Muppit Boy and the Wheel of Power Virtual Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Do you still remember the Muppit Boy, who has saved the world from Dr. Drug's evil allergies and become a top secret federal agent at the age of 12? Today marks the official release of Muppit Boy and the Wheel of Power, the second installment in the series by award-winning author Michael J. Bowler. Let's celebrate with an awesome giveaway! Prizes include signed copies of the book, audiobook downloads and a $50 Amazon gift card. There will be ten winners in total.

My Review:

Packed with action and surprises, Muppit Boy and the Wheel of Power excites middle graders with a stimulating superhero adventure that explores themes of friendship, forgiveness, self-worth, self-discovery, altruism and heroism.

After harnessing his superpowers at a 6-week boot camp, Mo finally gets to reunite with his friends Kash and Barn at a carnival, where a falling Ferris wheel prompts him to transform into his superhero alter ego Condor Kid. The unexpected rescue mission serves as test for his training as well as for his friendship. Is it possible to remain honest with his friends without compromising the confidentiality of his identity? If the accident is orchestrated by Dr. Drug, what is the mad scientist up to this time? When Mo receives his first mission to investigate into the suspicious disappearance of hyperactive, athletic boys, he makes the bold decision to get Mason Rizzo on board. Can the bully be trusted as his sidekick?

Written from Mo's point of view, the narrative invites readers inside Mo's mind to understand his thoughts, feelings, inner debates, and the challenges he has to tackle as he adjusts to his new superhero identity. It's not easy to be a well-publicized hero. It's even harder to be a neurodivergent one. While he takes pride in saving lives and helping others with his talents and superpowers, he struggles to stop people from making the connection between Muppit Boy and Condor Kid. He's still concerned about his self-image and what others think of him, which shows his side as an ordinary adolescent that young readers may feel close to. Although he's involuntarily frozen in age, his growth as a kind, courageous, and responsible person continues as he perfects the use of his superpowers and gives his nemesis the chance to shine.

Friendship remains a major theme of the story. Mo values his friendship with Barn and Kash so deeply that he gets torn between telling the truth and keeping a secret. It's great to see how he manages to stay connected with old friends to the best of his ability. Meanwhile, the unlikely friendship between Mo and Mason Rizzo blossoms after Mo learns about the causes of Rizzo's behavior and entrusts him with the new mission. Mo's trust and forgiveness motivate Rizzo to turn over a new leaf and discover his self-worth.

The contrast between Mo's mom and Rizzo's dad implies the impact of parenting styles on a child's emotional health. A child showered by love is more likely to thrive than one being neglected and berated. Mo's kind heart and heroic actions inspire young readers to help others and treat every life with respect. In addition, the story hints at the lack of accommodations for neurodivergent students in the formal education system and the presence of prejudice against children with developmental disorders.

Entertaining and invigorating, Muppit Boy and the Wheel of Power makes a remarkable addition to the series, which action and adventure lovers of all ages can enjoy.

About the Book:

Ages 9–12 | 240 pages
Publisher: Michael Bowler (2026) | ISBN-13: 979-8-9936486-5-1

MUPPIT BOY IS BACK…AND THIS TIME, HE FLIES

Elmo Fitzroy, known worldwide as Muppit Boy, takes on a new alter ego in this latest adventure: Condor Kid! Revolutionary nanite technology has made Mo the world’s first superhero. That is, if he can learn to fly without faceplanting every time.

Hiding his superpowers from best friends Barney and Kashvi is harder than it looks in comic books, especially with someone as sharp as Kash. She doesn’t miss a trick, so after Condor Kid pulls off a dramatic rescue at a local carnival, Kash is hot on the trail of this new masked hero and determined to uncover his identity.

Meanwhile, athletic, overly energetic boys labeled ADHD by their schools are vanishing as part of a devious plot to make use of their competitive spirit. Mo’s boss, Oscar Silverman, assigns the case to Mo and his Big Brother mentor and spying partner, Ari. What the crime-fighting duo really needs is a hyper, athletic boy to go undercover. Unfortunately, everyone knows Muppit Boy is a nerd, not an athlete.

Can Mo save the lives of a hundred kidnapped kids from a scientist who’s exploiting them in the craziest scheme ever, or will he need help from the last person on earth he’d ever expect to work with?

Purchase links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org

The Junkyard Virtual Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Ready for a high-stakes adventure involving a stealthy army of dogs, a vengeful wolf and an authoritative grizzly bear? Jump right into The Junkyard, a multi-award-winning middle-grade fantasy by Bryan Reilly. Enter to win a signed paperback copy, along with a $50 Amazon gift card and a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card!

My Review:

Revolving around a diverse cast of talking animals, The Junkyard presents an action-packed, heart-wrenching and thought-provoking story about survival, bravery, leadership, friendship, family and freedom.

The junkyard is not just a place for damaged cars, discarded appliances and waste tires. It's home to two groups of stray dogs, one led by a kind German Shepherd named Dodge and the other by a ruthless Rottweiler called Saab. To stay fed and alive in the yard is no easy task. 

Mr. Fergusen, the bloodthirsty owner of the junkyard collects abandoned dogs and forces them to fight for his pleasure and profit. Sick of this deadly fighting game, pit bull Ninja fakes her defeat and gets deserted outside the fence as easy prey for wandering wolves. Dodge and his friends save her life and enlist her help to deter Saab from sabotaging the safety of all the survivors in hiding. The one-eared wolf Canis kidnaps Dodge's son Fiat for revenge while Saab takes the opportunity to expand his territory. What does it take to bring Fiat home and restore peace in the junkyard?

Woven through multiple threads linked to different characters, the narrative is perfectly paced to hold the reader's interest until the very last page. It'd be a challenge to put the book down halfway without worrying about the fates of those courageous yet vulnerable canines. The book's picturesque descriptions give the feel of a film while the characters are easy to relate to and emphasize with, given their human-like emotions and connections.

The struggle for survival in the junkyard and the fighting ring feels so real and heartrending. The solid friendship marked with trust, loyalty and sacrifice seems all the more precious under the circumstances. Seeing that love and kindness can outpower greed and cruelty gives us hope and confidence. The story may also spark meaningful conversations about leadership skills, the fight for freedom, and family values. The colorful, realistic drawings that accompany the text help readers recognize the characters and understand their actions in important scenes.

Expertly crafted and expressively illustrated, The Junkyard is one exhilarating read that dog lovers and adventure lovers don't want to miss.

About the Book:

Ages: 8-12 | 192 Pages
Publisher: Bryan Reilly (2026) | ISBN-13: 979-8903103942

Ninja is a pit bull who would rather die than hurt another dog. When she purposefully loses in the fighting ring of a cruel junkyard owner, Mr. Fergusen, she is punished and left for dead at the edge of a nearby forest. A tribe of stray junkyard dogs finds her and gives her a new name, Maytag. They nurse her back to health and welcome her into their secret home inside the northern junkyard’s mountains of wrecked cars, appliances, tires, and trains. For the first time, Maytag feels love and is incredibly relieved to be free of Mr. Fergusen’s fighting ring.

But her relief is short-lived.

Saab, the aggressive Rottweiler of the southern junkyard, plans to conquer the north with the help of a vengeful forest wolf. If the junkyard becomes a warzone, Mr. Fergusen will surely take the strays to the put-down place. When Saab’s plan is set in motion, Maytag must decide if her new friends are worth fighting for.

Purchase links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org

Quagmire Virtual Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Some of our loved ones may have left us for good, but our memories of them can stay forever. See how far a 12-year-old would go to save the legacy of his grandpa in Sam Campbell's latest novel Quagmire. Enter to win a signed paperback copy, along with stickers, a bookmark and a special keychain!

My Review:

Featuring an entertaining mix of mystery, action and adventure, Quagmire excels as a captivating, thrilling and heartwarming middle-grade fiction about family, friendship, intergenerational relationship, courage, determination, problem-solving and teamwork.

On a stormy summer night, Mr. O'Malley, Cooper's senior book club friend goes missing soon after the boy shares about his parents' decision to sell the Pink Fountain Motel left behind by his late grandfather. Puzzled by the old man's abrupt change in behavior at the club meeting and his mysterious disappearance, Cooper teams up with Penny, Mr. O'Malley's granddaughter, on an ambitious and perilous search and rescue mission, which involves breaking into a house to gather clues, making a deal with a witch and venturing into the ominous Dark Swamp in a shabby johnboat. Will the duo find Mr. O'Malley alive? Will they survive an attack from the monstrous giant gator known as Baba? Do Pink fish really exist? Can they help Cooper save the motel from getting sold?

Taking Cooper's perspective, the first person narrative keeps readers fascinated by Cooper's unique way of thinking, his bold behavior and his incredible resilience. The author's amusing descriptions and vivid metaphors make it really easy to visualize the sequence of events and get fully immersed in the mystery-solving adventure. In addition, the short chapters and smooth storytelling combine to provide a pleasant reading experience for young readers.

The story explores family dynamics at multiple levels, including interactions between siblings, between parents and children, and between grandparents and grandchildren. It gently touches upon the topic of loss and grief, indicating the significance of preserving our memories with loved ones. The book also covers different types of friendship, such as the cross-generational friendship between Cooper and Mr. O'Malley, the newly formed friendship between Cooper and Penny, and the long-time friendship between the two grandfathers. One or more of these relationships may resonate with readers in different age groups. Cooper's success strongly suggests that teamwork and problem-solving go hand in hand while courage and determination provide the strength we need to beat the odds.

Filled with humor and heart, Quagmire makes a highly enjoyable and meaningful read for middle graders and beyond.

About the Book:

Ages: 8–12 | 179 Pages
Publisher: Independently Published (2026) | ISBN-13: 979-8197255112

Cooper Knox joined the Gator Island Public Library's weekly book club to get his mind off his parents selling his late grandfather's motel—not help solve a missing persons case.

But old Mr. O'Malley has become a dear friend, so when the local news reveals his boat washed ashore unoccupied, Cooper's determined to find his fellow club member. The only clue? A crude map left behind by Mr. O'Malley.

As summer days grow hotter on Gator Island, twelve-year-old Cooper, along with Mr. O'Malley's granddaughter, Penny, navigate the winding canals and marshes in hopes of finding the missing bookworm. But following the map also means plunging into the Dark Swamp, where a legendary monster is said to be lurking….

Can Cooper find Mr. O'Malley AND save Pops' motel before it's too late?

Purchase links: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Brave Like Me Virtual Tour: Review & Giveaway

Something that appears to be frightening at first may turn out to be less scary than you think, especially when you don't have to face it alone. Witness the amazing power of friendship in Brave Like Me, debut picture book by Karen Henrich, photographer and founder of Moment By Moment nonprofit, which provides free portrait sessions to families of children with serious medical conditions in California's children's hospitals. Enter to win a hardcover copy!

My Review:

Inspired by the author's two-decade experience of photographing children facing life-impacting diseases and disorders, Brave Like Me gently tells an engaging and empowering tale of bravery, friendship, and togetherness.

Meet forest friends Ruby Rabbit, Mabel Mouse, Remy Raccoon and Benny Bear. Waking up on a winter morning from a sweet dream of honey and flowers, Benny gets startled by a strange creature up on the hill. Out of curiosity, concern and care, his friends take turns to climb up the hill to check, each seeing a shadowy figure in a different shape and size. When the four of them join hands to investigate together, the mystery gets solved with ease under the shining sun.

Written in crisp and bouncy rhymes, the story instantly draws young readers in with adorable animal characters, beautiful snowy scenes, a puzzling mystery and a delightful discovery. Besides cuteness and kindness, each animal exhibits distinct traits that make them a perfect part of the fantastic four. Their adventure suggests that sometimes things may not be as scary as they look and that it's not imperative to get everything handled single-handedly. It's helpful to stay calm and stick together with friends in the face of a new challenge. Instead of letting fear get the best of us, we may conquer fear with courage, clarity, confidence and companionship.

Rich in color and expression, the book's illustrations enliven the narrative with playful portraits of furry animals and dreamy depictions of natural landscapes, artfully reflecting the personality of each character and the gradual change in light after dawn, which is key to the unraveling of the mystery.

Lyrical and whimsical, Brave Like Me appeals to all animal and nature lovers, encouraging everyone to reach out to family, friends and community for help and support in their attempts to tackle fear and tough times.

About the Book:

Ages: 4-8 | 38 Pages
Publisher: Mascot Kids (2026) | ISBN-13: 979-8891388895

When a mysterious figure appears, Benny Bear, Remy Raccoon, Ruby Rabbit, and Mabel Mouse are filled with questions—and a little fear. One by one, they venture into the cold to investigate. But the more they look, the more the mystery seems to change . . .

With courage, curiosity, and a lot of heart, these four friends discover that sometimes the unknown isn't so scary after all—especially when you face it together.

This delightful rhyming tale celebrates friendship, bravery, and the magic of seeing things clearly—with just a little help from the morning sun.

Purchase links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org