A cosmic blend of magical monsters and scary science as frightening as it is fun.
After the events of Infestation (2021), the town’s conspiracy deepens into new dangers.
Rae, Caden, and Vivienne emerged victorious against the bugs—but that doesn’t mean they won the internship competition to get to go on a top-secret mission. When a new, deadly threat strikes close to home, they want to join forces with friends on the other team; however, said friends are missing. In this third Whispering Pines installment, backstories are mined (Caden’s family history with the Other Place, the mystery of Rae’s missing father, and the nature of Vivienne’s curse) and connected into a twisted net of plotlines. The fast-paced action propels the characters through revelations and uneasy team-ups with Green On!’s untrustworthy Patrick and Caden’s enigmatic older brother, Aiden. Throughout, there’s a constant sense of buildup to the larger stakes. The more immediate stakes are just as delightful, with new monsters out for blood. The backstories and histories of the various mysteries make the monsters feel like a natural development rather than standard sequel one-upmanship. The answers the characters finally get are hard fought and well earned, and the ending lull offers them no true relief—especially since readers will see a major cliffhanger waiting in the wings for the next volume. Aside from occasional surnames implying ethnic diversity, most human characters present White.
A cosmic blend of magical monsters and scary science as frightening as it is fun. (Horror. 8-13)Pub Date: Sept. 6, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-66590-808-5
Page Count: 288
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: July 12, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2022
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
Thrilling and filled with twists; will leave readers eager for the next adventure.
In this follow-up to Isle of Ever (2025), 12-year-old Everly “Benny” Benedict plunges deeper into a world of mystery, hidden clues, and pirate lore.
Benny continues to unravel the puzzle-filled legacy of her ancestor, Evelyn Terry. Although she believes she’s cracked Evelyn’s will, her triumph is short-lived. Upon arriving at the elusive island linked to the Blood Orange Moon, Benny and her friends must break a centuries-old curse by tracking down missing pirate treasure—the only thing that can save both her friends and the inheritance. The novel’s standout feature is its deft use of dual timelines, which take place in 1825 and 2025 and are interwoven with journal entries, notes, and newspaper clippings that add clues and visual texture. The narrative shifts between the enigmatic island and present-day Greenport, where Benny races against time. If she fails, the Isle of Ever will vanish for 200 years and possibly fall into someone else’s hands, making for high stakes that heighten the tension. Benny remains a compelling protagonist, facing betrayal, forming new alliances, and uncovering long-buried family secrets. The mysterious pirate Grace adds a dynamic layer of conflict as she pursues the treasure, becoming both a threat and a catalyst for intense confrontations. Fast-paced and full of peril, this sequel offers answers while opening the door to new mysteries.
Thrilling and filled with twists; will leave readers eager for the next adventure. (map) (Fantasy adventure. 8-12)Pub Date: March 10, 2026
ISBN: 9781728277066
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Sourcebooks Young Readers
Review Posted Online: Jan. 19, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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