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Blakemore, Megan Frazer
8 Reviews
(2)
4-6
Alice's storytelling dad is in a psychiatric hospital, having lost the ability to distinguish story from reality. Wild animals start appearing in town, seeking Alice to save the threatened Story Web she discovered when she was little. Blakemore skillfully uses shifting points of view in this complex and captivating tale. A realistic, honest consideration of the impact of mental illness commingles effectively with the fantastical elements.
Reviewer: Monica Edinger
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2019
(3)
4-6
Mori, Julia, Benji, and Theo try to help their "something other than human" friend, Ilana, who was created by--and is now threatened by--the founding corporation of their utopian community. The kids escape the confines of Old Harmonie and meet a group of outsiders. Sci-fi lovers and fans of the first novel (The Firefly Code) will enjoy this fast-paced, complex sequel.
Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear
(4)
YA
Lexi's heartbroken older brother, Charlie, rarely leaves the couch. Then a famous pop balladeer goes missing, and Charlie wants to find him. Lexi, brokenhearted herself, accompanies him on his journey. In between visits to quirky small towns, each sibling eventually reveals intense secrets, which Blakemore handles delicately. The focus on their sibling bond is refreshing but doesn't quite transcend the trite road-trip story line.
Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald
(3)
4-6
When new girl Ilana joins Mori's futuristic utopian community, Mori is fascinated by her perfection and a friendship forms. Soon the girls are drawn into an intriguing mystery as they discover the troubling origins of their sheltered community. Fans of The Giver and the like will greatly enjoy this middle-grade dystopian novel that thoughtfully explores a multitude of complex themes.
Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear
(4)
YA
Very is an aspiring scientist in a family of creative types. Now a high-school senior, Very is overwhelmed by the many impending changes in her life, but as family matriarch Nonnie falls terminally ill, Very feels compelled to hold the family together. A mystery surrounding an anonymous mural honoring Nonnie adds suspense, but otherwise this is a fairly predictable coming-of-age story.
Reviewer: Norah Piehl
(2)
4-6
Almost-twelve-year-old Ruth finds a series of mysterious clues. She's eager to embark on a quest to solve the mystery, but former best friend Charlotte thinks Ruth should grow up. A spelling bee helps Ruth find like-minded friends who help her solve the puzzle. Blakemore addresses thornier aspects of middle school (from bra shopping to bullying) honestly; Ruth's relationships with her peers play as big a role as the riddle.
Reviewer: Shoshana Flax
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2015
(2)
4-6
In 1953 small-town Vermont, fifth grader Hazel Kaplansky is friendless until a stranger, Samuel Butler, comes to town. The kids team up in hopes of catching the Russian spy who is reputed to be operating in their town. The sense of the time period is seamlessly portrayed, and the limited third-person narrative allows readers to see Hazel's superciliousness as well as her insecurities.
Reviewer: Betty Carter
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2014
(3)
4-6
Contemporary kids Ephraim, Mallory, and Will reluctantly work together to investigate local Fountain of Youth lore. In 1908, Nora acts as apprentice to an eccentric scientist. Bit by bit, the alternating stories uncover the secret of the Water Castle--and the connections among Ephraim, Mallory, Will, and Nora's families. Blakemore paces her revelations well and raises fascinating questions about the possibilities of science.
Reviewer: Katie Bircher
8 reviews
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