Bradford, Chris. Recruit. 272p. (Bodyguard: Bk. 1). Philomel. May 2017. pap. $8.99. ISBN 9781524736972.

Gr 5-7 –In the world of celebrities and teen pop stars, bodyguards are a necessity. This novel introduces readers to an organization that employs highly trained teenagers to act as bodyguards for VIPs. Connor, skilled in martial arts, is recruited into this elite organization. His first assignment is to protect the president’s teenage daughter, Alicia, who quickly tries to lose her Secret Service detail and has no idea fellow teen Connor is there to guard her. When a terrorist group plans to kidnap Alicia and hold her hostage, Connor’s abilities are put to the test. The training sequences are detailed and realistic, and Connor is relatable and likable. The next five installments will publish simultaneously, satisfying readers who wish to binge-read the entire series. VERDICT Featuring intense action sequences and strong friendships, this series starter will appeal to reluctant readers and fans of the “Alex Rider” books.–Mary Hyson, Eyer Middle School, Macungie, PA

Cronin, Doreen. Cyclone. illus. by Debra Sfetsios-Conover. 352p. Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Bks. May 2017. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781481435253.

Gr 4-6 –In Cronin’s middle grade debut, 12-year-old Nora longs to ride the Cyclone, a tall, shaky wooden roller coaster in Coney Island, NY. No one in Nora’s family wants to join her, so Nora blackmails her cousin Riley into joining her by threatening to share a secret with Riley’s mother. Once Riley gets off the Cyclone, she collapses, and doctors at the hospital reveal that she has a heart condition that caused a stroke. Riley can no longer remember what happened, speak, or care for herself, and Nora must come to terms with her guilt. Set primarily in a hospital, Cronin’s book chronicles Nora’s mixed emotions about Riley’s accident and the community she forms with a boy whose brother is undergoing chemotherapy. It also broadly touches on themes such as how people cope during tough times. Despite the tension between the two girls, Nora takes up Riley’s hobby of drawing to help the girl communicate, and plotlines including the absence of Riley’s father and the truth about Riley’s secret keep the narrative moving. Many characters are well developed and slightly flawed, such as Riley’s irresponsible aunt Elayne, who fights constantly with Nora’s mother. This humorous tale ends on a satisfying and hopeful note. Adult drug addiction plays a role in the plot, and there is some swearing. Footnotes explain the medical aspects of this story. VERDICT A novel that successfully tackles several serious subjects, including the struggles children and teens face regarding secrets and families. A first purchase for middle grade collections.–Liz Anderson, DC Public Library

Fisher, Justin. Ned’s Circus of Marvels. 448p. HarperCollins/Harper. May 2017. pap. $6.99. ISBN 9780008212391.

Gr 5-7 –Creepy clowns, magical circuses, evil demons, and a young boy trying to locate his family are all elements in this entertaining yarn. The beginning chapters might find readers drawing comparisons to the mysterious circus in Miranda Beasley’s Circus Mirandus, but as the plot twists and turns, the book takes off in its own unique direction. Ned, an unlikely hero, is turning 13. He and his dad have bounced around from town to town, never putting down roots. Ned finally has a friend and is starting to feel at home when all he has ever known disappears, including his father. His father leaves him a strange metal box and tickets to a circus. Ned soon joins a giant ape named George; a French sword master; a bearded lady and her husband, who is part troll; farseer Kitty, and Ringmaster Benissimo. The troupe are on a mission to save the Veil, an energy source that keeps evil at bay. Meanwhile, Benissimo’s brother and his evil band of misfits have other plans. Ned, who always believed he was ordinary, suddenly discovers he has a great talent that can help put things right. VERDICT An adventure-filled fantasy with a touch of science fiction; a captivating summer read.–Erin Olsen, The Brearley School, NY

Hunter, Erin. Broken Pride. 336p. (Bravelands: Bk. 1). HarperCollins. Jun. 2017. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780062642028.

Gr 3-6 –When his father is killed and his pride scattered, lion cub Fearless is discovered by the Brightforest Troop of baboons, who raise him along with their own young. Although his baboon friends Thorn and Mud do their best to include him in their lives, Fearless increasingly feels the pull of his lion instincts as he grows older. After a change in leadership, Fearless is forced out of the baboons’ troop and must find a way to live apart from them. Learning that his sister and mother are still alive, now part of the pride led by Titan, the cruel lion who killed his father, Fearless is desperate to make contact with them, despite the danger of encountering Titan’s wrath. Interwoven throughout Fearless’s narrative are a story line involving Thorn and the Brightforest Troop and a plot thread about a young elephant named Sky and her grandmother, the Great Mother of the savanna. Although the novel sometimes veers into Lion King territory, Hunter has created complex creatures who retain believable animal instincts along with their anthropomorphic characteristics. From start to finish, this is a riveting tale, complete with fight scenes, political intrigue, personal vendettas, and unfinished story lines that will lead right into the next volume. VERDICT Fans of Hunter’s previous series will not be disappointed, and they will be anxious for the next installment in this new series.–Sarah Reid, Four County Library System, NY

KaaberbØl, Lene. Bloodling. illus. by Rohan Eason. 208p. (Wildwitch: Bk. 4). Pushkin. May 2017. pap. $9.99. ISBN 9781782690863.

Gr 5-8 –Kaaberbøl delivers another thrilling installment about Clara, the budding Wildwitch. Beginning on the eve of her 13th birthday, a significant milestone that marks a young Wildwitch’s official entry into the study of her powers of communicating with and controlling the Wildworld, Clara has a tumultuous evening. Strange things are happening to her family and friends, and Clara is forced to make a difficult break from her mother as she decides to accept her magical powers despite her mother’s trepidation. Featuring excellent world-building, this novel speaks to the experience of occupying the liminal space between childhood and adulthood. Although Clara’s mother has reasons for her dislike of the Wildworld, Clara knows that to be her own person she has to embrace this side of herself that is central to her identity, despite the dangers. An intricate cast of characters and the relatable and sometimes wryly humorous Clara are at the heart of the success of this series. Periodic illustrations in pen-and-ink assist readers in visualizing the characters. VERDICT This title will delight fans of the series as well as readers of Aaron Starmer’s “Riverman Trilogy” and the “Harry Potter” books.–Tara Kron, Aurora Public Library, Denver

Kraatz, Jeramey. The Moon Platoon. 352p. (Space Runners: Bk. 1). HarperCollins. May 2017. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780062445971.

Gr 4-6 –An action-packed space romp that’s sure to please young science fiction readers. It’s 2085, and Benny Love has spent most of his life on Earth scavenging in arid desert lands, just trying to survive. When he wins a once-in-a-lifetime scholarship that will send him to the moon’s first lunar resort to study and invent, it’s a dream come true. On a moonbase full of spacefaring cars, high-tech holograms, and temperamental AIs, Benny and his new friends compete against other kids in challenges meant to hone their skills. But all is not as it seems at Lunar Taj. Benny and his teammates discover that are secrets on the dark side of the moon, which could endanger everyone back on Earth. Despite familiar science fiction tropes and elements, the author’s engaging characters, fast-paced storytelling, and keen enjoyment of the genre produce an altogether entertaining read. VERDICT Newcomers to science fiction will find this an accessible jumping-off point from which to explore more titles in the genre. Hand this to fans of Monica Tesler’s Earth Force Rising and Sophia McDougall’s Mars Evacuees.–Stephanie Whelan, New York Public Library

Russell, Rachel Renée. Middle School Mayhem. illus. by Rachel Renée Russell. 240p. (Misadventures of Max Crumbly: Bk. 2). S. & S./Aladdin. Jun. 2017. Tr $13.99. ISBN 9781481460033.

Gr 4-6 –The first volume of this series concluded with Max landing on the pizza of the villains who were stealing the school’s computers. This next installment follows his attempts to retrieve his father’s prize comic book and thwart the thieves before his partner in high jinks, Erin, calls the police. Caught in the school building after hours because a school bully trapped him in a locker, Max now tries to capture the leisurely and incompetent criminals by sliming them with cookie dough, enticing them up a gym rope ladder tied to a fan, and luring one into a bathroom stall that explodes into a poop fountain. Along the way, he relays anecdotes about previous mishaps and connects further with his crush and technical adviser, Erin. Max also struggles with his asthma and gets in trouble at home because of his adventures. This notebook-style novel includes crossed-out text (when Max tries to edit his own story), rap lyrics, jokes about bodily functions, and digs at the insufficiencies of the school building and the criminals’ abilities. The computer thieves are still on the loose at the end, so another entry can be expected. VERDICT Student demand will make this purchase a necessity. Those who prefer a bit more plot and character development may find Tommy Greenwald’s “Charlie Joe Jackson” or Nate Peirce’s “Big Nate” titles to be equally amusing but more substantial reads.–Karen Yingling, Blendon Middle School, Westerville, OH