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Showing posts from August, 2026

MIDDLE GRADE REVIEW : A Boy Called Hero by Marie Miranda Cruz

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  A BOY CALLED HERO written by Marie Miranda Cruz Carolrhoda Books, 2026 ISBN: 9798765690734 Source: School Library Journal/publisher (ARC) Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK A time-travel adventure story about finding ways to make a difference, connect with others, and be true to yourself no matter where (or when) you are. Twelve-year-old Hero Del Rosario isn’t happy about staying with his grandfather in the Philippines while the rest of his family takes a trip back to the States. He’s always been the overlooked one, the one who gets left behind, the one who—despite his name—is nothing special. But when he’s transported more than a century into the past, he suddenly has bigger problems. It’s 1892, and the Philippines is controlled by Spain. Hero doesn’t know how he got here or how to get home. Luckily, he meets two kids his age—his great-great-grandfather, Teo, and Teo’s ...

WILD & WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY : Puffins! by Maria Gianferrari & Maris Wicks

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  PUFFINS! written by Maria Gianferrari, illustrated by Maris Wicks Roaring Brook Press, 2026 ISBN: 978-1-250-35737-3 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 Follow a young puffling's life from hatching to adulthood and learn about the bustling and precarious world of Atlantic Puffin City in this imaginative nonfiction picture book. On the edge of the sea, There is a nesting island as loud as a city, Where two puffins mate, burrow, and lay their egg. They splash into the ocean And dodge nearby predators, Searching everywhere to find food for their hungry puffling. Follow one adorable Puffling as she eats, grows, and learns how to survive on her busy, bustling island in this thrilling and action-packed nonfiction tale. REVIEW Puffins' small size allows them to nest among the rocks on the Maine's Eastern Egg Rock Island. Puffins come to land only to mate and ...

PICTURE BOOK REVIEW : Mac & Cheese: The Origin Story by Michael L. Benner & Alison Hawkins

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MAC & CHEESE : The Origin Story written by Michael L. Benner, illustrated by Alison Hawkins Orchard Books, 2026 ISBN: 978-1-5461-4076-4 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 The Bad Seed meets The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors in a pasta-tively hilarious story about the most enduring friendship of all Mac & Cheese! Mac was a friendly Noodle and rubbed elbows with everyone. But he didn't have the one thing he wanted A friend. Meanwhile, not too far away in Quesoland, Cheese was king. And while he could be a real crowd-pleaser, he didn't have the one thing he wanted : a friend. Join Mac and Cheese in their search for true friendship, told through Michael Benner's hilarious, heartwarming text, and Alison Hawkins' endearing, delightful visuals! Perfect for the youngest readers, this funny and sweet read-aloud will ensure a goud-a time! REVIEW The...

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...

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...

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...