Chernobyl, Life, and Other Disasters: A Graphic Memoir by author and illustrator Yevgenia Nayberg

Chernobyl, Life, and other Disasters by Yevgenia Nayberg
Publisher:  Neal Porter Books/Holiday House
Format Read:  E-ARC
Number of pages:   146 pages
Published:  April 14th, 2026
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss+

Opening Lines:  "It's 1968 and it's going to be an interesting year."

At eleven years old, Yevgenia (nicknamed Genya) finally gets the chance to apply to the prestigious National Secondary School of Art in Kiev, she has dreamed of attending since she was five years old.  Like her mother, Genya's lifelong ambition has been to become a professional artist.  Yet acceptance will be a major challenge as the school has notoriously limited the number of Jewish students to a 1% of its admissions.

To prepare, Genya receives intense tutoring alongside her friends Kolya and Vera, endlessly practicing the same assigned scene to try and impress the judges.  Meanwhile, her family life has also undergone dramatic changes, her father has left for America, and they are forbidden to speak of or see him again.  Her mother marries Leon and is soon expecting a baby with her new stepfather.    

Then the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster occurs. Genya fails her first attempt at the art school exam, and everyone is worried about the invisible threat of radiation.  Despite Kyiv being many miles from the power plant, her mother decides to evacuate.  The family moves in with Aunt Elena in Volgograd.  There, Genya continues practicing her art, hoping one day to return home, but for now all her dreams are shattered.   

Eventually Genya succeeds in entering art school and realizes her lifelong ambition of being an artist.  Chernobyl, Life and Other Disasters is Yevgenia Nayberg's powerful graphic memoir of her childhood amid the turmoil of the Cold War, Soviet rule and the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster.   What really stuck with me about the story was its unique and evolving art style.  A thoughtful collage that mixes childlike stick-figure drawings, with lovely, colorful watercolor cityscapes of Kyiv, ending with a self-portrait from her art studio.  Each panel vividly reflects what life under Soviet control was like, the muted earth tones of their clothing, the everyday oppression and fear of radiation.   The illustrations beautifully show Genya's evolution as an artist.  I also loved her inclusion of elements of humor, such as the moment Genya has to cut off her beloved long braid, which took her forever to finally grow, because it set off the Geiger counter. Read this if you enjoy graphic memoirs, want a window into the Chernobyl disaster or are interested in a child's perspective on the events. 

**A huge thank you to Holiday House for the E-book access via Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review** 

      

Little Ghost's Summerween by Maggie Edkins Willis

Little Ghosts Summerween by Maggie Edkins Willis 
Publisher:  Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster
Format Read:  E-book
Number of pages:   40 pages
Publishing:  April 28th, 2026

Source: PDF from Publisher   

Opening Lines:  "Today, Little Ghost finds a surprise in the mail."

From the New York Times bestselling author of Little Ghost Makes a Friend comes a charming new story inspired by the Summerween trend of bringing the spooky fun of Halloween into the sunny months of Summer with "skeletons in bikinis and the carving of jack-o'-melons" as described by the Wall Street Journal.  

Little Ghost loves parties, but in his 100 years he's only ever experienced the Halloween kind.  So, when he and his good friend Anya are invited to his first outdoor, camp-themed summer birthday party, he starts to worry.  Will there be bats, black cats, and candy corn, his favorite things?  Despite his hesitation, he decides to go, and to his surprise, he's even inspired to plan his own birthday party.  But what kind of party should it be?   Anya encourages him to include the things he loves most, yet none of his spooky favorites seem to fit a summertime vibe.  What's Little Ghost to do? 

This adorable story follows Little Ghost as he tries to figure out how to celebrate his birthday during the warm summer months.  His nervous expressions, like the pencil balanced on his mouth and his raised eyebrows, are irresistibly endearing.  His brainstorming is both funny and heartfelt as he searches for the perfect idea, only to discover that the best celebration is one that makes him happy.   A sweet, uplifting story that will capture readers hearts while celebrating what makes each of us unique.  The series will continue with Little Ghost's Valentines, publishing December 1, 2026. 

Hannah Edwards Secrets of Riverway by Ashley Hards

Hannah Edwards Secrets of Riverway by Ashley Hards
Publisher:  Fabled Film Press
Format Read:  E-ARC
Number of pages:   268 pages
Publishing:  April 22nd, 2026
Source: Edelweiss+

Opening Lines:  "Are you looking for a place where the fun flows as fast as a mountain river?"

Eleven-year-old Hannah lives in Riverway, a once-thriving farming town now half-abandoned and broken down, its population down to just 2000.  Irrigation problems plague the area, and the river that once sustained the community for generations is slowly drying up.   Life here is usually quiet, the kind of place where everyone knows everyone, but four months ago Hannah's father, known around town as the "Canola King," vanished.  

Law enforcement searched at first, but with no new leads the investigation stalled, and the town has largely moved on.  Hannah hasn't.  She's begun her own search, determined to find out what happened to him.  In the meantime, her Uncle Fergus has stepped in to help her and her mother keep the canola farm running, but his overbearing presence rubs Hannah the wrong way, adding tension to an already fragile home. 

The next day during class, Hannah's best friend Sam slips her a note claiming he saw a ghost at the Old Grain Mill that looks just like her missing father.  At first, Hannah doubts Sam actually saw a ghost, but the possibility gnaws at her.  Despite her skepticism, the two of them hold a seance with a Ouija board, hoping for answers.  Later, determined to follow up, Hannah visits the Mill where she has a chilling encounter with a ghostly figure who delivers a warning to be careful around her uncle.

Since her father's disappearance, Hannah has been meeting with Ms. Grant, the school counselor.  Hannah secretly calls her the "dragon lady," convinced that her therapy methods are useless and that she doesn't really understand what Hannah is going through.  During one of their sessions, Hannah notices something strange, a piece of her father's business stationery locked inside Ms. Grant's file cabinet.  Angered by the sight of it, she later ropes Sam and their classmate Tim to help retrieve it.  

As Hannah digs deeper, she uncovers a troubling truth, her Uncle Fergus has been pressuring her mother to hand over half of the family farm.  The more the trio investigates, the more suspicious Fergus becomes.  Clues even begin to point toward the possibility that he knows far more about her father's disappearance then anyone initially believed. 

Hannah is a sweet young girl doing her best to cope with her father's sudden disappearance and the unsettling way the town seems to have quietly stopped searching for him.   She worries alot about being seen as a "bad kid," yet she often says what's on her mind, a habit that lands her into trouble more often than she'd like.  To help her process her feelings, her mother gives her a grief journal to record all of her negative thoughts, instead of directing them at Uncle Fergus.

School is another challenge, Hannah struggles to stay focused in class and relies on several clever strategies to cover for the moments when she's caught daydreaming.   She hides these difficulties from everyone, but it's clear she has ADHD.  She's really good at understanding her own brain, yet she's reluctant to let anyone else in on that part of her life.  

The ghost that Hannah encounters at the Old Grain Mill isn't frightening so much as mysterious.  The spirits follow a set of unusual rules, they can't stay in the light for long without losing their shape.  If they have to reform, they lose a memory.  These limitations add urgency to Hannah's investigation, every moment counts if she and her friends are going to uncover what Uncle Fergus is really up to.  

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the story is that it is told with interview transcripts, journal entries, and even an entire chapter written in verse about "Tim's Crime."   The bonus material at the end included discussion questions and a Q&A with the author added even more depth.  It's there that readers learn the book is actually a reimagining of Hamlet, which casts the mystery in a whole new light.

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

Girl of Lore by Melanie Dale

Girl of Lore by Melanie Dale
Publisher:  Simon & Schuster
Format Read:  E-ARC
Number of pages:   368 pages
Publishing:  April 21st, 2026
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Opening Lines:  "The driver gripped the steering wheel, shoulders hunched, leaning forward as if she could stretch the sunlight from west to east and buy time."

Tenth grader Mina awakens from a dream, so vivid it feels like it might have been real.  Her hometown of London, Georgia is full of macabre legends and strange, shadowy happenings, though most people dismiss them as nothing more than bait meant to draw tourists for ghost tours with the whispered rumors of vampires.

Mina lives with OCD, marked by intrusive thoughts, compulsions in sets of three, and an urge to list synonyms for nearly every word she hears.  To cope, she keeps a sketchbook where she pours out her stories, drawings and the intrusive "stabby" thoughts she's desperate to release.  The only person who seems to understand and accept her is her best friend, Jackie.   

Her mom wants her to work at the family yoga studio, but Mina has other plans.  She decides to start a History or Cemetery Club to collect and investigate the town's stories.  The group begins with the mysterious sinkhole that recently appeared and the unsettling case of the Carfax family, who vanished without an explanation, only to resurface dead a decade and a half later.    

But things take a darker turn when local historian, Ms. Poole is found drained of blood, and Buddy, who has a crush on Mina also goes missing.  At the same time, Mina finds a mysterious book in her bag, apparently from Isabella Carfax, and she begins hearing a voice whispering over and over, urging her to release them.

Mina is a compelling character.  Her favorite place is the graveyard, where she feels most at ease and can sketch in peace without anyone interrupting her.  She's deeply introspective and gravitates to darker thoughts, which tends to isolate her from people around her.  Jackie is the one who brings Arthur and Quincy into the group, and it's clear how much she respects Mina and her emotions.  Mina's OCD leads her to question the reliability of her own memories, wondering whether they're real or simply stories unfolding in her mind.  Her struggles are portrayed with honesty, giving readers an empathetic understanding of the challenges that she faces.  

Overall, I really enjoyed the story.  It appears to be the first in a new series, and the strong emphasis on vampires gives it plenty of appeal.   It took me about a third of the book to feel fully vested, but once it clicked, I was hooked.  Certain elements in the story reminded me of the movie Underworld, especially the Lore Club's mission to stop an "old one" from rising and I like to think that Mina has the strength of Selene from Underworld.  I also noticed how Girl of Lore shares echoes of Bram Stroker's Dracula, particularly the idea that victims bitten three times are doomed to become vampires themselves.  Read this for its focus on vampires, gothic vibes and a character with complicated feelings and emotions. 

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

Nell O'Dell Hates Quests by Emily B. Martin

Nell O'Dell Hates Quests by Emily B. Martin

Publisher:  Candlewick Press
Format Read:  E-ARC
Number of pages:   336 pages
Publishing:  April 7th, 2026
Source: Edelweiss+

Opening Lines: "All quests start out on one of twelve roads."

Claranelle "Nell" O'Dell is the proud daughter of Iglisenia the Mellifluous Bard and Kettleburn, wielder of Magronc.  Two legendary questers who left behind a life of perilous adventure, trading their cloaks and swords for running the Crossroads Inn.  Naturally, everyone assumes that Nell will follow in her parent's footsteps.  While Nell respects her family's storied past, she dreams of a quieter life.  She hopes they can find someone to help manage the bustling Inn, so she can devote her time to tending her garden and caring for her chickens.  

Then one morning a letter arrives from the government bearing troubling news, the family might owe back taxes, and their beloved inn, campground, stables, garden and grotto could be at risk.  Nell is chosen to make the journey to the capital, Grand Dalian, carrying the deed to the property to settle the matter.  She had already planned to deliver a speech for the Young Auxiliaries Award, so she reluctantly agrees to go.  

Just as Nell sets out on what she insists is merely a business trip and not a quest, she is unexpectedly joined by Midge, a bog goblin and Ghost, the family's specter cat.  With her companions in tow, and the deed tucked safely, they begin their trek.  But trouble suddenly finds them when a thief in the night steals the deed, forcing the trio to veer from their planned route to attempt to reclaim it.

Nell O'Dell Hates Quests has the feel of a Dungeons & Dragons style adventure, but with real-life complications woven in, like owing back taxes, price gouging, and traffic jams caused by an increase of questers chasing glory and rewards.  The beginning felt a little rocky, mostly filled with Nell's repeated denials that she was on a quest.  However, once the trio began facing obstacles like the rushing river and the Kelpies, the story settled into a nice adventure.  The encounter with Tawnya, a faun who offers them directions to where the thief may be hiding, and Bevin, a troll desperate to reclaim his name and his job guarding a bridge added to my enjoyment of the story. 

Although I didn't fall in love with the story, I can certainly see its appeal for younger readers interested in the classic quest structure, stories with dragons and dangerous obstacles to overcome.  There are also several heartwarming moments between Midge and Nell, especially as Nell begins to gather her crew and she uncovers the true purpose behind her journey.  

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

Out and About in 100 Words: A Guess How Much I Love You Book Illustrated by Anita Jeram

 Out and About in 100 Words:  A Guess How Much I Love You Book illustrated by Anita Jeram
Publisher:  Candlewick Press
Format Read:  Board Book
Number of pages:   20 pages
Published:  January 6th, 2026
Source: Publisher

Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare cross a river and what do they see?  A fish making a splash and a beaver nibbling on a stick.  From there, they hop to a farm and explore their way through the countryside in this lively board book inspired by the beloved, Guess How Much I Love You.  Each page invites children to flip, peek and discover a brand-new place right alongside Little Nutbrown Hare.  

I love the mixture of baby animals with their mothers and the soft illustrations by Anita Jeram are gorgeous.  Little Nutbrown Hare spy's swans gliding on the water, a mouse nibbling on a blackberry, and piglets playing by the fence.  There's a new surprise waiting on each page.  The seasons even change from a bustling stream in the spring to the snowy adventure of climbing Cloudy Mountain, ending in a beautiful night sky sprinkled with twinkling stars.  It's a joyful reminder that nature is full of wonders, animals, insects and plants waiting to be found when you slow down and look.  With spring around the corner, this would make a lovely book to read aloud together.

**A huge thank you to Candlewick Press for the book in exchange for an honest review**  

The Whisperwicks: The Labyrinth of Lost and Found by Jordan Lees, illustrated by Vivienne To

The Whisperwicks: The Labyrinth of Lost and Found by Jordan Lees, illustrated by Vivienne To
Publisher:  Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Format Read:  E-ARC
Number of pages:   384 pages
Publishing:  March 28th, 2026
Source: NetGalley

Opening Line:  "It began with a crack in the wall."

The prologue introduces the earlier story of Edwid and his twin sister, Elizabella.  Edwid hears a whisper coming from a crack in the wall, and the voice tells him it needs his help to escape captivity.   The speaker claims to be the author of the famous Jamima Cleave detective stories and says he's being held by someone who steals people's ideas and traps them inside the walls.  Determined to help, Edwid plans to travel to Olfred Wickers house to find the key that can unlock their prison. 

Eleven-year-old Benjamin Creek is a logical, science-oriented thinker who doesn't believe in magic.  But when a mysterious doll comes in the mail that changes into a bird, he still follows it to Wreathenwold.  Far from his parent's bookstore, Benjamin has entered an alternate world unlike anything he has ever seen before.  Everyone within Wreathenwold has a poppet, or doll that can transform into a creature companion, like a bird, a monkey and even a bear.  Poppet's aid their owners by performing tasks and help in defense.    The city consists of a labyrinth of streets and there are no maps to help guide you.  If you walk too far away from your home, the labyrinth has a way of making you forget your way back.  At the center there is also a Minotaur and Hanged Men patrol the city to keep the peace and work for the color trader.

Soon after his arrival, Ben meets Hansel and his daughter Elizabella, who tells him about her twin brother Edwid's disappearance.  Intrigued by the mystery, and moved by Elizabella's determination, Ben promises to help her search for him.  Their journey leads them through a trail of clues and memories Edwid left behind in Whisperwick lanterns.  Together they travel through the Whispering Woods, to The Magimmaculum, the Company of Mapmakers, and The Shrouded Palace.  Along the way, they face numerous dangers, must overcome various obstacles and even face the legendary color trader, Viper, who hordes the pigment of people's eye colors for her own evil plans.  And at the very heart of the Labyrinth, they must confront the Minotaur if they hope to rescue Edwid. 

Each chapter begins with a quote from A Brief History of Wreathenwold, offering bits of folklore about the city, the dollmakers and the poppets.  These excerpts work wonderfully, making it feel as though we're discovering this world right alongside Ben as he reads.  Ben is cautious by nature, but it's his curiosity that first draws him to enter this new world.  At first, he tries to rationalize everything he encounters but eventually accepts that not everything can be explained.  Being in this new world provides him with a relief from his parents impending divorce back home.  Elizabella in contrast, is impulsive and chaotic, leaping ahead into danger without hesitation.  Unflinching she's ready to hurtle through the labyrinth, while Ben would prefer to map out their route to avoid getting lost.  Their opposite personalities make their growing friendship even more meaningful as they learn to rely on each other.  

The illustrations by Vivienne To are stunning, detailed and bring the special moments in the book to life. I enjoyed all the nods to Greek mythology with mentions of Theseus, the Minotaur and the snake like rope, Ariadne.  This is a delightful story to immerse yourself in and would appeal to readers who are fans of fantastical worlds, adventures and the search for a lost sibling.  Similiar to The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver 

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