Grace Lin has created something magical with this book. Minli lives near Fruitless Mountain and watches her parents working day after day from sunup to sundown with little to show for it. When she frees a goldfish it tells her how to find the Old Man of the Moon who can change her fortune. Her travels are peppered with stories inspired by Chinese Mythology. She meets some interesting characters along the way, and learns something important about herself. Beautifully written with great characters this is a must read. Perfect for students in Grades 4 and up. 

This second installment of the Mapmaker's Trilogy is exciting and dangerous. Typically the middle novel of a trilogy falters and languishes in backstories and slow plots, but not this book it forges straight ahead without looking back. 

Sophia sets off on a quest after a series of mysterious sightings, while Shadrack lands himself in jail. In the meantime New Occident is in upheaval and Theo recognizes a dark figure from his past. 

The stories are woven separately, just as our two main characters are separated for most of the book. The new characters Sophia encounters are very interesting and the foreign land of Ausentinia, where they seek to travel is as much a mystery as the people Sophia encounters. 

This second book is darker and more dangerous than the first book and kids will love it. The story is paced well and the world building is really fantastic. 

Adult: 4/5
​Kids: 4.5/5

What would happen if the one day the world became all jumbled up? This is the world that Grove has built. The Papal States, The Baldlands, New Occident and the Closed Empire are but a few of the ages in this new world, much of which is still changing. Enter our heroine Sophia Tims, the whipsmart daughter of missing explorers now living with her uncle Shadrack. 

Shadrack is a world renowned cartologer. But in this fascinating world maps can not only transmit information, but emotions and memories as well. Fascinating! When Shadrack is kidnapped it falls to Sophia to figure out who has kidnapped him and why. We encounter the nefarious Sandmen, and learn about the horrible Lachrima. This is an adventure story as well as being fantastical in nature. The story captures you from the first moment and let's go only when the last page is done.  Luckily is is the first in a trilogy so you can visit the world again in book 2. The characters are truly colorful. The world building will keep you coming back for more, and the story is well paced.
I recommend this book for ages 10 and up.  

Adult: 4/5
Child: 4/5

I had a hard time putting this one down. The book's atmosphere was so well done and the story woven so well that I wanted to just read it cover to cover. The story takes place in London, 1952. Janie and her family have just relocated for political reasons. When Janie meets Benjamin they become quick friends. Soon they are caught up in a mystery that involves spies, birds, nuclear weapons and a book called the Pharmacopoeia. The pacing is perfect and the writing is fantastic. You can't help but root for Janie and Benjamin. This is the first of three books. It is recommended for ages 10 and up. 

adult rating: 4
Middle Grade rating: 4.5
​

The writing in the story is so lyrical, so magical they words just wrap around you and steal into your heart. Luna, Luna, Luna the girl who drank the moon, the beautiful, complex protagonist. This is a story that you will want to bury yourself into. It is so hopeful, so full of love and loss and magic.

Luna is abandoned in the woods, left for the witch in a ritual the town follows every year. But the witch they believe in isn't who they think she is. Xan, the real witch doesn't understand why the Protectorate abandons a baby in the woods every year, but every year she comes to save them. When she takes Luna, she feeds her bits of stars to feed her. When she accidentally gives her some of the moon she knows she needs to raise her herself to protect her from the magic she has received from the moon. What grows is a beautiful story filled with interesting characters.  Recommended for ages 10 and up. 

Adult: 4.5/5
Middle Grade: 4/5