Review: Keeper of Secrets by Sarah J. Dodd

Middle-grade review of Keeper of Secrets by Sarah J Dodd

Goodreads Blurb

Eleven-year-old Emily doesn’t think Badger Cottage – where she’s had to move with her vet father after her mum died – will ever be home. But there is something out there that needs her; a bright pair of eyes in the darkness.

In the middle of a fierce battle between a conservation project to rewild the lynx in the woods and the local farmers, Emily tries to shield a baby lynx she calls Lotta, afraid it will be killed by the person who killed its mother.

Can Emily work out who the illegal hunter is in time? Who can she trust?

My Thoughts after Reading

This middle-grade book is about a grieving girl who connects with a newly-orphaned lynx kitten.

Emily and her newly-widowed father have just moved into a village divided by their opinions on wild lynx. Members from either side have tried to influence them. Pressure from these villagers, adjusting to his new vet job and still grieving for his wife, Emily’s father has been unapproachable. When she finds the kitten next to her dead mother, Emily shelters it in secret. But a wild lynx cannot be locked away.

The author has done a great job creating suspense. Not only does she make us wonder who had shot the mother lynx but the tension of Emily’s secret and its repercussions is unbearably page-turning.

As this story is set in the days leading up to Christmas, this is a good book to pick up in the holidays. 4/5

Opening Line: Click! A light came on, waking Emily with a start.

---

---

Justine Laismith’s Books:

Left behind in the mountains, a desperate boy harnesses a cure from the Great Fire Tree. Even when its dark powers brings tragedy, he believes it will bring his mother home again. For readers 11-14 years. More info

A harried mother wants to stay one step ahead of her children’s antics and experiments with the Magic Mixer. A machine invented by a female scientist and engineer, it gives her special animal abilities. But choosing the right animal proves more difficult that she thought. For readers for 6-9 years. More info

8 Middle-Grade Books with Christmas Vibes

In the run up to Christmas, I’ve come up with some books for the festive season.

The Miraculous Sweetmakers #1: The Frost Fair by Natasha Hastings

In the 1683 London Great Frost, a guilt-ridden girl meets a delightful stranger and agrees to give up memories of her late brother for his return. But when discovers the history of this man, she must decide if she trusts him with the trade. My review.

The Good Bear by Sarah Lean

In Norway, a disappointed girl stumbles upon a bear in the forest. When the locals want to round up the bear, she has to decide whether to be an obedient child or go against her father’s wishes and save a good bear. My review 

Keeper of Secrets by Sarah J Dodd

Despite advice from local villagers, a closed-up girl rescues a newly-orphaned wild lynx. When her stolen food supplies run low and the lynx disappears, Emily must trust someone with her secret before it gets shot by local farmers. My review.

Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman

A boy journeys to the magical land of Asgard with a bear, a fox and an eagle.

My review

Shadows of Winterspell by Amy Wilson

An orphan sprite disguised as a girl sneaks into school and learns about the dark history of her past.

My review

Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone

Adventure in a magical wintry setting, where two children thwart the Evil Queen’s plan to rule the world.

My review

The Way Past Winter by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

A mash-up of The Snow Queen and The Piper Piper of Hamelin. 

My review

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser

In Harlem, a chaotic family of siblings fail to charm their grumpy landlord into letting them to stay in their family home. When he destroys last Christmas party, they confront him. My review

***

Can you think of anymore? Drop your suggestions in the comments!

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

---

---

Justine Laismith’s Books:

Left behind in the mountains, a desperate boy harnesses a cure from the Great Fire Tree. Even when its dark powers brings tragedy, he believes it will bring his mother home again. For readers 11-14 years. More info

A harried mother wants to stay one step ahead of her children’s antics and experiments with the Magic Mixer. A machine invented by a female scientist and engineer, it gives her special animal abilities. But choosing the right animal proves more difficult that she thought. For readers for 6-9 years. More info

Review : The Good Bear by Sarah Lean

Middle-grade book review on The Good Bear by Sarah Lean

Goodreads Blurb

A wintry animal story that will warm your heart and take you on an adventure you will never forget. From the bestselling author of A DOG CALLED HOMELESS.

It’s the Christmas holidays and Thea is looking forward to spending them with her father. She can tell him all about her plans to become a writer, and maybe he’ll buy her the typewriter she’s been dreaming of.

But when Thea arrives in Norway, everything feels … wrong. Her father is as distant as ever and now she has to share him with his new family: his girlfriend Inge and her children.Then Thea makes a surprise discovery. Deep in the snowy woods by the house, is a bear. He’s scared and hungry and he desperately needs Thea’s help.

When the town hears about a bear living in the woods, Bear’s life is in even greater danger. Thea needs to show everyone that he’s not dangerous – he’s a Good Bear – if she’s to save him.

My Thoughts after Reading

This is a middle-grade book with a big heart. You can’t help but have a warm, fuzzy feeling afterwards.

Our heroine feels that she and her father, who now lives in Norway with his new family, are no longer as close as before. She writes him a letter asking for a typewriter for her birthday present, her way of letting him know her passion for writing. Her mother arranges for her to spend Christmas with him. Upon arriving, Thea is bitterly disappointed with him. Her frustrations takes her to the nearby forest where she encounters a vulnerable bear.

I enjoyed reading about her adventures in Norway and how they celebrated Christmas. This book is as thick as a normal middle-grade book but it is dotted with lovely illustrations. With its child-like innocence of a friendship with a wild bear, it is the perfect read for an advanced reader in lower primary who is ready to move up to bigger books.

The story opens with Thea, as a single mother, recounting her tale to her daughter. Throughout the story, we get a sense of how close the child Thea is to her own single mother, and now she wishes to give her own daughter the warmth and security she had experienced in her childhood.

A great read. 4/5

---

Justine Laismith’s Books:

Left behind in the mountains, a desperate boy harnesses a cure from the Great Fire Tree. Even when its dark powers brings tragedy, he believes it will bring his mother home again. For readers 11-14 years. More info

A harried mother wants to stay one step ahead of her children’s antics and experiments with the Magic Mixer. A machine invented by a female scientist and engineer, it gives her special animal abilities. But choosing the right animal proves more difficult that she thought. For readers for 6-9 years. More info

Review : The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karin Yan Glaser

Middle-grade book review of The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser

Goodreads Blurb

The Vanderbeekers have always lived in the brownstone on 141st Street. It’s practically another member of the family. So when their reclusive, curmudgeonly landlord decides not to renew their lease, the five siblings have eleven days to do whatever it takes to stay in their beloved home and convince the dreaded Beiderman just how wonderful they are. And all is fair in love and war when it comes to keeping their home.

My Thoughts After Reading

This middle-grade book is a light-hearted and feel-good read, especially around Christmas.

This family of seven rent a place in Harlem, New York. But a few days before Christmas the five children discover they have to move. Their landlord, who lives on the top floor, has refused to renew their lease. Convinced that he doesn’t like them, they embark on a mission to charm him into changing his mind.

This book makes me feel as if I am back in the olde worlde days before technology, where you live in a small community and you know all your neighbours and local shopkeepers. However when one of the children talks about making battery cells out of lemons, and another talks about the school dance, it brings me back to the modern world.

However, the children’s antic are adorable and overall it works. This book is very similar in tone to The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone and The Secret of the Night Train. Check it out if you’ve enjoyed the other two.

Review : Shadows of Winterspell by Amy Wilson

Middle-grade book review of Shadows of Winterspell by Amy Wilson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My Thoughts after Reading

This is a middle-grade book that will whisk you away to a magical world of sprites, elves and centaurs. But it’s not completely in a different realm. It exists in a mysterious forest on one side of town.

Our heroine is an orphan sprite, brought up by her ghostly grandmother. To protect her from the dangers of the forest and the threats of humans, her grandmother cast a spell so strong that their home is hidden from both men and fae. Stella does not know what she truly looks like. She has been ‘glamoured’ into a girl. Shella becomes aware of her grandmother’s fading presence and dreads the day when her strength is unable to keep her shimmering presence. Unsatisfied with only an imp and Nan for company, Stella enlists with the local school.

This is where the beauty of the book comes in. At school, she makes discoveries of her background her grandmother had hidden from her. Nan is also unaware of the current state of affairs in the forest. After all, Nan was summoned back to this world to protect her orphan grandbaby and that was her focus.

I am conflicted about Stella’s friends. They came together too easily and there was no friction despite the lies and deception. Whilst I am glad she made loyal friends I would have preferred to see more tension in the friendship group. The same goes for the climax of the story. It didn’t quite reach the heights, but it was high enough for a middle grade reader to enjoy.

I would recommend this book.

Goodreads Blurb

Stella has been living behind the magic of the forest for most of her life. Lonely, she enrolls at the local school, and as she begins to make friends, she discovers that she is even more different than she thought. But as autumn turns to magical winter, Stella realizes that uncovering her own family secret is the only way to release the forest from the grip of a dark and old magic.

---

Justine Laismith’s Books:

Left behind in the mountains, a desperate boy harnesses a cure from the Great Fire Tree. Even when its dark powers brings tragedy, he believes it will bring his mother home again. For readers 11-14 years. More info

A harried mother wants to stay one step ahead of her children’s antics and experiments with the Magic Mixer. A machine invented by a female scientist and engineer, it gives her special animal abilities. But choosing the right animal proves more difficult that she thought. For readers for 6-9 years. More info

Review: Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman

Book review on Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman

This book is not as long as standard middle grade books, so it’s perfect for the younger middle-grade readers who are ready to move on from chapter books.

The story is inspired by Norse mythology. Thor, Odin and Loki being our main supporting cast to Odd, a boy crippled when his leg was crushed in an accident. The Norse Gods are on Earth and make the journey back to their home Asgard with Odd.

It is a heart-warming tale of a courageous boy, who did not let his accident nor his cruel step-father break his spirit. If you are looking for a mythology book on resilience, in a wintry setting, starring a main character with a disability, check this one out. 3/5

Goodreads Blurb

The winter isn’t ending. Nobody knows why.
And Odd has run away from home, even though he can barely walk and has to use a crutch.
Out in the forest he encounters a bear, a fox, and an eagle – three creatures with a strange story to tell.
Now Odd is faced with a stranger journey than he had ever imagined.
A journey to save Asgard, City of the Norse Gods, from the Frost Giants who have invaded it.
It’s going to take a very special kind of boy to defeat the most dangerous of all the Frost Giants and rescue the mighty Gods. Someone cheerful and infuriating and clever.
Someone just like Odd…

Review : The Way Past Winter by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Middle-grade review on The Way Past Winter by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Goodreads Blurb

Mila and her sisters live with their brother Oskar in a small forest cabin in the snow. One night, a fur-clad stranger arrives seeking shelter for himself and his men. But by the next morning, they’ve gone – taking Oskar with them. Fearful for his safety, Mila and her sisters set out to bring Oskar back – even it means going north, crossing frozen wild-lands to find a way past an eternal winter.

My Thoughts after Reading

Magical and lyrical, this story reminds me of The Snow Queen and The Piper Piper of Hamelin. It’s a book you snuggle up to, and feel grateful you are warm and comfortable, unlike the characters who live in this world of eternal winter. Food is scarce and the four siblings survive together after their widower father’s abandonment. I liked the concept of the heart tree and the ropes. You can even interpret the story as a symbolism to today’s world of man and his environment. Without a doubt, this creativity warrants a 4*.

If I had one wish, it would be more back-story of the boy-mage Rune. He’s just there, a boy on his own, yet all-knowing and all-wise. It was too convenient. Other questions were left unanswered include the significance of Mila being the one to free them and being the guardian henceforth. For these reasons, I am unable to give it its full 4*.

Overall, I rate it 3.5*