Read Your Way Homewood

The Truth About Stacey Ann M. Martin's The Babysitters Club #2 Graphic Novel by Raina Telgemeier I remember enjoying the books as a kid, but not overly so. I don't think I owned any, just got them from friends or the library every so often.  This is an amazing update. The artwork is fresh, the telling does not feel at all dated, and I wanted to read more. I did not read #1, I just grabbed this off the library shelf. I didn't feel lost (partially because of what I remembered) but mostly because the story is pretty self contained. You can follow along really well without much help. Great middle grade graphic novel. - Miss Kelly

Blackbird Fly by Erin Entrada Kelly Apple doesn't like herself much. The way she looks, the way her mom talks and cooks, her name... all of it is a reminder that she is *different* and she hates it. Until a list and a series of events bring her to some new people who help her see the great things about standing out in a crowd instead of fading into it. This is a really nice middle grade book for self esteem, issues of ethnic minorities feeling bullied, and kids who are searching for their way. Favorite line was towards the end, and was about a former friend who was obsessed with being popular and cool: "I realized that's how she would always be: going where the crowd goes and then getting lost." - Miss Kelly #ComingOfAge #FamilyTies #FriendshipBonds #MiddleGrade #Realism #SchoolStories #WeNeedDiverseBooks