Mary R. Lanni's Blog

Sometimes, you have to get away from home in order to truly see what has been there all along. It is summer vacation, and California-born Sage is anxiously attempting to determine what it is her parents are not saying without asking them outright. Meanwhile, English-born Allie feels mostly invisible as the middle child in a family whose siblings seem to command every bit of attention from their parents. When the two families match on a house swapping site, they both get the opportunity to explore a different life halfway around the world. But the house swap does not go as smoothly as originally intended, and instead of the two families simply living in one another’s spaces, their lives become more richly connected with each passing day.

This delightful middle grade story has many similar features to the Parent Trap, where one American girl and one English girl swap lives for a short time. Instead of sharing parents, though, Sage and Allie share feelings of invisibility and insecurity that seem to disappear when they are together. Told from the perspectives of both girls, the story takes turns showing readers what each character is thinking inside their unique circumstances. Each segment clearly demarcates who is speaking by giving both the character’s name and a quote from a book that is important to each of them. These chapters ultimately are short and succinct, as well, which gives the narrative a quick pace and comfortable delivery.

There is no such thing as a perfect life; often, things only seem better until someone takes the time to step into the shoes of another. This narrative does a good job introducing readers to both Allie and Sage as they investigate their new surroundings despite the trepidation they feel while doing so. Additionally, topics of divorce and sibling rivalry are discussed in ways that tweens will easily relate to. By incorporating these elements, the novel feels more real and the characters are more approachable than they might otherwise be. Fans of stories that focus on friendship, family, and emotional growth are sure to enjoy both the pacing and the delivery of this charming tale. This is an excellent addition to library collections for middle grade readers.

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Parents often promise that everything will be ok, but there are times when that is not always true. Finley Scott knows that reality all too well, and as his parents are spending nearly all their time in the hospital following his mom's accident, Fin is left mostly on his own with his "funcle" Dennis nearby. Luckily, Fin is drawn to the complexities of space travel, and one life changing contest has consumed much of his attention. When Fin learns he is one of four kids chosen to bring his design to space in order to test the prototype himself, he sees it as the perfect escape from the difficult realities he faces at home. Far from Earth, with the expanse of space at his fingertips, Fin is faced with very real–and life threatening–challenges that force him to put everything in perspective in the most memorable of ways.

At only twelve and a half years old, Fin demonstrates both intelligence and bravery well beyond his years. The events of the novel force Fin and his youthful companions to constantly think outside the box and problem solve their way out of life threatening situations, often without the assistance of adults nearby. These moments celebrate the potential found in every child that is not always given the chance to flourish. An assortment of bright and compelling characters surround Fin on his journey, and the interactions among them are both believable and heartfelt. Interestingly, Fin does most of his storytelling as a recounting told directly to the reader, which effectively breaks the fourth wall and draws readers immediately into Fin's reality. Alongside this, myriad action sequences keep readers on the edges of their seats while moments of true emotion and self-realization anchor the story in the complicated realities of adolescence.

This middle grade novel is perfect for readers who are interested in space travel and exploration. Diligently researched, this book incorporates a plethora of facts and details that are sure to satisfy STEM enthusiasts of all ages. Nearly every scene is punctuated by rich descriptions that incorporate specific scientific terminology, which is not often found in stories for this age group. At the end of the book, readers are presented with a note that differentiates fact from fiction as well as the creative liberties taken to craft Fin's story. There is also a glossary that explains even more of the potentially unfamiliar vocabulary utilized within the narrative. While everything in the book may not be completely true to life, any alterations have been made with care and serve to enhance the readability of the novel. This is an excellent, STEM-focused narrative that will inspire middle grade readers to think beyond what currently exists to envision the myriad possibilities of what could one day be.

I had the pleasure of reviewing The Legend of the First Unicorn several months ago, and I was excited to discover another Scottish Tale would be published this spring. This new story is about a group of fairies and a girl named Rose who comes across them in the forest one Midsummer’s Day. True to fairy stories from the Celtic region, these fairies are charming, but they are also sneaky, leading Rose to spend more time with them than she initially intends. Beautiful, inclusive illustrations drew my eye immediately, and the story is equally graceful. Please see my full review below!

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Young Rose lives in the forest with her parents, where every day is a struggle to collect enough wood to sell so they can earn enough money to fill their bellies. On her way to town one Midsummer’s Day, Rose is distracted by the sound of music emanating from the inside of a nearby hill. To her surprise, the hill is filled with singing fairies of many colors, and she is immediately entranced by them. When Rose is invited to join the fairies’ Midsummer Party, she agrees to just two dances; but when she returns home, she finds that not everything is the same as she left it. This story is one of the Traditional Scottish Tales series; it introduces readers to the fairies found in Scottish stories and is accompanied by beautifully whimsical illustrations. Told in the manner of a traditional fairy tale, readers will recognize the familiar cause and effect structure of Rose’s experiences while engaging with fairies near her home. Direct, clear sentences guide readers from one moment to the next, making the book an excellent selection to read aloud. Within the text, song lyrics appear in styles and fonts that draw readers’ attention whether they can read independently or not, which adds a dynamic flavor to longer paragraphs. Watercolor illustrations immerse readers in Rose’s forested world, featuring the many hues of summer at the beginning of the story. As the backdrop shifts to autumnal colors, the images give readers information about the story before the text itself does. Young readers will love both the charming storytelling and the delightful visuals that come together within this story, especially as a wide range of genders and complexions are represented in both Rose’s family and the fairies themselves. Inclusive and beautifully designed, this is a highly recommended addition to library collections for young readers with an interest in both Scottish storytelling and fairies.

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Stevie Bell has just started her senior year of high school, but it is not the exciting time she would prefer. Her boyfriend David is living across the Atlantic in London, she does not have a firm grasp of what she wants to do with her life, and she would do almost anything to experience the rush she gets from solving murders. One day, David does the unexpected and finds a way for Stevie and her friends to spend a week in London under the guise of a study abroad pursuit. Upon arrival, though, Stevie quickly becomes enmeshed in a murder mystery from 1995 that has yet to be solved. Clues come to light that begin to illuminate exactly what happened that fateful night, and it is up to Stevie and her friends to get to the bottom of things before it is too late.

This installment of the Stevie Bell series features many of the characters encountered in previous stories while introducing new ones, as well. Written much like a movie might unfold, a great deal of time is taken to establish the story's foundation as well as the profiles of each character involved. While this slows the pacing of the initial chapters, it gives readers ample information to begin piecing the mystery together on their own. The narrative shifts in time between 1995 and the present day to set the stage for Stevie's journey while establishing a solid starting point for the novel. Police reports are included later on to assist with crime solving, as well, and readers will find themselves piecing the clues together alongside Stevie and her friends.

Though she is only in high school, Stevie is a quintessential detective who is able to expertly piece together seemingly disparate information into a cohesive whole. At the same time, however, she is also a teenager who is trying to manage her unpredictable emotions and desires. While this complicates things in Stevie's world, it also makes her a more approachable character and one who will easily resonate with young adult readers. It is not necessary to have read the other books in this series before reading this one, although occasional references are made to previous installments that connect them to one another. Filled with rich British history, occasional strong language, and a palpable sense of friendship, this book is a quality addition to library collections for young adult readers.

Writing, like life itself, is filled with ups and downs, moments of ease and difficulty, and light and dark. In this new poetry-based story by Tricia D. Wagner, readers explore many of the emotions that come with both writing and life through forty-four distinct and unique poems. Each poem is accompanied by a full color photograph that encapsulates the message found in the text, and this collaboration leaves the reader wondering whether the image was an inspiration for the text or the other way around. Regardless of which inspired the other, each page connects the text and image in a memorable and thought-provoking way. No two poems are alike, nor do they follow identical formats from one to the next. Some are short, others are longer; some are predictable, others are unexpected. This combination of designs keeps readers on their toes as they move from one poem to the next. Though the poems appear in a linear context, there is no overt need to read them in any order nor with any sense of speed or urgency. In fact, readers will likely feel inspired to sit with each poem for a time before moving to the next to contemplate the poem’s meaning and purpose. Tricia D. Wagner’s lovely writing style is distilled into its very essence in these poems, and readers will enjoy examining the world through the lens she utilizes. Ample white space gives readers the time and space required to contemplate each entry in this book while providing more reluctant readers a space to regain their comfort before moving on. A list of photographic credits at the end rounds out the book while giving readers the opportunity to investigate the pictures further, if desired. This is a beautiful, poetic story that will speak to young adult and adult readers alike, especially those with an interest in poetry, photography, and the process of writing.

The sea has long enchanted voyagers and stationary souls alike, its ever-changing appearance and dynamism giving it the sensation of being a living creature. Whether choppy or smooth, reflecting sunlight or starlight, the ocean displays the myriad emotions likewise found in the human condition. This reality connects readers to the ocean in profound ways, supporting a love for this ever changing and globally recognized landscape. In thirty heartfelt poems, Tricia D. Wagner shares her own love of the ocean with her readers. Each poem follows a different design and pattern, giving the book a flow similar to that of undulating waves. The poems feature a variety of designs from rhyming lines, to short, clipped text, to long, flowing phrases, each one serving to reflect upon the many different moments the ocean can display. Though the poems themselves are short, they each contain their own depth and invite readers to return and consider the careful word choice and tone used within each one when the mood is right. Photographs accompany each poem, serving both as an illustration of the visual described by the words and as an inspiration for better understanding of that particular angle of the sea. Readers with a love of the ocean–whether they live in landlocked areas or on the shore–will look forward to embracing these charming poems time and time again. This is a delightful poetry anthology for readers of all ages.

Want to read more by Tricia D. Wagner? Check out some of her other work here!

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One of my favorite books of all time is The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern because of its concise presentation and its memorable storytelling. So, I am thrilled to have discovered The Circus of Stolen Dreams, which reads as a middle grade version of that novel. This is the story of Andrea Murphy, a twelve-year-old girl who cannot stop blaming herself for the disappearance of her brother three years before. When she is offered the chance to step away from the pain of her life into a world where she can choose to forget, she jumps at it, unaware of all she may be risking in the process. I loved the beautiful way this novel is delivered and the fact that it wraps up in a satisfying and yet not fully rigid manner. This is an excellent story for middle grade readers. Please see my full review below!

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Somewhere in the space between sleeping and wakefulness lies a place where one can either forget the pain of reality or choose to relive favorite moments over and over again. It has been three years since Andrea Murphy’s brother Frances disappeared in the middle of the night, leaving Andrea to cope with both his absence and their parents’ divorce on her own. In an attempt to move forward, Andrea’s parents have decided to let go of Frances’ things to make room for more growth in their lives. But this is too much for Andrea, who has yet to forgive herself for her brother’s disappearance. So, when she is offered the chance to visit Reverie, a place where her worst memories can be forgotten, she takes it. Inside the unpredictability of dreamspace, Andrea must determine what the truth really is and where her future needs to be.

This beautiful and complex adventure feels like a middle grade version of The Night Circus, where dreamers must navigate a whimsical world in order to process challenging events in their own realities. Andrea is twelve years old at the beginning of the story, and she can hardly see through the pain of her brother’s disappearance. While she is initially comforted by the fact that she can forget what happened on that fateful night, she begins to slowly realize that pain is just as important to life as pleasure and that one cannot exist without the other. Andrea’s growth throughout this story is profound, and it serves as a model for young readers to process their own pain while choosing to live alongside it.

Middle grade readers with a passion for magic realism will love the complex nature of this book and the twists and turns necessarily involved in the world of Reverie. More than once, readers will find themselves wondering exactly what is real, working through the clues and evidence alongside the characters themselves. Detailed descriptions make both the world of Reverie and Andrea’s emotions come alive for the reader, placing them inside this space as the story unfolds. Lovingly crafted, this story will speak to readers who have ever worked through a deep emotional struggle, and it will leave readers considering their own realities, as well. This is a memorable and uplifting story for middle grade readers, and it is an important contribution to libraries serving young people.

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There is something about small town America that has a romantic allure to it, especially because of the seemingly protected and friendly nature surrounding this locale. So, when books shatter that sense of comfort by throwing dastardly villains into the mix, it makes each of us reconsider what it is to feel safe in today’s world. The Urban Boys: Discovery of the Five Senses introduces readers to a small town that is generally cheerful and supportive and throws in some challenges that come from a place that is less grounded in reality. As the protagonists learn more about their home and its dangers, they must work together to banish the darkness before it is too late. This story includes ample white space and frequent context clues, making it well-suited especially to more reluctant young adult readers. Please see my full review below!

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The town of Danville Heights is a close community of people from a wide range of backgrounds who all come together as proud neighbors. But the preserve on the outskirts of town is not as welcoming as Danville Heights, and a darkness has been growing within it for the past several years. When five boys from the high school football team decide to disobey their parents’ wishes and venture into the preserve following a memorable game, strange things begin to happen. As the boys work to decipher the truth behind the unusual outcome of their journey into the preserve, they find themselves in the unexpected role of protecting their town and the people in it from a terrible fate.

This young adult novel blends magic realism with some of the grittier realities of adolescence in the United States into a unique and thought-provoking narrative. The story begins with a prologue that sets the stage for the events in the majority of the text and includes heavy subject matter from the very beginning. Many of the characters in the story have experienced challenging events themselves, and their voices come out as the narrative frequently shifts points of view. Each chapter includes ample white space and begins with a provocative quote at the beginning, and these serve to enhance both reading comprehension and the overall accessibility of the novel.

Not only does this book speak to many of the realities faced by young people, but it also has an accompanying teacher’s guide that is filled with discussion questions for further investigation. Whether readers are part of a classroom, book club, or just reading at home, these questions dive deeper into the events of the story and encourage critical thinking about many of them. Fans of Stranger Things will appreciate the parallels found in this novel, particularly surrounding the idea of a darkness invading a community with an otherwise wholesome existence. The first in its series, this novel builds a foundation that will encourage readers to discover what happens in subsequent installments. This is a particularly accessible read for young adults who appreciate the opportunity to regard reality through a unique lens.

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Erica O’Donnell does not live the exciting life one might expect of a high school senior; ever since she started suffering from a disease called syncope, she has been closely monitored and limited in her activities. Luckily, Erica’s best friend Lindsay is by her side through it all, ready to catch Erica any time one of her spells hits her and to make sure she has whatever she might need in the moment. But Lindsay is also a high school senior, and she has more on her mind now than she used to, especially since she grew into her body the previous summer. As boys become more aware of Lindsay, she gets wrapped up in moments that take her away from Erica and the friendship they used to have. And at the same time, mysterious events in their small North Carolina town have everyone on edge, and Lindsay and Erica find themselves squarely in the middle of it all.

This gripping young adult novel is especially well-suited to fans of John Green who enjoy contemporary fiction and stories where characters grow into what they are truly capable of becoming. From the first moments, readers connect easily with Erica and feel sympathy for her as she manages the unknowns that come from a disease that has no known cure and can come upon her at any moment. For years, Erica has lived in something of a bubble, protected by Lindsay as the two follow more or less the same path. But as Lindsay begins to travel a different road, Erica has to learn to trust herself and convince others that she is worthy of that trust. Strong character development guides this novel, and as mysterious circumstances begin to make themselves known, readers will enjoy discovering the truth along with Erica and her friends.

While this book features a character who suffers from syncope, the story focuses more on how the disease affects her life than on its causes or remedies. An author’s note at the end of the book goes into more detail about the disease itself, and a list of discussion questions can be used in book clubs or classrooms to dive deeper into the subject matter found in the story. Occasional strong language and conversations about sex and relationships are found within the book, all of which are thoughtfully included and add to the overall message of the narrative. Compelling and well-structured, this book is one that older young adult and adult readers alike will devour as they grow to care about each of the characters and the quagmire in which they find themselves. This is an excellent piece of contemporary fiction and one that will augment the quality of library collections for young adult readers.

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Transitioning from childhood to adolescence is never easy, and each person weathers the process differently. For fourteen-year-old Anna Wiley, fourteen is not everything she desired. Her friends have all sprouted curves and confidence, and Anna is stuck somewhere else, trying to determine where she fits in even as her cynicism is clouding her observations of the world. When her mysterious and unusual grandfather Nicholas comes to town unannounced, Anna is forced to face the demons she has been avoiding while working to understand where the line between fact and fiction truly lies. Over the course of a fate-filled fortnight, Anna discovers a powerful inner strength that she can tap into anytime her world becomes more intense than she desires.

This intriguing young adult story addresses many of the challenges young people face as their bodies and minds shed their youth and begin the inevitable transition to adulthood. Anna begins the story as a moody and uninspired teenager who has decided to forego homework in direct response to what she regards as the brainless, machine-like society surrounding her. With each passing day, however, events take place that make Anna question her inner monologue and help her shift her beliefs and trajectory to better aim toward a successful future. She discovers that, though she sometimes feels alone in her struggles, even the most successful people have bad days, months, or years, and they require great strength of will to navigate their way back into the light.

Though this book is somewhat slow to start, the writing is good and the overall message is one that will keep readers thinking long after it ends. One particularly poignant quote describes growing up in this way, “when you conquer the Peter Pan inside, you kill your Santa Claus.” Youth is a wonderful, carefree time, but it is common for children to ache for the independence that comes with age; however, with reality comes the loss of belief, and that can set youth down a difficult path. Magic realism combines with a profound reflection of life’s many challenges in this thought-provoking story, and readers aged fourteen and older will connect with its intent. At the end, readers will find a list of suggested questions for book clubs to consider along with a selection of important resources for teen readers. This is a unique contribution to the canon of literature for young adult readers.

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It is April, 2053 and a massive earthquake has rocked the west coast of the United States. Cassie Entwistle is awaiting the return of her father, who disappeared when the seismic activity took place, and she knows something is not right when days pass with no sign of him. In order to find her father, Cassie must venture back in time to procure help from her family and friends. But she must be stealthy, for a single misstep could forever alter the course of her future. A multitude of scientific minds are on the case, unraveling the secrets of time travel while searching for a man whose whereabouts are nearly impossible to discern.

This science fiction novel blends family dynamics with the intrigue of time travel within the context of solving the mystery of a missing person. Short chapters and quick pacing keep the story moving, and readers of all ages will be curious to discover what happens next. As the foundation is being set, time shifts quickly to establish a relevant backstory for the bulk of the narrative. Each transition away from the primary timeline is clearly demarcated to help orient readers to who is speaking and where they happen to be in the course of their own life. Throughout the narrative, third person storytelling allows multiple characters to be featured to reinforce the plot, and each clue gives readers a better sense of how the overarching storyline comes together.

Fans of time travel stories that focus on human relationships will appreciate the design and presentation of this book. Like a young adult take on The Time Traveler’s Wife, this story incorporates the beauty and challenge that comes with the potential of time travel. Closely connected family members give the book a feel similar to that of A Wrinkle in Time, particularly because of the characters’ natural affinity for science and rich emotional moments. At the beginning of the book, readers will find a list of the characters in the book and their interrelationships along with selected biographies; these inclusions can be easily referenced if necessary as the story jumps around in time, though the characters all have unique voices that make them easily discernible in the mind of the reader. This first installment of the Timestream Travelers Chronicles series invites readers into a fantastic world, and will leave them eagerly awaiting the next addition as the final page is turned. This is a wholesome, feel-good adventure for young adult readers.

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