IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD AND I'M IN MY BATHING SUIT by Justin A. Reynolds

 

If you are looking for an hilarious adventure, this one is for you. IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD AND I'M IN MY BATHING SUIT by Justin A. Reynolds is non-stop humor and high jinks aimed at a middle grade audience.

Main character, Eddie Gordon Holloway, has created a foolproof plan to outwit his mother this summer. Responsible for his own laundry, a chore he detests, he has decided to avoid it. His plan is to wear every single article of clothing he has before he does his laundry. He estimates that he can get through about half the summer before having to enter the creepy basement to do his wash.

Well, the day has arrived. Eddie's only clothing option is his bathing trunks. But, that doesn't bother him because today to the annual beach bash, so swim trunks are the preferred attire anyway. Unfortunately, today is also the day his mother discovers his so-called ingenious plan. She is insisting that he is grounded until the laundry is done. Also, today appears to be the end of the world as Eddie knows it. How will he survive in just his bathing suit?

Eddie's narration of this crazy adventure will keep readers turning pages to see how everything turns out. This is a perfect end of the summer read.

LIZZIE BRIGHT AND THE BUCKMINSTER BOY by Gary D. Schmidt

 

It's 1911 in Phippsburg, Maine. Turner Buckminster III is the new kid in town. Coming from Boston there's a bit of an adjustment to be made. To complicate matters his father is the new minister in town so expectations are high for young Turner. He soon learns that every eye is watching him and reporting his every misdemeanor. That's how he finds himself reading to old Mrs. Cobb and playing hymns on her ancient organ.

When the local boys don't welcome Turner into their crowd, he turns to exploring. He finds a settlement of former slaves living on a nearby island. A girl named Lizzie befriends Turner, and together they have adventures that take Turner's mind off his other problems.

Rev. Turner is drawn into a plan by the town business owners to evict the island inhabitants from their longtime homes to make way for economic progress. Turner is furious that his father seems to agree with the idea of sending Lizzie and the island families packing. How can the town be allowed to determine who lives where? 

For me author Gary D. Schmidt's LIZZIE BRIGHT AND THE BUCKMINSTER BOY is reminiscent of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Like Scout and Jem, Turner doesn't always understand the workings of the adult world as he observes his father's dealings with church deacons and his true feelings about what they expect of him. Intense description and often witty dialogue will captivate readers looking for a glimpse at the past.

THE LION OF MARS by Jennifer L. Holm

 

Inspired by her fighter pilot father and her love of outer space, author Jennifer L. Holm brings readers a story that is out of this world. 

Bell has spent his whole life on Mars and so have the other kids living in the American unit located underground on the red planet. The adults all have memories of Earth and attempt to share what they can, but Bell isn't sure how he is supposed to understand things like birds flying and weeds the cook tells him are evil plants.

Everyone has assigned chores, school, and very little time for fun. Bell loves cats and is curious about everything. As the youngest of the children, he isn't always included in the plans of the teenagers so he spends a lot of time in the algae farm learning what he can from an elderly farmer named Phinneus.

After a prolonged dust storm and a poorly planned attempt to drive one of the rovers on the surface, Bell and the other kids are grounded. Their punishment is interrupted when an illness strikes down the adults. With the grown-ups all in bed with fevers and more, it is decided that Bell and Trey should use the underground train to travel to one of the foreign units to bring back help. The trip is dangerous and also uncovers some frustrating secrets that have the children doubting the decisions made by some of their adult leaders.

Holm's vivid, futuristic descriptions will transport readers to Mars. Readers will be able to put themselves in the place of the characters as they live a very different life than what we know on Earth.

GABE IN THE AFTER by Shannon Doleski

 

There's been a worldwide pandemic and you survived. How many others are still alive?

Gabe grew up on a small island off the coast of Maine. His parents and sister died from the sickness, but he survived along with a small group in his community. There are twenty of them left, two adults and the rest children.

It's Gabe's turn to check for other survivors. He rows a boat from the island to the mainland to wait by the post they placed in hopes that others passing by might stop and wait for help. Could today be the day? 

A red-haired girl about Gabe's age appears at the post. At first Gabe fears he is dreaming, but he soon realizes she is real. She tells him she has been walking and walking hoping to find someone alive. Despite being alone and exhausted, the girl named Relle has an infectious, positive outlook. She returns to the island with Gabe where she's greeted with excitement. 

Though Relle is welcomed by the group, there are some tense times. There's a tragic death of one of their own, a bit of jealousy when new activities threaten old traditions, and Gabe bravely volunteers to make the two week journey to check out a military base said to shelter more survivors.

Author Shannon Doleski taps into all too familiar feelings about the isolation and sacrifice involving a global pandemic. Readers will easily step into the world of Gabe and the others as they accept Relle and learn change can be welcome. Doleski is also the author of MARY UNDERWATER.

THE FORT by Gordon Korman

 

Evan, C.J., Mitchell, and Jason and a new kid named Ricky are hoping the recent hurricane didn't do too much damage to a fort they have in a nearby woods. They never expected to find something even better than their old fort until Ricky stumbles across a metal trapdoor hidden by hurricane debris. When they open the door, they can't believe what they find.

Buried beneath the woods is an old bomb shelter belonging to an eccentric, long-dead, town resident, Bennett Delamere. The shelter is fully furnished with a well-stocked kitchen full of long expired cans of beans, soup, and Dinty Moore stew. They discover a power source that runs the lights and water and air circulation system. Even more awesome finds include an old record player with a collection of old albums and a TV with a video player and a collection of vintage movies. How could such an amazing  place have been hidden right below their feet?

The fort, as they decide to call it, is the perfect place to hide out away from adults and other annoying responsibilities. They meet there practically every day. They even discover a source of easy money is hidden in their secret, new digs.

It doesn't take long for things to get interesting and potentially dangerous. Evan's older brother and his delinquent friend are a constant worry. If they find out about the cool fort, they will ruin it for sure. Also, there are some secrets among the friends that could threaten their happy arrangement.

THE FORT is the hundredth book by author Gordon Korman. It is sure to please his many fans.

THE LAST LAUGH by Mindy McGinnis

 

Tress and Felicity are back. Well, since Tress buried Felicity alive in THE INITIAL INSULT, I suppose I can't say she is back - back.  THE LAST LAUGH jumps right back into Tress's messy life. Her arm mauled by a panther in the first book is no doubt horribly infected. She is trying to avoid being arrested for the disappearance of Felicity, and she is still trying to figure out what happened to her parents.

There's one complication after another as Tress deals with her crazy grandfather, a missing panther, diaries that hold secrets she must unravel, and simply staying alive. 

After being humiliated because of a drunken mistake, Ribbit is trying to recover, save Felicity, and get rid of Tress. Pressure from his mother to make the name of Usher honorable again has Ribbit planning an event sure to have a tragic end.

The alternating viewpoints of Tress and Ribbit will keep readers guessing who should come out on top.

Author Mindy McGinnis has outdone herself with this sequel to THE INITIAL INSULT. THE LAST LAUGH will have readers on the edge of their seats as the horror-filled events are revealed page after page. Tress may not be the most likeable character, but I'd say she deserves a break or two after all the craziness she uncovers.