Defender of the Realm

Gr 4–6—This serviceable middle grade adventure is fast-paced, rambunctious, and jammed with humor and action. Alfie is the typical awkward teenager, except he's also the prince of Great Britain and next in line for the throne. Hayley has less affluent circumstances; her mother has passed away, and she lives with her ailing grandmother. Things quickly take a turn toward the fantastical when Hayley comes into possession of a mysterious black scale after witnessing a fight at the Tower of London between a monster called the Black Lizard and the legendary Defender of the Realm, a mythical hero clad in armor. This hero turns out to be Alfie's father, whose untimely death at the hands of the Black Lizard makes Alfie the next king—and also the next Defender of the Realm. Alfie and Hayley are both likable, if not incredibly unique, and although it takes some time for them to finally meet, the two work well together as a team. In order to keep a lighter tone, some of the more somber events, including Alfie's father's death and Hayley's grandmother being placed in a nursing home and Hayley in foster care, are glossed over in favor of action and jokes. While this title is not a standout compared with others in the genre, there are a couple of surprise twists, particularly on the last pages, which will leave readers anxiously waiting for the inevitable sequel.