The Game of Oaths: by S.C. Bandreddi

The Game of Oaths by S.C. Bandreddi
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Published:  June 2nd, 2026
Format Read:  Hardcover
Number of pages:   432 pages
Source: Pulisher in exchange for an honest review

Opening Lines: "The arena is packed tonight."

From Goodreads:  It’s 1896. Beneath a hotel in the heart of Paris is the famed le Cirque des Ombres, led by ringmaster and Enchanteur Jean-Pierre. But behind the dazzling spectacles, the circus performers are bound by magical contracts, also making them potential players in the annual Game of Oaths, an underground bloodthirsty tournament watched by the wealthy elite. Twelve will compete. Eleven will die.

Seventeen-year-old trapeze artist Falan Sunkara is out for revenge. After her sister ended up as one of the unlucky eleven last year, Falan wants nothing more than to make Jean-Pierre pay for her death. When she’s chosen to compete in this year’s tournament, Falan is not above playing dirty and forging unlikely alliances. But to be the last one standing, she has to determine whom to trust and whose motives to question. Vengeance on top of survival is a dangerous gamble—and in games like this, the house always wins.

My Thoughts: 

Within The Game of Oaths, the author builds an elaborate world centered on a circus and a high-stakes competition in which the circus performers become competitors in a brutal, deadly fight.  I definitely felt strong Hunger Games vibes with patrons who sponsor contestants, essential equipment provided to help them to survive, prizes for winning, and the betting on who will come out on top.  There were even hints of Six of Crows in the roof top jumping and the overarching theme of chance.  

Jean Pierre, the ringmaster, is both the creator and orchestrator of the game.  He never plays fair, changing rules on a whim and deciding whether a competitor survives or suffers a "mishap" during the game.  His ruthlessness in unmistakable, and I found myself eagerly waiting for his downfall.   

Falan is blunt, cool, scrawny and initially comes across as sulky.  It took me a bit to warm up to her, but her size and attitude never seemed to limit her, she's far tougher than she appears.  As the game progresses, she's swept up in a bloodlust for revenge, often putting herself in greater danger more times than I would have liked.   Each character has their own goals and strategy to playing the game and their actions and underhanded tactics kept me riveted till the end.     

The story is divided into five parts, each opening with a quote from Guillaume Gallien's Origins of the Arcane, offering a brief background on the history and abilities of enchanteurs.  In every round, participants are pitted against one another while also completing the ringmaster's tasks.  When a player falls, there are moments to pause and reflect, gain new information, make plans for the next game, try to recover from their injuries and losses.  The pacing strikes a nice balance, intense violence during the game followed by a slower, thoughtful rebuild before the next brutal challenge.  It avoids becoming relentlessly heart wrenching, instead creating a nice rhythm and pace toward the final outcome.   

I'm always a sucker for books set in France, and adding a circus, a deadly competition, magic and epic fight scenes had me hooked immediately.  The reader is quickly swept up in the glamour of the ring, with the acrobats and knife throwers, the spectacle, and the thrill and danger of the competition.  Overall, this was an exciting story and despite its similarities to the Hunger Game, it offers enough unique elements that also sets it apart.  If either of the previous books mentioned interest you, I'd eagerly recommend you check this one out.  

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

Adventure in the City of Stories by Emma Otheguy, illustrations by Poly Bernatene

Adventure in the City of Stories by Emma Otheguy, illustrations by Poly Bernatene
Publisher:  Atheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon and Schuster
Published:  July 21st, 2026
Format Read:  E-book
Number of pages:   224 pages
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Opening Lines:  "Camila was crying."

Camila is saddened when her attempt to bring a Spanish book to school to welcome the new girl, Marisol, is viewed negatively by Principal Santos.  Jorge attempts to make her feel better by showing her the puppets and an old book that he found in Tia Xia's cupboard and suggests they share them with Marisol.  

When they try to bring the items to Marisol's house, Cooper intercepts them and insists that Camila is carrying another "illegal book."  He grabs for it, and after a brief struggle, Jorge manages to pull it away.  Realizing Cooper may try to blame Tia Xia for the book's disappearance, Jorge and Camila run and hide inside Tia Xia's tinajón.  

Meanwhile, Siggy and Tia Xia see a news report announcing that historical artifacts, Pura Belpré's puppets and a first edition of her Perez and Martina book have been stolen from the New York Public Library.  Tia Xia is alarmed because those very items appeared in her supply closet at the Latin History Museum.  To protect her from being accused of any wrongdoing, Jorge, Camila and Siggy must travel back to New York City into the 1930's and return the missing items to the library where they belong.

Adventure in the City of Stories is a companion novel to Cousins in the Time of Magic, and both books center on time-travel missions.  In this installment the trio experiences life during the Great Depression.  They encounter Eva Wilson, a wealthy woman who promotes assimilation, and Antonia, a young girl whose father works in Mr. Wilson's factory and whose job is threatened after Antonia writes about the factory's harsh working conditions.

The story is beautifully illustrated by Poly Bernatene, whose artwork vividly conveys the era, the action, and the characters.  The book has strong kid appeal and is filled with fascinating historical details, the decrease in book printing during the Depression due to paper shortages, the banning of books, information about Latino storytellers, and Puerto Rico, and the essential role of librarians and reading in preserving culture.  There is a helpful section at the end that highlights all the historical figures mentioned in the story along with a glossary of terms.  Overall, I loved how the book encouraged readers to learn and make connections with historical events.  

Mia the Magnificent by Srivarshini Thenappan, illustrations by Sunanda G

Mia the Magnificent by Srivarshini Thenappan illustrations by Sunanda G 

Publisher: Independently published Published:  January 13th, 2025
Format Read:  E-book
Number of pages:   33 pages
Source: Author in exchange for an honest review
Opening Line from Prologue: "Mia was turning fifteen." 

On Mia's fifteenth birthday, she is given a golden necklace and discovers that she is descended from a long line of rulers from the Kingdom of the Magic Globe.  When she rubs the necklace, she is transported to the magical realm of Magic Globe.  There, she enters a magical school, begins her training to be a ruler, and works through a series of challenging tasks that require solving clues and riddles.  

Mia is joined on her quests by her distant cousin, Rachael. After each completed task, Mia gains new powers and abilities, such as the power to control ice and snow. Throughout her training, she demonstrates dedication, courage, and perseverance, qualities she will need when she finally confronts the Queen of Dark Realms and Katherine the Terrible.   

At only fourteen, Srivarshini Thenappan has already built an impressive creative path, especially considering she first wrote Mia the Magnificent at just nine years old.  Her early start brings an extra magical spark to the adventure and lets the reader also enjoy the vibrant imagination of the young author behind it.  

Mia the Magnificent has eleven short chapters, each about two pages long, introducing a new setting and a quest.  For instance, you might journey to the Snow Cliff Mountains or the Lair of Crystal to find treasures like a gem or a pair of wings.  The full-page color illustrations by Sunanda G are beautifully done and have a graphic novel quality that I enjoyed.    

This is a very endearing story that really showcases the authors creativity.  I loved all of the magical elements, the challenges Mia faced, her wish to be a kind ruler and how she saved her cousin from danger more than once.  The build up to Mia and Rachael's eventual encounter with the Queen of Dark Realms felt a little rushed, and I wanted to know more about Katherine the Terrible, the pranks that inspired her nickname and of course the Queen's backstory. Overall, I felt the story has great bones but could use some more fleshing out of the characters and smoother transitions between chapters, as some felt abrupt.  Truthful I really wished for more details about Mia's training, more moments of her using her powers, and more time spent with her magical companions.  Still, I'm very impressed with the story and feel younger readers will enjoy the magical adventure. 

** A huge thank you to Srivarshini Thenappan for the e-book in exchange for an honest review.**          

The Invisible Thread by Sue Lamoree

The Invisible Thread by Sue Lamoree 

Publisher: Covenant Books
Published:  July 30th, 2025
Format Read:  E-book
Number of pages:   185 pages
Source: Author in exchange for an honest review

Opening Lines:  "Marvin sat in the back of the classroom with his nose buried in his textbook."

Marvin was recently paralyzed in an accident and now uses a wheelchair for mobility.  Before the accident, he loved spending time with his friends, playing soccer and hanging out with his dad.  His former friend, Frankie has become a bully, making his life at school unbearable, and his parent's recent separation has left Marvin feeling as though his father no longer wants to spend time with him.   Marvin's only social outlets are Bailey, his service dog, and Murphy, the therapeutic horse he rides at the Reins of Life Riding Stables. 

During one of his riding lessons, Marvin catches a glimpse of a mysterious flicker of light coming from one of the stalls in the barn.  Curious, he investigates and is surprised to find a young girl named Anna.  She explains that she is on a special mission.  One, she must complete in order to return home, though she isn't entirely sure what she must do in order to complete the mission.  All she remembers is that she has fallen from heaven and is eager to return to her family.   Anna also has the remarkable ability to connect with the spirits of animals, and through her connection, Marvin learns that forest animals are being displaced by the construction of new apartment buildings.  Together, Marvin and Anna hope to stop the development, save the wildlife and make Anna's wish to return home possible.

Marvin's character captured me immediately.  I felt his loneliness, his desire to feel "normal," his need to distance himself from the other kids at school, and his anger at feeling abandoned by his dad.  All natural responses given the trauma he has endured. The author wonderful conveys what it is like for Marvin to navigate using his wheelchair for mobility and the challenges he faces when spaces are not accessible to him.  This story is a powerful way to promote empathy and understanding for readers who may not be familiar with the experiences of wheelchair users.   

I especially loved how Anna encourages Marvin to show people what he is capable of, to have faith, and to trust again.  Watching his relationships with Frankie and his dad mend was truly beautiful, and seeing the family finally release their shared guilt was deeply moving.   The focus on preserving the environment is another theme that resonated with me.  Reading The Invisible Thread made me think about what it means to feel part of something bigger.  For me, that feeling comes when I'm at Yellowstone National Park, surrounded by endless trees, I feel connected to nature and something greater than myself.  Anna's feelings of belonging are more spiritual, rooted to her connection to the Heavenly father and his many children, and I think readers seeking divine connections will find the story very meaningful. 

Children who appreciate stories with spiritual themes, care about the environment, or enjoyed Katherine Paterson's Bridge to Terabithia will find much to love in the messages woven throughout this heartfelt book.    

About the author:

Sue Lamoree has loved writing since childhood, beginning with poetry and short stories before studying creative writing in college. Although her career ultimately took her into finance, storytelling remained a lifelong passion.

A Pacific Northwest native, Sue eventually returned home after several years in Southern California. Not long afterward, she was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis, a spinal cord condition that left her an incomplete quadriplegic. Living with a disability reshaped her perspective, teaching her resilience, humor, and the importance of accepting support from others.

Those experiences inspired Sue to return to writing. Through stories that blend hope, faith, friendship, and compassion, she hopes to encourage readers to face life's challenges with courage while discovering strength in both themselves and the people around them.

Website: https://www.suelamoree.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100039470686275#

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keep__rolling__on/

Amazon: https://bit.ly/4at5Ns8

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239523975-the-invisible-thread

**A huge thank you to Sue Lamoree for the ebook 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   

 

Milton Makes a Move by Jonathan Graziano, illustrated by Dan Tavis

Milton Makes a Move  Jonathan Graziano, illustrated by Dan Tavis
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books/ Simon & Schuster 
Publishing:  August 4th, 2026
Format Read:  Hardcover
Number of pages:   32 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Opening Lines:  "Milton was a pug who lived in a house with a big yard and a lot of other dogs."

Milton gets a new home and feels a little worried about taking on this new adventure.  He was used to his big yard and all the activity that came with it.  His new owner, Jonathan, previously cared for a pug, he adored, and is eager to help Milton feel less nervous.  As the two get to know each other, they end up learning how to be brave together.  

This picture book is absolutely charming, highlighting how a good friend and a trusty raincoat can make facing something new feel a lot less scary.  Dan Tavis's illustrations are full of delightful details, like dogs playing tug-of-war with a tire, dogs of differing sizes chasing each other around the yard, tiny spiders tucked into corners, birds perched around the yard, and even a cat casually strolling along a fence to find.  Wonderfully endearing.  

Milton Makes a Move was inspired by the creator of the Bones or No Bones TikTok series, where each day Noodle's owner would gently lift him up from his bed.  If Noodle stood, it signaled a productive day, but if he flopped back down, it meant a cozy day of rest and staying at home.   After Noodle passed, Jonathan fostered Milton, eventually adopting him and providing him with his forever home.  I love how this story illustrates that older dogs need love, patience and understanding too. 

This book is a great pick for animal lovers or for kids experiencing a transition in their lives.  With its uplifting messages about courage, companionship and encouragement to see change as an adventure, I'm sure it'll be a hit.  Other books in the series include Noodle and the No Bones Day and Noodle Conquers Comfy Mountain.   

Lianna and the Hombit by Valinora Troy

 

Lianna and the Hombit by Valinora Troy
Publisher:  The Silver Key
Published:  January 29th, 2026 
Format Read:  E-book
Number of pages:  238 pages
Source:  Author in exchange for an honest review
Opening Lines: "It was late afternoon when the mail coach clattered through the town gate, rattled over cobbles and rumbled to a halt."

I've gotten to know Valinora through our shared work as judges for the Cybils awards in the category of fantasy books and as contributors to Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays.  When she reached out recently about a possible review of her latest book, Lianna and the Hombit, I was eager to dive in. 

Lianna has recently been sent across the sea to Nivram to live with an uncle she never knew existed. Upon her arrival, her purse is stolen, along with all her most precious belongings.  The watch Papa gave her, the letter he wrote, and her favorite book.  The only thing she still carries from her life in Lowdar, besides her memories, is the ruby ring she discovered just before her home and her father’s possessions were sold at auction to pay off his debts.

Lianna is deeply unhappy about the move and is convinced the people of  Nivram dislike her.  Especially her uncle, Judge Samru, whom she's certain will be cruel and cold to her.  Despondent under everyone's accusatory glances, she waits in the Judge's library, where she discovers a small glass bird perched on a charred log.  The bird introduces itself as a Hombit and explains that it's on a secret mission, one it has unfortunately forgotten.   Hoping for help in returning to Lowdar, Lianna agrees to assist the Hombit with uncovering its lost purpose.

As her first step toward returning home, Lianna searches for any way to earn the money she needs for passage back across the sea.  Desperate, she agrees to undertake a dangerous dive for jewels, only to awaken the living rocks beneath the water and a creature begins to slowly claim her body and is turning her to stone.

Lianna makes a wonderful protagonist.  She's still grieving the loss of her papa and struggling with the sudden changes forced upon her.  Leaving her beloved home where she had friends, could roam outdoors with the animals or swim in a nearby pond was incredibly difficult.  I emphasized with her pain and feelings of loss.  Navrim stood in stark contrast to all the previous warmth and happiness she had and only offered her a dreary an unwelcome feeling.  I too wanted her to leave this dreary place and to be happy again.    

I admired Lianna's grit and courage, even though she takes more risks than I ever would've at thirteen.  I loved watching her and the other characters gradually warm to one another and how uncovering her family's history and the truth behind the curse drew her closer to them.  I also loved the Hombit, it brought her the friendship she desperately needed, and the bond they form through their shared missions was genuinely touching.  The story is further enriched by the small, lovely illustrations by Iseult Murphy.  Overall, I really enjoyed the adventure, the mystery of why Lianna's father left Navrim for Lowdar, why people distrusted him, and how she ultimately found a way to overcome the curse slowly turning her to stone.     

**A huge thank you to Valinora Troy for the ebook 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   

I am Rare: Discovering What Makes Us Shine by Melissa White Boyer, illustrated by Marcin Piwowarski

I am Rare: Discovering What Makes Us Shine by Melissa White Boyer
Publisher:  Yuni Press
Publishing:  August 4th, 2026 
Format Read:  Hardcover
Number of pages:  42 pages
Source:  Books Forward
Opening Lines:  "Did you know there's something inside you?  Tiny, yet powerful, too."

I am Rare is told through the lens of a very young boy with an ultra-rare genetic condition.  The author draws directly from her own child's experience and her desire to create a story in which children with rare conditions can finally see themselves reflected.    Written in lyrical, gentle prose, the book begins by introducing genes as "a blueprint that grows to a great work of art."  From there, it explains how genes shape our specific traits, like how our hair may grow curly or straight or whether we grow up to be tall or short. The story introduces the idea of genetic mutations in a way that is accessible and reassuring for young readers.  It emphasizes that some people's genes work differently, and that differences should be celebrated.  That rarity is something special. 

There is a playful comparison made between rare genes and the mutations that give superheroes their powers.  The positive messaging of the story is very clear, that each child has a unique beauty and inner glow, and that uniqueness is its own kind of superpower.  Overall, a wonderful story to build empathy.  Marcin Piwowarki's watercolor illustrations are gorgeous and add a warmth to the messaging.  I also appreciated the thoughtful additions at the back of the book, including a note for parents and teachers, a glossary of vocabulary words, and the discussion questions for extending the conversation.  Highly recommend this for a preschool classroom or library.  My review copy will be donated to my public library.  

**A huge thank you to Books Forward for the review copy in exchange for an honest review**