May 27, 2025 Releases

 I only had two ARCs for this week. One I loved, the other I had issues with. Let's go!

Bashir Boutros and the Jewel of the Nile
Bashir Boutros 1
George Jreije
 Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication date: May 27, 2025
Print length: 288 pages
ISBN-10: 0063382245
ISBN-13: 978-0063382244
Reading age: 8 - 12 years
Grade level: 3 – 7

 Publisher’s Blurb:

From George Jreije, author of the acclaimed Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria series, comes the first book in a new high-stakes middle grade fantasy. Perfect for fans of Percy Jackson and the Rick Riordan Presents line! 

 Ten-year-old Bashir Boutros dreads going back to America after an amazing summer in Lebanon. He’s always felt invisible back home, where he doesn’t have any real friends. Then, Bashir makes a lucky discovery—a long-lost ring containing a jinn whose magical aura brings power to those who wield it.

 But the ring’s untold power makes Bashir a target for monsters—including Ali Adin, the world’s most dangerous demon. When Ali Adin kidnaps Bashir’s parents, Bashir joins forces with an ancient society sworn to protect the world from supernatural beings. Together, they set off on a race to stop Ali Adin from conquering the world as Bashir attempts to harness the ring’s abilities.

 But great power comes at what cost? 

 My Thoughts:

This book was kind of a mixed bag. On the one hand, the constant harping over what a forgettable loser Bashir was—frequently done in his presence—really began to grate on me. I get it. No one likes him. Everyone overlooks him. He’s completely ordinary. On the other hand, his insistence on doing as little harm as possible was a refreshing change. Despite having a great deal of power at his disposal (once he figured out how to use it), he managed not to let it go to his head.

 Another drawback is the frequent reliance on “instincts” and “gut feelings.” A little bit is fine. But it becomes a crutch for allowing Bashir to take actions he couldn’t otherwise explain.

 There are some typical tropes here: kidnapped parents, a surprise betrayal. There’s a pretty equal balance of female and male characters, which is commendable.

 The adventure of overcoming obstacles, finding pieces of the Jewel of the Nile, and defeating the bad guy is all fine. My problems lie more in the execution.

 Possible Objectionable Material:

Mythological creatures, including demons. Battles. Kids running around unsupervised. No swearing, nothing too gory.

 Who Would Like This Book:

Those who like stories based in mythology. If you like seeing the “little guy” gain confidence, you’ll enjoy Bashir.

 Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a digital advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

 

 

The Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls
Judith Rossell
 
Publisher: Dial Books
Publication date:  May 27, 2025
Print length:  320 pages
ISBN-13:  979-8217002405
Reading age:  8 - 12 years
Grade level:  3 - 7
Lexile measure:  660L

 Publisher’s Blurb:

A whimsical, adventure-filled mystery about a young orphan at the edge of society who finds herself at the center of a city's secrets. For fans of The Swifts and A Series of Unfortunate Events.

"I was hooked from the beginning … Move over Lemony Snicket!" —Karen Foxlee, award-winning author of Lenny’s Book of Everything

Maggie Fishbone is not expecting much when she’s sent to the Midwatch Institute for Orphans, Runaways, and Wayward Girls—the last resort after causing a ruckus at the orphanage where she was living. Except . . . the Institute isn’t some dreadful, dreary place like she thought.

Instead it’s full of curious girls training to solve mysteries, fight bad guys, and keep the city safe. In between fencing lessons and discovering all the shortcuts in the building, Maggie finds herself making friends at the Midwatch and finally feeling like she’s home. And when a woman goes missing, Maggie’s off on her first assignment, with each step leading her deeper into the secrets of the city.

With gorgeous black-and-white illustrations and pages of “Useful Things Every Girl Should Know” (like how send messages in morse code and how to shout extremely loudly), The Midwatch is a whimsical, adventure-filled mystery from internationally bestselling author-illustrator Judith Rossell.

My Thoughts:

With a slight resemblance to the Lemony Snicket books, this one was a delight. Orphaned Maggie, who was a troublemaker at her old orphanage, expects things to be even more dire at Midwatch. And that’s just what its headmistress wants her former guardians to think.

 Midwatch is actually wonderful. The food is good and plentiful. And the lessons. Let’s just say they’re unlike anything Maggie might have imagined.

 You see, the girls of Midwatch are training to be crime fighters. And they’re pretty good at it too. After all, who pays any attention to little girls with dolls?

 The characters are vibrant. The eccentric headmistress is just enough without being ridiculous. The plot proceeds without getting bogged down in trivia or over-description.

 My biggest quibble is really just that the translations of the ridiculous German phrases Maggie learns are all at the back of the book, at least in the ARC I read.

 This is the kind of book that might capture a reluctant reader. Bring on the next one!

 Possible Objectionable Material:

Perilous situations. Little girls fighting crime. Mean orphanage matrons. Loss of parents (not described.)

 Who Would Like This Book:

Even though this school is all girls, the adventures and problem solving would appeal to anyone. If you enjoyed Lemony Snicket, this should satisfy. I think this could really grab some reluctant readers.

 Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a digital advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.