Rea and the Blood of the Nectar

Doshi, Payal. Rea and the Blood of the Nectar 

June 15th 2021 by Mango and Marigold Press

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Rea's family doesn't have an easy life in Darjeeling, India, but her mother and grandmother work hard to provide a comfortable life for Rea and her twin brother Rohan without their father. Sometimes Rea has to pick tea leaves with her mother, even though she is technically too young, in order to provide more income. It irks her that Rohan isn't expected to work as hard, and when he makes plans without her on their birthday, she finds a way to pay him back. Along with her neighbor, Leela, Rea sneaks out of the house and takes over her brother's cricket game, embarrassing him. The next day, Rohan hasn't come home, and her mother is angry and scared. She had told the children to stay inside and lock the doors. The reason is soon made clear by a fortune teller whom the mother has recently consulted, and Rea and Leela find themselves in the magical realm of Delphinus, in the flowery kingdom of Astranthia, trying to find him. They meet Xeranther, who tells them about the kingdom, and Rea finds out that she and her brother have royal blood that allows them to travel between worlds. It is this blood that has caused Queen Rayza to take Rohan for her evil purposes. She is practicing Shadow Magic and slowly destroying the kingdom. Through Xeranther, the girls also meet paries and other magical creatures, and set out on their quest to save Rohan by finding a magical flower petal. They must work with Oleandra, who is trying to overthrow the queen, deal with banshees and other creatures, and ask the Ceffyldwer  to help them get across the lake. Even if they manage to get the petal, will the queen release Rohan? And will everything in Astranthia be peaceful?

Strengths: Sibling rivalry happens even with twins, and Rea and Rohan's problems are a great way to start the story, especially when Rea must then save her annoying brother. The magical realm is well developed, and the descriptions of flowers were particularly appealing. The quest brings Rea into contact with a wide variety of creatures, and the interactions are engaging and interesting. Queen Rayza is certainly evil, but in a sort of White Witch way that almost makes me think she might not be too bad, which adds a nice tension. I especially liked that Leela was involved, even though she and Rea weren't particularly good friends back in the real world. I'll be keeping an eye out for the next book in the series, since the book ends on a bit of a teaser. According to the author, The Chronicles of Astranthia is going to be a trilogy and the second book is planned for a Fall 2022 release.
Weaknesses: It took me a while to warm to Rea, although she does become more engaging as the story continues. There also seems to be a bit of Welsh mythology (the Ceffyldwer) mixed in with the Indian characters and creatures, and it would have been nice to have a note about that. 

What I really think: This reminded me somehow of Lynne Reid Banks' 1976 The Farthest-Away Mountain, which was popular with my readers until it fell apart, and Kerr's 2004 Children of the Lamp series. There's also a bit of Mull's 2006 Fablehaven, with all of the descriptions of fairies (paries). Fantasy adventure quests where children get powers when they reach adolescence and must use them to save the world are always in demand. Rea's life in India added a fresh twist, although what I would really like would be a realistic novel about her everyday life. 

MMGM- Clique Here and Rolling Warrior

It's

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
 at 

Always in the Middle 

and #IMWAYR day 

at 

Teach Mentor Texts 

and 

Unleashing Readers

Staniszewski , Anna. Clique Here

June 1st 2021 by Nancy Paulsen Books

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Lily has decided she really needs to leave her private school after an embarrassing incident with mean girl Courtenay, so she plans to use her scientific bent to study how to be popular. Her older sister, Maisie, who is going to high school, is impressively upbeat and popular, and Lily would like to be more like her. Having sifter out five factors of popularity, Lily tries to implement them, and starts off at her new school reinventing herself as her middle name, Blake. Things get off to a rocky start when she shows up at school wearing her lab goggles like a headband, but she manages to talk to one of the soccer players, Ashleigh, and sit at lunch with her and the very cute Parker at lunch. The problem? At her new school, sports players are looked down upon, and the science club has the popular kids! Making an abrupt about face, Blake befriends Owen and Priya, and goes to science club, although she still goes to soccer practice. Priya's older brother is a science rock star, so Priya is very focused on a winning project that positively impacts the world. Owen, however, is secretly playing science related pranks on a variety of people, but also asks Blake out on a date! She is pleased to have the attention of the most popular boy in the school but isn't thrilled about the pranks until he offers to play a big one on Courtenay if she helps him with two pranks. When Blake's best friend, Kat, shows up at her new school, Blake panics. She's told Kat a bit about her popularity project, but can't get Kat to really understand that art is not a "popular" pursuit, and really can't get Kat behind the pranks. 

Strengths: The twist with the science kids being the popular ones was very fun, and I really enjoyed how they are just as troubled in their own way as some athletes are portrayed in middle grade literature. The idea of reinventing oneself has been around since the 1950s; I was a big fan of Conford's 1981 Seven Days to a Brand-New Me. I enjoyed the family dynamics, with Maisie having secrets of her own, and the parents being in the back ground but having a few interests of their own-- the father is training for a marathon to impress his brother-in-law, and understands Blake's reasons for wanting to change her approach to middle school. A fun, quick read. 

Weaknesses: I didn't care for how Blake found the pranks fun even though she says she didn't like them. I've never had any patience for pranks that involve physically messing with someone; most of these involved liquid, paint, or slime dropping on someone, which is just mean.

What I really think: This is somewhat similar to Kinard's 2012 The Boy Project with shades of Haddix's 2012 Game Changers and is a great addition to the WISH novels, which are super, super popular with my readers. I never understood the need to be popular, but it is apparently more of a concern than I thought, according to a random selection of 6th graders I polled.

Great example of the self-improvement genre is Wilson's 1957 Always Anne. I have a copy that was deaccessioned from my father's elementary school library in about 1974, but I've never seen the dust jacket. One of my favorite comfort reads.

Heumann, Judith and Joiner, Kristen. Rolling Warrior: My Story of Fighting to Belong 

June 15th 2021 by Beacon Press

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Born in 1947, Heumann had polio at a very young age, leaving her legs and arms very weak. She was used to being in a wheelchair, and went about her daily life as a child with modifications that she just took as normal for her, in the way that some children had curly hair while others had straight. This changed when she wasn't allowed to go to public school because the principal thought she would be a fire hazard. Her parents eventually got her into a class called Health Conservation 21, which included students from different ages with different levels of functioning. This was not ideal, but Heumann eventually got into a general education high school. Before instructional aides, she had to ask people to help her with the most basic functions like moving her wheelchair and getting to the rest room. Undaunted, she did well and got into college, hoping to become a teacher herself. Knowing that this might not be easy, since she could not think of any teachers in wheel chairs, she contacted the American Civil Liberties Union and asked for their advice. She was told to get her degree and contact them if she had trouble finding a job. Unsurprisingly, she did, but the ACLU concluded that being excluded from a license on the basis of a physical exam was not in violation of her rights. This lit a fire in Heumann, and she went on to work with the Center for Independent Living in California and was deeply involved with the protests  when Joseph Califano, U.S. Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, refused to sign meaningful regulations for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Much of the book is given to the details of the lengthy sit ins and other tactics that were used to finally change the minds of legislators about the rights of the disabled. 

Strengths: This book moved so quickly that I didn't start putting bookmarks in it until Ms. Heumann was in college! The story was very compelling, and told in a very relatable voice. Incidents in her life are related in very matter-of-fact ways, and her philosophy that her situation isn't something that needs to be "fixed" is very clear. When it comes to the protest, I wonder if the many students who have 504 plans will be interested in knowing how those came about! An important, compelling story told in a way that middle schoolers will find interesting. 
Weaknesses: I'm not sure if the final print version will have an index, but it would have been nice to have a timeline of disability advocacy. There also could have been a few more pictures, but there may not be that many. I find that my students are surprised even by the fact that there aren't color pictures, so visuals of earlier decades are always helpful. 
What I really think: This reminded me very much of Karen, by Marie Killilea, which I loved when I was in middle school. It occurred to me when reading Rolling Warrior that reading Karen definitely formed how I think about people with disabilities. Karen struggled with some areas, but excelled in others, and her disability did not stop her from working towards her goals. Representation matters, and Heumann's is a great story that covers a period of time in my own life about which I was unaware. I knew that equal access legislation was put in place very late (1990), but hadn't realized how discriminatory education practices were until then. Definitely purchasing. 

Luna Howls at the Moon

Tubb, Kristin O'Donnell. Luna Howls at the Moon
June 15th 2021 by Katherine Tegen Books
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Luna is a therapy dog who works with Tessa, who counsels children in Austin, Texas. Beatrice, Amelia, Hector, and Caleb all are in therapy with Tessa for various reasons. When they all come together for a group session in order to work on interpersonal skills, things are a bit rocky. Amelia has been traumatized by a house fire and doesn't talk, Caleb is very particular about the way he does things and is dealing with his parents' divorce, and Beatrice has some emotional and behavioral issues after the death of her grandmother. Hector claims that he has made a hover board, but the others don't believe him, and when he doesn't show up for the next group session, the children are disappointed. When the parents are loudly voicing their displeasure with the group session and Tessa goes to quiet them, the children decide to run away from the church basement where they are meeting to find him at a place they think he will be, having checked his Instagram account. Luna (from whose point of view the book is told) is uncomfortable with them running away, since it is his responsibility to take care of them. The park where Hector is supposed to be is quite some distance, and as they make their way there, the children must work together and support each other in the very way that Tessa hopes they would in their group sessions. Along with an irascible cat called Sandpaper, they deal with Caleb missing his hand sanitizer, parents who are following them by GPS, a coyote attack, and a two teenagers who threaten them. Through it all, they get a good tour of an interesting city, bond with each other, and learn to trust others to help them. Luna is a comforting presence throughout and fulfills her duty of keeping the children safe. 

Strengths: I will probably never go to Austin, but Tubb makes it seem like an interesting city. I found the moon towers especially intriguing! The reasons for the children leaving and going on their adventure are solid, and they do well under Beatrice's leadership at getting across the city. The way the stories are revealed slowly is interesting, and Luna's voice, while very dog like (No one has a plastic bag for the poop? What are the humans thinking?), also captures the shades of emotion in an innovative way. The threats they face are scary but not impossible, although I did worry when Luna got her foot caught in a waterway! The parents are realistically concerned, and their fears about group counseling are assuaged by the adventure. The cover alone will sell this book to dog-obsessed readers, especially since nothing bad happens to Luna!
Weaknesses: After reading the author's forward, I thought there would be more information about the therapy with Tessa, like in Gerber's Focused. While therapy was the reason the children came together, and they did gain some skills during their traversing of the city, this is much more of an adventure book. Also, I don't believe that Beatrice found HeeHaw overalls on E Bay for $12. (I looked this up because I HAD a pair of these in 4th grade, which would have been 1974! The cheapest pair I saw today were $85!)
What I really think: Luna is a great addition to dog books like this author's Zeus: Dog of Chaos and A Dog Like Daisy, or Hoyle's Stella and Bauer's Raising Lumie. 

Cartoon Saturday- All the graphic novels!

Moyer, Rich. Ham Helsing: Vampire Hunter

June 1st 2021 by Crown Books for Young Readers

E ARC provided by Netgalley

Ham comes from a long line of vampire hunters who make rash decisions that end in their deaths. After his brother Chad perishes in a wing suit accident, Ham is the only one left. He heads to a town where there is a vampire savaging the residents, and intends to take care of matters. The only problem? He's not sure what to do. With the help of two rats who hire him and Ronin, a wide eyed tree pig, and Lobos (a werewolf who by day is a young boy at a local camp), they take off for the spooky mansion at the edge of town where they meet Malcolm, a warthog(?) vampire who doesn't want to hurt people; he has social anxiety and just wants to keep to himself. Something is hurting the townspeople, so Ham and his band of merry marauders set out to find the villain. Through the twists and turns of their adventure, Ham learns the true meaning of both courage and friendship.

Strengths: Many adults struggle with an appropriate level of middle grade goofy, but Moyers nails it. First of all, a vampire hunting pig is just funny, and the other animals he encounters all work well with him. Sneaky but ultimately helpful rats? Check. Inexplicable but helpful werewolf? Check. Kick-ham Ronin, whose ability to save the day and also fend off Malcolm's slightly creepy interest? Check and double check! I also loved that the vampire wasn't really the villain, and that Ham and company have to determine who that really is before the forces of evil are dispatched. Perfect level of cartoon violence with a bit of philosophy thrown in to make discerning readers happy. Make sure you take a look at this one before dismissing it. I love when books surprise me. 
Weaknesses: While Ham had fairly standard pig eyes, Ronin had manga style wide ones that made me think of Penelope Pussycat, or another character I couldn't quite pin down. This is why I struggle with graphic novels-- I get stuck on one stylistic feature that distracts me.
What I really think: As a connoisseur of middle grade literature involving radioactive pocket pets and farting, wisecracking animals of all types, I can tell you: middle school libraries need Ham Helsing. Like Watson's fantastic Stick Dog, Ham can be enjoyed by elementary school students who like that they stomp spiders with wooden clogs, middle schoolers who take great glee in Ham's progenitors' ridiculous deaths, and teachers who appreciate Malcolm instructing Ham on what bravery really means. This could have gone so, so wrong, but went very right instead. 

Sharp, Tori. Just Pretend

May 18th 2021 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

E ARC provided by Edelweiss

In this graphic memoir, we see Tori as she is going into 7th grade. She and her friend spend a lot of time creating pretend worlds, both in written stories and in playing. This is an escape for Tori from her family. Her parents are divorced after bickering a lot, and while her dad's new girlfriend is nice, it's still not a great family dynamic. Her older brother is especially troubled, and Tori has to tag along to her older sister's ballet classes since her mother won't let her stay home alone. Even these lessons are a point on contention. As things worsen, Tori distances herself from her best friend, who has her own struggles and secrets.

Ostertag, Molly Knox. The Girl From the Sea
June 1st 2021 by Graphix
E ARC provided by Edelweiss

Morgan wants to leave the small island where she has grown up, since she feels that no one really understands her, especially since she has a secret she won't share with anyone. When she meets Keltie, things become even more confusing. Keltie is a selkie who is allowed to be on land because Morgan has kissed her, but Morgan wants to keep Keltie a secret as well. Morgan's parents are divorced, her younger brother doesn't get along with her any more, and she can't quite connect with her friend group anymore because of all of the things she is keeping from them. When she lets them in on her secrets, will she lose everyone dear to her?

Both of these were fine graphic novels, but just not my cup of tea. Just Pretend had some odd jumps in time that made it hard to follow, but my students will like the illustration style. The Girl From the Sea was okay, but I kept waiting for Keltie to kill humans, for some reason. Something about her eyes, perhaps? It would be fine for middle school students; there's a lot of kissing, but nothing else. 

Marsden, Mariah and Luechtefeld, Hanna. The Secret Garden: A Graphic Novel

June 15th 2021 by Andrews McMeel Publishing

Copy provided by the publisher

Like Edith's interpretation of Pearce's Tom's Midnight Garden or Marsden's own retelling of Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables, this version of Francis Hodgson Burnett's 1910 The Secret Garden is true to the original and will make fans of that work happy. The information about Mary's family's deep ties to troublesome British colonialism is left out of the text, but addressed in end notes, which is a good way to handle the topics. We don't get quite as much back story about Mary's evil parents, and still don't know quite why Collin is bed ridden, but the trajectory of the story remains positive. This always seemed like a depressing version of Alcott's 1874 Eight Cousins, which I adore. The difference is that Rose very quickly becomes a more upbeat character, since she is surrounded by an already positive environment. We're no longer allowed to find characters "unlikable", but I struggle with books where the setting is unpleasant and the characters are ones whom I might wish to avoid. I've never quite gotten the appeal of The Secret Garden, but this is certainly a worthy adaptation.

Almost Flying

Arlow, Jake Maia. Almost Flying

June 8th 2021 by Dial

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Dalia's parents have divorced recently, and she hasn't seen her mother much, but she and her father have a cozy existence. She's on the swim team, which helps pass the time, especially since she has had a falling out with her longtime best friend Abby, whom she felt left her for another friend. Through swim, she's met Rani, who has recently move to Long Island from Minnesota. Rani's family is better off than Dalia's, but the two have fun hanging out, watching videos of roller coasters (Dalia's obsession) and make up tutorials (Rani's). When Dalia's father tells her that has been dating Vanessa and wants her to meet his new girlfriend. The surprise and shock don't end there; Vanessa has a college aged daughter, and the relationship is more serious than Dalia is first led to believe. Alexa has been fighting a lot with her mother, and is planning a road trip to amusement parks with her friend Dhruv. Vanessa doesn't like this idea, but feels better about it if Dalia would go with Alexa, and bring a friend. Rani's mother is fine with it, and soon the group is hitting various amusement parks and staying overnight in motels, checking in with parents by video chat every night. Dalia has never been on an actual roller coaster; she's only watched videos. Luckily, she does enjoy riding them, so that part of the trip is a big success as she uses her previous knowledge of different types of roller coasters to educate her travel companions. Less success are the relationships. Alexa is angry but hiding the fact that she has a girlfriend, Sara, who soon joins the group. Dalia overhears Dhruv talk about his boyfriend and is surprised he is gay. To further complicate matters, Dalia has wondered for a long time if she likes Rani as more than a friend. How do you tell a friend that you have a crush on her? Sara is very helpful and understanding, and picks up on the clues that Dalia likes Rani, and gives her good advice. Alexa makes some unwanted comments, which increases the tension between the two potential step sisters. When Dalia kisses Rani and doesn't get quite the reaction she expects, she worries that she might have made a mistake. Will Dalia be able to survive her summer of actual and emotional roller coasters?
Strengths: I'm officially declaring a lack of amusement parks in middle grade literature! Not all middle school students are lucky enough to go, and I know it was a huge deal the first time I went with my church group. It's a rare instance when tweens are allowed to go about on their own, spend some money on food and souvenirs, and reading about different parks (including the nearby Cedar Point!) was very fun. So lets have more of that. I was completely oblivious to the existence of YouTube roller coaster videos. We are seeing more books about parents getting divorced, and blended families getting used to each other, so that was a good aspect of the book. I wish there had been more about swim team! This book also offers a unique story of emerging identity by having three older queer friends to advise Dalia about her crush and also dealing with her feelings. There's also some discussion about the difference in economic backgrounds that Dalia and Rani have, and the arc of the relationship with Abby was interesting and a bit surprising.
Weaknesses: While the trip and the roller coasters were interesting, a bit more of a plot would have been nice. Most of the plots concerned themselves with relationship issues, which is more young adult. I also found it hard to believe that Dalia and Rani were allowed to travel around to amusements parks with two college students!
What I really think: There is a fair amount of interesting in LGBTQIA+ stories in my library, so I will definitely buy this, and hope that readers who pick this up for the roller coaster inclusion will find this informative about the LGBTQIA+ as well. 

Conford, Ellen. Seven Days to a Brand-New Me

March 1st 1981 by Little Brown and Company

School library copy

Maddie Kemper is in high school, and besotted by the gorgeous Adam Holmquist, who has a locker next to hers. She's too shy to talk to him much, since she's convinced she is not only drab looking but uninteresting. While at the mall helping her best friend Sandy pick out running shoes, she stops at the books store and picks up two books that will change her life; the Harlequin type romance, Sweet Suffering Love, and the self-help book Seven Days to a Brand-New You. Between being inspired by the bodice ripper (which her mother borrows as well) and the advice of Dr. Dwayne Dudley, she's determined to become so enticing that Adam won't be able to ignore her anymore. She spends $50 at the mall on new clothes and makeup, and devotes herself to becoming irresistible in between exchanging sexually charged barbs with classmate Terence and imagining Adam shirtless while she should be concentrating on her Spanish class. Will she be successful in her attempts to get the boy of her dreams?

Strengths: It's not 1981 anymore. The quality of the paper is super good. I loved Conford's work when I was in middle school (I'm not sure I read this in high school), and she certainly is responsible for many, many of the things that are wrong about my own magnum opus, the politically incorrectly titled story of a summer camp testing out a computer dating program, I'm Going Crazy, Want to Come. People are described as fat or not fat, and Adam isn't someone with whome Maddie wants to develop a mutually beneficial relationship; he's someone she wants to "get". What she'll do with him then is a bit unclear. This made me want to apologize to my own long term crush in school. So sorry, Jon. I hope you've had a nice life. 
Weaknesses: Not much of a plot, not much character development, weak supporting characters, weird inclusions of passages from the two books (in a different font), and so many questionable interchanges. Terence LEERS at Maddie, and they discuss swingers and the sex life of insects. Cringe worthy.

What I really think: Should I keep this for the decades project? If I get rid of it, it has to come home with me. Conflicted. 

The Secret Starling and Little Kid, Big City!: London

Eagle, Judith. The Secret Starling

June 8th 2021 by Walker Books US

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

It's 1974, and Clara is being raised in a decrepit, remote country mansion by a stern and uncaring uncle because her mother died at her birth. There's a constantly changing rotation of governesses, but at least she has Cook, as well as the butler who mainly does repairs. When the latest governess is not replaced, Clara enjoys her freedom until she finds out that Cook has been sacked. Her uncle orders her to pack a bag and leave the house with him, then drops her off in the village, vaguely instructing her to seek out Cook. Instead, Clara decides to go back home to make her own way. Soon, Peter, who is about her age, and his cat Stockwell show up, saying that they have been sent by Stella, a neighbor of Peter's grandmother, to live with the uncle. His grandmother is ill, and Stella is a friend of the uncle. The two make a go of it for a while, but then Stella shows up, takes charge of tidying the uncle's study, and sets a string of mysteries in order. The house is to be sold, which irritates Clara despite the fact that pipes are always bursting. They do have some help from Cook's grandchildren, although the adults seem content to ignore or hinder them. Peter is worried about his grandmother, and since Stella isn't providing enough answers, the children take off to London to check on her. Will they be able to solve mysteries about both of their families, Peter's love of ballet, and Stella and the uncle's lies? 
Strengths: The most amusing part of the mystery for me was figuring out what year this was set! With talks about watching Nureyev dance, a fifty pence coin (after 1968) and other clues, I had this placed in the early '70s, then Clara offers a little bit of math concerning her age to cement it! There are a few other details, and the whole book had a decidedly vintage British feel to it. The inclusion of ballet was fun, and Cook's grandchildren diversify the all white cast of characters. There are deliciously evil villains, legal hassles, and secret parentage. Occasional illustrations add to the charm. 
Weaknesses: I continue to worry about British parenting and childcare. Edwards' Mandy came out in 1971 and there was a fairly effective orphanage. Would Clara have been better off there? For those concerned, there is a happy ending.
What I really think: This has some similarities to Chalfoun's The Treasure of Maria Mamoun, as well as Guterson's Winterhouse, and a definite ring of classic British literature like Streatfield's various Shoes

books. A great book for readers who want a murder mystery that is clue oriented rather than gruesome.

Beckman, Beth. Little Kid, Big City!: London

June 15th 2021 by Quirk Books

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Like New York, this is a fun picture book romp through one of the world's great cities. London is my very favorite place to be, and this covers all the best places: the London Transport Museum, The British Library, the Tower Bridge (which I have stayed near both times I went to London!), and even Hampton Court Palace, which I absolutely adored. It's a nice overview, and I am going to buy a copy for my younger daughter's birthday, since it is also her favorite place to visit! 

From the publisher:

Curious kids will find plenty of sights, smells, and tastes to explore in this illustrated, choose-your-own-adventure travel guide series. Next stop: London!

If a kid were given the opportunity to lead a tour through London, where would they go? Would they hop on the Tube to visit Buckingham Palace, watch a play at Shakespeare's Globe Theater, or pass the time with Big Ben? By following prompts at the end of each page in Little Kid, Big City, the options are endless!

In this series, an illustrated travel guide collides with an interactive format, allowing children to imagine, create, and explore their own routes through the greatest cities on the planet. With gorgeous illustrations, lovable characters, and dozens of different forks in the road, Little Kid, Big City is a new way for kids to take part in their travels and invent their own adventures. 

It All Begins with Jelly Beans

Weetman, Nova. It All Begins with Jelly Beans

June 8th 2021 by Margaret K. McElderry Books

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Meg and Riley meet in the school  nurse's office. Riley has had trouble managing her diabetes, and Meg has problems managing her life. For good reason: ever since her father's death, her mother has been increasingly dysfunctional. It's gotten to the point where she doesn't have a job, lets Meg shop for groceries with the public assistance money, and lets her go to school wearing bedroom slippers and the same t shirt every day because she has grown out of her clothes. Meg has lost her best friend, Eleonora, because of her difficulties. The students at her school near Sydney aren't nice about this, calling her slipper girl and making fun of the fact that she frequently needs a paper bag to help with her breathing during anxiety attacks. The worst harasser is Lina, who is also Riley's best friend. Well, not a good friend, but Riley's best option in surviving her own middle school experience. If Lina is talking to her, she can't be talking about her. Lina is particularly unhelpful in Riley's attempts at managing her diabetes, making fun of her for having to test her blood, watch what she eats, and limit her activities according to her mother's parameters. Lina's input frequently ends poorly for Riley. Meg is a soothing presence, and Riley starts to enjoy seeing her in the nurse's office, and starts to stand up for her. Meg also has an ally in her Aunt Peggy, who runs a laundromat nearby and tries to help Meg out as much as she can. Will the two girls be able to get the help they need to manage their situations and make their way through middle school?

Strengths: At least one student every year. That's how prevalent juvenile diabetes is, yet books about students who struggle with this condition are few and far between. Belford's Another D for DeeDee, Yohalem's The Truth According to Blue and Tubb's Zeus: Dog of Chaos are the only books that I can think of that address this issue that is far more prevalent than the death of an immediate family member. Riley's struggles are so typical-- she wants to eat what her friends eat. She wants to be able to go swimming, take off her glucose monitor, and not have to text her mother every five minutes. She has to carry jelly beans with her in case her blood sugar drops, and getting everything in balance is tough. I liked that she was also struggling with her friend group. Meg's story makes Riley's concerns seem somewhat less crucial, and it's good to see Riley trying to help her out. There are a few things in the book that identify this as being an Australian title, but the stories are universal. 

Weaknesses: It seemed odd that Meg would be allowed to wear slippers to school every day without question, and while the nurse made an effort to feed her, no one seemed to contact home or make an effort to help her with clothing. 
What I really think: I wish that Meg's situation was handled differently by the school and people around her, but this book is an excellent description of a middle school student struggling with diabetes, so I will purchase it. 

My school is very fortunate-- while about a third of our students are economically disadvantaged, there is a strong support system, and the PTO provides toiletries, school supplies, back packs, etc. for any student in need. During the pandemic, lots of students go to the cafeteria on Friday afternoon and take food home, and I've not heard so far of anyone giving people a hard time about this. Certainly, students making fun of a student like Meg would not be tolerated. Even as the librarian, I take a LOT of students to the office for supplies, and am in contact with the guidance counselors about students who seem to be struggling with all manner of issues. 

The Hidden Knife

Marr, Melissa. The Hidden Knife

June 1st 2021 by Nancy Paulsen Books

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
 

Twenty years in the past, the kingdom of the Glass Queen has a World Door opened into it from the Netherwhere, and all manner of magical creatures enter. Fairies, kelpies, and gargoyles all come in and become part of the world. One gargoyle, Rupert, is discovered by four children, and takes them under his protection. Tik, Nightshade, Sweeney, and Kat are all students who are training to be Ravens, who protect the Glass Queen. They grow up to go their separate ways, and Kat leaves the Ravens, which is very much frowned upon, and has three children. Victoria, or Vicky, suffers a devastating loss and ends up at the Corvus school with Algernon, Nightshade's son, who is supposed to grow up to be the queen's poisoner like his father, who joins him at the school along with Milan, a thief the family has fostered. Vicky is assigned to a combat dorm, which is rare for a girl, but she is joined also by Ida, Nora, and Merry. Vicky wants revenge, and Algernon and Milan have their agendas as well. The children find that the queen is evil, but might be able to be cured, and there are secrets about family backgrounds that come out as well. 

This read very much like the first book in a series, so ended a bit abruptly. Also, there were lots of twists and turns that I didn't want to give away. 

Strengths: This reminded me a bit of George's The Rose Legacy, or Sarah Durst's books, which has been very popular in my library. This seems set in an earlier, possibly Victorian time, since one of the teachers wears a dress with a bustle and there is a lack of technology. The inclusion of gargoyles and other creatures is interesting, and there is even a dragonet. Vicky is a very driven and determined character who is taking her education seriously so she can avenge her family. There is a genderfluid chimera and the Netherwhere is an interesting concept. 
Weaknesses: I prefer fantasy books that have worlds I enjoy being in, even if they are beset by problems. I found Vicky's world, especially after her tragedy, to be rather unpleasant, so I struggled with this one a bit. 
What I really think: The Corvus school is interesting, and I was particularly drawn to the Nightshade family and their involvement with everything. I have a small but fervent group of fantasy readers who might like this one, but I'm still debating.

MMGM- The Monster Missions

It's

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
 at 

Always in the Middle 

and #IMWAYR day 

at 

Teach Mentor Texts 

and 

Unleashing Readers

Martin, Laura. The Monster Missions

June 1st 2021 by HarperCollins

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Berkeley and Garth are working with their families as scavengers on board the Atlas, supervised by the demanding Gizmo. Ever since the Tide Rising, all life has to be conducted about boats, since everything is underwater. The Atlas harvests supplies from submerged cities, and workers get credits to support themselves and their families. On one expedition, Berkeley drops something on a sea serpent, and it terrorizes the ship. She and Garth are then told that to make up the economic damage, the two will be assigned to a work boat, where life is even harder. Instead, they are rescued by Captain Reese of the Britannica, who offers them a position there, which will also take care of their debt. Seeing no other recourse, the two join the ship and are greeted by the friendly Kate and unhelpful Max. The Britannica is a research vessel that deals with sea  monsters, which the general populace doesn't believe exist. Their ship is huge and government funded, and they have a training program for younger people. Berkeley and Garth have to do chores around the vessel and learn to live on a submarine, but get thrown right into all manner of adventures. When the sub is attacked and taken over by pirates, the children have to use their skills and knowledge to save the day as well as protecting the world from the sea monsters. 

Strengths: Martin's note in the back of the book about how her work has turned to monsters for no particularly good reason is great. She writes them VERY well-- Hoax for Hire is super popular with my students. I especially loved how quickly and succinctly the post-Tide Rising world is described, and the fact that the parents aren't dead, but are probably told that Garth and Berkeley are. This gives the kids agency to go out on their own and save the world without parental supervision. There are so many good details about life underwater, sea monsters, and living in close quarters. Berkeley, Garth, Reese, and Max are a good assortment of different personalities and skills. The best scene is when the Britannica gets swallowed by a Leviathan and they, of course, have to blast their way out. You don't want to irritate the animal before you kill it, lest it's thrashing damage the ship. Okay! Good to know! The pirate invasion is scary, but the kids convincingly save the day. Absolutely perfect (but completely different) for fans of Henderson's Young Captain Nemo series. 
Weaknesses: Ms. Martin's work deserves much better covers. This one is a bit odd and reminds me of... something. Fall's Dark Life, perhaps?
What I really think: Definitely purchasing. This had a bit of introspection in between the cryptid snot, was the perfect length, and was just a fun, adventuresome read! 

Brinkman, Kiara and Chiki, Seth. Lucy in the Sky

May 1st 2021 by First Second

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

The end of the school year was ROUGH, and this was a casualty of reading during that time. It was, however, fantastic and absolutely necessary for every middle school library, so even though I am fuzzy on details (which are hard to retrieve from E ARCS of graphic novels), it deserves to be mentioned. 

Lucy's mother is a journalist who travels a lot, and her father also spends a lot of time at work, so Lucy depends on her grandmother a lot. Unfortunately, her grandmother has cancer and is becoming increasingly frail. When Lucy discovers her father's Beatles records (and the timeline on this works; the book is set in 2012, when my own daughter was in middle school, and there are a lot of people my age who still were interested in the Beatles), she wants to put together a band, but has some difficulty with her friends wanting to do this. There's a lot going on, but the combination of multiple middle school dramas and The Beatles will make this a steady, if not constant, circulator in my library. Remember, one of the most popular middle school graphic novels ever is Telgemeier's Smile, which is basically about the drama surrounding dental trauma. 

The drawing style was okay, but I was disconcerted by the eyes in many of the frames-- blank circles filled with white, which made the characters depicted this way seem like like they were either Little Orphan Annie or were possessed by demons. Solid black dots I can handle, but I often get stuck on one feature of the drawing style, which is why graphic novels are not my favorite. Tweens will not have this problem. I may even have to buy a personal copy of this for my daughter!

Simone Breaks All the Rules

Rigaud, Debbie. Simone Breaks All the Rules

June 3rd 2021 by Scholastic

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Simone's Haitian immigrant parents are very strict; she and her sister Anne have to go to an all girls school that requires uniforms, aren't allowed to socialize in the same way that their peers do, and even have their prom dates arranged by their mother! Anne is at college now (NOT living on campus), and Simone is a senior. When her mother plans to set her up with the younger brother of Anne's prom date, she has had enough. It's bad that she can't tell her parents that she wants to live on campus when she attends nearby Rutgers, but to have an arranged date? No. She enlists her schoolmates Amita and Kira, who have their own overly controlling parents, to make a list of activities that they want to try to accomplish during their senior year. They aren't wild activities-- go to a party, ride bikes, go to New York City, and maybe kiss a boy-- but they are daring for the girls, whose parents are very interested in everything they do. Amita has a boyfriend, Pritpal, but her parents still expect her to go to prom with her cousin, Krish. Kira's parents are especially concerned about her social media usage, and tell her that she can go to prom, but that she should make a statement by going by herself. The girls, who are not used to bringing friends home, make small steps towards their freedom. Simone connects with Gavin, who attends the brother school to hers, and the two arrange to go to her prom together. Simone decides to bring her arranged date, Ben, in on the plan, and hopes that he will be willing to attend with Kira. The only problem? While Gavin is cute, interesting, and seems into Simone, Ben is ALSO cute, interested in projects that Simone finds appealing, and is steeped in the Haitian culture that Simone seems painfully distant from. How will the girls balance belly button piercings and fake tattoos with clubbing and hanging out with boys with the deeper issues of personal freedom and understanding with their parents?
Strengths: Ah, parents. Do any of us get it right? Add a layer of different cultural expectations, and modern teens just have even more to rail against. Anne and Simone are both smart, thoughtful girls who understand why their parents put strictures on their behavior, but still feel that these are unnecessary. I like that Simone does not plan to do anything that's bad for her, just things with which her parents disagree. That she finds like minded friends in Amita and Kira is quite fun, and outspoken cousin Gabby is a good foil. The New Jersey/New York Metropolitan area setting (is that the term?) is well described, although I could have used street names so I could have looked up the areas on Zillow! Both Gavin and Ben are good guys who care about Simone and understand the parental pressures she faces. I especially appreciated that the guy who did NOT go to prom with Simone was given his own romantic interest instead of just being ignored. Middle school students are enthralled with the idea of prom, and this was a great book to give them some insight on issues high schoolers can face when contemplating the event themselves. Sort of like an Emery's Sally and Jean Burnaby for the new millenium! 
Weaknesses: Since I'm used to middle grade length books, I could have done without quite such along list of activities, but they are all done extremely well. Since my readers who like romance books can go through a book a day, the length will not give them any pause!
What I really think: Definitely purchasing for my fans of Kasey West and Richardson's The Meet-Cute Project. It's great to see these romantic "beach reads" with more cultural connections and settings that are quite different from the suburban Ohio ones my readers inhabit, especially ones that are more middle school appropriate when it comes to language and situations. Even as an adult, I don't like to read about alcohol and drug use or descriptive... physical situations. 

 

Ehrens, Pamela. Matasha

June 1st 2021 by Ig Publishing

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Matasha Wax lives with her parents in an apartment in mid-1970s Chicago. Her father is always working, and her mother is very busy with her volunteer work. They have a maid, Sunset, who used to be a nun and now lives in and takes care of the family. Matasha goes to a private school and struggles with her friends. She's very short for 6th grade, and her mother has her assessed and put on hormone shots. The mother is not happy, and has an idea to adopt a Vietnamese orphan. She even has the agency come over to interview the family, but the father is completely against the idea, since the mother tends to be flighty and give up on projects. Matasha likes the idea at first, but when a photograph of the first match looks "mean", and she finds out that she will have to trade her canopy bed for a bunk bed, she's less than thrilled. She finds out why her mother is so unhappy by snooping in her papers-- she's been corresponding with a man in Switzerland who wants the mother and Matasha to come and live with him. When the mother leaves, Matasha is worried, although her father is not. When the truth comes out that the mother has indeed gone to live in Switzerland, Matasha has to deal with the social fall out and find a way to be a family with just her father. 

Strengths: This had a lot of great period details; gold lame shoes, casual parenting, mentions of current events like the Watergate scandal, Patty Hearst, and Vietnamese refugees, and a interesting look at living in an apartment in Chicago. I can't think of any other middle grade book that addresses the issue of short stature aside from Sloan's Short, and it is a topic that affects middle school students. My brother was on hormone therapy because he entered high school at 4'10". The parents' fraught relationship and the mother's leaving put me in mind of another 1970s novel, Kalmar's Stealing Mt. Rushmore. Matasha's obsession with a local boy who had gone missing seems to fit in with the concerns of this time. 
Weaknesses: The cavalier treatment of the bunny, who was kept in a cage on the fire escape and whom Matasha frequently forgot to feed, was rather disturbing. At least she took better care of the cat that she got from a friend. 
What I really think: This was interesting, but read a bit more like an adult book than a middle grade one. 

Miles Morales: Shock Waves and Cosmic Pizza Party

N.B. This is not to be confused with JASON Reynolds' 2017 novel, Miles Morales: Spider-Man. Also, it is important to know that for reasons I have been unwilling to research, Peter Parker is now sort of an adjunct Spider-Man who has interactions with his replacement, Miles. In addition, I don't understand the Marvel universe AT ALL. 

Reynolds, Justin A. Miles Morales: Shock Waves

June 1st 2021 by Scholastic Inc.

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Miles' mother and father are devastated when Puerto Rico is hit by a hurricane and their families suffer major losses. Miles wants to spend time with them, but has to deal with trouble makers, Vex and Trinity, in the city, who keep outwitting him. He is also struggling with his artwork at Brooklyn Visions Academy, and his roommate Ganke keeps at him to keep the room clean. When he meets a new student, Kyle Ganderson, she offers to ask her father for help in the fundraising efforts Miles' mother is trying to get going. This is a huge help, but the two have an adversarial relationship at first. When Kyle's father goes missing after getting a mysterious text, no one believes her that this is a big deal, and Miles steps in to help. When Vex and Trinity show up as "interns" for Mr. Ganderson's company, Miles knows that something is up. How are his nemeses, Puerto Rico's problems, and Mr. Ganderson's disappearance related? And will he ever get his art project to work out the way he wants it?

Strengths: The idea of a tween super hero is a fun one-- all of the angst PLUS super powers! The events in Miles life-- going to a boarding school for art, dealing with a roommate, and struggling to help his parents in the wake of the hurricane in their homeland-- are all fascinating by themselves, and adding a mystery about Kyle's father and fights with his nemeses just makes it even better. Ms. Marvel and Squirrel Girl make cameo appearances. I wish I could remember if the plot is connected to the Jason Reynolds book, but I don't think it is. A short, fun read about a popular super hero!
Weaknesses: Not only was I generally confused about Miles' activity (why does everyone seem to know that he's Spider Man?), since I am not well-versed in his backstory, but the E ARC of the graphic novel made it hard to highlight key plot points. I feel like I am just not doing this book justice. 
What I really think: I wasn't sure that the novel version would circulate, but it does. I'm not sure why fans wouldn't just pick up the comic book versions of this story (since I do not understand the publication schedule of those at all), but this is a good way for libraries to stock the story, and would be a good introduction to Miles for readers who might be unaware of his story or who have only seen the movies. This is available in hardcover, prebind, and paperback from Follett.
 

Murphy, Nick, Ritchey, Paul, and Tormo, Bea (illus.) Cosmic Pizza Party

8 June 2021 by AMP! Kids/ Epic

Copy provided by the publisher

In the Maranaris System, a galaxy far, far away, there is a pizza business called Pie-in-the-Sky that specializes in the best pizza at the best price. Meg, Suzie, Mohs, and AL-N are trying their best to make their business viable, and are fighting against the well-established Papa-Roni pizza empire. They try some shortcuts, such as prepared dough and harvesting cheese from a planet, but run into problems. They cater a pizza and video game party for the prince of Calzonia, and end up in a terrifying adventure. When a race of Plegens don't like Suzie's pizza because they only eat plastic and organic ingredients make them sick, she learns from a Plegen chef how to formulate a different kind of pizza that also helps control plastic pollution coming from Pie-in-the-Sky. They run into a lot of delivery problems and have to contend with Papa-Roni's delivery drones, and compete in The Slice is Right. This graphic novel is a compilation of five shorter books that were originally available on the getepic.com web site. 

Strengths: Graphic novels continue to grow in popularity, and I've been trying to diversify my collection so that I have the same variety of topics, characters, etc. that my regular fiction collection has. Cosmic Pizza Party does a great job at addressing not only space adventure things but also cooking, both of which are a bit hard to come by. The characters are a bit goofy, but since they are toodling around space in a pizza slice shaped shuttle, it works. I especially liked the story where the Plegans "recycled" plastic by cooking with it! I really liked the additional information at the back of the book, and the recipe for fruit pizza looks very tasty!
Weaknesses: Perhaps there aren't quite as many speculative fiction graphic novels because the formula makes world building more difficult. I had a lot of questions that younger readers might not care about. 
What I really think: Pizza, video games, kooky creatures, and lots of adventure will make this appealing to readers who like graphic novels like The Flying Beaver Brothers, Eliopoulos's Cosmic Commandos, or The Glorkian Warrior Eats Adventure Pie. 

Wild and Chance: The Puppy War

Zadoff, Allen. Wild and Chance: The Puppy War
May 18th 2021 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Ever since fighting off Maelstrom in Wild & Chance and narrowly escaping the Finisher, Wild has been on her own. She moves from home to home so that the evil organization can't find her. When she is taken from her current owners, drugged, and put on a plane, her first concern is for Chance. Chance and his mother have moved on, and live in a new apartment. Chance plays soccer while his mother goes between work, AA meetings, and checking in on Chance. When Wild shows up, Chance is reluctant to believe her that an evil Russian organization is after them both, but a stolen laptop convinces him. The two contact Junebug, who is living with her wealthy aunt after her father goes away because of his criminal activities. Gregory, Junebug's chauffeur, helps the group break into the lap top owned by the Canine Action Team (CAT), but as soon as they get some small information, they are on the run again. Eventually, they are saved by a figure from the past, Dr. Pao. Not only does the scientist have Malestrom's equipment and is starting a company that genetically engineers the world's cutest puppy, Puppio, but she also has two of Wild's puppies, Scarlett and Sebastian, who were born after Wild's eggs were harvested. Scarlett and Sebastian are training the Puppios, who are soon going to be available for adoption, at the cost of one hundred thousand dollars each. Dr. Pao gives Chance a puppy, whom he names Big Eyes, and after bonding with it, Chance forgets about Wild! Dr. Pao tries to have Wild put to sleep, but with Junebug's help, the wily canine tries to figure out how Maelstrom, CAT, and Dr. Pao are all working together, and how she can not only save the world but regain her human. 

Strengths: This was a great, action-packed sequel to the first book. I liked the fact that it had been a year since the first adventure, and that the main characters had all moved on a bit with their lives. Chance is a reluctant hero, but Junebug has nothing to lose and is quite the hacker! It's heartbreaking to watch Wild have to observe Chance fall in love with another dog, especially since Dr. Pao is manipulating the connection. Who wouldn't want a pet that is linked by DNA and smells like the owner's favorite food? Puppios are purported to be able to keep children safe by being able to dial 911 and even detect drug usage AND are ridiculously cute... who cares if they may also be part of a sinister dog army? I particularly liked the reemergence of an old nemesis at the end of the book, and loved how Junebug resolves that situation!
Weaknesses: I could have used a brief recap about the first book, and I'm still a little confused about which evil organization Chance and Wild are really fighting. I think a third book will clear that up nicely. 
What I really think: Wild & Chance is a tremendously appealing series that will intrigue fans of action/adventure books, dog tales, and spy thrillers! Readers who like McCulloch's Jinxed and the idea of bakus will love this one!

Ophie's Ghosts

Ireland, Justina. Ophie's Ghosts

May 18th 2021 by Balzer + Bray

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

In 1922, Ophie lives with her family in Georgia. When her home is attacked by violent racists after her father votes, she and her mother escape with the help of their pastor and start a new life in Pittsburgh. They live with Aunt Rose and a number of cousins, and her mother finds work in service at Daffodil Manor. While she would rather go to school, Ophie knows that in order for her and her mother to earn enough to get a place of their own, she will need to work as well. She gets hired at Daffodil Manor as well, taking care of the aged Mrs. Carruthers. Ophie must carry tea trays, read, and cater to the woman's fractious whims. Pittsburgh is cold and gray, and there's another development that complicates Ophie's life-- ever since her father's horrible death, she can see and communicate with ghosts. She sees many of them on public transport on her way to work, and the manor is filled with them as well. There is one particular ghost, Clara, who seems particularly helpful. However, Aunt Rose, who also has the ability to communicate with the spirit world, warns her that no ghost is to be trusted, and that Ophie can help spirits move on but should always be wary. As her responsibilities increase at the manor, Ophie tries to investigate what happened to Clara so that she can help her spirit move on. In communicating with her, she inadvertently increases Clara's powers. When Mrs. Carruthers' family visits for a big announcement from her son, Richard, Clara's ghost because more dangerous, taking over the body of another servant, Phoebe, and making it imperative that Ophie figure out Clara's fate before the entire family is endangered. 

Sorry there aren't more details-- I didn't want to spoil too much of the story!

Strengths: This had a great mix of elements-- a girl with special powers who uses them to help others around her, great descriptions of life in Pittsburgh in the 1920s, a creepy mansion, and social justice themes woven deftly throughout. There aren't a lot of books that address the Great Migration, and to combine this historical period with a ghost story is brilliant, especially when Ophie brings Southern traditions like haint blue paint to the North. The snapshot into the difficulties of employment for Black workers is valuable, and the fact that domestic positions are becoming harder to find after the Great War is addressed. Mrs. Carruthers is an interestingly developed character; can't say anything more than that! The ghosts, and Ophie's relationship with some of them before she knows enough to help them move on, are varied and interesting. This was a fast-paced, interesting read!
Weaknesses: I would have liked to know more about Ophie's life in Georgia before the attack on her family, but realize that would have slowed down the book a bit. 
What I really think: Perfect for fans of Barbara Brooks Wallace or India Hill Brown's The Forgotten Girl, this also reminded me a bit of Urban's Almost There and Almost Not and Duga's The Haunting. Definitely purchasing-- the cover is fantastic! Since I grew up not far from Pittsburgh, I loved the details of the city in the 1920s. 

Saint Ivy: Kind at all Costs

Morrison, Laurie. Saint Ivy: Kind at all Costs

May 18th 2021 by Amulet Books

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Ivy lives in Philadelphia with her mother and older brother, Will. Her father and his partner, Leo, live in a newer apartment close by. Ivy always tries to help others out, and is doing okay in school, with her friends Peyton and Kyra. When she gets a strange e mail thanking her for helping out the sender, she is confused but feels good that her efforts have been noticed. At first, she thinks the e mail has come from Sydney, an older girl she knows who has just broken up with her boyfriend and has talked to Ivy about her problems. Ivy spends Friday afternoon with her Nana, learning to bake from old family recipes. It's only been two years since her father and mother split, but even though she has gone to counseling, it's still tough sometimes. When she finds out that her mother is pregnant, carrying a child as a surrogate for friends of theirs, Ivy feels as if she is being kept out of the loop with her family. She steps up her efforts to be kind to others, helping out Josh, even though one of her friends has a crush on him. When new girl Lila finds out, she uses this bit of information to get Ivy to spend time with her. Lila and her moms have just moved from New York, and Lila has struggled to fit in. Since Peyton and Kyra keep giving Ivy a heard time about not being honest with them and sharing her real feelings about her mother's pregnancy and other issues, Ivy is soon spending more time with Lila as she works to figure out the mystery of the e mails. As her mother's pregnancy progresses, Ivy worries more and more about everything, and finds it harder to keep up her front of always being "fine" and helping others. 

Strengths: There's a lot going on in this book, but it was easy to keep track of the characters. I especially liked retired school principal Nana and her "morbid" talk about dying, insomuch as Ivy needs to learn the family recipes from her. The issue of surrogacy is one I don't think I've seen in middle grade lit, so that is a novel plot line, and handled in a perfect middle school way (How does this affect Ivy? What will people say? Will her mother still love her?) There's a nice mix of school and home scenes, and a lot of good details about local sites in Philadelphia. There are a fair number of diverse characters, especially when it comes to LGBTQIA+ representation. There is a scene with purported cheating that is extremely realistic and well done. The parents are both present and supportive. While Ivy is anxious, there are other things going on in the book to keep this from slowing down the pace of the book. 
Weaknesses: Most of my students don't check their e mail, so this would have seemed a little more realistic with a mystery text. E mails are harder to attribute, so I can see why this was the method of communication.
What I really think: This has enough friend drama and other activities to appeal to a wide range of readers. This author's Up For Air has been popular, so I will definitely be purchasing. 

Carey, Elizabeth Doyle. Selena to the Rescue (Summer Lifeguards #3)

June 1st 2021 by Sourcebooks Young Readers 

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Selena is a bit hesitant about being a junior lifeguard. She's glad to be with her friends, but would rather spend her time building her brand and working on her singing and acting so that she can be a Hollywood star. Her parents, who have immigrated from Ecuador, want her to work hard and aren't so sure about her aspirations. It's difficult to live in a wealthy beach side community when her parents are groundskeepers for a family who is rarely in their expensive house, especially since Selena is not allowed to keep a cat, since the family lives in a house on the property. When she misses seeing a celebrity who is staying in town, Indigo, she is sad, thinking that this might be a way for her to have a contact. She struggles with life guarding, but works hard at it, but is glad when she gets a job babysitting. When it turns out to be for Indigo and his wife, she is thrilled. She makes some peace with the daughter of the family for whom her parents work, and starts to realize how fortunate she is that her parents care so much about her. 

Strengths: It's hard to feel that your friends are better than you at something, and Selena's worries that she won't be able to hack life guarding will resonate with many young readers. It's also realistic that she both adores her parents and is slightly embarrassed by them, and ashamed that she is embarrassed. The brush with celebrity is something young readers always enjoy. 
Weaknesses: Selena has the least realistic interests of the group, although I'm sure many middle school readers want to be Instagram influencers when they grow up. (Clearly, I am doing it all wrong, since I've had an account since 2013 and still have about 200 followers!)
What I really think: Definitely purchasing this whole series! What great beach reads these would make, especially when stuck at a pool in central Ohio!

Much Ado About Baseball and The Healer of the Water Monster

LaRocca, Rajani. Much Ado About Baseball
June 1st 2021 by Yellow Jacket/Little Bee Books

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Trish isn't thrilled to have to move to Comity, Massachusetts for her mother's job as a heart surgeon, and is concerned that she won't be welcome on a baseball team in her new town. Ben is also on the team, but hasn't played much since the death of his beloved grandmother. The two are rivals in a regional Math Puzzler competition, so get off to a rocky start, as told in chapters from each. Ben's friend Abhi (who is obsessed with quoting Shakespeare), however, knows that the two's shared love of baseball, math, and puzzles will bring them together, and resorts to a bit of subterfuge to encourage this. The baseball team isn't doing well, but when their sponsor, a snack shop called the Salt Shaker, starts to provide snacks, things start to look up. The two also each receive a book called Mathematics of the Wild that seems to have some magical properties. When strange things start to happen, workers at the shop, Rob and Trish, offer some surprising insight into secrets of the town. Will this be enough to help the team, cement the friendship, and help when an accident occurs?
Strengths: It's good to see students who are really into an academic subject, and readers who like math puzzles will have fun solving the ones in the book. The dog, Fib, has an interesting background to his name! Stories about moving are always interesting to middle grade readers, and it's fun that Trish and Ben had met each other. They definitely share common interests, so it's great to see them become friends. I especially liked Trish's reaction to her mother being called off to work frequently, especially when her mother is instrumental in helping when the accident occurs (don't want to spoil things), and this sheds a new light on her mother's dedication to helping others. The magical snacks are fun, and there is plenty of baseball action for sports fans as well. 
Weaknesses: Shakespeare is definitely not in my district's curriculum until high school (and really, why is he even studied there?) so the connection will probably go over my students' heads. It's not essential to have that background knowledge, but it does make the story more amusing. 
What I really think: This is an unusual blend of baseball, magic, Shakespeare, and math puzzles that will appeal to fans of the companion volume, Midsummer's Magic, as well as readers who like any of those elements or who want a story about forming friendships.

Young, Brian. The Healer of the Water Monster

May 11th 2021 by Heartdrum

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Nathan must spend the summer with his grandmother in her mobile home in the countryside, since his mother is busy documenting a pipeline protest and his father has a new girlfriend whom Nathan wishes to avoid. He loves being with Nali, even though she doesn't have wifi or indoor facilities. He plans to work on a science project involving different types of seeds. This quickly becomes complicated when he thinks he sees a talking horned toad in the garden, stealing the seeds. The toad turns out to be a Holy Being from the Navajo folk lore, and Nathan is able to talk to him because of a communication stone. When he also comes across an ailing Water Monster who saves his life, he promises to help heal him from a sickness that has afflicted him for over thirty years. Nathan's Uncle Jet shows up at the grandmother's house, having lost his latest job and his apartment. Nali agrees to let him live in her hogan if he helps around the property. Uncle Jet has come back from the military, and Nali feels that his depression can be partly relieved by a traditional ceremony, the N'dáá or Enemy Way ceremony. This takes a lot of preparation in conjunction with the local hataalii, and Uncle Jet isn't that cooperative. the hataałii also lets the family know that the ceremony is not the end of the healing process-- it's important to also include therapy. Nathan is very concerned about his uncle, especially as his behavior becomes more and more erratic, but he also has his promise to the water monster, whom he calls Pond, to keep. Keeping this involves a journey into the world of the Holy Beings to try to find a cure for Pond. Nathan learns a lot about his family and about Navajo culture while working to save both Uncle Jet and Pond.

Strengths: The author refers to this story as "modern folklore", and explains that while some Navajo stories are not meant to be told in all contexts, he has reworked some of the folklore into the tradtional middle grade fantasy format. The religion and culture is not fantasy, but the book is. This is an important distinction, and one to keep in mind as we see more books that include cultural connections in what would be considered fantasy stories. Nathan's parallel journeys to save both Pond and his Uncle Jet draw on his background and his kind nature, and pay homage to the lessons his grandmother has tried to teach him. At the same time, the healing that needs to be done reflects the modern problems that Native populations face, both with mental health and addiction challenges and with pollution and other problems with human devastation of the environment. Putting all of these into a formula similar to Rick Riordan's books (Nathan's quest does involve some underground adventures, something I have been noticing in a lot of books!), complete with beings that help him, is a good way to showcase Navajo culture and stories in a way that readers unfamiliar with them will be able to process. Nathan's family, while steeped in their own culture, have problems that are very similar to the problems many families across cultures face in the US. 
Weaknesses: There are a lot of mentions that Nathan is fat, made fun of for being fat, or uncomfortable with the size of his stomach. This seems to go against the current thoughts about body positivity, and seemed out of place with the story in general. 
What I really think: I know that there is some concern about including notes and glossaries about cultural connections, but I am always glad when these are included in the book. While, as the author points out, it might reflect a colonized mindset, it is very helpful for my students who might not have the resources to look up unfamiliar terms on the internet.