Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Kroscozka

This complex graphic memoir tells the story of Krosoczka’s childhood, up to his high school graduation. The author was raised mostly by his grandparents, due to his mother’s heroin addiction. He doesn’t flinch away from the darker details, but paints a courageous picture of both the difficulties and the warmth of the family surrounding him. Recommended for teens and adults, but not for Krosoczka’s younger fans!

(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)

Skyward by Brandon Sanderson

Spensa has dreamed of being a fighter pilot like her father ever since she can remember. Unfortunately, her father fled from a pivotal battle and was shot down by his own squadron and branded a coward, so the likelihood of her being allowed to attend flight school, much less pilot a spacecraft, seems pretty low. Spensa knows that her father was a hero, not a coward -- and she also knows that she could be the best pilot on the planet if they would just let her. Can her sheer determination to find a way or make one get her where she wants to go?

This is a fast, gripping read. I never liked Spensa much, but in spite of that, I found myself wanting her to succeed. (And many of the secondary characters were a lot of fun.) The plotting is all you might expect from Sanderson, with twists and turns galore. Improbable points in the worldbuilding turn out to fit perfectly within the book's internal logic later on, and the book is wrapped up satisfactorily, though the promised sequel can't come soon enough. If you enjoy sci-fi, or Sanderson's other books, don't miss this one.

(Reviewed from an advance copy, courtesy of the publisher.)

The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden by Karina Ya Glaser

It's summer, and the Vanderbeeker siblings have no intention of taking on a gardening project, as Miss Josie and Mr. Jeet encourage them to do. But when a sudden health problem besets Mr. Jeet, they have a change of heart. They ask the distracted minister of the church they attend if they can create a garden in a overgrown lot, and he doesn't actually say no, so they charge ahead with their plan. But many challenges beset them -- and even if they manage to complete the project, will Mr. Jeet be well enough to enjoy it?

Another charming Vanderbeeker story! Of course, as I'm a big fan of The Secret Garden, to which this book obviously owes a debt, my fondness for it may not come as a surprise. I thought some of the gardening elements may have been a little bit simplified and smoothed out for the intrepid Vanderbeekers, but it's a sweet book, bubbling over with goodwill and enthusiasm, much like its young protagonists. Recommended if you liked the first book, or if you enjoy middle grade realistic fiction with a wholesome vibe.

(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)

You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P.! by Alex Gino

Jilly P thinks she knows a few things about interacting with people who are Black and Deaf -- she has Black family members, and a Black, Deaf online friend. But when her baby sister is born deaf, she finds she still has a lot to learn about that, and about other things happening in the world as well.

This was a good, quick read, with great characters. It's didactic in spots, but the author's note makes it clear that it was written with didactic intent. I thought it was interesting that Jilly and her friend never had to face up to the low-level bullying that they were doing in their chat room, but maybe that's a topic for another book -- after all, everybody in this world still has things to learn.

(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)