Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (5/11/2026)

Posted on May 11, 2026 by Greg Pattridge

 

••ALWAYS in the MIDDLE is where you can find my review of THE EMBARRASSING CONFESSIONS OF GRACIE SPARKS by Fiona Harris.

••Natalie Aguirre @ Literary Rambles has an interview with Sarah Marie Jette and a giveaway of her MG One Fair Share.

••Rebecca Douglass is reviewing Paint the Wind by Pam Muñoz Ryan.

••Jenni Enzor is featuring Light and Air by Mindy Nichols Wendell.

••Sue Heavenrich at Archimedes Notebook is taking a look at The Nature of Play: A Handbook of Nature-Based Activities for all Seasons.

••Jennifer Rummel @ YA Book Nerd has a middle grade book list with the Parent Trap theme.

••Maria Antonia is back this week with a post about: Trouble at the Tangerine by Gillian McDunn.

••Rosi Hollinbeck has a review of Mascot by Charles Waters and Staci Sorell. Rosi also shares three links for her writer friends.

••Karen Yingling at Mrs. Yingling Reads has a book to share every day. Check out Karen’s MMGM choice for today and all her reviews from this past week.

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THE EMBARRASSING CONFESSIONS OF GRACIE SPARKS

Posted on May 10, 2026 by Greg Pattridge

This new book in diary format is a compelling look at a 12-year-old girl trying to fit in. Written by Australian author Fiona Harris, I was a bit confused as Gracie Sparks had just turned 12 and was going into high school. A little research discovered that is what they call secondary education from 7th grade and up in Australia. None of that middle school stuff down under. The emotional journey of growing up though is still ever present.

Gracie is starting her first year at Middleton Grammar. Her previous school is where she became the top of her class, and was not only popular but cool. Doing the same in 7th grade is a much tougher road to follow. None of her friends are going to her new school and the only people she knows are her obnoxious, self centered older sister, Imogen, and Margot, a boring girl from her last school.

The diary format is a perfect and engaging way to relay and understand Gracie’s struggles. The entries begin on January 18th and continue through May 29th of the next year. Her biggest challenge is finding a new group of friends. She can’t get any guidance from her mom since she passed away several years prior. A person she still misses dearly.

Girls ages 10 and up will enjoy Gracie’s story and find familiarity with the family and friend drama. Boys will be a much tougher draw. These days most seem obsessed with graphic and sports related books and may not be the best audience. In the U.S., THE EMBARRASSING CONFESSIONS OF GRACIE SPARKS is currently only in e-book format but would still make a great gift for the young person in your world.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: March 31, 2026 PAGES: 304

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE EMBARRASSING CONFESSIONS OF GRACIE SPARKS by Fiona Harris

  1. Gracie loves playing her electric guitar and she is good at it. Many real artist and groups are highlighted as her favorite, making them more familiar to the intended audience of readers.
  2. Amiel becomes a new friend for Gracie and is the type of friend everyone should have. Honest and supportive he becomes a big part of Gracie’s growth.
  3. The character arcs for Gracie, Imogen. and many of the other female characters were crafted in an excellent way. You’ll be cheering at the results for each.
  4. Gracie’s voice was authentic and always sounded like a 12-year-old girl. A difficult thing for authors to do but Fiona Harris pulled it off beautifully..
  5. The positive message you get from reading the diary that it is okay to be yourself and every experience in those growing up years, whether it be good or bad, help shape the fantastic adult you have the ability to become.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fiona Harris is an award-winning author, scriptwriter, and performer with more than twenty years of experience across publishing, television, and theatre. She has written over 40 books, many of them for children. The Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks is her debut middle grade novel. (Fiona’s Website)

COMMENTS ARE WELCOME BELOW

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BASEBALL’S SHINING SEASON

Posted on May 8, 2026 by Greg Pattridge

A fascinating and revealing account of the 1941 baseball season during world unrest. Intended for upper middle grade and beyond, this one is for you if either of these are true: baseball is a passion and/or the time period centered around the U.S. entering WWII is of interest. As an adult, I loved it!

Back in 1941 citizens had to find something to get their mind off of world events. Baseball was the perfect prescription. A season where the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Yankees met in the World series. That meant a battle to be the best from superstars Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio as each shattered both the ball and the record books.

The Negro League is also included. Black players were not allowed to play in the “white” League and even women later established their own league as pro players were being drafted for the war.

The photos of that time period are included throughout and support the exciting descriptions of the players and game. The last chapters give readers a look at 1945 and what the future looked like for the country and baseball. along with how the sport help heal the relationship between Japan and the U.S.

The authors have hit a grand slam with Baseball’s Shining Season. A great gift for the fan in your home.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: April 7, 2026 PAGES: 192

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It’s almost time for another Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. Won’t you join us? It’s here I share highlights and links from other bloggers about middle grade books. Many of the posts will have reviews, interviews, and tips on writing. Take a look at PAST MMGM POSTS. Details on how to submit your post can be found in the right margin.

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Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (5/4/2026)

Posted on May 4, 2026 by Greg Pattridge

 

••ALWAYS in the MIDDLE is where you can find my review of THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN WORLD CUP TROPHY by Angela Cervantes.

••Natalie Aguirre @ Literary Rambles is participating in the Come What May Giveaway Hop with lots of middle grade choices.

••Rebecca Douglass is reviewing Lynne Kelly’s Song For a Whale.

••Susan Uhlig was pulled right into Andrew’s story from the illustrated novel POPCORN by Rob Harrell.

••Brenda @ Log Cabin Library has a graphic novel: Diamond Fever!: A True Crime Story in the Wild West by Steve Sheinkin , illustrated by Jon Chad.

••E.T. Charles reviews SAMMY KEYES AND THE CURSE OF MOUSTACHE MARY, fifth book in the series, with themes of choices, vendettas and a mystery that will be new to today’s middle grade students.

••Sue Heavenrich is sharing a couple of STEM-based graphic novels over at Archimedes Notebook.

••Jennifer Rummel @ YA Book Nerd reviews No Way Never Sisters, a reverse Parent-Trap novel.

••Rosi Hollinbeck has a review and GIVEAWAY of MIXED FEELINGS . Rosi also shares a summary of her recent baseball trip and has three links for her writer friends.

••Karen Yingling at Mrs. Yingling Reads has a book to share every day. Check out Karen’s MMGM choice for today and all her reviews from this past week.

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THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN WORLD CUP TROPHY

Posted on May 3, 2026 by Greg Pattridge

In North America we call it soccer, but the rest of the world knows this sport as football. Coming up this summer is the 23rd FIFA World Cup hosted by cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Until then this fast paced mystery is one to enjoy for fans of mystery and an endearing cast of characters.

Sixth grader Diez Espada recently lost his mother to cancer. Time spent with her instilled a love of detective stories and trying out his own developing detective skills in his home town of Miami, Florida. His father is a huge soccer fan and hopes he and his son can share the same passion. Chasing clues seems to be the direction Diez would prefer.

When he and dad are invited to a party to celebrate the upcoming World Cup, the prized trophy is stolen. Now Diez must race to find the trophy and prove he is more than just a nosy kid. Helping him are an older girl which he has a secret crush on and a world famous detective who is there to solve the mystery.

It’s one night of secret tunnels and creating his own suspect list He actually discovers who the guilty person is before anyone else, but time is not on his side to catch this thief before he/she escapes.

Great mysteries like this one will have you guessing and re-guessing along with the main characters. My guess was wrong as the real culprit had quite the cover. Regardless, the story was page turning with Diez’s first person narration. Along the way readers learn about the sport and the world wide adoration of its stars.

THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN WORLD CUP TROPHY has 20 chapters and by book’s end you will be hoping for more detective work by this memorable boy sleuth.

PAGES: 240 BOOK BIRTHDAY: May 5, 2026

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN WORLD CUP TROPHY by Angela Cervantes

  1. The dialogue between the characters was a favorite, especially the exchanges between Diez and 8th grader Rio.
  2. Diez is still grieving the loss of his mother, but it doesn’t overwhelm the story. It helps that his dad is still supportive. Other books with a parent death often have the remaining parent offering little support to their child as they are deep in their own grief.
  3. You don’t have to be a soccer fan to enjoy this plot. Yes, you will learn about the sport and it’s famous past but the real engagement comes from the mystery.
  4. The history of the World Cup was fascinating as the cup actually was stolen twice in the past.
  5. Yes, kids often see details adults miss as was on displayed here. Diez could become the next great kid detective like those Hardy Boys in the past.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Angela Cervantes is the award-winning author of popular children’s novels like Lety Out Loud, which was a 2020 Pura Belpré Honor Book. Her other books include The Cursed Moon which won Florida’s Sunshine State Young Readers Award for 2024-2025. Angela’s latest novel, Anomalies 53:Into the Shadows, is the author’s first book in the children’s fantasy genre and is available now. Her upcoming books include a new mystery novel: The Mystery of The Stolen World Cup Trophy which releases May 5, 2026. And book two in the Anomalies 53 book series: Anomalies 53: Dragon Dreams, which releases in July 2026.

Other novels by the author include American Girls’ 2026 Girl of the Year: Raquel Reyes Saves the Wedding; Maritza: Lead with Your Heart (American Girls; 2021); Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring; Gaby, Lost and Found; Allie, First at Last.

In addition to her original novels, Angela authored the junior novelization for Disney/Pixar’s award-winning animated-films, Coco and Encanto.

Angela’s short stories have been featured in Chicken Soup for The Latino Soul and the Young Adult anthology Beyond Borders: Growing Up Mexican in America.

Angela is a daughter of a retired elementary-school teacher who instilled in her a love for reading and storytelling. Angela writes from her home in Kansas City. When she’s not writing, Angela enjoys reading, running, gazing up at clouds, and taking advantage of Taco Tuesdays. (To learn more about Angela and her books, please visit her author web site)

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THE ENDLESS GAME

Posted on May 1, 2026 by Greg Pattridge

It’s 1998 in this new graphic novel and Fred Townsend is on the move again. His dad’s job has them relocating often and this time it’s Lakeside, Illinois. Fred is always the new kid.

What makes Lakeside different is the Capture the Flag game that has been played since 1923 between two parts of the city. Fred is recruited and discovers the competition to be quite intense. A panel of home schooled kids monitor the rules. There are jails, elaborate home bases for each group, while everyone tries to not get tagged.

The excitement ends each day as jails release the captured kids to return home to their families. The adults stand back and reminisce about their time in the game. Fred tries to fit in but realizes his family probably won’t stay here for long. He wishes they would.

Dialog panels are often filled with a lot of text. Those just getting into middle grade reading might want to read some simpler graphic novels before returning to this one. Established readers will forge ahead and be totally absorbed with the competition. The ending makes the journey even more fulfilling. The graphics are nicely done with the wide-eyed expressions on each character’s face enhancing the story line.

THE ENDLESS GAME most of all is about friendship and realizing that being a kid sets the stage for the adult version of yourself.

BOOK BIRTHDAY:April 28, 2026 PAGES: 248

ABOUT THE AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR

J.D. Amato is a comedy writer, showrunner, and producer best known for his work on comedy television shows like After Midnight with Taylor Tomlinson; Desus & Mero; My Brother, My Brother and Me and The Chris Gethard Show. He is currently an executive producer on The Undercovers, hosted by Eli Manning. Beyond television and film, J.D. has been a house performer at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theater, consulted for various magicians, performed as a mime, and once hosted a podcast where every episode was twelve hours long. Outside of writing he is an amateur distance runner and loves colorful things. He is based in Astoria, NY.

Sophie Morse is an illustrator based in Boston, MA. She received her BFA in Illustration from RISD in 2020. She has experience in editorial, publishing, and art direction, and her past clients include Simon & Schuster, NPR, and more. She loves making work that her tinier self would think is cool, and would definitely print out and tape to her childhood bedroom wall. When she is not drawing, she is exploring New England, haunting local graveyards, and running around at her day job as a letterpress printer.

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It’s almost time for another Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. Won’t you join us? It’s here I share highlights and links from other bloggers about middle grade books. Many of the posts will have reviews, interviews, and tips on writing. Take a look at PAST MMGM POSTS. Details on how to submit your post can be found in the right margin.

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Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (4/27/2026)

Posted on April 27, 2026 by Greg Pattridge

 

••ALWAYS in the MIDDLE is where you can find my review of THE NOWHERE BEAST by Leslie Vedder.

••Natalie Aguirre @ Literary Rambles has an interview with Garth P. Jones and a giveaway of his two Solve Your Own Mysteries series books, The Monster Maker and The Time Thief.

••Susan Uhlig had fun with CITY SPIES by James Ponti. It’s the first book in a series.

••Rebecca Douglass is reviewing One Fine Voice by Rebecca Langston-George.

••Jenni Enzor has a collection of books old and new for readers who are beyond picture books but not quite ready for longer middle-grade books. Included in the collection are Heartfelt Hotel (Kallie George), Flat Stanley (Jeff Brown), Catwings (Ursula LeGuin), and many more.

••Sue Heavenrich has a great nonfiction MG book over at Archimedes Notebook: Who Hid the Stars? How Light Pollution Changes Our World.

••Valinora Troy reviews CITY SPIES by Jame Ponti.

••Jennifer Rummel @ YA Book Nerd reviews Phoenix, a book about healing.

••Linda Browne @ Bookcase Bizarro is back with us this week and reviews Michael Bedard’s The Winter Vault. Linda wrestles with how to talk about a book that doesn’t fit neatly into publishing categories.

••Karen Yingling at Mrs. Yingling Reads has a book to share every day. Check out Karen’s MMGM choice for today and all her reviews from this past week.

••BONUS LINK: I came across this interesting opinion piece about the past, present, and future of Middle Grade books by Vicky Weber: Middle Grade Is “Dead” And I Think That’s Good News.

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THE NOWHERE BEAST

Posted on April 26, 2026 by Greg Pattridge

The sequel to last year’s Labyrinth of Souls shares the same feel of the first book with plenty of nightmarish creatures and creepy happenings. It would be best to start with the beginning of the series so you aren’t thrown into this world without any knowledge of the characters or setting.

THE NOWHERE BEAST has Ix Tatterfall back for year 2 at Candle Corps Academy. Her best friends also return: Morrigan is part-nightmare, while Ollie is a big lover of books. They are a memorable group.

Ix’s parents exist in the Labyrinth of Souls. Mom is Death, the Soul Reaper, and Dad is the Melancholy of Regret. It gets even stranger back at the Academy where there are even more nightmares and ghosts lurking. The main push of the plot comes from the dangers facing the magical school with a monster that is hiding in someone’s shadow and numerous other unexpected events.

Ix is an endearing protagonist and her emotional journey is the highlight of the story. She’s brave in her quest to find out the truth to what is happening at the school. It you love books with magical schools as the setting, then look no further. There is a 4-page Glossary of Nightmares in the back pages that will help in giving one a head start before diving into chapter 1. THE NOWHERE BEAST has a winning formula for fantasy fans with loads of magical world building. Readers will be hoping the series continues.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: February 10, 2026 PAGES: 304

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE NOWHERE BEAST by Leslie Vedder

  1. Finding yourself wanted positively by others is an internal challenge that many face. Ix knows there are many students and adults who would rather see her leave the school. She pushes forth and the decisions she makes will have you cheering at the result.
  2. Mostly small illustrations appear throughout. They are a nice inclusion as they help you visualize the characters and scary scenes even better.
  3. The many secondary characters add even more appeal. Smiles, a giant smiling cat returns, and new faces like the Scavenger Prince and the Hoodwinkler nightmare are ones you will enjoy.
  4. Now I know where my lost keys are. There’s a realm called Nowhere where everything separated from the original owners can be found. You can’t really go there but the place adds to the unique overall setting.
  5. The spooky scenes shouldn’t be overwhelming for the intended reading audience. They keep you entertained and constantly wondering what will happen next.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Leslie Vedder (she/her) is a queer ace author who loves girl adventurers and heroes! She grew up on fantasy books, anime, fanfiction and the Lord of the Rings movies, and met her true love in high school choir. She currently lives in Colorado with her wife and her cat Fox Mulder, who believes the treats are out there.

When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her watching anime and sci-fi shows, walking in the woods and pretending they’re enchanted forests, or playing old video games. She always collects all the Skulltulas in Zelda and all the Dalmation puppies in Kingdom Hearts.

​​Her debut YA THE BONE SPINDLE was an indie bestseller. Find her online at leslievedder.com.

COMMENTS ARE WELCOME BELOW

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Posted in MG Fantasy, Middle Grade Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

FOLLOW THE WATER

Posted on April 24, 2026 by Greg Pattridge

This is not a fantasy or some made-up science fiction tale. Instead what readers experience is a brave girl doing what seems would be impossible.

Nearly 55 years ago seventeen-year-old Juliane Koepcke and her mother were at the Lima, Peru airport. Their destination was the Panguana Reseach Station in the Amazon where dad and husband lived and worked. They boarded a Lockhead L188 Electa with other passengers. Disaster unfolded when the plane flew directly into a storm and was struck by lightning. The aircraft was torn into pieces and Juliane, still strapped into her seat, descended two miles before crashing into the rainforest canopy, and landing on the jungle floor. The amazing result of the crash: she was still alive.

Juliane awoke the next morning. The seats next to her where her mom and another passenger sat were empty. A broken collarbone, along with a missing shoe and glasses is what she discovered next. She had learned a lot from her rainforest-studying parents and used that knowledge to keep moving and follow the water. For eleven dangerous and horrific days she survived and moved closer to being rescued. At that time Juliane didn’t now that she was the sole survivor,

The first 20 plus pages are devoted to the necessary backstory before the doomed flight. I was anxious for the survival story to begin and was finally rewarded with the gripping account. Juliane’s journey was truly amazing and I was glad her emotional and physical recovery and the rest of her life so far were also detailed.

Sidebars throughout delve into the science that allowed Juliane to survive her fall, the diversity of life in the Amazon jungle, the natural history of Peru and much more. Follow the Water is a a story I will never forget. The writing is perfect for ages 10 and up.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: March 17, 2026 PAGES: 192

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ellen Cochrane writes immersive nonfiction for young readers that trusts their intelligence and their emotions. Her debut, “Follow the Water,” tells the true story of 17-year-old Juliane Koepcke’s survival in the Amazon. It’s an adventure that reads like a thriller and teaches how science lives in the world: weather, rivers, canopy, and the choices that keep us alive.

A longtime middle school teacher of English, English learners, Spanish, and Russian, Ellen brings classroom clarity and compassion to complex topics. She studied science writing at Johns Hopkins, is a certified California Naturalist, and previously wrote a syndicated column exploring the natural world. As a teen exchange student she lived in Lima, Peru, and traveled the same route into the jungle that frames Juliane’s story.

Ellen lives in Sacramento, where she champions literacy, nature education, and conservation. A portion of proceeds from “Follow the Water” supports the Panguana Foundation. For more, visit EllenCochrane.com.

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It’s almost time for another Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. Won’t you join us? It’s here I share highlights and links from other bloggers about middle grade books. Many of the posts will have reviews, interviews, and tips on writing. Take a look at PAST MMGM POSTS. Details on how to submit your post can be found in the right margin.

Posted in Historical fiction, Middle Grade Book Reviews | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (4/20/2026)

Posted on April 20, 2026 by Greg Pattridge

 

••ALWAYS in the MIDDLE is where you can find my review of THE SPIDER STRIKES by Michael P. Stradlin.

••Natalie Aguirre @ Literary Rambles has an interview with Van Hoang and a giveaway of her MG contemporary, Auntie Q’s Golden Claws Nail Salon.

••Charlotte’s Library reviews THE DELTA CODEX by Deva Fagan.

••Jenni Enzor and Valinora Troy are each posting the entertaining feature starring their two canine friends. Max and TOTP are interviewing each other about Love Rolls In by Erin Soderberg Downing.

••Susan Uhlig enjoyed THE OUTLAWS SCARLETTE AND BROWNE by Jonathan Stroud.

••Brenda @ Log Cabin Library has a review of The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy by Angela Cervantes.

••Jennifer Rummel @ YA Book Nerd reviews School of Thieves.

••Karen Yingling at Mrs. Yingling Reads has a book to share every day. Check out Karen’s MMGM choice for today and all her reviews from this past week.

Posted in Book Lists, Middle Grade Book Reviews, MMGM Links | Tagged , , | Leave a comment