Goldfinches by Mary Oliver, illustrated by Melissa Sweet

 Goldfinches by Mary Oliver, illustrations by Melissa Sweet
Publisher:  Penguin Random House
Format Read:  Hardcover
Number of pages:   40 pages
Publishing:  March 3rd, 2026
Source: Publisher

Goldfinches was written by Mary Oliver, the National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize winning poet. Her work was deeply rooted in her lifelong habit of wandering through nature and jotting down her discoveries in a journal.  According to the illustrator, she used to leave pencils in trees so she could take notes whenever she wanted.  How cool is that?  

In this poem, Oliver explores the delicate connection between goldfinches, and the soft thistle fluff and seeds they gather to build their nests.  Melissa Sweet's mixed media artwork brings each scene to life with a gorgeous palette of colors.  The reddish fire expressed by bright pinks, the buttery golds of the goldfinches' crown and the morning sky, and the soft pale blue of eggs nestled in a thistle-lined nest.

I loved lingering over the pages, catching glimpses of the author's field notes, spotting black and white sketches and identifications of the birds and plants by their family, scientific and common names.  There's even a tiny map and a photograph of a real nest with eggs tucked inside.  

The result is a vibrant celebration of these birds and the way thistles provide not only the perfect material for nest construction but are a vital food source for their young.  Included at the back of the book is a graph of goldfinches' migration across the seasons and the growth pattern of thistles.  There is also a note from the illustrator discussing Mary Oliver's lifelong passion for nature, how it inspired her poetry and a few of her famous expressions.  This is a beautiful book that captures the awe and beauty of nature with the art pairing so well with the verse of Mary Oliver's poem.  A truly soothing message to explore the bright, lively beauty found in nature.     

Book Tour for The Secret Winners Club by Donna Galanti

 

The Secret Winners Club by Donna Galanti
Publisher:  Wild Tree Press
Format Read:  E-book
Number of pages:   299 pages
Publishing:  March 3rd, 2026
Source:  Author in exchange for an honest review  

Opening Lines:  "Sunny pulled the knot tighter on her newly designed headscarf and pushed open the door to Room 203, carrying a shoebox from home."

In The Secret Winners Club, three friends each living with an autoimmune skin condition (i.e. Alopecia, Vitiligo, and Psoriasis) form a secret club dedicated to helping one another to achieve their biggest dreams.   Sunny hopes to win the Junkbot Competition to prove to her absent mother that art can be built from scrapyard treasures.  Trev wants to land the lead in his school's production of Grease, if only he can master the tricky choreography.  And Vee is determined to win first place at the upcoming swim meet and break her school's record.  To reach their goals, each friend agrees to support each other on their path, and to seek out a mentor who can guide them along the way.

The story alternates between the perspectives of all three kids as they juggle home life, school pressures, and time spent with their mentor.  It shines a light on their friendships, their encounters with classmates, and the painful challenges they face from bullies who tease them about their skin conditions. I love how there is a balance between their real-life struggles and support of each other. 

There are beautiful themes of stepping out of your comfort zone and taking risks.  The book captures the pressure kids feel to be winners, while showing the importance of striving for your own goals and winning for yourself rather than to outdo someone else.   There's also the lovely message surrounding teasing of how, "...their words are irrelevant.  They can't hurt you.  So don't you hurt you by accepting what they say as truth." 

The story includes some delightful STEM-focused moments showcasing the creativity and imagination needed to build art from junkyard finds, everyday objects and motorized parts.  I adore Donna's books and how she writes these relatable and impactful stories.  These are kids that feel like they could be your best friends.  She highlights the importance of having empathy for others and that we never know what others are going through, so it is important to lead with kindness.  Second chances are another important theme, with the idea being that we can fix our mistakes and reconciliation can happen with our parents.  All meaningful messages for kids. 

                        Available for pre-order now! 

Bookshop/ Amazon/ Barnes & Noble/ Books-A-Million/ Apple

  **A huge thank you to Donna Galanti for the E-ARC 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 

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