Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Reviewed by Anusha

You are trying to replenish your magic after you messed up a mission and almost lost an important job. Suddenly, you see the worst kind of enemy walk out: a human. With almost no magic to save yourself, you try a last ditch effort. But this human is like no other. He seems to know exactly who you are and what you are doing. His assistant easily tranquilizes you before you can fully absorb what is happening. But you know that the information this human seems to know is dangerous enough to start a war.

In Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer, the main character, Artemis Fowl the Second, is working with his butler and closest friend, Butler, to recover his family fortune. He is the special human, and he captures Captain Holly Short while she is replenishing her magic. Artemis is part of a family of crime lords, and after his father is captured, he wants his billionaire status, and his father, back. He holds Captain Holly Short for a ransom of a ton of 24 carat gold, enough to help his family. The police force thinks that they can get rid of Artemis easily, but he is not like any human they have ever encountered.

Artemis Fowl is very smart and determined. He knows what he wants to do and how he wants to do it. He always surprised me with his knowledge and how he stays one step ahead. He does not give up, even when he has to hard copy every page from the “Book,” run it through multiple different languages, and finally, enlarge and print every single character to compare them with the Egyptian hieroglyphs, staying up past midnight.

I also loved this book because of the adventure. There are many exciting scenes, and this book is filled with suspense and shock. In one of the scenes, Artemis finds out that his cameras have been playing a loop. Meanwhile, a criminal dwarf breaks into Artemis’ mansion and Captain Holly is on her way to regaining her magic. Juliet hurries to the cell as per Artemis’ orders. There, Holly, with her magic, uses it to manipulate Juliet. Then, she escapes, and the real adventure begins.

Overall, I would rank this book a 9/10. It is a great book for readers that love fantasy, lots of magic, a little bit of humor, and adventure. Eoin Colfer has also written many other books, such as The Fowl Twins, Highfire, and Airmen that you might want to read. This book is the first in a series of many, so make sure to check them out, too. Go and check this book out right now! Scholastic, 277 pages

Ranger's Apprentice Book 7: Royal Ranger by John Flanagan

Reviewed by Isabella

Imagine being the princess of Araluen. To put it bluntly, you are a brat, spoiled, moody, stuck up, and selfish. So when your parents decide they have enough of you, they decide to send you to a ranger to shape you into a better person and make you a ranger’s apprentice.

In Royal Ranger: A New Beginning by John Flanagan, the sequel of Ranger’s Apprentice, Maddie’s parents Cassandra and Horace finally have enough of her behavior and decide to send her to their old buddy, ranger Will. Will is still grieving over the death of his lover, Alyss, and Horace is hoping to bring a little light into his eyes again by giving him an apprentice. Throughout the book, Maddie starts to grow out of her spoiled self, and learns many important lessons. 

One reason I loved this book is because you make a connection with the characters. Throughout the story, you will meet many new characters who you will fall in love with. For example, as I had mentioned before, Will had lost his lover, Alyss, in a fire. At first when I read that part, I was shaken, I couldn’t believe the author had killed off such an amazing character (I actually cried). When you read it, you form a bond with the characters and read the adventures as if you were actually there!

This book is also quite humorous. In the beginning, Maddie attempts to make some coffee for Will. She doesn't know how to make it, and so she just plopped coffee beans in the pot and didn’t even grind them! There are many humorous parts, like when the rangers talk to their horses, that you will laugh at!

I would definitely rate this book a 9.5/10! The story and details are really good, and you will want to read more as it goes on. I would recommend this book to people who love adventure and hate cliffhangers. Because this is the sequel series of Ranger’s Apprentice, you might want to read that first, and then move on to this one. I hope you will enjoy this book!

Puffin Books, 636 pages

Dune by Frank Herbert

Reviewed by Lucas

From behind the headboard slipped a tiny hunter-seeker no more than five centimeters long.  Paul recognized it at once-a common assassination weapon that every child of royal blood learned about at an early age.  

In Dune by Frank Herbert, Paul, the protagonist, has to flee into the wild desert of Arrakis after his father, Duke Leto, is killed, and the capital of Arrakis is captured by a rival family.  For better or for worse, once Paul is forced into the desert, he begins to acquire strange powers of prescience and mental capacity.  After being rescued by the indigenous Fremen of Arrakis, Paul must learn the ways of the Fremen and how to survive the desert.  Uniting the Fremen under his powers, he becomes one of the most powerful men on Arrakis, but what shall he do with that power?  You’ll have to read the book to find out.

One of the reasons I like this book is because it has so much action. There’s one event after another, all in quick succession.  For example, when the rival family attacks the capital of Arrakis, it is very fast-paced, starting with the Duke walking outside of his quarters, only to see the attack, then quickly being seized and bound up by the traitor.  Quickly, the point-of-view switches to the Duke’s wife, who also wakes up captured.  

A different interesting trait of Dune is that it is realistic, in some ways.  As the book progresses, economics and politics are intertwined in the plot, making it feel compelling and similar to real life.  An example of this is the Spacing Guild, a galaxy-wide organization that has great influence and regulates space travel.  In the real world, you can’t just travel willy-nilly; there are laws and regulations about where and how you can travel.  The Guild is representative of that, lending Dune a sense of realism that is not often seen in other science fiction novels.

I would give this book a 8.5/10.  There are a few reasons why I didn’t rate it higher, one of them being that in some places, there is a lot of talking, and the plot is rather slow-moving in some places. However overall, it’s a great book for people who like adventure, science fiction, with a nice dose of realism.  Dune is the first book in the series of the same name, making it a good preparation for the books to come.  You should go get it now! 

ACE, 672 pages

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

 Reviewed by Jackson 

Imagine living in a world where magic, science, and theology mixed together to form the most wonderful, dangerous place. Lyra, living in Oxford, must brace the dangers of living in this world and uncover mysteries that are unknown and save her friend, Roger, taken from a shady organization with sinister intentions for their victims. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman is a harrowing, exciting adventure. 

11-year-old Lyra has spent her life at Oxford college playing with her best friend, Roger, the kitchen boy. But rumors are spreading that an organization called the Gobblers is taking children, and kids are disappearing. One day, Lyra finds Roger missing and is very suspicious that he has been kidnapped by the Gobblers. Lyra is told that he has not, and will show up sooner or later, but she is convinced that he has been taken by the Gobblers and may be right. Alongside that, her uncle, Lord Asriel, is a captive under the most powerful beings, the Armoured Bears, who wear armour made from a powerful material. Using her brave, courageous and daring self, she convinces the company to take her along to the North, a dangerous place. Will she save her uncle and her friend Roger?  What mysterious things is her uncle doing and will she save him? Caught on a journey, Lyra, along with her companions, has to save both her uncle and friend. 

One reason I liked this awesome book is because it really showed a lot of detail, and the journey of Lyra really captivated me when I read it. The plot made me actually think about the story and try to predict what would happen. With Lyra's bravery and courage, she easily escapes from dangerous places and becomes the leader of a group of people which helps her immensely in her journey. The story really was awesome with the action and love that Lyra shows to her companions. 

The action of this story was electrifying, with battle and almost real scenes of chaos. Pullman is constantly dropping unexpected, compelling, and sensational action-- for example, when Lyra breaks out of the Gobblers’ jail for victims along with other captured kids. The story was awesome to read and surprising turns make it full of suspense. 

I would rate this book a 10/10 for its action, plot, and suspense! Anyone can read this book unless they don’t like gory things, for example, when barbaric warriors start ripping each other apart, and bears crashing into each other. Overall this story does contain a considerable amount of blood. This book is part of a series called His Dark Materials which contains The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, The Amber SpyGlass, which continue Lyra’s epic journey! Philip Pullman has also written many other books, like The Book of Dust and The Secret Commonwealth, all of which take place in the same world as Lyra’s. Is there a library near you? Then why don’t you check it out?!

Scholastic Corporation, 399 pages

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood

Reviewed by Regina

Trying to manage three children raised by wolves is not easy. Especially when the lady of the house is a young, spoiled brat. Then, you have to prepare for a fancy Christmas dinner, not wanting to break the reputation of the family you’re working for.

In The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood, Penelope Lumley is hired to become a governess for the Ashtons. She thinks that it’s young, innocent, and normal children, but is greeted by two boys and one girl with messy hair and clothes. Lady Ashton wants Penelope to teach the children manners so she won’t become embarrassed when the Ashton family holds the Annual Christmas Ball. However, the Incorrigibles can not take up human traits as easily as regular children, for they were raised by wolves.

One reason why I loved this book is that it shows the wolfish traits of the children. Alexander, Beowulf, and Cassandra like to bark and growl at each other, people, or objects they don’t like. They also chase after smaller animals, such as squirrels or birds. They do not know about human hygiene and clothes. Beowulf refuses to take a bath even if Penelope begs him to. The first time the two boys wore shirts and pants, the shirt was upside down for Beowulf, and Alexander’s pants were, too.

Another amazing trait of this book is that it kept me excited and wanting to keep reading until the end. Most books just have one climax, where the usual “battle” is, but almost all of this book is the climax. Most of the chapters end with a cliffhanger, and it’s hard to just put it down to rest or do something else. The protagonist, Penelope Lumley, has to face many challenges before the real climax of the book. This way, the reader will be able to last the whole book without becoming bored or unhappy about what they’re reading.

I would rate this book a 9 out of 10 because the ending is a cliffhanger. Most people like the book to end cleanly, with someone saving everyone from the “disaster” and everyone lives peacefully. However, this book leaves you on the edge of your seat, wanting to read the sequels all until the seventh book. I recommend this book for anyone who just wants a nice classic adventure to read curled up by a warm place. After reading this book, everyone should check out the whole series, The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place! The author, Maryrose Wood, has also written the series The Poison Diaries, which you might enjoy after reading this series. I hope all of you have a good day and will pick up some time to check out The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Mysterious Howling!

HarperCollins Publishers, 288 Pages

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Reviewed by Emma

Percy Jackson has had some ”issues” in the past. He was kicked out of more than three boarding schools because of some accidents on field trips, and he’s about to be kicked out of another one. But that’s really the least of his problems.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan is a book about twelve-year-old Percy Jackson, a young demigod who is facing a number of different problems. One of them is the fact that Greek mythology and Gods seem to pop out of nowhere, causing dilemmas almost everywhere he goes. His biggest concern is the fact that Zeus’s master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy has everyone’s suspicions. In this fast-moving book, Percy and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus’s lightning bolt before certain doom. Along the way the group makes friends, enemies, and discovers things about the gods more powerful than themselves. 

This book was really suspenseful, and I just couldn’t wait to find out what happens to Percy and his friends next. A scene I felt was suspenseful is when Percy finds out he is the son of a certain special god, a god who had sworn not to have any mortal children. That really caught my attention, and I started to think what Percy was going to do with this new information. 

This novel is based on Greek mythology, which I personally find very intriguing. Ever since I was introduced to Greek mythology, something inside of me clicked and I knew that this would be one of my favorite mythologies to study. This book combines Greek mythology with our modern world, which is super cool since we can somewhat relate to Percy in the “normal world.” The novel also gives some facts on some things in Greek mythology, which I also find awesome because we can learn a little bit about it with this book, as well. 

I would rank this novel a solid 10/10. I would recommend this book to people who love action and adventure. Trust me, once you start reading this book, you won’t want to stop. This book is the first book in a very long series, so definitely check the other books out, too. The end of the Percy Jackson series is the fifth book, but there are sequel series such as The Heroes of Olympus series and the Trials of Apollo series. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did, and keep on reading!

Disney Hyperion, 375 pages

The Land of Stories Book 2: The Enchantress Returns by Chris Colfer

Reviewed by Grace

An enchantress is in front of you. She points her finger at your chest, and you launch thousands of feet into the air. That’s when the world goes black. 

In Chris Colfer’s book The Land of Stories: The Enchantress Returns, Alex and Conner are faced with a bigger challenge than before. They are two middle school kids, who happen to live in a family where storytelling is one of the most important things in their household. They recently discovered that their grandmother's storybook is actually the portal to another dimension, the fairy tale world. In the second book, The Enchantress Returns, they are faced with a greater challenge than ever. Ezmia, the former Enchantress who cursed Sleeping Beauty to die when she pricked her finger on a spinning wheel, is back. She is causing havoc around the entire world, and is destroying it into pieces. All seems lost, but one day, when Conner’s searching the Red Riding Hood Castle library, he finds a book of enchantments. The Wand of Wonderment greets his eye. The wand is made by collecting the most prized possession of the most hated people in the fairy tale world. However, Ezmia is one of them. Will the group of Red Riding Hood, Jack, Goldilocks, Froggie, Conner, and Alex be able to gather the wand before it’s too late, or will they die trying?

This book is so special because it is really unpredictable. For example, I would have never guessed that Ezmia’s most prized possession is what it is. The book left me in a trail of mystery and dust every time I finished reading a chapter. I just kept on wanting to read more and more!

Another reason that this book grabs you is that the characters all have their own charm that makes them unique. For example, Red’s sassy attitude will not compare to anyone else's, as well as Conner’s lame jokes, Jack’s determination to be with the one he loves, and Froggy’s shy, yet brave personality that has helped them dig out of many holes. 

I would suggest this book to anyone who loves adventure, mystery, and fantasy, and I would rank this book a 10/10. It is one of the best books that I have read and will grab you in right away. However, I would suggest reading the first book in the series, The Wishing Spell, first. There are six books in total, all part of the series, The Land of Stories. There are also two extra bonus books, Queen Red Riding Hood’s Guide to Royalty, and Mother Goose Diaries. Chris Colfer even wrote a whole Treasury of Classic Fairy Tales that would be helpful if you are not yet familiar with them. Wait, what are you still doing on this boring review? Why not go to your local library or bookstore to check it out yourself?

Little Brown, 517 pages

The Tower of Nero by Rick Riordan

Reviewed by Anya

You have been cursed, exiled by your dad, and given a bunch of difficult, life-threatening tasks to do. You need to save the world and restore the gift of prophecy, but you face an impossible challenge at the end, facing an old foe you had defeated eons ago. What would you do?

In the book The Tower of Nero by Rick Riordan, Apollo has been exiled to Earth and must free all the Oracles to regain his godhood. Apollo, as in the Greek God of prophecy, music, poetry, medicine, bow, and the sun, manages to free the first four oracles with his master, Meg McCaffery, a twelve-year-old girl with a terrifying backstory of abuse and death. After thousands of life-changing battles filled with death and devastation, Apollo faces one last enemy alone. But how can he defeat this monster again in his puny mortal form?

One reason I loved this book is that it shows Apollo’s progress as a human changing from a snotty god to a grieving person. Apollo gets injured many times and needs to rely on his own children's help, and that shows how much he appreciates them. Apollo eventually feels shame for not realizing before how important family was. He also changes from thinking that one mortal dying was no big problem, to sobbing his heart out at every loss he faces. His change in attitude shows how someone can change in the span of a few months.

This novel was also inspiring because it has small hints of LGBTQ in it. In the book, Rick Riordan has Apollo’s son date another guy, and the god completely supports it. Apollo himself has dated men, and in one relationship, he has a daughter that he loves dearly. In the other books in the series, there are more LGBTQ relationships that Apollo completely approves of. I feel like it shows that if gods do not discriminate, why should we, mortals, decide whom our kids can love and whom they can’t?
I would suggest this thrilling book series to people who love Greek mythology and adventure and I would rate it a 9.5/10. This book is in a series called Trials of Apollo, and you should read all the other books before this one. Go to the nearest bookstore or Amazon to buy this book, to see if Apollo gets his godhood restored, or faces the most excruciating death anyone could have!

Disney • Hyperion, 416 pages

Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas

Reviewed by Charlene

Aelin Ashryver Galathynius has been imprisoned by a cruel queen, who is smothering her powerful fire abilities. She is a continent’s sole chance of being liberated from their wicked ruler and has many adversaries, who are becoming stronger each day she is locked up. When being tormented by the evil queen, Aelin comes so close, too close, to breaking from the pain, and only the tale she recited over and over again had kept her from doing so. Once upon a time, in a land long since burned to ash, there lived a young princess who loved her kingdom...

In Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas, assassin-princess Aelin Ashryver Galathynius has risked everything to free her country and save her people, but at what cost? She is locked in an iron coffin and tortured by Maeve and her right-hand man, Cairn, who heal her again and again so her skin is fresh to be whipped, burned, and stabbed at. Maeve is the Queen of the Fae, who has altered everyone’s mind to make them believe she is Aelin’s aunt. With Aelin captured, her friends are the last line of defense against Erawan, a dark and powerful king, Maeve, and their forces. Aelin needs to escape her dark prison and save her people before Erawan and Maeve destroy them all. 

One of the reasons I enjoyed this book is because all the characters have unique and different personalities and backgrounds. Aelin is a long-lost princess, manipulative, and clever, and one of her friends is the granddaughter of the Blackbeak witch clan matron, while others are even princes! Unlike some other books, where everyone is relatively the same, Kingdom of Ash has many different characters in different situations, including shapeshifters, kings and queens of monsters, possessed kings, and more.

This novel is not the cliche ‘damsel in distress and knight in shining armor’ plot and is very different from other stories’ plots. Aelin is strong-willed and doesn’t take nonsense from anyone. Every twist and turn in the storyline leaves you yearning for more and when you least expect it, something significant happens, making the story a whole lot more exciting. 

I recommend this book to those that like war, strategy, and magic, but people who don’t like gore and blood shouldn’t read it. I would rate this book a 9.5/10 because there is quite a bit of romance, which I don’t really like. This novel is the final book in the Throne of Glass series and you should read the previous books so you know who and what the characters are and understand what is happening. Go check this book out if you think it is the right book for you!

Bloomsbury Publishing, 992 pages

Ranger’s Apprentice Book 7: Erak’s Ransom by John Flanagan

Reviewed by Aashi

“He tried to shout. But the sound was inaudible even to his own ears, drowned by the triumphant shriek of the massive wind.” Have you ever been in a sandstorm as crazy as this? Because this book is like a whirlwind of excitement!

Erak’s Ransom by John Flanagan is about a boy named Will. He is an apprentice ranger to Halt, a hero in the Kingdom of Araluen. Rangers are characters of great mystique in the country. They train with a bow and arrow and are great at unseen movement. The ruler of an ally country, Skandia, is captured by the Governor of an enemy country called Arrida. So, Will, his master Halt, and his friends, Horace and Gilan, must escort the princess of Araluen, who will negotiate the ransom price, to Arrida. What starts off as an easy journey turns into an adventure when Will’s horse, Tug, runs off and Will goes on a journey across the desert to find him. Meanwhile, the small party from Araluen and the governor are captured by local bandits. Will is the only one who can save them.

The first reason I liked this book is because the characters have a lot of humor. They make a lot of funny comments, outsmarting each other with their dry wit. With the rangers, you can really see their acrabic nature, and they care for each other deeply. For example, when the party from Araluen is traveling on a skandian ship to Aridda, the captain is amused by Halt’s seasickness. After a few days once Halt gets over it, he drinks almost all of the captain’s favorite ale to get back at him.

This book was simply amazing because of the elaborate descriptions. You can really imagine the scenes happening and each of the characters. It is like watching a movie when the author describes how the rangers get captured. You can see all the effects of the different strategies both sides are using. The Arridans decide to make a shield wall to deflect the charging bandits. Horace helps fight off any bandits that manage to break through. These explanations make you feel that you are in the book itself!

I think this is a great book for people that like a story full of adventure and excitement. I would rate it a 10/10 because it is so amazing, I have read it multiple times! This novel is in a series called Ranger’s Apprentice, so make sure you read the previous books before this one. Now, go fast as an arrow to your local library and check it out!

Penguin Random Books LLC., 441 pages

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

Reviewed by Jacob

Let me ask you a question: if you were given the choice to have infinite security and no freedom, or infinite freedom with no security, what would you choose? In A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, the protagonist Meg must choose between these two choices, and the cosmos depends on it.

The story starts with Margaret “Meg” Murry and her brother Charles Wallace who live with their mother and twin brothers, Sandy and Dennys. Having no idea where their father is or even what sort of “government work” he was doing, Meg is most affected by his absence. Wishing to fit in but missing her father terribly, she sometimes acts out at school, in turn getting bullied by students and teachers alike. One day, when a mysterious “tramp” named Mrs. Whatsit arrives and seems to be acquainted with Charles, Meg is drawn into an adventure where she learns how fitting in isn’t always beneficial. and finally gets a chance to find and rescue her lost father.

One reason I liked this book is how the characters are mainly predictable, yet sometimes say or do things that you otherwise would not expect. One example of this is right before the protagonists go to a dark planet called Camazotz. In this moment, Mrs. Whatsit looks at Meg and says, “Meg, I give you your faults.” I was very surprised and interested in this scene, because Meg is always trying to get rid of her faults, but wise Ms. Whatsit opts to give them all back.

The events are linked to each other in this novel, in such a way so every single minor detail grows and adds to each other and plays an important role in the story. For example, when Ms. Whatsit first arrives, she says, “Bye the way, pet, there is such a thing as a tesseract.” The tesseract, in case you are wondering, is a concept that shows that the 5th dimension, or the “Wrinkle in Time,” can be used as a means of transport to travel through time and space. Later, the tesseract plays an important role on Camazotz, when the protagonists try to escape a very strong brain called simply IT.

I would rate this book a 9/10, because it had a good plotline and explanation, but was a bit confusing due to the complex detail L’Engle put into the book. The rest of the series, in the order of The Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters, and An Acceptable Time would be recommended to anyone who likes science fiction or mystery books. But Funnily enough, the chronological order is completely different! The chronological order of the time quintet series are: A Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, Many Waters, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, and An Acceptable Time. I hope you enjoy reading about Meg and her adventures as much as I did!

Square Fish, 256 pages

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

Reviewed by Amber

You live in a poor village by a barren mountain, where the only things that get you through the grueling day are the stories your father serves at dinnertime. Fueled by the hope of good fortune for your family, you set out to look for a magical man who knows everything. But what if the man lives in the heavens, nearly unreachable? How are you supposed to find him then?

In Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin, Minli’s father tells her a story every night at dinner. One particular evening, he tells of the Old Man of the Moon, who answers one question every 99 years. This tale urges Minli to find him and find a way to solve her family’s poor fortune. Along the way to the Old Man of the Moon’s residence, Minli meets Dragon, a flightless dragon whose greatest wish is to soar through the sky. Together, the two encounter a nearly surreal girl, a mighty king, and a deadly tiger. Will Minli ever find the Old Man of the Moon? And after all she has been through, have her priorities changed?

One reason I enjoyed reading this book is because of its unique, interesting characters. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon features immortal beings based on Chinese gods. There are also many intriguing creatures, such as dragons, talking animals, and even mischievous statues. For instance, Minli is stunned by an orange-and-black goldfish with piercing eyes, who has emotions just like a human’s.

Grace Lin puts in so much emotion into her writing. When Minli suddenly leaves to find the Old Man of the Moon, you can feel Ma and Ba’s worry, sadness, and fear for Minli. Another example of the feelings Lin puts into her writing is shown by Minli’s fear when the Green Tiger, whose attacks are often fatal, ambushes her and Dragon, raking his claws against Dragon’s skin. I was able to tell what the characters were feeling in the moment, as if I was standing in their shoes.

This is an exceptional novel, and I rate it 10/10 for its adventure, emotion, and the plot twist at the climax. This story is not part of a series, but Grace Lin has written a few other books featuring some of the same characters: Starry River of the Sky and When the Sea Turned to Silver. I highly recommend this book to girls and boys who enjoy reading heartwarming fantasy stories. If you fall into that category, or just want a new book to read, why not check out Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin?

Little, Brown and Company, 279 pages

Wishtree by Katherine Applegate

Reviewed by Isabella P.

Imagine that you are a tree, not allowed to talk to humans. But now, there is an emergency and you need to speak out! Well, that is exactly what happens in the book Wishtree, by Katherine Applegate.

This book is narrated by Red, who is an Oak tree. He lives with what he calls his roommates, which are many different animals that find a home along his branches. His best friend Congo, a very kind lady crow, enjoys having conversations with him and his fellow roommates. He and his other animal friends are not allowed to talk to humans, but one day they must make a choice between playing it safe and speaking out. What makes them have to make a choice is that one day, a boy carves “LEAVE” on the trunk of Red. There is commotion, and other people agree that Red (A.K.A. The Wish Tree) should be cut down, since he takes up a lot of space and is hard to clean up after. Other people are opposed to this action, and they want Red to stay since there is a day where people hang up their wishes on the old Oak tree. Can Red work well with the animals and people on his side, or are they helpless even when working together?

One of the reasons that I really liked this book is because I got to hear the story from a tree’s point of view instead of from a person. This really gives the reader a new and interesting experience when they are reading this book. It is really refreshing to see how the author thinks that trees communicate with animals, other trees, and humans, too. It is also different from other books, since all of the creatures that find a home inside Red each have personalities. This gives the reader a new view on going on a walk or hike.

I felt a sense of community and friendship between all of the animals in this story. Even though some of the animals are not kind to each other in the beginning, they end up helping each other in the end. There is a snotty family of opossums, but when Red really needs help, they choose to assist their friend. I enjoyed how some of the characters change over time as the story goes on. It was also really amazing to see that the lives of the characters in this book are very similar to ours, and that the author had a great imagination when writing this book.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes nature and friendship. I would give this amazing read a 10/10 because I think it is different from any book that I have read so far. Good news, it is also now available on the Sora app and on a Kindle, so it is super easy to get (or download) and read!

Macmillan Publishers, 224 pages

Keeper of the Lost Cities Book 2: Exile by Shannon Messenger

Reviewed by Mara

Not many people grow up among humans, discover that they are an elf, journey to the Lost Cities, and get kidnapped by an evil organization. However, Sophie Foster of Shannon Messenger’s Keeper of the Lost Cities manages it all. Book Two of Messenger’s series is entitled Exile, and in it, Sophie is forced to make a decision that will save everyone, but in the process, she might lose her life. 

The Lost Cities are cities where mythical beings, mainly the elves and gnomes, live, hidden away from humans. Sophie is an elf who grows up around humans for twelve years, thinking she is one of them, only to be whisked away from the place she knew as home, and introduced into a whole new world. Book Two begins when Sophie Foster and her best friend Dexter Dizznee (Dex for short) are hunting around the woods for a runaway sasquatch, despite the protests of her overprotective goblin bodyguard, Sandor. The only reason Sandor had allowed her to go was because she is a telepath, an elf with the ability to read minds. She can use her ability to track animal thoughts, so she was helping them. As the book progresses later into the story, Sophie takes a visit to the terrifying elf prison called Exile with her friend Fitz’s father Alden, and Alden is injured. Sophie will have to use her telepathy for something much more serious, before her friend turns on her forever. But she can’t. Her telepathy is broken, and she’ll have to fly far away and face new horrors to fix the mess. 

This book was really emotional. In one scene, Sophie meets an alicorn, a creature who the elves know of only one other, and I felt just as much awe. In another, black cloaked figures are hurting Sophie’s friend while she lays helpless on the ground, and I felt equal outrage and fear as Sophie. Shannon Messenger does an amazing job describing the characters' reactions.

Another reason I liked this book is that it really sucked me in. I couldn’t put it down! From the tense scenes, where the characters are silently waiting for their enemies to attack, to the happy scenes, when everyone knows they are safe, I couldn’t stop reading.

I would rate this book a 10/10 because it is the perfect mix of heart-thumping conflict, but also the ups and downs of Sophie’s social life. The book is fiction, and I recommend it for all types of readers, as it has too good of a plot to miss out on just because you prefer nonfiction. Exile is Book Two in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, so make sure to read the first book, Keeper of the Lost Cities, first. Happy reading!

Simon & Schuster, 568 pages