The Thirteenth Circle

November 15, 2023
Two middle schoolers investigate mysterious crop circles. Dani wants to convince her artistic parents that she's a serious scientist, but her partner in a prestigious youth science competition, "designated school weirdo" Cat, has an alien obsession that might derail Dani's plans to win. When Cat signs them up to investigate local crop circles, Dani is skeptical at first, but she discovers that Cat is a pro when it comes to the scientific method. Still, Dani pursues her own line of inquiry: her belief that the crop circles are human made. The mystery may be the main event, but themes of family relationships and self-actualization permeate the girls' partnership. As they grow closer, the seventh graders bond over social challenges (other kids mock their interests) and parental woes (Dani longs for her parents' acceptance, and Cat just wants to know that her dad, who's away working for NASA, remembers her). The girls, who are white, follow their own paths despite criticism from others, which makes them good role models for readers. Well-developed parental relationships are central, as is the treatment of ways the girls grow closer through their shared love of science and how this affects their relationships with their parents and their school experiences. The references to scientific methodology are presented in an entertaining manner that's grounded in real life. An entertaining, science-focused mystery that encourages readers to embrace their true selves. (Mystery. 8-12)

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January 1, 2024
Grades 4-7 Authors Connolly and Holmes have teamed up for their first creepy, sf collaboration starring seventh-graders Cat Mulvaney and Dani Williams, who do not have much in common except science. They each dream of winning the McMurray Youth Science Award, and, determined to win, they join forces, though they have different motivations. Cat, obsessed with crop circles that mysteriously form on a local farm, wants to prove aliens are behind the odd occurrences. Dani, skeptical of Cat's theory, wants to prove that a local pesticide company generates them. Told in chapters alternating between Cat's and Dani's points of view, the novel offers insight into their home lives, adding depth to the characters and aiding with character development. Shocking the girls, people in black show up in town and thwart their investigative efforts, adding intrigue and adversity. The pacing helps keep the excitement going as Dani and Cat continue their investigation despite many obstacles. Connolly and Holmes write an absorbing story using factual science and emotional situations that will resonate with middle-grade readers.

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January 19, 2024

Gr 5 Up-Reluctantly partnered to compete for the McMurray Youth Science Award, seventh graders Cat Mulvaney and Dani Williams are determined to win, but have different motives. Cat is intent on proving the existence of extraterrestrial life and impressing her scientist father. But Dani does not believe in aliens, and she's certain the crop circles that appear in their town every 13 years must have some other explanation. Plus, Dani needs the McMurray judges to find scientific merit in her project so that she can escape her parents' expectation that she'll attend art camp again this summer. So, the young scientists set out to prove two different hypotheses for what could be causing the crop circles. In chapters that alternate between the two perspectives, Connolly and Holmes craft a science fiction mystery filled with plenty of twists and turns. From late night evidence gathering in the corn fields to sneaking into the hotel suite of suspected Men in Black, Cat and Dani end up investigating more than just science. Overall, the story is fun and engaging, but many of the characters' secrets seem inserted only to drive the plot; the story hinges much more on action than on strong character development. Still, the final message of the value of honesty and teamwork rings true, even if some of the lead-up feels thin. All main characters are presumed white. VERDICT A solid purchase for large collections, or where supernatural mysteries are in high demand.-Dana West

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