The Black Market by Jed Alexander

The Black Market by Jed Alexander
Publisher:  Union Square Kids
Format Read:  Paperback ARC
Number of pages:   272 pages
Published:  September 9th, 2025
Source: Bookmark Communications

Opening Lines: "My great-aunt Gabby always comes to visit once a year."

Martin's great-aunt Gabby is a seasoned world traveler who never arrives without bringing him a unique gift.  This year, she surprises him with a pair of rare foovaloos shoes, an item thought to be extinct.  Martin's great-aunt explains that she acquired them at the mysterious Black Market, immediately sparking Martin's curiosity.  She tells Martin that the market never appears in the same place twice and surfaces only on Halloween.  It's said to sell countless illegal treasures, but unlike ordinary markets, "you don't seek it out, it finds you."  Entry even requires a secret password. Martin's great-aunt makes him promise to keep the market a secret, but naturally he shares it with his best friend, Jess.

Later at the library, Martin and Jess meet up to work on their Civil War project, but Jess is far more interested in his new shoes.  She convinces Martin that they should search for the Black Market together, hoping to uncover an unusual treasure.  Sneaking out at night, the two manage to find the hidden entrance.  Jess, however, is denied entry, while Martin slips inside in his Headless Horseman costume, which allows him to pass as an adult.  Once inside the market, Martin discovers a Bag of Dirty Tricks and trades his shoes for half a bag and a book of instructions.

Back at home, Martin and Jess eagerly explore the dirty tricks housed in the bag.  Some can make everything taste like pickles, others cause your hair to fall out or leave you perpetually puzzled.  Deciding to start small, Martin tests a bar of trick soap on his dad, intending to turn his hands red for a week.  But when his dad showers with it, his entire body turns red.  Martin's next target is his neighbor, Mr. Murphy whom Martin suspects of stealing his dog.  Mr. Murphy falls victim to the Creeping Arborialis trick, sprouting sapling branches from his fingertips and ears. 

As the pranks escalate, Martin and Jess begin to realize the tricks are changing them, twisting their personalities and making them cruel.  Alarmed, they bury the bag and book under the cover of night.  But the following day, chaos erupts across town.   Random people suffer suspicious, bizarre aliments and fall prey to dirty tricks.  Horrified, Martin and Jess set out to track down the thief who unearthed The Bag of Dirty Tricks and stop them from unleashing any more.

I've never been a huge fan of pulling pranks on people.  Well not since that one time that a family friend put salt into my soda as an April Fool's Day prank.  That's why I really appreciate how Martin and Jess question whether their tricks are turning them into bad people.  At heart, they're good kids who recognize that their pranks can seriously harm someone if taken too far.  I especially enjoyed the concept of the Black Market, with its shadowy stalls and suspicious wares.  It adds a wonderfully mysterious atmosphere.  The true highlight of the book is Jess and Martin's friendship.  Included are these lovely illustrations that heighten kid appeal.  Altogether, this would be a delightful story to read aloud.  

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 Bookmark Communications for the review copy in exchange for an honest review**      

Love Wars: Clash of the Parents, A True Divorce Story by Matthew A. Tower , illustrated by Tsuneo Sanda

Love Wars:  Clash of the Parents, A True Divorce Story by Matthew A. Tower, illustrated by Tsuneo Sanda
Publisher:  Raja Media LLC
Format Read:  Hardcover
Number of pages:   370 pages
Published:  October 17th, 2025
Source: Books Forward 

Opening Lines:  "As I listened to my father read my favorite bedtime story, I curled up against his chest and felt the comforting rise and fall of his breathing."

The story begins with Matt around the age of three watching Star Wars six times across two days as his younger brother, Thomas was born.  The film left a huge imprint on his life.  Meanwhile, tension grows at home with an escalation of arguments between his parents.  Angry voices, send him to his room and his mother becomes increasingly absent.  At the age of six, Matthew's parents begin the process to divorce, and he and Thomas live primarily with their mom while splitting time with their father. 

Hoping to repair their relationship, his parents move the family from the city to the country, but the change only deepens their divide.  What follows is a painful tug-o-war, with Matt and Thomas caught in the middle.  Their mother disparages their father calling him horrible names like "cretin" and "bastard," often urging Matt to join in.  The boys are shuttled back and forth, each parent vying to appear as the better caregiver.  The conflict reaches a breaking point when Matt summons the courage to shout for them to stop fighting.  Stuck in the middle of their custody battle, Matt copes with the chaos by turning to the teachings of Luke Skywalker, using Star Wars as a guide to navigate his parent's battles.  

Love Wars chronicles the author's childhood memories of his parent's bitter divorce. It reveals Matt's sadness, confusion and longing to see his father.  Early on, it becomes clear that his mother struggles with mental illness, and her relentless criticism of his father deeply scars him.  She places Matt and Thomas at serious risk, leaving them in a motel with a babysitter on Christmas Eve, wages a "Violin War" over lessons, and even sues Matt for refusing to take Hebrew classes.  Matt is overwhelmed by anger and frustration, and he even lashes out at his younger brother, treating him cruelly.  

This heartbreaking memoir underscores how divorce should never place children in the middle of parental conflict.  Children should not be pressured to spy or forced to carry insults between parents.  I deeply appreciate that the author chose to share his story, despite how painful in must have been to relive.  By doing so, he offers a voice to children who are caught in similar situations, reminding them that they are not alone.  I hope that young readers whose parents are in the middle of a divorce will find comfort and strength from reading this book.  Love Wars is accompanied by stunning black-and-white illustrations by Tsuneo Sanda.  I can't fully express how powerful and detailed they are, but they are not to be missed (There's a sample in the video below).  The Star Wars references and Luke Skywalker's presence throughout the narrative add depth and resonance.  It is a powerfully moving story that I would highly recommend.

**A huge thank you to Books Forward for the hardcover review 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 Picasso Curse by Dan Gutman

The Picasso Curse by Dan Gutman
Publisher:  Holiday House
Format Read:  E-book
Number of pages:   192 pages
Published:  September 2nd, 2025
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss +  

Opening Lines:  "It was a Saturday back in October when I found the doodle."

While shopping with his parents at a flea market, Edwin Hodge spots a signed poster of Kobe Bryant, priced for a mere ten dollars.  Hoping to beat out his classmate, Vinnie, who's also eyeing the poster, Edwin quickly buys it.  Back home, he discovers a hidden doddle tucked behind the frame.  The next day at school, during show-and-tell, Edwin's art teacher notices the drawing's distinctive style resembles the work of Pablo Picasso.  She urges Edwin and his parents to have it professionally appraised.  The story then shifts to 1911, recounting the infamous theft of the Mona Lisa.  Picasso was detained and questioned in connection with the crime, and according to legend, he even sketched a doddle during that time.

The story then returns to Edwin as news of his discovery goes viral.  Soon he's bombarded with interview requests, strangers show up at his door asking for money, and the original seller from the flea market reappears offering $10,000 to buy back the poster.  Hoping to get the artwork appraised, Edwin and his parents travel to Chicago, where they find an art auction house interested in selling the piece.  But, as things spin out of control, Edwin devises a bold plan to stage a public shredding of the artwork and sell access to the livestream, even offering pieces of the shredded remains for purchase.  As the final moment arrives and Edwin prepares to feed the artwork into the shredder, the story ends on a cliffhanger.  This leaves the reader with one burning question, what would you do?  

The Picasso Curse was such a fun read! At first, it feels like Edwin won the lottery, but the discovery of a valuable piece of art brings unexpected pressures and complications.  It truly feels like he's been cursed.   I really appreciated how Edwin remained cautious and questions people's motives, even though his family could use the money.  I especially enjoyed the back matter at the beginning of the book, which dives into the historical theft of the Mona Lisa.  I was also stunned to learn about the recent heist at the Louvre Museum where thieves stole $102 million in jewels from the early-to-mid-19th century.  Gutman enriches the story with real-life examples of people who've stumbled upon hidden treasures and there are historical photographs, reproductions of the Mona Lisa and other fascinating illustrations.  Overall, this was a wonderful blend of fact and fiction.  

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.**

Eating to Save the Planet: How Veganism Helps Fight Climate Change by Anne Broyles , illustrated by Hannah Li

Eating to Save the Planet by Anne Broyles, illustrated by Hannah Li
Publisher:  Holiday House
Format Read:  E-book
Number of pages:   128 pages
Published:  August 26th, 2025
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Eating to Save the Planet opens with a thought-provoking question: "When you walk down the aisles of a grocery store, do you think about all the steps it took for each item to get on the shelf?"  This compelling, jam-packed book explores the benefits of adapting a plant-based diet and the broader implications of our food choices. 

The book begins by examining how the foods we eat reflect our cultural backgrounds.  The book highlights the diversity of meal preparation and explains that people choose their diets based on what kind of an eater they are, whether they are carnivores, omnivores, vegetarian or pescatarians.  Each type of eater is described with clear examples and descriptions of the foods they would typically enjoy.

The discussion also delves into the history of food shortages, emphasizing that what we eat is a global issue.  It addresses legislative changes being made to promote healthier food options and explores the growing use of regenerative agricultural as a sustainable solution.  The book emphasizes the advantages of a plant-based diet and introduces meat alternatives that are currently being used in other countries, like insects as a potential meat substitute.  Real life suggestions are made for children to try out, including Meatless Mondays and gradually incorporating new vegetables into their meals.  

Overall, Eating to Save the Planet is an informative, and thought-provoking book about what we put onto our plate and how it impacts our environment.  The full-color illustrations will enhance the appeal for younger readers, and I especially enjoyed the impactful graph showing the amount of water that is needed to produce a pound of various types of food.  At the back of the book, readers will find a helpful list of sources, websites, and resources for transitioning to a plant-based diet, along with various stories of well-known individuals who have made the switch.  This would make a lovely resource for a school or public library.    

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

   **A huge thank you Holiday House for access to the e-book in exchange for an honest review**

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.