Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone by Tae Keller

 

On Saturday, I finished reading Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone by Tae Keller. This mystery is about Mallory Moss, a girl who worries about following the rules of middle school and fitting in. When Jennifer Chan moved in over the summer, Mal befriended her, but she was always concerned that her friends, Reagan and Tess, wouldn't accept Jennifer because of her belief in aliens and interest in finding them. After the Incident at school and Jennifer runs away, Mal decides to search for her with the help of Jennifer's journals and the only two members of the Science Club, Kath and Ingrid. As the three girls come across possible signs of aliens and Jennifer's whereabouts, Mal must confront the truth about her role in the Incident and the guilt she feels.

This book was such an unexpectedly compelling read. I especially enjoyed how it alternated between "Now" and "Then" because the story gradually revealed the events that led to Jennifer running away. I also loved how the story used the real science behind the search for extraterrestrial life. Even though the consequences of bullying are at the core of this novel, all of the main characters are three-dimensional and I understood where they were coming from even if I didn't approve of all their actions. Mal, Tess, and Reagan did come across as mean girls at first, but I think it came from deep misunderstanding of Jennifer. Even Kath and Ingrid weren't completely innocent, although I mostly think Ingrid was trying to do the right thing and the least to blame. The story definitely made me feel deeply sad about how girls sometimes treat each other, but I think that shows how important female friendship really is. The climax was excellent and the author did an amazing job of building to it because I was a little nervous that maybe something bad did happen to Jennifer. Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone is a fantastic choice for middle school girls and I also think it would be good for some middle school boys to read it, especially ones with sisters.

The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman

 

Over the weekend, I finished reading The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman. This animal fantasy is about Clare, the undead fox of Deadwood Forest, a place where leaves grow in a constant state of fall. When he was a kit, he was struck by a car and given the choice to either move on into the Afterlife or become an Usher to guide wandering souls. He chose the latter to avoid the realm of Pain. When he meets Gingersnipes, a badger soul, he can't usher her into the Afterlife and she is unable to leave Deadwood. Clare is astounded by this dilemma because it's never happened before, so he and Gingersnipes go on a dangerous journey to find the visionary grouse named Hesterfowl and learn more about a prophecy that could be fulfilled on All Hallows' Eve. What Hesterfowl reveals leaves Clare devastated and furious and he conspires with Nine, a trashrat, to rid Deadwood of Gingersnipes on All Hallows' Eve when all four realms are open until midnight. As Deadwood Forest becomes less stable, he grows fond of Gingersnipes and begins to consider her a friend. Soon, he becomes reluctant to carry out his plan and wonders if changing his fate is really what's best for himself, Gingersnipes, and Deadwood.

I absolutely adored reading this book because it deals with death, grief, redemption, and loss of purpose in a kid-friendly way. I loved Clare and Gingersnipes and thought they were wonderful main characters, flaws and all. I especially enjoyed the adventure and magic of Deadwood Forest. Because Clare is undead, he can interact with both living and dead animals and it definitely leads to some wild events. Although his appearance reflects his death, he's not really the monster that the human children sing about. He also shows a great deal of growth from the beginning of the story to the end when he has to make a big decision and do the right thing. Additionally, I really liked that he helped Gingersnipes see that she's not really useless like her father called her, especially because he saw her as annoying at first. Gingersnipes's kindness really shines throughout the story and I'm happy that she grew on Clare. The ending was bittersweet, but it felt right. Finally, I was curious about the identify of the narrator, so the narrator's note was a pleasant surprise afterwards. All in all, any kid who has dealt with loss or simply enjoys animal stories should real The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest.

And Then, Boom! by Lisa Fipps

 

Yesterday, I finished reading And Then, Boom! by Lisa Fipps. This realistic fiction novel in verse is about Joseph "Joe" Oak, an eleven-year-old boy who lives with his grandmother because his mom leaves him whenever she gets "the itch" and copes with his feelings by drawing and making references to comic book characters. After Joe and Grandmum lose their house, Joe's friend, Nick, helps them find a home in his trailer park. When tragedy strikes, Joe's mom is suddenly in his life again. Joe is hopeful that maybe this time will be different and she'll stay, but soon she leaves again and he is left to fend for himself. Keeping his circumstances a secret because he's afraid of foster care, he rescues a dog and her two puppies. Although he's less lonely, it becomes increasingly harder for him to survive as his home's utilities are shut off due to bill's not being paid and he briefly resorts to dumpster diving for food. With the arrival of a storm after his twelfth birthday, Joe must make quick decisions to save himself and his dogs. While things seem lost afterwards, a new opportunity is presented to Joe.

Although this story is heavy at times, it was engaging and inspirational. I was truly devastated when Grandmum passed away and tears may have been shed, but I cared so much about what happened to Joe as he struggled from poverty. I enjoyed his friendships with Nick and Hakeem and he had some amazing adults in his life who looked out for him, including his sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Swan, and the owner of the mobile home park, Uncle Frankie. I also liked how Joe took care of a family of dogs even though he could barely take care of himself. The story definitely reminded me a lot of the book I read just two weeks ago, The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman, because the two books have similar themes. Joe and Hank even have one of the same interests: playing basketball. The climax of And Then, Boom! was absolutely terrifying, but Joe showed a lot of courage and I loved the ending so much, even if it left me with the question of where his mom went. I'd definitely recommend this book to any kid experiencing poverty and those who like stories of found family.

The Partition Project by Saadia Faruqi

 

Over the weekend, I read The Partition Project by Saadia Faruqi. This realistic fiction novel is about Mahnoor "Maha" Raheem, a twelve-year-old Pakistani American girl who loves journalism. Over winter break, Maha's grandmother, Dadi, comes from Pakistan to move in with her and her family. At first, Maha hates the idea of spending time with Dadi after school and at the senior activity center on Saturdays. She's also struggling to come with a topic for her documentary for her media studies class, but as Dadi begins talking about her own childhood and how she had to move with her family from India to Pakistan after the Partition in 1947, Maha is fascinated by the Partition and decides to use the topic for her documentary. As the weeks go by, making the documentary starts to take over her life and she has to learn how to balance family, friendship, and school work.

Overall, I thought this book was fantastic. I enjoyed learning more about the Partition, a lesser known historical event here in the U.S., and following Maha's progress for making a documentary about it. I loved her passion, but not how it distracted her from her best friend, Kim Hoang, and their book report for English class. I also found her unlikable at times because of how dismissive she was of fiction, particularly fantasy. On the other hand, I did like how she befriended Ahmad Mirza, the new boy in her grade who moved from Pakistan. I think they had a lot in common because of their shared cultural background. Additionally, I appreciated how her media studies teacher, Mr. Goode, pushed her to think about media studies in new and different ways. He was definitely a great teacher. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention her relationship with Dadi, though. Although Maha is initially reluctant to hang out with Dadi, it was beautiful how they connected as Dadi told Maha stories from her childhood when she was the same age as Maha. Because the stories are tragic, painful, and scary at times, I did wonder a bit about how Dadi would feel about Maha sharing the stories in her documentary, but I figured it would work out even if there was some conflict. Finally, it was nice how Dadi moving in brought Maha closer with her parents and older brother, Talha. In conclusion, The Partition Project is an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys family and friendship stories that demonstrate the links between the present and the past.

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko

 

Last week, I read The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko. This realistic fiction novel is about Hank Hooperman, an eleven-year-old boy whose mom often leaves him in charge of his three-year-old sister, Boo. Hank hates making mistakes, but when his mom doesn't come back after several days and the apartment manager lets them know they're being evicted the next morning, he decides to take a bus with Boo to find Lou Ann Adler, the woman listed as an emergency contact on his field trip form. Although Hank finds it hard adjusting to Lou Ann's rules at first, Boo thrives while they're living with her. Hank is also anxious about what will happen if Lou Ann decides she doesn't want them anymore, but their time with Lou Ann goes from days to weeks and Hank begins making friends and getting involved at his new school and connects with Lou Ann's neighbor, Ray. Hank desperately misses his mom, so he tries to find her with Ray's help. His search isn't initially successful, but soon he has a breakthrough and must decide if living with his mom is the right thing or a huge mistake for himself and Boo.

This novel deals with some tough stuff, like child neglect, but I enjoyed reading it. I thought Hank's relationship with Boo was adorable and felt so bad that they have a mom who just can't keep it together. They definitely deserved a better life, but I wasn't sure if it would be with their mom, Lou Ann, or someone else. As I read the story and Ray became like a father figure to Hank, I began to realize that he might be a good option for them, but things got pretty tense and I definitely wasn't positive where Hank and Boo would find a home or if they would even be able to stay together. I also liked Hank's new friends, especially Ana Lopez because I thought their crushes on each other were sweet. On the other hand, I found Lou Ann to be a difficult woman to like because of her skepticism about Hank even though she was what Boo needed at the time, helping her learn to go to the bathroom consistently and write her name. Besides that, I thought it was cool that Hank discovered that he was good at basketball and wanted to try out for the team. I hoped that would work out for him because it was a way he could just be a kid after all he's been through. The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman is an excellent story about what it's like to experience neglect, homelessness, and the foster care system as a kid, and I would recommend it to anyone, especially those who are having a rough time at home to let them know that they're not alone.

365 Days to Alaska by Cathy Carr.

 

Last week, I read 365 Days to Alaska by Cathy Carr. This realistic fiction novel is about Rigel Harman, an eleven-year-old girl who loves living in the wilderness of Alaska. After her parents, Bear and Lila, divorce during the summer, Lila takes Rigel and her two sisters, Willow and Izzy, to Baldwin, Connecticut, to live with their grandma. Before they leave, Bear promises Rigel that she can return to Alaska in a year as long as she keeps it a secret from everyone else until he can talk to Lila about it. Rigel hates living in Connecticut at first, especially because it's challenging making new friends and the food isn't as good, but she finds joy in taking care of an injured crow outside her new school by feeding it whenever she can. As the months go by and Bear's communication with her and her sisters decreases, she wonders whether or not Bear will really keep his promise and if she'll have adjust to living in the suburbs more permanently.

I was really looking forward to reading 365 Days to Alaska because its main characters are from Alaska, so I wasn't surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Although I've never had to move as far from home as Rigel, I could relate to her struggles because I moved from Ohio to Illinois at a similar age. My favorite part of the whole book was her friendship with the crow whom she named Blueberry. This friendship was definitely the emotional core of the story for me and I got a bit teary-eyed near the end knowing it couldn't last. It also felt poignant how her relationship with her dad, Bear, changed as time went on and she began to realize that not going back to Alaska the next summer was a real possibility. I love that Rigel eventually found some friends among her classmates, though, because she was having a rough go of it before she received a surprise Christmas gift. 365 Days to Alaska is a wonderful story about truth, belonging, and discovering beauty anywhere and anyone who enjoys family and friendship stories should read it.

Summer Reading 2026

 

Welcome back to school, everyone! Here is an update of the middle grade and YA books I read over summer break. Early in June, I finished reading Magic Has No Borders edited by Sona Charaipotra & Samira Ahmed. This story collection features a wide range of fantasy and science fiction tales that reimagine South Asian folklore, legends, and epics. Some of the stories take place in the past, while others take place in the present or the future. All of them are by bestselling, award-winning, and emerging writers who have roots in southern Asia. The stories in this collection were quite enjoyable and I especially like that each one had an illustration after its ending. I didn't expect that when I decided to read this book. I also feel like I learned more about South Asia culture although I had some background knowledge from taking an Asian mythology class in college. Anyone who enjoys fantasy and adventure should read this story collection. I can't recommend it enough. Some of my favorite stories were "Kiss Me Goodbye" by Tracey Baptiste, "Chudail" by Nikita Gill, "A Goddess of Fire and Blood" by Tanaz Bhathena, "Infinite Drift" by Olivia Chadha, "Dismantle the Sun" by Sangu Mandanna, "Shamsuddin-Jalal" by Tahir Abrar, "Poetry of Earth" by Swati Teerdhala, and "Mirch, Masala, and Magic" by Nafiza Azad.

In June, I also read Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger. Taking place decades after Sheine Lende, this paranormal fantasy is about Elatsoe "Ellie" Bride, a seventeen-year-old Lipan Apache girl who can raise the ghosts of dead animals, a skill that has been passed down through generations of her family. When her beloved cousin, Trevor, is mysteriously murdered in what appears to be a car accident, Ellie decides to investigate with her dog, Kirby, and her best friend, Jay. As they uncovered the truth about Dr. Abraham Allerton, the father of one of Trevor's students, and the seemingly perfect town of Willowbee where he lives, Ellie must also protect her family and friends. I was really excited to read this novel after I finished reading Sheine Lende back in May, and it did not disappoint. I especially enjoyed Ellie's determination to find out what really happened to Trevor, and Jay was great comic relief. Given the combination of fantasy and mystery elements, the story was quite tense, especially towards the end during the climax because Dr. Allerton wasn't the only antagonist after a plot twist that was heavily foreshadowed. If you like fantasy and mystery or have already read Sheine Lende, like I had, you should definitely check Elatsoe out!

Additionally, I started reading The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare this summer. This paranormal fantasy series is about Clary Fray, a soon-to-be sixteen-year-old girl who learns that the world is protected from demons by a group of warriors called the Shadowhunters. In the first book, City of Bones, she witnesses a murder at the Pandemonium Club in New York City. Because she shouldn't have been able to see the murder, Jace Wayland, a seventeen-year-old Shadowhunter she met that night, brings her into his world. After her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon, she has to figure out why they're being targeted because she always thought that they were normal. She also feels an undeniable attraction to Jace. Then, in City of Ashes, the second book, someone in New York City is murdering young vampires, werewolves, and faeries. The Inquisitor accuses Jace, so Clary must track down who is actually responsible for the killings. In the next book, City of Glass, Clary is still working towards saving her mom. To find the person who knows how, she travels to Alicante, the capital of Idris, where she learns more about her family's past and encounters Sebastian, a mysterious Shadowhunter who seems to be an ally.

I'm about halfway through this series and it has been thrilling and absolutely wonderful. I adore the world-building and the romance between Clary and Jace, even though it seems impossible for a while because of the reveal at the end of City of Bones. I have watched the movie and the TV series, so I wasn't completely unfamiliar with the story, but the movie only covers the first book and it's been a while since I saw the show. I was definitely getting impatient for Clary and Jace to realize that the villain lied to them. Anyways, the fight scenes are excellent and I like the growth of the characters so far, including Clary's best friend, Simon. I can't wait to finish the rest of the series. It's the perfect choice for anyone who enjoys paranormal fantasy and romance.

In July, I read an advance reader copy (ARC) of The Sixth Faction by Veronica Roth, which is not officially released until October 6! This dystopian novel takes place in an alternate universe of the Divergent series. Instead of leaving Abnegation and her family by joining Dauntless, Beatrice "Tris" Prior makes a different choice during her Choosing Ceremony after tragedy strikes and she loses a friend. Although she tries hard to make it work, it's not the right fit, especially when she can't lie to herself about what her father tried to do to her. With her mother's support, she decides to become Factionless. Being Factionless has its own challenges, but she makes new friends and connects with Four, a Dauntless boy who happened to help rescue her during the attack on the Choosing Ceremony. As Tris learns secrets about both the five factions and the Factionless, she must decide which side she's on.

Because I enjoyed reading the Divergent series years ago, I was ecstatic to revisit the universe when I learned about the new duology and snagged an ARC in June at the ALA Annual Conference. So far, I think it's even better than the original series, although I'm still very anxious that it will end the same way. I'm not going to say too much because I don't want to spoil anything about either version of the series, but the progression of Tris and Four's relationship is a lot more satisfying in The Sixth Faction. I found Insurgent, the second book in the Divergent series, frustrating, even if the third book, Allegiant, was a huge improvement on that front. Also, I expected events to occur differently, but I was blown away by the huge twist at the end and desperately want to talk about it with someone. Anyone who liked the original series or is a fan of dystopian science fiction should read The Sixth Faction.

Last week, I read Worst-Case Collin by Rebecca Caprara. This realistic fiction novel in verse is about Collin, a twelve-year-old boy whose mother died in a tragic car accident. Because he's worried about another incident happening and wants to be better prepared, he keeps a worst-case scenario handbook. His best friends, Liam and Georgia, even nickname him Worst-Case Collin. Although his handbook covers many disasters, like avalanches, earthquakes, and riptides, and he uses swimming as a refuge, he still struggles with avoiding bullies, hiding his dad's hoarding habits from everyone, and telling Georgia he likes her more than a friend. As summer break approaches, Collin dreads having to spend more time at home where his dad just keeps accumulating more and more junk and the living conditions become increasingly unbearable. When another disaster strikes, Collin must find a way to be honest with his loved ones.

This novel was an emotional read in which family and friendship were major themes along with mental health and bullying. I like that it was in verse because the format let Collin's personality shine. The story itself dealt with hoarding, which is a mental health issue I've never encountered in fiction before, even though my maternal grandmother suffered from a form of it. I enjoyed Collin's friendship with Liam and Georgia and thought it was pretty cool that they were all on the swim team. On the other hand, the relationship between Collin and his father made me feel very sad. I know from experience that it can be hard when a parent has a mental health issue that he isn't acknowledging. Through the writing, the growing distance between the Collin and his dad was a tangible thing, even though I could tell that they still loved each other very much, especially when they went out to eat together. It was also interesting how they responded differently to the death of Collin's mom: Collin through his worst-case scenario handbook to cope with anxiety and his dad through hoarding stuff he doesn't need and letting the the disorganization of their house get out of control. Finally, I thought the climax was terrifying because it tied into one of my greatest fears, but it didn't surprise me because of how bad the situation had gotten in Collin's home. Overall, I definitely recommend Worst-Case Collin to any kid who has a parent who's struggling.