Category: Middle Grade

Flash Review: Monkey King and the World of Myths – The Monster and the Maze by Maple Lam

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By Maureen Tai, 21 July 2024

Most Chinese children will have grown up with the stories of Sun Wukong, the powerful Monkey King, almighty ruler of the Flowers and Fruit Mountain, but not many children would have imagined what a mash-up of Chinese and Greek mythology could look like … until now. In the first book of this engaging, hilarious, and clever myth-blending graphic novel series, Monkey King and the World of Myths, the titular character is invincible and cute as a button, yet doubtful of his place in the world. He is a beast, and despite his magical powers, looked upon with fear and suspicion by gods and humans alike. After leaving the sanctuary of his kingdom, the energetic monkey decides that he too, wants to become a god, and to be revered by humans. Unfortunately, he is caught gatecrashing the Heavenly Kingdom and as punishment, the gods offer Sun Wukong an irresistible challenge: help them hunt down monsters infected with an evil energy known as Yao-Qi and in return, the gods will make the Monkey King one of their own. Armed with his magic staff, quick wit and irrepressible bravado, and accompanied by an unusual sidekick (the most adorable Cerberus ever!) Sun Wukong journeys (on a magic cloud, of course) to Athens, Greece to confront his first monster, the horrific Minotaur. In the ensuing battle, the Monkey King uncovers the sad truth of the bull-headed creature while discovering what it means to be a true hero and how to earn the affection and love of others.

Ages 8 and up.

NOTE: Thank you for reading my reviews! I’ll never take this website down, but in the interests of streamlining, from 1 January 2025, I’ll be posting new reviews on my writer website, www.maureentai.com, where I post lots of other bookish extras. See you there!


Flash Review: The Worlds We Leave Behind by A.F. Harrold, illustrated by Levi Pinfold

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By Maureen Tai, 17 May 2024

Friendships are tricky, especially if you’re a 10-year old boy like Hex who doesn’t understand himself sometimes. Like why he spontaneously danced in class. Or made fun of the classmate who had wet his pants. Or runs away from a terrible accident that happens in the woods while Hex, his best friend Tommo, and an irrepressible little girl called Sascha (who has tagged along with them) are playing on a rope swing. Caught up in a swirl of emotions, Hex runs, and the next day, Hex keeps on running until he meets a strange woman in the deep, dark forest and is beckoned to her cottage. The woman’s shaggy dog, Leafy, is depicted in one of the many spooky, monochrome illustrations to be as large as a pony. The woman offers Hex the chance to right the wrongs done to him, to erase the hurt. Does Hex take it? Do any of the complex, haunted characters in this richly imagined, carefully brewed, middle-grade novel take that one devastating option offered to them, to irrevocably alter the world – and their lives – as they know it? The story in The Worlds We Leave Behind unfolds slowly but surely, revealing itself to be dark, deeply philosophical, and above all, exquisitely written.

Ages 12 and up.

NOTE: Thank you for reading my reviews! I’ll never take this website down, but in the interests of streamlining, from 1 January 2025, I’ll be posting new reviews on my writer website, www.maureentai.com, where I post lots of other bookish extras. See you there!

Flash Review: No Matter The Distance by Cindy Baldwin

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By Maureen Tai, 11 April 2024

In middle-grade verse novel, No Matter The Distance (ages 8+), eleven-year-old Penny Rooney begins her spring break thinking about the poetry slam competition that’s just been announced, the theme of which is “What I Know About Myself.” Penny knows a lot about her best friend Cricket (brainiac and space enthusiast), her older sister Liana (music lover and nickname generator), and cystic fibrosis (the genetic disorder she was born with). But does Penny know anything about herself?

Out of the blue, a silvery dolphin appears in the creek next to her home, separated from its pod. In the weeks that follow, Penny and the dolphin forge a wondrous connection that ultimately saves the dolphin and allows Penny to discover who she really is. While Penny makes some rather brave (perhaps a little foolhardy) decisions on her own, she is never, ever, alone in the world. A timely reminder in these fractured times to any adult reader (because adults should read this too) that the most important responsibility to any child is to ensure that they are part of a safe and loving family and community.

This well crafted and masterfully written novel does not shy away from describing the precarity of living with a life-shortening genetic condition. What makes this verse novel outstanding is that the author manages to convey so many difficult truths, yet finely balance it throughout with a heartfelt and inspiring message of hope. A truly wonderful read.

Ages 8 and up.

NOTE: Thank you for reading my reviews! I’ll never take this website down, but in the interests of streamlining, from 1 January 2025, I’ll be posting new reviews on my writer website, www.maureentai.com, where I post lots of other bookish extras. See you there!

Flash Review: a first time for everything by Dan Santat

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By Maureen Tai, 9 January 2024

In this humorous and heart-warming middle-grade graphic memoir, a first time for everything, Dan Santat recounts the life-changing and awkward “firsts” of his middle school life: first time being ridiculed, first party, first school trip to Europe, first Fanta, and of course, first love. It is impossible not to get swept into Dan’s story, and to root for the hapless and quiet “good boy” as he navigates complicated relationships in a European setting in the late 1980s: the illustrations are rich with action, expression and detail and the storytelling is masterfully paced and never predictable. Both kids and adults alike will find much to relate to and enjoy in this endearing, feel-good read about embracing life’s challenges, no matter how dire they may appear to be. A well-deserved 2023 National Book Award winner.

For ages 11+.

NOTE: Thank you for reading my reviews! I’ll never take this website down, but in the interests of streamlining, from 1 January 2025, I’ll be posting new reviews on my writer website, www.maureentai.com, where I post lots of other bookish extras. See you there!