The Secret of the Yellow Moon is a fantastic tale for young readers that will offer mystery and magic, captivating readers in an incredible adventure.

IJ Alston's writing is really fun, offering young readers a magical tale that really dives deep into lore, fantasy, and a lot of humor. You can't help but to love Alice and her bravery. It feels nostalgic, bringing a lot of boy wizard energy to the genre of middle grade fantasy.

I really like that the characters face issues that any middle schooler would face and respond like a middle schooler, except these characters have fantasy elements involved as well.

This would be an excellent book to read as a family, or within a school setting. It offers quite a bit to discuss, and allows an opportunity to discuss emotions, implicit information, and discuss foreshadowing and plot development.

It took me a bit to get into this story, but once I did I really enjoyed it. I love the close relationship between the siblings and I adore Todd, the Staffy. I could tell that this is a book where there would be a sequel and I’m glad it left off with a fairly clean ending, no dramatic cliffhanger. I hate being left hanging but I don’t mind a nice, clean ending that lets me know another book is coming and leaves me feeling satisfied. There is a lot of whimsy in this book with shape-shifting magical people and talking animals. It’s a fun book for an adult so I think it will be a popular one with kids. Definitely one I would hand my 3rd grader. I think he would really enjoy it.

*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Alice thought fitting in at school would be a hard feat, but little did she know the adventure that was about to unfold. With her brother Davis and their dog Todd in tow, they must venture to a land of magic in hopes to rescue their mom and stand up for what is right.

I loved this action packed adventure filled with mythical creatures at every turn. I love love love the moon color of the day and the mystic mystery throughout the book. I cannot wait to see where this adventure takes Alice, Davis and Todd!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This was a quick, action packed book. I like how even though the kids were scared; they did what they needed to do. I can’t wait until the sequel comes out.

The quality of this - and the obvious youth of the author - meant this was easily proven as not for me, and I will not be taking this opinion any further.

I'm on the fence with this one. All of the concepts were really cool but I'm unsure about the execution. (Historical fantasy, secret societies, portal fantasy, evil gods, mystical creatures, talking dogs, two clueless main characters who basically do nothing but fall through a mirror. Two generations of protectors are taken out by mind powers but evils fear of dogs saves the day.) It felt a little all over the place. It might be the age group it was written for. I would still recommend it for middle grade readers.
*spoilers will not be shared on other sites.

A Magical Journey Through Courage and Family Bonds

In The Secret of the Yellow Moon by IJ Alston, readers embark on an enchanting adventure led by siblings Alice and Davis. When their mother is kidnapped on Halloween, they uncover a family secret and face dark forces in a world brimming with unicorns, mermaids, and a talking dog named Todd.

The blend of heartfelt humor, fantastical lore, and Alice’s personal growth makes this a delightful tale for young readers who enjoy whimsical, action-packed stories of good versus evil. The pacing keeps the reader engaged, moving seamlessly between heartwarming sibling dynamics and thrilling encounters. Moments of self-discovery and bravery are interwoven with scenes of magical wonder, making this book both relatable and fantastical. Todd, the charming talking dog, adds a layer of comic relief, while the deeper themes of courage and family loyalty resonate beyond the magical veneer.

This book is a joy for fans of adventurous, feel-good fantasies.