Behind the Canvas by Alexander Vance

While touring her local art museum, tween Claudia Miravista catches a glimpse of a boy in the background of a painting. That same boy reappears inside a painting in Claudia’s bedroom. The boy’s name is Pim and he tells Claudia about the world behind the canvas. Long ago a group of magical artists—known as Artisti—crafted a parallel dimension where their oil paintings could truly come to life. In the 1600s, Pim was cursed by an evil Artisti, Nee Gezicht, who trapped him inside this world using his will to fuel her power. With the help of another Artisti, Claudia is given an ointment to help her enter the oil painting dimension. Claudia’s mission is to stop Nee Gezicht by breaking her magical staff which will finally free Pim. But when Claudia enters the oil painting world, it is not at all how she imagined.

Behind the Canvas is a fun fantasy adventure with some very unique world-building. Vance creates a new dimension where all the oil paintings in the world collide creating an ongoing panorama of color, style, and vibrancy with a cast of some very familiar faces. However, there is a major downside to this story from the start because Vance’s world-building is based on such important visuals. Any reader who isn’t familiar with all the artists or styles mentioned in the story could easily feel lost in Vance’s narrative. What is the Fireside Angel? What does Cubism look like? Vance tries to “fix” this by including footnotes explaining artists or artistic movements. However, this doesn’t help readers to truly visualize the world Vance created, no matter how good his written descriptions are. This problem could have been resolved by including actual images or placing QR codes inside the narrative for readers to follow, like in The Van Gogh Deception by Deron Hicks. This would have solidified Vance’s world building and help teach readers art history in a unique way.

Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple

During World War II, Eight men—born in Germany but lived in America—volunteered to infiltrate the United States and bomb key factories and railroads. On a secluded estate in Germany, these men learned how to fight, spy, and to become experts with explosives. The men were divided into two teams: Four men would infiltrate the US from New York City while the other would come in from Florida. Once everyone was comfortably situated in American society, they would begin their sabotage. The two groups were dropped off by submarine off the coasts of New York and Florida. Each group were given explosives and money to help in their efforts. Unfortunately, the New York group were discovered soon after their landing. The four men fled into New York City to hide amongst the crowds. The Florida group had no problems.

Nazi Saboteurs highlights a snippet of WWII history that many people don’t know about. Through Seiple’s fast-paced and intriguing narrative, readers learn Hitler’s twisted plans to plunge America into chaos. Seiple opens the mind and motivations of each sabotage member, showcasing why they agreed to fight for the Führer in this way. Many wanted to get out of the slums of war-torn Germany and be back in the plentiful United States. Peter Burger was forced to join to prove his loyalty after being imprisoned under falsified charges. Several felt they deserved extra prestige, honor, and funds because of their knowledge of America. With all these different motivations for joining, no one trusted anyone. This distrust was the group’s ultimate downfall and demise. A fascinating non-fiction read for any WWII history fans. Suitable for ages 12 and up.

Wizard for Hire: Magic Required by Obert Skye

A strange package arrives for Ozzy Toffy. Inside is a pair of plaid trousers, which means Ozzy has officially become a novice wizard. But a secret note in his trouser pocket leads Ozzy and Sigi on another adventure related to his parents’ past. This time they want to stop the evil and reclusive billionaire, Ray Dench. Ray wants to use Ozzy’s ability with mind control—a result of his parents’ testing—for world domination. Using his limitless resources, Ray’s men track down Ozzy, Clark, Sigi, and Rin but their efforts are miraculously thwarted. Unbeknownst to Ozzy and Sigi, Rin has recruited four Quarfelt wizards to help him end Ray’s plans for Ozzy.

The final book in Skye’s Wizard for Hire does not disappoint. Along with the thrilling adventures, consumption of breakfast foods, and magical polyester pants, readers join Ozzy and Sigi as they delve deeper into Rin’s sobering past. Sigi meets Ray’s mother, a racially prejudiced heiress who can’t stand how low Rin stooped in marrying Sigi’s mother. Ozzy finally sees Rin’s home—a Victorian mansion at an abandoned amusement park. But Ozzy and Sigi’s biggest challenge is coming to terms with Rin’s time at a mental institution. Ray has had extensive research done on Rin and he uses that information to not only track down Rin but to also discredit him in Ozzy’s eyes. Sigi and Ozzy’s faith in Rin is shaken, but their love for the wizard helps maintain their trust in his magical promises. A great end to this fast-paced fantasy series for ages 12 and up.

The Greatest Treasure Hunt in History: The Story of the Monuments Men by Robert M. Edsel

On December 29, 1943, General Dwight D. Eisenhower sent an order to all Allied commanders, “Today we are fighting in a country which has contributed a great deal to our cultural inheritance, a country rich in monuments which by their creation helped…the growth of civilization which is ours. We are bound to respect those monuments so far as war allows.” This was a lesson sadly learned after Allied Forces had bombed several culturally significant buildings throughout Europe. To repair their mistakes, the Monuments Men division was established to have art experts on the front lines protecting architecture, monuments, artwork, and archives from the ravages of war. But the scope of the Monuments Men’s work exploded as they tackled the Nazi’s strategic plundering for Adolf Hitler’s Führermuseum, Hermann Göring’s artwork obsession, and for eliminating the Jews’ existence in Europe.

Edsel’s book is a young readers version of his New York Times best-selling novel, The Monuments Men. Edsel composes a well-documented and visually abundant story that breathes life into this little-known excerpt in history. At the beginning of the book, readers are introduced to key Monuments Men and major Nazi leaders, all listed with their photographs, a small biography, and their locations during World War II. Also included are maps showing the movements and discoveries made by the Monuments Men. Filled with impactful visual aids, Edsel’s story places young readers right alongside these heroic men and women as they fight to save Europe’s history from the greedy hands of Nazi invaders. For young readers unfamiliar with terms of the period, Edsel includes a helpful glossary near the end of his book. A fascinating read sure to develop a deeper love of history and a richer appreciation for the arts. Appropriate for ages 14 and up.

Secret Soldiers by Keely Hutton

Thomas’s elder brother, James, is missing in action during World War I. Thomas believes he must find James so his struggling family can be strong again. Thomas secretly goes to London hoping a recruitment officer will ignore his thirteen-year-old features. Thankfully, Thomas meets street-savvy teen, George, who knows a way underage boys can join the war. Thomas and George and two other underage soldiers, Charlie and Frederick, are assigned to work with the clay kickers, a secret unit tunneling under the Western Front in France. Their mission is to stealthily dig to the German trenches and blowup the enemy’s lines. During their breaks, Thomas, George, Charlie, and Frederick scour the trenches for news about James.

Hutton’s story showcases four narratives representing why a quarter of a million underage British boys left their childhoods behind to fight in World War I. Thomas feels it’s his duty to join the war to find his missing brother. As a street urchin and orphan, George enlists for the sake of new clothing, pay, and three meals a day. Charlie signs up to escape an abusive home. Frederick enrolls so he can join his rich family’s legacy of glorious war heroes. Each boy comes with different intentions, but they all learn that their main goal is survival. Banding together as brothers helps each boy endure their small part in this world conflict. Hutton’s book is an eye-opening story revealing a part of the Great War that has not been showcased before in young adult literature. Because Secret Soldiers is a war novel, there are violent and graphic scenes that exhibit the hell of war, making it appropriate for ages 13 and up.

Words on Fire by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Russian invaders hope Lithuania will disappear by outlawing all aspects of Lithuanian life. Lithuanians rebel by smuggling in anything that maintains their culture. Audra’s parents are book smugglers and Audra yearns to help. Unfortunately, her chance abruptly comes when her parents are arrested by Cossack soldiers. Audra is left carrying a book her parents beg that she get into safe hands. While avoiding the Cossacks, Audra meets Lukas, a boy who leads her to Milda, another book smuggler and secret teacher. Both Milda and Lukas introduce Audra to book smuggling and teach her the power of reading. Unfortunately, the Cossacks are closing in, burning all Lithuanian books and the homes of anyone hiding them.

Based on true events, Nielsen highlights a forgotten piece of history that testifies to the power of the written word. When Russian authorities issued a press ban on Lithuania in 1865, they were hoping to turn Lithuanians into Russian citizens. Lithuanians fought back and the knygnešiai, or book carriers, were born. Audra’s fictional story begins 28 years into the ban. Audra’s parents keep her secluded on their farm to shelter her from Russian influences. However, Audra is soon left alone to face a troubling world using her grit to guide her. Because of her lacking education, Audra doesn’t understand how a book can be a weapon against Russian occupancy. That is until she learns to read. Soon courageous stories fuel her efforts and she passes that strength on to those who desperately need it. Nielsen’s powerful girl-power novel is a great introduction to a lost but important piece of history. A map showing Audra’s travels would have helped to showcase Audra’s heroic efforts in fighting for Lithuanian freedom. Appropriate for ages 12 and up.

Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation by Stuart Gibbs

For seventy years, the CIA have been searching for Albert Einstein’s final equation, Pandora—a shortcut for harnessing atomic energy. Einstein left a clue to Pandora on his deathbed, but no one has solved it. Unfortunately, a German terrorist group, the Furies, is on the trail. To get ahead, CIA Agent Dante Garcia brings someone as smart as Einstein into the CIA’s confidence: twelve-year-old prodigy, Charlie Thorne. Charlie has used her genius to get away from her uncaring parents and fulfill her juvenile needs. When CIA Agents Dante Garcia and Milana Moon find Charlie, she resists. Once they explain their predicament, she agrees to help, especially since Dante is her half-brother. Working together they solve Einstein’s clue, which leads them to Jerusalem. However, the Furies are there too. A violent struggle ensues attracting Israel’s own covert agency, the Mossad, into the equation hunt.

Gibbs’ book is a seriously satisfying and entertaining espionage thriller. But there’s a deeper side to this spy adventure. Charlie might have Einstein’s IQ, but she is far from being wise. She is still a twelve-year-old girl who wants to have fun and be a kid. Being a genius has both blessed and burned her. She takes outrageous risks knowing her brain will automatically calculate all possible solutions. But her aptitude thrust her into a cut-throat world where adults, including her parents, took advantage of her skills. With no trust for authority, Charlie attempts to fly under the radar and uses her skills when she wants something. When Charlie is reunited with Dante, he pushes her to fulfill her full potential by helping others. Even though this book is targeted for middle-grade readers, the violence level is more for ages thirteen and up. Fans of Roland Smith and Ron McGee will enjoy this book.

Potion Masters: The Seeking Serum by Frank L. Cole

Gordy’s life has drastically changed. His entire family is on the run from a newly corrupted B.R.E.W. and from his grandfather’s henchmen. It’s an incredibly tense time knowing that Mezzarix has the Vessel—the beating heart of the potion world. With that kind of power, Mezzarix could overthrow anyone or anything. With no official aid from B.R.E.W., Wanda and Aunt Priss make an unusual alliance with the Swigs—a resistance group of underground potion-makers—to help fight against Mezzarix’s growing forces. Wanting to help during this precarious period, Gordy, Adilene, Max, and Sasha try to brew a seeking serum to find Mezzarix. After several failed attempts while being continually attacked by Mezzarix’s followers, the friends finally succeed at locating him. 

Cole’s final book in his Potion Masters trilogy is a satisfying conclusion to a wonderfully imagined and expertly crafted fantasy. What makes this fantasy so deep and complex are the real-life problems that youth face during times of war and unrest. This includes living life as a refugee, finding allies in unlikely places, and uncovering skeletons in a family’s past. Cole shows that even during times like this, Gordy and his friends discover an inner strength to face it all, including facing the man behind the war. This confident strength comes from knowing that their priorities are pure and right. So by combining their individual gifts, Gordy and his friends are able to stop a war and help rebuild a promising future. With such richness in Cole’s writing, readers will definitely be clamoring for more adventures with Gordy, Adilene, and Max. A fun-filled, action-packed fantasy series great for ages 12 and up.