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Vidge Floyd and the Secret Frequencies
John Davis, Jr.’s Vidge Floyd and the Secret Frequencies follows a young boy named Harrison Floyd, nicknamed “Vidge,” whose obsession with radio scanners and secret transmissions pulls him into a strange web of intrigue, paranoia, and truth-seeking in early 1990s Florida. Told through his log-like diary entries, the book moves between the humdrum of small-town life and a surprisingly complex mystery involving arson, corruption, and self-discovery. It’s a coming-of-age story disguised as a conspiracy thriller, written in a voice that’s both sharp and painfully vulnerable.
Vidge’s voice is so vivid that I could almost hear the static from his scanners buzzing in my own head. His thoughts race, skip, and circle back in ways that feel real and a little heartbreaking. The kid is smart, misunderstood, and caught between the comfort of his secret world and the chaos of reality. I found myself rooting for him, even when he made me uneasy. The writing feels raw in the best way, Davis doesn’t clean up the messiness of adolescence or mental confusion, he leans into it. The pacing sometimes slows, but that roughness actually fits the story. It mirrors Vidge’s mind, restless and crackling with energy.
There’s also something deeply nostalgic about the way Davis paints the era. The static, the dial tones, the small-town boredom, it all hums with an eerie beauty. At times, I caught myself feeling both comforted and unsettled, like I was remembering something I never lived through. The book has moments that feel almost cinematic, then others that sting with loneliness. It’s rare to find a story that captures isolation and obsession without turning them into clichés.
If you like slow-burn mysteries mixed with emotional grit, this book is worth your time. It’s perfect for readers who grew up tinkering with radios, computers, or anything that hummed and blinked in the dark. It’s for those who see beauty in static and meaning in noise. Vidge Floyd and the Secret Frequencies isn’t just about sound, it’s about being heard, finally, after a lifetime of listening.
Pages: 151 | ASIN : B0FVD89MDP
The News According to Mr. Freels
The News According to Mr. Freels is a feel-good read that will have you smiling from beginning to end. Readers are introduced to an old man named Mr. Freels, who lives alone and spends his days sitting on his porch listening to the news. Mr. Freels likes to share the news with anyone who would listen, but unfortunately, he cannot hear so well, so the news he relays to others is not always accurate.
Author Sheri Lynn Buckner has written a story that takes young readers to a time when life was simple, and people would enjoy time outside and even enjoy having conversations with one another. Mr. Freels’s character is charming, and he reminded me of hearing a story about my grandfather. The images in the story are so beautiful and transport the reader into Mr. Freels’ world. I appreciated that the author not only told a story but she also aimed to challenge the reader by asking questions at the end of the book. This is the perfect way to involve the reader and to test their comprehension. There is also a section at the end of the book where the reader can write down the definition of words that they did not understand.
This book is the perfect read for parents to share with their young ones, and the activities at the end will certainly be a great project to work on together. I highly recommend this charming and captivating read to those who want to learn a little about history and simpler times.
Pages: 46 | ASIN : B093LKCSBF
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