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A Legendary Alston Boys Adventure #2
The Last Mirror on the Left
In this new Legendary Alston Boys adventure from Edgar-nominated author Lamar Giles, Otto and Sheed must embark on their most dangerous journey yet, bringing a fugitive to justice in a world that mirrors their own but has its own rules to play by.
266 pages, Hardcover
First published October 20, 2020
20 people are currently reading
351 people want to read
About the author
Lamar Giles
32 books615 followersLamar "L. R." Giles writes books for teens and adults. FAKE ID, his debut Young Adult Thriller, will be published by HarperCollins in 2014. He is represented by Jamie Weiss Chilton of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency and resides in Chesapeake, VA with his wife.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 24, 2020
My son, Isaac, age 12.
He says the book dives right into the story. You never know what is going to happen and you never know who you should trust.
Isaac says that he wished he had read book one in the series because there is back story that he didn't fully understand.
Isaac's rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
He says the book dives right into the story. You never know what is going to happen and you never know who you should trust.
Isaac says that he wished he had read book one in the series because there is back story that he didn't fully understand.
Isaac's rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 28, 2021
We loved the first book in this series, and loved this one even more! The best part about reading this aloud with my son was hearing him laugh out loud or chuckle at the clever writing. More than once he mentioned what a great movie it would be. I hope there’s more to come from the Legendary Alston Boys because they truly are legendary!
October 25, 2020
Ever catch your reflection not quite doing what you expected? I mean, you're there, but it's not quite you? You very well might have been seeing beyond the looking glass and into a whole new different...or at least, a world varied from our own. Still familiar in many ways, but just off putting enough to not be "right".
The Alston boys have to deal with this situation time and time again as they make their way through this adventure. There's a criminal loose in the other worlds, an officer of sorts willing to look the other way at past transgressions if she's helped out of this sticky web of a situation, and a judge that you definitely won't want to cross...but that's only the beginning! Behind all the hubbub, and beneath all the oddness, there's secrets being kept for the right reasons that come out all wrong, consequences that may come around sooner than expected, and hope that is dangling on a well woven silken thread (thanks to a particular band of spiders!). Will it all come out right in the end...or at least SOME version of right? You'll have to risk a trip through the glass to find out, but I can tell you this...you've no better guides than Otto and Sheed. They've not only got style, and their own code for communicating, but they've got each other's backs through thick and thin, and enough of grandmother's wisdom to help them bounce back from anything!
**copy received for review; opinions are my own
The Alston boys have to deal with this situation time and time again as they make their way through this adventure. There's a criminal loose in the other worlds, an officer of sorts willing to look the other way at past transgressions if she's helped out of this sticky web of a situation, and a judge that you definitely won't want to cross...but that's only the beginning! Behind all the hubbub, and beneath all the oddness, there's secrets being kept for the right reasons that come out all wrong, consequences that may come around sooner than expected, and hope that is dangling on a well woven silken thread (thanks to a particular band of spiders!). Will it all come out right in the end...or at least SOME version of right? You'll have to risk a trip through the glass to find out, but I can tell you this...you've no better guides than Otto and Sheed. They've not only got style, and their own code for communicating, but they've got each other's backs through thick and thin, and enough of grandmother's wisdom to help them bounce back from anything!
**copy received for review; opinions are my own
September 14, 2020
I received an electronic ARC from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group through NetGalley.
The cousins are back and tackling new adventures. This time they move through mirrors in the emporium to find some escaped convicts and save themselves from the mirror fate. As the book progresses, readers discover characters may not be as portrayed. Otto and Sheed sort through rescuing their alternate selves in different worlds. They always connect with Wiki and Leen to help them and I wish they were more involved in the rescues.
Giles continues to develop the characters and bring readers into the story. They'll feel like participants rather than observers as the cousins work with others to save their various worlds. A large hint at the next adventure is provided in the final chapter.
The cousins are back and tackling new adventures. This time they move through mirrors in the emporium to find some escaped convicts and save themselves from the mirror fate. As the book progresses, readers discover characters may not be as portrayed. Otto and Sheed sort through rescuing their alternate selves in different worlds. They always connect with Wiki and Leen to help them and I wish they were more involved in the rescues.
Giles continues to develop the characters and bring readers into the story. They'll feel like participants rather than observers as the cousins work with others to save their various worlds. A large hint at the next adventure is provided in the final chapter.
May 16, 2021
This is the second book in what I hope turns into a long running series. I love the characters. It’s fast paced, action packed, imaginative and full of heart. A joy to read.
October 8, 2020
First off, this is the second book in a series, and it should be read as such, since Otto and Sheed take off where the last one ended. The background to the worlds, situations, and characters are all found in the first book.
Packed with fun character, great dialogue, and imagination at every curve, this is an exciting adventure which hooks and holds.
Sheed and Otto think their adventures have calmed down. They don't expect to be pulled off to court and accused of being criminals for the way they handled their last case. Plus, they discover that things didn't wrap up as nicely as they hoped, and they have to go hunt down the evil doer again. But not only are they thrown into a warped mirror world to go on their search, Sheed becomes ill, and the only cure supposedly holds consequences. Sheed might not ever be able to return to the 'normal' world again. Add spiders, people who look like those they know but aren't, disappearing towns, time travel, and a very tricky bad guy, and the adventure is anything but a sure win for these two.
I love the imagination and fun in this series. The author allows two, very normal boys to take off into the most obscure situations and lets them battle and solve as best they can. There's nothing really special about the two. They are as normal as young readers themselves, and this makes them very easy to connect to. The back and forth between the cousins is not only humorous and fun to read, it does a great job at bringing the reality of such relationships to life. The two are best friends and yet, they don't always get along or understand each other. Still, their loyalty for one another is inspiring and exactly how it should be. It's a duo that readers wish they could join.
The author does a wonderful job at twisting worlds, fantasy and time travel into a smooth and...well, mostly logical tale. The reasonings behind the world and those in it are clever, and easy to follow. For all it's quirkiness, things do hold their own strange reasoning and aren't just grabbed out of nowhere. But with all of the twists, unexpected run-ins, and strange meetings, there's nothing normal about a lot of things. And it's great that way.
I see readers, who love tension, excitement and a bit of ridiculousness enjoying this one quite a bit, especially the younger end of the middle grade spectrum. There are illustrations peppered in during the tale, which are always a bonus in my opinion. While I do see kids ages 7 to 10 enjoying this one more than the slightly older end, I am wondering how many will be willing to plop into a thicker read like this one. But those who do are in for an exciting read with smiles, heart and edge-of-the-seat moments, too.
I received an ARC and enjoyed this fun adventure quite a bit.
Packed with fun character, great dialogue, and imagination at every curve, this is an exciting adventure which hooks and holds.
Sheed and Otto think their adventures have calmed down. They don't expect to be pulled off to court and accused of being criminals for the way they handled their last case. Plus, they discover that things didn't wrap up as nicely as they hoped, and they have to go hunt down the evil doer again. But not only are they thrown into a warped mirror world to go on their search, Sheed becomes ill, and the only cure supposedly holds consequences. Sheed might not ever be able to return to the 'normal' world again. Add spiders, people who look like those they know but aren't, disappearing towns, time travel, and a very tricky bad guy, and the adventure is anything but a sure win for these two.
I love the imagination and fun in this series. The author allows two, very normal boys to take off into the most obscure situations and lets them battle and solve as best they can. There's nothing really special about the two. They are as normal as young readers themselves, and this makes them very easy to connect to. The back and forth between the cousins is not only humorous and fun to read, it does a great job at bringing the reality of such relationships to life. The two are best friends and yet, they don't always get along or understand each other. Still, their loyalty for one another is inspiring and exactly how it should be. It's a duo that readers wish they could join.
The author does a wonderful job at twisting worlds, fantasy and time travel into a smooth and...well, mostly logical tale. The reasonings behind the world and those in it are clever, and easy to follow. For all it's quirkiness, things do hold their own strange reasoning and aren't just grabbed out of nowhere. But with all of the twists, unexpected run-ins, and strange meetings, there's nothing normal about a lot of things. And it's great that way.
I see readers, who love tension, excitement and a bit of ridiculousness enjoying this one quite a bit, especially the younger end of the middle grade spectrum. There are illustrations peppered in during the tale, which are always a bonus in my opinion. While I do see kids ages 7 to 10 enjoying this one more than the slightly older end, I am wondering how many will be willing to plop into a thicker read like this one. But those who do are in for an exciting read with smiles, heart and edge-of-the-seat moments, too.
I received an ARC and enjoyed this fun adventure quite a bit.
July 21, 2020
Hang in There
This starts a bit slowly, but gets up to speed soon enough. From there on it's a clever, fun ride.
Our heroes, Otto and Sheed, are cousins who live with their grandma. This is their second adventure, so a lot of their backstory was told in the first Alston Boys adventure. The most important carry over is that at the end of Book One Otto learned that Sheed has, or might have, "health problems" that could be fatal in the near future. Otto's concern for Sheed is a running theme throughout the book, motivates a fair amount of the action, and plays a decisive role in the finale. This mostly works as it adds some weight to what could otherwise be just a ditzy adventure, but it does sometimes get in the way and distract from the action.
In that regard, we basically have a prison in the form of a hall of mirrors. Some mirrors are prison cells. Some mirrors lead to an alternate bizarro world where everything familiar from our world is backward, mixed up, or "warped". This is where you have to be patient, at least at the outset. It takes a bit to explain the mirrors, the prison, the bad guys, and the warped world. Once that is in place, though, the action, jokes, bits and bobs, and twists become clear and easy enough to follow. Indeed, this is one of those alt-universe, time travelly books where everything becomes clearer the deeper in you go. Sometimes these books can be a challenge, and at least this one doesn't keep throwing you odder and odder curves.
As always the Alston Boys are a hoot. They are smart, resourceful, loyal and steadfast, and all of the good things you want from your middle grade quest heroes. Likability is off the chart, and it doesn't hurt that the Boys are surrounded this time by a fine cast of supporting characters. This is a fun find.
(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
This starts a bit slowly, but gets up to speed soon enough. From there on it's a clever, fun ride.
Our heroes, Otto and Sheed, are cousins who live with their grandma. This is their second adventure, so a lot of their backstory was told in the first Alston Boys adventure. The most important carry over is that at the end of Book One Otto learned that Sheed has, or might have, "health problems" that could be fatal in the near future. Otto's concern for Sheed is a running theme throughout the book, motivates a fair amount of the action, and plays a decisive role in the finale. This mostly works as it adds some weight to what could otherwise be just a ditzy adventure, but it does sometimes get in the way and distract from the action.
In that regard, we basically have a prison in the form of a hall of mirrors. Some mirrors are prison cells. Some mirrors lead to an alternate bizarro world where everything familiar from our world is backward, mixed up, or "warped". This is where you have to be patient, at least at the outset. It takes a bit to explain the mirrors, the prison, the bad guys, and the warped world. Once that is in place, though, the action, jokes, bits and bobs, and twists become clear and easy enough to follow. Indeed, this is one of those alt-universe, time travelly books where everything becomes clearer the deeper in you go. Sometimes these books can be a challenge, and at least this one doesn't keep throwing you odder and odder curves.
As always the Alston Boys are a hoot. They are smart, resourceful, loyal and steadfast, and all of the good things you want from your middle grade quest heroes. Likability is off the chart, and it doesn't hurt that the Boys are surrounded this time by a fine cast of supporting characters. This is a fun find.
(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
November 9, 2020
Fun adventures of two boys who have been appointed somehow to save the world. This is part of a series, so it starts with them having to clean up something they messed up while saving the world, and they confidently strut off to fix whatever needs fixing. Otto, the worrywort of the pair, is freaking out because he knows his friend is doomed to die young, but is too afraid to tell him (that would make it true!) but just makes himself annoying by mentioning doctors and expressing strange concern a lot. Lamar, more confident, finally pulls this info out. They follow their adventure into an alternate world where symbols become true and deal with some knotty ethical questions while also having some well choreographed fights with various baddies. I wanted to shake Otto a few times for keeping secrets but it was consistent and the other characters had similar reactions.
I like the balance between different kinds of tension -- character growth, plot adventures, and ethical questions about justice and loyalty. I liked how the boys were clearly African American -- hair, slang, (home training showed up again! I only learned that term last August and now I've seen it three or four times) etc. I'm not sure most kids would be happy to start with this one -- there are a lot of references to the events previous which I rolled with but some readers would find unbearable. My son would've insist on getting the previous book, but he would want to read them all.
The boys had crushes on some of the girl characters which I am always cranky about, mostly because it distorts their view of the girls as people rather than as objects. But the other girls, the ones the boys didn't see as possible romantic targets, got to have more rounded and changing lives.
I read a review copy on Netgalley, so I didn't get all the illustrations.
I like the balance between different kinds of tension -- character growth, plot adventures, and ethical questions about justice and loyalty. I liked how the boys were clearly African American -- hair, slang, (home training showed up again! I only learned that term last August and now I've seen it three or four times) etc. I'm not sure most kids would be happy to start with this one -- there are a lot of references to the events previous which I rolled with but some readers would find unbearable. My son would've insist on getting the previous book, but he would want to read them all.
The boys had crushes on some of the girl characters which I am always cranky about, mostly because it distorts their view of the girls as people rather than as objects. But the other girls, the ones the boys didn't see as possible romantic targets, got to have more rounded and changing lives.
I read a review copy on Netgalley, so I didn't get all the illustrations.
October 27, 2020
Our intrepid heroes, cousins Otto and Sheed, have been called by Officer Nedraw. She insists they come down immediately to the Rorrim Mirror Emporium to help her with a big problem. The evil Nevan has escaped from his mirror cell and has freed a lot of other inmates. Officer Nedraw takes the boys through a mirror into an alternative universe, Warped World, in some ways like their hometown of Fry, but in many ways very different. The boys are captured by a band of escaped prisoners of the giant spider variety with alliterative names like Spencer and Spenlope. These escaped jailbirds turn out to be more helpful than harmful, while the boys are with them. When one of the spiders breaks some legs, Dr. Medina is called, and Otto discovers there is a medicine in Warped World that seems to cure anything. Otto is worried about Sheed facing a serious illness sometime in the future, and Otto decides he needs to get that medicine. This goal causes the boys to become separated, and then things get really interesting. Will they be able to make it back to Fry? Can Otto get the medicine and, if he does, will it do the trick? There are a lot of questions to be answered and a lot of excitement to get to those answers.
Lamar Giles
Lamar Giles must have a wicked sense of humor and a great imagination to come up with these wonderful books. The characters are well-rounded and have problems kids will relate to. The writing is casual and will welcome all young readers, even reluctant readers. The dialogue is snappy and fun, the story is very compelling, and there is room for more books, which will make middle-grade readers very happy. The cute illustrations support the story well and will bring those reluctant readers along for this fun ride.
Lamar Giles
Lamar Giles must have a wicked sense of humor and a great imagination to come up with these wonderful books. The characters are well-rounded and have problems kids will relate to. The writing is casual and will welcome all young readers, even reluctant readers. The dialogue is snappy and fun, the story is very compelling, and there is room for more books, which will make middle-grade readers very happy. The cute illustrations support the story well and will bring those reluctant readers along for this fun ride.
February 28, 2022
In the course of unfreezing Logan County and defeating Mr. Flux, the Alston boys set up their next adventure -- or should I say mis-adventure, because you get the sense they're just as legendary for putting the county in danger as they are for saving it!
Remember when they broke a mirror at the Emporium, setting loose one of Mrs. Warden's -- oops, Mrs. Nedraw's -- worst prisoners? Well, now he's causing trouble for Logan County and it's up to the Alston boys to round him up before the "Judge" appears.
Turns out, Mrs. Nedraw's mirrors aren't just mirrors -- they're portals to new worlds. Or more accurately, prison cells for "criminals," people who've been sentenced by the "Judge" for breaking the rules.
The boys and Mrs. Nedraw take the last mirror on the left and get sucked into a world where they're forced to ask, who made the Judge the judge? And why does he get to decide who's a criminal? It's all very relative (hint).
There's also the issue of Sheed's illness, which Otto is keeping from him. It drives a wedge between the boys when it should be pushing them closer together, but that's up to them to figure out across their zany adventures.
I won't spoil the plot twists and turns, but know it's another super-close save for Logan County and Sheed. While I love them both, I kinda hope the author gives the Epic Ellisons a shot at saving the county after this!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Remember when they broke a mirror at the Emporium, setting loose one of Mrs. Warden's -- oops, Mrs. Nedraw's -- worst prisoners? Well, now he's causing trouble for Logan County and it's up to the Alston boys to round him up before the "Judge" appears.
Turns out, Mrs. Nedraw's mirrors aren't just mirrors -- they're portals to new worlds. Or more accurately, prison cells for "criminals," people who've been sentenced by the "Judge" for breaking the rules.
The boys and Mrs. Nedraw take the last mirror on the left and get sucked into a world where they're forced to ask, who made the Judge the judge? And why does he get to decide who's a criminal? It's all very relative (hint).
There's also the issue of Sheed's illness, which Otto is keeping from him. It drives a wedge between the boys when it should be pushing them closer together, but that's up to them to figure out across their zany adventures.
I won't spoil the plot twists and turns, but know it's another super-close save for Logan County and Sheed. While I love them both, I kinda hope the author gives the Epic Ellisons a shot at saving the county after this!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
October 6, 2023
Previously, Otto and Sheed learned that the mirror store in downtown Fry, VA, was actually an interdimensional prison, and the store owner, Ms. Nedraw, was it's warden. When she summons them to her store, they figure she needs the help of the Legendary Alston Boys. But to their surprise, they discover that Ms. Nedraw wants to lock them up! The crime: Helping one of the most dangerous villains to escape.
During their last day of summer adventure, it turns out that Otto accidentally chipped the mirror holding Necan the Nightmare. Over the last few weeks, he was able to widen the crack and escape his confinement.
Now the boys have to travel through the dimensions connected to the Mirror Emporium to find Necan and his crew before they can wreak havoc 9n many worlds.
Unfortunately, the boys are themselves being pursued by the Judge, an ominous, hulking figure who passes sentence 9n everyone who breaks The Law.
On top of it all, Otto is worried that the sickness inside Sheed, which Otto learned about from his future self, and which Sheed doesn't know about, is starting to show itself. But as they make their way through their adventure, Otto spies something that might be just the thing to heal his cousin.
As the mirrors and fists start to fly, the boys find that what they thought they knew might not be the truth. And the truth might be harder to take than they want to admit.
Another fun installment in a series I hope goes beyond a trilogy!
During their last day of summer adventure, it turns out that Otto accidentally chipped the mirror holding Necan the Nightmare. Over the last few weeks, he was able to widen the crack and escape his confinement.
Now the boys have to travel through the dimensions connected to the Mirror Emporium to find Necan and his crew before they can wreak havoc 9n many worlds.
Unfortunately, the boys are themselves being pursued by the Judge, an ominous, hulking figure who passes sentence 9n everyone who breaks The Law.
On top of it all, Otto is worried that the sickness inside Sheed, which Otto learned about from his future self, and which Sheed doesn't know about, is starting to show itself. But as they make their way through their adventure, Otto spies something that might be just the thing to heal his cousin.
As the mirrors and fists start to fly, the boys find that what they thought they knew might not be the truth. And the truth might be harder to take than they want to admit.
Another fun installment in a series I hope goes beyond a trilogy!
November 15, 2021
When the Langston cousins find themselves in an alternate world where a Judge is throwing people into mirror prisons left and right for anything he doesn't like, the boys know they need to help. But this world is strange, there are more powers at play than they first realize, and the Judge is proving very hard to stop. It's going to take a wild ride through alternate dimensions and help from several friends to save this day.
Lamar Giles definitely gets points for creativity. I was listening to parts of this on audio and it gets so weird at times I thought I had missed a part. It turned out I just wasn't listening closely enough. This one is quick, weird, and wild. So strap in and pay close attention. But it is also a very clever way to open a door to talking about unjust imprisonment and the justice system. It also addresses the big secret learned in the last one and how that has been causing issues between the twins. I love how Grandma can see her boys for who they are regardless of the world. She is amazing. Hand this to kids who are looking for something a bit different and like alternate world travel.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There are some perilous situations and a couple fistfights but no one is seriously hurt.
Lamar Giles definitely gets points for creativity. I was listening to parts of this on audio and it gets so weird at times I thought I had missed a part. It turned out I just wasn't listening closely enough. This one is quick, weird, and wild. So strap in and pay close attention. But it is also a very clever way to open a door to talking about unjust imprisonment and the justice system. It also addresses the big secret learned in the last one and how that has been causing issues between the twins. I love how Grandma can see her boys for who they are regardless of the world. She is amazing. Hand this to kids who are looking for something a bit different and like alternate world travel.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There are some perilous situations and a couple fistfights but no one is seriously hurt.
November 4, 2020
Move over, “Through the Looking-Glass” and “Greystone Secrets” to make room for this parallel universe installment for “The Legendary Alston Boys” series. Cousins Otto and Sheed are pulled into a series of mirrors from the Rorrim Mirror Emporium (check that name again!), where they are forced to assist in looking for a fugitive, trying to figure out who is the real enemy, and getting home safely without being locked in a mirror for the rest of their lives.
Occasional black and white sketches help the reader picture the characters.
This is a sequel to “The Last Last-Day-of-Summer” which sets up some of the problems; this reviewer has not read that which led to some confusion and trying to figure out the backstory, especially about Sheed’s mysterious, deadly illness. Purchase of both titles is recommended for the action, suspense, and diverse set of characters to satisfy middle-upper elementary fantasy readers.
Occasional black and white sketches help the reader picture the characters.
This is a sequel to “The Last Last-Day-of-Summer” which sets up some of the problems; this reviewer has not read that which led to some confusion and trying to figure out the backstory, especially about Sheed’s mysterious, deadly illness. Purchase of both titles is recommended for the action, suspense, and diverse set of characters to satisfy middle-upper elementary fantasy readers.
October 4, 2020
I loved this as much as The Last Last-Day-of-Summer, the first Legendary Alston Boys book. This time, there are prisoners trapped inside the mirrors and Missus Nedraw needs the boys' help tracking down Nevan and his gang who escaped from their mirror cell. This book is a very fun read with great characters, several returning from the first book. Although you don't need to read the first book first, IMO I'm glad I did. For me, there were just some moments that I was like, "oh, I remember that!" Lamar Giles did a great job writing this second book in such a way that if you don't read the first one first, you'd still follow The Last Mirror with no problems. I really hope there's going to be a third Alston Boys adventure :)
January 5, 2024
Copyright date: 2020
Star rating: 5
Award: N/A
Genre: Thriller
Summary w/ themes: This book is about two cousins that go on an adventure. They are called to by someone and end up traveling to alternate universes through mirrors to capture a bad guy. However, the two find out that there is more than one bad guy.
Use for future classroom: This would be a fun book to keep on my bookshelf.
Thoughts of book: I really enjoyed this book. I found myself not wanting to put the book down. I also like that there are illustrations in the book as well that can help the reader picture what they are reading about.
Star rating: 5
Award: N/A
Genre: Thriller
Summary w/ themes: This book is about two cousins that go on an adventure. They are called to by someone and end up traveling to alternate universes through mirrors to capture a bad guy. However, the two find out that there is more than one bad guy.
Use for future classroom: This would be a fun book to keep on my bookshelf.
Thoughts of book: I really enjoyed this book. I found myself not wanting to put the book down. I also like that there are illustrations in the book as well that can help the reader picture what they are reading about.
September 2, 2020
Thank you Edelweiss for the ARC!
Fun fantastic ride through a warped fantasy world with two amazing cousins. I loved their relationship, their connection and banter. So many lines had me laughing out loud.
Despite the weirdness of the setting, this is grounded in reality of two kids trying to find their way in a world that ethically can seem very murky. So many opportunities to connect to real life. Here's to more Legendary Alston Boy adventures!
Fun fantastic ride through a warped fantasy world with two amazing cousins. I loved their relationship, their connection and banter. So many lines had me laughing out loud.
Despite the weirdness of the setting, this is grounded in reality of two kids trying to find their way in a world that ethically can seem very murky. So many opportunities to connect to real life. Here's to more Legendary Alston Boy adventures!
July 26, 2025
Much of what made the first Legendary Alston Boys Adventure so wonderful is still here - the camaraderie between cousins Otto and Sheed, the wacky multidimensional hijinks - but it doesn't have the same energy. A subplot involving a possibly dire future that one cousin has knowledge of and the other does not leads to some manufactured drama largely due to lack of communication but this also impacts the tone of the story.
Giles introduces some nuanced perspectives around law and justice through this volume's antagonists in ways appropriate for middle grade readers to consider.
3/5
Giles introduces some nuanced perspectives around law and justice through this volume's antagonists in ways appropriate for middle grade readers to consider.
3/5
January 11, 2021
This one was easier for me to get into than the first. Maybe it was because I was used to the characters and the weirdness. I liked what the author was trying to say about the prison system with having the one person who locked everyone up because of “the law” and the other person who locked up people to make a profit. Not sure Elementary aged kids will pick up on that but I still liked its inclusion.
February 23, 2021
Nate and I did this as a read aloud at bedtimes. It was a totally worthy sequel to “The last last-day-of-summer.” It was great to spend time with the characters again, and I do like a good multiverse story.
Giles addressed some more mature issues in this one, including fear of illness and death, justice (and injustice) in policing, and where authority should rest in a community. He did it with grace - keeping things light enough to be fun but not shying away from the deeper implications.
Giles addressed some more mature issues in this one, including fear of illness and death, justice (and injustice) in policing, and where authority should rest in a community. He did it with grace - keeping things light enough to be fun but not shying away from the deeper implications.
November 3, 2024
Oh my word! I love this series. The adventures are very organic (probably a dumb word to use but sometimes books feel so orchestrated, like you know everything that's going to happen and the stakes feel far lower than they're supposed to). Most of all, the subtle social commentary and the pithy humor that feels like it's legit coming from a kid and yet so astute. I compared the first book to Roald Dahl and felt the same way about this one. This author needs to write many more childrens books!
August 11, 2020
Super fun follow up to The Last Last-Day-of-Summer! Wouldn't you love to see how you and your friends exist in parallel universes? Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
ARC provided by publisher
ARC provided by publisher
September 20, 2020
Digital Review Copy provided by Edelweiss+ and HMH Books.
The very welcome return of the Legendary Alston Boys. Full review closer to pub date of 20 October, but you should pre-order now, you won't want to wait to read this next adventure full of humor, heart, and devious criminals trapped in Missus Nedraw's Rorrim Mirror Emporium.
The very welcome return of the Legendary Alston Boys. Full review closer to pub date of 20 October, but you should pre-order now, you won't want to wait to read this next adventure full of humor, heart, and devious criminals trapped in Missus Nedraw's Rorrim Mirror Emporium.
March 16, 2021
My boys (7 and 10) loved the first novel and were thrilled to learn there was a second in the series. Both books have a very distinct voice that set it apart from other middle grade novels. The writing is clever and the characters well defined. It is a lovely series to read out loud.
August 31, 2021
Otto and Sheed travel through mirrors into alternate parallel worlds tracking criminals who have escaped their mirror prisons following the events of The Last Last Day of Summer. Another great Legendary Alston Boys Adventure with a surprisingly nuanced and subtle justice theme.
January 10, 2023
Otto and Sheed are back in another funny and odd adventure! This time there's mirrors and they learn how Missus Nedraw of the Rirrom Mirror Emporium remembers what happened from their last adventure. This book was amazing and now I have to know what they get up to next.
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October 18, 2020Whoa! The trippy fun continues as the Alstons continue their adventures!
November 10, 2020
This book did not disappoint! Love the progression of the book and the character development :)
November 23, 2020
It's such a fun and engrossing read.
Full of humour, excellent storytelling and world building.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Full of humour, excellent storytelling and world building.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
November 24, 2020
Fantastic adventure!
July 14, 2021
A great follow up to The Last Last Day of Summer. This book was great to read with my son.
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