Poetry Friday- Lifeboat 5

Hood, Susan. Lifeboat 5 (Companion to Lifeboat 12, 2018)
October 8, 2024 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Bess Walden, who is fifteen, and her brother Lewis, who is 10, are sent out of East London by their parents during the Blitz. After a brief stay in an orphanage, they are lucky enough to get passage on the SS City of Benares. Bess meet another girl, Beth, who is also a bit heavier and has had trouble making friends, as Bess has. They become close friends, and spend time together on the very fancy ship, although each girl has a couple of younger roommates to help take care of. Bess is concerned because her brother is with boys on the ship, and she can't watch him as closely as she would like, although he seems to be in good hands with Ken, an older boy (whose story is told in Lifeboat 12), and chaperone Michael Rennie. Aside from a bout of seasickness, Bess and Beth are generally doing well until the ship is torpedoed in the middle of the night. Trying to escape with their roommates, they find that the stairs have collapsed, and Bess is frantic to be separated from Louis. The girls manage to get into a lifeboat, but it capsizes. The water is freezing, and all around them people perish, including Michael Rennie, who had managed to save many of the boys in his care. The girls encourage each other to hold on, and are eventually rescued by a British ship. Bess is reunited with her brother after he sees he green bathrobe hanging up. There is some additional information about various aspects of the ship, including the lack of information that remains about the Indian Lascars who were working on the ship and perished. 

The characters in the book are based on real people who were involved in the historical event. Heiligman's 2019 Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" is great nonfiction coverage of the SS City of Benares, and would make a great companion for both of Hood's books. The little boy in the red silk life jacket that his mother had custom made for him so that he would wear it all of the time appears in both the fiction and nonfiction accounts. 

The verse format is what sets this book apart from other novels set during this time period, and Hood employs several different formats, which are described in the back of the book. The alphabet poem written from the sea's perspective is especially effective; there is something haunting about the list of all of the items that are consigned to the deep. 

Readers who want the pairing of World War II and verse format will want to pick up Hood's Lifeboat 12 (which doesn't necessarily need to be read first) or her 2022 Alias Anna: A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis, and would be well advised to seek out Borden's His Name Was Raoul Wallenberg: Courage, Rescue and Mystery During World War II (2012) or LeZotte's T4: A Novel in Verse (2008). 

Ghost Scout's Honor

Blankenship-Kramer, Carey. Ghost Scout's Honor
April 1, 2025 by Scholastic Press
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

In the wake of a bad friend break up with Laura, Evey is determined to earn the school Student of the Year award, but when the widespread ghost problems in Savannah, Georgia worsen, this means that she'll have to join the Ghost Scouts, an organization headed by Laura. Along with Matilda, Fin, and Pip, she is trained and put on a squad that has to take care of threats and occasionally "ghost sit" at houses to make sure the inhabitants are safe. The ghosts, which attack humans and can freeze them with a good-like substance, seem to be getting worse, and when Evey overhears Laura talk about "Ghost X", she becomes obsessed with finding out the secret, even though it puts her and her new friends in danger. Every also struggles with ADHD, anxiety, and anger management, and since her parents are in therapy after almost divorcing, she has frequent sessions with Daisy, her own therapist, which are recounted at length. After training on ghost gloves and flashlights and learning the difference between banshees, wraiths, poltergeists, and mares, Evey and her squad are given tie dye overall uniforms and sent out on missions. After getting a weird response from her school librarian about Ghost X, Evey becomes even more suspicious, and finds that Ghost X has killed several times, and is being kept in an unlikely place. Solving the mystery puts Evey in even more danger. Will she be able to use her Ghost Scout skills to save the day? 
Strengths: In addition to having a number of legitimately scary ghost scenes, this also speaks to many of the social concerns of 2025. Evey is dealing with her parents' marriage problems by being in therapy, where her other problems were diagnosed and are being helped. Her friend group is diverse (Fin is nonbinary, and Pip uses a cane because of Spinal bifida. Matilda is Black.) and accepting of gender identities and pronouns. A main concern is that Evey isn't asking for help, but is trying to do everything on her own. I did enjoy the fact that Laura ended the friendship with Evey as a way to protect her, and that the two were able to discuss this late in the book. There is definitely a well developed ghost situation in Savannah, somewhat reminiscent of Stroud's Lockwood and Co. or Jinks' How to Catch a Bogle, and we do get some history of the infestation. 
Weaknesses: I could have used more details about why the ghosts are portrayed as having rotten skin and dangling eyeballs (this is not usually the case), and about how there aren't more fatalities from ghost freezing, since this has been a problem since 1866, and fewer details about Evey's mental state, but younger readers might feel differently. 
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Averling's The Curse of Eelgrass Bog, Parris' Stage Fright, Savage's Karma Moon: Ghost Hunter, Schusterman's Dead Air, or Strong's Secret Dead Club, 

Kaya Morgan's Crowning Achievement

Tew, Jill. Kaya Morgan's Crowning Achievement

April 1st 2025 by Freedom Fire

E ARC Provided by Netgalley.com

Kaya is very excited to be attending a Renaissance fair two week camp near her home in Georgia. When her father was alive, he would work at the fair as the lead archer, but since his death, Kaya has missed the event. Her fondest dream is to earn the role of Queen, and knows that this would make her father proud, since he always supported her, buying her princess dresses from the time she was young. Her mother is a bit harried, having to work double shifts as a nurse and take care of Kaya and well as her older brother, Kev. Jr., who is starting college in the fall, so doesn't have time to give Kaya the proper regal hairdo. Her friend Tyler Nomura is going as well, and hopes to be a knight. When Tyler and Kaya get to camp, they are a little worried that the only other participants are from a fancy private school, and when blonde Jessie is crowned queen for the first week, it adds insult to injury that Kaya is training to be a jester. It's not that she hates working with Barry, who knew her father, and it is interesting that Kaya's father started out as a jester as well. It's just not Kaya's dream, even though she is quite good in the role. She fights a bit with Jessie and her friend Wren, although Jessie seems nice. For the second week, Kaya does get to intern with the queen, and puts her own spin on things by including a bit of archery with her skit. At the final showcase, the camp director brings in board members, and the children find out that unless the board provides more monetary support, there won't be another camp. The racist behavior of the camp director, who tells Kaya that she's just not "suited" to the role, brings out details about the difficulties her father had being accepted by the others in the fair, and makes Kev, Jr. angry. WHen the director tries to use a video of Kaya to promote diversity at the camp even though there really isn't any, Kaya knows she needs to do something. Kaya works with Tyler, as well as Jessie and the others, to show the world that the Renaissance fair should be more inclusive. 

Strengths: I think Kaya would get along quite well with Allen's Mya Tibbs. Both girls know exactly what they want, and aren't afraid to stand up for themselves in order to get it. In doing so, they sometimes rub other people the wrong way. Jessie and her friends ended up being fairly nice and helpful, but Kaya's reaction to them caused them to include Tyler in some of their plans but not Kaya. The family's interest in "geeky" pursuits, and the prejudice they face because of them, will resonate especially with the Black nerd community who are starting to get some attention in books like Baptiste's Boy 2.0. I especially liked the details about archery, juggling, and Kaya's hair dos. 
Weaknesses: While the director's behavior near the end of the book is certainly inexcusably racist, when Kaya was first chosen as jester, she didn't seem to have any real reason to be upset, other than she wanted the part and didn't get it. When she turned out to be very good at the role, I thought this would take a turn ala 1950s teen romances where dreams are dashed, but better dreams emerge.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Jamieson's All's Faire in Middle School but want to see more knights and princesses of color. I can't think of any other middle grade books that include this cultural phenomenon. While I certainly had lots of friends who were involved in this (which is why I know all about how to care for homemade chain mail), my students haven't picked up All's Faire in Middle School frequently, even though it's a graphic novel. 

The Nightmare Hunter

Smith, Bradley. The Nightmare Hunter #1

April 1, 2025 by Penguin Workshop

E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus

Maxwell is an emo skateboarder who shows up at Gloomy Elms middle school to look for the next person who needs his help in dispelling nightmares. He sees the most likely candidate; Sid, who has been having nightmares and is shown at school with creatures attached to her that are invisible to everyone else. Maxwell dispatches them, and she feels oddly better, but she still thinks he is creepy, and her friends definitely don't believe that he can help. After several nights of worsening nightmares, Sid agrees to have Maxwell come to her house and sit beside her while she falls asleep so that he can enter her nightmare and help her figure out why she is having them. During their adventures, Maxwell tells her that he learned to do this nightmare busting with his younger sister Gwen, who is missing. In addition to helping over fifty others figure out why them are plagued with bad dreams, he hopes to locate his sister. Sid's nightmares are hard to figure out, but the two try to locate the source. At the end, Maxwell realizes that he still has more work cut out for him, since nightmares are increasingly trying to become really, and he still hasn't found his sister. The final panel shows him leaving Gloomy Elms looking for the next person to help, walking down the road ala Bruce Banner in The Hulk or Jonathan Smith in Highway to Heaven. 

Strengths: There are not too many middle grade horror graphic novels, and both the horror genre and the graphic novel format are very popular with my students. Dreams seem to be more vivid for the young, and I can see tweens thinking that of COURSE Maxwell can help Sid figure out her problem. This is a quickly moving story line with lots of action and adventure, with a dash of philosophy to add some meat to the plot. Not that younger readers will get the connection, but some of the nightmare sequences made me think of Jack Davis' vintage Mad Magazine illustrations. The E ARC was all in black and white, but the final version does appear to be in full color. 

Weaknesses: This required a bit of suspension of disbelief that Maxwell was roaming around on his own and could solve people's nightmares. Like Sid, I would have been very leery about inviting him into my home. 
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoy spooky graphic novels like Terry's Graveyard Shakes or Lai's Ghost Book.

MMGM- The Right Call

It's

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
 at 

Always in the Middle 

and #IMWAYR day 

at

Unleashing Readers

Greenwald, Tommy. The Right Call
April 15, 2025 by Amulet Books

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

In this companion to Dinged (2022), Rivals (2021) and Game Changer (2018) set in the same Walthorne community, Cal Klondike is a fifteen years old pitcher who has recently been making the news with his skills. His father, who has always been supportive, has become a little too intense, and Cal is feeling a lot of pressure. The book starts with information from a police scanner that a man has been attacked; we then flash back five months. Through local news articles, transcripts of Cal's meetings with a school counselor, Mr. Rashad, interviews, texts between Cal and his friend Luis, and poems that Cal writes, we see how the growing interest in his baseball career is making Cal dislike the sport more and more. He is glad to be doing well, and helping out his team, and enjoys perfecting his "slurve" (slow curve) ball with Luis, who is the team's catcher, but doesn't care for dealing with scouts or his father's increasingly volatile behavior towards Mr. Tedesco, the coach, or the umpires. After his father loses his temper with Cal for going to the batting cages at the fair with his friends, Cal has even less patience. Still, when he is pitching a crucial game, he ignores his body's hints and continues to pitch hard, partially tearing a muscle in his shoulder. He's out of the game two months, and has to spend time doing physical therapy. He's back in time for the fall season, but his father is increasingly worried about Cal's scholarship opportunities. During a game where Mr. Klondike thinks the umpire is unfair, he gets thrown out of the game for repeatedly arguing with the very level headed older umpire. It doesn't help that Mr. Tedesco has been ribbing the ump about his poor eyesight and age. After the game, there is an altercation in the parking lot, and Cal and his mother arrive just after Mr. Klondike has pushed the umpire, Mr. Goshen, who falls, hits his head, and is badly injured. The police get involved, Mr. Goshen is hospitalized, and has a long recovery. Cal quits playing as his father's legal case proceeds, but eventually connects with Mr. Goshen, who is a Vietnam vet who served during the Fall of Saigon, and makes peace with his father and baseball in general. 

While I find it harder to follow a story in a variety of formats (especially texts),  my students love this shorter, more varied form, and Mr. Greenwald has really perfected it. There is a lot of suspense and tension in the way the story is told, and it's a relief when Cal is able to see another perspective on his sport through Mr. Goshen's eyes. I was surprised at how much Luis' humor and support for his friend came through his texts! 

There's plenty of baseball descriptions for players and fans, and Greenwald's support of umpires and his concern for the growing number of altercations that they are dragged in to is fantastic to see. Carl Deuker (Night Hoops, Swagger, Golden Arm, Shadowed) has always been my go to for sports stories that include serious issues, but Greenwald is now right up there on my list of sports novels that are great choices for middle school and high school readers who have moved beyond the simple problems of Fred Bowen and Matt Christopher books and are willing to give serious thought to more complex ones. 

Myer's Monster is a book that is frequently used as a class novel; teachers love the social justice themes as well as the format that engages deeper levels of thinking. I'd love to see Greenwald's Walthorne books used in a similar way; they would certainly be a hit with the athletes in the classes. 

Once for Yes

Millington, Allie. Once For Yes
March 25, 2025 by Feiwel & Friends

E ARC provided by Netgalley 

The Odenburgh is an apartment building at the edge of an urban area that has "Downtown Disease" and is the only older building left on the block. Since the original builder is portrayed as still owning the building, I would guess that the no nonsense, flat-roofed, red brick structure is from the late 1960s. All around are larger, more expensive apartment buildings devoid of style and soul, and the building is concerned about its future. It's put up with having residents, but doesn't really enjoy them, since they are loud and always have problems. One of these residents, Prue, has her share, and uses a defunct landline to perform her bathtub podcast and to talk to herself. She used to do the podcasts with her older sisters, Fifi and Lina, but Lina has passed away in an accident, and Fifi is not longer interested. When the news arrive that the building is going to be torn down, Prue is devastated, since it was where she has lived her whole life, and where she feels connected to Lina. Fifi is glad to move, and the parents, who don't discuss Lina, are practical and locate a new home. There is some mystery surrounding what happened to Lina, and when Prue meets Lewis, a boy who lives across the street, some of the questions are answered. We hear frequently from the building itself, and when Prue decides to mount a campaign to try to save it, the Odenburgh attempts to help by playing tricks with the lighting. Prue's best resource is Niko, who is taking pictures of both the demolition and rebuilding, and the residents do band together to paint the building and to record what the building meant to them. It is to no avail; the Odenburgh comes down, but the stone with the name on it survives, and is included in a park where the memorial bench to Lina is also placed.

Strengths: Millington does a great job at creating a sense of close knit if dysfunctional family, and her portrayals of urban neighborhoods are exceptionally rich. The use of a landline that is still connected but largely inoperable was interesting. This follows the current zeitgeist about land use in cities; I've even seen 1960s era houses in neighborhoods in Cincinnati being torn down so that larger, newer ones can be built. Prue's relationship with Fifi is realistic, since siblings often grow apart when age differences become apparent. I appreciated that this didn't end with the building being saved, which would have been somewhat unlikely given its condition and the problem with rodents.
Weaknesses: If inanimate objects speak, wouldn't it be more interesting if they were under happier and more adventurous circumstances? Like this author's Olivetti, there is a wealth of family trauma in this book, and my students just don't ask for this sort of book.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who are interested in the topic of gentrification and who enjoyed Dilloway's Five Thing About Ava Andrews, Nelson's The Umbrella House, Giles' Take Back the Block, Watson's This Side of Home, or Broaddus' Unfadeable.

Saturday Morning Cartoons- Lola and Grace

Most of the time, I can read books from the perspective of tweens, and I certainly am not a snob about writing styles or content. My own preference as a tween was realistic fiction with a bit of romance, but, man, I did not personally like these two books! Maybe I was just tired (read them first thing on spring break) and crabby, because even though the girls were approaching romance and friendship in a fairly modern way, a lot of their actions just seemed... off. I was also unreasonably annoyed by the hair in the faces of so many characters, the lying to the parents, and the kissing in public. And the bare midriffs. So, yeah, we can chalk my reaction up to me being old. 

As the pharmacist who gave me my first pneumonia vaccine said, I'm "old, but not OLD old."

BéKa and Maya (Illustrator). The Love Report #2
February 13, 2024 by Hippo Park
Copy provided by the publisher

Lola and Grace are back after their adventures in The Love Report, and Grace is trying to figure out how to go back and forth between her divorced parents and stay organized. Their friend Darius rents the building where the kids had been working on their art, and Adele in particular is glad to have a space to paint murals. Sean is saying mean things to Felicity, and thinks that he can blackmail her into going out with him by telling her that all of the negative things being said about her will stop if she does. This is not an effective strategy, and just makes Felicity even more angry. Grace is interested in her new neighbor, Abe, who also plays guitar. When Adele is offered a chance to go to Sardinia to paint, she wants to take her friends with her. At first, they try to lie to their parents about who will be chaperoning, but once they are honest, they are allowed to go. In Sardinia, the local boys  bother the girls, and Lola does not feel confident about her body, since she is skinny and not as developed as her friends. Charlie has decided to stay home, and her self involved parents leave her locked out of the house. She calls Lola and Grace, and they arrange for her to get help from Abe. The two both like anime, and develop a romance. Back in Sardinia, the girls gain some self confidence and are able to stand up to the local boys, and have a good trip. 

This is a French import, and while there is a lot of good information about body positivity, relationships, and sexual harassment, a lot of it seems slightly odd, due to cultural differences. My students don't seem to mind; they ADORE this series, as well as Tessier's Chloe books, which come across the same way. 

The Love Report books are more like manga than graphic novels, and are bound to be very popular with readers of Chmakova's Berrybrook Middle School or Hale's Best Friends. The artwork is particularly gorgeous. 

BéKa and Maya (Illustrator). The Love Report #3

April 15, 2025 by Hippo Park

Copy provided by the publisher

Abe is worried that he is "ugly, but nice" because of his acne, even though he fights with his mother when she suggests taking him to a dermatologist. He is enjoying hanging out with Charlie, but things get complicated when Grace asks Charlie to find out who Abe's girlfriend is. Instead of simply replying that the two of them are, in fact, dating, Charlie agrees to find out the information. New student Gabriel is very anxious, and often talking to a figment of his imagination which makes him an easy target for the ever evil Sean. Sean also has a revealing selfie of a girl in their class, and is using it to get information about classmates. He also starts an "ugliest couple" contest. When Adele and Felicity kiss in public, this sends ripples through the school, and Collette approaches the two and says she would rather hang out with them than her usual popular crowd, since they are so "trendy". When Adele gets her period for the first time and has horrible cramps, the male gym teacher makes a joke about it, but Felicity stands up to him, and the two go to the school nurse, who is more sympathetic. When Sean posts the winner of the "ugliest couple" contest, Grace finds out that Abe is seeing Charlie. Lola is interested in Gabriel, but the two are both shy and awkward. When Lola and Grace find out that Sean has pictures of Collette, they manage to get his phone and delete them so she no longer has to do his dirty work and spy on others... but she sends him another one with a text that she is still willing to do his bidding. 

Tweens love drama, and this has both friend and romantic relationship drama. Like earlier books in the series, it addresses many social situations like public kisses, period positivity, and a cautionary tale about revealing selfies, but in a French way that is just slightly different from how those issues would be addressed in the US. The manga style artwork is very pretty. Readers who like the graphic novel drama  of Raina Telgemaier but aren't quite ready for books like Oseman's Heartstopper will swoon over these titles. 

The Peach Thief

Smith, Linda Joan. The Peach Thief
March 4, 2025 by Candlewick Press

E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus

In 1850, Scilla Brown is living in the workhouse because her parents have died. She sneaks into the earl's gardens at Bolton Hall because she is starving and hopes to find a peach, but she is caught and thrown into a shed by Mr. McQuaig. He tells her the damage that has been done to the plants by her unsuccessful escape, and she offers to do work to make up for it. Since McQuaig thinks she is a boy, she gives him the name of Seth and gets hired to wash plan pots. She is fed more than she would be at the workhouse, and the bed is softer and warmer, so even though Deacon and Phin, two other boys who work there, are mean to her, she decides to stay. She seems to have won the favor of her coworkers, and when she gets a look into the garden, she is enthralled and determined to stay, even though the rules for workers are fairly harsh, like being fined five pence for being late. Under the watchful eye of Mr. Layton, the gardener, she learns to repot plants and to water them, and is allowed to stay in exchange for just room and board. She learns a lot about plants, although things don't always go well, especially when a winter storm damages a lot of the property. She has a crush on Phin, who of course is more interested in scullery maids, including a friend of hers from the Workhouse, Emily. When Prince Albert is expected to visit the hall, there are many plans to be made, and Scilla has to find a way to live the life she wants while navigating it as a boy... which is an increasingly difficult thing to pull off. 

Strengths: This was reminiscent of reading a long-lost work of France Hodgson Burnett, like a companion to The Secret Garden. The research on the clothing, farming practices, and language of the time is well done. There is one character, Mrs. Nandi, who is from India. Since opportunities for young girls were limited at this period in history, it is not surprising that Scilla took advantage of a rare opportunity to pretend to be a boy. Scilla has an interest in STEM topics long before science topics were thought of in those terms, and the information about plants and horticulture will interest young gardeners. 
Weaknesses:While I applaud the use of language from the 1850s, young readers might struggle with terms like ninnyhammer, hopshackled, Lorjus, gawby, meddling fussock, and tatter-clout. 
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who are extremely fond of historical fiction and enjoyed titles where children are struggling in the past, like Parry's Last of the Name or Hilmo's Cinnamon Moon.
 

The Liar's Society

Gerber, Alyson. A Risky Game (The Liar's Society #2)

April 1, 2025 by Scholastic Press

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

After finding out a number of secrets about her lineage, Weather by is determined to get into the exclusive Last Heir Society, along with her cousin Jack. The two are determined to work together even though their parents aren't pleased that they are friends. Jack's father is rather evil, and Weatherby's mother doesn't seem too eager to put her daughter in contact with his brother, who  is her father. Weather by and Jack have a good group of friends (the Liar's Society) that includes Iris, Prescott, and Harper, whose father was sickened by the chemicals in the last book. The school puts together another trip to Hart Isle, which has presumably been cleaned up, but it still ends badly, with Jack being poisoned by something put into Weatherby's water bottle. She's gotten a number of threatening notes telling her not to try to get into the Last Heir Society, but she wants to be a part of this group so badly that she ignores the danger. There are a large  number of clues that propel Weatherby and her friends to different clues, and they find out information about Grier Bishop, who was killed by poison. DId Weather by and Jack's fathers have anything to do with this? When Weatherby's father shows up, even though her mother has tried to make sure she doesn't meet him, she has a chance to ask. There are still a lot of questions, and Weather by is preparing to go to Switzerland on an exchange program where she can also use a key she has found to open a safe deposit box there. Will she get her wish to join the Last Heir Society, and can even that keep her safe? 
Strengths: There is something appealing about the rarified atmosphere of a private institution like the Boston School, especially in places like the suburban midwest, where this seems as far fetched as British Manor houses. Weatherby and Jack are now working together, and it's interesting to see them navigating family issues together from their disparate perspectives. The anagrams and puzzles are very clever, and lead to all sorts of interesting secrets and hidden places. Weatherby's mother's reactions to their change of fortune seem very realistic, and it was good that Weatherby got to meet her father. Hart Isle sounds fantastic; I'd love to take a vacation there and stay at Wigglesworth House even if I have to zip line there. Readers who want thought provoking action and adventure and secretly want to attend a prestigious private school will want the third book in the series immediately, even though I haven't yet seen a title. 
Weaknesses: I had some trouble getting into this one, but then I really don't like clues and puzzles. I needed more information on why Weatherby was so intent on getting into the Last Heir Society. It didn't seem important enough for someone to want to kill her. Everyone else seems to really like this one, so I must not have been in the mood for this one. 
What I Really Think:This is a good choice for readers who liked the first book, or who like clues and puzzles similar to those in Grabenstein's Mr. Lemoncello's Library or Durst's Spy Ring,  Currie's The Mystery of the Locked Rooms. 

Fires Burning Underground

McCabe, Nancy. Fires Burning Underground.
April 8, 2025 by Fitzroy Books
E ARC provided by the publisher

Anny starts middle school after years of being homeschooled. The transition goes fairly smoothly; she has a best friend, Ella, and makes new acquaintances in Tracy and Larissa. There are some bumps, like figuring out what to wear and how to navigate lockers and class changes. Anny is dealing with the death of a boy who went to her church, Robert, in a house fire. She didn't know him well, but suspected he might have had a crush on her. This is an odd thought, because she thinks that she might be gay. Since her family is very religious and her mother in particular has repeatedly opined that homosexuality is a sin and a choice that people make, Anny is very uncomfortable and doesn't know quite what to do with her feelings. She only knows at this point that she has no interest in discussing crushes on boys, and her friends are starting to notice. She and Larissa enjoy hanging out, and are obsessed with the Ouija board, which Anny's mother says could lead to demon possession, as well as ESP. They run experiments in school, trying to guess what the other is thinking, and are enthralled when a mind reader speaks at their school. They sometimes think about contacting Robert. While Anny and Larissa get along fairly well, they do have some miscommunication; when Anny becomes obsessed with replicating the pillow that she makes for Family and Consumer Science, with the idea of selling some of the 15 she creates at a craft fair, Larissa unkindly dismisses them, leading Anny to think that Larissa might like to control her a little too much. The two also plan a treasure hunt for Ella's birthday, which is an interesting idea that doesn't work out too well. Anny also isn't terribly supportive when Larissa has a crush on their art teacher. Robert's death hangs over Anny's thoughts for quite some time, which ends up being a good thing when Ella's house also catches fire, and Anny is able to stop her from going back into the house to get her dog. Anny's transition to public school, and her questioning of her sexual identity, sometimes causes difficulties, but she manages to navigate her new experiences fairly well.
Strengths: It is always interesting to see books that portray the transition from homeschooling to public school, and there aren't many of them. I appreciated that Anny had a close relationship with her parents, but didn't necessarily agree with their opinions. The friendships were realistically portrayed, as were the various tween obsessions. While there aren't a lot of fatal fires, there are a few; we lost a high schooler in my community several years ago, so it was interesting to see the effect on the community portrayed, and the fire safety tips were appreciated. Anny's questions about her own sexual identity will resonate with young readers who are trying to figure out their own.
Weaknesses: While there is no specification about when this book is set, it seems to be set in the early 2000s, maybe around 2005. There are a lot of cultural references like television shows and book series that would make most sense at that time, since there are also references to Facebook, Etsy, and texting. The obsession with ESP seemed like something more suited to the 1970s. However, there are discussions of terms relating to sexual identity (pan, ace, demisexual) that I don't know were in use twenty years ago, so I was a bit confused. Perhaps I missed something.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Butler's Rabbit, Rabbit or Hitchcock's One True Way for the exploration of sexual identity, or Springstubb's How to Tell a True Story for discussions about the aftermath of a house fire.

Unboxing Libby

Cherrywell, Steph. Unboxing Libby
April 1, 2025 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

It's about 2285, and a colony is being established on Mars. In order to test out some of the facilities that are being built, robots have been brought it to simulate a population. These are remaindered companions robots produced by Minerva Corps, and modeled on characters from two programs, AI Cademy and Sky Surfers. Because of this, they come in a set number of models, which can be slightly customized as far as skin tones. The parents of the teen robots are nostalgic based older models of the same characters. We meet Libby (a happy, friendly teen) who has just been turned on and placed with Nora (an artist and sometimes moody character). Libby goes to school and meets other models like herself, as well as Wendy, Roxanne, and other models. There are so many Libbys that they go by nicknames; Libby uses "Max". She notices early on that she is different from the other Libbys, and when she discovers that she can cross boundaries that the other robots can't, she consults with Dr. Bhanjee, an engineer who runs diagnostics on her. Max 's programming is very different, and Dr. Bhanjee needs to find resources to properly diagnose her. In the meantime, Libby befriends Roxanne even though her script says the two aren't friendly, and even modifies her hair and clothing to be closer to the rather mean, trouble making character. Libby finds out that when robots have problems, they are sold or upcycled, but she still presses on with trying to find out who she really is. Her school friends have some problems, and Roxanne is ready to dismantle human society. "Glitter" Libby plans a Halloween party and reveals some things she has uncovered about how the robots interact. There is a scuffle, and the director comes and scans the robots for defects, marking many of the kids with red dots, intending to recyle them. Libby has had her off switch disabled, so is able to lead a revolt. Will the robots be able to evolve to be their authentic selves, and will the planetary government allow them to live in peace?

Strengths: There is a long history of books about robots or living in space, and this Unboxing Libby has an interesting premise. What if Mars were to be inhabited, and what if robots (even junky ones) could override their programming and become independent? Spin this topic with some nostalgia for Bratz or Monster High Dolls with a little bit of American Girl thrown in, and this has some promise. Of course Max is "not like the other Libbys", and is searching for her own identity. The evil Roxanne (who knew that calling everyone "Cupcake" could be so aggressive!) is an interesting foil to the scripted politeness that most of the characters follow. The tech savvy, intellectual Wendies come on strong as well, banding together to make change. There are good details about the housing and societies being planned, and a sneak peek at the administration and people behind the scenes, like Dr. Bhanjee and her family. 
Weaknesses: This had some confusing moments, and I don't think my students will get all of the philosophy and allegory that permeates the pages. 
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who liked introspective works like Malinenko's This Appearing House or DeStephano's The Ghost in the Machine, and readers who like friend drama will also enjoy it. With such a peppy cover, I was hoping for something a bit more fun, like Danziger's This Place Has No Atmosphere, a bit more adventurous, like Kraatz's The Moon Platoon or Levy's Seventh Grade vs. the Galaxy, or even a bit more instructive, Holm's The Lion of Mars (which does a great job of discussing interpersonal relationships and international conflicts.)

MMGM- The Beat I Drum

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Unleashing Readers

Bowling, Dusti. The Beat I Drum
Published April 1st 2025 by Union Square Kids
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Connor Bradley, Aven Greene's friend from Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus has had to move from Scottsdale, Arizona to Chandler, to be near his father. His mother has a better job, and their apartment is cheaper, but Connor misses Aven and his friends, and isn't thrilled about starting a new high school where people aren't aware of his Tourette's Syndrome. His mother talked to the school, so his teachers tell his classmates about his situation, and he does meet Amanda, who also has Tourette's. She has more muscle tics than vocal ones, but invites Connor to have lunch with her and her friends. Since Connor's tics also include spitting, the two eat outside, but it's too hot, and she assures him that her friends will understand. There are some jerks at the school, and Liam constantly gives him a hard time on the bus, but Rory, Amanda's friend, comes to his rescue. She has a birthmark that covers half her face, so knows all too well how unpleasant Liam can be. She and Amanda are involved with music, as is their friend Keanu. Amanda's parents own the Organ Pipe Pizza Parlor, and Connor is enthralled with the place, and is very happy to have new friends. He takes a lot of comfort from this, as well as taking drumming lessons from Ms. Chen at the school. He needs it, because he has a fraught relationship with his father. He feels that his parents divorced because his father couldn't deal with his Tourette's, and he and his father seem to fight even when his father is trying to help. Rory and Connor like each other, and share tentative kisses, and he agrees to go with her to a Pink Daylight concert, because she thinks that her real father is the lead singer, Ted Caddell. After a scuffle with Liam at school, where Connor gets suspended for punching the other boy in the face, Connor has a hard time dealing with his new friends, and makes everyone angry. He even breaks a drumstick while working with Ms. Chen. He reconnects with Aven, realizing that he's been neglecting her and that she's been in a funk. This gives him a little perspective, and his father also helps to shed some light on their relationship, and makes an effort to improve it. Connor is able to apologize to his new friends, and even though the concert doesn't go well for Rory, begins to feel at home in his new town. 

Strengths: I loved that Connor was starting his freshman year in high school. Young readers want to read about older characters, so this is perfect. It also makes sense, since we've seen him in middle school in previous books. It was good to see that while there were jerks like Liam, there were also supportive people like Amanda and Ms. Chen. The principal was realistically understanding when Connor punched Liam; there would still have to be a punishment, even if Liam was a bully. Dealing with divorce, and trying to navigate a new relationship with parents is something that many young readers experience, and Connor's difficulties seem well portrayed. It was interesting to see how Connor used drumming to work through his anger, and how even listening to music was therapeutic for him. The relationship  between Connor and Rory was my absolute favorite part of the book; we need more sweet romances like this! 
Weaknesses: The storyline with Rory thinking that her father was a rock star was a bit far fetched, and took attention away from other issues that have used more exploring. While I personally don't think that the father should have to share his past with Connor, he does have to get along with his son, and modern philosophy involves this kind of sharing. I think it is not necessary for children to know things their parents don't wish to share, but I am in the minority. 
What I really think: Readers who have followed Aven's story will be glad to pick up this related volume, and fans of Grosso's I Am Drums will appreciate the percussion representation.There are not as many books about kids in musical programs as there should be; fans of Larsen's Playing Through the Turnaround  and Landis' Operation Final Notice will also like this upper middle grade title.

The Barking Puppy

Lobenstine, Lori and Na. Il Sung (illus.) The Barking Puppy
April 1, 2025 by Levine Querido

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Sophie Canon moves with her mom and Jack Russell terriers, Eleanor Rigby and Ollie Baba, from rural Vermont to Boston. While she misses her friends, there are some good things about the move; they are now near her mother's best friend and her godmother, Lori, and her school is very close. She's not the only Brown kid around, and people aren't too surprised that her mother is white. She makes a friend in high schooler Juno, and the two bond over a love of dogs and a dislike of a neighbor, Lynda, a millennial who is annoyed by the dogs barking. The two help neighbor Rudey with her dog Summit when they can. Juno's own dog, Bonney, is a pug who is having breathing issues. At school, Sophie's fifth grade teacher is having the students work on a newspaper of their own, and Sophie and Juno talk about how much easier it would be to interview dogs rather than people. When Bonney needs expensive surgery, Sophie plans to sell 1,000 copies of the newspaper she and Juno have created, the Barking Puppy, for $3 each. They get help from the principal at school, Lori, who is an editor at the Boston Globe, and even the vet. Luckily, the newspaper proceeds are enough to get Bonney the help she needs, and Sophie is off to her next adventure in the upcoming sequel Dog Circus Block Party. 

Strengths: I'm always a fan of Kids Doing Things, and it was also nice to see Sophie not being upset about the move or finding it hard to make the change. The Jamaica Plain neighborhood is a vibrant one, and the cast of characters is nicely diverse. Sophie is a kindhearted girl who wants to make the world around her a better place, but still has a few problems settling in to her new environment. She feels a little bit like a modern day version of Lowery's Anastasia Krupnik. 
Weaknesses: After reading several books about elementary classes creating newspapers, I need to talk to my friends who teach in fourth or fifth grade and see if this is something that is still done. My students are not at all familiar with the newspaper, so I have my doubts. Since this is set in Boston, I think there are some regional differences. This is based on the author's goddaughter's experiences, but there are some things that wouldn't work where I live. (No one can sell anything at my school, for example.)
What I really think: Readers who like books about dogs like Varner's Dog Trouble or Fairbairn and Assarasakorn's Paws series will enjoy how involved Sophie is with various canine endeavors, and the setting reminded me a bit of Janowitz's All the Ways To Go. 
 

Saturday Morning Cartoons- The Bad Guys in One Last Thing

Blabey, Aaron. The Bad Guys in One Last Thing (#20)

November 12, 2024 by Scholastic Paperbacks
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

After defeating the centipede in The Serpent and the Beast, and traveling to the past, Mr. Wolf is brought by The One (aka Rhonda, who has materialized as a Tasmanian Devil with a mullet and futuristic space suit) to the moment in time when he and Snake are celebrating in a diner after robbing twenty one banks in twenty one days. Mr. Wolf has time traveled and is seeing himself in the multiverse. What made him decide to be good that day, and why did he gather the other Bad Guys? Then, The One thinks it is important for Mr. Wolf to see the future, and the two travel about, visiting other characters. They crash Mr. Wolf's funeral (which everyone had said was too soon), and see not only the B-Team Bad Guys (including The Tiffinator, Penguin, and a snake with butt hands?) but also Agent Kitty Kat and Agent Hogwild, who are retiring from saving the universe to go back to their medical and engineering careers, respectively. Mr. Wolf hikes up the mountain to visit Ellen, who is breathing and teaching yoga. He also chats with Cedric Snake, who is living a contemplative life since he feels bad about his role in all of the evil, even though he wasn't in control of himself. The three part sweetly and vow to stay in touch. The One has an existential question for Mr. Wolf; when did he decide to become good? It's finally determined that it is only because the future Mr. Wolf, resplendent in the sacred mullet and space suit, visited the bank robbing Mr. Wolf and convinced him to change his ways. Future Mr. Wolf returns to the diner just as Cedric is leaving, and talks to his former self, who massively freaks out. Finally believing that his counterpart is from the future, and that the world will end unless Mr. Wolf becomes good and has a role in saving the universe, the path is clear. Future Mr. Wolf causes his past self to forget everything except the imperative to become good. His mission accomplished, Mr. Wolf apprentices himself to The One, and helps her to take care of the multiverse. At the very end, the character with the butt hands says that his story deserves to have more told about it, but we are assured that this will not happen because this is THE END. 

I have to admit to using the Bad Guys Wiki to try to get up to speed on character names; while Blabey is a master of onomatopoeic words (Wokkita! Wokkita! Vrroww!), this leaves less room for throwing in character names, which would have been helpful. Readers who have practically memorized the series won't have problems identifying characters, and will enjoy this excursion down memory lane. 

The first Bad Guys book came out in 2017, and at the time, I was too busy laughing at the facial expressions on the cat stuck up in a tree who was looking down at the Bad Guys in horror to think too much about why Mr. Wolf decided to give up his life of crime. It's a good use of the multiverse to have Mr. Wolf go back and visit himself. Of course The One (aka Rhonda) knows that he needs to do this; she's in charge of the multiverse, after all. It's good to revisit that defining moment and view it in a new way. Language arts teachers everywhere will appreciate the frenetic start to the book that defines and discusses flashbacks as a narrative element, even though it's time travel, rather than a flashback, so no blurred edges are really needed. 

"What a long strange trip it's been," to quote Jerry Garcia. I'm not entirely sure what happened in these twenty books, and I have yet to have a protracted conversation with some of the fans of the series, but I'm sure that they would be able to tell me chapter and verse about the escapades of the Bad Guys. Since I feel a sense of peace and closure knowing that Ellen is on her mountain teaching yoga, and Agent Kitty Kat is working in the medical field, I'm sure that avid fans will also enjoy touching base with their favorite characters and knowing that all is right in the multiverse, since Rhonda and Mr. Wolf are policing it in their futuristic, winged Spandex jumpsuits. The Bad Guys are finished. Long live the Bad Guys. 

Guy Friday- Rhino's Run

Lipsyte, Robert. Rhino's Run
January 28, 2025 by HarperCollins
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Right before the presidential election of 2016, Ronald Rheinhart lives in a small town with his father, a security guard, his mother, a real estate agent, and his younger sister Livy. His older sister, Alison, who is very supportive, is away at college. Ronald, aka “Rhino” is a big kid who has always played football, and is hoping to get onto a college scholarship to play. When there is a school assembly, and his teammate and rival Josh stages an anti gun protest, the two tangle as Ronald tries to stop it. Josh head butts him, and Ronald retaliates with an automatic punch to the face. Josh’s father, a school board member running for city council, wants retribution, and the school just wants things to be quiet, so the two boys are remanded to Ms. Lamusciano, the school psychologist who runs an “in lieu of detention” Group. Also in the group are the very angry Keith, who has been bullied by football players and retaliated with inappropriate drawings, Joy, a trans Black gymnast, Marco, and Tyla. Ronald doesn’t share much, but does get drawn into the group’s drama a bit, even though his father tells him to keep his head down. Josh tries to take over the group and persuade them to join in his anti gun protests, but when a tragedy occurs, everyone is thrown off kilter. Ronald is being given a hard time by teammate Cogan, and struggles with a concussion. He even drives off to visit his sister, only to find out that she’s dropped out of college. When the previous tragedy has further ramifications, Ronald is really affected. Will he be able to navigate the difficult times with the questionable support of his family and friends?
Strengths: I don’t want to spoil things, but if you are looking for a book with nonfatal school shootings that also has football, this is the book for you. I loved Ronald, and thought he was a very interesting personality, successfully dealing with his right wing father, who rails against “woke” culture and also Josh, who was very “woke”. He’s right in the middle, but wisely keeping all of his opinions to himself. He is unphased by most things, including being targeted by the idiotic Cogan. He’s a smart kid, willing to keep an open mind, and just really wants to get out of his small town and move on to anything else. Mr. Lipsyte has written a number of other sports related books, including The Contender (1967) Center Field (2010), and Yellow Flag (2007). He’s 86 now, and still shows no signs of throwing in the towel!
Weaknesses: There were several circumstances that are questionable, and make this best suited for high school readers. Ronald’s history teacher, Mr. Biedermann, calls him on the phone to talk about assignments. Near the end of the book, Ronald drives Ms. Lamusciano home and goes into her condo for a cup of tea. I can’t believe that teachers in 2016 would do either of those things. Also, Ronald gets two serious concussions, yet continues to play football without observing concussion protocols. At one point, he washes a Percocet down with beer.
What I really think: This is a good choice for high school readers who enjoyed Herbach’s Cracking the Bell or Crutcher’s Angry Management.

It's All or Nothing

Arango, Andrea Beatriz. It's All Or Nothing
February 11, 2025 by Random House Books for Young Readers

E ARC Provided by Netgalley

In this novel in verse, Valentina Camacho was in a motorbike accident four months ago, and had to have extensive surgery to repair her ankle. She has good days and bad, and is very frustrated that not even Dr. Claudia can tell her when she will be 100% again. She has physical therapy, and is finally allowed to return to fencing practice. Before the accident, fencing was Vale's life; being so involved in it is what caused her to fall out with former best friend and fellow fencer Stephanie. Vale's mother, who is now obsessed with finding things to help Vale's leg feels better, used to have an "all or nothing" attitude, and constantly told Vale that she could be a great Puerto Rican fencer if she just worked hard enough. Returning to practice is difficult. She's not greeted overly warmly, and her leg doesn't feel great. Not only that, but there is a new girl, Myrka Marero, who is said to be almost as good a fencer as Vale was. Even though Myrka is friendly, Vale feels that she is not at fencing to support her teammates or make friends, although she does agree to go with the group for ice cream whne Myrka asks, but mainly because Samantha is snarky and says that Vale won't go. At home, Vale does have a supportive older brother, but he is also frustrating because he is good at many things, while Vale only has fencing. He helps in many ways, like running baths for her to soak her leg, or giving her coloring books to distract her. Her father tries to help by teaching her to salsa dance, and accompanies her on runs when she is allowed to go back. She also has a new friend at school, Amanda, who supports her and confides in her about her cruch on Mohamed. Even though she has all of these good things in her life, Vale obsessed about her ankle and fencing. Frustrated by a lack of rubric for her recuperation, she even asks her doctor is she is disabled, but her doctor won't tell her one way or the other. Vale thinks that the coach is babying her, and after she has a good day and a successful match against Myrka, she overhears teammates saying that Myrka let her win, and fights with her friend. This is especially devastating, because she and Myrka have become friends, and Vale has a crush on Myrka that is reciprocated. Eventually, Vale admits that she is not finding joy in fencing, and that she needs help dealing with her grief over here injury. She steps away from competition, although she does enjoy helping with the children's mini Musketeers group, finds a mental health therapist, and manages to reclaim her relationship with Myrka. 

Strengths: I am writing this seven weeks after ankle surgery, so I definitely feel Vale's pain. I didn't even break anything (had a tendon repaired), and am well aware that I will not run until August of 2025. But I have other interests, and I'm old. Vale wants to get back to fencing in the most desperate way, and every ache and pain that gets in her way is maddening. This is certainly well expressed in all that she feels and does. Her obsession with fencing even impacts her friendships, and this is also something that I have seen as a coach; when your friend beats you, it is HARD. Vale feels shame for losing, and even for being in pain, and finds it hard to even accept help from her friends and family. Middle grade literature could use a lot more books concerning recuperating from sports injuries, and it was fun to add another book about fencing to my sports collection, along with the Bagleys' Duel or Rhodes' Black Brother, Black Brother. 
Weaknesses: I wish that this had addressed the core problem more; the fact that Vale's mother put away to much pressure on her, and that middle school kids shouldn't pin all of their hopes on athletics. I see too many children who can see no further than professional sports as a career path, and it's sad to see them spend so much time on one interest, especially when (as happens too often) this causes injuries. It was just painful to read Vale's thoughts about how being good at fencing was the only thing that gave her life meaning. 
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed this author's Something Like Home or Iveliz Explains it All, or who want books about recuperating from sports injuries, like Preller's Shaken or Day's The Sea in Winter. 

Somebody's Someone and The Summer of the Bone Horses

High, Linda Oatman. Somebody's Someone
Expected publication March 4, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Ruby's been through this before; her mother, Ruthie Bean, has struggled with mental health issues and addiction for years, and has gone missing again. Ruby lives with her Aunt Marion, a librarian, in a small town in Georgia near her grandparents. After getting a call from Ruthie, Marion decides to wait a week until the end of Ruby's school year and take off to Philadelphia, where her missing sister has gone to visit Ruby's dad, Jimmy. Unfortunately, when they finally get to Pennsylvania, Ruthie has moved on, but Jimmy thinks she's gone to New York City. Marion has a process, and soon the two are looking on the streets and at homeless shelters of the Big Apple. They befriend Daisy and Benny (along with his dog, Nixon) who are unhoused and have talked to Ruthie. When evidence points to her having gone to Washington, D.C., all four head there. Staying at an inexpensive hotel, they follow all the leads they can. The biggest one is that Ruthie has been involved in a robbery of a family jewelry store along with Mason, her boyfriend from Georgia and Jimmy. Even though thousands and thousands of dollars as well as merchandise has been stolen, the owner, Julia, not only talks to the group, but offers to let them stay in her posh house while they hunt for Ruthie. When her mother shows up, Ruby wants to call the police, but is hesitant. When Jimmy and Mason also show up, she dials 911, and soon the police have apprehended the trio. Daisy decides to stay in D.C. and Benny gets a bus back to New York. Knowing that her mother will be spending time in jail isn't great for Ruby, but she is glad to know that she is safe. She and Marion return to Georgia along with Nixon the dog, who starts a career as a therapy dog. Ruby has a new appreciation for her aunt's phrase that everyone is valuable because they are "somebody's someone", especially after learning more about her aunt's own troubled past.
Strengths: There are an ever increasing number of students struggling with a parent or loved one who is dealing with mental health and/or addiction issues, so Ruby's story will resonate with many readers. I appreciated that she did have the support of her aunt, as well as grandparents who were available, if worn down by life. The look at life on the streets is age appropriate, and kids who don't have any experience with being unhoused will learn some things and hopefully gain some empathy. Traveling from Georgia to Philadelphia to New York to D.C. is quite an adventure. The ending is sad but realistic, and I was glad that Ruby was able to have some joy in her life with her aunt and working with Nixon to help others. The illustrations were very nice; I'd love to see more of these in middle grade literature.
Weaknesses: There were several things that made this seem like a title written in the 1960s or 1970s. People in disadvantaged circumstances were sometimes portrayed in a stereotypical way; Jimmy has long hair, tattooes, and is wearing a sleeveless undershirt. There are also some actions that seemed dangerous and unlikely. Marion is very understanding of people with problems, but sending her car keys with Benny, whom she has just met, to get something out of her car was not a safe choice. Julia had some issues in her own life that made her similarly sympathetic, but it seemed odd that she would shelter the family of a woman who robbed her. Young readers won't notice these things as much, but I thought that Marion would have been much more careful with the situations into which she put her long suffering niece.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Wallace's Nowhere Special or Hoyle's Millie. 

Sneve, Virginia Driving Hawk and Littlebird, Steph (illus.)

The Summer of the Bone Horses: A Chapter Book

April 1, 2025 by Amulet Books
E ARC provided by Netgalley

 
Based on the experiences of the author’s brother in the 1940s, this short chapter book follows Eddie as he travels to the Rosebud Reservation in the Black Hills. His father is ill, so his parents drop him off for the summer with Grandma and Grandpa High Elk. He is surprised to find that his grandfather works on a nearby ranch, and enjoys the toy horses carved from cow bones that he is given to play with. He’s homesick, but slowly settles into life with his grandparents, going to church with them (where the hymnals are in Dakota), helping do laundry with a wringer washer, and playing with the bone horses, making stick corrals for them and inventing stories. When the grandfather is injured, there is a bit of excitement when Eddie has to go for the doctor, and afterwards, he and his grandfather slow down a bit, fishing and making grass whistles. When his father’s treatment is done, he returns to his regular life having been enriched by time experiencing a different kind of life.
Strengths: This is a highly illustrated, shorter book that offers a window into a different time and place. The pictures are gorgeous, with a bit of a retro feel to them, and fantastic turquoise and tan coloring that is especially effective with the outdoor scenes. We see a lot of examples of what life was like long ago; the wringer washer, the older car, dressing up to go to church, and imaginative play with simple toys. I’m a huge fan of multigenerational stories and of children spending time with grandparents.
Weaknesses: There isn’t much of a plot to the story; it’s more of a slice of life narrative.
What I really think: Younger elementary school readers will enjoy seeing how other people live. Other books to recommend to students who want to broaden their horizons include Jacobson’s Twig and Turtle, which shows life in a tiny house, Perkins’ Tiger Boy, which gives a glimpse or life in West Bengal, Atinuke’s Too Small Tola, which explores living in Lagos, and the JoJo Makoons series by Quigley and Audibert, which is one of the few early readers books with Native American characters.

Vanya and the Wild Hunt

Madanna, Sangu. Vanya and the Wild Hunt
March 11, 2025 by Roaring Brook Press

E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus
 

Vanya lives with her parents in a small town in England, and she has trouble fitting in at school because of her ADHD. She gets accomodations, but she doesn't want to act differently from other students when she already feels like an outside because of her Indian heritage. She has long heard books talking to her; it's rather comforting, and she doesn't really talk to her parents about it. When monsters attack the family, Vanya learns about her parents' lives in the past, and about the fact that they went to a magical school called Auramere. Since her parents are worried that the monsters might attack again, they send Vanya off to go to the school and to live with their old friends, Jasper and his husband Roman. The school is a beautiful and fascinating place, the students are kind, and the food and magic are enthralling. Vanya loves her classes, and feels so much more at home. She even has a therapist to help her navigate her ADHD in her new environment, and talks to her parents frequently. Auramere is a very diverse community, and Vanya soon makes friends with Ben and Kasha. When Vanya decides to enter the yearly Monsoon races on a patrallak, a creature that is notoriousl hard to tame, she has plenty of challenges before her, but when monsters manage to infiltrate Auramere, there are even more important things to do. A lot of family history is uncovered, and Vanya makes some choices that put her in a very precarious place. This definitely leaves room for another book in the series.

Strengths: I don't want to give away too much of the story; of course there are things that jeopardize the wonderful magical academy, but they were a bit of a surprise. The best part of this was all of the cool stuff at Auramere; there's a village, and there are even many families who live there to stay safe. Vanya's ADHD and sensory issues, as well as Ben's autism, are given a good treatment, which is good to see since there aren't as many fantasy books with neurodivergent characters. (Lerangis Max Tilt is the only one that comes to mind immediately.) 
Weaknesses: I had trouble getting my head around the idea that the "wild hunt" was a person/creature and not an event. Fantasy readers who love figuring out all the politics of the magical world will understand the back story of the Old Ones better than I did.  
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed this author's Kiki Kallira series or want magical academy books with lots of good world building, like Okogwu's Oneyka and the Academy of the Sun or Bell's The Uncommoners. 
 

MMGM- The Playmakers and Lady of the Lines

It's

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
 at 

Always in the Middle 

and #IMWAYR day 

at

Unleashing Readers

Morris, Chad and Brown, Shelly. The Playmakers 

Publication April 1, 2025 by Shadow Mountain

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Extracurriculars are booming at Hopson Middle School! Jax and Nic, longtime friends, hope to make the basketball team, even though Jax is the second shortest kid in their grade. Once the make the middle school team, they plan to be at the odds and go on to college and professional careers. Meanwhile, Luke hopes to get cast in the play along with his friends. Miley is having trouble making friends at school, so needs to find a group to join before her parents have her homeschooled along with her annoying cousin. Sadly, Luke is the only one of his friends who doesn't get cast, and Jax and Nic don't make the team. Jax even approaches the coach and makes his case; both boys need a break, since their single moms can't afford the fancy camps the other kids attend, and since Nic's father is prison, it would be a welcome bit of luck for him. The coach says that the boys just aren't good enough for the team, but agrees that if Jax can set up his own team and beat the Hawks in a scrimmage, both boys will be put on the varsity team next year. Luke is shown an opportunity for a theatrical competition by Mr. Juma, but needs a couple of others to work with him. Luke is tall, and when Jax is putting together a team, the two reluctantly join forces. Jax also recruits the other boys who almost made the team, along with Martina and Charlotte. Miley becomes their statistician and helps them identify ways to win. Mr. Juma even gets involved, serving as their "coach" while he grades papers in the bleachers when the group practices at 6 a.m. It's not easy to put together a team and figure out strategies on their own, and Jax even doubts his own abilities at some point. Aside from just keeping the kids busy, will these forays into independent projects in their chosen fields allow them to actually make progress towards their goals of turning their interests into careers? 
Strengths: A large number of middle school boys really believe that they can grow up to play professional basketball, so this will have an immediate draw! There aren't quite as many who want to pursue theater, but the two activities got tied together in a very clever way. I enjoyed the fact that the boys didn't just give up when they didn't get to work on their skills in a school setting. This is a great message, since there are plenty of kids who don't make sports teams or get cast in school productions. This was from multiple points of view, and Miley's chapters included some illustrations and had lettered text that discussed her challenges in making friends and her discussions with her therapist. I also really liked how both Martina and Charlotte were welcomed onto the team without comment, and how they were able to stand up to the Hawks when they trash talked them. As I tell the boys' cross country team just about every year: if you want to win the district championship, you need to run like girls! This moved quickly, and the cover will appeal to basketball fans. 
Weaknesses: The story would have progressed more smoothly with a third person omniscient narrator; I know authors love to write from different perspectives, but it does make the story jump around. Also, 6th graders in Ohio can't be on sports teams with older students, and I doubt that the coach would be able to put Jax and Nic on the varsity team because they won a bet with him. 
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like to combine sports topics with the performing arts and enjoyed Friday Nigth Stage Lights or  Mided's Club Kick Out. Brown and Morris are also the authors of Squint.

MacColl, Michaela and Chavarri, Elisa (illustrator)
Lady of the Lines: How Maria Reiche Saved the Nazca Lines by Sweeping the Desert
April 8, 2025 by Astra Young Readers
Copy provided by the publisher

I love reading books that introduce me to things I've never heard of, and Maria Reiche's involvement with saving the Nazca Lines artwork in the Peruvian desert was completely new to me. German born Reiche took a job as a nanny in Peru, and became so invested in this ancient artwork that she spent the rest of her life working on saving it. These massive drawings, Etched into the desert floor, where preserved because of the dry climate and lack of traffic in the area, but centuries of dirt and dust had dimmed their beauty. Reiche set out with actual brooms to sweep away the dirt and reveal the drawings. Working in the 1940s meant that she labored until harsh conditions, living in tents with few amenities and subsisting on a meager diet. While she was successful in uncovering the art, the work took a toll on her health. In addition to preserving the art, she worked hard to have the work protected by the government, so that it would be safe from development as well as uncaring tourists. She wrote books about the art, and managed to call attention to it so that the area was designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 1994. The book includes notes on Reiche's life and work, a timeline, and a bibliography.

The illustrations for a good job of capturing a sense of place and time; one especially appealing spread shows Reiche, in a dress and kerchief, loading brooms onto the top of a Volkswagen Beatle, opposite a picture of her alone in the middle of the vast desert, sweeping the dirt away from the lines while wearing padded flip flops. There is a lot of yellow and bright blue, giving a sense of heat and brightness that brings the desert environment alive.

While this isn't too long for a read aloud, there is plenty of information to get young readers started on a research project into this interesting champion of a archaeological and artistic phenomenon that will be new to many readers in the US.

Reiche's story combines art, archaeology, and activism, and is right at home with books like Rogers and Innerst's Joan Mitchell Paints a Symphony, Novesky and Lee's Mary Blair's Unique Flair: The Girl Who Became One of the Disney Legends, Whitehead and Evans' Art From Her Heart: Folk Artist Clementine Hunter, Brown and Sicuro's Dancing Through Fields of Color (Helen Frankenthaler), and also Skeers and Miguens' Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist.