The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe written by Ally Condie, reviewed by Rebecca Lowe

Summary: Poe Blythe is an orphan growing up in The Outpost. On her first voyage away from The Outpost, her mining dredge is attacked by raiders and the love of her life was killed in front of her. Two years later, Poe lives solely for vengeance, having created a brutal armor for the dredge that takes the lives of any who would attempt to take the ship. Setting out on the dredge once more, this time as its captain, Poe finds herself on a mission whose goals she doesn't understand with a crew she doesn't trust in a land where the raiders are lying in wait. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: While this story is set in the same world as Ally Condie's Matched trilogy, it functions as a standalone and no knowledge of the Matched trilogy is necessary. 

What is interesting about this novel is the complexity of the characters and their motivations. There are no clear "good guys" in this conflict between The Outpost and the raiders because both sides have been fighting for so long that no one's hands are clean. Answers to what is really going on (why DOES the Admiral need the gold? Why do the raiders want the gold?) don't come easily. For those who are looking for more realism, the story is unpredictable and original. It is also worth noting that the protagonist refreshingly does not immediately abandon her revenge to fall into the arms of the first good looking male character--Poe's story is very much rooted in her grief. 

Educators could easily draw parallels between many events in the book and real life history, such as the kidnapping of indigenous children and subsequent placement into boarding schools, the destruction of the environment caused by the colonizers, the difficulty of creating peace between warring groups when both sides have done harm to the other, and how grief can fuel anger.

Sarah Bernhardt: The Divine and Dazzling Life of the World’s First Superstar written by Catherine Reef, reviewed by Rebecca Lowe

Summary: Sarah Bernhardt was a French actress who was the world's first celebrity superstar. This account follows her life from birth to death, with black and white photographs included. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: While many professional reviews list the book as appropriate for 7th grade and up, educators should be aware of frank discussions and explanations of French courtesans. Additionally, the dense text sparsely broken by photographs makes this more appropriate for older readers. While the life of Sarah Bernhardt is fascinating and the reader is left wondering at her magnetism and mystique, the writing style does not lean into sensationalism but relies more on a plain factual account style. This, again, caters to older readers. Finally, readers may find themselves confused by the placement of some photographs in relation to the text. In one notable instance, the author describes on the lefthand page Bernhardt's famous sculpture housed in the National Museum of Women in Arts in Washington DC but the photograph does not appear on the righthand page--the reader instead sees a photo of Bernhardt wearing pants and must turn the page to see the photograph of the artwork. That aside, the reader walks away with a sense of Bernhardt's mystique and a desire to dig out old black and white films to try to see Bernhardt perform for themselves. 

Bernhardt was alive through a great deal of important European history events, such as the Franco-Prussian war and WWI. She travelled the globe extensively and rubbed shoulders with important historical figures such as Mary Todd Lincoln, George Sand, Chopin, Edison, and more. Educators could also easily use Bernhardt's life to discuss the evolution of theater from vaudeville, to the professional theaters, to silent film. Bernhardt was an expert at staying in the forefront of public attention, with stunts like sleeping in her own coffin or claiming that she saved Mary Todd Lincoln's life. This could lead to interesting discussions about propaganda and advertising. 

Recommended for high school collections with strong theater or film programs.

The Thirteenth Cat written by Mary Downing Hahn, reviewed by Rebecca Lowe

Summary: Twelve year old Zoey is excited to spend the summer with her Aunt Alice in her beautiful new house next to the overgrown forest. She quickly makes friends with local girl Lila and both girls become convinced that the mean neighbor Miss Dupree is a witch. Miss Dupree has bunches of mean cats as well but one sweet and friendly kitten. When Zoey sees the kitten being bullied by the other cats and sees how malnourished it is, she becomes determined to rescue it and keep it. But Miss Dupree is not about to let the cat go. Using her witchly powers, she turns Zoey and Lila into cats! Now Zoey and Lila must figure out how to outsmart the witch and the other cats to return to human before they lose their human memories. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Books by Mary Downing Hahn are generally a popular choice in upper elementary school and lower middle school for horror fans. Fans of Erin Hunter's warrior cat books will also love this story, especially the parts where Zoey and Lila navigate being cats. 

Miss Dupree makes her money as a fashion designer. She uses her magic to transform the cats into girls at night, forcing them to work in a sweat shop creating the designs (which themselves are stolen from one of the other cat-girls). As such, educators could tie in lessons about sweat shops and the fashion industry.

Anya #1: Anya and the Dragon written by Sofiya Pasternack and reviewed by Rebecca Lowe

Summary: Anya is a Jewish girl growing up in a non-Jewish medieval Russian-inspired fantasy village where magic is banned but citizens quietly use it anyway, When a family with Fool magic authorized by the tsar arrives, Anya learns that the mayor is planning on evicting her family from their land for the new family but that she has an opportunity to earn the money to save her home by working with the newcomers to hunt the last remaining dragon. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Those with a deep love of fairytales from around the world will enjoy seeing familiar fairytale faces like the rusalka, Baba Yaga, and the Bukavac. That said, readers new to Russian mythology may find the beginning of the story heavy with Russian terminology and vocabulary more difficult to enter than other fantasy stories. Once past the beginning, the story quickly settles into an easier flow with engaging characters and an immersive story that is more accessible for the average middle school reader. More knowledgeable reviewers also have pointed out that there are some minor historical inaccuracies (for example, while Jewish men in medieval Russia would likely be able to read at least some Hebrew, it is unlikely that Anya would have been taught). Teachers could use this book to talk about world mythology, history of Russia, the expectations of children through history (ie child labor), or discussing how the depictions of dragons in stories have shifted over time. While the fairytale of Baba Yaga plays only a minor role in this story, the current resurgence in interest in Baba Yaga may spark interest in this story for some students.

Our Castle by the Sea written by Lucy Strange and reviewed by Rebecca Lowe

Summary: 11-year-old Petra, called Pet, is growing up living in a lighthouse on the coasts of England at the start of World War II and must gather her courage to survive the challenges ahead. The daughter of a German immigrant mother, Petra must deal with changing attitudes from her neighbors due to her heritage, her mother being sent away as an "enemy alien," a tragedy in her family related to the war, a saboteur in her small village, the threat of being evacuated from her beloved home with or without her sister, and the dangers of enemy aircraft. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Fans of Kimberly Brubaker Bradley's The War That Saved My Life will enjoy this story, By turns, the story feels like a spooky gothic story or a girl detective novel. Educators should know that the main character faces the threat of the loss of both of her parents (her mother faces the threat of execution) and that her father does die in combat, leaving Pet as a functioning orphan for awhile. Educators should also know that this book discusses specifically the battle of Dunkirk, as well as the internment in England of those from enemy countries--which could pair with learning about the Japanese internment in the United States during WWII.

Tower of Winds #2: Song of the Abyss written by Makiia Lucier and reviewed by Rebecca Lowe

Summary: In book two of this series, main character Reyna dreams of attaining the rank of master explorer and cartographer but faces a lukewarm reception from others based on her gender. When raiders attack her ship, Reyna escapes and a mystery arises: the ship is later found but everyone aboard has vanished. As the number of ships attacked rises, Reyna must join forces with the handsome prince of a rival country to track down the missing men. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Romance in these books is an element but arises from mutual respect and is not a driving narrative force. The romance stays within PG bounds. While the first book stayed more in the realm of historical fiction (albeit in a made-up world), book two does include more magical elements.  

The author does not shy away from higher level vocabulary like this second paragraph in the novel "After, they would be all Reyna thought about: two carracks painted scorpion black. No emblem on either forecastle, no pennant flying above the mainmast to hint at a kingdom of origin." 

Teachers will have many opportunities to tie in curriculum since the novel focuses on the importance of cartographers, medieval medicine, isolationist countries, the practice of some ancient kingdoms in interring living people with a deceased ruler, and the terracotta warriors of ancient China.

The Notorious Virtues #1: The Notorious Virtues written by Alwyn Hamilton reviewed by Rebecca Lowe

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Honora "Nora" Holtzfall is the daughter of Walstad's most powerful heiress. When her mother is found murdered, Nora is thrust into the Veritaz Trials, a high-stakes competition for family power and magic, where she faces off against her cousins. Enter Lotte, the illegitimate daughter of Nora's aunt, who is pulled from a convent to join the fight for the Holtzfall legacy. As Nora seeks the truth behind her mother's death, she must navigate a web of betrayal and danger, all while contending with a growing rebellion against her family's control. Magic, rivalry, and secrets abound in this gripping tale. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Middle school appropriate. I enjoyed this a lot. It felt like the Borgia family meets The Inheritance Games meets Little Red Riding Hood. The world building was interesting and the story struck a nice balance between reader desires and being unpredictable. Will eagerly read more. Thanks to Viking Books for Young Readers for the ARC.

Over the Moon written by Natalie Lloyd and reviewed by Rebecca Lowe

Summary: Twelve-year-old Mallie lives in Coal Top where the boys work in the mines and the girls work as servants for the families down in the valley. With Pa injured, the family in debt, and Mallie's beloved younger brother in danger of being sent to the mines, Mallie jumps at the chance to earn the money to save her family in a dangerous competition, even if it means braving the monsters in the forest, the Dust which covers the sky and makes people emotionally sick, and the rich town bully. Mallie also becomes embroiled in dangerous secrets behind the town's leadership and the origins of the Dust itself. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: The mining town setting works well for a fantasy novel and invites educators to make comparisons with the real history of what life was like in a mining town. The main character Mallie uses a prosthetic. This is not the focus of the story but Mallie does discuss issues such as how people condescend to her, pity her, how her old prosthetic doesn't fit right anymore, or the color of the prosthetic itself. This could open up conversations about accessibility. The fantasy world building was vivid and engaging.

The Ravens #1: The Ravens written by Kass Morgan and Danielle Paige, reviewed by Rebecca Lowe

Summary: Vivi Devereaux has moved around her entire life, never knowing what it feels like to belong. When she gets a chance to go to Savannah's Westerly College and escape her mother's tarot card scams, she jumps at the chance, despite her mother's cryptic warnings. When Vivi is invited to pledge for the elite and exclusive Ravens sorority, she finally feels she might belong. But the Ravens are not just a sorority--they're a sisterhood of witches. Standing in her way is Scarlett Winter who doesn't seem to think Vivi has what it takes. Scarlett Winter comes from a long line of prestigious witches and has struggled to live up to her family's high expectations. Now a painful secret from her past could cause Scarlett and the entire sisterhood to lose everything. The story blends the bonds of sisterhood with paranormal suspense, keeping readers swinging between sweetness and horror. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: While set in a college sorority, the story steers clear of more adult topics and what shines through is the strong bond of sisterhood. Concepts of magical ethics revolving around topics such as mind control are lightly touched on, which could open up conversations with students. Teachers could also use the Greek life concept to discuss how Greek and other classical cultures have influenced culture today. Main character Vivi is white, Scarlett is black, and the supporting characters are indicated as diverse. The sorority aspect combined with the paranormal aspect made for a fun read.

The Candle and the Flame written by Nafiza Azad, reviewed by Rebecca Lowe

Summary: Noor is a city on the Silk Road still recovering from the Shayateen djinn killing everyone except for Fatima, her sister, and one other survivor. Now ruled by a new maharaja and protected by the Ifrit djinn, Noor is again under threat due to rebels seeking to undermine the maharaja, the Shayateen, and monstrous Ghuls. When a powerful Ifrit dies, Fatima is left changed and becomes further involved in the intrigues of the city. Working with the Ifrit commander Zulfikar and trying to navigate a complicated relationship with her sister, Fatima must learn who she is and harness her power to save the city. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: A lush world filled with many sensory details, high level vocabulary and many terms related to life in a middle eastern culture given without definitions may prove a challenge for readers unfamiliar with the setting. This could prove an opportunity to learn new vocabulary and research The Silk Road. Many review sources list the book for grades 7 and up but writing style and vocabulary indicate an older intended audience. Themes of grief and trauma are sensitively handled. Issues of gender roles in society are also touched on.

Tower of Winds #1: Isle of Blood and Stone written by Makiia Lucier, reviewed by Rebecca Lowe

Summary: 18 years ago, two princes of the island kingdom of St. John del Mar were kidnapped and murdered. Elias’ father died trying to protect the princes and Ulises inherited the throne meant for his brothers. Mercedes grew up in a kingdom that blames half her heritage for the murder. When two mysterious maps surface with a riddle hinting that the princes may still be alive, Elias, Ulises, and Mercedes must uncover the truth of what happened on that fateful day. But not everyone wants the truth to come out. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This story is an engaging tale for slightly older fans of The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen. The swashbuckling adventure style and the mystery of the princes’ fates make this a book with wide appeal, especially to readers who aren’t interested in magic in their stories. The world building includes some unique medieval world details not often depicted, most notably a strong emphasis on cartography. Discussions in the book related to remapping coastlines after earthquakes and discussions of cartographic tools could create connections between Social Studies, Science, and Math.

Undaunted written by Kat Falls, reviewed by Rebecca Lowe

Summary: In Lane's parents' generation, a disaster changed the face of the nation when a theme park company created animal hybrids they couldn't contain. The creature DNA was unstable and soon humans became infected with animal DNA, leading to insanity and death. Desperate to escape the virus, the United States was partitioned off, with many people trapped in the Feral Zone. In the conclusion of the two book series, main character Lane returns to the Feral Zone to find a cure to save the man she loves. She struggles against the cruelty of the military forces stationed in the Feral Zone, whether she can trust the son of the woman who caused the virus, and the danger presented by those infected. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Inhuman (book one) and Undaunted are a refreshing take on the classic zombie story. For readers who are looking for something a little less scary, this series offers a lighter and more optimistic take than what is normally seen in the genre. One thread of the narrative is issues of human rights and the disenfranchised. Knowledge of the people still living in the Feral Zone has been kept from the rest of the citizens living in the safe zone. Lane makes an effort to expose the truth and present those infected but not yet feral in a humanizing way to citizens back home through the use of social media. Her video has unintended consequences, inciting fear and also celebrity worship of someone who appeared in the video but these consequences are somewhat glossed over and easily resolved. Lane also attempts to help orphans. The orphans instantly appealed to me as sympathetic characters. They have all lost their parents to the virus and have nowhere to go, living on base at the sufferance of the military forces until they hit puberty and are kicked off. Even though the children are uninfected, no one is allowed to cross the Wall to the safe part of the country. The plight of the orphans and other uninfected people in the Feral Zone and their inability to cross the Wall is easily transferrable to current issues with immigration. These issues are also easily resolved at the conclusion. The relationship between Lane, Rafe, and Everson avoids the overdramatization seen in most ya stories that feature a girl and two boys. There is some innuendo but nothing happens beyond some kissing and a hand on her bare hip while actually going to sleep. Overall, Inhuman and Undaunted are a good choice for students interested in light dystopic fiction.