SOMEONE ELSE'S SHOES by Ellen Wittlinger

Always a fan of Ellen Wittlinger, I was thrilled to see she has a new book. It didn't disappoint. I read it in two days and loved every page.

Izzy is used to being an only child. Although, her parents are divorced, she is close with both her parents. Living with her mom, she doesn't see her father as much as she would like, but they share a passion for comedy so when they do get together, they spend hours watching Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen Degeneres, and old SNL episodes.

Life changes for Izzy when her aunt commits suicide and her uncle and young cousin come to live with them. Uncle Henderson spends most of his time in his room, and Oliver is quiet and a bit odd. Izzy tries to connect with her cousin, but knowing what to say and how to act isn't easy.

Things become more complicated as Izzy's mother begins to date the local dentist, and Izzy learns that her father and step-mother are expecting a new baby. Izzy starts to feel invisible, especially when her mother offers to let the dentist's son, Ben, stay in the basement while he is out of town taking care of his sick mother.

When Uncle Henderson disappears with no explanation, Izzy, Oliver, and Ben team up to find the missing man. Their adventures teach Izzy that caring about others is the most important thing in life.

SOMEONE ELSE'S SHOES is perfect for middle grade and teen readers.

OF JENNY AND THE ALIENS by Ryan Gebhart

Derek will be eighteen in a few weeks. Several things are happening that could not only change Derek's life but potentially the entire world.

The president is on the verge of declaring war on a Middle East country. The move is controversial and could put the lives of 200,000 troops at risk.

Ten years earlier Earth sent a message to the distant planet of Pud 5. Studies and exploration showed that the planet might support life. Well, Pud 5 has responded not only with recordings, but according to Derek, by sending an alien to Blue Grass Island off the shore of the Maumee River.

Another thing affecting Derek's life is the possibility that his long-time crush, a girl named Jenny, may actually be interested in pursuing a relationship. Derek is thrilled at Jenny's attention. After she claims his virginity and continues to want to hang around with him, he's pretty sure he is in love.

Readers will soon learn that not everything is as it seems. Are aliens really interested in our planet? Will calm heads reign in a possible war in the Middle East? Is Jenny as faithful to Derek as he hoped?

Ryan Gebhart, also the author of THERE WILL BE BEARS, combines sci-fi adventure with romance in this unique tale. This reviewer found OF JENNY AND THE ALIENS especially entertaining since the setting of Maumee, Ohio, is familiar territory. Mentions of many well-known locations and landmarks made for fun references throughout.

THE THIRD MUSHROOM by Jennifer L. Holm

THE THIRD MUSHROOM is the sequel to Jennifer L. Holm's THE FOURTEENTH GOLDFISH. Ellis's grandfather returns after touring the country on a bus. It turns out that he has missed Ellie and her mother and been a bit bored.

Ellie is still interested in science and Grandfather Melvin is still living as a teenage boy after self-injecting one of his experiments. When Ellie learns about the science fair and the possibility of earning extra credit in science class, she suggests that she and Melvin team up. She knows Melvin will accept the challenge because it means being able to spend time in the school's newly remodeled science lab.

What follows is an experiment with fruit flies, Ellie's first official date, an appendicitis attack, a large, orange tabby cat, and much more. Ellie learns to expect the unexpected and that science once again is involved in everything.

Author Jennifer L. Holm again includes fun facts about famous scientists along with humorous characters and an action-packed plot. Hopefully, Ellie and her grandfather will return for future adventures.

THE FOURTEENTH GOLDFISH by Jennifer L. Holm

Ellie is starting middle school. Things are definitely different than fifth grade. Her best friend's interests have totally changed directions. Brianna is more into volleyball than the monster movies she and Ellie always loved to watch. Looking for a new friend isn't something Ellie is looking forward to, and she certainly never dreamed that the new middle school friend she would make would end up being her own grandfather.

A phone call from the police ends with a surprise houseguest for Ellie and her mom. Ellie's grandfather was caught trying to break into his science laboratory. It turns out that the teenage boy using her grandfather's keycard was actually her grandfather. He was recently experimenting with a compound made from a rare jellyfish and discovered a way to reverse the aging process. Ellie's grandfather is now in middle school just like Ellie.

THE FOURTEENTH GOLDFISH by Jennifer L. Holm is a hilarious read. Grandfather Melvin as a teenager provides lots of laughs. Ellie connects with her grandfather on a whole new level and comes to appreciate science in a way she never has before. Holm includes vital facts about a number of famous scientists and their contributions to mankind. Stay tuned for a review of the sequel titled THE THIRD MUSHROOM.

EXPELLED by James Patterson and Emily Raymond

Just weeks before the end of his junior year, Theo is expelled for posting an inappropriate photo on his Twitter account. Theo swears he didn't do and vows to find out the real culprit and clear his name.

Theo isn't the only one expelled. Parker, the school's most popular jock, happens to be front and center in the photo with drink in hand. Jude is also booted from school since he appears dressed as the school mascot performing a lewd act in the background of the picture. Sasha's expulsion is for an entirely unrelated crime, but she's convinced to become part of the plan to clear Theo's name.

EXPELLED is the perfect quick read for teens. They will easily relate to the stresses of high school as well as the cliques and the inappropriate use of social media. Patterson's partnership with Emily Raymond results in a page-turner that includes intrigue, romance, and family issues.

TIGHT by Torrey Maldonado

Bryan loves quiet places and quiet times that allow him to read and draw in peace. Why does that earn him the name Nerd from the other dudes? He likes to hang out with his mom at her work where he gets his own little "office" for homework and reading comics. Why does that seem strange to his frequently incarcerated father?

At the urging of both his parents, Bryan hooks up with a kid named Mike. He and Mike have some common interests - comics and drawing. They love quizzing each other on superheroes and which ones they wish they could be. It seems like the perfect friendship until Mike's true nature surfaces.

When Mike suggests cutting school, hopping the subway for free, and more, Bryan joins right in, but his own conscience questions the actions. Breaking the rules and acting tough is what his father does all the time, but Bryan knows it means trouble. He knows he should stop hanging out with Mike, but his mom and pop still think Mike is helping Bryan change his quiet ways.

Torrey Maldonado, also the author of SECRET SATURDAYS, captures the frustration of a young boy living in a poor neighborhood in NYC as he struggles to find what's right for him in a world of peer pressure and parental expectations. Readers will immediately connect with Bryan and his love of comics as he explores an alternative that he recognizes may lead him in an unwanted direction.

THE OPPOSITE OF INNOCENT by Sonya Sones

Fourteen year old Lily is so excited that family friend, Luke, is returning from a research trip in Kenya. She hasn't seen him forever and now he will actually be living with her family until he finds an apartment. Lily's fondest memory of Luke is when she told Luke she hoped to grow up and marry him. His response was that he would definitely wait for her.

Lily is thrilled by Luke's initial response to her maturing teen body. She decides to spend as much time as possible with him to convince him that she is more grown up than people might think. She is sure that she is receiving signals from him that indicate he thinks of her as more than just his good friend's daughter.

One afternoon on the beach, Luke kisses Lily and assuring her she is worthy of his affections. Soon stolen moments are followed by more than kisses, and Lily lets it slip to her friends that she is interested in an older man. At first the steamy make out sessions are exciting, but after a short while, Luke begins expecting Lily to satisfy his needs in a way that leaves her feeling uncomfortable and lonely. Now fear has Lily afraid to confront him or confide in someone who might help her deal with the out of control relationship.

Author Sonya Sones uses her trademark verse to show readers an example of a #metoo situation that is becoming all too familiar. In a final author's note, she urges readers to understand the actions of Luke are totally inappropriate and Lily is not to blame. Sones gives sound advice for readers should they find themselves in similar situations.