McCann, Michelle Roehm. More Girls Who Rocked the World.

McCann, Michelle Roehm. More Girls Who Rocked the World. Simon & Schuster/Aladdin  2017  307p.  $21.99     ISBN 978-1-5244-0329-1           ms/hs  Collective Biography  E-BN    

This sequel to Girls Who Rocked the World contains 45 biographies of women from all walks of life who did or are making an impact in their community and/or field, including pirates, authors, scientists, artists, politicians, athletes, activists, and conservationists. The biographies range from 5-7 pages and feature women who all had significant achievements before turning twenty years old. Historical women like Esther, Cleopatra, and Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley are featured alongside contemporary figures politician Fawzia Koofi, ballet dancer Misty Copeland, conservationist Bindi Irwin, and actress Emma Watson. This inspirational collection should be in every young-adult collection. The short chapters provide highlights in the lives of the women and the contemporary biographies provide information on women, particualry nonwhite international women, that can be difficult for students working on projects to locate. A bibliography and notes are included.                         

Summary: A collection of biographies of international women of all ages and professions including pirates, authors, scientists, artists, politicians, athletes, activists, and conservationists.  

Women-Biography                                     --Stephanie Pennucci

McCann, Michelle Roehm More Girls Who Rocked the World

McCann, Michelle Roehm     More Girls Who Rocked the World  Simon & Schuster/ Aladdin 2017   307p   21.99  978-1-5244-0329-1            ms/hs             E-BN   

A collection of biographies of international women of all ages and professions including pirates, authors, scientists, artists, politicians, athletes, activists, and conservationists.         

  This sequel to Girls Who Rocked the World contains 45 biographies of women from all walks of life who did or are making an impact in their community and/or field, including pirates, authors, scientists, artists, politicians, athletes, activists, and conservationists. The biographies range from 5-7 pages and feature women who all had significant achievements before turning twenty years old. Historical women like Esther, Cleopatra, and Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley are featured alongside contemporary figures politician Fawzia Koofi, ballet dancer Misty Copeland, conservationist Bindi Irwin, and actress Emma Watson. This inspirational collection should be in every young adult collection. The short chapters provide highlights in the lives of the women and the contemporary biographies provide information on women, particualry nonwhite international women, that can be difficult for students working on projects to locate. A bibliography and notes are included.                                Pennucci, Stephanie        women-biography

Zhany, Kat. The Emperor’s Riddle.

Zhany, Kat. The Emperor’s Riddle. Simon & Schuster/Aladdin  2017  256p  $16.99      Uncorrected Proof  ISBN 978-1-4814-7862-5  ms  Adventure, Mystery  VG

Mia was not excited about leaving her friends to visit China, her ancestral home, but she is excited about spending time with her favorite aunt.  Shortly after their arrival in China, Mia finds that Aunt Lin is gone, but Mia is sure it is not willingly.  Solving a map riddle hidden on the back of an ancient painting seems to be the only way to find her aunt.  Mostly on their own, Mia and her brother Jake work their way through the riddles involving famous landmarks around the town.  Each clue leads them closer to finding a treasure hidden over 500 years ago.  During the search, Mia finds more connections to her family and her ancestry.
 

The novel is filled with exciting action and often danger, but the location is completely foreign to most readers.  Some of the information about customs and foods will be better comprehended by older readers.  This title does involve a culture and history completely unknown to most American middle-grade readers. Publisher places this title at grades 3-7.  The exotic locale and culture might be better placed at grades 5-8.  Good purchase but possibly limited audience.

Summary: On a family trip to China, Mia and her brother solve a riddle mystery to both rescue her Aunt and find a treasure that has been hidden for 500 years. Publisher says grades 3-7, but maybe it's more 5-8.

Hidden treasure-Fiction                               ----Joan Theal

Hymas, Allison K. Under Locker and Key.

Hymas, Allison K.  Under Locker and Key.  Simon & Schuster/Aladdin      2017  256p  $7.99  ISBN 978-14814-6342-3   ms/jr    Fantasy  VG-BN

Jeremy does not steal - he is a retrieval specialist.  If a wallet is stolen at his middle school, he can retrieve it and return it to the rightful owner before the day is over.  Classmate Becca is on a personal mission to catch him stealing.  When Jeremy hands over the master key to every locker based on false claims, it will take all his skill to return the key to the janitor.  He also will need help.  Due to the possible consequences he will not involve his friends.  His only choice is to team up with Becca.
    

The book uses great humor and action, which should entice every middle-school boy to read this book. Jeremy breaks many school rules but somehow manages to float above every situation. This reviewer’s only concern is how literally some readers may take the premise as something they too, could do.      

Recommended for enticing boys in middle school to read.  They will love this.

Summary: Jeremy is not a thief but a retrieval specialist - he recovers items that are lost or taken by someone else.  When he relies on false information to recover the school master locker key, it takes all his skill to make things right.  Middle school     

School stories, Thievery-Fiction                                  —Joan Theal

McMann, Lisa. The Unwanted Quests: Dragon Captives.

McMann, Lisa.  The Unwanted Quests: Dragon Captives.  Simon & Schuster/Aladdin      2017  432p  $17.99  ISBN 978-1-4814-5681-4     ms  Fantasy  VG-BN

Protected from magic and banned from learning it, the next generation of Unwanteds sets off on a quest. The young dragons have outgrown their magic wings and need new ones. One representative is sent to Alex for help. Alex practically refuses to help due to his own issues of responsibility and feelings of failure.  His two young sisters take it upon themselves to complete this quest. They are woefully underprepared. They trust the wrong people, misfire magic, and land in prison. Alex sends a rescue mission. This volume ends with one twin returning home, and one being taken prisoner by an old rival. The ending sets the reader up for the next installment.
 

These novels exhibit exciting action by headstrong girls who are tragically undereducated in how to use the magic they possess. Fantastical lands and beasts abound. More might be understood if the reader were not entering this series in the middle. There are hints to happenings from the prior novels but more background would be helpful. This purchase would be best for schools already possessing the prior series. The astute reader will overlook the lack of background and enjoy the adventure as presented.  Middle school.  

Summary: Following the Unwanteds series, this is the first book in a new series of quests. The next generation of Unwanteds tries to save the dragons from slavery, and there is much bumbling in the action. Future titles are assured. Middle school.

Magic-Fiction, Dragons-Fiction                                    —Joan Theal