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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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.

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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.

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THE SPIDER STRIKES

Posted on April 19, 2026 by Greg Pattridge

The third book in the engaging Web of the Spider series can be read on its own as they each feature a different character’s viewpoint.

Set in Heroldsburg, Germany before the start of World War II, three friends are dealing with changes in their community and the rise of Hitler Youth. Each book has one of the characters taking on the narration.

In book one, Rise of the Spider, 12 year old Rolf is worried his older brother is on the verge of joining the Hitler Youth. Next comes Threat of the Spider that features Ansel who is always ready to share one of his Unassailable Facts of Life comebacks.

The focus comes full circle with THE SPIDER STRIKES and the narration by Joshua. What doesn’t change is the danger, excitement, and page turning result each viewpoint brings to the time period. The shorter length of less that 150 pages should also attract many new young readers to historical fiction.

Joshua and his parents are Jewish and they are feeling threatened by the Nazi presence in their city. Joshua invites his friends, Rolf and Ansel, to join his family on their usual summer trip to Salzburg, Austria before Rolf leaves for America with his father.

Upon arrival Joshua convinces his parents to let the boys hike up to their mountain cabin and stay their alone for a week. The family finally agrees with many conditions. Little do they know the Nazis are also present in Austria. The camping trip turns into a struggle as the Hitler Youth choose to harass them continuously. The boys may never make it safely back to their families.

The story telling in THE SPIDER STRIKES is superb and readers will learn the difficulties of living in this sad time period from the viewpoint of a young person. An excellent series. Book 4, LIES OF THE SPIDER is next.

PAGE COUNT: 144 BOOK BIRTHDAY: February 24, 2026

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE SPIDER STRIKES by Micahel P. Spradlin

  1. In the back pages there is a historical timeline from when Hitler was born in 1889 up to the time he became chancellor of Germany. Informative and fascinating reading on its own.
  2. The writing and series of events within will be more than understandable to the intended audience of readers. Perfect through out where as some historical fiction books provide just a set of facts with little or no context.
  3. The research Mr. Spradlin puts you in the middle of the turmoil and you get a deep feeling of the unfairness in what Joshua’s family is dealing with. Historical fiction is far from boring here.
  4. There are many books about life during a war, but this one sets the stage for war with the changes citizens must deal with in the preceding years.
  5. The boys also have exciting adventures and come up with an amusing set of retaliatory pranks directed at the older boys pursuing them.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael Spradlin is the author of over a dozen books for children, some of which have actually been published. He grew up in a small town in Michigan not far from the Ohio-Indiana border and spent many hours of his young life keeping an eye out for “suspicious Hoosier and Buckeye activity.” His early youth was spent reading hundreds of books, imagining himself as the hero of several epic battles, and sneaking in fireworks from Canada to indulge his favorite pastime which was blowing up his collection of plastic Green Army Menand Matchbox Cars.

Michael Spradlin has never practiced law, dentistry (okay maybe once with a loose tooth, string and a doorknob) or flown in outer space. In 1978 he managed to talk his way into college and emerged four years later with a Bachelor’s Degree in History and no prospects for a real job. He has worked as a field hand,
a newspaper delivery engineer, a lawn maintenance specialist, a bartender, a bookseller,
and has lived in Michigan his whole life except for a two year sojourn to a
Southern state which he refuses to discuss.

Want to know more about Michael? Visit his FAQs

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Posted in Historical fiction, Middle Grade Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

AMI MOON & the GALACTIC PEACEKEEPERS

Posted on April 17, 2026 by Greg Pattridge

The debut graphic in this new series has some promise, despite a rather choppy story telling experience.

The setting is Andromeda, a galaxy full of surprises and quirky characters. Ami Moon is the only human involved with the Galactic Peacekeepers and would like to find Earth some day. In the meantime she helps lead missions throughout. This is no ordinary group including a purple shark and a large puffy creature named Sumo. Also ever present is M.O.M., an artificial intelligence inclusion. It assists the group while they attend to several tasks like attending a birthday party on a planet made of paraffin and having a scary face down with a spider like creature.

Although the separate mini-stories are not too engaging or memorable, what stands out is the spectacular art work. Each page burst with vibrant scenes that are fun to explore and are engaging to the eyes. Ami Moon & the Galactic Peacekeepers has that going for it for sure and it will be interesting to see how the plot develops more fully in future books.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: February 10, 2026 PAGE COUNT: 216

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Frances Lee is a Canadian-Korean artist who loves to write and draws stories mostly at night. She often finds herself pondering about the cosmos and wishing for the ability to teleport. Ami Moon and the Galactic Peacekeepers, the first book in a trilogy, is her debut.

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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 Graphic Novels, MG Fantasy, Middle Grade Book Reviews | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (4/13/2026)

Posted on April 13, 2026 by Greg Pattridge

 

••ALWAYS in the MIDDLE is where you can find my review of LIANNA AND THE HOMBIT by Valinora Troy.

••Natalie Aguirre @ Literary Rambles is doing a review of Jennifer Nielsen’s MG contemporary, The Free State of Jax, and her MG historical, Magnitude, with a book giveaway, winner’s choice!

••Sue Heavenrich at Archimedes Notebook has another interesting Non-fiction selection, What Good Is a Dead Tree: A Science Mystery by Doug Wechsler.

••Carol Baldwin has a review of The Silent Journey: A Deaf Immigrant’s Tale with guest blogger Kate Lundeen doing the honors.

••Jenni Enzor features an interview with Becca Wierwille. Max and I will be talking about her and her dog Georgia along with her new mystery series, Barnaby and Scout: The Case of the Four-Legged Friend.

••Brenda @ Log Cabin Library has a review of Hannah Edwards Secrets of Riverway by Ashley Hards.

••Valinora Troy is back with her review of Sammy versus the Smart Phone by Victoria Williamson.

••Stephanie Robinson at Fairday’s Blog features The Revenge of Queen Rose by Valinora Troy.

••Susan Uhlig was impressed with the writing and enjoyed THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS by Stephanie Campisi.

••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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LIANNA AND THE HOMBIT

Posted on April 12, 2026 by Greg Pattridge

I’ve looked forward to this fantasy story since I first heard about it from the author, MMGM frequent contributor, Valinora Troy. It was worth the wait.

Lianna at just 13-years-old has lost her father. She’s sent to live with her uncle to the far away land of Nivram. Her assumptions that it will be a terrible place are correct. No one there seems to like her because of what her father supposedly did. This includes that uncle who is also a judge.

She feels hopeless until a hombit, a glass bird, comes alive and steps into her life. Hombit is one of the most appealing and surprisingly fun non-human character I have come across. Their conversations with each other are memorable.

They agree to help each other. Lianna will assist the bird with a secret mission, so secret that the Hombit doesn’t even know what it entails. In return this magical creature will help Lianna get back to her original home.

That proves to be a huge task with a creature that is slowly invading Lianna’s body and turning her to stone. Uncovering family secrets and the truth about her father will have to happen if she is to stay alive.

Lianna is a fabulous character and very believable new teen in her thoughts and actions. She’s stubborn but also frequently debates the actions she chooses to take. Lianna is one you will not soon forget.

Family, friendship, bravery, and many magical moments make LIANNA AND THE HOMBIT an appealing choice.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: January 29, 2026 PAGES: 268

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: LIANNA AND THE HOMBIT by Valinora Troy

  1. The world building is excellent as readers will envision this new place right along with Lianna. From the coastal waters to the land of Nivram there are many surprises that will keep you turning the pages to learn more.
  2. The pacing in the 34 chapters is never slow and the events unfolding in each chapter have their own magic in creating an engaging plot.
  3. The uncle has a character arc that is both surprising and believable. His level of likeability rises as you discover the truth about the judge’s dislike of his brother, Lianna’s father. Great reveals throughout this superbly written story.
  4. Small and full-page illustrations appear throughout, adding even more appeal to the reading experience.
  5. The ending is heartwarming but not one you ever expected. The power of excellent writing.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Valinora Troy comes from a family of writers and artists. She holds a MA in Creative Writing (Children’s & Young Adults), and lives in Ireland.

Valinora has recently been short-listed in The Staróg Prize. Her books have all been well-received, and recognised in several awards.

Valinora’s first story, started at the age of five or six, featured a girl finding a magic diamond. It took her all summer to write the first few pages.

Since then, she has written many stories, both short and full length novels. The magic diamond, however, continued to call to her, and The Lucky Diamond was published in November 2021. The story changed greatly since she was six – but the Diamond, the five children, the canoe, and the evil Queen Rose insisted on staying.

You can find more about Valinora on her Author website and on Twitter @ValinoraW

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Posted in MG Fantasy, Middle Grade Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

TABLE TITANS CLUB – SNEAK ATTACK

Posted on April 10, 2026 by Greg Pattridge

This fun graphic series returns with the second title. A beginning two pages highlights each of the five club members with some brief background information on each. Very helpful if you have not read the original Table Titan’s Club.

The five are headed to a summer camp. It’s a role playing paradise, especially for kids who love to play Dungeons and Dragons. The group will be immersed in several challenges and riddles. The result should bring nothing but success for the gang … or maybe not.

Upon arrival they are randomly placed into different houses for the camp’s ultimate quest. Now they have to compete against each other to win the top prize. The summer is filled with challenges like the Labyrinth, a rope’s course, and the final Battle Royale which just might end their friendship.

The outstanding art work vividly displays the emotions of each character. Colorful scenes in each of the six chapters will keep readers flipping the pages as the friendship drama escalates. The counselors blend in well with the kids and have some amusing tendencies.

If you love graphic novels look no further than TABLE TITAN’S CLUB SNEAK ATTACK.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: MARCH 10, 2026 PAGES: 224

About the Author

Scott Kurtz is an Eisner and Harvey award-winning cartoonist who helped pioneer webcomics with his daily feature, PvP. Since then, Scott has gone on to produce graphic novels, podcasts, animated series, live roleplaying events, and much more. Scott can be found hiding from the coronavirus in the Pacific Northwest but occasionally leaves his studio to enjoy the dog park or visit his family.

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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 Graphic Novels, Middle Grade Book Reviews | Tagged , , | Leave a comment