Category: Children’s

Children's

Let’s Rumble! by Rachel G. Payne

Patricia McDonald Uttaro

Publisher Description

A lively and humorous depiction of healthy rough-and-tumble play between siblings.

When the oldest and youngest siblings decide to rumble, they do so with great imagination and careful consent. Wrecking ball! Steamroller! Bear hug! Sandwich!… The list goes on of inspiringly creative physical play scenarios, with a running narration of text bubbles between kids. When the middle sibling decides to join, the other two inform her of their code word (“Cantaloupe”), which means “Stop everything!” An engaging and encouraging model of healthy rough-and-tumble play, the benefits of which are explained in pointer-rich back matter for parents and caregivers.

My Thoughts

It’s been a very long time since I’ve posted about a picture book on this site, but this one is so much fun I had to do it.

Filled with imaginative and fluid illustrations in muted colors, the spare text draws you from page to page as you follow the active play of a set of siblings. This isn’t the old “noogie” play with older siblings, but a wonderful set of words and images which depict rough but respectful play. Everyone in this rumble is an equal part of the sometimes rough play.

I especially like the last page which is for adults and provides some context for the theme of the book. If you’ve ever had a child in your life who prefers not to participate in rough, hands-on play because the contact and activity is not appealing, you will definitely appreciate Payne’s insight into safe and enjoyable play.

Admission: I’ve known the author for a long time, primarily through her work with the Brooklyn Public Library. My thoughts on her first picture book are mine alone. Payne draws on her deep understanding of child development and early literacy here and has produced a book that I will be gifting to a few people in my life. I look forward to more from Payne and from illustrator Jose Pimienta.

Recommended!

Publication Date: July 8, 2025
Published By: Penguin Random House

Children's, Family, Magical Realism, Middle Grade

Sylvia Doe and the 100-Year Flood by Robert Beatty

Patricia McDonald Uttaro

Description

Embark on an unforgettable mystery-adventure starring a girl determined to save her friends and find a home, written by the best-selling author of the Serafina and Willa of the Wood series!

Robert Beatty, a master at telling atmospheric tales of mystery and suspense set in the natural world, has crafted another ingenious, unputdownable story.

Thirteen-year-old Sylvia Doe has lived at the Highground Home for Children nearly all her life. Whenever the administrators try to place her with a foster family, she runs away–back to Mason, Highground’s caretaker and her best friend. The only place she feels like she belongs is with him and the horses he has taught her to love.

When a powerful storm causes the remote mountain valley where she lives to flood, Sylvia begins to encounter strange and wondrous things floating down the river. Glittering gemstones and wild animals that don’t belong–everything’s out of place. Then she spots an unconscious boy floating in the water.

As she drags him onto the shore and their adventure together begins, Sylvia wonders who he is and where he came from. And why does she feel such a strong connection to this mysterious boy?

My Thoughts

Robert Beatty never fails to deliver a suspenseful, well-written story where the pages fly by because it’s so good you can’t stop reading. Here we have a new hero, Sylvia, a foster child with apparently no family and no recollection of what happened to her before age 4. All she knows is that she belongs at Highgrounds, the children’s home that is the only true home she’s ever known. She’s most comfortable with the horses and the nature surrounding the site.

This eerily prophetic story of a flood of epic proportions in the mountains of North Carolina is truly one of the best I’ve read in ages. From the very beginning when Sylvia is making her way back to Highgrounds, to the heartstopping ending, the story of Sylvia Doe and the mysterious boy she rescues from a raging river will keep readers entertained and get them hooked on Beatty’s writing. He joins Kate DiCamillo in my list of the best authors of children’s fiction writing today.

Publication Date: October 8, 2024
Published By: Disney Publishing Worldwide: Hyperion
Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy

Children's, Fantasy, Magical, Middle Grade, New Releases

Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell

Patricia McDonald Uttaro

Description

The day that Christopher saved a drowning baby griffin from a hidden lake would change his life forever. It’s the day he learned about the Archipelago—a cluster of unmapped islands where magical creatures of every kind have thrived for thousands of years, until now. And it’s the day he met Mal—a girl on the run, in desperate need of his help.

Mal and Christopher embark on a wild adventure, racing from island to island, searching for someone who can explain why the magic is fading and why magical creatures are suddenly dying. They consult sphinxes, battle kraken, and negotiate with dragons. But the closer they get to the dark truth of what’s happening, the clearer it becomes: no one else can fix this. If the Archipelago is to be saved, Mal and Christopher will have to do it themselves.

Katherine Rundell’s story crackles and roars with energy and delight. It is brought vividly to life with more than 60 illustrations, including a map and a bestiary of magical creatures.

Two kids race to save the world’s last magical place in the first book of a landmark new fantasy series, from “a writer with an utterly distinctive voice and a wild imagination.” (Philip Pullman, author of The Golden Compass)

“An instant classic from one of the most gifted storytellers of our time, Impossible Creatures is an astonishing miracle of a book.” —Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal Winner for The One and Only Ivan

My Thoughts

This absolutely brilliant fantasy novel for middle graders and up will surely become a favorite for kids just cutting their reading teeth on complex stories. Rundell has built a magnificent world of unicorns, griffins, and other fantastical beasts and crafted an intricate plot that takes the reader on an unforgettable journey.

The prose is accessible enough for young readers, but the plot is layered enough to hold the interest of older readers and adults. Not to mention, Rundell is a very accomplished storyteller. Her use of language is smooth and clever, with sentences that make you want to read them over and over to enjoy the beauty of the language. I found myself reading aloud – to myself – just to hear the cadence of the language.

This will create plenty of young fantasy fans who will easily graduate to Naomi Novik and Katherine Arden. Wonderful stuff. Plus, Rundell also has a non-fiction book coming out about real endangered animals which, taken together, could make an excellent reading experience.

Publication Date: September 10, 2024
Published By: Random House Children’s, Knopf Books for Young Readers
Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy

Children's, Folktales, Magical, Middle Grade

Fotinoula and the Christmas Goblin by R.G. Fraser-Green

Patricia McDonald Uttaro

Description

A thrilling battle of wits between girl and goblin in snow covered Athens…

Never forget how devious a Kallikantzaros can be. It will try to snatch Mirtoula. It will keep trying until it has her. And if it succeeds you’ll never see your sister again.

11-year old Fotinoula doesn’t believe her grandfather when he warns her about the Christmas goblins. After all, the Kallikantzaroi were just an old Greek myth. Creatures with blood-red eyes didn’t really climb up from the underworld during the Twelve Days of Christmas to steal little children, and certainly not in a busy city like Athens.

But Fotinoula soon discovers that some folktales have more truth to them than others. With her father away at sea and only an old book for guidance, she must summon up all her courage and problem-solving skills to save her little sister from one of these hideous creatures. In the process she comes to realise just how much her sister means to her.

This touching story weaves together Greek customs, music, food and history to bring alive a fascinating culture and a rather creepy festive folktale.

My Thoughts

I am often contacted by independent authors or publishers asking me to read and write about their book. Sometimes the books are not great, sometimes they are just okay, and sometimes they are absolutely wonderful. Fotinoula and the Christmas Goblin is one of the latter.

Cultural folklore has fascinated me for about as long as I’ve been reading but I’d never encountered the Greek legend of the Kallikantzaroi, or Christmas Goblins. Fraser-Green has taken that ancient legend and woven a story that, at its core, is about family – specifically sisters.

Middle grade readers who are interested in exploring folklore and ready for a scary story will appreciate the short chapters, well-paced, action-filled plot, and accessible language. The author does a skillful job of building the tension as Fotinoula herself comes to understand that the Kallikantzaroi are real and her little sister is truly in danger.

This is available on Amazon’s KindleUnlimited and in paperback form. If you’re looking for something fresh and new, give this one a try.

Publication Date: 2020
Published By: FotaPress
Thanks to the author for the review request

 

Children's, Historical, Middle Grade

The Boy, the Witch & the Queen of Scots by Barbara Henderson

Patricia McDonald Uttaro

Description

12-year-old Alexander Buchan was once content, training as a falconer at Strathbogie Castle in Huntly. But when his Earl sends him to Edinburgh to the court of the newly arrived Mary, Queen of Scots, the boy finds himself lured into a world of intrigue, terror and treachery. Alexander knows right from wrong, but how can he hope to outwit his master’s murderous messenger? Surely no one can defy an Earl – especially one whose wife is rumored to be a witch!

Soon, more than the boy’s own life is at stake: his friend Lizzie is arrested and the angry clouds of Reformation Scotland gather around the young Queen.

It seems that Alexander must spy – or die.

About the Author

Barbara Henderson has lived in Scotland since 1991, somehow acquiring an MA in English Language and Literature, a husband, three children and a shaggy dog along the way. Having tried her hand at working as a puppeteer, relief librarian and receptionist, she now teaches drama part-time at secondary school. Writing predominantly for children, Barbara is the author of the Highland Clearances novel Fir for Luck, The Crystal-Kite, the eco-thriller Wilderness Wars, the Robert Burns smuggling novella Black Water, the medieval Siege of Caerlaverock, the Viking adventure The Chessmen Thief and the Jacobite adventure The Reluctant Rebel. Her latest book is Rivet Boy, about a young Victorian breadwinner employed on the construction site of the iconic Forth Bridge. She has twice won the Historical Association’s Young Quills Award. Her only title for adults to date is the immigration memoir Scottish by Inclination. Barbara lives in Inverness in the Scottish Highlands.

My Thoughts

This is a well-written and entertaining story that could appeal to middle grade readers, especially those fascinated by the period of history presented here. I don’t know how much young students will know about Mary, Queen of Scots and her accurate portrayal in history, but that knowledge isn’t necessary here to pique interest. Instead, we have a young male protagonist who is smart, clever, and appealing, displays extraordinary honesty and bravery, and is rewarded for it.

The action starts almost immediately and doesn’t stop until the end, which is a pace that will keep kids reading. The vocabulary is appropriate to the age level. Reading this could easily prompt kids to investigate falconry, tall ships, and even embroidery.

An more enticing cover would surely encourage kids to pick this one up.

Publication Date: April 11, 2024
Published By: Luath Press
Thanks to Book Sirens for the review copy

Children's, Family, Historical

The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry by Anna Rose Johnson

Patricia McDonald Uttaro

Description

Lucy, a spirited French-Ojibwe orphan, is sent to the stormy waters of Lake Superior to live with a mysterious family of lighthouse-keepers—and, she hopes, to find the legendary necklace her father spent his life seeking…

Selena Lucy Landry (named for a ship, as every sailor’s child should be) has been frightened of the water ever since she lost her father at sea. But with no one else to care for her, she’s sent to foster with the Martins—a large Anishinaabe family living on a lighthouse in the middle of stormy Lake Superior.  

The Martin family is big, hard-working, and close, and Lucy—who has always been a dreamer—struggles to fit in. Can she go one day without ruining the laundry or forgetting the sweeping? Will she ever be less afraid of the lake?

Although life at the lighthouse isn’t what Lucy hoped for, it is beautiful—ships come and go, waves pound the rocks—and it has one major advantage: It’s near the site of a famous shipwreck, a shipwreck that went down with a treasure her father wanted more than anything. If Lucy can find that treasure—a priceless ruby necklace—won’t it be like having Papa back again, just a little bit? 

But someone else is hunting for the treasure, too. And as the lighthouse company becomes increasingly skeptical that the Martins can juggle Lucy and their duties, Lucy and the Martin children will need to find the necklace quickly—or they may not have a home at all.

The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry is a timelessly sweet tale of found family from rising Ojibwe voice Anna Rose Johnson, author of NPR Best Book of the Year The Star That Always Stays. Perfect for fans of L.M. Montgomery and Karina Yan Glaser!

My Thoughts

Reading this lovely book took me back to my early reading days with Laura Ingalls Wilder and Louisa May Alcott and to my early librarian days with the Dear America series. There was definitely that vibe around this. The story is fanciful and features the familiar trope of young child left alone after terrible tragedies who finds a new and fruitful life.

I found the main character appealing as she tried so hard to mask her fears and insecurities with imagination (“I am a Princess of Acadia!”) The quest she set for herself in finding the lost necklace was a good element to move the story along, and the lighthouse setting was wonderful. The star here, though, is the family dynamic. The Martin family is big and loud but also loving and responsible. Readers will want to be a Martin!

There were many touchstones in this story for me (a 61 year old reader), and I hope this will appeal to middle grade readers looking for adventure. This could also spark some interest in Great Lakes history, especially those who live on the shores of those lakes.

“Lucy Landry is a charming and fanciful heroine reminiscent of Anne Shirley, who reminds us that even in dark times, we can be a light for others.”—Alyssa Colman, author of Bank Street Best Book of the Year The Gilded Girl

Publication Date: March 5, 2024
Published By: Holiday House, Peachtree, Pixel+Ink
Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy

Children's, Fairytales, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Mystery

Witch in the Woods by Michaelbrent Collings

Patricia McDonald Uttaro

Description

Strange and terrifying things are suddenly happening in a mysterious town where people are disappearing and changing into characters from the Grimm fairy tales.  

Twins Willow and Jake Grimm are not prepared for the bizarre gadgets and scary changes in their new home of New Marburg, the location of the top-secret Think Tank where their parents now have jobs as scientists. In this town, people jetpack to work, robots direct traffic, and senior citizens duel with laser swords.

Yet nothing compares to what happens the day after lightning strikes the twins’ house. Their school building transforms around them, becoming a medieval castle—complete with moat, drawbridge, and a dangerous giant who looks strangely like the school’s overly aggressive hall monitor.

Barely managing to escape before a massive beanstalk lifts the castle above the clouds, Willow and Jake learn that their ancestors, the original Brothers Grimm, were more than storytellers. They were Grimmwalkers, able to travel from our universe to Grimmworld: the universe where all fairy tales are born.

Somehow, Willow and Jake have been transported to Grimmworld as well. But before the twins can figure out how to get back to their own universe, they discover that their best friends, Hank and Pearl, have morphed into the fairy tale characters Hansel and Gretel and been captured by a candy-obsessed witch deep in the Cursed Forest.

Now, aided by a mysterious wizard with shimmering golden eyes and a befuddled, talking naked mole-rat named Chet, the twins must trust in each other, believe in themselves, and find the courage to face their darkest fears in order to save their friends, return to their family, and maybe—just maybe—save the world.

My Thoughts

The middle grade adventures coming out this spring are some of the best I’ve seen in years, and this one adds a lot of fuel to an already hot list. I was completely taken in by the imaginative blend of 21st century science and traditional Grimm fairytales in this fast-paced and fascinating mystery-adventure.

The modern day Grimms, Willow and Jake, are as appealing a set of characters as I’ve come across. They display the best and worst of sibling rivalry and support – very real life. The theme of family devotion and strength runs throughout the story, leading up to an ending that points to more adventures to come.

Middle grade readers who are familiar with Grimm’s Fairy Tales will thoroughly enjoy this 21st century upgrade.

Well done!

Publication Date: March 5, 2024
Published By: Shadow Mountain Publishing
Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy

Action Adventure, Children's, Indie

Lili Gray & the World’s Most Embarrassing Superpower by Ada Loewe

Patricia McDonald Uttaro

Description

Buckle up for a wild ride with Lili Gray, a ten-year-old with a super-secret power so bizarre, it could either be the most cringe-worthy thing ever or the coolest trick up her sleeve. Lili’s about to learn that what makes you different can also make you mighty.

The plot thickens with a twisty mystery—Lili’s dad has vanished into thin air! Is he just pulling the world’s longest coffee break, or is something more sinister afoot? Lili’s on the case, and she’s got her eyes on her stepmom, who Lili suspects is the supervillain behind it all—though she might be more misunderstood than truly wicked.

But this isn’t just a tale about Lili and her hush-hush hilarity. It’s sprinkled with a squad of quirky characters: a crafty uncle who’s got his eye on the prize (a.k.a. Lili’s special power), and a best buddy who’s the brain to Lili’s impulsive—well, let’s just say she’s the muscle of the operation.

Together, they’ll navigate a maze of laughs, life lessons, and the occasional laser beam of awkwardness. “Lili Gray” is a salute to the power of friendship, the ties that tangle in family, and the discovery that sometimes the things we’re most nervous to show the world are the ones that make us shine. Perfect for anyone who’s ever felt a little out of place, this story is a heartwarming reminder that true greatness comes in all sorts of surprising packages.

My Thoughts

Middle grade readers will absolutely cackle over this hilarious story. It has all the things kids love – super heroes, villains, triumph over evil (and snotty, stupid bullies), and a super power that is – ah – unusual to say the least.

The author writes in a colorful, comfortable, and accessible way that will appeal to young readers. As I read this, I was reminded often of the first time I read the Captain Underpants series and I predict this one could rise to that level it’s so appealing.

Published independently in 2024.

Thanks to Book Sirens for the review copy.

Children's, Fantasy, Magical, Middle Grade, Mystery, Quest

Hollowthorn by Kalyn Josephson

Patricia McDonald Uttaro

Description

In this spellbinding sequel to Ravenfall, two kids with supernatural powers must venture beyond the veil to protect the Tree of Life from a terrifying foe—or risk losing the magic of Ravenfall forever.

Best friends Anna and Colin defeated the King of the Dead on Halloween night, saving the magical Ravenfall Inn they call home. Now, with Hannukah approaching, the kids are looking forward to exploring their new powers—and maybe enjoying a little challah and peppermint cocoa, too.

But then a Raven—a guardian of the supernatural world—shows up at their doorstep with a warning. A demon from Jewish lore is hunting the Tree of Life, a source of untold power and immortality. If they can’t stop him, they risk losing the magic of Ravenfall forever.

As they venture into the Otherworld, Anna and Colin discover a wondrous, menacing realm full of mythological creatures… but is the true danger closer than they think?

My Thoughts

Adding to the rich catalog of middle grade fantasy and mythology books out there, Hollowthorn offers wild ride of an adventure featuring some charming and powerful kids. Second in a series, this story continues the adventures of Anna and Colin as they race to save the Tree of Life (and the world) from certain destruction by a fearsome demon.

The relationship between Anna & Colin is further refined here, developing into a strong bond that will appeal to young readers struggling to understand deep friendships. The Jewish mythological aspect of the story is fascinating and provides great insight to this rich and ancient culture.

Fantasy readers will scoop this up this fall.

Recommended.

Publication Date: October 17, 2023
Published By: Random House Children’s, Delacorte Press
Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy

Children's, Ghosties, Middle Grade, Mystery, Psychological

Mystery of Raspberry Hill by Eva Frantz

Patricia McDonald Uttaro

Description

A CHILLING MIDDLEGRADE GHOST STORY SET IN A SPOOKY SANATORIUM DURING THE 1920S

The grown-ups all think she’s going to die soon-she can see it in their eyes. Still, when poor twelve-year-old Stina is sent to remote Raspberry Hill Sanatorium she can’t believe her luck. She gets to ride in a real motor car to the hospital, which looks like a magnificent castle hidden deep in the forest.

But as Stina explores the long, echoey corridors of her eerie new home, she begins to suspect that the building is concealing a dark secret. How did the old East Wing burn down? Why doesn’t her mother reply to any of her letters? And what are the nurses all so afraid of? Stina is determined to solve the mystery of Raspberry Hil­l-but as she edges closer to the truth, she finds herself in terrible danger…

My Thoughts

This exciting middle grade mystery will appeal to young readers who like a lot of drama and a little bit of ghostly activity in their stories.. It is dark, to be sure, but experienced readers who like scary stories will appreciate the spooky nature of the sanatorium and the danger in which Stina finds herself.

The ghostly element is actually pretty tame. However, children who are sensitive to scary stories involving humans (not ghosts) should avoid this. Foreshadowing adult horror, here the scariest monster is flesh and blood, not supernatural.

There are many potential triggers here: abandonment, confinement, deceitful adults, and chronic illness, all of which the author conveys with a smooth delivery of story. The main character, Stina, is a very adult-like child similar in ways to Dickens’ child characters who were born into poverty and lived in unimaginable conditions. Stina, while a “poor child,” is also a loved child from a solid family, which is the red thread throughout the story. I just knew her family would come through.

Publication Date: September 26, 2023
Published By: Pushkin Press
Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy