New speculative fiction for middle grade
So now that I'm home for at least two weeks, I have PLENTY of time to get caught up on some of the book reviews I've been leaving until I had some free time! YAY for an upside to all this crazy and what a better way to spend your time but wandering around in some worlds that are completely different and a little scary!
The first one is called The Thieves of Wierdwood. It's written by Christian McKay Heidicker. It's about two twelve year old boys, Arthur and Willy who live in a pretty strange place. It reminded me a bit of Victorian England, until things got, well, weird. Arthur and Willy are thieves - they are part of a notorious Black Feather gang, but they aren't in very good standing. Willy has a brother who is in a completely horrific sounding hospital and when Arthur gets in trouble, his dad, who is also thief, gets sent to the hospital too. Both boys feel an urgent need to get them out, and take a huge risk to break into Weirdwood Manor, a creepy old house. They find treasure, but also find a lot of trouble. This is a fun but scary adventure story with really interesting characters. I will admit that the opening chapter almost made me put it down because it features a completely terrifying doll (shudder) but I'm glad I kept going because it was a fun ride. Some of the parts are scary enough that I probably wouldn't put it in my elementary library (even though my kids seem to crave scary stories), I think it would be an excellent addition to a middle school library. It comes out in the early part of April.
This second one also had a really different kind of setting as well. It's called A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat. I thought at first it might be a folktale, but then it seemed more like dystopian fiction, but then there's some magic... So it's about three kids, Pong, Nok, and Somkit who are all growing up in a prison. Pong and Somkit ended up there because their parents were in prison. They are scheduled to be released when they are 13 but at 9, that seems like forever, especially because, in addition to being in prison, they are also being bullied relentlessly by the bigger kids. Nok is literally on the other side of the fence. Her dad is the warden of the prison and she leads a life of privilege and education. She is a skilled warrior and works hard to be perfect, which is in itself, it's own kind of prison. However, it turns out that her family is not what it seems and when Pong escapes, it brings shame to her father and she is determined to get him back. Pong however, ends up in a monastery and spends a lot of time learning with Father Cham. When Father Cham dies, Pong ends up thrust back into the real world with Nok and the police breathing down his neck. This is an exciting adventure story with themes of friendship, loyalty, and kindness. It has a lovely piece about power and corruption and I think upper elementary and middle school kids will like this one a lot. This one is scheduled to come out at the end of March.
Here's a book trailer for A Wish in the Dark.
The first one is called The Thieves of Wierdwood. It's written by Christian McKay Heidicker. It's about two twelve year old boys, Arthur and Willy who live in a pretty strange place. It reminded me a bit of Victorian England, until things got, well, weird. Arthur and Willy are thieves - they are part of a notorious Black Feather gang, but they aren't in very good standing. Willy has a brother who is in a completely horrific sounding hospital and when Arthur gets in trouble, his dad, who is also thief, gets sent to the hospital too. Both boys feel an urgent need to get them out, and take a huge risk to break into Weirdwood Manor, a creepy old house. They find treasure, but also find a lot of trouble. This is a fun but scary adventure story with really interesting characters. I will admit that the opening chapter almost made me put it down because it features a completely terrifying doll (shudder) but I'm glad I kept going because it was a fun ride. Some of the parts are scary enough that I probably wouldn't put it in my elementary library (even though my kids seem to crave scary stories), I think it would be an excellent addition to a middle school library. It comes out in the early part of April.
This second one also had a really different kind of setting as well. It's called A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat. I thought at first it might be a folktale, but then it seemed more like dystopian fiction, but then there's some magic... So it's about three kids, Pong, Nok, and Somkit who are all growing up in a prison. Pong and Somkit ended up there because their parents were in prison. They are scheduled to be released when they are 13 but at 9, that seems like forever, especially because, in addition to being in prison, they are also being bullied relentlessly by the bigger kids. Nok is literally on the other side of the fence. Her dad is the warden of the prison and she leads a life of privilege and education. She is a skilled warrior and works hard to be perfect, which is in itself, it's own kind of prison. However, it turns out that her family is not what it seems and when Pong escapes, it brings shame to her father and she is determined to get him back. Pong however, ends up in a monastery and spends a lot of time learning with Father Cham. When Father Cham dies, Pong ends up thrust back into the real world with Nok and the police breathing down his neck. This is an exciting adventure story with themes of friendship, loyalty, and kindness. It has a lovely piece about power and corruption and I think upper elementary and middle school kids will like this one a lot. This one is scheduled to come out at the end of March.
Here's a book trailer for A Wish in the Dark.
And here's a synopsis of the book, right from the author!
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