Sugar Shack
(Peapod Farm)

Understated and full of heart.

In the third installment of the "Peapod Farm" series, Jen is beginning to feel more at home in the country. She's learned to live with her difficult stepfather, Walter, and has grown close to her stepsisters, Andy and Reese. When the three are together, it feels like having real sisters-until Jen calls Reese her sister, and Andy corrects her: "She's MY sister, really." The moment leaves Jen questioning where she truly belongs. As the girls navigate the ups and downs of blended family life, they're also busy carving out their own paths. Andy prepares for her bat mitzvah, Jen joins 4-H and makes new friends, and Reese finds joy in cooking. This warm, character-driven story captures the complexities of growing up, including figuring out friendships, going to dances, and finding one's place in the world. Jen continues to clash with Walter, who among other things wishes she dressed more like a "typical girl," but she finds comfort in comics and drawing, even as the future feels uncertain. The artwork is bright and expressive, matching the tone of the previous books. Jen and her family are white. VERDICT An earnest, relatable addition to the series that is perfect for middle grade readers.

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