"Savvy" by Ingrid Law

In "Savvy" by Ingrid Law, The Beaumont family isn't exactly what you'd call normal. While turning thirteen is special for everyone because you're finally a teenager, if you're a Beaumont it means something entirely different--that's when you get your savvy. A savvy is a magical power that Beaumonts and families like them inherit on their thirteenth birthday. With one brother who causes hurricanes, another who creates electricity, and a grandfather who moves mountains, Mibs can't wait to see what her savvy will be, and she desperately hopes it'll be x-ray vision.

When her Poppa gets into a terrible car accident and her mother and eldest brother rush to the hospital in a different town, Mibs' birthday celebration gets cut short. Believing that her new savvy could save her Poppa's life, Mibs, along with her siblings and the preachers' kids,  sneaks a ride to the hospital on a rickety pink bus full of pink Bibles. The plan is flawless until the bus starts heading in the wrong direction.

"Savvy" is full of adventure, love, tattos, and magic. It's sure to grab your attention and hold it to the very end. If you love the Beaumont family in "Savvy," be sure to check out Ingrid Law's other Beaumont books "Scumble" and "Switch." Recommended for grades three to seven.

--Ariel V., Oak Bend

Review: "Switch" by Ingrid Law

The Beaumont family has never been what we'd call normal. They all have a different type of magical power that they inherit on their thirteenth birthday and they call it a savvy. That's normal for them, so they all learn to live with is and love it. In "Switch" by Ingrid Law, Gypsy has always seen things that others couldn't, so no one was surprised when she received visions of the past and future for her savvy. The big surprise came a few weeks after Gypsy's birthday, when everyone's savvy switched! Gypsy could now stop time, and her older, formerly invisible brother Samson is now the most visible guy around; especially when his whole body catches on fire! The whole family has to try to deal with their new savvys all while driving several hours to another state to pick up their very non-magical grandmother who will be living with them from now on. These kids get into amazing adventures just as they always have in the previous savvy books by Ingrid Law, "Savvy" and "Scumble." Recommended for readers in grades 3-7 who want a fun, adventure-filled and magical story!

--Ariel V., Oak Bend

Review: "Nnewts" by Doug TenNapel

If you are in need of some magic, adventure and mystery this summer, pick up a copy of Doug TenNapel's latest graphic novel series, "Nnewts." Life in Nnewtown is quiet and normal--farmers farm, shopkeepers sell, soldiers patrol, and Herk's legs still aren't strong enough for him to climb out of the family pool. As Herk's dad is on the verge of a powerful and magical discovery, evil Lizzarks are planning to invade Nnewtown, and no one is prepared. Could it be that Herk is the one to save them all? 

With fabulous artwork and exceptional creativity, fans of TenNapel's "Cardboard" will be pleased with "Nnewts," and anyone who loves a good adventure will find it in these pages. The first two volumes are out now, "Escape From the Lizzarks," and "The Rise of Herk." These books are appropriate for readers in grades four to eight. Click on the link above to reserve a copy today.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

"Wandmaker" by Ed Masessa

Henry Leach (the 8th) would like nothing more than to learn how to make a wand so he can teach bullies a lesson and, just maybe, get a moment's peace from his little sister. But when his parents start acting weird and he accidentally turns his sister into a hedgehog, Henry thinks he may need some assistance with his wandmaking.

"Wandmaker" by Ed Masessa is a great book for fans of the Septimus Heap. Grades 3-5.



--Desiree S., Headquarters

Magic at the Circus: a review of Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley

Micah Tuttle has been hearing about Circus Mirandus from his Grandpa Ephraim his whole life. The world's smartest elephant, the unique and mysterious ticket seller, and especially the magical Lightbender and his sensational show have all become legend to Micah. When Grandpa Ephraim falls ill and his unbelieving and grumpy sister Gertrudis moves in, Micah's last hope is for Grandpa Ephraim to finally redeem the miracle that the Lightbender gave him years ago. Only Micah has to escape from his Aunt Gertrudis and convince his friend Jenny to join him as he does everything in his power to make the miracle happen. But what if the miracle Grandpa Ephraim asks for is not the one that Micah longs for? Full enchantment, heart, and wonder, this story is a delight to read. For readers in grades 4-6. To request a copy, click on the link above.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

New Middle Grade Series Alert! "The Dungeoneers" by John David Anderson

"Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day. Teach him to fish, and he will eat for a lifetime. Teach him to steal, though, and he won't have to eat fish every day for the rest of his life."

Are you looking to get into an exciting new series this summer, one full of adventure, danger, and humor? Seek no longer, adventurers, but pick up "The Dungeoneers" by John David Anderson. If you loved Harry Potter or N.D. Wilson's Ashtown Burials, you will most likely enjoy romping through dungeons with Colm and his friends.

Colm Candorly knows what it's like to be poor. With eight daughters and one son, Colm's dad works his fingers to the bone fixing shoes in their small town, but there never seems to be enough to go around. With eight torturous sisters, Colm has learned the art of sneaking and stealing to keep his sanity. One day, he gets fed up with his lot in life and decides to put his skills to use by pick-pocketing in the town square. While he brings in a haul, Colm also brings down judgement on himself, and he has the choice to either lose his hand or join The Dungeoneers Guild, leave his family, and hone his lock-picking skills at a school for thieves of all sorts. Filled with friendship, adventure, and hard choices to make, "The Dungeoneers" will keep you reading late into the night, and when you finish, you won't be able to wait for Colm's next adventure to begin. Appropriate for fourth to seventh grade. Request a copy today by clicking on the link above.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Staff Review: "The Eighth Day" by Dianne K Salerni

Percy Jackson and Harry Potter fans take note! “TheEighth Day” by Dianne Salerni will take you to a strange world-between worlds where magic is pitted against magic and family ties are strong. Leaning heavily on Arthurian legend, Salerni has created a world full of magic and danger. There is plenty of room left in the action-packed ending for a sequel or even a series, so eager readers will hopefully be delighted to wait for more stories of Jax and his friends.

Twelve-year-old Jax Aubrey’s dad dies, and instead of going to live with his older cousin Naomi, a young man named Riley Pendare shows up and claims to have legal custody of Jax, given by his dad. Jax hates living with Riley because he’s not much older than Jax, can’t seem to bother with the normal chores of a household, and he’s a stranger. Jax’s resentment all starts to change the day after his thirteenth birthday when he wakes to find his world frozen in time with no people in it. He learns that he, Riley, and his dad before him are Transitioners—people who can exist in normal time as well as a magical eighth day of the week. In the eighth day are clans of people called Kin, who exist only in the eighth day, and Riley is protecting one of the only Kin who has the power to destroy the eighth day. As Jax begins learning about his new life and the magic that comes with it, he stumbles into a dangerous plot to destroy the normal world. When everyone is suspicious, who can Jax trust? How do you live in the normal world with a magic gift? And is Riley really a reliable person after all?

This book is a great read for fourth to eighth graders. As a warning for parents, there is magical violence.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Staff Review: Rump: The True Story of Rumplestiltskin" by Liesl Shurtliff

You’ve all heard the story of Rumplestiltskin, right? You know, the evil little man who steals the beautiful lady’s firstborn in exchange for spinning straw into gold? I’m going to bet that you don’t know why Rumplestiltskin could spin gold or why he was so short. Lucky for you, Liesl Shurtliff decided to let us all know the true story of Rumplestiltskin in her book, “Rump.”

In a town where names determine who you become, Rump feels a bit robbed. His mother died before she said his whole name, and now he will forever be known by a name no one should ever be called.  Rump lives with his grandmother and spends his days digging unsuccessfully for gold in the town’s mine. When his grandmother becomes desperately ill and the miller refuses to give them food on credit, Rump discovers a magical secret—he can spin straw into gold.  What he doesn't know is that even though magic comes easily to him, there are weighty strings attached to all things created by it. So as Rumps spins more and more straw into gold, his life begins to spin out of control. When his grandmother dies and the mischief has been done, Rump sets off to fix the problems he caused and hopefully discover what his true name really is.

Through the unraveling of Rump’s past and a desire to change the present, Shurtliff lightly leads the reader to delve into ideas of becoming, belonging, and character without becoming too heavy. Filled with humor, compassion, and danger, “Rump” delightfully turns the old fairy tale inside-out with not-so-sinister results. This title is great for grades 3-6.

--Andrea W., H.Q.

A Little Bit of Magic

"Little mortal girls think they're dressing up as fairies when they wear pink wings and puffy pink skirts. They think fairy godmothers only exist in stories. Mortals have never really understood us."

Think fairy books aren't for boys? Think again! "Magicalamity" by Kate Saunders proves that having a fairy godmother isn't just for girls.

Eleven year old Tom wakes up one morning to find a strange woman in a blue jumpsuit and heavy boots cooking him breakfast. Turns out she is one of three (yes, three) fairy godmothers charged with protecting him. Having three fairy godmothers can be a pain but also has its perks. One gave him a "math talent," one gave him a handsome token (she was too cheap to go for the full beauty charm) and the last one gave him a full hour of invisibility.

Tom learns quickly that his dad is a fairy on the run from murder charges. Having a fairy for a father and a human mother makes Tom a demisprite--also illegal.Tom and his three godmothers must find a way to keep him safe and figure out a way to rescue his father.

Lots of humor and action keep this story moving and interesting. Great for kids grade four and up.

Check out other Kate Saunders books.

"The Little Secret" When Jane is invited to spend her summer vacation with her new--but admittedly odd--friend, Staffa, it feels like a dazzling daydream. Jane is lured by the promise of beautiful gowns as delicate as cobwebs, fancy parties as elegant as castle balls, and more fun than she can possibly imagine. But there's something menacing about the gleam in Staffa's mother's eyes. Something not-quite-right about the long drive over the hills of Scotland. Something strangely alluring about the mysterious, glowing box she is told she must never open. Never, ever, for any reason . . . Until, of course, it is opened on her behalf. If Jane goes home with Staffa--if she enters the world of the box--will she be trapped forever? Or will she become every girl's secret idea of a princess? 

"Beswitched" A magic spell has spun Flora into the past. She's mysteriously swapped lives with a schoolgirl in 1935! No iPod? No cell phone? No hair products? How will she survive? Now Flora's a new girl at St. Winifred's, where she has to speak French at breakfast, wear hideous baggy bloomers, and sleep in a freezing dormitory. But lots of adventures in the past are amazing even if they are not forever. How will she find her way back to the 21st century?





--Desiree S., Headquarters

Staff Review: "13 Gifts" by Wendy Mass

"13 Gifts" by Wendy Mass

Angelina D'Angelo is using her magic on another unsuspecting child in Willow Falls.  This time, it's Tara Brennan; she's spending the summer with her aunt and uncle.  Tara's parents are from Willow Falls, but this is the first time she's visiting.  Unfortunately, she's made a few unwise choices, and as a consequence, she must chase down some unusual items in this small town.  And she only has two weeks to get it done!  Sound crazy?  It is.  By her 13th birthday, Tara needs to sort everything out. Luckily, she's made some amazing new friends who are more than willing to help her. As a bonus: there's a big musical number at the end!

This book is a companion to the other two Willow Falls books.  Readers will recognize Tara's new friends as Amanda and Leo from "11 Birthdays" and Rory from "Finally."  If you've read those, you'll know some of the background on these other characters, but you can read the books in any order and still understand everything.  "13 Gifts" is a Mark Twain Reader Award Nominee for 2013-2014; grab it before everyone else does!  This series is best suited for grades 4-7.
If you liked this book, try one of these stories with a bit of magic:
--Angie R., Headquarters

Staff Review: Moomin Madness!

During the tumultuous and destructive years of Word War II, the Swedish Finn artist Tove Jannson created an innocent and whimsical place called Moominland, and her life was forever changed. Eight books and sixty-seven years later, there are television series in several different languages, stage plays, a ballet, an opera, and even a theme park celebrating the whimsical and loveable characters that Jannson gave to the world. With the dawning of the new millennium, they were republished here in the states, and now we can read and delight in them right here.

"Comet in Moominland" starts the series off by sending Moomintroll on a journey away from Moominvalley with his best friends Sniff and Snufkin to discover the meaning of the light change, heat, and strange signs they have been seeing around their home. On their way they pick up a few more friends and make some surprising and funny discoveries. After reading this book to my nephews over the summer, we all found ourselves exclaiming "Well strike me pink!" right along with Moomintroll.

A magical hat enlivens Moominvalley in "Finn Family Moomintroll." Moomintroll and his friends sleep out in a cave, ride mysterious clouds, and witness the electrical hattifatteners. There are so many strange and wonderful characters in this story that I can't even begin to pick my favorite. Even the earthworms are charming!

After finally finishing his memoirs, Moominpappa reads them aloud to Moominmamma, Moomintroll, Sniff and Snufkin in "Moominpappa's Memoirs." When leaving home to seek adventure, Moominpappa meets all kinds of interesting creatures, sails on the sea, and helps found a colony. A bit self-important and silly, but always lovable, Moominpappa is a very entertaining narrator.

 Before they came to Moominvalley, their home flooded and sent them on a very strange adventure, told in "Moominsummer Madness." For a time, they live in a floating theatre, 

"A theater is the most important sort of house in the world, because that's where people are shown what they could be if they wanted, and what they'd like to be if they dared to, and what they really are(p.97)."

Here they meet sad Misabel, Whomper, and put on a highly successful play.

  Now everyone knows that Moomins always hibernate through the winter, and that they've never seen snow. But one winter Moomintroll wakes up in his sleeping house and is bewildered by the cold, white world around him. A strange and lonely tale, "Moominland Midwinter" is full of discovery and silly capers by Little My as Moomintroll learns to navigate a completely different reality. My favorite part was meeting the Ancestor, a hairy little creature who lives in the stove.

 In "Tales from Moominvalley," Jansson collects nine fascinating  tales from Moominland. There's the Hemulen who leaves his miserable life handing out tickets at an amusement park, a creature so scared that she turns invisible, and a Fillyjonk who faces her fears. All of them unexpectedly wise and witty in their strange adventures.

Moominpappa is determined to find the real-life light house that looks exactly like the model that he built, so in "Moominpappa at Sea,"  the Moomin family, along with Little My, packs up their house in Moominvalley and sets out on a boat to find their new home. It all turns out to be quite different than what they expected, what with flighty sea horses, a mysterious fisherman and Moominmamma's mysterious garden, but they eventually learn how to make their new island a home.

"Moominvalley in November" leaves the friends of the Moomins puzzled at their disappearance and trying to make sense of Moominvalley without them. Snufkin, the Fillyjonk, Grandpa-Grumble, the Hemulen and Toft squabble and explore, eventually creating a new kind of family together.






You can read each story on it's own, but once you read one, you'll want to read them all. You might as well begin at the beginning. I hope you enjoy Moominland as much as I have!

--Andrea W., H.Q.

Staff Review: "Tuesdays at the Castle" by Jessica Day George

In Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George, Celie and her family have a pretty sweet time of it, living in a magic castle as they do. You see, Castle Glower likes to move, create, and hide rooms at random. There are only two hard and fast rules, "Rule One: The throne room was always to the east. . . Rule Two: If you turned left three times and climbed through the next window, you'd end up in the kitchens." It also doesn't hurt if your dad happens to be the king of said castle. The good news is that Castle Glower is very fond of the royal family, and especially Celie, who has been trying to map the mysteriously moving rooms as she explores. Thanks to the castle, the royal family has always been protected from evil within its walls. That is, until one day when the King and Queen and their oldest son, Bran, are ambushed on the way home from wizard school graduation, and the three remaining royal children discover that the Emissary has hatched a plan to overthrow the kingdom of Sleyne by overcoming Rolf, the crown prince. Can Celie, Rolf, and their older sister Delilah work together with the magical castle to save the kingdom of Sleyne?

Jessica Day George has written an imaginative and entertaining story that leaves you wondering what this crazy castle will do next. With the shifting landscape, it must be a more benign cousin of Hogwarts. While Rowling kept her magical castle under a pretty tight reign, George gives Castle Glower the freedom to do whatever it wants, and it really is the main character in this fun story. If you like books about magic and castle intrigue, give it a try. You won't be disappointed.

This would be a great family read-aloud and is appropriate for readers in grades 3-6.

-Andrea W., Headquarters

P.S. If magical buildings are your thing, you could also give Clover Twig and the Magical Cottage by Johanna Wright a try.