Action/Adventure – YOUNG ADULTING

Miles Morales Suspended: A Spider-Man Novel by Jason Reynolds, illus. Zeke Peña

May 9, 2024

Miles Morales Suspended touches on themes of identity, censorship, and the “patterns” of Miles’ life and upbringing through a combination of prose and poetry. The reader joins Miles for a day of in-school suspension, and it soon becomes apparent that something is afoot when termites start popping up and setting off his spidey-sense. Can Spider-Man solve this mystery? Or is this incident representative of something greater than defeating another bad guy? … More Miles Morales Suspended: A Spider-Man Novel by Jason Reynolds, illus. Zeke Peña

When the Dikes Breached by Martha Attema

February 8, 2024

This is a beautiful book that really has it all. Based on real and tragic events that took place in Dutch island communities during the 1950s, it is a gripping adventure story which offers a moving and detailed portrait of life at the time. … More When the Dikes Breached by Martha Attema

Willpower by Marty Chan

January 16, 2024

In this middle-grade novel, real world issues such as poverty and bullying are explored in a kid-friendly manner. … More Willpower by Marty Chan

Aftershock by Gabrielle Prendergast

December 14, 2023

Review by Lisa Matthewson Orca Book Publishers, August, 2023 96 pages, paperback, $10.95 CAD, 9781459837218 Young Adult, Ages 12+ (Hi-Lo) Action/Adventure, Survival I wonder what time it is. My phone battery died hours ago, and I don’t have a watch. The rain clouds make it seem gloomy. Is it nearly night? I’m pretty tired. My … More Aftershock by Gabrielle Prendergast

I Am A Meadow Mermaid by Kallie George, illus. Elly Mackay

September 19, 2023

With a beautiful and poetic narrative arc told by a meadow mermaid, this awe-inspiring tale
sends a message to young readers that anything is possible so long as you believe.
Written by Kallie George, I Am A Meadow Mermaid explores the power of imagination,
friendship, and adventure. The story follows a small-town girl who dreams of being a
mermaid and loves everything about the ocean. There’s just one problem: she’s a human who
lives in a field that is nowhere near the sea. Instead of letting this stop her, she goes on a
journey of the heart and soul proving that reality is what you make of it. … More I Am A Meadow Mermaid by Kallie George, illus. Elly Mackay

Mission to Mars by Eric Walters

April 6, 2023

Review by GiGi Kang Orca Book Publishers, April 11, 2023 261 pages, paperback, $12.95 CAD, 9781459836730 Ages 9 to 12 Action/Adventure Fiction Excerpt to come with book’s release Imagine commanding a spacecraft at only fourteen years old. Houston Williams finds himself in this exact position in Mission to Mars by bestselling author Eric Walters, the … More Mission to Mars by Eric Walters

Sulfur Heart by Brooke Carter

October 6, 2022

Review by Kaitlyn Chan

Readers that want an undaunting book with substance will relish Sulfur Heart.
… More Sulfur Heart by Brooke Carter

Walking in Two Worlds by Wab Kinew

March 8, 2022

Indigenous futurity takes on a new meaning in Wab Kinew’s debut YA novel, Walking in Two Worlds. Review by Carolina Leyton. … More Walking in Two Worlds by Wab Kinew

Water Sight by Marie Powell

November 23, 2021

Review by Hira Peracha

In this second installment of the Last of the Gifted series, Hyw and Cat continue to manage their magical powers and find companionship in new characters. … More Water Sight by Marie Powell

Gustavo the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago

October 28, 2021

Review by Logaine Navascués

Can even ghosts be scared sometimes? Gustavo is such a kid—a ghost kid—who doesn’t seem to fit in to the loud and playful world of his monster classmates. … More Gustavo the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago

YOUNG ADULTING

Serious Reviews of Books for Kids and Teens

Category: Action/Adventure