Amazing Answers for Curious Kids – Space Edition by Ross Austin


Amazing Answers for Curious Kids – Space Edition by Ross Austin
Publisher: Beyond Why Press
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Non-Fiction, Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Amazing Answers for Curious Kids: Space Edition

Why do planets orbit the Sun? What would happen if you dropped a hammer and a feather on the Moon? How do astronauts go to the bathroom in space? And what does it actually feel like when a rocket launches?

Amazing Answers for Curious Kids: Space Edition turns the questions children genuinely wonder about into 84 fascinating space discoveries they can understand, remember, and want to explore further.

Designed for curious kids ages 6–12, this full-color book explores the Solar System, planets, stars, black holes, rockets, astronauts, and the universe through clear explanations, vivid visuals, surprising facts, and questions that encourage kids to think before discovering the answer.

Older readers can explore independently, while younger readers can enjoy the questions, pictures, and discoveries with a grown-up.

Science is filled with endless possibilities.

The conversational writing style made this easy to read even when complex topics were being broken down into something that elementary-aged kids can better understand. It honestly felt like sitting down with a scientist and talking to them about subjects so many people may quietly wonder about but not actually bring up in some cases. This was an excellent stylistic choice and was one of the many reasons why I chose a full five-star rating.

I love how detailed so many of the answers were. For example, one section described what astronauts’ spacesuits smell like after they’ve returned to the space station from a mission. It never would have occurred to me that the molecules out in space might have a particular scent to them, although the explanation of why and how that happened made a great deal of sense. This was one of many examples of things I wouldn’t think to ask but am glad I learned about while reading this book.

Some of my favorite sections were the ones that discussed how scientists are preparing now for future longterm missions to Mars and similar places. For example, figuring out how to have enough food and water for people living that far away would be a constant challenge. There are experiments currently being done on how best to grow food on spaceships or other enclosed areas so that there could be a continuous supply of it for everyone who lived there. These topics are complicated and it will probably be a long time before we’re able to grow enough food for an entire community in such a closed system, but the exploration of some of the techniques they’re trying was absolutely fascinating.

I’d recommend Amazing Answers for Curious Kids – Space Edition to people of all ages who love this topic and want to learn more about outer space.

Curious Mind and Dancing Feet by Melinda González


Curious Mind and Dancing Feet by Melinda González
Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Children’s (0-6 y.o.)
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

A young girl with ADHD celebrates what makes her who she is

In Curious Mind and Dancing Feet, a young girl explains what it’s like to live with ADHD. Sometimes her mind wants to wander, and she often gets the wiggles. But when it comes to bugs, she’s laser focused. People don’t understand why she fills her pockets with bug-friendly snacks, and they don’t have to. The important thing is, her Mami, Abuelita, and friends understand, and they help her embrace her ADHD when she starts to feel jumbled up. With ADHD, life is complicated—and full of joy and wonder.

Offers an honest portrayal of life with ADHD, including challenges and strengths
Celebrates disability joy and offers an empowering self-representation for disabled kids
Helps children develop empathy and understanding with first-person storytelling from a child’s perspective
Centers disabled voices by drawing on the author’s experience with ADHD
Features a Puerto Rican and Muslim girl as the main character

The Disability Books for Kids series explores visible and invisible disability in the first person, as seen through the eyes of children and written from firsthand experience. The series builds allyship, challenges ableism, and celebrates difference, empowering and educating all readers. Each book includes an author’s note to the reader.

Curious Mind and Dancing Feet is a joyful, beautifully illustrated celebration of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the unique strengths it brings. The artwork is vibrant and engaging, perfectly matching the energy and curiosity of the young girl at the center of the story. I love how clearly the book explains ADHD, its characteristics, its challenges, and the myths that often surround it. In a way that’s accessible for children and eye‑opening for adults. The story highlights that it’s not only okay to be different, but that those differences bring creativity, expression, joy, and a wonderful sense of curiosity about the world.

The main character’s love for bugs, her wandering mind, and her “dancing feet” are portrayed with warmth and authenticity. Her family’s support shows the power of understanding and acceptance. It’s a beautiful reminder that children thrive when the people around them embrace who they are. This book is an excellent resource for schools, classrooms, and personal libraries. It encourages empathy, celebrates disability joy, and offers empowering representation for kids with ADHD. A meaningful, uplifting read that shines with heart.

A definite five-star addition to any child’s bookshelf.

Ants Work Together by Mélina Mangal


Ants Work Together by Mélina Mangal
Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Children’s (0-6 y.o.)
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Awaken young children to the different roles we play in our communities

In Ants Work Together, two young children prepare for a summertime community picnic in their city neighborhood. They notice that ants are all around us, taking on specialized roles to make sure the whole colony has what it needs.

As cousins Kamali and Josiah help the adults pick vegetables, prepare food, tend the community garden, and take care of little ones, they reflect on how our own diverse strengths parallel those of ants. We all work together to get the job done.

Ants Work Together:

Connects Children to Nature: From picking vegetables and preparing food to watching over little ones, readers reflect on the similarities between our own roles and responsibilities and those of ants: we all work together to get the job done!
Features relatable Language for Little Learners: Simple text and vivid illustrations are used throughout the toddler book to help little ones connect to nature in a fun and easy-to-understand way.
Includes Helpful Tips for Parents & Caregivers: This children’s book features additional guidance and engaging toddler activities to help children learn more about ants in their own neighborhoods.

This book is part of the Outside Our Window Board Books series, which encourages children―especially those in urban neighborhoods―to explore, protect, and delight in nature. Each book in the series focuses on one feature of the natural world (like ants), one season (summer), and one social or emotional learning skill (working together). The books emphasize community and encourage children and families to explore the natural world around them.

Ants Work Together is a beautifully crafted book that immediately drew me in with its vibrant, inviting illustrations. The colors are rich and realistic, making every page feel alive and engaging for young readers.

I love the premise of the story, being outside in nature, observing the world around us, and recognizing how each of us plays a part in caring for our community. The book highlights family, unity, sharing, and awareness in such a gentle, accessible way. It creates a meaningful connection between children, their loved ones, and the natural world, showing how even small actions help keep the earth’s cycle in balance.

This story offers wonderful exposure for children to learn about nature, teamwork, and responsibility. It’s thoughtful, relatable, and full of heart. A truly delightful read that celebrates both community and the wonders right outside our window.

A perfect addition to any child’s library.

Izzy’s Dilemma by Robert Pais


Izzy’s Dilemma by Robert Pais
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

What If The Easiest Way To Belong Meant Changing Who You Are?

On the planet Mirron, your eye color determines your place in society.

Topaz are at the top. Emeralds and Sapphires occupy the middle. And Pearls are at the bottom.

Twelve-year-old Izzy Ashford is a Pearl.

Growing up in the wealthy Topaz community of Covington with her loving adoptive parents, Izzy has never thought her eye color should matter. But when bullying and prejudice begin to make her feel like an outsider, she starts to see Mirron’s color system in a very different way.

Then, during a family vacation, a mysterious stranger named Sam makes Izzy an extraordinary offer.

He can change her Pearl eyes to Topaz.

Permanently!

Suddenly, Izzy has a chance to become the person of interest Mirron’s society would accept without question. BUT there is a price.

And Izzy has only one summer to decide whether that’s a price worth paying.

At River Valley Camp, Izzy meets new friends, encounters people from every level of Mirron’s society, and begins to discover that the world she thought she understood may be far more complicated than it seems.

As secrets from the past begin to surface and her choices become harder, Izzy is forced to confront a question that goes far beyond the color of her eyes:

How much of yourself should you change just to be accepted?

Izzy must make a choice.

Change her eyes and finally fit in – or stay true to herself and discover what it really means to belong.

Differences should be celebrated.

One of the reasons why I like reading middle grade fiction so much is that the preteen years are often when kids begin to develop separate identities from their families. Some of the best examples of this genre in my opinion are the ones that explore what this separation means for their characters and give glimpses of the adults they will become in the future, both of which this story did incredibly well. Due to Izzy’s eye color, her adoption could never have been a secret to begin with, but now that she was a preteen the meaning of that difference began to impact her in ways that she had not previously thought about in as much detail. While she still had a lot of maturing to do, I thought the protagonist was already developing into a kind and compassionate young woman who was going to make her world a much better place. Bravo for that!

Judy and Tom’s parenting decisions about how and where they raised Izzy puzzled me. Obviously, this book was intended to be a metaphor for the racism in our own world, but I couldn’t understand why a couple would adopt a child they knew was going to face a lifetime of prejudice and then raise her in such a close-minded community when there were more diverse and welcoming neighbourhoods easily available to them. This was something that could have included some powerful messages about what it truly means to be an ally had more time been spent exploring the difference between what these characters said and how they actually chose to live their lives. As an adult reader, I can make those inferences easily, but I think the intended middle grade audience would have benefited from much deeper discussions on this topic due to how important it is both on Izzy’s world and in our own.

I appreciated how much time was spent exploring how it feels to be part of a minority group. While some negative interactions can definitely be overt and blatantly fueled by prejudice, what can be just as difficult to cope with over the longterm are the little moments where someone says something that could be interpreted in multiple ways or where a group gives the subtle impression that someone is not fully welcomed there. This can be a difficult topic to discuss with kids this age who may or may not have personal experience with it, so I’m glad the author gave so many examples of what these subtle slights can look like. Had the entire book been written this way, I would have happily given it a much higher rating.

Izzy’s Dilemma was thought provoking.

The Band From Another World by Kevin Garone


The Band From Another World by Kevin Garone
(Alien Survival Guide Book 3)
Publisher: Temor Press
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

When Marv traces a mysterious transmission to an abandoned house, he’s ready to finally uncover proof of an otherworldly invasion. But when he and his friends sneak inside, they don’t find aliens.

Instead, they find a dusty basement full of musical instruments.

To Marv’s friends, this means one thing: instant rock band. But Marv was right to be suspicious. Strange shadows reach from the walls. Faces flicker in the dark. Worst of all, his friends start acting off. Like they’re not entirely themselves anymore.

And it’s happening to Marv, too.

Suddenly, he can play guitar like a total legend-no practice, no lessons, no explanation. But every note pulls him in deeper. The thoughts in his head aren’t all his. And the music doesn’t want to stop.

Can Marv uncover the truth behind the transmission before he loses himself completely?

Because something else is listening to the broadcast. And it’s not here for the music.

Not every wish should come true.

The paranormal subplot was a surprising and welcomed addition to this universe. While I can’t go into much detail about it without accidentally sharing spoilers, what I can say is that it added another layer of depth to what I already knew about this universe and could be a fantastic springboard for future adventures if the author is planning to write more about these characters. I don’t know if that will happen, of course, but he left plenty of space here for further explorations of the world Marv and his friends live in which, if nothing else, provides a lot of fodder for the imagination in the meantime.

I mentioned wanting more character development in my review of book one, I Know What UFO Did Last Summer. This was once again something that came to mind while I was reading, but this time it involved the secondary characters instead of the protagonist. As much as I enjoyed the plot and world building, I was hoping to get to know Marv’s friends better by this point. Although I could easily describe his personality and habits, it’s something I’d struggle with a bit if someone asked about what Jace, Kenji, Nora, or Liv were like. If as much attention had been paid to this as was given to describing their interest in aliens, I would have happily gone for a full five-star rating.

This is the third instalment of a series, but it works perfectly well as a standalone story, too. With that being said, there were some wonderful references and callbacks to the first two stories included here. One of them involved a fun plot twist related to previously-introduced characters that I didn’t see coming in advance, so do keep an eye out for it if you’re already familiar with these characters. Balancing the expectations of new and returning readers isn’t always easy, and I must tip my cap at Mr. Garone for making things accessible and amusing for everyone.

The Band From Another World (Alien Survival Guide Book 3) was a wild ride that still has me wondering what might happen next.

The Last Rift Dragon by Shami Stovall

The Last Rift Dragon by Shami Stovall
Publisher: Capital Station Books
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Rated: 5 stars
Review by Rose

The City of Bridgehaven is under attack.

The nation to the west intends to murder Bridgehaven’s last three remaining dragons, rendering them extinct. They’ll stop at nothing to crush the eggs, flay the dragons, and burn Bridgehaven to the ground.

But Richter Whitlock is determined to make sure that doesn’t happen. He joins the Knights of the Silver Fog—individuals dedicated to protecting Bridgehaven, and the dragons, at all costs—in the hopes of caring for a fragile dragon egg, so that one day he may bond and fight back.

But there are traitors in Bridgehaven, and enemies are circling close.

If Richter hopes to save his home, and his egg, he’ll have to master his magic, learn to craft magitech, and become one of the greatest Knights anyone has ever seen…

Shami Stovall has done it again! A brilliant new series has arrived with wonderful characters, world-building that is literally out of this world, and non-stop action which would work so well on the screen. Not since her Arcanist series have I read a book that so instantly drew me in to such an extent that I could not put the book down until I had finished it!

There were so heartbreaking moments as well as moments that had me holding my breath until things were resolved. I really think this is Ms. Stovall’s best work to date. I love all the dragons, and it’s obvious there are a lot more about dragons to learn about. Great job!!!

I am so looking forward to the next installment of this series.

Our Ghost Harry by Peter De Geesewell


Our Ghost Harry by Peter De Geesewell
Publisher: Rowanvale Books
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Horror, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Contemporary, Historical
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

How would you react if one day you found a genuine ghost sitting in your living room – declaring that from now on he’s your new housemate?

Meet Sir Henry, the bitter, mischievous ghost of Urquhart Castle in Scotland. Cursed by his own son to haunt his castle until he saves a girl’s life, he finally decides to leave his dilapidated, abandoned home and ‘emigrate’ to Switzerland, where he transforms himself into the genial and funny guardian spirit of his newly adopted family.

Our Ghost Harry is a charming ghost story that is equal parts spooky, hilarious and moving, perfect for readers aged 10 to 100. Ideal for reading aloud or enjoying on your own, it will terrify and delight audiences of all ages.

Regret is good, but fixing things is even better.

Sir Henry was a funny, cranky ghost whose past contained a few dark secrets he’d been wrestling with for over seven hundred years. Sometimes I loved him for his sense of humor and dramatic habits, but in other scenes I was exasperated by how unsympathetic and stubborn he could be. There’s something to be said for a character whose flaws are deeply woven into their personality and who was as well-rounded and interesting as he was.

The other characters in this book, especially the older members of Henry’s chosen family, were not given this same chance to shine. While I wouldn’t expect the exact same amount of time to be spent on describing what their personalities were like, the fact that I would struggle to describe how they behaved or what their biggest weaknesses were was why I ended up choosing a four-star rating. As much as I enjoyed the main character and the plot, I simply had too many questions about what the people around Henry were like to pick a rating higher than that.

This included a wonderful mixture of genres that I don’t get to see used together as often as I’d like to, especially when it came to combining comedy with horror. Some of my favorite scenes were the ones that explored the cultural differences between life today and what Henry experienced in the 1300s. His expectations of how things should proceed, especially when it came to who should decide how what was now a historical site should be used, were obviously wildly out of touch with what someone born several decades ago has grown up knowing as the proper way to do things. I know this is a little vague, but there are later plot points related to how the law and social norms have changed over the centuries that fans of history or adult readers might especially like.

Our Ghost Harry made me wish for a sequel. This was such an exciting romp through both modern-day and medieval life.

When You Wish by Barbara Venkataraman


When You Wish by Barbara Venkataraman
Five Fortunes Book 2
Publisher: Next Chapter
Genre: Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.), LGBTQ, Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

When Megan, Rihanna, Abby, Alison and Lori wish on a shooting star, they learn that what you want isn’t always what you need. The close-knit group of friends must each navigate their own journey of self-discovery, joy and sadness, mishaps and misunderstandings. With the help of good friends and a pinch of moxie, will they find their way?

Rihanna has a new set of problems to solve when her aunt moves in, while Lori must convince her parents to fulfill her heart’s desire. Megan fights for independence from a life that is stifling her and Abby struggles through a grueling year that promises a rewarding summer. Meanwhile, Alison is keeping a secret from the people she loves.

Rescue puppies, secret romance, teenage fashion influencers and helicopter parents make Barbara Venkataraman’s WHEN YOU WISH a fun story you won’t soon forget.

Life is full of surprises.

The romantic subplot blended in perfectly to everything else that was going on. If Ms. Venkataraman writes more about these characters someday, I would be thrilled to see where this romance goes. That is something I’m saying as a reader who only occasionally visits that genre but who absolutely adored the sweet and charming young ladies involved in this particular relationship. Bravo!

As I mentioned in my review of the first book in this series, I once again found myself wishing that there were either fewer protagonists or that this could be expanded into a full-length novel so that I could have more time to get to know all five main characters. There simply wasn’t enough space here for the character development I was hoping to see, and this is something I’m saying as someone who loved what I did get to see of Megan, Rihanna, Abby, Alison, and Lori’s lives. With that being said, I was a little more satisfied this time around, so fingers crossed that will continue in the future.

Some of the most memorable scenes were the ones that captured the emotional highs and lows of being a teenage girl ranging from how quickly friendships can change when someone is this age to the serious family matters some teens quietly deal with and don’t necessarily share with their friends. Reading this honestly made me feel like I was back in high school again!

This is something I’d recommend reading in chronological order for plot and development reasons.

When You Wish was a heartwarming and engaging read.

So You Want To Be An Astronaut by Linda Soules


So You Want To Be An Astronaut by Linda Soules
Publisher: So You Want To Be…Books
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Non-Fiction, Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

What does it really take to become an astronaut — not in a movie, but in the actual universe where rockets shake your bones and silence stretches forever outside the hull?

So You Want To Be An Astronaut is the honest, illustrated guide that curious kids have been waiting for. It takes young readers ages 10 to 14 deep inside the science, the training, and the daily reality of one of the most extraordinary careers a person can pursue. No sugarcoating. No skipping the hard parts. Just the real story of what happens between the dream and the launch.

You will follow the full path: years of preparation before a single mission, from underwater spacewalk simulations to wilderness survival training. You will learn the science of space exploration — orbital mechanics, life-support systems, and what happens to a human body living in microgravity far from Earth. You will discover how a small crew depends on each other across distances no rescue team can cross, and what happens when the mission does not go exactly as planned.

The book is rich with space facts that go far beyond the basics. It explores our solar system and the science careers that make every mission possible — engineers, flight surgeons, mission controllers, and the astronauts themselves. It covers the history of space exploration and the pioneering figures who proved that human beings could survive and work in outer space. And it asks the question young readers care about most: what can I start doing right now?

Every page is designed to pull you in. Colorful images and short, focused sections make even complex science accessible and fun to explore. Glossaries break down key terms without slowing the pace. This is nonfiction built like a reference and an adventure at once — the kind of illustrated companion a child first loves for its photographs at eight, then returns to at twelve or fourteen discovering new depth every time.

Younger readers thrive with a parent or teacher alongside them, turning pages into rich conversations about science, ambition, and what is possible. Independent readers in the middle grades will dive in headfirst, absorbing details and beginning to picture themselves in the role. Older readers and adults will find surprising layers — fascinating history, memorable insights, and a voice that never talks down to anyone.

For every young person who looks up at the night sky and feels something stir, this book is the real answer they deserve.

Everyone needs a goal in life.

The descriptions of what it feels like to orbit Earth were marvelous. I almost felt as if I were right there watching the continents and oceans pass by peacefully below me. It was a calm and joyful moment that helped me to understand why someone would be willing to train for so many years for the chance to experience it.

Speaking of training, I loved the section that gave a practical list of things to start doing now for kids who want to become astronauts. This was such a good way to draw readers in and encourage them to follow their dreams no matter how many years away they are from adulthood.

What catapulted this into a five-star read for me was how honest the narrator was about both the negative and positive aspects of being an astronaut. Anyone who wants to be part of this profession should have the whole truth instead of a sugarcoated version of what it’s actually like. I especially liked the descriptions of the many years of training it takes in many different subjects before someone qualifies to live on the ISS (International Space Station), including the requirement to learn Russian.

I was pleasantly surprised by a page on in this picture book that talked about what astronauts do after they have completed their missions. While I don’t want to give away any spoilers for it, it wrapped up everything beautifully and taught me a few things about them that I didn’t know before.

So You Want To Be An Astronaut was inspiring and made me want to learn more about the brave men and women who have done this work.

Tawny by Chas Carner


Tawny by Chas Carner
Publisher: Scholastic and Macmillan
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Historical
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Trey and Troy Landry are 12-year-old twin brothers growing up on a New Hampshire farm. Even though Troy is the impulsive trouble maker, and Trey the more dutiful and introverted one, they share an incredibly close bond.

One day Troy is accidentally killed by hunters poaching deer on the farm. Trey is devastated and channels his grief into caring for an injured deer, which he names “Tawny.”

As their friendship deepens, however, Trey finds it harder and harder to release Tawny back into the wild.

What he learns in the process of letting go—about loss, love, and the healing power of nature has even more relevance for youth today than when this critically acclaimed novel was first published.

Grief has many faces.

Mr. Carter had a smooth and descriptive writing style that was a joy to read. I especially liked the passages in this novella that talked about the rhythms of life on a farm and how one season of the year would gradually give way to the next. As someone who had spent his entire life on that same property, Trey was so accustomed to what every month felt like that he didn’t quite seem to realize how special they were, but his descriptions of his childhood were still beautiful and showed me so much about his personality and the empathic and patient man he would become in a few short years as a result of his rural childhood.

It was the passages dealing with Trey’s grief over the death of his twin brother that ultimately convinced me to choose a five-star rating. Many stories that deal with death and loss focus on how it feels immediately or, at most, several months later, but healing can require a much longer period of time than that and sometimes involves old pain returning in quiet moments when the outside world might assume someone is doing much better now than they actually are. I loved the scenes later on that explored how Trey dealt with these feelings while also going about his usual routine of school, chores, and looking after Tawny as she healed from her injury.

The many cultural difference between the 1950s and modern times also piqued my interest. For example, Trey and Troy were taught how to drive at age eight and, a few years later, were doing potentially dangerous chores on the farm like helping cows to deliver their calves or shooting guns. Many children in the Western Hemisphere today would not allowed to participate in these activities, so it was fascinating to see how much more freedom and autonomy people that age had a few generations ago.

Tawny was heartfelt and bittersweet. It made me want to read more from this author!