Guy Friday- The Boy Who Knew Too Much

Blabey, Aaron. The Boy Who Knew Too Much (Game of Pets #1)

September 29, 2026 by Odd Dot

ARC provided by the publisher

Oh, no! Life on Earth is nothing but the set of an intergallactice game show called The Game of Pets, where giant creatures have avatars on the planet who try to persuade humans to destroy everything. There are several different teams, from dogs and cats to birds and "weird" pets like capybaras, and all of them encourage their humans to waste water, litter, and drive too much. Enter Griff. He is a somewhat anxious and very allergic friendless child who desperately wants a pet. He enters Sgt. Carol's pet shop and tells her his wishes, but passes out when he sees the only pet she deems appropriate-- fish! She eventually sets him up with an axolotl and a giant fishtank that she sells him at a deep discount because she takes pity on him. Griff tries to get home with the fishtank strapped to his back and the axolotl in a plastic bag full of water, but when the creature talks to him telepathically, the tank falls and Bob (the axolotl) almost dies. Bob eventually ends up in a water bottle, but the two new friends are involved in a series of violent mishaps that lands them back with Sgt. Carol. When Griff tells Sgt. Carol that the world needs to be saved for the Game of Pets, she fires up her adaptive monster truck, Armageddon, throws her wheelchair in the bed, and heads off to Washington, D.C. to find eco influencer Tallulah Jones. Her dog, Bonehead, comes along as well. There is much travel, a lot of violent upheavel, and many darkly humorous moments as the veteran and the friendless boy do their best to save the planet. But, as we see in the end, Rando Wotisthad from the Planet Weird team moves up on the Game of Pets leaderboard. Is it because of Bob? Book two is sure to come, and there will probably be quite a lengthy series. 

Blabey's work sits right on the Pilkey Line. I imagine the books circulate wildly in elementary schools, and they do well with my sixth graders. They are quite frenetic, have lots of goofy illustrations, and often employ over-the-top characters, phrases, and scenes. Game of Pets has its own internal logic that doesn't hold up particularly well in the real world (How is Armageddon even street legal? Aren't Griff's parents concerned? How is Bob surviving in the substandard water bottle?) but has solid slapstick humor to it. Like The Bad Guys series, this will be popular with young readers but will probably have old people like me shaking their heads and being more bothered than they should be about Griff's complete lack of eyelids. My budget will determine whether or not I buy this one. It's been cut yet again, and while these are fun books, I have to make sure that I have fun books that are a little more useful for class assignments. Definitely purchase is you have enough money. 

Assorted Reading

Barrows, Annie. The Lost Three (The Ghost Guild #1) 

September 29, 2026 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

I normally love Barrows' work (especially her The Magic Half, 2014), and personally enjoyed this new title, but I can't see my students picking it up. It starts with the Monconochie family dying in a car accident over a hundred years ago, and the three children (Genevieve, Fenella, and Tillotson)coming back as ghosts and hanging around a church. There's also an orphan, Agnes, who loves to read. There are some illustrations, including one of Fenella, who likes to appear in the form of a humanoid cat. The comparisons to Lemony Snicket are apt, but I don't think any of those books were checked out last year. The length of this book (336 pages) and the promise of more volumes to come makes this a daunting prospect for my students, and it's not scary in a way that they seem to prefer. If books like Senf's The Clackity, Perry's Ghosts Come Rising, or Cotter's The Doll House circulate well in your library, definitely take a look, but I'll have to pass. 

From the publisher:

A wickedly entertaining supernatural story about three siblings finding their way in the world as ghosts from bestselling author Annie Barrows.

Everyone at the Ghost Guild knows how the afterlife is supposed to work. But something is amiss with the case of three siblings – Genie, Fenella, and Tillotson Maconochie – who are beginning their journey as ghosts in a highly irregular way. They haven’t even been issued their copy of the Ghostology, which would have helped them know how to stay out of trouble. It’s no wonder that they fall prey to the infamous swindler Serena Aster, and end up trapped in her mansion to do her evil bidding for eternity. When they discover that a young orphan is trapped with them, their desire to break free and find their greater ghostly purpose takes on new urgency.
 
In this page-turning, beautifully illustrated yarn, perfect for fans of A Series of Unfortunate Eventsand The Ogress and the Orphans, readers will discover that at the end of their lives, the Maconochie siblings' remarkable story is only just beginning.

Kassirer, Norma and Richardson, Mark. Magic Elizabeth

October 6, 2026 by The Collective Book Studio

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Took a look at this one because yet-to-be released books were making me cranky. This made me crankier. Yes, I probably read and loved this as a child. (It was originally published in 1966.) Being abandoned for the summer with a relative with a cook house that allowed me to time travel? Dolls? Sign me up. I can't imagine modern children liking this tale. It strikes me as the kind of thing that parents who fear that modern literature is "woke" force upon their children. Are there classic out there that could stand to be "refreshed"? Maybe. But really, school libraries probably already have some older titles, and should concentrate on newer, more relevant titles to purchase with limited funds. 

From the Publisher:

When Sally is sent to spend the summer in a creaky old house with her elderly Aunt Sarah and a decidedly unfriendly cat, she expects weeks of boredom and loneliness. Everything changes when she discovers a mysterious painting of a little girl holding a doll and learns that the doll vanished long ago. Drawn by curiosity, Sally ventures into the attic, where an old mirror seems to open a doorway into another time and a story waiting to be finished.

First published in 1966, Magic Elizabeth quickly became a treasured favorite, earning a place in The New York Times Parent’s Guide to the Best Books for Children and selling nearly one million copies in its Scholastic edition. Readers have cherished the novel for generations for its gentle magic, emotional warmth, and the way it blends mystery and fantasy with themes of friendship, empathy, and care.

Now available in a beautifully refreshed edition, this classic story is enhanced with exquisite new full-color illustrations, inviting a new generation of readers into its timeless world of wonder. Perfect for independent reading or sharing aloud, Magic Elizabeth remains a moving reminder that imagination, kindness, and love can travel across time.

Tarshis, Lauren. 

Venus Washington- An Early Chapter Book Series

Oso, Maisha and Lovett, Courtney (illus.) 

Lasagna Drama (Venus Washington #1)

January 6, 2026 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Copy provided by the publisher

Venus lives with her parents, grandparents, baby brother Zion, and hamster, Hamsterburger, who has an unusual "trick" of changing colors. Venus is a very literal early elementary student, who worries about her mother's pain in the neck, and the threats that her grandmother makes to kill people rather than give them her recipes. When her grandmother makes Venus' favorite, lasagna, she is enjoying her piece until her grandfather comments that "Grandma put her foot in this lasagna". Envisioning crusty toenails or even entire toes, Venus is repulsed but also wants to find out how her grandmother could have put pieces of her foot in her cooking. She deputizes her best friend, Summer Rivera, as well as her twin sister, Winter (whom Venus thinks is mean) to help her investigates. They try to get a look at Grandma's feet while she is talking on the phone, but she shoos them away. Venus sneaks under the bed and pulls down her grandmother's sock, which makes her grandmother believe there might be mice in the house. The grandfather sets out to catch the rodent, assuring everyone it will be "a piece of cake", which makes Venus worry that her grandmother's cake has had mice in it. In order to find the toes in the lasagna, Venus enlists Hamsterburger's help in rooting through it. He escapes, and the lasagna is a mess, so she tries to iron it down, since she has heard the term "iron chef". This makes a mess of the dish, and she decides to warm it up in the microwave. The Rivera's cat, Mr. Grouchy, chases Hamsterburger, and the household soon devolves into chaos. Eventually, Venus' actions are revealed, and her family helps her understand what the phrases she misunderstands really mean.

Oso, Maisha and Lovett, Courtney (illus.) 

Birthday Blowout (Venus Washington #2)

June 23, 2026 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Copy provided by the publisher

Venus' younger brother Zion is turning one, so she is in charge of the birthday party. Well, her parents have asked her to help with decorations, but they are too old to understand what kids want in a party, so she has put herself in charge. Her mother wants to have a clown to entertain the children, but Venus is concerned when her father says this will cost "an arm and a leg", because she takes him seriously. Venus gets help from her best friend, Summer, as well as Summer's twin, Winter, and the three make invitations to the party and plan on inviting both of their classes from school. They ask for Barbies for presents, invite people to bring their pets, plan on charging the guests $1 each, and hope to have a "bouncer" to remove annoying guests... like Winter! On the day of the party, Venus wants to roll out the red carpet, so paints her mother's new towels with red paint. Grandma arrives to make food, including a homemade cake, since store bought ones are "garbage". There are plenty of complications as the red paint gets spread around the house, Venus is apprehensive about the clown, pets get locked in her grandparents' bedroom, and Venus ends up throwing the birthday cake because she thinks it is filled with trash. Venus gets grounded for a couple of weeks for the havoc she created, but her family doesn't seem to be too mad at her. 

Oso, Maisha and Lovett, Courtney (illus.)

Eye Spy (Venus Washington #3)

September 1, 2026 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Copy provided by the publisher

Venus is invited to go to a baby shower with her mother, but she is apprehensive when she learns that it is being held at a place that has one of her names. Our protagonist often makes mistakes, so she is sure that she and her mother are traveling to Venus. This is confirmed when her mother mentions having "eyes on the back of her head". Her mother must be an alien. She is also a terrible cook, so Venus doesn't want to taste the "old" soup that her mother is cooking for her grandmother, who isn't feeling well. Along with her friends Summer and Winter, Venus tries to find her mother's extra eyes, which results in her cutting off the hair on the back of her mother's head while she is napping on the couch. After hearing that her grandmother is "burning up", she calls the fire department. As usual, Venus creates a lot of chaos and ends up being grounded, but her family laughs at her mistakes. For some reason, Venus uses grammatically irregular phrases like "aint' got no" in this book. I don't remember this from the other volumes in this series. 

Venus is a younger, modern day Amelia Bedelia, who enthusiastically proceeds with her off kilter observations with hilarious results. I enjoyed her warm and loving family, the antics of Hamsterburger (which is a great hamster name), and her relationship with Summer and Winter.

The illustrations help support the text, and show what disasters Venus causes! The large text makes the story move very quickly, and readers will look forward to reading the whole series. 

This is a beginning chapter book aimed at children ages 5-9. I can see it being popular with readers who enjoyed Hiranandani's Phoebe G. Green titles, Butler's Kayla and King series, Sheth's Nina Soni books, and Winston's Wednesday and Woof.

Building 903 and Fantasy Round Up

Lowry, Lois. Building 903

September 29, 2026 by Clarion Books

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

In 2099, Tessa and her family are living in a society strictly regimented by the Koziris regime, and mourning the disappearance of her twin brother, Theo. The society is very carefully structured, with people having to retire at 100 (although Koziris is over that limit and won't step down), being allowed ten year marriage contracts where they can renegotiateWhen their 135-year-old neighbor, Miriam Allison, is slated to be sent to Elder Care (with no previous warning, even though she is in good health), Tessa is sad. Miriam gives Tessa a key and tells her to look for something in the closets before she is taken off to the facility. After the cleaners wipe the entire house clean, Tessa sneaks in and unlocks a closet, where there are three cardboard boxes hidden. Her mother, a security person, is appalled, especially since there are illegal books. The books are so illegal that Tessa doesn't even understand the concept of stories, but is enthralled by snippets of Little Women, Charlotte's Web, and Hansel and Gretel. She eventually tells her father, just as Miriam has told her to do. Tessa's father is X-Cogni-Superior but since Theo's disappearance has been checked out, and doesn't stop Tessa's mother from turning in one book to the authorities, even though it has direct ties to Theo's disappearance. Tessa has heard Theo's voice; as twins, they had developed a shared language they called Whisperspeak, so Tessa knows the voice she is hearing is her brother's. He is wet and cold, and has somehow gotten sucked into a book. This means that to save him, Tessa and her parents must travel to Building 903, where the contraband books are being held, and are going to be destroyed in two days. Once there, they talk to Oskar, who is fairly helpful, considering that his working at the building is a life sentence. Without the title of the book, it is hard to locate it, and Tessa has to track down Miriam in Elder Care and get the title. She finds some interesting connections while talking to her neighbor, but manages to get the book. There is a note from Miriam that ends up being page numbers, and Tessa decodes the message. She instructs Theo about what he needs to do to escape the book, but will it be enough?

Strengths: Lowry's work has several generations of fans; her The Giver is frequently used in language arts classrooms. With all of the challenges that children's books have been facing during the current US administration, teachers and librarians everywhere will adore this story about a world where there are no books, and once Tessa finds out about books and her imagination, it is absolutely magical. There are all manner of tiny world building strictures, like Pun-Tats that list crimes people have committed right on their arms, museums, churches, and libraries shuttered and abandoned, people being sent to Elder Care without any electronics so they can "rest" that make Tessa's world seem vividly bleak. There is also a lot of fantasy, with Theo being sucked into a book. The message is good, and the book isn't too long. I can see a lot of people using this as a companion to The Giver. 
Weaknesses: Lowry is 89, and a legend in the world of children's literature. If any other author had written this, it would have been considered heavy handed. The name "Koziris" in Lithuanian translates to "Trump", and the parallels are definitely there. Saving Theo requires "illegal" activity that is, again, rather heavy handed, and the conclusion to the story is extremely happy, but rather deus ex machina. I never felt connected to any of the characters except for Miriam (after all, she was born the year before I was!), and we don't see much of her. I really wanted to like this more, since I have been a big fan of Lowry's work since I read her first book, A Summer to Die, when it first came out in 1977.

What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who want dystopian novels that draw on current sociopolitical themes, like Lucas' The Vanished Ones, McBride's Gone Wolf, Lu's Legend, or Farmer's The House of the Scorpion. 

Still not seeing fantasy books circulating as much as in the past, so will sadly not buy these titles. Do want to dust off some of my favorites (Book of Three anyone?) and see if I can get students interested in the genre so I can buy more of the books! If fantasy does well in your library, definitely take a look at these. 

Soria,Gabe and Cáceres, Alfredo (Illustrator)

Sword and Backpack: The Three Companions
September 1, 2026 by Penguin Workshop (paperback)
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Not quite as goofy and Monte Python-esque as Morris' The Squire's Tale, but felt very classic. Begins with a map, well developed medeivalish world, adventures. This could do well with fans of Prineas' The Magic Thief, Flanagan's The Ranger's Apprentice, or Blackwood's Jinx. It's not terribly long, but the language is very rich, so strong readers will appreciate this more. It is a purported trilogy. 

From the publisher: 

Embark on an epic journey with three unlikely companions in this rousing tale of friendship and adventure in book one of a fast-paced, action-packed middle grade fantasy trilogy.

Calling all young Mages, Rogues, and Knights—grab your swords, grab your backpacks, the Grand Age of Adventure is…over. It's over.

In the once-blazing city of Lanternport, the College of the Three Companions was an esteemed institution, but now, for nearly a century, it's stood abandoned. Elsewhere in the city, young Archivist Apprentice Ehmett is fascinated by the College and is determined to discover what knowledge has been lost behind its walls. By chance, or more likely by fate, Ehmett's solo mission to infiltrate the school soon becomes a team endeavor when he is joined by Barten, a sneaky crook with a knack for lock picking, and Kellis, a skilled warrior determined to carry on her family legacy of sword wielding.

After unknowingly binding themselves together, Ehmett, Barten, and Kellis must embark on their Wanderyear—a months-long "study abroad" journey that will take them away from Lanternport and into a world filled with magical creatures and ancient lore, on a quest to revive their city's lost spark.

Friendship and the promise of exciting times of old await in this thrilling first book of a fantasy trilogy. Perhaps the Grand Age of Adventure is just beginning…

Bow, Erin and Murphy, Kelly (illus.). 

Witchward Bound: A Butter and Owl Adventure

September 1, 2026 by Disney Hyperion 

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

When a witch leaves her home and doesn't tell her two familiars where she is heading, the two set off on an Odyssey inspired adventure to find her and bring her home. This reminded me a bit of Avi's Poppy and Rye books, but is probably best for elementary school students who enjoyed books like DiCamillo's The Norendy Tales. I did love Bow's Stand on the Sky but will pass on this one for middle school (grades 6-8).

From the publisher: 

Once upon a time there was a pair of witch's helpers: a cat named Butter and a raven named Owl. The cat knows he is destined to be a great hero—just ask him. The raven wouldn’t recognize destiny if she flew into it beak-first. They do not get along.

But then their witch vanishes, and Butter and Owl must quest to find her. To reunite their family, they’ll have to outwit sirens and cyclops, gods and ghosts—and hardest of all, they’ll have to learn to work together. 

Humorous and heartfelt, the story of Butter and Owl’s first adventure shows what it means to be a great hero—and what it takes to be a good friend. With enchanting illustrations by New York Times best-seller Kelly Murphy and sparkling words written by beloved, Newbery Honor–winning author Erin Bow, this tale is a classic in the making—a whimsical, witty, and warm story worthy of reading again and again.

DiTerlizzi, Tony. The Wump

September 29, 2026 by Dial Books

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

I love that DiTerlizzi wrote the book that he wanted to read when he was young. TImothy faces problems both at home (where his mother is a self-involved real estate agent who is upset that her son sleeps in the garage with his insects, but doesn't really do anything about it) and at school, but things get even worse when the Wump appears. The illustrations are very appealing, but I'm not sure my students are going to pick up this dark fantasy title. Perhaps the goofiness will appeal to younger readers? 

From the Publisher: 

"Timothy’s grandpa has a the best way to deal with bullies is to wump ‘em. But Timothy would never hurt a fly—and not just because he genuinely loves bugs. He’s always been a good kid…until a shadowy monster appears and begins feeding on his darkest thoughts. Facing bullies both at home and at school, Timothy cocoons himself in the monster’s shadows, where he is consumed by a desire for revenge. But how much of himself can Timothy give up before he is completely transformed?"

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,