Guapo's Stories: Guapo and the Mystery of Goodness Grove by Janet Zappala, illustrated by Lara Calleja

Guapo and the Mystery of Goodness Grove by Janet Zappala, illustrated by Lara Calleja
Publisher:  Mascot Kids
Publishing:  November 10th, 2026
Format Read:  Hardcover
Number of pages:   38 pages
Source: Books Forward

Opening Lines: "In a sunny grove near Guapo's home stood a very sad-looking tree."

Guapo and the Mystery of Goodness Grove is the third book in Guapo's Stories.   In the latest story, Guapo and his friends are exploring the grove when they spot a tree with bare branches, a cracking trunk, and a heavy lean that makes it look ready to fall.  Worried, they try to bring the struggling tree back to life.  They water it every day, but nothing changes, until they discover a baby robin that has fallen from its nest.  After returning the robin to the nest, they notice the sad tree beginning to sprout new leaves and it looks livelier.

Soon after, a young girl named Valentina arrives in the grove with her puppy.  Guapo explains the tree's mysterious improvement, and Valentina suggests that maybe their acts of kindness helped the tree heal.  From that moment on, everyone makes an effort to do good deeds for one another and spread kindness throughout the groove.    

Guapo's tales are inspired by real animals, a rescue steer weighing over 3,000 pounds, along with a donkey, pig and goat, and the authors daughter, Valentina and her puppy.  It's a sweet story that shows young children the joy small acts of kindness can bring and the impact they can have on the world around them.  The illustrations are colorful and playful, and I especially enjoyed the inclusion of photos of the real animals that inspired the story.   Further books in the series include Guapo's Giant Heart:  The True Story of the Calf Who Kept Growing and Guapo's Great Rescue:  Clay Finds a Forever Home.  

The story is especially timely, with World Kindness Day coming up on Friday, November 13th, 2026.    

The Brave Fuzzy: A Microbiome Story by Eliana Miao and Pen & Pipette, illustrated by Johanna Gousett

The Brave Fuzzy:  A Microbiome Story by Eliana Miao and Pen & Pipette, illustrated by Johanna Gousett
Publisher: Pen & Pipette
Published:  September 29th, 2026
Format Read:  E-book
Number of pages:   32 pages
Source:  Books Forward and the Publisher
Opening Line:  "Take a pause. Listen closely. You might make out the faint rustle of a village by the river."  

In a village by the river, the blue fuzzies are very busy at work.  From time to time, wild storms sweep through, damaging their homes.  Although they are grateful to rebuild afterward, they recognize that not everyone is fortunate enough to have a home. 

One day, an orange fuzzy arrives in the village.  At first, the blue fuzzies are hesitant to accept the newcomer.  However, one "brave fuzzy" reaches out in friendship, recognizing that the orange fuzzy seems lonely and believing that everyone deserves to be seen and valued.  As the two fuzzies begin working together, more fuzzies arrive.  Soon there are a diverse group of fuzzies all contributing to help prepare for the next storm. Through their combined efforts, the village grows stronger.  Vines begin to sprout throughout the community, helping protect from future storms.  

The Brave Fuzzy was written by Eliana Miao and is credited to Pen & Pipette, a literary nonprofit she founded while in high school.  Its mission is to ignite a passion for science in children through teen-led classroom visits for students in PreK through second grade that introduces STEM concepts in engaging ways.   To learn more, visit penandpipette.org    

The first thing that captured my attention while reading The Brave Fuzzy was the gorgeous watercolor artwork by Johanna Gousett.  The illustrations are so warm and inviting and I love how they beautifully capture the gentle nature of the fuzzies.  I especially appreciated how one fuzzy recognizes the orange fuzzies loneliness and that the response is to reach out in friendship.  The message of empathy and inclusion really stood out to me and is one of the book's greatest strengths. 

At the back of the book, the authors explain that the fuzzies represent the microbes that live inside our bodies.  Readers learn that these microbes collectively form the microbiome, which plays an important role in digestion and communicates with the body in ways to improve your health.  The book emphasizes the importance of "feeding your fuzzies" by eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables so they can thrive.

I found the connection between the fuzzies and the microbes to be an imaginative and accessible way to introduce this complex scientific concept to young children.  My only wish was that more of the scientific information had been woven into the story itself rather than presented separately in the back matter.  Overall, I thought The Brave Fuzzy is a charming story with appealing illustrations and messages that emphasize kindness, while introducing children to the concept of the microbiome.  It is both an educational and enjoyable read.  

**A huge thank you to Books Forward and the Publisher for the E-book in exchange for an honest review.**

Bitsy Bat, Snow Star by Kaz Windness

Bitsy Bat, Snow Star by Kaz Windness
Publisher: Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster
Publishing:  October 27th, 2026
Format Read:  Hardcover
Number of pages:   48 pages
Source:  Publisher in exchange for an honest review
Opening Line:  "Bitsy Bat woke up to a white world outside." 

Bitsy Bat wakes up to her first snowfall.  Usually, her family hibernates for the winter, but this year the snow arrived early.  She's excited to try all the fun winter activates with her friends from school.  However, playing in the snow turns out to be cold and wet, and sledding is much scarer than she imagined.  

Bitsy then goes inside where she worries that her friends won't like her anymore.  Then she finds Enzo the owl and Mo in the reading nook.  They explain that they like the snow, but not necessarily playing in it.  Slowly, Bitsy realizes that it's okay not to like the same things as everyone else.  Sometimes it's more important to be honest about how we really feel.        

According to the publisher's description, this third installment in the popular Bitsy Bat series is told from an autistic perspective and celebrates the qualities that make each individual shine.  Extensive backmatter provides information about autism, including terms and definitions that explain neurodivergence, what autistic masking is, and the importance of showing empathy to others.  An author's note shares the authors experiences as a person with autism and what she hopes readers will take away from the story.  Overall, this is an adorable book that delivers a beautiful message about friendships that support what makes us different.  It would make a cozy winter read-aloud while encouraging empathy and inclusion. 

**A huge thank you to Simon & Schuster for the hardcover in exchange for an honest review.**

The Adventures of Odysseus: A Graphic Novel of The Odyssey by Nicolás Schuff, illustrated by Mariana Ruiz Johnson and translated by Lawrence Schimel

The Adventures of Odysseus by Nicolás Schuff, illustrated by Mariana Ruiz Johnson and translated by Lawrence Schimel 
Publisher:  Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Publishing:  October 27th, 2026
Format Read:  E-book via Edelweiss+ 
Number of pages:   194 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads:  "Now that the Trojan War is over, Odysseus can't wait to reunite with his family. He sets sail and expects to be home in just a few weeks—but over ten years of adventure lie ahead! Can the hero and his crew survive singing Sirens, escape witches and nymphs, outwit a man-eating Cyclops, and make it home to Ithaca at last?" 

Opening Lines: "In this book you will find a new version of a very famous story, known as the Odyssey, which is almost three thousand years old and was told for the first time in ancient Greece."

It's wonderful to see so many graphic novel adaptations of Homer's Odyssey being published.  They make this classic tale much more accessible to young readers.   I recently finished reading the deluxe edition by Gareth Hinds and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I was eager to pick up this version as well.  Nicolás Schuff's retells Odysseus's epic journey after he incurs the wrath of Poseidon, daringly escapes from a Cyclops and as he faces various other obstacles and dangers.  Through it all, Odysseus remains determined to return to his beloved wife.

The artwork is distinctive, featuring full-page illustrations in a striking color palette of burnt orange, yellow, red, black and shades of blue.  Despite depicting violent events, such as the blinding of the Cyclops, deaths of Odysseus's men, and the killing of animals, the illustrations feel more playful than frightening.  Rather than showing graphic details, the artist uses crossed-out eyes to indicate when characters have died. Each page also contains a substantial amount of text, making this adaptation suited to readers who are ready for a more in-depth retelling.  I especially appreciated the descriptions that accompany each newly introduced god or goddess and felt they helped the reader to keep track of the many figures from Greek mythology.   This is an engaging introduction to The Odyssey that would work well in both classrooms and libraries.  With its blend of adventure, mythology and excitement I can see young readers who enjoyed Percy Jackson enjoying this too. 

**A huge thank you to Eerdmans Books for Young Readers for the E-book via Edelweiss + in exchange for an honest review.**

10 Billion Spheres: A Rather Inconvenient Guide to the Multiverse Jordan Bridger

10 Billion Spheres:  A Rather Inconvenient Guide to the Multiverse by Jordan Bridger
Publisher:  Independently Published
Published:  July 21st, 2026
Format Read:  E-book
Number of pages:   129 pages
Source: Author in exchange for an honest review.
Opening lines from prologue:  "WARNING:  This is one of those annoyingly self-aware books where the narrator feels the need to jump in and share his two cents.  Sorry it's the way of the universe."

The prologue introduces the World Finder, whose job is to navigate Kismet, a sphere of chaos.  Serving as the story's narrator, he observes the universe through a telescope known as the Sphere-Seer, and somewhat amusingly, he has a weakness for ice cream.  It is the World Finder who witnesses a "disturbing event that involves a murder.  A mystery.  Two annoying teenagers and a band of very awkward heroes." Intrigued by what he sees, he becomes determined to help the children on their quest. 

From there we meet two alien orphans, Isra and Arwen, who are on the run after their parents, researchers of the Breite Esfera Levem, mysteriously vanished.  In their sorrow, the siblings create a storm that begins following them.  After witnessing a holographic image containing ancient script and the three cryptic words, they see a ship fall from the sky.

The siblings soon find themselves swept into a topsy-turvy adventure that includes a Forever Ship where time moves differently, they receive a cryptic message from the voice of their deceased grandfather, travel to the InterMedia, across Space and enter a mirror universe where they encounter a solar amphibian king and a Phorusrhacid bird-like creature that can teleport.   Their quest to uncover the truth about their parents takes them from "HERE to THERE, which is HERE now" and through a series of absurd and comical destinations to unlock a keyhole in the sky that sucks them through a vortex.  Just to name a few of their various destinations.    

 10 Billion Spheres: A Rather Inconvenient Guide to the Multiverse feels a bit like what I image reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams would be like, with its humor and wildly imaginative settings.  It also shares some of the clever wordplay found in The Phantom Tollbooth, including the personification of History. 

The constant shift in locations however left me with mixed feeling about the story's direction, and I was disappointed by the abrupt ending.  While the story aims to highlight the friendships that develop among this unlikely band of heroes, I didn't feel there was quite enough time to establish those relationships.  As a result, I never connected with the main characters as deeply as I would have liked.  Since this is only the first installment in a planned twelve-book series, some of the story's threads are clearly being set up for future volumes.  That said, I enjoyed the World Finder's narration and am interested to see how the various characters and storylines will eventually converge.  Included at the back of the book is A Rather Inconvenient Field Guide to the Multiverse, with a list of terms and definitions and the directions for to How to Play Grave Robbers From Outer Space.  

I Need Space by Molly Harris , illustrated by Jon Corby

I Need Space by Molly Harris, illustrations by Jon Corby
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books & Simon and Schuster
Publishing:  October 27th, 2026
Format Read:  E-book, Hardcover
Number of pages:   32 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Rocco loves playing with his friends in their big outer space playground, they can slide, swing and even use the merry go round.  But playtime for Rocco has become chaotic with some not following the rules.  Continuously dealing with the hoggers, line-cutters, toy stealer's and roughhouser's, Rocco finally had enough and he blasts off to the edge of the solar system before he loses his cool.  After a few moments of floating in silence and a chance to reflect, he is finally ready to return to his friend and figure out ways for everyone to have fun together on the playground.

I Need Space is an adorable social-emotional learning book that introduces the idea of boundaries, showing how situations can sometimes be stressful or overwhelming, and that coping may require taking a break or using different relaxation strategies.  I can see this as being super helpful in a pre-kindergarten or kindergarten classroom as it is super engaging with its vibrant colorful illustrations by Jon Corby and is very informative in providing practical strategies that younger children will understand and can implement.  I absolutely adore the illustrations where Rocco and his friend are modeling making up their own games and respecting the rules of the playground.  I also love how these two pages show how Rocco was once happy and becomes irritated and overwhelmed by rule breakers.  How in the end he internally realizes that he needs to make a change.  This is such a valuable teaching tool and will certainly open up discussions about sharing and the value of stepping away to take a break.   

  

MOLLY HARRIS is the author of picture books The Big Squeeze, Whirby, and I Need Space.  She is a technical writer by trade who enjoys world traveling and working on too many projects at once. Originally from Massachusetts, she now lives in Ireland with her husband and two sons. Visit her at MollyHarrisBooks.com.

JON CORBY is an illustrator and children’s book designer. He earned his BFA in illustration from Syracuse University and is currently based in Pennsylvania. I Need Space is his debut picture book. Learn more about his work at JonCorbyArt.com. 

Have You Seen Axel? by Adam Jay Epstein, illustrations by Ruth Chan

Have You Seen Axel?  by Adam Jay Epstein, illustrations by Ruth Chan
Publisher:  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publishing:  October 20th, 2026
Format Read:  Hardcover
Number of pages:   32 pages
Source:  Publisher in exchange for an honest review
Opening Line:  "Before we start our look and find, we need to pick someone to find."

Have You Seen Axel? begins with a narrator choosing Gordon as the character readers must find.  Suddenly, Axel the axolotl decides that it is her turn to hide instead.  The problem is that Axel is a little too good at hiding and becomes impossible to find.  With a bit of coaching from the narrator, she learns how to make herself easier to spot.  Before long, however, Axel grows tired of being the star of the story and declares that she's done playing.  The narrator isn't ready to give up quite so easily and soon discovers that they have a lesson to learn about manners and respecting boundaries.    

A companion to Have You Seen Gordon?,  this humorous seek-and-find book features a main character who is almost too talented at hide-and-seek.  Each double-page spread is packed with animals and activity in settings such as a grocery store, a park, a swimming pool and even a planetarium.  There is plenty to explore on every page. Readers can count the number of ducks on a pond, play a game of I spy, search for humorous details hidden in the illustrations, like someone slipping on cans in the grocery store.  Or simply enjoy describing the zany and chaotic scenes on the page.

Beneath the humor, the story offers a thoughtful message about personal boundaries and the importance of speaking up when something doesn't feel right.  The engaging seek-and-find elements makes for an entertaining and interactive read-aloud.           

Mo Farah, the Boy Who Ran to Be Free by Seema Yasmin

Mo Farah, the Boy Who Ran to Be Free by Dr. Seema Yasmin, illustrated by Noha Habaieb

Publisher:  Salaam Reads and Simon&Schuster
Published:  September 29th, 2026
Format Read:  Paperback
Number of pages:   85 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Opening Lines:  "This book tells the story of Olympic Champion Mo Farah."

Hussein Abdi Kahin was born in Somaliland.  When he was four years old, war broke out in his country.  To protect him and his brother, their mother sent the boys to live with family in Djibouti.  At the age of nine, a mysterious woman appeared and offered to take the brothers to Europe.  At first, the brothers were excited by the prospect of playing sports there, but when only Hussein was taken and given a new name, Mo Farah began to worry.

Unbeknownst to Mo, he had been trafficked.  He was forced into a life of servitude by the woman who took him.  He was not allowed to leave her apartment and was expected to perform all the housework while caring for her children.  For four years, he endured this life until the woman finally allowed him to attend school on the condition that he never reveal his true identity.  Born with dyslexia, Mo struggled academically, but his passion for running kept him going.  Eventually, he confided in his coach, and when he became an adult, the truth about his trafficking ordeal was revealed.  

Mo Farah, the Boy Who Ran to Be Free is the second book in the Muslim Mavericks chapter book series.  Written with a lyrical quality, it vividly captures Mo's childhood, his struggles in school, and his remarkable journey to becoming an Olympic gold medalist.  It is an inspiring and uplifting story about a young boy who overcame tremendous obstacles, achieved his dream of winning Olympic gold medals, and was eventually reunited with his birth mother and twin brother.

Mo showed incredible bravery in coming forward with his story and remarkable resilience in pursing his dream of competing in the Olympics.  The author's note explains how Mo Farah received his name and why he did not feel safe in revealing his true identity for many years.  It also describes how he was forced to live under a false story for most of his life.  The author notes that the book is based on public interviews, documentaries and news reports.  She also explains that while the events are rooted in documented facts, some scenes reflect what Mo "may have been thinking or feeling at the time" and are therefore interpretations rather than firsthand accounts.  The black and white illustrations by Noha Habaieb complement the text and children who enjoy sports-themed books are likely to find this an engaging and inspiring read.

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

My Wonderful Disgrace by Angourie Rice and Kate Rice

My Wonderful Disgrace by Angourie Rice and Kate Rice
Publisher:  Candlewick Press
Published:  May 12th, 2026
Format Read:  Hardcover  
Number of pages:   224 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Opening Lines:  "So. The ball is five days away, which is either a long time or no time at all, depending on how ready you are."

From Goodreads:  "Amy Middleton isn’t in love with Leo Prince. Not yet. The Senior Year Ball is days away, and he still hasn’t agreed to be her date. But Amy can imagine it all in advance: a night of supreme perfection. She’ll bask in the spotlight in her silver stilettos and designer dress—rose quartz fabric, mermaid skirt, illusion bodice with beaded lace—and when the music starts, Leo will lead her onto the dance floor and into their shining adult lives. 

When he finally says yes, success seems assured, and the night belongs to Amy, arriving on Leo’s tuxedoed arm as planned. But with the buzz of an unexpected text, nothing that happens next will be as it seems—least of all Amy’s carefully choreographed love story."

My Wonderful Disgrace is the second novel from mother-daughter writing duo Angourie and Kate Rice.  The story unfolds through an anonymous letter, text messages between Amy and her friends, student group chats, school newsletters and announcements, police interviews, and Amy's journal entries.  As the story progresses, the events of that disastrous night are slowly revealed.  At first, I wasn't sure I would enjoy a story told via the journal, texts and other snippets of information, but the authors completely drew me in.  The format feels authentic and surprisingly immersive, allowing the mystery to unfold piece by piece.       

Throughout the story, I really felt for Amy.  She finally works up the courage to approach her crush, Leo, and invite him to her party.  When he agrees to take her to the school ball, everything seemed to fall into place.  Unfortunately, from that moment on, just about everything that can go wrong does.  All of Amy's preparations from choosing the perfect dress, styling her hair just right to practicing walking in her new heels seems to be for nothing. 

While I'm never a fan of bullying, and it is painful to witness some of the things Amy experiences, the story tackles its difficult topics with honesty.  There is a lot happening within these pages.  The high school drama, the devastating consequences of the inappropriate photo sharing, themes of privacy, misunderstandings between friends, a student protest that then involves the tragic death of a goat, and an all-around chaotic night that spirals out of control.  Despite all the drama, the novel offers a thoughtful look at the unrealistic expectations often placed on attending this special events. 

Venus Washington Paperback Collected Set: Venus Washington and the Lasagna Drama; Venus Washington and the Birthday Blowout; Venus Washington, Eye Spy

 Venus Washington Paperback Collected Set: Venus Washington and the Lasagna Drama; Venus Washington and the Birthday Blowout; Venus Washington, Eye Spy by Maisha Oso, illustrated by Courtney Lovett 
Publisher:  Atheneum Books for Young Readers 
Published:  September 22nd, 2026
Format Read:  Paperback
Number of pages:   304 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Venus wants to learn the secret behind her grandma's delicious lasagna recipe so she can help her mama, who has been busy caring for Venus's new baby brother, Zion.  But when the lasagna is ready, grandpa lets it slip that "your grandma put her foot in this lasagna."  Venus takes the expression literally and becomes convinced that the special ingredient must be one of her grandma's toes. 

Horrified by the thought of eating lasagna made with crusty feet, Venus asks her best friend Summer, her worst enemy Winter (who also happens to be Summer's twin), and even her pet hamster to help track down grandma's missing toe.  

  

 Venus's baby brother, Zion, is about to celebrate his first birthday.  Mama and Daddy tell Venus she can help with the decorations, but she interprets that to mean she's in charge of planning the entire party.  Soon she has a long list of ideas, including inviting all of her classmates and their pets, just no parents.  She also decides that every guest should bring a Barbie as a gift and pay an admission fee.  After all, she wants to help daddy save money, so he won't have to "lose an arm and a leg" paying for the party. 

  Venus Washington isn't sure where she got her name.  She was born on Earth and has never even been to Washington.  Then mama tells her that they are going on a special "girl's trip" together. Mama wants the destination to remain a surprise, but daddy accidently let's slip that it has something to do with Venus's name.  Naturally, Venus takes this as proof that she must be part alien.  After all, Daddy is always saying that mama has eyes in the back of her head.  Doesn't that make them both aliens?  Now Venus is determined to uncover the truth, especially when her friends challenge her to prove that mama has an extra set of eyes.    

This three-part paperback collection is super cute.  It's been described as Amelia Bedelia meets Junie B Jones and Dory Fantasmagory.  In each story, Venus takes common expressions literally, leading to a series of hilarious misunderstandings.  Whether she's trying to figure out what it means to be as "hungry as a horse" to the concept of a "spelling bee,"  Venus's conclusions are both well intentioned and funny.

  

Venus turns to her best friend Summer and Summer's twin sister, Winter, for help interpreting the confusing things that adults say.  Their efforts only add to the humor.   Filled with laugh-out-loud moments, this collection is sure to appeal to young readers who enjoy wordplay and silly misunderstandings.  The charming black-and-white illustrations are sprinkled throughout and complement the text beautifully.  

Paper Bag Mask by Brock Heasley

Paper Bag Mask by Brock Heasley
Publisher:  Th3rd World Studios
Publishing:  November 17th, 2026
Format Read:  Paperback  
Number of pages:   326 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Opening Lines:  "At the end of his sixth hour waiting in line, Redmond hung his head in utter frustration, starred at the cold, unfeeling checkout counter, and insisted one more time:  He'd paid for the game system months ago and he was not--under any circumstances--leaving without it."

Redmond has been waiting for three years for Castle Destiny 4's release, and he even stayed up all night playing it.  Therefore, it was no surprise that he could barely keep his eyes open during AP History.  He only half heard Mr. Street when he mentioned the final that would count for 50% of their grade, or the jokes he made about Elodia to the class.   The moment the bell rings, Redmond is ready to hightail it home for another round of game play. 

Unfortunately, his history book slips from his hands and skids under a desk.  There's no way he can leave it behind because of their quiz tomorrow.  As he gets on all fours and scavenges the floor, he spies Mr. Street and Jasmine having a conversation.  When he sees them exchange small baggies, Redmond becomes convinced he has witnessed an illegal drug deal.  Filled with anger and suspicion, Redmond spots Mr. Streets prize possession, the Whomper, sitting on the lectern and impulsively he steals it.

Redmond soon learns that the hottest and most popular girl in school witnessed his theft and even has the photographic evidence.  She proposes that Redmond and his friend's team up with hers to hold the Whomper for ransom.  Before long, the students are plotting an even bigger heist while trying to expose Mr. Street to the entire school.  

This story has definite Ocean's Eleven meets The Breakfast Club vibes.  A group of students from different social circles come together to outsmart their history teacher.  There are the familiar cliques of jocks, popular kids and academic achievers, along with a shared determination to uncover what they believe is the truth about Mr. Street.  One of my favorite parts is the ransom video the students create, complete with the outlandish threats of what they will do to the Whomper if Mr. Street doesn't meet their demands.  The accompanying illustrations depicting the scenes from the video were a highlight of the book for me.  I couldn't help laughing with each new thing they came up with.  Their escalating schemes, however, make it increasingly likely that they'll get caught. 

Redmond is an interesting protagonist.  He genuinely believes that he is doing the right thing by exposing Mr. Street, yet he is also confused about what compelled him to steal the Whomper in the first place.  He jumps to conclusions and gets swept up in the attention that comes with his growing notoriety.  Like The Breakfast Club, the story raises questions about friendship and belonging.  Will this band of misfits still hang out after their prank is over?   It really captures the pressures of high school and the desire to find your crowd. 

Redmond's closest friends are Deep Singh and Alice.  I especially enjoyed Alice's character.  She is very loyal and always tries to look out for her friend's best interest, even when they disagree.  Elodia is equally loyal.  Although she's popular, she doesn't let it define her.   Her friendship with Jasmine is especially important to her and she is willing to support her however she can.  The story occasionally shifts to Alice's and Elodia's perspectives, revealing additional layers to their motivations.  Finally, I really enjoyed the footnotes from our unreliable narrator, which added levity to the story.  Paper Bag Mask is a reimagining of a prank that Brock Heasley and his friends pulled when they were in high school.  It's a delightful story that highlights the importance of forgiveness, taking responsibility for our actions and making amends when we've done something wrong. 

The Tiny Thing by Ellen Tarlow and Lauren Stringer

The Tiny Thing by Ellen Tarlow and Lauren Stringer 
Publisher: Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster
Publishing:  October 7th, 2026
Format Read:  Hardcover
Number of pages:   40 pages
Source:  Publisher in exchange for an honest review
Opening Line:  "One day, Mole was out walking when he saw a tiny thing."

While out on an autumn walk, Mole discovers a "tiny thing, " or a seed from a dandelion.  He brings the seed home and decorates it with some cloth and paint.  Each day as he goes about his routine, Mole talks, sings, tells stories and confides in his special guest.  When spring finally arrives, Mole takes his friend outside to explore.  Mole begins to build constructions out of flowers, sticks, leaves and flowers.  Each day as he works on something new, more and more animals come to watch.  Soon Mole is telling stories and singing songs to everyone's delight. 

Anyone who has ever made a wish by blowing on a dandelion and watching its feathery seeds dance away on the breeze will delight in reading The Tiny Thing.  With its gentle whimsy and bright, colorful illustrations the story celebrates the wonder than can be found in the smallest of things.  A truly warm and uplifting story of a Mole who with a little courage and a touch of imagination makes new friends. 

Socks & Secret Quests by Triona Murphy, illustrations by James Firnhaber

Socks & Secret Quests by Triona Murphy, illustrations by James Firnhaber
Publisher:  Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publishing:  September 29th, 2026
Format Read:  Paperback  
Number of pages:   272 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Opening Lines:  "On days when Peri was being truly honest with herself, she had to admit that being apprenticed to the fabled and mystical shopkeepers wasn't quite as she'd imagined."

Peri and master shopkeeper Hema live in a wandering shop that travels around the kingdom of Genta, outfitting adventurers so that they can succeed on their quests.  Peri is the first person in more than thirty years to be chosen as an apprentice shopkeeper after the Stone of Power indicates that her magic lies in that path.  What she truly wants, though, is to follow in her sibling's footsteps and develop magic for something extraordinary.  Unfortunately, she's still waiting for her abilities to appear.  So far, the only skill she's manifested is the uncanny ability to knit at a remarkable speed.  

Everything changes when a dark wizard appears in the shop, abducts Hema, and plans to use her magic to equip his army and the dark creatures under his control.  Terrified for Hema's safety, Peri rushes after a trio of adventures who were recently in the shop gathering supplies.  She hopes they'll agree to take on a new quest, one that will rescue Hema and stop the wizard before he can put his plans into action. 

Peri is deeply uncertain about what she can contribute to the adventurer's quest.  Does she have shop magic or is her rapid knitting ability a form of wizard's magic?  Her confidence wavers and she worries about what all of this means for her future.  Being outside of the comfort of the wandering shop also presents huge challenges for her. 

The trio of adventurers have their own struggles.  They don't work together harmoniously, and trust is in short supply.  The archer doesn't want to kill anything, the wizard can't fully control their magic, and the leader tries to manage the entire crew and quest without listening to anyone's advice or directions.  

Socks & Secret Quests is packed with action and carries a delightful blend of Howl's Moving Castle and Dungeons & Dragons style fantasy.   James Firnhaber's illustrations are superb and add to the story.  I especially loved that Peri's magic stems from her knitting and the authors inclusion of the pattern instructions for knitting Niam's hat was a very nice touch.  And really, who doesn't love a magic shop that roams around the kingdom, equipping adventures with exactly the enchanted items to suit their skills?  While this could be read as a standalone, I'm hoping there will be more books in the series.   

True Crime Files: Heist at the Museum! by Sam Subity

True Crime Files:  Heist at the Museum! by Sam Subity, illustrated by YaoYao Ma Van As
Publisher:  Sourcebooks Explorer
Publishing:  October 6th, 2026
Format Read:  E-book via NetGalley
Number of pages:   128 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Opening Lines: "Charlie O'Neill crept through the dark fourth flo0r of the silent museum."

Ever since Charlie’s mom passed away, he and his younger sister Julie have been spending their afternoons at their father’s work. He’s a gemologist at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and to the kids, the museum feels like a giant playground. They wander the halls, explore the exhibits, and have even turned hide‑and‑seek into a regular tradition.

One day, while hiding from his sister, Charlie overhears a cryptic conversation between two men. He’s convinced they’re planning to steal something from the museum that very night. He reports what he heard to Mr. Hoffman, a security guard, who passes the information along to the head of security. But no one seems to take Charlie seriously, not even Charlie's father. Determined to impress his father, and to protect the museum, Charlie decides to investigate on his own. He’s especially worried about the Star of India, the largest sapphire in the collection.

Meanwhile, Jack Murphy, better known as Murf the Surf, is finalizing the heist plan with his crew. Charlie sneaks back into the museum that night and actually witnesses the thieves entering. He manages to slip a matchbook out of one thief’s pocket and even spots their elaborate escape route through a window. In the adrenaline of the moment, Charlie tries to follow them but can’t rappel down to the ground. Murf ends up saving him. When the police later arrive, Charlie shares everything he saw. His information helps lead to the thieves’ capture, and most of the stolen jewels are eventually recovered.

Heist at the Museum is a creative retelling of an actual jewel theft that took place in 1964.  I loved that the story is told through Charlie, it made the adventure and mystery exciting.  The Appendix is a great addition.  It shares what happened to the thieves and the stolen jewels, highlights other museums that have faced similar heists, and includes a snapshot of major events from 1964, like the World's Fair and NASA milestones.  This would pair wonderfully with Dan Gutman's The Picasso Curse, both books play into art museum thefts, and I can see this being something young readers would enjoy reading.  

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

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