Moving Through Walls

As this is the review meant for the publisher and author this review might be different than what my regular review on Goodreads of the book will be as from my understanding NetGalley is more for publishers while GoodReads is meant for general readers. After I have finished my GoodReads review I will add it here at the bottom.
I think it is important as a review to view this both through the lens of a HI/LO book and as a general book. I think as a HI/LO book it does excellently. As a more general book, I feel that more devoted readers might find it a bit lacking. I understand that there is a delicate balance when appealing to both and as a book marketed as a HI/LO book it may not even intend to market to more devoted readerbases. As a soon-to-be English teacher I think it works amazingly as a HI/LO and would love to add this to my class library.
I think the plot is very well done. Its like the slightly more mature Goosebumps book I never knew I needed! It's heavy on intrigue and Wolf sets it up EXTREMELY well. Halfway through the story transitions to be more horror-focused as the action to kick in and its STELLAR! Wolf does an amazing job with horror that is unique, atmospheric, and given just the right amount of detail to paint a gruesome-ish picture without being overbearing for its intended audience. It's done so well I wish there was more of it in the first half. While the first half is helped by the character dynamics of Dennis and his classmates I think their characterization is a bit too weak to pull it enough. The first half feels a tad lacking and I think some strong characterization work would help.
Dennis himself is done well and so is the Dad. But the Dennis' friends, the Deadliest Poet Society, feels a bit lacking. I don't think its bad but they all feel like their written with a "personality" "vibe" and "one identifiable object/thing" about them which makes them feel like they're all from a template. I think just some throwaway dialogue about their past or relationship with each other could help and be easily added. But I also understand as a HI/LO book that pace is important to keep their attention and especially to pull them into the absolutely stellar second half.
The pace is very quick with a snappy plot that carries itself well thanks to Wolf's writing. But I think slowing down a bit could be helpful. Give us a few poems interspersed of the characters hanging around or just seeing Dennis adapt to the environment and the move in the first half. Maybe lengthen Meek's backstory by having him tell the story himself for more unique verse. It'll help with fleshing out the characters and feeling less like everything is so on-rails. But again, I also understand this is a HI/LO book and certain parts of my opinion are more meant for a dedicated readership rather than the intended audience of a HI/LO book so I respect and understand Wolf's decisions.
Many students are scared of verse in general and this book helps make verse far more appealing by pulling away from the more "trickier" poetic techniques with plain verse. I do wish there was some more poetic techniques. The main technique I saw was alliteration and even then there was very little. I think for the intended audience (middle grade) this makes it more appealing as its not too "poetic" and gets them accustomed to reading in verse and appreciating it. But for a fan of verse might be found wanting for more.
Lastly, I mean this in no hard way but please fix the formatting on the PDF. I don't know if its just on the NetGalley version but I think there is a formatting issue. Every "right" page (or odd pages like 7 and 9) is skewed and is placed far more center than the "left" pages. It could how its formatted on an actual page to avoid the words getting too close to the spine but it should be fixed for a digital version. You also might want to edit how this put onto Goodreads. I think Goodreads is mashing two or three different Ryan Wolfs' together as the author page from this book on Goodreads involve erotica, nonfiction, and middle grade titles (source: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7936788.Ryan_Wolf).


GOODREADS Review:
Thank you so much NetGalley for the advance reading! It should be noted this is a book marketed as a HI/LO book (HIgh-interest, LOw-readability). As such it is meant for a specific reading audience and my rating is adjusted according. For the intended audience it's a 4.5/5 and I would recommend any middle school ELA teacher to put in their class library (I know I will when it comes out!). For a more hardcore reader (which is again, not exactly the intended audience) I can see it getting more of a 3/5.
The plot is amazing. It's like a slightly more mature Goosebumps book with more explicit (but definitely not explicit-explicit if you catch my drift) horror. The plot is fast-paced with a suspense and intrigue laden first-half and a horror second-half. The characters are likable and unique especially Dennis' friend group the Deadliest Poet Society. I enjoyed seeing how they reacted differently and each had their own deal. You could tell Wolf had thought each of them out and their dynamic was neat (I personally want more of them just hanging out because of how nice the dynamics are). I myself wasn't exactly a fan of the ending. To be clear, the ending is great and makes sense. But I'm iffy on the type of ending it went with in general and it happens very fast (which is a general thing with this story as its plot is fast).
For a verse novel the verse is very plain. Considering this is a middle grade HI/LO book this makes sense. Middle schoolers already struggle enough with verse so I think the plain verse makes it much more approachable. I personally would have preferred a bit more poetic techniques and I can see others wanting the same. But for the Wolf's intent I think it's a great choice.
As a HI/LO book it achieves everything it needs to. It's incredibly readable and its interest is high with a strong horror and intrigue set-up. I appreciate Wolf doesn't "dumb" down the book, its plot, or its concepts to be a HI/LO book either. It's stands on its own legs and has merit. It just so happens to have a low-readability to help entice and attract struggling readers.

Thank you so much to West 44 and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.

Dennis is new and hasn’t found any friends but then he sits at the deadliest poets society table and they share all about the ghost they talk to through knocks. Though it’s something much worse than a ghost and the kids have to figure out the sludge monster together.

This was fascinating, utterly fascinating. The story was really interesting and had me intrigued right from the start, and I enjoyed it right til the end. It was really unique with it being told in verse and I honestly loved that style so much, I’ve never read a book told this way before.

I loved that Dennis made a group of friends who are all a little strange but were actually the perfect friends for him, by them being so into ghosts and weird creepy things. Everything that happens with the sludge monsters is just like a fun adventure for them.

I really liked this story and the characters it was so creatively made. It’s such a fun unique book, it was really enjoyable and easy to read. I wish there had been illustrations to go with it honestly as I would have loved some of these scenes to come alive in illustration form, it would have made this book even better.

Moving Through Walls, is a novel told in verse that follow a middle school as he is new in town and is facing making new friends. In addition, he has to solve a major problem that threatens his dad and the entire town. Dennis is very relatable and the text is easy to follow and very engaging.

I have read very little verse with the children but as this was hi-lo, I thought it would be a good starting point with such a mixed age group. I got little enthusiasm when I mentioned the verse aspect but once into the book, they enjoyed the format. The youngest said it was like reading and singing at the same time !
The storyline itself and the characters went down very well with the whole group.

Moving Through Walls is a middle grade novel in verse. Even though it’s a rather quirky novel, I quite liked it.
Dennis’ dad accepts a new job to work at a controversial chemical plant. Now Dennis is out of place in a gloomy town. Like most new kids, Dennis struggles to fit in and find his people. It doesn’t take him long to sense that there is something not quite right at his new middle school. He comes across the journal of a student who went missing decades ago, and now Dennis is on a mission to uncover the truth behind the disappearance.
The story would be a great graphic novel. Hint Mr. Wolf…I want to see how the sludge monster is portrayed.
You, Ryan Wolf, are a talented writer.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rosen Publishing Group, West 44 Books, and Ryan Wolf for the opportunity to read Moving Through Walls in exchange for an honest review.

This book is written as a HiLo novel-in-verse, giving it a poetic style with a quick beat. While middle grade, this novel could certainly have been a bit longer. It was too short and oh so amazing!

Thirteen-year-old Dennis moves to a new town because his dad got a decent job at the local (and super sus) power plant. He struggles to fit in, but soon finds an interesting group of misfits who have a poetry club, but the Young Writers of America group, called the Deadliest Poets Society (an homage to The Dead Poets Society) does a mish-mosh of things besides poetry. They do songwriting, and origami, but most importantly, they try to speak to spirits, but only once their club teacher falls asleep.

When they do their first spirit reach=-out with Dennis, he finds a spooky image of someone who died in the town many years ago, a missing person whose case was closed after no trace was found. The ghost seeks out Dennis through his dad, adding a nice touch of black ooze after possessions. Dennis' connection to the power plant through his dad might just be the clue he needs to help solve this case, and stop further deaths from occurring.

An excellently enjoyable novel with a light paranormal aspect. I loved diving into Dennis' character and following along with him as he tries to solve the mystery of the ghost. A very quick read for one of my age, but perfect for ages 11-13 seeking a relatable, somewhat spooky mystery

This book was good, and unexpectedly scary! (I mean that in a good way of course). It was short, but the right length for the story. I liked how it ended, too. I would definitely recommend if you like spooky books!

It might have been the formatting on my device, but this one did not really feel like a novel-in-verse, or at least it being a novel-in-verse did not seem essential or that it added to the story in any way that I noticed. It reads like a hi/lo novel and is short, which is a growing trend and the need for more shorter stories is real in my teaching experience.

I think kids will like the plot and themes here.

After getting kicked from a lunch table at his new school Dennis ends up sitting at the Deadliest Poets Society’s table. There he meets a new group of friends who tell him all about talking with ghosts through knocking. But, instead of finding ghosts, Dennis finds the sludge, and it’s much worse.

This book really reminded me of Goosebumps, but simpler - which makes sense since it’s a HiLo, Novel in Verse, and for Middle Grade. Because of that, this was a super quick read for me.

I feel like younger kids will really enjoy this book - especially those who may be new(er) to the middle grade reading level. The story itself is pretty descriptive and really allows you to walk through the halls as Dennis. This is perfect for 11-13-year-olds who are seeking a bit of a paranormal mystery.

*Thank you West 44 Books and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

This was a quick read, which I think reluctant readers will really appreciate. However, I don't know if the verse style of writing added anything to the story overall. This plotline may have worked as a short story and didn't necessarily need to be a full novel. It was still an interesting read with a bit of mystery and otherworldliness.

Moving Through Walls took me by surprise. This novel in verse follows Dennis as he moves to a new "ghost" town of a city because his father got a promotion. Right away, Dennis feels like an outsider, but after a brush with some bullies, he meets some other cool people at school that are also considered outsiders or freaks. Together, they realize that not all is right in this town and Dennis soon finds himself on a mission to uncover the truth behind a student's disappearance years ago and the city's...plumbing issue ;)
Fast-paced and riveting, this middle grade graphic novel will definitely appeal to younger and older readers and anyone who's ever liked spooky stories set at school!

This book is a high interest/low level book written in verse, making it perfect for middle school reluctant readers. It took me, an adult, maybe an hour to read.

Dennis and his dad have moved to a new town, where his dad is working for the local chemical plant. Dennis makes friends with the Deadliest Poet Society, a club at his school that tries to communicate with spirits through knocks. But now they are encountering people taken over by sludge and must defeat the evil lurking in their town!

This book is very light horror (as in there is sludge taking over people by entering their mouths, but even that isn't written in a way that is horribly scary). The story is very engaging and I think most middle schoolers would really enjoy it.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.

An appealing novel that is told in verse and accessible — I would gladly add this to my classroom shelf. I love the mingling of creative world building and poetic approach.

Moving Through Walls is a novel in verse that took me less than an hour to read. Its deeper themes are about being the new kid, making friends and finding good in unfamiliar surroundings. The surface story is an action packed ghost/monster tale with a touch of environmentalism sprinkled on top. I think it’s a great book for middle grades, especially for reluctant readers.

I received an advance reader copy for free, all opinions are my own.

Never trust a company that says their chemical products are safe when nature says otherwise. In a desolate town, shadows of the past lurk beneath the surface.

Dennis doesn't like being the new kid. A group of boys kick him out of their lunch table, so the local kids in a writing and poetry club invite him to sit with them. They reveal that they talk to spirits that knock back, but Dennis seems to find the key with a journal belonging to a missing activist. The activist talks to the kids through the wall, but Dennis has more questions that the ghost can't answer. He has to step up to the occasion and figure out who is really doing the knocking.

What an eerie story. We go from coming-of-age to ghosts to cosmic horror in the span of a few pages. Dennis's verses ease the transition, until we realize that he is in danger, and so is the town. The visuals of the sludge from chemical poisons is bad.