Cincinnati Lee, Curse Breaker

Heiling, Heidi. Cincinnati Lee, Curse Breaker
March 25, 2025 by Greenwillow Books

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Natalie Lee (aka Nat or Cincinnati) lives with her mother, who does fundraising for an art museum, and attends the Manhattan Academy of Arts and Sciences, a private school. She is trying to break the family curse, and thinks if she can steal the Chachapoyas Idol, a Peruvian artifact that her grandfather, Pops, removed from the country, from the museum and give it to the Belaundes, the curse might be lifted. Even though she is successful in removing the idol, someone steals it from her! Pops had been a victim of the curse when he had a public freak out at a museum gala. He's now living ina nursing facility Cincinnati, and since his great great granddaughter wants to follow in the family footsteps and be an archaeologist as well, she's interested in all of his work. At school, she has to deal with Sebastian Thomas, who is also descended from archaeologists, but isn't very nice. After finding out he stole the idol, and scuffling about it at school, she is suspended for a week. Her friend Felix, who works in the art department at the museum, picks her up from school, and is working on another replacement forgery for the idol. Armed with her new friend Parsley's invitation to the auction where Sebastian's family is trying to sell the idol, Cincinnati manages to switch out the idol again, so that she can get the original to the Balaundes, but when she goes to give it to them, it has cracked. This disappointment leads her to get roped into finding a Spear that has Biblical ties, that Craft Raft founder's daughter Taylor Calloway is trying to locate. She and Parsely join forces again. There's kidnapping, ancient maps, gun shots, a trip to Europe, and a lot of adventure as Cincinnati 

Strengths: This is on trend with current thoughts about antiquities trafficking and colonization, and Cincinnati is very concerned about getting relics returned to their countries of origin. Young readers will enjoy the fact that Cincinnati pushes the envelope and doesn't always listen to her mother or think about her own safety; the dedication mentions favoring justice over self-preservation. Cincinnati has some help from the quirky Parsely (whose father manufactures komboucha and whose mother is a famous singer), and seems to have plenty of resources to help her deal with artifacts. Her Pops has drunk from the fountain of youth, and is in a nursing facility under sedation, so I'm curious to see if this becomes a series so that we can get more information about him. 

Weaknesses: There are a lot of art and pop cultural mentions that I don't think my students will understand. Also, it would have been good to know more about the curse that Cincinnati was working so hard to break. 
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Blue Balliet's art mysteries, LaFevers' Theodosia Throckmorton series or who want a fictional take on something like Albee's Accidental Archaeologists. 

Saturday Morning Cartoons- Speechless

Steinke, Aron Nels. Speechless
March 4, 2025 by Graphix

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Mia has problems with social anxiety that have led to years of increasing selective mutism, but she makes a goal for herself to talk in class as she enters middle school. Her first day is a bust, but other students, including former best friend and current nemesis, Chloe, tell the teachers that Mia just doesn't talk. This isn't evident at home, where Mia talks to her mother and father, as well as her younger sister Madeleine, who occasionally helps her with her computer animation projects. Under the name Danger Cat Studios, Mia uploads videos like Tommy Tomato and Bobby Banana. When she puts up posters at school advertising these, she gets a lot of views, and finds it amusing that no one knows she is responsible. She creates puppets to use in the videos, and makes one of Alex, a cool nonbinary kid on whom she has a bit of a crush. They stick up for Mia when classmates make fun of her, and even partners with her on a school project. Alex is surprised that Mia speaks at home, and the two have more fun with the animation projects than the school one. It doesn't go well, since Mia is dealing with the fact that Chloe is living with her family while her parents are taking care of her grandmother. Mia remembers that Chloe, in second grade, told her to quit pestering her, and has trouble when Chloe invites friends to the house. At one point, she suspects that Chloe has poisoned her spaghetti, and spirals to the point where her parents call the paramedics. Mia's grades aren't good, and when Mia's teacher finally calls her mother, the parents find out that Mia hasn't been talking at school. They get her in to therapy, and she slowly progresses from whispering to Alex, which isn't so hard, to speaking in front of groups. 

Strengths: One of my second grade classmates was selectively mute, and this was very hard to understand as a child, so it's interesting to see this representation, especially since the author had a lesser degree of this condition when he was young. Mia and Chloe's friend drama makes sense (I personally still have grudges from elementary school!), but I was glad to see that Chloe wasn't really still mean to Mia, and her feelings were a little bit hurt as well. Alex sticking up for Mia and befriending her was also good to see. Mia's animation hobby was intriguing, and it wasn't unusual that her grades slipped in middle school. Steinke's illustrations (Mr. Wolf's Class) will appeal to middle school readers. 
Weaknesses: I found it hard to believe that the parents didn't know that Mia wasn't speaking in class. When Mia didn't speak in middle school, the first thing that a teacher would do would be to check her file for diagnosis and accomodations, and when nothing was there, a phone call home would have been made! 
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like all of the graphic novels that deal with challenging middle school experiences. Raina Telgemeier set the bar with Smile, and these have continued with Hale's Real Friends, Durfy-Lavoie's Just Roll With It, Libenson's Invisible Emmy, Page's Button Pusher, Palmer's Campy Prodigy, Scrivan's Nat Enough, and many other titles. 
 

Wolf Girl #1: Into the Wild

Do, Ahn and Ley, Jeremy (illus.)Wolf Girl #1: Into the Wild
March 18, 2025 by HarperCollins
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Gwen and her family are evacuating their home, quickly gathering supplies and piling in the car to join others who are fleeing an unspecified threat. They are in a line of vehicles on the highway when explosions occur and their vehicle is rear ended. The parents tell the girls to run into the woods, and Gwen sees airplanes strafing the area. She falls and is unconscious for a while, and when she comes to, can't find her family. Once she regains consciousness, she licks water off of leaves and is befriended by a small canine she calls Puppy. When Gwen falls into a rushing river, she is rescued by a group of Puppy's friends (pictured on the cover). The pack heads back to the highway and subsists for a very long time on the food left in the cars. THey find another dog, Brutus, who seems dangerous until they feed him. Gwen also rescues an eaglet, that helps the group with food. Puppy is a big help when Gwen is occasionally injured, and after he fends off a wild boar, she renames Puppy "Sunrise". Eventually, the group happens upon other people, but the men take Gwen and put her in a van. The story ends abruptly and is "to be continued". 
Strengths: This is a short, fast-paced book with delightful illustrations, which will remind older readers of George's My Side of the Mountain. Surviving in the wilderness would  be much easier with a pack of loyal dogs and an eagle! I appreciated that the requisite wild animal attack was a boar instead of a bear; I suspect that this is set in Australia, which would explain this choice. Gwen doesn't have any special survival skills, and she was smart to go back and get supplies from cars, and live in one as well. 
Weaknesses: I find books that seem realistic but don't specify a setting to be discombobulating. There is a note that the author left Vietnam when he was three under very difficult circumstances, so I'm sure this is meant to address that in a fictional way, but not having a place and time set was a bit confusing. There's also a chapter on Gwen's dog, Molly, dying long before the evacuation that seemed unnecessary.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who liked Pennypacker's Pax or Freeman's Alone. 

Many Hauntings of the Manning Family

Lawrence, Lorien. Many Hauntings of the Manning Family
March 18, 2025 by Amulet Books

E ARC provided by Edelweis

Gabby and Trent Manning have inherited the family ability to see ghosts and release them that their grandparents had. While things didn't end well for the grandparents, the twins' mother is devoted to the idea that they will continue the family legacy, and is obsessed with posting videos of them dispatching ghosts on YouTube, worrying about the number of views they get. Gabby is sick of it; the black clothing, the dramatic flair, and the fact that everyone at school knows that she is involved in something rather odd. She'd rather devote herself to soccer, which is hard, since dealing with ghosts is very physically draining. Trent doesn't care as much, and seems to want to make his mother happy. When the anniversary of an ill-fated seance at the local Majestic theater approaches, the mother makes a deal with the owner, Dale Prescott, that the twins' will figure out a decades old mystery and send the ghosts on their way if she can film in the theater. The Majestic has been abandoned since 1965, when there was an unsolved triple murder. In 1995, the grandparents visited it, but were unable to send the spirits on their way. Upon entering the building, Gabby and Trent can tell that there is real evil afoot, but they hope that by dealing with it, their mother will put less pressure on them to ghost hunt. This is especially important to Gabby, since she is missing a crucial soccer game to humor her mother. There are rats, spiders, creepy marionettes, and a demon who possesses Gabby in the same way that her grandfather was possessed back in 1995. Her grandmother managed to save him, but wasn't able to do anything else. Will the twins' finally be able to solve the mystery and find a way to release the ghosts and return the demon?
Strengths: Middle grade readers are often obsesses with being YouTube or TikTok stars, but don't know how much work it is to create content. Gabby's weariness at having to constantly perform for her mother is a very realistic look at how a young person might feel if they had powers that a parent wanted to exploit. The family connection was interesting, and I could just about believe that a building had been abandoned since 1965. Both Gabby and Trent were well versed in the essentials of dealing with ghosts and demons, thanks to a book written by their grandparents, and were fairly cautious and more prepared than their mother. There were plenty of creepy things that will keep horror readers turning the pages.
Weaknesses: There is just a passing reference to the twins' father, and I was a bit curious as to what happened to him. Since the mother really annoyed me, maybe the answer's obvious. There was also some mention of friends at school, and it wouldn't be a surprise if this became a series. The cover is okay, but might age badly.
What I really think: Theaters seem to be especially haunted places! Add this to a playbill that includes Freeman's Noah McNichol and the Backstage Ghost, Gonzalez's Fearless, Key's Twelfth, Parris' Stage Fright, Shepherd's The Twilight Curse, and Schusterman's Olive and the Backstage Ghost.

Almost Sunset

Algarmi, Wahab. Almost Sunset
February 18, 2025 by HarperAlley
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Hassan falls asleep in math class, drooling on his arm and dreaming of food. He's fasting for Ramadan, but doesn't want any of his friends to know why he is struggling. Not only is school a struggle, but his soccer team is approaching the playoffs, and he has to leave early to be with his family, and doesn't have a lot of energy on the field. Another teammate, Rosie, is often called in to replace him, and when Hassan doesn't have time to keep up with the video game his friends play, he finds out that Rosie is subbing for him there as well. He hangs out with his cousins, who go to a convenience store to get snacks, ostensibly for after their fast ends, and he's shocked to find out that they eat them before sundown! They tell him that if he closes his eyes, god won't see him, and he is tempted by a churro. He finally tells his coach why his performance isn't as good as it could be, and is surprised to find out that his coach is also Muslim and fasting. This helps only temporarily; he gets mad and shoves Rosie on the soccer field, and this, combined with his failing grade in math, gets him removed from the team. His parents ground him from video games until his grades improve, further distancing him from his friends. He laments that Ramadan is much harder than it was when he celebrated it in Yemen, but once he realizes that he needs to focus on school and his grades, things slowly improve. He feels bad that he won't be able to join his teammates for pizza after their playoff game, but they surprise him and come to his house with pizza. Hassan admits to his father that he broke his fast, and his father says that he can be forgiven, and can even make it up by fasting for a day after Ramadan if he would like.
Strengths: Since Ramadan doesn't fall on the same dates every year, many young athletes will have seasons where fasting impacts their sports performance. I can't imagine having a cross country runner in early September running a race without hydrating! Hassan has to balance schoolwork, soccer, and hanging out with his friends with the time his family spends in the evenings, and struggles with getting everything done. I'd love to see more middle grade books showing this balance, and the fact part of Hassan's time commitment involves video games will definitely speak to today's young reader. The Muslim representation seems like it will appeal to those who practice the religion as well as those who don't. The only other middle grade graphic novels I can recall with Muslim main characters are Galligan's Freestyle, Jamieson's When Stars Are Scattered, Fahmy's Huda F series, Huq's Piece by Piece.
Weaknesses: While many negative aspects of fasting are shown, albeit along with positive portrayals of family time and religious practices, I wish this had given some of Hassan's reasons for wanting to fast and for keeping it from his friends. Motivation is somewhat more difficult to portray in a graphic novel, but would be a useful explanation for readers who aren't Muslim or who don't have any spiritual beliefs.
What I really think: Since this involves soccer and is a graphic novel, this has immediate appeal to middle grade readers, and provides a good window or mirror for students wanting a little more information about practices during Ramadan.

13 Ways to Say Goodbye

Fussner, Kate. 13 Ways to Say Goodbye
March 18, 2025 by HarperCollins

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

In this novel in verse, Nina decides to attend an art camp in Paris ostensibly so that she can visit her Aunt Renee, but really because it is intolerable to stay at home with her parents after the death of her sister Lily. Her aunt is glad to see her, since the family usually visited every year, and makes arrangements for the daughter of a friend who is also attending the camp, Sylvie, to travel with Nina to class. Nina is struggling with several things, not the least of which is missing her sister and having regrets about things that she did and didn't do with her. Every year, Lily would make a list of "12 things to do before she turned 12", but she never even got to complete the 13th thing on her list. Even though Lily always gave Nina a hard time about copying her, Nina is determined to do all of the things on the last list. She and Sylvie get off to a rocky start, but Nina slowly picks up more French, takes her art  more seriously, and convinces Sylvie to do some stereotypically touristy things with her. She develops a crush on Sylvie and isn't quite sure what to do about it, especially since the only person she's ever discussed the fact that she likes girls with is Lily. Eventually, she and Sylvie hold hands and kiss hello and goodbye, even though their time together is limited. After a falling out with Sylvie, and a lack of e mails from her parents when she asks them questions about Lily, Nina wanders off in Paris on her own. She comes across her sister's favorite place, and starts to heal a little bit. When she returns to her aunt's, her parents are there. Since everyone is upset because Nina was unaccounted for, when everyone simmers down, they are able to have some important conversations. Nina also talks to Sylvie, and is able to get some closure in that relationship as well. 

I am classifying this as a fantasy, because Nina has very vivid, realistic dreams about the past, and at one point has a conversation with the spirit of her sister. 

Strengths: This was a nice, light romance set against the very picturesque background of Paris. It was especially intriguing to see that Nina had a pretty good grasp of French, and was familiar with a lot of the city. There are lots of landmarks that are described, which will delight young readers who might one day like to go there. Like Schroeder's My Secret Guide to Paris, there is the undercurrent of dealing with death in the family, for readers who enjoy that. It was nice that Aunt Renee gave Nina a lot of freedom, and taking an art class in Paris would be quite the experience. 
Weaknesses: While it creates more dramatic tension for parents to throw themselves into their work and ignore their remaining children after the death of an offspring, I think it's more common to get the child into therapy and spend a lot of time with them trying to help them cope. Why middle grade fiction so often draws grieving parents in this negative light, I will never understand. 
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who can't get enough of stories about the death of siblings like Condie's Summerlost, Dooley's Free Verse, Gale's The Other Side of Summer, Guterson's The Einsteins of Vista Point, Holt's From Me to You, O'Connor's Halfway to Harmony, Warga's The Shape of Thunder, Gemeinhart's The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise, Redmon's The Miraculous, Stoddard's Right as Rain, or Saunders' The Land of Neverendings. 

MMGM- How To Stop Freaking Out and Related Titles

It's

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
 at 

Always in the Middle 

and #IMWAYR day 

at

Unleashing Readers

Naumburg, Carla and Rizzo, Letizia (illustrator)
How to Stop Freaking Out: The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Cool When Life Feels Chaotic
September 10, 2024 by Workman Publishing Company

E ARC Provided by Netgalley

This short, highly illustrated book helps kids and tweens understand more about why everyone occasionally "freaks out" and what can be done to manage these episodes and to hopefully freak out less. There's a lot of good explanations about things like the various response to challenging situations, where kids might find themselves being Freezers, Fighters, Flee-ers, Flipper-Outers or Fixers. Teen magazine-style quizzers help to determine this, and there are a number of these quizzes throughout the book to bring home lots of different points. There are some acronyms, like FART (Feelings, Automatic, Reactive, Too Far) and BuRPs (Button [pushing] Reduction Practices that will help kids remember what they are facing in times of emotional crisis. There's a great list of reasons why people freak out (no one ever taught you not to, you've had practice, it feels good in the moment, others in your life freak out), as well as solid scientific explanations of brain science. The most useful part of the book is probably the 26 Button Reduction Practices, which range from "breath" to "Yoga". There's even a discussion about mental health days, and I definitely appreciated the admonition that you should only take these if you actually need them. The book is rounded out with a good resource list of other books to consult. 

I'll probably buy this for my library for one of the reasons mentioned for freak outs; many of my students appear not to have been taught how to avoid these. My mother's BuRPs pretty much started and ended with "ACT like we did not raise you in a barn"; growing up, I was unaware that freaking out was an option. And no, my mother NEVER lost her temper or had meltdowns. You... just didn't. However, this is much more common today, and I have on many occasions had to sit with kids in the library and remind them how to do box breathing or to tell me five things they can see, hear, etc. Since I am not licensed to deal with emotional crises, having a book like this gives me something to hand students that might be more useful to them than anything I can offer! 

Pyron, Bobbie. Octopus Moon

March 25, 2025 by Nancy Paulsen Books

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

In this novel in verse we meet Pearl, who lives near the Gulf of Mexico, wants to be a marine biologist when she grows up, loves to run, and hangs out with her best friends Rosie and Mia, who has a collection of headbands with ears that she wears to school. As fifth grade begins, however, she finds it harder and harder to find joy in any of these activities. Like her Granddaddy, who frequently takes to bed with "headaches", she oftens finds getting up and getting to school difficult. Her parents, and her 9th grade sister Laurel, can see this, but while her mother is worried, her father thinks she is just going through a phase. After she doesn't make the track team, cuts off her hair (which she has struggled to maintain), and has teachers raise the alarm at conferences, her parents do set her up for therapy with Dr. Jill. She is reluctant to attend at first, and doesn't tell her friends what is going on. They have their own problems, after all; Rosie is being raised by her grandmother, since her mother is unreliable, and has financial difficulties, while Mia's parents are fighting and her mother sometimes doesn't get out of bed. Dr. Jill does help, and tells her that depression is an illness, and gives her tools to help her cope. She wants Pearl to do one impossible thing a day, and to put beads on a string when she does. When she finally tells Rosie, Rosie can't understand what Pearl would be depressed about, because her life is perfect in comparision. She quickly understands that it doesn't matter; depression is an illness, and is a good support to Pearl. Mia realizes that her own mother's problems might be similar. After Granddaddy has a stroke and struggles with physical therapy, he also admits that his lifelong struggles are related to depression. Pearl's mother is the head of public relations for the Gulfarium, which is Pearl's happy place, and when the organization needs to raise money, Pearl manages to step up to help. Thanks to Dr. Jill's help, she is able to help organize a 5k, get back to running, and even speak at the events. Dealing with her mental state is still an ongoing struggle, but with the help and support of friends, family, and a trusted professional, she is able to keep her head above water.
Strengths: Since COVID, there has been a big push for social emotional learning in schools, and lots of attempts to raise awareness about mental health issues. My school now has a Hope Squad, and an advisory where students are supposed to identify feelings, learn breathing techniques, etc., so Octopus Moon is definitely right on trend with the cultural zeitgeist. While Pearl does meet a little resistance (her father thinks that depression is an emotion rather than a disease, and her mother's parents have no use for the diagnosis at all), she does get the help she needs and is able to make some progress and feel better. Most of the book is about her navigating the depression, but it's nice to see her get involved with planning the fundraiser for the Gulfarium, both to see her progress and to give a little more motion to the through-the-school-year plot. The author's note about her own experiences with depression contribute additional depth.
Weaknesses: Pyron's other works are more dog and adventure related (A Dog's Way Home (2011), Dogs of Winter (2012), A Pup Called Trouble (2018), Stay (2019)), so fans of her earlier work might be surprised by both the format and the subject matter of this newest title. Also, I wish that Pearl had been in 7th or 8th grade; it can be a challenge to get readers in these grades to pick up books about younger students.
What I really think: This is a lyrical, "heart print" book that teachers and librarians will love and cry over. Interestingly, the connection between water, marine creatures, and sad topics happens frequently, in such books as Allen's The Line Tender, Braden's The Benefits of Being an Octopus, Dee's My Life in the Fish Tank, Kelly's Song for a Whale, Messner's The Seventh Wish, the Morris' Willa and the Whale, Santat's The Aquanaut, and Wilson's The Longest Whale Song.

Gurevich, Margaret. Ain't It Funny
October 15, 2024 by Penguin Workshop

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Maya Greenspan lives close to New York City, in New Jersey, where her mother Sarah and Babushka Clara run the Russian Gourmet Deli. She helps out a lot, as did her father. However, her father is moving into his own apartment, and her parents have told her they are separating, but she can't tell anyone. Maya does confide in her best friend, Val, who is also the only one who knows about Maya's "hot hot feeling" of anxiety. Maya's dad, who decided that being a lawyer didn't work for him, has been trying to gets enough stand up comic gigs to find an agent, and hopes to hit the big time. Maya also tries her hand at telling jokes, because humor helps her deal with her anxiety a bit. When her favorite teacher, Ms. Banta, tells the class that there will be a talent show, Maya doesn't want to get up in front of others, but when she finds out that her father has been approached by the PTA to emcee the show, she feels that this would be an opportunity to get him to come around more. She really wants to get her parents back together, despite Babushka's dislike of her father, and is encouraged that her mother is quite nice when they are all together. When Maya spends weekends with her dad, he sometimes takes her to his shows even though he's not supposed to, and she is a little surprised that he sometimes has jokes about the food in the deli. He's excited that Maya is trying stand up, and gives her a book about comedy and helps her workshop ideas, including her catchphrase "ain't it funny". Maya notices that Ms. Banta seems to exhibit some of the behavior that Maya does; she's always dressed in a precise way, does things in multiples of three, and dislikes germs as much as Maya does. After Ms. Banta has a panic attack in the deli, Maya is very worried about her. She researched OCD and anxiety on the internet, and even tries to talk to her mother and grandmother about the evidence of these that she sees in herself, but they make light of her concerns and say that she comes from a long line of worriers, but that if she is strong, she'll be fine. Maya doesn't feel fine. She has to deal with Barry, who purposefully messes with things on her desk and makes fun of her, Mrs. Nelson, a classmate's mother who is demanding at the store, her father's growing amount of gigs, and preparing for the talent show. She's also worried about Ms. Banta, and even visits with her mother. Mrs. Nelson is trying to get Ms. Banta fired. When her father has to go to Canada for gigs the week before the talent show, and Maya finds out that he has never intended to move back home, it's too much for Maya. She has a panic attacks in class, and is sent to Ms. Graham, the school nurse. Ms. Graham takes her seriously, and talks to her mother. Her mother and father both explain that the father has had problems with anxiety as well, but they've always tried to hide it from her. Ms. Banta isn't well enough to come back this school year, but is looking for a therapist. Maya begins therapy for generalized anxiety disorder and OCD, and has exercises to try to help her manage her conditions, and she and her family begin to find a way forward. There are some recipes at the end of the book. 

Strengths: There are a lot of students in middle school who are dealing with parents who are separated or divorced, and there are relatively few books on this topic. I enjoyed the Russian deli setting, and found it interesting that Maya was able to speak a bit of Russian. Babushka's stoic demeanor is something that is very true to people in a certain generation; I have many of the same beliefs that she does! The talent show is a good framework to support the many things that are going on. Ms. Banta's condition is helpful to see, and I was glad that it was explicitly stated that the school couldn't fire her for mental health issues. Val is a good friend, and Maya does eventually get help with her problems. The stand up comedy was woven in to the story effectively as well. There was a lot going on, but it was all deftly presented. 
Weaknesses: I'm conflicted about the language that Maya uses to describe how she feels. "Hot hot" feeling is descriptive, and middle school children don't necessarily have any better way to describe their feelings, but it was sometimes confusing. I'm not sure how it could have been done differently.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who liked Mackler's Not If I Can Help It, Piontek's Better with Butter, Baron's The Gray, or Sumner's The Summer of June.  I'll probably purchase this, because there are a growing number of students with anxiety, so it's important that they see themselves in books and that others meet in print situations that may occur in real life. The fact that this wasn't JUST about Maya's anxiety really helped.

Jojo vs. Middle School and Love is Hard Work

McCullough, Joy and Bybeem Veeda (illus.). Jojo vs. Middle School
February 11, 2025 by Aladdin

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Jojo has big plans for her new middle school year in a Virginia suburb of D.C.; she's going to rock one of her mother's vintage uniform skirts with a black t shirt, have breakfast and bed, and rule the day. Of course, when her mother's boyfriend Paul distracts her mother, she doesn't get breakfast, and even oversleeps. Her cat, Purrito, has thrown up on her outfit, so she ends up throwing on leggings and rushing out the door so she can get a ride with her older brother, Sam. Since the family has moved out of their apartment and in with Paul, school is further away, but Jojo does NOT want to get a ride with Paul, since he drives a van that tells the world that he is Mr. Meow, a catfluencer. Things go downhill at school, where the only person she knows seems to be her nemesis, Moira Harper. She feels like she embarrassed herself in front of her homeroom teacher and the school softball coach, Mr. Achebe, and by lunchtime really needs a break. Not able to take refuge in the library (librarians need to eat, too!), she wanders into a closed off hallway. In the locker room, she meets Leah, Ryan, and Izzy, who all are having their own problems, from the seemingly silly (answering a question with "astrology" rather than "astrobiology") to the downright embarassing (getting braces stuck on the sleeve of a crush's shirt and having to have the nurse phone a dentist to get it untangled). The four decide to continue their meetings. Jojo has other problems; it's hard to navigate her new relationship with Paul, she's worried that her mom will move the family to Texas to be near grandparents, and she keeps getting her phone confiscated in the hallway. There's a bit of drama with her new friends as well. When the four are in the locker room having lunch one day, there is a lock down because a bob cat has been sighted in the hallways. The girls close the door and manage to while away a couple of hours before they realize that school is over. They make their way out carefully, on the look out for the wild animal, and end up saving the day, even if they have missed their buses. Team Awkward will be back with Leah vs. Art on June 17, 2025.
Strengths: Seventeen Magazine used to have a "Was My Face Red" column that featured readers' embarrassing stories, and reading about such experiences makes tweens feel better about the (hopefully) lesser situations they experience. Jojo (who is half Guatamalan) finds her people in her new friends, and even though there are a few hiccups (Leah takes notes on all of their trauma, hoping to find some way to avoid it in the future, but doesn't explain herself well at first), the girls support each other. They are able to work together during the lock down by pooling their resources and by working together. The real star of the book is Mr. Meow; there is another whole story on the family dynamics there, and I was glad to see that Jojo didn't dislike him, but found him helpful and pleasant, if embarrassing. Since the next book focuses on Leah, why might not get too much more information about him. The cover is very appealing. 
Weaknesses: I always have questions about school that have extra, unused space, like the one in Fry's Undercover Chefs. Even though my school recently had a number of students redistricted to another building, we still have an orchestra class meeting in a classroom. The population in the D.C. area must be growing, but even if the school didn't need the space, it would be secured so students couldn't get in. What fun would that be, though?
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like unlikely romps like Malone's The Sleepover, disastrous first days, like the one in Ormsbee's Vivian Lantz's Second Chances, or books that show the perspective of friends in a group, like Papademetriou's Confectionately Yours series.

Paley, Dan and Tentler-Krylov Victoria (illustrator)
Love Is Hard Work: The Art and Heart of Corita Kent
November 5, 2024 by Candlewick Press
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Frances Kent went to a Catholic school, where her sixth grade teacher reinforced her love of art by giving her lessons. When she graduated from high school in 1936, she entered the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary order, taking the name Mary Corita. She spent many years as an enthusiastic art teacher, challenging her students to see art in everyday objects and to create with spirit and inspiration while thinking outside the box. She herself used her art to make people stop and think, often using elements of popular culture, but reframing them to reinforce spiritual concepts. Her reworking of the WonderBread logo to bring attention to the communion wafer is visually and conceptually striking. She was intrigued by the cultural zeitgeist of the 1960s, and used her work to call attention to social issues dear to her heart. Sadly, the administration of the Catholic church wanted the nuns to teach only if they wore the traditional habit and adhered to strict church guidelines. In 1968, this led Sister Kent to renounce her vows and retire from teaching to create her art in peace.

I’m not sure I have ever seen graphic art that so perfectly encapsulates the sentiments and visual elements of the 1960s as well as Kent’s work does. Her use of silk screen, her fonts, and the bold colors of the era all support the messages of peace and love that she and many others espoused. Tentler-Krylov’s illustrations work Kent’s work into the story in satisfying ways.

There is a brief author’s note at the end of the book, as well as selected sources. Unlike some biographical picture books, this does a good job of covering Kent’s life and career in the text, so a timeline or further notes aren’t really necessary.

People create art for all manner of reasons, and Kent’s story is an enthralling one, especially for readers who might have ties to the Catholic faith. Include this in a palette of art books that includes Rogers and Innerst’s Joan Mitchell Paints a Symphony, Suzuki and Weinstein’s Yayoi Kusama: From Here to Infinity!, Harvey and Wise’s Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas, and Temple and White’s Wilhelmina Barnes-Graham: An Introduction to Her Life with Activities.

Saturday Morning Cartoons- Nat a Chance

Scrivan, Nat. Nat a Chance (Nat #6)

March 4, 2025 by Graphix

E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus

Nat has a history of doing poorly at any athletic adventures she has tried, and sometimes even struggles with walking across the room without falling. This means that when her friend Zoe wants to quit the volleyball team because Lily is being mean to her, and wants to train for a triathlon, Nat is reluctant to join her. Lily, who previously game Nat a hard time, has ramped up her meanness, and is joined in it by the popular Alex. There is a new Climate Coalition club at the school, and Luca is interested in joining and participating in the competition, but he doesn't know quite what to do for a project. Nat reluctantly starts training with Zoe and Coach Renny, and has a lot to learn not only about swimming, biking, and running, but about having a good attitude as well. Even though she falls and injures her knee, putting her out of commission for two weeks, she practices all of the events, and has a successful triathlon. She even inspires Luca's project, and Lily is put in her place. 

Strengths: My favorite part of the book was the very good description (and pictures) or how to set up a transition station for a triathlon! It always seems like the swimming should go last so that one wouldn't have to bike while wet, but I'm sure it's first so that fewer people drown. Scrivan's note that she always thought she wasn't an athlete in middle school is one I hope students take to heart. Nat's general anxiety has lessened, and it makes perfect sense that she would still have some localized axiety. The message about trying things that seem difficult and keeping a positive attitude is one that many students need. 
Weaknesses: I worry about Flo. I know she is a humorous character, with her sock puppet and desire to adopt unusual pets, but if she were a student she would have a lot of social issues! 
What I really think: Now I am just sad that I won't be able to start training for a triathlon until at least August of 2025. The swimming has always stopped me, but I need to take some hints from Coach Renny and just try. Fans of this series will be glad to see this new installment. 
 

Poetry Friday- Dino Poet

Angleberger, Tom. Dino Poet 
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
March 25, 2025 by Abrams Fanfare

Dinosaur is writing a poem about eating Frog, who takes exception not only to the subject of the poem, but also the flowery and unrealistic language being used. In between being attacked by other dinosaurs (each chapter starts with the name of one), Frog teaches Dinosaur how to write a poem. Instead of forcing rhymes about the noises a pterodactyl making, for example (they don't "sweetly sing", they skronk!), Frog advises that Dinosaur should write about how he FELT about what he saw. Rhymes are nice, but phony poems aren't. When Dinosaur loses his pen, the two head off to find the pen tree (where did we think they would get another, Walmart?), and start to coauthor a number of poems in different formats, like limericks or speed haiku. They even try to write the grossest poem they can, which they label "poo-etry". Eventually, the Dinosaur decides to find another lunch, and writes poems with Frog.
Strengths: As the foreword notes, this isn't a book of poems, it is a book about writing poetry. Dinosaur and Frog get into all sorts of goofy situations, write some poems, and even tell us some information about dinosaurs. Angleberger's exuberant art (think The Two-Headed Chicken) is the real draw here, with fun and silly looks at dinosaurs.
Weaknesses: I'm struggling a bit with the audience for this one; it's a little young for readers of the 2010 Origami Yoda series (which really is more of a middle school book), but I'm not sure how many elementary school readers want to write poetry these days. Perhaps teachers who are introducing poetry units to both grade levels could use this as a starting point for student writing.
What I really think: This is somewhat akin to Pilkey's Cat Kid Comics books in that they have some life lessons delivered in a funny way. While this isn't a manual of poetic style in the way that something like Steele's All the Fun's in How You Say a Thing or Tipane's Writing Poetry for Dummies is, it's an amusing introduction to writing poetry for young readers.

Writing Poetry for Dummies is actually a really helpful book, and if you write poetry and haven't read Steele's book, you should pick it up and geek out on rhyme schemes and scansion. 

A Study in Secrets and Hiding in Plain Sight

Florence, Debbi Michiko. A Study in Secrets (Last Chance Academy #1)
March 11, 2025 by Aladdin

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Megumi (Meg) Mizuno's mother has passed away, and since neither she nor her father could function because of their overwhelming grief, she ends up at the Leland Chase Academy, aka the "Last Chance" academy. Her roommate Tana seems nice, although her RA, Collette, is overbearing and tries to trip her up. There are only 35 students in grade 6-12, so classes are small. There is some free time in the evening and weekends, but there are also required activities, like movie nights and research projects. On her way into the school, Meg has picked up a kitten, Sir Grey, whom she hides in her closet, and supplies with food and kitty litter thanks to the local black market entrepreneur, Jung. When both she and Tana get an envelope inviting them to participate in a scavenger hunt, Meg is intrigued by the challenges posed by "the Mastermind". She wishes that she could go home and be with her father, and when he tells her he is going to sell the family home and move in with his sister, Aunt Vivian, Meg really wants to win the trip that is the prize in hopes of reconnecting with him and stopping the move. The clues are hard, but also personal. She works with Tana, as well as local lock pick expert Ryan, and manages to stay in the game, even after Collette intercepts one of her envelopes and threatens her. There's a time limit; the clues must all be figured out by Thanksgiving break. Since Meg's father will be in India, she'll be spending the holiday with her aunt. When competition over the treasure hunt causes tension among her friends, and Sir Grey goes missing, and secrets emerge about the academy, will Meg be able to keep her mind on the clues and her eyes on the prize? 

Strengths: Even though I have never known anyone who attended a boarding school (even though there are a couple in Ohio), it's a setting that appeals to middle grade readers. Meg isn't thrilled to be at the school, but she is at least glad to escape some friend drama back home, and she's also glad that she doesn't have to live with her aunt while her father travels. While Collette is mean, most of the other students are nice to Meg, and despite a small misunderstanding with Tana, the two get along well-- they even both enjoy hiding the kitten! There are some interesting mysteries about the school in addition to the scavenger/treasure hunt that will keep readers turning the pages. I don't want to give away the ending, but it sets up the next book nicely. 

Weaknesses: Longtime readers of my reviews know that I don't buy into the trope that grieving parents can't or won't take care of their children. Also, since my own daughter once kept a stray cat in her closet for two days before I discovered it, I couldn't buy that Sir Grey went without detection for more than about a week, especially if Collette was gunning for Meg to mess up. 
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers craving a boarding school mystery like Stevens' Murder is Bad Manners, Gerber's Liar's Society , Nobel's The Mystery at Black Hollow Lane, Yee's The Misfits. or even Lockhart's 2008 The Disreputable History of Franki Landau-Banks.  The next book looks like it will follow four of the characters to Newport Beach.

For more private school mysteries, make sure you check out Gerber's first The Liar's Society! 

Andersen, Beth and Comport, Sally Wern.
Hiding in Plain Sight: Kate Warne and the Race to Save Abraham Lincoln
January 28, 2025 by Calkins Creek
Copy provided by the publisher

Kate Warne is a fascinating topic for a biography, and I love that the details of her life are set against a pivotal moment in her career; the protection of President Abraham Lincoln as he traveled through Baltimore, Maryland on his inaugural train journey. Tensions were high, and whispers of a rebel plot to kill the president were heard by the Pinkerton Detective Agency, which had the presence of mind to have the talented Warne on its staff. Warne, who often disguised herself as Southern belle Mrs. Barley, in order to overhead Southern sentiments, was able to travel without detection, since no one expected a woman to be an operative. Along with the other staff, the agency was able to foil the plot to kill the president, so that he arrived safely to begin his term. There is an extensive afterword discussing facets of this journey, the state of detective work at the time, and the role of women during this era. There is also a complete bibliography.

The most brilliant part of this book is the artwork and design. Vintage photography, maps, and documents are arranged in collages that preserve the feel and colors of the Civil War era. There is so much documentation that exists from this time period, and it is used brilliantly in this book.

This is a picture book that is perfect for older children, and the story it tells is fast paced and exciting. It’s a good warm up for readers who might need a little coaxing to pick up Hannigan’s The Detective’s Assistant or Swanson’s Chasing Lincoln’s Killer, which are a bit longer.

Warne’s story is fascinating, especially since there were so few women who were able to work in fields like this. Brush off your spy skills by reading Hiding in Plain Sight along with Moss and Hendrix’s Nurse, Soldier, Spy: The Story of Sarah Edmonds, Kirkpatrick and Himler’s Redcoats and Petticoats, Wallmark and Smart’s Code Breaker, Spy Hunter: How Elizebeth Friedman Changed the Course of Two World Wars or even Christensen’s The Daring Nellie Bly: America's Star Reporter.

The Strongest Heart

Faruqi, Saadia. The Strongest Heart
March 4, 2025 by Quill Tree Books

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Mo Mirza and his father Mumtaz move from New York City to Texas to live with Mo's Aunt Naili and her son Rayyan. Rayyan's father was killed in a convenience store robbery, and his mother is working as an administrative assistant at the family's mosque. Mo's father has mental health struggles, and is having trouble finding a job, so having the support of another adult, especially one who cooks delicious food, is helpful. Being the new kid at school is slightly easier with his cousin around, although Rayyan is very academically focused, and some other students give him a hard time for this. Mo has never been as interested in school, even though his mother is a scientist who is working in Greece on a fellowship to help local people who have a hard time getting water supplies, but is more interested in school since he is working with his cousin. He also agrees to volunteer at the mosque with Rayyan, who needs volunteer hours for National Junior Honor Society. The boys work with young children and help them with art projects. Mo finds some solace in painting as his father spirals further into his paranoid schizophrenic episodes, since he has stopped taking his medicine. Even though he talks to his mother once a week, he does not let her know the extent of the father's problems, although he does contact her brother, who lives in the area. Mo is a huge fan of folk tales, and tries to use them to put his life in perspective, but will he be able to have a happily ever after?
Strengths: Moving from New York to Texas would be quite a culture shock, but it was good to see that both Mo's father and his aunt were able to help each other out a little bit, since they both had challenging circumstances. Mo's mother's devotion to her work is understandable, but it was also see her find a way to be closer to Mo. The cousins got along, even though they didn't seem to share as many interests at the beginning of the book. This had a more well-developed bully than I've seen in many books, and he was more interesting, too. There's a nice balance of scenes between home, school, and the mosque, and this gives us the whole picture of Mo's life. 
Weaknesses: While Mo's stories drawn from folklore are interesting, they took my attention away from his real life in a way that slowed the book down. My students aren't a huge fan of the story-within-a-story and tell me they frequently skip these inclusions. 
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who are interested in reading what it would be like to deal with a parent with mental health challenges and who enjoyed Hiranadani's The Whole Story of Half a Girl , Baldwin's Where the Watermelons Grow, or Keller's The Science of Breakable Things.

Charley Mouse Cleans House and Joan Mitchell Paints a Symphony

Gorelik, Katerina. Charley Mouse Cleans House
March 11, 2025 by Red Comet Press
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Charley Mouse lives in a two story teapot that is beautifully clean and organized. This makes sense, since she works as a cleaner across the Wild Wood and Magic Forest (maps are provided). She works as a cleaner for various animals like Mr. Fox, Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snail, and the mole families. Extremely detailed cross sections of the houses provide a glimpse into the often messy lives of these creatures, and there are seek and find games suggested on every page. Charley also works in the Magic Forest for the witch at the Cauldron Cottage, at the unicorn stables (where unicorn poop smells like strawberry jam!), for Mr. Dragon, and at the candy themed home of the Gingerbread family. After her long week of work, she goes home to find that her own home is in need of cleaning!

This is a delightful longer picture book, similar in length and text complexity to the Greenwalds' The Rescues books. The pictures have a 1970s vibe to them and are quite delightful, I read this as an E ARC, and will be interested in seeing the trim size of the print book, which I hope is a little larger, so that all of the details are easy to see. I loved the idea of a mouse cleaner scurrying about cleaning up after all of the creatures in the forest, and would have adored this as a child. I spent a lot of time wearing an apron and dusting for my mother in a very serious fashion! I wish the pictures had been a little brighter; I love the combination of pink and brown, but some of the spreads could have been brighter and cheerier.

I have a soft spot for books about mice who act like humans; I even did a podcast episode about middle grade books about mice! This reminded me a little of the work of Richard Scarry, Daly's A House for a Mouse, or Godden's Mouse House, and is sure to be a hit with organized, detail driven young people everywhere!

 

Rogers, Lisa and Innerst, Stacy (illustrator)

Joan Mitchell Paints a Symphony

February 25, 2025 by Calkins Creek

Copy provided by the publisher

Joan Mitchell was a US artist living in France who created a series of paintings in the 1980s entitled La Grand Vallee. This book follows her artisitc journey and discussed not only the techniques of her abstract expressionism, but the emotions and feelings she was trying to convey with her work. There is an author's note at the end that sheds more light on Mitchell's life, along with a timeline, bibliography. There is also a photograph of Mitchell as well as a reproduction of the sixteenth painting in her famous series.

Producing a picture book about a famous artist can't be easy, but Innerst does a great job at paying homage to Mitchell's style without slavishly trying to recreate it. We get a good feel for the brush strokes, colors, and exuberance of the paintings, while we see Mitchell herself portrayed in black and white.

This book isn't as much a biography of the creator as it is a biography of a piece of art. It's interesting to see the emotional aspect of artistic process depicted.

Readers who love to see how artists use color will enjoy this book along with other exuberant artistic titles like Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos by Brown and Parra, Dancing Through Fields of Color by Brown and Sicuro, My Name is Georgia: A Portrait by Winter, and Out of This World: The Surreal Art of Leonora Carrington by Markel and Hall.

Bree Boyd is a Legend

Johnson, Leah. Bree Boyd is a Legend (Ellie Engle #2)

March 4, 2025 by Disney Hyperion

E ARC provided by Netgalley

Bree, who is best friends with Ellie, Abby, and Sammy, is a good speller, and works hard at this because her older sisters, Lex and Chris, are good at everything else. Her father, who used to be a college professor before he got into politics, is very proud of her abilities and expects her to win all of the spelling bees she enters. He has even enlisted the school counselor, Carrie, to tutor Bree. The father is very determined that all of his daughters will work twice as hard as everyone else, even though the saying goes that they might only get half as far because of the challenges Black people face. After the power goes out and Bree gets shocked trying to reseat the breaker, she develops telekinesis, which doesn't work to her advantage as much as you might think. She tells her friends about this, and they understand, especially since Ellie has the ability to reanimate the dead. Because Abby wants to perform in the talent show but every group needs at least four people, Bree agrees to perform, even though her father thinks it is a waste of her time. Her father's strict guidelines are further shattered when Chris comes home from law school with a tattooed finace who works as a floral designer. Bree participates in an exhibition spelling bee, and Carrie tries to get her to get "out of her head" by suggesting she answer as if she were different animals. It's fun, but spelling still is not what Bree really wants to do. When the final bee is on the same day as the talent show, will she have to do what her father wants, or will she be able to be there for her friends?
Strengths: It's good to see middle grade characters who have interests, and I can't think of many other books where the protagonist is interested in spelling competitions other than Blakemore's The Friendship Riddle or Seltzer's 2009 I Put a Spell on You. Bree's family is high acchieving, and the father is very invested in their success, even if he is less invested in taking care of them. Bonus points to Ms. Johnson for not killing off the mother, but having her just leave the family. It was also good to see Bree finally make up her own mind about what she wanted to do, preferring to hang out with her friends and have fun. I'm curious to see if Abby and Sammy get their own books. 
Weaknesses: While this is definitely on trend as far as current mental health practices are concerned, it's hard for me to get my head around children not listening to their parents. No matter how unreasonable my parents were, I would never have contradicted them, and certainly family therapy wasn't something that would ever have been considered. 
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like magical powers set against a background of reality, similar to Baptiste's Moko Magic or Ireland's Emma and the Love Spell. 

MMGM- One Wrong Step, and Rachel Carson

It's

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
 at 

Always in the Middle 

and #IMWAYR day 

at

Unleashing Readers

Nielsen, Jennifer. One Wrong Step

March 4, 2025 by Scholastic Press

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

By 1939, Atlas Wade and his father have scaled a number of mountains, since his father is a map maker who has inherited wealth. Since Atlas' mother died three years ago, Atlas accompanies his father on many of their expeditions. The newest one is a climb of Mt. Everest, something that is fraught with difficulties. They have Mr. Thromley leading, Chodak, who is a sherpa, and the difficult Mr. Blake in their group. They are in communication with Mrs. Thromley, who gives them updated weather reports, checks in with them, and as Europe descends into war, tells them what is going on. Atlas is not very careful, putting himself in danger when a yak falls into a river. When the group gets partway up, they meet Americans Jasper Pierson and his daughter Maddie. The Wades have met Pierson before, and he witnessed a serious misstep of Atlas'. He is studying the effects of high altitudes on climbers, so hopes to go with the climbers as far as Base six. Maddie is afraid of heights, but does a decent job. When the group reaches the Advanced Base Camp, the plan is to leave Maddie and Atlas with Chodak, who has injured his hand. There is an avalanche, and while it doesn't affect the Advanced camp, there is no longer any radio communication from the rest of the group. Atlas (who really would like to summit) is determined to climb up to Base Six to rescue the group, so the three take off up the mountain. This does not go smoothly, but at one point they do hear a Morse Code SOS from the other group. Will Atlas be able to find his father and save him, or will he continue to lack focus and perish on the mountain?

Strengths: Ms. Nielsen has painted a riveting picture of all of the reasons I will NOT be climbing mountains! Atlas is only fifteen, and makes a lot of mistakes that would be inconsequential on the ground, but are nearly fatal given the terrain and altitude. There's a decent amount of history not only surrounding attempts to summit the mountain, but also concerning the escalating war in Europe. I particularly enjoyed the fact that Mr. Pierson was studying the effects of altitude on the body, so when Atlas and Maddie neared Camp Six and Atlas had headaches and other symptoms, Maddie was able to tell him what was going on. For sensitive souls, this ends in a more positive manner than George Mallory's failed expedition did. 
Weaknesses: I thought this would have a little more to do with World War II. There is some mention of the events that are occurring in Europe, and some hints that one of the climbers might be associated with the Nazis, but if you are looking for a microcosm of Axis behaviors set on Mt. Everest, you will be disappointed. (I was perhaps envisioning something like Tarshis' I Survived: The Hindenburg Disaster, 1937.)
What I really think: Olson's Into the Clouds or Purja's Beyond Possible: One Man, 14 Peaks, and the Mountaineering Achievement of a Lifetime would be the perfect nonfiction accompaniment to this mountain adventure, which is similar to Smith's Peak or Reedy's Racing Storm Mountain. 

Gutierrez, Hedviga. Hiking 101: Tips and Advice for Little Campers
March 4, 2025 by Albatros Media
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Do you love hiking? Do you want to share the joy of that experience with young children? This is the book to pick up. Following a family of four as they hit the trails, this book gives a good overview of how to prepare for hikes and to stay safe while out in the wilderness. There's a note at the beginning that only one member of the family does the right thing; the other three serve as examples to avoid throughout the book.

Many topics are covered, but they all are shown with explanations of the proper ways to do things along with the pictures of the family members over packing, under dressing, etc. There are helpful pictures to show exactly what should be packed, for example. I love the reminder that it's good to make a list so you don't forget key elements of your pack. There is even a diagram showing the best way to stow things away, and helpful examples of the kinds of clothes to wear "like an onion".

In addition, there are sections on how to act in the wilderness so that nature is protected, water safety tips, guides on what to eat for optimal energy. There's brief information about how to treat injuries, along with what to include in a first aid kit. Guidelines for finding ones way are included, with insets on how to read a compass. There's even a good overview of how to set up a tent, including details such as where to stow hiking poles.

My only two quibbles are that food is shown hung in a tree in an open bag; I was taught that food should be secured in something so that animals couldn't smell it. There's also an admonition to keep hands and feet warm so that the readers "don't catch cold". This isn't expressed as "catch A cold", so it might just refer to maintaining body temperature rather than picking up the sniffles, but it's a phrase I don't think is used much.

This was a bit young for my school library, but I am thinking about buying a copy for myself if I ever have small children to influence! It would be fantastic to read on repeat before a child's first camping trip, and to reference while out on the trail.

Hannigan, Kate and Hickey, Katie (illustrator). 

Rachel Carson's Wonder-Filled World

March 11, 2025 by Calkins Creek

Copy provided by the publisher

Rachel Carson's legacy has many facets to it; not only was she a champion for nature and the environment, helping to get DDT banned, but she was a poetic writer who captured the wonder of the natural world in her works like Something About the Sky. Both of these STEAM pursuits started in her youth, and her upbringing encouraged a curiosity and enthusiasm for the environment. Using Carson's quotes throughout the book, we see how Carson interacted with the world around her, with frequent pauses to describe what she sees, hears, smells, feels, and tastes. This makes certain events, like the destruction of a local forest, seem very immediate.

This biography does a great job of describing Carson's work and life concurrently. It's devastating to read about her work on her seminal Silent Spring while she was dying of cancer, which eventually took her at the age of 57, especially since we have such a delightful window into her younger days. Hannigan, whose biography Josephine and Her Dishwashing Machine: Josephine Cochrane's Bright Invention Makes a Splash and middle grade fiction The Detective's Assistant (which has an appearance by real life detective Kate Warne) both focus on women's history, does a great job of humanizing Carson and making her work seem personal for the reader.

Hickey's illustrations are rich in natural landscapes, and seeing Carson surrounded by trees, oceans, and fields reinforces the importance of these backdrops in her work. The facial expressions show the difficulties that she faced, and I loved the photographs at the end of the book, one of Carson a few months before her death, and one of her as a girl with her dog.

Hannigan includes extra information in an author's note, and the timeline is very helpful. There are also discussions about DDT and ecology, and well as a bibliography for further reading.

Carson is a historical figure close to my heart; my daughter chose her to portray in a third grade Wax Museum project. I'm always glad to recommend biographies about environmental activists, like Sawyer's Marjory Stoneman Douglas: Guardian of the Everglades, Daniele and Wu's The Girl Who Tested the Waters: Ellen Swallow, Environmental Scientist, D'Aquino's She Heard the Birds: The Story of Florence Merriam Bailey, and Lang and Christie's The Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest.

Taylor Swift By the Book and Take a Chance on Me

Feder, Rachel and Tatreau, Tiffany. Taylor Swift By the Book
November 26, 2024 by Quirk Books

Copy provided by the publisher

If I were between 10 and 24, I think it's likely I would be a Swiftie. I was greatly impressed with her 2014 song Shake It Off, and even bought the 1989 album. Before that, the only other music I've purchased in the last twenty years have been Weird Al albums! Her social media presence seems balanced and humorous, and she seems like a genuinely nice person, which can't be an easy thing to remain when one is so wildly famous. When I saw this new book from Quirk, I knew it would be popular with students, and I HAD to know how Swift was connected to Robert Frost's poems! 

I love that the authors wanted to prove that Swift writes "intellectual bops"; that sort of explains the number of authors and librarians I see on social media who are fans. Since I am not all that current on modern music, this was a great way for me to take a look at some of her work, even though I haven't looked at the literary qualities of pop songs since my former flower child teacher popped Simon and Garfunkel on the turntable in my senior English class. 

Broken into different "eras" (which I really need someone to explain to me!), the authors take single lines from songs and discuss a wide variety of influences, meanings, and connections to other works. In between these observations, they helpfully give more information about some topics, like J.M. Barrie's Lost Boys, poet Christina Rossetti, or The Great Gatsby. There are some nice lists (songs that include references to god or ghosts and hauntings, or book recommendations for certain songs. I'm curious as to how many young fans might pick up Dylan Thomas or Sylvia Plath after reading this book; it's certainly a good way to encourage fans to look at some classic literature. 

While I thought that the minute parsing of lines got a bit repetitive, I am not the intended audience. Would I have memorized a similar book about the lyrics of Karen Carpenter (even though she didn't write the songs)? Absolutely. Would I have then gone to the library and checked out as many of the titles Feder and Tatreau mention? Also absolutely. 

The cover of this is gorgeous, and when I had the book at school, my avid fans wanted to know when it would be available. I ordered several Swift biographies and titles even though I usually don't buy these until the person has passed away, and they are never on the shelf. Buy a copy of this for a school library, but maybe let the public library handle the resultant requests for Jane Austen, Lord Byron, and T.S. Eliot. Wouldn't hurt to use this book as an opportunity to press the perennial middle school favorite, Emily Dickinson, on young readers, though! 

Eulberg, Elizabeth. Take a Chance on Me

March 4, 2025 by Scholastic Inc.

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Evie feels like she has blown up her life in Winnetka, Illinois after finding out that her boyfriend was interested in her best friend, and causing a scene. Unwilling to deal with the fallout, she decides to decamp to London, even though it means spending time with her father, who left her and her mother after improving his diet, losing a lot of weight, and "improving" his life. Evie is much more casual than her tanned and toned, designer suit wearing father, and never really cares for the endless parade of much younger women that he dates. She takes some pleasure in taunting him by bringing crisp packets into his apartment and wearing flip flops and worn Target t shirts, but she really just misses the close and fun relationship that they used to have. She loves London, and since she is almost a senior in high school, is able to roam the city. On two occasions, she runs into a young guitarist busking on the sidewalks, singing heart wrenchingly sad songs. Intrigued, she asks him for coffee, and he accepts. Aiden is still in high school, but the school year isn't over, and he invites Evie to hang out with him the next time he plays. He is interested in Evie's problems, and unburdening herself to this new stranger feels good, especially since he also thinks her father is wrong about the way he treats her. Eventually, Evie gets to hang out with Aiden's friends, Dev and Fiona. She also spends time with her father's current girlfriend, Poppy, who is an exercise instructor who breaks up with the father but is still willing to spend time with Evie. It's hard to deal with her father's constant judgement, especially when Evie worries that he has mental issues of his own. He even agrees to go to a therapist, but doesn't stick with it. Evie learns more about Aiden's past, and why he only wants to talk about her problems, but knowing this information allows the two of them to do activities that are meaningful to them both, and they bond. Evie surprises Aiden with a train trip to Liverpool, but when the summer ends, what will happen to their relationship? 

Strengths: Ah, London. I loved that Evie was familiar enough with the city to have favorite haunts, but was able to explore new places with Aiden. Being able to hang out with his friends and feel like she lived in the city was fantastic; I didn't really care about the drama in Winnetka, but that will appeal to younger readers. While her father's treatment of her isn't great, it is informed by his own trauma, and dealt with in a very modern way. She stands up to him, asks him to get therapy, and does reach a compromise about how they treat each other going forward. It was fun to see her interact with Poppy, who was pretty realistic about her chances with the father. Aiden was a sensitive, understanding 21st century guy who supported Evie and had his own problems. If I had read this is high school, chances are good that I would have visited London well before I turned 40. 
Weaknesses: The Abba song in the title didn't make sense to me. I was wanting something British, darker and more alt rock to go along with Aiden's angsty music. There was one musician mentioned, but I didn't recognize him, so didn't know any songs. I doubt many of today's teens are all that familiar with Abba. 

What I really think: This is a good choice for fans of Kasie West's books, Smith's The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, Welch's Love and Gelato, or other travel based romances that appeal to high school and middle school readers alike.