Hollow by Taylor Grothe

 Hollow by Taylor Grothe
Publisher:  Peachtree Teen
Format Read:  Hardcover
Number of pages:   352 pages
Published:  September 30th, 2025
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Opening Lines:  "Cassie Davis was no hero."

It's been four years since Cassie, and her mother left Deep Glen for upstate New York.  Now they're moving back, drawn by the familiarity and sense of normalcy they once knew, before the breakdown, the diagnosis and divorce.  Cassie is anxious, worried that her old friends have moved on.  Can they forgive her for leaving, never calling or explaining what happened? 

Surprisingly, Cassie's old friends extend an olive branch, inviting her to join their backpacking trip to Hollow Ridge.  It feels like the opportunity she has been waiting for, a chance to clear the air and mend old wounds.  At first, things appear to be going well.  The group begins to reconnect; they have an evening of laughter and drinking.  But just as they begin to feel like friends again, a heated argument erupts. The next morning, Cassie wakes to an empty campsite.  Her friends gone.

Cassie begins a desperate search for her missing friends, calling out into the woods and retracing their steps.  After falling on the trail and injuring herself, she's rescued by a boy named Kaleb, who takes her to the Roost, a secluded community of artists deep in the forest.  

At first, the Roost feels like a sanctuary.  Kaleb tends to her ankle injury, and the residents seem welcoming.  Cassie begins to relax and feel more and more like her old self.  Yet something feels off.  The dolls the community makes aren't helping put her at ease and Cassie can't seem to shake the feeling that Kaleb and the Roost aren't what they seem.  

Hollow has one of those book covers that grabs your attention instantly.  The dark, mysterious design with the crow and eye peeking through.  It sets the tone perfectly.  Yep, creepy Halloween vibes for sure.    

Cassie sees herself as a wearer of masks, concealing her true identity and emotions from those around her.  After a breakdown at school in New York, she was diagnosed as autistic, a revelation that reshapes how she sees herself.   The hiking trip to Hollow Ridge is meant to be a fresh start, a way to move forward.  But as their journey unfolds, Cassie realizes that she wasn't the only one struggling.  Each of her friends had their own issues and hidden pains.  Her absence impacted them all.  

Grothe takes their time developing both the plot and the complex relationships between Cassie and her friends.  The slow-building tension works well in developing Cassie's character, and that of the mysterious Roost.  You really get a strong sense of Cassie's anxiety, how it shapes her decisions and colors her perceptions. 

 The story unfolds in fragmented flashbacks of Cassie's memories with Jacqueline (Jac), Blake and Melody.  These glimpses help piece together their emotional history but personally, I would've liked to see more of those moments.    A few additional scenes from their past could have made the climax feel less rushed.  

One of the standouts from the book is its thoughtful representations.  Grothe includes characters and experiences that reflect autism, bisexuality/pansexuality, non-binary identity and trichotillomania.  Read this if you enjoy books with creepy dolls, a mysterious community, and an eerie forest or for fans of Don't Let the Forest In.        

The Haunted Scavenger Hunt by Steve Patschke, illustrated by Roland Garrigue

The Haunted Scavenger Hunt by Steve Patschke, illustrated by Roland Garrigue
Publisher:  Templar Books imprint of Candlewick Press
Format Read:  Hardcover
Number of pages:   40 pages
Published:  July 8th, 2025
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Opening Lines: "One dark and scary Halloween night, four friends named Sammy, Jenny, Sara and Pete found a strange box."

Don't all great Halloween stories begin on a dark and scary night?  On this particular night, four friends stumble upon a strange box.  Written across the top are the chilling words, "Don't look at it! Don't touch it! Don't open it!"  Naturally, the four friends do exactly the opposite.

Inside, they discover a series of cryptic clues that launch them on a Halloween scavenger hunt, with each hint leading them deeper into the night.  The final clue leads them to a spooky house.  But, as they venture further, something mysterious begins to unfold.  One by one, the friends disappear, until only one remains.  What is awaiting at the very last door?  

The Haunted Scavenger Hunt is a delightful Halloween story for sharing with children.  It leads readers on a winding, clue filled journey full of mystery, movement and just the right amount of spookiness.   Parents will enjoy asking leading questions like what might be inside the box?  Should or shouldn't they open it?  While kids can join in on the fun by mimicking the characters actions, like taking four steps and then turning left or right while following the trail of clues.  They might even be inspired to make their own scavenger hunt.  The eerie old house adds a touch of suspense and young readers might wonder why each friend disappears along the way.  But with a guiding adult to explain the twists and turns, and a surprise party waiting at the end, this will surely make for a fun Halloween read-aloud.

**A huge thank you to Candlewick Press for the review copy which will be donated to a Little Free Library**

Stitch: Reimagining Frankenstein by Pádraig Kenny

Stitch: Reimagining 

Frankenstein by Pádraig Kenny
Publisher:  Walker Books US
Format Read:  Hardcover
Number of pages:   208 pages
Published:  July 22nd, 2025
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Opening Lines:  "Stitch wakes up, just as he always has done for the past five hundred and eighty-four days he has been waking up."

Stitch and his friend Henry Oaf are creations of Professor Hardacre, brought to life through his mysterious experiments.   Since then, they've spent their days contentedly within the castle.  Stitch follows a quiet routine of caring for brown mouse, marking each day of waking up on the wall with a piece of chalk, visiting Henry, and performing light chores.  

Henry Oaf, the professor's first creation, now lives confined to a cage for misbehaving.  He has a habit of getting overly excited and breaking things, which the professor dislikes.  Neither Stitch nor Henry has disturbed the professor since he requested not to be interrupted some 328 days ago, when he went for a rest.  

Then one day, a surprise knock breaks the silence of their quiet home.  A young professor arrives, accompanied by his assistant, Alice.  He claims to be Professor Hardacre's nephew.  After learning about the professors prolonged rest, they conclude that he has passed away.   Determined to carry on his uncle's legacy, the young professor takes over his research and launches his first, greatest scientific experiment, fixing Henry.  But Henry has no intention of becoming anything different other than himself and so he runs away.  With no choice, Stitch sets out from his comfortable life on a journey into the unknown to find his beloved friend. 

Stitch is a reimaging of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein for younger children.  It's a surprisingly quick read filled with wonderful messages of having empathy for others, showing kindness and not being judgmental, while also questioning what qualities make up a person. 

Stitch is a delightful, kindhearted character.  His life initially was dictated by his routine but toward the end of the story he finds purpose in his friends and exploring the world around him.  He's inquisitive and an explorer at heart.  He's a coinsurer of words, taking Henry's amusing made-up words or combinations of two words and adding them to his vocabulary.  Henry is darling, he exhibits characteristics of ADHD and is easily excitable but is just a big huggable bear.  It's through their interactions that the author illustrates what it means to be a kind friend and that differences do not define the person.  I loved how Stitch always leads with kindness even when others try to label him as a monster.  It really is a wonderful story about not judging people based on what they look like or where they come from.    

Cover Reveal for Lianna and the Hombit by Valinora Troy

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday and today I have the pleasure of revealing the cover of Lianna and the Hombit by Valinora Troy, Coming 1/23/2026 from The Silver Key

Title: Lianna and the Hombit
Author: Valinora Troy
Cover Artist:  Laura Tolton
Expected Publication Date: January 23rd, 2026
Genre: MG Fantasy
Author Links:  Website / X

ADD it to Goodreads

A grieving girl in need of a friend. A magical creature with a secret task. Can they end the ancient curse threatening their new home?

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.

                            And now the cover...

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.

 

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

Growing Up Beth by Beth York, illustrations by Treana Latese Newsome

 

Growing Up Beth by Beth Ann York, illustrations by Treana Latese Newsome 
Publisher:  Charlesbridge Moves
Format Read:  Hardcover
Number of pages:   96 pages
Publishing:  October 21st, 2025
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Opening Lines:  "Mama is the hammer in our house."

Nine-year-old Beth lives with her mom, five brothers, one big dog and their stepdad, Bob.  They've just moved into their first house, and it's been an adjustment for them all.  Growing Up Beth consists of ten short chapter length stories/episodes highlighting Beth's frustration of being the only girl in a sea of boys.  There are lighthearted moments around the dinner table, the real struggles of having to wear hand me downs, a special field trip and a story that culminates with a new family member.  

The story reminded me a bit of Clemintine by Sara Pennypacker since both girls have spunky personalities.  I enjoyed the youthful quality of Beth and how well she fits the perspective of a nine-year-old.  She's fresh, lively and relatable, with a mom who "doesn't play."  Beth and her siblings try not to upset their mom, but their antics at the dinner table nearly push her over the edge. I love how these lighthearted moments mixed with glimpses of familial bonds keep the reader engaged.   

I enjoyed how the story showed Beth and her siblings doing chores like raking leaves, something that I didn't enjoy much as a kid either because weekends were supposed to be playtime.  I also can definitely relate to Beth's frustration with the differing age rules between her and her brothers, and how restricted she feels by them.  While they have the freedom to come and go, she's stuck staying close to home.  On top of that, she's treated differently just because she's a girl, which is so frustrating.  Overall, this was such a relatable and humorous story.  Beth York drew inspiration from her own childhood and family misadventures.  The story beautifully explores themes of honesty and owning up to our mistakes instead of trying to lie and cover them up.    

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 the publisher for my review copy in exchange for an honest review.**

Risk, Resilience, and Redemption: A Miraculous Holocaust Survival Story by Frank W Baker

Risk, Resilience, and Redemption: A Miraculous Holocaust Survival Story by Frank W Baker
Publisher:  Tree of Life Books
Format Read:  Paperback
Number of pages:   45 pages
Publishing:  October 21st, 2025

Source: Author in exchange for an honest review

Opening Lines: "In January, the Goldberg family visits the cemetery where their parents are buried."

Frank Baker reached out to me about reviewing his new historical nonfiction book. It tells the incredible story of two people who survived six years of the Holocaust before eventually finding each other and beginning a new life in America.

Risk, Resilience and Redemption begins in the present day with Bluma and Felix's children visiting the cemetery to pay their respects.  The scene depicts their strong traditions such as touching a Mezuzah, laying stones on a headstone, and vowing to never forget the hardships that their parents endured and the atrocities of the Holocaust.  The black and white illustrations capture the family's history with twentieth century photographs, illustrations and newspaper clippings.  The book delves into Bluma Tishgarten's and Felix Goldberg's childhoods, exploring their upbringing, hobbies and dreams for the future.  It also chronicles the changes in Poland and the early warnings of Hitler's movement in Germany targeting Jews.

Baker tells the story of Bluma and Felix's capture, imprisonment and resilience despite the brutal conditions they endured.  The story then chronicles their eventual liberation by the Allied forces, their meeting, marriage, and subsequent move to South Carolina to build a new life.  It's a beautifully told account that not only sheds light on the horrors of the Holocaust but also brings a personal perspective to the perseverance and strength of two individuals who overcame unimaginable odds.  Bluma and Felix's story appears to be well researched with a list of resources at the back of the book.  Baker also utilized videotaped interviews, completed research in General Eisenhower's library and various news collections to include the historical facts in the story.  With its short chapters and lots of illustrations this will certainly capture the attention of a reluctant reader or someone looking to learn more about this time period.  My favorite part of this story was the author's closing message. I recommend reading it yourself, as I don't want to diminish its impact by sharing it here.   **A huge thank you to the author for the paperback copy for my review.  I will happily be donating my copy to a little free library**  

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

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