​Treasure Hunters #3: Secret of the Forbidden City
Written by James Patterson & Chris Grabenstein
Illustrated by Juliana Neufeld
Age Level: 8 – 12
Grade Level: 3 – 7

​I loved this book! It’s punny! The Kidd family kids must rescue their mom. She’s being held for ransom in the Forbidden City, where the Chinese emperors once lived. The kidnappers don’t want money. They want the Kidds to find missing artwork. MASTERPIECES!
 
Some of the artwork was taken by the Nazi’s back during World War II. I knew about the artwork, but I absolutely loved how the authors wove that history into a mystery for kids. This story is so well written! I loved following the bread crumbs to find the artwork, and their mom.
 
PS- So far this is a series of 7 books. The 7th came out in June of 2020. My fingers are crossed that #8 is on its way!
 
PPS – My post this week was about the White Rose, a set of college kids who used letters to protest against Hitler. Here’s a link to another one for older kids,  THE BOYS WHO CHALLENGED HITLER. It’s about some Danish middle schoolers who decided to resist. Rinda Beach - Beach Reads - Rinda Beach -

Aria Jones & The Guardian’s Wedia
Written by Malayna Jones
Age Level: 9 - 12                                                                                                  
Grade Level: 4 – 7
 
If you read the first Jagger Jones book like I did, you couldn’t wait to get your hands on this one. It didn’t disappoint! Little sister Aria gets to be the main character. It starts with a field trip to an Egyptian museum where a pair of statues pass her some bracelets. They’re really tickets to the past. Aria hurries home to pack her bag, grab Jagger, and answer a call for help. Tatia is Pharaoh now, after the death of her father, mother, and step-brother, and she’s dying too. The Gods have stopped talking to the royal family, but they sent Aria and Jagger to help Tatia. Can the siblings figure out how to save them in time? You’ll have to read to find out, but be prepared – you won’t want to put this book down.

PS – Book 3 is in the works, and I can’t wait to read it!
PPS – If you haven’t read Book 1, here’s the link to my review:
Rinda Beach - Beach Reads - Rinda Beach

Lily To the Rescue
Written by W. Bruce Cameron
Illustrated by Jennifer L. Meyer
Age Level: 7 - 10                                                                   
​Grade Level: 2 – 3

​I loved this story! I didn’t know I needed a mentor book for a dog story I’m working on, but this is perfect. The dog is telling the story from her point of view, from how she views her kids. I loved how he used words like ‘school’ or ‘playing ball’ to help you understand Lily. This book is SO WELL DONE!
 
The story – Lily was once a rescue dog who was adopted by the vet who ran the animal shelter. Lily comes in and ‘works’ with the other cats and dogs in the shelter. She plays with them, but that teaches them the social skills they need to be adopted. This adventure begins when Lily meets a crow with a broken wing. The best part – the author’s note that tells you about the real crow facts that the author wove into the story.
 
If you don’t recognize W. Bruce Cameron, maybe you recognize one of  his titles – A Dog’s Purpose. It’s so good that it made me laugh and cry. That’s incredible writing! He also writes chapter books for kids. He has 9 puppy books, and Lily was one of them. Now he also has 8 books in the Lily series. I can see why – this book is full of great characters!

Pax
Written by Sara Pennypacker
Illustrated by Jon Klassen
Age Level: 8 - 12                                                 
​Grade Level: 3 – 7

​This book is wonderful! Meet Pax and Peter. They’re together in the first 4 chapters, until they’re separated when Peter’s father is sent off to war. When they’re apart, so is their story. Peter tells his part in one chapter, and Pax in the next. Somehow the boy and his fox must each find a way to survive in a world of chaos. The ending is amazing! I love a story that can reunite two great characters in a totally believable way.  
 

​Monkey & Robot
Written & Illustrated by Peter Catalanotto
Age Level: 6 - 9                                                              
​Grade Level: 1 – 4

​Are you looking for a fun early chapter book for beginning readers? Something with two great friends that’s as much fun to read as FROG & TOAD or GEORGE & MARTHA? You found it! Monkey is silly like Frog, and Robot is more like Toad. Together they work their way through simple problems in four short chapters/stories. Monkey & Robot are now  a trio of three fun books for young readers.

PS – When I posted this review on social media, I got two responses from its author/illustrator Peter Catalanotto. On Twitter he wrote, “Thank you for the wonderful review—I’ve always loved Frog and Toad—I refer to them in my Columbia writing course often—so for you to place these two in their company was quite an honor!” And I thought I was the one who was thrilled!
 
PPS – On Instagram he wrote, “Thank you! I’m currently working on the fourth book of their antics and adventures.” I said, “I will add that to my review. Readers will want to know!”
 

Mr. Lemoncello and the Titanium Ticket
Written by Chris Grabenstein
Age Level: 8 - 12                                                          
​Grade Level: 3 – 7

​I loved this book, but the prologue threw me off. I’m new to this series, and I was expecting to see the characters I met in the prologue back in chapter 1. Evidently they’ve been in books 1-4.
 
Instead I met Simon Skrindle. He’s a great main character. Super intelligent with logic and riddles. Talented at building things. The problem? He’s the only kid in town who can’t play Mr. Lemoncello’s games. He’s also bullied because of his geeky appearance and interests.
 
The plot reminds me a little of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Mr. Lemoncello is looking forward to retirement, and he wants to find the perfect child to hand his game empire to. Kids will love the twists and turns as each character fights to win the first titanium ticket, plus Mr. Lemoncello’s versions of  games like Candyland. It’s Nickoledeon, but with more slime! I can’t wait to see where the games go in the next Lemoncello book!

Upside Down Magic
Written by   Sarah Mlynowski,   Lauren Myracle, 
​                    &   Emily Jenkins
Age Level: 8 - 12                                                             
Grade Level: 3 – 7

​I loved this book! It was so unexpected! I knew it’d be about mixed-up magic, but I never guessed it’d be about a group of misfit magicians.
 
When Nory is tested for her dad’s school, her magic goes wonky. She doesn’t turn into a dragon (advanced magic), or a kitten (regular). She changes into a dritten (half of each). Her father sends her away without a word. He won’t even let her brother or sister contact her.
 
Nory is sent to live with her aunt, to go to a regular school, to the dummy class. The misfits are bullied, but they learn to work together, to recognize it’s OK to be different. You’ll have to read to find out how they solved their own problems. If you liked this story, check out the other 6 books in the series.

Just Grace and the Super Sleepover
Written by Charise Mericle Harper
Illustrated by Rachel Clowes
Age Level: 6 - 9                                                            
Grade Level: 1 – 4

I loved this story! Grace is such a great character! She’s invited to a camp-out sleepover, but she’s terrified. Grace ties herself into knots, forgets to buy a card for the birthday girl, and then blames a ghost for taking it. Grace reminds me of Junie B. She’s very kid-like, makes lots of mistakes, but has a great heart. Kids will love the cartoonish/graphic novel illustrations. No wonder this is book 11 from a 12 book series!

Ratscalibur (Chronicles of the Low Realm)
Written by Josh Lieb
Age Level: 8 – 12                                                                
Grade Level: 3 – 7 

​I read this story a few years ago. It was #22 out of the 111 chapter books/middle grade novels I’ve read and recorded in my Picture Book Journal. I still remember this book, even though it was 89 books ago.
 
Why? It’s a great story, and it’s unusual. A boy moves to the city, and an uncle gives him a rat (not my kind of gift), but the Rat is a ragician (rat magician. He bites the boy and turns him into a rat too. Our hero is sent to deliver a message to King Uther, the King of Avalon. The rat kingdom is in danger, and it needs a hero. Our hero sees a spork stuck in a hard biscuit. He pulls it out, and becomes a hero. Then the real adventure begins! Can our hero rescue the rat kingdom from the evil crows? Can he change back into a boy again? I can’t answer, but I can tell you there’s a happy ending.
 
I can also tell you this book was reviewed and loved by Jimmy Fallon (from TV), Daniel Pinkwater (one of my favorite authors), and Richard Peck (2001 Newberry winner). Wow! It’s like the triple crown of reviews!

​The Story of Diva & Flea
Written by Mo Willems
Illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi
Age Level: 6 - 8                                          
Grade Level: 1 – 3

Say hello to Diva, the dog who’s afraid to leave her home in Paris. Then shout bon jour to  Flea, the homeless alley cat who must flaneur/wander the streets. What happens when they meet – Diva and Flea become friends who explore Paris together, but have a place to return to when the fun is all done.
 
Where did Mo get this story idea – from a trip to Paris! Before he could start his own adventures, he found a guard dog, a cat explorer, and the seed to this story.