MMGM- The Swag is in the Socks and Weird But True: New York City

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Baptiste, Kelly. The Swag is in the Socks

November 2nd 2021 by Crown Books for Young Readers

E ARC provided by Netgalley

Xavier is starting the new school year with a couple of things that might seem problematic; his parents are both incarcerated, he stutters, and has braces. He's not quite sure who he is or what he wants to accomplish, although he does really want to be a part of the elite Scepter League at his school. He lives with his great aunt Kat, who is very strict but makes sure he is comfortable but also well behaved. Her means are somewhat limited (the family shops at the thrift store), but she advocates for him to recieve speech therapy at school. Kat's brother, Frankie Bell, is a musician who travels a lot and occasionally lives with the family. When he sends Xavier a pair of funky socks and a letter giving him advice, Xavier doesn't want to stand out by wearing the socks, but knows that his great uncle's advice has helped other people out and tentatively embraces his new, snazzy sock persona. When he is not picked for the Scepter League, he meets with the organizer to ask why he wasn't picked, and is told that he wasn't as much of a leader as the group wants. Armed with new self confidence because of Frankie Bell's socks and advice, Xavier uses his placement in an all-girls sewing class to set up a fundraiser, asks a girl to a school dance, and works toward improving himself so that the Scepter League might reconsider his application. When a family tragedy occurs, Xavier realizes how much his uncle meant not only to him but to his family, and redoubles his efforts to continue his self improvement while also doing good in his community. 

Strengths: The best part of this book is that while Xavier has some challenges, he also has a well-rounded life. I have often wondered about the effect of books that showcase issues like foster care, incarcerated parents, or physical differences in a way that makes these things seem like the only issue in a child's life. I've had students with incarcerated parents, and I think it would help them more to see a character like Xavier who is dealing with this reality and talking to his mother, but who also has a stable life, a supportive network of family and friends, and interests at school. This is true also of the treatment of his stutter. He is in therapy at school, he often has to use coping skills to speak, but goes on with his life. Sundee Frazier's new Mighty Inside is the only other book that I can recall that addresses speech challenges.
Weaknesses: Are there really elite groups like the Scepter League in public schools? This is just something outside of my realm of experience, like the paramilitary group in Johnson's Twins or the mandatory cotillion in Delle Donne's Belle of the Ball. 
What I really think: Definitely purchasing, and looking forward to handing this one to students who want an upbeat story about a kid who takes control of his own destiny and pursues activities despite less than pleasant circumstances in his life. 

National Geographic Kids. Weird But True: New York City  September 14th 2021 by National Geographic Kids

Copy provided by Media Masters Publicity

This collection of bright, glossy photographs and snippets of information on a variety of topics will appeal to readers of books like National Geographic's Brain Candy and the Guinness Book of World Records. There's not much in the way of organization, but none is really needed; this is just a fun book to dip into. 

I learned several things, the most important being that the New York Public Library has a digitized collection of historical menus! This is a fabulous thing that could be useful to people doing research for historical novels, and is just plain fun. Yes, there was a Spaghetti Warehouse in 1978 in Columbus, Ohio, just like I remembered! 

There were a couple of instances where I would have liked a bit more information; one page mentions that a man walked between two buildings, when adding the name of Philippe Petit and even a date and location wouldn't have been all that hard. While I desperately want to know which musician created the sound of chimes in street grates (Max Neuhaus), young readers might not care as much. Still, couldn't we be told which two brothers created frozen custard? (Archie and Elton Kohr invented the treat in 1919.) Why leave this information out?

I'm a big fan of books for long car rides, providing readers don't get as carsick as I do, and this is a great gift for young readers who love fun facts, cool photography, and books they can share with family members. I'm not really a fan of New York City, but many people are, and this is a great look at a fascinating city. National Geographic has a wide range of Weird But True books to fit every interest. 

Jukebox and Nina Soni: Halloween Queen

Chanani, Nidhi. Jukebox

June 22nd 2021 by First Second

Public library copy

When Shahi's father Gio doesn't come home for several nights, her busy mother is surprisingly unconcerned. Shahi is worried, because the last interaction she had with her father was a fight about how she felt he cared more about music than he did about her or her mother. Along with her cousin, Naz, the girls go to the record store where the father spends a lot of time with his friend Earl, trying to locate rare records. What they find (after they sneak into the store) is a jukebox that plays albums. When they put in a record, they are transported back in time to a performance of that song! They decide that Gio must have gotten stuck back in time, and travel to different eras to try to rescue them. The traveling does cause them some pain, and Naz, who had some ear problems, starts to lose her hearing. Will Shahi be able to find her father, make amends, and ask him about how the jukebox came to be?

Strengths: The real draw for thsi one is the music from different eras and its connection to social upheaval at the time. There is a playlist at the end, which is great. Naz is particularly concerned about finding Gio, because she has recently told him she is bisexual, and is counting on his support when she tells her parents. Shahi's attempts to connect to the music when she doesn't care quite as much about it, but does care about her father, is touching. Earl's involvement in the building of the jukebox adds another level of intrigue. As in Pashmina, there are a lot of cultural connections that are interesting. 
Weaknesses: There are a few moments that worried me more than they will worry students, such as Shahi's father being missing and no one contacting the police, the girls breaking into the store, and the girls continuing to time travel even though it is taking a toll on their health. Those are more adult concerns, and young readers will just enjoy the adventure. 
What I really think: This is a fun choice because of the time travel and all of the information about classic rock music, so I'm buying a copy. My students don't care what graphic novels are about and will read just about anything; at least with this one, they will get a well developed story and some history. 

Sheth, Kashmira. Nina Soni: Halloween Queen (Nina Soni #4)
September 1st 2021 by Peachtree Publishing Company

Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Nina is usually prepared for holidays, thanks to her list keeping in her journal, but this year Halloween has come right on the heels of Diwali, and thrown her off. Her sister Kavita has asked Jay's mother, Meera Masi, to make her a costume, but Nina has no ideas at all. She knows that her mother is not good at making costumes, especially on short notice, and she doesn't have the money to buy one, even if the stores had any left. To makes matters worse, her friend Jay has a great costume, and she fears that he will forsake her to go trick or treating with his new friend who is a boy. She claims to be going as a "Halloween queen", but only has a tiara that a friend is loaning her. In typical Nina fashion, she makes lists, but gets distracted by the thought of having a haunted room for trick or treaters to visit. She hopes that this will intrique Jay and convince him to spend time with her. She gets involved in massive preparations for this, with cleaning out a box room in the basement, making decorations, finding snacks, and inviting many people, including her vary kind neighbors the Crumps. Still, she keeps putting off making a costume. Will she be able to pull off all of her Halloween plans and find something to wear at the last minute? 

Nina's family is delightful, and many readers will understand her frustration with having to include her younger sister all of the time, even if she genuinely likes her sister. Her struggles with getting older and having a different sort of relationship with Jay, who has been her friend since they were infants, will also be relatable. I love that her parents are involved but definitely have their limits as to what they are willing to help with!

The pell mell pace at which Nina gets ideas, and her desperate attempts at organizing what she needs to do are a good lesson for readers, not only as a cautionary tale (a lot of her plans are very ambitious!) but as a constructive lesson in how to approach problems. While I found it hard to believe that there would be enough children in the neighborhood who would be allowed to go in the Soni's basement to make this a profitable venture, the situation is realistically drawn, and Nina works through all of the challenges of such a daunting project. 

Halloween figures so largely in the calendar of elementary school readers that it is always good to see a book that incorporates it. There are several delightful series that include this, such as 

Brown's Lola Levine and the Halloween Scream, Warner's Absolutely Alfie and the Princess Wars, Harley's Charlie Bumpers vs. The Squeaking Skull and even Sells' graphic novel Roar of the Beast, so it's good to see this addition to the Nina Soni series. 

Saturday Morning Cartoons-- Besties: Work it Out

Miller, Kayla, Canino, Jeffrey and Luu, Kristina Besties: Work it Out
October 19th 2021 by Etch/Clarion Books

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Beth and Chanda want to earn some money-- Beth wants to treat her  mother to something nice for her birthday, and Chanda really wants a cat. When their lemonade stand doesn't earn very much, they are looking for other employment opportunities. Beth's sister isn't able to watch a neighbor's house because she is too busy with sports and school work, so suggests the two younger girls. Ms. Langford agrees to hire the two two walk her dog, water her plants, and generally make sure that everything is fine when she is away. Beth and Chanda make themselves a little TOO much at home, and try on their employer's vintage clothing and post pictures of themselves posing in the house on social media. This gets them a lot of "likes" from school mates, who are curious as to where they are posing. The girls brag a little too much about the house, and soon their classmates want to see it. Thinking that just one girl is coming, the two plan a tea party, but when several show up, things go badly wrong and a lamp is broken. The girls want to replace it,  but it's a $200 lamp! They have to take other jobs in order to earn the money, and come up a little short on shipping and on rectifying a tiny bit of a mistake.  The two have a falling out over several small issues and approach Ms. Langford's return while in a bit of a tiff. Will they be able to make things right with their employer, repair their friendship, and be able to fulfill the dreams for which they hoped to m ake money? 
Strengths: Books about tweens who have jobs and responsibilities are always interesting, and the idea of housesitting is an intriguing one. Hanging out with a cute dog is a bonus. Both Beth and Chanda's families are very supportive, and I love the pictures of the families hanging around at the dinner table. It's also good that the girls are trying to earn their own money and not rely on parental handouts. Beth's sister is very helpful and understanding, adn Chanda's feelings of competition with her older sister are realistic. The pictures are brightly colored and appealing. 
Weaknesses: While the girls know it is bad to break the lamp, and do try to make things right, they don't seem to be all that concerned about trying on the clothes or posting pictures of Ms. Langford's house, and they don't seem to have consequences for their actions, aside from the money, which they manage to earn back. 
What I really think: I will probably purchase, because Miller's Click series is very popular, but personally, I did not care for this one at all, because of how the two treated Ms. Langford's house! If I hired tweens to walk Pongo, and they tried on my vintage wardrobe and broke a lamp, I would not be nearly as understanding as Ms. Langford! My students will not feel the same way, because they are not old people who are too attached to their possessions. 
 

Guy Graphics

Greene, Jarad. A-Okay

November 2nd 2021 by HarperAlley

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

In this semi-autobiographical novel, the main character, Jay, is starting 8th grade and dealing with increasingly bad acne. Since this is a new development, and earlier in middle school classmates taunted him for his "porcelain skin", it is crushing. He seeks help from his sister, who struggled a bit with skin issues, but this only results in missteps, like using a medication with concealer in it that also has fellow students taunting him. He has a couple of good friends, but their relationships get rocky, especially with Brace, his best friend. Brace starts to distance himself from Jay, and his bandmates increasingly ostracize Jay. There are a few instances of potential crushes, including a boy who like Jay, but Jay realizes he doesn't have romantic feelings towards anyone and may be asexual. After going through a couple rounds of ineffectual acne medication, he changes doctors and begins an aggressive course of Accutane, which has some unpleasant side effects. Will Jay be able to either clear up his acne, or make peace with his problems?

Strengths: This felt very true to life in the way it addressed several common middle school issues. Jay's adventures in forming his own style and identity, changing his clothing styles as well as his hair, are similar to what I see every day with my students. This issue of acne, which is widespread at this age, sees very little coverage in the literature, aside from Greenwald's The Real Us (2017), Howse's Zitface (2011), and Burns' excellent but definitely Young Adult Smooth (2020). The friendship drama is always of interest to my readers, and Jay's love of art will speak to many as well. 
Weaknesses: This seemed set a few years in the past, but I couldn't quite pin down an exact year. I'm also just a little unsure of how interested middle school readers are in ace-identifying characters, just because many students this age don't feel any attraction to anyone, not having reached that developmental stage. Gino's Rick (2020) also addresses this identification. 
What I really think: Compared to memoirs such as Mercado's Chunky or Tattulli's Short and Skinny, this is a little slow moving and has a more serious tone. I prefer graphic novels to have more of a sense of humor to them, because I think it's valuable for tween readers to see this coping mechanism in action. I think this is probably an outdated view, and one with which younger teachers and librarians might violently disagree. This is well suited for middle school audiences and a good choice where Raina Telgemeier's graphic novel memoirs are popular.

Edwards, Samantha. A Tale as Tall as Jacob: Misadventures with My Brother

November 9th 2021 by Andrews McMeel Publishing

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

When her brother is born, Samantha is a bit wary but thinks he is cute. From an early age, he earns a variety of nicknames for his behavior. When he pushes Samantha's chair across the kitchen when he is barely crawling, they call him "Hercules" and soon variations of "tornado" are in play. He pulls televisions down on himself, has trouble in school, and causes her parents to pay a lot of attention to his behavior. While she loves her brother, it is difficult to deal with him. Eventually, he is diagnosed with ADHD, and put on medication that slows down his dervish like behavior. 

Strengths: This was a good look at how hard it is to have a sibling who is challenging and demands a lot of one's parents. Jacob's behavior is treated in a balanced way-- we see how hard it is for those around him, but there's a lot of understanding, too. I liked that the focus was on Samantha. 
Weaknesses: The illustrations reminded me of the questionable sort of picture books one found in the 1980s and appear frequently on Awful Library Books, but perhaps that was on purpose. 
What I really think: There seem to be fewer graphic novels with boys as main characters, so this is a good choice if you feel your collection is imbalanced, or if you want a perspective on dealing with ADHD. Reminds me a bit of Mericle's Bad Sister. 

Concealed

Diaz, Christina Diaz. Concealed

October 19th 2021 by Scholastic Press

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Katrina is used to being on the run and operating under an assumed identity; Katrina is just the lastest in an alphabetical march through various names. Her father was a scientist who ran afoul of a drug cartel, so the family is in the witness protection program, and gets help only from a man going by X. They've been living in cities, because it's easier to disappear in a crowd, but their latest placement is an RV in the country. Katrina is homeschooled and the family shies away from technology, but the only other teen in the area is Parker. He's living with a relative after his mother died of a drug overdose, and is an excellent computer hacker. Katrina has no memory of her life before an accident a few years previously, when she almost died. When her father is arrested, she and Parker go on the run to a safe house in Georgia, and try to investigate her past along the way. She does find X, but his recounting of her past doesn't line up with her father's, so she is leery of his help. The mystery gets deeper and deeper as Katrina and Parker uncover the company behind her father's research, are reunited with her father and mother, and find out secrets about her own past and the families involvement with scientific experimentation. I don't want to give away too many details and spoil the twists and turns!

Strengths: This was a pulse pounding, pell mell adventure that I enjoyed quite a bit. It started a bit like Sorrell's Fake ID, but then took a fascinating scientific turn, reminiscent of Pearson's The Adoration of Jenna Fox. Both Katrina and Parker have struggled with every day life because of their circumstances, so they have a unique understanding of each other. There's something about being "on the run" that is endlessly appealing to my readers, and this journey involves a cow transport and a luxury yacht! The best part is the scientific twist that I don't want to spoil. 
Weaknesses: This got a bit confusing in the middle, when it was hard to differentiate the good guys from the bad guys. That might be because this is more of a Young Adult novel, and those aren't as clear cut as middle grade novels when it comes to villains. Not really a weakness, just an observation.
What I really think: Definitely purchasing, and will be great to hand to fans of Smith's Boy X, Elston's The Rules for Disappearing, and Watson's Loot.
 

Violets are Blue

Dee, Barbara. Violets are Blue

12 October 2021 by Aladdin

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Renata is going into seventh grade and loves to create special effects with make up, many of which she learns from YouTubers like Cat FX. This takes her mind off of her parents fighting, and her problems with friends at school. When her parents finally divorce and her father moves to New York with Vanessa, her mother, a nurse, decides to take a job in nearby Donwood. The two get a smaller place, and Renata, who decides to go by "Wren" gets a fresh start at school. Wren settles in fairly well at her new school and makes friends with Poppy, who is intrigued by her make up skills. When the school play ends up being Wicked, Poppy encourages Wren to work on the crew so that she can do Elphaba's make up. Unfortunately, that role goes to Avery, who is very cool towards Wren and makes fun of her and Kai, whom Avery claims has a crush on Wren. Wren visits her father fairly frequently, and finds out that Vanessa is pregnant with twins. Vanessa is nice to Wren, and interested in art, so sends a lot of cosmetics to Wren. Since her mother doesn't want to hear anything about her father's new life, Wren hides everything from her mother. Her mother is having a hard time with her back and knees, and frequently is out sick from work. Another nurse, Krystal, often stops by to check on Kelly, Wren's mom. 

Strengths: It is much more realistic to have tweens navigating the reality of splitting time between households than dealing with the death of a parent, and it's more interesting, too. While it's a bit of a relief not to hear her parents fighting, Wren misses her father, as well as family time. It's also good to see a book where a child moves and the house is NOT haunted! Many students start new schools because parents have to move for new places to live or new jobs, and Wren's experience in finding new friends is realistically rocky, but she does make friends. Her love of make up is interesting, and the way she learns new techniques and gets supplies makes sense. School plays always include lots of drama, and I liked her interactions with Kai a lot. The slow slide that her mother takes into addiction, as well as how Wren hides this from people who could help her, is especially well done. Dee's writing is always solid, and she covers an array of hard topics in age appropriate ways. I think my favorite thing about the book might be the fact that Wren is left on her own to take care of herself a lot. This is something that isn't shown a lot in books, but which is a reality for many of my students. 
Weaknesses: I wish that Wren had reached out to other adults in her around her; while this is absolutely true to life and compelling in the way she didn't reach out, it would have been a good message for young readers who might be in similar circumstances if they had seen a character in a book identify people to whom she could talk. Krystal was a great help eventually, but I wish that Wren had been shown reaching out to someone in her life. It's what we try to teach students at my school-- identify a "trusted adult" at school and let that person know, just so that if something happens, it might be easier to mention it. 
What I really think: It's always good to see books about tweens who have a passion for some activity, and I can't say I've ever seen one about special effects make up! Dee's work is popular in my library, and this has just the right blend of school and home drama. The opioid epidemic shows no sign of slowing down, and so a range of books about students dealing with this is needed. Definitely purchasing.

The Shadow Prince and Escape from Falaise

Durham, David Anthony. The Shadow Prince
September 28th 2021 by Lee & Low

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Ash is an orphan in an alternate ancient Egyptian civilization, and has been raised by Yazen to have many useful skills. Because they are not well-to-do, he also has to do things like clean the canal in order to earn a living, and this makes him a target for bullies. Right before his twelfth birthday, when frustrations over his circumstances surface, Yazen shares a secret with him: Ash was born on the same day as the Prince Khufu, and will undergo a series of tests (along with other children) to determine if he is worthy to be the Shadow Prince and accompany and protect Khufu for the rest of his life. The two head off to the palace on a magical royal barge staffed by giant, sentient beetles, and soon are ready for the competition. There are a number of participants who don't survive; Yazen, in the past, mentored one who didn't make it. There are days of testing, and the children must fight demons and undergo tests of skill set by various Egyptian gods. This alternate Egypt has some people who can harness magic, and the power of the sun is used to run much of the technology, hence the "solarpunk" designation of this book. There is a lot of drama within the participant group, with some of the children helping each other, and some working against everyone else for their own gain, and there is intrigue in the royal circles as well. Will Ash's skills be enough to let him survive the testing and spend his life in luxury?
Strengths: Ash is an appealing character who has a realistic balance of determination to succeed and irritation with some of his circumstances. The solarpunk setting works well, with magical, solar powered conveyances and a lot of interesting Egyptian gods. The royal machinations over the heir to the throne, as well as the royal responsibility for the good of the people, are an interesting propellant to the testing. The variety of gods presented, as well as the tests and fighting, will make this a good choice for readers of Black and Clare's Magisterium series. There's a nice twist with the fate of the unsuccessful participants. The best part of this is that even though my soul qualied when I saw that this was 400 pages long, it read quickly AND I was able to remember details without consulting the book. Trust me, this is a huge asset. (My fantasy amnesia is horrible-- I had a student recap Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2011) for me, and I would have sworn I never read the book!)
Weaknesses: This is a lengthy book, even though it read quickly, and I'm not sure what I would have cut, although there was a large cast of characters. Hard core fantasy lovers won't be daunted, but I'd love to see some shorter fantasy books that I could use to entice readers who have shied away from fantasy to pick some of these books up, especially when they have interesting cultural connections.
What I really think: Ancient Egypt is covered in our 6th grade social studies curriculum, but most of the books set during this time period are weirdly formal. This is a breezy, adventure filled, mythology based story that will appeal to fans of Rick Riordan's work and the wide range of multicultural fantasy books that his work has sparked. I will definitely purchase, since these books do circulate well and tend to last for a number of years.

Flanagan, John. Escape from Falaise (Ranger's Apprentice: The Royal Ranger #5)
November 2nd 2021 by Philomel Books

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Maddie and Will were captured by Lassigny when they went to retrieve the sniveling Giles who was taken in The Missing Prince. At first, they are thrown into the dungeon and given NO COFFEE TO DRINK, but then are moved to a guarded tower and served proper meals so that they come clean to their captor, who doesn't believe that they are a jongleur and his daughter. When they admit to being spies, Maddie falls into a challenge to joust with one of Lassigny's men, and of course she just wipes the floor with him, shooting arrow after arrow into his helmet to make him loopy without hurting him too much. Lassigny is so angry that he banishes the man. Will and Maddie try to figure out how to escape, and Maddie notices a vaguely familiar figure hanging around; Tomkin, a local ne'er-do-well. It turns out that Tomkin is really someone from their past who comes to save them, and there are further feats of derring-do as the two escape and go on the run. Will they be able to rescue Giles and get him back to his father? What other might the Rangers uncover?

Strengths: This is the 26th book set in the world of the Araluens, and I still love these! I really can't explain the appeal of these, but I will say that this is one of the very rare multibook series where every single book gets read until it is worn out. I've had to replace The Lost Stories twice. There is something about the camaraderie, the characters (who doesn't love Halt getting seasick or Horace pretending to be a Teutlandic knight?), the adventure (setting fire to a stables after making sure the horses are all safe, climbing up a garbage chute), or the sumptuous meals? 
Weaknesses: What's with Maddie's hair on this cover? *Shakes head.* Not sure where she is getting the flat iron in the dungeon.
What I really think: If you haven't read The Ruins of Gorlan, go find a copy and do it right now.

Eleven Ranger's Apprectice Books including The Lost Stories

Two Ranger's Apprentice: The Early Years

Five Royal Ranger Books

Eight Brotherband Chronicles (same world, characters intersect with Rangers)

MMGM- Liar's Room and Unforgotten

It's

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
 at 

Always in the Middle 

and #IMWAYR day 

at 

Teach Mentor Texts 

and 

Unleashing Readers

Poblocki, Dan. Liar's Room

November 2nd 2021 by Scholastic Press

ARC provided by Young Adult Books Central

Stella and Alex aren't thrilled to move to Frost Meadow from Brooklyn, but are glad of a change of scenery after their father's death. They like their new stepfather, and Wildwyck is a cool, spooky former boys' school that their mom hopes to turn into town homes. What they can't stand is their stepbrother, Simon. He's a year younger, will unfortunately go to their school as they start 6th grade, and lies all the time to get the twins in trouble. He seems to enjoy it, and they see him smirking when he causes problems in the household. He claims that Wildwyck is haunted, and often runs breathlessly into a room to cause commotion over problems that don't exist. There are times, like when the three find a graveyard in the woods on the property, that even Stella and Alex feel uncomfortable vibes from the past. The daughter of the couple that ran they school, Peggy Wildwyck, died at the age of 12 in 1975 under somewhat suspicious circumstances. Is she the ghost of the little girl they catch glimpses of, or is she behind the eerie humming? When the twins start school, they are befriended by Gordon, who lives with his grandmother and has an odd fascination with their home. They learn a bit from him, as well as from one of their teachers, who started his career there in 1974. We also hear, in journal form, from Simon's brother, Zachary, who wishes that he could have stayed in Ohio with his mother, and who doesn't like his brother's lying any more than his step siblings do. As the secrets of the school are slowly revealed, the horrible treatment of the boys make the children wonder if the house is haunted by the spirits of a boy who died. When they uncover the small rooms where the children were locked in for punishment, will they get any closer to solving the mystery of the hauntings and putting the spirits to rest?

Poblocki knows just the kind of scary ghost stories that young readers like, and his books, from Nightmarys (2010) to Ghost Hunter's Daughter (2020) all circulate very well in my library, with the most popular being The Ghost of Graylock, which is also located in Frost Meadow and gets a mention here when Zachary visits it with his friends. He does a good job of creating ghosts with particular ties to places, so that once the characters figure out what is haunting them, they can help the ghosts make peace and move on. Poblocki definitely knows his way around creepy houses, and Wildwyck is creeptastic from the basement to the attic. 

The family dynamics in this one were really well done. We don't really find out much about the father's death, just a bit about how Stella and Alex are dealing with it, but it's interesting to see how the blended family comes together. The fact that the parents are struggling and meeting with a marriage counselor is interesting, but it's Stella and Alex's strong connection that holds the story together. Simon is a horrible child, so when he gets his due a couple of times, it's easy to enjoy his pain. Of course, when the mystery is solved, the whole family is a lot better off, and that's gratifying to see as well. 

Zachary is a bit of a mystery, and his journal keeping isn't as straight forward as it seems, but there is an clever twist involving his presence that I don't want to ruin. 

Readers who are sure that is they move to a new house, it will be haunted and have already polished off Sutherland's The Nightmare Next Door, Currie's Scritch Scratch and Lawrence's The Stitchers will love investigating the sordid history of Wildwyck. I'm hoping for more stand alone tales that take place in Frost Meadow!

Silvey, Anita. Unforgotten: The Wild Life of Dian Fossey and Her Relentless Quest to Save the Mountain Gorillas

June 29th 2021 by National Geographic Kids

Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

In a format rich in primary source photographs and lovely page decorations of flora, the life and work of Dian Fossey is explained and discussed. Interestingly, Silvey has also given similar treatment to two primatologists who are easy to confuse with Fossey, Untamed: The Wild Life of Jane Goddall and Undaunted: The Wild life of The Wild Life of Biruté Mary Galdikas.

After a brief chapter about her childhood and life before going to Africa, we are swept away to Kenya where Fossey trained with Louis Leakey and later spent much time on her own living in the wilds and observing mountain gorillas. There is great supporting material as well, such as a chart of other animals found in the Virungas and overviews of gorilla species. Maps help to place where she lived and studied. 

It's interesting to see how Fossey spent her days, and the details of what went in to her studies. The book does not shy away from her struggles with mental health and alcoholism, but treats those parts of her life briefly and in a matter of fact manner. Her violent death in 1985 is explained by not sensationalized, and it's good that the book ended with her continuing legacy. 

The timeline at the end of the book, with each life event written on a leaf, should be made into a poster! There's also a nice guide to the plants featured in the page decorations, and a good list of Further Resources as well as a complete index. 

Readers who want to find out more about scientists, primatology, or groundbreaking women scientists will enjoy this pictorial biography of a devoted scientist gone too soon. 

Happy Halloween!

Boynton, Sandra. Boo! Baa, La La La!

July 20th 2021 by Little Simon

Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

The main character from Moo! Baa, La La La (1982) tackles the Halloween holiday in this delightful board book from the master of all board books. The cow sends a plaintive "boo" through the night air, only to be answered by a "baa". Curious about the origins of the sound, the cow utters it again, only to hear even more sounds in the night. Climbing a hill festooned with jack o'lanterns, the cow once again sends forth the Halloween greeting, and is met by a chorus of animals returning the spooky salutation. The chorus of pigs (one in a ghost costume) end with the rousing chorus of "la la la".

Boynton's drawings of farm animals are amusing and soothing in equal parts to me. From Chocolate: The Consuming Passion (1982) to greeting cards and mugs when I was in college, to the board books I read to my children in the early 1990s, Boynton's work has unfailingly delighted me. Not only are the illustrations somehow wry and satisfying, but the verse is always exquisitely done. I'm very particular about poetry, and Boynton's lines are metrically sound, and utilize an exceptional range of vocabulary with solid rhymes. Not only that, but they have a warm underlying philosophy to them as well.

I'm clearly behind on my Boynton reading, and must catch up. There is a sequel to But Not the Hippopotamus called But Not the Armadillo, and if Woodland Dance is half as good as Barnyard Dance, I desperately need it in my life.

Perhaps I can't be objective about Boynton's work. I will say that these books are ones that children will want to hear over and over again, but which will remain a delight to the adult who is compelled to do the reading. This is perhaps the highest praise one can give to a book meant for very young children!

And yes, even though I rarely buy books, I just order two copies of the 2015 reprint of Chocolate: The Consuming Passion as well as five of the board books, from my local independent bookstore, Birdie Books. I also feel a rather overwhelming desire to go to the Dubois Bookstore on Calhoun, across from the University of Cincinnati, and buy a pad of stationery with Boyton characters, or, if I am feeling flush, a mug. 

Crashing in Love

Jacobs, Jennifer Richards. Crashing in Love

October 12th 2021 by Candlewick Press

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Peyton has plans for her summer in the small town of Mussel Shoals, Maine, where she hopes to work with her best friend working at the Anchorage Hotel.  When Mari decides to spend the summer in Gloucester helping out her aunt, Peyton feels abandoned. On an early  morning bike ride, she comes across a boy who has been hit by a car and is unconscious. She calls 911 right away, and soon the EMTs are taking the boy to the hospital. Her mother, the town's only journalist, finds out that he is a camper from Brentwood named Gary Olsen. There's very little evidence about who would have hit him, but Peyton's mother starts an investigation. Peyton wants to help, and is excited about the idea that she could do investigative journalism like her mother, but she soon becomes obsessed with the romantic idea that Gray could be destined to be her boyfriend for the summer. Unfortunately, he is badly wounded and unconscious for a very long time, but that doesn't stop Peyton from visiting the hospital, and even taking the job of talking to the boy when his mother needs to catch up on her work. Mrs. Olsen is touched by Peyton's devotion, but her own family is worried. Sisters Call and Brownyn think she should find something else to do, and her grandmother and father are hurt that she chooses to spend the summer in town living with her mother so that she can visit the hospital, instead of staying with them and helping out on the farm. It doesn't help that Mari doesn't keep in close contact, although Peyton hears that her best friend is having a more exciting summer than she is having, complete with her first boyfriend. Still determined that Gray will be her first boyfriend, Peyton does have some success in solving the mystery of who hit him, but is disappointed when the boy she saved wakes up. 

Strengths: The small town setting, which enables Peyton to get everywhere on a bicycle and know everyone in town, was very appealing. The family dynamics, with the grandmother being very possessive of Peyton, were interesting as well, and the mother's job came into this in a very realistic and interesting way. Peyton is a well-developed character, who has her own quirks and interests, like putting up posters of inspirational quotes, and her interest in Gray develops in a way that makes sense for the story. There's a little bit of a mystery as well. 
Weaknesses: While the story is solidly middle grade, Peyton's obsession with Gray seemed more like a young adult one. Her motivation for helping him is more romantic than I would expect for a tween. It doesn't seem impossible, just a bit unlikely. 
What I really think: I've often said that the difference between middle school romances and high school ones are that middle school ones are happier, and high school ones have more angst. This has a bit more angst. While I liked the mystery and the family working through the aftermath of divorce, I'm just going to have to think about this one and whether I have readers for it. 

The Best (Worst) Halloween Ever

Robinson, Barbara. The Best (Worst) Halloween Ever

July 27th 2004 by HarperCollins 

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

In this third book in the Herdmans trilogy after The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (1972) and The Best School Year Ever(1994), we find not only the principal of Woodrow Wilson Elementary but the mayor of the whole town so distraught over the Herdman's antics that Trick or Treating is outlawed. Thisis after the latest incident, where the six Herdman children and two friends get stuck in the revolving door at the bank and have to be extricated by the fire department. One of the friends is the narrator Beth's brother Charlie. The Herdmans have also put guppies on pizza, and since it's known that they routinely shake children down for candy, the school decides to host its own event. The parents plan games, and intend to show up in costumes, and the children aren't all that excited. Alice Wendleken tries to insert herself into the event for her own self promotion. There's some mix up about costumes (Beth wants to go as a mermaid, but her mother doesn't want her showing her midriff; there are a lot of Happy Hobo costumes), and some candy shortages in town. Will the Herdmans manage to derail this event as well?

Strengths: There definitely need to be more middle school books that involve Halloween. Even though parties, costumes, and candy figure largely in elementary students' minds, candy and the freedom to run around the neighborhood with friends is HUGE in the middle school experience. This one is mildly amusing. 
Weaknesses: This one just isn't all the funny. We hear about a few of the Herdman's antics, but don't see any of them, and the one at the dance... meh. I'm also very concerned about the Herdman's, and think that today there would be a lot more sympathy and help extended to them. The mayor gets involved? How small is this town?
What I really think: This will probably be weeded soon. Maybe not just yet, but soon. The copy doesn't smell bad and isn't falling apart, and has circulated fairly recently. I am now somewhat afraid to reread The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, which was always one of my favorites. 

Frankie & Bug and The Last Chance for Logan County

Forman, Gayle. Frankie & Bug

October 12th 2021 by Aladdin
ARC provided by Young Adult Books Central

Bug (Beatrice) is looking forward to spending the summer of 1987 hanging out at Venice Beach with her older brother Daniel, just like they have for the past several years. When Danny wants more "space", their mother decides that she will instead have to hang out at their apartment. One neighbor, Hedvig, watches out for her, as does Phillip. When Phillip's nephew, Frankie, shows up from Ohio to spend the summer, Bug is expected to hang out with him, even though he doesn't like the beach. Instead, he is enthralled by the Midnight Marauder, who is terrorizing the area, bludgeoning unsuspecting victims. Bug's mother works for the local mayor's office, and keeps assuring them that they are safe, but they doubt her. When gangs of skinheads threaten Bug and her brother because of his Salvadoran looks, and Phillip is beaten up because he is gay, safety seems like a precarious state. Frankie becomes more comfortable in his new environment, and it turns out that he was sent to live with Phillip to get some "nonsense out of his system"-- Frankie is transgender, and wasn't even aware that there was a word for how he identified until he meets others like him in the area. When Aunt Teri comes to watch Bug (and reluctantly, Frankie), family secrets come out, and Bug must learn to make peace with her judgmental aunt and learn to support her new friend. 

There are a growing number of books addressing LGBTQIA+ issues in the 1980s, including Papademtriou's Apartment 1986 and Pixley's Trowbridge Road, and it's interesting to see this issue from a historical perspective. It's hard for younger readers to understand just how much things have changed. AIDS doesn't make the news quite as much today, but was certainly a huge concern at the time, and unfortunately, the views of this disease resulted in the mistreatment of the gay population. I did appreciate that Ryan White was mentioned as someone who was affected by this disease through a blood transfusion. 

Bug's desire to hang out on the beach and explore her world might be novel to young readers who are never allowed out of the house without direct adult supervision, and the idea that Danny could be out because he was a boy will also be an indication that this is historical fiction. The vibrant culture of Venice Beach during this period of history is nicely explained, and while I'm not sure the Midnight Marauder was an actual person, the inclusion of this mystery is certainly in keeping with the news of the time. 

Readers who enjoyed Lisa Bunker's Zenobia July or Gephardt's Lily and Dunkin and the sense of supportive community depicted in those books will find Bug's summer of growth and change an interesting time to visit.

Frankie was treated much  more kindly that he probably would actually have been in the 1980s. It's hard to believe how badly the LGBTQIA+ community was treated in the past, and I'm not sure how  much we need modern children to understand about this. 

Giles, Lamar. The Last Chance for Logan County
(The Legendary Alston Boys #3)

October 19th 2021 by Versify

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

This was a nice wrap up of Otto and Sheed's story, with a bit of a surprise light romance. It seemed somehow goofier than the first two books, but was a fun fantasy romp.

From Goodreads.com

In this third Legendary Alston Boys adventure, Otto and Sheed have to team up with the Ellison twins to take down a corporation obsessed with the weirdness of Logan County and that's turning its residents into Money-Zombies.

With the Rorrim Mirror Emporium closed and their adventures through the last mirror on the left behind them, Otto and Sheed are ready for things to get back to normal. But the FixItYall that Sheed took warned of side effects and they quickly come true—starting with a thunderstorm raining frogs. But that's only the beginning. Teachers begin quitting suddenly, vets leave their animals behind, and a strange goat starts delivering takeout orders. When a suspicious company known as GOO, obsessed with Logan County's weirdness, shows up and starts buying all the property in town and threatening to take Sheed away after some strange new energy is traced back to him, the Legendary Alston Boys of Logan County, along with Otto's mom, Sheed's dad, and the Ellison twins, have to find a way to save their town and keep their family together. 

Living Ghosts and Mischievous Monsters: Chilling American Indian Stories

Jones, Dan SaSuWeh and Alvitre, Weshoyot. 

Living Ghosts and Mischievous Monsters: Chilling American Indian Stories. 
September 7th 2021 by Scholastic Nonfiction

Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

This collection of short stories from a variety of Native American backgrounds is divided into five major categories; Ghosts, Spirits, Witches, Monsters, and the Supernatural, although there is understandably a lot of cross over between types of stories. All are labeled with the area of the US or the tribes from which the stories are gleaned, and SaSuWeh (from the Ponca Nation) tells many himself. Most are two to three pages long, and accompanied with large illustrations, so they do have a decided Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark vibe.

 
There is a lot of information about Native American culture shared along with the stories. For example, in The Deer Hunter, we see background on hunting, as well as how tribal medicine people dealt with the sickness of one of the characters in the story. In The Garage Sale, we learn about how personal possessions are important and intrinsically tied to the fates of their owners. The Boy Who Watched Over the Children discusses the tragedy of Indian Boarding Schools in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Jones also has a good introduction that explains how some tales were not meant to be widely shared, and how some characters were not meant to be named. Information about how the tales were collected is interesting as well.

 
Weshoyot's black and white line illustrations are chilling, but also give a good sense of place. She does a particularly good job at portraying some of the monsters and animals, and these pictures add to the scary quality of the tales.

 
Like San Souci's Dare to Be Scared or Haunted Houses, this gives a variety of stories from difference backgrounds. Since they are all fairly short, this would make a good read aloud, especially if you wanted to highlight Native stories for National Native American Heritage Month in Novemember. It also makes a great addition to Folklore collections, where it is hard to find Native stories told by Native writers.

 
I'm not sure that my students would consider any of these stories to be all that scary.

Polo Cowboy

Neri, G. Polo Cowboy

October 12th 2021 by Candlewick Press

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Cole has enjoyed working with horses so much in Ghetto Cowboy that he decides to stay in Philadelphia with his father, Harp, instead of going back home with his mother. This is a bit of an adjustment, especially since Harp expects him to fend for himself, getting free lunch and breakfast, working with the horses at the inner city stable in the morning, and taking an after school job at a nearby military academy to work off the debt incurred by boarding his horse, Boo, there. It's a grueling day, and the school is more challenging than his school back home. He occasionally meets up with his cousin, Smush, who is engaged in a variety of illegal activities. Harp doesn't want Cole to have anything to do with him, but Cole still likes being with his cousin, although he does not appreciate getting roped into his business. Cole meets Ruthie near the old police barn, and finds that she is an avid polo player. She is a student at the military academy, which is unusual for both a girl and a student of color. She starts to teach Cole how to play the sport, and he is both intrigued by her equine interests and her forthright attitude, especially about the vitiligo the affects her face. He is a little leery of her wealthy background, and has not had the best experience with other people at the school. He takes part in a polo exhibition at the school, and Smush tries to get involved, but it ends poorly. When his life is impacted by tragedy, Cole has to think hard about how he wants to proceed with his new life in Philadelphia. 

Strengths: This had a lot of good details about taking care of horses, and also about riding and playing polo. Terms are introduced in a way that is easy to understand, since Cole is learning about the sport as well. His relationship with Ruthie is fun to watch, and it's ogod to see them connect over a shared passion. Harp's parenting is something Cole needs to get used to, and the people he collects as his family offer him a strong support system. The racial issues with the military academy seem realistic, and Cole must find ways to work within the system while not agreeing with it. 
Weaknesses: I wish there had been a little bit more about Cole's school, since he entertains the idea of going to the academy. The principal was an intriguing character, and I would have liked to see a few more scenes set in the school. 
What I really think: Ghetto Cowboy came out ten years ago, which is almost around the time my 6th graders were born. My copy is in decent shape, mainly because my students aren't eager to pick it up. I'll see if I can brush it off and get some interest in it before I purchase this sequel. Perhaps if my students see the movie of the first book, they will be interested in it. 

Any Sign of Life

Carson, Rae. Any Sign of Life 

October 12th 2021 by Greenwillow Books

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Paige wakes up feeling very wobbly, and finds that her mother, a nurse, has attached her to an IV and she's gone through several bags of fluid. She's determined to clean up and make it to basketball practice before her mother prevents her, but she soon realizes that things are definitely not right. She knew there was a flu devastating the city of Columbus, Ohio, and knows she was coming down with it, but is shocked to discover that not only is her entire family dead from it, but most people in the entire world have succumbed. She goes to check on a neighbor and finds her dog, and makes tentative journeys out. At one grocery store, she meets Trey, whom she recognizes as a Black football standout and scholar heading to Ohio State. His mother was a medical professional, so he is able to help her, and he has also heard radio broadcasts out of Sandusky, so he knows other people are alive. The two plan on making their way there, and also come across Tanq, a Goth girl who has some major family issues and would rather be alone in the apocalyptic landscape. The virus is accompanied by weird space ship-like objects and an odd green cast to the sky. The three struggle to survive, so have little time to mourn the loss of the entire world. When they finally make it to Sandusky, they find that the reason for the devastation, as well as their survival, are more sinister and wide-reaching than they could ever imagine.

Strengths: This was a riveting, dystopian novel, and I haven't seen a good one since Oppel's Overthrow trilogy. Also, this is set in my area, and I loved all of the local details. Paige and Trey were engaging characters who were doing their best under horrific circumstances, AND they took great care of the dog. This wasn't bogged down by a lot of introspection, although there was a touching scene where Paige brought out all of the IDs of people who had helped them that she had saved, and the group reflected on people who had been lost. This took a bit of a twist at the end, and could either be a stand alone or have a sequel.
Weaknesses: As an adult, I had some issues with some things in this book: I thought Tanq's story slowed the book down, and I was a bit thrown by the cause of all of the problems. It was also really rather gross, with all of the dead bodies. The world would smell even worse than depicted, I imagine, but it was a bit hard to read. Tanq also let a fair number of f-bombs fly. Will Young Adult readers be bothered? No.

What I really think: The Columbus setting was so appealing that I am half tempted to buy this one. Will debate because of the language, although it doesn't occur until halfway into the book, and any very sensitive 6th graders will have given up reading by them due to the descriptions of the dead bodies.

MMGM- A Batch Made in Heaven

It's

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
 at 

Always in the Middle 

and #IMWAYR day 

at 

Teach Mentor Texts 

and 

Unleashing Readers

Nelson, Suzanne. A Batch Made in Heaven
October 19th 2021 by Scholastic Inc.

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Mina is super excited that her middle school has teamed up with local businesses to provide internships for 7th grade students, and is thrilled when she gets her first choice of A Batch Made in Heaven, a gourmet cookie bakery. Her friend Kalli is excited to work at the Oyster Cove Historical Society and plans on to work with them on providing more information on the Chinook and Samish peoples, since she has that heritage. Mina is a bit worried when Flynn Winston, the very cute 8th grade son of the owner, is not happy to have her in the shop, and it's even more disappointing when it doesn't look like she will be allowed in the kitchen. Hughie, who is in charge of her, wants her to post for the shop on social media and work at the counter instead. Things are a bit rough at home as well. Both of her parents are overwhelmed by her twin infant siblings, Amul and Banita. Her parents moved to Washington state from Dehli, India so her mother could go to graduate school, and her father had to give up his restaurant. He and Mina used to bond over cooking, but things have been so busy that Mina spends her time doing chores instead. After a rocky start at the shop, she and Flynn start to get along, and Mina finds out some secrets about the genesis of many of the recipes. Once she knows this, Flynn allows her more access to the kitchen, which is a big help when she wants to enter a cookie competition. There is a big shopping spree as a prize, and Mina hopes that her family could use this if her father finally buys a restaurant that is up for sale in town. Instead, when she makes the cut for the competition and needs to go to Seattle to compete, her parents say it is out of the question because things are so hectic at home. Mina forges her mom's name and take a bus to participate. At the same time, the secrets of the cookie shop hit the news, and Flynn blames Mina. Will Mina be able to sort out the various problems in her life?

Strengths: The whole series of WISH books are very popular in my library, and the combination of food, friend drama, and middle school romance is hugely appealing. Unlike YA romance, which is fraught with all manner of problems, many about the romance itself, middle grade romance usually includes one misunderstanding, and then a few sweet, tentative kisses and handholding. So much more pleasant! I also enjoyed the fact that Kalli has to give a presentation at the museum, and needs Mina's help, and there is a bit of friend drama as well. The family drama is very realistic, and while Mina's parents make a few mistakes and demand a lot of her, they do see that they were a bit unfair. It's great to see parents depicted as hardworking, caring, and still occasionally misguided! Flynn has a complicated backstory but treats Mina well eventually, and my favorite part was probably the ending. Recipes are included, but they are beyond my level of baking skills. I have a friend who might be able to make them for me. 
Weaknesses: Are there really 7th graders who bake this well? I have my doubts. I'm also a bit conflicted about the fact that Kalli is Native American and Mina's family is Indian. When the first WISH novel came out in 2013, having characters with a cultural background like this would have been perfect. The #WeNeedDiverseBooks movement started in 2014, and by 2020, there was a lot of concern about what used to be the #OwnVoices writers. I'm fine with this, and think that having a variety of characters depicted is good, even if it's a superficial treatment. Would I be glad if Scholastic ALSO had writers with cultural connections publish similar novels? Absolutely. 
What I really think: Definitely purchasing, and my readers will be avidly awaiting this one. 

Atherton, David. Bake, Make & Learn to Cook

November 2nd 2021 by Big Picture Press (Candlewick)

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

I love cookbooks. I hate to cook, but I love reading about cooking. There are so many fun cookbooks for children, but my students aren't all that interested in them. Luckily, I have several students who are checking out lots of my books, so this is a good purchase, and I don't even need to justify it.

One of the things that I enjoy about cookbooks is what a great snapshot of social history and popular culture they are. The illustrations in this are so completely 2021 that they made me very happy. A vague 60s vibe with a more gently colored palette, lots of white space, and very readable font. The recipes were kid friendly but also updated-- there are more vegetarian dishes, like the hummus lion below, and a spicy sweet potato dip/spread that I definitely want to try. 

Even though this had a decided British feel to it (even I have never thought to serve tomato soup from a teapot, although I have several I could use), the measurements are in cups rather than grams, which made me happy. 

I'm not sure how many middle school students watch the Great British Baking Show, but think this will be a big hit even without that connection. 

So, This is Christmas

Andreen, Tracy. So, This is Christmas
October 12th 2021 by Viking Books for Young Readers

Copy provided by the publisher

Finley is attending a prestigious private school in Connecticut. Boarding there is a way to escape life in Christmas, Oklahoma, where she thinks her opportunities are limited. Even if private school will set her up to attend a good university, life there is lonely and difficult. She was a top notch student in Oklahoma, but just average in terms of prep school students. She decides to go home for Christmas and help out her grandmother at her Hoyden Inn, but things go badly wrong. Her mother is off visiting Finley's aunt, her father is living at the inn, her former best friend is dating her former boyfriend, and an academic rival is working for her grandmother. If all of that isn't enough, Arthur Chakrabarti Watercress (of the British construction equipment international conglomerate Watercresses) a classmate from the private school, has arrived in Christmas with his Aunt Esha to experience a traditional US Christmas. The problem? Finley may have posted some things on the town website that weren't exactly true, and Arthur and his aunt are bound to be disappointed by her deception. She's not fond of Arthur; he is snooty and hangs out with people who are unkind to Finley, but to uphold the honor of her grandmother's inn and the town in general, she needs to make the visitors' experience as good as she can. She embarks on a lot of projects that don't end well; visiting the local reindeer farm, baking cookies, and going to the local parade. Arthur is angry at the deception, but still wants to optimize his aunt's experience, since she has stuck by him when his busy parents have all but abandoned him. Finley has problems of her own, since she is worried that her parents are divorcing and is debating whether she will go back to the boarding school. She also starts to find Arthur rather attractive. The two manage to have a decent enough holiday, but there are some complications. Arthur and his aunt head back to Connecticut, and Finley wonders if she will ever see him again. Will a Christmas miracle, in an unlikely Christmas venue, bring them back together?
Strengths: I haven't watched many Hallmark Christmas movies, but I understand that Andreen has written for many of them. So, This is Christmas seems to have some similarities to these (small town setting, addition of attractive potential suitor from outside the town, Christmas activities, complications, happy ending), but also seemed more complex than the majority of them. This was solidly young adult, and included some facets of teen life that will definitely speak to high school readers; trouble fitting in at school, struggles with academic content, desire to go to a good college and leave one's hometown, parents having marital difficulties, drama with ex-boyfriends and friends. All of these topics make this a great read. The Christmas details are not lacking, and the romance develops fairly naturally. Arthur is a bit formal, but fully embraces the quirky Christmas experience, even if it wasn't what he expected. If this were ever made into a holiday movie, I might even watch it! (Still need to hunt down Suzanne Nelson's You're Bacon Me Crazy!)
Weaknesses: What is a weakness for middle school is a strength for Young Adult audiences. I enjoyed that fact that the plot got a bit complicated at the end with the grandmother coming out as a lesbian. The fact that the storyline with Ayisha ramped up to include the fact that she applied and was accepted to the private school Finley attends, but her mother wouldn't let her go was also a great addition. This shed a lot of light on why Ayisha always seemed irritated with Finley, especially once she started talking about not going back to the school. Both of these subplots added some diversity and interest to the story that was welcome, but also added to the length and complexity. The readers I have who want Christmas stories, however, are often struggling readers who would be happier with just the romance and the mixup about the commercial viability of Christmas, Oklahoma. 
What I really think: I did find it hard to believe that Finley couldn't make a simple batch of Christmas cookies and that Arthur didn't own a parir of jeans, but otherwise thought this was a great Young Adult holiday read. I enjoyed it a lot, but given the length (350+ pages) and the inclusion of several f-bombs, I think I will pass this on to the high school. 
 

Cartoon Saturday- The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor

Garrity, Shaenon K. and Baldwin, Christopher. 

The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor
July 20th 2021 by McElderry Books

ARC provided by Young Adult Books Central

Haley is so obsessed with Gothic novels that her language arts teacher has to tell her she can't do a book project on yet another one, bemoaning the fact that Haley can't be like the other girls and like sexy vampires. Disappointed, Haley is traveling home on a dark and stormy night ( in a long skirt, waistcoast, blouse, and Chuck Taylors) and hears someone calling for help from the water. She jumps from a bridge to rescue him, but the next thing she knows, she is waking up in a stereotypically creepy, Gothic mansion, complete with sarcastic, frumpy maid, three disparate brothers, Montague, Laurence, and Cuthbert and a mystery to solve. In addition to a hermitage, catacombs, and resident ghost, there is also a Doomsday like contraption in the basement. In a science fiction twist, the manor is the location of a portal to a gasket universe. Montague even gives Haley the instruction manual (a comic version with a perky spokesgirl reminiscent of 1950s commercials), but it is little use against the evil, possessed friar and hordes of Bile ridden bunnies. Will Haley's modern skills combine with her love of the Gothic world be able to combine and save the day?

Perhaps there are a lot of high school students well versed in the world of Daphne du Maurier and Jane Austen who will understand the dextrous use of Gothic tropes in this graphic novel, because this is certainly a tour de force of turning those tropes on their ears. I was particularly fond of the embittered servant woman who wanders the moors (where it rains once a day and twice on Sunday) to wail for her lost love, and Cuthbert, who throws himself into everything with a dimwitted fervor that highlights his Snidely Whiplash appearance. 

The illustrations are attractive, and Baldwin's background with Bruno and Spacetrawler both help to give a realistic feel to both the introspective, Gothic world and the science fiction one. The pallette is largely gray and brown, reflecting the Gothic gloom, but there are also some nice, sunny days outside of the manor. 

This is a quirky, Young Adult graphic novel that will find fans among the readers of other odd harmonic convergences such as Lumberjanes, although the people who might like it best might be middle aged high school language arts teachers and librarians who were thwarted in their quests to write a PhD thesis on the application of Austen's archetypes to moden psychology, but they will certainly promote this novel to their students! Perhaps for the next book Haley will get sucked into the world of her next assignment for class, "Hemingway whether you like it or not"!