Fall Reading 2026 Amazing Answers for Curious Kids: Space Edition

If you know any young readers who are fascinated with space, then you need to share a copy of this book with them. As the cover shows, the content answers 84 different questions. Those Q&A are grouped by topic such as the solar system, life as an astronaut, and alien life. Each question is followed by three possible answers, which allows readers to make their best guess before reading any further. For the impatient, there is a quick answer from among the multiple-choice options. Then the "amazing answer" discusses the details in depth for a couple of paragraphs. There is also a diagram or image to accompany each question. 

Some questions and answers are followed by the definition of a "useful science word, explained in plain language." This term might be something like "thought experiment," "observable universe," or "galaxy" that was used in the answer to the question on that page. There are also additional "amazing facts" such as the possibility of completely different rules of nature in a multiverse. Occasionally there are suggestions to try things such as experimenting with sound waves or a note about a "big idea" like "Space doesn't have one single temperature." Some pages even offer additional "DID YOU KNOW?" fun facts such as "The dark side of the Moon" is a misleading name!"

Diagrams explain axial tilt and its relation to seasons, spaghettification of a spaceship entering a black hole, and possible ways to slow a craft for a Mars landing, among other things. Images include breathtaking views of the Pillars of Creation, the remains of Cassiopeia A, and an artists' conception of a Mars base. Nonfiction features such as a table of contents, glossary (gathering all the new words into one place), a list of sources and websites for further exploration, and image credits are also provided.

This type of book is versatile because it can be read cover to cover or dipped into for answers to specific questions or to satisfy curiosity about a particular aspect of space science. Youngsters could even use it to quiz each other on their knowledge using the questions and multiple-choice answers. I appreciate that the final thought in the text encourages readers to keep asking questions and learning new things. "REMEMBER There are still giant questions left in the universe. Some of them may be yours."

I received a complimentary digital review copy in return for my honest, independent opinion. 

The paperback is available on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1764916700

Virtual Book Tour Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King

 

ABOUT THE BOOK 

Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King

Created by Darin S. Cape

Illustrated by Zeno Decrux and Hiorsh Gabotto

Ages: 9+ | 160 Pages

Publisher: SHP Comics (2026) | ISBN-13: 979-8992749939

Publisher’s Book Summary: Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King is a fast, funny, manga-inspired graphic novel that blends fantasy adventure with heart, humor, and family appeal. When a cheeky underdog hero is pulled into a world of monsters, doppelgängers, and an army of rats, Zicky must rely on wit, courage, and unlikely friendships to survive. Bursting with kinetic action, playful mischief, and relatable growing pains, Zicky is a perfect gateway to manga for younger readers and a joyful, high-energy adventure for kids, teens, and families alike.

Praise: “Smart, energetic graphic novel blending fantasy and touching real-life emotion. Cape smashes expectations and keeps the pages pleasurably turning, all while grounding the chaotic story in the growing pains of children and the anxieties of the adults raising them.” —Booklife

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | SHP Comics

MY REVIEW

Zackary, also known as Zicky, has amazing adventures every night after his parents tuck him in. When he tells his family about them, they all react in predictable ways. His mom is busy heading off to work and only half listens. His older siblings tease him and think he is being silly. His dad sort of listens as he works on chores around the house and tries to play along with what he sees as Zicky’s vivid imagination.

The problem is…Zicky is telling the truth. He is able to open a portal to the Land of the Rat King and every night he sets off to keep an eye on the rats. When the talisman he uses for the portal is stolen, the Rat King has the chance to enter the human world in search of cheese! Readers will be turning the pages as quickly as they can to follow the fast-paced action as Zicky struggles to return home and defend his family against the rat armies and an evil doppelganger. Young readers will appreciate the images as much as the storyline. It is easy to differentiate the two settings: the scenes in the “real world” are drawn a bit more loosely, giving them a lived-in feel. The scenes where Zicky takes on his nightly persona and does battle are more sharp edged and vividly colored in anime style illustrations. 

For youngsters who enjoy manga and anime adventures, stories of alternate worlds and dimensions, and have always secretly wanted to become an evil twin and totally dominate their household, Zicky is sure to be a favorite new character.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shawn Hainsworth is the creator and writer, as Darin S. Cape, of Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King. The story began as bedtime adventures he invented for his own children, with Shawn playing the role of Zicky, a super-secret ninja who went on adventures while everyone else was asleep. Those family stories eventually grew into the world of Zicky, a graphic novel celebrating imagination, courage, family, and the hero inside every kid. Shawn lives in Western Massachusetts with his wife, two teens, and two hound dogs. He is the publisher of SHP Comics and is currently working on the sequel, Zicky: The Cursed Blade.

Website | https://www.instagram.com/shpcomics_kids

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATORS

Zeno Decrux is an accomplished illustrator and comic artist with over nine years of experience in the international independent comics scene. His work spans a diverse range of comics and manga titles, where he brings a dynamic, expressive style and a strong commitment to quality on every project. Passionate about storytelling through visuals, Zeno continues to push his craft forward with each new collaboration.

Jorge Luis Gabotto, also known as Hiorsh, is an Argentine cartoonist and writer from Mar del Plata. A visual arts teacher, puppeteer, and musician, he brings a multidisciplinary approach to storytelling. For him, comics are a fusion of art and literature—a cinematic form that combines movement, atmosphere, and emotion. His work explores themes of love, time, and perception, offering readers a personal and poetic vision of the world.

TOUR SCHEDULE

Thursday, October 1, 2026 The Children’s Book Review Book Review of Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King

Friday, October 2, 2026 The Starlit Path Book Review of Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King

Monday, October 5, 2026 Crafty Moms Share Book Review of Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King

Tuesday, October 6, 2026 Deliciously Savvy Book Review of Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King

Wednesday, October 7, 2026 The Children’s Book Review A Booklist Featuring Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King

Thursday, October 8, 2026 Q&As with Deborah Kalb Author Interview with Shawn Hainsworth

Friday, October 9, 2026 @bored_military_wife Book Review of Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King

Monday, October 12, 2026 Lisa’s Reading Author Interview with Shawn Hainsworth

Tuesday, October 13, 2026 The Fairview Review Book Review of Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King

Thursday, October 15, 2026 Country Mamas With Kids Book Review of Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King

Friday, October 16, 2026 @MaryLanniReads Book Review of Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King

Monday, October 19, 2026 Cover Lover Book Review Book Review of Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 Confessions of a Book Addict Book Spotlight on Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 @nissa_the.bookworm Instagram Post about Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King

Thursday, October 22, 2026 Barbara Ann Mojica’s Blog Book Review of Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King

Friday, October 23, 2026 icefairy’s Treasure Chest Book Review of Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King

This post is sponsored by Shawn Hainsworth. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views. 

Fall Reading 2026 Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel: A Miss Marple Mystery

Lucy Foley is well known for her mysteries and thrillers like The Guest List and The Paris Apartment, so it is no surprise that she would be chosen to add a new adventure to the exploits of Agatha Christie's beloved Miss Marple. This outing takes place in 1950 after Colonel Bantry has died. Dolly Bantry decides to take a holiday in the Swiss Alps with her friend Jane Marple and her companion/secretary Diana Glass.

The hotel is a luxurious retreat that can only be reached by a private railway. Amenities include access to the powdery slopes, incredible dining and wine cellar selections, and there is even a spa. Dolly is delighted by the lounge chairs that offer a view of the ski slope and the waiters who attend to the lounging guests by skating across an ice rink to bring them cocktails or decadent hot chocolates. A wide mix of guests are drawn to the location. There are an up-and-coming British politician and his wife, an American film star, a young medical student, a war veteran, and even nuns from several different religious orders mixed in with all the well-to-do holidayers.

When one of the guests is found dead in the gondola car, it is only the first disaster to strike. Soon, the guests will be cut off from the village below and the greater world beyond. It will be up to Miss Marple and any other guests with special skills to figure out what is happening and prevent more fatalities if they can. The time period is captured perfectly in the social expectations, the clothing, and the references back to the recently ended World War II.

I listened to the audiobook version and was very impressed with the cast. Three different narrators take on the roles of several of the main female characters. Diana Glass, Mrs. Bantry's companion, is portrayed with an educated, no-nonsense diction. Catherine Narracott, the socialite wife of the British politician, is given a finishing school accent and a slightly girlish breathiness. In contrast, Sylvia Sinclair's lines are delivered in throaty, Hollywood bombshell tones playing up her full-figured starlet persona. A fourth narrator takes on the role of Bruno Crane, a wartime acquaintance of Mr. Narracott who seems to have bad nerves either from alcohol dependency or wartime trauma.

The cast brings each of the characters to life and makes it easy for the listener to distinguish which of them is speaking. The pacing is superb, the voices are clear, and the sound quality is excellent throughout. A final note from the author about being asked to write a new Marple story and her desire to do justice to the Christie legacy is read by Lucy Foley herself.

If you are a fan of Agatha Christie or Lucy Foley, then I highly recommend Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel. The audio file was provided by the publisher through NetGalley for review purposes. 

Virtual Book Tour Quagmire

ABOUT THE BOOK

Quagmire
Written by Sam Campbell
Ages: 8–12 | 179 Pages
Publisher: Independently Published (2026) | ISBN-13: 979-8197255112

Publisher's Book Summary: 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?

Praise for Quagmire:
"This novel is perfect for third or fourth graders looking for contemporary realism with a dash of mystery and endearingly quirky characters." —Kirkus Reviews

PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon: https://link.amazon/B083tm778
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/2078/9798197255112 

MY REVIEW

Cooper Knox has a problem. Well, several problems. He doesn’t have a cell phone. His younger sister Daisy speaks with a fake British accent and wants to be a Disney princess or a Broadway star when she grows up. And his parents are selling the motel that they inherited when his grandfather died. But at least he has the friends he has made in the library’s book club.

Just when it seems things can’t get any worse, his friend Mr. O’Malley disappears. Penny, Mr. O’Malley’s granddaughter, appeals to the book club for help in finding her missing grandpa. Together, the two kids set out to retrace the path they believe Mr. O’Malley took the night he was last seen. The search leads them to some strange occurrences and people - an odd local psychic called Madame Mira, an enormous alligator known as “the Baba,” and pink bioluminescent fish (among many other things). Can finding Penny’s missing grandpa hold the key to saving the motel and allowing Cooper to stay with his new friends?

This story has many attractive elements - the mysterious disappearance of Mr. O’Malley, the dangers of the swamp, the tension of whether the motel will be sold, and the humor that crops up in unexpected places (let me just say there is an episode with ketchup, a stuffed cat toy, and a pet dog). The pacing will keep readers turning the pages as quickly as they can to find out what happens next. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Sam Campbell began writing his first novel at the age of fourteen, which was (surprise surprise) total garbage. He hopes he has improved since then. When he's not writing, he likes to read, work out, and watch movies with his family. He also suffers from a terrible addiction to McDonald's frappes. Mocha, of course.

Website: https://www.samcamwrites.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samcamwrites/

TOUR SCHEDULE

Tue, Oct 6 – The Children's Book Review – Book Tour Kick-Off
Thu, Oct 8 – The Starlit Path – Book Review
Fri, Oct 9 – Deliciously Savvy – Book Review
Mon, Oct 12 – The Fairview Review – Book Review
Tue, Oct 13 – Country Mamas With Kids – Book Review
Thu, Oct 15 – icefairy's Treasure Chest – Book Review
Fri, Oct 16 – Q&As with Deborah Kalb – Author Interview with Sam Campbell
Mon, Oct 19 – Cover Lover Book Review – Book Review
Tue, Oct 20 – @kidslittlefreelibrarybristolri – Instagram Post
Thu, Oct 22 – Crafty Moms Share – Book Review
Fri, Oct 23 – Confessions of a Book Addict – Book Spotlight
Mon, Oct 26 – @avainbookland – Instagram Post
Tue, Oct 27 – @nissa_the.bookworm – Instagram Post
Wed, Oct 28 – Lisa's Reading – Book Spotlight
Thu, Oct 29 – A Blue Box Full of Books – Instagram Post
Fri, Oct 30 – One More Exclamation – Author Interview with Sam Campbell

 This post is sponsored by Sam Campbell. The review and opinions expressed are my own.

Summer Reading 2026 Can a Rock Grow?: A STEM Coloring & Activity Book

This STEM guide has pages to accompany each spread of the book Can a Rock Grow? The original book, also written and illustrated by Audrey Sauble, is an introduction to geology and petrology for young readers. It covers the rock cycle, the various types of rocks (sedimentary, metamorphic, igneous), as well as fossils and other related topics. 

In the activity book there are coloring pages based on the original illustrations, such as a cave full of stalactites or a child climbing across blocks of basalt like the Giant’s Causeway. Readers can also complete a word search full of minerals, crystals, and precious stones or a crossword puzzle with fourteen key terms. Other pages have activities where minerals with specific shapes are matched to their name such as dendritic, lenticular, plumose, etc. or terms are matched to their definitions. Fill-in-the-blank questions help readers identify whether specific types of rocks are sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic. There are also two different bingo games to play. Writing activities range from journaling about a favorite rock to listing uses for rocks that the reader observes in everyday life.

There are also directions for hands-on exploration such as investigating the hardness of rock samples with a scratch test (see image), making rock candy, and using playdough to model folding and erosion. Other activities include growing a stalactite, observing the action in a sediment jar, or making kindness rocks to leave around the neighborhood.

The best part about these activities is that they can be done by an individual child who is fascinated with rocks and nature, but they can also be incorporated into a science class or STEM club setting and used with a group. 

Interior page samples:

Try out both books today and encourage any little rock hounds that you know! If you haven't yet encountered Can a Rock Grow? it has been out for several years and was recently updated. You can find it at https://www.aesauble.com/ or other online retailers like Amazon. It is part of the Early Science Questions series, which also includes Can a Spider Be Fluffy? and A Bee or Not a Bee? 

Summer Reading 2026 We Are Legion (We Are Bob) Bobiverse Book 1

 

Just imagine that you hear "Ironic" by Alanis Morissette playing in the background as you read this. Okay? Now that we’ve set the mood… Bob Johansson is feeling great. He has sold his software company for a comfortable amount. He has used some of his newfound wealth to arrange for himself to be cryofrozen at death in hopes of being revived in the future. Then, he is hit by a car while crossing the street. What are the odds?

When Bob next awakens, he learns that he is now the property of a company that is attempting to make interstellar probes to find habitable planets for humanity to colonize. Aside from the fact that he is treated as a program that can be ordered around and deleted at any time, the actual mission sounds great to a science geek and sci-fi fan like Bob. Readers get to follow along as Bob ventures out looking for possible new worlds, while also dealing with lingering issues from the rivalries of factions back on Earth. 

One part of accomplishing his mission is to create copies of himself with their own ships so they can cover more territory in their search. Being a nerd who in some ways has never grown up, Bob’s iterations choose rather amusing names for themselves - Riker, Goku, Calvin, Garfield, Homer, Khan, etc. The sort of reader who will enjoy this book will doubtless recognize many of the references, if not all. There are also plenty of science and hard sci-fi notions to keep readers engaged. Colony ships, rail guns, saving human personalities as a form of AI, terraforming, 3-D printers, and von Neumann probes are just a few of the gadgets and processes the text explores. 

If you enjoy science fiction stories that include characters with relatable personalities, advanced technology that still leaves users wrestling with ethical decisions, and plots that show humans don’t change much even if they are on another planet, then you need to jump into the Bobiverse. We Are Legion (We Are Bob) was first released ten years ago. With a new book in the series just released this month [Book 6: The Infinite Extent], the other titles have been re-released and now is the perfect time to start at the beginning and enjoy all the adventure.

Summer Reading 2026 Fury in Death (In Death, 63)

 

Lt. Eve Dallas knows death. She has seen it in so many guises that it takes a lot to surprise her. But she is certain that if one case is straightforward and easy to solve, the next time she is called out will not be so simple. So when the first investigation of the night turns out to be a tragic accident, Dallas has the feeling that the second body she stands over is not just a home invasion or attempted burglary gone wrong. She and Peabody wind up tracing a carefully hidden trail of betrayal and revenge going back years - to a time when Dallas was just a rookie cop. This latest “In Death” title explores what happens when someone is pushed past the point of breaking. What would someone be capable of if the ones they loved most were taken and left their heart hollowed out to be filled with nothing but rage? And what would motivate those behind that loss? Greed? Fear? Entitlement? 

Every Eve Dallas story counts on the resilience, strength, and compassion that wraps around her core of justice. As usual, this one also includes her found family: Roarke, Mavis and Leonardo, Charles and Louise, Summerset, Peabody and McNabb and their families, Nadine and Jake, Feeney, and the rest of Eve’s homicide squad and Feeney’s e-geeks. The shared housewarming for Mavis, Leonardo, Peabody and McNabb is scheduled and guests are arriving from out of town. Can they get the case wrapped up before the shindig? And there is the added pressure of the upcoming arrival of Mavis and Leonardo’s second child, with Mavis insisting Eve and Roarke must be there for the delivery. (It is a wonder that Dallas doesn’t prolong the investigation just to have a reason to be absent from the birthing room.)

For longtime readers, there are the expected lulls as the team awaits lab results, background checks, or the processing of warrants, followed by the dramatic scenes in “the box” where Dallas and Peabody work their own special kind of magic to get a confession from the guilty party. Readers new to the series may not catch all the undercurrents of the existing relationships, but all the books in the series work fine as stand-alone titles. Just be warned, like a certain brand of potato chips, you won’t be able to stop with just one.

I read a review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley.