Waiting on Wednesday: Huda F Would Love You? by Huda Fahmy

I attended a Penguin Young Readers preview of fall releases yesterday and they have lots of great books in the pipeline! 

Image: Penguin Random House

Waiting on Wednesday features Huda F Would Love You? by Huda Fahmy. 256 p. Dial Books/ Penguin Young Readers, October 26, 2026. 9780593855669.

I have loved Huda F ever since her first book, Huda F are You? hit the shelves back in 2021. I retired in January of 2025, so I missed the third Huda F book, which was published in April of 2025. I will remedy that tomorrow. Her first two books were quite popular with my seventh and eighth graders.

Here's the publisher synopsis: In this funny and tender finale to the Huda F series, Huda has a plan to find love—but she might need to find herself first!

It’s the summer after Huda’s high school graduation, and love is in the air! Or it’s about to be, anyway. Because Huda has the ingredients for a perfect love story: a butt-kicking girl power squad of new friends, and a plan to woo all the aunties into setting her up with their eligible sons. But when she finds herself caught between her friends and her heart, gender roles and ambitions, and her fears and dreams, Huda begins to realize that finding her own “happily ever after” might require changing herself—or her expectations.

Waiting on Wednesday: Huda F. Wants to Know by Huda Fahmy

Image: Penguin Random House

Huda F. Wants to Know by Huda Fahmy. 224 p. Penguin Young Readers, April 1, 2025. 9780593855614.

Waiting on Wednesday features Huda F. Wants to Know by Huda Fahmy. This is the third Huda F. graphic novel based on the author's experience growing up in Michigan, and I can't wait. 

Here's the publisher synopsis:In the hilarious and poignant follow-up to National Book Award Finalist Huda F Cares?, Huda's life and worldview is turned upside down when her parents announce they're divorcing.

Huda Fahmy is ready for junior year. She’s got a plan to join all the clubs, volunteer everywhere, ace the ACTs, write the most awe-inspiring essay for her scholarship applications. Easy.

But then Mama and Baba announce the most unthinkable news: they’re getting a divorce.

Huda is devastated. She worries about what this will mean for her family, their place in the Muslim community, and her future. Her grades start tanking, she has a big fight with her best friend, and everything feels out of control. Will her life ever feel normal again? Huda F wants to know.

Middle Grade Monday: Things in the Basement by Ben Hatke

Image: Macmillan

Things in the Basement by Ben Hatke. 240 p. First Second/ Macmillan, August, 2023. 9781250909541. Review of finished, purchased copy.

Middle Grade Monday features Things in the Basement by Ben Hatke. Milo has just moved to a new house and is bored and lonely. There are boxes everywhere, no friends and his mother's time and attention is monopolized by his twin baby sisters. When his mom asks him to find his sister's favorite sock in the basement, the simple trip downstairs turns into an odyssey, because a rat has stolen the sock and retreated into the dark recesses of the basement. Stalwart Milo follows, and follows and follows this rat into deeper and more mysterious sections of the basement. Will he ever return? 

The art in this evocative tale is truly mind-blowing; subtle, sinister, and yet, occasionally oddly soothing. Read it through for the story, but reread it for the art! TMS students love Mr. Hatke's Mighty Jack and Zita stories. This is totally different style-wise. I hope his many fans love Things in the Basement as much as I. Highly recommend! Happy reading and happy snowy day! It's a gorgeous day here in northeastern NJ. 

#tbt: Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Image: Scholastic

Smile by Raina Telgemeier. 213 p. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc., 2010.

#tbt features Smile by Raina Telgemeier. Smile, indeed all of Ms. Telgemeier's books are in high-demand at TMS. Smile is the memoir of Ms. Telgemeier's tween years, when an unfortunate fall caused tremendous damage to her teeth and resulted in dental work which impacted her socially and psychologically. 

Young readers respond to Ms. Telgemeier's humor, bold palette and dynamic panelling. Young Raina's situation is totally relatable. 

Smile was Ms. Telgemeier's Scholastic debut and won an Eisner Award as well as mentions in "Best Books" lists from YALSA and the Notable Books committee. It was also named a Boston Globe/ Horn Book Nonfiction Honor title. 

Middle Grade Monday: Sunny Makes Her Case by Jennifer L. Holm

Image: Scholastic Inc.

Sunny Makes Her Case by Jennifer L. Holm and illustrated by Matthew Holm. 224 p. Sunny Book 5. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc., February, 2024. 9781338792447. Review of finished copy borrowed from public library. 

Happy penultimate Monday of summer break! I hope to make the best of the remaining days. Middle Grade Monday features Sunny Makes Her Case by Jennifer L. Holm and illustrated by Matthew Holm. This is the fifth book in the Sunny series, which is loosely based on Ms. Holm's childhood. This graphic novel series is enormously popular at TMS. Sunny is settling into middle school, sort of. While her classmates have extracurricular activities, such as cheering, Sunny hasn't yet found hers. Then, her friend Arun talks her into starting a debate club.Sunny likes arguing, so she and Arun find an advisor. At first, it's just the two of them, and then, Sunny learns there's a lot more to debate than just arguing!

The artwork, by Matthew Holm, continues to shine. Bright colors and dynamic panels move the story along. Of course, Sunny in all her relatability continues to charm. Must purchase!

Happy reading!

Middle Grade Monday: The Night Librarian by Christopher Lincoln

Image: Penguin Random House

The Night Librarian by Christopher Lincoln. 256 p. Dial Books for Young Readers/ Penguin Young Readers, July 30, 2024. 9780593617663. Review of arc courtesy of publisher.

Happy Monday! The temps continue to sizzle her in northern NJ, but not as bad as some locales in the U.S.! Middle Grade Monday features The Night Librarian by Christopher Lincoln. Twins Page and Turner Reed love the New York Public Library and reading better than anything in their home town of New York City. It's a good thing they are pragmatic and self-sufficient because their parents are usually traveling for business and their nanny often leaves them alone. Page decides to smuggle their dad's first edition of Bram Stoker's novel, Dracula out of the apartment in order to get the book appraised by one of the librarians. Unfortunately, it goes missing! Their father will not be happy if they don't get it back. The two enlist the aid of Ms. Literati, the Night Librarian, who's tasked with managing and containing the mysterious vandalism that is happening at the library almost nightly.

This pun filled debut graphic novel has something for every reader. It's action-packed and fast-paced featuring the relatable to the fantastic; from sibling rivalry to villains who are breaking free from their books to wreak havoc.

I read an arc (advance reader copy), so most of the art was unfinished. Sample finished pages featured hues of blue and varied panel placement that engages. This should appeal to a wide range of readers. It's out on July 30 and on my book order for my school's library. I can't wait to reread the finished book. Happy reading!

Middle Grade Monday: Duel by Jessixa Bagley and illustrated by Aaron Bagley.

Image: Simon & Schuster

Duel by Jessixa Bagley and illustrated by Aaron Bagley. 320 p. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, November, 2023. 9781534496545. (Review of finished, purchased copy.) 

Happy Monday! It is the final Monday of the 2023- 2024 school year and we have a heat wave this week in the northeast. Middle Grade Monday features Duel by Jessixa Bagley and illustrated by Aaron Bagley. 

Siblings fight, but sisters, Gigi and Lucy's bickering is next-level and about to get worse. Gigi is a popular eighth grader. She's also a good student and star fencer. In fact, she will probably be named captain this year. Lucy is entering sixth grade and terrified of not fitting in and being as good as her sister. When Gigi humiliates Lucy in the cafeteria on the very first day of school in front of the entire school, she grabs Gigi's foil from her fencing bag and challenges her to a duel. Both girls end up in the principal's office and their over-worked, stressed out mother manages to talk the principal out of suspending them, but she's done. Now that the gauntlet has been thrown on multiple levels, Gigi and Lucy are committed to their duel and the entire school is taking sides and bets.

This sibling rivalry story is unique. Each chapter opens with a page from a fencing guidebook, the significance of which, I will not spoil. The full-color art is expressive, with flashback action presented in blue tones for contrast. This graphic novel will have wide appeal. I loved it. Stay cool and happy reading!

Middle Grade Monday: Break by Kayla Miller

Image: HarperCollins Publishers.

Break by Kayla Miller. Click series #6. 224 p. Clarion Books/ HarperCollins Publishers, January, 2024. 9780358414229. Review of finished copy borrowed from public library.

Well, Readers, it has been another minute since I posted, and I am sorry. I have been in a bit of a reading slump. Reading slumps can stem from a variety of reasons. Sometimes, you just can't find the right book. Sometimes, you're just too busy doing other things. And sometimes, like me, it is health issues that affect your ability for focus. Whatever the case, it's important to be kind to yourself. You will find your next favorite book.

Middle Grade Monday features Break by Kayla Miller. This is the sixth book in the popular "Click" series. While Break can be read as a stand-alone, fans of the series have been following Olive's growth and will appreciate what she has accomplished here.

Olive is looking forward to spending her spring break doing all kinds of activities with her friends, from binging movies to marathon sleepovers. All of her plans are dashed when she learns that she and her brother, Goober will be spending break in the city with her dad, who recently moved back from New Zealand. Olive has not yet forgiven her dad for leaving the family and moving halfway across the world, so her feelings are complicated. Goober, of course, is all-in.

As in all of Ms. Miller's graphic novels, she creates relateable characters with relateable problems. The palette is muted yet colorful and there's an energy about the art that keeps readers engaged. Utterly charming.

Middle Grade Monday: Picture Day by Sarah Sax

Image: Penguin Random House

Picture Day by Sarah Sax. Brinkley Yearbooks #1. 288 p. Knopf Books for Young Readers, June, 2023.  9780593306888. Review of finished purchased copy.

Another late posting, sorry. Middle Grade Monday features Picture Day by Sarah Sax. Seventh grader, Viv is dreading picture day and having to wear a mom-approved outfit and hair style. She's also an aspiring influencer, and so, she chops off her hair, dyes it blue and makes a statement with her outfit. This gains her fans who also hope to be their true selves, but Viv gets a little carried away with Internet fame and her crazy ideas. This almost costs her her friendships with her long-term bffs.

The pleasing palatte, uncomplicated panels and diverse range of characters are sure to appeal to fans of Telegemeier, Miller, and Chmakova. Picture Day is a series starter and I'm looking forward to reading more from Sarah Sax.

Middle Grade Monday: Buzzing written by Samuel Sattin and illustrated by Rye Hickman.

Image: Hachette Book Group

Buzzing written by Samuel Sattin and illustrated by Rye Hickman. 224 p. Little Brown, Ink/ Hachette Book Group, July, 2023. 9780316628419. (Review of finished purchased copy.) 

Middle Grade Monday features Buzzing written by Samuel Sattin and illustrated by Rye Hickman. Middle school student, Isaac has been recently diagnosed with OCD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and is seeing a therapist to try and control his impulses, such as ear tugging and negative self-talk. His thoughts constantly buzz, distracting him from school work. He takes refuge in his art and when a classmate notices how well he draws, they invite him to join their RPG, but his helicopter mother worries that fantasy games will worsen his OCD. Meanwhile, his sister feels ignored and resentful of all the attention Isaac gets.

The art reflects Isaac's outlook. The personified bees are bright yellow. School and home life are in blues and greys, but his happy times, such as when he's with his diverse group of friends are colorful. This is a relatable depiction of a mental illness that might be difficult for young people to understand. I know my students will love it. It's a terrific addition to your graphic novel collection.

Waiting on Wednesday: Waverider by Kazu Kibuishi

Image: Scholastic Inc.

Waverider by Kazu Kibuishi. 256 p. Amulet $9. Graphix/ Scholastic, February 6, 2024. 9780545828659.

Waiting on Wednesday features Waverider by Kazu Kibuishi. Amulet fans rejoice! The long-awaited ninth volume in this beloved series has a publication date! It's not until February 6 of 2024, but yay!

Publisher synopsis: After her confrontation with Ikol, Emily finally understands the stone's power and what she must do to defend Alledia from the shadows. As she travels to Typhon to help her mom and Navin, Prince Trellis returns to the Kingdom of the Elves to save his countrymen — and confront the fraud who has seized power in the absence of a king. The threat of darkness follows all Stonekeepers closely, and it will take the strength of both new friends and old foes to conquer it... and survive.

Middle Grade Monday: Captain America: the Ghost Army (Original Graphic Novel) by Alan Gratz.

Image: Scholastic Inc.

Captain America: the Ghost Army (Original Graphic Novel) by Alan Gratz. Illustrated by Brent Schoonover. 176 p. Scholastic/ Graphix, January, 2023. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

Happy Monday! I hope you enjoyed your weekend. We had torrential rain on Saturday and partial sunshine on Sunday. I was able to close my move ring despite the rain and crushed it on Sunday with almost twelve miles! Mowing my lawn needs about 1.5 miles of steps! The rest was walks with the Boo bear.

Middle Grade Monday features Captain America: the Ghost Army (Original Graphic Novel) by Alan Gratz. Mr. Gratz's many fans at TMS will be happy to know that he has written a graphic novel! It's historical fiction, of course. It's World War II and Capt. America and his feisty sidekick Bucky are in the fictional country of Transia on the eastern front. They're sent to help the British hold their position, but are struggling because they're outnumbered. Just in time, they hear the rumble of artillary, which sends the Nazi's running. It turns out, their saviors are just a few soldiers driving Jeeps, led by a Japanese-American soldier named Jim Morita. Morita's "Ghost Army" has been an effective tool, but little do they know that they will be facing an army of real ghosts that are immune to Capt. America's shield.

I am totally ignorant of the Marvel Universe myself and cannot comment about canon, but this was an engaging read. There's historical meat embedded in a quick-paced action adventure whose ending promises more to come. The art zings. 

Captain America: the Ghost Army belongs in all kinds of libraries. 

Middle Grade Monday: School Trip by Jerry Craft

Image: HarperCollins Publishers

School Trip by Jerry Craft. 256 p. Quill Tree Books/ HarperCollins Publishers, April, 2023. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

Oops! Forgot to post this yesterday! Happy Monday! What an awful, rainy weekend! Driving in the rain is just the pits and I had to drive to and from Massachusetts this  weekend! Thank goodness it was for a happy event and I had an excellent audiobook (tune in on Tuesday). 

Since TMS is winding down class trip season, now seems to be a good day to feature School Trip by Jerry Craft for Middle Grade Monday. Jordan is finishing eighth grade at Riverdale Middle School. He's excited for his upcoming school trip to Paris. He and his friends have plans to room together and roam the City of Lights. They don't count on their fave teachers not being able to make the trip nor are they happy that Andy will be a roommate. When Jordan receives an acceptance letter to his dream art school, he surprised that his joy is tempered with worry.

This third installment in the New Kid series is just as insightful, hilarious and endearing as the two previous books, the Newbery-winning, New Kid and Class Act. Happy reading and happy May Day!

Middle Grade Monday: Leon the Extraordinary by Jamar Nicholas

Image: Scholastic Inc.

Leon the Extraordinary by Jamar Nicholas and illustrated by Bonaia Rosado. 272 p. Extraordinary Leon #1. Graphix/ Scholastic, October, 2022. 9781338744163. (Review of finished copy borrowed from public library.)

Happy Monday! I am back to school after a week-long February break. It wasn't as productive as I wanted, but I got some of the chores done, attended a yoga class each day and took Boo for plenty of walks. The big news at school this morning is the anticipated snow day. Apparently, our area is bracing for six to eight inches! We'll see.

Middle Grade Monday features Leon the Extraordinary by Jamar Nicholas and illustrated by Bonaia Rosado. Middle school student Leon doesn't have two things he desires - a cell phone and superpowers. He lives in a city where superheroes and villains coexist and where all of his classmates have cell phones. He lives in an apartment with his single mom, who is a nurse and his best friend lives one floor down. Leon has fashioned a green super hero outfit complete with cape and a utility belt despite being teased as a loser by his ex-friend Clementine, who is a shape-shifter and heads the hall monitor squad. Leon is an upstander, one who is quick to defend his classmates against bullies. After Clementine humiliates Leon at her birthday party, her parents ground her and take away the cell phone she was to receive as a present. The following day at school, Leon notices that all the kids seem glued to their phones in a zombie-like state except for Clementine and him. He reluctantly teams up with her to get to the bottom of the zombie apocalypse.

The action is brisk in this brightly painted graphic novel and series beginner. There's plenty of humor as well as realistic school drama from weird lunches to weird classmates. Leon the Extraordinary is Mr. Nicholas' debut. I'm looking forward to being entertained in the next installment. 

Waiting on Wednesday: Odin by George O'Connor

Image: Macmillan

Odin by George O'Connor. Asgardians #1. 96 p. First Second/ Macmillan, November 14, 2023. 9781250760760.

Happy Wednesday! Waiting on Wednesday features some good news for my student fans of George O'Connor's graphic novel series, "The Olympians." It seems he has turned his talents to retelling Norse mythology. Odin is set to release on November 14, 2023!

Here's the publisher synopsis: Welcome to the Nine Worlds, home of Gods, Valkyries, Dwarves, Jotnar, and more! Travel the burning rainbow bridge to Asgard where Odin, king of the Aesir, surveys his realm. His thirst for knowledge drives him ever onward, but nothing is learned without sacrifice...

In Asgardians, George O’Connor’s highly kinetic illustrations bring these gritty and astonishing tales of war, betrayal, and the quest for enlightenment at any cost to vivid and startling life and provide the perfect companion to his Olympians series.

Middle Grade Monday: Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas

Image: HarperCollins Publishers

Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas. 240 p. HarperAlley/ HarperCollins Publishers, May, 2022. 9780063056763.

Happy Monday! Our students have off for the MLK weekend, but we teachers have PD. Middle Grade Monday features Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas.  Middle schooler Bree isn't too upset to move from Brooklyn to Florida with her single-parent dad. He has been offered a better job. She's even looking forward to starting a new school, hoping to get into an interesting math elective. When all the electives she wants are full and the only one that's available is Swim 101, she freaks. Bree has never learned to swim and she's afraid of the water. So she finds ways to cut the class until her father is notified. After a near-drowning incident at her apartment complex, an older neighbor, Etta, agrees to coach Bree. Bree is filled with anxiety and self-doubt and these thoughts appear in blobby gray thought bubbles that crowd the otherwise vibrant and sunny panel art. This graphic novel educates as well as entertains. Readers will root for Bree.

Swim Team is the author/ illustrator's middle grade debut. It was long listed for the National Book Award, was a Kirkus Best Book and also won a Harvey Award. It won't sit long on the shelf. Highly recommended!

Middle Grade Monday: My Aunt is a Monster by Reimena Yee.

Image: Penguin Random House

Happy last-Monday-before-break! Middle Grade Monday features My Aunt is a Monster by Reimena Yee. Eleven-year-old Safia is blind, but that is not an obstacle to much. She's well cared for by loving parents who own a bookstore and read her wonderful tales. When they die tragically in a fire, Safia is sent to an orphanage. Then, a distant relative is found. An aunt named Whimsy lives in an allegedly haunted house that no one goes near with Nanny. Safia isn't lonely though. Aunt Whimsy was an adventurer who had to go into hiding when she was "disfigured" in an accident. Safia can't see that her aunt really is a monster. Her tales of adventuring and her ghostly friend in the garden are enough to keep Safia happy, though she longs for a real adventure.

This was a fun, fast-paced graphic novel for readers who like quirky adventure.

Waiting on Wednesday: Nick & Charlie by Alice Oseman

Image: Scholastic Inc.

Nick & Charlie by Alice Oseman. 176 p. Heartstopper series. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc., January 3, 2023. 9781338885101.

Waiting on Wednesday features Nick & Charlie by Alice Oseman. The Heartstopper series is quite popular at my school, so I'm sure this news will thrill my students!

Publisher synopsis: Absence makes the heart grow fonder... right?

Everyone knows that Nick and Charlie love their nearly inseparable life together. But soon Nick will be leaving for university, and Charlie, a year younger, will be left behind. Everyone's asking if they're staying together, which is a stupid question... or at least that's what Nick and Charlie assume at first.

As the time to say goodbye gets inevitably closer, both Nick and Charlie start to question whether their love is strong enough to survive being apart. Charlie is sure he's holding Nick back... and Nick can't tell what Charlie's thinking.

Things spiral from there.

Everyone knows that first loves rarely last forever. What will it take for Nick and Charlie to defy the odds?

Middle Grade Monday: Smaller Sister by Maggie Edkins Willis

Image: Macmillan

Smaller Sister by Maggie Edkins Willis. 320 p. Roaring Brook Press/ Macmillan, June, 2022. 9781250767424. (Review of finished copy borrowed from public library.)

Happy Monday! We are just about halfway through August, and you know what that means! I saw a meme somewhere that stated for teachers, August is Sunday. Haha, so true. My mind is already back in school. I still plan on filling each day I have left though. What kind of fun do you have planned?

Middle Grade Monday features Smaller Sister by Maggie Edkins Willis. Olivia is only 20 months older than her little sister, Lucy. The two are very close even though they are opposites. All this changes when Livy starts middle school. Suddenly, she's moody and secretive and losing a lot of weight. Eventually, Lucy's parents realize that Livy has an eating disorder. Lucy gets lost in the shuffle, counted on to be reliable and to make good choices. 

This semi-autobiographical graphic novel is the author's debut. The art style is appealing. The sisters' relationship is authentic. An author's note at the end includes resources for further reading. Fans of Raina Telgemeier will enjoy this heartfelt story. I'm happy to add it to my school library collection.

Waiting on Wednesday: Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega

Image: Macmillan

Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega, with art by Rose Bousamra. 224 p. First Second/ Macmillan, October 18, 2022. 9781250259639.

Happy Wednesday! Well, it wasn't as beastly hot when I took the hounds out for their early morning walk! Phew! It has been hot. Waiting on Wednesday features Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega, with art by Rose Bousamra. I learned about this graphic novel when author Varian Johnson posted about how much he liked it to his social media feeds. Frizzy releases October 18, and it's in my book order for our library. I can't wait.

Publisher synopsis: A middle grade graphic novel about Marlene, a young girl who stops straightening her hair and embraces her natural curls.

Marlene loves three things: books, her cool Tía Ruby and hanging out with her best friend Camila. But according to her mother, Paola, the only thing she needs to focus on is school and "growing up." That means straightening her hair every weekend so she could have "presentable", "good hair".

But Marlene hates being in the salon and doesn't understand why her curls are not considered pretty by those around her. With a few hiccups, a dash of embarrassment, and the much-needed help of Camila and Tia Ruby—she slowly starts a journey to learn to appreciate and proudly wear her curly hair.