A Brilliant Night of Stars and Ice by Rebecca Connolly

Kate Connolly is on her way to America aboard the Titanic to start a new life. Her carefree, third-class voyage turns into a catastrophe on the night of April 14, 1912, when Titanic hits an iceberg. Several miles away, Captain Arthur Rostron of the Carpathia receives Titanic’s distress signal. Captain Rostron turns his passenger-laden ship around and goes full-steam into iceberg riddled waters to answer the call. Not knowing if they’ll arrive in time, Captain Rostron issues orders to both crew and passengers to prepare for Titanic’s survivors. Back on the Titanic, Kate escapes the sinking third-class accommodations and miraculously gets into a lifeboat. Once her lifeboat is lowered into the freezing sea, she and many others watch the Titanic disappear underwater. A few hours later, the Carpathia finally arrives at Titanic’s last coordinates. To Captain Rostron’s horror there is no sign of Titanic. All that remains are 705 of almost 2000 passengers Titanic had on board. The loss is absolutely staggering, but Captain Rostron and his crew push through their grief to immediately help those left behind, like Kate.

Connolly’s historical fiction novel brings a fresh and hopeful perspective to this well-documented tragedy. So many works based on this event only focus on the Titanic itself and their stories end at her sinking. But little is mentioned about who came to Titanic’s rescue or what happened to the survivors. Through Connolly’s narratives, readers are given a detailed story of how complete strangers came together to help those in need. Through Captain Rostron’s planning, the efforts of his faithful crew, and even the help of some Titanic survivors, all needs were met with consideration and kindness. This book shows that if it wasn’t for the heroic efforts of all aboard the Carpathia, there wouldn’t be any eyewitnesses to tell about the Titanic. One minor criticism of the book is that more photographs or maps would have been helpful to solidify both Captain Rostron and Kate Connolly’s stories. Well written and faith promoting, Connolly’s novel honors the 110^th anniversary of Titanic’s loss.                

The Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Azad

As a child, Fatima’s family was murdered outside the city of Noor by Shayateen Djinn, bloodthirsty magical beings. Ghazala, an Ifrit djinni warrior, finds Fatima close to death. Ghazala sacrifices herself by merging her powerful Ifrit magic into Fatima’s failing body. Fourteen years later, Fatima is scraping a living in Noor while struggling to hide her Ifrit powers. Meanwhile, Noor is protected from the Shayateen by the maharajah’s troops and Ifrit warriors, with Zulfikar as the Ifrit Captain. When an Ifrit spiritual leader is murdered, Zulfikar needs to quickly fill the vital vacancy. Surprisingly, he finds his candidate in Fatima. Totally unprepared to be in Noor royal society, Fatima feels lost and unsure of her blossoming Ifrit abilities, but Zulfikar helps to build her confidence. Threats soon come against the maharajah’s family which strain human and Ifrit alliances. Only Fatima can keep the peace between human and Djinn powers by finding the real traitors threatening the city and the people she loves. 

Azad’s novel is an immersive fantasy into worlds few authors have trod. Azad takes readers along the Silk Road to an alternate India where god-like beings either protect or destroy the humans struggling to survive. In the city of Noor, the vibrant and colorful worlds of Muslim culture and Indian folklore cement together to build the foundation of Fatima’s story. With this rich undergirding, readers experience real diversity with cultures and traditions not commonly highlighted in young adult fantasy. But Azad goes further, sweeping away common Muslim stereotypes by making many of her characters strong, independent women that are nurtured by supportive men. Azad freely uses culture-specific vocabulary throughout her story. Readers unfamiliar with her terminology can refer to a glossary at the end, which can require some patience. One criticism is that maps of Noor and the outlying area would have been extremely helpful in knowing where Fatima traveled within the story. It can be confusing to keep track of each character’s movements. With mild violence, gore, and suspense, this book is appropriate for ages 15 and up.

The Thief Knot: A Greenglass House Story by Kate Milford

Ever since her adventures at Greenglass House, Marzana yearns to solve another mystery. Surprisingly, one falls into her lap, or, actually, her parents’ laps. A politician’s daughter, Peony Hyde, has been kidnapped. Because the kidnapping was so near the sanctuary city of the Liberty of Gammerbund, law enforcement are not allowed to go searching there for Peony. While Marzana’s parents start their investigation, Marzana and her best friend, Nialla, put together a group of eager young detectives. Calling themselves the Thief Knot, the tween investigators decipher clues and traverse forgotten paths to Peony’s whereabouts. However, after finding Peony, Marzana does not believe the case is solved. 

The Thief Knot harkens back to Milford’s original genius in Greenglass House. Readers are treated to a story set in the asylum city of the Liberty of Gammerbund, a place Milford addressed in previous books. Marzana hungers for some action in her life even though she is the daughter of a legendary smuggler. But like the Liberty, Marzana has been protected from her mother’s pirating past. Throwing away that protection, Marzana is thrilled to sleuth again on the kidnapping case. However, she soon learns that lives are at risk if she makes any wrong moves. Realizing the dangers, Marzana clears her mind to see the faults in their past investigation and leads her crew safely to the correct resolution. Something that would have engaged readers more with the story would have been maps showing key places above and below ground where the Thief Knot crew go to in the book. Several maps are mentioned in the storyline, so there could have been opportunities for readers to solve clues with Marzana instead of waiting for Marzana to figure things out. With some mild language usage, The Thief Knot is appropriate for ages 12 and up.   

The Lost Wonderland Diaries by J. Scott Savage

Celia has moved to a new town, which means trying to hide her dyslexia from everyone. Just before starting school, Celia is stuck at her mother’s new job in the public library. While there, Celia meets Tyrus, a boy obsessed with books. A voice leads them to her mother’s office where they find a small chest. They open the chest, find four old diaries, and open one of them. Together they are transported into Wonderland. Sylvan, a white rabbit who led them to the chest, tells Celia and Tyrus that a destructive plague is infesting Wonderland. It is prophesied that Wonderland will end unless another “Alice” saves Wonderland from its fate. Tyrus wants to help, but Celia only wants to go home. However, the Red Queen is hunting them down thinking Celia and Tyrus can open portals outside Wonderland. Constantly on the run, they meet several familiar characters who help them find answers to Wonderland’s troubles.

Savage introduces a new generation of readers to Wonderland, a place where behaviors do not make sense, but the world is surprisingly ruled by mathematical principles. Lewis Carroll, the author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and whose real name was Charles Dodgson, was also a mathematician. Math is critical to the story because Celia uses her mathematical talent to tackle problems she and Tyrus face. Savage includes this important plot point to prove that someone with dyslexia can still comprehend complex issues when shown in a way other than the written word. Savage makes many references to Carroll’s original story, with several characters readers would not recognize if they have not read Carroll’s book. However, any reader with some familiarity of Wonderland, from seeing film adaptations, would still understand and enjoy Savage’s story. Coming out in September with three other books to follow.

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.