Guy Friday- Sam

Walters, Eric. Sam

May 24, 2025 by DCB Young Readers

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Sam, who has red hair, has been in a variety of foster care homes since his parents were killed in a car accident four years previously. One morning, as he is trying to pick up breakfast at a convenience store on his way to high school, he has a problem with the owner, who claims Same gave him a $10 bill instead of a $20. The two argue, and the owner eventually flings a $10 at Sam. He leaves, and runs into Cody, a football player, who also gives him a hard time. Fed up with everything, Sam hits Cody with a pop can, breaking his nose. Sam runs to school, where Cody's friends find him in the bathroom. Luckily, a coach finds them before more harm can come to Sam, but he ends up in trouble. His social worker, Jenna, gets him a lawyer, but he ends up being sent to the Johnson Juvenile Center, aka The Gables, for assessment. On the way, he meets Nigel, who is also in because of a temper flare up, and his stepfather didn't want him back home. There are some problematic guards at The Gables, like Mr. Roberts, but also nice people, like Kate, who  manages to have Sam and Nigel room together. Sam has trouble controlling his temper, and runs afoul of Bruce, a boy who is in the center for the long term. There are some nice guys, like Scott and Jordan, who try to warn Sam about how things are. Nigel and Sam are being taught by Mrs. Martinez, who tests them and finds they are quite smart. They've also read a lot, including all five books in The Rule of Three trilogy. She assigns Sam Anne of Green Gables to read. He's insulted, and doesn't want to read it, but is intrigued when Nigel starts to read it out loud. As he progresses, he starts to see why Mrs. Martinez assigned it. He has to navigate issues with Bruce, as well as him impending trial. He's not happy that the lawyer wants him to take a plea deal, and asks if the security footage can be reviewed. Jenna is looking for another placement for him, and it looks like Nigel won't be able to go home, either. When there are allegations that the boys are dealing drugs, it's clearly a set up, and Kate saves the day. In the end, there is a very happy ending, just like in Anne of Green Gables. 

Strengths: Sam has good reasons for his anger, and it was constructive to see that the judge, lawyer, and social worker all make it very clear that Sam is being sent to The Gables (which are blue!) so that he can get help. Mrs. Martinez does a good job of keeping the boys engaged in their education, and praising them. Kate is kind and helpful. There's even a psychologist who helps Sam understand why he keeps lashing out. There are also very realistic problematic people, like Cody, Bruce, and Mr. Roberts, and these never veer into the cartoonist evil that many stories embrace. I adored Mr. Walters' shout out to his own books, and the little joke about the five books in the "trilogy"! Nigel is much more centered than Sam, but has family problems, so the two work well together. The cover is fantastic. Tween readers are very curious about the juvenile justice system, and this has a lot of good details about Sam's process through it without being sensationalistic. 
Weaknesses: While the use of the iconic Canadian Anne of Green Gables is well done, I'm not sure how many of my students will appreciate the reference. It will definitely ladn well with teachers and librarians, though! The ending is a bit unlikely, but still good to see. 

What I really think: This is about the only book I know of about life in a juvenile detention center, aside from Holman's On the Run, and is a bit grittier than Farr's Pavi Sharma's Guide to Going Home. It has the same sort of vibe as Choldenko's The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman, in that it's oddly fascinating to read about Sam's horrible circumstances, but also a huge relief when things work out well. I think this will be a big hit with the right readers, so I will definitely purchase a copy. 

Horse Camp: A Horse Girl Mystery

Seim, Carrie. Horse Camp: A Horse Girl Mystery (Horse Girl #2)

May 13, 2025 by Penguin Workshop
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Wills and her friends are devastated that their Oakwood stables in Nebraska have to close for the summer, but the triplets (Gwyneth, Everleigh, and Noel) use this opportunity to apply for the Juniper Ranch summer camp in Colorado. Amara, Wills' sometimes enemy, sometimes friend, also is planning on attending. Wills, whose mother is an Air Force pilot, can't go because of lack of funds, but at the last minute is awarded a scholarship. All of the girls are off to camp, and end up in the same cabin. Wills manages to irritate Amara by falling asleep on her bunk and messing with her phone, but Amara seems on edge even before this incident. Amara's step brother, Pasquale, is also at the camp, and Wills runs into him in the barn when both are checking on Amara's horse, Silver Streak, whom she has brought to camp. Her parents made a large donation to the camp, which caused them to allow this, and also allowed Wills to have her scholarship. After this late night outing, Silver Streak goes missing, and Wills feels responsible, so starts investigating the disappearance. She has a list of suspects, and notes clues, like the fact that Silver Streak's saddle and snacks are also gone, and there are heart star hoofprints on the floor of the barn. She brings the triplets on to the case to help her, and uncovers a bigger plot than just a missing horse. Will Silver Streak be able to be reunited with his owner? And will Wills' family be moving for her mother's career again, just as she has bonded with her friend group?
Strengths: This definitely can be read as a stand alone, which is helpful. After a brief explanation of the friend dynamics at Oakwood, we jump right into the story, which is move involved with the mystery, even though the drama with Wills and Amara continues. I enjoyed the flirtation between Pasquale and Wills, both of whom make their own horse themed t shirts. There are plenty of details about horse riding, even including swimming with horses. There are copious footnotes explaining many equestrian details that were helpful. The mystery ended up being rather serious, and having financial implications, but is offset by a fun inclusion of a film production crew coming to the camp to save the day on several fronts.
Weaknesses: Willa is a very exuberant character, but I often wished that she would make better choices. Younger readers will not be as worried about her exploits as I was.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like the mysteries in Henson's 2017 The Whole Sky, Farley's Phantom Stallion books or the drama in Burkhart's Saddle Hill Academy series.

Zarina Divided

Faruqi, Reem. Zarina Divided
May 20, 2025 by HarperCollins
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Zarina lives in Poona, India with her father (Abajan), mother, and three older brothers. The family has a spacious home as well as servants, including Khushboo, to whom Zarina is particularly close. Zarina goes to school and has friends from other religions, but as the political tensions increase in 1947, her world starts to change. Even though her mother has assured her that they won't leave, her father is a proponent of Muslims like their family going to Pakistan when the British leave. He makes plan, but delays them because the mother is pregnant and not doing well. When a mob attacks the house, however, it's clear that the time has come. The family gets on a train, but are not out of danger. They almost lose one brother, Adil, and survive an attack on the train only because they are hidden in a bathroom. When they get to Bombay, they are given some food and help by Sikh residents, and manage to get on a ship for Karachi. The ship is crowded, and many people are ill, but they eventually arrive. In Karachi, they manage to find housing, although the small place they are renting is already occupied by a Sikh woman who is not happy to give up her home. After they save her from a mob, she leaves, and wishes them well. Abajan gives her the name of the person they have left in their house in Poona. The children start school, but after they hear about a boarding school in the mountains, the boys want to go. The mother, who has had some setbacks in her pregnancy for which Zarina blames herself, doesn't want Zarina to go, but eventually relents. Zarina takes a train to Muree to attend a school run by English women. The other students are all from Christian families who stayed, or Muslim families. Some of the girls are nice, like Daphne Drinkwater, who becomes a close friend, but others are hateful and balk at doing chores for themselves. Zarina gets letters from home, as well as from Khushboo, makes peace with her mother's health, and is relieved when her new sister arrives. The events are based on the life of the author's grandmother, Zarina. 

Strengths: It was interesting to see Zarina's life in these three different stages; living in India, traveling to Pakistan, and going to a school in the mountains. So often, books concentrate only on one aspect of history, so it's interesting to get the full picture. I loved that pictures from the real Zarina are given. While many portions of this book were very difficult, Zarina keeps a fairly good attitude about all of the situations, even when they mean that friends desert her or that she has to leave loved ones. Her guilt over her mother's illness, while misplaced, will be understood by Young readers. The depiction of the school was especially interesting, since the book is set after many British citizens leave the country. While Zarina knows some of the downfalls of colonialism, she doesn't seem to hold anything against individuals. Readers who enjoyed Faruqi's Unsettled, Call Me Adnan, or Golden Girl will want to pick up this new title. 
Weaknesses: This does a good job at providing details for a novel in verse, but this format is still a difficult sell to my students. This seems not to be the case for other young readers, given the sheer number of novels in verse that have been published recently. 
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who have read books like Senzai's 2015 Ticket to India,  Kelkar's 2017 Ahimsa , and 2024 The Night Diary, and Saadia Faruqi's Partition Project, and want even more accounts of what the Partition of India was like. 

Joey the Good

Fry, Erin. Joey the Good 

May 20, 2025 by Jolly Fish Pr
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Joey (aka Giovanni Carlo) Bellini has been struggling with a lot recently. Two years ago, his grandfather, Nonno, passed away, and he feels responsible. Recently, his best friend Xander's mother was diagnosed with diabetes, and his whole family has adopted healthier habits. Xander is on the cross country team now, and would rather hang out with teammates or go running than sit on the couch and watch soccer matches with Joey while eating his Nonna's Italian food. Not only that, but his cousin Leo, who was there when Nonno died, is coming to live with Joey's family for the entire summer, and expects Joey to train in order to hike Mount Whitney with him later in the summer. Joey just wants to wallow in cannoli and television, but his mother, a pediatrician, isn't having it. Joey reluctantly goes on hikes with Leo, and the two have a hiking group, led by Deb. This is a rag tag bunch dubbed "the Ascenders" that includes emo-looking Romero and the silent Dominic, the recalcitrant Maya, and some adults. While Joey doesn't really mind hanging out with the cross country team, especially Desiree, who seems to like him, he misses his one-on-one time with his best friend. He also misses the closeness he had with Leo, but just can't get past his anger over Nonno's death, even though there is something really wrong with Leo's health. As hiking becomes more enjoyable, and Joey is even invited to hike Mt. Baldy with Desiree, will he be able to make some peace with both the past and the present in order to stop feeling so horrible?
Strengths: It's always fantastic to have writers who do things most of us will never do (climb Mt. Whitney!) and then write about them. The details about being on the trail are great, and it's good to see Joey changing a lifestyle that many of my students embrace. Middle grade friendships often fall apart because of changing interests, so the fact that Xander still includes Joey with his new friend group is rather admirable. Having a light romance with Desiree is perfect, and Harrison is a perfect nemesis, with his stockless loafers and ironed pants! The family dynamics are realistic; grandmother moving in with the family after the grandfather's death, Leo having problems with his stepfather, and the mother worrying about Joey will all resonate with this age group. Leo's illness is sad, but handled in a hopeful manner. There's a lot of Italian culture and cooking, which I don't see a lot. Having grown up near Youngstown, Ohio, though, it certainly sounds very familiar! Fry clearly knows middle school students well, and crafts another excellent novel about overcoming a variety of challenges.
Weaknesses: I was really rooting for Joey to join the cross country team! Ms. Fry coached middle school cross country at about the same time I was coaching, so I was thinking this book would take a similar turn to her 2012 Losing It. Also, the beginning of this is frighteningly similar to my own sad attempt at middle grade fiction (of which I wrote just seven chapters), Two Mile Sprint! I also would have been happier with a little less angst, and for Joey to come around a bit more quickly.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who liked Downing's Just Keep Walking or Messner's new The Trouble with Heroes. I'm not sure that I want to take up hiking up mountains, but these books might certainly encourage my students to look into the sport.  

MMGM- The Bug Bandits and Lonely Planet Kid's Guides to Paris and New York City

It's

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
 at 

Always in the Middle 

and #IMWAYR day 

at

Unleashing Readers

Walsh, Jenni L. The Bug Bandits
May 6, 2025 by Zonderkidz
E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus

It's always been just Liberty Jacobs and her dad running the Walnut Street Insectarium in Philadelphia after the death of her mother when she was very young, but they do get help from Grams, who lives nearby, and Dr. Rosie Rossetti, her dad's business partner. There's also Mary Sue, who runs the gift shop and keeps an eye on Emmy, since the family apartment is on the fourth floor of the museum. Emmy is worried about the financial health of the museum, and her dad has an appointment with bankers in a week to try to get some funding. She also misses her friend, Emmy, who has moved to Florida, although the pair video chat every day. Liberty wants to propose a new program to her father which she hopes will bring in some revenue so that she can travel to see her best friend. She wants to deliver pipeline swallowtail eggs to people, give them a talk about the butterflies, and help them hatch the eggs... all for $49.99. Her father is trying to spiff up the museum a bit, and brings in her classmate Cam Jones to refresh some of Emmy's paintings that decorate the walls of the museum. Liberty (or Libs) is a little leery, since Cam is a track star and very popular, while she is often referred to as "bug girl" and doesn't have many friends. The two hit it off, however, and are able to band together when Emmy overhears (via the phone) to men talking about Thursday and things bringing "a pretty price". "Buglary" is a real problem, and after a scourge of recent insect deaths, Libs knows the museum can't afford to lose any more creatures. She confides in her father, the police are called, and they do take things seriously, posting a guard. But when there is no activity, they call off surveillance. Libs is sure that it will happen, so she and Cam find a way to stay in the museum when her father is out of town, and study the ways the insects repel predators in order to boobytrap the museum, ala the 1990 film, Home Alone. They do a good job, but there are some false starts. Will they be able to save the museum from closing, even if the theft might be an inside job?
Strengths: I love that Liberty gets along with her father and Grams, and is super passionate about her family's museum, even coming up with new and interesting ways to spread the word about the collection and to raise money. Having Cam come to do volunteer work in the museum was a great way to introduce a side kick, and having Emmy on the phone is probably all too realistic for friends who are separated. I don't want to ruin the mystery and reveal the culprit, but it made sense, and I only have the slightest inkling early in the book. I also really appreciated that the father believed Liberty, as did the police. This makes the situation even more serious. The description of the museum, with the location of all of the different collections, was very interesting, and there's plenty of good STEM inclusion about insects. This is a departure from Walsh's historical novels I am Defiance (2021), (Over and Out (2022), and Operation Happy (2024), but is a fun, action packed mystery. 

Weaknesses: I'm trying to look more kindly at the inclusion of dead parents in middle grade literature after a Bluesky conversation with Kate Messner, but there really was  no reason for the mother not to be in the picture. Not entirely sure that today's children know about Home Alone, but maybe this will encourage them to look it up. I've never seen the movie, and it did not impact my enjoyment of the book. 
What I really think: Well, I just want to go live on the top floor of the Corning Museum in New York or perhaps the Victoria and Albert Museum now! A building with collections of amazing things is a great setting for a middle grade novel, and this will be popular with readers who have enjoyed museum-centered mysteries like Averling's The Curse of Eelgrass Bog, Durst's Spy Ring, or Hosch's Mabel Opal Pear and the Rules for Spying, Landis' Capitol Chase, Leali's The Civil War of Amos Abernathy, Noel's Cats of the Silver Crescent, Parks' Summer of Brave, Ponti's Framed, Savaryn's The Night Train, Wells' Eddie Red: Mystery on Museum Mile. 

Lonely Planet. Lonely Planet Kids A Kid's Guide to Paris
May 20, 2025 by Lonely Planet
Copy provided by the publisher

Traveling to the City of Lights, or just dreaming about it? This Kid's Guide offers an awesome, photoillustrated guide to all of the sights, sounds, and food you might want to experience, and offers tips for ones you may not even know about!

Getting around cities of the world can be the biggest challenge, so I loved how this started with a guide to walking, busing, taking the train, and even traveling by water. There are good details about the Metro, and the pictures will help young children who have not seen an undergroung get used to the idea. Seeing the sites from up high is possible from many locations in Paris, not just the Eiffel Tower, and it's helpful that there is a map to get people started in the right direction. Other chapters include information on places to play, monuments to see, and secrets of the city.

Even though Paris is a bustling urban area, there are plenty of parks and green spaces to visit in order to get away from the noise and congestion. I love that there are even descriptions of some of the animals that might be found in some of the more natural nooks in the city.

It's even more thrilling to step into a city that one has thought and dreamt about, and to see in real life the attractions that one has visited again and again in pictures. A Kid's Guide to Paris is really the only guide kids would need, but would be great in conjunction with the regular Lonely Planet Guide to Paris for parents, as well as A Walk in Paris by Rubbino, The Little Bookroom Guide to Paris with Children by Levesque, and Let's Go To Paris: Kids Activity Book and Travel Guide  by Moss and Moss, for those of us old enough to remember when Let's Go was an indispensable resource for backpacking around Europe.

Lonely Planet. Lonely Planet Kids A Kid's Guide to New York City
May 20, 2025 by Lonely Planet
Copy provided by the publisher

I don't often think of needing a travel guide within the continental US, but New York City has so many things to do and see that it's really a necessity. It's also a doable location if you live on the East Coast or the Midwest; I think it's about an eight hour drive from where I live. The maps at the beginning of the book are very helpful for navigating the different areas, but the information about public transportation is also important- I managed to drive through Queens on my way to Newport, Rhode Island, and I would not want to have to drive to see different places if I could help it! 

The international aspect of the city is definitely brought to light, not only in the plethora of restaurants with different cuisines, but in the historical background of Ellis Island, the different neighborhoods, and the cultural exhibits. It was also nice that there was a mention of the indigenous settlements that were displaced by the Europeans. 

Like other books in this series, there is good coverage of museums, monuments, places to play, sports, and even offbeat offerings, like a fancy public restroom at Bryant Park. Central Park is explored, as are some of the animals and natural elements that can be found around the city. The photographs are excellent, and the wide range of locations included gives a great overview to this bustling city. 

Reader who were entranced by the fictional No, Nancy, No! A Dog Chase in New York by Tait will enjoy this look at the city Nancy takes by storm. Families planning to visit the city will want to have this as a resource for planning excursions along with Beckman and Mauer's Little Kid, Big City: New York, Woodson's Kids Travel Guide to New York City, and Mills' Hey Kids! Let's Visit New York City. For extra fun on the car ride, make sure to grab a copy of National Geographic's Weird But True: New York City. 

Meet Me at Sunset

Heart, Lee. Meet Me at Sunset

May 6, 2025 by Simon Spotlight

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
 

Julie is an only child who has an enormous crush. It's on James, a boy she's seen in Atlantic Harbor, where her family owns a summer home. She has been preparing her "Love Plan" all year so that she can finally get him to talk to her, and then see that the two are perfect together. She has a list, a flow chart, and even a scheme; Operation Cell Phone. Her plan runs into a snag when her mother invites Sophie to come with them to the beach. Sophie is quite understanding when Julie admits that she and James aren't really dating, and is on board with most of Julie's plan. It's not long after they arrive at Atlantic Harbor that they spot James, who is cuter than ever, and his friends on the beach. Sophie has recently moved from California, where she was dating a boy named Steven, but Julie thinks that it would be better if Sophie changed her crush to one of James' friends, Liam, who is very nice. Sophie doesn't exactly like that plan,  but tries to humor Julie. None of Julie's plans seem to go smoothly, mainly because James is kind of a jerk, but Liam seems nice. It's three weeks filled with some babysitting, frolics on the beach, and even some vintage clothing, as Julie doesn't have any luck with James, and the girls squabble a bit over romantic machinations. Sophie's sister has told her that if she has to change her style or interests to get a boy to like her, she might not have the right guy in her sights. It takes a while for Julie to see this, but by the end of vacation, both she and Sophie have boys who are interested in them. 

Strengths: Plans. Schemes. Flow charts. I would have adored this when I was in middle school. This read a lot like vintage Ellen Conford romances, but with some nice advice that updates the way that tweens should be thinking about romance. Haven't we all wished to take three weeks at the sea shore in the summer at a cozy cottage? To hang out on the beach? Even the little bit of babysitting will resonate with young readers. The best part was how Julie and Sophie interact. They're friendly, but not really friends, but are so understanding of each other's moods and changes of heart. Of course they fight. But they also make up and don't hold grudges. Sophie is definitely more level headed, and tries to steer Julie towards better decisions, but Julie has that misguided laser focus that is so common among middle school students. The parents are around, but aren't intrusive, and there's plenty of opportunity for the girls to wander around on their own. This is a quick read with realistic, relatable problems that will be very popular. 
Weaknesses: Julie follows a relationship blog and takes some of their personality quizzes there. I'm not sure that tweens (or anyone) read blogs much anymore, but at least she isn't reading a magazine. Whatever technology is portrayed can change quickly; who knows, for example, what will happen with TikTok! (Writing this the day after it was shut down for a bit in January!)
What I really think: This is similar to the Simon Spotlight Crush books that still ciruclate in my library despite the cheesy covers. I will definitely purchase the prebinds of whatever titles come out in this new Spotlight Sprinkles series for the many fans of the Scholastic WISH books. 

Saturday Morning Cartoons- Way Off Track

Brundtland, Carl and Davila, Claudia (illustrator). Way Off Track

May 6, 2025 by Kids Can Press
E ARC Provided by Edelweiss

In this graphic novel, we meet Nansi, who lives with her siblings and supportive parents, who are of Jamaican descent. Her grandmother, who has a strong accent, lives with the family as well. Nansi is in seventh grade and on the track team, and is upset when Tania beats her in a race, since she wants to be the fastest runner in the world. Sure that Tania’s speed is due to her fancy new running shoes, Nansi decides to get a pair for herself. Her parents, finding out that they cost $340, suggest that she get a job in order to pay for them, and her mother even helps her get a job sweeping up at a friend’s salon. Nansi makes no effort to eat better, get more sleep, or even train, but does sign up for extra practice sessions, and isn’t happy when Tania signs up for them as well. When these sessions occur at the same time Nansi is supposed to be working, she talks her brother into impersonating her and doing the work. In a hoodie tied over his face, pretending that he can’t speak, her brother willingly does this, but of course the adults are aware of the deception. In return, Nansi has to pretend that her brother’s girlfriend is a friend of hers when she comes to dinner with the family. Nansi’s stomach is upset and her running is not improving, so she finally has to come clean to her family. Even though she doesn’t get the shoes, she manages to hold her own in the race.

Nansi is supposed to reflect some of the qualities of Anansi, the West African trickster spider character, and she does try several ill considered ploys to improve her running. She has an active imagination, and there are some dream sequences where she and her friends are represented with characters that resemble the Power Puff Girls a bit. Nansi’s emotions are over the top, with lots of wailing at disappointment and star-eyes at happiness. I am glad to see a graphic novel that centers around sports, but I wish that better training practices had been shown. The Jamaican culture in the family was good to see, but some readers may struggle to understand the grandmother’s dialect, especially since Nansi sometimes does as well. The only other graphic novel that I can think of that involves running is Maddox's Running Overload, which depicts an experience with cross country. 

Guy Friday- Encyclopedia Brown and Good Boy

Sobol, Eric and Dufft, Sanne (illus.)

Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Case of the Marshmallow Tower.

May 13, 2025 by Viking Books for Young Readers 

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Encyclopedia is back to solve new mysteries. If you've ever read any of the books, this new volume won't be a surprise. Bugs Meany is up to his old tricks, trying to get out of school by claiming to have been hit by a school bus caution sign. Encyclopedia and Sally are involved with a soapbox derby race. There's a car theft at an auto show in the town square, and foul play at a marshmallow Tower building contest at Uncle Fluffy's Sugar Market. All of the answers involve very careful reading and attention to details, and a little bit of prior knowledge, which Encyclopedia always has. None of the perpetrators require serious punishment; there's a missing diamond mystery, but it's thirty years old. 

This series has been around since 1963; I have fond memories of reading it with my mother. I still have trouble solving the cases, and just realized in reading this book that Encyclopedia's Idaville is most likely located in Florida. It's a seaside town with white sand beaches; I don't know why I've always thought he lived in Illinois. 

Dufft's work was great; there was only one illustration in the E ARC, but it showed Bugs in his Jughead style felt whoopie cap and really captured the essence of the original Leonard Shortall illustrations.

My Encyclopedia Brown books have taken a lot of abuse, and there are only a few of the newer ones in my school collection, but they still circulate. A 6th grade boy wanted to read a mystery  but didn't want a long book, and he was VERY pleased with Sobol's 2007 Encyclopedia Brown Cracks the Case. It's heartwarming to see that Sobol's son has taken up writing these. I love the cover, and will definitely buy this new title. 

Hirsch, Andy. Good Boy
May 20, 2025 by First Second
E ARC provided by Netgalley

Andy is very nervous and frequently spirals into anxiety. When his class is set to go to camp together, he is so worried about what he packed that he throws up before getting on the bus. He misses camp, and spends the week at home. This is good, since his mother has just brought home a rescue dog, Ralph, hoping that this will help Andy. Of course, the dog makes him worse at first, since the dog is frightened and has to establish a new routine. Eventually, Ralph learns to wait to poop outside instead of pooping in his crate. When he follows Andy to school, it's not a good situation, but Miss Patty in the office tells Andy about a training group she runs in the local park. Andy goes, and is interested in the agility course training that the group does, but also feels overwhelmed that he won't be able to train Ralph properly, and his parents will take the dog away. With the help of the group, as well as a couple of friends from school, Andy manages to train Ralph, and does well enough in a local competition to compete in a Super Trial. He struggles with his anxiety again, but uses the coping skills he has learned to calm himself down and successfully compete with Ralph. 

Books about dog training are always a good choice, and readers who enjoyed graphic novels on the topic, like Varner's Dog Trouble or Lloyd's Allergic will be invested in Andy's tale. Behrens' 2010 The Fast and the Furriest , Sorosiak's 2019 I, Cosmo, and Finnegan's 2022 New Kids and Underdogs are novels that also address agility training. I wasn't a huge fan of Andy's frequent barfing, although younger readers may find this amusing. If Andy's anxiety was this bad, I would have hoped that his parents would have had him in some kind of counseling, or would have had better plans for dealing with Ralph and getting him more formal training. I did enjoy Hirsch's notes about dealing with a new dog. 

When We Go Missing and All Ears

Henry, April. When We Go Missing

May 13, 2025 by Christy Ottaviano Books
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

In this ultra creepy upper middle grade thriller, we meet several characters. There's Willow, a budding photographer who's using her late father's camera to take publicity photos of animals at the Finding Home shelter in a run down area of Portland, Oregon. She lives with her mother, who is still struggling with the after effects of having been in a car accident, and her new husband, plastic surgeon John. Dare is a new volunteer at the shelter who has to complete service hours after making some poor choices; these are revealed slowly as the story unfolds. We also meet Ryan, a very disturbed man in his thirties who works as a real estate agent and takes surreptitious pictures of young girls... which leads to even more disturbing actions. Dare isn't too thrilled about working at the shelter, but warms to Willow, and has some great ideas  that help get many dogs adopted. He's working with a parole officer, and trying to make peace with the horrible things that he did, and the reasons why he did them. Willow is worried when she finds a camera memory card with thousands of picture of young girls on it. She talks to Dare, and the two take the card to the police station, but the police don't see at all worried. She talks to young women in the neighborhood, including Sapphire, who is unhoused, and gets a little bit of information about man who has been taking photographs in the neighborhood. We also follow Ryan as he stalks young women, lies to them, and accosts them with increasing evil. Things are increasingly difficult in Willow's life, with her mother getting worse and John getting more violent, and with the director of the shelter suffering from cancer at the same time that the building is needing repair and money is short. Willow decides to put up posters with some of the photos with her contact information on it, and she hears from several women, as well as a "reporter" for a local paper who wants to meet with her. Of course, this is a bad idea, and Willow finds herself in a lot of danger. Will Dare, who has become a romantic interest, be able to help her save herself? 

Strengths: I don't want to give away too many of the twists and turns, but it should be mentioned that there is implied rape and murder in the book, but it's done so delicately that younger readers won't understand the sexual assault, although a line like "he left Zoey's bodied buried deep" is pretty easy to understand, if not overly gruesome or sensational. Both Dare and Willow's home situations give this an almost gritty feel, and makes them take a lot of comfort in each other. I loved the Finding Home shelter and was rooting for the dogs to be adopted and the news coverage and the GoFunMe efforts to help out. There's a happy ending, which was quite a relief after a very harrowing survival scene. I cannot stress enough that this is EXACTLY the kind of book that my students ask for again and again. 
Weaknesses: Since I was able to understand exactly what was happening with Ryan, I was super creeped out by this, and I'm not a fan of murder/thriller books the way my students are. That said, this is exactly what my students ask for, and I appreciate how Henry carefully crafts her stories so that I can give them what they want. 
What I really think: The waiting list for Henry's books is so long in my library that I've had to purchase additional copies of her titles, so I will order three of these right away. This is a level of creepy found in  Strasser's Blood on My Hands or Wish You Were Dead, Sorrell's First Shot, or Tharp's Mojo.

Gibbs, Stuart. All Ears (Fun Jungle #9)

May 13, 2025 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Teddy is back, and this time he is trying to help neighbors who have a deer urine production facility, and are having thousands of dollars worth of product stolen! His skills wrap up that mystery fairly quickly (teaching us a lot about deer urine in the process!), and he is soon looking for a lost elephant. A big game facility has elephants that get loose and end up at a high school football game, and one of them, Tanzy, goes missing. How do you loose an animal that big? Teddy really wants to help out, but there's also a mystery closer to home that demands his attention. His friend Xavier is accused of vandalizing a bulldozer that has recently destroyed a natural habitat where he hunks for reptiles. J.J. McCracken is behind some of the building, but Summer doesn't want to think her father is building mindlessly. Teddy is worried that harm will come to Tanzy, and figures that Xavier's case will wait. It's a hot summer in Texas, and Teddy is very busy. Will he be able to save the day multiple times?

As always, Gibbs includes information about climate change, and how it affects animals. It's always good when we get a look at the area outside Fun Jungle and get to meet some interesting new characters. I wouldn't be averse to having the next mystery back in the theme park. 

Belly Up (#1)

Poached (#2)

Big Game #(3)

Pandamonium (#4)

Lion Down (#5)

Tyrannosaurus Wrecks (#6)

Bear Bottom (#7)

Whale Done (#8)

Flying in Colors

Reddeppa, Padma Prasad. Flying in Colors
May 6, 2025 by Lee & Low Books

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Pavi lives in Madras (now Chennai) in 1974 with her loving, extended family. She has a cousin, Ruku, with whom she is close, although the two sometimes fight. The family was devastated by the death of Pavi’s Uncle Silva at a young age, just five months after she was born, and some relatives seem to blame Pavi for this event. Through nine-year-old Pavi’s eyes, we see a good slice-of-life account of a specific time and place, based on the author’s memories. Episodes include Pavi stealing mangoes from a neighbor’s tree and hiding them under her bed, being more concerned with the police catching her than the rotting fruit, scenes at her protestant missionary school, sweet scenes with her grandmother in the kitchen, and Ruku and Pavi wondering about how babies are born, which leads them to eat some small wooden dolls. Pavi’s father is waiting to hear about job opportunities with a US company that could lead to the family moving, but when Pavi’s mother has a difficult pregnancy that doesn’t end well, these plans are put on hold for a while. Pavi finally talks to some family members about Uncle Silva and works through her residual guilt for his death.

This was quite interesting, and readers who enjoyed looking at life in different countries in books like Athaide’s Orange for Sunsets (Uganda), Nye’s The Turtle of Oman, or Nguyen and Lee’s A Two-Placed Heart (Vietnam) will find this look at 1970s India intriguing. Pavi seemed very young to me, so I will probably pass on purchase for my middle school.

 

Kat's Greek Summer

Tipper, Mima. Kat's Greek Summer

May 13, 2025 by SparkPress

Copy provided by the publisher

Katina (Kat) is not happy to move from her longtime home with her mother and younger brother James, but has decided to start running in order to join the high school cross country team in the fall. She doesn't love running yet, but she has a massive crush on Mike, who is a senior on the team, so keeps at it. Then her mother delivers even worse news; they are going to spend the summer in Paralia, Greece, with her yiayia. Kat doesn't want to be away from her new home, and worries that she won't be able to run, but is eager to get a feel for what Greece is like. She is a little dismayed that it is very hot, necessitating early morning runs, and the fact that the house has no wifi and limited utilities,   including an outdoor shower. Her extended family seems nice, and most, like her cousin Yeorgia, speak a little bit of English. While out in the town, she catches a glimpse of a young fisherman and is instantly smitten. She investigates and finds out that his name is Theofilus.  When she is on the beach, supposedly watching her brother and cousin, two boys her age, Efthimious and Michalis distract her by telling her they know "all about" American girls. The boys  get pulled out to see  but are rescued by... Theofilus. Kat is in trouble with her family, and Yeorgia's mother calls her a "bad girl" and doesn't want Yeorgia to hang out with her cousin. Yiayia invites Theofilus' family over for a thank you dinner, but Theofilus' father doesn't approve of Kat either. Theofilus, who speaks little Greek, and Kat have hung out a bit after her runs, and have met in secret, and like each other a lot despite the language barrier. Kat tries to appease Theofilus' father, to no avail. Yeorgia, who wants to be a pilot, models the behavior of a proper young lady, baking baklava and acceding to the wishes of the men, so she doesn't want Kat to tell anyone about her career aspirations. Kat continues to run at night, despite Yiayia's ban, and has several negative encounters with the local young men, although she is fortunately never attacked. As her time in Greece draws to a close, she decides that she shouldn't have to keep her relationship with Theofilus secret, and stands up to her father. Emboldened by her summer experiences, Kat heads back home to face her future in high school. 

Strengths: I know exactly the readers to hand this to; two 8th grade girls came in and asked for romances by a certain author that they had found at the public library, but I didn't have them because they were more Young Adult. They both said that they really hadn't read much that they liked (despite my best efforts) until they found these mildly spicy romances. Kat's teen grumbling at being told how to spend her summer, her obsession with the cross country runner Mike, and her push back against the stricter Greek social norms are all things that older middle school students will understand. There is a brief mention of her father, who didn't share her mother's Greek heritage and who lived with his new family, which included a young daughter. Kat had some issues dealing with this. It was good to see her want to please her grandmother, and to see her attempt to learn some Greek, cook with her grandmother, and try to navigate a new set of societal rules. Her breathless pining over Theofilus is the real draw of the book, and I loved that she eventually came to enjoy running. 

Weaknesses: Having been 14 a long time ago, I understand why Kat would want to change for a boy she had a crush on, but it also made me a little angry! She and Theofilus don't have much in common, and their relationship seems mainly based on making out, some of it under the shirt. For actual teens, this is great stuff, but I just wanted to slap some sense into her! 

What I really think: This is a great choice for readers who want a vicarious trip to Greece like Welch's Love and Olives or Zeitlin's Sophomore Year is Greek to Me, and had the feel of a classic romance, like Dessen's Along for the Ride (2009) which is still popular in my library. I would definitely purchase this for a high school or 7-8 intermediate school library!

MMGM-Attempting Connection (Gamers #1)

It's

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
 at 

Always in the Middle 

and #IMWAYR day 

at

Unleashing Readers

Myers, E.C. Attempting Connection (Gamers #1)

May 6, 2025 by Pixel+Ink

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Chell Park (pronounced with the hard "ch" of "chess:) is having a hard time. Her father, Yong, has lost his job and moved out, because her mother wasn't happy that he did nothing but online gaming after becoming unemployed. Her mother has taken a second job to make ends meet, and Chell has to leave her friends Kiki and Sloane and transfer from her private school to Lawsondale Middle School. Since she didn't tell her friends what was going on, they're mad at her. She's started 7th grade, but just trying to lay low. When she's called to the principal's office, she notices several other students who seem intrigued with the game she is playing on her phone. Luckily, she's not in trouble with Principal Gupta; her mom just asked him to check on her. She connects online later with Mario, whose mother held him back a grade and who is on the volleyball team but recuperating from a broken leg, and the two talk about getting together an eSports team. Josh Bard, who is a bit of a geek, is definitely on their radar, as is Alyx Achebe. Alex is a bit of a mystery; she won't talk to Chell, but invites her over and offers a challenge. If Chell can beat her at a game, she'll join the team. Alyx's family is full of motivated, high achieving entrepreneurs, and her family home is large, with a fully stocked gaming room. The group moves on to finding a faculty sponsor, and has no luck until they approach Same Keene, the librarian, who uses they/them pronouns and was a former top scorer in the Vorpal Blade game. The kids do some research, and try to get high scores at the game themselves, to show Mx. Keene that they are serious about gaming. The librarian reluctanly agrees, and Principal Gupta is surprisingly supportive. The library doesn't have great facilities for gaming, but everyone scrounges up what they can. Chell tells her father a little about what she's doing, but he is so busy trying to make a go of online gaming that he isn't too supportive. She DOESN'T tell her mother, even forging her signature on a permission slip, because her mother has been so scarred by her father's gaming. While Chell often feels ignored by her father, she does still feel like gaming is her "thing", and is enjoying playing with her new friends. The Gamers manage to win a competition and are able to play in a tournament in New York City, but when Chell's lies come out, her mother isn't happy. Will Chell be able to settle things with both her parents so that she can continue to participate in eSports?
Strengths: Parents who are divorcing because of the father's gaming addiction? THAT is a new one. It made me feel better that the father admitted at the end of the book that maybe following this particular dream wasn't the best idea. Having to change schools, dealing with a mother who is working all of the time and tired... this is the reality many of my students have, and it was wonderful to see it portrayed in such a realistic way. The gaming angle is fresh, and I love the group of disparate students who become friends and work together. When Chell can't play, there's a good lesson in how to be a teammate even though you can't be "on the court". Chell's lies catch up with her, and there are consequences, but her parents also listen to her and work with her to achieve her goals. My favorite part was, of course, the realistic portrayal of the resources in the library, even though I, unlike Sam, am never going to sponsor any activity that has to do with video gaming! 
Weaknesses: The details of what goes on in public schools, like the super slow internet that slows down a tournament, are usually very good, which is why it seemed so odd that Chell is reading The Hobbit as a language arts class assignment. I can't see any teachers in 2025 assigning this to a class. My eye started to twitch just thinking about it, and I had flashbacks to fifteen years ago when a teacher had a gifted class read Orwell's 1984. The level of gaming descriptions was such that I got very confused at some points, which is PERFECT for younger readers who have actually played video games. 
What I really think: While I really, really dislike video games, my students love them. Books that showcase children playing games are a good compromise. Hand this to readers who enjoyed Strasser's The Good War, Christmas' Gamerville, Ross' Game Over, or Zhao's Last Gamer Standing. Even better, wait for this to come out in paperback and use it as a class novel! There are students who would ADORE having this as a lit circle choice. 

Tree, Isabella. Wilding: How to Bring Wildlife Back - An Illustrated Guide
May 6, 2025 by Pan Macmillan
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

First, the rewilding project at Knepp is an absolutely fantastic one that should be replicated many times throughout the world. Even small rewilding projects, like the ones in my back yard and front flower bed, attract a lot of wildlife. Tree and Burrell are to be commended for their ongoing project, and congratulated for this book, which shows how important it is to support natural habitats.

This is somewhat of a picture book format, but is almost 100 pages long. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, with a woodcut feel to many of the larger ones. There are some photographs; the aerial view of the area before and after reqilding was fascinating. It was especially valuable to have different plants featured, and accompanied by explanations of the creatures that benefit from the plants presence.

This is probably best for third or fourth grade and up, since there are a lot of scientific or plant names that might cause some difficulties. The print tends to be on the smaller side.

This is a really beautiful book. Pair with Collard's environmental books , Roland Smith's They Are Here: How Invasive Species Are Spoiling Our Ecosystem, or Burns' The Hive Detectives: Chronicle of a Honey Bee Catastrophe (the reason for my yard's rewilding!) for environmentally conscious young readers.

Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown

Fleming, Candace. Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown
April 29, 2025 by Anne Schwartz Books

E ARC provided by Netgalley

My public library has digitized copies of The Columbus Dispatch available, and when I was putting together a lesson telling students about this, I thought "Oh, I will show them the paper from this day when I was in 8th grade." I decided NOT to show them the newspaper from November 20, 1978 because the Jonestown massacre was the headline news. 

I have been recommending The Curse of the Mummy: Uncovering Tutankhamun's Tomb, Crash From Outer Space: Unraveling the Mystery of Flying Saucers, Alien Beings, and Roswell, and The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II to my students a LOT recently for nonfiction projects, and personally enjoy the subject matter of those a bit more. I am not a fan of true crime podcasts the way some people are. I picked this up because I have vivid memories of picking up a magazine in my middle school library that showed full color pictures of the aftermath of this horrific historical event, but couldn't remember much about what happened before this culminating event. I was not allowed to watch the television coverage and probably skipped over some of the news articles about it, since I was 13.

Fleming does an excellent job at followed Jim Jones from his earliest years as a child with inadequate parenting who became drawn to the church to the bitter end after he forced his followers to kill themselves or be killed. She does this is a very balanced, factual way, and has clearly done extensive research, talking to many survivors and going through news reports and documents. Even the depiction of the "revolutionary suicide" is not sensationalized. The information is presented in the order the events happened, which was very useful. I was discussing this with a friend who also had vague memories of the event who couldn't remember when Congressman Ryan and his entourage were attacked. There was a lot going on, so not having flashbacks really helped.

I especially appreciated that the photographs that were included were NOT of the dead bodies, although there was one of crushed paper cups and stethoscopes that I remember from 1978. There are pictures of life in Jonestown, with children at school, community events, etc., which makes this especially poignant. These are real people who thought through following this leader and going to Guyana. Fleming does a great job of pointing out that while it's easy to say "Oh, I would never do something like that", there are often circumstances behind the scenes that make such decisions seem valid.

This was rather long and slow paced for middle school readers, but would make an excellent addition to a high school library where readers will be more interested in the formation of horrible historical figures who gained huge followings. Very well done.

Saturday Morning Cartoons- Creaky Acres

Brill, Calista and Magruder, Nilah. Creaky Acres

May 6, 2025 by Kokila

E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus

In this graphic novel, Nora is sad to be leaving her town, and especially the stable at which she rides and keeps her horse, Hay Fever. The family has an impressive Victorian house in the smaller town of Greenville, which is much more rural, and a bit impoverished. Nora isn't happy that she has to board Hay Fever at Creaky Acres, which is very run down. There are children who take lessons there, but the owner, Susan, doesn't believe in eventing. Nora has won a lot of ribbons, and is very invested in proper procedures for horse care as well as horse and rider presentation. In addition to the more primitive facilities, the owner's son, Theo, is fond of possums, and they are everywhere, taking a special shine to Nora. Since there are few other Black families in the area, Nora runs into a fair amount of racism, with a girl at school even asking to touch her hair. One of the girls who rides, Laura, is a bit quirky, and is made fun of and bullied by mean girls. Nora stands up for hre new friend, which doesn't put her in a very good social standing. After an impromptu horse fashion show at the stables, the other riders ask Nora to walk them through some of the procedures, and they even ask Susan to help them enter a competition. The group gets a taste of the competitive side of their sport, and Nora reconnects with her old friends. 
Strengths: I always enjoy books about children who move who ARE able to make friends, and Nora is able to find her people at the stables, even if she has some difficulties in school. I was vastly amused that her father's job was blogging (The Blerd Werd, but I certainly have never earneda penny blogging!), and his interaction with Laura, geeking out over Dungeons and Dragons and other things, was delightful. Nora was passionate about competition, and I loved how she instructed her fellow riders in all the details of what to wear, etc. There is also a small plot arc about Nora always looking down during jumps that was handled well. There is always a need for a few new horse books every year, so this will definitely be one I purchase. 
Weaknesses: Susan, who runs the stables, is dealing with precarious finances, but she seems to take little joy in running the stables. She seemed to be negative about everything, which seemed odd. 
What I really think: Faith Hick's Ride On, Varner's Horse Trouble, (which I apparently need to read!) or Seim's Horse Girl (which is not a graphic novel). 

Varner, Kristin. Horse Trouble

October 26, 2021 by First Second
Public library copy

I don't know how I missed this one, and I loved Varner's Dog Trouble. The two are not related. This is done in a slightly different way, with three color illustrations and much more text. Kate loves horses, but her biggest concern is her weight. She also has to deal with very mean girls at the stables. Looking at the author's notes, this does seem to be based in part on her own experiences, so Kate's experiences with fat shaming, especially when it came to her brother's friends, reflects the sensibilities of earlier decades, although I'm sure some of this regrettably continues today. There are plenty of details about horse riding, so if graphic novels about horse riding are popular in your middle school or elementary library are popular, I would definitley take a look at this one. 

Billions to Burn

Banks, Taylor. Billions to Burn

May 6, 2025 by Melissa de la Cruz Studio
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Zeus Jones' ancestor, Amadeus Jones, had a magazine in the 1920s called BURN that not only showcased Black writers, but didn't ignore further marginalized groups, as many others did at the time. There was only one publication before a tragic fire took the offices and Amadeus' life. He was found in the rubble, clutching a toaster, which Zeus' grandfather saved. The grandfather has done very well; the Jones family has a big house in Southampton, chauffeur, and a butler, Mr. Will. The grandfather has been very involved in Zeus life, which has been helpful, since Zeus' parents are very busy, and his brother Apollo is a film star. There was even a group of children that were descendants of BURN's staff to whom the grandfather was teaching cultural history, but lately he has missed meetings with Zeus, and the group has been abandoned. When the grandfather doesn't answer his texts, Zeus knows something is wrong and calls together Ashley, Charlie, and David, asking them to bring their family's copies of the original magazine. Finding messages in invisible ink, combined with a clue Zeus had previously found in the toaster, motivates the group to take off on an adventure (with Mr. Will flying the family jet) that leads them to the Mojave desert, Boston, the University of Michigan, Chicago, the Statue of Liberty,and the plantation where the Jones ancestors were enslaved. They finish their journey at Arlington Cemetery, and they almost come to a tragic end in the basement of Robert E. Lee's house after the crew finds letters from the early 1800s. There is sure to be a second book, because this ends on an enormous cliffhanger!
Strengths: This packed an enormous amount of Black history into an engaging adventure story with deep family ties. I loved the depiction of Zeus' grandfather gathering the children and teaching them about history, and all of the memorabilia of the magazine that was in his office. It also gives Zeus great motivation to go on an adventure, as well as the resources to do so. Charlie was also an appealing character, who had once been wealthy but whose family has fallen on hard times after the collapse of her father's business and his death from a heart attack. There is even a question of how the Jones family might have been involved in this. The details about all of the sites visited (and there are many!) and the relation that they have to history are very well done, although I was hoping that the clues involving Jesse Owens would take the group to Ohio State instead of the University of Michigan. There is still more of the story to be told, but I can't find any information about a sequel yet.
Weaknesses: I always have a hard time believing that clues on paper can last for a hundred years, and that the children can pinpoint exactly where the clues are hidden, but younger readers won't have this problem. The fire in the Mojave desert was heartbreaking (the fires are still raging around Pacific Palisades and other California locations as I write this), and three people died, so sensitive readers might not be ready for this.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed the combination of mystery and history in Vaught's 2016 Things Too Huge to Fix by Saying Sorry, Tarpley's 2017 Harlem Charade, Johnston's 2018 The Parker Inheritance, Durst's 2024 Spy Ring, or Landis' 2024 Capitol Chase.