Told entirely in full-color illustrations, this cross between a scrapbook and a graphic novel uses notes, class assignments, shopping lists, bills, instant messages, and many other items to show the highlights of Ginny Davsis' eighth grade year. She begins with a new house and a new list of things to do, including trying out for cheer, saving money, and teaching her grandfather how to use e-mail. But she could never have anticipated the difficulties she had ahead of her, from her stepfather losing his job to her mother having a new baby.
This is a surprisingly touching and fun insight into one girls' middle school life. The colorful, collage-like pictures contain many details, and the plot takes a fair number of twists and turns. The format does make it difficult to become fully invested in Ginny and the other characters, but Holm does an admirable job, and the unique presentation should be appealing to many students. This is a follow-up to Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf, but stands alone fairly well.
MS -- ADVISABLE. Reviewed by: Caryn
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