Close

Login

Close

Register

Close

Lost Password

Cindy M
An accountant and CPA by profession, I found myself a book reviewer for Squeaky Clean Reads by happenstance. When the opportunity came to transform that website into Compass Book Ratings, I was excited to seize it and meld my business background with my love of books. As the mother of three teenage sons, I have read a large number of children and young adult books and I believe that there is great value in a content review service. As much as we would love to read everything our children read, there just isn’t enough time. I also appreciate being able to select books for myself that are really worth my precious and limited reading time. I believe there is a book out there for everyone–they just have to find it!
Alan Gratz is the go-to guy for bringing historical events to life through the eyes of young characters. In this novel, he literally puts his two young characters, Frank and Stanley, smack dab in the…
Two powerhouses of the historical fiction middle grade and young adult world team up to give readers this compelling look into one of the amazing stories of World War II--Bletchley Park, home to Brita…
Fasten your seat belts because this book is over-the-top in every possible way, and it is a glorious thing to behold. This mad-cap adventure follows three orphaned sisters who are not like everyone e…
Author Ally Carter nails it again in this middle grade series. This book has it all: adventure, mystery, great characters, atmosphere, and heart. The plot takes twisty turns instead of a more linea…
Bravely tackling a hard topic in a thoughtful and hopeful way via an eclectic collection of characters, Erin Bow brings middle grade readers Simon Sort of Says. The book's cover at first might sugges…
In her award-winning book, Elf Dog and Owl Head, M.T. Anderson captures all the spirit and joy of classic children's fantasy literature reminiscent of The Chronicles of Narnia with a nod to the local …
Eagle Drums has been recognized with many awards, including being named a Newbery Honor Book. This book is an important addition to middle grade literature because of its imagining of the first Messen…
Dragon lover? Space lover? This book has you covered. This book is a unique mash-up of fantasy with sci-fi, and it doesn't do it justice to merely say "It's dragons in space". Mr. Reintgen again flour…
Accompanied by colored illustrations, The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams is a lyrical narrative of adventure on The Silk Road. The format is a first person recounting by the boy, …
Mexikid was a 2024 Newbery Honor Book and the winner of several other awards. This is a pretty substantial graphic novel with abundant text to support the visual narrative. It outlines the author's …
Seasons of Flesh and Flame is the second book in A.G. Howard's duology. The first installment, Shades of Rust and Ruin, was dark, gothic, confusing, and disorienting, but this book passes more firmly …
Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell will be impossible for middle grade readers to resist. First, the subject matter of fantastical creatures is so compelling for this age of readers. Second, …