Book Review: The Seventh Wish

THE SEVENTH WISH by Kate Messner blends everyday life with a wish-giving fish.

When ice fishing, Charlie catches a fish that exchanges wishes for its freedom. Even though the results of her wish don’t go as expected, Charlie decides to try again. Over time, she comes to realize that wishes can’t solve life’s most complicated problems.

Librarians will find this middle grade novel popular among children who enjoy magical realism. Dealing with drug addiction and other tough family problems, the story deals with serious social issues. However, the author is effective in weaving in humor and magical elements that add fun and warm to the story.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.katemessner.com/.

Published by Bloomsbury on June 7, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Look Out for the Fitzgerald-Trouts

LOOK OUT FOR THE FITZGERALD-TROUTS by Esta Spalding features the goofy adventures of four children living on a tropical island.

This humorous middle grade novel features four siblings named Kim, Kimo, Peppa, and Toby living in a car on the beach. Although they’re making it work, they yearn for a home of their own.

Librarians will find middle grade readers attracted to the quick-witted children surrounded by terrible adults. Young people will be looking for the next book in this new series.

Learn more about the author at http://estaspalding.com/.

Published by Little, Brown, an imprint of Hachette on May 10, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Goodbye Stranger

GOODBYE STRANGER by Rebecca Stead takes an authentic look at the challenges facing middle school youth in today’s society.

A work of realistic fiction, the story follows three connected narratives what capture the awkward often complicated friendships of young teens.

From facing cyberbullies to dealing with the unintended consequences of impulsive texts, Stead does a stellar job addressing the issues on the minds of children as they enter young adulthood.

Librarians will find a ready-made audience among Rebecca Stead fans. This well-written novel is likely to swell her already large fan base. Youth interested in books about friendship will be drawn to the quiet humor and authentic dialogue among characters. However, some younger readers may have difficulty following all the characters and dealing with the unusual approach to the narrative.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.rebeccasteadbooks.com/.

Published by Wendy Lamb, an imprint of Random House on August 4, 2015.

Book Review: The Maloneys' Magical Weatherbox

THE MALONEYS’ MAGICAL WEATHERBOX by Nigel Quinlan is an unusual middle-grades fantasy adventure featuring wild weather, evildoers, and meteorological magic.

Ireland is stuck in Summer when the Weatherman’s special weatherbox is disconnected by a power hungry neighbor who wants control of the seasons. The Maloney family including children Neil, Liz, and Owen must fight and sacrifice in their battle with their evil competition and the angry elementals.

While the rural Irish setting is familiar, everything else about this unconventional tale is slightly out of kilter. From the mysterious tourist to the magical cat creature, Quinlan keeps readers guessing as they explore a weird world closely connected to our own. While some children will find this type of fantasy disorienting, others will enjoy suspending disbelief and immerse themselves in this fictional universe.

Librarians will find an audience for this strange story among children who enjoy magical situations, odd characters, and unusual weather phenomena. Those middle-grade youth with strong roots in reality and science may simply find the premise silly and nonsensical.

To learn more about Nigel Quinlan, go to http://nigelquinlan.tumblr.com/.

Published by Roaring Brook Press on July 28, 2015. ARC from Edelweiss.

Book Review: The Rat with the Human Face

THE RAT WITH THE HUMAN FACE by Tom Angleberger is the second silly adventure in The QuikPick Papers series.

In a followup to the infamous Poop Fountain incident, the Qwikpick Adventure Society trio investigate an abandoned research facility looking for a rumored rat with a human face. The story is told as a semi-official report detailing their exploits along with the consequences.

The book’s scrapbook appearance with taped in photos, drawings, typewritten pages, handwritten notes, and other visually interesting elements will be popular with young readers.

Fans of Tom Angleberger who enjoy tales of harmless troublemaking will be eager to jump into his latest, fast-paced adventure. However, young readers looking for literary depth won’t get past the title and first few pages. With the popularity of the first title in this series as well as the Origami Yoda books, librarians are sure to find readers for this book. The combination of light realism and humor are perfect for reluctant readers.

To learn more about the author and his books, go to http://origamiyoda.com/.

Published by Amulet Books on April 21, 2015. ARC courtesy of NetGalley.