How to Outrun a Crocodile When Your Shoes Are Untied (My Life Is a Zoo #1)

Gr 4-7--Ana and her best friend, Livia, always celebrate their half-birthdays together. Every year, they make the exact same wish at the exact same time as they each bite into cupcakes. Typically, this is easy to do, but Livia recently moved from Denver to New Zealand. When Livia doesn't answer her video chat and Ana's obnoxious twin brother, Daz, finishes her cupcake before she could make her wish, Ana is left facing the bullying Sneerers, unrequited crushes, and potential unwanted fame alone. This is a serviceable middle-grade novel featuring an authentic protagonist and well-paced humor. Beginning each chapter with an animal fact (and Ana's sarcastic responses) feels natural to the narative, but the "Creature File" animal descriptions of human characters don't feel fully thought out and are too sporadic to add interest. Ana's relationships with her parents and grandfather are a perfect blend of respect and frustration, while her lack of self-confidence will resonate with readers. While Keating doesn't tread any new ground, there is a lot to like throughout, especially about Ana. Recommended for fans of Coco Simon's "Cupcake Diaries" and Stuart Gibbs's "FunJungle" series (both S. & S.).--Amanda Augsburger, Moline Public Library, IL

Wry, honest seventh-grader Ana tries to make sense of the middle-school feeding tank while grappling with her best friend's move to New Zealand, the school "Sneerers" clique, and her longtime crush. Then there's Ana's family: her annoying twin brother, whose best friend is suddenly looking kind of cute; her zookeeper parents; and her celebrity naturalist grandfather, who just showed up to make a movie showcasing the whole family. Ana wants to shake her paralyzing fear of public speaking so she can do a presentation at the zoo and also nail an art project meant to express her identity, but she's not sure she has it in her. Readers should find it easy to become invested in Ana's troubles as she looks for the right boy, seeks her moment of glory, and defines herself on her own terms. Keating, a zoologist, enriches her debut novel with fascinating animal facts, awkward moments with a variety of wild species, and "creature files" Ana use to amusingly classify her peers. Ages 9-12. Agent: Kathleen Rushall, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. (June)