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WILD & WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY : Sharks in Kansas by Melissa Stewart & Becca Stadlander

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  SHARKS IN KANSAS The Ancient Sea in the Middle of America written by Melissa Stewart, illustrated by Becca Stadtlander Random House Studio, 2026 ISBN: 978-0-593-90471-8 Source: Blue Slip Media Book cover, author photo, and book information provided through Blue Slip Media. All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Sharks in Kansas? Yes, it's true! Take a fascinating journey back 85 million years to a time when Kansas was submerged under a vast ocean teeming with incredible prehistoric sharks. Sharks in Kansas? Seems impossible, right? After all, Kansas is smack dab in the middle of the United States—more than 1,000 miles from the closest ocean. But the world hasn’t always looked the way it does today. Once upon a time, 85 million years ago, the middle of America was submerged in water--and incredible creatures roamed the sea. On a typical afternoon, a small herd of Claosaurus munches on plants along the shoreline. Above them, a Pteranodon glides across the sky in s...
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MIDDLE GRADE FICTION : The Twilight Child (DragonBorn) by Struan Murray (Coming October 20, 2026!)

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THE TWILIGHT CHILD DragonBorn #2 by Struan Murray Dutton Books for Young Readers, 2026 ISBN: 979-8217113248 Source : eARC for review from publisher Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher. ABOUT THE BOOK Having discovered her true identity as a dragon, Alex Evans must embark on a dangerous quest to stop Drak Midna and his war against humanity. When tragedy strikes the island of Skralla, Alex and her friends journey north to the magical heart of Scotland, where dark plots are in motion, and humans and dragons fight side-by-side against a rising storm of ancient demons. Sinister forces are growing stronger every day, and as friendships fall apart and enemies old and new strike from the shadows, Alex must master her own fearsome power, and unravel a mystery that might just be the key to victory: the legend of the Twilight Child. REVIEW Alex Evans knows she's a dragon now, but the learning curve is steep. She not only needs...
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PICTURE BOOK REVIEW : Take it Apart by Katey Howes

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  TAKE IT APART written by Katey Howes, art by E.V. Carolrhoda Books, 2026 ISBN: 979-8-7656-4856-8 Source: publisher through Blue Slip Media All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover, illustrations & summary provided by the publisher through Blue Slip Media. ABOUT THE BOOK This rhyming picture book joyfully celebrates the many benefits of breaking big things down into smaller pieces. From gathering spare parts for fixing things to learning math and spelling to recycling and composting, taking things apart can be a surprisingly great strategy! Energetic rhyming verse and playful illustrations will inspire readers to see taking things apart in a whole new light! ABOUT THE AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR Katey Howes was an award-winning children’s author and poet whose books celebrated curiosity, creativity, STEAM learning, and social-emotional growth. Her acclaimed works include Be a Maker, Rissy No Kissies—named a Kirkus Best Children’s Book, a Rise: A Feminist Book Project...
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MIDDLE GRADE REVIEW : Mo Farah, the Boy Who Ran to Be Free by Dr. Seema Yasmin & Noha Habaieb

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The true story of ... MO FARAH, THE BOY WHO RAN TO BE FREE written by Dr. Seema Yasmin, illustrated by Noha Habaieb Salaam Reads/Simon Books for Young Readers, 2026 ISBN: 979-8-3471-1768-0 Source: publisher for review (Thanks!) Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK From the prolific Pulitzer Prize–nominated Muslim reporter Dr. Seema Yasmin comes the second book in the exciting nonfiction Muslim Mavericks chapter book series, about Olympic gold medalist Mo Farah. From Somalia to the Olympic arena, there’s no distance Mo can’t go! At the age of eight, Mo Farah and his family moved across the world from Somalia to London. It was difficult starting over in a new country, especially since he spoke very little English. But fortunately for Mo, running is a language everyone understands. Once he started, he never stopped—smashing records and winning championships. Now, having won four gold me...
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PICTURE BOOK REVIEW : Monsters are the Worst! by Alex Willan

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MONSTERS ARE THE WORST! ...Are the Worst #7 written & illustrated by Alex Willan Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026 ISBN: 978-1-6659-8859-9 Source: publisher for review (Thank!) Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Gilbert accidentally brings home a slobbery, bite-sized monster in the hilarious latest installment in The Worst! picture book series, where even the strangest of creatures can become the best of friends. When plucky Gilbert the Goblin and his pal Chicken go camping together, they run into creatures that go bump in the night! The friends immediately flee the woods and head home—after all, everyone knows that monsters are absolutely, undeniably, unequivocally the worst! But when a shocking stowaway appears in Gilbert’s knapsack, looking awfully cute and extra snuggly, Gilbert is…smitten! Sure, monsters can bite and drool and make a big mess, but they can ...
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MIDDLE GRADE FICTION REVIEW : Monster and Apprentice by Jessica Khoury

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MONSTER AND APPRENTICE written by Jessica Khoury McElderry Books, 2026 ISBN: 978-1-6659-9148-3 Source : ARC from publisher for review (Thanks!) Ages 10-14 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK After a life on the streets Rolan is chosen to apprentice under a feared monster hunter to slay Cryptics—deadly magical creatures born of secrets in this middle grade fantasy perfect for fans of Witcher and Demon Slayer. Rolan Strider has never belonged—not at school, not in the city of Crisanth, and definitely not in the life of his crime-lord father. So when he’s caught vandalizing one of the city’s lanterns—a serious offense in a world where darkness breeds monsters—he expects prison. Instead, he’s claimed by the Arcanist, a legendary warrior who hunts terrifying creatures born from the secrets people hide. Dragged beyond the safety of the city, Rolan is forced to train under Luc’s harsh guidance—learn...
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PICTURE BOOK REVIEWS : Tiny T. Rex Tries Soccer/Max Explains Everything: Soccer Expert

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TINY T-REX TRIES SOCCER written by Jonathan Stutzman, illustrated by Jay Fleck Chronicle Books, 2026 ISBN: 978-1-7972-3385-7 Source : purchased Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Tiny T. Rex is ready to try lots of new things. First up is his favorite sport—soccer! He has his shin protectors, socks, cleats, special headband, and jersey (even though it's a little too big). He is ready! But it turns out that soccer is very tricky. With the help of his teammates and lots of practice, Tiny learns to juggle, dribble, pass, shoot, and . . . score! REVIEW This new book in the Tiny T. Rex series finds Tiny playing soccer. He has all his gear and is ready to play. But he discovers that watching and playing are not the same thing. He struggles with dribbling, juggling, and shooting. Tiny's sad that his brother and sister play better than him. His siblings remind him that if he practic...
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WILD & WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY : The Long Hike by Meghan McCarthy

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THE LONG HIKE The True Story of the First Appalachian Thru-Hike written & illustrated by Meghan McCarthy Beach Lane Books, 2026 ISBN: 978-1-6659-4994-1 Source : purchased Ages 6-10 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Award-winning nonfiction creator Meghan McCarthy tells the story of Earl Shaffer, the first person to thru-hike all 2,000-plus miles of the Appalachian Trail in one hiking season in this empowering picture book. While serving in World War II, Earl Shaffer lost his best friend in combat. After the war ended, he returned home and set off on a hiking adventure to walk off his troubles and find solace in the beauty and “power of nature,” as he put it in his diary. Earl didn’t use a tent, preferring to sleep under the stars. He survived the cold, harsh rain, mud, blisters, steep mountaintops, and a plethora of bugs. But among the challenges, Earl also discovered wildlife, beautifu...
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GRAPHIC NOVEL REVIEW : Lionel Messi's World Cup Triumph by Chris Barish & Nate Sweitzer

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  LIONEL MESSI'S WORLD CUP TRIUMPH History's Greatest Games #1 written by Chris Barish, illustrated by Nate Sweitzer Abrams Fanfare, 2026 ISBN: 978-1-4197-7939-8 Source: publisher for review (Thanks!) Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK It’s the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, and Lionel Messi—one of the greatest players to ever take the field—is one match away from victory. Despite his many awards and accolades, Messi has never been able to add a World Cup trophy to his collection.If Argentina wins, this would be a historic moment not just for the country, but for the entire legacy of soccer on the international stage.Travel back in time to learn how the World Cup began and see the incredible players—from Maradona to Mbappé—who built it into the global phenomenon we know today.This exciting new graphic novel series offers a portal to the past, putting young readers in the middle...
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PICTURE BOOK REVIEW : 102 by Matthew Cordell

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102 written & illustrated by Matthew Cordell Little, Brown and Company, 2026 ISBN: 978-0-316-58095-3 Source; eARC from publisher & purchased final copy Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK From Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell comes a cozy, magical nighttime adventure, in which a child discovers the mysterious, miniature world beyond his bedroom walls. Sent home from school earlier in the day with a fever, George awakens in the middle of the night to discover a cricket beckoning him on an adventure and soon finds himself shrunken down in size. He follows the insect guide through a crack in his bedroom wall, through the moonlit yard, and into the home of a family of mice at the base of an oak tree. There, in a tiny, cozy kitchen, George discovers the meaning of his quest: he must help the Mama mouse complete her special 102-bean soup for her sick young son. Delightfully sweet...
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