MMGM- Hitting the Road!

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Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
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Always in the Middle 

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Unleashing Readers

Nelson, Suzanne. RV There Yet? 

May 12, 2026 by Knopf Books for Young Readers

E ARC provided by Netgalley

When Mae Merrivale and Arthur Buckfort marry, they find themselves with a large family. Cricket (12), Flossie (11), and Parker (7) Merrivale miss their father, who travels with his rock band, The Flying Subs, but Darwin (8) and Newt (6) Buckfort don't really remember their mother, since she left when they were small. The parents think it will be a good idea for the family to bond by renting a ramshackle RV and spending three weeks traveling on a "familymoon" to Yellowstone National Park. Considering that the trip also includes a sheepdog named Archimedes, it's not surprising that things don't follow Arthur detailed itinerary. Cricket is upset that she won't be going to her usual summer camp, and knows that she won't get much writing done. Flossie, who is always investigating nature, insists on bringing a metal detector, specimen case, and microscope. Mae thinks that she will be able to finish three paintings she needs to submit to a gallery at the end of the family's vacation. Parker is a bit overwhelmed by his two new brothers, since Newt is a whirlwind who has brought a long a snake that gets loose in the RV, and Darwin is worried and concerned about bears, a fear that is not helped by reading a book about them. There are typical disasters, like the RV not having air conditioning and occasionally breaking down, and unfortunate ones like Cricket's cassette tape of her father's band accidentally getting recorded over. Once settled at the campground, there are plenty of adventures, and Cricket meets Ecko, who is staying nearby with his mothers. Ecko saves the Day by giving the family a spare tire so they can continue their explorations. Darwin is scared of the stuffed bear at the Old Faithful Inn, and doesn't want to leave the camper. Flossie is determined to get to an archaeological dig, but scheduling this proves challenging. There is plenty of bad cooking, Lego mishaps, and mud... lots of mud. There are also tough times when getting used to other family members, especially in such small quarters. Cricket can see that Darwin and Newt are not used to having a mom, even though her mother wants to take care of them, but can't see how Flossie feels ignored, since she is processing her own feelings. Things blow up, and there is an incident where a bear gets in the RV that unsettles everyone, but when the parents decide to "turn the RV around" and go back home, the kids realize that they are enjoying being together even though it is sometimes difficult, and encourage their parents to continue traveling with the "Merribuck" clan. 

Strengths: I've said time and again that my students are much more likely to experience blended families than they are likely to deal with the death of a parent, but middle grade literature would have us believe otherwise. The combined Merrivale/Buckford family has a wide array of interests and talents, and seeing them struggle to get along while in an RV, eating undercooked pancakes and not changing their socks enough, is completely amusing to read about. We see the perspective of all of the members, so understand that Darwin is struggling with some real fears, Flossie has a lot of ideas and energy, and Cricket is struggling with the lack of quiet. We even see that blended families can be hard for adults, too, as no one seems to appreciate Arthur's detailed schedule or Mae's attempts at mothering. Young readers will love this for the funny adventures, as well as the very cute and understanding Ecko. Even the cover by Macky Pamintuan is sunny and happy, despite the terror on the children's faces. Highly recommended for all elementary and middle school libraries. 
Weaknesses: Having just read an adult book before picking this up, I was a little torn. There wasn't as much of a developed plot, since the family is just traveling and learning to get along, so I almost wanted this to be more character focused, like an adult novel. Since Cricket is the oldest, and this book is based on Nelson's own childhood experience, I almost wanted this to be a first person narrator. Cricket's insights about a blended family, and a little more of a romance with Ecko, would have been quite interesting, but of course would have been a completely different book. As it is, RV There Yet will appeal to more readers, but twelve year old me wanted more about Cricket's inner thoughts, since I never had to deal with stepsiblings.
What I really think: This is a perfect, humorous adventure book for summer reading! No one dies, and there are realistic problems that are overcome with understanding and patience. This is a great choice for readers who enjoyed Burke's An Occasionally Happy Family or Reardon's Dad Rock Dragon Quest. I will definitely buy a copy, and it will be very popular with my students, especially fans of Nelson's WISH books. 

Lonely Planet. A Kid's Guide to Japan

May 12, 2026 by Lonely Planet

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

I've been enthralled by travel book ever since I picked up the original 1984 Let's Go: Greece before I spent a year living in Athens for college. Even if you never get the chance to go to a country, reading about it can be fascinating. Of course, back in the 1980s, there were only tiny black and white illustrations, so you had to use your imagination a lot more. These Lonely Planet Kid's Guides are not meant to be used to find hostels and places for cheap food, but are more of a glimpse into all of the wonders that countries have to offer. 

Starting with a map is especially important to a guide to Japan, since young readers might not be aware that there are so many islands to this Asian country. There's a nice spotlight on Tokyo, followed with the variety of types of travel one might encounter, from bullet trains to ferries to subways. I loved the detail that between trips a cleaning crew performs a "seven minute miracle" to get trains clean, and also the descriptions of the behaviors on public transport. 

In addition to the many urban and natural sites, there is a good deal of culture presented, from an explanation of Kawaii culture and Harajuku fashion to different celebrations and religious and historical monuments. Of course, the information about food is always interesting, and fish, noodles, and tea all get coverage.The best part about the book is the wealth of photographs of different sights. The only quibble I have with this one is an introduction to Sanrio products that refers to Hello Kitty as a cat; I will agree with the company that she is a little girl! 

Like the guides to Paris and New York City, this is formatted in a predictable way, and I can imagine a young reader who is interested in travel wanting to read all of these books and compare the different cities in countries. My daughter and her husband may end up living in Japan for a few years for work, so I would definitely buy a copy for them to have on hand! 

Lonely Planet. A Kid's Guide to Italy

May 12, 2026 by Lonely Planet

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

It's good to see the Lonely Planet guide including books on countries in their series, and not just cities. The format remains mostly the same as books like the guides to London and Rome, but gives a better feel for other areas in the region. This shows up in sections on travel, which includes not only trains that travel the country and the ubiquitous scooters and motorcycles, but the vaporettos the are used in Venice. 

There's a wide array of activities and sights depicted, equally divided into urban and natural ones. There is a good section on food in Italy, and I learned some things about making pasta that I had never heard before! Shopping and art, as well as historical sights, are included as well. 

Rome certainly gets a lot of coverage, as do areas around it like Herculaneum and Ostia Antica, which I highly recommend. These guides do not offer information about hours or admission rates like other travel guides, but let me just remind everyone that the Villa Borghese grounds are still closed on Mondays, just like they were back in 1985 when my college roommate and I tried to visit. Plan ahead!

Other fun facts include information on Medeival Tuscany, gardens, and languages that are spoken in far flung areas of the country by very few people. The beautiful pictures and fast paced text will give young readers a taste for travel, and are a great choice for cold winter days when one is stuck inside reading! 

The Edge of Forever

Browne, Meghan. The Edge of Forever
May 12, 2026 by Feiwel & Friends
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Twelve year old Maisie McMeans is grieving her father, who died suddenly after being diagnosed with cancer, and isn't happy that she is spending her summer with her Aunt Gertie in Heaven, Texas while her mother spends 75 days in rehab for alcohol addiction. Her aunt needs a little help in the garden, and introduces her to fourteen year old Walt Wise, who is also helping her out. The big draw is the local public library, where Maisie meets Charlene and is able to check out lots of books. Walt introduces Maisie to the local sites, including a concrete deck that the CCC put in near springs by the Callaway family home. When the kids find out that there is a luxury condo development slated to go in on the site, they try to uncover underhanded dealings that the mayor and her family are involved in. While doing so, they come across some secrets from Maisie's past. Will they be able to fend off the development while Maisie makes peace with her family?

I loved that this included information about the CCC; there were so many interesting projects that they did, but so many have fallen into ruins. It was good to see Maisie getting out to the library and hanging out with Walt rather than wallowing in her grief. The secrets made sense. This title will appeal to readers who enjoyed books like Nye's Going Going, Dilloway's Where the Sky Lives, Mills' The Last Apple Tree, or Helget's The End of the Wild.

Saturday Morning Cartoons- Luz Goes Green

Dávila, Claudia. Luz Sees the Light (Luz Goes Green #1)
May 5, 2026 by Kids Can Press
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Luz lives in Petroville with her grandmother and mother. There are rolling blackouts because of high demands on energy, but Luz is more concerned about going to the mall to look at shoes she wants to buy and getting ice cream. Her mother complains about the price of gas, and forces Luz to take the bus. A new neighbor, Robert, moves in, and he is very interested in computers, so is naturally worried about the electricity cuts. Because the cost of gas is impacting the cost of food, and her mother isn't buying the treats Luz normally likes, Luz decides to turn an abandoned lot into a park with gardens. Her friend Anika helps, and Gord, a local man who rides a bike everywhere and delivers a message of environmental doom, works with the children, and even gives Luz a lesson in composting at the end of the book. When the cost of her shoes goes up so far that she can't afford them, Luz understands that environmental problems affect everyone. Robby uses his skills to customize a pair for her, and the children use their Friendship Park to help others in their neighborhood be more environmentally conscious. 

This book was originally published in 2011, and reviews were fairly harsh. The story is a bit simplistic in its approach to environmental issues, but hits a bit differently in 2026. I've been walking to work, eating local, and buying almost everything second hand for years, and if everyone had started these kinds of habits fifteen years ago, the world might be in a little better place! The illustrations are simple and engaging, and the message to young readers is clear: we all need to do better. I would definitely buy this series for an elementary school library, but want something with a bit more nuance for middle school. 

Dávila, Claudia. Luz Makes a Splash (Luz Goes Green #1)
May 5, 2026 by Kids Can Press
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

When temperatures in Petroville soar, Luz wants to get some relief, so she and Anika round up their friend, Robert, to make a trip out to her favorite pond. Since she's learned some lessons in  Luz Sees the Light, the kids take a bus out, but are alarmed to see that the pond is very low. This is because Top Cola has started to drain the pond for its soft drink production. In addition to rolling power cuts, there are severe water restrictions in place, and Luz's neighbors are complainin about not being able to water their yards or wash their cars. The community garden is suffering, but no one can water their plants. When Luz sees dishwater being thrown out at the local restaurant, she works with Gord to make gray water filtration systems. Her mother helps her protest Top Cola, and there are boycotts and protests. The community garden puts rain barrels in place, but there hasn't been any rain for a month. Luckily, Top Cola agrees to restore the area around the plant, the garden is able to use the gray water, and rain eventually comes. 

It's great to see a community working together to safe guard natural landscapes. This book was originally published in 2012, but with concerns about the water usage of servers for artificila intelligence, the message of water conservation resonates even more today. There is a helpful chapter at the end of the book where Gord shows Luz how to create a mini marsh. A graphic novel is a good way to introduce environmental problems to young readers. I love that the first book was all in shades of brown, and this book in blue, although young readers increasingly demand full color graphic novels. I would definitely buy this series for an elementary library but am a little surprised there are only two books. There could be a third about recycling. 

My Brother Oliver

Toalson, R.L. My Brother Oliver

May 19, 2026 by Aladdin

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

In this novel in verse, Brooks is very upset that he ruined his brother Oliver's birthday. After weeks of worsening depression, bullying at school, and more frequent outbursts at home, Oliver comes across a note his brother has written listing why he should die, with a sketch of how he would make this happen. Brooks has taken the information directly to people at school, who contact his parents in time to avert a tragedy. Brooks is feeling guilty that his brother is in treatment at Clearview instead of being at home, and even blames himself for his brother's suicidal ideation. Oliver's friends have grown apart from him, and are rather mean about turning down his birthday party invitation, and one student, Noel, bullies Oliver relentlessly. Brooks has always been the "good kid", since his older brother is very talented but also frequently has meltdowns, so keeps all of his fear and grief to himself as the family visits Oliver at Clearview in the evenings. Brooks does join choir and drops out of orchestra, which he didn't enjoy, and has some success there. He's struggling a bit himself with friendships. Rocco is still there for him, but their friend Jill has distanced herself because of the mean things middle schoolers say. The book goes back and forth between the events leading up to Oliver's crisis, and following the progress that he makes in treatment while Brooks is blaming himself. Eventually, Brooks is able to talk to his parents about why he feels guilty. Oliver is able to come home to a supportive network of friends and family, and the family starts to heal.

Strengths: There was a very helpful note at the end of the book explaining that this story was based on the author's own experience with her son's suicide attempt, and there is a trigger warning at the beginning, so readers know what to expect. Brooks is an engaging character who is frustrated by his brother's behavior, but still loves him very much. While it is hinted that Oliver is on the autism spectrum and his actions seem to clearly indicate that, it is not stated. It was fantastic to see that everyone who came in contact with Oliver and either heard him mention that he wanted to die (a bus driver), or saw the list (a friend who showed Brooks), did what they were supposed to do and contacted someone. Brooks even runs to the office to talk to an adult; it surprised me the parents weren't contacted immediately. Seeing Oliver in Clearview wasn't easy, but it was good that he was getting help. People do step up to help Brooks, but it is somewhat realistic that his parents don't pay as much attention to him while they are  navigating Oliver's treatment, but they do eventually talk and unravel why he feels so guilty. 
Weaknesses: We have a well developed program of "suicide prevention" lessons for the students in my school; the state of Ohio mandates that we deliver these. Students are told again and again that if they have ANY thoughts that another student might hurt themselves, they should immediately tell someone, so Brook's all encompassing guilt that he told on his brother and his birthday was ruined seemed odd to me. This hit a bit close to home for me; not all people with suicidal ideation exhibit noticeable clues in the same way that Oliver does. 
What I really think: This is a good choice for students who benefitted from reading Bishops'  Things You Can't Say or Morrison's Coming Up Short. 

 

Deepa, M.D.

Swaminathan, Priya. Deepa, M.D.
May 19, 2026 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Deepa has been dealing with leukemia and missed all of sixth grade, but has recently gone into remission. She still isn't able to play on the volleyball team or go to sleepovers, so feels disconnected from her best friend, Renée, who has started to hang out with Lola, whom Deepa doesn't like. Deepa's Uncle Jai is a struggling doctor who makes house calls, and is an excellent diagnostician who unfortunately lacks a good bedside manner. When the famous singer, Willa, calls for him, Deepa is allowed to go along. She is a big fan, so manages to calm Willa's temper, and her uncle is able to diagnose POTS that was set off by a concussion. Back at school, Deepa often gets tired, and has to use some of the "perks" of her illness, which include being able to have her phone with her, a place to take naps, and untimed tests. While sitting out of gym class, Deepa meets Manu, who embraces a Goth look complete with eyeliner, and participates in the schools Progress club, an LGBTQIA+ organization. When Uncle Jai asks Deepa to come along on another house call, Deepa is surprised to find herself at Lola's house. Lola's brother, Tayo, is an up and coming tennis player who has been having attacks of stomach cramps and suffering from a rash after returning from a summer tennis camp. Deepa struggles with all of the strictures her mother puts on her activities, and stops taking her pills because they make her feel bad. Uncle Jai can't figure out what's up with Tayo, and even crashes a party to take Tayo's blood after his coach gives Jai the wrong information. Deepa is excited when Willa sends tickets to her concert, but is dealing with friend drama with Renée and Lola. Will she be able to help diagnose Tayo, stay healthy, and navigate relationships in seventh grade?
Strengths: If you look at the number of medical investigation books and television shows available to adults, it's surprising that there hasn't been a middle grade version of House or Qunicy, M.D. Deepa's uncle taking her a long while he is "babysitting" her makes sense, and she has a lot of background in dealing with medical professional thanks to her own illness. This helps her understand what the patients are going through, and what they aren't telling her uncle. It makes sense that her parents are over protective, and also that she has grown apart from Renée. While there are a lot of challenges in Deepa's life, and she doesn't always feel great, there are plenty of happier moments, like the concert and a family Diwali celebration. 
Weaknesses: There was a lot of friend drama going on, and was woven into the book in a way that made the story a bit hard to follow. I would have liked to see more of the medical diagnosis or even Deepa's struggles with leukemia described instead. 
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who were interested in the medical and social implications of surviving middle school with cancer and found Dee's Halfway Normal, Gephart's Abby, Tried and True, Harrell's Wink compelling. 

Roar

Bajaj, Varsha. Roar
May 12, 2026 by Nancy Paulsen Books
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Rohan is excited to be able to spend his winter break with his grandmother and grandfather in India. Not only does he get to escape his twin siblings in Houston, but he gets to visit the Vanraj sanctuary where his grandfather is the director, and is known as Tiger Man. There is one tiger, Arya, who has just had cubs. Rohan's cousin Mira visits from Bengaluru, and the two are excited to hang out at the preserve, visit the village school where their grandmother volunteers, and eat the delicious food that Seema the cool makes. The grandfather is worried that a development being planned for twenty kilometers away is too close, since animals need to be able to safely travel around, and development always produces roads that can be very dangerous. Local people support the development because it will mean more jobs and economic prosperity, so there are some protests. An intern, Kiran, joins park rangers Shiva and Anita to try to keep the are safe for tigers, and security cameras are installed to keep track of the area, but there are snares found in the jungle. Not only that, but Arya becomes ill and dies, and seems to have been poisoned. Luckily, her sister, Sita, is nearby, and takes in the cubs. Rohan returns home after break, but is glad to know that his grandfather is able to remain at Vanraj, and the mining is put on hold. This ends with some very good notes about tigers in India. 

I'm a big fan of children visiting grandparents in other countries, and I love that both the grandmother and grandfather were very active in their community. I learned a lot about tigers in India, and enjoyed seeing Rohan and Mira work together to keep Arya and her cubs safe. I do wish there had been a recipe for the guava fudge that was mentioned! This is a great choice for readers who enjoyed Kadarusman's 2025 Music for Tigers or Perkins's 2015 Tiger Boy.

Styx and Stones

Schmidt, Gary D. and Koertge, Ron. Styx and Stones

May 5, 2026 by Clarion Books

E ACR provided by Edelweiss Plus

Simon of Lacedaemon was killed by Spartan soldiers along with his family and has been in the Underworld for 2,451 years. Since he didn't drink the water from Lethe, he remembers his old life, and has been trying to escape. Unlike the other shades, he can interact and even learn, so Persephone has him wait on her, since he also prepares pomegranate seeds the way she likes. After training Cerberus by scratching the ears on all three of his heads, he manages to make the harrowing Journey out of the Underworld and ends up, naked, in the seventh grade boys' bathroom at St. Nikolaos Academy in St. Paul Minnesota. Luckily, Zeke Tripp finds him and helps him out. Zeke struggles with bullies like Rowan, has very hands off parents, and is struggling with his own personal tragedy. The two boys claim that Simon is from Las Vegas and his parents and luggage are experiencing travel difficulties, and enroll him at the school with the help of Mr. Savalas, who is pleased with Simon's knowledge of Ancient Greek mythology (and who also is struggling with his own personal tragedy). Zeke's grandmother lets Simon stay in the family's pool house and doesn't ask too many questions. In the Underworld, Hades is very angry that someone escaped, but Persephone, Sisyphus, and others are glad. Persephone even starts a subtle shift of power because she is so unhappy spending six months of the year in the Underworld. At school, Simon is given a hard time, but he and Zeke work together, and do get help from some classmates like Lucinda. When strange things start happening in St. Paul, the boys know that Hades is trying to get Simon back. Has Simon "broken" the Underworld and make a lasting escape, or will he have to return to his hellish existence?
Strengths: This was beautifully written and introspective, and wove details of Greek mythology into a modern setting in an interesting way. The use of Cerberus will touch the hearts of dog lovers everywhere, and watching Simon struggle to leave the Underworld was oddly enthralling. His arrival in St. Paul was explained well enough that I could even believe the school didn't ask questions. Even though the story went back and forth between the two worlds, it wasn't hard to understand, and the narrative tension was maintained in both timelines. This is beautifully written, and felt almost cinematic at times. I would not be at all surprised if this won the Newbery Award in 2027. 
Weaknesses: While this was a brilliantly constructed book, I'm not sure how much it will appeal to my students. I was enthralled by it, but didn't enjoy it; three characters dealing with losses of loved ones was a bit much. Do have to give some bonus points for Mr. Savalas' career path description: "So how did I end up teaching middle school? My field was Classics." Same, Mr. Savalas. Same.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed allergorical books like Haydu's Eventown or Huang's Kaya of the Ocean. 

MMGM- In the Blood and Diamond Fever!

It's

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
 at 

Always in the Middle 

and #IMWAYR day 

at

Unleashing Readers

Henry, April. In the Blood

May 12, 2026 by Christy Ottaviano Books (Little, Brown)

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Tessa Lundgren has always known she was left at a fire station right after her birth and adopted, and is happy with her parents, but when she turns 18, her best friend El gives her a DNA test. The two had always thought about who Tessa's biological parents might have been, so Tessa does eventually send off the test. She's busy at school, and starts hanging out with her lab partner, Victor. In alternating chapters, we also hear the point of view of Keisha, a police officer who is sent to do a welfare check on a young woman named Alida and finds her murdered. She starts to delve into the fifteen years history of a killer called the Portland Phantom who is scrupulous about leaving no traces, but who does leave gruesome "calling cards" of mementos from previous victims. There is only one sample of DNA from one of his killings, taken from underneath the fingernails of the victim. We also see Quentin Sinclair, who is committing the murders, and get a look at the warped psychology behind his actions. While her parents are generally supportive of her, Tessa has noticed that they seem very stressed, and worry that they will divorce, leaving her and her younger sister Phoebe, their biological child, in a stressful situation. When she gets her DNA match back, she locates a woman who is probably a cousin of her mother. Audrey meets up with Tessa, El, and Victor, and seems to think that her cousin Gina might be Tessa's mother. Gina is involved in a cult-like religious group called the Reapers, and does talk to Tessa. It seems that her daughter Ruth might be Tessa's mother, but she ran away from home around the time that Tessa was born. Since she was raised in such a strict environment, Tessa is at a loss as to who her father might have been. She talks to Ruth's brother Jared, who gives her Ruth's diary. There's still not a lot of information. There has been yet another murder, and Keisha, who is still involved in the investigation, gets an alert about Tessa's DNA test. Suspicion falls on Tessa's father, until the detectives talk to Tessa and find out that she is adopted. We see Quentin setting up his next murder, and learn about Ruth's affair with him from his perspective. Tessa is upset to learn that her father might be the Portland Phantom, but when Quentin finds out he has a daughter, the situation becomes dangerous for all involved. Will Tessa find her father, or will she become his next victim?

My students are enthralled by true crime podcasts and documentaries like the one in the book that details the investigation into the Portland Phantom and is quoted between chapters. Henry's When We Go Missing has been extremely popular with my students, and this book is even better! 

I've never been a fan of true crime stories, but Henry writes such incredible mysteries that I was drawn right in. There are a lot of twists and turns that I don't want to ruin. Seeing the story unfold from three different perspectives didn't sound that appealing to me at first, but ended up being absolutely fascinating, and added a huge amount of tension to the story! The research behind the science of DNA and the way that crime scenes are investigated is very evident, and I would NEVER want to get on Henry's bad side. If anyone could pull off the perfect crime, I think it could be her! 

The best part of this was that even though the murders are grisly and Quentin is clearly deranged, there are no details that make this inappropriate for middle school readers. Even Ruth's pregnancy is framed in a very factual way with no particulars. Showing Quentin's thought process can't have been easy, but we see his wife, Melanie and her Precious Moments figurines, and also Quentin's creepy storage unit with the relics from his victims. This is top notch writing, since it is suspenseful without having to resort to gruesome descriptions, profanity, or more mature language. 

There's plenty of suspense, and the end of the book is fraught with danger. I don't think it's too much of a spoiler to say that Tessa survives, and ends up writing a book about her experience, since throughout the story she has talked about wanting to write. After all of the tension of the book, it is good to have a happy ending; even Tessa's parents problems are revealed as being a health issues with the father. 

Something about the cover reminded me of Lois Duncan or Joan Lowery Nixon books from the 1990s, in absolutely the best way. There's always been a middle grade and young adult interest in true crime and murder, but they are hard topics to write about for this age group. Henry knocks it out of the park every single time with her books, and just keeps getting better and better. I will buy at least three copies of this newest title, which my students have been asking about already in January 2026. 

Also, I hadn't known that the murder case of Lois Duncan's daughter was solved in 2021. Sadly, the author died in 2016. 

https://www.oxygen.com/crime-news/lois-duncan-daughter-serial-killer-paul-apodaca

Sheinkin, Steve and Chad, John (illus.)

Diamond Fever! A True Crime Story in the Wild West

May 12, 2026 by Roaring Brook Press

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

True Crime books are very popular with my students now, and I've even been surprised at how many of my students will read Day and Helquist's The Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary Painter, a Shocking Heist, and the Birth of a Global Celebrity. While I love history, I'm not as big a fan of true Crime, and while I enjoy mysteries, I am rubbish at keeping all of the clues straight. 

Diamond Fever will be a popular choice for nonfiction projects, and comes in at 256 pages, which meets the "over 200 pages" requirements. I could give a synopsis of all of the characters and the back and forth of the story, but since there is a list complete with thumbnails of the participants at the front of the book, there are just too many characters for me. 

Suffice it to say, there were two very wily and somewhat evil men, cousins Philip Arnold and John Slack, who is 1871 put in place a very elaborate hoax that there was a diamond mine somewhere in the west. They got all manner of well respected men drawn into the hoax, and strung them along for years, trying to get legal rights to the mine so they could see stocks. There were even some British connections to this, and men like Charles Lewis Tiffany and Henry Janin were involved. Land was salted with diamonds and rubies that were probably bought in London, and it took a government surveyor, Clarence King, to uncover the hoax. This no doubt was covered sensationally in the newspapers, and I sort of want to travel to Elizabethtown, Kentucky to see the Arnold sites. 

Students will enjoy the travels, the intrigue, and the snarky tone that Sheinkin employs. Even narrative nonfiction can be a little dry, and when you're working on a project for a month or more, it's good to have an engaging title. This will be right up there with Fleming's The Curse of the Mummy and Seiple's Byrd and Igloo for handing to students who are reluctant to read nonfiction. The inclusion of comic style panels throughout won't hurt! 

Three Sisters and National Parks

Gill, David. Macinnis. Three Sisters
March 10, 2026 by Greenwillow Books

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Harper Anderson is not happy that her father is dragging her and her sisters Jentry and Riker to the Three Sisters mountain range in Oregon to hike to the top to spread her  mother's ashes. Their mother, a nurse, drowned in a flash flood trying to get home from work, and Harper has had to step in and deal with her sisters since their father is so grief stricken. The girls are constantly bickering in the car, but are glad to be at Truman's Lodge and see longtime friend Garis, who owns the lodge. They start their hike with a scuffle over who will carry their mother's ashes, and of course Harper steps up. When they stop at a lake on their way to the top, they are a little alarmed to see dead fish and smell sulfur in the air, but keep hiking. In between chapters, the reader gets to see reports from the park service about seismic activity in the area. Harper has kept her phone with her even though her father didn't want her to, but there is rarely a signal. Since the park rangers have all been furloughed, and the family wasn't able to register, you would think that they would turn around when they feel tremors, but they don't. As they are scattering their mother's ashes, there is a tremor and a landslide, and they all barely escape with multiple scrapes. Their path down is wiped out, and they have to find another way down. The girls are angry at their father that he lost the ashes, but things get even worse and the family is plunged into a dire fight for survival. There's pumice ash in the air, a bulge in the mountain that sends them to higher ground, and an injury when Jentry is kicked by an injured deer she tries to help. Harper hears a little from Garis, who is trying to get them down off the mountain, especially since there is an evacuation order. The family manages to call 911 and request a helicopter to be evacuated, but are not happy that the wait could be 6 hours, since lots of people need rescued, and there are few available resources. They finally have help sent, and shelter in a nearby cabin, but when the helicopter comes, the father tries to board it midair from the roof, and falls. He's trapped, and the girls have to amputate his thumb to free him. The 911 dispatcher says that no one else will be coming after the father's escapade, so the girls have to get him down the mountain by themselves. Will they be able to survive? 
Strengths: There aren't many survival novels that deal with escaping volcanoes, although there is Barone's nonfiction Mountain of Fire, about Mount St. Helens. The details about what it would be like to be outside when there is a volcano erupting were fascinating, and I now know to include a bandana and possibly a face mask in my survival kit if I ever go hiking. I liked that the girls all had different scientific interests and knew a lot about medicine, weather, and natural phenomenon. The deer attack was a good twists on the standard bear attack in middle grade novels, and made sense. Deer are cute and wouldn't hurt people, right? I really liked Garis, and her lodge sounds like a good place to visit. Including a government shut down and furloughed park rangers made the survival aspect even more stark. 
Weaknesses: The bickering that the girls did was realistic, but got a bit old, as did the description of allergies. I found it a little hard to believe that seasoned hikers would have continued after all of the warnings like dead fish and tremors, but it makes for a good story. Could definitely have done without the dead parent trope, but that is always the case for me. 
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Brorsen's Wilderness Hacks, Downing's Just Keep Walking, or Floyd's Survivor Mountain. 
 

Rigby, Alexander M. and Lan, Qu (illustrator)

The Nature of Our National Parks
April 14, 2026 by Tra Publishing

While there are lots of guidebooks to National Parks, like Ward's Lonely Planet Kids America's National Parks and Leighton's National Parks Maps, this book offers a more personal look. The author spent ten years traveling to different parks, and offers his insights and observations about them. All of the parks as of the publication date are included. In addition to Rigby's thoughts on each park, there are facts about Flora and fauna in each one, as well as a kid friendly hike mentioned. The illustrations are gorgeous, and have a sort of paint-by-number feel that I really enjoyed. 

I do wish there had been a little more information about the author's process at the beginning of the  book. Not everyone can manage to see all of the National Parks, and while there is a note at the back with some of the details, I would have felt more invested had I known more. I would have enjoyed the pictures of the parks more without seeing Rigby in all of them, but maybe if there were more about the traveling, it would have made more sense to include him. 

Saturday Morning Cartoons

Kobabe, Maia and Shikumar, Lucky. Opting Out

May 5, 2026 by Graphix

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Saachi lives with her parents, Krishnan and Rukmani, and her younger sister, Samaira. Her parents are supportive, even is Saachi doesn't like that they occasionally make her take care of her sister. She spends a lot of time with her best friend Lyla, but as seventh grade starts, Saachi doesn't like the fact that many of the boys and girls in her class are pairing up and "going out". When she gets her period, she's even more miserable, since she refuses to tell her mother, who might help her get proper supplies. She and Lyla are big fans of a fantasy book series, but Lyla isn't as interested in it as she used to be, and Saachi is more comfortable playing with Samaira and her friends. Saachi fights twice with Isaac, a boy in her class whom she thinks bullies her, and is suspended for three days after stabbing him with a sword key chain. She would like to be a writer, and journals frequently. After her parents get her a subscription to a teen writing magazine, she even submits some poems, but gets rejected. Middle School is hard to navigate at the best of times, and since Saachi suspects she may be nonbinary, it's even harder. She fights with Lyla over a misunderstanding, comes to find that Isaac is someone with whom she actually gets along, and tells her parents about her gender identity journey only to find that they are still very supportive. 

This is another middle grade graphic novel that has elements of a memoir, like Hale's Real Friends and Scrivan's Nat Enough books. I love the Hindu representation, but wish there had been a little more explanation about some aspects of it for my students who have never known anyone from that culture. This seems to be set in the modern day, but there are some things that seemed very 1990s to me, like Saachi sending in poem submissions and getting paper rejection letters mailed to her. 
 

Amato, J.D. and Morse, Sophie (illus.) The Endless Game 
April 28, 2026 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

In the summer of 1998, Fred's family moves to Lakeside. His mother is trying to find a teaching job while taking care of his younger sister Ellie, and his father is finishing up work elsewhere before joining them. Fred approaches a neighbor his age, Rusty, who acts a bit oddly, telling Fred he has to make sure he's not a spy. Fred is taken to Downhill Castle, where children from his neighborhood are involved in a weirdly intense game of capture the flag with the kids from the Uphill neighborhood. They have a large building for their headquarters, and very strict rules about how the game works. A council of homeschooled children make final decisions. One of the interesting rules is that if someone is tagged, they have to report to the jail run by the other side every day until someone breaks them out or the new school year starts! The parents know about this, and abide by the rules even if it means not sending their child to a summer program for which they have already paid, since the game has been going on for 75 years. The Downhill team is angry that they have lost their king, Mike, who was arrested for graffiti and sent to stay with his grandmother in Montana for the summer, with King Raquel taking his place. Fred and the other children are investigating and trying to exonerate their ruler. The Uphill team is led by Jamie Crown, whose parents are wealthy and influential. He cheats at the bike race and is generally unpleasant. Will the Downhill team be able to hold their own and perhaps get Mike back in the game?

I love to see Kids Doing Things, but I'm glad this was set in 1998. I can't see kids today being allowed this much freedom, and phones would ruin everything, especially the carrying of paper messages. Part of me thinks that this would be a really fun way to spend a summer, but I felt bad for the kids who were tagged and had to spend their summer in jail. I half expected a note at the end of this, explaining some of the facets of the game. The maps are a nice touch. I can see this graphic novel being popular with readers who enjoyed Sells' Cardboard Kingdom. 

Guy Friday- Soundtrack: A Novel

Reynolds, Jason. Soundtrack: A Novel

April 14, 2026 by Crown Books for Young Readers

E ARC provided by Netgalley

Stuyvesant Grey lives in Brooklyn, New York in 2011. His mother was a drummer for a punk band called the Magic Dusters, and encouraged him from a young age to drum, but his father has never been in the picture. Stuy's even been in the school band, which isn't all that hot. When his mother's boyfriend, Dom, moves in, he leaves and moves in with his Uncle Lucky on the east side. Uncle Lucky has a checkered past, and used to play Russian Roulette with his friend when Stuy was visiting, but after his friend died during one such game, cleaned up his act and became a teacher. His neighbor in Dunks, who is young but owns the apartment building thanks to his wealthy father. Dunks and Stuy put together a rock band  with Alexis, Keith, and Frankie, and play in subway stations. They do fairly well, and even get some coverage on the news. WHen Dom hits Stuy's mom, he's angry, and Alexis goes to warn Dom off, but ends up hitting him. Dom presses charges, so the bad decides to play gigs further away from home so the police can't get Alexis. After seeing a video online of his mom's band back in the day, Stuy connects with the poster, who is  his half sister Ashley, who lives in the Bronx. The police eventually arrest Alexis, and in desperation, Stuy gives Dom $3,000 the band has raised, hoping Dom drops the charges. He doesn't right away, so Alexis is held for several days. He eventually gets out, but tragedy strikes the bad when Frankie has a seizure because his cancer has returned. He passed away, but the band, Soundtrack, tries to stay together. 

This is more of a young adult book, since the characters are mostly high school age, and there is an f word or two. There are some sections where the dialog is written to look like a movie script. It's an interesting story, but I haven't had middle school students in a band for nearly twenty years. If Reynolds is popular in your high school library, or if you have a lot of readers who are into music, this would be a good choice. 

The Theft of the Ruby Lotus

DasGupta, Sayantani. The Theft of the Ruby Lotus

April 21, 2026 by Scholastic Press

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Ria Bailey is irritated that her mother, Dr. Mena Basu, was let go from her job at the Metropolitan Museum of art, so has taken a job in Tubingen Germany. Ria doesn't want to leave their Hell's Kitchen neighborhood or her best friends, Miracle and Annie. Her class is having a sleepover at the museum, and Ria thinks it would be embarrassing to go, so when her Dida (grandmother) goes to spend the night so she can attend a family event, Ria decides to stay home by herself. This changes when she opens a package addressed to her mother and finds the Ruby that belongs in the Lotus Sword at the museum. On her way, she meets a very cute boy, Zakir, outside. It turns out that the tech bro owner of Hive Incorporated is "on the case" of the missing stone, and the sword is to be turned back over to India. The museum has been struggling with the issue of returning valuable artifacts to the countries from which they were unfairly taken; Dr. Basu has been vocal about this, and Ria assumes that this has something to do with the fact her mother was let go. Since the sword is worth $300 million, it's not a surprise when Ria and her friends run into motorcycle riding Lotus Society members who warn her against getting involved. One of them drops a glove, and Ria decides to try to locate the ladies by tracing the dry cleaning ticket inside of it. A family friend at the dry cleaners gives Ria the name and address of the owner, as well as help obtaining a taxi, and soon the girls are deeply involved in a potentially dangerous mystery. Ria finds out some surprising family history, and discovers that neither Zakir nor Eli Purchase are quite who they appear to be. Will Ria and her friends be able to locate the sword and return it to the museum so that it can go to its proper home, and will this allow Dr. Basu to keep her job?
Strengths: I loved the author's note that she wanted to replicate a little of the magic of Konigsberg's 1967 From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, a title which I think holds up even after all these years. Ria has a vested interest in the Lotus Sword, even more than she realizes, and her dedication to saving it is admirable. Her friends are great foils for her; Miracle is a little more concerned for everyone's safety, and Annie is all about smashing the colonizing patriarchy, even when her own safety might benefit from moving on! Luckily for Ria, she runs into many people that either she or her friends know, and they are helpful on multiple occasions. There's some fun technology thrown in, and a great villain. Zakir is an interesting addition, since Ria is not too busy to appreciate a cute boy. There is a lot of action and adventure in this book, Plus many fun moments, like dressing for the Met Gala. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ria involved in more adventures, but this could be a stand alone as well.
Weaknesses: Ria made a LOT of bad choices. She shouldn't have opened her mother's package, and it never seems to occur to her to let the authorities know about the ruby instead of carrying it around on her own. Of course, if she HAD observed standard safety protocols, the story would have been fairly boring.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Northrup's Tombquest series, Gibbs' Charlie Thorne series, or Baptiste's Moko Magic, which also addresses the idea of repatriating antiquities. 

Auntie Q's Golden Claws Nail Salon

Hoang, Van. Auntie Q's Golden Claws Nail Salon
April 21, 2026 by Roaring Brook Press

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Domi Pham has not only been banned from all computer use after an expensive misunderstanding involving another student's tablet at school, but her parents also decide that she will be spending the summer with her Auntie Q, helping out at her nail salon in order to earn $500 to pay them back. Arizona is quite different from California, and Domi doesn't know Q well at all. Her mother, a lawyer, left home for college and never really went back, and her aunt has a house cluttered with years worth of family memorabilia. Her nail salon, Nails, is unremarkable from the outside, but recently renovated inside. There's a reliable, largely Vietnamese staff and steady clientele, but the opening of a new salon, Glitzy, in the local mall is cutting into business. Domi spends each day in the salon, doing small tasks to help out the operators, and honing her own nail polishing skills on the children of clients. She meets Bobby, whose parents own the nearby Pho restaurant, and the two think about helping to update the salon's internet presence since Bobby has an interest in coding and Domi loves to draw, although Q is very reluctant. Domi slowly earns money from tips to pay down her debt, but uses a large portion of it to pay for her and Bobby to experience the spa treatment at Glitzy in order to understand the competition. She discovers a lot of things that might help the business, but her aunt is furious. Q has a history with Glitzy of which Domi was unaware, and the two have a fight. Domi feels that no adults in her life understand her, and takes off on a long walk. After several hours, she realizes she is lost and asks a woman working at a drugstore to call her aunt. Q has panicked, searched for hours, and called Domi's mother, who is on her way. The visit between Domi's mother and Q is fraught, but the two discuss their differences and process long held family trauma in a productive manner. There's even some headway made on cleaning out some of Q's hoarded boxes. When Domi's father arrives, the family even tries to take a break from work and see some of the sights. Even though Domi has spent most of her summer trying to earn money as quickly as possible in order to return home sooner, she becomes very invested in the success of the salon. When her mother and Q fight again, she doesn't want to leave. Some of the updates to the salon cause the owner of Glitzy to threaten to sue for copyright infringement, but Domi's mother uses her lawyer knowledge to deflect these accusations. Domi is able to return home with new insights into her family's background, and a new appreciation for her family.
Strengths: The nail salon setting is such a fun and interesting one, and hasn't been portrayed much in middle grade literature (except for Santopolo's 2014 Sparkle Spa for slightly younger readers), and it is my understanding that many salons are staffed by immigrants. I've never had my nails done, so I can't speak to the accuracy of the portrayal, but now I sort of want to go... and leave a big tip! Domi is a very resilient character who is not happy with the plans her parents have made for the summer, but does acknowledge her role in the misunderstanding, and tries to be helpful to her aunt and the staff at Nails. She and Bobby work well together, and use their skills to really help out the salon. There are plenty of fun scenes, like the trip to Glitzy, but also a lot of good coverage of the often difficult immigrant experience. The reverberations of this are seen in the mother and aunt's difficult relationship, which is resolved only when the two confront the past and their feelings about it and finally talk to each other. The cover of this is great, and I love all of the nail polish colors!
Weaknesses: I'm not usually a fan of flashbacks, but the mother and aunt's experiences leaving Vietnam, and the difficulties they faced in the US with their own mother, might have been more effective shown this way. Even an introductory chapter showing the events of that time would have made the experience seem more immediate before picking up Domi's story. It's such important information, and seeing it tiny bits at a time might make it harder for young readers to connect to it.
What I really think: This is an interesting look inside the workings of a small business and a good choice for readers who enjoyed tales of other family run businesses like Hirandani's How to Find What You're Not Looking For, Yee's Maizy Chen's Last Chance, Mancillas' Taco Tuesday, or Granillo's Cruzita and the Mariacheros.  

Pooch on the Loose and Shim Jung Takes the Dive

Hawn, Goldie, Oliver, Lin and Chambers, Breanna (illus.)
Pooch on the Loose (After-School Kindness Crew #1)

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Tony, Mia, and River are all in Mr. Ortega's fourth grade class at Sycamore Elementary School in Los Angeles. When he has a "surprise us" day, River (whose real name is Walter, but who wants to be a star worthy of his new name) brings in sparkly shoes from his mother's clothing resale shop, Tony tries to bring in one of his drawings, which his younger brother ZoZo has covered in strawberry jam, and Mia brings in her snake. Things go badly wrong, the snake escapes, and the classroom is in turmoil. All three kids end up with Ms. Gold in her bungalow for a "brain break". They practice breathing, listen to soothing music, and are given Mindful Me journals. They become friends, and decide that they might want to help out at Dave's Doggy Day Care. ZoZo takes a liking to a dog named Sparky who is usually very loud, but calms down in ZoZo's presence. The kids hope that one of them can adopt the dog, even though all of their parents say no. The kids manage to collect $50, and try to pretend to be adults in order to adopt a dog. They are turned down, in part because "Barky" was already adopted. It turns out that Tony's Grandma Candy has decided that Barky would be a good addition to the family. The kids decide to become the After-School Kindness Crew after spending more time with Ms. Gold, and they even help Lyle Lemon, who has been mean to them for most of the book. 

Strengths: I was unaware of Ms. Hawn's MindUp organization, which was far ahead of its time in promoting preventative mental health. This is clearly the beginning of a series, and I expect to see a lot of different coping strategies portrayed. Oliver, who wrote the Hank Zipzer books with Henry Winkler, knows her way around a series, and Pooch on the Loose sets the scene with richly developed back stories to our three characters and their school. Elementary school students will enjoy the adventures of these enthusiastic friends. 
Weaknesses: While it's great that the After-School Kindness Crew has access to Ms. Gold and her brain break bungalow, I think there are very few schools who have enough time in their day to devote to something similar. Schools only have students for seven hours or less, and there are a lot of unfunded government mandates that need to be addressed during that time. 
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Sheinmel's The Kindness Club, Mills' Franklin School Kids, or Messner and Fajardo's The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class books. 

Riew, Julie. Shim Jung Takes the Dive
April 28, 2026 by Quill Tree Books

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

In the world of New Samhan, it is the tradition for twelve year old girls to jump into the sea and retrieve an item that will shed light on their destiny. Jung is supposed to jump, but she is still traumatized from losing her mother to the sea and runs back home. She has a plan to leave Haemin Island by getting good grades, and doesn't put as much faith in the "fake history" (mythology) that others around her seem to. Her father thinks she should stop thinking about her mother and move on, but when Jung hears her mother calling her from the sea, she ventures in to the water and ends up in the kingdom of the Dragon Queen. This isn't on the mortal maps, but since the queen saved Jung, Jung must remain in the kingdom as a Palace Girl and work for her. Jung managed to talk to Prince Jae, who is not very happy because his mother is mean, and wants Jung's help to fake his own death so that he can escape. The Dragon Queen's power comes from a gem set in it, and Jung and Jae set out to find a dragon gem of their own. They set out on an epic journey that involves venturing into caves, and fighting off all manner of monsters. Will they be able to get a dragon gem and break free of the Dragon Queen's power?

I liked the snarky voice that Jung had, and the underwater setting was interesting. This follows many middle grade fantasy tropes, since Jung has to save the world when she turns twelve, and also has a fairly standard adventure journey. This will be popular with readers who enjoyed Riazi's Sabrena Swept Away, Chadda's Storm Singer, or Diño's The Serpent Rider.

MMGM- The Summer Scrapbook and Shoes! A Footwear Fashion Frolic

It's

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
 at 

Always in the Middle 

and #IMWAYR day 

at

Unleashing Readers

Migga, Florence. The Summer Scrapbook

May 5, 2026 by Carolrhoda Books

Copy provided by the publisher

Rising ninth graders Ava, Becca, and Cat are all upset because their summer has been ruined. While they would normally be hanging out at their Chatanooga hometown pool everyday and making plans, this summer they will be separated. Ava's father is doing a job swap with another professor, so the family will be living in London. Becca's parents, alarmed that all she wants to do is read the Reverse Elementals book series, are sending her to the Camp Whistling Ridge summer camp for eight weeks. Cat gets to stay at home, but her mother isn't content to let her write poetry and binge watch shows, and forces her to go to the pool by herself. Things are rocky at first for all of the girls, but they quickly improve. Ava, who is missing a summer at Girls State, keeps checking her phone and missing out on the sights, but her parents meet their neighbors and construct a scavenger hunt that Ava must do with Derrick, who is her age. They are given a list and a credit card, and are allowed to travel around the city on public transport. Ava slowly warms up to Derrick, although there are some bumps in their relationship. After initially keeping to herself at camp, Becca makes a friend in Allyson, connects with her small group, and participates actively in the game of Capture the Flag. Cat makes some new friends at the pool who invite her to do things with them, and she even develops a relationship with the cute Von... on whom Ava has a crush. The changes do cause some problems in the girls' friendship that are exacerbated by their distance, are solved by the end. The summer activities equip the girls with a new perspective, new life skills, and a new appreciation for their friendship.

Strengths: Like Holm's Sunny Makes a Splash, this is a book about summer vacation that makes me wonder why my OWN summers were never this much fun! My students often ask for happy, realistic novels, and summer settings are popular year round. This has a good mix of travel, summer camp, and staying at home. Ava and Cat both have sweet romances, and I really enjoyed that the girls each developed new skills and some perspective on what is important. Navigating friendship drama is always a popular topic, and the way the girls' handle their differences is realistic and constructive. Big bonus points for having all of the parents alive and involved, as well as a tiny bit annoying!

Weaknesses: Why do tweens today not want to travel anywhere or do anything? Some activities seem slightly dated; Ava's mother keeps scrapbooks, and the girls talk about making one for their summer experiences, although this isn't really followed up until the end. There's also a lot of hanging out at the mall, going to the movies, and even a visit to an arcade. When my daughters were in middle school 20 years ago, those activities were on their way out.

What I really think: Readers who like multiple points of view will enjoy seeing what summer is like thought Ava, Becca, and Cat's eyes. Hand to readers who were intrigued by the realistic problems in Shang's The Best Worst Summer of Esme Sun, Wientge's Best Friends, Bikinis, and Other Summer Catastrophes, or Calonita's The Taylors. 

Davies, Anna. Shoes!: A Footwear Fashion Frolic

May 5, 2026 by Cicada Books

Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

There are two nonfiction topics I've been anticipating for years: the history of Black hair (which was partially filled by Qualls' Fros, Fades, and Braids: A Brief History of Black Hair in America) and the history of SHOES. Thanks to Cicada Books, my toes are tapping with this great illustrated history! (Insert video of beginning of the 1984 version of Footloose!)

Not only does this give some ancient types of shoes, but it also discusses the anatomy of shoe and different types of heels. A lot of young readers, who have only ever worn Crocs and tennis shoes, might find it interesting to know the differences between kitten heels, platforms, and stilettos that were ingrained in earlier generations. This also goes through different historical periods starting with the Victorian Era and then taking deeper dives into each decade since the beginning of the 20th century.

Along with descriptions of the different types of shoes that were popular in each era(do love a chukka or Chelsea boot!), there is some historical context; for example, women in the 1900s needed different shoes because they were engaging in new activities, like riding bicycles. 

There are highlight on a vast array of shoe designers like Andre Perugia, Ferragamo, innovator Claire McCardell, Coco Chanel, and others. It was fun to learn that Birkenstocks had been around since the 1940s, even thought they didn't catch on until the 1966, when hippie culture embraced them. The 1990s saw the rise of Manolo Blahnik shoes, as well as Uggs and moon boots. 

The history of sneakers will appeal to many tweens and teens, who might not realize that this type of shoe has roots in 1876 Plimsolls and 1916 Keds. I still regret not seeking out whatever centenary style Keds came out with for its anniversary! More innovation occurred with 1922 Converse shoes, as well as  Adidas, Puma, Nike, Vans, and Reebok brands. Little did I know that when I bought my first pair of running shoes in 1981 that the Reeboks I purchased still included fairly new technology or that my college roommates' Freestyles (complete with the Union Jack on the logo) were iconic. This ends with a brief look at the future of shoes, which could be quite interesting with new technologies! 

The illustrations are rendered in pastel colors, which makes them very pretty to look at. In my heart of hearts, I think I just want a photographic catalog of all the shoes of the 20th century, not just the fancy designer ones. What did my grandmother wear around the house and farm? Keds were available but I can't imagine her wearing them. Readers with a more casual interest in shoe history who enjoyed Frisch's The Story of Nike, Keyser's Sneaker Century, or Abdo's Sneakerheads series will appreciate this overview of everyone's footwear! 

April went quickly with two weeks of testing and one week in Washington, D.C. with 8th graders.  All of the library books are due on Thursday, because the students are out of school two weeks after that! It really does take two weeks to get all of the books back, and I forsee making a lot of phone calls home. I know some librarians are much more philosophical, but I ran a report of books that my students still owe to elementary schools, and it is about $3,000 worth of books. As much as we want kids to read, we also want to have good collections for them. Usually, calls home result in books being found under beds or in closets. There are a few that have to be paid for. When I lost Ellen Wilson's Annie Oakley: Little Sure Shot (1958), I diligently saved up the $2.95 to pay back the public library! I still have no idea what happened to that book!