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Middle Grade Must Reads – February 2026 (Part Two)
The Uninvited
- Written by Ross MacKenzie
- Published by Andersen Press
I have loved everything Ross Mackenzie has ever written and I know this was going to be the same with this book.
When the Faerie folk flee their world and come to ours, running from the nightmare of war, nobody in the everyday knows what to do. So they are locked away.
Thirteen-year-old Samm Wolfback lives in Glass Forest, a sprawling Faerae refugee camp in England. Life in Glass Forest is hard, poisoned by disease and crime and poverty. But Samm has a unique gift that lines his pockets – he can find lost things.
When Samm is thrust into the centre of a plot to escape Glass Forest and return home, he must use his gifts to unearth two treasures lost in the everyday: a relic that will end the war back in Faerae; and the only person with the power to reopen the door between worlds – the Locksmith. The task will take Samm to dark places filled with danger, from a grimly enchanted circus of nightmares to a museum housing a murderous exhibit, and he will have to use all of his skills to stay alive.
Meanwhile, in the human world, a kidnapped boy with a dark secret begins to realise that he might hold the key to the Faerae folks’ fate. Before all is said and done, destiny’s web will entangle him with Samm and send them spinning towards a showdown with the great evil that lurks in the world beyond the door.
After finishing this book, I decided that this was the best thing he has ever written.
The plot was interesting and unique and it was lovely to see the friendship grow between Brogan and Samm, though I was devastated by the ending. The dialogue between these 2 characters was natural and so funny in places. I also liked how the author portrayed Ally, just a normal bog standard kid.
I feel that if a school used this as a class read this could be used as a discussion about asylum.
Overall this is a thought provoking read that will have you rooting for the main characters throughout the book. I hope the author will revisit these characters again in the future.
Pia’s Pet Club: Puppy Problem
- Written by Serena Patel
- Illustrated by Emma McCann
- Published by Usborne
I am always on the lookout for suitable books for my wonderful Year 2 and Year 3 children and I think I have found a little gem.
Meet Pia, the girl who loves pets, but isn’t allowed one of her own! A brand-new series of funny animal adventures from the award-winning creators of Anisha, Accidental Detective.
Pia LOVES pets, but no matter how much she begs her parents for one, the answer is always NO! But Pia doesn’t give up easily…
She decides to help her friend Hari train his troublesome puppy, Luna, to show her parents that she can look after one of her own. But when Luna continues to cause CHAOS, Pia will need to work really hard to show her how to behave.
It’s time to join forces with her animal-loving friends, and form Pet Club! But will Pia ever get a pet of her very own?
First thing to mention is that it’s perfect for those newly independent readers , the font is larger, and it’s a complete story at only 215 pages. This is also ideal for those children that don’t enjoy reading. Plus this book is also full of amazing illustrations.
Then there’s the parts that are mobile phone and email conversations, so very modern.
It’s also a book based on animals that makes the story even more appealing to the children.
This book ticks so many boxes for children. And I look forward to where the series goes next.
Witchlight
- Written by Dominique Valente
- Published by Usborne.
In November 2024 I was lucky enough to have reviewed the first book in the series Witchspark so I couldn’t wait to catch up with these characters. My review of Witchspark is here.
Return to the magical world of witches, royalty and curses in this spellbinding sequel to Witchspark.
Miss Hegotty’s Secret Society of Witches has a lot of work to do.
The Department of Isle-Spark Regulation is up to no good. For Princess Victoria at the palace, this means possibly losing her powers for ever. And for Eglantine Bury, her magical home can’t stop sneezing, causing total chaos with each “ACHOO!”
As if that wasn’t enough to worry about, Eglantine’s house isn’t the only magical being falling mysteriously ill. With dragons and gargoyles getting sicker and sicker, the witches will have to use time travel, disguise spells and genie wishes to uncover the truth…before it’s too late.
It was great to revisit this series, and it was lovely to see how the characters’ relationships had grown over time.
I loved how the focus of this book was the magical house and other magical buildings falling ill.
But what I liked best of all was that it was set 20 minutes down the road from me.
I hope the author will re visit this series again in the future.