The Infinite Questions of Dottie Bing

Ten-year-old Dottie Bing processes grief surrounding her grandmother Ima's death in this earnest novel by Burnham (the Teddy Mars series). Following Ima's passing, Dottie's mission of building a tree house to honor her ("She told me how she was sure that if there was a tree house to play in, she would have been the happiest kid in the world," Dottie says) is interrupted by her grandfather Walter's sudden decision to stay with Dottie and her parents. Dottie feels that Walter's grief is something she needs to fix, believing that if she can make him happy, "everything will be perfect." She endeavors to figure out a new plan with her trans friend Sam, who's working through complicated feelings regarding his mother's pregnancy, and cantankerous neighbor Miles, who's navigating uncertainty amid his parents' divorce. Tender b&w illustrations by Liem artfully depict the youths' adventures. As Dottie learns more about her grandfather and works through her own feelings of loss--which manifest as metaphorical "animals" churning in her stomach--she maintains a curious, constantly questioning attitude. Through Dottie's evolving, conciliatory relationship with grief-stricken Walter, Burnham conjures a warm and compassionate tale about myriad paths toward healing. Characters read as white. Ages 8-12. (Jan.)

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 3-7--Burnham has crafted a delightful story about grief and the joy of friendship featuring 10-year-old Dottie Bing. Recently widowed Grandpa Walter comes to stay with Dottie, her parents, her four-year-old sister, Jazzy, and MacFurry, their spunky cat. While Dottie mourns the loss of Grandmother Ima, her neighborhood friends are dealing with their own challenges. Miles's parents are getting divorced, and Sam's mom is having a baby. Their group project of building a tree house brings them all together to deal with their feelings in a genuine and communal way. Sparse but appealing black-and-white illustrations help bring the dazzling cast of characters to life, and humor is infused in all the right places so the plot never feels too heavy (the lunch monitor Mr. Park who goes by "Mr. Shark" because, "I never stop moving, and I'm always watching you," is an especially fun addition). The characters appear white; readers learn that Sam is trans, but it's not part of the primary arc. VERDICT An endearing story about grief and friendship that will resonate with readers. Recommended for public and elementary school libraries where realistic fiction is popular.--Carrie Voliva

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

★ "[A] brilliant mix of a plot...embellished with black-and-white illustrations... Profound in its own sparkling, humorous way." -Kirkus, starred review

"Delightful... An endearing story about grief and friendship that will resonate with readers." -School Library Journal

"A warm and compassionate tale about myriad paths toward healing." -Publishers Weekly