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The fourth book in the WITCHES OF ORKNEY SERIES has its debut this week. It’s an exciting adventure full of witches, mermaids, and a nasty serpent who can destroy entire worlds. The question you might first ask is “Can I read The Mermaid Queen if I’ve not read the others in the series?”

Yes! The story line before Book 4 begins won’t confuse readers as this has a different focus with young witch Abigail trying to stop the evil before it is unleashed. It will entice you to go back and read the others, along with Book 5, THE DARK WITCH, due out next year.
Here’s the back cover blurb for THE MERMAID QUEEN:
Abigail and Hugo have just helped restore the balance of power in Orkney by defeating the powerful alchemist Vertulious when Abigail discovers that Capricorn, the mermaid queen she trusted to help them, has unleashed the powerful Midgard Serpent named Jormungand―who, years ago, encircled the world of mankind and held it captive until Odin banished it to an underwater prison. Capricorn is determined to force Odin to make her goddess of the seas over Aegir, and she’s ready to use the massive serpent to bend him to her will―threatening all of Orkney. Abigail and Hugo must embark on an adventure across the seas to Odin’s island sanctuary to find a way to stop Capricorn and return Jormungand to his watery cell. But when Abigail finds that her powers are not enough, she has to tap into her dark magic again and again. As she is drawn further down this path, a dark presence makes itself known to her―one that may alter her path forever.
(From alaneadams.com)
The third person narration takes you through a prologue, then 31 chapters followed by the setup for Book 5 in an epilogue. It’s a manageable 232 pages that won’t scare away reluctant readers. A small selection of illustrations also help the story move along at a nice pace.
Our heroine witch Abigail, along with Hugo and another witch, Calla, provide a well rounded set of characters. Readers might be putting themselves into each of their shoes wondering if they would make the same decisions under the fantasy laden settings. They are brave and you’ll be rooting for them along with hoping Abigail doesn’t disappear to the dark side of magic. Her inner turmoil and temptations are real and the basis for the main story.
Schooling at The Witch Academy takes a back seat in book 4 to the more important adventure. You won’t be sorry for taking an enjoyable escape to the Orkney world.
FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT THE MERMAID QUEEN by ALANE ADAMS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Alane Adams is the author of award-winning titles that include the Legends of Orkney™ Norse mythology series for middle grade readers, the Witches of Orkney prequel series, and a series of historical picture books set in the 1920s including The Coal Thief. Alane Adams and her books have been featured on BBC, Fox, the CW, Parade, Bustle, Today, People, and many more! When Alane is not writing or sharing how Reading Is A Superpower with young students through her Between the Pages program, she’s out hiking somewhere in the world or hanging out with her three boys in Southern California. For more information, visit https://alaneadams.com or follow Alane on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @AlaneAdamsBooks.
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I received a copy of the book in exchange for my honest critique. Be sure to comment below and then visit the other Marvelous Middle Grade Monday bloggers posting today. Happy MMGM!

Maisie has always loved horses. She is also a talented artist. When the opportunity arises for her to study in Paris, her two worlds collide. There, in the heart of the city, Maisie finds the childhood diary of famous horse artist, Rose Bonifait, and meets the beautiful black stallion, Claude.
As the two girls’ stories emerge, tragedies unfold – both past and present – and Maisie realises that she can’t begin to imagine life without her forever horse…
Horse lovers rejoice at this tender tale set both present and past. Maisie has already found her life’s passions at age 12: Horses and painting beautiful portraits of them.
While she pursues her craft in Paris through a scholarship opportunity, Dad stays behind in London. The arrangement doesn’t seem to be working for Maisie with loneliness setting in and a critical teacher who is not helping. Then she finds Claude, the most stunning creature she has ever come across and his rider, Oscar, a police guard in the city.
Maisie’s first person narration is accompanied by flashbacks to Rose Bonifait’s narration of her life as a rare female budding artist in the 1800’s. Her character is based on a a real artist of the time, Rosa Bonheur.
The modern day atmosphere of Paris comes alive along with an all too familiar event: terrorism. It’s a believable interruption and one that provides much drama for the second half of the story.
I reviewed another of Stacy Gregg’s books in 2019, The Fire Stallion. Now with The Forever Horse she once again has created a compelling story with heart.
Animal lovers have another friend to fill their reading time with a memorable tale of friendship.
AUTHOR STUFF
Stacy gives listeners writing tips in this video on her web site.
You can also take a look at her interesting bio and books she has authored.
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I received a copy of The Forever Horse in exchange for my honest review. Comments are welcome below.
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Blogging about middle grade books or authors next week? Join the celebration.
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Fifth grader Susie Babuszkiewicz’s teacher is always looking for different ways to get students learning. In the Hero Project unit, you first have to choose a hero and they can’t be alive. Susie chooses Susan B Anthony not only because they are both Susie B’s but because her chosen hero championed women’s rights.
Susie has to research Susan B. Anthony’s life and then write her a series of letters. The entire book is made up of these letters. There are no chapters, only headings like DEAR SUSAN B. ANTHONY. It’s unique story telling device and one I initially had trouble getting into. The letters are like the talkative son or daughter coming home from school and telling you everything about their day.
Eventually though I was hooked, especially when Susie discovers some not so heroic events in her hero’s life. Her adoration of this famous lady takes a sudden turn for the worse. The salutations even change to DEAR NOT SUSAN B ANTHONY.
When Susie decides to run for student council president it’s an uphill climb with the competition being way more popular. Susie deals with broken friendships, a mean classmate, and tries to understand the person she is and wants to become. She also searches for answers as to why her “former” hero made some questionable choices.
You’ll enjoy getting to know this feisty preteen. Susie B. Won’t Back Down is recommended for both boys and girls.
BOOK BIRTHDAY: OCTOBER 5, 2021 PAGE COUNT: 272
ADVICE FROM THE AUTHOR, Margaret Finnegan
“I’ve learned that you need to trust seven-year-old you. Seven-year-old you knows exactly what gives your life meaning and joy. Seven-year-old you is pretty brilliant that way.”
Margaret Finnegan is the author of the middle-grade novels Susie B. Won’t Back Down and We Could Be Heroes. Her writing often focuses on themes on inclusion, hard choices, and being true to yourself. She also makes a really good chocolate cake. To learn more, and to download free discussion guides, visit MargaretFinnegan.com.
Twitter: @FinneganBegin
Instagram: @finneganbegin
Check out the fun mock newspaper, The Susie B News–available here!
You can also read my review of her other middle grade book—We Could Be Heroes from a post last year.
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Be sure to visit the other MMGM bloggers who have gotten this month off to a shining start.
I featured a review of Pippa Park Raises Her Game last year. It’s a satisfying look at life in a private middle school with new arrival Pippa as the narrator. Don’t worry if if you haven’t read the story. This new journal is a fun journey into how you see yourself. Perfect for 11-13 year old girls.
Spread out over 144 pages, the creative layout is colorful and never boring. Readers are quizzed and given opportunities to express themselves in writing and drawing. Topics like What do you like best about yourself? ; My Dream Outfit; or Share a time when you were a good friend are a few of the motivating choices.
By the end you have a true time capsule of your life and one that can be tucked away to reflect on in your adult years. In fact it all ends with writing a letter to your future self.
Creating a big picture of yourself is a great idea. MY JOURNAL ABOUT LIFE displays a creative flair sure to impress and encourage users to write. It would make a great gift any time of the year. Highly recommended!
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Earlier this month, ALWAYS in the MIDDLE took part in the Book Blast giveaway for this new title. Since then I’ve had the time to read the story and can give you a few critical insights. First though, here’s the plot:

The third person narration takes you through 44 mostly short chapters. They alternate with the majority of the chapters focusing on either Billy, his Mom, or Sergeant Chorley, who is investigating the family situation. The sad but hopeful tale will feel to close to home for many young readers and their parents.
Set in Great Britain, Billy is a smart 13-year-old who knows he must escape the fear he has whenever Jeff and his mom are having loud arguments. He believes the graveyard provides the perfect hiding place, but that backfires when two people discover where he’s hiding. One is a kindly old cemetery worker who cleans the headstones. He misses his late wife and own son who ran away. Then there is Izzie, a classmate who promises not to tell anyone about Billy’s whereabouts.
The black and white drawings throughout add to the emotional appeal of the story.

They stray into graphic novel territory toward the end when a series of double page images depict the events of the supernatural All Souls’ Eve.
The topic of domestic violence is covered in a realistic way and is just right for the 5th grade and up audience. Your heart goes out to Billy. Much discussion can take place with the themes resonating from the pages. I did kind of shake my head toward the end as an all too convenient connection is revealed about the characters. But it doesn’t detract from the compelling and thoughtful way THE HIDEAWAY is presented.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pam Smy studied Illustration at Cambridge School of Art, where she now lectures part-time. Pam has illustrated books by Conan Doyle, Julia Donaldson, and Kathy Henderson, among others. Her first novel, Thornhill, was a critical and commercial success, shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, the UKLA Book Awards, the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2018, and winning the 2018 British Book Design & Production Award for Graphic Novels.
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