Published by Algonquin Young Readers

Summary:  Badger is satisfied living by himself in his aunt’s brownstone: doing Important Rock Work, eating cold cereal, and ignoring Aunt Lula’s letters.  So he’s surprised one day when Skunk shows up on his doorstep, informing him that he’s been sent by Aunt Lula to be Badger’s roommate.  Skunk disrupts Badger’s routine in ways that are both good (cooking breakfast, making Badger laugh), and not so good (taking over Badger’s box room, bringing dozens of chickens to the house).  At first Badger is desperate to get back to his solitary lifestyle, but slowly the good begins to outweigh the bad.  When Badger goes too far and alienates Skunk and his chickens, he realizes he’s made a big mistake and has to learn how to apologize and repair their burgeoning friendship.  136 pages; grades 2-5.

Pros:  An endearing friendship story for those who cut their reading teeth on Frog and Toad books.  The Jon Klassen illustrations are a great addition–that cover picture perfectly captures both animals’ personalities..

Cons:  I had high hopes for this book with its multiple starred reviews and the Klassen illustrations, but it never really took off for me.  It’s quirky to the point that I wonder if it will have wide kid appeal.

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