The Zeroes (six teens with unique superpowers) return for another adventure. After their entanglement with bank robbers, gangsters, and drug dealers, the Zeroes decide to lay low and run an illegal nightclub. When a strange couple comes to the club, chaos ensues interfering with the Zeroes' powers. The Zeroes must face a new powerful villain - the Swarm. I thought this was an entertaining book with a lot of action, some drama, and even a number of laughs. The characters are young adults who are trying to fit in with these strange superpowers. They are not perfect and I think that adds a lot to the novel. Fans of superheroes, action stories, and good vs. evil, will enjoy this book and series.
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M. T. Anderson tells the life story of composer Dmitri Shostakovich, the Russian Revolution, and life under siege during World War II. As the people of Leningrad were starving because of the German siege around the city, Shostakovich described the events through music by writing his Symphony No. 7. It would be later be smuggled to the United States and Europe on microfilm. After I read this award winning book, I listened to a recording of the symphony. I felt I had a bigger appreciation for it after knowing the backstory. Teens who like reading about history, music, or about World War II will enjoy it. There are many photos throughout the book not only of Shostakovich but of Russian/Soviet history that provides a historical perspective. These books are two out of the Matt Cruse Trilogy by Kenneth Oppel (as of February, 2023, I have not read the third book, so stay tuned). They take place in a world where airships are the way to travel across the seas and mysterious creatures are in the upper layers of the atmosphere.
In Airborn, Matt Cruse is a cabin boy who has lived most of his life on airships. He plays a vital role in rescuing a dying balloonist who describes seeing beautiful creatures soaring through the air. Sometime later, Matt meets the balloonist's granddaughter, Kate, who convinces him that her grandfather's ramblings may indeed be true. Their quest to find these creatures lead them to an island - an island full of other dangers. In Skybreaker, Matt Cruse and Kate de Vries team up with gypsy Nadira to look for the lost airship, Hyperion. It has been 40 years since the airship disappeared along with a scientist and his treasures. They are being pursued by a band of pirates who have also been after the Hyperion's treasure. These fantasy adventures are full of action. Fans of the movie The Princess Bride, and the novels Treasure Island and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea will enjoy this series. This trilogy by Fredrik Backman includes Beartown, Us Against You, and The Winners. It centers on a small Swedish town deep in the forest and their hockey club. I have reviewed Beartown previously but it is worth a second review.
In Beartown, the entire town is hopeful for big breaks when their hockey team is expected to play and even win the championship. Everything changes for the entire town when an unspeakable crime occurs. In Us Against You, the town is still dealing with the aftermath of what happened and after many of Beartown's hockey stars defect to Hed's team, their rival. A new coach is hired and the hockey team puts all their hope on Amat, Benji, and Vidar. Tensions between the two towns grow and leads to tragedy. In The Winners, it is Hed's hockey club that is facing bankruptcy and possible disbandment sparking even more apprehension between Hed and Beartown. A huge windstorm destroys Hed's hockey rink creating more of rift when Hed's teams are forced to practice at Beartown's hockey rink. However, Hed's hockey club is not the only club in danger. A newspaper editor and her father, an investigative reporter, are looking into Beartown hockey club's shady finances and deals. When a beloved townsperson dies, Maya and Benji return to Beartown for the funeral and rekindle friendships. This is a fittiing conclusion to the trilogy. I enjoy watching hockey, but I wouldn't say I am a huge fan. It didn't matter if you like hockey or not to like this series. For me, it was all of the unique characters throughout the novels. There are so many likeable characters in this series, it's hard to pick just one. Hockey fans and those who enjoy novels with strong characters will enjoy this series. |
AuthorMr. Andrusyk is a school librarian at IC Catholic Prep in Elmhurst, Illinois. Past Book RecommendationsClick here to view a listing of Mr. Andrusyk's list of favorite authors, series, fiction, and nonfiction. Archives
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