Crush (Berrybrook Middle School #3)

Gr 5-8--The third installment of the series set at Berrybrook Middle School centers on Jorge, whom readers met in Chmakova's Brave as "the sheriff," the big, scary dude (who's actually very sweet) who patrols the halls and intimidates bullies into leaving their victims alone. This year, students are obsessed with who's dating whom and who's asking whom out--which Jorge finds annoying, especially when he begins noticing one particular girl and can't seem to remember how to use words around her. The character development is wonderful. With each page turn, everyone becomes more complex, and the situations they experience are timely and real. The artwork tends toward colorful pastels, and the backgrounds lighten and darken to reflect characters' emotions in a lovely, subtle way. Panels featuring well-placed, expressive speech balloons and creative fonts move the action along. Mr. Raccoon continues to sneak into the background, and the author has a fun cameo. VERDICT This compelling continuation to a fabulous middle grade graphic series also stands on its own and is every bit as strong as the first two books. For all collections.--Kelley Gile, Cheshire Public Library, CT