Plot/Idea: Little Mountain, Big Trouble sheds a positive light on the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, while offering plenty of adventure and peril at the same time.  The ending will warm hearts, as will the story's relatable characters and relevant situations that are perfect for middle grade readers.

Prose: Norbury captures tension exceptionally well, and the crisp prose sparkles with just the right intensity.

Originality: The novel's spotlight on mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters make it stand out among others, and Norbury's obvious experience with the organization lends the story authenticity.

Character/Execution: EJ is determined and gains confidence throughout the story, even when it seems the odds are stacked against him. He is a likable character who knows where to turn for help, and middle grade readers will easily relate to his situation.

Plot/Idea: Mart integrates Native American lore as a backstory to develop a twisty and intriguing story of a teen's search for Bigfoot. In addition to encounters with the beasts, Mart meaningfully explores the complexity of family dynamics and examines how uncovered truths can help mend relationships. 

Prose: Mart capably mixes lore, mystery, and romance with ease. Each chapter draws the reader closer to the truth and concludes on a wholly satisfying note. 

Originality: A mix of Native American lore, Bigfoot, and mystery will surely engage inquisitive young adult readers. Readers will find themselves researching included topics to learn more.

Character/Execution: Likable and curious characters take the reader on an adventure full of mystery and hidden truths. Relationships between the characters are relatable. The main character is astute, and readers will cheer for her to be successful in her quest.

Blurb: Mart's multilayered Bigfoot story reminds readers of the power for truth to mend broken relationships.

Plot/Idea: The plot is innovative and delightful. Giving voice to Squeak is intriguing, and his adventurous quest provides plenty of entertainment and excitement.

Prose: Bourbeau delivers scenes that are imaginative and rich with visual detail, alongside amusing dialogue developed from an innocent and witty voice.

Originality: The conversation between the animals in this story is both engaging and immersive, giving the book a creative edge.

Character/Execution: Bourbeau's characters are well-developed, likable, and diverting—and Squeak's transformation to Ignatius is a memorable journey.

Plot/Idea: The author has crafted a complex and engaging plot that includes a lot of background detail that at times becomes overwhelming. The unusual names make some of the context challenging to remember for readers unfamiliar with Valkyrie folklore. The reader would be better served by parsing out this information in smaller doses or only mentioning those key to the storyline to help the reader fully grasp and retain pertinent details.

Prose: The author is a strong writer, able to effectively convey emotion in particular, but equally adept with action and dialogue. The prose is clear, age-appropriate, and direct.

Originality: Although the foundation of the work is based on Norse mythology, the author makes the storyline distinctive and populates the plot with complex characters.

Character/Execution: The author does a stellar job with characterization. Emotions and uncertainty shine through, and the reader knows exactly what motivations and fears are at play.

Plot/Idea: The story starts off slow but gathers momentum as Jen—part human, part dragon hybrid—embarks on an extraordinary quest. The herculean plot initially feels overwhelming, but Markloff is careful to tie it all together, delivering an ending that will leave readers desperate for more.

Prose: Markloff’s worldbuilding sizzles, offering readers a complex system that oozes fantasy while maintaining believable circumstances at the same time. The dialogue is flawless and organically reveals the story’s underlying themes.

Originality: The Ties That Bind brings unites thriller and fantasy elements into a well-developed, integrated storyline that will dazzle readers.

Character/Execution: Given the immensity of the plot, character development is challenging to say the least, but Markloff manages to craft a cast that is relatable and engaging. Jen is skillfully fashioned as a determined teenager trying to balance the weight of saving the world with her desire for normalcy, and supporting characters are memorable in their own right.

Plot/Idea: A gifted and creative storyteller, the author has crafted a highly entertaining plot that will captivate readers. The work opens with an enlightening and intriguing prologue that offers insight into the complex world the reader is about to enter and sets the stage for the action that is to come. 

Prose: The author is a talented writer with a solid command of language, and a knack for seamless worldbuilding. 

Originality: Hayes delivers an inventive, carefully constructed narrative with characters that uplift the storytelling. The circumstances, while they draw from some post-apocalyptic sci-fi and fantasy tropes, offer a fresh and unexpected vision. 

Character/Execution: The author excels at characterization, particularly with Zee, who is established as both the key to protecting a future world and a relatable, emotionally substantive protagonist. 

Plot/Idea: This is a delightfully bewitching story that will spellbind readers from the first page to the last. The author has crafted a clever and entertaining storyline full of missteps and hijinks that won't fail to amuse. 

Prose: The author is a polished storyteller, able to craft prose that's a perfect fit for a YA audience, while also ensuring the text is engaging and sophisticated enough to entertain adult readers. 

Originality: Despite the seemingly familiar feel to the novel's premise, Wilhelmina is decidedly noteworthy. Her adventures are all her own, and the author is careful to incorporate distinctive elements throughout.

Character/Execution: Readers will immediately fall in love with Wilhelmina. She's smart, funny, self-deprecating, and determined—everything desirable in a hero—as well as a joy to connect with. Through the author's convincing ministrations, readers will sense Wilhelmina's shame and frustration over her inadequacies, prompting them to cheer her on through her trials. Secondary characters are well-defined and enhance the work. 

Blurb: Endearing and fun, Wilhelmina will capture hearts everywhere.

Plot/Idea: Once it gets up and running, Acuna's novel is well paced and a masterful combination of historical fact and fiction that thoughtfully integrates the topic of faith and ardent belief into the storytelling.

Prose: Acuna's prose is immediately engrossing and richly detailed, while remaining accessible to younger readers. Descriptions of action scenes and body language are a real highlight of the novel. 

Originality: Acuna's novel is notable in that it unfolds in a lesser-explored era of history. It is also interesting to perceive and consider religious persecution and colonization attempts through the eyes of a child.

Character/Execution: Readers will enjoy seeing Marcel transform from boy to the man he's always wanted to be. Marcel stands out as a main character as his morals remain the same in the midst of all the change and challenges he faces. He grows as he makes new relationships and as he unfortunately loses some of them as well. Acuna's cast of supporting characters are also well written and leave a lasting impact.

Plot/Idea: In this well-researched story taking place during the Revolutionary War, Becijos creates a suspenseful adventure of a young man who runs away to become a patriot. Based on a true life memoir of a fourth great grandfather, the author has expanded the story and clearly depicted the lifestyle of the crew on a captured ship.

Prose: Well-written, readers of all ages will find this easy to read and well-plotted. Becijos nicely establishes a sense of time and place, vividly evoking the experience of life on the rough seas and creating historical verisimilitude. 

Originality: Fans of war novels depicting young patriots will gravitate toward this novel. It will mostly be appreciated by young readers but adults won’t want to miss out.

Character/Execution: Strong and determined characters are the strength of this novel, and readers will root for their success. The rough captures on the boat come to life with their snarly replies.

Plot/Idea: Padgett's well-paced middle grade fantasy immediately draws readers in to the adventures of twins Jon and Frank. The story quickly captivates and sets a strong tone for future installments in the series.

Prose: Padgett's prose is easy to follow and will appeal to adults as well as YA readers. The book's magical world is intricately detailed, creating a believable system that will help readers visualize both the story's characters and its scenery.

Originality: Though Padgett's characters possess special skills that will feel familiar to genre fans, the gifted society setting the background for the story is unique and creative.

Character/Execution: Padgett delivers a cast of characters with markedly different personalities who will quickly endear themselves to readers.  Though the novel's biggest conflicts revolve around Jon, Frank—the quiet mastermind helping his twin behind the scenes—is just as crucial to the story's eventual resolution. Secondary characters are equally memorable and bolster the plot.

Blurb: A contemporary fantasy with well-drawn characters and intricate worldbuilding that's sure to capture the hearts of middle-grade readers and their parents alike.

Plot/Idea: The author has crafted a delightful, well-planned work with an engaging and intricate story line and nuanced characters. This is a meaty story that offers young readers much to savor with a disfigured but spirited hero and a beautiful but evil villain. Although intended for younger readers, adults will find much here to enjoy.

Prose: Alfano is an extremely talented writer who is not only able to create a captivating plot but seemingly produce effortless prose. The narrative tells the reader all they need to know about characters' integrity, motivations, and true nature. 

Originality: The author has created a multifaceted world with original and complex characters. The premise is also highly memorable.

Character/Execution: The author does a stellar job with characterization, particularly with Dahlia, the spirited and defiant hero, but also for her sister Ysabelle who is also central to the story. The reader is never in doubt as to the character of these two young ladies.

Plot/Idea: It's the summer after high school graduation, and Tuesday Mayes is dreaming about leaving the Arizona desert for college. But when her father goes missing, she embarks on a journey to locate him, learning more about her family and her own unique way of seeing the world, and falling in love, in the process.

Prose: White's prose style is immediately engrossing. She establishes a clear sense of place, allowing the Arizona settings to come alive on the page, while providing readers with vivid insight into Tuesday's thoughts, emotional states, and unusual perceptions.

Originality: White addresses familiar coming-of-age themes, but infuses the novel with moving reflections on life, family, and the possibility of tapping into higher frequencies and uncanny abilities. As Tuesday grapples with a medical diagnosis that impacts her sight, White captures the feeling of being a thoughtful young woman examining her family's past while on the brink of realizing her own future.

Character/Execution: White excels at crafting authentic, nuanced characters, from perceptive and spirited Tuesday to Cristian and Tuesday's well-meaning but often misguided mother.

Plot/Idea: Arden's impressive story starts a bit slowly as a debate between gods rages, over who should maintain power over Earth. But the pace picks up quickly, and readers will eagerly anticipate the ending—and the book's upcoming sequel.

Prose: Arden successfully creates clear distinctions between each of the characters' voices, and the story is elevated by beautifully described settings and appearances.

Originality: Arden's novel is unique on multiple levels. From the fantasy's setting in a medieval kingdom, to gods taking on a mortal form and having to rediscover their godhood, there is much that makes Daughter of Lazarus stand out.

Character/Execution: The way each god/goddess grows to understand their real identities is very creative, as are their respective powers. As a whole, Arden's characters are well-developed, regardless of whether they are incarnated gods or mortal characters. Though there are some introduced late in the story, the novel effectively sets them up for significance in the sequel.

Plot/Idea: Sherr takes the reader on a series of wonderfully lighthearted adventures that invite the reader into the world of the novel. Readers will readily connect with the story's uncomplicated, cozy nature.

Prose: The elegant and graceful prose give this novel the feel of traditional children's literature. There is a warmth and natural simplicity to the novel that will charm readers. 

Originality: Sherr creates a quietly creative world that the characters get a full chance to explore. With a variety of moving parts, the story never dulls, but instead creates an effortless tale of action and adventure.

Character/Execution: The central friendship is well defined and grows beautifully, but also allows each of the main characters to grow independently. 

Plot/Idea: Strobl's novel is a quick and enjoyable experience that will keep middle grade fans and their adult readers engaged as they follow what Nate's required to do in order to become the next Santa Claus.

Prose: The clever writing is peppered with puns and wordplay, and Strobl pens several references aimed at adult readers that make this an entertaining family experience.

Originality: The novel's premise that children are contenders to become the next Santa Claus is innovative, and Strobl delivers inventive backstories for both Santa and the Tooth Fairy that will amuse readers—as will Rudolph's current state.

Character/Execution: Santa Camp boasts a nice variety of characters that will appeal to readers. Nate's frequent moral grayness and threat of being on the naughty list makes his opportunity to be the next Santa very intriguing, and readers will enjoy seeing how his pluckiness plays into his ultimate outcome.

Plot/Idea: This entertaining story, which follows 16-year-old Gwen as she tries to uncover her father’s identity, is as amusing as it is engaging. It gets derailed at times by Gwen’s hit-or-miss sleuthing, but ultimately Schafer brings it all together in an emotional, memorable ending.

Prose: The story is enjoyable to read and packed with natural, effortless dialogue. Schafer infuses his prose with humor that will land well with young adult readers.

Originality: Schafer pairs delightful characters with an appealing storyline that will please readers, and the central protagonist’s relatability sets the novel apart.

Character/Execution: Gwen is a likable character with plenty of spark, and her best friend, Peter, is a charming sidekick. Secondary characters hold their own, adding depth to the story while supporting Gwen’s journey.