It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday with a review of Elephant Touch by Susan R. Greenway

 

Elephant Touch by Susan R. Greenway
Publisher:  SparkPress
Format:   Paperback ARC
Number of pages:  160
Source:  Publisher
Publishing:  September 17th, 2024

Opening Line:  "I can't believe I'm in Thailand.  That's about as far away from Colorado as a person can get." 

12-year-old Quinn, her Aunt Lizzie, and eighteen other volunteers are headed to an elephant sanctuary.  Six months ago, Quinn's mom passed away unexpectedly. Since then, she's been inconsolable and anxious.  In an effort to help, her aunt signed them up to volunteer at the Thai sanctuary, with the hope that caring for the elephants might heal some of Quinn's pain and sorrow over losing her mother.   Quinn is a little apprehensive about the whole idea, but there is no backing out now.

Life at the sanctuary is both rewarding and lots of hard work.  Volunteers are given a schedule of various tasks including cleaning out the elephant pens and preparing their meals.  Quinn tries to adapt to caring for the elephants but still has days where she feels like she's drowning in sorrow.  After learning that some of the baby elephants get separated from their mother's, Quinn becomes even more overwhelmed and rushes down toward a stream where she has a special encounter with Sumana, an adult elephant. The two immediately form a connection that sparks a significant change in Quinn.  A glimmer of hope.   Yet, when a delicate, newly orphaned baby elephant arrives at the sanctuary, seemingly grieving its mother's loss, Quinn is overwhelmed by her emotions once more. To aid in the survival of the young elephant, Quinn must gather her bravery, her bond with the elephants, and enlist the assistance of the new acquaintances she has made in order to save the baby elephant.

Elephant Touch was such a lovely touching story that just tugs at your heartstrings.  Have tissues handy while reading, I know I needed them.  Quinn's grief, loss and sorrow was so palpable and resonated on every page.  You could feel her pain and understand her emotions.  While she had these fleeting moments of joy, they were also followed by feelings of guilt or the belief that what she was feeling was wrong.  That she shouldn't feel happiness.  I so wanted to give her a hug in those moments.  The elephants were portrayed so beautifully, majestic and well slightly scary, but I loved how the author showed that they also have a sensitive and compassionate side.  While Quinn's grief is a huge part of the story, it's also one of hope.  Hope that there are places that are taking care of these elephants.  And hope that the pain will subside through coming to terms with her loss. Through Quinn's experiences at the sanctuary, she opened up to new possibilities, and interests.  She learned that she was not the only person who is grieving her mother's loss and that she has a support system that will be there for her.  A wonderful debut that I highly recommend.  

** A huge thank you to SparkPress for the paperback 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   

Isle of Ever by Jen Calonita Cover Reveal

Today I'm thrilled to reveal the cover of the first book in a brand-new mystery-adventure series from New York Times bestselling author Jen Calonita, Coming 3/25/2025 from @sourcebookskids! @SBKSLibrary 

Title: Isle of Ever
Author: Jen Calonita 
Publication Date: March 25th, 2025
Genres: MG, Mystery-Adventure
Author Links:  Website / Goodreads / Facebook / X
ADD it to Goodreads

From the author of the Fairy Tale Reform School series, Disney's Twisted Tales series, Disney's Frozen Polar Nights and Fairy Godmother the Enchanters Tale, Jen Calonita delivers the first in a brand-new series featuring a girl who will inherit a mysterious fortune if she can break a centuries-old curse!  Days after her twelfth birthday, Everly "Benny" Benedict learns she's the heir to a fortune!   But to collect the inheritance, she first has to play-and-win-a game.  Following clues that her ancestor left, Benny must locate a small island.  If she's successful, she'll break a two-hundred-year-old curse.  If she fails, the fortune will be forfeited.  And if she's careful, she'll cross paths with someone else who is after the island's secrets and who will stop at nothing to get them.  Because, as it turns out, there's far more than fortune at stake.

Praise for Isle of Ever: 

Tuck Everlasting meets Pirates of the Caribbean.

Chris Grabenstein calls it a "gripping game 

and grand adventure.  A treasure hunt filled with riddles, clues, an ancient curse, and a main character you'll be cheering for all the way to the final page, I loved it!"

  Melissa de la Cruz say's "ISLE OF EVER will keep you guessing till the last page, then begging for a sequel immediately...you're bound to find readers up well 

past their bedtime."

James Ponti says that "Calonita leaves us
breathless as Benny races to save the day and her family.  Young readers will love it!"

If you love adventurous stories with treasure hunts and riddles, ISLE OF EVER is perfect for you!

Visit my linktree to preorder and learn more about the book.  

                                      And now the cover...

Jen Calonita is the author of the Secrets of My Hollywood Life series and other books like Sleepaway Girls and I'm with the Band. Fairy Tale Reform School and Royal Academy Rebels are her first two middle-grade series. She rules Long Island, New York, with her husband, Mike; princes, Tyler and Dylan; and their two Chihuahuas, Captain Jack Sparrow and Ben Kenobi. The only castle she'd ever want to live in is Cinderella's at Walt Disney World. She'd love for you to visit her at jencalonitaonline.com and on Twitter @jencalonita.

Credit:  Kimberly L Photography

It's MMGM with a review of Quantum Interstellar Sports League #1 by J. Scott Savage, Illustrated by Brandon Dorman

Quantum Interstellar Sports League by J. Scott Savage, illustrated by Brandon Dorman
Publisher:  Penguin Workshop
Format:  E-ARC 
Number of pages:   272 pages
Publishing:   September 24th, 2024
Source:  NetGalley 

Opening Lines:  "Today is the biggest football game in pretty much the entire history of human-and alien civilization."

Quarterback Wyatt and Team Planet Earth Defenders are about to face off with the "angry" Droglidonans.  It all began because humans went to a distant planet and brought back artifacts which didn't belong to them.  The aliens got mad and threatened to retaliate by destroying Earth.  Eventually the two sides agreed to settle things through a sports challenge, specifically a football game (who knew aliens love sports too?). Human's thought that Wyatt's father, a world-famous sport's athlete, was going to compete and lead the team.  However, Schnozly Grofsplot, an alien overlord tricked Earth, forcing them to compete with nine human players under the age of 14 and five aliens.  To top it off, if the human team loses, they forfeit the planet.  So, a committee was formed to select athletes from around the world, they ended up picking kids renowned for their skills in soccer, ballet, rugby and baseball.  Surprisingly, they also chose Wyatt, the one kid who hates sports and is notoriously the absolute worst at them.   They're doomed unless this group of teenagers can pull off a miraculous play and win.

J. Scott Savage has authored twenty-three novels, including The Lost Wonderland Diaries, The Mysteries of Cove series and Graysen Foxx.  I'm really partial to his The Lost Wonderland Diaries, being a fan of Alice in Wonderland, but was especially excited to hear about this upcoming illustrated book.  It's been described as a cross between Last Kid's on Earth and Space Jam, and is co-created and illustrated by Brandon Dorman, the illustrator of Fablehaven.  

Quantum Interstellar Sports League is an excellent read, featuring beautiful illustrations that bring the action in the story to life.  Wyatt is an endearing protagonist, funny and uncertain of his talents and why he was even chosen for the team. He does try and warn everyone that he isn't cut out for sports, but in the end tries really hard to lead the team.  His lack of skill in football and disdain for the sport make for some really comical situations and his narration is humorous and reflects that of a thirteen-year-old boy, filled with moments that will surely elicit laughter.  

There's high tech gear like super jumping cleats and talking helmets, aliens dripping goo amidst the backdrop of an intense football game to save planet Earth.  Yep, feeling those Space Jam vibes.  The diverse group of characters, each with their own unique abilities, also contributed to some creative and intriguing football plays.  I particularly liked how the players had to adapt their skills to outwit and outmaneuver their extraterrestrial rivals.

Wyatt's parents are wonderfully supportive, with his dad providing his playbook to aid Wyatt during the game.  Although, the team still had to make some adjustments and tweaks so that their moves weren't predictable.  Overall, this is a very creative, humorous story, with wonderful illustrations that complement the narrative and highlight all the football action.  The story also embraces the positive messages of perseverance and trust in your teammates.

Favorite lines:   "...we're a chain man.  We win together and we lose together.  But if one of the links goes, it breaks the whole chain."      

** A huge thank you to the J. Scott Savage and his publicist for the E-ARC via NetGalley**  

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

Greta by J.S. Lemon

Greta by J.S. Lemon
Publisher:  Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Younger Readers
Format:  Hardcover ARC
Number of pages:   208 pages
Publishing:   September 10th, 2024
Source:  Banholzer PR

Opening Line:  "When I sit on the vine that grows outside my best friend Lotti's window, I have a perfect view."


Greta Goodwin lives with her mom, dad and younger brother, Fej.  Her family is currently getting ready to move to a new neighborhood and Greta's mom is adamant that she finish packing up her bedroom.  Lotti, Greta's best friend, has come over to help, but the girls find themselves distracted by thoughts of beginning seventh grade, choosing outfits for the first day, navigating puberty, and contemplating their first boyfriends—subjects that Lotti and Greta feel unprepared to tackle.

The beginning of the school year brings many changes, including a few classmates who have noticeably matured over the summer, capturing the attention of both the girls and boys in class.  Due to a few snickers and snide comments, Greta decides to keep a low profile and not draw attention to herself.  However, after getting a new haircut, Derek comes up to her and offers a compliment on her new look.  He proceeds to ask whether she's coming to a party and says he'll see her there.  During the party, Derek approaches her again.  At first, she's flattered by his attention, but quickly it starts to feel uncomfortable due to his aggressive advances, and his refusal to accept her "no" as an answer.  Greta then tracks down Lotti and the two call her parents to come and pick them up early from the party.  Afterwards, Greta begins to feel like everyone is aware of the incident, that she's somehow different and changed, she's even unable to confide in anyone what transpired, including her best friend.   Greta is plagued by nightmares of hands reaching for her, followed by her body undergoing mysterious transformations.  

I'm going to make every attempt not to leave any spoilers in my review, but it will be challenging. Greta tackles the sensitive subject of sexual assault very delicately.  It conveys Greta's immediate responses and the subsequent challenges she faces upon returning to school and seeing Derek again.  Derek's behavior is depicted as reprehensible, yet it was troubling to me that he didn't face any consequences for his actions.  

The story features short chapters of roughly four to six pages.  The early descriptions of Lotti and Greta's friendship really conveys the deep connection or bond that the two girls share.  They are best friends who share everything with one another, from the excitement to the nervousness about the first day of middle school.  Even their fears, anxieties, and apprehensions about how things will change.  It's therefore surprising that Greta didn't feel comfortable in sharing what happened to her with Derek to Lotti, given how close they are.   And yet, people often respond to a trauma in different ways too.

My biggest challenge with the story is the conclusion, which left me with mixed feelings.  I appreciated how Greta's transformation symbolized her seeing herself as beautiful and how she felt empowered.  Greta reclaiming her body as something that shouldn't be objectified was also a very powerful statement.  I guess my difficulty lied in her eventual disappearance following her transformation, being concerned with how that messaging could be perceived.  I had wished that she could have conveyed the sexual assault to Lotti, her parents even a trusted adult.  

The speed at which Greta processed the trauma also felt too quick to me.  There's a myriad of emotions that I'd expected Greta to navigate her way through, including guilt, sadness, and anger.  Some were briefly touched on, like her blow up at school resulting in her suspension, it still appeared that her fantastical transformation overshadowed the ending.  The story is intended to be hopeful, but the resolution still involved her disappearing from the people in her life who were closest to her.  Although, she visited each of them briefly, and they seemed to recognize her presence in her current form, I still felt a sense of sadness in those last few pages.  Greta might have felt liberated and free, but I couldn't help feeling sad.

While I enjoyed the messaging the book was trying to convey and the magical realism mixed with fantasy, I think this might be confusing to some and will be best read by a more mature reader who can appreciate the symbolism of Greta's metamorphosis.  At the back of the book, Dr. Alycia Davis, a clinical psychologist provides valuable information on sexual assault, the accompany emotions and ways to get help. 

  **A huge thank you to Banholzer PR and Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Younger Readers for the hardcover copy in exchange for an honest review. **     

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday with a review of Matt Sprouts and the Day Nora Ate the Sun by Matt Eicheldinger

Matt Sprouts and the Day Nora Ate the Sun by Matt Eicheldinger  

Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Format:   E-ARC
Number of pages:  336
Source:  Publisher 
Publishing: September 3rd, 2024

Opening Line: "Mom always says everyone could learn a thing or two if they would just think of each other's backpacks more often."

It's the end of sixth grade and Matt's excited for summer break.  That is until his dad announces his big plans for Matt to do some hard, honest work that will help him "build character."  He's even chosen the perfect job for him, mowing lawns at his office from 5 am until 10 am.  Realizing he's cornered, Matt has no other option but to agree.  However, on his first day at the job site, he accidentally damages an expensive piece of machinery and injures Jason, one of his dad's best employees.  Surprisingly, Jason assumes responsibility for the mishap, leaving Matt anxious about what he might owe him in return.  Although Matt did try to take responsibility for his actions.

Matt then finds a new job helping out his neighbor, Farmer Jed, by taking care of his goat, Nora.  Matt's duties will include ensuring Nora has sufficient food and water.  Farmer Jed also expects Matt to talk to Nora daily, stating she's a good listener and quite special.  Initially, Matt thinks that managing one goat is a pretty simple task; however, he quickly learns it's quite challenging. Nora, appears to have her own agenda, frequently escaping her pen and causing various problems. With a little help from his girlfriend Grace, his younger brother Elliot and best friend Eric, hopefully they can manage to get Nora under control.

This is the second book in the Matt Sprouts series, and I had no difficulty reading it out of order.  Matt's portrayal of Nora is quite amusing, from her protruding eyes to the way one of her horn's points in the wrong direction.  Even how she shows up behind him lurking with a creepy and somewhat scheming/conniving presence, is quite funny.  Nora definitely possesses a will of her own and seems to want Matt to discover exactly what it is she wants.   The mystery of how she escapes her pen each day is intriguing, as is all the traps that Matt and his friends set up in hopes of catching the person who might be setting her free.  At least that's what they think is happening, but no one can explain how Nora gets up on the roof.  

I really liked the addition of B.J., a boy Matt meets while searching in the forest for Nora.  B.J. has exceptional survival skills, especially in identifying which mushrooms are edible.  He's a somewhat shy kid who seems eager to make a new friend.  However, Matt remains skeptical about trusting him, which explains the traps.  Matt's summer gets further busy when his soccer team begins condition training and Grace enlists his help for her Science Fair project.  All while Nora keeps putting on these disappearing acts. 

This is quite the comical read.  I can see kids who have ever worked around or are interested in farm animals relating to how challenging they can be to care for.  Kids can also relate to that feeling of how even the best laid plans can change, how it's important to adapt.  Overall, I loved the theme of understanding what people carry in their backpack and that everyone has something we don't know about that they're carrying.  It's also a great reminder about the hazards of making assumptions, and how they can lead to making huge mistakes.     *A huge thank you to Andrew's McMeel Publishing 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   **             

Darkness and Demon Song (Marius Grey #2) by M.R. Fournet

Darkness and Demon Song (Marius Grey #2) by M.R. Fournet
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Format:   Hardcover
Number of pages:  360
Source:  Media Masters in exchange for an honest review
Published:  June 18th, 2024

Opening Line:  "Somewhere, in the deepest, darkest most primal part of his brain, Marius Grey knew this was a bad idea."

Despite having missed out on reading Brick Dust and Bone, I was able to jump right into reading Darkness and Demon Song with only slight confusion on how Marius rescued his mom from the dead and perhaps some details about the "fringe world" that they live in.  However, this did not interfere with my enjoyment in any way.  And boy what an exhilarating opening with Marius and his mom battling a Chupacabra.

Marius and his mother are monster hunters who capture monsters by sealing them into a book in order to exchange them for coins from Papa Harold.  Ever since Marius' mom returned, he's noticed that she's changed. It almost feels like she is more of a stranger and a bit of a "liability." Marius witnesses her losing her sense of time and how she becomes easily confused and disoriented.  Following an especially difficult encounter with a vengeful spirit, she even becomes seriously ill.  

In search of answers, Marius turns to Papa Harold, who offers a deal: he will help with his mother's exorcism in exchange for Marius collecting the Honey Island Swamp monster.  Despite suspecting that he's walking into a trap, Marius agrees to the terms.  However, when he encounters the monster, he realizes the deal has placed him in a tough spot, and in good conscious he can't go through with it.  Later, Marius encounters, Creecher, a retired demon hunter, who reveals that a demon is possessing his mother.  To save her, Marius must venture into Hell and retrieve the lost fragments of her soul, but the clock is ticking, and Marius is quickly running out of time.

Like I said, this was a super fun read.  The opening dives right into the action and it keeps building from there as Marius tries to save his mom.  Marius is determined to try everything he can to fix her.  The setting of a mausoleum gives you some eerie vibes, and being able to "grave hop" from one cemetery to the next is a quite interesting way of getting around. The supporting characters added some depth to Marius' journey.  Lynna, who we learn is a witch and has been keeping an eye on him.  Creecher, the former monster hunter who sets him up with a task to prove himself to her.  And especially Marius' best friend, Rhiannon, a flesh-eating mermaid who just adores him.  She had me laughing out loud with her humorous way of dealing with threats by — "drowning the dangerous thing and then, if they don't look too tough, you eat them."  She's too funny and well cute in how things are just that simple and straightforward to her.  

The Louisiana Bayou setting was captivating, with Marius navigating his boat and confronting monsters in the cemetery.  The creatures were truly frightening, particularly the two children with black eyes guarding the movie theater entrance—delightfully creepy.  I'm not easily frightened or deterred when reading horror and there isn't anything too extreme that should deter you either.  This would make for an exceptionally enjoyable Halloween read. 

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

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday with a review of The Long Way Around by Anne Nesbet

The Long Way Around by Anne Nesbet

Publisher:  Candlewick Press
Format:  Paperback ARC
Number of pages:   256 pages
Publishing:   September 10th, 2024
Source:  Publisher

Opening Line: "Sometimes adventures start with a big boom or a mysterious letter or a knock at the door—and sometimes they simply begin at a little after 6 a.m. in the back seat of a crowded car." 

This is the fourth book by Anne Nesbet that I've read.  There was The Cabinet of Earths, then The Orphan Band of Springdale, which is an intriguing historical fiction and the lovely fantasy The Wrinkled Crown, which is my favorite of her previous books.  

The Long Way Around features three cousins, Owen (12yo), and sisters Vivian (11yo) and Amy (8yo) who convince their parents to take them on a camping trip to Sequoia National Park.  The arrangement was that the parents would hike with them up to Twin Lakes and then the cousins would spend one full day and night camping alone.  Just as the kids settle into their tents, a huge earthquake causes a landslide, separating them from their parents and blocking the path they were supposed to use to return on.  Left with no other way out, they make plans to take the long way around the lake.  Unfortunately, their new route also passes through some harsh terrain, a wilderness filled with fierce animals, a fast-moving river and prospects of continued unstable weather patterns.  As the trio begin their trek through the wilderness, they encounter various obstacles and find strength in relaying their own struggles and worries at home and school.  

 I truly enjoy adventure stories, and this one was an excellent reminder to always be prepared for the unexpected in the wilderness.   Not only to bring adequate provisions but having backup plans in case you get separated.  And most importantly, keeping bear spray within reach.  Owen's character resonated with me deeply, as he appeared to suffer from PTSD following a car accident where he was a passenger.  His struggles, emotional trauma and dealing with all the changes that happened following his friend's brain injury really made my heart go out to him.  Vivian's apprehensions about starting middle school were also relatable, capturing the universal feeling of isolation and uncertainty about one's place in the world.  And Amy is just so adorable and is such a trooper.  This was a long hike, across multiple days, and despite her initial reluctance to camp alone, she doesn't really whine or complain and continues to follow their lead.  I loved that she carried around a copy of The Dragon with the Chocolate Heart and made an occasional reference to it.

Despite all the obstacles they faced, I really enjoyed following along as they navigated back to safety.  You really got the sense of being on a camping/hiking trail and I could vividly imagine them navigating their way around the lake.  The map at the front of the book was the perfect addition to root me in the setting.  The children came off as genuine and relatable, complete with their own insecurities, fears and anxieties.  It was heartwarming how much they supported one another and addressed their issues with love and care.  How they were able to help confront their problems and overcame them.  Give this to an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys some adventure. 

 A huge thank you to Candlewick Press for the print 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   **