(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Matthew Holm. Color by Lark Pien. "I'm so glad it's summer!?" exclaims Sunny (Sunny Side Up, rev. 9/15, and sequels) on the last day of school, but that's before friend Deb announces that her family is going to spend the summer at her grandmother's in Wisconsin. And if having a summer birthday isn't bad enough, having one when your best friend isn't around and there's no air conditioning and it's your thirteenth--things don't look good. But true to this durable heroine's name, happenstance (beloved Gramps blithely arrives from Florida for an extended visit), hard work (Sunny gets a job at the local pool's snack bar), and a hint of romance (for both Sunny and Gramps!) combine to create a memorable, maturing, and very full vacation. As in the previous stories, the 1970s suburban-Pennsylvania setting of this breezy graphic novel is richly conveyed with not a hint of nostalgia. So closely allied are we with Sunny's perspective that we are right there with her the whole time, including every attempt she makes to conquer her fear of the high dive at the pool. Will she succeed? See title.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2022

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Matthew Holm. Color by Lark Pien. In her third 1970s-set graphic novel, now-seventh-grader Sunny becomes an eager initiate of Dungeons & Dragons. She tries to remain true to herself while watching her friends race ahead to hot-rollers and boys. Sunny's fans know she'll be fine, but not before an entertaining series of social gaffes and identity crises is met with her essential good sense--and the magic of D&D.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2019

(2) 4-6 Babymouse: Tales from the Locker series. Illustrated by Matthew Holm. Babymouse has a lot to learn when she gets her first smartphone. Her forays into the quagmire of social media intensify her obsession with popularity and make her vulnerable to the middle schooler's nightmare: public humiliation. Babymouse's phone troubles are LOL funny, but her misguided attempts to reinvent herself will definitely resonate with fans. Black-and-white cartoon illustrations are integral to advancing the story, second in the spinoff series.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2018

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Matthew Holm. Color by Lark Pien. Sunny (Sunny Side Up) begins middle school back in Pennsylvania with some trepidation; what's more, she faces it without the (complicated) presence of her troubled older brother Dale. The family drama is so, so good, resolved hopefully but honestly. The subject is manifestly serious, and the Holms respect just how dark the story can get while maintaining its mainstream appeal as a middle-grade graphic-novel comedy.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2017

(2) PS Illustrated by Matthew Holm. In her picture-book debut, Babymouse (here a preschooler) eats Santa's cookies on Christmas Eve. Not wanting to jeopardize her Christmas wish for a suit of armor, Babymouse makes cupcakes for Santa instead. In a wild pink-tinted fantasy, Sir Babymouse defeats a fire-breathing dragon and celebrates with a medieval cupcake banquet. Oops. Animated panel and full-page illustrations (in full color) expand on the text's humor.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2016

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Matthew Holm. When a science project goes awry, middle schooler Marvin Watson unwittingly creates a trio of giant moths as well as a monstrous spider, Caliban, who threatens all of Butcherville, home of Pork Loaf International. Like Dr. Frankenstein, Marvin must bring down the monster he raised up. The tale is pure fun, as readers witness a trio of outcasts bond while facing a common foe.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2016

(3) 1-3 Squish series. Illustrated by Matthew Holm. Amoeba Squish fears he's dying from "parasitic black death amoebitis" after typing his symptoms into the computer. The real cause of his gastrointestinal problems? Mixing orange juice and Twinkies. This seventh graphic novel maintains the series' focus on science concepts and snarky humor. The panel illustrations' neon-green highlights are particularly effective for this story of stomach upset. Acid and base experiment appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Matthew Holm. When Babymouse learns "you get PAID!?" for babysitting, she's all for it. Various disasters ensue ("My heirloom vase!"; "MY HOUSE!"). "BabyPoppins" nearly gives up; then she meets a sad little owl who needs a friend. The happy ending is well earned in this nineteenth installment in the graphic novel series. The story is funny, touching, and satisfying, and Babymouse's pinktastic daydream scenes are a trip.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(1) 4-6 Illustrated by Matthew Holm. Color by Lark Pien. In the brother-and-sister team's semiautobiographical graphic novel, ten-year-old Sunshine ("Sunny") is sent to Florida to stay with "Gramps," and she befriends comics-obsessed Buzz. The truth surrounding Sunny's visit: back home her teenage brother is struggling with substance abuse. Matthew Holm's less-is-more cartooning is easy to read and expressive. Straightforward dialogue, captions establishing time and setting, and extended wordless scenes swiftly propel the narrative.

Reviewer: Patrick Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2015

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Matthew Holm. Babymouse's initially reluctant foray into scientific research yields unexpected results and a new single-celled character (slated for his own spin-off graphic novel series). The series' trademark humor, relatable characters, and pink-hued fantasies shine through in this sort-of-science-minded entry.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Matthew Holm. When the library is flooded and books are destroyed (accidents happen, Babymouse), the school holds a fundraiser. Babymouse's entrepreneurial spirit (and her competitive streak) emerge as she tries to out-sell Felicia and win the special prize. This graphic novel's plucky heroine, pink-tinted daydreams, and sassy narrator continue to be rich with humor, warmth, and cupcakes.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Matthew Holm. Babymouse dreams of glory in the soap box derby but doesn't put much effort into preparation. She sweet-talks best friend and fellow contestant Wilson into building (and re-building) her car, preventing him from being ready on race day. In her twelfth pink-tinted graphic novel, Babymouse's believable progression from self-absorbed to self-aware will satisfy series fans.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn