Post-It Note Reviews: Gothic tropes, post-apocalyptic friendship, small town Minnesota, and more!

Post-it Note Reviews are a great way to display books in your library or classroom, a way to let kids recommend their favorite titles without having to get up in front of everyone and do a book talk, and an easy way to offer a more personal recommendation than just the flap copy offers.

I only have a few more days of school left until summer vacation, during which time I hope to read as much of my TBR stack as possible and write some longer, more thoughtful reviews. But, honestly, with the constant stream of book mail that shows up and books I seek out on my own, my pile only grows taller, seemingly never shorter, and quick post-it note reviews allow me to say a little something and then move on. It’s been almost 20 years since I was in graduate school (gulp—time is weird!), but I think all this time later I still read like I’m in school—in other words, as fast as humanly possible so I can move on to the next thing. A former boss watched me whip through books and told me, “Don’t bolt your food,” which I think of often. I try to slow down. And, sometimes, a book will be so good that it forces me to slow down and savor it. But… I bolt. Read fast, quick review, next, please. It’s just how I work.

All descriptions from the publishers. Transcriptions of the Post-It notes are below each description. Reading those is your best bet—carpal tunnel has made my handwriting mostly a disaster.

The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor by Shaenon K. Garrity, Christopher Baldwin (Illustrator) (ISBN-13: 9781534460867 Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books Publication date: 07/20/2021, Ages 12-18)

Nimona meets Paper Girls with a literary twist in this wickedly funny graphic novel about a teenager who is swept up in a strange new universe and must save it from an all-consuming evil in order to return home.

One dark and stormy night, Haley sees a stranger drowning in the river. Since her greatest passion is Gothic romance novels, she knows her moment has come. But when Haley leaps into the water to rescue the stranger, she awakens in Willowweep. It certainly looks like the setting of one of her favorite books: A stately manor. A sinister housekeeper. Three brooding brothers. There’s even a ghost.

Except Willowweep is not what it seems. Its romantic exterior hides the workings of a pocket universe—the only protection our world has against a great force of penultimate evil, and its defenses are crumbling. Could cruel fate make Haley the heroine that Willowweep needs?

(POST-IT SAYS: Completely enjoyable! Haley has the best time living temporarily in a pocket universe filled with gothic tropes. Really amusing writing and please oh please give me more from this illustrator.)

Your Pal Fred by Michael Rex (ISBN-13: 9780593206331 Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group Publication date: 05/31/2022, Ages 7-10)

From the creator of Fangbone! and Goodnight Goon comes a zany and hilarious graphic novel that shines a light on the humanity inside all of us—even if you’re a robot. Perfect for fans of Catstronauts and Hilo!

He’s a super-nice kid in an ultra-mean world.
He believes even the worst people are good inside.
He’ll always be there for you… even if you boot him out of your castle, pit him against a mechanical giant, put him on top of a pole in a lightning storm, and trap him in a booming dance party that lasts all night long.
He’s Your Pal Fred.

In a brutal world far in the future where only the savage survive, a life-size toy suddenly activates. Fred was built to be a best buddy, and his relentless kindness never fades, even when everyone else is rude. Determined to make the world a better place, he has the bright idea to talk the two most powerful and battle-hungry warlords, Lord Bonkers and Papa Mayhem, into being friends. It’s a mission doomed to fail, unless Fred can find a way to inspire everyone to play nice!

(POST-IT SAYS: Oh, sweet robot Fred, you adorable kindness and friendship machine! Life after an apocalypse has never had so much cheer and optimism. Funny and full of heart. Now dispense a sticker for me!)

Great or Nothing by Joy McCullough, Caroline Tung Richmond, Tess Sharpe, Jessica Spotswood (ISBN-13: 9780593372593 Publisher: Random House Children’s Books Publication date: 03/08/2022, Ages 12-17)

A reimagining of Little Women set in 1942, when the United States is suddenly embroiled in the second World War, this story, told from each March sister’s point of view, is one of grief, love, and self-discovery.

In the fall of 1942, the United States is still reeling from the attack on Pearl Harbor. While the US starts sending troops to the front, the March family of Concord, Massachusetts grieves their own enormous loss: the death of their daughter, Beth.

Under the strain of their grief, Beth’s remaining sisters fracture, each going their own way with Jo nursing her wounds and building planes in Connecticut, Meg holding down the home front with Marmee, and Amy living a secret life as a Red Cross volunteer in London—the same city where one Mr. Theodore Laurence is stationed as an army pilot.

Each March sister’s point of view is written by a separate author, three in prose and Beth’s in verse, still holding the family together from beyond the grave. Woven together, these threads tell a story of finding one’s way in a world undergoing catastrophic change.

(POST-IT SAYS: I loved this. Each author takes us deep into the character’s thoughts and feelings and I was riveted by every word. Beth’s words, in verse and from beyond the grave, drove home the love and lessons the March girls grapple with.)

Maizy Chen’s Last Chance by Lisa Yee (ISBN-13: 9781984830258 Publisher: Random House Children’s Books Publication date: 02/01/2022, Ages 8-12)

Packed with surprises, heart, and stories within stories, this irresistible novel from an award-winning author celebrates food, fortune, and family.

Welcome to the Golden Palace!

Maizy has never been to Last Chance, Minnesota . . . until now. Her mom’s plan is just to stay for a couple weeks, until her grandfather gets better. But plans change, and as Maizy spends more time in Last Chance (where she and her family are the only Asian Americans) and at the Golden Palace—the restaurant that’s been in her family for generations—she makes some discoveries. For instance:
• You can tell a LOT about someone by the way they order food.
• And people can surprise you. Sometimes in good ways, sometimes in disappointing ways.
• And the Golden Palace has secrets.

But the more Maizy discovers, the more questions she has. Like, why are her mom and her grandmother always fighting? Who are the people in the photographs on the office wall? And when she discovers that a beloved family treasure has gone missing—and someone has left a racist note—Maizy decides it’s time to find the answers.

(POST-IT SAYS: One of the best books I’ve read lately. I cried repeatedly. I loved all of it, but especially the parts about Lucky and the paper sons. So full of heart. And now I need some cream cheese wontons.)

Different Kinds of Fruit by Kyle Lukoff (ISBN-13: 9780593111185 Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group Publication date: 04/12/2022, Ages 10-14)

In this funny and hugely heartfelt novel from the Newbery Honor-winning author of Too Bright to See, a sixth-grader’s life is turned upside down when she learns her dad is trans

Annabelle Blake fully expects this school year to be the same as every other: same teachers, same classmates, same, same, same. So she’s elated to discover there’s a new kid in town. To Annabelle, Bailey is a breath of fresh air. She loves hearing about their life in Seattle, meeting their loquacious (and kinda corny) parents, and hanging out at their massive house. And it doesn’t hurt that Bailey has a cute smile, nice hands (how can someone even have nice hands?) and smells really good.

Suddenly sixth grade is anything but the same. And when her irascible father shares that he and Bailey have something big—and surprising—in common, Annabelle begins to see herself, and her family, in a whole new light. At the same time she starts to realize that her community, which she always thought of as home, might not be as welcoming as she had thought. Together Annabelle, Bailey, and their families discover how these categories that seem to mean so much—boy, girl, gay, straight, fruit, vegetable—aren’t so clear-cut after all.

(POST-IT SAYS: As informational as it is affirming, this exploration of identity and family is filled with smart, inquisitive kids who are so aware of and involved in the world around them. Important and nuanced representation that will help many feel seen.)

Karthik Delivers by Sheela Chari (ISBN-13: 9781419755224 Publisher: Amulet Books Publication date: 04/05/2022, Ages 10-14)

From the award-winning author of Finding Mighty, a moving middle-grade novel about finding your place by following your heart

Karthik Raghavan is good at remembering things. Like his bike routes. Or all the reasons he likes Juhi Shah—even if she doesn’t even know he exists. It doesn’t help that she seems to have a crush on his arch nemesis, Jacob Donnell, whose only job is to humiliate Karthik (and get his name wrong). Then Karthik’s luck changes when he secretly agrees to be in a play about the famous musician, Leonard Bernstein. But he can’t tell his parents. The family store is in jeopardy, and they need him delivering groceries on his bike to help save it. His mom is also worried about the Financial Crisis, and she’s convinced that studying hard and staying focused is the only way to succeed. But Karthik is having fun being Lenny. Besides, what if acting is Karthik’s special talent? And what if acting is the one way to catch Juhi Shah’s attention? With all the pressure from his family to succeed, will Karthik be able to really imagine and hope when he’s not sure what will happen next?

(POST-IT SAYS: Wonderful read. Karthik navigates bullies, family and financial issues, and aspirations all while delivering groceries and building community and connection. I love that he’s headed into 9th grade—not a ton of upper MG/lower YA out there. Excellent characters and a unique plot.)

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston (ISBN-13: 9781250244451 Publisher: St. Martin’s Publishing Group Publication date: 05/03/2022, Ages 13-18)

From the New York Times bestselling author of One Last Stop and Red, White & Royal Blue comes a romantic comedy about chasing down what you want, only to find what you need…

Chloe Green is so close to winning. After her moms moved her from SoCal to Alabama for high school, she’s spent the past four years dodging gossipy classmates and the puritanical administration of Willowgrove Christian Academy. The thing that’s kept her going: winning valedictorian. Her only rival: prom queen Shara Wheeler, the principal’s perfect progeny.

But a month before graduation, Shara kisses Chloe and vanishes.

On a furious hunt for answers, Chloe discovers she’s not the only one Shara kissed. There’s also Smith, Shara’s longtime quarterback sweetheart, and Rory, Shara’s bad boy neighbor with a crush. The three have nothing in common except Shara and the annoyingly cryptic notes she left behind, but together they must untangle Shara’s trail of clues and find her. It’ll be worth it, if Chloe can drag Shara back before graduation to beat her fair and square.

Thrown into an unlikely alliance, chasing a ghost through parties, break-ins, puzzles, and secrets revealed on monogrammed stationery, Chloe starts to suspect there might be more to this small town than she thought. And maybe—probably not, but maybe—more to Shara, too.

Fierce, funny, and frank, Casey McQuiston’s I Kissed Shara Wheeler is about breaking the rules, getting messy, and finding love in unexpected places.

(POST-IT SAYS: McQuiston is a must-read author for me and I enjoyed the heck out of this new one. Smart, funny, and sweet with messages about following your heart, being yourself, and seeing beyond stereotypes and assumptions. Do I agree it’s like a queer Paper Towns? Sure. A bit. Loved these complex, flawed characters. Now, when’s the next book?)

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