Ezekiel's Volcano by Ana Angelica Teodoro , edited by Emma Dryden and illustrations by Yogita Chawdhary

Ezekiel's Volcano by Ana Teodoro, Edited by Emma Dryden and Illustrations by Yogita Chawdhary
Publisher: Barnes and Daughter Press
Published:  July 15th, 2026
Format Read:  E-book
Number of pages:   34 pages
Source: Books Forward and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review
Opening Line:  "Mrs. Barnes had always dreamed of being a teacher."

It's the first day of first grade, and Mrs. Barnes is meeting her new students.  Everyone is excited, especially Ezekiel.  He's energic and sometimes his feelings bubble up so quickly they feel like a volcano ready to erupt.  To help the class manage those big emotions, Mrs. Barnes teaches them a Rainbow Breathing strategy.  With a pause, a slow breath in and out, and a gentle arm movement tracing the arc of a rainbow, the children learn a simple way to calm their bodies and steady their feelings.        

Ezekiel's Volcano was written by educator and assistant principal Ana Angelica Teodoro.  I love how the story pairs a physical movement with deep breathing to help reduce stress.  The reciting of the seven colors reminded me having my kiddo sing "happy birthday" while brushing their teeth to make sure that they got the full two minutes in.  The book supports social- emotional- learning, self-regulation, empathy, conflict resolution, and emotional resilience.  It not only teaches children about feelings, but it also gives them a practical coping strategy they can use when they're overwhelmed.  The strong visuals also help children recognize what anger looks like while reassuring them that it's okay to have big emotions.  The acknowledgement section at the beginning of the book provided some wonderful sentiment with the author thanking her parents, husband, former teachers and students.  This would make for a wonderful read aloud in a classroom.           

The Christmas Wish by Lee Heart

The Christmas Wish by Lee Heart
Publisher:  Simon Spotlight
Publishing:  September 22nd, 2026
Format Read:  Paperback  
Number of pages:   160 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

It's the day after Thanksgiving, and the Rudolph family is already in full Christmas-celebration mode.  Joy is especially excited because this year, for her sixteenth birthday, which happens to fall on Christmas Day, her parents have finally agreed to let her throw her own birthday party.  She gets to choose the color scheme, decorations, food and even gets to buy a brand-new dress.  She's been thinking about nothing else but planning every detail, and how to get her crush, Kris to come.  But, on the day of the party, a freak snowstorm forces her to cancel everything.  Now she has no idea how she'll spend her special day with the boy she likes.

The Christmas Wish is an adorable rom-com that delivers all the cozy holiday vibes of ice skating, hot cocoa, decorating the tree and baking cookies.  Joy just wants to have the "perfect" party, something that feels like her birthday rather than another Christmas celebration.  She also hopes to impress Kris.  Even though things don't go entirely according to her plan, she learns a lot about herself and discovers that fun doesn't depend on perfection.   She also realizes she shouldn't have been so absorbed by her perfect party or the boy that she likes that she forgets the important people in her life, like her grandma and her best friends.  I loved the story focused on Joy's supportive family and the absence of bullying and major friend drama, aside from Joy needing to make amends with Violet after getting distracted.  A very cute and festive story for tweens. 

Hardy Boys Clue Book Fall Mysteries 3-in-1: The Bad Luck Skate; The Pirate Ghost; The Great Pumpkin Smash by Franklin W. Dixon, illustrated by Santy Gutiérrez

Hardy Boys Clue Book Fall Mysteries 3-in-1: The Bad Luck Skate; The Pirate Ghost; The Great Pumpkin Smash by Franklin W. Dixon, illustrated by Santy Gutiérrez 
Publisher:  Aladdin
Published:  September 8th, 2026
Format Read:  Paperback 
Number of pages:   288 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

I was an avid Nancy Drew reader when I was younger and even dipped into a few Hardy Boys books.  I loved the thrill of the mysteries, following clues, a few red-herrings, piecing things together, and trying to deduce the culprit.  It's probably also why I adored Scooby Doo. 

This latest collection brings three chapter-book mysteries in one volume.  In the Bad Luck Skate, 9-year-old Frank and his younger brother Joe are at a championship hockey game cheering on their friend Pete when the team's lucky skate is vandalized with paint.  The team always touches the skate before each game for good luck, and now they're convinced that the damage is a sign that they're doomed to lose the game.

The second story, The Pirate Ghost, follows Frank and Joe's friend, Jason who enters a talk like a pirate contest.  He wins a treasure map as his prize but before the brothers can go searching for the treasure, Jason abruptly cancels the dig. Jason is spooked by the legend of ghost Captain Scurvydog, and even more concerned when his bird Crackers starts singing a pirate song, and he receives a mysterious note in a bottle and pirate coins.

In the final story, The Great Pumpkin Smash, Frank and Joe attend the annual Boo at the Zoo celebration, only to discover that every pumpkin in the decorating contest, except one, has been smashed.  The brothers jump into action to figure out what happened.  

Each story centers on a single puzzling incident and follows the boys as they work to uncover the truth.   Joe keeps a clue book where he answers the five W's, who, what, where, when and why and the brothers build suspect lists, gather evidence, and avoid making assumptions.   At the end of each mystery there is a section with a series of questions for the reader to answer about the suspects, motives or which clue would help solve the case before the final solution is revealed. I love that kids are encouraged to think critically and actively participate in solving the case.  

The stories are engaging and will definitely appeal to younger readers.  The black and white illustrations are charming and help set a cozy fall mood.  With short chapters and around eighty pages per story, this collection makes a fun read-together experience, and a great introduction to the Hardy Boys series.

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

      

     

Special Edition: Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen and Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes & All New Poster on reverse side of jacket!!

 Special Edition: Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes

Publisher:  Candlewick Press 
First Edition Published:  July 25th, 2006
Format Read:  Hardcover
Number of pages:   48 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Opening Lines: "One day, a lion came to the library."

Miss Merriweather, the head librarian, is very particular about rules. No running, and only quiet voices. But when a lion walks into the library, no one is quite sure what to do. There aren't any rules for lions in the library.  At first, it seems the lion is well suited for visiting story time.  But following a misunderstanding, he stops visiting all together.  Yet when something terrible happens, the lion quickly comes to the rescue in the only way he knows how. 

This twentieth-anniversary edition of Library Lion is a must for any library.  I love that the publisher is celebrating beloved books and creators with these special editions.  The messaging is lovely too.  Sometimes rules can be bent when there's a truly good reason to.  Kevin Hawkes acrylic and pencil illustrations are gorgeous, and the special edition includes a poster featuring brand-new art on the reverse of the jacket.  A perfect story-time treasure for library lovers and anyone who adores classic books.  

The Story Orchestra: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: Press the note to hear Joby Talbot's music (12th Edition) Illustrated by Jessica Courtney-Tickle

The Story Orchestra:  Alice's Adventures in Wonderland illustrated by Jessica Courtney-Tickle
Publisher:  Francis Lincoln Children's Books 
Format Read:  E-book
Number of pages:   24 pages
Publishing:  October 6th, 2026
Source:  Edelweiss +

The Story Orchestra series of picture books blends classical music with charming illustrations and retellings of famous ballets and classic stories.  Ten pages feature a musical note button that, when pressed, plays a short clip of music by well-known composers and musicians.  Other titles in the series include The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake.  In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the featured composer is Joby Talbot.  At the back of the book, readers can learn more about the composer, explore a musical glossary explaining terms such as "Bell Tree" and "Cacophony," and find a complete list of the musical selections included in the story.    

Unfortunately, my E-ARC didn't include functioning sound buttons.  However, I was encouraged to look up the pieces listed in the glossary to get the flavor of Joby Talbot's music.  Online, I discovered that Joby Talbot was commissioned by the Royal Ballet and Opera House to compose the score for Alice in Wonderland.   I also found a suite titled "The Mad Hater's Tea Party," though I can't confirm whether this is the same music featured in the picture book until the final edition is released.  

The beginning stays true to the original, with Alice sitting by the riverbank with her sister when she notices the White Rabbit rushing by wearing a waistcoat and jacket.  Curious, she follows him.  From there, Alice's journey takes a slightly different path than the classic tale, but the adorable illustrations make these changes feel playful rather than distracting.  The musical accompaniment will no doubt enhance children's enjoyment even further.   

    

The Dot Deluxe Edition by Peter H. Reynolds

The Dot Deluxe Edition by Peter H. Reynolds
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publishing:  September 1st, 2026
Format Read:  E-book
Number of pages:   32 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

From Goodreads:  "Art class is over, but Vashti is sitting glued to her chair in front of a blank piece of paper. “Just make a mark and see where it takes you,” her teacher says. But Vashti can’t draw—she’s no artist. To prove her point, she jabs at the paper to make an unremarkable and angry dot. “There!” she says. But little does she know that one little dot can mark the beginning of a journey of surprise and self-discovery."

It's hard to believe it's been more than twenty years since The Dot was first published by Peter H. Reynolds.  The story has had a tremendous impact on countless children, mine included.  It's message of creativity and leaving your mark has reached far beyond the book's pages, inspiring an award-winning animated film, a stage musical, and even a global celebration with International Dot Day on September 15th.  Educators also have access to an entire collection of Dot Day Resources, complete with a teacher's guide, activities and posters to help celebrate the day.   The Deluxe edition features a die-cut protective slipcase and is even in the shape of a dot, how fun!   A delightful book to share with a young child.  

The Whole Wide World of Mabel Mulligan: A Graphic Novel by Victoria Jamieson

The Whole Wide World of Mabel Mulligan:  A Graphic Novel by Victoria Jamieson 
Publisher:  Dial Books
Publishing:  October 6th, 2026
Format Read:  E-ARC 
Number of pages:   256 pages
Source: NetGalley ARC request following Penguin Fall Preview

It's the last day of school, and Mabel is thrilled to be spending it at home.  Her stuffed animal friends are her only companions, and she can't imagine a better way to spend her summer than hanging out with them.  Unfortunately, her three-and-a-half-year-old sister Pearl will be home too.  On the bright side, the family always chooses a summer project, and Mabel is hoping this will finally be the year they build the tree house she's been dreaming of.  She's even designed an incredible plan, complete with a zipline and swimming pool. 

But then her parents announce a different project, moving Mabel's bedroom up to the attic.  Pearl is decidedly not excited about having a "big girls" room all to herself.  Later that night, Mabel overhears her parents talking about her.  They're trying to figure out how to help her spend more time with other kids, and she catches confusing bits of the conversation, with something about "strange" and "real friends."  Hurt by their words, Mabel is left feeling like she needs to make a change, but how can she give up her best friends?

The Whole Wide World of Mabel Mulligan is an adorable story about growing up and navigating the changes that come with it, including learning how to let things go.  It's also a lovely reflection on the importance of open communication between parents and their children, and the value of sharing feelings honestly.  

Mabel's family is wonderfully supportive, well, maybe not Pearl, but she is only three and a half.  They love Mabel and want the best for her.   Her dad's concern about her not having any friends to play with are understandable, just as her attachment to her stuffed animals makes perfect sense as a source of comfort.  Figuring out when the right time is to let go of those beloved companions can be tricky.

Although neighborhood kids have invited her to play basketball, Mabel doesn't see herself as the sporty type.  I could easily identify with that feeling.  I was encouraged to play softball and join the swim team, but I would've much rather been reading a book or watching T.V.  Mabel does, however, have her PopPop, who takes her to Mass and encourages her to explore building things in his shop. 

I really loved the art style of this book, especially the pencil-and pen illustrations paired with watercolors.  At the back of the book, there are illustrations kids drew of their "stuffies," along with a sweet encouragement from the author to write stories about their own stuffed animal friends.  Overall, a very sweet story and I'm hoping there will be more books in the series.  

**A huge thank you to Dial Books for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.**