Jennifer L. Holm

Oh, May Amelia, you are my favorite. Actually, Jennifer Holm, you are my favorite, and May Amelia is my favorite of your creations. This book is practically perfect. The only thing I can complain about is the AWFUL COVER. Just wrong. Why can't a wonderful author like Holm get a great cover for an awesome book? The world is an unfair place.

Speaking of the world being an unfair place, I've noticed people complaining that too much bad stuff happens to the Jacksons in this book. I think I've show more made that claim myself about a few good books (like [b:Out of My Mind|6609765|Out of My Mind|Sharon M. Draper|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1275674397s/6609765.jpg|6803732] and [b:Mockingbird|2657|To Kill a Mockingbird|Harper Lee|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51fJnjap8BL._SL75_.jpg|3275794]). But the thing about this book is that it's so funny and so heartwarming, even while terrible things are happening--which, I think, is how life is.

I listened to the first May Amelia book on CD, so I didn't know that it was written with Lots of Capitalized Phrases and no quotation marks. I wonder if that is baffling for some kids, or if they just go with it. I don't really understand why Holm wrote it that way. I don't think it added anything special, but it didn't really bother me either. I'm neutral on it. show less

Sometimes I pick up books my grandchildren bring home from the library. I don't know whose book this was, but I love it. It's adorable. Sunny is a young teen in the 1970s (so, my little sister's generation) and she likes to read paperback romance novels. She often reimagines life in the format of 1970s Harlequin ("Harrowgate") romances: her little brother Teddy with a cookie, entitled TEDDY LEWIN -- My Sweet Love, MYRTLE & GRAMPS -- Dancing Shoes, and a whole series with her good friend show more Tony. During the course of the book, Sunny and Tony are doing things together but Sunny's best friend doesn't think they're doing things right. Tony plays hockey! He should give Sunny his jacket! He should carry her books! They should skate romantically when it's couples skate time at Skateland, instead of going off to play pinball! And Sunny should never ever call Tony, because that's for the boy to do! Sunny and Tony gradually learn to define friendship and boy/girlfriendship in their own terms. It's hilarious what they get up to in the "kissing closet" they're pushed into at the Valentine party. When they find a light cord it turns out to be a pantry closet and the homemade jam is delicious. "How was it?" asks their teenage hostess. "Pretty sweet!" says Sunny. Meantime her mom is also learning there's more than one way to be a good mom. She finds satisfaction in earning money and taking on more responsibility at a gift shop; she doesn't have to make 60 cupcakes for the class party.

The historical notes in this book are also adorable, hilarious, and well illustrated. It covers things kids now would be confused or intrigued by. NOTES! "No cell phones in the 1970s"! "Teachers hated them!" "Folded up like origami!". PHONES! "Sometimes attached to a wall!" OLD-SCHOOL TV! "Only three TV networks--ABC, NBC, CBS!" They left out the part about the TV stations playing the national anthem and shutting down at midnight, but maybe that only happened in places where the networks were CBC and CTV, plus Detroit or Buffalo if you were lucky. Anyway I just love this book, and I hope the rest of the series is as good as this one. show less

Y'all know I love my Babymouse and this might be my favorite in the series so far. The school's putting on a musical and when dreamy British newcomer Henry encourages Babymouse to try out she can't help but show up at auditions. When she's given the part of Felicia's understudy, Babymouse is sure she'll never get on stage. With tons of musical references (from Phantom to West Side Story to Evita to Fiddler and more!), this is a surefire hit with any fan of musicals. But will kids get all the show more references? Even if they don't, Babymouse's theatrical debut is a definite crowd-pleaser. show less

Why didn't this book exist when I was 12? For this generation, it could be as significant as a Judy Blume novel. It's the story of Sunny, sent to spend the summer in Florida with her grandfather because her older brother is dealing with drug and alcohol issues. She's an endearing girl who thinks deep thoughts and makes friends of all ages as a fish out of water in a retirement community. I am going to buy it for my middle school age nephew - it is THAT universal. Wish me luck!