New MG - The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia (An Illustrated Novel) by Leia Ham

The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia (An Illustrated Novel) by Leia Ham

From the publisher, Scholastic, Published May 5, 2026.

To Sparrow Xia, power feels like fire; red-hot sparks dancing along her fingertips, or the blazing flames her brother wields. In a world where kids have magic and adults don’t, being a super-rare fire mage should give her the edge she needs to make the most of her magical years. But Sparrow feels like a fraud―for all its rarity, her fire-magic is so weak she can barely conjure more than a match flame. Starting school at Zenith Academy for Magical Development is her one chance to finally strengthen her magic―to turn her pitiful match flame into something powerful. Something special.

While Sparrow battles to master her talents, a strange illness begins to seep into the school, draining students of their magic. When Sparrow and her new friends are drawn into the search for a cure, they’ll soon find that when magic means everything, some people will go to terrifying lengths to try to keep it . . .

With exciting, atmospheric illustrations on every page, The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia is the beginning of an unforgettable adventure overflowing with friendship, mystery, and the truth that magic is everywhere.

For some reason, I love illustrated novels. While not a graphic novel, having illustrations informs and adds so much to the atmosphere and characters. The illustrations in this novel are artistic and enhance the mood so much – very magical indeed.

The magic is fun and intriguing, but what I enjoyed was the friendships. The characters are all so different and struggling with their own issues yet support each other. Of course, there are antagonists with lovely twists of their own.

The advanced reader copy I received had a few phrases that were odd, so I’m hoping those were changed before the release, because other than that, the hard cover with the drawing on the closed pages looks beautiful.

New MG Graphic Novel - Opting Out by Maia Kobabe & Swati “Lucky” Srikumar

From the publisher, Scholastic, Published May 5, 2026.

From the award-winning author/illustrator of GENDER QUEER and a bright new talent, the story of a kid named Saachi, who is navigating friendship woes, sister issues, a new crush, and a resistance to blue-and-pink binaries.

Bodies are the worst. I wish I didn't have a body.

Saachi is a storyteller. At school, she's surrounded by kids she's known forever -- including her best friend, Lyla, who shares Saachi's love of fantasy novels and creating new worlds.

But as seventh grade starts, kids are changing. Suddenly, it matters who you like and if you can find a boyfriend or girlfriend. Even Lyla seems more interested in hanging out with her new boyfriend than in writing and drawing with Saachi anymore. Saachi's not interested in any of that boy/girl stuff. Why can't things just stay the way they were?

Saachi also doesn't love all the ways her body is changing. What if she doesn't feel like a girl -- or like a boy, either? In a world where there is so much either/or, Saachi is going to need to find her own options . . . and create her own story.

I found this graphic novel to be relatable and important and the main character, Saachi, felt real. She questions her gender and how she fits in, when her friends don’t have the same issue. It brings to light how different people struggle while figuring themselves out. I believe this novel has a home and will be beneficial to countless kids dealing with similar concerns.

There are many themes in this story: growing up is hard enough with just physical changes, but friendships change and school changes, too; finding your passion and people who support you; and not judging a book by its cover.  

A Must Read - I Wish I Didn't Have to Tell You This: A Graphic Memoir by Eugene Yelchin

I was mia for December and January. I should probably never post in December since it's a busy time. And in January, life just took over. To me, life is always a rollercoaster, just normal life. But I have been reading and finally getting a review posted. Maybe I'll even have one mid-month, but I'll see if I can read faster! Hope everyone had lovely holidays and welcome to 2026. Maybe January should always start in February. LOL

I Wish I Didn't Have to Tell You This: A Graphic Memoir by Eugene Yelchin

From the publisher, Candlewick Press, Published September 16, 2025.

No longer the creative little boy under his grandmother’s table, Yevgeny is now a young adult, pursuing his artistic dreams under the constant threat of the KGB’s stranglehold on Russia’s creative scene. When a chance encounter with an American woman opens him up to a world of romance and possibility, Yevgeny believes he has found his path to the future—and freedom overseas. But the threat of being drafted into the military and sent to fight in Afghanistan changes everything in a terrible instant, and he takes drastic measures to decide his fate, leading to unthinkable consequences in a mental hospital. With bold art bringing a vivid reality to life, National Book Award Finalist and Newbery Honoree Eugene Yelchin’s sequel to the acclaimed memoir The Genius Under the Table returns to Yevgeny’s saga, balancing the terror and oppression of Soviet Russia with the author’s signature charm and dark wit. I Wish I Didn't Have to Tell You This shines a stark spotlight on history while offering a poignant, nuanced, and powerfully resonant look at growing up in—and ultimately leaving—Cold War Russia in the early 1980s.

This latest book by Eugene Yelchin is more Young Adult or New Adult. If you haven’t read any of Eugene’s books, whether he wrote or illustrated it or both, middle grade or picture books, do yourself a favor and read them.

This story follows his life from 1980-1983. What he lived through and survived, his point of view is so important. He shows the difficulty of life and death of living in Russia during this time. Details and experiences that most of us would never have encountered. There’s so much I want to write but not give anything away. Art and love, pain and death. Courage and sacrifices. Definitely worth a read.