Category Archives: Middle Grade 8-12

Review: An Encantadora’s Guide to Monstros and Magic by Sarah J. Mendonca

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An Encantadora's Guide to Monstros and Magic by Sarah J. Mendonca

An Encantadora’s Guide to Monstros and Magic
Sarah J. Mendonca
Quill Tree Books
Published July 8, 2025

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About An Encantadora’s Guide to Monstros and Magic

Encanto meets Oceans 8 in this middle-grade fantasy-adventure, set in a Portuguese-inspired world, following a tween girl who joins a notorious band of thieves to steal a priceless jewel and discovers corruption that must be stopped.

Rosa Coelho has spent her whole life hunting monstros, wandering the city streets with her best friend Tiago, and dreaming of a better life for herself and her grandmother. And in a society that favors the rich and educated, every piece of knowledge comes with a hefty price, even the most basic books Rosa’s family needs to trap monstros.

So when the powerful Ministério dos Monstros threatens her family’s struggling Encantadora shop, Rosa only has two weeks to scrape together the money for their debts. It seems like an impossible task… until Rosa tricks her way onto an infamous thief crew as their magical safecracker.

Thrust into the world of high class luxury and betrayal, Rosa is pulled into a scheme with the highest possible stakes: stealing from the Ministry itself. She must learn to trust her magical abilities and her crew—for if the heist goes wrong, everything she loves is forfeit.

My Review

This was such an easy book to read. I loved the cast of characters. The whole story is told from Rosa’s point of view, but she gets close to several others while on her mission with the thief crew. I liked that the crew members all had different personalities and secrets that made them assets and liabilities. As Rosa struggled to get to know the team and form friendships, oh, I just wanted to hug her! Her clumsy attempts made me cringe or laugh out loud. Her strong heart kept me believing she’d figure it out in the end, though.

Plot-wise, the story keeps a steady pace. The chapters are a nice length. They’re long enough that we get to dive into a scene or problem and short enough that they don’t overwhelm. I found myself leaping from one chapter to another, reading past my bedtime, because I was sure I could fit one more chapter in before it got too late.

Rosa has an interesting approach to her relationships with others. I’m not sure if there’s some neurodivergence at play, or if she’s meant to read as sheltered and inexperienced. The narrative doesn’t specify. At any rate, anyone who has struggled to form new friendships, especially in the middle-grade years, will likely empathize with Rosa.

An Encantadora’s Guide to Monstros and Magic is the first book that I’ve read with some Portuguese words in it since I started learning a little bit of the language. It was cool to recognize some words as I read, though the author offers context or translation within the narrative, so even if you were unfamiliar, you wouldn’t be lost.

Conclusion

The story offers a satisfying ending to the heist, but raises plenty of new questions for a follow-up book. It looks like a sequel is expected next year, which I’m excited about.

If you liked Monsters and Marvels by Alysa Wishingrad, you’ll want to read this monster-chasing adventure.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Some characters have the ability to perform magic. Other characters use charms and chains that have special powers. Magical creatures like fire slugs (they burn whatever they touch) exist in the story.

Violent Content
Situations of peril.

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: Spark by Chris Baron

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Spark
Chris Baron
Feiwel & Friends
Published July 15, 2025

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About Spark

As a community recovers from a devastating wildfire, two friends find their way back to each other and their homes, by award-winning author Chris Baron.

Perfect for fans of Alan Gratz and Lauren Tarshis.

Finn and his friend, nicknamed Rabbit, live in a rural area that’s been hit hard by wildfires. Families were displaced and school was interrupted. Moreover, their beloved forest is suffering — animals and plants haven’t been able to come back, and the two friends wonder if there’s anything they can do to help. Rabbit’s uncle, a science teacher, is part of a study that may help bring the forest back to life, but Finn and Rabbit wonder if the forest can wait. And what if another fire comes in the meantime? They believe a small part of the forest — the forest heart — that survived the wildfire may hold the key to regrowth, but first, they have to find it and then convince the adults around them to listen.

For any young person who’s ever felt powerless against the world, here is a story about two kids doing all they can to understand their natural world and preserve it.

My Review

This is the second novel by Chris Baron that I’ve read, but the first in verse, and what a treat! Like, it’s largely a serious story that bravely excavates some big feelings and mental health issues. I found it incredibly easy to get lost in this story, though. A couple times, I had to pause and just breathe.

In the story, Finn faces some scary situations. Afterward, he experiences some symptoms of PTSD. I remember experiencing some of the symptoms he described. Those lines took me back to those moments– it felt like the kind of observations that had to come from someone who’d been through what Finn felt.

It’s also such a hopeful story, and that’s so important. Wildfires and the threat of them is terrifying. What can one person do in the face of such a huge fire or a serious threat? Baron’s characters explore these questions themselves and look for ways they can help their families and community. They celebrate a connection with nature that others don’t always understand. As they continue sharing their hope and passion, others begin to listen and forge their own connections with the natural world.

I loved that the story faces hardship head-on but remains so focused on hope. I can’t think of anything we need more than stories that take our kids fears and experiences seriously and make space for those things but also remind us to be hopeful and remind us how powerful a little hope can be.

Expect to see Spark on end of the year favorites lists. It’s so worth reading.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Finn and his family celebrate the sabbath and attend services at a synogogue.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Finn’s family must evacuate when a fire gets too close to their home. Their escape is a bit harrowing, though the descriptions of the danger are brief. Finn learns about others who also had to hunker down (safely/with gear) and let the fire pass by. Some people lose homes. A girl searches for a missing dog. A man slides off the roof of his house (because he’s in a hurry to get his family to safety) and injures his leg.

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: The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown

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The Wild Robot Escapes (The Wild Robot #2)
Peter Brown
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published March 13, 2018

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About The Wild Robot Escapes

The sequel to the bestselling The Wild Robot, by award-winning author Peter Brown

Shipwrecked on a remote, wild island, Robot Roz learned from the unwelcoming animal inhabitants and adapted to her surroundings–but can she survive the challenges of the civilized world and find her way home to Brightbill and the island?

From bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator Peter Brown comes a heartwarming and action-packed sequel to his New York Times bestselling The Wild Robot, about what happens when nature and technology collide.

My Review

The Wild Robot Escapes picks up soon after the first book ends, with Roz being transported to a factory and repaired. Soon, a farmer purchases her, and she begins a new life on his farm. She carefully keeps her true self and her ability to speak to animals a secret because she fears being destroyed if people learn she’s a wild robot.

On the farm, the cows are delighted that Roz can speak with them. She fixes a lot of equipment and oversees the farm while Mr. Shareef, the man who bought her, mostly stays in his house. Roz learns that his family has had the farm for generations. An accident led to his wife’s death and his permanent injury. She begins playing games with the two children. She tells them stories they do not realize are true: stories about her life on the island before she came to the farm.

At the same time, she learns that her son Brightbill the goose is looking for her. Other geese visit the farm, and she tells them who she is so they can perhaps get a message to him.

I’ve been reading this series to my seven-year-old, and she’s completely captivated by the story. She’s invested in the animal characters, especially in Roz and Brightbill’s relationship.

Conclusion

I thought the story started off a bit slowly, but I ended up appreciating Roz’s time on the farm and the things she learned there. By the time Roz begins her escape, the story’s pace picks up, and things move quickly. I liked having the chance to see more of the world Brown created and what he imagined the human experience would be like for people with access to robots like Roz.

We’ll definitely be continuing the series. I think anyone who enjoys animal stories will like this one. The chapters are short, and the book contains a lot of illustrations, breaking up the text. It’s a great book for kids transitioning out of chapter books into middle grade fiction. It’s been a really fun read-aloud for our family, too.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
References to predator animals eating prey animals, such as wolves trying to kill a cow so they can eat her. Roz briefly wonders if humans are bad for eating chickens. Ultimately, she decides they are just following their instincts, and it’s neither good nor bad.

Some situations of peril. Reco robots chase Roz, and she worries about being deactivated if she’s captured because she’s not a “normal” robot.

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: Not Lucille by Mike Steele

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Not Lucille
Mike Steele
Creative James Media
Published June 24, 2025

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About Not Lucille

It’s 1931, and children should be seen and not heard.

Ten-year-old Lucy Contento can’t help but be seen and heard. And she’s always in trouble for it. She talks too much. She’s impulsive. She writes with the wrong hand. Her parents would be mad enough knowing she routinely earns afterschool detentions. They’d be furious if they found out she’s been sneaking onto the campus of the nearby Trenton Academy for the Deaf. But there, Lucy has met Florence, a lonely and profoundly deaf girl her own age. Florence doesn’t mind Lucy’s flaws. Though Florence can’t speak, she has a unique way of communicating. If Lucy can figure out how to learn Florence’s special language, the two could be friends.

Lucy devises a plan, but it’s going to cost a whopping seven dollars and ninety-eight cents—more money than she’s got. She can’t tell her parents why she wants the funds without revealing she’s been visiting Florence. Besides, her parents don’t have a penny to spare. Her father has been out of work for months. And nobody else in the Contento family has an income. Or do they? Lucy soon discovers she’s not the only member of her family hiding something. Can she get the money she needs while keeping everyone’s secrets? Or will her scheming land her in the biggest trouble of her life?

In this story of friendship and belonging, a young girl navigates prejudice, punishment, and identity while establishing her voice in a world that often tries to keep her silent.

My Review

This story has a hint of the A Tree Grows in Brooklyn vibe to it. The time period, the northeast city setting, the scenes showing Lucy in class, and some of the dynamics in her family all made me think of that story (though the books don’t serve the same audience).

I like that this is historical story includes neurodivergent and disabled characters. Lucy experiences symptopms that today would prompt her to be screened for ASD/ADHD. Her friend Florence is Deaf. The story draws readers into a moment in history when Irish and Italian immigrants faced steep discrimination– a reality that my own family faced in those days.

The story is well-suited to middle grade readers, crafting scenes that show what life was like without slowing down the story or getting lost in the details. It sounds from the author’s note that Steele has his own family history that connects to the story (namely his grandmother Lucy and her experiences) and that he made sure to include sensitivity readers who could evaluate the scenes that include Deaf representation.

Through her experiences, Lucy learns new ways to communicate and how to appreciate the differences between herself and others. She learns that sometimes people we think we know and don’t like can surprise us. I liked the way that some of the other characters in the story surprised Lucy.

Young readers interested in the early 1930s in America will find this an informative, enjoyable story. The short chapters make this a quick, engaging read. The author’s note in the back of the book also offers some context for elements of the story, which helps explain why, for instance, Florence wasn’t allowed to use sign language at school.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
Early in the story, Lucy refers to the students at a school for the Deaf by a name that she later realizes is derogatory. She stops using the term. A boy picks on her in the halls at school. Her father faces discrimination as an Italian immigrant and struggles to find work. The story also references illegal gambling activity.

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: Threat of the Spider by Michael P. Spradlin

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Threat of the Spider (The Web of the Spider #2)
Michael P. Spradlin
Margaret K. McElderry Books
Published June 24, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Threat of the Spider

A twelve-year-old boy searches for his father and fights for free press amid the chilling rise of Hitler’s Germany in this second book in the action-packed middle grade series Web of the Spider for fans of I Survived and A Night Divided.

Ansel has never been afraid to say what’s on his mind. He’s always the first among his friends to speak up when something doesn’t feel right. When the Hitler Youth first set up shop in Heroldsberg the year before, Ansel quickly made enemies of the chapter’s arrogant leader, Hans. Of course, Ansel is also twelve years old, so he spends much of his time reading his favorite Dirk Goodly, Boy Detective novels and trying to make his friends laugh.

But more and more of his classmates have been swayed by Hans’s tactics and the Youth organization is growing throughout the city. Ansel knows that Hans and his group are spreading false information—after all, Ansel’s father is a journalist for the local paper and has been going toe to toe with Nazi propaganda for a long time.

Then Ansel’s father goes missing right before a prominent Nazi leader comes to town. With the local police in the Nazi’s pocket, can Ansel and his friends use their detective skills to find his father and thwart the Nazi’s plans to suppress the truth?

My Review

This book came out at kind of a wild moment for US residents. (Have we had NOT wild moments lately? Hmm.)

So this one takes place in 1930 in Heroldsberg. The Hitler Youth are a growing organization, and one Ansel and his friends have zero interest in joining. Ansel’s father is a journalist who continues to report on violence against his Jewish neighbors and the harm of the Nazi rhetoric.

It’s clear that Ansel’s family is being targeted because of his father speaking out. Ansel and his friends routinely encounter a group of boys in the HJ who bully them.

Despite those heavy topics, Ansel’s tone is light. He’s smart and tends to view things with a wry sense of humor. He and his friends settle a dispute with the HJ boys in a game of capture the flag. At one point, he is mystified by a girl’s strange shy behavior, and when someone tells him it must be because she’s in love, he thinks, wow, who could she be in love with? Which definitely got a little chuckle out of me.

The content stays appropriate for the audience while relating critical facts about German history. It’s nicely done. It’s just also quite surreal to read about this period in history right now.

Readers who enjoy historical fiction, especially that about World War II will not want to miss this series. Here’s my review of the first book, Rise of the Spider.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Vague references to characters swearing. What they say isn’t listed.

Romance/Sexual Content
Vague references to a girl having a crush on someone. Ansel can’t figure out who it is.

Spiritual Content
References to some characters Jewish identities.

Violent Content
Ansel and his friends get into arguments and later a fight with members of the Hitler Youth program. Someone kidnaps another person. A man with a gun chases Ansel and fires the gun. Someone lies on the ground, apparently the victim of gun violence.

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: Greenwild: The Forest in the Sky by Pari Thomson

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Greenwild: The Forest in the Sky (Greenwild #3)
Pari Thomson
Farrar, Straus, & Giroux
Published June 3, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Greenwild: The Forest in the Sky

The Secret Garden meets A Wrinkle in Time in the spellbinding final book of the New York Times-bestselling Greenwild series.

Daisy and her friends may have defeated the Grim Reapers in Iffenwild, but it’s clear that the battle for the Greenwild is only just beginning…

With the support of the Iffenwilders and their mighty water magic, Daisy and her friends are finally setting off to rescue the Botanists held prisoner in the heart of the Amazon rainforest – including Daisy’s ma and the Prof’s grandfather.

But when an unexpected attack sends the rescue mission spinning off course, Daisy, Indigo, and the Prof find themselves in the Amazon alone – where they must draw on every ounce of their courage, magic, and ingenuity to survive. This is a battle that can’t be won single-handedly, and Daisy will need the support of her new friend Max, a strange Grayside girl called Fen, and the massed might of the Amazerians, guardians of the biggest and most magical pocket in the Greenwild – if she is to take on the Reapers once and for all.

Readers will not want to miss this thrilling conclusion to the Greenwild series.

My Review

I’ve been eagerly following this series from the very beginning. Reading the last book in a series is always bittersweet, because it means the characters’ journeys end, but it also means we know how the story plays out. I saved reading this one for the perfect moment in my recovery, when I’d be able to read far past bedtime and get completely lost in the pages.

The story follows two groups of characters. First, there’s Daisy, Indigo, and Prof, who head off to the Amazon to find the Greenwild pocket of Amazeria. Then, there’s Max and Acorn, who try to follow them and end up on a separate adventure. The chapters alternate between Daisy and Max’s points of view. I think the chapters from Max’s perspective had a sweet tenderness to them as he discovered things about his family members that he never knew and had the space to grow into his magic and his identity.

I also liked the way that magic is used through the course of the book. Daisy can talk to plants and do some plant magic. Indigo can talk to animals. Max has water magic. These abilities come in handy in sometimes unexpected ways. I liked that all of them had value and limits, so no one ability was outsized.

The ending of the book unfolds so quickly. (Or maybe I just read it quickly because I was so eager??) There were a couple of moments in which the identity of some characters is revealed, and I found myself wishing we’d lingered in that realization a little bit more. It was totally okay as is. I don’t think any of those reveals were shortchanged. Possibly, I just wanted longer to revel in the ending of the book and to spend a little more time in this rich story world.

I think readers who enjoy rich, magical fantasy stories will really enjoy getting lost in this botanical series. The story explores family relationships and found family as well as finding courage and bravery within oneself. It’s got strong positive messages and a powerful, hopeful message.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Vague references to a possible crush between characters.

Spiritual Content
Some characters can do magic. There’s green magic, or magic involving plants and blue magic, or magic involving water.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Brief battles between Reapers and Botanists. In one scene, Caimans chase the characters. One bites a character (happens off-scene). Reference to a quarrel that ends in murder (happens off-scene). Someone offers themselves to an enemy in place of another character. In one scene, a falling tree lands on a cat.

Drug Content
Plants cause dreams, remedy illnesses, and cause confusion, depending on the type and use.

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.