Faruqi, Saadia and Amin, Shadia (illus.)
Don't Be Scared
September 8, 2026 by First Second
E ARC provided by Netgalley
Riz is new to the Grayson Heights Middle School film club, but is excited to learn more about film, starting with silent pictures with artists like Charlie Chaplin. Classmates Amy and Max are less thrilled, but ready to work with him on a horror film. Unfortunately, member Justin is a big jerk, talking about how immigrants are ruining the country. This does not go over well with any of our trio, since Riz's family came to the US from Pakistan, Amy's from Korea, and Max's from Mexico. All of their parents hope that they will study medicine, and Riz's father is not happy when he spends time on his film pursuits. His mother died of cancer in 2016. Near Riz's neighborhood there is the intriguing Hollister Mansion, which is derelict, in part because of a horrific fire that killed two girls back in 2023. Their Bodies were never found. The kids go to the public library to study the building, and the librarian, Miss Templeton, tells that that was her family's home. They find out that it is being torn down, and work on a film about it hoping to raise awareness to save it. Riz does bond with his father over traditional Pakistani spooky folk tales, and also when they go to the mosque to help out. There is an unfortunate racial incident at the grocery store, and Justin makes rude comments when Baba visits to see what the film club is about. When the Hollister Mansion is supposed to be torn down in three days, the kids go into the house and get film of the ghosts. Will this be enough to save the day?
Strengths: There aren't that many scary graphic novels, so it is always good to see anything even slightly spooky. Riz is a great character, and I was glad that he was able to make friends right away. The children bonded nicely over the difficulties of being a first generation American, and talk about the expectations their parents have for them. Riz's mother's death isn't dwelt on, and there is an interesting sub plot revolving Baba being put on a matchmaker's list at the mosque but also being interested in dating Miss Templeton. The Hollister Mansion was very cool looking, and it was pleasant that it was able to be saved, even if this isn't terribly realistic. Readers who liked this author's
Saving Sunshine will want to pick this up and will enjoy Amin's illustrations.
Weaknesses: The ending was very abrupt and a bit unlikely. Also, it doesn't seem likely that Riz's film club advisor wouldn't have taken Justin to task for his racist comments. That sort of comment would absolutely not go without being addressed at my school. Also, I wish there were more books encouraging children to go to medical school instead of railing against parents who think it's a good idea. It is in parents' best interest that their children find gainful employment. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics Occupational Outlook handbook says that there will be 6,400 jobs per year for film and video editors and camera operators, but 23,600 jobs physicians and surgeons!
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Sedita's The Pathfinders Society or Night's Creep over graphic novels.
Santat, Dan. Sashimi and the Field Trip of Doom
September 15, 2026 by Roaring Brook Press
E ARC provided by Netgalley
Sashimi is back, and still looking for the Beast of Barnacle Bay! Accompanied by his friend, Kevin the (girl) fish and Joey, the grandson of Poopdeck Pete, Sashimi gets to experience his first field trip. Unfortunately, Joey and Sashimi would rather spend their time making fart sounds and jokes than listen to Joey's grandfather tell the history of Barnacle Bay, and Sashimi is so disruptive that he gets sent back to the bus. He gets on the wrong bus, and it takes a while for the teacher to notice he is not one of her students and he is left on the side of the road. Panic ensues when Sashimi's teacher realizes not only that he is gone, but that there is no permission slip on file for him. Hijinks occur as Joey and friends try to find their classmate, and Sashimi has to fight off trash pandas in the woods and hallucinates in glorious felted technicolor about the unicorn on his lunchbox. There are further complications when Jebediah Bay, descendent of the man who founded the town, shows up... looking quite a bit like Sashimi! Book three is forthcoming, and seems to be about Jebediah and Sashimi trading places.
This is slapstick packed methadone for Dog Man lovers that elementary students won't be able to get enough of. It's entirely goofy, and starting with fart jokes is a sure fire way to engage young readers. The learning panels about durian fruit and trash pandas were fun. Santat's illustrations are always brilliant, and I loved the felted characters. There's even cursory instructions on how to do the craft, and Santat's portrait is a felted character! This will be a great choice for fans of Angleberger's Two Headed Chicken books or Barnett's Cat on the Run series. Sadly, this is just not the book for me personally. I'm still debating purchase, because while my 6th graders will pick this series up at the beginning of the year, it's really on the elementary side of the Pilkey Line.
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