#mglit

A chilling middle-grade dystopia where politeness is the law - and speaking up might be the bravest thing you can do.

Pre-Reading Thoughts

A dystopia for middle-grade readers that centres on enforced politeness is such a clever premise. There’s something inherently unsettling about a world that looks tidy and well-behaved on the surface but hides something darker underneath. I was especially curious to see how this idea would balance creepiness with accessibility for younger readers - and how far the story would push the idea of “good behaviour.”

Post-Reading

As I thought… The shiny-utopia façade works really well. The Ministry’s insistence on politeness and order creates an atmosphere that feels controlled and quietly oppressive from the very beginning. The concept is simple but effective, making it easy for readers to grasp the stakes.

It surprised me by… Just how unsettling some moments become - particularly the sequence in the reprogramming centre. For a middle-grade story, the sense of unease is handled impressively well. There are also some strong emotional beats as Alfie slowly realises that following the rules won’t keep him safe forever.

Music Pairing

🎵 Featured Song: Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2) - Pink Floyd 🎶 Vibe Album: The Resistance - Muse 🎧 Artist Recommendation: Muse

Vibe Check

Colour Palette: stark white, government grey, warning red Soundtrack: hushed corridors, clipped voices, the scratch of a pen correcting behaviour Season: late winter Mood: uneasy, watchful, quietly defiant Scent: disinfectant and polished floors

Tarot Pull

The Hierophant

The Hierophant represents institutions, rules, and systems that expect obedience. I chose it for this story because the Ministry of Manners builds an entire society around enforced behaviour - deciding what is acceptable, what is punishable, and what must be silenced.

For fans of

📚 The Giver by Lois Lowry 🎬 Matilda

Bubblegum Shoes: The Case of the Contraband Closet is OUT TODAY!

What’s it all about? Imagine being eleven years old and suddenly uprooted from everything familiar. That’s what happens to Tara Reid when her artist mother drags her from their home in Ireland all the way to Seoul, South Korea for a three-month project. Talk about culture shock!

Tara arrives at the Blossom Cat Café (a traditional Korean hanok building) determined to count down the days until she can return home. But then something magical happens, she spots a mysterious white cat with pink-tinged fur that seems to appear and disappear beneath the café’s magnificent cherry tree.

When the cat leads Tara to discover hidden murals throughout the neighbourhood, she finds herself drawn into a mystery that spans generations. With the help of Jihoon (the café owner’s grandson) and despite their language barrier, they uncover the story of Song Yejun, a once-famous artist who disappeared fifty years ago, leaving behind an unfinished masterpiece.

But there’s a ticking clock. The historic café faces demolition once cherry blossom season ends, which happens to coincide perfectly with Tara’s scheduled return to Ireland.

This story blends so many things I love; the magic of everyday life, the beauty of different cultures, the special connection between humans and animals, and those moments where we discover that what initially feels foreign can become a second home.

During my time teaching English in South Korea, I fell in love with the country’s blend of ancient traditions and ultra-modern innovations. The stunning contrast of cherry blossoms against urban landscapes, the warmth of Korean hospitality, and the profound beauty of hanok architecture all found their way into this story.

And of course, there’s the Blossom Cat, part ordinary feline, part something more, who guides Tara toward discovery and connection when she needs it most.

Without giving too much away (no spoilers!), this book explores finding friendship across language and cultural barriers, and the unexpected connections between art, history, and community. It delves into how places that initially feel strange can become deeply meaningful, the way past and present intertwine in surprising ways, and how sometimes, a little everyday magic is exactly what we need to see the world differently.

I can’t wait to share more updates as publication gets closer! If you’re interested in stories where cozy settings meet a touch of magic, where outsiders find their place, and where cherry blossoms swirl around mysterious cats… well, I think you might enjoy this one.

What kinds of stories do you love to get lost in? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

Thanks for sharing this journey with me,

Emma

RECO OF THE WEEK!

Jennifer Chan is Not Alone by Tae Keller

Synopsis:

"A story about a girl who is alienated by her friends . . . for believing in aliens.

Sometimes middle school can make you feel like you're totally alone in the universe...but what if we aren't alone at all?

Mallory Moss knows how the world works. After meeting the cool girl, Reagan, she finally has a best friend, and Reagan makes Mallory feel like she belongs, like she can fit in this infinite universe, as long as she follows Reagan’s simple rules: wear the right clothes, control your image, know your place.

But when Jennifer Chan moves into the house across the street, those rules don’t feel quite so simple anymore. Because Jennifer is different. She doesn’t seem to care about the laws of middle school, or the laws of the universe. She’s willing to embrace the strange, the unknown… the extraterrestrial. She believes in aliens—and what’s more, she thinks she can find them.

Then Jennifer goes missing. The adults say she ran away…but where is she going? And why? Using clues in Jennifer’s journals about alien encounters, Mallory attempts to find her. But the closer she gets, the more Mallory has to confront why Jennifer might have run … and face the truth within herself."

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Check out my review on Goodreads here.

Add this book to your TBR on Goodreads here.

Add this book to your TBR on The Storygraph here.

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Have you read this book? Would you recommend it?

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RECO OF THE WEEK!

Obie is Man Enough by Schuyler Bailar

Synopsis:

"Obie knew his transition would have ripple effects. He has to leave his swim coach, his pool, and his best friends. But it's time for Obie to find where he truly belongs.

As Obie dives into a new team, though, things are strange. Obie always felt at home in the water, but now he can't get his old coach out of his head. Even worse are the bullies that wait in the locker room and on the pool deck. Luckily, Obie has family behind him. And maybe some new friends too, including Charlie, his first crush. Obie is ready to prove he can be one of the fastest boys in the water--to his coach, his critics, and his biggest competition: himself."

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Check out my review on Goodreads here.

Add this book to your TBR on Goodreads here.

Add this book to your TBR on The Storygraph here.

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Have you read this book? Would you recommend it?

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Good Morning, my friends.

Happy Presidents Day! I've got a new-ish story for you. Entitled Mildred Silkthorn. She is quite an angry little fairy and gets herself into a spot of trouble. I hope your day is a great one for you. Sending #positivevibes your way.

GM. I hate when life feels out of whack. Going to need so much #coffee. May the weekend be good to you & yours.