Good Reads

We asked TFK Kid Reporters to review some great books that readers might enjoy this season. Here’s what they had to say.

Atana and the Firebird

Atana is a mermaid. She lives alone on an island. She has never swum far from its shores. One night, she meets a curious firebird named Ren. They go to other islands. This attracts the attention of the Witch Queen. She invites them to her palace. A vast library there could help Atana solve the mystery of her past. But is the Witch Queen the protector she seems to be? This book by Vivian Zhou is filled with wonder. —By TFK Kid Reporter Ninis Twumasi

Balto and Togo

Balto and Togo, by Helen Moss, is a delicate blend of fiction and history that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The story is set in Nome, a small community in Alaska. A diphtheria pandemic breaks out. It’s up to Balto and Togo to deliver the life-saving serum. Will they make it in time? This book is great for action readers and adventure seekers! —By TFK Kid Reporter Dylan Patel

Characters & Quests

Fans of Dungeons & Dragons will love Characters & Quests: A Young Adventurer’s Workbook, by Sarra Scherb. It’s an interactive book. You invent a character, complete with a clan, a weapon, and magical powers. And you shape the story. Decide who the villain will be, draw your character, title your adventure. It’s all part of the fun. If you enjoy fantasy and role-playing games, you’ll definitely love this book!  —By TFK Kid Reporter Audrey Owolo

Gossamer

In her novel Gossamer, Lois Lowry explores how dreams and nightmares come to be. Littlest One is a dream-giver. She’s learning how to turn fragments of memories into dreams. These are bestowed on an elderly woman, a troubled boy, and a young mother. Anyone who loves imaginative tales will love Gossamer. A new edition of the book comes out in January.  —By TFK Kid Reporter Ben Stern

The Last Mapmaker

The Last Mapmaker, by Christina Soontornvat, is full of adventure, action, and mystery. Sai, a resourceful 12-year-old girl, works for a prominent mapmaker. But she has a secret: She’s the daughter of a con man. She jumps at the chance for a new life. Sai joins an expedition to map the Sunderlands, a continent fabled to be home to dragons. This book is for adventure lovers who seek a captivating story that’s full of surprises. It’s now in paperback. —By TFK Kid Reporter Alexa Oh

Opie Jones Talks to Animals

This novel by Nat Luurtsema tells the story of 10-year-old Opie. She can read animals’ minds. Opie is recruited to a top-secret organization of mind readers called the Resistance. The villain Varling captures the mind readers. Opie puts her mind-reading skills to work to save the day. You’ll love this book if you enjoy fantasy and adventure.  —By TFK Kid Reporter Abhijay Potluri

Ready, Set, Dough!

Zoe’s dream computer is the Horizon WordPro. She has wanted one forever. Her teacher announces a cookie-dough-selling contest. A Horizon WordPro will be one of the prizes. Zoe is super excited. But selling becomes her obsession. Will she risk losing her best friend just to win a computer? Or will she yield to her meanest competitor? Kelly J. Baptist’s Ready, Set, Dough! will get your competitive juices flowing. Just don’t get carried away. —By TFK Kid Reporter Harper Carroll

The Shape of Time

In this novel by Ryan Calejo, Antares de la Vega is kidnapped by mysterious creatures and taken to the Bermuda Triangle. He meets a girl there named Magdavellía. They set out to stop a group of mystics who want to seize control of time. The two travel to the edges of the map to find a fabled artifact. It might help them foil the evil plan. This book is a must-read for science fiction and mystery fans. —By TFK Kid Reporter Sophia Zhang