Monsters of Fife: Terror Birds by Jane Yolen, illustrations by Celia Lowenthal

Monsters of Fife:  Terror Birds by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Celia Lowenthal
Publisher:  Charlesbridge Moves
Format Read:  PDF Galley
Number of pages:   160 pages
Publishing:  July 14th, 2026
Source:  Publisher

Opening Lines: "The Romans, who occupied Scotland for so many years, said it was a place of barbarians and monsters."

Monsters of Fife is a historical fantasy set in 1891 Scotland. The first book, Monsters of Fife: Sea Dragons introduced the main characters and the Anster Royal (R&A) and Ancient Society, led by Mr. Harris, the general and headmaster.   He trains Jamie, Catriona "Cat" and Big Calum in the art of monster hunting.

The second book opens five months after the young hunters last encounter with a creature.   The R&A has been quiet, though their training continues.  One evening after practice, Cat discovers a dog collar on the beach near a sea cave.  Curious, she returns the next day with Nan.  Their search leads them to the Black Dog, a Hellhound rumored to be a harbinger of death.  They name him Soot, and he soon warns them of an impending danger.  Soon the team is going out on a reconnaissance mission to locate the source.  It soon becomes apparent that a group of Terror Birds or Pterosaurs has begun roosting on the island, putting everyone at risk. The R&A hopes to uncover the location of these gigantic bird's nest and stop them before they attack the villagers.

Terror Birds blends historical dinosaur facts with real-life problem-solving skills. I especially enjoyed the nod to Mary Anning, a pioneer in paleontology.   There is an emphasis on the scientific process of gathering evidence and analyzing facts to draw informed conclusions.  There is some mild gore as sailors hunt the creatures, butchering one so that the team can perform their examination, but nothing overly graphic.  The team uses what they learn to devise a plan to stop the birds from fertilizing their eggs.  Lowenthal's black-and-white, graphic-novel style illustrations enhance the story.  The book is short, but its brisk pace keeps readers engaged.  Read this if you've enjoyed the first book in the series or if you like stories that blend science and fantasy.

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

Of Mountains and Seas by Emily Renk Hawthorne

Of Mountains and Seas by Emily Renk Hawthorne
Publisher:  Hawk Ridge Press
Published:  January 7th, 2025
Format Read:  Hardcover
Number of pages:   354 pages
Source: Books Forward

Opening Lines from Prologue: "The first glimmers of consciousness seeped in and with a start, Randall Sun realized he couldn't see."

Davis Sun is a Static, a person born without magic.  This makes him an outcast in his family of Shifters, who can transform into various animal forms.  Desperate for his father's approval, Davis is willing do anything to gain power and the shapeshifting abilities he lacks.  

Meanwhile, Iris suffers from a mysterious illness that requires a strict medication schedule, closely monitored by her mother.  And in the small town of Yuras, California, Ling has been raising her granddaughter Nivi, a Static child, ever since Nivi lost her parents in a freakish accident when she was very young.  

Each of these characters lives and stories eventually intersect as the narrative unfolds across multiple timelines spanning from 1935 to 2000.  Their stories span generations and are told through multiple points of view, each revealing another piece of a long-buried mystery.  There are themes of struggles to gain power, identity and the desperate need for a father's approval shaping every choice and consequence across decades.  

Reading this feels like you're trying to piece together a mystery across time.  Sometimes questioning how the various events and characters are connected with one another, until you get to the very end and the whole picture becomes clear as the timelines begin to synch with one another.  The story is riveting and layered, rooted deeply in themes of pro-integration and the universal struggle to belong.  Inspired by Chinese mythology and The Classics of Mountains and Seas, it blends together an elaborate plot, large cast of characters and multiple points of views.  It's perfect for readers who crave a mystery filled with shapeshifters, hidden histories and connections that lock into place in a climatic ending. I also received a copy of Book 2, From the Depths, which releases on June 9th and can't wait to dive into it.  

**A huge thank you to Books Forward for the review copies in exchange for an honest review** 

The Reel Life of Zara Kegg by Brad Barkley

The Reel Life of Zara Kegg by Brad Barkley 
Publisher:  Fitzroy Books
Publishing:  June 16th, 2026
Format Read:  Paperback ARC
Number of pages:   214 pages
Source: Books Forward

Opening Lines: "In the dark, you can see more than you think."

It's been three years since Zara and her dad moved to Carolina Beach, and both are still struggling with the loss of her mother.  Her father has been distancing himself, neglecting responsibilities at work, while the move has left Zara without real friends.  Her one refuge is her job as a projectionist at the Palace Theatre, where she can watch people, indulge in 1950's sci-fi and horror movies, feed her coffee and popcorn habit, and keep in shape with her routine of pushups between reels.  

Then one night, Zachary, whom she calls "Mr. Inconsistent", knocks on the booth door to report that the film is "wobbly."  The two seem to have an instant connection.  Zara even feels a strange sense of fate in the fact that both of their names start with a Z.  But the more time that she spends with him, the more she realizes how little she actually knows.  Whenever she asks questions about his past, his school, or where he's from, he's vague about the details, dodges the questions or changes the subject.

Gradually, Zachary begins to open up to Zara.  He introduces her to his grandfather Marvin and shows her the single-wide trailer they share on the edge of the fairgrounds.  He talks to her about his idol, inventor Jimmy McManus, and his dream of becoming like him.  Yet, beneath his enthusiasm, Zara senses a boy carrying sadness, secrets, and a quiet struggle.  

When Zara is tasked with organizing a Valentine's Day Godzilla marathon, complete with a life-size inflatable Godzilla on the theater roof, she throws herself into the project.  But just as she feels like she has come up with a plan to pull it off, Zachary and his grandfather abruptly hitch up their trailer and move south.  Once again, Zara is left behind, trying to move forward while feeling abandoned and lied to.  

The Reel Life of Zara Kegg is a tender coming-of-age story with the nostalgic, slightly melancholy tone of a John Green novel, a blend of sadness, curiosity and introspection.  Zara is a very compelling protagonist, sharp witted, unafraid to call out her dad when he drifts from his syndicated sports column into writing about Skee-Ball and dance shows.  All while still wrestling with the truth of her mother's illness and the people she feels misled her.   Zachary brings humor and light into her lonely existence at the movie theatre, pushing her to examine her feelings and to question what her purpose is and whether she needs to become someone else in order to feel like she belongs.  The Godzilla marathon adds levity, while the old films evoke a warm nostalgia of popcorn, flickering screens, and the comfort of sharing the moment with someone who matters.  A wonderful story about the people who step into your life and make a huge impact.  

The Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks by Fiona Harris

The Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks by Fiona Harris

Publisher:  Affirm Kids
Publishing:  May 31st, 2026
Format Read:  E-ARC
Number of pages:   338 pages
Source: Author in exchange for an honest review

Opening Lines:  "January 18th 1:30 pm Things I need to do this year"

Twelve-year-old Gracie receives a diary from her Nana for her birthday and begins using it to chronicle her to‑do lists and dreams for the year ahead as she prepares to start at her new school, Middleton Grammar.  At her old school she played electric guitar and was considered to be popular, but now she's starting over, and the idea of making new friends has her spiraling into "what if I eat lunch alone forever" mode.  The only people she knows are her older sister, Imogen (who is too self-absorbed) and Margot, who she went to school with and who is so boring.  

Gracie is slightly obsessed with the idea of being popular and not being left out. Which is a common middle school feeling.  It's especially hard for her because her older sister is already considered effortlessly popular and she refuses to help her.  Hoping to bond with the Shiny Shorties (Harri, Kit and Sloane), Gracie tells them their horoscope and exaggerates her musical experience by claiming she plays gigs all over town, which eventually gets her in trouble with her new friends.  Her childhood friend Viola tries to encourage her to be herself and stop worrying about people who are mean to her, but it takes Gracie time to realize this herself.  

I really enjoyed the diary format of The Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks.  It works well to show Gracie's fears, insecurities and struggles as she navigates her new school. I think many girls can relate to the friend drama and the feeling of wanting to be seen and treated as more grown up.  I also loved the fun information about the Sumerians and the Zodiac Signs, and I especially enjoyed reading about Gracie's school project where she interviews the different cliques at school.  Through her project, she learns that she doesn't fit neatly into any of those groups, and that it's okay to be yourself and stand out.  I also appreciated the author's note, which offers a lovely reminder about the awkwardness of feeling out of place when we're young and how we often don't realize that those experiences are shaping us into who we're going to become as an adult.  Read this if you're looking for a funny and heartfelt story, similar to Louise Rennison's Angus, Thongs and the Art of Snogging.   

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