Reading Level: Junior High

Eureka

The year is 1885. San Francisco is dangerous for Chinese immigrants like twelve-year-old Mei Mei. She must venture on her own, without her family or friends, to Eureka, California, where it is supposedly safe.

But 300 miles from home, Mei Mei misses her Ma Ma’s kindness, helping out in her Ba Ba’s store, and playing hide-and-seek with her best friend, Hua Hua. Despite her fear and the increasing violence against her community, she finds hope in an unexpected friend, the giant redwood trees, and a new dream: learning how to read in English. As the world around her grows scarier, Mei Mei discovers her own power, as well as the joy of found family, the importance of courage, and the nature of freedom. 

Eureka is told from a unique point of view — Mei Mei, a young Chinese girl who moves from San Francisco to Eureka to live with her aunt and uncle. Mei Mei doesn’t understand why her parents want to send her to Eureka. She thinks it’s because “Maybe my badness / has gotten too big / and now I must be sent away.” As she grapples with her parents’ decisions, she also deals with understanding her culture and the dangers of being a Chinese girl in a predominantly white society. For example, Mei Mei often compares Ma Ma’s feet to hers. At first, Mei Mei wants to have pretty feet like her Ma Ma. That changes when she realizes her “big, unbound feet, / wide, long, thick, / flat” give her a freedom that her mother doesn’t have. While many of Mei Mei’s conflicts are rooted in the time period, every reader will understand her desire to go to school, have friends, and have the freedom to make decisions. 

Both in San Francisco and Eureka, Mei Mei witnesses discrimination and fighting between Chinese gangs. Because the story is told from Mei Mei’s point of view, the violence is not depicted in graphic detail. Nevertheless, the book carries a content warning for violence and racism. Despite this, Eureka is an important book to read in order to understand the racism that permeated many early American towns. Because Mei Mei is Chinese, she cannot attend regular school; she is in danger of being kidnapped, and she is put to work as a servant for a white family. This leaves her wondering “why all women can’t be free, why all women can’t be rich and run.” 

Mei Mei faces many obstacles that may upset readers. She often compares her feet to Ma Ma’s feet, and the description of foot binding may be distressing to some. Additionally, the story hints that Mei Mei’s aunt and uncle were dishonest and tricked Mei Mei’s parents into sending her to them. They were not necessarily cruel to her, but they arranged her job and took her pay. In the end, Mei Mei finds her way back to San Francisco with the help of a trusted friend. 

Eureka is a fast-paced, suspenseful, verse-written story that powerfully portrays the hardships faced by Chinese people in early America. It focuses on the expulsion of Chinese people and the burning of Chinatown in Eureka, California, in 1885. The author’s note and back matter provide additional context about this horrific event and Chinese culture. 

Ultimately, Eureka is a moving and necessary read. Through Mei Mei’s eyes, readers experience the injustice, resilience, and quiet courage it took to survive in a world that was often openly hostile to people who looked like her. The story’s verse format gives it an emotional immediacy that will resonate with young readers, while its historical grounding makes it a valuable tool for understanding a too-often overlooked chapter of American history. Mei Mei’s journey — marked by fear, longing, and eventual triumph — reminds us that the search for freedom, belonging, and education is timeless. 

 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • Mei Mei’s Ma Ma cannot walk without help, because her feet were deliberately malformed as a sign of wealth. “‘It showed we were richer,’ she / said, ‘and that we didn’t need / to work the fields. She said men liked it, / thought it was beautiful, / especially when / we walked, dainty, nearly / falling over like dolls.’” 
  • “Ma Ma once told / me that her ma ma / trimmed my ma ma’s / toenails, soaked her feet in a metal / tub filled with herbs and / pig blood to / soften her feet.” Her ma ma’s feet were wrapped tightly. “Then she pushed the toes / on each foot down and / curled them under as / hard as she could / downward / downward / then squeezed them / until the toes broke, until the arch of each / foot broke.” The bandages were sewn so she couldn’t take them off. At the time Ma Ma was four years old. 
  • Mei Mei’s Ba Ba warns her to be careful because “The Chinese people have been kidnapping / young girls like me” and making them slaves. 
  • The Chinese people fight with the white people about money. The Chinese people stay in Chinatown unless “they want to / get shot in the head.”  
  • Tom, a young Chinese orphan, is a servant in a rich man’s house. While serving dinner, he drops something, and Mei Mei hears “a slap and then / the sound of something hitting a wall.” 
  • The Chinese gangs fight. Afterward, Mei Mei’s uncle comes home. He “falls over like a large wounded animal.” His face is “bloody and red, / purple bumps by his eye. / He’s groaning.” 
  • While working for a white man, Mei Mei goes upstairs to his daughter’s room. The girl’s father, Mr. Bobbit, finds out and gets angry. “He grabs my arm and lifts / me up so that my feet / are dangling an inch / from the floor. . . He drops me onto / the ground, and I’m surprised I don’t / fall on the floor / but am still standing / tall, upright. . . Before I know it, / he’s dragging me and / shoving me into the closet. / Then darkness.” The punishment scene is described over three pages. 
  • Two Chinese gangs fight and some of them have guns. Mei Mei watches through the door. “The dirt rising up in / clouds of messy dust, / hands flying, / fist clenched, / more gunshots.” During the fight, two men are killed, three are injured, and the police arrest some of them, including Mei Mei’s uncle. 
  • In another fight, Mei Mei sees “Uncle and another man / pushing, yelling, and I see / a red flash, hear a bullet / break the air, then another / and another.” During the fight, a white man and a boy are injured. The scene is described over several pages.  
  • All of the Chinese are told to leave Eureka. If they don’t, “They said they’ll hang us on the gallows they’re building right now.” 
  • Miss Yu, Tom, and Mei Mei flee from Eureka. They are in the woods when a mountain lion attacks Tom. “Tom falls back / onto the ground. Everything’s blurry, / there’s brown fur, / Tom’s face, / white fangs / that start to get bigger. . .” Mei Mei scares the mountain lion away. 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • Mei Mei is called a Chinaman in a derogatory way.  
  • Some of the white people yell mean things at the Chinese, such as “Go back to China!” and “Chinese must go!” 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • In Eureka, the redwood trees “go so high up, / they must be able / to see heaven, which / the church teachers / told me all about.” 

The Bathhouse

During the aftermath of the Iranian Revolution, the new religious regime of Ayatollah Khomeini cracks down on religious opposition, promising to purge and convert all of the so-called “devil worshipers.” A normal teenage girl, the unnamed protagonist, is arrested because of her brother’s connection to leftist politics and activism. Held captive in a public-bathhouse-turned-prison, she is subjected to torture and death threats. She meets many other prisoners, and together they attempt to survive the oppressive conditions while maintaining their spirit and sanity. 

The novel is based on interviews with real Iranian women detailing their experiences during and after the Iranian Revolution. As such, it tackles difficult topics such as religious persecution, torture, and human cruelty. The prisoners are subjected to many different forms of violence, including beatings, stonings, and executions. Moshiri does not shy away from the reality of the violence, providing at times bloody descriptions through the eyes of the protagonist’s innocence. The protagonist remains unnamed throughout the work to represent each woman who endured the same torturous experience. 

As the novel progresses, the protagonist is powerless against her captors and loses her ability to fight back. The book focuses more on depicting the brutality of the prison rather than the resistance against it. This approach is highly effective at showing the cruelty that the prisoners endure and the consequences of tyrannical power dynamics. The protagonist, despite being physically powerless against her captors, has a strong character. She is resilient throughout the devastating abuse, but she tries to comfort others and protect them. While she doesn’t physically resist, her survival and unwillingness to convert act as forms of rebellion.  

The supporting cast of characters further conveys the sadness of the situation, as many of them are there for the wrong reason. Despite the hardships, the women stick together, protect each other, and care for one another. However, as each one meets their fate, sometimes death, sometimes escape, the protagonist is left on her own. The characters in the novel provide heart despite the oppression they face and serve as the work’s emotional core. They enhance the themes of both human kindness and cruelty, making the novel’s message effective. 

The Bathhouse has strong themes of religion, hierarchies of power, and disillusionment of ideals. Jamali, the head of the prison, declares that he intends to convert all of the “devil worshippers” to the religion of Islam under the new Iranian regime. Despite this claim, the prison guards commit many atrocious acts that go against what their religion teaches. Some prisoners who convert only pretend to do so to survive, such as Zohre and Ferial, who do it to protect their babies. The divide between Jamali’s supposed ideals and the brutal reality of the prison demonstrates the consequences when religious power is abused as a form of oppression. Since Jamali is backed by the new government, the actions in the bathhouse, such as the execution of political and ideological opponents, are not condoned nor stopped. Moshiri shows through the protagonist’s experience that disillusionment between the Iranian Revolution’s ideals and reality has devastating consequences that lead to horrid acts done for oppression and control over opposition. 

While the protagonist is released from prison at the end of the novel, the ending remains somber as she now has to live out the rest of her life having experienced great atrocities for simply being related to a political activist. The perpetrators of the great abuse do not face any consequences. It is an ending meant to convey the weight of the horrible conditions many people experienced during the Iranian Revolution and does not offer any comfort, forcing the reader to come to terms with what they just experienced. 

The Bathhouse is a powerful account of the religious persecution of the Khomeini regime.  It has a lot of foul language and violence, including sexual violence. The Bathhouse is not a novel one reads for entertainment. Similar to Night by Elie Wiesel, it has heavy themes of survival amidst cruelty that are only for mature audiences. If read in the right mindset, it is an extremely powerful work that opens one’s mind to humanity’s potential for good, evil, and survival despite oppression. Readers interested in Middle Eastern history may also want to read A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.    

Sexual Content 

  • When a group of armed men storm the protagonist’s house, they make her change clothes. “Then I felt cramps in my belly. I reached under my skirt to see if I was bleeding, but the boy kicked the door open, jumping into my room. . . I realized that he had been watching me getting dressed.” 
  • The protagonist is on her period for a portion of the book and describes her bleeding. “Thinking about her opened a hot flood inside my belly. I bled again. My underwear and my skirt were wet with blood. Blood dripped down my thighs. . . Another gush of blood flooded out. I let it pump out of me, flowing under my body.” 
  • The protagonist mops up her blood and passes out. “I knelt on the floor, wiping the blood, but more gushed out. I panicked. All my insides were pumping out. As I was wiping the floor, my eyes blurred and I thought that I was Ferial and I was losing my baby. . .Then I thought I’d rather lie down here and get some sleep close to my bloody child.” The protagonist is making a comparison and is not pregnant.  
  • The protagonist, at 17 years old, wants to comfort a baby so she “unbuttoned my uniform and took my breast out. I didn’t need to put my nipple in her mouth, her mouth found it. She began to suck. She sucked and I closed my eyes, feeling a sharp pain in my hard breast. She was not crying now, just sucking on my empty breast.”  
  • Before female prisoners are executed, they are raped so that they are not virgins and go to hell. 
  • Before she is to be executed, the protagonist is brought into a room, blindfolded, and raped. “Now one of them held my arms from above and someone else removed my uniform. They pressed my arms down and I heard a scream–not my scream, one of the girls’ in the room, because I’m sure that I remained mute and didn’t utter a syllable when something pierced me and tore my insides. All I could imagine in that deep darkness I’d fallen into was Sister Sultani drilling a hole in me with her long forefinger.”  

Violence 

  • The protagonist’s parents died in a car crash. “When he and Mother died in a car accident, a policeman handed us a plastic bag containing their belongings.” 
  • A group of armed men storm the protagonist’s house and threaten her with machine guns. “He prodded me with the butt of his machine gun, cursing.” 
  • The armed men tie people up and put them in blindfolds, slapping them to keep them quiet. 
  • At the bathhouse prison, the guards often beat and abuse the prisoners to force them to convert to their religion. “And then I heard the distinct sound of whoop. . . whoop. . . whoop. . . From somewhere a woman screamed, ‘No. Stop! Don’t. . . I’ve seen it; yes, with my own eyes–’” 
  • The blindfolded prisoners are dragged around by ropes and handcuffed. “Now I felt something around my neck and in a second I was pulled by a leash. I felt like a blind goat on the way to the altar.” 
  • The guards severely beat. “Whoop. . . I felt a sudden blow on my head. The shock was more disturbing than the pain itself. . . Whoop. . . Another blow. My scalp was on fire.” These descriptions occur often. 
  • Many prisoners are executed by firing squad, including the protagonist’s brother. It is described as “a mountain of iron collapsing.” 
  • The protagonist describes the prisoners in very bad condition. “I remembered that there were eighty people less. I looked around to find Ferial or Hamid, I looked for Zohre and her baby, too. The inmates’ faces were tired, sleep-deprived. Some had black and blue bruises, some had bandages around their head.” 
  • The protagonist describes her pain when she gets beaten. “One million wasps stung my palms and pierced their sharp needles into my flesh. . . My palms looked like balloons, or two red rubber gloves with air blown in them.” 
  • After being in prison for a while, the protagonist develops suicidal thoughts. “Let them whip me in the empty pool. Let them shoot me. For the first time since my arrest, I wished for death.” 
  • To make a prisoner give information about her son’s friends, the staff hangs her son from the ceiling in front of her. “Mrs. Moradi, who was behind me in line, told me in a whisper that all day yesterday they had hanged her son upside down from the ceiling and had forced her to watch. Finally she couldn’t tolerate it and rushed toward her son to bring him down. That’s when they whipped her face.” 
  • Many of the prisoners are severely beaten on many occasions. The novel describes the beatings and screams of pain. For example, one prisoner hangs herself before she is to be raped and executed. “She was on the next death list. She had told her friends that she was not afraid of death, she feared the rape.” 
  • The prisoners are forced to stone other inmates. “Many girls didn’t cooperate. The guards pushed them in the pool and others hit them. Now there were several women in the pool and I could see the blood. I tried not to look inside the pool, at the bloody heads and the bruised bodies. . .  [a prisoner] ripped her scarf off, baring her bald head; she tore her black uniform open, she undressed, shrieked again, and then jumped in the pool of dust and blood to be stoned with everyone else.” 
  • A group of prisoners is tortured by being forced to stand outside blindfolded overnight and being forced into small boxes for a week without being let out.   

Drugs and Alcohol 

  • The smell of alcohol is briefly mentioned.  

Language 

  • Bitch is used often. 
  • Damn, Goddamn, crap, and fuck are used. 
  • The prison guards call the prisoners “dirty little leftists” and “godless leftists.” 
  • The guards often call the girls “unclean” and “devils.” 
  • Whore is used twice. 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • The novel takes place during the aftermath of the Iranian Revolution. The new Islamic regime persecutes anyone who does not follow their religion. God is often mentioned as the “Great Leader” and “His Holy Face.” 
  • The protagonist mentions neighborhood parties in which people “discussed the existence or non-existence of the Sacred Face of the Great Leader on the moon.” 
  • The protagonist mentions her old playmate had been sent to fight in the Holy War. “Since the army had recruited their only son, sending him to the Holy War, the couple hadn’t had a full night’s sleep.” 
  • The prisoners call the execution site the “Wall of the Almighty.” 
  • Jamali, head of the prison, interrogates the protagonist of her religion. They discuss Christianity, Judaism, atheism, God, and Satan. 
  • Jamali describes atheism as “devil-worshipping.” 
  • A doctor is arrested for being political and talking about her beliefs. “I just said something about the picture on the moon. Because it’s ridiculous. It’s medieval. The shadow on the moon is the Sea of Tranquility. It’s a real sea. Astronauts have seen it. . . it’s lunacy.” 
  • The protagonist and other prisoners call out to God on many occasions. 
  • The staff of the prison kneel and do prayer. “The Party is one, the Party of Allah. . .” 
  • The religious leaders call on the prisoners to repent. “This is your last chance to repent and join the ranks of the believers. This way the gates of heaven will open to you. Now you’re hanging over a pit of fire, any minute we can cut the rope and drop you into the burning flame. The rope of Allah is in our hands now. Our Leader is chosen by Allah and our government is the government of Allah.” Some of the prisoners claim to repent. 
  • The prison manager, Jamali calls the protagonist “Mother Teresa” for trying to save a baby. 

Wilderness Hacks

Hatchet meets Survivor in this high-action, humor-filled middle-grade adventure about two kids stranded in the wilderness, whose annoyance with each other rivals the roaring rapids and ferocious predators they must face. 

12-year-old Sadie Hahn didn’t plan to eat grubs on camera to win a contest. And she definitely didn’t plan to win first prize while making a guest appearance on a YouTube show hosted by America’s favorite 13-year-old survivalist, Radley Shaw. But she’ll do anything to cheer up her little brother Silas, who’s too young to qualify.  

Rad has millions of followers and exactly zero real-life friends, so the contest is a great chance for him to hang out with kids his own age. But it’s hate-at-first-sight when Silas throws a wrench in his plan, and Sadie decides Rad is just a clueless poser who doesn’t know the first thing about survival. Disaster strikes when their scripted rafting trip turns into a real fight for survival. Lost in the mountains, Rad and Sadie must find shelter, build a fire, forage for food, and try not to become food for a hungry predator. 

Wilderness Hacks’ chapters alternate between Rad’s and Sadie’s perspectives, highlighting one of the main themes: our assumptions about others are often wrong. The two kids immediately get off on the wrong foot because they assume the worst of each other, heightening the drama and suspense in a way that mirrors the social dynamics most middle schoolers know well. Even though Rad and Sadie dislike each other, both characters are unique and likable because of their insecurities and difficulty expressing their emotions. Readers will relate to their conflicts, recognize their conflicting emotions, and appreciate their different strengths. Notably, the dual perspectives also illuminate how each character carries burdens the other can’t immediately see. Sadie’s panic attacks, for instance, reveal a vulnerability that surprises Rad, and when he responds with genuine kindness by guiding her through breathing techniques, it marks a turning point in their reluctant friendship. 

This emotional depth extends to the book’s thoughtful portrayal of characters with invisible disabilities. Sadie’s brother Silas is autistic and has celiac disease, and Sadie’s constant worry about him — knowing that even a crumb of gluten can trigger serious side effects — is rooted in real grief: her father died because his own celiac disease went undiagnosed. These details are woven naturally into the story rather than feeling like add-ons, giving the adventure genuine emotional stakes alongside the physical ones. 

Wilderness Hacks is a fast-paced, action-packed story that readers won’t want to put down. The dual perspectives, high-stakes drama, and short chapters will engage readers while teaching important life lessons about survival, friendship, and not making assumptions about others. The back matter — including Sadie’s Secret-Spice Recipe, Rad’s Top Ten Survival Essentials, and a list of “Would You Rather” questions — extends the fun beyond the final page and makes the book especially well-suited for classroom use or book clubs. One of the characters mentions Bear Grylls, which may lead readers to explore other survival-themed books, including the Girls Survive Series, Bear Grylls Adventures, and Survival Tails. Overall, Wilderness Hacks is an entertaining survival story that requires both protagonists to use their individual skills, teamwork, and grit to survive. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • Rad finds a dead man in the river. “He’s lying half in, half out of the water, his upper body exposed and swollen, straining against a life jacket. He’s not wearing a helmet—just the life jacket and swim trunks—and his feet are bare.” Later that night, the kids hear animals eating the man. 
  • A mountain lion attacks Rad. He looks back and “it’s that motion that has the mountain lion’s massive jaw and teeth scraping Rad’s helmet instead of his face when the big cat launches itself at Rad like a guided missile on a moving target.” 
  • When the mountain lion pins Rad to the ground, he feels “searing agony as claws scrape my back. . . The thud of impact as it brings me to the ground and then scrambles to find a better angle on my throat.” Sadie screams, and “thrust[s a tree branch] again, and the cat backs up this time, still screaming.”  
  • Sadie props Rad against a tree. Riding a bike, she leaves to get help. When she returns, “The mountain lion is crouched down, ready to pounce, and Rad has no idea. . . The cat leaps a split second before I reach them, and I wrench the handlebars toward the airborne animal. . . There’s a snap and a crack and then. . . Nothing.” The mountain lion attack is described over several chapters. Both kids are injured. 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • After the mountain lion attack, Rad is given painkillers in the hospital. 

Language  

  • In the narration, people are occasionally referred to as jerks. For example, Sadie thinks, “I sound like a jerk.” 
  • As a joke, Sadie tells Rad, “I’m usually better at spotting you weirdos.” 
  • Sadie tells Rad that he’s acting like an idiot. Later, in a fit of anger, she calls him an idiot. 
  • Sadie thinks that Rad is “a balloon-headed meatball.” 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • When Silas asks Sadie to enter a contest, she prays “that this new obsession won’t have me eating anything that still has a face.” 
  • When faced with a difficult situation, Sadie mumbles. Radley asks who she is, and she says, “God.”  

Who Were the Beatles?

By early 1964, the Beatles were on top of the world. They began what would become the “British Invasion” when they made their American debut on The Ed Sullivan Show, before an audience of more than 73 million viewers. This would only be the beginning of their global domination that endures to this day. How did they become the most famous rock band in history? Who Were the Beatles? explores the full history of the Fab Four in a fun, accessible format and introduces readers to the lives, music, and continuing legacy of the group that changed music forever. 

Who Were the Beatles? is an entry in the Who Was? biography series, designed to introduce younger readers to important historical figures. The book is divided into eleven chapters covering events before, during, and after the Beatles’ time together as a group. The first four chapters are dedicated to the early lives of each member: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison. These early chapters provide fascinating details about the childhoods of the Beatles, such as Ringo’s many bouts with illnesses that kept him in the hospital for extended periods, John and Paul both losing their mothers at young ages (and how their losses affected them musically), and George’s relatively stable and happy childhood in comparison to his bandmates.  

As the book progresses, it covers the formation of the band, the rise of Beatlemania and the touring years, the Beatles’ transition to a studio band from 1967 to their breakup in 1970, and each member’s solo career. The last major event covered is the shocking murder of John Lennon in December 1980. There are several references to violence, drugs, and alcohol, so this book may be better suited for middle-grade readers. 

Who Were the Beatles? is an easy-to-read book with short chapters comprising simple language and large text that makes for a breezy read. Every page features large black-and-white illustrations, as well as blurbs to provide context for other events and figures of the era (the Sixties, the Vietnam War, and other musicians who inspired the Beatles, such as Elvis Presley and Little Richard). These additions are helpful for younger readers, helping them better understand the broader history of the era in which the Beatles were famous. The end of the book also features a timeline of Beatles history from 1940 to 2001 with other important historical events (such as the moon landing or the Soviet Union’s collapse) that coincided with them. 

Altogether, Who Were the Beatles? is an entertaining, comprehensive biography of the Beatles’ career filled to the brim with charming illustrations and pop culture references. It serves as an excellent entry point for new Beatles fans or young readers interested in the history of pop music.  

Sexual Content 

  • The opening chapter describes Elvis Presley’s provocative stage presence, noting that he wore “very tight” jeans and “swiveled his hips” while performing. It also explains that television appearances sometimes showed him “only from the waist up” so audiences would not see him dancing. 
  • Yoko Ono, John Lennon’s second wife, was considered an “experimental artist” even for the 60s. “For example, she once made a film of a fly walking up and down a naked person’s body.” 

Violence 

  • The opening chapter covers John Lennon’s early life. On the day he was born in 1940, “World War II was raging in Europe. Liverpool, England, was being bombed by the Germans.” John’s mother, Julia, gave birth early in the morning as “the walls of the hospital shook from falling bombs.” 
  • Tragically, just before John’s eighteenth birthday, his mother was “hit by a car and died.” 
  • A one-page blurb discusses the Vietnam War. “By 1964, thousands of soldiers were fighting in Vietnam. The war dragged on for years. More than fifty thousand American soldiers died before it ended.” 
  • A two-page blurb provides context on the turbulent events of the 1960s. “John F. Kennedy was shot and killed. His brother Robert was shot and killed. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot and killed. The wave of violence shook everyone. The world didn’t seem safe.” 
  • Chapter 10 covers the careers of each member after the Beatles’ breakup in 1970. George Harrison and his family purchased a “hundred-room mansion” in England to live in privacy, but in 1999, a man broke in. George was stabbed, but he recovered, and the man was arrested.” 
  • Chapter 11: “The Saddest Day” explains the events of December 8, 1980, when John Lennon was assassinated in New York City. That afternoon, outside his apartment at the Dakota building, he signed a copy of his new album for a fan named Mark David Chapman, who “wasn’t like other fans. He was mentally ill. He heard voices in his head, voices that told him to hurt John Lennon.” Chapman waited outside the Dakota for Lennon to return later that evening with his wife, Yoko Ono. “When John and Yoko arrived home, Chapman called out, ‘Mr. Lennon.’ Then he took out a gun and fired. John Lennon. . . fell to the ground. He died shortly after. He was only forty years old.” 

Drugs and Alcohol 

  • During the Beatles’ early days performing in Hamburg, Germany, they started taking “pills [to] stay awake on stage.”  
  • Their fans are described as “interesting.” Sometimes, they “had too much beer and got into fights. They threw chairs and swung from lights hanging down from the ceiling.” 
  • When the landmark album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band released in 1967, John stirred controversy with his song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” “People thought John was writing about LSD, a drug that some people were using.” 
  • During the mid-1970s, John’s marriage to Yoko Ono was falling apart. The couple separated for a while, and in that time, “John began to drink too much. He also took drugs.” 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural Content 

  • None 

Spiritual Content 

  • One of the most infamous controversies involving the Beatles occurred in 1966, when John Lennon told a reporter that the Beatles were “more popular than Jesus right now.” “Many people were deeply offended. Some radio stations held protests with big bonfires. People were invited to throw Beatles albums into the flames. John quickly apologized.” 

by Nicholas Paragano

Oil-Soaked Wings

An oil spill in the ocean means destruction for both animals and their habitats—and lots of work for Seaside Sanctuary, where Elsa Roth’s parents work. When pelicans are gravely hurt in the spill and brought into the sanctuary, Elsa and her friends are given important roles in caring for the birds. But the animals can’t be released until their habitat is clean—and the company responsible for the spill doesn’t seem interested in stepping up. Can Elsa and her friends spearhead the cleanup and save the pelicans? 

When Elsa and her best friend Olivia discover an oil spill in their community, they immediately jump in and help the pelicans that have been covered in oil. The girls quickly learn how to properly care for the birds without treating them like pets. The girls learn that “it’s very important the pelicans don’t start associating humans with food. We don’t want them to get comfortable with us.” Despite this, Elsa and Olivia become attached to a pelican, whom they name Pellie. When Pellie dies, the girls are devastated, but they continue to help in the rescue efforts. 

Oil-Soaked Wings teaches readers how oil spills can destroy an ecosystem. “The oil would kill fish and crab and coral and seaweed and dolphins and seals and birds. And it would stay and stay until someone cleaned it up, which was hard—and expensive—to do.” When the company responsible for the oil spill refuses to help clean it up, Elsa and Olivia organize a group of kids to clean the beach. Even though Elsa and Olivia are just kids, Elsa’s dad encourages them by saying, “Some people think that because you’re kids, you can’t produce any kind of change. But that’s not right. Kids can have a huge influence on real-world problems. They just need to gather and organize.”  

Both Elsa and Olivia are likable protagonists who love animals and work alongside adult volunteers. They show readers how to organize a beach clean-up and how to use the media to get the word out. Because of their efforts, the company takes action to clean up the oil spill. The girls’ actions highlight the importance of using their voices to effect change.  

Oil-Soaked Wings is told in eight short chapters, and each begins with a black-and-white illustration. The end of the book includes a glossary, discussion questions, writing prompts, and additional information about pelicans. The books in the Seaside Sanctuary Series can be read in any order because each focuses on a new adventure. Oil-Soaked Wings is an engaging story that realistically depicts the harmful effects of an oil spill while also showing how Elsa and Olivia made a positive impact on their injured animals.  

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • None

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • Darn is used once.

Supernatural 

  • None

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

Three Good Things

Leni has lived in so many different places in the last few years that she’s not surprised when her mom wakes her in the middle of the night and tells her to pack up her things. 

The reason for this move? Her mom tells her they have won the lottery, and they have to go underground. Leni is still not surprised when they end up in a filthy motel. But when Leni makes a new friend and tries to explain their lifestyle, she begins to understand just how messed up her life has become. 

Every day, Leni fights the isolation and loneliness of living with a parent with a mental illness. She constantly worries about her mother. Did she take her medication? Where will they sleep tonight? To make matters worse, she doesn’t have anyone to turn to for help. Even though her grandfather gives them money, he isn’t willing to take them in. While many teens might not relate to Leni’s situation, they will understand her desire to have friends and a stable home life.  

Three Good Things gives readers a look at the difficulties caused by homelessness and mental illness. Since talking about these topics is difficult, reading about Leni’s situation will help readers empathize with others. Because the book is short, it lacks depth and doesn’t describe some of the harsher details of homelessness and mental illness. However, this also keeps the book moving at a fast pace to hold the reader’s attention.   

As part of the Orca Current collection, Three Good Things is specifically for middle-school students reading below grade level. The book is published in Orca’s Ultra-Readable format with enhanced features such as a dyslexia-friendly font, cream paper, and increased line spacing to improve reading accessibility for dyslexic and reluctant readers.  

With a likable protagonist, a high-interest topic, and a fast-paced plot, Three Good Things will appeal to many readers. The story is a quick, enjoyable read that encourages others to look for the positives in life. If you’d like to explore the topic of homelessness in more detail, read How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O’Connor, Almost Home by Joan Bauer, and Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate. 

Sexual Content  

  • Leni punched her landlord when he “squeezed me against the wall in the hall one day to feel me up.” 

Violence  

  • After Leni takes a lottery ticket away from her mother, Leni’s mom “whacks me with her shoe.” 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • Leni frequently mentions her grandfather’s smoking.  
  • Leni’s mother is supposed to take medication for her mental illness. Leni often refers to the meds but doesn’t give specific information.  
  • Leni’s grandmother accidentally overdosed on mental health medication. 

Language  

  • Crap is used four times. 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None

The Water You’re Swimming In

Noah is used to being a straight-A student, swim champ and all-around easy kid. 

But things haven’t been the same since Noah’s older brother Jamie ran away to Halifax, leaving only a note behind. His parents spend every free second on the phone or driving to Halifax to try to find Jamie, and Noah is left trying to mask his anxiety and grief by pretending to be the perfect son who does everything right. But inside he feels like crying and gets a knot in his stomach whenever he thinks of Jamie. 

Some warmth returns to their home when Grandma Aisling comes to stay, bringing her fiddle and her genius for making chocolate cake with her. At school, funny and kind Alysha joins his class, and Noah has a new friend to distract him from his worries. When a swim competition is announced with the grand prize being a trip to Halifax, Noah knows he has to win it so he can go to Halifax himself and get Jamie back. 

Noah’s family dynamics are complicated, and his brother running away makes life even more difficult. His parents are so worried about Jamie that Noah thinks he has to be perfect so he doesn’t add more stress to their lives. To make matters worse, Noah doesn’t have any friends or a trusted adult he can confide in. While readers may not relate to Noah’s specific situation, they will understand his desire to have friends and be loved. The theme is strengthened as Noah shares his fears during each hardship, allowing readers to sympathize with him.  

Throughout the story, Noah’s parents and grandmother appear infrequently. They are so focused on Jamie that Noah feels invisible. However, after Noah goes to look for Jamie on his own, this shakes everyone and finally forces them, including Jamie, to examine the family dynamics and seek professional help. The story highlights that even loving parents don’t always make the right decisions. Additionally, the book explores sibling relationships and the difficulties that are caused by misconceptions and family expectations.  

The beginning of the book describes the conflict between the Christian school kids and the public-school kids at length. This section of the book feels rather odd, especially since there is only one scene in which the students interact: a water-balloon fight. The thread adds nothing to the story and breaks the flow.  

The Water You’re Swimming In blends Noah’s personal struggles at home and at school, which keeps the book interesting. Even though the swim competition is an important part of Noah’s plan to bring Jamie home, he spends little time in the pool and starts skipping practice to spend more time with his new friend, Alysha. While the story builds up the importance of the competition, there is little suspense when it finally arrives because the event isn’t described in much detail. Despite this, the book has many positive aspects, including a likable protagonist, an imperfect but loving family, and realistic conflicts. The Water You’re Swimming In encourages readers to express their feelings and not make assumptions about others. Readers who enjoy stories about friendship, family, and swimming should also read Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas, Deep Water by Jamie Sumner, and Live and Let Dive by Jake Maddox.  

Sexual Content  

  • Jamie’s friend, Alysha, breaks up with her girlfriend and finds a new one. 

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • During dinner, the adults have a glass of wine.  
  • Noah’s grandma is an herbalist and uses plants to heal people. 
  • One evening, Noah’s parents drink wine. Jamie is given a sip of wine. His grandma drinks beer.  
  • Noah tells his new friend that some kids smoke cigarettes at the park. 
  • Noah goes into a bar to look for his brother. Two old men were drinking “large glasses of beer.” 

Language  

  • Heck is used five times. 
  • Darn is used once. 
  • Damn is used twice.  
  • Noah explains his family dynamics, saying, “Mom sometimes calls me her genius child, which I know secretly pisses Jamie off.” 
  • Oh my lord and OMG are each used as exclamations once. 
  • Noah gets sick after going to bed with wet hair. His grandma says, “Sleeping with a cold, wet head hat, what kind of fool are you? My God, you’re as hot as hellfire.” 
  • The kids at school call Noah a “nerd” and “teacher’s pet.” 
  • Jamie thinks he is an idiot. 
  • When a classmate is mean to Jamie, his friend asks, “Jeez, what’s up her butt?” 
  • Noah skips school to go look for his brother. Afterward, his mom asks, “What in dickens are you thinking, Noah?” 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None

Manatee Summer

Peter and his best friend, Tommy, have a goal for their last summer before middle school: finish their Discovery Journal, a catalog of the wildlife around their Florida town. When they spot a manatee in a canal, Peter knows they’ve found something special—and when the manatee is injured by a boat, something to protect! 

As Peter joins the fight to save Florida manatees, he also finds himself caring for his ailing grandfather and facing an unwelcome surprise that jeopardizes his friendship with Tommy. Soon, Peter is adrift, navigating shifting tides and realizing that he has as much to discover about himself as he does about the world around him. 

Manatee Summer focuses on Peter, who is given “Official Caregiver Duty” for his grandfather, Papa, who has Alzheimer’s. Peter believes that if he is the best caregiver ever, Papa won’t have times of confusion. Caring for Papa is stressful and, at times, Peter doesn’t know what to do. However, he doesn’t reach out to others for help because he doesn’t want anyone to know about Papa’s condition. Many readers will relate to Peter, who longs for a summer of freedom and fun, but instead faces family expectations and secrets. Like most middle-grade readers, Peter is trying to understand his own conflicting emotions and find his place in the world.  

Peter’s family obligations often conflict with Peter’s friendship with his best friend Tommy. Tommy has been hiding a secret of his own, and when Peter discovers this, he pretends that Tommy doesn’t exist. Peter’s relationships with his friends and family interfere with his desire to help the manatees. With everything going on in his life, Peter often feels powerless because “even if I can make a difference, it won’t fix everything. . . manatees will still be at risk. Animals all over the world will still be at risk. The problem is too big—so big it might just swallow me whole.”  

Manatee Summer tackles the difficult subject of Alzheimer’s in a child-friendly way that helps readers understand Peter’s feelings. Peter’s relationship with Tommy and his budding interest in activism are woven into the story, allowing readers to see how interconnected all his relationships are. In the end, Peter learns the importance of using his voice in his personal life and in public. The story also highlights that people are imperfect and that we often need to view others with compassion and understanding. The book’s only problem is that there are a few instances in which Peter reflects on morality. For instance, Cassidy, a young woman who works at a manatee rescue center, lies, saying she doesn’t hate public speaking. Afterward, Peter thinks, “Maybe it’s okay [to lie] if morality is relative.” Adults may want to discuss morality with younger readers.  

Manatee Summer is an engaging story that highlights the importance of caring for the natural world. Peter struggles with the changes in his life and his fear of public speaking. With the help of his family, Peter shows personal growth and realizes that fighting for what matters—friendship, family, and the manatee—is truly important. And although he cannot fix every problem in the world, he can make a difference in the lives of the manatees and the people in his community. Readers who want to learn more about helping wildlife should also read the Vet Volunteers Series by Laurie Halse Anderson and the Rescuing Animals from Disasters Series by Stephen Person. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • Peter is on “Official Caregiver Duty” for his grandfather, Papa, who has Alzheimer’s. Peter has to give Papa his pills “at three o’clock.”  
  • During a hurricane, both Peter and Papa are injured and have to go to the hospital. The nurse gives them both painkillers. 
  • At a restaurant, a woman sings about “heartache and whiskey.” 

Language  

  • Jerk is used five times. For instance, Tommy tells Peter, “I don’t think you’re a jerk, though. You did act like a jerk. But that doesn’t mean you are a jerk.” 
  • One of the neighbors tells her husband, “Be nice, Eddie, Lord save you.” 
  • Oh God, God, and dear God are used as exclamations nine times.  
  • While talking to an adult, Peter’s mom says, “I swear to God, if you say another word to me about my son. . . you are not going to like what happens next.” 
  • An older man who is receiving physical therapy tells the therapist he “doesn’t need any dang help.” 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • When Peter goes to Emerald Springs State Park, he calls his mom to let her know they arrived. She replies, “Thank God.” 

The Stage of Shadows

Hana has always dreamed of becoming a K-pop idol. When she earns a scholarship to K-Pop Academy, Seoul’s most prestigious training school, she’s determined to work hard to make her dreams come true. However, when she arrives, she encounters the dark whispers of demons who are slowly taking over the school, feeding on fear and chaos. With her new friends, Hana must learn to fight against the darkness and protect everything she cares about. 

After Hana witnesses the shadowy forces behind the strange occurrences at K-Pop Academy, Principal Lee reveals that demons have infiltrated the school and are exploiting the students’ doubt and impacting their performance on stage. She recruits Hana to lead a team that will protect the school and fight back against the demons. Hana, along with her new friends Tae and Nari, forms the K-pop group AURA. At dance performances, the group attempts to fend off the demons and prevent them from infecting the students with fear. However, during a training session, Nari is pulled into a mirror dimension by demons. To rescue her, Hana teams up with her enemy, Soojin, hoping to reach perfect unity through dance and pierce the darkness. After much practice, the group is able to break through the mirror and pull Nari out, sealing the demons away. Soojin joins AURA, and together they become a bright K-pop group that promises to defend the academy from the demons. 

Hana, the main character, goes through the “new kid” school experience. However, the fast-paced nature of the book largely skips over Hana’s school struggles, which limits her relatability. Upon arriving at the academy, she instantly makes enemies with the school’s “Miss Perfect” and becomes friends with Tae and Nari. Despite being new, Hana is strong, confident, and determined to help her friends, making her a likable protagonist. Through her leadership and treatment of others, she provides a good role model for the reader. Her friends lift her up when she begins to doubt if she belongs. The interactions between Hana and her friends are charming, and while the other characters are underdeveloped, they make a strong group that serves as the heart of the story. 

As the debut work of author Mina Finch, The Stage of Shadows is imperfect. The book jumps straight into the mystery, and the fast-paced beginning leaves no time for the characters to develop. Instead, the plot focuses on hunting and battling demons, leaving the day-to-day experience of a K-Pop Academy student behind. Thus, some character details are not entirely clear, and some plot points feel somewhat random and convenient to the story rather than sufficiently developed and earned. However, the imperfect plot and inconsistencies do not detract from the book’s excitement and intrigue, and it delivers a good, albeit slightly repetitive, story arc that introduces the audience to the world of K-Pop Academy. 

The Stage of Shadows is marketed to K-Pop Demon Hunters fans and borrows elements from the hit movie, including special weapons to defeat demons and seal them back with song. However, the story makes enough additions to offer a fresh take on the premise of K-Pop Demon Hunters, including demons that feed on fear and inhabit a mirror “in between” dimension. It is clear the book was made to capitalize on the movie’s massive popularity. 

The book explores the themes of friendship and confidence. It promotes connection and kindness through its characters’ actions, such as the protagonist, Hana, working with her “frenemy,” Soojin, to save their friend, Nari. It mentions social classes within the academy but does not fully develop its potential to address the social and ethnic hierarchy of Korean society. However, it keeps the themes simple for its age range while drawing some attention to the unfairness of the social structure. 

K-Pop Academy: The Stage of Shadows immerses the reader in the world of K-pop, providing a behind-the-scenes view of the culture and training of the famous idols. It seamlessly blends action and demon-fighting with the art of musical performance while delivering a solid beginning to a series with great potential. The Stage of Shadows is sure to entertain young readers and satisfy those who are looking for an extension of their K-Pop Demon Hunters obsession. 

Sexual Content 

  • None 

 Violence 

  • Two students get into a physical fight. There is no description of the actual fight. 
  • Hana fights a demon during a vocal performance. “She pivoted low and swept her leg through the air, and the shadow shimmered against her kick. She flipped again, arms slicing down. . . pinned the shadow under her, and slammed it down onto the polished floor.” The demon dies. The scene is described over a page.
  • Principal Lee gives Hana, Tae, and Nari a sword, bow, and daggers. The girls use them to fight and defeat demons. During one battle, “Their daggers and bow slashed through the air in practiced rhythm. They leapt, spun, and landed together, striking the floor at the same time. The shadows hissed and shattered.” 
  • Tae fights a demon. “She grabbed the wriggling shadow by its tail, whipping it back and forth against the wall like a wet towel. Whack. Whack. Whack. It let out a hiss and popped into smoke.” 
  • During a performance, demons attack and burn the lead singer. “Her feet skidded out of sync. Something dark, a faint gray line, shimmered over her wrist. She pressed a hand to it, eyes wide. Then a beat later, her perfect smile was back, but her other hand trembled faintly as she raised the mic.” 
  • When the girls are practicing, they are attacked by demons. “Hana swung. Her blade cut through the air and shadow both, leaving a trail of light that hissed like steam. The thing recoiled, reforming instantly.” The demons capture Nari and drag her into a mirror. 

Drugs and Alcohol 

  • None 

Language 

  • Soojin calls others “clumsy buffalos.” 
  • “Unnie” is used as a term for a new student. It is sometimes used rudely. 
  • Hana is referred to as a “dirt spoon” to represent her low social standing among the students. “Silver spoon” and “gold spoon” are used to refer to higher social tiers. 
  • The girls talk about Soojin behind her back, referencing nepotism many times. 

Supernatural 

  • In the book, there are demons called Eoduksini that come from the underworld and feed off of fear and doubt. They latch onto people and enhance their fear. 
  • Hana’s grandmother describes someone as having “the fire of a demon in her.” 
  • After two girls get in a fight, Hana describes it “as if they’d been possessed.” 
  • Jason uses a demon-detection device to sense demons. It can also sense Nari’s life energy when she is pulled into the mirror. 
  • A demon pulls Nari through a mirror into another dimension “between here and. . . there.” 
  • Demons are said to hate red ink. 
  • The girls use runes to save Nari from the mirror. 

Spiritual Content  

  • Demons are not referred to in a religious context. 

by Brent Krueger

The Abduction

When his best friend, April, disappears from her bedroom in the middle of the night, no one, not even Theodore Boone—who knows April better than anyone—has answers. As fear ripples through his small hometown and the police hit dead ends, it’s up to Theo to use his legal knowledge and investigative skills to chase down the truth and save April. 

The Abduction focuses on Theo as he follows the clues, looking for April. The story involves Leeper, a distant relative of April, who has just gotten out of jail. Theo’s determination and worry over April make him likable. However, to find his friend, Theo takes off with his uncle Ike, even though he knows his parents would disapprove. In addition, Theo convinces his friend to lie for him. While his intentions are honorable—save his friend—his deceit is intentional. After finding April, Theo calls his parents to explain why he lied to them and receives no punishment. 

Since the book is written from Theo’s point of view, much of the action is only seen through his perspective. Instead of being an active participant, Theo watches the investigation. For example, when police find a body in the river, Theo and his friends watch from a hillside. This provides readers with a buffer between the crime’s harshness and the information they receive. The book stays accessible to younger readers because they witness the characters’ fear from the outside rather than feeling it themselves. 

When Theo and his uncle find April, the scene is anti-climactic because she was never in any real danger. After she is found, they take a long car ride back home, and the book ends with a court hearing involving April and her parents. The lack of action makes The Abduction best suited for readers who enjoy learning about police investigations and character motives. Even though the book isn’t as action-packed as other books in the series, Theo is an interesting protagonist who gives readers an inside look at criminal investigations.  

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • April says her parents are “crazy” and have “drug convictions.” 
  • April’s mom left her alone at night because “her mother was taking pills and losing her mind.” 
  • Leeper, a relative of April, bought “cigarettes and beer.” 
  • A man who is mentioned once spent most of the evening in his favorite bar, drinking his favorite cheap beer. 
  • Theo’s uncle Ike represented a client who was “convicted for operating a small-time drug ring.” 
  • When Theo went to visit Ike, he had a “bottle of beer already opened.” 
  • Theo and Ike go to a frat party. “Theo had never seen so many cans of beer in his young life. Girls were dancing on the porch as their dates watched them and smoked cigarettes.” Theo also sees two cans of beer. 
  • April says her father’s band drinks and does drugs.

Language  

  • Theo’s mom says, “Oh, my God” one time. 
  • April says “Omigosh” once. 
  • Theo thinks his mother is “a Nazi about his cell phone bill.” 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • When April returned home, “the entire town took a deep breath, smiled, and thanked God for a miracle.” 

Orca in Open Water

When an orca is rescued from an Oceanarium, a less reputable aquarium, and brought to Seaside Sanctuary, the seaside marine biology facility where her parents work, Elsa Roth is excited to help with the animal’s care and rehabilitation. It’s a crucial step before it can be released into the wild. But the whale has been in captivity for a long time. It’s up to Elsa and the rest of the sanctuary staff to teach the animal how to live on its own — the whale’s survival depends on it. 

Elsa and Olivia are excited to join a month-long expedition aboard a ship to research orcas near the San Juan Islands in the Pacific Northwest. On their first day out, they find a baby orca who has been separated from his pod. The two girls immediately jump in to help capture the starving orca. The girls are admirable because they both care deeply about animals and are willing to help in any capacity, including handling slimy, live fish. In this installment of the Seaside Sanctuary, the girls spend much of their time learning about orcas. 

The story’s conflict centers on a dispute over what is best for August, a baby orca who has become separated from his pod. The sanctuary staff believes the orca should be returned to his pod. On the other hand, Oceanarium wants August to live in their facility and eventually be showcased in live performances. From the beginning, Oceanarium is villainized. For instance, Oceanarium is compared to a prison, where the animals are “thrust into a cell with a total stranger.” The book goes on to explain, “Oceanarium is a company whose goal is to make money. They capture young mammals, like bottlenose dolphins and orcas, plus other animals like seals, and train them to do tricks in shows. It’s not natural for the animals, and it’s cruel.” In its effort to show the importance of rehabilitating animals and returning them to the wild, Orca in Open Water’s portrayal of Oceanarium is one-sided.  

Anyone who has been to SeaWorld will make the connection between the two marine mammal parks, which may upset younger readers. Despite this, Orca in Open Water will appeal to animal-loving readers. The story is told in ten short chapters, and each begins with a black-and-white illustration. The end of the book includes a glossary, discussion questions, writing prompts, and additional information about orcas. The books in the Seaside Sanctuary Series can be read in any order because each tells a new adventure.   

Overall, Orca in Open Water is a fast-paced, entertaining story that gives readers an in-depth look at orca culture. Like the other installments in the series, the book highlights the importance of humans keeping away from wild animals so they can be returned to their natural habitat. The main characters, Elsa and Olivia, act like typical middle graders just learning how to fight for a cause. Their adventure shows the importance of advocating for those without a voice, like August. Plus, the beautiful ending depicts August being reunited with his family, one very similar to a human family. 

Sexual Content  

  • None

Violence  

  • While visiting Oceanarium, Elsa learns that the orcas “attack each other and fight, which they never do in the wild. Some orcas have even killed others because they’re just tossed in a tank together. They even attacked the trainers and hurt them.” 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

Crash From Outer Space: Unraveling the Mystery of Flying Saucers, Alien Beings, and Roswell

In 1947, during the early years of the Cold War, a field in Roswell, New Mexico was disturbed by a strange crash and smattering of debris. Some say the bodies of extraterrestrial beings were strewn across the ground, that a UFO had crashed there, and that the government was covering up the evidence in a massive conspiracy. But what really happened at Roswell? 

The infamous “crash from outer space” has become a fixture in our culture, inspiring a surge of UFO sightings and conspiracy theories. But at its heart is the story of military scientists, a city on the brink of the Cold War, and a debris field scattered with mystery. What was it that actually crashed at Roswell? Were alien bodies found? Was it Russian spies? Secret military technology? And did the government try to hide what they found? 

Crash From Outer Space takes an in-depth look at the witnesses and evidence surrounding the Roswell UFO sightings, beginning with the first evidence that came to light—a press release from the military. Fleming expertly walks readers through all of the evidence, and at times explains why it was deemed “bogus.” Since most of the physical evidence was taken by the military, there is a lot of speculation about what it actually proved. Readers who want to play detective and have all the clues point in one direction will be disappointed. Many of the clues in Crash From Outer Space can be interpreted in several ways, and even today, not everyone agrees about what happened in Roswell. 

Most of the evidence comes from witnesses, so it is important for readers to assess the credibility of each source. Crash From Outer Space forces readers to think critically about whether witness testimony and the information presented are credible by using criteria for weighing evidence, such as whether the witness is an expert and whether other experts have studied the information. The book also discusses the validity of witnesses who “merely repeated what someone else had said.” Furthermore, there are many instances of “extraordinary evidence” given. To help readers think critically about the evidence, Fleming breaks down the basic principles of critical thinking into five categories. This allows readers to put the information into perspective and use the scientific method to determine if the evidence is reliable.  

Using news reports, witness testimony, photographs, and other evidence, Crash From Outer Space allows readers to examine the complicated history of the Roswell alien crash. Fleming breaks down the information into manageable sections and includes black-and-white illustrations, photographs, and historical documents. This information helps readers understand why experts don’t always agree. For example, the book shows photographs of lights in the sky, which some believe prove aliens have visited Earth. Despite the large amount of information, the book is easy to read and engaging. 

Crash From Outer Space is a must-read book for anyone interested in UFOs. Moreover, any young person who wants to understand the importance of evaluating evidence should read the book. In today’s world of fake news, chatbots, and AI, Crash From Outer Space challenges readers to look at evidence objectively and warns that people often trust witnesses even when they are not credible. This book helps readers develop media literacy and critical thinking skills and learn to analyze both sides of the story. Anyone who wants to understand the Roswell incident better will love Crash From Outer Space.  

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • During World War II, the United States dropped “atomic bombs—more powerful than anything previously made by humankind—on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. The bombs had essentially vaporized both cities, and killed a quarter of a million people.”  

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None

Language  

  • None

Supernatural 

  • None

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

On Pins and Needles

Zoey Webber returns in the second installment of the Sew Zoey series, reentering the familiar yet evolving landscape of middle school with her characteristic creativity and resolve. The narrative returns readers to Zoey’s world, sustaining the series’ momentum. Defining moments emerge, including Zoey’s anticipation of meeting her fashion idol, her first crush, and her decision to enter an important sewing competition. At the same time, the story introduces a more complex emotional conflict. Misunderstandings create tension between Zoey and her two close friends, testing her views on loyalty. The central question becomes whether Zoey can fix her struggling friendships before they fall apart, while still chasing her dreams and holding on to her confidence. 

On Pins and Needles continues the journey of 12-year-old Zoey as her DIY fashion blog gains momentum, expanding both her creative voice and her presence in the emerging social media landscape. Each chapter opens with a blog entry addressed directly to her followers, offering insight into her daily life and the designs currently taking shape in her imagination. A school football game sparks one of her earliest creations, an unexpected dress inspired by the comfort of a sports jersey, a soft, breathable knit fabric known for its stretch. Zoey reflects, “That’s what I love about making clothes: all the happy surprises that it brings!” 

Zoey’s network of support grows stronger, highlighting how resilience is built through connections with others. Cecily Chen, her fashion idol, steps into a mentoring role, helping Zoey move past school tensions and think strategically about her brand. Jan, the fabric store owner, proudly connects them at a book signing, while Aunt Lulu and Zoey’s immediate family provide steady emotional grounding at home. The return of a mysterious benefactor whose earlier kindness shaped Zoey’s journey in the first story underscores the power of encouragement. Together, these figures model perseverance, generosity, and integrity, giving Zoey clear examples of how to carry herself with confidence.  

In the previous book, boys were not something Zoey spent much time thinking about. In On Pins and Needles, a classmate named Lorenzo enters the picture, prompting Zoey to question her confidence in her appearance. For the first time, she feels jealousy as she watches him pay attention to her best friend, Kate, while openly rejecting her during a lunchroom conversation. The humiliation that follows is a reaction many twelve-year-old girls will recognize. The text explains, “It wasn’t as if Zoey didn’t get attention herself these days, but it was for her clothes, and that felt very different from getting attention for her looks.”  

“I will not be jealous,” Zoey tells herself, even as she struggles with her feelings toward Kate. At the same time, Cecily Chen invites Zoey to enter a sewing contest in which the winning design will be reproduced and sold in stores. With only five days to create something, the pressure mounts. It is an exciting opportunity, yet Zoey feels increasingly strained as tension with Kate deepens, fueled by her lingering feelings of rejection and jealousy over Lorenzo. The situation worsens when she misses a soccer tournament she had promised to attend, allowing readers to sense the growing distance between the girls. As the text notes, “Zoey had never gone so many days without talking to Kate, and she realized she missed her a lot.” Complicating matters further, Zoey becomes entangled in a misunderstanding with her close friend Libby, whose aunt is one of the contest judges. Libby begins to question whether Zoey’s friendship is genuine or influenced by this family connection to the competition and its prize. Caught between ambition, loyalty, and insecurity, Zoey reaches a difficult emotional crossroads, and readers can feel her inner turmoil. 

On Pins and Needles opens each chapter with illustrations that offer a visual glimpse of what Zoey’s sketches might look like, without directly showing her sketchbook or blog. Zoey continues to treat her blog as a diary, sharing candid reflections with her followers about the highs and lows of creative expression. Concerned about her privacy, her father intervenes by logging into the blog and editing her posts, believing he is protecting her. Instead, his actions add another misunderstanding, intensifying the strain already building within her friendships. 

The story thoughtfully uses metaphor to explore the effort required to repair strained relationships. Zoey describes her situation as a “friendship emergency,” comparing it to mending fabric. “You take threads from the fabric itself and use it to fill in the hole, so it basically disappears. . . They say it is just as strong, if not stronger, in the end.” 

As in the first story, specific vocabulary is intentionally introduced, including terms such as “accordion pleats,” “basting stitches,” and “tracing wheel.” The text also incorporates fabric terminology such as “ikat” and “ombré,” along with technical terms from fashion, such as “muslin test dress” and “adjustable dress form.” These specialized terms are supported through clear textual context, allowing readers to build understanding and reinforce new vocabulary without disrupting comprehension.  

As the second book in the series, On Pins and Needles delivers all the elements of an engaging read and leaves readers eager to follow Zoey’s journey. The story closes with relief and resolution, rewarding readers as Zoey works through misunderstandings and restores her friendships. The dual backdrop of Zoey’s creative world and her relatable school life provides an ideal setting for teens to confront difficult emotions, make sense of them, and ultimately find a positive way forward. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • None  

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

by Maureen Lowe 

American Dog: Poppy

The summer before sixth grade, Hannah and her family moved to California. Hannah has no friends, and she doesn’t know what to do with herself. With a large birthmark on her face, Hannah feels like an outcast, and she’s nervous about making friends. After her family settles into their new house, Hannah finds an unruly pit bull named Poppy. Hannah connects with Poppy because they’re both judged on appearances—Hannah for her birthmark, Poppy for being a pit bull. Hannah discovers that the dog, Poppy, belongs to her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Gilly, who is recovering from surgery and can no longer manage an energetic dog, so she may have to return Poppy to the shelter. Hannah is distraught, but when Mrs. Gilly sees how much she cares for Poppy, she makes Hannah a deal. If Hannah can get Poppy certified as an obedient dog that follows commands, Mrs. Gilly will be able to keep her, which means Hannah won’t lose her only friend. 

Hannah struggles to connect with the other neighborhood girls her age, especially Sophia, who makes mean comments about Hannah’s birthmark. Because she has no friends, Hannah spends her summer attending a dog obedience class with Poppy. Throughout the summer, Hannah contends with bullies, Poppy’s frustrating inability to follow instructions, and the loss of her home. Hannah is an interesting and inspiring character because of how she deals with her struggles as an anxious tween. The way she conquers her fears feels realistic. Many of her issues come from her interpreting situations with paranoia, leaving her feeling ostracized when that’s not actually what’s happening—like when she decides that everyone at the dog training class is judging her skills with Poppy, but in reality, not many people notice. Poppy forces Hannah into new situations that ultimately help her adapt to her new environment in a beautiful way. Hannah’s relationship with Poppy is incredibly sweet, and they help each other become less anxious.  

That said, a few details could be improved. For example, the book is predictable and repeats the same patterns. For example, two cakes are destroyed in two similar situations with dissimilar outcomes—but these outcomes don’t show Hannah’s or Poppy’s character development. Additionally, Sophia’s two best friends, who disapprove of Sophia bullying Hannah, are too similar and would be better suited to the story as a single character. Sophia’s two friends both fawn over Poppy, love animals, surf a lot, and welcome Hannah with open arms. Even though they’re friends with Sophia, they cheer Hannah on. These characters don’t affect the story much, and it would be similar if they were a single character.  

American Dog: Poppy has well-developed themes that suit the intended audience of middle school kids perfectly. The way the author dissects anxiety from Hannah’s perspective is accurate. Many readers will feel empowered by reading about how Hannah conquers her fears and makes new friends. One primary theme includes not judging things by their appearance. 

For the animal lovers and those who like coming-of-age stories, Poppy’s enthusiasm and Hannah’s brave evolution will be a fun read. This book is full of moments when pets emotionally support their owners, new friendships, and second chances—especially when Hannah takes Poppy in, giving Poppy a second chance. It’s wonderful to read how Hannah comes into her own as a protagonist and grows when challenged. Overall, this is a delightful story with a beautiful message: things are never as bad as you think, especially when you have good friends. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • The story includes bullying, but it never escalates to physical altercation. However, Hannah is often excluded or looked at strangely. For example, Hannah is often bullied by Sophia, a new neighbor. When Hannah first meets Sophia, Sophia reacts poorly to Hannah’s birthmark. Sophia says, “What’s wrong with her face?” This makes Hannah feel insecure. Throughout the book, Sophia tries to exclude Hannah from her friend group by making comments like these. 
  • Much of Sophia’s bullying also comes from Poppy’s actions. At Sophia’s dog’s party, Poppy eats the entire dog cake, leaving none for the other dogs. Again, Sophia reacts poorly and says to Hannah, “I knew it was a mistake to invite you.” Hannah leaves the party in tears.  
  • At the obedience class graduation party, Poppy plays with a terrier dog. The terrier dog ruins a cake meant for the dogs while playing with Poppy. The owner, Carol, is offended. Carol blames Poppy for engaging with the terrier, and, by extension, Hannah for her dog’s mistake. Carol says to Hannah, “Your dog has been nothing but trouble all summer. . . your dog is a menace.”  

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural  

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

by Kate Schuyler 

Time Cat

Gareth doesn’t have nine lives, but he is definitely not an ordinary cat. For one thing, he can talk. For another, he has magical powers that Jason never dreamed of. Gareth tells Jason he can take them traveling through time, “Anywhere, any time, any country, any century.” And in the wink of a very special cat’s eye, they’re off. From ancient Egypt to Japan, from the land of young Leonardo da Vinci to the town of a woman accused of witchcraft, Jason and Gareth are whisked from place to place and friend to foe. This fantastic tale grabs the imagination and takes it far and wide, on the adventure of not one, but nine, amazing lifetimes. 

The first country Jason and Gareth visit is Egypt in 2700 B.C., where King Neter-Khet becomes angry when he cannot command Gareth to “purr and make himself agreeable to pharaoh.” Neter-Khet’s attempts add humor, especially since he doesn’t understand why cats don’t listen to his commands. In the end, the king learns that even he cannot command a cat. This trip reinforces the idea that “you should be you.” 

The second time jump sends them to Rome and Britain in 55 B.C., when Julius Caesar was fighting in Gaul. Although Caesar does not appear, Jason is taken in by Caesar’s legions, and Gareth becomes their mascot. During a battle, Jason and Gareth flee and end up in Cerdic Longtooth’s village. At first, Cerdic is afraid of Gareth, but soon he appreciates that the cat keeps mice away from their winter stores. The section ends with Cerdic’s new understanding of cats. 

The next time-travel adventures share the same pattern. Jason and Gareth jump to a new historical location where locals often have false ideas about cats. However, Gareth shows how cats benefit humans. This story often lacks details about each time period. For example, Jason visits Ireland in 411 A.D., where he meets Patrick. While the story hints that this is Saint Patrick, readers who do not have knowledge of the man’s history will not understand Patrick’s statement: “Underneath it all there is some purpose, some reason I should be here. What it may be is hidden from me now.”  

Jason travels to Japan in 998 A.D., where he meets the emperor, and then to Italy in 1468, where he meets Leonardo da Vinci. The next time jump takes them to Peru in 1555, where Jason meets Dom Diego, a prominent Spanish conquistador, who briefly mentions the conquerors’ thirst for gold. However, Dom Diego is portrayed as an honorable man who was more interested in knowledge than wealth. The next jump takes the protagonist to a small fishing village on the Isle of Man in 1588, followed by Germany in 1600, where Jason learns about the witch trials. The final time jump sends them to America in 1775, where Jason meets a peddler who is spreading word of the revolution.  

On each leg of the trip, Jason learns a valuable lesson, including the following:  

  • Beauty is on the inside, not on the face.  
  • Practicing essential skills is important.  
  • You should only worry about what’s happening right now.  
  • “Trying to make someone do what they aren’t really good at is foolish.”  
  • Greed can be dangerous, especially if you try to snatch wealth without putting effort into honest work.  
  • It is important to take time to think and watch. “Just because you’ve seen something, it doesn’t mean you stop looking. There’s always something you didn’t see before.” 

Time Cat will appeal to a wide range of readers, from history buffs to cat-lovers. The story takes readers on an action-packed journey through time. Along the way, Jason meets many historical figures. While readers may not recognize all of them, this doesn’t detract from the book’s enjoyment. Each stop is brief, so it doesn’t offer readers an in-depth view of the period. This keeps the action moving while still weaving in important lessons. At the end of the trip, Gareth tells Jason, “If you think back, everybody we met had something to tell you—about themselves, and about yourself. It’s a way of finding out a part of what you have to know to be a grown-up.” But the book doesn’t just look to the past; it ends on a hopeful note, with Jason excited about making his own adventures in his time. Best of all, Time Cat introduces fun facts about cats, historical figures, and significant events in history that will inspire readers to explore these topics further. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • Jason was sent to his room because he “punched his younger brother in the ribs for laughing at him” and talked back to his mother. 
  • In Egypt, the king orders Jason to be fed to the crocodiles.  
  • Caesar’s legions land on “Britannia’s chalky cliffs” and are immediately welcomed with arrows. As Jason tries to keep pace with the legion, “arrows sang through the air. The legionaries hurled their spears. Howling and shrieking, the Britons poured across the beach.”  
  • Jason falls behind and is chased by a charioteer. Jason runs “plunging into the woods, running blindly, going deeper and deeper.”  
  • While in the woods, an animal attacks Gareth. “Gareth grappled with the animal in mid-air. Two bodies thrashed on the ground and turned into a spinning, spitting ball. One screamed.” Jason was so intent on watching Gareth that Cedric Longtooth is able to approach unnoticed. “In front of [Jason] stood a bearded man dressed in skins. He held a long, ugly spear pointed at Jason’s throat.” The man’s wife scolds him and welcomes Jason as a guest.  
  • According to Cedric Longtooth, “when we catch somebody from beyond the woods, we simply chop them up. But you’re an invader, and some of us have suggested it might be more correct to burn you in a basket.” 
  • A girl finds a snake in her room. To protect her, Gareth attacks. “Before the serpent could strike, Gareth caught it behind its flat skull. The serpent’s tail lashed out and wound around Gareth’s body. Over and over, the fighters rolled across the floor.” The fight is described over two pages. The serpent dies. 
  • Patrick talks about how he came to be in Ireland. King Niall of the Nine Hostages kidnapped Patrick and his two sisters. He says, “They took us all, to sell as slaves. . . They tied us up, carried us to the boat, and sailed away.” 
  • Ichigo, the Emperor of Japan, had been allowing his uncle Fujiwara to make all of the decisions. When Ichigo begins to issue commands, Fujiwara blames Jason and “seized Jason by the hair.” Ichigo saves Jason and tells his uncle, “You dare threaten your Emperor? I could have you boiled in oil! Humble yourself in the Celestial Presence!” 
  • While in Peru, Jason is walking when he runs into Inca warriors. “One of the warriors whirled a three-stranded rope with heavy metal balls at the ends. An instant later, Jason and Gareth lay on the ground, tangled in the weighted cords. Lances leveled, the Incas moved forward.” The Incas demand a ransom, which Dom Diego pays by promising to try to show the Conquerors that the Incas are men of peace. 
  • On the Isle of Man, the protagonists meet a cat named Dulcinea and her kittens. Dulcinea was aboard a ship when it sank. Luckily, a sailor had put the cats in a barrel that floated to the island.   
  • In a small village in 1600s Germany, people thought cats had devils hiding in them. “Two days ago, the witch hunters drowned fifty and burned another fifty. Poor suffering animals.”  
  • In order to steal a woman’s land, Master Speckfresser says, “The town council takes over the property of a witch—after she has been duly roasted, of course.”  
  • After Master Speckfresser accuses a woman of witchcraft, Jason reveals that Speckfresser was using spells to call demons. Speckfresser threatens Jason with a “sickle-shaped knife. Jason dodged the sweeping blade. . . Jason leaped from one side to the other, as the knife whistled around his ears.” The guards appear at the door, accompanied by a miller named Johannes, who has been placed under arrest.  
  • Johannes, Master Speckfresser, Jason, and another woman are taken to the judge. “Johannes jumped up. With one motion of his powerful arms, he tipped over the judges’ table. The sheets of parchment went flying. . . Seizing a chair in one hand, the burly miller laid out [a guard]. A window smashed. One of the miller’s fists sent a guard sprawling to the wall.” All of the accused witches escape and leave town. 
  • In 1775 America, Jason and Gareth witness a battle between the British and the Americans. “Jason saw the Regulars level their rifles. The farmers hesitated, then moved forward. The sword of the British officer flashed downward. . . The Minutemen raced through the drifting smoke towards the Regulars, firing, reloading, crouching behind hillocks and large clumps of grass. . .  There was a second volley of musket fire. Jason heard a man cry out and saw another slump to the ground.”  
  • During the attack, Jason is with a peddler, who is called Professor Parker. “Another volley came from the Regulars. Professor Parker staggered against the wagon. Jason leaped down. The professor was pressing his hands against his chest. His face had gone gray.” The book implies that the professor dies. Jason takes a horse and goes for reinforcements. The battle is described over three pages.

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None

Language  

  • When Gareth purrs at Cedric Longtooth, he exclaims, “By the Druid’s beard. I believe he does like me!” 
  • A girl calls Jason a “stupid boy.” Later someone calls him a “foolish boy.”  
  • In Ireland, a man calls someone a “porridge-headed fool.” 
  • Jason and Gareth are called “two unworthy and totally useless specks of dust.” 
  • A woman calls a suitor a “black-haired lummox.” 
  • Several times, Master Speckfresser is called a “greedy gobbler.” 
  • A man calls the townspeople who believe in witches “stupid fools.” 
  • In 1775 America, the British soldiers are referred to as Lobsterbacks.  

Supernatural 

  • Gareth can take Jason on trips through time. The magic isn’t explained, other than that the two jump in time when Gareth blinks. 
  • In Ireland, they meet a magician named Lugad. “All he needs to do is cast a spell, and the rats and all the creepy, crawly things go away.” Lugad tells people that he has killed all the snakes. When a snake is in the girl’s room, Lugad says, “An evil spirit. An evil spirit if I ever saw one. . . This is the ghost of a serpent.” 
  • Patrick tells a girl, “There are no magic beasts, only God’s creatures as you see them, and no spells worth the saying of them.  
  • In 998 A.D. Japan, a trader says cats can tell the time of day and predict the weather. 
  • Sailors used to believe having a cat on the boat was good luck.  
  • Jason peeks into a house and sees a German man “wearing what looked like a nightshirt painted with strange designs. . . He dropped a pinch of something on the glowing coals, and a cloud of smoke puffed up.” The man is performing a ritual, trying to call forth a spirit. During the ritual, he exclaims, “By the spirit of Zazamonkh. . . Asmodeus! Ahriman! Beelzebub! Appear! I command you!” Nothing happens. 
  • In a small village in 1600s Germany, many people are accused of being witches. A woman explains, “Somebody—I don’t even know who—started the idea that there were witches here. Since then, we’ve had no peace. If anyone stubs his toe or gets sick, if anyone’s garden doesn’t grow right—there’s a witch to blame!” 
  • A woman explains why there aren’t many cats in the village. “There’s no kind of worriment or wickedness they won’t put on a cat. Cats have the evil eye to bewitch whatever they look at. They can turn themselves invisible or fly through the air. They take the shape of a witch, and a witch takes the shape of a cat.” 

Spiritual Content  

  • Jason and Gareth travel to Egypt when cats are worshiped. Gareth explained, “[The Egyptians] have all kinds of sacred animals, but the cat—ah, the cat is most important. We’re sacred to the great goddess Ubaste of the Sun and Moon.” 
  • Jason and Gareth arrive in Egypt 2700 B.C. during a festival for the cat goddess. The priest chants the Hymn of the Cat. “Thy head is the head of the Sun-God, / Thy nose is the nose of Thoth. . . The whiskers are the rays of the Sun; Thine eyes hold the Sun and Moon.” The chant is nine lines long.  
  • The Egyptian priests believe Gareth’s white marking is “the mark of the sacred ankh, symbol of life.”  
  • King Neter-Khet believes he is a god whom everyone, including cats, should worship.  
  • According to one of Caesar’s legions, when one isn’t sure what to do, they should “ask for an omen.” When Petronius asks Jason and Gareth to travel with the legion, Jason is reluctant to join. Petronius prays, “O Mars, god of battles, mighty Jupiter, father of the gods, or whatever it is the regimental augur says. Shall this boy and this cat march with us? Give us a sign.” Gareth leaps onto the center of a shield, and Petronius takes that as a signal that Jason and Gareth should join the group.  
  • Cedric Longtooth asks a Druid if Gareth is good or bad luck. The Druid replies, “Some of our best families. . . pray to the spirit of the catamountain.” The Druid believes the cat is good luck.  

Star Wars: The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…. 

For the first time in years, the dark lord of the Sith, Darth Vader, was dreaming. In his dream, his son, Luke Skywalker, had fallen to the Dark Side and joined his father as his new apprentice. Vader’s longtime goal had been accomplished until his own Master, Emperor Palpatine, turned on them both. Startled awake, Vader wonders if this dream was a simple nightmare or a premonition of the future. 

Star Wars: The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader is an epic retelling of the first six Star Wars films (Episode I: The Phantom Menace to Episode VI: Return of the Jedi) entirely from the point of view of Anakin Skywalker, from his early childhood as a slave on Tatooine, to his heroics as a Jedi Knight, and his fall to the Dark Side as the evil Darth Vader, chronicling key events up to and including his redemption and death at the end of Return of the Jedi.  

The book begins with the dream serving as a prologue, shortly before the events of Episode VI. This leads Vader to reflect on his life—beginning with his earliest memory at three years old: Anakin and his mother first arriving on Tatooine. From that moment, the story progresses chronologically, with Anakin’s discovery by Qui-Gon Jinn, his training under Obi-Wan Kenobi, and the mounting pressures of the Clone Wars, the Chosen One prophecy, and an increasing fear of loss that eventually leads to his fall to the Dark Side. 

The concept of using dreams and memories as framing devices is a brilliant decision by author Ryder Windham. It shows that Vader is constantly haunted by the echoes of his past—namely, with the discovery that the Rebel pilot who destroyed the Death Star, Luke Skywalker, is in fact his son. The readers are placed inside Darth Vader’s mind and get to know his exact thoughts during pivotal moments in the saga. This framing is especially effective in providing additional context and emotional depth to Anakin’s fall to the Dark Side during the events of Revenge of the Sith, which otherwise felt rushed. 

It should be noted that this book now falls under Legends continuity—a distinction given to the old Expanded Universe, i.e., most Star Wars books, comics, games, and other media (minus the films and The Clone Wars) released prior to Lucasfilm’s acquisition by Disney in 2012. This means that this book is no longer considered part of the canon that connects to newer films, books, and other media released post-Disney, and instead exists in an alternate continuity. Despite this, The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader remains a faithful retelling of the first six films and stands on its own merits, even if it includes references to Expanded Universe material that is no longer canon. 

Overall, The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader serves both as an excellent retelling of the Star Wars saga and an insightful, emotional study into its main character, offering unparalleled insight into the mind and inner conflict of the most feared man in the galaxy. It is a great choice for middle-school readers who are ready to dive deep into an expanded, more reflective, and emotionally rich retelling of Episodes I-VI through the eyes of Darth Vader. 

Sexual Content 

  • During the events of Attack of the Clones, Anakin is reunited with Padme Amidala. After retreating to Naboo to protect her from threats of assassination, “They were standing on the garden terrace at a lodge that overlooked a lake, and Padme was wearing a gown that revealed the fair skin of her back and arms when Anakin cautiously leaned close to her face and kissed her.” The two fall in love over the course of the film and marry in secret. 

Violence 

  • In the prologue, Darth Vader dreams that Luke Skywalker has joined him on the Dark Side, only for Emperor Palpatine to attack them with Sith lightning. Luke screams as he is electrocuted, and Vader smells “roasting flesh” before awakening. The scene, while intense, is presented clearly as a nightmare. 
  • Shortly after Anakin and his mother arrive on Tatooine, an enslaved alien attempts to escape from captivity but is killed when an explosive device inside his body detonates. His remains are described as a “smoldering mess,” and Anakin is told this is what happens to slaves who try to flee. 
  • After the Battle of Naboo at the end of The Phantom Menace, Anakin learns that Qui-Gon has died in a lightsaber duel. “From Obi-Wan’s grim expression, Anakin knew what had happened. Qui-Gon Jinn was dead.”  
  • At the beginning of the events of Attack of the Clones, Padme’s ship is destroyed upon arrival on Coruscant, killing six people. A second assassination attempt that night results in a chase through the city. The would-be assassin is disarmed in combat and later killed by a poison dart before she can reveal who hired her. Anakin thought that the assassin “got what she deserved.” He knew that as a Jedi, he shouldn’t believe that anyone deserved to die, but he’d “thought it just the same.” 
  • Anakin’s mother is kidnapped and tortured by Tusken Raiders. He finds her tied up and barely alive. She soon dies in his arms. In his grief and rage, Anakin massacres the entire Tusken camp. Later, when speaking to Padme, Anakin admits openly to killing not just the men, “but the women, and the children, too.” Though he later admits shame, he also acknowledges, internally, disturbing satisfaction. 
  • During a duel with Count Dooku, Anakin is struck with Sith lightning and later has his arm severed in a lightsaber duel. He survives and receives a cybernetic arm. 
  • Three years later, in another duel with Dooku, Anakin cuts off the Sith’s hands and, at Palpatine’s urging, kills the unarmed prisoner. “Anakin rapidly uncrossed the blades, cleaving through Dooku’s neck. Dooku’s body collapsed alongside his hands, while his body rolled and thudded across the floor like an ill-shaped ball.” 
  • Anakin, desperate to learn the teachings of the Dark Side, allows Palpatine to kill Mace Windu with Sith lightning, pledging himself to the Sith. Given the name Darth Vader, he is then ordered to kill the remaining Jedi and Separatist leaders. “Now, so many years later, Vader reflected on all the Jedi he killed that day. Remembering the stunned expression of Mace Windu as he fell from Palpatine’s office window and the screams of the Jedi younglings and their teachers, he felt no remorse. . . Smoke had still been billowing from the Jedi Temple when Vader traveled to the volcanic world of Mustafar to kill the Separatist leaders in their hideout.” 
  • After being confronted by Padme on Mustafar, Anakin choked his wife for what he believed to be her treachery, which would eventually lead to her death. 
  • Obi-Wan and Anakin would engage in an exhausting duel. Besting his former apprentice, Obi-Wan severs Anakin’s legs and remaining arm. Anakin is left severely burned on the lava planet. His suffering is described: “His screams were filled with anger as well as pain, not unlike that of any entirely helpless creature.” He would ultimately survive and be placed in a life-support suit. 
  • Darth Vader kills a Rebel ship’s captain by choking him and snapping his neck. 
  • At Vader’s command, sandtroopers kill Owen and Beru Lars on Tatooine. Their burning homestead is described: “He found the sight of rising flames – even holograms of flames burning millions of lightyears away – to be most satisfying.”  
  • The Death Star destroys the entire planet of Alderaan in a test of its super laser, leading to the loss of billions of lives. The destruction is described as swift and total, with the planet being blown “to oblivion.” 
  • Obi-Wan confronts his old apprentice on the Death Star. Vader strikes Obi-Wan down during the duel, but to the Sith Lord’s surprise, Obi-Wan’s body completely vanishes upon death. 
  • Darth Vader kills Admiral Ozzel for making a tactical mistake that allowed the Rebels to raise a planetary shield. Ozzel is relieved not of his rank or position, but “of his life.” 
  • Vader severs Luke’s hand during a duel on Cloud City. “Luke screamed as Vader’s red blade swept through his right wrist, and watched with horror as his hand and lightsaber fell away into the deep reactor shaft.” Luke survives, and like his father, is given a cybernetic arm. 
  • A year later, Luke and Vader face off in a climactic lightsaber duel in the Emperor’s throne room aboard the second Death Star. Luke eventually bests his father, severing his mechanical hand. “As he fell back against the bridge’s railing, he was unable to stop Luke’s blade from severing his right wrist. Metal and electronic parts flew from Vader’s shattered stump, and his lightsaber clattered over the edge of the bridge and into the apparently bottomless shaft.” 
  • The Emperor attacks Luke with an intense bout of Sith lightning. Luke’s pain and suffering is described: “Vader watched Luke curl in a fetal position as the Emperor hurled an even more staggering wave of lightning at his victim.” He collapses and begs for his father’s help while Vader watches. 
  • Unable to let his son die, Vader uses his remaining strength to grab Palpatine and throw him down a reactor shaft. He heard “the explosion of dark energy that consumed the falling Emperor.” In doing so, Vader is redeemed.  
  • The injuries sustained by the emperor’s lightning did irreparable damage to Vader’s suit and left him mortally wounded. He asks Luke to remove his helmet so that he can look on to him “with [his] own eyes” before dying. His remains are burned in a funeral pyre by Luke on Endor. 

Drugs and Alcohol 

  • None 

Language 

  • After being struck with a toxic dart, Padme’s would-be assassin mutters in an alien tongue, “Wee shannit . . . sleemo”, which Anakin translates as “bounty hunter slimeball.” 
  • When describing what he had done to the Tusken Raiders to Padme, Anakin screams, “I HATE them!” 
  • Obi-Wan tells Anakin that he was the Chosen One and that he was supposed to “destroy the Sith, not join them!” In response, Anakin yells, “I hate you!” 

Supernatural Content 

  • After being fatally struck by Darth Vader, Obi-Wan’s body “had completely vanished.” This is because Obi-Wan had become one with the Force in death. 
  • Similarly, after Anakin dies, he is in the Netherworld of the Force. Obi-Wan’s spirit guides him: “If you ever wish to revisit corporeal space, then I still have one thing left to teach you. A way to become one with the Force. If you choose this path to immortality, then you must listen now, before your consciousness fades.” Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Yoda appear as spirits to Luke on Endor.             

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

by Nicholas Paragano 

Lucky Enough

When seventeen-year-old Alex’s dad dies, it feels like her entire world stops – only it doesn’t. Her family moves on as if nothing happened, and Alex feels pressured to do the same. She starts dating the quarterback of the football team, going to parties, and getting ready for the big homecoming dance – all in the hopes that her life will turn back around. The more she gets used to the raves and recognition, the less time she has to think about her father – even if it’s at the cost of her own identity.  

Then she meets Cameron, a boy who quickly finds his way under her skin and into her heart, and suddenly, Alex is reminded that grief, like her heart, is not something to keep locked away. 

Lucky Enough is told from Alex’s perspective and weaves in several different story threads, including her grief over her father’s death, her relationship with the popular crowd, and the pressure to have sex for the first time. Over the summer, Alex began dating the high school quarterback, Jordan, and became part of his friend group, which includes Paige. However, both Jordan and Paige are so self-centered and unlikeable that readers will wonder why Alex wants to be part of their group. As the homecoming dance approaches, Paige pressures Alex to have sex with Jordan so he doesn’t break up with her. To save her relationship, Alex promises to have sex with Jordan, which gives readers the false impression that boys are entitled to sex, even if the girl isn’t ready. Unfortunately, Alex lacks a moral compass, which leads her into a life focused on going to parties and getting drunk. While many teens will relate to Alex’s conflicts, her decisions are often reckless and illogical. 

Alex’s friends and family are underdeveloped and one-dimensional, making it hard to connect with any of them. Even though he claims to love Alex, Jordan is absent for most of the story, and when he does appear, he is only interested in physical intimacy. When the relationship finally ends, there is no surprise and little emotional impact, especially because both Jordan and Alex quickly move on to someone else.  

While at a party, Alex meets Cameron, who shows her kindness. At first, she resents Cameron’s intrusion into her life, but she soon learns that they share something in common – the loss of a parent. And unlike Jordan, Cameron isn’t just a romantic distraction; he helps her deal with her grief. Unfortunately, the book has little romance and no swoon-worthy scenes. While Cameron is more developed than Jordan, neither love interest creates enough emotional connection for readers to fully invest in the romance.  

Lucky Enough tries to demonstrate healthy grief processing through Alex’s journey. At first, Alex does everything she can to distract herself from her loss. However, this strategy only leads to more heartache. Finally, Alex shares her feelings with her family, visits her father’s grave site, and accepts that her father will never return. Cameron, who also lost a parent, helps Alex “find ways to recognize the person you miss the most in the spaces and people all around you. The ways that they are still here.” 

While Lucky Enough explores grief after losing a parent, this message is watered down by the tangle of friendship drama and partying. Alex spends so much time drinking and running away from her problems that the happy ending doesn’t feel earned. Instead of focusing on grief, the story tries to incorporate too many threads, which muddies the message. Readers looking for a more focused exploration of grief might prefer Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson, Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp, or Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner. 

Sexual Content  

  • Alex is dating Jordan Tucker, the high school quarterback. Occasionally, they kiss, but it is not described in detail. For example, while at school Jordan “places an arm on either side of my body against the lockers, leaning in to kiss me.” 
  • A party is broken up when the teens hear sirens. During the chaos, Alex meets a boy named Cameron. He looks at her bodysuit and says, “So, I take it the police interrupted your hookup plans?” Alex thinks, “I thought I looked hot. Not skanky.”  
  • While looking through Instagram, Alex sees “Becca’s tongue shoved down Daniel Michelson’s throat.” 
  • Paige, one of Alex’s “friends,” encourages her to have sex with Jordan. Paige makes fun of Alex for being a virgin. Paige says, “It’s just, we all know you and Jordan still haven’t slept together. I didn’t know what’s taking so long, honestly. His last girlfriends gave it up after the first week of dating.” 
  • Alex thinks about the night Jordan tells her that he loves her. “Kissing Jordan felt like swimming laps around a pool. No, more like diving into the deep end and not being able to find your way back to the surface.” That night, they go to the movies and sit in the back row. Jordan pulls Alex onto his lap, and he kisses her. “A shiver ran down my back from his touch and my lips brushed against his. He kissed me softly and then pried my lips open with his tongue, finding mine and encircling it as if he was tracing all the tiny bumps that coat the top.” 
  • Paige again encourages Alex to have sex with Jordan. Paige says, “I know you’re a virgin, and that’s super sweet and all, but you’re going to lose [Jordan] if you don’t do something. . . I have watched him have many girlfriends, and none typically last more than a few months. He’s a player, yes, but he’s a player with needs.”  
  • While at a party, Jordan pulls Alex into the woods, where he has spread out a blanket. Alex wonders how he got drunk so quickly. “He leans over and kisses me intently. . . I lose myself in his mouth. His hands are everywhere. . . until they reach around the front of my waist and start unbuttoning my jeans.” Alex finally yells at him to stop.  
  • When Alex refuses to have sex with Jordan, he gets angry and says, “We’ve been going out for months now, and you won’t even let me get to second base. Do you know how that makes me look?” He continues, “Look, I still like you. But a guy like me has needs, and I have a reputation to uphold.”  
  • Jordan tells Alex that if they don’t have sex after the homecoming game, he’s going to break up with her. She wonders, “Am I making it a bigger deal than it is? Does losing my virginity really matter in the grand scheme of things, when if I don’t do it, I’ll lose Jordan instead?” Alex is also worried that she’d lose her popularity if Jordan breaks up with her.”  
  • After being pressured by Jordan, Alex tells him, “I want to be with you. All the way. Why don’t we [have sex] after the game tomorrow?”  
  • Alex’s sister is excited about meeting a “cute girl.” 
  • Alex, Jordan, and a group of friends ride to the homecoming dance together. Alex overhears Jordan tell a guy that he “can’t wait to rip [her dress] off.” During the ride, Jordan sits next to Paige. Alex thinks, “Something about the way Jordan laughs at what Paige is saying, or how his eyes momentarily glance over her entire body, makes my stomach churn.” 
  • While riding to the homecoming dance, Alex pulls Jordan’s “face to my own and push my tongue against his, claiming him for everyone to see. The entire limo erupts into screams.”  
  • At the homecoming dance, Jordan disappears. Alex goes to look for him and finds him behind the stage curtains. She sees Paige and Jordan making out. “Her bare leg wrapped around the back of another pair wearing white pants.” Alex screams at them and “Jordan pushes Paige off his body so fast, it takes me a moment to register how intertwined they really are with each other. Paige pulls her dress down as if it’s an inconvenience, and not like she got caught making out with her friend’s boyfriend.” Alex leaves the dance in tears. 
  • After leaving the homecoming dance, Alex goes to a club and dances with a man wearing a mask. When she thinks the man might leave her, Alex “put my hands back around the base of his neck, pulling his face to mine. My lips crush into his and I’m met with a sweeter kiss than before. He tastes like tequila and a hint of cherry soda. . . His muscular arms wrap completely around my waist as they press my body into his own. . .” 
  • After the homecoming dance, Jordan and Paige start dating. While at a party, Alex sees Jordan “shoving his tongue so far down Paige’s throat I swore he was going to get it stuck there.” When Alex turns to flee, she bumps into a “couple making out.” 
  • Jordan follows Alex and says he’s sorry. “His lips brush mine softly, and all of a sudden the familiar feelings of safety and comfort rush through me. I part my mouth to taste more of him as his hands find my hair. . . His hands are everywhere, moving from the back of my neck and down my back. . . his hands slide under my dress.”  
  • Alex meets up with a boy named Cameron. She thinks, “Every time he touches me, my skin burns with desire and my entire body aches when he pulls away.” They kiss. “Both of his hands are on the sides of my face, and he kisses me gently, so soft and quick that before I know it I’m staring back into his eyes again and he’s looking at me desperately.” 

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • Since the book has excessive drinking, with teens often getting drunk, not every instance is documented below. 
  • Even though Alex and her friends are underage, they party and get drunk every weekend. At a party, Alex is with her best friend, Blaze. When they hear the sirens, Blaze “finishes slurping down her beer.” Alex thinks, “This is another reason why I love Blaze. No matter how bad a situation we are in—aka the threat of going to jail for underage drinking right now—she didn’t have a care in the world, as long as she finished the drink in her hand.”  
  • During a party, the teens hear sirens. They jump into cars and leave in a panic. Alex gets into a car with a boy she has never met.  
  • One of Alex’s friends is dating a boy who got kicked off the football team for smoking pot. 
  • While at a party, Blaze pours vodka into a cup for Alex, who “take[s] a big swig and flinch[es], the clear liquid burning down the back of my throat.” Alex and Blaze drink “a quarter of it before we both tap out. At this point the room is spinning and I’m not sure which way is the front or the back of the house.” Alex jumps into the pool fully clothed.  
  • At one party, Alex arrives and is “thankful for the distraction of drunk guys and girls wearing little to no clothing as we get out of the car.” Blaze and Alex pour beer from a keg.  
  • While riding in a limo on the way to the homecoming dance, Alex and her friends drink champagne. Alex drinks and “the bubbles go straight to my nose. . . I find out the hard way it’s not a drink to be chugged. . .” When the glass is empty, she grabs the bottle and “take[s] another big gulp directly from the top. For a minute I wonder if the fizz will float to my head and I giggle at the idea of my brain being briefly filled with bubbles.”  
  • To get her mind off Jordan, Alex goes to a club with Blaze. Alex “downed almost two blue drinks, I’m starting to feel good.”  

Language  

  • Profanity is used frequently. Profanity includes ass, bullshit, crap, damn, hell, pisses, and shit. 
  • When Alex starts dating Jordan, a girl refers to Alex as “his playmate.” 
  • God is used as an exclamation four times. 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • While at a club, a waiter brings Alex tequila, and she thinks, “Thank God.” 

The Disappearing Otters

Elsa Roth’s life at a seaside marine biology facility is about to change. There are new arrivals at Seaside Sanctuary: a group of river otters. But the adorable animals aren’t the only newcomers; a new group of volunteers is also starting at the sanctuary. When a new boy named Anson shows up in the group, Elsa is less than thrilled. He’s nothing but rude and doesn’t seem at all interested in animals. But soon, Elsa has bigger problems on her hands. One by one, the otters start disappearing. Can Elsa get to the bottom of things before more animals go missing? 

The Disappearing Otters begins with a map of Seaside Sanctuary and an entry from Elsa’s diary explaining her and her family’s role in running it. The story, which is told from Elsa’s point of view, uses a conversational tone that will appeal to young readers. In the first chapter, Elsa introduces the reader to Seaside Sanctuary, a group of volunteers, and the animals being rehabilitated, including five orphaned river otters. In the first few chapters, the story establishes the main characters, the conflict, and the mystery.  

Elsa and her best friend, Olivia, are hardworking and clearly love the animals at the sanctuary. When the girls first meet Anson, they’re instantly suspicious of his motives. However, Elsa discovers that the boy was injured in a fire, which has left him insecure about his scars. When Elsa gets to know Anson, she realizes, “I was starting to learn not to let myself be fooled by appearances.” This allows Elsa and Olivia to become his advocates when the adults accuse him of stealing the otters.  

To prove Anson is not a thief, the three kids investigate the disappearance of the otters. Through their investigation, they learn about the illegal exotic-animal trade. The story clearly distinguishes between wild animals and pets, explaining that wild animals should be rehabilitated and, if possible, returned to the wild. Additionally, readers get a brief snapshot of how exotic animals are used for entertainment.  

Elsa is a likable protagonist who learns from her mistakes and is willing to advocate for Anson. Her work at Seaside Sanctuary isn’t glamorized. Instead, she is seen inspecting fish before making fish milkshakes for animals too injured to eat solid food. Elsa isn’t just nice to the animals; she is also kind to Anson and helps build his confidence. By the end of the story, readers will connect with Elsa because of her kindness, positive attitude, and ability to use her voice. 

The Disappearing Otters will entertain and educate readers by blending scenes at the sanctuary with mystery and friendship. The story is told in ten short chapters, and each begins with a black-and-white illustration of the characters. The end of the book has a glossary, discussion questions, writing prompts, and even more information about otters. Readers who love animals will fall in love with Seaside Sanctuary and want to explore more books in the series.  

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • When a woman is trying to get the baby otters’ attention, a boy says, “They’re not stupid either. Unlike you.” 
  • A woman refers to Anson as an “evil boy.” 
  • Heck is used three times. 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • Elsa and her friends go to a woman’s house to investigate. “There were no cars in the driveway, and I prayed there were none in the garage either.” 

When Objects Talk: Solving a Crime with Science

When you think of the people involved in a murder investigation, you probably think of police officers, lawyers, and judges, but what about scientists? Forensic specialists use scientific tools and processes to help solve crimes. When Objects Talk looks at many of these procedures, including DNA testing, bloodstain pattern interpretation, blood testing, fingerprinting, ballistics, autopsies, and forensic anthropology. Combining facts and fictional storytelling to illustrate the theory and practice of forensic science, this book shows how science answers the important question: whodunit? 

When Objects Talk explains forensic science “as it relates to solving criminal cases, particularly murder.” While most of the book is nonfiction, there is a fictional case where two detectives are trying to solve a woman’s murder. This story is told throughout the book so readers can see how specific evidence ties to a murder investigation. Each time the book returns to the murder, there is a subheading titled “The Case” and a magnifying glass, making the transitions easy to follow. Additionally, the fictional investigation is printed in bold font. 

The fictional murder investigation will quickly grab readers’ attention, making the science of solving murders interesting and applicable. The two detectives, Elizabeth Sullivan and Mario Basquez, follow the clues, allowing readers to see how they connect the evidence to the murderer. Readers can see the detectives’ thought processes and learn about the detectives’ jobs. For instance, during an autopsy, one of the detectives must be present. However, detectives new to the job may not be able to handle watching the entire procedure.  

While the detective story is interesting, the explanations of the various scientific tools used in murder investigations are detailed, making the book best suited for readers with a strong interest in the scientific process. The book thoroughly explains the people and processes in this field. Unlike the television shows CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and NCIS, the methods are not glamorized, which may disappoint some readers.     

Even though When Objects Talk is written at a high reading level, the book explains many of the vocabulary words within the text. For example, “The word forensic means ‘relating to or concerning the law.’ Forensic science means using the tools of scientific study in law enforcement and court cases.” To help readers understand the criminal system, two pages explain the principal players, such as a homicide detective, a coroner, and a magistrate. Each detail of a murder investigation is explained, including the autopsy, which may upset sensitive or squeamish readers.  

Readers who love both science and crime will find that When Objects Talk offers a fascinating, unglamorized look at how murders are truly solved — though those sensitive to descriptions of autopsies and body parts should be forewarned. Fans of the genre will also want to add Scene of the Crime: Tracking Down Criminals with Forensic Science to their reading list for further exploration of the topic. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • Edmond Locard, a French criminologist, was the first person to try to find evidence proving a person had contact with someone. After setting up a crime lab, Locard had a difficult case. “A young woman who had been strangled to death. Her boyfriend was the prime suspect. . .” After finding evidence that the boyfriend lied, he confessed. The paragraph explains what evidence was found at the crime scene. There is also a dead body lying in the grass. Everything is covered except the feet. 
  • In the fictional murder case, a woman calls the police because her neighbors haven’t been seen in days. When the police arrive, they find an unlocked door and “they discover the body of a woman. Ann Marlboro has been brutally murdered!” The detectives look at the blood splatter. On the next page is a picture analyzing bloodstain patterns. 
  • How an autopsy is performed is described over four pages. One paragraph describes how the medical examiner looks at the brain. “To expose the brain, the skull is cut open with a special electric oscillating saw. . . Then he or she lifts the brain toward the back of the skull and cuts the optic tracts and spinal cord. The brain is removed, weighed, and examined.” 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • During the investigation, the detectives find “a prescription for [the victim] from a European pharmacy. It was for sleeping pills, but the Europeans still use barbiturates. [The medical examiner] found barbiturates in her gastric fluid.” 

Language  

  • When the dead woman’s employer finds out she was murdered, he says, “Oh, my God.” 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

The Palace of Dreams

As far as Rosie Oaks and her friends know, the Earth is gone—swallowed by the Nothing King just after the heroes escaped to a faraway planet to regroup and seek help. Now Rosie, her friends Germ and Aria, her ghost friend Ebb, her mother, and her long-lost brother are relying on the leftover members of the League of Witch-Hunters, Wanda and Clara, to help them find a way out of this mess. But when they land at a hotel on the planet Glimmer 5, they discover that Rufus—the one man who may have the tools to defeat the Nothing King—is missing. Then, a messenger from the Nothing King arrives with unexpected news: Earth still exists, but only because the Nothing King hasn’t yet destroyed the Museum of Imagined Things, home of humanity’s dreams and healed souls. Once he does, Earth will fall with it. 

Rosie is a brave and intelligent protagonist who devises a daring way to find Rufus—by traveling through objects that are bigger on the inside. She discovers him hiding inside a memory, where he’s been concealing the Museum of Imagined Things from the Nothing King. He entrusts it to Rosie, and through the Museum’s power, she begins recruiting old friends and new allies while ferreting out a traitor in their midst. She rallies everyone on Glimmer 5 to join the fight, and on their journey back to Earth, they make a crucial stop in Limbo—a purgatory for ghosts—where they find even more reinforcements. 

Along the way, Rosie grapples with shocking surprises, strange betrayals, and the challenges that come with growing up. She learns to embrace who she is and all the oddities that come with being a thirteen-year-old witch hunter, all while battling the greatest and most terrifying supernatural entity their world has ever known. 

The Palace of Dreams brings the Thirteen Witches trilogy to a suspenseful climax, incorporating even more fantasy and science fiction elements—perhaps too many. While the language remains accessible, the abundance of fantastical elements and genre-hopping can feel excessive and over-complicate what could be a tighter story. That said, the book has real strengths. Rosie’s character development is nicely and believably constructed, building to a neat and satisfying conclusion. The supernatural elements, while plentiful, are thoroughly explained, and the characters feel realistic enough for kids to look up to. Most importantly, Rosie herself is a strong, opinionated, and compassionate hero that any reader would enthusiastically root for. 

Readers who enjoy magical space-travel, mysterious haunted hotels, and ragtag groups of heroes will love the fun banter, creative plot twists, and complex magic of The Palace of Dreams. The book is filled with supernatural creatures—from wicked, hive-minded crows to super-powered witch-hunters to ghosts—building toward a detailed and imaginative confrontation with the Nothing King, the last witch. 

Beyond the fantastical elements, Rosie demonstrates to young readers how to navigate the complexities of growing up while facing both internal struggles and external challenges. She’s a loyal friend with plenty of healthy relationships, embodying all the good qualities of a young hero. Ultimately, this is a highly original story with creative elements that come together to deliver a beautiful message: the only true way to defeat your demons is to trust yourself and your instincts, accepting yourself for who you are. Readers who want to get lost in another witchy fantasy should also read Curse of the Night Witch and The Okay Witch. 

Sexual Content  

  • Over the course of their journey, Rosie realizes that she has feelings for her ghost friend, Ebb. The tension culminates when Ebb confronts Rosie about her weird behavior around him, and she confesses her feelings. They kiss. Rosie thinks, “For now, he lets go of my hand, and brushes a piece of hair out of my face like he’s being brave. And I don’t turn away, because I’m being brave too. And when we kiss—since we’re made of the same magical stuff that’s brought us this far in the first place—I feel it.” 

Violence  

  • Rosie discovers her aunt Jade’s betrayal from the account of a ghost named Bo. Bo tells her that her aunt requested the Time Witch kill her father. Bo tells Rosie, “I’ll never forget what she said after that. She said she wanted the Time Witch to take away the very next person her sister had come to love after her. The Time Witch said she already knew who that would be. She said she knew of a sailor. She said she’d make it look like a sinking so that no one would ever suspect the truth—or their bargain.”
  • As Rosie and her friends confront the Nothing King, they’re attacked by a swarm of crows. Rosie’s new pet bird, Flit, “becomes a cat and devours [a crow].” They escape the swarm, and no one is badly injured. 
  • When the Nothing King kidnaps Rosie’s brother Wolf, Rosie’s new friend Rufus confronts the Nothing King. But “the Nothing King’s arm shoots like a vine toward him, and hits Rufus’s skull with bone-cracking force. Rufus falls with a sickening thud to the floor.” Rufus dies.  
  • In another confrontation with the Nothing King, his pet crows eat most of Rosie’s ghost allies. “As they surround the ghosts, the crows dive in from all sides, pecking, devouring, smothering. And soon the ghosts are lost and buried in the sheer number of the birds, and we can’t see them or their crackling light at all. . . The ghosts are gone. Swallowed. Just like that.” 
  • When Rosie finds Wolf and tries to save him from the Nothing King, Wolf has his own tricks up his sleeve. Using a magical net that he created, he traps the Nothing King. “Wolf is on the Nothing King’s back, his jagged weapon wrapped around the witch’s neck. He is flapping his crow-wing cloak and trying to drag the Nothing King backward [into a black hole]. He’s failing. The Nothing King is fighting him off, trying to shape-shift and pushing him away.” 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language    

  • None 

Supernatural  

  • This series follows Rosie and her friends as they defeat witches to save the world. Naturally, this means that there are a fair number of supernatural elements. The Nothing King controls crows and creates black holes. Additionally, ghosts aid Rosie and her friends in fighting the Nothing King.  
  • There is space and time travel, as well as cloud shepherds and the Brightweaver, who collect dreams and mend souls. They serve the Moon Goddess, who is more of a magical figure than a religious one.  
  • Rosie, along with the other witch hunters, has special abilities that allow them to fight witches. For example, Rosie’s witch-hunting ability is the power to bring her stories to life. She often manifests a bird as her pet and friend that helps her fight witches. On the new planet, Rosie wakes one morning to find a new bird, since her old one passed away. The bird is “standing on the foot of the bed, blinking at [Rosie] with [the bird’s] head tilted to one side (either groggily or dizzily, [Rosie] can’t tell). . .  glowing, translucent, magical.” 
  • The book opens following the conclusion of the previous installment, when the Nothing King was freed, and Rosie and her friends escape by traveling to a different planet. Rosie thinks to herself about “the war against the witches on the beach. The blanket made of nothing left behind. The black hole opening above the Earth. [Rosie and her friends] gaze at each other, in shock. Is it all gone? The sea? Our town? Countries? The world?” 
  • After escaping Earth, Rosie’s new witch hunter friend Wanda explains, “The Nothing King’s been imprisoned in his own black hole, locked up there by the Moon Goddess for millennia, but now these twin black holes have been connected across the universe like a tunnel, so the Nothing King could come through it and drag Earth in. . . and obliterate it. If that hasn’t happened yet, I imagine it soon will.” 
  • Confused and disoriented, the heroes explore their new planet, and they stumble upon a hotel staffed by ghosts. “Wanda taps her wooden leg and is lifting her finger to ring the bell again, when suddenly we hear a tut, tut, tut down one of the halls. It takes another moment, but eventually a shining ghost materializes through the wall behind the desk and comes to float his elbows just beside the bell. He has a goatee and round eyeglasses, over which he gazes at us in distaste. He busies his hands with his wrinkled bow tie.” 
  • While trying to find the missing owner, Wanda and Rosie find a pair of socks in his old room, and Wanda suggests he might be hiding in them. She explains that, “Size and space and time and place don’t mean what you used to think. And neither do the boundaries between them.” She and Rosie decide that they need to go inside the sock to find him, but they fail to find him. 
  • One of the hotel’s services is a shuttle to Limbo. Rosie’s ghost friend, Ebb, tells Rosie that Limbo is a haven for ghosts, but with a downside. Ebb says, “Well, once a ghost enters Limbo, they can never leave. Which means never moving Beyond.” 
  • The hotel also has a magical vending machine that gives any guest whatever they want. When Rosie “find[s] one old penny at the bottom of a hole in [her] pocket, [one of the ghostly hotel staff] shrugs. ‘That’ll get you something, just nothing glamorous. Push the green button and it’ll show you your options.’” Rosie describes the machine: “Several rows of prizes turn in circles before my eyes, dotted with flashing lights like a casino. Everything is in miniature: bags of Doritos the size of my thumbnail, but also cars, thimbles, what looks to be a Jacuzzi, a tiny roller coaster, a castle. . .” 
  • When Rosie and Wanda go inside the magic sock to find the hotel’s owner, they find themselves trapped in a memory in an old train station. A tornado attacks them, and they have to leave the sock. Rosie thinks, “A crashing, ripping sound surrounds me. Something flies across my vision and strikes my chest, and I scream, crumpling to the ground, trying to grasp what’s happening. Wanda appears a moment later, and she too is knocked off her feet and onto her back. We’re being battered—by wind, I realize. So strong that it pins us where we lie.” No one is harmed. 
  • Eventually, Rosie has an idea of where to find the hotel owner. When she finds him, he reveals that he’s in hiding to keep a secret from the Nothing King. Before the Nothing King escaped, the Brightweaver gave the hotel owner, Rufus, the Museum of Imagined Things. “He nods and opens the lid. A glow comes from within, illuminating our faces as we peer into its depths. Within the hollow of the basket, mist swirls, sparkling and flashing, like lightning in a cloud. I look up at Rufus, squinting in confusion. ‘It’s the Museum of Imagined Things,’ he says, as if I should recognize it. ‘It’s a palace filled with all of the world’s dreams.’” Rosie “remember[s] the Museum of Imagined Things from that one and only time [she] visited the Brightweaver, a towering building made of clouds that reached so far into the sky, [she] couldn’t see the top of it.” The Brightweaver reshaped it into a basket before the Nothing King came, so it’s a smaller item to transport.  
  • The book describes what the Earth is like under the Nothing King. “It’s been twenty-five days since the moon disappeared. In the moon’s absence, night animals roam daylit highways, winds rage through streets once untouched by storms, tornadoes rip up ancient woods. In waterfront towns and cities, the ocean is eating the shores, and people retreat inward. At first, they don’t see the invisible creatures that travel alongside them, iridescent hummingbirds and chameleons and peacocks. . . the familiars of eleven dead witches, returning gifts that once were stolen.” 
  • As Rosie ventures inside the Museum of Imagined Things, she meets an old ghost friend, Homer. He explains how he and other ghosts got to the Museum. “Well, what ye’re seeing when that happens is a doorway, a thin place in the invisible fabric where real and unreal meet. By stepping into a certain painting, or a certain story, ye can reach the place its maker imagined.” He pauses. “Well, that is, if yer a ghost. Given what ghosts are made of, we’re the only ones that can. Of course, all those places are stored here, in this museum.” 
  • Inside the Museum, there is a room full of mind maps, or maps of people’s minds. Rosie finds her long-lost aunt’s mind map and describes it, “most of it is too clustered, tangled, and minuscule to make out. But I do see that one particular place is dim and gray, with an etching of two little girls. The branching paths around them are scribbled out, as if something there is better left forgotten. Near one of the scribbles is a drawing of a crow.” 
  • While in the Room of Mind Maps, Rosie meets a cloud shepherd. “A cloud shepherd is peering around at me from behind a shelf about fifteen feet away, holding his misty finger to his misty lips. He’s an elderly-looking blob of white fluff, pointed at the top like a dollop of whipped cream. He floats out from behind the shelf.” 
  • When the Nothing King finds Rosie and her friends on their new planet, he launches an attack. Rosie describes him as a “man in a crow-feather cape that looks like it contains pure emptiness, a feather hood over a shadow where a face should be. He stands still for a moment, his blank face steady as it’s turned up toward us. And then he disintegrates into the ground and vanishes again.” 
  • As they leave the new planet, running from the Nothing King, Germ hands Rosie her teddy bear. “After a moment, to please Germ, [Rosie] give[s] it a hug. When [she] do[es], it begins to glow. And the glow wraps all around [Rosie], making [her] go warm and soft. And [she] feel[s], suddenly, okay.” Germ’s witch-hunting ability is making others feel brave and safe.  
  • In need of reinforcements, Rosie and her friends go to Limbo to recruit ghosts. When they get there, Homer meets them. “[Homer] winks at [Rosie], then takes a deep breath to concentrate. He raises his hands and, using the technique he’s clearly just learned from Ebb, uses them to push the mist back. . . and back. . . and back. As the clouds curl away from the dock, [Rosie sees] that Limbo’s not a lonely place at all, and [her] heart soars. Thousands of ghosts are gathered before [Rosie and her friends], hovering in a crowd and waiting.” 
  • To save the world from the Nothing King, Rosie must become one with her witch-hunting power. Rosie “open[s] up [her] palms, and [her magical pet bird] slips inside [her] skin, lighting up [her] arms as [the bird] travels to [Rosie’s] heart. The boundaries between [them] fall, no line where [Rosie] end[s] and [her bird] begins. [Rosie] glow[s] with the strength of her [pet bird], and [the bird] stretches with the strength of [Rosie]. [Rosie] spread[s] [her] arms, and they are wings, not attached to a cape like Wolf’s but a part of [her]. [Rosie] stretch[es] [her] feet, and they are claws.” 
  • To thank them for saving the world, the Moon Goddess appears in front of Rosie and Germ. “[The Moon Goddess’s] standing on [Rosie’s] lawn, as silver as the moon itself. [Rosie] open[s] [her] mouth and close[s] it again, too stunned to talk. The goddess keeps her distance, her face smooth and silver and expressionless, though not unkind. Her eyes are somehow soft and sharp at the same time, as if she sees everything at once, as if she has bigger things to think about than [Rosie and her friends]. As if the whole world, maybe the whole universe, is in her eyes all the time.” 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

by Kate Schuyler

Is It Real? The Loch Ness Monster

Nestled in the lush green hills of the Scottish Highlands lies Loch Ness, a deep, murky lake with a storied history. It is also the home of the Loch Ness Monster. Numerous stories and photographs by people claiming to have spotted the mysterious monster have surfaced, often gaining immediate fame. But after decades of countless expeditions, documentaries, firsthand accounts, pictures, and videos, the mystery of Nessie continues to haunt us. 

Now, Sibert Award-winning author Candace Fleming invites you to become a detective and join the race to uncover the truth. You’ll learn how real-life detectives and scientists conduct their investigations to solve the greatest mysteries as the principles of the Scientific Method and more tools for boosting critical thinking and analysis are introduced. You will consider the evidence, see if you can tell the difference between fact and fiction, and maybe you can answer this age-old question about the Loch Ness monster: Is it real? 

Is it Real? The Loch Ness Monster instantly engages readers by putting them into the narrative, saying, “You are an investigator for the Black Swan Scientific Investigation (BSSI) team. Your job is to unravel—if you can—the natural world’s greatest mysteries.” Readers will delve into the case files, which include witness statements, expert accounts, media reports, pertinent documents, and other relevant information. Each piece of evidence is broken down into clear sections, often accompanied by graphics, photographs, and illustrations to aid readers in understanding the text. For example, one witness report is similar to a scene in the silent movie The Lost World. A still photograph from the movie allows readers to see how the Loch Ness Monster resembles the prehistoric creature depicted in the film. 

When new information is presented, Fleming expertly guides readers through the thought process, enabling them to determine whether they believe the evidence. For example, readers will learn the difference between direct evidence and circumstantial evidence. A sample case undergoes detailed analysis, illustrating how the evidence can be interpreted in various ways. Throughout it all, readers must use critical analysis skills. Readers are reminded that, “[Evidence] seems far-fetched, but as an investigator, you follow every lead. You don’t decide if something is true or not until you have all the facts. You never make assumptions.”  

While the book presents real evidence about the Loch Ness Monster sightings, it also includes scientific facts that help readers understand and process the information. For example, some may accuse a witness of lying to gain attention. However, using a photograph that some believe is of the Loch Ness Monster, Fleming explains how the human brain sees significant things in random images. By using the actual photograph of the monster, readers can see how the cropped, blurry picture of another photograph could be the monster, a log, or something entirely different.  

One of the best parts of Is it Real? The Loch Ness Monster is that Fleming presents and explains the evidence without adding her opinions. Instead, the information is presented in an unbiased manner, allowing readers to interpret the evidence independently. The text also defines words and concepts, making the book easy to read. Some of the skills readers will learn include: 1) how to gather evidence, 2) how to determine if a person is a credible witness, 3) how to analyze photographs, 4) how to compare a reporter’s notes to a news article, 5) how to ask good questions, and 6) how to spot a lie. 

In today’s world, the media frequently attempts to manipulate people by employing fake news, emotional appeals, and other deceptive tactics. Today’s children need to develop media literacy and critical thinking skills that will help them make informed decisions and become responsible adults. Is it Real? The Loch Ness Monster is a must-read because it teaches readers how to analyze every side of a story and then make their own decision on whether the Loch Ness Monster is real. Readers who want to learn even more about the Loch Ness Monster should also read Behind the Legend: The Loch Ness Monster by Erin Peabody. Readers can fall into the world of other mythological creatures by reading The Unicorn Rescue Society by Adam Gidwitz.  

Sexual Content  

  • None

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

The Curse of the Mummy: Uncovering Tutankhamun’s Tomb

During the reign of the New Kingdom of Egypt, the boy pharaoh Tutankhamun ruled and died tragically young. In order to send him on his way into the afterlife, his tomb was filled with every treasure he would need after death. And then it was lost to time, buried in the sands of the Valley of Kings. His tomb was said to be cursed. 

Centuries later, as Egyptomania gripped Europe, two Brits—a rich earl with a habit for gambling and a disreputable, determined archaeologist—worked for years to rediscover and open Tutankhamun’s tomb. But once it was uncovered, would ancient powers take their revenge for disturbing and even looting the pharaoh’s resting place? What else could explain the mysterious illnesses, accidents, and deaths that began once it was found? 

When most people think about Egypt, they think about the pyramids, and the mummies hidden within them. However, very few consider how the political and social context of the 1900s enabled wealthy British aristocrats to plunder Egypt’s treasures. Among the wealthy who were allowed to excavate in the Valley of Kings was Lord Carnarvon, who had no experience in archaeology and lacked the knowledge to dig scientifically. To help him find treasure, Lord Carnarvon hired archaeologist Howard Carter, who meticulously recorded every aspect of his excavations. Many of the photographs taken of King Tutankhamun’s burial chamber are included in the book, allowing readers to experience the excitement of discovering the boy king’s treasures.  

The Curse of the Mummy conveys the British lack of respect for Egyptian people and culture. For example, Howard Carter understood the importance of each precious item that was placed on King Tutankhamun’s body. However, Howard Carter and Dr. Douglas Derry “pawed through the mummy’s thirteen layers of wrapping,” plundering every item of value. To make matters worse, “the team could not remove all the jewelry. So they cut off its arms in order to slide off the bracelets. They cut the torso in half, too, and sawed off the head, before using a chisel and hammer to gouge out each body piece.” After reading about King Tutankhamun’s treatment, readers can understand why some believed in the mummy’s curse. 

Even though The Curse of the Mummy is packed with information, the text is broken into manageable pieces. To help readers visualize the events, the book includes large pictures from Tutankhamun’s burial chamber, as well as photographs and artwork that appear every two to nine pages. In addition, at the end of each chapter is a short segment about some of the deaths and misfortunes that were attributed to the mummy’s curse. For example, Lord Carnarvon’s personal secretary, Richard Bethell, was at the opening of Tutankhamun’s burial and was found dead seven years later. The cause of death was unknown. “Police were baffled, but those who believed in the curse weren’t. They knew the cause of death.” However, at the end of the book, Fleming debunks the curse by explaining the lack of scientific evidence to support the notion that the curse is real. Fleming explains, “Science and logic have shown there is no such thing as the mummy’s curse. It is nothing but a knot of rumors and superstitions.” 

As part of the True Stories in Focus Series, The Curse of the Mummy is specifically written for a middle school and high school audience, utilizing rigorous research to provide accurate and compelling content for young readers. The True Stories in Focus Series emphasizes sharing true stories and focusing on real individuals and their authentic experiences. These books aim to help young people understand the world, develop critical thinking skills, and connect historical events to the present. 

Anyone interested in ancient Egypt should read The Curse of the Mummy. Fleming includes fascinating facts and photographs that allow readers to step into King Tutankhamun’s tomb and see its grandeur. While Fleming doesn’t demonize the British, readers will be exposed to the harsh realities of the time period, a time when Britain looked down upon anyone who wasn’t an aristocrat, including the Egyptians and archaeologist Howard Carter. While The Curse of the Mummy takes a deep dive into the archaeological excavation of King Tutankhamun’s tomb, there is very little information about the boy king himself. 

However, readers can learn more about King Tutankhamun by watching National Geographic’s documentary “King Tut’s Treasures: Hidden Secrets Rediscovered.” Readers interested in learning more about Egyptian culture should also read The Curse of King Tut’s Mummy by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld and See-Through Mummies by John Malam. Readers who want to explore ancient Egypt through fiction should grab a copy of The Boy Who Could Draw by Scott Peters or the TombQuest Series by Michael Northrop. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • Sections explain the myths behind the curse of King Tutankhamun. During excavation, Lord Carnarvon, a wealthy British aristocrat, found a mummified cat. Afterwards, “One of his servants had been stung by a scorpion. . . Delirious from the insect’s poison, he claimed a large gray cat was chasing him.”  
  • Some thought London’s British Museum was under a mummy’s curse. The cursed item was “the coffin lid of a priestess of Amen-Ra. According to newspaper accounts, anyone who gazed upon the object felt its unseen force.”  
  • Five treasure hunters bought the coffin lid, and Arthur F. Wheeler took ownership of it. Three days after getting the coffin lid, one of the treasure hunters, Thomas Douglas Murray, had an accident. “His gun exploded for no reason, blowing off his left hand.”  
  • Arthur F. Wheeler received a “telegram telling him that two of his servants had unexpectedly died.” Wheeler gave the coffin lid to his fiancée. “She soon came down with a mysterious ailment. Then her mother suddenly died, and her pets went insane.” More suspicious events followed the coffin, which are explained over three pages. 
  • Lord Carnarvon’s guests believed that “The cat was angry for being disturbed.” This idea was reinforced when the cat’s coffin had fallen open, and the cat’s bandages, “had been ripped open around the neck as if the spirit of the dead feline had burst out of them.” 
  • Howard Carter was put in charge of caring for the monuments of Upper Egypt. One evening, “a group of drunken French tourists forced their way into a site after attacking the Egyptian guards. Carter told the guards to fight back. The result was a rowdy brawl that left men on both sides with black eyes and bloody noses.”  
  • To maintain control over the Egyptians, the British did not permit protests. “In one instance, after a handful of Egyptian villagers pelted a group of British soldiers with rocks, authorities rushed in. They arrested fifty-two of the villagers. . . Four rock throwing villagers got the death penalty, two went to jail for life, and the remaining received forty lashes with the whip.” 
  • After World War I, the Egyptians sought to expel the British. The Egyptians organized protests and strikes. “At first, the British had responded with their usual harshness—suppressing demonstrations and killing hundreds of protestors.”  
  • A terrorist shot the British commander of the Egyptian Army. The British used this as an excuse to “seize control of the country. 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • Some believe priests would put poison in the tombs. “Maybe they’d drench the mummy’s bandages in cyanide made from peach pits, or laced tomb objects with scorpion venom.” Despite the speculation, “archaeologists have found little or no evidence of poison placed in tombs.” 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • According to some, Tutankhamun’s mummy was cursed when the “high priest carried out mysterious rituals. As specified by The Book of the Dead, they had summoned protective demons and placed charms in the tomb’s walls. They had recited spells and prayers.” 
  • Some people said that “the curse was carved above the tomb’s entrance and read: Death will Slay with its wings / Whoever disrupts the peace of the pharaoh.”  
  • Others said the curse was written on the sarcophagus: “O anyone who enters this tomb, / who will make evil against this tomb: May the crocodile be against him on water, / and the snake against him on land.” 
  • Others said the curse was written on a magic brick. The curse read: “It is I who drives back robbers from the tomb with flames of the desert. / I am the protector of Tutankhamun’s grave, / and I will kill all those who cross this threshold.” 
  • Many deaths were blamed on the mummy’s curse. The book has a large number of events that could be attributed to the curse. Therefore, not all of the deaths are listed below. The first person to die of the curse was Lord Carnarvon. A mosquito bite led to an infection that killed Lord Carnarvon. Towards the end, “delirious, he muttered over and over, ‘A bird is scratching my face. A bird is scratching my face.’” Some believe Lord Carnarvon’s death was caused by the curse of the mummy. 
  • The curse of the mummy struck George Jay Gould, a wealthy American, who toured King Tutankhamun’s tomb. Almost immediately afterward, he fell sick with a fever and a cough. “As the dying man struggled for breath, he claimed to be surrounded by the ‘spirits of the pharaohs,’ and that Anubis, the Egyptian god of mummification and the afterlife, ‘drew the last breath out of him.’” 
  • A wealthy man named Ali Kamel Fahmy Bey visited the tomb and joked about the curse. “Just months after his visit, on July 11, 1923, his wife of six months shot him in their London hotel room. . . Hours later he died.” 
  • Howard Carter brought a pet bird to Egypt. Some believed the bird brought Carter luck. However, when Carter opened King Tutankhamun’s tomb for the first time, a servant “brought news of a tragedy. A cobra had slipped into Carter’s house” and ate the bird.  
  • Lord Carnarvon was receiving advice from a psychic. “Carnarvon was getting advice from beyond the grave. Or so he believed.” Lord Carnarvon believed the psychic was passing on “ghostly communications.”  
  • Cheiro, a psychic, told reporters that the night King Tutankhamun’s tomb was opened, “a shadowy form was taking shape. Slowly, it materialized into the ghost of a beautiful woman.” Cheiro believed it was the ghost of an Egyptian princess, who wanted Cheiro to warn Lord Carnarvon “not to remove any relics from the cursed tomb. If he did, he would suffer from a swift and terrible sickness that would kill him.” The scene is described over two pages. 

Spiritual Content  

  • The Egyptians believed in many Gods, which are mentioned in the book. For example, a collector had a statue of “Sekhmet, the lion-headed goddess who tore men to pieces at the request of the sun.”  
  • The Egyptians believed the resting place of mummies was “crucial. Egyptians believed a tomb was an important symbol of continuity, of eternity, of a ruler passing from the living world to that of the gods. For this reason, it was important that a king’s body not be disturbed after it had been laid to rest.” 
  • Before Tutankhamun became king, the Egyptians believed “the gods had turned their backs on the land. . . But Tutankhamun had stepped forward to rebuild the temples and sanctuaries. He’d offered nourishing foods to the deities.” The Egyptians praised Tutankhamun for “restoring the traditional religion of the land. . .” 
  • During mummification, the heart was left in the body because “it was believed the heart was the ‘seat of the mind,’ and that the god Osiris would judge it against a ma’at feather, the symbol of truth and rightness.” 
  • One of the death rituals performed was the Opening of the Mouth. “Using what the Egyptians believed was a magical adze, [a high-ranking official] touched the mummy’s face mask. This, it was believed, allowed the dead king to breathe, walk, and talk in the afterlife.” 
  • During the early 1990s, Spiritualism was practiced all over Europe and the United States. Lord Carnarvon had “been hiring clairvoyants and holding séances at his estate. He also employed palmists to read his palm, and fortune-tellers to glean his future from the depths of their crystal balls.” 
  • During one of Lord Carnarvon’s séances, the psychic medium’s “face convulsed. Her eyes rolled back and she turned white as a corpse. Her lips worked spastically. . . then, in a guttural voice not her own, she spoke.” The psychic spoke in Coptic, “a type of language descended from the ancient Egyptians.” 
  • Howard Carter unwrapped King Tutankhamun’s mummy. “A pair of golden hands, sewn to the wrappings, held a crook and flail. And across its chest lay a large golden bird, its wings spread wide as if in flight. The ancient Egyptians believed that at death the spirit flew free, but that it returned to the body when it was ready to enjoy eternal life. . . [The body] needed to be perfectly preserved so the spirit would recognize it when it returned to the tomb.” 
  • A wishing cup found in King Tutankhamun’s tomb was inscribed with a prayer: “May your spirit live, may you spend millions of years, you who love Thebes, sitting with your face to the north wind, your eyes beholding happiness.” 

Journey of the Pale Bear

The polar bear is a royal bear, a gift from the King of Norway to the King of England. The first time Arthur encounters the bear, she terrifies him. Yet, strangely, she doesn’t harm him—though she has attacked anyone else who comes near. So, Arthur finds himself taking care of a polar bear on a ship to England. 

Tasked with feeding and cleaning up after the bear, Arthur’s fears slowly lessen as he begins to feel a connection to this bear, who, like him, has been cut off from her family. But the journey holds many dangers, and Arthur knows his own freedom—perhaps even his life—depends on keeping the bear from harm. When pirates attack, Arthur must make a choice—does he do everything he can to save himself, or does he help the bear to find freedom? 

Told from Arthur’s point of view, Journey of the Pale Bear takes readers on an exciting adventure that forces Arthur to decide what is most important in life. When Arthur runs away from home, he plans to travel to Wales, where he will be given his father’s land. However, with no food or money, Arthur steals from a sailor. This action leads to Arthur meeting the doctor, who notices the boy’s special connection with the bear. While on a ship heading towards England, Arthur must contend with the sailor’s cruel behavior as well as his own fears and insecurities. 

Even though the primary story focuses on Arthur’s relationship with the bear, many readers will still relate to the boy’s problems. Arthur misses his dead father, deals with bullying from multiple people, and hopes for a better future. Throughout the story, readers will come to love the bear and admire Arthur’s devotion. With every hardship, Arthur learns more about friendship, found family, and sacrifice, while showing the importance of following your heart. 

Journey of the Pale Bear features many tense, exciting scenes interspersed with Arthur’s thoughts, which allows readers to understand his emotions and reasoning. However, Arthur’s inner thoughts and lengthy descriptions sometimes slow the pacing. Additionally, some readers may be confused by the book’s advanced vocabulary, such as scrim, converged, rouse, and potentate. Nevertheless, the story does an excellent job of showing what life was like in the 1200s and knowing that it is based on true events makes it even more interesting. 

Throughout his journey, Arthur meets several interesting people, including sailors, the doctor, and the English King. However, none of the supporting characters are well-developed. At the beginning of the story, the doctor promises to care for Arthur throughout the journey. Even though the doctor is an important character who shows how essential the father-son relationship is, he doesn’t appear enough for readers to get a picture of his relationship with Arthur. When the doctor offers to care for Arthur, teach him a trade, and give the boy stability, the moment lacks emotional impact. Likewise, when one of the sailors apologizes for mistreating Arthur, the reasons for his apology are unclear, leaving the reader confused. 

Journey of the Pale Bear will appeal to strong readers who love animals and adventure. Arthur is a likable character who is admirable because of his dedication to the bear. This coming-of-age story illustrates how everyone—Arthur, the bear, and the King of England—can never be truly free. However, the heartwarming conclusion highlights that friendship and love create the moments that make life wonderful. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • After stealing food from a sailor named Hauk, Arthur runs off. Hauk and his friend follow Arthur. Hauk grabs the boy and Arthur “kick[s] Hauk’s shin—twice—but then he belly-punched me, and I doubled over from the pain.” 
  • After stealing food, Arthur wonders what will happen. Would a constabulary “put me in the stocks? Blind me in one eye? Draw and quarter me?”  
  • A man takes Arthur to a tavern where “the drink had had its effect, for now there was singing, there was dancing, there was stomping. . .” Two men were fighting, “biting, poking at eyes, grabbing for hair and ears.” 
  • When a sailor named Hauk calls Arthur “Dung Boy,” Arthur “put down my head like a bull and plowed into Hauk’s belly. . . he staggered backward. I laid about him with fist and foot, and felt a satisfying thump as one fist landed squarely on his ribs and then another. . . I fell upon him again, kicking and swinging, but now his hand was on my face.” Another sailor breaks up the fight, but not before “a river of blood was gushing down my chin.” Arthur’s eye is swollen shut, he has cuts on his lip and cheeks, and bruised ribs. 
  • Pirates attack the ship that Arthur is on. One of the pirates captures Arthur and demands to see the king’s treasure, not knowing that it is a bear.  “A flash of steel—and then the bear was upon him. The man spat out a curse; then his body rose into the air and seemed to hang there in the thinning fog before it plummeted to the boards and bounced with a sickening thud.” Two men try to stop the bear, “but then a slash of the bear’s great claws had both of them on their backs and one of them spurting blood.” Someone shoots the bear with arrows.  
  • After pirates attack, Arthur sees a “body still and broken-looking, lying in a pool of blood. Not far from him lay two other bodies; I saw bloody claw marks where one man’s tunic had been torn.” It is unclear how many people die.  
  • After calling Arthur “Dung Boy,” Hauk pushes Arthur into him. “I was on top of him, raising my fist to cuff him hard. He cried out and covered his head with his arms. I checked my punch and flung myself at Hauk, tackling him about the knees.” Hauk grabs a knife, but another sailor breaks up the fight. 
  • A group of villagers shoots arrows at the bear. One of the arrows hits Arthur’s ear. “I touched a finger to my wounded ear. It came away wet. . . A hand’s length to the left, and I would have been dead.” 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • Several times, Arthur goes to a tavern where men are drinking.  
  • When the bear is injured, the doctor puts sleeping herbs in fish.  

Language  

  • A captain of a ship calls Arthur a “rapscallion,” a “little scoundrel,” a “little weasel,” and a “useless boy.” 
  • A sailor calls Arthur a “clumsy oaf.” 
  • Because Arthur has to clean the bear’s cage, two of the sailors call him “Dung Boy.” 
  • Sailors load the bear onto a ship, but they are not careful. The doctor says, “Fools. She’s a living creature, not a tun of ale.” 
  • The captain calls the bear a “blasted beast.”  
  • After being given to the king, the bear refuses to eat. Arthur tells the bear, “Don’t be a dunderhead—eat!”  

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • After going days without eating, Arthur steals food from a tavern. He runs off “praying that the sailors behind me would be too lazy or too drunk to follow.” 
  • After agreeing to take the bear to England, the captain says, “God only knows what that creature will do in heavy seas. God only knows if the boy will be able to soothe it then.” 
  • After pirates attack, Arthur sees a sailor lying on the ground and wonders if he’s dead. “I could feel him breathing beneath me, praise be to God.” 
  • Before presenting the bear to the king, Arthur has to change his clothes in front of “God and everyone.”  
  • A man tells Arthur to tell “God’s truth,” meaning not to lie. 

Ready to Wear

Zoey Webber is a creative, inventive, and fearless middle schooler whose world shifts when she receives a summer letter announcing that her school will no longer require uniforms. What begins as an exciting shopping trip with her best friends to find back-to-school outfits quickly turns frustrating when Zoey cannot find anything that truly matches her style. Encouraged by her friends, she decides to learn how to sew her own clothes, designing imaginative outfits and sharing them on her blog. Before long, her blog takes off. Soon, Zoey is given the chance to design and sew a dress for her school’s fashion show fundraiser. But just as the opportunity feels within reach, the unthinkable happens, and everything falls apart. Can Zoey rise above the setback and turn disappointment into opportunity? 

Ready to Wear is the first in a series featuring the young protagonist, Zoey, a true DIY fashionista navigating school life, friendships, creative expression, and the early days of social media. “What if I were a designer someday?” she often daydreams. Written twelve years ago, the story reflects a time when blogging was central, before platforms like Instagram reshaped how teens share creativity online. The tools may have changed, but the core themes of creativity, ambition, and finding your voice are timeless. 

Ready to Wear unfolds with a steady, engaging narrative that introduces a rich network of positive role models in Zoey’s life, including the lasting influence of her mother, who passed away when Zoey was young. A talented seamstress and artistic spirit, her mother’s creativity lives on through the clothing she left behind, which continues to inspire Zoey. Alongside this quiet legacy, Zoey is supported by Aunt Lulu and her immediate family, her two best friends, and her best friend’s mom, Mrs. Mackey. She is encouraged by the new school principal, Ms. Austen, and a knowledgeable mentor at the fabric store who helps her as she learns the basics of sewing. Together, these relationships underscore how essential a supportive network is for teens as they explore identity, take creative risks, and grow into who they are becoming.  

“Standing out from the crowd was kind of scary,” Zoey admits to herself after her first handmade outfit is met with a less-than-warm reaction from other teens on the first day of school. Instead of letting the criticism discourage her, Zoey chooses the high road, using the moment as motivation rather than defeat. The story explores the well-known mean girl trope, a familiar experience for many young readers. One classmate, whose behavior is especially unkind, resurfaces later in the story, prompting Zoey to consider empathy, restraint, and what it means to choose her own path.   

Ready to Wear provides chapter-opening illustrations that offer a visual impression of what Zoey’s sketches might look like, without directly depicting her sketchbook or blog. Zoey uses her blog as a kind of diary, sharing candid reflections with her followers about the ups and downs of creative expression. As she learns to trust her instincts, she realizes, “The only thing worse than an unfinished look was a look that was overdone.” It’s a feeling many creative teens will recognize, since it’s easy to push an idea too far when you care about making it perfect. Zoey’s blog becomes a place where she shares projects and ideas, turning followers into an encouraging fan community. In a line that neatly captures the heart of the moment, she says, “The point is, we finally have the chance to wear whatever we want. After years of dressing alike, we can finally be ourselves.” 

In the final chapters, Zoey has just two weeks to design an original dress for her school’s fashion show fundraiser. Readers follow her creative process as she finds inspiration, commits to an idea, and gets to work. When something goes wrong, she is briefly overwhelmed by tears and frustration, but Zoey does not give up. A surprising act of kindness helps turn the moment around. Guided by her dad’s saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemon meringue pie,” Zoey shows how the steady support of those around her has shaped her optimism and confidence. Still, she finds herself reflecting on what happened, considering how to respond with integrity while remaining uncertain about the right choice. 

As the story progresses, sewing-specific vocabulary is intentionally introduced, including terms such as “seam guide,” “feed dog,” and “seam ripper.” The text also incorporates fabric terminology like “notions” and “dress form,” along with charming examples from fashion such as “muumuu” and “epaulette.” These specialized terms are supported through clear textual context, allowing readers to build understanding and reinforce new vocabulary without disrupting comprehension. 

As the first book in a series, Sew Zoey: Ready to Wear offers all the ingredients of a captivating read and leaves readers excited to continue the journey. The book concludes on a cliffhanger, pulling readers toward the next story and offering a creative setting where teens can explore identity, take risks, and discover who they are becoming. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • None  

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

by Maureen Lowe 

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