Grab Bag of Adventure
Summer finds the shelves full of stories for all ages and personalities.
Wolf Camp
By Andrea Zuill
Best for: Ages 4-8
This tale is great for children who love dogs or are getting ready to embark on a summer camp adventure. Homer is a loveable bug-eyed hound mix who longs to be a wolf (even if only for a short time.) After some persistent begging, he finally gets his wish. Homer goes to Wolf Camp for a week, where he meets other campers and his counselors, Fang and Grrr.
Like all first-time campers, Homer gets homesick—the food is yucky, the sleeping arrangements aren’t comfy and the bugs are icky. But as the week progresses, so does Homer.
The comic book feel of the pen and ink illustrations will draw young readers in and keep them entertained until the last howl.
What’s good: Good way to encourage children to experience camp.
What’s bad: The wolf counselors may seem a little intimidating to young campers.
Key Hunters
By Eric Luber
Best for: Ages 7-10
Fans of the Magic Treehouse series will enjoy these time travel, story hopping, magical adventures. When the librarian goes missing at their school, Cleo and Evan stumble upon a mysterious book that may hold the key to finding her. When they open the book, they discover a secret library and a letter asking them to enter the books and help finish the stories. If Cleo and Evan succeed, they may be able to find and rescue their librarian, Mrs. Hilliard.
Whether they’re jumping into 19th-century England to help solve a Sherlockian mystery or becoming super spies to infiltrate underwater lairs, these characters take readers on a fast-paced, fun adventure. The Key Hunters series should appeal to a range of energetic middle grade readers.
What’s good: Fun, excitement and a good introduction to different genres of stories.
What’s bad: A little too similar to the Magic Treehouse series.
Everland
By Wendy Spinale
Best for: Ages 12 and older
A dystopian, steam punk take on Peter Pan, this book adds a dark twist to a favorite childhood tale. Deep below the burned out ruins of London, the lost boys are survivors of war and disease. Captain Hook and his marauders scour the city for a cure–a single immune girl–and fight to destroy the lost boys. When Pete discovers Gwen Darling and her siblings, the action picks up into a whirlwind.
Filled with emotions, this tale is less about Peter Pan and more about a captain desperate to please his cruel mother and a girl desperate to save her family. Everland is not without its flaws but is a highly intriguing and entertaining debut.
What’s good: A creative, imaginative and inventive retelling of Peter Pan.
What’s bad: Some character development and chemistry between characters remain flat.