A scary good time that expands the middle-grade horror canon.
Tween campers discover a magical—but deadly—dream world.
Nestled near Wanderers National Park, Camp Clear Skies promises Pina Ahmadi and her bestie, Jo Manalo, a transformative two weeks away from family. For Pina, this means a chance to become “Pina 2.0” and rely less on Jo as her protector. For Jo, it’s an opportunity to explore their gender identity through new pronouns. Pina and Jo quickly find friends in fellow 12-year-olds Arish and Eddy. Their collective bond deepens when mysteriously glowing woods lure the quartet out of their cabins past curfew to investigate. Later, shared lucid dreams turn their fascination into horror. As the woods continue to beckon, the kids discover that something sinister is afoot. But is it already too late to stop it? Former neuroscientist Jamnia’s middle-grade debut is a lushly atmospheric summer camp horror with an unexpected ecological twist. The overall plot is deliciously tropey and also infused with insightful social commentary that naturally incorporates the four leads’ identities: Pina is white and Persian, Jo is white and Filipino, Arish’s family is Pakistani, and Eddy is Black. Vivid sensory details, from sickening smells to mushroom-encrusted spiders, create a memorable ambience. The slow reveal mixes local lore with Pina’s first-person narration, infused with natural science. A triumphant epilogue provides a satisfying conclusion.
A scary good time that expands the middle-grade horror canon. (Horror. 9-13)Pub Date: May 27, 2025
ISBN: 9781665949804
Page Count: 272
Publisher: Aladdin
Review Posted Online: March 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2025
A snappy mystery that’s full of heart.
A group of bright friends tackles the puzzle of their lives.
Elmwood, New Hampshire, 11-year-old Gina Sparks is small in stature but big on reporting ongoing dramas for the local newspaper with support from her journalist mom. When an unbelievable scoop comes her way, Gina must rely on her tightknit crew of sixth grade best friends whose initials happen to spell GEEK, a label they choose to proudly reclaim. She and science-minded prankster Elena Hernández, theater kid Edgar Feingarten, and driven math genius Kevin Robinson decide to get to the bottom of things when they learn that the Van Houten Toy & Game Company heir made elaborate plans to leave everything to the town of Elmwood before her death—but only if a member of the community could solve an intricate multistep puzzle. Gina hopes that deciphering the clues and finding the missing fortune will be just the thing to revitalize the down-on-its-luck town and bring the Elmwood Tribune back into the black, saving her mom’s job and Gina’s passion project. The GEEKs work together, using their individual talents and deductive reasoning skills to unravel the mystery. Infused with media literacy pointers, such as the difference between fact and opinion and reminders to avoid bias when reporting, the story encourages readers to think critically. Gina and Edgar read as White; Elena is cued as Latinx, and Kevin is implied Black.
A snappy mystery that’s full of heart. (Mystery. 9-13)Pub Date: Jan. 4, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-37793-2
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Oct. 12, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
A thrilling, action-packed journey filled with heart, bravery, and ghostly exploits.
An ocean-dwelling ghost girl confronts powerful forces.
Graciela is dead. She fell from a cliff into the ocean in a terrible accident, only to awaken as a ghost in an underwater community of spirits—souls of those who have died at sea. Her Guide and friend, Amina, teaches her how to navigate this new existence, from performing duties that make “the living world more bearable by keeping the sea in a delicate balance,” to the rules that protect them from the living. Amina dreams of joining the Almas, powerful spirits who guard the ocean’s secrets from the castle Salemúria, but Graciela is desperate for Amina to stay with her. Meanwhile, Jorge Leon, a boy from a long line of blacksmiths, is trapped by his brutish parents in a life of cruelty. His only joy is crafting whimsical toys from metal scraps. When Jorge discovers a sinister harpoon forged by his treasure-hunting ancestor—one capable of killing sea ghosts—he attempts to render it harmless but accidentally sets off a dangerous chain of events. When Graciela’s and Jorge’s paths cross, they must work together to confront and defeat evil forces. With breathtaking underwater worldbuilding and eerie details, Medina’s latest immerses readers in Graciela’s ghostly realm, and they’ll root for the unlikely duo on their perilous quest. The Balbussos’ hauntingly beautiful illustrations enhance the story. The characters and setting evoke Spanish and Portuguese cultural influences.
A thrilling, action-packed journey filled with heart, bravery, and ghostly exploits. (map, color guide, glossary) (Fantasy. 9-13)Pub Date: July 1, 2025
ISBN: 9781536219456
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: April 4, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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