If you’re looking for a holiday present for a middle schooler who is interested in learning about gaming, this newer release might be just the book for you.

4 out of 5 stars

The Crafter: The Mysterious Game: A Kid’s LitRPG/Gamelit Adventure by Dan Sugralinov is a wonderful read for middle schoolers who want an introduction to the gaming world. In this first installation of a series, Sugralinov spends time describing and developing the characters and building their world. He does so with age-appropriate colloquial language to provide a basis for what may be new gaming vocabulary for some young readers.

As every adventurer knows, you need a good sidekick and a group of people who will help you make decisions along the way. The main character, Kenny, has Whiskers the cat as his furry sidekick. Kenny and his mother are going through a lot of life changes, and Whiskers is a comforting constant that provides reassurance and wisdom. As Kenny and his mother move to a new town, Kenny meets a group of kids around his age who live near him. They each have a unique importance to help Kenny navigate a new school, town, and home base and suddenly, life without an active father figure. As Kenny spends time with his companions, he learns their strengths and weaknesses and how to help them overcome fears as well as accomplish tasks.

Sugralinov effortlessly combines game play lessons and real life lessons to provide a logic framework for young readers. Through the characters’ experiences, Sugralinov introduces readers to the basic game play rules in this first installment. While the book closes on a bit of a cliffhanger, the novel is the right size to capture and keep readers’ attention. The explanations of how Kenny arrives at his decision making are a bit slow for more experienced gamers; however, the less experienced will appreciate the descriptions of logical thinking and processes.

I received an advanced reader copy, and this review is honest and voluntary.