Echo

Echo
by Pam Munoz Ryan

One harmonica impacts the lives of three children.   Friedrich, Mike, and Ivy live miles apart from each other, but over the course of a decade each one experiences the magic of the same harmonica in their own, unique way.  

While Echo, in its first pages, starts off as more of a fantasy, it soon turns into an inspiring historical fiction, with much of the book taking place during World War II.  Each character  deals with many struggles, including prejudice and poverty,  during which the harmonica is a source of comfort and joy.  

Echo was one of those books that, once I started reading, I couldn't stop until I finished!  I found myself being pulled into each character's unique, inspiring story.    I think that this is a book that will be enjoyed by many readers!

Author's website: http://www.pammunozryan.com/

Confessions of an Imaginary Friend

Confessions of an Imaginary Friend: A Memoir by Jacques Papier
by Michelle Cuevas

Jacques Papier often feels invisible.   Teachers never call on him at school, no one ever picks him to be on a team.  It's as though no one realizes he's there.  The only person who really seems to notice him is his twin sister, Fleur.  One day he finally realizes why no one ever sees him:  he's Fleur's imaginary friend.   As he struggles to deal with not being real, he meets other imaginary friends.   One offers him the opportunity to become free from his imaginary world, but Jacques soon learns that it comes with a price.

One of two books on this year's MSBA list about imaginary friends, Confessions of an Imaginary Friend starts off as an almost funny story yet, further in, becomes very deep and emotional as Jacques struggles to understand his role as an imaginary friend and questions what is real.   Despite being "imaginary", Jacques has very real thoughts and feelings that many readers will relate to.   A great book that goes well with The Imaginary, a similar book on this year's MSBA list.


Author's website: http://www.michellecuevas.com/

A Night Divided

A Night Divided
by Jennifer Nielsen

Gerta Lowe's family has been divided by a wall.  Shortly after her father and brother travel to the west in search of work and a new home for the family, the Berlin Wall goes up,  separating them.   Stuck under heavy guard in East Berlin with her mother and brother Fritz, Gerta fears she will never see her father and brother Dominic again.   Then, one day, she sees them on the other side of the wall.   After a while, she begins to realize that her father wants her to do the impossible: find a way to tunnel under the wall and out of East Berlin.   Will Gerta and her family risk their lives to escape East Berlin so that their family can be together again?

A Night Divided is a sad, beautiful story about a family trying to be together after years of separation.   This book shows readers the struggles faced by many people who lived in East Berlin during the time surrounding the rise of the Berlin Wall.   Not only is this a wonderful story about family, but also an emotional story about an important time in history.

Author's website: http://www.jennielsen.com/

Masterminds

Masterminds
by Gordon Korman

Can a town really be perfect?  With a population of only 185 people, no crime, and beautiful homes, Serenity seems to be a perfect small town.  However, Eli Frieden begins to suspect that Serenity may not be as perfect as it seems after he receives a mysterious letter from a friend.    Suddenly, Eli begins to question everything in his beautiful, calm, New Mexico town.   Is his world real?   What secrets are the grownups hiding from them?  Eli and his friends investigate and find a shocking answer!

After finishing this book (the first in the Masterminds series)  I needed to know what happened next and immediately went online to buy the next one!  Masterminds is full of action, suspense, and many unexpected twists.   I loved how Gordon Korman alternated between narrators, allowing the reader to  get to know the different characters and experience the life of Serenity from various perspectives.   I'm looking forward to reading the third book in the series when it gets published in March!

Author's website: http://gordonkorman.com/

Fuzzy Mud

Fuzzy Mud
by Louis Sachar

A “shortcut” home meant to avoid a school bully has two friends battling something even more dangerous: fuzzy mud! Soon after their encounter with the odd looking mud Marshall and Tamaya find themselves battling unusual symptoms.  Where did the mud come from?   And will anyone find a cure for the fuzzy mud that soon spreads all over town?

What an entertaining science fiction book by award-winning author Louis Sachar (Newbery winner for his book Holes)!   It's a fast read that is full of action, mystery, environmental issues, and school struggles.  

Author's website:  http://www.louissachar.com/

Upside Down Magic

Upside-Down Magic
by Sarah Miynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins

Nory desperately wants to get accepted into Sage Academy.  Not only is it the best private magic school, her father is the headmaster and her brother and sister go there.  Unfortunately, Nory has a hard time controlling her magic, which ultimately costs her the chance to attend Sage Academy.    After failing her admission test,  Nory is sent to live her unusual aunt and attend a public school, where she finds herself in an "Upside-Down Magic" class with other kids who have a hard time getting their magic to work the way it should.   Will Nory, and her family, ever learn to accept her unusual magic?

Readers looking for a magical, humorous book will love this story!   A great choice for fans of Harry Potter and other fantasy books about kids learning to use their magical powers.

Book Website:  http://upsidedownmagic.scholastic.com/#_

Book trailer:

The Doldrums

The Doldrums
by Nicholas Gannon

Archer B. Helmsley was born a dreamer.   Growing up in his grandparents' unique home, Archer is surrounded by unusual items collected by his explorer grandparents throughout their travels.   All he wants is adventure, but after his grandparents disappear on an iceberg in Antarctica, his mother barely lets him even leave the house.    When Archer comes up with the idea for the ultimate adventure,  finding his missing grandparents, he and his friends Oliver and Adelaide must come up with a clever plan to get them to Antarctica before his parents, and their scary new teacher Mrs. Murkley, find out what they're up to!

The Doldrums is a humorous book about friendship and adventure.  Full of unique characters, charming illustrations, and many funny moments, this is a book that I know many readers will enjoy!   I was often reminded of the Roald Dahl classic Matilda as I read this, particularly with the character of Mrs. Murkley, who is very much like Matilda's Mrs. Trunchbull.   The ending of this book left me, and will likely leave other readers, curious about what will happen next with Archer, Oliver, and Adelaide.   Fortunately, it looks like author Nicholas Gannon plans to continue with this series and future adventures are in store for these three friends!

Author's website:  http://www.nicholasgannon.com/

Book trailer: 

Moving Target

Moving Target
by Christina Diaz Gonzalez

A legendary spear with the power to change the world has turned Cassie Arroyo's life upside down!   The daughter of an art professor, Cassie is used to traveling the world.  However, when she learns that she is part of an ancient bloodline linked to the Spear of Destiny, she is in for the journey of a lifetime as she and her friend Simone flee from a dangerous organization that is out to get her!   As they embark on the dangerous, possibly deadly, mission of locating the missing spear, Cassie begins to uncover many secrets about her and her father's past that change her life forever.

What an exciting book!   Moving Target is an thrilling, suspenseful adventure that will leave its readers anxious for the next book in the series.   I know I'm looking forward to September 27th, when the next installment of Cassie's adventures will be available!  


Author's website:  http://www.christinagonzalez.com/index.html

The Imaginary

The Imaginary
by A.F. Harrold
illustrated by Emily Gravett

Rudger just appeared one day in Amanda's closet.   She eventually realizes he is imaginary, but that doesn't stop her from spending all of her time with him.  Rudger enjoys his time with Amanda as well, but their friendship is threatened when the evil Mr. Bunting appears.   Mr. Bunting is an imaginary friend hunter and, in a desperate attempt to escape him, Amanda and Rudger are separated.  Lost and scared, Rudger is rescued by an odd cat who brings him to the "Agency", a library full of other imaginary creatures who are looking for new "friends".  However, Rudger does not want a new friend, he just wants to find Amanda.  Will he be able to find his friend without getting caught by the evil Mr. Bunting?

The Imaginary is a heartwarming story of friendship and imagination, with a few scary, suspenseful parts in it as well!  Emily Gravett's beautiful illustrations are a wonderful addition to this amazing story.  Readers who enjoy fantasy with some scary twists should give this book a try!  

Author's website: www.afharroldkids.com

Seven Dead Pirates

Seven Dead Pirates
by Linda Bailey

Libertalia.  You!  Great-Granddad's last words to Lewis Dearborn made no sense.   That is, until he and his family move into the large, ramshackle home that once belonged to his great-grandfather.   Soon after moving in, Lewis learns that his home, particularly his new bedroom, is haunted by the ghosts of seven dead pirates.  The rowdy group of ghostly pirates, who once knew his great-grandfather, need Lewis to help them reclaim their old ship, now on display in a local museum.   How will Lewis be able to sneak these seven unruly, yet fearful of cars and other modern vehicles, pirates back to their ship without getting caught? 

A ghost story with a bit of humor mixed in, Seven Dead Pirates is a very entertaining read!  I love how the story also deals with school and family issues that the shy Lewis faces throughout the book.   This book will be a great choice for many readers!

Author's website: http://www.lindabaileybooks.com/home.html