League of Archers: The Stolen Crown by Eva Howard

Ellie and her League of Archers have been fighting against Lord de Lay by providing a haven for destitute villagers affected by his tyranny. Ellie’s goal is to create a self-sustaining farm inside Sherwood Forest, but they lack money. With no other choice, the League begins stealing from the rich to help the forest refugees. One of Ellie’s stealing adventures goes horribly wrong when she witnesses King John’s murder, a plot devised by de Lays to take over the throne. Luckily, de Lays’ son, Stephen, helps Ellie escape and then later begs to join the League. Ellie reluctantly agrees, and Stephen’s presence begins to splinter the League’s tight knit bond.

Just as adventurous and suspenseful as the first book, Ellie and her League of Archers get caught up in another evil plot with Lord de Lays, only this time it has royal consequences and friendship casualties. When Ellie lets Stephen de Lays join the League, the only thing she is sure of is his hatred for his father. But Ellie soon learns that Stephen’s hatred doesn’t mean he agrees with every decision Ellie makes as the League’s leader. Stephen’s influence sparks a harsh division between Ellie and her dearest friends, causing the League to almost fall apart. Only by fighting for what she knows is right and finding common ground with Stephen does Ellie finally gain healing and unity with her beloved League of Archers. Another thrilling ride-of-a-read, League of Archers: The Stolen Crown is a fantastic follow-up from Howard’s first book. Appropriate for ages 12 and up.

The Art of the Swap by Kristine Asselin & Jen Malone

Hannah Jordan is a huge history buff. Luckily, Hannah receives a daily helping of the past because she lives inside a museum with her caretaker father. The Elms, a mansion-turned-museum, was once the home of the prestigious Berwind family during the 1900s. Hannah’s favorite Berwind story concerns the stolen Mary Cassett portrait of the Berwind’s niece, Maggie Dunlap. While walking the hallways of The Elms one night, Hannah looks in a mirror and sees Maggie’s reflection. When both girls touch the mirror, Hannah and Maggie switch bodies and centuries. With no idea how to switch back, the two girls try to play the part of the other person but it’s a difficult adjustment. To ease their transitions, Hannah and Maggie work on solving the art heist from their respective time periods.

The Art of the Swap is a delightful read full of suspense, fun, and friendship. Asselin and Malone do a great job at creating the awkwardness of being placed into a different time period. But there is a real richness to how both Hannah and Maggie are affected by their time-swapping. Hannah can’t act like her usual boisterous, driven self while transplanted into 1905. She must subdue her personality and passions to coincide with the confining social rules of Maggie’s world. Maggie, on the other hand, receives revelations about the freedoms girls have in Hannah’s world. When Maggie returns to the 1900s, she spends her life advocating foundational freedoms for women. Not only is the book about solving an art heist, it is also about appreciating the freedoms women do have today. One item that would have strengthened the story would be to include floorplans of The Elms in the different centuries to better solidify where Hannah and Maggie spend their time in the book.