Review: Project Pay Day

Author: Brent Hartinger

Started reading: August 2nd 2022

Finished the book: August 5th 2022

Pages: 206

Genres: Middle Grade

Published: February 21nd 2021

Source: Netgalley

Goodreads score: Not enough ratings

My score:

Synopsis

Dave and his two best friends, Hannah and Curtis, are looking forward to a summer of complete freedom, but their parents have another idea: they insist that the three teenagers get summer jobs. But the friends come up with a plan: Why not invent fake jobs to get their parents off their backs? The trouble is, their parents are going to want to see them bringing in real money. And that means finding a way to get-rich-quick, but without breaking the law, and without doing any actual work.

The summer passes and Dave, Curtis, and Hannah try a long list of schemes: trying to catch bank robbers to win the reward; scientifically calculating the “correct” number of jelly beans in a contest jar; finding and exploring a network of underground smugglers' tunnels; and even diving for sunken treasure. But “Project Pay Day” never quite goes according to plan, and they don’t make the money they need. Soon summer is almost over, and they have no choice but to solve a big local mystery — or face the consequences of their actions, which includes their parents breaking up the trio for good!

Review: Mightier Than the Sword #1

Author: Drew Callander& Alana Harrison

Started reading: July 7th 2022

Finished the book: July 18th 2022

Pages: 320

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy

Published: July 10th 2018

Source: Physical copy from the author

Goodreads score: 4.44

My score:

Synopsis

Wildly funny and inventive, this interactive book pulls you, the reader, into the action. Yes, YOU!
You wake up in the fictional land of Astorya, where stories from our world come to life. You're a real human being (we assume), and in this fictional world, that makes you a superhero. Armed with your trusty pencil you have the power to create: what you write, draw, or scribble in the book becomes part of the story!
Only you can rescue Prince S. from the evil Queen Rulette. Aided by the Couriers--a French stoat with dangerous dance moves, a giant dung beetle, a fire ninja, a Pegasus-centaur-cowgirl and a super-intelligent femalien chameleon--you must write, draw, and puzzle your way through a hilarious adventure that is unique to every reader! And most importantly, you must prove that the pencil is mightier than the sword.

Review: Wolf Hollow

Author: Lauren Wolk

Started reading: December 11th 2021

Finished the book: January 12th 2022

Pages: 304

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade

Published: May 3rd 2016

Source: Audible

Goodreads score: 4.17

My score:

Synopsis

Growing up in the shadows cast by two world wars, Annabelle has lived a mostly quiet, steady life in her small Pennsylvania town. Until the day new student Betty Glengarry walks into her class. Betty quickly reveals herself to be cruel and manipulative, and while her bullying seems isolated at first, things quickly escalate, and reclusive World War I veteran Toby becomes a target of her attacks. While others have always seen Toby’s strangeness, Annabelle knows only kindness. She will soon need to find the courage to stand as a lone voice of justice as tensions mount.

Review: On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness (The Wingfeather Saga #1)

Author: Andrew Peterson
Started reading: April 27th 2020
Finished the book: May 10th 2020
Pages: 304
Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Adventure
Published: March 18th 2008
Source: Netgalley
Goodreads score: 4.30
My score:

Synopsis

Janner Igiby, his brother, Tink, and their disabled sister, Leeli, are gifted children as all children are, loved well by a noble mother and ex-pirate grandfather. But they will need all their gifts and all that they love to survive the evil pursuit of the venomous Fangs of Dang, who have crossed the dark sea to rule the land with malice. The Igibys hold the secret to the lost legend and jewels of good King Wingfeather of the Shining Isle of Anniera.

Full of characters rich in heart, smarts, and courage, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness is a tale children of all ages will cherish, families can read aloud, and readers' groups are sure to enjoy discussing for its many layers of meaning. Extra features include new interior illustrations from Joe Sutphin, funny footnotes, a map of the fantastical world, inventive appendices, and fanciful line art in the tradition of the original Frank L. Baum Wizard of Oz storybooks.

In The Classroom #1: Alaska

Author: Anna Woltz
Started reading: Start of the school year
Finished the book: March 10th 2020
Pages: 184
Genres: Middle School
Published: October 6th 2016
Source: School Library
Goodreads score: 4.19
My score:

Synopsis

On the first day of school Sven is sure about it; he needs to pull of a brilliant stunt. Otherwise he will be that pathetic boy from class 1B. Parker just wants to be invisible. She just had the worse summer of her life and doesn't trust anybody. She then finds out that Alaska, who was her dog first, now lives with Sven, as his assistance dog. During the day, Parker doesn't want any contact with Sven, so she only has one choice left. If she ever wants to see Alaska again, she has to do it during the night.

Review: Frozen Secrets (Europa Academy, #1)

Author: Myles Christensen
Started reading: January 24th 2020
Finished the book: February 19th 2020
Pages: 298
Genres: Science Fiction, Middle Grade
Published: January 25th 2020
Source: Netgalley
Goodreads score: 4.23
My score:

Synopsis

Thirteen-year-old Max Parker is a grounded Earthling with the soul of a space explorer. So when he learns his family is relocating to Jupiter’s moon, Europa, he readily agrees to stay out of trouble. But his promise is soon forgotten, and his snooping lands him on a shuttle doomed for a fiery disintegration.

Convinced someone sabotaged the craft to cover up the theft he witnessed, Max digs into the incident. What else could they be hiding? Dodging a series of deadly accidents, he follows the clues to an abandoned outpost and discovers a secret that could blow the lid off a moon-wide conspiracy. Can he solve the mystery before his interplanetary escapade gets him killed?

Review: The Missing Barbegazi

Author: H.S. Norup
Started reading: November 28th 2019
Finished the book: December 7th 2019
Pages: 256
Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Published: October 4th 2018
Source: Netgalley
Goodreads score: 4.00
My score:

Synopsis

Tessa discovers the healing power of wishes when she sets out to find a missing Barbegazi, said to live in the mountains near her village. Meeting one is only the beginning of an adventure that unites generations and teaches Tessa that trust is at the heart of the best relationships.

A delightful story about families, love and learning that some secrets are best kept secret - forever.

Review: Friend or Fiction

Author: Abby Cooper
Started reading: October 21st 2019
Finished the book: October 27th 2019
Pages: 272
Genres: Middle Grace, Magical Realism
Published: October 8th 2019
Source: Netgalley
Goodreads score: 4.21
My score:

Synopsis

Jade's life hasn't exactly been normal lately, especially since her dad's cancer diagnosis. Jade wishes her family could leave their no-name town in Colorado already--everybody else does sooner rather than later, including every best friend Jade's ever had. So she makes one up. In the pages of her notebook, she writes all about Zoe--the most amazing best friend anyone could dream of.

But when pretend Zoe appears in real life thanks to a magical experiment gone right, Jade isn't so sure if she likes sharing her imaginary friend with the real world. To keep her best friend (and even make some new ones), Jade learns how to cope with jealousy, that friends should let friends be true to themselves, and that maybe the perfect best friend doesn't exist after all..

Review: The Humiliations of Pipi McGee

Author: Beth Vrabel
Started reading: September 14th 2019
Finished the book: September 24th 2019
Pages: 384
Genres: Middle Grade, Contemporary
Published: September 16th 2019
Source: Netgalley
Goodreads score: 4.17
My score:

Synopsis

From her kindergarten self-portrait as a bacon with boobs, to fourth grade when she peed her pants in the library thanks to a stuck zipper to seventh grade where...well, she doesn't talk about seventh grade. Ever.
After hearing the guidance counselor lecturing them on how high school will be a clean slate for everyone, Pipi--fearing that her eight humiliations will follow her into the halls of Northbrook High School--decides to use her last year in middle school to right the wrongs of her early education and save other innocents from the same picked-on, laughed-at fate. Pipi McGee is seeking redemption, but she'll take revenge, too.