••ET Charles posts a one question interview with Stan Yan and features his graphic novel The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang.
••Linda Browne has her November Bookcase Bizarro with a review of NOT LUCILLE by Mike Steele.
••Rosi Hollinbeck has a review and GIVEAWAY of Jennifer Bohnhoff’s PERSPECTIVE. Rosi also shares 3 links of interest for her writing friends.
••Karen Yingling at Mrs. Yingling Reads has abook to share every day. Check out Karen’s MMGM choice for October 20th and all her reviews from this past week.
Dragon stories are always popular with young readers. The fantasy of seeing dragons in the sky and interacting with humans is hard to resist. Of course the story has to keep one interested and with DAWN OF THE DRAGONS, a prequel to NEW DRAGON CITY, it has succeeded.
You can read this one on its own and actually the 2 books can be read in any order. I like seeing how things began with the plot so I’m happy to have started with this engaging story.
Twelve-year-old Lucas was supposed to be spending most of his summer at camp but dangerous fires have sent him back home. Now all he can do is be a friend and companion for Noah, a younger neighbor boy and be constantly reminded of his beloved pet cat who died recently.
Noah’s dad believes dragons are causing the fires and pose a great risk to all humans. So much so that he leaves town with his family for a underground bunker.
Lucas is not sure what he believes but sets out on a hike in the mountains to find the answer. To his amazement he comes across a young Dragon named Cinder who is injured and unable to fly. His compassion wins out and he takes the creature home They soon discover that they can communicate and their friendship grows. They both want humans and dragons to get along and live peacefully together. The opposite happens and it seems like the two have caused a war with destruction for the enemy on the minds of both the government and dragon royalty. It’s soon apparent Noah and Cinder are the only ones who can bring peace, if it is even possible.
Chapters shift from Noah’s perspective to Cinders and their thoughts are much the same in that they want the best for their families. The pacing through the 41 chapters and and epilogue is excellent. You’ll be anxious to get back to the story every time you put it down. DAWN OF THE DRAGONS is a great read for middle graders and even those in their early teens.
BOOK BIRTHDAY: September 2, 2025 PAGES: 320
FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: DAWN OF THE DRAGONS by Mari Mancusi
Lucas and his father have some memorable moments. Dad becomes more supportive the more he listens to his son.
The dual perspectives worked so well here and that’s not always the case with writers using this technique. You really get to know Lucas and Cinder on a much more personable level.
Figuring out how humans and dragons interact within their own world and with each other was a memorable part of the story. Lucas and Cinder had to get the older characters to believe and understand. Not an easy task.
Jumping to conclusions and passing judgement on the actions of a few has great discussion potential when compared to today’s real world.
By the end of DAWN OF THE DRAGONS, the setup for the original book in the series has you anxious to begin reading NEW DRAGON CITY.
About the Author:
Mari Mancusi is an Emmy award winning former TV news producer and author of more than thirty books for kids, teens, and adults. Her bestselling series have been awarded spots on major state reading lists (including Texas Bluebonnet and Florida’s Sunshine State lists) and have been featured selections in the Scholastic Book Fairs and clubs.
She also writes tie-in novels for Disney Press (Frozen, Nightmare Before Christmas) and Netflix (Wednesday). In addition to writing, Mari is an avid cosplayer, horror fan, and MMORPG gamer. A graduate of Boston University, she lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, Jacob, and daughter. (Author Website)
This past June I reviewed THE ANGEL PLAYER, the 2nd book in Andrew Beattie’s Tales from the Middle Ages series. It is a real page turner with memorable characters. I was anxious to read the first story with THE SECRET IN THE TOWER and was not disappointed.
The time period is the same in Medieval London but this one is a separate plot. Twelve-year-old Jack Broom has lived with his aunt ever since he was born. He is being trained as an apothecary (one who prepares medicines and drugs). His aunt is often cruel to him with frequent whippings. He has no other choice than to keep helping her in the shop where she grows plants and creates remedies for those who are sick. His dream is to become a surgeon.
Jack seems destined for failure when soldiers mistake him for a boy with a noble past. He avoids being dragged to the Tower of London and gains a new friend in Alice. Jack’s goal now is to find out who he really is and gets involved in the politics of the time with conspiracies, treason, and power hungry men.
The third person narration guides readers to a thrilling conclusion set in the Tower of London. You feel like you are in the middle ages with the gripping plot. Yes, Jack finally learns about his past and readers will be guessing the entire way about his identity. There’s plenty of action and history. The author details what is truth and fiction in the plot with a detailed Historical Note in the final pages.
THE SECRET IN THE TOWER is best for middle grade readers who enjoy historical fiction. That audience includes us adults who can’t resist an adventurous story set in a time period that is rare in a middle grade book.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andrew Beattie is a London-based author, editor and archivist. Whilst The Secret in the Tower marks his debut as a writer of children’s fiction, he has previously written a number of stage plays for children which have been performed by schools and youth theatre groups in England, the United States and Australia – including Arthur, Boy King of Britain, which tells the story of the boy Arthur, the magician Merlin, and the Sword in the Stone; Brief Lives, which won the Scottish Community Drama Association’s Award for new writing for youth theatre in 2002 and was later staged at the East 15 Acting School in Essex in a production directed by the actress Alison Steadman; and a stage adaptation of Mark Twain’s novel The Prince and the Pauper. He has also written a number of books on history, travel and the environment. (Author’s Website)
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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.
••Tonja Drecker @ Bookworm for Kids takes a peek at The Tale of the Vanishing Circus by Kayla Cottingham, Book 3 in the Are You Afraid of the Dark? series.
••Sue Heavenrich has a MG nonfiction book over at Archimedes Notebook: The Gland Factory: A Tour of Your Body’s Goops, Juices, and Hormones.
••Karen Yingling at Mrs. Yingling Reads has abook to share every day. Check out Karen’s MMGM choice for October 20th and all her reviews from this past week.
The setting of 1980’s Ireland provides the perfect backdrop for a ghost story. THE SPIRIT OF LOUGHMOE ABBEY though isn’t a setup to scare readers. Instead, the tale is an endearing look at a home schooled, neurodivergent girl as she struggles to fit in at a boarding school.
Gwen’s first time in a school happens because her mother has been admitted to the hospital and dad is too busy with work to be involved in home education. Despite this being an unusual school where pets are allowed and the meals are superbly prepared, Gwen find herself woefully behind in all of her classes since the teaching style is one size fits all. She has no friends and classmates just laugh at her.
The school becomes even stranger when Gwen is approached by a spirit who wants to help both Gwen and her mom. Gwen is scared and refuses to believe a ghostly spirit could make Mom better.
From this point I can’t give anymore of the plot away. There are some surprising twists and Gwen discovers a lot about friendship, family, and learning. THE SPIRIT OF LOUGHMOE ABBEY is also a good discussion starter about neurodivergent learners.
BOOK BIRTHDAY: October 1, 2025 PAGES: 192
FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE SPIRIT OF LOUGHMOE ABBEY by Megan Wynne
Gwen eventual bonding with the school cook and Molly the spirit were the highlight of character interactions.
The leader of the school knows all about the spirits and is even in charge of scheduling visits with them. You’ll be wondering why, but don’t worry the pleasing plot unfolds with the answer.
Having students bring their dogs to school seems like a disaster in the making but here it works amazingly well. I doubt this will cause any change to the no pet rule in today’s schools.
The secret in the family is what needs to come out and the reveal is not only surprising but is set up nicely in the plot.
Gwen finally takes hold of her education thanks to a classmate who wants to be a teacher. It’s one of the many heartwarming moments in the story.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Megan Wynne teaches creative writing online to children and teenagers from all around the world. She is a member of Poetry Ireland’s Writers in Schools Scheme and gives workshops at literary festivals, in libraries and schools. When not writing, Megan likes to read, swim, eat cake, drink hot chocolate and cuddle the nearest available dog. She lives on the coast of North County Dublin in Ireland.
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BE SURE TO VISIT ALL THE OTHER BLOGGERS ON TODAY’S MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE MONDAY!
First up is the appealing graphic novel, WINGING IT. Luna lost her mother when she was just a baby. The only things she has to keep that person in her thoughts are her name, old photos, and nature journals. Mom’s passion was the environment and she named her daughter after the Luna moth.
Luna lives with her dad in California. She has friends and a good life. That is until Dad takes a job back east and they move to the Washington D.C. area. Just as upsetting is that they will be living with her mother’s mom, the grandma she barely knows. The story covers the next year and chapters are titled by each month.
As Luna adjusts to the new environment she begins to take an interest in the outdoors like her mother. Her goal is to see the rare Luna moth in its natural environment. The confusing relationship she has with her grandmother takes on a new direction. Illustrations and text blend nicely with the facial expressions of each character, boldly displaying every emotion.
WINGING IT is a fun, charming tale that is perfect for the middle grade audience. Another plus are the back pages with directions on how to create your own nature journal.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Megan Wagner Lloyd is the Eisner-nominated writer of the bestselling and award winning kids’ graphic novels Allergic and Squished, co-created with illustrator Michelle Mee Nutter, and the Super Pancake kids’ graphic novel series, co-created with illustrator Abhi Alwar. Megan is also the author of the children’s novel Haven: A Small Cat’s Big Adventure, the picture book How to Catch Some Zzzs, illustrated by Jade Orlando, and several more books. She lives with her family in the Washington, DC area.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Michelle Mee Nutter is an Eisner-nominated comic artist based in Boston. Her work includes bestselling graphic novels Allergic and Squished and several picture books, includingThe Girl Who Built an Ocean and Peyton Picks the Perfect Pie. Her favorite part of illustrating is capturing a character’s emotions and making readers feel seen. When she isn’t working, you can usually find her doing puzzles, playing video games or perusing stationery shops.
Halloween is in one week and what better way to get in the spooky mood than by reading THE BLACK MARKET. You’ll find two appealing characters and a not too scary tale for the Halloween season.
Ten-year-old Martin loves horror movies, spending time with his best friend Jess, and the unannounced visit from his great-aunt. Her latest visit came the day before Halloween with a gift for Martin: a pair of curly toed shoes made from an extinct animal hide. She also tells him a secret as to where they came from: none other than the Black Market where once a year those who know about it can trade for some unusual items.
When the Black Market turns up down a dark alley in his home town on Halloween, Martin just has to visit. He gets in and eventually trades his new shoes in for a very famous Bag of Dirty Tricks. To Martin and Jess it sounds like fun, but they soon realize the tricks aren’t so harmless. First Martin’s Dad turns bright red from head to toe, then the grouchy neighbor next door sprouts long branches from his ears and fingers. They decide to bury the bag. It turns up in the wrong hands and the two friends devise a plan to find out who has it and hopefully destroy the remaining tricks in the bag.
Martin’s kid-like narration gives readers a story with page turning appeal and a lot of plot twists. The character ARCS for both Martin and Jess are a highlight as they go from pranking others to seeing the harm they are doing and try to change. The occasional illustrations add to the fun and spooky aspect of the story.
THE BLACK MARKET is a great addition to the shelves for Halloween. It would actually be an entertaining read any time of the year.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jed Alexander is an author and illustrator who has done work for a variety of publications, including Cricket Magazine and SpongeBob Comics. He’s the author of three critically acclaimed wordless picture books, Red, and Gold and Olive. His recent release is the Middle Grade Novel, The Black Market. He lives in Davis California with his wife and best friend in the world, Regina.
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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.
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.
I’ve gotten to know Valinora through her frequent participation and support for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (MMGM). I was thrilled when she asked if I would be a part of her cover reveal for Lianna and the Hombit. The new book will be out on January 29th, 2026. Preorders are available at Lianna and Hombit – Valinora Troy.
13-year-old Lianna has lost everything: her home, her friends, and most devastatingly, her beloved Papa. Sent to live with her uncle, Lianna is certain he will be cruel and unkind, for why else would Papa have run away when he was young? Robbed on arrival of her precious keepsakes, Lianna receives a worse-than-expected welcome from her uncle. His servants are hostile and even her grandparents seem to glare at her from their portraits over the fire.
When a magical creature resembling a small glass bird bursts into her life in a mix of sparks and fire, Lianna is eager to assist the hombit with its secret mission if it helps her return home. Which leads to Lianna undertaking a risky dive near perilous sea stacks known as ‘living rocks’.
When her dive goes wrong, she awakens a creature that seeks to rob her of her humanity.
To survive, Lianna must uncover the dark secrets of her father’s past. Now she faces a stark decision: does she save herself or the town that rejects both her and her father?
A heart-warming story of the healing power of friendship when all seems lost.
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That sure is a great sounding plot! And now take a look at the equally powerful cover:
A stunning accomplishment for sure and one that will grab young reader’s attention. Best of luck on your new book Valinora. I can’t wait to read it myself!
About Valinora Troy
Valinora Troy is a children’s fantasy writer from Ireland. She has a MA in Creative Writing Specialising in Writing for Children and Young Adults, and has served as a panellist for the CYBILS awards (elementary & middle grade speculative fiction category). Her short stories for adults have been in a number of publications. She is the author of ‘The Lucky Diamond’ trilogy, three middle grade children’s fantasy adventures. She has recently been shortlisted for the Staróg prize, and has served as a Reading Ambassador for Louth County Libraries.
••Jemima Pett has a pharaonic time travel adventure with a twist: Kiwi in the Realm of Ra, book 5 in the Kiwi series (of 6) but is definitely on age for young historians.
••Valinora Troy is on a blog tour with Twinkl and Wildcat Summer this week.
••Maria Antonia pops in this month with Violets are Blue by Barbara Dee.
••Jenni Enzor features Superpuzzletastic Mysteries by Chris Grabenstein (a short story collection with other authors) and a nonfiction title, How to Create Your Own Secret Language by David Peterson.
••Karen Yingling at Mrs. Yingling Reads has abook to share every day. Check out Karen’s MMGM choice for October 20th and all her reviews from this past week.
Jennifer Nielsen is known for writing historical fiction and fantasy but now she steps into the world of contemporary fiction. THE FREE STATE OF JAX brings an often amusing and touching story that will have young readers asking for more.
Most tweens at some point think about running away with no solid plan in place. Usually this comes after they don’t get what they want. For 12-year-old Jaxson Averett his reasons go a lot deeper.
Jaxon’s parents were killed when he was only three in a tragic boating accident. His Grandma Averett raised him until she couldn’t anymore due to Alzheimers disease.. The past three months he has lived in Walkonby, Kansas with Aunt Helga, Uncle Clive, and their six mostly obnoxious and mean children: Denise, Dutch, Daisy, Delijah, Danger, and Chet-Chet. The family can’t even call him by his correct name and mostly bully and ignore downtrodden Jax. He’s had enough.
Jax escapes with a unique plan, He goes next door and floats a self made raft onto a small pond and declares himself president of a new micronation. Jax even wrote his own Declaration of Independence for anyone who thinks he is kidding. This brings him more attention from the property owner, Owen O’Keefe. Own is the least popular man in town after his brother went missing with a lot of the town’s money. Mr. O’Keefe is guilty according to most of the town’s residents of killing his brother, despite their being little evidence, including a body.
Jax is now in the middle of a mystery while lawyers, his aunt and uncle, and new friends bring much attention to his new country. He chooses to stay and investigate while hiring a lawyer for a nickel, and appointing her daughter as general. Of course this won’t work, will it? The results are a compelling and entertaining read. Despite the length of 352 pages the plot flies by as it did for me in just a few days.
Jax is an endearing character with so much courage. His first person narration is spot on for a 12-year-old. Family gets a whole new meaning in THE FREE STATE OF JAX and I highly recommend it for middle grade readers of all ages.
BOOK BIRTHDAY: October 21, 2025
FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE FREE STATE OF JAX by Jennifer A . Nielsen.
The secondary characters also shine like his new friend and 3-star general, Alicia, and the mysteriously supportive land owner, Owen. Jax is center stage but these other characters bring out the best in him.
Uncle Clive’s family are horrible and dishonest, just the nemesis and conflict that makes the reading experience even more appealing.
Asking for help when you need it was a great takeaway for young readers to employ in their own lives.
The cousins are a ridiculous lot and many of their fights with Jax turn into some of the most humorous parts of the story.
It’s nice to laugh and smile while reading, and after so many recent dire tales I have experienced in MG books, Jax won me over.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jennifer lives at the base of a very tall mountain in Northern Utah with her husband, three children, and a naughty puppy. She loves the smell of rainy days, hot chocolate, and old books, preferably all at once. She is a former speech teacher, theater director, and enjoyed a brief but disastrous career as a door-to-door pollster. In her spare time, Jennifer tends to panic, wondering what she has forgotten to do that has allowed her any spare time. (Visit Jennifer’s Author website)
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BE SURE TO VISIT ALL THE OTHER BLOGGERS ON TODAY’S MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE MONDAY!
I read my first Alan Gratz novel back in 2018. REFUGEE captured the tragic and emotional effect on families when they have to move because of political decisions. Three families were featured from different time periods and the stories tied together beautifully by the last pages.
Graphic novels are increasingly popular and young readers who might shy away from the original 352 page book can now be introduced to the story in this visual format. The three characters are fictional but based on what was going on with real families in each time period.
The colorful images detail the emotion in each character’s face along with detailed background.
Josef is a Jewish boy fleeing Nazi Germany in 1939.
Isabel is a Cuban girl escaping Havana in 1994.
Finally there is Mahmoud, a Syrian boy leaving Aleppo in 2015.
Sadly, the world has not changed much as 2025 has brought on more stories of family upheaval. REFUGEE THE GRAPHIC NOVEL is a great learning and discussion starter. The book debuted this month and at just 176 pages it will for sure grab the attention of new readers.
ABOUT ALAN GRATZ
I’m the author of a number of books for young readers, including Refugee, Allies, Grenade, Projekt 1065, Prisoner B-3087, and Ban This Book. I live in the mountains of western North Carolina with my family, where I enjoy reading, playing games, and eating pizza. Follow me on Twitter: @alangratz
ABOUT THE ARTIST
SYD FINI started working in Arya comics and directed and wrote Back From The Other Side, Turquoise Guardian and Stars on Earth short animation films. He works as a storyboard artist at the Mill New York and Psyop. He recently finished his graphic novel Saah, about a boy who tries to save pigeons in a fictional middle eastern city torn by war. Syd designed the art for the augmented reality comic book, “Priya and the Lost Girls,” and “Priya’s Mask.” (https://www.finifactory.com/)
It’s never too early to start thinking about gifts for Christmas. Publisher Simon & Schuster has put together a nice set of three holiday classics with THE ESSENTIAL CHRISTMAS CLASSICS COLLECTION. Included are THE NUTCRACKER by E.T.A. Hoffmann; A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens; and my favorite with TWELVE CLASSICS OF CHRISTMAS from authors like Louisa May Alcott and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Get a head start on your holiday shopping with this boxed set.
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.
It’s easy to get a spot in the lineup. Email me the title of the book or feature for any middle grade book, author or giveaway, and a link to your blog. Send it to: 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.
Always in the Middle... 