The Scott Fenwick Diaries: A Novel by Kristin Nilsen

The Scott Fenwick Diaries a Novel by Kristin Nilsen
Publisher:  SparkPress
Format Read:  Paperback ARC
Number of pages:   258 pages
Published:   July 22nd, 2025
Source:  Media Masters Publicity

Opening Line: "I hold the note in my hand and look over at Scott Fenwick, not with my head but with my eyes only."

The Scott Fenwick Diaries serves as a sequel to The Worldwide Crush, but both books can be read as standalones.

Millie has finally decided to move on from her celebrity crush and focus on her real-life crush, Scott Fenwick.  They've shared lots of angsty moments of passing notes, exchanging glances across the classroom, and the occasional shared wave.  Millie suspects Scott likes her too but is too shy to make the first move.  Feeling uncertain about the rules of dating or how to truly connect with a crush, she pours all her thoughts and details about her encounters with Scott into her diary.

At home, Millie's life is even more chaotic since her grandmother Cheryl moved in temporarily while her place is being renovated.  Adding to the mix is her great-grandmother Phyllis, who often requests trips to Target from Millie and her mom, a task that's not as easy as it sounds.  At least at school, Millie can always count on her best friend, Shauna to consult her magic 8 ball to answer Millie's questions about Scott. Even Tibbs, Scott's next-door neighbor offers to help Millie to get closer to him by inviting her to ride with them to Hebrew school.  In the end, Millie gets an invitation to Scott's Bar Mitzvah and hopes she can finally summon the courage to share her feelings with him, and most importantly, figure out if he feels the same way.  But when the pivotal moment finally arrives on the dance floor, Millie panics and pulls away from him.  Will Scott feel like she rejected him? And what should she do now?

The Scott Fenwicks Diaries is filled with the angsty teenage feelings of one's first crush, the fear and doubt of whether they feel the same way, and all the flutters and butterflies when your eyes suddenly lock across the classroom.  Millie experiences it all in a big fashion.  While I can't relate to her obsession over Scott, her feelings toward her first crush are really relatable and come off realistically.  First crushes are awkward; they bring out our insecurities, cause us to second guess everything we think, even lead to that confusing feeling of does he like me or not?  Millie's difficulty in putting trust in someone else with her feelings is a feeling that most people have experienced at some point in their life.  I'm sure that the story will resonate with readers who are starting to date.    There are so many little sweet moments that Millie and Scott share, with my favorite being when Scott draws a heart on Millie's shoe.  

I loved reading Millie's diary, especially her adorable acrostic poems.  While there wasn't much drama, the humor and some embarrassing moments kept the story lighthearted and engaging.  I also appreciated how Millie became a better friend, learning to listen to Shauna more, as her fixation on Scott caused her to overlook important things happening in Shauna's life. I'd recommend this to readers who enjoyed The Kissing Booth, To All the Boys I've Loved Before and readers looking for a really sweet tween romance story.  

A huge thank you to Media Masters Publicity for the Paperback ARC 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

 

Kristin Nilsen is a children's author and librarian with an encyclopedic knowledge of all things 70s and 80s.

 

She is the author of Worldwide Crush, a middle grade novel inspired by her own childhood crush on Shaun Cassidy. She also co-hosts The Pop Culture Preservation Society, a weekly podcast celebrating the cultural nuggets of the classic Gen X childhood. Kristin lives in Minneapolis with her Gen X husband, her Gen Z son, and their rock and roll goldendoodle, Axl Rose Nilsen. The Scott Fenwick Diaries is the sequel to Worldwide Crush and Nilsen’s second middle grade novel. 

 

The First Magnificent Summer by R.L. Toalson

The First Magnificent Summer by R.L. Toalson
Publisher:  Aladdin
Format Read:  Paperback
Number of pages:   368 pages
Published:   May 30th 2023 (original publication)  Reprinted May 7th 2024 
Source:  Purchased

Opening Line: "Period (noun) : a length or segment of time." 

Twelve-year-old Victoria Reeves and her brother Jack haven't seen their father in two years, not since the divorce and he vanished into a new life without them.  But that's about to change as he's coming to pick them up for a long road trip to Ohio with his new picture-perfect family that he replaced them with.  Victoria is determined to show him how grown up and mature she has become.  But the moment the car pulls away, cracks begin to show.  Awkward silences, buried resentments and painful misunderstandings mount with every mile.  What began as a hopeful second chance quickly spirals into hurt feelings, shame filled jabs, and the ultimate betrayal by her father.   
The cover of The First Magnificent Summer really captured my attention at Barnes and Noble.  I was looking for a summertime themed book and curious about the girl writing in her journal and intrigued by the premise that things go in unexpected ways.  Victoria writes in a journal about her dreams of repairing her relationship with her father.  She even has a no fail plan to win him back.  Her journaling really gets you inside her head and the anxiety she feels as the time lapses across the day from July 15th (the day he was supposed to come) to July 16th.   It's in these moments where Victoria's internal dialogue expresses her hurt and resentment to the way that her father is behaving.  She expresses all the things that she would love to say back to her father, and boy do you wish she could say them.  She writes about the anxiety of starting her period and fear of running out of supplies.  She even notes how her and Jack's relationship has been changing. I really identified with that feeling, it doesn't hit you at first, everyone is busy and vested in their life, but then there's a moment that happens and you actually feel that change in you and your sibling's relationship.    

This was not the summer vacation that Victoria and Jack deserved.  It just breaks your heart how belittling her father is.  At first his comments seem to be attempts at being "ha ha funny" or teasing, but then they are downright mean and insulting.  Victoria is hungry for his approval, acceptance and affection but instead he's just a jerk to her.  He makes me really angry.  The events in the story seem to be partially based off the authors own experiences.  In the author's note she states that "no one should be made to feel by anyone in their lives that they have to earn love," and I full hardly agree.  I wished the book included Victoria finding a support system to confide in or perhaps resources for children experiencing or at risk of child abuse, a hotline number or suggestion to contact a crisis support or talking to a trusted adult would have fit here.    
Jack is treated slightly better, possibly because he's a boy, but they both walk on eggshells around him.   Then three days before they're due to go home, he violates her trust and reads her journal.  Accuses her of lying about him and in anger lashes out at her.  The ending is hard to swallow as there's no consequences for Victoria's dad's actions.  Although I imagine that is unfortunately more accurate.  It's not entirely a happy ending but Victoria does find the words to express that her journal is for her eyes only and she learns that her writing matters.  No one has the right to pass it off as "scribblings." I'm excited to see that there's a companion novel, Something Maybe Magnificent that has been published and really eager to continue reading Victoria's story.  

    

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

The Ghosts of Nameless Island: The Boy Who Could Fly: Vol. 2 by Carly Anne West

 

The Ghosts of Namless Island #2:  The Boy Who Could Fly by Carly Anne West, illustrations by Teo Skaffa
Publisher:  Andrews McMeel Publishing
Format Read:  E-ARC
Number of pages:   322 pages
Published:   July 22nd, 2025
Source:  Edelweiss +

Opening Line: "The wind off the South Sound pushes their hair around and get's in the way of their faces."

The story opens with a haunting prologue centered around the image of a circus tent. A young boy then arrives at a creepy manor with his mother in the dead of the night.  By morning, she has vanished, leaving behind only the silver necklace she wore around her neck every day.  We leap forward to a chilling moment from the first book, Gus is caught in the merciless grip of the Broken Boy, whose icy fingers are closing around his throat while he demands Gus returns his medallion.  Just as darkness threatens to consume Gus, he is saved by Catherine the Great, his fierce and fearless cat.  She breaks the Broken Boy's grip, and he vanishes into the night.

As a new school year begins, Gus and his friends, Miles and Tavi resume their search for answers to who the Broken Boy was and how to finally lay him to rest.  But Gus remains vulnerable to ghostly threats without his protective penny.  When a new spirit is discovered haunting Rotham Manor, the trio must face the terrifying question, how do you survive a ghost that wants you dead, while unraveling the identity of another that refuses to be known?  

Gus still hasn't confided in his mother about his ability to see ghosts.  Instead, he covers his visit to Ms. Walker with a lie.  It's heartbreaking that they at first can't share everything that is on their minds.  I enjoyed that Gus and his mother were able to reconnect following a vision of Gus's father and their decision to seek a new therapist together.  There's a special moment when they are finally able to discuss that she too had been seeing and hearing things at the manor. 

Meanwhile, Gus's nemesis at school, Charlie Cleave continues to be a bully and Charlie's dad further complicates things for his mother through the historical society and the revelations that the Rotham's may have been bootleggers.  The trio devote a huge part of the book researching their school project on what makes Nameless Island the ideal location for the Pacific Northwest Lower South Sound Fish Derby Fair.  While also trying to lay the ghosts attacking them to rest.  They comb the library, diving deep into the archival files and find old newspapers that reference the "Flying Wymans" and a rumored murder for $2300 in cash. 

While the information that the trio uncovers is intriguing, the pacing lags slightly.  The subtle clues don't create the level of suspense that might hook younger readers.  That said, I enjoyed the unraveling of the events from the 1940's- 50's and the commentary on the town's legacy, or whether exposing the Rotham's past "sully's" their name, or whether history should stand as is and remain open for interpretation.  Read this for its creepy factors, the sunken hollow eyes and corpse like features of the Broken Boy, or the various hauntings and intrigue of the ghost's identities.  Or maybe wait to read the entire series as the cliffhangers can be disappointing.  Especially the latest final image of a girl in the morgue with her wrist dangling from a gurney.  I really want to know her connection to Gus's dad.  Guess I'll just have to wait.   

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

The Bellwoods Game by Celia Krampien

The Bellwoods Game by Celia Krampien
Publisher:  Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Format read:  Paperback
Number of pages:   320 pages
Published:  July 23rd, 2023
Source:  Purchased

Opening Lines:  "Abigail didn't believe the stories about the woods."

Everyone knows the woods surrounding Fall Hollow are haunted, ever since Abigail Snook wandered in and was never seen again.  Yet, her disappearance hasn't stopped the students of Beckett Elementary from daring to play the Bellwoods Game.  Every Halloween eve, three six graders race to the heart of the woods to ring the bell, ensuring the town's safety for another year.  But those unlucky enough to encounter Abigail's ghost must surrender their most treasured possession.  And if no one wins the race...her spirit is unleashed to wreak havoc on the town.

This year, Bailee hopes to be chosen for the game, especially after the horrible past three weeks she's had, she could really use a win.  She had a falling out with Fen that has left her feeling like an outcast, her parents are buried in work, and her gran recently suffered a TIA.  Maybe winning the race will boost her status at school.  And as the legend goes, the victor wins a wish.  But when the game begins, Bailee, Fen and Carmen quickly realize that reaching the bell is far harder than they imagined.  Something sinister lurks in the woods, watching them, waiting and is determined to ensure that they lose. 

I stumbled on The Bellowoods Game at Barnes and Noble, drawn in by its eerie cover, and after having flipped through the first few pages.  That prologue really sets you up with wanting to know more.  The blurb also promised a gripping mix of supernatural suspense and a game with real risks.  Boy did it deliver.  I loved how the author's illustrations added a creepy vibe, making the story even more immersive.  They really complement the story well.  There's a legend, superstitions, an evil ghost, bats, a shadowy figure in the woods, realistic friend drama and plenty of twists and turns.  Yep, perfectly nailed the eerie mood and kid appeal!  

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

The House at the Edge of Magic by Amy Sparkes

The House at the Edge of Magic by Amy Sparkes
Publisher:  Walker Books
Format Read:  Paperback 
Number of pages:   240 pages
Published:  January 1st, 2021
Source:  Purchased

Opening Lines: "Nine crouched down behind the staked fish crates at the bustling market."

Nine, an orphan pickpocket, has fallen out of favor with Pockets, the cunning gang-master of the Thousand Treasures.  To regain his trust, she needs to bring him a valuable score.  Then she spots the perfect mark, a woman in a scarlet dress, carrying a fancy beaded bag that promises riches.  But what she steals isn't the treasure she expected.  Instead, she swipes a peculiar house-shaped ornament.  The moment she knocks on its tiny door, it expands into a sprawling house, with chimneys twisting and stretching in every direction.  The front door swings opens, revealing a creature in a  frilly white apron, clutching a feather duster, followed by a young wizard in fluffy slippers and a sword wielding spoon. Flabberghast the wizard, wastes no time explaining that Nine has stumbled into a cursed house, and only she can break the spell.  In exchange for her help, he offers her a jewel of immense value.    

The first thing that caught my eye was the cover.  As I've mentioned before, I love stories with old houses, and I was immediately curious, what could possibly be inside a house that expands from an ornament?  And wow, I was not disappointed.  This house is brimming with whimsy, from a toilet that constantly shifts rooms to a cupboard that temporarily magics anyone who dares to open its doors. There's even a skeleton in the closet and some questionably dead people in the basement.  

Nine, our reluctant heroine, is less than thrilled about breaking the curse, and defiantly is not a fan of magic.  All she wants is to escape from the Nest and reclaim her most treasured possession from Pockets.  The plot is wonderfully set up, and the book is packed with a host of delightfully quirky characters.  There's the talking Dr. Spoon, Eric the troll in his frilly apron and of course, Flabberghast, the hopscotch champion wizard who hasn't had a sip of tea in years because no one can get the cupboard to open.  Just thinking about it  makes me smile.  

The magic in the story is unpredictable and unmanageable, which only adds to the fun.  I also loved that Nine visits a library to search for answers on how to break the curse.  The shorter length of The House at the Edge of Magic was appealing, though I would've enjoyed a little more character development. Overall, this was a fun read and I will be looking for the next book in the series, The Tower at the End of Time.  

It's MMGM with a review of The World Is Lava: A Crabgrass Comics Adventure by Tauhid Bondia

 

The World is Lava: A Crabgrass Comics Adventure by Tauhid Bondia
Format Read:  E-ARC
Publisher:  Andrews McMeel Publishing
Number of pages:  178 pages
Publishing:  July 8th, 2025
Source:  Edelweiss +

Kevin and Miles are back in Book 3 of the Crabgrass Comics Adventure series.  Book one introduced the neighborhood of Crabgrass Drive and explains how the two boys became friends.  It's filled with the nostalgia of growing up in an unfettered neighborhood.  Staying out until it's dark outside and your mom has to call you in for supper.  Moments in a blow-up swimming pool, the iconic atomic ball candy challenge and just all-around silliness and hijinks.  In the second book there was the introduction of a girl into the mix, Carla.  And as usual the fun relationship of these two boys as they had their first cup of coffee, tried to sneak into an overage movie and made their first trip to the principal's office. 

The World Is Lava continues with these lovely moments down memory lane and growing up.  Some of the stories are only one page long while others cover multiple panels and pages highlighting Kevin getting a case of lice and the boys making Thanksgiving Dinner with Mile's dad.  I just love the humor in these books.  Like when Miles's mom catches him lying and wants to teach him that "moms know everything."  Then later when she comes to check and see if he cleaned his room and finds an unexpected, yet very creative surprise in the closest.  It felt like every page had me laughing out loud over something the boys said or did.  The art style stills reminds me of Calvin and Hobbes in how it engages the reader.   I love how the boys are playful, not destructive and try their best to follow the rules.  They know the difference between right and wrong and hardly ever cross that line. Plus, Miles and Kevin's friendship is such a joy, they look out for one another, even try to act in solidarity when one of them has a problem.  This has huge adult and kid appeal, relatable dialogue, is wonderfully entertaining and would make for a great read together.  A sure hit for fans of Big Nate and Calvin Hobbes. 

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

Half-Truths by Carol Baldwin

Half-Truths by Carol Baldwin
Publisher:  Monarch Educational Services
Format Read:  Paperback
Number of pages:   300 pages
Published:   April 2nd, 2025
Source:  Giveaway via Rosi Hollinbeck's Blog and the author 

Opening Line:  "I shove my broom under the display case and the glass shelves rattle."

Fifteen-year-old Anna Katherine (Katie) has been diligently saving every cent, dreaming of opening a bank account to put herself through college.  She lives in a small rural town outside of Charlotte, North Carolina.  But her dream is to be a reporter, like Mr. Carter at the Tribune.  Katie keeps a meticulous journal, filled with all of her relevant questions and careful observations.  She reads the local paper front to back, studying every headline.  Still, her aspirations of being a journalist aren't exactly celebrated by her friends and family, and are instead met with skepticism and in some cases disapproval.  

Summoning her courage, Katie proposes a bold plan of moving to Charlotte to live with her paternal grandparents to attend school.  Her hope is twofold, she believes the city school will provide greater academic opportunities,  and that through her dedication and hard work she can persuade her grandparents to help finance her way through college.  What Katie doesn't anticipate is that her grandmother has her own vision for Katie's future, that involves making Katie into a "proper" young lady.  

Once in Charlotte, Katie begins to forge friendships at her new school.  She becomes involved in the school paper, but only as a curiosities columnist at first.    Half-Truths captures the universal teenage worry of  fitting in, and being accepted by your peers.  Katie meets Auntie Esther and her granddaughter, Lillian who both work as maids for Katie's grandmother.  Lillian is knowledgeable about clothing and the current styles and can identify with Katie's aspirations to go to college.  Lillian dreams of going to Chapel Hill for science and they quickly bond over a science experiment involving Katie's goat and finding a cure for her bout of ringworms.  As the two girls friendship deepens, they uncover a series of buried family secrets, with threads connecting them.  What started as an alliance of curiosity and ambitions of college becomes a shared journey through the layers of their identity, legacy, culminating in a series of difficult conversations to unravel the half-truths.  

Half-Truths is a very well researched, historically accurate work of fiction that's perfect for upper middle-grade readers and children aged 12+.  The story immerses the reader in the racial tensions of 1950's North Carolina with emphasis on the pervasive prejudice of the time and the NAACP's efforts to fight for equal rights.   Katie's natural curiosity shines through as she persistently seeks to uncover the truth about her families history.  Though determined, she's also kind and sensitive in broaching the difficult subject with her grandmother.  I particularly enjoyed the nods to Katie's love for Nancy Drew and reading Blue Willow.  Katie is inquisitive and driven by good intentions, yet still flawed and learning that her words matter, that they carry weight.   How what she means or intends to say may not match what others hear.  How choosing her words wisely was important in showing empathy.  I also appreciated the gently reminder that not every story belongs on the front page and how some should stay "in your own backyard."  

Each chapter begins with a series of newspaper head lines or quotes.  On the author's blog readers can explore the authors 18-year journey to publication and view a comprehensive list of sources she used in her research.  The author's note at the beginning of the book explains her decision to include certain words that were used during the 1950's but are no longer used today and added a thoughtful reminder about why these terms are no longer used.  This was a deeply engaging book that captivated me from beginning to end and I would highly recommend it.  

**A huge thank you to Rosi Hollenbeck for the giveaway opportunity and Carol Baldwin for providing the review copy.**

It's MMGM with a review of The Ghosts of Nameless Island by Carly Anne West, illustrated by Teo Skaffa

The Ghosts of Nameless Island by Carly Anne West, illustrations by Teo Skaffa
Publisher:  Andrews McMeel Publishing
Format Read:  Paperback
Number of pages:   302 pages
Published:   July 23rd, 2024
Source:  Purchased

Opening Line: "I don't know the cat's name, but this much I did know:  If she was snuggling up to me, there was a ghost with us."

At seven years old, Gus saw his sixth ghost, a white-haired former ballerina in a house his parents were restoring.  He helped her to move on by listening to her story and returning her lost locket.  Now, at twelve, Gus and his mom are moving again for her latest renovation project on the mysterious and remote Nameless Island.  But this time, Gus is worried because he can't find the protector items that keep ghosts from hurting him, like the lucky penny that his dad gave him before he disappeared.

Once Gus and his mom arrive at the historic Rotham Manor, they discover the eerie Nameless Island cemetery at the edge of the property, filled with unmarked graves.  Gus even catches a glimpse of a ghostly boy at the gate.    Rotham Manor has been abandoned for years, and though his mom knew the project would be an undertaking, she never expected the devastation waiting inside.  The manor is a disaster zone, riddled with holes, busted plumbing, and missing half of the staircase leading to the second floor. Gus's mom poured everything into restoring the manor, even embellishing her skills to secure the job.  What are they to do now?  And what of the mysterious ghost lurking in the cemetery? 

The Ghost of Nameless Island is the first book in a new trilogy from Carly Anne West.  The illustrations by Teo Skaffa add to the creepy vibes of the story and I adore that cover.   I also love stories set in old houses or mansions-they conjure images of ivy creeping up the walls, rooms with hidden closets and endless opportunities for exploration.  Gus is a very responsible young man, and I love how supportive he is of his mom.  He plays a crucial role in helping her regain control of her breath when she suffers a panic attack after seeing the manors interior.  He constantly tries to make her smile and is deeply concerned about keeping her stress level down, or at least not adding to it.  That's why he never tells her about the ghost in the cemetery.  His dad was the one who believed in paranormal encounters, while his mom would likely dismiss his experience and take him back to his therapist.

Nameless Island makes for a wonderfully spooky setting.  With the manor, cemetery, lighthouse, rainstorms, and the need to take a boat to reach it, the island exudes eerie and isolated.  Along the way, Gus gets help from two local children, Miles and Tavi.  They run the Nameless Fameless vlog and are looking for intel on the Manor's previous owner, Karl Rotham- a suspected bootlegger. Together they hunt for answers about the manor's mysterious owners and search for clues to the identity of the broken ghost boy.  I love how these two mysteries provide twists and turns, creating just the right amount of tension in the story-especially when the broken boy ghost is able to injure Gus, something that never happened when he had his dad's penny.  While some answers about the manors past emerge, the story ends on a cliffhanger.  Luckily, The Boy Who Could Fly releases in September!

  

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

For MMGM a review of Lost Evangeline (The Norendy Tales) by Kate DiCamillo , illustrations by Sophie Blackall

Lost Evangeline A Norendy Tale by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Sophie 

Publisher:  Candlewick Press
Format Read:  Ebook
Number of pages:   160 pages
Published:  January 1st, 2025 and hardcover releasing 9/30/25
Source:  Edelweiss +

Opening Lines: "There was once a boy who longed to go to the sea."

One day, a cobbler finds a child as small as a mouse in an old boot.  The shoemaker's wife fears that this is a mistake, a magic gone wrong to take the young girl, but the shoemaker doesn't listen and names the young girl Evangeline, vowing to raise her as their own.  As the years pass, Evangeline grows older, but never taller in size.  The shoemaker's wife begins to become increasingly worried as the two are always side by side, dreaming of one day going to the sea and exploring distant places.   The wife tries various means to separate her husband and Evangeline.  Eventually even doing the unthinkable, selling her to Mrs. Pennith-Smith.  Now far from her adopted father, Evangeline is determined to find her way back to him.  And once the shoemaker finds out what his wife has done, he in turn searches for her too.  

Lost Evangeline is the third book in the Norendy tales, which includes The Puppets of Spellhorst and The Hotel Balzaar. It's a story filled with wonder, love, dreams and determination. Evangeline is a very resourceful and brave young girl.  Not only does she sneak away at night, she's going out into the dark and unknown.  And who does she encounter first but a "huge, marmalade colored cat." Yikes!  Evangeline has many adventures while searching for her father and is put into quite a few precarious situations.  At one point she is even imprisoned in a cage by an unscrupulous man who wants her to perform in his oddities and curiosity show.  Yet, she never seems to get down during these moments.  Instead she begins to tell stories and sings to the people and animals that she encounters, emboldening them to overcome their own fears or misgivings, and to search out their own dreams.  The CODA  finds Evangeline and the shoemaker sailing upon separate ships, which felt incomplete to me.  It made me sad but also hopeful with them both having lit lamps at their side.  As if they'd search for each other forever.  The story includes wonderful black and white illustrations by Sophie Blackall.  Read this if you enjoy Kate DiCamillo's books or if you're looking for a unique fairytale. 

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

It's MMGM with a review of A Sky Full of Dragons (The Wand Keepers #1) by Tiffany McDaniel , illustrations by Ayesha L. Rubio

A Sky Full of Dragons (The Wand Keepers #1) by Tiffany McDaniel, illustrations by Ayesha L. Rubio
Publisher:  Simon & Schuster
Format Read:  Paperback 
Number of pages:   352 pages
Published:  September 24, 2024
Source:  Purchased

Opening Lines: "Aunt Cauldroneyes made pointed hats covered in bright green warts for witches, large floppy hats covered in crystal eyes and moonlight for werewolves, and hats that had an edge of mist and a ribbon for the ancient trees in the forest."

On a stormy night, Aunt Cauldroneyes found a baby at the bottom of a purple cauldron and named her Spella De-Broom.  Since then, Spella has lived in the Hungry Snout Forest with her aunt, her mischievous enchanted hats and their mummified cat, Egypt.   When Spella turns eight, she is to receive an invitation to Dragon's Knob, a school for wand magic.  But on the day she is meant leave, a wizard appears at the door, requesting a repair of a growling hat-only for her Aunt Cauldroneyes to be sucked into the hat and vanish.  Fearing for her aunt, Spella heads to Dragon's Knob in search of answers.  But upon her arrival, she finds protesters gathered at the gates, bullies furious over the school's recent changes, and amid the chaos a new friend, Tolden who vows to help Spella solve the mysterious disappearance of her aunt.  

In the first ninety pages, the reader is introduced to Spella's world- a place of love and comfort.  I love how it established Spella and her aunt's strong bond, and introduced their enchanted home in the forest.  Their home is truly magical with its window glass made of wild grapes and raspberries, doors that smell of chocolate, where thread is spun from sugar and buttons taste like caramel.  It reminds me a little of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, where the little details make it all the more enchanting. I loved that Spella's aunt is a milliner that creates all of these wonderful hats imbued with unique personalities.  They're chaotic and whimsical and staunchly loyal, making them all one big happy family.   Each chapter begins with a gorgeous illustration by Ayesha L. Rubio and there are footnotes for the various magical terms.  

Spella's world is then disrupted when her aunt is taken by an unseen enemy, leading her to a school for wand magic.  There, conflicts arise between two factions: Dragon Knob, which has started to teach only plant-based magic, and a group of witches and wizards determined to continue using animal-based magic.   Woven throughout the story are themes of deforestation, animal endangerment, and activism, highlighted by Spella's aunt's involvement in W.O.L.V.E.S (Witches Oath to Love and Value the Environment for Spellwork).  At first, it might seem like these elements wouldn't fit together, but McDaniel blends them seamlessly into the story.  A Sky Full of Dragons will appeal to readers who love magical schools, dragon-filled stories, or immersive worlds rich with detail and adventure.  Book 2, The Mummy Snatcher Curse releases on 9/30/25, can't wait.    

It's MMGM with a review of Seeker Society by Jana Tropper and Kyle Higgins , illustrated by Zack Giallongo, colorist Whiney Cogar

Seeker Society by Jana Tropper and Kyle Higgins, illustrated by Zack Giallongo, colorist Whiney Cogar
Publisher:  Andrews McMeel Publishing
Format:  E- ARC
Number of pages:   176 pages
Publishing:  June 3rd, 2025
Source:  Edeweiss +

Opening Lines: "Stay calm, children!  Everyone just stay calm."


Seeker Society opens with Dr. Adichie, Fern, Zack and Jordan aboard their schools' boat when it is rammed by The Keepers, leading the students to fall overboard.  Then the story skips back two months with the trio arriving at Shackleton's School for Seekers.  Each of them having been selected for their special gifts.  Fern can hear voices from the past, Jordan can see the past when he touches an item and Zack, the youngest is a polyglot and can read ancient texts.  Their new school is a place for exploration and preservation, where the past is discovered but also honored.  The school's motto is "either find a way or make one." 

Seeker Society shifts between past events in each of the student's life, at school or to their present predicament of being thrown overboard.  The trio soon find themselves on an island where they encounter the Keepers, a group of people who have been at odds with the Seekers and want to take advantage of the student's gifts and the map that they've discovered on the island.  Roy, a former teacher with Dr. Adichie and his daughter Shay lead the Keepers, and they're consumed with deciphering the map to find the treasure of the Lost Island.  Shay has the power of navigation and soon revolts against her father in order to help Fern, Zack and Jordan.  She disagrees with her father on selling the treasure and doesn't believe that everything should be for sale.  The children soon begin canvasing the island to try and find the treasure before the Keepers, while trying to evade Roy and his team.  

The Seeker Society is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel, and I loved the way the illustrator and colorist play with color on their full-page illustrations.  How each illustration is a glimpse of what's to come.  Where one page is for example colored blue and the illustrations almost appear black and white, and then the next page shows the same illustrations but in full color.  With all the different colors on the page you start to pick up on things that maybe didn't catch your eye on the blue colored page.  I found this quite interesting.  I also really enjoyed that the story emphasizes friendship, trust and teamwork.  How each student had an opportunity to use their skills and that their skills were evolving to include new ways that they could be used.  How Jordan learned that he doesn't always pay attention and that he needs to work on thinking before acting.  I also especially liked the school's motto and how each of the student's gifts were powers that help them to locate historical artifacts.  There's a really nice reveal at the end of the book, that I don't want to spoil, but I'm fond with the idea that it's tied to the heart of the island.  Seeker Society has received 3 million + reads on the Epic! platform and I'm glad that it is being published in a graphic novel format.  I can see this appealing to 8–10-year-olds who enjoy magical schools and the idea of outsmarting adults.  

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

River of Spirits The Underwild#1 by Shana Targosz

River of Spirits The Underwild#1 by Shana Targosz
Publisher:  Aladdin
Format:  Hardcover
Number of pages:   432 pages
Published:  March 25th, 2025
Source:  Purchased

Opening Lines: "The river is the color of death."

Senka and Charon reside at the boundary between the realm of the Living and the realm of the Dead.  Charon, the Ferryer of the Underworld, carries souls to their afterlife, while Senka is his ward and assistant.  Though eager to become an official Ferryer, Senka is still learning Charon's strict rules and hopes to prove herself worthy to be put in charge of ferrying souls on her own. 

One day, during Charon's absence, a living girl named Poppy enters the Underworld.  Poppy pleads for help to find her recently departed brother, Joey's ghost.  Senka does everything in her power to dissuade Poppy, while trying to remain true to Charon's rules.  However, Poppy's story has peaked her interest and compels her to break with her beliefs and offer to help.  As their voyage begins, tragedy hits when Poppy falls into the river and is swept downstream.  Fearing for Poppy's safety, Senka makes a daring decision and dives into the river to save her.   

The two find themselves trapped within the Underwild and must ban together to survive the myriad of dangers that lurk within.   As their journey unfolds, Senka grows increasingly worried about the toll that the realm of the dead is taking on Poppy, realizing the longer Poppy remains, the less likely she will be able to return to the realm of the living.

As Senka and Poppy venture deeper into the Underwild, they encounter angry demigods, hungry wraiths and chimera's.  Senka also discovers shocking secrets that Charon has kept hidden from her.  With time running out, Senka must summon every ounce of strength and determination to save Poppy.  But when Senka learns that her own existence is at risk, can she truly protect Poppy, or will they both succumb to the dangers of the Underwild?

The River of Spirits is one of those books that piqued my interest right away.  The cover was the first thing that caught my eye with Senka on a boat, the lovely purple shade and the sparkling gold butterflies.  Next was the purple feathers sprayed along the edges, I love how they complement the purple cover.  Then I started to read the inside flap and oh my!  As soon as I saw the word Charon and started to think about the ferryman of the dead and the River of Styx, yep, I knew this would be a book for me.  Greek mythology reimagining, yes please.   

Senka is defiantly the highlight of reading the River of Spirits.  Her desire to adhere to Charon's rules while struggling with whether or not to help Poppy, makes her a compelling character.   Her act of self-sacrifice by jumping into the river took great courage and put her into uncharted waters.  Senka had never disobeyed Charon before.   She'd lived a happy peaceful life with Charon, yet something had always felt off.  I was immersed in learning her backstory and discovering how she came to be his ward.  

Senka's world is so well imagined and immersive.   I loved all the wonderful rich details, interesting creatures and the compelling plot.  It has everything under worldly that I would expect in a middle grade fantasy.    If you've ever read a Rick Riordan book or enjoy Greek mythologies, River of Spirits has a similar feel.  There's snarky comments and a reimaging of how the god's act, almost humanizing them.   I really want to re-read this so that I can further explore the characters I'm less familiar with like the Goddess Melinoe.  

The other vibe I got while reading was The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver.  It too involved a girl going into the underground in search of her brother's soul.  In Poppy's case, she lost her brother after he passed away from an illness, while Liza feels her brother's soul was taken by spiderlike creatures.  Yet, both girls have this great determination, love and hope guiding them on their quest.  Poppy is really struggling over Joey's death; she can't fathom going on without him.  Then to see Senka develop an empathy for Poppy's story.  It's easy to get caught up in the emotions, loss and grief.  River of Spirits is a wonderful debut and is perfect for fans of the Percy Jackson series and Greek mythologies.  I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series. 

Favorite lines:  "Sometimes nightmares are parts of ourselves we try to run from, but they are parts of us, nonetheless...

To understand them, we must face them and learn what makes us fear them."