Reviews written by Mark Buxton

What worked: The story is reminiscent of Willy Wonka as thirteen-year-olds from around the country vie for titanium tickets to take over Mr. Lemoncello’s empire. One family has been banned from entering the contest due to past nefarious actions but they’ve found a way around the rules. This...

What worked: The opening pages of the book find Daisy explaining how young readers can start their own detective agencies. The tone of the book reflects Daisy’s pompous arrogance as she insists that she’s always right and her way of doing things is the best. Hazel is Daisy’s...

What worked: Many books have been written about characters visiting fantasy worlds and this book ventures into virtual reality. Icky is an expert coder and he decides to add an “expansion pack” to the virtual reality program his father uses with his patients. Icky is the target of...

What worked: This book is a refreshing change from newly-discovered superpowers, impending doom, bullies, and fragile adolescent relationships. Brothers Jake and Taylor attend a three-week wilderness camp that culminates with a five-day, forty-mile hike to the edge of Death Valley. The story will connect with readers who have...

What worked: The book stars Hazel and Daisy as students/detectives spending the holidays in Egypt. The first chapter has a mysterious hook as Hazel ends the chapter with, “Perhaps that way I can bring Daisy back to life.” Readers are told that one of the two main characters...

What worked: This novella features Camela, a Synergist Knight, who’s bonded for life with Krysta, an ice dragon. Camela has taken the concept of brave warrior to heart and her brash, confident demeanor and need for adventure often control her decisions. She speaks with overly formal words and...

What worked: Ava is a sympathetic character following her epic failure when trying to enter the West Oz Witch Academy, or WOW. Her magic affects water and plants but performing her magic near her home in the desert is drastically different from the abundant water found in the...

What worked: The whole story is contrary to what young readers might expect. Bram is a werewolf and he hopes the school will help him learn to become more villainy. Students are rewarded with detention and extra homework if they’re bad enough and Bram is upset when he’s...

What worked: The story is narrated by Hazel Wong, vice president and secretary for the Wells & Wong Detective Society. Experienced readers may notice similarities to Watson’s role in the Sherlock Holmes stories. Hazel helps with investigations but this book is comprised of her journal entries documenting the...

What worked: The most curious thing about this dystopian story is how paper has become so valuable. Juni and her best friend Doler frequently search old, crumbling buildings looking for paper, this is called plifting, and the opening chapter finds them in Harker’s Village, an off-limits area. The...

What worked: Some time travel books don’t deal with the paradox of how changes in the past might affect the future (What if you go back in time and your parents die?) but this book addresses the issue head-on with a twist. Readers know from the first page...

What worked: The main characters were created by Professor Erasmus but these Creations are adorable. Stitch Head is his first creation so he takes on the part of leader. He’s not always confident in what he’s doing but his heart’s always in the right place. Arabella was rescued...

What worked: The author helpfully recaps what is necessary so readers won’t feel like they’ve missed anything significant. Herbie arrived in Eerie-on-Sea without any memory of his past and that mystery has continued throughout the series. Sebastian Eels has been the ongoing antagonist and Herbie and Violet have...

What worked: This historical fiction opens with a message to readers and a prologue. These pages share the author’s purpose for the book and the results of background research. Surprisingly, she chose not to include most Monacan words because she felt she didn’t have the right to speak...

What worked: The book opens with the story of Ambrosia, The Lone Vigilante, as she faces off with ten nasty bandits. Readers quickly learn these pages are from a story being written by a seventh grader named Rose who never finishes what she writes. Rose lacks confidence in...