Escape from Chernobyl by Andy Marino

Escape from Chernobyl by Andy Marino is an exciting middle grade story about the terrible accident that happened in Prypyat in Ukraine on April 26, 1986.

The story follows several fictional characters as they struggle to help their friends, family, and others to escape and contain the terrible explosion that happened there. But with rising levels of radiation is there any hope? Despite having fictional characters, the story is still exciting and interesting, and helps readers, old and young, learn more about what happened at Chernobyl.

Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer

Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer is an entertaining story for young adults about Jack Faber, one of the assistants on HMS Dolphin. Jack participates in the duties of a ship's boy, and even kills a pirate to save a shipmate!

The one problem with all of this, is that Jack's real name is actually Mary. And Jack is actually a girl. Will she be a successful sailor, and will she keep her real identity secret from her friends and shipmates? The story is exciting and plausible. There are some PG-13 moments, and the story isn't something that parents would want their kids reading without previewing the book first. But it is exciting for adults and older kids. Readers will find themselves cheering for Jackie, her friends, and the rest of their shipmates as they go from adventure to adventure, with Jackie all the time keeping her real identity hidden from everyone! (Almost.)

The Candy Shop War Series by Brandon Mull

The first Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull introduces the reader to friends Nate, Summer, Trevor, and Pigeon as they meet Mrs. White, a magician who comes to their town and sets up what at first seems like a harmless candy shop. But soon the kids realize that Mrs. White has a sinister plan. Finding friends in Mr. Stott, a good magician, and Mr. Dart, a magical law enforcement officer, the kids set out to stop Mrs. White from succeeding in her evil scheme to take over their town. But will they be able to stop her?

In the second book, Arcade Catastrophy, the same friends are facing off with Mr. White, Mrs. White's dastardly brother before he can follow through on his own underhanded scheme to take control of their town, and ultimately the world. What has happened to Mr. Dart and Mozag, the head of magical law enforcement? Will the kids be able to find out what happened to them, let alone rescue them? In the third book Carnival Quest, the kids, Mr. Dart, and Mr. Stott are suspicious of a carnival that has come to town. There was one sibling to Mr. and Mrs. White left, Camilla White. Is it possible she's the one controlling this carnvial? And what has happened to Mozag and the Battiato brothers? How can the kids help Mr. Stott rescue them? The carnival that has come to town most certainly has something to do with it, but can the kids compete when people keep mysteriously disappearing in the carnival?

Freaky Flyday (Ravenspell Book 3) by David Farland

Freaky Flyday, which is the 3rd book in the Ravenspell Book series by David Farland, is a fun story for middle grade readers. Ben Ravenspell, the boy turned into a mouse, is still in the process of recovering from his other adventures when he and his friends get word that an evil fly has been born, Belle Z. Bug, who wants to take over the world with her army of flies, made loyal to her by her evil pyramid scheme.

Ben and his mouse friend Amber, as well as the shrew Lady Blackpool and Ben's human parents just want a short break when they come into contact with evil Belle Z. Bug's minions. Will they be able to get away? And how does a legendary toad warrior and his two minions affect the whole situation? Read the book and find out.