Amira & Hamza Duology

 

Over the past few weeks, I read the Amira & Hamza duology by Samira Ahmed. This fantasy series is about the summer adventures of Amira Majid, a 12-year-old girl, and her younger brother, Hamza. In the first book, The War to Save the Worlds, Amira and Hamza are at the Medinah Temple in Chicago with their parents to observe a rare super blue blood moon eclipse when they drop al-Biruni's Box of the Moon while fighting over it. Suddenly, the box is activated and everyone except the siblings are under a sleep spell. Making things worse, a chunk of the moon has broken off and is heading toward Earth. At first, Amira and Hamza have no idea what is really going on, but then they are whisked off to a mystical land called Qaf by two jinn, who reveal that the siblings are the Chosen Ones and play a role in an ancient prophecy. On a journey in which they confront terrifying jinn, devs, and ghuls, they have to find and defeat Ifrit, a terrible and cruel dev, in order to prevent the moon from breaking completely apart and releasing what's trapped within.

In the second and final book, The Quest for the Ring of Power, it is now the last weekend before school starts back up. Since their journey to Qaf, the summer has been peaceful and ordinary. Hamza desperately wants to go on one last adventure, though, to check out Palmer Castle in Jackson Park and hopefully battle a ghost. When Amira rejects his invite and Hamza decides to go alone, Ifrit's father, Ahriman, kidnaps him to find the three pieces of Suleiman's oculus that will reveal the location of the Ring of Power after the parts are brought together and placed in the Star Axis. With the help of Aasman Peri, a friend from Qaf, Amira goes on a country-hopping adventure to save her brother and obtain the Ring of Power before Ahriman does.

I absolutely adored Amira & Hamza from the very beginning. I totally related to Amira's interest in astronomy and science and Hamza's interest in superheroes and science fiction. The pop culture references were so much fun and I thought Hamza was hilarious. Like Amira, I also have a younger brother, so I know how they can sometimes be annoying, though. While reading, it was fascinating learning about fantastical creatures from Persian mythology and real life historical figures who lived in the Middle East. The world-building was amazing! Most of all, I enjoyed the adventure and how Amira and Hamza had to get past their differences and work together as a team to defeat their foes. There were so many heartwarming and emotional scenes in addition to action sequences and plot twists and it was easy to root for the siblings, especially when Ifrit and Ahriman were so dastardly. Some of the creatures were quite scary, too, although my favorite, a simurgh, really saved the day in the first book. I also really liked the three-eyed winged horse that Hamza named Zendaya after the actress. There was one moment in the first book that was really devastating, but a reveal in the second book did help me accept the loss. The last thing I'd like to mention is how thrilled I was when Amira and Hamza had to go to the Louvre in Paris for the third part of the oculus because I had been there just two years ago. I don't blame Amira for being so excited to see the Winged Victory because I was, too. Both books include an author's note and a further reading list at the end. Overall, the Amira & Hamza duology is an excellent fantasy series, and I can't recommend it enough to anyone who enjoys fantasy based on mythology.

Buffalo Dreamer by Violet Duncan

 

Two days ago, I finished reading Buffalo Dreamer by Violet Duncan. This realistic fiction novel is about Summer and her family who spend summer vacations on the Cree reservation in Canada where her mom's family lives. Before Summer even arrives at the reservation, she begins having vivid dreams about a girl who is running away from the real-life residential school that is near the reservation. Soon, she learns that unmarked graves were discovered at the residential school, and she and her cousin Autumn decide to investigate what happened in their community's painful past and how it relates to Summer's dreams. More elders are starting to share their experiences, and Autumn encourages Summer to ask Mosom, her grandfather, about his early life. When the community plans a march and rally to raise awareness of the discovery at the reservation, Summer is eager to participate and share her hopes for the future, especially after one of the elders, Kokom Rose, reveals the source of her dreams.

Although this novel is very short, it was quite profound and I was surprised by how intriguing it was because it had a bit of mystery with the identify of Buffalo Dreamer, the girl in Summer's dreams. Most of all, I really enjoyed following Summer during her summer vacation and learning about her Cree heritage. I especially found it relatable when Summer went picking for Saskatoon berries with Kokom, her grandmother, because I picked raspberries, gooseberries, and currants at my grandma's house during the summers when I was a kid. I also adored Summer's relationship with Autumn because they are cousins who seem more like best friends. This novel is painful at times, though, and I did get a tiny bit teary-eyed learning about what happened to Native children at residential schools and how much trauma Indigenous peoples still feel to this day. I wish I had learned more about recent Native American history when I was in school. The hardships still continue to this day and it breaks my heart knowing that. The climax of this book was wonderful and it was a great idea holding a march and rally to raise awareness of the children who died at the local residential school. At the end of the book, there is glossary and an author's note, although it would have been helpful if the glossary also included pronunciation. Buffalo Dreamer is a powerful story, and anyone who enjoys family stories and learning about Native American history should read it.

The Misfits Series by Lisa Yee & Dan Santat

 

Over the past month, I read The Misfits series by Lisa Yee & Dan Santat. This adventure series is about Olive Cobin Zang, a twelve-year-old girl who often experiences weird things even though she typically isn't noticed much. In the first book, A Royal Conundrum, Olive is coping with the loss of her beloved grandmother, Mimi, and wishes her parents were around more because they're always going on business trips. When her mom, Dr. Cobin Zang, drops her off at RASCH, a strange boarding school that used to be a prison and now claims to be a "reforming arts school", Olive is more than a little apprehensive. The school isn't what it seems, though, and she is selected to fight crime along with four other kids, Phil, Iggy, James, and Theo, who don't quite fit it. They decide to call themselves the Misfits, and after the Royal Rumpus necklace is stolen from Dame Gloria Vanderwisp, a woman who helps fund RASCH, at the school's gala, the Misfits have to find the thief to save the only place where they've ever really belonged from being closed. In the second book, A Copycat Conundrum, Olive's friend, Zeke, starts receives threatening notes and San Francisco is experiencing localized earthquakes while priceless art disappears. The Misfits have to figure out if there's a connection between who is targeting Zeke and who is behind the art heists in the city and how to stop them. In the third book, A Sea Monster Conundrum, RASCH students claim they see a ghost around an abandoned lighthouse. While taking a group of tourists to explore the Donut Trespass zone of the island, they learn more about what could be causing the appearance of a ghost. After multiple news reports about sightings of a sea monster, nicknamed Frannie, in the San Francisco Bay, they investigate to determine if Frannie is real or an elaborate hoax. When Olive and Iggy make a shocking discovery at Marine World, a theme park owned by the self-centered billionaire Oscar "Odious" Odion, it is up to the Misfits to come up with a scheme for a rescue mission.

I had so much fun reading this book series because the action and adventure of the Misfits' NOCK missions was absolutely exhilarating. Although Olive and the other Misfits have such different personalities and would sometimes argue, they always came together to save the day. I also really enjoyed the other characters' quirkiness, allies and villains alike, especially the Misfits' team leaders, Modest Cusak and Monica LaMonica, who are husband and wife. What surprised me the most by A Sea Monster Conundrum was how much I grew to care about Bee, a super-small, super-stealth drone that Phil invented to look like a bee. In general, I thought Phil's gadgets were the coolest and they always came in handy when the Misfits were in a tight spot. Out of the three books, A Sea Monster Conundrum felt the most emotional because the Misfits weren't just dealing with robberies and it revealed how big of a heart Iggy has. She likes to seem tough, but the third mission really brought out the best in her. Additionally, the plot twists kept me guessing when it came to the mystery elements of this series. Finally, I can't forget to mention how awesome I thought it was that Mimi taught Olive the tricks of trapeze, tightrope, and other acrobatics. Olive's athleticism was so crucial to the success of their missions, especially during the most critical of moments. Weirdly enough, the epilogue of the third book had a huge cliffhanger, but I did some research and there are no current plans to extend this trilogy into a longer series. Despite that, The Misfits is a terrific choice for anyone who likes adventure, mystery, and unique characters.

How It All Blew Up by Arvin Ahmadi

 

Over spring break, I read How It All Blew Up by Arvin Ahmadi. This realistic fiction novel is about 18-year-old Amir Azadi who is faced with the reality of coming out to his Iranian American family. During his senior year of high school after moving to a new school, he secretly dates another boy, Jackson Preacher, for the first time, but when two classmates, Ben and Jake, plan to blackmail him by showing a picture of him kissing Jackson to his parents on graduation day, Amir decides to run away to Rome. In Rome, he meets a community of young queer men and begins to feel more comfortable with his identity. He even considers what it would be like to stay long-term. Meanwhile, his younger sister, Soraya, investigates to find out why Amir ran away and where he is. After she spills the news to their parents, everything comes crashing down on Amir and he and his family are stuck recounting their story to U.S. Customs officers.

When I started reading this book, I had no idea what to expect, but I ended up enjoying it even though there were times when I wanted to yell at Amir to stop making bad choices. I actually really felt for Amir because it seems really hard to feel like you have to keep a big secret about yourself from parents that have demonstrated that they have conservative views due to their culture and upbringing. I absolutely loved that he ran away to Rome, though, because I myself visited Italy less than two years ago. As I was reading, I definitely felt like I was back there. I also thought it was interesting how the story reveals that the lives of Amir's new friends aren't as perfect as he originally thought. He learns to see them as people who have struggles, too. Additionally, I really adored Soraya because she was sassy and immediately accepting of Amir after she learned about his sexuality. She's an amazing younger sister and I could tell how much she and Amir care about each other even when they were reluctant to admit it. While Amir's dad was frustrating at times, I did understand the perspectives of him and Amir's mom. I think it can be hard for parents to learn that their children have hopes and dreams that differ from their expectations. Amir's relationship with his mom seem to be in a good place at the end of the story, but his dad definitely still has room to grow. I don't want to say too much, but the very last chapter was bittersweet, as well. It made me wish Amir was still in Rome. Due to swearing and some suggestive content, I recommend How It All Blew Up to mature readers who enjoy friendship and family stories that have a dash of romance.

All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson

 

Last week, I read All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson. This realistic fiction novel that combines verse and prose is about Sage, a girl whose best friend, Angel, was hit by a drunk driver on the way to her house for her thirteenth birthday. To cope with her grief, guilt, loneliness, and anxiety, Sage has been going to a counseling group with four other girls, Ebony, Zay, Ana, and DD, at school. Of the other girls, Ebony understands Sage best and DD also spends time outside of grief group with them, but it's still not the same as having Angel around. Although Sage initially believes her pain is different from Zay's and Ana's because Angel died suddenly, she grows to realize that just because the circumstances of their losses are different doesn't mean it hurts less for them. Meanwhile, she begins to fall for a boy, Kofi, who plays basketball at Morningside Park. As time goes on, Sage learns that she can feel many emotions at the same time.

Although this novel is poignant, I enjoyed reading it from the very first lines. I could relate to Sage because, like her, I first experienced loss at a relatively young age. I felt awful that she blamed herself for Angel's death. Although I've never had counseling for grief myself, I liked how the author had Sage join a grief group with other girls who had lost someone. Besides Aunt Ini, it seems like Sage would have been quite alone otherwise. I liked how the counselor, Ms. Carver, could help Sage process her feelings even when Sage was angry. It definitely seemed important for Sage to have another supportive adult in her life, especially given the twist at the very end of the story. Additionally, it made me happy that Sage was able to genuinely become friends with Ebony, DD, Zay, and Ana, despite her initial reservations. Her connection and romance with Kofi was sweet, too. In conclusion, anyone should read All the Blues in the Sky, especially those who have experienced loss, whether it was a friend, a family member, or a beloved pet.

Greenwild Series by Pari Thomson

 

Yesterday, I finished reading the Greewild series by Pari Thomson. This fantasy series is about Daisy Thistledown, an eleven-year-old girl whose mother has been keeping big secrets as they travel the world for Ma's journalism career. In the first book, The World Beyond the Door, Daisy is left in the care of a boarding school in London when Ma goes on a trip to Peru for a dangerous job. After Ma mysteriously disappears, Daisy is on the run from Mr. Craven, Ma's new editor who is determined to stop her from learning the truth about her mom. When she goes through a mysterious hidden doorway at Kew Gardens seeking safety, she finds herself in Mallowmarsh, a community in the Greenwild. As Daisy spends time in this land of green magic, she discovers that Artemis White, the commander and head mallow, may have information about what happened to Ma and that someone wants to destroy the Greenwild. While learning the truth about who she is, Daisy befriends Indigo, the Prof, Acorn, and a vain cat named Napoleon to save the Greenwild. In the second book, The City Beyond the Sea, Daisy and her friends desperately leave the safety of Mallowmarsh to join the expedition to find Daisy's mom and the other missing Botanists. Pursued by the dangerous Grim Reapers and seeking Iffenwild, the legendary capital of the Marindeep, for help fighting their enemies, they end up with the Nautilus Theatre Company, a group of Moon Travelers that can travel between pockets of the Greenwild and the Marindeep. Daisy also meets Max, a twelve-year-old boy who is on the run from a man named Jarndyce. They hate each other at first but grow closer as it becomes clear that Iffenwild is also in danger. In the third and final book, The Forest in the Sky, Daisy, Max, the Prof, Indigo, Acorn, and Napoleon finally go on the long journey to Amazeria, a Greenwild community in South America, for aid in finding the Botanists, including Daisy's mom. Although they are split up on the rescue mission, they learn more about the Reaper King and must prepare for a great battle.

I enjoyed this series so much because it reminded me a little of the Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis, especially The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The world-building was breathtakingly wonderful and it made me wish that green and blue magic were real. I especially loved the protagonists, their friendships, and how they would do anything for each other. All of them were courageous in their own ways, but Daisy, Max, and Napoleon were definitely my favorites. This series was also a roller coaster ride. There were so many twists and turns, especially in the second and third books, but I loved the battle scenes, even when I was on the edge of my seat hoping that Daisy and her friends would be able to save the Greenwild and the Marindeep. The only thing that didn't quite sit right with me was the reveal of the Reaper King's identity. It didn't make sense to me because I feel like it left some plot holes and the foreshadowing was a bit lacking. I'm not sure who else it could have been, though. I think the end was bittersweet, as well, with the characters that died during the final battle. I had grown fond of them. Although I knew that not everyone could survive, it made me super sad, even though the reunions were heartwarming. All in all, the Greenwild series is an enchanting choice for anyone who loves fantasy.

Outsider Kids by Betty C. Tang

 

Last week on Sunday, I read Outsider Kids by Betty C. Tang. The sequel to Parachute Kids, this historical fiction graphic novel is about the Lin siblings after they have spent seven months as undocumented immigrants and adjusted to their new lives in California. While Jia-Xi (Jesse) has a new job and Ke-Gāng (Jason) has a new crush, Feng-Li (Ann) is looking forward to her birthday and enjoys hanging out with her new friends and playing flute in band. Although they're still waiting for their parents to receive visa approval in Taiwan, they try to help each other out and avoid the attention of immigration authorities. When their stuck-up cousin Josephine, who is a violin prodigy, moves in with them, she gives them all a rough time, but Feng-Li is especially disappointed because she and Josephine used to be friends. As things become tumultuous once again, they wonder if they'll have to give up the lives they have built.

This sequel was fantastic. I enjoyed spending more time with the Lin siblings and seeing Feng-Li go trick-or-treating with her new friends at the beginning. It was also a lot of fun when the three siblings celebrated different American holidays for the first time. Because they're undocumented immigrants, I suspected that their stability wouldn't last, but I could have never predicted how chaotic their lives became after Josephine was left with them when her mom went back to Taiwan because of Wai Gong being deathly sick. Even though she is given some depth late in the book, Josephine was a complete brat and there are no excuses for how she treated Feng-Li. I definitely wanted her to be gone. It's just unfortunate how much damage she did in the time she lived with the Lin siblings. On the other hand, I really liked that Ke-Gāng had a positive romantic experience in this book. I just felt very bad for him by the end. I also had mad respect for Jia-Xi retaking the S.A.T. to raise her score so that she could improve her chances of going to Harvard. The ending is bittersweet, but there is going to be a third book, so I'm not too sad. I would recommend Outsider Kids to anyone who enjoyed the first book in the series.