I would recommend Jillian Dangerous to history buffs for its realistic portrayal of the Vietnam War from a child’s perspective. It’s a unique setting for a middle grade story, and that, mixed with the time travel aspect, adds a fantasy element that certain readers will enjoy.

You can read my full review here: https://laurasbooksandblogs.com/book-review-the-secrets-and-peculiar-adventures-... ( )

This book was. . . . different. I feel bad critiquing work I know I could never be able to do myself. I couldn't write a novel if my life depended on it. But this book has writing and story issues. The writing is stilted and awkward at times. Many times the characters are written to be shouting when shouting makes no sense in the context. This was very much a, telling you what is happening not showing you, kind of book. I really wanted to stay in the plot points longer and understand why it was being written about. At one point the girls are exploring an abandoned house. They spend a few pages in the house and then they were done. The whole experience had nothing to do with the rest of the story. Or if it did I didn't connect it. There was a LOT that happened but everything was skimmed over and not fleshed out at all. This is most definitely a middle school grade book. I think a tween interested in adventure stories would enjoy this book. ( )

This book was. . . . different. I feel bad critiquing work I know I could never be able to do myself. I couldn't write a novel if my life depended on it. But this book has writing and story issues. The writing is stilted and awkward at times. Many times the characters are written to be shouting when shouting makes no sense in the context. This was very much a, telling you what is happening not showing you, kind of book. I really wanted to stay in the plot points longer and understand why it was being written about. At one point the girls are exploring an abandoned house. They spend a few pages in the house and then they were done. The whole experience had nothing to do with the rest of the story. Or if it did I didn't connect it. There was a LOT that happened but everything was skimmed over and not fleshed out at all. This is most definitely a middle school grade book. I think a tween interested in adventure stories would enjoy this book. ( )