The Iron Trial (Magisterium #1) by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

A book written by both Holly Black and Cassandra Clare?  OMG!  OMG!  OMG!  OMG!  OMG!  OMG!  OMG!  OMG!  OMG!

Release Date:  September 2014

Genre: Fantasy

Protagonist:  Callum Hunt

The Story:  For as long as Callum can remember, Callum's father has made it clear that all magic and mages are dangerous and not to be trusted.  Forced to attend the Iron Trial to determine his admission into the Magisterium, Callum is determined to fail the tests spectacularly so that he can continue his life of normalcy.  Despite his best (or worst) efforts, Call is chosen to attend the Magisterium to learn how to control his magic.  Grouped with two other students, Aaron and Tamara, Call learns for the first time what friendship is and what a person can overcome in the name of loyalty and friendship.  Along the way, Call discovers a shocking secret that explains his father's suspicion of the Magisterium.  Faced with the ultimate choice between good and evil, Call must make an irreversible decision that will put him on the path to his destiny.

Reaction:  Any time you see to power house authors paired up like this, readers are going to have high expectations.  I love both of these authors, and I think they've done a really bang up job of crafting a fun new fantasy series for middle grade students.  The majority of The Iron Trial is focused on world building and character building, which is extremely important in a fantasy novel where the universe is so profoundly different from our reality.  Callum's background and character development are effectively crafted to help us develop sympathy; Callum is the boy bullies pick on, the one chosen last for team activities, and the person others choose not to associate with.  After we've learned to care about Call and have sympathy for his situation, the authors drop a bomb on us and leave us wondering about what will happen next.  What other choices will Callum make, and how will those decisions impact not only his friends, but the world?  Those last few lines of the book, that wicked little twist, is a cliffhanger designed to make you want to read the second book in the series...and I say to the authors:  Hurry up, please!  

If You Liked... Harry Potter, The Spiderwick Chronicles,Fablehaven and Howl's Moving Castle, then The Iron Trial is right up your alley!

Rating:  4

Teacher Notes: Put this with Harry Potter, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Fablehaven, and Howl's Moving Castle.  Fans of high fantasy and fantasy will eat this one up!

Faery Swap by Susan Kaye Quinn

Release Date:  December 2013

Genre: Fantasy

When and Where:  Present Day England, alternate worlds

Protagonist:  Finn

The Story:  Determined to keep his sister and himself from drawing the attention of Child Protective Services, Finn does everything he can to get his sister and himself fed and off to school and back each day.  After dropping his sister off at school, Finn is approached by a strange boy who compels him into picking up a coin - little does he know that this simple act of kindness is a trick designed to allow Prince Zaneyr the ability to take over Finn's body and send Finn to the Otherworld.  Zaneyr is determined to stop the Faery King from risking lives, and is willing to sacrifice Finn to ensure that the King's plan doesn't work, but Finn isn't willing to go without a fight.

Reaction: Some fantasy books are easier to jump into than others, and Faery Swap started off a bit slow.  The plot picked up steam after the first few chapters, however, and all magical elements common in fantasy had their own unique slant, which made for an enjoyable read.  I especially liked the supporting characters Pyx and Liranna, who really helped propel the story forward.  This book is going to serve a specific niche in a classroom, and it is a nice companion to books such as Fablehaven.

Rating:  3

Teacher Notes: Check out the book trailer here.

The Dream Keeper by Mikey Brooks

Release Date:  June 2013

Genre: Fantasy

When and Where:  Present day America

Protagonist:  Parker and Kaelyn, middle schoolers

The Story:  Determined to save the human race, Gladamyr, a nightmare determined to be good, seeks out the help of Parker and Kaelyn, two middle school students who are struggling to fit in at school.  Joining forces to help ensure humans are able get the sleep they so desperately need, the unlikely trio must defeat a band of nightmare determined to destroy humanity. 

Reaction:  Younger fantasy fans will enjoy this easily read adventure that chronicles the hero's journey, both in the physical and emotional sense.  While Parker and Kaelyn are not particularly unique and tend to be "stock characters," young readers will relate to the struggles they face, including peer pressure, the struggle to fit in, and the challenge of "doing the right thing over the easy thing."  The plot is pure fantasy, which is sure to please imaginative readers.  There are some sections that are a bit confusing, but the author is able to resolve this issues by the end of the novel

If You Liked... Fablehaven or Inkheart, then The Dream Keeper may be right up your alley.

Rating: 3

Teacher Notes: While not as complex as Fablehaven or Inkheart, then The Dream Keeper is a good addition to your fantasy collection.  It will appeal to both boys and girls, particularly those who are interested in video games.

Dust of Eden by Mariko Nagai

Release Date: March 2014

Genre:  Historical novel written in verse

When and Where: 1942 America, following the attack on Pearl Harbor

Protagonist: Marina Masako Tagawa, aged 13

The Story:  When the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor and waves of nationalism and suspicion sweep across America, Marina Tagawa and her family are forced to abandon their home and are relocated to an internment camp because of their Japanese roots.  Proud to be an American and distraught to be treated as an enemy, Marina struggles to accept her family's treatment by fellow Americans.  Told in verse, Dust of Eden reveals the painful and harsh realities of individuals forced to reside in Japanese Internment camps during World War II. 

Reaction:  Dust of Eden is beautifully and starkly written, and the child's voice shines through the narrative poetry in a way that highlights a child's innocent view of the world that is shattered by the ugly realities of prejudice.  Despite the ugliness of how the Japanese Americans are treated, Dust of Eden also shows how finding beauty, even in impossible circumstances, is anything but impossible.  Dust of Eden is a thought-provoking, lyrical, and painful read.

If You Liked...  Out of the Dust, Monster, or Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, then Dust of Eden should be another book on your bookshelf!

Rating:  5 stars

Teacher Notes:  There is a shortage of high-quality, meaningful, and authentic voices in historical fiction, and Dust of Eden is an excellent addition to a classroom library or book group.  This is a quick, subtle read that would be appropriate in a wide span of grade levels, from elementary through middle school, and could be used for a variety of purposes, including interdisciplinary instruction between English Language Arts and Social Studies.