Well, Nina Prose has done it again! If you loved her novel The Maid, you’ll love The Mystery Guest. We are back at the Regency Grand Hotel with Molly, now “Head Maid”. As Head Maid, Molly is responsible for preparing the tea room for the world-renowned, best-selling murder mystery writer J.D. Grimthorpe. As per Molly’s propensity, everything is perfect, that is until Mr Grimthorpe drops dead just as soon as he is about to make a news-shattering announcement. This time, Molly knows what to expect when a death occurs in her hotel, and she uses her acute observational skills to gather as much evidence as she can, not just because she wants to solve the case but because she doesn’t want the wrong person to get accused of the crime…like last time. I absolutely loved being back with Molly. Nina Prose writes a good mystery rife with numerous suspects. In this novel, we also get a portion of Molly’s backstory when she was a little girl living with her Gran. Prose skillfully weaves this backstory and the present-day crime together so that I was engaged in both storylines. I also loved the plot developments that happened in the last third of the novel that lend themselves wonderfully to a third novel that I absolutely cannot wait to read!
You can pre-order The Mystery Guest which will in stores November 28th.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the free copy!
If Middle School isn’t tough enough, Sasha also suffers from a condition that can, at times, get him into trouble. At first, Sasha seems to be a typical albeit shy middle schooler preoccupied with video games and texting his friend; however, we immediately learn that Sasha suffers extreme anxiety, which he tries to cope with through playing Earthfordge and watching YouTube videos for hours on end. This means of ‘escape through technology’ is not working, however. When Sasha is overwhelmed by anxiety, he goes to “the gray”, a place where he zones out and can hurt those around him. It is when Sasha enters “the gray” at school and beats a bully that his parents decide to take away all of his technology and send him to stay with his aunt out in the country. Sasha loves his aunt and does have fond memories of visiting his aunt and uncle until his uncle died two years ago. But his mom says his aunt “will look after [him] if [he’s] having a hard time,” and maybe he could “watch over her too”.
Throughout his visit, Sasha encounters several people, some of whom will become close friends and confidants and others who are just like the bullies he left at school. Through these encounters, Sasha learns that others around him encounter heart-wrenching life events that cause anxiety in them as well. Can he remember to manage his own “gray” while helping those he has begun to care for?
It is a wonderful novel that deals with anxiety in youth honestly and straightforwardly. Its characters are interesting and relatable, and it possesses many moments of suspense that propel the plot. A great addition to any middle schoolers’ reading list!!
When Giants Burn
by Beth Vrabel
This novel is told in alternate chapters from the point of view of two different characters. Gerty lives with her mother, father and little sister in a cabin “off the grid”. Her parents are survivalists, and her father is especially suspicious of the government and is ready to pack up and move at a moment’s notice. Gerty misses the life they had before when they celebrated Christmas, had reliable running water, and she didn’t have to sneak around to visit her pilot Grandmother. In fact, Gerty and her grandmother have a secret: they are building an ultralight airplane. Gerty is obsessed with flying and is considering joining the civilian air patrol (CAP). Still, with the types of parents she has, doing so looks highly impossible.
Our other narrator is Hayes. Hayes’s mother has just been released from prison, and he is trying to do everything he can not to end up like her. He is especially suspicious and fears she may commit another crime when his mom invites one of her friends, a past inmate, to visit.
Gerty and Hayes meet in the school counselor’s office when she attempts to help them build social skills, but neither kid is receptive to the idea. It is when Gerty shares her secret plans of building her plane and visiting Pando, an intricate system of trees originating from one organism believed to be one of the oldest on earth (Google Pando, it’s fascinating!!!) that two of them form a friendship that will prove to one essential to the survival of them both.
A fast paced book full of adventure. One of my favourite Middle School reads this summer.
Leno creates an alternate world called Erde, where a young boy named Oscar Buckle lives with his father in a city called Roan in the country of Terra. In Roan, it rains. In fact, it rains so frequently that they have forty-seven types of rain. Oscar’s favourite rain is a gentle “web”, which sounds perfect for sitting indoors with a cup of tea and a book and watching it fall gently from the skies. One type of rain you do NOT want to encounter is a Blanderwheel…a Blanderwheel has the potential to be violent enough to kill you.
Oscar comes from a long line of umbrella makers. You would think that umbrella making would be a perfect business to be in, especially in the city of Roan. Alas, business hasn’t been great because of the competition; Brawn Industries (the makers of cheap umbrellas that break after one use) seems to have an edge on the market. Oscar may have to quit school to work with his father to make ends meet. On top of the financial crisis and being pulled from school, Oscar’s best friend Saige is moving far and away to a completely different area of Roan.
The one thing that gives Oscar just a wee bit of joy is the Night Market, when Oscar has one final good time with his best friend and forgets about his worries, even if it’s just for a couple of hours. But the Night Market proves to be more than just an outing for Oscar; he is given a quest of sorts by a visiting Seer who asks 11-year-old Oscar to find out why the rain in Roan has become potentially destructive. Is it environmental? Industrial sabotage? Or is magic afoot?
This novel has so much potential for cross-curricular use. The multitude of images and footnotes adds an element of “historical text” to this fantasy fiction. The graphics and glossary give an Environmental Science and design bent.
This is a wonderful novel filled with a tonne of potential for the classroom.
Opinions and Opossums by Ann Braden
Ok, I loved this book. Our main character Agnes is of the age where she is starting to attend Confirmation classes; the only thing is, she doesn’t think she believes in the same God that is portrayed in the Old Testament, a God that “punished Saul because he didn’t kill absolutely everyone? Who got mad at Eve for taking a bite of an apple?” (Braden pg. 26). In fact she finds inspiration and strength more so in the words of Maya Angelou “tell your truth to yourself first” than she does in the Old Testament. And horror upon horrors, she might actually believe God is a woman and not the old white man with a long flowing beard!! However, it is difficult for Agnes to converse with anyone about this heavy stuff because it goes against everything she is being taught in school and at church. The only adult she feels she can actually be herself with is the neighbour lady, Gracy, who is a wonderfully odd duck in her own way (just wait until you read about her obsession with opossums!). There is also her friend Mo, who is struggling to articulate who they are to a world that seems set on the status quo.
It is an important book in this age where dialogue, introspection and independent thought are vital. This novel has the potential for some incredible classroom discussion. Short, impactful and funny.
Have you noticed that there have been a weird number of instances where paddleboarders or kayakers have narrowly missed being swallowed by a whale? What would happen upon ingestion? Would death be imminent? Would you be crushed by jaws or suffocated in the confines of the esophagus or stomach? Well, Whalefall is a novel where our main character, Jay, finds himself within the confines of a whale’s digestive tract. Jay Gardiner believes that the only way can can reconcile himself with the suicide of his abusive father is to go on a solo scuba dive in the area where his father drowned recover his bones. Shortly into his dive, Jay spies a giant squid and is enthralled with the creature to the point of distraction. A sperm whale suddenly appears and swallows the squid sucking Jay into its mouth in the process. Once inside the whale, Jay realizes that he only has one hour left of air in his tank and, therefore, has to figure out a way to save himself before it’s too late. Alone in the dark confines of the whale’s belly (one of its bellies), Jay is forced to confront the hatred he feels towards his father, the love he wishes he had, and the guilt that consumes him. I read this novel in one evening. Very short chapters, a fast-pace, a sympathetic main character and a tonne of facts about the ocean, biology and the anatomy of whales make this an amazingly engaging read. This book is perfect for reluctant readers and/or as a read-aloud for junior and senior high school students. There is one chapter in particular where Jay has an emotional inner dialogue with the whale (or his father) that I would have two students read it aloud to the rest of the students (it is a truly emotionally raw and beautiful dialogue). . Kraus’s writing is wonderfully vivid and can be VERY descriptive regarding the gooey, bloody squishiness of the internal goings-on of a living being. And then, at times, descriptions are incredibly and poetically beautiful. For example: It is the moon, pale blue, mottled, massive, dream legend. Rising. A ship of gods from primordial tar, yard after yard of wrinkled black bulk, a farce of size displacing the entire ocean. There’s an Omega shape in phosphorescent white, and Jay’s stupor permits the dull understanding that this crescent is a mouth, twenty feet of closed mouth and this obsidian skyscraper is no surfacing Atlantic. No colliding planet. It is a living thing. (Kraus pg 80). How amazing is this!!!
There’s a Trigger warning for mental, verbal and physical abuse and suicide.
Full disclosure: it took me a couple of tries to get into this book, and by “tries,” I mean I only gave it a couple of pages before dismissing it for something else (and then something else and something else…I was in a bit of a slump with no patience and unrealistic expectations for amusement) but once I did het into it, I absolutely LOVED it. Imagine, if you will, a selection of the population possessive of particular gifts or “sparks” as they are called in the narrative. Now, these sparks are anything from time jumping, location jumping, healing, and the power of persuasion, just to name a few. Some people choose to use their spark for good, and others, well, others use their power selfishly to manipulate the world around them to suit their desires. The story centres around a circus, a circus made up of Sparks. The circus offers a safe haven for people who need to escape the trauma created by World War One and the anxiety brewing in the world with the murmurings of World War Two. Our main character is the Ringmaster herself, Rin, who, with her Spark family of circus performers, travel the country in their circus train, pitching their tent in locations where they are needed most. But the circus environment is less than ideal; even though the government (made up of non-sparks) tolerates them, Sparks are viewed as suspicious and are often victims of harassment and violence and referred to as freaks. Not only does the Ringmaster, Rin, have the responsibility of keeping her circus Sparks safe, but she is also running from her own nightmare, her abuser, the Circus Master. On top of the fantastic plot and the intriguing characters, this book can also be considered a political narrative. If you had the power to change the past to alter the future with the intent to prevent a war, would you? To what extent would you get involved with the revelation of fate, or would you command destiny yourself? To what extent would you involve those you love in your commandeering of the future? Would you do so for their sake? Or for yours? About midway through, I did have the ending figured out. Still, the writing was so engaging I didn’t mind the predictability. This novel would be perfect for mentor text to teach foreshadowing, flashback, theme, characterization, and atmosphere. I would absolutely recommend this novel to high school students.
Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Publishing for the free copy.
This book ruined my plans for the day. Once I started it, I could not do anything else until I was finished. It was creeeeeeeeepy!!! A perfectly paced plot that created a crazy sense of suspense. In fact, he plot immediately sucks you in, and you can’t escape until you reach the “wtf” conclusion.
The story is about Alix Summers and Josie Fair. Two women, strangers to each other, who just happen to be “birthday twins”. But having the same day of birth is the only thing these two women have in common. They meet by chance at a restaurant whilst celebrating their birthdays! Alix is a beautiful, vibrant woman with a podcast celebrating the accomplishments of women who have overcome adversity. Josie is an unassuming part-time seamstress who is in want of a life different from her own. When Josie discovers who Alix is, she approaches her with a proposition; to tell the story of her life, a life she is determined to change.
However, Josie’s life has been anything but normal. Soon Alix uncovers uncomfortable truths about this birthday twin of hers (little objects are beginning to disappear from her house, and Josie is spotted on her home’s security camera rifling through recycling). Is Josie a victim? Or is she a psychopath?
Loved this novel. Perfect if you are looking for a quick-absorbing read. Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for the free copy.
Lars Kepler scared the crap out of me over ten years ago when I first read The Hypnotist. Since then, Kepler has published several Nordic murder mystery novels with detective Joona Linna as the central investigator. In The Spider, however, our focus is on another investigator Saga Bauer who has been on leave from the department with PTSD. Saga has been receiving little figurines of people, people who have a resemblance to people she knows. The killer has sent her a note saying that she will receive 9 figures, meaning 9 deaths, and it is up to Saga to find the murderer before the subsequent killing. Upon receiving a figurine, the person it represents is murdered in an incredibly gruesome manner. Kepler writes from various viewpoints, Joona, Saga, and the victims. It is by putting us in the shoes of the victims that creates an incredible sense of dread in the reader. A fast-paced, incredibly creepy crime novel that will keep you awake at night. A perfect summer or weekend read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin House Canada for the free copy.
I had forgotten I liked Alice Hoffman’s writing. The Invisible Hour was THE perfect re-introduction to her storytelling. This is a novel about the power of books, a belief I hold near and dear to my heart because I have seen it manifested over and over again in my students. When Ivy is little more than 17 years old, she becomes pregnant and disowned by her parents. Being in such a precarious situation, she is easily convinced to join a cult where she is partnered with none other than the cult leader himself, Joel Jacobs. But when her baby Mia is born, she recognizes the prison in which she has placed her daughter and looks for ways to instil a sense of freedom in her daughter. This freedom includes finding sanctuary in the town’s library, where Mia falls in love with the writing of Nathanial Hawthorn; in fact, the first book she picks up is The Scarlet Letter, and in it is an inscription from Hawthorn himself that seems weirdly and intimately linked to Mia herself born over a hundred years after Hawthorn’s death? When Mia is threatened with torture and imprisonment within the cult, she finds strength in Hawthorn’s words and escapes the only world she’s ever known. This story has a little bit of everything: time travel, romance, and drama, but mostly it is a novel about how we can find strength and belonging in books, and I love this.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for the free copy.
In High School, I loved Mary Stewart’s Arthurian Legend series. My favourite character was Morgan, sister to Arthur, apprentice to Merlin, sorcerous in her own right, but a minor character with the likes of Arthur and Merlin being the story’s focus. On the other hand, Sophie Keetch has written an entire book telling Morgan’s story. Yay! The novel starts when Morgan is a young girl and her father, the king, is killed. King Uther comes to court and forces the Queen (her mother) to marry him and then pretty much dictates the lives of everyone in the land as most kings were wont to do in the middle ages. Ever the rebel, Morgan is sent to a convent where she is delighted to have the opportunity to study (her passion, anatomy and healing). But her stepfather king eventually interrupts her happiness and orders her back to court, where she has to stifle the powerful woman she is if she is to survive the politics of the land. But just how long will she be able to live a life dictated? I loved and loved LOVED this book. I loved the characterization of Morgan. I loved the strong female characters presented. I loved the love story, the political intricacies and the elements of “Arthurian legend” woven throughout. What a great addition to my summer reading. Keetch writes in prose that is accessible to every reader. Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for the free copy.
Once you start reading this novel, you won’t be able to stop. It’s like being unable to tear yourself away from a car accident. Just when you think it can’t get any worse for the main character…it does, but only because of her incredibly stupid choices. There is not one character I liked in this novel, no one person I could attach myself to personally. Our main character June is horrid! There is only one moment (in a flashback) where I felt empathy for her but other than that, she is a self-serving, lying, incredibly cold-hearted individual. Now, this is probably because the entire novel is written from her point of view, so we get ALL of her thoughts and opinions, insecurities and self-talk uncensored. I got to thinking that if someone had access to the running commentary that takes place in my head on a daily basis, I’m not sure I’d be seen as all that sympathetic, either. This being said this is a novel about the publishing world. June watches her famous writer “friend” die and then steals her manuscript and claims it as her own. The entire novel is then the fallout of what happens when she does so. The book shows how social media can be used to create myths, glorify personas, manufacture stories, and destroy everything in its wake. This was a fantastic book and worth not only a read but a good discussion over cocktails as well.
First of all, the cover of this novel is gorgeous. I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but in this case, it’s perfectly safe to do so. There is so much to say about this book. Our main character is Olivia, a beautiful silver-haired young woman called a “freak” by her peers. In fact, when she was young, some adults suggested she be thrown in the rising water because she would be a “burden” for her family and for the Citadel in general. The Citadel is a city encircled by a wall to protect it from the demons that lurk in the woods beyond. It is a fascinating place, primarily medieval in its beliefs, be it religion, politics, or societal norms, especially when viewing someone who doesn’t fit in with what is deemed “normal”, which Oliva is not. Olivia is non-verbal autistic but also brilliant, artistic and intuitive. When she comes face to face with a demon on an expedition outside the walls of the Citadel (while she is foraging for medicinal plants), she realizes that demons are just as misunderstood as she is. The world-building in this novel is impressive. Immersive and intriguing. I also loved the secondary story that weaves along with Olivia, the story of Riley, Olivia’s best friend, trying to forge his own path in a society that is suffocating his individuality. Citadel is a story about identity, acceptance, friendship, family, and, most of all, having the strength to pursue the truth.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and Netgalley for the free copy.
Well, I enjoyed this book immensely. The tone (and obviously the subject matter) reminded me of the conversational, funny tone of “The Martian” but this time our protagonist is only 12. Finn Scott has been chosen to be one of the first kids to travel to the International Space Station by The StellerKids Project. Needless to say, he is very excited for a number of reasons: not only because he loves space and science, but also because he could use a break from his parents. Fin’s mother was tragically injured in a plane crash, and although she survived she has been undergoing immense rehabilitation in the hospital Naturally Fin’s dad has been consumed with caring for his wife leaving Fin to navigate some of life on his own. Although Fin does have his uncle D to accompany him on his space training, Fin feels as if he is facing not only “normal” twelve-year-old issues on his own, but now he may have to face the more adult “interstellar” issues that may come his way.
During training, Fin and the rest of the crew begin to suspect someone does not want kids in space. Why else would the safety mechanism on the subterfuge be disabled? Who messed with the flight simulator to ensure participant failure? All of these “mishaps” may not seem important during training, but when the crew embarks upon their real journey into space, there can be no room for error, let alone premeditated, purposeful sabotage. But tragedy does happen, and Fin and the rest of the “Stellerkids” find themselves on a mission to save the adults after a catastrophic event.
A perfect book for middle-grade students who are interested in STEM however the engaging tone of our narrator will make it an engaging read for all students. This novel will also make THE perfect read aloud for grades 5-8.
Thank you to Crescent Vista Press and Netgalley for the free copy.
The story starts with our protagonist watching a man die. She pulls her phone out a couple of times, tempted to call 911 but pauses.
No, it would be better if he were dead.
We then flashback to that morning. Nadine Walsh, daughter, wife, mother, is making the final preparations for her mother’s birthday party that evening. Throughout the day we meet various people who will be attending the party. We are introduced to these potential partygoers (one of which is our victim) through the critical lens of Nadine herself, so some of them we like, and the others,
well, we don’t like quite as much.
Is this because we are influenced by Nadine herself?
And just to make our reading a bit more uncomfortable, Nadine isn’t exactly the most sympathetic of characters until… well, I won’t spoil it for you.
I loved this book. It was perfect for a weekend read on my balcony sipping a cosmopolitan. A perfect addition to your summer reading list.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for the copy.
Ink And Spine 