As part of our summer reading program, we asked you to write reviews of what you read this summer. We received so many reviews of junior fiction books that we created a second list in order to share them all. If you’re looking for another fun junior fiction read to get you through the very end of summer, try one of these recommendations from patrons of the Orem Library.
Junior Fiction Recommendations
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
By J. K. Rowling
Junior Fiction
I read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. My favorite part is when they are in the Chamber of Secrets. I liked it when Lockhart obliviated himself. He doesn’t even know who he is! It is fun when they are in Lockhart’s class for the first time and he sets Cornish pixies on the class. He can’t even stop them with his spell, “Peskipiski Pesternomi!” I also like it when the “Cupid” sings the love song from Ginny to Harry. Overall I love this book, rate it five out of five stars, and suggest that everyone read it!
Review by Joshua
A Place to Hang the Moon
By Kate Albus
Junior Fiction
This is such a wonderful and heartwarming book about three young children who need to live with strangers in the country during the war in England, but these children have an extra task on their shoulders that most other children don’t. Each scene and character was written with intention. Details that might seem superfluous to others really brighten and give flavor to the story. It touched all the beautiful, painful, hopeful and sad parts of my heart that I hoped I would feel when I started a new book.
Review by Holly
The Lightning Thief
By Rick Riordan
Junior Fiction
The story is well written with humor and characters that you can’t help but love. It is a fun and easy read that I have read over and over again. I love how the series rotates around mythology. The whole series is very addicting. The characters aren’t just good vs. bad. They have depth and develop throughout the book. You are engaged with every twist, turn, and word. Everything is described so well it is like a movie in your head. Rick Riordan did an amazing job. No matter how many times I have read it—and I have read it a lot of times— I never get sick of it. I would fully recommend this book for almost all ages. It is an amazing book and it will get you hooked on the series (which I also recommend reading). This book is a must read.
Review by Anya C.
The Wee Free Men
By Terry Pratchett
Junior Fiction
A well written addition to Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series. Tiffany Aching is a well-fleshed-out character and the story is exciting in Pratchett’s signature humorous way. The Wee Free Men, a type of small fairy creature, themselves are a parody of Scottish culture and seem to hit the right balance between accurate and absurd. The story follows Tiffany as she attempts to retrieve her brother from the clutches of the Fairy Queen armed with nothing other than a frying pan, a talking toad, and a few hundred tiny thieving, fighting, and completely loyal blue pixies. Along the way, Tiffany begins to understand what it means to be a witch. She will speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Review by Jeremy T.
Keeper of the Lost Cities
By Shannon Messenger
Junior Fiction
Keeper of the Lost Cities is a fantasy book about a 12-year-old genius, Sophie Foster. She has been hearing the thoughts of other people since she was 5 years old. Nobody knows this, not even her parents and little sister. Her world is already crazy, but it gets turned around even more when she finds out she’s an elf! Throughout the book, Sophie meets new elf friends (and enemies), goes to an elven school with new and different things to learn, and embarks on an adventure regarding the mysterious Black Swan. She will find out that she’s more powerful than she had ever imagined! Keeper of the Lost Cities is an amazing book that will keep you wanting more the entire time. It is clean and a good book for tweens and teens.
Review by Aubrey B.
Dragon Slippers
By Jessica Day George
Junior Fiction
This book is the beginning of a tale that is worth finishing. After reading and listening to all three books, I would say the first is definitely my favorite book. Though the remaining two have helped me feel happy for the fictional characters and where their lives led them. Great youth fantasy read that is worth it.
Review by Jasmin B.
