June 2025 Statistics

Confession: Right now, I have blog posts until the end of 2025 with the exception of 12 days. It's really, really hard to get motivated to read more! 

Instead, I've made three baby quilts, fifteen baby quilt tops, gone on lots of walks with my dog Leo, and spent quite a bit of time with my grandson in Cincinnati. Didn't count all of the books that I've read with him! 

The only bad thing about this is that one of my 6th graders challenged me to read 200 books over the summer, but that's just not going to happen. I've read 556 books (213 pages on average) and my goal for the year is 750.

What do you think? Am I slipping up? Should I be worried?

MMGM- Let's Travel!

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Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
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Always in the Middle 

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Unleashing Readers

Lonely Planet. A Kid's Guide to London

June 26, 2025 by LONELY PLANET

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

I've always been a big fan of the Let's Go travel guides; back before the internet, that's how we planned our travel. Those, of course, had very specific information about hotels and restaurants in addition to the descriptions of sights to see, but were great for getting an idea of what experiences to plan.

While Let's Go books were densely packed paperbacks with few pictures and a ton of tiny text, This Lonely Planet series has beautiful pictures of London locations, and brief overviews of appealing places to visit. 

The fact that this one started off with different ways to travel around the city was brilliant; when my daughter and I visited London in 2016, one of our favorite things to do was to travel on the Tube because it made us feel like we lived in the city. From double decker buses to light rail, London has a lot of different ways to get around, including lots of great walking routes. One I totally missed was the Green Belt Cycle Route, so if I ever get back to London, you know I will be investigating that. 

The different chapters were well arranged, and included information about places to play and eat, as well as specific coverage of sights along the Thames, and "royal treatment" which will definitely appeal to young Anglophiles. The chapters on "The Wild Side" included not only the zoo, but also wildlife in parks inside the city. "Going Green" showcased a number of outdoor sights, including Primrose Hill (which was worth the climb!) and Queen Mary's Garden, which has spectacular roses is you time your visit right. 

London is probably my favorite city in the world, not that I have been to many, and this book offered me plenty of nostalgic moments as well as new adventures I would love to take. I'd be careful handing this book to young people, since they might develop an overwhelming urge to travel to Great Britain so that they can bring the scenes in this book to life. 

Lonely Planet. A Kid's Guide to Rome

June 26, 2025 by LONELY PLANET

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

The Rome I visited in 1985 was from a completely different era. The lira was still in use. You could ride the bus without a ticket if you were really desperate, fearing arrest the entire time. It was hard to know exactly what days the Villa Borghese was open. (Not on Mondays, so I didn't get to see it.) It was also hard to build anticipation, since seeing pictures of the city was as easy as opening Google Maps. Reading A Kid's Guide to Rome makes me want to return so that I can walk into the great pictures from this book. 

Not only are there a lot of good travel tips, such as how to get around the city and the sorts of food to look for, but there are also good historical tidbits, such as the fact that the Vespa scooter was developed as a way to get across the war town roads after World War II. Rome has so much history, and it's easy to become obsessed about the ancient parts of the city, so it was good to see descriptions of modern sights as well. I now sort of want to go to an amusement park in another country now, even though I'm not usually a fan of these venues!

This was arranged in a very compelling way, starting with travel and food, and moving on to enticing subjects like secrets of the city. There are some maps that help to understand how big a city Rome is, and a complete index, which is  helpful in looking up different places. 

My students often say they don't want to travel, but I think it's because they don't know what fascinating places there are in the world. This series also includes books about Paris and New York and is perfect for middle school readers. I'm interested in seeing the City Trails books by this publisher, even though they look to be for a bit younger audience. Travel books are a great thing to read when winter blues descend!

Tousey, Jen. Awesome Road Trip Activities for Kids: Over 100 Fun Games, Puzzles, and Journal Prompts!
March 11, 2025 by Callisto Kids
E ARC Provided by Netgalley

This activity book would be a fantastic resource for children who have to take long car trips with their families... as long as they don't get car sick reading in the car the way that I do! This starts with a helpful map of the US, as well as a pictorial listing of road signs. Talk about reinforcing skills needed as an adult! I remember taking the exam for my driver's permit and wondering why I had never paid any attention to road signs! 

This has great prompts for some classic car games, like All Around Town Bingo, and has a section for jokes, problems and riddles. This is a consumable book, so if you have multiple children, you might want more than one copy. There are word searches, codes to break, mazes, and a travel journal, as well as "silly stories", which are rather like Mad Libs. 

There is a helpful answer key at the back, so frustration will be limited. The illustrations are simple and colorful, with plenty of white space. If I had this book as a child, I would have wanted a variety of colors of pens so I could have used this on different trips and kept them straight. The list price for this is $9, which would be money well spent for the entertainment it provides! The author does note that she tested these activities on her daughter, and they do all seem like children up to 12 or 13 would be interested in them. I've recently been appalled at home much time children spend on screens, and this would be a good way to distract children on long journeys without using damaging technology. 

Svoboda, Tomáš Smot. Up, Up, and Away: The History of Aviation

July 8, 2025 by Albatros Media

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

This was a beautifully illustrated overview of the history of aviation, shorter than Grove's Milestones of Flight, but also more culturally inclusive. I was impressed with the range of topics that were included; Akron's Goodyear blimp was even included. Younger readers will be drawn in by the grandfather ostensibly telling the story.

Readers who are interested in the intricacies of the development of different forms of transporation will want to add this one to their shelves alongside Adams and Jay's On Track: The Remarkable Story of How Trains Have Changed Our World, Ralphs' Transported: 50 Vehicles That Changed the World, or Kirkfield's From Here to There.

Written in the Stars

Heart, Lee. Written in the Stars
May 6, 2025 by Simon Spotlight
E ARC provided by Netgalley

Quinn, whose father passed away after a long illness, is still set to go to Camp Whispering Woods for six weeks in the summer, although her mother is still not coping well. She's excited to meet up with old friends Olivia, Emma, and Leah. Her cabin also includes Grace, who seems nice, and Kayla, who comes with a lot of luggage and actually gets up early in the morning to blow dry her hair and put on makeup. Their counselor, Jayden, makes sure that the girls are up in time in the morning and participate in standard camp activities like swim tests, hikes, and drinking "firefly juice" (aka "bug juice"). Camp food is pretty middling, and vegetarian Leah starts counting how many veggie burgers she's eaten, although she does start a campaign and gets the cook to also serve tofu tacos and macaroni and cheese. Quinn has several meetings with cute British boy Harry, and is always excited to see him or hang out after the campfire. Since the camp includes both boys and girls, there is a prank war going on that includes hanging a nightgown from the flag pole and covering the boys' toilet seats with petroleum jelly. There's some talk of Harry and Quinn dating, and a few hugs, but with camp being a very short amount of time, the romance is just a summer tween fling.
Strengths: Having gone to a Campfire Girls' camp, there was never the opportunity for this sort of romance, but it is very fun to think about. And Harry's British? Nice touch. All of the elements of a good camp story are here, with food, outdoor activities, stress over swimming levels, and counselors, but with the added incentive of meeting Harry during some activities. This must be a rather nice camp; I don't think the ones I went to would have had any electricity for blow dryers. Vicarious camp experiences, like vicarious travel, are always fun.
Weaknesses: This needed a lot more romance in it; lingering glances, touching hands, planning on staying in touch, etc. The book is short, which is great, but felt a little rushed. There was no reason to include a deceased father, although I was greatly amused by Quinn's assessment of her mother that "It sounds harsh, but I wish she would just get it together already." I feel that way often about characters, but know that I am not allowed to say that!
What I really think: This is a great choice for readers who love Nelson's WISH books, Darling's Crush books, or other light romances, as well as camp stories. I'm glad to see this Spotlight Sprinkles series, which also includes Meet Me at Sunset (5/6/25) and Playing for Keeps (8/26/25). I will definitely purchase all of these!

Saturday Morning Cartoon Round Up

Williams-Garcia, Rita. and Miller, Sharee (illustrations)
One Crazy Summer: The Graphic Novel
May 6, 2025 by Quill Tree Books
E ARC provided by Netgalley

This book was originally published in 2010, and won many awards, so it's not a surprise that it was adapted into a graphic novel. Since it is historical fiction, the story holds up well. Delphine and her sisters Vonetta and Fern are sent by their father and grandmother from New York to Oakland, California to live with their mother, Nzila, who abandoned them when Fern was a baby. Nzila is very involved with the Black Panthers, so the girls attend the group's summer program while the mother concentrates on her art. The highlights of the original are preserved, but as with any graphic novel adaptation, a lot of the details and back story are neglected. The illustrations are bright and engaging, but not as reflective of the 1960s as they could have been. The girls' skirts are much too long, and there is Chinese take out shown in a very modern day plastic bag. Plastic bags were not much used until the late 1980s. They are so ubiquitous that people forget that. Even into the 1990s, it was more common to get paper bags where I lived. I have several copies of the original, so may not buy this. 

Miller, Kayla. Stuck (Click #7)
May 6, 2025 by Clarion Books
E ARC provided by Netgalley

Olive is excited to head off to Camp Acorn Lake, with friends Bree, Willow, and Max. She's not thrilled that the very negative Nat is in her cabin. When Bree and Max have a fight, Olive gets dragged into the middle of it. When a donor proposes a contest for how her money could be used in the camp, the campers all come up with ideas, and have to present them as skits. These include creature comforts like air conditioning, but Olive thinks the camp would benefit from a garden. She is also building bat houses, and when she tries to hang one up, the weather goes bad. Nat finds her, and the two have a heart to heart about why Olive is so invested in Bree and Max's fight, and about why Nat is so negative. This was a fine addition to a very popular series, and my students will be eager to read it. 

Libenson, Terri. Entirely Emmie (Emmie and Friends #9)

May 6, 2025 by Storytide (HarperCollins)
E ARC provided by Netgalley

Emmie, who struggles with anxiety but who has improved as middle school progresses, is wary of going to the year end school camping trip to Camp Blue Lake, since Sarah will miss it in order to attend a cousin's quinceañera. When Bri gets sick, Emmie must go by herself, although her sister Trina, who is home from college, volunteers as a counselor, where she meets Ciera, whom she later dates. Joe, who is friends with Anthony and Tyler (on whom Emmie has a crush) would rather just stay at home and not be bothered by anyone while eating junk food, is sent to camp by his parents, who DON'T want him to sit around doing nothing. Tyler and Anthony have been leaving him out of their activities, and he gets stuck with Emmie on the bus. He uses humor to try to survive in middle school, but it frequently turns mean. When another girl spends time with Tyler, Emmie is sad, and she and Joe come to an understanding. Joe plans a big prank to try to get the attention of his friends, but it doesn't end well. Tyler asks Emmie out, but she decides that she would rather remain friends. Joe and Emmie have a new appreciation for each other.

There are a lot of characters in this series, and they all get some good coverage, but I sometimes get confused about some of them. This would explain why some of my students reread the books a lot. I'll buy this one, since the series is popular. 

Wasserman, Cassidy. On Guard 

June 10, 2025 by Random House Graphic

E ARC provided by Netgalley

Grace, who is starting 7th grade, is reeling from the combined effects of her parents' divorce and being dropped by her long time best friend, Ava. Her mother is very combative, and makes negative comments about her hair, clothing, etc., while her father is very supportive. While trying to avoid the cafeteria, she happens upon a fencing group, and finds comfort in the sport. I enjoyed the difficult relationship with the mother, but found the author's comments that so many middle grade portrayals of the mother-daughter bond are warm and fuzzy confusing. I think something like The Gilmore Girls is the exception rather than the rule. It will be interesting to see where they series goes, but I wish there were books featuring middle school VOLLEYBALL (which tons of students play) instead of two graphic novels about fencing. (See also Bagley's Duel.) 

Also, could we have a FEW more graphic novels with boys as the main characters? That would be helpful, since they are the ones who generally are drawn to the format.

I am Rebel

Montgomery, Ross. I Am Rebel

June 27, 2025 by Candlewick Press

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Rebel lives an idyllic life on a farm with his boy, Tom, who is twelve. They sleep in a cozy bed, have bacon for breakfast, and spend the days in the fields with the sheep. When the King's Guardsman show up at the house demanding double the taxes, Tom's Mum and Dad say that they will try to gather the money, but Tom thinks they should stand up against this treatment. In the woods, he meets Rider, an outlaw who is organizing a rebellion against the King in the High Tower. He gives Tom a red piece of cloth, but when Tom's parents find this, they are most unhappy. Tom runs away to join the rebellion, leaving the red cloth on Rebel's neck. Rebel is bereft and runs after his beloved owner. Eating some sorrell in the fields, he becomes very ill and is helped by Jaxon, a Masterless Dog. Rebel pleads with him to take him to Drulter, where a pig he has met mentioned the rebels are meeting, but when they get to the town, all they find is a picture Tom has drawn. A pub dog, Rollo, says that he can get them more information, but instead turns them over to Guardsmen. This catapults the two unlikely friends on an epic journey to reunite with Tom that takes them to a bothy where the rebels have stored guns (and where they meet Felix, a mouse whose wife was mistakenly taken a long with them), to the besieged city of Unsk, across a river, to the home of Pol, a shepherdess, and eventually onto the field of battle, where Rebel leads a charge that helps the Red Army defeat the king. On the way back, Rebel, Jaxon, and Tom have to decide what their roles will be after their adventures. 

Strengths: This had the feel of a classic animal adventure like Burnford's 1961 The Incredible Journey, but with a historical twist. Rebel is an endearing character who adores his boy and doesn't want to be separated from him. Jaxon is an irascible but good hearted wild dog who reluctantly helps the clueless Rebel from perishing, even though Rebel saves Jaxon twice, tethering the two together. There are a number of other animals as well, whom the pair meet on their way to the High Castle, but also on the way back home. There are a few humans as well, like Pol and her Grandad, who win Jaxon's trust and fix his injured paw. This are some philosophical moments, when Rebel meets the Companion and goes briefly to something like heaven before deciding he needs to stay to find Tom. While he makes it to the field of battle, Tom is injured, and the two sit out the worst of the fighting. Despite the sadness of the setting, this is a warm hearted tale of devotion and gratefulness that dog loving readers will adore. 
Weaknesses: This is set in an indeterminate place and time, although it has a pre-1800s feel to it. I personally prefer to know the setting of books, especially when they feel historical, but this doesn't seem to be referencing any particular king or military conflict. 
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Pennypacker's Pax or the animal tales of Sam Angus or Michael Morpurgo. 

The blurb on Amazon for this compares it to Dragt's 1962 Letter for the King, which was just rereleased by Pushkin Children's Books. Has anyone this title? It hadn't been on my radar at all. 

Death By Whoopee Cushion

Grant, Vicki. Death By Whoopee Cushion

July 29, 2025 by Tundra Books

E ARC provided by Netgalley
 

Manya's parents are rather embarassing. They run a joke shop, Pranks a Million, and are very enthusiastic about their work, even driving a car that is decorated to look like a clown. The family lives in an apartment over the shop, which is next door to Delia's Divine Diva's, a lingerie shop owned by Manya's best friend Isaac's single mother. Business isn't great, but her father uses the extra time working in the "Funcubator" coming up with premium, high quality, "artisanal" pranks to set the shop apart. Two older, retired gentlemen, Gary and Sarge, often hang out in the shop, dusting and straightening merchandise. Both Manya and Isaace are very interested in science, and when a Serious Science camp is offered at the local Natural History Museum, they really want to attend, even though the $100 registration fee is a reach for their families. The camp goes well, but when Manya's parents plan a visit to her school, things go badly wrong. Their gravy blaster gun explodes, killing a newly hired custodian, Mr. Honig. Both parents are arrested and taken to jail pending an investigation, and Manya is left in Delia's care. When forensics show that a lethal chemical was added to the prank, things don't look good, despite the high priced attorney Delia has hired. When Isaac and Manya start investigating, they find out secrets about the parents past that may have some bearing on what happened. Will they be able to count out suspects like Gary and a troublesome school mate and prove the parents' innocence?

Strengths: Murder mysteries are absolutely the number one request I get from students, which shouldn't be a surprise to the publishing world, based on how many ADULT murder mysteries are published every year, and on how many television shows have a CSI bent. There is a nice set up to the story before the murder, so I came to know and like Manya and Isaac, and to want Pranks a Million to succeed. When the murder occurred, it was clear from the beginning that the parents were innocent even though the situation looked bad, so it made sense for the kids to investigate and to try to figure out who framed the parents. The mystery was very well developed, and explained a lot about the parents, but I don't want to ruin the surprises there. This was rather dark in the end, and there are multiple off page murders; it would make a great episode of my current guilty pleasure, the German SOKO Potsdam mysteries. I especially appreciated that Delia was there when Manya's parents were taken into custody; when I was in middle school, one of my friend's fathers was taken into custody for tax evasion, and it was very traumatic for her.

Weaknesses: While I loved the mix of humor and murder mystery, my students who really like murder mysteries might not want a book with a whoopee cushion on the cover. Still, this is better than another mystery about missing dogs. I also wish we knew a tiny bit more about Mr. Honig so his death was more wrenching.

What I really think: We need more murder mysteries, so add this to a short but effective list that includes April Henry's work, Souder's Coop Knows the Scoop or The Radcliffe Riddle, Sorrell's First Shot, or McDonald's Pepper's Rules for Secret Sleuthing. We're so desperate for this genre at my school that Ferguson's 2006 The Christopher Killer series still circulates really well.

The Winning Move (Chess Club #1)

Donnelly, Rebecca and Duffy, Isabelle (illus.) The Winning Move (Chess Club #1)

June 3, 2025 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
E ARC provided by Netgalley

Halima Kasim loves to play chess, but doesn't have enough people to play games with her. Her cousin Abdi lived in Kenya with a lot of extended Somali family, and he will play online with her sometimes, but her siblings aren't interested. Halima convinces her best friend, Jem, to play with her as a way to distract her from the death of her beloved grandfather, and the two approach Ms. Barnes to be their faculty advisor for a chess club. They recruit Parker, whose siblings play a lot of sports, and who wants something competitive that might make his parents pay attention to him. Daniel finds mysterious chess notes in library books and is lured into the club as well. The group has to deal with Lucas, an annoying bully whom Jem stand up to, and well as former friend Blake who sometimes gives them problems. Jem struggles with anger issues. The group spends a lot of time practicing, and eventually has a match against another team. The book includes many chess diagrams and descriptions of moves. 

I really liked Duffy's illustrations, and this has more descriptions of the game of chess than most books I've read. Jem seemed like the main character to me, and her baking and dealing with the death of her grandfather was more prevalent than Halima's challenges. Pair this with Giles' Not an Easy Win or Gerber's Focused for readers who want stories centered around chess. 

Queenie in Seven Moves

Louise, Zanni. Queenie in Seven Moves 

April 22, 2025 by Candlewick Press
E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus

Copy also provided by the publisher

Queenie Jean Anderson lives with her mother, Clare, who works at the Diamonds Senior Care Village near Curlew Point in Southern Australia. It's been tough after the death of Queenie's father, but with the help of Betsy, the landlord who rents their cottage, Peachey, to them, the two have been able to thrive. Queenie is an avid guitar player like her father, but is afraid to sing in public. She's been taking lessons from Mr. Grey, and is finally ready to participate in an end of year recital, but when her former best friend, Sparrow, gets onstage right before her and sings the song she had planned to perform, she decides not to go on. During the COVID pandemic, the real estate market heats up, and Betsy ends up selling the house. Clare hasn't told Queenie about it, and when she is unable to find other accommodations, the two move into an apartment at Diamonds until a new resident moves in. Queenie enjoys being at the facility and hanging out with the residents, but the two can't stay there forever. Soon, they move in with the Elliots, whose son, Dory goes to school with Queenie. Space is tight, but Mr. Elliot has lost his job, and the family needs help with rent. Queenie bunks with Dory, on whom she has a crush, and this works out until Mrs. Elliot finds the two kissing. The next stop is a camper van out in the country near the house where Daisy, a substitute at Queenie's school lives. The van is in bad shape, although the landlord, Ruthie, is very kind, and Queenie enjoys talking to Tara, the daughter of another resident as well. It's the rainy season, which makes it hard for Clare to get to work, and when the van is badly damaged in a storm, Queenie and her mother take refuge in Ruthie's house for a bit. This is unsustainable, and the two move in with Dimitri, the real estate agent that Clare has been dating. He has a dog, Frankie, whom Queenie likes, and lives close to Sparrow. Queenie wants to enter a Summer Song Contest, and the next temporary home is a tent in Williams Head to prepare for the contest. Sparrow helps out, and the performance goes well, although the girls don't win. The last stop is Heritage Gardens, a nicer complex where Queenie and her mother can find some stability. An author's note explains that this is based on her family's experiences during the early days of COVID.
Strengths: Queenie and her mother are upbeat and making the best of their situation. I especially liked when they were living at Diamonds, and like Queenie, wouldn't have minded if they stayed there! It was interesting that while COVID drove a lot of the plot, it wasn't much discussed. Perhaps Australia wasn't as locked down as the US, or perhaps this took place in 2021 when things opened up a bit. Queenie's interest in music added to the plot, and was a good connection with her late father. The different housing situations the two find themselves in was the real star of the book; I especially liked Ruthie's camper van, even though (or perhaps because) it was the worst situation. The cover is attractive, and I was glad that Queenie and Clare had stable housing by the end of the book.
Weaknesses: This is very Australian (I had to look up what "Queenslander style homes" were, and there are some other details), so I am debating purchasing. For some reason, books set in Australia fall into the category with books set in circuses or involving pirates; my students won't pick them up!
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who Jacobson's 2015 Paper Things, Pyron's 2019 Stay, or Glaser's 2022 A Duet for Home. It's an interesting look at being unhoused which I enjoyed, and the cover is decent, so if there's money in the budget, I will purchase.  

MMGM- Interview with Michael Spradlin about his Threat of the Spider!

It's

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

 at 

Always in the Middle 

and #IMWAYR day 

at

Unleashing Readers

I'm always delighted to see new titles out by the fantastic middle grade writer Michael Spradlin, and even happier to talk with him about his work! If you don't have his World War II titles, his Pararescue Corps novels, or, if you're lucky, his 2013 Scholastic Killer Species series, you need to add all of his titles to your next order. You'll especially want to stock up on his newest series, The Rise of the Spider. since they are short books in an addictive series. They follow the rise of the Nazis from the point of view of German boys who have run in with local officials, and are a welcome twist on the WWII story. Please welcome Mr. Spradlin to the blog today! 

• You’ve written about World War II before, but most often from the point of view of US combatants. What inspired you to write from the perspective of German teens?

I originally had the thought of writing about the Edelweiss Pirates, which were a real group of German kids and teens who engaged in active espionage near the end of the war. Many of them were caught and executed. These were 12-18 year old kids. Executed. Then in talking with my editor we started asking questions about ‘resistance at the very beginning’ during Hitler’s rise to power. And Rise of the Spider was born.

• Rolf and Ansel are friends, but have different approaches to life, so it’s good to see events unfold from their perspectives. Can you tell us anything about what characters other books in the series will focus on? Will we get Hans’ perspective?

We won’t get Hans’ perspective directly as in the protagonist, as there is nothing remotely redeeming about him. The Spider Strikes (book 3) will feature Joshua, Ansel and Rolf’s Jewish friend, book four will feature Moritz and his twin sister Mathilda whose father owns the bookstore, Mathilda will the focus of Book Five and another Jewish lad, Avram will he in book six.  And everything I’ve told you so far might change.

• I loved the details of everyday life in a small Bavarian town at this time. How were you able to get these details? Did you hunt down German women’s magazines or read social histories?

I read a lot of stuff. Mostly I looked at pictures because I don’t read or speak German. But I managed to find a lot of good material on how elementary schools operated for example. I also visited Heroldsberg, and it has a definite vibe (although I’m sure the vibe was quite different in the 1930s)and I think the location brings a lot to the story.

• Local news is so important, yet there are few local newspapers remaining. Seeing Ansel’s father try so hard to get the news out to people was inspiring. Do you have a background in reporting? Where should today’s students turn for news?

As a matter of fact I do! I grew up in the small town of Homer, Michigan and for all of high school I was a correspondent for our weekly newspaper, "The Homer Index". I covered high school sports and features. It was my first paid writing gig.

As for news today, especially for young people, that’s a good question and I’m not sure I have a good answer. The news of today is not the news of my youth. I guess I would say to talk to a trusted adult and ask them to review some various sources along with you. Then you can make a decision. And listen and learn from various viewpoints. It creates understanding.

• The Hitler Youth plays a large role in your books. What was the most alarming thing you learned about this organization?

Oh, where to even begin. This was just a tragedy inflicted on an entire generation of young people. I don’t know that I can single out one thing as it is all so horrible. I think the darkest hour is probably after Hitler becomes chancellor and all other youth programs like Scouts, are forbidden and participation in the Hitler Youth is mandatory.

• Your MEDAL OF HONOR series have been wildly popular with my middle school readers. Did you draw on any real-life inspiration for your characters in THE WEB OF THE SPIDER series?

I’m sure I did. I don’t think I made any direct parallels but everyone you meet becomes part of your voice. I think there is a little bit of me in Ansel, the gadfly, the joke cracker, you know me well enough to know that there is almost always a character like Ansel in my fiction. But the real people in the books, are straight from history, like Himmler and Hitler himself.

• Do you have any favorite middle grade books about World War II? I loved Wulffson’s 1996 Soldier X about a young German soldier who pretends to be Russian in order to survive.

I do. It’s call Into the Killing Seas and it’s great. (N.B. This is one of Mr. Spradlin's titles, along with Prisoner of War and The Enemy Above.)

• It’s easy to look back at history and think that people should have prevented horrible things from happening. There were many people in Germany who didn’t support the Nazis, but didn’t act against them, either. Did you find any lessons in this?

The lesson is down to whoever it was that said, ‘Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.’ (the attribution is questioned). We have to be vigilant. We have to guard our rights viciously. They can easily be taken away, or even worse, given away. Don’t fool yourself. Hitler was just one in a long line of dictators that seized power in multiple ways. He wasn’t the first and he certainly won’t be the last.

• There are so many books about World War II. Why are readers still interested in this topic, even after almost 80 years?

I’m not sure but I’m glad there are because I love writing about it. I think it resonates because it is possible to determine good and evil. Other wars and eras have not been so easy to delineate.

• On a lighter note, during your trip to Bavaria, did you have any particularly tasty regional food? Were the items in Frau Hufnagel’s bakery based on local treats?

I did try schnitzel. Not a fan. I have to say most of the German food I tried was heavy and meh. However they do great pastries and yes, the apple fritters are a treat!

How fantastic that there may be SIX books in this series. The first one (of which I bought two copies) has been constantly checked out, and my readers are eager for book two. 

Spradlin, Michael. The Threat of the Spider (#2)

June 24, 2025 by Margaret K. McElderry Books

E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus

Following the events of Rise of the Spider, we return to Heroldsberg, Germany, in 1930. From the point of view of Ansel, a friend of Rolf's, we get a front row seat to the increase in the popularity of the Nazi party in 1930. Ansel's father is a reporter for a Nuremberg newspaper, but with all of the political upheaval, has been given permission to set up a satellite office to better report on what is going on in the smaller town. Along with Klaus, a photographer, he sets up shop in the bakery abandoned by Mrs. Hufnagel, who left the country after her shop was burned. People are unhappy with the economic state of the country, and there are few jobs but lots of frustration. People like Hans are active in groups like the Hitler Youth, which often target Jewish businesses like the Leibowitz's book shop where Ansel gets his Dirk Goodly mystery books. Ansel's father wants the truth to be told about what the Nazis are doing, and when Himmler is set to come to Heroldsberg to speak, he sees it as an opportunity to raise public awareness about the horrible things the Nazis are doing. Unfortunately, the local party chairman is also the chief of police, so when Ansel's father goes missing, asking Chief Muller for help is not an option. Instead, Ansel enlists the help of Rolf and their friend Joshua to investigate and try to locate his father. Working against Hans is fraught with danger, but the stakes are high. With Rolf's family planning to leave Germany for Long Island, and a tragic end to Ansel's investigation, how much worse will things get in Heroldsberg?

While there are plenty of books about World War II, there are relatively few told from the perspective of German characters. My favorites are Marino's The Plot to Kill Hitler series and Osborne's Hitler's Secret, but The Web of the Spider series is even better, since it gives such a good look at what life was like in the time leading up to the war. We think about the Great Depression in the US, but the economy was a global problem. There are definitely parallels to current economic and social difficulties that make this a somewhat cautionary tale.

This book also ends on a cliffhanger, and it will be hard to wait a year to find out what happens next, although I am hoping we get to see a bit of Joshua's perspective. In some ways, it would be interesting to see a book from Hans' perspective. While history paints the Nazis as completely evil, which is certainly true, I often wonder about people who somehow really thought that what they were doing somehow helped their country. It would be interesting, and also cautionary, to explore how ordinary people can be persuaded to participate in such hate filled actions. If any author could do this with finesse, it would be Spradlin, whose Pararescue Jumpers series, Medal of Honor Books, and stand alone novels like Prisoner of War, Into the Killing Seas, and The Enemy Above all focus on characters who do really mean well and are operating under dire circumstances. 

Friddell, Claudia. The Mysterious Virginia Hall: World War II's Most Dangerous Spy
June 24, 2025 by Calkins Creek
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

I'm beginning to think that books about World War II will never stop being written, since we are now seeing some more of the hidden side of the war. Virginia Hall, who tried to keep her story as quiet as she could, has already gotten two middle grade treatments, in Purnell's 2022 Agent Most Wanted: The Never-Before-Told Story of the Most Dangerous Spy of World War II and Mitchell's 2019 The Lady Is a Spy: Virginia Hall, World War II Hero of the French Resistance, but this book is about half the length of those books, since it is heavily photo illustrated and in a verse format. This makes the book read very quickly, but still offers a good bit of information. (Page count is 160, but that includes some end notes and index.)

Hall's story is an intriguing one. Born in 1906, Hall took advantage of growing opportunities for women, and pushed the boundaries by joining the foreign service. After a hunting accident that caused her to lose a leg, she had difficulty joining the war effort, but eventually was able to operate as a British spy, helping to protect France. The book shows her path to that point, and also gives plenty of pulse pounding details of her war work. The fact that Friddell talked to Hall's family and got more insight to her life sets this one apart.

This is similar in length and format to Borden's 2013 His Name Was Raoul Wallenberg or 2018 Ski Soldier. Woodson's Brown Girl Dreaming is probably the best known example of a life story in verse, and I can't think of many biographies or autobiographies in this format, other than Etched in Clay: The Life of Dave, Enslaved Potter and Poet by Andrea Cheng or Engle's Enchanted Air. The Mysterious Virginia Hall didn't seem as poetic as some of these other works, but the shorter lines and lighter text, combined with a lot of good quality photographs, made this an exciting, fast-paced book to pick up. 

Into the Rapids

Braden, Ann. Into the Rapids
May 13, 2025 by Nancy Paulsen Books

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Addy and her mother have kept to themselves in their somewhat remote home in the Green Mountains of Vermont ever since her father's death when she was a toddler. The two don't even interact with their nearest neighbors, the Tollands, even though the son, Caleb, goes to school with Addy. He hasn't been all that nice to her, calling her "batty Addy", and she doesn't have other friends. She is excited about going to  middle school at Windhaven Regional, which is a 40 minute trip. When a bad storm knocks out a nearby bridge as well as the power in the area, it makes things a bit difficult, although Addy and her mother are fairly well prepared. Addy is concerned that she won't be able to get to the school to participate in the Survival Camp, and since that's where her parents met, she really wants to go. Not only that, but she's been practicing the recommended survival skills, and wants to do really well. She keeps running into Caleb on a hill near their homes, since cell signals are hard to get. Keeping lines of communication open is important, since Addy's mother isn't doing well with the weather situation, especially since Addy's father died when the car the entire family was in got swept into a rain swollen river. Addy helps by texting Marcy, her mother's therapist, a letter her mother has written, and getting a response, which seems to help. The skills she's acquired helping her mom come in handy when Caleb has a panic attack. He's been obsessed with death, and since a neighbor, Ike Horvath, is missing in the flood, and his mother wants him to go to a high pressure private school, Caleb has been spiraling into fears about the shortness of life. The neighbors are pulling together to get supplies, and are even building an emergency bridge to get water to the community, but while Caleb and his family are in the thick of these plans, Addy and her mother are isolated and know nothing about them. When he finds out that Addy really wants to get to the survival camp, he plans an elaborate route for her to get there, which includes going with his firefighter father across the bridge, getting a ride from a woman who is visiting her sister, and canoeing part of the way. Her mother is doing well enough that she agrees that Addy can go. Since Addy has not canoed much (although she has practiced her skills on dry land), Caleb starts the trip with her. When she goes off on her own, it doesn't take long before Addy capsizes the canoe, is injured, and must use her survival skills to actually survive. In the  meantime, the entire community is looking for her, and her mother takes her predicament better than expected. When she returns, injured, her mother steps up to take care of her. Ike has been found dead, and Addy goes to the funeral. The community rallies around Addy and her mother, with Eileen the firefighter helping Addy's mother repair the generator and car, and encouraging her to attend the local Labor Day picnic. Addy's discussions about panic attacks helps Caleb talk to his mother about his fears, and she is okay with him not going to the private school, and even arranges therapy for him. Even though climate related extreme weather is an ongoing concern, Addy is glad to have finally connected with her community. 

Strengths: This is a quick read, and comes in at well under 200 pages, which is something a lot of middle grade gatekeepers have been requesting. Braden draws on her own experience of having been in a plane crash that killed her father, and having to navigate life under those circumstances to draw a nuanced portrait of Addy, who has cut herself off from her community as a way to cope. Caleb is a nice foil for her; he has more social skills, but fewer coping mechanisms, and the two help each other out quite a bit. It was good to see the community finally step up to help Addy and her mother. Survival stories are always popular, and readers who were enthralled by Richard's 15 Secrets to Survival, Philbrick's Wild River or Hashimoto's Off the Map will enjoy reading about Addy's ill fated canoe trip. 
Weaknesses: I wish there had been another reason that Addy took off in the canoe, rather than getting to survival camp. Given the horrible weather, I can't imagine her mother agreeing to let her go alone, since the mother didn't seem to have a cell phone of her own. As much as Addy wanted to go to camp, it also seemed like she wouldn't have wanted to leave her mother when she was in a fragile state. 
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who are fans of Braden's work (The Benefits of Being an Octopus (2018), Flight of the Puffin (2021), Opinions and Opossums (2023) )or like survival stories with a foundation of grief or family and mental health issues like Rose's The Burning Season or Pla's The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn. 

Saturday Morning Cartoons- Pachecho and Gyro and the Argonauts

Zambrano, Juan E. Pacheco and the Witch of the Mountain: A Graphic Novel
June 17, 2025 by Andrews McMeel Publishing
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus 

Pacheco lives with his father and grandfather, who are fisherman near San Chaparrón. Pacheco tries to help, but often gets distracted while delivering fish, and the business is struggling anyway. He is very interested in magic, and enthralled by the light displays the witches put on, but his father doesn't want him involved in magic. When he is approached by a magical bird, it takes him up to meet Doris, the witch of the mountain, who is trying to save magical creatures. Pacheco would love to be her apprentice, and even cleans up her house, but it is not allowed for boys to perform magic, and only people from certain family backgrounds are allowed. This doesn't stop him from doing some magic at the market in the mountains, and this brings both him and Doris to the attention of the very displeased witch council. Doris doesn't agree with their rules, and hates the fact that the other witches are draining the magic from magical creatures for their own uses. Pacheco gets some help from Chiqui, the granddaughter of Providencia, the Great Sorceress, and from Feliciano, another boy who does magic, and has enough self confidence that he wants to take the test to become an apprentice even though he is not allowed. Can the council see the error of their ways and usher in a new age of inclusive magic?
Strengths: The author of this book is from Venezuela, and it was interesting to see the giant stature of the Great Sorceress that looks a bit like the giant statue of the Virgin Mary in Trujillo. Doris' mountainside and the magical creatures also have a South American feel. Young readers will understand how Pacheco would rather learn magic, despite the odds, than stay with the family business, even though he wants to support his family. The cast of witches is nicely diverse, and the rules, while perhaps unfair, are clear. There is a happy ending, which always helps.
Weaknesses: This seems a bit too young for my students. Andrews McMeel has a good range of titles, but some are more appropriate for younger grades. 

What I really think: This is a good choice for elementary readers who want magical graphic novels like Hatke's Mighty Jack, Hale's Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld, or Foxe's Adventure Kingdom books.

Pruett, Joshua, Holden, Anthony(artist, and Castillo, Amanda (illustrator)
Gyro and the Argonauts! aka the BEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN*: 

*About a Kid Named After a Sandwich
June 17, 2025 by Andrews McMeel Publishing
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Gyro has no family, but works in an Ancient Greek vineyard under the tutelage of Pyro. He loves the stroies of the Greek heroes, even though, as the narrator points out, they are frequently violent jerks. The author has a nice note about how Greek mytholody has always been remixed and changed, and he then proceeds to put his own spin on traditional tales, making Heracles a woman and having Pegasus flinging "horse apples" on the unsuspecting. 

I thought that this would be a graphic novel, but while it has page decorations, it's still rather words. If books like Northfield's Julius Zebra or Ford's Stickman Odyssey are popular with your students, this is an interesting title by Pruett, who is a Disney television writer. There are echoes of Whitehouse and Slavin's Bogbrush the Barbarian as well. 

Guy Friday- J vs K

Alexander, Kwame and Craft, Jerry. J vs K
May 6, 2025 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

In this notebook novel, we meet J Ennis, who loves to draw, and whose stories have taken Dean Ashley Public School by storm. He's not a fan of reading, but enjoys making books like his J-Man superhero comics. When a storytelling contest is announced, he is worried that the new kid, K Wright, will steal his thunder. He's already stolen J's singular initial name, and J doesn't care for his white framed glasses, bald head, use of long words, or dad fashion sense. Even more distressing is the praise that fellow students heap on his for his poems. The two talk to each other, but try to give each other bad advice about writing stories, like using the "6th person" viewpoint. The whole school is buzzing about the contest, and Mr. A, one of the cafeteria workers, even comes up with a literary themed menu including Rolls of Thunder, Spuds, not Spuddies, and Hot Dog Man. J and K eventually figure out that they have more in common than they thought, and team up on a graphic novel entitled Croak and Dagger (which is sadly not included in the E ARC). They place second, losing to a fourth grade, Geoffrey Kenny, but have a newfound friendship as well as a renewd interest in story telling. 

This reminded me a bit of Barnett and Scieszka's Battle Bunny, with all of the inside jokes and breaking of the fourth wall with notes from the authors, or Reynold's Stuntboy. There are plenty of nods to other middle grade writers as well as Craft and Alexander's work. Language arts teachers will love all of the discussions of literary devices, and Craft's fans will enjoy the illustrations. Dad jokes and puns abound. There's even Mrs. Yang (after author Kelly?) the librarian, who catches up on her reading during lunch because students fail to come to the library. 

Has its moments, but will probably attract more elementary readers, especially since the boys are both in fifth grade. 

The Glade

Jamnia, Naseem. The Glade
May 27, 2025 by Aladdin

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
 

Pina Ahmadi and her best friend, Jo Manalo, are excited about spending the summer at Camp Clear Skies in Wisconsin, which has just reopened after being closed for twenty years. Pina, who suffers from anxiety and often hides behind Jo, is trying hard to turn herself into Pina 2.0 during the summer away from her close knit Iranian American family. Things are a half bubble off at the camp, and there are rumors about a missing camper. Counselor George and his mean girl sister Bethany are odd, but Pina and Jo, who is  nonbinary, meet Eddy and Arish, who are interested in finding out why the camp is so creepy. When the group sneaks out at night, they have a bizarre shared dream that makes them want to find out more about the history of the camp. George knows about The Glade, and tells them that if campers sleep there, it their dreams become more intense and dangerous, so of course they sneak out of their cabins and try to have more dreams. Jo gets sucked further into The Glade because she is struggling with a troubled home life and caretakers who won't accept their gender identity, and is worries about moving away from Pina so that she can live with her uncle, who has gotten a job in Detroit. Breaking into the cabin of Ms. Angela, the camp owner, the group finds out more about the sordid history of the camp, and the identity of the missing camper. Will this be enough to break the spell of The Glade and save Jo?

Summer camps in books certainly have their creepy moments, and this is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Berk and Mitchell's Camp Murderface, Murphy's Camp Sylvania, or Burch's Camp Twisted Pine. 
 

Maeve Mulvaney Has Had Enough

Mangan, Kelly. Maeve Mulvaney Has Had Enough
April 29, 2025 by Holiday House 

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Maeve moves from Vermont to the south, along with her mother, father, and older brother Thomas when her mother gets a job at a university. She's not happy about any aspect of this move, and lets her family know about it. At a local comic book store, she's excited to see some vintage copies, but has a run in with an unpleasant boy in "a sports ball jacket" who accused her of not being a real fan. Luckily, one of the clerks, Marisol, helps her, and tells her about a local con, Squee Con, in Tampa, which is about two hours away. Her parents aren't thrilled about letting her go, but say they will consider it if she doesn't community service at school. Goodman Middle School isn't the worst place, because she meets the exuberant Daniel, who likes to use Shakespearean slang, as well as Frankie, Cori, and Jamal, who welcome her and share many of her interests. However, the boy from the comic shop, Robbie, continually gives her problem, and his goons are not shy about hurling insults like "you dress like a boy" at Maeve. Frankie, who like Maeve is on the heavier side and proudly identifies as "fat", stands up against the bullying. Maeve joins the service club, but it's run by blonde, thin, and popular Tammy, and her much nicer friend Cecelis, who can't quite stand up against Tammy's more right wing ideas for the service group. Unsatified with the treatment they get and the agenda of the service club, Maeve and her friends break out with their own Super Agitator Squad, advised by sympathetic art teacher Ms. AJ. The group discusses tocix masculinity, sexist dress codes, bullying, and other issues of the current zeitgeist, and help spread the word with an online comic addressing them. Maeve is very passionate about her work, but she runs afoul of the administration and her parents with her methods. How will Maeve find a way to change her school while also staying out of trouble in the unfair culture of her school. 

Strengths: This is on trend with current thought on many important social issues, and it's good to see that Maeve and her friends work together to try to change their toxic school environment. There are many areas of interest, like comics, that are not always friendly to women and girls, so exploring that was interesting. It was nice that Maeve found a friend group right away in her new school, as well as some teachers who were supportive. The school counselor was not, but Coach Crowder is realistically complex in his actions. The idea of an online zine was intriguing. 

Weaknesses: While I applaud Maeve's enthusiasm and effort, it seemed like she had some underlying issues that made her deeply unhappy. A brief interaction with her mother indicated that these might be the result of some issues with the family dynamics, and I wish she had had some help and support with the move and the bullying, perhaps through therapy. 

What I really think: This is a great choice for readers who like new books about social activism, specifically involving sexism, and enoyed Dee's Maybe He Just Likes You and Young's The Prettiest. Since my budget was cut for next year, and books on social activism don't circulate terribly well in my library, I am debating purchase for now. The culture in the south seems to be rather different than the culture in my Midwestern area.

June Fantasy Roundup

Jreije, George. Bashir Boutros and the Jewel of the Nile
May 27, 2025 by HarperCollins
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Bashir has spent the summer in Lebanon, hanging out with his best friend Farrah and putting up with his unpleasant cousin Wassim. When Wassim pushes him into the water, he finds a gold ring, which he keeps as a momento. On the flight back to the US, he is attacked  by a flight attendant who is a witch. There is a jinn in the ring, Yani al-Kabir, who informs Bashir that all manner of demons and evil creatures will be trying to get the ring back from him. After his parents are taken from their Concord, Massachusetts home by Ali Adin, a demon who once possessed the ring and had Yani in thrall to him, Bashir must team up with Farrah as well as magi Alina and Ziad to get them back. Bashir is a particularly reluctant hero who struggles with anxiety and poor self esteem. The Magi are the two remaining members of the Council of magic who are fighting against Ali Adin's attempt to get all ten pieces of the Jewel of the Nile back so that he has a lot of power. An epic journey, complete with battles, ensues. The ending of the book leaves the story open to another volume, but this could also be a stand alone. 

Readers who enjoy culturally based fantasies like Pahua and the Soul Stealer, Kagawa's Shinji and the Mark of the Coatl, or Hoang's The Crossbow of Destiny will enjoy Bashir's journey. 

Magaziner, Lauren. The Incorruptibles (#1)

June 10, 2025 by Aladdin

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Fiora is apprenticed to her Uncle Randal, making robes for hard-to-please sorcerers in the unfriendly town of Barrowburgh, but after a run in with particularly nasty sorcerers, is sent to the Incorruptibles Academy to train with the resistance. Fans of Ursu's The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy, Alston's Amari books, or Perry's Jaden Powers and the Inheritance Magic will enjoy this fantasy adventure. I keep hoping for fantasy books where the magical world is a little more fun; there are clearly a lot of unpleasantries caused by the evil sorcerers.  

From the publisher: 

A girl joins the human resistance against sorcerer tyranny in this first book in the exciting upper middle grade fantasy series The Incorruptibles that’s Keeper of the Lost Cities meets The Marvellers.

Fiora Barrowling lives in a world where sorcerers rule over humans. After surviving an encounter with The Radiance—the very worst of the sorcerers—she’s whisked away to the incredible Incorruptibles (“Inc”) Academy, a school for resistance fighters in training. But most of the other students think Fiora hasn’t earned her place there, and when things start to go wrong and it seems the sorcerers have a spy in the academy, all eyes are on Fiora. With all odds stacked against her, can Fiora prove that she belongs?

Take a look at these sequels as well! 

            

MMGM- What If You Fall For Me First?

It's

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
 at 

Always in the Middle 

and #IMWAYR day 

at

Unleashing Readers

Miller, G. F. What If You Fall For Me First?

June 10, 2025 by Aladdin
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus 

Sofia Santini is tired of being thought of as cute; it's hard being a tiny 8th grader who looks like an elementary school student, especially when your clothes look like they come from the "girls 4-8 department of J.C. Penney's" because your grandmother buys them. It'seven harder when you have a crush on someone like Mark Chen, who is cute and cool. Sofia also likes Mark because he was nice to hear when they were science partners, so when she sees him hanging out with Ashlyn, a "fierce" volleyball player, at the school dance, she's crushed. She takes her frustration outside, where there's some screaming and throwing of things... which is witnessed by the very cool Holden. He's wealthy, working on his social media following, and also rather a jerk. Sofia knows this because he dated one of her friends, and things didn't go well. Holden is surprisingly understanding and kind, though, and honest with Sofia about how she comes across to others. Sofia asks for his help in trying to become fierce. Holden tells her she is fine the way she is (except that she should stop apologizing all the time), but is willing to help her with a "glow up" if it helps him to gain followers and the attention of social media star Igo Big. Sofia's single mother works hard as a yoga instructor and Uber driver, and struggles financially, but is always there for Sofia, but doesn't understand Sofia's need to navigate middle school differently. Holden offers to cut and color Sofia's hair, and is glad to spend the money that his divorced parents fling at him to pay for supplies. It comes out surprisingly well, and makes Sofia feel better about herself. Holden is pleased with her honest reactions and thanks, and teaches her how to take a compliment without deflecting or apologizing. Sofia's friends warn her against them, but since Destiny, Nina, and Eve (from Not if You Break Up With Me First) all were involved in a scuffle at the dance and have been spending time in In School Suspension and after school detention, she is seeing more of Holden than she sees of them. The scuffle involved Eve and Andrew's break up, and the school is divided on whose side to take.

Sofia and Holden have their own middle school existences, but keep connecting in ways that make them both happy. Sofia adopts a skater girl style wardrobe on her own, and Holden feels oddly left out. He starts to date Tylee, who approaches him, but breaks up with her shortly afterwards. His family situation is not good; his father is remarried, and usually sends his wife to deal with Holden, while his mother is pregnant and has little time for him. Spending time with Sofia and her mother, eating home cooked meals and not having to pretend to be cool is a welcome break. Sofia creates a video to ask Mark to the Winter Clincher dance, and it gains her a lot of attention. He agrees to go with her, but he's also made a deal with Holden that he will be nice to Sofia as long as Holden pays him $10 a week! Mark has also been using Sofia to get help on his homework, and agreed to be lab partners with her in the first place because he knew she would do all of the work. Holden has struggled with Mark being a jerk because he realizes he "like likes" Sofia, who is beginning to realize that Mark isn't the boy she wants to be with.

Things come to a crisis when Mark comes clean, and Sofia and Holden have to reassess not only their relationship, but also their own identities. Sofia prefers being "fierce", but doesn't like all aspects of being cool, since her mother has instilled in her the need to be nice. Holden realizes that his social media following doesn't really translate into real relationships, and that his tough guy, "skeezeball" facade isn't really working. He does have a little help when his stepfather finally sees that he needs support.

There are so many books about middle grade students navigating grief after the death of a loved one, but it is so much more common for them to need help navigating personal relationships and struggles with identity. Middle school is all about finding out who you are and how you want to interact with everyone around you. As someone who was tiny and a "human Care Bear" like Sofia, I can attest that her frustrations are absolutely on point. Should she have spent the entire book obsessing about Mark, who was kind of a jerk? Absolutely not. But did I personally obsess over a bespectacled trumpet player who was in my youth group for... three or four years? Absolutely. Holden's bravado and cool kid persona at school, and even his "skeezeball" ways make perfect sense as a defense mechanism. Have I seen students with more money than they should have because of divorced parents? Unfortunately, yes. I did really appreciate the stepfather finally paying attention.

There is so much to unpack in this book, and so much drama. As an old person who has no patience for drama at all, I would have preferred this to be a little more streamlined, but the target demographic will be thrilled with all of the twists and turns this takes. I could also have done without some of the goofy teacher names, like Mrs. Schmekpepper, as well as her constant literary quotes, but the teachers are otherwise realistically portrayed. There also seemed to be a lot of dances.

I have hope for middle grade literature when I read titles like this. I can see it appealing to lots of students, and is in great company with 2025 releases like DeVillers' Meet Me at Wonderland, Shang's The Best Worst Summer of Esme Sun, and Reardon's Dad Rock Dragon Quest that showcase difficult family, friend, and romantic interest relationships, but give young readers examples of positive ways to navigate the ever changing landscape of adolescence.

Dickinson, Elizabeth Evitts. Claire McCardell: The Designer Who Set Women Free 

June 17, 2025 by Simon & Schuster

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

I don't read a lot of adult books, but when I was invited to read this new title during Women's History Month, I couldn't decline! I'd heard of McCardell, since I read a lot of fashion history, but was surprised at how perfectly her life embodied everything that went on in the early twentieth century! 

Born in 1905, McCardell was a bit younger than my grandmother, which gave me good perspective. She was a very active child, and enthralled by her mother's wardrobe. I loved the depiction of families bringing in a seamstress to help with seasonal sewing. We have almost entirely forgotten as a society that ready to wear clothing wasn't always available. Even in the 1980s, I was making a lot of clothing for both my mother and myself! Also fascinating was the fact that while McCardell's parents were very invested in the idea that she would go to college, she wasn't interested in the local Hood College that her father helped found. She wanted to go to what was to become Parsons School of Design, then in its infancy. From there, she studied in Paris, and then had the most amazing career in the New York grament industry, holding a wide variety of roles at a time when women had to fight very hard to make their way in any field. 

This touched on her private life just enough; we see her romantic relationship factually presented as a factor in her career, which I appreciated. We also see a few friendships, and her family, in the same way, making this a great career biography. I do wish there had been some pictures; maybe in the final version there will be. It would have been nice to see the people in her life, and its essential to see the fashions she created, but of course those are easy enough to look up online. 

There is a mention of home economics, and how it was a back door for women to get into science and many other fields. Of course, McCardell had to study this field. I highly recommend Dreilinger's The Secret History of Home Economics: How Trailblazing Women Harnessed the Power of Home and Changed the Way We Live if you are interested in women's history. 

A young readers version of this (slightly shorter, with a lot of pictures) would be fantastic, as would a similar biography of the amazing Edith Head, who is mentioned briefly. I won't be buying this for my middle school library, but I sort of want a copy for myself, mainly because McCardell's life story showcases the history of the early 1900s. It's just a shame that she died in 1958; how amazing would her designs in the 1960s and 70s have been?