Julia Gillian (And the Dream of the Dog) - Hardcover

Alison McGhee is the author of numerous award-winning books for young readers and adults, including the New York Times bestseller, Someday, illustrated by Peter Reynolds. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her family. You can visit her at www.alisonmcghee.com.

Drazen Kojzan is the illustrator of several books for children, including Diary of a Fairy Godmother by Esmé Raji Codell, and How to Tame a Bully by Nancy Wilcox Richards. He lives in Ontario, Canada with his family. You can visit him at www.drazenkozjan.com.

Gr 4-6–In this third book in the series, Julia starts sixth grade. Referred to as “Sixlets,” the new middle schoolers live in fear of the “Crazy Eights,” two years their senior. Julia's teacher, Mr. Lamonte, says, “You are now middle schoolers.... Controlling for variables will help you manage your many new responsibilities. Let's all try to rise to the occasion, shall we?” Julia takes his “controlling for variables” suggestion to heart, even finding ways to avoid the scary third-floor bathroom where the eighth graders hang out. But, from her aging dog to her sullen, third-grade reading buddy to a (seemingly) hostile “Crazy Eight” nemesis, Julia soon learns that some things can't be controlled, no matter how hard you try. A classroom and family story told with an engaging rhythm and quiet humor, this novel has an urban setting and a cast of interesting personalities. Fairly large print, lots of conversation, and numerous cartoon drawings make it so accessible that even Julia's book-hating Reading Buddy could find it appealing. Fans of the series will certainly want to read this, but it's also a winner on its own.Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
© Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.