Beware! This is not magical realism or fantasy. No fiction here either. What you will find is an eye opening look at the many fascinating plants living in our world.

The book is divided into four sections, an engaging format to grab a reader’s attention:

THE BIG

THE BAD

THE SMELLY

THE EXCEPTIONALLY STRANGE

Many of the plants may be ones you have never heard of like the big Traveler’s Palm, the Deadly Nightshade, or the stinky Eastern Skunk Cabbage. There are even plants (the Living Stones) that look like a rock to camouflage itself.

Colorful illustrations compliment the text. An interesting backstory for a plant is often included and you’ll find scientific facts about every plant featured. The descriptions will for sure captivate the intended audience of middle grade readers. It sure did for me!

A handy Glossary, Bibliography, and Index are also included in the back pages. Fantastic Flora – The World’s BIGGEST, BADDEST, and SMELLIEST Plants is a great addition to the home or school library shelves.

PAGES: 144 BOOK BIRTHDAY: May 20, 2025

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ann McCallum Staats is the award-winning author of over a dozen children’s books. She’s also a former teacher who taught in three countries and at three different levels (elementary math, college English, high school English as a Second Language). Her very first teaching gig was in a one-room school in northern British Columbia, Canada (. Her book research brings her near and far. For “High Flyers: 15 Remarkable Women Aviators and Astronauts,” she interviewed a senator, astronauts, and jet and commercial pilots. Ann’s first book was “The Secret Life of Math,” which won ForeWord Review’s Gold Book of the Year. When she’s not writing, Ann travels, mentors, and loves to connect with audiences. Find out more at her website: Annmccallumbooks or on Instagram @Annmsbooks, Twitter @McCallumBooks, or other social media channels.

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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 from other individuals blogging about middle grade books. Many of the posts will have reviews, interviews, and tips on writing. Take a look at PAST MMGM POSTS.

It’s easy to get a spot in the lineup. Email me the title of the book or feature and a link to your blog at gpcolo[at]gmail[dot]com

Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so it gets sorted accurately–and don’t forget to say what you’re featuring) You MUST email me your link by Sunday evening (11 PM Eastern Time) in order to be included in the list of links for that week’s MMGM.

*Please note: these posts are not a reflection of my own opinions on the books featured. Each blogger is responsible for their own MMGM content and I do not pre-screen reviews ahead of time, nor do I control what books they choose. I simply assemble the list based on the links that are emailed to me.