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To help readers find the right book for them by age, genre, literary review, and content.

Compass Book Ratings Provides a standardized rating system so everyone can more easily evaluate their reading options. Theses book reviews are for parents, teachers, librarians, readers, and anyone looking for a book that best fits their preferences for story and content.

Mature Themes and Alcohol/Drug Use Also Noted

Recent Book Reviews

The Midnight Library
by Matt Haig

January 23, 2022FictionRecommended for Ages 18+

For a book whose major plot catalyst is suicide, this was a remarkably and expectedly positive reading experience. This book orbits around the question of what would one's life look like if they made…
Spellslinger
by Sebastien de Castell

January 23, 2022FantasyRecommended for Ages 14+

Spellslinger is the first book in a six book fantasy series. The setting is a little bit of a mash-up between the Wild West and something that feels like the middle east. The main character is Kelle…
Ever Constant
by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse

January 20, 2022Historical RomanceRecommended for Ages 18+

Ever Constant coauthored by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse is the final book in The Treasures of Nome trilogy. Although the book could be read as a standalone story, it is not recommended. …
Lost in the Never Woods
by Aiden Thomas

January 14, 2022FantasyRecommended for Ages 14+

Lost in the Never Woods is a dark Peter Pan retelling. The story takes place in the contemporary world, but with dark elements of fairy-tale magic. Wendy Darling thought the mystery of her younger bro…
Refugee
by Alan Gratz

January 9, 2022Historical FictionRecommended for Ages 12+

Alan Gratz is becoming "the guy" for middle grade historical fiction on tough topics. Refugee has received many accolades--all of which it deserves. It is a raw, unfiltered look at the immigrant exp…
Birdie’s Billions
by Edith Cohn

December 30, 2021FictionRecommended for Ages 9+

Birdie’s Billions is a fun story for those who enjoy reading about someone experiencing a sudden windfall. With her newfound money, main character Birdie finds her life gets complicated to say the lea…
Echoes and Empires
by Morgan Rhodes

December 30, 2021FantasyRecommended for Ages 16+

Do you love strong female protagonists? Magic and adventure? Then you might enjoy Echoes and Empires, a new release that has the perfect mix of fantasy, magic, and just a little bit of romance. …
Cytonic
by Brandon Sanderson

December 30, 2021Science FictionRecommended for Ages 12+

Cytonic, the third book in the Skyward series, is the most ambitious book in this series so far. In the second book, Starsight, Spensa left her home world and traveled among the stars. In Cytonic, Spe…
It Will End Like This
by Kyra Leigh

December 30, 2021Fiction

Grief is a powerful thing. For Charlotte and her sister, Maddi, the loss of their mom comes as a shock and a crippling blow. Especially once they start coming to terms with what really happened to the…
My Fine Fellow
by Jennieke Cohen

December 30, 2021Historical FictionRecommended for Ages 12+

My Fine Fellow is a food inspired take on the classic Pygmalion or My Fair Lady story. Set in 1800’s England, the story follows the training and rise of Mr. Elijah Little as two aspiring culinar…