As part of our summer reading program, we asked you to write reviews of what you read this summer. We loved getting your reviews and are excited to share them on our blog. If you’re looking for another fun read to get you through the summer, try one of these recommendations from the patrons of the Orem Library.
Junior Fiction Recommendations
The Inventor’s Secret
By Chad Morris
Junior Fiction
The Inventor’s Secret is about two twins, Abby and Derick. They are related to a very famous person, Oscar Cragbridge. Cragbridge is a famous inventor and founder of a very special school for talented kids. Derick has the brains to qualify and so he fits right in with the other kids. Abby, on the other hand, has not always been as smart as her brother. When she gets to the school, she is instantly faced with many problems. As the twins enter their first year at C.H., their parents and grandfather go missing. Abby and Derick have to get to the bottom of the mysterious disappearance before it is too late to save them from an evil that has begun rising.
Review by Sophia O.
The Last Cuentista
By Donna Barba Higuera
Junior Fiction
I read this book as part of my quest to read all of the Newbery winners. I was a little reluctant when I realized it is a sci-fi book (so not my genre), but I really loved this story. I don’t think I would have enjoyed it as much if I didn’t understand Spanish. However, even without those parts, a teen or adult could figure out what is being said with contextual clues. I don’t think it would have worked so well for a child. Really it’s a beautiful book about ethics and families.
Review by Angela J.
Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts
By Erika Lewis
Junior Fiction
This book is simply amazing. I love all the relationships in this book. I also really love the magic in the book. From the very first chapter I was hooked. Kelcie is so funny, and she is just a likable character. I enjoyed reading her sarcastic comments along with Brona’s. I also like the different views of things in this book. For example, fairies are typically nice and overall harmless (though not powerless). In this book, though, fairies are typically dangerous and ruthless. This book is definitely worth reading. It has a really good mix of magic, romance, and mystery/action. I totally recommend it to everyone. You won’t regret reading it, and it may even inspire you to do some awesome stuff too.
Review by Olivia W.
Going Wild
By Lisa McMann
Junior Fiction
This book is about a girl named Charlie. She moves from the busy city of Chicago, to the hot dry state of Arizona. One day, Charlie is unpacking her stuff when she finds a box with a note and a bracelet inside. It looks like something Charlie has seen before, so she puts it on. She soon starts to notice that the bracelet gives her unnatural abilities, such as running at super speeds, lifting super heavy things, and being able to heal from injuries weirdly quickly. Charlie’s new friends find out, and they help her learn to control her abilities. But just when it seems like things are getting better, people start chasing her, trying to get the bracelet. Thankfully, she gets away safe, but that adventure leads to more!
Review by Abigail S.
The Moffats
By Eleanor Estes
Junior Fiction
The Moffats is a wonderful book about 4 children with ridiculous problems and even more ridiculous solutions. It is one of my favorite books because it makes me laugh. I suggest it to anyone who likes books and likes to laugh.
Review by Amanda W.
Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher
By Bruce Coville
Junior Fiction
I read this book with the kids for Battle of the Books. It’s a super fun read, and it’s fun to read with a bunch of first and second graders! We hatched dragons and found trilobite fossils after discussing the book.
Review by Kristel D.
Rebound
By Kwame Alexander
Junior Fiction
Rebound by Kwame Alexander is an Award-winning novel about a boy named Chuck Bell who unexpectedly loses his father and has to learn how to rebound from that life changing event. Rebound is a prequel to Alexander’s Newberry award winner The Crossover. I loved everything about Rebound and would highly recommend it to all readers, young and old. I decided to read Rebound because it was on my daughter’s Battle of the Books list and I have always been a big fan of basketball. I like how the book used basketball to teach life lessons on and off the court. I also like that the book had characters in a wide range of ages so I could learn from all different age groups.
Review by Monica
The Royal Ranger
By John Flanagan
Junior Fiction
This is probably one my favorite books. In it, this series goes back to Araluen, but a few years later than the original Rangers Apprentice series. Here Cassandra has married Horace and has a daughter named, Maddie. Maddie, like her mother, is restless and loves to go out hunting with her sling—much to the disproval of her parents.
Will has married Alyss, but she was killed in a fire caused by a gang. Will loses his purpose and becomes obsessed with revenge. Gilan, the new Commandant of the Rangers, is worried about him, but he then finds a solution to both problems. Gilan convinces Maddie’s parents to give her to Will as the very first female ranger. This series follows the training and adventures of Will and Maddie, and it also manages to incorporate old characters from Flanagan’s other books. I highly recommend this book to both boys and girls.
Review by Tyson E.
