Geo Librarian

THE TURNKEY OF HIGHGATE CEMETERY by Allison Rushby Candlewick Press, 2018 ISBN: 978-0-7636-9685-6 Source: ARC from publisher for review Ages 9-12 Middle grade speculative (fantasy) All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Twelve-year-old Flossie is no ordinary ghost — she’s the caretaker of every soul in Highgate Cemetery. And during World War II, even the ghosts are unsafe. Flossie Birdwhistle is the Turnkey at London’s Highgate Cemetery. As Turnkey, it’s Flossie’s job to ensure that all the souls buried in the cemetery stay at rest. Not an easy job for a young ghost, but a task made especially difficult by World War II: London is being attacked every night by enemy bombers, and even the dead are unsettled. When Flossie encounters the ghost of a German soldier carrying a mysterious object that seems to exist in both the living and spirit worlds, she becomes suspicious — what is the officer up to? Before long, Flossie uncovers a sinister plo...

THE BOOK OF BOY by Catherine Gilbert Murdock Greenwillow Books, 2018 ISBN: 9780062686206 Ages 9-12 Source: public library Overdrive All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Boy has always been relegated to the outskirts of his small village. With a large hump on his back, a mysterious past, and a tendency to talk to animals, he is often mocked and abused by the other kids in his town. Until the arrival of a shadowy pilgrim named Secondus. Impressed with Boy’s climbing and jumping abilities, Secondus engages Boy as his servant, pulling him into an expedition across Europe to gather the seven precious relics of Saint Peter. Boy quickly realizes this journey is not an innocent one. They are stealing the relics, and gaining dangerous enemies in the process. But Boy is determined to see this pilgrimage through until the end—for what if St. Peter can make Boy’s hump go away? This compelling, action-packed tale is full of bravery and daring, stars ...

THE NAMELESS CITY by Faith Erin Hicks First Second, 2016 ISBN: 978-1-62672-157-9 Graphic Novel Ages 9 and up Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Every nation that invades the City gives it a new name. But before long, new invaders arrive and the City changes hands once again. The natives don't let themselves get caught up in the unending wars. To them, their home is the Nameless City, and those who try to name it are forever outsiders. Kaidu is one such outsider. He's a Dao born and bred--a member of the latest occupying nation. Rat is a native of the Nameless City. At first, she hates Kai for everything he stands for, but his love of his new home may be the one thing that can bring these two unlikely friends together. Let's hope so, because the fate of the Nameless City rests in their hands. REVIEW I absolutely adored this book, not only for it's diverse content, but for the great characters, plot,...

THE ACCIDENTAL AFTERLIFE OF THOMAS MARSDEN by Emma Trevayne Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2015 ISBN: 9781442498822 MG Speculative Fiction (Fantasy) Ages 9-12 Source: e-book library All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Grave robbing is a messy business. A bad business. And for Thomas Marsden, on what was an unremarkable spring night in London, it becomes a very spooky business. For lying in an unmarked grave and half covered with dirt is a boy the spitting image of Thomas himself. This is only the first clue that something very strange is happening. Others follow, but it is a fortune teller’s frightened screams that lead Thomas into a strange world of spiritualists, death and faery folk. Faery folk with whom Thomas’s life is bizarrely linked. Faery folk who need his help. Desperate to unearth the truth about himself and where he comes from, Thomas is about to discover magic, and ritual, and that sometimes, just sometimes...

DANGER IN ANCIENT ROME Ranger in Time #2 by Kate Messner, illustrated by Kelley McMorris Scholastic Press, 2015 Genre:  historical fantasy (time travel) Ages 7-10 Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Ranger, the time-traveling golden retriever, is back for the second book in Kate Messner's new chapter book series. This time, he's off to save the day in ancient Rome! Ranger is a golden retriever who has been trained as a search-and-rescue dog. In this adventure, Ranger travels to the Colosseum in ancient Rome, where there are gladiator fights and wild animal hunts! Ranger befriends Marcus, a young boy Ranger saves from a runaway lion, and Quintus, a new volunteer gladiator who must prove himself in the arena. Can Ranger help Marcus and Quintus escape the brutal world of the Colosseum? REVIEW Messner has created an enjoyable early chapter book series that combines the adventures of a dog with history.  What a fun way...

RESCUE ON THE OREGON TRAIL Ranger in Time #1 by Kate Messner, illustrated by Kelley McMorris Scholastic Press, 2015 ISBN: 978-0-545-63915-6 GENRE: Historical fantasy--middle grade Ages 7-10 Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Meet Ranger! He's a time-traveling golden retriever who has a nose for trouble . . . and always saves the day! Ranger has been trained as a search-and-rescue dog, but can't officially pass the test because he's always getting distracted by squirrels during exercises. One day, he finds a mysterious first aid kit in the garden and is transported to the year 1850, where he meets a young boy named Sam Abbott. Sam's family is migrating west on the Oregon Trail, and soon after Ranger arrives he helps the boy save his little sister. Ranger thinks his job is done, but the Oregon Trail can be dangerous, and the Abbotts need Ranger's help more than they realize. REVIEW Time travel ha...