Reading Roundup January 2024

Welcome to January's Reading Roundup, where I give a quick little summary and a few opinions on all the books I read this month! I'll also include any books I started previously and finished this month.

As a quick little note, a title's inclusion on this list does not mean my endorsement. As always, you can find my review with content on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/170359201?ref=nav_profile_l)

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place (Books 1&2) | Ages 8+ | 3.5 to 4 stars

A young governess is hired to teach three children who were literally raised by wolves, but in doing so she may learn more about her mysterious past as well.

I liked the humor and crazy antics of the children. Book 1 (The Mysterious Howling) was delightful. However, Book 2 (The Hidden Gallery) started to introduce supernatural elements.

Mockingbird | Ages 9+ | 4 stars

How do you find closure when your world has been shattered? Caitlin, a young girl with Asperger's, tries to navigate life in the aftermath of a school shooting that took her brother's life.

The heavy subject matter is handled very tactfully, and Mockingbird is well worth reading and discussing for kids with autism, as well as kids and families who know someone with autism.

The Probability of Everything | Ages 9+ | 1 star

Kemi, a young girl who wants to be a scientist, must face the end of her world - or does she?

This book had a lot of potential. But it all sort of fell apart in execution, and the twist was so far out there that, instead of making me more interested, almost made me quit the book. As a note, a side character has two moms, which also felt pretty shoehorned into the plot.

Can You See Me? | Ages 9+ | 3.5 stars

Tally, a sixth-grader with autism, struggles to fit in at her new school, and begins writing about what it is like to be autistic.

I love that one of the authors of Can You See Me?, Libby Scott, is autistic, and co-authored this novel when she was only 11. Her voice adds authenticity, and Tally's journal entries about autism are very informational. Like Mockingbird, I'd recommend this book to kids with autism and family and friends of autistic kids.

Turtle in Paradise | Ages 8+ | 3.5 stars

In 1935, when Turtle's mother gets a new job, Turtle is sent to stay with cousins in Key West who she's never met.

Filled with unique characters and humorous scenarios, Turtle in Paradise is a fun historical fiction that could make an enjoyable read-aloud.

Riverbend Friends (Books 3-5) | Ages 13/14+ | 4 stars

Four friends tackle tough life situations and learn to trust God in this well-written, contemporary YA series.

While this series certainly doesn't shy away from tough topics teens face, it does so while pointing back to the hope found in Christ. Highly recommend for teen girls looking for a contemporary story.

The Inheritance Cycle (Books 3&4) | Ages 15+ | 2 to 3 stars

A farm boy discovers a dragon egg and sets out to defeat the empire.

I'll likely cover this series in depth later on after I've read Book 5 (Murtagh), but for now I'll just say it's a fantasy series with dragons, a hefty page count, plenty of violence, and a few questionable worldview issues.

TL;DR Lots of people like it, I don't.

The Nest | Ages 10+ | 3.5 stars

One summer, the Wasp Queen appears to young Steve and offers to trade out his sick little brother for a healthy version.

Creepy with fantastic worldbuilding, The Nest certainly won't be for everyone, but I enjoyed it.

The Labors of Hercules Beal | Ages 10+ | 3 stars

Middle-schooler Hercules Beal must perform his own rendition of the Twelve Labors of Hercules for a school assignment.

I really liked the retelling. However, there is a bit of language and misuse of God's name, which was disappointing.

The House on Foster Hill | Ages 16+ | 4 stars

Kaine Prescott purchases an old fixer-upper, but the house holds secrets, and none of them are pleasant.

Historical suspense for the win! I've enjoyed all of Jaime Jo Wright's books that I've read so far. The House on Foster Hill does have human trafficking as a part of the plot, though, so keep that in mind when deciding whether or not to give this one a try.

Dreamhouse Kings (Book 1&2) | Ages 12+ | 2 to 3 stars

The King family moves to a new house, but this house may be out to haunt them.

A quick, clean read, Dreamhouse Kings isn't fantastic literature, but it gives a "haunted house" feel without any of the supernatural.

The Body Under the Piano | Ages 9+ | 4 stars

When young Aggie Morton discovers a body, her life quickly gets a lot more interesting.

A great murder mystery that's intense without being scary.

Daican's Heir | Ages 15/16+ | 5 stars

The Resistance and their allies must take on the Empire, and Davira, in a final battle.

The last book in a fantastic non-magical fantasy series, Daican's Heir is a satisfying conclusion. Teens and adults looking for a non-magical fantasy series with Christian allegory should check out The Ilyon Chronicles.

Coraline | Ages 10+ | 2.5 stars

Young Coraline must rescue her parents from a frightening alternate dimension.

While I loved the world-building, Coraline was just too creepy and had a few questionable worldview & supernatural elements that makes me pause before recommending it. Instead, I'd recommend N.D. Wilson's 100 Cupboards series for a similar read.

Final Word | Ages 10+ | 4 stars

Twins Hope and Gordon enter a spelling bee in a last ditch effort to save their family.

Strongly reminiscent of The Westing Game, this novel is a fun puzzle mystery for tweens and teens.

The Count of Monte Cristo | Ages 13+ | 5 stars

Unjustly imprisoned as a young man, Edmond Dantes seeks revenge on those who wronged him.

Classic adventure and revenge abound in this hefty tome - well worth reading if the page count isn't a deterrent. A well-done contemporary take on this classic is Calculated by Nova McBee.

Enhanced | Ages 13/14+ | 5 stars

In a world where genetic modifications are everything, Urban must hide who she truly is if she ever wants a career as an artist.

High-stakes, sci-fi, and quality writing make this a great read for teens who love sci-fi or action.

The Kate in Between | Ages 11+ | 3 stars

After a bullying incident, Kate must discover if she's the hero or the villain of the story.

While a good story, it unfortunately contained some language and misuse of God's name.

A Ranger's Guide to Glipwood Forest | Ages 8+ | 5 stars

Young ranger Owain explains the ways of Glipwood Forest in hilarious fashion.

Funny and clean, this short companion novel to the Wingfeather Saga is a great read for Featherheads and new travelers to Glipwood alike.

The Goose Girl | Ages 12+ | 3.5 stars

Ani must survive and find a way to reclaim her crown, but who will listen to a girl who talks to birds?

A good retelling of "The Goose Girl", this fairy-tale inspired novel is a fun read for tweens and teens.

Prisoner 88 | Ages 14+ | 2 stars

Jake is 10 years old. Jake is also a prisoner at the Old Idaho Penitentiary.

While I really wanted to enjoy this (supposedly Middle Grade - ages 8-12) historical novel, there was far, far too much language for a novel for kids.

The Book Thief | Ages 16/17+ | 3 stars

Liesel is a thief. Max is a Jewish street fighter. And Death? Death is always watching.

Superbly written, I unfortunately couldn't rate this higher due to the multitude of language throughout the book.

The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond | Ages 15/16+ | 4.5 stars

Everyone has secrets, and for Annalise and Libby, their secrets may spell their doom.

A powerful tale of justice and grace, Jaime Jo Wright does not disappoint in this historical suspense novel.

Well, there you have it! My January reads for 2024.

Until next week, happy reading!