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

Hear Me Roar! I'm a Hanukkahsaur Virtual Tour: Review and Prize Packs Giveaway

Are you curious about how an avid dino fan celebrates his favorite holiday? Get a feel of festivity powered by inexhaustible dino energy from Hear Me Roar! I'm a Hanukkahsaur, debut picture book by preschool teacher Naomi Gruer. Enter to win one of eight fun prize packs, each complete with a signed hardcover copy of the book, a goodie bag with toys and games, and a handmade plush pillow!

My Review:

Colorful and imaginative, Hear Me Roar! I'm a Hanukkahsaur provides an entertaining, engaging introduction to Hanukkah holiday traditions as well as dinosaurs, showcasing the thrill of celebrating with family and friends and the joy of being helpful.

Miles loves everything about dinosaurs. On top of his colossal collection of dino toys, he plays, eats, and moves like a dinosaur. When it's time for his favorite holiday Hanukkah, he's ready to celebrate in his brand new dinosaur costume. On each night of the 8-day holiday, Miles turns into a different dinosaur busy with various festive activities involving food, games, gifts, decorations and more. He enjoys offering help. Even though messes come with each of his endeavors, he knows how to clean up.

Through an vivacious main character and his comical experiences, the book invites young readers to join Miles in his family celebration of Hanukkah and learn about traditions and activities unique to this Jewish holiday. The creative combination of words related to Hanukkah with dinosaur names (such as VeLATKEraptor and IGELTadon) adds a humorous touch to the storytelling while making the special vocabulary easier to remember. The back matter includes a glossary with more detailed explanations of those words, along with a side-by-side comparison between Mile's imaginary dinosaurs and their prehistoric counterparts. Miles' funny adventure motivates children to be a helper in the house, and reassures them that it's OK to make mistakes or messes during well-meaning efforts as long as they take action to get things right again.

This festive tale is brought to life through animated, amusing and expressive illustrations, which, coupled with onomatopoeia in eye-catching fonts, allow readers to not only see but also hear the characters in action. The loving relationship between Miles and his family members is evident in the way they support and care for each other. Besides, the dinosaur figurines hidden in the pictures offer extra fun for those who enjoy search-and-find games.

Informative and invigorating, Hear Me Roar! I'm a Hanukkahsaur deserves a spot on the bookshelf or holiday reading list of little dinosaur enthusiasts and wordplay lovers.

About the Book:

Ages: 4-8 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Kalaniot (2026) | ISBN-13: 978-1-962011-19-8

Miles is a dinosaur expert with a colossal imagination. When Hanukkah begins, he stomps into action as a whole herd of helpful dinosaurs. Each night, Miles becomes a new Dino—flipping latkes, spinning dreidels, and lighting the menorah—learning that even when things go wrong, he can help make them right. Packed with clever wordplay, Jewish traditions, and irresistible dinosaur energy, HANUKKAHsaur celebrates family, perseverance, and the belief that Dinos can do it!

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