Book can also be used as a magical map. Cameron describes, “The lines on the map moved, and the pictures came to life, lifting off the page as if we were looking at a hologram. The queen moved her hand, and the images in the air shifted until we were looking at the Royal Court. She pointed at the floating picture, the castle turning in diamond light, gryphons flying in the air. ‘This is where we are,’ she said. She curved her hand downward, the Palacia collapsed back into place, and the scene changed until I was looking at a familiar outline of a location surrounded by water at its southern border.” 
  • To travel freely throughout the kingdom for their quest, Cameron, Zion, and Aliyah bond with gryphons. Cameron thinks about this process, “Connecting with Ugo almost felt like. . . love. The magic in me attached to Ugo’s, and Mama appeared in my mind, granting me access to her own relationship with the gryphon. It was even more of an emotional feeling, too, because the Book gave me visions, even when I wasn’t expecting it.” 
  • Going into the water to recover a magical item, the Book’s magic allows Cameron, Zion, and Aliyah to breathe underwater. Cameron describes this process, “My chest began to glow as soon as we entered the water, and I felt a surge of power. The Book stirred inside me, and I let out a howl of pain, but no water entered my mouth to drown me. Red light spread from my chest and into the arms and bodies of Aliyah and Zion on my right and left. It felt as if my chest was going to burst open, like a weight was dragging us through the water at lightning speed, deeper and deeper into the ocean. I closed my eyes against the excruciating pain.” 
  • When Amina appears to battle her sister, she makes an entrance. “In the middle of a cloud, a deep white line appeared, so bright that it almost burned [Cameron’s] eyes. The rip opened farther and farther until a figure, riding on the back of a fearsome gryphon—much bigger than the ones we had ridden—appeared.” 
  • During the final battle, Amina has a devastating trick up her sleeve; she changes one of the mmo back to human form briefly. “The figure emerged from the mmo like a butterfly from a chrysalis, its hair blowing in the wind, its brown skin shining in the light that surrounded it, its dark-brown eyes trained on [Cameron]. It was dressed in a flowing gown, almost angelic, but its face was contorted in unbearable and unmistakable pain.”

Spiritual Content  

  • While Cameron, Zion, and Aliyah travel to a fictional, magical kingdom, they still encounter elements from the real world, like gods of the Igbo culture. They fight with some gods and work with others to save the kingdom from the queen’s treacherous sister Amina. Given this, the book discusses many creation myths and Igbo religious references. There are also the occasional vague references to Christianity.  
  • When the kids first encounter a god, she heals them from their sparring practice. The goddess describes herself as, “The star goddess, daughter and priestess of the Supreme Mother, Ala. I’m Mother’s justice in this world. I dole out punishment when necessary and heal those who have been hurt.”  
  • Ala heals Aliyah. “The warmth of the magic radiated from Aliyah’s body as the gash on her forehead healed. It felt like [Cameron’s] father’s last hug; it smelled of the peppermints [his] grandma gave [him] during Sunday service to keep [Cameron] quiet and still as the pastor preached his sermons.” 
  • As an example of the creation beliefs, Agbala tells the children about the queen’s history. “Ramala ventured into Igboland, finding the most powerful priests to connect with the gods. With their help, she prayed, telling the gods that she would do anything for their protection. Three gods appeared to her: Ala and two of her sons, Anyanwu and Amadioha. They offered her three gifts—a crown of wisdom, a ring that granted immortal life, and a scepter of thunder and lightning.” It’s those three items that Cameron, Zion, and Aliyah need to find to save the kingdom.  
  • The kingdom itself also has a religious history. “[The bargain the gods made with the kingdom’s citizens was] for their eternal prayers. Meaning, the humans would be closed off from the larger world, and they would never age. The gods would always exist because prayers would feed them. Ramala’s parents believed that a barrier between both worlds that would cause immortality was unnatural, so they would not agree to it, [but Ramala did].” 
  • There are also gods aligned with the queen’s evil sister, Amina. Ramala explains, “We have gained intelligence from the Onitsha clan to my crown’s whereabouts. It is as I feared. Amina has aligned herself with Ekwensu, the Igbo death god. He controls the mmo. I didn’t think it could be true, but this is the reason she has been able to use the mmo to fight you.” 
  • While trying to find one of the magical items, Cameron, Zion, and Aliyah encounter another god. “Welcome to my temple, Nsi said. His mouth didn’t move, but [Cameron] could hear him in [his] thoughts. He wore a long, flowing ivory kaftan, embroidered with rubies. Gold bangles covered his arms, and his hair rolled down his back in waves of green, red, and brown. His dark skin was smooth, in sharp contrast to the flowing water beneath him.” 

by Kate Schuyler 

The Sea of Always

After defeating the Memory Thief, Rosie Oaks has become a target for the other witches—especially the Time Witch. Angered by the loss of her friend and bored after an eternity in the shadows, the Time Witch vows to destroy Rosie and her long-lost brother, Wolf. There’s just one problem: Wolf is trapped in 1855 San Francisco. 

Determined to rescue him, Rosie and her best friend Germ recruit Chompy, a magical time-traveling whale. But Chompy takes them to the future instead, where they meet Aria, a young witch-hunter who offers to help. Aria warns them that their real challenge isn’t finding Wolf or the Time Witch—it’s staying ahead of someone who can see the future. With no clear plan, the three friends board Chompy again, hoping to buy themselves time to figure out their next move. 

Their hopes are dashed when time pirates working for the Time Witch board their ship. The pirates take them to a city beyond time to await the Time Witch’s arrival. Before she can get there, the pirate king comes to meet them. Rosie and Germ are shocked to discover that the pirate king is none other than their ghost friend, Ebb, who was kidnapped by the Time Witch before they left on their quest. Determined to escape captivity as the Time Witch’s servant, Ebb joins their crew and reveals the only way to defeat the Time Witch: they must defeat all the remaining witches at once. The witches keep their hearts separate from their bodies, and with Chompy’s help, the four heroes can track down the witches throughout time, steal their hearts, and meet the Time Witch in 1855 to destroy them all simultaneously.  

Along the way, all four kids learn what it means to grow up. Rosie especially learns to be independent, responsible, and braver than she’s ever needed to be. 

The Sea of Always brings the Thirteen Witches series to another level, incorporating time travel, magical animals, and even more supernatural elements. The amalgam of all these creative elements is a little overwhelming and feels overdone. Additionally, the story has a few plot points that could be simplified. However, Rosie and her friends are inspiring and well-developed characters. The language is easy to follow, and the book walks the reader through the complicated magic system so that it’s understandable, even if it’s a bit much.  

Readers who enjoy time-travel shenanigans, wicked witches, and small bands of mighty heroes will love the complex magic, clever tricks, and witty banter in The Sea of Always. This book is filled with supernatural creatures—from time-stealing hummingbirds to soul menders to ghosts—that all complicate matters for Rosie as she tries to fix what the Time Witch is intent on breaking.  

Best of all, Rosie is an empathetic and kind protagonist who befriends everyone she meets and is determined to save everyone from the witches. Rosie is a powerful tween protagonist who stands up for what’s right and for her friends, no matter how much danger lies ahead. Overall, this is a sweet story with a fierce message: never give up, even in the face of certain doom. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • On their time-traveling journey, Rosie and her friends encounter the Time Witch for the first time. Rosie sends her bird, Little One, to fight the Time Witch. However, the witch sends hummingbirds to fight Little One. Rosie thinks, “And even as Little One grows in size—she’s now as big as an elephant—taking more and more hummingbirds out with each bite, they surround her. Over my shoulder, as we run, I see her struggle. And then, with a terrible screech, she tumbles out of the air. She plummets to the ground, and is engulfed. I stumble too, the flashlight dropping from my hands.” Rosie’s new friend, Aria, manages to hit some of the hummingbirds with a slingshot, and everybody makes it out unscathed.  
  • While time-traveling, Rosie and her friends land in Salem during a witch trial. A judge is sentencing a woman to death. He says, “Martha Parker, you hereby stand convicted of witchcraft. You shall now face trial by water. If you drown, you will die the death of the innocent. If you float, we will know for certain that you’re a witch.” They don’t see the trial, but it is implied that someone saves the woman from the water. 
  • During another encounter with the Time Witch and a different witch, Rosie and her friends are attacked by hummingbirds, bats, and hyenas. “Above, the hummingbirds and bats rise high enough to block out the stars. Below them, thousands of tiny beetle feet tap across the dry ground, but it’s the hyenas that reach us first, leaping out of the night toward us. Screaming, Germ falls back under the weight of one, defenseless, but Aria holds her slingshot aloft and aims at them as they struggle. . . Her shot goes crooked and crazy, missing Germ and the hyena completely and slamming into a boulder that breaks apart.” They manage to outrun the creatures, and nobody is injured.  
  • When Rosie and her friends face all the witches to save Rosie’s brother, the Time Witch captures them and traps them in hallucinations. Rosie’s mother appears from the water and shoots the Time Witch with a bow and arrow, releasing Rosie and her friends from the torture. “The Time Witch clutches her chest, and falls into the ground. It happens so fast, you can barely see it. One moment she is there, and the next, she is swallowed into nothing. As if she never existed at all.” The Time Witch dies.  

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language    

  • None 

Supernatural  

  • This book is full of supernatural elements that appear on nearly every page. Rosie and her friends experience magical whale time-travel, witch battles, and encounters with creatures that live in the clouds. Rosie is also good friends with ghosts.  
  • Magic primarily appears through special abilities and not spoken spells or with wands. Each witch can steal something from humans, such as memories, time, hopes, or motivations.  
  • For example, while Rosie is gone, her mom describes what their house is like in her absence. “The room, which would look empty to almost anyone, is actually full of spirits. More and more have come every day since Rosie left, ghosts from nearby towns and counties trying to get a glance at the Oaks family home before drifting back to their graves by morning. The death of the Memory Thief has made this house more infamous than it already was.” 
  • While time-traveling, Rosie describes their transportation. “Still, there are some indicators that we’re not in Kansas anymore. For one thing, there’s a giant glass ‘moonroof’ above that affords us a view of the blue ocean water above. There are travel brochures littering the room that offer guidance on trips to the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, specific eras like the Han dynasty, the Gupta empire, and so on. There’s also a full-color coffee-table book called Welcome to the Sea of Always that includes a primer on the magical creatures of the ocean of time, and a terrifying who’s who profile on someone called the pirate king and his army of bones.” 
  • When Germ and Rosie travel to the future, they meet Aria, a girl near their age. She explains why the future appears to be a wasteland. “This used to be a tropical island; it’s not supposed to be frozen solid. The moon isn’t supposed to be so far away. All I know is that the witches have covered the world in so many curses, it’s propelled the moon away from us, and things are. . . frightening.” 
  • As Rosie, Aria, and Germ leave to find the witches’ hearts, they encounter the Time Witch. She steals time from Rosie before Rosie and her friends escape. “’The hummingbirds stole time when they engulfed you,’ [Aria] explains [to Rosie]. ‘They sucked ten days away from you. You’ve been witch touched already.’” Rosie has time stolen from her at another point in the book as well.  
  • While traveling inside the whale, Rosie and her friends find a book that defines the Sea of Always. “Time on Earth does not disappear as it passes, but rather, it sinks into the sea, becoming an invisible layer of history hidden within the ocean. Just as above there is surface reality and then the magical layer underneath, in the sea there is the real ocean and the invisible ocean of time. Still, the time ocean is very real in its own way, and any changes to time inside the sea will impact the course of history above.”  
  • The book also describes and defines time whales like the one Rosie and her friends travel on. “Time whales are magical creatures adapted to swimming the magical sea. For most living things, swimming in the ocean won’t mean swimming through time. But time whales have an inner space-time compass that has evolved in them alone, which allows them to navigate time’s spiral.” 
  • When discussing how they’ll defeat the Time Witch, Aria mentions another crueler witch, the Nothing King. “He’s more powerful than all of the rest combined. But he’s imprisoned in a black hole at the other end of the universe. He had a big fight with the Moon Goddess in ancient times, and she prevailed.” 
  • During their adventures, Rosie, Germ, and Aria encounter the pirate king, a ghost, and a servant of the Time Witch. “[The pirate king] is dim. So dim that he’s nearly invisible. Frail. Withering. I can see at a glance, he is dying. . . the pirate king is as near to becoming nothing as a ghost can get.” Further inspection reveals that the pirate king is none other than Ebb, Rosie’s ghost friend, who had been kidnapped by the Time Witch.  
  • While riding the whale, Rosie and her friends decide the only way they can defeat the witches is to steal and destroy the witches’ hearts. Ebb says, “I heard the rumors, but I’d never given them much thought until that night. A witch’s heart doesn’t pump her blood, but she still needs it to live. In other words, if you destroyed a witch’s heart, she’d die.” Along the way, they collect the hearts, but they aren’t anatomically correct hearts. The hearts take different shapes, such as a tattered book, an apple, or a trinket box. 
  • Many of the witches have familiars—magical pets that do their bidding. As Rosie and her friends try to steal their first heart, they also see a familiar. Rosie describes the scene, “There’s a creature waddling across the road in front of us. It’s a chameleon, green and bright. . . and totally out of place in Massachusetts. The evening is just dark enough for us to see its ghostly glow. My heart thuds faster; there’s no mistaking the iridescent sparkle of a witch’s familiar.” 
  • As a witch-hunter, Rosie also has a magical ability. She can summon a creature called Little One, which usually takes the shape of a bird that attacks witches.  
  • While trying to steal their first heart, Rosie discovers her powers are more complicated than she thinks. Rosie describes the scene, “standing on the ground in front of me, Little One is not Little One anymore. Or at least, not the Little One I know. I only recognize her by her glow, and the bond between us that’s tied around my heart, but she is no longer a bluebird at all. She’s a cricket.” Rosie can imagine Little One in any form.  
  • To escape the Time Witch during yet another encounter, Rosie imagines Little One into a doorway. Rosie and her friends end up on a cloud and meet the Brightweaver. “[The Brightweaver] points to a small sign over the doorway. BRIGHTWEAVER: MENDER OF SPIRITS, SOULS, AND HEARTS. FREE ALTERATIONS! ALL ORGANIC! ‘I’ve been called different things by different people over the years. Fairy, angel, muse. . . I can’t be fussed either way. I’m here to help; that’s all you need to worry about.’” The Brightweaver mends souls and demonstrates for Rosie and her friends by making Germ’s soul appear. “Instead of seeing the things you’d expect to see inside a person’s body—a heart, bones, blood—a luminous, tiny lion rises inside Germ’s rib cage, as filmy and bright as the music making bridges and wings.” The Brightweaver doesn’t entirely explain what she is, but she saves them and returns them to their whale. 
  • In their final showdown with the witches, Rosie imagines a horde of aliens pouring down from the sky to attack them. Her imagination manifests them. “[Rosie] gasp[s] for air as even the familiars fall away from [her] to gape up at the sky at thousands upon thousands of purple eight-armed aliens.” 
  • During the same showdown, Rosie and her friends are trapped in a hallucination by the Time Witch. Rosie thinks, “as the birds swirl around my face, batter my eyes, my cheeks, my arms, I catch glimpses. Germ’s face is getting plumper, her hair longer, her legs shorter. She’s getting smaller and smaller. She looks like the Germ I knew when she was eight. Then more like Germ at five—the Germ I met in kindergarten. And then she’s a baby, sitting in the sand and surrounded by hummingbirds, all reddish-blond curls, her freckles gone. She lets out a wail, tears running down her baby cheeks.” After Rosie’s mother kills the Time Witch, Rosie and her friends are released and return to their normal ages.  
  • After the battle, Rosie and her friends return to the time whale. Aria sings, sad from the people she’s lost over the years. Her song summons her long-lost sister and other witch-hunters, free from the Time Witch’s prison. They were trapped in a snow globe Aria had found. “The tiny thread of Aria’s song wraps around the tiny knob of the door and pulls it open. And then. . . five very tiny figures come swimming out, unmistakably human, each the size of a pinky nail. That’s when Aria’s hands jerk in surprise, and she drops the globe.” Aria’s singing voice is her witch-hunter power, activated when the Time Witch died.  

Spiritual Content  

  • There are mentions of “the Moon Goddess,” but they are minimal, and the book doesn’t explain the specific belief system it’s referencing, save that the Moon Goddess is the enemy of the witches.  
  • While time-traveling, Germ whispers a small prayer before bed one night. “Germ kneels by her bed and does her nightly ritual: a Hail Mary and an Our Father. Then a prayer to the Moon Goddess for good measure. It’s not all that conventional for a Catholic to believe in a goddess who lives on the moon, but Germ is her own person.”

by Kate Schuyler 

Ella Enchanted

When Ella of Frell is a baby, the fairy Lucinda bestows her with the “gift” of obedience. Thereafter, Ella is compelled to obey every command she is given – a predicament at odds with her bold and lively personality. For protection, Ella’s mother orders her to never reveal the curse. However, when Ella’s mother dies and her father remarries, Ella’s new stepfamily, including a bitter stepmother and two wicked stepsisters, discovers and exploits her secret.  

Desperate to finally retake her freedom, Ella resolves to track down Lucinda to rescind the gift, leading her on an epic quest throughout the kingdom. Along the way, Ella faces magical creatures, such as giants and ogres, and navigates a budding romance with Char, the kingdom’s prince. After all of her efforts, Ella just might discover that the magic to end her curse was within her all along.  

Ella of Frell is a charming and likable protagonist who disrupts common critiques of the original source material. While the passivity of her fairy tale counterpart, Cinderella, might frustrate some audience members, the curse gives Ella a sympathetic reason not to stand up for herself – she literally cannot disobey a direct order. Nevertheless, Ella is not complacent. She takes responsibility for her situation and uses her wit and determination to save herself, subverting the damsel-in-distress trope. For example, after trolls capture and plan to eat her, Ella sings them to sleep in their native language, then successfully flees their camp. Readers will like the bravery and spunky attitude Ella exhibits and root for her to break free of her curse.  

As his name would suggest, Prince “Char” Charmont is Ella’s friend and charming love interest. He serves as a compelling motivation for Ella to finally break free of her curse, because her susceptibility to outside influence could put him in a dangerous position as king. Their romance unfolds primarily over letters, in which Char reveals his character flaws of pride and anger, especially when it comes to protecting those he loves. For example, he dismisses a tutor who belittled his younger sister and ensured the tutor never found work again. However, Char is also kind and sympathetic. He is frequently “tormented” by his push-pull dynamic with Ella, not knowing the important reason she has to keep him at arm’s length.  

The large supporting cast of female characters provides many positive representations of female relationships that balance the negative ones. For example, there is little nuance in Ella’s stepfamily. Similar to their fairytale counterparts, they are cruel to Ella and exploit their position of power simply because they can. At times, their mean-spirited commands border on cruelty, such as when stepsister Hattie demands a necklace Ella inherited from her late mother. However, Ella has a loving relationship with her family’s cook and her mother figure, Mandy. Mandy is a good role model who is often strict, yet well-meaning and down-to-earth. While Mandy is a fairy, in contrast to Lucinda, Mandy preaches responsibility, using magic out of necessity rather than as a shortcut or convenience.  

Ella Enchanted is told in the first person, with part of the narrative told through letters. This gives the reader intimate access to Ella’s thoughts and feelings, making her a sympathetic character. Readers will enjoy the whimsical plot, including Ella’s journey across the magical land of Frell, and the romantic subplot between Ella and Char. Given the adversity Ella has faced, including her curse and the mean-spirited demands of her stepfamily, readers will root for Ella to succeed and reclaim her freedom.  

Ella Enchanted is a charming spin on the Cinderella fairy tale that fleshes out some underexplored elements in the original source material. It provides reasonable explanations for why Cinderella never resists her stepfamily’s orders and why the prince fell in love with her after only one meeting at a ball. Instead of anchoring the love story around Cinderella’s beauty, Ella Enchanted puts a greater emphasis on the prince falling for Ella’s personality. It also introduces positive female relationships into the fairy tale, such as Ella’s friendship with another girl at finishing school and her mother-daughter dynamic with Mandy.  

Readers who enjoy fantasy stories with fairytale elements will enjoy this entertaining and fast-paced story. While Ella faces some danger, such as a comedic run-in with human-eating ogres, the most upsetting moments are the ones grounded in reality, such as the cruelty of Ella’s stepfamily or the death of her mother. Overall, Ella Enchanted is a fun and whimsical story, well-suited for younger audiences.   

Sexual Content      

  • Ella and Char develop their relationship through flirty, yet fun banter. For example, after being asked if she enjoys sliding down stairs, Ella replies, “‘I wish I could enjoy it. This fear of heights is an affliction.’ He nodded, a show of sympathy but not much interest. I was losing him. ‘Especially,’ I added, ‘as I’ve grown taller.’ He stared. Then he laughed in surprised delight.” These moments are especially effective because they emphasize that the prince falls in love with Ella’s personality, rather than solely her appearance.   
  • Char confesses his love and proposes marriage to Ella through a letter. He writes, “What a beautiful bride you’ll be, whomever you marry at whatever age. And what a queen if I am the man! Who has your grace? Your expression? Your voice? I could extol your virtues endlessly. . . Love (it is such relief to pen the word!), love, love – Char.”  
  • Though Ella initially rebukes Char, her internal monologue returns his feelings. She thinks, “I hadn’t loved him as long, perhaps, but now I loved him equally well, or better. I loved his laugh, his handwriting, his steady gaze, his honorableness, his freckles, his appreciation of my jokes, his hands, his determination that I should know the worst of him. And, most of all, shameful though it might be, I loved his love for me.” 
  • After Ella breaks her curse, she and Char share a kiss. As Ella describes, “I kissed his cheek. He was safe from me. He turned my head and kissed me on the mouth. The kiss swept through me, and I clung to him, trembling.” 

Violence      

  • While traveling in a carriage, Ella and her two stepsisters, Olive and Hattie, spot an ogre. Olive is hysterical until “the coachman stopped the carriage, came inside with us, and slapped her smartly across the face. ‘Sorry, miss,’ he said, and popped back out.”  
  • At age eight, after a childhood friend discovered her curse and gave her several orders, Ella “punched her. She screamed, and blood poured from her nose. [Their] friendship ended that day.” 
  • Once, Ella’s stepmother gave Ella a task that resulted in injury. Ella had to “wash the floor in the hall. . . As soon as [she] submerged [her] hands, they smarted and burned. . . the task took three hours, but [her] knuckles were bleeding in a quarter of the time. Occasionally, other servants passed by. Some gawked, some seemed sympathetic.” Ella is not left with permanent damage to her hands.  
  • Ella often fears the damage her curse could do. For example, she “imagined future commands, awful ones, ones that would kill [her], and [she] glowed at the idea of obeying them.”  
  • While traveling across the kingdom to find Lucinda, Ella is captured by ogres. Even though they promise to kill and eat her, the scene maintains an overall comedic tone. The situation is technically life-or-death, but readers never feel like Ella is in any real danger. For example, an ogre pokes Ella and says, “Wake up, Breakfast. How do you like to be cooked? Bloody? Medium? Or done to a crisp?” There is no violence because the ogres quickly discover they can command Ella, and Ella uses her wits to escape unscathed, essentially hypnotizing them into submission by using their mother tongue.  

Drugs and Alcohol      

  • At a family dinner, Ella’s father offers a sip of his wine. Ella spills it before she can drink any.      

Language     

  • None   

Supernatural     

  • There are fairy godmothers, who can cast spells and curses. The acts of magic in this book are divided into two categories: big and small magic. Big magic includes life-altering transformations. For example, in addition to cursing Ella with obedience, the well-intentioned, yet dim-witted Lucinda curses a newlywed couple to never be apart, reasoning that she gave them “companionship and felicitous union.”  
  • Small magic is low stakes, and the effects are either reversible or inconsequential. For example, Lucinda gives Ella elaborate jewelry to wear at a ball, provided the jewelry disappears by midnight.  
  • There are passing mentions of several magical creatures, such as fairies, gnomes, elves, and giants. Ella attends a giant’s wedding and is nearly eaten by a group of trolls.  
  • Mandy is a fairy godmother, yet refuses to perform most magic. Lucinda’s curses drive the conflict.  

Spiritual Content      

  • None 

by Kerry Lum     

Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band

Acoustic Rooster loves music and spends most of his days strumming on his bass guitar. When he learns about his farm’s upcoming Barnyard Talent Show, he is eager to join a band and show off his guitar skills. However, problems arise when Acoustic Rooster struggles to find a spot in the existing bands, leading him to a radical conclusion: “I’ll start my own band.” But finding musicians is no easy task; and with the talent show rapidly approaching, Acoustic Rooster’s chance to showcase his talent falls into jeopardy. Will he be able to perform in the Barnyard Talent Show?  

Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band is a quick, enjoyable story about a guitar-playing rooster who wants to share his love for music with others. Told in a third-person narration, the story follows Acoustic Rooster and his journey to participate in his farm’s Barnyard Talent Show. From the start, Acoustic Rooster is characterized as an easygoing, lovable rooster whose inviting personality helps him form a barnyard band. His ability to withstand rejection from the other bands and then effortlessly pivot to form his own band highlights his fortitude and quick thinking, which inspire many readers. By showcasing the real-life issues surrounding talent shows, such as organizing a team, the book also takes on a genuine feel, allowing readers to relate to the excitement and frustration of starting something new. 

The book presents an encouraging lesson on resilience and teamwork. Although Acoustic Rooster is rejected by multiple band groups, like Thelonious Monkey’s crew or Ella Finchgerald’s trio, he doesn’t allow rejection to define him. Instead, he turns a difficult situation into a creative solution by having “a great idea” and forming his own team. This resilience is an uplifting reminder, and the resulting band also demonstrates the importance of teamwork and friendship. Although Acoustic Rooster’s band doesn’t win the talent show, his love for his bandmates extends beyond his second-place finish, showing that good friends and teammates are more important than material accolades. Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band ultimately challenges readers to realize that their relationships with others are more important than their rewards and accomplishments.  

Overall, Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band is a fun story for early readers. Each page uses two or three sentences of simple narration and provides large illustrations with bright colors. The addition of a lively rhyme scheme also keeps the story fresh and engaging. Although this book may be too simple for older readers, Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band is the perfect book for early and reluctant readers who love animals and colorful illustrations. 

Sexual Content 

  • During a performance, Acoustic Rooster plays a “bossa nova tune” that “made the barnyard chickies swoon.” 

Violence 

  • None

Drugs and Alcohol 

  • None 

Language 

  • None

Supernatural 

  • None

Spiritual Content 

  • None 

by Caleb Kleinmann  

Dark Rise

In 19th-century London, sixteen-year-old Will Kempen leads a quiet life, closely monitored by his overprotective mother. But when a mysterious group kills her, Will goes on the run and finally learns the truth about the world, his family, and his own identity.  

Long ago, a devastating war raged between the forces of Light and Dark, resulting in the complete destruction of magic—until the present day, when the dead heroes and villains are reborn to reclaim their destiny. Most important is Will. Born from the blood of the Lady, he is prophesied to one day defeat the Dark King. Joining the Stewards, an ancient class of warriors, Will fights against the Dark King’s rise, only to realize that the line between good and evil might not be so clear after all.  

In the beginning, Will is a likable protagonist who is easy to root for. Despite his harsh surroundings, he maintains a kind nature. For example, he warns an opponent of a deadly booby trap even after they try to kill him. However, Will’s character arc takes an unexpected turn. Set up to become the chosen savior, he ends the story as a morally gray figure shrouded in mystery. In a shocking plot twist, Will realizes he is not of the Lady’s blood—he is the reincarnation of the Dark King.  

Some readers may find Will’s past life unforgivable, regardless of the good he does in his current life. While the specifics of the war are only hinted at, readers can infer there were great casualties. Furthermore, despite swearing to kill the Dark King, Will keeps his identity a secret, allowing the Stewards to continue believing their greatest enemy is their savior. However, there are also hints that the war was more complex than the Stewards’ framing of Light versus Dark or Good versus Evil. Considering Will’s kind nature, it is plausible that the Stewards conducted a smear campaign against the Dark King to further their agenda. Since Dark Rise is the first entry in a trilogy, much of the war remains a mystery, leaving Will’s character morally gray at best.  

Initially presented as Will’s love interest, Katherine Kent is revealed to be the true blood of the Lady. She is kind and innocent, yet unafraid to make bold moves to protect the people she loves. For example, she breaks off her engagement after her sister’s safety is threatened and immediately fights Will after learning his true identity. James St. Clair, the Dark King’s reborn right-hand man, follows a similar role reversal. He is initially presented as Will’s enemy but emerges as a possible future love interest. While rules and righteousness stifle the surrounding cast, James is the most dynamic character, often taunting the Stewards and exposing flaws in their morality. Like Will, James had no choice in the role he was born into, but he copes with the opposite response: embracing and even enjoying his perceived villainy.  

Readers will enjoy the fast-paced plot and the building tension between Will, Katherine, and James as they unravel layers of their shared yet unknown past. Dark Rise is told in the third person, with each chapter narrated from a different point of view, but it primarily focuses on Will, Katherine, and their friends in the Stewards. The book would be improved if it focused exclusively on Will, Katherine, and James, but the good outshines the bad. Plot lines from the supporting characters exist only to support the main storyline and are largely forgettable. The most entertaining scenes happen when James is present, causing trouble for the main characters through battles of magic or wits. For example, when the Stewards capture James, he gains the upper hand by strategically revealing information that will cause conflict among the Stewards.   

Overall, Dark Rise offers an interesting take on the Chosen One trope: the hero becomes the villain, the villain becomes the love interest, and the love interest becomes the hero. It explores themes of indoctrination, generational burden, and systemic corruption against a fantasy backdrop while providing mostly fascinating characters to keep readers emotionally invested. Readers who enjoy young adult and dark fantasy will enjoy this book.      

Sexual Content     

  • Will has a spiritual attraction to Katherine. When he reflects on his early meeting with her, he emphasizes “how drawn he had been to her.”   
  • Katherine initiates a kiss with Will, who is reluctant. The kiss helps Katherine unlock her magical powers. As Katherine describes, she “moved in towards Will. . . around her light started to shine as if his touch was conjuring it. . . Will jerked back.”   
  • Will thinks James is a “golden beauty, he might have been carved from fine marble.”    
  • Will’s and James’ past life counterparts – the Dark King and Anharion – are implied to have a sexual relationship. It is mentioned that “[Anharion] kissed the Dark King’s lips.”      

Violence     

  • Will suppresses the traumatic memory of his mother’s assassination for most of the book. However, Will has a flashback about when he arrives home to find his mother “bleeding in the garden behind the house, three dead men on the ground, and more men on the way.” His mother asked for a knife, then she “plunged the knife towards his throat. . .  the knife had gone through his palm instead of his neck. . . he’d pushed her off, gasping in air and clutching his bleeding palm to his chest. . . ” Will flees, and his mother presumably dies of blood loss. The emotional flashback lasts three pages.   
  • Violet, a friend of Will’s, abandons the Dark for the Light after overhearing her father’s plan to sacrifice her to help her older brother, because “[Violet’s brother] can’t come into his true power without killing another like him.”   
  • When Katherine learns Will’s identity, she grabs the ancient artifact that originally defeated the Dark King – the Sword of the Champion – hoping to use it to kill Will. Will warns her that the Dark King’s blood corrupted the sword, and now it will kill Katherine. Katherine assumes he is lying, grabs the sword, and quickly dies. Will describes, “black webbing raced toward her heart. . . she collapsed, pale and cold.” Readers may not feel much sympathy for Katherine, as her death was avoidable if she had not jumped to conclusions and condemned a close friend.   
  • Simon is the main villain and the leader of the efforts to revive the Dark King. He ironically attempts to kill Will under the mistaken assumption that he is the blood of the Lady. Simon wields the Dark King’s sword against Will, which does not work. Then Will stabs Simon, narrating Simon’s death with factual detachment. He describes understanding “the resistance of the body, the strength of muscle and sinew that it took to push the weapon in. . . when [Simon] opened his mouth, blood and not words came out of it.”   
  • Will, along with two Stewards, Violet and Cyprian, plan an unsuccessful sneak attack on James. Cyprian is a Steward who is friendly with both Will and Violet. Using his powers, James throws Violet “violently upward, hitting the ceiling with a cry” and sends Cyprian “flying backward across the room to hit the wall with a sick smash.” Will is not harmed, only “yanked down to his knees and held there.”  Due to their superhuman strength, Violet and Cyprian do not sustain any long-term injuries.  

Drugs and Alcohol     

  • Background characters, like the ship hands, drink beer. However, the main cast does not partake.      

Language    

  • A Steward compares a deserted wasteland to hell.   
  • God is frequently used to express surprise. For example, after learning he killed Will’s mother, Simon taunts, “My God, what is this? Some pitiful boy’s revenge?” 
  • Behind her back, Violet’s father calls her “stupid mongrel” and “bastard girl.”     

Supernatural    

  • There is a world of magic, divided between Light and Dark forces. Characters possess a wide range of abilities.  
  • The Dark King can control minds and revive the dead. The Dark King died before the events of the story, so he is not depicted using his powers. However, it is stated that the Dark King can “draw people to him and wrap them into the shape he wanted.”   
  • The Stewards are extremely strong and can withstand significant damage. For example, Violet is shocked the first time she sees them fight. They “had a strength and speed that wasn’t – that couldn’t be – natural.” A Steward “pushed one of the half-ton crates out of her way with one hand, which was impossible.”   
  • James can move things with his mind. For example, Will unties a rope, causing a crane to fall over James. James “flung out his hand and the crane abruptly stopped, frozen abruptly in the air.”   
  • There are cursed artifacts that carry spells. A collar is cursed to make James obedient to the Dark King, if worn. James does not wear it. However, his counterpart Anharion did, which is a possible explanation for his loyalty to the Dark King, but the past life largely remains a mystery. The Sword of the Champion is also cursed to kill Katherine.     

Spiritual Content     

  • None 

by Kerry Lum  

Come Away with Me

The Runaways are still recovering from their superhero adventures, and as a result, their trust issues have worsened. All of them blame themselves for what’s happened, including thirteen-year-old Molly. She visits Krakoa’s website for more information on their sanctuary for super-powered individuals. The Runaways barely have time to recover from Doc Justice’s manipulations when two X-Men from Krakoa show up at their door, claiming to have emails from Molly that imply she needs rescuing.

The X-Men, named Wolverine and Pixie, try to take Molly to Krakoa by force, but the Runaways rescue her. The whole thing turns out to be a misunderstanding, but they realize that if the emails didn’t come from Molly, they came from another mutant in trouble. The Runaways do not trust adults, but they always come to the rescue of kids in danger. So, they team up with the X-Men to find the lost mutant.

After fighting crazy monsters, traversing through a strange dream world, and making peace amongst each other, the Runaways and the X-Men find the mutant. The X-Men take the mutant to Krakoa, where she can learn her powers in a safe environment. Yet, the Runaways still have problems, and it doesn’t look good.

Chase has been sneaking out to meet a mysterious girlfriend — one who looks a little too much like Gert. Victor and Gert aren’t a couple, especially since Victor trusted Doc Justice despite Gert’s warning not to. They don’t know how to resolve their issues. Karolina is still weak from Doc Justice’s attack, and she doesn’t know how she fits into the human world. Nico is struggling with her staff yet again, and she’s beginning to worry that bartering away a piece of her soul with each spell may not have been a good idea. The Runaways are splintering more than ever. Will they stay together, or will they prove that nothing good lasts forever?

The Runaways are strong, inspiring, and relatable protagonists who are struggling to solve problems that may not have solutions. This volume focuses on each member and takes on a more defeatist tone as the Runaways struggle to stay together. Throughout the whole series, each member has struggled with their identity. This issue culminates in realizations for all of them about where and how they fit into the adult world, which is something every kid has to figure out eventually. This last volume in the series lacks cohesive subplots, and it feels like a weak conclusion to the series. The tone is consistent throughout, focusing on self-doubt and identity; however, the story is disorganized and leaves the characters without a satisfying conclusion. It’s worth reading to see how the characters overcome their challenges and how they fight with the X-Men, but it’s a disappointing finish.

The sixth volume of The Runaways is divided into six issues, each of which continues the overall narrative while providing insight into the development of each character. The narrative focuses equally on each member of the Runaways. The narrative is simple and easily comprehensible. However, it’s a Marvel comic, which means it contains numerous Marvel references. These references can make the story confusing to those unfamiliar with Marvel. The plot in this volume is somewhat fractured, and there are too many moving parts that distract from the main themes and storyline.

This graphic novel is filled with beautiful illustrations that highlight the characters’ best features and fantastical, magical battles. The panels vary between close-up and wide shots, designed to capture the scene and the expressions of the characters perfectly. Although events that occur simultaneously are depicted, they can occasionally be confusing when determining where to look based on the page layout. However, this doesn’t distract from the detailed artwork on each page.

Readers who enjoy rescues, fun characters, and complex family dynamics will love the unique magic, witty superheroes, and poignant struggles that the Runaways face in the sixth volume. This graphic novel emphasizes themes of hope, independence, and responsibility through well-developed and realistic characters. The Runaways have always had trust issues, but now they must figure out how to trust themselves, and it’s a very interesting journey to follow. Overall, this is a bittersweet story with a tragic message: sometimes problems are insurmountable, and even the best-laid plans fall apart.

Sexual Content

  • After saving a mutant in trouble, Chase sneaks out of the Runaways’ hideout to meet up with his girlfriend. They share a kiss, hands wrapped around each other, taking up a whole page in a single panel.
  • While kissing, Chase experiences a flashback to explain who his girlfriend is. Before saving the mutant in trouble, a version of Gert from the future shows up, trying to save Chase from the future. She claims she’s still in love with Chase and kisses him. Before anything more is shown, Chase snaps back to the present, where he’s kissing Gert from the future.
  • After the present, Runaway Gert has a particularly rough day at school, Victor catches up with her and apologizes for the events with Doc Justice. They have an emotional conversation, and then they kiss, cupping each other’s faces. They break the kiss and continue walking home.
  • In the Runaways’ moment of peace after saving the troubled mutant, Nico and Karolina share a kiss, both cupping each other’s faces. They are interrupted by aliens outside.

Violence

  • After the events with Doc Justice in the previous book, Molly sent an email to Krakoa, inquiring about their haven for mutants. Then, two X-Men show up at the Runaways’ door looking for Molly. They think Molly needs extrication from an abusive situation, so one of the X-Men, Wolverine, immediately starts swinging at the Runaways with his adamantium claws. Doombot and Molly work together to stop Wolverine, and no one is hurt.
  • While trying to save a mutant in trouble, the Runaways and the X-Men encounter giant monsters and fight them off. There is a lot of punching and some spraying of blood, but no one is grievously injured.
  • While future Gert has a flashback, she remembers her version of Chase becoming a supervillain. He is depicted with metal fists aflame and wearing a superpowered suit. He is in an apocalyptic wasteland, surrounded by debris and a world on fire.

Drugs and Alcohol

  • None

Language

  • None

Supernatural

  • The Runaways are a superhero team; therefore, most of the members have supernatural or magical abilities. They primarily deal with supernatural or magical crises, so there are depictions of supernatural content on nearly every page. As an example, the cover page depicts Karolina glowing in multiple colors and floating in space. Karolina is an alien who can fly and change colors.
  • When Gib, the newest addition to the Runaways, wants to go to high school, he transforms from a clearly non-human being (with green skin and horns) to a human form. There is no spell spoken or magic depicted. In one panel, he looks like a monster, while in another, he looks human.
  • When two X-Men show up at the Runaways’ door looking for Molly, one of them, Pixie, starts flying. Pixie has fairy wings on her back, pointed ears, black eyes, and the ability to cast magic spells. She does so several times in this graphic novel. When she says a spell, pink whorls appear around her.
  • Nico is a powerful magician with a magical staff. She casts spells numerous times in the graphic novel by speaking commands, and the staff follows her commands. Golden light surrounds her when she does so. After saving the mutant in trouble, Nico admits to Karolina that she made a deal with the magician living in the staff. Nico explains, “My ancestor trapped him in the Staff, or turned him into the Staff, I guess. He’s the one who made up the stupid rules. . . we renegotiated the terms.” In return, Nico agreed to give up a part of her soul.
  • While the Runaways team up with the X-Men to look for a mutant in trouble, they accidentally slip into a mass hallucination. In one panel, their bodies are partially invisible, depicting a passage between two realms – the real world and a dream world. In that dream world, they fight horrible monsters by casting a lot of spells. When they escape, they discover that the alternate world and the monsters are a hallucination designed for them by the mutant in trouble.
  • In a flashback, Chase reveals that he’s been dating a version of Gert from the future for quite some time. Multiple times in the novel, she tries to transport Chase to the future to save him from his fate. When she does so, she is depicted with glowing purple gloves and purple lightning flickering around them.
  • In a break between saving the mutants and the Runaways’ next crises, Gib is depicted surrounded by pink lightning and sparkles, eating the soul of a dead rat. This happens in several panels as he seems to have a group of cats that do his bidding, dropping off several dead rats with souls for Gib to absorb, then leaving.
  • After dealing with their most recent crises, the Runaways experience a moment of peace, only to be interrupted by an earthquake and the landing of an alien ship in their backyard. Aliens from Karolina’s home world reappear to take her home. They also have multicolored skin and are capable of flight.

Spiritual Content

  • When Gib, who is not human, wants to go to school with Gert and Victor, Chase protests, saying, “You look like something the Book of Revelation threw up. You can’t go to high school!”

 

by Kate Schuyler

A Risky Game

Deadly stakes, dangerous secrets, and a cut-throat game where the winners are set for life. Welcome to the Boston School, and the world of the Liars Society. 

Weatherby and Jack have been tapped to join Last Heir, the most powerful secret society in the world, but the night of the first gambit, the game takes a terrifying turn. Now, Jack and Weatherby are in a race against time to discover the truth about the game—and themselves. But how do you know who to trust when everyone is a liar?  

A Risky Game follows cousins Jack Hunt and Weatherby Walker as they try to unravel their families’ secrets. In an attempt to join the Last Heir, Jack, Weatherby, and three of their friends work together to win each gambit. To accomplish this, the friends agree to always be honest with each other, even as they lie and manipulate the truth for anyone outside the group. This leads to a murky theme about honesty as the teens plan to uncover the truth by deceiving others. 

The Liars Society—Jack, Weatherby, Iris, Harper, and Prescott—can’t trust the adults in their lives. Jack’s father has made it clear that he will use any means necessary to remain on top and encourages Jack to manipulate others. For example, to win a gambit, Jack’s father says, “It’s fine for you to use Weatherby to win.” Additionally, all of the other adults also have trust issues and questionable morals. According to Iris, her mom “doesn’t believe in friends. She always says, Trust no one. It’s like her personal slogan.” Unfortunately, trustworthy adults are missing from the story’s plot. 

The story’s plot doesn’t always ring true. Throughout Weatherby’s life, her mother has worked to keep Weatherby away from her father’s family, the Hunts, who are described as “bad people.” However, in A Risky Game, Weatherby and her mother move into a house on the Hunts’ property and accept everything that comes with being a Hunt—a new car, new clothing, and a membership in the country club. Weatherby enjoys the perks of being wealthy, thinking, “The best part is that now whenever Mom isn’t working, we get to be together. There’s no laundry, grocery shopping, or errands getting in our way. We have time to talk and cuddle up on the sofa with popcorn and an old movie.” As a member of Boston School, Weatherby quickly adopts an elitist attitude and wants everyone to know she is part of the powerful and wealthy Hunt family. 

Despite initially disliking Weatherby, Jack is now completely on Weatherby’s side and is determined to keep her safe from his father, who wants Weatherby dead. Initially, Jack lacks confidence and often feels stressed. When worried, Jack picks at his nails, a habit that he cannot break because “the pain burns in a good way, until my fingers start to ache.” This habit is mentioned often, which may lead readers to think about self-harm. Out of all the characters, Jack comes off as the most genuine, and he truly wants to live a life that he can be proud of, even if that means distancing himself from the Hunt family. 

A Risky Game will entertain readers who want to immerse themselves in a world where wealth and lies rule. Neither Weatherby nor Jack is a trustworthy character, but the mystery revolving around the Hunt family is interesting, and readers will enjoy trying to decipher the clues. However, readers must be willing to suspend their disbelief and overlook the plot points that just don’t seem credible. Before reading The Liars Society Series, readers need to understand that the book glorifies wanting to be part of a wealthy, powerful secret society for personal gain. 

If you’re looking for an exciting series packed with action and mystery, you may want to leave The Liars Society Series on the shelf. Instead, read the Gallagher Girls Series by Ally Carter, City Spies Series by James Ponti, and Jack and the Geniuses Series by Bill Nye & Gregory Mone. 

Sexual Content  

  • None

Violence  

  • During an individual challenge, Jack drops an important key. Ulysses, another boy in the challenge, sees this, and he “lunges towards [Jack] and tries to pry the key from [his] fist.” Jack describes, “I don’t dare let go. Even after he starts kneeing me in the ribs.” Another boy jumps in and helps Jack. 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • Someone puts poison in Weatherby’s water bottle, which Jack drinks from. Later, they learn that the doctors found “benzodiazepines, a type of medicine that slows down your brain and puts you to sleep,” in Jack’s system. 
  • Jack and Weatherby discover that their grandfather, Kingsman, “poisoned Grier [a relative] with a medicine prescribed to [Jack’s father].”  

Language  

  • Name-calling, such as jerk, is used infrequently.  
  • “Oh my God” is used as an exclamation several times. 
  • A boy uses “jeez” as an exclamation one time. 

Supernatural 

  • None

Spiritual Content  

  • Jack is poisoned. When he wakes up in the hospital, his father says, “Oh, thank God.” 

The Iron Giant

In the countryside, a strange being appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. A giant metal robot, taller than a house. Where he came from and who created him are a mystery. This being known as the Iron Giant has an insatiable hunger for scrap metal and begins stealing the material from local farmers. A local boy, Hogarth, set a trap to stop the Iron Giant, but he quickly discovers the robot is far from a threat.   

The Iron Giant, originally published in 1968 as The Iron Man, is a modern fairy tale. Author Ted Hughes presents the story in five chapters, each with a succinct title, such as “The Coming of the Iron Giant” and “The Return of the Iron Giant.” The text is large, and the language is written in such a way that younger children can understand. The book was adapted by director Brad Bird into a cult classic animated film in 1999 under the same name, though the film took many creative liberties compared to the original text.  

The only major similarities between the book and the movie are the characters of the Iron Giant and Hogarth. The book is far more fantastic in its approach than the film, which is grounded in Cold War atomic paranoia. The book is likely set in Hughes’ native England, while the movie is set in the fictional town of Rockwell, Maine. In the book, the Iron Giant’s origins are completely unexplained, giving him a more mythic status. In stark contrast, the film reveals that the Iron Giant was a weapon sent from space by alien beings, who, with the help of Hogarth, learns to reject his destructive purpose and become a hero in his own right—a development absent from the original text. In a similar vein, the relationship between Hogarth and the Iron Giant, a highlight of the film, is vastly inferior in the book. Their interactions are brief and sparse, and only serve to drive the plot forward. The book does not take the time to develop their relationship. 

Not long after the farmers realize the Iron Giant is harmless and provide him with a scrap yard to satisfy his hunger, the story takes a truly bizarre twist—an enormous space dragon crash-lands onto Australia and threatens to consume the entire world. Hogarth believes the only thing capable of stopping this threat is the Iron Giant, who agrees to challenge the dragon in a climactic battle of endurance, in which the Iron Giant ultimately prevails and becomes the unlikely savior of humanity. The Iron Giant’s heroism isn’t a conscious choice, as it is in the movie, and there is no moment of sacrifice driven by compassion because the book lacks the crucial narrative beats that make the film a cult classic. The confrontation between the two otherworldly beings is far more surreal and dreamlike than violent. Hughes’ writing focuses on the encounter’s pure bizarreness, giving the book a fairy-tale tone.   

While the characters are not as developed as in the film adaptation, Ted Hughes’ original story remains a classic modern fairy tale and a great short read. The themes of fear of the unknown, welcoming outsiders, and overcoming prejudices are as relevant now as they were when the book was first published in 1968. Learning The Iron Giant’s origin makes for a particularly interesting read for fans of the 1999 film, though this is a rare case in which the movie greatly outshines the book on which it was based, as the film tells a more emotionally resonant and narratively rich story with more defined and developed characters in both the Iron Giant and Hogarth. 

Sexual Content 

  • None 

Violence 

  • There is minimal violence in the final battle between the Iron Giant and the space dragon, though this is more of a battle of wits rather than a physical confrontation and is described through Hughes’ writings and shown through a few sparse illustrations. Though both beings are injured during this struggle, they survive without serious injury. 
  • The Iron Giant and dragon “battle” to see who can endure the heat of the sun the longest. While the heat is intense to the Iron Giant, it is the dragon’s ego that ultimately becomes his downfall. “‘It’s enough,’ cried the dragon. ‘It’s too much. I can’t stand another. The fires of the sun are too terrible for me. I submit.’ ‘Then I’ve won,’ shouted the Iron Giant. ‘Because I’m ready to roast myself red hot again. If you daren’t, then I’ve won.’” 

Drugs and Alcohol 

  • None 

Supernatural Content 

  • None 

Spiritual Content 

  • None

by Nicholas Paragano

Out of the Woods: A True Story of an Unforgettable Event

Five-year-old Antonio Willie Giroux lives at his mother’s hotel in Ontario, Canada, where he spends his time watching and interacting with the business’s many workers and customers. On most days, he finds himself exploring the nearby woods, peeking into hunters’ rooms, and listening to the conversations and laughter of lumberjacks and silver miners, who “played cards and made music.” However, everything changes one day when the sight of smoke and flames in the trees forces everyone to run for their lives. With the situation growing dire, Antonio and the others wade into the safety of Gowganda Lake as the air grows thick with smoke and dust. Will he and his family survive this disaster? More importantly, will his life ever be normal again? 

Out of the Woods is a sentimental story that conveys the importance of reflecting on one’s life experiences. Told from a third-person perspective, the book follows young Antonio’s life at his mother’s hotel. Given the story’s emphasis on impactful experiences, it offers little character development for Antonio, but readers can infer that he’s a curious and reflective child from his actions and thoughts. However, readers gain a sense of relatability with Antonio by seeing terrifying circumstances through his eyes. This allows readers to experience the threat of fire and destruction as a child would. Although many readers may not relate to Antonio’s experience with a forest fire, they can connect with his sense of fear, confusion, and amazement. His sense of calm and reflectiveness in the face of danger serves as an inspiring example for others also in difficult situations. 

The story excels at conveying profound messages without explicitly stating them, showing how life-changing experiences can forever impact the rest of one’s life. For example, Antonio’s experience with the wildfire significantly changed his being. Although he remained near Gowganda for the next ten years of his life, he “never forgot the fire or the people up to their waists in water.” Readers can surmise that the situation altered his perspective on wildfires, the significance of home, and the fragility of life. It ultimately encourages readers to reflect on their own experiences and how those times affected and shaped their character.  

Out of the Woods features realistic illustrations in a mix of ink and watercolor, with most illustrations filling each page and depicting the book’s events in an informative and emotional manner. Alongside these pictures, one or two short paragraphs with simple diction are sprinkled across each page, and an author’s note at the end provides context on the story’s creation and its writing influences. Although the book uses a destructive force like a wildfire to create conflict, the fire doesn’t directly impact the characters or locations; in fact, very little damage is shown outside of burnt trees and red skies, which makes it more early reader friendly. Overall, Out of the Woods is an emotionally rich book, and its ability to elicit personal reflections from simple text and art makes it a must-read for young and old readers. Adults who want to help a child explore the issue of wildfires in a child-friendly manner can pair Out of the Woods with The Fox and the Forest Fire, Wildfire Rescue, and Dolores and the Big Fire. 

Sexual Content 

  • None 

Violence 

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol 

  • None 

Language 

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content 

  • None 

by Caleb Kleinmann

The Phantom Bully

Roan Novachez is eager with anticipation as he begins his third and final year at Jedi Academy Middle School. This year, every student is assigned to a Jedi mentor for direct instruction. Roan, hoping to work with Master Yoda, is disappointed to learn that his mentor is the stern, often grumpy Mr. Garfield. And not long into the semester, a mysterious bully begins a series of pranks to get Roan in trouble.    

Much like Jedi Academy and Return of the Padawan, The Phantom Bully is a graphic novel that tells Roan’s story through diary entries, comics, sketches, Holobook posts, Holomail, and poster clippings that fill every page. Much like its predecessors, The Phantom Bully is largely split between Roan’s diary entries and his comic strips, with the former featuring more words than the latter. As always, Jeffrey Brown’s charming, humorous illustrations bring Roan’s world to life and make each page a treat. 

In The Phantom Bully, Roan’s primary obstacle is his assigned Jedi mentor, Mr. Garfield, who is incredibly stern, and the unknown “phantom bully” wreaking havoc across the Academy. Roan has trouble getting through to Mr. Garfield, who prefers a “hmph” (his trademark expression) to a hello. Over time, Roan learns that while Mr. Garfield may have a gruff exterior, he does genuinely care about his students’ well-being and growth. By the end of the year, their relationship evolves from frustration to respect—a good lesson for students on how to adjust to difficult teachers, who often look out for their students’ best interests.  

The identity of the mysterious “phantom bully” keeps tensions high throughout the school year. His antics include letting the school pet, Voorpee, loose, stealing Roan’s backpack, and sabotaging Roan and Gaiana’s talent show performance. The truth is revealed during the climactic Jedi Labyrinth Trial, the Academy’s final challenge. Cronah, who had bothered Roan ever since his first arrival, had been pulling the strings all along. Cronah laments, “Ever since you arrived here, you’ve loved getting all the special attention. . . I don’t even have any good friends now. I’m not even going to become a Jedi, probably, because of you.” Roan tells Cronah that he would have more friends if he didn’t spend his time messing with people. Roan’s reply demonstrates his growth over the last two books. 

Over the course of the Jedi Academy series, Roan has grown tremendously as a character. In the first book, Roan arrives at Jedi Academy feeling like a fish out of water; his classmates had been students of the Force for years, leading Roan to worry not only about fitting in, but also whether he’ll be able to catch up to them. In Return of the Padawan, Roan struggles socially as a series of misunderstandings leads his two closest friends, Pasha and Gaiana, to ignore him. By the conclusion of The Phantom Bully, Roan has become a more mature, confident, and empathetic person through his many tribulations – all traits that suit a Jedi well. 

Roan Novachez’s final year at Jedi Academy isn’t all challenges. One constant bright spot is his budding relationship with Gaiana, and by the end of the book, they’re officially a couple. Many classic middle school crush and first-date tropes are both awkward and endearing. In the end, Roan demonstrates his growth as a person and as a Jedi, graduating from Jedi Academy Middle School on a high note. While the book doesn’t reach the same heights as Jedi Academy or Return of the Padawan, it still brings the trilogy to a satisfying close.  

Sexual Content 

  • Roan and Gaiana grow closer and begin a relationship. They display affectionate behavior like hugging and holding hands. They kiss a few times, both on the cheek and lips. This is depicted in the comic panels and is more playful than sexual. 

Violence 

  • There is minimal violence during lightsaber training sequences and especially in the Jedi Labyrinth Trial. These are shown in the comic panels; no one is hurt. 
  • On a field trip, Cronah pranks Roan by whipping him with a towel while at the pool. This is depicted in a panel. 

Drugs and Alcohol 

  • None 

Language 

  • Like the previous books, there are some light verbal insults thrown between the characters during altercations, as well as by Roan in his journal. For instance, the words “suck,” “jerk,” and “idiot” are used infrequently. 

Spiritual Content  

  • The Force, the source of a Jedi’s power, can be interpreted as a sort of supernatural entity. As described in a brochure in the first book, “The Force is an invisible energy field created by all living things. The Force gives a Jedi his power, allowing him to do extraordinary things like moving objects with his mind.” 

by Nicholas Paragano 

Rebel Spirits

Lori Chase doesn’t know what to think about ghosts. She may have seen a few in the past, but those were just childish imaginings. . . right? Only now that she is living in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, spirits seem to be on everyone’s mind. The town is obsessed with its bloody Civil War history, and the old inn that Lori’s parents run is supposedly haunted by the souls of dead soldiers. Then Lori meets one such soldier—the devastatingly handsome Nathaniel Pierce. Nathaniel’s soul cannot rest, and he desperately needs Lori’s help. Nathaniel was not killed in the famous battle. He was murdered. Lori begins to investigate the age-old mystery, stumbling upon shocking clues and secrets. At the same time, she can’t help falling for Nathaniel, just as he is falling for her. 

Though Lori knows she can see ghosts, she isn’t expecting to meet the ghost of a handsome soldier. Nathaniel’s mysterious death, haunting good looks, and introspective nature quickly captivate her. As Lori investigates his death, she learns more about the Civil War that claimed his life. She makes a compelling narrator that teenagers will relate to—like most teens, she struggles to understand her romantic feelings, is reluctant to confide in her parents, and isn’t sure who to trust with her innermost thoughts. 

To solve his murder, Nathaniel retells his involvement in a Civil War battle, including brief but gruesome descriptions of soldiers who died from their injuries. Though he has only three days to solve his murder, he doesn’t seem eager to pursue the mystery and lacks essential clues that would lead Lori to the answer. Despite this, his heartrending story, empathy for others, and affection for Lori make him a worthy love interest. 

Evan, a young man who works at Lori’s family’s bed and breakfast, helps her understand Gettysburg’s history and also becomes a love interest. At times, his cheerful personality and obvious affection for Lori overshadow Nathaniel. When he learns about Lori’s quest, Evan offers his help in a kind and respectful manner. The story feels like a weak love triangle since Nathaniel will disappear in three days, while Evan has time on his side. 

After Lori nearly dies, she asks Nathaniel, “Would you allow me to be dead so we could stay together?” He acknowledges that he doesn’t belong in her world, nor she in his, saying, “Some things are timeless, and one of them is this: Love is not selfish.” He explains how he helped save her life, then adds, “Evan Maxwell. He’s a good man, and he cares for you. Give him a corner of your heart.” This moment highlights the importance of selfless love. However, their romance develops too quickly and feels shallow—especially since Lori plans to go to dinner with Evan the day after Nathaniel leaves. 

Rebel Spirits will entertain teenagers seeking romance mixed with mystery and ghosts. However, the story lacks historical depth and could have taken place anywhere in the United States, missing opportunities to explore the Civil War and Gettysburg in detail. The spirit world’s rules are also inconsistent—Nathaniel has only three days with Lori yet afterward remains in contact with another person who sees ghosts. The conclusion feels rushed, like a puzzle whose pieces don’t quite fit. However, readers who enjoy character-driven novels will appreciate its positive message about selfless love and find it an easy, enjoyable read.   

Sexual Content  

  • Nathaniel unexpectedly kisses Lori. “Not a quick kiss on the cheek like I gave Evan, but a full kiss on the lips. My first kiss, actually. . . It’s sweet and delicious and I want it to go on and on. I close my eyes and kiss him back, and feel my insides turn to Jell-O.” 
  • Lori and Nathaniel are on a bench talking when, “He pulls me toward him, locks me in his arms, and his lips on mine are warm and firm. They taste of ginger, and I can’t get enough.” 
  • Lori is at a creek near her home when Nathaniel materializes. “He greets me with a long kiss. I want to enjoy it even more than I already do, but my mind is elsewhere. I pull back.” 
  • Lori seeks the help of Evan. As they’re talking, “he leans forward, and without much warning plants his lips on mine.” Lori thinks, “It was pretty nice, considering that he’s the second guy to kiss me today.” 
  • Lori and Nathaniel meet to say goodbye. “His arms are around me, mine around him, as if nothing could ever come between us. . . Our lips eagerly find each other, and for that brief moment, I forget that we’ll soon be torn apart.” 

Violence  

  • Nathaniel Pierce, who is a ghost, was murdered. Nathaniel turns around, and “that’s when [Lori] see[s] the torn fabric and dried blood of a gaping hole in the middle of his back.” 
  • Nathaniel talks about the war. Even though the battle had ended, “It was not the end of misery in this town where bodies of men and horses were strewn everywhere. Even more tragic were the wounded who waited for help. . . Imagine four wounded soldiers writhing in agony. They’re waiting for rescue to a field hospital, too weak, too torn apart to get there on their own.” A storm fills the creek and floods. The four soldiers die. 
  • One of the workers at the bed and breakfast won’t stay in the house after dark. She says, “. . . on quiet nights, you can still hear the screams of the soldiers having their arms and legs cut off. Without an anesthetic.” 
  • Nathaniel’s best friend’s father, Mr. Larch, worked in a mine. The man took a lantern into the mine. “He no sooner stepped off the elevator when he heard the roof rumbling. The wooden stakes. . . started buckling. . . The roof collapsed, most likely knocking the lantern out of Mr. Larch’s hand, which set off an explosion with the trapped gases.” Mr. Larch dies. 
  • After a battle, Nathaniel helps a “drummer boy, maybe fourteen, and he was a Reb. Entrails spilled out of the jagged hole in the boy’s gut. His eyes were glazed over, but when my face came close, they filled with fear.” Nathaniel took the boy to the field hospital. Soon after, another man, Henry, brought a patient to the hospital and got angry that the doctor wouldn’t help him immediately. “Henry went berserk and started throwing wild punches. Landed one on the side of the doctor’s head. I wrestled Henry to the ground.” Both patients died. 
  • During the war, people could tell the houses that were being used as hospitals “by the trail of blood up the front steps, and the arms and legs tossed out the back window. Kept dozens of civilians busy just burying the pile of limbs.” 
  • Lori’s friend Charlotte can also see ghosts. Charlotte has seen Nathaniel before. She tells Lori, “He shows up every year at this time, but he only stays until the Battle Days are over. . . It surprised me to see him. He’s usually just spirit, not flesh. You must be special for him to appear in bodily form and give you his name. Once a spirit offers his name, he’s vulnerable. He’s yours.”  
  • Lori asks Nathaniel about his family. He says, “They’re waiting to know how all this turns out. I can feel them hovering near sometimes, but they’re quiet, just waiting.” 
  • Lori finds a letter that explains how Nathaniel died. Nathaniel’s friend snuck up behind him with the intent to shoot him. The letter reads: “The wrongdoer, even in the darkest crevice of his soul, professed to be a faithful friend as he pointed his pistol. God save us from such acts of friendship.” The letter writer tries to stop the man, but “God help me, my fingers were on the trigger when the gun fired, and [Nathaniel] Pierce gasped his final, labored breath.” The letter writer accidentally shot Nathaniel. 
  • A group of people who have been looking for the ring are digging in a shed close to the bed and breakfast. The people discover Lori spying on them. Lori’s hands and legs are bound, and then one of the men, Cadmus, “gruffly tosses me onto the seat of the riding mower. The impact shoots a pain up my spine, which is already bruised. . .” Cadmus uses Chloroform to knock Lori out. 
  • Nathaniel’s gravestone is next to Jenny Wade. Jenny “was the only civilian killed during the Battle when a random bullet found her inside her sister’s house.” 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • The Civil War doctors used Chloroform as an anesthetic. 

Language  

  • OMG, Oh God, and Oh my God are all used once.   
  • A woman says, “Lord-a-mercy.” 

Supernatural 

  • Several characters can see ghosts, and Lori has a relationship with one. When Lori gets to Gettysburg, a young man appears before her. “The dense air shimmers. Right in front of my eyes, the molecules—or whatever—form themselves into a shadowy image.” Lori and her friend have a Ouija board and a “genuine fake” crystal ball. “We charge everyone fifty cents for a glimpse into their future, a dollar if they want to hear actual knocks and squeals from the dead.” It was all fake, but then one day Lori actually saw something in the crystal ball. “A child falling out of a tree. He was twisted and motionless on the hard ground, with his glasses unbroken next to him.” The next day, she read a newspaper article about the boy’s death.  
  • Lori tells her brother about seeing a ghost. He tells her about “a tradition among the Kikongo people here in West Africa. It means the threshold between worlds. . . People here believe that after death the soul travels the path of the sun as it sets in the west. . . West Africans kidnapped as slaves believed that the kalunga line was under the Atlantic Ocean, because the living became dead when they got to the US as slaves.” 
  • A woman tells Lori that strange things happen at the bed and breakfast. “Sometimes you got to watch for dishes and such floating through the air. . . unless they’re weighed down good, and even then. Ghosts are powerful things, even if they’re all just puffs of air.” 
  • A doctor had a ring that belonged to Abe Lincoln’s son. He believed it was a lucky charm. The doctor says, “Pray to God it’ll see me through this bloody war.” On the day the doctor loses the ring, he dies. 
  • After the doctor dies, a man finds Abe Lincoln’s son’s ring. The man decides the ring is a blessing and a curse because it is “a reminder of a dear friend and of my son’s brief life. . . My prayer is that no other father or mother will be blinded by its glitter and suffer the loss of a child who wears it.” 
  • A woman finds a concealed shoe at the bed-and-breakfast. “Folks around here always used to put a well-loved child’s shoe in the wall when they built it. Supposed to hold the spirit of the child and bring good luck to the family.” 
  • Lori goes to a battleground to wait for Nathaniel. While she’s there, she hears a multitude of voices from ghosts. Lori wonders, “What part did [Nathanial] have in sharing those haunting, comforting voices with me?”  

Spiritual Content  

  • When a woman throws a lit match on the floor of the shed, Lori worries it will ignite the flammable fertilizer bags and cause them to explode. Lori prays, “Don’t let the embers ignite the whole shed.” 
  • When Cadmus orders a woman to Chloroform Lori, Lori is “praying she’ll toss the bottle out the window.” 

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Edward Tulane is one of a kind. He is a china rabbit given to a ten-year-old girl named Abilene. One night, Abilene’s grandmother tells Abilene and Edward a story about a princess who never loved anyone and was turned into a warthog for her arrogance. The next day, Edward is taken on a ship with Abilene and thrown overboard. Thus begins his journey from home to home, as Edward learns how to love.  

He spends almost a year at the bottom of the sea before being rescued by a fisherman named Lawrence and given to his wife, Nellie. Renamed Susanna, Edward begins his journey of learning to care for others. Nellie tells him stories, and he actually listens to her. He finds that his time at the bottom of the sea has begun to change him. 

Next, Edward is taken from the comfort of this new home and found by Bull, a homeless man, and his dog Lucy. He travels with them, renamed Malone, and holds the secrets of the travelers that he meets. Once again, he finds value in listening to the people who care for him, and he misses them dearly when he is separated from them. 

Finally, he is found by Bryce, a young boy who gives him to his sick sister, Sarah Ruth, as a gift. Here, witnessing the love of Sarah Ruth before she dies, Edward truly learns the value of selfless love. He allows himself to be tossed to the floor and his ears to be sucked on because he knows that it brings Sarah Ruth comfort. 

A unique story told from the perspective of a toy, Edward’s narrative begins with despair. Edward is taken from the comfort of his home, and at times, he is forced to endure the cruelty of humans. However, he also experiences the care of humanity and learns that people are worth loving. He is able to let go of his obsession with his appearance, and he learns that to be loved is to be held, to be used. Edward’s perspective shifts from distant cruelty to a deep, abiding love for all the people he has met, and readers will follow Edward’s journey, becoming just as attached to him as all the people who have loved him. 

The story, which won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award in the Fiction category, is told in twenty-seven short chapters, each approximately three to six pages long. It also features illustrations at the beginning of each chapter. Through these images and DiCamillo’s words, readers will learn that even when life becomes difficult, there are always people worth loving and relationships worth nurturing. They will learn that even though something may be temporary, the love that was there will never go away. And they will learn that home exists in many forms, in many people. DiCamillo’s vivid writing and the timeless themes in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane make it a must-read. 

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

  • A dog named Rosie grabs Edward in its mouth and shakes him. “Before Edward even had time to consider the implications of being sniffed by a dog, he was in Rosie’s mouth and Rosie was shaking him back and forth vigorously, growling and drooling.” Abilene’s mother tells the dog to drop Edward.
  • Abilene’s grandmother tells a story about a princess who is turned into a warthog by a witch. The warthog is killed and butchered. “The men took the warthog back to the castle, and the cook slit open its belly.” 
  • Some boys toss Edward over the edge of a ship. “The rabbit hit the water with such tremendous force that his hat blew off his head. . . and then he began to sink.” 
  • Nellie tells Edward about her son Raymond, who died of pneumonia as a child. “He drowned inside of himself.”  
  • A policeman kicks Edward off a train. “With one swift kick, he sent Edward sailing out into the darkness. . . Edward landed with the most alarming thump, and then he tumbled and tumbled and tumbled down a long dirty hill.” 
  • To scare away birds, an old lady nails Edward to a pole. “She nailed his velvet ears to the wooden pole and spread his arms out as if he were flying and attached his paws to the pole by wrapping pieces of wire around them.” 
  • A man swings Edward against a counter. “And he swung Edward by his feet, swung him so that his head hit the edge of the counter hard. There was a loud crack. . . And the world, Edward’s world, went black.” His head is broken into 21 pieces, but he is repaired.  

Drugs and Alcohol  

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by Abigail Clark 

Mount Rushmore: Faces of Our History

More than just a random display of U.S. Presidents, this imposing monument honors the leaders of America’s founding, expansion, preservation, and unification. Discover how these faces ended up on a mountainside in South Dakota’s Black Hills. 

In 1923, Doane Robinson, South Dakota’s state historian, sought to attract tourists to his state by creating an extraordinary landmark. After sharing his vision with others, the group began searching for a sculptor capable of bringing this ambitious project to life. 

They found John Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum, who was then sculpting Civil War heroes at Stone Mountain, Georgia. When Borglum became frustrated and abandoned the Georgia project, he traveled to South Dakota to explore this new opportunity. However, Borglum rejected the original plan to carve Western frontier heroes, instead proposing to honor “people who were heroes for the whole nation.” He believed United States presidents would create a more meaningful and nationally significant monument. Before construction could begin, Borglum and his supporters faced the daunting task of securing funding for this massive undertaking. 

Borglum dedicated himself to the project from 1925 until 1937, when declining health forced him to transfer leadership to his son, Lincoln Borglum. The monument was finally completed in 1941, and today approximately 393,000 visitors travel to Mount Rushmore annually. 

Readers interested in the construction of Mount Rushmore will appreciate the book’s detailed illustrations and vivid descriptions of the workers carving the monument. The text serves as an excellent resource for anyone researching this iconic landmark. While much of the book examines the preliminary steps—including the project’s origins and fundraising efforts—pages 16 through 25 focus specifically on the carving process. These sections feature awe-inspiring historical photographs that capture the monument’s impressive scale and the remarkable skill required for its creation. 

The book’s design effectively supports its content through thoughtful graphic elements that break the text into digestible sections. Large red titles announce each new chapter, while red-shaded fact boxes provide additional context, such as the mountain’s namesake. Black and white historical photographs showcase the key figures who made Mount Rushmore possible, but the most compelling images depict workers suspended by ropes as they carved into the mountainside—a testament to both their courage and craftsmanship. 

Mount Rushmore chronicles the creation of an enduring monument while explaining why four presidents—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt—deserve recognition for generations to come. As Borglum stated, “The purpose of the monument is to communicate the founding, expansion, preservation, and unification of the United States.” The book concludes with a one-page glossary, three recommended books for further reading, and one suggested website, providing readers with resources for deeper exploration of this remarkable achievement in American sculpture and history. 

Sexual Content  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

  • A quote on Mount Rushmore reads: “A monument’s dimensions should be determined by the importance to civilization of the events commemorated. . . Let us place there, carved high, as close to heaven as we can, the words of our leaders, their faces, to show posterity what manner of men they were. Then breathe a prayer that these records will endure until the wind and the rain alone shall wear them away.”  

Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions

From childhood to adulthood, Whoosh! explores the life of Lonnie Johnson, the inventor of the Super Soaker. Lonnie spent his childhood in a small home in Mobile, Alabama, with his parents and five siblings. From an early age, his curious mind led him to take apart household objects and put them back together—a habit that fueled his creativity and love for inventing. This passion for innovation motivated Lonnie to pursue his dream of becoming an inventor. 

Lonnie is a determined and passionate character whose commitment to learning shines throughout. He studies during parties, experiments with new ideas, and turns mistakes into opportunities. “He learned how to make rocket fuel. When it caught fire in the kitchen, Lonnie’s mom didn’t make him stop. She just sent him to work outside.” Lonnie’s tenacity—and the encouragement he received from his family—motivated him to continue experimenting. His constant investigations led him to create an invention that would make him famous: the Super Soaker water gun. Readers will enjoy learning about Lonnie’s humble beginnings and how his success was built on resilience and dedication. 

Barton depicts Lonnie’s story in a way that is both engaging and accessible for young readers. Each page includes detailed images of Lonnie as he passionately conducts experiments in different settings. These images will help readers understand how Lonnie is feeling, as he faces both successes and hardships in his career. As a child, Lonnie dreamed of becoming an engineer. However, an exam claimed that he would not make a good one. “His dream had been challenged. Lonnie was discouraged.” Barton uses these moments to teach readers about resilience, showing that setbacks can lead to new opportunities. The book’s full-page illustrations bring Lonnie’s inventions to life, demonstrating how persistence transformed his early discouragement into creativity and success. 

At the same time, Barton combines this easy-to-follow narrative with more advanced scientific vocabulary. When describing Linex, a robot Lonnie built, Barton writes, “Compressed-air cylinders and valves allowed Linex’s body to turn and its arms to move.” The addition of these technical terms in an otherwise approachable story helps young readers expand their scientific vocabulary while still enjoying a picture book. Although it is a picture book, the story is intended to be read aloud to a child rather than for the child to read it independently for the first time. While some pages only have one to two sentences, other pages are more text-heavy, with a maximum of nine sentences on one page.  

Barton also weaves important historical context throughout the story. The book briefly touches on segregation and discrimination, particularly when Lonnie attends the University of Alabama in 1968. Just five years earlier, African American students had not been allowed to attend this university. When Lonnie competed in the school’s science fair, he felt challenged by a space that felt unwelcoming. These moments teach young readers about prejudice while celebrating perseverance and inclusion. 

Whoosh! is an inspiring and educational read that celebrates invention, problem-solving, and perseverance. With its blend of science, history, and heart, this book is an excellent choice for classrooms and families looking to spark children’s interest in STEM and inspire them to embrace curiosity and creative thinking. 

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Language    

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Supernatural  

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Spiritual Content  

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by Madeline Hettrick 

Locomotion

Five years ago, 11-year-old Lonnie Motion’s entire world came crashing down when he lost his parents in a house fire and was subsequently separated from his sister in foster care. Now, as he enters the fifth grade, he finds an unexpected outlet to express himself as his class begins to learn how to write poetry. Through the power of poetry, Lonnie finds the words to tell his story, address his grief, and move forward.  

Jacqueline Woodson’s Locomotion captures Lonnie’s voice with feelings of honesty, sincerity, and warmth. The novel consists of 60 poems of varying lengths, some longer and more focused, while others are more spontaneous. They vary in format but are mostly free verse. However, letters, haikus, and sonnets are also included. Through these poems, the reader is immersed in Lonnie’s emotional journey. The medium allows him to confront the difficult memories he has avoided, reconnect with his sister Lili, and begin to look forward to the future with his foster mom, Miss Edna, and her son, Rodney.  

Locomotion masterfully balances heartbreak and hope through Lonnie’s voice. The book is a stark reminder that children who have experienced traumatic circumstances are still capable of joy, humor, and happiness. As the story progresses, Lonnie becomes more comfortable in his new life. His exploration of poetry is a key driver in this progress, allowing him to make sense of what he has gone through and encouraging him to trust the people around him.   

Locomotion is especially suited for middle school-aged readers, particularly those who appreciate realistic fiction and the unconventional story format of poems. The most distressing content (i.e., the house fire and the loss of Lonnie’s parents) is described delicately, as Woodson explores these traumatic themes through Lonnie’s hazy memories rather than in graphic detail. The themes of grief and loss may be heavy for some readers, but Woodson demonstrates how these feelings can be expressed and processed constructively through the creative process of Lonnie’s poetry. 

Overall, Locomotion is a moving story that is a powerful example of the healing power of creativity, in this case, poetry. Lonnie’s journey is defined not just by tragedy and loss but also by hope and resilience, and that recovery is never a purely linear journey. As Lonnie writes in his concluding poem “June:” “The poems come to you day and night. Sometimes they wake you up and make you write them down real fast even though there’s not a voice saying Be quiet, Lonnie in your head anymore. . . Just words. Lots and lots and lots of words.”  

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence 

  • Lonnie references the fire that took the lives of his parents many times, often focusing on elements like flames, smoke, and screaming. For instance, “In my head I see a fire. I see black windows. I hear people hollering. I smell screaming. I smell smoke. I hear a man’s voice saying I’m so sorry. I hear myself screaming.” 
  • Miss Edna’s son, Jenkins, is out fighting in a war (presumably Afghanistan, considering the book’s release date). In “War Poem,” Lonnie writes, “Dear Lord, I heard her say once, Keep Jenkins safe and don’t let too many people die in this war.” 

Drugs and Alcohol 

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Language 

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Supernatural Content 

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Spiritual Content 

  • In the poem “December 9th,” Lonnie wakes up and realizes he’s sick. After his foster mother, Miss Edna, takes the day off to take care of him, he hears her praying out loud, asking God how long Lonnie will have to bear the burden of grief. “‘It’s been four years,’ Miss Edna says to the Lord, ‘how long will [Lonnie] carry this burden?’” 
  • In “God Poem,” while Lonnie is sitting on his building’s roof, he says, “There’s a fat moon and enough stars to read Lili’s Bible but/ I don’t understand a lot of the words and I’m waiting for God to show Himself to me/ Not for me so much–for Lili. Yeah, I guess, for me too.” 
  • When he visits his sister Lili’s foster home, Lonnie writes, “God’s in this room, I whisper to Lili. She looks at me a minute without saying anything. Then she smiles. God is everywhere, I say.” 
  • In “Easter Sunday,” Lonnie recalls going to church. He writes, “At church, the preacher goes on about Christ rising.” This leads Lonnie to wonder, “Was it a big sacrifice to give your life if you knew you was gonna rise back up? I mean, isn’t that like just taking a nap?” 
  • Lonnie writes a letter telling God that he is reading the Bible and questions aspects of the book.  “Like how did you make the sky and the water and the earth and stuff? And when you took a rib from Adam to make Eve, was that like an operation? Miss Edna says it’s blasphemous to ask those kinds of questions, but I just wouldn’t mind knowing some answers.” Lonnie concludes the letter with, “God? Do you know that this was a poem letter? And God? Is there some kind of sign you can send down about how Mama and Daddy are doing up there with you? I’m gonna see Lili tomorrow and it’d be nice to get to her new mama’s house with some good news.” 

by Nicholas Paragano 

But You Can’t Hide

The Runaways have a home, they have jobs, and they have forgiven each other for past mistakes, but they still haven’t quite figured out how they fit into the new world that they’ve carved out for themselves. Whether it be romantic entanglements, educational journeys, or crime fighting, they’re still learning. However, they have bigger problems.

Doombot is still healing from being ripped apart by the Gibborim. When Chase tries to put him back together, he accidentally reverts Doombot to his original programming — the one infamous Marvel supervillain Dr. Doom gave him. Doombot goes berserk and attacks the Runaways.

But You Can’t Hide doesn’t give all the Runaways equal story time, but it still develops the characters. Each character is unique, inspiring, and independent. They constantly have to multitask, dealing with their personal lives and city-wide crises, like Doombot’s reboot. They learn how to grow from their various dilemmas. Alex Wilder leaves the Runaways’ hideout, and Molly follows him. Desperate to grieve for her parents, Molly bonds with Alex over their shared feeling of disconnection from the Runaways. Convinced Alex kidnapped Molly, the Runaways bring her home, leaving her feeling more adrift than ever.

Victor’s feelings for Gert intensify, and he yearns for a human body that they can both enjoy. Chase doesn’t know how to move on romantically from Gert, even though he’s had plenty of opportunities. Karolina can’t keep up with college, and nobody there understands what she’s going through. Each character must pivot and create a life outside the Runaways to improve their social-emotional health and grow as individuals.

The fourth volume of The Runaways is a graphic novel divided into six main parts, each focusing on a different character’s arc. This volume lacks a cohesive narrative thread, negatively impacting the story’s flow and making it feel more episodic than the previous issues. Additionally, since the story is part of the Marvel universe, the beginning of the story has a couple of side notes referring to separate comic series. This leaves a gap in the context, which will make the story confusing for those unfamiliar with Marvel. However, for the most part, the plot is easy enough to follow and worth reading.

But You Can’t Hide is filled with beautiful illustrations that highlight the characters’ best features and fantastical, magical battles. The panels alternate between close-ups and wide shots, designed to capture the scene and the characters’ expressions perfectly. The dialogue and sound effects are engaging, emerging from their own panels and overlaid onto others. Although events that occur simultaneously are depicted, they can occasionally be confusing when determining where to look based on the page layout. Yet, this doesn’t distract from the wonderful and detailed artwork on each page.

Readers who enjoy masked crime fighters, healthy relationships, and sarcastic comments will love the deep emotional conflicts, magical powers, and banter of the Runaways in this fourth volume. The story explores themes of identity, perseverance, and good vs. evil through the lives of strong, determined, and complicated teenagers. Each member of the Runaways must confront heartbreak and find a way to overcome their trust issues through increased interaction with the real world. Overall, this is an incredible story with an inspiring message: that everything has consequences, but with enough support, anxieties, mistakes, and losses can always be overcome.

Sexual Content

  • On the title page, Gert and Victor are kissing and wrapped in each other’s embrace. The same image appears at the end of part three. It has no direct connection to the plot. It just re-emphasizes Gert and Victor’s growing relationship.

Violence

  • On the title page for part two, Victor has a nightmare of Gert being strangled by one of the Gibborim. Her limbs are flailing helplessly, and a panel of Victor at the bottom of the page shows his horrified expression. Since it’s a dream, no one is injured.
  • The Gibborim dismantled Doombot, a robot and friend of Victor’s, when they visited the Runaways in the last issue. The Runaways attempt to put him back together, but they accidentally trigger his evil and aggressive coding. Doombot turns on and attempts to destroy them. A few punches are thrown, and Karolina strikes him with lightning. He keeps fighting until Molly jumps on him and pulls out some of his wires. No one is grievously injured, though Victor is temporarily unconscious.
  • While patrolling for crime, Nico and Karolina encounter three individuals working together for unknown purposes. Karolina blasts one of them with her magic, which looks like rainbow lightning. One of the bad guys is thrown to the ground. Nico casts a spell to make them dance, which ends the fight.

Drugs and Alcohol

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Language

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Supernatural

  • Nico is a magician who uses a staff to cast spells against their enemies. She does so a couple of times. When she casts a spell, she speaks a command, and colorful streaks of light explode from the staff, streaming towards their target to complete Nico’s command.
  • When Alex leaves the Runaways’ hideout to go back home, Molly follows him. She pesters him with questions about being dead. Alex says, “I don’t really have ghost powers.”
  • A man on the bus starts bothering Molly, so Alex grabs his wrist. One panel shows Alex grabbing the wrist normally, but the next shows the two with a background of green smoke, and Alex’s eyes are grey and cloudy. In the next panel, the man on the bus runs away. Alex explains, “When people touch me, they feel like they’re touching a corpse. Because they are.”
  • After Alex and Molly get to Alex’s house, Alex asks Molly to break into a locked room. She punches through the wall, and debris flies everywhere.
  • On the way home from school, Karolina saves a little girl from being flattened by a car. Karolina can fly, and when she does, her skin and hair transform to a rainbow tint. She picks up the girl and flies her away. After the incident with the little girl, Karolina develops a passion for saving people, and she is depicted flying and with her multicolored skin a couple of times.
  • After Karolina gets a taste for the superhero life, she convinces Nico to join her in patrolling for crime. While out, they stumble upon three bad guys working together for unknown purposes. One of them can cast a force field. The force field is blue with lightning crackling around him.

Spiritual Content

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by Kate Schuyler

Rise of the Jumbies

Corinne’s evil aunt Severine may have been dealt with, but the villagers are wary of Corinne. Ever since they discovered she is half-jumbie, nobody looks at her the same. Every time she sets up her orange stand in the market, people give her distrustful looks and avoid her. When kids from her village start to disappear, Corinne wants to prove to everyone that they can trust her. She is a kind protagonist who genuinely wants to help others—she isn’t helping solely to trick the villagers into liking her, no matter how much they think that’s exactly what she’s doing.  

To rescue the missing children and clear her own name, Corinne goes deep into the ocean to find Mama D’Leau, the dangerous jumbie who rules the sea. But Mama D’Leau’s help comes with a price. Corinne and her friends Dru, Bouki, and Malik must travel with mermaids across the ocean to fetch a powerful object for Mama D’Leau. The only thing more perilous than Corinne’s adventures across the sea is the jumbie that waits for her back home. 

Corinne and her friends are inspiring characters who engage in spirited banter while maintaining mutual respect even during disagreements. When bartering with Mama D’Leau goes awry, the four friends find themselves being towed by mermaids to Ghana to recover a jewel. Along the way, Corinne’s emerging jumbie powers frighten her companions, creating tension within the group that they resolve through honest communication. Their courage, understanding, and humanistic approach to magical creatures creates a sweet story with a powerful ending. 

While The Rise of the Jumbies contains many amazing elements, they aren’t always well integrated. The plot meanders and feels overcomplicated, and though the language is accessible, the overwhelming number of magical elements could confuse readers. The macabre folklore embedded in the story makes it worthwhile, though readers averse to horror should be warned of some genuinely scary features. Despite these issues, the worldbuilding remains strong, and the creative blend of historical themes with fantasy creates a well-rounded narrative. 

The Rise of the Jumbies offers a creepy atmosphere, imaginative monsters, and youthful wit that will captivate readers. The supernatural creatures have complicated histories and morally gray motives that ground the fantastical elements. As Corinne travels between continents protecting her friends, she learns that some things aren’t black and white and that forgiveness can be powerful medicine. She proves to be a kind and intelligent protagonist who recognizes that monsters are subjective and that chosen family can be stronger than blood. Ultimately, this fantastical story delivers a grounded message: everyone needs a healthy home so that hurt people don’t create more hurt. 

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

  • While taking a walk in the market, Corinne notices that she’s being avoided because of her half-jumbie status. “Corinne had learned that a slight curve in the lip might mean a cruel thought from one person, a tiny squint signaled suspicion from another, and a stiffness in the muscles meant fear from someone else. These subtle body changes meant Corinne was being judged because of who she was: half-jumbie.” 
  • As Mama D’Leau hunts for food, she eats a fish whole. “She smiled before biting down, leaving a gaping hole in its fat belly. She crunched the scales and fins and bones and slurped the guts, and thought about what she was going to do about this other jumbie.” 
  • During Corinne’s expedition to Ghana, her friends, the mermaids Ellie, Addie, Noyi, and Sisi, and Corinne are all attacked by a sea creature. “One of the tentacles had wrapped around [Ellie’s] tail. She held Dru away from her body, looking for someone to pass her to. Addie and Noyi dodged the other suckers, pulling Malik’s and Bouki’s arms out of the way of danger as they tried to reach Ellie. But with the children to carry, the mermaids weren’t as agile as usual. Noyi passed Bouki to Addie and managed to navigate the field of tentacles to get to Ellie. She tried to pry Ellie loose. Sisi dove and rammed herself into the squid’s rubbery body. She bounced off and turned for another attack. The squid reached for her. Sisi stopped short and changed direction. Corinne’s head bounced and lolled. As Sisi turned, she saw Noyi pull Ellie out of the squid’s grip. But glittering scales and dark red blood trailed behind them.” Ellie eventually dies from her wounds, but everyone else is fine.  
  • While connecting psychically with the mermaids, Corinne relives their memories of a slave ship wrecking in a storm. “The water rolled away and the sounds of screaming voices and screeching chains filled her ears. The ship cracked and ripped at the joints, then sank. Water closed over them. It sealed them in like an iron box. There was a low moan and a loud pop and the beam she was attached to broke away and pitched in the current. Corinne could see the wide, frightened eyes of others below her who were still chained to the ship. Their mouths opened, sucking for air that would never come.” Those aboard either died or were transformed into mermaids.  
  • In an effort to recover the missing children, Corinne encounters Severine, who attacks Corinne. “Severine dove on Corinne, pinning her under the water. Corinne kicked and scratched at Severine with her fingers, but her aunt was much too strong. The people in the crowd moved in, trying to pry Corinne from Severine’s grip, but the jumbie held them off. She pulled Corinne deeper into the water.” Both escape unharmed.  

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • Language is tame, but it includes juvenile insults, such as “stupid,” “idiot,” and “imbecile,” which appear frequently. 

Supernatural  

  • This novel incorporates Caribbean folklore and supernatural references on nearly every page. Corinne and her friends have many interactions with magic, mostly through magical creatures called jumbies and potions.  
  • Corinne has jumbie abilities, like being able to communicate with snakes. For example, while in Ghana, Corinne and her friends find themselves in trouble, running from the local authorities. “[Corinne’s friend] picks up a snake, and Corinne hears a voice. ‘Sssqueeze sssofter, pleassse!’ The only thing that could have been speaking to her was the snake.” 
  • Corinne recounts the events of the past book while explaining a couple of different kinds of jumbies. “Months earlier, Corinne had believed that jumbies were only stories that the grown-ups told to make children afraid. Jumbies were too incredible to be real. Who would believe in a creature like the soucouyant, who could shed her skin and turn into a ball of fire? Or the lagahoo, with knife-sharp teeth and clanging chains? Or worst of all, the douen, with its small, strong body and backward-facing feet? And then there was Severine, who was unlike any of the jumbies Corinne had heard of in stories. At first, with her beautifully wrapped hair and long green dress, she looked exactly like the other ladies in town. Then she turned out to be the strongest and most dangerous jumbie of all.” 
  • While looking for a missing child, Corinne is almost lured into the water by a magical song. “The song became louder and clearer and more beautiful the longer Corinne listened. And the water felt warmer, too, like bathwater left out in the sun. Corinne dove deeper into the darkness after the lulling song. But the rope pulled against her waist, making her movements useless. The song began to fade. She reached in front of her and felt something warm and solid between her fingers. But she was jerked away. She opened her mouth to scream, ‘No!’ and gulped water as she was yanked back to the surface, where she coughed and sputtered, and the song disappeared.” 
  • While trying to summon Mama D’Leau, a powerful water jumbie, Corinne and her friends find themselves able to breathe underwater. “We’re not breathing, Dru said. Yes, we are, said a small, squeaky voice. Malik pointed at his nose. He took a deep breath and blew bubbles out of it.” 
  • Mama D’Leau is another reappearing jumbie who possesses considerable magical power. “Her eyes were the same bright blue as the water around them, and as the water grew darker, they did too. Her hair was long and braided in thick plaits. Some wrapped around the top of her head like a crown, but masses more fell down past her waist. Scales were scattered against her skin at her collarbone and thickened down to her hips, where her tail began. It was long and twice as thick as an anaconda’s, narrowing to a thin, twitching end that was coiled beneath her like a throne.” 
  • When Corinne and her friends swim to Ghana, the mermaids lose their memories of Mama D’Leau. They also don’t remember why they were expected to bring Corinne and her friends all the way to Africa. There is no explicit magic spell that makes this happen.  
  • Panicked about leaving her newly discovered family in Ghana, one of the mermaids, Ellie, tries to drag herself ashore. “Malik dove into the water. He met Corinne on the beach and they took Ellie’s hands and tried to pull her back. Her fingers were brittle as glass and they cracked in their grip. Malik moved to scoop up the mermaid’s body. Corinne followed his lead. They tried to drag her back as her bright scales began to shrivel, becoming as delicate as tissue paper. The line down the middle of her tail darkened and sank inward, separating into two legs. Corinne and Malik tried to move more gently as Ellie’s entire body faded to the color of beach sand. The breeze peeled the surface of her skin like petals on the wind.”  
  • Corinne meets Papa Bois, a powerful woodland jumbie, in the forest. “Corinne felt something like a heartbeat coming up through the soles of her sandals. It was as if the entire forest had come alive. The pulse felt stronger as she moved closer to the boulder. . . The boulder itself moved as if it was breathing. Corinne’s pulse quickened, but she reached a finger out to touch it, and the surface felt soft but tough, like muscle. She jumped back. The boulder rearranged itself. Cracks and crevices twisted in other directions. Some opened up, exposing new muscle beneath, and the surface of the rock shifted. When it stopped moving, the boulder had unfolded into a little old man not much taller than Corinne, with a long gray beard, the legs of a goat, and a pair of tiny horns peeking through his messy gray cornrowed hair.” 
  • Later, Papa Bois demonstrates more magical ability while arguing with Corinne, “a few tears squeezed out of the wrinkled corners of his kind brown eyes. Where they fell to the ground, tiny white flowers sprang up and opened their buds.”  
  • To save the children and defeat Severine, Corinne resolves to sacrifice her humanity to lead Severine away from the island. She asks Mama D’Leau to turn her into a mermaid. “Where Corinne’s legs had been, a shimmering orange tail waved.” 
  • To save one of her friends, Allan, from transforming into a jumbie, Corinne tells him to wish for home, and he’ll become human again. Corinne finds his mom to help him do this. “Allan turned toward his mama again. This time, his feet didn’t move, so his body lined up perfectly. When he stepped forward, his movement was steady and sure. [Allan’s mom] dropped to her knees. Allan ran into her arms and they cried against each other’s cheeks.” 

Spiritual Content  

  • When Corinne and her friends land in Ghana, they meet a boy, Kahiri, who mistakes the mermaids who brought them to Ghana for servants of an African water spirit/goddess named Mami Wata. After Corinne asks Kahiri who that is, he responds, “She’s a water goddess, and she can look like anything she wants. They are mermaids. One of them must be her.” 

by Kate Schuyler 

I Am Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman is one of the most famous formerly enslaved people and abolitionists in American history, and her efforts to free enslaved people through the Underground Railroad are legendary. This biography describes her life before her work with the Underground Railroad and the various ways she helped others, including fighting for women’s rights, assisting with strategy and planning during the Civil War, and opening a home for the elderly. Throughout her life, Harriet Tubman made countless sacrifices to care for other people. 

Born into slavery, Tubman was forced to raise her younger brothers while her parents worked. Growing up, she endured violence from white enslavers and lived with the constant fear that her family could be torn apart at any moment. After failed escape attempts with her brothers, Harriet finally escaped on her own, using the network of homes and hiding places known as the Underground Railroad. She reached Pennsylvania and freedom, but her worry for her family drove her to return again and again to lead her family members and many other enslaved people to freedom. 

Tubman was a woman who wasn’t fearless but was willing to overcome her fear to do the right thing. While Harriet’s struggles are specific to her time period and to slavery, readers can learn from her compassion and desire to help others. Her loyalty to her family, to the people she met, and to the slaves she freed led to a remarkable life. This book and her story teach the lesson that leaders come from unlikely places.   

This biography is divided into five concise chapters, featuring black-and-white illustrations on nearly every page. Highlighted vocabulary words are defined in a glossary at the end. Additional features include twenty fun facts, a timeline, a map, and illustrations of the important people in Harriet’s life. Through clear writing, illustrations, and supplementary materials, young readers will gain a comprehensive understanding of Harriet Tubman, her struggles, and her triumphs. The book also includes a section on places to visit and references to how her work contributed to the progress we see today, ensuring readers understand that her legacy remains important.  

Despite being Black, a woman, and illiterate, Harriet Tubman overcame tremendous obstacles to help others. Her story is one of the most important in American history, and her resilience and determination to fight for others remain admirable qualities. Harriet’s life story highlights the importance of sacrifice, courage, and resilience, showing that one person can make an extraordinary difference. To learn even more about Harriet Tubman’s life, grab a copy of The Underground Abductor: An Abolitionist Tale by Nathan Hale.  

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • There are descriptions of the violence of slavery throughout the book. For example, “If a slave was caught learning how to read and write, he could have his fingers or toes cut off!” Slaves “were stolen from their homes and treated no better than animals.” 
  • Harriet received multiple beatings. As a child, “Harriet was whipped five times before breakfast” for not being clean enough. Later, Harriet stole a lump of sugar, and the slave master “struck [Harriet] so hard he broke her ribs and gave her scars for life.” 
  • A slaveowner struck Harriet in the head with a weight “The overseer grabbed a weight used for measuring and threw it toward the door. It hit Harriet in the head and knocked her to the ground. . . she went in and out of consciousness and came close to death. . . she was sent back out to the fields with ‘the blood and sweat rolling down [her] face till [she] couldn’t see.’” This injury caused headaches and narcolepsy for the rest of her life. 
  • At other times, there are more vague mentions of beatings and punishments. For example, slaves “were often beaten if their masters decided they weren’t working hard enough.” 
  • On a journey to free enslaved people, Harriet knocked out her infected tooth. “Getting help was simply too dangerous, so she knocked out her top row of teeth with the handle of the gun she always carried.” 
  • Traveling north after serving in the Civil War, Harriet Tubman is manhandled by a racist train conductor and shoved into the baggage car. “Instead of thanks for her service, she got her arm in a sling.”  

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None

Language  

  • None

Supernatural  

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

by Abigail Clark 

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