Young Unicorns

The Young Unicorns by Madeleine L'Engle, 1968 Farrar, Straus & Giroux

     After their cross-country vacation the Austin family settles into New York for a year in the big city. Dr. Austin has been asked to assist in the creation and perfection of a micro-beam laser. While he is working on the project his children meet a variety of people: Emily is a blind musical prodigy, her companion is Josiah "Dave" Davidson who helps Emily get around; Emily's music teacher Mr. Theo, Cannon Tallis working at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, and several unsavory characters from Dave's past with a gang, the Alphabats.
     The friendship with Emily and Dave leads to a mystery involving a Genie, the local bishop, and Dave's former gang. Cannon Tallis works to protect the Austin children from the grimy underworld they discover, and the connection to their father.
     While Dr. Austin's laser has several medical and technical benefits, the mystery which enthralls John, Vicky, Suzy, and Rob Austin reveals forces willing to use it for unknown nefarious purposes. Along with the Austins and their friends, Cannon Tallis works to unearth the forces roiling around the small-town family in the big city.
     The Young Unicorns is a change of scene for the Austin family and links to other stories in L'Engle's universe, while focusing on the story from Dave's point of view. Cannon Tallis is recently returned from the events of The Arm of the Starfish and the Austins are returning from their adventures in The Moon by Night. Written for middle school readers, The Young Unicorns holds interest for readers of all ages.

City of Stars

City of Stars by Mary Hoffman, 2003 Bloomsbury

   At home, Georgia is the younger sister with an annoying step-brother. All she wants to do is escape the pressures and go horseback riding. When she buys a small figurine of a winged horse Georgia discovers the secret world of the stravagante.
     When she sleeps, the Pegasus figurine transports Georgia to Talia a place like sixteenth century Italy. Georgia finds herself in Remora, Siena's counterpart, where she joins an annual horse race which includes delegations from throughout the country.
     Stravagante from around Talia converge in Remora and Georgia meets Lucien, a classmate from England who transferred to Talia when his illness got the better of him. Lucien shows Georgia the forces surrounding the Stravagante and their enemies.
     Georgia finds her escape in Remora complete with a legendary horse race and the magical appearance of a real winged horse. In finding her escape, she also discovers they way back home, to where she wants to be.

Tsarina

Tsarina by J. Nelle Patrick, 2014 Razorbill

     Russia is on the verge of rebellion when the heir shows the Romanov family secret to the girl he loves. Natalya is in love with Alexi as well, and the knowledge that a Faberge Egg imbued with the powers of the great mystic Rasputin is hidden in the Winter Palace is enough to reassure her the revolution cannot take the boy she loves.
     When fighting breaks out in St. Petersburg between the Reds and Whites, Natalya's life comes crashing around her. During the scramble the Constellation Egg vanishes and a young Red demands she help him find the egg. Leo doesn't want to use Natalya for the revolution, but he wants Russia to be the nation it can be--Lenin and his new politics seem to be the answer.
     The Romanovs are captured and held in a small Siberian town, the quest for the egg becomes a cross-country endeavor, and when Natalya receives the news of the escalating revolution and Alexi's death her faith in her countrymen is shaken. She quickly learns nothing as as clear as she once thought.
     As a noblewoman and the tsarevich's love interest, Natalya holds a priveleged position at court, which has not prepared her for the dangers of preventing a revolution. But the daughter of an imperial general is passionate about her country and fights for what she believes is right. While loosely based on true events, Tsarina is an interesting young adult read from a fascinating era.

A Girl Named Rose

A Girl Named Rose by Betty Neels, 1986 Harlequin

     When Rose and her friend are lost in Amsterdam and a storm breaks, what do they do? Well, the only thing to do is obviously knock on the nearest door. It is standing in this door that Rose meets the eminent surgeonSybren Werdmer ter Sane. Not only did the meeting lead the girls in the right direction, but it changed the course of Rose's life.
   The doctor suggests a job nursing his godson, and Rose takes the opportunity. She grows to love her new life, and the man who made it possible. But will he ever see Rose as more than the lost girl on his doorstep?
     Betty Neels' novels are tender stories about the simplicity of new love. A Girl Named Rose takes place mainly in Holland and is an enjoyable read for any romance reader.

The Seven Songs of Merlin

The Seven Songs of Merlin by T. A. Barron, 1997 Ace Books

     After driving Rhita Gwar out of Fincayra Merlin joins a meeting held by the Fincayrans to drive the blight from the island. Merlin and the forest-girl Rhiannon take one of the island's treasures, the Flowering Harp, and travel the land to drive the darkness from the land.
     When Merlin's mother comes to Fincarya she becomes ill. To save his mother, Merlin and Rhia set out on a quest to find a cure in the Seven Songs of Wizardry, passed down from the great wizard Tuatha--Merlin's grandfather. Once he masters the Songs, Merlin can attempt a journey into the Otherworld to find the Elixir of Dagda to save his mother.
     Merlin takes his journey with the confidence of his prior successes and his pride nearly sabotages the quest. But in the end, the loss of his sight brings him back down to earth and Merlin must relearn how to survive in the darkened landscape. Rhia stands by her friend, and Merlin relies on that support when he sets out to rescue his mother from her illness.
     Though he has been successful in driving evil from Fincayra, Merlin faces new challenges as his mother lays dying, he loses his sight, and attempts to bring life back to the island. His relationships support Merlin and his talents allow him to help his community. Readers as young as elementary school will enjoy Merlin's journey from young man to legendary wizard.