Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Thanks to Atheneum for providing me with a free digital review copy of this book.

Summary:  Sutton loves programming and spends all her spare time trying to perfect her mini-bot.  She lives with her dad; her parents are divorced and her mom is a scientist who spends a lot of time in Antarctica.  Luis dreams of adventure; his multiple allergies often get in the way of living out his dreams, so he creates fantasy stories instead.  He lives with his mom since his dad died when he was two. When Sutton’s dad and Luis’s mom start dating, the two kids want their parents to be happy but struggle to find common ground.  After a disappointing first date-with-kids, the four decide to go on a hike together. When Sutton and Luis get separated from their parents, they have to combine their talents to find their way back to the parking lot.  Each one comes to admire and respect the other one’s traits that seemed so alien at first, and a happy ending is inevitable…both for the hike and the foreseeable future. 224 pages; grades 3-7.

Pros:  This book reminded me of Erin Entrada Kelly’s You Go First and Hello, Universe, with quirky characters struggling for connection and trying to find their way in the world.  Sutton seems to have something along the lines of Asperger’s or a processing disorder that makes it difficult for her to socialize sometimes, despite her desire to do so and to please her dad.  Many readers will empathize and connect with both characters, and will also enjoy a chuckle at their unique ways of solving problems.

Cons:  Since much of the action is internal, I found this book a little slow going at the beginning.

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Presented by Junior Library Guild

Summary:  Aiden Tyler is a typical middle school kid.  He lives with his mother, stepfather, and two half-siblings in a small apartment.  Hangs out with his three good friends at school. When they hear about the coronavirus spreading through China, no one’s particularly concerned.  Then, almost overnight, Aiden’s scouring empty shelves for toilet paper and hearing rumors that school is going to be closed. The rumors prove true, and before long Aiden is spending his days with his family in cramped quarters, trying to avoid schoolwork and not let his out-of-work mother and younger sister and brother drive him too crazy.  How will the rest of Aiden’s year go? No one knows. Grades 4-7.

Pros:  I’ve started following this ripped-from-today’s-headlines serialized novel at https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/quaran-teen.  The third installment comes out today.  I enjoyed Rex Ogle’s somewhat harrowing Free Lunch last year, and I can see some parallels between young Rex and Aiden (thankfully, Aiden’s home life is a bit more stable).  I’m offering this as a group read to kids at my schools in grades 5-8. They can comment on a Padlet as they read.

Cons:  How will Aiden’s story end?  Surely not even the author knows at this point.

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Thanks to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for giving me a free digital copy of this book to review.

Summary:  Alberta has long been the only black girl in her seventh grade class.  It’s as much a part of who she is as having two dads and loving surfing.  So when Edie and her mom buy the bed and breakfast across the street, Alberta is surprised to learn that they are black…and that Edie is just her age.  The two become friends, causing a rift between Alberta and her best friend Laramie, who starts hanging out with the cool eighth graders. When Edie discovers some old journals in the attic of the B&B, she and Alberta get drawn into a mystery involving the identity of a young woman who moved to California in the 1950’s.  What they discover about her ends up revealing the racism that has persisted in their town to the present day. Seventh grade is never easy, but Albert comes through the first half of it with a greater appreciation for her friends, family, and community. 369 pages; grades 4-7.

Pros:  This was one of the most enjoyable middle grade novels I’ve read this year.  The characters, middle school angst, and dialogue were spot on, and the mystery was a fun way to explore the past and how it influences the present.  

Cons:  I like it when there’s a little depth to the mean girl, but in this case, she seemed to just be a horrible person.

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