FURTHERMORE, by Tahereh Mafi

The story: Alice's father has gone missing, in search of magic. Alice, quite determined to hide her own magic, ends up on a quest with Oliver to rescue Father. But their mission means leaving the land of Ferenwood, where magic is safe and useful, and venturing into Furthermore, where it's dangerous and unpredictable. (Plus, your traveling companion is never quite the person you thought you knew.) There's always something new in Furthermore--people flat and colorless as paper, Father Time appearing as a kid, or simply folks who'd like to eat you just to see what flavor of magic you contain. Surprise! (But maybe not in a good way.)

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult PG; GLBT content G; adult themes (scary situations, a missing parent) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: A charming and unusual fantasy, this one will appeal to a subset of magic fans who don't need swords and wizarding duels, but who are delighted instead by tricksy people and unusual places. The author has quite the imagination!

THE TELLING, by Alexandra Sirowy

The story: Before, there was Ben. Life was good when Lana's stepbrother was alive. Now...after...Ben is dead, and even more chilling than the gruesome attack leading to it is the string of murders that starts just two months later. Lana doesn't want to believe it, but all the murders lead straight back to Ben. Now she must make the most difficult choice of all.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language R; Violence R; Sexual content PG-13; Nudity PG; substance abuse R; magic & the occult G; GLBT content PG; adult themes (too many to mention) PG-13; overall rating R.

Liz's comments: Very readable, and you really want to know what happens at the end. Even so--I finished it, and sent it off to the high school library. Really not for MS readers--way too many "F" bombs, and far too violent.

THE SECRET HORSES OF BRIAR HILL, by Megan Shepherd

The story: Emmeline is the only person in the place who can see the winged horses in the mirrors. It's World War 2, and she's been sent to a hospital for children with tuberculosis. When an injured horse mysteriously appears, in need of her care, Emmeline must complete a series of tasks to make sure Foxfire is safe. But will Emmeline be able to complete the ward against evil before the full moon, when the dark horse Volkrig will come to the height of his powers? Or will Emmeline's frail body lose the fight before then abandoning the horse to her doom?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult PG; GLBT content G; adult themes (war, children with terminal illness, death of a friend) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Not for everyone--but for readers who are fans of classic fantasy like C.S. Lewis's Narnia books or Burnett's "The Secret Garden", this one is just right. Emmeline seems to be about 11 years old, but since there's a wartime setting that adds a bit of age, MS girls might be enticed to read this one. (ES girls who like horse stories will also be a good audience.)

SAVE ME A SEAT, by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan

The story: Dylan, the class bully, has been picking on Joe for years. Ravi's family just got here from India, and although his English is "perfect", none of the other kids can understand him. Soon, Dylan has both Joe and Ravi in his sights. They both realize they'd better do something or they're going to be dead meat--but they never had any idea that the best plan would include the other victim. Still, it'll be a long time before one of them tells the other guy to "Save me a seat" at lunch...or will it?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (bullying, parental expectations) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: I'm getting pretty tired of bullying stories, so this one came as a pleasant surprise. The kids were able to solve their own problems without too much adult intervention, and the idea that friends can be found in unlikely places is one that it never hurts to reinforce.

FOREST OF WONDERS (Wing & Claw #1), by Linda Sue Park

The story: Raffa has discovered a vine that not only helped his injured bat to heal quickly--it causes Echo to be able to talk. Afraid that the government will weaponize his discovery, the young apothecary sets off on a journey to prevent that from happening. Along the way, he makes friends who help him worm his way into the secret government compound where all the cruel experimenting is happening...and he's horrified to find that people he knows well--really well--are at the center of it. Can the group of teens keep the animals out of harm's way without jumping into it themselves?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult PG; GLBT content G; adult themes (cruelty to animals) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Although the story seems a little slow to get going, Park does a good job of laying action and information until it's a real cliff-hanger at the end. Kids will want book 2 right now! Although it seems directed at an ES audience of grades 4-6, MS fantasy and animal lovers through 7th will be fine with it.

BRIGHTWOOD, by Tania Unsworth

The story: Daisy has never stepped foot outside the grounds of her home on the Brightwood Estate. A long-ago tragedy has made her mother fear change--and other people. But one day, mum disappears and frightening James Gritting comes instead, claiming to be a long-lost cousin. It doesn't take long for Daisy to realize he means her harm, and now it's up to her (aided by her pet rat, Tar, and the ghost of an adventuring girl named Frank) to escape the only home she's ever known and find help even though...it might already be too late.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult PG; GLBT content G; adult themes (mental illness, murderous intent) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Reminiscent of a tale by Roald Dahl, this spine-tingling little story is perfect for people who liked last year's "The Imaginary", or anyone who loved the movie "Jumanji" back in the day.

JOSH BAXTER LEVELS UP, by Gavin Brown

The story: If Josh Baxter's life was a video game, he'd be dead. No more lives, no more health points, no new skills unlocked. It's his third new school in two years, he has zero friends, his grades are terrible, and there's a bully looking to kill him. But--when Josh goes into hero mode, it seems there might be more to him than meets the eye! Can he level up in time to avoid obliteration?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG (a fist fight); Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (death of a parent; grief; bullying; general adult cluelessness) PG-13; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: A really fun read! Hand this to anyone, boy or girl, who likes video games. Occasionally the not-so-subtle points about getting your homework done and working on your weaknesses get slightly preachy, but that's in no way a spoiler.