Eighth Grade is Making Me Sick

Gr 5-8–In this follow-up to Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf (S & S, 2007), Ginny Davis starts eighth grade at Woodland Central Middle School the way she started seventh grade, with a “Big To-Do List.” Her 10 new goals include “1. Try out for cheer” and “3. Fall in love.” She also moves into a larger house with her mother, new stepfather, and brothers, Timmy and Henry. Mom, a lawyer, continues to communicate with notes on the refrigerator and the occasional text message. Grandpa, a strong influence in Ginny’s life, continues to write, send money, and occasionally visit. He even learns to email. Things seem to be going well; even Henry appears to be on the straight and narrow. All of these observations are gleaned from colorful pages filled with the paraphernalia of busy lives–moving boxes, calendars, instant and text messages, bank statements, take-out menus, paint swatches, and even a discarded pregnancy test, indicating an impending half sibling. Ginny makes the cheer squad and starts the school year off successfully. There is the possibility of true love. But then, her stepfather loses his job, Henry starts acting up, and she suffers from a mysterious ailment. Ginny’s voice is appealing. This story told in stuff is engaging, touching, hilarious, often relatable, and should be popular with all sorts of readers, including fans of graphic novels.–Brenda Kahn, Tenakill Middle School, Closter, NJ