The Curse of the Werepenguin

Woodrow, Allan. The Curse of the Werepenguin
August 13th 2019 by Viking Books for Young Readers
ARC provided by publisher

Bolt Wattle has a horrible life in an orphanage, where his birthmark of a penguin sets him apart. He dreams of one day being reunited with his family, and when he is summoned by the Baron Chordata to come live in Brugaria, he is worried that his family won't be able to find him. During the trip there, he starts to think that maybe the Baron is his father, but when everything surrounding the Baron turns out to be creepy and alarming, Bolt has his doubts. Still, he is in Brugaria and not in the orphanage, so he struggles to make the best of a gloom-spewing "lowly housekeeper", a friendship with the local bandit's daughter, Annika, and the weird Baron himself, who looks to be Bolt's age. The countryside of Brugaria is rife with penguins, but also filled with whale supporting villagers, and Bolt learns a secret about the Chordata family the hard way. Will he be able to make his way in the castle, or will he succumb to the evil that lies within it?
Strengths: Woodrow is a solid writer of realistic fiction, and this is a departure for him. He has clearly studied books like The Wolves of Willoughby chase and understands the orphan-meets-evil trope. From there, he ups the game by working in penguins to the situation, creating the type of "silly horror book" that Bolt doesn't like! The use of goofy names and phrasing is consistent throughout the book, and the back stories all weave well together. The more I think about it, it's quite masterfully done, and the addition of spot illustrations adds another level of penguin horror.
Weaknesses: This is a bit on the long side due to the amount of brilliant description, making this a good choice for strong younger readers who want to laugh and be slightly scared in equal measure. This is most similar to Wood's The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, but sillier.
What I really think: This was very well done, but since I am currently eying the wonderful Philip Ardagh series A House Called Awful End for weeding because the need for Lemony Snicket read-alikes has disappeared in my library, I don't know that I will purchase it.

Do love a nice jacket, and now that I'm not coaching cross country, I don't have to wodge them up in my backpack on the way home from school! This one is very "headmistress at private school" but cost $2 at the thrift store; the sleeveless navy dress was $1. The giant elephant necklace is one of my favorites; I've had it for years.

For #ThrowbackThursday, here's a picture of me heading to my first day in the classroom-- in 1989!

The Other Half of Happy

Balcárcel, Rebecca. The Other Half of Happy
August 20th 2019 by Chronicle
ARC provided by Follett First Look

Quijana's father is from Guatemala, and he is very proud of his cultural heritage, although he has never spoken Spanish with his daughter. Her mother is not Latinx, and Quijana identifies more as "American", causing some of her Latinx classmates to refer to her as a coconut. She has a hard time starting middle school, but makes fast friends with Jayden (on whom she has a crush) and Zuri, which makes things easier. Some of her relatives relocate to her area in Texas from Guatemala, and she is apprehensive about meeting her cousins. She also doesn't want to travel to see her abuela, since she doesn't speak Spanish, and the idea of visiting a foreign country doesn't appeal to her. She is very fond of her grandmother Miller who lives in Florida, and is very worried because she is ill. Instead of flying to Guatemala with her family, Quijana makes a plan to buy a bus ticket to Florida, selling the huipil her abuela sent her in order to get the money. In the meantime, there are many problems with her three year old brother, Memito, who is uncommunicative and easily upset by light, sound, and touch. Quijana starts to play her father's guitar, but when he finds out, he tries to control what she plays and how she plays, which leads to an argument between the two that culminates in Quijana breaking the guitar. With so much tension and bad things happening, will Quijana be able to make things right with her family?
Strengths: This has some similarities to Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish, in that Quijana has to deal with people thinking she is Guatemalan when she herself feels "American". (I dislike this term, since people from South and Central America are also "American", but "from the US" is not quite the phrase, either.) The inclusion of the culture adds to her character but isn't the focus of the book. Her friendships at school are well portrayed, and I like the description of her efforts to run away. (But glad they don't work out!) The death of a grandparent is a fairly common middle school experience. This was a well-paced, enjoyable book to read.
Weaknesses: Having the grandmother's illness and the brother's problems diluted both of them; I would have rather had just one, and spent more time discussing her cousins and how the families worked together. (But then, I have 38 cousins on my mother's side!)
What I really think: While I enjoyed this, I'm not sure how well it would do in my library; the cover is not appealing. I will probably purchase, but may wait until my February order.

Game time! Finally, all of the students, so we bring out the jackets! The unicorn pin was a birthday present.

I also made a song for the first three days of classes, to start off orientation sessions. It is to be sung to the OSU fight song tune (which coincidentally, was my high school fight song)

Read, read, oh read a book,
Read a new one every day!
And, when you finish one
check out a new one right away!
Hey, hey, hey!
Visit the library, where we always know the score:
If you read, you'll succeed, you will conquer, you'll lead
so read some more!
Read books!

Rise of the Dragon Moon

Byrne, Gabrielle. K. Rise of the Dragon Moon
August 6th 2019 by Imprint
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Anatolia (Toli) is the firstborn daughter of Queen Una, but she has a terrible secret-- she feels responsible for the death of her father while the yearly tithe to the dragons was being delivered. While she loves hunting dragons (who are fairly evil, after all), she doesn't feel ready for all of the other training her mother thinks she should undergo as heir to the throne. When the queen is kidnapped by the dragons, Toli, her sister petal, and her friend Wix set out to find her. They have as a bargaining chip a dragon youngling, Ruby, who was stolen and hidden by two dragons, Krala and Dral, who hope to fight the reigning dragon queen. They let the children escape, only to try to traverse the exceedingly treacherous pass to get to the mountain where the dragons live. Ruby doesn't do well, and once Toli reaches the dragon kingdom, there is still plenty of danger ahead. Luckily, the queen is somewhat sympathetic. The two learn to trust each other, and eventually Queen Una is freed and Toli finds an unexpected place to practice skills.
Strengths: Toli's kingdom is a matriarchy, and a sort of vague, medieval, Frozen-ish sort of one. This gives it some automatic readers! Toli's relationships with Petal and Wix are solid, and there are some good secondary characters that add a lot to the story, like Spar. The dragon in-fighting has its moments, and make it seem more reasonable that Toli's people kill them. The trek over the mountains is filled with excitement and peril. A quickly moving fantasy novel with strong female characters.
XWeaknesses: Toli's guilt over her father's death always seemed weak to me, even after she starts to tell people later in the book. I know it is important as a motivating factor, but it just didn't have the punch I wanted it to.
What I really think: I'm going to have to ask my avid dragon fans if this book will be one they would like. I'm still not entirely sure the dragons will ever be good; on the one side, we have Toli with her own baby dragon for a while, which is a plus, but there's also a lot of talk of killing the dragons, which Wings of Fire fans may not appreciate. Great cover, though!



We only have 6th graders today, so that means all sorts of activities. This is a Merona knit dress ($1) and a Christopher and Banks jacket ($3) in case I need to jump up and down, chase balloons or do other get to know you activities.

I'm not a fan of the slow start. I wanted to get right to classes and homework, even as a student.

MMGM- Stay

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday at Always in the Middle and #IMWAYR day at Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers. It's also Nonfiction Monday.

Pyron, Bobbie. Stay
August 13th 2019 by Katherine Tegen Books
E ARC from Young Adult Books Central

Piper's family has moved around a lot recently since her father is out of work. They've stayed with relatives, but have generally stayed in warm places-- Louisiana, Florida, Texas. Now, the family has landed in Idaho in a homeless shelter. Piper is embarrassed and not happy that her father has to stay in the men's shelter apart from them. Still, there are lots of things to be done to settle in, and the family sets up their rooms, finds a Community Kitchen for their meals, and get Piper enrolled in school. During their travels, they see a woman living on the streets with a small dog, and Piper is immediately drawn to Baby. Jewel is older and in poor health, and often confused, but other people help watch out for her, including Ree, who also has a dog. When Jewel is hospitalized, Baby is left alone. Ree takes care of her, and gives Piper and her father Jewel's knapsack for safekeeping. There is a Firefly Girl group that has meetings at Hope House, and Piper is glad for a familiar activity with other girls who are in similar circumstances. She befriends Karina, who also goes to her school, and finds a place to sit at lunch where she feels comfortable. She tries to visit Baby as often as possible, and she and her friends try to piece together some information about Jewell so they can get her the help she needs. They eventually find out that Jewel struggled with mental issues that required medication, and was on her way to stay with her sister in a pet friendly senior facility in Boise. With the help of the Firefly Girls' cookie fundraiser, money is raised to send Jewel and Baby to Boise. Piper's family is slowly getting back on their feet, and she is glad that she was able to help someone else.
Piper's family is down on their luck, but still positive and working to make their lives better. The realities of living in a shelter, especially when other kids at school know you do, are unflinchingly portrayed, and reading about Piper's struggles will hopefully make children more empathetic. Jewel's journey to living on the streets with her beloved dog is also described in a way that shows how close many people are to being homeless-- just a small series of set backs can be all it takes. The community of homeless dog lovers is especially fascinating. This was just a well-written story with a fantastic combination of ingredients. Combined with the cover, it will circulate as well as Nielsen's No Fixed Address, which has been a runaway favorite in my library.

The one difficult part in the book was the Firefly Girls' cookie sale. Fund raisers are hard on any child, but seem like a bad idea with children living in a homeless shelter. It was fantastic to see them be willing to donate the money to someone less fortunate, though.

Like Bauer's Almost Home (2012), this will see steady circulation because it is interesting, fast paced, and still somehow heart-wrenching. Excellent book with such an appealing cover. There have been a number of books recently involving children dealing with homelessness, including Messner's The Exact Location of Home, Stevenson's Lizzie Flying Solo and Sarno's Just Under the Clouds as well as the Young Adult Roam by Armstrong. These books are a great way for readers to understand the difficulties some of their classmates may face and to build empathy.

Wheeler-Toppen, Jodi. Dog Science Unleashed: Fun Activities to Do with Your Canine Companion 
August 7th 2018 by National Geographic Society
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

This fun, colorful, and well-illustrated book covers four major topics of scientific research; Sniffing Out Senses, Fit Fido, Clever Canines and Pampered Pooches. Each section has at least six different experiments to try, plus a section on real life scientists and activities they do that pertain to these topics. Each experiment has directions, list of supplies, a time estimate, and very complete instructions. These range from seeing what smells dogs are most interested to checking the temperature of dogs who are wearing coats to telling if your dog is right or left pawed! Children and their dogs model all of these activities in full color pages.

While my faithful canine was more interested in napping than doing experiments, this is a great way to get children interested in science and for them to spend more time with their dog in a challenging and productive way. The most used pages will probably be the ones for making dog treats, but there are some really fun experiments, like determining whether a dog recognizes itself in a mirror!

While older readers will be able to complete these activities on their own, those younger than ten may need some help. The print in the books is on the small side, and there is a lot of information on the page. This would make a great gift for a young pet owner who enjoys books like Albee's Dog Days of History or Patent's Dogs on Duty, and it wouldn't hurt to include a box of dog biscuits and maybe a copy of Tom Watson's Stick Dog!

More washable Lands End clothing for another teacher work day. I got these on two separate trips! I usually wear vintage jewelry; this is a Lucite and plastic owl from the 70s. I like to think the students find my jewelry amusing. I never pay more than $3 for a piece.

Welp. Change of plans. Instead, I wore jeans, an old white polo I can get bleach on, and a sweater. Because...

I got nothing done on Friday because the 8th grade welcome leaders had all the tables pushed against the stack in the main library and were being enthusiastic, and there were workmen installing the security camera equipment in my back room, loudly drilling though metal. I eventually gave up and went home to work. The library is a hot and holy mess, I haven't processed new books, and I don't have a good schedule. Never been less prepared for a school year.

This must mean it's going to be the best year ever, right?

Maybe This Time

West, Kasie. Maybe This Time
Published July 9th 2019 by Scholastic Point
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Sophie is bound and determined to make it out of her small Alabama town and attend design school in New York City for college. To earn money, she is working at a florists, and since the town is small, the owner also does a lot of event planning, and Sophie must go along to help. Her best friend, Micah, is often at these events, since her father is the local caterer. Since business is difficult, he has applied to have Jett Harte, a former television chef and personality, mentor his business for a year in exchange for a share of it when the business is doing better. This would be fine, except that Jett is a bit of a difficult diva, and his son, Andrew, isn't any better. Smug, privileged, and very sure of himself, Andrew introduces himself to Sophie by messing up some of her arrangements, and almost all of their interactions end poorly. The book follows the calendar of events through the year, so we start at Valentine's Day at the local senior center, hit Mother's Day celebrations, weddings, and end up at Thanksgiving dinner. At each event, we can track Sophie's progress at college and scholarship applications, get a glimpse of her difficult family life, and watch as she and Andrew spar and get into trouble on the job. Micah thinks that the two have a spark, but Sophie is too determined to make her college dreams come true to focus on a romance with a boy who is often annoying. Is Micah a better judge of character than her friend?

Kasie West writes intriguing high school romances that also appeal to middle school students, due to their lack of sexual references and other more mature themes. The settings are usually more grown up, with the main characters having jobs and other responsibilities. This is a hard combination to find, and readers who enjoy Jennifer Colasanti, Sarah Dessen and Jennifer E. Smith will find these books a great way to wile away a summer day.

The small Alabama town, with its cast of quirky characters, is a fun setting against which to place a variety of celebrations. From a town picnic to a local fall festival, Sophie gets to work with her friends during amusing events. Who doesn't want to spend time at a senior citizens' Valentine celebration, or at a New Year's Eve barn dance, especially when there is the promise of romance in the air?

Micah is a great friend, and I love to see teens with jobs they enjoy. Even though Sophie's passion is fashion design, she channels her creative energy into the floral arrangements. Andrew is a bit of a mystery, and a decent guy whose quirky father is inordinately difficult. I'm not usually a fan of the Cybil Shepard/Bruce Willis Moonlighting sort of romance, where the characters hate each other and fight all the time but eventually fall in love. This isn't quite like that; Sophie and Andrew just get off on the wrong foot and can't seem to get their bearings with each other.

Romance books are always popular, and Maybe This Time takes the reader along for a year of festive celebrations where hard work and romantic possibilities go hand in hand, and are even accompanied by a corsage!

Refreshing Graphic Novels

August 8, 9 and 12 are teacher work days in my district, and 6th graders start on the 13th, with 7th and 8th starting the next day. I love being back at school! My favorite thing in the world is getting books to students.

Graphic novels are NOT my favorite thing. They just aren't. I don't like to read them myself, and it worries me when I have students who will read nothing else. I know that most librarians and teachers are all "We LOVE graphic novels! They get kids to read!", but... do they? More often, they use graphic novels to avoid reading, and this is what worries me. As an occasional treat, absolutely! Read a graphic novel every single day. But read some other books as well. Reading only one thing, whether it be fantasy or dog books or nonfiction, is a very narrow way to experience the world. If I can read football books, anybody can read anything.

Do I think that parents, teachers, and librarians should rip graphic novels out of children's hands and tell them to read "real books"? Of course not. Do I think that, on occasion, a graphic novel is not the best choice for a school project? Yes, I do. Also, occasionally, Harry Potter books or books with talking animals as characters are not the best choice for projects, and I've had students actually cry about that. Again, I'm not saying students can never read Warriors books. I'm just saying that maybe they can read two books every year that aren't something they've read before.

Now, before everyone spouts off on Twitter that I am a horrible person who should never be allowed near children (and it's been done before, for other reasons), let me say this: My library HAS graphic novels. We have a LOT of graphic novels. Eight shelves of them. I am using a small windfall in my budget to refresh the collection, in fact, so we will have even more.

Also, I am allowed to have opinions, even if they diverge from the popular ones.

But does a little of my soul die when I spend $15 on a book like the ones below, that will start falling apart in two years? (I get it, the paper is heavy. The pages fall out.) Yep. It does.

Am I the only one? For the record, I am also not a fan of picture books. (Except for Nancy Rose's squirrel books. Man, those are fantastic.) To me and my own personal children, picture books were what were read to us before we had the skills to read chapter books. But I do have some picture books in the library as well.

Tessier, Greg and Amandine. Chloe
Published May 2nd 2017 by Charmz (first published February 2011)
Library copy

Chloe is in 8th grade, and feels awkward. She looks up to popular girls Anissa, Naomi and Leslie even though they are shallow and mean to everyone. She copies their fashion style, and talks her parents into taking her shopping to trade out her t shirts and jeans for belly baring tops and mini skirts. She does make a few nice friends and is still kind to people around her, and she feels that she is successful in her middle school mission because an older boy decides he likes her, making Anissa and her friends jealous.
Strengths: This is a colorful series of graphic novels akin to Telgemeier's The Baby-sitters' Club, and has lots of friend drama with a late middle school/high school setting. Also, a lot about fashion if readers are looking for that.
Weaknesses: Argh! Perhaps the French are at a different place in the women's rights movement? And they let tween girls show their midriffs at school? Or has life changed this much since 2011?
What I really think: This is exactly why I try to read everything before I buy it. This wasn't horrible, and it will certainly get read, but it's just not something I really liked or thought was good. On the bright side, if I have students who gravitate towards these, I know they can alternately use a book with a good, strong female character! (Which we aren't allowed to say anymore.

It's a series that also includes:

    

Guy Friday- Bringing Down a President

Forty five years ago today, President Nixon resigned to avoid impeachment, and President Ford took office. This is the first historical event that I remember reading about in the newspaper. In fact, I even clipped a headline and picture very similar to the one at left, and posted it on the bulletin board in my room. I knew that this was big news, and I felt bad for Nixon. Okay, I had just turned nine, and my big memory of Nixon was that he was responsible for bringing the pandas from China. My family didn't watch television news much, so I have never had a good understanding of the events that lead up to Nixon's resignation. Luckily, this new book helps!

Balis, Andrea and Levy, Elizabeth. Bringing Down a President
Illustrations by Tim Foley
August 6th 2019 by Roaring Brook Press
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Using direct quotes from wide variety of participants in the Watergate scandal and investigation, this book provides "Fly on the Wall" commentary on the events that happened from 1972 to 1974, with some additional back history about some of the people involved as well. I had never realized what a comedy of errors the whole thing was-- breaking into the Watergate, covering things up, bribing people right and left. Wow. There is a marvelous illustration of some of the men who tried to hide out in a closet and got locked in that made me snort with laughter, especially since it has a real Mad Magazine vibe to the line drawing.

This book does a great job at laying out events and explaining why things happened the way they did. The tone is very matter-of-fact, which could not have been an easy thing to do. My goodness. G. Gordon Liddy. He would have been fast friends with some current political figures today, I think! Oddly, most of the people come out looking fairly sympathetic as well; they had jobs to do for reasons that seemed like a good idea at the time, given the political environment. It seemed almost completely ludicrous, until I started trying to write a timeline of current political events in my mind.

Do I understand the Watergate Scandal better now? Yes, temporarily. Like the bank failures of 1929, I suspect that I won't hold onto this understanding for long, but this was a fantastic book. I'll definitely be purchasing it-- it has enough information for research, but its short length and plentiful illustrations will make it easier for students to pick up for pleasure as well. Language arts teachers will appreciate the innovative style and ample use of primary source quotes.

Messner, Kate. Night of Soldiers and Spies (Ranger in Time #10)
July 9th 2019 by Scholastic Press
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Ranger travels back in time via a magical first aid kit, and must stay until he figures out how to help a key figure in a historical event. This time, he is helping Isaac, a young African-American boy who was a fisherman and who gets caught up in the struggle against the British. Even though Isaac has to fight smallpox early in the book, he rallies enough to return to his unit, the Fourteenth Continental Regiment from Marblehead, Massachusetts. The cold, wet, and unpleasant conditions plaguing the military at this time are keenly felt by Isaac, but luckily, Ranger is there to stay by his side and help him out of the most dire scrapes. After being in the Hessians camp and talking to Colonel Rall, Isaac manages to get back to Washington and tell him the Hessians' plans. Washington plans an attack to occur before theirs. After a treacherous crossing of the frozen river, Isaac and Ranger are involved in the Battle of Trenton. Isaac is injured, but survives with Ranger's help. His job done, Ranger returns his humans in the present day, ready for his next adventure, Escape from the Twin Towers.

Isaac is an interesting character with whom many young readers will identify. War is certainly uncomfortable and dangerous, but it is also interesting and exciting. The chance to travel with the army, meet General Washingon, and be involved with major battles in history will appeal to readers who want to more about history.

The notes about the Revolutionary War at the end of the book are extremely helpful, and the bibliography will entice children to find out even more about the subject covered. There are a few pictures in the notes, but the most interesting thing was reading about how Messner researched and decided how to use real events in a fictional way to make an engaging story.

Like Lauren Tarshis' I Survived Books, Messner has covered many major historical events in a way that young readers will find engaging and interesting. In addition to being fun and factual reads for elementary aged students, these books are also an excellent way to cover historical topics for older, developmentally delayed students. I often use them when 8th grade students with special needs require a fiction book on a topic that pertains to the social studies curriculum. Ranger in Time books are written on a lower Lexile level, and also aren't as gorey and upsetting as some of the books for older readers.

Since these are now hitting most of the topics that Tarshis has covered, I haven't been increasing my collection. I purchased up through #7, and I will see if it is necessary to purchase additional volumes, depending on the readers I have.


This blouse is from Kohl's clearance, and what I wear when I have to pretend to be an adult and go out with friends. Today is a professional development day, and I am doing three sessions of "100 Great Books". Most of the teachers will be wearing jeans, so this is a very casual look for me. Also very washable, because I have to ride my bike four miles to get to the school where it is being held! The skirt was $2 at the thrift store.

The Good Thieves

Rundell, Katherine. The Good Thieves.
August 27th 2019 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Vita Marlowe and her mother have just come to 1930s New York City to help her grandfather, who is living in a tiny apartment above Carnegie Hall because he has been swindled out of the family mansion, Hudson Castle. A land developed and mafia type, Mr. Sorrotore, claims that the grandfather sold him the castle for $200; the grandfather maintains he was just renting it, but has given up fighting because he is still mourning the death of his wife. Vita, who is a bit lame due to complications with polio, takes it upon herself to go visit Mr. Sorrotore to ask for the property back, but this does not go well. She makes friends with a con artist who is working the party and stealing wallets, Silk, and the two manage to escape. Vita decides that she must travel to the castle to retrieve an emerald necklace there, and that might save the house if it brings in enough money. With the help of two boys working with the Lazarenko Circus in the hall, Arkady and Samuel, Vita and Silk take off on a daring adventure to the castle that is fraught with peril. Will they find the necklace, and will it save the day?
Strengths: This has a lot of action and adventure-- there are horse rides, a lot of aerial highjinks from Samuel, who works with his father on a trapeze act, and knife throwing. Sorrotore isn't giving up, but neither are the children. The fight that he and Vita have is quite brutal, but very exciting. The setting is very interesting, and Rundell has clearly done some thorough research into daily life in New York City during this time period. Vita's grandfather is sweet, and the castle ends up having a fabulous purpose at the end.
Weaknesses: This felt like an older title, somehow, reminiscent of Zilpha Keatley Snyder. I enjoyed it, but anything involving the circus does not do well in my library.
What I really think: I will probably not purchase; it's not something my students ask for, although I am always enthralled by mansions and enjoyed the story. This is similar to books like The Treasure of Maria Mamoun and Isabel Feeney, Star Reporter  that are books I love and still can't get students to check out.

Years ago, I read a book about the messages that clothes convey to people, and I really took it to heart. I wear a lot of long skirts because people read them as "this person is nurturing"; also, I'm 5"1'. I wear jackets to convey authority; they are also usually about $1.50 at the thrift store.

I love Lands End, and the local Ohio Thrift stores seem to get their returns or overstock. My polo shirt twin set says "I am the librarian and I am here to help you" for our teacher work day. Skirt is washable in case I need to crawl on the floor and hook up computers.

August 2019 Inservice Presentation!

August 2019 Inservice Presentation!

Each Tiny Spark

Cartaya, Pablo. Each Tiny Spark
August 6th 2019 by Kokila
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Emilia Torres is worried when her mother has to go out of town on business for a week, especially since her father is just coming home from his latest deployment. Sure, her Abuela is around to make sure she's fed and her curly hair is tamed (even though that's mainly Abuela's choice!), but Emilia worries about getting her homework and school projects done without her mother's reminders. It doesn't help that her father is oddly distant, working on fixing a vintage Shelby car in the garage and not hanging out with Emilia the way he used to. There is a redistricting concern in her school system, with the district wanting to bring students from Park View into Merryville. Both are suburbs of Atlanta, but Park View is mainly Latinx, and citizens of Merryville (including Emilia's sometimes friend Clarissa) feel that bringing the students is dangerous. When a school project to produce a tourism guide to the town is assigned, Emilia and her friend both find things that excite them. For Emilia, it starts with a local grocery store that carries the supplies for the West African and Hispanic food that her family cooks as part of their heritage, and becomes entwined with issues of immigration. This gets her teacher in trouble, but leads to some interesting social interactions in her town. Emilia is increasingly worried about her father, and is glad when her mother returns, even if  she comes with even bigger news that may upend Emilia's world.
Strengths: There are a lot of really good, current issues at play here. Emilia struggles with ADHD, and it's interesting to see how the adults in her life help her with coping strategies. Emilia is racially mixed, but her looks don't necessarily make her whole background apparent, which is something true of many tweens. Her father's difficult readjustment to civilian life is also well portrayed. Immigration issues are important, as are the large and small aggressions that must be dealt with in nearly every community. The friendship with Gus is good to see, and Emilia's interest in welding will also appeal to readers.
Weaknesses: Since many young readers have not had experience with issues such as immigration or racial tensions, and may not know anyone who has ADHD or has been in the military, this book may be confusing. I do want to see these issues portrayed in literature, but so many books try to shoe horn in so much that all of the issues end up being treated superficially, and the books lack focus.
What I really think: I will probably pass on purchase. I was hoping that there would be a lot more about Emilia welding, and that was really quite a small part of this. I love Cartaya's other two books, but think this title may struggle to find readers in my library.

Second day of schedule pick up. I started wearing this dress to back-to-school/meet the teacher days when my older daughter was in third grade, so since about 2002! In fact, if I texted my daughers this picture, they would know immediately that it was schedule pick up day.

Yes, it has shoulder pads. This is what the '90s looked like!

Cape

Hannigan, Kate. Cape (The League of Secret Heroes #1)
Illustrated by Patrick Spaziante
August 6th 2019 by Aladdin
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

In an alternate historical world, World War II is raging, but the superheroes that once saved the day are all gone. Josie O'Malley always put her faith in Zenobia, whose exploits were often written up in comic book format, and wishes that she could be like the superhero instead of just working at a local diner to help out her family. Josie's father is a soldier abroad, and her mother is trying hard to make ends meet for Josie, her two younger brothers, and her cousin, Kate. Josie is hoping to become a puzzler and help the government crack codes, but she and two other girls are thrown out of the test. When they are pulled aside by Mrs. Boudica and taken to Room Twelve, they manifest super powers and save the day. Room Twelve has been attacked, but when they manage to hunt Mrs. Boudica down, they find out that they will be able to help her fight the Nazis, especially Hank Hissler, who has gone over to the Nazi side. Little by little, they find out how their powers work and learn how to use them to defuse situations, such as an attack on the ship yard where Josie's mother works. They also find out that Kate works as a computer on a government project, and this group is being targeted for attacks because they are so important to the war effort. Will the mighty mites find a good superhero name for the newspapers, and will they be able to save the day?
Strengths: Superheroes are always a good topic, and Hannigan puts a great historical twist on this theme while incorporating current social justice concerns into the story. This is one of the few times that diverse characters have been given a reasonable explanation for hanging out together, when in reality, it would have been rare for Akiko, of Japanese descent, and Mae, who is African-American, to have hung out together. It's also rare to have a book talk about the conditions of Irish immigrants and the suspicion with which German Americans were held during WWII. There are periodic chapters in graphic novel format, which adds interest, and Spaziante's illustrations have a nice vintage feel to them. The other interesting part of this was Kate's work with the government on ENIAC. All in all, an intriguing book with a nice mix of history, adventure, and super heroes.
Weaknesses: This is a bit on the long side, and the girls spent a lot of time figuring out their powers; somehow, I just wanted someone to tell them so they could get on with the more exciting part of bringing down giant snake villains!
What I really think: I will probably purchase this, but am a bit concerned about circulation. I loved this author's The Detective's Assistant but can't get anyone to read it, and another super hero/graphic novel mix that I thought would check out, Attack of the Alien Hordes by Robert Venditti  and illustrated by Dusty Higgins gathers dust as well. I hate that I have to think about this, but weeding a book that I bought that has just sat on the shelf unloved for ten years is the worst part of my job. Well, along with finding poop on the floor in the stacks, but that happens FAR less frequently!


Thinking vaguely about including more personality leakage/blather at the beginning of posts. It's part of my goal to create more relationships with students and making the library a safe, welcoming space, given how stressed everyone seems to be.

The problem? While I would gladly recommend books to students twenty hours a day, I don't really want to talk to people. And if I connect to students, I will just miss them when they leave. Also, I don't like to tell anyone anything that is going on in my life.

Instead, maybe I will just include pictures of my outfit for the day, since I get a lot of enjoyment from assembling outfits from thrift store finds. We'll see. Today is the first schedule pick up at school, and I went in yesterday to try to restore some order to the library after it was cleaned this summer.

This outfit says "Yes, it's still summer because I'm wearing sandals, but I have on a jacket because I'm at school!"

MMGM- The 47 People You'll Meet in Middle School

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday at Always in the Middle and #IMWAYR day at Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers. It's also Nonfiction Monday.

Mahoney, Kristin. The 47 People You'll Meet in Middle School
August 6th 2019 by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
E ARC provided by Netgalley

Augusta is starting middle school without her best friend, Layla, and feels a bit unprepared. She tells her story in the form of a letter to her younger sister, Louie, whom she feels she ignored during the first few months of school, and starts each chapter with a different person she has met at school, starting with the assistant principal who tells her that she is at the wrong entrance for 6th graders. We also meet Nick, who went to her elementary school and is pleasant to her; Amber, who has a crush on Nick and pumps Gus for information; Sarah, a soccer player who becomes a new friend, Marcy, who was constantly by Gus' side in elementary school but now hangs out with the popular girls; and many other teachers and students at school. We also see glimpses of Gus' home life; her parents are divorced, and she has to coordinate which house she will be at. There are some unfortunate incidents, like the Binaca challenge in her homeroom class, a boy who pinches girls' bottoms, and her ongoing quest to get contact lenses, but the biggest problem is a graffiti incident at the school dance for which Gus and her friends are blamed. Live everything else in middle school, this is eventually cleared up, and Gus realizes that surviving middle school won't be so bad after all.
Strengths: I loved the format of telling the story by different people, and Mahoney has definitely spent some quality time in middle school to identify the people so well. Gus' family situation is realistically drawn, and her treatment of her younger sister is very sweet-- most tweens both love and are irritated by their families, and this is shown brilliantly. The shifting friendships and the discovery of different types of people, as well as learning how to deal with them, are really what middle school is all about. Sometimes I wonder why we bother with academics at all! (There are many days when I feel that homework and tests are really just a way to teach students to turn things in on time! It really doesn't matter what the content is.)
Weaknesses: I was a little leery of the "person per chapter" format, but found it a surprisingly interesting way to tell the story, so was somewhat disappointed when the plot took over and the format went by the wayside a little. Still a good story! Also, I was glad that the "Gooser" was dealt with, but surprised he was able to get away with his behavior for so long. While I'm not often a violent person, I told my daughters that if boys touched them inappropriately, they had my permission to slug first and ask questions later, and I would deal with the resultant suspension!
What I really think: This is perhaps the most realistic and balanced look at middle school I've seen. Most books buy into the adult preconception that middle school will be horrible (parents really get more bent out of shape than students do!), but this settles firmly on the concept that middle school is all over the place, and while you will most likely embarrass yourself horribly at some point, there's usually as much good as bad. Definitely purchasing.

Brandes, Wendy L. Digging Deep (Jake Maddox)
August 1st 2018 by Stone Arch Books
Library copy

Lucy and Asiyah want to try out for a volleyball travel team, but Asiyah is a bit conflicted. She doesn't think she's that good, and doesn't know if she can put forth the effort needed. To cover for this, she's extra goofy with her friend, and sometimes this spills over into practice. Both girls make the team, and when Asiyah hears Lucy talking about her attitude, she tries hard to focus during practice and improve her game. Eventually, she becomes a valuable player on the team and realizes that she doesn't need to be goofy.
Strengths: Insecurity is the cause of so much of the troubling behavior we see in middle school! I love that while Lucy was talking about Asiyah behind her back, nothing that was said was overly negative, just observations, and Asiyah took the comments to heart and tried to improve her own behavior. The girls had their problems, but sorted them out. There's enough volleyball to make this interesting as well, and we need so many more volleyball books! Asiyah's hijab is discussed briefly, but is otherwise just part of who she is.
Weaknesses: While I love the Jake Maddox books, they are very short and very simple. I have a lot of readers who want books about volleyball, but most of my readers don't want these short books. They do very well with my struggling readers, however.
What I really think: I'm glad to have this book; Maddox is popular with my English Language Learners, not many of whom get involved in sports. I am hoping to see this change very soon, but realize that there are some issues that need to be addressed in order for this population to participate. Health forms can be a big stopping point for students, and we've been trying at my school to help get these filled out, as well as helping students car pool home from practice.

Wish on all the Stars

Schroeder, Lisa. Wish on all the Stars
July 9th 2019 by Scholastic Press
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

In this sequel to See You on a Starry Night, Juliet is getting used to living in San Diego and hanging out with her friends, Emma and Carmen, and getting to know the people in her neighborhood. When the girls find out that the book mobile run by Mr. and Mrs. Button might close because the owner of the grocery store where it is parked wants to start charging them rent, they want to help. They even gather their courage to talk to the manager, Mr. Strickland, who tells their parents to stop pestering him. He wants to use the space to open a hot dog cart instead. The girls realize that they must try to help raise the rent, so consult their friend Mr. Dooney, who puts them in touch with the senior center, where they hope to have an arts festival and earn money by selling art. The woman in charge is Mrs. Strickland, the mother of the grocery store manager! She thinks it is a great idea, and is glad to help them try to raise money. Through all of this, Juliet has to deal with visiting her father back in Bakersfield, and making the four hour bus trip with her sister Miranda, who is still not happy about having to move. Also, Carmen is very worried because her father has been deported back to Guatemala, and she is in constant fear that the same fate will befall her mother. Carmen and her brother were born in the US, and Juliet feels that they should not have to worry about this. The girls decide to start a social action group at school and try to tackle various issues, including immigration, the environment, and food insecurity.

It's always refreshing to see students who are involved in a variety of activities, but we are just starting to see social activism. Mya's Strategy to Save the World by Lloyd is another notable book addressing these concerns. Carmen's situation is unfortunately timely, and it's good to see the girls support their friend. It's also good to see them supporting their older friends, the Buttons, and literacy issues, although the bookmobile is not part of the public library system, which is why it needs help.

Juliet and Miranda's struggles with acclimating to a new town, finding their niche, and dealing with the new reality after their parents' divorce is helpful. The parents support each other, and the father makes an effort to visit the girls in their new home so he can be part of their lives. The girls are also helpful around the house and don't make life too difficult for their busy mother.

Realistic fiction with friend drama is always popular with tween readers, and Schroeder's works are a go-to, along with titles like Lety Out Loud by Cervantes, 11 Before 12 by Greenwald, and the Swirl novels published by Sky Pony Press.

Cartoon Saturday- Share Your Smile, Brave the Page

Telgemeier, Raina. Share Your Smile: Raina's Guide to Telling Your Own Story
Published April 30th 2019 by Graphix
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

In this how-to book, complete with pages for readers to take notes and doodle, Telgemeier gives practical hints on the creative process. Using her own work as a starting point (and including illuminating excerpts from it), aspiring writers are instructed to look at their own background, interests, family, and neighborhood in order to find topics for their stories. There is an interesting section where the how-tos of drawing are laid out, complete with suggestions about paper and writing implements. Fans of this author will also appreciate the inclusion of her personal photographs and reminiscences that inspired her books.

There are always a few books by popular authors about how to write being published;
Ally Carter's Dear Ally, How Do You Write a Book, Alexander's The Write Thing: Kwame Alexander Engages Students in Writing Workshop (And You Can Too!) (2018),  and Walter Dean Myer's Just Write: Here's How (2012) come to mind, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if Jason Reynolds has a similar book in the works. Tweens who love to write LOVE to write, and these books are valuable in giving them direction and motivation.

Graphic novels are, of course, extremely popular, and a number of tweens love to draw, so this is a good mix of basic writing advice combined with artistic instruction. This book would make a great gift, since there are pages to be filled out, but because of the additional information about Telgemeier's work and life, it has a place in a school or public library as well. Now, if we could just keep patrons from writing in the library copy!

Stern, Rebecca and Faulkner Grant. Brave the Page: A Young Writer's Guide to Telling Epic Stories. 
August 27th 2019 by Viking Books for Young Readers
ARC provided by the publisher

This step-by-step guide to the creative writing process clearly breaks down the enormous task of writing a novel into manageable pieces. From coming up with ideas to managing time and creating goals, Brave the Page offers support to students who want to tell their story to the world. Chapters include "Dare Machines"; writing prompts to get thoughts flowing and words onto the page. There are also pep talks by popular authors scattered throughout the chapters. There is practical information about setting up dialogue, what to do if you hate your idea, and lots of hints to help with the editing process.

There's a lot of information in this book, but it is delivered in an organized fashion. A really motivated writer should probably have a personal copy, since there are so many writing prompts. Books on how to write circulate better when they have a particular celebrity writing them or have a particular focus, and this will be a great book for participants in NaNoWriMo to consult.

My two favorite books still remain the 2013 Writing Children's Books for Dummies and Brooks, Regina L. Writing Great Books for Young Adults (2014).

Guy Friday- Brawler

Connelly, Neil. Brawler
Published March 26th 2019 by Arthur A. Levine Books
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Eddie McGuire is a talented high school wrestler with a horribly short fuse. This is no doubt a result of the abuse he endured from his father early in his life, but his father has been in jail for eight years. Eddie (or Mac) and his mother barely get by, and he's hoping to get a college scholarship and be able to one day get a good job and help his mother out. When a ref at a tournament makes him angry, he lets a punch fly, and just like that, his chances of college are gone. Not only that, but he may be looking at jail time. Detective Harrow, who helped lock his father up, comes to the family and tells them what is going on. Mac doesn't see any other way out, and decides to run away. He is quickly approached by people who knew his father and have been following his wrestling career. The promoter runs the Brawlers, an illegal group that stages violent, no-holds-barred fights around town and makes a lot of money off the betting. This is as good an opportunity as any for a teen on the run, and Mac is soon ensconced in the home of Khajee and her elderly uncle. The two owe the promoter, and Khajee trains Mac while she goes to school and Mac keeps an eye on the uncle, Than. While he is a good wrestler, Mac doesn't know much about martial arts, but Khajee manages to train him enough that his underlying anger makes him a powerful opponent. He tries to get money to his mother, who desperately wants him to come home. He is also given the chance to make peace with his father, although this ends in a terrifying scene of violence, with the father being on the receiving end for a change. After the decline and death of Than, Mac realizes that he can' stay on the run forever, and he tries to figure out what to do with his life.

While this book is definitely violent, with lots of scenes in the ring as well as the beat down Mac delivers to his father, it does not have much bad language, and has no sexual activity or other things that would make it objectionable to middle grade readers. This is a very hard thing to do, but I always appreciate it. Some middle school students want books that are fairly dark, and this is a great choice for readers who like Carl Deuker's titles (especially the 2005 Runner), Volponi's Black and White, and Alphin's Counterfeit Son. These books all have characters who fight against overwhelming odds as best they can.

It is refreshing that Mac and Khajee never slip into a romantic relationship. They are both teens dealing with adult problems, and they support each other and help each other out without complicating matters. Khajee is a great athlete and shows Mac that he can learn a lot from her. Watching the two of them try to care for Than was heartbreaking and showed that with all of their problems, they were both very mature.

Certainly, there are some things in the book that seem odd. Would Khajee's uncle really be indebted to the promoter to the point where both of their lives were held in thrall to him? Would Mac really have been able to run away, stay close to home, and not have been found by the police? Would he have been able to visit and beat up his father? I believed the motivation for that-- Mac hasn't gotten any counseling for his anger issues (also realistic, since his mother was struggling so much), and when presented with an opportunity to beat up his father, I can see him wanting to do that.

Brawler is an unusual book that adds a sports twist to a book that has a feel similar to spy books, has sympathetic characters in dire circumstances, and that will speak to teen readers who want a book that makes their own lives seem happy in comparison!

Clear Skies

Kerrin, Jessica Scott. Clear Skies
August 1st 2019 by Groundwood Books
E ARC from Edelweiss Plus

Arno and his friend and neighbor, Buddy, are obsessed with different aspects of the space program in the summer of 1961. Buddy thinks he can train to be an astronaut, but Arno is more interested in study facts about stars and planets and wants to become an astronomer. There is a new neighbor who moves in, Robert, who is more into astrology, which Arno holds in disregard. Arno is very interested in a newspaper writer who publishes a column that covers his interests, and he is excited that she is coming to cut the ribbon for a new observatory. He calls the radio station hosting a contest repeatedly... and wins two tickets. His concern, however, is that he may not do well on the visit, since he has very bad claustrophobia, but his conversations about the space program with Buddy help him to deal with this condition, especially when his beloved dog, Comet, runs to his doghouse during a storm, and Arno must get into the house to help his pet. Will Arno be able to enjoy his visit?
Strengths: There are lots of good details about life in 1961, and it was very fun that Buddy's father worked on the Tang account! There are also good details about the space program, as well as astronomy. Modern readers may be surprised at the leisurely pace of Arno's summer, hanging out on the porch and drinking homemade lemonade.
Weaknesses: I wish there had been more of a plot than Arno being concerned about going to the observatory. I was hoping that there would be some bike riding excitement around the neighborhood with Buddy and Robert to punch things up.
What I really think: Debating. I really need books set during this time period, but this was on the slow side.

Not if I Can Help It

Mackler, Carolyn. Not if I Can Help It
July 30th 2019 by Scholastic Press
E ARC from Edelweiss Plus

Willa has struggled with a sensory processing disorder her whole life, but with supportive parents and some occupational therapy, she deals with it well enough that she doesn't even tell her best friend, Ruby, about it. She fits in well enough at The Children's School in New York City, where her classmates are all abuzz waiting to hear what their middle school placements will be. Willa and Ruby (who loves soccer and is herself a bit anxious, especially since she seems to have a smaller bladder than everyone else!) are worried that they won't be at the same school. Willa lives with her father and younger brother, and have a babysitter whom they really like. Her mother lives two hours away, where she took a professorship after the parents divorced. She is since remarried, and has approached Willa with the idea of living with her for middle school. All of this anxiety makes it harder for Willa to control her body, and she does get some coping strategies from her therapist, and her teachers know how to redirect her as well. When she finds out that her father and Ruby's mother have been dating for a while, and worse, are in love with each other and thinking about getting married, she is even more stressed. She likes her best friend, but she hates change, and doesn't want Ruby to know about her sensory processing disorder and all of the ways she copes with it. It doesn't help that Avery, a mean girl she's known since preschool, gives her a hard time about it. With the help of the adults in her life, Willa manages to navigate her way through her difficulties and end fifth grade on a high note.
Strengths: This was oddly compelling. I was absolutely sucked into Willa's world, and the details about how she dealt with her issues were enthralling (her dad prewears her socks; I can relate-- Picky Reader prefers it if I break in her tennis shoes!). There's even a buzzing feeling of anxiety conveyed in the text that I can't quite explain. While the 1970s saw a lot of middle grade books about divorce, it's still a common occurrence, and many of my students have to deal with blended families, visiting parents on weekends, and thinking about alternate living arrangements. I have not seen this topic addressed in the literature as much, and this is one of the few books about sensory processing disorders out there.Pla's Stanley Will Probably Be Fine is the only other one that comes to mind.
Weaknesses: It was somewhat difficult to like Willa, and it's hard to wrap my mind around the East Coast educational system. You have to apply to middle school? It will seem exotic to my students.
What I really think: Definitely purchasing, and this would circulate well based on the cover alone. More candy related covers so I can make a display!

Shifting Shadows

Hunter, Erin. Shifting Shadows (Bravelands #4)
May 7th 2019 by HarperCollins
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Ever since the death of Stinger, things have gotten worse in the Bravelands. Thorn is under constant pressure to become the leader of his tribe, even though he doesn't feel ready. Sky no longer has the Great Spirit within her, but something calls her to not travel with her group, and she finds the two young cheetah cubs of Rush, who was killed. She wants to be with Rock, but the male elephants are supposed to band together. The lions are also unsettled, and the fact that animals keep showing up dead, with just their hearts ripped out, means that something evil is preying on all of the animals. Thorn continues to struggle with his leadership role, and when he is attacked and taken away to recuperate, Berry runs for election and is chosen Crownleaf. A tribeless baboon named Spider appears on the scene; he is very unsettled, and does not help the circumstances for the baboons. Sky runs into Rock, and he professes his love for her, and they commit to each other. Unfortunately, bitter news from his tribe makes Sky leave him, and she and the cheetah cubs fend for themselves. Eventually, we find out a little about the growing threat to all the animals, and it will take at least one more book to get everyone settled!

This was an extremely blood thirsty book, with a lot of animal deaths. I know that Warriors book involve a lot of battles, and not everyone survives, but this had a bit of a feel of a serial murderer stalking the Bravelands. Fans might enjoy this, but I read this with a look of terror on my face!

The world building is exquisite as always, and the personalities of dozens and dozens of animals are all well drawn. Thorn's angst gets to be a bit repetitive, but he really wants to do what is best for his tribe and for Bravelands; that's a big responsibility, so it deserves adequate exploration. Sky also has a lot on her plate, and it's interesting to see that the cubs' aunt wouldn't take care of them, but Sky was very accepting of falling into the caretaker role.

Readers who like books about animals who have well established tribes and territorial wars frequently only want to read similar books, and Bravelands is an interesting series because it involves a variety of animals, making it a little easier to tell the characters apart (unlike Warriors, where all the characters are cats with similar names!). I can't think of too many books set on the African plains, making Bravelands an intriguing choice for children who couldn't get enough of The Lion King and want to transfer their love of that film to literature.

MMGM- On Thin Ice

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday at Always in the Middle and #IMWAYR day at Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers. It's also Nonfiction Monday.

Northrop, Michael. On Thin Ice
July 30th 2019 by Scholastic
E ARC provided by Young Adult Books Central

Ked Eakins lives in the small town of Norton, where the major manufacturing plants are seeing hard times. His father only works part time, and his mother has left the family because of the father's gambling. To make matters worse, there is no longer his mother's health insurance to help Ked deal with his worsening kyphosis that is progressively ruining his posture. He deals with it by wearing baggy shirts, but the pain is a constant issue, and the kids in middle school are cruel about it. To make matters really bad, his friends have abandoned him one by one, so he has no one with whom to sit in the cafeteria. When Ked finds out that his father is not only behind on the rent, but has gambled the money away on a bet concerning the town's Thin Ice festival, Ked feels he must act. He takes $200 and buys a battered Road Rokkit motorcycle. He hopes to fix it up and sell it for $600 so the rent can be paid. His father, however, has sold his tools, so Ked takes the engine in to the school MakerSpace to work on it. His former friend, Nephi, is there working on a project for the Norton festival, as is Goth Girl Esme and school bullying, Landrover. When space is limited, the teacher who watches the MakerSpace during his planning period, Mr. Feig, lets Ked, Esme and Nephi stay after school to work on their projects while he grades papers. Landrover is angry, and sabotages Ked's efforts, damaging the bike. After struggling with the bike, school, and dealing with his father, Ked is pushed to his limits and thinks he will try to win the Thin Ice festival bet by cracking the ice and collapsing the tower himself-- but when he gets there, he finds Landrover there trying to do the same thing. Not surprisingly, this doesn't go well, but the experience makes Landrover a bit kinder towards Ked. The two work together, Ked gets out of his predicament for the time being, and things look a bit brighter after a heart-to-heart with his misguided but well-meaning father.
Strengths: Ked is an amazing character whose plight will speak to many middle grade readers. Why more books don't delve into the intricacies of lunch room dynamics, I will never know. Ked's physical challenges are lightly handled-- his back certainly bothers him physically and emotionally, but he moves on the best he can. The idea to fix up and sell a motorcycle isn't the best idea, but it is certainly something that I can see occurring to a middle school student as a great way to make money. I normally don't like books about bullying because they are not realistic (swirlies, wedgies, etc.), but what Ked experiences is spot on. Whispered words, quiet digs, friends abandoning him. Told in first person, something about Ked's voice appealed to me and made me want to find out what would happen and how he would deal with it. Combined with the intriguing cover, this story will capture the imagination of a variety of readers.
Weaknesses: The MakerSpace is a sore spot with me. I was forced to have one, and it was impossible to monitor. Even our public library decided against having one. It's a fantastic idea for all the reasons we see in this book; it gives kids a different sort of outlet. But if I'm getting books to students, instructing language arts classes and having classes in to do research, it is, as Mr. Feig knows, hard to supervise.
What I really think: Wow. This has a lot of emotional impact AND is an interesting read. This is a fantastic book that spans that difficult MG/YA gap and is a great choice for 8th grade boys who have moved beyond books with simple characters and plots. Hand this to readers who liked this author's Rotten, Key's Fourmile, and Vrabel's Bringing Me Back.