A fun twist on a classic monster feud.
Four young Trainers prepare for a Versus battle of epic proportions.
Nine-year-olds Gabe Basuldua and Hayden Fracasso and 10-year-olds Joon Baker and Tradd Risso are on opposing Trainer teams within the Crafters Guild. The guild, a secret society that specializes in monster battles, exists not only to protect civilians from roving monsters but to integrate monsters into a world where they can safely express their true natures; being pushed into hiding has been bad for monsters’ mental health. Using medallions made by the Crafters Guild witches, Trainers can protect themselves from specific monsters, allowing them to locate and train those creatures for battle. After intense studying, Gabe and Hayden find Count Drustan, the perfect vampire to enter battle with. Similarly, Joon and Tradd locate a werewolf named Redd Sampayo and convince him to fight for them. With their monsters registered and their medallions in hand, all that’s left for these Trainers is to set their monsters up for battle. So, who will win, vampire or werewolf? Set in Tacoma, Washington, this comedic, action-filled tale meshes interesting characters and worldbuilding with a classic vampire versus werewolf narrative. Alternating points of view and quick pacing make this an enjoyable and entertaining read that’s perfect for Pokémon fans. Hayden and Tradd are white, Joon is Korean American, and Gabe has dark skin and “wiry black hair.”
A fun twist on a classic monster feud. (Paranormal. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 3, 2024
ISBN: 9781619639010
Page Count: 272
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: July 4, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A page-turner with striking characters and a satisfying puzzle at its heart.
A boy who visits a little free library gets more than he bargained for when he becomes a sleuth caught up in the middle of his town’s most enduring mystery.
Ever since a tragic fire destroyed the Martinville Library, the town has been left without a place to borrow books. That is, until a little free library suddenly pops up, guarded by a fluffy orange cat named Mortimer. Fifth grader Evan McClelland selects two books from its shelves. Inside them he finds puzzling clues that lead him to chase down the real story behind the library fire. The book is told from multiple perspectives, including those of Evan, Mortimer, and ghost librarian Al, who perished in the blaze and is responsible for the upkeep of the little free library. Evan’s tenacious and curious character is relatable. His relationship with likable best friend Rafe, a brave, kind boy with overprotective parents, is easily one of the most endearing parts of the story. The puzzle over the library fire, a secret involving Evan’s family, a popular writer’s connection to Martinville, and the supernatural elements are presented in ways that are just right for middle-grade readers. The pacing is strong, and the twists and turns are satisfying even if perceptive readers may catch hints of the ultimate truth along the way. Physical descriptions of the human characters are largely absent.
A page-turner with striking characters and a satisfying puzzle at its heart. (Mystery. 8-12)Pub Date: Aug. 29, 2023
ISBN: 9781250838810
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Review Posted Online: June 8, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Supernatural mystery meets generational drama with hopeful endings for all.
Eleven-year-old Frank must solve a supernatural mystery to save his new home.
As fifth grade comes to an end, Frank Fernández is looking forward to finally staying put in Alabama for a second year, as promised, after a childhood spent following his parents’ home renovation work all across the country. Frequent relocation has made Frank wary of forming friendships or making plans, but his hopes for more stability are temporarily dashed when his parents announce plans to renovate a lighthouse in the Florida Keys, near where his mother grew up and his father’s home country of Cuba. Papi promises this will be their last move, though: The lighthouse will be theirs. But from their first day on Spectacle Key, things seem to go wrong: Tensions rise between his parents, and Frank’s hopes of a forever home are under threat from seemingly supernatural forces. In order to put down roots, Frank and new ghostly friend Connie, a White girl with freckles, must discover what secrets the island is hiding, uncovering Frank’s own family roots along the way. Frank is a fan of horror—he names his new Great Dane puppy Mary Shelley. But though there is some mild peril to be found, rather than a ghostly thriller, this is an appealing, lightly spooky family drama with valuable lessons for those who would hide from a difficult past instead of confronting and healing generational trauma.
Supernatural mystery meets generational drama with hopeful endings for all. (Supernatural. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 6, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-06-313481-2
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: July 12, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
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