Speed Reader by Matthew Cody , illustrations by Zack Giallongo

Speed Reader by Matthew Cody, illustrations by Zack Giallongo
Publisher:  Andrews McMeel Publishing
Format Read:  E-ARC
Number of pages:   160 pages
Publishing:  March 3rd, 2026
Source: Edelweiss+

Opening Lines:  "Now, back in the old days there weren't any cell phones.  No internet, either.  So, folks had to go looking for trouble...But here in Cape City, they didn't have to look very hard."

It's Career Day, and Zander has invited his great- uncle, Mervin to talk about his adventures with the Superheroes of Cape City, a group that disbanded a while ago.  Zander only wishes that Merv wouldn't embarrass him by repeating all his old catchphrases about being "Whizzy the Whiz", the mechanic and all-around fixer upper for the superheroes.

After the presentation, Zander's teacher pulls him aside and explains that he may have to attend summer school because he is about to fail, unless he signs up for the school's reading challenge instead.  Zander isn't really interested in participating, especially after he hears that Tanya May the undefeated champion for the past two years will be participating.  That afternoon, Tanya suddenly appears at Zander's front door holding a small package that she found on his porch.  Inside, Zander discovers what looks like a book, but when he opens it, he finds a crystal shard. 

Later that day, Zander ends up outside during a storm and is struck by lightning.  The bolt hits the crystal shard, creating a glowing blue light that causes a surge of energy in him.  Zander can now move with incredible speed, and even his reading speed has increased dramatically.  Following the acquisition of his new powers, Zander becomes the target of men in black suits who appear to want the shard for their boss, the notorious Big Brain.  Can Zander and his new friend, Tanya thwart their evil plans? 

Speed Reader is the first book in a new series from Matthew Cody, author of the popular Cat Ninja series.  The opening pages have a fun, vintage-comic vibe with muted colors, worn textures and even little blotches around the edges of the page.  The rest of the illustrations shift to bright, energetic artwork, and I especially loved the full-page lightning storm spread.  Zander is an easy character to root for. He's sort of the underdog in the story but really wants to be a superhero like the rest of his family was.  He has a history of being last to turn in his homework, last place in track, and always late for the school bus.  When a mysterious book appears that grants him super-speed, it feels a bit like Spiderman meets The Flash.  Suddenly he's racing around town and tearing through books faster than he ever imagined.  Quite fun.   The villain is entertaining, not menacing, and I liked that Zander gets support from his great- uncle.  Overall, this is a great pick for kids who enjoy comics, superhero stories or anyone looking for a light, amusing read.   

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

Relic Hamilton, Genie Hunter by Joseph Coelho , illustrated by Hyun Song We

Relic Hamilton Genie Hunter by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Hyun Song We
Publisher:  Candlewick Press
Format Read:  Hardcover
Number of pages:  288 pages
Published:  February 3rd, 2026
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Opening Lines from Prologue:  "Welcome to the YouTube channel of the Anonymous Genie hunter."

The prologue to Relic Hamilton suggests that there is more to a genie than just granting wishes.  Wishes create chaos and can carry consequences.  And there's an unsettling question lingering beneath it all. What does a genie gain from granting them?

One year before the events of the prologue, Relic and his grandfather are scouring the banks of the Thames for treasure. Relic uncovers a brass coin etched with the initials RH.  Later, back at the family's antique shop, he begins organizing a box of oil lamps.  When he rubs one of them, the air turns icy and a towering, shadowed figure materializes pressing Relic to make a wish, almost forcing him to say the words.  Only his grandfather's sudden intervention stops the genie from gathering a hold on Relic. 

The story then shifts to Taya, who is on a school trip with her Spanish language class.  She spots the lamp near Relic's antique shop and slips it into her backpack, telling herself it isn't really stealing.  Not long after Relic's accident, he wakes aboard Dr. Raphaela Gillan and Professor Latimer's jet.  They reveal that his grandfather belonged to a secret organization of archaeologists known as the Hermetic Sodality of Genie Hunters.  He also discovers that genie's "feast on a person's hope energy" by granting their wishes, draining them until they fall into despair. 

Relic and Taya's paths cross when Relic tracks down the genie unleashed by Taya's first wish.  She only wanted to escape her bully's taunts, but the genie's constant pressure for her to make a wish pushes her into a dangerous situation, one where she's slowly losing herself.   

Relic Hamilton Genie Hunter is a fantasy pitched as Ghostbusters meets Raider of the Lost Ark meets Pokémon (with a genie twist).  Relic is a typical twelve-year-old boy who loves helping his grandfather run their musty, treasure-filled antique shop.  But everything changes when he is thrust into a hidden world of genies, including one particularly evil one who is desperate to escape the confines of his lamp.

The plot moves along quickly, balancing levity with high-energy action and alternating between Taya and Relic's points of view.  Relic is determined to save his grandfather while working with his new team to uncover who is controlling the lamp.  Along the way, he discovers he has new powers tied to the other lamps he found in the case.  In total six smaller lamps housing a sprite, creatures capable of granting him unique abilities.  As the Wielder of the Lamp, Relic has already unleashed three of these guardians of the lamps, but he still has much to learn, leaving plenty of room for growth across the planned series as each new sprite emerges.  The illustrations by Hyun Song We add depth and charm to the world, with the antique shop sketch standing out as my favorite.               

Katie's Really Bad day: A Story About Test Anxiety by Kathleen Jeffrey, illustrated by Susan Kilmartin

 

Katie's Really Bad Day by Kathleen Jeffrey Illustrated by Susan Kilmartin
Published:  February 17th, 2025 by Kathleen Jeffrey
Format:  Hardcover, Paperback, Ebook
Pages: 30 

Find Katie's Really Bad Day at Amazon , and Goodreads

                      

Moments of anxiety can reshape an entire school day for a child. In Katie’s Really Bad Day: A Story About Test Anxiety by Kathleen Jeffrey, illustrated by Susan Kilmartin, one student’s stress escalates during a familiar routine.

Although Katie generally enjoys school, test days trigger uncomfortable feelings she struggles to control. When a spelling test begins, her anxiety intensifies, making it impossible for her to think clearly or stay on task. Her reaction draws attention and leaves her feeling overwhelmed and embarrassed.

Rather than reacting with frustration, Katie’s teacher offers calm reassurance and guidance. Katie learns simple breathing and calming strategies that help her manage anxious moments. As she practices these tools, she begins to understand that feeling nervous before tests is common and does not define her abilities. Over time, these techniques become shared and normalized, creating a supportive atmosphere focused on emotional awareness and reassurance.

Q&A with Kathleen Jeffrey:

What’s a detail, theme, or clue in your book that most readers might miss on the first read—but you secretly hope someone notices? 

Empathetic, concerned faces of Katie’s teacher, Mom & Dad, and her classmates when Katie is upset. No one is making fun of her. 

When did this story or idea “click” into place for you—was there a single moment you knew you had to write it? 

During critique group sessions with a long manuscript, I discovered I actually had two books to write.  The first became Katie’s Really Bad Day: A Story About Test Anxiety, to identify Katie’s character with school & test anxiety, which is based on my personal story I had to tell for authenticity. The second book will feature Katie once again and will be illustrated sometime this year.

Which character or real-life person surprised you the most while writing this book, and why?  

Katie’s sidekick Finn turned out to be quite the entertaining cut up as well a very concerned and empathetic friend.

If your book had a soundtrack, what three songs would be on it and what scenes or moments would they pair with?  

“Inside Out” by  Michael Giacchino, (From joyful school yard to Katie’s sudden test anxiety.)

"When I Breathe" by Stephanie Leavell  (Learning belly breathing with Miss Julie and later with the class.)

"When I'm Nervous" (A song for kids about overcoming anxiety.) 

Overall story wrap up. Would play at the end of the book.

What’s one belief, question, or emotional truth you hope readers carry with them long after they finish your book? 

That many students are anxious in school or before tests so you are not the only one. Because you are anxious before a test does not mean you are not smart or capable.  

Tell us about a moment during the writing process when the story (or message) took an unexpected turn. 

I was determined to have Mom take Katie into school the day she did not want to go because that was my personal experience.  Through teacher critique partner advice and their experiences with children in today’s classrooms, I realized Katie would have to take the bus, work through it and tell Miss Julie what was going on.

If your protagonist (or the central figure in your nonfiction) could give the reader one piece of advice, what would it be? 

Lots of kids get anxious before tests! Let your teacher and caregivers know when you are anxious. There are always solutions!

What real-world place, object, or memory helped shape a key element in your book? 

My second-grade elementary classroom and getting caught having scratched on my varnished desk was a deep-rooted memory. A boy noticed it and yelled out to the teacher. She was very angry and scolded me in front of the class. I was so embarrassed I refused to go to school the next day, so my mom had to bring me in and talk to the teacher.

What’s something you had to research, learn, or experience to write this book that genuinely shocked you?

Through my research on childhood, school and test anxiety, I learned test anxiety can start as early as second through fourth grade and may lead to underachievement.  Between this research, writing my bio, interviewing my mom, older sister, adult neighbor and childhood classmates, I was able to make connections. The seeds of my overall school anxiety started with significant separation anxiety my first three weeks of kindergarten. By fourth grade my overall school anxiety did lead to test anxiety and eventually underachievement. Anxiety triggers fear and panic which makes it hard to concentrate when learning new concepts or taking notes while trying to keep up with the teacher or actually taking a test.

If your book were invited to join a shelf with three other titles, which ones would make you happiest—and what would that shelf say about your story?

Wilma Jean The Worry Machine by Julia Cooke (Classic, Funny, Popular) 

The Big Feelings Book for Children: Mindfulness Moments to Manage Anger, Excitement, Anxiety, and Sadness by Sharon Selby MA (Respectable, Useful, Popular)

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Voist & Ray Cruz Total Classic! (Happiest)

Excerpts:

My thoughts:

Katie's Really Bad Day: A Story About Test Anxiety is a beautifully illustrated picture book that helps children understand and cope with their anxiety. Each illustration feels like a small portrait, capturing the children's facial expressions and playful energy with lifelike detail. The characters are relatable; the colors are vibrant and full of emotion and Katie's anxiety is portrayed with sensitivity.

I loved the moments when Katie talked with her parents and how encouraging they were. Her teacher, Miss Julie, also calmly explains what's happening and gives her practical, concrete strategies to help Katie relax and refocus during tests. These scenes brought me back to my days working with individuals with cognitive impairments. We used a similar approach called Brain Gym, created by Gail and Paul Dennison. One of our techniques was the "lazy eight," where you repeatedly draw an infinity symbol to support focus and attention. This cross-lateral integration exercise is designed to get the right and left hemispheres of the brain warmed up before writing. It's a very calming and useful technique and I was happy to see it included in the book.

Overall, it's a comforting, heartfelt, and authentic story that speaks to the anxiety many children experience and inspires them with practical skills they can use. This would make a wonderful read-aloud to children and I can see this being utilized by teachers as a means to open up discussions about children's feelings and fears with test taking. Highly recommend.

Kathleen Jeffrey is an author of children’s picture books, fulfilling her mission to create stories that shine with love, light, spirit, truth, and joy—helping children navigate life’s challenges, explore big emotions, and grow with courage, kindness, and wonder

Visit Kathleen at her website and follow her on Facebook or Instagram

Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King by Darin S. Cape , illustrations by Zeno Decrux and Hiorsh Gabotto

Zicky:  Wrath of the Rat King by Darin S. Cape, illustrations by Zeno Decrux and Hiorsh Gabotto
Publisher:  SHP comics
Format Read:  Paperback ARC
Number of pages:  160 pages
Publishing:  March 10th, 2026
Source: Books Forward

Opening Lines: "Zicky approaches the lair of the rat king, sneaking stealthy...keeping downwind..."

At night, Zachary dreams of daring adventures where he sneaks into the Rat King's lair.  In this dream world, he even becomes a stealthy ninja, slipping through shadows and battling an oncoming rat invasion.  At home, however, his family treats his adventurous stories as nothing more than a child's imagination.  But when Zicky's dream world begins to spill over into his reality and threatens his family, he must gather all his courage to save the day.  

Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King is an adorable story about a young boy who dreams of being a hero.  The illustrations are vibrant and packed with action.  Some scenes, such as Zicky chopping off the head of a snake or attacking one of the rats, may feel a bit intense for younger readers, but overall, the story remains light heartened and fun.    I really enjoyed Zeno Decrux's manga art and Hiorsh Gabotto's real-world imagery.  With my favorite illustration being the one where Zicky is falling back into his bed after one of his nightly adventures.  You can see a few samples here at the publisher's website and a Teaser video here  

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

Table Titans Club #2 Sneak Attack by Scott Kurtz

Table Titans Club #2 Sneak Attack by Scott Kurtz 

Publisher:  Holiday House/Walker Books Group
Format Read:  E-ARC
Number of pages:   224 pages
Publishing:  March 10th, 2026
Source: Edelweiss+

Opening Lines:  "The Summer Tournament! Jousting, sword fighting, archery... I can't wait!"

The Table Titans Club is thrilled to spend their summer at Camp Owl Care, a LARPing camp filled with quests designed to challenge camper's minds, bodies and spirits.  Val, Kate, Alan, Andrew and Darius can't wait to put their live-action roleplaying skills to the test as they solve riddles and tackle the camp's many challenges.  

But their excitement quickly fades when they're randomly sorted into different houses that will be competing against one another.  Could this be a chance to make new friends?  For Kate and Alan, it might be necessary as they've been arguing since the moment they arrived.   Their conflict stems from a previous D&D campaign in which Kate's character died after triggering a trap.  She believes Alan should have used their reward, a powerful scroll, to revive her character, but he refused.  What begins as a personal disagreement soon escalates into a camp-wide feud.  Can the Table Titans overcome their differences, or is their once-tight-knit group on the verge of falling apart?

Sneak Attack is the second volume of the Table Titans Club graphic novel series, which follows a group of middle-school Dungeons & Dragons players.  Val tries hard to make the camp experience fun, but Kate's negativity and her constant bickering with Alan drag down the camps morale.  When Val thinks she has spotted a troll lurking by the trash cans, the camper's band together to hunt for clues and set a trap for the mysterious creature. This is where the story really took off for me.  I especially enjoyed the scenes where the kids teach new campers the rules of the game, craft costumes, and participate in a Battle Royale style foam weapon showdown.

I also enjoyed the emphasis on using non-combative strategies, like spellcasting, which brings a refreshing layer of creativity to the otherwise battle heavy weapons fights.   The appeal of this book is easy to see, especially in the wake of the popular Stranger Things series and its renewed spotlight on role-playing games like D&D.  The illustrations are light and fun, showcasing boys and girls alike taking part in a triathlon, an archery competition, a race and even navigating a hedge maze with a Minotaur waiting at the center of the Labyrinth.  Such fun.   Sneak Attack is a great fit for fans of role-playing games, kids who enjoy summer-camp adventures, or anyone interested in LARPing.  

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 Unbreakable Crown by Carina Finn

 

The Unbreakable Crown (Feast and Famine book #2) by Carina Finn
Publisher:  Sourcebooks for Young Readers
Format Read:  E-ARC
Number of pages:   304 pages
Publishing:  February 3rd, 2026
Source: NetGalley

Opening Lines from prologue:  "Silas Erebos swore he would never walk through the carved marble doors of Forum again."

The first book of the Feast and Famine series, The Last Great Heir, follows Merriment "Merri" Feast and Rue Famine as they prepared for their impending duel to determine who will rule the entire realm of Fauret.   The Unbreakable Crown picks up from that point but shifts the story to a new setting, Demonspace.  The point of view also changes from Merri and Rue to Wort Erebos and Abundance "Bun" Feast, which initially took me a minute to adjust to.  I found it easy to lose track of who the characters were and how they were connected.  Therefore, I recommend starting with the first book in the series. 

In The Unbreakable Crown, five young friends are brought to Demonspace in search of a satchel.  Unfortunately, the bridge or Interstice that once connected their world to this one is now inoperable, leaving them stranded in this new land.  

Within Demonspace, Wort discovers that his family descends from a line of demon royals, a truth his father, Silas hid when he took Wort and his younger sister, Sage to the forests of Famine.  There, Wort and Sage often went hungry, surviving only through the potions the land of Famine provided. Wort is angry and confused by this new revelation.  

Bun Feast has always lived a life of luxury, filled with parties and fashionable outfits. Unlike her sisters, she has never learned to use magic.  Merri, heir to House Feast, along with Bun and Rue, share the special bond of the Eternal Three.  Through this connection, they can communicate with one another, and their united bond drives their determination to return to Fauret.  

This second installment broadens the characters and introduces a magical school, Tenebrun, adding depth to the story's worldbuilding.  Tenebrun is a school for demons, that Wort's Uncle, Nicol insists he attends to gain power.  The school's purpose is to identify and shape future leaders.  The head scholar, Sister Alerune declares that Wort belongs there because he is not human, a claim that infuriates him and goes against what he knows thus far. Sister Alerune decree's that Merri, Wort, Bun and Rue must all attend Tenebrun if they hope to have their wish to return to Fauret granted.  Their only path home lies within the school's library on the eve of Silver Twilight, provided they can survive a series of trials and harness the magic needed to complete their wish.

At Tenebrun, the first trial goes to Wort and is a Trial of Fire.  He meets Howie and Jax, both higher demons, as well as Cyrena, a lesser demon.  His new friends seem more interested in his family's lineage than in Wort himself.  Bun faces a Trial of Deception and meets Avery.  Both Bun and Wort are placed among the Primes, an elite group within the school, while Merri and Rue become Seconds.  Rue undergoes a Trial of Combat, using shadow and potion magic but sustains an injury.  Merri, meanwhile, is faced with a solitary Trial of Fear.  During her second trial, she is unfortunately signaled out by the Sister's and following an emotional outburst is taken to the Monument Garden, cursed with becoming a statue.  At the same time, Sage has gone missing and is believed to be held in the Nyx Sister's Tower. 

The Unbreakable Crown feels similar to the Harry Potter series meets The Iron Trial (Magisterium series) by Holly Black & Cassandra Clare and The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani.  Tenebrun is a magical school which specializes in Chaos, Bibliomancy and Charm's.  It has the feel of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry yet doesn't emphasize the individual classes that the children take as much.  There are also children who are unfamiliar with their ability to wield magic and even floating, talking crowns that are part of a prophecy promising great power. While somethings felt similar, others made the worldbuilding stand out.  Although the ending itself felt abrupt, I really enjoyed the direction the story was taking.  Both Bun and Wort continue to grow in their abilities and confidence.  I'm eager to see whose perspectives the next book will follow and whether the friends will ultimately find their way back home. 
              

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

     

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It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday with a review of The Book of Four Journeys by Veronica Del Valle

The Book of Four Journeys by Veronica del Valle
Publisher:  Silverwood Books
Format Read:  Paperback
Number of pages:   240 pages
Published:  May 18th, 2021
Source: Author Marketing Experts

Opening Lines: "I have a story to tell you.  A story about a well-kept secret." 

Alfalfa Spooly is very proud of being a postman, especially on the day when the Milner approaches him about delivering a yellow hat to Phineas in the bluest of blue houses in Blue.  His journey takes him across spiky hills, along a forsaken road through a tornado and across a river.  Once he reaches his destination, Alfalfa is given the opportunity to receive his own yellow hat, a thing of wonder and magic. Yet Alfalfa can't decide whether he should take the gift.   

The second story is about Mumik Opipok, not the most confident person in the world he is always filled with doubt, even over the simplest of things.  But on the day of the story, he makes his first choice, a wish to know something.  Yet, he did not know that his simple wish reveals he has a sibling he didn't know that he had.  A twin who he was separated from at birth.  One who lives in the south while the other is in the northernmost region.  Both chanters for their parts of the world.  Meanwhile, Pimnik, who has never doubted herself for one moment, always confident in her choices has her first instance of indecisiveness.   Pimnik still ventures in a ballon in search of her brother, who unbeknownst to her is traveling at the same moment to her by boat.  The story alternates between the two as they attempt to reunite.  

Neboo McCloudy sits in the white clouds of Floccusville, where he stands out because he is the only stormy grey cloud among the fluffy white ones.  Neboo is a very grumpy individual but luckily, he finds a scroll with a tale promising to lead him to a Great Treasure.  But finding the treasure may pose to be difficult as he must enter a formidable forest. 

The final story is of Lincoln Jax.  A young girl living in an orphanage who is visited by a crane bearing an invitation for her to venture toward a kingdom.  Before reaching it, however, she will have to pass three trials.  Lincoln is curious but impatient can she be truthful and rightful in answering the questions posed to her at each door?   As Lincoln enters each new doorway, she is faced with exploring her feelings and gains a better understanding of herself.  

The Book of Four Journeys takes four travelers on four incredible journeys.  Each story is filled with adventure, whimsy and surprisingly is very introspective.  My favorite tale is Neboo McCloudy's as he learns of kindness, selfishness, generosity and wisdom.  He learns about happiness and it's such an uplifting message.  The stories address friendship, exploration, and self-reflection.    The illustrations of each of the characters added to the reading experience.  An overall fun story with beautiful messaging.  

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

 **A huge thank you to Author Marketing Experts for the review copy in exchange for an honest review**         

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday with a review of Secrets of the Broken House by Taryn Souders

Secrets of the Broken House by Taryn Souders
Publisher:  Sourcebooks for Young Readers
Format Read:  Paperback ARC 
Number of pages:   272 pages
Publishing:  January 6th, 2026
Source:  Publisher  

Opening Lines:  "I stopped my bike across the street from the run-down house and answered the question I knew Clemmie was about to ask."

In the small town of Everson, everyone suspects that Miss Geraldine's run-down house is haunted.  Even the old rowboat leaning against the siding has seen better days.   The place is in such bad shape that the mayor has threatened to have it condemned.

Tucker has his eye on the rowboat, hoping to fix it up so he can continue his passion for fishing.  So, when his friend Clemmie is asked to help clean up Miss Geraldine's property and prepare it for an auction, Tucker agrees to help in exchange for the rowboat. 

But when Tucker returns to collect it, he instead finds Miss Geraldine dead at the bottom of the stairs.  As an amateur sleuth, Tucker quickly recognizes that what everyone assumes is an accident might be a murder instead.  Although Miss Geraldine was considered mean by the town, and referred to as Miss fussy gussy, she didn't deserve to be murdered.

After speaking with his father, the chief of police, Tucker gets permission to examine the scene for clues.  With help from Sadie and Clemmie, he begins to interview the townspeople and track down leads, determined to uncover the truth about what really happened.

Everson has that small-town charm I absolutely adore.  Quiet streets, and a coffee shop and beauty salon serving as the town's hub for gossip. With Clemmie and Sadie's parents working in these two locations, it's easy to gather pieces of information listening in on the townspeople as they speculate on motives and reveal secrets.    It's the perfect backdrop for a classic detective mystery, plenty of suspects, quirky townsfolk, and a free-range for curious kids to explore.  I'd love to see more adventures with these kids. Ideal for younger mystery fans.   

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

 **A huge thank you to Sourcebooks for the review copy in exchange for an honest review**