Heather

An action-packed sequel

Reviewed: 06-23-19

This book picks up where the first book left off, with the main character and friends in pursuit of her brother. The combination of dinosaurs plus Civil War is fun, and the author does a great job of weaving real historical facts and situations with fantastical creatures. I see this series gaining momentum and I think my fifth grade students will enjoy the sequel even more than book one.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Fine Ending to Moon Base Alpha

Reviewed: 06-22-18

I'm a big fan of Stuart Gibbs and recommend his books to my students on a regular basis. I felt like this was an interesting read that gave us a mystery to solve and wrapped up some of the ongoing pieces of the series in a way that satisfied me. Gibbs writes main characters that are smart but not perfect and supporting characters with lots of, well, character. Most middle grade sci fi does not address much science, but I felt like Gibbs did introduce some sensible thinking about space travel that his target audience would find interesting, and he clearly gets the humor of middle grade readers. I'll miss this series but look forward to his future work!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Well written and timely

Reviewed: 08-04-17

Gratz knows how to tackle tough topics, and has done so in previous books. In Refugee, he intertwines three children's stories that span across decades but all speak to the incredible challenges of surviving a refugee experience. A compelling story for middle school students as an independent read, and I plan to read it aloud to my fifth grade class. It is intense and there is violence and death, so it may require conversations with any upper el reader who is interested. Overall, I think this is Gratz's best work to date, and all three narrators were skilled in their deliveries of the three main characters' stories.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful

Dan Gemeinhart + MacLeod Andrews = Well Done

Reviewed: 07-15-17

I have enjoyed all of Gemeinhart's books so far, and Scar Island again shows how he really understands his middle grade audience and their collective love of lots of action and drama with some humor sprinkled in. In this story, the main character has massive inner and outer conflicts, builds deep friendships, and overcomes big obstacles to survive. When you add the crazy-talented Andrews as the reader, you get a gripping tale indeed. My fifth graders love this author and his other books, and I know they'll just eat up Scar Island as well.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

Way better than awful!

Reviewed: 07-15-17

Firoozeh Dumas does a great job balancing the real historical facts of the Iran hostage crisis with her semi-autobiographical story of living in the U.S. as a middle school kid during that time. Maybe it is because I remember that time so clearly as a kid myself, but the experiences of the main character and how she navigates the perils of middle school and the perils of being "other" in American society felt very true to me. Dumas manages to inject plenty of humor into the story without cheapening the characters' experiences. I plan to promote this book with my fifth graders, who I think will really dig it.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Adventure with Just Enough Scary

Reviewed: 09-02-16

Tracey Baptiste really took me on a ride into Caribbean lore and creepy (but not too creepy for my fifth graders) adventure. An enjoyable book that my students are sure to pick up and pass around with enthusiasm.
I should also add that I though Robin Miles did an outstanding job. Her pace was perfect and her character voices were seamlessly part of the story.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

Great Series Start

Reviewed: 08-08-16

Laura Martin's debut has lots of action as the main characters navigate a future Earth dominated by dinosaurs on an increasingly complicated mission. Martin clearly knows her middle grade audience, and has a nice balance of character development and action that kept me reading, finishing within a couple of days. Emma Galvin does a very competent job of narration. I think this will be a popular series in my fifth grade classroom!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Sidekicks rule!

Reviewed: 08-02-16

This is the first book I've read or listened to by Kate Hannigan, but I hope it is not my last. The story is historical fiction and includes some true elements, but the main character is fiction and was fun to read and cheer for. Her adventures with the Pinkertons have a nice mix of suspense and humor and the action keeps moving along, which is important in middle grade fiction.
Hannigan includes interesting details of the time without letting the story get overwhelmed in the history--she keeps readers firmly focused on the main character, who I found relatable, clever, and spunky. I would recommend this for MG readers who enjoy a good balance of adventure and historical fiction with strong central characters and quirky secondary characters.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Practically Perfect Finale

Reviewed: 08-02-16

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I listened to Villainous, but read the first two in the series. I wondered if the listen would be good, since the author narrates, and that can be tricky. No trick in this case, Cody does a great job with keeping a good pace and setting just the right tone.

What other book might you compare Villainous to and why?

The whole series takes me back to a childhood spent reading comics with my brother, but combines a strong sensibility for middle grade friendship and adventure stories, a la Gordon Korman or Stuart Gibbs. Somehow Cody does this without being cheesy or talking down to his middle grade audience.

What about Matthew Cody’s performance did you like?

I already answered this one. Look up a bit.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Villainous--because some villains never die, no matter how old they get!

Any additional comments?

If you've ever started a great series but been disappointed by the ending, have no fear! Villainous strikes just the right note and respects what matters in wrapping up hero and friendship stories. Highly recommend.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Gibbs knows what he is about.

Reviewed: 07-17-16

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would and regularly do recommend Stuart Gibbs' books, both audio and print, to my middle grades students and others who enjoy MG books on a regular basis. They are so well written, with a tight plot, compelling main characters, and quirky secondary characters. His work feels like a recipe for the perfect middle grade series.

What did you like best about this story?

I love how Spaced Out and its predecessor, Space Case, both have a compelling story that feels, from a scientific perspective, kind of possible. It is clear the author did his research so that life on the moon seems plausible, and we readers are not asked to suspend our disbelief too much.

Which character – as performed by Gibson Frazier – was your favorite?

Frazier does a great job with this book as well as other books by the author. I particularly enjoy how ridiculous he makes Lars Sjoberg, a fairly ridiculous character, sound. But really, he strikes just the right note with each character and the pace and mood of the book as a whole.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book is part mystery, part comedy, part adventure, and there are a few moments, mostly involving the bathroom on Moon Base Alpha, that had me laughing out loud.

Any additional comments?

I really like this series, though I prefer Gibbs' Fun Jungle and Spy School books. This author really understands his audience, and writes smart, funny, compelling stories for those kids. He is one of my favorite MG authors, and I read A LOT of middle grade books.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful