Feature: Portals: YA Adventures in Other Words and Worlds

Portals offers a look at today’s Young Adult market, from fantasy to suspense and many points between. If you’re looking for something for your 9 to 12 year old, or for that avid reader who has refused to outgrow those magical and exciting stories, you’ll find it reviewed here at Portals.

Columnists

Mel Odom

Articles in this feature

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• Book Review: You Are The First Kid On Mars by Patrick O'Brien

  Patrick O'Brien transports young readers to the Red Planet on a realistic voyage.

  Review by Mel Odom — on Oct 30, 2009

• Book Review: Cromwell Dixon's Sky-Cycle by John Abbott Nez

  Young inventor shines in this factual feel-good book.

  Review by Mel Odom — on Oct 30, 2009

• Book Review: Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson

  13 year old Alcatraz Smedry isn't an orphan after all. Of course, meeting his family requires saving the world.

  Review by Mel Odom — on Sep 07, 2009

• Book Review: Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harrison

  A strange thing happened to Madison Avery on her prom night. She was killed, then came back, not quite human.

  Review by Mel Odom — on Aug 02, 2009

• Book Review: The Mystery of the Third Lucretia by Susan Runholt

  So why was Gallery Guy copying Rembrandt's Lucretia paintings? And was he willing to kill to keep his secret?

  Review by Mel Odom — on Aug 01, 2009

• Graphic Novel Review: Wolverine: Prodigal Son by Anthony Johnson and Wilson Tortosa

  This alternate take on the mutant known as Logan/Wolverine fits well into Japanese manga.

  Review by Mel Odom — on Jul 27, 2009

• Book Review: Alibi Junior High by Greg Logsted

  Thirteen year old spy comes out of the cold and straight into junior high.

  Review by Mel Odom — on Jun 30, 2009

• Book Review: Jake Ransom and the Skull King's Shadow by James Rollins

  Jake and Kady Ransom search prehistoric worlds for their lost parents.

  Review by Mel Odom — on May 27, 2009

• Book Review: Doc Wilde and the Frogs of Doom by Tim Byrd

  If you loved Doc Savage as a kid, this is the perfect series to give your kid!

  Review by Mel Odom — on May 26, 2009

• Book Review: Chasing the Bear by Robert B. Parker

  Iconic detective hero, Spenser, finally has his roots revealed.

  Review by Mel Odom — on May 26, 2009

• Book Review: STORM: The Infinity Code by E. L. Young

  Science-based teen heroes enter the clandestine world of espionage to stop planet-wide destruction in an exciting adventure.

  Review by Mel Odom — on Apr 26, 2009

• Book Review: The Shroud of A'Ranka by Tom Sniegoski

  Bram Stone and his new team of paranormal warriors faces an ages-old vampire that can't be killed.

  Review by Mel Odom — on Mar 29, 2009

• Book Review: Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman

  Through journal entries and online video, this multi-platform novel "digs" into a mysterious old mining operation that might be haunted.

  Review by Mel Odom — on Feb 08, 2009

• Book Review: Starship Galahad #1 - The Comet's Curse by Dom Testa

  Great new YA SF series gets launched as 251 teens speed from certain death to a brand new world.

  Review by Mel Odom — on Feb 02, 2009

• Book Review: 39 Clues - One False Note by Gordon Korman

  In the second leg of the 39 Clues marathon the writer pushes the pace through the roof.

  Review by Mel Odom — on Jan 29, 2009

• Book Review: The Wimpy Kid - The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney

  A wonderful look into a kid’s world that young readers will instantly recognize as their own.

  Review by Mel Odom — on Jan 15, 2009

• Book Review: The Sky Village by Monk and Nigel Ashland

  A great, action-filled romp through a dark future that 9 to 12 year olds will love.

  Review by Mel Odom — on Jan 11, 2009

• Book Review: Faeries of the Dreamdark - Blackbringer by Laini Taylor

  Magpie Windwitch has to face the greatest evil the Faeries have ever known, and discover her own incredible secret.

  Review by Mel Odom — on Dec 30, 2008

• Book Review: The Case of the Left-Handed Lady (An Enola Holmes Mystery) by Nancy Springer

  Sherlock Holmes's fourteen-year-old sister investigates again, and the game is afoot!

  Review by Mel Odom — on Dec 30, 2008

• Book Review: The 39 Clues Book 1 - The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan

  Best-selling author Rick Riordan plunges into the 10-book series about mystery and family competition with his latest book.

  Review by Mel Odom — on Nov 14, 2008