Title: The Okay Witch Author: Emma Steinkellner Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Magical Realism Trigger Warning: Rating: 4 stars Release Date: September 3, 2019 Synopsis Sabrina the Teenage Witch meets Roller Girl in this hilarious, one-of-a-kind graphic novel about a half-witch who has just discovered the truth about herself, her family, and her town and is doing her best to survive middle school now that she knows everything! Magic is harder than it looks. Thirteen-year-old Moth Hush loves all things witchy. But she’s about to discover that witches aren’t just the stuff of movies, books, and spooky stories. When some eighth-grade bullies try to ruin her Halloween, something really strange happens. It turns out that Founder’s Bluff, Massachusetts, has a centuries-old hi...

Title: Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles Author: Thomas Lennon Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy Trigger Warning:   Rating: 3 Stars Release Date: March 5, 2019 Synopsis Fourteen-year-old Ronan Boyle is the youngest and lowliest recruit to the secret Garda, an Irish police force that handles the misdeeds of numerous magical creatures. Ronan’s parents are in jail, but Ronan is convinced that they were framed by the wee people. So, despite his small size, poor eyesight, and social awkwardness, he’s determined to learn all he can in the Garda in order to prove his parents’ innocence. To show he’s got what it takes, he’ll have to confront a fiery leprechaun, a sinister harpy, and a whole world of monsters hidden in plain sight next to real-life Ireland. Fast paced, action packed, and completely hilarious, this is the start to an exciting new middle-grade series by actor and writer Thomas Lennon. Review A special thank you to Netgalley and Amulet Books (ABRAMS Kids) for ...

Top Ten Tuesday prompts are posted by  That Artsy Reader Girl This week's Top Ten Tuesday is about places in books I'd like to visit. I struggled coming up with ten, probably because I love dystopian novels but wouldn't want to visit the world despite loving the book. Also, I contemplated a few fantasy worlds (like that in Reign of Shadows) that I probably would not survive a vist to. Still, I was able to come up with a list of five-ish, all of which are fantasy worlds that I think would be really cool places to be able to visit. 1. Camp Half Blood The Percy Jackson and the Olympian series was the first "big kid" series that I fell in love with and I still love the first five books today. It would be amazing to get a chance to visit Camp Half Blood. Like, I know the basics of how it works, but it would be so cool to be able to experience everything firsthand. All of the cabins look different and it would be so cool to see that little hodgepodge collectio...

Title: Jake, Lucid Dreamer Author: David J. Naiman Genre: Middle Grade, Magical Realism, Fantasy Trigger Warnings: Death of a parent, bullying My Rating: 3 Stars Synopsis 12-year-old Jake has been suppressing his heartbreak over the loss of his mother for the past four years. But his emotions have a way of haunting his dreams and bubbling to the surface when he least expects it. When Jake learns how to take control in his dreams, he becomes a lucid dreamer, and that’s when the battle really heats up. Using his wits to dodge bullies by day and a nefarious kangaroo hopping ever closer by night, Jake learns about loss, bravery, the power of love, and how you cannot fully heal until you face your greatest fear. This uncompromising novel is a magical yet honest exploration of emotional healing after a devastating loss. Review A special thank you to Netgalley and Kwill Books for a free digital copy of this book in exchange for a honest review. David J Naiman's Jake, ...

Title: Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows Author: J.M. Bergen Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy Trigger Warnings:   My Rating: 4 Stars Release Date: February 2, 2019 Synopsis Magic is real, Thomas. No matter what happens, always remember that magic is real. Seven years have passed, and Thomas hasn't forgotten. He hasn't forgotten the blue of his dad's eyes either, or the tickle of beard on his cheek as they hugged goodbye. Last moments with a parent are memorable, even if you don't know that's what you're having. Now, with his 13th birthday rapidly approaching, Thomas's search for magic is about to take a radical and unexpected turn. At an out-of-the-way shop filled with dusty leather books, a strange little man with gold-flecked eyes offers him an ancient text called The Book of Sorrows. The price is high and the rules are strict, but there's no way Thomas can resist the chance to look ...