MMGM- A Quilt of Stars and The Intergalatics

It's

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
 at 

Always in the Middle 

and #IMWAYR day 

at

Unleashing Readers

Nyberg, Karen, Staats, Ann McCallum and Massari, Alida (illus.)
A Quilt of Stars: Astronaut Karen Nyberg Stitches a Dream
September 29, 2026 by Familius
E ARC provided by Netgalley

Young Karen Nyberg (born in 1969) loved both sewing and space, but until 1978, women weren't accepted into NASA as astronaut candidates. Nyberg's family doubted her, but after a lot of hard work, she entered the program. Eventually, she was chosen to go to the International Space Station, where she and the other crew members would run crucial experiments. Only allowed three pounds of personal items, Nyberg put in some fabric, thread, and needles, hoping to have some free time, and ended up making a stuffed dinosaur for her young son out of some scavenged materials. It wasn't easy to sew in space, so she came up with a challenge; she designed a star quilt block and asked others to design similar ones to be made into quilts for the International Quilt Festival. Almost 2,400 blocks were seen and donated, and were made into twenty eight quilts for the 2014 festival. 

It's great for young readers to see that there was a time when women were not able to do whatever they wanted, but to realize how lucky we are now. There's progress still to be made, but Nyberg was about the fiftieth woman in space. I'm a huge fan of needle arts, especially since historically, they were some of the few ways women could express their creativity. It's fantastic to see a woman who excelled in a male dominated STEM field who used her platform to champion a traditional craft. 

I had somehow missed this story, so I'm grateful to Ms. Staats for bringing it to my attention. Nyberg is about my age, shares my name, and is a much better quilter than I am! (Look at the stitches on her dinosaur toy!) Of course, the first thing I thought when I was reading this was "I would bring a cross stitch picture with me", since the cloth and thread would be light, and it would keep me occupied for a while. The hardship of not having the right scissors, though; you can tell that Nyberg must have taken her NASA training very seriously to be able to get past having to use regular scissors to cut out fabric. 

The text is somewhat poetic, and weaves together the stories of both of Nyberg's interests well. There's a helpful note at the end of the book to elaborate on a few details. The illustrations also blend sewing and space in a pleasing fashion, with lots of blue and yellow pictures that evoke quilt blocks. This would be a great read aloud in a classroom during Women's History Month, or for starting a science unit on space. For the right child, Nyberg would be an excellent person to portray for a biography Wax Museum! 

Slangerup, Erik Jon. The Intergalactics
September 29, 2026 by Aladdin
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Brinx is a Featherbone, a lab grown life hybrid form designed by the experimental HyperHelix corporation. He has spent his whole life participating in survival challenges in order to complete a thousand of them. Once he has all thousand bars tattooed on his arm, he will be eligible to travel to Havenport. Until then, he must suffer through tense living conditions with poor food and constant fear of death. The one light in his life is Jang, who is an earlier generation Featherbone who has helped Brinx survive. After a horrible conflict in the Zelmoner arena, both boys get their bars and prepare to leave. Even that doesn't go well; the transport they are on is hit by a meteor shower and crashes in the Driftlands. There, just about everything in the environment tries to kill them. Thanks to their lifelong survival training, Brinx is able to survive, and bands together with others, including a Griplock named Goz of whom he is rather fond, an Allseer named Rigel, and others like Nuuma, Vryken, and Sig. Jang disappears, but Brinx is too busy trying to stay alive to find his friend. There are all manner of dangers that take some of his associates, but shortly after seeing a symbol etched on a rock that might be from Jang, the remaining members of the group are rescued by an older, wrinkled man with a Zipline. He takes them underground, where they learn a lot about their society and their possible fate. The ending makes it possible for there to be a second book. 

Strengths: There's something to be said for fantasy worlds where things are completely unlike Earth as we know it. Westerfeld's Uglies, Oppel's Bloom trilogy, and Dashner's The Maze Runner books have been very popular, and readers of those series are constantly looking for another riveting dystopian adventure. Brinx is an interesting character with an impossibley hard life who is just trying to get to a happier place. Giving him Jang as a friend, and then taking him away, gives him motivation to survive when things go from bad to worse. There are a wide range of hybrids, who all have interesting defining characteristics; I have to admit to having a soft spot for the young and vulnerable Rigel whose Allseer abilities to read situations and realize before they go very, very wrong are crucial to the survival of the group. When he is badly injured, it makes perfect sense that the group protects him instead of leaving him for the man eating flowers to ingest! I also enjoyed the fact that the characters didn't infight and imperil themselves the way they do in many dystopian books. There are far too many dangerous things in the Driftlands for bickering to occur! My favorite part of the book might have been the crash foam; when the transport carrier goes down, it fills with foam so that the travelers aren't badly injured. Not that I would want to clean crashfoam out of my car upholstery, but the auto industry should take notes! 
Weaknesses: I'm not normally a fan of infodumping world building, but I wanted to know a little bit more about what was behind the HyperHelix plan. Why were they breeding hybrids? I was also not very sure where in space this took place. Younger readers will just be glad to leap right into the adventure. Perhaps there will be more details in book two. 
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed a good dystopian space adventure like Sylvester's MINRS, Johnson's Aku: Journey to Ibra or Reintgen's The Last Dragon on Mars. If you enjoyed this one, also check out Slangerup's more Earthbound science fiction adventures, Molly and the Machine and Molly and the Mutants. 

Fearless (The Taylors #2)

Calonita, Jen.Fearless (The Taylors #2) 
September 15, 2026 by Scholastic Inc.

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

After getting together in fifth grade in The Taylors, our Indianapolis friends Teffy, Taylor, Tay Tay, and TS are back. This time, they are loaning the black bowler hat that they got directly FROM TAYLOR SWIFT HERSELF to TS, who is hoping to do well in her soccer tryouts. The parents have all warned that taking the hat to school is a bad idea, and the girls agree. They are all looking forward to the fifth grade class trip in February, and when it is announced during a school assembly that they will be going to Nashville, Tennessee, they are all super excited. The land of Swift herself? Of course they want to go. The only problem? There will only be three friends per room. This means that the group will be split up, and even though they try to crunch the numbers and game the system, they get split up. Teffy rooms with Taylor and Lucia Alvares who seems nice enough, even if her friends give the group a hard time. TS decides not to go because the trip is at the same time as her volleyball tryouts. This means that Tay Tay ends up with the evil Hannah, because she let Greta list her as a first choice. There are plenty of things to do in Nashville, but also some anxiety about not having a phone, being seen reading graphic novels, having a fear of the dark, and experiencing homesickness. Does any of it ultimately matter if you can stand on the same stage where Taylor Swift stood? Of course not. Further adventures with the Taylors are most likely forthcoming. 

Strengths: Ah, class trips. I go often with the 8th graders to D.C., and know that this is a huge deal for middle school travelers. I love that the Taylors are good friends even though they have different interests, and I am glad that I am able to keep them straight most of the time! Hannah is the stereotypical mean girl, but the other characters are all pretty amenable and resilient. I'm sure I missed a lot of Swift references that young readers will understand more than I would. The details of Nashville are good, and it's always fun to have a vicarious travel experience. I will be looking forward to the next book. 
Weaknesses: I couldn't believe that the destination of the trip was secret even after the parents had to pay a deposit; that just wouldn't fly at my school. Also, there would be no problem at all with requesting that four girls room together. Absolutely none. The problem is always kids who seem to have no friends who have to be put into rooms. Of course, the anxiety about roommates is completely real, and there had to be a way to make this possible, so I'll let this slide! Also, TS wouldn't have to miss the trip to try out for the team. That would be unreasonable. Other 5th graders would miss tryouts as well. 
What I really think: My students were VERY excited to see these books, as well as the high school version by Elizabeth Eulberg. I don't usually buy pop culture books, since they can have a very brief life span, but Ms. Swift is so popular that these books will be worn out long before she goes out of fashion. 
 

Saturday Morning Cartoons- Don't Be Scared and Sashimi and the Field Trip of Doom

Faruqi, Saadia and Amin, Shadia (illus.) Don't Be Scared

September 8, 2026 by First Second

E ARC provided by Netgalley

Riz is new to the Grayson Heights Middle School film club, but is excited to learn more about film, starting with silent pictures with artists like Charlie Chaplin. Classmates Amy and Max are less thrilled, but ready to work with him on a horror film. Unfortunately, member Justin is a big jerk, talking about how immigrants are ruining the country. This does not go over well with any of our trio, since Riz's family came to the US from Pakistan, Amy's from Korea, and Max's from Mexico. All of their parents hope that they will study medicine, and Riz's father is not happy when he spends time on his film pursuits. His mother died of cancer in 2016. Near Riz's neighborhood there is the intriguing Hollister Mansion, which is derelict, in part because of a horrific fire that killed two girls back in 2023. Their Bodies were never found. The kids go to the public library to study the building, and the librarian, Miss Templeton, tells that that was her family's home. They find out that it is being torn down, and work on a film about it hoping to raise awareness to save it. Riz does bond with his father over traditional Pakistani spooky folk tales, and also when they go to the mosque to help out. There is an unfortunate racial incident at the grocery store, and Justin makes rude comments when Baba visits to see what the film club is about. When the Hollister Mansion is supposed to be torn down in three days, the kids go into the house and get film of the ghosts. Will this be enough to save the day? 
Strengths: There aren't that many scary graphic novels, so it is always good to see anything even slightly spooky. Riz is a great character, and I was glad that he was able to make friends right away. The children bonded nicely over the difficulties of being a first generation American, and talk about the expectations their parents have for them. Riz's mother's death isn't dwelt on, and there is an interesting sub plot revolving Baba being put on a matchmaker's list at the mosque but also being interested in dating Miss Templeton. The Hollister Mansion was very cool looking, and it was pleasant that it was able to be saved, even if this isn't terribly realistic. Readers who liked this author's Saving Sunshine will want to pick this up and will enjoy Amin's illustrations. 

Weaknesses: The ending was very abrupt and a bit unlikely. Also, it doesn't seem likely that Riz's film club advisor wouldn't have taken Justin to task for his racist comments. That sort of comment would absolutely not go without being addressed at my school. Also, I wish there were more books encouraging children to go to medical school instead of railing against parents who think it's a good idea. It is in parents' best interest that their children find gainful employment. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics Occupational Outlook handbook says that there will be 6,400 jobs per year for film and video editors and camera operators, but 23,600 jobs physicians and surgeons! 
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Sedita's The Pathfinders Society or Night's Creep over graphic novels. 

Santat, Dan. Sashimi and the Field Trip of Doom

September 15, 2026 by Roaring Brook Press

E ARC provided by Netgalley

Sashimi is back, and still looking for the Beast of Barnacle Bay! Accompanied by his friend, Kevin the (girl) fish and Joey, the grandson of Poopdeck Pete, Sashimi gets to experience his first field trip. Unfortunately, Joey and Sashimi would rather spend their time making fart sounds and jokes than listen to Joey's grandfather tell the history of Barnacle Bay, and Sashimi is so disruptive that he gets sent back to the bus. He gets on the wrong bus, and it takes a while for the teacher to notice he is not one of her students and he is left on the side of the road. Panic ensues when Sashimi's teacher realizes not only that he is gone, but that there is no permission slip on file for him. Hijinks occur as Joey and friends try to find their classmate, and Sashimi has to fight off trash pandas in the woods and hallucinates in glorious felted technicolor about the unicorn on his lunchbox. There are further complications when Jebediah Bay, descendent of the man who founded the town, shows up... looking quite a bit like Sashimi! Book three is forthcoming, and seems to be about Jebediah and Sashimi trading places. 

This is slapstick packed methadone for Dog Man lovers that elementary students won't be able to get enough of. It's entirely goofy, and starting with fart jokes is a sure fire way to engage young readers. The learning panels about durian fruit and trash pandas were fun. Santat's illustrations are always brilliant, and I loved the felted characters. There's even cursory instructions on how to do the craft, and Santat's portrait is a felted character! This will be a great choice for fans of Angleberger's Two Headed Chicken books or Barnett's Cat on the Run series. Sadly, this is just not the book for me personally. I'm still debating purchase, because while my 6th graders will pick this series up at the beginning of the year, it's really on the elementary side of the Pilkey Line. 

Guy Friday- The Team and The Tush Push Trouble

Benedis-Grab, Daphne. The Team

September 1, 2026 by Scholastic Press

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

The Cottonwood, Colorado Coyotes football teams for the middle school and senior high have a devoted following, as well as some standout players. When the "Destroyer" tackles an opposing team member, Hudson Ramirez, a little too hard and shatters his leg, there are a lot of reverberations. Ethan, who family is deeply into the sport but who doesn't want to play, throws up on the sidelines. Tommy, who is fairly new, has to put this into perspective with his own actions on the field, since he struggled with some anger management issues at his previous school. There is an undercurrent of unease surrounding the entire team, and especially Coach, and Simone, who works for the school paper, picks up on this. When her older brother, Brian, is accused of trashing Coach's office and destroying his computer, she doesn't think he is guilty, but he admits to the crime and is whisked off to live with his father in Denver. Simone talks to Tommy and Ethan, and they decide to investigate the incident and find the real culprit. Brian was on probation because of grades but other players were as well. The kids start asking questions, from player's siblings to players on the Wildcats team, because the Coyotes' players close ranks and won't talk. Not only that, but all three kids get text threats to back away, and someone even leaves roadkill on Simone's porch and lures Ethan to fall down steps at school. This just strengthens her resolve to prove her brother's innocence, especially since the siblings are dealing with their parents' divorce. Tommy's father has lost his job, and the family has m oved in with grandparents, so football is the one bright spot in his world. When our investigators finally realize that Brian really did trash the office, they discover that the story is really WHY he did this. Will they be able to brings some disturbing football allegiances to light? 

Strengths: Of COURSE sports can be dark. So why don't we have more books like Deuker's 2007 Gym Candy? It was really inspired to craft a mystery around not only sports but some anger management issues and evil doings of the coaching staff. There are also some challenges that Simone, Tommy, and Ethan face that will make adults happy. I can see this being a really intriguing book circle choice, and one which students wouldn't dread talking about in class! The kids mount their investigation in a realistic way, and Simone uses her journalism techniques to good adventage. The real crime takes a while to tease out, so I think the suspense will keep younger readers turning the pages. 
Weaknesses: Ms. Benedis-Grab is a school librarian , so I'm always confused by some of the freedoms her characters are given. At one point, Simone and company hack into the parent portal, mark themselves excused, take a bus across town to the other school, get in, and talk to other kids in the cafeteria. I can't see any part of this realistically working at my school, but it does give the children some freedom while still keeping the parents alive! I also wasn't as convinced the incident with Brian needed investigating, and Simone's efforts could have used more of an impetus. This will not stop me from buying at least one copy of this. Probably two. 
What I really think: I adore the fact that this is both a football book and a mystery, and the cover alone will make it super popular. This is a fantastic choice for readers who like Benedis-Grab's books like I Know Your Secret or Josh Berk's now classic 2010 The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin. 

Kelly, David A. The Tush Push Problem (Football Mysteries #3)
August 11, 2026 by Curveball Books
E ARC provided by Netgalley

Mike and Kate are in Philadelphia while Kate's mother covers the Eagles for American Sportz magazine. They are enthralled with the scent of cheesesteaks and the live eagle that flies around the stadium during games, but when the eagle seems to target Kate after landing near her, they are a little concerned. Lincoln's handlers, Rocky and Adrian (ha ha!)tell Kate that it is because she is wearing bright yellow, which the eagle associates with a landing pad, and invite Kate to be on the field when Lincoln lands during the game. Afterwards, the kids run into Jamal "Cheesesteak" Carter, who is down. His wrist coach is missing (I had to look this up!), and while he could replace the plays for the game, it also contained a piece of AstroTurf from Veterans Stadium that his grandfather had given him. Jamal doesn't think he can do the team's signature "tush push" play until he gets it back. Mike and Kate talk to Vinnie, Jamal's assistant, and check the locker room under his supervision, but can't find anything. Vinnie casts suspicion of a new intern, Kyle, who misplaces a lot of things, but he seems innocent. Is Vinnie the real suspect? With the help of the security team's footage, Mike and Kate are able to find the piece of AstroTurf in time for Jamal to break out of his slump and win the game. 

Strengths: I love that Mike and Kate are given the opportunity to run around ball parks and stadiums by themselves while Kate's mother is working; it makes perfect sense. There's not really anywhere they can go, or real trouble that they can get into, but young readers will love the freedom! They get to talk to ball players and people involved with the game, and occasionally get onto the field themselves. Pure wish fulfillment for young fans. I know my brother got to be a water boy at a game once (the details of where and when are cloudy after 50 years), and he was thrilled! Kelly's style is always fast paced and engaging, and young football fans will eat up Mike and Kate's adventures. 
Weaknesses: All the talk of cheese steak made me hungry! Also, I'm not sure what Random house was thinking, not publishing this series. This would be the very top of my list for purchase in an elementary school. 
What I really think: Fans of Jake Maddox's sports books will enjoy the mystery in this, as well as all the sports details. The books remind me of Ron Roy's ABC Mysteries, with which my own children were obsessed in elementary school. There should be more short, early chapter book series about sports! 

Scare Bear

Alexander, K.R. Scare Bear
September 1, 2026 by Scholastic Inc.

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

On Gideon's ninth birthday, his parents invite his entire class for a party, and since Gideon's uncle is their teacher, the kids are all forced to come. Gideon only cares about getting presents, and hanging out with his one friend, Shehan. He hates the other kids and just wants them to go home. He's not sure who gives him a teddy bear, named Juno, but it creeps him out. Without any buttons being pushed, it says things like "we're going to be best friends". Disappointed by his birthday and not enjoying the bear, he throws the bear into his messy closet. The next day, it is on his bed again, and he has nightmares. Fed up, he throws the bear in the garbage. Fast forward to Gideon's twelfth birthday, and his best friend is now Noah. He's demanded gift cards for his birthday, but his party is super lame. Afterwards, in a bag on his front porch, he finds a note that says "let's play", with a bit of fur. Things don't go well at school, and people play pranks on Gideon. He plays even worse pranks in retaliation, and things escalate. Of course, the bear is behind everything. The bear says that since Gideon ruined him, he is going to ruin Gideon. There are all manner of nasty, weird things that happen; rocks in Gideon's sandwich, garbage in his locker, and nighttime hallucinations. He buries the bear under concrete at a construction site and flushes it down the toilet limb by limb, but the bear returns. Desperate to find a way to get rid of the bear, Gideon goes through the list of gifts and guess that the bear came from Laure, a girl he treated badly. He asks her about the bear, and she confesses that the bear made her life difficult before she gave him away. What will it take for the bear to finally go away?
Strengths: This would be a perfect horror book for a third grader. That age group is starting to have some friend drama, which usually involves not being friends with certain people, so this would offer a cautionary tale. Gideon is so over the top in his negative behavior that even the youngest readers will know they should not emulate him. The bear does things that are scary but not horrible... there are a lot of writhing maggots and nastiness, but no jump scares or terrifying moments. This had the feel of some R.L. Stine books where the brother and sister are fighting and one of the siblings gets turned into a monster. Goosebumps fans will like this one. 
Weaknesses: I'm all for some life lessons, but this got to be overly didactic. I knew from the beginning that the only way Gideon to get rid of the bear was to apologize and to be nice to others. 
What I really think: This is not my favorite title by this author, but his work is so popular with my students that someone is bound to ask for it. I'll purchase a copy, but the cover is so creepy that it will be hard to display!

Sisters Alone

Safadi, Shifa Saltagi. Sisters Alone

September 8, 2026 by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

In this novel in verse, sisters Leena (6th grade) and Rama (8th grade) are struggling with their mother's death six months earlier, each dealing in their own way. Leena is constuctins a scrapbook to keep her mother's memory alive, since she is sure the death is her fault, and Rama has developed intrusive thoughts that make it hard to even hang out with her best friend, Madiha, without worrying that Madiha will stop being her friend so she can hang out with Kim. As the school ski trip approaches, Rama hopes to spend time with Madiha and repair their relationship, but is irritated because her father, who will be in Japan for work when the girls are on the trip, wants her to watch out for Leena. Leena is constantly forgetting things, and is in danger of not being allowed on the trip because her grades are slipping. On the morning of the trip, Rama is responsible for getting Leena on the bus, because their father has already left, but when the bus driver doesn't have Leena on the list because she forgot to turn in her permission slip, the girls go home. Rama doesn't want to tell her father about the mishap because she is spiralling into a thought that he will lose his job, and doesn't want to call Madiha's mother for help. She and Leena face a week in their house in the country with limited food, but things go from bad to worse when a storm approaching. Leena has already set fire to the microwave by not taking the foil out of some prepared Mac and cheese, and the girls have been constantly bickering. They've had a food fight after Leena left a kitchen window open, broken Rama's phone, and injured Leena. Leena forgets to charge her phone, so when the electricity is off and a tree falls through their roof, they can't summon help. The bundle up in warm clothes (but don't grab shoes) and head to a shed to try to wait out the storm. They do have some helpful talks about their mother and the reason for her accident, but after so long in the cold weather, Rama becomes unresponsive. Will Leena be able to save them both? 

Strengths: I've been a big fan of books set during blizzards ever since Haywood's Snowbound with Betsy and Wilder's The Long Winter, so the blizzard setting was very appealing. This is a lyrical, heart print book that offers an on trend look at anxiety and grief. The sisters don't get along, which is not a topic that middle grade literature covers much, with the exception of Davis' Figure it Out, Henry Weldon. The verse format allows the sisters' voice to come through; Leena does not capitalize her i's. The girls cause disaster after disaster, and their survival really is in peril because of all of their poor choices, rather like Ava's in Stranded or Marlo and Amos' in Hashimoto's Off the Map. Even though the are in danger, the girls still adhere to their Syrian Muslim heritage and try to keep up with their prayers. It's not too much of a spoiler to say that there is a happy ending. 

Weaknesses: Since the mother's death was so traumatic and the girls are clearly exhibiting troubling behavior, it is a bit odd that they weren't both in therapy. They both make a lot of poor choices, which was hard to read, but probably very true to the choices today's 6th and 8th graders would make. Part of me envisioned an ending to this where both the sisters perished on the road trying to get help! 

What I Really Think: This author's Kareem Between had some topical issues that were explored in an interesting way, but this book was harrowing. Readers who liked Messner's The Trouble with Heroes or Bowling's The Canyon's Edge might like this one. 

Fantasy Round Up

George, Jessica Day. Holidays at the Castle
September 22, 2026 by Bloomsbury Children's Books
Copy provided by the publisher

Celie and her family are back from their adventures to put Castle Glower to rights, after Tuesdays at the Castle (2011), but run into all sorts of complications involving portraits being created as gifts, all of the food for celebrations, and decorations for the holidays. This is a short book (144 pages) that was originally a novella available through the author's web site. It would make a great holiday gift for a fan of the series. It reminded me, in an odd way, of L'Engle's The 24 Days Before Christmas, which gives us a holiday glimpse of the Austin family. 

Averling, Mary. The Burn Beast

September 15, 2026 by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Pira Morand moves around a lot as her moms investigate crimes. The newest one is in Cindy's hometowen of Eyrewood, but no one is giving Pira any information. The town was the scene of a horrific fire thirty years ago that burned down just about everything but a defunct paper mill, and was rebuilt with boxy, ugly buildings. The Morands are staying in a run down hotel managed by Jackie Ludger parents. Jackie isn't all that friendly, immediately information Pira of the "rules" of the town-- don't go into the woods, and don't try to light a fire. Nothing burns in Eyrewood anymore. At least Baffy, the son of the local candy shop owner, is friendly, and shows up to walk Pira to school. He also invites her to join the Firefighters, even though Jackie has told him not to. Jackie has a good reason for her mood; her older sister is the last in a long line of people who have gone missing in the woods, and the local police have given up, which is why Mira's moms are investigating. After passing an initiation test, Pira is let in on some of the local lore, and the group visits the local history museum to try to gather more information. What they find is rather fantastical. With the help of Grizz, who has manned the fire watch tower for the last thirty years, will they be able to defeat a local monster and solve the mystery of the missing citizens? 

This was definitely a fantasy book, and it had the same sort of vibe that Condie's The Darkdeep or Cole's The Empty Place did. I still haven't seen Stranger Things, but The Burn Beast seems along those lines; supernatural elements are bedeviling a town, and only tweens can save the day. This had some decent scary scenes, but there was something about the history of the town that seemed a bit off. Averling's The Curse of Eel Grass Bog doesn't circulate as well as I would like, so I may pass on this one, especially since the covers are very similar. 

Copeland, Misty. The Firebird Waltz (Star Fire Academy #1)

August 25, 2026 by Aladdin

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
 

Josie loves to dance, and her father (now a software engineer) was a dancer who met her mother while she was in a jazz band. Her best friend, Patrick, also dances, and the two are excited when they are accepted to the Star Fire Academy in New York. It's hard to leave California, but both are excited to continue their training. The Fire Bird Academy was founded by a descendent of a Russian prince, who is rumored to have had an actual fire bird; there's a statue of one in the front hall of the school, named Izzy. The owner, Peter Komarov, is the great grandson, but is threatening to seel the school, since it is on prime real estate. Josie is excited to learn from the famous Martine Halston, who is also Black, and excited when she tells Josie she should audition for a principal role in the upcoming school production of Stravinsky's The Firebird. There is relatively little drama at the school, although Sienna Halston is a blonde "Queen bee" who has uncanny hacking abilities. There are also some odd supernatural occurrences that Josie experiences. There are some growing pains when she isn't always able to dance with Patrick, and when she sees him blossom while dancing with other girls. She's a bit homesick, but is helped when her sister Billie shows up. When Josie gets an e mail with the wrong time for callbacks for The Firebird, she is assigned to be the understudy for Sienna, who has won the Firebird role. When Sienna becomes ill, Josie has to step in. This is clearly the first book in a series, and ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. 

I have a lot of students who dance, and there are relatively few middle grade books about dancing. If this were realistic fiction, like Ziegler's The Audition, I would definitely buy it, but the mix of fantasy and ballet would be a hard sell to my students. There are also a lot of plot holes, and the fantastical elements don't make as much sense or align with the introductory story of the Russian prince as much as I would like. Readers who enjoyed dance related fantasies like Adrian's Nutcracked, Mendez' The Reel Wish, Smith's The Toymaker's Apprentice or Sutton and Hannuniemi's The Song of the Swan might want to pick this up. 
 

England, M. K. Riley Dare: Slightly Witchy Sleuth

September 15, 2026 by Penguin Workshop 

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Riley lives with her Aunt Hayley in Scarlettsboro, Virginia, where they run the Level Up escape room. When a famous children's author who has just moved to town, Richard Rillardson, comes to the facility, Riley is excited, since her Dungeons and Dragons playing best friends, Kayla and Mateo, are big fans. During the course of the game, the lights go out, Rillardson disappears, and blood is found on the floor. This is a big problem for the business, but Riley, who has a few magical powers, decides that she will solve the mystery as well as the mystery that took place the day she was born. Her aunt has never told her what happened to her parents, and whether or not the fact that they are not around is tied to a famous gemstone theft. With the help of Detective Buckley, will the kids be able to solve the mystery? The next book in the series is titled Haunted and Wanted, and will tell us more about the note that Riley has from her parents, telling her she is in danger. 

The magic didn't get quite the coverage it deserved, and the mystery wasn't as well developed as I had hoped. It's a good choice for readers who liked mysteries mixed with some paranormal elements like. Russell Mystery James Digs Her Own Grave or Strange's The Island at the Edge of Night.

Edited byAzad, Nafiza  and Khanani, Intisar. A Thousand Nights

September 8, 2026 by Candlewick

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

I loved the spin on Arabian Nights, the range of different authors contributing stories, and the connection to immigration tales, but at almost 500 pages, it would be tough to get my students to pick this up. If Gratz's Refugee is a book your teachers use for a class unit, this might be a good choice for some reason alouds. 

From the publisher: 
In the mold of Arabian Nights, this groundbreaking YA anthology—featuring sixteen Muslim women writers—links together fantastical stories that a group of refugees tell one another within a riveting frame story.

On her way across the desert, fleeing the soldiers who have destroyed all she knows, one refugee meets another. And another and another. As they travel together, on a journey in search of safety, they take turns telling one another stories—stories woven in the imagination; tales with echoes of the reality they face now. Tales of young people stolen away by jinn and tales of siblings rescuing one another; tales of lands encroached on by settlers and abandoned by rain; tales of magic found in caves, deserts, mountains, lakes, and, above all, in people, community, and faith. With a frame story written by Nafiza Azad and Intisar Khanani interwoven with stories from fifteen additional authors of various backgrounds, drawing on the mythologies and legends of their cultures, this extraordinary collection will appeal to lovers of fantasy and to those looking for books that center refugees and diverse narratives.

MMGM- Roi and Me and the Double V and The Forgotten War

It's

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
 at 

Always in the Middle 

and #IMWAYR day 

at

Unleashing Readers

Headen, Sandra W. Roi and Me and the Double V: A WWII Story
August 25, 2026 by Holiday House
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Marvel Zander lives in Dockside, North Caroline, in 1942. Her father has moved to New York to build airplanes, and her mother is working at the nearby ship yard, leaving Marvel to pick up the slack caring for her younger sister JoJo and her Gramps. The whole family is devoted to running, and Marvel especially loves to run at the Elderberry Farms facility where the Williston High School Tiger Cubs train. Her best friend Roi sometimes joins her, but he also has a lot of responsibilities at home, since his father left the family years ago, and his mother is in a tuberculosis sanatorium. When his older brother, Charlie, manages to enlist in the army, the care of their younger sister Rachel falls to Roi. Charlie, who had a hard time getting into the army, since they were reluctant to accept Black recruits, suggests that Roi contact their Aunt Vi for help, but he doesn’t. The teens are disappointed when their social studies teacher and coach also joins the army, but they like Mr. Peterson, the substitute, who has also worked as a news reporter for Black publications in Pittsburgh. He offers to help coach the track team as well, and keeps an eye on Roi’s family since he lives across the street. When a shipbuilding company starts constructing homes on the site of Elderberry Farms, there is concern that the entire property might be lost, especially since the head contractor, whom the kids refer to as “Copperhead” seems intent on ruining the Victory garden there, and is up to no good. Roi starts to write articles about what he is witnessing, and Mr. P. helps him get wider notice as Roi explores the many reasons that the Black community should work toward a “Double V”; a victory in the war and also in the treatment of Black citizens. The community rallies around the area, and a man from the War Department visits to find out what is going on. There are many challenges, and Marvel and Roi have to deal with a lot of difficulties, but they are steadfast in their endeavors to save Elderberry Farms for their community and to pursue their dreams of running and writing.
Strengths: The depiction of life in the South during World War II was nicely balanced, and I loved that while there were many realistic challenges, Marvel and Roi were willing to work tirelessly towards their goals despite the difficulties they faced. Health issues, trouble getting employment, discrimination, Victory gardens; it’s all here. The inclusion of the church is perfect, since faith based groups are such a big part of the Civil Rights movement. Mr. Peterson is a great character, and so helpful in connecting Roi to other Black journalists; the number of Black news outlets mentioned will provide a great starting point for students looking for history project topics. Including running, and mentioning other historical figures involved in the sport, will intrigue readers who are interested in athletics. I like to think that the one character with the name Hightower is a nod to Columbus, Ohio’s own Stephanie Hightower. Most of all, it was an enormous relief to have a generally upbeat book that models resilience. Ms. Headen is now my number one choice to write a middle grade novel about Greenwood, Oklahoma before the 1921 massacre.
Weaknesses: Even though the details of everyday life are good, I wanted to know more about the running gear and training. This would, of course, have made the book longer, and it was the perfect length at 224 pages. The very mild dialect distracted me at the beginning of the book, but I soon forgot about it as I got involved in the story.
What I really think: This reminded me a bit of Flake’s Hattie Mae Begins Again, although that is set in an earlier time period. There are a few books about the role of Black citizens and soldiers in World War II, but there could be so many more. This is a great addition to nonfiction titles like Binns’ Unlawful Orders: A Portrait of Dr. James B. Williams, Tuskegee Airman, Surgeon, and Activist and Hudson’s Defiant: Growing up in the Jim Crow South, and fictional ones like Cline-Ransom’s young adult For Lamb and Shabazz and Watson’s Betty Before X. 

Fleming, Candace. The Forgotten War: A World War II Battle on American Soil

September 1, 2026 by Scholastic Focus

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

I will be purchasing this for several reasons; my students' interest in WWII still has not wanted, Fleming writes the best and most well researched nonfiction no matter what the topic, and my copy of Seiple's 2012 Ghosts in the Fog: The Untold Story of Alaska's WWII Invasion is falling to pieces! When I hand this to students, I am going to encourage them to read Fleming's introduction; this is the story of her father's involvement in this portion of the war that he never talked about. It makes seeing the war from this point of view even more poignant. Very, very well done. 

Sadly, I have reached saturation with all things World War II. This was definitely more readable than most, and beautifully photoillustrated, but it's hard for me to keep all of the battles and moving around straight. I'm not sure I would pass high school social studies at this point, since I really only want to read about social history, not political or military history! Definitely purchasing for my collection. Make sure you also have Fleming's They Saved the Stallions and The Enigma Girls, 

Hijacked by Goats

Braden, Ann. Highjacked by Goats

September 8, 2026 by Nancy Paulsen Books

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Josie Martinez is willingly starting a stint at the Bryce Haven Psychiatric Hospital, although it was precipitated by an incident where she cut herself because of stress. She wants to please everyone, and her brain tells her she should be punished when things go wrong, so the drama in her friend group worsened her usual anxious condition. She immediately befriends Phoebe, who is working through anger issues. Josie's hobby is making art out of trash, so when the girls find a small infestation of ladybugs, they build a ladybug hotel to keep them safe. Josie's single father works at the grocery store, but is devoted to her care, and visits her even though she is an hour away from home. She benefits from therapy, medication is started, and she is diagnosed with not only anxiety and depressive disorders, but also a form of OCD. After Phoebe leaves, Josie goes home, but is still too fragile to be left alone during the day, even though the father has taken all of the scissors and knives out of the house. Because he has to go to work, he has a retired neighbor, Ms. Crandall, stay with Josie. Ms. Crandall doesn't fool around, and soon has Josie doing yoga, eating lentils and yogurt for breakfast, knitting, copying words from the dictionary, and doing crossword puzzles. Josie also starts seeing a therapist, Rayna, who compares Josie's intrusive thoughts to the goat that the Martinez' are kidsitting at their farm. Hal is stinky and obnoxious, and will frequently plant himself on top of the car or mailbox, interfering with daily activities. Josie's thoughts are the same, and she has to learn how to manage them. She meets up with Phoebe when she travels to Buffalo for her appointments, and finds some comfort in playing soccer. Her father has limited her contact with her friends and her social media, but eventually she has to tell them what that's happened and return to school. Some friends, like Lucy, understand what Josie is going through, and others are best avoided. Hal eventually goes home, and Josie has a lot of support in place to deal with her various mental health issues. 

Strengths: When I quickly went through my mental file for "books where characters are hospitalized for mental health disorders", the first thing I came up with was John Neufeld's 1969 Lisa Bright and Dark, followed by Green and Greenberg's 1964 I Never Promised You a Rose Garden. Josie's experience is MUCH different, and much more indicative of the state of mental health care in 2026. Thirty to fifty years ago, a tween being treated in a psychiatric facilty would have been more unusual and dire; today, while still dire, it is much more common, as well as more accepted. Josie's father doesn't hesitate at all to get her any of the help she needs, and makes sure she has appointments with different types of doctors to fully address her issues. It was good to see that she had time away from her friends, but that she was able to be honest with them about her diagnosis. Of course, my favorite character was Ms. Crandall; even though she is doing all of the things that my generation thinks will cure any mental health challenges, she never mentions anything about Josie's anxiety, depression, or intrusive thoughts as she forces her to participate in therapeutic "grandma hobbies"! It was good to see her develop a relationship with Phoebe and to take up soccer. 
Weaknesses: The cover is not attractive and looks like the book was published in 1989. I wish this didn't matter, but it does. If the goat was completely necessary to have on the cover, I would have chosen something more like Piontek's Better with Butter, which is another instructive book about anxiety that students pick up because the cover is cute. 
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who want a clearer look at a serious mental health issue. It's important to keep these books updated in a school library; I know I weeded Tasjian's excellent 1999 Multiple Choice and Hesser's Kissing Doorknobs because the treatments seemed outdated. Hand this to readers who found Pyron's Octopus Moon, Khan's Drawing Deena or Rompella's Cookie Cutters & Sled Runners interesting. I'll probably buy a copy, but the cover might make this a title that requires some hand selling. 

Dream Big (Dream on #2)

Hale, Shannon and Cespedes, Marcela. Dream Big (Dream On #2)
September 1, 2026 by Roaring Brook Press
E ARC Provided by Netgalley

Cassie is back, and navigating the summer after fourth grade. She enjoys hanging out with her friend Vali, but Stesha always complains about everything they do, especially when it involves Cassie having to stay in the family of eight's small two bedroom home to play while she watches two younger siblings. When the group is hanging out in a local park, they realize that a film is being made right in their neighborhood. They watch the filming, and Cassie dreams of being on the set, She decides to research the film making process, and has enough knowledge when asking to speak to someone that she actually talks to someone who can cast the few extras that are needed. Stesha thought asking was stupid, but Cassie and Vali are hired! They are to be "ugly kids" in a horror film, playing jacks with the main characters. Filming involves a lot of standing around, but also a craft services table with lots of junk food, which is hard for Cassie to come by now that her father is worried about money. Vali is bored and decides not to come back, but Cassie is enjoying herself, especially when she is chosen for a close up when she makes a particular good face when the group is "Slimed" in rehearsals. The actually filming doesn't go smoothly, which makes Cassie anxious, but pretty much everything does, and she manages to work through it. She eventually makes friends with the lead actor, Davey, who seems sad and lonely to her, even though she calls him an uncomplimentary name when the other kid actors complain about him. In the end, she enjoys her experience, makes a little money, and finds out that while Vali has been hanging out with Stesha, she really would rather hang out with Cassie, but was too afraid of being on set to continue. Cassie even uses her pay check to help her father, whose sales have been down, make rent for the month. 

Strengths: What tween doesn't have vague dreams about being in a movie? (Or has it changed to being a social media star? Must ask actual tweens.) There is lots of good information about the different people on set, and the jobs they do, and the note from Hale that she was an extra in a number of productions was fascinating. It would be interesting to see more middle grade novels with larger families, although today these usually are the result of blended families. Cassie is a sweet person at heart, and since she is anxious about many things, is a little more understanding about what other people are going through. It's a great message for children with anxiety; develop ways to help yourself through tough moments, and try to make others feel better as well. 
Weaknesses: Modern readers might be a little confused as to why Cassie is left alone in the house with toddler and infant siblings, since this is no longer a widely accepted practice. Made perfect sense to me; I was babysitting a neighbor's children who were these ages until 2:00 a.m. when she had a night shift at the hospital! Being a little clearer about the historical setting will help these readers be less confused. 

What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed movie making books like Greenwald's Pete Milano's Guide to Being a Movie Star or Hart's Marcus Makes a Movie, or the many, many graphic novels that deal with tween anxiety like Lloyd's Squished, Libenson's Emmie and Friends series, or Scrivan's Nat Enough books. They seem a bit young for middle school, but I would definitely purchase these for an elementary school library. 

Stanley

Ross, M.C. Stanley

September 1, 2026 by Scholastic Inc

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Stanley was born to be a service dog, and his siblings (all named after film directors), do a great job. Stanley, however, is constantly distracted, even though his mother tells him that this will not help him. When he is taken to a Boston Bruins hockey game, he finds himself headed towards a career change when he gets away from his handler because he is drawn to the sadness of young Charlie O'Donnell. Charlie and his mother have won tickets to the game, but Charlie is sad because he didn't make the Monumentals hockey team, and instead must play for the Bunkeroos, whom he considers to be beneath his skill level. Eventually, Charlie's mother arranges to adopt Stanely, and the group moves to Charlestown. Charlie realizes that Stanley is excellent at helping him train and do drills, and is also useful in winning over teammates. Charlie meets his idol, a Bruin player named Mads, at the park, and gets some insight: he's being a "rat" to his teammates, thinking he is better than them and offering them "helpful" advice, which doesn't go over all that well. Charlie apologizes, and the team begins to do better, but he falls back into his old ways. Stanley occasionally feels like he is failing his boy. When things become too stressful, Charlie and Stanley board the Orange Line and head to Jamaica Plain where they can train in peace... but run into a field hockey player they've seen around, Emily. Emily and her dog, Nugly, go to visit the zoo, where they meet Nugly's friend, a porcupine named Lucky, who seems to make everyone feel better. At the Mayor's Cup Final, the team seems to be doing better, but when they are given a hard time by the Shamrocks, a donnybrook ensues. Will Stanley be able to save the day when the team is sad? 
Strengths: Anytime a book is set in a very specific city, I enjoy all of the details of the location. I've only ever been in Boston in 1999 when the Big Dig was going on, so I always enjoy Ross' look at the city from a dog's viewpoint! Charlie will appeal to a lot of young sports players who will sheepishly see themselves in Charlie's "rat" like behavior. Being a know-it-all is very common for middle school students! There are plenty of hockey details about training, games, and other... hockey things. I've never seen a game and know nothing about the sport (other than what I read in the fantastic 2017 Sports Illustrated Hockey: Then to WOW! ), so I can't open on the authenticity, but it sounds right. Stanley is a great dog who wants to make Charlie happy. The balance between dog information about hockey minutiae is perfect. 
Weaknesses: There was a LOT of hockey details, which I didn't understand. This, however, will make it perfect for readers who love the sport and want to have frequent play-by-plays. While I can appreciate a good crossover story, I could have done without the inclusion of Lucky.
What I really think: This way more upbeat than Kadohata's fantastic but sad 2018 hockey/dog book, Checked and will be a hit with dog lovers and hockey lovers alike. Make sure that you request extra copies of this and other Ross titles like Smiley)  if you are having a Scholastic book fair. 

Bitter Bones

Puckett, Lindsay. Bitter Bones
September 1, 2026 by Scholastic Press
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

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Clay Wilde has livedwith his aunts and his cousins Addison and Sophie ever since his mother disappeared eight years ago. Genevieve Wilde was the founder of Doll Eyes, Inc. which had a line of very creepy, Gothic dolls called "Wretches". She released them sparingly and in unconventional outlets, and the demand drove up prices. Clay suffers from a lot of physical ailments, some of which have to deal with his bones. On Clay's birthday, he gets a mysterious present on his bed with information only his mother would know. He loops in his cousins, as well as Addison's best friend Elise, who uses a walker or wheelchair, and the group helps him try to find his mother. Because of the weird nature of the dolls, the people interested in them are sometimes alarming, and there is even an invitation-only online forum called the Curio Cabinet. Clay manages to contact his mother's business partner, Greggory, and while visiting him, sneaks onto his computer and invites himself onto the forum. He gets some critical information, but is soon blocked. There are some sightings of "the man with the button eyes", a mythical character from the stories that feature the dolls, and who is said to come after anyone who "dusts" a doll. (One of the unusual features is that if someone tries to open a doll up and figure out how it was made, the doll disintegrates!) The group attends Creep Con where they make more contacts, and find about about the super creepy Geneives, who are involved in some dark magic surrounding the dolls. At one point, Clay thinks he has found his mother, and also realizes he is cursed and turning into porcelain, just like the dolls! It's likely that the woman he found isn't his mother, but he and his group need to locate her quickly before Clay turns into one of the "Wretches". Will they be able to solve this mystery?
Strengths: I enjoyed the idea that there were super creepy, limited edition Gothic dolls, and that the developer of these was surrounded in mystery. There are a lot of creepy doll books out there even though the traditional china and porcelain dolls may not be something tweens have ever personally seen. Clay loves his aunt and cousins, but of course wants to know more about his mother. A death certificate has been issued, but lacking closure, he still wants to believe she might be alive. Addison and Elise make great teammates, and there's a little flirting going on between Elise and Clay. Six-year-old Sophie adds some levity, and also has an imaginery friend, Clarissa, who occasionally has good observations. The doll underworld is well portrayed, and there are so many twists and turns that I don't want to ruin. You'll just have to pick this one up yourself to find out what happens! 
Weaknesses: Whoever edits K.R. Alexander's horror books should have taken a look at this. While the descriptions of the dolls and the world surrounding them is interesting, the story isn't as fast paced as my readers tend to like, and could be a little bit scarier. I'll still purchase a copy EVEN THOUGH IT IS PUBLISHED IN PAPERBACK. ARGH! Oh, Scholastic. I know things are tough, but why are most of the horror books in paperback while the sappy Life Lesson books all in hardcover? 

What I really think: This will definitely do better than this author's The Glass Witch, if only because of the creepy doll cover that is reminiscent of Ford's The Headless Doll or Alexanders' The Collector. Make sure you order extras of this if you are hosting a Scholastic Book Fair. 

Wish You Well and How to Do (Almost) Everything

Sumner, Jamie. Wish You Well

September 1, 2026 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Violet knows that she is losing her sight to Best syndrome, but she would rather focus on playing soccer than to think about it. Her single mother, a busy lawyer, takes her to doctor's appointments and wants her to talk about it, but also throws herself into work and spends a lot of time away from home. When Violet has to go to a "sick kids" event, she meets Wyatt, who has had a heart transplant, and Noor, who has cancerous tumors and is undergoing chemotherapy. Wyatt's mom and dad are focused on his older brother Finn's football career, and don't quite understand Wyatt's interest in gaming and technology. Noor's father was killed in the military, and her mom is a nurse, so very invested in Noor's treatment, as is her older sister. The three decide to pretend to be friends in order to get their families off their backs, but Wyatt comes up with a great idea; they are all constantly getting mailings from the Wish on a Star Foundation; what if they game the system, each ask for a wish, and ask to heave their "best friends" join them? They have to establish a "plausible friendship", so start hanging out together. There's always a little tension; Violet likes Wyatt, Noor is prickly, and the three can't quite see eye to eye on the wishes they choose. (Wyatt claims to want to kick a field goal at a Titans' game but later changes his wish to visiting the Googleplex offices, Noor wants to meet a celebrity chef, and Violet wants to blow up a building!) They all have challenges, and don't really want to share them with each other. Violet's vision worsens, but she keeps this from her mother as well as her friends. She and Wyatt have some a romantic moments, but then stop talking to each other. Noor's cancer isn't cured by the chemo and she must undergo some experimental treatment. Violet's mother doesn't want to let Violet have her wish because of her increasingly erratic behavior and her failing grades. All of the kids are doing the best they can, but could they do better if they confided in their friends and family? 

Strengths: Yes, I am always saying that middle grade books are too depressing. Yes, I was obsessed with Beverly Butler's 1962 Light a Single Candle, about Cathy, a girl who is going blind. Both things can be true. There are plenty of sad things in this book, but it FEELS so much different. The characters are sad, angry, and dealing with lots of things, but they are also going forward in a positive way, having adventures, and even embarking on a light romance. Life goes on. It doesn't stop because someone is ill or dies. (Noor's father has died, but it is not discussed very much because Noor has other things to think about!) The book doesn't downplay their conditions; no one is going to magically get better, and for most of the book, I honestly thought that Wyatt would just die suddenly because his body rejected his heart. Spoiler alert: he doesn't. The kids aren't all "everything is sunshine and roses", but they aren't all gloom and doom, either. They are... agitated about their conditions in a way that seems very realistic for middle grade. Violet and her mother have a lot of friction in their relationship, and oh, boy, would I like to see way more of that in books. What middle school student doesn't occasionally get super irritated with a parent? I also enjoyed the connivery of gaming the Wish on a Star system because they were all kind of irritated with all of the mailings as well as the idea that they were to be pitied and deserved a treat for being ill. Bravo. This is probably my favorite book by Sumner, who also has the very strong Maid for It and Roll With It. 
Weaknesses: This could have been just the tiniest bit shorter. The story bogged down a little in the middle, but since it has a strong start, I think readers won't mind. 
What I really think: The sad books that my students DO ask for are ones where the characters have things happen to them that are more horrible than are happening to my readers, and show that it is possible to survive and thrive through these circumstances. Wish You Well does that beautifully, and has some nice romance on top of it. I can see this book circulatingly steadily for a long time. 

Baines, Becky. How to Do (Almost) Everything: 100 Skills for Curious Kids

September 1, 2026 by What on Earth!

E ARC provided by Publishers Spotlight

As the conversation around frequent use of computers and students continues to shed light on how unhelpful screen time is for children, a book like How to Do (Almost) Everything is extremely helpful. Kids get bored. Parents don't know what to do. With a book like this, the work is easy. Young readers will page through the book until they find something that speaks to them and seems doable, and then spent several hours on that endeavor. 

There's a lot to choose from, and I love that the book starts with a safety warning, although as a member of Gen X, it did make me giggle a bit. I'm pretty sure my best friend should not have spent the hours that she did learning to light a match on her jeans zipper, but she did! There's also a note about seeking help and martialling resources. After that, there are over fifty different ways to spend one's time. 

These are not broken down into categories, which I would have liked, but do span a range. There are some things that are basic and important, like how to maintain a bike, predict weather, or cook an egg. My 88 year old father learned this last skill only weeks before his death, so let's make sure that everyone over the age of 10 gets instruction in this! There are some activities that are just fun and useful, like flying a kite (I remember learning to make a kite at school in the fourth grade!), interpreting Morse code and airplane signals, and skimming stones. A few are odd, like performing the Star Trek greeting, dancing the Macarena, miming walking down a staircase, and nature bathing. Nature bathing sounds intriguing, but seems aimed at people who aren't outside very much. 

Some topics have more information than others; there's a lot about constellations, but some items are addressed as quick "how-tos". This makes perfect sense. When I was a child, I would have read this entire book several times, then started methodically trying out all of the skills. This is probably why I wanted to see activities placed into categories (cooking, outdoor activities, fixing things, etc.),  but not everyone will feel a need to be this regimented. 

How to Do (Almost) Everything would make an excellent gift for a young person in your life who is curious and active. To make it even better, go through the book WITH the recipient and find some activities that you can do together. Once you finish this, you can move on to Miller's Everything You Need to Know When You Are 10 or Storey Publishing's Backpack Explorer series. 

Wombat Waiting

Applegate, K.A. Wombat Waiting

May 5, 2026 by Storytide
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

A small dog in California has been on her own on the streets since her mother and siblings were lost to cars, and she is just trying to get by. When there are wildfires in the area, she hears a voice in her head telling to go towards the fire rather than away from it. Another dog, Silas, tells her that she is a "destiny dog" and might eventually meet her person, so she continues to follow the voice. There is a stunned owlet she meets along the way, and she manages to get the bird to hop onto a stick so she can carry him away from the fire. We also meet Henry, a boy who is preparing to leave his home along with his younger sister, Sylvie, his two mothers, and older neighbors. They all go to a shelter. Mama Ro works for the Orphaned Wild Life organization (OWL), and the animals from OWL are also brought to the shelter. When the dog sees Henry, she is delighted, and greets him enthusiastically. Henry, however, was bitten as a child and is wary of dogs. He does name her Wombat, since there are some similarities in appearance. Wombat camps out on a bench and just waits for Henry to pay her some attention. When he leaves, Wombat talks with one of the OWL rescues, a bat named Barnabus, and tells him that Henry is her destiny. She won't move from the bench, and while she doesn't want to interact with others, spends a lot of time comforting people and even being "canine Kleenex", soaking up human pain. Henry and his family return to their home only to find it gone. Nothing of Henry's survives. When he returns to the shelter, he and Wombat finally click, and plans are made to adopt Wombat when Henry's family finally gets a home.
Strengths: Wombat and Henry's stories are told in poems that, while free verse, are actually poetic. There's great use of figurative language and imagery. The idea of a "destiny dog" will appeal to readers who are fond of canines, and Wombat's patient vigil to wait for Henry is very sweet. The fact that it is based on Hachiko, a dog who waiting at a train station for his owner to come back for years after the man died, is the reason behind the statue of Wombat on a bench when the community rebuilds. There is a nice range of human and animal characters to give some depth to the novel, as well as some moments of humor during a bleak time. Jennifer Bricking's pencil sketches are adorable, and have a bit of a Garth Williams feel to them. I can see this being tremendously popular as a class read aloud in elementary schools.
Weaknesses: I'm not usually a fan of books from animals' perspectives, and am not a sentimental person at all, so this was not a personal favorite. It was well written and charming, and I can see why people recommend having tissues at hand when reading it.
What I really think: While there have been an increasing number of stories about family's escaping wildfires and having to rebuild (from Tashjian's more humorous My Life as a Meme to Bard's graphic novel Wildfire to Baron's novel in verse Spark), Wombat and Henry's story was a bit gentler and more hopeful. It would not hurt my feelings if this won a Newbery award, but it does seem a little young for my middle school audience.