A Bundle of Books from One of My Favorites

 I’m a huge Shannon Hale fan. She has the gift of being able to write for all ages, from early elementary to adult. The books featured here fall into three groups: YA, middle-grade graphic novel, and elementary. All except the first one here also feature illustrations by Hale’s frequent partner, LeUyen Pham. Their collaboration is strong!

 Kind of a Big Deal
By Shannon Hale
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press; Illustrated edition (August 25, 2020)
Hardcover: 400 pages
ISBN-10: 1250206235
ISBN-13: 978-1250206237
Reading age: 12 - 18 years
Grade level: 7 – 9
 
Publisher’s Blurb:

There's nothing worse than peaking in high school. Nobody knows that better than Josie Pie.

She was kind of a big deal―she dropped out of high school to be a star! But the bigger you are, the harder you fall. And Josie fell. Hard. Ouch. Broadway dream: dead.

Meanwhile, her life keeps imploding. Best friend: distant. Boyfriend: busy. Mom: not playing with a full deck? Desperate to escape, Josie gets into reading.

Literally. She reads a book and suddenly she's inside it. And with each book, she’s a different character: a post-apocalyptic heroine, the lead in a YA rom-com, a 17th century wench in a corset.

It’s alarming. But also . . . kind of amazing?

It’s the perfect way to live out her fantasies. Book after book, Josie the failed star finds a new way to shine. But the longer she stays in a story, the harder it becomes to escape.

Will Josie find a story so good that she just stays forever?

 My thoughts:

This book was an interesting departure from Hale’s other work. It’s trying to be a lot of things at once—teenage coming of age, fantasy, a little romance. Add to that Josie’s immersions in various genres of books and Hale’s imitation of those styles, and you get a potpourri that is entertaining, albeit occasionally confusing.

 I particularly enjoyed the setting, having lived in Montana not too far from where Josie is nannying. I miss my mountains, so it was fun to experience the beauty of western Montana through Josie’s eyes.

 Josie’s struggles with being part of a larger world after having been a very big fish in a pretty small pond ring true, as do her anxieties about the boyfriend she left behind.

The sudden twist near the end with an unexpected antagonist was, to be honest, maybe one thing too many in this book.

 Possible objectionable material:

There is no swearing in this book. Josie is dishonest with people back home, because she’s ashamed that she hasn’t “made it.” There are some crushes and some kissing, particularly when she finds herself in a romance novel.

 Who might like this book:

People who love getting immersed in a book. Fans of coming of age novels.

 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Real Friends (Real Friends #1)
By Shannon Hale; Illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Publisher: First Second; Illustrated edition (May 2, 2017)
Paperback: 224 pages
ISBN-10: 1626727856
ISBN-13: 978-1626727854
Reading age: 8 - 12 years
Lexile measure: GN290L
Grade level: 4 - 6
 
Publisher’s Blurb:

Shannon and Adrienne have been best friends ever since they were little. But one day, Adrienne starts hanging out with Jen, the most popular girl in class and the leader of a circle of friends called The Group. Everyone in The Group wants to be Jen's #1, and some girls would do anything to stay on top . . . even if it means bullying others.

Now every day is like a roller coaster for Shannon. Will she and Adrienne stay friends? Can she stand up for herself? And is she in The Group―or out?

 My thoughts:

This book came at the perfect time for my daughter. This semi-autobiographical graphic novel about Hale’s childhood echoes some of the problems my highly anxious child had to deal with. It is honest, and not every problem is easily fixed. Being the kid who doesn’t fit in is hard, and Hale confronts those problems head-on as she takes us through Shannon’s efforts to find true friendship.

 Possible objectionable material:

This book hints at mental illness (obsessive compulsive disorder). There is some bullying and exclusion, classic “mean girl” behavior. Young Shannon talks to Jesus—Hale’s Twitter account indicated that some people thought she should keep religion out of it.

 Who might like this book:

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t fit in, this book will resonate. Although the protagonist is a girl, many boys will be able to relate to the situations here as well.

 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Best Friends (Real Friends #2)
By Shannon Hale; Illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Publisher: ‎ First Second; Illustrated edition (August 27, 2019)
Paperback: ‎ 256 pages
ISBN-10: ‎ 1250317460
ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1250317469
Reading age: ‎ 8 - 11 years
Lexile measure: ‎ GN380L
Grade level: ‎ 3 – 6
 
Publisher’s Blurb:

Follow your heart. Find your people.

Sixth grade is supposed to be perfect. Shannon’s got a sure spot in the in-crowd called The Group, and her best friend is their leader, Jen, the most popular girl in school.

But the rules are always changing, and Shannon has to scramble to keep up. She never knows which TV shows are cool, what songs to listen to, and who she’s allowed to talk to. Who makes these rules, anyway? And does Shannon have to follow them?

 My thoughts:

My daughter didn’t love this book as much as she did the first one. Shannon’s efforts to fit in and be cool weren’t quite as relatable for her, but there are many young readers out there who will completely empathize.

 This is a continuation of the story begun in Real Friends, and we continue on with Shannon as she becomes a full-fledged tween. The tween years are probably the toughest for kids, and Shannon is no exception as she frequently struggles to understand the dynamics of relationships and social interaction.

 Those of us who are far past that part of our own lives can recognize ourselves and our own struggles in what Shannon goes through. I still don’t understand all the rules!

 Possible objectionable material:

There is some bullying and exclusion, classic “mean girl” behavior. Some low-key pranks and other slightly naughty behavior

 Who might like this book:

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t fit in, this book will resonate. Although the protagonist is a girl, many boys will be able to relate to the situations here as well, although it might be a little more difficult for them than in the first book.

 

Friends Forever (Real Friends #3)
By Shannon Hale; Illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Publisher: ‎ First Second (August 31, 2021)
Language: ‎ English
Paperback: ‎ 304 pages
ISBN-10: ‎ 1250317568
ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1250317568
Reading age: ‎ 10 - 14 years
Grade level: ‎ 4 - 6
 
Publisher’s Blurb:

Shannon is in eighth grade, and life is more complicated than ever. Everything keeps changing, her classmates are starting to date each other (but nobody wants to date her!), and no matter how hard she tries, Shannon can never seem to just be happy.

As she works through her insecurities and undiagnosed depression, she worries about disappointing all the people who care about her. Is something wrong with her? Can she be the person everyone expects her to be? And who does she actually want to be?

With their signature humor, warmth, and insight, Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham have crafted another incredible love letter to their younger selves and to readers everywhere, a reminder to us all that we are enough.

 My thoughts:

The final installment in the series, we see Shannon finishing those horrible middle school years. Her struggles definitely aren’t over. Like so many kids in that age range, she wants to be someone’s special someone. She wants to be popular. She wants people to value her. I think these are pretty universal struggles.

 As in the other two books, Hale doesn’t hold back in presenting the good, the bad, and the ugly of adolescent life, which makes all of the characters—not just the protagonist—relatable.

 Hale's afterward about how she actually spoke to the real people who inspired these books and their memories of events were especially enlightening!

Possible objectionable material:

This book hints at mental illness (obsessive compulsive disorder). There is some bullying and exclusion, classic “mean girl” behavior. Faith and religion are present, which some people object to.

 Who might like this book:

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t fit in, this book will resonate.

 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

 

 The Princess in Black Takes a Vacation (Princess in Black #4)
By Shannon Hale and Dean Hale; Illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Publisher: Candlewick; Illustrated edition (March 21, 2017)
Paperback: 96 pages
ISBN-10: 0763694517
ISBN-13: 978-0763694517
Reading age: 5 - 8 years
Lexile measure: 340L
Grade level: Kindergarten – 3
 
Publisher’s Blurb:

After battling monsters all night, a sleepy Princess in Black decides that she needs a vacation. After all, the Goat Avenger, a new hero who looks oddly familiar, has offered to protect the goats while she takes a much needed break. The very next day Princess Magnolia rides her bicycle to the seaside, where the air is salty, the sun is shiny, and the sea is as blue as monster fur. But just as Princess Magnolia is about to take a nap on her hammock, she hears a “ROAR!” Seriously? A monster? On the perfect beach? Impossible! Could a sea monster really ruin this vacation for the Princess in Black?

 My Thoughts:

Every superhero needs some time off. And if you have backup—such as the Goat Avenger—to cover for you while you’re away, even better. And finding a fellow princess at the beach? Sweet!

 Of course, it’s not that simple, as a sea monster wants to eat the beachgoers. Good thing Princess Magnolia brought her superhero disguise.

 These simple but fun books continue to show that appearances can be deceiving. Princess Magnolia may look all pink and frilly, but she can boss monsters around with the best of them. The B plot of the Goat Avenger shows that the connections we make with others can be what saves the day.

 Princess Magnolia finally finds her quiet vacation, and is able to rest up before her next adventure—and the idea that we don’t always have to be busy is one that many children will be happy to hear.

 Possible Objectionable Material:

Monsters and the deception of having a secret identity.

 Who Might Like This Book:

Children who love superheroes. Don’t be afraid of the title “Princess”—boys have enjoyed this books every bit as much as girls.

 The Princess in Black and the Science Fair Scare (Princess in Black #6)
By Shannon Hale and Dean Hale; Illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Publisher: Candlewick; Illustrated edition (May 14, 2019)
Paperback: 96 pages
ISBN-10: 1536206865
ISBN-13: 978-1536206869
Reading age: 5 - 8 years
Lexile measure: 500L
Grade level: Kindergarten – 3
 
Publisher’s Blurb:

Princess Magnolia is excited. Excited and nervous. She’s going to the Interkingdom Science Fair today to present her poster about seeds and plants, and when she arrives, she sees that her friends are there too! Princess Honeysuckle made a mole habitat, Princess Sneezewort has built a blanket fort, and Tommy Wigtower has a talking volcano that’s saying “EAAAAT!” Wait, what? A surprise goo monster makes this a job for the Princess in Black, and the Princess in Blankets is on the scene to lend a hand. But will two masked heroes be enough to save the science fair? A little scientific problem-solving — and a lot of princess power — will make the sixth entry in the New York Times best-selling series a smash hit.

 My Thoughts:

My daughter will tell you that there are too many princesses in this book and that it gets a little confusing. But it’s fun to see the princesses of many ethnicities—all named after flowers, and all with different interests.

 I also love that our superhero princess is nervous about something—the science fair. It also gives the message that girls are not excluded from scientific activities just because they’re girls.

 This time, the lesson is that you don’t have to be a superhero in order to help

 Possible Objectionable Material:

Monsters and the deception that comes with being a superhero.

 Who Might Like This Book:

Kids who like science. Superhero fans. Boys and girls alike. Just because it’s about a princess doesn’t mean it’s “girly”!

 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

 

 The Princess in Black and the Giant Problem (Princess in Black #8)
By Shannon Hale and Dean Hale; Illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Publisher: Candlewick (October 6, 2020)
Hardcover: 96 pages
ISBN-10: 1536202223
ISBN-13: 978-1536202229
Reading age: 5 - 8 years
Grade level: Kindergarten – 3
 
Publisher’s Blurb:

The Princess in Black is ready for her snowy playdate with the Goat Avenger and the Princess in Blankets. It’s a perfect day to build snow monsters and battle them for practice. But just when they’re about to wage battle, a huge foot smashes their snow monster. “SQUASHY!”

It’s a giant, and it’s smashing everything in its path! The giant is too strong for the three friends, so the Princess in Blankets has an idea: it’s time to light the Sparkle Signal and summon help. With a rising crescendo of a plot and a delightfully surprising ending, the latest adventure in the New York Times best-selling series features all the Princess in Black’s friends as heroes for the first time.

 My Thoughts:

All those princesses who helped out in the Science Fair Scare? They’re superheroes now too! (And my daughter says it’s too much, but I like letting everyone have their own way to be super.)

 Once again, we learn about the importance of cooperation and everyone having a part to play in solving the problem. It is an ongoing theme, and an important one in our current climate of  “everyone for themselves”.

 Possible Objectionable Material:

Secret identities, a giant, and fairy-tale peril.

 Who Might Like This Book:

As with the others, boys and girls alike. If you like superheroes and/or princesses, this is for you!

 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.