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Also Known As by Robin Benway. February 26, 2013. Bloomsbury. 320 pages. ISBN: 9780802733900

Also Known As is the story of sixteen-year-old safecracking spy, Maggie Silver. She and her family receive assignments from a secret organization called The Collective. This time around, the assignment is for Maggie to go to high school (a place she has never been before) in order to befriend and infiltrate the home of Jesse Oliver, whose journalist dad is about to publish an article blowing the cover of the Silver family and everyone they work with. Maggie is sure she is ready to take on this challenge, but what she doesn’t count on is that she will make a best friend, that she will fall in love, and that she might uncover corruption in the very organization responsible for her safety.

Though this book is similar in some ways to the Gallagher Girls books by Ally Carter, the story is less plot-driven and more character-driven. There is some action, but the true story occurs within Maggie as she struggles to prove herself while also remaining true to her new friends. Maggie has a strong, precocious voice that really drives the plot and keeps things interesting. The supporting characters, too, are memorable and well-described. For example, Angelo, Maggie’s family’s personal contact in The Collective, is “like if Tim Gunn and James Bond had a baby and that baby was Yoda.” I can’t remember the last time I read such a wonderfully funny description in a YA novel. Maggie’s new friend, Roux, who is lonely in the absence of her busy parents, is another great character whose over-the-top comic relationship with her bewildered doorman, Harold, also made me laugh out loud.

This story is less of a spy novel and more of a high school romance starring a heroine who happens to be a spy. Fans of Ally Carter might like it, but it’s more likely to appeal to fans of authors like Abby McDonald, Robin Mellom, and Melissa Kantor. Some Goodreads reviews have commented that the ending ties up too neatly, and I guess maybe that is true, but it didn’t bother me. All along, I assumed that things could end only one way - unhappily, with lots of trouble and tears. It was enough for me to be taken in an unexpected direction. The happy ending also solidifies my opinion that this is more of a romance novel than an action-adventure novel.

Also Known As is the kind of story that would make a great Disney channel original movie. Though there are a handful of references to sexting and drunkenness, it is mostly a pretty tame story that will work for younger teens as well as high school students. If nothing else, readers can enjoy laughing along with Maggie’s spunky and sarcastic outlook on life, and enjoying the ways she makes the best out of a seemingly impossible situation.

I received a digital ARC of Also Known As from Bloomsbury via NetGalley.

For more about this book, visit Goodreads and Worldcat.

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Bijou Doucet, a survivor of the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, has just moved in with her aunt and uncle in Brooklyn, where she attends an all-girls school. Though Bijou is not permitted to date or even to socialize out of school, she manages to attract the attention of Alex Schrader, one of the students at the nearby all-boys school. Alex is pretty clueless about girls, but he is sweet, and before long, Bijou, too, wants to spend time with him, even if it is forbidden. Through their sweet and innocent first romance, Alex and Bijou overcome the pain of Bijou's past, the restrictive rules of her aunt and uncle, and the intolerance of their classmates. 

I was drawn to this book on NetGalley for two superficial reasons: the poetic sounding title, and the cover illustration by Erin McGuire. I guessed instantly based on those two things that this would be a cute middle grade romance. What I didn't guess - and what truly makes this book special - is how many other story lines figure into that romance.  This isn't just a love story, but a story about cultural differences, empathy, acceptance, and forgiveness. Because the narrative alternates between Bijou's voice and Alex's voice, the story is well-balanced and presents the challenges of both characters. Even when the characters misunderstand each other and fail to communicate, the reader remains sympathetic to both sides of the story and continues to root for the success of  their relationship.

In addition to the well-realized main characters, this book is also populated by many wonderful supporting characters. Alex has two best friends, the actions of whom figure heavily into some of the mistakes he makes in trying to get to know Bijou. Bijou has an older brother who has moved out of his aunt and uncle's house and who teaches Alex to play Haitian rada music and conspires with Bijou to find ways for her to spend time with Alex. Alex and Bijou each also have a set of class bullies who tease them about their relationship and use cyber-bullying to intimidate them. The entire world of this story feels very contemporary, and I could imagine these same situations playing out in the schools in my neighborhood.

This is a great book for readers who enjoyed Same Sun Here. Both books alternate between a boy's point of view and a girl's, and both deal with characters who expand their horizons by learning about each other's cultures. It is also a very boy-friendly romance. Though Bijou is a significant part of the story, most of the romance comes through in Alex's narration. I'm not 100% sure the cover will attract male readers, but Alex's voice is so authentic, middle school boys - especially those who are already fond of reading -  would easily get hooked once they started reading.

A Song for Bijou is a beautifully written story of first love, and so much more. Issues of racism, bullying, and cultural differences make it a great read-aloud or book club choice for middle school students who love to discuss and debate serious issues. I look forward to reading more from Josh Farrar, and I plan to read his other middle grade novel, Rules to Rock By, which was published in 2010.  A Song for Bijou will be on shelves tomorrow, February 12, 2013.

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One Tough Chick. by Leslie Margolis. January 22, 2013. Bloomsbury. 176 pages. ISBN: 9781599909615

The Annabelle Unleashed series by Leslie Margolis began in 2008 with Boys are Dogs. Annabelle, a seventh grader, who has previously attended an all-girls school finds herself in a new co-ed school, surrounded by obnoxious boys. As she trains her dog, she realizes that the same behavior modification techniques also work on the boys at her school, and she uses this fact to help her and her new female friends get used to middle school. Girls Acting Catty (2009) and Everybody Bugs Out (2011) continue Annabelle’s wholesome adventures navigating the halls of her middle school. By the time One Tough Chick begins, she has established a core group of friends, acquired a new stepdad and stepbrother, and started dating a cute boy named Oliver. The plot of this fourth book continues with many of the threads established by the previous titles, but it focuses chiefly on Annabelle’s role as a judge in the talent show and the dilemmas she faces when people assume she will vote based on her relationships with the performers, rather than from an objective point of view.

What is so nice about this series is that Annabelle is a true role model. In each book, she shows girls that it is possible to make it through the various challenges of middle school without compromising on what matters to them. There is bullying and teasing in these books, but time and again, Annabelle rises above it and helps her friends to do the same It’s not that Annabelle is perfect - she has her flaws - but that she doesn’t apologize for being herself and doesn’t bury her head in the sand and avoid intimidating situations.

This particular book is not the strongest of the series, but it takes on a very important topic for girls in their early teens - first boyfriends. The story provides a very sweet and realistic road map for that first dating relationship. Both Annabelle and Oliver are shy and awkward, but also kind and respectful to each other. Girls who follow Annabelle’s example will be in good shape when they start dating! It’s also nice that girls can grow up with Annabelle, the way they do with Phyllis Reynolds Naylor’s Alice or with Lauren Myracle’s Winnie. Annabelle’s stories are somewhat tamer than Naylor’s, Myracle’s, or Judy Blume’s, but because of that they are probably more likely to reflect real life for many readers of the series. Annabelle’s positive attitude and the comforting atmosphere of each book might also appeal to girls who are hooked on the American Girl books, especially the contemporary stories about the Girls of the Year.

One Tough Chick was published on January 22, 2013.

I received a digital ARC of One Tough Chick from Bloomsbury via NetGalley. 

For more about this book, visit Goodreads and Worldcat. 

I submitted this post to Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. 

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Audition & Subtraction. by Amy Fellner Dominy. September 4, 2012. Walker & Company. 272 pages. ISBN: 9780802723

Audition & Subtraction is the latest middle grade novel from OyMG author Amy Fellner Dominy. This time, Dominy takes her readers into the world of middle school band competition. Tatum is a clarinetist, and Lori plays flute. They have been best friends forever, and Lori has always been there to play duets with Tatum so she doesn’t have to face the District Honor Band judges on her own. This year, though, there’s a new clarinetist in town, Michael, and not only does he present serious competition for Tatum, he also starts dating Lori. As Lori becomes more and more focused on her relationship with Michael, Tatum worries that she will be more interested in helping her boyfriend succeed than in making sure Tatum plays well at their audition. Tatum thinks the solution might be to play a solo this year instead - after all, her teacher and her good friend Aaron both think she can do it - but it will never be possible until Tatum believes it herself.

I, too, was a middle school clarinet player, and though I never willingly entered any sort of competition, I could relate to Tatum’s desire to play well, and to her fears about doing so on her own in front of strangers. I think the author did a wonderful job of capturing the details of the middle school band environment. I loved the way Tatum and Aaron subtly goofed off during rehearsal, and I nearly cheered when I saw a mention of “Air for Band.” (To this day, when I hear that piece, I am transported back to 7th grade symphonic band. Listen to it here.)

Aside from the wonderful details about band life, I also appreciated the depth of the emotions experienced by Dominy’s characters. Tatum’s doubts in herself are the doubts of every tween girl, which gives the book this great universal girl appeal, but Lori and Michael come across as complex and flawed individuals as well. Lori revels in her newfound attention from boys after her recent weight loss, and Michael frets over the opinions of his professional musician father, who promises to come visit only if his son gets into the Honor Band. The characterization is the strongest aspect of the story because Dominy takes the time to add layers to each character, not just to the protagonist.

The last couple chapters of this book are a little sappy, I won’t deny that, but the ending is so satisfying. I think girls will really see themselves in Tatum, and root for her, and when they finally see her learn how to stand on her own, I hope they feel the same relief and love for her as a character that I felt. I got a little bit teary-eyed reading this story; anyone who had a tough time in middle school will probably do the same.

Audition & Subtraction is a logical read-alike for How to Rock Braces and Glasses, Ten Miles Past Normal, and Notes from an Accidental Band Geek, since all three books have a strong musical theme. It also compares well to some of Lauren Barnholdt’s tween fiction, which also focuses on friendships and dating, but not as much on sex or puberty. (Fun fact: The cover illustration for Audition & Subtraction was done by Nathalie Dion, who also does the covers for Lauren Barnholdt's tween novels!) Audition & Subtraction is a perfect bridge book between things like the Cupcake Diaries and the Baby-sitters Club and the more mature themes of books by authors like Lauren Myracle and Judy Blume. It’s one of my favorite books from this year, and I can’t wait to see where Amy Fellner Dominy takes us next!

I borrowed Audition & Subtraction from my local public library. 

For more about this book, visit Goodreads and Worldcat. 

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Planet Middle School. by Nikki Grimes. September 13, 2011. Bloomsbury. 150 pages. ISBN: 9781599902845

Tomboy twelve-year-old Joylin Johnson feels like she has suddenly landed on another planet. It used to be easy to play basketball with the boys, to get dressed in the morning, and to fit in at school, but lately, she finds herself confused by the mixed feelings she experiences. Though she tries her best to maintain the same interests and friendships she's always had, the start of puberty - and especially her newfound attraction to a boy named Santiago - make change inevitable.

This novel in verse covers very familiar ground, but two things about it stand out. One is the poetry. Nikki Grimes's writing flows so naturally and describes common, everyday emotions and experiences in fresh, perceptive language. The writing is never flowery or overly stylized, but it's strong, concise, and evocative. It doesn't matter that I've read this same storyline twenty times before, because I've never read it told in this way.

The second outstanding feature of this book is that the narrator is African-American, but the story is not about race. I think there is certainly value in reading books about race, but it's also wonderful for kids to be able to find books on all topics that include characters who look like them. Teachers ask me frequently to help them find books that don't have white girls on the cover, and this book is a welcome addition to the diversity of my library's collection.

The ending of the story takes a turn I'm not sure is really necessary, and things might be tied up too neatly by the last page, but Planet Middle School is a solid novel regardless. Nikki Grimes writes very effectively about family relationships and childhood friendships, and I think middle school girls from all backgrounds will recognize Joylin's universal experiences as quite similar to their own.

I borrowed Planet Middle School from my local public library. 

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