Going Wild

June 27, 2016
In this trilogy opener, 13-year-old Charlotte “Charlie” Wilde’s life turns upside down when her mother takes a job in Navarro Junction, Ariz. As the new girl at school, Charlie faces many of the typical difficulties of starting fresh—finding friends, fitting in, and making the soccer team. Things begin to look up for Charlie when she discovers a bracelet that gives her superhuman abilities. McMann (the Unwanteds series) believably channels the voice of a confused middle school girl who wavers between being cocky with her newfound powers and self-conscious (because who isn’t at 13?). With the help of some new friends—comic-book-obsessed Maria and “tech genius” Mac—Charlie tests what the bracelet can do. However, the children don’t realize that the bracelet was stolen and that the man it belongs to is determined to reclaim it. Filled with action, adventure, and a good dollop of wish fulfillment, McMann’s superhero origin story should capture the imagination of any reader who wonders what it would be like to be more than just an average kid. Ages 8–12. Agent: Michael Bourret, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management.

July 15, 2016
Life gets strange for 12-year-old Charlie Wilde after she moves to a new town and finds a bracelet that grants her animal-based powers.The cross-country relocation from Chicago to Navarro Junction, Arizona, changes everything for Charlie. Her former stay-at-home biologist dad now teaches at a community college. Her doctor mom works erratic hours as head of the town's ER, away from home more often than not. Trying out for the soccer team, making new friends (and a potential frenemy), and helping out on a school play also weigh on Charlie. McMann shines best here when exploring Charlie's efforts to adapt to her new life. For a majority of the first half, the novel moves slowly, which makes all the struggles of being a new girl--as when Charlie wonders if a potential friend would want to hang out--feel like monumental moments. Throughout such scenes, the author peppers in signs about Charlie's new powers. Once Charlie realizes that her bracelet gives her, for example, the strength of an elephant and the speed of a cheetah, she swings from fearing her newfound abilities to wanting to know more. The development of her powers borders on cliched (another burning building to test the protagonist?), but the narrative picks up steam during the final pages. A cliffhanger ending promises a much more action-packed sequel. Race and ethnicity of characters other than Charlie are signaled by names and physical characteristics; readers will likely infer that Charlie is white. A beginning full of potential. (Science fiction. 8-12)

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August 1, 2016

Gr 4-6-Charlie Wilde is moving to Arizona, leaving behind her best friend and all that she knows, where her physician mother and biologist father have taken new jobs. When she gets there, she struggles to fit in at her new school. As she searches for her soccer equipment, hoping that a tryout for the school's team will change her outlook on her new situation, Charlie comes across a package containing an odd metal bracelet. She realizes that the bracelet will lend her powers matching those of several animals, making her a sort of chimera. When Dr. Gray, the man behind a sinister group bent on retrieving Charlie's bracelet, discovers its whereabouts, he will stop at nothing to get it back, leaving Charlie and her new friends, Mac and Maria, with far more questions than answers. In this first installment of a new series from the creator of "The Unwanteds," readers will find themselves on a fast-paced adventure with a very likable heroine. VERDICT Fans of Rick Riordan and Brandon Mull will not be disappointed.-Wayne R. Cherry Jr., St. Pius X High School, Houston

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2016
Grades 5-8 Charlie Wilde isn't happy about leaving Chicago for Arizona. Additionally, her formerly stay-at-home dad takes a teaching job, and her ER-doctor mom is working more than ever. Charlie's feelings of frustration and loneliness are only amplified when she discovers a strange bracelet that lends her animal-like abilities. The powers are excitingwhen they help Charlie on the soccer fieldbut overwhelming, too. New friends Maria and Mac are a help (well, Mac is a reluctant help) as Charlie further tests her powers. But the bracelet is more dangerous than any of the sixth-graders anticipated, and the girls must face intimidating foes to save the kidnapped Mac. Though Mac is rescued, Charlie's dad is also snatcheda neat sequel setup. A number of characters end up with superpower bracelets before the end; readers will hope that Maria and Mac (both people of color) will get to star in their own books. Blending action, fantasy, and sci-fi with tween angst, this is poised to be a hit with the legions of fans of the Unwanteds series. Dorman's final illustrations not seen.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)