Middle-Grade Novel Takes a Look at Online Gaming Dangers

Mac’s Mission Diary is a delightful, fast-paced story for older elementary and middle-school kids. S.J. Engelman explores the dangers of gaming in this new, engaging story.  

Mac's Mission Diary: Operation Save the Summer

By S.J. Engelman

Published by Inkwell Media

Mac’s summer is ruined. He had big plans, which included spending his summer days with Kenny saving the world. But his mom completely destroyed those plans. She claims spending the summer gaming is harmful. How can she not understand gaming is how he interacts with his friends?

But she’s so adamant that Mac should spend his time reading books and enjoying time outside that she resorted to kidnapping Kenny. (Okay, maybe “kid”-nap isn’t the right word, but “gaming-controller-nap” isn’t a word.) Despite the setback, Mac remains determined and devised a new plan. A mission. Mac will thwart Mom’s villainous plot by rescuing Kenny and his summer.

However, when Mac’s single-minded focus continues to backfire, he’s faced with even more challenges to overcome. And as the summer plods along, he might just learn a lesson or two on humility, obedience, and true friendship.

Mac’s Mission Diary: Operation Save the Summer is a delightful, fast-paced story for older elementary and middle-school kids which highlights the issues that many young people face with the rise of online gaming. Engelman explores this important topic through an entertaining story which provides some great talking points for the whole family to discuss.

Summary:

Hilarious and fast-paced, kids love Mac’s Mission Diary for its laugh-out-loud humor and relatable characters. Parents love that it inspires kids to get off devices and into real-life fun. Perfect for kids 8-12 years old, Mac's amusing illustrations and silly misadventures are sure to enthrall even the most reluctant of readers!

Mac McMillan is a kid on a mission. It's the first day of summer break and Mac is grounded from video games until he finishes a stack of reading and writing. Mac's not a kid who gives up easily, however, and he launches a plan to get his games back early — well before he's finished all that boring "homework"!

As his mission unfolds, Mac meets new friends, discovers new entertainments, and learns that life is more fun when experienced away from devices and screens, even as he develops a new appreciation for a family that loves him and a mom who — like it or not — is generally right.

Join Mac as he embarks on his battle plan, makes new friends, and explores new adventures!

Ask for Mac's Mission Diary at your local Catholic bookseller or order online from Amazon.com.

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Copyright 2026 Leslea Wahl
Images: (top) detail from cover; (center) Amazon.com