Grounded by Aisha Saeed, Huda Al-Marashi, Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, & S.K. Ali

 

Yesterday evening, I finished reading Grounded by Aisha Saeed, Huda Al-Marashi, Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, and S.K. Ali. This adventure novel is about four very different Muslim kids: Feek, Hanna, Sami, and Nora. After a Muslim convention, these kids are stuck at Zora Neale Hurston Airport when a thunderstorm prevents any flights from leaving. While online, one of the girls, Hanna, recently learned about Snickerdoodle, a cat that went missing in the same airport, and is determined to find her as she avoids a conversation with her dad about him possibly remarrying. After meeting Feek, Sami, and Nora, she manages to convince them to help her even though they're all dealing with their own problems. Over the next several hours, they search for Snickerdoodle all across the airport, try to avoid getting in trouble, and end up discovering that they have a lot in common.

I thought this book was very exciting. Even though I wouldn't want it to happen to me, from the beginning of the story, I was curious about what being stuck at an airport would be like, especially for children. I also wanted the cat, Snickerdoodle, to be found, which created a sense of suspense. It was pretty scary when the kids didn't know if some of the airport workers had good intentions and I was nervous about what would happen if they were caught somewhere that they weren't supposed to be. I really did feel a connection with each of the kids, though. They were very relatable and I cared about them, hoping they would talk to their parents about the issues they were having. I also loved that they got to explore the whole airport looking for Snickerdoodle. Grounded has a fun and satisfying conclusion and anyone who likes light-hearted action and adventure should read it.

That Self-Same Metal by Brittany N. Williams

 

Last night, I finished reading That Self-Same Metal by Brittany N. Williams. This historical fantasy, taking place in 1605 London, is about Joan Sands, a sixteen-year-old Black girl who can control metal, an ability gifted to her by the Orisha, Ogun. This ability helps her create and upkeep the stage blades for William Shakespeare's acting company, The King's Men. Her twin brother, James, acts in the company and she is attracted to her friend, Nick Tooley, one of the other young actors. Because her whole family is Orisha-blessed and can see a faint glow around a Fae's body, they keep track of the Fae presence in London. After her godfather, Baba Ben, is arrested and unable to complete the ritual for the Pact, there is an increase in brutal attacks by the Fae. When Joan saves William, the son of King James's secretary of state, Robert Cecil, by injuring Auberon, a powerful Fae, she is tasked with killing Auberon.

This book was a fantastic read. I loved the world-building and thought Joan was a great heroine because of her bravery and skill with a sword. Her ability with metal was really cool and I enjoyed how close she was with James, her twin brother. I was also intrigued by her budding relationships with Nick and Rose because of how different they are. While Nick is human, Rose is revealed to be a Fae when Joan and James go to a bridge to help her the evening after James introduces the two girls to one another. By the end of the novel I was even wondering if Joan could have both of them, like Rose suggested. Throughout the novel, the Fae were a great threat and the stakes were high. With the random Fae attacks in London, I had no idea who would be next on their radar and was on the edge of my seat hoping that Joan wouldn't lose any of her loved ones. The climax was amazing and I would like to read the sequel. At the end of the book, the author includes information about the real-life people from Shakespearean London that were in the story. Adventurous and thrilling, That Self-Same Metal is a terrific choice for anyone who likes fantasies that take place in historical settings.

Parachute Kids by Betty C. Tang

 

On Friday, I finished reading Parachute Kids by Betty C. Tang. This historical fiction graphic novel is about Feng-Li Lin, a ten-year-old girl from Taiwan who goes on a vacation with her family to Los Angeles, California in 1981. After enjoying the popular attractions in the area, Feng-Li learns that she and her two older siblings will be staying in California on their own while their parents return to Taiwan. Over the next few months, the three siblings face many challenges: starting a new school, learning a new language, and making new friends, all while managing a household. Although funny things happen sometimes, like accidentally eating dog food, Feng-Li feels lonely and stressed, especially when her brother and sister are constantly arguing. After all three siblings make some bad choices, Feng-Li has to find a way to keep her family together.

I enjoyed reading this graphic novel because I loved the colorful illustrations and the story itself truly moved me. I couldn't imagine my parents leaving me in another country on my own, even if it was for a better life. As Feng-Li struggled to adjust to her new life, I really felt for her, especially because her brother and sister rarely got along. I could tell it was really frustrating for Feng-Li and didn't help matters. As the tough times got worse over the course of the story, I began wondering if life would ever improve for Feng-Li and just wanted to give her a hug. Eventually, though, at the bleakest point in the story, Feng-Li has a clever idea and things gradually get better from there. At the end of the book, there is an author's note that explains Tang's inspiration and the history of parachute kids. I recommend Parachute Kids to anyone, especially those who have ever moved far from home.

The Inheritance Games Series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Over the past few weeks, I read the first three books of The Inheritance Games series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes: The Inheritance Games, The Hawthorne Legacy, and The Final Gambit. This mystery series is about Avery Grambs, a seventeen-year-old girl who just wants to survive high school and then go college to earn a degree in actuarial science. When a multibillionaire, Tobias Hawthorne, dies and leaves her his entire fortune, she has to move to Texas and live in Hawthorne House, which is full of secret passages, for an entire year. Although Tobias disinherited the family he left behind, they still occupy the mansion and Avery begins to connect with his four grandsons: Grayson, Jameson, Xander, and Nash. Over the next year, with life-threatening dangers coming from all around, Avery has to solve puzzles, riddles, and codes, to figure out why Tobias left her his fortune, who her father really is, and who would want to harm her.

I wanted to love this series and I truly did enjoy the mysteries and the games. I also liked how clever and brave Avery was in the situation of inheriting a massive fortune for which people might kill her. The suspense was amazing and I genuinely worried for Avery at times because she had a couple close calls with death. The romance missed the mark for me, though. I felt like the author was telling why two characters should be together instead of showing, and I really wasn't a fan of that. Fortunately I did like the ending of the third book, The Final Gambit, and how it left things open for more books in the series. I think there is more story to tell in this universe, and I hope that my favorite character, Grayson, gets the ending that he deserves. Overall, the first book, The Inheritance Games, is my favorite of the three. Anyone who enjoys mysteries, thrillers, and suspense should read this series.