Review: Spy School British Invasion

Spy School British Invasion by Stuart Gibbs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ben Ripley and crew find themselves being chased by SPYDER in Europe. This book picks up almost immediately after the events in Spy School Goes South. We have the same characters who have become old friends at this point.

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Review: Who Was Anne Frank?

Who Was Anne Frank? by Ann Abramson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This non fiction series introduces young readers to famous people. It is well researched and makes the subject of these biographies approachable. There is no better way to make history come alive.



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Review: Bob

Bob by Wendy Mass
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Livy is visiting her grandmother in Australia. It's been 5 years since she was there last, and she only has a few memories of her last visit. Once there she finds a green creature - maybe a zombie? - dressed in a homemade chicken suit. This creature knows her and has been waiting for her. Livy is determined to figure all of this out.

This was a sweet book that pulls from folklore. I found the beginning of the book a bit more engaging than the finish.

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Review: Finding Langston

Finding Langston by Lesa Cline-Ransome
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Langston and his father are part of the Great Migration. They move from the south to Chicago after Langston's mother has died. He also moves from the country to the city and finds adjusting to so many things difficult - until he discovers the library and a poet named Langston Hughes.

This is a beautiful story. It's a love letter to libraries and Langston Hughes.

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Review: Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish

Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Marcus Vega is an 8th grader who is large for his age, but still has run-ins with bullies. On one occasion he reaches his breaking point and punches another boy. Marcus' hard working, single mom is near to a breaking point herself and decides the family needs to get away. She works for an airline and gets free tickets so the small family - Marcus, brother Charlie and mom Melanie - head to Puerto Rico and the homeland of Marcus' absent father. Marcus is hopeful that he will be able to see the father that left the family 10 years ago.

This is a wonderful search for identity, family, and culture. Marcus' extended family is lovingly, yet realistically portrayed. The book also paints a beautiful picture of the island - although the author does note that it is depicted as it was prior to the recent, devastating hurricane.

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Review: The Parker Inheritance

The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the story of two friends, Candace and Brandon, who love books and puzzles. They learn of a mystery that Candace's grandmother tried to solve years before. The two work during the course of summer vacation to solve the mystery.

I loved the puzzles and the shout out to great children's literature. In addition to being a book that presents puzzles to be solved, it tackles some big issues. The author handles race, segregation, and many subtle yet related issues with sensitivity. I do think the book could have been a bit shorter, especially since it's a middle grade book and nothing sends a middle grade reader running faster than a book with more than 300 pages.

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