Early Reader Review: Rainbow Fish and the Great Escape by Marcus Pfister

Source: From the Publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

Rainbow Fish and the Great Escape by Marcus Pfister 

Series: Rainbow Fish #10
Publisher: NorthSouth Books
Publication Date:  October 7, 2025

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

The tenth book in the New York Times bestselling Rainbow Fish series encourages care and respect for the ocean and its creatures.

Rainbow Fish and his friends have only ever heard stories about the nets that come through and take away shoals of fish from the ocean. Luckily, they’ve never had to experience that danger for themselves. All is peaceful until one day, Rainbow Fish and his friends come face to face with the trawling net.

Even though getting caught within the net is scary, Rainbow Fish and his friends are quick to act. With the help of crabs and lobsters nearby, they’re able to cut through the net and help everyone trapped within make their great escape.

This thrilling addition is a perfect example of quick problem solving and how to lean on one’s community in difficult situations.

Review: 

I haven’t read the entire Rainbow Fish series, but I’ve enjoyed the first few, and this installment is just as charming. In this story, Rainbow Fish learns about trawler nets and the dangers they bring to other parts of the ocean.

Young readers will love the bright colors, familiar character, and the beautiful underwater scenes filled with fun sea creatures to spot. The text is a bit longer, which makes it better suited for adults to read aloud, and the story carries a clear environmental message.

I’d recommend this one for kids ages 5–8 who can better understand the lesson at play. Overall, it’s a cute and thoughtful addition to the series.

Building the Book Pile #504

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

Happy Sunday

Hi there... Charlie is doing better. On Monday, we went to our normal vet and they gave him steroids for a few weeks but think the pain is likely IVDD, common in Frenchies. We are going to do the 2 weeks of meds and then see if we need to do advanced imaging to confirm or if we can just monitor him more. That said I am home for the week to chill with him, hoping that while we are resting (much needed by both of us) I get some reading done. 

Work was a bit chaotic this week with Charlie needing extra love and prepping to be out of office. Luckily there isn't too much happening next week but I hate putting 'my' work on others.

While we are bummed that our original vacation was cancelled, we are going to take a night to get away. It is the hubs bday on Friday so we are headed to Portland, Maine for a night ... plan is to eat all the food, visit cute shops, and be near the water for a bit. If you have recommendations let me know. We are both looking forward to it. 

How was your week?

Linking up this week with the Caffeinated Reviewer and her Sunday Post series.

xo steph

Coming up on the Blog

Early Reader Review:  Rainbow Fish and the Great Escape by Marcus Pfister (Youth)

Blog Tour: Review - Suddenly Mine by Kate Evergreen (Adult)

Early Reader Review: The Little Ghost that Was a Quilt by Reil Nason (Youth)

Books Received Recently...  

 

For Review

I went on a requesting binge and was fruitful! Look at these pretty covers ....swoon.

Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife by Martin Edwards

The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer

An Arcane Inheritance by Kamilah Cole

Have you missed anything lately?

Early Reader Review:  Brume, Volume 1 by Jérôme Pélissier (MG, GN) -3 stars

Early Reader Review: The Ocean at Night by Isabella Simler (Youth) -5 stars

Early Reader Review: Watch us Crack by Gabriella Lepore (YA) -4 stars

Donating Caffeine is greatly appreciated ... Donate on Ko-fi

What have you been reading?  How was your week? Feel free to leave a comment!

Happy Reading! 

Early Reader Review: Watch Us Crack by Gabriella Lepore

Source: From the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

Watch Us Crack by Gabriella Lepore  

Publisher: Storytide
Publication Date:  September 23, 2025

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis: 

A gripping and tense standalone YA thriller following two teens from rival schools who are each accused of a brutal murder and must identify the real culprit—even if it means destroying their budding romance.

Sadie Morelli and Cason Tano were friends in middle school, back before Cason’s mom died and Sadie transferred to a new school. When they meet again as high school juniors at the local ice rink where Sadie waitresses and Cason’s hockey team plays, what was once friendship blooms into something more. Given the intensity of the rivalry between their schools, their budding romance is a secret for them alone.

But then someone turns up dead at the local train station. Sadie and Cason were both at the station the night of the murder, and both have a reason to want to hurt the victim. With accusations flying and secrets being held close to the chest, Sadie and Cason must decide the lengths they’re willing to go to to clear their own names—and to protect each other.

Review: 

It’s always nice to grab a standalone once in a while, and Watch Us Crack was such a solid pick for fall vibes. This YA mystery-thriller follows a group of teens who suddenly find themselves under suspicion for the murder of another student.

Sadie and Cason go to rival schools but both end up suspects when a body is found across the street from Sadie's house at the train tracks. The victim turns out to be someone they both dislike, but both claim innocence. The plot follows them in dual POV as they try to work out who actually did it and keep themselves safe. 

Although marketed as a thriller, I think it leans a bit more toward mystery with its whodunit set up and the constant finger-pointing/blame-game that the characters experience. The chapters are also interspersed with police interview transcripts and text chains adding to they mystery. I felt the thriller part really come into play at the end as things are coming together and the situations that they are getting into because of it. That said, I liked the transcripts a lot, they added a fun element to the drama between Sadie and Cason. 

One thing to note: hockey is everywhere in this book. Sadie works at a rink diner, and Cason plays for his school, but the constant hockey references felt a little overdone. Still, the author captures the very “high school” thought processes and dynamics well. I also appreciated the contrast between the absent/checked-out parents and Sadie’s dad, who was actively trying to set rules and be present.

Overall, this was a fast-paced and entertaining read, perfect if you’re looking for a fall mystery with a dash of thriller energy.