Review: The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O’Neill

Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Graphic Novel or Adaptation, Middle Grade 8-12, , , , , , ,
The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O'Neill

The Tea Dragon Society (The Tea Dragon Society #1)
Kay O’Neill
Oni Press
Published October 31, 2017

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Tea Dragon Society

From the award-winning author of Princess Princess Ever After comes The Tea Dragon Society, a charming all-ages book that follows the story of Greta, a blacksmith apprentice, and the people she meets as she becomes entwined in the enchanting world of tea dragons.

After discovering a lost tea dragon in the marketplace, Greta learns about the dying art form of tea dragon care-taking from the kind tea shop owners, Hesekiel and Erik. As she befriends them and their shy ward, Minette, Greta sees how the craft enriches their lives—and eventually her own.

My Review

I can’t believe it took me so long to read this book! It’s been on my reading list for years. At first, I didn’t think I would like the size of the book (it’s very tall, about 8.5″ by almost 12″), but the way that the panels are drawn, the book needed to be larger. So, the size makes sense.

The pages are pure K. O’Neill magic. Adorable illustrations and sweet storytelling fill the pages. We follow Greta, a girl learning blacksmithing from her mom, who becomes friends with a couple who keep tea dragons. The tea dragons each grow a different kind of tea on their heads or backs. They’re shy and so cute!

The book is divided into four parts, one for each season of the year. Greta and Minette, another girl learning about tea dragons, become friends, too. The whole vibe is cozy and sweet, which is absolutely perfect if you have a young reader just beginning to journey into middle grade graphic novels or an older reader who just needs a cozy fantasy read.

My daughter and I read this one together and are very much looking forward to the next book in the trilogy.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
One image shows a couple leaning their foreheads against one another. Another image shows one character kissing the other on the cheek.

Spiritual Content
The story contains mythical creatures, such as dragons who grow tea leaves on their bodies.

Violent Content
A few images show a person armed with a sword facing down a foe.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. All opinions are my own.

Review: Phantom Academy by Christine Virnig

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Middle Grade 8-12, , , , , ,

Phantom Academy
Christine Virnig
Aladdin
Published August 26, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Phantom Academy

Lindsay Currie’s Scritch Scratch meets The School for Invisible Boys in this fun romp of a middle grade novel about a newly dead boy who faces a spooky new school hiding an unearthly mystery.

After an unlucky collision between a coconut and the top of his head, twelve-year-old Finn joins the ranks of the recently deceased…and of the students at Phantom Academy. The academy is a spectral boarding school for underage ghosts finding their footing in the afterlife, and Finn is the new kid at school.

He doesn’t understand why ghosts have to take tests and do homework. Or why making friends doesn’t get any easier even when all the students have a very big thing in common. As the new class of middle schoolers get to know each other, it becomes clear something is happening behind the scenes of their new academy.

Can Finn and his classmates figure out their afterlife and crack the mystery?

My Review

I remember enjoying Virnig’s debut middle grade book, A Bite Above the Rest, so I was excited to read this one. The opening scene surprised me. I feel like I’m not supposed to laugh at the main character’s death, but I did. In the first few lines, we learn Finn is killed by a falling coconut. The ridiculousness of the situation got me, which I can only assume was the point, since otherwise, it’s a tragic beginning.

Finn soon reaches the Phantom Academy, where he’s sentenced to– I mean, directed to spend– the next five years in ghost school. As he’s learning the ropes of Phantom Academy, he meets other young ghosts and makes friends. He discovers a controversial talent but doesn’t understand whether it’s an asset or a liability.

The ghostly landscape is fun and imaginative. Some things are never explained, though. The ghosts eat, but the food is particularly gross. Apparently they also pass the waste as well. The process is revisited several times throughout the story, but we never learn why (beyond the apparent humor).

I tend to enjoy stories about building a community and getting to know someone different rather than leaping to conclusions about them, and those themes shine here. At first, Finn has some adversarial feelings about his teachers and the others at the Phantom Academy. As he actually begins to listen, he learns there’s usually an explanation for why people behave the way they do. And some of the people he mistook for villains turn out to be valuable parts of his team.

If you’re looking for a creepy story for the fall season that’s more goofy than scary, check this one out.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Characters are ghosts.

Violent Content
The opening line describes the main character dying after getting hit on the head with a coconut.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Woven from Clay by Jenny Birch

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , ,

Woven From Clay
Jenny Birch
Wednesday Books
Published August 12, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Woven From Clay

In this fresh and imaginative contemporary fantasy, a golem must master the magic that binds her together and finds an unexpected ally in the mysterious boy sent to ensure her demise.

Terra Slater might not know anything about her birth family or where she comes from, but that’s never stopped her, and she fully intends her senior year to be her best yet. Until the dark and mysterious Thorne Wilder―a magical bounty hunter―moves to town, bringing revelations that wreck all of her plans.

When Terra learns she is a golem, not born but crafted from mud and magic by a warlock, her world is upended. Worse, Cyrus Quill, the warlock who made her, is a fugitive, on the run from the witches who want to hold him accountable for his past crimes. But Quill’s sentence is death, which would unravel the threads of magic that hold Terra―and all of the other golems that he crafted―together.

Desperate to save herself and her friends, Terra strikes a deal with Thorne and his coven to preserve the warlock’s life and his magic. If she can prove her worth to the coven by mastering the magic within her, the golems will survive. If she can’t, they’ll perish along with Cyrus. As Thorne helps her to see and manipulate the tapestry of magic that surrounds them, their unexpected alliance evolves into something more and Terra comes to understand the depths of her magic, her humanity, and her love for the people most important to her.

My Review

The book description makes it very clear that this is a contemporary fantasy, but I think I kept assuming from the cover that it was some kind of Greek myth retelling. I don’t know why. In any case, when I started reading the book, I was a little jolted by the present-day setting.

At first, it feels like a familiar tale. A girl facing an inexplicable problem meets a grouchy, emotionally-closed boy who’s new in town. There’s the inevitable tug of war over whether they’re on opposing sides or can trust a tentative alliance.

From there, we learn more about Thorne’s coven and the power dynamics at play. Terra experiments with her newfound ability, and Thorne becomes a lot more likeable.

The way the author uses names in the story is interesting. Once you know about Terra’s origin, it becomes easy to recognize the others who share a similar story. Some people might find that a bit heavy-handed, but I thought it was a neat idea.

The story definitely grew on me as I got into the history of Terra’s town and saw more of Thorne’s family. By the end, I was really invested in both Terra and Thorne.

If you enjoy paranormal romance or contemporary fantasy, I think this is a good one to pick up. It has a lot of similar vibes to the kinds of books coming out in the early 2000s, but without the problematic content.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
One instance of the f-bomb, and a sprinkling of other profanity. Not a huge amount.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
Witches live apart from humans in underground compounds where they use their magic according to the rules of their guild. Creating a golem is considered “warlock magic”, which is against their rules.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. If Terra’s creator dies, she and the other golems will perish as well. Someone tries to harm Terra’s friends, tripping them, sapping their energy, etc.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Do Not Disturb: How to Say No to Your Phone by Brad Marshall and Lindsay Hassock

Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Middle Grade 8-12, Nonfiction, Young Adult/Teen 12-18

Do Not Disturb: How to Say No to Your Phone (10 Steps to Change Series)
Brad Marshall and Lindsay Hassock
Illustrated by Lauriane Bohémier
Abrams
Published August 26, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Do Not Disturb

From psychologists Brad Marshall and Lindsay Hassock, Do Not Disturb is an empowering and practical guide to help teens and kids build a healthier relationships with their phones

In Do Not Disturb, Brad Marshall and Lindsay Hassock share cutting-edge insights on how young people can unplug from their phones. Readers will discover the effects that their phone has on their brain and body. They’ll find out how to create a relationship with their phone on their terms. They’ll even establish simple, healthy screen time habits that stick. This is a must-have resource that

Ten practical steps to help teens and children unplug from their phones. A toolkit at the end of each step, providing accessible, practical techniques. Advice from trusted psychologists who have spent two decades working with young people. Full-color illustrations by Lauriane Bohémier. Additional resources at the back of the book. Practical, insightful, and never preachy, this book will help readers stop doomscrolling and start unplugging!

My Review

I think this book makes a great conversation-starter on the topic of phone use and setting boundaries for yourself with screen time. I like that the authors acknowledge the benefits of having cell phones in our lives. They do make it easier to connect with others. But they’re also pretty real about the pitfalls of continuous cell phone use.

The chapters start with a brief introduction to a topic, for example, how connecting with friends online via social media impacts relationships. It’s easier to say things we would not say to someone in person in real life. Sometimes this is because we feel braver online and can be more honest, which leads to a sense of closeness. At other times, this leads to people saying awful things, because they aren’t speaking directly to a person.

The chapters conclude with a questionnaire prompting deeper thought about the topic or a list of tips for setting boundaries on phone use. Each chapter is pretty bite-sized. The whole book is less than 100 pages, so it’s an easy, quick read.

I wish that there had been a little more of a breakdown of statistics or facts emphasizing the authors’ points. It’s possible that a younger reader wouldn’t have felt that lack. I’m not sure.

The illustrations in the book are very nicely done. I love how the sections are broken up with quotes offset by illustrations or featured on a page with an illustration. It makes the book feel friendly and accessible.

Conclusion

I think this would be a good read for kids who’ve just gotten a phone or who are looking to make healthier choices about how and when to use their phones. Honestly, I found myself pausing as I read through some of the questionnaires to reflect on the answers and think about some changes to my own habits.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
Reference to bullying and why this happens more easily online.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday

I’m sharing this post as a part of a weekly round-up of middle-grade posts called Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday. Check out other blogs with posts about middle-grade books today on Marvelous Middle-Grade Mondays at Always in the Middle.

Review: The Secret Investigator of Astor Street by Stephanie Morrill

Book Review and Content, Historical, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , ,

The Secret Investigator of Astor Street (A Piper Sail Mystery #2)
Stephanie Morrill
Blink YA
Published August 5, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Secret Investigator of Astor Street

After high school graduation, Piper Sail isn’t quite sure what her future holds—until a possible murder case lands in her lap. Filled with both the glitz and glamor of high society and the dark mafia underbelly of 1920s Chicago, The Secret Investigator of Astor Street is perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Maureen Johnson.

Piper Sail knows what she to become a detective. After all, she already solved the case of her missing best friend, and there’s no shortage of crime in 1920s Chicago. But for an eighteen-year-old society girl—even one who’s currently dating a police investigator—it simply isn’t done.

That is, until a girl asks her to dig into her brother’s recent death. The police ruled it a suicide, but she’s convinced it was murder. And she wants Piper to help her prove it.

In this companion to The Lost Girl of Astor Street, Piper once again grabs her notebook and plunges into the underworld of mafia-controlled Chicago. But she’ll need all her wits and courage if she wants to become The Secret Investigator of Astor Street.

My Review

I really enjoy Stephanie Morrill’s writing, so it was a no-brainer for me to read this book. If Piper Sail and Astor Street seem familiar to you, it’s because of The Lost Girl of Astor Street, the first book in which we meet Piper and follow her as she unravels the mystery of her best friend’s disappearance. That book was published in 2017, so it’s very possible you hadn’t heard of or remembered the book, either. (If so, the good news is that now you have two new mysteries to read.)

This story is set in 1920s Chicago. Piper has graduated from school, and her family expects her to enroll in college and/or find a prospective husband and start a family. The last thing Piper wants to do is have children, and she’s not ready to settle down. She has some doubts about the direction of her current relationship with Mariano, a detective who helped her in the first book.

I loved the way the story explored Piper’s questions about her direction for her life. She knows she doesn’t want to have kids. She isn’t ready to get married. But how can a young woman work as a private investigator? It’s not something that’s done. Whose permission does she need? How will anyone ever take her seriously?

The story makes space for Piper to explore these questions as her investigation into a supposed suicide unfolds. The balance between this theme and the mystery is perfectly done. We get a deeper understanding of Piper and follow her character development, but it never slows down the narrative.

Conclusion

If you enjoy historical mysteries, put this one on your list. I hope that this book marks a revival of the Piper Sail Mysteries as a series. The ending definitely leaves room for a new story.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
Reference to last rites (based on Catholic beliefs). I think there’s a brief reference to Piper noting that Mariano is Catholic, though she attends a different church.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. References to suicide. (Not shown on scene.) References to murder.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Hungry Ghost by Victoria Ying

Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Graphic Novel or Adaptation, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , , ,

Hungry Ghost
Victoria Ying
First Second
Published April 25, 2023

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Hungry Ghost

A beautiful and heart-wrenching young adult graphic novel takes a look at eating disorders, family dynamics, and ultimately, a journey to self-love.

Valerie Chu is quiet, studious, and above all, thin. No one, not even her best friend Jordan, knows that she has been binging and purging for years. But when tragedy strikes, Val finds herself taking a good, hard look at her priorities, her choices, and her own body. The path to happiness may lead her away from her hometown and her mother’s toxic projections―but first she will have to find the strength to seek help.

My Review

Reading this book makes me think about the delicate balance that writing a story about disordered eating is. For some readers, it’s a triggering topic, so I imagine as an author, you’d want to be sensitive to that and tread lightly, limiting descriptions about the process and feelings associated with moments in the process. On the other hand, readers who aren’t familiar with disordered eating will have trouble engaging and/or be confused if there aren’t enough details to let them know what’s happening in the story and what the main character is feeling.

Ying does a great job threading that needle and letting readers know what’s happening without showing things in graphic detail. What jumps out the most is Val’s constant anxiety about food, her deep shame about her body, and the internalized harmful messages from her mother.

I love Val’s best friend Jordan. She has this upbeat energy and vibrance, which sharply contrasts with Val’s anxious, retreating presence on the page. That contrast in how Jordan takes up space and Val shrinks into herself highlights Val’s struggle.

There are a few moments that I wish the author had extended a little bit. At one point, Val and Jordan have an argument. Val says aloud the hurtful words she’s repeated in her head throughout the book. Ultimately, it nearly costs Val her friendship and makes her stop and think differently about the words she’s repeated to herself. I found myself wishing that the story lingered there and explored that a little more deeply, as well as going deeper into the conversation between Val and Jordan after the argument.

Conclusion

Ultimately, I appreciate the thoughtful way that the author approached such a personal, difficult topic. I’ve read other novels about disordered eating. I think this is the first graphic novel that I’ve seen address the topic. I’m really glad to see this book on the shelves, and I think it does a great job introducing readers to the topic of disordered eating.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 13 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used very infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
References to a crush. One panel shows two people kissing from a distance.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
Depictions of disordered eating (bingeing and purging). Spoiler: Death of a parent. (select text to read)

Drug Content
Students mention margaritas but clarify they won’t be having any.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. All opinions are my own.