The Tinkerers by Caroline Carlson

The Tinkerers by Caroline Carlson

Publisher:  Candlewick Press
Format Read:  Paperback ARC
Number of pages:   480 pages
Publishing:  October 7th, 2025
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Opening Lines:  "Imagine you're on your back, looking up at the stars."

Peter had just won the Empire Day essay contest for "What My Hometown Means to Me" when he unexpectedly crosses paths with two Astromancers, Audrey and Francis.  They were hopelessly lost, so Peter leads them to his family's inn and helps them carry all of their suitcases inside.  Intrigued by their strange inventions, Peter couldn't resist peeking through their belongings.  Among them, he discovers an old clock.  When he touches its hands, time skips backward.   

Peter is generally conscience and follows the rules.  He fears making a mistake and being labeled as an Outbounder.  He tries hard to be a good role model for his younger siblings.  But the temptation to fix his mistakes proves to be irresistible.  Each time he nudges the clock, the harder it becomes to stop.   

The first two chapters unfold through exhibit entries and excerpts from surveillance footage transcripts gathered from across Stargazers Valley.  The valley is known for its clambering and skiens that release their starstuff, a precious substance vital to the Astromancers inventions and is strictly regulated by decree from the Empress Belvedere.   To prevent illegal harvesting a task force patrols the valley monitoring for any Free Citizens and Outbounders. 

The Tinkerers blends elements of a crime novel, mystery, mythology and personal diary.  The story jumps between the threads of uncovering the identities and hidden motives of the Free Citizens staying at Peter's family's inn and the official recollections from Director Laura Boyd of the events leading up to and the four months following Empire Day.  The inn, Peter's home and school are the core locations of the story amid the beauty and simplicity of the Stargazers Valley.  It is a mountainous region bathed in aurora borealis lights. 

Through a collage of surveillance transcripts, Peter's essays and the escalating consequences of him rewinding time, the story builds in suspense and mystery.  The Tinkerers explores themes of identity, moral choices, and discerning between truth and perception.  It asks, what kind of person do you want to be?  Which version of the truth will you tell? and if you could go back in time to fix a mistake, should you? 

**A huge thank you to Candlewick Press for the ARC-paperback in exchange for an honest review**

 I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE      

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday with a review of The Labyrinth of Souls by Leslie Vedder, illustrated by Abigail Larson

The Labyrinth of Souls by Leslie Vedder, illustrated by Abigail Larson

Publisher:  GP Putnam Books
Format Read:  Paperback
Number of pages:   336 pages
Published:  February 11th, 2025
Source: Author in exchange for an honest review

Opening Lines: "They were whispering about her again."

Ix Tatterfall  has always felt like an outcast in her small town of Brittlewick.  She's the only one who can see Nightmares, dark creatures like Inklings, Mistcats, and Dire Frogs.  Her classmates sadly are unable to see them and dismiss her as being strange, even accusing her of being a witch.  Concerned over the growing rumors, her Aunt Tara urges Ix to keep a low profile and avoid drawing attention to herself.  Which is difficult when her abilities set her apart from everyone else.   

In the Kingdom of Spinar, the elite Candle Corps, known as the Flames, protect the realm from the dangers of the Labyrinth.  Armed with magical weapons known as Shadow Renders, they banish Nightmares before they can breach the Waking World.  Ix is one of the rare few who can enter the forbidden Labyrinth of Souls and possesses the unique ability to attract Nightmares.  

During one of her secret excursions into the Labyrinth, Ix encounters Raggedy Jack, a scarecrow Nightmare who devours wraiths and lost souls.  While trying to escape Jack, she becomes cornered by Captain Kel and Morrigan Bea, who are investigating the disturbance in the Labyrinth.  Though Ix's powers seem to defy the rules of Spinar, Captain Kel recognizes her potential and invites her to train at Candle Corps Academy.  Ix joins the novice class beside Morrigan Bea, a hot-tempered girl with a shadowy lineage, Ollie Pembrooke, a quiet bookish boy with a deep knowledge of Nightmares, and Hanky, a loyal Inkling who has followed her to the school.  As the trio start their training, Raggedy Jack begins his hunt within the Waking World.

The Labyrinth of Souls is a perfect eerie escape for the Halloween season.  With it's gruesome, nightmarish scarecrow, soul devouring Sorrows of Chaos, Terror, Misery and Greed, it wonderfully conjures a chilling atmosphere ideal for a crisp autumn night spent reading by flickering candlelight.  The forbidden maze of dark magic also adds an extra layer of mystery that pulls you deeper into its haunted world.   

I really love the blend of magical school and the gothic vibes of Ix's black and purple shirt, combat boots and violet overalls.  They give her a moody, rebellious, edgy feel that fits perfectly with the story's eerie tone.    It's reminiscent of both Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland, complete with a grinning cat of Chaos that Ix refers to as "Smiles." Topping it all off is the Devious Doorway, and a chilling mystery surrounding Ix's father, who's soul was lost within the maze while his body remains suspended in a crystalized state.  Not to mention the malevolent voice trapped in the school's tower, begging Ix for help to escape. 

It's haunting, whimsical and deliciously unsettling, perfect for anyone craving a spooky and magical adventure.  The book also features a handful of black and white illustrations by Abigail Larson, that complement the story.    I'm super excited to see that the next book in the series, The Nowhere Beast is set to release in February 2026.  I'll definitely be counting down the days.  ** A huge thank you Leslie Vedder for the paperback copy in exchange for an honest review ** 

I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE      

The Golden Necklace: A Darjeeling Tea Mystery by Mitali Perkins , illustrations by Maithili Joshi

The Golden Necklace by Mitali Perkins, illustrated by Maithili Joshi
Publisher:  Charlesbridge
Format Read:  Hardcover
Number of pages:   128 pages
Publishing:  October 7th, 2025
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Opening Lines:  "Sona lit a candle, sat at her small studying table, and opened her English textbook."

Sona lives in the mountains near Darjeeling, a city in northeastern India, with her older brother Samiran and their mother.  She is working hard to prepare for an English language proficiency test to earn a scholarship at the prestigious Darjeeling International School.  However, she finds learning English quite challenging, as the grammar rules can be confusing, and the tricky spellings make pronunciation tough to master.

Her family has also been going through tough financial times, with money being tight and everyone needing to pitch in.  Sona's main jobs are to collect the water and study for her exam.  Samiran took out a loan for a food stand but was unsuccessful in getting any customers and still owes a huge sum of money for the loan.  His past history of being accused of stealing, has made it near to impossible for him to find work.  Despite being proven innocent, no one is willing to take a chance on him.  

Sona's only friend is Tara, the niece of Banerji, the tea plantation manager who locks Tara into her room, forcing her to work as an unpaid secretary for his business.  Sona can only visit Tara by climbing up a tree near her balcony and sneaking into her room.  If Banerji were to catch them, Sona's mother would likely lose her job at the tea plantation.  One day while Sona is visiting, Tara confides that her uncle has arranged a marriage for her and plans to sell her inheritance, precious gold jewelry left to her by her parents.  He wants to use the cash to fund opening a hotel.  However, when Tara's gold jewelry suddenly goes missing, Banerji goes on a rampage to find the thief.  Sona begins her own search for the culprit and hopes that her beloved brother, Samiran won't become a suspect.

The Golden Necklace can be read as a standalone novel but also seems to kick off a new series by Mitali Perkins.  I really enjoyed the themes of faith, trust and responsibility.  Also, the importance of seeking the truth.  Sona works very hard with her studies in hopes of someday becoming a teacher.  Tara also has dreams, which don't include an arranged marriage.  It's nice to see that despite coming from two different caste systems, they're able to be friends and help each other out.  The story has a huge set of suspects, but Sona quickly solves the mystery, and the resolution is nicely done.  Other books by this author include Monsoon Summer, Rickshaw Girl and Bamboo People.  

**A huge thank you to Charlesbridge for the hardcover ARC for my review**

I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE      

All the Way Around the Sun by XiXi Tian

All the Way Around the Sun by XiXi Tian

Publisher:  Quill Tree Books

Format Read:  ARC E-book
Number of pages:   304 pages
Publishing:  September 30th, 2025
Source: Books Forward and Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Opening Lines:  "It's strange to think about how, for me, there is no time before you, but there will be, after."

Two years separated Stella Chen from her older brother, Sam, who passed away unexpectedly a year ago.  Her family has been trying to adjust to their new reality.  Initially moving from Mount Pierce, Illinois to San Diego, California where she's expected to finish out the second semester of her senior year.  But Stella hasn't been able to adjust to all of the changes since then.  Sam was her rock.  They were raised by their grandmother in China and had lived there together until they were eight years old when their parents brought them to the United States.  At first it was difficult for the two of them, being "Satellite Babies" and the only two Asian kids in a predominantly white school.  But now in California she is surrounded by perfect bilingual kids who instantly fit into the diverse school.  

At home, Stella hasn't been able to verbalize her feelings.  Both she and her parents don't share their lives with one another.  She hasn't even been able to tell them that she's scared about going away for college and that she hasn't even started her admissions letter.  So, when her parents suggest that she join an estranged childhood friend, Alan Zhao for a college tour across California, she is further frightened.  Stella hasn't seen Alan in four years, not since they both lived in Illinois.  Not since he broke off the connection that they had and never explained why he ghosted her.

Despite her reservations, Stella and Alan begin their awkward road trip.  Before long, they start to talk about what went wrong in their earlier friendship and confide in each other about their true desires and wishes for their future.  But can Stella reveal her deepest secret just as they are beginning to mend their past? 

 All the Way Around the Sun explores how grief feels to the one suffering from it.  Stella had a complicated friendship with Alan and certainly trust issues have remained.  Stella also has lingering guilt surrounding her brother's death.  There are many issues that her parents still do not know.  Alan and Stella work well together, he escapes from his overbearing father and she from her feelings of being an outcast.  Both try to be the person that their parents envision them to be.  The strength of the book is the way that Tian portrays Stella's grief and loss.  It shows how parents can get lost in their own grief and it's important for families to discuss their feelings.  Tian captures these beautiful and tender moments where Stella is able to reflect on happier times with her brother and grandmother.  While she struggles over the loss of Sam, she also yearns to discuss her feelings with someone, and I was happy that she had Alan to lean on.  This was a beautiful story that expresses the difficulties of losing someone very close to you and the importance of finding a way to deal with the pain. 

Favorite line:  " I was their only life preserver in a vast dark sea, and they didn't want to know that I was full of holes."      

Georgia Watson and the 99 Percent Campaign by Sara Shacter

Georgia Watson and the 99 Percent Campaign by Sara Shacter
Publisher:  Fitzroy Books
Format Read:  ARC-Paperback
Number of pages:   173 pages
Publishing:   October 14th, 2025
Source:  Author

Opening Line: "I know kids are supposed to hate the end of summer."

Georgia is about to start sixth grade alongside her best friend, Izzy whom she met in fifth grade through their shared love of science.  After two years of moving from place to place, Georgia is relieved to have someone as steady and fun as Izzy by her side.  Together they've taken on all kinds of projects, like collecting rocks, building DIY electric circuits and their latest experiment, creating an irrigation system using recycled water bottles.  

Just as sixth grade begins, Nicole unexpectedly shows up at Izzy's house, treating Georgia like she's invisible.  Nicole was once the leader of The Hair Posse but now seems determined to drive a wedge between Georgia and Izzy.  Why is she suddenly without her crew and why is she being so cold and mean toward Georgia?  

Then, a simple school project on genealogy unexpectedly upends Georgia and Izzy's friendship.  Georgia makes a huge mistake by revealing Izzy's secret and sparks conflict across the entire classroom.  As friendships fray, Georgia must face the consequences of her choices.  Can she repair the damage and earn back Izzy's trust and friendship?   And can she get her classmates to forgive her? 

Georgia and Izzy share that special spark of a friendship, both are curious, creative and resilient.  I just love their inventive idea of turning water bottles into an irrigation system, it makes science feel fun and accessible.  The arrival of Nicole at Izzy's house adds a classic dose of middle school tension, complete with the emotional anxiety of worrying about losing your closest friend.  

This is a lovely heartfelt story about forgiveness, having compassion and the courage to rectify our mistakes.  Georgia's growth is both realistic and inspiring.  She learns that many things connect us as human beings and that true friendship means striving to do better, even when it's difficult.  The story shines in its connection to STEM, showing how curiosity and problem-solving can lead to real-world solutions.  There are meaningful lessons through realistic consequences, and I love how it portrays the value of cooperation.  A standout debut that should not be missed.  I'm hopeful that there will be a sequel in the future. 

**A huge thank you to Sara Shacter for providing the paperback ARC for my review**

I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE      

It's Middle Grade Monday with a review of Haru: Book 3: Fall by Joe Latham

Haru: Book 3: Fall by Joe Latham
Publisher:  Andrews McMeel Publishing
Format:  E-ARC
Number of pages:   272 pages
Publishing:   October 28th, 2025
Source:  Edelweiss +

Opening Line:  "It was true that darkness's power had never really been undone, for as long as there are those who favor the night and relish the cold, it cannot be killed."

Haru begins with a glimpse of a past memory.  The initial pages resemble aged photographs, yellowed with time. Secrets unfold, and a prophecy emerges, though I’ll refrain from sharing too many details to avoid spoilers.  The series began with Spring and has now been followed by Summer and Fall.  Each book should be read in order.

Just a little background to get you up to date.  Haru is a non-binary blue colored bird, their younger sibling is a chick named Goose, and their mother is a bird ghost.   Fall opens with Haru awakening, alone and in the darkness.  Sad and frightened they begin to search for their friends, making a perilous journey across a great distance that ends in a cave.  

Meanwhile, Yama (Haru's pig best friend), Herb (a mushroom) and Frei (a fly) are in the valley searching for Haru.  We then return to Haru who encounters Hecate (Cate) a ghost cat who guides them on a journey through The In-between.  At the same time, Goose is with their mother searching for a special kind of path that leads to an old gate. Each group is trying to reconnect with one another.

The illustrations within Fall express feelings of loneliness and isolation.  There are full color pages of trees with leaves, an approaching storm and dark shadows, to name a few.  Haru appeared very fragile and dismal in these images.  Some of the themes that I've picked up on are darkness, sacrifice, fate, kindness, family and death.  With the overreaching premise of how grief can be overwhelming and of not taking any shortcuts, that we must go through all the tough things and feelings.  I loved how the darker and lighter shades of the artwork convey so much emotion.  As a side note, the author has a Substack called The Wandering Pen where he goes into greater detail about writing Haru's journey and includes his artwork that is really worth a read.  My favorite panel in the book is where there are mice sitting, singing, crying, hugging and reading while spirits appear above their graves.  It gave off the feeling of peace and community.  Fall was definitely my favorite of the series because of its hero quest, gorgeous illustrations, and an ending that culminates with an epic battle.   Read the Haru series for the author/artists gorgeous illustrations and a story that will capture your heart.  

I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE      

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday with a review of The Vale by Abigail Hing Wen, illustrations by Yuna Cheong and Brandon Wu

The Vale by Abigail Hing Wen illustrations by Yuna Cheong and Brandon Wu

Publisher:  Third State Books
Format Read:  ARC-e-book
Number of pages:   270 pages
Publishing:  September 16th, 2025
Source:  Books Forward

Opening Lines: "A gust of wind from the East blew Bran's hood off his head as he ran through the elder grove, eagerly searching for Gnomly." 

Thirteen-year-old Bran, with the support of his inventor parents, has dedicated most of his time to creating the Vale, an immersive, AI-generated, virtual-reality world.  So far, he's created Bran's Blue Forest and a Castle.  He's even programmed the code for Gnomly, an AI elf that he's teaching to play hide and seek.  Bran plans to showcase Gnomly's skills at the upcoming Invention Convention, aiming to win the prestigious million-dollar prize.  Money that the family desperately needs to continue funding their inventions and to complete the Vale.

During the Expo, a series of unexpected mishaps and glitches occur within the Vale.  A beautiful, and mysterious girl appears, and a wizard begins corrupting the Vale, even stealing from its inhabitants. Bran quickly loses control, as the elves and the wizard start acting independently, making decisions they shouldn't be capable of.  Can Bran and Gnomly uncover the truth behind what is happening within the Vale in time to save it from being destroyed?

The Vale marks Abigail Hing Wen's middle-grade debut. Fans may recognize her from the Loveboat, Taipei series, which inspired the Netflix film Love in Taipei. Alongside the book's release, Wen is stepping into directing with a planned companion short film, The Vale-Origins, featuring Tony Award-winner Lea Salonga, known for Miss Saigon and the Disney classics Aladdin and Mulan.  

Wen drew inspiration for the Vale from her previous background in the tech world.  Her publisher, Third State is the first and only publishing house that is exclusively focused on publishing AAPI voices. I hope you'll visit their website and check out all their currently released books.                                                  https://thirdstatebooks.com/pages/the-vale         

Bran is a fascinating kid who describes himself as being in "asynchronous development," meaning his social emotional growth hasn't kept pace with his intellectual abilities.  He's a bright kid who casually uses terms like chatbots, omnidirectional and haptic suits, while fully immersing himself in the Vale, where Gnomly is his only friend.  Then he meets Piper, a part-time hacker who says she steers clear of anything illegal.  Bran is instantly attracted to her as she eases his feelings of isolation and offers him alternatives to his interacting with software and programing.  He begins to see the value in real world experiences.

I quite enjoyed how The Vale brings up ethical questions about the use of artificial intelligence.  Highlighting the hazards of AI like using lip reading software designed for the hearing impaired to spy on people.  Seemingly weaponizing software into ways that it was not intended.  Wen also stresses that AI technology should be built by good, ethically reasonable people in a humancentric way.  The story blends fantasy, the folklore of Brother's Grimm and The Magic Paintbrush with sci-fi and technology.  It's both an entertaining and fascinating look at the ethics surrounding the use of artificial intelligence and raises many questions for the reader to explore.  The full color illustration of Bran in the forest is my favorite one by Yuna Cheong and Brandon Wu it has these blue and purple hues with flowers and animals and Gnomly snickering while Bran is calling his name.  Which is so like his character.  There are also lovely black and white illustrations at the top of each chapter, so cute. 

**A huge thank you to Books Forward for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.**   

About the Author

Abigail Hing Wen is an author, film producer and director, as well as former tech executive. She is the New York Times bestselling author of multiple novels for young people, including Loveboat, Taipei, which has been adapted as the movie Love in Taipei, now on Netflix. Abigail served as an executive producer and on set during production. Her novel Kisses, Codes and Conspiracies, a thriller and romantic comedy novel featuring three teens on the run through the Bay Area, is an instant national bestseller, USA Today bestseller and Amazon Editor’s Pick for YA Book of the Month. Abigail is directing her first short film starring Lea Salonga, a prequel to her middle grade debut The Vale, coming September 2025, and featuring an inventor family that builds an AI generated virtual world. She serves on the board of Harvardwood and is a member of Dan Lin’s Rideback Rise Circle. In 2025, she served as a judge for the Golden Trailer Awards, recognizing the industry’s most outstanding film trailers.

Abigail is a frequent keynote speaker for young people, including Y’Allfest, US Presidential Scholars, and the Los Altos High Writer's Week, as well as libraries, colleges, high schools and bookstores around the country. She’s also given keynotes and fireside chats for the National Conference of State Legislatures, Meta, Google, Paramount, Paypal and other tech and entertainment companies, and spoken on panels at venues such as SDCC, LACC, LA Times Festival of Books and ALA. For more, visit AbigailHingWen.com. 

Follow Abigail Hing Wen on social media:

Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X/Twitter: @abigailhingwen

 I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE