Wish You Well by Jamie Sumner

Wish You Well by Jamie Sumner
Publisher:  Antheneum Books for Young Readers
Format Read:  E-ARC
Number of pages:   288 pages
Publishing:  September 1st, 2026
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Opening Lines: "Wyatt once told me a heart can survive indefinitely outside the body as long as it gets oxygen."

Violet has been slowly losing her eyesight ever since she was diagnosed with Best disease, a rare genetic disorder that affects the macula of her eye.  She doesn't want to be treated any differently than the other kids at school, and more than anything, she wants to keep playing soccer.  Soccer and swimming are the two places where she feels free, where perfect vision doesn't matter.  But at the moment, she's grounded because of an incident behind the pool house, which she insists was completely accidental.    

Violet and her mom used to be close, they painted each other's nails and genuinely enjoyed spending time together.  But as Violet's eyesight worsened, her mom has been overwhelmed by medical bills and working late.  She even insists Violet attends a children's picnic at the hospital to meet other kids going through medical challenges.  There, Violet witnesses Wyatt Cass choke on a hot dog before he's saved by Nurse Priya and her daughter, Noor Singh.  Wyatt is recovering from a heart transplant, and Noor is undergoing chemotherapy which creates an instant bond between them. Soon, Wyatt urges the three of them to apply to the Wish Upon a Star annual wish-granting campaign.  His hope is that they each of them will get a wish and bring the other two along.  Three epic wishes, three big adventures...but they barely know each other.  And is it right to pretend to be close friends just to get their wishes granted?

From the author of Roll with It and Schooled comes her newest book, Wish You Well.  One of the first things that struck me was how beautifully descriptive the writing is.  The author paints a modern, relatable picture of kids navigating serious medical conditions while still watching Tik Tok videos and swooning over Wyatt's "boy band eyes."  It's adorable.  Even though each character is dealing with something heavy, the story never sinks into sadness.  It stays hopeful, upbeat and full of heart.

I especially loved Violet's inner monologue and how the kids respected each other's boundaries.  They don't pry, but eventual share the emotions of their chronic illnesses along with all the complexities that come with them.  Their wishes are another highlight; each one fits their personality perfectly.   Wyatt dreams of kicking a field goal (mostly to please his dad) though what he really wants is to go to Google Plex.   Noor hopes to meet a celebrity chef.  Violet wants to blow up a building, although the chances of her mom letting her are very low. It takes time for their wishes to unfold, but watching them connect, problem-solve, and support one another is incredibly satisfying.   There are even some sweet, lighter moments between Wyatt and Violet that made me smile.  In her acknowledgements, the author talks about wanting to write characters who feel authentic and empathetic, and I felt she wonderfully conveyed this.     

Spooky Scouts by Kimberly Shrack

Spooky Scouts by Kimberly Shrack
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster
Publishing:  August 25th, 2026
Format Read:  Hardcover
Number of pages:  40 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Opening Lines:  "Luna loves being a Spooky Scout."

It’s the eve of the Spooky Scouts’ annual camping trip when wolf‑girl Luna discovers there will be a full moon. Her excitement quickly turns to dread—she’s been hiding a secret from the other campers; full moons transform her into a beastly creature she’s sure the troop won’t want around.

As the moonrise draws closer, Luna scrambles for excuses to stay behind or clever ways to escape its glow. But the moon screen she brings washes off, and the hat she designs doesn’t work as planned. When her secret finally comes out, Luna is embarrassed—until she remembers the Spooky Scouts’ pledge about being brave. She’s even more surprised to learn that her friends have been keeping secrets of their own.

Spooky Scouts is an adorable picture book that reminds readers to be themselves. It highlights the power of honesty, trust, and embracing the little bit of weirdness in all of us. The illustrations rich in purples, browns, and deep greens, capture the cozy, slightly eerie feel of Halloween. It’s a delightful spooky read‑aloud for young children, best enjoyed with a campfire vibe and maybe even some s’mores to celebrate.

The Library of Memories (A Graphic Novel) by Barbara Perez Marquez, illustrations by Lissy Marlin

The Library of Memories (A Graphic Novel) by Barbara Perez Marquez, illustrations by Lissy Marlin
Publisher:  Little Brown Ink
Publishing:  August 25th, 2026
Format Read:  E-book via NetGalley
Number of pages:   328 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Opening Lines:  "Hello?"

A young girl named Copenhagen arrives at the halls of a vast library with nothing but a watch and a desperate need to recover her lost memories.  She has no recollection of who she is or why she returns to the library day after day, unable to recall anything that happened the day before.  As she wanders the stacks of memories, she helps the library's mechanical caretakers, Gyrotrons, fix the memories and keep the library from collapsing, all while searching for clues to her own forgotten past.  But the longer that she remains, the more perilous it becomes for her, and she risks losing the very last pieces of herself. 

I've always been fascinated by neurology and the brain's ability to reconnect or form new neural connections following an injury, so a story centered on reclaiming lost memories immediately appealed to the speech-language pathologist in me.  Copenhagen is such a sweet girl who wants to be helpful, but is overflowing with curiosity and energy, which often makes her a little reckless despite her best intentions.  Lawrence, a mechanical bird, does his best to keep her safe and out of trouble, though it's a constant challenge because she can't remember any of his previous warnings.  I loved the way that Copenhagen kept a journal, using visual cues as anchors to help trigger her memory each time the day reset.    

Complicating her journey even further is the Bookeeper, whose mission is to erase all forgotten memories, so she never has to face what was lost.  This twist surprised me the most.  What began as a story about a girl trying to reclaim her memories gradually opened into something deeper.  I loved the way the book explained core memories and how Copenhagen could still perform daily tasks because her episodic memories remained intact.  It reminded me a bit of Pixar's Inside Out in how it illustrated the role our autobiographical memories play in shaping our personality, beliefs and behaviors. 

When Copenhagen eventually reaches the boiler room and sees how the pipes interconnect like neural pathways, the story shifts again.  This time toward exploring grief.  It becomes clear that we can't simply extinguish painful memories in an attempt to escape sorrow.  Those memories, even the difficult ones, are part of who we are.  Although the story dips into some sad and reflective moments, it ultimately ends on a hopeful note.   Included in the acknowledgments is a reference to the author and illustrators desire to "explore grief and its complexities, in the same way that we both carry endless iterations of how we navigate it and carry memories ourselves."   Reference is also made to the inclusion of cultural elements from the Dominican Republic as homage to their country and how it was important in forming their identity.  Overall, this is a wonderful story that explores the power of holding onto our memories even if they are painful. 

**E-book provided from Little Brown via NetGalley following listening to the SLJ's Middle Grade Magic authors panel discussions 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 Curse of the Silvan Oaks by Georgia Channon

The Curse of the Silvan Oaks by Georgia Channon
Publisher:  Pushkin Children's Books
Format Read:  E-ARC
Number of pages:   272 pages
Publishing:  September 1st, 2026
Source: Edelweiss +

Opening Lines: "Hornet tail, the highest of the Catacomb Mountains rose up above its lesser peaks like a monstrous, pointed gravestone."

The Curse of the Silvan Oaks opens with a golden cat battling a wolf, transforming into a mountain lion to overpower its adversary.  When the fight ends, the cat slips into Onda Castle in the kingdom of Silvanland and leaves a leather-bound book beside a sleeping boy.   As it departs, the cat whispers a cryptic message, "you will feel courage" and "you will go alone, down the tunnel to the hazel grove."

Elsewhere, Oli Gill wakes from a strange dream in a small cottage near Foxley Hall, where her mother has just begun a new job.  While unpacking, she finds her father's belongings and discovers a wooden box.   Inside are a letter and a necklace, a black stone hanging from a leather cord.

Later that day, Oli and her mother visit Dr. Rivers at Foxley Hall.  He introduces her to his vast library, complete with a balustrade and an upper gallery.  In the Moon and Oak section, she learns about an ancient war between Queen Titania and King Oberon.  Still, curious, she continues exploring and discovers a hidden staircase behind a bookcase.  The wooden stairs lead downward into a portal that carries her into Silvanland. 

At the same time, Prince Cory awakens and finds the mysterious book.  Within its pages contain illustrations of a toy castle in his playroom and the plans for an underground tunnel beginning behind the fireplace.   Intrigued, he follows the clues, only to be captured by King Oberon's men.  Oli witnesses the soldiers taking him and tries to intervene.  However both are captured and now must join together to escape the King's forces and confront Queen Hellebore, who has unleashed a dark curse that is spreading a deadly disease across Silvanland.   

The Curse of the Silvan Oaks draws inspiration from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, via its portrayal of the rival courts of Titania and Oberon and the sense of magic that is woven in through the forest and animals that help Oli and Prince Cory.   There are also strong influences from The Lord of the Rings in the marching soldiers and the ancient trees reminiscent of Ents, as well as the portal-based world crossing found in The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.  

Between the two protagonists, Prince Cory often stood out more to me.  His desire to be fearless gives him a natural momentum, and he repeatedly leaps into action without hesitation.  He saves Oli from drowning, helps them navigate the maze when they're lost, finds a boat at a crucial moment, and even stops a jackal from injuring them.  What makes him compelling is that he doesn't recognize his own bravery.  He reveals his courage through instinct rather than intention. 

Oli does have an important role in the plot.  Her necklace with the black stone designates her as a shield.  Her role consists of returning the black stone to the woodland crown to save the forests from the disease spreading within it.  She is the one who discovers the portal and is drawn in by the lore of the Moon and Oak.  She also played a crucial part in freeing Prince Cory, showing some quick thinking and determination.  There's a sense that her bravery is still emerging and could be expanded on in the next book in the series.  Overall, this was a fun portal fantasy, and I look forward to seeing where the story goes next.   

Mexikid Dreams: A Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martín

Mexikid Dreams:  A Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martin

Publisher:  Dial Books
Publishing:  September 1st, 2026
Format Read:  E-ARC 
Number of pages:   320 pages
Source: NetGalley ARC request following Penguin Fall Preview

Opening Lines from Prologue:  "Remember the Big Bang, when a new universe began?" 

Pedro Martin’s family ran a Mexican restaurant in California until an earthquake destroyed both their store and their home. The family moved 300 miles north to the town of Watsonville, where they became sharecroppers on a strawberry farm. By the time Pedro was seven, he was already out in the hot sun picking berries alongside his eight siblings. Everyone had to work in the fields, even his Apa.

Still, there were lighter moments, like their playful “strawberry war” fights and line dancing to their favorite songs. But while most kids from school spent their summers at the beach just five miles away or at home watching Sunday cartoons, Pedro and his siblings longed for the chance to be like other kids and enjoy a summer off.

When Pedro's older brother Sal lands a job at the lumber yard, a step toward his dream of becoming an architect, each of Pedro's siblings begins to imagine a future where they can pursue their own ambitions. But first, they all have to prove to their father that they have a real plan, one that includes getting an education or gaining hands-on experience that will lead to a stable profession, just as Sal's job does.

Now Pedro just needs to figure out his own path. Maybe then he can finally carve out the freedom from farm life that he's been longing for. Still, he worries what will his father think about wanting to be a trombone player or becoming a cartoonist and will this count as a real job to him? Mexikid Dreams is a graphic-memoir companion to Mexikid, a Newbery Honor winner. I haven't read Mexikid yet, but it's definitely moving to the top of my TBR. In his latest work, Pedro Martin provides an insight into his family's life in Watsonville. The joyful moments, the difficult ones, and the realities of living as migrant workers under the constant threat of immigration patrols.

What stood out to me most were the family dynamics and the emphasis on traditions, including the scene were the family is making tamales together. I also appreciated the strong focus on gaining an education. How strongly Pedro's father strived to make his kids' lives better, to provide them with opportunities that he never had, while making sure that they knew where they come from.

Once Pedro's father was able to hire extra help and he felt confident they could make ends meet, he gave the kids a choice about whether to continue working in the fields. The kids still had to make cutbacks of their own, to give up some of the small luxuries they were used to, but they were cared for, and their futures mattered.

I loved the updates on what each sibling is doing now in their professional lives, as well as the many pop-culture nods to comics, music and TV shows. Reading Mexikid Dreams also gave me a deeper appreciation for the challenges my own mom faced harvesting and curing tobacco as a young child. Especially all the long hours, the physical strain, and the resilience required to keep going.

**A huge thank you to Dial Books 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   

The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel: Deluxe Edition by Gareth Hinds

The Odyssey:  A Graphic Novel: Deluxe Edition by Gareth Hinds
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Published:  May 12th, 2026
Format Read:  Hardcover
Number of pages:   256 pages
Source: Publisher

From Goodreads:  Fresh from his triumphs in the Trojan War, Odysseus, king of Ithaca, wants nothing more than to return home to his family. Instead, he offends the sea god, Poseidon, who dooms him to years of shipwreck and wandering. Battling man-eating monsters, violent storms, and the supernatural seductions of sirens and sorceresses, Odysseus will need all his strength and cunning—and a little help from Mount Olympus—to make his way home and seize his kingdom from the schemers who seek to wed his queen and usurp his throne. Gareth Hinds masterfully reinterprets a story of heroism, adventure, and high action that has been told and retold for more than 2,500 years—though never quite like this.

I will be the first to admit that I don't have much experience with Greek mythology, though I've always enjoyed it.  My previous sources have been limited to reading Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief series and numerous times of rewatching The Clash of the Titans.  This graphic novel made Odysseus's struggles and his determination to return home fascinating to follow.  A recurring theme I noticed was hospitality, the way hosts welcomed guests, celebrated with them, and how they tried to avoid offending the immortals.  

The watercolor illustrations of chariots, mountain ranges, and clothing brought this ancient world to life. I loved the variety of layouts, from full pages with five panels to spreads divided into three sections, each capturing rich details that held my attention. Even though I never read The Odyssey in school, I feel I learned a great deal from this graphic novel, at the very least, it served as an excellent introduction.  I’d recommend it for upper-middle grade readers, as it includes scenes of a cyclops eating people, some blood and gore, like an eye being stabbed, deaths in battle, and a bit of nudity.

**A huge thank you to Candlewick Press for the hardcover review copy in exchange for an honest review.** 

Little Monsters by Máire Roche

Little Monsters by Máire Roche
Publisher: Aladdin/Simon & Schuster
Publishing:  August 18th, 2026
Format Read:  Hardcover
Number of pages:   275 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Opening Lines from prologue: "Beware the seam cities, beware the full moon, and beware, above all else, the girl who can hide what she truly is."

Meg March lives in Salem, Massachusetts with her three younger sisters and their foster mother, Marmee.  As the oldest, Meg has taken on the role of caretaker and current securer of a Halloween costume for all of her siblings.  To earn the money, she's been taking care of their next-door neighbor, Mr. Laurence's chickens.

Then a new boy, John Brooke moves in with Mr. Laurence and Laurie.  He's introduced as a visiting cousin, but his arrival coincides with strange events around town.  Farmers have reported stolen chickens, several coops have scratch marks, and people claim to have seen a monster lurking in the nearby forest.  At the same time, Meg has been waking up in the woods with no memory of how she got there or what she did the night before.  Could she be the creature everyone is whispering about?  After all, Meg and her sisters each possess unusual abilities.  Meg grows sharp teeth and claws when she's nervous or is stressed, Jo develops fur during a full moon, Beth grows wings, and Amy can transform into a mermaid.  If anyone found out, what would they think of the Marsh family?  And would Marmee agree to continue fostering them?

Meg feels a deep sense of responsibility for her sisters.  She's constantly trying to keep them and Marmee happy.  She worries that any misstep will anger Marmee and force them to move foster homes yet again.  That pressure manifests physically, with her claws and teeth appearing whenever her anxiety spikes.  While I understood Meg's anxiety, the repeated mentions of her teeth and claws began to feel redundant.  I wanted more moments of showing how these transformations impacted her, more close calls, more tension around almost being discovered, rather than repeated descriptions of her trying to hide her teeth behind her lips.  

I also wished for more interactions between Meg and all of her sisters, not just Joe.  Little Women is a classic coming-of -age story rooted in sisterhood, personal growth and family bonds.  In contrast, Little Monsters centers primarily on Meg and Joe, offering fewer opportunities to explore the dynamics among all four sisters.  Perhaps if Meg had asked for help more often and had more faith in her siblings, those relationships could have been developed further.  Still, having Brooks learn her secret does introduce some light rom-com moments.  

Overall, I enjoyed the ambience of Little Monsters, the crisp autumn setting, the approach of Halloween, the dark moon and drifting clouds, and the twisting forest branches.  The atmosphere sets the tone for a spooky monster mystery with plenty of possibilities of who or what the culprit might be.  And at its heart is Meg's determination to prove her innocence.