ARC Reviewer Program

Recommended by Benjamin  Age 13 

For fans of Roald Dahl, Neil Gaiman, and Trenton Lee Stewart, The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls is an immersive, frightening, and rewarding experience with Dahl's weirdness, Gaiman's otherworldliness, and Stewart's suspense. Victoria has never gotten a grade lower than A in her academic lifetime, has loving parents, and a kindly housekeeper. The only nonsense in her perfect life is her best friend Lawrence, obsessively playing his piano when his parents want him to follow in their orthodontic footsteps. On what seems like a typical Tuesday morning, Lawrence disappears, and Victoria learns that he's been taken to Mrs. Cavendish's children's home, where no one leaves unchanged, if they even leave at all. Do yourself a favor and pick up this electrifying page-turner from a debut author who's sure to become a major figure in middle-grade adventure.

Recommended by Foxx  Age 10   

Warning!  This book is not for the faint of heart.  The story is about a young rogue who finds himself twisted in a fantastic adventure, full of unique characters who have a story all their own.  As the book begins, it features two conflicting stories about opposite characters who are both on the run.  They end up together on a deserted island and the story plays out.  The author adds creative elements such as a larger setting and intriguing workings of the world the characters embark upon.  The story starts out slow but gets more exciting as it goes, so keep reading.  It's worth it!

Recommended by John Paul  Age 9       

I liked it because it was funny, a mystery and all the pages were done as a letter.  It was a fast read even though it had 234 pages.  I would recommend it, especially to another boy.

Recommended by Amanda  Age 10   

"Clueless McGee" is about a kid whose Dad is a private eye so he writes letters to him updating him about his life and a mystery going on.  Great for kids in grades 2-4.   

Recommended by Luke  Age 10 

This book was incredibly amazing! I loved how Lauren Oliver used descriptive language and had a lot of characters in her book. This book is about a girl named Liesl and two ghosts named Po and Bundle. Bundle was either a cat or dog and Po was either a girl or boy. Po and Bundle come from the “Other Side”. In this book when you die you either go to “Beyond” or you go to the “Other Side”. If you go to the “Other Side” you become a ghost and you can cross over to the “Living Side”. If you go to “Beyond” it’s like going to heaven. I would definitely recommend this book for big readers!

Recommended by Katie  Age 13 

This realistic novel follows the unlikely friendship between two young musicians as they try to break through expectations and become what they really want to be.  Lyla, a gifted cellist whose future has been planned out for her in the manner of a renowed musical academy and amazing grades, and Tripp, a guitarist who simply loves letting his fingers meander naturally about his guitar strings and who has been branded - by his poor grades and unique demeanor - as a loner, use the practice room on different days.  Notes between the two spark a friendship in which each helps the other to become a better person, both musically  and mentally.  I really liked this book as the characters were witty and the dialogue was distinctive and interesting.  The overall concept - different music drawing two very different (and yet similar) people together - was very cool, and this book was by far one of the better ones I've read in awhile.  I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun read, and it will especially appeal to music lovers.

Recommended by Jacob   Age 17

Kendra has always felt overshadowed by her older brother, Grayson, whose obsessive-compulsive disorder has hogged her parents' attention and pressured her to achieve constant perfection. For her whole life, she has accepted this as her fate—that is, until time and anxiety about a cheating scandal at school drives her to take matters into her own hands and run away from it all in hope of escaping her anxiety and curing her brother.

Perfect Escape is an artfully crafted work and complex emotional roller coaster. Anyone can identify with Kendra's frustrations and emotional dilemmas, and the lack of control and misunderstanding that Grayson feels. Also, Brown presents mental illness, a key part of the story, in a way that even those who have had no exposure to it at all can easily comprehend its complex and devastating effects. Reminiscent of John Green's work, Perfect Escape is a fantastic read, especially for teens.

Recommended by Alexa  Age 14    

Romance and mystery become entangled in this fun summertime read.  It all starts when Violet goes off to Italy for the summer to search for answers about her family's past.  Along the way she meets a lively cast of characters and adapts to the Italian way of life party by party.  This is a great first installment to a new series, with vibrant descriptions, fun characters and a plot that will keep you guessing!

Recommended by Kiran  Age 8  

This book starts out like a comedy, then gets serious.  When Joe goes to live with his Dad, he can't take his pet bunny.  Soon they both become ill and Joe's friends, Anna, Suzanne and Tom, are sure that it is because they miss each other.  They are afraid they will get so sick they will die, so they plan the great rabbit escape to reunite Joe with his bunny.  Can Anna, Suzanne and Tom save them?  This book is great for people who like humor and serious situations.  It has neat pencil drawings.  It is a great book for kids who liked "The Great Hamster Massacre" or "Diary of a Wimpy Kid".

Recommended by Anne  Age 13  

Fifteen year old Tiger Lily has always been a misfit in her tribe. Raised by the tribe’s shaman Tik Tok, she is feared, envied, pitied, and sometimes even shunned. When Tiger Lily is faced with marriage to a man she dislikes, she seeks escape in the forests of her home on the hidden island of Neverland. There she meets the teenage Peter Pan and his wild Lost Boys and begins to visit them. Soon, she falls in love with Peter and must choose between the village life she’s always known and a future with Peter. Tiger Lily faces even more problems when someone she assumed was dead comes to the village and changes it dramatically, making life hard for Tiger Lily and her shaman father. As if that wasn’t enough, there are pirates on the island whose plots might put Tiger Lily or Peter in danger.  This intriguing book is told from the point of view of a slightly jealous faerie named Tinkerbell who can sense Tiger Lily’s emotions and what she wants, but cannot speak. If you like romance with a touch of fantasy and a unique setting and situation, you will enjoy Tiger Lily.

Recommended by Alexa  Age 14   

Meet Violet. She's a seemingly invisible teenager who has a passion for Manga. But this quiet girl quickly turns detective as soon as she learns her father is connected to some missing van Gogh sketches. Her investigation takes her to the heart of Japan, where she encounters a group of people who are all involved in the mystery in some way. But who can be trusted? This book was really well-written and detailed. It was a fast-paced, exciting mystery with lots of unexpected plot twists.

Recommended by Zoelle  Age 12

"Prairie Evers" is an inspirational story about a girl who has to leave her home in North Carolina and everything she loves to start out fresh in Northern New York.  Even worse, she has to attend public school.  All her life she has grown up home schooled by her grandmother.  Then, when she moves back to North Carolina everything becomes different.  This book is really good because of its amazing story and the way it flows in each chapter.  It's a great read and I would recommend it.

Recommended by Luke  Age 10

I would definitely rate this book a 5-star rating!  I would recommend this book to any readers who love to cozy up with a great book or who love to read an action packed and slightly mysterious book.  I think Tricia Rayburns has a very unique way of writing and by far this is one of the best books I've ever read!

Recommended by Connor  Age 11   

4 princes, all with regular names (Frederic, Gustav, Duncan, and Liam) are all called Prince Charming in their stories (Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty). They meet, and set off on a quest to stop a witch and get their names in their stories.  Filled with action, adventure, humor, and fairy-tale romance, this book is a great summer read for anyone 10+. 

Recommended by Kiran   Age 8    

Charlie is a boy who loves problems.  All kinds of problems - from word problems to brain teasers.  He finds a client involved in a complicated mystery and soon he is going around town trying to solve it.  Fabulous, mystifying and awesome, this book is perfect for boys and girls who like to read about mysterious adventures. 

Recommended by Caroline  Age 11 

Hamlet Kennedy just wants to be a normal, happy 8th grader, but that can be hard when her parents dress in Elizabethan regalia in public and her 7-year old sister, Desdemona is attending 8th grade classes with Hamlet because she is a genius.  From major crushes, origami pigs and little sisters to embarrassing classes parents, English class, mean girls and a secret talent, "The Total Tragedy of a Girl Names Hamlet" is a fun, happy laugh!

Recommended by Amanda  Age 10   

I loved this book!  I loved that it connects with kids and tells them to be themselves.  Although the book didn't remind me of other books, the character of Marty reminded me of Cass in the Secret series and Madeline from the BFF Breakup. 

Recommended by Marie  Age 15      

Natasha Friend’s, My Life in Black & White, was both uplifting and thought provoking.  The story centers around Lexi and her new found identity after a horrific car crash. Lexi learns to adapt to her new life as she realizes that she is more than just a pretty face. This story is both funny and touching. Natasha Friend poses the question, “If you lost the one thing that defined you, who would you be?”  I would recommend this book for readers over the age of twelve because of mature content.  It truly was a joy to read this story and I found myself unable to put it down!