With a few weeks off between summer and fall classes, I made good use of the time with some new (and some old) MG reads. As usual I was drawn toward historical fiction, tales of adventure, and anything with a taste of fantasy. Read on to hear my thoughts on my latest reads.

The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat

“Christina Soontornvat explores a young woman’s struggle to unburden herself of the past and chart her own destiny in a world of secrets. As assistant to Mangkon’s most celebrated mapmaker, twelve-year-old Sai plays the part of a well-bred young lady with a glittering future. In reality, her father is a conman—and in a kingdom where the status of one’s ancestors dictates their social position, the truth could ruin her. Sai seizes the chance to join an expedition to chart the southern seas, but she isn’t the only one aboard with secrets. When Sai learns that the ship might be heading for the fabled Sunderlands—a land of dragons, dangers, and riches beyond imagining—she must weigh the cost of her dreams. Vivid, suspenseful, and thought-provoking, this tale of identity and integrity is as beautiful and intricate as the maps of old.“

This earned a prime spot on my bookshelf as one of my new favorite MG novels. I loved everything about this book. The characters, the cultural and historical details, the societal dynamics, the settings, the fantasy elements, the themes, everything. The worldbuilding is especially wonderful and something that I’ll refer back to. It doesn’t hurt that I love maps too.

For me, this one has all of the makings of an adventure classic. Travelling in uncharted waters, mythical lands, sea dragons, survival situations, the courage and sacrifice required to do what’s right, and a funny foul-mouthed friend. This book, along with Yangsze Choo’s adult novels set in colonial Malaysia, inspired me to take Asian Studies as part of my Anthropology degree. In my opinion, any book that inspires you to learn more is a winner.

Lalani and the Distant Sea by Erin Entrada Kelly

“Life is difficult on the island of Sanlagita. To the west looms a vengeful mountain, one that threatens to collapse and bury the village at any moment. To the north, a dangerous fog swallows sailors who dare to venture out, looking for a more hospitable land. And what does the future hold for young girls? Chores and more chores.

When Lalani Sarita’s mother falls gravely ill, twelve-year-old Lalani faces an impossible task—she must leave Sanlagita and find the riches of the legendary Mount Isa, which towers on an island to the north. But generations of men and boys have died on the same quest—how can an ordinary girl survive the epic tests of the archipelago? And how will she manage without Veyda, her best friend?“

I love folklore. So much so that I’ve looked at Master’s Degree programs on the topic. So, a book promising Filipino folklore and fantasy immediately had my attention. On a side note, my Dad grew up on a tiny island in the Pacific, so that contributed to my interest as well. The book did not disappoint. It was imaginative and had a different feel from many folklore inspired books I’ve read. The characters were easy to love and feel invested in and each had a satisfying arc.

One thing that stuck with me is the way Entrada Kelly broke up the narrative with explanations of the lore using second-person POV. These breaks reminded me of a similar device used by Kelly Barnhill in The Girl Who Drank the Moon where she uses the voice of comically exasperated adults answering a child’s questions. However, second-person POV is very rare and Entrada Kelly’s example is worth referencing for those tempted to dabble in it. Another reason to study Entrada Kelly’s work is her ability to say a lot with a little. MG often uses shorter sentences and that can be a difficult skill to develop.

The Island at the Edge of Night by Lucy Strange

“Abandoned at a boarding school on a wild and remote island, Faye Fitzgerald discovers that she and the other pupils have been sent there for doing something wicked.

But what is it that Faye has done?

She might be bold enough to tackle the sinister mysteries of the island, but has she the courage to face the secrets deep within herself?”

I’ve been in love with Lucy Strange’s books since The Secret of Nightingale Wood and I haven’t looked back since. I discovered Lucy via Pinterest, funny enough. I saw the cover of one of her chapter books (she has the best covers!), The Mermaid in the Millpond, and I immediately wanted to know more. I admire the way Strange weaves historical fact and fiction with touches of English folklore. Her writing is an excellent place to study fast pacing, evocative word use, and lush imagery that doesn’t distract from the plot. I keep a list on my phone of “good words” I hear/read, and I often find myself adding to it as I read her work.

I’ve got a hang up about present tense, but despite her present tense narratives, I still devour each of Strange’s books. This one did not disappoint. It was a heart-pounding adventure full of twists and reveals that had me feeling like I was the one tiptoeing through secret passages. I enjoyed learning about the extinct Great Auk and experiencing the Scottish Isles too.

*Strange’s line of chapter books published by Barrington-Stoke are written with dyslexic readers in mind and tested by them for feedback. Other titles include the Storm and the Minotaur and The River Spirit.

Light Comes to Shadow Mountain by Toni Buzzeo

“It’s 1937 and the government is pushing to bring electricity to the mountains of southeastern Kentucky. It’s all Cora can think of; radios with news from around the world, machines that keep food cold, lightbulbs by which to read at night! Cora figures she can help spread the word by starting a school newspaper and convincing her neighbors to support the Rural Electrification Act.
But resistance to change isn’t easy to overcome, especially when it starts at home. Cora’s mother is a fierce opponent of electrification. She argues that protecting the landscape of the holler—the trees, the streams, the land that provides for their way of life—is their responsibility. But Cora just can’t let go of wanting more.”

I picked this up as a possible comp (comparative title used in query letters to literary agents). The word lyrical gets thrown around a lot (primarily on book cover blurbs!), but Buzzeo’s writing is truly lyrical. Given this, I was not surprised to learn she has a long list of picture books under her belt.

As for her MG debut, Cora is a strong, resourceful character whose emotional journey is equally as rewarding as her adventures through hollers and up and down mountains. This book weaves together so many unique aspects of US history including pack horse libraries, Appalachian herbal remedies, and the Rural Electrification Program that finally brought electricity to rural Kentucky in the 1930’s. The way Buzzeo explores the impact of electricity is multifaceted, eye opening, and a well-rounded introduction to the complexity of progress for young readers. Well worth the read!

Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk

“Despite growing up in the shadows cast by two world wars, Annabelle has lived a mostly quiet, steady life in her small Pennsylvania town. Until the day new student Betty Glengarry walks into her class. Betty quickly reveals herself to be cruel and manipulative, and though her bullying seems isolated at first, it quickly escalates. Toby, a reclusive World War I veteran, soon becomes the target of Betty’s attacks. While others see Toby’s strangeness, Annabelle knows only kindness. And as tensions mount in their small community, Annabelle must find the courage to stand as a lone voice for justice.”

Lauren Wolk has become one of my favorite authors. I often refer to her work to study interiority, imagery, and figurative language. It’s obvious in her writing that she’s also a poet. Oddly enough, I hadn’t read her first MG novel, which was also selected as a Newberry Honor. Wolk has said that she wrote this book for general audiences and the publisher chose to market it as MG.

After reading it, I can understand why she would want to make that distinction. There are some very heavy elements inside, but they’re handled well. This novel has been compared to To Kill a Mockingbird and there are indeed many parallels. The power of what we say, and don’t say, is a major theme in the book and a timely reminder at a point in history where it’s easier than ever to communicate across distances and broadcast every thought. Speaking up when something is wrong, however, is timeless. I can’t wait to read her newest novel, Candle Island.

Gold Rush Girl by Avi

“Victoria Blaisdell longs for independence and adventure, and she yearns to accompany her father as he sails west in search of real gold! But it is 1848, and Tory isn’t even allowed to go to school, much less travel all the way from Rhode Island to California. Determined to take control of her own destiny, Tory stows away on the ship. Though San Francisco is frenzied and full of wild and dangerous men, Tory finds freedom and friendship there. Until one day, when Father is in the gold fields, her younger brother, Jacob, is kidnapped. And so Tory is spurred on a treacherous search for him in Rotten Row, a part of San Francisco Bay crowded with hundreds of abandoned ships. Beloved storyteller Avi is at the top of his form as he ushers us back to an extraordinary time of hope and risk, brought to life by a heroine readers will cheer for. Spot-on details and high suspense make this a vivid, absorbing historical adventure.”

Avi is my MG historical fiction hero. I loved this novel, and it wasn’t just because the main character is named Victoria/Tory. Although, I spell it Torre. I appreciated the juxtaposition of a young girl carving out a life in the midst of the muddy tent city that was San Francisco during the California gold rush. Between all the adventure, Avi explores the ups and downs of sibling bonds that often flit between selfish and selfless, love and hate, duty and freedom.

Like all of Avi’s novels, this one was impeccably researched and it showed in everything from the setting to character names and dialogue. If you ever want a master class in writing anything to do with ships, Avi is your man. As much as I loved this one, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle still reigns as my favorite Avi book. It’s the perfect story for any young (or grown) girl with adventure and a little fire in her eyes. One of the things I appreciate most about Avi’s stories is the agency he gives his young characters. Both Charlotte and Tory provide great examples of kids coming into their own in a big world.