Cartoon Saturday- Donut the Destroyer, Doodleville

Graley, Sarah and Purenins, Stef. Donut the Destroyer
June 2nd 2020 by Graphix
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Donut's parents are evil super villains, and her best friend, Ivy, is very excited for the two of them to start the new school year at Skullfire Academy. Instead, Donut has enrolled at Lionheart School for Heroes, because she would rather be a hero than a villain. Her parents try to thwart her by taking her alarm and making her late for her first day, but she perseveres. The students at Lionheart know that she is from a villainous family, and some give her a hard time, but she manages to make friends with Artie and Martha who invite her to be part of the Lunchtime Villain History Club. Donut decides right away that she wants to try to be a Super Prefect like the perfect Simone, and get a gold cape. However, there are a lot of things working against her, especially Ivy. Ivy thought that the two would always go to Skullfire together, and is hurt that her friend is not joining her and instead has chosen to go to a different school and is now making new friends. Since she is evil, she decides to cause havoc at Lionheart, especially during a big ceremony for new students. Will Donut be able to work against not only her best friend but her parents in order to stay true to herself?
Strengths: The illustrations in this graphic novel are brightly colored and exuberant; this author's Glitch is appealing to my students, even though speculative fiction graphic novels tend not to circulate as much as realistic ones in my library. Donut's desire to be different from her best friend and her parents is a classic middle grade conflict, and is handled in a realistic but hopeful way. Donut's perception of Lionheart Academy's students is that they are all looking at her and don't like her, but that isn't the reality. There's a lot of action and humor in this story. It's rather brilliant to name the main character Donut-- it's an excuse for lots of donut graphics, which always make middle grade readers pick up a book, even though it has nothing to do with the breakfast pastry!
Weaknesses: Remember that graphic novels are not my preferred format: I thought the illustrations were a tiny bit busy. The eyes changing in almost every panel distracted me, as did the change in Ivy's whole face from panel to panel. I felt like I was missing some very small commentary on the action. Students will not worry about this as much. At least the noses were very nice and unobtrusive! (I am usually distracted by noses.)
What I really think: I will definitely purchase, and this should be a popular title. I was sold by the dedication "This book is for all the heroes out there, who always try to do the right thing and help make the world a better place for everyone." I always sent the girls off to school by saying "Go make the world a better place," and they usually do!

Knisley, Lucy. Stepping Stones
May 5th 2020 by Random House Graphic
Copy provided by the Ohio E Book Project

Jen is not happy that she has had to leave the city to live with her mother and her mother's new boyfriend not just in the country but on a farm. Her mom and Walter are running Peapod Farm and trying to make ends meet by selling flowers, berries, and home made granola at a local market. Jen not only has to clean the chicken coop and do a lot of manual labor around the farm, but Walter is very critical and doesn't take her feelings into consideration. When his two daughters come to visit, Jen has to deal with Andi, who is her age, and Reese, who is younger.  Their father seems to take their side, and it doesn't help that Andi is very good at math and can make change at the family's booth, something that has caused Jen a lot of trouble and anxiety. Will Jen be able to come to a cease fire with her part time sort of step siblings and settle into her new life?
Strengths: This is exactly the Telgemeier/Holm/Jamieson formula that my students love; brightly colored graphics that cover a realistic fiction story with a little bit of anxiety or trouble. The farm setting was fascinating, and Knisley brings her personal experience to provide lots of interesting details. My uncle had a farm, and I spent enough time planting potatoes and picking fruit that I think it's good for students to read about it, even if they never get to experience it!
Weaknesses: There are a lot of comments about how toxic Walter is. He's definitely not great, but Jen's father doesn't make a good showing, either. Certainly not how I would treat a child, but Jen's behavior isn't exemplary either. There are people like Walter out there, and sometimes we have to deal with them. Perhaps it's better to meet them first in fiction?
What I really think: I will definitely purchase this, although personally I am oddly enthralled by Knisley's work and don't like it at the same time. There are definitely some of my students dealing with challenging adults or blended families in their lives, and this is a realistic way of seeing others having the same circumstances.

Sell, Chad. Doodleville
June 9th 2020 by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
E ARC provided by the publisher

Drew loves to draw, and has a notebook full of doodles with whom she interacts. When she takes her sketch book with her on an art club field trip to the local art museum, some of the doodles escape and cause problems with the art in the museum. Drew feels that her drawings aren't as impressive as those by her fellow students, so when she is assigned a project, she tries something bigger. Her Leviathan drawing causes all sorts of problems, destroying both her work and those of the other students, and this destructive behavior seems tied to her feelings of anxiety and inadequacy. She needs the help of her classmates to make things right.
Strengths: This was a great fantasy graphic novel with a realistic start, and I enjoyed how we are just dropped into Drew's world where of course art comes to life. Her parents run a diner, which is a fun setting, especially since it means Drew has access to the huge roll of paper used to cover tables! What budding artist wouldn't love that. While Drew loves to draw, she feels that her work isn't as good as her classmates, which is certainly a feeling all of us have at one time or another. The Leviathan as the manifestation of her anxiety is an interesting way to explain this to younger readers.
Weaknesses: This got a bit repetitive in the middle, with the monster ravaging different things and the classmates trying different ways to deal with it.
What I really think: Debating. This is certainly an interesting and well done graphic novel, but Cardboard Kingdom doesn't circulate as well as I expected with my students, but that is probably because of the younger cover. This would certainly be fascinating to readers who like to draw a lot, and I would definitely purchase it for an elementary school.

Guy Friday- Road Trip!

Mitchell, Tom. That Time I Got Kidnapped
April 2nd 2020 by HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks
Copy provided by the publisher

Jacob is a fourteen year old from England who has won a contest-- he gets to be an extra in a super hero film. Not only that, but the studio is paying to fly him to the US, and he gets some merchandise as well. His family is supportive (well, except for his older sister), and sends him on his way to the US with a pink sparkly suitcase labeled "Princess". Hey, it fits the requirement for a carry on! His father wants him to be sure not to miss his connecting flight, and his mother wants him to stay hydrated. Of course, when he lands in Chicago, he gets a little distracted and misses his flight. Not to worry! There's a snow storm, and flights get delayed, so Jacob decides to take a Greyhound bus. Things go okay until he meets Jennifer. She trips over his suitcase and injures her arm, so when she realizes she is being followed, she feels that Jacob should help her. She has a mysterious cardboard box that she won't let out of her sight, and is being followed by "the Cowboy", whom she tells Jacob is in the employ of her grandmother. Jennifer is traveling to LA to visit her father, and the two fall into an uneasy camaraderie. When the Cowboy show up, the two get off the bus in a hurry and start on an uncomfortable journey that includes stealing coats, traveling with zombies, and hitching a ride with UFO-logists. As his chance of making it to the movie studio in time gets slimmer and slimmer, Jacob finds out more information about Jennifer's journey, and becomes more invested in it. The first rule of road trips is that nothing goes right; will Jacob be able to make to make it to the filming in time?
Strengths: Jacob's reactions to the situations in which he finds himself are so perfectly portrayed. Fourteen year olds have just enough knowledge to get themselves in trouble, and Jacob's plans are Such a Good Idea. Snowed in? Take a bus! While the parent in me was shaking my head, I really appreciated that Jacob acts generally like a good kid. He calls his parents to reassure them, he doesn't think that Jennifer has a good plan and discusses this with her, but in general, he goes where the moment takes him. This was just pitch perfect in that regard. He's worried about missing the film, but genuinely concerned about Jennifer's well being and unwilling to abandon her. In his heart, he's enjoying his adventure, but it is overshadowed a bit by his worry that his parents are concerned. There are so many good details about the quirky people that they meet, and even the Cowboy has his moments. Jennifer doesn't always tell the truth in order to further her own agenda, but this just adds an appealing layer of mystery. Definitely an amusing book!
Weaknesses: While this was funny and spot on when it came to adolescent thinking, it wasn't quite as original as this author's How to Rob a Bank. I would have preferred a trip across England, but I'm sure a trip across the US seems exotic to readers in the UK.
What I really think: We are living in stressful times, and this is the sort of book that my students desperately need. Many of them are watching the news feeds constantly, and reading a print book that is gently amusing is something that would have a positive impact on their mental health, causing them to unplug and step away from various stressors in their lives. This is available in a prebind from Follett, so I definitely have it on my list to purchase!

Uss, Christina. The Colossus of Roads
May 5th 2020 by Margaret Ferguson Books (Holiday House)
ARC provided by Follet First Look

Rick Rusek lives in Los Angeles, and he is obsessed with traffic and traffic patterns. He has good reason to be; his parents are caterers who specialize in Polish food, and their work takes them all over the city. Also, he has motion sickness so severely that he can't really travel anywhere by car. Since his older brothers are off at college and he is not able to pitch in to help with the family business, he's transferred to a local elementary school to which he can walk so his parents don't have to take the time to drive him, and spends his after school time with his friend Mira and her family. He listens to traffic reports and watches web cam coverage of traffic, and thinks of constructive ways that the traffic patterns or signage could be changed so that the flow would be better. When Mira's Girl Scout troop decorates old highways signs for an outdoor art project spearheaded by famous artist Anna Diamond, Rick sees a great opportunity. Ms. Diamond's sister is the head of Althea Torres, who is the head of the Department of Transportation, and Rick thinks this might give him a boost to get his Snarl Solutions to someone who can implement them. Not only that, but when the highway signs are decorated, Ms. Diamond has to attach work orders to them so that they are reinstalled. Rick manages to get some of his ideas put up for public view, and is gratified that traffic seems to be improving so much that his parents' travels are easier. Soon, however, he finds that there is a bicycle group sabotaging his signs, and finds that even Mira's abuela is involved in efforts to control traffic! Since his parents' business is struggling because they have had to cut down on jobs to take care of him, Rick really wants to help out. Will he be able to find a way to get the Department of Transportation to take his Snarl Solutions seriously, and will his parents be able to get a lucrative studio catering gig?
Strengths: First of all, best character name ever. Sounds just like someone with whom I would have gone to high school! Interesting to read about someone with pernicious motion sickness, and the interest in traffic is also intriguing. Fun that he hung out with the Girl Scouts, too. All of the little elements (Polish food, economic difficulties, fiesty abuela with a HAM radio) added up to a fun story. I also appreciate how invested in biking the author is!
Weaknesses: Public art is interesting; I'm a big fan of yarn bombers, even though I would rather knit a sweater. The idea of taking old highway signs, decorating them, and putting them up along the highway, though-- that's not a real thing, is it? It sounds dangerous and expensive. What if the duct tape and paint come off and the sign tells people to do something that's just wrong? I worried way too much about this, but students won't.
What I really think: Will probably purchase-- it's a funny story with a great cover, but I still don't think hanging decorated signs along the highway is a good idea!

Camp Murderface and Really Truly

Berk, Josh and Mitchell, Saundra. Camp Murderface
May 26th 2020 by HarperCollins
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Tez and Corryn are not super happy to be traveling to Camp Sweetwater in 1983. Neither are super excited about being out in the damp, insect laden forests of Ohio, and the strangely abusive, British counselours don't help. Mary and Gavin give all the campers insulting nicknames, and the cabins are all fairly dismal. Not only that, but creepy things keep happening. Corryn's cabin is positively alive with bugs, and the lake seems to be teeming with something as well. Not only that, but when looking through old yearbooks from 1883, there is a picture that looks strikingly like the odd Old Lifeguard with his old fashioned swimming outfit and handlebar mustache. Still, there are voices that speak to the campers, and Tez and Corryn figure out that they must be from three girls who died in a mysterious fire years ago. The two do more research at the public library in a nearby town (where they are not supposed to be!) and find that the camp had been named Camp Devilwood. Can they figure out what really happened at the camp and put the restless spirits at peace before disaster occurs.
Strengths: This has a great cover, and I really liked both Tez and Corryn. Tez has Marfan syndrome, and this effects of this are discussed briefly. I had a student a few years ago with this, and can't think of any other fictional portrayals in middle grade literature. The 1980s seems to be a popular time period for setting books with creepy monsters, thanks to Stranger Things. The story moves quickly, and the mystery is easy to follow.
Weaknesses: Didn't quite get why the counselors were British or so mean. I felt like I was missing some inside joke about this.
What I really think: I love Berk's The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin (2010), Guy Langan, Crime Scene Investigator (2012) and Strike Three, You're Dead (2013)  mainly because they are actually murder mysteries. This is more along the lines of Hahn's ghost mysteries, which are not as much in demand in my library. Mitchell seems to write more for YA audiences. I will probably purchase, but wish it actually had more murder in it. (Which sounds so, so wrong!)

Frederick, Heather Vogel. Really Truly (Pumpkin Falls #3)
June 2nd 2020 by Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

After solving a mystery in a book store in Absolutely Truly(2014) and one concerning maple syrup tampering in Yours Truly,(2017) Truly and her extended family are back for summer shenanigans. First, her grandmother and all of her extended Gifford family visits from Texas, giving the town of Pumpkin Falls a real show. Many participate in the July Four on the Fourth road race, and at the end of it, the trophy is missing. Before she can investigate, Truly gets news that is less than welcome-- her aunt and uncle are paying for her to go to camp for a week with her favorite cousin, Mackenzie, but it's a mermaid academy! Truly had been looking forward to spending a week without her siblings, bonding with her mother, but instead is shipped off, along with friends Cha Cha and Jasmine. The camp turns out to be a lot of fun, and since Truly is a strong swimmer, she enjoys the synchronized routines, choreographed by two elderly swimmers who were extras in Esther Williams films! The group's performance makes the local news, but Truly has a rather embarrassing wardrobe malfunction involving her clam shell bra. Back home, there is an even bigger mystery involving Cherry Island, pirates, and some of Truly's ancestors. As usual, her friends and the entire town get involved in fun ways, and Truly gets to put her newly acquired mermaid skills to good use in the community production of The Pirates of Penzance, which the director updates to be set in the 1950s. Truly is convinced there is treasure hidden in her town; will she be able to find it before the scholar and author who is also looking for it?
Strengths: The mermaid academy should have been entire book; it was such an appealing setting, with fantastic characters and such great details. The large family, combined with the wonderful Pumpkin Falls location, would probably have enticed me to purchase this series for my own when I was young so that I could have reread it every year! There are so many good details-- the father's ex-military persona, Aunt True, the bookstore, and the cousin and friends. I'm glad that there was a mystery about a family treasure as well as the one about the missing trophy. This felt like it could be the last book in the series, but was ambiguous enough that there could be another installment.
Weaknesses: The missing trophy mystery could have been better.
What I really think: Definitely purchasing. The series doesn't circulate heavily, but does go out steadily, and it quite fun.

Asha and the Spirit Bird

Bilan, Jasbinder. Asha and the Spirit Bird
June 2nd 2020 by Chicken House
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Asha lives with her parents and younger siblings in rural India. They have a farm, and her mother does some sewing and other odd jobs, but times are tough. Her father has gone to live in the city and work in a factory to give the family more income, but they haven't heard from him in four months. Her mother has taken out a loan, and when she doesn't repay it, the loan shark comes to the home, threatening to repossess it if the loan is not repaid by Diwali, which is six weeks away. Asha feels hopeless, and plans, along with her good friend Jeevan, to travel to Zandapur to find her father. It's quite a trek across the Himalayas, especially since she wants to stop at a temple on her way, and Jeevan decides not to go, since he doesn't want his parents to worry. As Asha is traveling on his family's truck, however, he decides that he will stay with her and help her out. The two are not all that prepared, but do have a map and an address for Asha's father. Asha also believes that her grandmother's spirit is with her, in the form of a Lamagaia ( a type of vulture) who keeps appearing in times of need. The two manage to travel part of the way on a train, stowing away, but get thrown off and have to hike across the mountain. Asha's feet are bothering her, and Jeevan becomes very ill. Luckily, they meet a boy who takes them to his family to recuperate a bit. They make it to the temple, and even getting to the city isn't too bad, but once there, they get shanghaied into garbage picking, sold to the boss by a woman who offers them a ride and then drugs them. There isn't a lot of time before the loan must be repaid, so Asha manages to escape, bringing the other children along with her. Luckily, there is a man and his wife who run a shelter for homeless children, and they are a big help. Her father is located, but has been injured. Will the group be able to get back to the village in time to save the farm and prevent the family from going to England to like with an uncle?
Strengths:This reminded me a bit of Butterworth's Running on the Roof of the World, but without the yaks! What a fantastic twist on an outdoor action/adventure story-- traversing the Himalayas! There are a lot of details about Asha's life in her village that US readers will find fascinating, and the children's adventures in the big city reminded me a bit of Schroeder's Saraswati's Way. The fantasy element is there, but this is not a fantasy book; her grandmother's presence is more of a feeling than a reality, even though a tiger appears and saves the children, and Asha is sure it is her grandmother. Venkatraman's A Bridge Home has been hugely popular in my library, making this a book that has a built in audience in my library.
Weaknesses: I like the British cover better!
What I really think: Definitely purchasing. I love reading stories from different places in the world.

Glitch and Ultraball

Martin, Laura. Glitch
June 9th 2020 by HarperCollins
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

N.B. I love time travel books, and the best ones (e.g. Owen's excellent Here, There Be Dragons) make my brain hurt. And remind me of the television show Voyagers! This one does both, very nicely.

Regan has been identified as someone who has the ability to "glitch", or travel through time, and is a student at the Academy run by her mother for such people. Glitchers train to be able to stop the Butterflies, who are evil agents employed by Mayhem to go back in history and change events. Regan messes up a lot during the simulations, but she has an uncanny knack for spotting Butterflies. Elliot doesn't get along with Regan-- her thinks she is snotty because her mother is in charge, and he resents that she doesn't work harder academically. It doesn't help their relationship when they both receive a "Cocoon" in Regan's handwriting-- a letter from Regan's future self that's aim is to change the future. This is just what Glitchers try to prevent Butterflies from doing! When the two have to work together, they think their simulation is a disaster, but they are asked to participate in a special Lewis and Clark academy that trains Glitchers with complementing powers and skills to work in tandem. The school for this is not located on the elusive island where the Academy is, but is in a super secret location inside a mountain. Regan and Elliot are the youngest team, and have some early success, mainly due to their Cocoon. When a disaster strikes the Academy, the two have to go on a real mission. Will they be able to save Glitchers from the evil attempts of Mayhem? And should they?
Strengths: The most important thing for a time travel book, for me, is to establish a reasonable vehicle for time travel without overexplaining it. This does that perfectly. Not only that, but the travelers are given a mission, and are fighting against evil. It is also notable that the faculty don't time travel any more; it's just children. The simulations are interesting and bring up various points of history, like the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911, which is my favorite horrible historical event. (We all have one, right?)
Weaknesses: I needed to know a bit more about Mayhem and the people they had working as Butterflies, especially since their training didn't seem to be great. Will we find out more in another book? I'm thinking that perhaps they aren't as evil as they seem.
What I really think: I would make an excellent Glitcher-- I would totally have called the inconsistency in 1970s hairstyles. I would, of course, need an Elliot who was better than I am at dates. Also, I am very excited about having this book in my library and getting it to fans of Gutman's The Flashback Four.

Chen, Jeff. Deathstrike: Ultraball #2
January 14th 2020 by Katherine Tegen Books
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

After narrowly avoiding disaster in Ultraball, the Miners (coached by Strike) are back for a new season. When the team loses to the low ranked Molemen, they know that they have to take a hard look at their roster in order to have a decent season. Strike is also dealing with a secret-- he is quickly outgrowing his Ultrabot suit, which will mean the end of his career. To complicate matters, Striker finds out from a group of Dark Siders that Book is still alive, and he starts to get coded messages from her. The most pressing threat is Raiden Zuna. He's not only backing the Neutrons, who are on track for their fifth championship win, but he's bought up most of the media so they only report stories he approves. He's still trying to take over the Moon, but he takes time to reach out to Strike. He knows Strike's secret, and claims he can help him to modify his suit so he can continue playing, just like one of his players. WIth Zuna threatening the safety of all of the communities on the Moon, the competition to reach the Ultrabowl ramps up, with players making more and more violent choices in order to win. When Strike finds out how Zuna REALLY helped his player with the Ultrabot suit, he realizes that there is nothing that can extend his playing time, and he has to look out for the safety of Boom, his players, and the Moon, not matter how much this runs him afoul of Zuna.

For sports players who also like science fiction, this is a perfect amalgamation. Ultraball is similar to football, if football involved flying, underground passages, explosions, and suits that give the players super power. There are lots of games described in exquisite detail, and I've noticed on most of the reviews of the first book that this is what the teachers and librarians don't like about the story. These descriptions are, of course, exactly what middle school sports fans absolutely want in a book!

Zuna is an interesting super villain-- he has so much money and power that he seems unstoppable, but has certain weaknesses. I loved that Strike had no intention of trusting him, but was sucked in by his desire to continue with his sport. The fact that the players will take horrific chances to stay in the Ultrabot suits has direct parallels to football players continuing to suit up despite the threat of concussions and traumatic brain injury.

The best part about this is, of course, the Miners and the variety of characters on the team. My own favorite was Torch's sister,who shows up wanting to help the team in any capacity, and who ends up being a formidable player in her own right, earning the nickname "Nitro". It made me very happy that the Ultraball players were about equally male and female, and there wasn't much discussion that this was anything unusal. Is it going to take the destruction of the entire Earth, a Moon colony, and robotic suits before we get gender parity in sports?

Ultraball is such an unusual mix of elements that it's hard to find books like it. Readers who go back and forth between Tim Green and Mike Lupica and then Jason Fry, Joshua Levy, and D.J. MacHale will wish that they were able to take their own game into space.

I could have used a bit more information about daily life on the moon, and could have done without the jokes about pooping in the Ultrabot suit, but then I am not the target demographic!

MMGM- Zeus and Daring Dogs

It's

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
 at 

Always in the Middle 

and #IMWAYR day 

at 

Teach Mentor Texts 

and 

Unleashing Readers.

Tubb, Kristin O'Donnell. Zeus: Dog of Chaos
June 2nd 2020 by Katherine Tegen Books
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Madden is getting used to living with his mother, an Army lieutenant, after having spent a lot of time with his grandparents while his mother was deployed. His father passed away when he was younger. Madden has diabetes, and even though he has a Continuous Glucose Monitor and manages very well, his mother is worried about him. Because he wants to play tuba in the school band, and his mother thinks this will stress his system, he gets a service dog to help monitor his condition. Zeus has been well trained, and does a great job keeping track of Madden's glucose levels and alerting him when they are too low or too high, but does have some behavioral issues. These stem from a series of misunderstandings-- Madden wants to fly "under the radar" at school and not draw attention to himself, but he loves music and is outstanding at playing the tuba, which leads Zeus to conclude that his mission is to "kill the music" in order for Madden to go unnoticed. This leads the dog to steal the teacher's baton, eat fund raiser food, and even attempt to ruin the instruments. Of course, this is NOT what Madden wants, and he struggles to understand why Zeus is acting out. He befriends Ashvi, a flute player with whom is assigned a duet for a concert, and she tries to help out with Zeus as well. Zeus's actions manage to get Madden in trouble with his mother, whom he is still trying to figure out. With a state contest looming, will Madden be able to control Zeus so that his group has a chance to win?
Strengths: There are relatively few books about children managing diabetes, but there is a least one student at my school every year dealing with this. I had a friend with diabetes when I was in middle school, and it would have been really helpful to have a book like this to understand the issues with which he had to deal. The information about diabetes is well balanced with Zeus' exploits and with the band practices and plans to go to contest. This makes the book a quick, compelling read that also has a lot of funny moments. My favorite part was Madden trying to get used to dealing with his mother and her attempts at controlling his diabetes-- I have one student whose mother gets blood sugar alerts on her phone, and will sometimes text her daughter!
Weaknesses: I personally had trouble believing that Zeus's doggy brain would be so fixated on ruining the music, but it makes for a good story. I'm not a huge fan of books written from animals' perspective, but my students LOVE them.
What I really think: This author's A Dog Like Daisy has been very popular, so I will definitely be purchasing this title. It also does a better job at explaining the training of diabetes service dogs than the The Truth According to Blue.

Hamilton, Kimberlie. Daring Dogs: 30 True Tales of Heroic Hounds June 2nd 2020 by Scholastic Nonfiction
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

In this delightfully illustrated book, we are treated to one page explanations of dogs that were especially heroic. Along with these biographies, there is also shorter bits of information about other dogs who did similar feats, as well as facts about dog behaviors. The dogs come from around the globe, and span an impressive range of history. I am definitely a dog person, so some of the stories of dogs staying by their human companions made me tear up more than a little!

This is a fun twist on the biography compilations of women,scientists, explorers, African-Americans, etc. that have been popular lately. This one somehow reminded me visually a bit of The Color Kittens, so I went into the book feeling warm and fuzzy already! It doesn't have any photos, which is always a bit disappointing even if it is completely understandable. I still want to buy one to tear apart for bulletin boards. I never actually do this, but some books make me want to!

Of course, if I purchase the dog book, I will also have to purchase the cat one (November 2019, Scholastic Nonfiction), even though I have my reservation about feline heroics!

The Ruby Princess Runs Away

Malcolm, Jahnna N. The Ruby Princess Runs Away (Jewel Kingdom #1) 
May 5th 2020 by Scholastic Paperbacks (first published 1997)
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Roxanne is set to be crowned Ruby Princess and sent off to rule over her own kingdom. Her cousins are also going to be crowned, but Rozanne feels that she doesn't know enough to rule and doesn't want to leave her family to be all alone in a far flung castle, so she runs away right before the ceremony. Pip, a bird who is a castle secretary, takes off with her. Unfortunately, Lord Bleak and his Dreadlings have stolen the Ruby crown, and when they find that Roxanne has run away, send a replacement who is wearing a magical mask that makes her look just like her. Luckily, a friendly dragon named Happy helps Roxanne by rescuing her from Dreadlings and giving her a magic shield that makes her invisible. Roxanne also meets the gnomlings who made her crown, which was stolen from them by the Dreadlings, who also injured Applesap. She sends the two to the castle on Happy's back, and takes off across the haunted forest to get back to the palace in order to stop the impostor from being crowned. Will she and Pip be able to make it back in one piece and save the kingdom?
Strengths: My daughter, Picky Reader, adored these beyond all reason, and she was not a big reader. I managed to collect the twelve book series (plus one Super Special) from thrift stores, which shows how popular they were in the late 1990s. The original princess were all portrayed as very Anglo-Germanic, but the updated illustrations diversify their looks; they are now cousins. There is a fair amount of action, and some good lessons about duty, with realistic emotions shown by Roxanne.
Weaknesses: Can you say Castle Dread across the Dismal Sea, populated by Lord Lord Bleak and the Dreadlings? Shades of Gargamel and the Purple Pieman, Batman! A bit twee for middle school,
What I really think: These are being reissued in paperback, but Follett has them in a prebind. A fine choice for younger elementary school readers, and if you have the original series but book are missing any volume up to book four, this is your chance to replace it!

100 Great Books

100 Great Books with Black Characters

During the last two weeks of protests, I have been unsure what to say on social media. I believe that Black Lives Matter, that the actions of the police and current administration are beyond appalling, and that we all need to band together to insure that all the children in our care as teachers and librarians are seen, respected, and represented in the books that we provide for them.

Having been told growing up that "no one needs to hear what you say", and being conscious of my white privilege, I have done a lot of listening and reading on various social platforms before posting.

My bottom line is always "the right book for the right child at the right time". The idea of books as windows and mirrors is critical for helping students to understand and be accepting of students whose lives are not like theirs. Black authors and educators on Twitter have reminded people not to forget books with Black characters that bring joy. Especially now, when students are stressed, this is important. Children, and adults for that matter, need a break from the constant anxiety of living in current times. Reading has always been an excellent escape.

For ten years, I have put together slide presentations of new books for district professional development. These are usually divided categories or which students ask, such as Mystery, History, Adventure, Speculative Fiction, Sports, etc. and are as diverse as availability allows. This diversity increased greatly in 2014 with the creation of #WeNeedDiverseBooks, but the publishing world still does not fairly represent or value all contributors.

Having a diverse collection is hugely important. To make this list, I looked through all the books I have read since about 2011, almost 8,000 titles. Since I am always actively looking for books with nonwhite characters and read everything I can find, this is a sad reflection on the selection of books available for our middle grade students.

Any mistakes are my own. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about this list. I hope that this helps, in some small way, to help get books with Black characters into the hands of all readers so that the next generation is able to create a society where everyone is treated with kindness, empathy, and understanding.

Authors included are Black, to the best of my research, although there are about six books that have notes attached as to why the books were included.

100 Great Books with Black Characters

Summer at Meadow Wood

Tan, Amy Rebecca. Summer at Meadow Wood
May 19th 2020 by HarperCollins
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Vic has gone to summer camp for a while, and loves her friends in her cabin, but this summer she isn't as enthusiastic. She would rather be at home, except that things are not good between her parents, and she has found out a secret about why her mother wants to get her out of the house for eight weeks. Camp itself isn't great-- her counselor, Chieko, doesn't seem to want to be there, there are few girls in Yarrow cabin, her "camp sister" is a precocious, homesick girl named Vera, and things seem off with bunk mates Carly, Jordanna and the Jaida's. It doesn't help when Vic misses activity sign ups and ends up with "farm". The only other camper there is Bella, and she is more interested in painting her nails blue than picking blueberries, although Earl, who owns the camp and works in the gardens, seems nice. When her canteen money is cut off by her mother, Vic feels sorry for herself, but Cheiko gives her advice from Eleanor Roosevelt-- work is a good antidote for feeling down. Vic helps Earl out more on the farm and even volunteers to go help out at the farmer's market on Saturday morning... at 5 a.m.! There, she meets a boy her age, Angel,  whose family has a flower shop, and the two enjoy hanging out. Her fellow camp mates run into problems, one gets injured, and things with her family aren't great, but Vic tries to find a way forward for herself.
Strengths: Earl steals the show, in my opinion, with Angel giving this a delightful Little Darlings feeling, but without the, er, racy parts. (Sorry. I am now distracted with thoughts of Matt Dillon.) Vic is a bit of a brat at first, although she may have some reason to be, but she gets over herself, which is always good to see. Her home problems are real and serious, but since she is away from home, they can't really be dealt with. Cheiko is not a great counselor, but her backstory is interesting, as is how she encourages Vic. I love how Vic visited her brother to make him feel better and uses her hard earned money to put into his canteen account. There are lots of camp stories out there, but this one really stands out.
Weaknesses: I thought this would be a typical camp book at the beginning, with all of the girl drama, and almost gave up, but this has a lot of interesting facets to it, so I'm glad I continued.
What I really think: This reminded me of Nickerson's The Secrets of Blueberries, Brothers, Moose & Me, which doesn't circulate super well, but which I enjoyed. I will purchase, since this author's A Kind of Paradise does well and I love books where children learn the merits of working!

Spoiler: Earl lives. I had my concerns, ala Greene's A Girl Called Al. Fear not.

Guy Friday- Brave Like That and Slamdown Town

Stoddard, Lindsey. Brave Like That
June 2nd 2020 by HarperCollins
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Cyrus was abandoned as a baby at a fire station in Northfield, Minnesota. He was adopted by Brooks, one of the firemen who was able to calm his crying. On Cyrus' birthday, a dog appears at the station, and Cyrus feels an immediate connection with the pup, whom he names Parker. His father, however, does not want a dog, so takes him to a local vet who then sends Parker to a shelter. Cyrus is starting middle school, and is expected to follow in Brooks' footsteps as a football player. He likes the game a little, but he is small for his age, and isn't keen on the behavior of the other players. He would rather hang out with his grandmother, who is in an assisted living facility following a stroke, but with whom he still enjoys listening to music. At school, there is a new student, Eduardo, and some of the boys on the team start to give him a hard time, calling him "EdWEIRDo". Cyrus likes the boy, and connects with him over the picture books that his language arts teacher reads. Cyrus can't read well, but has become very clever at hiding this from everyone. He is determined to be with Parker, and ends up volunteering at the animal shelter, making some friends from school in the process. One of the firefighters retires, and is replaces by a new one, Sam, who is the first female firefighter the station has had. Cyrus has to lie to get out of football practice in order to volunteer, but he feels that it is worth it. When the shelter tells him that Parker is going to be sent to another shelter, will he be able to convince his father that he should adopt the dog... and also, quit the football team?
Strengths: This had a lot of elements that were interesting; scenes at the fire station, volunteering with an animal shelter, a beloved grandmother, and of course, dogs and football. Middle school is a minefield of interpersonal relationships, so it was interesting to see Cyrus's understanding that for his own good, he should hang out with the football team, even though he doesn't much like them. Of course, it is even better to show him realizing WHY he doesn't like them, and challenging their treatment of a fellow student he likes. It's good to see this sort of behavior modeled in books. It's also interesting that Cyrus struggles with reading but is trying to get better. There's a nice shout out to Jillian Heise and her Classroom Book a Day!
Weaknesses: This is a bit slow paced, but I could see this being used in a classroom as a read aloud or a book circle group, since there is a lot about toxic masculinity to unpack.
What I really think: I wish it had a bit more about the dog or football, which would make it easier to sell to students.

Nicoll, Maxwell and Smith, Matthew. Slamdown Town
January 28th 2020 by Harry N. Abrams
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Ollie is in 6th grade and is small for his age. His older brother, Hollis, is in 8th, and has become increasingly hostile towards him. Both boys are very interested in the staged world of professional wrestling, especially since their mother once competed as the Brash Banshee and is now working as a ref at the local wrestling venue, Slamdown Town. Ollie hopes to be a wrestler himself one day, and hopes to attend tryouts for new wrestlers, but realizes his chances aren't good. When Hollis gives him a present of a chewed piece of gum from older wrestler Professor Pain (Ollie's favorite), something odd happens when his brother forces him to chew the gum-- he turns into an older version of himself who looks ready to rumble. Consulting Professor Pain's videos, Ollie and his friend Tamiko work to make Ollie a great wrestler, the Big Chew,  who will be able to defeat his mother's nemesis, the Werewrestler. Ollie has to master a costume, the banter in the ring, and a signature move. He must also defeat enough other wrestlers that the Werewrestler will be interested in challenging him. It's not as easy job; Ollie is struggling to keep up with his school work, alienates Tamiko with his obsession over wrestling, and has to deal with the fact that the owner threatens to close Slamdown Town unless he can make more money. Will Ollie be able to not go down for the count?

There are lots of good bits of information about staging a professional wrestling fight. Professor Pain's videos lay everything out for Ollie, but it's not that easy. The costume alone is difficult, and involves a lot of strange items from the family attic, including a pair of Ollie's grandfather's underpants that become an integral part of the costume! The banter is dissected, and Ollie tries his best to get a handle on what works best. The signature move, the Bubble Blast, is slightly illegal, but hitting his opponents with his wrestling boot with gum on it certainly is effective. Hollis and Ollie clearly have a lot invested in the sport, and eventually overcome their differences because of it.

I really enjoyed the fact that the wrestlers were split between males and females, and compete against each other without any difficulty. I am completely unfamiliar with professional wrestling, so don't know if this is true to form. It works out particularly well when a little known rule comes in to play during the Big Chew's match with Werewrestler!

Including Ollie's struggles in school, and problems with his best friend, ground this somewhat goofy fantasy with some realistic problems that many middle grade readers face. I wasn't entirely sold on the fact that one wrestling match would save Slamdown Town, but since the owner was an egomaniacal caricature, it just added a level of silliness to the story.

Readers who understand the world of professional wrestling will certainly enjoy this romp, but I can seeing being popular also with fans of Patterson's I Funny or Zach King's magic Trilogy. The energy and level of goofiness is about the same.

I have never had any students ask me for books about pro wrestling, so I'm not entirely sure about how well this will circulate.

What Happens Next

Swinarski, Claire.  What Happens Next 
May 19th 2020 by HarperCollins
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Abby's family runs McCourt Cabins in Moose Junction, but the resort is not going as well as they would like. An upcoming eclipse will hopefully mean an uptick in business, which is sorely needed, especially since Blair, Abby's oldest sister, is in a residential treatment program for anorexia. Blair, a talented ballet dancer, has struggled with the disorder for a while, but could not complete an audition for the Joffrey Ballet School Trainee Program, and spiraled downwards after that. Jade, Abby's other sister, is busy with work and boyfriends, and Abby gets involved with one of the customers, Dr. Leo Lacamoire, who shares her interest in astronomy. His assistant, Simone, asks for Abby's help locating a rare telescope that was buried in the town's time capsule in 2000, and Abby enlists her sister to help her. As the eclipse approaches, secrets come out about both the professor and Abby, and Abby's family deals with Blair's illness and recovery.
Strengths: Blair's interest in ballet and all of the details about her being homeschooled, driving to lessons, and trying out for Joffrey are all very interesting, and middle school readers are always interested in eating disorders. The family dynamic, and Abby's part in it, is well done. The mystery of the microscope rounds out the story, as does the eclipse and the family business problems.
Weaknesses: This bounced around in time a bit instead of being linear, and I always struggle with that. While Dr. Lacamoire's story was interesting, I found I didn't really care as much about it.
What I really think: Books about families dealing with anorexia or other eating disorders are always popular, and I haven't seen anything new in a while, so I will definitely purchase.

Shepherd, Kat. The Cat's Paw (The Gemini Mysteries #2)
June 2nd 2020 by Yellow Jacket

I liked the first book so much that I am ordering the second without having read it-- there was no E ARC I could find. Since this just came out, though, I wanted everyone to know about it. The first one has circulated well, and this book involves a missing red panda!

Small Mercies, Swish

Krone, Bridget. Small Mercies
Catalyst Press, 4 February 2020
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Mercy has been raised by her great aunts Mary and Flora in South Africa since the death of her parents. They love her dearly, but have slightly different ideas about parenting, especially when it comes to school. They write a lot of excuse notes getting Mercy out of sports activities or anything that Mercy doesn't want to do and that they think is silly, like a project where the students have to do a dance from their culture. As the ladies age, caring for Mercy becomes harder and harder. Their house is falling into disrepair, and they've had to sell off many of their belongings to provide the meager diet they have. When Flora start to show alarming signs of dementia, Mary starts to think about selling the property to a developer. Neighbors help a bit, and eventually Mary takes in a lodger so that some repairs can be done on the house. Mr. Singh is a retired man who was tired of living with his children, so he is glad to feel useful. He teaches Mercy about Gandhi when she has a project on a role model, makes spiced chai for the group, and has his children do some of the minor repairs. Mercy is always worried that the school will alert the social worker to her increasingly precarious living conditions, so she tries to do what is expected and stay out of trouble. When the developer starts to sabotage Mercy's home, she and her neighbors form their own passive resistance movement with the help of Mercy's classmates so that Mercy and her aunts can continue to live on their own.
Strengths: This is a charming slice-of-life novel about a topic that I don't think I've ever seen covered; life in South Africa. Any book I've seen has been concerned more about Apartheid, but this is just one struggling family trying to survive. Children being raised by grandparents or older relatives is certainly increasingly common in the US. The details about school in South Africa are especially interesting, and the house and neighborhood were very well described. Mr. Singh was a very sympathetic and helpful character, and Aunt Mary and Flora were just doing their best for Mercy.
Weaknesses: Students in the US might benefit from some notes about life in South Africa, the structure of the school system, and how Apartheid affected the country. This would add another layer of meaning to a great story.
What I really think: I will certainly purchase this, and it makes an interesting companion to Trevor Noah: Born a Crime. The cover is very appealing, and stories of children in peril are always popular.

Delle Donne, Elena. Swish (Hoops #5)
March 17th 2020 by Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers
E ARC provided by Edelweiss

Elle has tried the volleyball team to escape the drama on the basketball team, but she has decided her real passion lies with basketball, and is glad when the coach and the team accept her back. She's worried because her presence seems to make Amanda have less playing time, and she doesn't want to upstage her friend. Elle is also involved in the school Buddy Club, and they decide to change the school Valentine's dance to a friend dance, and she helps work on the decoration and planning. She is also bothered by the inequities she sees between the way the boys' teams and girls' teams are treated, so starts a booster club with the girls she knows from both teams. They start to address issues like cheerleaders only at boys' games, less money going to the girls, and the perception that a team can be "good for a girls' team". Through all of this, she is careful to keep up with her homework, hanging out with her sister Beth and her dog Zobe, and figuring out the intricacies of crushes.
Strengths: These are fast paced, well constructed novels that always high light the sports aspect while maintaining a focus on life balance, which is important. Very solid series.
Weaknesses: The whole idea of a cotillion is still going to confuse my readers! This came up in a previous book. Also, Elle wearing jeans and a t shirt to a dance is not that odd.
What I really think: I'd love more novels about girls playing basketball for a slightly older audience. These are perfect for elementary girls who want to read about middle school students, and my 6th and 7th graders love them, but the 8th graders want something that feels older. Maybe Delle Donne will write a high school series? I'd love Alex Morgan to do the same!

STEM Tuesday- The Birthday Castle

STEM Tuesday is hosted at both From the Mixed-Up Files as well as MG Book Village, both sites you should check out because they have lots of good information. I have to admit I've never done a STEM post before because... STEM is not my thing. There are plenty of people championing it, but I don't have the background to really post a lot about this topic. I picked up the book below because I love Dee Romito's work! I also love the M!X and MAX series, and Quix is the new one. 

Romito, Dee and Kissi, Marta. The Birthday Castle (Fort Builders, Inc. #1)
May 19th 2020 by Aladdin (first published 2020)
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Caleb really wants the latest book in a series he loves, but he doesn't have the $10 to pay for it. His mother suggests that he earn the money. He consults his  friends Jax and Eddie, and they make a list of skills they have and jobs they can do. They finally decide that they build really good cardboard castles, having recently made one out of a refrigerator box. They set up their business, find some cardboard, and get a client, who wants a pink castle for her birthday on Saturday, for the grand total of $10. The boys start building, but when the girl sees their progress, makes changes to the design. The boys go back to one house where they traded cardboard for helping Mrs. Mohan clean her garage, and meet her granddaughter. Kiara has some great ideas about design as well as their business, and soon she is helping with the castle. Time is tight, so when their castle is destroyed in a rainstorm, they are not sure they will be able to deliver the product on time. They do, and Caleb is $2.50 closer to his goal of
having his book. His friends, however, are glad that he set up the business, so give their proceeds to him. It looks like there will be further adventures.
Strengths: This had a lot of good advice about setting up a business, dealing with customers, working on trading essential good and services, and even designing things out of cardboard. It even has instructions for an activity in the back. The characters are briefly but nicely diverse, and I loved that Kiara was the one who was super organized, although each character brings certain skill sets to the business. I would have loved this one when I was young-- refrigerator boxes were always something I enjoyed!
Weaknesses: I was a tiny bit disappointed that a book with so much girl power also included a pink castle with purple tape on it, but I've never been a big fan of the whole princess culture.
What I really think: I would buy this if I hadn't invested in a lot of early readers last year. This reminded my a bit of Crosby Bonsall's The Case of the Cat's Meow (1965), the cover of which I include here because one of the characters was African-American, which was a bit unusual at the time. Of course, the characters were also named Skinny, Tubby, Snitch, and Wizard.

Halbrook, K.D. Silver Batal: Race for the Dragon Heartstone
June 2nd 2020 by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

My students were VERY interested in dragon books this year, and Silver Batal and the Water Dragon Races has been super popular. There's something very appealing about not only being a soul mate with a dragon, but racing one...wow. This is definitely a series to buy if Tui Sutherland's Wings of Fire series is popular in your library.

From Goodreads.com
Silver Batal and her best friend, Hiyyan, have narrowly escaped the greedy clutches of Queen Imea. With the queen’s trackers hot on their tails, Silver and Hiyyan head into an exciting frozen world filled with ferocious ice dragons, new friends, and new foes.

But when Hiyyan suffers a poisonous bite from a deadly dragon, Silver must find a legendary dragon heartstone to heal him. Their search leads to the mysterious Keep, the home of the reclusive and mysterious Watchers, where nothing is quite as it appears...

Perfect for fans of Roshani Chokshi and Sayantani DasGupta, this thrilling follow-up to Silver Batal and the Water Dragon Races will capture your heart. "

MMGM- The Dream Weavers

It's

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
 at 

Always in the Middle 

and #IMWAYR day 

at 

Teach Mentor Texts 

and 

Unleashing Readers.

Alegre, Raina Luz. The Dream Weavers
May 26th 2020 by Simon & Schuster Children's
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Zoey and her older brother José have moved from place to place with their father after the death of their mother, but her father is never happy anywhere for long. When they move in with their grandfather, Poppy, on the Jersey Shore, Zoey isn't overly thrilled, but she is glad to be living in her mother's old bedroom and hanging out with Poppy at his bowling alley, Gonzo's. The lanes have become a bit decrepit since the death of her abuela, but when Zoey gets to know Isa and Lacey, who are on a bowling team, she starts to see the potential in the family business. The girls, along with two boys, hope to win a local tournament, but when one of the boys is injured, they ask Zoey to step in. Gonzo's isn't as nice as the other lanes in town, but it is less crowded, and Zoey feels that if she can help fix the place up, Poppy won't want to sell to the evil developed, Mr. Silos. Zoey is already dealing with the fact that José is going to Florida for college in the fall, and her father is living in New York City, where he has a job selling motorcycles with an old friend. She wants to stay in one place, and since she has made friends and is invested in the bowling alley, she hopes that her father won't decide to uproot her. She manages to help get the lanes cleaned up, helps Poppy arrange with a nearby restaurant to have food brought in, and even gets the tournament to be held at Gonzo's, but when a storm damages the neighborhood, she fears that Poppy will give up and sell the business. Will she be able to defy her father's wishes and stay where she is most comfortable? And will her grandfather's business survive?
Strengths: This book made me so happy! First, there was the bowling and the bowling alley. Poppy's handling of the business seems very realistic, and I'm sure that such a property would be targeted by developers. I loved the way Zoey and her friends helped spruce it up, but the best part was what Poppy ended up doing at the end. Perfect! José was a great older brother, the father and Poppy didn't get along for very good reasons, and the portrayal of grief was just right. Isa and Lacey were great fun, and I loved that the girls became friends, bonding over a shared interest in bowling despite their differences. This had everything I want in a middle grade book; children who have interests and DO things, friend and family drama, an unusual and intriguing setting, and a nice cultural connection, with Poppy's Cuban background.
Weaknesses: It seems to be a trend to work scenes about girls getting their period for the first time into middle grade novels; I've seen this a lot lately. It's fine, but most of these scenes are much more dramatic and traumatic than real life, and I'm conflicted about this. I don't want readers to worry about this more than they already might. I could also have done without quite as much discussion about clothing and shopping, but that's more just a me thing.
What I really think: Aside from Allen's 2011 How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy, Sheinmel's 2017 Designed by Lucy (The Kindness Club #2) and Gephart's 2018 In Your Shoes, are there any other middle grade books that involve bowling (Aside from installments of Arnie the Doughnut and Phoebe and Her Unicorn)? I read this just after I went bowling with the 7th and 8th grade students who made Renaissance, and I was a bit sad at how little they knew about bowling. Maybe this will help create a resurgence. Definitely purchasing and recommending to everyone!

Thompson, Alexandra. A Family for Louie
June 1st 2020 by G. P. Putnam's Sons
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

I don't read a lot of picture books, but I do read them to my dog Sylvie. This one looked just too adorable to pass up, especially when we were all experiencing Extreme Social Distancing back in March. (Will we ever get to leave the house again? We will hope by the time of publication that we can!)

Louie is a French bulldog who has very good taste in food, and has a system worked out where he gets his meals from chefs all over town. He even has a system worked out for bathing, and has an under ground lair where he can read and sleep at night. However, he is lonely, and longs for a family of his own. He starts to look at the families he sees out and about, but is not compatible with many of them; either they eat food he doesn't like, have cats, or are too active. One day, he meets a little girl whose mother has opened a cupcake shop. She seems like a good fit, and the two get to know each other. Will her mother agree to let the girl keep Louie?
Strengths: This is a picture book that I would not mind reading twenty times a day, which is always a good criterion for picture books to meet. (Looking at you, Daisy Lee Ate the T.V., which I can still quote 25 years after my daughter was obsessed with it!) The pictures have a very pleasant gray and pink color palette, and the illustrations have a modern sensibility with a tiny hint of 1960s influence. There is even a shout out to Hopper's Nighhawks! The message is a solid one; you need to find people who understand and appreciate the same things that you do. This would be great in an elementary or public library.
Weaknesses: Louie curls up at night with a cup of cocoa, which is probably something dogs should not have. Sylvie would argue that it's fine for dogs to drink tea, but I would disagree!
What I really think: This is so darn cute. I may have to buy a copy for myself, not that I need any picture books! Maybe I'll have to buy some copies for my friends who are becoming grandparents.

Center of Gravity and Trowbridge Road

Grimes, Shaunta. Center of Gravity
March 24th 2020 by Feiwel & Friends
E ARC provided by Netgalley

In 1985, Tessa is still dealing with her mother's death from cancer within the last year. Her mother had been a nurse in Vietnam, and her father, a history teacher, has been staying at work later and later since the mother's death. Tessa has taken to saving the pictures of missing children from milk cartons, and has a file of them that bring her comfort but also embarrasses her because she has a compulsion to go through all of the milk cartons at school until she finds one with a child she has not seen before. When it suddenly turns out that her father has been at school late because he has been seeing a literacy volunteer, Lila, Tessa is even more upset. But that's not all! Lila is pregnant, the two are getting married, and the family is going to be moving to a beach house in California that Lila's parents are giving her. Her father, who is afraid he could love his job in Denver because of Lila, is going to look for a new job. Tess actually settles in to the new place fairly well, making friends with the neighbor boys and going to the rec center to play foosball. The boys have a team and very much want to enter a contest with a large monetary prize to help out two of their group who are struggling with an abusive mother. Tessa is still collecting the milk cartons, and her new friends think it's a bit quirky but go along with it. Tessa tries to help the group make money by having a Kool-Aid stand and trying to take a babysitting job, but when Lila goes into labor while her father is out of town, many of her plans fall through. The boys are able to play foosball without her and manage to help the boys, and Tessa becomes less anxious about the missing children while she becomes more invested with her new family.
Strengths: I like the fact that Tessa was dealing with her mother's death, but the more pressing issue was dealing with a sudden move, a step mother, and a new sibling. There are far more students who has to deal with blended families than with death, and relatively few books on the topic. The milk cartons with the missing children were worked in in a very clever way, and in the 1980s, the father would not have sought help for this behavior. The neighborhood kids and their drama added an extra level of interest. I enjoyed this one.
Weaknesses: I wanted to know more about Lila's hoarding behavior. Also, there was a LOT of concern about cleaning the milk cartons so they didn't smell like sour milk, but as someone who used milk cartons for a ton of craft projects (I stapled a bunch of quart cartons together to keep letters from my pen pals in), I know they were super easy to get clean and never smelled sour.
What I really think: Debating. This moved along quickly and was interesting to me, but I'm not sure if the time period will appeal to my students.

Pixley, Marcella. Trowbridge Road. 
May 12th 2020 by Candlewick Press
E ARC provided by Netgalley

June Bug Jordan's life is complicated. It's 1983, and her musician father has recently passed away from complications of AIDS. Her mother, who mental health has always been fragile, has retreated to her upstairs bedroom because she is afraid of germs coming into the house. Her Uncle Toby stops by the house with groceries and supplies, but not often enough, and June Bug is hungry. Her mother is just not eating. When her uncle visits, they have to spend from two hours to the entire day disinfecting the house. When June Bug goes outside, her mother will occasionally feel that she is infected, and will make her take a scalding hot bath with bleach and a scrub brush, which causes painful skin damage. When Ziggy moves in next door to live with his Nana Jean because his mother Jenny is unstable, June Bug hopes that he will be her friend. She doesn't care that he has long hair and that the neighbor boys call him a fairy. The two start to hang out and support each other. As her mother's condition worsens, June start to carry a back pack with necessities like a vegetable peeler she uses to scrape infection from her hands and rubbing alcohol to pour over them. Even this is not enough, and luckily she has the support of Nana Jean and her uncle when everything comes crashing down.
Strengths: There are very few depictions of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, and it was certainly a very significant historical occurrence that has impact today. The current literary climate is showcasing more and more books with depictions of mental health struggles, and this has several; the mother, Jenny (who has relationship problems and feelings of self doubt), and Ziggy (who is gender nonconforming, but is not given a label). The father is show to be gay in a very short scene that describes him coming home from a gig with a man and kissing him, which will be fine for middle school audiences It's good to see that Nana Jean and Uncle Toby are supportive and helpful. This is an #ownvoices story; the author has written a good piece about the for Middle Grade Book Village.
Weaknesses: This is very, very sad. Sensitive readers might be upset by the depiction of "sanitizing"herself that June Bug does.
What I really think: I wish this had had more details about daily life in 1983, or more details about the AIDS virus and the discussions that arose at the time.