Ilene Cooper

I had only read this book once, back when I was a kid. Forgot the title, the author, the series name, and most of what happened in the series.

But after all these years, I still remembered the cover art from Book Four here, and a few bits about the story. With that info, another reader helped me to finally track down this novel and the series it comes from. I'll repeat how amazing memory can be—even when it's in bits and pieces!

This story really conveys the mix of emotions one can show more experience after making oneself over and facing how that impacts one's life, practically and socially. Gretchen finds much to consider regarding the person she was, is, and may be becoming, inside and out.

Now, it isn't as if, back in my childhood and adolescence, I read all the middle grade and young adult books with body image themes. But I've seen an angle of the issue in some books from that '80s-'90s era, when plus-sized girl characters lose weight. The "ugly duckling becoming a beautiful swan" trope, if you will.

While there's nothing wrong with someone looking to lose excess pounds, a part of me wishes I could've told Gretchen at some point, "I see that you're working to form healthier eating habits and to get more exercise. That's wonderful! At the same time, losing weight won't make you 'become' pretty, as if you aren't already. A person can be great on the inside and beautiful on the outside whether they're thin or not."

Body positivity surrounding one's natural size, whatever that size may be for the individual, isn't exactly the message that runs through Gretchen's journey in this series.

On the other hand, this isn't a series that preaches messages anyway. In keeping with the previous books about these Kennedy Middle School kids, Gretchen's story brings up serious questions and leaves readers room to ponder them and hopefully come up with some answers of their own.

The story's ending doesn't tie everything up with a perfect bow. But you do get the sense that Gretchen (and other characters from the series) will keep on growing and figuring stuff out, and that all things considered, they'll be all right.

And, there you have it. I sure have enjoyed revisiting this bunch of long-lost middle grade novels! show less

I'm a giant music nerd and came into this book knowing a great deal about the Beatles, but this book taught me a lot. As advertised, it covered the early lives of John and Paul, and covered parents, schools, friends, girlfriends, and trying to learn instruments and form bands. None of these things are usually covered when people discuss the Beatles. Really enjoyed this book.

On I go through this long-lost series I'm revisiting after first reading the books as a kid.

I like how each story comes from a different Kennedy Middle Schooler's perspective. It was interesting—somewhat trying, but interesting—to read this story about the series' villain, if you will. Sometimes I wanted to jump in the book and tell her off, while other times I wanted to sneak in and give her much-needed advice.

My most nostalgic moments in this one were probably at the mentions of show more Veronica's Walkman (for her cassette tapes, no less!) and the author Judy Blume, whom a lot of kids in this book (along with real-life '90s kids!) have read.

In keeping with the previous novels in the series, this one doesn't come with a bunch of easy answers for the characters' problems. And like the novel before it, the ending of this one is bittersweet.

Actually, it's a tougher ending, but with a spark of hope right at the close. An ending to give readers something important to think about.

On a different note, it's also interesting to see how Gretchen, a key supporting character so far, has been gradually changing as the series goes along. And not just changing on the outside. Good writing on the author's part, so that when Gretchen is featured as the heroine in the next book, it won't be like she's suddenly a different girl, out of nowhere.

Because Book Four, Gretchen's story, is the one I partially remembered—enough that another reader could help me track down the Kennedy Middle School novels after all these years—I'm especially looking forward to revisiting that last book of the series.

Note:
• bullying includes body shaming that is presented in a negative light but not with a complete theme of body positivity show less

Lucy the beagle takes off after a cat and her owner has to overcome his bashfulness to ask people around town if they've seen her. I much preferred this jaunty little adventure over the first book in this series. I hate to admit it, but this dog series really needed a cat to help it come alive.