I found this one to be very slow starting, to the point where I almost gave up on it. However, once some weird things started happening to Evan Quick, I began getting into the story. With the introduction of Foxman, I was much more interested.

Two things I especially liked about this story: the view of a recovering alcoholic with Foxman, and the fact that the issue of consent is addressed, even with something as innocent seeming as a kiss. It doesn't turn out to be a big deal, but the kiss-ee stands up for their own bodily autonomy and the kisser realizes that it's not cool to do that. Amazing to see that in any novel, but especially a middle grade.

I received my copy as a galley from NetGalley in return for my honest review.

A collection of early Pratchett stories. It's a good introduction to his style for kids, but not as memorable to me as some of his other works.

As time goes on, my feelings on this book get lower. I get that it's great that a 7th grader wrote it, but why do we want to teach kids that you can rank them with popular kids and jocks on top and smart kids on the bottom, and when you're discovered, you won't get in trouble because kids like your artwork? Ugh. Not a good lesson.

Another entry in the Deckawoo Drive series by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen. This time it focuses on the animal control officer Francine Poulet, whose confidence is shaken by a screaming raccoon. I loved this story of her getting her confidence back, which I think will resonate with children.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in return for a review.

Stella lives in Bumblebee NC with her brother Jojo and her parents. She likes to write, but struggles with it. One night, she and her brother sneak out and see a cross burning in the woods with Klansman.

I was pulled into the story, because I liked Stella's perspective. However, parts of it felt disjointed to me. Like, how would Pauline be so kind and not inherit her father's beliefs, or at least some of them. How could some white people be very kind and not get any repercussions? I don't know. I enjoyed it, but part of it felt off or rushed or something to me. I might need to reread it.

Once I got past my initial dislike of the double n in "nnewts," I really enjoyed this book. Hurk wants so badly to have strong legs and be able to be on land and water. His dad is a magician, who gets called away on a hunting raid. While he is gone, the lizzarks attack. Hurk escapes, but has no idea where to go. There's a lot of interesting points, some of which feel a bit expected to this avid fantasy/sci-fi reader but will surprise kids. I'm excited to see where this story goes.

I always enjoy picture book biographies, particularly biographies like this, which I think are very inspirational. It almost makes me wish I had wanted to be an engineer instead of a librarian! (but not quite)

Much like Lai's last book, I was captivated by this one. Mai (or Mia in school) is being forced to go to Vietnam with her father and Ba (her grandmother). Ba has been separated from her husband since THE WAR and has finally decided to go back to get closure. A detective has told her that he has had contact with someone connected to her missing grandfather. Mai is not excited about this trip at all. She's supposed to be on the beach with her friend, possibly interacting with the boy she likes (HIM). On the trip, though, she begins to learn more about where she is from, and what's important to her.

I thought Mai was pretty believable, with her devotion to family but also her desire to be on the beach and be a typical American teen. I also understood why she stopped speaking Vietnamese after going to school. Her growing acceptance and discovery of the land her parents came from and the culture she is connected to was believable as well. I think it had just the right amount of references to THE WAR. As an adult, I wished for a bit more about what had been happening in Vietnam, but I think for kids who might not have any background about the Vietnam War at all, it was the right amount. A beautiful story.

I loved this story so much. I was way more into Stewart's story than Ashley's. It took a while for me to catch up to Ashley. I wondered how her parents, while being so nice, could create such a self-centered, popularity-obsessed child. Stewart was so much easier for me to love. I felt like he was doing the right thing so often and Ashley was too obsessed with the way she looked and getting with Jared. However, she came around at the end. I really liked the dual story perspectives, because it did humanize both of them, even if I liked one of them better. I think kids will appreciate the perspectives of two different kids at the same school getting along, and I think the blended family aspect will speak to a lot as well.

It does contain scenes with underage drinking, and some talk about bras and sexual activity.

A cute story about a giraffe who is a bit scared of the library at first, but grows to love it.