MMGM- Last Laugh and The Rescues

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Alexander, K.R. Last Laugh

January 2, 2024 by Scholastic Inc.

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Victor lives with his parents and his older sister Sarah and younger sister Genevieve. When his grandmother needs to travel out of town, the children's mother has them stay at their grandmother's house to watch her three cats. The grandmother was a world traveler, and her house is packed with objects she has collected, and there are a good number of dolls, which Victor finds a bit creepy. High school aged Sarah isn't happy, and decides to go out with friends, leaving Victor and Genevieve alone. To get back at her, Victor breaks his grandmother's rules and goes into her bedroom, where he finds an immense collection of clown figurines. He takes one and tucks it under the covers of the bed where Sarah will sleep, since she is terrified of clowns. When Sarah comes home, she finds her clothes in the sink, covered with ketchup, and feels that it is Victor's way of getting back at her for leaving. The only problem, Victor didn't do it. And the clown is gone. Once the children return home, Victor starts being stalked by clown figurines and dolls that no one else can see. He eventually confides in his sisters and his best friend. They believe him, but there's little they can do. I don't want to say much more and spoil the plot, but Victor has to battle the clowns to save his grandmother, who becomes ill because they are on the rampage, and who holds the key to why they are all evil! 

Strengths: Well, I didn't have coulrophobia before, but there's nothing like a clown doll menacing characters with a steak knife to instill a little bit of fear! There's just enough family drama in this to root it to reality, and I loved that the siblings are fighting together. The grandmother's backstory with the clowns is a nice twist, and makes sense. It doesn't hurt that we end on a bit of a cliffhanger; the story's not over, not that there will be a sequel. This makes it extra creepy. It's good to see that Victor has a good friend (don't have the book E ARC with me; I think it began with a G. Gavin or Garrett), and they are not only able to work together, but the clowns target him because of their friendship. The epic clown battle is great. Students who think they want to read Stephen King's It will definitely pick this up, as will Alexander's loyal followers. 

Weaknesses: Alexander writes a LOT of books, and they're really good, but they aren't perfect. My weaknesses are minor: this got a bit repetitive, the clowns weren't doing much actual damage, and the fight was a little shorter than it could have been. I loved the grandmother's story, and that could have been better developed; we don't really find out about her involvement until everything is over, and it would have been cool to see her help with the fighting instead of having her be passed out in a hospital bed. Again, none of this will stop my students from devouring this title. 
What I really think: Are there many middle grade books about creepy clowns? R.L. Stine's Nightmare on Clown Street is the only one I can recall, although Arden's Small Spaces gave me that vibe. Is it that clowns are TOO SCARY for middle school? This is a possibility. At any rate, I will purchase three copies... to start. There may need to be more. Over the summer, all of this author's books came back, and there wasn't enough room on the shelf for them because they are usually all checked out. 

Greenwald, Tommy, Greenwald, Charlie, Pate, Shiho (illus.)

The Rescues Finding Home (The Rescues #1)

September 5, 2023 by Red Comet Press

Purchased copy

In this early chapter book, we meet two dogs, Moose and Bear. Moose is missing an eye, and Bear is missing a leg, but the two are great friends and love to play together. They are living in a shelter where they get few visitors who might want to adopt them. One day, they are out in the yard, and deciding that neither looks much like the animal for which he is named. This escalates into both climbing up a tree and getting stuck there. Luckily, a woman named Cathy comes along and adopts both dogs. They are happy in their new home, and enjoy romping in the yard and getting treats from Mailman Joe. When a fence goes up, they are dismayed that they do not get to see as much of the world. They manage to tunnel under the fence and escape, but some home in time for dinner. When they crawl back under the fence and into the yard, they meet a new inhabitant, a cat named Tiger. Cathy washes up the new animal, but he has trouble sleepy. Moose and Bear helpfully try to sing Tiger to sleep and even trade beds with him. Eventually, the three snuggle up together and become best friends. 

The representation of older, special needs dogs in this is wonderful, and much needed in the world of dog books. The level of text complexity also fills a gap in children's literature in that it is slightly longer than a picture book but not quite a beginning novel. Butler's Kayla and King series or I Can Read Books with be the closest comparison. 

Moose and Bear are just goofy enough to get children giggling, but also has serious themes of family and togetherness. I loved how Bear and Moose tried to get Tiger to sleep, and how generous they were with sharing their toys. A sequel is in the offing, most likely having to do with Bear and Moose weathering a storm, which would be a great companion to the new Melling title, Ruffles and the Cozy, Cozy Bed! 

While the focus of this blog is definitely Middle Grade, I review a number of picture books for Young Adult Books Central. I'm such a huge fan of Greenwald's work that I actually bought my own copy of this title so Mr. Greenwald could sign it when he came to my school for an author visit! Pongo was very happy to be immortalized in the inscription. 

Animal Rescue Friends: Learning New Tricks

Cooke, Stephanie and Low, Harriet (Ed.), Marquez, Barbara Perez, Longua, Katie, Kearney, Megan and Trousdale, Chelsea (illus.)
Animal Rescue Friends: Learning New Tricks
November 7, 2023 by Andrews McMeel Publishing
Copy provided by Edelweiss Plus

Our friends from Animal Rescue Friends are back with eight very short stories centered around the organization and its work. While I don't remember the other books having such short stories, this works, and REALLY reminds me of comic books like Richie Rich and Little Lulu. The Epic! series appeals to emerging readers, with large font, clear graphics, and engaging stories. 

There are also a lot of good life lessons in these vignettes. In "Rats are Good Pets, Too", Bell overcomes her aversion to the animals when she has to take care of them. "A Hard Shell to Crack" has Mikey and Bell competing to do the chores assigned and learning to get along and split the work. "Daphne and the Ducklings" finds a border collie visiting the farm for the day being bored until she rounds up some problematic chicks. "Lost and Found Hound" features Major Sprinkles running off to a fruit farm and finding some adventure. "Chatty Bird" mimics one of the supervisors, Fred, and tells the volunteers to do rather silly chores. "Amara, Opie, and Alma" features some misunderstandings but also a lot of cool art, as well as some rambunctious cats. "Bees" offers a lot of really good information after a hive needs to be relocated, and "Houdini at Home" is a good lesson in the amount of care that a rabbit needs in a home. The final story, "Drake and Houdini" has a good lesson about a boy who wants a dog who is a hero and thinks that a bigger dog is the one he wants, while a little, floofy dog saves the day and changes his mind about appearances. 

Readers who enjoy animal shelter stories will find this particularly engaging, and the short stories will be easier to finish for even the shortest attention spans. 

Saturday Morning Cartoons- One Cool Duck and The Soup of Doom

Petrik, Mike. One Cool Duck
May 9, 2023 by Hippo Park
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

In this beginning graphic novel series, we meet Duck, a sunglass wearing, water loving avian who has a great day planned with his animal friends. They're "shredding it up" at the skatepark, playing games at the arcade, and riding their bikes down the sledding hill. There, they meet Cool Cat, who is dismissive of the other's accomplishments, and ignores everyone's well being when he shows off his own tricks. They go back to the arcade for pizza, where Cat takes Duck's pizza without asking, and when the group goes to the woods near the creek to do tricks on the rope swing, Duck can no longer stand Cat's braggadocio. He goes home, where his grandfather asks him what's wrong. Eventually, his friends realize he is missing, and when Cat gets stuck up in a tree because he climbs too high, the group finds Duck because he will know what to do. He saves Cat, who is nice enough to apologize for being "a not-so-nice crumbbum". Duck and his friends get up to more adventures in Far-out Fort and Summer Games.

I love the format of this; it's roughly the size of the hardcover I Can Read Books that my children were obsessed with leading up to kindergarten. The font is bigger than graphic novels for older readers, and the text fairly simple. The big difference between it and the I Can Read Books is that the pages have color edge-to-edge and the text is presented in speech or thought bubbles. The extensive use of ink on quality paper does mean that this has a particular smell, and the book is oddly heavy for its size.

While I'm not sure that children hang out at arcades, and I'm a little alarmed that the children are riding bikes down steep hills (I've done this; it doesn't always end well, and none of the friends are wearing helmets), young readers will love the animals' freedom to travel around and do "big kid" things. Cat is rather obnoxious, and Duck's reaction is definitely one that many readers will relate to. I do like the positive interaction when Cat sees the error of his ways and apologizes. Picture books and early graphic novels are so important to teaching children best practices for behavior.

We're seeing more and more beginning level graphic novels, and I'm sure they are a popular choice with the first and second grade set. Add this to great titles like Stromoski's Schnozzer and Tatertoes, Pizzoli's Baloney and Friends, Clanton's Narwal and Jelly, Braddock's Peanut, Butter, and Jelly, Keating's BunBun and BonBon,or Blabey's Bad Guys.

Barnett, Mac and Harris, Shawn. The First Cat in Space and the Soup of Doom (#2)
October 3, 2023 by Katherine Tegen Books
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

After their adventures in The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza, we find our characters in another tizzy. The Moon Queen's soup has been doctored by a self-destructing assassin robot who used a poison that will turn her into glass in 24 hours! Dr. Lollipops is not helpful in finding an antidote, to the queen sets off to reunite with Loz. Loz, who suffered a pivotal yet trivial set back revolving around a cute kitten in his world saving adventures, has been living on the moon, selling glumpfoozels (apples here on Earth). He returns, but the queen is beset by the Bunco Boys and reunites with the ship's computer, who has a harrowing tale of being used by a teenage boy for gaming before he is recycled and manages to come back. In the queen's absence, Bernice takes over and is mean and not helpful. The queen  talks to Frank the Glorious, a wizard who tells the group that they must go on a quest to find the antidote. Captain Babybeard gets involved, First Cat labors silently in the background, and the clock ticks down to the queen's eventual doom. Will Loz's knowledge of Earth and moon vocabulary be able to save the day?

This was a rollicking, goofy adventure with a lot of side characters with interesting backstories. Even the back cover touts "High-speed chases! Vile fiends! Falling pianos!", and the book certainly delivers. The quest to find the glumpfoozles prepares young readers for the classic fantasy hero's journey whil making sure they are constantly entertained by funny set pieces, like the Bunco Brothers performing a play about a woman accused of murdering her houseplant by not watering it. 

The art reflects the frenetic pace of the book in its thick lines and feeling of movement, witha constantly evolving palette based on where our intrepid cast finds themselves. I did appreciate the ship's computer's tale that was colored in black with green writing and pictures; young readers won't necessarily get the shout out to early Apple IIE graphics, but I appreciated it!

Readers who like graphic novels that explode with silliness, like Angleberger's The Two-Headed Chicken, Blabey's Bad Guys series, or Laser Moose will enjoy this energetic romp for readers who are a bit older than the audience for Barnett's picture books but not quite ready for his Mac B., Spy Kid  or Terrible Two series. 

This series does well enough with my middle school readers but is best suited for elementary libraries. 

Unseen Jungle

Rice, Eleanor Spicer and Wilson, Rob (illus.). 

Unseen Jungle: The Microbes that Secretly Control Our World

May 2, 2023 by MIT Kids Press
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

As adults, we know that there are mites that live on our faces and that having our dogs sleep in bed with us probably isn't the most sanitary choice, but we just... choose not to think about it too much. Your average fourth grader, however, thinks that farts, zombie flies, and roaches are kind of fascinating. This is the book for them. 

Told in a very conversational way, this book doesn't shy away from poop jokes or deep dives into why farts smell the way they do. It talks a lot about how flies spend their time, and tells more about they life forms in our bodies, houses, pets, and yards than we perhaps want to know. There are engaging pictures to liven things up, but looking at the cover just now, they sometimes make me want to rinse my toothbrush in vinegar and microwave it. Or perhaps just keep it in the fridge between uses. 

There's a lot of well researched science here, and even though the treatment is humorous, there are good explanations of many things. Key terms are explained, and the text is geared to younger readers and is easy to follow. There is a great list of resources at the back as well as some instruction on how to draw some microbes. (With faces; not serious scientific ones!)

Gift this gross and funny book to a budding scientist, perhaps along with a microscope and copies of Marrin's 2012 Little Monsters or Jarrow's 2022 The Murderer: The Parasite that Haunted the South. Adults who read this are just going to want to clean the entire house and then go take a shower!

All the Lovely Bad Ones

Hahn, Mary Downing, Franquiz, Naomi and Peer, Brittany (Illustrators). 

All the Lovely Bad Ones: Graphic Novel

August 29, 2023 by Clarion Books

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Staying true to the 2008 original, we see the story of Travis and his sister Corey. They are so fond of pranks that they get kicked out of their summer camp and are sent instead to their grandmother's Fox Hill Inn. It seems a little dull at first, but they find out from guests that the inn is famous for being haunted. Nothing seems to have happened lately, so the two kids decide to stage some paranormal activity. The caretakers who came with the place, cook Martha Brewster and her husband, frown on this and seem overly concerned. There's a good reason for this; Travis and Corey manage to wake up the ghosts that the Brewsters have kept carefully asleep. Soon, the guests have quite a show, as the Fox Hill ghosts are poltergiests who have the ability to move objects and are soon trashing the place. There are a number of suspicious, numbered stones on the property, and the history of the inn soon comes out. It was, at one point, a poor farm, run by Ada Jaggs, who was not kind to the children there. As the ghosts come and tell their story, Travis and Corey know that they must find the records, identify the graves, and help the spirits move on. Will they be able to put "the bad ones" to rest?

Strengths: This had a particularly good ratio of text to pictures, the font was readable but not crowded, and I didn't feel that there were huge gaps in information that sometimes occur in graphic novels. The art is fun, and has a nice, dark feel to it, even in the sunny scenes. The story holds up well, and the timeline is downplayed to alleviate problems there. The Brewsters are somehow enigmatically sinister, even though they really have the best intentions for Fox Hill. This creepy retelling will be hugely popular with students.
Weaknesses: There are some unnecessarily grusome instances that probably would not be written today. Ada Jaggs hanged herself, and her ghost is shown swinging from a noose; she also tries to encourage Travis to do the same. In the way that Oklahoma should never again be performed, this seemed inappropriate. The grave of Ada is also exhumed, and the records found in a box in her coffin. 
What I really think: My students love scary stories, and I'm hoping that these graphic novel adaptations of Hahn's work will encourage them to pick up her classic novels. I met Hahn once at the 10th KidLitCon and wish I still had the picture of her wearing a birthday party hat. She is a wonderful lady, and I hope that the graphic novel adaptations give her comfort as she heads into her upper 80s!

Frontera and How Do You Live?

Anta, Julio and Salcedo, Jacoby. Frontera
July 18, 2023 by HarperAlley
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Mateo lives with his parents in Guadalajara, Mexico, but his family has decided that he will travel over the border to live with his grandmother in Phoenix in order to attend high school there. His parents caution him to be careful, provide him with a well stocked back pack and instructions, and arrange for him to travel with a man named Juan Xavier over the dessert. Juan is overly cautious about when they can leave, since he feels the border patrol has been too active, but Mateo is anxious to get to the US, so heads out without the group. Sure enough, the border patrol chases him, and he loses his backpack that had a map in it. When a ghost, named Guillermo, appears to him, he thinks he is hallucinating. He's in a bad way, but the ghost wants to help. Seventy years ago, Guillermo also tried to get across the border, but died. Ever since, he's stayed in the desert, trying to help other immigrants get to safety. Mateo doesn't trust his help, either, and when he arrives at a water aid station only to find it vandalized, he passes out. Luckily, he is found by Darcie, a nurse who lives on the Tohono O'odham land and helps people in trouble in the desert. Mateo recuperates and sets out again with a backpack Darcie provides. This time, he listens to Guillermo. Guillermo had been a bracero, who came to the US with his father to pick crops when men were off serving in WWII and farmers needed help. He met and fell in love with Felipe, but was deported back to Mexico when the war was over. He died trying to get back to Felipe. There are plenty of challenges in the desert, including a jaguar who seems to have a strange connection to Mateo and doesn't kill him. We learn more about Mateo's circumstances as well. Mateo tries to give Guillermo the last rites at the site of his death, thinking this might help his spirit move on, but it doesn't. This is a good thing, because Mateo is found by the border guards, who are also menacing a family. Will Mateo be able to help them, put Guillermo's spirit to rest, and get to Phoenix in time for school?

This was an interesting look at the problems that immigrants from Mexico have long had in getting to the US. I did not know about braceros, so Guillermo's story was fascinating. I love the contrast between Guillermo, with his collared shirt tucked into belted pants, and his hat, and Mateo with his hoodie! There is a lot of good information about the kind of horrible treatment that the border control and self styled vigilantes mete out to immigrants who are trying to get to the US to improve their lives. 

The artwork is engaging, and the panels are very atmospheric, making the desert seem very vivid. Guillermo's portrayal as a vague outline is well done, and I enjoyed Mateo's initial confusion. Not to spoil too much, but there is a happy ending for the helpful ghost! 

There is a lot of danger and death; this is listed as a Young Adult title. I think it would be fine for older middle school students who have some background knowledge about the problems with immigrating from Mexico, but elementary students would need some support when reading this. 

This is aptly blurbed by David Bowles, who wrote They Call Me Güero and They Call Her Fregona,  and offers another look at immigration similar to Cisneros' Efrén Divided, Salazar's Land of the Cranes, Giff's Until I Find Julian and Diaz's Santiago's Road Home. For  more information about the jaguar mentioned in the book, pick up Collard's 2023 Border Crossings.

Yoshino, Genzaburo and Navasky, Bruno (trans.) How Do You Live?

October 26, 2021 by Algonquin Young Readers

First published 1937

Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

In prewar Tokyo, young Honda Jun'ichi, nicknamed Copper, lives with his mother in a modest suburban home after the death of his banker father. His uncle, a lawyer, lives nearby and spends a lot of time with him. At school, Copper has some good friends, including Mitzutani and Kitami. Copper is small for his age, academically inclined, and introspective, but doesn't have the makings of a class leader because he is also mischievous. His mother doesn't reprimand him because she wants him to keep his spirits up since he doesn't have a father. Copper notices that a classmate, Uragawa, is not treated well by his classmates. They call the unkempt, tired boy "Fried Tofu" because his family runs a small shop, and he often has to work there, where he picks up the distinctive odor. Copper isn't quite sure how he can help the boy, and instead spends his time playing with his friends, sometimes giving radio broadcasts of baseball games based on newspaper reports, or writing letters to his uncle filled with musings about subjects as diverse as supply chain management and Newtonian physics. When Uragawa is out sick, he travels to visit his classmate, and helps him catch up. He starts to understand that not everyone has the advantages that he does, and he asks his uncle what he can do. His uncle, who was instructed by Copper's father to make sure that he became a good person, that Copper should "become a person truly useful to the world". This is hard, but Copper applies himself to his studies, enjoys being with his friends and his uncle, and thinks about his position in the universe. When older schoolmates pick on Kitami, the boys all promise to support their friend, but Copper finds himself unable to move or speak when Kitami is in trouble. This bothers him so much that he eventually becomes ill. When he seeks his uncle's advice, he writes a letter of apology to his friend, and everyone eventually forgives him. It is all part of learning how to be a good human being, and Copper is lucky to be surrounded by a supportive network that can show him how to accomplish this. 

This was an oddly fascinating book, being republished because it is being turned into a movie by the famed filmaker Hayao Miyazaki, who lists this as his favorite childhood book. It reminded me most of Lewis' 1942 The Screwtape Letters, another philosophical treatise on humanity and coduct of life. This also is indicative of the time it was written; children's books from this period of time tend to highlight good behavior and veer into the didactic. 

Modern readers will enjoy this look into Tokyo of the past, where having "just" a nanny and a maid meant that one had come down in society. I was so enthralled with the depiction of the houses that I tried to look up the areas on Google Earth, but I imagine most of what was mentioned in the book has long since vanished. The charming Western style mansions along the coast, Uragawa's small shop in a crowded alley, and the view of the Ginza shopping district from the top of a building have all probably given way to high rise buildings. How wonderful that we have Yoshino snap shot of them. 

I'm not quite sure who the audience for this is, since the scenes of Copper and his friends are slowed down by the discussions of philosophical material, but it is a charming book. The message is fantastic, and one which I tried to encourage in my own children. Perhaps this would make an interesting read aloud, so that younger readers could take the opportunity to discuss Copper and his musings with someone older. 

Last Exit to Feral

Fearing, Mark. Last Exit to Feral (Frights from Feral #2)

September 5, 2023 by Holiday House

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Following their exploits in Welcome to Feral (2022), Freya and Monica get drawn into a mystery involving the decrepit Messner Mansion. It was abandoned in 1939 after Ichabod Messner, a cantankerous teacher, went missing. It has the appeal that many abandoned buildings have to tweens, especially in a town like Feral where there are alligators in the Bottomless Pond and curses abound. When Freya and Monica go in, they accidentally  unleash Ichabod's ghost from a well, and also meet Emma and Barnaby Halvorsen, child ghosts whose uncle was Ichabod. They all need to figure out how Ichabod became so twisted before the first day of school so that his spirit doesn't wreak havoc on Humbert H. Humphrey middle school. They use maps, check out ghost sightings, and eventually find a tunnel to explore. They let MORE ghosts out, including a horrifying Teacher as well as a Franken-Farmer but also find out information about Ichabod's past; he was a well respected and decorated teacher up until a point. Can the children figure out why the teacher went so badly wrong, and can they set his spirit at ease so that the new school year is safe?

Strengths: Why aren't there more horror books about the spirits of disgruntled teachers? Or the murderous ghosts of them? Teachers are both very familiar to students, but also a bit mysterious. Do we really live in the building? (I wish. I've had plans to loft a bed in the back room and hang my clothes undernearth for YEARS. But Pongo has to be able to live there, too.) Freya and Monica have quite a romp as they look for clues and find new areas to explore, and the illustrations remind me (appropriately!) a bit of Thaler's 1989 The Teacher from the Black Lagoon. I can see handing this to children who are wearing Stranger Things t-shirts!
Weaknesses: Pretty sure that a house that's been abandoned for over 80 years would not be safe to enter. I guess the excuse is that Feral has all kinds of creepy things going on there. 
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoy scary graphic novels like the Creepover series, The Pathfinders series, or Stine's Just Beyond books. Also reminded me a bit of Gilman's 2012 Professor Gargoyle. 
 

MMGM- At the Speed of Lies and Hatchet Girls

It's

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
 at 

Always in the Middle 

and #IMWAYR day 

at 

Unleashing Readers

Are my readers the only blood thirsty middle grade ones? They constantly ask me for murder mysteries, and so many of the Young Adult ones have drinking, drugs, sex, and language that is WAY too colorful for me to be comfortable handing the book to students. Here are two more Young Adult titles that didn't make me too uneasy that I know will be HUGE hit with my true crime podcast loving eleven year olds.

Otis, Cindy L. At the Speed of Lies
June 6, 2023 by Scholastic Press
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Quinn Calvet lives in Canadaigua, New York with her older sister Ava and her parents, who run a gift shop that is barely surviving. They all live in the walk out basement of the shop along the main street, and this sometimes causes problems for Quinn, who is in a wheelchair due to the effects of her rheumatoid arthritis, that makes walking painful and tiring. She has had an Instagram account known as The Whine for some years, and she uses it to draw attention to her town and funny things that happen at her school. It's an open secret that she runs it. She has a bad history with Cade Bird, so when he starts a group called Defend Kids to help with the disappearance of area teens, including a brother and sister in Rochester that makes the news, she is surprised. When Ava, who is intent on getting into college and constantly doing new activities to pad her resume, starts to help, Quinn posts a few things on the account. These get a lot of likes, and she sees her followers rise. Since she has some paid partnerships, she hopes that this success will help, especially when she finds out how much the gift shop is struggling and worries that her parents might not be able to help with college. When Asher, a boy at her school, offers to help design a logo to help with his application to the Rhose Island School of Design, she agrees. Asher is the son of the owners of an important local business, but he's cute, attentive, and treats the fact that Quinn is in a wheelchair in a way that pleases her. He follows the news of Defend Kids, and the Defenders who claim that hundreds of kids get kidnapped every year, along with Quinn. When classmates Phoenix and Lily go missing, there is even more concern. Even with all the trouble swirling around, Quinn and Asher (who is a cross country runner, albeit not the best on the team) spend lots of time together and decide to date. They combine business with pleasure when they schedule going to a Defenders meeting right before the school dance they are attending together. Unfortunately, the have a falling out at the dance over what they've seen, and when Asher goes on vacation with his family, they don't talk a lot. Things become more and more serious with the Defend Kids group; Quinn finds a reputable article that states that the children in Rochester were fabricated, and finds that her Instagram account is viewed by these extremists as a place to get coded messages. When she takes down these posts, and later deletes the account, things get really bad. Cade doxes her, and she fears for her safety. Will she be able to convince Ava that Defend Kids is a bad idea, clear up her misunderstandig with Asher, and survive high school long enough to get to college?

Otis is a former CIA officer, and an expert on disinformation threat analysis, so her Defend Kids group is very realistically portrayed, and shows how pervasive and damaging these groups can be. I particularly liked the character of Dillion, who is a bit of a loner and really buys into the whole conspiracy theory, but is at least open minded enough to listen to Quinn when she tries to explain to him why the group isn't what he thinks it is. This comes so close to fringe groups that have actually existed that it is rather chilling to see how the effects on one small town impact Quinn and her friends. 

This is also a romance, and Quinn and Asher have a rocky but ultimately satisfactory one. I loved that he asks her about the accomodations that she might need in exactly the way she wants, and even offers to build a ramp at his house so that she can vistit. Her friend Ximena is involved in her own romance with Mike, and the estrangement between the two girls is realistic. Quinn's friends are also supportive of her and listen for her cues when she needs help. Quinn's determination to NOT need help is well portrayed, and the struggles that she goes through in her daily life are shown as significant but not impossible. The author is a wheelchair user, and it's helpful to see these challenges protrayed in a way that doesn't overwhelm the story. 

At the Speed of Lies is many things; a romance, a positive depiction of someone in a wheelchair, and an excellent, timely thriller about the dangers of the influence of social media. Books covering social media can become outdated quickly, but this has the staying power of Averbuch's Friend Me and Vaught's 2008 Exposed, or for younger readers, Feldman's Ezra Exposed. 

This will probably be my nomination for the Cybils' Young Adult Realistic Fiction award. 

Wallach, Diana Rodriguez. Hatchet Girls

October 10, 2023 by Delacorte Press

Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Tessa and Vik Gomez have encouraged their mother to move from Philadelphia to Fall River, Massachusetts after the death of their father. Tessa feels guilty for various reasons, and instead of going out to parties during her junior year, she opts to stay home. Her brother, a senior, is dating Mariella Morse, the daughter of local real estate magnates and the owners of the Lizzie Borden house in town. Mariella was raised alongside Phil, whose parents run the museum and hotel attached to the questionable tourist attraction. Phil is interested in Tessa, who keeps putting him off because of her vow to remain responsible. What the people in town don't know is the dark side of Mariella's family life; her father abuses her mother physically, and Mariella hates him so much that she plans his murder. She is descended from the Borden clan, and manages to harness the local questionable powers by creating a "tea" from herbs, roots, and moss found in the Freetown Woods, which is often referred to as the Cursed Forest. Drinking this tea has caused voices in her head that encourage her to kill her father. She has a plan; her father is allergic to penicillin, and she managed to get a vial of it from an elderly neighbor for whom she does errands. She plans to rope Vik into administering the shot. We see her plotting, but go back and forth from this time to the present. Vik has been found standing over the bodies of both of her parents, who have been violently killed with an axe. Vik is arrested, and his family from Philadelphia comes to help out. Vik's biological father is also in jail, so suspicion is high and Tessa has to deal with a lot of hatred. She knows her brother is not the violent type, and many things seem odd about his presence. With the help of Phil, and her cousin Oscar, she sets out to investigate the eerie history of the town and the Bordens, and its relationship to the murder. What really happened?

This was a gruesome but fascinating Young Adult murder mystery that I feel comfortable handing to my  middle grade readers. There is some talk of Mariella and Vik "hooking up" in the forest, but even I am not entirely sure what that means in this instance! There are some violent and bloody scenes, but the real killer is not entirely human, thanks to the supernatural component of the plot. There's no colorful language, but plenty of high school freedom to wander around town to investigate, as well as a deep dive into history of a "haunted" area.

The relationships between the main characters were also fascinating, and Phil's kind and supportive interest in Tessa took a bit of a dark turn, but I don't want to spoil things! The Gomez' family's close knit ties are evident when they drop everything to come to the side of Tessa and her mother, who are still reeling from the loss of the father. The light and reluctant romance with Phil adds some tension, and Mariella is a complicated character that elicits more sympathy than one would imagine.

This is a fantastic thriller to entice readers who can't get enough true crime information and like it flavored with a bit of the supernatural, although perhaps not exactly with the dirt and blood scented cocktail that Mariella concocts! Readalikes include Otis' At the Speed of Lies, Han's Running Past Dark, Johnson's Truly Devious series, and Monahan's Mary: The Summoning. 

With or Without You

Smith, Eric. With or Without You
November 7, 2023 by Inkyard Press
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Both the Plazas family and the Ortiz family have had a lot of upheaval lately. Jordan Plazas is still sad that his family lost their diner and his parents have to work at other restaurants now, but he takes solace in the Philly cheesesteak food truck they still run. His plan, now that he has graduated, is to go on the road for a year. He's like to bring along Cindy Ortiz, his girlfriend, but there's a problem; the two have to keep their relationship secret. Cindy's family lost their urban farm in Boston and have set up a food truck near the Plazas', but it serves more organic, healthier fare. The two have fabricated a long standing, contentious rivalry between the two trucks that seems to bring them a lot of customers. There is some history between the families; the Ortiz's outbid the Plazas for their parking spot, and there's some thought they may have outbid Jordan's family on the truck they use as well. Cindy would like to go back to Boston, especially since her two best friends are there, but was waitlisted for her college of choice. She would like to study television production, and is so interested in reality shows that she and her friends have a podcast that discussions a reality show set in Boston. When Jordan wants to enter a food truck competition, things start to get hectic, and the family rivalry starts to heat up for real. When the families are approached to do a reality television series called Cheesesteak Wars based on the fabricated fighting, things start to get weird. Long standing grievances are unearthed, financial secrets bubble to the surface, and Jordan and Cindy realize that they might not share the same visions for the coming year. Will their relationship survive? 
Strengths: I'm always looking for young adult romances that are relatable to middle grade readers, and this is a good mix of details about running food trucks, family dynamics, and planning for a post high school future that will still appeal to readers who are not quite ready to think about leaving home. The representation of families dealing with financial difficulties is good to see, and there's a lot of vivid local flavor and descriptions of cheesesteaks. (Didn't know these were so contentious. Don't know that I've ever had one.) I know many people like the "enemies to lovers" trope, and this puts a nice twist on that. There's plenty of things going on with the competition, family finances, and plans for the coming year to keep readers turning the pages. 
Weaknesses: This wasn't that much of a romance book. There's a  nice date in a book store, but most of the time is spent arguing and worrying about the future instead of enjoying the moment. That definitely makes it Young Adult; middle grade romances are much more fun! Additionally, my complaint with many middle grade books is that we should be encouraging more needed occupations like medical and technical positions rather than journalism and cupcake baking. There are probably already enough teens who want to run food trucks and host podcasts. 
What I really think: Food trucks are starting to have quite a number of options! Middle grade books include Borba's The Midnight Brigade , Badua's The Takeout, Torres' Stef Soto, Taco Queen, and Downing's The Great Peach Experiment series. Nelson's You're Bacon Me Crazy was more middle grade, but adapted into a movie with more adult characters, and Goo's The Way You Make Me Feel has a similar feel. Next, we might need to discuss YA books with titles based on 1980s songs! 

No Such Thing As Perfect, Stuntboy, In-Between Time

Misako Rocks! No Such Thing As Perfect
November 7, 2023 by Feiwel Friends

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

In this sequel to Bounce Back, we get to see the world through Emma's eyes. She's on the basketball team with Lilico, who came from Japan. (I need to check the print version of Bounce Back; I thought the main character was named Misako, but since I struggle with names, I might have to amend my review of that title.) She has a difficult home life because she and her mother have very similar temperments, so almost every interchange they have results in the two screaming at each other. Some of this conflict comes from the fact that Emma believes her mother likes her older sister Julia better, and pressures Emma to be more like Julia. Julia is actually a voice of reason in the household, but when she offers to watch Lexi, the adorable dog belonging to a boy she likes, Emma has another fit about that, since she hates dogs. Emma is pleased to make it on to the all star basketball team with Lilico, but has problems there are well. She starts a combative relationship with Alyssa, and the two fight on the court. Emma is used to being one of the few really good players on her team, so when everyone else is as good or better than she is, this causes her even more emotional turmoil. On the bright side, she does take to Lexi, who turns out to be her guardian spirit in the way Nicco was Lilico's magical guide in the first book. The entire all star team is affected by Emma's frequent outbursts, and don't play well because they are focusing on individual goals instead of coming together as a team. Emma has not been talking to Nala, since the two had a falling out in the first book, but the two have a bumpy road to reconnection, with Emma again disrepecting her friend on multiple occasions. When Lexi becomes ill when Emma is watching her, she has to work together with Lilico to get Lexi medical attention, and finally has a discussion that helps her to tell her mother what is bothering her. Can Emma get the help she needs to have constructive rather than destructive relationships?

Strengths: I would love to see more graphic novels with sports in them, like Dawson's Fifth Quarter or Tavares' Hoops. There is a bit of basketball in this, but most of the book is taken up with the friend drama, which is also a popular topic. The manga vibe of this one is strong, and Nala dresses in a very bold harujuku style of dress, which I have seen on a couple of girls at my school. This series definitely has a lot of tween appeal. 
Weaknesses: If I had to diagnose Emma, I would say that she falls on the Oppositional Defiant Disorder spectrum somewhere. Her mother is also absolutely horrible in her interactions. I know this happens in real life, but in books I would like to see some of the characters model good behavior. It's wearing just reading about all of Emma's tantrums, and I'm surprised that she has any friends at all. 
What I really think: Like the first book, this is absolutely overwrought, and handing it to students feels like giving them cotton candy for breakfast. The first book fell apart spectacularly after five circulations, even though I got a Follett Bound copy. I requested a replacement, so I'll see how well it circulates before ordering this. It's similar to the Chloe series by Tessier in many respects. 

Reynolds, Jason and Raul the Third (illus.) Stuntboy, In-Between Time (2)
August 29, 2023 by Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

After his adventures in Stuntboy, in the Meantime, Portico Reeves is back having adventures with his friends. His parents have split, which led to a lot of "frets" in his world, and he is now faced with another challenge. Since the family has moved into two separate apartments in the Skylight Gardens complex, Portico has to spend the nice with his father and Gran Gran, since his mother is away on a meditation retreat. He usually loves spending time with his father, who has the best job in the world (being a trash collector), but going to his father's apartment confirms in his mind that his family really is split up. He has saved a trash bag full of things his mother was cleaning out, and sets off to his father's apartment with it, thinking that the two will have a good time going through it together. Along the way, he has several adventures. Gran Gran has come to his new apartment to visit and test out the new couch, and Portico and Herbert are introduced to Zola's Grandpa Pepper, who has a job naming nail polish colors and is a very colorful character. There's an empty apartment on an upper floor, and the door isn't locked, so Portico and his friends brave several of the mean teens in the building to visit it. Once there, they decide to draw on the walls using markers, and really make the place feel like their own. They also help Zola's stepfather, the building superintendent (Super), deal with seventeen iguanas in Bean Bosworth's apartment. They use their super skills to capture them and turn a china cabinet into an iguana house. Eventually, Super finds out about the art in the apartment and is very angry, since he has a potential renter visiting soon. Luckily, that renter turns out to be Grandpa Pepper, who is thrilled with the amazing art. Still, Gran Gran is not happy that Portico has done this, and makes him explain himself to his mother before going to his father's apartment. His father tries to get to the root of why Portico has done this, and is somewhat understanding that Portico feels he doesn't have a place of his own since his parents have split up, but admonishes him that he still can't go and deface other people's property. 

The plot isn't really the draw in this book. Portico's adventures with his super hero persona, and all of his super hero antics and tricks, are the focus, and Raul the Third's exuberant artwork supports the frenetic quality of the text. Since Portico is not only a fan of art, but of television show, there are frequent "commercial breaks" and other asides that add to the boisterous exploits. 

The first book had much more information about Portico's anxiety, and while some of that is evident in, it is not as pervasive as it was in the first book. It helps that Herbert is an ally now, rather than an adversary, and that Portico has the steady presence of this Gran Gran and Zola, as well as his mother and father, who are not able to fight when they are not in the same apartment. 

This is definitely a book more suited to middle school students, even though the cover makes this look like an easy-to-read graphic novel. There is a surprising amount of text, making this more similar in length to Kinney's Wimpy Kid books than Pilkey's Dog Man installments. 

Readers who enjoyed the humorous frenzy of Angleberger's The Two-Headed Chicken or Barnett and Harris' The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza will love this rollicking tale of Portico and his friends making the best of their surroundings and infusing a bit of super hero magic into everyday life.

Impossible Escape: A True Story of Survival and Heroism in Nazi Europe

Sheinkin, Steve. Impossible Escape: A True Story of Survival and Heroism in Nazi Europe

August 29, 2023 by Roaring Brook Press

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Rudi Vrba was born in Czechoslovakia in 1924, and was friends with a girl named Gerta Sidnova. As Hitler was rising to power and invaded Poland in 1939, Rudi decides it's a good time to leave. Gerta's family also debates this, but stays a bit longer, before relocating to Hungary where she learned typing and shorthand. Rudi also makes it to Hungary, but is stopped, beaten, and jailed. He escapes several times, but never makes it very far. Eventually, he ends up in Auschwitz, and because he is young and still strong, is assigned to many different jobs. Early in the war, people thought that families really were being located, but as time passes, it became clear that this was not the case. Rudi sees this first hand at Auschwitz, and knows other young men whose job it is to bury or burn corpses. It's a horrible situation, and there are many descriptions of the different abuses perpetrated by the Nazis. Rudi was fairly lucky, but was determined to escape so that he could let the world know the reality behind the Nazi propaganda. He thought very carefully about how to escape, did his research, and realized that he and his friend Alfred Wetzler would have to hide outside the first set of perimeter gates at Auschwitz for about three days, and then escape past the second set. There were other men who tried this and failed, but Rudi succeeded. He managed to make it to Slovakia and contacted the Jewish council, where he and Alfred filed the Vrba–Wetzler Report, one of the first accounts of the atrocities being committed. After the war, Vrba married Gerta, with whom he had reconnected, and became a scientist. 

Strengths: Sheinkin has done a lot of research; this read almost like a first hand account. Rudi's naive determination to escape but his fortunate ability to survive and escape again and again was an interesting progression of events I haven't seen as much in books about the Holocaust. It was contrasted nicely with Gerta's slightly more prosaic experience getting through the war. The details about the way that people were treated when they first got to the camp, the methods used for execution, and the secondary toll that this took on the people who had to work in positions surrounding this, are something I haven't seen expressed so clearly before. This is definitely a lot of information about what happened in the concentration camps, and about how the world really didn't know what exactly was going on for a while.
Weaknesses: This had many brutal moments, which makes it one that I would not hand it to sensitive 6th and 7th graders, but this allegiance to details, no matter how harrowing, makes it a great selection for 8th graders and high schoolers who have some background information and can handle it. Also, either I missed that Vrba was born Walter Rosenberg, or it wasn't mentioned as prominently in the book. I must have missed why he changed his name. 
What I really think: This might be a good choice to offer students if they werre particularly interested in  Wiesel's Night, which I know was studied for years at my school. I liked Rudi's determination to survive so that he could get out and tell the world. It also reminded me a bit of Rauch's Unlikely Warrior. 

Hollowthorn and Artifice

Hollowthorn takes place on the first day of Hannukah and has a lot of Jewish culture in it, so it seems like a great choice for the first day of the holiday this year. 

Josephson, Kalyn. Hollowthorn (Ravenfall #2)

October 17, 2023 by Delacorte Press

Public library copy

Anna is excited that her father Henry will be visiting when her mother, grandmother, and older twin sisters travel to Ireland. Her father is not home long before an old friend stops by with a favor. Anna and Colin embark on a quest to help Salem, who needs Henry's help to subdue a demon who is after the Tree of Life. Strange things are happening in the Hollowthorn Woods, and the Ravenfall house is not happy, especially when it is left in the care of Aunt Elaine. The group, which includes the cat/jabberwok Max, travels through a portal into the Otherworld. They need to retrieve the Myrtle Staff from the Crypt and return it to the Tree of Life before the demon Ashmedai finds them. There's a lot of running around, and fighting of various entitities while on this mission, and Colin and Anna fight a bit. The bigger issue is what is happening back home without them, as the woods encroaches on the house, which is struggling mightily. Things are not always what they seem, and while the mission goes fairly well, the reason for it becomes complicated when they learn some secrets from the past. 

Strengths: Anna's magical skills are put to good use in this adventure, and she gets to spend a little more time with her father. Colin polishes his own abilities, and learns a lot about himself. The Otherworld is an interesting setting, and there is a ton of Jewish culture and folklore in this that I just don't remember from the first book. We do get to see a little of what is happening with the house, since the chapters alternate between Anna and Colin with occasionall input from Ravenfall. A good sequel to the first book. 
Weaknesses: Not a weakness with the book, really; I just wasn't in the mood for a magical quest in the woods. I was more interested in what was going on in the house, so preferred the first book. Younger readers will not feel this way and will enjoy the adventure. 
What I really think: This is a great choice for readers who like their fictional magic to be a little dark, but want it broken up a bit by cocoa with snowflake shaped marshmallows. This felt more like McNichol's The Apprentice Witch, while the first was more murder-y. I'm curious to see how many books will be in this series; I feel like there could be one more. 

Cameron, Sharon. Artifice

November 7, 2023 by Scholastic Press

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Isa's parents ran an art gallery in Amsterdam, but now that the Nazis have taken over and her mother has died, it is all she can do to take care of her father. When a tax bill comes due on the building, she sells a forged piece of art to the Nazis. One of the officers seems suspicious, and she later sees him looking at the fake address she provided. He leaves a note, and eventually contacts her. His name is Michel, and he knew her parents before, but was forced into the Nazi army by his father. He wants out, but needs Isa's help. He thinks she has ties to some resistance members, and she does, but not very useful ones. Her friend Truus is trying to smuggle Jewish babies out of danger, and Willem is helping her, but that itself is such a fraught undertaking that they don't have much to offer. Things get even more complicated after Truus kills a Nazi officer and Isa ends up taking care of a baby. Michel explains himself to Willem, and everyone tries to stay safe in the art gallery. Isa is determined to get more money for Truus' cause by selling more forgeries, and ends up contacting Van Meegeren, an artist who has been selling things to the Nazis. Isa manages to infiltrate his studio and find out a lot about his forgery technique, but she also gets caught up in a dinner party that he is having with some of the Nazi officials. She manages to get some helpful information, and when she returns to the gallery, asks for Michel's help in selling a forgery. Things go very wrong, because there are multiple copies of the same works. Her father has been struggling with a drug addiction, and there is very little time before the German deadline for the Netherlands to be "free from Jews". Will Is be able to juggle all of the people depending on her to provided safety and resources, or will she herself get caught and killed? (Slight spoiler-- there's a rather nice, happyish ending.)

Strengths: This was apparently based on the real story of Van Meegeren, as well as an effort to save Jewish babies, so that was interesting. I haven't read a lot of books involving the problems surrounding art during World War II (except for Fitzgerald's Under the Egg), but I know that there was a lot going on. There are also not as many books set in Amsterdam, with the exception of Winter's Bullet, Hidden Like Anne Frank, and Girl in the Blue Coat, so that was interesting. I am especially fond of books that talk about the Resistance, and Truus' plan to save Jewish babies was a good one. That it was funded by bilking Nazis made it that much better. There are a good amount of details about what it was like to go out into the streets of town, some about the scarcity of food, and a lot about the problems with knowing whom to trust. 
Weaknesses: This was more of a Young Adult title due to the length, introspective nature, and philosophical conundrums that Isa faces. 
What I really think: Now that our 8th grade language arts classes do not study the Holocaust (it has not been in our social studies curriculum for twenty years; having it in language arts was a vestige of long ago!), I don't need as many books about it. The ones I do need are for the readers who want descriptions of battles. I probably won't buy a copy for my library, although I might buy one for a friend who loves historical fiction like this. 

Hurricane Girls

Holt, Kimberly Willis. Hurricane Girls
August 29, 2023 by Christy Ottaviano Books
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

In 2018, we meet three classmates who were all born around the time of Hurricane Katrina, in the New Orleans area. Now in middle school, they are all facing challenges of their own. Greer, a talented runner, feels responsible for the accident that has consigned her younger sister Darby to a wheelchair and has stopped running. Joya Mia's family struggles financially, but she makes the best of things. Kiki, whose father has left her mother after installing a pool at their small house, wants to encourage her friend to get back to her sport, so signs the three girls up for a relay triathlon. Kiki doesn't swim, and is sometimes uncomfortable with her weight, although she tries to embrace it. She signs up for lessons at the local Y, although her mother is concerned that she won't stick with it. Greer finds it hard to get back to running; even her favorite shoes no longer fit, and she's worried that her parents are going to get a divorce. They do finally put her into therapy, and it helps that she can talk to Dr. Lake. Joya Mia is enjoying training on the rusty old bike that she shares with the rest of the family, but when she is approached by a modeling agent, she sees modeling as a way to help her family financially, and enjoys being able to buy things she needs. As the summer rolls on, Kiki babysits and also connects with a slightly older swim instructor, Ivan, whom she thinks it cute. Greer works at her father's movie theater, and Joya Mia finds that sometimes  modeling can be boring. At one point, Kiki gives up on the idea of the triathlon, but after visiting with her father, decides that she doesn't want to be like him and give up. The three girls support each other, but will they be able to win the race?

Strengths: I remember Hurrican Katrina very vividly, and it's hard to belive that it's been 18 years! Holt likes to catch us up with her characters years later, (as she did with When Zachary Beaver Came to Town), so it makes perfect sense for her to write a book that can be read after the many middle grade stories about the hurricane Herlong's Buddy., Patrick's Finding Someplace, Philbrick's Zane and the Hurricane: A Story of Katrina, Smith's Another Kind of Hurricane, and Woods'Saint Louis Armstrong Beach). This gives some perspective to the progress made in resuming life in New Orleans. The details about training are just enough, and I liked that the girls had fairly different lives. I especially liked that the girls didn't really fight with each other, but were able to work out their differences. I particuarly liked Kiki's grandmother, although reading about her cooking made me hungry! 

Weaknesses: There were some points in the story where I thought this might be the second book in the series, but it wasn't. I felt like I was missing the beginning of the girls' friendship, somehow. 
What I really think: I like the idea of a relay triathlon, and the one outlined in the book is similar to some of the TRY-athlons I have seen for young athletes in my area. The challenges the girls face are realistic, and while it takes some effort to overcome them, they do a great job. This is a pleasantly upbeat book that carefully captures current thought about things like body image, economic challenges, and overcoming trauma. 

The Dark Lord's Daughter

Wrede, Patricia. The Dark Lord's Daughter

September 5, 2023 by Random House Books for Young Readers

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Kayla was adopted as a baby by Rikita and Michael Jones, and hasn't thought too much about her birth parents, even after her father's recent death from cancer. Her mother, Riki, has tried to keep things pretty much the same for Kayla and her younger brother Del, but it's a struggle. When the fair rolls around, the three go, and Kayla isn't too thrilled about it. She has even brought her school tablet, which she has named Macavinchy, along with her, hoping to play some games when her mother is off seeing exhibits, and it does come in handy when accessing information about the fair. When an odd guy turns up, identifying himself as "Waylan, second commander of the Dark Horse of Zaradwin" and claiming that Kayla is really Xavrielina, the daughter of the Dark Lord Xavriel, they all think he is nuts... until they find themselves transported to an odd, quasi medeival world. Not everything in their possession has something analagous in that time, so some things transmute; Riki's cell phone becomes a lavendar messenger mouse, and Macavinchy becomes a familiar in the form of a winged monkey-type animal. (Although he's sensitive about being portrayed as such). The three head off through the woods to the castle, and meet Archibald along the way. He actually hopes to become the Dark Lord himself, even though he has Light magic, but even so, Kayla allows him to come along. After they get settled in the very decrepit castle, they learn the back story; Kayla's aunts sent her to another world so that she wouldn't pose a threat to them (and exile is better than murder!), but since her father has been gone ten years, and things have deteriorated in the kingdom, they're willing to have her back. Riki isn't thrilled with a lot of this and wants to go back home, but it proves difficult for Kayla to figure out how to accomplish this. She thinks that learning magic from the castle librarian, Harkawn, might be the way to go. There are a number of people at the castle who have an interest in what happens to Kayla, but an investiture is scheduled and preparations are made. There are a lot of traditions to uphold, although Kayla feels comfortable fighting many of them, and a lot of secrets of the Dark Lord that have to be figured out before Kayla can rule the kingdom.
Strengths: I absolutely adored the fact that her mother and brother went along with her on the magical journey! This should happen a lot more in middle grade literature. There are a lot of good details about what it takes to rule a kingdom; all of the Dark Traditions are very clearly laid out, and it reminded me a bit of Terry Brooks' Magic Kingdom for Sale: Sold! Of course one has to think about the castle budget, whom to invite to the investiture, how to deal with disloyal family members; being a Dark Lady is hard, and Kayla has to meet with different people to figure out how to proceed. The best part of this was how the technology of Macavinchy translate into magic in Zaradwin, and the clever way that Kayla manages to repair the castle and remove the threats using not only Macavinchy but also the forces in the castle. There's plenty of set up here for another book; now that Kayla has settled into the castle, I'm sure that people from the kingdom will try to challenge her! 
Weaknesses: I wanted this to have a lot more action and adventure, like Dealing with Dragons. It's such a great concept, and I understand why Kayla has to spend so much time in the castle just getting ready for her reign, but it... felt a bit like a faculty meeting. A lot of details, like having clothes made for the investiture, that should have been fun but ended up being dreary. This will appeal to hard core fantasy readers who like every little detail, but I would have liked this better if we had gone straight into a quest. Some reviewers complained that the mother was too involved and a bit whiny; I didn't think that at all. It seemed perfectly reasonable to me that she made sure the castle got cleaned up and stepped in to make breakfast. If I had gotten sucked into a world that proclaimed my daughter the Dark Lady, I probably would have tried to move things along a bit more quickly. 
What I really think: This was very different from something like Dark Lord: The Early Years; it wasn't really played too much for laughs. I don't know WHY the concept of a Dark Lord should be treated in this way, but I was surprised that this didn't. Of course, Kayla was rather appalled that she would have to kill people, and earn money by pillaging, but it would have been a lot more fun if she threw herself into the role. I have a feeling that Del would, if he were given a similar chance. I'm curious to see where the next book takes us. 

MMGM- Backcountry and Tasty with Bonus Blather!

It's

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
 at 

Always in the Middle 

and #IMWAYR day 

at 

Unleashing Readers

Goebel, Jenny. Backcountry

December 5, 2023 by Scholastic Press

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Emily is a good athlete, and loves playing volleyball, so when she doesn't feel well during the game, it's serious. Her father thinks she should tough it out to finish the game, and since she sees so little of him (he's a busy realtor), she goes back in. The game doesn't end well, and Emily ends up in the hospital. The diagnosis; Type 1 diabetes. She's determined to deal with the disease head on, especially since she and her father have a backcountry ski trip planned in a few weeks. Her family is lucky enough to have the resources to get her a diabetic alert dog who is already trained, and once Molly joins their family, she'll be going on the trip as well. Emily's mother is concerned, and rightly so. She makes sure to supervise the packing of emergency provisions, since Emily and her father will be skiing from cabin to cabin and be well out of range of all civilization, much less hospitals. Emily reluctantly agrees to this micromangaing, but doesn't think there will be any problems. The trip starts out well, and Emily is glad to reconnect with her father and impress him with her athleticism. The first cabin is nice, and Emily even picks up a book about a ski soldier during World War II who had to survive in the wilderness. When a storm is predicted, Emily's mother wants the two to come home, but they persist. Of course, shortly after this, in near white out conditions, Emily's father disappears. It turns out he has fallen a short distance and broken his leg badly. Emily skis ahead to the next cabin, but things start to snowball downhill. The cold interferes with phone batteries as well as diabetic testing equipment, and pretty much anything that could go wrong DOES go wrong. Emily keeps on top of her blood sugar levels, since she knows that if anything happens to her, no one can save her father. She manages to get him to a run down cabin, since the next one on their route is too far away, and gets him warm and fed. She even goes back out at night with Molly to retrieve his backpack, only to find that animals have opened it up and her extra insulin is ruined. This makes getting help even more crucial. Will Emily be able to get to civilization before she experiences a health emergency?
Strengths: Survival stories are always popular with my students (think Carter's Not If I Save You First and Durst's The Lake House). Dog books fly off the shelves. If there were any books about volleyball, those would be in great demand. This also has a worried mom, a distant dad, and an exciting cross country ski trip, so it will absolutely sell itself. The story moves along quickly. My favorite part is how Emily manages her own diabetes and is pretty smart about most of her choices-- except for the one to go on the trip! Young readers will think this is a great idea, but I am super risk averse and kept thinking "No, no, no!" at every turn. That sense of the inevitable crises makes this a real page turner. 
Weaknesses: I'm torn-- I really wanted to see more of Emily's struggles leading up to her diagnosis, and more of her volleyball playing, but that's not really what the book is about. Maybe we need a completely different book about a volleyball player, maybe even one with diabetes. THAT'S a book that would be popular. 
What I really think: This should be in hardcover. It is an excellent book with many topics my students ask for and will be popular with readers who like Terry Lynn Johnson and Rebecca Behrens' survival books. Definitely purchasing. Order extra copies of this if you are hosting a Scholastic book fair. 

Elliott, Victoria Grace. Tasty: A History of Yummy Experiments

December 5, 2023 by Random House Graphic

E ARC provided by Netgalley

If you enjoyed Yummy: A History of Desserts (and if you haven't read it, I highly recommend you do!), you will love this look at other forms of food that started out as a little bit of a surprise. The main sections are cheese, pickles, gelatin, processed foods, and sodas, and each is a HUGELY deep dive into the subject! Each chapter starts out with a map of where products were developed, and it was interesting that  not a lot of cheese was developed in North America. (Except, of course, Velveeta. Which does make an awfully good mac and cheese!) I loved the illustrations, and was impressed by the research that went into this; there's a nice bibliography at the end. 

I could have done without the sprites, but my students seem to enjoy them. There are some recipes, and I'm definitely going to have to try to make Gooey Butter Cake. Definitely will purchase a copy of this since I am such a fan of food history, but personally like the format of Kim Mill Zachmans' There's No Ham in Hamburger better. My students always prefer a graphic format. 

I did make the Gooey Butter Cake, which was just a little... weird. It was okay, but I don't think I need to make it again! 

Blather:

Whew. 2023 has been something. After my daughter got married, I spent the summer dreading my class reunion. I didn't sew much. The reunion was blah and reinforced my thought that I was invisible in high school, and have remain so despite being The Most Knowledgeable Middle School Librarian in the US. Have any other school librarians read all of the fiction books in their collections? I think not. Yet, people who read a fraction of what I do (and don't review!) have tens of thousands more Twitter followers.

Planning the perfectly wonderful author visit with Tommy Greenwald and NCTE made me anxious, which was silly. We've still been having a lot of trouble getting classes covered when teachers are out, but that is getting better. I've also been battling a LOT of brain fog, for no apparently good reason. 

Since we have fewer students, I'm don't spend my days in a frantic haze of work. There are even times when I SIT DOWN. In the middle of the day! This makes me worry a bit; am I working hard enough? 

Language arts classes still visit once a week; the curriculum is solid, and students still read even though we have Advisory instead of Sustained Silent Reading. I help lots of students with homework. I've given up wearing skirts every day, since wearing dress shoes and jackets with jeans is a step above the joggers and tennis shoes the young'uns wear. 

Things are good. Steady. I'm hoping to get back up to speed this month, since I only read 36 books in November. Do some sewing over winter break and hit January with renewed vigor. It's a plan.