The Story of Gumluck the Wizard (Gumluck #1) by Adam Rex

4 stars Wasn’t sure what to expect, but this one was adorable. Meet Gumluck, also known as the Little Wizard Who Lives in the Big Hill, or so he thinks. He spends his time thinking of others, helping them without thanks, and doing his best to make them happy. All he really wants is to…

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Ham Helsing: Vampire Hunter (Ham Helsing #1) by Rich Moyer

2 stars Ham Helsing comes from a long line of daring vampire hunters. After his older brother dies in a tragic wingsuit accident, he takes up the family mantle and sets out to defeat a vampire. Along the way, he encounters a ninja pig, a were-boy, a robot knight, and many more interesting characters. Figure…

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What Is a Solar Eclipse? by Dana Meachen Rau

Illustrated by Gregory Copeland 3 stars A nice overview of what causes a solar eclipse as well as the basic movements of the earth and moon. Straightforward information with simplified explanations. I especially enjoyed the sections on how eclipses have been interpreted in different parts of the world throughout history and different ways of tracking…

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Ghostwriter: Dress Code Mess by Sara St. Antoine

Illustrated by Dave Henderson 4 stars While this one didn’t really have a mystery to it, I really enjoyed this Ghostwriter adventure. When a new principal takes over, the students at Hurston Middle School are surprised to learn a dress code is being implemented. Lenni does not agree with the vague guidelines and she and…

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Juno Valentine and the Magical Shoes by Eva Chen (Juno Valentine #1)

Illustrated by Derek Desierto 3 stars While looking for her favorite shoes, Juno is transported into a magical consortium featuring the shoes of famous women. She tries on the shoes of Frida Kahlo, Sally Ride, Misty Copeland among others, until finally finding the perfect fit, taking inspiration from her magical journey. Loved the concept. Great…

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Sejal Sinha Battles Superstorms (Sejal Sinha #1) by Maya Prasad

Illustrated by Abira Das 4 stars A fun adventure that nicely blends magic and science. Sejal loves science. With the help of some cardboard box magic, she’s always ready for adventure. When a big storm threatens the Diwali celebration, Sejal teams up with her cousin, Mira, her little brother, Abu, and her sidekick, Professor Cheetah,…

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Little Robin’s Fighting Hood by Sarah Hines Stephens

Illustrated by Agnes Garbowska 2.5 stars A straightforward story where Robin takes the lead. Alfred gives Robin a secret delivery to bring to Batman at the museum with strict instructions to not stray from the path or talk to anyone along the way. But when Robin gets sidetracked, things get a bit out of hand….

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