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Amazing Cat Books for Readers Ages 6 to 8

Amazing Cat Books for Readers Ages 6 to 8

Amazing Cat Books for Readers Ages 6 to 8

If you’re a returning reader on The Story Sanctuary, you will probably not be surprised to learn we are cat people around here. I have two cats at home for the sole reason that my husband will not permit us to have three. We love our boys. One came to us through our vet’s office, when someone brought in a litter of feral kittens. The other came to us through an animal shelter. They’re both sweet snuggly furballs. One is a pretty constant reading buddy to me, but both of them love to sit with my daughter and me for whatever we happen to be reading aloud at bedtime.

We don’t only love cats, we also love cat books around here. My littlest is seven, and these are some of her favorite titles or series. A few of these are graphic novels (Catstronauts, Cat Ninja, Cat & Cat Adventures, and Sue & Tai-Chan) and the rest are chapter books. The chapter books range in wordcount/chapter length. The two with the biggest font and shortest chapters are The Princess in Black and the Kitty Catastrophe and the “Itty Bitty Princess Kitty” series.

Enjoy the list, and let me know if there are any titles I missed that are worth adding to our reading list!

Note: This post contains affiliate links that do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. Thanks for using them to do your shopping.

Amazing Cat Books for Readers Ages 6 to 8

Catstronauts: Mission Moon by Drew Brockington

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Cats. In. Spaaace! This silly series follows four cats tasked with various space missions to save the earth. Super cute. Contains some science references, but really the focus is on the cats and their roles in the missions.

Published April 18, 2017 | 7 Books | Ongoing Series


Cat Ninja by Matthew Cody and Yehudi Mercado

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: We’ve only read the first book in this series about a housecat with a ninja superhero alter ego, but it is packed with action and adventure. Our hero faces off against a hamster mastermind who controls a robot.

Published October 13, 2020 | 6 Books | Ongoing Series


Zoe and Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallows by Asia Citro and Marion Lindsay

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Not only does this series feature Sassafras, an adorably helpful, curious cat, it also models the scientific method. In each installment, Zoey sets up a science experiment to help her magical animal friends with their problems. This is such a brilliant way to engage kids with science.

Published March 14, 2017 | My Review to Come


Song of the Court by Katy Farina

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: This is one of my daughter’s favorites. It’s a sweet story about friendship with a work-life balance lesson thrown in there as well. The author has gone on to work on a Babysitters Club Graphic Novel series spin-off, so I suspect we’ll be adding those to the reading list.

Published October 6, 2020 | Standalone


The Princess in Black and the Kitty Catastrophe by Dean Hale, Shannon Hale, and Leuyen Pham

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: This series targets readers at the younger end of my age range. The text is large and chapters are short, so this is perfect for more reluctant readers. It’s a silly, fun book series about a princess with a secret superhero identity. In this installment, a kitten mysteriously appears on Princess Magnolia’s doorstep, and she tries to figure out its name and help it adjust to living in her castle.

Published September 3, 2024 | 11 Books | Ongoing Series


Kitty and the Moonlight Rescue by Paula Harrison and Jenny Løvlie

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Kitty inherited her mom’s superhero catlike powers which she uses to help her community by rescuing kittens, stopping a literal cat burglar, and salvaging a garden. This is one of our favorite series.

Published September 10, 2019 | 16 Books | Ongoing series


Sue & Tai-Chan: Volume 1 by Konami Kanata

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: This adorable graphic novel follows an older cat, Sue, and the way a new kitten changes her life. The same author also created the Chi’s Sweet Adventures and Chi’s Sweet Home series. My seven-year-old cannot get enough of them.

Published July 28, 2020 | 5 Books | Ongoing Series


Itty Bitty Princess Kitty: The Newest Princess by Melody Mews and Ellen Stubbings

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: In the first book of the series, Itty becomes a princess and begins her adventures helping the residents of Lollyland. This has a little more text than The Princess in Black series books, but is still larger print with illustrations every page or two.

Published February 4, 2020 | 15 Books | Ongoing Series


Cat & Cat Adventures by Susie Yi

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: These short volumes follow two cats who journey to a fantasy world and solve various problems there. It’s cute and easy to read. These are another favorite in our house.

Published September 7, 2021 | 5 Books | Ongoing Series

What other amazing cat books have you read?

Shout out to Verity Vox and the Foxfire Curse by Don Martin for inspiring this list. That book is a young adult fantasy novel, though, so it doesn’t quite fit the criteria here. I may create a YA cat book list soon so I can include that one!

What other books featuring a cat have you read and loved? Leave a comment here so I can add them to my reading list!

23 Most-Anticipated Middle Grade Books Coming Winter 2025

23 Most-Anticipated Middle Grade Books Coming Winter 2025

I’m wildly late getting this post together, but there are some amazing middle grade books coming winter 2025 that I desperately want to talk about, so here we are. Better late than never, I guess!

This is a pretty eclectic list, ranging from horror to fantasy to historical to contemporary to memoir. There are novels in verse and some more experimental formats. Pretty much something for everyone.

These are the books I’m most looking forward to, so there are bound to be some other highly anticipated books that I don’t have on my radar. Please leave a comment and let me know if you’re looking forward to some upcoming releases from January to March that aren’t on my list.

Note: This post contains affiliate links that do not cost you anything but help support this blog. Thanks for using them to do your shopping.

23 Most-Anticipated Middle Grade Books Coming Winter 2025

Mixed Up by Kami Garcia and Brittney Williams

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Kami Garcia knocks it out of the park with this sweet, encouraging story about friendship and learning with dyslexia. The illustrations are bright, friendly, and emotive. It’s brilliant.

Published January 21, 2025 | My Review


Safe Harbor by Padma Venkatraman

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A moving novel in verse about a girl who helps rescue a harbor seal and learns to deal with her own feelings as an immigrant to the US.

Published January 21, 2025 | My Review to Come


Doomsday Vault (Everwhen: School of Time Travel (and Other Odd Sciences) #1) by Thomas Wheeler

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Inventive students from different time periods attend a special school where they face the threats of a missing dean, a time paradox, and a secret space society.

Published January 28, 2025 | My Review to Come


City Spies: London Calling (City Spies #6) by James Ponti

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: The sixth book in the popular City Spies series takes the team to Rome and back as the newest member searches for his missing sister.

Published February 4, 2025 | My Review to Come


All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Renée Watson is one of those authors whose name alone gets a book added to my reading list. In this novel in verse, Sage wrestles with guilt and unresolved grief over the sudden death of her best friend. Moving, heartfelt, and absolutely beautiful.

Published February 4, 2025 | My Review


Away by Megan E. Freeman

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: In this companion novel to Away, a group of kids investigates the mysterious threat responsible for large-scale evacuations. Can they unravel the conspiracy and expose the truth? Told from multiple points of view with verse, newspaper clippings, movie scripts, production diary entries, and letters.

Published February 11, 2025 | My Review


The Labyrinth of Souls by Leslie Vedder

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A girl with a rare gift to see Nightmare creatures discovers that the monsters have begun to seep into the Waking World. She and her friends must find a way to stop them. I loved Leslie Vedder’s young adult trilogy, so I’m excited to see what she brings to this haunting middle grade series opener.

Published February 11, 2025 | My Review to Come


Investigators: Agents of S.U.I.T.: Wild Ghost Chase by John Patrick Green

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Investigators and Agents of S.U.I.T. are quite popular around my house just now, so I know we’ll be reading this one as soon as possible. This time, Zeb the sheep joins the cast of agents tracking down the ghost of the General Inspectre to conclude his unfinished business.

Published February 18, 2025 | My Review to Come


Max in the Land of Lies: A Tale of World War II by Adam Gidwitz

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Max returns to Berlin as a British spy to infiltrate the center of Nazi propaganda and find his parents. I heard so much about the first book in this series that I have to read this one.

Published February 25, 2025 | My Review to Come


Cousins in the Time of Magic by Emma Otheguy

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Three cousins time travel to 1862 and race to deliver a sword to the general for the Battle of Puebla (which became the reason we celebrate Cinco de Mayo). Along the way, they learn how Latine communities have shaped US history. I love the inclusive look at history here and the spin on time travel adventure!

Published February 25, 2025 | My Review


Pablo and Splash: Frozen in Time (Pablo and Splash #2) by Sheena Dempsey

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Pablo and Splash return with more zany adventures. This time they must rescue Professor O’Brain from the Ice Age. This graphic novel series is a ton of fun with a little bit of science and history threaded throughout.

Published March 4, 2025 | My Review


Right Back at You by Carolyn Mackler

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A boy from 2023 facing a school bully writes a letter for a school assignment and throws it in his closet, only to be surprised when a girl from 1987 writes back. Looks cute, poignant, and full of heart.

Published March 4, 2025 | My Review to Come


Bree Boyd is a Legend by Leah Johnson

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: In the follow-up to her middle grade debut, Johnson tells the story of Ellie’s best friend, Bree, whose orderly life is turned upside down when a lightning strike grants her the ability to move things with her mind. This looks like it will be hilarious and heartwarming.

Published March 4, 2025 | My Review to Come


The Trouble with Sunshine by Yamile Saied Méndez

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A girl reeling from the unexpected loss of her mother finds solace in caring for a skittish horse. Méndez is a brilliant writer who deftly writes about complex emotions. I’m betting this one will be a winner.

Published March 4, 2025 | My Review to Come


One Wrong Step by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: When a boy and girl witness an avalanche on Mt. Everest, they set out looking for survivors, but sickness, bad weather, and a possible Nazi spy put their mission at risk. I keep missing out on the amazing books by this author– this year, I’m going to read one!

Published March 4, 2025 | My Review to Come


A Song for You and I by K. O’Neill

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: I loved The Moth Keeper and have been trying since then to catch up on other books by K. O’Neill. This one, about a driven ranger with an injured horse and a laid-back shepherd, explores unlikely friendship and the possibility of something more.

Published March 4, 2025 | My Review


We Need to Talk About Divorce by Kate Scharff and Annika Le Large

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: As a divorced parent, I’ve read a lot of books for kids about divorce. It’s such a complex experience for parents and kids alike. I’m always glad to see more resources available for kids especially, and especially ones that talk about blended families. I’m looking forward to this one.

Published March 4, 2025 | My Review to Come


Vanya and the Wild Hunt by Sangu Mandanna

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: I can’t say it better than the cover copy: Amari and the Night Brothers meets Nevermoor in this enchanting middle grade fantasy, inspired by Indian mythology and British folklore, about a neurodivergent heroine, a mysterious school, and a world of magical creatures. — Who could resist that?

Published March 11, 2025 | My Review to Come


Whale Eyes by James Robinson

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: An illustrated memoir told through anecdotes and interactive visuals. Helps readers confront discomfort with disability. I’m excited for this one. It sounds incredibly different, timely, and necessary.

Published March 18, 2025 | My Review to Come


Cincinnati Lee, Curse Breaker by Heidi Heilig

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: The great great (great?) granddaughter of a famous explorer must return relics he collected to break the curse on her family. I love the inclusive spin on the Indiana Jones-type story.

Published March 25, 2025 | My Review to Come


The Girl and the Robot by Oz Rodriguez and Claribel A. Ortega

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A girl who can fix electronics prepares to enter a contest, hoping for the prize money to bring her Papi home. Then a robot crashlands from space, broken, alone, and in need of Mimi’s help, even if it risks everything she’s worked for. Ortega is another author whose books are irresistible great.

Published March 25, 2025 | My Review to Come


The Underwild: River of Spirits by Shana Targosz

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: The cover copy says this is perfect for fans of Rick Riordan and the series Greenwild, which is one of my favorites. I love the cover and the story’s themes about friendship.

Published March 25, 2025 | My Review to Come


My Mummy vs. Your Ghost by Paul Tobin

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Hayden and Gabe bring a mummy to the battlefield for another fight, this time against new coaches and a ghost. This series is packed with creepy crawly fun. Definitely something to read purely for fun.

Published March 25, 2025 | My Review to Come


What middle grade books coming winter 2025 are you most looking forward to reading?

Are you looking forward to any of the middle grade books on my list? Have you had a chance to read any of them yet? What else needs to be on my reading list this season? Leave a comment and let me know!

10 Best Books I Read in 2024

10 Best Books I Read in 2024

I’m finally catching up on some stats and information on my reading life in 2024, and that process reminded me that I haven’t shared my top 10 best books I read in 2024 yet!

Since I review mainly young adult and middle grade books here on The Story Sanctuary, the list will center on books for those age groups. In the past, I’ve made a separate list for each age group, but this year, I’m just making one list and including both. As a bonus, I ranked them.

Note: This post contains affiliate links that do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. Thanks for using them to do your shopping.

10 Best Books I Read in 2024

10. The Loudest Silence by Sydney Langford

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: Platonic love, music, disability, nuanced identities, and an incredible cast of characters fill this sweet story. The Loudest Silence explores Deaf-Hard of Hearing experiences and family expectations. This one is unforgettable.

Published July 30, 2024 | My Review


9. The Judgment of Yoyo Gold by Isaac Blum

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I love that this book examines hypocrisy and harm within a highly controlled religious community without disregarding the positive experiences or beauty that faith brings to practitioners’ lives. This book is messy and raw, but it’s also bold and full of love.

Published October 15, 2024 | My Review


8. Shark Teeth by Sherri Winston

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: An older sister desperately tries to keep her family together but wonders if that’s the best thing for her and her siblings. This one has memorable characters and incredible depth of feeling. It hit me deep.

Published January 16, 2024 | My Review


7. The No-Girlfriend Rule by Christen Randall

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: Finding the right book at the right time is just as important as finding the right people to play tabletop games with. The No-Girlfriend Rule celebrates the friendships, jokes, and how a game can take on a life of its own. If you like DnD, you want this on your reading list.

Published March 5, 2024 | My Review


6. Puzzleheart by Jenn Reese

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: It’s not easy to craft a text-based story filled with puzzles that are engaging and easy to visualize and balance that with compelling characters in a story that makes you want to cozy up with a cup of hot cocoa. This one does it. I had such a great time reading it.

Published May 14, 2024 | My Review


5. Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: Inspired by Pacific Island mythology and packed with danger, sea dragons, and a chance at redemption. I loved the intricate magic and the unforgettable characters.

Published April 9, 2024 | My Review


4. Wolfpack: How Young People Will Find Their Voice, Unite Their Pack, and Change the World by Abby Wambach

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: This 100-page book by famed soccer star Abby Wambach encourages leaders who lift one another up and work together rather than seeing others as rivals. It’s filled with simple but profound counsel from a woman who learned many of these lessons through blood, sweat, and tears. I am not usually into motivational books, but this one blew me away.

Published October 6, 2020 | My Review


3. Don’t Let the Forest In by C. G. Drews

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: If you like dark, creepy forests, dangerous monsters, and boys who might only find the courage to love one another when it’s too late– stop reading this and go buy Don’t Let the Forest In right now. It’s so good.

Published October 29, 2024 | My Review


2. The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: This book has so much heart. I can’t stop talking about it. The sweet relationship between siblings. The trauma and struggle of a family in crisis. It’s heartbreaking and healing at once.

Published June 11, 2024 | My Review


1. A Magic Fierce and Bright by Hemant Nayat

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I cannot stop raving about this book. I love the magic system. (Adya can magic machines.) It’s a story about sisters. There’s a helpful (hilarious) sentient motorcycle that I can’t get enough of. The plot was a wild ride from start to finish. I love it so much.

Published July 9, 2024 | My Review


What were the best books you read in 2024?

What books topped your list of favorites from 2024? Please leave a comment and let me know what your number one favorite is. Let me know if you read and enjoyed any of the titles on my list, too!

Summer 2024 Backlist Check-In and Life Update

Summer 2024 Backlist Check-In and Life Update

This summer absolutely flew past me. My family didn’t have huge plans, but we had a lot of little things to do that kept us close to home and pretty busy. We managed to get most of those things done and still visit the beach a few times and see friends, so I feel like overall it was a successful season.

I also managed to read a pretty long list of backlist books. I listened to seven of these as audiobooks. Five of these titles are graphic novels and another two are heavily illustrated, which are also pretty quick to read. All of that combined to help me get more reading time in than I anticipated. During the months of June, July, and August, I read more than 80 books, and of those, 24 were backlist titles. I’m really happy with that progress.

A few of these titles had been on my reading list for a long time, so I’m super excited that I finally managed to read them. Most notably, those titles are Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates and The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. I also really enjoyed my reread of Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery.

Keep scrolling for details about all the backlist titles I read this summer.

Note: This post contains affiliate links that do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. Thanks for using them to do your shopping.

Summer 2024 Backlist Check-In and Life Update

Dragon Slippers (Dragon Slippers #1) by Jessica Day George

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A girl and a dragon become close friends and help one another through danger and treachery. This is my favorite book in the trilogy.

Published February 1, 2011 (Orig. 2007) | My Review


Dragon Flight (Dragon Slippers #2) by Jessica Day George

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: The Dragon Slippers series continues with a new adventure in another country. I enjoyed the story and the chance to revisit the characters.

Published April 29, 2008 | My Review to Come


Black Girl You Are Atlas by Renée Watson and Ekua Holmes

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: The collage illustrations in this book are incredible alongside the thoughtful poetry that celebrates home, girlhood, and growing into your power. Loved it.

Published February 13, 2024 | My Review to Come


Desert Queen by Jyoti R. Gopal and Svabhu Kohli

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Absolutely breathtaking illustrations accompany the rhythmic, emotive poetry that tells the story of the Desert Queen of Rajasthan.

Published January 1, 2024 | My Review to Come


Rise of the Shadowfire (City of Dragons #2) by Jaimal Yogis and Vivian Truong

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: It picks up soon after the first book ends and takes Grace and her friends on a wild race through the Paris catacombs. Grace and her dragon’s relationship is one of the sweet highlights of this quick-to-read graphic novel.

Published October 17, 2023 | My Review to Come


Legends and Lattes (Legends and Lattes #1) by Travis Baldree

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: This was a really fun book to read. The cozy elements really worked, but I never felt like the story dragged or wasn’t interesting. The characters are fabulous. Definitely glad I read this!

Published February 22, 2022


On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Total impulse read, but a good one. It’s only about 100 pages and goes through twenty things you can do when you’re worried about a fascist government.

Published June 4, 2024 | My Review to Come


Dragon Spear (Dragon Slippers #3) by Jessica Day George

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: The series finale. I struggled with this one. A character darkens her face to spy on members of a native tribe of enslaved people.

Published May 12, 2009 | My Review to Come


American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Really rich storytelling in this graphic novel in which three storylines merge into one. This has some (purposely) uncomfortable moments that confront readers with the impact of racism, especially racist “jokes.” A powerful book.

Published September 6, 2006 | My Review to Come


Night and Dana by Anya Davidson

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A graphic novel set in a small Florida town about a girl who loves special effects make-up and becomes involved in a local environmental protest.

Published September 12, 2023 | My Review to Come


Baby Drag Queen by C. A. Tanaka

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: This one is a little over 100 pages with a larger font, so it’s a very quick read about a transgender boy who enters a drag contest hoping to win money to help his mom.

Published April 11, 2023 | My Review to Come


Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehesi Coates

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: This one has been on my reading list for a while. I listened to the audiobook version read by the author. It’s so powerful. His explanation of how his understanding of history evolved when he was in college is incredibly poignant. He frames his experience in terms of bodily autonomy for himself and the people around him. I’m not sure I’ve read anything else that more clearly communicated the experience of being Black in America. It’s a must-read, for sure.

Published June 4, 2024 | My Review to Come


Garden of the Cursed (Garden of the Cursed #1) by Katy Rose Pool

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: I’ve heard a lot about this author, so when I got the chance to read this book, I jumped in with both feet. It was easy to get lost in this world of magic and mayhem along with a friends to enemies to lovers forbidden romance.

Published June 20, 2023 | My Review to Come


Flamer by Mike Curato

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: The story of a boy at Boy Scout camp coming to grips with his identity. Heartfelt and raw. I read this as part of a project to read the top ten most challenged books of 2023.

Published September 1, 2020 | Review to Come


Let’s Talk About It: The Teen’s Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human
Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A conversational, graphic novel-style book exploring topics related to sex, dating, identity, and relationships. The format makes the information very accessible, and the authors do a great job presenting basic information about a variety of topics. This is also among the top ten most challenged books of 2023.

Published March 9, 2021 | Review to Come


The Winnie-the-Pooh Collection by A. A. Milne and Ernest Shepard

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: I read Milne’s classic stories about Winnie-the-Pooh for the first time this year. They’re sweet and insightful tales about friendship and exploration.

Published August 6, 2024 | My Review


Skyriders (Skyriders #1) by Polly Holyoke

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Wings of Fire meets Skandar and the Unicorn Thief is a great descriptor. I felt like I was reading a book from an earlier decade in all the best ways.

Published March 7, 2023 | My Review


Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: This was a reread for me, and it only made me realize how much I love this story. The insights into family bonds and celebration of imagination are fabulous. I’m so glad I got to revisit this one.

Published August 28, 2014 (Orig. 1908) | My Review to Come


A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: The story follows three orphans who need to find a guardian at the time that children were evacuated from London because of the bombing during WWII. This story was everything I wanted it to be. I have to read more by Kate Albus.

Published February 2, 2021 | My Review to Come


How to Write a Soundtrack to Your Life by Fiona Hardy

Kane Miller Website | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A shy, young composer must figure out who stole the music from her original song. This is an anthem for all shy, musically gifted kids. I loved this one.

Published August 25, 2020 | My Review


The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: One of the most challenged books of 2023. Tells the story of Pecola, an eleven-year-old Black girl who prays for her eyes to turn blue so she will be beautiful. A powerful read.

Published June 24, 2007 (Orig. 1970) | My Review to Come

What did you read over the summer?

Did you do any reading over the summer? If so, what were your favorite books? Leave a comment and let me know, or let me know if you’ve read anything from my list.

Review: Greenwild: The City Beyond the Sea by Pari Thomson

Greenwild: The City Beyond the Sea (Greenwild #2)
Pari Thomson
MacMillan Children’s Books
Published June 4, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Greenwild: The City Beyond the Sea

Daisy Thistledown’s epic adventure continues in the spellbinding sequel to New York Times bestseller The World Behind the Door by Pari Thomson.

In a land ruled by water, treachery runs deep . . . Daisy Thistledown and the Five O’Clock Club might have defeated a terrifying foe, but their journey to find the missing Botanists is only just beginning.

Desperate to join the long-awaited expedition to the heart of the Amazon, Daisy and her friends abandon the safety of magical Mallowmarsh –only to fall face-first into danger on the high seas when they find themselves pursued across the waves by Grim Reapers. Their only to find the legendary Iffenwild, a mysterious pocket of the Greenwild hidden and lost to time.

But beneath the waves, a strange botanical magic stirs. And it will take all of Daisy’s courage and determination – and the trust of an unexpected new friend – if she is to discover the truth that haunts Iffenwild, and save the Greenwild from a terrible fate.

My Review

I’ve been looking forward to this book all year. Daisy’s new adventure picks up not long after her last one ends. The early chapters offer quick refreshers on some of the key events from the previous book for readers whose memories may have faded a bit. These recollections don’t slow down the action, though, as Daisy immediately has an urgent quest to sneak aboard a ship ultimately bound for Amazeria to rescue her mother.

The story alternates points of view between Daisy and Max, whom I loved immediately. Kidnappers stole Max from his home, injuring his mother, and he’s been desperate to escape since. When his opportunity comes, he seizes it, leaping from a ship into the water without taking time to factor in that he cannot swim. Thankfully, Daisy spots him in time, which leads to the two unwillingly joining forces.

Indigo and Prof, Daisy’s close friends from book one, also help Daisy on her mission. I loved getting to see both of them again. Indigo shines in moments when they discover animals who are injured or in danger, and Prof reminds the group to think things through and study for an important exam that awaits them at home.

One scene late in the book left me in tears, in a good way. Someone who’d grieved so many things had this moment of belonging and things making sense in a new way, and it hit me right in the feels.

I barrelled through this book, so eager to read each page, all the way to the very last one. This series is one of my current favorites, and I’ll absolutely be counting down the days until book three comes out!

Perfect for fans of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A. F. Steadman or The Storm Keeper’s Island by Catherine Doyle (a long-time favorite of mine!)

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Representation
Daisy’s mom is Iranian. Other characters are described as having amber or brown skin.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Some characters have the ability to perform magic involving plants or water.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Someone kidnaps a boy and knocks his mother out. Dangerous criminals called Reapers chase Daisy and her allies. One brief battle sequence in which it appears someone gets stabbed. An extended battle sequence in which someone fatally stabs another person.

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 posting about middle-grade books today on Marvelous Middle-Grade Mondays at Always in the Middle with Greg Pattridge.

Reread Project: Greenwild by Pari Thomson

Reread Project: Greenwild: The World Behind the Door

One of my favorite books last year was Greenwild by Pari Thomson. I got completely swept away in the lush fantasy setting packed with magic, powerful plants, charming characters, and an unforgettable cat.

This summer, the series continues with Greenwild: The World Beyond the Sea, which I’m eagerly anticipating. It’s one of the books I’m most looking forward to this year. While I’m waiting, I’m going to enjoy the fabulous world of book one all over again– just in time for Earth Day, too!

If you haven’t read this gorgeous story, grab a copy and dive in so you’re ready when book two hits shelves.

Greenwild: The World Behind the Door
Pari Thomson
Farrar, Straus, and Giroux
Published June 6, 2023

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

About Greenwild: The World Behind the Door

Open the door to a spellbinding world where the wilderness is alive and a deep magic rises from the earth itself . . .

Eleven-year-old Daisy Thistledown is on the run. Her mother has been keeping big, glittering secrets, and now she has vanished. Daisy knows it’s up to her to find Ma―but someone is hunting her across London. Someone determined to stop her from discovering the truth.

So when Daisy flees to safety through a mysterious hidden doorway, she can barely believe her eyes―she has stepped out of the city and into another world.

This is the Greenwild. Bursting with magic and full of amazing natural wonders, it seems too astonishing to be true. But not only is this land of green magic real, it holds the key to finding Daisy’s mother.

And someone wants to destroy it.

Daisy must band together with a botanical genius, a boy who can talk with animals, and a cat with an attitude to uncover the truth about who she really is. Only then can she channel the power that will change her whole world . . . and save the Greenwild itself.

Coming June 4, 2024

Greenwild: The City Beyond the Sea (Greenwild #2)
Pari Thomson
Farrar, Straus, & Giroux

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Daisy Thistledown’s epic adventure continues in the spellbinding sequel to New York Times bestseller The World Behind the Door by Pari Thomson.

In a land ruled by water, treachery runs deep . . . 

Daisy Thistledown and the Five O’Clock Club might have defeated a terrifying foe, but their journey to find the missing Botanists is only just beginning.

Desperate to join the long-awaited expedition to the heart of the Amazon, Daisy and her friends abandon the safety of magical Mallowmarsh –only to fall face-first into danger on the high seas when they find themselves pursued across the waves by Grim Reapers. Their only to find the legendary Iffenwild, a mysterious pocket of the Greenwild hidden and lost to time.

But beneath the waves, a strange botanical magic stirs. And it will take all of Daisy’s courage and determination – and the trust of an unexpected new friend – if she is to discover the truth that haunts Iffenwild, and save the Greenwild from a terrible fate.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support this blog. I received a free copy of GREENWILD: THE WORLD BEHIND THE DOOR in exchange for my honest review.