(1) YA Katya is a nervous middle schooler whose fertile imagination defaults to disaster. The voice in her head warns of poisoned Halloween candy, looming social ostracism, imminent acne, and rabid raccoons. In six short entries we cheer her on as she breaks free of her fears and banishes the voice. Interleaved with this unifying story are portraits of Katya's classmates at Bridger Middle School: Julian with his phobia about odd numbers, Kiera with her imposter syndrome, Gio who gets a new personality delivered in a box, Alice who feels so invisible she fears she's a ghost. The tone shifts from naturalistic to surreal, jokey to strange, goofy to mordant, poetic to unabashedly therapeutic. Added to the mix are a recurring faux-interactive "Choose Your Own Catastrophe" game; teen-magazine-style quizzes; the minimalist saga of Marta, who wished for a different life and gets stuck being a tree; an invitation to a gathering for Elena, who died of embarrassment. All the varied moods and textures of these pieces come together into an original, convincing, spot-on, and weirdly moving collage portrait of middle-school-age insecurities, anxieties, awkwardness, and interpersonal dynamics.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2021

(2) YA The Mini Mart "checkout lady" was shot, and the killer escaped down Maggie's street. Maggie, already on edge about starting middle school, becomes more worried knowing that tough-kid classmate-neighbor Gordy is getting a gun for his birthday. Life goes on, though, as Maggie deals with ordinary adolescent problems. Homey first-person narration keeps readers engaged in Maggie's story--and don't worry, the murderer gets caught.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2016

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Sarah Horne. In her second adventure (this one's not a mystery story), Nana (Nana Cracks the Case!) has a car breakdown on the way to the rodeo. Grandchildren Eufala and Bog help save the day when Nana's (lack of) skills as a mechanic get her in trouble with bad guys Tuff and the Ruffies. Black-and-white ink drawings reflect the story's quirky humor.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Sarah Horne. Nana isn't ready for the old folks' home. Instead, she tries out different jobs (hockey referee, backhoe driver) until landing, happily, on detective. Nana's grandchildren Eufala and Bog are more interested in making mischief than solving crime until they help her unravel a mystery. The many quirky text asides and black-and-white illustrations add to an already funny and kid-friendly premise.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay