On this episode of Bookwards, Sam, Dana, and special guest Charlie dive into a story about a 12-year-old orphan who creates his own micronation to escape a difficult home life. Living on a raft in the middle of a lake, Jack forms the Free State of Jacks, complete with a constitution, citizens, and legal standing. But as his new country grows, Jack uncovers a local mystery involving stolen money, a man accused of murdering his brother, and a town hiding the truth. It’s a smart, funny, and surprisingly educational story about independence, justice, and finding where you belong.

On this episode of Bookwards, we dive into three magical adventures: The Black Market by Jed Alexander, where a secret Halloween marketplace holds mysterious surprises; The Memory Spinner by C.M. Cornwell, about a forgetful kid who turns to a magical dressmaker for help; and Encantadora’s Guide to Mastros and Magic by Sarah J. Mendonca, featuring a brave girl hunting monsters to save her family. Join Sam and Dana as they read, review, and explore these enchanting stories.

Sam and Dana explore Fablehaven by Brandon Mull, where siblings Kendra and Seth discover their grandparents’ estate is actually a hidden sanctuary for magical creatures. When Seth’s curiosity unleashes chaos, the kids must face witches, demons, and dark forces to save their family. Sam and Dana debate the world-building, the underwhelming villains, and how Fablehaven stacks up against Impossible Creatures.

Sam and Dana dive into Gone by Michael Grant, a dark and unpredictable story where everyone over 15 suddenly disappears. With kids left to survive alone, new powers emerge, animals mutate, and chaos takes over as bullies like Kane and Drake fight for control. They unpack the shocking twists, the gruesome survival scenes, and why this book might be one of the most intense reads yet.

Sam and Dana journey into The Land of Stories, where twins Alex and Connor tumble into a fairytale world filled with magic, danger, and familiar characters. They break down the daring quest for the Wishing Spell, the big plot twists, and why Froggy might be the most charming character of all.

In this episode, Sam and Dana dive into Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, a sci-fi classic about a child genius trained to save Earth from an alien invasion. They unpack Ender’s moral struggles, the book’s surprising twist, and why this story still resonates with readers today.

In this episode of Bookwards, we dive into Artemis Fowl, the story of a 12-year-old criminal mastermind who discovers the secret world of fairies. When Artemis kidnaps a fairy officer to ransom her for gold, a thrilling battle unfolds between human cunning and magical power. We explore the clever plot, rich world-building, and memorable characters, plus the surprising blend of science and fantasy that makes this book a standout.

This week, Sam and Dana dive into City Spies, where five talented kids are recruited by MI6 for a top-secret mission in Paris. They break down the action-packed plot, the fun of seeing spies with real-world skills (no magic needed!), and why Mother is one of their favorite adult characters so far. Plus, they recap the current standings for their Bookwards Book Awards, reviewing the top contenders so far for categories like Best Main Character and more.