The Last Chance for Logan County

September 1, 2021
The fantastic adventures of cousins Otto and Sheed in uber-weird Logan County continue in this third series installment. This town is unlike any other: There are portals to alternate universes, and nothing is what you would expect. It seems someone's always scheming. Luckily, with Otto and Sheed's teamwork, deductive superpowers, imagination, and persistence, they always find a way to save the day--at least for the moment. Now, Sheed is glowing like a night light, and there's a new corporation in town making some really suspicious moves. There also are frogs raining on Grandma's house, a situation quickly upstaged by the entrance of Otto's mom and Sheed's dad, siblings who, for better or worse, never see anything the same way. But the family is united on one point: Sheed is glowing from the effects of U-rays, or uncanny rays, and if the secret gets out, they'll have even more problems with the ultra-mysterious GOO, Inc. The cousins' rivals, the Ellison twin sisters, are circling too, wondering whether their local chase for were-men (the opposite of werewolves--as in, wolves who turn into men) may be connected. Giles does a magnificent job of blending otherworldly hijinks with the complex emotions and cultural touchpoints of growing up Black in the U.S. South. As family dynamics push the duo in different directions, can they solve this puzzle and remain together at Grandma's for the sake of Logan County's future? Another great entry from an author who consistently delivers. (Science fiction. 8-12)

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November 1, 2021

Gr 4-7-Logan County, VA, is a place where "anything can happen," and what's happening right now is a storm of Tooth Frogs. Cousins Otto and Sheed, the Legendary Alston Boys, fight off the Tooth Frogs with their grandma, but more alarming visitors arrive: Otto's mom and Sheed's dad. Since returning from a trip to Warped World, Sheed has been "radiating weirdness" and acting as a beacon for more weirdness, including a new company called GOO, Inc. that is buying up all the "weirderfront property" in Logan County. The Legendary Alston Boys team up with the Epic Ellison Girls, Leen and Wiki, to protect their town; stakes are especially high for Otto and Sheed, who worry their parents will split them up. With Otto's compulsive note-taking and deductions, Leen's tech gadgets, Wiki's photographic memory, and Sheen's uncanny power-as well as their strong bonds with each other-the boys and girls make a formidable team. Giles provides sufficient background for readers new to the series, but his hints at past adventures will likely inspire new fans to go back to previous titles. All main characters are Black. VERDICT A humorous, fast-paced, surreal fantasy adventure story featuring resourceful kids working together to defeat evil; perfect for fans of Carlos Hernandez's Sal & Gabi Break the Universe. Highly recommended.-Jenny Arch, Lilly Lib., Florence, MA

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