Tag: mystery

book cover of The Legendary Mo Seto
Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

The Legendary Mo Seto

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

The Legendary Mo Seto (Aladdin, 2024) by A.Y. Chan is a fun read, especially if you have ever felt too small, or you like martial arts, or you’ve ever had a crush on a movie star, or you like mysteries.

Twelve-year-old Mo (short for Modesty) just lost to the larger Dax (again) by only getting second place in the Mid-year Taekwondo Championship tournament. When her father leaves without an explanation, she wonders if it’s because he’s disappointed she didn’t win. When Mo finds out she can apply to star in a movie with her hero Cody Kwok, she knows winning will please Dad.

But, of course, nothing is going to be simple in her pursuit of this new goal.

I really liked Mo’s relationship with her best friend Nacho (Ignacio). Other bonuses include the Chinese Mo is learning, a secret discovered, and a fake grandfather.

This is the first book in the series. Martial Arts Star will be released in May.

Read about A.Y. Chan here.

cover of The Night Raven
Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

The Night Raven

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

The Night Raven – Moonwind Mysteries #1 (Amazon Crossing Kids, 2023) by Johan Rundberg and translated by A.A. Prime was an interesting historical, especially if you are a fan of Victorian mystery writer Anne Perry, which I am. It has a similar feel except directed at young readers. The story is set in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1880.

Twelve-year-old Mika knows this harsh winter means death for many. One night she takes in a newborn to the orphanage where she lives and hears a reference to the “Dark Angel.” When the police come to her for questioning, this could be her chance to matter.

Here‘s some great backstory on this novel and information on the author. The book was originally published in Sweden, but thanks to A.A. Prime we can read it too. I’m looking forward to more of these books. You can see all of Johan’s books here but this is the only one in English.

cover of Winterwood novel
Posted in So Many Good Books, YA Novels

Winterwood

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Winterwood (Simon Pulse, 2019) is another winner by Shea Ernshaw the author of The Wicked Deep.

Each month at full moonrise, Nora Walker enters the woods in search of lost things. “The things that are lost at Jackjaw Lake in summers past are once again found in the woods. Appearing as if the forest is giving them back.” But she never expected to find a body.

I found this spooky romantic book unputdownable. There’s a fun trailer on the author’s website for this book.

Read about NY Times bestselling author Shea and her other books here. I’ve got more books to read! 🙂

Posted in MG Novels

Wild Things

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

wildthings.jpgThe title of the book Wild Things (Boyd’s Mills Press, 2009) by Clay Carmichael fits in so many ways: a wild main character, a wild cat, and other things you’ll have to read to discover yourself.
11-year-old Zoe has basically raised herself, but now she’s been sent to live with her Uncle Henry, whom she’s never met. She expects him to fail her as everyone in her life has done before, including her now deceased mother and all her various boyfriends. Henry doesn’t believe her when she tells him there’s a cat hanging around his place, but not only is Zoe right about him, but she senses the presence of others, too. And the cat knows more than he can tell. I love how the cat and girl viewpoints work together to tell the story.
Don’t miss the “Story Behind the Story” on the author’s website. And, take note, the author illustrated the cover herself, plus did the drawings inside the book!

Posted in So Many Good Books, YA Novels

Across the Universe

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

across-the-universe.jpgStep on board the spaceship, Godspeed, after you’ve experienced the horror of the freezing process with 17-year-old Amy in the best selling debut book Across the Universe (Penguin/Razorbill , 2011) by Beth Revis. The first in a trilogy, not only is it scifi, but there’s mystery and romance.
Amy, and her parents, should wake in 300 years, however, she’s been awakened 50 years early. It’s not an accident or a malfunction. Could someone have meant to kill her? And will they kill her parents? She has to protect them as she learns about this odd shipboard society where she’s a misfit simply for her red hair.
You’ll also get to walk with the lone teen, Elder, who is being trained to take over the leadership from Eldest. He’s attracted to this strange girl Amy, and he’s finding out very disturbing things about Eldest and the ship.
Then after you read the book, you can explore the ship on the website and explore the author’s site where you can find out about the making of the book and more.
Beth Revis has created a fascinating society. I’m really looking forward to the next book from this imaginative author!