crush (Berrybrook Middle School #3) by Svetlana Chmakova

5 stars I always love a visit to Berrybrook Middle School. The third book in the series does not disappoint. I loved Jorge’s character is the second book, so was especially excited to follow him in this one. Jorge is perfectly content to hang out with his two best friends and serve as the quiet…

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Diana: Princess of the Amazons (Diana #1)

by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale Illustrated by Victoria Ying 3 stars A story of friendship and belonging with an incredible all-female assemble. Diana is the only child on the island of Themyscira. When she was little, that made her feel special. But now… she’s just lonely. Caught between being too young and too old,…

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Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters Vol. 1

by Chris Samnee and Laura Samnee Art by Chris Samnee 2 stars Loved the idea of this but the execution didn’t work for me. In a world where giant monsters reign, Rainbow sets out to reunite with her family, starting with her younger sister, Jonna. An okay start to a series. Nice artwork that doesn’t…

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brave (Berrybrook Middle School #2) by Svetlana Chmakova

5 stars Another fantastic story in the Berrybrook Middle School series. This book works in many of the issues brought up in the first book. It really focuses on bullying and the culture that normalizes it. I loved that the characters examine the deeper issues of bullying and the ways they can change their environment…

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Marshmallow & Jordan by Alina Chau

4 stars A passionate athlete, a mysterious elephant, a prolonged drought, and a new interest that may divide friendships. When Jordan can no longer compete on the basketball team, she tries out water polo. But doing so means Jordan has to choose between getting better at water polo or keeping up with her friends on…

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All’s Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson

4 stars An entertaining read about fighting the dragons in your life, both real and metaphorical, and living up to your dreams of becoming a knight. There are a lot of exciting changes happening in Imogene’s life. After being homeschooled, she starts middle school and becomes a squire-in-training at the Renaissance Faire where her parents…

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Dungeon Critters by Natalie Riess and Sara Goetter

5 stars Action, adventure, mystery, drama, humor, and a bit of adorable romance. This Dungeons-and-Dragons-style book has it all! Enter the fantasy world of an unnamed kingdom and join a group of friends on their quest to discover the truth behind an odd plant. This book was so much fun. Filled with supportive friendships, action…

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The Flower Garden by Renée Kurilla

3 stars A magical adventure with subtle themes of empathy and listening to friends, and the benefits of bees. Anna convinces her hesitant friend, Tess, to help her plant flowers so the bees will have food. They fall asleep waiting for the flowers to grow and wake to find they’ve been shrunk. Together, they embark…

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Mimi and the Boo-Hoo Blahs (Mimi #2)

by Shauna J. Grant 4 stars Another adorable, sweet adventure with Mimi and Penelope. In this one, Mimi wakes up with the Blahs. Her pigtails won’t sit right, she doesn’t want her favorite breakfast, she can’t fully enjoy fun things, and she just feels blah. But with the help of her friends, Mimi can overcome…

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Grumpy Unicorn: Why Me? by Joey Spiotto

3 stars A humorous book filled with sass and sarcasm. The illustrations are very fun. Colorful, silly, and full of grumpiness. This book introduces readers to Grumpy Unicorn. It consists of short comics with a variety of themes such as holidays, daily activities, and travel. Great for fans of non-traditional unicorns. A quick, fun read…

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