MMGM- See It, Dream It, Do It and Hidden Truths

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Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
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Always in the Middle 

and #IMWAYR day 

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Unleashing Readers

Nelson, Colleen, MacIssac, Kathie and Ritchie, Scot (Illus.) 

See It, Dream It, Do It: How 25 People Just Like You Found Their Dream Jobs
October 17, 2023 by Pajama Press
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

In this follow up to their 2022 If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It: How 25 Inspiring Individuals Found Their Dream Jobs, the team of Nelson and MacIsaac are back with more story of individuals who worked hard and were lucky enough to have jobs that they love. A wide range of careers is highlighted in this new installment, from science oriented fields like cave microbiologist and paleontologist to more liberal arts oriented choices like stand up comedian and ballet dancer. There is also a lot of diversity shown in the physical ability, ethnic, cultural, and gender related identifications of the people being showcased. The mostly two page spreads include not only a brief overview of the person's career, but also pro tips, "why not try" recommendations, spin off jobs, and other individuals who have followed similar paths. There are photographs of the people interviewed, and page decorations by Ritchie to enliven the pages. There are lots of words in bold print and a glossary at the back of the book, where there are also explanations of the careers associated with producing the book. 

Strengths: Studies have shown that children do better in math if they can feel a sense of purpose and tie their education in to future goals, so a book like this could be helpful in explaining the educational backgrounds needed for different careers. Upper elementary school seems like a time when children are just starting to realize that they will soon need to decide "what they want to be when they grow up", but don't have a great idea of what is available in the larger world. Books like See It, Dream It, Do It are instrumental in showcasing what choices are available, and provide a lot of food for thought. 

Weaknesses: I wish that career books for young readers would focus more on jobs that society really needs, even though they might not be as glamorous. I worry about all of the Ohio students I know who want to become marine biologists when they could use their love of science to go into medical fields where they could actually find jobs. Please remember that I am exceedingly bitter about this entire topic, since my dream job was to be a Latin teacher, and that did NOT work out. Most people are not in a position to "live the dream".
What I really think: This is a good choice for schools where there is a lot of interest in career education, or where students are apt to explore this topic on their own. 

Swartz, Elly. Hidden Truths

October 31, 2023 by Delacorte Press

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Dani and Eric are longtime neighbors and friends, even though they have very different interests. Dani is heavily invested in playing baseball, and has finally made the local boys' baseball team, so is very excited. Eric is not coordinated, and prefers more sedentary activities like reading comic books. They are both excited about their annual camping trip, especially since they were not able to go the previous year because of the death of Dani's grandmother, Gigi. Eric's father has gotten a used camper for the trip, along with a remote controlled vehicle that looks like the camper, and the trio take off with Dani's dog Casey for their adventure on Cape Cod. Sadly, the next morning starts with the father out fishing and Eric enjoying the outdoors, but a loud explosion rocks the area and the camper is on fire! Dani is still inside, but Eric braves the flames and rescues her. The two children are taken to the hospital, where the extent of Dani's injuries seems to be excessive. Her leg is broken, and she has severe trauma to her shoulder. Her first thoughts, after realizing that everyone, including the dog, has made it out okay, is that she won't be able to play baseball. Eric's first thought is that perhaps he didn't turn off the stove, and this led to the explosion. This wracks him with guilt and makes it harder for him to visit Dani. While she is in the hospital, she gets a visit from schoolmate Meadow, who is one of the popular kids and is at the hospital because her sister is recuperating from accidentally having her hand slammed in a car door, which has worsened into an infection. The two girls start spending time together. When Eric admits to his parents that he thinks he caused the accident, they hear his concern, but think it is unlikely. Dani and her mother, however, are very upset with him. Meadow capitalizes on this as a way to distance Dani from her long time friend and put her more firmly in her own clutches. Even after the cause of the blaze is determined to come from another source, the two friends are stuck in the loop of their own feelings about the event as well as the way they have interacted. Eric starts hanging out with Rachel, who is interested in investigating the accident as a way to have material for a private school essay, and Meadow and Dani post together on social media, occasionally saying mean things about Eric. While this drives the two further apart, Eric still wants to find out more about the remote control car battery so that accidents like this don't happen to other people. Dani's recuperation is very long, and she mourns the loss of a year of baseball. Will the two friends be able to make amends, both with each other and with themselves?
Strengths: Swartz has investigated other characters facing challenges in books like Dear Student (2022),  Give and Take (2019), Smart Cookie (2018) and Finding Perfect (2016) which was one of the first books in the now solid middle grade trend towards book examinging mental health issues. I love that there are supportive families, and that mental health issues are portrayed openly and in constructive ways. The misunderstandings and miscommunications that Eric and Dani have are very realistic, and it was interesting to see how they navigated new relationships when they were missing their former friends. Eric's investigation of the remote control battery added a level of interest to the story, and Dani's longing to return to sports will resonate with many young readers. 
Weaknesses: The characters are in fifth grade, and start sixth grade after their summer of trauma, so the way relationships are portrayed in the story might speak more strongly to elementary school students. Also, there is a mention in the end notes that Eric has ADHD. Looking back, this made sense, but since most of the book is set during the summer, the symptoms are harder to see, just as they are in real children. It does help explain his insistence that he often forgot things, like turning off the stove. I just didn't pick up on it quickly enough. 
What I really think: This is a great choice for readers who liked this author's other works or heart print books like Feldman's The Puttermans are in the House and Tandon's The Way I Say It.