Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite

The Case of the Missing Cell Phone is the first book in the Davey & Derek: Junior Detectives book series written by Janice Spina. Davey and Derek Donato are ten-year-old non-identical twins. After receiving some sleuthing books for their tenth birthday, the boys decide to imitate the detectives in the stories as they read. The young detectives’ assistant, Mickey (The Cat), had been teaching sign language to Derek for some time. Although Mickey hears well, his younger sister, Jennie, is Deaf and the family communicates in sign language. After Christine Sanders misplaces her expensive cell phone, the twins are on the case, rounding up suspects and investigating the phone’s disappearance. When the police make an appearance at the school, the group of gumshoes challenge themselves to solve the case before the police solve it to solidify their reputations as detectives who get the job done.

Being a fan of good mystery stories, I was keen to read Janice Spina’s new book series starring Davey and Derek. The Case of the Missing Cell Phone was the perfect way to start their detective careers and earn the trust and respect of their peers at school. I was easily able to picture each scene through the eyes of the young detectives, including the nervous reactions of those who were interviewed. Each turn of the page carried new clues, new excitement, and new adventure as Davey, Derek, Mickey and their assistants leave no stone unturned in trying to solve the puzzle. This book is one of the most fun and delightful sleuthing tales I have read in a long time. This book would be great for young readers in the 7-12 age group, and would also do well in school libraries as it teaches children how to assert themselves against bullies while having their friends’ backs at all times.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Elizabeth's War is a young adult historical novel written by D.L. Finn. When Elizabeth was 11 years old, her life was fairly idyllic. Her older sister, Pearl, doted on her, and life on her family's farm was filled with adventure and fun. It was 1917, and while she knew about the outbreak of World War I, it seemed to be far away from her insulated world. Everything changed when her father announced that he had volunteered to help train the officers who would be fighting overseas. Then Simon, Pearl's best friend and boyfriend, volunteered for service and would be leaving on the same train as Elizabeth's dad. Simon was her best friend Sarah's brother, and seeing him as well as her father go off to the war effort was frightening. Soon, she learned about the things people at home could do to help the war effort, and she and her family got involved.

D.L. Finn's young adult historical novel is a marvelous coming of age story about an exceptional young girl whose reality changes dramatically and who meets every challenge coming her way with enthusiasm and perseverance. I loved reading about the sacrifices and volunteer work Americans at home made to help the soldiers; especially the knitting projects done by classes in school, and I laughed with the clumsy and domestically challenged young Elizabeth as she learns to cook and knit. Finn's writing is smooth and her story flows beautifully. I was involved in the plot from the first page and found it hard to put the story down until I had finished it. Elizabeth's War is highly recommended.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

O.K. Is Great is a preteen coming of age novel written and illustrated by David Tiefenthaler. Otis Kalshwonkee's been known by the nickname "OK" for as long as he can remember. He hates it because it seems to symbolize the fact that he's just average in everything he does. His big brother Stu is a gifted sports animal and can do everything better than he does. His sister Ella is a talented pianist and even composes her own songs. Otis is hoping that starting seventh grade in a new school will give him a chance to shine and forget about that nickname and everything it stands for, once and for all. His mom and dad are moving the family to a house in the suburbs, and the new school is for both junior and senior high students. This means, of course, that big brother Stu will make sure everyone knows about the nickname, but Otis still isn't giving up on his dream of being the greatest.

David Tiefenthaler's preteen novel, O.K. Is Great, is funny, inspirational and exciting all at once. Tiefenthaler's illustrations make this story feel like a graphic novel, even if it does have more words than one normally finds in that genre, and the drawings work so incredibly well with the plot. I loved the pictures of big brother Stu, especially the one illustrating the dreaded nocturnal elbow drop. Otis and Leo's training sessions are marvelous and the sports aspect of the story works wonderfully. Tiefenthaler also addresses the subject of bullying and cyber-bullying in a way that is supportive and positive. I had a lot of fun reading O.K. Is Great. Otis is an awesome character, and I'm hoping that the author will keep us up to date on Otis's further adventures. O.K. Is Great is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Hieroglyph: TC's Adventures, Book 1 is a children's and preteen historical adventure novel written by W.J. Scott and illustrated by John Helle-Nielsen. TC lives with her Aunt Letty who's been her guardian, more or less, since the disappearance of her archaeologist parents. Letty is committed to saving the planet, and she's about to embark on a mission to save some stranded whales on the East Coast of New Zealand. While she's gone, she's arranged for TC to fly to Australia to stay with her Uncle Max, Letty's twin brother, who is an entrepreneurial archaeologist. When she heard the news, TC immediately conjured up visions of long sandy beaches, water slides and some of Max's typical crazy adventures, so she's a bit disappointed when he tells her that she'll be heading out to an archaeological site with a bunch of kids from a convention he's attending. TC has done her share of dusty sites, and she's not crazy about making new friends while she's in Australia. But this site is a little different.

W.J. Scott's historical adventure novel, Hieroglyph: TC's Adventures, Book 1, is exciting and fast-paced. TC wears gloves all the time, as she possesses some strange powers that allow her to travel back in time when she touches artifacts. In this story, her travels are especially fascinating. I loved following along as she channels the story of the ancient Egyptians on their trip to Australia, and I found myself engrossed in the lives of Kanefer and Setka. TC and Max are marvelous characters who are fun to read about, and I vicariously enjoyed the week that TC spends with her Uncle Max. Scott also brings the sights, sounds and wildlife of Australia to life in this story, and I was particularly intrigued by the traditional campfire bread that Max makes when they're camping out. Helle-Nielsen's illustrations are superb! They are precise and minimalist, and exactly suited to the story. Hieroglyph: TC's Adventures, Book 1 is most highly recommended for adventure lovers of all ages.

Reviewed by Anna Smith for Readers' Favorite

True Colors (Landry's True Colors Series Book 1) by Krysten Lindsay Hager is a middle grade book about fitting in and learning to love yourself. Landry desperately wishes to have an interesting life. She wants to be one of the girls at school that has a funny and clever story to share with her friends. But she feels that her life is too boring. She is ignored and chosen last in gym class. She doesn't fit in, let alone stand out to the popular crowd. Because of this desire to fit in, Landry agrees to audition for a teen reality show modeling competition with her best friends, Tori and Ericka. Landry is nervous but impressive and makes it to the next round. When her friends get cut from the competition, Landry realizes how little they were her true friends when they stop speaking to her at school. She desperately wants new friends, but has to chose between being herself and impressing her new potential friends. And along the journey, she begins to see how unglamorous modeling can be. She learns how to deal with mean girls, her newest crush, and that true friends are those that accept you for who you are, not what stories you have to tell.

True Colors is a fantastic middle grade story with a healthy message for tweens. The story is definitely geared toward 8th graders and 12 to 13-year-olds. It is a fun story, with the characters modeling, having sleepovers, and hanging out at the mall a lot. Krysten Lindsay Hager did a great job of capturing that young tween voice and I think young girls will absolutely love this story! And parents will certainly approve of the healthy message about friendship and staying true to oneself.

Reviewed by Michelle Robertson for Readers' Favorite

Starlette Universe: Eva from E-ville, written by Kathy Johnson and illustrated by Dick Kulpa, is book two of the series and is an adventurous, exciting, self-motivating comic book. Join the Starlette girls as they battle Eva from E-ville, overcome obstacles of good vs. evil and the struggles of everyday life, but with a very adventurous twist. Find out how these fashionable young starlettes fight evil individually and together.

The book is mostly geared toward young female readers interested in reading about fashionable female heroism, good vs. evil, and a unique twist on self-confidence and critical thinking. The author has created scenarios in which an overall dilemma is played out within chapters, as well as individual ones. All of the Starlette girls are battling one big issue as they individually battle their own. By presenting individual and group problems, issues, and dilemmas, the author appeals to a wide variety of young female readers. The layout, format of text, and illustrations make it an entirely new genre. The author and illustrator present this as Piction - a novel, a comic book, and fiction. It is truly a new-age version of a comic book, but better.

With bright pictures, fashionable and colorful layout and page design, and very unique dialog, the Starlette Universe: Eva from E-ville has presented a new way of reading. The book may be a bit confusing to read at first because of its very creative and unique design qualities. It will take an open mind to fully appreciate and comprehend the messages being presented within the text. I found this book to be intensely creative, incredibly intriguing, and extremely helpful to young women.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

The Red Sun: Legends of Orkney by Alane Adams is a book that will take children on a roller coaster ride of adventure and fantasy where whimsical and menacing creatures and witches will enthrall readers. Twelve-year-old Sam Baron meets a dwarf in the garage and he learns that his substitute English teacher, Ms. Endera, who is filling in for Ms. Platz, is a witch. Truths about his past became clearer when he travels to the magical world of Orkney through a stone fire. Sam finds out that his mother is a witch and his father is a descendant of the Norse god, Odin. Sam finds himself followed by the cursed Red Sun which can destroy his friends and all of Orkney. Will Mavery, the young witch girl, be able to save him?

This is the sort of adventure story that will keep children glued to the book. The references to Norse mythology are exciting and the author has woven a great adventure tale with a lot of twists and turns. The story also has a lot of fun, mystery, witchcraft, humor and whimsy. The narration is detailed and the precision with which the characters and the scenes are laid out makes the story very real. The land of Orkney is really fascinating and exciting, with magical creatures and adventures that will enchant young readers. It is a perfect adventure story for kids and I really am looking forward to the sequel, The Moon Pearl, for more action and excitement.

Reviewed by Kristine Hall for Readers' Favorite

Thirteen-year-old Jackson Sheppard would like nothing more than to live under the radar, spending time with his best friend, Andie, and adding to his chewed gum collection. His aspirations seem easy enough, but the truth is he has some powers that he can't very easily control and they can empty a room and end friendships pretty fast. When Jax, Andie, and Jax's little brother Sebastian sneak out for a late night swim at the local pool, disaster strikes when Sebastian dies, and Jax is thrown into the mysterious world of the Kaptropoten -- a mirror that has been broken into seven pieces, each giving an extraordinary power to the possessor. When Jax learns that all seven fragments together can even resurrect the dead, he goes on an epic journey that takes him around the world and beyond, where he learns who he really is, and aims to set things right by bringing back his brother. Along the way, Jax makes new friends and finds he has evil enemies, discovers fantastic creatures and magnificent places, and finds that he must rely not only on the strength he has from his powers, but an inner strength that he isn't sure he has. In Sharon Warchol's Jax Sheppard and the Seven Mirrors, readers will travel to a parallel, mystical world of danger and deception where things are often not what they seem.

When I agreed to read this book, I scheduled myself to read it about ten days after I received it. I downloaded it and decided to take a quick peek at it -- and ended up reading it straight through! That's how Jax Sheppard and the Seven Mirrors rolls. In it, author Sharon Warchol gives readers just enough background and introduction to get a feel for our protagonist and his life, but then she immerses readers right into the story. One endearing quality about Jax is his humor and how it squeaks out of him at even the most inappropriate of times. Sharon Warchol masterfully wrote very real characters, despite some of their fantastic outward appearances, whose unique styles and personalities will resonate with readers. And Warchol has a real gift for writing imaginative scenarios and uses figurative language to make descriptions even richer. For example: “. . . and darn it if a sneaky, nasty guilt didn’t creep up my leg and around my torso. It snaked over my shoulder and into my ear, poisoning my brain with its venom.” Even the titles of the chapter sub-headings are cleverly written.

Jax Sheppard and the Seven Mirrors has twists and turns and a steady stream of hints to create a satisfying ending that also leaves readers begging for more. I highly recommend this book for tweens and teens, and reluctant readers of all ages.

Reviewed by Patricia Day for Readers' Favorite

Barbara Lopuszynski’s book, Angel and Brie, is a sassy, heart-warming yet sad story of two young teen girls from very different backgrounds: each dealing with being in foster care. Each one is experiencing rejection, lack of love and parental care, and dreams of the day when life will be okay again. Whatever okay means. Angel is a rebel – despite her name. She hates feeling unloved and rejected. Hates that her father shows more interest in alcohol, drugs and sex than he does in his daughter: her. She’s lost count of the times he has promised to change. Now she’s an angry teenager doing everything she can to be obnoxious. She dresses to shock and wears her hair short, colored and spiked. She no longer cares. Brie, short for Brianna, is an academic. She loves animals and knows she wants to study them, and work with them when she gets older. With her beloved Nana dead, she relies on the hope of an elderly aunt to take her in. Her parents are long gone. The health of her aunt is poor – hence the need for her to be in foster-care. Despite the losses in her young life, she shows more hope than Angel, convincing herself that she has a home to go to.

When a big wolf-dog comes into their lives, their thinking takes on a new dynamic. They jump into action, as they realize the animal shelter plans to euthanize their dog-friend and it becomes their mission to save their four-legged friend. How they do that and the impact it has on their own lives and thinking makes very interesting reading. I’m far from being a teen, but I’m sure this book would be a very cool addition to any pre-teen or teen library. A beautiful read. Excellent story for teens. The relationship development is awesome.

Reviewed by Patricia Reding for Readers' Favorite

H.Y. Hanna has delivered, in Big Honey Dog Mysteries #1: Curse of the Scarab, an animal story, an otherworldly fantasy, and a mystery (complete with hieroglyphics) all wrapped in one, that is sure to please young readers. When Honey, the Great Dane, is left home with a sitter who brings along Bean, her own Great Dane puppy, Honey learns what it is like not to be the “only dog.” At first reluctant to share her space and affections with the pup, Honey soon discovers the joy that comes in doing so. But, difficulties arise when Bean goes missing while the neighborhood dogs and their humans are gathered at the local park. Indeed, Honey learns that Bean is just another of the many puppies that have gone missing of late. And thus, the sleuthing begins!

Hanna has created interesting and genuine characters with Honey and her dog friends: Ruffster, the supportive mongrel; Suka, the strong Siberian Husky; Tyson, the courageous Jack Russell Terrier; and Biscuit, the ever-hungry Beagle. Together they learn a lesson about prejudice when at first they suspect Max, the Pit Bull, of being behind the mystery of the missing pups. They learn how to work together, using the strengths of each when they finally uncover the whereabouts of the missing pups that need to be rescued. They suffer the reality of bullying when Max is attacked by the dogcatcher, experience the grievous loss of one of their own, and finally, they are able to celebrate a mission accomplished.

Big Honey and her friends will most certainly entertain children. They especially will be delighted by the manner in which the dogs speak to one another, with words and phrases such as “iBone” for the “iPhone,” “missing pawson” for “missing person,“ and “my Dog!” for “my God!” Adults too, will enjoy the story, as who could deny the fun and unique humor of such things as the manner in which the dogs leave messages for one another — through peemail, no less. There is a magic to speaking to children of the age that would be drawn to read Big Honey Dog Mysteries, and H.Y. Hanna has fully and completely captured it.